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Category: Rumors

Unexpected multinationals on investor list for British wind energy

October 26th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

The British wind energy sector has encountered some hurdles in the past months. Funding is needed to get things going again, as well as legislative changes. In order to kick-start the wind industry in Great Britain, investments are needed, and they may be coming from some unexpected multinational companies. Among the mentioned potential investors are IKEA, the Swedish home products retailer, and Google, the US based web giant, which is already involved in renewable and clean energy investments – Google PowerMeter, solar energy and geothermal.

The rumor seems to be coming from John Lynch, head of power and utilities at Bank of America Merrill Lynch, who told a CBI energy conference a couple of days ago that the sector was attracting interest from various companies who are keen on investing in renewable energy. In addition to Google, another company that was mentioned as a potential investor in the renewable sector is Microsoft. The offshore wind sector is where the UK could be leading the world, so many of these companies are interested in investing in this particular area.

All these companies have environmental coporate goals to achieve. In order to cut their carbon emissions (carbon footprint), the companies are turning towards alternative sources of electricity such as wind, solar, geothermal and others, while also working on improving energy efficiency of their operations. For example, computer data centers consume a tremendous amount of energy, about 2% of total consumption in the US, according to Times Online. One of the possible models of company involvement, would be the purchase of stakes in renewable energy generation facilities.

The UK has set high goals for its environmental target. If tha targets are to be reached, the UK needs to about GBP 100 billion in investments by 2020 to make this happen, with 70 billion going to wind energy development, 10-20 billion for energy transmission systems, and another 10-20 for other things.

Vestas adding 250 MW to wind farm in Gujarat

October 15th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

The Danish wind turbine manufacturer is reportedly planning to add 250 MW of installed capacity to its wind farm in Kutch, Gujarat, India. This will be another reported plan to expand existing wind power capacity, apart from Suzlon Energy's plans to also add wind power capacity to its existing wind farm.

The 250 MW expansion represents a Rs 1750 crore (about EUR 255 million) investment by Vestas. Currently, the company has about 60 MW of installed and operational wind power capacity in Kutch. The company wants to exceed 300 MW of installed capacity in Gujarat, and plans to add the new capacity over the next year or so.

Kutch wind farm. (Image: windpowerworks.net)

Furthermore, Vestas has signed a memorandum of understanding with the state government for developing 1000 MW of wind power projects in the state, totalling in Rs 7000 crore (about EUR 1.2 billion).

Vestas has obtained all the necessary government clearances for the 250 MW expansion, and is now looking for investors for this project.

Another possible wind energy project for Vestas is the Tamil Nadu 100 MW wind farm. In total, the company plans to add some 1.2 GW of wind power capacity in the state in the long run.

Gujarat state government has plans to add about 3 GW of wind power in the next three years. Currently, the state has about 1.5 GW of wind power installations. Overall, the state's wind energy potential exceeds 10 GW.

[via: Business Standard]

PT Medco planning to invest USD 400 million in geothermal project in Indonesia

October 5th, 2009 | Posted in Geothermal

medcoenergi PT Medco Energi is planning to invest USD 400 million in a geothermal project, the company's second this year, in northern Sumatra. An additional USD 100 million would be spent for the development of a food crop and biofuel project in Papua island, according to this article. The company's core business is oil and gas, so these are moves towards diversification.

The start of the new project is expected to happen this year. The food crop and biofuel projects will bring the development of 1 million hectares of land in the country's easternmost island. Plantation for food crops and biofuel feedstocks in Papua will be designed to meet the increased demand in the future.

[via: Think GeoEnergy]

Two large wind power projects may be coming to Ontario

September 29th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

Following Ontario's recent new price supports for the renewable energy industry, the Canadian province is seeing quick results. Two large renewable energy projects may be happening in the future.

One of the projects seems to be coming from Canadian Hydro Developers Inc., a company which has just signed an agreement to acquire an offshore wind project in the Great Lakes, bordering Ontario. The second project may involve South Korea's Samsung C&T Corporation, for the development of a large wind power project in the province.

Canadian Hydro has acquired an offshore project from US based Wasatch Wind Inc., which could eventually become the largest in the world, with rights to build up to 4.4 GW of capacity. The first 500 MW are scheduled to come online by 2014.

On the other side, Samsung "seems" to be in "serious discussions" for the development of a large renewable energy project in the province, according to Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Further according to Canadian media, Samsung's plans involve the construction of 200 wind turbines on the northern shores of Lake Erie. Test towers are also planned this fall to measure and collect data for assessment of the area's potential for wind energy power generation. No official commentary from Samsung or the ministry has been released yet, so this is filed under "rumors" for now.

[via: Wall Street Journal]

British PM courting Siemens to open a wind turbine production plant in the UK

September 22nd, 2009 | Posted in Wind

siemens-logo

British Prime Minister, Gordon Brown, has been active in wooing Siemens to open a wind turbine production plant in the UK, and ressurect the country's fallen "green energy" inititative. The recent Vestas exit from the UK wind market, after having shutdown their production plant at Isle of Wight, has dealt a serious blow to the country's renewable energy plans.

Attempting to secure Siemens' presence in the UK, the UK government has granted Siemens a GBP 1.1 million help in funding for the development of a new offshore wind power converter. A larger donation was given to clipper Wind Power, which is involved in research for developing a new prototype of blades to be used on North Sea wind turbines.

Being the world leader in wind turbine production, Siemens is a wanted prize for the UK wind market, along with GE and Mitsubishi, also rumored to be potential candidates for a new British production facility.

A meeting with the head of Siemens wind division and the UK government has been confirmed, although before any decision about a production facility is to be made, the UK would have to meet various conditions. According to René Umlauft, CEO of Siemens Offshore Wind, one of the most important aspects was to see what would come out of Round 3 offshore deep water licensing to be announced soon. Even though Siemens doesn't tie the production facility to the outcome of Round 3 licensing, the company needs to know there will be enough customers justifying the opening of a production plant in the UK.

Siemens is considering four locations for a new production facility – two in the UK, one in Denmark, and one in Germany. Round 3 gives Great Britain an advantage, provided it can secure enough customers for Siemens. Possible UK factory locations would be either in the north east or in East Anglia. A decision will be made within the next twelve months, although it could come much earlier than that.

[via: Guardian.co.uk]

Nobel family contemplating a new award for renewable energy and global warming impact mitigation

September 9th, 2009 | Posted in General

And the winner is...

Several Nobel family members, great grandchildren of Ludvig and Robert Nobel, set up the Nobel Charitable Trust (NCT), hoping to leverage the prestigious family name. The NCT has three main objectives – creation of an international award bearing the Nobel name to honor the most proactive at tackling climate change, holding of an alternative energy conference and the funding of scholarships in alternative energy development.

According to Gustav Nobel, one of the founders of NCT, the award would consist of a medal, a diploma and a small amount of money (at this stage). The recipients of the award would fall into four categories:

scientists/institutions who "made important discoveries in the renewable energy field or whose
discoveries could lead to the reduction in pollution and global warming"
"corporate leaders or companies who have demonstrated successful efforts in finding new commercial solutions in the energy field in order to reduce the consumption of non-renewable energy
and its resulting side-effects"
politicians or "policy-makers who have distinguished themselves by implementing policy actions in order to reduce non-renewable energy consumption, pollution and warming of the earth's atmosphere"
"public advocacy representatives" – celebrities – "who, by using their position as public figures and opinion leaders, substantially helped influence the public of the need for alternative and
renewable energy sources, as well as encourage attempts at efforts in the reduction of global warming

A jury of "neutral" experts, distinguished in their fields, would be responsible for determining selection criteria and the selection of worthy candidates, and an eventual winner. Initially, the four Nobel family members and NCT founders may be involved in choosing the first members of the panel. The first medals may be presented as early as next year, according to the press release.

NCT will also indulge in organizing an annual energy conference, which may be called "The Ludvig Nobel Energy Conference". The focus would be on renewable energy, energy pollution and global warming, while participants would be major suppliers, consumers, scientists and legislators. The conference will deal with the future, instead of dealing with current issues. The location of the first conference will be Baku, Azerbaijan, but there are rumors it will also be the location of the first award giving ceremony.

The activities of the NCT are in no way connected to the activities of the Nobel Foundation, other than the fact the founders are members of the Nobel family. The NCT award will therefore not be a "Nobel Prize". The founders hope this effort will contribute to supporting the effort against global warming, and the search for new clean energy technologies.

StatoilHydro officially inaugurates Hywind floating wind turbine facility

September 9th, 2009 | Posted in Wind

StatoilHydro announced it has officially inaugurated the only floating wind turbine facility known today – the Hywind project. Just a reminder, this is a pilot facility that the company is hoping will prove the technology and open the door for more such projects that could easily help the world meet its long-term demand for energy. Putting floating wind farms far out at sea, where the winds are more steady and more abundant, may be a solution that will put wind energy at the top.

The world's first large-scale floating wind turbine is located approximately 12 km south east of Karmøy in Norway at a water depth of about 220 meters. (Image credit: Siemens)

Hywind is an example of how StatoilHydro's extensive experience in offshore oil and gas business has been put to use in the renewable energy sector. The floating wind turbine has been delivered on schedule and within the specified budget.

The company has invested about NOK 340 million (about EUR 40 million) in the project, with about NOK 59 million coming from Enova, a state owned company which promotes environment friendly changes in energy production.

To recap, the Hywind consists of a 2.3 MW wind turbine, installed on a traditional floater, previously used for production platforms or offshore loading. The turbine was made by Siemens Wind Power (Denmark), while Technip (France) built the floater, and Nexans which produced and laid the power cable. It is 65 meters high, with an 80 meter diameter. The floater has a draught of 100 meters, and is attached to the floor with three moorings. It can operate in waters 120-700 meters deep, weighing at 5300 tons.

The Hywind wind turbine was towed to the site back in June, and will now begin a two year testing period. The information collected over the next two years will be used to study the effects of wind and waves on the structure, as well as to provide directions for optimization of the technology.

Washington State may soon become home to largest photovoltaic solar project ever

July 11th, 2009 | Posted in Solar

It will be called the Teanaway Solar Reserve and located near Cle Elum in Washington, covering an area of about 400 acres and will have 75 MW of installed solar power capacity. The new PV solar power plant, if built, will be the largest such power generation project in the world. Currently, that title remains with the similar facility located in Spain, sporting 60 MW of installed solar power capacity.

The project is receiving widespread praise for offering a package of benefits and manufacturing jobs for the local communities. Washington State officials are emphasizing the value of a project like the Teanaway Solar Reserve, saying this is exactly the kind of project the state was hoping to attract.

Possible location of new PV solar power plant. (Image credit: Teanaway Solar)

Teanaway Solar LLC is currently negotiating with several international solar manufacturers and is reviewing several sites near Cle Elum on which the future solar power plant would be built. It is estimated that the project will require some 400,000 solar panels, with further estimates that this will create hundreds of manufacturing, installation and maintenance jobs (which may not be that many compared to the number of unemployed, but any number of jobs is better than no jobs).

Dubai turning to solar power

June 9th, 2009 | Posted in Solar

Image credit: Masdar

Dubai is planning the development of a large scale solar power generation facility, that once completed, will generate power well in excess of the emirate's needs, providing export electricity for the surrounding regions. Billions of dollars will be invested in the coming years for numerous solar power projects.

During a regional economic workshop, attended by many participants, the representative of Dubai stated that Dubai and othe UAE states will be developing green building legislation, to be the first in the region. A clean energy project is already in the process of development by Masdar, the Masdar City, which will create the region's first urban area powered exclusively by clean energy.

Dubai is hoping to become a sustainable building pioneer, and has started including green building practices into various development projects since 2008. Foreign companies are also expressing interest in clean energy in the region. The German MAN industrial concern for example, through its affiliate MAN Middle East, has established a solar energy subsidiary MAN Solar Millenium, and already invested millions in renewable energy projects throughout the region. The company plans to develop solar energy facilities in the UAE.

Dutch investments may be coming to Java for geothermal project

June 9th, 2009 | Posted in Geothermal

It seems a number of Dutch investors are interested in investing into geothermal power development in Garut, West Java. If completed, the USD 17 million investment would result in a geothermal power project capable of generating a minimum of 330 MW of electricity for the local areas. According to Garut Natural Resources and Mining Office, the initial investment will be disbursed next month.

The West Java government introduced prospects of geothermal power plants, stating the shares will be auctioned in 2009/2010 including the 160 MW geothermal power potential located at Mount Papandayan, which is the project of particular interest for the Dutch investors.

indonesiawestjava

Garut has an estimated total of 1227 MW of geothermal power, but only about 455 MW have been used so far. Apart from investments in energy, Belgium and France have also expressed interest in investing in the area into the sugar cane and chocolate products and aromatic roots. The officials are hoping this will boost the development of the region, increasing revenues and economic growth.