SunEdison, Inc., a leading global solar technology manufacturer and provider of solar energy services, and TerraForm Power, Inc., a global renewable energy company, today announced the interconnection of two large-scale solar projects totalling 50 megawatts (MW) DC in the UK.

The solar projects will become part of TerraForm Power’s operating portfolio before the end of 2014, and SunEdison will continue to manage them.¹ This portfolio consolidates SunEdison and TerraForm Power’s presence in the UK solar market and continues SunEdison’s steady expansion in the region. 

«The interconnection and eventual drop-down of these major solar projects demonstrates the mutual benefits of our partnership with SunEdison,» said Carlos Domenech, president and chief executive officer of TerraForm Power. «SunEdison can accelerate the growth of its global pipeline with the knowledge that TerraForm will allow them to benefit from long-term ownership. As SunEdison’s projects come on-line, we are well positioned to acquire them and generate increased CAFD for our investors.»

Once operational, the solar power plants will be managed by the SunEdison Renewable Operation Center (ROC), which provides global 24/7 monitoring services. Data collected from the ROC is used to continuously improve the company’s products, project designs and service offerings. The energy produced from the projects will be purchased by Statkraft, through a power purchase agreement.

REFERENCES

1. In June 2014, SunEdison and Santander Global Banking and Markets closed a non-recourse debt financing arrangement for the construction of the projects. Santander acted as sole lead arranger and underwriter of the debt financing facilities.

Under the terms of the arrangement, the entire LG Solar module range can be purchased directly from SOLFEX energy systems or through one of the Travis Perkins PLC group business units such as P.T.S., C.P.S. or Travis Perkins outlets. (SOLFEX was acquired by the Travis Perkins group early in 2013.)  

“We are delighted with this new partnership agreement and to be able to offer our customer base photovoltaic modules produced by a strong leading global brand,” said Stuart Cooper, managing director from SOLFEX energy systems. “LG Solar modules have proven high yield performance, combining perfect aesthetics reliability.”

Sven Armbrecht, UK business development manager at LG Solar, recognised SOLFEX as a “highly experienced solar wholesaler with a very quality driven, forward-looking business strategy.”  

Shunfeng Photovoltaic International Limited and Greenfield Solar International GmbH Co. KG have entered into a strategic alliance with youmex, a clean energy financing and investment group based in Germany. Under the terms of the agreement, youmex will finance and sell the partners’ solar farm projects pipeline in Great Britain, using Suntech as its exclusive PV panel supplier for projects. The deal also calls for youmex to arrange construction loans and long-term project financing, as well as sell the PV solar power plants to investors. Greenfield Solar International will provide EPC services.

«We are excited to complement our partnership with Greenfield with youmex’s financial services to our customers,” said Eric Luo, CEO of Suntech. “We believe that this alliance will serve as another catalyst for growth in the UK’s solar market.”  

Luo, who is also responsible for Shunfeng Photovoltaics International Holding’s acquisition strategy, added that Suntech and Shunfeng will be able to look at other acquisitions in the market as part of the company’s strategy to become the largest integrated clean energy supplier globally.

Kai Hartmann, head of corporate structured finance at youmex group, said the alliance unites the core competencies, experiences and strengths of these three complementary partners. “With its fully integrated transaction management of these three tasks, youmex speeds up and assures the whole process of financing and sales for one of the largest PV pipelines in UK,» Hartmann said.

Among its many products for utility-scale projects, Suntech produces 60 Cell polycrystalline modules which it says are ideal for weak light performance markets such as the UK.¹ 

1. Suntech’S 60 Cell polycrystalline modules are manufactured with advanced cell technology material, making them highly resistant to potential induced degradation (PID), thus allowing for high performance under extreme conditions for many years.

The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult welcomed the Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and offshore wind industry leaders from the United Kingdom and the United States to London on 17 September to discuss the current and future state of the offshore wind industry, and to learn how both countries could work more closely together.  

Governor Deval Patrick joined ORE Catapult chief executive Andrew Jamieson and representatives from RenewableUK, National Grid MA, the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and UKTI, looking at the emerging offshore wind industry in Massachusetts and the rest of the United States and how best practices can be adopted from the United Kingdom.

The discussion focused on how both countries can jointly tackle the challenges facing the offshore wind industry for their mutual benefit. Specifically, the meeting explored the role of innovation, policy incentives in changing political climates, barriers to entering the market and technical challenges in establishing the industry, as well as project financing, cost reduction mechanisms and the economic benefits of the offshore wind industry in both the UK and US.

“ORE Catapult was set up to help realise the enormous economic and social benefits of a vibrant offshore renewable energy sector,” Jamieson explained. “Collaboration and technology innovation are the critical enablers of those benefits. Governor Patrick’s visit is a fantastic opportunity to build new partnerships – sharing experiences and best practice, and strengthening the economic and environmental opportunities in both the UK and US.”

Governor Patrick expressed excitement about exploring ways the United Kingdom and Massachusetts might work together in the growing wind power industry. Since taking office in 2007, his administration has worked to position Massachusetts as a hub for the emerging US offshore wind industry. In fact, this past June the Governor announced that a large area off the coast of Massachusetts would be available for commercial wind energy leasing, the largest in US Federal waters and almost doubling the area available for commercial-scale wind energy projects in the US. The project, Cape Wind, is expected to pave the way for offshore wind activity in the US. 

«The investments we are making in related infrastructure have positioned Massachusetts as a first-in-the-Nation hub for a new offshore wind industry that will bring us both good jobs and clean, Massachusetts-made energy,” Governor Patrick said.

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to invest more than $518 million in rural electric cooperatives, with the goal of improving the delivery of electric power to communities in 15 states. This funding is part of nearly $50 billion that USDA has invested in infrastructure improvements since 2009.

More than $23 million of the funding is targeted for smart grid improvements, which better manage and increase efficiencies in America’s electric system. Smart grid technologies — such as automated meter reading and load management automation — allow for more efficient control over the use of power to better meet customers’ needs. The latest investments are being provided through USDA’s Rural Utilities Service (RUS), which also administers infrastructure programs that bring broadband, safe drinking water and improved wastewater treatment facilities to rural communities.

“We must invest in America’s infrastructure to promote sustainable economic development in our rural and urban communities,” said Vilsack during a White House summit on infrastructure financing. “Enhancements to the nation’s electric grid make a huge difference for communities across the country and support President Obama’s efforts to build a stronger rural economy.”

The newly announced loan guarantees for electric systems will build or improve more than 5,600 miles of line in rural areas. For example, in New Mexico, a $14.1 million loan will fund a 1 MW photovoltaic facility, 74 miles of line, and make other system improvements. The loan includes $518,400 for smart grid projects and $3.4 million for the renewable project. The Carroll Electric Membership Corporation in Carrollton, Ga., will receive $20.6 million to build or upgrade 441 miles of line and devote $93,000 to smart grid technology.

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Velocys plc, specialist in smaller scale gas-to-liquids, is pleased to announce that its customer, Red Rock Biofuels, has been awarded a $70 million grant to construct a biomass-to-liquids plant in Oregon incorporating Velocys Fischer-Tropsch technology.

Red Rock Biofuels, a Fort Collins, Colorado-based subsidiary of IR1 Group LLC, has extensive experience constructing and operating commercial-scale biofuels facilities. This new BTL plant in Oregon will convert some 170,000 tons per year of forestry and sawmill waste into approximately 1,100 barrels per day of ultra clean transportation fuels.

«We are very pleased to see the Red Rock project moving ahead,” said Roy Lipski, CEO of Velocys. «This $70 million government grant is set to make the Oregon project happen and will act as a catalyst for early adoption of BTL in North America.»  

The $70 million grant is being awarded under phase 2 of the US Defense Production Act Title III Advanced Drop-in Biofuels project. In July 2013, Red Rock Biofuels was awarded $4.1 million under phase 1 of the same program to conduct detailed engineering for the BTL facility, which is now complete.

Successful execution of Red Rock’s project in Oregon is expected to result in revenues to Velocys in excess of $15 million during construction, and an additional $30 million or more over the life of the facility. Red Rock is targeting final investment decision on the project within 6 months, with construction lasting about 18-24 months. 

Canadian Technology Accelerators

The Canadian Technology Accelerators (CTA) programme is sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development, and administered by the consular trade commissioner in Colorado, USA. The CTA programme is focused on assisting Canadian technology companies in entering the US marketplace, while providing them with improved access to funding, customers, and networks of expertise.

With its eFlow^TM system, PowerDisc is working to make fuel cells commercially competitive with fossil fuel engines, to replace one of the largest single sources of pollution and greenhouse gases with power generation technology that emits only water. Its RD facilities are based in Vancouver – the global hub for fuel cell research and development – with the National Research Council of Canada, located at the University of British Columbia.

‘PowerDisc fuel cells enable substantial sustainable growth, given their performance and economic benefits,’ says company Chairman, Dr Andreas Truckenbrodt. ‘Participation in the CTA programme will provide a significant opportunity for the company to demonstrate to an international audience that the business case for the company’s fuel cells can be sustainable, without subsidies, in many applications.’

Clean16 recognition

PowerDisc also reports that its President and CEO, David Leger, has received a prestigious sustainability award – as one of Canada’s Clean16 for 2015 – in recognition of his contributions to the research and development of innovative proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell technologies that provide significant economic and environmental advantages.

The Clean16 advisory committee recognised PowerDisc’s culture of innovation, coupled with a significant promise to make fuel cells a game changer for the industry and the environment.

Established and managed by Delta Management Group and Canada’s Clean50 organisation, the Clean16 is bestowed on leaders in 16 categories. It is part of the annual Clean50 awards, which recognise 50 individuals who are catalysts for driving sustainable development in Canada.

The European Investment Bank has agreed to provide EUR 23 million to support investment in one of the largest photovoltaic power stations in sub-Saharan Africa. The 30 MW, EUR 70.5 million scheme will be constructed at Zagtouli on the outskirts of Ouagadougou, the capital of Burkina Faso, and will be operated by national electricity utility, SONABEL.

Not only will the new solar plant greatly increase power generation in Burkina Faso, but it also aims to reduce dependence on energy imports from Ivory Coast and Ghana, while helping to prevent power cuts.¹ The new plant is expected to act as a reference for future solar investment across the continent.

The 20 year-loan agreement for the facility, to be built outside the capital Ouagadougou, was signed at the European Investment Bank headquarters by: Lucien Bembamba, Minister of Economy and Finance for the Republic of Burkina Faso; AND Pim van Ballekom, European Investment Bank Vice President responsible for lending in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific. Jean-Christophe Ilboudo, Director General of Sonabel, and Frederic Korsaga, Ambassador of Burkina Faso to Luxembourg, were also present.

“The European Investment Bank is a strong partner for Burkina Faso, and this close cooperation over many years has enabled significant investment in new water and energy infrastructure that has created jobs across the country,» said  Lucien Bembamba, Minister of Economy and Finance for the Republic of Burkina Faso. «The new support agreed for investment by Sonabel in renewable energy is an important milestone in the long-standing cooperation between Burkina Faso and Europe.” 

Pim van Ballekom agreed, adding that electricity is essential for economic activity in the region. «The European Investment Bank is committed to supporting energy investment that will improve lives across Africa. Burkina Faso can be proud to host the new facility that will act as a benchmark for renewable energy in West Africa.»

REFERENCES

1. It is estimated that less than a quarter of Burkina Faso’s inhabitants have access to electricity. In recent years power demand in the country has increased annually by 10 per cent; however, power cuts and limited electricity access have seriously hindered economic growth.

The Department of Energy today announced expansions of its Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative¹ in support of the American manufacturing sector and a new initiative to support President Obama’s goal of doubling energy productivity by 2030. By advancing the development of innovative manufacturing technologies, investing in substantial energy efficiency upgrades at production plants across the country, and training American workers for the advanced manufacturing jobs of tomorrow, the Department of Energy is helping make America’s manufacturing sector even stronger in an intensely competitive global market. 

“In part due to a dramatic increase in domestic energy production and the Obama Administration’s policies and support, the U.S. manufacturing sector has seen a resurgence in recent years, adding 700,000 jobs since 2009,” said Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz. “Continued smart investments in advanced manufacturing technologies, and the American workforce today, will strengthen our competitive edge for decades to come.”

Accelerate Energy Productivity 2030

In President Obama’s 2013 State of the Union Address, he issued a call to double energy productivity by 2030 and cut energy waste in half in our homes and businesses over the next 20 years. In support of that goal, the Department today announced a partnership with the Council on Competitiveness and the Alliance to Save Energy to launch Accelerate Energy Productivity 2030. Private sector and state and local leaders can engage in energy productivity dialogues, commit to the goal, and share best practices for capturing the economic benefits of improved energy productivity. Accelerate Energy Productivity 2030 aims to create a national roadmap to grow the US economy while reducing energy costs.

Ernest Moniz, US Secretary of Energy, announced the partnership earlier this week at the Energy Department’s 2014 American Energy and Manufacturing Competitiveness Summit, jointly sponsored by the Council on Competitiveness.

REFERENCES

1. The Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative includes private sector partnerships, new funding from the Department of Energy, and enhanced analysis of the clean energy manufacturing supply chain that is designed to guide the Department’s future funding decisions.