www.reuters.com
Feb 22, 2010
SAN FRANCISCO/WASHINGTON, Feb 22 (Reuters) - The United States on Monday gave its biggest backing yet to a renewable energy project, guaranteeing $1.37 billion in loans for a California development by BrightSource Energy Inc that uses the sun's heat to power a steam turbine. BrightSource Energy's proposed solar thermal plants are expected to generate about 400 MWs of electricity and power about 140,000 California homes, giving it the heft to compete with plants fueled by coal and natural gas.
President Barack Obama's administration has touted green energy investments as a way to create jobs and increase international economic competitiveness. "We're not going to sit on the sidelines while other countries capture the jobs of the future - - we're committed to becoming the global leader in the clean energy economy," Energy Secretary Steven Chu said in a statement. The sector has seen projects being launched and agreements being signed with utilities, who count on solar thermal to meet California clean energy goals, but construction has yet to start on a large scale for the solar thermal industry.
Financing of projects has been a big challenge with the tightening of the credit markets as capital requirements of these green energy companies are very large. solar thermal technology is different from its better-known rival, rooftop photovoltaic. solar thermal companies like BrightSource Energy and rivals Abengoa Solar, eSolar Inc have technology that uses the sun's rays, reflected by thousands of small mirrors, to heat liquids to create steam in turbines and generate electricity.
The conditional loan guarantees from the U.S. Department of Energy, the largest federal loan commitment offered to a renewable energy firm, would help BrightSource Energy build three utility-scale solar thermal plants for its Ivanpah project, which will be located on federally-owned land in the Mojave Desert in southeastern California. "It's a good beginning for the industry," BrightSource Energy CEO John Woolard said in an interview. "It really allows Ivanpah to be the first (solar thermal) project to be constructed in almost 20 years now" in California.
California, and other parts of the world, are betting heavily on solar thermal. About a quarter of the clean energy contracts approved in 2009 in California by capacity was solar thermal, according to the Public Utilities Commission. Construction on the first Ivanpah plant is expected to begin during the second half of this year, with commercial operations beginning in 2012. All three plants are expected be on line by 2014.
The loan guarantee is conditioned on BrightSource Energy meeting financial and environmental requirements, including local, state and federal regulatory approvals. BrightSource Energy has run into trouble from environmental groups who are concerned that the construction would harm desert plants and wildlife, including the desert tortoise. The company earlier this month agreed to reduce the footprint for the Ivanpah project to minimize the environmental impact.
To Raise Equity Financing
The company, which counts search giant Google and Silicon Valley fund VantagePoint Venture Partners among its investors, already has contracts to deliver more than 2,600 MWs of power to California utilities PGE Corp and Edison International's Southern California Edison. PGE will purchase approximately two-thirds of the power generated at Ivanpah and SCE will purchase approximately one-third.
Woolard said that the key value of federal loan guarantees is that it helps strong renewable energy projects get financed, especially since the credit markets have yet to reach normal levels of activity. It "replaces or helps shore up that component," he said. Woolard did not reveal the total funding needed for the project but said the company would be raising equity financing from sources such as private investors, energy companies and investment funds.
"There is an equity commitment," Woolard said. "We will be going out to raise equity (financing) in the next four to six months. So that will be the next step in the process." The loan guarantee is the sixth such offer to renewable energy companies by the Obama administration, which has touted green energy investments as a way to create jobs and increase international economic competitiveness. Under the program, the Department of Energy issues a conditional commitment to guarantee loans to be provided by the U.S. Treasury's Federal Financing Bank.
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Wavepower generator relies on low-friction bearing material
www.drives.co.uk
February 2010
Novel bearing and seal technologies are playing a vital role in a new UK-developed wave energy generator due to start testing off the Orkney Islands later this year. Engineers at Edinburgh-based Pelamis Wave Power have been developing wave power devices for more than a decade and have overcome the challenge of continuous operation in the punishing marine environment. Building on their experience of producing the world's first offshore wave energy converter, the team has developed a second-generation design which is more efficient and cost-effective.
Crucial to the new design are the bearings and seals. The P2 generator consists of a series of floating, linked tubes with four hydraulic rams at each main joint pivoting on precision bearings to drive hydraulic motors coupled to electric generators. "Our biggest challenge has always been how we manage the loads and motions from such an active and constantly variable environment, whilst at the same time extracting as much power as possible," explains Mike Woods, Pelamis Wave Power' senior engineer and bearings group leader. "The working forces generated across each joint can be several hundred tonnes, which can present huge problems for the bearings as they have to take up the reactive forces coming back through the joints."
Pelamis Wave Power' first wave energy converter (P1) was a simpler design with separated hinged joints. Although this arrangement allowed useful working space between the axes, it had to carry high transferred loads and was unable to manage the combined motions needed for the P2 configuration. Also, the bearings themselves were relatively high friction, affecting efficiency. "Our engineering team had been trying to work out a way of overcoming this problem and eventually came up with the idea of bringing the axes, or joints, together," Woods continues. "However, this meant a completely new bearing solution which was able to manage combined angles in a single package."
Pelamis Wave Power turned to Schaeffler for help and support. Key to the new joint is a low-friction material developed by Schaeffler. The modified PTFE fabric liner effectively eliminates the "stick-slip" effect, allowing the machine to perform better than standard bearing materials would have done. "Now that we have been able to put all the bearings in one place, we have taken a major technological step forward," says Woods. "As well as being a much more efficient bearing mechanism, the new design is a self-contained, modular unit. It's a bit like being able to take an engine out of a car in one go; it allows us to improve our inspection procedures and reduce our exposure to technological risk."
The first P2 wave generator, ordered by E.ON, is now nearing completion. Its first 190-tonne tubes were launched in Leith Docks, near Edinburgh, last month. These will be linked to form a 180m-long wave power station capable of generating 750kW which is due to be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre, Orkney, later this year. Pelamis Wave Power and E.ON were last month awarded £4.8m of funding from the UK government's Marine Renewable Proving Fund, which will allow them to increase the scope and pace of their trials. Pelamis Wave Power has also formed a joint venture with the Swedish utility Vattenfall with the aim of installing an array of up to 26 P2 generators off the coast of Shetland, to generate up to 20MW.
February 2010
Novel bearing and seal technologies are playing a vital role in a new UK-developed wave energy generator due to start testing off the Orkney Islands later this year. Engineers at Edinburgh-based Pelamis Wave Power have been developing wave power devices for more than a decade and have overcome the challenge of continuous operation in the punishing marine environment. Building on their experience of producing the world's first offshore wave energy converter, the team has developed a second-generation design which is more efficient and cost-effective.Crucial to the new design are the bearings and seals. The P2 generator consists of a series of floating, linked tubes with four hydraulic rams at each main joint pivoting on precision bearings to drive hydraulic motors coupled to electric generators. "Our biggest challenge has always been how we manage the loads and motions from such an active and constantly variable environment, whilst at the same time extracting as much power as possible," explains Mike Woods, Pelamis Wave Power' senior engineer and bearings group leader. "The working forces generated across each joint can be several hundred tonnes, which can present huge problems for the bearings as they have to take up the reactive forces coming back through the joints."
Pelamis Wave Power' first wave energy converter (P1) was a simpler design with separated hinged joints. Although this arrangement allowed useful working space between the axes, it had to carry high transferred loads and was unable to manage the combined motions needed for the P2 configuration. Also, the bearings themselves were relatively high friction, affecting efficiency. "Our engineering team had been trying to work out a way of overcoming this problem and eventually came up with the idea of bringing the axes, or joints, together," Woods continues. "However, this meant a completely new bearing solution which was able to manage combined angles in a single package."
Pelamis Wave Power turned to Schaeffler for help and support. Key to the new joint is a low-friction material developed by Schaeffler. The modified PTFE fabric liner effectively eliminates the "stick-slip" effect, allowing the machine to perform better than standard bearing materials would have done. "Now that we have been able to put all the bearings in one place, we have taken a major technological step forward," says Woods. "As well as being a much more efficient bearing mechanism, the new design is a self-contained, modular unit. It's a bit like being able to take an engine out of a car in one go; it allows us to improve our inspection procedures and reduce our exposure to technological risk."
The first P2 wave generator, ordered by E.ON, is now nearing completion. Its first 190-tonne tubes were launched in Leith Docks, near Edinburgh, last month. These will be linked to form a 180m-long wave power station capable of generating 750kW which is due to be deployed at the European Marine Energy Centre, Orkney, later this year. Pelamis Wave Power and E.ON were last month awarded £4.8m of funding from the UK government's Marine Renewable Proving Fund, which will allow them to increase the scope and pace of their trials. Pelamis Wave Power has also formed a joint venture with the Swedish utility Vattenfall with the aim of installing an array of up to 26 P2 generators off the coast of Shetland, to generate up to 20MW.
Future for oil paints an alarming picture
Hobart Mercury
Tuesday 23/2/2010 Page: 19
Opinion: Peter Boyer
IF you think I might be a teeny bit alarmist in discussing the impact on Tasmania of coming changes in the supply of mineral oil, be assured that today's column is at the conservative end of the global oil supply debate. I could cite without question the widely quoted Canadian economist Jeff Rubin, who says a serious crunch is imminent. The era of cheap oil is past, he says, and within five years the only way we will meet expected demand will be to spend a lot more money to extract oil from the ground.
Rubin is not alone among economists in believing that the real reason for the 2008 credit crisis was not a housing bubble in the US, but a doubling of the price of oil: a global energy crunch. That, he says, is just a foretaste of things to come. By the end of 2012. Rubin expects US motorists to be forking out $US7 a gallon to fuel their cars. Our globalised oil economy suggests if this happens in the US it will also happen here, which would see Tasmanians paying about $4 a litre, or $280 to fill a 70-litre fuel tank.
Rubin may be too pessimistic. He is not a petroleum specialist with detailed knowledge of oil geology, or the practicalities of how shale gas, methane or other fossil sources might fill the void left by depleted liquid oil. But as an economist, he understands the massive investment required by alternative processes and the high prices we can expect when they are on the market.
Like everyone who studies the world petroleum scene, Rubin is also hampered by the notorious secrecy of oil companies and exporting countries. We can use estimates of capacity and past performance to make educated guesses about when the world's oil reservoirs will pass their collective peak (or whether they've already passed it), but it's impossible to know for certain. Two major studies out of the UK over the past six months give a more measured assessment, while also indicating a rising concern in that country about the future of oil.
Reports by the UK Energy Research Centre and the Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security each examined widely divergent scenarios, and separately concluded that we have a big problem. The Energy Research Centre report examined in detail the labyrinth that is the science, business and politics of world oil. Noting strong scepticism about "peak oil" among governments, oil companies and energy analysts, the report was careful to avoid any suggestion of alarmist thinking, supporting its cautious views with a mountain of evidence.
The ERC report found that world oil production would almost certainly peak well before 2040. A pre-2020 peak was a significant risk, which, "given the potentially serious consequences of supply constraints and the lead times to develop alternatives, should be given urgent consideration". The Industry Taskforce report released two weeks ago was more forthright. With the era of cheap oil behind us, it said, we must plan for higher, more volatile oil prices "where oil price shocks have the potential to destabilise economic, political and social activity".
The report sees the "oil crunch" coming within five years. Five years - if we have that long - is very little time to get ready for a whole new world. Think of it all our travel, from daily commuting to overseas holidays, depends on cheap oil, as does all our freight transport supplying much of the food we eat and most of the other goods in our stores. Without fuel and lubricating oil, building our roads, digging for minerals and harvesting our fields and forests will be impossible, at least in the manner to which we have become accustomed.
We should not allow ourselves to be placated by promises that alternative strategies are in place. Consider the following:
If all this is alarmist, so be it. We need a loud clamour for transport and fuel strategies. If political and business leaders can't lift their gaze to see this, the government and corporate infrastructures that support them will be at risk of joining our transport system in one great big train wreck.
pb@climatetasmania.com.au
Tuesday 23/2/2010 Page: 19
Opinion: Peter Boyer
IF you think I might be a teeny bit alarmist in discussing the impact on Tasmania of coming changes in the supply of mineral oil, be assured that today's column is at the conservative end of the global oil supply debate. I could cite without question the widely quoted Canadian economist Jeff Rubin, who says a serious crunch is imminent. The era of cheap oil is past, he says, and within five years the only way we will meet expected demand will be to spend a lot more money to extract oil from the ground.
Rubin is not alone among economists in believing that the real reason for the 2008 credit crisis was not a housing bubble in the US, but a doubling of the price of oil: a global energy crunch. That, he says, is just a foretaste of things to come. By the end of 2012. Rubin expects US motorists to be forking out $US7 a gallon to fuel their cars. Our globalised oil economy suggests if this happens in the US it will also happen here, which would see Tasmanians paying about $4 a litre, or $280 to fill a 70-litre fuel tank.
Rubin may be too pessimistic. He is not a petroleum specialist with detailed knowledge of oil geology, or the practicalities of how shale gas, methane or other fossil sources might fill the void left by depleted liquid oil. But as an economist, he understands the massive investment required by alternative processes and the high prices we can expect when they are on the market.
Like everyone who studies the world petroleum scene, Rubin is also hampered by the notorious secrecy of oil companies and exporting countries. We can use estimates of capacity and past performance to make educated guesses about when the world's oil reservoirs will pass their collective peak (or whether they've already passed it), but it's impossible to know for certain. Two major studies out of the UK over the past six months give a more measured assessment, while also indicating a rising concern in that country about the future of oil.
Reports by the UK Energy Research Centre and the Industry Taskforce on Peak Oil and Energy Security each examined widely divergent scenarios, and separately concluded that we have a big problem. The Energy Research Centre report examined in detail the labyrinth that is the science, business and politics of world oil. Noting strong scepticism about "peak oil" among governments, oil companies and energy analysts, the report was careful to avoid any suggestion of alarmist thinking, supporting its cautious views with a mountain of evidence.
The ERC report found that world oil production would almost certainly peak well before 2040. A pre-2020 peak was a significant risk, which, "given the potentially serious consequences of supply constraints and the lead times to develop alternatives, should be given urgent consideration". The Industry Taskforce report released two weeks ago was more forthright. With the era of cheap oil behind us, it said, we must plan for higher, more volatile oil prices "where oil price shocks have the potential to destabilise economic, political and social activity".
The report sees the "oil crunch" coming within five years. Five years - if we have that long - is very little time to get ready for a whole new world. Think of it all our travel, from daily commuting to overseas holidays, depends on cheap oil, as does all our freight transport supplying much of the food we eat and most of the other goods in our stores. Without fuel and lubricating oil, building our roads, digging for minerals and harvesting our fields and forests will be impossible, at least in the manner to which we have become accustomed.
We should not allow ourselves to be placated by promises that alternative strategies are in place. Consider the following:
- Electric-powered vehicles will be a massive drain on the power grid, at a scale that hydro and wind resources could never meet Currently, that leaves only Victorian coal-fired power.
- It will be many years before power is available from other sources (largescale solar, wave, tidal power, geothermal, nuclear, biomass). Nuclear and biomass rely on transport to carry fuel, which in the case of biomass power amounts to 10,000 tonnes of forest waste per MW-hour of electricity.
- biofuel made from plant or animal material is touted in many countries as a replacement for petrol. But such material and the land for growing it will be in increasing demand to produce food, which will always cone before fuel.
- Public transport could be a more efficient use of fuel for carrying people, but our sprawling population centres and entrenched car use patterns lessen its effectiveness.
- Our rail system remains in a state of suspended animation, barely able to cope with reduced freight demand, let alone an inter-city or suburban passenger service. Light rail using existing streets may serve part of this need, but not in the near-term, and not without a lot of money.
If all this is alarmist, so be it. We need a loud clamour for transport and fuel strategies. If political and business leaders can't lift their gaze to see this, the government and corporate infrastructures that support them will be at risk of joining our transport system in one great big train wreck.
pb@climatetasmania.com.au
New method may lead to more energy efficient solar panels
www.dnaindia.com
February 21, 2010
WASHINGTON: A scientist has come up with a new method to reconfigure the way solar panels are connected, which could lead to solar arrays in the future that are more energy efficient and reliable. According to Dr Jonathan Kimball, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the conventional method of connecting solar panels is in a series, one after the other.
"But just as one bad bulb in a string of Christmas lights can black out the entire set, so can a single solar panel disrupt the flow of electrical current through the other panels in a series," Kimball said. "If one of the panels is shaded, dirty or damaged, it affects them all," Kimball said. "The conventional approach to solar arrays inherently limits the amount of power they produce if there's any variation in the panels," he said.
Rather than connecting solar panels in a series - where the electrical current must flow from one panel to get to the next - Kimball suggests parallel wiring for the panels. The parallel approach would connect each panel to its own power converter instead of sending the electrical current through a series of panels to a single converter. While Kimball's research is focused on creating a more efficient system to get the most power from solar panels, he points out that cost is still a major factor preventing many people from investing in solar technology. "Eventually, solar energy has got to become cheap enough to compete with electricity generated from other sources," he said. (ANI)
February 21, 2010
WASHINGTON: A scientist has come up with a new method to reconfigure the way solar panels are connected, which could lead to solar arrays in the future that are more energy efficient and reliable. According to Dr Jonathan Kimball, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, the conventional method of connecting solar panels is in a series, one after the other.
"But just as one bad bulb in a string of Christmas lights can black out the entire set, so can a single solar panel disrupt the flow of electrical current through the other panels in a series," Kimball said. "If one of the panels is shaded, dirty or damaged, it affects them all," Kimball said. "The conventional approach to solar arrays inherently limits the amount of power they produce if there's any variation in the panels," he said.
Rather than connecting solar panels in a series - where the electrical current must flow from one panel to get to the next - Kimball suggests parallel wiring for the panels. The parallel approach would connect each panel to its own power converter instead of sending the electrical current through a series of panels to a single converter. While Kimball's research is focused on creating a more efficient system to get the most power from solar panels, he points out that cost is still a major factor preventing many people from investing in solar technology. "Eventually, solar energy has got to become cheap enough to compete with electricity generated from other sources," he said. (ANI)
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Honda makes a big drive into solar power
business.timesonline.co.uk
February 21, 2010
Honda, the automotive giant, set the land speed record for solar energyed vehicles when it won the World Solar Challenge in 1996. Its Dream racer, an odd-looking vehicle shaped like a cuttlefish, covered 1,870 miles across the Australian outback at an average speed of 56mph. It took just under 34 hours. For dedicated petrol heads it was not the most inspiring event. The Dream was covered with 4,500 photovoltaic tiles but was, as its named implied, not a commercial vehicle. Yet the experience marked the beginning of a big industrial undertaking for the Japanese giant - how to design a better solar panel. Today, the carmaker is churning out 230,000 panels a year from its first solar plant, called Honda Soltec.
They are not for a spruced-up version of the Dream; rather, these are designed for the roofs of houses and industrial buildings. This is more logical than it may seem. solar panels comprise one part of the system that Honda hopes will be created to make a new generation of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars. The company is unique among carmakers in that it already has an energy business. It makes generators for the home that use a tiny engine burning natural gas to provide domestic electricity and heating. Honda's Home Energy Station, a newer prototype, would also be able to produce hydrogen, which could be used to run a fuel-cell car, such as its FCX Clarity.
Fuel-cell cars run on hydrogen, which combines with oxygen from the air to generate power. Water is the only by-product. However, large-scale production of fuel-cell cars is still many years away. Indeed, Honda doesn't expect the FCX Clarity to hit the market until 2018. Hydrogen-powered travel is likely to struggle to gain momentum because of the huge infrastructure it would require, such as hydrogen pipelines and filling stations. Yet Honda is doing its best to help the revolution along. Hence the solar business.
Soltec's solar panels are made from a compound semiconductor that has been constructed from copper, indium, gallium and selenium, as opposed to the crystalline silicon typically used. The power-generation layer is one-fortieth the thickness of a human hair. They are not as efficient in electricity generation as the best crystalline silicon panels but they have certain advantages. They are more tolerant of partial shading and have a glassy black rather than blueish appearance, which makes them less obtrusive in architecturally sensitive locations. The manufacturing process needs 50% less energy than a conventional solar panel factory.
At present, Soltec sells only to domestic and industrial users in Japan. The 24 panels that are needed to provide the 3kW of electricity for the average Japanese home cost the equivalent of $20,000 (a tenth of which can be a government subsidy). For most homes in Japan, it will take 10 years to break even in terms of reduced electricity bills - but the environmental benefit is immediate.
Solar energy is a difficult market that is entirely reliant on taxpayer support. Q-Cells, the world's biggest solar cell maker, is expected to report more than £1 billion in losses when he announces year-end earnings this week after Spain, the No 2 solar market, ended its generous subsidy scheme, leading to a supply glut. Germany, the biggest player, has threatened to do the same.
For now, Soltec remains a small part of the car giant's business. Honda insists, however, that it is an important part of its plan to cut the amount of carbon dioxide that is generated from its cars. Its hydrogen aspirations may have to wait. Hybrid vehicles, which run on a combination of petrol and electric power, are already on the road and governments have started to put public money into building the much less obtrusive, and expensive, infrastructure that will be needed for electric cars.
February 21, 2010
Honda, the automotive giant, set the land speed record for solar energyed vehicles when it won the World Solar Challenge in 1996. Its Dream racer, an odd-looking vehicle shaped like a cuttlefish, covered 1,870 miles across the Australian outback at an average speed of 56mph. It took just under 34 hours. For dedicated petrol heads it was not the most inspiring event. The Dream was covered with 4,500 photovoltaic tiles but was, as its named implied, not a commercial vehicle. Yet the experience marked the beginning of a big industrial undertaking for the Japanese giant - how to design a better solar panel. Today, the carmaker is churning out 230,000 panels a year from its first solar plant, called Honda Soltec.They are not for a spruced-up version of the Dream; rather, these are designed for the roofs of houses and industrial buildings. This is more logical than it may seem. solar panels comprise one part of the system that Honda hopes will be created to make a new generation of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered cars. The company is unique among carmakers in that it already has an energy business. It makes generators for the home that use a tiny engine burning natural gas to provide domestic electricity and heating. Honda's Home Energy Station, a newer prototype, would also be able to produce hydrogen, which could be used to run a fuel-cell car, such as its FCX Clarity.
Fuel-cell cars run on hydrogen, which combines with oxygen from the air to generate power. Water is the only by-product. However, large-scale production of fuel-cell cars is still many years away. Indeed, Honda doesn't expect the FCX Clarity to hit the market until 2018. Hydrogen-powered travel is likely to struggle to gain momentum because of the huge infrastructure it would require, such as hydrogen pipelines and filling stations. Yet Honda is doing its best to help the revolution along. Hence the solar business.
Soltec's solar panels are made from a compound semiconductor that has been constructed from copper, indium, gallium and selenium, as opposed to the crystalline silicon typically used. The power-generation layer is one-fortieth the thickness of a human hair. They are not as efficient in electricity generation as the best crystalline silicon panels but they have certain advantages. They are more tolerant of partial shading and have a glassy black rather than blueish appearance, which makes them less obtrusive in architecturally sensitive locations. The manufacturing process needs 50% less energy than a conventional solar panel factory.
At present, Soltec sells only to domestic and industrial users in Japan. The 24 panels that are needed to provide the 3kW of electricity for the average Japanese home cost the equivalent of $20,000 (a tenth of which can be a government subsidy). For most homes in Japan, it will take 10 years to break even in terms of reduced electricity bills - but the environmental benefit is immediate.
Solar energy is a difficult market that is entirely reliant on taxpayer support. Q-Cells, the world's biggest solar cell maker, is expected to report more than £1 billion in losses when he announces year-end earnings this week after Spain, the No 2 solar market, ended its generous subsidy scheme, leading to a supply glut. Germany, the biggest player, has threatened to do the same.
For now, Soltec remains a small part of the car giant's business. Honda insists, however, that it is an important part of its plan to cut the amount of carbon dioxide that is generated from its cars. Its hydrogen aspirations may have to wait. Hybrid vehicles, which run on a combination of petrol and electric power, are already on the road and governments have started to put public money into building the much less obtrusive, and expensive, infrastructure that will be needed for electric cars.
State's eleventh wind farm
Adelaide Advertiser
Friday 19/2/2010 Page: 14
PREMIER Mike Rann travelled to Clements Gap in the state's Mid-North yesterday, to open a 56.7MW windfarm. South Australia now has 11 wind farms, producing a total of 868MW. The Clements Gap Windfarm is near Crystal Brook. It is Pacific Hydro's first in SA. "This windfarm has 27 turbines and will produce enough power for the equivalent of about 30,000 homes," Mr Rann said. "That equates to around 200,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere each year." SA now has more wind energy capacity than all of the other States combined, Mr Rann said.
Friday 19/2/2010 Page: 14
PREMIER Mike Rann travelled to Clements Gap in the state's Mid-North yesterday, to open a 56.7MW windfarm. South Australia now has 11 wind farms, producing a total of 868MW. The Clements Gap Windfarm is near Crystal Brook. It is Pacific Hydro's first in SA. "This windfarm has 27 turbines and will produce enough power for the equivalent of about 30,000 homes," Mr Rann said. "That equates to around 200,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas that would otherwise be released into the atmosphere each year." SA now has more wind energy capacity than all of the other States combined, Mr Rann said.
No house fires caused by solar panels
Clean Energy Council
18 Feb 2010
NATIONAL: The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has moved to reassure consumers about the safety of Australian household solar panel systems following a story on ABC's Lateline program last night. Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren said while there had been around 100,000 solar panels installed in Australian households over the last 30 years, the industry has received no reports of any causing house fires.
"We take safety seriously. The safety record of the solar industry is good. To put this in perspective there are more than 10,000 house fires every year, most of which are caused by faulty wiring or appliances – not solar panels," Mr Warren said. "All solar panels receiving government support must be installed by an accredited installer. The panels must comply with the Australian standard. All houses connecting solar panels back to the grid must also be installed by a licensed electrician.
The accreditation program includes audits of installed systems to ensure compliance with these rigorous standards and consumer confidence is maintained. "All households looking to install solar panels should be using a CEC-accredited installer who is required to ensure that their solar panel system is safe and complies with the Australian standard," Mr Warren said. "The Clean Energy Council will continue to work with Federal and State Governments to ensure the highest standards are maintained and consumers can continue to generate their own clean electricity with confidence," he said.
"We welcome any additional measures to improve the safety, performance and reliability of these technologies as they evolve to becoming part of the mainstream energy supply in Australia." "Both major parties should be proud of the transformative effect their policies have had in developing the Australian solar industry. They have made solar energy more affordable for consumers, created jobs and reduced thousands of Australian household's reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity," he said.
For media enquiries please call Mark Bretherton 0413 556 981 or 03 9929 4111
For any concerns regarding your solar panels installed as part of the Solar Homes and Communities Plan please contact The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on 1800 808 571
18 Feb 2010
NATIONAL: The Clean Energy Council (CEC) has moved to reassure consumers about the safety of Australian household solar panel systems following a story on ABC's Lateline program last night. Clean Energy Council chief executive Matthew Warren said while there had been around 100,000 solar panels installed in Australian households over the last 30 years, the industry has received no reports of any causing house fires."We take safety seriously. The safety record of the solar industry is good. To put this in perspective there are more than 10,000 house fires every year, most of which are caused by faulty wiring or appliances – not solar panels," Mr Warren said. "All solar panels receiving government support must be installed by an accredited installer. The panels must comply with the Australian standard. All houses connecting solar panels back to the grid must also be installed by a licensed electrician.
The accreditation program includes audits of installed systems to ensure compliance with these rigorous standards and consumer confidence is maintained. "All households looking to install solar panels should be using a CEC-accredited installer who is required to ensure that their solar panel system is safe and complies with the Australian standard," Mr Warren said. "The Clean Energy Council will continue to work with Federal and State Governments to ensure the highest standards are maintained and consumers can continue to generate their own clean electricity with confidence," he said.
"We welcome any additional measures to improve the safety, performance and reliability of these technologies as they evolve to becoming part of the mainstream energy supply in Australia." "Both major parties should be proud of the transformative effect their policies have had in developing the Australian solar industry. They have made solar energy more affordable for consumers, created jobs and reduced thousands of Australian household's reliance on fossil fuel-based electricity," he said.
For media enquiries please call Mark Bretherton 0413 556 981 or 03 9929 4111
For any concerns regarding your solar panels installed as part of the Solar Homes and Communities Plan please contact The Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts on 1800 808 571
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Grant cut steals wind from AGL venture
Adelaide Advertiser
Wednesday 17/2/2010 Page: 63
UP TO $340 million of investment in wind-driven energy for regional South Australia is at risk following changes to the Federal Government's Renewable Energy Target scheme, AGL Energy said yesterday. Hallett 3 and 5, which are planned for sites near Burra in the state's north, will involve the construction of 25 and 38 wind turbines respectively. The two projects, which are part of AGL Energy's five-part program, are estimated to be worth about $340 million and are both in the pre-development phase.
However, yesterday AGL Energy Project manager Tim Knill said a collapse in the price of renewable energy certificates had made the two projects unviable. "They are really driving down the price of RECS which is reducing the investment in large scale renewable energy projects," Mr Knill said. The RET program, which was devised to ensure 20% of Australia's energy consumption came from renewable sources by 2020, has suffered a setback due to changes made by the Federal Government to include its $8000 solar rebate program.
The renewable energy certificates are currently trading at about $30 compared to the $50 or more in the first half of last year. "They (RECS) are part of the financial model and the income stream for the project, so if there is something like domestic solar hot water which is driving down the price we believe there is a distortion in that market," Mr Knill said. "Until there is a change I don't think these projects are going to be viable."
Mr Knill said incentives for renewable energy projects levelled the playing field for companies attempting to compete with traditional fossil fuels. "We'll continue to work on the development but we won't take it to the board until we have a project that is viable and meets requirements and meets the requirements of the board." AGL Energy has said the benefit to the region of the Hallett project would total $1 billion once all stages are complete - a figure likely to be dented if the two final farms are shelved.
Mayor of the regional council of Goyder, Peter Mattey, said if the projects did not go ahead, the local community would likely suffer. "They (the windfarms) have been a significant economic benefit during the construction phase because they are using local contractors and they use local businesses," he said. Meanwhile, SA transmission operator ElectraNet said it would conduct a feasibility study with the Australian Energy Market Operator into increasing transfer capability between the state and the national grid.
Wednesday 17/2/2010 Page: 63
UP TO $340 million of investment in wind-driven energy for regional South Australia is at risk following changes to the Federal Government's Renewable Energy Target scheme, AGL Energy said yesterday. Hallett 3 and 5, which are planned for sites near Burra in the state's north, will involve the construction of 25 and 38 wind turbines respectively. The two projects, which are part of AGL Energy's five-part program, are estimated to be worth about $340 million and are both in the pre-development phase.
However, yesterday AGL Energy Project manager Tim Knill said a collapse in the price of renewable energy certificates had made the two projects unviable. "They are really driving down the price of RECS which is reducing the investment in large scale renewable energy projects," Mr Knill said. The RET program, which was devised to ensure 20% of Australia's energy consumption came from renewable sources by 2020, has suffered a setback due to changes made by the Federal Government to include its $8000 solar rebate program.
The renewable energy certificates are currently trading at about $30 compared to the $50 or more in the first half of last year. "They (RECS) are part of the financial model and the income stream for the project, so if there is something like domestic solar hot water which is driving down the price we believe there is a distortion in that market," Mr Knill said. "Until there is a change I don't think these projects are going to be viable."
Mr Knill said incentives for renewable energy projects levelled the playing field for companies attempting to compete with traditional fossil fuels. "We'll continue to work on the development but we won't take it to the board until we have a project that is viable and meets requirements and meets the requirements of the board." AGL Energy has said the benefit to the region of the Hallett project would total $1 billion once all stages are complete - a figure likely to be dented if the two final farms are shelved.
Mayor of the regional council of Goyder, Peter Mattey, said if the projects did not go ahead, the local community would likely suffer. "They (the windfarms) have been a significant economic benefit during the construction phase because they are using local contractors and they use local businesses," he said. Meanwhile, SA transmission operator ElectraNet said it would conduct a feasibility study with the Australian Energy Market Operator into increasing transfer capability between the state and the national grid.
Coastal energy boom in the wind
Adelaide Advertiser
Tuesday 16/2/2010 Page: 37
MACQUARIE Capital states preliminary assessments are positive for wind and grid connection capabilities at its proposed $1 billion windfarm at Robe. The result offers more certainty to the project, tipped to transform one of South Australia's coastal tourism hot spots into a wind-energy hub. The renewables sector investor will set up wind monitoring masts at the site to prove resource and conduct other studies over the next 12 months, Macquarie Capital Advisers' division director Ian Kay says. "We have conducted preliminary assessment of wind and grid connection capabilities and they are positive. The next step is to get into detailed wind monitoring and grid connection studies," Mr Kay said.
"We'll typically take about 12 to 18 months to get the relevant approvals and prove the resource, and following that we'll go through the tender process." Macquarie Capital committed to the project in late December, signing land lease agreements with Robe Wind Pty Ltd, a company set up by the 35 landowners of the site. The proposed 600MW windfarm is estimated to have a capital cost of more than $1 billion. It would be the group's first windfarm in SA, although it advised on the AGL Energy Hallett Cove wind farms.
About 300 turbines are likely to be set up along the Woakwine range between Beachport and Mt Benson, generating sufficient energy to power about 260,000 homes. Macquarie also has its sights set on other opportunities locally and nationally, with interests in the Silverton windfarm in New South Wales. "We are generally interested in infrastructure and renewable energy is an important component of it," Mr Kay said. The Robe project is a significant opportunity for the local community and South Australia's renewable energy sector, Robe Wind chairman Michael McCourt said. "We've leased our farms to them and they are going to start straight away," he said.
Infigen Energy also has landowner agreements in place for its 400-500MW WoakWine windfarm project from Cape Jaffa to Beachport. Together, these two projects could rival Australia's largest windfarm development near Broken Hill, being built by Epuron for about $2 billion. SA has the nation's highest installed capacity of wind generation, with nine wind farms and 5000MW of proposed projects. The wind energy share of energy in SA is projected to rise from 14% in 2008-09 to 34.1% by 2018-19. KPMG Econtech forecasts SA will have 2132MW of wind energy in 10 years.
Tuesday 16/2/2010 Page: 37
MACQUARIE Capital states preliminary assessments are positive for wind and grid connection capabilities at its proposed $1 billion windfarm at Robe. The result offers more certainty to the project, tipped to transform one of South Australia's coastal tourism hot spots into a wind-energy hub. The renewables sector investor will set up wind monitoring masts at the site to prove resource and conduct other studies over the next 12 months, Macquarie Capital Advisers' division director Ian Kay says. "We have conducted preliminary assessment of wind and grid connection capabilities and they are positive. The next step is to get into detailed wind monitoring and grid connection studies," Mr Kay said.
"We'll typically take about 12 to 18 months to get the relevant approvals and prove the resource, and following that we'll go through the tender process." Macquarie Capital committed to the project in late December, signing land lease agreements with Robe Wind Pty Ltd, a company set up by the 35 landowners of the site. The proposed 600MW windfarm is estimated to have a capital cost of more than $1 billion. It would be the group's first windfarm in SA, although it advised on the AGL Energy Hallett Cove wind farms.
About 300 turbines are likely to be set up along the Woakwine range between Beachport and Mt Benson, generating sufficient energy to power about 260,000 homes. Macquarie also has its sights set on other opportunities locally and nationally, with interests in the Silverton windfarm in New South Wales. "We are generally interested in infrastructure and renewable energy is an important component of it," Mr Kay said. The Robe project is a significant opportunity for the local community and South Australia's renewable energy sector, Robe Wind chairman Michael McCourt said. "We've leased our farms to them and they are going to start straight away," he said.
Infigen Energy also has landowner agreements in place for its 400-500MW WoakWine windfarm project from Cape Jaffa to Beachport. Together, these two projects could rival Australia's largest windfarm development near Broken Hill, being built by Epuron for about $2 billion. SA has the nation's highest installed capacity of wind generation, with nine wind farms and 5000MW of proposed projects. The wind energy share of energy in SA is projected to rise from 14% in 2008-09 to 34.1% by 2018-19. KPMG Econtech forecasts SA will have 2132MW of wind energy in 10 years.
Mitsubishi Electric Develops New Photovoltaic Inverter Technology to Maximize Solar Power Output
www.marketwatch.com
Feb. 15, 2010
TOKYO, Feb 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) - - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced today it has developed the world's first technology to maximize output power in photovoltaic (PV) systems by incorporating a new maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) system in PV inverters. The technology, which works with a single PV inverter, achieves the maximum power point even when part of a PV array is hidden by shadow or dust.
PV system characteristics such as output power are greatly influenced by the amount of sunlight and temperature. Conventional PV arrays, which are groups of PV modules connected either in series or parallel, use MPPT systems to help achieve their maximum output-power points. But if part of a PV array is hidden by shadow and the rest is still in sunlight, resulting in multiple peak points, a conventional MPPT system has difficulty tracking the maximum point. Especially in urban areas where PV systems are likely to be installed near buildings or other obstructions of sunlight, shadow can greatly decrease output power.
The technological breakthrough by Mitsubishi Electric allows the MPPT system to automatically measure the PV array's output power characteristics and then control the array to operate at its maximum output-power point, thereby ensuring that the PV system receives maximum output power from the array. In some cases, this technology will be able to more than double the output power compared to a PV inverter equipped with a conventional MPPT system. Mitsubishi Electric will continue its research and development with aims to incorporate this technology in its products in the near future.
Feb. 15, 2010
TOKYO, Feb 15, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) - - Mitsubishi Electric Corporation announced today it has developed the world's first technology to maximize output power in photovoltaic (PV) systems by incorporating a new maximum power-point tracking (MPPT) system in PV inverters. The technology, which works with a single PV inverter, achieves the maximum power point even when part of a PV array is hidden by shadow or dust.
PV system characteristics such as output power are greatly influenced by the amount of sunlight and temperature. Conventional PV arrays, which are groups of PV modules connected either in series or parallel, use MPPT systems to help achieve their maximum output-power points. But if part of a PV array is hidden by shadow and the rest is still in sunlight, resulting in multiple peak points, a conventional MPPT system has difficulty tracking the maximum point. Especially in urban areas where PV systems are likely to be installed near buildings or other obstructions of sunlight, shadow can greatly decrease output power.
The technological breakthrough by Mitsubishi Electric allows the MPPT system to automatically measure the PV array's output power characteristics and then control the array to operate at its maximum output-power point, thereby ensuring that the PV system receives maximum output power from the array. In some cases, this technology will be able to more than double the output power compared to a PV inverter equipped with a conventional MPPT system. Mitsubishi Electric will continue its research and development with aims to incorporate this technology in its products in the near future.
PG&E spells out plans for wave project
pacbiztimes.com
15 February 2010
Pacific Gas and Electric has unveiled crucial details about its proposed wave energy project off the coast of Vandenberg Air Force Base - a major step toward alternative electric power generation for the region. PGE said the project could be operational by 2014, generating as much as 100 MWs of power and providing permanent non-fossil fuel power for the base, one of the largest employers in Santa Barbara County. PGE spokesperson Kory Raftery said a five-MW prototype effort in Humboldt County has paved the way for the project off the shores of Point Arguello.
"The lessons we're learning on the pilot project in Humboldt County will help us make more informed decisions on the Central Coast project," Raftery said. "We've been following the Humboldt model closely." PGE will install four different technologies at the short-term Humboldt facility in order to decide which device would be most effective in Santa Barbara County. The devices capture the ocean's energy and transmit it through an undersea cable to land, where the energy is conditioned and fed to the electric grid.
"It's too early to tell what those technologies might be, but we're basically asking energy companies to submit ideas about what we could do there," Raftery said. "We're still just collecting applications." Raftery said the location of the project had many advantages, including nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base, which has an existing power grid that can handle a large interconnection. The base also has launch facilities that would allow large wave energy devices to be deployed easily into the ocean.
The wave energy potential off California's coastline is approximately 5,500 MWs, according to a study by the Electric Power Research Institute, and PGE hopes the 100-MW Central Coast project will tap that potential. Although the license would allow PGE to generate up to 100 MWs, Raftery said the project will likely be phased. The multi-stage approach will start with a small initial phase and potentially build up into a larger facility. "We're not going to put 100 MWs in the water right off the bat," Raftery said. "It's going to come in pieces and segments so the progression is in harmony with local considerations."
The wave energy setup would supply Vandenberg and a portion of Santa Barbara County with renewable, carbon-free electricity. "Electrons find the nearest appliance," Raftery said. "So while customers in the city of Santa Barbara may not write their checks to PGE, they'll all benefit from the clean energy that we're putting into the mix." In December, PGE applied for a permit for the Central Coast project from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the umbrella agency for wave energy project approval in the nation. "Until [approval], we're in a holding pattern," Raftery said. "Everything is still the same. The lines on the map haven't changed, and the Air Force is still on board. Once we obtain the permit from FERC, we'll set up more stakeholder groups and dig into doing the research."
PGE expects permit approval by spring of this year. "We don't really have a plan B," Raftery said. He added that the real work starts after the project is approved. That's when PGE will start ramping up its outreach projects, conducting more extensive studies at the site and begin offshore mapping. There will also be further studies on wave management, extensive research into historic wave capability and production and environmental impact reviews at the state, local and federal levels.
PGE has already brought on two large consulting firms to help with the project; Denver-based CH2Mhill is handling the environmental feasibility studies and Virginia-based SAIC will assist with the actual technology. The Business Times reported in December that PGE met with a number of local elected officials, including Santa Barbara County supervisors, and set up preliminary meetings with environmental groups including the Surfrider Foundation.
PGE launched its wave energy program in 2007 by studying two potential sites in Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The California Public Utilities Commission and U.S. Department of Energy provided $6 million for the two sites, but the Mendocino site was later deemed infeasible. The goal of the Central Coast project, Raftery said, is to produce reliable electric power with no impact on coastal activities. With the wave energy permit application, PGE has two large regulatory undertakings under way for the Central Coast. Last year it filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the license of its twin-reactor Diablo Canyon nuclear generating station near San Luis Obispo.
15 February 2010
Pacific Gas and Electric has unveiled crucial details about its proposed wave energy project off the coast of Vandenberg Air Force Base - a major step toward alternative electric power generation for the region. PGE said the project could be operational by 2014, generating as much as 100 MWs of power and providing permanent non-fossil fuel power for the base, one of the largest employers in Santa Barbara County. PGE spokesperson Kory Raftery said a five-MW prototype effort in Humboldt County has paved the way for the project off the shores of Point Arguello.
"The lessons we're learning on the pilot project in Humboldt County will help us make more informed decisions on the Central Coast project," Raftery said. "We've been following the Humboldt model closely." PGE will install four different technologies at the short-term Humboldt facility in order to decide which device would be most effective in Santa Barbara County. The devices capture the ocean's energy and transmit it through an undersea cable to land, where the energy is conditioned and fed to the electric grid.
"It's too early to tell what those technologies might be, but we're basically asking energy companies to submit ideas about what we could do there," Raftery said. "We're still just collecting applications." Raftery said the location of the project had many advantages, including nearby Vandenberg Air Force Base, which has an existing power grid that can handle a large interconnection. The base also has launch facilities that would allow large wave energy devices to be deployed easily into the ocean.
The wave energy potential off California's coastline is approximately 5,500 MWs, according to a study by the Electric Power Research Institute, and PGE hopes the 100-MW Central Coast project will tap that potential. Although the license would allow PGE to generate up to 100 MWs, Raftery said the project will likely be phased. The multi-stage approach will start with a small initial phase and potentially build up into a larger facility. "We're not going to put 100 MWs in the water right off the bat," Raftery said. "It's going to come in pieces and segments so the progression is in harmony with local considerations."
The wave energy setup would supply Vandenberg and a portion of Santa Barbara County with renewable, carbon-free electricity. "Electrons find the nearest appliance," Raftery said. "So while customers in the city of Santa Barbara may not write their checks to PGE, they'll all benefit from the clean energy that we're putting into the mix." In December, PGE applied for a permit for the Central Coast project from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, the umbrella agency for wave energy project approval in the nation. "Until [approval], we're in a holding pattern," Raftery said. "Everything is still the same. The lines on the map haven't changed, and the Air Force is still on board. Once we obtain the permit from FERC, we'll set up more stakeholder groups and dig into doing the research."
PGE expects permit approval by spring of this year. "We don't really have a plan B," Raftery said. He added that the real work starts after the project is approved. That's when PGE will start ramping up its outreach projects, conducting more extensive studies at the site and begin offshore mapping. There will also be further studies on wave management, extensive research into historic wave capability and production and environmental impact reviews at the state, local and federal levels.
PGE has already brought on two large consulting firms to help with the project; Denver-based CH2Mhill is handling the environmental feasibility studies and Virginia-based SAIC will assist with the actual technology. The Business Times reported in December that PGE met with a number of local elected officials, including Santa Barbara County supervisors, and set up preliminary meetings with environmental groups including the Surfrider Foundation.
PGE launched its wave energy program in 2007 by studying two potential sites in Humboldt and Mendocino counties. The California Public Utilities Commission and U.S. Department of Energy provided $6 million for the two sites, but the Mendocino site was later deemed infeasible. The goal of the Central Coast project, Raftery said, is to produce reliable electric power with no impact on coastal activities. With the wave energy permit application, PGE has two large regulatory undertakings under way for the Central Coast. Last year it filed with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to extend the license of its twin-reactor Diablo Canyon nuclear generating station near San Luis Obispo.
Zero emissions possible - at $40bn a year
www.theage.com.au
February 15, 2010
AUSTRALIA could move to 100 per cent renewable energy within a decade if it spent heavily on cutting-edge solar thermal and wind technology, according to an analysis released as part of a community bid to redirect the flailing climate policy debate. The shift would require the annual investment of up to $40 billion - roughly 3.5 per cent of national GDP - with the largest chunk going towards solar thermal power plants that used molten-salt heat storage to allow power generation to continue without sunlight.
The plan by advocacy group Beyond Zero Emissions was outlined at the launch of the Transition Decade, or T10, a grassroots campaign hoping to garner support for dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Pitched as a response to the failure to introduce national and state policies to substantially reduce emissions, T10 won support yesterday from the City of Melbourne, the Australian Greens and Victorian Governor David de Kretser.
Launching the campaign, Professor de Kretser said Australia had a responsibility to act. ''If every person in the world generated greenhouse gas emissions per person equivalent to those of each Australian today, the levels would quickly exceed those predicted to cause very dangerous global warming,'' he told more than 1000 people at the Melbourne Town Hall. ''The consequences for planet Earth … would be disastrous.''
Under the Beyond Zero Emissions model, concentrated solar thermal plants at 12 sites across the country would meet 60 per cent of national energy demands. They would be supplemented by wind and photovoltaic solar panels, with existing hydroelectricity and biomass from burning crop remains as back-up. Beyond Zero Emissions spokesman Mark Ogge said developments overseas had shown the claims that renewable energy could not provide baseload power had no basis. Spain plans to install enough concentrated solar thermal in the next three years to power half of Victoria, with capacity six times greater than this in development.
Mr Ogge conceded the estimated investment was huge, but said it should not seen as just a cost. ''All these power plants pay themselves off over their lifetime,'' he said. ''When you finish we've got a brand new renewable energy system that is going to last 50 years at least and have no fuel costs.'' Greens climate change spokeswoman Christine Milne said the government and opposition were too invested in ''business-as-usual'' politics to support the change needed to combat climate change.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the government was continuing to negotiate with all parties in a bid to have the scheme passed. He again alluded to a possible double dissolution if the bill was defeated. ''Whenever the next election is held, and whatever form that election takes, both emissions trading and action on climate change will be front and centre,'' Mr Rudd told Network Ten's Meet the Press.
February 15, 2010
AUSTRALIA could move to 100 per cent renewable energy within a decade if it spent heavily on cutting-edge solar thermal and wind technology, according to an analysis released as part of a community bid to redirect the flailing climate policy debate. The shift would require the annual investment of up to $40 billion - roughly 3.5 per cent of national GDP - with the largest chunk going towards solar thermal power plants that used molten-salt heat storage to allow power generation to continue without sunlight.
The plan by advocacy group Beyond Zero Emissions was outlined at the launch of the Transition Decade, or T10, a grassroots campaign hoping to garner support for dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. Pitched as a response to the failure to introduce national and state policies to substantially reduce emissions, T10 won support yesterday from the City of Melbourne, the Australian Greens and Victorian Governor David de Kretser.
Launching the campaign, Professor de Kretser said Australia had a responsibility to act. ''If every person in the world generated greenhouse gas emissions per person equivalent to those of each Australian today, the levels would quickly exceed those predicted to cause very dangerous global warming,'' he told more than 1000 people at the Melbourne Town Hall. ''The consequences for planet Earth … would be disastrous.''
Under the Beyond Zero Emissions model, concentrated solar thermal plants at 12 sites across the country would meet 60 per cent of national energy demands. They would be supplemented by wind and photovoltaic solar panels, with existing hydroelectricity and biomass from burning crop remains as back-up. Beyond Zero Emissions spokesman Mark Ogge said developments overseas had shown the claims that renewable energy could not provide baseload power had no basis. Spain plans to install enough concentrated solar thermal in the next three years to power half of Victoria, with capacity six times greater than this in development.
Mr Ogge conceded the estimated investment was huge, but said it should not seen as just a cost. ''All these power plants pay themselves off over their lifetime,'' he said. ''When you finish we've got a brand new renewable energy system that is going to last 50 years at least and have no fuel costs.'' Greens climate change spokeswoman Christine Milne said the government and opposition were too invested in ''business-as-usual'' politics to support the change needed to combat climate change.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said the government was continuing to negotiate with all parties in a bid to have the scheme passed. He again alluded to a possible double dissolution if the bill was defeated. ''Whenever the next election is held, and whatever form that election takes, both emissions trading and action on climate change will be front and centre,'' Mr Rudd told Network Ten's Meet the Press.
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Hydro spend under fire
Hobart Mercury
Monday 15/2/2010 Page: 5
FINANCIAL help from Hydro Tasmania has allowed a wind farm in South Australia to go ahead while a similar project here has stalled. It has been revealed Hydro Tasmania underwrote Roaring 40s Waterloo windfarm in South Australia with joint venture partner TRUEnergy. Meanwhile, the Musselroe wind farm in Tasmania's far northeast has stalled indefinitely because of financing problems. Workers have not been told when, or if, construction will resume.
Liberal energy spokesman Peter Gutwein questioned the priorities of the state's energy generator. "The Government must explain why a Roaring 40s wind farm project in SA was able to be underwritten by Tasmanian GBE Hydro yet the Musselroe wind farm, worth more than $400 million, and a key northern project with hundreds of jobs attached to it, has still been unable to achieve financial close," Mr Gutwein said.
Hydro Tasmania purchased renewable energy certificates (RECs) and hedged electricity prices for the Waterloo project for 10 years to get it off the ground. Since then the market for RECs has dropped, making investment in wind energy uneconomic. Energy Minister David Llewellyn said he would not interfere with the dealings of a private company. He believed the Musselroe project would still be built.
Monday 15/2/2010 Page: 5
FINANCIAL help from Hydro Tasmania has allowed a wind farm in South Australia to go ahead while a similar project here has stalled. It has been revealed Hydro Tasmania underwrote Roaring 40s Waterloo windfarm in South Australia with joint venture partner TRUEnergy. Meanwhile, the Musselroe wind farm in Tasmania's far northeast has stalled indefinitely because of financing problems. Workers have not been told when, or if, construction will resume.
Liberal energy spokesman Peter Gutwein questioned the priorities of the state's energy generator. "The Government must explain why a Roaring 40s wind farm project in SA was able to be underwritten by Tasmanian GBE Hydro yet the Musselroe wind farm, worth more than $400 million, and a key northern project with hundreds of jobs attached to it, has still been unable to achieve financial close," Mr Gutwein said.
Hydro Tasmania purchased renewable energy certificates (RECs) and hedged electricity prices for the Waterloo project for 10 years to get it off the ground. Since then the market for RECs has dropped, making investment in wind energy uneconomic. Energy Minister David Llewellyn said he would not interfere with the dealings of a private company. He believed the Musselroe project would still be built.
Zero emissions possible - at $40bn a year Climate group sets 10-year target
Age
Monday 15/2/2010 Page: 6
AUSTRALIA could move to 100% renewable energy within a decade if it spent heavily on cutting edge solar thermal and wind technology, according to an analysis released as part of a community bid to redirect the flailing climate policy debate. The shift would require the annual investment of up to $40 billion - roughly 3.5% of national GDP - with the largest chunk going towards solar thermal power plants that used molten-salt heat storage to allow power generation to continue without sunlight. The plan by advocacy group Beyond Zero Emissions was outlined at the launch of the Transition Decade, or T10, a grassroots campaign hoping to garner support for dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Pitched as a response to the failure to introduce national and state policies to substantially reduce emissions, T10 won support yesterday from the City of Melbourne, the Australian Greens and Victorian Governor David de Kretser. Launching the campaign, Professor de Kretser said Australia had a responsibility to act. "If every person in the world generated greenhouse gas emissions per person equivalent to those of each Australian today, the levels would quickly exceed those predicted to cause very dangerous global warming," he told more than 1000 people at the Melbourne Town Hall. "The consequences for planet Earth.., would be disastrous."
Under the Beyond Zero Emissions model, concentrated solar thermal plants at 12 sites across the country would meet 60% of national energy demands. They would be supplemented by wind and photovoltaic solar panels, with existing hydroelectricity and biomass from burning crop remains as back-up. Beyond Zero Emissions spokesman Mark Ogge said developments overseas had shown the claims that renewable energy could not provide baseload power had no basis. Spain plans to install enough concentrated solar thermal in the next three years to power half of Victoria, with capacity six times greater than this in development.
Mr Ogge conceded the estimated investment was huge, but said it should not seen as just a cost. "All these power plants pay themselves off over their lifetime," he said. "When you finish we've got a brand new renewable energy system that is going to last 50 years at least and have no fuel costs." Greens climate change spokeswoman Christine Milne said the government and opposition were too invested in "business-as-usual" politics to support the change needed to combat climate change.
Prince Minister Kevin Rudd said the government was continuing to negotiate with all parties in a bid to have the scheme passed. He again alluded to a possible double dissolution if the bill was defeated. "Whenever the next election is held, and whatever form that election takes, both emissions trading and action on climate change will be front and centre," Mr Rudd told Network Ten's Meet the Press.
Monday 15/2/2010 Page: 6
AUSTRALIA could move to 100% renewable energy within a decade if it spent heavily on cutting edge solar thermal and wind technology, according to an analysis released as part of a community bid to redirect the flailing climate policy debate. The shift would require the annual investment of up to $40 billion - roughly 3.5% of national GDP - with the largest chunk going towards solar thermal power plants that used molten-salt heat storage to allow power generation to continue without sunlight. The plan by advocacy group Beyond Zero Emissions was outlined at the launch of the Transition Decade, or T10, a grassroots campaign hoping to garner support for dramatic cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
Pitched as a response to the failure to introduce national and state policies to substantially reduce emissions, T10 won support yesterday from the City of Melbourne, the Australian Greens and Victorian Governor David de Kretser. Launching the campaign, Professor de Kretser said Australia had a responsibility to act. "If every person in the world generated greenhouse gas emissions per person equivalent to those of each Australian today, the levels would quickly exceed those predicted to cause very dangerous global warming," he told more than 1000 people at the Melbourne Town Hall. "The consequences for planet Earth.., would be disastrous."
Under the Beyond Zero Emissions model, concentrated solar thermal plants at 12 sites across the country would meet 60% of national energy demands. They would be supplemented by wind and photovoltaic solar panels, with existing hydroelectricity and biomass from burning crop remains as back-up. Beyond Zero Emissions spokesman Mark Ogge said developments overseas had shown the claims that renewable energy could not provide baseload power had no basis. Spain plans to install enough concentrated solar thermal in the next three years to power half of Victoria, with capacity six times greater than this in development.
Mr Ogge conceded the estimated investment was huge, but said it should not seen as just a cost. "All these power plants pay themselves off over their lifetime," he said. "When you finish we've got a brand new renewable energy system that is going to last 50 years at least and have no fuel costs." Greens climate change spokeswoman Christine Milne said the government and opposition were too invested in "business-as-usual" politics to support the change needed to combat climate change.
Prince Minister Kevin Rudd said the government was continuing to negotiate with all parties in a bid to have the scheme passed. He again alluded to a possible double dissolution if the bill was defeated. "Whenever the next election is held, and whatever form that election takes, both emissions trading and action on climate change will be front and centre," Mr Rudd told Network Ten's Meet the Press.
Power plants will generate 2000 jobs
Weekend Australian
Saturday 13/2/2010 Page: 5
THOUSANDS of engineering and construction jobs may be generated in western Victoria this decade as the Portland-Warrnambool district becomes a new eastern seaboard hub for power supply and a key contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Energy says an energy revolution is under way in the state. It estimates that demand growth will require 6000MW of new power plants by 2030, with the requirement going up to 12,000MW if the four existing brown coal-fired generators in the Latrobe Valley have to be replaced to meet greenhouse requirements.
VECCI chief executive Wayne Kayler-Thomson says the capital cost of new power stations will lie between $18 billion and $36bn. He also predicts that up to $10bn will be spent on transmission networks to move electricity from generators to the market and another $5bn m ay be required to upgrade natural gas supply capacity. While the political focus over the next few years will be on the fate of the Latrobe Valley coal burning plants in eastern Victoria - which currently meet 85% of the state's power needs most development attention will be on the other side of the state.
Three gas-fired developments are proposed in southwest Victoria. Origin Energy has begun building a $640 million peaking power plant, with a capacity of 550MW, near Mortlake and says it will consider doubling its size. The first phase is due to be commissioned next summer and the project overall could cost $1.5bn. The critical need for peaking capacity in Victoria was highlighted in January's heatwave when demand soared to more than 8000MW compared with a normal day-today requirement of 5700MW.
Santos is pursuing feasibility studies on an $800 million gasfired baseload power station at Orford and says it will consider extending the development to 1500MW in three stages. AGL Energy is weighing up building a 500MW gas peaking plant near Koroit and says it could be extended to 850MW. These developments can provide more than 2000 construction j obs, the firms say. Meanwhile the renewable energy industry sees southwest Victoria as a major wind energy hub for eastern Australia. Fortythree projects are under construction, in planning stages or mooted for the area. If all are built, they will add more than 4000MW to Victoria's generation capacity and cost more than $7bn.
State Energy Minister Peter Batehelor says $2bn in renewable investment is under way to build 1836MW of wind generation, creating more than 2000 construction jobs. However, wind investment is stalled nationally because of industry concerns about the federal government's renewable energy target, the RET's new provisions to support solar heaters and hot water pumps having caused a large slump in the value of the underpinning generation certificates.
AGL Energy, which is planning the biggest development, an $850m windfarm at Macarthur near Portland, able to provide enough energy to power Geelong, has said it will not proceed until the RET problems are resolved. Two other new generation technologies may be available in western Victoria. The federal government has contributed $66.4m to an ocean energy demonstration project off Portland and the state government is supporting geothermal exploration in the area. Both, if commercially viable, could provide zero emission baseload power.
Saturday 13/2/2010 Page: 5
THOUSANDS of engineering and construction jobs may be generated in western Victoria this decade as the Portland-Warrnambool district becomes a new eastern seaboard hub for power supply and a key contributor to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Victorian Employers Chamber of Commerce and Energy says an energy revolution is under way in the state. It estimates that demand growth will require 6000MW of new power plants by 2030, with the requirement going up to 12,000MW if the four existing brown coal-fired generators in the Latrobe Valley have to be replaced to meet greenhouse requirements.
VECCI chief executive Wayne Kayler-Thomson says the capital cost of new power stations will lie between $18 billion and $36bn. He also predicts that up to $10bn will be spent on transmission networks to move electricity from generators to the market and another $5bn m ay be required to upgrade natural gas supply capacity. While the political focus over the next few years will be on the fate of the Latrobe Valley coal burning plants in eastern Victoria - which currently meet 85% of the state's power needs most development attention will be on the other side of the state.
Three gas-fired developments are proposed in southwest Victoria. Origin Energy has begun building a $640 million peaking power plant, with a capacity of 550MW, near Mortlake and says it will consider doubling its size. The first phase is due to be commissioned next summer and the project overall could cost $1.5bn. The critical need for peaking capacity in Victoria was highlighted in January's heatwave when demand soared to more than 8000MW compared with a normal day-today requirement of 5700MW.
Santos is pursuing feasibility studies on an $800 million gasfired baseload power station at Orford and says it will consider extending the development to 1500MW in three stages. AGL Energy is weighing up building a 500MW gas peaking plant near Koroit and says it could be extended to 850MW. These developments can provide more than 2000 construction j obs, the firms say. Meanwhile the renewable energy industry sees southwest Victoria as a major wind energy hub for eastern Australia. Fortythree projects are under construction, in planning stages or mooted for the area. If all are built, they will add more than 4000MW to Victoria's generation capacity and cost more than $7bn.
State Energy Minister Peter Batehelor says $2bn in renewable investment is under way to build 1836MW of wind generation, creating more than 2000 construction jobs. However, wind investment is stalled nationally because of industry concerns about the federal government's renewable energy target, the RET's new provisions to support solar heaters and hot water pumps having caused a large slump in the value of the underpinning generation certificates.
AGL Energy, which is planning the biggest development, an $850m windfarm at Macarthur near Portland, able to provide enough energy to power Geelong, has said it will not proceed until the RET problems are resolved. Two other new generation technologies may be available in western Victoria. The federal government has contributed $66.4m to an ocean energy demonstration project off Portland and the state government is supporting geothermal exploration in the area. Both, if commercially viable, could provide zero emission baseload power.
Energy project tackles storage
Adelaide Advertiser
Saturday 13/2/2010 Page: 80
A US company plans to dig underground caverns that it hopes to fill with compressed air, to generate electricity by turning a turbine. This could solve one of the most vexing problems facing the cleanenergy industry - how to store power. Under a barren patch of Utah desert, a private equity group is bankrolling the project to hollow out a series of energy storage vaults from a massive salt deposit a mile (1.6km) underground. It promises to make a repository for storing energy and, in effect, creating a giant subterranean battery.
Energy storage is catching on as a way to make wind and solar energy more useful. The lack of storage is one of the things holding back clean energy, say scientists for Sandia National Laboratories' energy systems group in Albuquerque. The only commercial scale, compressed-air power plants are in McIntosh, Alabama, and Bremen, Germany. Other projects are under development in Norton, Ohio, and Ankeny, Iowa.
Saturday 13/2/2010 Page: 80
A US company plans to dig underground caverns that it hopes to fill with compressed air, to generate electricity by turning a turbine. This could solve one of the most vexing problems facing the cleanenergy industry - how to store power. Under a barren patch of Utah desert, a private equity group is bankrolling the project to hollow out a series of energy storage vaults from a massive salt deposit a mile (1.6km) underground. It promises to make a repository for storing energy and, in effect, creating a giant subterranean battery.
Energy storage is catching on as a way to make wind and solar energy more useful. The lack of storage is one of the things holding back clean energy, say scientists for Sandia National Laboratories' energy systems group in Albuquerque. The only commercial scale, compressed-air power plants are in McIntosh, Alabama, and Bremen, Germany. Other projects are under development in Norton, Ohio, and Ankeny, Iowa.
A new wire twist on silicon solar cells
www.reuters.com
Feb 14, 2010
CHICAGO, Feb 14 (Reuters) - U.S, researchers have devised a way to make flexible solar cells with silicon wires that use just 1% of the material needed to make conventional solar cells. The eventual hope is to make thin, light solar cells that could be incorporated into clothing, for instance but the immediate benefit is cheaper and easier-to-install solar panels, the researchers said.
The new material, reported on Sunday in Nature Materials, uses conventional silicon configured into micron-sized wires (a micron is one-millionth of a meter) instead of brittle wafers and encases them in a flexible polymer that can be rolled or bent. "The idea is it would be lower cost and easier to work with by being more flexible than conventional silicon solar cells," Michael Kelzenberg of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena, who worked on the study, said in a telephone interview. solar cells, which convert solar energy into electricity, are in high demand because of higher oil prices and concerns over climate change.
Many companies, including Japanese consumer electronics maker Sharp Corp and Germany's Q-Cells SE, are making thin-film solar cells using organic materials such as polymers, but they typically are less efficient at converting solar energy into electricity than conventional cells using silicon. The study is among the latest to combine the flexibility of the new organic or carbon-containing films with the high efficiency of silicon, which is heavy and stiff.
Kelzenberg said the material uses about 1/100th as much silicon per cell area as a silicon wafer. "It is potentially a route to bypass many of the costs associated with producing solar cells," he said. He said a big problem with working with silicon wafers is they are fragile. More testing is needed but Kelzenberg said the material would be about 15% to 20% efficient, about the same level as solar cells used on roofs to heat homes.
A similar effort is under way in the lab of John Rogers, a professor of materials science at the University of Illinois-Urbana-Campaign, who is working on ways to make inorganic materials more flexible. While many companies are investing in organic solar cells - - basically materials like plastic that contain carbon - - Rogers said these materials have relatively low performance, less long-term reliability and an unproven cost structure. "We like the inorganics - - trying to adapt them and use them in non-standard ways," Rogers said in a telephone interview.
Last year, his team reported on a new manufacturing process that creates thin arrays of solar cells that are flexible enough to be rolled around a pencil and transparent enough to be used to tint windows on buildings or cars. "We can make them stretch like a rubber band or bendable like a sheet of plastic," he said. He is founder of a start-up semiconductor company called Semprius Inc in Durham, North Carolina, that last month announced a joint effort with Siemens AG (SIEGn.DE) to develop large systems for utility-scale power generation. "The same technology they are using to make these rigid utility-scale modules could be used for flexible devices as well," he said. Rogers said that the company has funding from the U.S. Department of Defense and the CIA.
The Australian connection at Amity university
economictimes.indiatimes.com
14 Feb 2010
'Amity Indo-Australian Commerce Science and Technology Foundation', the launch of which was recently announced at the Amity campus, Noida, will work in the areas of commerce, science and technology and thereby, attempt to bring credit to both the countries. Amity Institute of Renewable and Alternative Energy organised a two day Indo-Australian Solar Energy Workshop from February 09-10, 2010 at Amity University Campus, Noida. Supported by Department of Science and Technology, Delhi, the workshop witnessed speakers and delegates from IITs of Chennai, Kanpur, Guwahati and Mumbai. The workshop was inaugurated by Lachan Strahan, deputy high commissioner, Australia.
In his inaugural address Ashok K Chauhan, founder president, Amity Universe promised that the projects developed out of the discussions and deliberations during the two day workshop would be commercially utilised. Chauhan formally announced the launch of the Amity Indo-Australian commerce, science and technology foundation.
Strahan said: "Challenge before us, as a planet and as a race is to find a living which is in harmony with the planet. I agree that IT has opened up wonderful new ways of communication but there is no substitute for coming together and meeting each other face to face. It's been two months that Copenhagen Conference took place where the world community grappled with the challenge of climate change. We all acknowledge that it was a difficult conference and agreement to so many issues was not reached."
Talking about the solution towards the problem, Strahan added, "We also know that technology must be a part of the solution to climate change; we must find ways of developing cleaner sources of energy. solar energy must be a part of that solution.The two Governments-Indian and Australian have recognized the fundamental importance of solar energy. India has its own solar energy mission; it has sets its ambitious targets for solar energy generation.
Australian Government has set its own renewable energy targets ie 20% by 2020. This conference will strengthen the expanding relationship between India and Australia" Most of the speakers pointed out on common thing and important fact that India and Australia are blessed with abundant sun, which should be utilised to the fullest extent.
Prahlada, chief controller, DRDO said: "Both the countries have abundant sun to play with. Normally, DRDO deals with missiles, aircrafts, torpedoes etc but off late, we have started looking at solar energy for various reasons, for example, we do develop unmanned air vehicles but now we are talking about solar energyed unmanned air vehicles which can keep roaring for days and days. The need of the hour is low cost, low weight solar batteries made of plastic or polymer. DRDO is encouraging institutes and students to carry on research in this area and in next ten years lot of opportunities exist for this in Solar Energy sector."
V K Jain, director, Amity Institute of Renewable and Alternative Energy while apprising the gathering about the proceedings of the workshop, said: "India is blessed with 300 sunny days in a year, which means over 5, 000 trillion kWs of solar energy in a year but the cost of solar energy needs to be reduced to make it a viable source of energy". The topics discussed during the workshop were - "High Efficiency Flexible Solar Cells", "Dye Sensitized Solar Cells", " Solar Thermal Systems", " Phase Change Thermal Storage for Solar Application" and the like.
Amity's Turkish Connection
The President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, visited the campus in Noida, and addressed a cross section of people, including, students, faculty members of Amity and dignitaries from Corporate and educational sector. The University conferred a doctorate degree on the President. Ashok K Chauhan, founder president, Amity University and Atul Chauhan, chancellor, Amity University, honored the President of Turkey with a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy along with a citation.
Expressing his gratitude on being conferred with the degree, Turkish President, said: "it gives me profound pleasure to be in Amity University and address the students. I have special interest in the centers of higher education, they are the future of our world and are means to reach lasting peace, security and prosperity."
14 Feb 2010
'Amity Indo-Australian Commerce Science and Technology Foundation', the launch of which was recently announced at the Amity campus, Noida, will work in the areas of commerce, science and technology and thereby, attempt to bring credit to both the countries. Amity Institute of Renewable and Alternative Energy organised a two day Indo-Australian Solar Energy Workshop from February 09-10, 2010 at Amity University Campus, Noida. Supported by Department of Science and Technology, Delhi, the workshop witnessed speakers and delegates from IITs of Chennai, Kanpur, Guwahati and Mumbai. The workshop was inaugurated by Lachan Strahan, deputy high commissioner, Australia.
In his inaugural address Ashok K Chauhan, founder president, Amity Universe promised that the projects developed out of the discussions and deliberations during the two day workshop would be commercially utilised. Chauhan formally announced the launch of the Amity Indo-Australian commerce, science and technology foundation.
Strahan said: "Challenge before us, as a planet and as a race is to find a living which is in harmony with the planet. I agree that IT has opened up wonderful new ways of communication but there is no substitute for coming together and meeting each other face to face. It's been two months that Copenhagen Conference took place where the world community grappled with the challenge of climate change. We all acknowledge that it was a difficult conference and agreement to so many issues was not reached."
Talking about the solution towards the problem, Strahan added, "We also know that technology must be a part of the solution to climate change; we must find ways of developing cleaner sources of energy. solar energy must be a part of that solution.The two Governments-Indian and Australian have recognized the fundamental importance of solar energy. India has its own solar energy mission; it has sets its ambitious targets for solar energy generation.
Australian Government has set its own renewable energy targets ie 20% by 2020. This conference will strengthen the expanding relationship between India and Australia" Most of the speakers pointed out on common thing and important fact that India and Australia are blessed with abundant sun, which should be utilised to the fullest extent.
Prahlada, chief controller, DRDO said: "Both the countries have abundant sun to play with. Normally, DRDO deals with missiles, aircrafts, torpedoes etc but off late, we have started looking at solar energy for various reasons, for example, we do develop unmanned air vehicles but now we are talking about solar energyed unmanned air vehicles which can keep roaring for days and days. The need of the hour is low cost, low weight solar batteries made of plastic or polymer. DRDO is encouraging institutes and students to carry on research in this area and in next ten years lot of opportunities exist for this in Solar Energy sector."
V K Jain, director, Amity Institute of Renewable and Alternative Energy while apprising the gathering about the proceedings of the workshop, said: "India is blessed with 300 sunny days in a year, which means over 5, 000 trillion kWs of solar energy in a year but the cost of solar energy needs to be reduced to make it a viable source of energy". The topics discussed during the workshop were - "High Efficiency Flexible Solar Cells", "Dye Sensitized Solar Cells", " Solar Thermal Systems", " Phase Change Thermal Storage for Solar Application" and the like.
Amity's Turkish Connection
The President of Turkey, Abdullah Gul, visited the campus in Noida, and addressed a cross section of people, including, students, faculty members of Amity and dignitaries from Corporate and educational sector. The University conferred a doctorate degree on the President. Ashok K Chauhan, founder president, Amity University and Atul Chauhan, chancellor, Amity University, honored the President of Turkey with a Doctorate Degree in Philosophy along with a citation.
Expressing his gratitude on being conferred with the degree, Turkish President, said: "it gives me profound pleasure to be in Amity University and address the students. I have special interest in the centers of higher education, they are the future of our world and are means to reach lasting peace, security and prosperity."
Kia introduces concept hybrid vehicle that utilizes solar energy
solar.coolerplanet.com
February 12, 2010
Kia is entering the world of green energy with one of its newest plug-in hybrid concept vehicles, which features a range of 746 miles and utilizes solar energy for some of its smaller functions. The Kia Ray, which was debuted Thursday at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, is one of Kia Motors America's first forays into hybrid vehicles that will offer an array of green technologies designed to reduce its carbon footprint compared to more conventional vehicles.
In addition to its plug-in capabilities that can boost the 153-horsepower engine's fuel economy to 202 miles-per-gallon, the car also features solar cells that are located in the vehicle's glass on its roof. When the car is parked, the cells generate a small charge of solar energy to operate cooling fans to reduce the vehicle's interior temperature.
"It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies," said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. Nano-laminate films and other cooling materials on the vehicle's windows are also designed to reduce heat in the interior, which in turn will reduce the use of air conditioning and the release of greenhouse gases.
February 12, 2010
Kia is entering the world of green energy with one of its newest plug-in hybrid concept vehicles, which features a range of 746 miles and utilizes solar energy for some of its smaller functions. The Kia Ray, which was debuted Thursday at the 2010 Chicago Auto Show, is one of Kia Motors America's first forays into hybrid vehicles that will offer an array of green technologies designed to reduce its carbon footprint compared to more conventional vehicles.
In addition to its plug-in capabilities that can boost the 153-horsepower engine's fuel economy to 202 miles-per-gallon, the car also features solar cells that are located in the vehicle's glass on its roof. When the car is parked, the cells generate a small charge of solar energy to operate cooling fans to reduce the vehicle's interior temperature.
"It is important to imagine what people will want in the future from a green perspective early in the design process, because people want to reduce their carbon footprint without driving carbon copies," said Peter Schreyer, chief design officer, Kia Motors Corporation. Nano-laminate films and other cooling materials on the vehicle's windows are also designed to reduce heat in the interior, which in turn will reduce the use of air conditioning and the release of greenhouse gases.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Sweden to build world's biggest wave power plant
www.swedishwire.com
12 February 2010
Swedish energy company Seabased Industry and Finnish power giant Fortum got one step closer to build the world's biggest wave power plant on the Swedish west coast as the Swedish Energy Agency approved an 14-million-euro investment grant. The planned full-scale wave power project is to be located near Smögen in the municipality of Sotenäs, southwest Sweden. Up to 500 units are to be interconnected in the plant and installed power will be approximately 10 MW. The plant will be the biggest of its kind in the world, the Swedish company said in a statement.
"The demonstration plant gives us, or the first time in full scale, the possibility to show that wave power can became a reliable and commercially interesting energy source", Billy Johansson, chief executive officer of Seabased Industry. The agency will contribute 14 million euro (139 million kronor) of the total investment of approximately 25 million euro. The Swedish Energy Agency has been instructed by the Government to support and stimulate the development of commercially viable renewable energy production through investment support.
12 February 2010
Swedish energy company Seabased Industry and Finnish power giant Fortum got one step closer to build the world's biggest wave power plant on the Swedish west coast as the Swedish Energy Agency approved an 14-million-euro investment grant. The planned full-scale wave power project is to be located near Smögen in the municipality of Sotenäs, southwest Sweden. Up to 500 units are to be interconnected in the plant and installed power will be approximately 10 MW. The plant will be the biggest of its kind in the world, the Swedish company said in a statement."The demonstration plant gives us, or the first time in full scale, the possibility to show that wave power can became a reliable and commercially interesting energy source", Billy Johansson, chief executive officer of Seabased Industry. The agency will contribute 14 million euro (139 million kronor) of the total investment of approximately 25 million euro. The Swedish Energy Agency has been instructed by the Government to support and stimulate the development of commercially viable renewable energy production through investment support.
Wave and tidal technologies get £12m boost
www.greenwisebusiness.co.uk
11th February 2010
The Government-backed Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has announced that £12 million will be up for grabs this year to help innovative businesses develop the wave and tidal power technologies of the future. The announcement comes just as SeaGen, the prototype tidal power energy turbine designed and deployed by Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) has become the first tidal power current or wave energy system in the world to exceed 1,000 hours of operation. MCT said yesterday that the 1,000 hour milestone means that the company is well on the way deploying the UK's first tidal power farm within the next two years. The funding from TSB is designed to further exploit the potential of marine energy and comes in the form of two competitions.
Competitive with other renewable energy solutions
TSB chief executive Iain Gray, explained why the funding is needed: "To fully realise the marine energy potential in the UK, there are a number of technological challenges that must still be tackled, ranging from proving which technological solutions will most successfully harness marine energy, to reducing the cost of the energy produced to make the technology competitive with other renewable energy solutions." The first competition, which opens in March with applications due in by April 29, offers a total of £9 million, split between two strands.
The first of these is designed to support the enhancement of existing devices. This would cover improving the reliability and power capture of full-scale devices; the development of second generation existing devices that improve survivability and performance and reduce the cost of energy; and applied research and experimental development for devices that are quarter size or larger. The second strand will support 'novel concept devices' that have already undergone desk-based evaluation and where there is evidence to indicate that the concept has long term commercial prospects.
TSB competition not limited to wave and tidal devices
A spokesperson for the TSB confirmed that the competition is not limited solely to wave and tidal power stream device manufacturers, but is likely to include collaborations designed to develop the supply chain and skills necessary for the future deployment of these technologies. So a wide range of businesses could be eligible for a share of the funding – from those that develop materials and coatings or cables and undersea equipment to utility companies and environmental impact specialists. Of the £9 million available, £2 million is being provided by the South West Regional Development Agency. To qualify for this money, at least one partner involved in the project must be based in South West England.
Strong consideration to proposals that will us Wave Hub
"Strong consideration" will also be given to proposals that include innovative use of the consented area of seabed at the Wave Hub site in Cornwall. This is the South West RDA's £42 million flagship marine renewables project designed to create a grid-connected 'socket' on the seabed, to which arrays of wave energy conversion devices can be connected and tested.
"We are delighted to be investing in this new competition with the Technology Strategy Board. It will accelerate the pace of marine renewables development in the UK, and complement the significant investment the South West RDA is making in the sector through our investments in Wave Hub and marine energy research," said Stephen Peacock, the South West RDA's executive director of enterprise and innovation. The second TSB competition, due to open in September with a deadline for applications of October 21, is aimed at getting pre-commercial full scale devices installed and operating in the sea and is specifically aimed at businesses that are already working towards full scale deployment of their technology.
SeaGen developer could be eligible for funding
Companies like MCT, which got a share of the Carbon Trust's Marine Renewable Proving Fund (MRPF) announced earlier this month, are eligible for the competitions, but their applications must be designed to complement, not replicate, developments for which they have won MRPF support. MCT's 1.2 MW SeaGen tidal power current turbine, situated in n Northern Ireland's Strangford Lough, claims to be the largest MW scale grid-connected marine renewable energy system in the world and has achieved a capacity factor of 66 per cent, delivering 800 MW hours into the National Grid so far.
The company, is now preparing SeaGen for more intensive operation and hopes to gain consent for continuous '24/7' operation before the summer. "SeaGen is operating as it was designed to do. Crucially, the operational experience and data that we are gaining every day is hugely valuable as we work towards deploying the UK's first tidal power farm within the next two years," said Martin Wright, managing director of MCT. "SeaGen is a commercial scale prototype and already we are incorporating into the design of the next machines subtle changes to improve maintainability and reliability which are vital for commercial generation."
11th February 2010
The Government-backed Technology Strategy Board (TSB) has announced that £12 million will be up for grabs this year to help innovative businesses develop the wave and tidal power technologies of the future. The announcement comes just as SeaGen, the prototype tidal power energy turbine designed and deployed by Marine Current Turbines Ltd (MCT) has become the first tidal power current or wave energy system in the world to exceed 1,000 hours of operation. MCT said yesterday that the 1,000 hour milestone means that the company is well on the way deploying the UK's first tidal power farm within the next two years. The funding from TSB is designed to further exploit the potential of marine energy and comes in the form of two competitions. Competitive with other renewable energy solutions
TSB chief executive Iain Gray, explained why the funding is needed: "To fully realise the marine energy potential in the UK, there are a number of technological challenges that must still be tackled, ranging from proving which technological solutions will most successfully harness marine energy, to reducing the cost of the energy produced to make the technology competitive with other renewable energy solutions." The first competition, which opens in March with applications due in by April 29, offers a total of £9 million, split between two strands.
The first of these is designed to support the enhancement of existing devices. This would cover improving the reliability and power capture of full-scale devices; the development of second generation existing devices that improve survivability and performance and reduce the cost of energy; and applied research and experimental development for devices that are quarter size or larger. The second strand will support 'novel concept devices' that have already undergone desk-based evaluation and where there is evidence to indicate that the concept has long term commercial prospects.
TSB competition not limited to wave and tidal devices
A spokesperson for the TSB confirmed that the competition is not limited solely to wave and tidal power stream device manufacturers, but is likely to include collaborations designed to develop the supply chain and skills necessary for the future deployment of these technologies. So a wide range of businesses could be eligible for a share of the funding – from those that develop materials and coatings or cables and undersea equipment to utility companies and environmental impact specialists. Of the £9 million available, £2 million is being provided by the South West Regional Development Agency. To qualify for this money, at least one partner involved in the project must be based in South West England.
Strong consideration to proposals that will us Wave Hub
"Strong consideration" will also be given to proposals that include innovative use of the consented area of seabed at the Wave Hub site in Cornwall. This is the South West RDA's £42 million flagship marine renewables project designed to create a grid-connected 'socket' on the seabed, to which arrays of wave energy conversion devices can be connected and tested.
"We are delighted to be investing in this new competition with the Technology Strategy Board. It will accelerate the pace of marine renewables development in the UK, and complement the significant investment the South West RDA is making in the sector through our investments in Wave Hub and marine energy research," said Stephen Peacock, the South West RDA's executive director of enterprise and innovation. The second TSB competition, due to open in September with a deadline for applications of October 21, is aimed at getting pre-commercial full scale devices installed and operating in the sea and is specifically aimed at businesses that are already working towards full scale deployment of their technology.
SeaGen developer could be eligible for funding
Companies like MCT, which got a share of the Carbon Trust's Marine Renewable Proving Fund (MRPF) announced earlier this month, are eligible for the competitions, but their applications must be designed to complement, not replicate, developments for which they have won MRPF support. MCT's 1.2 MW SeaGen tidal power current turbine, situated in n Northern Ireland's Strangford Lough, claims to be the largest MW scale grid-connected marine renewable energy system in the world and has achieved a capacity factor of 66 per cent, delivering 800 MW hours into the National Grid so far.
The company, is now preparing SeaGen for more intensive operation and hopes to gain consent for continuous '24/7' operation before the summer. "SeaGen is operating as it was designed to do. Crucially, the operational experience and data that we are gaining every day is hugely valuable as we work towards deploying the UK's first tidal power farm within the next two years," said Martin Wright, managing director of MCT. "SeaGen is a commercial scale prototype and already we are incorporating into the design of the next machines subtle changes to improve maintainability and reliability which are vital for commercial generation."
Solar research goes thermal - Researchers have proposed ideas to produce liquid fuels and heat.
www.mndaily.com
02/10/2010
From solar energyed vehicles to solar gasifiers, students and faculty at the University of Minnesota have participated in more than a dozen research projects as part of an effort to develop new methods of using solar energy as a renewable resource. But more recently, researchers have proposed ideas that utilize solar thermal processes to produce liquid fuels and heat.
With several projects funded by the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment and the U.S. Department of Energy, professors and graduate students are collaborating to conduct research that has the potential to assist in making the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, said mechanical engineering professor Jane Davidson. Davidson serves as the principal investigator for a large number of the research projects.
Currently, solar energy can be acquired through towers, satellite-like dishes and parabolic troughs - large structures that use reflective material like mirrors to absorb solar energy. Several research groups have also been focusing on thermal solar processes to produce energy sources. One group of graduate students, accompanied by professors, are researching ways to collect solar energy, said Luke Venstrom, a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Mechanical engineering graduate student Brandon Hathaway's area of focus uses solar energy to heat and convert cellulosic biofuel feedstock, like prairie grass, to energy in a gasification process. According to Hathaway, solar energy reduces the amount of feedstock combusted in the process and, in effect, provides a higher quantity of energy that can be used to produce liquid fuels such as synthetic gasoline. Since last summer, University professor Andreas Stein has been working on developing a solar thermal process that involves converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which could then form liquid fuels such as methanol.
Stein said that because of its stability rate, high temperatures are required to break down carbon dioxide. However, in order to retain the materials used, researchers are attempting to use a metal oxide that will allow the carbon dioxide to be converted at a lower temperature while simultaneously using solar energy. Stein stressed that the efficiency of solar thermal processes is "much higher" than solar electric processes.
02/10/2010
From solar energyed vehicles to solar gasifiers, students and faculty at the University of Minnesota have participated in more than a dozen research projects as part of an effort to develop new methods of using solar energy as a renewable resource. But more recently, researchers have proposed ideas that utilize solar thermal processes to produce liquid fuels and heat.With several projects funded by the Initiative for Renewable Energy and the Environment and the U.S. Department of Energy, professors and graduate students are collaborating to conduct research that has the potential to assist in making the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy, said mechanical engineering professor Jane Davidson. Davidson serves as the principal investigator for a large number of the research projects.
Currently, solar energy can be acquired through towers, satellite-like dishes and parabolic troughs - large structures that use reflective material like mirrors to absorb solar energy. Several research groups have also been focusing on thermal solar processes to produce energy sources. One group of graduate students, accompanied by professors, are researching ways to collect solar energy, said Luke Venstrom, a graduate student in the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Mechanical engineering graduate student Brandon Hathaway's area of focus uses solar energy to heat and convert cellulosic biofuel feedstock, like prairie grass, to energy in a gasification process. According to Hathaway, solar energy reduces the amount of feedstock combusted in the process and, in effect, provides a higher quantity of energy that can be used to produce liquid fuels such as synthetic gasoline. Since last summer, University professor Andreas Stein has been working on developing a solar thermal process that involves converting carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which could then form liquid fuels such as methanol.
Stein said that because of its stability rate, high temperatures are required to break down carbon dioxide. However, in order to retain the materials used, researchers are attempting to use a metal oxide that will allow the carbon dioxide to be converted at a lower temperature while simultaneously using solar energy. Stein stressed that the efficiency of solar thermal processes is "much higher" than solar electric processes.
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Report blasts Abbott climate plan - Policy would cost twice as much
Age
Wednesday 10/2/2010 Page: 13
THE Coalition's climate change policy would cost taxpayers more than twice as much as the government's emissions trading scheme, an analysis has found. A report by carbon market analysts at Bloomberg New Energy Finance said the government's scheme would cost the budget $1.5 billion over the first four years - less than the $3.4 billion of the emissions reduction fund proposed by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. It said the Coalitions claim that the government scheme would cost $40.6 billion was based on a "strange logic" that confused its market value with its cost to taxpayers. The opposition needed "to come up with something better and get the numbers right", it said.
It said Mr Abbott's proposal - allowing businesses and farmers to apply to have the government pay for their greenhouse gas emissions cuts from a fund eventually worth $1 billion a year - failed on three fronts: it was not the cheapest way to cut emissions, could not accurately limit national emissions and was a short-term option only. The government's scheme "has limitations", but was considered more cost effective because it was a market-based system with penalties to force businesses to find the cheapest cuts. "It is not our place to take sides in politics, but we do question the willingness of taxpayers to fund the entire cost of reducing emissions under [the opposition's proposals]," the report said.
The criticisms of the opposition plan echo those of former leader Malcolm Turnbull, who has vowed to cross the floor to vote for the government's scheme. But the analysis does not cover the Coalitions main attack on the government scheme - that it is a "great big tax on everything" that will be felt through increased food and electricity bills. The government says 92% of households will be at least partially compensated.
The opposition plan has been backed by energy company TRUEnergy, which runs the Yallourn brown coal-fired power station. TRUEnergy managing director Richard Mclndoe said it supported emissions trading, but not the scheme proposed by the government and not before a substantial global climate deal. He said the opposition's "direct-action" policy could lead to coal-fired power stations closing within a decade if the owners' successfully applied to the emissions fund.
Clean energy group the Alternative Technology Association criticised the Coalition plan as a potential killer of large-scale renewable energy. The opposition proposal includes an additional $1000 rebate for rooftop solar panels and solar hot water systems. But the association's Damien Moyse said incentives for household solar systems connected to the government's renewable energy target were already stopping large-scale wind and solar projects from going ahead. He said the Coalition proposal would exacerbate the problem and "put the final nail in the renewable energy industry's coffin'.
Wednesday 10/2/2010 Page: 13
THE Coalition's climate change policy would cost taxpayers more than twice as much as the government's emissions trading scheme, an analysis has found. A report by carbon market analysts at Bloomberg New Energy Finance said the government's scheme would cost the budget $1.5 billion over the first four years - less than the $3.4 billion of the emissions reduction fund proposed by Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. It said the Coalitions claim that the government scheme would cost $40.6 billion was based on a "strange logic" that confused its market value with its cost to taxpayers. The opposition needed "to come up with something better and get the numbers right", it said.
It said Mr Abbott's proposal - allowing businesses and farmers to apply to have the government pay for their greenhouse gas emissions cuts from a fund eventually worth $1 billion a year - failed on three fronts: it was not the cheapest way to cut emissions, could not accurately limit national emissions and was a short-term option only. The government's scheme "has limitations", but was considered more cost effective because it was a market-based system with penalties to force businesses to find the cheapest cuts. "It is not our place to take sides in politics, but we do question the willingness of taxpayers to fund the entire cost of reducing emissions under [the opposition's proposals]," the report said.
The criticisms of the opposition plan echo those of former leader Malcolm Turnbull, who has vowed to cross the floor to vote for the government's scheme. But the analysis does not cover the Coalitions main attack on the government scheme - that it is a "great big tax on everything" that will be felt through increased food and electricity bills. The government says 92% of households will be at least partially compensated.
The opposition plan has been backed by energy company TRUEnergy, which runs the Yallourn brown coal-fired power station. TRUEnergy managing director Richard Mclndoe said it supported emissions trading, but not the scheme proposed by the government and not before a substantial global climate deal. He said the opposition's "direct-action" policy could lead to coal-fired power stations closing within a decade if the owners' successfully applied to the emissions fund.
Clean energy group the Alternative Technology Association criticised the Coalition plan as a potential killer of large-scale renewable energy. The opposition proposal includes an additional $1000 rebate for rooftop solar panels and solar hot water systems. But the association's Damien Moyse said incentives for household solar systems connected to the government's renewable energy target were already stopping large-scale wind and solar projects from going ahead. He said the Coalition proposal would exacerbate the problem and "put the final nail in the renewable energy industry's coffin'.
Australia not living up to solar potential
www.upi.com
Feb. 9, 2010
SYDNEY, Feb. 9 (UPI) - - Australia missed the opportunity to become a pioneer in solar energy, experts say. Australia Solar Energy Society Chairman John Grimes says government decisions to keep Australia locked into coal-fired power killed its early potential to build a leading solar industry, according to an article in the Brisbane Courier-Mail. As early as 1974, a summary of global solar research recognized Australia for the University of Queensland's research, notably its study on large-scale solar electricity generation. "Our golden opportunity was in the '70s," Grimes told the newspaper. "We led all solar fields but we squandered it."
Grimes said Australia is posed to remain the "sleeping Goliath" of solar energy unless the government "wakes up." He said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's government, by its actions, indicates it aims to keep Australia locked into using coal and gas for the vast bulk of electricity and to protect its coal and gas exports at the expense of new clean energy Grimes said Energy Minister Martin Ferguson is clearly no fan of solar and is focused on supporting coal by pushing unproven "clean coal" technology.
Coal-fired power stations, known for high carbon dioxide emissions, now generate about 80% of Australia's electricity. Australia surpasses the United States as the world's biggest per capita carbon emitter. In May Australia announced its $1.5 billion Solar Flagships program, which includes four solar thermal and solar photovoltaic installations totaling 1,000 MWs in a single location. The program also allocated several billion to clean coal projects. While the clean coal funding is in the final stages of being allocated, the government has only started the first stage of the process for the solar program.
But the Solar Flagship program "is shaping up to be a failure," Matthew Wright, executive director of clean-energy lobby group Beyond Zero Emissions, said in a news release. Its guidelines are skewed to favor 1980s-style daytime-only solar plants rather than the newer standard of "base load" solar thermal storage plants now being built in Europe and the United States, said Wright. "Australia has one of the best solar resources in the world. We have some of the best researchers, too. Yet the Rudd government remains in thrall to the coal lobby, investing in dead-end fantasies like clean coal while other countries develop their solar thermal expertise and manufacturing," said Wright.
Grimes of the Australia Solar Energy Society noted the country's solar sector has experienced wave after wave of a boom approach characterized by an administration giving support, only to be followed by an administration that would pull funding. He pointed to Germany's "strategic decision" to move into solar, creating 148,000 jobs in the sector and pivoting itself to one of the world's largest solar equipment manufacturers. And Spain's "coherent policy approach" means it now has the largest solar energy generation capacity in the world, Grimes said. Its government is supporting solar thermal power with a serious feed-in tariff for large-scale plants. "We (Australia) should do the same," he said.
Feb. 9, 2010
SYDNEY, Feb. 9 (UPI) - - Australia missed the opportunity to become a pioneer in solar energy, experts say. Australia Solar Energy Society Chairman John Grimes says government decisions to keep Australia locked into coal-fired power killed its early potential to build a leading solar industry, according to an article in the Brisbane Courier-Mail. As early as 1974, a summary of global solar research recognized Australia for the University of Queensland's research, notably its study on large-scale solar electricity generation. "Our golden opportunity was in the '70s," Grimes told the newspaper. "We led all solar fields but we squandered it."
Grimes said Australia is posed to remain the "sleeping Goliath" of solar energy unless the government "wakes up." He said Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's government, by its actions, indicates it aims to keep Australia locked into using coal and gas for the vast bulk of electricity and to protect its coal and gas exports at the expense of new clean energy Grimes said Energy Minister Martin Ferguson is clearly no fan of solar and is focused on supporting coal by pushing unproven "clean coal" technology.
Coal-fired power stations, known for high carbon dioxide emissions, now generate about 80% of Australia's electricity. Australia surpasses the United States as the world's biggest per capita carbon emitter. In May Australia announced its $1.5 billion Solar Flagships program, which includes four solar thermal and solar photovoltaic installations totaling 1,000 MWs in a single location. The program also allocated several billion to clean coal projects. While the clean coal funding is in the final stages of being allocated, the government has only started the first stage of the process for the solar program.
But the Solar Flagship program "is shaping up to be a failure," Matthew Wright, executive director of clean-energy lobby group Beyond Zero Emissions, said in a news release. Its guidelines are skewed to favor 1980s-style daytime-only solar plants rather than the newer standard of "base load" solar thermal storage plants now being built in Europe and the United States, said Wright. "Australia has one of the best solar resources in the world. We have some of the best researchers, too. Yet the Rudd government remains in thrall to the coal lobby, investing in dead-end fantasies like clean coal while other countries develop their solar thermal expertise and manufacturing," said Wright.
Grimes of the Australia Solar Energy Society noted the country's solar sector has experienced wave after wave of a boom approach characterized by an administration giving support, only to be followed by an administration that would pull funding. He pointed to Germany's "strategic decision" to move into solar, creating 148,000 jobs in the sector and pivoting itself to one of the world's largest solar equipment manufacturers. And Spain's "coherent policy approach" means it now has the largest solar energy generation capacity in the world, Grimes said. Its government is supporting solar thermal power with a serious feed-in tariff for large-scale plants. "We (Australia) should do the same," he said.
German coalition agrees to delay solar cuts
www.reuters.com
Feb 9, 2010
BERLIN, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Germany's ruling coalition has agreed to delay cuts in solar energy incentives by two months, parliamentary officials said on Tuesday, easing pressure on solar companies so they will have more time to sell components. Support for new rooftop solar installations will be cut by 16% from June 1, said Hans-Peter Friedrich, parliamentary group leader for the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU). The original plan was to introduce the cuts on April 1.
Solar stocks around the globe gained on the news, with shares of Q-Cells, SolarWorld, FirstSolar, SunTech, SMA Solar and Yingli up 1.8 to 4.4%. "It would certainly be positive for the sector if that was the case. The sector would be able to benefit from stronger growth in April, May and June - - a strong seasonal time for installations in Germany," said Ardour Capital analyst Adam Krop. "It's positive, but still the most important thing is that it's yet another proposal," Krop added.
Critics of the cuts, including members of Germany's ruling parties, have said they could harm the expansion of photovoltaic technology in the world's largest solar market. About half of the world's solar electricity is produced in Germany. The CSU is one of three parties in Merkel's centre-right coalition with the CDU and the Free Democrats, and had called for a delay in the cut to solar incentives. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to pass a law without CSU support.
Jesse Pichel, solar analyst at PiperJaffray, said a delay to the cuts could add modestly to his forecasts for solar makers' profits, but said the reductions could still prompt Germany's manufacturers to seek to put up barriers to imports. "We think the German companies are going to be hard pressed to compete under the cost structure required," he said in an email.
Solar Fits
The so-called feed-in tariffs - - prices utilities are obliged to pay to generators of renewable energy - - are the sector's lifeline as long as grid-parity, the point at which renewables cost the same as fossil fuel-based power, has not been reached. Global solar stocks plunged in January when it emerged that the German government was planning to make additional cuts to the feed-in tariffs, arguing the industry is overly subsidised and needed to become competitive much faster.
Friedrich said the coalition still wanted to cut the feed-in tariff for open field solar systems by 15% from July 1. The coalition needs to agree final details on solar cuts, in particular on how to reduce subsidies for larger farm land installations, before sending the bill through parliament.
Feb 9, 2010
BERLIN, Feb 9 (Reuters) - Germany's ruling coalition has agreed to delay cuts in solar energy incentives by two months, parliamentary officials said on Tuesday, easing pressure on solar companies so they will have more time to sell components. Support for new rooftop solar installations will be cut by 16% from June 1, said Hans-Peter Friedrich, parliamentary group leader for the Christian Social Union (CSU), the Bavarian sister party to Chancellor Angela Merkel's Christian Democrats (CDU). The original plan was to introduce the cuts on April 1.
Solar stocks around the globe gained on the news, with shares of Q-Cells, SolarWorld, FirstSolar, SunTech, SMA Solar and Yingli up 1.8 to 4.4%. "It would certainly be positive for the sector if that was the case. The sector would be able to benefit from stronger growth in April, May and June - - a strong seasonal time for installations in Germany," said Ardour Capital analyst Adam Krop. "It's positive, but still the most important thing is that it's yet another proposal," Krop added.
Critics of the cuts, including members of Germany's ruling parties, have said they could harm the expansion of photovoltaic technology in the world's largest solar market. About half of the world's solar electricity is produced in Germany. The CSU is one of three parties in Merkel's centre-right coalition with the CDU and the Free Democrats, and had called for a delay in the cut to solar incentives. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to pass a law without CSU support.
Jesse Pichel, solar analyst at PiperJaffray, said a delay to the cuts could add modestly to his forecasts for solar makers' profits, but said the reductions could still prompt Germany's manufacturers to seek to put up barriers to imports. "We think the German companies are going to be hard pressed to compete under the cost structure required," he said in an email.
Solar Fits
The so-called feed-in tariffs - - prices utilities are obliged to pay to generators of renewable energy - - are the sector's lifeline as long as grid-parity, the point at which renewables cost the same as fossil fuel-based power, has not been reached. Global solar stocks plunged in January when it emerged that the German government was planning to make additional cuts to the feed-in tariffs, arguing the industry is overly subsidised and needed to become competitive much faster.
Friedrich said the coalition still wanted to cut the feed-in tariff for open field solar systems by 15% from July 1. The coalition needs to agree final details on solar cuts, in particular on how to reduce subsidies for larger farm land installations, before sending the bill through parliament.
Arava Power Will Invest $535 Million in 15 Israeli Solar Fields
www.businessweek.com
February 08, 2010
Arava Power Co., an Israeli solar company, said it signed agreements to invest 2 billion shekels ($535 million) to build 15 solar fields in Israel. The fields will produce a total of 100 MWs of solar energy using photovoltaic technology, the company, based in Eilat near the country's southern tip, said in a press release yesterday. Siemens AG, Europe's largest engineering company, said on Aug. 28 it invested $15 million for a 40% stake in Arava Power, which runs a solar energy plant at Kibbutz Ketura north of Eilat. Munich-based Siemens on Oct. 15 said it agreed to buy Israeli solar thermal power company Solel Solar Systems Solar Systems for about $418 million.
February 08, 2010
Arava Power Co., an Israeli solar company, said it signed agreements to invest 2 billion shekels ($535 million) to build 15 solar fields in Israel. The fields will produce a total of 100 MWs of solar energy using photovoltaic technology, the company, based in Eilat near the country's southern tip, said in a press release yesterday. Siemens AG, Europe's largest engineering company, said on Aug. 28 it invested $15 million for a 40% stake in Arava Power, which runs a solar energy plant at Kibbutz Ketura north of Eilat. Munich-based Siemens on Oct. 15 said it agreed to buy Israeli solar thermal power company Solel Solar Systems Solar Systems for about $418 million.
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