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Tuesday, 29 June 2010
Monday, 31 May 2010
Solar power for Europe from North Africa
North Africa has the potential to become a significant exporter of electricity to Europe from solar energy projects according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Solar power for Europe from North Africa
Recently, France has launched a new project, TransGreen, to build an underwater network for Electrical transmission cables from North Africa to Europe.
Earlier this year, a German consortium launched the mega-project "Desertec" that plans to use solar power in the Sahara to generate electricity for Europe.
Is the TransGreen Project a Competitive or a complementary project to Desertec?
The TransGreen project has been introduced at the May 25 Cairo meeting of energy ministers from the 43 countries. Participants discussed the formation of a consortium to install electrical lines connecting Europe to North of Africa.
The project TransGreen, aims to bring together power companies, network operators and high-tension equipment makers under the leadership of French energy giant EDF. The German industrial and engineering group Siemens, which is already part of Desertec, may also join TransGreen.
Currently, only a dual AC line with a capacity of 1,400 megawatts across the Mediterranean, under the Strait of Gibraltar between Morocco and Spain.
At the end of May, the Transgreen consortium plans to launch the first phase, a €5 million study phase before the building of the actual lines. Many companies have already agreed to contribute to this first step.
In addition to this financial advantage, the Transgreen project offers obviously a nice reference for similar future projects in China and India, which has undoubtedly been at least as convincing for Siemens, ABB, Alstom/Areva, Nexans, Prysmian, Cap Gemini or Atos Origin.
Solar energy could supply up to a quarter of the world’s electricity by 2050. Solar plants would harvest sunlight from fields of reflectors to boil water and drive steam turbines. The region’s “high solar resource largely compensates for the additional cost of long transmission lines” beneath the Mediterranean Sea.
Desertec aims to deliver 15 per cent of Europe’s power requirements by 2050 as the EU seeks to reduce its carbon emissions, in part by reducing consumption of electricity generated by burning fossil fuels. The MENA-region countries hoping to export power to Europe include Mediterranean nations such as Morocco and Algeria, Egypt as well as Saudi Arabia.
The Sahara, in North Africa, has the biggest Uninhabited Areas in the World, particularly well exposed to the Sun, which could boost Economies of Scale for a Big Solar Energy Production Network linked to the EU from Spain (via Gibraltar), up to Greece (via Crete) and Cyprus, as well as Italy (via Malta and Sicilia), France (via Sardaigne and Corsica), etc.
From the outset, the TransGreen project, sponsored by France, looks like a competitor to Desertec, a project initiated by German companies. However, The French group Saint-Gobain is actually part of the project Desertec, Siemens, the giant German electrical, engineering and electronics company is said to be joining the TransGreen consortium. Instead, one project (TransGreen) will deliver to Europe, part of the energy generated by the other (Desertec) project.
Source - IEA
Solar power for Europe from North Africa
Recently, France has launched a new project, TransGreen, to build an underwater network for Electrical transmission cables from North Africa to Europe.
Earlier this year, a German consortium launched the mega-project "Desertec" that plans to use solar power in the Sahara to generate electricity for Europe.
Is the TransGreen Project a Competitive or a complementary project to Desertec?
The TransGreen project has been introduced at the May 25 Cairo meeting of energy ministers from the 43 countries. Participants discussed the formation of a consortium to install electrical lines connecting Europe to North of Africa.
The project TransGreen, aims to bring together power companies, network operators and high-tension equipment makers under the leadership of French energy giant EDF. The German industrial and engineering group Siemens, which is already part of Desertec, may also join TransGreen.
Currently, only a dual AC line with a capacity of 1,400 megawatts across the Mediterranean, under the Strait of Gibraltar between Morocco and Spain.
At the end of May, the Transgreen consortium plans to launch the first phase, a €5 million study phase before the building of the actual lines. Many companies have already agreed to contribute to this first step.
In addition to this financial advantage, the Transgreen project offers obviously a nice reference for similar future projects in China and India, which has undoubtedly been at least as convincing for Siemens, ABB, Alstom/Areva, Nexans, Prysmian, Cap Gemini or Atos Origin.
Solar energy could supply up to a quarter of the world’s electricity by 2050. Solar plants would harvest sunlight from fields of reflectors to boil water and drive steam turbines. The region’s “high solar resource largely compensates for the additional cost of long transmission lines” beneath the Mediterranean Sea.
Desertec aims to deliver 15 per cent of Europe’s power requirements by 2050 as the EU seeks to reduce its carbon emissions, in part by reducing consumption of electricity generated by burning fossil fuels. The MENA-region countries hoping to export power to Europe include Mediterranean nations such as Morocco and Algeria, Egypt as well as Saudi Arabia.
The Sahara, in North Africa, has the biggest Uninhabited Areas in the World, particularly well exposed to the Sun, which could boost Economies of Scale for a Big Solar Energy Production Network linked to the EU from Spain (via Gibraltar), up to Greece (via Crete) and Cyprus, as well as Italy (via Malta and Sicilia), France (via Sardaigne and Corsica), etc.
From the outset, the TransGreen project, sponsored by France, looks like a competitor to Desertec, a project initiated by German companies. However, The French group Saint-Gobain is actually part of the project Desertec, Siemens, the giant German electrical, engineering and electronics company is said to be joining the TransGreen consortium. Instead, one project (TransGreen) will deliver to Europe, part of the energy generated by the other (Desertec) project.
Source - IEA
Panasonic aims to be Japan No. 1 in solar business
TOKYO — Panasonic Corp. is banking on the solar-panel business that it gained by acquiring domestic rival Sanyo, aiming for top market share of at least 35 percent in Japan by 2012.
New solar generation products, being offered in Japan starting next month, combine Sanyo Electric Co.'s solar technology with Panasonic's sales networks in appliances and housing, said Panasonic Executive Vice President Toshihiro Sakamoto.
Panasonic will be able to provide overall energy-saving systems for homes that will include rechargeable batteries, heating and air conditioning, security systems and Net-linking gadgets besides solar panels, which will all be hooked up to each other, he said.
Homes will be able to save on utility costs by selling surplus power from solar power generation systems, and using water heaters at night when utility rates are cheaper, he said.
"You will be living with virtually zero carbon-dioxide emissions through creating, saving, storing and managing energy," Sakamoto said in Tokyo.
Panasonic took over Sanyo in December and gained its solar-panel business as well as other businesses such as home appliances and batteries.
Although overlap in consumer electronics in the two companies is being eliminated, Panasonic has much to gain from Sanyo's technological prowess in solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, which are expected to be in stronger demand as the popularity of green vehicles grows.
The Osaka-based maker of Viera plasma panel TVs, has made being environmentally-friendly a major theme in its growth strategy, hoping to become "the No. 1 green innovation company in the electronics industry" by 2018.
Source - The Associated Press
New solar generation products, being offered in Japan starting next month, combine Sanyo Electric Co.'s solar technology with Panasonic's sales networks in appliances and housing, said Panasonic Executive Vice President Toshihiro Sakamoto.
Panasonic will be able to provide overall energy-saving systems for homes that will include rechargeable batteries, heating and air conditioning, security systems and Net-linking gadgets besides solar panels, which will all be hooked up to each other, he said.
Homes will be able to save on utility costs by selling surplus power from solar power generation systems, and using water heaters at night when utility rates are cheaper, he said.
"You will be living with virtually zero carbon-dioxide emissions through creating, saving, storing and managing energy," Sakamoto said in Tokyo.
Panasonic took over Sanyo in December and gained its solar-panel business as well as other businesses such as home appliances and batteries.
Although overlap in consumer electronics in the two companies is being eliminated, Panasonic has much to gain from Sanyo's technological prowess in solar panels and lithium-ion batteries, which are expected to be in stronger demand as the popularity of green vehicles grows.
The Osaka-based maker of Viera plasma panel TVs, has made being environmentally-friendly a major theme in its growth strategy, hoping to become "the No. 1 green innovation company in the electronics industry" by 2018.
Source - The Associated Press
SunEdison venture could lead to $1.5 billion in solar energy projects
SunEdison, a Beltsville firm that develops solar energy plants around the world, is teaming with one of the industry's largest private-equity companies in a joint venture that could generate up to $1.5 billion in new projects.
The deal with First Reserve comes as the price of manufacturing photovoltaic cells has dropped sharply in the past 18 months, making new projects much more affordable. At the same time, a growing number of governments around the world are requiring utilities to generate more power from renewable sources -- helping to kick up demand for solar.
Rhone Resch, president and chief executive of the Solar Energy Industries Association, said the deal could be a harbinger of what's to come in the industry.
"The biggest challenge we have faced in recent years is project financing," Resch said. "This starts to free up capital and allow the industry to begin to scale up."
With 350 projects built or underway, SunEdison is already one of the world's largest developers of solar energy projects. The company has a healthy backlog of plants going through the permitting process and waiting for funding.
SunEdison specializes in developing projects in areas near existing portions of the electrical grid in order to avoid large transmission costs. Its plants range from big, utility-scale operations to smaller rooftop systems feeding power to everything from Kohl's retail stores to Montgomery County school buildings. Any excess is typically sold back to utilities.
SunEdison employs about 100 people at its Beltsville offices. Last November, the company was bought by MEMC, a St. Peters, Mo.,-based manufacturer that sells silicon wafers to the semiconductor and solar industries.
"Our model has not changed," said SunEdison President Carlos Domenech. The joint venture "serves as an accelerator."
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SunEdison and First Reserve have agreed to put $167 million into their new venture, which they say should be enough to attract additional debt financing to fund as much as $825 million in new projects. First Reserve may raise an additional $150 million of equity, which can be leveraged to bring the total amount of projects funded to $1.5 billion, the companies said.
"We're looking for a way to invest in solar projects and a way to do it on an economical scale," said Mark Florian, managing director of First Reserve Energy Infrastructure.
First Reserve has $20 billion under management and invests exclusively in energy projects. It has offices in Houston, London and Greenwich, Conn.
Demand for solar power is projected to grow. At least 24 states have adopted rules requiring utilities to generate power from renewable sources, and federal climate legislation contemplates a national standard. Maryland and D.C. have adopted portfolio standards, as they are known, and Virginia has established nonbinding goals, according to an Energy Department summary.
In addition, the federal government has adopted tax credits, grants and loan guarantee programs to create incentives for new solar projects.
The cost of manufacturing solar cells has fallen 40 percent in less than two years, which many attribute in part to a decision by several countries to curb incentives. Spain, in particular, moved to cap the size of its market, shrinking the opportunities there by roughly 75 percent, Resch said. Many manufacturers that ramped up production in anticipation of new orders suddenly found themselves with a glut of supply.
Source - Washington Post
The deal with First Reserve comes as the price of manufacturing photovoltaic cells has dropped sharply in the past 18 months, making new projects much more affordable. At the same time, a growing number of governments around the world are requiring utilities to generate more power from renewable sources -- helping to kick up demand for solar.
Rhone Resch, president and chief executive of the Solar Energy Industries Association, said the deal could be a harbinger of what's to come in the industry.
"The biggest challenge we have faced in recent years is project financing," Resch said. "This starts to free up capital and allow the industry to begin to scale up."
With 350 projects built or underway, SunEdison is already one of the world's largest developers of solar energy projects. The company has a healthy backlog of plants going through the permitting process and waiting for funding.
SunEdison specializes in developing projects in areas near existing portions of the electrical grid in order to avoid large transmission costs. Its plants range from big, utility-scale operations to smaller rooftop systems feeding power to everything from Kohl's retail stores to Montgomery County school buildings. Any excess is typically sold back to utilities.
SunEdison employs about 100 people at its Beltsville offices. Last November, the company was bought by MEMC, a St. Peters, Mo.,-based manufacturer that sells silicon wafers to the semiconductor and solar industries.
"Our model has not changed," said SunEdison President Carlos Domenech. The joint venture "serves as an accelerator."
ad_icon
SunEdison and First Reserve have agreed to put $167 million into their new venture, which they say should be enough to attract additional debt financing to fund as much as $825 million in new projects. First Reserve may raise an additional $150 million of equity, which can be leveraged to bring the total amount of projects funded to $1.5 billion, the companies said.
"We're looking for a way to invest in solar projects and a way to do it on an economical scale," said Mark Florian, managing director of First Reserve Energy Infrastructure.
First Reserve has $20 billion under management and invests exclusively in energy projects. It has offices in Houston, London and Greenwich, Conn.
Demand for solar power is projected to grow. At least 24 states have adopted rules requiring utilities to generate power from renewable sources, and federal climate legislation contemplates a national standard. Maryland and D.C. have adopted portfolio standards, as they are known, and Virginia has established nonbinding goals, according to an Energy Department summary.
In addition, the federal government has adopted tax credits, grants and loan guarantee programs to create incentives for new solar projects.
The cost of manufacturing solar cells has fallen 40 percent in less than two years, which many attribute in part to a decision by several countries to curb incentives. Spain, in particular, moved to cap the size of its market, shrinking the opportunities there by roughly 75 percent, Resch said. Many manufacturers that ramped up production in anticipation of new orders suddenly found themselves with a glut of supply.
Source - Washington Post
Wednesday, 26 May 2010
Taipower to Build Taiwan’s Biggest Solar Power Plant (Update1)
May 26 (Bloomberg) -- Taiwan Power Co. plans to build the island’s biggest solar power station in the southern county of Tainan as the government aims to reduce carbon emissions.
The proposed 5-megawatt plant will surpass a 4.6-megawatt facility being constructed in the neighboring Kaohsiung County, Tu Yueh-yuan, chief engineer of Taiwan’s biggest electricity producer, said by telephone in Taipei today. One megawatt is enough to power 800 U.S. homes.
State-run Taiwan Power, known as Taipower, is building solar stations and wind turbines as the government aims to have renewable energy account for 15 percent of the island’s electricity generation capacity by 2025 to help cut carbon emissions. The industrialized island releases about three times more heat-trapping gases per person than the world average, Bloomberg data show.
“Budget for it won’t be a problem” as the company plans to boost solar power capacity, Tu said. Details of the project, including costs, aren’t yet available, she said.
The utility is negotiating with state-run Taiwan Sugar Corp., which owns the land for the proposed site, Tu said. Taipower plans to build another solar power station, with installed capacity of 4 megawatts, on Taiwan Sugar-owned land in Tainan, She said.
Energy Sources
Renewable source, including solar energy and wind turbines, accounted for 5.7 percent of Taiwan’s installed capacity as of April, according to Taipower’s website.
Taiwan’s government set minimum wholesale prices in December for electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines at levels higher than for power from fossil fuels to spur renewable energy production.
Lawmakers approved the Renewable Energy Development Act in June, designed to help cut carbon emissions and reduce the island’s dependence on imports, according to the Bureau of Energy. Taiwan relies on overseas shipments for about 99 percent of its energy needs.
The 60-megawatt Olmedilla plant in Spain is the world’s biggest photovoltaic power station, according to pvresources.com, a website on solar technologies and applications.
The government owns 97 percent of Taiwan Power, which generates about 75 percent of the electricity the island uses.
Source - Business week
The proposed 5-megawatt plant will surpass a 4.6-megawatt facility being constructed in the neighboring Kaohsiung County, Tu Yueh-yuan, chief engineer of Taiwan’s biggest electricity producer, said by telephone in Taipei today. One megawatt is enough to power 800 U.S. homes.
State-run Taiwan Power, known as Taipower, is building solar stations and wind turbines as the government aims to have renewable energy account for 15 percent of the island’s electricity generation capacity by 2025 to help cut carbon emissions. The industrialized island releases about three times more heat-trapping gases per person than the world average, Bloomberg data show.
“Budget for it won’t be a problem” as the company plans to boost solar power capacity, Tu said. Details of the project, including costs, aren’t yet available, she said.
The utility is negotiating with state-run Taiwan Sugar Corp., which owns the land for the proposed site, Tu said. Taipower plans to build another solar power station, with installed capacity of 4 megawatts, on Taiwan Sugar-owned land in Tainan, She said.
Energy Sources
Renewable source, including solar energy and wind turbines, accounted for 5.7 percent of Taiwan’s installed capacity as of April, according to Taipower’s website.
Taiwan’s government set minimum wholesale prices in December for electricity generated by solar panels and wind turbines at levels higher than for power from fossil fuels to spur renewable energy production.
Lawmakers approved the Renewable Energy Development Act in June, designed to help cut carbon emissions and reduce the island’s dependence on imports, according to the Bureau of Energy. Taiwan relies on overseas shipments for about 99 percent of its energy needs.
The 60-megawatt Olmedilla plant in Spain is the world’s biggest photovoltaic power station, according to pvresources.com, a website on solar technologies and applications.
The government owns 97 percent of Taiwan Power, which generates about 75 percent of the electricity the island uses.
Source - Business week
Okotoks solar community sets world record
Okotoks’ solar community has set a world record in energy production after becoming the first to provide 80 per cent of space heating from the sun.
Drake Landing, a solar community of 52 homes, is well on its way to achieving a goal of 90 per cent space heating over five years after reaching 80 per cent in only three.
“I’m fiercely proud of what we set out to do and the fact that it’s working validates the ideas that went in to the beginning of it,” said town councillor Ed Sands.
When the community first opened in September 2007 homeowner Robert Pugh was the second resident to move in.
“The house itself has totally lived up to my expectations. There’s no disappointments, no regrets, so it’s been a great decision,” he said.
Okotoks may have the first solar community of this kind but general director for Natural Resources Canada Gilles Jean said it won’t be the last.
“I think it’s quite clear that we’re not on a sustainable path the way we produce and use energy, so solar energy is going to be a huge contribution,” he said.
Source - Metro News
Drake Landing, a solar community of 52 homes, is well on its way to achieving a goal of 90 per cent space heating over five years after reaching 80 per cent in only three.
“I’m fiercely proud of what we set out to do and the fact that it’s working validates the ideas that went in to the beginning of it,” said town councillor Ed Sands.
When the community first opened in September 2007 homeowner Robert Pugh was the second resident to move in.
“The house itself has totally lived up to my expectations. There’s no disappointments, no regrets, so it’s been a great decision,” he said.
Okotoks may have the first solar community of this kind but general director for Natural Resources Canada Gilles Jean said it won’t be the last.
“I think it’s quite clear that we’re not on a sustainable path the way we produce and use energy, so solar energy is going to be a huge contribution,” he said.
Source - Metro News
Green property: solar thermal systems
Tony Dunn had solar water heating panels installed on the roof of his home in 2006 at a cost of £7,125. “When the installer’s salesman pitched to us, he promised wildly optimistic savings,” says Tony, who lives near Braintree in rural Essex. “I knew his figures were unrealistic, and told him so, but the money wasn’t important to us; our main reason for installing the panels was to be less reliant on fossil fuels for our energy needs.”
Although the Dunns did not expect enormous savings, they did expect to save slightly more than the £2 over three years that their solar thermal system has actually delivered.
Their story highlights findings from the consumer organisation Which? that the majority of solar thermal companies exaggerate the potential savings of installing these systems. Last year the Office of Fair Trading received more than 1,000 complaints about the solar panel industry. With a Government target of 800,000 such installations by 2020, consumers need to be able to trust this potentially vital technology.
So how did Tony Dunn’s system end up giving him such poor return on his investment? The installer, Smart Energy, now bust, sent one hard-pressed workman to install the system over one day. “He worked for nearly 12 hours in hot, cramped conditions in our roof,” says Tony, who runs a holiday cottage on his two-acre property. “I asked him to spread the work over two days but he made it clear his orders were to finish the job in one day so he could be free to do another one the next. But it’s evident now that corners were cut and the workmanship was not of a good enough standard.”
Shortly after the 12-month guarantee period expired, a thermocouple developed a fault, pumping cold water into the shower, then last July, Smart Energy went into administration and at about the same time some of the water pipes in the roof started to leak. A firm recommended by the administrator sent out an engineer who serviced the system and fixed the leak, for which they charged £250.
“The savings from the panels amount to 8kW per day for seven months a year, which makes £84 per year. After three years that means we have saved £252 off our heating bills,” Tony says. “If you subtract the service charge that means we have saved £2 on our £7,125 investment. Not great, is it?”
The Which? investigation found that 10 out of 14 solar installers exaggerated the savings home owners could make and not one of the companies tested warned potential clients about the technical challenges involved in installing a solar system.
“Complex plumbing and electrical work is required for these systems, plus it’s all in the roof, a vital part of any house,” Tony says. “We now have stains on our bathroom ceiling because of the leak. You’ve got to have a well-regulated system with well-trained and accountable technicians, otherwise people are going to turn their backs on renewable technologies,” he adds.
Cathy Debenham, of renewable energy users website YouGen, says: “I’m a great fan of solar thermal. We turned off our boiler last week and are showering solely in solar heated water. But both my father and uncle have been on the receiving end of pushy solar salesmen, who over-quote, offer discounts if you sign up today and claim too much for the product.”
In a statement the industry body said: “The Solar Trade Association (STA) takes the issues highlighted by Which? seriously. The solar industry is growing exponentially and as a new industry it is not immune from 'rogue traders’. We will do everything within our power to eradicate such companies.”
STA board member Peter Creasey added that if home owners are to take advantage of the financial incentives of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, which comes into force next April, they must use installers accredited through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
HOW TO SOLAR ON
* www.yougen.co.uk
* www.which.co.uk/solar
* www.microgenerationcertification.org
* www.solar-trade.org
Source - The Telegraph
Although the Dunns did not expect enormous savings, they did expect to save slightly more than the £2 over three years that their solar thermal system has actually delivered.
Their story highlights findings from the consumer organisation Which? that the majority of solar thermal companies exaggerate the potential savings of installing these systems. Last year the Office of Fair Trading received more than 1,000 complaints about the solar panel industry. With a Government target of 800,000 such installations by 2020, consumers need to be able to trust this potentially vital technology.
So how did Tony Dunn’s system end up giving him such poor return on his investment? The installer, Smart Energy, now bust, sent one hard-pressed workman to install the system over one day. “He worked for nearly 12 hours in hot, cramped conditions in our roof,” says Tony, who runs a holiday cottage on his two-acre property. “I asked him to spread the work over two days but he made it clear his orders were to finish the job in one day so he could be free to do another one the next. But it’s evident now that corners were cut and the workmanship was not of a good enough standard.”
Shortly after the 12-month guarantee period expired, a thermocouple developed a fault, pumping cold water into the shower, then last July, Smart Energy went into administration and at about the same time some of the water pipes in the roof started to leak. A firm recommended by the administrator sent out an engineer who serviced the system and fixed the leak, for which they charged £250.
“The savings from the panels amount to 8kW per day for seven months a year, which makes £84 per year. After three years that means we have saved £252 off our heating bills,” Tony says. “If you subtract the service charge that means we have saved £2 on our £7,125 investment. Not great, is it?”
The Which? investigation found that 10 out of 14 solar installers exaggerated the savings home owners could make and not one of the companies tested warned potential clients about the technical challenges involved in installing a solar system.
“Complex plumbing and electrical work is required for these systems, plus it’s all in the roof, a vital part of any house,” Tony says. “We now have stains on our bathroom ceiling because of the leak. You’ve got to have a well-regulated system with well-trained and accountable technicians, otherwise people are going to turn their backs on renewable technologies,” he adds.
Cathy Debenham, of renewable energy users website YouGen, says: “I’m a great fan of solar thermal. We turned off our boiler last week and are showering solely in solar heated water. But both my father and uncle have been on the receiving end of pushy solar salesmen, who over-quote, offer discounts if you sign up today and claim too much for the product.”
In a statement the industry body said: “The Solar Trade Association (STA) takes the issues highlighted by Which? seriously. The solar industry is growing exponentially and as a new industry it is not immune from 'rogue traders’. We will do everything within our power to eradicate such companies.”
STA board member Peter Creasey added that if home owners are to take advantage of the financial incentives of the Government’s Renewable Heat Incentive, which comes into force next April, they must use installers accredited through the Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS).
HOW TO SOLAR ON
* www.yougen.co.uk
* www.which.co.uk/solar
* www.microgenerationcertification.org
* www.solar-trade.org
Source - The Telegraph
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