Denmarks largest offshore wind farm approved

Rune Birk Nielsen (2008-08-26)

Denmark's largest offshore wind turbine park will be placed in the Kattegat strait. Parliament approved the construction of Denmark's largest offshore wind turbine park on Tuesday. The wind farm will be placed in the Kattegat strait of the North Sea.

The turbines will be capable of producing 400 megawatts of energy, which can power 400,000 homes for a year, according to the Climate and Energy Ministry.

There will be between 100 and 175 wind turbines placed in the northern Jutland waters, depending on their size.

'I'm very happy all parties supported the energy agreement and the location of the wind turbines. It's important that a broad majority support energy policies, because there's no doubt that this is an enormous task for Denmark,' said Connie Hedegaard, the climate minister.  

Jakob Lau Holst, the acting director of the Danish Wind Industry Association (DWIA), said the new construction will help Denmark in its bid to reach the European Commission's goal of generating 30 percent of its energy from renewables by 2020.

 'At the same time it's also important we don't rest on our laurels. We need to continuously build at sea and on land over the coming years to reach the goal and to send an international message that we are serious about reducing our greenhouse gas emissions,' said Holst. 

According to the latest figures from the Wind Industry Association, Denmark has 5267 turbines, of which nearly 70 percent are located on Jutland. In 2006, offshore wind farms produced 22 percent of Danish wind energy.

 US Wind Markets Surge to New Heights 

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 14 August 2008 – On the back of three years of consistent growth, the US wind market is poised for a record-breaking surge with cumulative installed wind capacity to surpass 150 gigawatts (GW) by 2020, according to a recent market study from Emerging Energy Research, a leading research and advisory firm analyzing clean and renewable energy markets on a global basis.

With 5,329 MW of new wind capacity installed in 2007, the wind power market was responsible for installing more than 27% of newly added global wind capacity this past year, securing the ' position as the largest wind growth market by annual installations for the third straight year.  2008 is poised to set another record for annual installations in the , with over 8 GW of wind projects currently under construction scheduled for operation by year's end, according to EER.

"Wind is becoming increasingly competitive with conventional fossil fuel power generation options such as natural gas and coal. Given the substantial volatility of fossil fuel capital and operating costs in the past several years, wind is now one of the least-cost power generation options available to utilities seeking new capacity," says EER Research Director Joshua Magee.

More than half of US states have enacted Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS') to date, creating demand for up to 295 terawatt-hours (TWh) of renewable energy supply by 2020. In addition, the federal Production Tax Credit (PTC) remains crucial to the wind project revenue stream, with looming uncertainty regarding the incentive's current expiration at the end of 2008. 

Texas continues to serve as the hub of US wind project development activity, with over 45 GW of wind projects under development in the state. However, future growth in top wind regions such as the Southwest, Midwest, West and Pacific Northwest hinges on the completion of numerous proposed transmission projects, according to EER. "Major transmission expansion investments on both the intra- and inter-state levels will be crucial to sustaining long-term build-out of the US market," according to Magee. 

Exhibit: US Wind Project Pipeline by State (as of May 2008)  

 

  

Source: Emerging Energy Research 

US utilities move into wind development and ownership 
 

Between 2000 and 2007, annual utility-owned wind installations grew from just under 4 MW added in 2000 to more than 820 MW added in 2007, representing approximately 16% of the cumulative installed wind market as of Q1 2008, according to EER.
 

As competition heats up, US wind independent power producers (IPPs) will need to evolve their business strategies to compete with regulated utilities such as MidAmerican, Xcel, and Alliant which are dominant in their respective territories, according to Magee. 
 

Exhibit: Top 10 Utilities by Wind Asset Ownership through Year-End 2007  

Source: Emerging Energy Research 
 

US wind turbine supply chain growing to meet surging demand 
 

Substantial investment in greater wind turbine supply chain capacity will be key to wind turbine operation equipment manufacturers' ability meet the level of wind growth anticipated in 2008 and beyond. Recent large-scale investments in third-party wind turbine blade and tower supply has created a wind turbine manufacturing "corridor" spanning from North Dakota to Texas and from eastern Colorado to Illinois, according to EER. 
 

EER expects that the wind turbine sales market will climb from an estimated US $12 billion in 2008 to nearly US $16 billion by 2015. With such a substantial level of revenue up for grabs, greater industry participation is guaranteed across the wind turbine value chain from major financial institutions, power and infrastructure manufacturers, and utilities and power producers. 
 

ABOUT THE STUDY: US WIND POWER MARKETS AND STRATEGIES 2008-2020 
 

Wind Power Markets and Strategies 2008-2020 provides over 310 pages of market intelligence and competitive analysis of US wind power markets. Study features include: state by state analysis, market environment rankings, competitive analysis of utilities, IPPs and developers, as well as wind turbine manufacturer and component supplier analysis. Follow this link for the study's Table of Contents and List of Exhibits. For more information please contact Stephanie Aldock at 617-551-8483 or eermedia@emerging-energy.com

REC  選擇魁北克來進行未來PolySilicon原料擴廠 
2008-08-26 02:35 

REC 今天已決定在加拿大 Becancour 建立其下一個多晶矽原料生產拓展項目，同時還與 Hydro Quebec 和 Societe du Parc industriel et portuaire de Becancour（簡稱 SPIB）分別簽署了協議。這些協議概述了開發新生產基地的相關條款和條件以及其它商業條件。  

REC 總裁兼首席執行官 Erik Thorsen 表示：「這個地區的開發將使我們能夠以最具成本效益的方式繼續拓展我們的硅業務，並因此為 REC 進一步發展下游業務提供支持，同時也為我們達成遠大的長期成本目標提供支持。」 

在結束長達17個月的復雜流程後，Becancour 最終勝出。這些流程包括：首先對16個國家的100多個候選地區進行篩選，然後對其中近40個地區進行盡職調查，最終對少數地區進行協商討論。 

由於多晶矽生產與能源密集度相關，因此 Becancour 入選的一個重要原因還在於該地區依據長期可預測定價可以獲得穩定的電力供應。此外，REC 還致力於降低太陽能電池和電板在生產過程中對環境的影響，並因此更青睞於基於（基於無碳）可再生能源的電力供應(水力)。 

REC 打算在打造未來產能時使用最新的技術，包括更加先進的低成本、專利多晶矽沉積技術（基於流化床反應器）。新工廠的預備工程將在未來6個月中完成，隨後會確定最終投資的規模。目前的計划要求對該地區進行分階段開發，有可能將建成四個與目前正在美國華盛頓州磨塞斯萊克處於建設階段的工廠規模相當的生產部門。總產能將根據客戶協議和市場狀況上線。預計建築工作將於2010年開始，並於2012年實現一期產能。 

REC Silicon 執行副總裁 Goran Bye 表示：「我們很高興把 Becancour 作為未來硅材料拓展的首選地。我們期望 REC 和魁北克人民能夠保持長期專注的合作關系。在選址和協商的過程中，魁北克省政府、特別是魁北克省投資署 (Investissement Quebec) 表現出了歡迎和鼓勵的姿態。我們還發現這個地區的勞動力和互補產業具有巨大潛力。」 

Sandvika, : REC Selects Quebec for Future Silicon Expansions

Renewable Energy Corporation ASA (REC) has selected Bécancour, Quebec as the site of choice for the next phase of silicon materials expansions. The site will be developed in stages and could potentially hold four production units similar in size of the factory currently under completion in Moses Lake, Washington, USA. REC has today decided to establish its next silicon materials manufacturing expansion in Bécancour, Canada and has simultaneously signed agreements with Hydro Quebec, and Société du Parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour. The agreements outline both the terms and conditions related to the development of a new production site and other commercial conditions.  

"The development of this site will enable us to continue expansion of our silicon business in the most cost efficient manner and will consequently support REC's further growth downstream as well as our ambitious long-term cost target", says Erik Thorsen, President & CEO of REC. 

The decision on Bécancour was made after a comprehensive 17 months' process involving screening of more than 100 possible locations in 16 countries, followed by due diligence of close to 40 of them and finally negotiations with a few sites. 

As the production of polysilicon is relatively energy intensive, one important reason for selecting Bécancour has been access to stable electricity supply based on long-term, predictable pricing. Additionally, REC is committed to limit the environmental impact of producing solar cells and panels, and therefore prefers electricity supply based on (non-carbon based) renewable energy sources. 

As part of the arrangement with the Government of Quebec, REC will have a long term power contract with Hydro Quebec at a competitive industrial rate. The 20 year power contract will provide REC with long-term, clean, renewable power at a predictable cost in addition to other benefits offered by the world-class Société du Parc industriel et portuaire de Bécancour (SPIB). The agreement further assumes that total investments at the SPIB will exceed USD 1.2 billion and that the total number of employees will exceed 300 people. 

REC intends to build future production capacities leveraging its latest technology including more advanced versions of the low cost, proprietary polycrystalline silicon deposition process based on fluidized bed reactors. Pre-engineering for the new plant will be concluded within the next six months, after which the decision on the definite size of the investment will be made. Current plans call for the site to be developed in several stages with total potential of four production units similar in size of the factory currently under completion in Moses Lake, Washington, USA. Total capacity will be brought on line in accordance with customer agreements and market conditions. Construction is anticipated to start in 2010 with Phase I production capacity available in 2012.

"We are pleased to select Bécancour as the preferred site for future silicon materials expansions. We look forward to a long and industrious relationship between REC and the people of Quebec . During the site selection and negotiation process, the Government of Quebec, particularly Investissement Quebec , has proven to be welcoming and encouraging. We also see great potential in the workforce and complimentary industries in the area", says EVP Silicon, Gøran Bye.

2008/7/11

瑞士成為第一個將小風電納入再生能源發電補助(Feed-in-Tarrif)的國家

Swiss Adopt Aggressive Feed Law for Renewable Energy

New law makes the first nation with a specific tariff for small wind turbines.

by Paul Gipe, Contributing Writer   Bern, [RenewableEnergyWorld.com] 

In a surprising move, has adopted one of the world's most aggressive systems of Advanced Renewable Tariffs.

The Swiss, famed for conservative traditions, stodgy bankers and trains that run on time, have joined a growing list of countries using feed-in tariffs to promote the rapid development of renewable energy.

Not content to start with a timid program incrementally raising the bar year by year, the Swiss federal government this spring launched a full-system of feed-in tariffs differentiated by technology, size and application. There are tariffs, or payments per kilowatt-hour (kWh), for solar photovoltaics, wind, hydro, geothermal and biomass.

The Swiss system, like those in , and , pays a renewable energy generator for every kWh of electricity generated. The payments are made for periods of 20 to 25 years, depending upon the technology.

The new Swiss tariffs, among the highest in the world, are the first to include a specific tariff for small wind turbines — those under 10 kW — of 0.20 SWF/kWh (US $0.20/kWh) for 20 years.

The states of Michigan, Illinois, Rhode Island and Minnesota have proposed similar tariffs for small wind turbines, US $0.25/kWh, but none of the proposals have yet become law.

Tariffs for large wind turbines use the German system of tariff differentiation by resource intensity. Because of the rugged Swiss terrain, the program's designers needed to provide tariffs for wind energy that would enable profitable operation in deep valleys as well as on windy mountaintops, while at the same time protecting ratepayers from unnecessary costs.

In the Swiss system, every wind turbine is paid the same price for its electricity during the first five years. After that, production is averaged. The average is then compared with a reference site defined in the law. Depending upon the wind resource, the premium payment of 0.20 SWF/kWh is extended beyond the first five years. After the premium period, the tariff falls to 0.17 SWF/kWh (US $0.17/kWh) for the remainder of the 20-year contract. For the reference site, the premium payment of 0.20 SWF/kWh (US $0.20/kWh) is extended for the full 20-year period.

The wind tariffs are among the highest in the world, but less than those requested by Suisse Eole. The trade association calculated that with Swiss terrain, and the high cost of wind turbines, 0.28 SWF/kWh (US $0.28/kWh) would be necessary for the first five years, and 0.20 SWF/kWh for the post-premium period.

The tariffs for solar PV put on a par with and , though the contract period of 25 years is the longest outside . For rooftop systems of less than 10 kW in size, the tariffs are 0.75 SWF/kWh. For building integrated solar PV, the tariffs rival those in neighboring . For building-integrated systems of less than 10 kW in size, the tariffs are 0.90 SWF/kWh (US $0.88/kWh).

Currently there are 29 megawatts (MW) of solar PV in the country; 7 MW were installed in 2007.

The Swiss, ever meticulous, avoided disrupting the solar industry while the new law was under lengthy discussions, by grandfathering solar PV installations installed from 2006 through the law's introduction in April 2008.

Geothermal plants of less than 5 MW in size will receive 0.30 SWF/kWh (US $0.30/kWh) for 20 years.

Funds to pay for the tariffs will come from a systems benefits charge of 0.006 SWF/kWh on all electricity consumption, says Reto Rigassi of Suisse Eole, the Swiss wind energy association. This is equivalent to 320 million SWF, or about US $310 million, at current exchange rates.

While there is no MW cap on the program, there is a cap on the portion contributed by each technology to the total program. Hydro generation is capped at 50% of the fund, and wind at 30%. However, the wind association's Rigassi explains that the entire program is capped at 150% of the funds collected.

Most controversial are the limits placed on solar photovoltaics (PV). Solar PV is capped at 5% of the fund. Swissolar, the Swiss solar trade association, has called on the government to lift the cap, arguing that solar PV could ultimately meet one-third of Swiss electricity supply.

There are currently 1,000 people employed in the Swiss solar industry, and Bank Sarasin suggests that the number could increase if developed its home market with more aggressive policies.

The program will be reviewed every five years. The first review may be within three years.

As elsewhere, special provisions are made for data collection from the private generators who participate in the program. The law specifically states that generators must provide data on generation upon the government's request.

Swiss parliamentarians have been debating a modern renewable energy policy for several years. The country's renewable energy advocates have watched in frustration as renewable energy boomed in to the north, to the west, and to the south. Now, with one of the world's most progressive systems of Advanced Renewable Tariffs, the Swiss are in the game.

August 22, 2008

Blaubeuren, : Centrotherm Photovoltaics Acquires Solar Silicon Specialist SolMic

Centrotherm photovoltaics AG, Blaubeuren, is consistently pursuing its strategy of integrating key equipment and technology into the Group. The aim is to further expand technology leadership along the solar value-creation chain. The Management Board, with the agreement of the Supervisory Board, has today signed an agreement relating to the complete takeover of SolMic GmbH, Burghausen.

SolMic is a specialist for technology and engineering services revolving around design and process optimization for the production of polysilicon, ingot and wafers. The complete acquisition of this important company for its solar silicon division allows centrotherm photovoltaics to combine technology and plant engineering. It allows the company to completely combine its expertise for fully integrated factories under one roof.

Centrotherm photovoltaics already held a 50% equity share of SolMic via its subsidiary GP Solar GmbH. Managing director Dr. Albrecht Mozer held the remaining shares. SolMic, with a workforce of 30 employees, generated total output of EUR 10 million in the first half of 2008. The company achieved total output of around EUR 13.1 million in 2007 financial year. Confidentiality was agreed concerning the purchase price, which consists of equity and cash components. Dr. Albrecht Mozer (56) was CTO of a renowned, German manufacturer of polysilicon, ingot and wafers, before founding SolMic.

The complete acquisition of SolMic also allows centrotherm photovoltaics to raise its direct stake in the former centrotherm SiQ GmbH joint-venture from 80.5 percent to 100 percent. centrotherm photovoltaics procures key equipment for the manufacturing of solar silicon, particularly Siemens reactors and converters, as well as vent gas recovery plants, via centrotherm SiQ. centrotherm SiQ has also reported highly successful business performance: centrotherm SiQ, with a workforce of around 30 employees, generated total output of EUR 5.9 million as of June 30, 2008. Total output was EUR 0.8 million in 2007.

The next step envisages merging both subsidiaries in order to simplify structures. Dr. Albrecht Mozer will manage the merged company, and will be responsible for all centrotherm photovoltaics' activities in the solar silicon area in the future.

As part of the consistent pursuit of its strategy of integrating key equipment and technology into the company, the management and supervisory boards of centrotherm photovoltaics are currently examining the option of integrating sister company Thermal Solutions GmbH & Co. KG into the Group by way of an increase in non-cash capital. Thermal Solutions GmbH & Co. KG is a leading producer of manufacturing plant for the photovoltaics and semiconductor industries, and centrotherm photovoltaics' largest supplier.

公告日期：2008/6/5

行政院「永續能源政策綱領｣

一、政策目標-「能源、環保與經濟」三贏

永續能源發展應兼顧「能源安全」、「經濟發展」與「環境保護」，以滿足未來世代發展的需要。台灣自然資源不足，環境承載有限，永續能源政策應將有限資源作有「效率」的使用，開發對環境友善的「潔淨」能源，與確保持續「穩定」的能源供應，以創造跨世代能源、環保與經濟三贏願景。

(一)提高能源效率：

未來8年每年提高能源效率2％以上，使能源密集度於2015年較2005年下降20%以上；並藉由技術突破及配套措施，2025年下降50%以上。

Q: 經濟部能源局為業務列管單位, 請拿出過去數據及未來如何提高能源效率2%之施政措失.

(二)發展潔淨能源：

1.全國二氧化碳排放減量，於2016年至2020年間回到2008年排放量，於2025年回到2000年排放量。

Q: 那一部會是業務單位, 恐怕劉揆還不知道, 我不相關信環保署沈世宏敢承諾此二目標. 如果民進黨要在2012年拿出回政權, 是不是也該對此目標產生質疑, 以免到時概括無法承受.

2.發電系統中低碳能源占比由40%增加至2025年的55%以上。

Q: 是不是用核電、天然氣發電廠、和風力發電來達成此目標?

(三)確保能源供應穩定：

建立滿足未來4年經濟成長6%及2015年每人年均所得達3萬美元經濟發展目標的能源安全供應系統。

Q: 是不是用核電、天然氣發電廠、和風力發電來達成此目標?

二、政策原則-「二高二低」

永續能源政策的基本原則將建構「高效率」、「高價值」、「低排放」及「低依賴」二高二低的能源消費型態與能源供應系統：

(一)「高效率」：提高能源使用與生產效率。

(二)「高價值」：增加能源利用的附加價值。

(三)「低排放」：追求低碳與低污染能源供給與消費方式。

(四)「低依賴」：降低對化石能源與進口能源的依存度。

三、政策綱領-「淨源節流」

永續能源政策的推動綱領，將由能源供應面的「淨源」與能源需求面的「節流」做起。

(一)在「淨源」方面，推動能源結構改造與效率提升：

1. 積極發展無碳再生能源，有效運用再生能源開發潛力，於2025年占發電系統的8%以上。

Q: 2025達8%實在是不夠積極, 我認為當太陽能及風力產業達兆元產業時(約2013~2014年), 我們的再生能源占發電系統應在8%以上(非裝置容量), 在2020達12%以上, 我們目前大力投入的再生能力源製造業的才有意義.

2. 增加低碳天然氣使用，於2025年占發電系統的25%以上。

3. 促進能源多元化，將核能作為無碳能源的選項。

4. 加速電廠的汰舊換新，訂定電廠整體效率提升計畫，並要求新電廠達全球最佳可行發電轉換效率水準。

Q: 請問台電舊電廠有此計畫嗎?

5. 透過國際共同研發，引進淨煤技術及發展碳捕捉與封存，降低發電系統的碳排放。

Q: 請問台電五年內預增設的火力發電廠有此計畫嗎?

6. 促使能源價格合理化，短期能源價格反映內部成本，中長期以漸進方式合理反映外部成本。

(二)在「節流」方面，推動各部門的實質節能減碳措施：

1.產業部門：

(1) 促使產業結構朝高附加價值及低耗能方向調整，使單位產值碳排放密集度於2025年下降30%以上。

Q: 請問工業局及科學園區有減碳之配額計畫嗎?

(2) 核配企業碳排放額度，賦予減碳責任，促使企業加強推動節能減碳產銷系統。

(3) 輔導中小企業提高節能減碳能力，建立誘因措施及管理機制，鼓勵清潔生產應用。

(4) 獎勵推廣節能減碳及再生能源等綠色能源產業，創造新的能源經濟。

2.運輸部門：

(1) 建構便捷大眾運輸網，紓緩汽機車使用與成長。

(2) 建構「智慧型運輸系統」，提供即時交通資訊，強化交通管理功能。

(3) 建立人本導向，綠色運具為主之都市交通環境。

(4) 提升私人運具新車效率水準，於2015年提高25%。

3.住商部門：

(1) 強化都市整體規劃，推動都市綠化造林，建構低碳城市。

(2) 推動「低碳節能綠建築」，全面推行新建建築物之外殼與空調系統節能設計與管理。

(3) 提升各類用電器具能源效率，於2011年提高10%~70%，2015年再進一步提高標準，並推廣高效率產品。

(4) 推動節能照明革命，推廣各類傳統照明器具汰換為省能20~90%之高效率產品。

4.政府部門：

(1) 推動政府機關學校未來一年用電用油負成長，並以2015年累計節約7%為目標。

(2) 政策規劃應具有「碳中和(Carbon Neutral)」概念，以預防、預警和篩選原則進行碳管理。

5.社會大眾：

(1) 推動全民節能減碳運動，宣導全民朝「一人一天減少一公斤碳足跡」努力。

(2) 從中央、地方政府到鄉鎮村里，自機關學校到企業及民間團體，發揮組織動員能量，推動無碳消費習慣，建構低碳及循環型社會。

(三)建構完整的法規基礎與相關機制：

1.法規基礎：

(1)推動「溫室氣體減量法」完成立法，建構溫室氣體減量能力並進行實質減量；

Q: 這會期若「再生能源發展條例」及「溫室氣體減量法」沒過, 就是劉揆無能

(3)研擬「能源稅條例」並推動立法，反應能源外部成本；

(4)修正「能源管理法」，有效推動節能措施。

2.配套機制：

(1) 建立公平、效率及開放的能源市場，促使能源市場逐步自由化，消除市場進入障礙，提供更優質的能源服務。

(2) 規劃碳權交易及設置減碳基金，輔導產業以「造林植草」或其他減碳節能方案取得減量額度；推動參與國際減碳機制，透過國際合作加強我國減量能量。

(3) 能源相關研究經費</