www.weeklytimesnow.com.au
4 Feb 2013
A REPORT by the Environment Protection Authority South Australia has found infrasound from wind farms is "no greater" than infrasound in other rural environments. Infrasound is sound not audible to the human ear. The EPA took measurements over a period of a week at seven urban and four rural locations including residences approximately 1.5 km from wind turbines.
The study found the level of infrasound at the residences near the wind turbines was "no greater than that experienced in other urban and rural environments, that the contribution of wind turbines to the measured infrasound levels is insignificant in comparison with the background level of infrasound in the environment".
The Clean Energy Council said the report "put to rest a common myth about wind farms-that they create dangerous levels of infrasound". In a media release Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the report provided some much-needed clarity in a debate that has often been clouded by misinformation.
"South Australia's EPA is the most experienced regulatory authority in Australia when it comes to wind farm noise, and this new report provides hard evidence that wind turbines do not cause increased levels of infrasound in surrounding areas, neither inside people's homes nor outdoors", Mr Marsh said. "The study included houses in rural and urban areas, houses both adjacent to a wind farm and away from turbines, and measured the levels of infrasound with the wind farms operating and also switched off.
"There were no noticeable differences in the levels of infrasound under all these different conditions. In fact, the lowest levels of infrasound were recorded at one of the houses closest to a wind farm, whereas the highest levels were found in an urban office building".
The Australian reported last week land values could be cut by being near windfarms. South Gippsland shire council has amended the rates notice for a landowner near the Bald Hills wind farm project, which is yet to begin construction. Meanwhile, a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing over the Cherry Tree Range wind farm near Seymour continues.
It is believed to be the first to reach VCAT since planning rules were changed by the Coalition Government. The Coalition allowed the right of veto to homeowners whose house was within 2km of a turbine. The 16 turbine Cherry Tree Range wind farm, by Infigen Energy, was knocked back by Mitchell Shire last year. It is a $100 million project with a capacity of 50 MWs, south east of Seymour.
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Wind farm planning in state hit by crosswinds
www.theage.com.au
7 Feb 2013
WIND farm planning in Victoria is in turmoil with a case before Victoria's planning tribunal revealing explosive telephone calls and emails between a senior government planning official and lawyers for a wind farm developer. The case involves a request to Planning Minister Matthew Guy to approve plans for a 20 turbine wind farm at Naroghid near Warrnambool and also to extend the time for a previous permit issued for the proposal. In March last year, senior planning official David Hodge, acting as delegate from Mr Guy, refused the plans for the wind farm.
The applicant, Naroghid Wind Farm Pty Ltd, has now taken Mr Guy to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a review of the decision and also applying to have it determined unlawful, arguing the decision maker was ''biased towards the applicant''. The day after the refusal decision was made, William Grinter, a solicitor with Middletons law firm (now K&L Gates) emailed Mr Guy requesting an extension of time for the wind farm permit.
In an affidavit, Mr Grinter said Mr Hodge from the Department of Planning called him the next day and said, ''You do not email the minister directly.'' Mr Hodge then described Mr Grinter as ''incompetent'' and as a ''rock star'' and said ''you are a f---ing idiot''. In a later email, Mr Hodge said Mr Grinter's conduct demonstrated ''a complete lack of understanding of how to achieve 'outcomes' for clients'' and that ''there is no substance to the service or advice you provide to the clients you represent''.
It is not just the relationship between the department and lawyers for the wind farm applicant under the microscope in the case. The submission by Naroghid to the tribunal also attacks the Baillieu government's new planning laws that give residents within two km of a proposed wind farm the power to veto the permit application. The initial permit for the Naroghid wind farm was issued by the former Labor government in 2006, before the new 2 km planning rule was introduced.
The new wind farm planning rules would become relevant should the decision not to extend the time for the wind farm permit be upheld. It its submission to the tribunal the wind farm applicant said the new planning laws ''allow a single person to prevent a development which (like this one) would result in a net community benefit from going ahead for reasons which are illogical, vexatious or capricious''.
It said: ''It cannot be reasonably argued that it [the new wind farm rule] has been inserted to achieve anything other than a political agenda. It is a provision which is contrary to accepted principles of orderly and proper planning.''
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said wind farm planning in Victoria was a mess. ''Mr Guy sees himself as a future leader but how will he run the state when he can't even run a wind farm policy which is in chaos,'' he said.
Mr Guy denied the two-km rule was part of a ''political agenda''. He added, ''The government expects proponents and the department to behave in a courteous and reasonable manner at all stages of the planing process.'' The case continues at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
7 Feb 2013
WIND farm planning in Victoria is in turmoil with a case before Victoria's planning tribunal revealing explosive telephone calls and emails between a senior government planning official and lawyers for a wind farm developer. The case involves a request to Planning Minister Matthew Guy to approve plans for a 20 turbine wind farm at Naroghid near Warrnambool and also to extend the time for a previous permit issued for the proposal. In March last year, senior planning official David Hodge, acting as delegate from Mr Guy, refused the plans for the wind farm.
The applicant, Naroghid Wind Farm Pty Ltd, has now taken Mr Guy to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a review of the decision and also applying to have it determined unlawful, arguing the decision maker was ''biased towards the applicant''. The day after the refusal decision was made, William Grinter, a solicitor with Middletons law firm (now K&L Gates) emailed Mr Guy requesting an extension of time for the wind farm permit.
In an affidavit, Mr Grinter said Mr Hodge from the Department of Planning called him the next day and said, ''You do not email the minister directly.'' Mr Hodge then described Mr Grinter as ''incompetent'' and as a ''rock star'' and said ''you are a f---ing idiot''. In a later email, Mr Hodge said Mr Grinter's conduct demonstrated ''a complete lack of understanding of how to achieve 'outcomes' for clients'' and that ''there is no substance to the service or advice you provide to the clients you represent''.
It is not just the relationship between the department and lawyers for the wind farm applicant under the microscope in the case. The submission by Naroghid to the tribunal also attacks the Baillieu government's new planning laws that give residents within two km of a proposed wind farm the power to veto the permit application. The initial permit for the Naroghid wind farm was issued by the former Labor government in 2006, before the new 2 km planning rule was introduced.
The new wind farm planning rules would become relevant should the decision not to extend the time for the wind farm permit be upheld. It its submission to the tribunal the wind farm applicant said the new planning laws ''allow a single person to prevent a development which (like this one) would result in a net community benefit from going ahead for reasons which are illogical, vexatious or capricious''.
It said: ''It cannot be reasonably argued that it [the new wind farm rule] has been inserted to achieve anything other than a political agenda. It is a provision which is contrary to accepted principles of orderly and proper planning.''
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said wind farm planning in Victoria was a mess. ''Mr Guy sees himself as a future leader but how will he run the state when he can't even run a wind farm policy which is in chaos,'' he said.
Mr Guy denied the two-km rule was part of a ''political agenda''. He added, ''The government expects proponents and the department to behave in a courteous and reasonable manner at all stages of the planing process.'' The case continues at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
U.S. Wind has strongest year ever
www.onlinetes.com
3 Feb 2013
The U.S, wind power industry had its strongest year ever in 2012, according to the American Wind Energy Association, installing a record 13,124MW of electric generating capacity, leveraging $25 billion in private investment,and achieving over 60,000MW of cumulative wind capacity.
The milestone of 60,000MW (60GW) was reached just five months after AWEA announced last August that the U.S, industry had 50,000MW installed. Today's 60,007MW is enough clean, affordable, American wind power to power the equivalent of almost 15 million homes, or the number in Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio combined.
In this historic year of achievement, wind power for the first time became the number one source of new U.S, electric generating capacity, providing some 42% of all new generating capacity; the final tally will be released in April in AWEA's annual report. In fact, 2012 was a strong year for all renewables, as together they accounted for over 55% of all new U.S, generating capacity.
Resulting from 190 projects across 32 states plus Puerto Rico, this new record for annual installations of over 13,000 MW by the U.S, industry far surpasses the previous record of 10,000MW installed in 2010.
AWEA Interim CEO Rob Gramlich says, "It is a real testament to American innovation and hard work that for the first time ever a renewable energy source was number one in new capacity. We are thrilled to mark this major milestone in the nation's progress toward a cleaner energy system". Currently installed wind power will avoid 95.9 million metric tons a year of CO₂ emissions, equal to 1.8% of the entire country's carbon emissions.
In last year's fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed, making it the strongest quarter in U.S, wind power history. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the successful federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end at the end of last year, but was extended by Congress on Jan. 1, as part of the "fiscal cliff package", the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
Gramlich adds, "What is just as striking as the new records is the expansion of new customers. A total of 66 utilities bought or owned wind power in 2012, up from 42 in 2011. We are also seeing growth in new customers in the industrial and commercial sectors purchasing or owning wind power directly".
New wind power purchasers last year included at least 18 industrial buyers, 11 schools and universities, and eight towns or cities, showing a significant trend toward nontraditional power purchasers from the industrial sector. Manufacturers of everything from plastics to light bulbs, semiconductors, and badges, farms, and medical centers are now directly purchasing wind power.
"The fact that wind power grew by another 28% in 2012 alone and poured $25 billion of private investment into the U.S, last year demonstrates wind's ability to scale up, and continue to serve as a leading source of energy in America", Gramlich says.
Top states for new capacity installations in 2012 include:
3 Feb 2013
The U.S, wind power industry had its strongest year ever in 2012, according to the American Wind Energy Association, installing a record 13,124MW of electric generating capacity, leveraging $25 billion in private investment,and achieving over 60,000MW of cumulative wind capacity.
The milestone of 60,000MW (60GW) was reached just five months after AWEA announced last August that the U.S, industry had 50,000MW installed. Today's 60,007MW is enough clean, affordable, American wind power to power the equivalent of almost 15 million homes, or the number in Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio combined.
In this historic year of achievement, wind power for the first time became the number one source of new U.S, electric generating capacity, providing some 42% of all new generating capacity; the final tally will be released in April in AWEA's annual report. In fact, 2012 was a strong year for all renewables, as together they accounted for over 55% of all new U.S, generating capacity.
Resulting from 190 projects across 32 states plus Puerto Rico, this new record for annual installations of over 13,000 MW by the U.S, industry far surpasses the previous record of 10,000MW installed in 2010.
AWEA Interim CEO Rob Gramlich says, "It is a real testament to American innovation and hard work that for the first time ever a renewable energy source was number one in new capacity. We are thrilled to mark this major milestone in the nation's progress toward a cleaner energy system". Currently installed wind power will avoid 95.9 million metric tons a year of CO₂ emissions, equal to 1.8% of the entire country's carbon emissions.
In last year's fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed, making it the strongest quarter in U.S, wind power history. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the successful federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end at the end of last year, but was extended by Congress on Jan. 1, as part of the "fiscal cliff package", the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
Gramlich adds, "What is just as striking as the new records is the expansion of new customers. A total of 66 utilities bought or owned wind power in 2012, up from 42 in 2011. We are also seeing growth in new customers in the industrial and commercial sectors purchasing or owning wind power directly".
New wind power purchasers last year included at least 18 industrial buyers, 11 schools and universities, and eight towns or cities, showing a significant trend toward nontraditional power purchasers from the industrial sector. Manufacturers of everything from plastics to light bulbs, semiconductors, and badges, farms, and medical centers are now directly purchasing wind power.
"The fact that wind power grew by another 28% in 2012 alone and poured $25 billion of private investment into the U.S, last year demonstrates wind's ability to scale up, and continue to serve as a leading source of energy in America", Gramlich says.
Top states for new capacity installations in 2012 include:
- Texas (1,826MW)
- California (1,656MW)
- Kansas (1,440MW)
- Oklahoma (1,127MW)
- Illinois (823MW)
- Iowa (814MW)
- Oregon (640MW)
- Michigan (611MW)
- Pennsylvania (550MW)
- Colorado (496MW)
California ties Iowa in wind energy
www.desmoinesregister.com
31 Jan 2013
Iowa added 600 MWs of wind power last year, but California came from behind in the fourth quarter of 2012 to tie Iowa for second in wind power generation, the American Wind Energy Association said Thursday. Each state ended the year with 5,549 MWs of wind power generation installed, trailing Texas' nation-leading 12,212 MWs.
Behind Texas, Iowa and California come Illinois, with 3,568 MWs, and Oregon, with 3,153 MWs. Because its population is much smaller than those of California and Texas, Iowa remains the nation's leader in per capita wind power capacity.
Iowa remains a significant center of wind turbine and tower construction, with factories at Newton, Cedar Rapids and West Branch. Siemens laid off 400 workers at its Fort Madison plant in August, although the facility remains available for future use.
The fourth quarter of 2012 saw a rush of wind industry construction as developers faced the possible end of the 2.2¢-per-kW-hour production tax credit, which expired Dec. 31. Congress ultimately extended the credit on New Year's Day. In the fourth quarter, MidAmerican Energy added farms in northwest Iowa.
The U.S, wind industry installed 8,380 MWs of generation during the fourth quarter of 2012, pushing the total for 2012 to 13,124 MWs and the overall wind power capacity to 60,007 MWs. There are now more than 45,100 wind turbines installed across the US
That flurry of wind industry construction late in the year more than doubled the previous high for installations in a quarter. The old mark was 4,113 MWs, which was set during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Over the entire year, four states installed more than 1,000 MWs. Texas led with 1,826, California came in second place with 1,656, Kansas installed 1,440 and Oklahoma added 1,127. Illinois rounded out the top five with 823 MWs.
31 Jan 2013
Iowa added 600 MWs of wind power last year, but California came from behind in the fourth quarter of 2012 to tie Iowa for second in wind power generation, the American Wind Energy Association said Thursday. Each state ended the year with 5,549 MWs of wind power generation installed, trailing Texas' nation-leading 12,212 MWs.
Behind Texas, Iowa and California come Illinois, with 3,568 MWs, and Oregon, with 3,153 MWs. Because its population is much smaller than those of California and Texas, Iowa remains the nation's leader in per capita wind power capacity.
Iowa remains a significant center of wind turbine and tower construction, with factories at Newton, Cedar Rapids and West Branch. Siemens laid off 400 workers at its Fort Madison plant in August, although the facility remains available for future use.
The fourth quarter of 2012 saw a rush of wind industry construction as developers faced the possible end of the 2.2¢-per-kW-hour production tax credit, which expired Dec. 31. Congress ultimately extended the credit on New Year's Day. In the fourth quarter, MidAmerican Energy added farms in northwest Iowa.
The U.S, wind industry installed 8,380 MWs of generation during the fourth quarter of 2012, pushing the total for 2012 to 13,124 MWs and the overall wind power capacity to 60,007 MWs. There are now more than 45,100 wind turbines installed across the US
That flurry of wind industry construction late in the year more than doubled the previous high for installations in a quarter. The old mark was 4,113 MWs, which was set during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Over the entire year, four states installed more than 1,000 MWs. Texas led with 1,826, California came in second place with 1,656, Kansas installed 1,440 and Oklahoma added 1,127. Illinois rounded out the top five with 823 MWs.
Failed referendum leaves Bulgaria without nuclear future
rt.com
31 Jan 2013
A referendum on nuclear power in Bulgaria failed due to low turnout, and the country's ruling party has confirmed it will not build a new nuclear plant. Critics warn that without nuclear power, Bulgaria may become a third-world country in 20 years. The referendum, which was supposed to determine the future course of nuclear power in Bulgaria, has been officially declared invalid: The final voter turnout was about 20%, far less than the required 60%.
Nearly 61% of voters who participated in Sunday's referendum approved of building the nuclear plant. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov confirmed that his ruling center-right GERB party would not resume construction on a nuclear power plant in Belene. In March 2012, the GERB party scrapped the 2,000 MW nuclear plant project, which had been under construction by Russia's Atomstroyexport since 2008. The Bulgarian government said that the country could no longer afford the plant's €6.4 billion price tag.
During the negotiations that preceded the cancellation, GERB attempted to bring an American or European contractor on to the project. Bulgaria also demanded that the price be lowered to less than 5 billion €, which Atomstroyexport refused to do. A breakdown in negotiations led to the termination of the project.
Following the failure of the project, the opposition Socialist party called for a referendum on the Belene plant. Though the government supported the referendum, Prime Minister Borisov urged Bulgarians to vote against the project. "The question [of the referendum] was put pretty vaguely, no one explained to an average voter the particulars of nuclear power", Krasimira Ilieva of the Bulgarian Nuclear Society told RT.
Bulgarian Socialist MP Peter Kurumbashev said the plant would eventually have justified the expense. Kurumbashev told RT that the cost of the nuclear plant proposed by Atomstroyexport is good, when compared to the costs of similar nuclear plants proposed for construction in neighboring Turkey. "It takes 12 14 years to pay back the money, whereas [the] life of this type of reactors is 60 years. So, in the next 44 years you're just 'printing' money", he said, adding that the referendum had become too politicized and unclear.
Kurumbashev said that negative campaign continued throughout the entirety of the referendum. The ruling party even said there was no need for referendum at all, "which is a very interesting statement on the part of [a] democracy", he said. The Socialist Party of Bulgaria announced plans to revive the project if they win the 2013 elections.
Bulgaria currently operates only one nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, about 200 km from the capital Sofia, which went online in 1974. At its peak production, the plant's six reactors delivered over 45% of Bulgaria's electricity. The EU ordered four of the reactors to be shut down over safety concerns.
Read More…
31 Jan 2013
A referendum on nuclear power in Bulgaria failed due to low turnout, and the country's ruling party has confirmed it will not build a new nuclear plant. Critics warn that without nuclear power, Bulgaria may become a third-world country in 20 years. The referendum, which was supposed to determine the future course of nuclear power in Bulgaria, has been officially declared invalid: The final voter turnout was about 20%, far less than the required 60%.Nearly 61% of voters who participated in Sunday's referendum approved of building the nuclear plant. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov confirmed that his ruling center-right GERB party would not resume construction on a nuclear power plant in Belene. In March 2012, the GERB party scrapped the 2,000 MW nuclear plant project, which had been under construction by Russia's Atomstroyexport since 2008. The Bulgarian government said that the country could no longer afford the plant's €6.4 billion price tag.
During the negotiations that preceded the cancellation, GERB attempted to bring an American or European contractor on to the project. Bulgaria also demanded that the price be lowered to less than 5 billion €, which Atomstroyexport refused to do. A breakdown in negotiations led to the termination of the project.
Following the failure of the project, the opposition Socialist party called for a referendum on the Belene plant. Though the government supported the referendum, Prime Minister Borisov urged Bulgarians to vote against the project. "The question [of the referendum] was put pretty vaguely, no one explained to an average voter the particulars of nuclear power", Krasimira Ilieva of the Bulgarian Nuclear Society told RT.
Bulgarian Socialist MP Peter Kurumbashev said the plant would eventually have justified the expense. Kurumbashev told RT that the cost of the nuclear plant proposed by Atomstroyexport is good, when compared to the costs of similar nuclear plants proposed for construction in neighboring Turkey. "It takes 12 14 years to pay back the money, whereas [the] life of this type of reactors is 60 years. So, in the next 44 years you're just 'printing' money", he said, adding that the referendum had become too politicized and unclear.
Kurumbashev said that negative campaign continued throughout the entirety of the referendum. The ruling party even said there was no need for referendum at all, "which is a very interesting statement on the part of [a] democracy", he said. The Socialist Party of Bulgaria announced plans to revive the project if they win the 2013 elections.
Bulgaria currently operates only one nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, about 200 km from the capital Sofia, which went online in 1974. At its peak production, the plant's six reactors delivered over 45% of Bulgaria's electricity. The EU ordered four of the reactors to be shut down over safety concerns.
Read More…
Saudi Arabia completes its biggest solar power plant
www.bloomberg.com
31 Jan 2013
Saudi Arabia completed its biggest ground-mounted photovoltaic plant as the world's largest crude oil exporter seeks to generate a third of its electricity with energy from the sun by 2032.
Germany's Phoenix Solar AG developed the 3.5 MW plant in Riyadh that uses 12,684 panels from China's Suntech Power Co. Ltd. and inverters from SMA Solar Technology AG, Phoenix Solar said in an e-mailed statement. "This project represents an important milestone in the development of the solar industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", Ron Shen, Suntech Power's vice president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said in a separate statement.
Saudi Arabia plans to boost renewable energy use as a way to pare back on oil consumption used for domestic desalination and power plants, potentially saving 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years. The country aims to have 41,000 MWs of solar capacity within two decades, Maher al-Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said last year.
31 Jan 2013
Saudi Arabia completed its biggest ground-mounted photovoltaic plant as the world's largest crude oil exporter seeks to generate a third of its electricity with energy from the sun by 2032.
Germany's Phoenix Solar AG developed the 3.5 MW plant in Riyadh that uses 12,684 panels from China's Suntech Power Co. Ltd. and inverters from SMA Solar Technology AG, Phoenix Solar said in an e-mailed statement. "This project represents an important milestone in the development of the solar industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", Ron Shen, Suntech Power's vice president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said in a separate statement.
Saudi Arabia plans to boost renewable energy use as a way to pare back on oil consumption used for domestic desalination and power plants, potentially saving 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years. The country aims to have 41,000 MWs of solar capacity within two decades, Maher al-Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said last year.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Duke completes biggest power storage system at wind farm
www.bloomberg.com
24 Jan 2013
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK), the largest U.S, utility owner, said the world's biggest battery power storage system has begun operating at the company's 153 MW wind farm in west Texas.
The 36 MW Xtreme Power Inc, system can release stored power from the Notrees Wind project when needed and absorb it during times of low demand, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke said in a statement today. Closely held Xtreme Power will manage the unit at the facility, which sells electricity to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer.
The system, which Duke said in April would cost $44 million, can improve the reliability of the Texas power grid by responding quickly to fluctuations in supply and demand. Such systems may eventually help the state avoid blackouts as it faces tightening power supplies.
"Energy storage will benefit our renewables business, our customers and the energy sector as a whole", said Greg Wolf, president of Duke's renewables unit. Power releases from battery storage units can help provide electricity even when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.
24 Jan 2013
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK), the largest U.S, utility owner, said the world's biggest battery power storage system has begun operating at the company's 153 MW wind farm in west Texas.
The 36 MW Xtreme Power Inc, system can release stored power from the Notrees Wind project when needed and absorb it during times of low demand, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke said in a statement today. Closely held Xtreme Power will manage the unit at the facility, which sells electricity to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer.
The system, which Duke said in April would cost $44 million, can improve the reliability of the Texas power grid by responding quickly to fluctuations in supply and demand. Such systems may eventually help the state avoid blackouts as it faces tightening power supplies.
"Energy storage will benefit our renewables business, our customers and the energy sector as a whole", said Greg Wolf, president of Duke's renewables unit. Power releases from battery storage units can help provide electricity even when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.
Wind energy 'could deliver £2.3bn boost for economy'
www.bbc.co.uk
30 Jan 2013
An average of 2,000 jobs a year could be created until 2050 and £2.3bn injected into the Welsh economy by onshore wind farms, it is claimed. That is the forecast from the first report looking at the economic impact of wind power in Wales.
The research by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School is based on how much of the money spent until now on wind farms has stayed in Wales. But it warns delays to approving and building wind farms will hamper this. And a leading countryside campaigner says the planning system must be democratic and listen to objections. Welsh government planning guidance sets a goal to generate 2,000 MWs of electricity from onshore wind turbines by 2025, with most of it available by 2020.
Although there are plans in the pipeline to reach the goal, not all applications for new turbines will be approved. The report by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School says reaching the goal will add £2.3bn to the economy by 2050. However, it added that the figure will fall to £900m if the pace at which wind projects get planning consent continues at the same rate as it did between 2001 and 2011.
The report was commissioned by the Welsh government and industry group RenewableUK. It says most of the economic benefits would be felt in construction and manufacturing, particularly the steel industry. Llywelyn Rhys, deputy director of Renewable UK Cymru, could not tell BBC's Good Morning Wales programme how many turbines could be built.
"That's quite a simplistic formula, a typical industrial turbine generates between two to 2.5mw but turbines generate a range of different outputs", he said. Mr Rhys said he was "unprepared" to estimate how many would be needed. "It will be on a case by case basis, so different wind farms will generate different amounts", he said. "The report looks into the economic opportunities and the employment opportunities of Wales and there's very positive figures in relation to that".
The report makes a number of recommendations, and says investors need to have confidence in the planning system. "Otherwise, given the considerable upfront investment that is required, there is a danger that planning risks will deter investment and developers will seek alternative locations in the UK and overseas", it says. It calls on energy companies to talk to local communities early in the planning process.
Read More…
30 Jan 2013
An average of 2,000 jobs a year could be created until 2050 and £2.3bn injected into the Welsh economy by onshore wind farms, it is claimed. That is the forecast from the first report looking at the economic impact of wind power in Wales.
The research by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School is based on how much of the money spent until now on wind farms has stayed in Wales. But it warns delays to approving and building wind farms will hamper this. And a leading countryside campaigner says the planning system must be democratic and listen to objections. Welsh government planning guidance sets a goal to generate 2,000 MWs of electricity from onshore wind turbines by 2025, with most of it available by 2020.
Although there are plans in the pipeline to reach the goal, not all applications for new turbines will be approved. The report by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School says reaching the goal will add £2.3bn to the economy by 2050. However, it added that the figure will fall to £900m if the pace at which wind projects get planning consent continues at the same rate as it did between 2001 and 2011.
The report was commissioned by the Welsh government and industry group RenewableUK. It says most of the economic benefits would be felt in construction and manufacturing, particularly the steel industry. Llywelyn Rhys, deputy director of Renewable UK Cymru, could not tell BBC's Good Morning Wales programme how many turbines could be built.
"That's quite a simplistic formula, a typical industrial turbine generates between two to 2.5mw but turbines generate a range of different outputs", he said. Mr Rhys said he was "unprepared" to estimate how many would be needed. "It will be on a case by case basis, so different wind farms will generate different amounts", he said. "The report looks into the economic opportunities and the employment opportunities of Wales and there's very positive figures in relation to that".
The report makes a number of recommendations, and says investors need to have confidence in the planning system. "Otherwise, given the considerable upfront investment that is required, there is a danger that planning risks will deter investment and developers will seek alternative locations in the UK and overseas", it says. It calls on energy companies to talk to local communities early in the planning process.
Read More…
Spain’s monthly wind power tops 6 terawatt-hours for first time
www.bloomberg.com
30 Jan 2013
Spain's monthly wind-power output exceeded 6 TWs for the first time this month, enough to light most households, the nation's wind lobby group said. The milestone was passed yesterday from 3 p.m, to 4 p.m, local time, the Spanish Wind Energy Association said today in an e-mailed statement, citing data from Red Electrica de Espana, the grid operator.
"Since Nov. 1, wind has been the top technology in the electrical system", the lobby group said in a blog posting. "The last time any technology exceeded 6 TWs of monthly generation was in 2010, when it was combined-cycle gas turbines".
Iberdrola SA (IBE), ACCIONA Energy SA (ANA) and other wind operators have built plants in Spain as the government seeks to meet energy demand without adding to emissions. The country is ranked fourth in the world in terms of installed wind power, after the US, Germany and China, according to the industry association.
Wind generation this month totaled 6.214 TWs as of 9:49 a.m, local time today, representing more than a quarter of Spain's total power output, according to Red Electrica's website. That puts it ahead of nuclear and coal-fired electricity, the figures show.
Wind has accounted for more power than any other energy source in the three months ending tomorrow, a first for any quarter, the wind association said.
30 Jan 2013
Spain's monthly wind-power output exceeded 6 TWs for the first time this month, enough to light most households, the nation's wind lobby group said. The milestone was passed yesterday from 3 p.m, to 4 p.m, local time, the Spanish Wind Energy Association said today in an e-mailed statement, citing data from Red Electrica de Espana, the grid operator.
"Since Nov. 1, wind has been the top technology in the electrical system", the lobby group said in a blog posting. "The last time any technology exceeded 6 TWs of monthly generation was in 2010, when it was combined-cycle gas turbines".
Iberdrola SA (IBE), ACCIONA Energy SA (ANA) and other wind operators have built plants in Spain as the government seeks to meet energy demand without adding to emissions. The country is ranked fourth in the world in terms of installed wind power, after the US, Germany and China, according to the industry association.
Wind generation this month totaled 6.214 TWs as of 9:49 a.m, local time today, representing more than a quarter of Spain's total power output, according to Red Electrica's website. That puts it ahead of nuclear and coal-fired electricity, the figures show.
Wind has accounted for more power than any other energy source in the three months ending tomorrow, a first for any quarter, the wind association said.
The wind power CO2 conspiracy
www.climatespectator.com.au
31 Jan 2013
Yesterday I explained how those who doubt human activity is leading to global warming seem to see cover-ups and conspiracies on every corner. Often these very same people seem to have a similar propensity to see cover-ups at work with wind power as well, where a range of organisations are working together to obscure the truth that wind power doesn't work and is harmful.
Using Maurice Newman one more time to illustrate this broader mentality, he suggests in The Spectator that state and federal governments are hell-bent on supporting wind in spite of it not saving CO₂ and in spite of it hurting poor local land holders, due to the efforts of an extraordinary coalition: "But don't expect help from academia, mainstream media or the public service. They are members of the same establishment and worship together at the altar of global warming. By ruthlessly perpetuating the illusion that wind farms can somehow save the planet, they keep the money flowing. All the while the poor become poorer, ever more dependent on welfare and colder in winter".
This argument about wind not saving CO₂ is a long running one that has been comprehensively refuted for example from the UK Energy Research Centre and the CSIRO.
Just back in September, in response to claims by Hamish Cumming published in The Australian newspaper a few months ago that wind power had failed to reduce emissions because brown coal generators were producing output in excess of Victorian demand, Climate Spectator published three stories (here, here and here).
These explained in quite a bit of detail how, in spite of wind power's variability, it would act to substantially displace fossil fuel consumption in other power stations. As part of this it was explained that Victorian brown coal generators were unlikely to be the plants whose output and fuel consumption was displaced because of their very low operating costs. Instead it was explained that South Australian and NSW generators were most likely to be displaced by wind power output.
Read More…
31 Jan 2013
Yesterday I explained how those who doubt human activity is leading to global warming seem to see cover-ups and conspiracies on every corner. Often these very same people seem to have a similar propensity to see cover-ups at work with wind power as well, where a range of organisations are working together to obscure the truth that wind power doesn't work and is harmful.
Using Maurice Newman one more time to illustrate this broader mentality, he suggests in The Spectator that state and federal governments are hell-bent on supporting wind in spite of it not saving CO₂ and in spite of it hurting poor local land holders, due to the efforts of an extraordinary coalition: "But don't expect help from academia, mainstream media or the public service. They are members of the same establishment and worship together at the altar of global warming. By ruthlessly perpetuating the illusion that wind farms can somehow save the planet, they keep the money flowing. All the while the poor become poorer, ever more dependent on welfare and colder in winter".
This argument about wind not saving CO₂ is a long running one that has been comprehensively refuted for example from the UK Energy Research Centre and the CSIRO.
Just back in September, in response to claims by Hamish Cumming published in The Australian newspaper a few months ago that wind power had failed to reduce emissions because brown coal generators were producing output in excess of Victorian demand, Climate Spectator published three stories (here, here and here).
These explained in quite a bit of detail how, in spite of wind power's variability, it would act to substantially displace fossil fuel consumption in other power stations. As part of this it was explained that Victorian brown coal generators were unlikely to be the plants whose output and fuel consumption was displaced because of their very low operating costs. Instead it was explained that South Australian and NSW generators were most likely to be displaced by wind power output.
Read More…
China to boost solar power goal 67% as smog envelops Beijing
www.bloomberg.com
30 Jan 2013
China plans to increase its goal for solar power installations in 2015 by 67% to reduce reliance on fossil fuels blamed for greenhouse gases and as smog in Beijing reached record hazardous levels this month.
The world's biggest emitter of carbon-dioxide plans to raise the solar target to 35 GWs by 2015 from 21 GWs set last year, boosting demand for manufactures that suffer from slowing sales in Europe, Shi Dinghuan, the counselor of China's State Council and the president of Chinese Renewable Energy Society, said today by phone.
"We've got more pressure to save energy and reduce emissions as smog worsens due to pollution", he said. China will use renewable energy to cut coal consumption and support the domestic industry amid U.S, and Europe anti-dumping charges against Chinese solar products, Shi said.
The increase in solar installations first appeared in the Economic Observer today. Shares of solar-device maker China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd. (750) rose 2.1% in Hong Kong. The new target would increase solar power installations by more than five-fold from 6.5 GWs of capacity as of the end of last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data.
"China always wants to increase solar power capacity", said Wang Xiaoting, a Beijing-based analyst at New Energy Finance, a unit of Bloomberg LP. "The nation adjusts the targets from time to time with consideration for practical factors such as related policies and construction conditions".
Slower Demand Chinese manufacturers led by Suntech Power Co. (STP) and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE) faced weaker demand and a supply glut that has driven panel prices down by 25% in the past year. The U.S, last year imposed tariffs on Chinese-made solar cells and the European Union began probing whether Chinese manufacturers are selling cells and panels below cost in European markets.
Earlier this month, the Chinese government said it planned to install 10 GWs of solar capacity this year. China allocated 13 billion ¥ ($2.1 billion) in subsidies for domestic solar project developers in 2012, the official Xinhua News Agency reported last month. Interest in renewable energy is getting a boost as Beijing warned the city's 20 million people to prepare for at least another day of smog. Officials closed some factories and ordered government cars off the road as pollution remained at hazardous levels.
Premier Wen Jiabao said China should promote energy-saving and reduce emissions to cut pollution, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The smog has remained dense after hitting record levels on Jan. 12.
30 Jan 2013
China plans to increase its goal for solar power installations in 2015 by 67% to reduce reliance on fossil fuels blamed for greenhouse gases and as smog in Beijing reached record hazardous levels this month.
The world's biggest emitter of carbon-dioxide plans to raise the solar target to 35 GWs by 2015 from 21 GWs set last year, boosting demand for manufactures that suffer from slowing sales in Europe, Shi Dinghuan, the counselor of China's State Council and the president of Chinese Renewable Energy Society, said today by phone.
"We've got more pressure to save energy and reduce emissions as smog worsens due to pollution", he said. China will use renewable energy to cut coal consumption and support the domestic industry amid U.S, and Europe anti-dumping charges against Chinese solar products, Shi said.
The increase in solar installations first appeared in the Economic Observer today. Shares of solar-device maker China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd. (750) rose 2.1% in Hong Kong. The new target would increase solar power installations by more than five-fold from 6.5 GWs of capacity as of the end of last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data.
"China always wants to increase solar power capacity", said Wang Xiaoting, a Beijing-based analyst at New Energy Finance, a unit of Bloomberg LP. "The nation adjusts the targets from time to time with consideration for practical factors such as related policies and construction conditions".
Slower Demand Chinese manufacturers led by Suntech Power Co. (STP) and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE) faced weaker demand and a supply glut that has driven panel prices down by 25% in the past year. The U.S, last year imposed tariffs on Chinese-made solar cells and the European Union began probing whether Chinese manufacturers are selling cells and panels below cost in European markets.
Earlier this month, the Chinese government said it planned to install 10 GWs of solar capacity this year. China allocated 13 billion ¥ ($2.1 billion) in subsidies for domestic solar project developers in 2012, the official Xinhua News Agency reported last month. Interest in renewable energy is getting a boost as Beijing warned the city's 20 million people to prepare for at least another day of smog. Officials closed some factories and ordered government cars off the road as pollution remained at hazardous levels.
Premier Wen Jiabao said China should promote energy-saving and reduce emissions to cut pollution, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The smog has remained dense after hitting record levels on Jan. 12.
Big increase in solar power generation in France
www.powerengineeringint.com
29 Jan 2013
The French Electricity Report was published last week by France's transmission system operator Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), and solar power generation has seen an increase by 66.7%, compared to 2011. In total, solar photovoltaic systems generated 4 TWh in 2012 In comparison with other types of energy, says the report, solar accounted for a relatively small proportion of France's overall power generation, with just 0.79% of France's electricity demand in 2012.
It adds that cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity in the country has now reached 3.5 GW, of which 1.022 GW were installed last year. Overall, the share of renewable energy in France's energy mix increased to 16.4%, which says RTE, is the highest value recorded for five years. Meanwhile, nuclear generation was said to be down by 3.8% compared with 2011. However, it still accounts for 74.8% of total energy generation.
29 Jan 2013
The French Electricity Report was published last week by France's transmission system operator Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), and solar power generation has seen an increase by 66.7%, compared to 2011. In total, solar photovoltaic systems generated 4 TWh in 2012 In comparison with other types of energy, says the report, solar accounted for a relatively small proportion of France's overall power generation, with just 0.79% of France's electricity demand in 2012.
It adds that cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity in the country has now reached 3.5 GW, of which 1.022 GW were installed last year. Overall, the share of renewable energy in France's energy mix increased to 16.4%, which says RTE, is the highest value recorded for five years. Meanwhile, nuclear generation was said to be down by 3.8% compared with 2011. However, it still accounts for 74.8% of total energy generation.
Next generation solar cells: trapping sunlight with microbeads
www.sciencedaily.com
29 Jan 2013
In five to seven years, solar cells will have become much cheaper and only one-twentieth as thick as current solar cells. The trick is to deceive the sunlight with microbeads. Nanoscientists are currently developing the next generation of solar cells, which will be twenty times thinner than current solar cells.
Over 90% of the current electricity generated by solar panels is made by silicon plates that are 200 micrometres thick. Several billion of these are produced every year. The problem is the large consumption of silicon: five grams per watt. 200 Alta power stations: This year, between five and ten billion solar panel units will be produced worldwide. This is the equivalent of 30 GW, or the capacity of 200 Alta power stations.
Though silicon is one of the most common elements on earth, pure silicon does not exist in nature. Silicon binds readily to other elements. In order for solar cells to function, the silicon plate must consist of at minimum 99,9999% silicon. You read that right: if the solar cell consists of more than one millionth other materials, it does not work.
Today, pure silicon is created in smelters at 2,000° Celsius. This requires a lot of energy. Factories supply silicon in bricks the size of a piece of firewood. They are then cut into slices thin enough for solar panels. Only half become solar cells. The rest turns into sawdust.
"About 100,000 tonnes of silicon are consumed every year. However, there is obviously something fundamentally wrong when half of the silicon must be thrown away during the manufacturing process", says Erik Marstein. He is the Head of the Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology, the Head of Research for the solar cell unit at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller outside of Oslo, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.
The price of solar cells is falling steadily. Today, solar panels cost a half € for every watt. Only four years ago, the price was two Euros per watt. "It is difficult to make money producing solar cells at current prices. To make money, solar cells must be manufactured much more cheaply".
Read More…
29 Jan 2013
In five to seven years, solar cells will have become much cheaper and only one-twentieth as thick as current solar cells. The trick is to deceive the sunlight with microbeads. Nanoscientists are currently developing the next generation of solar cells, which will be twenty times thinner than current solar cells.
Over 90% of the current electricity generated by solar panels is made by silicon plates that are 200 micrometres thick. Several billion of these are produced every year. The problem is the large consumption of silicon: five grams per watt. 200 Alta power stations: This year, between five and ten billion solar panel units will be produced worldwide. This is the equivalent of 30 GW, or the capacity of 200 Alta power stations.
Though silicon is one of the most common elements on earth, pure silicon does not exist in nature. Silicon binds readily to other elements. In order for solar cells to function, the silicon plate must consist of at minimum 99,9999% silicon. You read that right: if the solar cell consists of more than one millionth other materials, it does not work.
Today, pure silicon is created in smelters at 2,000° Celsius. This requires a lot of energy. Factories supply silicon in bricks the size of a piece of firewood. They are then cut into slices thin enough for solar panels. Only half become solar cells. The rest turns into sawdust.
"About 100,000 tonnes of silicon are consumed every year. However, there is obviously something fundamentally wrong when half of the silicon must be thrown away during the manufacturing process", says Erik Marstein. He is the Head of the Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology, the Head of Research for the solar cell unit at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller outside of Oslo, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.
The price of solar cells is falling steadily. Today, solar panels cost a half € for every watt. Only four years ago, the price was two Euros per watt. "It is difficult to make money producing solar cells at current prices. To make money, solar cells must be manufactured much more cheaply".
Read More…
Wind overtakes nuclear to become China's 3rd largest energy source
oilprice.com
29 Jan 2013
According to data from the China Wind Energy Association (CWEA), wind power capacity has now surpassed nuclear power to become the third largest source of electricity in China, after coal, and large-scale hydroelectric-electric plants. In 2012 wind power generation totalled 100.4 billion kW hours, an increase of 0.5% from the years before, and enough to send it past nuclear power generation.
Wind energy capacity has grown rapidly over the years, fuelled by ambitious renewable energy targets, and strong government support of wind power manufacturers. By the end of 2012 China had 60.83GW of installed capacity, and targets aim to see a total of 100GW by the end of 2015.
Due to turbine overcapacity, growing international trade protection, grid connection challenges, and wastage of wind power generation, installed capacity volumes have fallen in recent years. 20.66GW was installed in 2011, but that fell to 14GW in 2012; although the CWEA does expect that figure to grow again this year to 18GW.
Curtailment is also another major barrier in the wind power sector, whereby the electricity generated at wind farms is not purchased by grid companies because it is more expensive than other electricity from other sources. CWEA states that in 2012 around 20 billion kW of wind generated electricity was wasted due to curtailment.
Meng Xian'gan, the secretary general of the China Renewable Energy Society, explained that "grid companies lack economic incentives to take in more wind power, as government-dictated on-grid wholesale prices of wind power are higher than those of thermal power". The only way to overcome this barrier is for a government-led market reform aimed at addressing the problem.
29 Jan 2013
According to data from the China Wind Energy Association (CWEA), wind power capacity has now surpassed nuclear power to become the third largest source of electricity in China, after coal, and large-scale hydroelectric-electric plants. In 2012 wind power generation totalled 100.4 billion kW hours, an increase of 0.5% from the years before, and enough to send it past nuclear power generation.
Wind energy capacity has grown rapidly over the years, fuelled by ambitious renewable energy targets, and strong government support of wind power manufacturers. By the end of 2012 China had 60.83GW of installed capacity, and targets aim to see a total of 100GW by the end of 2015.
Due to turbine overcapacity, growing international trade protection, grid connection challenges, and wastage of wind power generation, installed capacity volumes have fallen in recent years. 20.66GW was installed in 2011, but that fell to 14GW in 2012; although the CWEA does expect that figure to grow again this year to 18GW.
Curtailment is also another major barrier in the wind power sector, whereby the electricity generated at wind farms is not purchased by grid companies because it is more expensive than other electricity from other sources. CWEA states that in 2012 around 20 billion kW of wind generated electricity was wasted due to curtailment.
Meng Xian'gan, the secretary general of the China Renewable Energy Society, explained that "grid companies lack economic incentives to take in more wind power, as government-dictated on-grid wholesale prices of wind power are higher than those of thermal power". The only way to overcome this barrier is for a government-led market reform aimed at addressing the problem.
Suzlon wins 50-megawatt order for rajasthan wind power plant
www.bloomberg.com
30 Jan 2013
Suzlon Energy Ltd., India's largest wind-turbine maker, said it won an order to build and operate a 50.4 MW wind power plant in India's western state of Rajasthan. The company will install 24 units of its 2.1 MW S88 turbine for New Delhi-based Orange Renewable Power, it said in an e-mailed statement, without giving the value of the order.
Suzlon Energy's lenders last week approved a 95 billion rupee ($1.78 billion) debt restructuring plan, which will help bring down the company's debt repayment costs. Suzlon Energy on Oct. 11 failed to pay $209 million, the biggest convertible note default by an Indian company. Shares rose as much as 2.6% to 21.6 rupees. The stock has declined 26% in the past year, compared with a 16% increase in the benchmark Sensitive Index.
Worldwide wind turbine installations will probably stall in 2013 as policy uncertainty, financing difficulties and delayed grid connections affect projects, Suzlon Energy Chairman Tulsi R. Tanti said on Jan. 25.
30 Jan 2013
Suzlon Energy Ltd., India's largest wind-turbine maker, said it won an order to build and operate a 50.4 MW wind power plant in India's western state of Rajasthan. The company will install 24 units of its 2.1 MW S88 turbine for New Delhi-based Orange Renewable Power, it said in an e-mailed statement, without giving the value of the order.
Suzlon Energy's lenders last week approved a 95 billion rupee ($1.78 billion) debt restructuring plan, which will help bring down the company's debt repayment costs. Suzlon Energy on Oct. 11 failed to pay $209 million, the biggest convertible note default by an Indian company. Shares rose as much as 2.6% to 21.6 rupees. The stock has declined 26% in the past year, compared with a 16% increase in the benchmark Sensitive Index.
Worldwide wind turbine installations will probably stall in 2013 as policy uncertainty, financing difficulties and delayed grid connections affect projects, Suzlon Energy Chairman Tulsi R. Tanti said on Jan. 25.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)