Harnessing the potential of wind power in Turkey
Turkey has recently been expanding its wind power sector more rapidly than any other country in the overall European region, according to the World Wind Energy Association. The country is reckoned to have excellent wind conditions, second only to those of the UK, and is now beginning to make the most of them. A massive project is being developed in Çanakkale by Siemens and local firm Enerjisa as part of a joint plan to install generating capacity of 5,000 MW by 2015. Some experts predict that the country’s overall wind power capacity could eventually rise to 20,000 MW. After lobbying by green energy firms, a new renewable energy law is expected to be passed this year, guaranteeing higher prices for all energy produced from wind, solar, wave, geothermal and biomass sources. Turkey aims to meet 30 percent of its energy demands from renewable sources by 2023.
Renewable targets become more challenging
The European Commission has issued a report on the progress of renewable energy in the European Union (EU) showing that the policy goals for 2020 are likely to be met and exceeded, provided that member states implement their national renewable energy action plans. But the latest data showed that the indicative targets the member states set themselves for 2010 were in fact missed. The Commission called on EU members to ensure a doubling of annual capital investments in renewable energy to €70 billion a year – whether this comes from the big energy companies or household investment in solar systems or other forms of renewable energy. This will require substantial use of national support systems and improved management of different financial instruments. The Commission urged the need for further cooperation between member states and better integration of renewable energy into the single European market. The European Renewable Energy Council says that a total of 22,600 MW of renewable energy capacity was installed in 2010, more than ever before, and a 31 percent increase on installations in 2009.
Buffett into wind power
MidAmerican Energy, a company owned by the legendary US investor Warren Buffett, says it will have a wind power generating capacity of 2,909 MW by the end this year, more than any other regulated utility in the USA. At the beginning of 2011 the firm placed a major order for wind turbines for its projects in Iowa. MidAmerican has invested $5.4 billion in wind. Its biggest single investment was the purchase of Constellation Energy in 2008.
Working towards a trans-Mediterranean grid
Under the leadership of French power utility EdF, a new initiative known as Transgreen is promoting a European-Mediterranean electricity network that could supply Europe with 5,000 MW from renewable sources south of the Mediterranean by 2020. The idea is to work with the German-backed Desertec project, which itself aims to create a network of solar and wind facilities to provide up to 15 percent of European electricity consumption by 2050.
In particular, Transgreen hopes to promote “an investment-friendly regulatory and institutional framework” for viable projects on the southern shores of the Mediterranean. At present the only operational electricity connection between North Africa and Europe is that between Morocco and Spain. One of the founding group of companies of Transgreen is Spain’s Abengoa.
Spain leaps ahead with CSP
Spain is the most active country in introducing Concentrating Solar Power (CSP), having overtaken the USA’s installed capacity of 422 MW last year and with plans for substantial new capacity in the year ahead. Within two years, Spain is forecast to have an installed CSP generating capacity of 2,500 MW. CSP systems use lenses or mirrors and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam, which is then used as a heat source for a conventional power plant.
Chinese-German solar tie-up
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of solar cells, JA Solar of China, has signed an agreement to supply solar products to Solar-Fabrik of Germany. JA Solar is now planning to build a giant new production base in eastern China at a cost of $2 billion, with a projected annual output of products worth more than $4.5 billion. JA Solar is one of a few manufacturers worldwide that can supply the photovoltaic cells used in large solar generation schemes. It estimates the generating capacity of the products it will produce this year at 2,200 MW. Solar-Fabrik primarily installs large scale roof-mounted solar units and is looking to expand its work in the USA.
New targets for van emissions
The European Parliament has agreed to long-term targets for cutting carbon dioxide emissions for light commercial vehicles – the main target for 2020 is 147 grams of CO2 per kilometre per vehicle. The UK’s Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has welcomed the decision, saying that makers are fully committed to lowering emissions as part of ongoing introductions of low, lower and ultra-low carbon vehicles. Peugeot UK says its smaller fuel-efficient vans already meet the 2020 target.
UK offshore projects
The UK has been reported to have 1,400 MW in wind power generation capacity already installed around its coastline, with much more under development. Despite some slowing in the current phase of development, the Scottish Renewables trade association claims that 10,000 MW of offshore wind projects are planned for Scotland. At the same time, Energy Technologies Institute is supporting experimental work to establish the possibility of using floating platforms so that wind turbines can be located in deeper waters, and thus take advantage of stronger and more consistent wind speeds.
