DONG Energy and Inbicon inaugurate huge demo plants for 2nd-gen biofuels

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Biomass | No Comments
Prince Joachim

Prince Joachim

The inauguration of the DONG Energy and Inbicon cellulosic ethanol plant in Kalundborg, Denmark, was privy to a special guest – the Danish Prince Joachim. This facility is one of the largest 2nd generation ethanol demonstration biorefineries in the world. The plant uses Genencor Accellerase enzymes for converting straw into fuel. Genencor was one of the first companies to market commercial enzymes for converting cellulosic materials like waste from agriculture and forestry and bioenergy crops into biofuel. Ethanol will be provided for E85 fuel (85% ethanol) by DONG/Inbicon technology. This fuel will tank VIP cars which will be used for the UNFCCC Global Climate Summit in Copenhagen in December.

The process is expected to be converted into a commercial endeavor by the Kalundborg facility. About 5.4 million liters (1.5 million gallons) of biofuel are produced annually, along with lignin pellets and molasses.

[source: Genencor]


Solar power program approved by India

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | No Comments

India flag

India's first solar power plan was approved recently, which pledged to boost output from zero to 20 GW by 2020, all in a bid to fight global warming.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Ambika Soni told reporters, "The cabinet gave its approval for launching of the Jawaharlal Nehru national solar mission, Solar India… and has given in principle approval."

The plan will see investing $19 billion into the India's solar industry, allowing the country to enter the competition with frontrunners like China. It will also improve India's position in the international talks for the U.N. climate talks in Copenhagen.

Money is to be put toward incentives for production and installation, along with R&D. Additionally, the plan will also offer financial incentives and tax holidays for utilities.

India's huge renewables potential will be unlocked with the help of this bid. Companies like Tata BP Solar, Bharat Heavy Electricals and Lanco Infratech could see a lot of benefit from this move.

[Via: Reuters]

Solar powered jet takes first steps out of hangar

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | Comments (1)

Solar powered jet

The first solar powered jet, which we covered before, has been making its way onto the runway. As of yet, only tests of landing gear and taxi testing have been taking place.

Bertrand Piccard has been leading the testing and the Solar Impulse project, which is well on its way to its goal of circumnavigating the globe by 2012. All of this, of course, will be powered by only the sun's rays, and a lot of good wishes from the ground.

This airplane has been described as having, "the wingspan of an Airbus and the weight of a car."

The recent trips it has been taking out of the hangar have only given those involved high-hopes. Its first flight is to take place early next year, and this seems like a viable goal.

[Via: Engadget]

Solyndra and Italy's Sun System sign $105 million framework agreement

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | No Comments

Solyndra and Sun System

Solyndra has signed a multi-year framework agreement worth about $105 million with Italy's Sun System. As part of the deal, Solyndra will be manufacturing the solar panels for the project at its facilities in Fremont and Milpitas, California.

Commenting on the announcement, Dr. Chris Gronet, Solyndra's CEO and founder, said: "We are excited to announce this relationship with Sun System, a highly innovative integrator of medium and large-scale commercial PV systems. Sun System's strong presence in Italy and beyond, coupled with Solyndra's advanced PV systems, will accelerate the deployment of world-class photovoltaic installations on commercial rooftops in southern Europe."

On the other hand, Dr. Davide Scarantino, CEO of Sun System, said: "As a company focused on cost, performance and reliability, we are very happy to announce this partnership. Solyndra's technology sets a new standard of performance on commercial rooftops compared to conventional PV technologies in terms of installation cost, rooftop loading, non-penetrating wind performance, and energy production per roof."

[source: Solyndra]

Bosch Solar Energy and Allianz Climate Solutions collaborate on major projects

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | No Comments

Bosch and Allianz

Bosch Solar Energy and Allianz Climate Solutions have signed a partnership agreement to plan, finance and turnkey the construction of PV power stations. The output of these large-scale systems is expected to be at least one megawatt, providing enough energy for about 250 four-person homes per power station.

Allianz Climate Solutions is the advisor of investors on PV projects worldwide, and its parent company Allianz is expecting to invest about 500 million Euros into the sector by 2012. Bosch Solar Energy is a full provider of PV technologies and will be contributing its knowledge to help with the production of high-end solar cells and modules as part of the partnership. The Bosch subsidiary will also be responsible for the technical aspect of operation, including plans for turnkey construction of large-scale systems.

[source: Bosch]

SRP to build largest solar power plant in Arizona

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | No Comments

Arizona flagThe largest solar power plant in Arizona is to be established by the Salt River Project (SRP) and Iberdrola Renewables. Iberdrola will be responsible for the design and construction of the facility, while SRP will be taking care of approvals. Completion of the project is scheduled for 2011.

The initial proposal for the purchase of the plant's output will be presented by SRP's management in December – it will have an approximate 20 to 25 year time frame.

Mark Bonsall, SRP's associate general manager for Commercial and Customer Services said, "We are actively pursuing this project because it is not only good for SRP, but it is good for our customers and for the environment. We want to be in a position to offer our customers a new, lower-cost solar energy option by giving them the opportunity to purchase the green power directly from this solar facility. SRP will utilize whatever output may not be subscribed by our customers, if any."

[Via: PV-tech.org]

SolarWorld strengthens activities in France

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | No Comments

SolarWorldOne of the largest European growth markets for solar power applications is France, and SolarWorld is working on strengthening its activities in the country. In the league of newly installed solar output capacities, France stands in fourth place. A liaison office has been established in Grenoble, as SolarWorld depends on proximity to customers for its growth markets. Work at the company is to go into effect immediately, providing country-wide technical training, in addition to consultation for wholesalers and installations.

SolarWorld works toward having research and production in close vicinity, along with putting investments into production – this way, they say, quality of the company's products is ensured.

[source: SolarWorld]

NRG Energy to buy First Solar's 21 MW California solar power project

December 3rd, 2009 | Posted in Solar | Comments (1)

21 MW California solar power project

First Solar announced recently that the 21 MW AC solar energy project in Blythe, California will be sold to NRG Energy.

Among the largest in North America, the Blythe project is the first and largest utility scale PV solar generation facility to be developed in California. The construction of the facility began in September and completion is expected by the end of the year. As a part of a 20-year power purchase agreement, the electricity from the plant will be sold to Southern California Edison.

[source: First Solar]

Enercon inaugurates E-126 at the Estinnes onshore wind farm in Belgium

December 1st, 2009 | Posted in Wind | No Comments

e-126-enercon-constructionFive out of the planned eleven E-126 wind turbines have been successfully completed at the Etinnes wind farm in Belgium. The E-126 series is currently the world's most powerful wind turbine with 6 MW of capacity (capable of 7+ MW). The five units at the wind farm were inaugurated by EU Energy Commissioner Andris Pielbas.

The E-126 itself is a very impressive machine, with a rotor diameter of 127 meters, and installed height of 198 meters, it's truly a collosal site. Compared to an advanced 2 MW wind turbine, the E-126 increases the utilisation of wind energy, expressed with MW/km2, by a factor of 2.3, which means a wind farm featuring these turbines will have a much smaller number of installed units.

In order to erect the E-126 turbines, engineering is pushed to the limit of modern construction techniques. Construction engineers used the largest crawler crane available, 1600 t, which was developed and made especially to lift the giant 127 meter rotor of the turbine.

The Estinnes wind farm is a co-finance project by the European Union. The goal was to test the 6 MW turbine's perfomance at higher levels. Another objective was to assess the process of integration of these mega-turbines into the power grid. Enercon claims that the turbines will reach an annual yield of 187 GWh, which is enough clean energy to power some 50,000 average EU homes.

According to Benhard Fink, head of Enercon Sales Department in Belgium, the company is going to take performance further and reach the intended 7 MW output per unit, at least. Furthermore, he pointed out this project's significance in showing how much onshore wind energy potential there actually is in Europe.

[source: Enercon, image: Enercon]

Clipper Wind sells 70 MW of turbines and Criterion wind farm project to Constellation Energy

December 1st, 2009 | Posted in Wind | No Comments

clipper-2.5-wind-turbineClipper Wind announced the sale of 70 MW worth of Liberty wind turbines and the Criterion wind farm project to Constellation Energy, a Maryland based fortune 500 company.

Criterion wind farm is scheduled for start of construction in 2010, and is anticipated to be Maryland's first wind energy project so far.

Under the agreement, Constellation Energy will purchase 28 Liberty 2.5 MW wind turbines, made by Clipper. The turbines will be installed on the Criterion wind farm, now also in ownership of Constellation. Clipper Wind will provide installation, maintenance and service under a long-term agreement. This will feature 24/7 operation monitoring through Clipper's Remote Maintenance and Diagnostic Center located in Iowa, at the company's Cedar Rapids manufacturing facility. Construction of the wind farm is expected to begin in Spring 2010, while completion is expected sometime during Autumn 2010.

Criterion wind farm will be located on Backbone Mountain in Garret County, Maryland. The project was initiated in 2001, but had to wait for numerous studies and assessments to be completed.

The amount involved in the sales agreement was not disclosed.

[source: Clipper Wind, image: Clipper Wind]

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