Shares of alternative energy companies have fallen even more sharply than the rest of the stock market in recent months. The struggles of financial institutions are raising fears that investment capital for big renewable energy projects is likely to get tighter.
Wall Street analysts say most utilities and other builders can profitably choose big wind projects over gas-fired plants only when gas prices are $8 per thousand cubic feet or higher. Natural gas settled Monday at about $6.79 per thousand cubic feet, down from about $13.58 on July 3 2008.
The Essentials“Natural gas at $6 makes wind look like a questionable idea and solar power unfathomably expensive,” said Kevin Book, a senior vice president at FBR Capital Markets.
Government mandates already on the books, including state rules requiring renewable power generation and federal requirements for production of ethanol, ensure that to some degree, alternative energy markets will continue to exist no matter how low oil and gas prices go. But the credit crisis means some companies that would like to build facilities to meet that demand are going to have problems. “If you can’t borrow money, you can’t develop renewables,” Mr. Book said.
Meanwhile more than 30 states have enacted standards demanding that utilities generate a minimum proportion — typically 10 to 20 percent — of their power from renewable sources in the next 5 to 10 years.
But some analysts say the government supports may not be enough to propel continued growth for renewables, noting that several states have already relaxed their goals.
“When they can’t meet their targets,” Mr. Book said, “they change them.”
Showing posts with label Renewable-Energey. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Renewable-Energey. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Analysts Say Solar Prices Beginning to Fall
Analysts predict solar-panel prices will falrl next year as the production booms. Meanwhile, public solar companies see their shares fall 5 percent.
by: Jennifer Kho
Bullet Arrow September 15, 2008
As solar stocks fell 5 percent across the board Monday and the Dow Jones industrial average dropped 2.65 percent to 11,119.84, analysts at a Greentech Media conference said solar-panel prices also are on the way down.
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"Two weeks ago in Valencia, we saw a complete unwinding of the solar trade," said Jed Dorscheimer, an analyst with Canaccord Adams, at Greentech Media's Thin-Film Revolution conference in New York City, referring to falling share prices. "While companies attracted people to their booths with attractive women and open bars, the party is coming to an end."
Canaccord Adams expects to see more than 10 percent of erosion in average selling prices in the next two years, he said.
Meanwhile, the Prometheus Institute expects average selling prices for solar panels to fall below $3 per watt by the end of the year, said Travis Bradford, president of the institute.
Prices already have fallen to around $3.60 per watt in the first half of the year, from an average of about $3.70 per watt last year, and those prices are being propped up by the strong Spanish incentive, he said.
Some people bristle at the estimate, citing prices of €3 per watt in Spain, but thin-film solar - which comes with lower prices - now make up more than 10 percent of the global market, he said. First Solar, for example, is selling panels for $2.45 per watt.
Prices will continue to fall as more thin-film solar hits the market, as well as a "massive" increase in polysilicon capacity, Bradford said.
Thin film had already helped boost the solar production more than expected given the "deep-seated" limited growth of polysilicon in 2007, and manufacturers' measures to use silicon more efficiently and to recycle it also played a big role, he said.
The bulk of the thin-film growth came from the United States, which accounted for the majority of the world's thin-film production last year, he said. Thin-film solar made up nearly all of the growth of the U.S. solar industry that year.
"U.S. production on the polysilicon side really didn't grow, if you look at the total," he said. "For better or for worse, thin film is largely a U.S.-backed [effort]."
Of 266.2 megawatts of production in 2007, 161 megawatts came from thin film, with most of that - 129 megawatts - coming from First Solar (NSDQ: FSLR), 28 megawatts coming from United Solar Ovonics and 4 megawatts from Global Solar Energy.
Prometheus expects the amount of polysilicon available for solar to grow from 30,070 tons in 2007 to an estimated 46,084 in 2008, 71,019 in 2009 and a whopping 125,302 in 2012, Bradford said.
Meanwhile, contract prices have begun to level out, he said, reaching a projected $60 per kilogram in 2007, up from $55 per kilogram in 2006, $45 per kilogram in 2005 and $24 per kilogram in 2003.
While chatter around spot prices - for silicon bought immediately, not as part of a longer-term contract - has gotten "ridiculous," reaching $400 per kilogram in Taiwan, th e majority of silicon is being sold under long-term contracts, he said. The prices for most of the silicon being bought today was set in contracts signed in 2005 and 2006, he said.
"Certainly nobody's using $400 a kilogram for their inputs," Bradford said. "If you do a little math on that, if you need about 9 kilograms per watt at $400 per kilogram, you would have to have something like $3.64 of polysilicon per watt of module."
That would mean selling prices would have to be much higher than $3.60 per watt, he said.
"There's no way anyone's using 100 percent spot prices at $400 a kilogram," he said. "They are using a mix of spot and contract prices and getting to an average
Of course, the high spot prices mean the average silicon price, when spot and contract prices are combined, is higher than the $60 per kilogram companies are paying via contracts. Bradford estimates the global average price is probably around $90 to $95 per kilogram.
Nonprice terms in contracts also are becoming less onerous, he said, with either prices that drop over time or some ability to adjust to market conditions if silicon prices fall more than expected.
The cost of new silicon plants varies widely from $5 per kilogram anticipated for Timminco's upgraded metallurgical-grade silicon plant, to $52 per kilogram for an expansion of Hemlock's plant, to $152 per kilogram for a new plant from SilPro.
Prometheus expects manufacturing to reach 10.25 gigawatts of capacity in 2008 and 12 to 15 gigawatts of capacity by 2010, Bradford said.
Of course, the market depends on demand.
Demand in the last year has been driven by a hot Spanish market, a stable German market and expectations of growth in Italy, Greece and California, Bradford said.
The industry is concerned about the uncertainty of the subsidy program in Spain, which is set to expire this month (see Spanish Energy Commission Votes to Shrink Solar Incentives, Solar Firms Struggle to Forecast 2009 and Spain Considers Adding a Solar Gigawatt).
"The 'don't worry' attitude is no longer the attitude of the day," he said.
As more governments add solar-supportive policies, the diversification is going to create a lot more stability and flexibility in the marketplace, especially as prices for panels drop, he said.
Dorsheimer also said the demand side of the equation is the most difficult to predict.
"The silicon shortage really put the solar market back a couple of years," he said, as they created artificial market conditions. "Hopefully this will ... bring prices to where we won't need subsidies for much longer."
About 80 percent of the new entrants and technologies will fail, but the 20 percent that succeed will capture 100 percent of the opportunity, making solar an alluring market in spite of the approximately 30 percent drop in valuations in the past year, he said.
Dorsheimer said he sees the hot 2007 solar fund raising market as an anomaly.
"We're going from a sellers' market to a buyers' market, and that's going to change the type of valuations you will achieve," he said.
The question, he said, is whether valuations will return to 2007 levels.
"In our conclusion, [2007] was a bit of a bubble, similar to the telecom companies," he said. "However, instead of having one of two companies such as Cisco emerge from the telecom industry, we expect we will see several companies emerging."
Dorsheimer added that companies that took on large debts could be especially vulnerable.
"Some of the companies probably won't make it past 2007," he said.
Companies with low costs, high margins, a technological edge and the ability to grow large and to enter other parts of the value chain will have an advantage, he said.
"We are transitioning from a sellers' to a buyers' market," he said.
That transition could pose a significant risk to some companies looking to go public, he added.
Companies such as Miasole and Nanosolar, for example, have raised so much money that they would need multibillion-dollar valuations to generate profits for their original investors (see Nanosolar Confirms $300M Funding).
Dorsheimer said Miasole has either just raised, or is in the process of raising, $220 million on a valuation of $1.2 billion.
VentureWire in July reported the company was about to close $200 million to $220 million with a $1.2 billion valuation, and Greentech Media's Green Light blog last month noted that Miasole is rumored to be raising $200 million, with a valuation above $1 billion.
The company didn't immediately respond to requests for comment, but has declined to comment on speculation about the funding in the past.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
GoingGreen Top 100 Private companies 2008
Co-Presented by AlwaysOn, KPMG & Morgan Stanley
Investment and public interest in cleantech continues to grow in the face of record gas prices and increased concern for the environment and global warming. With that backdrop, AlwaysOn presents the second annual GoingGreen 100 Top Private Companies list, featuring leading private companies in cleantech.
The fact that there are 17 solar companies on the list highlights the continued importance of that sector to the industry. Solar companies continue to lead the race for investment dollars, with all areas of the solar industry—PVs, solar cells, concentrated solar plants—actively receiving investments this year.
This year the Clean Energy category was added to the mix. The category includes companies that do not fall into the Solar Energy or Biofuels categories. Wind and coal companies feature highly in this sector. Clean coal has significant potential as it is an abundant energy resource; companies such as CoalTek and GreatPoint Energy are prevailing in this area. Converting coal to natural gas by using microbial engineering is also driving the possibilities in this industry.
An increased number of companies on the list are moving out of beta testing and into product development. This trend is particularly evident in the Biofuels category, where the growth in next-generation biofuels is beginning to drive to the commercialization stage. From a funding perspective, large rounds of VC funding are narrowing the gap between project financers looking for proven technology and emerging companies wanting to build plants.
The Energy Efficiency and Management category is a very active investment area. The category winner, Silver Spring Networks, provides intelligent utility networking using open standards. Naverus, who is redefining the airspace navigation systems, is another company that is a significant player in this segment of the industry.
An interesting development in the Green Automobiles and Transportation category is the changing attitude of investors. Over the past year, investors have shifted their focus from building car companies and brands to improving engines. Increased public interest in energy efficient “clean” cars may be driving this shift.
The Energy Storage Systems category is commonly identified as a major opportunity of cleantech, with investors actively seeking the solution for energy storage. The category winner, Premium Power, manufactures regenerative fuel-cell power systems based on the company’s proprietary Zinc-Flow advanced energy storage technology.
In the 2008 GoingGreen list, the categories of nanotech and materials were separated—we now have a Green Nanotech and Synthetic Genomics category and a Green Materials, Green Buildings category. The companies in the Green Nanotech and Synthetic Genomics category are expected to have some of the most profound effects on the petrochemical and fuels industries. Our overall list winner, Synthetic Genomics, falls into this category. Serious Materials, our Green Materials, Green Buildings category winner, leads the industry with green replacement products for the built environment. Integrity Block is also an emerging player in this industry with its concrete block replacement.
The spotlight continues to be directed on cleantech and will remain in place until the quest for a “greener” world is realized. The companies featured on the GoingGreen list will help move us closer to achieving this goal.
The winners will be honored at GoingGreen, September 15th-17th at Cavallo Point, San Francisco, CA. They’ll also be featured in AO’s quarterly print “blogozine” and on the AlwaysOn website.To reserve your ticket to GoingGreen and take advantage of the AO-Insider discount, click here.
***Overall Winner***
Synthetic Genomics
Biofuels
Amyris Biotechnologies***Category Winner***Biofuel Box
Bionavitas
Ceres
Coskata
Greenfuel Technologies
LS9
Mascoma
Mendel Biotechnology
Range Fuels
Sapphire Energy
Solazyme
Clean Energy
CoalTek***Category Winner***
AltaRock Energy
Bloom Energy
General Compression
GreatPoint Energy
Luca Technologies
Mariah Power
Nordic Windpower
Oorja
SpaceX
Sway
Clean Manufacturing and Clean Products
GlycosBio***Category Winner***
Artificial Muscle
EoPlex Technologies
Energy Efficiency and Energy Management
Silver Spring Networks***Category Winner***
Albeo Technologies
BPL Global
BridgeLux
Carina Technology
d.light design
Eka Systems
eMeter
Greenbox Technology
Ice Energy
Naverus
SmartSynch
SuperBulbs
SynapSense
Verdiem
Energy Storage Systems
Premium Power***Category Winner***
Angstrom Power
Boston-Power
Deeya Energy
GridPoint
Mobius Power
Pentadyne
PowerGenix
ReVolt Technology
Green Automobiles and Transportation
EcoMotors***Category Winner***
Aptera
Better Place
Fisker Automotive
PML Flightlink
Tesla Motors
Transonic Combustion
Venture Vehicles
Green Materials, Green Buildings
Serious Materials***Category Winner***
ARXX Building Products
Hycrete
Integrity Block
Perform Wall
Green Nanotech and Synthetic Genomics
Genomatica***Category Winner***
Codon Devices
Nanogram
Novomer
Resource Recovery and Waste Management
Ze-Gen***Category Winner***
Earthanol
EnerTech Environmental
Lehigh Technologies
TechTurn
Solar Energy
BrightSource Energy***Category Winner***
Ausra
Energy Innovations
eSolar
GreenVolts
HelioVolt
Infinia
Konarka Technologies
Plextronics
Quantasol
Signet Solar
SolarCity
Solar Systems
Solaria
Solel
Solexel
SolFocus
Stion
Water Technology and Water Management
AbTech Industries***Category Winner***
Agua Via
Bio Pure Technology
HydroPoint Data Systems
Microvi Biotech
Miox
NanoH2O
Purfresh
Windesal
Investment and public interest in cleantech continues to grow in the face of record gas prices and increased concern for the environment and global warming. With that backdrop, AlwaysOn presents the second annual GoingGreen 100 Top Private Companies list, featuring leading private companies in cleantech.
The fact that there are 17 solar companies on the list highlights the continued importance of that sector to the industry. Solar companies continue to lead the race for investment dollars, with all areas of the solar industry—PVs, solar cells, concentrated solar plants—actively receiving investments this year.
This year the Clean Energy category was added to the mix. The category includes companies that do not fall into the Solar Energy or Biofuels categories. Wind and coal companies feature highly in this sector. Clean coal has significant potential as it is an abundant energy resource; companies such as CoalTek and GreatPoint Energy are prevailing in this area. Converting coal to natural gas by using microbial engineering is also driving the possibilities in this industry.
An increased number of companies on the list are moving out of beta testing and into product development. This trend is particularly evident in the Biofuels category, where the growth in next-generation biofuels is beginning to drive to the commercialization stage. From a funding perspective, large rounds of VC funding are narrowing the gap between project financers looking for proven technology and emerging companies wanting to build plants.
The Energy Efficiency and Management category is a very active investment area. The category winner, Silver Spring Networks, provides intelligent utility networking using open standards. Naverus, who is redefining the airspace navigation systems, is another company that is a significant player in this segment of the industry.
An interesting development in the Green Automobiles and Transportation category is the changing attitude of investors. Over the past year, investors have shifted their focus from building car companies and brands to improving engines. Increased public interest in energy efficient “clean” cars may be driving this shift.
The Energy Storage Systems category is commonly identified as a major opportunity of cleantech, with investors actively seeking the solution for energy storage. The category winner, Premium Power, manufactures regenerative fuel-cell power systems based on the company’s proprietary Zinc-Flow advanced energy storage technology.
In the 2008 GoingGreen list, the categories of nanotech and materials were separated—we now have a Green Nanotech and Synthetic Genomics category and a Green Materials, Green Buildings category. The companies in the Green Nanotech and Synthetic Genomics category are expected to have some of the most profound effects on the petrochemical and fuels industries. Our overall list winner, Synthetic Genomics, falls into this category. Serious Materials, our Green Materials, Green Buildings category winner, leads the industry with green replacement products for the built environment. Integrity Block is also an emerging player in this industry with its concrete block replacement.
The spotlight continues to be directed on cleantech and will remain in place until the quest for a “greener” world is realized. The companies featured on the GoingGreen list will help move us closer to achieving this goal.
The winners will be honored at GoingGreen, September 15th-17th at Cavallo Point, San Francisco, CA. They’ll also be featured in AO’s quarterly print “blogozine” and on the AlwaysOn website.To reserve your ticket to GoingGreen and take advantage of the AO-Insider discount, click here.
***Overall Winner***
Synthetic Genomics
Biofuels
Amyris Biotechnologies***Category Winner***Biofuel Box
Bionavitas
Ceres
Coskata
Greenfuel Technologies
LS9
Mascoma
Mendel Biotechnology
Range Fuels
Sapphire Energy
Solazyme
Clean Energy
CoalTek***Category Winner***
AltaRock Energy
Bloom Energy
General Compression
GreatPoint Energy
Luca Technologies
Mariah Power
Nordic Windpower
Oorja
SpaceX
Sway
Clean Manufacturing and Clean Products
GlycosBio***Category Winner***
Artificial Muscle
EoPlex Technologies
Energy Efficiency and Energy Management
Silver Spring Networks***Category Winner***
Albeo Technologies
BPL Global
BridgeLux
Carina Technology
d.light design
Eka Systems
eMeter
Greenbox Technology
Ice Energy
Naverus
SmartSynch
SuperBulbs
SynapSense
Verdiem
Energy Storage Systems
Premium Power***Category Winner***
Angstrom Power
Boston-Power
Deeya Energy
GridPoint
Mobius Power
Pentadyne
PowerGenix
ReVolt Technology
Green Automobiles and Transportation
EcoMotors***Category Winner***
Aptera
Better Place
Fisker Automotive
PML Flightlink
Tesla Motors
Transonic Combustion
Venture Vehicles
Green Materials, Green Buildings
Serious Materials***Category Winner***
ARXX Building Products
Hycrete
Integrity Block
Perform Wall
Green Nanotech and Synthetic Genomics
Genomatica***Category Winner***
Codon Devices
Nanogram
Novomer
Resource Recovery and Waste Management
Ze-Gen***Category Winner***
Earthanol
EnerTech Environmental
Lehigh Technologies
TechTurn
Solar Energy
BrightSource Energy***Category Winner***
Ausra
Energy Innovations
eSolar
GreenVolts
HelioVolt
Infinia
Konarka Technologies
Plextronics
Quantasol
Signet Solar
SolarCity
Solar Systems
Solaria
Solel
Solexel
SolFocus
Stion
Water Technology and Water Management
AbTech Industries***Category Winner***
Agua Via
Bio Pure Technology
HydroPoint Data Systems
Microvi Biotech
Miox
NanoH2O
Purfresh
Windesal
Friday, August 22, 2008
India needs to look beyond coal-based power, says coal minister
Currently, about 26 percent of installed electricity generation capacity in India is accounted for by hydropower, against 50 percent in the 1960s.
Thermal generation, using coal and to a lesser extent gas accounts for around 66 percent,
while non-conventional energy sources, of which wind energy is predominant, account for about 5 percent.
Nuclear energy constitutes only about 3 percent of the country's total power generation.
There are no two opinions about the need to switch over to other modes of power generation like nuclear energy and hydro. Coal-based power production has to be restricted," Bagrodia told IANS.
India's power deficit stood at 73,050 million units in 2007-08, during which period 653,172 million units were supplied against a demand of 726,222 million units.
The government has estimated that India will require an installed capacity of over 200,000 MW by 2012 to meet its electricity demand, 60 percent more of what the country currently has. India envisages providing electricity to all households including 234 million families living below the poverty line and electrifying around 115,000 villages by 2009.
A power ministry official said India needed to increase power generation capacity to 400,000 MW by 2030 from the existing 130,000 MW. "The power generated through renewable energy technologies has to be increased to 25 percent [share of the total power generated] against the present five percent," added the official.
Thermal generation, using coal and to a lesser extent gas accounts for around 66 percent,
while non-conventional energy sources, of which wind energy is predominant, account for about 5 percent.
Nuclear energy constitutes only about 3 percent of the country's total power generation.
There are no two opinions about the need to switch over to other modes of power generation like nuclear energy and hydro. Coal-based power production has to be restricted," Bagrodia told IANS.
India's power deficit stood at 73,050 million units in 2007-08, during which period 653,172 million units were supplied against a demand of 726,222 million units.
The government has estimated that India will require an installed capacity of over 200,000 MW by 2012 to meet its electricity demand, 60 percent more of what the country currently has. India envisages providing electricity to all households including 234 million families living below the poverty line and electrifying around 115,000 villages by 2009.
A power ministry official said India needed to increase power generation capacity to 400,000 MW by 2030 from the existing 130,000 MW. "The power generated through renewable energy technologies has to be increased to 25 percent [share of the total power generated] against the present five percent," added the official.
Saturday, August 9, 2008
Jatropha Bio-diesel Projects
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World wide JATROPHA bio-disel research/production
- China & Italy $600 million common reserach
JATROPHA Photo Gallery
JATROPHA BIODIESEL
ECONOMICS: JATROPHA FUEL FARMING
Bio Diesel: Indian Scene
ECONOMICS: JATROPHA OIL PRODUCTION
ECONOMICS: JATROPHA BIODIESEL PRODUCTION
ECONOMICS: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
PUBLICATION
- asr: with Rs. 30,000 you can spend 2 months in areas of actual Jatropha to see first had what is happening and talk to farmers ..
The Jatropha System” – Economy & Dissemination Strategy
land for jatropha
India based agri blog
Argi jobs
--------------------------------------------
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR JATROPHA PLANTATION - NEW FUEL : Krishna Jatropha & Bio-diesel Projects
For further details please contact:
Krishna Jatropha & Bio-diesel Projects
(A Unit of Krishna Engineers & Consultants)
4723, Laxmi Vihar, Sainik School
Bhubaneswar – 751005
Email: info@krishnaenergy.com / krishnaenergy@gmail
Jatropha is a very sturdy forest shrub/tree having life of about 50 years. It is resistant to high winds and drought. The tree is rain fed plant and does not require more watering after the first two/three years. Jatropha grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It also does not require any special care as regards to fertilizers or pesticides. No other maintenance is required for the remaining life of the plant.
Produce seeds worth Rs.20000/-. And it is without any expenditure on fertilizers, pesticides, water or seeds. There is initial expenditure for plantation, which will start paying in 2-3 years.
This being a sturdy forest tree we can use waste lands. Thus this tree is selected considering optimum earning/acre with minimum investment and aftercare.The seeds contain average of 35% oil and yield about 75% cake after cold pressing of the seeds in screw type oil expeller.
Manpower is required only for plucking of pods and breaking them in to seeds and it will provide excellent opportunities for rural employment.
Jatropha plantation provides not only bio-diesel but also other products such as manure for the crops, methane for power generation and glycerol for industrial use besides, enormous advantage of carbon trading.
By-products from Jatropha processing, are increasingly being used in modern industry for cosmetics, varnishes and paints, lubricants, resins, adhesive, dyes and inks, explosives, pesticides, etc.
Jatropha has the ability to lift many people from poverty to financial independence, from despair to respect and unemployment to business owners.
Our Goal:
1.To utilize the large tracts of cheap barren land, large and inexpensive rural workforce to develop alternative energy options.
2.Explore how the permanent exploitation of the different aspects of Jatropha might be a real alternative for transportation and energy production, which benefits four main aspects of development and secure a sustainable way of life.
Objectives of our Mission:
1. Make Jatropha plantation and bio-diesel production a low risk venture with attractive returns by value addition like making Candle, Soap, Cosmetic, Biogas, Bio-fertilizer and Bio-pesticides through networking with Entrepreneurs, Farmers, Educated Youths, SHG and NGOs.
2. Help attract private investors in Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production development.
3. Promote and recognize endeavors to build technical capacities of rural entrepreneurs.
4. Help create new work opportunities in Jatropha cultivation, bio-diesel production related sectors.
5. Highlight environmental and social integration of Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production systems in rural communities.
6. Provide gender sensitive socio-economic and environmental analysis of Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production requirements in rural communities .
Our Vision:
1. To promote Jatropha plantation in 10,000 acres of land within the State, which can generate tremendous job opportunities among the rural masses. To set up 100 Nurseries to produce 1,00,000 seedlings in each unit.
2. To set up 10 TBO Gardens.
3. To set up 100 oil extraction units
4. To set up 10 Bio-diesel Manufacturing Plants.
Our Scope of Services:
We offer following COMPREHENSIVE services for Farmers/SHG/NGO/Entrepreneurs.
1. Establishment of Nurseries to ensure best planting material of JATROPHA.
2. Providing proper seedlings that will yield high output, above 5 kg. per annum per plant.
2. Plantation and popularization of JATROPHA in on going system of farming.
3. Advise and assistance for Intercropping of important Herbals in Multi tier farming system.
4. Entering into 100 % guaranteed buyback agreements with small / large scale JATROPHA cultivators.
5. Oil Extraction and other value added services like making Candle, Soap, Cosmetic, Biogas, Bio-fertilizer and Bio-pesticides.
6. Offering 100% buyback of produced seeds & oil at fixed rates.
7. Preparation of Bankable Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Plantation of JATROPHA & Bio-diesel Plant.
8. Supply of Equipments, high-yielding Seeds, Fertilizers & Organic Manure incidental to cultivation.
9. Supply, Installation & Commissioning of Oil expeller and Trans-esterification plant for bio diesel production.
10. Setting up Bio-diesel based power generators for rural electrification in a cluster of 50 remote villages.
Value Addition of Jatropha
1. After getting 25 to 30% of the oil from the seeds, balance yield is 70 to 75% of cakes. This is a major by product of bio diesel production.
2. This cake has also a great potential of providing additional bio energy in the form of electricity and biogas, fertilizer and pesticide. It is found that I kg of cake produces 0.5 m of gas, which is almost six times of gas produced by I kg of cow dung.
3. Slurry from bio gas plant can further be processed as manure. The slurry of the bio gas plant can be mechanically separated into concentrate of rich nutrients for using in plantation. The dried out slurry forms manure for the agricultural use. Both these products can provide a major substitute to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:
There are four sources of income with our project.
1. Nursery Raising & Plantation Of JATROPHA
2. Extraction Of Oil & Value Addition
3. Production Of Bio-Diesel
4. Carbon Finance
INVESTMENT & BENEFITS IN JATROPHA:
Nursery Raising & Plantation Of JATROPHA:
JATROPHA cultivation generates an income of Rs.10, 000/- to Rs.20, 000/- per Acre and if grown in 200 Acre in a village, it can provide adequate employment to all landless workers all through the year. The plant after 2-3 years can on an average produce 2 kg of seeds per plant. This output will increase up to 4-5 kg after the maturity and development of the tree. Such 1000 trees can be planted in one acre of land.
1 Kg. of oil will be available from 4 kg of seeds. One acre can produce 0.5 to 1.0 ton of oil with Jatropha plantation. The 1000 plants will provide 2000 kg to 4000 kg of seeds to produce 0.5 to 1.0 ton bio diesel.
Considering present average rate of Rs.5 per kg for the seeds of Jatropha 1 acre of plantation can produce seeds worth Rs.10000/- to Rs.20, 000/-. This production can be obtained without any expenditure on fertilizers, pesticides, water or seeds. There is initial expenditure for plantation, which will start paying in 2-3 years.
To support farmers financially and to build up the confidence, plantation of castor can be undertaken in the same land between the rows of Jatropha plants. Rain fed castor can give immediate yield within 4-6 months. Oil percentage in the castor seeds is about 45 to 50%. Per acre output will be about 8 quintals to 10 quintals. The price for castor is in the range of Rs.8-10 per kg and thus the initial income per acre will be in the range of Rs.8000 to 10000. This plantation, however, will need higher level of expenditure on seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and watering besides higher level of manpower for cultivation.
Extraction Of Oil & Value Addition
For integrated Oil Extraction & Value Addition production Unit, suitable for entrepreneurs in small villages, the total investment of Rs.5,00,000 with the income potential of Rs.15, 000 to Rs. 20,000 per month. The entrepreneurs can manufacture Candle, Soap, fertilizer, pesticide, nutrients and manure.
Production Of Bio-Diesel
For Home Bio-Diesel production Unit, suitable for entrepreneurs in small villages, the total investment is Rs. 3,00,000 with the income potential of Rs.10, 000 to Rs. 12,000 per month. For Industrial Bio-Diesel production units, the investment ranges from Rs.10 Lac to Rs. 1 Crore depending on the production capacity of the unit. Expected maximum payback period is around 24 months.
Carbon Finance
A solution to greenhouse effect the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has been introduced. CDM is one of the Kyoto mechanisms; the CDM aims to promote sustainable development in developing countries as well as to help Parties achieve compliance with their Carbon Emission Reduction (CER). It allows investing in emission-saving projects in developing countries and gaining credit for the savings achieved through the generation of Carbon Emission Credits that they can use to contribute to compliance with part of their emission reduction targets. Growing plants, which are later processed into fuel, recycles the Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when biofuel is burned. Thus, the CO2 emission of Jatropha oil can be assumed almost zero.
For this reason, a project, which aims to exploit the potential of Jatropha as energy crop, owns all requisites to be eligible within the CDM. The carbon dioxide absorption of 8 Kg. per tree per Year can be converted into Carbon Credit Certificates under the CDM Guidelines of the Kyoto Protocol.
Including revenue from carbon credits from petro-diesel substitution and possibly carbon sequestration and nitrogen based fertilizer substitution; biodiesel projects become considerably financially attractive. See Table below for CER estimations for a 100 acres Jatropha plantation
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About Renewingindia
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India's first bio-diesel pump to start in September
AHMEDABAD: In winter 2005, Chief Minister Narendra Modi was at the Gujarat Agriculture University campus in Navsari, riding a tractor with a difference - it ran on bio-diesel. Come September, that bio-diesel will be available at a pump for the first time in India.
The bio-diesel production, from Jatropha plants, is the brainchild of 40-year-old Dharmendra Parekh, chairman and managing director of Aditya Aromedic and Bio-Energy. Since April, the firm has been producing bio-diesel from the jatropha plant.
Registered in 2005 and set up with a capital outlay of Rs 5 crore, the company produces 17,000 litres of bio-diesel per day at its 140,000-sq ft plant located in Tarsadi village on the Navsari-Bardoli highway in Navsari district.
The bio-diesel is sold at Rs 38.90 per litre while the price of regular diesel is Rs 39.20 per litre and that of premium diesel Rs 40.40.
The firm has been pre-selling its entire output every day since April. "We don't have to do any marketing. On the contrary I take a deposit of Rs 5,00,000 from all my customers and everyone irrespective of the quantity purchased has to pay the full amount in advance. And the delivery is done only after 20 days," says Parekh.
"I have at least five customers waiting in the queue, each of whom has a daily requirement of over 500 tonnes of bio-diesel." Right now, the fuel is supplied from two depots - one at Navsari and other at Mehsana in north Gujarat.
The clientele is spread over Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Vadodara and north Gujarat, Mumbai and Delhi.
Importantly, diesel vehicles do not need to modify their engines to use bio-diesel. "I have been using my own bio-diesel in my Tata Indica diesel car for the past nine months and it runs very smoothly and also gives me a mileage of 21 to 22 km on the highway," says Parekh, a graduate in computer science and master in bio-informatics. "There is no problem at all even if you keep on changing the fuel from regular diesel to bio-diesel."
Parekh also claims that his bio-diesel was much better in quality than most of the premium diesel brands being hawked by the oil majors.
The hardy jatropha plant is resistant to drought and pests. It produces seeds containing up to 40 percent oil. When the seeds are crushed and processed, the resulting oil can be used in a standard diesel engine, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to generate electricity.
To ensure a steady supply of jatropha, Parekh has entered into a contract with 1,500 farmers of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. These farmers plant jatropha in the periphery of their fields so that the normal food chain is not disturbed. Over 300 hectares of land have been brought under jatropha cultivation.
"In a jatropha plantation you get your break-even within three years and the plant makes money for you for the next 40 years," says Parekh. He has prepared a plantation manual for jatropha farmers.
The most important aspect of jatropha is that it can grow on soil otherwise considered a wasteland.
Parekh has a huge first-mover advantage in this field. But it's not a smooth ride all the way. "It is a very hard and complicated thing, especially the procurement of raw materials," he says. "You have to plan out each and everything in such a manner that the fuel you produce becomes commercially viable."
The company has staff strength of 200. Crude, glycerine and de-oiled cakes are the by-products. The company is now preparing a blueprint to extract biogas from the de-oiled cakes, leaving manure as the last residue. The company plans to use this biogas for power generation.
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World wide JATROPHA bio-disel research/production
- China & Italy $600 million common reserach
JATROPHA Photo Gallery
JATROPHA BIODIESEL
ECONOMICS: JATROPHA FUEL FARMING
Bio Diesel: Indian Scene
ECONOMICS: JATROPHA OIL PRODUCTION
ECONOMICS: JATROPHA BIODIESEL PRODUCTION
ECONOMICS: Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
PUBLICATION
- asr: with Rs. 30,000 you can spend 2 months in areas of actual Jatropha to see first had what is happening and talk to farmers ..
The Jatropha System” – Economy & Dissemination Strategy
land for jatropha
India based agri blog
Argi jobs
--------------------------------------------
GREAT OPPORTUNITY FOR JATROPHA PLANTATION - NEW FUEL : Krishna Jatropha & Bio-diesel Projects
For further details please contact:
Krishna Jatropha & Bio-diesel Projects
(A Unit of Krishna Engineers & Consultants)
4723, Laxmi Vihar, Sainik School
Bhubaneswar – 751005
Email: info@krishnaenergy.com / krishnaenergy@gmail
Jatropha is a very sturdy forest shrub/tree having life of about 50 years. It is resistant to high winds and drought. The tree is rain fed plant and does not require more watering after the first two/three years. Jatropha grows almost anywhere, even on gravelly, sandy and saline soils. It also does not require any special care as regards to fertilizers or pesticides. No other maintenance is required for the remaining life of the plant.
Produce seeds worth Rs.20000/-. And it is without any expenditure on fertilizers, pesticides, water or seeds. There is initial expenditure for plantation, which will start paying in 2-3 years.
This being a sturdy forest tree we can use waste lands. Thus this tree is selected considering optimum earning/acre with minimum investment and aftercare.The seeds contain average of 35% oil and yield about 75% cake after cold pressing of the seeds in screw type oil expeller.
Manpower is required only for plucking of pods and breaking them in to seeds and it will provide excellent opportunities for rural employment.
Jatropha plantation provides not only bio-diesel but also other products such as manure for the crops, methane for power generation and glycerol for industrial use besides, enormous advantage of carbon trading.
By-products from Jatropha processing, are increasingly being used in modern industry for cosmetics, varnishes and paints, lubricants, resins, adhesive, dyes and inks, explosives, pesticides, etc.
Jatropha has the ability to lift many people from poverty to financial independence, from despair to respect and unemployment to business owners.
Our Goal:
1.To utilize the large tracts of cheap barren land, large and inexpensive rural workforce to develop alternative energy options.
2.Explore how the permanent exploitation of the different aspects of Jatropha might be a real alternative for transportation and energy production, which benefits four main aspects of development and secure a sustainable way of life.
Objectives of our Mission:
1. Make Jatropha plantation and bio-diesel production a low risk venture with attractive returns by value addition like making Candle, Soap, Cosmetic, Biogas, Bio-fertilizer and Bio-pesticides through networking with Entrepreneurs, Farmers, Educated Youths, SHG and NGOs.
2. Help attract private investors in Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production development.
3. Promote and recognize endeavors to build technical capacities of rural entrepreneurs.
4. Help create new work opportunities in Jatropha cultivation, bio-diesel production related sectors.
5. Highlight environmental and social integration of Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production systems in rural communities.
6. Provide gender sensitive socio-economic and environmental analysis of Jatropha cultivation and bio-diesel production requirements in rural communities .
Our Vision:
1. To promote Jatropha plantation in 10,000 acres of land within the State, which can generate tremendous job opportunities among the rural masses. To set up 100 Nurseries to produce 1,00,000 seedlings in each unit.
2. To set up 10 TBO Gardens.
3. To set up 100 oil extraction units
4. To set up 10 Bio-diesel Manufacturing Plants.
Our Scope of Services:
We offer following COMPREHENSIVE services for Farmers/SHG/NGO/Entrepreneurs.
1. Establishment of Nurseries to ensure best planting material of JATROPHA.
2. Providing proper seedlings that will yield high output, above 5 kg. per annum per plant.
2. Plantation and popularization of JATROPHA in on going system of farming.
3. Advise and assistance for Intercropping of important Herbals in Multi tier farming system.
4. Entering into 100 % guaranteed buyback agreements with small / large scale JATROPHA cultivators.
5. Oil Extraction and other value added services like making Candle, Soap, Cosmetic, Biogas, Bio-fertilizer and Bio-pesticides.
6. Offering 100% buyback of produced seeds & oil at fixed rates.
7. Preparation of Bankable Detailed Project Report (DPR) for Plantation of JATROPHA & Bio-diesel Plant.
8. Supply of Equipments, high-yielding Seeds, Fertilizers & Organic Manure incidental to cultivation.
9. Supply, Installation & Commissioning of Oil expeller and Trans-esterification plant for bio diesel production.
10. Setting up Bio-diesel based power generators for rural electrification in a cluster of 50 remote villages.
Value Addition of Jatropha
1. After getting 25 to 30% of the oil from the seeds, balance yield is 70 to 75% of cakes. This is a major by product of bio diesel production.
2. This cake has also a great potential of providing additional bio energy in the form of electricity and biogas, fertilizer and pesticide. It is found that I kg of cake produces 0.5 m of gas, which is almost six times of gas produced by I kg of cow dung.
3. Slurry from bio gas plant can further be processed as manure. The slurry of the bio gas plant can be mechanically separated into concentrate of rich nutrients for using in plantation. The dried out slurry forms manure for the agricultural use. Both these products can provide a major substitute to chemical fertilizers and pesticides.
BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES:
There are four sources of income with our project.
1. Nursery Raising & Plantation Of JATROPHA
2. Extraction Of Oil & Value Addition
3. Production Of Bio-Diesel
4. Carbon Finance
INVESTMENT & BENEFITS IN JATROPHA:
Nursery Raising & Plantation Of JATROPHA:
JATROPHA cultivation generates an income of Rs.10, 000/- to Rs.20, 000/- per Acre and if grown in 200 Acre in a village, it can provide adequate employment to all landless workers all through the year. The plant after 2-3 years can on an average produce 2 kg of seeds per plant. This output will increase up to 4-5 kg after the maturity and development of the tree. Such 1000 trees can be planted in one acre of land.
1 Kg. of oil will be available from 4 kg of seeds. One acre can produce 0.5 to 1.0 ton of oil with Jatropha plantation. The 1000 plants will provide 2000 kg to 4000 kg of seeds to produce 0.5 to 1.0 ton bio diesel.
Considering present average rate of Rs.5 per kg for the seeds of Jatropha 1 acre of plantation can produce seeds worth Rs.10000/- to Rs.20, 000/-. This production can be obtained without any expenditure on fertilizers, pesticides, water or seeds. There is initial expenditure for plantation, which will start paying in 2-3 years.
To support farmers financially and to build up the confidence, plantation of castor can be undertaken in the same land between the rows of Jatropha plants. Rain fed castor can give immediate yield within 4-6 months. Oil percentage in the castor seeds is about 45 to 50%. Per acre output will be about 8 quintals to 10 quintals. The price for castor is in the range of Rs.8-10 per kg and thus the initial income per acre will be in the range of Rs.8000 to 10000. This plantation, however, will need higher level of expenditure on seeds, fertilizers, pesticides and watering besides higher level of manpower for cultivation.
Extraction Of Oil & Value Addition
For integrated Oil Extraction & Value Addition production Unit, suitable for entrepreneurs in small villages, the total investment of Rs.5,00,000 with the income potential of Rs.15, 000 to Rs. 20,000 per month. The entrepreneurs can manufacture Candle, Soap, fertilizer, pesticide, nutrients and manure.
Production Of Bio-Diesel
For Home Bio-Diesel production Unit, suitable for entrepreneurs in small villages, the total investment is Rs. 3,00,000 with the income potential of Rs.10, 000 to Rs. 12,000 per month. For Industrial Bio-Diesel production units, the investment ranges from Rs.10 Lac to Rs. 1 Crore depending on the production capacity of the unit. Expected maximum payback period is around 24 months.
Carbon Finance
A solution to greenhouse effect the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) has been introduced. CDM is one of the Kyoto mechanisms; the CDM aims to promote sustainable development in developing countries as well as to help Parties achieve compliance with their Carbon Emission Reduction (CER). It allows investing in emission-saving projects in developing countries and gaining credit for the savings achieved through the generation of Carbon Emission Credits that they can use to contribute to compliance with part of their emission reduction targets. Growing plants, which are later processed into fuel, recycles the Carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere when biofuel is burned. Thus, the CO2 emission of Jatropha oil can be assumed almost zero.
For this reason, a project, which aims to exploit the potential of Jatropha as energy crop, owns all requisites to be eligible within the CDM. The carbon dioxide absorption of 8 Kg. per tree per Year can be converted into Carbon Credit Certificates under the CDM Guidelines of the Kyoto Protocol.
Including revenue from carbon credits from petro-diesel substitution and possibly carbon sequestration and nitrogen based fertilizer substitution; biodiesel projects become considerably financially attractive. See Table below for CER estimations for a 100 acres Jatropha plantation
----------------------
About Renewingindia
-----------------------
India's first bio-diesel pump to start in September
AHMEDABAD: In winter 2005, Chief Minister Narendra Modi was at the Gujarat Agriculture University campus in Navsari, riding a tractor with a difference - it ran on bio-diesel. Come September, that bio-diesel will be available at a pump for the first time in India.
The bio-diesel production, from Jatropha plants, is the brainchild of 40-year-old Dharmendra Parekh, chairman and managing director of Aditya Aromedic and Bio-Energy. Since April, the firm has been producing bio-diesel from the jatropha plant.
Registered in 2005 and set up with a capital outlay of Rs 5 crore, the company produces 17,000 litres of bio-diesel per day at its 140,000-sq ft plant located in Tarsadi village on the Navsari-Bardoli highway in Navsari district.
The bio-diesel is sold at Rs 38.90 per litre while the price of regular diesel is Rs 39.20 per litre and that of premium diesel Rs 40.40.
The firm has been pre-selling its entire output every day since April. "We don't have to do any marketing. On the contrary I take a deposit of Rs 5,00,000 from all my customers and everyone irrespective of the quantity purchased has to pay the full amount in advance. And the delivery is done only after 20 days," says Parekh.
"I have at least five customers waiting in the queue, each of whom has a daily requirement of over 500 tonnes of bio-diesel." Right now, the fuel is supplied from two depots - one at Navsari and other at Mehsana in north Gujarat.
The clientele is spread over Ahmedabad, Nadiad, Vadodara and north Gujarat, Mumbai and Delhi.
Importantly, diesel vehicles do not need to modify their engines to use bio-diesel. "I have been using my own bio-diesel in my Tata Indica diesel car for the past nine months and it runs very smoothly and also gives me a mileage of 21 to 22 km on the highway," says Parekh, a graduate in computer science and master in bio-informatics. "There is no problem at all even if you keep on changing the fuel from regular diesel to bio-diesel."
Parekh also claims that his bio-diesel was much better in quality than most of the premium diesel brands being hawked by the oil majors.
The hardy jatropha plant is resistant to drought and pests. It produces seeds containing up to 40 percent oil. When the seeds are crushed and processed, the resulting oil can be used in a standard diesel engine, while the residue can also be processed into biomass to generate electricity.
To ensure a steady supply of jatropha, Parekh has entered into a contract with 1,500 farmers of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. These farmers plant jatropha in the periphery of their fields so that the normal food chain is not disturbed. Over 300 hectares of land have been brought under jatropha cultivation.
"In a jatropha plantation you get your break-even within three years and the plant makes money for you for the next 40 years," says Parekh. He has prepared a plantation manual for jatropha farmers.
The most important aspect of jatropha is that it can grow on soil otherwise considered a wasteland.
Parekh has a huge first-mover advantage in this field. But it's not a smooth ride all the way. "It is a very hard and complicated thing, especially the procurement of raw materials," he says. "You have to plan out each and everything in such a manner that the fuel you produce becomes commercially viable."
The company has staff strength of 200. Crude, glycerine and de-oiled cakes are the by-products. The company is now preparing a blueprint to extract biogas from the de-oiled cakes, leaving manure as the last residue. The company plans to use this biogas for power generation.
---------------
Thursday, August 7, 2008
electric-car / electric car
-----------------
Toyota Electric car in 2009
Inside the car, there is a button with the letters “EV” inside an outline of a car. If the driver pushes the button, the car reverts to electric vehicle mode, meaning the Prius is powered completely by its two batteries.
In electric mode, the Prius gets 99.9 miles a gallon, according to a gauge on a screen in the middle of the dashboard.
But it cannot go very far: the plug-in hybrid’s two batteries hold enough power for only seven miles, said Saúl Ibarra, a product specialist with Toyota who worked on developing the Prius.
By contrast, G.M. claims that the Volt will be able to hold a charge equal to 40 miles, after a six-hour charge.
Still, the electric mode of the Toyota plug-in is enough to start the car and run it until the engine reaches the point where it needs to tap the gasoline engine. The plug-in Prius can stay in electric mode until 62 miles per hour, versus around 30 miles per hour for the conventional Prius, Mr. Iba- rra said.
Despite its decision to step up its plug-in hybrid development, Toyota is not sure how much more consumers will want to pay for it, Mr. Lentz said. The Prius starts at $21,100. Some after-market companies are charging nearly that much to convert Prius models into plug-ins, he said.
--------------------
2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
TOKYO — Toyota may be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicle. Today, we were briefed on Toyota’s future hybrid and alternative fuel plans. And while there was no official announcement by Yoshitaka Asakura, Project General Manager of Toyota’s Hybrid Vehicle System Engineering Development Division, he mentioned that their plug-in development program was under way and that it may not wait for lithium-ion battery technology to mature.
"Toyota has the knowledge and experience with nickel metal hydride. And we have to use the battery we know best, in terms of overall performance," said Asakura.
Toyota is using their proven nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) battery packs in prototype Prius PHEV’s which we had an opportunity to drive at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center about 45 minutes (by train) outside Tokyo. The prototype PHEV’s use two current generation Prius battery packs sandwiched together with the charging system in-between. The packs are modified to deliver a greater ability to charge and discharge. This is, according to Asakura, so that they can get an accurate representation of how the more energy dense lithium ion pack will perform in production vehicles. In all likelihood, the first of those vehicles will be the next generation Prius. The prototype battery system weighs about 220 lbs. more than the current production Prius pack and intrudes into the trunk so that that’s there’s only room for about two medium size suitcases. A lithium ion pack would be much smaller and lighter—about the size of today’s production battery pack.
Asakura said the prototypes can operate on electric power for a range of about 7 miles and can re-charge in three to four hours using a 110-vlot outlet. Under the hood is the current Prius’s 1.5-liter inline four. The electric motor generates 50kW, which combined with the more powerful pack, allows the Prius prototype to reach 62 mph on electric-only power. Current cars can only hit about 25 mph before the gasoline engine cuts in.
Our drive in the prototype PHEV was brief, only four laps of a small course setup inside the test facility. But it was impressive. The hybrid system has an "EV" mode and a more conventional "hybrid" mode. In EV mode the vehicle can run on electric power longer and with a more aggressive throttle input than in the hybrid mode. With an eye on the energy flow meter (basically a reprogrammed and updated version of what’s in the Prius now) we were able to accelerate up to approximately 50 mph and keep the car in electric mode all the way around the track. Like many owners do in the current Prius, we found ourselves playing the efficiency game of trying to keep the car in electric mode as long as possible. After two back-to-back laps, the monitor said we still had around 6 kilometers of battery life remaining. The most impressive part of the system was that it can take 1/4 to 1/2 throttle without engaging the gasoline engine. And that means for short 3 to 4 mile commutes, one could conceivably get to work and return home solely on electric power. The hybrid mode works much like the current car, engaging the internal combustion engine much sooner. This mode, it is presumed will be most applicable to long trips, when charging the battery isn’t an option.
The next generation Prius, due around calendar year 2009, will almost certainly use a plug-in system. The car may launch as a normal hybrid and later, once the lithium ion battery technology is ready, switch to plug-in capability. Or, it may be a plug-in from the beginning using a large NiMh pack and switch to lithium ion later. We think the latter may be true because we’ve heard rumors that the vehicle architecture is being designed for both battery types.
Whichever route Toyota goes, it will need more hybrids on the road. They have publicly announced their goal is to sell 1-million hybrids each year beginning early next decade. And PHEV’s are sure to make up a healthy portion of those vehicles.
----------------------------
Indian electric-car maker gears up for global market -- Web posted at: 8/17/2007 3:58:19
asr: Indian transport (car) gasoline problem is solved , when these all electric cars with 70 kmph speed with 80 km charge holding per day will be enough with avarage price of Rs. 200,000 ( 2 lakh ) by end of 2010 will solve the gasoline problem.
- if you see below $80 billion gasoline bill ( with $100 crude oil ), say 50% is used in cars 50% by trucks.
- assume 10% of cars are new cars , if you give 3% car with rebate by govt for electric the math is
$40 billion 3% of it => $120 million they can give rebate for gas savings so import bill will be reduced. Due to these rebates atleast $30 million will go in electric car industry new jobs
- giving rebate to people may attract political criticism , why govt gives rebate for rich people who can afford cars, the better route may be give incentives for electric car manufactures directly so they the final price is small to consumer
Bangalore • At first sight, it looks like a toy car that has grown big on steroids, but a closer look at the two-door hatchback reveals a cable connecting it to a power outlet in a Bangalore shopping mall car park.
Some 2,000 of these zero-polluting city commuters have been put on the roads in India and Europe, including 600 in London, in the six years since Reva Electric Car Co. turned commercial.
The test-marketing phase is now over and the Reva, as the electric car is known, is ready to leap into the mass market for environment-friendly vehicles, said Chetan Maini, deputy chairman and chief technical officer.
The Bangalore-based company hopes to sell 3,000 units this year and 30,000 next, said the 37-year-old mechanical engineer in an interview.”In the last five years, we innovated and improved and developed the core technologies,” said Maini, who studied in Michigan and Stanford universities.
“We got the partners and we got the funds.”
Everything has been coming together and we have reached an inflection point to take off,” said Maini, who developed the no-clutch, no-gears car as the head of a 75-member team of research engineers.
The company is counting on increasing environmental and energy concerns to power its growth at home and abroad, as soaring petrol prices and pollution worries prompt consumers in the cities to seek alternatives.
“People are now making choices based on such issues,” said Maini, who was project leader for the hybrid electric car at Stanford and a team leader of the Michigan solar car team that won the GM Sun Race.
“Oil is near $80 a barrel, may even touch 100, and inner-city pollution is a serious issue,” he added. “Energy security and environment are going to be the major issues facing every country in the coming years.”
The New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment says India needs to “reinvent the idea of mobility” as cities turn into smoke-encased enclaves because of “killer pollution” caused by vehicular emissions.
One often-quoted anecdote says even a non-smoker ends up inhaling the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes by breathing the air of India’s cities, where the number of cars sold is forecast by US consultancy Keystone to rise to 20 million by 2030 from one million in 2003.Energy-hungry India paid $57bn for oil imports in the year ended March, up more than 30 per cent from the previous year, as the cost of crude spiralled.
asr: for 3/2007 import price $57 bullion
“Electricity is the solution,” said Maini, whose company was formed in 1994 as a joint venture between the family-owned Maini Group and AEV of the United States to design, manufacture and sell environment-friendly vehicles.
“Technology is available now at a cost that makes sense,” said the second-generation entrepreneur, who has more than 14 years’ experience with electric vehicles. “A non-polluting electric car costs the equivalent of a small petrol car and the operating costs are much less.”
His company last month launched a new Reva model, which can seat two adults and two children, billed as the most advanced electric car in the global market.
It can reach a speed of 80 kilometres an hour, up on a previous best of 65 kph.It also covers 80 kilometres on a single charge of electricity that translates into a cost of one cent per kilometre, a tenth that of a petrol model.
The car has improved torque – up to 40 per cent more than the earlier model – for better hill climbing.
The Reva has better prospects of finding success abroad than in price-sensitive India, where manufacturers are planning to launch a slew of petrol models priced as low as $3,000, a third of the Reva’s price tag.
Already marketed in Britain, Spain, Norway, Italy, Malta, Sri Lanka, Cyprus and Greece, the car benefits from incentives offered to non-polluting vehicles by governments there.
In Britain and Norway, it sells as G-Wiz and is exempt from parking fees as well as congestion and road taxes. Japan gives a 2,600 dollar subsidy for electric-car users and France waives taxes on electricity used to charge the car.
India lacks the infrastructure for electric cars such as battery charging stations, and Reva may appeal only to the environmentally conscious who have small commutes and can afford it, said Greenpeace energy specialist Srinivas Krishnaswamy.
“There’s no doubt that it’s green and clean,” said Krishnaswamy. “Even the cost may be small for the greening of the environment.”
-------------
Toyota Electric car in 2009
Inside the car, there is a button with the letters “EV” inside an outline of a car. If the driver pushes the button, the car reverts to electric vehicle mode, meaning the Prius is powered completely by its two batteries.
In electric mode, the Prius gets 99.9 miles a gallon, according to a gauge on a screen in the middle of the dashboard.
But it cannot go very far: the plug-in hybrid’s two batteries hold enough power for only seven miles, said Saúl Ibarra, a product specialist with Toyota who worked on developing the Prius.
By contrast, G.M. claims that the Volt will be able to hold a charge equal to 40 miles, after a six-hour charge.
Still, the electric mode of the Toyota plug-in is enough to start the car and run it until the engine reaches the point where it needs to tap the gasoline engine. The plug-in Prius can stay in electric mode until 62 miles per hour, versus around 30 miles per hour for the conventional Prius, Mr. Iba- rra said.
Despite its decision to step up its plug-in hybrid development, Toyota is not sure how much more consumers will want to pay for it, Mr. Lentz said. The Prius starts at $21,100. Some after-market companies are charging nearly that much to convert Prius models into plug-ins, he said.
--------------------
2009 Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Prototype: Tokyo Test Drive
TOKYO — Toyota may be the first to market with a plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) vehicle. Today, we were briefed on Toyota’s future hybrid and alternative fuel plans. And while there was no official announcement by Yoshitaka Asakura, Project General Manager of Toyota’s Hybrid Vehicle System Engineering Development Division, he mentioned that their plug-in development program was under way and that it may not wait for lithium-ion battery technology to mature.
"Toyota has the knowledge and experience with nickel metal hydride. And we have to use the battery we know best, in terms of overall performance," said Asakura.
Toyota is using their proven nickel-metal hydride (NiMh) battery packs in prototype Prius PHEV’s which we had an opportunity to drive at Toyota’s Higashi-Fuji Technical Center about 45 minutes (by train) outside Tokyo. The prototype PHEV’s use two current generation Prius battery packs sandwiched together with the charging system in-between. The packs are modified to deliver a greater ability to charge and discharge. This is, according to Asakura, so that they can get an accurate representation of how the more energy dense lithium ion pack will perform in production vehicles. In all likelihood, the first of those vehicles will be the next generation Prius. The prototype battery system weighs about 220 lbs. more than the current production Prius pack and intrudes into the trunk so that that’s there’s only room for about two medium size suitcases. A lithium ion pack would be much smaller and lighter—about the size of today’s production battery pack.
Asakura said the prototypes can operate on electric power for a range of about 7 miles and can re-charge in three to four hours using a 110-vlot outlet. Under the hood is the current Prius’s 1.5-liter inline four. The electric motor generates 50kW, which combined with the more powerful pack, allows the Prius prototype to reach 62 mph on electric-only power. Current cars can only hit about 25 mph before the gasoline engine cuts in.
Our drive in the prototype PHEV was brief, only four laps of a small course setup inside the test facility. But it was impressive. The hybrid system has an "EV" mode and a more conventional "hybrid" mode. In EV mode the vehicle can run on electric power longer and with a more aggressive throttle input than in the hybrid mode. With an eye on the energy flow meter (basically a reprogrammed and updated version of what’s in the Prius now) we were able to accelerate up to approximately 50 mph and keep the car in electric mode all the way around the track. Like many owners do in the current Prius, we found ourselves playing the efficiency game of trying to keep the car in electric mode as long as possible. After two back-to-back laps, the monitor said we still had around 6 kilometers of battery life remaining. The most impressive part of the system was that it can take 1/4 to 1/2 throttle without engaging the gasoline engine. And that means for short 3 to 4 mile commutes, one could conceivably get to work and return home solely on electric power. The hybrid mode works much like the current car, engaging the internal combustion engine much sooner. This mode, it is presumed will be most applicable to long trips, when charging the battery isn’t an option.
The next generation Prius, due around calendar year 2009, will almost certainly use a plug-in system. The car may launch as a normal hybrid and later, once the lithium ion battery technology is ready, switch to plug-in capability. Or, it may be a plug-in from the beginning using a large NiMh pack and switch to lithium ion later. We think the latter may be true because we’ve heard rumors that the vehicle architecture is being designed for both battery types.
Whichever route Toyota goes, it will need more hybrids on the road. They have publicly announced their goal is to sell 1-million hybrids each year beginning early next decade. And PHEV’s are sure to make up a healthy portion of those vehicles.
----------------------------
Indian electric-car maker gears up for global market -- Web posted at: 8/17/2007 3:58:19
asr: Indian transport (car) gasoline problem is solved , when these all electric cars with 70 kmph speed with 80 km charge holding per day will be enough with avarage price of Rs. 200,000 ( 2 lakh ) by end of 2010 will solve the gasoline problem.
- if you see below $80 billion gasoline bill ( with $100 crude oil ), say 50% is used in cars 50% by trucks.
- assume 10% of cars are new cars , if you give 3% car with rebate by govt for electric the math is
$40 billion 3% of it => $120 million they can give rebate for gas savings so import bill will be reduced. Due to these rebates atleast $30 million will go in electric car industry new jobs
- giving rebate to people may attract political criticism , why govt gives rebate for rich people who can afford cars, the better route may be give incentives for electric car manufactures directly so they the final price is small to consumer
Bangalore • At first sight, it looks like a toy car that has grown big on steroids, but a closer look at the two-door hatchback reveals a cable connecting it to a power outlet in a Bangalore shopping mall car park.
Some 2,000 of these zero-polluting city commuters have been put on the roads in India and Europe, including 600 in London, in the six years since Reva Electric Car Co. turned commercial.
The test-marketing phase is now over and the Reva, as the electric car is known, is ready to leap into the mass market for environment-friendly vehicles, said Chetan Maini, deputy chairman and chief technical officer.
The Bangalore-based company hopes to sell 3,000 units this year and 30,000 next, said the 37-year-old mechanical engineer in an interview.”In the last five years, we innovated and improved and developed the core technologies,” said Maini, who studied in Michigan and Stanford universities.
“We got the partners and we got the funds.”
Everything has been coming together and we have reached an inflection point to take off,” said Maini, who developed the no-clutch, no-gears car as the head of a 75-member team of research engineers.
The company is counting on increasing environmental and energy concerns to power its growth at home and abroad, as soaring petrol prices and pollution worries prompt consumers in the cities to seek alternatives.
“People are now making choices based on such issues,” said Maini, who was project leader for the hybrid electric car at Stanford and a team leader of the Michigan solar car team that won the GM Sun Race.
“Oil is near $80 a barrel, may even touch 100, and inner-city pollution is a serious issue,” he added. “Energy security and environment are going to be the major issues facing every country in the coming years.”
The New Delhi-based Centre for Science and Environment says India needs to “reinvent the idea of mobility” as cities turn into smoke-encased enclaves because of “killer pollution” caused by vehicular emissions.
One often-quoted anecdote says even a non-smoker ends up inhaling the equivalent of a pack of cigarettes by breathing the air of India’s cities, where the number of cars sold is forecast by US consultancy Keystone to rise to 20 million by 2030 from one million in 2003.Energy-hungry India paid $57bn for oil imports in the year ended March, up more than 30 per cent from the previous year, as the cost of crude spiralled.
asr: for 3/2007 import price $57 bullion
“Electricity is the solution,” said Maini, whose company was formed in 1994 as a joint venture between the family-owned Maini Group and AEV of the United States to design, manufacture and sell environment-friendly vehicles.
“Technology is available now at a cost that makes sense,” said the second-generation entrepreneur, who has more than 14 years’ experience with electric vehicles. “A non-polluting electric car costs the equivalent of a small petrol car and the operating costs are much less.”
His company last month launched a new Reva model, which can seat two adults and two children, billed as the most advanced electric car in the global market.
It can reach a speed of 80 kilometres an hour, up on a previous best of 65 kph.It also covers 80 kilometres on a single charge of electricity that translates into a cost of one cent per kilometre, a tenth that of a petrol model.
The car has improved torque – up to 40 per cent more than the earlier model – for better hill climbing.
The Reva has better prospects of finding success abroad than in price-sensitive India, where manufacturers are planning to launch a slew of petrol models priced as low as $3,000, a third of the Reva’s price tag.
Already marketed in Britain, Spain, Norway, Italy, Malta, Sri Lanka, Cyprus and Greece, the car benefits from incentives offered to non-polluting vehicles by governments there.
In Britain and Norway, it sells as G-Wiz and is exempt from parking fees as well as congestion and road taxes. Japan gives a 2,600 dollar subsidy for electric-car users and France waives taxes on electricity used to charge the car.
India lacks the infrastructure for electric cars such as battery charging stations, and Reva may appeal only to the environmentally conscious who have small commutes and can afford it, said Greenpeace energy specialist Srinivas Krishnaswamy.
“There’s no doubt that it’s green and clean,” said Krishnaswamy. “Even the cost may be small for the greening of the environment.”
-------------
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Ausra
- “One of the real benefits of the Ausra solution is that Ausra solar farms can be retro-fitted or “bolted” onto existing coal-fired power stations, or operate on a hybrid basis alongside fossil fuelgeneration – reducing carbon emissions,” added Matthews.
- Ausra’s unique solar collector design is exceptionally space-efficient. The company’s 177-megawatt facility under development in the USA will power 120,000 homes and occupy only one square mile (640 acres) of land.
eSolar builds an individual 33 MW power unit on 160 acres (64 hectares) and can scale up to 500 MW or larger capacity with multiple units.
for 100 MW => 500 Acres => for 177 MW 875 Acres ( vs. 640 acres of ausra )
- Ausra is almost 50% efficient in land use
Design of a 240 MWe Solar Thermal Power Plant
An Introduction to Solar Thermal Electric Power
The CLFR system retains a key advantage
of troughs – fewer foundations and positioning motors per square meter of mirror
and a key advantage of the PS-10 towersystem – direct steam generation and energy storage.
Compared to trough systems, the CLFR system reduces costs by replacing special heat-curved reflectors with standard flatglass, and keeps all mirrors close to the ground, lowering wind loads and steel usage.
A CLFR collector gathers solar energy by reflecting and concentrating sunlight to
roughly 30 times the intensity of sunshine at Earth’s surface. Mirrors focus on an
elevated absorber in which water is heated and boiled by the focused sunlight.
Ausra’s CLFR design keeps all the mirror glass low, out of high winds and within easy
range for maintenance and cleaning. Innovative space-frame semi-monocoque
construction keeps Ausra’s reflector units light and low cost. The mirror glass itself contributes to the structure, further reducing the total weight and total cost of steel.
Ausra’s solar power plants use a simple Rankine cycle system for power generation from the steam collected by the solar field. Pipes in the absorber carry water which boils and can reach over 545 degrees F (285 C) at about 70 times atmospheric pressure. This highpressure steam drives a steam turbine generator, then is recondensed to water and used over and over. This power system is common to conventional types of power plants;
------------------------
FLAT, CHEAP, AND UNDER CONTROL: Ausra’s steerable flat mirrors focus sunlight on a tube to make steam for a generator
Solar-thermal power has never seemed as technologically smart as photovoltaic technology. After all, a Neanderthal man could warm himself in the sun, but it took Einstein to explain the photoelectric effect.
But these days the idea of using sunlight to heat fluids to generate electricity is suddenly looking like a bright idea. At least 10 solar-thermal power plants are being developed for installation in the United States, and another 17 are under construction or being planned in Algeria, China, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, and Spain. With a typical plant generating somewhere between 50 and 500 megawatts, that's a lot of clean power due to come online. (New photovoltaic installations worldwide totaled a record 2826 MW in 2007, according to Solarbuzz.)
There are lots of ways to build a solar-thermal system,
- parabolic troughs or
- dishes being the most familiar.
-CLFR: But a former Australian academic, David Mills, founder of the solar-thermal firm Ausra, in Palo Alto, Calif., thinks he has a better idea, and at least one major utility—Pacific Gas & Electric, in San Francisco—agrees. In November, the utility signed an agreement to purchase power generated by a 2.6-square-kilometer 177-MW power plant Ausra is building in the Nevada desert. Ausra says it has many more such deals in the works.
Mills's design, called the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR), uses much less land than others. The mirrors appear to be solid but are actually made up of many smaller, movable reflectors, each with a slight curve. The system uses nearly flat mirrors at ground level that focus the sun's light onto water-filled steel tubes. When the water boils, it directly drives a steam turbine to generate electricity. Typical solar-thermal systems use heat transfer; water- or oil-filled tubes pass the heat to another system, which then boils water to drive steam turbines.
“I have a favorable opinion of [Ausra's] technology, largely because of the relative simplicity of manufacturing flat mirrors compared with parabolic mirrors. Also, because the mirrors are closer to the ground, they are less subject to wind loads,” says Michael Locascio, a senior analyst with Lux Research, in New York City.
Last April Ausra powered up the production line at a 12 000-square-meter manufacturing plant in Nevada. It's the first facility in the United States dedicated to producing the components of solar-thermal systems, including reflectors, towers, and specially insulated steel tubes. The new factory can build enough equipment to fill more than 10 km2 with solar-thermal collectors annually, enough to produce 700 MW of power or to power 50 000 homes. Eventually, Mills expects Ausra to sell equipment to others; for now, Ausra will consume the output.
Ausra sounds like a young company on the fast track, and in a way it is. It got its first round of venture capital financing last year—US $43 million. But in another way, Ausra's been slowly building for decades. Mills has been working with solar energy since the 1970s. Back then he was a principal research fellow at the University of Sydney, doing work in optics. There he started a research program to develop advanced coatings for evacuated-tube solar collectors, cleverly constructed glass tubes that let solar energy in but don't let heat out. Today his tubes are widely used in water heaters in China.
In 2006, John O'Donnell, a serial technology entrepreneur, contacted Mills. At first Mills told him, basically, to get lost. But O'Donnell was persistent, and in October of that year, he convinced Mills to come to California for a meeting with venture capitalists. Just three months later, Mills left the house in Sydney where he'd lived for more than 20 years and moved to Palo Alto; his wife and children followed a month later.
These days he heads up R&D for Ausra; until recently he ran the company's engineering efforts as well. “I'm 61,” he says. “It's a bit late in life to do a start-up, but when you work at something all your life, you do hope something comes of it and that you can influence change.”
- Ausra’s unique solar collector design is exceptionally space-efficient. The company’s 177-megawatt facility under development in the USA will power 120,000 homes and occupy only one square mile (640 acres) of land.
eSolar builds an individual 33 MW power unit on 160 acres (64 hectares) and can scale up to 500 MW or larger capacity with multiple units.
for 100 MW => 500 Acres => for 177 MW 875 Acres ( vs. 640 acres of ausra )
- Ausra is almost 50% efficient in land use
Design of a 240 MWe Solar Thermal Power Plant
An Introduction to Solar Thermal Electric Power
The CLFR system retains a key advantage
of troughs – fewer foundations and positioning motors per square meter of mirror
and a key advantage of the PS-10 towersystem – direct steam generation and energy storage.
Compared to trough systems, the CLFR system reduces costs by replacing special heat-curved reflectors with standard flatglass, and keeps all mirrors close to the ground, lowering wind loads and steel usage.
A CLFR collector gathers solar energy by reflecting and concentrating sunlight to
roughly 30 times the intensity of sunshine at Earth’s surface. Mirrors focus on an
elevated absorber in which water is heated and boiled by the focused sunlight.
Ausra’s CLFR design keeps all the mirror glass low, out of high winds and within easy
range for maintenance and cleaning. Innovative space-frame semi-monocoque
construction keeps Ausra’s reflector units light and low cost. The mirror glass itself contributes to the structure, further reducing the total weight and total cost of steel.
Ausra’s solar power plants use a simple Rankine cycle system for power generation from the steam collected by the solar field. Pipes in the absorber carry water which boils and can reach over 545 degrees F (285 C) at about 70 times atmospheric pressure. This highpressure steam drives a steam turbine generator, then is recondensed to water and used over and over. This power system is common to conventional types of power plants;
------------------------
FLAT, CHEAP, AND UNDER CONTROL: Ausra’s steerable flat mirrors focus sunlight on a tube to make steam for a generator
Solar-thermal power has never seemed as technologically smart as photovoltaic technology. After all, a Neanderthal man could warm himself in the sun, but it took Einstein to explain the photoelectric effect.
But these days the idea of using sunlight to heat fluids to generate electricity is suddenly looking like a bright idea. At least 10 solar-thermal power plants are being developed for installation in the United States, and another 17 are under construction or being planned in Algeria, China, Egypt, Israel, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, and Spain. With a typical plant generating somewhere between 50 and 500 megawatts, that's a lot of clean power due to come online. (New photovoltaic installations worldwide totaled a record 2826 MW in 2007, according to Solarbuzz.)
There are lots of ways to build a solar-thermal system,
- parabolic troughs or
- dishes being the most familiar.
-CLFR: But a former Australian academic, David Mills, founder of the solar-thermal firm Ausra, in Palo Alto, Calif., thinks he has a better idea, and at least one major utility—Pacific Gas & Electric, in San Francisco—agrees. In November, the utility signed an agreement to purchase power generated by a 2.6-square-kilometer 177-MW power plant Ausra is building in the Nevada desert. Ausra says it has many more such deals in the works.
Mills's design, called the Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector (CLFR), uses much less land than others. The mirrors appear to be solid but are actually made up of many smaller, movable reflectors, each with a slight curve. The system uses nearly flat mirrors at ground level that focus the sun's light onto water-filled steel tubes. When the water boils, it directly drives a steam turbine to generate electricity. Typical solar-thermal systems use heat transfer; water- or oil-filled tubes pass the heat to another system, which then boils water to drive steam turbines.
“I have a favorable opinion of [Ausra's] technology, largely because of the relative simplicity of manufacturing flat mirrors compared with parabolic mirrors. Also, because the mirrors are closer to the ground, they are less subject to wind loads,” says Michael Locascio, a senior analyst with Lux Research, in New York City.
Last April Ausra powered up the production line at a 12 000-square-meter manufacturing plant in Nevada. It's the first facility in the United States dedicated to producing the components of solar-thermal systems, including reflectors, towers, and specially insulated steel tubes. The new factory can build enough equipment to fill more than 10 km2 with solar-thermal collectors annually, enough to produce 700 MW of power or to power 50 000 homes. Eventually, Mills expects Ausra to sell equipment to others; for now, Ausra will consume the output.
Ausra sounds like a young company on the fast track, and in a way it is. It got its first round of venture capital financing last year—US $43 million. But in another way, Ausra's been slowly building for decades. Mills has been working with solar energy since the 1970s. Back then he was a principal research fellow at the University of Sydney, doing work in optics. There he started a research program to develop advanced coatings for evacuated-tube solar collectors, cleverly constructed glass tubes that let solar energy in but don't let heat out. Today his tubes are widely used in water heaters in China.
In 2006, John O'Donnell, a serial technology entrepreneur, contacted Mills. At first Mills told him, basically, to get lost. But O'Donnell was persistent, and in October of that year, he convinced Mills to come to California for a meeting with venture capitalists. Just three months later, Mills left the house in Sydney where he'd lived for more than 20 years and moved to Palo Alto; his wife and children followed a month later.
These days he heads up R&D for Ausra; until recently he ran the company's engineering efforts as well. “I'm 61,” he says. “It's a bit late in life to do a start-up, but when you work at something all your life, you do hope something comes of it and that you can influence change.”
Monday, August 4, 2008
Solar Cooling
First Solar Cooling in Europe using flat, high temperature collectors from Solel
An innovative solar cooling system has been installed on the roof of the ISI PERGRINE Business Center of Trento/Italy . This system is a first of its kind and integrates single effect absorption cooling fired by high temperature and flat industrial collectors. It has been designed with no backup boiler and operates from the energy of the sun alone.
Single effect absorption coolers are thermal machines fired by hot water at 85 oC that produce cold water at 6 to 12 oC. The cooler installed in Trento has a capacity of 30 TR (Ton Refrigeration) and is manufactured by LG from Korea. One TR equals almost 3.52 kW of cooling capacity and displaces 2.1 kW of electrical power.
The collector selected by ISI PERGRINE maintains a very high thermal efficiency at high temperature. This is achieved by the unique selective coatings on the absorber and the double glass cover, core competence of Solel developed for years in its parabolic trough technology.
Benefits
Although enjoying a lower COP (Coefficient of Performance) than double effect absorption cooler, single effect coolers are much easier to maintain for they require no steam and use low temperature water. Thus, they are easier to integrate with high temperature flat collectors and have relatively low installation and maintenance costs.
An innovative solar cooling system has been installed on the roof of the ISI PERGRINE Business Center of Trento/Italy . This system is a first of its kind and integrates single effect absorption cooling fired by high temperature and flat industrial collectors. It has been designed with no backup boiler and operates from the energy of the sun alone.
Single effect absorption coolers are thermal machines fired by hot water at 85 oC that produce cold water at 6 to 12 oC. The cooler installed in Trento has a capacity of 30 TR (Ton Refrigeration) and is manufactured by LG from Korea. One TR equals almost 3.52 kW of cooling capacity and displaces 2.1 kW of electrical power.
The collector selected by ISI PERGRINE maintains a very high thermal efficiency at high temperature. This is achieved by the unique selective coatings on the absorber and the double glass cover, core competence of Solel developed for years in its parabolic trough technology.
Benefits
Although enjoying a lower COP (Coefficient of Performance) than double effect absorption cooler, single effect coolers are much easier to maintain for they require no steam and use low temperature water. Thus, they are easier to integrate with high temperature flat collectors and have relatively low installation and maintenance costs.
Solar Project new
Fotowatio, one of the leading Spanish promoters of renewable energies, was created in 2004 to try to respond to the ambitious targets set by the Kyoto Protocol.
- At present: Fotowatio is involved in numerous photovoltaic development and construction projects, in the towns of Trujillo (Cáceres), Arroyo de San Serván (Badajoz), Olmedilla de Alarcón (Cuenca)
- General Electric Corp. (GE) is strengthening its commitment to clean energy with a $230 million (150 million euros) investment in Spain’s Fotowatio. The investment, made through GE’s Energy Financial Services unit, will amount to a 32% stake in the solar-energy firm
asr: $230 mil for 32% => $700 million valuation for 4 year old Solar PV park builder
-----------------------------
Solel Signs Frame Agreement with Sacyr to Build Three 50MW Solar Thermal Power Plants for US$890 Million
For Solel, based in Israel, this marks the first turnkey power project to be delivered in Spain on aBuild, Own and Operate (BOO) basis. The project also enables Solel to act as provider of solar energy in Europe for the first time.
The current price per kilowatt/hour for produced solar thermal electricity in Spanish electricity projects stands at 30 cents. The rate is subsidized by the Spanish Government for a period of 25 years in order to support & encourage the innovation and implementation of alternative domestic energy sources, environmentally friendly clean electricity and to support local electricity production.
asr: this is first clear commercial implementation they gave numbers.
- It seems 3 50 MW plants toatal 150 MW are costing $900 millions which may translate to 30 cents for KWh over a period of (20?) years.
30 cents is Indian Rs. 12 , what Govt. of India announced to give .. ( how many years do not know can guess 10 years )
- this is 2 years old contract so expensive 2 years ago
- now we have 2 years of advancements , so Ausra promises aroung 10 cents today that is great if they have technological advancements .
------------------------------
General Electric reaches $4 billion mark for wind power investments
With a goal of investing $6 billion in renewable energy by 2010, GE Energy Financial Services surpassed the $4 billion mark today by investing in New York State’s three newest wind farms.
The portfolio consists of:
The Noble Chateaugay Windpark (106.5 megawatts), in Franklin County
The Noble Altona Windpark (97.5 megawatts), in Clinton County
The Noble Wethersfield Windpark (126 megawatts), in Wyoming County
-----------
Blackstone looking to buy 1 billion Euro worth of wind farms in Europe.
- This ambitious project is to build over 80 wind farms with a combined capacity of 400 MW off of the German island of Helgoland. The island is located in the North Sea.
- At present: Fotowatio is involved in numerous photovoltaic development and construction projects, in the towns of Trujillo (Cáceres), Arroyo de San Serván (Badajoz), Olmedilla de Alarcón (Cuenca)
- General Electric Corp. (GE) is strengthening its commitment to clean energy with a $230 million (150 million euros) investment in Spain’s Fotowatio. The investment, made through GE’s Energy Financial Services unit, will amount to a 32% stake in the solar-energy firm
asr: $230 mil for 32% => $700 million valuation for 4 year old Solar PV park builder
-----------------------------
Solel Signs Frame Agreement with Sacyr to Build Three 50MW Solar Thermal Power Plants for US$890 Million
For Solel, based in Israel, this marks the first turnkey power project to be delivered in Spain on aBuild, Own and Operate (BOO) basis. The project also enables Solel to act as provider of solar energy in Europe for the first time.
The current price per kilowatt/hour for produced solar thermal electricity in Spanish electricity projects stands at 30 cents. The rate is subsidized by the Spanish Government for a period of 25 years in order to support & encourage the innovation and implementation of alternative domestic energy sources, environmentally friendly clean electricity and to support local electricity production.
asr: this is first clear commercial implementation they gave numbers.
- It seems 3 50 MW plants toatal 150 MW are costing $900 millions which may translate to 30 cents for KWh over a period of (20?) years.
30 cents is Indian Rs. 12 , what Govt. of India announced to give .. ( how many years do not know can guess 10 years )
- this is 2 years old contract so expensive 2 years ago
- now we have 2 years of advancements , so Ausra promises aroung 10 cents today that is great if they have technological advancements .
------------------------------
General Electric reaches $4 billion mark for wind power investments
With a goal of investing $6 billion in renewable energy by 2010, GE Energy Financial Services surpassed the $4 billion mark today by investing in New York State’s three newest wind farms.
The portfolio consists of:
The Noble Chateaugay Windpark (106.5 megawatts), in Franklin County
The Noble Altona Windpark (97.5 megawatts), in Clinton County
The Noble Wethersfield Windpark (126 megawatts), in Wyoming County
-----------
Blackstone looking to buy 1 billion Euro worth of wind farms in Europe.
- This ambitious project is to build over 80 wind farms with a combined capacity of 400 MW off of the German island of Helgoland. The island is located in the North Sea.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Global Warming / Greenhouse gas
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) are the gases present in the earth's atmosphere which reduce the loss of heat into space and therefore contribute to global temperatures through the greenhouse effect.
Greenhouse gases are essential to maintaining the temperature of the Earth; without them the planet would be so cold as to be uninhabitable.[1][2]
However, an excess of greenhouse gases can raise the temperature of a planet to lethal levels, as on Venus where the 90 bar partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) contributes to a surface temperature of about 467 °C (872 °F).
Greenhouse gases are produced by many natural and industrial processes, which currently result in CO2 levels of 380 ppmv in the atmosphere.
The most important greenhouse gases are:
* water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of the greenhouse effect on Earth. (Note clouds typically affect climate differently from other forms of atmospheric water.)
* carbon dioxide, which causes 9–26%
* methane, which causes 4–9%
* ozone, which causes 3–7%
Global Carbon Emission by Type to Y2004
This figure shows the relative fraction of man-made greenhouse gases coming from each of eight categories of sources, as estimated by the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research version 3.2, fast track 2000 project
Annual Greenhouse Gas by Sector
Per Capita emission by Country : year 2000
---------------------------
Global Warming Myths and Facts
Global Warming by the Numbers
Transportation by the Numbers
Greenhouse gases are essential to maintaining the temperature of the Earth; without them the planet would be so cold as to be uninhabitable.[1][2]
However, an excess of greenhouse gases can raise the temperature of a planet to lethal levels, as on Venus where the 90 bar partial pressure of carbon dioxide (CO2) contributes to a surface temperature of about 467 °C (872 °F).
Greenhouse gases are produced by many natural and industrial processes, which currently result in CO2 levels of 380 ppmv in the atmosphere.
The most important greenhouse gases are:
* water vapor, which causes about 36–70% of the greenhouse effect on Earth. (Note clouds typically affect climate differently from other forms of atmospheric water.)
* carbon dioxide, which causes 9–26%
* methane, which causes 4–9%
* ozone, which causes 3–7%
Global Carbon Emission by Type to Y2004
This figure shows the relative fraction of man-made greenhouse gases coming from each of eight categories of sources, as estimated by the Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research version 3.2, fast track 2000 project
Annual Greenhouse Gas by Sector
Per Capita emission by Country : year 2000
---------------------------
Global Warming Myths and Facts
Global Warming by the Numbers
Transportation by the Numbers
Saturday, August 2, 2008
India Elecrical Power situation ( energy needs )
Five ultra mega power projects limping: Shinde - 1 Aug, 2008,
MUMBAI: The Centre has convened a meeting of Chief Ministers of five states on Monday to expedite the Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4,000 megawatt each in those states.
The states are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu Orissa and Karnataka.
"We should have had 2,00,000 MW of power by now. But there is a shortage of about 25,000-30,000 MW at present," he said, adding the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12) has made provisions for 90,000 MW.
asr: so new 90,000 MW will be met by Nuclear , these 9 Ultra Mega planets etc..
Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said he would try to "convince" the CMs to rapidly move forward the Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) in their respective states.
"There are nine ultra mega projects in the country...a few of them are limping," Shinde told PTI on the sidelines of a function today.
Of the nine UMPPs, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power has bagged Sasan (Madhya Pradesh) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) while the Tata Group has bagged the Mundra project in Gujarat.
Asked about the electricity crisis in Maharashtra, Shinde said, "Power is a concurrent subject. It is not just the state of Maharashtra but the entire country that has failed to make up for the shortage of power."
-----------------------------------
Adhunik Group to set up 1,000 MW power plant in Jharkhand -4 Aug, 2008
KOLKATA : Adhunik Thermal and Power Ltd, a unit of Adhunik Group, on Monday said it would invest Rs 4,500 crore for setting up a 1,000 MW power plant in Jharkhand.
asr: setup cost of Coal power plants
4500/1000 => Rs. 4.5 Crores /MW is the cost of setting up
4.5 x 10 => Rs. 45 million Ruppes => 45/40 => $1 Million US dollars .
Let us how does this compares to Solar Thermal
The plant, to be located at Kandra in Saraikela-Kharswan district, would come up in two phases. The company has already placed an order for a 2x135 MW unit to be set up in the company premises, Group Managing Director Manoj Agarwal said.
He said the company has been allotted coal mines jointly with Tata Steel and the process of getting environmental clearances and land acquisition is underway.
Describing the expansion plans of the Group, Agarwal said Adhunik Alloys and Power Ltd would also add two waste heat recovery boilers to generate 30 MW (2x15 MW) power out of waste gases, which will save around 11,000 tons of coal per month.
The boilers would help in keeping pollution levels at zero, as well as aid in keeping the steel production cost low, Agarwal said.
---------------------------------
JSPL lines up Rs 12k cr for Raigarh power plant
NEW DELHI: Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) is planning to invest close to Rs 12,000 crore, through a combination of debt and equity, in its proposed 2,640 MW thermal power plant at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh. For the new project, which will be operational by 2013-14, the firm would require coal reserves of over 400 million tonnes.
The project would be undertaken by JSPL’s subsidiary, Jindal Power (JPL). JPL has set up a 1,000 MW power plant at the same location in Raigarh out of which 750 MW of power has already been commissioned and the balance 250 MW would be commissioned next month.
“Though we own some land next to the existing power plant, we would further require significant amount of land for the proposed project. We are in talks with the state government and hope to take possession of essential coal blocks and land soon,” said JPL deputy managing director, Sushil Maroo. He added, besides commercial use, the new plant would be used for captive use for steel making.
For setting up adequate infrastructure, the company is in talks with various equipment suppliers across Europe and China besides India and is expected to place orders in the next 3-4 months.
The company has roped in SBI Capital Markets for conducting financial appraisals.
“After the appraisal work gets over, we would approach investors for funds. The debt-equity ratio for the proposed plant would be 70:30,” Mr Maroo added.
The equity portion of the investment will come out of internal accruals and no fresh fund raising is planned as of now. Soon, the company would also lay down dedicated transmission lines to carry power from substations to the national grid.
----------------------------------
Power generation in MP increases by over 3,000 MW in 5 yrs -2 Aug, 2008
BHOPAL: Power generation in Madhya Pradesh has increased by 3,147 MW to 6,138 mw, as compared to merely 2991 MW in 2002-03.
"The power generation has now increased to 6138 MW, registering an increase of 3147 MWs in less than five years", an official release said. Newly commissioned 50 MW unit of Birsinghpur thermal power plant and 210 MW Amarkantak unit have also led to rise in power generation.
During last four years, the state government spent Rs 2,166 crore on purchasing 5,561 million units of power
asr: 2166 cr ruppes for 556 crore units => Rs. 4 per unit
.
During the last three years, round the clock power supply to industries was ensured, it said.
The department has attributed present shortage of power to truant monsoon and global warming. Due to paucity of rains, most of the water reservoirs in the state do not have adequate water and thus power generation work has been affected.
The water level of Indira Sagar stands 11.5 metre below the last year's level. This shortfall is 25 feet in Gandhi Sagar and 9.3 metre in Pench Project.
Another factor of short supply is closure of Central government's power plants Vindhyachal (500 mw), Korba (500 mw) and 210 mw Sanjay Gandhi unit of the state government due to annual maintenance work.
Power is being supplied for 22.30 hours at divisional headquarters, 20 hours at district headquarters, 16 to 17 hours at Tehsil headquarters and 12 to 14 hours in the rural areas, the release added.
-----------------------------------
South India reeling under perpetual power shortage -1 Aug, 2008
BANGALORE: It was forced candlelight dinners in Bangalore up to last week, till rains hit the region. A severe power shortage comes haunting every time there is a lag in monsoons. And although showers in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have brought in some respite in the past couple of days, it is still some time till the reservoirs fill up to narrow the power deficit. The problem appears almost as old as mankind. And so is the solution that state governments in south India have routinely adopted: Rationing power to households and industries. This year has been no different.
In south India, bulk of power generation is hydel and is, therefore, linked to monsoons. But monsoons is not the only variable, there are other more predictable parameters that cry for an aggressive supply-side intervention.
- First, there are at least four gas-based power projects in Andhra lying idle for want of fuel linkage.
- Second, since agriculture is dependent on electric pump sets in this region, the crisis impacts kharif season.
- Lastly, demand for power is shooting up with consumer lifestyle changes and industry proliferation.
Sample the data from the Central Electricity Authority for April-June 2008: South India's peak demand for power stood at 26,640 mw and what was met was 25,035 mw, a deficit of 1,605 mw or 6%. According to Union power ministry joint secretary ICP Keshari, the average peak demand shortage in the four southern states is 12-13%. He attributes the situation to "failure of monsoon and a sudden rise (summer-induced) in demand."
But it is also a fact that many thermal plants across the country like Talcher, Himadri, Vindhyachal and Kahalgoan are facing shortage of coal. This is partly an administrative failure and has affected overall power availability in the country. No wonder, most states are drawing from the grid and buying power at spot rates as high as Rs 8-10 per unit.
According to power sector experts, demand side management is no longer a solution to the country's power problems. "Supply side shortfall cannot be made up by demand side management like load shedding. What you really need is additional capacities, getting the idle assets going and aggressive purchases from merchant power plants," says Kuljit Singh of Ernst & Young.
Since coal deposits are more abundant in other parts of the country, south India has historically been dependent on hydel power generation. In fact, for most states here, the thermal-hydel mix is skewed to the latter. The hydel mix often throws supply into a tizzy in the event of deficient monsoons.
As expected, the crisis has galvanised state governments to also look beyond the obvious short-term interventions and announce grand plans. But honourable intentions alone are not enough as any new project will take at least four years to complete if it is thermal and up to eight years in case of hydel. Karnataka has announced the setting up of a 2,000-mw pit-head thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh. Andhra Pradesh will be able to generate 2,000 mw additional power if gas-based independent power projects get the fuel linkage.
-----------------------Bengal to import costly coal for power plants - 1 Aug, 2008
KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has decided to import one lakh tonne of coal at higher rates to fuel the thermal power plants which have not been able to meet the power demand recently for wet and substandard coal.
The resulting rise in the cost of power would have to be borne by the consumers, State Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee said when replying to a motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee in the Assembly today.
State government has been facing a lot of criticism from public for prolonged power cuts caused allegedly by insufficient supply.
Banerjee said the government has decided to procure the coal through international auction at the rate of Rs 8,000 per tonne.
He said Coal India Limited supplied 20,436 tonne of coal to the state's power plants till July 27 instead of 33,474 tonne scheduled supply and most of the consignment was wet and muddy owing to monsoon rain.
Attributing the power cuts to an increase in demand including the off-peak periods, the Power Minister said the demand from power utilities like CESC and State Electricity Transmission Company Limited had increased by 350 MW each.
He said 1,100 MW of power was required for five hours daily to operate the Purulia Pump Storage project which generated only 900 MW. Besides the occasional breakdown of power units also worsened the situation.
While the government owed Rs 26,000 crore to the central power units, the CESC owed the government Rs 1,200 crore, the minister said.
---------------------------------------
Gujarat wants centre to bend rules on power allocation --2 Aug, 2008,
CHENNAI: The Gujarat government has asked for all the power from the proposed 1,000 MW project in a joint venture with the state-run Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) in Tamil Nadu, though the norms are that at least 57 per cent of the electricity generated to be fed to the national grid.
"We have already written to the central government asking for the entire power for consumption in our state. We are waiting for a response," a Gujarat government official who requested anonymity said on phone from Gandhinagar.
NLC too has written a letter to the centre expressing the Gujarat government's desire.
The lignite-fuelled power plant is proposed at Valia in Gujarat where the state-run ( asr: Central govt. ) Tamil Nadu-based NLC has been roped in as 74 per cent partner. The rest of the equity in the Rs.51.4 billion project will be held by the Gujarat Power Corp.
The pact between NLC and Gujarat government was signed two years ago to mine 12 million tonnes of lignite per annum and set up a 1,500 MW power project in two phases.
The first phase proposes to mine eight million tonnes of lignite and build a 1,000 MW power plant.
A senior NLC official explained that by a formula that has been in force for more than two decades, any joint venture with a state-run power company requires 57 per cent of the electricity generated to be supplied to the national grid.
The official, however, cited the case of a similar project between the Andhra Pradesh government and the state-run National Thermal Power Corp in Simhadri where the state was allowed to utilise the entire 1,000 MW generated.
He said even NLC, which is setting up a 250 MW power project in Rajasthan, will supply the entire output to the state, adding that the Gujarat government has the option of roping in the private sector as a partner if its demands were not met.
"The reason why they want to come to us is because we have much better experience in mining and handling lignite-fired power plants," the official said, adding that NLC had a mining capacity of 24 million tonnes per annum and an installed capacity of 2,490 MW.
A joint venture company will be formed once the power allocation issue is sorted out, the official added.
-------------------------
NEW DELHI: Indian nuclear industry today welcomed the approval of the India-specific safeguards agreement by the IAEA board of governors at Vienna.
"We in the nuclear industry other related industries are thrilled about the outcome as this was a very important step towards nuclear commerce with outside world to improve India's energy scenario," Chairman of Nuclear Power Corporation S K Jain told reporters.
"We welcome the support we got from Board of governors and we look forward for similar support from Nuclear Suppliers group in the coming days," Jain said.
The entire nuclear industry is celebrating and is keeping its fingers crossed "for the entire process is completed soon so that the real ground level activities can be started" he said.
"We expect that Rajasthan units 5 and 6, the two 220 MW pressurised heavy water reactors, the construction of which is completed, can get the imported fuel to start operations," he said.
( asr: built already , waitng for Fuel . so shows urgency on US nuclear deal )
Besides, with the NSG waiver, Rajasthan reactors 3and 4, Narora and Kakrapar units can also get the fuel to operate at full capacity, he said.
( asr: existing ones do not have enought fuel with in counry so waiting for US Deal )
Under the separation plan, six units of Rajasthan plants, two units of Narora, two units of Kakrapar , unit 1 and 2 of Tarapur atomic power station will be under IAEA safeguards.
( asr: 12 units for civil power genartion )
"Of course, two units of Kaiga, two units at Kalpakkam, and units 3 and 4 of Tarapur power reactors and all fast breeder reactors will not be under safeguards as per the separation plan," Jain said.
( asr: research/Milatary purpose )
--------------------
HYDERABAD: After IT and pharma, India is on course to emerge as a solar hub. The Centre’s move to offer fiscal incentives to solar cell and photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers coupled with surge in global demand for renewable energy sources has triggered domestic and multi-national companies to set up shop here.
Leading the pack is home-grown Moser Baer, followed by US-based Signet Solar and Solar Semiconductor. More are set to join.
Moser Baer, a leading optical storage manufacturer, is in talks with the Andhra Pradesh government to acquire 100 acres in the Fab City — the chip-making hub.
The company was among the first to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary - Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Limited — in 2005 to focus on the high-growth solar energy segment. It also plans to build an Rs 330 crore silicon PV manufacturing facility (near Delhi) and has tied up with Applied Materials Inc for technology transfer.
US-based Signet Solar, on its part, has drawn up an ambitious $2 billion investment plan to set up three photovoltaic production facilities in the country. It is also looking at an R&D base here. The company is already in talks with the Andhra government to set up two manufacturing facilities here. Solar semiconductor — another photovoltaic manufacturing company — has lined up an initial $40 million investment to set up two production units.
The company has already started building a 30MW per annum plant near Pochampalli. The second one — with a capacity of 40 MW — is being readied in the Fab city. ”We are looking at garnering another $330 million from private equity firms,” said Solar Semiconductor CEO Hari Surapaneni.
The company has also signed supply agreements with two European companies. Global demand for solar PV products and services is expected to grow from $14 billion in 2006 to over $100 billion by 2015. Political and environmental concerns have triggered many countries to shift to solar energy. Globally, solar energy panels come with a capacity of 1.7 giga watt. Nearly 70% of it is in Europe.
The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) fellow (renewable energy technology application) Shirish S Garud attributes the new found rush for solar PV facilities to the semiconductor policy announced by the Centre in February this year.
The incentive for these units is in the form of a 20% capital subsidy and an exemption from countervailing duty on imports.
Over the last few years, developed countries are also encouraging the use of solar energy. The PV market worldwide is growing at about 40% and solar energy production is set to top 1,000 MW per year.
“However, these companies may find it tough to sell it in the domestic market as the cost of producing solar energy is high. The cost of production ranges from Rs 15 to Rs 30 per unit compared to around Rs 2 to Rs 6 per unit for thermal energy. Developed countries are ready to pay the cost while the Indian government is still mulling over it,” he said.
--------------------------------
Suzlon's order book position stands at Rs 16,500 crore -- 31 Jul, 2008
MUMBAI: Leading wind-turbine generator Suzlon Energy has orders worth Rs 16,500 crore on hand, company Chairman and Managing Director Tulsi Tanti said here.
"We have a good order pipeline with export orders of Rs 15,000 crore and domestic orders of Rs 1,450 crore as on June 30, 2008. The export order includes
Rs 7,000 crore from the US,
Rs 2,500 crore from China,
Rs 2,200 crore from Australia,
Rs 3,200 crore from Europe and
Rs 1,450 crore from DLF in India," Tanti said here today.
Our 3,000 MW capacity expansion plan is progressing on track. Most of the orders would be executed in the current financial year, while some US orders will be executed in the next fiscal year, Tanti said.
The company is hopeful of growing at 50 per cent compared to 20-25 per cent growth worldwide.
( asr: it is going twice compared to other world wind mill manf. )
"The oil price hike and climate change concerns have increased the demand of wind energy. The opportunity for renewal energy is immense with the increasing cost of fossil fuels and its diminishing supplies," he said.
There is a huge demand for Suzlon's products worldwide. "During the first quarter of this fiscal, we have received 200 MW order from US, 200 MW order from China and 106 MW order from DLF in India," Tanti said, adding that "in India, we have a large customer base and having good negotiations pipeline."
Meanwhile, Suzlon reported 42 per cent growth in revenues in the first quarter of this fiscal. The company registered consolidated sales revenue of Rs 2,760 crore in Q1 FY 09 as compared to Rs 1,944-crore in the Q1 FY 08.
MUMBAI: The Centre has convened a meeting of Chief Ministers of five states on Monday to expedite the Ultra Mega Power Projects of 4,000 megawatt each in those states.
The states are Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu Orissa and Karnataka.
"We should have had 2,00,000 MW of power by now. But there is a shortage of about 25,000-30,000 MW at present," he said, adding the 11th Five-Year Plan (2007-12) has made provisions for 90,000 MW.
asr: so new 90,000 MW will be met by Nuclear , these 9 Ultra Mega planets etc..
Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said he would try to "convince" the CMs to rapidly move forward the Ultra Mega Power Projects (UMPPs) in their respective states.
"There are nine ultra mega projects in the country...a few of them are limping," Shinde told PTI on the sidelines of a function today.
Of the nine UMPPs, Anil Ambani-led Reliance Power has bagged Sasan (Madhya Pradesh) and Krishnapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) while the Tata Group has bagged the Mundra project in Gujarat.
Asked about the electricity crisis in Maharashtra, Shinde said, "Power is a concurrent subject. It is not just the state of Maharashtra but the entire country that has failed to make up for the shortage of power."
-----------------------------------
Adhunik Group to set up 1,000 MW power plant in Jharkhand -4 Aug, 2008
KOLKATA : Adhunik Thermal and Power Ltd, a unit of Adhunik Group, on Monday said it would invest Rs 4,500 crore for setting up a 1,000 MW power plant in Jharkhand.
asr: setup cost of Coal power plants
4500/1000 => Rs. 4.5 Crores /MW is the cost of setting up
4.5 x 10 => Rs. 45 million Ruppes => 45/40 => $1 Million US dollars .
Let us how does this compares to Solar Thermal
The plant, to be located at Kandra in Saraikela-Kharswan district, would come up in two phases. The company has already placed an order for a 2x135 MW unit to be set up in the company premises, Group Managing Director Manoj Agarwal said.
He said the company has been allotted coal mines jointly with Tata Steel and the process of getting environmental clearances and land acquisition is underway.
Describing the expansion plans of the Group, Agarwal said Adhunik Alloys and Power Ltd would also add two waste heat recovery boilers to generate 30 MW (2x15 MW) power out of waste gases, which will save around 11,000 tons of coal per month.
The boilers would help in keeping pollution levels at zero, as well as aid in keeping the steel production cost low, Agarwal said.
---------------------------------
JSPL lines up Rs 12k cr for Raigarh power plant
NEW DELHI: Naveen Jindal-led Jindal Steel and Power (JSPL) is planning to invest close to Rs 12,000 crore, through a combination of debt and equity, in its proposed 2,640 MW thermal power plant at Raigarh in Chhattisgarh. For the new project, which will be operational by 2013-14, the firm would require coal reserves of over 400 million tonnes.
The project would be undertaken by JSPL’s subsidiary, Jindal Power (JPL). JPL has set up a 1,000 MW power plant at the same location in Raigarh out of which 750 MW of power has already been commissioned and the balance 250 MW would be commissioned next month.
“Though we own some land next to the existing power plant, we would further require significant amount of land for the proposed project. We are in talks with the state government and hope to take possession of essential coal blocks and land soon,” said JPL deputy managing director, Sushil Maroo. He added, besides commercial use, the new plant would be used for captive use for steel making.
For setting up adequate infrastructure, the company is in talks with various equipment suppliers across Europe and China besides India and is expected to place orders in the next 3-4 months.
The company has roped in SBI Capital Markets for conducting financial appraisals.
“After the appraisal work gets over, we would approach investors for funds. The debt-equity ratio for the proposed plant would be 70:30,” Mr Maroo added.
The equity portion of the investment will come out of internal accruals and no fresh fund raising is planned as of now. Soon, the company would also lay down dedicated transmission lines to carry power from substations to the national grid.
----------------------------------
Power generation in MP increases by over 3,000 MW in 5 yrs -2 Aug, 2008
BHOPAL: Power generation in Madhya Pradesh has increased by 3,147 MW to 6,138 mw, as compared to merely 2991 MW in 2002-03.
"The power generation has now increased to 6138 MW, registering an increase of 3147 MWs in less than five years", an official release said. Newly commissioned 50 MW unit of Birsinghpur thermal power plant and 210 MW Amarkantak unit have also led to rise in power generation.
During last four years, the state government spent Rs 2,166 crore on purchasing 5,561 million units of power
asr: 2166 cr ruppes for 556 crore units => Rs. 4 per unit
.
During the last three years, round the clock power supply to industries was ensured, it said.
The department has attributed present shortage of power to truant monsoon and global warming. Due to paucity of rains, most of the water reservoirs in the state do not have adequate water and thus power generation work has been affected.
The water level of Indira Sagar stands 11.5 metre below the last year's level. This shortfall is 25 feet in Gandhi Sagar and 9.3 metre in Pench Project.
Another factor of short supply is closure of Central government's power plants Vindhyachal (500 mw), Korba (500 mw) and 210 mw Sanjay Gandhi unit of the state government due to annual maintenance work.
Power is being supplied for 22.30 hours at divisional headquarters, 20 hours at district headquarters, 16 to 17 hours at Tehsil headquarters and 12 to 14 hours in the rural areas, the release added.
-----------------------------------
South India reeling under perpetual power shortage -1 Aug, 2008
BANGALORE: It was forced candlelight dinners in Bangalore up to last week, till rains hit the region. A severe power shortage comes haunting every time there is a lag in monsoons. And although showers in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka have brought in some respite in the past couple of days, it is still some time till the reservoirs fill up to narrow the power deficit. The problem appears almost as old as mankind. And so is the solution that state governments in south India have routinely adopted: Rationing power to households and industries. This year has been no different.
In south India, bulk of power generation is hydel and is, therefore, linked to monsoons. But monsoons is not the only variable, there are other more predictable parameters that cry for an aggressive supply-side intervention.
- First, there are at least four gas-based power projects in Andhra lying idle for want of fuel linkage.
- Second, since agriculture is dependent on electric pump sets in this region, the crisis impacts kharif season.
- Lastly, demand for power is shooting up with consumer lifestyle changes and industry proliferation.
Sample the data from the Central Electricity Authority for April-June 2008: South India's peak demand for power stood at 26,640 mw and what was met was 25,035 mw, a deficit of 1,605 mw or 6%. According to Union power ministry joint secretary ICP Keshari, the average peak demand shortage in the four southern states is 12-13%. He attributes the situation to "failure of monsoon and a sudden rise (summer-induced) in demand."
But it is also a fact that many thermal plants across the country like Talcher, Himadri, Vindhyachal and Kahalgoan are facing shortage of coal. This is partly an administrative failure and has affected overall power availability in the country. No wonder, most states are drawing from the grid and buying power at spot rates as high as Rs 8-10 per unit.
According to power sector experts, demand side management is no longer a solution to the country's power problems. "Supply side shortfall cannot be made up by demand side management like load shedding. What you really need is additional capacities, getting the idle assets going and aggressive purchases from merchant power plants," says Kuljit Singh of Ernst & Young.
Since coal deposits are more abundant in other parts of the country, south India has historically been dependent on hydel power generation. In fact, for most states here, the thermal-hydel mix is skewed to the latter. The hydel mix often throws supply into a tizzy in the event of deficient monsoons.
As expected, the crisis has galvanised state governments to also look beyond the obvious short-term interventions and announce grand plans. But honourable intentions alone are not enough as any new project will take at least four years to complete if it is thermal and up to eight years in case of hydel. Karnataka has announced the setting up of a 2,000-mw pit-head thermal power plant in Chhattisgarh. Andhra Pradesh will be able to generate 2,000 mw additional power if gas-based independent power projects get the fuel linkage.
-----------------------Bengal to import costly coal for power plants - 1 Aug, 2008
KOLKATA: The West Bengal government has decided to import one lakh tonne of coal at higher rates to fuel the thermal power plants which have not been able to meet the power demand recently for wet and substandard coal.
The resulting rise in the cost of power would have to be borne by the consumers, State Power Minister Mrinal Banerjee said when replying to a motion moved by the Leader of the Opposition Partha Chatterjee in the Assembly today.
State government has been facing a lot of criticism from public for prolonged power cuts caused allegedly by insufficient supply.
Banerjee said the government has decided to procure the coal through international auction at the rate of Rs 8,000 per tonne.
He said Coal India Limited supplied 20,436 tonne of coal to the state's power plants till July 27 instead of 33,474 tonne scheduled supply and most of the consignment was wet and muddy owing to monsoon rain.
Attributing the power cuts to an increase in demand including the off-peak periods, the Power Minister said the demand from power utilities like CESC and State Electricity Transmission Company Limited had increased by 350 MW each.
He said 1,100 MW of power was required for five hours daily to operate the Purulia Pump Storage project which generated only 900 MW. Besides the occasional breakdown of power units also worsened the situation.
While the government owed Rs 26,000 crore to the central power units, the CESC owed the government Rs 1,200 crore, the minister said.
---------------------------------------
Gujarat wants centre to bend rules on power allocation --2 Aug, 2008,
CHENNAI: The Gujarat government has asked for all the power from the proposed 1,000 MW project in a joint venture with the state-run Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) in Tamil Nadu, though the norms are that at least 57 per cent of the electricity generated to be fed to the national grid.
"We have already written to the central government asking for the entire power for consumption in our state. We are waiting for a response," a Gujarat government official who requested anonymity said on phone from Gandhinagar.
NLC too has written a letter to the centre expressing the Gujarat government's desire.
The lignite-fuelled power plant is proposed at Valia in Gujarat where the state-run ( asr: Central govt. ) Tamil Nadu-based NLC has been roped in as 74 per cent partner. The rest of the equity in the Rs.51.4 billion project will be held by the Gujarat Power Corp.
The pact between NLC and Gujarat government was signed two years ago to mine 12 million tonnes of lignite per annum and set up a 1,500 MW power project in two phases.
The first phase proposes to mine eight million tonnes of lignite and build a 1,000 MW power plant.
A senior NLC official explained that by a formula that has been in force for more than two decades, any joint venture with a state-run power company requires 57 per cent of the electricity generated to be supplied to the national grid.
The official, however, cited the case of a similar project between the Andhra Pradesh government and the state-run National Thermal Power Corp in Simhadri where the state was allowed to utilise the entire 1,000 MW generated.
He said even NLC, which is setting up a 250 MW power project in Rajasthan, will supply the entire output to the state, adding that the Gujarat government has the option of roping in the private sector as a partner if its demands were not met.
"The reason why they want to come to us is because we have much better experience in mining and handling lignite-fired power plants," the official said, adding that NLC had a mining capacity of 24 million tonnes per annum and an installed capacity of 2,490 MW.
A joint venture company will be formed once the power allocation issue is sorted out, the official added.
-------------------------
NEW DELHI: Indian nuclear industry today welcomed the approval of the India-specific safeguards agreement by the IAEA board of governors at Vienna.
"We in the nuclear industry other related industries are thrilled about the outcome as this was a very important step towards nuclear commerce with outside world to improve India's energy scenario," Chairman of Nuclear Power Corporation S K Jain told reporters.
"We welcome the support we got from Board of governors and we look forward for similar support from Nuclear Suppliers group in the coming days," Jain said.
The entire nuclear industry is celebrating and is keeping its fingers crossed "for the entire process is completed soon so that the real ground level activities can be started" he said.
"We expect that Rajasthan units 5 and 6, the two 220 MW pressurised heavy water reactors, the construction of which is completed, can get the imported fuel to start operations," he said.
( asr: built already , waitng for Fuel . so shows urgency on US nuclear deal )
Besides, with the NSG waiver, Rajasthan reactors 3and 4, Narora and Kakrapar units can also get the fuel to operate at full capacity, he said.
( asr: existing ones do not have enought fuel with in counry so waiting for US Deal )
Under the separation plan, six units of Rajasthan plants, two units of Narora, two units of Kakrapar , unit 1 and 2 of Tarapur atomic power station will be under IAEA safeguards.
( asr: 12 units for civil power genartion )
"Of course, two units of Kaiga, two units at Kalpakkam, and units 3 and 4 of Tarapur power reactors and all fast breeder reactors will not be under safeguards as per the separation plan," Jain said.
( asr: research/Milatary purpose )
--------------------
HYDERABAD: After IT and pharma, India is on course to emerge as a solar hub. The Centre’s move to offer fiscal incentives to solar cell and photovoltaic (PV) manufacturers coupled with surge in global demand for renewable energy sources has triggered domestic and multi-national companies to set up shop here.
Leading the pack is home-grown Moser Baer, followed by US-based Signet Solar and Solar Semiconductor. More are set to join.
Moser Baer, a leading optical storage manufacturer, is in talks with the Andhra Pradesh government to acquire 100 acres in the Fab City — the chip-making hub.
The company was among the first to set up a wholly-owned subsidiary - Moser Baer Photo Voltaic Limited — in 2005 to focus on the high-growth solar energy segment. It also plans to build an Rs 330 crore silicon PV manufacturing facility (near Delhi) and has tied up with Applied Materials Inc for technology transfer.
US-based Signet Solar, on its part, has drawn up an ambitious $2 billion investment plan to set up three photovoltaic production facilities in the country. It is also looking at an R&D base here. The company is already in talks with the Andhra government to set up two manufacturing facilities here. Solar semiconductor — another photovoltaic manufacturing company — has lined up an initial $40 million investment to set up two production units.
The company has already started building a 30MW per annum plant near Pochampalli. The second one — with a capacity of 40 MW — is being readied in the Fab city. ”We are looking at garnering another $330 million from private equity firms,” said Solar Semiconductor CEO Hari Surapaneni.
The company has also signed supply agreements with two European companies. Global demand for solar PV products and services is expected to grow from $14 billion in 2006 to over $100 billion by 2015. Political and environmental concerns have triggered many countries to shift to solar energy. Globally, solar energy panels come with a capacity of 1.7 giga watt. Nearly 70% of it is in Europe.
The Energy and Resource Institute (TERI) fellow (renewable energy technology application) Shirish S Garud attributes the new found rush for solar PV facilities to the semiconductor policy announced by the Centre in February this year.
The incentive for these units is in the form of a 20% capital subsidy and an exemption from countervailing duty on imports.
Over the last few years, developed countries are also encouraging the use of solar energy. The PV market worldwide is growing at about 40% and solar energy production is set to top 1,000 MW per year.
“However, these companies may find it tough to sell it in the domestic market as the cost of producing solar energy is high. The cost of production ranges from Rs 15 to Rs 30 per unit compared to around Rs 2 to Rs 6 per unit for thermal energy. Developed countries are ready to pay the cost while the Indian government is still mulling over it,” he said.
--------------------------------
Suzlon's order book position stands at Rs 16,500 crore -- 31 Jul, 2008
MUMBAI: Leading wind-turbine generator Suzlon Energy has orders worth Rs 16,500 crore on hand, company Chairman and Managing Director Tulsi Tanti said here.
"We have a good order pipeline with export orders of Rs 15,000 crore and domestic orders of Rs 1,450 crore as on June 30, 2008. The export order includes
Rs 7,000 crore from the US,
Rs 2,500 crore from China,
Rs 2,200 crore from Australia,
Rs 3,200 crore from Europe and
Rs 1,450 crore from DLF in India," Tanti said here today.
Our 3,000 MW capacity expansion plan is progressing on track. Most of the orders would be executed in the current financial year, while some US orders will be executed in the next fiscal year, Tanti said.
The company is hopeful of growing at 50 per cent compared to 20-25 per cent growth worldwide.
( asr: it is going twice compared to other world wind mill manf. )
"The oil price hike and climate change concerns have increased the demand of wind energy. The opportunity for renewal energy is immense with the increasing cost of fossil fuels and its diminishing supplies," he said.
There is a huge demand for Suzlon's products worldwide. "During the first quarter of this fiscal, we have received 200 MW order from US, 200 MW order from China and 106 MW order from DLF in India," Tanti said, adding that "in India, we have a large customer base and having good negotiations pipeline."
Meanwhile, Suzlon reported 42 per cent growth in revenues in the first quarter of this fiscal. The company registered consolidated sales revenue of Rs 2,760 crore in Q1 FY 09 as compared to Rs 1,944-crore in the Q1 FY 08.
Academic Research
http://www.scitopia.org/scitopia/
AGU is a worldwide scientific community that advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the understanding of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity.
http://worldwidescience.org/
Observational evidence of solar dimming: Offsetting surface warming over India
AGU is a worldwide scientific community that advances, through unselfish cooperation in research, the understanding of Earth and space for the benefit of humanity.
http://worldwidescience.org/
Observational evidence of solar dimming: Offsetting surface warming over India
Friday, August 1, 2008
Renewable Energey : Policies
There are different ways to overall reduce Greeen house gases. Here are few observations how each country is doing with their 'energy road map' or 'energy policy'
USA:
1) Incresing BioFuels share
Congress recently required refiners to replace 36 billion gallons of gasoline with biofuels by the year 2022. Currently the nation uses about 140 billion gallons of gas a year, with ethanol comprising about 9 billion gallons of that. Half of the 36 billion gallons are required to come from non-food crops like switch grass. Many want to see even higher rates of biofuels use.
( asr: not bad 9 billion gallons is 6% coming from Ethanol ... )
2) Greenhouse gases Emission control: Cap and Trade
The government would issue permits to emit carbon dioxide, and the number of permits each year would decline -- that's the cap part. Industry could then either invest in cleaner technology, or buy the permits from one another -- that's the trade.
----------
Oil producers, consumers
USA:
1) Incresing BioFuels share
Congress recently required refiners to replace 36 billion gallons of gasoline with biofuels by the year 2022. Currently the nation uses about 140 billion gallons of gas a year, with ethanol comprising about 9 billion gallons of that. Half of the 36 billion gallons are required to come from non-food crops like switch grass. Many want to see even higher rates of biofuels use.
( asr: not bad 9 billion gallons is 6% coming from Ethanol ... )
2) Greenhouse gases Emission control: Cap and Trade
The government would issue permits to emit carbon dioxide, and the number of permits each year would decline -- that's the cap part. Industry could then either invest in cleaner technology, or buy the permits from one another -- that's the trade.
----------
Oil producers, consumers
Thursday, July 31, 2008
China to Be World's Top Manufacturer of Green Energy Technology
About 16 percent of China's electricity came from renewable sources in 2006, led by the world's largest number of hydroelectric generators, according to the report. The nation's goal is to increase the proportion of renewable electricity to 23 percent by 2020.
China invested over $12 billion in renewable energy in 2007, second only to Germany. The nation needs to invest another $398 billion to reach its 2020 renewable energy goals, an average of $33 billion a year, the report said.
The government wants to reduce the amount of energy China uses to produce each unit of economic output by 20 percent in two years and has told its 1,000 largest energy-consuming companies to cut their power consumption even more, according to the report.
China's six largest solar-cell makers had a market value of over $14 billion at the beginning of this year.
In 2007, each of China's 1.3 billion people emitted 5.1 tons of carbon, less than the 8.6 tons from each European and the 19.4 tons for each American. Last month, the world's richest countries, which are responsible for almost half the world's emissions, pledged to cut heat-trapping pollution by at least 50 percent by 2050.
China invested over $12 billion in renewable energy in 2007, second only to Germany. The nation needs to invest another $398 billion to reach its 2020 renewable energy goals, an average of $33 billion a year, the report said.
The government wants to reduce the amount of energy China uses to produce each unit of economic output by 20 percent in two years and has told its 1,000 largest energy-consuming companies to cut their power consumption even more, according to the report.
China's six largest solar-cell makers had a market value of over $14 billion at the beginning of this year.
In 2007, each of China's 1.3 billion people emitted 5.1 tons of carbon, less than the 8.6 tons from each European and the 19.4 tons for each American. Last month, the world's richest countries, which are responsible for almost half the world's emissions, pledged to cut heat-trapping pollution by at least 50 percent by 2050.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Solar energy Home Use
Green and Gold SolarCube
- this gives real assessment of the cost , for US homes with 30 Kwh/day usage you need 18 of them costing $20,000
- for indian kind of scenario low usage of power the cost may be $10,000
- It seems the cost is same as Roof top PV cells costing $25,000/house with out subsidy
- Blog shows good discussion , so that you can learn what is real and what is possible
for Remote Vacation homes:
----------------------------
- you can use Solar PV or this CUbe kind of systems where there is no electricity in wild remote vacation places ..
- see the Indian distributor
- usual remote vacation places you will have either wind or good SUN to buy one of these systems ...
----------------
HelioStat Pictures
Heliostat and Solar Tracking Products
http://www.heliotrack.com/PV-Thermal/index.html -- PV is to generate electricity
http://www.heliotrack.com/Heliostat1M.html
http://www.heliotrack.com/Parabolic.html
http://www.heliotrack.com/LibraryFiles/heliostat%20comparason.pdf -- paper explains ..
- this gives real assessment of the cost , for US homes with 30 Kwh/day usage you need 18 of them costing $20,000
- for indian kind of scenario low usage of power the cost may be $10,000
- It seems the cost is same as Roof top PV cells costing $25,000/house with out subsidy
- Blog shows good discussion , so that you can learn what is real and what is possible
for Remote Vacation homes:
----------------------------
- you can use Solar PV or this CUbe kind of systems where there is no electricity in wild remote vacation places ..
- see the Indian distributor
- usual remote vacation places you will have either wind or good SUN to buy one of these systems ...
----------------
HelioStat Pictures
Heliostat and Solar Tracking Products
http://www.heliotrack.com/PV-Thermal/index.html -- PV is to generate electricity
http://www.heliotrack.com/Heliostat1M.html
http://www.heliotrack.com/Parabolic.html
http://www.heliotrack.com/LibraryFiles/heliostat%20comparason.pdf -- paper explains ..
Solar Thermal Energy coming to a boil - Peak Oil
Solar Thermal Energy coming to a boil - Peak Oil
Written by Jonathan G. Dorn
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Data for Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil
After emerging in 2006 from 15 years of hibernation, the solar thermal power industry experienced a surge in 2007, with 100 megawatts of new capacity coming online worldwide. During the 1990s, cheap fossil fuels, combined with a loss of state and federal incentives, put a damper on solar thermal power development. However, recent increases in energy prices, escalating concerns about global climate change, and fresh economic incentives are renewing interest in this technology.
Considering that the energy in sunlight reaching the earth in just 70 minutes is equivalent to annual global energy consumption, the potential for solar power is virtually unlimited. With concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity expected to double every 16 months over the next five years, worldwide installed CSP capacity will reach 6,400 megawatts in 2012--14 times the current capacity. (See data at http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update73_data.htm#table1.)
Unlike solar photovoltaics (PVs), which use semiconductors to convert sunlight directly into electricity, CSP plants generate electricity using heat. Much like a magnifying glass, reflectors focus sunlight onto a fluid-filled vessel. The heat absorbed by the fluid is used to generate steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity. Power generation after sunset is possible by storing excess heat in large, insulated tanks filled with molten salt. Since CSP plants require high levels of direct solar radiation to operate efficiently, deserts make ideal locations.
Two big advantages of CSP over conventional power plants are that the electricity generation is clean and carbon-free and, since the sun is the energy source, there are no fuel costs. Energy storage in the form of heat is also significantly cheaper than battery storage of electricity, providing CSP with an economical means to overcome intermittency and deliver dispatchable power.
The United States and Spain are leading the world in the development of solar thermal power, with a combined total of over 5,600 megawatts of new capacity expected to come online by 2012. Representing over 90 percent of the projected new capacity by 2012, the output from these plants would be enough to meet the electrical needs of more than 1.7 million homes.
The largest solar thermal power complex in operation today is the Solar Electricity Generating Station in the Mojave Desert in California. Coming online between 1985 and 1991, the 354-megawatt complex has been producing enough power for 100,000 homes for almost two decades. In June 2007, the 64-megawatt Nevada Solar One plant became the first multi-megawatt commercial CSP plant to come online in the United States in 16 years.
Today, more than a dozen new CSP plants are being planned in the United States, with some 3,100 megawatts expected to come online by 2012. (See data at http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update73.htm#table6.) Some impressive CSP projects in the planning stages include the 553-megawatt Mojave Solar Park in California, the 500-megawatt Solar One and 300-megawatt Solar Two projects in California, a 300-megawatt facility in Florida, and the 280-megawatt Solana plant in Arizona.
In Spain, the first commercial-scale CSP plant to begin operation outside the United States since the mid-1980s came online in 2007: the 11-megawatt PS10 tower. The tower is part of the 300-megawatt Solúcar Platform, which, when completed in 2013, will contain ten CSP plants and produce enough electricity to supply 153,000 homes while preventing 185,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually. All told, more than 60 plants are in the pipeline in Spain, with 2,570 megawatts expected to come online by 2012.
Economic and policy incentives are partly responsible for the renewed interest in CSP. The incentives in the United States include a 30-percent federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar through the end of 2008, which has good prospects for being extended, and Renewable Portfolio Standards in 26 states. California requires that utilities get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and Nevada requires 20 percent by 2015, with at least 5 percent from solar power. The primary incentive in Spain is a feed-in tariff that guarantees that utilities will pay power producers €0.26 (40¢) per kilowatt-hour for electricity generated by CSP plants for 25 years.
In the southwestern United States, the cost of electricity from CSP plants (including the federal ITC) is roughly 13–17¢ per kilowatt-hour, meaning that CSP with thermal storage is competitive today with simple-cycle natural gas-fired power plants. The U.S. Department of Energy aims to reduce CSP costs to 7–10¢ per kilowatt-hour by 2015 and to 5–7¢ per kilowatt-hour by 2020, making CSP competitive with fossil-fuel-based power sources.
Outside the United States and Spain, regulatory incentives in France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal are expected to stimulate the installation of 3,200 megawatts of CSP capacity by 2020. China anticipates building 1,000 megawatts by that time. Other countries developing CSP include Australia, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. (See map at http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update73_data.htm#fig7.)
Using CSP plants to power electric vehicles could further reduce CO2 emissions and provide strategic advantages by relaxing dependence on oil. In Israel, a tender issued by the Ministry for National Infrastructures for the construction of CSP plants and a 19.4¢ per kilowatt-hour feed-in tariff for solar power systems are sparking interest in developing up to 250 megawatts of CSP in the Negev Desert. This would produce enough electricity to run the 100,000 electric cars that Project Better Place, a company focused on building an electric personal transportation system, is planning to put on Israeli roads by the end of 2010.
A study by Ausra, a solar energy company based in California, indicates that over 90 percent of fossil fuel–generated electricity in the United States and the majority of U.S. oil usage for transportation could be eliminated using solar thermal power plants--and for less than it would cost to continue importing oil. The land requirement for the CSP plants would be roughly 15,000 square miles (38,850 square kilometers, the equivalent of 15 percent of the land area of Nevada). While this may sound like a large tract, CSP plants use less land per equivalent electrical output than large hydroelectric dams when flooded land is included, or than coal plants when factoring in land used for coal mining. Another study, published in Scientific American in January 2008, proposes using CSP and PV plants to produce 69 percent of U.S. electricity and 35 percent of total U.S. energy, including transportation, by 2050.
CSP plants on less than 0.3 percent of the desert areas of North Africa and the Middle East could generate enough electricity to meet the needs of these two regions plus the European Union. Realizing this, the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation--an initiative of The Club of Rome, the Hamburg Climate Protection Foundation, and the National Energy Research Center of Jordan--conceived the DESERTEC Concept in 2003. This plan to develop a renewable energy network to transmit power to Europe from the Middle East and North Africa calls for 100,000 megawatts of CSP to be built throughout the Middle East and North Africa by 2050. Electricity delivery to Europe would occur via direct current transmission cables across the Mediterranean. Taking the lead in making the concept a reality, Algeria plans to build a 3,000-kilometer cable between the Algerian town of Adrar and the German city of Aachen to export 6,000 megawatts of solar thermal power by 2020.
If the projected annual growth rate of CSP through 2012 is maintained to 2020, global installed CSP capacity would exceed 200,000 megawatts--equivalent to 135 coal-fired power plants. With billions of dollars beginning to flow into the CSP industry and U.S. restrictions on carbon emissions imminent, CSP is primed to reach such capacity.
Written by Jonathan G. Dorn
Tuesday, 22 July 2008
Data for Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil
After emerging in 2006 from 15 years of hibernation, the solar thermal power industry experienced a surge in 2007, with 100 megawatts of new capacity coming online worldwide. During the 1990s, cheap fossil fuels, combined with a loss of state and federal incentives, put a damper on solar thermal power development. However, recent increases in energy prices, escalating concerns about global climate change, and fresh economic incentives are renewing interest in this technology.
Considering that the energy in sunlight reaching the earth in just 70 minutes is equivalent to annual global energy consumption, the potential for solar power is virtually unlimited. With concentrating solar thermal power (CSP) capacity expected to double every 16 months over the next five years, worldwide installed CSP capacity will reach 6,400 megawatts in 2012--14 times the current capacity. (See data at http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update73_data.htm#table1.)
Unlike solar photovoltaics (PVs), which use semiconductors to convert sunlight directly into electricity, CSP plants generate electricity using heat. Much like a magnifying glass, reflectors focus sunlight onto a fluid-filled vessel. The heat absorbed by the fluid is used to generate steam that drives a turbine to produce electricity. Power generation after sunset is possible by storing excess heat in large, insulated tanks filled with molten salt. Since CSP plants require high levels of direct solar radiation to operate efficiently, deserts make ideal locations.
Two big advantages of CSP over conventional power plants are that the electricity generation is clean and carbon-free and, since the sun is the energy source, there are no fuel costs. Energy storage in the form of heat is also significantly cheaper than battery storage of electricity, providing CSP with an economical means to overcome intermittency and deliver dispatchable power.
The United States and Spain are leading the world in the development of solar thermal power, with a combined total of over 5,600 megawatts of new capacity expected to come online by 2012. Representing over 90 percent of the projected new capacity by 2012, the output from these plants would be enough to meet the electrical needs of more than 1.7 million homes.
The largest solar thermal power complex in operation today is the Solar Electricity Generating Station in the Mojave Desert in California. Coming online between 1985 and 1991, the 354-megawatt complex has been producing enough power for 100,000 homes for almost two decades. In June 2007, the 64-megawatt Nevada Solar One plant became the first multi-megawatt commercial CSP plant to come online in the United States in 16 years.
Today, more than a dozen new CSP plants are being planned in the United States, with some 3,100 megawatts expected to come online by 2012. (See data at http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update73.htm#table6.) Some impressive CSP projects in the planning stages include the 553-megawatt Mojave Solar Park in California, the 500-megawatt Solar One and 300-megawatt Solar Two projects in California, a 300-megawatt facility in Florida, and the 280-megawatt Solana plant in Arizona.
In Spain, the first commercial-scale CSP plant to begin operation outside the United States since the mid-1980s came online in 2007: the 11-megawatt PS10 tower. The tower is part of the 300-megawatt Solúcar Platform, which, when completed in 2013, will contain ten CSP plants and produce enough electricity to supply 153,000 homes while preventing 185,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions annually. All told, more than 60 plants are in the pipeline in Spain, with 2,570 megawatts expected to come online by 2012.
Economic and policy incentives are partly responsible for the renewed interest in CSP. The incentives in the United States include a 30-percent federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC) for solar through the end of 2008, which has good prospects for being extended, and Renewable Portfolio Standards in 26 states. California requires that utilities get 20 percent of their electricity from renewable sources by 2010, and Nevada requires 20 percent by 2015, with at least 5 percent from solar power. The primary incentive in Spain is a feed-in tariff that guarantees that utilities will pay power producers €0.26 (40¢) per kilowatt-hour for electricity generated by CSP plants for 25 years.
In the southwestern United States, the cost of electricity from CSP plants (including the federal ITC) is roughly 13–17¢ per kilowatt-hour, meaning that CSP with thermal storage is competitive today with simple-cycle natural gas-fired power plants. The U.S. Department of Energy aims to reduce CSP costs to 7–10¢ per kilowatt-hour by 2015 and to 5–7¢ per kilowatt-hour by 2020, making CSP competitive with fossil-fuel-based power sources.
Outside the United States and Spain, regulatory incentives in France, Greece, Italy, and Portugal are expected to stimulate the installation of 3,200 megawatts of CSP capacity by 2020. China anticipates building 1,000 megawatts by that time. Other countries developing CSP include Australia, Algeria, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates. (See map at http://www.earth-policy.org/Updates/2008/Update73_data.htm#fig7.)
Using CSP plants to power electric vehicles could further reduce CO2 emissions and provide strategic advantages by relaxing dependence on oil. In Israel, a tender issued by the Ministry for National Infrastructures for the construction of CSP plants and a 19.4¢ per kilowatt-hour feed-in tariff for solar power systems are sparking interest in developing up to 250 megawatts of CSP in the Negev Desert. This would produce enough electricity to run the 100,000 electric cars that Project Better Place, a company focused on building an electric personal transportation system, is planning to put on Israeli roads by the end of 2010.
A study by Ausra, a solar energy company based in California, indicates that over 90 percent of fossil fuel–generated electricity in the United States and the majority of U.S. oil usage for transportation could be eliminated using solar thermal power plants--and for less than it would cost to continue importing oil. The land requirement for the CSP plants would be roughly 15,000 square miles (38,850 square kilometers, the equivalent of 15 percent of the land area of Nevada). While this may sound like a large tract, CSP plants use less land per equivalent electrical output than large hydroelectric dams when flooded land is included, or than coal plants when factoring in land used for coal mining. Another study, published in Scientific American in January 2008, proposes using CSP and PV plants to produce 69 percent of U.S. electricity and 35 percent of total U.S. energy, including transportation, by 2050.
CSP plants on less than 0.3 percent of the desert areas of North Africa and the Middle East could generate enough electricity to meet the needs of these two regions plus the European Union. Realizing this, the Trans-Mediterranean Renewable Energy Cooperation--an initiative of The Club of Rome, the Hamburg Climate Protection Foundation, and the National Energy Research Center of Jordan--conceived the DESERTEC Concept in 2003. This plan to develop a renewable energy network to transmit power to Europe from the Middle East and North Africa calls for 100,000 megawatts of CSP to be built throughout the Middle East and North Africa by 2050. Electricity delivery to Europe would occur via direct current transmission cables across the Mediterranean. Taking the lead in making the concept a reality, Algeria plans to build a 3,000-kilometer cable between the Algerian town of Adrar and the German city of Aachen to export 6,000 megawatts of solar thermal power by 2020.
If the projected annual growth rate of CSP through 2012 is maintained to 2020, global installed CSP capacity would exceed 200,000 megawatts--equivalent to 135 coal-fired power plants. With billions of dollars beginning to flow into the CSP industry and U.S. restrictions on carbon emissions imminent, CSP is primed to reach such capacity.
Gloabl Energy challenges and solutions
It seems we need to provide probable energy for transportation which is clean energy like Natural gas, electric taking Petroleum's fuel out of equation. Here are 2 approaches
1. Have wind and Solar power Grid grade farms that will take Natural gas out of power generation ( as mentioned by Texas wind man ). World 25% electricity is generated from Natural gas. Replace it with Wind , Solar , Nuclier
2. Once you take Nat gas out of power generation , use it for transport . Start with Laws mandating 20% of Fleet with Nat gas instead of oil
3. Once Nat gas come to transportation that will push oil in transport from 90% to 50% . You can have all Oil stations carry Nat. gas so that vehicles can change it like filling you oil tank.
Roof top Home Solar energy generation: This is still costs $20,000 to start with in Western countries ( for 30 KWh/day power => 10,000 KWh/year ), may be half of it $10,000 in India etc..
- Instead of government giving susidies to all these people , same govt. subsidies can be better used when given to grid level 20, 50, 100 MW Solar thermal, Wind energy plants.
-- see Nano Solar discussion , not economical
Clean coal technology
- A 2003 study conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Greenhouse gases, found that the cost of building a shell-designed IGCC that doesn't capture carbon could cost $1,371 per kW. A comparable system that captures carbon could cost $1,860 per kW.
( asr: so it adds 50% more to existing consumer electricity bill , so this clean COAL is NOT price competative with solar/wind etc.. as total cost )
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle
supports:
Texas 4000 MW wind turbines ( phase 1 1000 MW )
UK 500 MW ocean Wind power
German Sahara desert mega plans
esloar , Asura Solar-Thermal
India , china big Wind and Solar new frams and government support
Russina companies building Nat. gas stations all over europe ( see Texas wind man story )
Links:
thefraserdomain -- James Fraser ( asr: can be good consultant ..)
http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/paginas/index.asp
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL)
solarpaces.org
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
International Energy Agency(IEA)
International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA)
U.S. Parabolic Trough Power Plant Data
eSolar
Ausra
http://www.energyinnovations.com/
http://www.brightsourceenergy.com/faq.htm
- google invested in both
Suzlon
sunpowercorp - PV Solar
Data for Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil -- All upcoming Solar power capcity
2007 CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER FROM RESEARCH TO IMPLEMENTATION by the European Commission -- great detail ..
Concentrating solar power plants (CSP)- How it works
Library/NewDocs.htm
Storage: Seems Molten salt can be used for 12 hour storage to store peak sun time generation for night time transmission
Public companies
----------------------
First Solar
- see $28 Billion Market Cap
- in 1 year stock trippled, it will crash as dozens of new palyers coming into this PV solar cells
- seems all this hype is based on two contracts with SC Edition company
SunPower marketcap $6 Billion , already drop 50% from 2008 Jan peak
- Edition capital is self is $15 Billion: so 'First Solar' is pure hype (asr)
a financial services provider segment (Edison Capital). In the electric utility operation segment, the Company operates through its subsidiary, Southern California Edison Company (SCE). In the non-utility power generation segment, it operates through Mission Energy Holding Company (MEHC) and Edison Mission Energy (EME).
-----
Vinod Kholsa on CSP ( see video )
1. Have wind and Solar power Grid grade farms that will take Natural gas out of power generation ( as mentioned by Texas wind man ). World 25% electricity is generated from Natural gas. Replace it with Wind , Solar , Nuclier
2. Once you take Nat gas out of power generation , use it for transport . Start with Laws mandating 20% of Fleet with Nat gas instead of oil
3. Once Nat gas come to transportation that will push oil in transport from 90% to 50% . You can have all Oil stations carry Nat. gas so that vehicles can change it like filling you oil tank.
Roof top Home Solar energy generation: This is still costs $20,000 to start with in Western countries ( for 30 KWh/day power => 10,000 KWh/year ), may be half of it $10,000 in India etc..
- Instead of government giving susidies to all these people , same govt. subsidies can be better used when given to grid level 20, 50, 100 MW Solar thermal, Wind energy plants.
-- see Nano Solar discussion , not economical
Clean coal technology
- A 2003 study conducted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) on Greenhouse gases, found that the cost of building a shell-designed IGCC that doesn't capture carbon could cost $1,371 per kW. A comparable system that captures carbon could cost $1,860 per kW.
( asr: so it adds 50% more to existing consumer electricity bill , so this clean COAL is NOT price competative with solar/wind etc.. as total cost )
Integrated Gasification Combined Cycle
supports:
Texas 4000 MW wind turbines ( phase 1 1000 MW )
UK 500 MW ocean Wind power
German Sahara desert mega plans
esloar , Asura Solar-Thermal
India , china big Wind and Solar new frams and government support
Russina companies building Nat. gas stations all over europe ( see Texas wind man story )
Links:
thefraserdomain -- James Fraser ( asr: can be good consultant ..)
http://www.renewableenergymagazine.com/paginas/index.asp
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NERL)
solarpaces.org
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)
American Wind Energy Association (AWEA)
Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE)
International Energy Agency(IEA)
International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA)
U.S. Parabolic Trough Power Plant Data
eSolar
Ausra
http://www.energyinnovations.com/
http://www.brightsourceenergy.com/faq.htm
- google invested in both
Suzlon
sunpowercorp - PV Solar
Data for Solar Thermal Power Coming to a Boil -- All upcoming Solar power capcity
2007 CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER FROM RESEARCH TO IMPLEMENTATION by the European Commission -- great detail ..
Concentrating solar power plants (CSP)- How it works
Library/NewDocs.htm
Storage: Seems Molten salt can be used for 12 hour storage to store peak sun time generation for night time transmission
Public companies
----------------------
First Solar
- see $28 Billion Market Cap
- in 1 year stock trippled, it will crash as dozens of new palyers coming into this PV solar cells
- seems all this hype is based on two contracts with SC Edition company
SunPower marketcap $6 Billion , already drop 50% from 2008 Jan peak
- Edition capital is self is $15 Billion: so 'First Solar' is pure hype (asr)
a financial services provider segment (Edison Capital). In the electric utility operation segment, the Company operates through its subsidiary, Southern California Edison Company (SCE). In the non-utility power generation segment, it operates through Mission Energy Holding Company (MEHC) and Edison Mission Energy (EME).
-----
Vinod Kholsa on CSP ( see video )
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