Friday, September 21, 2012

MNRE releases "Green Energy Corridors" report


India's Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has released a report which covers both renewable energy policy initiatives in the nation and technical requirements for integrating more renewables into India's generation mix.
"Green Energy Corridors" poses these goals within the government's efforts to reach 85 GW of electricity generation during the 12th five-year plan, which lasts until 2017. MNRE notes that renewable energy has the advantage of greater resource flexibility through the deployment of distributed generation.
Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah is co-author of the report
Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah is co-author of the report
First report of its kind in India
MNRE states that this report is the first of its kind in the nation, and hopes that it will provide an impetus to large-scale integration of renewable energy.
The report includes studies on transmission infrastructure requirements and related services for the integration of large-scale renewable energy capacities, as well as intra-interstate transmission system strengthening, flexible generation, and forecasting to address intermittency and variability aspects.
The report was released jointly by Indian Minister of New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Dr. Veerappa Moily.

Now, ride to your office on electric skateboard

Soon, you can skate to work! Researchers are developing a skateboard which they claim will be the world's lightest electric vehicle and will be capable of travelling up to 9 kilometres. The Stanford University team behind the 'Boosted Board' said it could reach speeds of 32km/hr and be used by tourists, commuters and for everyday getting around, the Daily Mail reported.
The 'Boosted Board' prototype is built on a standard longboard, and weighs around 5 kilogrammes. Two brushless motors are used to drive the rear wheels, creating 2000 watts. Regenerative braking used to recharge the battery while moving. Lithium batteries which can be recharged in two hours, giving 9 kilometres of use. The team recently launched a Kickstarter fund to build the gadget - and have already raised over $2,60,000 - more than double their initial aim.

Sai Info Systems forays into 'green' data centres

With the demand growing in the country for 'green' data centres, Ahmedabad-based Sai Info Systems (SIS) is foraying into the same as part of its expansion plans. The company is investing around Rs 200 crore for developing the energy efficient data centres for its potential clients.

"When evaluated under power utilisation index (PUI), while a conventional data centre consumes 1.8-2 Mw of power for every 1 Mw of IT infrastructure, a green data centre consumes about 1.4. In India, and especially in Gujarat, demand for green data centres is growing gradually which is why we are foraying into the same," said Sunil Kakkad, CMD, SIS.

At an investment of Rs 200 crore, the company has so far developed 1,500 racks of green data centre, of which 300 racks is for SIS's captive consumption.

ITM Hydrogen Station deployed at the University of Nottingham


HFuel Gavin-Walker-hydrogen-refuelling
The primary function of the ITM installation at the University of Nottingham is to provide the capability to generate their own fuel on campus for a small fleet of fuel cell vehicles. The secondary function is the provision of a source of high purity, high pressure hydrogen for a dedicated research laboratory.
The system is a containerised generation system based on ITM’s patented PEM electrolyser technology. Electrolyser capacity will be adequate to provide a minimum 5kg single charge of gas to a vehicle at 350 bar and a supply of 150 bar hydrogen to the University laboratory. Storage capacity on site will be approximately 30kg to provide a degree of flexibility to the refuelling profile.

SkyFuel wins 2012 SolarPaces technology award

SkyFuel, Inc. was honoured with the 2012 Technology Award at the annual SolarPaces Conference, held on 11-14 September 2012 in Marrakech, Morocco. The award was won for the development of ReflecTechPlus—a high-reflectance, durable, silvered polymer film designed to reduce the lifecycle cost of parabolic-trough solar fields. ReflecTechPlus has proven to be durable outdoors for more than 30 years and incorporates an abrasion-resistant coating. The film was developed by ReflecTech, Inc. in collaboration with the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).ReflecTech Mirror FilmThe advantages of ReflecTechPlus for the concentrating solar power (CSP) industry are most clearly demonstrated in their application in SkyFuel's parabolic-trough concentrator. The SkyTrough was designed from the ground up to capitalize on the features of ReflecTechPlus. In contrast to glass-based mirrors, which rely on four or more individually mounted facets to fill the collector's aperture, the SkyTrough's ReflecTech-based reflectors are monolithic, flexible and lightweight and slide quickly into focus on precise parabolic guide rails attached to an aluminium space frame.

The search for new materials for hydrogen storage



The search for new materials for hydrogen storage
Hydrogen is the ideal fuel for new types of fuel cell vehicles, but one problem is how to store hydrogen. In his doctoral dissertation Serhiy Luzan studies new types of materials for hydrogen storage. He also shows that new materials with interesting properties can be synthesized by the reaction of hydrogen with carbon nano-structured materials. The dissertation will be publicly defended on September 28 at Umeå University.
New car engines that run on hydrogen produce only water as exhaust and are three to four times more efficient than ordinary internal combustion engines. Just one “small” problem is hampering the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles: there is no good method for storing sufficient amounts of hydrogen, as it is a gas of very low density.
Serhiy Luzan devotes the first part of his dissertation to studies of hydrogen storage in exciting new types of materials: metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). They consist of zinc- and cobalt-based metal clusters linked together via organic linkers, and they are extremely porous. One gram of MOF has a hydrogen-absorbing surface that is larger than a football field! Dozens of new MOF materials are synthesized each year, which is highly promising for the next generation of hydrogen storage materials.
Serhiy studied the hydrogen absorption of several new MOFs and researched the effects of different surface areas, pore volumes, and pore forms on the hydrogen storage parameters. MOFs can store record amounts of hydrogen at very low temperatures, but the hydrogen capacity at room temperature is not good enough. Luzan therefore studied new methods to enhance this capacity. Addition of metal catalysts has previously been reported to improve hydrogen storage considerably.
“But in my study, the effect of metal catalysts addition on hydrogen absorption in MOFs was not confirmed,” says Serhihy Luzan.
Hydrogen is of interest not only as a fuel but also for chemical modification of nano-structured carbon materials, such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and graphene. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms. Carbon nanotubes also consist of pure carbon, in the form of graphene layers rolled into a cylinder. Fullerene, C60, consist of sixty carbon atoms arranged in five- or six-vertices figures, just like the pattern on a soccer ball. There are carbon materials that are stronger than steel, conduct current better than copper, and diffuse heat better than diamond.
In the second part of the dissertation Luzan describes the materials he created by the reaction of hydrogen with fullerenes and carbon nanotubes.
Luzan studied the reaction between fullerene C60 and hydrogen at elevated temperatures and hydrogen pressures, with and without the addition of metal catalysts. The reaction resulted in the formation of hydrogenated fullerenes, C60Hx. Upon extended hydrogen treatment, the fullerene structure fragmented and collapsed. This outcome shows that it is possible to break down fullerenes stepwise into smaller cup-like molecules, which are stabilized by hydrogen atoms. This is a structure that was previously difficult to achieve.
“With this method, we should be able to use fullerenes as a relatively inexpensive source material for creating new molecules that hopefully would retain interesting properties from the original carbon nano-material,” says Serhihy Luzan.
Hydrogenated graphene (graphane) is expected to be an ideal material for new carbon-based electronics, but graphane is difficult to synthesize by a direct reaction between graphene and hydrogen. It is much easier first to hydrogenate carbon nanotubes and then to cut them along the tube axis into so-called nanoribbons, which have hydrogen covalently bonded to the surface.
Luzan’s experiments showed that the reaction between single-wall carbon nanotubes and hydrogen is possible if a suitable catalyst is used, and he was able to observe that some of the nanotubes were converted to graphene or graphane nanoribbons.

Boeing/American Airlines Test ecoDemonstrator Aircraft which includes a regenerative fuel cell



Boeing ecoDemonstrator
Testbed jet to advance progressive environmental technology
WASHINGTON– Boeing (NYSE: BA) and American Airlines today showcased a Next-Generation 737-800 airplane known as ecoDemonstrator in Washington, D.C., to highlight testing of environmentally progressive technologies. The visit to the nation’s capital follows extensive flight testing in Glasgow, Montana, where it flew a series of missions designed to test and accelerate advanced technologies that increase fuel efficiency and reduce airplane noise.
Top officials from Boeing, American Airlines, and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) held a joint news conference at Reagan National Airport to highlight innovation and collaboration among government and industry.
“The ecoDemonstrator illustrates how we’re pursuing technologies and advanced materials that make airplanes operate more efficiently and produce fewer emissions and less noise,” said John Tracy, Boeing chief technology officer. “I am proud of the leadership role that Boeing is playing in advancing the science of aerospace and demonstrating the value of these technologies to our airline customers, the flying public, and to society at large.”
American Airlines is loaning a new Next-Generation 737-800 to Boeing to serve as the testbed for these advanced technologies.  The flight testing completed in Glasgow allowed Boeing engineers to gather volumes of data about the viability of each technology. After testing is complete, the airplane will be returned to standard configuration and delivered to American later this year.
“At American Airlines, we are working diligently to improve our carbon footprint. Reducing noise pollution, conserving fuel and waste minimization are just a few of the areas where we are making progress,” said David Campbell, vice president of Safety, Security, and Environmental for American Airlines.  “This is why it is so crucial for us to participate in programs like the ecoDemonstrator, so that we can test technologies that will continue to improve not only American’s environmental performance, but our entire industry as well. We remain committed to doing our part to be good stewards for the environment.”
The FAA program known as CLEEN (Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise) provided funding for the adaptive trailing edge on the airplane as well as some flight test costs.
Other technologies on the 2012 ecoDemonstrator airplane include variable area fan nozzles, active engine vibration reduction, a regenerative fuel cell, and testing of flight trajectory optimization to enable more efficient routing for fuel savings. With fuel now the leading operating expenditure for airlines worldwide and increasingly stringent environmental regulations, improving fuel efficiency and reducing carbon and noise emissions is a top priority for the aviation sector.
“Boeing is fully committed to helping airlines operate more efficiently, with reduced environmental impact,” said Tracy. “We are committed because it is the right thing to do, and because meeting the environmental challenges we face will enable our industry to grow and broaden the benefits that aviation provides to global economic growth.”
The 2012 ecoDemonstrator is the first of several test platforms.  Boeing plans to have one per year, with each airplane testing a new set of technologies.  In 2013, a wide-bodied airplane will serve as the testbed.
The FAA CLEEN program is also participating in the 2013 program, providing cost-share funding for a ceramic matrix composite engine nozzle and its related flight test costs.

Siemens to cut wind and solar power jobs: Report

Siemens will cut jobs at its wind and solar power units as well as in its new Infrastructures and Cities business as part of a drive to cut costs in a weakening economy, a German magazine said. 

The renewable energy business - comprising solar, wind and hydro power - recorded a 40 percent drop in new orders in the nine months through June, which Siemens blamed on fewer large orders in Germany. Siemens said it expected pricing pressure to continue in coming quarters. Profit at the business was down by just over a third in the period. 

In Germany, the expansion of offshore wind power projects has been delayed by regulatory and financial hurdles, and the solar industry there has been rattled by consolidation that has driven a number of companies out of business.

Safe, Portable Fuel Cell Can Charge Smartphones-A research team led by Rohm Co. announced it has developed a portable hydrogen-powered fuel cell


TOKYO (Nikkei)–A research team led by Rohm Co. (6963) announced Tuesday that it has developed a portable hydrogen-powered fuel cell that is lightweight, inexpensive and safe, aiming for commercialization by next spring.
Power your smartphone with hydrogen.
The team, which also includes Kyoto University and fuel-cell start-up Aquafairy Corp., has devised a hydrogen generator that uses a sheet of calcium compound solidified by resin. It generates 4.5 liters of hydrogen from 3 grams of calcium compound through a chemical reaction with water.
Combined with the polymer electrolyte power generation technology, the fuel cell can produce 5 watt-hours of electricity, enough to charge a smartphone in two hours.
The team plans to commercialize a credit card-sized smartphone charger that weighs less than 100 grams as well as a 200-watt portable generator to be used for emergencies.

Fuel cell scooters and solar hydrogen refuelling station launched in Hawaii


Hawaii-based Aloha Motor Company, a joint venture by H2 Technologies and Taiwan’s Asia Pacific Fuel Cell Technologies (APFCT), has launched the world’s first commercial off-grid solar hydrogen refuelling station this week in Honolulu.
The hydrogen station uses solar power to drive the electrolysis of water, generating hydrogen. The 200 litre/hour electrolyser was supplied by Acta SpA. Acta is working closely with both APFCT and H2 Technologies to implement a convenient hydrogen refuelling system for the scooters.
Acta’s proprietary electrolyser technology significantly reduces the cost of small-scale hydrogen generation and can be powered directly from solar panels without energy loss from power conversion or hydrogen compression. Each scooter has two cartridges that store hydrogen at low pressure in metal-hydride form and can take the scooter 90 km (50 miles), with a 1.2 kW fuel cell that gives a top speed of 35 mph (~55 kph).
The fuel cell scooters are expected to be on Honolulu roads early in 2013, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. Guy Toyama, CEO of H2 Technologies, says that the initial plan is to begin offering the scooters as rentals for the tourist market to build an economy of scale that will drive down the price. Currently, the cost is about $3,500

Saturday, September 15, 2012

CAUSE AND EFFECT.


CAUSE AND EFFECT. This simple experiment shows the importance of vegetation (and trees) on the environment. The water that runs through soil with vegetation -- on the left, comes out clear, while that that without vegetation is muddy. Of course naman: COMMON SENSE. Yet, why do we keep cutting the trees in our forests and complaining why the water in our rivers are so muddy and dirty? Photo by Cordilleran Environmentalist Roland Yawan.

Friday, September 7, 2012

ESolar’s modular solar power towers with storage


“What is so unique about our technology is the modular nature of it and the scalability,” explained eSolar President/CEO John Van Scoter. “Instead of one-size-fits-all,” he said, “we can literally build these up just like building blocks and adapt to different customer requirements.”
Besides the company’s streamlined and clear sculptural look, at a quick glance, it seems it has attracted some big business partners. It has partnered up with General Electric (GE) and Babcock & Wilcox, two major energy sector multinationals. And it has a roadmap for scaling its cost down and reaching outward.2esolar
Besides competing “straight-up with the best-in-class PVs on an ongoing basis,”  it also has “the advantage of being dispatchable with storage.”
And its affect on water consumption is notable. ”The company has also streamlined the system’s power electronics, cabling installation and robotic heliostat cleaning. The first two will reduce costs and the third, Van Scoter said, “will reduce water consumption by an order of magnitude.”




Wednesday, September 5, 2012

Chempolis to bring biorefining to India


Chempolis, a leading Finnish biorefinery company, is planning to establish biorefinery projects in India in joint venture.
The company has developed and patented technologies to refine residual agricultural biomasses into high quality products while minimising environmental impact and maximising social benefits.
Chempolis' third-generation biorefining technology provides profitable, sustainable and cost-effective solutions for biomass, sugar, fuel, pulp and paper and chemical industries in India.
According to Pasi Rousu, President, Chempolis Asia and Pacific, the agriculture and sugar industry is very strong in India and there is a huge biomass potential. Given the potential of biorefining in India, gasoline could be replaced completely by ethanol and imports of crude oil can be reduced by 25 per cent.
Further, Rousu said that Chempolis was currently in the negotiating stage with leading sugar companies in India for establishing its first biorefinery in the country. Most of the companies had shown interest and a final decision in this regard would be taken early next year. Following this, the refinery was expected to be functional in 18-20 months time.
Rousu also mentioned that the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy had been supportive towards the company. Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr. Farooq Abdullah, who visited the company's facility in Finland, was keen that Chempolis bring the technology to India.
The technology enables production of multiple value-added products from renewable raw materials. These products include bioethanol, biosugars, biocoal and multiple biochemicals that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable. Chempolis technologies are effluent-free and self-sufficient in terms of energy and do not produce CO2 or sulphuric emissions.

Orient Green expanding biomass power generation


Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power utility and a leading renewable energy company was conferred with IPPAI (Independent Power Producers Association of India) Award in the category "Best Wind Power Producer".

The award was presented by Dr. Pramod Deo, Chairman - CERC on 24th August 2012. Mr. Paresh Sahasrabudhe, Head - Wind Operations received the award on behalf of Tata Power.

The participating wind power companies were judged based on "CUF and Capacity Growth" over the 3 years period. The award was based on the judgment of very eminent jury headed by Dr. Pramod Deo (Chairman - CERC) and supported by Deloitte and Crisil.

Speaking on the award, Mr. Ashok Sethi, Chief - Operations Management, Tata Power said, "Tata Power is very proud to be India’s leading wind power producer. It is our  endeavour to lead the clean energy space in India and  to create a sustainable future."

Tata Power today has a strong portfolio of wind power comprising of 376.4 MW of installed Wind generating capacity making it one of the largest renewable player in India. The wind farms of the Company are spread across four states viz. Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Tata Power bags the award for best wind power producer


Tata Power, India’s largest integrated power utility and a leading renewable energy company was conferred with IPPAI (Independent Power Producers Association of India) Award in the category "Best Wind Power Producer".

The award was presented by Dr. Pramod Deo, Chairman - CERC on 24th August 2012. Mr. Paresh Sahasrabudhe, Head - Wind Operations received the award on behalf of Tata Power.

The participating wind power companies were judged based on "CUF and Capacity Growth" over the 3 years period. The award was based on the judgment of very eminent jury headed by Dr. Pramod Deo (Chairman - CERC) and supported by Deloitte and Crisil.

Speaking on the award, Mr. Ashok Sethi, Chief - Operations Management, Tata Power said, "Tata Power is very proud to be India’s leading wind power producer. It is our  endeavour to lead the clean energy space in India and  to create a sustainable future."

Tata Power today has a strong portfolio of wind power comprising of 376.4 MW of installed Wind generating capacity making it one of the largest renewable player in India. The wind farms of the Company are spread across four states viz. Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Gujarat and Karnataka.

Weeks Marine builds first U.S. offshore wind installation vessel


Even though Weeks Marine Inc. has not signed any contracts with offshore wind farm developers, the company is investing large amounts of money in a barge called R.D. MacDonald. When completed, this will be the first U.S. vessel specifically built for offshore wind construction.
The vessel is docked at Weeks Marine’s shipyard in Camden as a giant crane is being added, which will be used to install wind turbines in the Atlantic Ocean, the CourierPostOnline reports.
Rick Palmer, vice president of the company, said that they wanted to be prepared for offshore wind projects. Mr. Palmer also highlighted the importance of the vessel being built in the U.S., as the federal Jones Act requires the vessels constructed in the country to be owned and staffed by U.S. citizens for transportation of all goods in the U.S. waters.Weeks Marine Builds First U.S. Offshore Wind Installation Vessel

Qbotix sees tiny robots reducing solar costs, boosting output


 a closely held robotics company, is developing systems that may cut the cost of energy from solar farms by as much as 20 percent.
Its robotics technology is an alternative to currently available dual-axis or single-axis tracking systems, which rotate solar panels toward the sun to increase energy production, according to Wasiq Bokhari, Qbotix’s chief executive officer.
“We are the first company to use mobile, intelligent robots to operate solar power plants,” he said in a phone interview.
Qbotix has developed battery-powered robots that ride on a monorail around arrays of solar panels and link up with each to mechanically tilt them toward the sun, performing the same function as standard tracking systems without the need for extra steel and motors. The systems will cost about the same as standard single-axis trackers, Bokhari said, without disclosing the price.
“The benefit we provide is that, without any cost difference, the project owners can generate 8 to 15 percent more energy compared to single-axis tracking systems and 30 to 40 percent more energy than fixed-mount systems,” Bokhari said.
The technology may reduce the levelized cost of solar energy by as much as 20 percent compared to projects without tracking systems, Qbotix said today in a statement.
Each robot can manage 300 kilowatts of panels and costs “a few cents a watt,” Bokhari said. Standard single-axis tracking systems usually cost about 35 cents to 45 cents a watt, and dual-axis systems made by other companies like SunPower Corp. (SPWR) cost more, he said.

Prototype Complete

The company completed a grid-connected prototype last year and operated it for more than nine months “to show that the system indeed has the cost and reliability benefits that we talk about,” Bokhari said. The company will begin selling its “next-generation” systems this month, he said.
Qbotix, based in Menlo Park, California, has raised $7.5 million since 2010 from New Enterprise Associates Inc., Firelake Capital Management LLC, Siemens Venture Capital GmbH, Draper Fisher Jurvetson and angel investors, Bokhari said.

Sunday, September 2, 2012

EIA report addresses U.S. biomass power generation


The U.S. Energy Information Administration recently issued its latest power generation data. Its Electric Power Monthly report provides an overview of biomass power on a regional basis.  
In June 2012, the U.S. produced 1.657 million MWh from wood and wood-derived fuels. An additional 1.657 million MWh was produced from other biomass sources. The production level represents a respective 8 percent and 1.7 percent reduction in power output, compared to July 2011.
The industrial sector accounted for 2.131 million MWh of wood and wood-derived power in June 2012, and 71,000 MWh of energy produced by other biomass sources. The commercial sector produced 316,000 MWh of power from other biomass sources during the month. Independent power producers generated a respective of 724,000 MWh and 1.144 million MWh of power using wood and wood-derived fuel and other biomass sources. Utilities produced only 128,000 KWh of power from wood and wood-derived fuels, and 125,000 MWh of power from other biomass sources in June.
The New England region, which includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont, produced 644,000 MWh of biomass power across all sectors in June 2012, with Maine featuring the highest level of production in the region at 330,000 MWh.
The Middle Atlantic Region, which includes New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, produced 445,000 MWh of biomass power in June. Pennsylvania had the highest level of production in the region, with 206,000 MWh.
The East North Central region, which includes Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin, produced a combined 444,000 MWh of biomass power in June. Michigan ranked first in the region, with 199,000 MWh of production. The West North Central region, which includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota, produced a combined 175,000 MWh of biomass power during the month. The vast majority, 147,000 MWh, was generated in Minnesota.
The South Atlantic Region, which includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia, produced the most biomass-based power in the country, with 1.232 million MWh of output. Florida reported the highest level of biomass power generation in the region, with 371,000 MWh of production.
The East South Center region, which includes Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee, produced a combined 469,000 MWh of biomass power. Mississippi produced the most in the region, with 102,000 MWh of output. The West South Central region, which includes Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas, produced 506,000 MWh of biomass power. Texas’s production output of 152,000 MWh was the highest in the region.
The Mountain region, which includes Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming, produced only 67 MWh of biomass power in June 2012. The Pacific Contiguous region of California, Oregon and Washington, produced a combined 635,000 MWh of biomass power in June 2012. California had the highest level of production, with 491,000 MWh of output.
The Pacific Noncontiguous region, which includes only Alaska and Hawaii, produced 25,000 MWh of biomass power, with all of that output attributed to Hawaii.

Wind power equivalent to taking 2.1 million cars off road, says report


The cut to carbon emissions brought about by wind power in Britain last year was the equivalent of taking 2.1 million cars off the roads, a major report has claimed. The publication by the left-leaning IPPR think tank hits back at politicians who have called for Government funding for on-shore wind power to be slashed.
It attacks claims that output from wind power is “unpredictable” and insists in the short-term it is “remarkably stable”.
The issue has become among the most controversial in Wales, with around 1,500 people last year protesting outside the Senedd in opposition to plans to erect pylons and turbines in Mid Wales.
The IPPR argues that between 2004 and 2010 Government support for renewables added just £30 to the average energy bill while rises in the wholesale cost of gas added £290.
It states there is unequivocal evidence “wind power can significantly reduce carbon emissions, is reliable, poses no threat to energy security, and is technically capable of providing a significant proportion of the UK’s electricity supply with minimal impact on the existing operation of the grid.”
t argues carbon dioxide emission savings from wind energy were at least 5.5 million tonnes in Britain last year and claims “the UK has the greatest potential for wind power of any European country”.
Earlier this year more than 100 MPs wrote to the prime minister calling on the UK Government to “dramatically cut the subsidy for on-shore wind”.
These included Conservatives Guto Bebb (Aberconwy), Simon Hart (Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire) and Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) and Liberal Democrats Roger Williams (Brecon & Radnorshire) and Mark Williams (Ceredigion).
Montgomeryshire Conservative MP Glyn Davies predicted opposition would intensify.
He said: “We don’t think the benefit wind brings – and it’s hugely exaggerated by those who support it – could possibly justify this desecration. The truth is the people of Mid Wales are not going to take it lying down.
“This is going to be a battle to the very end.”
But Gareth Clubb of Friends of the Earth Cymru said: “This report confirms our long-held view that wind power is one of the most efficient and most effective means of providing zero-carbon electricity. Compared with the dirty and increasingly expensive fossil fuel and nuclear industries, wind and other renewable must be our electricity generating priority.
“Wales is lagging way behind Scotland in deployment of wind and other renewables and it’s high time this government nailed its colours to the mast of a 100% renewably-powered future.”
A Welsh Government spokesman said: “Wind energy has a role to play in our renewable energy ambitions for Wales, but our vision also includes maximising the potential of marine, solar, biomass and hydro to make sure our communities have the energy they need. Our own analysis to date clearly demonstrates that renewable energy presents huge potential for Wales in terms of jobs and economic development and we continue to assess the wide range of emerging evidence as the sector develops.
“We want to secure the highest possible number of the additional jobs predicted for the energy sector in the coming years and make sure this investment benefits our communities.”
Anne Meikle of WWF Cymru said: “We welcome this report, which shows that wind energy is an efficient and effective technology. It can play a major role in providing Wales with the clean, reliable and affordable energy we need.
“Our recent Positive Energy report shows that renewables could supply well over 60% of the UK’s electricity by 2030 and wind energy is an important part of the mix, being both affordable and reliable.
“Wind energy is also key to building on the jobs and investment we have already seen in the renewable energy sector in Wales. We hope this report helps debunk the myths that surround wind energy, which in reality is a vital part of our future energy supply.”

Trina Solar: New milestone for the Swiss market

Trina Solar Limited, a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced the completion of the first large-scale rooftop PV system in Switzerland to use the Company's high-performance Honey modules. The system, deployed on the roofs of Sagewerke Christen AG's production and storage buildings in Luthern in the canton of Lucerne, has an installed capacity of 900kWp and produces up to 6,000kWh of solar energy per day. This makes the company the first self-sufficient and carbon neutral sawmill in Switzerland.

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Geospatial technologies recommended for sustainable agriculture


With the help of geospatial technology, it is possible to generate and update information about natural resources, in spatial format, at much more frequent intervals, so enabling proper inventory and management of natural resources, said P. Subbian, Registrar, Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU).

Inaugurating a 21-day summer training on “Geospatial Technologies and Applications” at TNAU, he said the Indian geospatial industry’s current annual productive capacity was nearly Rs. 4,000 crore. “The industry is expected to annually grow at a cumulative growth of eight per cent to a productive capacity of Rs. 5,820 crore by 2014. Geospatial technology includes three components, viz., Remote Sensing (RS), Geographic Information System (GIS), and Global Positioning System (GPS),” he said.

The scope for applying geospatial technologies was enormous in Indian agriculture, especially in areas of watershed management, crop acreage and yield estimation, drought monitoring, pest and disease monitoring, soil resource mapping and command area management, which would help enhance sustainable agriculture, he added. “It is found that the use of GIS and GPS for precision farming, especially for fertilizer application, reduced total fertilizer expenditure by up to 10 per cent a year, besides enhancing yield by 15 per cent, has been profitable,” Mr. Subbian said.

Nereus Capital raises IFC investment for India projects


The World Bank’s International Finance Corp. unit has agreed to invest in a fund managed by Nereus Capital Management LLC that’s targeting clean-energy companies in India.
The $20 million investment is part of $250 million that Nereus plans to raise in the next year, Nereus founder Jonathan Winer said today in a phone interview from New Delhi. It already raised more than $20 million from another investor whom Winer declined to identify, citing a confidentiality agreement.
Nereus seeks to “develop hard assets on the ground,” Winer said. “We’re trying to back companies with scalable business models that address the larger opportunity created by the supply-demand imbalance in the Indian power market.”
India, which suffered the world’s biggest blackout last month, depends on coal to generate more than half its electricity and struggles with a 9 percent power deficit at peak hours. The government seeks to boost alternative energy sources as infrastructure bottlenecks cripple utilities, creating a 30- gigawatt backup power market by businesses switching to diesel generators when lights go out.
Nereus’s first investment may be in a company developing a waste-heat recovery power plant, Winer said. Such plants use heat released as a byproduct of industrial operations, such as flue gases at factories, to heat water to run turbines.
The fund is expected to make seven to 10 investments of $15 million to $35 million each, according to a summary of IFC’s investment proposal on its website. Winer said there’s no cap on the amount it invests in a single company or industry.
Potential investment targets also include developers of wind farms, small hydropower, off-grid solar projects, engineering contractors and suppliers servicing the clean-energy industry, Winer said. The IFC has invested $3 billion in 190 funds globally, according to Vikram Raju, who heads private equity investments for the organization in South Asia.

Madras HC gives go ahead to Kudankulam power project


The Madras High Court today gave its nod to the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project, clearing the decks for the fuel loading and commissioning of unit 1 of the controversy-hit Indo-Russian project.
A file photo of the two reactors of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant at Tirunelveli district.
A file photo of the two reactors of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant at Tirunelveli district.
Dismissing a batch of petitions challenging commissioning of units 1 and 2 of KNPP, a Division Bench comprising Justices P. Jyothimani and M. Duraiswamy said the project did not suffer from any infirmity for want of any clearance from any authorities. “There is absolutely no impediment to proceed in units 1 and 2 of KNPP,” the Bench said in its order, which was keenly awaited for loading the real fuel in the 1,000 MW unit 1.
The court also said the Centre and Tamil Nadu government shall oversee the plant continuously and take steps to protect the interests of the people and fishermen in the area. Besides undertaking awareness schemes, the state government should establish a multi-speciality hospital and schools with hostel facilities for locals and children, give financial assistance for the fishermen in the area to have mechanised boats and provide port and cold storage facilities to store fish catch.
The Collector of Tirunelveli, the district in which plant is situated, should ensure offshore safety drills regularly involving the public, it said. Another Bench comprising Justices P. Jyothimani and P. Devadoss dismissed a petition challenging the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB)’s clearance for loading real fuel in the plant.
The Bench said, “It is not for the court to suspect the statutory authorities, until a classic case is made out...the court does not have expertise to suspect the statutory authorities’ opinion.” It also said that all the 17 safety recommendations made by the Task Force should be implemented as committed and the “nuclear loading can go ahead.”
The AERB had recently given its approval for loading the real fuel in the first reactor of the plant, taking the project a step closer to commissioning.
The commissioning of the first of the 2x1,000 MW units of the Indo-Russian project was slated for December last year, but protests by local people on grounds of safety concerns delayed it.
Reacting to the verdict, People’s Movement Against Nuclear Energy convenor S.P. Udayakumar, spearheading the protest, said, “It is one-sided and against the people, who are struggling for the past one year in a democratic way.
Injustice has been done and we will appeal in the Supreme Court.”

Coalgate: Double gain for power producers?

This is the question IIM-Ahmedabad director Samir Baruah, as an independent director on the CIL board, has raised ahead of a crucial management meeting on Friday to approve the model FSA.

"It would be myopic for (CIL) board to believe that coalgate has nothing to do with signing of FSAs. FSAs are clearly designed to bestow favours to chosen projects and producers of power. If they also appear to be those who received largesse from the government in terms of allotment of coal blocks then we would also be guilty of favours to the same set of projects/owners," Baruah wrote in an e-mail to CIL company secretary M Viswanathan on August 28.

The government had on April 3 taken the unusual step of issuing a presidential directive to CIL to sign FSAs with power projects guaranteeing to supply 80% of the contracted quantity or pay hefty penalty to project promoters. The directive was issued after the six independent directors, including Baruah, had blocked the FSA, doubting CIL's capability to meet the minimum supply guarantee.

Baruah has copied his e-mail to CIL chairman S Narsing Rao and other directors. He has also asked the company for "the entire list of power projects and owners of these projects who would be the customers for coal under FSAs" and another list of projects/owners who were allotted coal blocks by the government.

A comparison of the two lists would weed out whether same projects or promoters figure in the two lists and enjoying government largesse twice over. This is evident as Baruah puts the following posers before the CIL board:

a) "The conditions specified while allotting coal blocks - were they required to start production by certain date? What were these dates?

b) What is the status of these blocks? Has mining started in these blocks?

"There appears to be some confusion as to when these blocks were allotted. Were all the blocks allotted between 2006 and 2010, or were there some blocks that were allotted after 2010?"

The FSA and the minimum supply guarantee had been a contentious issue for the government. Pushed by private power producers, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has been pushing hard for signing of the FSA with the aim of rescuing projects that were either ready by December, 2010, or were expected to be commissioned by March, 2015, and have long-term power purchase agreements in place.

But opposition from independent directors and dispute with power producers over certain clauses has held up the agreements. Some 65 power projects with an aggregate 28,000 mw of generation capacity are awaiting agreement. The decision to ask CIL to sign the FSA was taken at the February 1st meeting of the PM's panel of secretaries set up to address power sector woes and was first reported by ToI on February 2nd .

Natural gas prices dip up to 20 per cent on supply glut


 Natural gas prices have dropped by up to 20 per cent in the spot market, bringing relief to Indian refiners, power and fertiliser producers, which are now dependent on imports for most of their requirement.
Industry experts say prices of liquefied natural gas (LNG) have been on a slide for the past four months because of increased supplies from some producers like Australia and Nigeria, and sluggish demand from major consumers like the US and Japan.
"LNG prices have come down considerably in the past quarter," said DM Desai, chief executive at Ahmedabad-based consulting firm Ethical Energy-Petrochem Strategies. "It is because of softening oil prices while the demand from the major gas consuming nations like Japan and US has remained stable."
Gail, the country's largest state-owned gas processing and distribution company, recently booked an LNG cargo at $13.50 per million metric British thermal units (mmBtu), against $17 per mmBtu it paid for the previous cargo. Similarly, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation, the country's largest LNG trader, booked a cargo for delivery in October at $12 per mmbtu compared to $16 it paid for a cargo in June.
LNG accounts for close to a fourth of India's total natural gas consumption. The country imported close to 55 mmscmd of LNG in 2011-12. Experts say the drop in natural gas prices has come as a relief for Indian consumers, who have been paying more for the gas because of depleting production at home and a depreciating rupee. The price of compressed natural gas recently touched an all-time high of Rs 53 per kg in Gujarat, which accounts for a third of the country's total natural gas consumption. In Delhi and neighbouring cities, CNG prices have increased 25 per cent in just one year. While CNG now costs Rs 38.35 per kg in Delhi, it is priced at Rs 43.10 per kg in Noida, Greater Noida and Ghaziabad.
With supplies dwindling from Reliance Industries' KG-D6 basin on the east coast, most of the country's big oil refiners have become increasingly dependent on imported gas. RIL and Essar are now banking on spot LNG cargos to feed their refineries and power plants. Falling output from D6 has also affected city gas distribution companies, which have not received gas under the administered price mechanism from D6 for almost a year now. These companies are now rejoicing at cheaper imports.

US firm plans Rs 580 crore solar power project in Bihar


A US-based agency, Schanti Partners, New York, has expressed its keen interest in investing Rs 580 crore for a solar energy project in Kaimur district of Bihar. Initially, a 10MW unit would be set up. The agency has already submitted its proposal to the Bihar State Electricity Board (BSEB) and received approval from the Bihar State Investment Promotion Board as also no-objection letter from Bihar Renewable Energy Development Agency (BREDA).
The agency intends to enter into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with BSEB. The proposed PPA rate is Rs 12.50/kWh.
This would be a part of the 50MW project to be set up in a phase-wise manner (10x5 MW). This foreign investment in Bihar will create jobs for local people and boost economic development. "With the setting up of this solar energy plant, Bihar will emerge as a leader in solar energy development among eastern states of India," said an official.
The project would be executed by 'Sparkle Solar Bihar I', a fully-owned subsidiary of Schanti Partners LLC, incorporated in the state of Delaware, USA. The project will use photovoltaic technology. The equipment would be sourced from Sol Focus Inc., a US solar equipment manufacturer.
This technology is based on Concentrating Photovoltaic (CPV) system, which is PV technology with an optical system that focuses sunlight over a large area onto each cell. CPV technology is the latest in its field, said an expert.
The agency will acquire land privately, without seeking it from Bihar industrial land bank. As per the proposal, the project will lease land directly from the owners for a 30-year term, in lieu of annual lease payments to them.
The financing for the project has already been secured, with a letter of intent from the Export-Import Bank of the US. The letter of intent provides for approximately $30 million in financial support, depending upon various factors, including the extent of US-made solar power equipment.
Southeastern region of Bihar has one of the highest solar insolation rates in the world, with over 330 sunshine days in a year. Kaimur district has robust electricity infrastructure, with grid connectivity and nearby electrical substations. Power lines of 33kV and 132kV and electrical substations are already in place in the district.
Bihar government last year formulated a renewable energy policy, which approved 175MW of grid-connected solar power projects.

Government provides 30 per cent subsidy for solar lanterns and home lights

Press Information Bureau Government of India Ministry of New and Renewable Energy 
The Minister of New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today informed in the Lok Sabha that under the Off-grid Solar Applications Scheme of JNNSM, the Ministry is providing subsidy of 30% of the benchmark cost (Rs. 270/- per watt peak) of the solar photovoltaic (SPV) systems subject to a maximum of Rs.81/- per watt peak for distribution/ installation of solar lanterns and home lights and Rs.57/- per watt peak for SPV water pumping systems to individuals in the country including Bihar. The Ministry is also providing subsidy of 40% of the capital cost limited to Rs.108/- per watt peak for installing solar lanterns, home lights and small capacity PV plants upto 210 Watt peak by individuals through NABARD, Regional Rural Banks and other Commercial Banks. For balance 60% of the cost, the banks extend credit facility to the beneficiary at usual commercial rates.

India needs to focus on treating industrial waste water



India needs to focus on treating waste water from the industries to meet the increasing demand for fresh water, Pinaki Bhadury, Vice-President of Strategy Consulting, Frost and Sullivan, said on Friday.  
According to Bhadury, who is in charge of Frost and Sullivan’s South Asia, Middle East and North Africa regions, only 30 per cent and seven per cent of the industrial waste water is treated and recycled, respectively in tier-I and tier-II cities.
“Indian industrial sector consumes more fresh water than any other country in the world. Currently, industries in India generate 18 billion cubic meters of waste water every year,” Bhadury said.
He was addressing the eighth edition of annual Environment and Energy Conclave organised by the city-based Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Two units of Srisailam hydel project begin power generation


With the reservoir level going up to 839 feet against the full reservoir level of 885 feet and fresh inflows from the Jurala and Tungabhadra projects, the hydel units have begun generation from midnight. This will provide some relief to the power-starved State.
The water thus let out after generating power will head to the Nagarjunasagar reservoir downstream. This will contribute 300 MW now. The left bank project has six units of 150 MW.

Bharat Forge founders to raise $300 mn in wind energy arm Kenersys


The founders of Indian auto components maker Bharat Forge are in talks with private equity firms to sell a $300 million stake in their wind energy firm, Kenersys, two sources familiar with the matter said.
The transaction would dilute part of the controlling stake of the Kalyani group in the alternative energy firm and also enable First Reserve Corp, a US-based energy-focused private equity firm, to make a partial exit from an investment it made in Kenersys in 2008, the sources said.
"We are aiming to raise capital by end of this financial year," said one company source.
Kenersys is an integrated wind energy company that designs, assembles and markets wind turbine generators. The group CFO of Bharat Forge, Kishore Saletore, told Reuters in an e-mail that the company would not comment on market speculation.
First Reserve was not immediately available for comment. While investment in India's core power generation and distribution space has slowed due to delays in project approvals and a lack of access to fuel, global energy funds have been investing in India's alternative energy sector.
Recently, an infrastructure fund managed by Morgan Stanley bought a stake in Indian wind energy firm Continuum Energy for about $250 million. The private equity arm of Goldman Sachs in December invested about $200 million in another Indian alternative energy firm, ReNew Wind Power.
India, with 206,456 megawatts of installed power capacity at the end of July, suffers from a peak-hour power shortfall of about 10 percent. Asia's third largest economy aims to add 88,000 MW of generation capacity based on fossil fuels and hydro during 2012-17, and another 29,800 MW capacity based on renewable energy sources during the same period.

Morgan Stanley joins race to acquire DLF's wind power business


MUMBAI: Morgan Stanley, the US-based investment bank, has joined the race to buy real estate firm DLF's wind powerbusiness, signalling heightened private equity interest in renewable assets at a time of deepening financial trouble for its main customers and reduced margins due to the government's rollback of incentives.
In a response to an email sent by ET, a DLF spokesperson said: "As a company policy, we do not comment on marketspeculation." Morgan Stanley also declined to comment

Solar water heaters see high demand


Thrust on green concepts, increasing power cuts and better awareness on solar products have resulted in high demand for solar water heaters in the last two years.
Some companies in Coimbatore say that sale of solar water heaters has gone up four times during the last one year.
Most of the recently-constructed houses have provisions to install solar water heaters.
The demand is mainly from those who are just constructing a house or from those who have the provisions for these heaters.
A basic solar water heater consists of a collector and a storage tank.
The efficiency of the collectors is defined by the performance level.
An average solar collector has an efficiency level of 72 per cent, says A. Mahesh, Managing Director of Cascade Helio Thermics.
The technology adopted by solar water heater manufacturers has improved and the developments include four cavity evacuated solar tubular collectors, two cavity heat exchange evacuated solar tubular collectors, super-high pressure solar ETC collectors and special tanks for hard water. Though the frequency of break down is minimum in the solar heaters, if there is a break down, it should be attended to immediately.
Those who buy a solar water heater should be cautious.
They should check for Bureau of Indian Standard or MNRE mark, the warranty, availability of Government subsidy, the operation specifications, and the capacity of the product.
Those who use hot water throughout the day should go in for high-capacity tanks. Consumers who have installed the solar heaters should also take precautionary measures during rainy and winter seasons. They should try to avoid using the solar heater in the evening hours.
The cables and joints should be checked for insulation. Most of the solar water heaters have in-built electrical heater and these should be ready for use in winter.
Mr. Mahesh also suggests that consumers should avoid buying heaters with tubes of low efficiency level. There should be insulation for the vent. During winter, the solar water heater works as an electrical water heater and hence it should have rust proof support structure.

TN starts implementing solar home lighting programme


The Tamil Nadu Government has commenced the implementation of its ambitious programme to provide solar-powered lights to 300,000 homes in the State.
Work on this has been going on in the last couple of weeks in the Tiruchi district and 60,000 homes would be lighted in the current financial year, Sudeep Jain, Chairman and Managing Director, Tamilnadu Energy Development Agency (TEDA), said today.
(The government intends to do it in phase of 60,000 homes over a five-year period. The first phase was to have been completed in 2011-12, at a cost of Rs 1,080 crore. Under the programme, solar panels would be put up on the roofs measuring 300 sq. ft. Each unit would cost Rs 1.80 lakh. As the programme is meant for rural poor, the entire cost would be to the government.)
Speaking at a conference on the ‘Dependability of REC mechanism, RPO and power trading in solar industry,’ organised here by the Energy and Fuel Users’ Association (ENFUSE), Jain said that the Tamil Nadu government was also implementing another programme to energise 100,000 street lights with solar power, at a cost of Rs 200 crore. ENFUSE is an organisation which is supported by the major oil companies such as ONGC, IOC and CPCL and the conference was sponsored by CPCL.
Both the home light and street light programme are grid-backed, “the first of their kind in the country,” Jain said.
Net metering
Jain said that the Government of Tamil Nadu was also very keen on net-metering. (Net metering enables the rooftop solar plant can put in surplus energy into the grid because it spins the other direction when power is being put into the grid, thereby giving credit to the generator.)
He noted that two pilot net metering projects were on—one in TEDA’s own office building and another at Auroville, Puducherry. He said that when net metering became a reality, rooftop solar plants could do away with the costly and energy-inefficient battery-based storage.
Jain also hoped that just as the prices of solar panels have fallen drastically (from $2.5 a watt in 2009 to around $0.65 a watt now), the prices of inverters would also fall.
He said that the cost of putting up a 1 kW rooftop solar plant had come down from Rs 2.5 lakh a couple of years back to Rs 1.5 lakh and said that if the cost of inverters came down, the overall cost would come down to less than Rs 1 lakh per kW. The rooftop solar movement would take-off then, he said.

Simulating with Proteus

https://youtu.be/GDxYzqvTcnI