| 11.05.2009: This latest achievement will accelerate the further progress of thin-film photovoltaics. The Centre for Solar Energy and Hydrogen Research, Baden-Württemberg, Germany (Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung, ZSW) has successfully transferred a more efficient coating technology, which was previously only possible at the laboratory level, to a pilot production line. By utilising an inline multistage process in its automated coating plant, the institute has set a new European record by achieving an efficiency of 19.6 percent for thinfilm solar cells from copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIS or CIGS for short). … Source: Zentrum für Sonnenenergie- und Wasserstoff-Forschung (ZSW) http://www.zsw-bw.de/info/press/090507-Presseinfo-05-2009/pi05-2009-ZS |
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
13/05/09: New European record of 19.6% for thin film CIGS solar cells
Monday, April 27, 2009
28/04/09: EurObserv’ER consortium releases their Renewable Energy Barometers
28/04/09: EurObserv’ER consortium releases their Renewable Energy Barometers
See link to download Barometers for Renewable Energy Technologies
PHOTOVOLTAIC BAROMETER
9 533,3 MWc in the EU
Spain and Germany set the pace for the world photovoltaic market in 2008, which grew to more than twice its 2007 size. The European Union continued to drive photocell installation with an additional 4 592.3 MWp in 2008, or 151.6% growth over 2007. However, European growth prospects for the photovoltaic market in 2009 are being dampened by the global financial crisis and the scheduled slow-down of the Spanish market.
Click here for full version
WIND ENERGY BAROMETER
65 GW in EU
The globalisation of wind energy is on the move. Installed wind power worldwide raced past the symbolic threshold of 100,000 MW in the course of the year with an installed capacity estimated at 120,823.5 MW worldwide. The world has never known an energy sector develop so quickly. Although growth in the European Union market fell slightly in 2008 (- 1.8% at 8,447.1 MW), growth was spectacular in the United States (+ 59.4% at 8,358MW) and in China (+ 90.7% at 6,300 MW).
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SOLID BIOMASS BAROMETER
66.4 MTOE of solid biomass produced in the
european union in 2007
Primary energy production from solid biomass increased more slowly in the 27-member European Union in 2007. First available estimations evaluate production in the region of 66.4 Mtoe, i.e. only 0.7 Mtoe more than in 2006. While the exceptional climatic conditions of 2007 explain this slowdown, evolutions remain contrasted between the different EU countries and do not always reflect the same realities.
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SOLAR THERMAL BAROMETER
A 2 000 MWTH market
After two years of very strong growth, the solar thermal market (taking all technologies (including unglazed flexible collectors into account) marked time in 2007 with 6.9% less collectors being sold with respect to year 2006. In the end, this market reached 2.9 million m2 vs. 3.1 million m2 in 2006, i.e. an equivalent capacity of more than 2 000 MWth. This decrease is explained for a large part by a strong decline of the German market, the largest market of the European Union. Conversely, other countries are continuing to develop their markets and are showing double-digit growth rates.
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RENEWABLE MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE BAROMETER
6.1 MTOE RECOVERED IN 2007 IN EU
For the first time, EurObserv’ER is publishing a survey of renewable energy recovery from incineration of municipal waste. This sector of activity, which is entirely linked to the issue of municipal
waste treatment, represents a considerable portion of renewable energy production. According to the first available estimations, 6.1 Mtoe of energy was recovered in 2007 in the European Union, i.e., a growth of 6.3% in relation to 2006.
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BIOGAS BAROMETER
5.9 MTOE RECOVERED IN 2007 IN EU
The major increase in the price of fossil fuels has made biogas more attractive.The applications of biogas – which were once limited to recycling and/or recovering energy from waste – have widened with the use of energy crops. This has stimulated European production, which has now reached 5.9 Mtep, i.e., a 20.5% increase in relation to 2006.
Click here for full version
Biofuels barometer
7.7 Mtoe consumed in EU in 2007
Biofuels represent 2.6% of the energy content of all the fuels used in road transport in Europe today. Nearly half of the target of 5.75% for 2010 set by the directive on biofuels has thus been reached in four years time.
To achieve 5.75%, the European Union is going to have to increase its production and doubtless call even more on imports, at a moment when biofuels are found at the core of complex ecological and economic issues.
Click here for full version
27/04/09: Next DEL seminar May 6th 3-5pm
The next DEL Seminar will take place on May 6th at 3pm
Group 1 will present
- Adolf Acquaye
- Maria Jose Roo Ons
- Ahmad Hasan
- Manus Kennedy
- Barry Cullen
- Wayne Doherty
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
17/04/09: ECN Achieves 16.4% World-Record Efficiency For Innovative Solar Module with multicrystalline silicon solar cells
17.04.2009: Researchers of the Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) have achieved a premium conversion efficiency of 16.4% (aperture area) on a full-size solar module, a new world-record efficiency for photovoltaic modules with multicrystalline silicon solar cells. The previous world-record was held by Sandia National Laboratory (USA), at 15.5% aperture-area efficiency. Several modules with aperture-area efficiencies beyond 16% were manufactured with high-efficiency cells made from wafers supplied by REC Wafer Norway and Deutsche Solar. The world record is achieved using industrial-scale equipment for interconnection and encapsulation of rear-contact cells. This equipment is provided by the Dutch equipment builder Eurotron. The research and development has been financed by the European Commission within the project CrystalClear and by the Dutch government through SenterNovem. … Source: Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN)
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
31/03/09: Power Electronics and Control for Renewable Energy & Drives Lecture April 2nd
“Power Electronics and Control for Renewable Energy & Drives”
Speakers: Dr. Josep Pou and Dr. Antoni Arias.
Visiting lecture
2 April 2009 in Room KA -310, DIT Kevin Street at 2:30 PM
For more information please contact Dr Malabika Basu (mbasu@dit.ie)
Speakers: Dr. Josep Pou and Dr. Antoni Arias.
Visiting lecture
2 April 2009 in Room KA -310, DIT Kevin Street at 2:30 PM
For more information please contact Dr Malabika Basu (mbasu@dit.ie)
Saturday, February 28, 2009
27/02/09: Minister Ryan announces incentives for micro-generation
Farmers and households to sell excess electricity back to national grid - First 4,000 will get guaranteed price of 19 cent a kWh - Plan will boost rural economy and reduce electricity costs Dublin, 26th February, 2009
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced measures to encourage the on-site generation of electricity in homes and farms across Ireland. Among the measures is a guaranteed price of 19 cent per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. This competitive feed-in tariff will apply to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next three years. Eligible installations include small scale wind, photovoltaic, hydro and combined heat and power. Traditionally, the electricity network was designed to accommodate the flow of electricity from large centralised plants to customers dispersed throughout the country. Micro-generation at local level now introduces two-way flows to the electricity system. Local generators will have the ability to be paid by the ESB for electricity that is surplus to their own requirements and export it back to the national grid.
The new support price is being introduced along with a number of other measures in the Government's micro-generation programme including:
- Connection: An "Inform and Fit" connection policy to be introduced by ESB Networks to reduce the length of time and complexity of the connection process. Sustainable Energy Ireland also has clear information explaining the connection process.
- Grant assistance for R & D: This pilot study includes grant assistance for 40% of the cost of 50 trial units (of up to 50kW) countrywide. Applications are being accepted by Sustainable Energy Ireland.
- Planning exemptions: The Department of Environment has made small scale generation from low-carbon sources exempt from planning permission. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources wil l continue to work with the Department of Environment on planning issues surrounding renewable energy installations.
Announcing the programme Minister Ryan said, "We are changing the rules and changing the nature of electricity generation in Ireland. Before you received your power from a central source and paid for it. Now you can generate for yourself and be paid for the excess you don't use. This type of on-site electricity generation will boost the rural economy. It will put more money into consumers' pockets. This type of long-term investment with a guaranteed return represents the best value for spending and lending. All our farms and houses can be micro-generators. We can use our abundant natural resources to bolster the economy, create green-collar jobs and reduce carbon emissions at the same time. Every year, we send €6 billion out of this country on fossil fuels. This type of generation will help reduce this dependence and this outflow of money. We do not want to be dependent on Russia or Saudi Arabia for our energy needs; we can supply our own."
For further information: Customers interested in installing microgeneration technologies and with technical queries contact ESB Networks at 1850 372 757. Further detail will be available from ESB Customer Supply https://www.esb.ie/esbcustomersupply/residential/ shortly
Those interested in the small and micro-scale pilot field trials, contact: SEI at 01 8369080; www.sei.ie/grants/microgenpilot or email microgen@sei.ie
Customer Connection guide for micro generation are available at http://www.sei.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications/consumer_microgen_brochure.pdf and www.esb.ie/esbnetworks
A full guide to connecting renewable and CHP electricity generators of all sizes to the network is available at http://www.sei.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications/connecting_RE_and_chp_to_network.pdf
The export price will be available for up to 4000 micro generation units for a period three years. This suite of measures will then inform the development of a long-term micro generation programme.
ESB Customer Supply and ESB Networks will contribute 9 cents and 10 cents respectively towards this tariff. Domestic electricity users registered with ESB will receive a full tariff of 19c/kWh within limits set out above. Non-ESB customers will receive a 10c/kWh tariff for any excess electricity sold back to the grid.
Energy Minister Eamon Ryan today announced measures to encourage the on-site generation of electricity in homes and farms across Ireland. Among the measures is a guaranteed price of 19 cent per kilowatt hour of electricity produced. This competitive feed-in tariff will apply to the first 4,000 micro-generation installations countrywide over the next three years. Eligible installations include small scale wind, photovoltaic, hydro and combined heat and power. Traditionally, the electricity network was designed to accommodate the flow of electricity from large centralised plants to customers dispersed throughout the country. Micro-generation at local level now introduces two-way flows to the electricity system. Local generators will have the ability to be paid by the ESB for electricity that is surplus to their own requirements and export it back to the national grid.
The new support price is being introduced along with a number of other measures in the Government's micro-generation programme including:
- Connection: An "Inform and Fit" connection policy to be introduced by ESB Networks to reduce the length of time and complexity of the connection process. Sustainable Energy Ireland also has clear information explaining the connection process.
- Grant assistance for R & D: This pilot study includes grant assistance for 40% of the cost of 50 trial units (of up to 50kW) countrywide. Applications are being accepted by Sustainable Energy Ireland.
- Planning exemptions: The Department of Environment has made small scale generation from low-carbon sources exempt from planning permission. The Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources wil l continue to work with the Department of Environment on planning issues surrounding renewable energy installations.
Announcing the programme Minister Ryan said, "We are changing the rules and changing the nature of electricity generation in Ireland. Before you received your power from a central source and paid for it. Now you can generate for yourself and be paid for the excess you don't use. This type of on-site electricity generation will boost the rural economy. It will put more money into consumers' pockets. This type of long-term investment with a guaranteed return represents the best value for spending and lending. All our farms and houses can be micro-generators. We can use our abundant natural resources to bolster the economy, create green-collar jobs and reduce carbon emissions at the same time. Every year, we send €6 billion out of this country on fossil fuels. This type of generation will help reduce this dependence and this outflow of money. We do not want to be dependent on Russia or Saudi Arabia for our energy needs; we can supply our own."
For further information: Customers interested in installing microgeneration technologies and with technical queries contact ESB Networks at 1850 372 757. Further detail will be available from ESB Customer Supply https://www.esb.ie/esbcustomersupply/residential/ shortly
Those interested in the small and micro-scale pilot field trials, contact: SEI at 01 8369080; www.sei.ie/grants/microgenpilot or email microgen@sei.ie
Customer Connection guide for micro generation are available at http://www.sei.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications/consumer_microgen_brochure.pdf and www.esb.ie/esbnetworks
A full guide to connecting renewable and CHP electricity generators of all sizes to the network is available at http://www.sei.ie/Publications/Renewables_Publications/connecting_RE_and_chp_to_network.pdf
The export price will be available for up to 4000 micro generation units for a period three years. This suite of measures will then inform the development of a long-term micro generation programme.
ESB Customer Supply and ESB Networks will contribute 9 cents and 10 cents respectively towards this tariff. Domestic electricity users registered with ESB will receive a full tariff of 19c/kWh within limits set out above. Non-ESB customers will receive a 10c/kWh tariff for any excess electricity sold back to the grid.
27/02/09: SEI CEO launches guidelines for upgrading dwellings to PassivHaus standard
Professor Owen Lewis, CEO of SEI, launched new guidelines for upgrading existing dwellings in Ireland to the PassivHaus Standard at See the Light 2009 Conference in Galway on 5th February.
The new guidelines provide practical advice on the utilisation of construction products, materials and techniques that minimize waste, improve air quality, increase energy efficiency and protect the environment. They also include two Irish case studies in retro-fitting existing houses to the PassivHaus Standard.Guidelines can be downloaded at www.sei.ie/retrophguidelines.
The new guidelines provide practical advice on the utilisation of construction products, materials and techniques that minimize waste, improve air quality, increase energy efficiency and protect the environment. They also include two Irish case studies in retro-fitting existing houses to the PassivHaus Standard.Guidelines can be downloaded at www.sei.ie/retrophguidelines.
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