ABB, 4R Energy, Nissan NA and the Sumitomo Corporation of America have found a way to extend the life of old Nissan LEAF batteries by using them for energy storage in future local community smart grids. The partners are evaluating and testing ways of reusing the Li-ion batteries in residential and commercial energy storage applications.
Vestas announced a reorganization of the company's activities in order to reduce fixed costs by more than EUR 150 million, which is to reach full effect near the end of 2012. Most of the cost cutting measures include streamlining of support functions in the company, but also through closing of factories in accordance with the state of demand in the wind energy market in the coming months.
MPX (Brazil) and E.ON have entered into an agreement to form an equally owned joint venture for energy development and supply and trade activities in Brazil and Chile. The new partnership will aim to develop 20 GW of new power generating capacity in the two South American countries. This figure represents about 20% of the total current capacity in Brazil. The new JV will be responsible for developing both thermal energy and renewable energy sources.
ABB has received an order for USD 50 million worth of electrical equipment and services for the improvement of reliability and strength of the existing power transmission grid in Texas. The improvements will allow greater integration of wind capacity into the state's power grid.
Vestas has closed 2011 with several orders for its wind turbines, amounting to about 560 MW of capacity. The orders from from various markets, including Pakistan, the company's first in this Asian country. Still, even though the company has had a successful year in terms of order intake, totalling about 7.4 GW, the revenue for 2011 still had to be downgraded by about EUR 400 million to be about EUR 6 billion. The company also encountered some unexpected costs in its development activities involving the V112-3.0 MW and the GridStreamer technology for the 2 MW family of turbines.
China Three Gorges and EDP have entered into a strategic partnership, as the Portuguese government approved the purchase of a 21.35% stake in EDP by the largest Chinese clean energy group. The two companies will combine resources in order to become global leaders in renewable energy production.
Bahrain is evaluating whether to establish an energy agency with focus on renewable energy and conservation. If the country proceeds with this plan, the new agency would work in close cooperation with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), whose initiatives are partly responsible for the path taken by the country.
Siemens and Shanghai Electric have signed a strategic alliance agreement, for two new joint ventures, for the Chinese wind energy market, aiming to better serve the needs of one of the largest and fastest growing wind energy markets in the world. Each of the new JV's will be in 49% ownership of Siemens, while the remaining 51% will be owned by Shanghai Electric.
Vattenfall will be taking part in an innovative project to store wind energy as hydrogen gas, which can later be used to generate electricity and heat. The new hybrid power plant, the core of the project, is located north of Berlin, Germany, and will be the first such facility in Europe.
Republic of South Africa's Department of Energy has announced a list of preferred bidders for renewable energy development in this country. The list covers developers involved in wind and solar CSP and solar PV development. A total of 1.415 GW of the planned 3.725 GW of RE capacity has been allocated through this tender.
