News for June 2011

News Archive

Offshore wind in Europe a £2 billion/year opportunity for composites

A report commissioned by The Crown Estate, UK, and undertaken by BVG Associates, concludes that £2 billion will be spent annually on the manufacture of composite wind turbine blades for offshore wind farms in Europe by 2020.

ABB supplies wind energy storage to Falbygdens Energi

ABB will provide wind energy storage for Falbygdens Energi's power distribution network at a substation in Falköping, Sweden.

DONG, Bladt sign wind turbine foundations deal

DONG Energy and Bladt Industries have inked a framework agreement on long-term cooperation for manufacturing foundations for DONG’s upcoming offshore wind farms in Northern Europe.

Heliocentris acquires P21 out of insolvency

Heliocentris Energy Solutions has purchased all assets of the bankrupt P21 through a new subsidiary.

SSE sells 50% Doune wind farm stake

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) will sell its 50% interest (36 MW) in the Braes of Doune onshore wind farm, Scotland, to a Climate Change Capital-managed fund for an overall cash consideration of £61.3 million.

GE promotes Smart Grid pilot in Northern Ireland

GE Energy is promoting the development of a Smart Grid pilot network, which will help more renewable energy sources to be linked to the existing electrical network in Northern Ireland.

European, Asian wind turbine OEMs to collaborate

Several companies are discussing fundamentally different strategies for either global outsourcing for components or internally combining manufacturing processes for wind turbines.

UK wave and tidal funding – “a drop in the ocean”

RenewableUK welcomes the UK Government’s announcement of £20 million funding from the Low Carbon Innovation Fund to develop the wave and tidal energy industry, but warns it could be but a drop in the ocean.

FIM acquires Mynydd Portref wind farm

FIM Services has acquired the 9.35 MW Mynydd Portref wind farm in Wales from Tegni Cymru Cyf (TCC).

Iberdrola and AREVA bid for French offshore wind zones

Iberdrola Renewables and AREVA will bid for two of the five offshore wind farm zones that will be launched by the French Government in July.

Foresight, Our Generation invest £10m in residential solar PV

Foresight Group and Our Generation have agreed a preliminary £10 million programme of residential solar photovoltaic (PV) installations over the coming three months in the UK.

DP CleanTech develops tool to help understand biomass

DP CleanTech’s biomass fuel expert, Aurelie Sol, has developed a tool, ‘Biomass Lab’, to enable better understanding about properties of biomass fuels and fuel mixes under combustion.

Bioenergy double in size from nuclear Bioenergy double in size from nuclear

Bioenergy is already around double the size of nuclear energy globally, according to the World Bioenergy Association

Australian renewable energy sector supports Senate wind inquiry

Australia’s renewable energy industry backs ‘The Senate Inquiry into the Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms’.

DONG, ScottishPower to build West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm

DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables have agreed to construct the West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm in the UK under a 50/50 partnership.

Genencor introduces Accellerase TRIO biofuel enzyme

Genencor has launched Accellerase TRIO, an enzyme which could help producing cellulosic ethanol biofuel from several non-food feedstocks and municipal solid waste more cost-effectively.

OPT’s wave device outperforms in tests

Ocean Power Technologies Inc (OPT) says the first of its utility-scale PB150 PowerBuoy wave power device has performed better-than-expected in initial results from tests off the coast of Scotland.

Wind turbine nacelle testing lab in Germany from 2014

A wind turbine nacelle testing facility is planned for 2014 in Bremerhaven, Germany, with backing from Federal and state governments.

Siemens supplies 108 offshore wind turbines to Duddon Sands

Siemens will supply 108 offshore wind turbines to DONG Energy and ScottishPower Renewables’ 389 MW West of Duddon Sands offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea.

Krannich Solar to distribute REC solar technology

Krannich Solar has joined the Renewable Energy Corporation’s (REC) REC Platinum Partnership Program for distributing REC’s solar technology in Europe.

Floating accommodation for offshore wind workers Floating accommodation for offshore wind workers

Svitzer UK and Sanderson Maritime have launched an offshore ‘hotel’ concept for accommodation for the offshore renewable sector.

UK strategy for renewable energy microgeneration

The UK Government has launched an action plan to help consumers, communities and businesses generate renewable energy under a microgeneration action plan.

Gamesa secures offshore wind centre site in Scotland

Gamesa has secured a site for its Offshore Wind Technology Centre in Glasgow, Scotland, which could see the creation of 40 jobs.

First foundation installed at Thornton Bank 2 offshore wind farm

The first foundation at 295 MW Thornton Bank 2 offshore wind farm in Belgium has been installed.

Ampere buys 39.6 MW wind portfolio from Hurrikan

Ampere Equity Fund, managed by Triodos Investment Management, has acquired a 39.6 MW portfolio of three operational wind farms in Germany from affiliates of Hurrikan Power Funding Holding GmbH.

WinWinD develops arctic wind turbines

WinWinD is investing €8 million to develop a 3 MW arctic wind turbine as part of a European consortium.

Fracture stimulation starts on Paralana 2 geothermal project

Petratherm and joint venture partners Beach Energy and TRUenergy Geothermal have started the fracture stimulation of Paralana 2 geothermal project in Australia.

WinWinD builds 250 MW wind farm in India

WinWinD will supply, commission and operate a 250 MW wind farm in India under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Suryachakra Green Power.

Renewable energy link from Orkney to Scotland – under £1 per customer

To install cabling to enable the transmission of renewable energy from Orkney to the Scottish mainland could come in at an average annual cost of £0.92 per customer.

Neste Oil committed to 2020 aviation biofuel targets

Neste Oil has committed itself to a European Aviation Biofuels Flightpath introduced in Paris aimed at increasing the use of aviation biofuel to 2 million tonnes annually by 2020.

European solar PV demand falling on support cuts European solar PV demand falling on support cuts

The solar photovoltaic (PV) market is setting major shifts as governments adjust their support for solar PV in 2011, according to Solarbuzz.

Wind powered ferry Wind powered ferry

Stena Line’s passenger ferry, Stena Jutlandica, has seen the installation of two small wind turbines to supply electricity to the ferry going between Sweden and Denmark.

Bosch invests €520m in Malaysian solar PV manufacturing plant

Bosch is investing €520 million in a new solar photovoltaic (PV) manufacturing plant in the Batu Kawan region in Penang, Malasyia.

REpower to supply 44 MW wind farm in Italy

REpower Systems SE will deliver 13 of its 3.4M104 wind turbines to Alerion CleanPower SpA for the 44 MW San Marco in Lamis wind farm in Italy.

AREVA Solar part of 250 MW Australian solar project

AREVA Solar, CS Energy and Wind Prospect CWP’s 250 MW Solar Dawn has been selected as the preferred solar thermal power project in Round 1 of the Australian Government’s Solar Flagships Program.

£130m biomass centre in Immingham, UK

Real Ventures (Immingham) Ltd is planning a 49.5 MW biomass facility representing an investment of £130 million at the Port of Immingham, UK.

Alstom invests in Scottish wave power

Alstom has acquired a 40% equity stake in Scottish wave power company AWS Ocean Energy Ltd.

UK ‘All Islands’ approach to marine renewable energy

Ministers from the British Isles, Ireland, The Channel Islands and the Isle of Man will cooperate on exploiting wind and marine renewable energy in and around the islands of the UK and Ireland.

Aquamarine Power prepares second Oyster wave power installation Aquamarine Power prepares second Oyster wave power installation

Aquamarine Power is close to installing its second full-scale Oyster wave energy converter in Orkney, UK.

Utility batteries aid renewable energy

Meeting renewable energy targets whilst keeping grid stability has increased the demand for utility-scale battery storage, according to Frost & Sullivan.

Scotland backs large-scale solar deal

The Scottish Government has backed a 1 MW ISIS Solar solar power deal in Scotland.

Siemens supplies Chinese offshore wind farm

Siemens Energy is supplying 21 of its 2.3 MW wind turbines for an offshore wind farm in Rudong County, Jiangsu province, China.

Transatlantic flight using bio jet fuel

Honeywell’s Green Jet Fuel biofuel has been used in a 50/50 blend on a transatlantic flight from North America to Europe.

iGen Energy and Q-Cells build UK solar rooftop project

iGen Energy has completed work on the first phase of a 96 kWp solar photovoltaic (PV) rooftop installation with Q-Cells solar modules in Buxton, Derbyshire, UK.

Osmotic power agreement

Statkraft has entered into an agreement with Nitto Denko/Hydranautics for the development and supply of membranes for osmotic power.

Vestas V100 wind turbines to Sweden

Vestas will deliver 30 of its V100 2.6 MW wind turbines to Sjisjka Vind AB for a wind farm in Sweden.

International Power develops 220 MW geothermal in Indonesia

International Power (IPR), PT Supreme Energy and Marubeni Corporation have entered into a joint venture (JV) agreement to develop the Rantau Dedap geothermal project in South Sumatra Province, Indonesia.

UK government invests to accelerate introduction of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies

A new £7.5 million (US$12.1 million) demonstrator programme in the UK will help to speed up the adoption of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies, and bring them into everyday use. The new funding was revealed today at a showcase demonstration of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies at City Hall in London.

GE’s 2.5 MW wind turbines to four wind farms in Sweden

GE will supply 40 of its 2.5 MW wind turbines for four wind farms in Laholm, Boxholm and Mjölby in Southern Sweden for Stena Renewable Wind Energy Company of Göteborg.

Abengoa CSP plant in Chile

Abengoa will build a concentrating solar power (CSP) plant in the Atacama Desert in Chile.

Hydrogenics completes utility-scale grid stabilization trial in Ontario using hydrogen electrolyzer

Canadian hydrogen generation and fuel cell manufacturer Hydrogenics has successfully completed an innovative trial with Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO), to demonstrate the viability of its electrolyzer technology for utility-scale grid stabilization.

Alstom supplies 207 MW hydropower to Portugal

Alstom and Portuguese engineering company Ensulmeci will supply and install a new hydropower generation unit at the Salamonde dam in Portugal for the Portuguese utility Energias de Portugal (EDP).

Siemens expands wind power business – investing €150m

Siemens plans to invest over €150 million over the next two years to expand its wind power business.

Bosch Solar Energy opens 5 MW UK solar farm

Bosch Solar Energy AG has built a 5 MW solar farm in Trefullock, southern England.

LM Wind Power announces 73.5 m turbine blade LM Wind Power announces 73.5 m turbine blade

The new LM Wind Power blade will be the longest composite blade structure in the world at 73.5 m (equivalent to a 24 storey building), creating an impressive swept area with a 150 m rotor diameter.

Penguin (wave power device) swimming to Orkney Penguin (wave power device) swimming to Orkney

Wello Oy’s wave power device, the Penguin, is on its way to Orkney to be tested at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC).

Italy: Nuclear? Non grazie! – Now it's renewable energy

Italians have decisively said "no thanks" to nuclear for a second time in a nationwide referendum and the country must now turn increasingly to renewable energy.

GE and Gehrlicher to build solar PV world wide

GE Energy and Gehrlicher Solar will develop solar photovoltaic (PV) plants world-wide under a cooperation agreement.

Wind could save €23.7bn in fuel costs in 2015

Wind power could avoid €23.7 billion in fuel costs from coal, gas and oil for electricity production in 2015, according to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Industry welcomes New South Wales solar move

Australia's Clean Energy Council has welcomed a Government decision to honour support for household solar systems.

Abengoa to build Mexico’s first hybrid solar-gas plant

Abengoa is planning to develop a new CSP solar field for the Agua Prieta II power plant.

DP CleanTech provides 56 MW biomass CHP boiler to Oslo

DP CleanTech will deliver a 56 MW thermal wood-fired biomass boiler for Hafslund Fjernvarme’s district heating project in Oslo, Norway.

Scotland commissions two wind farms

The 56 MW Mark Hill and 120 MW Arecleoch wind farms in South Ayrshire, Scotland, have been officially opened by ScottishPower Renewables.

Alstom supplies three wind farms to Brazil Alstom supplies three wind farms to Brazil

Alstom will build and service three wind farms in Brazil for Brasventos SA under a €200 million contract.

DECC publishes major renewables report

A new independent study examines the future of renewable electricity technology in the UK

Base built for Narec marine energy test facility

A dry dock is being constructed in the North of England as part of a new marine energy test facility

Solar railway tunnel connected

3E has connected its monitoring and optimisation software platform, SynaptiQ, to the largest solar powered railway tunnel in Europe.

WindMade appoints first CEO

WindMade, the industry initiative for the labelling of wind power, has appointed its first CEO, Henrik Kuffner, former Director General of the International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO).

SWAY offshore wind turbine prototype installed SWAY offshore wind turbine prototype installed

SWAY, which is planning to develop a 10 MW floating offshore wind turbine, has installed its first prototype off the coast of Bergen, Norway.

Neste Oil trials renewable diesel in Finland

A fleet of road tanker trucks in Finland are to use Neste Oil’s NExBTL renewable diesel from the beginning of June.

Metso to supply biomass plants in France

Five biomass plants in France will use Metso technology as part of the national green energy programme.

TITAN TRACKER intros dual-axis solar trackers

TITAN TRACKER says its new generation of dual-axis solar trackers achieve a cost reduction of about 30%.

Vestas confirms Canadian wind turbine order negotiations

Vestas is confirming negotiations on a 300 MW wind turbine order for Canada.

Rolls-Royce will not take over Tognum stationary fuel cell business

Tognum will shut down its stationary fuel cell development programme, after Rolls-Royce decided that it would not take on the business as part of its takeover of the German power plant company, in tandem with Daimler.

Gamesa sells 30 MW Catalonian wind farm to Greentech

Gamesa is selling a 30 MW wind farm development in Tarragona, Spain, to wind farm developer Greentech Energy Systems.

Disappointment over UK feed-in tariff review

A common theme among the responses to the UK’s revised feed-in tariffs for solar photovoltaics (PV) and anaerobic digestion, has been one of disappointment.

Expect renewable energy mergers in next year, says report

Merger and acquisition activity is likely to increase in the renewable energy sector over the next 12 months – particularly in Europe.

European solar heating and cooling market in decline

The market for solar heating and cooling in the EU and Switzerland has dropped for the second consecutive year

Energetx Composites and Aeroblade establish wind blade manufacturing partnership

Energetx Composites of the USA and wind turbine blade designer Aeroblade of Spain have entered into a Manufacturing Master Supply Agreement through which Energetx will become Aeroblade’s manufacturing partner in North America.

OpenHydro opens for 20 tidal power jobs in Ireland

Tidal turbine developer OpenHydro is scaling up its production in Greenore, County Louth, Ireland.

Siemens installs 6 MW offshore wind turbine prototype Siemens installs 6 MW offshore wind turbine prototype

Siemens has installed the first prototype of its 6 MW offshore wind turbine, the SWT-6.0-120, with direct drive technology.

Hexcel lab GL approved for wind energy product testing

Hexcel has announced that its test laboratory at Duxford, Cambridge, UK, has been certified by Germanischer Lloyd (GL) for the mechanical and analytical testing of wind energy products.

Feed-in tariff review: Killing UK >50 kW solar PV industry

The UK Solar Trade Association (STA) says the revised feed-in tariff for solar photovoltaic (PV) projects over 50 kW is killing the UK solar PV industry.

Reduced UK feed-in tariffs for solar PV and anaerobic digestion announced

The UK has announced its new, reduced solar photovoltaic (PV) feed-in tariffs for systems larger than 50 kW.

Solyndra completes 3 MW rooftop solar system in Belgium

A solar system has been built by Solyndra on the roof of a Belgian Delhaize distribution centre

UK low-carbon projects at risk, says CBI

The CBI says the British Government could fail to achieve carbon emission reduction targets if action is not taken swiftly

Masdar PV expands German production capacity

Masdar PV is converting its existing production line in Ichtershausen, Germany, over to micromorph solar thin-film technology.

ABB to build 10 MW of solar PV in Italy

ABB will build two 5 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) projects in the Puglia region of Italy under a US$25 million contract with Etrion Corporation.

Enecsys intros 480 W duo solar PV micro inverter

Enecsys Ltd is introducing its SMI-D480W-60, a 480 W micro inverter that mounts on the railing system and accepts DC input from two individual solar photovoltaic (PV) modules.

Siemens UK to create hundreds of green engineering jobs

Siemens has announced the creation of up to 340 UK jobs as part of a new high voltage transmission project based in Manchester.

Finnish professor wins top bioenergy prize

The Johannes Linneborn Prize for Achievement in Biomass Development has been awarded to Professor Kai Sipilä

Tenesol completes 100 kWp solar rooftop in Italy

Tenesol has completed its first turnkey solar photovoltaic (PV) project in Italy, a 100 kWp rooftop system at an organic farm in Ispica City, Sicily.

EuPD Research awards leading solar PV brands

EuPD Research says it has developed a method to evaluate solar photovoltaic (PV) module and inverter brand management, based on statements about brand perception made by market intermediaries and end customers.

GE and eSolar cooperate on solar combined cycle technology

GE Energy and eSolar will cooperate on deploying integrated solar combined cycle (ISCC) technology under an investment and licensing agreement.

REpower’s net income down on difficult year

REpower saw a 4% drop in net income for the fiscal year 2010/2011 to €55.6 million, which has been a tough year for the wind power industry.

Further drop in wind turbine prices expected

Wind turbine prices will continue to drop as a result of persisent problems in the supply chain, according to a new report.

China still most attractive country for renewable energy

A diverse renewable portfolio helps China hold top position in global energy rankings

Nuclear expensive and uninsurable – cost on par with German solar Nuclear expensive and uninsurable – cost on par with German solar

The world's beleaguered nuclear industry continues to take a battering. The ‘nuclear renaissance’ juggernaut that once seemed unstoppable now appears dead in its tracks.

Scottish tidal resource maps

Natural Power has developed high resolution hydrodynamic tidal energy resource models for the west coast of Scotland.

SeaEnergy sells SeaEnergy Renewables to Repsol

SeaEnergy PLC is selling its interest in loss-making SeaEnergy Renewables Ltd (SERL) to Repsol Nuevas Energias SA, valuating SERL at approximately £50 million.

Solar PV installations over 21 GW in 2011, but lower 2012 Solar PV installations over 21 GW in 2011, but lower 2012

More than 21 GW of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity is predicted to be installed in 2011, up from around 18 GW in 2010 according to IMS Research.

Ashland exhibits at China offshore wind show

Ashland Performance Materials will showcase its portfolio of wind energy products at the Offshore Wind China 2011 in Shanghai this month.

Abengoa enters transmission JV in Brazil

Abengoa has entered a joint venture (JV) agreement with Brazilian electricity company Compania Energetica de Minas Gerais (CEMIG) combining four transmission concessions.

Wärtsilä, Versa Power to integrate solid oxide fuel cells in power and marine products

The Finnish marine power and energy company Wärtsilä has announced a cooperative agreement with US-based solid oxide fuel cell developer Versa Power Systems, to develop and integrate Versa Power fuel cell technology into Wärtsilä products for the distributed energy and marine markets.

Conergy uses aircraft engineering for solar rooftop rack solution Conergy uses aircraft engineering for solar rooftop rack solution

Conergy is introducing a solar photovoltaic (PV) mounting system for industrial flat roofs, SolarFamulus Air, developed by an aircraft construction engineer.

Evance small wind turbine gets conditional certification

Evance Wind Turbines’ R9000 5 kW small wind turbine has been granted Conditional Temporary Certification (Conditional Certification) by the Small Wind Certification Council (SWCC).

Shell and Cosan biofuel JV

Shell and Cosan have launched a multi-billion dollar joint venture (JV) to produce ethanol biofuel from Brazilian sugar cane.

Converteam 1500 V DC solar PV inverter ups output 20%

Converteam’s 1500 V DC solar photovoltaic (PV) central inverter, is said to increase AC power output by almost 20%.

Oerlikon Solar’s 120 MW solar thin-film production line to Asia

Oerlikon Solar has received a turnkey order for its 120 MW Micromorph ThinFab production line for manufacturing solar thin-film silicon modules from an undisclosed Asian customer.

Clyde Wind Farm starts electricity production

The first wind turbine at the Clyde onshore wind farm under construction in South Lanarkshire, UK, has started producing electricity for the national grid.

Sorgenia and KKR form wind energy JV in France

Sorgenia (CIR group) and investment firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP (KKR) have formed a joint venture (JV) for the production of wind energy in France.

GWEC: Global Wind Day celebrations on 15 June

On 15 June 2011, 'Global Wind Day', citizens from around the world can discover the benefits of wind energy while having fun, says the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC).

Abengoa sells 40% Telvent stake

Abengoa is selling its 40% stake in Telvent for €421 million to Schneider Electric.

Gamesa opens fifth wind turbine facility in China

Gamesa has inaugurated its fifth factory, which will assemble 2 MW nacelles for the G9X wind turbine range with an annual capacity of 500 MW, in China in the city of Da’an in Jilin province.

Suntech intros 250W BlackPearl solar PV module

Suntech Power Holdings Co will introduce its STP250S-20/Wd+ BlackPearl solar photovoltaic (PV) module at Intersolar Europe in June 2011.

Q-Cells develops solar cell with 19.5% efficiency rating

Q-Cells SE has achieved an efficiency rating of 19.5% on a 243 cm2 polycrystalline solar photovoltaic (PV) cell.