FRANCE: Soitec (Euronext), a world leader in generating and manufacturing revolutionary semiconductor materials for the electronics and energy industries, has installed a concentrator photovoltaic (CPV) demonstration plant in the isolated rural village of Usib near Rehoboth in central Namibia.
The new 25- kilowatt installation has been connected to the grid of the national power utility, NamPower, and provides electricity for users including a rural school. Soitec and NamPower have entered into a cooperative agreement in which Soitec has constructed and operates the CPV plant and will transfer the knowledge gained as well as operations and maintenance duties to NamPower.
Usib is an isolated rural community with a school providing education and accommodations to more than 100 children from the surrounding area. Production from a small vegetable garden supplements the diet of the school's boarders.
Additionally Soitec's subcontractor Alensy has installed a solar water pump at the community garden to ensure there is sufficient water to irrigate up to one acre of crops. Funds from the sale of electricity generated by the power plant and injected into the grid will be credited to the school's electricity bill. The power plant will be in operation for at least 20 years.
CPV is the most efficient technology in the photovoltaic industry, achieving current energy-generating efficiencies of 30 percent - approximately twice that of conventional photovoltaic technologies. Soitec's CPV modules use a durable glass-glass design and Fresnel lenses to concentrate sunlight 500 times onto small, highly efficient multi-junction solar cells.
By using dual-axis tracking, Soitec's systems provide high, constant power output throughout daylight hours. In addition, the company's systems are resistant to energy losses in high temperatures and achieve passive cooling without water consumption, offering competitive advantages in countries with high direct normal irradiance (DNI) such as Namibia. Soitec has installed its CPV technology in 18 countries to date.
Tuesday, June 11, 2013
IEEE unveils comprehensive resource portfolio to drive continued advancement of global smart grid
USA: IEEE, the world's largest professional organization dedicated to advancing technology for humanity, unveiled a host of resources designed to foster continued innovation and advancement of the global smart grid.
IEEE Smart Grid Research represents a concerted effort to build one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of smart grid-related intelligence, including materials such as vision documents and research papers that address problems and challenges in both the long- and short-term.
“With IEEE Smart Grid Research, we are moving into the full lifecycle of standards-related activities by adopting a proactive, forward-looking approach from pre-standard activities to real-world adoption and implementation,” said Bill Ash, strategic program manager, IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA).
“We are building out a portfolio of rich resources ranging from long-term vision and roadmap documents to research papers that explore today’s pressing challenges, to help key stake holders advance their own work. This will enable us to create a pipeline for incubation of innovative technologies to standards development and market acceptance, supporting global growth of the smart grid market.”
IEEE Smart Grid Research incorporates long-term research focused on five technology sectors that include power, computing, communications, control systems, and vehicle technology. It leverages potential use cases, application scenarios and enabling technologies to deliver the most complete picture possible of the next generation of technology in each respective smart grid space.
IEEE Smart Grid Research will have a long-term vision document, reference model and roadmap for each of the five technology sectors, as well as shorter-term research available for addressing more immediate concerns. IEEE Smart Grid Research materials will cover projections of where the smart grid will evolve to, technology challenges and opportunities, and areas where additional research is needed.
Among the first resources available will be three downloadable Vision documents.
IEEE Grid Vision 2050, addressing the smart grid power landscape, offers a long-range view of the power landscape as it relates to the smart grid, including existing and future technology developments and emerging challenges that must be overcome during the next 40 years.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision for Computing: 2030 and Beyond examines potential branches for the evolution of both smart grid operational concepts and computing technologies. The document aims to stimulate investments in those computing technologies enabling achievement of Smart Grid visions and improving electric power system performance and capability for greater efficiency, speed, reliability, and resiliency.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision for Computing: 2030 and Beyond also focuses on a broad array of computing technologies spanning multiple disciplines, and outlines their possible roles in the future electric grid. It further details projections of how smart grid concepts will influence power systems and span bulk transmission systems to isolated islands of local generation, as well as different demand-side participation concepts.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision for Communications: 2030 and Beyond lays out a vision of the smart grid for the year 2030 from a communications perspective. It also discusses imperatives of different stakeholders, and impediments to realizing this vision. Following the discussion are smart grid goals for different constituencies, and how communications should evolve to enable key smart grid functionality.
Long-term IEEE Smart Grid Research resources represent a collaborative effort being jointly produced by IEEE-SA and its relevant IEEE technical societies, which are partnering to develop long-term documents in each of the five technology topic areas. Participating societies include IEEE Communications Society (IEEE ComSoc), IEEE Computer Society, IEEE Control Systems Society (IEEE CSS), IEEE Intelligent Transportation Society (IEEE ITSS) and IEEE Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES).
IEEE Smart Grid Research represents a concerted effort to build one of the industry’s most comprehensive portfolios of smart grid-related intelligence, including materials such as vision documents and research papers that address problems and challenges in both the long- and short-term.
“With IEEE Smart Grid Research, we are moving into the full lifecycle of standards-related activities by adopting a proactive, forward-looking approach from pre-standard activities to real-world adoption and implementation,” said Bill Ash, strategic program manager, IEEE Standards Association (IEEE-SA).
“We are building out a portfolio of rich resources ranging from long-term vision and roadmap documents to research papers that explore today’s pressing challenges, to help key stake holders advance their own work. This will enable us to create a pipeline for incubation of innovative technologies to standards development and market acceptance, supporting global growth of the smart grid market.”
IEEE Smart Grid Research incorporates long-term research focused on five technology sectors that include power, computing, communications, control systems, and vehicle technology. It leverages potential use cases, application scenarios and enabling technologies to deliver the most complete picture possible of the next generation of technology in each respective smart grid space.
IEEE Smart Grid Research will have a long-term vision document, reference model and roadmap for each of the five technology sectors, as well as shorter-term research available for addressing more immediate concerns. IEEE Smart Grid Research materials will cover projections of where the smart grid will evolve to, technology challenges and opportunities, and areas where additional research is needed.
Among the first resources available will be three downloadable Vision documents.
IEEE Grid Vision 2050, addressing the smart grid power landscape, offers a long-range view of the power landscape as it relates to the smart grid, including existing and future technology developments and emerging challenges that must be overcome during the next 40 years.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision for Computing: 2030 and Beyond examines potential branches for the evolution of both smart grid operational concepts and computing technologies. The document aims to stimulate investments in those computing technologies enabling achievement of Smart Grid visions and improving electric power system performance and capability for greater efficiency, speed, reliability, and resiliency.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision for Computing: 2030 and Beyond also focuses on a broad array of computing technologies spanning multiple disciplines, and outlines their possible roles in the future electric grid. It further details projections of how smart grid concepts will influence power systems and span bulk transmission systems to isolated islands of local generation, as well as different demand-side participation concepts.
IEEE Smart Grid Vision for Communications: 2030 and Beyond lays out a vision of the smart grid for the year 2030 from a communications perspective. It also discusses imperatives of different stakeholders, and impediments to realizing this vision. Following the discussion are smart grid goals for different constituencies, and how communications should evolve to enable key smart grid functionality.
Long-term IEEE Smart Grid Research resources represent a collaborative effort being jointly produced by IEEE-SA and its relevant IEEE technical societies, which are partnering to develop long-term documents in each of the five technology topic areas. Participating societies include IEEE Communications Society (IEEE ComSoc), IEEE Computer Society, IEEE Control Systems Society (IEEE CSS), IEEE Intelligent Transportation Society (IEEE ITSS) and IEEE Power & Energy Society (IEEE PES).
Monday, June 10, 2013
Canadian Solar signs C$310 million EPC agreement for construction of 130 MW DC solar power plant in Ontario
CANADA: Canadian Solar Inc. announced that its subsidiary, Canadian Solar Solutions Inc., has entered into an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) agreement with Grand Renewable Solar LP, a solar energy project developed by Samsung Renewable Energy Inc.for the construction of a 130 MW utility-scale solar power plant.
This EPC agreement is expected to generate revenue of approximately C$310 million ($301.1 million) for Canadian Solar. Construction of the solar power plant will begin in the third quarter of 2013, with the facilities expected to be fully operational in 2015.
"We are delighted to announce our agreement with Grand Renewable Solar LP to collaborate on this landmark solar project in Canada," said Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. "This transaction represents the largest EPC contract in our history and underlies the progress we have made in the transformation of our business from a module supplier into a leading total solutions provider with a global footprint and bankable brand."
This 130 MW (dc) utility-scale solar power plant will produce approximately 165,000 MWh of electricity per year and power approximately 13,750 homes, displacing approximately 162,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the 20-year period.
In addition, the installation will include approximately 440,000 Canadian Solar CS6X high-performance modules, which have been formally tested and certified, validating the quality of the company's products. The solar power plant is expected to create several hundred direct and indirect green energy jobs during the development, construction and operation phases of the project.
This EPC agreement is expected to generate revenue of approximately C$310 million ($301.1 million) for Canadian Solar. Construction of the solar power plant will begin in the third quarter of 2013, with the facilities expected to be fully operational in 2015.
"We are delighted to announce our agreement with Grand Renewable Solar LP to collaborate on this landmark solar project in Canada," said Dr. Shawn Qu, chairman and CEO of Canadian Solar. "This transaction represents the largest EPC contract in our history and underlies the progress we have made in the transformation of our business from a module supplier into a leading total solutions provider with a global footprint and bankable brand."
This 130 MW (dc) utility-scale solar power plant will produce approximately 165,000 MWh of electricity per year and power approximately 13,750 homes, displacing approximately 162,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions over the 20-year period.
In addition, the installation will include approximately 440,000 Canadian Solar CS6X high-performance modules, which have been formally tested and certified, validating the quality of the company's products. The solar power plant is expected to create several hundred direct and indirect green energy jobs during the development, construction and operation phases of the project.
Friday, June 7, 2013
Mainstream partners with Actis on $1.4bn wind and solar asset platform in Chile
CHILE: Global wind and solar developer Mainstream Renewable Power announced a joint venture with the global pan-emerging market investor Actis to deliver 600 megawatts of wind and solar projects into construction and operation in Chile by early 2016.
The joint venture company, which is 40 percent owned by Mainstream and 60 percent by Actis, will purchase the projects, which have been fully developed by Mainstream, at Financial Close. Mainstream will continue to manage the construction and support the operation of the projects on behalf of the joint venture.
Since 2008 Mainstream has taken a leadership position in the Chilean renewable energy market where its local team has been developing an advanced portfolio of more than 3,500 megawatts of wind and solar projects.
Globally, Mainstream has a development pipeline of over 17,000 megawatts across four continents and is currently constructing wind and solar projects in Ireland, South Africa, Chile and Canada.
This is Mainstream’s second collaboration with Actis. In 2012 Mainstream successfully bid and won three government tenders in South Africa for 238MW of wind and solar projects which are currently in construction. Actis invested $100 million in the projects which are due to be operational in early 2014.
The joint venture company, which is 40 percent owned by Mainstream and 60 percent by Actis, will purchase the projects, which have been fully developed by Mainstream, at Financial Close. Mainstream will continue to manage the construction and support the operation of the projects on behalf of the joint venture.
Since 2008 Mainstream has taken a leadership position in the Chilean renewable energy market where its local team has been developing an advanced portfolio of more than 3,500 megawatts of wind and solar projects.
Globally, Mainstream has a development pipeline of over 17,000 megawatts across four continents and is currently constructing wind and solar projects in Ireland, South Africa, Chile and Canada.
This is Mainstream’s second collaboration with Actis. In 2012 Mainstream successfully bid and won three government tenders in South Africa for 238MW of wind and solar projects which are currently in construction. Actis invested $100 million in the projects which are due to be operational in early 2014.
Yingli Green Energy's PV modules passes SGS's blowing sand test
CHINA: Yingli Green Energy Holding Co. announced that the company's PV modules have passed the Blowing Sand Test conducted in SGS's Solar Test House, demonstrating that the company's PV modules can keep an outstanding performance even in harsh conditions such as in the desert.
To determine the effects on solar panels of dust and sand in air, SGS's Solar Test House simulates the erosion effects of high-velocity sand particles within dust chambers. Pulses of compressed air are blown through a manifold located in the bottom of a collection trough, forcing dust up and over the solar modules. The Test contains maximum power determination, the insulation test, and the wet leakage current test.
"We're pleased to see our modules passed SGS's Blowing Sand Test," said Dr. Dengyuan Song, CTO of Yingli Green Energy. "This test result once again proved the high quality of our products attributable to our continuous optimization of our manufacturing technologies and unwavering commitment to high quality. We believe the test result will help further reinforce our customers' confidence in the "Yingli Solar" brand and our position as an industry leader."
Dr. Daniel Deng, technical manager for SGS said: "Endurance testing like blowing sand test is critical to understand the reliability and durability of PV modules in real world conditions. SGS follows an internally developed test procedure and can customize specifications like sand homogeneity, sand concentration, sand shape, and wind speed according to single selected deserts. Test result of Yingli's products has showed the lowest power degradation after long term blowing sand testing among all our customers of Si-crystal modules till now. We were extremely impressed with the quality and performance of Yingli's PV modules to withstand the blowing sand test that replicates the conditions of real world's desert sandstorm."
To determine the effects on solar panels of dust and sand in air, SGS's Solar Test House simulates the erosion effects of high-velocity sand particles within dust chambers. Pulses of compressed air are blown through a manifold located in the bottom of a collection trough, forcing dust up and over the solar modules. The Test contains maximum power determination, the insulation test, and the wet leakage current test.
"We're pleased to see our modules passed SGS's Blowing Sand Test," said Dr. Dengyuan Song, CTO of Yingli Green Energy. "This test result once again proved the high quality of our products attributable to our continuous optimization of our manufacturing technologies and unwavering commitment to high quality. We believe the test result will help further reinforce our customers' confidence in the "Yingli Solar" brand and our position as an industry leader."
Dr. Daniel Deng, technical manager for SGS said: "Endurance testing like blowing sand test is critical to understand the reliability and durability of PV modules in real world conditions. SGS follows an internally developed test procedure and can customize specifications like sand homogeneity, sand concentration, sand shape, and wind speed according to single selected deserts. Test result of Yingli's products has showed the lowest power degradation after long term blowing sand testing among all our customers of Si-crystal modules till now. We were extremely impressed with the quality and performance of Yingli's PV modules to withstand the blowing sand test that replicates the conditions of real world's desert sandstorm."
Energy Ministers meeting to renew focus on Integration of EU energy markets
LUXEMBOURG: Minister Pat Rabbitte T.D., the Irish Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources will chair a one-day meeting of the TTE Council (Energy) in Luxembourg today, during which the EU Ministers for Energy will discuss a range of important issues.
Speaking in advance of the meeting, Minister Rabbitte said: “European Energy Ministers will take stock of our progress over the last six months on important energy issues, that affect each and every European citizen. These will include steps we have taken towards the completion of the internal energy market, sustainability of bio-fuels and the employment of innovation and technology in the delivery of energy services across Europe”.
“Regarding one of the highest priorities for the Irish Presidency, the Internal energy market, our approach has been to frame the discussions around the delivery of real benefits for EU energy consumers, both households and business. To that end we particularly focused deliberations around how best to equip consumers to become a more active driving force in this market.
“The impact of Indirect Land Use change on greenhouse gas emissions is a complex area. Tomorrow we will be presenting Ministers with the outcomes of debates held in both the Energy and Environment Councils as well as the outputs from an ad hoc working party that the Presidency has been steering. The early debates in February offered varying views on the issues involved and the report we will be presenting at Council shows how far Member States have come in the meantime.
“Amongst other discussions at the meeting will be a policy debate on smart technologies under the Commission’s communication on Energy Technologies and Innovation, as well as an update on events and developments in international relations during our Presidency, such as EU-Russia energy relations, and on how energy measures are helping promote jobs and growth.
“What we are all aiming for is creating a low carbon economy which will deliver benefits in terms of energy security, growth, innovation, competitiveness and job creation,” the Minister concluded.
Speaking in advance of the meeting, Minister Rabbitte said: “European Energy Ministers will take stock of our progress over the last six months on important energy issues, that affect each and every European citizen. These will include steps we have taken towards the completion of the internal energy market, sustainability of bio-fuels and the employment of innovation and technology in the delivery of energy services across Europe”.
“Regarding one of the highest priorities for the Irish Presidency, the Internal energy market, our approach has been to frame the discussions around the delivery of real benefits for EU energy consumers, both households and business. To that end we particularly focused deliberations around how best to equip consumers to become a more active driving force in this market.
“The impact of Indirect Land Use change on greenhouse gas emissions is a complex area. Tomorrow we will be presenting Ministers with the outcomes of debates held in both the Energy and Environment Councils as well as the outputs from an ad hoc working party that the Presidency has been steering. The early debates in February offered varying views on the issues involved and the report we will be presenting at Council shows how far Member States have come in the meantime.
“Amongst other discussions at the meeting will be a policy debate on smart technologies under the Commission’s communication on Energy Technologies and Innovation, as well as an update on events and developments in international relations during our Presidency, such as EU-Russia energy relations, and on how energy measures are helping promote jobs and growth.
“What we are all aiming for is creating a low carbon economy which will deliver benefits in terms of energy security, growth, innovation, competitiveness and job creation,” the Minister concluded.
Thursday, June 6, 2013
DuPont and Yingli Green Energy sign expanded strategic agreement
CHINA: DuPont and Yingli Energy (China) Co. Ltd have signed a new one year, $100 million strategic agreement that includes the supply of advanced solar materials, the installation of a solar power plant and co-marketing initiatives aimed at accelerating the broader and faster adoption of solar energy to address the world’s growing energy needs.
This agreement is an expansion of a $100 million supply agreement between the companies announced in February 2012.
“Materials are critical to help ensure our solar panels provide superior power output for their 25-year expected lifetime, or longer,” said Liansheng Miao, chairman and CEO, Yingli Green Energy.
“The agreement we have signed with DuPont assures our supply of high-quality materials that have proven performance and our continued collaboration on further technological advances to optimize the efficiency and durability of our products. Yingli Green Energy has long been committed to making solar affordable for everyone with superior quality products.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Yingli China will purchase materials including DuPont Solamet photovoltaic metallization pastes that help boost the power output of solar cells and DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film that has been proven to protect solar panels even in the harshest environmental conditions.
The companies will extend their collaboration to include the installation of a solar energy plant at a DuPont facility in China using panels made with advanced materials from DuPont, and will potentially expand installation of similar plants to additional DuPont sites or other commercial projects in China.
Yingli China and DuPont further agreed to extend their collaboration on technology to develop the next generation of high-efficiency solar cells and modules, and on co-marketing activities.
This agreement is an expansion of a $100 million supply agreement between the companies announced in February 2012.
“Materials are critical to help ensure our solar panels provide superior power output for their 25-year expected lifetime, or longer,” said Liansheng Miao, chairman and CEO, Yingli Green Energy.
“The agreement we have signed with DuPont assures our supply of high-quality materials that have proven performance and our continued collaboration on further technological advances to optimize the efficiency and durability of our products. Yingli Green Energy has long been committed to making solar affordable for everyone with superior quality products.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Yingli China will purchase materials including DuPont Solamet photovoltaic metallization pastes that help boost the power output of solar cells and DuPont Tedlar polyvinyl fluoride film that has been proven to protect solar panels even in the harshest environmental conditions.
The companies will extend their collaboration to include the installation of a solar energy plant at a DuPont facility in China using panels made with advanced materials from DuPont, and will potentially expand installation of similar plants to additional DuPont sites or other commercial projects in China.
Yingli China and DuPont further agreed to extend their collaboration on technology to develop the next generation of high-efficiency solar cells and modules, and on co-marketing activities.
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