phys.org
25 Oct 2012
(Phys.org)--Looking for better battery designs and solutions is a priority pursuit for many scientists, and the Batteries for Advanced Transportation Technologies (BATT) Program is always on the lookout for worthy contributions. Supported by the US Department of Energy and managed by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, BATT is a leader in U.S, research in battery solutions for electric vehicles. They have not missed the fact that Prof. Yi Cui, Associate Professor, Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Stanford University, has been leading a team that is coming up with new answers for energy storage.
"Several fundamental studies still need to be conducted to develop viable Si electrodes for batteries", BATT has written in the past. "Yi Cui's group at Stanford University is working on understanding the properties of various Si nanostructures and is designing new ones based on particles and wires that target improving Si cyclability".
BATT has recognized an important issue addressed by Cui, the conductivity of Si electrodes. "The electrical conductivity of Si is a major factor in determining the power and energy capabilities of an electrode that does not contain inactive materials such as conductive additives and binder. Future work in the Cui group will focus on designing new Si structures and pre-lithiation methods that are amenable to scale up so that large quantities of this anode material can be made at a low cost. Fundamental questions such as the best morphology for electrode packing, the type of surface coating for improving cyclability, and the optimal state of charge for these electrodes still need to be answered".
This month, Prof. Yi Cui and his Stanford team offer more answers in a newly published paper appearing in the journal Nature Communications. To compensate for fluctuating renewables in wind and solar systems, new approaches to storage are needed and Cui's team present a battery technology that works when the sun or wind falls short, in the form of sharp drop-offs of wind and solar systems. The battery electrodes can run for a thousand charge cycles without degrading, an advancement when typically the electrodes degrade with time.
Read More…
Friday, 2 November 2012
NRG Energy, SunPower Energize First 22 Megawatts of 250-Megawatt California Valley Solar Ranch; Huge solar project creates hundreds of jobs and starts generating clean, renewable electricity
www.power-eng.com
25 Oct 2012
NRG Energy, Inc, and SunPower Corp, will celebrate today the first 22 MWs (MW) of the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) being delivered to the electrical grid. NRG Energy and SunPower announced the first 22 MWs online at California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County, 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. (Photo: Business Wire)
CVSR is one of the largest central station photovoltaic solar plants in the world. It has created approximately 350 jobs since construction started in September 2011, and is expected to inject $315 million into the local economy over its two-year construction period. NRG Energy completed the acquisition of CVSR on September 30, 2011.
Once completed, CVSR will power a yearly average of 100,000 homes with clean, renewable solar power, while protecting and conserving more than 12,000 acres of land in and around the Carrizo Plain in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Electricity from CVSR is being sold to PGE through 25 year power purchase agreements.
"The private sector's role is to demonstrate successful performance that speeds commercialization of technology-on time and on budget-and that's what we're doing at CVSR and all of NRG Energy's major solar projects", said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Energy Solar and NRG Energy's West Region. "Equally important, through large scale deployment, the private sector is accelerating cost reductions through supply chain improvements, lower balance of system costs and progress through experience that can't be achieved at the lab bench or in the factory".
Read More…
25 Oct 2012
NRG Energy, Inc, and SunPower Corp, will celebrate today the first 22 MWs (MW) of the 250 MW California Valley Solar Ranch (CVSR) being delivered to the electrical grid. NRG Energy and SunPower announced the first 22 MWs online at California Valley Solar Ranch in San Luis Obispo County, 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. (Photo: Business Wire)
CVSR is one of the largest central station photovoltaic solar plants in the world. It has created approximately 350 jobs since construction started in September 2011, and is expected to inject $315 million into the local economy over its two-year construction period. NRG Energy completed the acquisition of CVSR on September 30, 2011.
Once completed, CVSR will power a yearly average of 100,000 homes with clean, renewable solar power, while protecting and conserving more than 12,000 acres of land in and around the Carrizo Plain in southeastern San Luis Obispo County, about 100 miles northwest of Los Angeles. Electricity from CVSR is being sold to PGE through 25 year power purchase agreements.
"The private sector's role is to demonstrate successful performance that speeds commercialization of technology-on time and on budget-and that's what we're doing at CVSR and all of NRG Energy's major solar projects", said Tom Doyle, president of NRG Energy Solar and NRG Energy's West Region. "Equally important, through large scale deployment, the private sector is accelerating cost reductions through supply chain improvements, lower balance of system costs and progress through experience that can't be achieved at the lab bench or in the factory".
Read More…
South Australia’s wind farm rules strike the right balance
Clean Energy Council
18 Oct 2012
Changes to South Australia's policy on wind farms announced today strike the right balance between making sure the community's concerns are heard and supporting this important industry, according to the Clean Energy Council. Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said South Australia had been a renewable energy pioneer, with the state's wind farms delivering just under a quarter of its power over the last year at a very low cost to consumers.
"These latest amendments to the planning framework, announced today by Planning Minister John Rau, follow a year-long trial and are ultimately a good news story for jobs, investment and cleaner sources of energy in South Australia", Mr Marsh said. "South Australia should be proud that it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 27% over the last five years, while generating approximately $1.8 billion worth of investment for local communities and 840 new jobs, thanks to wind power.
"This announcement shows that the government recognises the value of wind power to South Australia's economy, but that development needs to be sustainable for the communities involved-an idea we strongly support", he said.
South Australia has set a target of sourcing 33% of its power from renewable energy by 2020. Wind farms are currently among the lowest cost forms of renewable energy that can be rolled out on a large scale and are expected to play a major role in meeting this target. The wind farm rules will set a minimum setback distance of 1km between houses and turbines and a 2km distance from townships. Third party appeals can be triggered when turbines are within 2km of houses.
Mr Marsh said wind power added less than 2% to the cost of power bills and in the last financial year had produced more power than coal in the state for the first time. "Locking in the rules for wind farms will help investors, who need to know that the policy parameters will remain consistent. "All this wind is putting South Australia well ahead of the curve on Australia's 20% Renewable Energy Target, and helping to provide farmers and local businesses in regional areas with extra income".
18 Oct 2012
Changes to South Australia's policy on wind farms announced today strike the right balance between making sure the community's concerns are heard and supporting this important industry, according to the Clean Energy Council. Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said South Australia had been a renewable energy pioneer, with the state's wind farms delivering just under a quarter of its power over the last year at a very low cost to consumers."These latest amendments to the planning framework, announced today by Planning Minister John Rau, follow a year-long trial and are ultimately a good news story for jobs, investment and cleaner sources of energy in South Australia", Mr Marsh said. "South Australia should be proud that it has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 27% over the last five years, while generating approximately $1.8 billion worth of investment for local communities and 840 new jobs, thanks to wind power.
"This announcement shows that the government recognises the value of wind power to South Australia's economy, but that development needs to be sustainable for the communities involved-an idea we strongly support", he said.
South Australia has set a target of sourcing 33% of its power from renewable energy by 2020. Wind farms are currently among the lowest cost forms of renewable energy that can be rolled out on a large scale and are expected to play a major role in meeting this target. The wind farm rules will set a minimum setback distance of 1km between houses and turbines and a 2km distance from townships. Third party appeals can be triggered when turbines are within 2km of houses.
Mr Marsh said wind power added less than 2% to the cost of power bills and in the last financial year had produced more power than coal in the state for the first time. "Locking in the rules for wind farms will help investors, who need to know that the policy parameters will remain consistent. "All this wind is putting South Australia well ahead of the curve on Australia's 20% Renewable Energy Target, and helping to provide farmers and local businesses in regional areas with extra income".
CEC Media Release: Productivity Commission report’s consumer focus applauded
Clean Energy Council
18 Oct 2012
A new Productivity Commission draft report is heading in the right direction with its recommendations on making the electricity market more consumer-oriented, the clean energy industry body said today.
"The Electricity Network Regulation Frameworks report reiterated the fact that the spiralling costs of electricity networks-the 'poles and wires'-have driven the huge increases in electricity prices over recent years", Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green said.
"The report rightly highlights that some 25% of retail power bills goes towards meeting just 40 hours of peak energy demand per year-which usually correspond to those times on really hot days when everyone gets home and turns on their air-conditioners. "We welcome the Productivity Commission's view that the best way to manage peak demand is to put more control in the hands of the consumer.
"We agree with the report's recommendations that reforms are now urgently needed including the effective introduction of smart meters, appropriate time-based pricing for critical peak periods, and the phased removal of retail price regulation alongside suitable consumer safeguards".
Such reforms would enable consumers to take charge of their own power bills by making informed decisions on when and how they used power, and to be rewarded for avoiding peak times. "As the report states, such reforms should reduce network costs and enable consumers who use low amounts of power during peak times to avoid paying for those who use a lot", Mr Green said.
"The more control we can give consumers in deciding when and how to use energy and from what sources-including their own, such as domestic solar-the quicker Australia's transition to a cleaner and more efficient energy system, which is good news for everyone".
18 Oct 2012
A new Productivity Commission draft report is heading in the right direction with its recommendations on making the electricity market more consumer-oriented, the clean energy industry body said today."The Electricity Network Regulation Frameworks report reiterated the fact that the spiralling costs of electricity networks-the 'poles and wires'-have driven the huge increases in electricity prices over recent years", Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green said.
"The report rightly highlights that some 25% of retail power bills goes towards meeting just 40 hours of peak energy demand per year-which usually correspond to those times on really hot days when everyone gets home and turns on their air-conditioners. "We welcome the Productivity Commission's view that the best way to manage peak demand is to put more control in the hands of the consumer.
"We agree with the report's recommendations that reforms are now urgently needed including the effective introduction of smart meters, appropriate time-based pricing for critical peak periods, and the phased removal of retail price regulation alongside suitable consumer safeguards".
Such reforms would enable consumers to take charge of their own power bills by making informed decisions on when and how they used power, and to be rewarded for avoiding peak times. "As the report states, such reforms should reduce network costs and enable consumers who use low amounts of power during peak times to avoid paying for those who use a lot", Mr Green said.
"The more control we can give consumers in deciding when and how to use energy and from what sources-including their own, such as domestic solar-the quicker Australia's transition to a cleaner and more efficient energy system, which is good news for everyone".
Productivity Commission report’s consumer focus applauded
Clean Energy Council
18 Oct 2012
A new Productivity Commission draft report is heading in the right direction with its recommendations on making the electricity market more consumer-oriented, the clean energy industry body said today.
"The Electricity Network Regulation Frameworks report reiterated the fact that the spiralling costs of electricity networks-the 'poles and wires'-have driven the huge increases in electricity prices over recent years", Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green said.
"The report rightly highlights that some 25% of retail power bills goes towards meeting just 40 hours of peak energy demand per year-which usually correspond to those times on really hot days when everyone gets home and turns on their air-conditioners. "We welcome the Productivity Commission's view that the best way to manage peak demand is to put more control in the hands of the consumer.
"We agree with the report's recommendations that reforms are now urgently needed including the effective introduction of smart meters, appropriate time-based pricing for critical peak periods, and the phased removal of retail price regulation alongside suitable consumer safeguards".
Such reforms would enable consumers to take charge of their own power bills by making informed decisions on when and how they used power, and to be rewarded for avoiding peak times. "As the report states, such reforms should reduce network costs and enable consumers who use low amounts of power during peak times to avoid paying for those who use a lot", Mr Green said.
"The more control we can give consumers in deciding when and how to use energy and from what sources-including their own, such as domestic solar-the quicker Australia's transition to a cleaner and more efficient energy system, which is good news for everyone".
18 Oct 2012
A new Productivity Commission draft report is heading in the right direction with its recommendations on making the electricity market more consumer-oriented, the clean energy industry body said today."The Electricity Network Regulation Frameworks report reiterated the fact that the spiralling costs of electricity networks-the 'poles and wires'-have driven the huge increases in electricity prices over recent years", Clean Energy Council Chief Executive David Green said.
"The report rightly highlights that some 25% of retail power bills goes towards meeting just 40 hours of peak energy demand per year-which usually correspond to those times on really hot days when everyone gets home and turns on their air-conditioners. "We welcome the Productivity Commission's view that the best way to manage peak demand is to put more control in the hands of the consumer.
"We agree with the report's recommendations that reforms are now urgently needed including the effective introduction of smart meters, appropriate time-based pricing for critical peak periods, and the phased removal of retail price regulation alongside suitable consumer safeguards".
Such reforms would enable consumers to take charge of their own power bills by making informed decisions on when and how they used power, and to be rewarded for avoiding peak times. "As the report states, such reforms should reduce network costs and enable consumers who use low amounts of power during peak times to avoid paying for those who use a lot", Mr Green said.
"The more control we can give consumers in deciding when and how to use energy and from what sources-including their own, such as domestic solar-the quicker Australia's transition to a cleaner and more efficient energy system, which is good news for everyone".
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