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Category: Research

GDF Suez and Eletrobras in agreement over energy project development

September 3rd, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

GDF Suez and Eletrobras (Brazil), have entered into a joint agreement for collaboration on the development of energy projects in South America. Under the agreement, the companies are to collaborate in research, project development, and energy production and transmission ventures, focusing on renewable energy sources, but also on other sources of energy as well. The scope of this joint agreement covers all the countries in Central and South America, and Africa. Within Brazil, though, the companies will assess and explore opportunities on a case-by-case basis.

[source: GDF Suez]

US DoE chooses Princeton Power Systems for hydropower converter development

August 26th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro | No Comments

The US Department of Energy has chosen Princeton Power Systems for the development of advanced power conversion systems for application in commercial tidal, wave, and other hydropower projects.

The technology uses a high-power (1.5 MW) converter design which allows much higher power density as well as direct connection to a 12 kV (or higher) power lines, without the need for a transformer. This could significantly reduce the space and logistical requirements of marine energy projects. Additionally, the direct power grid connection will increase efficiency of remote marine energy power plants, which will eventually bring down the cost of marine energy derived electricity.

[source: Princeton Power Systems]

W2 Energy becomes research partner of Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy

August 25th, 2010 | Posted in Solar | No Comments

W2 Energy's SteamRay engine (CAD model).

W2 Energy announced the company has become a research partner of the Arizona Research Institute for Solar Energy (AzRISE). From now on, the company will be involved in cutting edge advanced solar technology research in concentrated solar power. The technology which will produce steam will be used in combination with W2 Energy's SteamRay Steam Engine.

Being located in Tucson, Arizona, and getting maximum exposure to sunlight, the AzRISE institute is an ideal place for the company to test new solar technologies. The company stated solar energy will be converted in other forms of energy in "lots of interesting ways".

[source: W2 Energy]

PG&E planning a major pumped storage facility in California

August 24th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro | No Comments

Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) has commissioned a feasibility study for a major new pumped storage facility in Amador County, California. The facility would be used to provide a backup system for the power grid, in the case of large fluctuations of electricity production from wind and solar energy facilities. The intermittency of wind and solar as energy sources causes major issues for power grid operators, who constantly have to be prepared to compensate for sudden drops or peaks in electricity supply from these sources, in order to keep the grid stable. Pumped storage is one of the best solutions for storing energy for later use.

Duke Energy scraps NC demo project – will work with UNC on research instead

August 20th, 2010 | Posted in Wind | No Comments

Duke Energy announed its decision to discontinue the small coastal wind energy demo project in North Carolina, USA. The project was to feature three wind turbines, installed at Pamlico Sound. The project has lost its economical viability, so the company has decided to scrap it.

VIDA project and microalgae technology bringing a new energy segment to Spain

August 19th, 2010 | Posted in Biomass | No Comments

Iberdrola is leading the VIDA project (advanced technologies in the integrated recovery of algae) with the goal of developing new micralgae-based technologies. The project has been selected by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, as part of the Cenit program.

Denmark getting wind turbine test center in Østerild

August 18th, 2010 | Posted in Wind | No Comments

CGI representation of the new test center in Østerild.

A new wind turbine testing center is going to be built in Østerild, north-western Jutland, Denmark. The center will allow the testing of huge next generation wind turbines reaching as much as 250 meters in height, and will feature wind measurement masts reaching the same heights. Seven wind turbine foundations will be built, and the whole facility will also feature a unique concept for connecting wind turbines to the power grid.

Denmark is in the need for more test facilities, if the country is to reclaim a leading position in the wind energy industry, as emphasized a couple of months ago by the Danish Prime Minister.

Study says Europe's offshore wind sector needs 2200+ divers

August 13th, 2010 | Posted in Wind | No Comments

According to a study released a couple of days ago, more than 2200 commercial divers are needed for the offshore wind energy sector in Europe, if this sector is going to proceed with the planned expansion of offshore wind capacity. The projected number corresponds to a period of the next six years.

The study/report was commissioned by the subsea training provider – The Underwater Centre – in Fort William, Scotland. It was carried out by analyst company Douglas Westwood, which focused on the installation and maintenance activities involved in offshore wind projects, over the next six years.

According to the findings, 1700 divers will be needed during the installation phase which is to bring 17.7 GW of new capacity online. The report emphasizes 2013 as the year of peak demand when about 500 divers will be needed mostly in the UK and Germany.

Vestas presents Mission 2025 – looks into the future of energy

August 9th, 2010 | Posted in Wind | No Comments

Vestas presented its project – Mission 2025, which was started to try to assess what the future business environment will look like for the company. The project has gathered top scientists and researchers who are drawing up scenarios of the future, guided by leading futurologists, scientists and thinkers from around the world.

US DoE designates national marine renewable energy center

August 9th, 2010 | Posted in Hydro | No Comments

The US Department of Energy has designated the Center for Ocean Energy Technology (COET) at Florida Atlantic University (FAU), as the national center for ocean energy R&D. The Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center (SNMREC) is now the third such research center, joining the existing two in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii. DoE will provide funding for SNMREC operations involving research and development of advanced technologies for harnessing the energy from the ocean. These include ocean current and ocean thermal energy, among others. FAU has a very good location for research and testing these technologies, being near Florida Straits and the Gulf Stream, much like the European Marine Energy Center (EMEC) is located in Orkney, next to prime marine energy locations, on the northern coast of Scotland.

SNMREC will collaborate with industrial partners in order to refine, investigate, produce and test next generation ocean power technologies. Initial work by the center will be the deployment of ocean current observation systems, with the goal to establish a reasearch baseline. At some point, SNMREC will be doing full-scale testing of prototypes.

[source: Florida Atlantic University]