October 5th, 2009 | Posted in
Geothermal | No Comments
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]
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October 5th, 2009 | Posted in
Geothermal | No Comments
US Department of Energy announced a new collaboration effort aimed at generating electricity from geothermal sources stemming from oil drilling operations. DoE's Office of Fossil Energy (FE) will merge efforts and research resources of the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) Geothermal Technologies Program and try to demonstrate how low temperature geothermal power generation systems, using co-produced water from oilfield operations at FE's Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center (RMOTC), can be used to produce clean electricity.
EERE will provide the funds for the purchase of geothermal electricity produced by an Ormat Technologies unit. RMOTC will server as an optimal test facility for geothermal technologies.
The new system will use wasted water into an energy resource. How? The used water is hot, carrying significant heat energy, that would otherwise be discarded. For every barrel of oil, about ten barrels of heated waste water are created. The generated electricity will be used to power oilfield installations and equipment, making them self-sustainable in terms of power consumption, and make their operation cleaner (a bit ironic). All the operational and performance data will be collected and made available to the public, emphasizing the significance of co-produced water as an energy source.
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October 5th, 2009 | Posted in
Solar | No Comments
SunRay and SunPower announced an agreement to build a 24-megawatt solar electric power plant in Montalto di Castro, Italy. The 80-hectare large solar project is being financed by a consortium of international and Italian banks and, upon its completion at year-end, will be the largest operating solar power plant in Italy.
Works began earlier this year, creating more than 200 local jobs as a result. Once completed, the plant will have a fully equipped visitor center focusing on the education of the local community and school children about renewable energy.
On its end, SunPower will install its efficient SunPower panels along with the SunPower Tracker technology at the site. SunRay is the owner of the project.
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October 5th, 2009 | Posted in
Wind | No Comments
Renewable Energy Generated (REG) announced it plans to sell the Canadian wind energy developer AIM PowerGen to International Power, an electricity company, for a cash consideration of USD 110 million.
London based International Power will fund the purchase from its own resources, with the acquisition expected to be completed by the end of 2009. The market's response on this announcement was favorable, causing a gain on REG's shares of almost 33%.
According to REG, the company is selling the wind power developer in order to refocus efforts on building a substantial portfolio of UK onshore wind assets. After repaying a loan debt to the Bank of Scotland (GBP 17 million), the company will have about USD 80 million to use for developing its onshore wind business portfolio.
The AIM PowerGen sale also releases some 15 MW of wind farm capacity still waiting financing. The company is one of Canada's largest wind farm developers, with a total of 40 MW of installed capacity, with a further 40 MW awaiting project financing and construction.
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October 5th, 2009 | Posted in
Geothermal Hydro | No Comments
The US Naval Facilities Engineering Command has recently awarded USD 8.12 million to Lockheed Martin for further development of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion. The technology uses the temperature difference between deep water (colder) and and the ocean's surface (warmer) to extract energy.
Computer rendering of a OTEC floating power plant. (Image: Lockheed Martin)
The contract sees a Lockheed Marting lead industry team developing critical OTEC components and working on improved design for a future pilot OTEM power plant. This is the beginning phase of a larger effort to try and bring this technology to a utility-scale level, to produce power commercially.
Lockheed Martin has already been working on OTEC since the 1970's, when the company constructed mini-OTEC. The early prototype still remains the world's only working floating OTEC system which generates more power than is needed for self-sustainment. Since then, the company has been working on critical technologies needed in such a system. In 2008, the DoE awarded the company with a contract to demonstrate the fabrication processes for a cold water pipe, one of the key compononents of the OTEC system.
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October 4th, 2009 | Posted in
Solar | No Comments
A developer of flexible thin-film solar modules, Ascent Solar Technologies, announced recently that a multi-year direct supply agreement has been signed with a premium photovoltaic (PV) systems integrator – TurtleEnergy.
"Ascent Solar is well-positioned to reduce the cost of PV systems and enable introduction of innovative product solutions to the marketplace with its lightweight, flexible and high efficiency PV modules. This is a perfect compliment to our company as a leader in introducing new and unique value-added solutions for clients. Under our development agreement with Ascent Solar, we have gained considerable experience working with its product over the past ten months and are now pleased to become a customer as we plan to be the first solar systems integrator to come to market using our leading-edge approach using these materials," stated John Millard, founder of TurtleEnergy.
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October 4th, 2009 | Posted in
Biomass | No Comments
The acquisition of a majority stake in Buena Vista Biomass Development, LLC by Otoka Energy Corporation, was announced recently, as well as the creation of a strategic alliance for the refurbishment of the renewable energy woody biomass project – Buena Vista Biomass Power LLC, located in Ione, California. About 18 megawatts of base-load electric generating capacity, will be provided to the region and the State will also be assisted in reducing emissions from uncontrolled forestry and agriculture fires, as well as furthering the goal to increase renewable energy resources.
Rob Broin, Chairman and Chief Technology Officer for Otoka said, "Otoka is proud to join with Buena Vista Biomass Development in this exciting renewable project. Otoka and Buena Vista Biomass Development share the same vision as the State of California to develop local solutions for a global problem by developing responsible, clean, sustainable energy for the communities in which we operate, and this project represents an important step in Otoka's plan to become a leader in biomass to energy projects in North America, and complements our ongoing efforts elsewhere."
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October 4th, 2009 | Posted in
Solar | No Comments
Solar Power panels
Solar Power Inc., (SPI) announced signing of the sales order agreement with German solar project developer Solarmarkt Sued Park. Under the terms of agreement, SPI will provide 25 megawatts of in its high-performance 200 and 20-watt modules for a project being carried out in Solarmarkt Sued Park. Up to 50 megawatts of SPI solar modules and SkyMount racking are also to be included, and are to be delivered before the end of 2009.
In Germany, Solarmarkt Sued Park is one of the leaders in solar project development, with a focus on the development of large-scale commercial photovoltaic solar systems in Germany. Frank Weckerle, President of Solarmarkt Sued Park said, "The performance of SPI's solar modules is world-class. We share a common commitment to quality and place high value on their solutions-based approach to commercial systems. The quality and design features of Solar Power, Inc.'s SkyMount rooftop racking system are superior. We have selected SPI's SkyMount system because it is an adaptable solution for a variety of unique installation requirements and offers an innovative non-penetrating option. We look forward to working with SPI as we execute both our current book of business and our developing project portfolio."
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October 4th, 2009 | Posted in
Solar | No Comments
At the opening of the European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition (EU PVSEC), one of the topics discussed was the possibility that annual growth for solar could increase by 25-30% per year, according to European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) President – Wilfrid Hoffman.
This growth in solar can only be achieved if the solar industry works hard on increasing volumes, according to Hoffman.
But if the solar industry wants to see penetration of over 6%, their efforts alone will not be enough. Large amounts of solar can only become viable if Europe implements smart grids and energy storage. The feed-in tariffs also play an important role.
Hoffman said that it is very had to define and "it's not a specific number," when he was asked about when solar would reach grid-parity. It all depends on the regions looked at and whether or not peak or off peak power prices are being looked at. In fact, in several places the solar industry has reached grid parity, suggested Hoffman. However, he feels that it is not the time to cut off feed-in tariffs and that they will need to remain in place for some time.
Relying on the German market alone should be avoided, added Joachim Nick-Lepin at the German Federal Environmental Ministry – France, Italy and Greece are also taking positive steps in the solar power industry.
[Via: RenewableEnergyFocus]
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October 4th, 2009 | Posted in
Solar | No Comments
It was announced recently that Applied Materials will be signing a five-year contract with ENN Solar Energy Co., Ltd. in order to support ENN's photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing facility in Langfang, China. This module features the Applied SunFab Thin Film Line. Operating costs will continually be reduced with the SunFab Performance Service program, while providing predictable costs scaling with factory loading. All customers of Applied have chosen the SunFab Performance Service program along with tandem junction modules on SunFab lines.
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