News for November 2013

News Archive

DKK11 billion investment in Dong Energy

Goldman Sachs and Danish pension funds Arbejdsmarkedets Tillægspension (ATP) and PFA Pension Forsikringsaktieselskab (PFA) plan to invest a total of DKK 11 billion in Dong Energy A/S.

300 MW solar collaboration for the UK

Low Carbon, the renewable energy investment company, and Macquarie Capital are collaborating to invest in 300 MW of solar energy in the UK.

Blade weathering tests on show Blade weathering tests on show

Atlas Material Testing Technology is exhibiting a range of instruments designed to test the weathering of rotor blade coatings at the Wind Turbine Blade Manufacture Conference, which takes place from 3–5 December in Dusseldorf, Germany.

Solar-powered wireless electrochromic glass is wireless

SAGE Electrochromics Inc has developed electrochromic glass that is solar-powered and can be wirelessly controlled with an iPad.

This month’s top three renewableenergyfocus.com stories

Read on to discover which stories were the most popular with visitors to the site during November.

New Blog: Anaerobic digestion - getting your hands dirty (guest blog)

It’s hard to imagine a more unsavoury sight than mounds of rotting household rubbish or piles of farmyard dung. And so few prospects are more appealing than turning these into a source of renewable energy...

Duke Energy to build three solar projects in North Carolina

Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, has begun construction of three utility-scale solar power projects totalling 30 MW AC in Eastern North Carolina.

SolarCity announces major California expansion SolarCity announces major California expansion

SolarCity has opened ten new operations centres in California. All are expected to be operational by the end of 2013, nearly doubling the company’s locations in the state.

Acta Power integrated electrolyser-fuel cell system for Singapore lighthouse Acta Power integrated electrolyser-fuel cell system for Singapore lighthouse

Italian-based Acta SpA has sold an Acta Power hydrogen renewable energy storage system to Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore. The integrated electrolyser-fuel cell system will operate at the famous Raffles Lighthouse, one of the oldest operational lighthouses in the world.

Bloom Energy completes first international project, for partner SoftBank in Japan Bloom Energy completes first international project, for partner SoftBank in Japan

California-based Bloom Energy has completed its first international fuel cell project, at a SoftBank facility in Japan. This is the first project to come out of the Bloom Energy Japan fuel cell joint venture with Tokyo-based SoftBank Group.

REC supplies panels for Singapore’s largest solar installation

REC is supplying the solar panels for two utility-scale solar energy projects for self consumption to go ahead in Singapore this year and early 2014.

China leads the way in small-wind power market

With growing incentives announced by various governments and larger end-user awareness, the small-wind power market is expected to increase significantly, from $609 million in 2012 to $3 billion by 2020, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 22%, says research and consulting firm GlobalData.

Partnership to improve sorghum yield Partnership to improve sorghum yield

Arcadia Biosciences Inc and DuPont Pioneer have partnered to better manage pollen flow in sorghum, a crop with potential as a highly productive biofuel source.

SolarWorld AG acquires Bosch solar cell and module production

European solar technology manufacturer SolarWorld AG has acquired the cell and module production of Bosch Solar Energy.

RWE halts Atlantic Array development

RWE Innogy has stopped development of its Atlantic Array offshore wind project due to “the significant technical challenges specific to the zone”.

Want to cut VOC emissions in the factory?

VOC emissions can be reduced, safety enhanced, and the benefits of LEAN manufacturing achieved by better managing solvent usage, reports Kimberly-Clark Professional.

Algae Screen controls bacteria growth in commercial production

OriginOil, Inc has tested its new Algae Screen water cleaner and says that it can control bacteria and microscopic predators in commercial algae production.

First Solar starts construction of first Japanese plant

First Solar has started to build a solar project in Kitakyushu-shi, Japan, its first project in the country.

Geothermal energy plant planned for Carribbean Geothermal energy plant planned for Carribbean

A geothermal energy plant, developed by Nevis Renewable Energy International (NREI), is being planned for Nevis Island, an island in the Caribbean Sea next to Saint Kitts.

Wind turbine ‘Innovation Center’ launches in South Carolina Wind turbine ‘Innovation Center’ launches in South Carolina

New facility boasts world's largest wind turbine drivetrain testing capabilities.

Smartenergy renames German Nanosolar Smartenergy renames German Nanosolar

Nanosolar GmbH, which was acquired by Smartenergy Renewables AG in July 2013, has been renamed Smartenergy Renewables Deutschland GmbH.

DIF acquires PV plants from Canadian Solar

Canadian Solar Inc’s subsidiary, Canadian Solar Solutions Inc plans to sell four utility-scale solar power plants located in Ontario, Canada to a fund managed by Dutch infrastructure fund DIF.

EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Alstom installs world’s largest offshore wind turbine EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Alstom installs world’s largest offshore wind turbine

Alstom has completed the installation of its offshore wind turbine, the 6 MW Haliade 150, the largest offshore wind turbine ever installed in sea waters.

Silicon Energy wins GCCA Award for solar innovation

'Cascade' double-glass PV module earns top honor in 'Best in Solar and Wind' category.

EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Damen Shipyards unveils wind farm service vessel EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Damen Shipyards unveils wind farm service vessel

Damen Shipyards has introduced a wind farm service vessel (WSV) to support and accommodate turbine maintenance crews at sea.

South African solar farm now in operation South African solar farm now in operation

The Rust Mo 1 solar farm, build by juwi Renewable Energies, has been connected to the national grid in South Africa.

EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Certification for Siemens turbine EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Certification for Siemens turbine

Siemens Wind Power has received a Provisional Type Certificate from GL Renewables Certification (GL RC) for its 6 MW offshore wind turbine.

GE’s 2.5 120 Brilliant wind turbine earns Popular Science magazine's 2013 ‘Best of What’s New’ Honor

GE says the 2.5-120 is the first wind turbine to incorporate short-term energy storage as part of the complete turbine package.

Department of Energy dedicates new 5W wind turbine dynamometer test facility at NREL

Goal is to help evaluate emerging technologies and reduce both risk and cost for future wind turbines.

EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Offshore requires €123 billion to meet targets

The offshore wind energy sector needs up to €123 billion in investment between now and 2020 if it is to meet its target of 40 GW of installed capacity, says the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Suzlon launches new offshore turbine

Suzlon Group is introducing its new offshore turbine, the Repower 6.2M152, at EWEA OFFSHORE 2013.

First Solar backs Japanese solar with US$100 million

First Solar Inc plans to invest approximately US$100 million in Japan to develop solar power plants.

Offshore2013: "Set binding targets" industry urged

Offshore wind energy is a “no-regrets” option for green growth, job creation and decarbonisation, ministers and delegates heard at EWEA Offshore2013 in Frankfurt.

ASD solar storage system awarded innovation prize ASD solar storage system awarded innovation prize

ASD Automatic Storage Device has received a German Renewables Award 2013 for its ASD Sonnenspeicher solar energy storage system.

Dutch system could increase wind farm production

An active wake control system tested at the Energy Research Centre (ERC) in the Netherlands has increased electricity production by 0.5 to 5 per cent, the researchers say.

REpower to rebrand to Senvion in 2014

REpower Systems SE, a subsidiary of the Suzlon Group will change its name in 2014 to Senvion.

New technical download - Gearbox lubrication of wind turbines: a case study

How can using a gearbox lubrication solution improve wind turbine availability?

Atlantis Resources acquires Europe’s largest tidal energy project

Tidal specialist Atlantis Resources Limited has bought MeyGen, Europe’s largest tidal power project.

3TIER selects Kompact Grid as partner in Romania

New relationship brings advanced wind and solar forecasting capabilities to the country.

Indiana Municipal Power Agency selects Danfoss inverter

One Danfoss QLX central inverter will power a 1 MW site near Richmond.

Waste to energy market to reach US$29 billion by 2016

The growing volume of municipal solid waste, an increasing need to generate energy and stricter legislation will push the waste to energy (WTE) plant market globally from revenues of US$19 billion in 2012 to US$29 billion by 2016, says a new podcast.

North Sea’s first floating wind measurement device

Mainstream Renewable Power is to deploy the North Sea’s first commercial floating LiDAR wind measurement device, designed to capture wind data in harsh conditions.

Ingeteam exhibits turbine tech at EWEA Ingeteam exhibits turbine tech at EWEA

Ingeteam plans to exhibit its range of electrical equipment up to 10 MW for wind turbines at EWEA Offshore 2013, the world’s largest offshore wind energy conference

EWEA OFFSHORE 2013: Offshore requires €123 billion to meet targets

The offshore wind energy sector needs up to €123 billion in investment between now and 2020 if it is to meet its target of 40 GW of installed capacity, says the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Geothermal heat pumps capacity to grow by nearly 150 per cent by 2020

The worldwide installed capacity of geothermal heat pump (GHP) systems will grow by nearly 150 percent over the next 7 years, from 52.7 GW) to 127.4 GWt, says a new report.

Minnesota Power wins wind energy Project of the Year Minnesota Power wins wind energy Project of the Year

Minnesota Power’s Bison wind energy centre near New Salem, North Dakota, was voted the best wind project of the year at the 2013 POWER-GEN International Conference and Exhibition awards in Florida.

BioDigester named “International Bioenergy Project of the Year” BioDigester named “International Bioenergy Project of the Year”

A biodigester owned by US anaerobic digestion company CleanWorld has won the “International Bioenergy Project of the Year” at the Renewable Energy World Power Engineering Awards Gala in Orlando, Florida.

2014 World Future Energy Summit draws new exhibitors, sponsors

Ninety per cent of show space sold, WFES organizers report

Fluor completes Arizona PV farm

Fluor Corporation has ‘achieved substantial completion’ of a solar facility in Maricopa County, Arizona.

IKEA to install solar panels on Miami store IKEA to install solar panels on Miami store

IKEA will install solar panels on its Miami-Dade-area store under construction in Sweetwater, Florida, making it the largest such installation in South Florida.

H2TRUST consortium emphasises benefits of hydrogen sustainability and safety in Europe H2TRUST consortium emphasises benefits of hydrogen sustainability and safety in Europe

Nine European partners have launched the H2TRUST consortium, to foster a smooth and well managed transition to the full-scale commercialisation of fuel cell and hydrogen applications in Europe, and emphasise the importance of hydrogen safety among all stakeholders.

Lowest power digital isolators introduced

Analog Devices has developed the ADuM144x range, which, according to the company, features the industry’s lowest power digital isolators.

The Switch 8.6 MW offshore PM generator passes initial no-load tests

Latest permanent magnet generator is The Switch's 'biggest and strongest' offering to date.

Trojan Battery names Start Trading Ltd. as master distributor for Bulgaria

Selection of Start Trading supports Trojan Battery's international expansion strategy.

€6 million funding for French biomass project

DEINOVE, a developer of chemical compounds from biomass using Deinococci bacteria, has announced that its plant chemistry development programme will receive nearly €6 million from the French government.

Canadian Solar provides 32 MW PV modules for China

Canadian Solar Inc has been awarded a module supply agreement to provide China Perfect Machinery Industry Corp with 32 MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules for a solar power plant project.

Alstom to build “Los Humeros III” geothermal project in Mexico Alstom to build “Los Humeros III” geothermal project in Mexico

25 MW geothermal plant is expected to produce more than 200 GWh of renewable energy per year.

E.ON to install GE software in five wind farms

E.ON Climate & Renewable plans to install GE’s PowerUp software in 469 of its GE 1.5-77 wind turbines.

Gamesa reports net profit of €31 million for nine months

Gamesa reported €31 million euro in net profit in the first nine months of 2013, contrasting with a loss of €67 million in the same period last year.

ALLETE Clean Energy to acquire wind energy facilities in US

ALLETE Clean Energy, a subsidiary of ALLETE Inc has signed an acquisition agreement to purchase wind farms in Minnesota, Iowa and Oregon from the AES Corporation in early 2014.

Solar panels reduce bill by £25K Solar panels reduce bill by £25K

Mark Group has installed 502 solar panels across three buildings belonging to De Montfort University, Leicester, UK, saving the university around £25,500 on its annual electricity bills.

Green light for UK’s largest offshore wind demonstration site

Planning has been granted to develop the UK’s largest offshore wind demonstration site.

UK National Trust to launch carbon-cutting network

The National Trust and sustainable energy charity Ashden have launched a new carbon-cutting network to help fight the impact of climate change and rising energy costs.

juwi Shizen Energy completes third solar park in Japan

juwi Shizen Energy has completed its third solar project in Japan – a free field solar park on Kyushu island.

UTRC's PureStorage flow battery energy storage tech wins R&D 100 Award UTRC's PureStorage flow battery energy storage tech wins R&D 100 Award

The PureStorage flow battery energy storage technology developed by United Technologies Research Center (UTRC) has won an R&D 100 Award, awarded by R&D Magazine as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced during 2012.

Nuvera Fuel Cells to provide Fincantieri with fuel cell technology for marine vessels Nuvera Fuel Cells to provide Fincantieri with fuel cell technology for marine vessels

US-based Nuvera Fuel Cells is working with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri on a programme to power high-end marine vessels with advanced fuel cell technology.

Biofuels production to top 150,975 million litres in 2016

According to a new report, biofuels (bioethanol and biodiesel) production in top and emerging countries such as US, Brazil, France, Spain, India, Colombia, Thailand, Sweden, Belgium, and Netherlands is expected to grow from 102,896 million litres in 2011 to 150,975 million litres in 2016 at CAGR of 8%.

BioFuel Energy sells ethanol plants to Green Plains

Green Plains Renewable Energy is to acquire two ethanol plants of BioFuel Energy Corp from an entity composed of its lender group.

Kyocera starts operation of Japan’s largest solar power plant Kyocera starts operation of Japan’s largest solar power plant

Kyocera Corporation has launched a 70 megawatt (MW) solar power plant in Kagoshima Prefecture, southern Japan, reportedly the country’s largest.

Total awarded solar power generation plant in South Africa

Total SA has been selected as the preferred bidder for an 86 MWp ground-mounted solar power project by South Africa’s Department of Energy (DoE).

Trojan Battery taps new senior vice president and chief financial officer Trojan Battery taps new senior vice president and chief financial officer

Ed Dunlap brings to Trojan more than 30 years of experience having served in various finance and CFO roles for both private and publicly traded companies.

Air Products joins AFC Energy’s Power Up project

Industrial gases giant Air Products has become a key strategic partner to AFC Energy in the latter’s Power Up project, where it will provide hydrogen to one of the world’s largest alkaline fuel cell power systems, using surplus hydrogen produced at a major chemical plant.

Terrajoule raises US$11.5 million for energy storage tech Terrajoule raises US$11.5 million for energy storage tech

Terrajoule has been funded US$11.5 million to develop energy storage technology that could yield a cost five times lower than today's batteries without degradation or cycle limitations over a 25-year system life.

U.S. government facilities earn Energy Star combined heat and power honour

Awards demonstrate how federal agencies are reducing carbon pollution in support of President Obama's Climate Action Plan

Solar Energy USA approved by GSA

Solar Energy USA has been nationally approved to offer solar panel systems through the US General Services Administration (GSA).

Dynamic Energy and DiCarlo Distributors complete New York solar project

Dynamic Energy Solutions, LLC has finished construction on a 904.2kW solar project for a food distributor in Holtsville, New York.

Welsh drives used in innovative Italian solar systems

Variable speed drives (VSDs) from Wales-based Invertek Drives are being used by Italian engineers to create solar energy systems with much flexibility and efficiency.

Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District taps RGS Energy for solar project

Installion entails 425 kW elevated solar power plant at Alameda-Contra Costa's Hayward D6 Bus Facility in Hayward, California.

Hibiscus Villa eco-resort project earns award nomination Hibiscus Villa eco-resort project earns award nomination

Trojan Battery & TeamSustain named finalists for Intersolar India’s “Solar Projects in India” Award

GE stimulates wind energy growth in the UK

More than 40 megawatts of cleaner energy capacity to be installed at Chelveston Wind Farm and Burton Wold Wind Farm Extension in Central England

Vestas R&D UK MD resigns

Vestas R&D UK managing director Rob Sauven has left the company.

Sullivan Solar Power recognized for innovative website design

Navigation and search features engineered to keep pace with end-user demands.

GE introduces 3.2-103 Brilliant wind turbine GE introduces 3.2-103 Brilliant wind turbine

GE's 3.2-103 Brilliant wind turbine, designed for the UK, Ireland and Turkey, is said to produce a 5% increase in energy output compared to its current model.

SunPower acquires panel cleaner specialist SunPower acquires panel cleaner specialist

SunPower Corp has acquired Greenbotics Inc, a California-based company that offers panel cleaning products and services for large-scale solar power plants.

Mass Megawatts Wind Power develops new solar tracking technology

Patent-pending, low-cost, tracking system promises a 3.5-year payback for millions of consumers.