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Acciona has created a hub in its El Romero Solar plant (Atacama, Chile) to test new photovoltaic technologies that will improve the efficiency and performance of solar energy facilities.
The hub will focus on the mechanical and energy capacity of double-sided crystalline, split-cell and thin-film cadmium telluride (CdTe) technologies, all of them in the development phase, with the intention of shaping PV energy’s evolution. The solar modules have been produced by JA Solar and First Solar, and a variety of solar trackers will be used, manufactured by STI Nordland and Soltec.

The innovation center, in which two of the three tracker zones have already been installed, will have a power generation facility with a total capacity of 492 kWp (180 kW rated) consisting of 1,280 modules in three series of trackers connected to nine inverters. These will be assisted by other equipment to measure and monitor parameters such as incident and reflected solar radiation, ambient temperature or the production temperature of each kind of module, among others.

Unlike conventional solar modules, which only have photovoltaic cells on one side, the double-sided modules have cells on both sides of the panel to capture reflected solar radiation and increase output per surface unit occupied.

In split-cell modules each cell is divided into two parts. This reduces energy losses and improves the durability of the panel.

Finally, the thin-film modules are made from semi-conductive materials as alternatives to conventional crystalline silicon –such as cadmium telluride- that reduce both manufacturing costs and their carbon footprint during their working life.

Advanced technologies

Advanced technologies in photovoltaic solar are one of the main strategic approaches that guide Acciona’s innovation activities in the field of clean energies. One of the most innovative projects to date is the hybridization of organic photovoltaic panels in a wind turbine tower to power a turbine in the Breña wind farm (Albacete, Spain).

El Romero Solar is one of the biggest photovoltaic plants owned and operated by Acciona, with a capacity of 246 MWp. Located in the Atacama Desert in Chile, an area with some of the highest levels of solar radiation in the world, it produces energy equivalent to the consumption of around 240,000 Chilean households. Part of its capacity will be used to supply Google’s data center in the country.

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WindEurope, Cefic (the European Chemical Industry Council) and EUCIA (the European Composites Industry Association) have created a cross-sector platform to advance novel approaches to the recycling of wind turbine blades.

In 2018 wind energy supplied 14% of the electricity in the EU with 130,000 wind turbines and this number will only grow in the coming decades. Wind turbines blades are made up of a composite material, which boosts the performance of wind energy by allowing lighter and longer blades.

In the next five years 12,000 wind turbines are expected to be decommissioned. Broadening the range of recycling options is critical for the industry’s development.

Wind energy is an increasingly important part of Europe’s energy mix. The first generation of wind turbines are now starting to come to the end of their operational life and be replaced by modern turbines. Recycling the old blades is a top priority, and teaming up with the chemical and composites industries will enable to do it the most effective way.

The chemical industry plays a decisive role in the transition to a circular economy by investing in the research and development of new materials, which make wind turbine blades more reliable, affordable and recyclable.

Learnings from wind turbine recycling will then be transferred to other markets to enhance the overall sustainability of composites.

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The Siemens Division Building Technologies adds new functionalities to the Synco IC cloud platform for remote HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) control. From July 2018 onwards, Synco IC includes remote meter reading for energy billing, remote monitoring of energy key performance indicators (KPIs) and remote intervention to reduce energy consumption. Synco IC, introduced to the market in 2015, is a cloud-based system for the cost-efficient operation and management of HVAC plants in small and medium size buildings.

With Synco IC Energy Monitoring, building operators can reduce energy consumption and collect billing data remotely at the same time. The system is scalable up to 2500 radio frequency meters or 250 wired meters. Collecting billing data from remote meter reading avoids walk-by or drive-by data collection, thus enhancing operational efficiency by saving travel and staff costs. Automatic data collection and validation minimizes human reading errors and prevents meter tampering and data falsification. Access to and use of customer data is controlled, customer data is kept secure.

Up to 100 sites can be connected free of charge, which makes Synco IC suitable for use in facility management companies that manage a large portfolio of smaller buildings. It is also the right choice for cities and municipalities that have a pool of distributed buildings, such as district offices, school buildings or retirement homes, or for companies that want to organize and maintain the building automation systems in their global branches and offices from a central location.

Commissioning of Synco IC Energy Monitoring is easy. Each site is connected within a few minutes in a plug&play mode by using QR-codes, whilst meters on site are automatically searched and detected.
Building operators and managers remain continuously under pressure to reduce energy consumption and CO2 emission in the housing stock. Synco IC offers simple supervision of all the control and meter data of the HVAC plants by one intuitive user interface. The interface shows data trends and enables benchmarking of energy KPIs across multiple buildings or tenant areas, e.g. for consumption per square meter for various energy types like heating, cooling, hot water, cold water, electricity. Remote intervention by modifying plant settings on room or primary level enables operators to accomplish and maintain optimal energy efficiency.

Synco IC is already installed on more than 15,000 sites globally, which now have the option to implement remote meter reading for energy billing, remote monitoring of energy key performance indicators (KPIs) and remote intervention to reduce energy consumption, thus substantially reducing building operational costs.

Source: Siemens

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Saft’s New Uptimax nickel-technology battery provides operators with a direct replacement for lead-acid batteries in industrial standby installations. It is ideally suited for mission critical applications where reliable backup power is essential, such as oil and gas exploration and production, as well as for utilities and manufacturing plants. With the New Uptimax, Saft is targeting the industrial standby battery market valued at an estimated €3 billion per year [*].

Nickel-technology batteries have significant advantages over lead-acid technology in terms of reliability, calendar life, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and predictable performance with no risk of ‘sudden death’.

Mikael Greis, Saft Product Manager said, “The New Uptimax is perfect for operators who want to upgrade from lead-acid to nickel-technology batteries as it eliminates the need to modify their existing charging systems. It is also ideally suited to very demanding backup applications, especially in the Middle East, due to its ability to tolerate extreme temperatures”.

The New Uptimax battery is a direct replacement for lead-acid batteries because it is compatible with all commonly used DC (Direct Current) charging systems and operates in a narrow voltage window, with no need for a boost charge. This reduces the cost of charging systems as there is less need for components such as dropping diodes or DC/DC converters. It also has a fast charging capability that can achieve 95 percent State of Charge in eight hours for a fast return to service after a power failure.

Further benefits of the New Uptimax battery include maintenance-free operation with no need for topping up with water throughout the entire service life and compliance with all relevant safety standards. It is also ideal for applications in the Middle East as it offers a long operational life of over 20 years at +25°C and can tolerate extreme temperatures (- 40°C to + 70°C) for short periods.

The New Uptimax battery is designed to form the heart of Uninterruptible Power Supply and backup power systems that operate in the event of a loss of the main power supply to facilitate the safe shutdown of processes, safeguard computer data and provide a bridge to standby power. Typical applications will include substation switchgear, process control systems, emergency lighting, fire alarms and security systems.

Saft manufactures the New Uptimax batteries in Oskarshamn, Sweden.

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Following last year’s announced cooperation with Tigo, GoodWe is now launching the DNS and SDT rapid shutdown inverter series with MLPE functionalities, a streamlined solution for the optimization of energy yields on the module level which is perfectly adequate for complex system designs and partial shadings – using optimizers on shaded modules recovers an average of 36% energy loss due to mismatch.

Offering from shutdown code compliance to module-level diagnostics and maximized energy harvest, the Tigo TS4 platform works seamlessly with both GoodWe DNS and SDT inverters. Compared to other traditional optimization systems in the market which require MLPEs on every module even when it is not necessary, GoodWe offers a highly efficient solution with fewer BOS components which lowers the overall cost of the system and is easier to install.

The TS4 platform utilizes two key components that are compatible with any PV module: a base that is integrated into the module, and five separate detachable covers housing varied levels of MLPE functionalities. Customers can mix and match TS4 covers according to their ideal budget and system requirements. The TS4 platform offers the option to selectively deploy the exact functionality needed to maximize system performance, all while guaranteeing the lowest cost with the greatest ROI. The retrofitting process can be completed quickly just with changeable solar junction box covers which do not require any screws, allowing easy upgrading or fast replacement in case of damage. Furthermore, thanks to the integration of Tigo’s Cloud Connect Advanced (CCA) datalogger, users can reduce hardware costs avoiding the need to purchase an additional datalogger. Fewer components reduce potential points of failure and risk, and simplifies service when it is required.

GoodWe DNS and SDT series smart inverters can offer a cost effective and reliable solution that matches perfectly with smart modules. This enables end users to harness more system data for valuable insights about real-time analysis in both Tigo and GoodWe’s monitoring platforms and also enables cost-effective datalogging to collect operating information from the inverters as well as each smart module.

“With the launch of these smart inverters, integrators can benefit from reduced installation time, service risk, and ultimately cost,” said Huang Min, CEO of GoodWe. “GoodWe DNS and SDT series with MLPE functionalities offer customers a flexible solution which realizes greater energy production and roof usage, while providing a higher ROI.”

Source: GoodWe

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Camión de limpieza del socio Ecilimp Termosolar. Imagen: Planta termosolar Gemasolar, propiedad de Torresol Energy © Sener, tecnología de limpieza propiedad de Ecilimp | Cleaning truck owned by Ecilimp Termosolar. Picture: Gemasolar CSP Plant, property of Torresol Energy©Sener, cleaning technology property of Ecilimp

CSP plants are often installed in dry areas where solar irradiation is high and water resources are scarce. This is a serious environmental barrier in sunny arid regions like North Africa, the Middle East, South West USA and Chile. In CSP plants, water is mainly used in mirror cleaning and cooling processes and particularly in this area, CSP plants that use traditional wet-cooling systems consume a large amount of water because of cooling system evaporation losses. The MinWaterCSP project addresses the challenge of significantly reducing the water consumption of CSP plants while maintaining their overall efficiency. Its objective is to reduce evaporation losses and mirror cleaning water usage for small- and large-scale CSP plants through a holistic combination of next generation technologies.

MinWaterCSP is an R&D project that aims to reduce water consumption and improve thermal cycle efficiencies of CSP plants. The project, which has received funding from the EU’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme, started in January 2016 and will be completed in December this year.

The MinWaterCSP project consortium consists of 13 partners from 6 different EU- and non-EU countries. It is coordinated by Kelvion Holding GmbH (Project Coordinator, Germany) and Enexio Management GmbH (Technical Coordinator, Germany). Other consortium partners are: Kelvion Thermal Solutions (Pty) Ltd. (South Africa); Fraunhofer ISE (Germany); Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), ECILIMP Termosolar SL (Spain); Stellenbosch University (South Africa); Notus Fan Engineering (South Africa); Laterizi Gambettola SRL – Soltigua (Italy); Enexio Germany GmbH (Germany); Institut de Recherches en Energie Solaire et Energy Nouvelles – IRESEN (Morocco); Steinbeis 2i GmbH (Germany); and Waterleau Group NV (Belgium). Read more…

Article published in: FuturENERGY March 2018

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Sugimat makes progresses in its international expansion by developing an HTF boiler for Agua Prieta CSP plant in the state of Sonora, Mexico. It is one of the most important power plants in Latin America. Sugimat’s installation, is part of the combined cycle plant Agua Prieta II, a combined cycle with increased performance and operating in conjunction with a solar field. The plant is a pioneering project in the country promoted by Mexico’s state-owned Federal Electricity Commission (CFE).

The installation, which uses DowTherm A heat transfer fluids and is capable of working up to 390 ºC, is integrated into the solar field production block and has been designed, manufactured and commissioned on a turnkey basis by Sugimat. It is a 6 MW HTF boiler that increases the performance of the combined cycle by 10 points and uses a natural gas burner with low NOx emissions. The CSP plant has a solar field of parabolic trough collectors of 14 MW and a natural gas combined cycle capable of producing up to 464,4 MW. Both are interconnected and form the first hybrid concentration solar power plant in Mexico, which provides an installed generation capacity of 394 MW to the country’s National Electric System.

Thanks to the use of natural gas as fuel, this hi-tech Integrated Solar Combined Cycle – ISCC plant will avoid more than 208,000 tons of carbon dioxide per year will cease to be released into the atmosphere, reducing the environmental impact.

The location of the plant in the state of Sonora has been a strategic decision. It is integrated in the “sun belt” and covers the area with the best solar radiation in the country, which makes it ideal for the operation of thermo-solar power plants.

The project, made by Abengoa, is financed by the World Bank, which through the United Nations Development Program, Global Environmental Facility, has allocated 200 million dollars to promote  thermo-solar technology in four countries, one of which is Mexico.

Source. Sugimat

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    ENERGY EFFICIENCY

    Since 1864, AERZEN has engineered high performing machines for the industry. Now is a global player, delivering reliable, high performing and energy efficient compressed air, gas and vacuum solutions, all over the world. Its product range comprises: positive displacement blowers, screw compressors, rotary lobe compressors, turbo blowers, rotary piston gas meters and control technology; for a wide range of proccesses and application fields: water and waste water treatment, chemical and process technology, compressed-air technology, pneumatic transport for bulk material handling, vacuum technology, process gas technology, biogas and biomethane. Moreover, AERZEN guarantees optimal support all over the world, with over 2,000 employees, six sales offices in Germany, 43 subsidiaries and with over 200 service mechanics on all continents.

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    The European Commission has launched the pilot phase of ‘Level(s)’, a new EU- framework for sustainable buildings, which will help transform the building sector. It is the first tool of this kind that has been developed for use across the whole of Europe.

    Commissioner for Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, Karmenu Vella said: “Level(s) can help us develop an environment built sustainably across Europe and support our transition to the circular economy. We are releasing this framework for the sector during World Green Building Week demonstrating Europe’s global leadership. It marks an important step towards a more resource-efficient and competitive construction sector in Europe.”

     

    Level(s) is the result of a broad consultation with industry and the public sector, and focuses on performance indicators across areas such as greenhouse gas emissions, resource and water efficiency as well as health and comfort. It aims to establish a ‘common language’ around what sustainable building means in practice – shifting the debate beyond energy performance.

    The test phase for Level(s) is now being launched and will run until 2019. All building projects are invited to learn more about it and pilot the new tool. The European Commission will provide technical assistance to those applying all or parts of Level(s).

    A common green language

    James Drinkwater, Director of the World Green Building Council’s Europe Regional Network said: “This is a clear signal to the market that sustainable building practice is shifting from niche to norm. Having a common goal to deliver nearly zero-energy buildings across Europe galvanised industry-wide action, and now having a common language around ‘sustainable’ building helps us begin to really transform mainstream practice.”

    Level(s) is an open source assessment framework, developed by the European Commission in close collaboration with key players like Skanska, Saint-Gobain, Sustainable Building Alliance and Green Building Councils.

    Two technical guidance reports have been released to support the pilot phase. The first technical report provides an introduction to Level(s) and how it works. The second technical report provides detailed guidance on how to make performance assessments using Level(s). The Commission will host a pilot workshop for organisations interested in testing Level(s) in Brussels on 4 December 2017.

    Background

    Level(s) focuses on the main aspects of a building’s performance, providing a simple entry point for those looking to build more sustainably. These aspects include: greenhouse gas emissions throughout the building’s life cycle, material life cycles which are resource efficient and circular, efficient use of water resources, healthy and comfortable spaces, adaptation and resilience to climate change, and whole building life cycle cost and value. Each indicator in Level(s) is designed to link a building’s impact with EU priorities for circular economy, and the framework effectively broadens the building agenda to deliver more of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

    Source: European Commission

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    MAN has revealed the latest addition to the company’s 4x line of high-performance diesel engines: the MAN 20V45/60 comes with a limit-pushing power output of 26 MW. Furthermore, the company was able to considerably reduce fuel consumption compared to its predecessor, the MAN 48/60.

    The 20V45/60 expands the current performance range of MAN’s 4x family of diesel engines by more than 4 MW, while offering a best-in-class fuel efficiency of more than 50%. Hence, it allows customers to save both investment and operational costs.

     

    Next to a frontloading approach, using thermodynamic engine process calculations, MAN used computational fluid dynamics to simulate and optimize the combustion process. Also finite elements analysis was used to optimize the engine’s mechanical strength and vibration behavior. Then, MAN put the power unit to the test on the world’s largest four-stroke, single-cylinder test bed and started the experimental optimization and validation phase.

    The new engine is also a new centerpiece of MAN’s extended systems approach which reflects in the company’s latest generation digital Safety and Control System, SaCoS 5000. Following a decentralized design concept, SaCoS 5000 offers unprecedented data availability and optimized alarm visualization and diagnosis.

    The two-stage turbocharger module rounds off the MAN 20V45/60’s superior profile. MAN Diesel & Turbo is the pioneer in developing and operating two-stage turbocharging for large-bore engines, a concept which achieves excellent efficiency thanks to a low-pressure and a high-pressure turbocharger arranged in series.

    Perfect fit for power generation in remote locations

    The 20V45/60 is a perfect fit for power generation in remote locations and islands where a gas supply is not available. Its sturdy design and construction withstands extreme site conditions like hot ambient temperatures and high altitudes, and makes the engine an excellent solution for captive power applications in climatically-demanding locations. The two-stage turbocharging prevents derating even at 2,500 meters above sea level and the engine shows no decrease in output even in ambient temperatures of up to 53 ºC.

    Plant operators benefit from the engine’s high power-density, which significantly reduces capital expenses, as fewer engines and less space are needed to reach a plant’s desired overall output. An extremely competitive fuel-oil consumption adds to the sustainability of the engine’s environmental footprint, which meets the World Bank 2 (2007/2008) emission standard for heavy fuel oil (HFO), marine gas oil (MGO), and marine diesel oil (MDO). A solution with integrated selective catalytic reduction (SCR) is under preparation and will further reduce NOx emissions by up to 80%.

    The worldwide rise of decentralized energy generation and renewable energy has significantly changed the capability profile that thermal power plants need to match. Consequently, the new 45/60 is ideally suited for base load as well as peak-shaving applications. Operational flexibility has become essential for power plant operators these days, and state-of-the-art plants need to be able to master repeated and rapid startups and the ability for load-following operation. The 45/60 reaches full load in a short time, effortlessly handles load reversals, and allows for high fuel-efficiency even when operated in partial load.

    Gas and dual-fuel versions of the engine are currently under preparation. Also, more cylinder configurations will be added to the 45/60 engine family in the future.

    Source: MAN

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