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Category: Research

PV plant monitoring project launched in Europe – the first of its kind

October 14th, 2011 | Posted in Solar

solarhybrid and the University of Applied Sciences in Eberswalde (Germany) have jointly launched a unique concomitant research project involving 13 years of conservation monitoring of the one of Europe's largest PV power plants, the FinowTower, in Finowfurt (Brandenburg, Germany). The project's first phase has been completed (FinowTower I 24.3 MW), and is now set to be expanded to reach 60.2 MW of installed capacity (FinowTower II). The project will eventually grow to reach a total of 84.5 MW (FinowTower I+II) of installed capacity in the future. Its total net value is estimated at about EUR 120 million.

US DoE awards funding for geothermal energy research

September 12th, 2011 | Posted in Geothermal

The US Deparment of Energy has allocated up to USD 38 million for advanced geothermal energy technology research. Over the next three years, 32 innovative projects in 14 states will be developing and testing new geothermal resource location methods, including resoure characterization, drilling, reservoir engineering techniques, all with the goal to advance the geothermal energy sector in the US.

GE begins work on advanced large-scale wind power generator

September 2nd, 2011 | Posted in Wind

GE announced the beginning of the first phase of the research and development project for designing an advanced generator for large-scale wind turbines, based on experience and technology used in the development of superconducting magnets used in MRI systems. The new generation of wind turbines are said to be in the 10-15 MW capacity range, which would trully revolutionize the wind industry, especially the offshore wind sector.

Bharat Renewable Energy and SG Biofuels deploying Jatropha hybrids in India

August 11th, 2011 | Posted in Biomass

Bharat Renewable Energy, part of Bharat Petroleum, and SG Biofuels have started a program of development and deployment of elite hybrids of Jatropha, which will be harvested and used for the production of bidiesel in India. The first phase of the program is to develop a high-performing hybrid adapted to the growing conditions in various parts of India.

Timken breaks ground at new wind energy research facility

July 29th, 2011 | Posted in General Wind

Timken Company announced the company, along with Stark State College and the Stark County Port Authority, broke ground at the new wind energy research facility in Ohio, USA. The new facility, representing a USD 11.8 million investment, will be the first of its kind in the US, according to the company. Its main research focus will be on the development of ultra-large bearings and seals aimed at the large multi-megawatt wind turbine industry.

US tidal potential review using an interactive map

July 13th, 2011 | Posted in Hydro

If you're interested in getting a more clear picture about the potential for harnessing tidal power as a source of clean energy, Georgia Institute of Technology has the right tool for the job. This unique database has a cool graphical interface allowing the viewer to visually comprehend just how much tidal power capacity could be harnessed with the right conditions for the development of this still nascent technology.

Carbon Trust's analysis sees marine energy on par with nuclear and onshore wind by 2025

July 12th, 2011 | Posted in Hydro

The Carbon Trust published an analysis which shows marine energy could be cost competitive with nuclear power and onshore wind by 2025, with "accelerated and targeted innovation". UK's best sites for harnessing marine energy could achieve this level of commercial competitiveness once the first gigawatt of marine energy installations in operation contribute to the reduction of marine energy derived electricity on the power market. According to the Carbon Trust, about 20% of UK's future power needs could be met from marine energy facilities.

ETI investing GBP 25 million in Narec's drive train test rig

July 9th, 2011 | Posted in Wind

Energy Technologies Institute (UK) has announced it is investing GBP 25 million into Narec's (National Renewable Energy Center) testing facility, namely the "state of the art", open access, wind turbine drive train testing rig. This indoor test rig will be located in Narec in Blythe, Northumberland, and will contribute significantly to the continued success of the British offshore wind industry. The rig will be able to handle testing activities for drive trains and nacelles with up to 15 MW in capacity, which means new generation offshore wind turbines will be tested there.

TOPFARM project complete – optimization of wind farm topology

July 2nd, 2011 | Posted in Wind

A recently completed EU project called TOPFARM resulted in a method and tool for optimizing wind farm topology. In order to ge the most of the wind potential at a wind farm site, it is not only necessary to install the right type of wind turbine, but also to place the turbine in appropriate positions relative to each other. TOPFARM's focus was on the study of the effect of the economical optimum in terms of wind turbine placement at a wind farm site. The project's participants included nine European wind energy developers and technology companies and institutes – Risø National Laboratory for Sustainable Energy, DTU (Project Manager), DTU Mechanical Engineering, DONG Energy, Vestas, Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants ltd., Garrad Hassan and Partners ltd., Germanischer Lloyd Industrial Services GmbH and Teknikgruppen AB.

Vestas tests stealth wind turbine rotor – achieves 99% reduction in radar cross-section

June 30th, 2011 | Posted in Wind

Vestas announced a successfull test of a full-scale wind turbine rotor with stealth characteristics, which produce a very small radar signal. This is a milestone achievement, lighting the path for future development of rotors with low to no radar interference capabilities. Radar interference is a problem that has caused the indefinite postoponement of development of about 20 Gw of wind power capacity worldwide, according to Vestas. The tested rotor achieved a 99% radar cross-section reduction, or a 20 dB signal, compared to industry standard rotors. The wind turbine used was a V90 model.