Month: February 2009

UK to establish renewable technology benchmark with first awards from GBP 1.1 billion fund

Four innovative projects capable of putting Britain at the forefront of international efforts to develop renewable energy have become the first initiatives to benefit from a potential £1.1billion fund established to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The projects were awarded money by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI), a unique public-private partnership between global industries and… Read more »

KUKA Systems wins industry award for its welding process for fiber-reinforced plastics

Augsburg, 25 February 2009 (pm|dg) – The award presented by the automotive industry to KUKA Systems last summer for its new and highly flexible welding process for fiber-reinforced plastics (FRP) is now followed by a further trophy: the international industry association JEC Composites is to honor the Augsburg-based company with its Innovation Award 2009 in… Read more »

Welsh wind power ‘not hitting target’

The Welsh Assembly Government has “little hope” of hitting its 2010 renewable energy target, claims a leading British environment spokesman. Montgomeryshire AM Mick Bates said there was a “stifling lack of progress”, especially in wind farm development. The assembly government has pledged that it will increase green energy by 10% by 2010. It said £6.5bn… Read more »

Global business groups claim climate deal ‘possible’

Business organisations from across the world, including Europe, the United States, China, India and Brazil, have voiced their support for a global climate change agreement at this year’s UN meeting in Copenhagen. “Business is committed to supporting a successful outcome at the COP15 in Copenhagen, which we believe is possible in spite of the economic… Read more »

New chief representative in China

February 15th 2009 – IT Power Group is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Zhang Dianjun as the new Chief Representative for its China operations. IT Power sees the China energy market as a significant growth area and plans to expand the China office to make the most of the opportunity. Mr Zhang will… Read more »

It pays to use your own solar power

24. February 2009. Raphael van Hövell is one of the first system operators in Germany to finance their PV installations with the new tariff for private consumers under the German Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). With the EEG amendment on 1 January this year the German government introduced the new type of payment for PV… Read more »

Aquamarine agrees 1000MW Site Development Agreement

Aquamarine agrees 1000MW Site Development Agreement with Airtricity for its Wave and Tidal Technologies Aquamarine has signed a Development Agreement with Airtricity, the renewable energy development division of Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), aimed at developing sites capable of hosting 1,000MW of marine energy by 2020. {pagebreak} Under the Agreement, the two companies will enter… Read more »

Green recruitment: expanding through the downturn

The current economic climate has led to a gloomy few months for the recruitment industry but the green job sector has so far remained strong. This week, leading green recruitment firm Acre Resources reported that it has seen the UK climate change job market grow by over 50% in the last year as companies start… Read more »

Euro banks still back investments in renewable energy projects

The credit crunch is starting to make an impact on smaller European green energy projects, but cash-rich utilities and the bigger lending institutions will continue to get deals done, green power experts say. “The main problem for the smaller developers is the short-term freeze on lending,” said Christian Kjaer of the European Wind Energy Association… Read more »

Solar tool ensures safety in the face of strong winds

Developers from DEGERenergie have created a so-called design tool which planners and operators of solar plants can use to safeguard against storm damage – providing a standard of safety that is currently not demanded by legislators or insurance companies. Tracking systems from the company increase the energy yield of photovoltaic systems by up to 45… Read more »

Cities could become the new power plants

An embryonic movement is growing in Europe to build “smart cities” that will challenge the status quo. Such cities would become self-contained units, their buildings gleaning energy from the powerful weather systems sweeping across their roofs and feeding it down to homes below and vehicles in the streets. Electric cars in the garages would double… Read more »

Scottish offshore wind farm sites set out

Plans to build 10 wind farms off the coast of Scotland moved a step forward this week, after Britain’s Crown Estate gave companies the green light to explore the sites. Scottish Power and E.ON are among the nine firms to be awarded “exclusivity agreements” for locations which include the Solway Firth and Wigtown Bay. This… Read more »

Trina Solar signs sales agreement with GA Solar

CHANGZHOU, China, Jan. 29 /PRNewswire-Asia-FirstCall/ — Trina Solar Limited (NYSE: TSL) (“Trina Solar” or the “Company”), a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products from the production of ingots, wafers and cells to the assembly of PV modules, today announced that its subsidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd., {pagebreak} entered into a sales agreement… Read more »

KUKA innovation at the Photovoltaic Technology Show 2009

KUKA innovation at the Photovoltaic Technology Show 2009Solar modules for a perfect frame (of mind) Augsburg, 17 February 2009 (pk) – KUKA Systems is presenting its new ROBO FRAME module (for which a patent application has been filed) at this year’s PTS (Photovoltaic Technology Show) trade fair in Munich. Furthermore, KUKA Systems will also be… Read more »

New database to revolutionise offshore site analysis

A new piece of software is set to revolutionise how sites for offshore wind energy are selected, by providing accurate data on wind speed and direction for the first time. The Offshore Wind Speed Database, which has been developed by the UK’s leading renewable energy and environmental consultancy, Atmos Consulting, will provide accurate, site-specific data… Read more »

3M Forms renewable energy division

One of the world’s largest manufacturing companies has formed a renewable-energy division to increase its presence in the growing solar and other alternative-energy markets and offset pressures on its other businesses. While traditional businesses are being crippled by the economic downturn, the overall solar market is growing. 3M Chief Executive George W. Buckley said last… Read more »

EU Parliament backs new renewables goals

A summit regarding Europe’s future energy policy last week has seen MEPs backing proposals for new EU targets to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80% before 2050. And, the meetings of the full EU Parliament in Strasbourg saw support for a 60% renewable energy target. {pagebreak} As Europe continues to re-draft its energy policy following… Read more »

Atlantic storm approaching Europe may slam power price

Spanish windmills owned by Iberdrola SA and Endesa SA may generate a record amount of electricity this week, forcing local power prices to three-year lows, calculations from Bloomberg weather data show. An Atlantic Ocean storm is forecast to generate winds averaging 17.4 miles an hour across the peninsula. Lighter winds, at 13.6 miles an hour,… Read more »

Wind: A Booming sector in a plunging economy

Despite the economic downturn, wind power has becomes Europe’s fastest growing energy source. More wind power was installed in Europe than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008, according to data released by the European Wind Energy Association. EWEA figures show that wind power provided 43% of new capacity – or almost two gigawatts – compared… Read more »

Swden lifts ban on nuclear power and boosts renewables

The Swedish government heralded a dramatic change in power generation, when it gave the green light to new nuclear reactors last week. Plans have been announced to overturn a near 30-year ban on atomic plants as part of a new drive to increase energy security and combat global warming. Ministers said they would present a… Read more »

UK offshore wind project in doubt

The UK has the capacity for up to 7,000 more offshore wind turbines, according to a government study, but observers say this potential may not be realised. The UK Offshore Energy Strategic Environmental Assessment, published last week, concluded that there is scope for between 5,000 and 7,000 more offshore wind turbines in British waters, more… Read more »

E.ON believes industrial standards and strong partnerships are essential

E.ON believes industrial standards and strong partnerships are essential to deliver ambitious renewable growth Dr. Frank Mastiaux, CEO of E.ON’s renewable energy business, has recently outlined the massive potential of working in partnership across industry and government to ensure wind energy grows at the ambitious rate required to meet worldwide targets. {pagebreak} Speaking at the… Read more »

3S Industries AG develops new soldering technology

3S Industries AG develops new soldering technology to connect the cells for Solar Impulse Engineers from all fields are working together on the first prototype of the solar airplane planned to fly night and day with no fuel and zero polluting emissions. Important know-how for the solar propulsion system is being supplied by 3S Industries… Read more »

Investment must triple to save the planet

Clean energy investment needs to more than triple to US$515 billion a year to prevent planet-warming emissions reaching levels deemed unsustainable by scientists, the World Economic Forum (WEF) said in a report last week. {pagebreak} The massive investments required in renewable energy sectors such as solar and wind energy need to be made between now… Read more »

DIS AG Welcomes Qualification Initiative of the Federal Government

* Practical experiences of DIS AG confirm: Extensive and sophisticated qualification concepts work* Andreas Dinges: “It is time to add some life to the initiative.” Düsseldorf – October 22, 2008. DIS AG, the market leader in hiring and placement of skilled personnel and managers, welcomed the government’s new educational initiative, which was introduced and resolved… Read more »

Scientists develop spray-on solar

Inspired by the beauty industry, scientists have devised a way to make solar panels cheaper and more efficient – by spraying them on. Researchers from the Australian National University (ANU), solar company Spark Solar Australia, and Finnish materials company Braggone Oy are collaborating on a three-year project that could transform the production of solar cells…. Read more »

Aquamarine Power Market and Technology Overview

WAVE AND TIDAL ENERGY Population growth, rising demand for energy, annual increases in power costs, political uncertainty, pressure to cut carbon emissions: any one of these issues would make the development of secure supplies of clean energy important; together they make it imperative. That’s why there is strong demand for the power that wave and… Read more »

DIS AG Optimises Recruitment Processes

* Opinions of applicants and employees of fundamental importance* Nationwide survey of over 3200 people in Germany’s industry sector Düsseldorf, July 9, 2008 – DIS AG is currently optimising their recruitment processes for the industry sector, {pagebreak} in order to counteract the lack of skilled employees, and to be able to satisfy future demands faster… Read more »

Cost of solar power could fall 40% by 2015

Technological advances are driving down photovoltaic panel prices by as much as 10% each year, Dutch sustainable energy provider Econcern recently announced. The company claimed that system prices are decreasing by 7% to 10% a year as a result of technological innovation and increased production capacity. {pagebreak} According to Econcern board member Kees van der… Read more »

Tax credits fuel boom

According to research done by The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), in 2008, over 5,000 megawatts of new photovoltaic and concentrating solar power projects were announced, and with the eight-year extension of the US federal investment tax credit (ITC), the market is expected to grow significantly. {pagebreak} Along with the tax credit extension, the revised… Read more »

Dinges: New Assessment of Temporary Work

* Findings by D-Statis and OECD show definite demand* Demonstrating higher appreciation for temporary employees* Lack in skilled personnel: better utilisation of available potential {pagebreak} Düsseldorf, September 10, 2008 – Andreas Dinges, Chairman of the Board of DIS Deutscher Industrie Service AG, has today called for a re-evaluation of social realities and job opportunities posed… Read more »