Six more electric utilities commit to delivering content at POWERGEN 2019

The latest crop of utility participants includes NRG Energy, Cleco Corp., Entergy, Louisville Gas & Electric/Kentucky Utilities, AEP’s distributed energy ventures group AEP OnSite Partners and Hindustan Power from India.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/08/six-more-electric-utilities-commit-to-content-at-powergen.html

BNEF: Energy to storage increase 122X by 2040

According to the latest forecast by BloombergNEF (BNEF), energy storage installations (not including pumped hydropower) around the world will multiply exponentially, from 9GW/17GWh deployed as of 2018 to 1,095GW/2,850GWh by 2040.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/bnef-energy-storage-increase-122x-by-2040.html

Energy storage sites provide unique wholesale market participation

ENGIE Storage has announced it will supply and operate a 19 MW/38 MWh portfolio of six energy storage sites that will contribute to the Solar Massachusetts Renewable Target Program and participate in ISO-New England wholesale markets.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/08/energy-storage-sites-provide-unique-wholesale-market-participation.html

Democratic debate 2019 takeaways

Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders stuck together, Pete Buttigieg took the middle path, Marianne Williamson took on racism and Beto O’Rourke faded into the background.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/democratic-debate-2019-takeaways.html

Energy industry mourns the death of Global Wind Energy Council’s Steve Sawyer

Steve Sawyer, 63, Senior Policy Advisor and former Secretary General of the Global Wind Energy Council, passed away on July 31, 2019 of a sudden and aggressive lung cancer.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/energy-industry-mourns-the-death-of-global-wind-energy-councils-steve-sawyer.html

Foreign firms look to make India a global wind turbine export hub

Global wind turbine makers are expanding manufacturing capacity in India to boost exports from the South Asian nation even as the country’s domestic industry faces headwinds.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/foreign-firms-look-to-make-india-a-global-wind-turbine-export-hub.html

Energy CEOs extol virtues of hydropower while bemoaning its lack of public support

Last week at the HydroVision International plenary session, a panel of three CEOs — Darrel T. Anderson, President and CEO IDACORP and Idaho Power, Mitch Davidson, CEO and Managing Partner, Brookfield Renewable Power, and Paul Jacob, President and CEO, Rye Development — along with moderator Elizabeth Ingram, Content Director, Clarion Energy, discussed both the merits and the challenges of hydropower development in the United States and Canada.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/energy-ceos-extol-virtues-of-hydropower-while-bemoaning-its-lack-of-public-support.html

Utility device and data management technologies revenue could exceed $22 billion by 2027edit

A new report from Navigant Research released this week says that revenue from device and data management technologies could grow from approximately $14.8 billion in 2018 to more than $22.1 billion in 2027 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/utility-device-and-data-management-technologies-revenue-could-exceed-22-billion-by-2027edit.html

Glendale Water & Power to repower Grayson power plant with solar plus storage

Last week, California’s Glendale Water & Power (GWP) received approval from the Glendale City Council to move forward with a plan to repower the aging Grayson Power Plant with a combination of renewable energy resources, energy storage and a limited amount of thermal generation.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/glendale-water-power-to-repower-grayson-power-plant-with-solar-plus-storage.html

Louisiana’s military families to benefit from ground-source geothermal and modern energy-saving devices

Last week, Corvias announced that it had entered the final phase of its geothermal installation and energy upgrades effort at the U.S. Army’s Fort Polk in West-Central Louisiana, a milestone that once complete will not only modernize the aging infrastructure but save the Army significant money and benefit military families.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/louisianas-military-families-to-benefit-from-groundsource-geothermal-and-modern-energysaving-devices.html

Small Missouri utility proposes big pivot to clean energy in latest resource plan

Missouri’s smallest investor-owned utility is charting a dramatically different course two years after being acquired by new owners.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/small-missouri-utility-proposes-big-pivot-to-clean-energy-in-latest-resource-plan.html

Saudi Arabia set to build first wind farm

Saudi Arabia, the world’s biggest oil exporter, is poised to start generating wind power within three years as part of an effort to harness renewable energy to cut local demand for fossil fuels.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/saudi-arabia-set-to-build-first-wind-farm.html

Energy storage plant set for southeast Asia

Finnish energy technology group Wärtsilä has signed an EPC contract for a 100 MW/100 MWh total capacity energy storage project in southeast Asia.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/energy-storage-plant-set-for-southeast-asia.html

Lincoln Clean Energy: Texas' Lockett Wind project commercially operational

The Lockett Wind farm in Wilbarger has the potential to generate more than 700,000 MWh of renewable energy per year, enough to power the equivalent of 70,000 homes. 

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/lincoln-clean-energy-texas-lockett-wind-project-commercial-operational.html

Namibia announces $338M, 5-year renewable energy strategy

Namibia’s state-run utility will build four plants powered by renewable energy over the next five years as the southern African nation seeks to guarantee local supplies and cut its use of fossil fuels.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/namibia-announces-338m-5year-renewable-energy-strategy.html

New York plans to install 1700 MW of offshore wind

New York has signed the biggest-ever deals for offshore wind power in U.S. history, a key part of the state’s plan to get all of its power from emissions-free sources by 2040.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/new-york-plans-to-install-1700-mw-of-offshore-wind.html

GE Renewable Energy announces two hydropower services contracts in the US

GE Renewable Energy announced at HydroVision that it has signed two hydropower contracts in the U.S. one for FirstLight’s Northfield Mountain project and one for PG&E’s Caribou One hydropower station.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/ge-renewable-energy-announces-two-hydropower-services-contracts-in-the-us.html

The role of retail in renewables

Regulators in a number of states are ratcheting up investigations into competitive retailer behavior and proposing new consumer protection rules. Some states with aggressive carbon emission reduction goals implemented through regulated utility contracts are wondering whether retail competition has a place where a growing portion of energy supply is locked and loaded. 

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/the-role-of-retail-in-renewables.html

Envisioning the future of hydropower: What do you see?

On Tuesday, July 23 at the HydroVision International keynote, Vice President Marla Barnes asked the audience to close their eyes and envision their next vacation. “Are you sitting on a beach? Are you packing your family into the car for a wild adventure? What do you see,” she asked.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/envisioning-the-future-of-hydropower-what-do-you-see.html

The Lewis River Merwin Dam: harvest, habitat, hatcheries and hydro

On Tuesday, July 23, about 30 HydroVision attendees had to privilege of touring the 136-MW Lewis River hydropower plant located at the Merwin Dam in Ariel, Washington. The dam was constructed in 1931 and has four penstocks, which today feed three turbines. The turbines were installed in 1931, 1949 and 1958, respectively. The fourth penstock, which was the focus of much of the tour, is for fish passage.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/the-lewis-river-merwin-dam-harvest-habitat-hatcheries-and-hydro.html

Farmers Irrigation District hydropower facility offers sustainable solution to a growing challenge

On Monday, July 22, about 30 HydroVision attendees visited the beautiful Hood River Valley outside of Portland, Oregon to tour in-conduit hydropower projects and learn how modernizing irrigation districts is a sustainable solution to help combat a changing climate.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/farmers-irrigation-district-hydropower-facility-offers-sustainable-solution-to-a-growing-challenge.html

HydroVision International kicks off in Portland, Ore., U.S.

The HydroVision International event is now under way in the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, with more than 3,000 hydropower professionals from around the world coming together for four days of learning and networking.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/hydrovision-international-kicks-off-in-portland-ore-u-s.html

German clean-energy fund sees promise in US distributed solar development

Germany-based clean-energy fund Hep Kapitalverwaltung AG agreed to invest $50 million to $80 million annually in a partnership to develop small solar projects in the U.S.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/german-cleanenergy-fund-sees-promise-in-us-distributed-solar-development.html

4.5-MW solar plant goes live in Brittany, France

Hanwha Q CELLS GmbH said it supplied its almost 15,000 solar modules to a large ground-mounted solar farm in western France.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/45mw-solar-plant-goes-live-in-brittany-france.html

Study: Fossil fuels are far less efficient than previously thought

Fossil fuels, long regarded for their high-energy return on investment, are not as efficient as once thought. In fact, their final yields are not much better than those of renewable options, according to a new study.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/study-fossil-fuels-are-far-less-efficient-than-previously-thought.html

LIHI certifies two low-impact hydroelectric facilities

The Low Impact Hydropower Institute recently announced it had awarded low-impact certification status to two hydroelectric facilities:

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/lihi-certifies-two-low-impact-hydroelectric-facilities.html

Freak weather events pose new risk to India's renewables goals

India’s ambitious plan to take the leadership position among nations as one of largest producers of renewable energy may have run into some unfavorable weather.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/freak-weather-events-pose-new-risk-to-indias-renewables-goals.html

The 150,000-square-meter sky bridge of Shanghai’s 'Rafael Gallery' will be covered in solar

Solar company Hanergy announced that its thin-film solar modules will cover the 150,000 square meter roof of the ‘Rafael Gallery’ located at a Tech City in Shanghai.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/the-150000squaremeter-sky-bridge-of-shanghais-rafael-gallery-will-be-covered-in-solar.html

Turkeler and RT Enerji choose supplier for five onshore wind farms in Turkey

Turkeler and RT Enerji have chosen GE Renewable Energy to supply equipment for five onshore wind farms being built in Turkey.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/turkerler-and-rt-enerji-choose-supplier-for-five-onshore-wind-farms-in-turkey.html

Fantasy Energy League Draft follow-up: breaking down the first round

In late 2018, I put out the call to see how many fellow energy nerds I could gather to indulge me in combining my passion for energy analysis and clean power policy with my love of fantasy sports. By the end of January 2019, I had my cast of characters who somehow thought this idea was as fun as I did (isn’t the Internet the greatest tool for finding people who share your interests?) and I released my Draft Preview. Coordinating this draft among 14 different teams with different time zones and schedules chock-full of actually helping to save the planet proved no easy task, but by the end of March we had conducted 5 rounds of picks for a total of 70 selections in this Inaugural Fantasy Energy League!

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/fantasy-energy-league-draft-followup-breaking-down-the-first-round.html

GE sells solar-business stake to BlackRock

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/ge-sells-solarbusiness-stake-to-blackrock.html

Digitalisation and the transformation of the energy value chain

Digitalisation is one of the biggest enablers of the global transition to clean energy. From intelligent asset management, to Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things. Find out how digitalisation is transforming the management, operation and maintenance of renewable energy assets, and driving a more efficient renewable world.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/digitalisation-and-the-transformation-of-the-energy-value-chain.html

AEP units looking to invest $2B in 1,500 MW of Oklahoma wind projects

The projects include a 999-MW wind facility being built north of Weatherford, a 287-MW wind facility being built southwest of Enid, and a 199-MW facility being built south of Alva. They are being developed by Invenergy.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/aep-units-looking-to-invest-2b-in-1-500-mw-of-oklahoma-wind-projects.html

Stay chilled: Lessons for district cooling from the Gulf Coopration Council

Global demand for air-conditioning is projected to triple over the next 30 years, as the planet warms and urban populations grow, particularly in emerging markets. Meeting that demand will call for significant investments in new cooling infrastructure and the electrical generating capacity necessary to power it. Although traditional cooling technologies are expected to become more efficient in coming years, countries will need to plan for these additional loads, which will be expensive. Emerging markets can also make use of district cooling, an approach that the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which consists of six Middle Eastern countries — Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Oman — have successfully adopted.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/stay-chilled-lessons-for-district-cooling-from-the-gulf-coopration-council.html

Ontario Power Generation announces plans to rebuild century-old Calabogie Generating Station

Plans are under way to rebuild one of Ontario Power Generation’s oldest hydroelectric generating stations, which was damaged by a tornado in 2018. Constructed in 1917, the 5-MW Calabogie Generating Station has produced renewable, low-cost electricity on the Madawaska River for decades.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/ontario-power-generation-announces-plans-to-rebuild-century-old-calabogie-generating-station.html

Shell to install ultrafast EV chargers in the Netherlands in e-mobility push

Global infrastructure services firm AECOM said that Shell Retail has hired it to deliver ultrafast electrical vehicle (EV) chargers across the Netherlands. A total of 200 fast chargers – under the brand name Shell Recharge - will be available at Shell forecourts (filling stations).

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/shell-to-install-ultrafast-ev-chargers-in-the-netherlands-in-emobility-push.html

Minnesota utilities weigh energy storage as substitute for peaker plants

Gas peaker plants may be among the first casualties of a new Minnesota law requiring utilities to include energy storage as part of their long-range plans.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/minnesota-utilities-weigh-energy-storage-as-substitute-for-peaker-plants.html

National Grid purchases wind and solar developer, Geronimo Energy

Yesterday, National Grid, through its competitive non-regulated unit National Grid Ventures (NGV), completed its $100 million acquisition of Geronimo Energy - a wind and solar developer in North America. The deal, which was announced on March 7th, 2019, has now satisfied all regulatory requirements and closing conditions.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/national-grid-purchases-wind-and-solar-developer-geronimo-energy.html

Long-term financing for solar is possible and critical for supporting continued industry growth

Installed solar capacity in the United States exceeded 10 MW for the third year in a row in 2018, and the pace of growth is expected to continue. The first quarter of 2019 was the strongest in the history of the U.S. solar market, according to a recent report from Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and Wood Mackenzie Power & Renewables. Yet inefficient and costly project financing inhibits many solar developers from tapping into the market’s true potential.

source https://www.renewableenergyworld.com/articles/2019/07/longterm-financing-for-solar-is-possible-and-critical-for-supporting-continued-industry-growth.html

New technologies for renewable energy to be developed in NE England

New technologies for renewable energy to be developed in NE England: The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has awarded £5.2 million to Northumbria, Newcastle and Durham Universities to open a new national Centre for Doctoral Training in renewable energies