Renewable Power News » Clean Energy

There Is an Abundance of Renewable Sources Of Energy

Jimmy Eriksson — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:54:32 +0000

Currently, United States is still heavily reliant on non-renewable energy sources such as coal, natural gas and oil. These sources of energy are also known as fossil fuel Yet, governments are realizing that fossil fuel is a finite source of energy, which is deemed to come to an end, and the cost of extracting these non-renewable is constantly rising. On the brighter side, renewable-energy sources are infinite and have experienced a steady reduction in cost during the recent years.

The key sources of alternative energy come either directly or indirectly from the sun. Directly, from the sun thermal energy (heating) or lighting energy can be harnessed to generate electricity. The typical water heating systems found on rooftops are examples of thermal energy.

The sun does also generate heat, which stimulates winds. The energy generated by winds is captured using wind turbines.

In addition, heat emitted by the sun and stimulated by winds cause water to evaporate. This water comes back to surface in the forms of snow or rain. The water currents in rivers depend on the amount of rain, and the speed of water flow can be used to generate hydro energy.

The contribution of the sun doesn’t end with only generating rain; the rain and sunlight are also required by plants to grow. The organic matters present in the growing of plants are called biomass. Biomass is another form of renewable energy, which can be used to generate electricity or converted into bio-energy.

In organic compounds, we can find Hydrogen. It is also present in water, not to mention that hydrogen is the most abundant chemical element present on Earth. It is a gas which is always mixed with other sources such as water and oxygen. It is only when hydrogen is separated from it’s combined element, that it can be burned to generate electricity.

However, a source of energy that isn’t really associated with the sun is geothermal energy. The heat of the earth can also be used to produce electricity and for purposes such as heating and cooling buildings. Also, ocean tides which operate on the gravitational pull of the
Earth, influenced by the moon and sun, is commonly exploited using underground ocean wave turbines.

The sea can provide an abundance or alternative energy sources such as tides, temperature difference in the sea, as well as osmosis (where sea water meets – river water) energy.

Source: Renewable Energy World

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Solar Powered Water Purification Systems – Mobile MaxPure

Jimmy Eriksson — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 22:44:13 +0000

An innovative stand-alone solar-powered water purification system has been introduced to the market by Worldwater & Solar Technologies Incorporated. It is a machine built with a pump, filter, to desalinate water and to purify. The system does also provide energy for purposes such as communication. The standalone machine has already several successful stories across the world; Japan, Iraq and Haiti, just to mention a few.

Specification

1. The machine can provide 15,000 gallons of hygiene and drinking water from rivers, wells, lakes and other potential sources of fresh water.

2. The desalination system uses reverse osmosis for brackish as well as seawater desalination. The potential purification capacity per day is 2,000 gallons.

3. The 2KW of solar arrays can provide electricity to power various appliances and electronic telecommunication devices.

4. In case energy is required during the night, the machine has 20KWh of battery.
A system is purely environmentally friendly; No noise pollution; No Fossil Fuel.

Haiti – Mobile MaxPure

In Haiti, WorldWater has been operating for several years, even before the earthquake that stroke the country in 2010. In total, there are actually 6 Mobile MaxPure Solar Power Water Purification Systems running in the Haiti Island.

In collaboration with Food For the Poor as well as other active NGOs, WorldWater managed to provide 2 Mobile MaxPure System to Haiti in 2008. It was intended to support the country after severe hurricanes leaving the island in-active for weeks with no grid electricity, flooding and debris on the streets. Due to natural calamities, water sources are left polluted and non-consumable. The self-powered system solved this drastic water shortage issue.

In January 2010, a devastating earthquake rendered normal water sources non-consumable. The two MaxPure System was immediately deployed as a life-saving tool. In addition other organization supported and provided a third Mobile MaxPure system.

Other NGOs have thereafter sponsored the deployment of additional Mobile MaxPure systems to Haiti in order to overcome cholera, agricultural issues, provide electricity and to provide consumable water to people whenever the need arose.

Japan –

Just, one month after that Japan had been rattled by the earthquake that hit Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear plant, Gamesa and WorldWater arranged for 2 Mobile MaxPure System to be airlifted to Japan to provide purified water to people living in a village situated close to the Nuclear Plant.

Iraq

The US Military Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) deployed several of the WorldWater solar powered water purification systems to sustain clean water and energy wherever required.

In the past, Iraqis consumed contaminated and unfiltered water. In 2008, May to July PRT provided 12 MMP to Fallujah, which are used to filter water from Euphrates River. At Iraq Water Treatment Facility the Chief Engineer, Abbas Hassan says that the machine help to solve the key issues such as providing clean water.

Hamid Hamid Ahmed Hashim Al-Alwani, who is the District Council Chairman for Fallujah says that providing clean drinking water by purifying water immediately from Euphrates River with solar power will help to reduce diseases like bilharzias and cholera.

The three years of service in Iraq have worked well.

In another district, Tigris, US Army provided 25 MMP in 2009. From the Tigris River, twenty MMP pumps are used to purify water while five are used as a reverse osmosis system to purify brackish water.

According to Fallujah District Council Spokesman, Sheikh Salam Halbusi says that many children fall sick due to the consumption of non-hygiene water, but now with the MMP the admittance to hospitals has gone down.

The Solar-Powered water filtration technology is a field where US Army has been very successful in helping Iraqis to have clean water and to survive on their own.

Source: World Water Solar

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World Future Energy Summit 2012 Reveals Renewable Energy Ambitions

Jimmy Eriksson — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 22:49:48 +0000

World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi attracted approximately 26,000 people, including the world’s most advance innovative green companies.

Key points revealed at Abu Dhabi’s World Future Energy Summit 2012.

1. United Arab Emirates – Motivated To Promote Renewable Energy

In the Arab world, only a few countries are embracing renewable energy. UAE is steadily becoming a strong supporter of building eco-friendly-cities. An example is the Masdar City, which is an evident attempt to go for green cities.

According to the Chief Executive of Masdar, Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, says that UAE is constantly reinforcing their stance as a green energy exporter. He also mentioned at the summit, that green companies in Abu Dhabi are motivated to stand-out as a provider of clean energy solutions.

In other words, UAE isn’t a gas and oil exporter; they are an energy exporter.

2. Importance of Renewable Energy Growing Across the World

The Slogan ‘going green’ is a big business. However, in people’s mind, supporting green energy and economies, includes additional expenditures.

Large economies such as China, Japan and Germany as well as smaller countries such as Belgium, Sweden and Serbia are displaying their commitment towards green growth. At the summit, several Emirati leaders were present, not to forget, Chinese Premier, Wan Jiabao and South Korean PM Kim Hwang-sik Affluent people say that emerging economies need renewable energy.

In addition, UN Chief Ban Ki-moon was present and highly interested about Masdar, which was promoted by GE, Siemens, Vestas and Mitsubishi.

3. Great Britain Strong in Green Innovation

In Britain, there is strong innovation in renewable technology. The famous Solar Impulse (solar-powered plane) had Bertrand Piccard and PlanetSolar boat, and various cars with solar panels were displayed; just mention the machine and soon you will find solar panels sticked unto it.

‘Pauley, a UK designed company’ have created the Solar Cucumber. It is a floating de-salination device, that reverses osmosis in order to segregate salt from water, and the apparatus is powered by solar energy. The device has been designed to provide fresh consumable water to coastal communities. The Solar Cucumber provides fresh water at source.

Apple Green Home has provided a very effective home energy solution. A house strongly insulated and operating on energy produced on site. The running cost of such an energy system is not more than £400 a year. Countries’ social housing institutes such as in New Zealand and Brazil have all showed great interest.

4. Global Warming Stirring Investment Into Alternative Source of Energy

According to Birol, the global temperature has a predicted trajectory rise in temperature by six degrees. Fatih Birol is the chief economist of IEA. It is fundamental to invest in renewable to avoid the worse potential climate effects.

The 85 percent of emissions have already led to an increase in temperature by 2 degrees. According to Birol, if investors don’t gear towards clean energy systems, the temperature rise will become a global pandemic.

Yet, financial restriction might make the growth in the green sector rather gloomy. Still in this strive towards a cleaner and greener economy, innovation stands as the genuine solution to overcome hurdles such as cost and climate changes.

Source: business Green

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India’s Ambition To Use Renewable Energy

Jimmy Eriksson — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:22:47 +0000

India is a country known for its dense population and its marvelous progress in informative technology. However, if we look back 7 years, and evaluate the slogan ‘Power for All by 2012’, the progress is ridiculous. In November 2011, the International Energy Agency reported that there are still 288 million people in India, who do not even have access to electricity.

It was an over-promised goal, but renewable energy is an exception. The country produced more than twice of the forecast renewable-energy supply. Clean energy in India has been growing steadily since the slogan ‘Power for All’. In the first quarter of 2007, the country had a total installed renewable-energy capacity equivalent to 10.2 GW. AS at the last quarter of 2011, the amounts rouse to 22 GW. Renewable energy currently supplies 11 percent of the country’s total demand.

According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance, it was found that India was the leader in 2011 in terms of growth in renewable-energy investments. They experienced a growth of 52 percent, to a total of $10.3 billion; mainly supported by the galloping growth in the solar and wind market.

Indian businessmen have since long been waved as strong players, by the western world, since they developed the Tulsi Tanti, a giant wind turbine by Suzlon. However, nowadays entrepreneurs are exploiting rural areas For instant, Selco is currently providing rural areas, where there was no access to electricity, power from solar lighting.

The winner of 2011’s Magsaysay Award, Harish Hande is driving this program. The prestigious Magsaysay award is given to people who are devoted to solve systemic poverty, lack of opportunity and poor health in Asia. Investors such as Draper Fisher Jurveston, Shell Foundation, International Finance Corporation, ReNew Wind Power, and Goldman Sachs are helping villages such as Gyanesh Pandey to operate Husk Power systems. It is a system which can generate electricity at a low rate, and can be sold to rural households.

The main buyer of this renewable energy is power distribution companies, and the financial helps are worsening over the years. It is essential that the grid is modernized, so that additional large-scale projected can be connected to the system. To support the slogan ‘Power for All’ it is essential that this modernization to the grid is effected, which can thereafter be concretized with renewable energy.

Currently, interest rates and inflations are alarming, yet, the $4.2 billion invested in India’s solar market in 2011, suggests that 2012 can be a sustainable year.

Source: Bloomberg

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Solar Industry Experienced Steady Growth in America – 2011

Jimmy Eriksson — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 19:15:11 +0000

Recent the Solar Energy Industries Associated, Washington released a review on the solar energy market of U.S in 2011.

The report says that the solar market has experienced as strong growth in 2011; with falling cost and rising employment creation. Some facts of the Solar Market in 2011 have been recorded in this article:

1. Solyndra – was part of a Growing Industry

Unfortunately, Solyndra filed for bankruptcy in August 2011. However, this doesn’t mean that the market was weak. On the contrary, the market expanded by 140 percent and cost decreased by 40 percent. Solyndra failed to compete but the solar-energy market remains strong, as ‘90 percent of Americans believe that it is critical to progress towards the expansion of solar energy.

2. U.S Solar Industry Employees Above 100,000 Americans
In the recent years, the solar industry has become a growing employer. In America above 5,000 companies are employing more than 100,000 Americans in small, medium and large green solar companies. According to the solar Foundation’s national Job Census 2011, people were employed as engineers, administrative professionals, sales people, installers, electricians, plumbers, contractors and roofers. New job opportunity in the solar industry has been beneficial during the severe economic downturn.

3. Currently, the Solar Industry is one of American’s fastest growing sectors.

Most American companies support the growth of solar industry; This includes companies such as Google, Whole Foods, Target, Johnson & Johnson, Walgreens, Safeway and others, which have invested significantly.

4. Cost of Solar Panels has Decreased by 40 %

In U.S there are approximately 1.5 million houses having solar water heaters while solar energy is currently powering 730,000 households. Yet, with increasing research and development as well as bulk production solar panels are getting cheaper. Since 2010 to 2011, the price of solar cells has decreased by more than 40 percent while only 2011’s second to third quarter experienced a fall in price by 14.4 percent.

5. Cut-throat competition in a Growing solar Industry
United state have experienced a tremendous growth in the export of solar technology, which highly positive for the domestic industry with job creation. In 2010, the net export of solar products reached $2 billion.

Companies in the solar industry are operating in a very uncertain environment with high dependency on governmental support. These investment mechanisms are determining the market losers as well as winners. In 2011, more than 22,000 energy projects were completed across the 50 states, with a total private investment amounting to $23 billion. The Congress is pushing for additional support to promote the industry over 2012.

In America, Solar really works well, and 2011 was a great year for the solar industry. Yet, constant struggle and devotion are required to drive the industry in 2012 together with well devised energy policies.

Source: Clean Technica

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Google Investing 94 Million In Solar Farms

Jimmy Eriksson — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 06:13:41 +0000

Google is investing 94 million in 4 solar energy farms located close to Sacramento in California. This is a joint investment with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. The total investment of the company has now reached $ 1 billion.

Recently, on Google’s Green Blog, they communicated their intent to invest 94 million in 4 solar projects. Some equity was also provided by SunTap Energy RE LLC as well as a venture with KKR for the investment.

Three of the project already have 20-year contracts with the utility district. In total, more than 13,000 households will be powered.

Three out of the 4 projects will be completed in early 2012 while the 4th one will be completed within the same year. For KKR, it is their first US renewable-energy investment. It has in the past invested in Spanish solar-energy company as well a French wind farm operator.

Google has now invested 915 million in renewable energy, while in 2011, they invested a total of 800 million. This included investment in wind farms in Oregon, California and North Dakota and solar projects in Germany and California, as well in US’s East coast in offshore wind farms.

Google has had a lucrative year in the growth of clean energy investments. This includes projects such as Brightsource Ivanpah Project – 450 MW Tall Solar Tower at Mojave Desert, which cost 168 million, and constitutes the company’s largest single investment in renewable energy.

For Google, investing in green energy is one of their continuous initiatives to reduce dependency on coal, and to be able to be entirely powered by clean energy 2030.

Axel Martinex who is Google Treasury Assistance says that they believe in the renewable energy sector, and that it will generate a new source of capital as well as reliable solution for a sustainable future.

In addition, Google has been donating a total 40 million in grant to various organisations during the holiday season.

Source: Zee News

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“Dark State” Increasing Solar Efficiency by 44 %

Jimmy Eriksson — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 20:29:16 +0000

Xiaoyang Zhu a chemist at University of Texas at Austin says that the conversion efficiency of traditional solar cells can be radically improved based on new ways of converting solar energy.

According to Zhu’s team, it was found that the efficiency of harnessing electrons from a single photon of sunlight could be doubled by the use of organic plastic semiconductor material.

Zhu says that plastic semiconductor solar cell has several advantages such as low cost, capability for synthesis thanks to molecular design and this makes it possible to exploit solar energy at far more efficient levels than currently.

This break-through was published by Zhu and his team in Science, 16th of December 2011.

Currently, conventional silicon solar cell can reach a maximum theoretical efficiency rate of 31 percent, and this is because most of the sunrays that struck the cell are too strong to be converted into electricity. The ‘hot electron’ is heat energy that is practically lost. Solar cells that could capture hot electrons could boost up the energy conversion rate of solar energy from 31 to 66 percent.

Recently, in 2010, Zhu and his team showed that it is possible to harness hot electrons by the use of semiconductor nano-crystals. However, Zhu admits that introducing such technology is extremely complex.

According to Zhu, an efficiency rate of 66 percent can only be captured when sunlight is focused on the solar panel not only raw sunlight. So there is a need to develop a new engineered device that ensures higher concentration of sunlight.

The team found a solution to this, when they found that a photon can make a dark quantum or so called ‘shadow state’ whereby two electrons can be captured via the use of a semi-conductor pentacene.

The use of this simple mechanism would practically increase converstion rate of solar cells by 44 percent. There would also be no need to develop a new device to have a concentrated solar beam. According to Zhu, it is a technology that could be pervasively used by the public.

Main Facts in the Findings:

1. When a photon is absorbed in a pentacene semi-conductor, it makes a so called excited electron-hole pair, which is known as an exciton.
2. An exciton is practically a pair of quantum forming a dark ‘shadow state’ which is known as multiexciton.
3. When an electron material is used like fullerene, the dark shadow state can very efficiently absorb two electrons.
4. The Dark Shadow state can increase the efficiency of solar cells by as much as 44 percent.

The National Science Foundation as well as the Department of energy sponsored this research that was spearheaded by Wai-lun Chan; One of Zhu’s postdoctoral fellows. In the team, other postdoctoral fellows were involved including Luis Miaja-Avila, Loren Kaake, Manuel Ligges and Askat Jailaubekov.

Source: Science Daily and Zeitnews

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European Offshore Wind Energy Is Lead by UK

Jimmy Eriksson — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 06:39:39 +0000

In UK waters, there are 1,341 MW of wind energy. This figure is based on European Wind Energy Association’s (EWEA) latest statistics, where UK was found to be the world’s largest provider of offshore wind energy.

The world’s largest offshore wind manufactures:

1. UK – 1,341 MW
2. Denmark – 854 MW
3. The Netherlands – 249
4. Belgium – 195 MW
5. Sweden 164 MW
6. Germany – Ireland – Norway – Finland – 145 MW

The Renewable Energy Trade Association says that the offshore wind sector is providing strong economic benefits – and also significant amount of renewable energy to U.K’s customers.

According to the Head of offshore renewable at RenewableUK, Peter Madigan, the pace at which offshore wind energy is growing is at its momentum. Recently, the first turbines at Greater Gabbard and Walney started producing electricity. These two wind farms will bring UK’s energy production to above 2 GWs ones completed. He also emphasised on the importance of capturing and assuring that new large infrastructures are steadily expanding to also business activity as well as employment.

In Europe, EWEA estimates that offshore wind power does currently provide 2.9 million EU households with clean wind energy. This is equivalent to the total amount of energy consumed by the total of Brussels and Berlin – this amount is provided from 1,136 offshore wind turbines.

There is another 19,000 MW of offshore energy that is expected to be increased in Europe. This would bring the yearly production of wind energy to 66.6 terawatts hours. In other words, wind energy would be able to power the 14 largest capitals in Europe with renewable energy including – Paris, Berlin and London.

EWEA also stated that water energy is also on the vertex of expansion.

Peter says, it is essential that UK based factories support the delivery of the 19,000 MW of wind energy that has been approved. And UK should absolutely be a key player in the expansion of offshore energy as the right policy framework is already in place.

Source: Mari Time Journal

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Large Wind Power Projects Coming To Pakistan: 17 proposals for 3,000 MW Project

Jimmy Eriksson — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:19:27 +0000

The biggest wind turbine manufacturers are seeking turnkey EPC contracts. Some of the world’s largest company involved are Vestas, Siemens, GE, Goldwind, Nordex and SUNEC.

In addition, to the 500-MW wind power plants that are expected to be finished by 2013; Pakistan’s Alternative Energy Board (AEDB) has been having more than 17 companies providing offers for a total installed capacity of 3,000 MW of wind energy, which will support the country to increase its use of clean energy.

There is strong will to invest in wind energy in Pakistan. This is what AEDB has been seeing with more than 17 investors suggesting to install above 3,000 MW of wind energy. There seem to be several other investors willing to engage in investing in wind power projects as well.

The Zorlu wind power project has currently completed its first phase with 6 MW being operational. However, there is still 5.6.4 MW to be completed by FCC Energy.

There are also official documents saying that Nepra has already established a tariff for 5 projects. Yet, some eight IPPs have been reported in the form of tariff petitions as well as generation licence application to Nepra after signing of the EPC contracts.

According to AEDB, there are already 18 financially feasible projects that have been finished by IPPs. These projects are all in different phases of approval. Moreover, there are 35 IPPs which are holding LOIs with AEDB for the go-ahead with construction of wind power projects.

For the 18 IPPs, land has already been allotted for these projects which will each generate more than 50 MW. This means that the cumulative installed capacity of all the 18 projects is above 900 MW.

There are already 6 IPPs licenses that have been provided, suggesting that above 500 MW of wind power will be installed by 2013. Before it seemed difficult to attract wind turbine manufacturers to Pakistan; Now with the first 6 MW project operating successful in the country AEDB has been able to overcome the lack of suppliers of machinery to the country.

According to AEDB, world’s largest Wind Turbine Manufacturers are now willing to do business in Pakistan such as:

1. Vestas
2. SUNEC
3. GE
4. SIMENS
5. NORDEX
6. GOLDWIND

The companies are also providing very fast delivery periods to finish turnkey EPC deals. In addition, local manufacturers are also starting to produce wind turbines such as Descon (already started the construction of wind turbine towers) and in the heavy industries, Taxila is making deal with the international wind turbine manufacturers to act as a partner in the assembly of wind turbines.

For the future of Pakistan, wind energy might be good solution for the lack of power supply to the national grid. However, it will take several years to have thousands of MW of wind energy produced in the country.

Currently, in Pakistan hydropower is the cheapest source of energy and is also a very effective tool in tackling water hurdles linked with the agricultural sector. Yet, wind power projects have been noticed to be highly cost effective per unit of output when check-against the Rental Power Plants.

Raja Pervaiz Ashraf, presents RPPs new idea to expand wind energy projects across the country, which can start to generate electricity shortly.

Source: Nation and REVE

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Solar Power to Reach Grid Parity In 5 Years

Jimmy Eriksson — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:58:19 +0000

India’s government says that solar power will cost the same as typical electricity within five years from now. In 2017, the tariff of solar power will be on the same rate as thermal energy. Recent trend has shown a significant decrease in price per project..

The renewable-energy minister says that companies are bidding at rate as low as 7.49 per unit for the construction of solar plants this year. It might not be long until solar-energy reaches ‘grid parity’, which will make solar energy even more demanded as a source of energy.

The Joint Secretary Minister, Tarun Kapoor says that the price will constantly fall year-by-year. Previously, the aim was to reach grid-parity by year 2022. However, the industry is given a positive indication that this target can now be reached by 2017. In addition, the cost of coal projects has gone up from 5.50 to 6 per unit due to the lack of local supply of coal and the need to import.

In the bids given on the National Solar Mission, the average price per unit was 8.78 while the lowest bid was laid by a French company, SolaireDirect, at as low as 7.49 per units for a typical 5 MW project.

In the round of bids, there were 28 suggested projects and each company could be given a maximum of 3 projects:

- 8 project of 20 MW
- 5 projects 15 MW
- 10 project of 10 MW
- 6 projects of 5 MW

Azure Power was given projects to construct solar power projects matching 35 MW. Their CEO, Inderpreet Wadhwa says that solar power does nowadays have the same market potentials as computers had in 1970s. The cost of solar power will be further pushed down with technology enhancement and innovation. In the first round in 2009, the company had given a quote of 17.91 per unit while for the current bid, the price has been laid at 8.21.

This remarkable improvement in the cost-competitiveness of solar power is showing that large investment can take place in India’s solar industry.

It is encouraging at an international level to see how India is driving price down. It is the only country of the few emerging countries that are supporting solar energy at a very large level.

The director from Renewable Energy Ministry did in the previous month’s Central Electricity Regulation Committee (CERC) emphasis on the decreased capital cost for typical collar cells. This is considered as a prime reason for the reduction in price. The cost of solar power will constantly fall to enable solar power to reach grid-parity.

The so called cost per megawatt is expected to fall even more; to 10 crore in 2013 from 14 crore in 2012.

Yet, reasons such as improvement in technology, international fall in the cost of solar cells and efficiency are other forces pushing the price of solar power down.

Source: Economic Times

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