www.elp.com
8 Feb 2013
Siemens won an order by wpd Group, Germany, to supply and install 80 wind turbines for the Butendiek offshore wind power plant off Germany's North Sea coast. When it comes online in 2015, the wind power plant's total generating capacity of 288 MW will be sufficient to supply some 370,000 households with ecofriendly electricity.
The agreement also covers a long-term maintenance contract for a period of ten years, the first of its kind for an offshore wind project. Siemens is to provide a new logistics concept that includes a service operation vessel specially developed for deployments to offshore wind facilities. The order volume including service is more than $938 million.
This project company is made up of five investors: Siemens Financial Services, Marguerite Fund, Industriens Pension, PKA A/S (each 22.5%) and wpd AG (10%). Butendiek is the eighth offshore wind power plant order that Siemens has won in German waters and the second in Europe with an equity stake from Siemens Financial Services.
Butendiek, to be erected about 20 miles west of the island of Sylt near the German-Danish border, is the second project-financed offshore wind power plant in Germany for which Siemens is supplying wind turbines and services. The wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3.6 MW and a rotor diameter of 120 meters, are to be erected across a surface area of 26 square miles in waters measuring about 65 feet deep.
Siemens is also bringing a comprehensive service package to the Butendiek offshore project, tailored to ensure maximum long-term exploitation of the wind farm's power potential. These efforts include remote monitoring and diagnostics solutions implemented in conjunction with weather forecasting techniques. Siemens has also developed a new, customized logistics concept for Butendiek: Siemens' service technicians will live and work on board a specially designed ship, the Service Operation Vessel.
Siemens Financial Services, Marguerite Fund, Industriens Pension, and PKA A/S (each indirectly holding 22.5%) provide, as financial investors, a substantial portion of the required equity and have secured the financing of the project with a total project volume of $1.75 billion.
Wpd group will as well contribute to the equity and in addition focuses mainly on project development as well as the project management. All partners have aligned their resources in order to secure a project finance structure on a 67% senior debt and 33% equity basis with a consortium of up to 9 banks, involving multilateral institution like European Investment Bank, KfW and EKF supporting the project with funding.
Thursday, 28 February 2013
Wind turbine maker Vestas posts higher sales
phys.org
6 Feb 2013
A Vestas Wind Systems turbine near Baekmarksbro in Denmark's Jutland region. Vestas Wind Systems, the world's top wind turbine maker, said Wednesday it was seeing the fruits of an extensive restructuring programme as it announced an annual loss but said quarterly sales were higher. The Danish company's net loss widened to 963 million euros ($1.3 billion) in 2012 from 166 million euros in the previous year as investments in green energy continued to suffer from economic uncertainty and government austerity drives.
"Based on Vestas Wind Systems' declining earnings and a more conservative view of the future world market for wind turbines, we have recognised writedowns of more than 500 million euros", chairman Bert Nordberg said in a statement. At the end of 2011, Vestas Wind Systems said it would improve profitability by reducing costs, cutting investments and by using its production capacity more effectively.
On Wednesday it said those measures were beginning to pay off, attributing a 23% revenue rise in the fourth quarter to its new business model, which it said would also prepare it for an even more challenging 2013. "The fourth quarter of 2012 is important because that was when the initiatives we implemented started to materialise", chief executive Ditlev Engel said. Shares in the company were up 5.48% on the Copenhagen bourse, which at around 1100 GMT was 0.74% higher.
6 Feb 2013
A Vestas Wind Systems turbine near Baekmarksbro in Denmark's Jutland region. Vestas Wind Systems, the world's top wind turbine maker, said Wednesday it was seeing the fruits of an extensive restructuring programme as it announced an annual loss but said quarterly sales were higher. The Danish company's net loss widened to 963 million euros ($1.3 billion) in 2012 from 166 million euros in the previous year as investments in green energy continued to suffer from economic uncertainty and government austerity drives."Based on Vestas Wind Systems' declining earnings and a more conservative view of the future world market for wind turbines, we have recognised writedowns of more than 500 million euros", chairman Bert Nordberg said in a statement. At the end of 2011, Vestas Wind Systems said it would improve profitability by reducing costs, cutting investments and by using its production capacity more effectively.
On Wednesday it said those measures were beginning to pay off, attributing a 23% revenue rise in the fourth quarter to its new business model, which it said would also prepare it for an even more challenging 2013. "The fourth quarter of 2012 is important because that was when the initiatives we implemented started to materialise", chief executive Ditlev Engel said. Shares in the company were up 5.48% on the Copenhagen bourse, which at around 1100 GMT was 0.74% higher.
Australian wind energy now cheaper than coal, gas, BNEF says
www.bloomberg.com
7 Feb 2013
Wind is now cheaper than fossil fuels in producing electricity in Australia, the world's biggest coal exporter, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Electricity can be supplied from a new wind farm in Australia at a cost of A$80 ($84) per MW, compared with A$143 a MW from a new coal-fired power plant or A$116 from a new station powered by natural gas when the cost of carbon emissions is included, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report. Coal-fired power stations built in the 1970s and 1980s can still produce power at a lower cost than that of wind, the research shows.
Relying on fossil fuels to produce electricity is getting more expensive because of the government's price on carbon emissions imposed last year, higher financing costs and rising natural gas prices, BNEF said. The cost of wind generation has fallen by 10% since 2011 on lower equipment expenses, while the cost of solar power has dropped by 29%.
"The fact that wind power is now cheaper than coal and gas in a country with some of the world's best fossil fuel resources shows that clean energy is a game changer which promises to turn the economics of power systems on its head", Michael Liebreich, chief executive officer of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said in a statement today.
Renewables Target
While wind power has become more competitive, Australia's plan to get at least 20% of its power from renewables by the end of the decade is still required to drive investment because of weak energy demand, the report said. Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., China's largest wind-turbine maker, said in December that it's studying new projects in Australia, while Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's biggest turbine maker, said in November it expects to keep more than 50% of the Australian market.
Australia last year started charging its biggest polluters a price of A$23 a metric ton for their carbon emissions to discourage the use of fossil fuels and fight climate change. natural gas prices in Australia may triple by 2030, BNEF said. "The low and falling costs of renewable energy and high and rising costs of coal-and gas-fired plants suggest that much of Australia's new generating capacity is likely to be renewable", Sydney-based Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst Kobad Bhavnagri wrote in the report.
AGL Energy Ltd., Australia's largest developer of renewable energy projects, said in November that it expected the A$1 billion ($1.03 billion) Macarthur wind farm in Victoria state to begin operating fully this month. AGL Energy in October suspended the development of the first stage of its 1,000 MW Dalton gas-fired power station in New South Wales after reviewing the economic viability for several months.
Driven by hydroelectric-and wind-power projects, renewable energy contributed 9.6% of Australia's electricity production in 2011, up from 8.7% the prior year, according to the Clean Energy Council, an industry group.
7 Feb 2013
Wind is now cheaper than fossil fuels in producing electricity in Australia, the world's biggest coal exporter, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Electricity can be supplied from a new wind farm in Australia at a cost of A$80 ($84) per MW, compared with A$143 a MW from a new coal-fired power plant or A$116 from a new station powered by natural gas when the cost of carbon emissions is included, according to a Bloomberg New Energy Finance report. Coal-fired power stations built in the 1970s and 1980s can still produce power at a lower cost than that of wind, the research shows.
Relying on fossil fuels to produce electricity is getting more expensive because of the government's price on carbon emissions imposed last year, higher financing costs and rising natural gas prices, BNEF said. The cost of wind generation has fallen by 10% since 2011 on lower equipment expenses, while the cost of solar power has dropped by 29%.
"The fact that wind power is now cheaper than coal and gas in a country with some of the world's best fossil fuel resources shows that clean energy is a game changer which promises to turn the economics of power systems on its head", Michael Liebreich, chief executive officer of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said in a statement today.
Renewables Target
While wind power has become more competitive, Australia's plan to get at least 20% of its power from renewables by the end of the decade is still required to drive investment because of weak energy demand, the report said. Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., China's largest wind-turbine maker, said in December that it's studying new projects in Australia, while Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the world's biggest turbine maker, said in November it expects to keep more than 50% of the Australian market.
Australia last year started charging its biggest polluters a price of A$23 a metric ton for their carbon emissions to discourage the use of fossil fuels and fight climate change. natural gas prices in Australia may triple by 2030, BNEF said. "The low and falling costs of renewable energy and high and rising costs of coal-and gas-fired plants suggest that much of Australia's new generating capacity is likely to be renewable", Sydney-based Bloomberg New Energy Finance analyst Kobad Bhavnagri wrote in the report.
AGL Energy Ltd., Australia's largest developer of renewable energy projects, said in November that it expected the A$1 billion ($1.03 billion) Macarthur wind farm in Victoria state to begin operating fully this month. AGL Energy in October suspended the development of the first stage of its 1,000 MW Dalton gas-fired power station in New South Wales after reviewing the economic viability for several months.
Driven by hydroelectric-and wind-power projects, renewable energy contributed 9.6% of Australia's electricity production in 2011, up from 8.7% the prior year, according to the Clean Energy Council, an industry group.
Solar cells get silver lining
www.abc.net.au
7 Feb 2013
Light-trapping, silver nano-antennas could dramatically improve the performance of solar panels by catching more light, according to a new study.
A team of physicists, including Professor Constantin Simovski from Finland's Aalto University, has developed theoretical designs that could increase photovoltaic cell efficiency in a commercially viable way. It proposes incorporating chessboard-patterned arrays of tiny silver nano-antennas into solar panels. This would trap more incoming light, allowing it to be preferentially re-radiated through the photovoltaic slab, improving efficiency.
New fabrication techniques for printing a nano-antenna array on thin film means it could be done at low cost. "Pieces of the film with printed nano-antenna arrays can be prepared separately from solar cells so that the price of every piece will be small", report the researchers on the pre-press website ArXiv.org. "We have demonstrated our nano-antenna arrays operate significantly better than the structures based on anti-reflecting coatings".
Existing technology uses coatings to reduce the amount of light reflected off the solar cell, but this fails to prevent up to half of the light passing through the back of the solar cell's thin film and being lost. The best currently available commercial photovoltaic cells convert just 22% of the light they receive into electricity, according to the researchers, who also say that this level can be improved with existing technology, but the cost is prohibitive.
Like minds
Dr Richard Corkish, Head, School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales, says Australian research is following a similar approach. "Our work together with researchers at the Australian National University and Swinburne University, use self-aligning, nano-scale, metal-silver particles that act like nano-antennas redirecting the light", says Corkish. "The difference is our research uses randomly shaped and positioned particles, while this paper discusses very precisely formed and aligned antennas".
While this precise alignment will be more efficient, Corkish thinks it will also be far more expensive. "They're looking for a low-cost approach, while our approach is even more low cost because of the more random nature of the antenna positioning and shapes".
Corkish says his team has managed to get its solar cells performing at 25% efficiency in the lab, however the cost of producing such cells is still prohibitive for industry. "The trick is to get something really cheaply that works and can cover big areas", says Corkish. "They talk about printing big sheets of this material at very low cost and if they can do that, it would be very interesting".
7 Feb 2013
Light-trapping, silver nano-antennas could dramatically improve the performance of solar panels by catching more light, according to a new study.
A team of physicists, including Professor Constantin Simovski from Finland's Aalto University, has developed theoretical designs that could increase photovoltaic cell efficiency in a commercially viable way. It proposes incorporating chessboard-patterned arrays of tiny silver nano-antennas into solar panels. This would trap more incoming light, allowing it to be preferentially re-radiated through the photovoltaic slab, improving efficiency.
New fabrication techniques for printing a nano-antenna array on thin film means it could be done at low cost. "Pieces of the film with printed nano-antenna arrays can be prepared separately from solar cells so that the price of every piece will be small", report the researchers on the pre-press website ArXiv.org. "We have demonstrated our nano-antenna arrays operate significantly better than the structures based on anti-reflecting coatings".
Existing technology uses coatings to reduce the amount of light reflected off the solar cell, but this fails to prevent up to half of the light passing through the back of the solar cell's thin film and being lost. The best currently available commercial photovoltaic cells convert just 22% of the light they receive into electricity, according to the researchers, who also say that this level can be improved with existing technology, but the cost is prohibitive.
Like minds
Dr Richard Corkish, Head, School of Photovoltaic & Renewable Energy Engineering at the University of New South Wales, says Australian research is following a similar approach. "Our work together with researchers at the Australian National University and Swinburne University, use self-aligning, nano-scale, metal-silver particles that act like nano-antennas redirecting the light", says Corkish. "The difference is our research uses randomly shaped and positioned particles, while this paper discusses very precisely formed and aligned antennas".
While this precise alignment will be more efficient, Corkish thinks it will also be far more expensive. "They're looking for a low-cost approach, while our approach is even more low cost because of the more random nature of the antenna positioning and shapes".
Corkish says his team has managed to get its solar cells performing at 25% efficiency in the lab, however the cost of producing such cells is still prohibitive for industry. "The trick is to get something really cheaply that works and can cover big areas", says Corkish. "They talk about printing big sheets of this material at very low cost and if they can do that, it would be very interesting".
Siemens unveils new 4 MW offshore wind turbine
www.nawindpower.com
5 Feb 2013
Siemens Energy has launched a new offshore wind turbine, which features a generating capacity of 4 MW and a rotor diameter of 130 meters.
The new SWT 4.0 130 wind turbine joins Siemens' 3.6 MW turbines as part of the company's G4 geared-drive platform series. The nacelle and tower of the SWT 4.0 130 are variants of those used in the 3.6 MW wind turbine design, Siemens says. The rotor blades are manufactured using the company's IntegralBlade process, in which they are cast in a single piece without the use of adhesive bonding.
The new B63 rotor blade, which measures 63 meters in length, sweeps an area equivalent almost to the size of two football fields, according to Siemens. Thanks to optimized coupling of blade bending and twisting, these aeroelastic blades react more flexibly to high wind loads, the company adds.
In December 2012, a SWT 4.0 130 prototype was installed and commissioned at the Osterild Test Center in Denmark. Serial production of the turbine is expected to commence in 2015.
Siemens also announced that in the future, each of its wind turbines will belong to one of the following platforms: Siemens G2, Siemens G4, Siemens D3 or Siemens D6. Platforms based on geared technology are denoted by the letter "G" (for "geared drive"), while product platforms featuring gearless technology are identified by the prefix "D" (for "direct drive").
5 Feb 2013
Siemens Energy has launched a new offshore wind turbine, which features a generating capacity of 4 MW and a rotor diameter of 130 meters.
The new SWT 4.0 130 wind turbine joins Siemens' 3.6 MW turbines as part of the company's G4 geared-drive platform series. The nacelle and tower of the SWT 4.0 130 are variants of those used in the 3.6 MW wind turbine design, Siemens says. The rotor blades are manufactured using the company's IntegralBlade process, in which they are cast in a single piece without the use of adhesive bonding.
The new B63 rotor blade, which measures 63 meters in length, sweeps an area equivalent almost to the size of two football fields, according to Siemens. Thanks to optimized coupling of blade bending and twisting, these aeroelastic blades react more flexibly to high wind loads, the company adds.
In December 2012, a SWT 4.0 130 prototype was installed and commissioned at the Osterild Test Center in Denmark. Serial production of the turbine is expected to commence in 2015.
Siemens also announced that in the future, each of its wind turbines will belong to one of the following platforms: Siemens G2, Siemens G4, Siemens D3 or Siemens D6. Platforms based on geared technology are denoted by the letter "G" (for "geared drive"), while product platforms featuring gearless technology are identified by the prefix "D" (for "direct drive").
Novel designs are taking wind power to the next level
www.technologyreview.com
6 Feb 2013
Superficially, wind turbines haven't changed much for decades. But they've gotten much smarter, and considerably bigger, and that's helped increase the amount of electricity they can generate and lower the cost of wind power.
GE's new 2.5 120 wind turbine, announced last week, is a case in point. Its maximum power output, 2.5 MWs, is lower than that of the 2.85 MW turbine it's superseding. But over the course of a year it can generate 15% more kW hours. Arrays of sensors paired with better algorithms for operating and monitoring the turbine let it keep spinning when earlier generations of wind turbines would have had to shut down.
The technology is part of a trend that's made wind power almost as cheap as fossil fuels. In 1991, wind power cost 15 ¢ per kW hour. The cost has now dropped to 6.5 ¢ per kW hour, says Ryan Wiser, deputy group leader for Electricity Markets and Policy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in Berkeley, California. New natural gas power plants are expected to generate electricity at about 6.5 ¢ per kW hour.
A new generation of more productive wind turbines that's coming on line this year could be what it takes to make wind widely competitive with fossil fuels.
Read More…
6 Feb 2013
Superficially, wind turbines haven't changed much for decades. But they've gotten much smarter, and considerably bigger, and that's helped increase the amount of electricity they can generate and lower the cost of wind power.GE's new 2.5 120 wind turbine, announced last week, is a case in point. Its maximum power output, 2.5 MWs, is lower than that of the 2.85 MW turbine it's superseding. But over the course of a year it can generate 15% more kW hours. Arrays of sensors paired with better algorithms for operating and monitoring the turbine let it keep spinning when earlier generations of wind turbines would have had to shut down.
The technology is part of a trend that's made wind power almost as cheap as fossil fuels. In 1991, wind power cost 15 ¢ per kW hour. The cost has now dropped to 6.5 ¢ per kW hour, says Ryan Wiser, deputy group leader for Electricity Markets and Policy at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in Berkeley, California. New natural gas power plants are expected to generate electricity at about 6.5 ¢ per kW hour.
A new generation of more productive wind turbines that's coming on line this year could be what it takes to make wind widely competitive with fossil fuels.
Read More…
Japan to build power grids to triple wind power capacity - report
www.utilityproducts.com
4 Feb 2013
Japan's government will develop power transmission grids on Hokkaido island and the Tohoku region aiming to boost the country's installed wind power capacity by three times to 7.5 GW, Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported today.
The project will be launched in April and will involve some JPY 310 billion (USD 3.3bn/EUR 2.5bn) in public and private spending. Power firms and wind power generating companies in each area will form special purpose vehicles for building transmission grids. Subsidies from the central government will cover half the costs. The government will use the fees collected from wind power producers for using the networks to cover the costs, according to the daily.
Wind power output in Japan stood at 179.63 million kW in the fiscal 2010/2011 through March, below 0.1% of the country's total power output. If the power grids building project is launched in areas such as the Hokuriku and Sanin regions and Kyushu island, the country's installed wind power capacity could surge sixfold to 14.7 GW, the government estimates.
In a recent report Frost & Sullivan projects the Japanese wind power sector to regain momentum in the current year with the expected start of offshore wind farms construction. Japan supports investment in offshore wind, despite the high infrastructure costs and grid connection problems, to offset the shutdown of nuclear reactors. Meanwhile, investment in onshore wind farms in Japan has been declining since 2008 due to the adoption of complicated construction requirements and grid connection obstacles, Frost & Sullivan's Suchitra Sriram said in the report.
4 Feb 2013
Japan's government will develop power transmission grids on Hokkaido island and the Tohoku region aiming to boost the country's installed wind power capacity by three times to 7.5 GW, Japanese daily Yomiuri Shimbun reported today.
The project will be launched in April and will involve some JPY 310 billion (USD 3.3bn/EUR 2.5bn) in public and private spending. Power firms and wind power generating companies in each area will form special purpose vehicles for building transmission grids. Subsidies from the central government will cover half the costs. The government will use the fees collected from wind power producers for using the networks to cover the costs, according to the daily.
Wind power output in Japan stood at 179.63 million kW in the fiscal 2010/2011 through March, below 0.1% of the country's total power output. If the power grids building project is launched in areas such as the Hokuriku and Sanin regions and Kyushu island, the country's installed wind power capacity could surge sixfold to 14.7 GW, the government estimates.
In a recent report Frost & Sullivan projects the Japanese wind power sector to regain momentum in the current year with the expected start of offshore wind farms construction. Japan supports investment in offshore wind, despite the high infrastructure costs and grid connection problems, to offset the shutdown of nuclear reactors. Meanwhile, investment in onshore wind farms in Japan has been declining since 2008 due to the adoption of complicated construction requirements and grid connection obstacles, Frost & Sullivan's Suchitra Sriram said in the report.
Hydro sells wind farm stake
www.themercury.com.au
5 Feb 2013
CHINESE renewable energy business Shenhua Clean Energy has continued its links with Tasmania by formalising its partnership in the Musselroe wind farm. Shenhua Clean Energy has paid $89 million for a 75% stake in the North East project, which includes the transfer of $270 million in debt from Hydro Tasmania. The signed agreement follows current joint ownership agreements between the Chinese company and Hydro Tasmania for the Woolnorth wind farms in the state's north-west.
Hydro Tasmania chairman David Crean said Shenhua Clean Energy had become a first class strategic partner for Hydro Tasmania and the state. "Guohua, the main SCE parent company, is one of the world's largest wind [farm] developers and brings a wealth of expertise in the renewable energy sector", Dr Crean said. "Guohua has more than 4200MW of wind power capability operating in China". Dr Crean said the $394 million 160 MW Musselroe wind farm is on track for completion by June 30.
5 Feb 2013
CHINESE renewable energy business Shenhua Clean Energy has continued its links with Tasmania by formalising its partnership in the Musselroe wind farm. Shenhua Clean Energy has paid $89 million for a 75% stake in the North East project, which includes the transfer of $270 million in debt from Hydro Tasmania. The signed agreement follows current joint ownership agreements between the Chinese company and Hydro Tasmania for the Woolnorth wind farms in the state's north-west.
Hydro Tasmania chairman David Crean said Shenhua Clean Energy had become a first class strategic partner for Hydro Tasmania and the state. "Guohua, the main SCE parent company, is one of the world's largest wind [farm] developers and brings a wealth of expertise in the renewable energy sector", Dr Crean said. "Guohua has more than 4200MW of wind power capability operating in China". Dr Crean said the $394 million 160 MW Musselroe wind farm is on track for completion by June 30.
Climate Spectator: Busting the infrasound barrier
www.businessspectator.com.au
4 Feb 2013
The South Australian Environment Protection Authority has just released a report finding that infrasound-very low frequency sound (between 1-20 hertz) is not noticeably greater in households nearby to wind farms than other locations.
It is claimed by some groups and individuals opposed to wind farms, such as the Waubra Foundation, that wind turbines cause a wide array of illnesses to people in nearby residences due to the infrasound they apparently emit.
The report by Resonate Acoustics took measurements of infrasound (dB G) over a period of approximately one week at seven locations in urban areas and four locations in rural areas including two residences approximately 1.5km away from the wind turbines.
As the report explains, infrasound is not a unique phenomenon associated with wind turbines. Noise generated by people and associated activities within an office space was one of the most significant contributors to measured infrasound levels, with measured infrasound levels typically 10 to 15dB(G) higher when a space was occupied.
Car traffic may also influence the infrasound level in an urban environment, with measured levels during the daytime periods typically 10dB(G) higher than between midnight and 6am, when traffic would be expected to be at its lowest.
4 Feb 2013
The South Australian Environment Protection Authority has just released a report finding that infrasound-very low frequency sound (between 1-20 hertz) is not noticeably greater in households nearby to wind farms than other locations.
It is claimed by some groups and individuals opposed to wind farms, such as the Waubra Foundation, that wind turbines cause a wide array of illnesses to people in nearby residences due to the infrasound they apparently emit.
The report by Resonate Acoustics took measurements of infrasound (dB G) over a period of approximately one week at seven locations in urban areas and four locations in rural areas including two residences approximately 1.5km away from the wind turbines.
As the report explains, infrasound is not a unique phenomenon associated with wind turbines. Noise generated by people and associated activities within an office space was one of the most significant contributors to measured infrasound levels, with measured infrasound levels typically 10 to 15dB(G) higher when a space was occupied.
Car traffic may also influence the infrasound level in an urban environment, with measured levels during the daytime periods typically 10dB(G) higher than between midnight and 6am, when traffic would be expected to be at its lowest.
China's wind energy industry spirals higher
www.smh.com.au
4 Feb 2013
China installed more than a third of the world's new wind turbines in 2012 and is on course to beat the government's 2015 target of 100 GWs of generation capacity by more than a year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) data.
Wind energy in China now accounts for 5.3% of the country's generating capacity and supplies about 2% of its electricity, placing it behind only coal and hydroelectric power. While new installations slowed from 2011's record levels, China's 15.9GW of new wind capacity exceeded the 15.5GW of new hydroelectric power and dwarfed the 1.2GW of solar and 700 MWs of nuclear capacity added last year.
"This year however, project approvals have sped up and we forecast a modest recovery in both financing activity and construction in 2013", Demi Zhu, China wind analyst at BNEF, said. "The fact that China wind overtook nuclear as a generation source even in its most challenging year of recent times is a testament to the massive scale and momentum of the industry in this country".
China's adoption of renewable energy has surprised many, with some Australian commentators projecting wind and solar to contribute only 0.3% of China's electricity supply by 2020. According to preliminary BNEF research, some 11% of total electricity generation by 2020 will come from non-hydroelectric renewable sources, said Jun Ying, head of China research.
At about 2% of current electricity supply, though, wind power is "far from being sufficient to ease China's current severe air pollution issue in any noticeable way", Mr Ying said. Last year, the country added 80GW of capacity-larger than Australia's total-with coal-fired places accounting for about 60% of that increase, BNEF said.
New investment in wind was worth $US27.2 billion ($26.1 billion) in 2012, down 12%. Turbine costs, though, fell 10% as suppliers, mostly home-grown, cut prices.
Read More…
4 Feb 2013
China installed more than a third of the world's new wind turbines in 2012 and is on course to beat the government's 2015 target of 100 GWs of generation capacity by more than a year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) data.
Wind energy in China now accounts for 5.3% of the country's generating capacity and supplies about 2% of its electricity, placing it behind only coal and hydroelectric power. While new installations slowed from 2011's record levels, China's 15.9GW of new wind capacity exceeded the 15.5GW of new hydroelectric power and dwarfed the 1.2GW of solar and 700 MWs of nuclear capacity added last year.
"This year however, project approvals have sped up and we forecast a modest recovery in both financing activity and construction in 2013", Demi Zhu, China wind analyst at BNEF, said. "The fact that China wind overtook nuclear as a generation source even in its most challenging year of recent times is a testament to the massive scale and momentum of the industry in this country".
China's adoption of renewable energy has surprised many, with some Australian commentators projecting wind and solar to contribute only 0.3% of China's electricity supply by 2020. According to preliminary BNEF research, some 11% of total electricity generation by 2020 will come from non-hydroelectric renewable sources, said Jun Ying, head of China research.
At about 2% of current electricity supply, though, wind power is "far from being sufficient to ease China's current severe air pollution issue in any noticeable way", Mr Ying said. Last year, the country added 80GW of capacity-larger than Australia's total-with coal-fired places accounting for about 60% of that increase, BNEF said.
New investment in wind was worth $US27.2 billion ($26.1 billion) in 2012, down 12%. Turbine costs, though, fell 10% as suppliers, mostly home-grown, cut prices.
Read More…
Thursday, 14 February 2013
Windfarm sound insignificant: study
www.weeklytimesnow.com.au
4 Feb 2013
A REPORT by the Environment Protection Authority South Australia has found infrasound from wind farms is "no greater" than infrasound in other rural environments. Infrasound is sound not audible to the human ear. The EPA took measurements over a period of a week at seven urban and four rural locations including residences approximately 1.5 km from wind turbines.
The study found the level of infrasound at the residences near the wind turbines was "no greater than that experienced in other urban and rural environments, that the contribution of wind turbines to the measured infrasound levels is insignificant in comparison with the background level of infrasound in the environment".
The Clean Energy Council said the report "put to rest a common myth about wind farms-that they create dangerous levels of infrasound". In a media release Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the report provided some much-needed clarity in a debate that has often been clouded by misinformation.
"South Australia's EPA is the most experienced regulatory authority in Australia when it comes to wind farm noise, and this new report provides hard evidence that wind turbines do not cause increased levels of infrasound in surrounding areas, neither inside people's homes nor outdoors", Mr Marsh said. "The study included houses in rural and urban areas, houses both adjacent to a wind farm and away from turbines, and measured the levels of infrasound with the wind farms operating and also switched off.
"There were no noticeable differences in the levels of infrasound under all these different conditions. In fact, the lowest levels of infrasound were recorded at one of the houses closest to a wind farm, whereas the highest levels were found in an urban office building".
The Australian reported last week land values could be cut by being near windfarms. South Gippsland shire council has amended the rates notice for a landowner near the Bald Hills wind farm project, which is yet to begin construction. Meanwhile, a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing over the Cherry Tree Range wind farm near Seymour continues.
It is believed to be the first to reach VCAT since planning rules were changed by the Coalition Government. The Coalition allowed the right of veto to homeowners whose house was within 2km of a turbine. The 16 turbine Cherry Tree Range wind farm, by Infigen Energy, was knocked back by Mitchell Shire last year. It is a $100 million project with a capacity of 50 MWs, south east of Seymour.
4 Feb 2013
A REPORT by the Environment Protection Authority South Australia has found infrasound from wind farms is "no greater" than infrasound in other rural environments. Infrasound is sound not audible to the human ear. The EPA took measurements over a period of a week at seven urban and four rural locations including residences approximately 1.5 km from wind turbines.
The study found the level of infrasound at the residences near the wind turbines was "no greater than that experienced in other urban and rural environments, that the contribution of wind turbines to the measured infrasound levels is insignificant in comparison with the background level of infrasound in the environment".
The Clean Energy Council said the report "put to rest a common myth about wind farms-that they create dangerous levels of infrasound". In a media release Clean Energy Council Policy Director Russell Marsh said the report provided some much-needed clarity in a debate that has often been clouded by misinformation.
"South Australia's EPA is the most experienced regulatory authority in Australia when it comes to wind farm noise, and this new report provides hard evidence that wind turbines do not cause increased levels of infrasound in surrounding areas, neither inside people's homes nor outdoors", Mr Marsh said. "The study included houses in rural and urban areas, houses both adjacent to a wind farm and away from turbines, and measured the levels of infrasound with the wind farms operating and also switched off.
"There were no noticeable differences in the levels of infrasound under all these different conditions. In fact, the lowest levels of infrasound were recorded at one of the houses closest to a wind farm, whereas the highest levels were found in an urban office building".
The Australian reported last week land values could be cut by being near windfarms. South Gippsland shire council has amended the rates notice for a landowner near the Bald Hills wind farm project, which is yet to begin construction. Meanwhile, a Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing over the Cherry Tree Range wind farm near Seymour continues.
It is believed to be the first to reach VCAT since planning rules were changed by the Coalition Government. The Coalition allowed the right of veto to homeowners whose house was within 2km of a turbine. The 16 turbine Cherry Tree Range wind farm, by Infigen Energy, was knocked back by Mitchell Shire last year. It is a $100 million project with a capacity of 50 MWs, south east of Seymour.
Wind farm planning in state hit by crosswinds
www.theage.com.au
7 Feb 2013
WIND farm planning in Victoria is in turmoil with a case before Victoria's planning tribunal revealing explosive telephone calls and emails between a senior government planning official and lawyers for a wind farm developer. The case involves a request to Planning Minister Matthew Guy to approve plans for a 20 turbine wind farm at Naroghid near Warrnambool and also to extend the time for a previous permit issued for the proposal. In March last year, senior planning official David Hodge, acting as delegate from Mr Guy, refused the plans for the wind farm.
The applicant, Naroghid Wind Farm Pty Ltd, has now taken Mr Guy to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a review of the decision and also applying to have it determined unlawful, arguing the decision maker was ''biased towards the applicant''. The day after the refusal decision was made, William Grinter, a solicitor with Middletons law firm (now K&L Gates) emailed Mr Guy requesting an extension of time for the wind farm permit.
In an affidavit, Mr Grinter said Mr Hodge from the Department of Planning called him the next day and said, ''You do not email the minister directly.'' Mr Hodge then described Mr Grinter as ''incompetent'' and as a ''rock star'' and said ''you are a f---ing idiot''. In a later email, Mr Hodge said Mr Grinter's conduct demonstrated ''a complete lack of understanding of how to achieve 'outcomes' for clients'' and that ''there is no substance to the service or advice you provide to the clients you represent''.
It is not just the relationship between the department and lawyers for the wind farm applicant under the microscope in the case. The submission by Naroghid to the tribunal also attacks the Baillieu government's new planning laws that give residents within two km of a proposed wind farm the power to veto the permit application. The initial permit for the Naroghid wind farm was issued by the former Labor government in 2006, before the new 2 km planning rule was introduced.
The new wind farm planning rules would become relevant should the decision not to extend the time for the wind farm permit be upheld. It its submission to the tribunal the wind farm applicant said the new planning laws ''allow a single person to prevent a development which (like this one) would result in a net community benefit from going ahead for reasons which are illogical, vexatious or capricious''.
It said: ''It cannot be reasonably argued that it [the new wind farm rule] has been inserted to achieve anything other than a political agenda. It is a provision which is contrary to accepted principles of orderly and proper planning.''
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said wind farm planning in Victoria was a mess. ''Mr Guy sees himself as a future leader but how will he run the state when he can't even run a wind farm policy which is in chaos,'' he said.
Mr Guy denied the two-km rule was part of a ''political agenda''. He added, ''The government expects proponents and the department to behave in a courteous and reasonable manner at all stages of the planing process.'' The case continues at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
7 Feb 2013
WIND farm planning in Victoria is in turmoil with a case before Victoria's planning tribunal revealing explosive telephone calls and emails between a senior government planning official and lawyers for a wind farm developer. The case involves a request to Planning Minister Matthew Guy to approve plans for a 20 turbine wind farm at Naroghid near Warrnambool and also to extend the time for a previous permit issued for the proposal. In March last year, senior planning official David Hodge, acting as delegate from Mr Guy, refused the plans for the wind farm.
The applicant, Naroghid Wind Farm Pty Ltd, has now taken Mr Guy to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal seeking a review of the decision and also applying to have it determined unlawful, arguing the decision maker was ''biased towards the applicant''. The day after the refusal decision was made, William Grinter, a solicitor with Middletons law firm (now K&L Gates) emailed Mr Guy requesting an extension of time for the wind farm permit.
In an affidavit, Mr Grinter said Mr Hodge from the Department of Planning called him the next day and said, ''You do not email the minister directly.'' Mr Hodge then described Mr Grinter as ''incompetent'' and as a ''rock star'' and said ''you are a f---ing idiot''. In a later email, Mr Hodge said Mr Grinter's conduct demonstrated ''a complete lack of understanding of how to achieve 'outcomes' for clients'' and that ''there is no substance to the service or advice you provide to the clients you represent''.
It is not just the relationship between the department and lawyers for the wind farm applicant under the microscope in the case. The submission by Naroghid to the tribunal also attacks the Baillieu government's new planning laws that give residents within two km of a proposed wind farm the power to veto the permit application. The initial permit for the Naroghid wind farm was issued by the former Labor government in 2006, before the new 2 km planning rule was introduced.
The new wind farm planning rules would become relevant should the decision not to extend the time for the wind farm permit be upheld. It its submission to the tribunal the wind farm applicant said the new planning laws ''allow a single person to prevent a development which (like this one) would result in a net community benefit from going ahead for reasons which are illogical, vexatious or capricious''.
It said: ''It cannot be reasonably argued that it [the new wind farm rule] has been inserted to achieve anything other than a political agenda. It is a provision which is contrary to accepted principles of orderly and proper planning.''
Opposition planning spokesman Brian Tee said wind farm planning in Victoria was a mess. ''Mr Guy sees himself as a future leader but how will he run the state when he can't even run a wind farm policy which is in chaos,'' he said.
Mr Guy denied the two-km rule was part of a ''political agenda''. He added, ''The government expects proponents and the department to behave in a courteous and reasonable manner at all stages of the planing process.'' The case continues at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
U.S. Wind has strongest year ever
www.onlinetes.com
3 Feb 2013
The U.S, wind power industry had its strongest year ever in 2012, according to the American Wind Energy Association, installing a record 13,124MW of electric generating capacity, leveraging $25 billion in private investment,and achieving over 60,000MW of cumulative wind capacity.
The milestone of 60,000MW (60GW) was reached just five months after AWEA announced last August that the U.S, industry had 50,000MW installed. Today's 60,007MW is enough clean, affordable, American wind power to power the equivalent of almost 15 million homes, or the number in Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio combined.
In this historic year of achievement, wind power for the first time became the number one source of new U.S, electric generating capacity, providing some 42% of all new generating capacity; the final tally will be released in April in AWEA's annual report. In fact, 2012 was a strong year for all renewables, as together they accounted for over 55% of all new U.S, generating capacity.
Resulting from 190 projects across 32 states plus Puerto Rico, this new record for annual installations of over 13,000 MW by the U.S, industry far surpasses the previous record of 10,000MW installed in 2010.
AWEA Interim CEO Rob Gramlich says, "It is a real testament to American innovation and hard work that for the first time ever a renewable energy source was number one in new capacity. We are thrilled to mark this major milestone in the nation's progress toward a cleaner energy system". Currently installed wind power will avoid 95.9 million metric tons a year of CO₂ emissions, equal to 1.8% of the entire country's carbon emissions.
In last year's fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed, making it the strongest quarter in U.S, wind power history. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the successful federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end at the end of last year, but was extended by Congress on Jan. 1, as part of the "fiscal cliff package", the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
Gramlich adds, "What is just as striking as the new records is the expansion of new customers. A total of 66 utilities bought or owned wind power in 2012, up from 42 in 2011. We are also seeing growth in new customers in the industrial and commercial sectors purchasing or owning wind power directly".
New wind power purchasers last year included at least 18 industrial buyers, 11 schools and universities, and eight towns or cities, showing a significant trend toward nontraditional power purchasers from the industrial sector. Manufacturers of everything from plastics to light bulbs, semiconductors, and badges, farms, and medical centers are now directly purchasing wind power.
"The fact that wind power grew by another 28% in 2012 alone and poured $25 billion of private investment into the U.S, last year demonstrates wind's ability to scale up, and continue to serve as a leading source of energy in America", Gramlich says.
Top states for new capacity installations in 2012 include:
3 Feb 2013
The U.S, wind power industry had its strongest year ever in 2012, according to the American Wind Energy Association, installing a record 13,124MW of electric generating capacity, leveraging $25 billion in private investment,and achieving over 60,000MW of cumulative wind capacity.
The milestone of 60,000MW (60GW) was reached just five months after AWEA announced last August that the U.S, industry had 50,000MW installed. Today's 60,007MW is enough clean, affordable, American wind power to power the equivalent of almost 15 million homes, or the number in Colorado, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Nevada, and Ohio combined.
In this historic year of achievement, wind power for the first time became the number one source of new U.S, electric generating capacity, providing some 42% of all new generating capacity; the final tally will be released in April in AWEA's annual report. In fact, 2012 was a strong year for all renewables, as together they accounted for over 55% of all new U.S, generating capacity.
Resulting from 190 projects across 32 states plus Puerto Rico, this new record for annual installations of over 13,000 MW by the U.S, industry far surpasses the previous record of 10,000MW installed in 2010.
AWEA Interim CEO Rob Gramlich says, "It is a real testament to American innovation and hard work that for the first time ever a renewable energy source was number one in new capacity. We are thrilled to mark this major milestone in the nation's progress toward a cleaner energy system". Currently installed wind power will avoid 95.9 million metric tons a year of CO₂ emissions, equal to 1.8% of the entire country's carbon emissions.
In last year's fourth quarter alone, 8,380MW were installed, making it the strongest quarter in U.S, wind power history. This was due in large part to impending expiration of the successful federal Production Tax Credit (PTC). It was slated to end at the end of last year, but was extended by Congress on Jan. 1, as part of the "fiscal cliff package", the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.
Gramlich adds, "What is just as striking as the new records is the expansion of new customers. A total of 66 utilities bought or owned wind power in 2012, up from 42 in 2011. We are also seeing growth in new customers in the industrial and commercial sectors purchasing or owning wind power directly".
New wind power purchasers last year included at least 18 industrial buyers, 11 schools and universities, and eight towns or cities, showing a significant trend toward nontraditional power purchasers from the industrial sector. Manufacturers of everything from plastics to light bulbs, semiconductors, and badges, farms, and medical centers are now directly purchasing wind power.
"The fact that wind power grew by another 28% in 2012 alone and poured $25 billion of private investment into the U.S, last year demonstrates wind's ability to scale up, and continue to serve as a leading source of energy in America", Gramlich says.
Top states for new capacity installations in 2012 include:
- Texas (1,826MW)
- California (1,656MW)
- Kansas (1,440MW)
- Oklahoma (1,127MW)
- Illinois (823MW)
- Iowa (814MW)
- Oregon (640MW)
- Michigan (611MW)
- Pennsylvania (550MW)
- Colorado (496MW)
California ties Iowa in wind energy
www.desmoinesregister.com
31 Jan 2013
Iowa added 600 MWs of wind power last year, but California came from behind in the fourth quarter of 2012 to tie Iowa for second in wind power generation, the American Wind Energy Association said Thursday. Each state ended the year with 5,549 MWs of wind power generation installed, trailing Texas' nation-leading 12,212 MWs.
Behind Texas, Iowa and California come Illinois, with 3,568 MWs, and Oregon, with 3,153 MWs. Because its population is much smaller than those of California and Texas, Iowa remains the nation's leader in per capita wind power capacity.
Iowa remains a significant center of wind turbine and tower construction, with factories at Newton, Cedar Rapids and West Branch. Siemens laid off 400 workers at its Fort Madison plant in August, although the facility remains available for future use.
The fourth quarter of 2012 saw a rush of wind industry construction as developers faced the possible end of the 2.2¢-per-kW-hour production tax credit, which expired Dec. 31. Congress ultimately extended the credit on New Year's Day. In the fourth quarter, MidAmerican Energy added farms in northwest Iowa.
The U.S, wind industry installed 8,380 MWs of generation during the fourth quarter of 2012, pushing the total for 2012 to 13,124 MWs and the overall wind power capacity to 60,007 MWs. There are now more than 45,100 wind turbines installed across the US
That flurry of wind industry construction late in the year more than doubled the previous high for installations in a quarter. The old mark was 4,113 MWs, which was set during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Over the entire year, four states installed more than 1,000 MWs. Texas led with 1,826, California came in second place with 1,656, Kansas installed 1,440 and Oklahoma added 1,127. Illinois rounded out the top five with 823 MWs.
31 Jan 2013
Iowa added 600 MWs of wind power last year, but California came from behind in the fourth quarter of 2012 to tie Iowa for second in wind power generation, the American Wind Energy Association said Thursday. Each state ended the year with 5,549 MWs of wind power generation installed, trailing Texas' nation-leading 12,212 MWs.
Behind Texas, Iowa and California come Illinois, with 3,568 MWs, and Oregon, with 3,153 MWs. Because its population is much smaller than those of California and Texas, Iowa remains the nation's leader in per capita wind power capacity.
Iowa remains a significant center of wind turbine and tower construction, with factories at Newton, Cedar Rapids and West Branch. Siemens laid off 400 workers at its Fort Madison plant in August, although the facility remains available for future use.
The fourth quarter of 2012 saw a rush of wind industry construction as developers faced the possible end of the 2.2¢-per-kW-hour production tax credit, which expired Dec. 31. Congress ultimately extended the credit on New Year's Day. In the fourth quarter, MidAmerican Energy added farms in northwest Iowa.
The U.S, wind industry installed 8,380 MWs of generation during the fourth quarter of 2012, pushing the total for 2012 to 13,124 MWs and the overall wind power capacity to 60,007 MWs. There are now more than 45,100 wind turbines installed across the US
That flurry of wind industry construction late in the year more than doubled the previous high for installations in a quarter. The old mark was 4,113 MWs, which was set during the fourth quarter of 2009.
Over the entire year, four states installed more than 1,000 MWs. Texas led with 1,826, California came in second place with 1,656, Kansas installed 1,440 and Oklahoma added 1,127. Illinois rounded out the top five with 823 MWs.
Failed referendum leaves Bulgaria without nuclear future
rt.com
31 Jan 2013
A referendum on nuclear power in Bulgaria failed due to low turnout, and the country's ruling party has confirmed it will not build a new nuclear plant. Critics warn that without nuclear power, Bulgaria may become a third-world country in 20 years. The referendum, which was supposed to determine the future course of nuclear power in Bulgaria, has been officially declared invalid: The final voter turnout was about 20%, far less than the required 60%.
Nearly 61% of voters who participated in Sunday's referendum approved of building the nuclear plant. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov confirmed that his ruling center-right GERB party would not resume construction on a nuclear power plant in Belene. In March 2012, the GERB party scrapped the 2,000 MW nuclear plant project, which had been under construction by Russia's Atomstroyexport since 2008. The Bulgarian government said that the country could no longer afford the plant's €6.4 billion price tag.
During the negotiations that preceded the cancellation, GERB attempted to bring an American or European contractor on to the project. Bulgaria also demanded that the price be lowered to less than 5 billion €, which Atomstroyexport refused to do. A breakdown in negotiations led to the termination of the project.
Following the failure of the project, the opposition Socialist party called for a referendum on the Belene plant. Though the government supported the referendum, Prime Minister Borisov urged Bulgarians to vote against the project. "The question [of the referendum] was put pretty vaguely, no one explained to an average voter the particulars of nuclear power", Krasimira Ilieva of the Bulgarian Nuclear Society told RT.
Bulgarian Socialist MP Peter Kurumbashev said the plant would eventually have justified the expense. Kurumbashev told RT that the cost of the nuclear plant proposed by Atomstroyexport is good, when compared to the costs of similar nuclear plants proposed for construction in neighboring Turkey. "It takes 12 14 years to pay back the money, whereas [the] life of this type of reactors is 60 years. So, in the next 44 years you're just 'printing' money", he said, adding that the referendum had become too politicized and unclear.
Kurumbashev said that negative campaign continued throughout the entirety of the referendum. The ruling party even said there was no need for referendum at all, "which is a very interesting statement on the part of [a] democracy", he said. The Socialist Party of Bulgaria announced plans to revive the project if they win the 2013 elections.
Bulgaria currently operates only one nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, about 200 km from the capital Sofia, which went online in 1974. At its peak production, the plant's six reactors delivered over 45% of Bulgaria's electricity. The EU ordered four of the reactors to be shut down over safety concerns.
Read More…
31 Jan 2013
A referendum on nuclear power in Bulgaria failed due to low turnout, and the country's ruling party has confirmed it will not build a new nuclear plant. Critics warn that without nuclear power, Bulgaria may become a third-world country in 20 years. The referendum, which was supposed to determine the future course of nuclear power in Bulgaria, has been officially declared invalid: The final voter turnout was about 20%, far less than the required 60%.Nearly 61% of voters who participated in Sunday's referendum approved of building the nuclear plant. Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov confirmed that his ruling center-right GERB party would not resume construction on a nuclear power plant in Belene. In March 2012, the GERB party scrapped the 2,000 MW nuclear plant project, which had been under construction by Russia's Atomstroyexport since 2008. The Bulgarian government said that the country could no longer afford the plant's €6.4 billion price tag.
During the negotiations that preceded the cancellation, GERB attempted to bring an American or European contractor on to the project. Bulgaria also demanded that the price be lowered to less than 5 billion €, which Atomstroyexport refused to do. A breakdown in negotiations led to the termination of the project.
Following the failure of the project, the opposition Socialist party called for a referendum on the Belene plant. Though the government supported the referendum, Prime Minister Borisov urged Bulgarians to vote against the project. "The question [of the referendum] was put pretty vaguely, no one explained to an average voter the particulars of nuclear power", Krasimira Ilieva of the Bulgarian Nuclear Society told RT.
Bulgarian Socialist MP Peter Kurumbashev said the plant would eventually have justified the expense. Kurumbashev told RT that the cost of the nuclear plant proposed by Atomstroyexport is good, when compared to the costs of similar nuclear plants proposed for construction in neighboring Turkey. "It takes 12 14 years to pay back the money, whereas [the] life of this type of reactors is 60 years. So, in the next 44 years you're just 'printing' money", he said, adding that the referendum had become too politicized and unclear.
Kurumbashev said that negative campaign continued throughout the entirety of the referendum. The ruling party even said there was no need for referendum at all, "which is a very interesting statement on the part of [a] democracy", he said. The Socialist Party of Bulgaria announced plans to revive the project if they win the 2013 elections.
Bulgaria currently operates only one nuclear power plant in Kozloduy, about 200 km from the capital Sofia, which went online in 1974. At its peak production, the plant's six reactors delivered over 45% of Bulgaria's electricity. The EU ordered four of the reactors to be shut down over safety concerns.
Read More…
Saudi Arabia completes its biggest solar power plant
www.bloomberg.com
31 Jan 2013
Saudi Arabia completed its biggest ground-mounted photovoltaic plant as the world's largest crude oil exporter seeks to generate a third of its electricity with energy from the sun by 2032.
Germany's Phoenix Solar AG developed the 3.5 MW plant in Riyadh that uses 12,684 panels from China's Suntech Power Co. Ltd. and inverters from SMA Solar Technology AG, Phoenix Solar said in an e-mailed statement. "This project represents an important milestone in the development of the solar industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", Ron Shen, Suntech Power's vice president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said in a separate statement.
Saudi Arabia plans to boost renewable energy use as a way to pare back on oil consumption used for domestic desalination and power plants, potentially saving 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years. The country aims to have 41,000 MWs of solar capacity within two decades, Maher al-Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said last year.
31 Jan 2013
Saudi Arabia completed its biggest ground-mounted photovoltaic plant as the world's largest crude oil exporter seeks to generate a third of its electricity with energy from the sun by 2032.
Germany's Phoenix Solar AG developed the 3.5 MW plant in Riyadh that uses 12,684 panels from China's Suntech Power Co. Ltd. and inverters from SMA Solar Technology AG, Phoenix Solar said in an e-mailed statement. "This project represents an important milestone in the development of the solar industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia", Ron Shen, Suntech Power's vice president of Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, said in a separate statement.
Saudi Arabia plans to boost renewable energy use as a way to pare back on oil consumption used for domestic desalination and power plants, potentially saving 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years. The country aims to have 41,000 MWs of solar capacity within two decades, Maher al-Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy, said last year.
Monday, 11 February 2013
Duke completes biggest power storage system at wind farm
www.bloomberg.com
24 Jan 2013
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK), the largest U.S, utility owner, said the world's biggest battery power storage system has begun operating at the company's 153 MW wind farm in west Texas.
The 36 MW Xtreme Power Inc, system can release stored power from the Notrees Wind project when needed and absorb it during times of low demand, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke said in a statement today. Closely held Xtreme Power will manage the unit at the facility, which sells electricity to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer.
The system, which Duke said in April would cost $44 million, can improve the reliability of the Texas power grid by responding quickly to fluctuations in supply and demand. Such systems may eventually help the state avoid blackouts as it faces tightening power supplies.
"Energy storage will benefit our renewables business, our customers and the energy sector as a whole", said Greg Wolf, president of Duke's renewables unit. Power releases from battery storage units can help provide electricity even when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.
24 Jan 2013
Duke Energy Corp. (DUK), the largest U.S, utility owner, said the world's biggest battery power storage system has begun operating at the company's 153 MW wind farm in west Texas.
The 36 MW Xtreme Power Inc, system can release stored power from the Notrees Wind project when needed and absorb it during times of low demand, Charlotte, North Carolina-based Duke said in a statement today. Closely held Xtreme Power will manage the unit at the facility, which sells electricity to Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the world's largest retailer.
The system, which Duke said in April would cost $44 million, can improve the reliability of the Texas power grid by responding quickly to fluctuations in supply and demand. Such systems may eventually help the state avoid blackouts as it faces tightening power supplies.
"Energy storage will benefit our renewables business, our customers and the energy sector as a whole", said Greg Wolf, president of Duke's renewables unit. Power releases from battery storage units can help provide electricity even when the wind isn't blowing or the sun isn't shining.
Wind energy 'could deliver £2.3bn boost for economy'
www.bbc.co.uk
30 Jan 2013
An average of 2,000 jobs a year could be created until 2050 and £2.3bn injected into the Welsh economy by onshore wind farms, it is claimed. That is the forecast from the first report looking at the economic impact of wind power in Wales.
The research by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School is based on how much of the money spent until now on wind farms has stayed in Wales. But it warns delays to approving and building wind farms will hamper this. And a leading countryside campaigner says the planning system must be democratic and listen to objections. Welsh government planning guidance sets a goal to generate 2,000 MWs of electricity from onshore wind turbines by 2025, with most of it available by 2020.
Although there are plans in the pipeline to reach the goal, not all applications for new turbines will be approved. The report by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School says reaching the goal will add £2.3bn to the economy by 2050. However, it added that the figure will fall to £900m if the pace at which wind projects get planning consent continues at the same rate as it did between 2001 and 2011.
The report was commissioned by the Welsh government and industry group RenewableUK. It says most of the economic benefits would be felt in construction and manufacturing, particularly the steel industry. Llywelyn Rhys, deputy director of Renewable UK Cymru, could not tell BBC's Good Morning Wales programme how many turbines could be built.
"That's quite a simplistic formula, a typical industrial turbine generates between two to 2.5mw but turbines generate a range of different outputs", he said. Mr Rhys said he was "unprepared" to estimate how many would be needed. "It will be on a case by case basis, so different wind farms will generate different amounts", he said. "The report looks into the economic opportunities and the employment opportunities of Wales and there's very positive figures in relation to that".
The report makes a number of recommendations, and says investors need to have confidence in the planning system. "Otherwise, given the considerable upfront investment that is required, there is a danger that planning risks will deter investment and developers will seek alternative locations in the UK and overseas", it says. It calls on energy companies to talk to local communities early in the planning process.
Read More…
30 Jan 2013
An average of 2,000 jobs a year could be created until 2050 and £2.3bn injected into the Welsh economy by onshore wind farms, it is claimed. That is the forecast from the first report looking at the economic impact of wind power in Wales.
The research by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School is based on how much of the money spent until now on wind farms has stayed in Wales. But it warns delays to approving and building wind farms will hamper this. And a leading countryside campaigner says the planning system must be democratic and listen to objections. Welsh government planning guidance sets a goal to generate 2,000 MWs of electricity from onshore wind turbines by 2025, with most of it available by 2020.
Although there are plans in the pipeline to reach the goal, not all applications for new turbines will be approved. The report by Regeneris Consulting and Cardiff Business School says reaching the goal will add £2.3bn to the economy by 2050. However, it added that the figure will fall to £900m if the pace at which wind projects get planning consent continues at the same rate as it did between 2001 and 2011.
The report was commissioned by the Welsh government and industry group RenewableUK. It says most of the economic benefits would be felt in construction and manufacturing, particularly the steel industry. Llywelyn Rhys, deputy director of Renewable UK Cymru, could not tell BBC's Good Morning Wales programme how many turbines could be built.
"That's quite a simplistic formula, a typical industrial turbine generates between two to 2.5mw but turbines generate a range of different outputs", he said. Mr Rhys said he was "unprepared" to estimate how many would be needed. "It will be on a case by case basis, so different wind farms will generate different amounts", he said. "The report looks into the economic opportunities and the employment opportunities of Wales and there's very positive figures in relation to that".
The report makes a number of recommendations, and says investors need to have confidence in the planning system. "Otherwise, given the considerable upfront investment that is required, there is a danger that planning risks will deter investment and developers will seek alternative locations in the UK and overseas", it says. It calls on energy companies to talk to local communities early in the planning process.
Read More…
Spain’s monthly wind power tops 6 terawatt-hours for first time
www.bloomberg.com
30 Jan 2013
Spain's monthly wind-power output exceeded 6 TWs for the first time this month, enough to light most households, the nation's wind lobby group said. The milestone was passed yesterday from 3 p.m, to 4 p.m, local time, the Spanish Wind Energy Association said today in an e-mailed statement, citing data from Red Electrica de Espana, the grid operator.
"Since Nov. 1, wind has been the top technology in the electrical system", the lobby group said in a blog posting. "The last time any technology exceeded 6 TWs of monthly generation was in 2010, when it was combined-cycle gas turbines".
Iberdrola SA (IBE), ACCIONA Energy SA (ANA) and other wind operators have built plants in Spain as the government seeks to meet energy demand without adding to emissions. The country is ranked fourth in the world in terms of installed wind power, after the US, Germany and China, according to the industry association.
Wind generation this month totaled 6.214 TWs as of 9:49 a.m, local time today, representing more than a quarter of Spain's total power output, according to Red Electrica's website. That puts it ahead of nuclear and coal-fired electricity, the figures show.
Wind has accounted for more power than any other energy source in the three months ending tomorrow, a first for any quarter, the wind association said.
30 Jan 2013
Spain's monthly wind-power output exceeded 6 TWs for the first time this month, enough to light most households, the nation's wind lobby group said. The milestone was passed yesterday from 3 p.m, to 4 p.m, local time, the Spanish Wind Energy Association said today in an e-mailed statement, citing data from Red Electrica de Espana, the grid operator.
"Since Nov. 1, wind has been the top technology in the electrical system", the lobby group said in a blog posting. "The last time any technology exceeded 6 TWs of monthly generation was in 2010, when it was combined-cycle gas turbines".
Iberdrola SA (IBE), ACCIONA Energy SA (ANA) and other wind operators have built plants in Spain as the government seeks to meet energy demand without adding to emissions. The country is ranked fourth in the world in terms of installed wind power, after the US, Germany and China, according to the industry association.
Wind generation this month totaled 6.214 TWs as of 9:49 a.m, local time today, representing more than a quarter of Spain's total power output, according to Red Electrica's website. That puts it ahead of nuclear and coal-fired electricity, the figures show.
Wind has accounted for more power than any other energy source in the three months ending tomorrow, a first for any quarter, the wind association said.
The wind power CO2 conspiracy
www.climatespectator.com.au
31 Jan 2013
Yesterday I explained how those who doubt human activity is leading to global warming seem to see cover-ups and conspiracies on every corner. Often these very same people seem to have a similar propensity to see cover-ups at work with wind power as well, where a range of organisations are working together to obscure the truth that wind power doesn't work and is harmful.
Using Maurice Newman one more time to illustrate this broader mentality, he suggests in The Spectator that state and federal governments are hell-bent on supporting wind in spite of it not saving CO₂ and in spite of it hurting poor local land holders, due to the efforts of an extraordinary coalition: "But don't expect help from academia, mainstream media or the public service. They are members of the same establishment and worship together at the altar of global warming. By ruthlessly perpetuating the illusion that wind farms can somehow save the planet, they keep the money flowing. All the while the poor become poorer, ever more dependent on welfare and colder in winter".
This argument about wind not saving CO₂ is a long running one that has been comprehensively refuted for example from the UK Energy Research Centre and the CSIRO.
Just back in September, in response to claims by Hamish Cumming published in The Australian newspaper a few months ago that wind power had failed to reduce emissions because brown coal generators were producing output in excess of Victorian demand, Climate Spectator published three stories (here, here and here).
These explained in quite a bit of detail how, in spite of wind power's variability, it would act to substantially displace fossil fuel consumption in other power stations. As part of this it was explained that Victorian brown coal generators were unlikely to be the plants whose output and fuel consumption was displaced because of their very low operating costs. Instead it was explained that South Australian and NSW generators were most likely to be displaced by wind power output.
Read More…
31 Jan 2013
Yesterday I explained how those who doubt human activity is leading to global warming seem to see cover-ups and conspiracies on every corner. Often these very same people seem to have a similar propensity to see cover-ups at work with wind power as well, where a range of organisations are working together to obscure the truth that wind power doesn't work and is harmful.
Using Maurice Newman one more time to illustrate this broader mentality, he suggests in The Spectator that state and federal governments are hell-bent on supporting wind in spite of it not saving CO₂ and in spite of it hurting poor local land holders, due to the efforts of an extraordinary coalition: "But don't expect help from academia, mainstream media or the public service. They are members of the same establishment and worship together at the altar of global warming. By ruthlessly perpetuating the illusion that wind farms can somehow save the planet, they keep the money flowing. All the while the poor become poorer, ever more dependent on welfare and colder in winter".
This argument about wind not saving CO₂ is a long running one that has been comprehensively refuted for example from the UK Energy Research Centre and the CSIRO.
Just back in September, in response to claims by Hamish Cumming published in The Australian newspaper a few months ago that wind power had failed to reduce emissions because brown coal generators were producing output in excess of Victorian demand, Climate Spectator published three stories (here, here and here).
These explained in quite a bit of detail how, in spite of wind power's variability, it would act to substantially displace fossil fuel consumption in other power stations. As part of this it was explained that Victorian brown coal generators were unlikely to be the plants whose output and fuel consumption was displaced because of their very low operating costs. Instead it was explained that South Australian and NSW generators were most likely to be displaced by wind power output.
Read More…
China to boost solar power goal 67% as smog envelops Beijing
www.bloomberg.com
30 Jan 2013
China plans to increase its goal for solar power installations in 2015 by 67% to reduce reliance on fossil fuels blamed for greenhouse gases and as smog in Beijing reached record hazardous levels this month.
The world's biggest emitter of carbon-dioxide plans to raise the solar target to 35 GWs by 2015 from 21 GWs set last year, boosting demand for manufactures that suffer from slowing sales in Europe, Shi Dinghuan, the counselor of China's State Council and the president of Chinese Renewable Energy Society, said today by phone.
"We've got more pressure to save energy and reduce emissions as smog worsens due to pollution", he said. China will use renewable energy to cut coal consumption and support the domestic industry amid U.S, and Europe anti-dumping charges against Chinese solar products, Shi said.
The increase in solar installations first appeared in the Economic Observer today. Shares of solar-device maker China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd. (750) rose 2.1% in Hong Kong. The new target would increase solar power installations by more than five-fold from 6.5 GWs of capacity as of the end of last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data.
"China always wants to increase solar power capacity", said Wang Xiaoting, a Beijing-based analyst at New Energy Finance, a unit of Bloomberg LP. "The nation adjusts the targets from time to time with consideration for practical factors such as related policies and construction conditions".
Slower Demand Chinese manufacturers led by Suntech Power Co. (STP) and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE) faced weaker demand and a supply glut that has driven panel prices down by 25% in the past year. The U.S, last year imposed tariffs on Chinese-made solar cells and the European Union began probing whether Chinese manufacturers are selling cells and panels below cost in European markets.
Earlier this month, the Chinese government said it planned to install 10 GWs of solar capacity this year. China allocated 13 billion ¥ ($2.1 billion) in subsidies for domestic solar project developers in 2012, the official Xinhua News Agency reported last month. Interest in renewable energy is getting a boost as Beijing warned the city's 20 million people to prepare for at least another day of smog. Officials closed some factories and ordered government cars off the road as pollution remained at hazardous levels.
Premier Wen Jiabao said China should promote energy-saving and reduce emissions to cut pollution, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The smog has remained dense after hitting record levels on Jan. 12.
30 Jan 2013
China plans to increase its goal for solar power installations in 2015 by 67% to reduce reliance on fossil fuels blamed for greenhouse gases and as smog in Beijing reached record hazardous levels this month.
The world's biggest emitter of carbon-dioxide plans to raise the solar target to 35 GWs by 2015 from 21 GWs set last year, boosting demand for manufactures that suffer from slowing sales in Europe, Shi Dinghuan, the counselor of China's State Council and the president of Chinese Renewable Energy Society, said today by phone.
"We've got more pressure to save energy and reduce emissions as smog worsens due to pollution", he said. China will use renewable energy to cut coal consumption and support the domestic industry amid U.S, and Europe anti-dumping charges against Chinese solar products, Shi said.
The increase in solar installations first appeared in the Economic Observer today. Shares of solar-device maker China Singyes Solar Technologies Holdings Ltd. (750) rose 2.1% in Hong Kong. The new target would increase solar power installations by more than five-fold from 6.5 GWs of capacity as of the end of last year, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance data.
"China always wants to increase solar power capacity", said Wang Xiaoting, a Beijing-based analyst at New Energy Finance, a unit of Bloomberg LP. "The nation adjusts the targets from time to time with consideration for practical factors such as related policies and construction conditions".
Slower Demand Chinese manufacturers led by Suntech Power Co. (STP) and Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. (YGE) faced weaker demand and a supply glut that has driven panel prices down by 25% in the past year. The U.S, last year imposed tariffs on Chinese-made solar cells and the European Union began probing whether Chinese manufacturers are selling cells and panels below cost in European markets.
Earlier this month, the Chinese government said it planned to install 10 GWs of solar capacity this year. China allocated 13 billion ¥ ($2.1 billion) in subsidies for domestic solar project developers in 2012, the official Xinhua News Agency reported last month. Interest in renewable energy is getting a boost as Beijing warned the city's 20 million people to prepare for at least another day of smog. Officials closed some factories and ordered government cars off the road as pollution remained at hazardous levels.
Premier Wen Jiabao said China should promote energy-saving and reduce emissions to cut pollution, the official Xinhua News Agency reported. The smog has remained dense after hitting record levels on Jan. 12.
Big increase in solar power generation in France
www.powerengineeringint.com
29 Jan 2013
The French Electricity Report was published last week by France's transmission system operator Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), and solar power generation has seen an increase by 66.7%, compared to 2011. In total, solar photovoltaic systems generated 4 TWh in 2012 In comparison with other types of energy, says the report, solar accounted for a relatively small proportion of France's overall power generation, with just 0.79% of France's electricity demand in 2012.
It adds that cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity in the country has now reached 3.5 GW, of which 1.022 GW were installed last year. Overall, the share of renewable energy in France's energy mix increased to 16.4%, which says RTE, is the highest value recorded for five years. Meanwhile, nuclear generation was said to be down by 3.8% compared with 2011. However, it still accounts for 74.8% of total energy generation.
29 Jan 2013
The French Electricity Report was published last week by France's transmission system operator Reseau de Transport d'Electricite (RTE), and solar power generation has seen an increase by 66.7%, compared to 2011. In total, solar photovoltaic systems generated 4 TWh in 2012 In comparison with other types of energy, says the report, solar accounted for a relatively small proportion of France's overall power generation, with just 0.79% of France's electricity demand in 2012.
It adds that cumulative installed photovoltaic capacity in the country has now reached 3.5 GW, of which 1.022 GW were installed last year. Overall, the share of renewable energy in France's energy mix increased to 16.4%, which says RTE, is the highest value recorded for five years. Meanwhile, nuclear generation was said to be down by 3.8% compared with 2011. However, it still accounts for 74.8% of total energy generation.
Next generation solar cells: trapping sunlight with microbeads
www.sciencedaily.com
29 Jan 2013
In five to seven years, solar cells will have become much cheaper and only one-twentieth as thick as current solar cells. The trick is to deceive the sunlight with microbeads. Nanoscientists are currently developing the next generation of solar cells, which will be twenty times thinner than current solar cells.
Over 90% of the current electricity generated by solar panels is made by silicon plates that are 200 micrometres thick. Several billion of these are produced every year. The problem is the large consumption of silicon: five grams per watt. 200 Alta power stations: This year, between five and ten billion solar panel units will be produced worldwide. This is the equivalent of 30 GW, or the capacity of 200 Alta power stations.
Though silicon is one of the most common elements on earth, pure silicon does not exist in nature. Silicon binds readily to other elements. In order for solar cells to function, the silicon plate must consist of at minimum 99,9999% silicon. You read that right: if the solar cell consists of more than one millionth other materials, it does not work.
Today, pure silicon is created in smelters at 2,000° Celsius. This requires a lot of energy. Factories supply silicon in bricks the size of a piece of firewood. They are then cut into slices thin enough for solar panels. Only half become solar cells. The rest turns into sawdust.
"About 100,000 tonnes of silicon are consumed every year. However, there is obviously something fundamentally wrong when half of the silicon must be thrown away during the manufacturing process", says Erik Marstein. He is the Head of the Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology, the Head of Research for the solar cell unit at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller outside of Oslo, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.
The price of solar cells is falling steadily. Today, solar panels cost a half € for every watt. Only four years ago, the price was two Euros per watt. "It is difficult to make money producing solar cells at current prices. To make money, solar cells must be manufactured much more cheaply".
Read More…
29 Jan 2013
In five to seven years, solar cells will have become much cheaper and only one-twentieth as thick as current solar cells. The trick is to deceive the sunlight with microbeads. Nanoscientists are currently developing the next generation of solar cells, which will be twenty times thinner than current solar cells.
Over 90% of the current electricity generated by solar panels is made by silicon plates that are 200 micrometres thick. Several billion of these are produced every year. The problem is the large consumption of silicon: five grams per watt. 200 Alta power stations: This year, between five and ten billion solar panel units will be produced worldwide. This is the equivalent of 30 GW, or the capacity of 200 Alta power stations.
Though silicon is one of the most common elements on earth, pure silicon does not exist in nature. Silicon binds readily to other elements. In order for solar cells to function, the silicon plate must consist of at minimum 99,9999% silicon. You read that right: if the solar cell consists of more than one millionth other materials, it does not work.
Today, pure silicon is created in smelters at 2,000° Celsius. This requires a lot of energy. Factories supply silicon in bricks the size of a piece of firewood. They are then cut into slices thin enough for solar panels. Only half become solar cells. The rest turns into sawdust.
"About 100,000 tonnes of silicon are consumed every year. However, there is obviously something fundamentally wrong when half of the silicon must be thrown away during the manufacturing process", says Erik Marstein. He is the Head of the Norwegian Research Centre for Solar Cell Technology, the Head of Research for the solar cell unit at the Institute for Energy Technology (IFE) at Kjeller outside of Oslo, and an Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at the University of Oslo (UiO), Norway.
The price of solar cells is falling steadily. Today, solar panels cost a half € for every watt. Only four years ago, the price was two Euros per watt. "It is difficult to make money producing solar cells at current prices. To make money, solar cells must be manufactured much more cheaply".
Read More…
Wind overtakes nuclear to become China's 3rd largest energy source
oilprice.com
29 Jan 2013
According to data from the China Wind Energy Association (CWEA), wind power capacity has now surpassed nuclear power to become the third largest source of electricity in China, after coal, and large-scale hydroelectric-electric plants. In 2012 wind power generation totalled 100.4 billion kW hours, an increase of 0.5% from the years before, and enough to send it past nuclear power generation.
Wind energy capacity has grown rapidly over the years, fuelled by ambitious renewable energy targets, and strong government support of wind power manufacturers. By the end of 2012 China had 60.83GW of installed capacity, and targets aim to see a total of 100GW by the end of 2015.
Due to turbine overcapacity, growing international trade protection, grid connection challenges, and wastage of wind power generation, installed capacity volumes have fallen in recent years. 20.66GW was installed in 2011, but that fell to 14GW in 2012; although the CWEA does expect that figure to grow again this year to 18GW.
Curtailment is also another major barrier in the wind power sector, whereby the electricity generated at wind farms is not purchased by grid companies because it is more expensive than other electricity from other sources. CWEA states that in 2012 around 20 billion kW of wind generated electricity was wasted due to curtailment.
Meng Xian'gan, the secretary general of the China Renewable Energy Society, explained that "grid companies lack economic incentives to take in more wind power, as government-dictated on-grid wholesale prices of wind power are higher than those of thermal power". The only way to overcome this barrier is for a government-led market reform aimed at addressing the problem.
29 Jan 2013
According to data from the China Wind Energy Association (CWEA), wind power capacity has now surpassed nuclear power to become the third largest source of electricity in China, after coal, and large-scale hydroelectric-electric plants. In 2012 wind power generation totalled 100.4 billion kW hours, an increase of 0.5% from the years before, and enough to send it past nuclear power generation.
Wind energy capacity has grown rapidly over the years, fuelled by ambitious renewable energy targets, and strong government support of wind power manufacturers. By the end of 2012 China had 60.83GW of installed capacity, and targets aim to see a total of 100GW by the end of 2015.
Due to turbine overcapacity, growing international trade protection, grid connection challenges, and wastage of wind power generation, installed capacity volumes have fallen in recent years. 20.66GW was installed in 2011, but that fell to 14GW in 2012; although the CWEA does expect that figure to grow again this year to 18GW.
Curtailment is also another major barrier in the wind power sector, whereby the electricity generated at wind farms is not purchased by grid companies because it is more expensive than other electricity from other sources. CWEA states that in 2012 around 20 billion kW of wind generated electricity was wasted due to curtailment.
Meng Xian'gan, the secretary general of the China Renewable Energy Society, explained that "grid companies lack economic incentives to take in more wind power, as government-dictated on-grid wholesale prices of wind power are higher than those of thermal power". The only way to overcome this barrier is for a government-led market reform aimed at addressing the problem.
Suzlon wins 50-megawatt order for rajasthan wind power plant
www.bloomberg.com
30 Jan 2013
Suzlon Energy Ltd., India's largest wind-turbine maker, said it won an order to build and operate a 50.4 MW wind power plant in India's western state of Rajasthan. The company will install 24 units of its 2.1 MW S88 turbine for New Delhi-based Orange Renewable Power, it said in an e-mailed statement, without giving the value of the order.
Suzlon Energy's lenders last week approved a 95 billion rupee ($1.78 billion) debt restructuring plan, which will help bring down the company's debt repayment costs. Suzlon Energy on Oct. 11 failed to pay $209 million, the biggest convertible note default by an Indian company. Shares rose as much as 2.6% to 21.6 rupees. The stock has declined 26% in the past year, compared with a 16% increase in the benchmark Sensitive Index.
Worldwide wind turbine installations will probably stall in 2013 as policy uncertainty, financing difficulties and delayed grid connections affect projects, Suzlon Energy Chairman Tulsi R. Tanti said on Jan. 25.
30 Jan 2013
Suzlon Energy Ltd., India's largest wind-turbine maker, said it won an order to build and operate a 50.4 MW wind power plant in India's western state of Rajasthan. The company will install 24 units of its 2.1 MW S88 turbine for New Delhi-based Orange Renewable Power, it said in an e-mailed statement, without giving the value of the order.
Suzlon Energy's lenders last week approved a 95 billion rupee ($1.78 billion) debt restructuring plan, which will help bring down the company's debt repayment costs. Suzlon Energy on Oct. 11 failed to pay $209 million, the biggest convertible note default by an Indian company. Shares rose as much as 2.6% to 21.6 rupees. The stock has declined 26% in the past year, compared with a 16% increase in the benchmark Sensitive Index.
Worldwide wind turbine installations will probably stall in 2013 as policy uncertainty, financing difficulties and delayed grid connections affect projects, Suzlon Energy Chairman Tulsi R. Tanti said on Jan. 25.
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Mitsubishi plans solar energy projects in Fukushima, Japan
www.elp.com
28 Jan 2013
Mitsubishi Corp, announced plans for the construction of a new solar power plant in Iwaki City, Fukushima, Japan. The largest of its kind in the Tohoku region, the 12 MW facility is expected to start operating from mid-2014. The project forms part of Mitsubishi's overall strategic focus of developing its business in the renewable energies sector. Mitsubishi is developing the solar power project with full support from Nippon Kasei, as well as cooperation from the Fukushima Prefecture and Iwaki City governments.
Mitsubishi is simultaneously developing a 6 MW solar project at the site of Onahama Petroleum Co., Ltd, a joint venture between MC and TEPCO in Iwaki. Together, the two projects will constitute 18 MW of solar power generation in total at Onahama. The company will continue to cooperate with local governments and business partners to develop significant renewable energy businesses domestically along the lines of local energy production for local energy consumption.
According to the company, these projects will help to raise Japan's energy self-sufficiency rate while at the same time nurture new industries, create employment and contribute to the overall revitalization of local communities. Projects of this nature also form a part of larger initiatives to combat global warming. Based on this policy, and including other planned solar power generation projects, Mitsubishi is engaged in the production of some 130 MW of power in total across the country, and is aiming to expand that capacity to 200 MW by 2020.
28 Jan 2013
Mitsubishi Corp, announced plans for the construction of a new solar power plant in Iwaki City, Fukushima, Japan. The largest of its kind in the Tohoku region, the 12 MW facility is expected to start operating from mid-2014. The project forms part of Mitsubishi's overall strategic focus of developing its business in the renewable energies sector. Mitsubishi is developing the solar power project with full support from Nippon Kasei, as well as cooperation from the Fukushima Prefecture and Iwaki City governments.
Mitsubishi is simultaneously developing a 6 MW solar project at the site of Onahama Petroleum Co., Ltd, a joint venture between MC and TEPCO in Iwaki. Together, the two projects will constitute 18 MW of solar power generation in total at Onahama. The company will continue to cooperate with local governments and business partners to develop significant renewable energy businesses domestically along the lines of local energy production for local energy consumption.
According to the company, these projects will help to raise Japan's energy self-sufficiency rate while at the same time nurture new industries, create employment and contribute to the overall revitalization of local communities. Projects of this nature also form a part of larger initiatives to combat global warming. Based on this policy, and including other planned solar power generation projects, Mitsubishi is engaged in the production of some 130 MW of power in total across the country, and is aiming to expand that capacity to 200 MW by 2020.
Black silicon can take efficiency of solar cells to new levels
www.sciencecodex.com
25 Jan 2013
Scientists at Aalto University, Finland, have demonstrated results that show a huge improvement in the light absorption and the surface passivation on highly absorbing silicon nanostructures. This has been achieved by applying atomic layer coating. The results advance the development of devices that require high sensitivity light response such as high efficiency solar cells.
This method provides extremely good surface passivation. Simultaneously, it reduces the reflectance further at all wavelengths. These results are very promising considering the use of black silicon (b-Si) surfaces on solar cells to increase the efficiency to completely new levels, tells Paeivikki Repo, a researcher at Aalto University.
More effective surface passivation methods than those used in the past have been needed to make black silicon a viable material for commercial applications. Good surface passivation is crucial in photonic applications such as solar cells. So far, the poor charge carrier transport properties attributed to nanostructured surfaces have been more detrimental for the final device operation than the gain obtained from the reduced reflectance.
Black silicon can also be used in other technologies than solar cells. Numerous applications suggested for b-Si include drug analysis.
Black silicon (b-Si) has been a subject of great interest in various fields including photovoltaics for its ability to reduce the surface reflectance even below 1%. However, many b-Si applications-especially solar cells-suffer from increased surface recombination resulting in poor spectral response. This is particularly problematic at short wavelengths.
25 Jan 2013
Scientists at Aalto University, Finland, have demonstrated results that show a huge improvement in the light absorption and the surface passivation on highly absorbing silicon nanostructures. This has been achieved by applying atomic layer coating. The results advance the development of devices that require high sensitivity light response such as high efficiency solar cells.This method provides extremely good surface passivation. Simultaneously, it reduces the reflectance further at all wavelengths. These results are very promising considering the use of black silicon (b-Si) surfaces on solar cells to increase the efficiency to completely new levels, tells Paeivikki Repo, a researcher at Aalto University.
More effective surface passivation methods than those used in the past have been needed to make black silicon a viable material for commercial applications. Good surface passivation is crucial in photonic applications such as solar cells. So far, the poor charge carrier transport properties attributed to nanostructured surfaces have been more detrimental for the final device operation than the gain obtained from the reduced reflectance.
Black silicon can also be used in other technologies than solar cells. Numerous applications suggested for b-Si include drug analysis.
Black silicon (b-Si) has been a subject of great interest in various fields including photovoltaics for its ability to reduce the surface reflectance even below 1%. However, many b-Si applications-especially solar cells-suffer from increased surface recombination resulting in poor spectral response. This is particularly problematic at short wavelengths.
Astroturf gone wrong: Fake protesters offered $20 To stand at anti-wind energy rally
thinkprogress.org
24 Jan 2013
Most Americans like clean energy. So when conservatives wage campaigns against clean energy initiatives, they have typically resorted to fronting astroturf groups and paying fake protesters to generate noise.
Needing 100 anti-wind protesters by next week and apparently unable to find them, a mysterious firm advertised a "quick and easy $20″ on Craigslist. According to the ad, the only thing the "volunteers" would need to do for their pay is "stand next to or behind the speakers and elected officials/celebrities" at a rally against a wind turbine project in the UK.
See screenshot here: http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Screen-shot-2013-01-24-at-6.39.53-PM1-e1359070937201.png
We do not know who is behind the ad, but there is at least one wealthy opponent of windmills in Scotland, since they would obstruct the view of his golf course.
There is nothing new about anti-clean energy and anti-EPA campaigns fronted by corporate interests. Last year, coal groups threw its cash at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing, paying astroturfers $50 to wear pro-coal T-shirts. Wind has faced a particularly uphill battle against corporate interests, with a leaked strategy memo showing conservative think tanks leading an astroturf strategy to take down clean energy, at the same time a lobby group linked to the Koch brothers mobilized to defeat wind credits in Congress.
24 Jan 2013
Most Americans like clean energy. So when conservatives wage campaigns against clean energy initiatives, they have typically resorted to fronting astroturf groups and paying fake protesters to generate noise.
Needing 100 anti-wind protesters by next week and apparently unable to find them, a mysterious firm advertised a "quick and easy $20″ on Craigslist. According to the ad, the only thing the "volunteers" would need to do for their pay is "stand next to or behind the speakers and elected officials/celebrities" at a rally against a wind turbine project in the UK.
See screenshot here: http://thinkprogress.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Screen-shot-2013-01-24-at-6.39.53-PM1-e1359070937201.png
We do not know who is behind the ad, but there is at least one wealthy opponent of windmills in Scotland, since they would obstruct the view of his golf course.
There is nothing new about anti-clean energy and anti-EPA campaigns fronted by corporate interests. Last year, coal groups threw its cash at an Environmental Protection Agency hearing, paying astroturfers $50 to wear pro-coal T-shirts. Wind has faced a particularly uphill battle against corporate interests, with a leaked strategy memo showing conservative think tanks leading an astroturf strategy to take down clean energy, at the same time a lobby group linked to the Koch brothers mobilized to defeat wind credits in Congress.
Mitsubishi claims world first with hydraulic wind turbine breakthrough
www.powerengineeringint.com
24 Jan 2013
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has started testing a large-scale wind power generation system that adopts a hydraulic drive train instead of a gear-driven system. The company claims it is the first time such a trial has been carried out anywhere in the world and is anticipating a market launch for a mass-produced commercial model in 2015.
The tests are being carried out at MHI's Yokohama Dockyard & Machinery Works in Japan and is a part of a project launched in September to develop a hydraulic drive train for offshore wind turbines. On the back of the test results, MHI plans to accelerate its development of an offshore generation system in the 7 MW class, with installation and operation due to begin at Hunterston, in the UK, later this year.
The model being tested is based on an existing MWT100 gear-driven system that was retrofitted with the new hydraulic drive train. The retrofitting involved replacement of the step-up gear-which functioned as the power transmission system to increase the rotation speed of the rotor from 10 rotations per minute to the rotation speed of the generator, 1000 rotations per minute.
MHI developed the new hydraulic drive train based on digitally controlled technologies developed by a UK company, Artemis Intelligent Power, which was acquired by MHI in 2010.
24 Jan 2013
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has started testing a large-scale wind power generation system that adopts a hydraulic drive train instead of a gear-driven system. The company claims it is the first time such a trial has been carried out anywhere in the world and is anticipating a market launch for a mass-produced commercial model in 2015.
The tests are being carried out at MHI's Yokohama Dockyard & Machinery Works in Japan and is a part of a project launched in September to develop a hydraulic drive train for offshore wind turbines. On the back of the test results, MHI plans to accelerate its development of an offshore generation system in the 7 MW class, with installation and operation due to begin at Hunterston, in the UK, later this year.
The model being tested is based on an existing MWT100 gear-driven system that was retrofitted with the new hydraulic drive train. The retrofitting involved replacement of the step-up gear-which functioned as the power transmission system to increase the rotation speed of the rotor from 10 rotations per minute to the rotation speed of the generator, 1000 rotations per minute.
MHI developed the new hydraulic drive train based on digitally controlled technologies developed by a UK company, Artemis Intelligent Power, which was acquired by MHI in 2010.
Gaia to ship wind turbine unit to Tonga
www.heraldscotland.com
25 Jan 2013
Glasgow-based Gaia-Wind has been appointed to supply a turbine to help Tonga Power assess the potential for the technology in the archipelago. As Tonga relies on fossil fuels such as diesel to generate power, a shift to renewable energy might allow the country to achieve big reductions in its import bills and carbon emissions.
John van Brink, chief executive of Tonga Power, said: "This project will deliver fossil-free power to the grid and, most importantly, it will be another step forward in meeting our strategic targets for renewable energy delivery". While Tonga has been developing solar power resources, the 11 kW wind turbine developed by Gaia-Wind will be the first of its kind installed in the country. It will produce enough power for a farm or family home.
The company hopes a successful trial of the turbine in Tonga could result in widespread adaptation of the technology in the kingdom. Gaia-Wind says its turbines are ideally suited for farms and rural properties, which are common on Tonga's 170 plus Islands. "Tonga is a prime example of the kind of market for 'distributed energy' for which the Gaia-Wind-wind turbine is eminently suited", said Gaia-Wind chief executive Johnnie Andringa.
The project will involve shipping the Glasgow-assembled turbine from the port of Grangemouth on the Forth to Auckland in New Zealand, via Singapore. It will make the final stage of the journey to Tonga in a smaller boat.
Asked if there was any contradiction involved in transporting a turbine so far for a renewable energy project, a spokesman for Gaia-Wind noted Tonga is in an isolated position. "They are entitled to source the most appropriate machinery for their requirements", said the spokesman, who added: "As part of that, they will have taken sustainability issues into account". Gaia-Wind beat off competition from manufacturers in the US and mainland Europe.
The company increased turnover to around £10 million in 2012, from £7.7m in 2011. Its 11kW turbines sell for around £55,000 in the UK. While the bulk of sales were in the UK last year, Gaia-Wind has exported to more than 10 countries, including the US, Canada, France and Germany. It wants to grow exports to 50% of sales.
25 Jan 2013
Glasgow-based Gaia-Wind has been appointed to supply a turbine to help Tonga Power assess the potential for the technology in the archipelago. As Tonga relies on fossil fuels such as diesel to generate power, a shift to renewable energy might allow the country to achieve big reductions in its import bills and carbon emissions.
John van Brink, chief executive of Tonga Power, said: "This project will deliver fossil-free power to the grid and, most importantly, it will be another step forward in meeting our strategic targets for renewable energy delivery". While Tonga has been developing solar power resources, the 11 kW wind turbine developed by Gaia-Wind will be the first of its kind installed in the country. It will produce enough power for a farm or family home.
The company hopes a successful trial of the turbine in Tonga could result in widespread adaptation of the technology in the kingdom. Gaia-Wind says its turbines are ideally suited for farms and rural properties, which are common on Tonga's 170 plus Islands. "Tonga is a prime example of the kind of market for 'distributed energy' for which the Gaia-Wind-wind turbine is eminently suited", said Gaia-Wind chief executive Johnnie Andringa.
The project will involve shipping the Glasgow-assembled turbine from the port of Grangemouth on the Forth to Auckland in New Zealand, via Singapore. It will make the final stage of the journey to Tonga in a smaller boat.
Asked if there was any contradiction involved in transporting a turbine so far for a renewable energy project, a spokesman for Gaia-Wind noted Tonga is in an isolated position. "They are entitled to source the most appropriate machinery for their requirements", said the spokesman, who added: "As part of that, they will have taken sustainability issues into account". Gaia-Wind beat off competition from manufacturers in the US and mainland Europe.
The company increased turnover to around £10 million in 2012, from £7.7m in 2011. Its 11kW turbines sell for around £55,000 in the UK. While the bulk of sales were in the UK last year, Gaia-Wind has exported to more than 10 countries, including the US, Canada, France and Germany. It wants to grow exports to 50% of sales.
The quest for the monster wind turbine blade
www.technologyreview.com
23 Jan 2013
Blade Dynamics, a six-year-old company that's partly owned by American Superconductor, a wind turbine designer and supplier of wind farm electronics, says that it has developed technology that will make possible the world's largest wind turbine blades. It's demonstrated the technology by manufacturing 49 meter blades, and now the Energy Technologies Institute, a partnership between the U.K, government and major corporations such as BP, Shell, and Caterpillar, has given the company nearly $25 million to build 100 meter blades. They could enable 250 meter-tall wind turbines that would tower over the Washington Monument, which stands a mere 169 meters tall. The largest wind turbine blades now are 75 meters long.
The effort is no mere record-setting spectacle. Finding affordable ways to make the enormous wind turbine blades is one of the biggest challenges to making offshore wind competitive with fossil fuels, and leading wind power companies, including GE and Vestas Wind Systems, are developing technology to solve the problem.
Some of the best winds for generating power are found offshore, where wind can be steadier, faster, and less turbulent than on land. Wind turbines only make up about a third of the cost of offshore wind farms--installation costs are the major expense, as they involve enormous, specialized ships and are subject to delays from bad weather. Using larger wind turbines reduces the number of wind turbines needed, decreasing installation and maintenance costs.
Read More…
23 Jan 2013
Blade Dynamics, a six-year-old company that's partly owned by American Superconductor, a wind turbine designer and supplier of wind farm electronics, says that it has developed technology that will make possible the world's largest wind turbine blades. It's demonstrated the technology by manufacturing 49 meter blades, and now the Energy Technologies Institute, a partnership between the U.K, government and major corporations such as BP, Shell, and Caterpillar, has given the company nearly $25 million to build 100 meter blades. They could enable 250 meter-tall wind turbines that would tower over the Washington Monument, which stands a mere 169 meters tall. The largest wind turbine blades now are 75 meters long.The effort is no mere record-setting spectacle. Finding affordable ways to make the enormous wind turbine blades is one of the biggest challenges to making offshore wind competitive with fossil fuels, and leading wind power companies, including GE and Vestas Wind Systems, are developing technology to solve the problem.
Some of the best winds for generating power are found offshore, where wind can be steadier, faster, and less turbulent than on land. Wind turbines only make up about a third of the cost of offshore wind farms--installation costs are the major expense, as they involve enormous, specialized ships and are subject to delays from bad weather. Using larger wind turbines reduces the number of wind turbines needed, decreasing installation and maintenance costs.
Read More…
Saturday, 2 February 2013
GE to snatch German wind-turbine share from Siemens and Nordex
www.bloomberg.com
23 Jan 2013
General Electric Co. (GE) plans to win a "double-digit" share of Germany's onshore wind market in two years, taking orders from peers like Siemens AG (SIE) and Nordex SE. (NDX1) GE developed a 2.5 MW turbine for low wind speeds that will help it benefit from surging installations in southern Germany, Stephan Reimelt, chief executive officer of the Energy Germany division, said in an interview in Berlin. GE will present the turbine at a conference in Vienna next month.
"We have the first orders and we're very optimistic that the product will be successful", Reimelt said today. "In Europe, Germany is currently the place where things are happening". GE is "well on track" to achieve its projection of doubling sales in the country by 2015, he said. Germany, Europe's biggest power market, plans to replace nuclear reactors with fossil fuel-fired plants and renewable energy, and build or upgrade 5,700 km (3,500 miles) of power lines. The nation, GE's current focus in Europe, offers a "huge" market for managing energy-related data, Reimelt said.
GE has carried out European acquisitions in the past two years led by the $3.2 billion purchase of Converteam, a French maker of power-conversion products. GE this month announced it would buy Berlin-based energy planning company BLS Energieplan GmbH to strengthen its offerings in the energy industry. Reimelt declined to comment on other possible deals. "It's obvious that the German Mittelstand is highly innovative", he said. "That's interesting to any company with a global focus".
23 Jan 2013
General Electric Co. (GE) plans to win a "double-digit" share of Germany's onshore wind market in two years, taking orders from peers like Siemens AG (SIE) and Nordex SE. (NDX1) GE developed a 2.5 MW turbine for low wind speeds that will help it benefit from surging installations in southern Germany, Stephan Reimelt, chief executive officer of the Energy Germany division, said in an interview in Berlin. GE will present the turbine at a conference in Vienna next month.
"We have the first orders and we're very optimistic that the product will be successful", Reimelt said today. "In Europe, Germany is currently the place where things are happening". GE is "well on track" to achieve its projection of doubling sales in the country by 2015, he said. Germany, Europe's biggest power market, plans to replace nuclear reactors with fossil fuel-fired plants and renewable energy, and build or upgrade 5,700 km (3,500 miles) of power lines. The nation, GE's current focus in Europe, offers a "huge" market for managing energy-related data, Reimelt said.
GE has carried out European acquisitions in the past two years led by the $3.2 billion purchase of Converteam, a French maker of power-conversion products. GE this month announced it would buy Berlin-based energy planning company BLS Energieplan GmbH to strengthen its offerings in the energy industry. Reimelt declined to comment on other possible deals. "It's obvious that the German Mittelstand is highly innovative", he said. "That's interesting to any company with a global focus".
New solar cells hit efficiency record
www.upi.com
21 Jan 2013
DUBENDORF, Switzerland, Jan. 21 (UPI)--Swiss researchers say they've developed thin, flexible solar cells with a record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity. Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology say the cells on flexible polymer foils offer a significant improvement over the previous record of 18.7%.
Such lightweight and flexible high-performance solar modules will offer an attractive technology for applications such as solar farms, roofs and facades of buildings, automobiles and portable electronics, the Swiss lab said in a release. They are also closing the efficiency gap with rigid, silicon wafer cells, the researchers said, and can be produced using a continuous roll manufacturing processes that should offer further cost reductions compared with standard silicon technologies.
The cells are based on CIGS semiconducting material (copper indium gallium (di)selenide.) "The series of record efficiencies for flexible CIGS solar cells developed at [the lab] demonstrates that thin film solar cells can match the excellent performance of polycrystalline silicon cells", lab director Gian-Luca Bona said. "Now it is time for the next step, the scale-up of the technology to cover large areas in a cost-efficient roll-to-roll manufacturing process with an industrial partner".
21 Jan 2013
DUBENDORF, Switzerland, Jan. 21 (UPI)--Swiss researchers say they've developed thin, flexible solar cells with a record efficiency of 20.4% for converting sunlight into electricity. Scientists at the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology say the cells on flexible polymer foils offer a significant improvement over the previous record of 18.7%.Such lightweight and flexible high-performance solar modules will offer an attractive technology for applications such as solar farms, roofs and facades of buildings, automobiles and portable electronics, the Swiss lab said in a release. They are also closing the efficiency gap with rigid, silicon wafer cells, the researchers said, and can be produced using a continuous roll manufacturing processes that should offer further cost reductions compared with standard silicon technologies.
The cells are based on CIGS semiconducting material (copper indium gallium (di)selenide.) "The series of record efficiencies for flexible CIGS solar cells developed at [the lab] demonstrates that thin film solar cells can match the excellent performance of polycrystalline silicon cells", lab director Gian-Luca Bona said. "Now it is time for the next step, the scale-up of the technology to cover large areas in a cost-efficient roll-to-roll manufacturing process with an industrial partner".
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