News for September 2012

News Archive

Deployment of utility-scale PowerBuoy wave energy device delayed to 2013

Originally planned for next month, bad weather has delayed the planned deployment of a utility-scale wave energy device off the coast of Reedsport, Oregon, until spring 2013.

New Blog: Water use in electricity generation: the sobering facts that make a case for wind and solar power

Did you know it takes 100,000 gallons of water to produce a single megawatt hour of electricity?

Stop Press: Webinar - Advanced Conversion: Maximising the Potential for Energy from Waste Stop Press: Webinar - Advanced Conversion: Maximising the Potential for Energy from Waste

Our next webinar on October 24 will give a snapshot behind the development of Energy-from-Waste, and highlight the benefits of Advanced Conversion Technologies...

Vestas launches new turbine with structural shell blade design

The new V126-3.0 MW turbine is the latest variant of the 3 MW platform on which the V112-3.0 MW is built.

OPIC board approves US$250 million for South African solar project

The agency’s first solar power project in South Africa will be a 60MW plant aimed at diversifying the country’s electricity generation

Federal officials urged to accelerate the development of offshore wind in the US

A report looking into the sector's development to date claims that more could be done to encourage clean local energy and economic development by implementing critical policies to encourage investment.

RWE Innogy and Carbon Trust to test wind measurement buoys

The trial is part of the Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme - aimed at developing new methods of collecting wind speed data.

Communities must benefit from wind farms says UK's Energy Secretary

Onshore wind farms need to "provide benefits to the communities that host them", such as reduced electricity bills and investment in local infrastructure...

Kyocera deploys renewable energy technology in support of international smart-grid

Kyocera is one of several organisations participating in the development of an international smart-grid demonstration project in Los Alamos, New Mexico.

EWEA report advocates the creation of single European energy market

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) argues that EU electricity market rules must reflect the energy generation mix of the future

BOC Hymera fuel cell technology approved by Network Rail in UK BOC Hymera fuel cell technology approved by Network Rail in UK

Network Rail in the UK has endorsed the Hymera suite of hydrogen fuel cell based products from industrial gases giant BOC, for use across the UK rail network.

Husum Wind 2012: juwi boss slams German government for energy policy backtrack and offshore wind support Husum Wind 2012: juwi boss slams German government for energy policy backtrack and offshore wind support

juwi CEO Matthias Willenbacher has criticised the German government for backtracking on its energy revolution agenda and looking to slow it down on the basis of cost.

Solar power project for UK waste treatment plant completed - 70% electricity supply from the sun Solar power project for UK waste treatment plant completed - 70% electricity supply from the sun

Lightsource Renewable Energy Ltd and Solarcentury have completed a 5MW solar project in Cambridgeshire which will supply electricity direct to a waste treatment plant.

CERES and PVC Recycling to offer module recycling in Europe and North America

The move comes as module manufacturers look to co-ordinate recycling across both continents...

Proposed land use rules will “penalise biofuels producers in Europe” warns European Biomass Association

The European Commission (EC) is preparing new rules on indirect land use change (ILUC) for the biofuels sector, but the current draft, if adopted, will have a number of negative impacts on biofuels sector, according to the European Biomass Association (AEBIOM).

Joint initiative launched to develop Germany’s green economy

Annette Schavan, Federal Minister of Research, and Peter Altmaier, Federal Minister of Environment have invited 450 experts to discuss how market instruments could be used to achieve sustainable production, pricing and consumption.

Husum Wind 2012: Garrad Hassan report bullish about Baltic offshore wind

The development of offshore wind resources will be "vital for many of the Baltic nations, as they look to meet their commitments to boost renewable energy generation", reports Garrad Hassan.

Husum Wind 2012: Lifting, handling and positioning of wind turbine nacelles solution Husum Wind 2012: Lifting, handling and positioning of wind turbine nacelles solution

Danish based Fyns Kran Udstyr has developed a hydraulic yoke it says makes lifting, maneuvering and mounting wind turbine nacelles quicker and safer.

Husum Wind 2012: AREVA Wind showcases space-saving Single Blade Installation (SBI) system Husum Wind 2012: AREVA Wind showcases space-saving Single Blade Installation (SBI) system

The organisation says it is the first offshore turbine manufacturer to enable the installation of blades on the hub in all positions up to 330 degrees, and at wind speeds up to 12 m/s.

Plains & Eastern Clean Line rate structure approved by FERC

The transmission line project is now free to move clean energy from Oklahoma to the southeast, and can begin to negotiate transmission service agreements with customers.

EUROBAT and EASE agree to work together on energy storage

A Memorandum of Understanding between the two organisations reflects the mutual interest of both organisations in energy storage development.

Areva and Sandia collaborate to cut energy storage costs for concentrated solar power

Areva Solar is collaborating with Sandia National Laboratories on a concentrated solar power (CSP) installation with integrated thermal energy storage.

Japan becomes third largest solar power market

In 2011, Japan accounted for 7% of total installed PV capacity, according to a new research report.

Suntech slashes solar cell production in China

The company says that after closing some of its solar cell production lines in China, its operational solar cell capacity will be temporarily reduced to 1.8GW, affecting some 1,500 jobs.

Trina Solar to cut headcount, streamline operations

The company says it is optimising its business operations in the face of an increasingly competitive landscape.

Report: Cash incentives better than federal tax credits for US renewable energy

Replacing federal tax credits with cash incentives for renewable energy could deliver big savings for taxpayers, according to a new report.

AFC Energy opens alkaline fuel cell electrode pilot production plant

UK-based AFC Energy has inaugurated an alkaline fuel cell pilot production plant at its base in Dunsfold Park, Surrey. The new plant will be able to produce up to 20,000 fuel cell electrodes per annum.

Hempel adds solvent-free coating to its offshore wind range

Hempadur Multi-Strength 35460 is a solvent-free version of its protective coating for turbine foundations.

Dow launches new range of polyolefin-based products

The technology sees the use of encapsulant films, which Dow says will increase solar panel efficiency.

Vela Solaris launches online version of its simulation software

The company’s Polysun software can simulate solar PV, solar thermal and heat pump systems, and can also simulate hybrid systems such as PV with heat pumps.

US biofuel organisations appeal to Obama to maintain Renewable Fuels Standard

The Biofuels Producers Coordinating Council (BPCC) has urged President Barack Obama to maintain the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), a series of regulations requiring the blending of renewable fuel into transportation fuel with a current target of 36 billion gallons by 2022.

SolarVision completes $18mn NMTC solar power deal

SolarVision LLC has successfully completed an $18mn transaction using new market tax credits (NMTC) in order to fund a 5MW solar power system in Celina, Ohio.

Australian goethermal market still at early stages

A new report has found that Australian geothermal is still in its exploration stage and not yet ready for commercial production, although an expansion in production capacity of over 0.075GW will be achieved by 2022.

Swiss first for Trina as it completes rooftop PV array

Trina Solar has completed the installation of a large PV array on the roof of the Sagewerke Christen AG production and storage complex in Luthern near Lucerne, Switzerland.

Huge solar array installed on Minnesota store

Ikea has installed the array - which covers 142,000 square feet of rooftop and consists of 4,316 panels - at its Twin Cities store in Bloomington, Minnesota. The company estimates that the panels will generate around 1.1 million kWh of electricity per year.

Hawaiian university gets solar makeover

The Institute of Marine Biology of the University of Hawaii has contracted SolarCity to provide it with solar electricity for the next 20 years.

New wind power turbine unveiled for Brazil market

GE has installed 300 wind turbines in Brazil to date, a figure set to triple over the next two years, the firm announced at the Brazil Windpower Conference in Rio de Janeiro recently.

Arise Windpower moves forward with acquisition of Solberg wind farm

Swedish firm Arise Windpower AB has successfully concluded a conditional agreement to acquire a fully permitted wind power project in Solberg to the west of Örnsköldsvik.

Millbrook vehicle testing site prepares for wider rollout of hydrogen transport

Millbrook Proving Ground in the UK has opened a SmartFuel hydrogen fuelling station, supplied by Air Products, as the automotive testing facility prepares for the rollout of fuel cell electric vehicles.

Mainstream Renewable Power ramps up after securing €60mn corporate finance deal

As it builds up for rapid expansion, Global renewable energy company Mainstream Renewable Power has signed an agreement for €60mn in corporate funds to be provided by Macquarie Group.

JinkoSolar PV testing lab secures CNAS accreditation

JinkoSolar’s PV testing facility has been accredited by the China National Accreditation Service (CNAS) for its quality controls, the firm recently announced.

Wind industry urged to adopt a networked approach to deal with slowdown and boost innovation

There needs to be less vertical integration in the wind industry and companies in the sector need to start working together better, according to Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, President and CEO of wind turbine generator supplier The Switch, based in Finland.

Blog: an introduction from our new Managing Editor Gail Rajgor...

When David passed on the editorial metaphorical torch to me for Renewable Energy Focus, I knew it was going to be a whirlwind first month or two...

Stop Press: Our newsletter is back up and running...

Renewable Energy Focus' e-newsletter service returns after an unscheduled break...

Japanese research institute receives funding for algae harvesting biofuel project

The Research Institute of Tsukuba Bio-tech has received funding from the Japanese government for its ambitious algae biofuels programme.

Canadian Solar supplies 8MW for utility and commercial PV projects in US

Canadian Solar has supplied more than 8MW of solar modules to groSolar for three utility and commercial photovoltaic projects in the United States.

Sigma tests bird-friendly compressed air wind turbine

A World War 2 veteran has hired Sigma Design Company, based in the US state of New Jersey, to test, analyse, refine, optimise and manufacture a wind turbine he has invented.

Strategic relationship provides financing solution for Panasonic solar power projects

Panasonic is establishing a strategic relationship with Coronal Management, LLC in connection with the formation of a new solar company.

Offshore wind companies invited to comment on UK test and demonstration sites

The Crown Estate is seeking opinions from the offshore wind industry with regard to offshore wind test and demonstration (T&D) sites in UK waters.

JinkoSolar wins 30MW solar contract with China Guangdong Nuclear

JinkoSolar is to supply 30MW of solar modules for a PV power plant project in Hami City, Xinjiang Province.

Suntech launches 300W solar module for American market

Suntech Power Holdings Co has produced a 300 watt solar module designed for commercial and utility scale projects in both North and South America.