Features for July 2011

Features Archive

SunShot: Solar PV's falling costs SunShot: Solar PV's falling costs

Part 1: In the U.S., the DoE is pioneering research in order to reduce the cost of installed PV to below a dollar-per-Watt by 2017.

Partner in solar power Partner in solar power

Part one: Solar PV modules would be of little use was it not for an electronic box of tricks that is normally out of sight and out of mind - the inverter.

Meeting the challenge of wind turbine blade repair Meeting the challenge of wind turbine blade repair

With a growing number of composite wind turbine blades now in service, rotor blade maintenance is becoming a major issue. George Marsh looks at the techniques used to inspect and repair blades and investigates a new system designed to speed up the repair process.

Vestas’ Engel: “We believe the gearbox is the best solution…” Vestas’ Engel: “We believe the gearbox is the best solution…”

David Hopwood speaks to Vestas' CEO Ditlev Engel.

Generation innovation for wind turbines Generation innovation for wind turbines

Part two: We continue our focus on cost reduction in wind energy, and ask some major innovators in the sector where we are heading for in the major markets.

Keep the wind turbine blades turning Keep the wind turbine blades turning

Equipment and product innovation plays a vital role in the financial viability of wind power. But industry players should also share understanding of key O&M issues.

Spotlight on due diligence for wind power Spotlight on due diligence for wind power

The more cautious lending environment means wind projects will only get off the ground once they pass the scrutiny of some major due diligence investigations.

UK Electricity Market Reform – nuclear funding from thin air? UK Electricity Market Reform – nuclear funding from thin air?

As the public reels from the impact of seemingly never-ending fuel price rises, the UK Government seems to be on the way to pulling off a conjuring trick of shifting incentives towards nuclear and away from renewables, without hardly a whimper of opposition. And despite the tragedy at the Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant in Japan, unlike in countries such as Germany there is no cast iron guarantee that the UK will seriously water down its future nuclear ambitions.

Comment: New Italian solar PV tariffs are complex and robust Comment: New Italian solar PV tariffs are complex and robust

Despite last minute mixed-signals by the Berlusconi Government, it now appears that Italian solar photovoltaic (PV) tariffs for the remainder of 2011 and 2012 are fixed.

UK U-turn on renewable energy? UK U-turn on renewable energy?

Clean Energy investment in the United Kingdom dropped by 70% in 2010, and the nation's position among G-20 leaders fell from fifth in 2009 to 13th, according to new research released by The Pew Charitable Trusts.

Wind power’s community service Wind power’s community service

The Introduction of the Community Benefit Protocol in the UK could make a significant difference to communities close to proposed wind farms. So how does this work, and could it be a model adopted by other countries?

Hydropower's fish-friendly turbines Hydropower's fish-friendly turbines

While hydropower is classified as renewable power, that doesn't mean there is no environmental harm. In addition to concerns about loss of habitat and silt build ups, one of the main concerns is the effect on fish populations. But the latest turbines seek to reduce stress on a food that is often vital to local communities.

US renewable energy cliff-hanger US renewable energy cliff-hanger

Developers, Investors and clean energy companies are on tenterhooks over the future of the US renewables industry as Republican politicians train their sights on environmental legislation in the US

Solar CPV: Could less be more? Solar CPV: Could less be more?

Hypersolar Wants to up the concentrated solar PV ante with a low magnification technology. Could this be CPV for the masses, or has the game already passed the company by?

Wind power to the people Wind power to the people

Generating Wind power is all well and good, but if a selective consumer wants to support renewable energy by buying products made from the power of wind, what are the options? A new label – WindMade - may be the answer, believes Vestas' Morten Albaek.

Renewable energy project monitor Renewable energy project monitor

July/August 2011: This second monthly column, written by the ceo of the Energy Industries Council, reports on the latest new project developments in the global renewable energy marketplace.