Features for March 2013

Features Archive

Market report: South Korea and its renewable energy ambition Market report: South Korea and its renewable energy ambition

Part 2. Solar power has so far been the main renewable energy technology deployed in South Korea.

Investment in Scottish renewables sector doubles Investment in Scottish renewables sector doubles

According to the UK's DECC, investment doubled to reach £1.54bn in 2012 as a result of an additional 1GW (gigawatt) of new projects, bringing Scotland’s total installed capacity to 5.8GW. Investment in 2011 was £757m.

Market report: South Korea and its renewable energy ambition Market report: South Korea and its renewable energy ambition

Part 1. South Korea's domestic use of renewables is now growing and its companies are bidding to become major players in the global market, as Sarosh Bana reports in the first of our 4 part analysis of the South Korea renewable energy marketplace.

Mar/Apr preview: HVDC breakthrough heralds a new era for renewables Mar/Apr preview: HVDC breakthrough heralds a new era for renewables

Power technology group ABB says it has made a breakthrough in the ability to interrupt direct current (DC), solving a 100-year oldelectrical engineering puzzle, and paving the way for a more reliable electricity system.

Mar/Apr preview: How to finance solar power? Mar/Apr preview: How to finance solar power?

New financial innovations being discussed for solar power projects could open up unprecedented access to capital for the sector...

Mar/Apr preview: New turbines' boost to energy yields Mar/Apr preview: New turbines' boost to energy yields

As ever, this year’s European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) exhibition played host to the launch and/or presentation of new turbines, components and ancillary services by key players in the market. In terms of turbine design, arguably the highlights came from Nordex, GE, NGentech and Siemens, although not necessarily in that order.

10 wind power facts from BTM's new wind Report: World Market Update 2012 10 wind power facts from BTM's new wind Report: World Market Update 2012

How much wind power is now installed globally? Which turbine company supplied the most turbines? BTM's annual report has now been published...

Simulating wind in forest environments Simulating wind in forest environments

Without reliable wind energy measurements and simulation, dependable predictions ­of wind energy yield are next to impossible in topographically complex forest areas.

Interview: is there still too much uncertainty for investors? Interview: is there still too much uncertainty for investors?

Part 3. Having vented his frustration on the politics of UK renewables policy on the Renewable Energy Focus website, Altium's Adrian Reed gets more off his chest, talking in depth to Gail Rajgor.

Wind in Brazil: a current picture Wind in Brazil: a current picture

Steve Sawyer, Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council, gives us an overview of the Brazilian wind power market, stressing it's not all a bed of roses…

Interview: is there still too much uncertainty for investors? Interview: is there still too much uncertainty for investors?

Part 2. Having vented his frustration on the politics of UK renewables policy on the Renewable Energy Focus website, Altium's Adrian Reed gets more off his chest, talking in depth to Gail Rajgor.

UK: Could nuclear displace renewables investment? UK: Could nuclear displace renewables investment?

Investment in renewable energy in the UK could be at risk if construction on EDF’s Hinkley Point nuclear power station – the first nuclear power station to receive planning approval in the UK since Sizewell B over two decades ago - is allowed to proceed.

Preview: PV shipments up, but revenues nosedive as Suntech becomes latest casualty Preview: PV shipments up, but revenues nosedive as Suntech becomes latest casualty

As the PV industry continues to struggle with ever-decreasing prices, has the time come when positive margins and strong budgets for R&D are worth a higher price for PV modules? Paula Mints tries to make sense of current pricing dynamics in an industry that continues to defy logic.

Interview: is there still too much uncertainty for investors? Interview: is there still too much uncertainty for investors?

Part 1. Having vented his frustration on the politics of UK renewables policy on the Renewable Energy Focus website, Altium's Adrian Reed gets more off his chest, talking in depth to Gail Rajgor.

NREL US solar skills report findings (online version) NREL US solar skills report findings (online version)

Barry Friedman outlines the findings of a recent report by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the US Solar Installation Labour Market.

The Interview: Christian Kjaer The Interview: Christian Kjaer

Part 2. Christian Kjaer is soon to leave his role as CEO of the European Wind Energy Association, departing for pastures new in April. Here he speaks to Gail Rajgor, giving his final thoughts on the state of the wind industry.

Off grid renewables - could this be an end to diesel dependency? Off grid renewables - could this be an end to diesel dependency?

A recent project involving smart grid technology from GE Digital Energy demonstrates a more efficient and cost effective way of covering the energy requirements of an off-grid remote community…

The Interview: Christian Kjaer The Interview: Christian Kjaer

Part 1. Christian Kjaer is soon to leave his role as CEO of the European Wind Energy Association, departing for pastures new in April. Here he speaks to Gail Rajgor, giving his final thoughts on the state of the wind industry.

10 Solar Survival Strategies 10 Solar Survival Strategies

Part 4. The last few years has been a rollercoaster for the solar industry. Many companies went under, so what did the “survivors,” do right? (Even if some of the survivors themselves continue to struggle...)

World Biofuel event underway in Rotterdam World Biofuel event underway in Rotterdam

“The bio-economy has reached a tipping point,” – Petri Vasara, Pöyry Global Futures

10 Solar Survival Strategies 10 Solar Survival Strategies

Part 3. The last few years has been a rollercoaster for the solar industry. Many companies went under, so what did the “survivors,” do right? (Even if some of the survivors themselves continue to struggle...)

Market focus: renewables development in Hamburg Market focus: renewables development in Hamburg

With the influx of firms to the region gaining pace, a 40% boom in renewables employment between 2011–2015 is forecast for Hamburg.

10 Solar Survival Strategies 10 Solar Survival Strategies

Part 2. The last few years has been a rollercoaster for the solar industry. Many companies went under, so what did the “survivors,” do right? (Even if some of the survivors themselves continue to struggle...)

Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony? Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony?

Part 4. The UK has extensive offshore expertise through its oil & gas heritage. But how the wind industry can take advantage of this remains the million dollar question…

10 Solar Survival Strategies 10 Solar Survival Strategies

Part 1. The last few years has been a rollercoaster for the solar industry. Many companies went under, so what did the “survivors,” do right? (Even if some of the survivors themselves continue to struggle...)

Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony? Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony?

Part 3. The UK has extensive offshore expertise through its oil & gas heritage. But how the wind industry can take advantage of this remains the million dollar question…

Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony? Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony?

Part 2. The UK has extensive offshore expertise through its oil & gas heritage. But how the wind industry can take advantage of this remains the million dollar question…

Renewable energy project monitor Renewable energy project monitor

November/December 2012: Our regular column, written by the Energy Industries Council, reports on project development in the renewable energy marketplace.

Comment: Energy security in Asia Comment: Energy security in Asia

No other region in the world has a growing demand for energy like that of Asia. So Asia is facing an energy security challenge – much more acutely than any other regions in the world, writes Nobuo Tanaka.

Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony? Oil, Gas and Wind: offshore harmony?

Part 1. The UK has extensive offshore expertise through its oil & gas heritage. But how the wind industry can take advantage of this remains the million dollar question…

Cow Power: beneficiary of the natural gas boom? Cow Power: beneficiary of the natural gas boom?

Landfills and dairy farms are full of discarded things - remnants and scraps that are deemed useless, worthless and even a nuisance. Or maybe not?