“The surface temperature measured around wind farms in west-central Texas showed a warming of 0.72 ° C over the last decade compared to neighboring regions, no wind, an effect most likely caused by turbulence blades of the turbines at night acting like fans drawing hot air from high altitudes down, “said Somnath Baidya Roy Professor, University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and co-author of the study.

The results were published in the journal Nature Climate Change April 29. Professor Zhou and his colleagues studied data from terrestrial ground temperatures ranging from 2003 to 2011, from scientific observation instruments (MODIS – imaging spectrometer for medium resolution) coupled to an embedded system of satellite NASA Terra and Aqua.

Over large areas, the ground temperature is highly dependent on the type of land cover and the nature of the surface. In some places, the ground temperature varies widely during the day and at night when the air temperature does in a smaller proportion.

The warming observed by MODIS took place mostly at night. In the study area in Texas, the ground temperature after sunset usually cools faster than the air temperature. But as the wind continues to turn, brings the movement of warmer air and ground and created a warming effect compared to agricultural areas not equipped with wind turbines. The researchers expected to see the opposite effect during the day – a slight cooling effect – but the data showed instead a slight warming, or a small effect on the day.

“Estimating the warming is specific to this region, and covers a period where wind farms were booming,” said the lead author of the study, Liming Zhou of the University at Albany. “The estimate should not be considered directly applicable to other regions and landscapes, it should not be extrapolated over a longer period of time, where warming was likely to reach a plateau rather than continue to increase especially if no new wind turbine was added. warming is also considered a local effect, and would not affect the climate on a larger scale…”

“This is a first step in exploring the potential of satellite data to quantify the potential impacts of large wind farms on weather and climate,” said Chris Thorncroft, co-author of the study and Chairman of the Department of Atmospheric Sciences and Environment at the University of Albany. “We are now expanding this approach with other wind farms and we design models to try to understand the physical processes and mechanisms leading to interactions between the wind and the atmospheric layer near the ground.”

In late 2011, the U.S. wind industry has installed wind capacity of 47,000 megawatts overall close, representing over 20% of global capacity and about 2.9% of all the power of the United States. And just in the last 4 years, the installed wind power capacity increased by over 35%, according to figures provided by the American Association of Wind Energy and the Department of Energy.

“Wind energy will be a part of the solution to climate change, pollution of air and energy security issues,” said Somnath Baidya Roy Pr. “Understanding the impacts of wind farms are essential to developing effective adaptation and strategic management to ensure long term viability of wind energy.”

Unlike wells, water is always present in the air. For Eole Water, the only constraint was to design a reliable technology that can create and collect water. In the end, the wind WMS1000 was designed to produce water without any external energy source and is capable of producing on daily basis up to 1,200 liters of fresh water in a humid climate.

“The wind is its only engine. Thanks to its installed capacity of 30kW and using air as a source of water, wind WMS1000 is ideally suited to supply remote areas completely devoid of infrastructure. There’s no release of CO2, not pumping of groundwater or surface water sources. The environmental impact is practically nil”, Eole Water indicated in its publications.

To demonstrate the effectiveness of its technology in difficult weather conditions, Eole Water carries out tests on drinking water production at Mussafah near Abu Dhabi in the UAE since November 2011. This testing phase is the first step before the permanent implantation of the mast which is expected before June 2012.

According Eole water, the wind WMS1000 has already been able to collect up to 62 liters of water per hour with an average humidity of 45% and an average temperature of 24°C.

In addition, samples were taken to test the potability of water. “The results confirmed a much higher level of quality to potable standards required by the World Health Organization” said the French firm.

‘Solar’ nanocrystals are about 4 nanometers – that means you could fit more than 250 billion on a pinhead – and float in a liquid solution, “so that, as a printed newspaper, you can also print solar cells,” said Richard L. Brutchey, assistant professor of chemistry at the Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences at USC.

R. Brutchey and David H. Webber developed a new coating nanocrystal, which is made of semiconductor cadmium selenide. Their research was presented this month in the international journal of inorganic chemistry “Dalton Transactions”.

The liquid nanocrystal solar cells are cheaper to manufacture than those designed using monocrystalline silicon wafers, but remain less efficient at converting sunlight into electricity. The two researchers also solved a key problem in solar cell manufacturing liquid: “how to create a stable liquid that leads also generate electricity?”

In the past, organic molecules (ligands) were related to the nanocrystals to maintain some stability and especially to prevent them from clumping. These molecules also rattled the crystals, which made the thing terribly complicated in terms of electrical conductivity. “It remained a challenge in this area,” said Professor R. Brutchey.

The two acolytes have therefore discovered a ‘ligand’ synthetic that not only plays a role in stabilizing the nanocrystals, but is applied to create small bridges connecting the nanocrystals them, helping in turn to conduct current.

In a low temperature process, the method would also allow researchers to print solar cells on plastic instead of glass without encountering the problem of merger – which would give a flexible solar panel mouldable and adaptable at will anywhere .

In continuation of their research, R. Brutchey always said it planned to work on nanocrystals based from materials other than cadmium, which is limited commercially due to its toxicity. “While the commercialization of this technology is still remote, we see a possible integration into the next generation of solar cells,” he has said in conclusion.

EDF Energies Nouvelles has also announced the creation of a local subsidiary, EDF EN Morocco, which will drive the Group’s development in Morocco.

Located in northern Morocco, east of Fez, Taza the wind project will be equipped with Alstom’s 50 turbines, each with an output of 3 MW. EDF Energies Nouvelles, Mitsui and Alstom will allocate at least 30% of construction work to subcontractors Moroccan.

The new 150 MW project, launched by the NEB in May 2011 as part of a public-private partnership, will be followed in 2012 by a tendering process involving additional 850 MW of which the procedure pre- qualification is in progress. With the desire to develop conditions of sun and wind very favorable, the Moroccan authorities intend to achieve by 2020 a program of at least 2 GW of wind and 2 GW of solar power.

EDF Energies Nouvelles also opens a subsidiary in Casablanca, Morocco EDF EN, 100% owned by the Group, to spearhead the development of wind and solar activities in the country, in collaboration with the Moroccan authorities and local businesses. EDF EN Morocco and Mitsui will lead the design, financing, development and construction of the wind project Taza. Both companies also provide operations and maintenance of the wind farm as part of an agreement for a period of 20 years.

“We are very pleased to have the chance to achieve this high quality wind project, which will represent the first realization of EDF Energies Nouvelles in Morocco. This demonstrates the capacity of EDF EN in developing local solutions and tailored to meet the needs of public authorities in the field of green electricity generation and industrial integration,” said Fabienne Demol, New Business Director at EDF Energy News. “The decision of the ONE for the wind project Taza is a great opportunity for EDF EN to establish a long term partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco and participate in the implementation of renewable projects in a country with high potential of development.”

With its wind Haliade 150, Alstom will become the sole supplier of consortium of EDF EN, the Danish energy company Dong Energy and developers WPD and Nass & Wind Offshore.

The consortium was selected for the three projects submitted on the fields of Saint-Nazaire, Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fécamp totaling a volume of about 240 wind turbines. In total, this project will represent an amount of Alstom for orders over € 2 billion of which registration will take several years.

The French company said in a statement that orders will occur field by field, from 2014, after the conclusion of feasibility studies and impact assessments of each project.

In addition, Alstom will create 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect jobs, with the establishment of four plants and an investment of 100 million euros in the offshore wind industry in France.

Alstom also confirms that the implementation of the industrial plan will begin in 2013 with the launch of recruitment and installation of the first factories in St-Nazaire and Cherbourg, while the production start is planned for 2014. The number of permanent jobs generated by this project – through subcontracting French – should be around 5,000.

The nacelle assembly factories and manufacturing of generators will be located in Saint-Nazaire, on the quayside on 14 hectares of port area Montoir de Bretagne. They employ 300 people. Production of blades, in partnership with LM Wind Power, and the manufacture of masts will be in Cherbourg, where the two plants will represent 500 direct jobs. 200 additional jobs will be added to this device in an engineering center and R & D Alstom dedicated to Ocean Energy.

“The announcement of the results of the tender allows Alstom to confirm its industrial plan. This plan is the first step towards the creation of an industrial French excellence in offshore wind and Alstom confirms its development strategy of the wind, “said Patrick Kron, Alstom’s Chairman and CEO.

Production Haliade 150 pre-production began in Saint-Nazaire in a temporary studio that will produce forty wind turbines before the commissioning of plants. The first wind turbine was installed Haliade 150 to land on the site of the book, near St. Nazaire for a series of tests for certification. The second offshore wind will be delivered in autumn 2012 in Belgium for a second phase of testing at sea

Compared with the silicon wafers used in the manufacture of photovoltaic panels classics, the proportion of incident light reflected from the surface is reduced by a factor of ten on this spectrum, which is the source of about 80% of useful energy which can be recovered from the sunlight.

The color (black) black silicon results from the almost total absence of light reflected off the surface of the wafer (wafer) porous. In the field of solar cells, the “dark” is highly desirable because it indicates that the incident light is absorbed for the conversion of energy rather than being reflected and therefore wasted.

Quantitatively, the reflectance is the proportion of light striking a given surface. And a reflectance of 0.3% means that only 0.3% of the incident light is reflected by the surface of the solar cell, while the remainder (99.7%) becomes available for conversion into electrical energy. A tenfold reduction would mean that the reflectance of light used in most (up to 3%) could “enter” into the cell, increasing of their effectiveness. (Eg A cell efficiency of 18% would increase to 18.5%).

But there are other benefits to be derived from black silicon. A panel composed of black silicon solar cells produce much more energy on a daily basis than will a panel made from cells with an antireflection coating. First, because it reflects less light. Second, because it works better in the morning and afternoon when the sun “hits” at a certain angle. Moreover, this new type of cell also outperforms the conventional panels on cloudy days.

The thought process by Natcore began with an uncoated silicon wafer, whose texture had an average reflectance of approximately 8%, which gave it a mottled gray. Nanoscale pores were etched on the wafer surface by immersing for a few minutes in a liquid solution at room temperature. Then using the process of house liquid phase deposition (LPD), Natcore scientists have completed these pores and are coated with silicon dioxide. This combination, which combines both passive and coating will help to reduce the reflection coefficient. After completion of surface treatment, the slices were taken to the center of photovoltaic research and development at the University of Toledo, where the reflectance was measured.

The last step of Natcore aims to improve the efficiency of solar cells.

The solar cells equipped with antireflection coatings that pass through a process of chemical vapor deposition have a reflectance of approximately 4%. With silicon black, NREL U.S. Department of Energy has lowered the figure below 2%. Natcore technology now allows to reduce this threshold to 0.3%. “The Absolute Black is in the light that absolute zero is heat,” said Dr. Dennis Flood, chief technology officer at Natcore. “And come close to zero with a process of reflection that we can use in a commercial production of solar cells is just incredible.”

Natcore recently obtained an exclusive license from NREL in order to develop and market a range of products based on black silicon.

“We are already working with two manufacturers manufacturers to design a production tool,” said Natcore CEO Chuck Provini. “The tool would be 2,000 wafers per hour black. We will establish other parameters in our laboratory. When the design is complete, we will take control of the tool. We have already started talking with potential customers Italy, China and India.”

Usually made of resin and fiberglass, coatings of the blades are subject to different types of abuse, erosion and fouling over time may cause undesired operation. Thus, the simple clogging of the blade by the crushing of insects in a few days can cause loss of power.

Taking the example of a 2 MW turbine, 100-meter high, Cauneau Francis, professor of fluid mechanics at the CEP – MINES ParisTech describes the following phenomenon:

“We realized fairly recently that the fouling of the leading edges of the blades of these turbines by insects on an installed wind field when it turns on a beautiful summer evening will pick up a considerable number of insects . So one might say that the impact is aesthetic, in a pinch. But, in fact, not at all. We realized that the impact in terms of lost production was the about 20%, 30% or even 40% in the worst case. This means that the economic and industrial issues are significant in controlling the impact of the roughness of the surface condition of these machines. ”

It is therefore necessary to develop tools to appraise the limits of acceptable change for the aging process, and to assess the expected benefits for the proposed remedies: repair coatings, cleaning, installation of appendices. .. This is what the group Observation, Modeling and Decision Processes Center of Energy and Mines ParisTech in collaboration with many players in the industry. This modeling work going on both through the development of virtual wind tunnels, the experiment in situ.

This research partnership takes the form of a research project conducted in close collaboration with industry, and ceases when it acquired the desired feedback with the help of the researcher. The works are then reinvested in industrial property in the partner. The CEP also contributes to the discovery of breakthrough technologies that will develop the new generation of machines.

The Helios project involves the installation of large tracts of photovoltaic panels – up to 20,000 ha, for a total funding estimated at 20 billion euros.

According to the Commissioner, “Helios is a unique opportunity to demonstrate that renewable technologies such as photovoltaics are becoming competitive with European cooperation.” He added: “The flagship Helios could well lead the way to a European electricity market truly integrated, renewable sources, while helping the Greek economy to recover.”

But as pointed out Mr. Oettinger, “currently, the infrastructure of Greece does not manage the flow of power generated by large renewable energy projects such as Helios.” Therefore, he believes that regional integration of major projects concerning renewable should be “combined with the controlled growth of the electricity system.”

He therefore proposed to develop a European network which would help achieve two key objectives of European energy policy. First, the completion of the internal energy market by 2014 and the end of energy islands by 2015. Because only 3% of EU electricity is traded across borders and several regions are still disconnected from the rest of Europe, including Greece still heavily dependent on coal.

“Because of its location, I believe that Greece has a key role in the integration of regional energy markets of the European Union, both for electricity than for gas” said the European Commissioner for Energy.

Moreover, the German State Secretary for the Environment Jürgen Becker reiterated the desire for his country to “take part” in the Helios project. The Greek government seemed to have already set his sights on Germany, a country highly qualified in the field: “There is great interest in German for this kind of investment”, said in August 2011, the Environment Minister George Papaconstantinou.

Out of 54 Japanese nuclear reactors, it is still currently only two that are still connected to the network. Consequently, electricity from solar is growing rapidly because it must cover the country’s energy needs.

“Since the disaster of Fukushima, renewable energy back to the center of attention. To ensure our future and that of future generations, we must foster this energy revolution,” he assured Shigeru Koyama, CEO of Kyocera Europe.

Until the end of March 2012, more than a million Japanese households will consume electricity generated by their own solar system. In Japan, the trend is towards self supply.

Between April 2011 and January 2012, the number of connection requests for residential photovoltaic systems reached 215,178, an increase of 140% over the previous year. For years, experts also expect an increase in private facilities by 12% per year.

In tariff rates could also act as a catalyst for further development of large projects such as photovoltaic plants. The Japanese government has not yet definitively ruled on this above, but it is already certain that the new rates are effective from 1 July 2012. Meanwhile, the government aims to reduce energy consumption in the country from 10 to 15%.

Until 2020, the ten largest Japanese suppliers of energy planning to build 30 solar power plants. They will allow the network to inject 140 MW from solar energy.

The decision came after complaints by American companies in the sector who accuse China to subsidize solar manufacturers. We know now the two major Chinese companies that will be impacted by this measure. This is Suntech Power, the world leader in solar panels, and Trina Solar Energy, another major manufacturer.

The field investigation conducted by U.S. authorities deal with the crystalline silicon solar cells with a thickness less than 20 microns, using the p-n junction, which has undergone a transformation or not to collect and transmit electricity produced by the cell. Were excluded from the scope of the thin film photovoltaic products made from amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) or copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS)

The Commerce Department also decided that the solar panels produced in other countries and using solar cells manufactured in China could also be covered by tariffs anti-dumping/anti-subsidised.

In 2011, the amount of solar cells to imports from China to the United States was estimated at 3.1 billion.

A final decision on the practices of Chinese dumping or not be taken in June, the ministry said in its summary U.S. on Tuesday.

CCME (China) expressed its opposition:

In a statement, the Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Machinery and Electronic Products (CCME), warned that the measure, which goes against Chinese interests subvert the growth of the global market of solar and it would cause more adverse effects on the U.S. market.

“Government subsidies have never been a major competitive advantage for Chinese solar panels,” said the CCME, indicating that their competitiveness resided primarily in more advanced technologies, a large-scale production, sound management and strategies prospective.

“The solar panel producers in China have received much less government support than their U.S. and European competitors, and it was consistent with WTO rules,” he said. They wish now that the U.S. government review its “unfair and unjust practices” during its investigations.

US import Chinese statistics:

2009 / /
Number: 26876000 solar cells
Value: 639.5 million euros

2010 / /
Number: 46084000 solar cells
Value: € 1.5 billion

2011 / /
Number: 93292000 solar cells
Value: € 3.1 billion

According to the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the installed capacity of solar panels in 2011 saw an increase of 109% compared to 2010, which corresponds to a peak of 1,855 megawatts. Note that the sector has greatly benefited from falling prices of photovoltaics.

The market for photovoltaic solar energy accounted for more than $8.4 billion in 2011. SEIA explains this enthusiasm by the combination of falling prices of photovoltaic (- 20%) with better funding, a request for larger installations in size, and the expiration of government subsidies to 31 December 2011.

“The United States continue to drive innovation in the global solar energy” said Rhone Resch, president of SEIA. “Even if the solar panels are becoming more goods abroad, the United States are developing advanced solar components and continue to post double-digit annual growth.” It also expects that solar energy, which now accounts for less than 1% of the electricity produced in the United States, increased to 10% by 2020.

“There is no bubble in the clean technology sector, ready to burst” he has said, although he warns, more companies are likely to fail if an industry has matured and government subsidies in constant decline.

The installed capacity of wind power has also increased, from 31% last year, according to the latest figures from AWEA.

Finally, the amount injected into the technology called “clean” from $3.8 billion in 2010 to $4.3 billion last year, according to figures provided by the representative investor (National Venture Capital Association) .

In 2011, the global wind industry has installed over 41,000 MW of new turbines, a record. The total installed capacity always to worldwide amounted to over 238,000 MW by the end of last year. Currently about 75 countries around the world have wind turbines order business, including 22 already exceed the threshold of 1 GW.

In Canada, more specifically, the wind energy sector has experienced a record year in 2011 with the addition of a new wind power capacity of about 1,267 MW to the provincial networks, representing an investment of 3.1 billion dollars (CAD). Canada ended 2011 with a total of 5,265 MW of installed wind power, placing it 9th globally in total capacity. During this same period, new wind projects were built and operated in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

“In 2011, the wind industry in Canada has experienced a record year during which the 5000 MW mark was reached. Canada, particularly Ontario, began to be seen by international investors interested in the wind power as a destination offering a significant competitive advantage. Keep this reputation will require sustained commitment over ambitious targets for development of wind power and a political framework stable. Canada continues to renew its power resources, and wind energy will play an increasingly important in the production of reliable electricity, clean and economical, “said Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).

At the current pace, the wind energy sector in Canada will easily exceed the threshold of 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015

It is expected that 2012 was another record year for development of wind energy in Canada with the anticipated introduction of new projects representing approximately 1,500 MW in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia Columbia, PEI, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia.

Since, according to forecasts, the growth should continue at a similar level over the next four years, the sector of wind energy in Canada should easily exceed the threshold of 10,000 MW of installed capacity by 2015. Consequently, Canada is on track to achieve the national target set by CanWEA in its document The wind power, or to ensure that wind energy fills 20% of the country’s electricity needs by 2025 .

Advertised for years, but now a security and defense company finally provided details of the electric battle tank tested by the U.S. military.

Having an electric vehicle will be worthwhile for the United States by high fuel costs in recent conflicts.

Retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson, who served as head of logistics in Iraq, said that about 1,000 soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan while transporting fuel.

Anderson estimated that the Defense Department had spent on the Iraq war about 20,000 million in stores and mobile structures in the camps, most of which money was spent on fuel to heat and cool stores.

Security firm BAE Systems specified that the new tank is between 10 percent and 20 percent more efficient in fuel use and faster than conventional tanks driven by diesel.

The vehicle weighing 63 tons can carry 12 soldiers and will become part of the combat systems of the future that drives America.

The new ground combat vehicle (GCV) will have a diesel power generator built into a tank lighter than usual.

It will be much more efficient, agile and will be stronger acceleration thanks to its electric system, which will also allow the integration of new technologies. The idea also is that the tank can be used as a kind of electric generator in military camps.

Another advantage, they say, is that it will be much quieter than gasoline-powered tanks, which would make it ideal in tactical maneuvers.

You will also have a durability of 30 and 40, and their technology, they say, makes it adaptable to future developments to enhance its efficiency.

The price still is not fixed, but some analysts predict it will be about 12 or 17 million dollars per vehicle, or almost double what they cost four times the current tanks.

If finally adopted, they would replace or Bradley Stryker vehicles used by the U.S. military.

Having energy efficient vehicles is strategically important to the United States Army.

Fuel costs are considerable. But in conflicts like the one held in Afghanistan and Iraq have alternative energy sources is also a matter of life or death.

As stated in 2012 retired Brigadier General Steve Anderson, who served as head of logistics in Iraq, about a thousand soldiers died in Iraq and Afghanistan while transporting fuel.

Anderson also found that the Defense Department had spent on the Iraq war about 20 million dollars in stores and mobile structures in the camps, most of which money was spent on fuel to heat and cool stores.

On the ecological front, the availability of such vehicles could also significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Investments of the United States Army in electric vehicles and green technologies are important,” said Miriam Pemberton meanwhile, a researcher at the Center for International Studies in Washington.

“As the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world, what the military do to reduce their emissions have a significant impact.”

“This impact is even greater if the military prioritize most promising technology transfer, ie that can be used for civilian purposes,” he said.

“This would ensure that this investment will help reduce emissions across our economy. Same military consider climate change as one of the greatest threats to security. So try this threat can not be resolved with an army greener way isolated. “

The photovoltaic pavilion is 35 meters long, it adds the finishing touch to the campus of the University of Applied Sciences in Potsdam, and will be dedicated to social events, initiatives and creative presentations. Odersun solar modules, measuring about 4 meters high and 1 meter wide, covering the entire building. Made of shatterproof safety glass 25 mm thick, photovoltaic modules form the elements of the facade and have been specially designed and manufactured for this project.

The idea of ​​integrating the concept of green building for the renovation of the campus as part of the project from the beginning. Architects Ortner + Ortner Berlin have developed this idea in collaboration with students from the University of Applied Sciences and module manufacturer Odersun, specialist in solar architecture. The result is a symbiosis of sustainable architecture, functionality and efficiency – in short, a solar facade, which produces electricity, but also aesthetic.

“In addition to the strict design criteria for solar modules, the project required essentially a huge flexibility in terms of size, design and construction of the photovoltaic solution,” said Manfred Ortner Ortner + Ortner, explaining the complex nature of the project. “Odersun offers a huge assortment of modules, but also demonstrated its ability to adapt during this project, which is characterized by continuously changing requirements,” he has said.

Odersun manufactured the modules specific to the project, but has also provided assistance during the phases of electrical design and construction planning. CiSCuT thin film technology of Odersun offers architects design freedom similar to that of glass, while allowing them to meet the requirements of sustainable construction.

“We are delighted to have had the opportunity to deploy a project as unique alongside a partner as famous,” said Dr. Hein van der Zeeuw, Chief Executive Officer of Odersun AG. “This allowed us to demonstrate the flexibility of the sector now solar construction, and the unusual sizes of modules that can be manufactured without compromise in terms of design and functionality,” he has said.

The thin-film solar modules are particularly suitable for use in integrated photovoltaic components (BIPV), because they offer good returns, even in the shade and at high temperatures, even though their alignment with the sun is not optimal.

According to the Swiss association for the promotion of wind power the consumption becomes significant in the cantons of Jura and Uri and even if the realization of brand new facilities temporarily stalled this should not last.

The significant increase in production in 2011 is due to strong growth in the number of plants in the previous year. This production is 70 million kWh of green electricity, twice in 2010, despite relatively low winds.

Switzerland now has 30 large wind turbines: “it is little compared with other countries, but in two cantons the share of wind in the overall consumption reaches or exceeds 1% now. This is the case in Uri, but especially in Jura, where the wind has covered 4% of needs. In the cantons of Bern and Valais, 0.5% of the electricity consumed was generated by wind”, says Suisse Eole.

After the development record of 2010, construction was stalled last year. Only two large wind turbines were commissioned. One that dominates Gries lake is the highest in Europe. With a capacity of 2.3 MW, it is located 2,465 meters above sea level. The other major wind turbine inaugurated in 2011, with an output of 0.95 MW, was mounted in November in Rengg bei Entlebuch, adjacent to another facility in operation for six years.

The slowdown in the construction shows that wind power still has to overcome in Switzerland. In addition, favorable sites abound. The new energy policy of the Confederation also assigns an important role in wind energy. Nevertheless, “the procedures are lengthy and projects can still be blocked by cascades of Appeal”.

Suisse Eole therefore requests that the public interest to wind energy is best addressed by policy and is enshrined in legislation.
The relevant committee of the National Council, the CESPE, recently made a step towards more flexibility in site selection because it would allow the installation of wind turbines in the forest under certain conditions and with the consent of the Council of States.

Also, the rules on deforestation should be loosened in favor of renewable energy. In principle, only the sites close to access roads and power lines should be considered. And they would also be subject to the same impact as other projects.

Overall, this brings the installed capacity to 93,957 MW, or 6.3% of the supply of electricity in the European Union. With 21.4% of new power capacity in 2011, the share of wind reached almost the same proportion as in 2010 (+ 9,648 MW).

“Despite the economic crisis in Europe, the wind industry has installed a solid foundation towards new capabilities,” said Justin Wilkes, director of regulatory affairs at the EWEA. “But to achieve the long-term goals of the EU, we still need strong growth in the coming years. It is important to send positive signals to investors throughout the European governments to maintain stable policies to support renewable energy and for the EU to continue to move towards the target of 30% renewable energy by 2030. ”

Development of onshore facilities in Germany and Sweden, as well as those carried off the UK (Offshore) offset the drop in facilities called mature markets such as France and Spain.

Overall, Germany is the EU country which has the largest installed wind capacity, followed by Spain, France, Italy and the UK.

EWEA says that Europe has installed more than 2011 renewable capacity than any other year. Renewable energy and represented 71.3% of new installations: 32,043 MW. Oil and nuclear energy have been contrary to a decrease last year, with more capacity divested.

In the European Union, the net installed capacity increased in 2011 from 35,468 MW to 895,878 MW, with a share of wind energy up 10.5%, while the share of renewable reached a rate of 31.1%.

See the full report EWEA 2011 (. PDF) >>> HERE

Once complete, this will ensure smooth concrete lining for the next 100 years of the efficient flow – at a rate of 500 cubic meters per second – and uninterrupted water of the Niagara River in the 10.2 km tunnel that leads to the Sir Adam Beck hydro stations.

So, when the Niagara Tunnel (one of the largest renewable energy projects of its kind) will be completed in 2013, it will generate enough renewable electricity to power 160,000 homes.

The project currently employs over 400 people and has already reported in the area of ​​economic benefits which amount to about $1 billion.

Strengthening the infrastructure of Ontario Hydro is an important part of the McGuinty government’s plan aiming to build a modern electricity grid, producing clean, reliable energy needed to power the Ontario infrastructure (homes, schools, hospitals, etc..)

“The Niagara Tunnel Project is an example of how the Province is transforming its power grid and investing in clean energy economy. We build a clean, modern, reliable and affordable system and we will supply for generations,” said Chris Bentley, Canadian Minister of Energy.

“The Niagara Tunnel is an investment in our future because it will bring to Ontario’s clean, renewable energy for more than one hundred years. What is equally impressive is the fact that men and women have worked safely under extremely difficult and challenging conditions. That’s a testimony to the quality and skill of Ontario’s workforce,” said Tom Mitchell, president of Ontario Power Generation.

IMPSA won approval of a long-term financing of the Corporation Andina de Fomento (CAF) and the Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade (BICE) in favor of its subsidiary Wind Koluel Kayke SA for construction of a wind power generation located in the Province of Santa Cruz. The project called Koluel Kayke II, have a capacity of 25 MW and will have 12 wind turbine technology developed by IMPSA in the country.

The investment will amount to $US 81 million, of which $US 52 million will be provided by the CAF and the BICE together in a 10-year loan. IMPSA in turn provide capital for $US 29 million to complete the project financing.

The financing will be structured under a scheme of “Project Finance” pure, which combine investor capital funds and financial institutions. The repayment will come from cash flows from the sale of energy under contract ENARSA a 15-year term. The project has a strong insurance scheme, technological safeguards and additional guarantees on assets Kayke II Kolulel usual in such operations.

IMPSA has already completed the engineering, soil studies and planning has begun the work and the purchase of inputs and components to make the park begin to generate in 14 months.

This event contributes to the consolidation of the objectives of the Renewable Generation Program (Genre), driven by the Ministry of Planning through the Ministry of Energy and its executor ENARSA. The Program established the framework for clean energy development in Argentina. In this way, it contributes with the aim of Law 26,190, which is to ensure that 8% of national energy from renewable sources by 2016.

For the construction of their projects in Argentina, in the case of wind farms and, in particular, the wind turbines (windmills), IMPSA design uses its technology fully developed in Argentina Mendoza. Manufactured at the plant and through a network of SME companies Argentine Wind Cluster members, which is currently in action.

IMPSA, through its unit IMPSA Energy has become the biggest investor in wind power projects in Latin America now has 322 MW in operation in Brazil and has 600 MW in the same country with the purchase and sale of energy signed and under construction and financing, and another 65 MW in Uruguay in the final stages of financing.
Moreover, the company is facing an impending financial close for Malaspina Park I 50 MW in the province of Chubut and is moving in the financial structuring for parks Koluel Kayke I (Santa Cruz) and Malaspina II (Chubut) .

In addition IMPSA installed for the Province of La Rioja Arauco wind farm already in operation and has a capacity of 25 MW and is building for the same additional 25 MW plus 10 MW of wind power for the Province of Santiago del Estero and 180 MW to the Brazilian company of San Francisco Hydroelectric Company (Chesf) in Brazil.

A study released by the Energy Platform Studies Center for Labor and Agrarian Development (CEDLA) reveals that 97 percent of Bolivia’s territory is suitable for solar energy use, thanks to high solar radiation levels in large part of Bolivia.

“It can be concluded that the use of solar energy level throughout the country is possible, except for some areas that constitute less than 3 percent of national territory,” says the study “The role and impact energies socioeconomic renewable rural Bolivia. ”

Research carried out by Miguel Fernández Sources identified that the only space “impracticable” for the use of solar energy is the cloud-forming regions located in the eastern belts of the Cordillera de Los Andes, at the low rate of solar radiation.

The high values ​​of solar radiation in Bolivia, according to a study published in 2011, are due to the geographical position that has the land, which is located in the tropical South, between parallels 11 ° and 22 °. Therefore, the radiation rate between winter and summer season does not represent differences that exceed 25 percent.

The document notes that in the country, the average values ​​of solar radiation vary for the highland areas, valleys and plains. The areas of the plateau region showed the highest rate of radiation, which decreases towards the plain areas.

“In Bolivia, the highland regions and the valleys are a high rate of solar radiation between 5 and 6 kWh/m2d (kilowatt-hours per square meter per day), depending on the time of year. In the plains area average radiation rate is between 4.5 and 5 kWh/m2d. This energy is sufficient to provide daily 220 Wh / day of electricity through a 50 Wp PV panel, “the technical explanation.

This project is located north of Mainland, the main island of Orkney, in the strategic area of ​​Pentland Firth and Orkney Waters, part of the Estate of the British Crown (The Crown Estate).

SSE Renewables and Alstom will work together to equip the site of energy converters wave AWS-III, after obtaining the necessary permits. The development of this technology is provided by the Scottish company AWS Ocean Energy, in which Alstom has acquired a 40% stake in June 2011.

Costa Head site is located 5 km north of Mainland, and has a depth of about 60-75m. SSE Renewables and Alstom plan to perform detailed analysis of the site and an environmental impact study. The aim is to develop the site, starting with an initial phase of approximately 10 MW, before moving to full capacity.

Founded in 2004, AWS Ocean Energy is dedicated to the development and delivery of its wave energy generator AWS-III, a floating device with a rated power is 2.5 MW. A prototype of the AWS-III wide 1/9e was tested in Loch Ness in 2010. The large-scale testing of the component will begin in 2012 with the support of WATERS (Wave and Tidal Energy: Research, Development and Demonstration Support), a fund managed by Scottish Enterprise. The deployment of large-scale prototype is planned for 2014 at the European Marine Energy (EMEC).

Globally, the wave energy is a potential source of electricity estimated at 200-300 gigawatts (GW). It can be used near the populated areas of Europe and North America, making it a new source of renewable energy attractive. AWS-III technology is based on converters composed of interconnected cells flexible membrane, transforming the force of waves of energy pneumatic compression of the air. The turbo-alternators then convert this pneumatic energy into electricity.

A type converter is a set of 12 cells, with a width of about 16 m and a depth of 8 m, arranged around a circular structure with an outer diameter of up to 60 m. This device has a capacity of 2.5 MW, the profiled steel structure weighing less than 1300 tons. The AWS-III system will be anchored at depths of 65-150 m, using extensions of standard docking.

These converters will be grouped together or “hard”, with a total capacity of up to several hundred megawatts. Each AWS-III will be connected to a substation via a central offshore power line. “The choice of the AWS-III for this exciting and innovative project is a major recognition of the quality of our technology and our teams. We strongly believe that the AWS-III will become the choice for power generation on a large scale offshore from the wave energy. We look forward to working in partnership with Alstom and SSE Project Costa Head, “said Simon Grey, Managing Director of AWS Ocean Energy.

SSE Renewables, which specializes in the development of projects of wave and tidal power in Scotland, was given in 2010 by the Crown Estate exclusive rights to develop the site of Costa Head. He is currently developing, with partners, the half of the 1.6 GW of capacity recovery sites of wave and tidal power granted by the Estate of the British Crown as part of a program trade concessions dedicated to marine energy projects.

According to The National Load Dispatch Center (CNDC), renewable energy production in Nicaragua was 51.4% due to wind turbines for wind farms. Emilio Rappaccioli, Minister of Energy and Mines, said recently that one of the things that is helping the clean energy production rates to remain high is the productivity of wind energy, which is benefiting from the impact of the winds of time that register constant speeds.

Rappaccioli, who participated in the International Renewable Energy Fair, which was held in the city of Granada, noted that the official records of CNDC indicating a wind energy production capacity (63 megawatts), which has been combined with hydropower, geothermal and biomass, for a better balance of generation in the country’s energy matrix.

“According to CNDC, renewable energy production was 51.4% recently, and the thermal production of only 48.6%. This was due to wind production reached full capacity for almost 24 hours, encouraging energy supply. Also noteworthy is the production of biomass with the sugar, increased ability to San Jacinto Tizate with 36 megawatts already working in sustainable operationally reliable, “said the official.

Data recorded by the CNDC reflected that renewable plant production reached 229.9 megawatts of thermal power and recorded 270.1 megawatts, with demand in the afternoon of 500 megawatts in total.

The Energy Cabinet met this week to discuss the positives of the situation, which favors the electricity sector.

Rappacccioli said that in some way there is stability in the electricity sector, as production from renewable resources allows a favorable cost of generation, but did not specify that at the moment is to apply a rate reduction to energy, which suffered a increase of 9% this year, combined with the financial outlay of over U.S. $ 26 million as a subsidy to not affect business users with the measure.

Rappaccioli said that at present can not be said that this type of energy is maintained throughout the year, since the supply of wind and biomass plants low in the coming months.

“The wind decreases at some point, the sugar productivity down in June and July. The average renewable generation we have calculated for 2012 is at least 40 to 41% as Central American hydroelectric plants and will enter a maintenance phase this year,” said Carlos Fonseca .

Blue Wind Power will inject extra 40 megawatts

However, the Minister Rappaccioli said the first phase of expansion of San Jacinto Tizate obtained at least 40 to 42 megawatts, producing almost a thousand megawatt hours a day, covering 9% of total generation in the country.

He stressed that they expect by May this year, including the wind farm operations of Blue Power Energy, with 40 megawatts and 36 megawatts, geothermal, the second phase of expansion of San Jacinto Tizate, which will be of great weight in the national energy mix and contribute to more stable energy prices.

The plan “Dubai 2030 Integrated Energy” provides cause a 5% share of solar energy in its program and at the same time reduce CO2 emissions by 30% by 2030, while importing energy nuclear neighbors. The final allocation would be as follows: 5% solar, 12% nuclear, 12% coal and 71% gas.

According to the emir of Dubai, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, this solar park covering an area of 48 square kilometers is expected to cost around 2.6 billion euros. It will be directed by the Supreme Council of Energy (SCE) and operated by DEWA (Dubai Water and Electricity Authority).

The first solar power plant located in 30 km southeast of the city will have a capacity of 10 MW. The work is not expected before the end of 2013.

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) remains a major oil exporters in the world, where production reached about 2.6 million barrels a day (bpd). However, according to figures from the U.S. administration of energy, the bulk of oil production is concentrated in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, while Dubai is content with only about 100,000 bpd, from 4 existing fields.

The Emirate of Dubai has nearly 2 million inhabitants remains as one of the largest consumers of electricity per capita in the world, mainly due to extreme temperatures, leading to extensive use of air conditioning from June to September, and forcing the country to import more gas.

“We recognize the preservation of our energy resources as one of the biggest challenges in our efforts for sustainable development. Dubai and show the great achievements is one of the most competitive countries in the world. This leading position is the culmination of the efforts of our leadership to create a stimulating business environment, characterized by an advanced infrastructure, and efficient and reliable services “said Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, Vice-President of the Supreme Council of Energy at the launching ceremony.

Scientists and agency experts predict an increase of one third of energy demand over the next 25 years, forcing nations to make investments to avoid shortages of basic resources and increase dangerous emissions that contribute to global warming.

“The time is running out, but you can still take action. If there is no investment and a global commitment to the environment binding, with the current infrastructure (factories, cars and gasoline-driven public transport), emissions of greenhouse gases that would be allowed through 2035 for the average global temperature does not rise above two degrees and avoid a global tragedy, will be exhausted in 2017,” they said.

For this a little bit cloudy future, and facing an energy crisis that is approaching inevitably, the United Nations (UN) declared 2012 as the year of green energy or sustainable.

It means that the wind, sun and heat that comes from the center of the earth to become the primary sources worldwide.

Today, only 19 percent of world energy is renewable. But according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it should meet 80 percent of global needs by 2050.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) said that the development of the renewable energy sector is inevitable, and it should play a role in sustainability.

The idea is that its use can multiply by 20. Here we meet two reasons: take advantage of those resources seem inexhaustible as the sun’s power, which may be exhausted within 5,000 years, and that humanity receives free, and reduce the emission of greenhouse gases today are produced by burning fossil fuels to heat homes, such as oil or coal.

In addition, optimal use of water, which, as in Colombia, is used to ignite the bulbs most major cities and through dams increasingly questioned because of its impact on ecosystems.

For Domingo Guinea, the National Research Council of Spain, the most urgent task to accomplish these objectives is that the energy and water are transformed into a public service and are increasingly a source of financial gain.

“At the moment it is no longer used only as a channel to generate profits, there will be a clear possibility of self-sufficiency in much of the planet.”

Guinea says sustainable energy used by our ancestors and the rather more common sense, no need to waste energy from fossil materials, such as electricity. “We’ve been rich and be rich and we continue to squander squandered everything we can.”

However, for the UN, things are going well. Today, China has overtaken the U.S. in renewable energy investments. American investors led the ranking until last year, when the Asian giant nearly doubled the amount spent on the construction of specialized facilities to produce clean energy versus $ 34,600 million to 18,600 million U.S., according to the NGO Pew Charitable Trusts.

This nation invests more in 148 percent renewable in 2005. Another country that stands out in its environmental awareness is Turkey, which invests 178 percent over five years ago. In Europe, meanwhile, more than 20,000 offshore wind farms under construction.

In Colombia there are efforts in wind energy in the Alta Guajira, where Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) launched the first wind farm, Jepirachi, with 15 wind turbines that provide 19.5 megawatts to the national grid. There is research to generate energy from biomass, and in this case, sugar cane bagasse in Santanderes, the Eastern Plains and the Atlantic coast. As with the waves, to produce 30 gigawatts by 3,000 kilometers of coastline.

Also detected the possibility of producing electricity with geothermal energy. This energy is pollution-free, but it costs two to three times more than normal and is limited to areas of tectonic activity. Geothermal Atlas of Colombia indicates that there are possibilities to have it from the Chiles volcano, Cerro Black and Azufral (Nariño) in Nevados National Park and the Geothermal Area Paipa-Iza (Boyaca).

Also in the Nevado del Ruiz. Studies by the University, this mountain is characterized by explosive eruptions periodically and have multiple layers of hardened lava (pyroclastic) and volcanic ash. The exploration phase will begin this year with the drilling of five wells with depths of 2 to 3 kilometers (each with an estimated cost of $ 5 million). If you check the existence of the resource, the production wells drilled and water reinjection at the end of 2013. The next step will be building a plant to generate electricity, which would be operated by Isagen, possibly from 2013.

These local efforts have led in recent years has increased investment in renewable ‘green’ all over the globe. Between 2004 and 2009, renewable energy capacity grew by 10 to 60 percent. And while in 2005 only 55 countries promoted in 2010 that number increased to 100.

According to the IEA, between now and 2035 would require a global investment of 38 billion dollars in infrastructure to meet growing energy demand, of which 90 percent come from countries like China and India. But everything will depend on the balance in the grants management change and these are reduced to fossil fuels (400,000 million dollars a year). Greenpeace accounts make clear the way: “With just redirect all subsidies for fossil fuels to renewable energy programs, the 2,000 million poor people have access to energy, not 2030, but in this decade.”

The explanation given by the local newspaper is: “While a first blade broke away from the wind and crashed into a nearby field in the course of the night, a large part of a second the right blade collapsed mast Thursday in the late morning. ”

It appears that wind gusts over 110 km / h were recorded by the meteorological services for several hours.

The turbine in question is located in the parking Widehem located between Boulogne-sur-Mer and Etaples (Pas-de-Calais) with a capacity of 4.5 MW intallée. Commissioned between 2000 and 2001, each of the six wind turbines of type “Jeumont J48/750″ develops an output of 750 kW and a diameter of 48 meters. The height of the platform is 46 meters.

The group Poweo is the developer, while the operator remains Sorgenia France.

Statistically, the number, such accidents happen inevitably. But it could be even more serious as this video shows in Denmark (Nordthank Park), where we see a wind turbine (Vestas model?) Literally explode (manufacturing problem, wear?).

The French company Vergnet examined the subject in tropical areas and has developed a concept that secures the turbine to the ground in case of cyclone!

In a statement, Sonkyo Energy explains that in this station, which is self-sufficient with renewable energy, the key aspects of climate change and biodiversity studies are investigated.

Sonkyo notes that facility has been working on wind energy devices on all continents. In countries like the U.S., Taiwan or China, has already installed over 350 wind turbines in places such as farms, parks, communication towers or universities.

The WINDSPOT is a specialized wind turbine of small wind power, with power system performance, and features that make it particularly suitable for such more isolated facilities.

In this case, the order is directed to the South Pole, where the International Polar Foundation in 2008 built a research station called Princess Elisabeth Antarctica, the first “Zero Emissions” station built on this continent.

In this regard, Sonkyo indicates that an order has been required to adapt WINDSPOT characteristics, ready to withstand high wind gusts, to circumstances such as extreme cold of the austral winter.

Therefore, at the headquarters of Sonkyo Energy in the industrial area of Raos, the research and design WINDSPOT team worked on a special coating to the blades of the turbines, which has added Teflon to make the ice slide and the snow does not settle in them.

Also the hydraulic system using oil was replaced by other special aviation system supporting the -65 degrees Celsius. Moreover, all the machine has been treated with a special varnish antifreeze.

According to Sonkyo, WINDSPOT wind turbines have been chosen for its resistance to high winds and being able, thanks to its patented variable pitch, to continue production in condition of strong winds, quite common in this area of the globe.