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Latest News

Onshore Wind Power Now as Affordable as Any Other Source, Solar to Halve by 2020
The cost of generating power from onshore wind has fallen by around a quarter since 2010, with solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity costs falling by 73 per cent in that time, according to new cost analysis from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The report also highlights that solar PV costs are expected to halve by 2020. The best onshore wind and solar PV projects could be delivering electricity for an equivalent of USD 3 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh), or less within the next two years.
Countries Meet to Chart the Future of IRENA in Driving the Global Energy Transformation
More than 350 government representatives from 115 countries — including Ministers and high-level officials — gathered in Abu Dhabi to attend the 14th Council of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). At the outset of the meeting, the Council re-elected China as Chair of the meeting and Colombia as Vice-Chair.
ADFD, IRENA Open New Round of Funding for Renewable Energy Projects in Developing Countries, Invite Applications
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), is inviting applications for renewable energy projects in developing countries. Within the framework of the ADFD-funded US$350 million (AED1.285 billion) IRENA/ADFD Project Facility, the current funding round of US$50 million in concessional loans marks the sixth of seven annual cycles.
Government of Wallonia of Belgium Commits €1 Million to IRENA to Support New NDC Facility
The Government of Wallonia of Belgium has committed €1 million to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as part of the Government’s support of renewable energy as a key pillar of international climate efforts.
Renewable Energy Can Be Strengthened in Next Round of Climate Negotiations
Countries have an opportunity to significantly increase renewable energy ambition within Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and to accelerate its deployment in line with climate objectives under the Paris Agreement, per a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).

Webinars

Microgrids: how do they contribute to renewable energy usage?
Microgrids precede the establishment of centralized grids and continue to solve reliability and availability issues.
Climate change two years on from COP21: where we are now and where we should go from here
The agreement at 2015’s COP21 in Paris felt like a truly symbolic moment in the fight against climate change. But during the last two years a number of uncertainties have arisen. We invite you to a free Elsevier webinar which will discuss the current picture as it relates to climate change.
Hybrid Microgrids: Towards sustainable and affordable energy access-for-all in Southeast Asia
How can remote communities be encouraged to adopt renewable technologies? Hybrid Microgrids is one possibility.
Advanced Conversion: Maximising the Potential for Energy from Waste
One of the most readily-available and viable solutions to help address the challenge of our growing energy needs is Energy-from-Waste (EfW) – which has the potential to take a multitude of waste streams (such as municipal solid waste) and convert them into energy. We look at how modern techniques can make the technology more efficient.

Blogs

Why 2016 looks set to be the year the tide turns decisively in favour of fuel cell electric vehicles
Posted by Steve Barrett • 21 March 2016
Dr Henri Winand – CEO of Intelligent Energy, UK Dieselgate is catalyst for change There is little doubt that the fallout is continuing to be felt from the revelations of emissions-rigging in t...
tags: Power generation, Fuel cells, Fuel cell electric vehicles, FCEVs, Hydrogen energy, Clean energy
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Smart grid technology innovation is gathering momentum
Posted by Steve Barrett • 08 January 2016
Patent filings research carried out by UK-based intellectual property firm, Withers & Rogers, has revealed that innovation activity in the area of energy storage – and smart grid technology ...
tags: Smart grids, Patents, Intellectual property (IP), Energy storage
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Guest Blog: Learning from India’s power revolution
Posted by Steve Barrett • 21 October 2015
Dr Henri Winand – CEO of Intelligent Energy, UK Given the relative state of their power grids, it would seem that the UK has little to learn from India when it comes to efficiently providing an...
tags: Power generation, India, Fuel Cells, Hydrogen energy, Renewable energy, Telecoms
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Guest blog: Picking winners
Posted by Steve Barrett • 02 July 2015
BY ROLAND JOEBSTL For those who dare to look into the future and see a low-carbon society powered by renewables with global warming kept below the 2°C threshold, the message is cl...
tags: low carbon, climate change, COP21, renewable energy, energy efficiency, investment
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New AWEA Board Chair: "It's time for presidential candidates to back American wind power for its economic benefits."
Posted by Reg Tucker • 22 May 2015
BY MIKE GARLAND Coming off a year in which the industry added 23,000 jobs and put $23 billion of private investment behind 100 wind projects, the American Wind Energy Association declared it’s t...
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Features

Industry Perspective Preview: What to do with "Spent" wind turbine blades?
Given that there are already an estimated 345,000 utility scale wind turbines installed around the world (based on Global Wind Energy Council statistics) and that most are designed for service lives of 20 to 25 years, there is a looming issue; what should happen to large fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) blades when their service lives have expired?
Industry Perspective Preview: R&D gaps for off-grid power - time to think big about going small
A major drive to bring renewable energy to the 'electricity poor' is underway, but despite the progress made so far, under a business-as-usual scenario around 600 million people will still not have access to electricity by 2040, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Research Focus: Enhance variable speed wind turbine transient performance – and make obsolete wind turbines last longer
The demand for wind power is on the rise, and it is becoming increasingly important to take the stability of wind farms into account - to ensure safe and efficient delivery of power. According to recent grid requirements, wind farms must adapt to transient disturbances as quickly as possible, while keeping grid-connected wind farms operational during disturbances in the power network. This study analyses various control strategies that enhance variable speed wind turbine transient performance.
Research Focus: A way to improve demand flexibility for procurement of transmission and distribution system services
In recent years consumers have started producing their own electricity using small-scale facilities, and effectively controlling their consumption, as well as actively taking advantage of electricity storage devices. This research describes a possible marketplace where the system operators could effectively buy services from end-users (using intermediary agents) in the most cost-effective way.

Downloads

Microgrids: Benefits and Case Studies
This White Paper from Schneider Electric explores the benefits that microgrids can provide, and profiles examples of relevant microgrid projects.
How new microgrid technologies enable optimal cooperation among distributed energy resources
Microgrids are local, interconnected energy systems and may become a keystone of the energy transition, according to a new White Paper from Schneider Electric.
7 for 2017: Global Energy Market Trends
This paper, authored by Schneider Electric, explores a few of the key global trends influencing the energy landscape, which will make 2017 an interesting year.
Renewable Energy Integration: A Delicate Balancing Act
This white paper from Schneider Electric analyses the current state of affairs regarding solar, wind, and hydroelectric power generation, and offers perspectives on how utilities can manage the delicate balancing act that is the transition to an all-renewable world.
Leveraging ADMS to maximize renewable benefits
Solar is the most abundant renewable energy source available, but the ability to harness it and distribute it alongside existing sources of energy is new territory for many utilities and ISOs. This white paper from Schneider Electric looks at Advanced Distribution Management Systems.

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