Need to know: Utilities
SSE, the former Scottish and Southern Energy announced flat profits for the year to end-March up just 2% at the pre-tax level to £1,335.7m, after an increase in generation from low-cost renewables was balanced by lower profits from gas-fired plant.
The Times, 17th May 2012, p.42.
Study compares energy sources from 'cradle-to-grave'
This week, the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released an analysis that lets users compare, contrast and better understand what a lifespan of emissions means for project permitting, environmental impacts and future policy.
Renewable Energy World.com, 11 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/c3lnea3
DOE Inspector General Addresses Weld Quality Control Issues at Hanford Vit Plant
A recent audit found inadequate weld maps, testing records and other quality control measures at some hard-to-reach places within the US Hanford vitrification plant.
Nuclear Street, 3 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/cd9zrpu
Canadian new build getting nearer
The Canadian government has accepted the environmental assessment report for the possible construction of new nuclear capacity at Darlington, clearing the way for the issuance of a site preparation licence.
World Nuclear News, 3 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/cm6e2vf
Senior Tory warns on UK energy supplies
Tim Yeo, chairman of the Commons energy committee warned yesterday that there could be no further delays on taking vital decisions needed to build wind farms and nuclear power stations.
The Guardian, 4 May 2012
After Fukushima, will a new feed in tariff solve Japan's energy issues?
With only one nuclear reactor left running, Japan is reaching record levels of dependencies on fossil fuels. Over the past 10 years, roughly 85% of Japan’s energy has been generated from coal, oil and natural gas. This ratio has now temporarily expanded to 93% due to the loss of nuclear power. In a bid to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to stimulate development of renewable energy, Japan will introduce a Feed-in-Tariff in July.
The energy collective.com, 3 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/bl73wbh
Appeals Court Hears Arguments Over Yucca Mountain
Supporters of the proposed Yucca Mountain nuclear waste storage facility in Nevada urged a federal appeals court on 25 April to force the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to move forward on a licensing plan for the long-delayed project.
ABC News, 2 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/cgsb856
Nuclear power plans in doubt as Hinkley earthworks in doubt
Work to move millions of cubic metres of soil and rock at Hinkley Point C in Somerset, the site of EDF's proposed new nuclear reactor, has been delayed until 2013.
The Guardian, 15 May 2012, p 15
Critical time for UK government and industry
One week before the UK government tables its energy market reforms some key aspects of the package are still being decided. Its success will be vital to plans for nuclear new build, including the sale of Horizon Nuclear Power.All these matters were discussed by MPs at a session of the Energy and Climate Change Committee.
World Nuclear News,15 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/coflvno
UK publishes stress test report for non power-generating nuclear facilities
No serious safety weaknesses have emerged following stress tests at the UK’s non-power generating nuclear facilities, however the Office of Nuclear Regulation has raised 75 issues that must be addressed by licensees.
Nuclear Engineering International, 15 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/7g3jnd5
Open for business
Looks at the business of the Nuclear Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre, located on the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham.
Production Engineering Solutions, May 2012, p.44.
New nuclear plants threatened by EU rules
MPs and energy suppliers have warned that a new generation of UK nuclear power plants is in jeopardy because of EU regulations that are inflating costs and may deter investors. Government strategy hinges on contracts to guarantee investors the price they will receive for electricity generated by the new plants, but Chris Hendry, the energy minister, has said that the Government could not provide Treasury-backed guarantees because of EU state aid rules. Industry figures have warned that alternatives to the Treasury would be less credit-worthy and would push up costs. The CEO of RWE npower Volker Beckers said that the counter party was 'crucial' as investors could not rely on an 'AAA-backed contract', which would inevitably have an impact. Mr Hendry told MPs that instead of Treasury-backed guarantees, the proposed 'contracts for difference' system would be 'delivered' by the National Grid - but if a future government reneged on agreed prices, energy companies could then sue the Government for costs.
The Daily Telegraph, 16th May 2012, p.B1.
New Crown Estate chief backs wind farm plans
Alison Nimmo, the new CEO of the Crown Estate, has insisted that it is the right organisation to progress plans for a major expansion in UK wind generation capacity, despite the Scottish National Party threatening its break up.
Daily Telegraph, 4 May 2012, p B3
Vestas identifies cause for V112 wind turbine fire
Vestas says a loose connection in the electrical system started the fire in the V112 3 MW wind turbine at the Gross Eilstorf wind farm in Germany on 30 March.The fire started in the harmonic filter cabinet due to a loose connection in the electrical system, which created an arc flash. Vestas says the issue is being addressed by using a different type of washer on the electrical connections in the wind turbine's harmonic filter cabinet.
Renewable Energy Focus.com, 3 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/cl4bfrc
UK and Denmark to hook up with electricity interconnector
The UK's National Grid and Denmark’s Energinet.dk have started a study looking at the possibility of an electricity power connection between Great Britain and Denmark.
Renewable Energy Focus.com, 3 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/ck6vfrn
Single EU ETS regulatory instrument to cut out 'red tape'
EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) regulation will be made easier for UK industry to comply with, as a result of proposals to cut ‘red tape’.
DECC news story, 8 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/cn7oz7b
Hollande Victory Signals Shift in France's Renewable Energy Policy
The election of François Hollande could signal a major change in France's energy policy, following his pre-election pledge to reduce reliance on nuclear energy by 50 % by 2025 and to back renewable energy to fill the gap.
Renewable Energy World.com, 8 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/cw3xf8w
Queen’s Speech: 'Reform of the electricity market'
The UK coalition government will bring forward plans for electricity market reform, following the state opening of parliament. The Energy Bill aims to reform the electricity market to enable large-scale investment in low-carbon generation capacity in the UK and deliver security of supply, in a cost-effective way.
DECC press announcement, 9 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/buco4nu
Overcapacity and new players keep wind turbine prices down
Contracts signed for wind turbines in the second half of 2011 for delivery in 2013 fell 4% to Euros 0.91 million/MW from 6 months earlier, with overcapacity and new players keeping prices for utility-scale wind turbines down, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance's Wind Turbine Price Index (WTPI).
Renewable Energy Focus, 9 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/c4nxr3y
UK in talks with Iceland to establish geothermal interconnector
UK Energy Minister Charles Hendry is set to visit Reykjavik this month to discuss the possibility over 1000km of undersea electricity cable to connect the two countries' electricity grids. If built, the cable would be the longest interconnector in the world.
Renewable Energy World.com, 09 May 2012, http://tinyurl.com/6ryl28l
U.S. wind energy posts strong first-quarter growth
In its first-quarter market report for 2012 the American Wind Energy Association reported that the US wind industry added 1,695 MW of wind energy in the first quarter of 2012, with 788 additional turbines, largely made in the USA, for a total capacity of 48,611 MW. However, the pending expiration of the production tax credit for wind energy could jeopardise future wind energy projects. There were 52% more megawatts installed in the first quarter than in the same quarter in 2011. Continuing a trend that became evident at the end of last year, under-construction numbers were also exceptionally strong in the first quarter, clocking in at 8,916 MW, with 2,284 of that total starting construction just this quarter.
CompositesWorld.com Weekly, 8 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/czb483e
Dong Energy gets green light to test next generation turbines in UK
Dong Energy is to test two 6MW Siemens next generation offshore wind turbines at its Gunfleet Sands site off the eastern coast of England, after receiving consent from the UK authorities to install the turbines. The turbines will be installed at the wind farm by November this year with construction starting in May, and will be connected through a dedicated export cable. Dong will be looking to verify the performance, reliability and functionality of the turbines, which have a rotor diameter of 120 meters and a swept area of 11.500 m². The company said that the project forms part of its drive to 'industrialise' the offshore wind industry and bring down the cost of energy.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 435, 25 Apr. 2012. http://tinyurl.com/clspjp4
Atmos develops model for post-construction bird monitoring at wind farms
Atmos Consulting has developed computer modelling tools to enable wind farm developers and operators to comply with planning requirements for long-term post-construction monitoring of bird behaviour more cost effectively. The PCM model is part of a suite of tools that Atmos uses to deliver a comprehensive range of services for clients including site feasibility studies, optimisation proposals and on-going post construction assessments across a range of parameters from wind flow to noise levels and bird activity.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 435, 25 Apr. 2012. http://tinyurl.com/d496csu
Goldwind launches 'ultra-low' wind speed turbine
Chinese company Goldwind has launched the 1.5MW GW93/1500 ultra-low wind speed permanent magnet direct-drive turbine which is designed for wind resource areas where the annual average wind speed is lower than 6.5 m/s. The company says that the rotor diameter of 93 metres is the largest among comparable products in China, while it has the highest generation efficiency. The turbine uses a permanent magnet generator and a full-power converter with 'grid friendly' properties. The turbine meets national grid connection requirements and also zero voltage ride-through standards.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 435, 25 Apr. 2012. http://tinyurl.com/c6l44up
Vestas identifies cause for V112 wind turbine fire
Vestas says a loose connection in the electrical system started the fire in the V112 3 MW wind turbine at the Gross Eilstorf wind farm in Germany on 30 March. The fire started in the harmonic filter cabinet due to a loose connection in the electrical system, which created an arc flash. Vestas says that the problem is being addressed by using a different type of washer on the electrical connections in the wind turbine's harmonic filter cabinet. V112 customers have been informed, and Vestas is already in the process of replacing washers at the same time as performing other planned upgrades and maintenance of the wind turbines. Vestas is still awaiting the reports from two external experts who worked alongside its own investigators.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 436, 2 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/cu23r7l
UK and US collaborate on floating wind
The UK and US are to collaborate on floating wind under a new agreement to be finalised during the Clean Energy Ministerial in London. The Clean Energy Ministerial is bringing together 23 energy ministers from leading economies to accelerate clean energy deployment. It is co-chaired by UK Energy Secretary Edward Davey and US Energy Secretary Steven Chu. The use of floating wind turbines could open up more areas to offshore wind as they can operate in deeper water than turbines dependent on fixed foundations.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 436, 2 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/c4w9p3h
Gamesa halts U.S. offshore wind prototype installation
Since September 2010, Gamesa has been working with Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, to design an offshore wind prototype, the G11X-5.0 MW. This collaborative effort had focused on turbine reliability, low maintenance and servicing requirements, civil engineering efficiencies in infrastructure development, and cost of energy, concluding with plans to install a test turbine off the mid-Atlantic coast. Now, however, Gamesa and Newport News Shipbuilding will suspend the programme upon completion of the Critical Design Review, due to what a statement called 'a deterioration in the prospects for offshore wind development in the US'. The companies have concluded that a viable commercial market in the US is still farther out.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 437, 9 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/cfu93yx
LM Wind Power reports 'disappointing' results for 2011
LM Wind Power has posted revenue of Euros 707.5M for 2011, down 2.7% on 2010, and EBITDA of Euros 73.9M, down 40.9% from the previous year. The company said that although its 2011 financial results are in line with expectations for the year, they are disappointing. Multiple external factors impacted the second half of the year. The consequences of the European financial crisis became more evident, and in China the government began to temporarily re-balance renewable energy capacity.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 437, 9 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/d8dxt8v
Overcapacity and new players keep wind turbine prices down
Bloomberg New Energy Finance's Wind Turbine Price Index shows that contracts signed for wind turbines in the second half of 2011 for delivery in 2013 fell 4% to Euros 0.91M/MW from 6 months earlier, with overcapacity and new players keeping prices for utility-scale wind turbines down. Prices dropped most sharply for older turbines to Euros 0.85M/MW on average, down 10% from 6 months earlier. Newer wind turbine models are more efficient and offer improved capacity factors, but also these are experiencing price pressure. The WTPI shows that procurement officers and turbine manufacturers are sharing a generally negative outlook on prices with most anticipating further moderate declines in wind turbine prices in 2012 and 2013 - and prices are not expected recover until at least 2014.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 437, 9 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/btyp42u
RenewableUK says CPRE concern over wind turbines is 'misplaced'
RenewableUK says the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England's concern about over-development of onshore wind turbines is 'misplaced', as the actual number of wind turbines for England is less than a sixth of CPRE's figure of 12,000. However RenewableUK has welcomed CPRE's recognition of the importance of onshore wind to the UK's efforts to tackle climate change. Dr Gordon Edge, RenewableUK's Director of Policy, said 'The CPRE claims that more layers of bureaucracy are needed in the planning process, but the current planning system already rightly provides environmental safeguards which are among the most stringent in the world'.
Reinforced Plastics Weekly, issue 437, 9 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/cxm9brl
Germany: 36 per cent of electricity in to be generated from renewables by 2020
Frost & Sullivan's Energy Group forecasts that the energy market in Germany will see dramatic changes during the next few years. With the nuclear energy capacity halved, the landscape to 2020 will look very different with renewable energy accounting for 36% of electricity generated. Overall electricity generation will decline from 625TWh in 2010 to 590TWh in 2020, due to energy efficiency measures and increased imports (which will be needed to fill part of the gap left by the nuclear plant closures). However, the installed capacity is set to rise from 153GW to 179GW in 2020. This is mainly because of the growth in wind and solar, both of which have relatively low availability and need to be supported by back-up power such as gas turbines.
EngineerLive/Renewable Energy/Power Engineer, 2 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/c4raktw
Offshore wind floating system demonstration project
The Energy Technologies Institute is investigating whether it could use Wave Hub, the world's largest wave energy test site, to accommodate floating offshore wind turbines as part of a demonstration project valued at over £25M. Plans for the offshore wind floating system demonstration project were announced by the ETI in October 2011. The project will see the design, construction and installation of a demonstrator by 2016 at a site with high wind speeds up to about 10 metres per second in water between 60 and 100 metres deep. It will be operated for at least two years to show it can generate high levels of electricity and be maintained without using specially designed vessels. Wave Hub consists of a grid-connected 'socket' on the seabed approximately 10 nautical miles off the north coast of Cornwall. Designed to test arrays of wave energy devices, it is to investigate whether the waters around Wave Hub would be suitable for testing floating wind turbines as part of the project.
EngineerLive/Renewable Energy/Wind Power, 2 May 2012. http://tinyurl.com/cbbgsow
