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Category: Asia

Boeing and PetroChina to collaborate on establishing sustainable aviation biofuel industry in China

May 28th, 2010 | Posted in Biomass

Boeing and PetroChina signed an agreement to develop a sustainable aviation biofuel industry in China. This will be the first such industry initiative in the country, and will provide a comprehensive insight into the environmental and socio-economic benefits of developing a cleaner alternative to fossil fuel based aviation fuel.

The development project will include various fields of research such as agronomy, energy inputs and outputs, emission lifecycle analyses, infrastructure and government support. This project is part of a larget agreement between Chinese and US governments on collaboration in promotion of commercialization of aviation biofuels in China through the US-China Energy Cooperation Program, which is a public-private partnership. Several research institutions and aviation supply chain entities will be included in research on algae-based aviation fuel production. Various forms of joint-venture activities will be exercised covering a wide range of activities, from algae based fuel production to commercial applications of developed technologies. Biomass production resources from China will be used for this purpose.

Boeing is involved in aviation biofuel research around the world, in an effort to reduce aviation's dependence on fossil fuels, but also for the purpose of reducing this industry's carbon footprint.

[source: Boeing]

Tibetan river holds 38 GW of hydropower potential, but dams probably won't be built

May 28th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro

Scenery from the Great Bend on the Tsangpo River, where it turns towards India to become Brahmaputra.

The Guardian caused quite a stir with its report on China's plans to construct the biggest hydropower project in the world in the Tibetan region on the Tsangpo River (known as Brahmaputra later on on its flow path through India and further). Chinese scientists and engineers have made assessments and estimations which resulted in the possibility of some 38 Gw of hydropower potential that could be harnessed for electricity production. This would require building a huge dam in the Tibetan part of the river flow. sounds pretty straight forward, except for the issue with significant disruption of downward river flow in India and Bangladesh which both use the river for water supply and power generation. Chinese academicians have however stated that the project would cause very little if any river flow problems for the two countries.

Construction begins on 200 MW Kawai wind farm in Inner Mongolia, China

May 24th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

China Huadian New Energy Development Company (CHNED) announced the start of construction activities at the 200 MW Huadian Kawai wind farm in Inner Mongolia, China. The foundation for the first wind turbines has been constructed, marking an important milestone for the project.

The Huadian Kawai wind farm is part of the government's plan to install 1 GW of wind power generating capacity in the region during 2010. The construction of the wind farm will require additional civil works such and will engage the Chinese wind turbine industry sector.

The company has organized a preliminary design review prior to construction start to ensure standards in project design and management, as well as safety, have been met. During this activity, several improvements were made, which resulted in overall project cost reduction and optimization.

[source: CHNED (in Chinese)]

India considering mandatory solar power back-up for cellular base stations

May 23rd, 2010 | Posted in General Solar

The Indian government is considering introducing a mandatory regulation that would require mobile network operators to use solar power as a back-up power supply system. Most remote base stations in areas away from the power grid use diesel generators, but there is an overwhelming initiative to replace these generators with more environment friendly solar solutions.

The proposal is being finalized by the renewable energy ministry, and will sent to the cabinet soon. The strategy to switch to renewable energy as a power source for base stations has its risks – mostly due to the fact that upfront costs of this kind of power supply technology put more financial pressure on mobile network operators. This could negativelly impact the expansion of networks in rural areas, where back-up power supply is more important for network operations reliability.

The government is not thinking about offering subsidies, but will most probably offer some kind of soft loan program to come from the Indian Renewable Energy Developmet Agency.

Some Indian developers, such as Vihaan Networks, have come up with ready-to-use solutions for powering remote base stations with solar power.

[via: Cellular News, image: VNL]

First Solar is part of the U.S. Clean Energy Trade Mission in China

May 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Solar

First Solar is participating as one of 24 businesses on a cabinet-level Clean Energy Trade Mission led by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gary Locke that has arrived in Beijing.

The delegation is travelling throughout China through May 21 to explore opportunities to meet China's growing demand for clean energy through leading energy technologies and solutions. First Solar President Bruce Sohn is participating in the trade mission along with 45 other business executives.

And for the record, First Solar has already signed an agreement with the Ordos City Government to develop the world's largest solar power plant in Inner Mongolia.

[source: First Solar]

Apollo Solar Energy to build a 2 MW demo solar power station in Ningguo City, China

May 22nd, 2010 | Posted in Solar

Apollo Solar Energy has signed an agreement with the Ningguo Municipal Government to build a 2 MW demo solar power station in Ningguo City, Anhui Province, China.

According to the agreement, the company will invest 60 million RMB ($8.75 million) to build the station and will be responsible for the construction of the entire project, including planning, design, construction and installation of the solar power station.

The 2 MW demo solar power station is expected to become operational in September 2010. The agreement provides for the payment of subsidies to Apollo Solar from central, provincial and local government entities in China for electricity generated by the power station.

Apollo Solar believes that the availability of these types of subsidies could make solar power stations profitable and could attract potential investors to invest in commercial solar power stations.

[source: Apollo Solar Energy]

AEI starts construction of wind farm in China

May 21st, 2010 | Posted in Wind

AEI announced the start of construction at the 200 MW wind farm in Baicheng, Jilin province, China. The first phase of construction will result in 49.5 MW of installed capacity. AEI acquired 67% of the project from NBT, a Norwegian wind farm developer.

This is AEI's first wind farm in China, a marks the company's entrance in the Chinese wind energy market. The wind farm, or rather the first phase, will feature 33 Suzlon S82 1.5 MW units, manufactured in Tianjin, China. Completion of the first phase of project is expected by the end of this year.

[source: AEI]

AMSC receives new order from Sinovel for USD 445 million worth of core electrical components for wind turbines

May 18th, 2010 | Posted in Wind

American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) has received a new order for core electrical components to be installed in Sinovel's 1.5 MW wind turbines over the course of the next 30 months. The supply deal is worth USD 445 million, with the first shipments starting in early 2011.

Sinovel will use AMSC's electrical components for its SL1500 wind turbine. There are plans, however, to increase production of the company's 3 MW units, used at the first offshore wind farm in China, but also to install the first 5 MW units by the end of 2010. Sinovel uses AMSC Windtec designs in these units, as well as AMSC's power electronics.

The Chinese market is on its way to become the largest market for wind energy in the coming years, and Sinovel's business is experiencing major growth along with it. Currently, the company is rated the third largest wind turbine manufacturer in the world, having supplied 3.9 GW of wind turbines in 2009. The company is planning to become the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer withing the next five years.

[source: AMSC]

Astonfield, Belectric team-up on 5 MW solar power plant in Rajasthan, India

May 17th, 2010 | Posted in Solar

Astonfield Renewable Resources and Belectric have entered into an agreement for the execution of Astonfield's 5 MW solar power plant in Osiyan, Rajasthan, India. The Osiyan project is one of several Astonfield plants expected to be approved under the Migration Phase of the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission and will be Astonfield's first solar power plant to be commissioned and come online in fiscal year 2010-11. Belectric has already completed site designs and engineering on the plant, and the construction will begin immediately following Migration approval.

In addition to plant design, construction and commissioning, Belectric will also provide operations and maintenance services for the plant. The plant will be the first utility-scale solar power plant commissioned by Belectric under India's National Solar Mission. It will sit on 30 acres of land with a capacity to power approximately 13,000 homes.

[source: Astonfield]

Alstom wins EUR 18 million hydropower project in India

May 17th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro

Rangeet River meets Teesta River near the Sikkim/West Bengal border.

Alstom announced the company has been awarded the contract to develop a hydropower project in Sikkim, India. The Jorethang Loop Hydroelectric Project will be based in the city of Jorethang, on the bank of the river Rangeet, which flows into the larger river Teesta. The power plant to be developed on the river will be able to output 96 MW of clean power. The development contract has been awarded by Dans Energy Private Limited.

Under the contract, Alstom will supply, install, test and commission electromechanical equipment for two 48 MW power generators. India has a lot of hydropower potential, estimated at about 34 GW. The dominating source of energy are still coal and other fossil fuels, but the country is increasing its portfolio of renewable and clean energy sources.

[source: Alstom, image: Alpine Star Holidays]