Alstom announced the company's 1 MW tidal device has produced power in real conditions for the first time. It was installed at Orkney, at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC). Alstom already successfully tested the 500 kW version of the device earlier. The final aim is to test an array deployment of the devices, which will show the technology's full potential for commercial scale marine energy to electrical energy conversion.
Serbia's Ministry of Energy Development and Environment Protection (MEDEP) has issued an open tender participation invitation to interested parties for the purpose od development of small hydropower plants in Serbia. A total of 317 locations will be covered, with investments totalling an estimated EUR 120-200 million. This is the first time the country's government has publicly invited interested parties to participate in the development of renewable energy resources.
Eco Wave Power has joined efforts with Otepi Renewables (subsidiary of OTEPI Group) and Engineenuity to implement the a wave energy project in Panama, also the first of its kind in Latin America. The project will feature and promote Evo Wave Power's technology in Panama and possibly attract more customers who'd like to invest in power plants of this kind.
Andritz Hydro announced an order from Nalcor Energy (Canada) for four Kaplan hydraulic turbines, along with four synchronous generators, which are to be installed at the new hydropower project called Muskrat Falls, in Labrador, Canada. The order has a value of about EUR 125 million, with commissioning of the turbines set for 2017.
The Crown Estate recently announced a decision to invest up to GBP 20 million in two wave or tidal stream power projects, as support for the organization's strategy to encourage growth of the emerging tidal and wave energy sector. With potential of tens of gigawatts of wave and tidal power generation potential in UK coastal waters, the only thing necessary is to obtain significant investments and developments to get things going.
Ocean Power Technologies has been awarded a USD 900,000 contract by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding for continuation of development of the PowerBuoy technology and its application in Japanese waters. This development will provide the basis for large scale deployment of the technology in Japan, as the first commercial scale OPT wave power plant in this Asian country.
The Crown Estate has announced successful bidders for the offshore energy leasing rounds in Northern Ireland. Three offshore renewable energy sites have been awarded, totalling in 800 MW of capacity for development. The single largest development will be the offshore wind farm near the south east coast of County Down which could have as much as 600 MW of installed capacity.
Alstom recently signed a contract to supply three Kaplan hydroturbines for the Baixo Iguaçu hydropower plant in Brazil, totalling in 350 MW of power generating capacity. The customer is Neoenergia.
Gamesa is diversifying its operations to include other renewable energy technologies, namely hydro energy, marine energy and solar energy. The company is going to put focus on these new lines as well as possibly in motors for the nuclear industry and marine propulsion. Gamesa Electric, part of Gamesa, has had more than 30 years experience in developing proprietary technology for various applications in the power industry. Gamesa currently sources about 25% of its sales from hydro, solar, nuclear and marine energy markets. The company anticipates an increase to about 40% in 2013.
Panama has decided to invite bidders to participate in the tender for a concession for the Chan II hydropower project. The concession was initially awarded to AES, but was cancelled in mid-2011, after the US company tried to modify the original route and coverage of the hydro works at the power plant site. The project was also challenged in 2007 by indigenous groups, which resulted in the suspension of construction activities in mid-2009.
