ELEMENTS OF THE SMART GRID

Smart Grid Requires Utilities To Merge IT And OT Worlds

28 August 2012 (Renew Grid)

“Uncertainty as to how new information technology (IT) systems should be incorporated into network operations continues to slow the advancement of smart grid technologies and is driving the need for greater collaboration between the IT and operational technology (OT) sides of the business, according to a new report from Pike Research.

“The need to support smart meters has already driven significant change in the utility IT landscape with the introduction of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) and meter data management systems (MDMS) and the replacement and upgrading of existing billing and customer information systems (CIS)…[but] the evolution of the smart grid from the initial deployment of smart meters to a dynamic, intelligent network supporting bi-directional communications between utilities and customers is only just beginning.”

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“Other focal points for IT transformation include distribution management systems (DMS) and the merging of enterprise IT and OT to improve operational efficiencies and move toward the goal of a closed-loop network management operation…[Advancements] are being driven by new application requirements such as electric vehicle charging systems, demand-side management applications and distributed generation management, including virtual power plants and microgrids…

“The worlds of IT and OT teams have historically been distinct within utilities. IT has been primarily focused on business process and customer management systems. Operational systems for managing and monitoring power networks have been the domain of operational teams…[but] the smart grid requires a more holistic view of how a utility operates at both a business and field level…[and] greater cooperation between IT and OT teams…The importance of ensuring the security of the electricity grid…cannot be underestimated…”

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NEWEST NEW ENERGY R&D FUNDING

Latest SunShot Awards: DOE Doles Out Millions More For Solar Research

30 August 2012 (Solar Industry)

“As part of the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) SunShot Initiative, which aims to drive solar energy to be cost-competitive with other energy sources by 2020, Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced several new investments focusing on PV and concentrating solar power (CSP) research.

“The CSP investments total $10 million over five years for two university-led projects [involving UCLA, Yale and UC Berkeley]…[designed to] increase efficiencies of CSP systems and lower their costs…[by developing liquid metal] heat-transfer fluids that can operate at temperatures up to 2,350 degrees F, while simultaneously maintaining high levels of performance…”

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“…[Five other] new research projects…will enable research teams from industry, universities and national laboratories to work together at the DOE's Scientific User Facilities, a national network of facilities that provide open access to instruments and tools…[With $900,000,] PLANT PV, based in Berkeley, Calif., will partner with Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory's Molecular Foundry to develop three-dimensional mapping tools for higher-performing thin-film solar material…[and] the University of Colorado will use tools at Oak Ridge National Laboratory to research high-temperature, inexpensive materials for CSP technologies.

“The three other projects, totaling a $2.6 million investment, have been selected to establish full research programs…Researchers from Sandia National Laboratories will partner with the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies in New Mexico to improve the efficiency of thin-film photovoltaic materials…Arizona State University will use X-ray technologies at Argonne National Laboratory to address solar cell material performance…[and] Stanford University will partner with SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory to research inexpensive ways to print solar cells.”

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WORLD’S BIGGEST OFFSHORE WIND

Offshore windfarm plan for over 300 turbines in Moray Firth unveiled

Alistair Munro, 31 August 2012 (The Scotsman)

“…[A plan for] the world’s largest offshore wind farm off the Scottish coast, with 339 turbines…which has attracted vocal opposition from campaigners including American tycoon Donald Trump…[would cost] £4.5 billion project…[and] could create hundreds of jobs and provide electricity for a million homes. It would also be a major boost to the Scottish Government’s target of generating 100 per cent of the country’s electricity demand from renewables by the end of the decade…

“…[A joint venture between Spanish/Portuguese firm EDP Renewables (EDPR) and Spanish oil and gas company Repsol Nuevas Energias, operating as] Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd …said the proposals represented the culmination of three years of development work, data gathering, extensive environmental studies and broad consultation…Work, if approved, would start in 2015, with completion by 2020…The wind farm would cover about 114sq miles and could produce up to 1,500MW…The power would be collected by up to eight offshore electrical platforms, before being sent ashore by a cable under the seabed…[and to an onshore substation via] an underground cable…”

“But concerns have been raised about the environmental impact of such a large project, particularly the effect on local marine life and tourism…Stuart Young, a consultant for Communities Against Turbines Scotland and chairman of Caithness Windfarm Information Forum, said…[the turbines] will be a blot on the landscape which will be left for future generations…A spokesman for Mr Trump, who is opposed to a similar offshore wind farm overlooking his Aberdeenshire golf course, said…[the project, like all wind turbine proposals, is totally dependent on subsidies that will cost the taxpayer dearly…”

[Scottish Government spokesman:] “Scotland has astounding green energy potential and vast natural resources, and we have a responsibility to make sure our nation seizes this opportunity to create tens of thousands of new jobs…secure billions of pounds of investment in our economy…[and meet the Scottish Government ambitious but achievable] target of generating the equivalent of 100 per cent of our electricity demand from renewable sources by 2020.”

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STORING HEAT FOR POWER

Thermal Energy Storage; Thermal Storage for HVAC in Commercial Buildings, District Cooling and Heating, Utility and Grid Support Applications, and High-Temperature Storage at CSP Facilities

3Q 2012 (Pike Research/Navigant

“Thermal energy storage (TES) is an often unrecognized but important component of the developing market for energy storage systems…[TES is presently most] often used to provide cooling capacity for commercial buildings…

“…TES systems are also increasingly seen as an effective means of shifting electricity use from daytime peak periods into less expensive periods of the day or at night, saving money and increasing overall system efficiency…Newer forms of TES, including molten salt storage, may be used with concentrated solar power generation facilities to store energy collected in daylight hours for later use.”

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“Pike Research’s analysis finds that the annual U.S. market for incremental TES capacity totals $268 million, with 246 megawatts (MW) of new capacity installed in 2011 in five market segments: packaged air conditioning, chiller TES systems, district energy, residential heat TES, and commercial heat TES…

“The report forecasts that the TES market will expand at a compound annual growth rate of 13.5% through 2020, resulting in an $850 million annual domestic market and cumulative TES capacity of 4,500 MW. Globally, TES is expected to grow substantially through 2020, with worldwide revenues of $3.6 billion and added capacity of 3,824 MW in that year…”

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Labor Day Reading - GE Still Dominates US Wind Manufacturing but New Faces Are Emerging; Bigger machines and more manufacturers are competing for market share.

Labor Day Reading - GE Still Dominates US Wind Manufacturing but New Faces Are Emerging; Bigger machines and more manufacturers are competing for market share.

Herman K. Trabish, May 1, 2012 (Greentech Media)

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GE remains the dominant supplier of wind turbines to the U.S. domestic market, but competitors are coming at it from every direction of the globe.

GE turbines are generating 40 percent -- or 18,873 megawatts -- of the 48,770 megawatts of installed U.S. wind energy capacity. That is 12,519 turbines averaging about 1.5 megawatts each.

Vestas Wind Systems A/S of Denmark made 19 percent, or approximately 9,154 megawatts, of the turbines generating U.S. installed capacity. That’s 6,996 turbines averaging under 1.3 megawatts each.

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Siemens A.G. of Germany is third with 11 percent -- 5,330 megawatts -- of U.S. capacity, with 2,511 turbines at an average 2.1-megawatt size.

Of the 6,816 megawatts of wind capacity installed in the U.S. in 2011, GE led with 29.4 percent (2,006 megawatts from 1,252 turbines). Vestas was close behind, with almost 29 percent (1,969 megawatts from 952 turbines). Siemens was again third, with just over 18 percent (1,233 megawatts, 534 turbines).

The real news is the wind industry’s growing list of manufacturers supplying the domestic turbine market. It grew more in 2011 than in any year since 2008. Among other newcomers were Goldwind and Sinovel, two of China’s biggest wind makers. And while manufacturers who were outside the top ten list added only 0.05 percent of U.S. installed wind capacity in 2007, their share of it in 2011 was over 5.5 percent.

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Furthermore, while there were only seven manufacturers with over 1,000 megawatts of U.S. installed capacity (GE, Vestas, Siemens, Mitsubishi, Gamesa, Suzlon and Clipper), there were nine manufacturers last year that added over 150 megawatts to it (Nordex and RePower).

The average size of all turbines installed in the U.S. also took its biggest jump since 2008, moving from 1.77 megawatts to 1.97 megawatts. This strongly suggests that GE’s workhorse 1.5-megawatt machine and others in its class, while still dominant in terms of sheer numbers built, no longer represent the industry standard. Turbines of 1.8 megawatts and 2.3 megawatts also represented a large percentage of those installed in 2011, and both 2.3-megawatt and 3.0-megawatt turbines were also built in significant numbers last year.

The U.S. wind turbine manufacturing industry and its supply chain had 472 facilities at the end of 2011. But the industry has already seen layoff announcements and cancellations of plans for new facilities from Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Vestas and others, due toCongress' decision not to extend the industry’s 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour production tax credit (PTC).

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Labor Day Reading - Solar Tariff Debate: Rule of Law or Open Competition? Blame the Chinese — but at least they are supporting their solar industry.

Labor Day Reading - Solar Tariff Debate: Rule of Law or Open Competition? Blame the Chinese — but at least they are supporting their solar industry.

Herman K. Trabish, May 2, 2012 (Greentech Media)

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The Department of Commerce (DOC) recently ruled that China’s financial support to its solar manufacturers constitutes a violation of World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. DOC imposed protective tariffs of 2 percent to 5 percent. A second decision, potentially imposing further and higher tariffs, is expected May 17.

Tariffs enforce WTO rules and protect U.S. solar manufacturers, but could also drive up solar costs or touch off a U.S.-China trade war. Center for American Progress China energy and policy analyst Melanie Hart and Grape Solar founder Ocean Yuan debated the wisdom of tariffs at the GTM solar summit.

“Three things are of growing concern,” Hart said. Fossil-fuel-backed U.S. political leaders are not supporting renewables, she said, while China “has a forward-looking five-year strategy” and is “dedicating a lot of money to growing solar, particularly manufacturing.”

Second, she said, “China’s policy process is not transparent.” When accusations are leveled, “we start to assume that perhaps what we don’t see is also problematic. There is growing suspicion.”

Third, she said, “China is reaching a point where everything it does matters to us [and] we can’t afford to feel we’re on the losing end of such a critical trade relationship.” But, Hart said, “we have a non-political arena for laying out evidence of whether a foreign government is engaging in illegal subsidization and allowing some non-political, calm head in the Department of Commerce to make that decision.”

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(Chart data from The Brattle Group)

“I can only speak about my own experience,” Yuan said. Grape Solar “received a series of notices from the Port of Seattle and the Port of Portland two weeks ago, and they demanded a cash payment the next day. We immediately sent a check to our customs broker. Otherwise, they can confiscate property, including panels.”

“Installers, importers, distributors, and developers,” Yuan said, will be affected by tariffs, and “nobody will benefit.” Many U.S. manufacturers and the entire consumer-oriented part of the solar sector benefit from low costs, he said, adding, “We should be competing with the traditional fossil fuel generators, not fighting amongst ourselves.”

Hart agreed, noting that fossil fuel interests invested $16 million in Q1 2012 to oppose Obama's clean energy policies. But, she added, “If we allow local government policies such as these subsidies to determine who comes out on top in such a critical global energy as solar, it could reduce our ability to compete against fossil fuels in the long term.”

“Our relationship is too important,” Hart continued. “We should be addressing these problems in a legal-judicial fashion, to make sure we not only have cheap solar panels today but a long stable renewable energy partnership that can keep us going for the next five to ten years and beyond.”

For the past 30 years, Yuan replied, China has been encouraging government support for all manufacturing, not just solar, because, Yuan explained, when China opened up to the West and Deng Xiaoping visited the U.S., he asked what China’s new role should be. "‘You make things,’ he was told, ‘and we will buy them.’"

“That,” Yuan said, “led to today’s China. Now all of a sudden, the U.S. says, ‘I have fed the beast and it has grown into a monster.’ The U.S. wants to punish China for doing what it was told to do,” Yuan added. “And the market between these two countries is only $6 billion.Solar panel imports are less than $2 billion.”

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Greentech Media Research Managing Director Shayle Kann posed to each debater “one of the more compelling arguments on either side.” To Yuan, he asked, from “the pro-tariff side,” whether the U.S., on the assumption that China is violating WTO rules, should pursue enforcement even if it has a negative short-term impact on U.S. solar panel makers. Shouldn’t the DOC “enforce the rules?”

“Assuming China is breaking the rules is a wrong assumption,” Yuan said. In his view, "The DOC is essentially saying, ‘I make the rules. You are breaking my rules.’ How fair is that?”

Also, he added, “if you are trying to make anything in the U.S. and there is no uniqueness of your product, and if you try to compete with low-cost countries,” he said, “it’s simple math. With no technological advantage, how can you compete? You cannot. Face it. Do something else.”

On “the anti-tariff side,” Kann asked Hart, won’t the tariff mechanism simply hurt the industry by driving up costs? “The likelihood is most top-tier manufacturers will skirt the tariffs,” Kann said, by setting up in Taiwan or Mexico. “U.S. prices won’t be hugely different.”

“The goal here isn’t to protect U.S. manufacturers from competition,” Hart said. “The goal is to raise the price of cheating,” and “to make local government officials think twice before rolling out policies that might be or might appear to be WTO-illegal.”

A questioner pointed out that 74 percent of U.S. solar jobs come from the industry segment most impacted by tariff-induced higher panel prices. “Why would we put a China-U.S. trade war on the back of an industry trying to compete with fossil fuels?”

“The best thing we can do to ensure innovation and the ability to compete with fossil fuels,” Hart replied, “is to make sure we have a level playing field across all manufacturers and we are developing not just cheap solar panels but better and more efficient panels.”

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SPANISH SOLAR POWER PLANTS SET OUTPUT RECORDS

CSP Plants Set Electricity Supply Record In Spain

27 August 2012 (Solar Industry)

“Spain's 35 concentrating solar power (CSP) plants reached two new milestones last month…On July 15, the projects met 3.25% of Spain's electricity consumption; on July 11, at 5:00 p.m., 4.1% of electricity fed into the grid came from the CSP plants.”

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“The CSP sector could be one of the most profitable for Spanish companies, provided that new regulations under consideration by the Spanish government do not create barriers…”

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