The future of energy, research and innovation came under the spotlight when more than 30 SMEs from across the UK and Ireland presented their technology to experts from the Energy Academy at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland, recently.

A slew of companies, including Royal Haskoning DHV, Logan Energy UK, Beran Instruments, Silver Hydro Ltd and the Orion Group, were among those that attended the ‘Meet the Experts’ session earlier this week to build partnerships and to bid for funding from government and new European H2020 initiatives.

Among the highlights:
 

• Dr Gareth Davies, director of Orkney-based renewables consultancy Aquatera, outlined the opportunities for RD in the islands, where the energy sector employs 500 people – 80 per cent of them in renewable. He described Orkney as a «living laboratory» where renewable energy companies could develop technologies in wind, wave and tidal energy and also assess their environmental impact under real-world conditions.
• Heriot-Watt already has a presence in Orkney through the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT). The centre’s director, Dr Sandy Kerr, also urged SMEs to take advantage of the northern islands, drawing attention to the increasing global impact of ICIT and how countries such as Japan look to ICIT and the European Marine Energy Centre at Stromness to learn from local experience of developing new technology.
• Chris Capus, CEO of Heriot-Watt spin-out Hydrason Ltd, described how his company was employing wide-band sonar to help protect sub-sea cables and pipelines. Meanwhile, David Townsend, founder of start-up company Town Rock Energy Ltd, described the potential for geothermal energy extraction in Scotland, where water is used to capture and transport the heat contained in the earth to the surface for conversion to electricity.
• Dr. Tadhg O’Donovan of Heriot-Watt described his work with industry on the conversion of industrial plant waste-to-energy, on combined heat-solar thermal energy and on the assessment of energy economics of renewable energy development. Drs Valentin Robu and David Jenkins talked about the potential for developers to learn from their work on demand side technologies and smart ICT solutions for the National Grid. 

Biogas producers will no longer need to pay for permits or waste handling controls to use fruit and vegetable by-products in the anaerobic digestion (AD) process, the Environment Agency confirmed earlier this week.¹ This resolves a long-standing technical regulatory issue, which had presented a significant barrier to the use of commercial processing rejects and farm residues in on-farm and on-site anaerobic digestion facilities.

Previously, the addition of even a small quantity of these by-products (i.e., leaves and roots, or produce that is misshapen, bruised or undersized) into the anaerobic digestion process would require operators to apply for expensive permits and implement the same waste handling controls as a commercial food waste anaerobic digestion plant. Now that is no longer the case. 

“This regulatory boost will be the final piece in the puzzle for several on-site and on-farm AD projects that had been hanging in the balance — which is great news,” said Jeremy Jacobs, REA technical director.

The change to the regulations follows sustained campaigning from the REA on this issue, including a letter to the Hon Owen Patterson, Secretary of State for Farming Rural Affairs, this past June. ² In the letter, REA’s chief executive, Nina Skorupska, posited that this waste classification had heretofore brought a raft of additional and disproportionate regulatory restrictions on the transport and storage of digestate. Those same restrictions, she stated, also prevented the use of a wide range of materials such as root crops, spent grains and animal feeds which are surplus to requirement. “This is having the effect of making the use of purpose-grown crops the more attractive option,” Skorupska explained.

Industry feedback 

REA member Branston Ltd, a potato producer with sites in Lincoln, Scotland and the South West, is one of the companies set to benefit from the regulatory change pertaining to the use of crop residues in the production of biogas. Vidyanath Gururajan, innovations director at Branston Ltd, called the move a “step in the right direction” for encouraging the fresh produce industry to use anaerobic digestion technology to reduce its carbon emissions.

“I sincerely thank the REA for taking up this subject and seeing it through with Environment Agency,” Gururajan said. “We look forward to seeing this guidance implemented consistently across the UK.” 

REFERENCES 

1. Environment Agency: ‘Briefing note: Crop residues used as feedstocks in anaerobic digestion plants,’ 10^th September 2014. 

2. REA: ‘Removal of regulatory barriers to the use of farm and factory residues in anaerobic digestion,’ 18^th June 2014.

PMSS America, Inc., the US division of leading global renewable energy consulting firm TÜV SÜD PMSS,¹ has announced the appointment of Doug Pfeister to the role of senior vice president as the firm gears up in response to further growth in the US offshore wind industry.

Pfeister will work alongside the growing team out of PMSS America, Inc’s New York City offices. He joins TÜV SÜD PMSS from the Offshore Wind Development Coalition (OffshoreWindDC), where, as acting president, he worked to promote offshore wind development by representing the interests of developers and firms working throughout the growing supply chain. Prior to that, Pfeister worked for offshore wind developer NRG Bluewater Wind, leading siting and permitting across the company and helping to negotiate the first offshore wind power purchase agreement in Delaware. 

“Doug is a highly driven individual and a staunch advocate of offshore wind in the United States – and he is going to fit right in with the rest of our outstanding team here in the US,” said Sebastian Chivers, director and head of TÜV SÜD PMSS’ North America business. “His experience and regulatory knowledge — having played a key role in the development of the first projects off the East Coast — will be an invaluable asset to TÜV SÜD PMSS as we look to support the growth of a domestic industry and strengthen our local capabilities for our clients.” 

Pfeister, an advocate of progressive offshore wind policies, successfully lobbied —  along with other offshore wind proponents — for the New Jersey Offshore Wind Development Act of 2010, a highly influential state law that has supported the establishment and growth of US offshore wind to date.

“I’m confident that Doug’s hands-on experience guiding projects to completion — in conjunction with a comprehensive understanding of the complexities of the US sector — gives TÜV SÜD PMSS a fairly unique offering in this exciting market,” Chivers concluded.

REFERENCES  

The Ninth Annual Oregon Wave Energy Trust Conference takes place 24–25 September at the Leftbank Annex in Portland. Mr. Wheeler’s keynote presentation (hosted by Stoel Rives) kicks off on Thursday, 25 September, at 12 noon. The two-day conference features around a dozen presentations, plus awards ceremonies, as well as exhibits and networking breaks. 

Mr. Wheeler was tapped to deliver the keynote speech due to his thorough understanding of the importance of energy sustainability and the role ocean renewable energy will play in the mix. He has also, over the years, demonstrated a commitment to growing the market for profitable investments in clean energy. Wheeler recently convened a group of thought leaders to discuss investing in renewable energy, revealing that the first step in the fight is ensuring we can successfully bring projects online — from financing and development to production and deployment.

Now in his second term as Treasurer, Wheeler has assumed a leadership role when it comes to economic development. He continues to champion the profitable and responsible investment options in renewables and believes there are opportunities to invest in renewables that meet the high standards we have for all of our investments.

“Ocean renewable energy has the potential to be a big win for our State — a win for jobs, and a win for our energy future,” Wheeler stated.

For more details on the conference programme, including registration information, please visit the Oregon Wave Energy Trust website.

The next government will be responsible for the UK succeeding – or failing – in meeting its 2020 renewable energy targets, according to the Renewable Energy Association (REA). It could also be the government that turns the budding renewable energy industry into the main economic engine for creating jobs and growth in the energy sector and reducing the UK’s reliance on imported fossil fuels.¹ 

To that end, REA, via its “Growing the Renewable Energy Economy” manifesto, has laid out what it calls a “blueprint” for the next government, clearly outlining the key ‘manifesto asks’ for all the REA’s key technologies across renewable heating, power and transport fuels. A common theme across all sectors is the need for clear, stable policy. Matched with ambitious government plans, REA claims, this will create jobs, investment and growth, and help the UK catch up in the global clean energy race —a race in which it currently lags behind, sitting 26^th out of 28 in the EU renewables league table.

The REA Manifesto, which was presented at a series of breakfast seminars that the Renewable Energy Association began running earlier this week, aims to build on the newly launched ‘Action for Renewables’ campaign, which sets six top-line key requests for the next government:
 

1. Support the Climate Change Act to keep the UK on course to meet its carbon commitments and back global efforts to tackle climate change
2. Set a new renewables target of 30% of UK energy by 2030
3. Back the Independent Committee on Climate Change’s recommendation to set a binding target for low carbon electricity by 2030
4. Fund the Renewable Heat Incentive for new applications after 2016
5. Boost the UK’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation to reach the 10% renewable energy target for transport by 2020
6. Reform the EU Emissions Trading Scheme to ensure the market takes account of all sectors’ polluting cost of carbon emissions

“From clean power infrastructure to Zero Carbon Homes and from heat networks to sustainable transport, this is the most comprehensive guide a government could wish for if they’re seeking to maximise the value of this young, vibrant and innovative industry,” said Dr Nina Skorupska, REA chief executive. “Looking out to 2020, this manifesto sets out how the Government can keep up the progress on renewable electricity, and accelerate the roll-out of renewable heating technologies and transport fuels. Certainty beyond 2020 is also vital to enable industry to invest in innovation, expansion, skills and supply chains.”

The UK’s Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Davey, recognised and welcomed REA’s efforts as well as the report, adding: “In Government, the Liberal Democrats have more than doubled renewable energy generation — thanks to proper investment in the sector. We have been at the forefront of reforming the electricity market to help cut bills, which is crucial to building a fairer society. And that’s not all — as part of creating a stronger economy, we are on target to produce 250,000 green jobs across the UK by 2020.”

But Davey said Government wants to do even more, by introducing a legally binding decarbonisation target to green the country’s electricity and boost renewable heating. “The Liberal Democrats are looking ahead to a greener and reformed energy market, which benefits the consumer and puts the environment first,” he explained. “Pioneering work by the Renewable Energy Association’s members is vital to achieving these goals.”

For its part, the Renewable Energy Association said it will continue to work with fellow trade associations and other stakeholders to make the case for growing the renewable energy economy in the run-up to the general election.

 View the REA’s manifesto, “Growing the Renewable Energy Economy,” in its entirety online.    

1. In the Renewable Energy Association’s recent report, REVIEW, it found that policies put in place to date towards the 2020 renewable energy targets have generated £30 billion of investment, sustaining more than 100,000 jobs. REA also predicts that achieving the 2020 targets would generate a further £64 billion of investment, sustaining a total of 400,000 jobs.

RES Offshore’s expertise will contribute to ongoing front end engineering design (FEED) and procurement processes as the project progresses towards final investment decision, with the experienced team providing specialist engineering and project management services. 

The main points of the development include:

• Total installed generation capacity: 1116 MW
   
• Up to 62 wind turbines ranging from 6 MW to 8 MW capacity on each of three sites
• Total Area – 295km²
• Minimum distance from shore – 22km (13.5 miles) 

The projected development is expected to be able to supply the equivalent electricity needs to 688,000 UK households on the basis of average annual electricity consumption.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to work with Moray Offshore Renewables, and to help take this project through to construction,” said Chris Morgan, CEO of RES Offshore. “We hope that this is the beginning of a long-term relationship with Moray Offshore Renewables.”

Dan Finch, project Director for Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd, and managing director of EDPR UK, agreed, adding that the contract marks another important milestone in the delivery of offshore wind generation in the outer Moray Firth. 

“This project will be a game-changer for the industry by leading commercial-scale deployment in deeper water,” Finch stated. “The application of RES’ experience to the Moray Offshore Renewables Limited project will create opportunities for innovation and cost reduction across the whole supply chain, which is critical in an emerging global market for offshore wind.” 

REFERENCES

1. Moray Offshore Renewables Limited (MORL) was formed as a joint venture company owned 67% by EDP Renewables and 33% by Repsol Nuevas Energias UK Limited (Repsol), with the aim of developing offshore wind generation in the outer Moray Firth.

Global wind and solar company Mainstream Renewable Power has signed an agreement with Swiss wind farm developer NEK Umwelttechnik to purchase the 225 MW Ayitepa Wind Farm, located 40 kilometres from Accra on the east coast of Ghana. The utility-scale winder power project is expected to reach financial close next year and start generating power early in 2016.

Under the terms of the deal, Mainstream Renewable Power and NEK Umwelttechnik will co-develop the wind farm until financial close. Mainstream Renewable Power, for its part, will manage the construction as well as the operations and maintenance of the wind farm for its lifecycle. The project is currently in the latter stages of development with all major permits secured. Grid and offtake agreements are being finalised.

When fully operational the Ayitepa Wind Farm will generate approximately 10 per cent of Ghana’s total electricity generation capacity which currently stands at 2,000 MW.

“It is my hope that this agreement between NEK and Mainstream Renewable Power will accelerate the process towards the realization of wind farms in Ghana, and they can be assured of the full support of the Ministry of Energy Petroleum,” said Mr. Wisdom Ahiataku-Togobo, director of renewable energy at the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum. “The project is consistent with government policy to increase the contribution of renewable energy in the electricity generation mix. The government has more than two years of bankable wind energy data along the south eastern corridor of the country, where wind energy prospects are very encouraging.» ¹

Eddie O’Connor, Mainstream Renewable Power CEO, described the project as the “ideal solution for Ghana, because wind and solar power are the only proven technologies in the world which can achieve the dual objectives of speed of deployment and scale.” ²

O’Connor expects the Ayitepa Wind Farm will begin generating electricity in less than 18 months from now. “No other generation technology can match that in terms of speed of deployment,” he said.

According to Dr. Christoph Kapp, NEK Umwelttechnik’s chief executive, the Ayitepa Wind Farm project will not only contribute to a sustainable, clean and independent production of electricity, but it will also be accompanied by “social benefits and improvements” for the local population. Among these benefits: jobs, education, water supply and electrification for nearby villages and towns.

REFERENCES
 

1. The Renewable Energy Act 2011 provides the necessary legal and fiscal incentives, including feed-in-tariff (sufficient security) to ensure return on investment by independent power producers.
2. Mainstream Renewable Power already has developed and built Africa’s largest operating wind farm at Jeffreys Bay, South Africa, where it has three operating wind and solar farms and an additional three wind farms going into construction this year.

The 2014 GEA Geothermal Energy Expo will take geothermal leaders around the world in geothermal development. The event will run 28 September to 1 October in Portland, Oregon, and will feature technical, policy and market conference sessions and educational seminars, as well as tours of local geothermal and renewable energy projects.¹

Each year, the GEA Geothermal Energy serves as a world-class gathering of geothermal companies, academics, financiers, policy leaders and other individuals to learn about the latest developments in geothermal energy. In 2013, the GEA Expo and GRC Annual Meeting hosted representatives from more than 37 countries. This year, attendees will hail from Canada, Djibouti, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Portugal, Rwanda, Tanzania, Turkey and Uganda, as well as the United States. Together, they represent 17 countries and five continents. ² 

Attendees of the 2014 GEA Geothermal Energy Expo are invited to visit the exhibition area, which offers vendors an opportunity to showcase their projects, equipment, services and state-of-the-art technology to the geothermal community. What’s more, the Expo will feature an expanded “Power Africa Geothermal Pavilion,” with representatives present from the leading countries in the region: Djibouti, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda and Uganda. In addition, key personnel working with the East African Geothermal Partnership — a collaborative effort between USAID and GEA — will be on hand to help companies engage in this exciting growth area.

“Between the Power Africa Pavilion and all the natural discussion of Oregon that will be occurring, we expect a nice range of geothermal opportunity to be represented at this year’s Expo,” said Karl Gawell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA).

**Note: The 2014 GEA Geothermal Energy Expo will be held alongside the GRC Annual Meeting. 

1. The State of Oregon boasts substantial geothermal capacity. At present, there is about 33 MW of geothermal power on-line in Oregon, which produced 165 GWh in 2013. The latest industry survey identified 19 projects under development in Oregon, with estimated subsurface resources of 340 MW that developers expect could provide 60 MW of additional power within the next few years — providing appropriate contracts are secured. Furthermore, the US Geological Survey estimates that there are an additional 500 MW of discovered geothermal power resources in Oregon and 1,800 MW of undiscovered resources.
    
2. The international geothermal power market is thriving, with a sustained growth rate of 4 per cent to 5 per cent and almost 700 projects currently under development in 76 countries.

Voith Hydro has been awarded the contract to rehabilitate and upgrade the turbines in the 10-unit powerhouse at Grant County (Washington State) Public Utility District’s (PUD) Priest Rapids Dam on the Columbia River.

Installation of the upgraded vertical Kaplan turbines, with a majority of the rehabilitation work being performed at Voith’s York, Pennsylvania facility, will span 10 years starting in 2016. Voith performed extensive model testing over the past several years, culminating in a successful customer witness test in Lausanne, Switzerland, in June 2013. Each turbine is rated at approximately 100 MW.

“With these improvements, Priest Rapids will continue to serve Grant County PUD customers for many decades to come and continue the Pacific Northwest’s leadership in generating the abundant, clean, and low-cost hydropower that provides energy to hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses in the region,” said Kevin Frank, president and CEO of Voith Hydro York, USA.

Cavitation-free performance and stringent fish passage criteria were critical components for the final awarded design of the turbine. With the award of the Priest Rapids contract, Voith is modernizing components of a hydropower plant on the Columbia River. The company recently completed the final turbine upgrade at the 10-unit Wanapum Dam, which is immediately upstream from Priest Rapids.

Operators of the Atikokan Generating Station in Ontario, Canada, have announced that the conversion from coal-fired operation to biomass fuel is now complete. With the development, the province is now home to North America’s largest power plant fuelled completely by biomass. 

Atikokan Generating Station, which employs 70 full-time workers, burned its last coal, two years ago, on 11 September, 2012. Conversion of the station began in mid-2012 and included construction of two silos and boiler modifications to accommodate the biomass. The project employed more than 200 highly skilled tradespeople and technical workers.

“A new era has dawned in Ontario — one where the air will be cleaner and the multiple costs of coal-fired generation have become a distant memory,” said Bob Chiarelli, Minister of Energy. “Atikokan’s successful conversion to biomass will put Ontario on the world map as a leader in using this sustainable fuel source for electricity production.” ¹

Atikokan Generating Station will provide renewable peaking power, and can be turned on when electricity demands are highest.The biomass used to fuel Atikokan Generating Station is being harvested and processed in Ontario. Domestic suppliers have leveraged this opportunity to secure contracts to provide pellets to international buyers. Ontario Power Generation has contracts in place with two companies in northwestern Ontario to supply the wood pellets. Rentech Inc. and Resolute Forest Products Canada will each supply 45,000 tonnes of wood pellets annually.

“Close to 100 per cent of the electricity Ontario Power Generation produces is from sources that are virtually free of climate change or smog causing emissions,” said tom Mitchell, OPG’s president and CEO. “Atikokan Generating Station is a unique addition to our clean energy portfolio as it provides dispatchable renewable energy that can be used when the power system needs it.”

REFERENCES

1. The closure of Ontario’s coal plants comes as the province moves toward implementing a smarter electricity grid, increasing efficiencies within the electricity system, introducing strong conservation efforts and committing to cleaner energy sources. Replacing coal-fired electricity generation is the single largest climate change initiative being undertaken in North America. When fully eliminated, it will be equivalent to taking up to seven million cars off the road.