World coal and gas consumption rose 5.4% and 2.2% respectively in 2011
New research by the Worldwatch Institute (www.worldwatch.org) shows that, although oil remains the world's leading energy source, coal and natural gas continue to grow in significance. Global consumption of coal increased 5.4% in 2011, to 3.72bn tons of oil equivalent, while natural gas use grew 2.2%, to 2.91bn tons of oil equivalent. Driven mainly by rising demand in China and India, coal's share in the global primary energy mix reached 28% in 2011. Natural gas usage grew in all regions except the European Union, which experienced a 9.9% decline in consumption. Natural gas accounted for nearly 23.7% of global primary energy consumption in 2011, down from 23.8% in 2010.
www.hazardexonthenet.net. 2 Jan. 2013. http://tinyurl.com/auudgsk
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Solar cells: improving the print process
DEK Solar, a provider of screen printing equipment and processes for fuel cell and solar cell manufacture, has announced the result of metallisation tests that show the possibility for significant cost savings and process improvements in the print process. In collaboration with DuPont Microcircuit Materials, DEK has published a paper, 'Fine Line Printing of Front Side Metallisations Using Ultra Fine Mesh and Stencil Technologies.' The two companies evaluated ultra-fine wire mesh screens and metal stencils in both single and dual printing processes in order to investigate whether it was possible to improve cost per watt through increasing cell efficiency and reducing paste consumption. Key findings were: use of ultra-fine meshes in single print mode can enable reductions in paste consumption up to 30% without effecting cell efficiency; and in dual print mode the use of a stencil to print the fingers and a 400 mesh to print a dedicated busbar paste can achieve total laydown reductions up to 40%.
Electronics Engineer, Jan. 2013. http://tinyurl.com/abd2mm3
UH researcher receives additional DOE funding for wind project
Researchers at the University of Houston have received additional funding from the US Department of Energy for a wind energy project that involves using superconducting wire to generate and transport electricity. Superconducting materials carry electricity without any electrical resistance, resulting in no energy lost during transport. However, wind turbines generate magnetic fields, which results in magnetic flux lines running through and moving within superconducting wires. These flux lines interfere with the wires’ ability to transport electricity, lowering its performance. The ultimate aim of the three-year project is to improve the performance of superconducting wire used in wind turbines by 400%.
www.materialsviews.com. 28 Dec. 2012. http://tinyurl.com/at48a6g
U.S. Congress extends wind energy tax credits for 2013 projects
The US Congress has included an extension of wind energy production tax credit in final passage of a bill to avert the 'fiscal cliff'. The extension of the PTC, and the investment tax credit for community and offshore projects, will now allow the continued growth of this energy source. The version included in latest budget deal would cover all wind projects that begin construction in 2013. Companies that manufacture wind turbines and install them sought that definition to allow for the 18-24 months it takes to develop a new wind farm.
CompositesWorld.com Weekly, 3 Jan. 2013. http://tinyurl.com/apfsq56
New Jersey takes pole position in solar energy
In early 2013 a state utility, Public Service Electric and Gas Co., will have completed a 4 year programme in which 180,000 telephone poles have been fitted with 200W solar panels. Connected by a wireless smart grid, developed by Petra Solar (South Plainfield, NJ, USA), the panels will produce up to 40 MW, enough for 6,500 homes. The background to the project is described and how it works is discussed.
ENR - Engineering News-Record New York. 10 Dec.2012. pp.29-30.
Interest in renewables continues to grow
An overview of power projects worldwide is given. A significant number of major renewable projects are underway (solar - Morocco; geothermal - Mexico; Zambia - hydroelectric; South Africa - solar, wind and geothermal). Conventional power projects remain 'soft' as a result of sluggish economic growth. A table lists the top international contractors and design firms in the power sector giving $M revenue for each.
ENR - Engineering News-Record, vol.269, no.17. 10 Dec.2012. pp.58-59.
