Gregoire's CleanTech Blog

Total se positionne sur l'énergie des courants marins

Total s'engage dans le domaine de l'énergie des courants marins. Total a annoncé avoir pris une participation de 10 % dans la société Scotrenewables Marine Power Ltd. Cette société, filiale de Scotrenewables Wind Power Ltd., est basée aux îles Orcades en Ecosse. Elle est spécialisée dans le développement d'une technologie de production d'électricité à partir d'hydroliennes fonctionnant grâce aux courants marins.

La société Scotrenewables Marine Power Ltd. travaille en étroite relation avec le centre EMEC (European Marine Energy Centre), qui dispose des infrastructures nécessaires à la qualification de dispositifs de production d'électricité d'origine marine. Elle bénéficie également du soutien des chercheurs de l'Université Heriott-Watt d'Edimbourg et de l'université des Orcades, avec lesquels Total entretient plusieurs partenariats.

Outre le fait que cette technologie de production de l'électricité n'émet pas de gaz à effet de serre, l'énergie des courants marins présente l'avantage d'être prédictible. A long terme, cette source d'énergie pourrait contribuer significativement à la production d'électricité d'origine renouvelable, en particulier au Royaume-Uni et en France. Les îles Orcades se situent dans une zone où l'intensité des courants marins atteint des niveaux parmi les plus élevés observés en Europe.

Ce nouvel engagement de Total dans les énergies marines fait suite à une prise de participation en juin 2005 dans un projet de valorisation de l'énergie des vagues en Espagne. Les demandes d'autorisations correspondantes ont été déposées et sont en cours d'instruction.

Le Groupe confirme ainsi son intérêt pour les énergies renouvelables. Outre les biocarburants, Total est en effet présent depuis plus de vingt ans dans l'énergie solaire photovoltaïque et poursuit son action à travers deux sociétés, Photovoltech et Tenesol. Par ailleurs, après avoir inauguré en 2003 une première centrale éolienne près de Dunkerque, Total a été sélectionné en 2005 par le ministère français de l'Industrie pour développer le plus grand projet éolien terrestre (90 MW) en France, dans l'Aveyron. Total poursuit en outre les études concernant un projet éolien en mer de plus de 100 MW situé au large de Dunkerque.

Il existe des centrales électriques qui fonctionnent grâce à l'énergie des marées. La plus importante se trouve en France, près de Saint-Malo, c'est l'usine marémotrice de la Rance. Comme la plupart des autres énergies renouvelables, l'électricité marémotrice est intermittente, sauf qu'elle est prévisible, et même des années à l'avance.

Le potentiel de l'énergie des marées dans le monde est difficile à calculer. Il pourrait se situer entre 500 et 1.000 TWh/an. La production mondiale d'hydro-électricité était de 2.700 TWh en 2002.

En France, la production annuelle moyenne de la centrale de la Rance est de 0,5 TWh soit moins de 1 % du total de l'énergie électrique d'origine hydraulique. Les futures usines marémotrices fonctionneront vraisemblablement comme des « hydroliennes », c'est-à-dire des hélices placées dans le courant, car l'impact sur l'environnement d'une usine comme celle de la Rance est important.

Source : www.actualites-news-environnement.com

Intelligent management systems

Nice article at CNET's News.com about GridPoint and its intelligent energy management systems, which include an energy storage component that enables residential and business load-shifting. The company has struck an agreement with an unnamed utility that will get access to the storage systems within the homes of GridPoint customers to offset peak electricity demand.

PacWind VAWT

PacWind Technologies scaleable Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is made in the U.S.A., and solves several of the inherent problems of traditional propeller based wind turbines. The model SeaHawk is available now.

Traditional propeller based wind turbine have several inherent disadvantages, such as noise, susceptibility to cross-winds and the need to control blade speed for self-preservation.  A VAWT solves these issues.

• The units run completely silent and vibration free. No noise is emitted from the turbines regardless of wind speed.
• The VAWT eliminates the need to slow down the turbine under high wind conditions, because the design permits full power output at 60 mph plus and simply won’t turn any faster.
• The VAWT is not affected by cross-winds, as the direction of wind is irrelevant.
• The turbine features only one moving part minimizing maintenance, utilizing a direct drive generator
• The PacWind generates usable power at low wind speeds of 10 MPH.
• The VAWT is bird and wildlife friendly. Birds view the VAWT as a solid object. Propeller based turbines, which are invisible to the birds, cause possible injury and death. The VAWT is wildlife friendly. Animals are not frightened by the VAWT due to its silent and vibration free operation.

The SeaHawk, the first turbine in a series has a power output of 1 Kilowatt and a maximum power output of 3.4 Kilowatts. The SeaHawk measures 55 inches High by 30 inches in diameter. The PacWind VAWT is scaleable to Megawatt class turbines.

“The SeaHawk incorporates PacWind’s patented, permanent magnet, three-phase A.C. generator, containing the most powerful rare-earth magnets in the industry. This allows the VAWT to produce more power at lower wind speeds compared to propeller driven generators”, according to the inventor and manufacturer, Phil Watkins, President of PacWind Technology.

Each wind turbine includes a three-function electronic charge controller for 12V/24V/48V systems, and a three-phase Rectifier is included to complete the system.

The compact SeaHawk design enables freedom of choice and flexibility for installations, and allows one or more units to mount on a single pole. The unit is also roof-top mountable, and can be set as high or low as the winds demand. Custom mounts are also available.

The power curve for the PacWind, shown to the left, indicates that it doesn't start to procuce much power until the wind speed reaches 25 MPH, with the rated capacity being reached at about 43 MPH.

PacWind Technology, Torrance, CA USA

Source : The Energy Blog - thefraserdomain.typepad.com

PacWind Technologies scaleable Vertical Axis Wind Turbine (VAWT) is made in the U.S.A., and solves several of the inherent problems of traditional propeller based wind turbines. The model SeaHawk is available now.

Traditional propeller based wind turbine have several inherent disadvantages, such as noise, susceptibility to cross-winds and the need to control blade speed for self-preservation.  A VAWT solves these issues.

• The units run completely silent and vibration free. No noise is emitted from the turbines regardless of wind speed.
• The VAWT eliminates the need to slow down the turbine under high wind conditions, because the design permits full power output at 60 mph plus and simply won’t turn any faster.
• The VAWT is not affected by cross-winds, as the direction of wind is irrelevant.
• The turbine features only one moving part minimizing maintenance, utilizing a direct drive generator
• The PacWind generates usable power at low wind speeds of 10 MPH.
• The VAWT is bird and wildlife friendly. Birds view the VAWT as a solid object. Propeller based turbines, which are invisible to the birds, cause possible injury and death. The VAWT is wildlife friendly. Animals are not frightened by the VAWT due to its silent and vibration free operation.

The SeaHawk, the first turbine in a series has a power output of 1 Kilowatt and a maximum power output of 3.4 Kilowatts. The SeaHawk measures 55 inches High by 30 inches in diameter. The PacWind VAWT is scaleable to Megawatt class turbines.

“The SeaHawk incorporates PacWind’s patented, permanent magnet, three-phase A.C. generator, containing the most powerful rare-earth magnets in the industry. This allows the VAWT to produce more power at lower wind speeds compared to propeller driven generators”, according to the inventor and manufacturer, Phil Watkins, President of PacWind Technology.

Each wind turbine includes a three-function electronic charge controller for 12V/24V/48V systems, and a three-phase Rectifier is included to complete the system.

The compact SeaHawk design enables freedom of choice and flexibility for installations, and allows one or more units to mount on a single pole. The unit is also roof-top mountable, and can be set as high or low as the winds demand. Custom mounts are also available.

The power curve for the PacWind, shown to the left, indicates that it doesn't start to procuce much power until the wind speed reaches 25 MPH, with the rated capacity being reached at about 43 MPH.

PacWind Technology, Torrance, CA USA

Source : The Energy Blog - thefraserdomain.typepad.com

Hybrid Technologies To Produce Lithium-Ion Powered Taxis

Pursuant to negotiations with the York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) Hybrid Technologies (OTC BB: HYBT.OB) will build a taxi version of the lithium PT Cruiser. The taxi version of the L-PT Cruiser will be produced in Mooresville, NC and will be tested at the development facility.

Speed: Over 70 mph / 112 km/h
Range: Over 150 miles / 160 km
Charge Time: 1-8 hours with either a 110-120 V or 220-240 V
Batteries: Kokam (South Korea)
Battery Weight: There are approximately 600 lbs / 272 kg of lithium cells
Power System: 320 V
Cycle Life: 1500 + charges (DOD 100%) 2,500 cylcles (DOD 80%)
Vehicle weight: 3000 lbs / 1365 kg

Once approved by all parties, the taxi will be in regular service operated by a fleet. The lithium taxi will mark a historic change in the current fleet of more than 12,778 medallion taxicabs. The TLC licenses and regulates over 50,000 vehicles and approximately 100,000 drivers.

Previously Paratransit, Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provides transportation services for elderly and disabled people, and Hybrid Technologies, Inc.,  announced that they had entered into a joint venture agreement to determine the utility of lithium-ion battery powered vehicles to be used for taxicabs and a van that is fully accessible to disabled passengers.

Paratransit, Inc. has contracted with Hybrid Technologies to produce a PT Cruiser, developed by Hybrid Technologies for government fleet replacement and large public sector organizations, to aquire the first vehicles to be used commercially as taxicabs.

Paratransit and Hybrid technologies also will conduct a demonstration project regarding a full-lithium-ion-powered Daimler Chrysler family van. This part of the joint venture will result in the first full-lithium-ion powered vehicle that is fully accessible to people that use wheelchairs.

The vehicles will operate in the Sacramento, California area and will be used in the daily operations of Paratransit, Inc.  Hybrid Technologies will be manufacturing the vehicles and developing the fully accessible clean air van, at their facility in Mooresville, North Carolina.

The launch of the new lithium taxi service will be held in Sacramento, California, with local, state and federal dignitaries in attendance. The event will mark a major advancement in fully electric service vehicles and is expected to be of significant interest to California State officials.

Source : The Energy Blog - thefraserdomain.typepad.com

Once approved by all parties, the taxi will be in regular service operated by a fleet. The lithium taxi will mark a historic change in the current fleet of more than 12,778 medallion taxicabs. The TLC licenses and regulates over 50,000 vehicles and approximately 100,000 drivers.

Previously Paratransit, Inc., a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provides transportation services for elderly and disabled people, and Hybrid Technologies, Inc.,  announced that they had entered into a joint venture agreement to determine the utility of lithium-ion battery powered vehicles to be used for taxicabs and a van that is fully accessible to disabled passengers.

Paratransit, Inc. has contracted with Hybrid Technologies to produce a PT Cruiser, developed by Hybrid Technologies for government fleet replacement and large public sector organizations, to aquire the first vehicles to be used commercially as taxicabs.

Paratransit and Hybrid technologies also will conduct a demonstration project regarding a full-lithium-ion-powered Daimler Chrysler family van. This part of the joint venture will result in the first full-lithium-ion powered vehicle that is fully accessible to people that use wheelchairs.

The vehicles will operate in the Sacramento, California area and will be used in the daily operations of Paratransit, Inc.  Hybrid Technologies will be manufacturing the vehicles and developing the fully accessible clean air van, at their facility in Mooresville, North Carolina.

The launch of the new lithium taxi service will be held in Sacramento, California, with local, state and federal dignitaries in attendance. The event will mark a major advancement in fully electric service vehicles and is expected to be of significant interest to California State officials.

Source : The Energy Blog - thefraserdomain.typepad.com

Allemagne : Pairan Elektronik Gmbh reçoit une commande d'Espagne pour 360 Solar Tracking Systems

Pairan Elektronik Gmbh a annoncé que la compagnie a été retenue par la Société espagnole d'énergie, Abastecimientos Energéticos pour fournir et installer des systèmes solaire photovoltaïque près de Murcia, Espagne. Les modules seront installés sur 360 Solar Tracking Systems de type Pairan SunFlex SF40 afin d'optimiser la production d'énergie électrique...

Tidal / Wave energy underappreciated

The New York Times had a nice story Thursday on wave energy technology. We basically get an overview of the technology, an update on where the innovation is at, and a sample of some of the projects currently in motion (so to speak). The article also raises some of the barriers to these projects, namely environmental groups that see massive turbines and structures put into the sea as a danger to fish and their surrounding ecosystems. Fair enough. Personally, I do like this technology and don't believe it's getting enough attention or funding compared to wind and solar. What's great about wave/tide energy systems is that they offer baseload more predictable power supply that you can't get with wind and solar. In Canada, I'm happy to see a little attention to tidal power in the latest funding round by Sustainable Development Technology Canada. A Calgary-based company called New Energy Corporation Inc., along with partners Canoe Pass Tidal Energy Corp. and Focus Environmental, are putting in a 500 kilowatt tidal power system in a narrow channel between Maude Island and Ouadra Island along British Columbia's west coast. "The technology to be demonstrated is New Energy's EnCurrent vertical axis turbine, which employs vanes mounted parallel to a vertical shaft to extract energy from a moving stream of water regardless of its direction," according to an SDTC description of the project. SDTC funded a smaller 65 kilowatt tidal project back in July 2005 near Victoria, B.C., led by Vancouver's Clean Current Power Systems. The goal of that initiative was to replace two diesel generators at a marine park with clean tidal power. In June, a study by the Electric Power Research Institute concluded that the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia was among three top North American sites for tidal power potential. The study determined that clean power could be produced there at less than 6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour, competitive with natural gas and wind and far cheaper than solar and clean coal. Enough electricity could be produced to power more than 100,000 homes. Of course, Canada already has a 20-megawatt tidal power generation station built in Nova Scotia during the early 1980s at Annapolis Royal. Russia and China have built similarly sized plants, while France has a 240-megawatt tidal plant. Not sure why we don't see more of these things...

Konarka Sets Stage for Large Volume Production

Konarka Technologies, developer of Power Plastic™ dye-sensitized solar cells has signed a non-exclusive licensing and joint development agreement for large-scale production with Renewable Capital Ltd of London, UK, an investment firm that identifies and invests in renewable technologies. Renewable Capital has committed resources, capital and equipment to their development activities. This includes the enlistment of services from Coatema, a world-renowned manufacturer of first-of-kind coating equipment. 

As part of the agreement, Renewable Capital will have ongoing access to Konarka’s dye-cell technology, as it is developed. It anticipates the technology will scale to several hundred megawatts.

Konarkaq has licensee rights to dye-sensitized solar cell technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL).   The EPFL's dye-sensitized technology was developed by the world-renowned scientist, Dr. Michael Graetzel, and enables photovoltaic technology to create energy across a broad spectrum of light, both indoors and outdoors. Konarka significantly enhanced the technology and process development based on the company's own inventions and exclusive, worldwide licensing rights to proprietary processes that enable production at lower temperatures, serving as the foundation for extremely low manufacturing costs.   As a result, Konarka leveraged its own intellectual property in conjunction with the EPFL license, to expedite the commercialization of its photovoltaic (PV) technology.

Renewable Capital selected Coatema as its manufacturing partner due to its more than 30 years in the laminating and coating equipment industry. The company boasts the largest research and development center for coating and laminating in Europe.

“Our proven coating process can be leveraged for large-scale manufacturing of new materials, such as Konarka’s dye cell technology,” stated Thomas Kolbusch, managing director at Coatema. “As well, we provide complete control of the entire production process, from the development of the formulation, trials in our own lab, manufacturing of the plants and full support to the final product, thus ensuring the most optimum manufacturing conditions.”

Konarka uses photovoltaic nanotechnology to make material with properties similar to an ink -- composed of particles 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair -- that can be applied to plastic or fibers. The material absorbs light, and emits electricity, particularly well because the minute size of the particles means more surface area is exposed to sunlight.

Konarka is the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic products that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications. Konarka’s photovoltaic nanotechnology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., U.S.A., with European headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and research and development facilities in Austria and Switzerland.

For more information, visit http://www.konarka.com.

Source : The Energy Blog - thefraserdomain.typepad.com

Konarka Technologies, developer of Power Plastic™ dye-sensitized solar cells has signed a non-exclusive licensing and joint development agreement for large-scale production with Renewable Capital Ltd of London, UK, an investment firm that identifies and invests in renewable technologies. Renewable Capital has committed resources, capital and equipment to their development activities. This includes the enlistment of services from Coatema, a world-renowned manufacturer of first-of-kind coating equipment. 

As part of the agreement, Renewable Capital will have ongoing access to Konarka’s dye-cell technology, as it is developed. It anticipates the technology will scale to several hundred megawatts.

Konarkaq has licensee rights to dye-sensitized solar cell technology from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL).   The EPFL's dye-sensitized technology was developed by the world-renowned scientist, Dr. Michael Graetzel, and enables photovoltaic technology to create energy across a broad spectrum of light, both indoors and outdoors. Konarka significantly enhanced the technology and process development based on the company's own inventions and exclusive, worldwide licensing rights to proprietary processes that enable production at lower temperatures, serving as the foundation for extremely low manufacturing costs.   As a result, Konarka leveraged its own intellectual property in conjunction with the EPFL license, to expedite the commercialization of its photovoltaic (PV) technology.

Renewable Capital selected Coatema as its manufacturing partner due to its more than 30 years in the laminating and coating equipment industry. The company boasts the largest research and development center for coating and laminating in Europe.

“Our proven coating process can be leveraged for large-scale manufacturing of new materials, such as Konarka’s dye cell technology,” stated Thomas Kolbusch, managing director at Coatema. “As well, we provide complete control of the entire production process, from the development of the formulation, trials in our own lab, manufacturing of the plants and full support to the final product, thus ensuring the most optimum manufacturing conditions.”

Konarka uses photovoltaic nanotechnology to make material with properties similar to an ink -- composed of particles 1,000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair -- that can be applied to plastic or fibers. The material absorbs light, and emits electricity, particularly well because the minute size of the particles means more surface area is exposed to sunlight.

Konarka is the leading developer of polymer photovoltaic products that provide a source of renewable power in a variety of form factors for commercial, industrial, government and consumer applications. Konarka’s photovoltaic nanotechnology is focused on delivering lightweight, flexible, scalable and manufacturable products. Konarka Technologies is headquartered in Lowell, Mass., U.S.A., with European headquarters in Nuremberg, Germany, and research and development facilities in Austria and Switzerland.

For more information, visit http://www.konarka.com.

Source : The Energy Blog - thefraserdomain.typepad.com