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University student designs new energy storage system
Renewable Energy Focus Volume 17, Number 6 November/December 2016
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News Digest University student designs new energy storage system A Lancaster engineering undergraduate has invented a new design for a Flywheel Energy Store. Abigail Carson, 21, who has completed her third year studying Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster, has created a superfast design for a Flywheel Energy Store (FES). The design, which was a self-proposed project as part of her MEng degree course, could have a wide number of uses, most notably for the storage of electricity generated by renewable sources such as wind turbines or solar panels. ‘‘The global energy crisis is the biggest and most urgent problem that needs addressing,’’ said Miss Carson. ‘‘The Flywheel Energy Store can be used for a vast range of applications – most significantly in providing energy security and independence for everyone globally, but also including eliminating waste in power networks, pumping water to villages and allowing for cleaner cooking and heating in developing countries, instant charging of electric vehicles, and off-grid energy storage.’’ The FES retains energy kinetically in a levitated floating mass. The rotor, which can be made from composites such as carbon fibre, is permanently levitated as opposed to electromagnetically, not requiring additional control mechanisms and so does not need maintenance or user input. A
smart telemetry set (monitoring equipment) would be included. From simulations and calculations, the power rating of the FES can be tailored and has the potential to reach the substantial MegaWatt range. Although with the initial aim of rotating at 100,000 rpm, Miss Carson’s figures show her design can easily rotate at 144,000 rpm without any adjustment. Lancaster University believes this is massively more powerful and quicker than most existing designs, which can spin at around 60,000 rpm. Miss Carson’s design is a unit around the size of a football, which could be ideal for domestic uses. However, the potential could be scaled up to industrial applications through a stacking approach, says the University – using many units together on the same network to provide a bigger energy store. Using multiple individual units means that if one was affected, the whole system would not need shutting down – a key advantage on some huge single unit systems. The FES also offers several advantages over other energy storage devices, such as batteries. ‘‘The lifespan of the FES is around 30 years, which is much longer than that for batteries,’’ said Miss Carson. ‘‘Batteries cannot withstand power transfer pattern variations – they suffer very badly from charging
and discharging abuse. This is not a problem for the FES, which is virtually immune to this sort of abuse’’. ‘‘Batteries are unable to match the ramping rate (how quickly the energy can be charged or discharged) of a FES. This is important for when large amounts of energy are needed, such as smoothing out supply and demand on large energy networks’’. ‘‘In addition, my FES has a design that can be recycled – which is impossible for batteries.’’ Professor Jianqiao Ye, Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster University and Miss Carson’s project supervisor, said: ‘‘This invention demonstrates how a traditional technology, such as a flywheel energy store system, can be modernised to meet current demand on storage of clean energy from renewable or sustainable sources. The system designed by Miss Carson has a number of important features, including portable, green and an impressively high efficiency. The system, after some market-orientated developments, could find a broad range of applications, ranging from domestic devices, large scale industry to general infrastructure’’. Miss Carson has a patent pending for the design and is currently seeking investment opportunities to implement the FES.
Alstom unveils Coradia iLint hydrogen fuel cell powered regional train in Germany European train builder Alstom has unveiled its first zero-emissions train. The Coradia iLint regional train replaces the diesel power plant with hydrogen fuel
cells, while offering the same level of performance. Alstom is one of the first railway manufacturers in the world to develop a
passenger train based on hydrogen fuel cell technology. To make the deployment of the Coradia iLint regional train as simple as possible for train operators, Alstom offers 1755-0084/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2016.10.002
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a complete package, consisting of the train and maintenance, as well as the necessary hydrogen infrastructure, with its network of partners. The first train is expected to enter service ¨ rde–Bremerhaon the Buxtehude–Bremervo ven–Cuxhaven line in Lower Saxony starting in December 2017. The new fuel cell powered Coradia iLint, based on Alstom’s Coradia Lint 54 diesel train, will be manufactured in Salzgitter, Germany. The Coradia iLint trains will have a performance comparable to the latest generation of Coradia Lint diesel multiple units, i.e. a maximum speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) with similar acceleration and braking performance, and a comparable passenger capacity. During acceleration phases the fuel cell power output will be mainly used to
Alstom’s zero-emissions Coradia iLint regional train replaces the diesel power plant with hydrogen fuel cells, while offering the same level of performance.
supply traction power demand from the traction inverter and the onboard systems power demand via the auxiliary converter.
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During these phases power from the lithium-ion battery will be used to boost acceleration. The level of fuel cell power depends on the amplitude and duration of high power demand; short acceleration phases with limited power demand will be mainly supplied by the battery. Only longer phases of high power demand will lead to full-power operation of the fuel cell. During phases of lower acceleration or coasting, part of the fuel cell power will be used to recharge the battery, next to its power supply to the onboard systems, via the auxiliary converter. If the battery is sufficiently charged, the fuel cell is powered down to only supply the onboard systems and auxiliary converter, reducing hydrogen consumption.
Global wind O&M market set for strong growth by 2020, says GlobalData The global wind Operations and Maintenance (O&M) is estimated to increase from $10 billion in 2015 to $17 billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company’s latest viewpoint states that technological developments have paved the way for more effective and reliable equipment and machinery, making wind one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the global market. The exponential growth of the wind energy market is fueled by depleting fossil fuel reserves, the declining cost of wind energy generation, and a growing sensitivity for the environment, supported by financial incentives by various governments across the world.
Ankit Mathur, GlobalData’s Practice Head for Power, explains: ‘‘The O&M of a wind farm is essential as it contributes to value creation, increases turbine availability – lowering downtime – and increases returns. Regular O&M reduces the downtime of a turbine and optimizes electricity generation, which results in an increase in revenue.’’ Drivers of the market include advancing technologies, increasing demand for wind power, and innovation in components and predictive maintenance. Mathur continues: ‘‘Advanced connected technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) will enable a much more effective and efficient evaluation of wind turbines along with its associated components. The IoT
platform, through its collective and predictive analytics, can alert a service provider to any machinery problems in advance and to stay away from any crucial issues’’. ‘‘Technological improvements and innovations will also help to drive down wind O&M costs. Direct drive technology and tension control measurement technology for turbine bolts are considered among the innovations that significantly decrease such costs. Direct drive technology works by eliminating the gearbox, which is one of the major areas of failure in a turbine’’. ‘‘Tension control measurement works by minimizing bolted joint failures caused by insufficient bolt tension in wind installations. Although nuts and bolts are simple devices, their failure can be costly.’’
SMA takes over operational management of the largest PV farm in Scandinavia SMA Solar Technology AG is taking over complete technical operational management of the largest PV farm in Denmark on behalf of project developer and energy service provider WIRCON GmbH. The PV farm near Lerchenborg has been on the utility grid since December 2015, with an output of around 60 MW. SMA has supplied the power plant with 1750 Sunny Tripower 25000TL inverters. The operational management contract includes continuous remote monitoring, regular maintenance, repairs and upkeep
The PV farm in Denmark (image courtesy of SMA).
of the ground-based PV system. ‘‘We are delighted that WIRCON GmbH has
increased its cooperation with SMA and placed us in charge of the operational management of the largest PV farm in Scandinavia. We possess the experience and skills to supervise the plant operation smoothly and reliably and to quickly identify and remedy any irregularities. As a result, we can ensure that the PV power plant is functioning perfectly at all times and generating the best possible yield,’’ says Bernd Lamskemper, Head of Service EMEA at SMA. SMA is also planning to collaborate with WIRCON GmbH on other projects, thereby 209
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continuing to support the project developer and energy service provider as an expert partner. ‘‘The company’s long-standing expertise in inverters and experience in the operational management of large PV power plants in the megawatt range motivated us to intensify our cooperation with SMA Solar
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Technology AG,’’ said Dr. Peter Vest, Managing Director of WIRCON GmbH, on conclusion of the contract. On the Baltic coast west of Copenhagen, WIRCON GmbH has installed 248,730 PV modules and 1750 SMA string inverters in an area covering over 80 hectares,
thereby having constructed the largest PV farm in Scandinavia. The Lerchenborg PV farm generates approximately 60 million kWh of electric current per year, which is enough energy to supply around 30,000 private households with solar power.
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ABB wins $85 million in orders to strengthen power grid in Canada ABB has won orders worth over $85 million from leading Canadian utility Hydro-Que´bec (HQ) to upgrade its 800-kilovolt airinsulated switchgear (AIS) substations and transmission grid. The upgrade will implement state-of-theart circuit breakers, power transformers and shunt reactors, and is driven by the increasing demand for power and the need to integrate new sources of renewable energy. HQ operates one of the largest 800 kV networks in the world, a large part of which was originally developed in the 1960s and 1970s, and ABB has been involved in the modernization of its power infrastructure over decades. ‘‘We are pleased to continue supporting Hydro-Que´bec, in their ongoing efforts to
strengthen Canada’s power infrastructure,’’ said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids division. ‘‘ABB’s leadingedge technologies will help boost the integration of renewables, deliver additional power and enhance transfer of electricity over long distances. Ultra-high voltage transmission is a key focus area within our Next Level strategy and a key differentiator for ABB.’’ As part of the project, ABB will design, deliver and commission the state-of-the-art circuit breakers with polymeric insulators, to enhance safety and robustness. It will also design, manufacture and deliver 450 megavolt-ampere (MVA) autotransformers and 735 kV shunt reactors.
Circuit breakers are a vital component of substations, essential for safe, reliable and efficient switching operations. ABB’s live tank breakers are the most widely deployed circuit breakers in operation around the world, providing a cost and eco-efficient, flexible and well-proven solution. Transformers are integral components of an electrical grid, and essential for the efficient and safe conversion of electricity between different voltage systems. ABB’s transformer portfolio includes power transformers rated up to 1200 kV, dry- and liquid-distribution transformers, traction and special application transformers as well as related services and components.
South Africa to become new hotspot for wind power installation, says GlobalData South Africa has great potential for wind capacity development over the next four years, reports GlobalData. Over 3 GW is expected to be installed by 2020, bringing the country’s cumulative capacity up to 5.6 GW. The company’s latest report states that until 2012 the wind industry in South Africa was almost non-existent, with around 10 MW of cumulative installed capacity, which was installed over 10 years. Since then, installed capacity has swiftly improved, with 30 MW installed in 2013, 606 MW in 2014 and 483 MW in 2015. Pavan Vyakaranam, GlobalData’s Analyst covering Power, explains: ‘‘Despite the large capacity additions in 2014 and 2015, South Africa is still new to the wind industry, and it has huge wind power potential. At this point it is very important to have a system to determine wind speeds and other factors throughout the expanses of the country in order to plan installations, future capacity
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Wind turbines near the town of Darling in South Africa (image courtesy of Abraham Badenhorst via Shutterstock).
and infrastructure development in accordance with the wind potential in the different regions and sites’’. ‘‘For example, in the same region there may be multiple wind sites and each site may have different wind speeds and potential due to different altitudes and terrains. A system that maps these sites and their wind potential would be highly instrumental for the government as well as for power producers
in several aspects of planning, such as turbine size, fixing tariffs, and developing roads and transmission infrastructure.’’ GlobalData believes that South Africa’s newfound focus on wind power will push the country closer to reaching its climate targets. In 2015, South Africa submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Commitments (INDC) ahead of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21), stating that it intends to strike a balance between the much-needed development of power capacity and the necessity to limit greenhouse gas emission. Vyakaranam continues: ‘‘The energy sector is currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa, emitting close to 250 million tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent. With more capacity additions underway, wind power will account for reductions to greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa by an estimated 6.4 MT in 2020 and then 12.7 MT in 2025.’’
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The innovative SEEV4-City project will explore the use of electric vehicles (EVs) to support the energy infrastructure through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, and by using EV batteries as short term storage for renewable energy. Cenex – the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies – will lead the SEEV4-City project, to support the transition to a low carbon economy in European cities by combining electric transport, renewable energy, and smart energy management. The project is partfunded by the EU’s Interreg North Sea Region Programme. Working with 13 international partners, Cenex will coordinate the SEEV4-City operational pilots in five European cities – Leicester/Loughborough in the UK, Kortrijk in Belgium, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Hamburg in Germany, and the Norwegian capital Oslo.
The project aims to deliver the following outputs: 150 tonnes of CO2 avoided annually across the operational pilots, a 25% increase in energy autonomy across the work packages, and s100 million saved on grid investment over 100 years across the operational pilots. Cenex will directly manage the implementation of the Leicester/Loughborough pilot, and will be responsible for analysing findings across the five participating cities to make the business case for V2G, in the hope of future large-scale rollouts across Europe and the UK. The SEEV4-City pilot partners include Hogeschool van Amsterdam (University of Applied Sciences), Amsterdam ArenA stadium, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, Avere (the European Association for Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles), the POLIS network of European cities and regions working to develop
innovative technologies and policies for local transport, Leicester City Council, Northumbria University, Oslo City Council, and German e-mobility consultancy e8energy. The partners hope to build on the existing body of research into how cities can use V2G technology to make clean and efficient electric-powered transportation possible, by allowing EVs to power – and be powered by – the grid. ‘‘We are pleased to be supporting the partners of the SEEV4-City project in making the business case for EVs to provide clean travel, whilst also developing energy infrastructure in Europe’s cities,’’ says Sarah Holsen, project advisor at the Joint Secratariat for the Interreg North Sea Region Programme. ‘‘It is our hope that the project yields results that will transform how EVs, smart ICT systems, and big data can work together to manage and direct energy flows in support of a low carbon economy.’’
New milestone in Australian tidal energy A tidal energy turbine has been installed in the Tamar estuary in Launceston, Tasmania, as part of a project to investigate and optimise the device’s performance. Researchers at the Australian Maritime College, a specialist institute of the University of Tasmania, will conduct field experiments with a 2.4 m-wide prototype in partnership with Sydney-based developers MAKO Tidal Turbines. Tasmania is seen as a location with huge renewable energy potential, says the company, and the site near Reid Rock was selected because of the ideal speed of the current. The turbine is secured beneath a
floating platform and connected to a mooring on the east side of the estuary. AMC project lead, Associate Professor Irene Penesis, said tidal energy was a particularly exciting form of renewable energy, and completely predictable compared with solar and wind power due to its consistent cycles. ‘‘Tidal power has the capacity to generate electricity that could become part of the energy mix for local industries, small communities, coasts and islands,’’ said Professor Penesis. Having undertaken extensive tow tank testing with AMC, MAKO Tidal Turbines will be carrying out research into how
full-scale turbines operate in a real-world environment, and to confirm their low environmental impact. The testing will include the influence of turbulence and biofouling (organisms growing on the turbine), which may impede performance and affect the longevity of the device. MAKO Turbine’s Managing Director, Douglas Hunt, explained how Australia stands to benefit from the partnership’s activity. ‘‘Tidal is set to become a key part of the energy mix worldwide and our work here with AMC means Australia will continue to play a key role in this emerging global industry,’’ Mr. Hunt said.
Carbon Trust to help accelerate North America’s offshore wind ambitions The Carbon Trust and the Business Network for Offshore Wind, the leading US-based offshore wind supply chain organisation, have announced an agreement which will see them collaborate to support the development of the offshore wind sector in North America. To underpin this commitment the organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which details activities that the Carbon Trust and the Business Network for Offshore Wind will focus on
The tidal energy turbine being deployed (image courtesy of MAKO Tidal Turbines).
over the next year to support and accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in the U.S. Initial areas of interest will include offshore wind measurement and increasing understanding of met-ocean conditions to de-risk potential offshore wind farm sites in U.S waters. ‘‘Partnering with the Carbon Trust expands the technical capacity and expertise of the Network,’’ said Liz Burdock, Executive Director of the Network. ‘‘We look forward to working with them to develop 211
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SEEV4-City pilot projects to trial vehicle-to-grid technology in European cities
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solutions for removing barriers, accelerate U.S. commercial scale offshore wind development, and to directly undertake R&D projects aimed at lowering the costs of offshore wind in the U.S.’’ Jan Matthiesen, Director of Innovation at the Carbon Trust commented, ‘‘We are very pleased to announce the formalisation of our relationship with The Business Network for Offshore Wind to support the development of the offshore wind industry in the U.S. This is a strong partnership, bringing together the Network’s local expertise with Carbon Trust’s strong track record of achieving cost
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reduction in offshore wind, which is well timed to support the U.S.’s recently publicised National Offshore Wind Strategy’’. The Carbon Trust will bring over 15 years of technology and industry expertise from the European wind sector, currently the largest offshore wind market in the world. Most notably, learnings from the worldleading collaborative research, development and deployment programme, the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA), which has been reducing the cost of energy from offshore wind since 2008. Through the OWA, the Carbon Trust has created a proven
framework, which enables competing developers to co-invest in a programme of innovation that benefits the industry as a whole, working directly with innovators to bring cost cutting solutions to market. Offshore wind presents an enormous opportunity for the U.S. to develop a low carbon energy source, create employment opportunities and increase energy security. The offshore wind sector is expected to grow quickly over the next decade, boosted by a predicted $300 billion investment that will add an approximate 10 GW to the nation’s current wind energy capacity.
New study suggests biomass would not be a good alternative for replacing coal power in the UK Wind and solar power are likely to be less expensive than burning trees in order to replace coal in the United Kingdom, according to a new study released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Conducted by London-based Vivid Economics, the report examines the full system costs of renewables like wind and solar relative to biomass for replacing coal and meeting the UK’s clean and reliable electricity objectives in the period 2020–2025. The results point to the need for policymakers to reform the UK’s bioenergy policies so as not to encourage more expensive and dirtier solutions to the country’s energy needs. ‘‘The science already shows that burning biomass on a mass scale for electricity increases carbon pollution and is extremely harmful to the environment. The emissions risks associated with biomass are simply too big to be ignored, and now we see that the economics of biomass don’t make sense as the UK strives to replace coal and decarbonise its power sector,’’ said Sasha Stashwick, a senior advocate with NRDC, a US-based environmental organisation. ‘‘This report clearly indicates that when you account for total economic costs, cleaner alternatives like wind and solar are the lower-cost solution for a coal-free UK. It’s just good economic sense.’’ The study compares the economics of biomass and other renewables – onshore wind, offshore wind and large-scale solar photovoltaic – under varying assumptions
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Burning trees as a form of energy can increase carbon emissions for many decades (image courtesy of Shutterstock).
about the total economic costs of each, including the latest technology costs, the cost of ensuring reliability of supply, and carbon costs. In 2020, when fully accounting for the total economic cost of different energy technologies, biomass is more costly than wind and solar alternatives. Even for scenarios that do not include a full accounting of biomass carbon emissions, the total economic cost of biomass is comparable to or higher than that of onshore wind and solar. In 2025, as their costs continue to fall, wind and solar are likely to be the least-cost way to ensure reliability of supply in the UK power system, not biomass. The UK’s electricity system, like many across the globe, is undergoing major transformation. Under the Climate Change Act of 2008, the UK committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%
from 1990 levels by 2050. The UK also has an aging power sector and plans to retire all coal plants by 2025, creating an ideal opportunity for investments in clean, low-cost wind and solar energy, not biomass. The UK has relied heavily on biomass to build new electricity capacity and meet climate targets. However, research shows that many forms of biomass, especially biomass from forests, produce higher carbon emissions than coal and natural gas for up to 100 years. At the same time, the costs of building low-carbon alternatives to biomass like wind and solar have fallen rapidly and are expected to continue declining as the sector grows. By contrast, biomass conversion is a mature technology and comparatively little cost reduction is expected. Feedstock costs, which are two-thirds of technology costs, are also increasingly uncertain, the report says. ‘‘Phasing out coal is absolutely necessary as the UK aims to curb climate change, but we can’t afford to backtrack by focusing on unsustainable forms of biomass that are neither clean nor cheap,’’ said Matt Williams, Policy Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). ‘‘It is critical that we focus on renewable forms of energy that deliver emissions reductions and protect wildlife and the natural environment while providing value for money, so as to ensure that the UK hits its legally binding climate change targets.’’
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The World Energy Council has identified that per capita energy demand will peak before 2030. This is in stark contrast to historic growth levels, which have seen global demand for energy more than double since 1970. Technological innovation, government policies and lower growth expectations will have a significant impact on the sector in the coming decades. The findings come in a new set of exploratory scenarios, developed in collaboration with Accenture Strategy and the Paul Scherrer Institute, which were launched at the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul by the World Energy Council. The World Energy Scenarios, entitled ‘‘The Grand Transition’’ were built by a network of more than 70 experts from over 25 countries and were quantified using a global multi-region energy system model by the Paul Scherrer Institute. The three scenarios entitled ‘‘Unfinished Symphony’’, ‘‘Modern Jazz’’ and ‘‘Hard Rock’’ present three distinct trajectories for the energy sector to 2060, with very different realities across regions.
Speaking at the report launch Ged Davis, Executive Chair of Scenarios, World Energy Council, said: ‘‘It is clear that we are undergoing a Grand Transition, which will create a fundamentally new world for the energy industry. Historically people have talked about Peak Oil but now disruptive trends are leading energy experts to consider the implications of Peak Demand. Our research highlights seven key implications for the energy sector which will need to be carefully considered by leaders in boardrooms and staterooms.’’ The report goes on to highlight that there will be a shift in final energy consumption with demand for electricity doubling by 2060. Solar and wind, which currently account for approximately 4% of power generation, will see the largest increase so that by 2060 they will represent between 20% and 39% of power generation. Fossil fuel usage could fall to as little as 50% of the primary energy mix in one of the scenarios, with very differing futures for coal, oil and natural gas. However, in all three scenarios the carbon budget is also likely to be broken within the next 30–40
years. Oil will continue to play a significant role in the transportation sector representing over 60% of the mix in all three scenarios to 2060 and natural gas will continue to increase at a steady rate. Nuri Demirdoven, Managing Director at Accenture Strategy added: ‘‘By 2060, all scenarios point to an increase in demand for gas, as well as a possible peak demand for oil within the 2035– 2045 timeframe. Misspending including misallocation of capital has always been a risk for energy assets, and will continue to grow due to fundamental shifts in the industry. Leading companies across all scenarios will be those that adapt quickly and take two urgent steps: rethink the balance of their energy portfolio, and utilize business and digital technologies to transform how they deliver work and organize and manage performance across their businesses.’’ Ged Davis concluded: ‘‘The underlying drivers will re-shape the economics of energy. We are entering a world where the concern is no longer just about stranded assets but also the impact of stranded resources on nations.’’
Mainstream Renewable Power wins seven government contracts in Chile Mainstream Renewable Power has been awarded contracts by the National Energy Commission of Chile to build and operate seven utility-scale wind energy plants with a total investment value of USD $1.65 billion and a capacity of 986 MW. The projects, awarded via twenty-year term contracts, are located throughout Chile and are scheduled to begin supplying low-cost, clean energy into the grid from January 2021. Mainstream was one of the leading beneficiaries in what was the most competitive and biggest electricity tender in the country’s history. Eighty-four companies submitted 85,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of bids for just over 12,000 GWh of available
Chilean wind farm (image courtesy of Shutterstock).
power – nearly seven times more power bid than could be awarded. This round also marks the first time Mainstream has participated independently in a Chilean bid and all projects are 100% Mainstream owned.
Commenting on the awards, Mainstream’s Chief Executive Eddie O’Connor said: ‘‘Today’s win underpins Mainstream’s standing as the leading independent renewable energy company in high-growth emerging energy markets. We had the industry foresight to take early positions in Chile and South Africa and we are rollingout similar plans across Africa, Central America and Asia. We look forward to developing these projects to the highest standard to deliver competitive priced energy into the Chilean system from 2021. I will be meeting with the CEOs of the main wind turbine manufacturers in the coming months to discuss the next generation of turbines required for these projects.’’
GE’s Digital Wind Farm technology to unlock higher production for two aging wind plants in Japan GE Renewable Energy has announced it has secured five-year Digital Wind Farm services contracts for two aging wind farms in central Japan.
Kinden Corporation’s 30 MW Shirama wind farm, a seven-year-old project near Osaka, expects the digital solution will increase the site’s annual energy production
(AEP) by up to 5%. A second contract, signed with Kandenko, is expected to deliver up to 2% higher AEP for the 22 MW Chosi project, a twelve-year-old wind farm near Tokyo.
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Global energy demand growth set to fall, according to World Energy Council
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Anne McEntee, President & CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind business said, ‘‘Our Digital Wind Farm concept is starting to gain traction all over the world. These two projects in Japan are great examples of our lifecycle approach to services—we are using data and analytics to create new value from older machines.’’ Originally commissioned in 2004, the Chosi wind farm consists of 15 units of GE’s 1.5 s product. Using GE’s Prognostics and PowerUp* Services software applications, the site will implement a turbine performance enhancement strategy that involves, among other adjustments, fine tuning the pitch angle according to the
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site’s real-world operating conditions. The resulting data will help the team analyse current and historical performance, plus it will help predict the remaining useful life of key components in the aging machines. The Kandenko team expects the new technology to boost revenue by up to $650,000 over the remaining lifetime of the project. Kinden Corporation’s 30 MW Shirama project near Osaka is made up of 20 units of GE’s 1.5sle wind turbines. First commissioned in 2009, the site will also receive GE’s Prognostics and PowerUp* Services applications, implementing software and hardware enhancements that utilize a new blade
clearance operation mode which will help the turbines run more efficiently and increase overall plant production by up to 5%. GE’s Digital Wind Farm concept extends to a wide variety of existing turbine models, and the apps are also compatible with the company’s new 2 MW and 3 MW wind turbines. In May, the company unveiled a new suite of Digital Wind Farm applications that were developed to enhance production and improve wind farm profitability. The programs are built on the Predix software platform, the foundation for all GE’s Industrial Internet applications, and include its specialized cyber security protection for operational technology.
Dominican Republic can triple renewable energy share by 2030, new IRENA report finds The Dominican Republic could increase the share of modern renewable energy in its energy mix from 9 to 27% by 2030, according to a new report launched by IRENA. The report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, Renewable Energy Prospects: Dominican Republic, finds the country could increase the share of renewables in the power sector alone from 12 to 44% by 2030. ‘‘The Dominican Republic can become one of the leading countries in the Caribbean region for renewable energy deployment,’’ said Dolf Gielen, Director of IRENA’s Innovation and Technology Centre. ‘‘If leaders act now to implement more renewables, the country can reduce air pollution, enhance energy security, boost the economy, and play a leading role in the global fight against climate change.’’ According to the report, the main challenges and opportunities for the Dominican Republic lie in the power sector. Under current policies, the country’s share of renewables in power generation will only reach 21% by 2030, falling short of the 25% by 2025 national target. But harnessing the country’s rich renewable energy resources – mostly from solar and wind – could deliver
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Infographic of energy usage in Dominican Republic (image courtesy of Brothers Good via Shutterstock).
up to 44% of all electricity generation by 2030. An estimated annual investment of USD $566 million in renewable energy is needed between now and 2030 to reach the 27% renewables mark. But achieving this will actually result in a net annual savings of up to USD 5.3 billion annually by 2030 when accounting for factors like human health and reduced emissions.
The report recommends a suite of actions to help achieve the country’s full renewable potential including setting clear and consistent renewable energy targets, designing appropriate incentives and market mechanisms, and conducting transmission planning and grid expansion, among other measures. The report recommendations, specifically the innovative approach to integrating variable renewables in the power sector, provide a model applicable for all islands. ‘‘Many island nations face similar challenges in the energy sector, including energy security and energy access,’’ said Gielen. ‘‘The measures outlined in this report can thus be helpful far beyond the Dominican Republic.’’ The report is part of IRENA’s renewable energy roadmap, Remap 2030, which provides a plan to double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. REmap roadmaps determine the potential for countries to scale up renewable energy technologies in the power sector, and other end-use sectors such as buildings, industry and transport. Download the report executive summary, available in English and Spanish here.
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News Digest University student designs new energy storage system A Lancaster engineering undergraduate has invented a new design for a Flywheel Energy Store. Abigail Carson, 21, who has completed her third year studying Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster, has created a superfast design for a Flywheel Energy Store (FES). The design, which was a self-proposed project as part of her MEng degree course, could have a wide number of uses, most notably for the storage of electricity generated by renewable sources such as wind turbines or solar panels. ‘‘The global energy crisis is the biggest and most urgent problem that needs addressing,’’ said Miss Carson. ‘‘The Flywheel Energy Store can be used for a vast range of applications – most significantly in providing energy security and independence for everyone globally, but also including eliminating waste in power networks, pumping water to villages and allowing for cleaner cooking and heating in developing countries, instant charging of electric vehicles, and off-grid energy storage.’’ The FES retains energy kinetically in a levitated floating mass. The rotor, which can be made from composites such as carbon fibre, is permanently levitated as opposed to electromagnetically, not requiring additional control mechanisms and so does not need maintenance or user input. A
smart telemetry set (monitoring equipment) would be included. From simulations and calculations, the power rating of the FES can be tailored and has the potential to reach the substantial MegaWatt range. Although with the initial aim of rotating at 100,000 rpm, Miss Carson’s figures show her design can easily rotate at 144,000 rpm without any adjustment. Lancaster University believes this is massively more powerful and quicker than most existing designs, which can spin at around 60,000 rpm. Miss Carson’s design is a unit around the size of a football, which could be ideal for domestic uses. However, the potential could be scaled up to industrial applications through a stacking approach, says the University – using many units together on the same network to provide a bigger energy store. Using multiple individual units means that if one was affected, the whole system would not need shutting down – a key advantage on some huge single unit systems. The FES also offers several advantages over other energy storage devices, such as batteries. ‘‘The lifespan of the FES is around 30 years, which is much longer than that for batteries,’’ said Miss Carson. ‘‘Batteries cannot withstand power transfer pattern variations – they suffer very badly from charging
and discharging abuse. This is not a problem for the FES, which is virtually immune to this sort of abuse’’. ‘‘Batteries are unable to match the ramping rate (how quickly the energy can be charged or discharged) of a FES. This is important for when large amounts of energy are needed, such as smoothing out supply and demand on large energy networks’’. ‘‘In addition, my FES has a design that can be recycled – which is impossible for batteries.’’ Professor Jianqiao Ye, Chair of Mechanical Engineering at Lancaster University and Miss Carson’s project supervisor, said: ‘‘This invention demonstrates how a traditional technology, such as a flywheel energy store system, can be modernised to meet current demand on storage of clean energy from renewable or sustainable sources. The system designed by Miss Carson has a number of important features, including portable, green and an impressively high efficiency. The system, after some market-orientated developments, could find a broad range of applications, ranging from domestic devices, large scale industry to general infrastructure’’. Miss Carson has a patent pending for the design and is currently seeking investment opportunities to implement the FES.
Alstom unveils Coradia iLint hydrogen fuel cell powered regional train in Germany European train builder Alstom has unveiled its first zero-emissions train. The Coradia iLint regional train replaces the diesel power plant with hydrogen fuel
cells, while offering the same level of performance. Alstom is one of the first railway manufacturers in the world to develop a
passenger train based on hydrogen fuel cell technology. To make the deployment of the Coradia iLint regional train as simple as possible for train operators, Alstom offers 1755-0084/http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ref.2016.10.002
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a complete package, consisting of the train and maintenance, as well as the necessary hydrogen infrastructure, with its network of partners. The first train is expected to enter service ¨ rde–Bremerhaon the Buxtehude–Bremervo ven–Cuxhaven line in Lower Saxony starting in December 2017. The new fuel cell powered Coradia iLint, based on Alstom’s Coradia Lint 54 diesel train, will be manufactured in Salzgitter, Germany. The Coradia iLint trains will have a performance comparable to the latest generation of Coradia Lint diesel multiple units, i.e. a maximum speed of 140 km/h (87 mph) with similar acceleration and braking performance, and a comparable passenger capacity. During acceleration phases the fuel cell power output will be mainly used to
Alstom’s zero-emissions Coradia iLint regional train replaces the diesel power plant with hydrogen fuel cells, while offering the same level of performance.
supply traction power demand from the traction inverter and the onboard systems power demand via the auxiliary converter.
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During these phases power from the lithium-ion battery will be used to boost acceleration. The level of fuel cell power depends on the amplitude and duration of high power demand; short acceleration phases with limited power demand will be mainly supplied by the battery. Only longer phases of high power demand will lead to full-power operation of the fuel cell. During phases of lower acceleration or coasting, part of the fuel cell power will be used to recharge the battery, next to its power supply to the onboard systems, via the auxiliary converter. If the battery is sufficiently charged, the fuel cell is powered down to only supply the onboard systems and auxiliary converter, reducing hydrogen consumption.
Global wind O&M market set for strong growth by 2020, says GlobalData The global wind Operations and Maintenance (O&M) is estimated to increase from $10 billion in 2015 to $17 billion by 2020, at a compound annual growth rate of 11.2%, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The company’s latest viewpoint states that technological developments have paved the way for more effective and reliable equipment and machinery, making wind one of the fastest-growing energy sources in the global market. The exponential growth of the wind energy market is fueled by depleting fossil fuel reserves, the declining cost of wind energy generation, and a growing sensitivity for the environment, supported by financial incentives by various governments across the world.
Ankit Mathur, GlobalData’s Practice Head for Power, explains: ‘‘The O&M of a wind farm is essential as it contributes to value creation, increases turbine availability – lowering downtime – and increases returns. Regular O&M reduces the downtime of a turbine and optimizes electricity generation, which results in an increase in revenue.’’ Drivers of the market include advancing technologies, increasing demand for wind power, and innovation in components and predictive maintenance. Mathur continues: ‘‘Advanced connected technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) will enable a much more effective and efficient evaluation of wind turbines along with its associated components. The IoT
platform, through its collective and predictive analytics, can alert a service provider to any machinery problems in advance and to stay away from any crucial issues’’. ‘‘Technological improvements and innovations will also help to drive down wind O&M costs. Direct drive technology and tension control measurement technology for turbine bolts are considered among the innovations that significantly decrease such costs. Direct drive technology works by eliminating the gearbox, which is one of the major areas of failure in a turbine’’. ‘‘Tension control measurement works by minimizing bolted joint failures caused by insufficient bolt tension in wind installations. Although nuts and bolts are simple devices, their failure can be costly.’’
SMA takes over operational management of the largest PV farm in Scandinavia SMA Solar Technology AG is taking over complete technical operational management of the largest PV farm in Denmark on behalf of project developer and energy service provider WIRCON GmbH. The PV farm near Lerchenborg has been on the utility grid since December 2015, with an output of around 60 MW. SMA has supplied the power plant with 1750 Sunny Tripower 25000TL inverters. The operational management contract includes continuous remote monitoring, regular maintenance, repairs and upkeep
The PV farm in Denmark (image courtesy of SMA).
of the ground-based PV system. ‘‘We are delighted that WIRCON GmbH has
increased its cooperation with SMA and placed us in charge of the operational management of the largest PV farm in Scandinavia. We possess the experience and skills to supervise the plant operation smoothly and reliably and to quickly identify and remedy any irregularities. As a result, we can ensure that the PV power plant is functioning perfectly at all times and generating the best possible yield,’’ says Bernd Lamskemper, Head of Service EMEA at SMA. SMA is also planning to collaborate with WIRCON GmbH on other projects, thereby 209
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continuing to support the project developer and energy service provider as an expert partner. ‘‘The company’s long-standing expertise in inverters and experience in the operational management of large PV power plants in the megawatt range motivated us to intensify our cooperation with SMA Solar
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Technology AG,’’ said Dr. Peter Vest, Managing Director of WIRCON GmbH, on conclusion of the contract. On the Baltic coast west of Copenhagen, WIRCON GmbH has installed 248,730 PV modules and 1750 SMA string inverters in an area covering over 80 hectares,
thereby having constructed the largest PV farm in Scandinavia. The Lerchenborg PV farm generates approximately 60 million kWh of electric current per year, which is enough energy to supply around 30,000 private households with solar power.
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ABB wins $85 million in orders to strengthen power grid in Canada ABB has won orders worth over $85 million from leading Canadian utility Hydro-Que´bec (HQ) to upgrade its 800-kilovolt airinsulated switchgear (AIS) substations and transmission grid. The upgrade will implement state-of-theart circuit breakers, power transformers and shunt reactors, and is driven by the increasing demand for power and the need to integrate new sources of renewable energy. HQ operates one of the largest 800 kV networks in the world, a large part of which was originally developed in the 1960s and 1970s, and ABB has been involved in the modernization of its power infrastructure over decades. ‘‘We are pleased to continue supporting Hydro-Que´bec, in their ongoing efforts to
strengthen Canada’s power infrastructure,’’ said Claudio Facchin, President of ABB’s Power Grids division. ‘‘ABB’s leadingedge technologies will help boost the integration of renewables, deliver additional power and enhance transfer of electricity over long distances. Ultra-high voltage transmission is a key focus area within our Next Level strategy and a key differentiator for ABB.’’ As part of the project, ABB will design, deliver and commission the state-of-the-art circuit breakers with polymeric insulators, to enhance safety and robustness. It will also design, manufacture and deliver 450 megavolt-ampere (MVA) autotransformers and 735 kV shunt reactors.
Circuit breakers are a vital component of substations, essential for safe, reliable and efficient switching operations. ABB’s live tank breakers are the most widely deployed circuit breakers in operation around the world, providing a cost and eco-efficient, flexible and well-proven solution. Transformers are integral components of an electrical grid, and essential for the efficient and safe conversion of electricity between different voltage systems. ABB’s transformer portfolio includes power transformers rated up to 1200 kV, dry- and liquid-distribution transformers, traction and special application transformers as well as related services and components.
South Africa to become new hotspot for wind power installation, says GlobalData South Africa has great potential for wind capacity development over the next four years, reports GlobalData. Over 3 GW is expected to be installed by 2020, bringing the country’s cumulative capacity up to 5.6 GW. The company’s latest report states that until 2012 the wind industry in South Africa was almost non-existent, with around 10 MW of cumulative installed capacity, which was installed over 10 years. Since then, installed capacity has swiftly improved, with 30 MW installed in 2013, 606 MW in 2014 and 483 MW in 2015. Pavan Vyakaranam, GlobalData’s Analyst covering Power, explains: ‘‘Despite the large capacity additions in 2014 and 2015, South Africa is still new to the wind industry, and it has huge wind power potential. At this point it is very important to have a system to determine wind speeds and other factors throughout the expanses of the country in order to plan installations, future capacity
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Wind turbines near the town of Darling in South Africa (image courtesy of Abraham Badenhorst via Shutterstock).
and infrastructure development in accordance with the wind potential in the different regions and sites’’. ‘‘For example, in the same region there may be multiple wind sites and each site may have different wind speeds and potential due to different altitudes and terrains. A system that maps these sites and their wind potential would be highly instrumental for the government as well as for power producers
in several aspects of planning, such as turbine size, fixing tariffs, and developing roads and transmission infrastructure.’’ GlobalData believes that South Africa’s newfound focus on wind power will push the country closer to reaching its climate targets. In 2015, South Africa submitted its Intended Nationally Determined Commitments (INDC) ahead of the 21st Conference of Parties (COP21), stating that it intends to strike a balance between the much-needed development of power capacity and the necessity to limit greenhouse gas emission. Vyakaranam continues: ‘‘The energy sector is currently the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa, emitting close to 250 million tons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent. With more capacity additions underway, wind power will account for reductions to greenhouse gas emissions in South Africa by an estimated 6.4 MT in 2020 and then 12.7 MT in 2025.’’
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The innovative SEEV4-City project will explore the use of electric vehicles (EVs) to support the energy infrastructure through vehicle-to-grid (V2G) charging, and by using EV batteries as short term storage for renewable energy. Cenex – the UK’s first Centre of Excellence for low carbon technologies – will lead the SEEV4-City project, to support the transition to a low carbon economy in European cities by combining electric transport, renewable energy, and smart energy management. The project is partfunded by the EU’s Interreg North Sea Region Programme. Working with 13 international partners, Cenex will coordinate the SEEV4-City operational pilots in five European cities – Leicester/Loughborough in the UK, Kortrijk in Belgium, Amsterdam in the Netherlands, Hamburg in Germany, and the Norwegian capital Oslo.
The project aims to deliver the following outputs: 150 tonnes of CO2 avoided annually across the operational pilots, a 25% increase in energy autonomy across the work packages, and s100 million saved on grid investment over 100 years across the operational pilots. Cenex will directly manage the implementation of the Leicester/Loughborough pilot, and will be responsible for analysing findings across the five participating cities to make the business case for V2G, in the hope of future large-scale rollouts across Europe and the UK. The SEEV4-City pilot partners include Hogeschool van Amsterdam (University of Applied Sciences), Amsterdam ArenA stadium, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, Avere (the European Association for Battery, Hybrid and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles), the POLIS network of European cities and regions working to develop
innovative technologies and policies for local transport, Leicester City Council, Northumbria University, Oslo City Council, and German e-mobility consultancy e8energy. The partners hope to build on the existing body of research into how cities can use V2G technology to make clean and efficient electric-powered transportation possible, by allowing EVs to power – and be powered by – the grid. ‘‘We are pleased to be supporting the partners of the SEEV4-City project in making the business case for EVs to provide clean travel, whilst also developing energy infrastructure in Europe’s cities,’’ says Sarah Holsen, project advisor at the Joint Secratariat for the Interreg North Sea Region Programme. ‘‘It is our hope that the project yields results that will transform how EVs, smart ICT systems, and big data can work together to manage and direct energy flows in support of a low carbon economy.’’
New milestone in Australian tidal energy A tidal energy turbine has been installed in the Tamar estuary in Launceston, Tasmania, as part of a project to investigate and optimise the device’s performance. Researchers at the Australian Maritime College, a specialist institute of the University of Tasmania, will conduct field experiments with a 2.4 m-wide prototype in partnership with Sydney-based developers MAKO Tidal Turbines. Tasmania is seen as a location with huge renewable energy potential, says the company, and the site near Reid Rock was selected because of the ideal speed of the current. The turbine is secured beneath a
floating platform and connected to a mooring on the east side of the estuary. AMC project lead, Associate Professor Irene Penesis, said tidal energy was a particularly exciting form of renewable energy, and completely predictable compared with solar and wind power due to its consistent cycles. ‘‘Tidal power has the capacity to generate electricity that could become part of the energy mix for local industries, small communities, coasts and islands,’’ said Professor Penesis. Having undertaken extensive tow tank testing with AMC, MAKO Tidal Turbines will be carrying out research into how
full-scale turbines operate in a real-world environment, and to confirm their low environmental impact. The testing will include the influence of turbulence and biofouling (organisms growing on the turbine), which may impede performance and affect the longevity of the device. MAKO Turbine’s Managing Director, Douglas Hunt, explained how Australia stands to benefit from the partnership’s activity. ‘‘Tidal is set to become a key part of the energy mix worldwide and our work here with AMC means Australia will continue to play a key role in this emerging global industry,’’ Mr. Hunt said.
Carbon Trust to help accelerate North America’s offshore wind ambitions The Carbon Trust and the Business Network for Offshore Wind, the leading US-based offshore wind supply chain organisation, have announced an agreement which will see them collaborate to support the development of the offshore wind sector in North America. To underpin this commitment the organisations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), which details activities that the Carbon Trust and the Business Network for Offshore Wind will focus on
The tidal energy turbine being deployed (image courtesy of MAKO Tidal Turbines).
over the next year to support and accelerate the deployment of offshore wind in the U.S. Initial areas of interest will include offshore wind measurement and increasing understanding of met-ocean conditions to de-risk potential offshore wind farm sites in U.S waters. ‘‘Partnering with the Carbon Trust expands the technical capacity and expertise of the Network,’’ said Liz Burdock, Executive Director of the Network. ‘‘We look forward to working with them to develop 211
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SEEV4-City pilot projects to trial vehicle-to-grid technology in European cities
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solutions for removing barriers, accelerate U.S. commercial scale offshore wind development, and to directly undertake R&D projects aimed at lowering the costs of offshore wind in the U.S.’’ Jan Matthiesen, Director of Innovation at the Carbon Trust commented, ‘‘We are very pleased to announce the formalisation of our relationship with The Business Network for Offshore Wind to support the development of the offshore wind industry in the U.S. This is a strong partnership, bringing together the Network’s local expertise with Carbon Trust’s strong track record of achieving cost
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reduction in offshore wind, which is well timed to support the U.S.’s recently publicised National Offshore Wind Strategy’’. The Carbon Trust will bring over 15 years of technology and industry expertise from the European wind sector, currently the largest offshore wind market in the world. Most notably, learnings from the worldleading collaborative research, development and deployment programme, the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA), which has been reducing the cost of energy from offshore wind since 2008. Through the OWA, the Carbon Trust has created a proven
framework, which enables competing developers to co-invest in a programme of innovation that benefits the industry as a whole, working directly with innovators to bring cost cutting solutions to market. Offshore wind presents an enormous opportunity for the U.S. to develop a low carbon energy source, create employment opportunities and increase energy security. The offshore wind sector is expected to grow quickly over the next decade, boosted by a predicted $300 billion investment that will add an approximate 10 GW to the nation’s current wind energy capacity.
New study suggests biomass would not be a good alternative for replacing coal power in the UK Wind and solar power are likely to be less expensive than burning trees in order to replace coal in the United Kingdom, according to a new study released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). Conducted by London-based Vivid Economics, the report examines the full system costs of renewables like wind and solar relative to biomass for replacing coal and meeting the UK’s clean and reliable electricity objectives in the period 2020–2025. The results point to the need for policymakers to reform the UK’s bioenergy policies so as not to encourage more expensive and dirtier solutions to the country’s energy needs. ‘‘The science already shows that burning biomass on a mass scale for electricity increases carbon pollution and is extremely harmful to the environment. The emissions risks associated with biomass are simply too big to be ignored, and now we see that the economics of biomass don’t make sense as the UK strives to replace coal and decarbonise its power sector,’’ said Sasha Stashwick, a senior advocate with NRDC, a US-based environmental organisation. ‘‘This report clearly indicates that when you account for total economic costs, cleaner alternatives like wind and solar are the lower-cost solution for a coal-free UK. It’s just good economic sense.’’ The study compares the economics of biomass and other renewables – onshore wind, offshore wind and large-scale solar photovoltaic – under varying assumptions
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Burning trees as a form of energy can increase carbon emissions for many decades (image courtesy of Shutterstock).
about the total economic costs of each, including the latest technology costs, the cost of ensuring reliability of supply, and carbon costs. In 2020, when fully accounting for the total economic cost of different energy technologies, biomass is more costly than wind and solar alternatives. Even for scenarios that do not include a full accounting of biomass carbon emissions, the total economic cost of biomass is comparable to or higher than that of onshore wind and solar. In 2025, as their costs continue to fall, wind and solar are likely to be the least-cost way to ensure reliability of supply in the UK power system, not biomass. The UK’s electricity system, like many across the globe, is undergoing major transformation. Under the Climate Change Act of 2008, the UK committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80%
from 1990 levels by 2050. The UK also has an aging power sector and plans to retire all coal plants by 2025, creating an ideal opportunity for investments in clean, low-cost wind and solar energy, not biomass. The UK has relied heavily on biomass to build new electricity capacity and meet climate targets. However, research shows that many forms of biomass, especially biomass from forests, produce higher carbon emissions than coal and natural gas for up to 100 years. At the same time, the costs of building low-carbon alternatives to biomass like wind and solar have fallen rapidly and are expected to continue declining as the sector grows. By contrast, biomass conversion is a mature technology and comparatively little cost reduction is expected. Feedstock costs, which are two-thirds of technology costs, are also increasingly uncertain, the report says. ‘‘Phasing out coal is absolutely necessary as the UK aims to curb climate change, but we can’t afford to backtrack by focusing on unsustainable forms of biomass that are neither clean nor cheap,’’ said Matt Williams, Policy Officer with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB). ‘‘It is critical that we focus on renewable forms of energy that deliver emissions reductions and protect wildlife and the natural environment while providing value for money, so as to ensure that the UK hits its legally binding climate change targets.’’
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The World Energy Council has identified that per capita energy demand will peak before 2030. This is in stark contrast to historic growth levels, which have seen global demand for energy more than double since 1970. Technological innovation, government policies and lower growth expectations will have a significant impact on the sector in the coming decades. The findings come in a new set of exploratory scenarios, developed in collaboration with Accenture Strategy and the Paul Scherrer Institute, which were launched at the 23rd World Energy Congress in Istanbul by the World Energy Council. The World Energy Scenarios, entitled ‘‘The Grand Transition’’ were built by a network of more than 70 experts from over 25 countries and were quantified using a global multi-region energy system model by the Paul Scherrer Institute. The three scenarios entitled ‘‘Unfinished Symphony’’, ‘‘Modern Jazz’’ and ‘‘Hard Rock’’ present three distinct trajectories for the energy sector to 2060, with very different realities across regions.
Speaking at the report launch Ged Davis, Executive Chair of Scenarios, World Energy Council, said: ‘‘It is clear that we are undergoing a Grand Transition, which will create a fundamentally new world for the energy industry. Historically people have talked about Peak Oil but now disruptive trends are leading energy experts to consider the implications of Peak Demand. Our research highlights seven key implications for the energy sector which will need to be carefully considered by leaders in boardrooms and staterooms.’’ The report goes on to highlight that there will be a shift in final energy consumption with demand for electricity doubling by 2060. Solar and wind, which currently account for approximately 4% of power generation, will see the largest increase so that by 2060 they will represent between 20% and 39% of power generation. Fossil fuel usage could fall to as little as 50% of the primary energy mix in one of the scenarios, with very differing futures for coal, oil and natural gas. However, in all three scenarios the carbon budget is also likely to be broken within the next 30–40
years. Oil will continue to play a significant role in the transportation sector representing over 60% of the mix in all three scenarios to 2060 and natural gas will continue to increase at a steady rate. Nuri Demirdoven, Managing Director at Accenture Strategy added: ‘‘By 2060, all scenarios point to an increase in demand for gas, as well as a possible peak demand for oil within the 2035– 2045 timeframe. Misspending including misallocation of capital has always been a risk for energy assets, and will continue to grow due to fundamental shifts in the industry. Leading companies across all scenarios will be those that adapt quickly and take two urgent steps: rethink the balance of their energy portfolio, and utilize business and digital technologies to transform how they deliver work and organize and manage performance across their businesses.’’ Ged Davis concluded: ‘‘The underlying drivers will re-shape the economics of energy. We are entering a world where the concern is no longer just about stranded assets but also the impact of stranded resources on nations.’’
Mainstream Renewable Power wins seven government contracts in Chile Mainstream Renewable Power has been awarded contracts by the National Energy Commission of Chile to build and operate seven utility-scale wind energy plants with a total investment value of USD $1.65 billion and a capacity of 986 MW. The projects, awarded via twenty-year term contracts, are located throughout Chile and are scheduled to begin supplying low-cost, clean energy into the grid from January 2021. Mainstream was one of the leading beneficiaries in what was the most competitive and biggest electricity tender in the country’s history. Eighty-four companies submitted 85,000 gigawatt hours (GWh) of bids for just over 12,000 GWh of available
Chilean wind farm (image courtesy of Shutterstock).
power – nearly seven times more power bid than could be awarded. This round also marks the first time Mainstream has participated independently in a Chilean bid and all projects are 100% Mainstream owned.
Commenting on the awards, Mainstream’s Chief Executive Eddie O’Connor said: ‘‘Today’s win underpins Mainstream’s standing as the leading independent renewable energy company in high-growth emerging energy markets. We had the industry foresight to take early positions in Chile and South Africa and we are rollingout similar plans across Africa, Central America and Asia. We look forward to developing these projects to the highest standard to deliver competitive priced energy into the Chilean system from 2021. I will be meeting with the CEOs of the main wind turbine manufacturers in the coming months to discuss the next generation of turbines required for these projects.’’
GE’s Digital Wind Farm technology to unlock higher production for two aging wind plants in Japan GE Renewable Energy has announced it has secured five-year Digital Wind Farm services contracts for two aging wind farms in central Japan.
Kinden Corporation’s 30 MW Shirama wind farm, a seven-year-old project near Osaka, expects the digital solution will increase the site’s annual energy production
(AEP) by up to 5%. A second contract, signed with Kandenko, is expected to deliver up to 2% higher AEP for the 22 MW Chosi project, a twelve-year-old wind farm near Tokyo.
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Global energy demand growth set to fall, according to World Energy Council
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Anne McEntee, President & CEO of GE’s Onshore Wind business said, ‘‘Our Digital Wind Farm concept is starting to gain traction all over the world. These two projects in Japan are great examples of our lifecycle approach to services—we are using data and analytics to create new value from older machines.’’ Originally commissioned in 2004, the Chosi wind farm consists of 15 units of GE’s 1.5 s product. Using GE’s Prognostics and PowerUp* Services software applications, the site will implement a turbine performance enhancement strategy that involves, among other adjustments, fine tuning the pitch angle according to the
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site’s real-world operating conditions. The resulting data will help the team analyse current and historical performance, plus it will help predict the remaining useful life of key components in the aging machines. The Kandenko team expects the new technology to boost revenue by up to $650,000 over the remaining lifetime of the project. Kinden Corporation’s 30 MW Shirama project near Osaka is made up of 20 units of GE’s 1.5sle wind turbines. First commissioned in 2009, the site will also receive GE’s Prognostics and PowerUp* Services applications, implementing software and hardware enhancements that utilize a new blade
clearance operation mode which will help the turbines run more efficiently and increase overall plant production by up to 5%. GE’s Digital Wind Farm concept extends to a wide variety of existing turbine models, and the apps are also compatible with the company’s new 2 MW and 3 MW wind turbines. In May, the company unveiled a new suite of Digital Wind Farm applications that were developed to enhance production and improve wind farm profitability. The programs are built on the Predix software platform, the foundation for all GE’s Industrial Internet applications, and include its specialized cyber security protection for operational technology.
Dominican Republic can triple renewable energy share by 2030, new IRENA report finds The Dominican Republic could increase the share of modern renewable energy in its energy mix from 9 to 27% by 2030, according to a new report launched by IRENA. The report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, Renewable Energy Prospects: Dominican Republic, finds the country could increase the share of renewables in the power sector alone from 12 to 44% by 2030. ‘‘The Dominican Republic can become one of the leading countries in the Caribbean region for renewable energy deployment,’’ said Dolf Gielen, Director of IRENA’s Innovation and Technology Centre. ‘‘If leaders act now to implement more renewables, the country can reduce air pollution, enhance energy security, boost the economy, and play a leading role in the global fight against climate change.’’ According to the report, the main challenges and opportunities for the Dominican Republic lie in the power sector. Under current policies, the country’s share of renewables in power generation will only reach 21% by 2030, falling short of the 25% by 2025 national target. But harnessing the country’s rich renewable energy resources – mostly from solar and wind – could deliver
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Infographic of energy usage in Dominican Republic (image courtesy of Brothers Good via Shutterstock).
up to 44% of all electricity generation by 2030. An estimated annual investment of USD $566 million in renewable energy is needed between now and 2030 to reach the 27% renewables mark. But achieving this will actually result in a net annual savings of up to USD 5.3 billion annually by 2030 when accounting for factors like human health and reduced emissions.
The report recommends a suite of actions to help achieve the country’s full renewable potential including setting clear and consistent renewable energy targets, designing appropriate incentives and market mechanisms, and conducting transmission planning and grid expansion, among other measures. The report recommendations, specifically the innovative approach to integrating variable renewables in the power sector, provide a model applicable for all islands. ‘‘Many island nations face similar challenges in the energy sector, including energy security and energy access,’’ said Gielen. ‘‘The measures outlined in this report can thus be helpful far beyond the Dominican Republic.’’ The report is part of IRENA’s renewable energy roadmap, Remap 2030, which provides a plan to double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix by 2030. REmap roadmaps determine the potential for countries to scale up renewable energy technologies in the power sector, and other end-use sectors such as buildings, industry and transport. Download the report executive summary, available in English and Spanish here.