UK-based industrial fuel cell technology provider AFC Energy has signed a new co-operation agreement with Waste2Tricity International (Thailand) and Alter NRG Corporation in Bangkok, Thailand.

The agreement is to advance the adoption of AFC Energy’s fuel cell systems in proposed energy-from-waste (EfW) projects in Thailand.

The agreement includes a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that builds on the business deal signed in October 2013 providing exclusive rights to Waste2Tricity to use AFC Energy’s low-cost fuel cell systems to generate renewable power from hydrogen gasified from municipal solid waste.

Waste2Tricity International (Thailand) is a majority owned subsidiary of Waste2Tricity, while Alter NRG is a Canada-based waste gasification technology firm.

AFC Energy CEO Ian Williamson said that large scale waste to energy projects in Thailand will not only increase energy independence from renewable sources but will also alleviate pressure on landfill to deal with waste.

“Working together we can benefit from first mover advantage and open up this market quickly and demonstrate a compelling investment case for such fuel cell-based power systems,” Williamson said.

Waste2tricity director PK Thummukgool said that this agreement clearly demonstrates the company’s intentions to shorten the time to market for our energy-from-waste systems incorporating AFC’s low cost fuel cells.

“The MoU will quickly establish a business model to monetise the growing waste stream in Thailand and also create a platform for developing similar projects in the ASEAN region,” Thummukgool said.

The UK leads in offshore wind deployment across the world with approximately 3.6GW of installed operating capacity, and a further 1.4GW under construction as of January 2014, according to an annual report by Offshore Wind Programme Board (OWPB).

The report noted that the UK Government’s key priority is to maximise the economic benefit from offshore wind.

The county currently has more than 1,000 offshore wind turbines installations and claimed to be an attractive destination for investment.

DECC, in association with industry, has set out a plan to add between 8GW to 15GW of offshore wind power by 2020, and up to 41GW by 2030.

UK Energy Minister Michael Fallon said that the UK is the world leader in offshore wind, with more deployed than any other country, and a framework in place to retain its global lead.

Fallon said, “The benefits that offshore wind can bring are clear: as costs fall it can enhance our long-term energy security, reduce our dependence on imports and help reduce our carbon emissions.

“And, crucially, offshore wind can play a vital role in driving growth – adding billions of pounds of value to the UK economy and supporting thousands of jobs.”

In 2014, the works of OWPB will move from planning and establishment of structures to real delivery.

In its proposals, the OWPB has stressed on delivering the outputs identified by each workstream as crucial to delivery of cost reduction under the key headings of supply chain, skills, technology and innovation, contracting strategies, planning and consent, grid, finance, and operations and maintenance.

Going forward, OWPB will act as a hub for developers and supply chain companies to share experiences and best practices to drive cost reduction.

UK-based Offshore Marine Management (OMM) has completed a support services contract to Italy-based cables firm Prysmian with the installation of HVDC cable for the Sylwin 1 offshore wind farm in German waters.

Using the DP2 vessel Vos Sweet, OMM cleared the route proposed for laying the 160km high-voltage direct current export cable after identifying and retrieving out-of-service cables along the route for later safe disposal onshore.

The direct current export cable will connect the new wind parks to the onshore grid.

OMM said it carried out mattressing of the existing in-service underwater assets, including telecommunication and electricity cables and gas pipelines.

Furthermore, OMM’s team conducted a detailed survey of the sea bed, before identifying the correct position for each mattress and then releasing each into its location using a remotely operated underwater vehicle launched from the DP2 vessel.

A post-installation survey found that no interference with third-party assets had taken place.

OMM also used the Blue Capellato to conduct a pre-lay grapnel run (PLGR) to clear the seabed of debris and other unwanted materials to ensure that the route for the new Sylwin cable was clear and in good condition for installation.

OMM COO Eckhard Bruckschen said, “Despite challenging weather and some difficult seabed conditions, the out-of-service cables were successfully recovered and the route was proved clear in advance of the commencement of the cable lay.”

As many as 35,000 jobs could be generated by developing Ireland’s wind energy sector further, according to a new report from Trinity College Dublin and the Economic Social Research Institute.

The study suggests that Ireland would need to meet and exceed its current 2020 targets to double the amount of wind energy it produces to create such a high number of positions.

The report, entitled ‘An Enterprising Wind; An Economic Analysis Of The Job Creation Potential Of The Wind Sector In Ireland’, was jointly commissioned by Siemens and the Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA). It suggests that an overall private sector investment of between €7 billion and €29 billion would be required, depending on the level of ambition pursued.

Among the possible jobs that could be created are roles in construction, engineering, manufacturing, and the IT sector.

According to the study, if Ireland were to meet its current 2020 targets and install 400MW of wind energy, 8,355 new positions would be created, more than double the number of jobs that currently exist in the sector.

The report goes on to suggest that if Ireland was to build on the existing target and add an additional 4000MW of onshore and offshore wind energy capacity for export, that over 17,000 jobs could be created.

In the most ambitious scenario outlined, a decision to develop 12GW of installed wind capacity,of which 4GW would be for export, would result in 35,275 new jobs coming onstream.

“This independent study highlights the considerable potential the wind energy sector has to drive economic growth in Ireland and, most critically, creating local jobs in local communities,” said Kenneth Matthews, chief executive of the IWEA.

There are a number of other benefits associated with wind power. The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) recently announced that Ireland had saved €1 billion in fuel costs in imported energy costs, cut greenhouse gas emissions and resulted in lower fuel bills for consumers.

A plan to export energy generated in Ireland to Britain from wind energy farms however, has proven controversial. Currently two companies, Mainstream Renewable Power and Element Power, are in the process of developing a large-scale wind energy project in the midlands, which is anticipated will provide 5,000MWs of wind to the UK market and will involve the building of 2,000 turbines.

One of those companies, Mainstream, today announced it has selected Siemens Wind as the preferred supplier of wind turbines and has appointed Marubeni and Technip Offshore Wind Limited as the preferred supplier of balance of plant EPCI services for its 450MW Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind farm to be located off the coast of Fife in Scotland.

Having received onshore planning consent in June 2013, the proposed wind farm is expected to receive a determination on its offshore consent application soon and start preliminary construction works later this year. It is expected to begin generating renewable electricity from 2017 and when fully operational will have the capacity to deliver 3.7 per cent of Scotland’s electricity demand.

The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) has issued a call for communities to apply for the €13.5 million available for energy efficiency upgrades and improvements particularly to energy poor homes.  Funding is available this year for the two community programmes which include:

• €8.5 million for Better Energy Communities which will provide funding for pioneering partnerships to achieve energy efficiency through building retrofits within Irish communities.
• €5 million for Better Energy Area Based Programme which will provide funding for projects to deliver energy efficiency upgrades to energy poor households.

For the purpose of this call communities can be a collective term connecting one or many organisations wishing to develop a project in one or multiple locations. SEAI is seeking innovative and pioneering partnerships for delivery between e.g. the public and private sectors, domestic and non-domestic sectors, commercial and not-for-profit organisations and energy suppliers. Suitable projects must be completed by Friday 31st October 2014.  Interested parties should register their interest by contacting bec2014@seai.ie .

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Pat Rabbitte T.D. said: “Better Energy Communities has brought huge benefits to participating communities over the last few years, showing the value of cooperation and local action in achieving energy efficiency savings. This programme has been a great boost for all homeowners, communities and companies involved, and I’d encourage people to start working together to see how they too can build on these positive experiences.”

SEAI Chief Executive, Dr. Brian Motherway said: “This year the Better Energy community programmes are all about using innovative approaches to deliver energy upgrades to even more homes and community buildings. We know that last year communities improved the energy efficiency of thousands of buildings, in the process creating jobs and saving money. We want to build on this success and we are hugely encouraged by the creativity and enthusiasm we have seen so far.”

Through the Better Energy Communities and Areas schemes in 2013, the Government provided €15 million to 84 community energy projects countrywide, involving the upgrade of 3,540 homes, 2,800 of which were vulnerable homes, along with another 291 community, public and private facilities.

One of the successful 2013 projects was initiated by Drombane Village Group in Co.Tipperary and saw 37 local residences upgraded along with two parish halls.  Another project coordinated by Musgraves involved them working with the GAA to complete energy upgrades in 22 community GAA clubs nationwide.

Further details on Better Energy Communities and Areas can be found atwww.seai.ie/grants

There is scope for up to 1,000 wind turbines to be constructed in the midlands, a senior executive with Bord na Móna told an Oireachtas committee yesterday. John Reilly said the wind speeds that were available in the midlands were the envy of other European countries and gave Ireland a major competitive advantage.

Misunderstandings
The maximum number of turbines likely to be built was about 1,000, he said, adding that figures of up to 3,000 that had been mentioned were due to misunderstandings.

Mr Reilly was speaking to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht.

Tim Cowhig, managing director of Element Power, which is involved in a wind energy project with Bord na Móna in the midlands, said 185m turbines were currently the most efficient, though that did not mean they would be the ones used.

The project envisages developing 40 wind farms on 20,000 hectares of land in the midlands, with a view to exporting the energy to the UK via links to north and south Wales.

All of the cabling linking the turbines to the connectors with Wales would be underground, the committee was told.

“We have an opportunity to create a new export industry like our beef and dairy export businesses, creating thousands of jobs,” Mr Cowhig told the committee. The development would have a “transformative effect” on the midlands.

The project would involved a 25-year, €250 million community benefit programme if it went ahead, Mr Cowhig said.

Mr Reilly said they were looking at people living near the turbines getting educational bursaries, assistance with making their homes more energy efficient, and perhaps support for their electricity bills.

Community groups might also receive assistance with capital projects and other issues. He said he believed local communities should look at investing in local wind projects.

Mr Cowhig said the project, if it went ahead, would contribute up to 50 per cent of the rates income currently received by the local authorities in Offaly, Westmeath and Laois.

Renewable energy has saved Ireland more than €1bn in fossil fuel imports, cut CO2 emissions by 12m tonnes, and does not raise electricity prices, the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) reported.

Dr Brian Motherway, CEO of the SEAI, said wind energy is delivering for Ireland as the country’s greatest indigenous energy resource.

This resource needs to be exploited for the benefit of the Irish people, he added.

“This is all about making Ireland more energy independent – harvesting our own resources instead of importing the expensive resources of others,” Motherway said.

He noted many arguments have been put forward questioning the case for more wind-energy development in Ireland, but said these arguments are not based on fact. Many people are concerned about renewable energy proposals in their communities and there are undoubtedly places where wind farms should not be built, he added.

“People are entitled to raise all the concerns they may have and a full and open debate is essential. However, false information only serves to worry people further,” Motherway said.

“That is why we have a transparent and functioning planning process, which has proven itself capable, time and again, of making objective decisions.”

Motherway pointed out that Ireland is highly dependent on imported fossil fuels, spending €6.5bn per year on such imports.

“This creates risk, and bleeds large amounts of money from the domestic economy.”

Renewable energy benefits for Ireland

Yet he also pointed out the benefits of renewable energy.

Firstly, those who argue wind energy is expensive and unnecessary are wrong, he said.

“Because Ireland has such a good wind-energy resource, we can get cheap clean electricity from it. Making comparisons with other countries about wind effectiveness is not always valid,” he said.

“Ireland has a uniquely strong resource. We have one of the lowest support regimes and wind is not raising electricity prices.”

Secondly, Ireland growing its use of renewable energy is vital for its national competitiveness, giving it greater control over its energy prices.

“Less reliance on fossil fuels gives us greater certainty on our energy prices, rather than leaving us at the mercy of international commodity price rises,” Motherway said.

Motherway was speaking at the publication by SEAI of Renewable Energy in Ireland. The report shows good progress towards the country’s renewable targets, with more than 7pc of Ireland’s energy demand coming from renewables in 2012 resulting in €250m less expenditure on imported fossil fuels.

“For the past decade, we have successfully developed wind farms around Ireland in tandem and with the support of communities,” said Motherway. “Billions have been invested and thousands of jobs created. There should be no free-for-all.

“We need a careful and considered approach which is transparent and that involves meaningful consultation and local benefits. Wind developers must treat communities with respect, address their concerns appropriately and recognise the importance of ensuring people benefit directly from developments in their areas.”

Nordex has secured a contract from Eneco to supply its Generation Delta wind turbines for the Moy wind farm, located near Inverness in northern Scotland.

As per the contract, Nordex will supply the Generation Delta wind turbines for the 66MW wind farm in 2015. The company has also secured a 15-year premium service contract from Eneco for the wind farm.

The wind farm will be equipped with 20 N100/3300 turbines and is expected to be completed in late summer 2016. Designed for strong wind speed (IEC-1) conditions, these turbines will make optimum use of the strong winds prevailing at the wind farm site.

With a rotor diameter of the N100/3300, the turbine is 10m larger and has 32% greater nominal output when compared with its predecessor. Featuring the proven design of Nordex’s own NR50 rotor blade, the N100/3300 turbine has a nominal output of 3.3MW.

Nordex management board member Lars Bondo Krogsgaard noted the company has had good and extensive experience on IECa sites in the UK in the past.

“With this project, we have the chance of continuing on this path successfully and of demonstrating the strengths of the N100/3300,” Krogsgaard said.

The Scottish Government, following an environmental impact assessment, granted a planning consent in February 2012 to Carbon Free Developments to develop a 20 turbine, 50MW wind farm. Initial stages were carried out by Carbon Free Developments.

In July 2013, Eneco Wind UK was named new investor in the Moy wind farm and the company has taken the lead for the construction and operations phases of the project.

The Scottish ministers granted approval for the Moy wind farm in January 2014 to increase its capacity from 50MW to 60MW.

A consortium consisting of the European Investment Bank (EIB), KfW IPEX-Bank and Rabobank will provide €350m to NOP Agrowind to develop 26 new wind turbines at the existing Windpark Noordoostpolder in the Netherlands.

The 26 new Enercon E-126 wind turbines are part of Windpark Noordoostpolder, comprising 86 wind turbines on-shore and near-shore with a total power output of 195MW.

EIB vice-president responsible for the Netherlands Pim van Ballekom noted unlocking the potential of wind energy both improves energy security and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

“The European Investment Bank is pleased to support the NOP Agrowind project as part of our long-term investment in renewable energy in the Netherlands,” Ballekom said.

NOP Agrowind is an initiative of agricultural entrepreneurs along the Westermeerdijk and Noordermeerdijk in the north-east Polder of the Netherlands. They will together invest approximately €420m in the development of 26 wind turbines on their lands.

Construction of the NOP Agrowind project was commenced in 1994. In spring 2013, the construction process of the new phase was begun with infrastructure works for roads and hardstands. Piles have already been driven for the majority of the wind turbines.

The first turbine of NOP Agrowind is expected to commence power generation in September 2014, and the project is expected to be completed in 2016.

In an average wind year, the turbines of NOP Agrowind will be able to provide power for approximately 180,000 households. NOP Agrowind will supply power from the wind farm to Eneco.

Windpark Noordoostpolder’s 86 wind turbines will generate 1.4 billion kWh of electricity, enough to provide electricity to more than 400,000 households every day.

A partnership between Somerset waste management firm Viridor and Highview Power Storage has been awarded more than £8 million to develop innovation in storing energy.

The partnership has won a contract as part of the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s innovation competition to support energy storage technology research and development.

Taunton-based Viridor will now work with London-based Highview to build and operate an energy storage demonstration project at Viridor’s landfill site at Canterbury.

It comes after a difficult few years for Viridor which has seen revenue levels following a global slump in recyclate prices. But an interim management statement released last week by Viridor’s parent company, Pennon, said that the firm was going through a transitional period.

Pennon said Viridor was making good progress with its Energy from Waste activity.

It said that Viridor’s performance is in line with expectations with Energy from Waste schemes at Runcorn and Exeter due to become operational before the end of March and further projects under way at Cardiff, Glasgow, Peterborough, Ardley and South London.

Announcing the new contract Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said: “Storing energy will become increasingly important in the move towards a low carbon economy, and has the potential to save the energy system over £4 billion by 2050.

“Energy storage systems are potentially revolutionary technologies – just imagine how much the energy system will change if we’re able to manage supply and demand better by storing energy cost-effectively, not to mention the benefits for British research and manufacturing industries.”

Viridor’s landfill energy director Ian Morrish said: “We are pleased to have secured funding for this important project. With ever growing pressure on natural resources, it is essential that we develop innovative and sustainable methods to generate and store energy not only to cut down our carbon footprint but to ensure long-term energy security.

“Innovation has been at the heart of successful businesses in Britain and it is great news that the government recognises and supports its development.”

The two companies will use the funding to develop technology to store air in a liquid format, which can then be used to supply electricity at times of high demand. The technology will be connected to the National Grid, and will be used to test the balancing of supply and demand using stored energy.

The plant will also convert waste heat to power using heat from the on-site landfill gas engines. The project is scheduled to be operational by mid-2015.