phys.org
11 May 2012
Siemens has developed an energy-storage system that can act as a buffer in electrical power grids. The aim is to provide a buffer against short-term fluctuations in output from renewable energy sources. Such fluctuations can last for seconds or several minutes long. The modular designed Siestorage battery is based on lithium-ion rechargeable battery technology and fits into a normal shipping container. In its big layout it stores 500 kilowatt-hours of electricity. That's about the average daily power consumption of 50 households. The Italian power company Enel Green Power recently switched on the first Siestorage installation, which has a capacity of one MW. Enel Green Power is using the installation, which is connected to its primary distribution network, to study how voltage can be stabilized.
The electrical output of photovoltaic arrays doesn't only fluctuate with the seasons or between night and day. It's also affected by local weather. For example, power production sags for a few seconds (or even minutes) if clouds drift over the modules. Consequently, the grid experiences brief drops in voltage. Energy storage devices deal with these fluctuations within milliseconds in the power grid itself. As a result, there's no need to adjust controls at power stations-a procedure that reduces efficiency and increases costs.
During development, Siemens worked together with one of the world's largest manufacturers of lithium-ion batteries. Thanks to the system's modular design, its capacity can be expanded to two MWs at an output of 8 MWs. The complete solution with the inverter module and the controller that connect the system to the grid are from Siemens.
Enel Green Power will also study how well the system can handle a controlled restart of a grid after a complete blackout. To achieve this feat, the system's inverter has to regulate the right voltage and frequency so that the grid can be powered up in a controlled manner. Such a solution would be very interesting for small independent power grids on Islands or in remote areas, which would otherwise have to be connected to neighboring grids. Energy storage systems form part of Siemens solutions for tomorrow's smart grid. They are part of Siemens' environmental portfolio, with which the company generated about €30 billion in sales in 2011.
Tuesday, 22 May 2012
Saudi Arabia plans $109 billion boost for solar power
www.bloomberg.com
12 May 2012
Saudi Arabia is seeking investors for a $109 billion plan to create a solar industry that generates a third of the nation's electricity by 2032, according to officials at the agency developing the plan.
The world's largest crude oil exporter aims to have 41,000 MWs of solar capacity within two decades, said Maher al-Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Khalid al-Suliman, vice president for the organization known as Ka-care, said on May 8 in Riyadh that nuclear, wind and geothermal would contribute 21,000 MWs.
"We are not only looking for building solar plants", al-Odan said in an interview in Riyadh yesterday. "We want to run a sustainable solar power sector that will become a driver for the domestic energy for years to come". The comments highlight the scale of Saudi Arabia's ambitions to boost renewable energy use as a way to pare back on oil consumption used for domestic desalination and power plants, potentially saving 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years.
For the solar panel manufacturers such as FirstSolar Inc. (FSLR) and SunPower Corp. (SPWR), the Saudi Arabian market would open a huge new market as European countries reduce subsidies to keep a lid on installations. Panel sales may dip this year for the first time in more than a decade from 27,700 MWs installed last year, according to a survey of analysts by Bloomberg on March 9.
Read More…
12 May 2012
Saudi Arabia is seeking investors for a $109 billion plan to create a solar industry that generates a third of the nation's electricity by 2032, according to officials at the agency developing the plan.
The world's largest crude oil exporter aims to have 41,000 MWs of solar capacity within two decades, said Maher al-Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy. Khalid al-Suliman, vice president for the organization known as Ka-care, said on May 8 in Riyadh that nuclear, wind and geothermal would contribute 21,000 MWs.
"We are not only looking for building solar plants", al-Odan said in an interview in Riyadh yesterday. "We want to run a sustainable solar power sector that will become a driver for the domestic energy for years to come". The comments highlight the scale of Saudi Arabia's ambitions to boost renewable energy use as a way to pare back on oil consumption used for domestic desalination and power plants, potentially saving 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years.
For the solar panel manufacturers such as FirstSolar Inc. (FSLR) and SunPower Corp. (SPWR), the Saudi Arabian market would open a huge new market as European countries reduce subsidies to keep a lid on installations. Panel sales may dip this year for the first time in more than a decade from 27,700 MWs installed last year, according to a survey of analysts by Bloomberg on March 9.
Read More…
Japan is without nuclear power, and could stay that way
www.bloomberg.com
10 May 2012
If there were a poll for the worst job in the world, Naomi Hirose's might win hands down. The 61 year-old executive was tapped this week to run the Tokyo Electric Power Co.
The power company's incompetence, neglect and hubris brought the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl to Japan. Its safety failures before the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami are responsible for the radiation leaking into the air and water 135 miles from Tokyo. TEPCO, as it's known, has become a decidedly dirty word among Japan's 126 million people.
"I personally like TEPCO", said Hirose, currently a managing director for the company, when asked why he took the job. "It is unbearable for me to abandon the company as it is". What's more unbearable is the lack of contrition at TEPCO and its headlong support of all things nuclear. Thankfully, Japan's typically docile masses--and some marquee-caliber politicians--are fighting back and demanding a nuclear-free future. On May 5, Japan's last operating reactor shut down for scheduled maintenance, leaving the country without nuclear power for the first time in more than four decades. Restarting it, or any of Japan's other 53 reactors, could be difficult given the mounting public backlash and protests.
Japan will eventually restart some. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has been nothing if not consistent in his support for the nuclear power industry. It's long had carte blanche thanks to lavish campaign contributions, steady support for newspaper and magazine advertising and habit of giving government bureaucrats lucrative gigs when they retire.
Yet the Japanese are fast losing patience. Many seem willing to absorb higher electricity bills and live with a replay of last summer's blackouts if it leads to safer future. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active places, and the feeling is that unless it builds reactors out of rubber and elevates them on huge shock absorbers, it needs to find energy alternatives--and fast.
Local leaders, like Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, are pushing back. The Japanese have long tolerated Tokyo's sway over their lives. But its narrow-minded focus on restarting reactors has caused some Japanese to question Tokyo's authority. Is Tokyo listening? It will tune out this rising public anger at its own peril.
10 May 2012
If there were a poll for the worst job in the world, Naomi Hirose's might win hands down. The 61 year-old executive was tapped this week to run the Tokyo Electric Power Co.
The power company's incompetence, neglect and hubris brought the world's worst nuclear crisis since Chernobyl to Japan. Its safety failures before the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami are responsible for the radiation leaking into the air and water 135 miles from Tokyo. TEPCO, as it's known, has become a decidedly dirty word among Japan's 126 million people.
"I personally like TEPCO", said Hirose, currently a managing director for the company, when asked why he took the job. "It is unbearable for me to abandon the company as it is". What's more unbearable is the lack of contrition at TEPCO and its headlong support of all things nuclear. Thankfully, Japan's typically docile masses--and some marquee-caliber politicians--are fighting back and demanding a nuclear-free future. On May 5, Japan's last operating reactor shut down for scheduled maintenance, leaving the country without nuclear power for the first time in more than four decades. Restarting it, or any of Japan's other 53 reactors, could be difficult given the mounting public backlash and protests.
Japan will eventually restart some. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has been nothing if not consistent in his support for the nuclear power industry. It's long had carte blanche thanks to lavish campaign contributions, steady support for newspaper and magazine advertising and habit of giving government bureaucrats lucrative gigs when they retire.
Yet the Japanese are fast losing patience. Many seem willing to absorb higher electricity bills and live with a replay of last summer's blackouts if it leads to safer future. Japan is one of the world's most seismically active places, and the feeling is that unless it builds reactors out of rubber and elevates them on huge shock absorbers, it needs to find energy alternatives--and fast.
Local leaders, like Osaka Mayor Toru Hashimoto, are pushing back. The Japanese have long tolerated Tokyo's sway over their lives. But its narrow-minded focus on restarting reactors has caused some Japanese to question Tokyo's authority. Is Tokyo listening? It will tune out this rising public anger at its own peril.
China to supply solar power to Japan?
www.upi.com
9 May 2012
BEIJING, May 9 (UPI)--Now that Japan has no nuclear power for the first time in more than 40 years, Chinese solar producers are eyeing the world's third-largest economy for new business opportunities.
Even before the Tomari nuclear plant in Hokkaido went offline Sunday for mandatory routine maintenance--the last of Japan's 54 reactors--at least five Chinese solar panel manufacturers, including Hebei-based Yingli Green Energy, Jiangsu-based Hareon Solar Technology Co. Ltd, and Shanghai-based Chaori Solar Energy Science & Technology Co. Ltd, had set up offices in Japan since the beginning of this year, state-run news agency Xinhua reports.
The cutoff of all nuclear reactors in Japan "will definitely give the Chinese photovoltaic industry a new opportunity", Wang Liusheng, an analyst with China Merchants Securities, told Xinhua. While China is now the world's largest producer of solar panels, it has faced anti-subsidy and anti-dumping probes from the United States. More than 90% of solar panel products made in China are intended for export. Wang said the Japanese government is expected to adopt an electricity consumption subsidy policy this year, a step he says would make Japan "a very attractive market" for solar.
Before the disaster at the Fukushima plant in 2011, nuclear power provided one-third of Japan's electricity and the government's basic energy plan called for nuclear power to account for 53% of all electricity generated in the country by 2030. But the Fukushima disaster marked "a turning point for Japan, and a huge opportunity for it to move towards the sustainable energy future its people demand", Greenpeace said in its advanced energy revolution report.
"With an abundance of renewable energy resources and top-class technology, Japan can easily become a renewable energy leader, while simultaneously ending its reliance on risky and expensive nuclear technology". Greenpeace called for Japan's solar power and wind power generation to increase from the current level of 3,500 MWs to 47,200 MWs by 2015. Last year Japan ranked fifth in worldwide installed photovoltaic panel module capacity, accounting for about 5% of the world's 24 GW solar power installed capacity, says IMS Research.
Tetsunari Lida, director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies in Japan, says the country's ratio of renewable energies, such as solar, wind and geothermal power, should be tripled from the current level of 10% to at least 30% of total electricity supply by 2030. Lida, one of 25 members on a government panel drafting Japan's medium-to long-term energy strategy expected to be released this summer, has called for all nuclear power generation to be completely phased out by that year.
9 May 2012
BEIJING, May 9 (UPI)--Now that Japan has no nuclear power for the first time in more than 40 years, Chinese solar producers are eyeing the world's third-largest economy for new business opportunities.
Even before the Tomari nuclear plant in Hokkaido went offline Sunday for mandatory routine maintenance--the last of Japan's 54 reactors--at least five Chinese solar panel manufacturers, including Hebei-based Yingli Green Energy, Jiangsu-based Hareon Solar Technology Co. Ltd, and Shanghai-based Chaori Solar Energy Science & Technology Co. Ltd, had set up offices in Japan since the beginning of this year, state-run news agency Xinhua reports.
The cutoff of all nuclear reactors in Japan "will definitely give the Chinese photovoltaic industry a new opportunity", Wang Liusheng, an analyst with China Merchants Securities, told Xinhua. While China is now the world's largest producer of solar panels, it has faced anti-subsidy and anti-dumping probes from the United States. More than 90% of solar panel products made in China are intended for export. Wang said the Japanese government is expected to adopt an electricity consumption subsidy policy this year, a step he says would make Japan "a very attractive market" for solar.
Before the disaster at the Fukushima plant in 2011, nuclear power provided one-third of Japan's electricity and the government's basic energy plan called for nuclear power to account for 53% of all electricity generated in the country by 2030. But the Fukushima disaster marked "a turning point for Japan, and a huge opportunity for it to move towards the sustainable energy future its people demand", Greenpeace said in its advanced energy revolution report.
"With an abundance of renewable energy resources and top-class technology, Japan can easily become a renewable energy leader, while simultaneously ending its reliance on risky and expensive nuclear technology". Greenpeace called for Japan's solar power and wind power generation to increase from the current level of 3,500 MWs to 47,200 MWs by 2015. Last year Japan ranked fifth in worldwide installed photovoltaic panel module capacity, accounting for about 5% of the world's 24 GW solar power installed capacity, says IMS Research.
Tetsunari Lida, director of the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies in Japan, says the country's ratio of renewable energies, such as solar, wind and geothermal power, should be tripled from the current level of 10% to at least 30% of total electricity supply by 2030. Lida, one of 25 members on a government panel drafting Japan's medium-to long-term energy strategy expected to be released this summer, has called for all nuclear power generation to be completely phased out by that year.
Thursday, 17 May 2012
Invenergy completes three wind-power projects in Poland
www.bloomberg.com
10 May 2012
Invenergy LLC, a closely held renewable-power developer, completed three wind farms using General Electric Co, turbines in Poland with the local company Enerco and arranged financing for four other projects. The Wiekowice, Jezyce and Dobieslaw projects, about 300 miles northwest of Warsaw, have a total capacity of 80 MWs Chicago-based Invenergy said in a statement. They have 32 GE 2.5 MW turbines, and will help Poland reach a goal of producing 15% of its power from renewable sources by 2020. Invenergy and Enerco also completed financing for four wind farms in northwest Poland that are scheduled to be finished next year. Those wind farms will total about 95 MWs and use 38 GE 2.5 MW turbines, according to the May 7 statement. Prices weren't disclosed.
10 May 2012
Invenergy LLC, a closely held renewable-power developer, completed three wind farms using General Electric Co, turbines in Poland with the local company Enerco and arranged financing for four other projects. The Wiekowice, Jezyce and Dobieslaw projects, about 300 miles northwest of Warsaw, have a total capacity of 80 MWs Chicago-based Invenergy said in a statement. They have 32 GE 2.5 MW turbines, and will help Poland reach a goal of producing 15% of its power from renewable sources by 2020. Invenergy and Enerco also completed financing for four wind farms in northwest Poland that are scheduled to be finished next year. Those wind farms will total about 95 MWs and use 38 GE 2.5 MW turbines, according to the May 7 statement. Prices weren't disclosed.
Stockyard Hill Wind Farm gains momentum
www.thecourier.com.au
8 May 2012
THE development of a 157 turbine wind farm to be located between Skipton and Beaufort is gaining momentum, with Origin Energy inviting proposals for engineering and construction from interested parties. Origin Energy received a planning permit in October 2010 to construct the Stockyard Hill wind farm, 35 km west of Ballarat. An Origin Energy spokesman said the company was assessing a range of options to ensure the optimal development of Stockyard Hill wind farm. "This involves seeking proposals from third parties interested in supplying wind turbines, constructing the wind farm on Origin Energy's behalf", he said. "(It also involves) providing equity for the wind farm's development while Origin Energy supports it through a power purchase agreement.
"The wind farm will play an important role in helping Origin Energy meet its obligations under the federal government's large-scale renewable energy target and provide green power to our customers. "On the ground, we continue to progress the development of Stockyard Hill". The spokesman said Origin Energy had also made significant moves to carry out a Department of Planning and Community Development-approved Stockyard Hill wind farm noise monitoring plan.
"As part of the wind farm's noise-monitoring plan, equipment was recently installed at a number of locations to measure background noise levels", the spokesman said. "In addition, a number of wind monitoring masts that record wind speeds have recently been erected-and the information gathered by these masts will help confirm Stockyard Hill's overall design". The wind farm has attracted community opposition in the past.
8 May 2012
THE development of a 157 turbine wind farm to be located between Skipton and Beaufort is gaining momentum, with Origin Energy inviting proposals for engineering and construction from interested parties. Origin Energy received a planning permit in October 2010 to construct the Stockyard Hill wind farm, 35 km west of Ballarat. An Origin Energy spokesman said the company was assessing a range of options to ensure the optimal development of Stockyard Hill wind farm. "This involves seeking proposals from third parties interested in supplying wind turbines, constructing the wind farm on Origin Energy's behalf", he said. "(It also involves) providing equity for the wind farm's development while Origin Energy supports it through a power purchase agreement.
"The wind farm will play an important role in helping Origin Energy meet its obligations under the federal government's large-scale renewable energy target and provide green power to our customers. "On the ground, we continue to progress the development of Stockyard Hill". The spokesman said Origin Energy had also made significant moves to carry out a Department of Planning and Community Development-approved Stockyard Hill wind farm noise monitoring plan.
"As part of the wind farm's noise-monitoring plan, equipment was recently installed at a number of locations to measure background noise levels", the spokesman said. "In addition, a number of wind monitoring masts that record wind speeds have recently been erected-and the information gathered by these masts will help confirm Stockyard Hill's overall design". The wind farm has attracted community opposition in the past.
Grid upgrade to tap Ireland's renewables
www.upi.com
7 May 2012
CASTLEBAR, Ireland, May 7 (UPI)--Transmission system operator EirGrid has announced a $314 million program to upgrade Western Ireland's network with the aim of exporting "green" energy. EirGrid Chief Executive Dermot Byrne introduced the project Friday in Castlebar, County Mayo, in an event attended by Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte and other political leaders, who talked up the potential of exporting wind, wave and tidal energy to Britain. Byrne said the project, known as Grid West, is part of a larger, nationwide effort called Grid25, which seeks the upgrading of Ireland's transmission capabilities to accommodate the country's "access to a secure and competitive energy supply".
"This major initiative will put in place a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply throughout Ireland", Byrne said. "It is a major undertaking which will take several years and represents an investment of ($4.2 billion). "The Grid West project is the one of the largest single Grid25 projects and the most significant in the west, initially accounting for ($314 million) of the investment earmarked for the region". Kenny said that under the Grid West plan, a pair of 400 kilovolt transmission lines would be built linking Bellacorick in County Mayo to Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon in a move to tap Western Ireland's "huge" renewable energy potential.
"The West of Ireland is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and has the potential for much job creation", Kenny said. "Harnessing and exploiting this resource for Ireland will require detailed planning involving high levels of engagement between communities and EirGrid that will allow the construction of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West and for Ireland". Rabbitte said planning applications under Ireland's Strategic Infrastructure Act are expected in 2015, The Irish Times reported.
The energy minister said he disagreed with critics who say the grid upgrades are ill-timed because the ongoing economic recession is depressing demand for power. "The abundance of renewable resources on our western seaboard holds the promise for us to actually achieve the huge challenge of moving away from fossil fuels in the longer term", he said. "Investment decisions for the necessary trans-European infrastructure up to 2030 must be taken now, as a significant amount of older generation plant will need to be replaced and more interconnected transmission systems need to be developed". Also on the horizon is the promise of Britain as a potential customer of green Irish energy at a time when that nation is facing the ends of the useful lives of some of its fossil fuel and nuclear generating plants.
"We are in discussions with the British government", Rabbitte told the newspaper. "It hasn't happened in this fashion between two member states of the European Union before. A prerequisite is an intergovernmental agreement and we are working on the elements of that". Dublin in addition to the Grid25 program is working on "essential" north-south transmission reinforcements and the completion of an east-west interconnector, which will link its electric system with that of Britain's. Ireland's national goal is to meet 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020, including wind, wave and tidal energy. The government and EirGrid say the existing transmission infrastructure in the region needs "substantial investment" to accommodate West of Ireland's "increasing levels of renewable generation".
7 May 2012
CASTLEBAR, Ireland, May 7 (UPI)--Transmission system operator EirGrid has announced a $314 million program to upgrade Western Ireland's network with the aim of exporting "green" energy. EirGrid Chief Executive Dermot Byrne introduced the project Friday in Castlebar, County Mayo, in an event attended by Irish Taoiseach Enda Kenny, Minister for Energy Pat Rabbitte and other political leaders, who talked up the potential of exporting wind, wave and tidal energy to Britain. Byrne said the project, known as Grid West, is part of a larger, nationwide effort called Grid25, which seeks the upgrading of Ireland's transmission capabilities to accommodate the country's "access to a secure and competitive energy supply".
"This major initiative will put in place a safe, secure and affordable electricity supply throughout Ireland", Byrne said. "It is a major undertaking which will take several years and represents an investment of ($4.2 billion). "The Grid West project is the one of the largest single Grid25 projects and the most significant in the west, initially accounting for ($314 million) of the investment earmarked for the region". Kenny said that under the Grid West plan, a pair of 400 kilovolt transmission lines would be built linking Bellacorick in County Mayo to Cashla in County Galway and Flagford in County Roscommon in a move to tap Western Ireland's "huge" renewable energy potential.
"The West of Ireland is particularly rich in renewable energy resources and has the potential for much job creation", Kenny said. "Harnessing and exploiting this resource for Ireland will require detailed planning involving high levels of engagement between communities and EirGrid that will allow the construction of critical infrastructure for the benefit of the West and for Ireland". Rabbitte said planning applications under Ireland's Strategic Infrastructure Act are expected in 2015, The Irish Times reported.
The energy minister said he disagreed with critics who say the grid upgrades are ill-timed because the ongoing economic recession is depressing demand for power. "The abundance of renewable resources on our western seaboard holds the promise for us to actually achieve the huge challenge of moving away from fossil fuels in the longer term", he said. "Investment decisions for the necessary trans-European infrastructure up to 2030 must be taken now, as a significant amount of older generation plant will need to be replaced and more interconnected transmission systems need to be developed". Also on the horizon is the promise of Britain as a potential customer of green Irish energy at a time when that nation is facing the ends of the useful lives of some of its fossil fuel and nuclear generating plants.
"We are in discussions with the British government", Rabbitte told the newspaper. "It hasn't happened in this fashion between two member states of the European Union before. A prerequisite is an intergovernmental agreement and we are working on the elements of that". Dublin in addition to the Grid25 program is working on "essential" north-south transmission reinforcements and the completion of an east-west interconnector, which will link its electric system with that of Britain's. Ireland's national goal is to meet 40% of electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020, including wind, wave and tidal energy. The government and EirGrid say the existing transmission infrastructure in the region needs "substantial investment" to accommodate West of Ireland's "increasing levels of renewable generation".
Tuesday, 15 May 2012
Asia to overtake Europe as global solar power grows - EPIA
www.reuters.com
7 May 2012
(Reuters)-The world's solar power generating capacity will grow by between 200 and 400% over the next five years, with Asia and other emerging markets overtaking leadership from Europe, a European industry association said on Monday. "Europe has dominated the global PV (photovoltaic) market for years but the rest of the world clearly has the biggest potential for growth", the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) said in its market outlook until 2016.
The fastest PV capacity growth is expected in China and India, followed by the southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa in the next five years, said the report distributed at a PV conference in northern Italy. Global installed PV capacity, which turns sunlight into power, is expected to have risen to between 207.9 GWs and 342.8 GW in 2016, depending on the level of political support, from 69.7 GW in 2011, the report said.
This year, the world's total PV capacity is expected to rise to between 90 and 110 GW, EPIA's Secretary General Reinhold Buttgereit told the conference. "The growth will depend on the support of politicians. It's not only about money, it's also about reducing bureaucracy", Buttgereit told Reuters on the sidelines of the conference. Germany, the world's biggest PV market, is likely to be the main global driver this year, followed by China, the United States and Japan. The pace of growth will slow in Italy, which was the fastest growing solar market in 2011, he said.
China is expected to add between 3 GW and 5 gw this year with new annual capacity rising to 4.5 10 GW in 2016, while to a total capacity of up to 39.1 GW, while the U.S, total capacity is seen rising up to 37.1 GW in 2016, the report said. Europe accounted for 75% the of new PV installations last year when the global added capacity nearly doubled to 29.7 GW on the back of generous production incentives, the EPIA said. "Such a rapid growth rate cannot be expected to last forever, however, and the industry is now weathering a period of uncertainty in the short term", the report said.
Read More…
7 May 2012
(Reuters)-The world's solar power generating capacity will grow by between 200 and 400% over the next five years, with Asia and other emerging markets overtaking leadership from Europe, a European industry association said on Monday. "Europe has dominated the global PV (photovoltaic) market for years but the rest of the world clearly has the biggest potential for growth", the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) said in its market outlook until 2016.
The fastest PV capacity growth is expected in China and India, followed by the southeast Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and North Africa in the next five years, said the report distributed at a PV conference in northern Italy. Global installed PV capacity, which turns sunlight into power, is expected to have risen to between 207.9 GWs and 342.8 GW in 2016, depending on the level of political support, from 69.7 GW in 2011, the report said.
This year, the world's total PV capacity is expected to rise to between 90 and 110 GW, EPIA's Secretary General Reinhold Buttgereit told the conference. "The growth will depend on the support of politicians. It's not only about money, it's also about reducing bureaucracy", Buttgereit told Reuters on the sidelines of the conference. Germany, the world's biggest PV market, is likely to be the main global driver this year, followed by China, the United States and Japan. The pace of growth will slow in Italy, which was the fastest growing solar market in 2011, he said.
China is expected to add between 3 GW and 5 gw this year with new annual capacity rising to 4.5 10 GW in 2016, while to a total capacity of up to 39.1 GW, while the U.S, total capacity is seen rising up to 37.1 GW in 2016, the report said. Europe accounted for 75% the of new PV installations last year when the global added capacity nearly doubled to 29.7 GW on the back of generous production incentives, the EPIA said. "Such a rapid growth rate cannot be expected to last forever, however, and the industry is now weathering a period of uncertainty in the short term", the report said.
Read More…
Wind farms 'have major economic benefit'
www.independent.co.uk
13 May 2012
(UK) Onshore wind farms, recently under attack from leading conservationists for damaging the countryside, can bring significant economic benefits locally and nationally, as well as contributing to the fight against climate change, a new study claims. Onshore wind supported 8,600 jobs and was worth £548m to the UK economy in 2011, says the report, by consultancy BiGGAR Economics. Of this figure 1,100 jobs were created at local authority level, with £84m of investment.
Looking at 18 case studies of wind farms of different sizes drawn from across the UK, the study analyses the contribution of wind farm development, construction, operation and maintenance to the economy at a local, regional and national level. It suggests if onshore wind is deployed at a scale suggested in the Government's Renewable Energy Roadmap, the economy could benefit by £780m by 2020, with around 11,600 jobs being supported. From its beginnings 20 years ago, Britain's wind industry now has 3,176 large onshore turbines, with 568 turbines in the sea, according to RenewableUK, the wind industry trade body.
The onshore wind farms together can produce about 4.5 GWs of electricity, roughly the equivalent of four large conventional power stations, with another 1.5GW coming from offshore turbines. But the growing presence of turbines in the landscape-there are nearly 3,000 more in the planning process-has led to criticism from conservationists, and last week the Campaign to Protect Rural England broke ranks with other environmental groups who have hitherto been united in support for wind power for the contribution it can make, with other CO₂ free energies like solar and tidal power, to cut carbon emissions that cause climate change.
The CPRE said the countryside was being caught in "a hurricane of new wind turbines" and local communities were "struggling to safeguard valued landscapes" which were being industrialised by the presence of wind farms. Shaun Spiers, its chief executive, said his group accepted onshore wind in the right places as part of the mix required to meet the UK 's carbon reduction targets, "but we are seeing more and more giant turbines sited in inappropriate locations".
The Government and wind industry stress the benefits wind farms can bring. "Rather than feeling wind has been imposed on them, people across the UK recognise the benefits of having wind in their backyard", said RenewableUK's chief executive Maria McCaffery. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: "Wind power provides secure, low carbon power to homes and businesses, and supports jobs and brings significant investment".
13 May 2012
(UK) Onshore wind farms, recently under attack from leading conservationists for damaging the countryside, can bring significant economic benefits locally and nationally, as well as contributing to the fight against climate change, a new study claims. Onshore wind supported 8,600 jobs and was worth £548m to the UK economy in 2011, says the report, by consultancy BiGGAR Economics. Of this figure 1,100 jobs were created at local authority level, with £84m of investment.
Looking at 18 case studies of wind farms of different sizes drawn from across the UK, the study analyses the contribution of wind farm development, construction, operation and maintenance to the economy at a local, regional and national level. It suggests if onshore wind is deployed at a scale suggested in the Government's Renewable Energy Roadmap, the economy could benefit by £780m by 2020, with around 11,600 jobs being supported. From its beginnings 20 years ago, Britain's wind industry now has 3,176 large onshore turbines, with 568 turbines in the sea, according to RenewableUK, the wind industry trade body.
The onshore wind farms together can produce about 4.5 GWs of electricity, roughly the equivalent of four large conventional power stations, with another 1.5GW coming from offshore turbines. But the growing presence of turbines in the landscape-there are nearly 3,000 more in the planning process-has led to criticism from conservationists, and last week the Campaign to Protect Rural England broke ranks with other environmental groups who have hitherto been united in support for wind power for the contribution it can make, with other CO₂ free energies like solar and tidal power, to cut carbon emissions that cause climate change.
The CPRE said the countryside was being caught in "a hurricane of new wind turbines" and local communities were "struggling to safeguard valued landscapes" which were being industrialised by the presence of wind farms. Shaun Spiers, its chief executive, said his group accepted onshore wind in the right places as part of the mix required to meet the UK 's carbon reduction targets, "but we are seeing more and more giant turbines sited in inappropriate locations".
The Government and wind industry stress the benefits wind farms can bring. "Rather than feeling wind has been imposed on them, people across the UK recognise the benefits of having wind in their backyard", said RenewableUK's chief executive Maria McCaffery. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: "Wind power provides secure, low carbon power to homes and businesses, and supports jobs and brings significant investment".
Wind farm neighbours are happy with their lot
www.heraldsun.com.au
9 May 2012
A survey by Infigen Energy has found the majority of residents next to Capital wind farm in Bungendore are happy. THE majority of residents living with a wind farm in their community east of Canberra think it's a breeze, according to a survey released on Wednesday evening. Renewable energy company Infigen Energy commissioned the survey of more than 230 locals, including 89 businesses, near the Capital wind farm in Bungendore. The phone survey, conducted by independent market research firm Qdos, found 52% of respondents believed the wind farm was positive for the local community. Of those, 13% believed it was "very good''.
A third of those polled said it made no difference either way, 4% said the wind farm was "bad'' for the community and 1% said it was "very bad''. Infigen Energy managing director Miles George said the results indicated the vast majority of people live harmoniously with wind farms. "Debunking the myth that wind farms make people leave their homes, 33% of those surveyed had moved into the area in the past five years,'' Mr George said. "We know of four new houses located between 800 and 2800 metres from the wind farm that were built after the plant was commissioned.'' When asked if generating electricity from wind farms benefitted the environment, 75% of respondents believed it did compared to 10% who thought it did not.
More than two-thirds of those surveyed said they would support the development of future wind farms. Infigen Energy, which owns and operates 24 wind farms in Australia and the US, said interviews had also been conducted with two real estate agents in Bungendore. "They said that overall property sales and values in the area had not been affected,'' the company reported. "Real estate agents said that previous to the construction of the wind farm, there was a fear of the unknown among property owners and some sold up. "But since construction, no real effect had been observed.''
One agent said he sold one property between two wind mills 18 months ago. Of the respondents 28% had lived in the area for 20 years or more, while 39% had lived in the area for six to 19 years. Infigen Energy began developing the wind farm in 2004 and more than $10 million had been invested directly in the area since the construction. On an ongoing basis about $2 million goes into the local community each year through sourcing supplies from local businesses, payments to land owners and local employee wages, the company said.
9 May 2012
A survey by Infigen Energy has found the majority of residents next to Capital wind farm in Bungendore are happy. THE majority of residents living with a wind farm in their community east of Canberra think it's a breeze, according to a survey released on Wednesday evening. Renewable energy company Infigen Energy commissioned the survey of more than 230 locals, including 89 businesses, near the Capital wind farm in Bungendore. The phone survey, conducted by independent market research firm Qdos, found 52% of respondents believed the wind farm was positive for the local community. Of those, 13% believed it was "very good''.A third of those polled said it made no difference either way, 4% said the wind farm was "bad'' for the community and 1% said it was "very bad''. Infigen Energy managing director Miles George said the results indicated the vast majority of people live harmoniously with wind farms. "Debunking the myth that wind farms make people leave their homes, 33% of those surveyed had moved into the area in the past five years,'' Mr George said. "We know of four new houses located between 800 and 2800 metres from the wind farm that were built after the plant was commissioned.'' When asked if generating electricity from wind farms benefitted the environment, 75% of respondents believed it did compared to 10% who thought it did not.
More than two-thirds of those surveyed said they would support the development of future wind farms. Infigen Energy, which owns and operates 24 wind farms in Australia and the US, said interviews had also been conducted with two real estate agents in Bungendore. "They said that overall property sales and values in the area had not been affected,'' the company reported. "Real estate agents said that previous to the construction of the wind farm, there was a fear of the unknown among property owners and some sold up. "But since construction, no real effect had been observed.''
One agent said he sold one property between two wind mills 18 months ago. Of the respondents 28% had lived in the area for 20 years or more, while 39% had lived in the area for six to 19 years. Infigen Energy began developing the wind farm in 2004 and more than $10 million had been invested directly in the area since the construction. On an ongoing basis about $2 million goes into the local community each year through sourcing supplies from local businesses, payments to land owners and local employee wages, the company said.
Saturday, 12 May 2012
Diageo to end funding of Heartland Institute after climate change outburst
www.guardian.co.uk
6 May 2012
Firm has 'no plans' to work with thinktank following campaign comparing people concerned about climate to mass murderers
Diageo, one of the world's largest drinks companies, has announced it will no longer fund the Heartland Institute, a rightwing US thinktank which briefly ran a billboard campaign this week comparing people concerned about climate change to mass murderers and terrorists such as Osama bin Laden, Charles Manson and Ted Kaczynski.
On Thursday, a billboard appeared over the Eisenhower Expressway in Illinois showing a picture of Kaczynski, the Unabomber, who in 1996 was convicted of a 17 year mail bombing campaign that killed three people and injured dozens. The caption read: "I still believe in global warming. Do you?" A day later it was withdrawn.
The London-based drinks giant, which owns brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Moet & Chandon, said this year that it was "reviewing any further association with Heartland" following the release online of internal Heartland documents which revealed its corporate donors as well as a plan to promote an alternative climate change curriculum in US schools. Following the widespread outcry triggered by Heartland's billboards, a Diageo spokeswoman told the Guardian: "Diageo vigorously opposes climate scepticism and our actions are proof of this. Diageo's only association with the Heartland Institute was limited to a small contribution made two years ago specifically related to an excise tax issue. Diageo has no plans to work with the Heartland Institute in the future".
In February, a US scientist, Peter Gleick, admitted obtaining and publishing internal Heartland documents which showed that Diageo had given the thinktank $10,000 (£6,190) in 2010. The documents, one of which Heartland later claimed was a fake, said the thinktank was expecting another $10,000 from Diageo this year.
On Friday, Heartland, which is trying to promote its annual conference for climate skeptics, to be held in Chicago this month, said it was withdrawing the billboard campaign. However, it refused to apologise, claiming the campaign was an "experiment". Its website is still hosting the original press release, which includes the claim that the "most prominent advocates of global warming aren't scientists. They are murderers, tyrants, and madmen".
Microsoft, which has a policy of supplying free software to all non-profit organisations in the US, posted a blog on its website on Saturday distancing itself from Heartland. The thinktank received software from Microsoft worth $59,908 in 2011. The blog said: "Microsoft believes climate change is a serious issue that demands immediate, worldwide attention and we are acting accordingly,..
The Heartland Institute does not speak for Microsoft on climate change. In fact, the Heartland Institute's position on climate change is diametrically opposed to Microsoft's position. And we completely disagree with the group's inflammatory and distasteful advertising campaign". In March, General Motors, the world's largest carmaker, said it was ending its funding of Heartland after 20 years owing to the thinktank's hardline climate scepticism.
As expected, the Heartland Institute is sowing the seeds of its own demise and becoming a further embarrassment to the denialists who continue to ignore science and evidence. How much longer before Nick Minchin, Tony Abbott and Ted Baillieu catch on?
6 May 2012
Firm has 'no plans' to work with thinktank following campaign comparing people concerned about climate to mass murderers
Diageo, one of the world's largest drinks companies, has announced it will no longer fund the Heartland Institute, a rightwing US thinktank which briefly ran a billboard campaign this week comparing people concerned about climate change to mass murderers and terrorists such as Osama bin Laden, Charles Manson and Ted Kaczynski.
On Thursday, a billboard appeared over the Eisenhower Expressway in Illinois showing a picture of Kaczynski, the Unabomber, who in 1996 was convicted of a 17 year mail bombing campaign that killed three people and injured dozens. The caption read: "I still believe in global warming. Do you?" A day later it was withdrawn.
The London-based drinks giant, which owns brands such as Guinness, Smirnoff, Johnnie Walker and Moet & Chandon, said this year that it was "reviewing any further association with Heartland" following the release online of internal Heartland documents which revealed its corporate donors as well as a plan to promote an alternative climate change curriculum in US schools. Following the widespread outcry triggered by Heartland's billboards, a Diageo spokeswoman told the Guardian: "Diageo vigorously opposes climate scepticism and our actions are proof of this. Diageo's only association with the Heartland Institute was limited to a small contribution made two years ago specifically related to an excise tax issue. Diageo has no plans to work with the Heartland Institute in the future".
In February, a US scientist, Peter Gleick, admitted obtaining and publishing internal Heartland documents which showed that Diageo had given the thinktank $10,000 (£6,190) in 2010. The documents, one of which Heartland later claimed was a fake, said the thinktank was expecting another $10,000 from Diageo this year.
On Friday, Heartland, which is trying to promote its annual conference for climate skeptics, to be held in Chicago this month, said it was withdrawing the billboard campaign. However, it refused to apologise, claiming the campaign was an "experiment". Its website is still hosting the original press release, which includes the claim that the "most prominent advocates of global warming aren't scientists. They are murderers, tyrants, and madmen".
Microsoft, which has a policy of supplying free software to all non-profit organisations in the US, posted a blog on its website on Saturday distancing itself from Heartland. The thinktank received software from Microsoft worth $59,908 in 2011. The blog said: "Microsoft believes climate change is a serious issue that demands immediate, worldwide attention and we are acting accordingly,..
The Heartland Institute does not speak for Microsoft on climate change. In fact, the Heartland Institute's position on climate change is diametrically opposed to Microsoft's position. And we completely disagree with the group's inflammatory and distasteful advertising campaign". In March, General Motors, the world's largest carmaker, said it was ending its funding of Heartland after 20 years owing to the thinktank's hardline climate scepticism.
As expected, the Heartland Institute is sowing the seeds of its own demise and becoming a further embarrassment to the denialists who continue to ignore science and evidence. How much longer before Nick Minchin, Tony Abbott and Ted Baillieu catch on?
Japan enters nuclear recess as sole working power reactor shuts
www.bloomberg.com
6 May 2012
Japan began a recess from nuclear-generated electricity, its first in more than four decades, after its sole operating power reactor was halted for scheduled maintenance last night. Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s Tomari No. 3 reactor in northern Japan stopped generating electricity at 11:03 p.m, yesterday, and fission ceased at 4 a.m, this morning, said Satoshi Takada, a spokesman for the utility. Closing the 912 MW Tomari unit leaves Japan without an operating power reactor for the first time since May 1970, as plant operators carry out mandatory maintenance or additional safety checks following the Fukushima disaster. The country's 50 nuclear plants provided 30% of its electricity prior to March 11, 2011.
The utilities powering the world's third-biggest economy have been forced to turn to coal, oil and gas-fired plants to keep factories, offices and households supplied with electricity. Buying and importing those fuels is driving up costs and may lead to higher electric bills and a further drag on an economy that's contracted in three of the past four years. Japan may "momentarily" be without atomic power, the Maimchi newspaper cited Industry Minister Yukio Edano as saying on April 15 after he failed to get agreement from local authorities that reactors at the Ohi plant of Kansai Electric (9503) passed safety tests and should resume.
Record LNG Imports
The Ohi atomic plant is located about 95 km (59 miles) northeast of Osaka, the nation's second-biggest metropolitan area. It helps power the Kansai area of western Japan that's about the size of Belgium, has an economy worth $1 trillion--similar in size to Mexico's--and is home to the cities of Osaka and Kyoto as well as the factories of Sharp Corp, and Panasonic Corp. Japan's 10 regional power utilities bought record amounts of liquefied natural gas last year to replace nuclear, or 52.9 million metric tons of LNG in the fiscal year ended in March, up 27% from a year earlier, according to data from the Federation of Electric Power (9501) Companies.
Use of petroleum, which includes crude and fuel oil, more than doubled to 23.3 million kiloliters (147 million barrels), according to the federation's data. Petroleum consumption was the highest in at least 10 years. Fuel costs at the nine regional utilities that have atomic plants--Okinawa Electric Power Co, is the exception--may more than double to about 7 trillion yen ($87.7 billion) in the year ending March 2013 if reactors remain shut, according to an April 9 report by the industry ministry. Kansai Electric's fuel bills may rise by 800 billion yen to about 1.1 trillion yen, it said.
Power Shortages
Kansai Electric's output without nuclear power may be 16.3% short of peak demand this summer if Japan experiences a heat wave similar to the one in 2010, according to the government's April 23 forecast. The utility would need to turn on half of its 11 reactors to avoid the shortages forecast under the government's worst case scenario, according to Tomoko Murakami, a Tokyo-based nuclear analyst at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan. Restarting that number of reactors is very unlikely, she said last month.
Stress Tests
The Ohi reactors would be the first to come back online since Japan adopted so-called nuclear stress tests or computer simulations to assess each plant's ability to withstand earthquakes, tsunamis and to supply backup power to keep reactor cooling systems running. Power companies usually take about 10 days to start an idled reactor, according to Tomoe Sugimori, a spokeswoman for Kansai Electric. The failure of backup power at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Dai-Ichi station on March 11 last year caused the worst atomic accident since Chernobyl in 1986, and radiation fallout that forced the evacuation of about 160,000 people.
6 May 2012
Japan began a recess from nuclear-generated electricity, its first in more than four decades, after its sole operating power reactor was halted for scheduled maintenance last night. Hokkaido Electric Power Co.'s Tomari No. 3 reactor in northern Japan stopped generating electricity at 11:03 p.m, yesterday, and fission ceased at 4 a.m, this morning, said Satoshi Takada, a spokesman for the utility. Closing the 912 MW Tomari unit leaves Japan without an operating power reactor for the first time since May 1970, as plant operators carry out mandatory maintenance or additional safety checks following the Fukushima disaster. The country's 50 nuclear plants provided 30% of its electricity prior to March 11, 2011.
The utilities powering the world's third-biggest economy have been forced to turn to coal, oil and gas-fired plants to keep factories, offices and households supplied with electricity. Buying and importing those fuels is driving up costs and may lead to higher electric bills and a further drag on an economy that's contracted in three of the past four years. Japan may "momentarily" be without atomic power, the Maimchi newspaper cited Industry Minister Yukio Edano as saying on April 15 after he failed to get agreement from local authorities that reactors at the Ohi plant of Kansai Electric (9503) passed safety tests and should resume.
Record LNG Imports
The Ohi atomic plant is located about 95 km (59 miles) northeast of Osaka, the nation's second-biggest metropolitan area. It helps power the Kansai area of western Japan that's about the size of Belgium, has an economy worth $1 trillion--similar in size to Mexico's--and is home to the cities of Osaka and Kyoto as well as the factories of Sharp Corp, and Panasonic Corp. Japan's 10 regional power utilities bought record amounts of liquefied natural gas last year to replace nuclear, or 52.9 million metric tons of LNG in the fiscal year ended in March, up 27% from a year earlier, according to data from the Federation of Electric Power (9501) Companies.
Use of petroleum, which includes crude and fuel oil, more than doubled to 23.3 million kiloliters (147 million barrels), according to the federation's data. Petroleum consumption was the highest in at least 10 years. Fuel costs at the nine regional utilities that have atomic plants--Okinawa Electric Power Co, is the exception--may more than double to about 7 trillion yen ($87.7 billion) in the year ending March 2013 if reactors remain shut, according to an April 9 report by the industry ministry. Kansai Electric's fuel bills may rise by 800 billion yen to about 1.1 trillion yen, it said.
Power Shortages
Kansai Electric's output without nuclear power may be 16.3% short of peak demand this summer if Japan experiences a heat wave similar to the one in 2010, according to the government's April 23 forecast. The utility would need to turn on half of its 11 reactors to avoid the shortages forecast under the government's worst case scenario, according to Tomoko Murakami, a Tokyo-based nuclear analyst at the Institute of Energy Economics, Japan. Restarting that number of reactors is very unlikely, she said last month.
Stress Tests
The Ohi reactors would be the first to come back online since Japan adopted so-called nuclear stress tests or computer simulations to assess each plant's ability to withstand earthquakes, tsunamis and to supply backup power to keep reactor cooling systems running. Power companies usually take about 10 days to start an idled reactor, according to Tomoe Sugimori, a spokeswoman for Kansai Electric. The failure of backup power at Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima Dai-Ichi station on March 11 last year caused the worst atomic accident since Chernobyl in 1986, and radiation fallout that forced the evacuation of about 160,000 people.
Japanese experts warn Indonesia on nuclear energy
www.asiaone.com
4 May 2012
Japanese experts have warned the Indonesian government to be very careful when deciding whether to generate power from nuclear power, arguing that the archipelago is prone to natural disasters. Japanese experts Heizo Takenaka and Yoichi Funabashi said that even their own country, which is among the most technologically advanced in the world, still has problems in dealing with the double whammy of last years tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear meltdown that followed.
Takenaka, a former internal affairs and communications minister, said Japan dealt with a massive crisis after the quake struck the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011. Funabashi said that it was the worst crisis the country had faced since World War II. Funabashi led an independent investigation team, established by the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, to review how the Japanese government and other agencies responded to the disaster. Responding to Indonesia's plan to have its own nuclear plant, Takenaka said that although each country could decide its own energy policy, Indonesia should consider the fact that it is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to disaster.
Radiation will have a lasting impact, so you have to take into account a lot of things before building a power plant. You have to think about the cost of its management, its security and its restoration should anything happen. Its very costly, time consuming and risky, Funabashi said. There are no nuclear plants in Indonesia, but the government has expressed interest in building one. The country has two agencies overseeing nuclear issues: The National Nuclear Energy Agency and the Nuclear Energy Regulator Agency and Institute of Nuclear Technology.
4 May 2012
Japanese experts have warned the Indonesian government to be very careful when deciding whether to generate power from nuclear power, arguing that the archipelago is prone to natural disasters. Japanese experts Heizo Takenaka and Yoichi Funabashi said that even their own country, which is among the most technologically advanced in the world, still has problems in dealing with the double whammy of last years tsunami and the Fukushima nuclear meltdown that followed.Takenaka, a former internal affairs and communications minister, said Japan dealt with a massive crisis after the quake struck the Tohoku region on March 11, 2011. Funabashi said that it was the worst crisis the country had faced since World War II. Funabashi led an independent investigation team, established by the Rebuild Japan Initiative Foundation, to review how the Japanese government and other agencies responded to the disaster. Responding to Indonesia's plan to have its own nuclear plant, Takenaka said that although each country could decide its own energy policy, Indonesia should consider the fact that it is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, making it prone to disaster.
Radiation will have a lasting impact, so you have to take into account a lot of things before building a power plant. You have to think about the cost of its management, its security and its restoration should anything happen. Its very costly, time consuming and risky, Funabashi said. There are no nuclear plants in Indonesia, but the government has expressed interest in building one. The country has two agencies overseeing nuclear issues: The National Nuclear Energy Agency and the Nuclear Energy Regulator Agency and Institute of Nuclear Technology.
Morgan Stanley backs solar energy leases for clean power finance
www.bloomberg.com
3 May 2012
Morgan Stanley (MS) and Main Street Power Co, are providing funds that will enable Clean Power Finance Inc.'s customers to install as much as $300 million in residential solar power projects. The equity investments, along with debt from lenders led by Zions Bancorporation (ZION), will finance rooftop photovoltaic systems on homes in California and Arizona, Clean Power Finance said today in a statement.
The closely held San Francisco-based company has developed software that connects investors and solar installers that may lack resources to provide financing for their own customers. "We're constructing a platform, or as I think of it, a conduit between the capital markets and the installers", Kristian Hanelt, senior vice president of renewable capital markets for Clean Power Finance, said in a phone interview. Morgan Stanley "is investing for the tax benefits", including a 30% investment tax credit for solar, while Main Street will be the long-term owner of the systems, he said.
The MySolar fund is the company's third and the industry's largest for non-military installations, Hanelt said. SolarCity Inc.'s $1 billion program to install solar panels on military houses is the largest. It's backed by $350 million in loans from Bank of America Corp, and an undisclosed amount of tax-equity financing from US Bancorp. "We've brought together a group of parties who all are interested in participating in the explosive growth that's happening in residential solar", Hanelt said.
Enabling Solar
Other companies enabling residential solar, including SolarCity, SunRun Inc, and Sungevity Inc., finance installations for homeowners through leases or long-term power purchase agreements that allow them to install systems at little to no upfront cost to customers. The companies pick the installers or do the work themselves. Clean Power Finance says it's working with more than 1,500 installers in every U.S, state. "We don't actually take equity in these projects ourselves", Hanelt said. "We think that's a bad use of venture capital dollars and that we'd be better off spending the Kleiner Perkins and the Google Ventures venture capital on building our business itself", he said.
Including the latest fund, Clean Power Finance has raised about $500 million to finance installations for its customers, according to the statement. Google Inc. (GOOG) created a $75 million fund in September. The size of the company's initial fund and the investors wasn't made public, Alison Mickey, a Clean Power Finance spokeswoman, said by e-mail.
3 May 2012
Morgan Stanley (MS) and Main Street Power Co, are providing funds that will enable Clean Power Finance Inc.'s customers to install as much as $300 million in residential solar power projects. The equity investments, along with debt from lenders led by Zions Bancorporation (ZION), will finance rooftop photovoltaic systems on homes in California and Arizona, Clean Power Finance said today in a statement.
The closely held San Francisco-based company has developed software that connects investors and solar installers that may lack resources to provide financing for their own customers. "We're constructing a platform, or as I think of it, a conduit between the capital markets and the installers", Kristian Hanelt, senior vice president of renewable capital markets for Clean Power Finance, said in a phone interview. Morgan Stanley "is investing for the tax benefits", including a 30% investment tax credit for solar, while Main Street will be the long-term owner of the systems, he said.
The MySolar fund is the company's third and the industry's largest for non-military installations, Hanelt said. SolarCity Inc.'s $1 billion program to install solar panels on military houses is the largest. It's backed by $350 million in loans from Bank of America Corp, and an undisclosed amount of tax-equity financing from US Bancorp. "We've brought together a group of parties who all are interested in participating in the explosive growth that's happening in residential solar", Hanelt said.
Enabling Solar
Other companies enabling residential solar, including SolarCity, SunRun Inc, and Sungevity Inc., finance installations for homeowners through leases or long-term power purchase agreements that allow them to install systems at little to no upfront cost to customers. The companies pick the installers or do the work themselves. Clean Power Finance says it's working with more than 1,500 installers in every U.S, state. "We don't actually take equity in these projects ourselves", Hanelt said. "We think that's a bad use of venture capital dollars and that we'd be better off spending the Kleiner Perkins and the Google Ventures venture capital on building our business itself", he said.
Including the latest fund, Clean Power Finance has raised about $500 million to finance installations for its customers, according to the statement. Google Inc. (GOOG) created a $75 million fund in September. The size of the company's initial fund and the investors wasn't made public, Alison Mickey, a Clean Power Finance spokeswoman, said by e-mail.
Monday, 7 May 2012
Wind farm has plenty of puff
www.themercury.com.au
4 May 2012
YOU just have to look at the trees.. Then, says Hydro Tasmania chief executive Roy Adair, it's easy to see why the Cape Portland property on Tasmania's far north-east tip, is considered one of the best wind farm sites in Australia. "The configuration of the trees and the way that they are heavily leaning to one side", he said.
The 550ha beef, dairy and former woolgrowing property is home to the 56 turbine Musselroe wind farm, now under construction after an eight year gestation. Mr Adair said the delays, as Hydro Tasmania waited for finalisation of the Federal Government's Renewable Energy Target Scheme, had been a blessing. The green light for the $400 million project coincided with Europe's financial debacle-an opportunity for Hydro Tasmania to pull off a great turbine deal, with hard-pressed Danish builder Vestas Wind Systems. The wind turbines will stretch 18km across the Cape Portland property from east to west.
They will be connected to a control building by 60km of underground cable. Mr Adair said buying the property in 2009, rather than working with an existing owner, enabled Hydro Tasmania to put its giant turbines with hub heights of 80m and a 45m blade radius and each producing 3 MW of power where it wanted. He said Hydro Tasmania wasn't troubled by Aboriginal heritage, environmental and ecological dilemmas which had plagued recent Tasmanian developments.
He said there had been several situations where turbines, as well as the 50km transmission line to Derby, had been on a collision course with sensitive sites. "We just moved them", he said. Project manager Justin Cooper said the construction workforce was this month ramping up to a peak of 200, temporarily tripling the size of Gladstone, the nearest town. Premier Lara Giddings, who yesterday visited the site, said 200 jobs over 18 months was a welcome boost for an area hit hard by the forestry downturn.
4 May 2012
YOU just have to look at the trees.. Then, says Hydro Tasmania chief executive Roy Adair, it's easy to see why the Cape Portland property on Tasmania's far north-east tip, is considered one of the best wind farm sites in Australia. "The configuration of the trees and the way that they are heavily leaning to one side", he said.The 550ha beef, dairy and former woolgrowing property is home to the 56 turbine Musselroe wind farm, now under construction after an eight year gestation. Mr Adair said the delays, as Hydro Tasmania waited for finalisation of the Federal Government's Renewable Energy Target Scheme, had been a blessing. The green light for the $400 million project coincided with Europe's financial debacle-an opportunity for Hydro Tasmania to pull off a great turbine deal, with hard-pressed Danish builder Vestas Wind Systems. The wind turbines will stretch 18km across the Cape Portland property from east to west.
They will be connected to a control building by 60km of underground cable. Mr Adair said buying the property in 2009, rather than working with an existing owner, enabled Hydro Tasmania to put its giant turbines with hub heights of 80m and a 45m blade radius and each producing 3 MW of power where it wanted. He said Hydro Tasmania wasn't troubled by Aboriginal heritage, environmental and ecological dilemmas which had plagued recent Tasmanian developments.
He said there had been several situations where turbines, as well as the 50km transmission line to Derby, had been on a collision course with sensitive sites. "We just moved them", he said. Project manager Justin Cooper said the construction workforce was this month ramping up to a peak of 200, temporarily tripling the size of Gladstone, the nearest town. Premier Lara Giddings, who yesterday visited the site, said 200 jobs over 18 months was a welcome boost for an area hit hard by the forestry downturn.
South Korea approves emissions trading system
www.smh.com.au
3 May 2012
South Korea approved a cap-and-trade system to cut carbon emissions as President Lee Myung Bak seeks support from factories and power plants in the fastest-growing producer of greenhouse gases among industrialised democracies. The National Assembly passed a bill to establish a cap-and-trade system in the country by 2015 with the backing of both ruling and opposition parties, according to the assembly's webcast of the main session yesterday.
"The bill is needed to cope with global climate change and, domestically to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas efficiently", Kim Jae Kyung, a member of the ruling New Frontier Party, said in the assembly's plenary session before voting. The bill was passed in a 148 0 vote, with 3 abstentions. President Lee Myung Bak is struggling to sell the plan at home after pledging in December 2009 at the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen to cut carbon emissions by 30% from forecast levels by 2020. The country's largest companies said the plan will hurt competitiveness.
Korea's decision follows an agreement at climate talks in December among about 200 countries including the US and China to wait until 2015 to sign a global accord on emission reductions that would take effect as late as 2020. "Korea becomes an early adopter in Asia" of a cap-and-trade program, Kang Hee Chan, a senior researcher at the Korea Environment Institute, said by phone. "Korea joins Australia and China, which plan to introduce the program in 2015".
Read More…
3 May 2012
South Korea approved a cap-and-trade system to cut carbon emissions as President Lee Myung Bak seeks support from factories and power plants in the fastest-growing producer of greenhouse gases among industrialised democracies. The National Assembly passed a bill to establish a cap-and-trade system in the country by 2015 with the backing of both ruling and opposition parties, according to the assembly's webcast of the main session yesterday.
"The bill is needed to cope with global climate change and, domestically to reduce emissions of greenhouse gas efficiently", Kim Jae Kyung, a member of the ruling New Frontier Party, said in the assembly's plenary session before voting. The bill was passed in a 148 0 vote, with 3 abstentions. President Lee Myung Bak is struggling to sell the plan at home after pledging in December 2009 at the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen to cut carbon emissions by 30% from forecast levels by 2020. The country's largest companies said the plan will hurt competitiveness.
Korea's decision follows an agreement at climate talks in December among about 200 countries including the US and China to wait until 2015 to sign a global accord on emission reductions that would take effect as late as 2020. "Korea becomes an early adopter in Asia" of a cap-and-trade program, Kang Hee Chan, a senior researcher at the Korea Environment Institute, said by phone. "Korea joins Australia and China, which plan to introduce the program in 2015".
Read More…
Japan assesses older nuclear plants
online.wsj.com
TOKYO--Japan is grappling with the question of whether older nuclear reactors are more prone to spinning out of control when a disaster hits, as the nation pushes to restart units for the first time since last year's accident in Fukushima.
The Japanese government, which has held a series of hearings on the matter this year with an expert panel, concluded age wasn't a factor in the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. All three reactors went online in the 1970s. The government said bolts, pipes and other important parts used in safety equipment such as cooling systems had been regularly replaced, making the age of the reactors less relevant.
A number of critics have expressed concern with the findings, saying that the government's investigations weren't broad enough, and that it ignored comments even from critical members of the panel. The government has been pressing to avert expected energy shortages over the summer by restarting some of Japan's 50 reactors, nearly all of which are now shut down while it reviews their safety. Some 60% of those reactors started operations in the 1970s or 1980s--a similar proportion to that seen globally.
On Wednesday, the government said it expects electricity shortages in Tokyo as well as in the Kansai and Kyushu regions this summer, which is shaping up to be the country's first peak-demand season without nuclear power since 1965. nuclear power generated 11% of Japan's power supply this past August, according to industry data. The loss of that power makes the potential for shortages greater this year than last, despite efforts by utilities to boost non-nuclear generation.
In a preliminary report, the government's national policy unit projected a 5% shortage for Tokyo and 4% shortages for Kansai and Kyushu. The forecast is based on data from last summer and on supply-capacity figures submitted by utilities. It takes into account the possible resumption of power-saving programs in place last summer, which were estimated to have trimmed typical demand levels by around 10%.
Read More…
TOKYO--Japan is grappling with the question of whether older nuclear reactors are more prone to spinning out of control when a disaster hits, as the nation pushes to restart units for the first time since last year's accident in Fukushima.
The Japanese government, which has held a series of hearings on the matter this year with an expert panel, concluded age wasn't a factor in the meltdown of three reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi plant following the devastating earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. All three reactors went online in the 1970s. The government said bolts, pipes and other important parts used in safety equipment such as cooling systems had been regularly replaced, making the age of the reactors less relevant.
A number of critics have expressed concern with the findings, saying that the government's investigations weren't broad enough, and that it ignored comments even from critical members of the panel. The government has been pressing to avert expected energy shortages over the summer by restarting some of Japan's 50 reactors, nearly all of which are now shut down while it reviews their safety. Some 60% of those reactors started operations in the 1970s or 1980s--a similar proportion to that seen globally.
On Wednesday, the government said it expects electricity shortages in Tokyo as well as in the Kansai and Kyushu regions this summer, which is shaping up to be the country's first peak-demand season without nuclear power since 1965. nuclear power generated 11% of Japan's power supply this past August, according to industry data. The loss of that power makes the potential for shortages greater this year than last, despite efforts by utilities to boost non-nuclear generation.
In a preliminary report, the government's national policy unit projected a 5% shortage for Tokyo and 4% shortages for Kansai and Kyushu. The forecast is based on data from last summer and on supply-capacity figures submitted by utilities. It takes into account the possible resumption of power-saving programs in place last summer, which were estimated to have trimmed typical demand levels by around 10%.
Read More…
Saturday, 5 May 2012
Origin's opportunistic RET resistance
www.climatespectator.com.au
3 May 2012
Origin Energy made big news in the Australian renewables sector yesterday by signing onto the biggest renewable energy power purchase agreement ever contracted in this country-the 270MW Snowtown II wind farm in SA. It represented an almost perfect rebuttal to criticisms by others in the renewable energy sector that the company was playing games to undermine the Renewable Energy Target by holding off on entering into PPAs to create the impression the target could not be met.
But on the same day, Origin Energy CEO Grant King undid this favourable publicity by delivering a presentation where he suggested the level of the RET be reduced by more than a fifth-from 45,000 GWs to 35,000 GWs in 2020. In the chart reproduced below, King argued that because electricity demand growth has dropped dramatically, we need far less renewable energy than initially projected to achieve the 20% by 2020 renewables target.
The implications for the large-scale renewables sector from following King's line of argument would be devastating. The current target for large scale renewables (LRET) such as wind and biomass is 41,000GWh by 2020, which he suggests should be lowered to 27,000GWh. Based on current legislation, Green Energy Markets estimates that we need to connect 1000MW of large scale renewables to the grid in 2014 (equivalent to about 4 Snowtown II's) and then 1500MW for each subsequent year to 2020. This adds up to a total of 10,000 MWs.
Read More…
3 May 2012
Origin Energy made big news in the Australian renewables sector yesterday by signing onto the biggest renewable energy power purchase agreement ever contracted in this country-the 270MW Snowtown II wind farm in SA. It represented an almost perfect rebuttal to criticisms by others in the renewable energy sector that the company was playing games to undermine the Renewable Energy Target by holding off on entering into PPAs to create the impression the target could not be met.
But on the same day, Origin Energy CEO Grant King undid this favourable publicity by delivering a presentation where he suggested the level of the RET be reduced by more than a fifth-from 45,000 GWs to 35,000 GWs in 2020. In the chart reproduced below, King argued that because electricity demand growth has dropped dramatically, we need far less renewable energy than initially projected to achieve the 20% by 2020 renewables target.
The implications for the large-scale renewables sector from following King's line of argument would be devastating. The current target for large scale renewables (LRET) such as wind and biomass is 41,000GWh by 2020, which he suggests should be lowered to 27,000GWh. Based on current legislation, Green Energy Markets estimates that we need to connect 1000MW of large scale renewables to the grid in 2014 (equivalent to about 4 Snowtown II's) and then 1500MW for each subsequent year to 2020. This adds up to a total of 10,000 MWs.
Read More…
Swim centre power station
www.themercury.com.au
2 May 2012
THE roof of Hobart's Aquatic Centre could become a big community-owned solar power station, says a Greens alderman. A meeting of local residents had already shown strong support for the idea and Alderman Bill Harvey said he wanted to see co-operatively-owned wind farms and solar installations installed around the city and further afield. Not every home was suitable for a solar panels and buying a share in a larger venture was a good way for residents to get involved with green energy, he said. Such projects carried the possibility of a financial return if the project was commercially viable, he said.
"There seems to be really strong interest in community-generated energy", Alderman Harvey said. "It's a green energy source, it's kudos for the council (and) it keeps money in the community, rather than paying a retailer on the mainland. "And 2012 is the year of the Co-Op, so it seems an appropriate time to be looking at these things". He said the Aquatic Centre site would be ideal for a large-scale solar system which would be able it to operate on a carbon neutral basis and provide a return for investors. "It's got a substantial roof negotiating with the council would be easier than negotiating with a business potentially", he said.
Melbourne-based community power advocate Embark has expressed an interest in helping the Aquatic Centre project get off the ground. Embark executive director Mary Doughety said a similar scheme for wind power in central Victoria attracted $10 million from 2000 mum and dad investors and was generating the power needs of a small town while providing returns of 8 to 10%.
"As an individual you can't invest in renewable energy", she said. "It's an easy way for people who rent or people who don't have the appropriate roof space or a suitable site for their own panels. "We believe an energy transformation has to take place over the coming decades. The premise is about making sure communities benefit". Alderman Harvey said he planned to hold further community meetings to shape the project in the coming months.
2 May 2012
THE roof of Hobart's Aquatic Centre could become a big community-owned solar power station, says a Greens alderman. A meeting of local residents had already shown strong support for the idea and Alderman Bill Harvey said he wanted to see co-operatively-owned wind farms and solar installations installed around the city and further afield. Not every home was suitable for a solar panels and buying a share in a larger venture was a good way for residents to get involved with green energy, he said. Such projects carried the possibility of a financial return if the project was commercially viable, he said."There seems to be really strong interest in community-generated energy", Alderman Harvey said. "It's a green energy source, it's kudos for the council (and) it keeps money in the community, rather than paying a retailer on the mainland. "And 2012 is the year of the Co-Op, so it seems an appropriate time to be looking at these things". He said the Aquatic Centre site would be ideal for a large-scale solar system which would be able it to operate on a carbon neutral basis and provide a return for investors. "It's got a substantial roof negotiating with the council would be easier than negotiating with a business potentially", he said.
Melbourne-based community power advocate Embark has expressed an interest in helping the Aquatic Centre project get off the ground. Embark executive director Mary Doughety said a similar scheme for wind power in central Victoria attracted $10 million from 2000 mum and dad investors and was generating the power needs of a small town while providing returns of 8 to 10%.
"As an individual you can't invest in renewable energy", she said. "It's an easy way for people who rent or people who don't have the appropriate roof space or a suitable site for their own panels. "We believe an energy transformation has to take place over the coming decades. The premise is about making sure communities benefit". Alderman Harvey said he planned to hold further community meetings to shape the project in the coming months.
Thai firm to spend $US600m on Aust energy
www.businessspectator.com.au
30 Apr 2012
Thai energy company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc is planning to invest US$600 million (A$572 million) in new wind turbine plants in Australia, tripling its local wind-power output to 300 MWs. The expansion by Ratchaburi's subsidiary, Ratch-Australia Corporation, is aimed at staying in step with Australia's future energy policies, Ratchaburi Electricity chief executive Noppol Milinthanggoon said. The planned investment comes as Ratchaburi Electricity is moving to complete a $US813 million acquisition of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund in raising its stake to 80% by June 2012.
Noppol said Ratchaburi Electricity is to invest a further $US30.5 million in Ratch-Australia to meet the 80% target from a current stake of 68%. A spokesperson for the company said the Australian offshoot will lead the expansion as part of the company's offshore investment plans. Ratch-Australia operates three wind power plants in Victoria at Starfish Hill, Toora and Windy Hill.
The Toora operation has 12 turbines with a production capacity of 1.75 MWs, meeting the power needs of 6600 families. "We have a goal to invest in at least three wind power projects with a total production volume of 200 MWs from an existing 100 MW capacity", Noppol said. He said the company was also looking to overhaul and expand the production capacity at Ratch-Australia's existing plants. Ratch-Australia Corporation currently oversees three natural gas power plants, two coal power plants and three wind power plants with a total production capacity of 1,126 MWs. The company says it has firm agreements covering 90% of the generated electricity to be purchased under contract over the next 11 years.
30 Apr 2012
Thai energy company Ratchaburi Electricity Generating Holding Plc is planning to invest US$600 million (A$572 million) in new wind turbine plants in Australia, tripling its local wind-power output to 300 MWs. The expansion by Ratchaburi's subsidiary, Ratch-Australia Corporation, is aimed at staying in step with Australia's future energy policies, Ratchaburi Electricity chief executive Noppol Milinthanggoon said. The planned investment comes as Ratchaburi Electricity is moving to complete a $US813 million acquisition of Transfield Services Infrastructure Fund in raising its stake to 80% by June 2012.
Noppol said Ratchaburi Electricity is to invest a further $US30.5 million in Ratch-Australia to meet the 80% target from a current stake of 68%. A spokesperson for the company said the Australian offshoot will lead the expansion as part of the company's offshore investment plans. Ratch-Australia operates three wind power plants in Victoria at Starfish Hill, Toora and Windy Hill.
The Toora operation has 12 turbines with a production capacity of 1.75 MWs, meeting the power needs of 6600 families. "We have a goal to invest in at least three wind power projects with a total production volume of 200 MWs from an existing 100 MW capacity", Noppol said. He said the company was also looking to overhaul and expand the production capacity at Ratch-Australia's existing plants. Ratch-Australia Corporation currently oversees three natural gas power plants, two coal power plants and three wind power plants with a total production capacity of 1,126 MWs. The company says it has firm agreements covering 90% of the generated electricity to be purchased under contract over the next 11 years.
Friday, 4 May 2012
WA to launch world-first wave energy project
www.smh.com.au
1 May 2012
The first wave energy project in the Southern Hemisphere is set to commence operation in Western Australia next year, with the federal government announcing almost $10 million in funding today. WA-based energy company Carnegie Corporation will begin construction of Australia's first commercial scale grid-connected wave project next year, which will be located on and around Garden Island, with power delivered by the end of 2013. Energy Minister Craig Ferguson today announced the federal government would contribute $9.9 million as part of the Emerging Renewables program, with the state government contributing $5.5 million under the Low Emissions Energy Development program.
Mr Ferguson commended the project for showcasing innovative Australian technology, and said the by-product of emission-free desalinated water was a "welcome bonus". "This is where I see Australia growing into renewable energy jobs of the future", he said. As well as being the first such project in the Southern Hemisphere, the project also uses Australian-owned and developed CETO technology, which is the only of its kind in the world. Developed in WA over the last 10 years at a cost of $60 million, CETO differs to other wave energy technology by operating out of sight and underwater, where it is anchored to the ocean floor and generates electricity onshore, rather than offshore.
The CETO units move with motion of passing waves, driving pumps which deliver pressurised water to shore via a pipeline, which in turn drives hydroelectric turbines. In addition to generating zero-emission electricity, the pressurised water delivered ashore can also be used to supply a desalination plant. The unique Australian technology has already been snapped up by the world's largest electricity generator, French company EDF Energy, for use on Reunion Island. The project's onshore power generation facility will be located at Australia's largest naval base HMAS Stirling, and is expected to produce 2 MWs of electricity by 2014, with later expansion to 5 MWs.
A CSIRO study last year found Australia's wave energy alone was capable of providing three times Australia's annual energy consumption, which was 50,000 MWs. Carnegie Corporation chief executive officer Dr Michael Ottaviano said the project provided a unique opportunity for Australia to become a "technology provider rather than technology taker". Australia could rival Scotland, Dr Ottaviano said, which was trying to capture the wave energy industry by virtue of its offshore engineering experience and good wave resources.
"We've got just as much, if not more, competent offshore engineering experience from the oil and gas industry and our wave resources are some 20 times greater than Scotland", he said. State and federal government funds will comprise half of the project's $31.2 million cost, with New York-based investors Lind group also providing funding. Carnegie Corporation has signed memorandums of understanding with the Department of Defence and West Australian retailer, Synergy Energy.
1 May 2012
The first wave energy project in the Southern Hemisphere is set to commence operation in Western Australia next year, with the federal government announcing almost $10 million in funding today. WA-based energy company Carnegie Corporation will begin construction of Australia's first commercial scale grid-connected wave project next year, which will be located on and around Garden Island, with power delivered by the end of 2013. Energy Minister Craig Ferguson today announced the federal government would contribute $9.9 million as part of the Emerging Renewables program, with the state government contributing $5.5 million under the Low Emissions Energy Development program.Mr Ferguson commended the project for showcasing innovative Australian technology, and said the by-product of emission-free desalinated water was a "welcome bonus". "This is where I see Australia growing into renewable energy jobs of the future", he said. As well as being the first such project in the Southern Hemisphere, the project also uses Australian-owned and developed CETO technology, which is the only of its kind in the world. Developed in WA over the last 10 years at a cost of $60 million, CETO differs to other wave energy technology by operating out of sight and underwater, where it is anchored to the ocean floor and generates electricity onshore, rather than offshore.
The CETO units move with motion of passing waves, driving pumps which deliver pressurised water to shore via a pipeline, which in turn drives hydroelectric turbines. In addition to generating zero-emission electricity, the pressurised water delivered ashore can also be used to supply a desalination plant. The unique Australian technology has already been snapped up by the world's largest electricity generator, French company EDF Energy, for use on Reunion Island. The project's onshore power generation facility will be located at Australia's largest naval base HMAS Stirling, and is expected to produce 2 MWs of electricity by 2014, with later expansion to 5 MWs.
A CSIRO study last year found Australia's wave energy alone was capable of providing three times Australia's annual energy consumption, which was 50,000 MWs. Carnegie Corporation chief executive officer Dr Michael Ottaviano said the project provided a unique opportunity for Australia to become a "technology provider rather than technology taker". Australia could rival Scotland, Dr Ottaviano said, which was trying to capture the wave energy industry by virtue of its offshore engineering experience and good wave resources.
"We've got just as much, if not more, competent offshore engineering experience from the oil and gas industry and our wave resources are some 20 times greater than Scotland", he said. State and federal government funds will comprise half of the project's $31.2 million cost, with New York-based investors Lind group also providing funding. Carnegie Corporation has signed memorandums of understanding with the Department of Defence and West Australian retailer, Synergy Energy.
Coal or wind in your backyard?
www.climatespectator.com.au
30 Apr 2012
If you're going to 'pick winners' from the energy market, you at least want to choose wisely. So it's hard to see why Victorian laws treat coal and coal seam gas more favourably than renewable energy. The Environment Defenders Office (Victoria) (EDO) released a report last week that finds Victoria's laws give the mining industry privileged treatment that few other industries enjoy. In particular, they now make it easier to obtain approval for a coal mine than a wind farm in Victoria.
The planning rules for wind farms introduced by the state government last year are some of the toughest that apply to any type of development anywhere in the country. No new wind projects have been proposed in Victoria since they have been introduced. At the same time, the government has moved to relax the laws that apply to new mining projects, developing a strategy to encourage brown coal export in Victoria, and initiating a Parliamentary Inquiry to identify and remove barriers to further 'Greenfields' minerals exploration and mining. That Parliamentary Inquiry is due to table its report tomorrow. Let's hope it considers the following differences between the treatment of coal mines and wind farms in Victoria:
This treatment is obviously at odds with the scientific need to make a rapid transition out of polluting energy sources, like coal and gas, and into renewable energy. It is at odds with Victoria's abundant renewable energy resources, and their potential for growth in investment and jobs. It also represents a formidable distortion to the Victorian energy market. The carbon price and other Clean Energy Future policies will drive billions of dollars of investment in renewable energy, but that investment will not go to Victoria so long as these regulatory barriers are in place.
It reflects an assumption that the public benefit of extracting minerals is greater than any costs that may arise from doing so. However, the Industry Commission noted in 1991 that this is not necessarily the case--an argument which seems even more true now that more is understood about the impact on the health and safety of regional communities, the environmental impacts of mining (especially for coal and coal seam gas), and the macroeconomic costs of the mining boom for other economic sectors.
Why then should wind power be subject to more restrictive laws than coal and coal seam gas? For example, if wind farms are subject to 'no go' zones, why shouldn't coal mines be? The EDO report calls for a strategic planning process to identify sensitive areas (for example, those with valuable groundwater resources, or prime agricultural land, or high conservation value areas) and protect them from mining altogether through 'no go' zones closed to mining.
If regional communities can 'veto' wind farms near their property, why shouldn't they have the same rights for coal mines? The Victorian Farmers Federation has called for this right of veto. The EDO report also calls for regional communities to have the right to appeal mining approvals, and to enforce breaches of the law, in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
There are good reasons to think that renewable energy should be treated more favourably than fossil fuels, and given further support from the Victorian government. But at the very least, the government should level the playing field. After all, giving privileged support an industry as questionable as the coal and coal seam gas industry is stretching the limits of the phrase 'picking winners'.
Michael Power is a Law Reform Lawyer at the Environment Defenders Office (Victoria), an independent not-for-profit centre dedicated to public interest environment law.
30 Apr 2012
If you're going to 'pick winners' from the energy market, you at least want to choose wisely. So it's hard to see why Victorian laws treat coal and coal seam gas more favourably than renewable energy. The Environment Defenders Office (Victoria) (EDO) released a report last week that finds Victoria's laws give the mining industry privileged treatment that few other industries enjoy. In particular, they now make it easier to obtain approval for a coal mine than a wind farm in Victoria.
The planning rules for wind farms introduced by the state government last year are some of the toughest that apply to any type of development anywhere in the country. No new wind projects have been proposed in Victoria since they have been introduced. At the same time, the government has moved to relax the laws that apply to new mining projects, developing a strategy to encourage brown coal export in Victoria, and initiating a Parliamentary Inquiry to identify and remove barriers to further 'Greenfields' minerals exploration and mining. That Parliamentary Inquiry is due to table its report tomorrow. Let's hope it considers the following differences between the treatment of coal mines and wind farms in Victoria:
- A wind farm cannot be built within two km of a person's home without their consent. But a coal mine can be opened within 100 meters of a home without the owner's consent.
- Wind farms are now excluded from 'no go' zones stretching across the state. But coal mines face no such 'no go' zones: the only place they are excluded from is national parks (for now).
- All wind farms require planning approval from the local council. Coal projects, on the other hand, can avoid the need to obtain certain planning approvals at all in some cases.
- Wind farms must comply with environmental laws like any other project. Coal projects, on the other hand, are exempt from parts of key laws like the Environment Protection Act 1970 (Vic).
This treatment is obviously at odds with the scientific need to make a rapid transition out of polluting energy sources, like coal and gas, and into renewable energy. It is at odds with Victoria's abundant renewable energy resources, and their potential for growth in investment and jobs. It also represents a formidable distortion to the Victorian energy market. The carbon price and other Clean Energy Future policies will drive billions of dollars of investment in renewable energy, but that investment will not go to Victoria so long as these regulatory barriers are in place.
It reflects an assumption that the public benefit of extracting minerals is greater than any costs that may arise from doing so. However, the Industry Commission noted in 1991 that this is not necessarily the case--an argument which seems even more true now that more is understood about the impact on the health and safety of regional communities, the environmental impacts of mining (especially for coal and coal seam gas), and the macroeconomic costs of the mining boom for other economic sectors.
Why then should wind power be subject to more restrictive laws than coal and coal seam gas? For example, if wind farms are subject to 'no go' zones, why shouldn't coal mines be? The EDO report calls for a strategic planning process to identify sensitive areas (for example, those with valuable groundwater resources, or prime agricultural land, or high conservation value areas) and protect them from mining altogether through 'no go' zones closed to mining.
If regional communities can 'veto' wind farms near their property, why shouldn't they have the same rights for coal mines? The Victorian Farmers Federation has called for this right of veto. The EDO report also calls for regional communities to have the right to appeal mining approvals, and to enforce breaches of the law, in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
There are good reasons to think that renewable energy should be treated more favourably than fossil fuels, and given further support from the Victorian government. But at the very least, the government should level the playing field. After all, giving privileged support an industry as questionable as the coal and coal seam gas industry is stretching the limits of the phrase 'picking winners'.
Michael Power is a Law Reform Lawyer at the Environment Defenders Office (Victoria), an independent not-for-profit centre dedicated to public interest environment law.
Dhursar solar project commissioned
www.power-eng.com
28 Apr 2012
FirstSolar, Inc, has announced the commissioning by Reliance Power Ltd, a Reliance ADAGroup company, of a 40 MW ground mounted solar photovoltaic power plant in Rajasthan that will provide clean energy to Mumbai. The project was built in just five months. Comprising some 500,000 FirstSolar thin-film modules, the power plant is spread over 350 acres near Dhursar village in Jaisalmer district.The plant is expected to generate more than 60 million units (kW) of clean solar power a year,making it one of the country's largest photovoltaic power plant in terms of electricity generation.
Covering 350 acres, it is 23 times the size of Calcutta's famous EdenGardens cricket grounds and is expected to satisfy the annual electricity needs of more than 70,000 average Indian households. It will displace more than 60,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year,the equivalent of taking more than25,000 cars off the road. The Dhursar project is the first of several that Reliance plans to build with FirstSolar modules as part of a 100 MW module order placed last year.
28 Apr 2012
FirstSolar, Inc, has announced the commissioning by Reliance Power Ltd, a Reliance ADAGroup company, of a 40 MW ground mounted solar photovoltaic power plant in Rajasthan that will provide clean energy to Mumbai. The project was built in just five months. Comprising some 500,000 FirstSolar thin-film modules, the power plant is spread over 350 acres near Dhursar village in Jaisalmer district.The plant is expected to generate more than 60 million units (kW) of clean solar power a year,making it one of the country's largest photovoltaic power plant in terms of electricity generation.
Covering 350 acres, it is 23 times the size of Calcutta's famous EdenGardens cricket grounds and is expected to satisfy the annual electricity needs of more than 70,000 average Indian households. It will displace more than 60,000 tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year,the equivalent of taking more than25,000 cars off the road. The Dhursar project is the first of several that Reliance plans to build with FirstSolar modules as part of a 100 MW module order placed last year.
Thursday, 3 May 2012
UK launches North Sea renewable energy hub
www.reuters.com
25 Apr 2012
LONDON, April 26 (Reuters)-More than twenty companies have signed a partnership agreement to turn the North Sea into a major renewable energy hub focusing on offshore wind power, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron is to announce on Thursday. Major utilities, such as Britain's Scottish Power and Norway's Statoil, manufacturers from Siemens to Gamesa Corp and supply chain companies are supporting the initiative, provisionally named Norstec.
"Our commitment and investment in renewable energy has helped to make renewable energy possible. Now we have a different challenge. We need to make it financially sustainable", Cameron will tell ministers from 23 countries who are attending a two-day clean energy summit in London. Further details about the operations of the network will be releaved at an offshore wind conference in London in June. Britain has an ambitious target of installing 18 GWs of offshore wind power capacity by 2020, compared with around 2 GW in operation in British waters at the moment.
German utility E.ON is also on Thursday expected to award a 736 million pound cable installation contract to British construction firm Balfour Beatty to connect its Humber Gateway offshore wind farm to the electricity grid. The 230 MW wind farm will be located 8 km off the coast of East Yorkshire and its 73 turbines will produce the equivalent of electricity used in 150,000 homes.
Two UK biomass power plants also reached major milestones on Thursday, with Helius Energy close to securing a finance deal to fund its 300 million pound Avonmouth plant and a construction start at the ECO₂ 38 MW biomass plant in Sleaford. British Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said earlier this week Britain would also sign clean energy cooperation agreements with Brazil, Germany, South Korea and the U.S, as part of the international summit. On Monday, Britain announced a partnership with the U.S, to support the development of floating wind turbines which can tap stronger wind forces.
25 Apr 2012
- Major utilities, manufacturers sign up to partnership
- E.ON awards offshore cable contract to Balfour Beatty
- Two UK biomass plants reach milestones
LONDON, April 26 (Reuters)-More than twenty companies have signed a partnership agreement to turn the North Sea into a major renewable energy hub focusing on offshore wind power, Britain's Prime Minister David Cameron is to announce on Thursday. Major utilities, such as Britain's Scottish Power and Norway's Statoil, manufacturers from Siemens to Gamesa Corp and supply chain companies are supporting the initiative, provisionally named Norstec.
"Our commitment and investment in renewable energy has helped to make renewable energy possible. Now we have a different challenge. We need to make it financially sustainable", Cameron will tell ministers from 23 countries who are attending a two-day clean energy summit in London. Further details about the operations of the network will be releaved at an offshore wind conference in London in June. Britain has an ambitious target of installing 18 GWs of offshore wind power capacity by 2020, compared with around 2 GW in operation in British waters at the moment.
German utility E.ON is also on Thursday expected to award a 736 million pound cable installation contract to British construction firm Balfour Beatty to connect its Humber Gateway offshore wind farm to the electricity grid. The 230 MW wind farm will be located 8 km off the coast of East Yorkshire and its 73 turbines will produce the equivalent of electricity used in 150,000 homes.
Two UK biomass power plants also reached major milestones on Thursday, with Helius Energy close to securing a finance deal to fund its 300 million pound Avonmouth plant and a construction start at the ECO₂ 38 MW biomass plant in Sleaford. British Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said earlier this week Britain would also sign clean energy cooperation agreements with Brazil, Germany, South Korea and the U.S, as part of the international summit. On Monday, Britain announced a partnership with the U.S, to support the development of floating wind turbines which can tap stronger wind forces.
Japan recommends preferential price rates for renewable energy
www.bloomberg.com
25 Apr 2012
Japan will require power utilities to pay above market rates for electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, based on recommendations announced today by a government panel. The preferential rate, known as a feed-in tariff, for solar power was recommended at 42 yen (52 U.S,¢) a kW for 20 years, compared with the current rate of 13.65 yen a kW for industry and commercial users, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Wind-generated power was recommended at 23.10 yen a kW for plants with the capacity of 20 kWs or more and 57.75 yen for smaller ones, both for 20 years. For geothermal, the panel recommended 27.30 yen a kW for plants with the capacity of 15,000 kWs or more and 42 yen for smaller plants, both for 15 years. Japan currently gets about 9% of its electricity from renewable energy.
Pending approval by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the feed-in tariffs will be introduced in July to spur investment in solar, wind geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric power generation as Japan plans a shift away from atomic power after the Fukushima disaster. In August, Japan's parliament approved legislation for the feed-in tariffs to help diversify its energy mix following the devastating accident at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant in March 2011. Atomic power provided about 30% of the country's electricity before the Fukushima crisis.
Nuclear Free
Japan is set to be nuclear free for the first time in more than four decades next month as the last of its 50 operating reactors is scheduled to be shut for maintenance. All the reactors are being kept offline pending safety tests and government approval for restarts. The price recommendation for solar is in line with that earlier proposed by the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association. The Japan Wind Power Association had suggested a wind tariff of up to 25 yen over 20 years for bigger producers. The Japan Geothermal Developers' Council had recommended 25.8 yen a kW for 15 years for bigger suppliers.
25 Apr 2012
Japan will require power utilities to pay above market rates for electricity generated from renewable energy sources such as solar and wind, based on recommendations announced today by a government panel. The preferential rate, known as a feed-in tariff, for solar power was recommended at 42 yen (52 U.S,¢) a kW for 20 years, compared with the current rate of 13.65 yen a kW for industry and commercial users, according to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Wind-generated power was recommended at 23.10 yen a kW for plants with the capacity of 20 kWs or more and 57.75 yen for smaller ones, both for 20 years. For geothermal, the panel recommended 27.30 yen a kW for plants with the capacity of 15,000 kWs or more and 42 yen for smaller plants, both for 15 years. Japan currently gets about 9% of its electricity from renewable energy.
Pending approval by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, the feed-in tariffs will be introduced in July to spur investment in solar, wind geothermal, biomass and hydroelectric power generation as Japan plans a shift away from atomic power after the Fukushima disaster. In August, Japan's parliament approved legislation for the feed-in tariffs to help diversify its energy mix following the devastating accident at the Fukushima Dai-Ichi nuclear plant in March 2011. Atomic power provided about 30% of the country's electricity before the Fukushima crisis.
Nuclear Free
Japan is set to be nuclear free for the first time in more than four decades next month as the last of its 50 operating reactors is scheduled to be shut for maintenance. All the reactors are being kept offline pending safety tests and government approval for restarts. The price recommendation for solar is in line with that earlier proposed by the Japan Photovoltaic Energy Association. The Japan Wind Power Association had suggested a wind tariff of up to 25 yen over 20 years for bigger producers. The Japan Geothermal Developers' Council had recommended 25.8 yen a kW for 15 years for bigger suppliers.
App shows green power flows to German consumers
www.reuters.com
25 Apr 2012
(Reuters) - Power users with "green" leanings in Germany now can put into practice what they preach by switching on electrical devices at times of high renewable energy production. A new app offered by German utility Vattenfall Europe provides short-term information about the share of power derived from renewables such as wind or solar within the overall power mix. Stromwetter (power weather), the smartphone app which was developed by the firm, displays in green colour any share of renewable power exceeding 10%, or 8 GW of usage out of the maximum power load on the transmission grids of roughly 80,000 MW, Vattenfall said on Wednesday.
"If you prefer to use power from wind and solar power sources, then that is the time period on which to focus your consumption," said Helmar Rendez, managing director of Vattenfall Distribution. "By using the app, power customers can voluntarily support the strategy shift towards renewables, independently of where they are buying their power and at what tariff it is priced," he added. Wind power accounted for 38% of renewable power output last year and solar power for 16%, with biomass accounting for 30% and hydroelectric power the rest.
Stromwetter will derive the data from Leipzig power exchange EEX, which collects and relays aggregated production figures from German and Austrian power companies in 15-minute intervals. Germany has embarked on a shift toward renewables and away from nuclear power in the wake of Japan's Fukushima disaster in March 2011. It derived 20% of power from renewables last year. It wants 35% by 2020 and 80% by the middle of the century.
25 Apr 2012
(Reuters) - Power users with "green" leanings in Germany now can put into practice what they preach by switching on electrical devices at times of high renewable energy production. A new app offered by German utility Vattenfall Europe provides short-term information about the share of power derived from renewables such as wind or solar within the overall power mix. Stromwetter (power weather), the smartphone app which was developed by the firm, displays in green colour any share of renewable power exceeding 10%, or 8 GW of usage out of the maximum power load on the transmission grids of roughly 80,000 MW, Vattenfall said on Wednesday.
"If you prefer to use power from wind and solar power sources, then that is the time period on which to focus your consumption," said Helmar Rendez, managing director of Vattenfall Distribution. "By using the app, power customers can voluntarily support the strategy shift towards renewables, independently of where they are buying their power and at what tariff it is priced," he added. Wind power accounted for 38% of renewable power output last year and solar power for 16%, with biomass accounting for 30% and hydroelectric power the rest.
Stromwetter will derive the data from Leipzig power exchange EEX, which collects and relays aggregated production figures from German and Austrian power companies in 15-minute intervals. Germany has embarked on a shift toward renewables and away from nuclear power in the wake of Japan's Fukushima disaster in March 2011. It derived 20% of power from renewables last year. It wants 35% by 2020 and 80% by the middle of the century.
Tuesday, 1 May 2012
Ryan resists mining veto calls
www.abc.net.au
23 Apr 2012
The Victorian Government is resisting calls to give landholders the power to veto mining activity on their land. Households can currently veto wind farm projects within a 2 km radius and the Victorian Farmers Federation says the laws should also apply to mining projects. It says farmers are particularly concerned about the risks associated with coal seam gas projects. However, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan says the current environment laws provide adequate protection.
"Through the laws that govern our mining regime in this state, anybody who wants to explore, for let alone actually mine coal seam gas in this state, will have to comply with the most rigorous laws in this nation", he said. He says coal seam gas projects do not pose a risk to the state's agriculture industry. "We have the best laws in Australia to make sure that not only is exploration very, very heavily monitored but to then make the next stage to mining is a huge quantum leap", he said. "We are very, very protective of all the environmental issues, particularly around the watertables".
23 Apr 2012
The Victorian Government is resisting calls to give landholders the power to veto mining activity on their land. Households can currently veto wind farm projects within a 2 km radius and the Victorian Farmers Federation says the laws should also apply to mining projects. It says farmers are particularly concerned about the risks associated with coal seam gas projects. However, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan says the current environment laws provide adequate protection.
"Through the laws that govern our mining regime in this state, anybody who wants to explore, for let alone actually mine coal seam gas in this state, will have to comply with the most rigorous laws in this nation", he said. He says coal seam gas projects do not pose a risk to the state's agriculture industry. "We have the best laws in Australia to make sure that not only is exploration very, very heavily monitored but to then make the next stage to mining is a huge quantum leap", he said. "We are very, very protective of all the environmental issues, particularly around the watertables".
Wind farm ecologist defends bird safety
www.abc.net.au
24 Apr 2012
An ecologist says there is no evidence wind farms are threatening the future of native bird populations. A dead wedge-tailed eagle has been found not far from the base of a wind turbine at the Waterloo wind farm in the mid-north of South Australia. Dr Cindy Hull, who works for renewable energy producer Hydro Tasmania, says some birds fly into blades but wind farms do not affect habitats or migration patterns.
"There's been a lot of work trying to assess whether it's impacting on the fate of the species and it isn't", she said. "The wind industry is actually the only electricity generators that monitor their impact on wildlife, no-one else does. "So just because nothing's been reported from the other types of electricity generation, doesn't mean impacts aren't occurring, they're just not being measured".
Environmental consultant Travis How of consultancy company EBS Ecology says there are wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons at the proposed Stony Gap wind farm site, south of Burra. "We've worked with TRUEnergy to then design infrastructure around that so potential habitat and the known populations aren't impacted upon at all", he said.
24 Apr 2012
An ecologist says there is no evidence wind farms are threatening the future of native bird populations. A dead wedge-tailed eagle has been found not far from the base of a wind turbine at the Waterloo wind farm in the mid-north of South Australia. Dr Cindy Hull, who works for renewable energy producer Hydro Tasmania, says some birds fly into blades but wind farms do not affect habitats or migration patterns."There's been a lot of work trying to assess whether it's impacting on the fate of the species and it isn't", she said. "The wind industry is actually the only electricity generators that monitor their impact on wildlife, no-one else does. "So just because nothing's been reported from the other types of electricity generation, doesn't mean impacts aren't occurring, they're just not being measured".
Environmental consultant Travis How of consultancy company EBS Ecology says there are wedge-tailed eagles and peregrine falcons at the proposed Stony Gap wind farm site, south of Burra. "We've worked with TRUEnergy to then design infrastructure around that so potential habitat and the known populations aren't impacted upon at all", he said.
Study claims tourists 'not put off' by wind farms in Scotland
www.bbc.co.uk
24 Apr 2012
Tourists visiting Scotland do not see wind farms as a problem, new research has suggested. In a survey commissioned by tourism agency VisitScotland, about 80% said a wind farm would not affect their decision about where to take a holiday. The study follows claims by US tycoon Donald Trump that wind farm developments would kill off tourism. He is expected to tell MSPs that the Scottish government's policy of promoting wind power is a mistake.
Nearly half of those questioned in the VisitScotland survey said they would be interested in visiting a wind farm if it had a centre included. Most of the 3,000 people questioned in the study neither agreed nor disagreed that wind farms spoil the look of the Scottish countryside. A similar number neither agreed nor disagreed that they would avoid an area of the countryside if there were a wind farm. The Scottish government said the survey proved that wind farms were not a problem for most visitors. The study came as Mr Trump prepared to appear at a Scottish parliament committee which is looking into green energy.
Earlier this year, Mr Trump-who is objecting to a planned offshore wind development near the site of his £1bn Aberdeenshire golf resort-accused First Minister Alex Salmond of being "hell bent on destroying Scotland's coastline". He has also attacked Scottish Natural Heritage and VisitScotland for "remaining silent on the issue". Mr Salmond hit back at the criticism ahead of Mr Trump's appearance before MSPs. He told the Scottish Trades Union Congress in Inverness that investment in Scotland did not "imply ownership of Scotland". He added that energy policy would be set by the Scottish people and parliament, and not by others.
24 Apr 2012
Tourists visiting Scotland do not see wind farms as a problem, new research has suggested. In a survey commissioned by tourism agency VisitScotland, about 80% said a wind farm would not affect their decision about where to take a holiday. The study follows claims by US tycoon Donald Trump that wind farm developments would kill off tourism. He is expected to tell MSPs that the Scottish government's policy of promoting wind power is a mistake.
Nearly half of those questioned in the VisitScotland survey said they would be interested in visiting a wind farm if it had a centre included. Most of the 3,000 people questioned in the study neither agreed nor disagreed that wind farms spoil the look of the Scottish countryside. A similar number neither agreed nor disagreed that they would avoid an area of the countryside if there were a wind farm. The Scottish government said the survey proved that wind farms were not a problem for most visitors. The study came as Mr Trump prepared to appear at a Scottish parliament committee which is looking into green energy.
Earlier this year, Mr Trump-who is objecting to a planned offshore wind development near the site of his £1bn Aberdeenshire golf resort-accused First Minister Alex Salmond of being "hell bent on destroying Scotland's coastline". He has also attacked Scottish Natural Heritage and VisitScotland for "remaining silent on the issue". Mr Salmond hit back at the criticism ahead of Mr Trump's appearance before MSPs. He told the Scottish Trades Union Congress in Inverness that investment in Scotland did not "imply ownership of Scotland". He added that energy policy would be set by the Scottish people and parliament, and not by others.
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