Features for April 2015

Features Archive

Fuel cells – a disruptive technology in the changing energy landscape

The fuel cell industry can help to shape the future of the global energy landscape, to meet the requirements of reliability and sustainability. Cost reduction through technological innovation is bringing fuel cells closer to commercialisation, just as it has done with wind and solar power.

The Electrical Grid and Renewable Energy: Creating a Stable Relationship

Electric utilities and grid operators face the challenge of integrating distributed energy into the mix without compromising the steady flow of necessary electric power. While utilities recognize that interruptions to the process are an inconvenience, they also acknowledge the need for change within the commercial distribution of electrical power. Takafumi Arai, chief specialist at Toshiba Smart Community, reports.

Renewable Energy Market Focus, Part II: Spotlight on Germany Renewable Energy Market Focus, Part II: Spotlight on Germany

In the follow-up to her feature on the state of the renewable energy market in Germany, Rachel Parkes talks to several industry experts about their outlook for clean-tech.

Renewable Energy Market Focus: Germany Renewable Energy Market Focus: Germany

Germany is one of the world’s biggest renewable energy markets, but concern about the rising cost of low-carbon subsidies has led the government to rethink its support for the industry. Rachel Parkes reports her findings in Part I of this feature.

Nice Grid smart grid project uses Saft energy storage with solar power in south of France Nice Grid smart grid project uses Saft energy storage with solar power in south of France

The Nice Grid project in France brings together a broad range of stakeholders in the country’s first smart solar-energy district demonstration project, and features integrated energy storage based on Saft's lithium-ion battery technology.

Energy storage research charges forward Energy storage research charges forward

Researchers at the prestigious MIT are building a ' low cost ' battery that promises to provide ' a viable solution for stationary grid storage of energy supplied by renewables. Andrew Mourant reports.