BioSolar commences development of high energy battery anode technology

 

BioSolar Inc. (Santa Clarita, California, U.S.) a developer of energy storage technology and materials, on September 27^th, 2016 announced that it has initiated a new program for the development of a high energy anode for current and next generation lithium batteries.

While this anode is an independent technology, the Company will seek synergies with the Super Cathode technology it has been developing.

New anode technology is compatible with existing lithium-ion intercalation chemistries

BioSolar's cathode technology, which had been the primary focus of its university-led research and development efforts, exploits a new chemistry instead of conventional lithium-ion intercalation chemistries. In contrast, BioSolar's new anode technology is compatible with existing lithium-ion intercalation chemistries.

There is also a possibility of consolidating with next generation energy storage systems such as lithium-air and lithium-sulfur batteries in the future, thus potentially addressing a larger window of commercialization opportunity, the company notes.

BioSolar's anode is expected to be compatible with existing battery manufacturing processes, thereby enabling seamless integration and speedy adoption.

The Company believes its new anode technology has the potential to reduce costs, improve range, and enable faster charging times across various markets, including electric vehicles, personal technology, and storage for renewable energy, such as solar.

“Scientists and researchers have long-chronicled the importance of complete chemistry overhaul as a means to reaching an energy storage cost of less than USD 100 per kilowatt-hour,” said Dr. David Lee, CEO of BioSolar.

“By the addition of new anode development that is compatible with existing intercalation chemistries currently used by conventional lithium-ion batteries, we believe the Company is better positioned to work with the existing battery industry as well as potential partners seeking long term breakthrough battery solutions.”

BioSolar has recently announced that it had entered into a new sponsored research program at the North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University to strengthen the engineering development efforts of its battery technology.

Dr. Sung-Jin Cho, Assistant Professor in the Nano-engineering Department at the university, is the lead investigator of the newly initiated sponsored research program.

 source:http://www.solarserver.com

Flexible smart grid project on Danish island including solar PV, energy storage successfully completed

 

The GreenCom project, funded in part by the European Commission and led on the technical side by Fraunhofer FIT, ended after 42 months, judged a resounding success.

The project's main result is a Smart Energy Monitoring and Control system for load management of regional power grids. A test environment comprising 29 homes on the Danish island Fur integrates heat pumps, photovoltaic (PV) systems, batteries and smart-home installations.

“The smart energy management system developed in the GreenCom project is a control platform that will significantly improve energy management. It is particularly well suited to smart cities and similar local communities,” says Dr. Markus Eisenhauer, head of the User-Centered Computing department of the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Information Technology FIT.

The growing share of renewable energy sources leads to wider load fluctuations in power grids, necessitating new concepts and ways to avoid overload. What is needed is a flexible smart grid able to adjust to the fluctuations in the production and the consumption of electricity.

Forecasts and real-time data take load-balancing measures on a regional level

Here, the GreenCom project focused on regional smart grid solutions that may help to avoid or minimize the need for grid expansion on the national level.

The aim was to detect potential instabilities in power grids by monitoring and forecasting how much power will be generated and consumed in the households attached to the grid.

On the basis of forecasts and real-time data the GreenCom system can take load-balancing measures on a regional level, allowing for an improved balance of supply and demand.

The GreenCom project implemented a realistic test environment: On the Danish island Fur we worked with the local grid operator to install the “Smart Energy Monitoring and Control System” in 29 homes. The system can capture, aggregate and analyze, almost in real-time, data on devices, sensors, actuator and smart meters in individual homes. Heat pumps, photovoltaic systems and batteries are attached to the system, but also the smart-home installations built by Fraunhofer FIT.

The data analysis provides consumption data for different types of devices and locations as well as short-term forecasts (for up to 4 hours). This allows planning load-balancing measures. Large-scale power consumers in the homes are switched on at different times to avoid peak loads in the grid.

Heating as a service

The forecasts and consumption data collected in the project were also used to analyze existing business models and develop new ones. The latter may feature a novel player in the market, called “aggregator”.

Aggregators offer heating as a service: Homeowners allow their heat pumps to be controlled remotely and in exchange pay less for heating their homes. The contracts specify an acceptable temperate range. Thus the aggregator has some flexibility in reacting to fluctuating electricity supply and can sell this flexibility to the grid operator.

This might be a model for controlling the electricity consumption of residential houses in the future. The owners would only have to accept that the heat pump is under external control, without making any compromises in terms of heating comfort or usage pattern, as heat pumps do not have to work continuously and can be controlled remotely without any negative effects on the people living in the house. Here, reduced heating costs may be a convincing economic argument. If this model actually works on a broader scale remains to be seen in the coming years.

The GreenCom project was  funded in part by the European Commission in the 7^th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

EDF Renewable Services takes on asset management & services for a 200 MW solar PV portfolio in the U.S.

EDF Renewable Services (EDF RS, San Diego, CA, U.S.), provider of renewable operations and maintenance (O&M) services in North America, announces that they recently assumed Asset Management and O&M services on a portfolio of solar photovoltaic (PV) projects totaling 200 megawatts (MWp).

The portfolio comprises 206 solar projects spanning across 13 U.S. states from New Jersey to Hawaii with an equally diverse range in capacity from 36 kW up to 25 MW.

The asset management and O&M services continuity agreements were negotiated and implemented by the project Lessor to ensure seamless operations in the event of an abrupt disruption in the performance of the incumbent service providers, EDF RS notes.

EDF RS is working hand-in-hand with the incumbent service providers and the project owners during the transition period to ensure uninterrupted management and service.

At the conclusion of the transition period, EDF RS will be performing full scope O&M and asset management services under long-term agreements.

“This transaction demonstrates EDF RS’s ability to provide security and continuity to renewable energy asset owners in a time of extreme financial unrest within the industry,” said Larry Barr, Executive Vice President of EDF RS.

This solar portfolio transaction solidifies EDF RS’s presence in the distributed generation market. In April, 2016, groSolar, which provides PV development and turnkey engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC), joined the EDF RE group as a wholly owned subsidiary. The business unit brings a precise focus on distributed generation solar business. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

Canadian Solar subsidiary signs 100 MW PPA with MCE on Tranquillity 8 PV project in California

 

Canadian Solar Inc. (Guelph, Ontario) wholly owned subsidiary and solar photovoltaic (PV) project developer Recurrent Energy on September 27^th, 2016 announced a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 100 MW_AC of solar power in California with MCE (San Rafael, CA, U.S.), California's first operating Community Choice Aggregation program.

Tranquillity 8 PV project is expected to begin in 2017

Solar power from the Recurrent Energy-developed Tranquillity 8 PV project, located in Fresno County, California, will supply MCE with 100 MW_AC of clean solar electricity, which is sufficient to power 48,300 homes. Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2017 and the project will begin providing power to MCE by late 2018.

“We're proud to be working with Recurrent Energy to grow California's solar industry, helping to power economic strength, job creation and tackle climate change by transitioning our communities to clean energy,” said Dawn Weisz, CEO of MCE.

“This contract award further expands our contracted pipeline in the U.S. and marks the third and largest PPA between Recurrent Energy and MCE,” added Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar.

“MCE's continued leadership in procuring renewable energy is to be commended. We are pleased to have the opportunity to continue delivering reliable, cost-competitive solar power to MCE and their customers.” 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

Intersolar Middle East: Premiere successfully accomplished

The first Intersolar Middle East in Dubai took place in a historical year. In 2016, Dubai set a new record for the cost of solar power of about 3 US cents per kW/h. During Intersolar Middle East, an extremely low price of 2.42 US cents per kw/h for solar energy was bid during an auction for a solar farm near Abu Dhabi in the UAE.

That is by far the lowest solar farm bit. This shows the direction of solar becoming the cheapest energy source compared to all other energy sources, including fossil fuels and nuclear power.

100 international exhibitors, 4,000+ visitors, and 260+ conference attendees

Intersolar Middle East covered the complete value chain of PV with 100 international exhibitors from manufacturing companies as Centrotherm and Schmid, cell- and module makers such as SolarWorld, Canadian Solar, and Sharp, inverter companies like Fronius and Kaco, up to energy storage solutions from e.g. OutBack Power, and electric vehicles from Microtron Technologies.

4,000+ visitors and 260+ conference attendees from all GCC countries and beyond made the opening of Intersolar Middle East exhibition and conference a successful starting point for growth

The exhibition also covered content-wise all PV and CSP related topics. In 2 open rooms, 17 free of charge, CPD certified workshops from IRENA, RENAC and Solar Energy International draw a lot of attention to the international audience.

The high attendance of each workshop showed the big interest in content and the need of information to grow the solar business in the region. The Intersolar Study Program on the last day of the exhibition gave the next generation an insight into the chances of the renewable energy industry. This was followed by presentations of the “Young Leader’s Innovation Challenge” winners who received their awards during the conference opening.

The co-located conference with 80 renowned speakers, gave deep insights in all MENA country markets, perspectives in PV development as well as policies and regulations. The need for local manufacturing was discussed as well as the importance of innovative and reliable technologies.

One highlight of this year’s conference was the keynote speech by Ben Hill, Vice President of Tesla Energy Europe and Africa about energy storage. Ben Hill also joined the official technical tour to “Dubai Sustainable City”.

The second edition of Intersolar Middle East will take place again in Dubai at the DWTC from September 25–27, 2017. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

JinkoSolar helps create first PV recycling network in the U.S.

 

JinkoSolar Holding Co., Ltd. (Shanghai, China) on September 26^th, 2016 announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc., in partnership with the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and a coalition of other solar photovoltaic (PV) companies, has successfully launched the first PV recycling program in the United States, which includes a network of cost-effective recyclers that can responsibly dispose of decommissioned PV modules.

While JinkoSolar modules are expected to last at least 25 years, PV system owners now have dedicated resources to help aid in responsible disposal of modules once they reach the end of their life cycle.

JinkoSolar PV modules recently passed toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests. Products that do not leach toxic materials at levels exceeding regulatory limits are termed TCLP compliant. TCLP compliant JinkoSolar PV modules will give system owners more time and flexibility to dispose of the modules.

“By passing TCLP tests and helping start this recycling framework, JinkoSolar has shown that it is a true leader in environmental responsibility,” said Nigel Cockroft, General Manager of JinkoSolar (U.S.) Inc. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

Electric mobility requires 25 GW of solar capacity additions in Europe

If the share of electric mobility in passenger road transport increased to 80 percent by 2050, the CO₂ emissions of this sector in Europe could be reduced by up to 84 percent compared to 2010. However, this can only be achieved if the electricity is predominantly generated from renewable energies.

To ensure that the power supply needed for electric mobility is at least met with 50 percent renewable generation, 47 GW of electricity from wind power plants and 25 GW from solar power plants are necessary, reads a new study conducted by Oeko-Institut and Transport & Mobility Leuven on behalf of the European Environment Agency (EEA).

Electric vehicles need substantial quantities of electricity

The experts of the joint research project analyzed in two scenarios the potentials for climate protection and the effects on electricity consumption arising from electric vehicles. They found that electric vehicles need substantial quantities of electricity throughout Europe and will therefore have an impact on electricity production capacities and the stress put on electricity grids in the future.

The electric mobility share in Europe’s total electricity consumption can amount to approx. four to five percent by 2030 and increase to approx. 10 percent by 2050. However, the shares vary strongly among the European countries.

Electric mobility and power generation

If the additional electricity demand of 138 terawatt hours in 2030 and 448 TWh in 2050 is met with electricity from European power plants, the CO₂ emissions of the power sector would increase by 18 million tons in 2030 and 30 million tons in 2050 due to the conventional power plant shares. Particularly in countries with a high share of coal-fired power plants, additional emissions would arise and the environmental benefit of the electric vehicles would be significantly lower, the institute emphasizes.

 

To cover the electricity demand of electric vehicles, significant investments in additional production capacities are necessary. “Only when the power demand of electric vehicles is predominantly met by using renewable energies can EVs play an important role in climate protection,” reads the press release.

Investments in wind and solar generation are necessary

The research team calculates an additional need for generation capacities of about 150 gigawatts (GW) by 2050. This includes 47 GW of electricity from wind power plants and 25 GW from solar power plants to ensure that the power supply needed for electric mobility is at least met with 50 percent renewable generation. To ensure that electric vehicles are fully powered by renewable energy significant additional investments in wind and solar generation are necessary.

Challenges for electric mobility: Grids and charging infrastructure

“Our analyses show that each EU Member State has different pre-conditions for climate-friendly electric mobility,” says Joß Bracker, a climate protection expert at Oeko-Institut and co-author of the study. “The crucial factors are the size of the renewable energy shares in their electricity mix and the robustness of the grid. An increase in highly fluctuating quantities of renewable electricity requires, first and foremost, an efficient and flexible electricity grid.”

Since the power demand of electric vehicles puts stress on local grids in particular, smart charging will play a vital role in the integration of electric vehicles in the power system, he notes. In the medium term, therefore, investments must be made in technological solutions for the smart charging of electric vehicles. Thus, excessive stress on electricity grids can be avoided and grid stability can be guaranteed.

 source:http://www.solarserver.com

SoCore Energy to acquire 22 Minnesota solar PV projects from SunEdison

 

SoCore Energy (Chicago, IL, U.S.), a developer and operator of commercial and distributed solar photovoltaic (PV) generation and a subsidiary of Edison International, on September 26^th, 2016 announced that it has agreed to acquire equity interests in 22 community solar garden development projects in Minnesota as part of the SunEdison bankruptcy proceedings, subject to certain conditions.

The acquisition of these equity interests was approved on September 26^th with an order from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in New York, for a total price of up to USD 79.8 million if all projects are completed.

Projects could add up to 140 MW of PV in Minnesota

Once constructed, these projects will provide up to 140 megawatts (MW) of solar generated power to meet the growing demand for renewable energy in the state.

SoCore has existing solar PV installations in Minnesota focused on the needs of commercial customers and is developing several other solar projects to serve those customers, as well as electric cooperatives in the state.

These new projects acquired from SunEdison will form an integral part of SoCore’s expanding portfolio, with several projects commencing construction as early as the fourth quarter of 2016.

SoCore is targeting completion of all project development and construction in 2017 using third-party tax equity and debt financing.

“SoCore has the capabilities and track record to deliver these projects and meet the needs of our customers in Minnesota,” said Robert Scheuermann, president of SoCore Energy. 

source: http://www.solarserver.com

Canadian Solar subsidiary completes 258 MW Tranquillity solar PV plant in California

 

Canadian Solar Inc. (Guelph, Ontario) on September 26^th, 2016 announced the commercial operation of the 200 MW_AC/258 MWp Tranquillity solar power project in California.

The Tranquillity solar photovoltaic (PV) project was developed by Canadian Solar's wholly owned subsidiary Recurrent Energy and is majority-owned by Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power.

The Tranquillity solar facility, which is expected to generate enough electricity to power approximately 50,000 homes, is sited on 1,900 acres of retired agricultural land in Fresno County.  

Long-term PPAs with off-takers including Southern California Edison

Electricity and the associated renewable energy credits (RECs) produced by the Tranquillity solar facility will be sold under long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) to off-takers including Southern California Edison (SCE).

“The Tranquillity solar facility is the product of long-term collaboration with financial partners, local communities and other stakeholders,” said Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar.

“This milestone is a testament to our commitment to the communities and ecosystems where we operate, which is a critical ingredient of our project development success.”

 source:http://www.solarserver.com