African Energy Live Data
Date: 2019-07-17
Further to our 24th May report, African Energy Live Data is reporting pre-qualification has begun for phase two of the giant Midelt solar project in Morocco. The project, which is part of the Noor programme managed by the Rabat-based Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), incorporates both concentrated solar power (CSP) and solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies.

The first 800MW phase was awarded to a consortium of France's EDF, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (MASDAR), and Green of Africa in May. Initial plans were for the first phase to consist of two separate hybridised CSP and PV plants. The CSP component of each project was planned to be around 150-190MW and the PV component 150-210MW, making a maximum of 400MW for each plant. A similar structure was contemplated for the second phase but this appears to have been rejected in favour of a single plant.

The second phase preferred bidder will design, finance, build, operate and maintain the plant, which will be constructed roughly 20 km north of Midelt on plains around the Moulouya River.

The project company will also sign a 25-year PPA with MASEN and will be owned by a lead member, expected to hold at least 35 pct , as well as a technical member holding 5 pct. MASEN will likely take a 25 pct stake in both the project company and the operations and maintenance company. The second phase is expected to be built on a turnkey basis through a lump sum fixed-price engineering, procurement and construction contract.

MASEN notes the Noor-Ouarzazate I solar project achieved 32 pct industrial integration, while Noor Ouarzazate II and III both reached 35 pct. (Source: African Energy Live Data, ESI Africa, July, 2019) Contact: African Energy Live Data, www.africa-energy.com/live-data; Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy, www.masen.ma/en; Masdar, Shaima Al Jarman, Marketing & Communications, +971 02 8109365, saljarman@masdar.ac.ae, www.masdar.ac.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Noor Solar,  MASDAR,  

EDF Renewables
Date: 2019-05-24
A consortium led by French EDF Renewables, in collaboration with UAE renewables developer and operator Masdar, and the Moroccan company Green of Africa reports it has been awarded a tender to build an 800-MW solar plant near the Moroccan city of Midelt. The $751.5 million Noor Midelt I solar project, which will incorporate a hybrid system of concentrated solar plant (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) technologies, is part of Morocco's goal to produce 42 pct of its electrical power from renewable energy by 2020 and 52 percent by 2030. (Source: EDF Renewables, Middle East Utilities, 23 May, 2019) Contact: EDF Renewables, www.edf-re.com; Masdar, Shaima Al Jarman, Marketing & Communications, +971 02 8109365, saljarman@masdar.ac.ae, www.masdar.ac.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News EDF Renewables,  Solar,  Masdar,  

Perovskite Solar Cell,University of Bath
Date: 2019-05-13
In the UK, the University of Bath Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, in collaboration with the SPECIFIC team at Swansea University report the use of economical, readily available thermal graphite sheets and a mesoporous carbon scaffold to encapsulate metal-halide perovskites (CsPbBr3) as an inexpensive and efficient waterproofing strategy. Most solar cells currently on the market are made of silicon; these are expensive to make and require a lot of very pure silicon to manufacture.

Perovskite solar cells, using materials with the same 3D structure as calcium titanium oxide, are cheaper to make, thinner and can be easily printed onto surfaces. They also work in low light conditions and can produce a higher voltage than silicon cells.

The research team tested the waterproofing by submerging the coated perovskite cells in water and using the harvested solar energy to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. The coated cells worked underwater for 30 hours, roughly ten hours longer than the previous record. . The study is published in the open access journal Nature Communications. (Source: University of Bath Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, Gren Car Congress, 13 May, 2019) Contact: University of Bath Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies, +44 0 1225 385820, csct@bath.ac.uk, www.csct.ac.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Perovskite Solar Cell,  

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Date: 2019-04-26
In the UAE, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and the consortium led by ACWA Power and Silk Road Fund, are reporting the financial closing of the $13 billion, 950MW fourth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.

According to a DEWA release, the project will use 700MW of CSP; 600MW from a parabolic basin complex and 100MW from a solar tower; and 250MW from photovoltaic solar panels and will provide sufficient clean energy for 320,000 residences and reduce 1.6 million tpy of carbon emissions.

The 44 square kilometer project has achieved several world records., including the world's lowest CSP Levelized Cost of Electricity of 7.3 cents (US) per kWh and the lowest Levelized Cost of Electricity for photovoltaic technology of 2.4 cents (US) cents per kWh. The project will feature the world's tallest solar tower at 260 metres and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours, according to the release. (Source: DEWA, ESI Africa, 25 April, 2019) Contact: DEWA, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Dubai Electricity and Water Authority,  Solar,  CSP,  PV ,  

ACWA Power
Date: 2019-04-05
In the UAE, Saudi Arabian firm ACWA Power reports it has been selected as the primary team for a Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) system to be constructed in Seih Al-Dahal, 30 miles south from Dubai. When commissioned and online in 2030, the project is expected to produce 950 MW of power total -- 250 megawatts from PV panels and a further 700 from CSP.

The Dubai CSP project's project molten salt tanks will store 15 hours of capacity. The project will involve building an 853-foot solar tower, which its developers claim will be the largest in the world. The solar park as a whole is expected to produce 5 GW gigawatts when completed. (Source: ACWA Power, Inverse, April, 2019) Contact: ACWA Power, +971 4 248 0800, www.acwapower.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News ACWA Power,  Concentrated Solar Power,  CSP,  Solar,  ACWA Power,  

US DOE
Date: 2019-03-29
The U.S. DOE reports it will award up to $130 million for research to technologies to advance solar energy. This program targets five research areas including photovoltaics (PV), concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP), soft costs reduction, innovations in manufacturing, and solar systems integration. The funding program is seeking advancements to make solar energy more affordable, reliable, and secure.

Of the total, the DOE will award $26 million in funding for photovoltaics, $33 million for concentrating solar-thermal power, $17 million for soft costs reduction, $10 million for innovations in manufacturing, and $44 million for solar systems integration.(Source: US DOE, Energy Insider, 28 Mar., 2019) ContactL US DOE, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  US DOE,  PV,  

DEWA
Date: 2019-03-04
In a press release, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has issued a request for qualification for developers to construct and operate the fifth phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park, with a capacity of 900MW. The fifth phase is expected to be commissioned in stages starting from Q2 of 2021.

The 5,000 MW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park is the largest single-site strategic solar park of its kind in the world. The 13MW photovoltaic first phase became operational in 2013 using photovoltaic solar panels while the 200MW photovoltaic second phase of the solar park started operations in March 2017. The 800MW photovoltaic third phase will be operational by 2020 while the fourth phase of the solar park will feature the tallest solar tower in the world at 260 metres and the largest thermal storage capacity of 15 hours.

The Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 calls for 75 pct of Dubai's total power output to be sourced from clean energy by 2050. (Source: DEWA, reve, 3 Mar., 2019) Contact: DEWA, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News DEWA,  CSP,  Concentrated Solar,  Solar,  

Dubai Electricity & Water Authority
Date: 2019-03-01
Following up on our November 7, 2018 coverage, the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) reports the issuance of a tender for 900MW of solar power located within the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park -- one of the world's largest Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) developments.

The tender follows Dubai's regional neighbour Abu Dhabi's 2GW solar tender via the Emirates Water and Electricity Company (EWEC). Dubai's Phase V project is due to be commissioned in Q2 2021 and the power generated by the plant will be purchased by DEWA under a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA). Dubai's Phase V project is due to be commissioned in Q2 2021 and the power generated by the plant will be purchased by DEWA under a long-term PPA. (Source: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, Middle East Utilities, 28 Feb., 2019) Contact: Dubai Electricity & Water Authority, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  Dubai Electricity & Water Authority,  

Acciona
Date: 2019-02-08
In South Africa, Acciona Industrial and Sener is reporting construction of the 100MW Kathu concentrated solar plant (CSP) has been completed and commercial operations are now underway. Construction of the plant, owned by an Engie-led consortium, started in 2016.

The Kathu facility, which incorporates Sener's parabolic trough collectors and a molten salt storage system, is part of the South African Department of Energy's Integrated Resource Programme 2010. The program aims to increase the country's power generation capacity to 86.8GW by 2030, of which 24 pct will be renewable. (Source: Acciona, renews, 7 Feb., 2019)Contact: Acciona, +34 91 663 28 50, Fax: +34 91 663 28 51, www.acciona.com; South African Department of Energy, www.energy.gov.za

More Low-Carbon Energy News Acciona,  CSP,  Conentrated Solar Power,  

Innova Capital Partners
Date: 2019-01-30
Innova Capital Partners, through its subsidiary in Colombia, Innova Solar Colombia (ISC), reports it will develop and construct the first floating solar project in the Caribbean islands, specifically on the island of Providencia, San Andres, Colombia.

When fully operational before the year end, the 74 kWp project is expected to generate sufficient power for the municipal aqueduct. The project is being financed by Tillvaxtverket, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth. French floating solar developer Ciel & Terre will supply its HYDRELIO® technology for the project.

Innova is a global developer and investor with a focus on, but not limited to, growth-oriented opportunities in energy, real estate and infrastructure. The Innova platform invests in projects and companies at various stages of their development cycle and partners with industry-leading management teams, franchises, and companies positioned for significant growth.(Source: Innova Cspitsl Partners, PR, 28 Jan/., 2019) Contact: Innova Capital Partners, Patricia Rodriguez Patricia@innnovacapitalpartners.com, www.innovacapitalpartners.com; Ciel & Terre, +33 3 20 01 05 65, www.ciel-et-terre.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Innova Capital Partners,  Soalr,  Floating Solar,  

Power Construction Corporation of China
Date: 2019-01-21
Shandong Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd (SEPCO III), a subsidiary of Beijing-based Power Construction Corporation of China, is reporting construction of the NOOR II and NOOR III Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) projects in Ouarzazate, the gateway city to the Sahara Desert, has been completed and both facilities are now online.

The two power stations have achieved stable full-load operation with hundreds of millions of kWh of electricity already delivered to the Moroccan grid. The 200-MW Noor II project reportedly has the world's largest installed capacity as a parabolic trough power plant, while the 160-MW installed capacity of the NOOR III is the largest among the world's tower power plants, according to a release. (Source: Power Construction Corporation of China, Xinhua, 29 Jan., 2019) Contact: Shandong Electric Power Construction Corporation of China, +86 1 058381999, +86 1 058381621 - fax., www.powerchina.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News NOOR Concentrated Solar Power,  CSP,  Solar,  Power Construction Corporation of China,  

African Development Bank,Eskom
Date: 2018-12-05
The African Development Bank (ADB) reports it has approved $220.1 million in debt for construction of the 100-MW Redstone concentrating solar power (CSP) project in Postmasburg, near Kimberley, South Africa. The project will incorporate molten salt energy storage capacity, a 1322-kV switching station and a 34-km (21.1-mile) transmission line.

The companies behind the project are Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, US-based SolarReserve and state-owned Central Energy Fund of South Africa, which joined the scheme this summer. The project has a 20-year PPA with South African utility Eskom. (Source: African Development Bank, Dec., 2018) Contact: African Development Bank, www.afdb.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eskom,  African Development Bank ,  CSP,  Solar,  

DOE SETO,Dartmouth College
Date: 2018-11-21
The U.S. DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) reports the awarding of $400,000 to Dartmouth College in Hanover, New Hampshire, to advance concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) R&D.

The Dartmouth project, led by Prof. Jifeng Liu, will focus on a new type of solar absorber coating aimed at optimizing energy conversion efficiency. The absorber coating reportedly converts over 95 pct of the absorbed energy into heat.

Dartmouth's research is one of several CSP projects that will develop materials and designs for collectors, power cycles, and thermal transport systems that can withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion. (Source: Dartmouth College, 19 Nov., 2018)Contact: Dartmouth College, Thayer School of Engineering, Prof. Jifeng Liu, https://engineering.dartmouth.edu; US DOE SETO, www.energy.gov/eere/solar/solar-energy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News DOE SETO,  Sola,  CSP Solarr,  

DEWA
Date: 2018-11-07
In a press release, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reports it will expand its 700-MW concentrated solar power (CSP) project in Dubai with an additional 250-MW solar photovoltaic (PV) component.

The project is the fourth phase of the 5-GW Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park that combines CSP and PV technologies. (Source: DEWA, PR, Renewables, Others, 5 Nov., 2018) Contact: DEWA, www.dewa.gov.ae.

More Low-Carbon Energy News DEWA,  Solar,  CSP Solar,  

SolarReserve
Date: 2018-10-26
In the Golden State, Santa Monica-based commercial-scale solar specialist SolarReserve reports it has been selected for $2.0 million in grant funding from the U.S. DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) to advance concentrating solar-thermal power (CSP) R&D. The award was part of the DOE's FY2018 SETO funding for new projects that will lower solar electricity costs and support a growing solar workforce.

SolarReserve's project aims to develop a best-in-class next generation heliostat design, optimized for CSP technology projections.

Heliostats are the dual-axis solar tracking mirrors that concentrate and focus the sun's energy onto an energy collection receiver atop a central tower. Within the receiver, fluid flows through piping that forms external walls; this fluid absorbs the heat from the concentrated sunlight. In SolarReserve's technology, the fluid utilized is molten salt, which is used both as a heat transfer fluid as well as a thermal energy storage medium.

SolarReserve will partner on the project with South Africa's Stellenbosch University and Sandia National Laboratories to leverage their complementary innovations and testing facilities. (Source: SolarReserve, PR, Business Wire, 25 Oct., 2018) Contact: SolarReserve, Mary Grikas, (310) 315-2274, mary.grikas@solarreserve.com, www.solarreserve.com; US DOE Solar Energy Technologies Office , (202) 287-1862, solar@ee.doe.gov, energy.gov/solar-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News SolarReserve,  CSP,  

ContourGlobal,Iberdrola
Date: 2018-10-19
London-headquartered worldwide thermal and renewalble power plant owner ContourGlobal Plc is confirming discussions with the Spanish utility Iberdrola SA for the possible purchase of Iberdrola's 50-MW, Puertollano concentrated solar power (CSP) plant in the autonomous community of Castilla-La Mancha, Spain. The deal is reportedly valued at between €150 million and €190 million. (Source: ContourGlobal, El Economista, Renewables 17 Oct., 2018) Contact: ContourGlobal, +44 (0)20 7404 5959, www.contourglobal.com: Iberdrola Renewables, http://iberdrolarenewables.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ContourGlobal,  CSP,  Solar,  Iberdrola,  

NOOR III
Date: 2018-09-10
From the Moroccan capital city of Rabat, the Chinese new agency Xinhua is reporting China's Shandong Electric Power Construction Co. is constructing the world's tallest CSP solar tower near the city of Ouarzazate. The tower is part of Morocco's Noor III Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project.

The Moroccan government is planning to have renewable energy -- primarily solar -- generate 42 pct of the North African country's energy by 2020.

Since 2015, Shandong Electric Power Construction Co., Ltd (SEPCO III), a subsidiary of Power Construction Corporation of China, has undertaken the construction of NOOR II and NOOR III CSP projects in Ouarzazate. The NOOR Solar Complex, a four-phase project, is the world's largest CSP station under construction. The NOOR II project has already been put into commercial operation, while the NOOR III project recently achieved its first grid connection target. Upon completion of all four phases of projects, the NOOR station will generate sufficient power for 1 million or more homes and export surplus electricity to Europe. (Source: Xinhua, 9 Sept., 2018) Contact: Shandong Electric Power Construction, https://ca.linkedin.com/company/sepcoiii-electric-power-construction-corp

More Low-Carbon Energy News NOOR Solar,  CSP Solar,  

Summit Community Power Works
Date: 2018-09-10
In Utah, the Summit Community Power Works is reporting the launch of a new initiative challenging 200 Summit County households to reduce their overall carbon emissions by December. Utah Clean Energy absorbed Summit Community Power Works over the summer. The challenge is designed to provide Park City and Summit County residents with tools and resources to help in the community's overall goals to significantly increase their energy efficiency and reduce their carbon footprint.

The challenge is centered on a new online platform that gives participants access to about 70 different tips that will help reduce their carbon footprint-environmental impact. While the challenge is designed for homeowners, businesses will be encouraged to participate as well, Emerson said. Part of the coordination comes from the Watt Smart community plans that have been developed with Rocky Mountain Power. (Source: Summit Community Power Works, Park Record. 9 Sept., 2018) Contact: Summit Community Power Works, Kevin Emerson, Energy Efficiency Program Director, CSPW Challenge, https://scpwchallenge.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Energy Efficiency,  

Azelio
Date: 2018-06-18
Gothenburg, Sweden-headquartered Azelio -- fka Cleanergy -- is reporting the recent launch of a demo unit of its solar energy storage technology. Based on Stirling Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) with multi-hour Thermal Energy Storage (TES), Azelio modular technology is suitable for small to very large installations with maintained low cost and high efficiency.

Azelio's technology uses aluminum alloy as a storage media that does not need refilling to maintain its efficiency, as opposed to common storage technologies using salt or water.

Initially, Azelio is targeting projects in 500 kW to 20 MW range and plans to construct a verification project in Moracco in partnership with the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy. (Source: Azelio, TradeArabia , 17 June, 2018) Contact: Azelio, Jonas Eklind, CEO, +46-709-40-35-80 jonas.eklind@azelio.com, www.azelio.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cleanergy,  CSP,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  

Molten Salt Solar Energy Thermal Storage
Date: 2018-06-11
Thr Global Molten Salt Solar Energy Thermal Storage and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) Market Report provides the analysis on the current state of, and forecasts for, the Molten Salt Solar Energy Thermal Storage and Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) industry to help develop innovative strategies. The report includes CSP industry volume, market revenue, market share, market trends, range applications, and pricing during the forecast period from 2018 to 2023.

Report details HERE. (Source: MarketBiz,PR, June, 2018)

More Low-Carbon Energy News CSP,  Concentrated Solar,  Molten Salt Solar Energy Thermal Storage,  

DEWA
Date: 2018-05-30
In the UAE, the Dubai Water and Electricity Authority (DEWA) has issued a tender seeking IPP advisory services for Phase 5 of the MBR Solar Park, the largest solar project in the Middle East region. Specifically, the tender is seeking to assess how to reach the 5 GW target set for the project by 2030.

The MBR Solar Park consists of two operational PV plants -- Phase 1 at 13 MW, and the 200 MW Phase II -- plus an 800 MW facility and a 200 MW CSP plant, both of which are under development. MW Phase III began in January 2017 with an expected completion scheduled for the end of this year. A 200 MW section of phase III came online in May and at the time, French project developer EDF said the following two 300 MW units would be commissioned in 2019 and 2020, according to PV Magazine. The 200 MW CSP section is due to be operational by 2021 and another 1 GW CSP section may be included in the final 5 GW solar park, according to DEWA. (Source: MiddleEast Utilities, 27 May, 2018) Contact: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Saeed Al Tayer, CEO, +971 4 601 9999, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News DEWA,  CSP,  Solar,  

Shanghai Electric Group,Abengoa SA
Date: 2018-05-11
Abengoa SA reports it has been selected to partner with Shanghai Electric Group Co Ltd for a $650 million (€549 million) concentrated solar power (CSP) project in Dubai.

The project is part of the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority's (DEWA) four-phase Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum solar power complex. The 100-MW project will incorporate a 100-MW central tower and three 200-MW facilities of parabolic trough CSP technology provided by Agengoa. Shanghai Electric is acting as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor. (Source: Shanghai Electric Group, Renewables, 10 May, 2018) Contact: Shanghai Electric Group, www.shanghai-electric.com; Abengoa SA, www.abengoa.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Shanghai Electric Group,  Abengoa SA ,  CSP,  

Dubai,DEWA
Date: 2018-05-09
In DUBAI, HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum is reported to have inaugurated the 200 MW first stage of the 800MW third phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. The Dubai Electricity & Water Authority (DEWA) is implementing the third phase using the Independent Power Producer (IPP) model at Levelised Cost of Energy of 2.99 US cents per kWh using photovoltaic solar panels. The 3rd phase is being implemented in partnership with a consortium led by Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar) and EDF Group. The second and third stages of this phase, which have a capacity of 300MW each, will be completed in 2019 and 2020 respectively.

DEWA CEO Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer noted that the plant is the first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to use a single-axis solar tracking system, over 800,000 self-cleaning solar cells, and increases Dubai's renewable energy power production to 4 pct of total capacity. (Source: AETOSWire, Business Wire, 6 May, 2018) Contact: DEWA, Mosaad Abdelrahman, +971508057573, +97145151784, Mosaad.abdelrahman@dewa.gov.ae, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News ubai,  Solar,  DEWA,  

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Date: 2018-05-07
In the UAE, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reports it is planning to launch a 300MW tender for a concentrated solar power (CSP) plant with storage in Q1, 2019. The project will to be located at the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park where the phased development is targeting 5GW of capacity by 2030.

A consortium led by Abu Dhabi's Masdar and France's EDF Group are expected to complete for the 2020 third phase of the project and have reportedly arranged $650 million in financing to that end. (Source: DEWA, The National, 3 May, 2018) Contact: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Saeed Al Tayer, CEO, +971-4-601-9999, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Dubai Electricity and Water Authority,  CSP Solar,  Solar ,  

Concentrated Solar
Date: 2018-03-28
In the UAE, the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) is reporting ground breaking of a 700 MW solar project touted as "the world's biggest single-site Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) project," near Al Qudra.

The completed CSP project is expected to provide clean energy to over 270,000 homes in Dubai, estimated to cut 1.4 million tpy of power generation-related carbon emissions. The $13.5 billion CSP project will altogether generate 1,000 megawatts of clean energy by 2020 and 5,000MW by 2030. (Source: DEWA, Gulf News UA Environment, 20 Mar., 2018) Contact: DEWA, Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO, +971-4-601-9999, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News DEWA,  CSP,  Concentrated Solar,  

Eni
Date: 2018-03-21
In Rome, energy giant Eni reports it plans to install 1GW of new renewable energy capacity by 2021, rising to 5GW by 2025. To that end, the company plans to invest €1.2 billion between 2018 and 2021 to meet its new targets, with at least a further €600 million invested on wider decarbonization plans, it added.

The company operates oil and gas projects in Europe, South America, Africa and Asia, but highlighted the need for renewables growth in its 2018-2021 strategy. The company previously identified a 463 MW pipeline of solar PV and concentrated solar power (CSP) as part of its 2017-2020 plan, but none of these projects have yet been completed. Eni had signed a framework deal with GE in 2016 to develop renewable energy projects, including onshore and offshore wind, but to-date has no wind power projects installed. (Source: Eni, PR, Various Media, 18 Mar., 2018)Contact: Eni, www.eni.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Eni,  Renewable Energy,  Renewables,  

Aalborg CSP
Date: 2018-03-21
Denmark-based Aalborg CSP reports the opening of a €45 million ($55.2 million) solar renewable heat and power facility in the town of Brønderslev, Denmark. The facility is the first combined heat and power (CHP) plant in the world to integrate concentrated solar power and a biomass boiler while also using Organic Rankine Cycle to turn the energy into district heating and electricity.

info@aalborgcsp.com, www.aalborgcsp.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aalborg CSP,  Concentrated Solar,  

Battelle,Core Energy LLC
Date: 2018-03-14
In Columbus, Ohio, a Battelle-led team known as Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership (MRCSP) reports it has successfully stored 1,000,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) as part of its large-scale demonstration project. The MRCSP demo is one of eight such DOE projects helping to develop and deploy carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technology.

In the intervening decade since the project got underway Battelle began the third phase of injection in 2013 and, in conjunction with Traverse City, Michigan-based Core Energy LLC, is monitoring, verifying and accounting for the CO2 being used for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in the depleted oil fields of Michigan's Northern Reef Trend.

The MRCSP comprises a 10-state region that generates almost 25 pct of all electricity generated in the country -- more than half of that by burning coal. The MRCSP is one of seven Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnerships in the U.S. established by DOE's National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). (Source: Battelle, PR, Bus.Wire, 12 Mar., 2018) Contact: Core Energy LLC, www.coreenergyholdings.com; Battelle, Neeraj Gupta, Principal Investigator for the MRCSP, T.R. Massey, (614) 424-5544, masseytr@battelle.org, www.battelle.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership,  Battelle,  Core Energy ,  

PNNL,International Coalition for Energy Storage and Innovation
Date: 2018-03-07
In January, nearly 300 energy storage leaders from around the world gathered at the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics in Dalian, China, in to forge the International Coalition for Energy Storage and Innovation (ICESI). The organization aims to connect the international research community with industry to address long-term challenges for developing and deploying energy storage technologies for the power grid. The ICESI attendees represented the United States, China, Spain, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Korea.

ICESI has formed committees to address specific challenges around energy storage assessment, lithium-ion batteries, redox flow batteries, long-term research and emerging technologies, and other energy storage related issues. The coalition will also assess specific markets and technologies, as well as produce annual reports summarizing their progress. (Source: PNNL, PR, Mar., 2018) Contact: International Coalition for Energy Storage and Innovation, PNNL, Susan Bauer, PNNL, (509) 372-6083, icesi.csp.escience.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News PNNL,  Energy Storage,  

RFS
Date: 2018-02-07
According to the Washington-based Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), 30 U.S. states and the District of Columbia had an average gasoline-ethanol blend rate of 10.02 pct in 2016, based on the latest ethanol consumption figures from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). In 2015, 25 states had an average blend rate greater than 10 pct and the national average ethanol content was 9.91 pct.

The states with the highest average ethanol content in 2016 were Minnesota and Iowa. In Minnesota, the ethanol blending rate was 12.4 pct. About one out of eight gas stations in the state offer E85. Iowa's average ethanol content in 2016 was 11.4 pct, according to EIA data. States pushing past the 10 pct blending average for the first time in 2016 were Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and Texas. The lowest blending rate among the states was 9.43 pct , with blending averages of 10 pct and lower primarily in the mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions. (Source: RFA, EIA, CSP News, Feb., 2018)Contact: U.S. EIA, www.eia.gov; RFA, Bob Dinneen, Pres., CEO,(202) 289-3835, www.ethanolrfa.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Fuels Association,  EIA,  Ethanol,  Ethanol Blend,  RFS,  

OPES Solutions,Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics
Date: 2018-02-07
OPES Solutions, a supplier of off-grid solar modules for grid independent power supply, and the Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics CSP are touting a new O-Lite Plus ultra-light solar module which, due to the possibility of producing curved modules and their 60 grams per watt weight are particularly suitable for weight-sensitive applications.

The module concept was developed together with the Fraunhofer CSP in Halle. The institute also provided advice on material selection and is responsible for product and durability testing. (Source: OPES Solutions, PR, 5 Feb., 2018) Contact: OPES Solutions, (985) 845-4477, sales@opessg.com, www.opes-solutions.com; Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics, www.ise.fraunhofer.de/en/business-areas/photovoltaics/silicon-photovoltaics.html

More Low-Carbon Energy News OPES Solutions,  Solar,  Fraunhofer Center for Silicon Photovoltaics,  

Battelle, AEP
Date: 2017-11-01
In the Buckeye State, the Columbus-based Battelle Memorial Institute -- a private nonprofit applied science and technology development company -- is reporting the conclusion of one of the first tests for geologic storage of carbon dioxide at a commercial, coal-fired power plant at the American Electric Power (AEP) Mountaineer Plant in New Haven, West Virginia.

The carbon capture and storage (CCS) research project, which began in 2002, was supported by the United States DOE National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL). Based on the positive findings from the exploratory well drilling and seismic survey, AEP decided in 2007 to proceed with a 20 MW pilot test facility, with on-site CO2 capture, compression, transport, and injection. Battelle was then hired by AEP to continue providing geologic CCS expertise followed by a post-injection monitoring and site closeout phase ending in 2017.

It was the first CCS project at a working coal-fired power plant, it was funded primarily by private sources and helped establish the technical viability of CCS to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired power plants, and to store carbon dioxide in geologic layers with limited prior data.

The project demonstrated the full life-cycle, from inception, characterization well-drilling to find suitable storage zones, reservoir analysis, integration with pilot-scale system for a CO2 supply, injection, storage assessment, monitoring and final close-out in 2017. (Source: Battelle, PR. 28 Oct., 2017) Contact: Battelle, Katy Delaney, (614) 424-7208, delaneyk@battelle.org, www.battelle.org; AEP, Matt Usher, Director of New Technology Development & Policy Support, (800) 672-2231, www.aepohio.com; Midwest Regional Carbon Sequestration Partnership, www.mrcsp.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  CO2,  Battelle,  AEP,  

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Date: 2017-09-22
Following up on our Jan. 25th coverage, in the UAE, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reports it has awarded a 700 MW concentrated solar thermal power (CSP) project to Riyahd, Saudi Arabia-based ACWA Power.

The project, which is expected to cost nearly $4 billion, will combine tower and trough technologies and use scale and local infrastructure synergies to set a new benchmark price of $73/MWh for CSP with storage.

The project is the fourth development phase of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (MBR) 1 GW Solar Park increasing to increasing to 5 GW by 2030.(Source: DEWA, ESI Africa, 21 Sept., 2017) Contact: ACWA Power, Andrea Lovato, Bus. Dev. Dir., +966 11 2835500, www.acwapower.com; DEWA , Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News CSP,  Solar,  Concentrated Solar,  Dubai Electricity and Water Authority,  CSP,  Concentrated Solar,  

Cleanergy,Datang Holdings New Energy Technologies.
Date: 2017-06-21
Goteborg, Sweden-based Stirling engine-based renewable energy solutions provider Cleanergy AB reports it has begun installation of its Stirling concentrated solar power (CSP) technology in China, for a 200MW project for Beijing-based Datang Holdings New Energy Technologies. The $575 million deal included the manufacturing, installation and development of Cleanergy's advanced Stirling CSP technology in China.

Cleanergy's GasBox waste-to-energy system is installed in a modular container and converts methane gas into electricity. The GasBox is an autonomous and flexible Stirling Engine unit incorporated with a real-time power management system with remote access and optional grid functionality. The firms will initially install 50MW capacity in 2018, while the remaining 150MW will be installed as a second step that includes energy storage. (Source: Cleanergy, June, 2017) Contact: Cleanergy, Jonas Eklind, CEO, Alexander Vestin, SVP, Bus. Dev., +46 70 566 7000, alexander.vestin@cleanergy.com, www.cleanergy.com; Datang Holdings New Energy Technologies, www.cccme.org.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cleanergy,  CSP Solar,  Stirling Engine,  

NamPower
Date: 2017-05-08
Namibian power utility NamPower, part of the Southern African Power Pool, reports plans to construct a 40MW biomass power plant at Otjiwarongo and another 20MW power plant around the Otavi area. said in an interview that tenders will soon go out for A third 150MW concentrated solar power (CSP) plant will be built in the Arandis area.

NamPower will holda 51 pct stake in the power plants and farm out 49 pct to interested investors, including contractors and financial institutions. Construction of the CSP power plant will take up to three- and-a-half years, while timelines on the biomass projects have not been revealed. (Source: NamPower, The Namibian, Bioenergy Insights, 2 May, 2017) Contact: NamPower, Simson Haulofu, Managing Director, +264 (61) 205 4111, webinfo@nampower.com.na, www.nampower.com.na

More Low-Carbon Energy News Biomass,  CSP Solar,  

Palm Oil,Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Date: 2017-04-10
In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian officials and legislators have almost unanimously agreed to lobby against the European Parliament's non-binding motion to ban the use of palm oil for biofuel -- biodiesel -- production. The EU regulators are calling for greater vetting of palm and other vegetable oils used in transportation biofuels to meet the EU's renewable transport targets for post-2020 that subsequently could lead to increased carbon emissions, deforestation and rapid climate change.

To counter the EU's concerns, the Malaysians are calling for direct meetins with EU parliamentarians and a single Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) scheme to ensure that Europe-bound palm oil and other vegetable oil exports are sustainably produced.

As previously reported, EU lawmakers have called for a wider discussion of palm oil production and use for biofuels with specific focus on the rapidly expanding palm oil industry's harmful impact on climate mitigation and biodiversity.

After India and before China, the EU is Malaysia's second-largest export market, accounting for 2,059,207 tons of palm oil products in 2016, one third of which is used for biodiesel. Indonesia and Malaysia account for approximately 85 pct of global oil palm production. (Source: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, telesur, 5 April, 2017) Contact: Malaysian Palm Oil Board, www.mpob.gov.my

More Low-Carbon Energy News Palm Oil,  Biofuel,  European Commission,  

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority
Date: 2017-01-25
The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) reports it is seeking bids for the development of 200MW concentrated solar power (CSP) power plant. Being developed on Independent Power Producer (IPP) model, the solar park is expected to cost approximately $13.6 billion and to be completed by 2030.

The 13MW first phase of the solar park was commissioned in 2013. The 200MW second phase is planned to be operational by 2017 followed by 800MW third phase by 2020.

Earlier in 2016, DEWA selected Masdar-led consortium for the development of third phase of the solar park following its lowest bid of power generation price.

The solar park is designed to contribute to the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050, which aims to generate 7 pct of its total power from clean energy sources by 2020, increasing to 25 pct by 2030 and 75 pct by 2050. (Source: Dubai Electricity and Water Authority, Trade Arabia, EBR, Others, 23 Jan., 2017)Contact: DEWA , Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, CEO, www.dewa.gov.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Dubai Electricity and Water Authority,  

SolarReserve
Date: 2017-01-20
In McLean, Virginia, Capital One Bank reports it has taken a $78 million tax equity stake in Santa Monica, California-based SolarReserve LLC Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project .

Crescent Dunes is a utility-scale, 110-MW CSP facility utilizing SolarReserve's proprietary molten salt energy storage technology. The facility has a 25-year PPA with NV Energy,the state's major utility. SolarReserve is the project developer and managing investor, along with initial equity investors ACS Cobra and Santander will hold their ownership stake. (Source: Capital One Bank, SolarReserve, 17 Jan., 2017) Contact: Solar Reserve, (310) 315-2200, www.solarreserve.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SolarReserve,  Solar,  CSP Solar,  

Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy
Date: 2016-11-16
In Marrakesh, the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN) reports that Morocco will issue tenders for two 400-MW, concentrated solar power (CSP) and photovoltaic (PV) technology solar power plants early in 2017. In October, MASEN invited pre-qualification bids from parties interested in building and operating the two facilities near the central town of Midelt,

The German state-owned bank KFW has agreed to provide €710-million ($768 million) in loan funding for the projects. The World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) will also participate. (Source: Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy, SeeNews,15 Nov., 2016) Contact: Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy, www.masen.ma

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  

Comet Biorefining,Cellulosic Sugar Producers Cooperative
Date: 2016-11-14
Following-up on our April 1st coverage, Sarnia, Ontario's Comet Biorefining reports its new $70 million commercial-scale biorefinery facility the TransAlta Energy Park is expected to come online in 2018. Comet is partnering with Cellulosic Sugar Producers Cooperative (CSPC), which will hold a 40 pct equity stake in the biorefinery that will convert corn stover and wheat straw into cellulosic sugar for bio-based products.

CSPC will supply 75,000 tpy of locally sourced corn stover and wheat straw for the facility, and has the support of BioIndustrial Innovation Canada, farmer grain handling and retail co-ops Agris Co-operative, the Wanstead Farmers Co-operative, and others.

In April, Comet Biorefining inked an offtake agreement with Montreal-based bio-succinic acid producer BioAmber which has a manufacturing facility in Sarnia, to supply high-purity dextrose. Earlier this year, Sustainable Development Technology Canada awarded a $10.9 million grant to Comet Biorefining to help with the construction of its plant. (Source: Comet Biorefining, CanTech Letter, November 11, 2016) Contact: Comet Biorefining, Andrew Richard, CEO, (519) 494-7514, info@cometbiorefining.com, www.cometbiorefining.com; BioAmber Inc., Jean-Francois Huc, CEO, Jim Hobbs, (763) 253-4480, www.bio-amber.com; Cellulosic Sugar Producers Cooperative , Dave Park, Pres., http://www.ontario.coop/edirectory/cellulosic_sugar_producers_cooperative_ltd

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellulosic Sugar Producers Cooperative ,  Comet Biorefining,  Cellulosics,  Biomass,  Corn Stover,  

China National Energy Administration
Date: 2016-11-09
In Beijing, China's National Energy Administration (NEA) has announced the solar energy target of 110 GW to be reached by 2020 -- a 20 pct reduction in the previously announced 150 GW goal. The target calls for 60 GW of distributed generation solar energy and 45 GW of ground-mounted utility-scale systems and 5 GW of CSP. Today approximately 15 GW of distributed generation are installed as well as already 45 GW of ground-mounted utility-scale system and 5 GW of CSP. (Source: China National Energy Administration, Nov. 8, 2016)Contact: China National Energy Administration, www.nea.gov.cn

More Low-Carbon Energy News China National Energy Administration,  Solar,  

SUNCNIM,Bpifrance
Date: 2016-10-19
In France, La seyme-sur-Mer- headquartered based SUNCNIM, a joint-venture set up by CNIM and Bpifrance's Societe de Projets Industriels reports it has closed on the financing for its proposed concentrated solar power (CSP) plant at Llo in the French Pyrenees. Upon completion, the project will be the world's first Fresnel solar thermodynamic power plant with the capacity to store several hours of energy.

The plant, with a generation capacity of more than 9 MWe and 4-hour thermal energy storage capacity and 153,000 m2 of mirror area, will generate renewable electricity to be exported via the EDF grid. SUNCNIM constructed a pilot in 2010 which was validated by the Agency for the Environment and Optimization of Energy Resources (ADEME) in 2012. (Source: SUNCNIM, AltEnergy, Oct., 2016) Contact: SUNCNIM, +33 494 103 000, www.suncnim.com; Bpifrance, www.bpifrance.fr

More Low-Carbon Energy News CSP,  solar thermodynamic,  Solar,  Energy Storage,  

SolarReserve
Date: 2016-10-19
Santa Monica, California-headquartered SolarReserve LLC reports it plans to construct a $5 billion, 2,000-MW concentrating solar power (CSP) project with energy storage capacity in Nevada. The Sandstone project would use molten salt concentrating solar power technology to generate power and provide energy storage capability.

The company is presently seeking sites for the project in Nye County. When fully operational the project would sell power into the California market. (Source: SolarReserve, UtilityDive, Others, 17 Oct., 2016)Contact: Solar Reserve, (310) 315-2200, www.solarreserve.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SolarReserve,  Solar,  Energy Storage,