renewable energy factbook 2009

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Chiltern Magazine Services Ltd.Published 22nd. May 2009. Copyright 2009

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Table of Contents

1. Introduction Renewable energies forge ahead but from a low base

2. History of renewable energy- Wind energy- Solar energy- Hydroelectric energy- Biomass energy- Tidal energy- Combined heat and power energy- Geothermal energy

3. EU imposes green energy targets on its member governments

4. EU framework research programme offers millions of euros torenewable energy companies

5. Renewable energy means transport too

6. Market Studies & Reports



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1.8% in 1973; and the proportion of energy created by combustible renewablesand waste actually fell from 10.6% in 1973 to 10.1% in 2006.

Meanwhile, although the proportion of energy coming from oil fell from 46.1% to34.4%, natural gas slice of the energy pie rose from 16% to 20.5%. And that

filthiest of fossil fuel sources coal and peat was actually used proportionally morein 2006 than 1973 (26% compared 24.5% and that is before we factor in thehuge increase in actual power generated in these years), while anotherenvironmental bugbear, nuclear energy production, rose from 0.9% to 6.2%.

So what price renewable energy? There has been so much talk, so many policypapers, so many debates, but the actual increase in its use actually seems soslight. Coal that Victorian-age fuel is still way more important.

It is against this backdrop that the European Union (EU) ahead of Christmasgave itself a 2020 deadline to increase to 20% the proportion of renewable

energy generated for its citizens regarding gross energy production. Is this aQuixotic goal, quoting the famous Spanish knight who tilted at windmills? Well,given the sluggish growth of renewable energy worldwide, it is not surprisingthere are skeptics.

Yet, renewable energy is still flavour of the month amongst public policy makersworldwide. We all know that harnessing natures forces to produce energywithout releasing the pollution involved in burning fossil fuels just has to be goodidea. The USAs President Barack Obama is backing investment into greenenergy publicly and in his American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009where US$16.8 billion yes that much has been earmarked for promotingrenewable energy and energy efficiency.

And the truth is that renewable energy has been growing, albeit from a tiny base,and also very unevenly: rich countries have been doing much more than poorcountries photovoltaic solar cells just are not a priority in Burkina Faso andAfghanistan.

The IEA knows this and last year released the results of a first comparativeanalysis of the performance of the various renewables promotion policies aroundthe world. This looked at 35 countries, including all (wealthy country) OECDmembers and the so-called BRICS key emerging market countries - Brazil,Russia, India, China and South Africa. It noted that in 2005, these 35 countriesaccounted for 80% of total global commercial renewable electricity generation,77% of commercial renewable heating/cooling (excluding the use of traditionalbiomass) and 98% of renewable transport fuel production. So, for a lot of theworld, renewables are barely a blip on the energy radar.



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But we have to start somewhere. Enter the optimists of the Renewable EnergyNetwork for the 21st Century (REN21) which issues annual reports on theprogress of the green energy sector in collaboration with the WorldwatchInstitute. Its latest study, the Renewables 2007 Global Status Report (issued in2008) painted an encouraging picture at least as far as the electricity generating

sector is concerned (so excluding transport, heating and other key energyissues). It claimed the renewable energy sector has doubled electricitygenerating capacity since 2004, to 240 gigawatts, now accounting for 2.4 million

jobs globally in the process.

This report said renewable energy in 2007 represented 5% of global powercapacity and 3.4% of global power generation. New renewable energy (notcounting large hydropower) generated as much electric power worldwide in 2006as one-quarter of the worlds nuclear power plants, it said. Large hydropoweritself accounted for 15% of global power generation, it noted.

It hailed rapidly expanding renewable energy markets, policies, industries, andrural applications around the world, noting that in 2007, global wind generatingcapacity is estimated to have increased 28% while grid-connected solarphotovoltaic (PV) capacity rose 52%. So much has happened in the renewableenergy sector during the past five years that the perceptions of some politiciansand energy-sector analysts lag far behind the reality of where the renewablesindustry is today, said Mohamed El-Ashry, chair of REN21.

Looking at the details, it said the largest aspect of this renewable power capacitygrowth was wind power, which grew by more than 25% worldwide in 2007, to anestimated 95GW. However, the fastest growing energy technology in the world(from a much lower base) was grid-connected solar photovoltaics, with a 50%annual increase in cumulative installed capacity in both 2006 and 2007, to anestimated 7.7GW. This translates into 1.5 million homes with rooftop solar PVfeeding into the grid worldwide, noted the report, with another estimated 2.7GWof stand-alone systems bringing global photovoltaic capacity to more than 10GW.Meanwhile rooftop solar heat collectors now provide hot water to nearly 50million households worldwide, said the report, with existing solar hotwater/heating capacity increasing by 19% in 2006 to reach 105 gigawatts-thermalglobally.

As for biomass and geothermal energy systems, more than 2 million ground-source heat pumps were used in 30 countries for heating and cooling of buildingsin 2007, said this survey. And the production of biofuels (ethanol and biodiesel)exceeded an estimated 53 billion litres in 2007, up 43% from 2005 (with 2008figures expected to much higher still). Ethanol production in 2007 representedabout 4% of the 1,300 billion litres of petrol consumed globally; with annualbiodiesel production increasing by more than 50% in 2006.



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All this growth is also born out by the IEA. Its December 2008 electricityproduction bulletin showed that from January to December of that year,renewable energy production rose in the OECD counties by 21.1% (hydro by4%).

So these are impressive growth rates. If they are sustained over time, renewableenergies really could save our bacon in a world facing seemingly inevitableglobal warming cased by carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas production.

Given that it will be these rich countries that will lead the way with green energygrowth these IEA figures are important. They will create the economies of scalethat will enable the renewable energy industry to finally spread around the world.As a result, the IEA has tried to identify what has been holding up the growth ofgreen energy.

Its comparative analysis report has claimed there are still significant barriers

which hamper a swift expansion and increase the costs of acceleratingrenewables transition into the mainstream. If these were removed, it could allowthe great potential of renewables to be exploited much more rapidly and to amuch larger extent, said IEA executive director Nobuo Tanaka, when releasingthe study.

He continued: Governments need to do more. Setting a carbon price is notenough. To foster a smooth and efficient transition of renewables towards massmarket integration, renewable energy policies should be designed around a setof fundamental principles, inserted into predictable, transparent and stable policyframeworks and implemented in an integrated approach.

According to the IEA renewable energy promotion policies should include fivekey principles if they are to be effective:*Removing non-economic barriers, such as administrative hurdles, obstacles togrid access, poor electricity market design, lack of information and training, andthe tackling of social acceptance issues (such as opposing ugly windmills in apretty environment);*The need for predictable and transparent administrative and legal supportsystems to attract investments from the private sector;*Introducing transitional targeted subsidies and tax breaks, decreasing over time,to foster and monitor technological innovation and move renewable energytechnologies quickly towards market competitiveness; and*Consideration of the impact of large-scale penetration of renewable energytechnologies on the overall energy system, especially in liberalised energymarkets, with regard to overall cost efficiency and system reliability.Governments need to take urgent action, Mr Tanaka concluded. Weencourage them to develop carefully designed policy frameworks, customised tosupport technologies at differing stages of maturity, and eventually to apply



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appropriate incentives such as a carbon price for more mature renewables.Moving a strong portfolio of renewable energy technologies towards full marketintegration is one of the main elements needed to make the energy technologyrevolution happen.

This is all very ambitious stuff, and maybe this is where IRENA will help. The IEAdoes indeed have a wide brief, and is charged with helping all energy sectorsthrive, albeit in a sustainable way. IRENA will work exclusively on renewablesthough. In its founding statute, the agency is charged with being a centre ofexcellence for renewable energy technologyacting as a facilitator and catalyst,providing experience for practical applications and policies, offering support on allmatters relating to renewable energy and helping countries to benefit from theefficient development and transfer of knowledge and technology.

As such its experts will:*Analyse, monitor andsystematise current renewable energy practices,

including policy instruments, incentives, investment mechanisms, best practices,available technologies, integrated systems and equipment, and success-failurefactors;*Initiate discussion and ensure interaction with other governmental andnongovernmental organisations and networks;*Provide relevant policy advice and assistance to its membersand stimulateinternational discussions on renewable energy policy;*Improve pertinent knowledge and technology transfer and promote thedevelopment of local capacity and competenceincluding [the] necessaryinterconnections;*Offer capacity building including training and education to its members;*Provide advice and assistance on sourcing finance for renewable energy;*Stimulate and encourage research;*Provide information about the development and deployment of national andinternational technical standards in relation to renewable energy; and.*Disseminate information and increase public awareness on the benefits andpotential offered by renewable energy.

This will be valuable work, and given the uneven development of renewableenergy thus far around the world, it may well be that its greatest impact will be inthe poorest countries who have yet to avail themselves of these keytechnologies. For if they become affordable and widely available, they couldmake a huge difference. Take these words from Kenneth Konga, Zambiasenergy and water development ministers, spoken at IRENAs launch.

Renewable energy is one of the key solutions to the current challenges facingthe global energy situation. Increasing population, high energy prices, depletedenergy resources, and global warming demand that renewable sources of energyare rapidly developed And stressing that green energy really matters to the



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poor, he concluded: The task of providing energy in my country is so huge thatrenewable energy is the most sustainable way through which this basic need canbe provided to our people.

2. History of renewable energy

THROUGHOUT history, ancient civilisations have channelled the power ofrenewable energy to complete daily tasks and help to further their economic andsocial development. From grinding grains to pumping water, a variety ofrenewable energy sources, such as wind, solar and biomass, have playedsignificant roles in the pre-industrialised world. However, following the IndustrialRevolution, traditional renewable energy practices were unable to be met theenormous demand for energy by industries. As a result, certain greentechnologies became obsolete and the world became dependent on fossil fuelsto power industries, warm their homes and drive their cars. However, followingan understanding that the pollution caused by fossil fuels could have significant

environmental implications, and of course that their supply is finite, countriesworldwide are now looking for more environmentally friendly ways to provide theirsocieties with energy.

Wind energy

Wind power was harnessed by many early civilisations, from the Babylonians toChinese farmers, to complete daily tasks. The first windmills were thought tohave originated in Iran (then Persia) between 500-900AD and were usedprimarily to grind wheat and other grains and also to pump water. The conceptcaught on and depending on region where they were located, the design ofwindmills would vary. The vertical-axis design used in these eastern civilizationswas different from the horizontal-axis design recognised in the Western world.Possibly the most famous traditional use of windmills are the iconic figures inHolland, where the basic design of these renewable energy systems wasdeveloped to incorporate propellerstyled blades made with sails. In the UnitedStates, early colonists used windmills to grind wheat into flour, pump water andcut wood at sawmills.

However, what is believed to be the first a windmill being used to generateelectricity was developed in 1888. Charles F Bush built The Bush Machine witha multi-bladed rotor 17 meters in diameter, in Cleveland, Ohio, which poweredbatteries in his cellar. This system was developed and windmills were designedto provide rural communities with electricity, then to power lines that carriedelectricity from the urban centers in the 1930s. The design of a high-energyproducing windmill was refined and sophisticated by various countries, includingRussia, Germany and Denmark. Now, a sprawling sea of windmills can be seen

just outside of Palm Springs, California, and banks of windturbines are being builtoffshore, for instance off Denmark. These technologies have been given an



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additional boost by concerns about global warming, but they were also madepopular in the 1970s following oil shortages. In the USA, Californias windturbines produce double the wind energy than any other US state.

Leading Countries in Global Wind Energy Industry

Published by Aruvian Research in March 2009In many parts of the world, wind energy has already grown to be a mainstreamenergy source. This growth has long been driven by concerns about globalclimate change, mainly in the developed world and especially in Europe.Windenergy has emerged as the most attractive so...(more)Solar energy

Ancient Greece and Rome were the first civilisations to realise the true power ofthe sun as a source of energy. By designing their homes to face the winter sun,they were able to use this passive solar design as a means to light and heat

indoor spaces and cut down on the amount of wood burned for energy. Sincethen, the suns rays have been channelled by various inventors includingFrances Auguste Mouchout, who designed the first active solar motor. In 1861,Mouchout invented a steam engine powered entirely by the sun, which althoughgroundbreaking, proved to be too expensive to power during a time where theprice of coal was rapidly falling. As the 20th century came and went, littleprogress was made in developing solar energy until 1953.

Then, three US-based scientists Gerald Pearson, Daryl Chapin and Clavin Fuller

developed the first silicon solar cell, which was capable of generating a measurable

electric current. The New York Times proclaimed that the discovery meant the

beginning of a new era, leading eventually to the realisation of harnessing the almost

limitless energy of the sun for the uses of civilisation. But it was only until the 1970s

and the Arab oil embargo, that a global push for solar energy was accepted as a reliable

source of electricity. Then, the US government made massive investments into Pearson,

Chapin and Fullers energy cell in the hope of decreasing the global dependence on oil.

As the technology has developed the price of solar photovoltaic cells has dropped and the

market for PV energy sources is quickly developing at a rate of 30% per year.

Governments across the world now offer financial assistance for those interesting in

installing solar cells.

Global Solar Power IndustryPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009The harnessing of solar energy is not new in fact, development of solar energydates back more than 100 years, to the middle of the industrial revolution. Solarenergy is pollution-free, an important benefit when the cost of removingpollutants from the environment is c...(more)

http://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCW-Leading-Countries-in-Global-Wind-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCW-Leading-Countries-in-Global-Wind-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCT-Global-Solar-Power-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCT-Global-Solar-Power-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCT-Global-Solar-Power-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCT-Global-Solar-Power-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCW-Leading-Countries-in-Global-Wind-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCW-Leading-Countries-in-Global-Wind-Energy-Industry.shtml


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Hydroelectric energy

Water is surprisingly powerful. The sheer force of water flowing downstream froma moderately-sized river can exceed several million horsepower and slicethrough mountain ranges or haul billions of tonnes of soil into the ocean. Energy

is created when the power produced through the gravitational force of falling orflowing water is channelled. Water in motion, such as ocean waves, tides andcurrents have played a key role in the development of renewable energysources. As with wind energy, the oldest generators of hydropower weretraditionally used to grind flour and grains for mills. And waterwheels haveprovided electricity for small rural farming communities by channelling the powerof large rivers since the late 1800s.

These water turbines, however, were unable to function properly in fast-movingcreeks and waterfalls. The father of hydroelectricity, Lester Allan Pelton designedthe free-jet water turbine, the Pelton Wheel, patenting his design in 1880, which

took the traditionally used waterwheel and modified it to a technology that couldproduce energy for the machinery and mills used during the north American goldrushes of the time.

Now hydroenergy seems to be almost old fashioned. Some of the most famousexamples of hydroelectricity in north America, Niagara Falls, Grand Coulee andBoulder Dam, have become more than just a producer of renewable energy buttourist attractions. The Egypts Aswan dam on the Nile, and the Three Gorgesdam in China are justly famous (and controversial). But critics of hydroelectricityare quick to point out the flaws and potential dangers of such feats ofengineering.

In 1975, the Banqiao hydroelectric dam in China collapsed during Typhoon Nina 26,000 people were killed as a result of the collapse and another 145,000deaths were caused because of disease and famine created by the disaster.Looking into the future, hydro power could become increasingly controversialbecause of their hydrological impact and the fact that greenhouse gases that areproduced as a result of the decaying trees and other organic matter submergedunder water during the creation of reservoirs.

Analyzing Hydropower EnergyPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009The role of water as a multi-faceted necessity for humans cannot be morestressed upon since as many adaptive uses that were demanded of it bycivilizations; water has met most of them or in some cases - all. Natures mostwonderful resource never ceases to amaze imagin...(more)

http://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABBC-Analyzing-Hydropower-Energy.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABBC-Analyzing-Hydropower-Energy.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABBC-Analyzing-Hydropower-Energy.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABBC-Analyzing-Hydropower-Energy.shtml


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Biomass energy

Biomass, primarily wood, was once the major source of power prior to theIndustrial Revolution of the 1800s. The term, which refers to any form of plant oranimal tissue that can be transformed into a source of energy, includes materials

like straw and manure. Various innovators and industries have used differentforms of biomass to power a range of electricity generating designs.

In the 1880s, Henry Ford fueled one of his first automobiles, the quadricycle withethanol, while the German inventor, Rudolf Diesel designed a diesel engine torun on peanut oil. Biomass fuels, particularly ethanol, were expected to be themain source of fuel for motor vehicles in the United States. And during the 1920sand 1930s, more than 2,000 service stations sold gasohol, an ethanol fuelderived from maize. But following World War II, the ethanol fuel industry closeddown because of the import of low-cost petroleum fuels following the massivedevelopment of oil production, especially in the Middle East.

Biomass as a source of energy continued to become more and more obsoletewith the adoption of electricity and natural gas as a way of heating homes andcommercial buildings. However, as the 20th century drew to a close and countriesbecame more concerned with the impact fossil fuels have on their environment,bio-based alternatives s began to be a point of energy policy reform for manywestern countries. Brazil had long used ethanol as a fuel for its automobileindustry.

And the United States mandated the 1990 Clean Air Act, which promoted thesale of oxygenated fuels, such as ethanol-blended gasoline, in parts of thecountry with exceptionally high levels of carbon monoxide. The law influencedthe growth of ethanol production in the USA. The European Union has also beenincreasingly promoting the use of biomass both for liquid fuels and also forelectricity. This has long been used, for instance in Ireland, with its peat-firedpower plants. Also, scientists are increasingly focusing on designs for convertingbio-mass waste, such as wood and food production waste, into useablefeedstocks for electricity and heat generators.

Understanding BiofuelsPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009The topic of biofuels has drawn increased interest worldwide in the wake ofsteeply-climbing fossil fuel prices in 2005-2006. In late 2006/early 2007 pricesbegan to subside, but are unlikely to return to their former levels. The painfulexperience of national economies...(more)

http://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABAZ-Understanding-Biofuels.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABAZ-Understanding-Biofuels.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABAZ-Understanding-Biofuels.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABAZ-Understanding-Biofuels.shtml


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Tidal energy

Tidal energy is a largely untapped source of renewable energy that dependssolely on the moons gravitational pull on our seas, oceans and estuaries. Theuse of tidal power dates back to 900 AD according to some historians, when the

first tidal energy plants were designed with a dam built across a tidal basin. Oncethis was filled with water from the rising tide, the water would be released throughan energy-conversion device, such as a waterwheel or a paddlewheel. Theenergy was then used to grind grains into flour and would last for about two tothree hours, twice a day.

As with most renewable energy sources, the industrialised world required muchmore energy then early tidal barrages were capable of producing and so theindustries looked to fossil fuels as a power source. In 1965, however, the firstmodern-era tidal power plant was built outside St Malo, in northern France,where it has since operated a bulb-type hydroelectric turbine.

Another commercial plant in Nova Scotia, eastern Canada operates a 16-wattturbine, and there are other, smaller barrages around the world, for instance nearSwansea, in South Wales, UK. Proposals for tidal barrages have often provedcontroversial because as well as being expensive, they require massivestructures, which are difficult to build in saltwater environments. There are otherobjections too: because of their sheer size, barrages can impede fish migration,block navigation, while changing intertidal zones and downstream tidal systems.These factors have slowed the innovation of tidal energy technologies and haveforced many environmentally conscious energy producers, to look at alternativemethods to produce power from renewable sources.

The World Wave and Tidal Market Report 2009-2013Published by Douglas-Westwood in December 2008A new renewable energy sector reportThe World Wave & Tidal Market Report isa new report focusing on the current and future prospects, technologies andmarkets for the wave and tidal current stream sectors.An emerging industryThewave and tidal sectors ar...(more)Combined heat and power energy

Combined heat and power (CHP) utilises a fuel source - renewable or fossil - toprovide electric and thermal energy to a facility at a more efficient rate than ifelectricity and thermal energy were being provided separately. Benefits of thissystem include lower levels of emission than conventional heating systems.Initially this system of heating was introduced in the 1880s a key time forrenewable energy innovation - when reciprocating steam engines powered thefirst electric generators.

http://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAAAVY-The-World-Wave-and-Tidal-Market-Report-2009-2013.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAAAVY-The-World-Wave-and-Tidal-Market-Report-2009-2013.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAAAVY-The-World-Wave-and-Tidal-Market-Report-2009-2013.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAAAVY-The-World-Wave-and-Tidal-Market-Report-2009-2013.shtml


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The waste steam produced by these inefficient machines was sent through pipesfor space heating. CHP was widely popular during the later Industrial Revolutionfor specific industries, such as the production of pottery and sugar. While asteam reciprocating engine was used to power wheels and crushing mills, theexcess steam could be used to dry and heat the finished product. However, as

with other green energy systems, during the 20

th

century, coal became readilyavailable for the power sector and relatively cheap making it the choice forelectricity generation.

Following the energy crisis of the 1970s, the United States found that bybuilding larger plants capable of joint thermal and electric output, they couldreduce the demand for energy. However, it was still not until the 1980s that theUSA saw a rapid growth for CHP capacity in large industries, such as pulp andpaper, petroleum and petrochemical plants. Today, most European Unioncountries, as well as the United States, receive about 9% of their power fromCHP generators.

Geothermal energy

Geothermal energy really does go way back. The first use of geothermal energyis an estimated 10,000 years ago by the American Paleo-Indians, who used hotsprings for bathing, healing and as a source of heat. In Europe, the Romanscreated bathhouses that relied solely on geothermal waters to fill their pools whileat the same time heat their homes. And in the early 1800s, the development ofelectricity production and geothermal heat pumps helped boost spa and resortmarkets in Europe and the United States. However, it was not until 1892 thatgeothermal energy was developed to heat an actual district: in Boise, Idaho, inthe American mountain west, where a system provided energy to 200 homes and40 downtown businesses.

The early 1900s saw the first geothermal electric power plant being invented inItaly by scientist Piero Ginori Conti who set up this groundbreaking equipment atthe Larderello dry steam field. Geothermal power development has generallythus far only been popular where geological conditions make it cheaper andeasier to use. Today, Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is powered by geothermalenergy from the volcanic and seismic activity below this geological stripling of acountry. In the United States, the 1960s saw the development of geothermalelectricity plants at The Geysers in Sonoma County, California. Presently, thereare 69 generating geothermal plants in 18 different sites across the USA andother parts of the world are increasingly developing geothermal energytechnology to cut their greenhouse gas emissions.

Analyzing Geothermal EnergyPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009

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3. EU imposes green energy targets on its member governments

AS 2009 dawned, the European Unions (EU) renewable energy sector knew thatit had truly entered the mainstream of EU electricity markets, with its growthbeing sanctioned by ambitious legislation approved before Christmas.

After more than a year of debates, the European Parliament and EU ministersapproved a new EU directive imposing mandatory national targets for the 27member states regarding the portion of their gross final consumption of energy in2020 coming from renewable sources. Across the EU, this is supposed to be anaverage of 20%, taking into account electricity; heating and cooling; andtransport energy consumption.

But this is not really the number that matters. It is the national targets that haveteeth, and which will be policed by the European Commission. If governmentsfalter or waver in their determination to increase the amount of renewable energyconsumed in their national territories, expect an aggressive response from

Brussels politically and legally, through the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

So the devil really is in this detail, in the crunchy numbers of the national targets.Environmentalists were disappointed that some notorious renewables laggardswith comparatively strong economies (even as they sink into recession) - such asBritain and Ireland - have been granted targets below the pan-EU 20% goal. Forthe UK, this is just 15%; and for Ireland 16%. But energy players have pointedout these targets are set against the existing small size of renewable energyconsumption in both countries, which the EU assessed as being a miniscule1.3% for Britain in 2005, and a barely more respectable 3.1% in Ireland. Andgiven that these countries are starting from low base, growth might be that muchmore difficult than in those countries that already have decent-sized renewableenergy sectors, and hence the expertise, the capital and the infrastructure inplace that they can build upon.

Other countries that will face similarly tough tasks will include the denselypopulated Low Countries: Belgium (told to increase its 2.2% 2005 renewableconsumption to 13% in 2020); tiny Luxembourg from 0.9% to 11%; and theNetherlands from 2.4% to 14%.

Sun-drenched (but water parched) Malta (from zero to 14%); and Cyprus (2.9%to 13%) will face similar issues, but can at least expect to exploit improving solarpower technology.

At the other end of the scale that traditional European paragon of virtue, Sweden,topped the commitment list promising to increase its renewable energyconsumption to 49%, from an already high 39.8% thanks to significant hydro andbiomass usage. Hydropower rich Latvia is committed to a 40% target up from32.6%. And Finland is planning to expand its hydro and bio-mass power



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production base to reach a 38% target, up from 28.5%. Austria will be anothermajor contributor to the EUs 20% goal, with a 34% target probably expandingits use of hydro sources which accounted for much of its 23.3% renewablesenergy consumption share in 2005 it also has significant potential biomassfeedstocks. And wind power specialist Denmark has a 30% target, up from 17%

in 2005.

Looking at the EUs larger countries, Germany has set itself an ambitious goal ofderiving 18% of energy from renewable sources (up from 5.8%), although it maystill need to extend the life of its threatened nuclear plants to guarantee energysecurity of supply. France is similarly ambitious a goal of 23% - up from 10.3%.And Italy has a slightly less imposing target of 17% - up from 5.2% in 2005.Regardless of the debates, if these numbers are achieved, they will change theface of EU energy production, which will henceforth be far more sustainable thanin the past, and involve much lower production of greenhouse gas.

Speaking to the European Parliament ahead of its final vote on the law onDecember 17, EU energy Commissioner Andris Piebalgs said: The bindingnature of the target will mean measures and support schemes for member statesusing renewable energy will be predictable and long term. That will allow newtechnologies to penetrate the market and not be marginal. We are proposing aprofound change.

But of course how these translate into actual increases in green electricity,heating and cooling services provided by utilities will depend on the share whichnational governments allocate to these sub-sectors in their expansion ofrenewable energy. Complex statistical work will be required and although therewill inevitably be flexibility involved in the way that governments respond, thedirective includes a wide range of detailed clauses that say what can be pluggedinto the necessary statistical equations and what cannot. Maybe the mostimportant of these is the survival of the pledge in the legislation that the share ofenergy from renewable sources in all forms of transport in 2020 is at least 10% offinal consumption of energy in transport in that member state. It is a key issueand it will inevitably stop governments focusing entirely on boosting renewableenergy production by utilities, but its impact on green electricity, heat and coolinggrowth will of depend on existing biofuel consumption.

How other considerations will shape member states achievement of their finaltarget is spelt out in the legislation. These include energy efficiency initiatives; theimpact of cooperation between local, regional and national authorities; jointprojects with other member states; policies to develop existing (or mobilise new)biomass resources, and others.

So these calculations will be complex and the next step will be the developmentof detailed national renewable energy action plans by national governments,



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which must be submitted to the European Commission by June 2010. This will bebased upon a template released by Brussels by June 2009. These plans willinclude the detail that utilities will want to know, namely the national targets forthe shares of energy from renewable sources in transport, electricity and heatingand cooling in 2020.

And given the diversity of starting points in Europe regarding the climatic,geographical and industrial status quo, these plans will contrast widely,especially as regards the share of different technologies within increases ingreen electricity, heating and cooling. For this reason, a directive was chosen asthe form of EU legislation used these laws always give member states effectiveleeway over implementation). But in his speech to MEPs, Mr Piebalgs said suchdiversity was no bad thing, especially given the technical immaturity of manyrelevant systems. He declared: We need to invest in a number of technologiesat this stage. The worst thing that could happen is that we hamper developmentof some particular technology, for example, solar energy, that today is more

costly compared with wind technology. Piebalgs added that cross-bordercooperation in attempts to achieve these targets was especially important: Ishould mention one investment by a Czech company in wind energy in Romania.This is what we are looking for. We are looking for massive investments where itis cheaper, but it does not necessarily mean that any technology should beexcluded.

One area where the Commission will most certainly be looking for innovation willbe ensuring renewable electricity producers have adequate connections to thegrid. As a result, the legislation includes a binding commitment that insistsgovernments ensure their grid systems accommodate the further developmentof electricity production from renewable energy sources, includinginterconnection between member states, as well as third countries. Indeed thereis a pledge that transmission system operators give priority to renewable powergenerators insofar as the secure operation of the national electricity systempermits

British north east England Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall welcomed this,telling the parliament: For the renewable energy industry, the directive offerslegal certainty and the sweeping away of barriers to progress such as connectionto the grid.

There are other more detailed commitments that will inform how member statesrespond, for instance on building codes, where governments must by2015where appropriate, require the use, of minimum levels of energy fromrenewable sources in new buildings and (renovated) buildings.

And another clause says certification schemes (or equivalents) must be availableby December 2012 for installers of small-scale biomass boilers and stoves, solar



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photovoltaic and solar thermal systems, shallow geothermal systems and heatpumps.And finally, of course, a key point about this legislation is that it deals withminimum targets. It aims to create a sustainably growing green energy sector

that will carry the EUs renewables consumption far beyond its 20% goal,especially through promoting technical innovation and economies of scale. AsLuxembourg green MEP Claude Termes, the coordinator of the parliamentswork (its rapporteur) on the directive, said to his colleagues: For me 20% is aminimum. I am sure that by 20% we will have more green energy than 20%:because the costs of the technology are going to shrink; and because all theeconomy will become built around renewable energy. And he added: regardingelectricity, we have more than 15% green energy already and will have 35% in2020. What could prevent us reaching 50% between 2025 and 2030?This target has been exercising minds in the sector. For instance, an alliance ofEuropean renewable energy organisations last November launched a plan

stating how the European Union could meet 20% of its energy needs withrenewable energy sources by 2020. This 'Renewable Energy TechnologyRoadmap' was produced by the EU-funded RESTMAC project. It includesdetailed action plans covering renewable energy technologies, such asbioenergy, solar thermal, photovoltaic energy, small hydropower, ocean power,wind electricity and others. See http://www.erec.org/projects/ongoing-projects/restmac.html for full details.

Another innovative idea came last year from the green group of the EuropeanParliament, which has been pushing for the establishment of a separateEuropean Union treaty that would commit EU institutions to promoting thedevelopment of renewable energies.

The MEPs have been inspired by the success of another separate EU treaty albeit one they are not fond of the Euratom treaty, which guarantees separatebudgets to assist the operation of nuclear power plants. It was set up in 1957,when the original European Economic Community was established, as a specialcollaborative initiative, working alongside the now defunct European Coal andSteel Community. The green group study suggests the creation of a EuropeanCommunity for Renewable Energies (ERENE). This would use dedicatedbranches of existing institutions such as the European Commission to assist thedevelopment and operation of green energy production and transmission.

German former EU budget Commissioner and green politician Michaele Schreyerco-authored the report. She said: Creating a European renewables communityin the mould of Euratom would provide vital support to research, pilot projectsand the grid. Another co-author, Lutz Mez, head of the environmental policyresearch centre at the Free University of Berlin, said: Europe had a coal andsteel community for 50 years and its nuclear agency Euratom has existed for

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over half a century. It is high time for renewables to be given the same status,with a treaty or system of enhanced cooperation between member states.Within EU-related development institutions financing will be made available forrenewable energy projects. This includes the European Bank for Reconstruction& Development (EBRD), which recently lent the Bulgarian government Euro 198

million to develop a 156-megawatt wind farm. This money will be augmented byassistance from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), of the World Bank.

An EBRD note said the loan would help the country promote clean andsustainable energy and reduce its dependency on fossil fuels.The other key financing institution here is the European Investment Bank (EIB).This is operationally independent of other EU bodies and raises money oninternational markets, while also being bankrolled by member states and the EU.Because of its size and stability it not only has huge financial clout. There is alsoan annual lending sub-target of Euro 600 million-800 million for renewableenergy projects and a relative target that 50% of EIB lending to electricity

generation projects be associated with renewable energy technologies. Moremoney is being made available by the bank during the current economic crisis tohelp kickstart the European economy, and green energy infrastructure projectshave been highlighted as priority financing items for this Luxembourg-basedinstitution.

The initiative could find support amongst the supports of another new greenenergy initiative, by global interdependence discussion group the TllbergForum. Taking its name from the Swedish village where it holds annualdiscussions, the forum is backing NASA Chief Scientist James Hansens call tolimit the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to 350 ppm (parts permillion). This is tighter than Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)targets that would reduce CO2 concentrations to 400 ppm to limit the increase inglobal temperature to a maximum of 2 degrees centigrade over pre-industriallevels. This proposal is being publicised by the European Environment Agency(EEA) and so could increase pressure on EU institutions and member states tofurther reduce climate change emissions.

And an International Energy Agency (IEA) report released in October 2008claimed that the world must generate half its electricity supplies from renewableenergy sources by 2050 to avoid the most serious climate change. It praisedrenewable programmes in Spain, Germany, Denmark and Portugal (wind-power)and China (solar heating). *See http://www.iea.org/w/bookshop/add.aspx?id=337for full details.

Analyzing the European Renewable Energy IndustryPublished by Aruvian Research in January 2009Renewable energy technologies range from solar power, wind power,hydroelectricity/micro hydro, biomass and biofuels for transpo...(more)

http://www.iea.org/w/bookshop/add.aspx?id=337http://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCI-Analyzing-the-European-Renewable-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCI-Analyzing-the-European-Renewable-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCI-Analyzing-the-European-Renewable-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.energy-market-research.info/research/EMAAABCI-Analyzing-the-European-Renewable-Energy-Industry.shtmlhttp://www.iea.org/w/bookshop/add.aspx?id=337


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4. EU framework research programme offers millions of euros to

renewable energy companies

IN today's highly competitive power sector, electricity companies and their

suppliers are always looking for an edge over rivals, especially in technology. Soit can only be good news that the European Union (EU) will from this year until2013 be spending Euro 2.3 billion on energy studies (much earmarked for greenenergy) through its 'seventh framework programme', its largest ever researchspending scheme, commanding budgets worth Euro 53.2 billion in total. AnotherEuro 1.8 billion will be spent on environmental research, including newtechnology that reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Private companies andstate-owned organisations can apply for money from these pots and given theamounts set aside for these topics, it is inevitable that innovative projectsdeveloping new alternative power generating and transmission technology willland major grants. Green power sector players - like other applicants - have to

raise 50% of the funding of their projects from other sources, and if they candemonstrate they will use the research to create jobs and wealth with the EU,they can enjoy control over the use of the findings, as far as commercialexploitation is concerned.

In the two years of debates involving EU institutions that forged the frameworkprogramme (FP7), MEPs and EU ministers laid down priority policy areas forenergy research funding and many of these will be able to be exploited byambitious renewable and alternative electricity sector organisations seekingpublic money. They include:*Renewable electricity generation - technologies to increase overall conversionefficiency, cost efficiency and reliability, driving down the cost of electricityproduction;*Hydrogen and fuel cells - supporting EU fuel cell and hydrogen industries, forstationary as well as portable applications;*CO2 capture and storage technologies for zero emission power generation -technologies reducing the environmental impact of fossil fuel use by capturingCO2;*Clean Coal Technologies - substantially improving power plant efficiency,reliability and reducing costs through research, development and demonstrationof cleaner coal and other solid fuel conversion technologies, producing alsosecondary energy carriers (including hydrogen) and liquid or gaseous fuels; and*Smart energy networks - increasing the efficiency, safety, reliability and qualityof European electricity systems and networks.

A Commission report on FP7 energy research explained the thinking behindthese priorities: "Europe's energy economy, and that of the world, is currently ona path that is not sustainable and urgent action is needed. The focus of theresearch and demonstration actions in FP7 will be on accelerating the



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development of cost-effective technologies for a more sustainable energyeconomy for Europe (and the rest of the world) and ensuring that Europeanindustry can compete successfully on the global stage."

So, without doubt, there is money to be tapped. The question: how to get it?

For research teams in the renewable power sector, there are four considerations:first to have a relevant idea to develop; second to be aware of when money isbeing released; third to have potential project partners; and fourth to get theapplication right.

To fulfill the demands of the first two demands, researchers should keep tabs on'calls for proposals' made by the European Commission, issued regularly overthe next seven years; they include detailed instructions on how to apply formoney. So watch the relevant Brussels websites -http://ec.europa.eu/dgs/research/tenders/index_en.html;http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm; and

http://cordis.europa.eu/news/calls_en.html.

The Commission showed its intent for backing the green energy sector in its firstcall for proposals under FP7, two weeks before the programme was formallylaunched on January 1, 2007.

This was a large clump of requests, to be followed by a series of smaller calls,which will not follow any specific timetable. This initial tranche included one callworth Euro 128 million. Topics requested included:*Developing secure, reliable and affordable feedstocks for photovoltaic electricityproduction, plus innovative manufacturing processes;*Creating novel solid biofuels for power generation and equipment for highefficiency medium-to-large scale biomass electricity generation;*Demonstration projects for large-scale wind farms and integrating wind powerinto the European power system;*Building low cost, high efficiency solar power daily storage systems; andinnovative concentrated solar power heat transfer concepts; and*Investigating poly-generation concepts for coal-fired power plants.Another call issued at the same time had Euro 109.3 million to spend oninnovative energy research projects, its requested topics included:*Basic research for materials and processes regarding polymer electrolytemembrane fuel cells;*Developing dye-sensitised photovoltaic solar cells; binary thin-film photovoltaics;and crystalline silicon photovoltaics;*Testing, standards and certification for wind energy systems; and*A feasibility study and development of a large scale zero emission fossil fuelpower plant.



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The Commission followed this up with another call in 2008 for renewable energyresearchers to apply for Euro 147 million of energy research grants under theFP7. Studies developing technology and good practice in renewable energy;clean coal technologies; smart energy networks; energy efficiency and savings;and high efficiency poly-generation, were requested for submission in grants

applications.

This trend has continued, with energy projects attracting serious frameworkprogramme funding. Another major Euro 100 million call for proposals for energyresearch projects was issued last year, with an April 29 deadline for applications.The Commission is planning to spend a lot of this money on biofuel research,notably the development of biorefineries. Here, a detailed guidance documentsays funded research would support the development of advanced biorefineriesfor sustainable processing of biomass into building blocks for the production ofbio-based chemicals, materials, second generation biofuels, power and heat.The money would fund demonstration project showing how such biorefineries

work, with part of a pilot biorefinery being demonstrated at industrial pilot plantscale. There is also a May 5, 2009, deadline for applying for Euro 4 million forjoint projects with Brazil to develop second generation biofuels.

As can be seen from the detail of these calls, it helps applicants to have someidea of the likely topics of proposals, and the Commission will set out its plans forthese calls in annual work programmes, providing details about the topics,timings and implementation. Prior knowledge will allow power research groups toapproach research teams from other EU countries to forge international alliancesof research teams for applications, usually a key consideration for grant awards,which are deigned to promote work that is harder to undertake in one countryonly. Importantly, a series of advisory groups are being established to help theCommission draw up its plans - seehttp://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/advisory_en.html.

In reality, however, the power sector is in the right place, with the Commissionsaying in a report that the FP7 places "greater emphasis" than its predecessors"on research that is relevant to the needs of European industry, to help itcompete internationally, and develop its role as a world leader in certain sectors."Indeed, imaginative power researchers could seek to tap EU funds from otherFP7 budgets, all with millions of Euros to spend. Biomass power and biofueldevelopment projects could handily delve into the 'food, agriculture andbiotechnology' section's calls for proposals, for instance. Projects using high techIT to develop intelligent energy systems, especially those improving energyefficiency, could get money from the FP7 'information and communicationtechnologies' budget. And there is a special budget for nanotechnology: "newmaterials to improve energy conversion efficiency and more energy-efficientindustrial processes", could score grants here, said a Commission note.



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Meanwhile, researchers developing innovative renewable energy technology andsolutions to deal with climate change should also benefit from another new EUresearch institution the European Institute of Technology (EIT). Inspired by thesuccess of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the USA, theEuropean version will be virtual, based on formal networks of expert researchers

- knowledge and innovation communities. Its goal will be developingtechnologies with real potential for commercialisation. Academics have criticisedthe EIT for diverting potential resources from other EU research initiatives, suchas the European Research Council, which focuses on basic studies. The EUCouncil of Ministers backed giving the EIT a Euro 308.7 million budget over sixyears from January 2008, and supported initially creating two or three EITcommunities, to focus on priority EU policies, such as renewable energy andclimate change. It also has a draft future spending pot of Euro 2.4 billion until2013.

Crucially, its projects will involve innovative industrial players and businesses

from across the EU: renewable energy companies most certainly should apply.Welcoming the approval of the law, European Commission president JosManuel Barroso said: The EIT is set to become an important feature of Europe'sinnovation landscape. It will facilitate and enhance partnerships and cooperationbetween the worlds of business, research and higher educationhelping toboost jobs and growth.

Barroso has been especially keen on the EIT. And his enthusiasm has overcomesome doubters amongst academics concerned the new institution could justmean more bureaucracy, wasting EU research cash that could otherwise funduseful studies. They also feared the EIT could become a competitor to existinguniversities.

In bricks and mortar terms, the EIT will manifest itself as a secretariat inBudapest, Hungary, administering key work managed by groups calledknowledge and information communities or KICs. These autonomous groups ofhigher education institutions and companies are at the heart of the EIT, havingcontrol over budgets: they will generate and allot research spending on prioritytopics as they see fit. Under the EIT law, each KIC must have at least threepartner organisations established in at least two EU member states, one of whichmust be a higher education institution and another a private company. Innovativeenergy companies will be able to participate in these KICs and furthermore theywill be able to create consortia with academics to secure funding for jointresearch projects managed by these KICs, under detailed rules that will bereleased later.

In this regard, renewable energy companies will be happy that the EU Council ofMinisters and the European Parliament agreed that the first KICs were likely toinclude communities dedicated to funding research into renewable energy or



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climate change-related technologies. The EIT governing board should selectKICs in areas that help the EU to face today's and tomorrow's challenges, suchas climate change, sustainable mobility, energy efficiency or the next generationof information and communication technologies (ICT), said a parliamentaryamendment to the EITs founding regulation.

This followed a European Commission policy paper (Communication) on theinitiative saying the KICs strategic interdisciplinary subjects should representkey technological challenges in a long term perspective, where there is thepotential to generate innovative solutions and commercial advantages with amajor impact on Europes competitiveness. They should be areas with businessrelevance and an agenda between fundamental research and downstreamapplied research, particularly in new areas of enquiry which require a multi-disciplinary approach, such asgreen energy.

So, without doubt the EIT will spend a lot of money on energy research,

especially alternative energy and climate change innovation.

The EIT has elected Prof. Dr. Martin Schuurmans as chairman of its governingboard. He is a physics professor at and a former executive vice president ofPhilips Research. A Dutchman, he is currently chairman of the internationaladvisory board to the Sino-Dutch Biomedical School of Information Engineering(BMIE) in Shenyang, China, which he co-founded and was its dean from 2006-7.

As ever with EU funding initiatives, it pays to monitor formal announcements see http://ec.europa.eu/eit*More seventh framework programme information:*http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/home_en.html*http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/*http://ec.europa.eu/research/consultations/list_en.html*http://cordis.europa.eu/technology-platforms/home_en.html*http://erc.europa.eu/pdf/erc-draftwp-2007_en.pdf*http://ec.europa.eu/erc/index_en.cfm* http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/understand_en.html* http://ec.europa.eu/research/fp7/understanding/index.html

Keynote's European Renewable Energy Industry Market Research ReportPublished by Keynote in March 2008In this Key Note Market Assessment report, the EU renewable energy industry isdescribed and analysed in terms of statistics, industry structure and corporatedevelopments. Renewable energy is a vital part of the EU's energy, for two mainreasons. The principal reason i...(more)

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5. Renewable energy means transport too

PROGRESS in renewable energy is often considered to be an issue of greenelectricity generation, but of course transport is a key potential consumer ofrenewable energy. Given the preoccupation of the auto industry these trying days

to merely survive past the next quarter, it is refreshing to learn of an internationalproject dealing with the environmental effects of a road transport sector actuallyprojected to grow and grow in the long term, as the developing world gets richerand more mobile. Such is the concern of a '50 by 50' Global Fuel EconomyInitiative launched in March by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), theInternational Energy Agency (IEA), the International Transport Forum (ITF) andthe FIA [Fdration Internationale de l'Automobile] Foundation.

Far from predicting the gloomy collapse of car makers, this initiative looksbeyond the current downturn and has released a report claiming: The worldscar fleet is expected to triple by 2050, with 80% of the growth in rapidly

developing economies. Should this come to pass, the climate change risk posedby auto-based carbon emissions will be immense, says the report, which whileaccepting the car manufacturing industry is facing huge difficulties in theeconomic recession, stresses the need to find ways to reconcile legitimateaspirations for mobility, an ambitious reduction in CO2 from cars worldwide, andglobal economic recovery.

Worthy goals indeed: and the four partners have drafted detailed blueprints onhow this should be achieved. Its goal is a global car fleet that runs on 50% lessfuel by 2050, stabilising its greenhouse gas emissions, with intermediate goalsfor 2020 and 2030. These are far from being tough to achieve. For the 2020 aimof a 20% improvement in emissions for all cars on the road, the initiative thinksthis can be achieved via improvements in new car fuel economy and additionalmeasures such as eco-driving, improved aftermarket service and better vehiclemaintenance.

For a 30% average improvement in emissions from new cars by 2030, the reportsuggests incremental improvements and full hybridisation of most models ofvehicles. Indeed, it stresses a wholesale move to plug-in hybrids, electric andfuel cell vehicles would not be required, although it would be beneficial, naturally.If this 2030 goal is met, the natural replacement of old vehicles should fulfill the2050 target - effectively front loading necessary change in the first two decadesof this plan. David Ward, FIA Foundation director general said the partners wouldpush for tax incentives and conduct information campaigns to help encourageconsumer demand for more fuel efficient cars. An early step planned for 2009 bythe four partners will be developing a fuel economy information database forfleets and private motorists. UNEP executive director Achim Steiner said: Wewould urge the world's car and component makers to get on board to prove thatthey too are part of the solution. See



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http://www.fiafoundation.org/50by50/documents/50BY50_report.pdffor fulldetails.

One key potential technology and one that has the year of the EuropeanCommission is the development of hydrogen fuel cells as a pollution-free

renewable energy system for powering cars, lorries, vans and buses. These fuelcells combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, heat, and water(which is its only real emission).The fuel cell will produce electricity as long asfuel (hydrogen) is supplied, so the key issue here as well as producinghydrogen fuelled automobiles, is ensuring the construction of hydrogen refuellingnetworks that are as comprehensive as those for petrol and diesel. In pureenvironmental terms this technology is greener than biofuels, especially thosefirst generation fuels that are made from food commodities, which not onlyrequire a lot of energy to produce, they consume important food sources andtheir combustion creates greenhouse gas emissions.

The European Union (EU) is particularly keen on hydrogen fuel-cell technologyand has launched a long-planned Euro 1 billion budget joint technology initiativeon fuel cells and hydrogen. This project is designed to coordinate Europes automakers, parts manufacturers, energy firms, EU institutions and governments incommercialising hydrogen fuel cell technologies between 2010 and 2020. Andthe whole process is supposed to be lubricated with liberal amounts of cash:witness the headline grabbing Euro 1 billion budget.

EU research Commissioner Janez Potonik was enthusiastic at the projectsformal launch at its Stakeholders General Assembly, staged in Brussels lastOctober. He said: This brings together the most significant players to put Europeahead of the game in new energy technologies. He said it provides us with theunique opportunity to implement our plans on a large European scale, adding:To prepare the market for these strategic technologies it is not only needed forthe relevant industrial sectors to develop the supply chain but to ensurecooperation between research, industry and government, at regional, nationaland European level.

Looking at the organisational nitty gritty, the project will be led by a governingboard, with daily management and operations the responsibility of an executivedirector supported by a programme office in Brussels. A scientific committee willadvise the board, as will a national government states representatives groupand the annual general assembly. Its European Union money will be drawn fromthe EUs seventh framework programs which funds the bulk of Commissionresearch initiatives.

And this money is starting to be squeezed into the project. The Commission hasalready released its first call for research proposals aimed at developinghydrogen fuel cell technology, with Euro 28.1 million being made available in the

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first tranche of funding announced earlier this month. Of this, Euro 8.9 million isearmarked for transport and refuelling infrastructure research, includingdemonstration projects of vehicles, fuel cell stacks and compressed hydrogenonboard storage. The deadline for submitting proposals for this cash is January15, 2009, and auto industry companies may most certainly apply. See

http://cordis.europa.eu/fp7/dc/index.cfm?fuseaction=UserSite.FP7DetailsCallPage&call_id=172#infopack for details.

There has been criticism of the scheme, however. According to the Europeanfuel cell and hydrogen association FuelCellEurope, this Fuel Cells and HydrogenJoint Technology Initiative (JTI) to give its ponderous full name is actuallyless than generous. Its president Marcus Nurdin said the EU would actually onlyprovide Euro 470 million of the budget, with the rest being levered in from outsidesources. And also, crucially Euro 1 billion is far from what is needed to makeEurope the world leader in hydrogen fuel cell technologies. In fact Euro 7.4billion of public and private resources are actually needed for this job, claimed

Nurdin. He added: From an industry perspective we welcome this initiative,however as we have explained regularly over the past two years, we dont thinkEuropean Commissions commitment is matching the expectations and themagnitude of the opportunity offered by fuel cell and hydrogen technologies toaddress energy security and climate change issues.

And as well as the money not being good enough, FuelCellEurope - whichrepresents fuel cell equipment manufacturers, users, energy companies and automanufacturers - is also unhappy with how the initiative will be run.The initial aim, it claims, was that it would be an industry-run program withminimal red tape. None of this is being achieved with the current EuropeanCommission proposal and attitude, and industry is being asked to take asubstantial financial burden to run the program office and administrative costs,without getting anything concrete in return, fumed a very critical note from theassociation.

Whatever happens with the technology initiative and its budget, to ease theintroduction of this technology across Europe and make sure it is not hamperedby conflicting national standards, the European Union (EU) has developed anEU-wide technical standard for hydrogen vehicles. It secured widespread supportat the European Parliament, whose spokesman on the issue (called itsrapporteur in parliamentary jargon) Arlene McCarthy, a British Labour MEP,said: At a time when petrol prices in Europe have doubled and with ever growingconcern about the effects of climate change it is clear we need new hopes forfuture fuels.

Noting that the sale of alternative fuelled vehicles in Britain had grown from just afew hundred in 2000 to over 16,000 last year, she noted that hydrogen cars are

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only on the cusp of large scale production, adding: This new law will boost thedevelopment of these vehicles while ensuring they are reliable and safe.The parliament and European Commission had been concerned that becausehydrogen vehicles are not current included within the EU type-approval systemfor vehicle standards, national governments may start approving vehicle designs

on a piecemeal basis.

A parliamentary statement warned that each 27 EU member government mightthen draw up potentially contrasting standards: This would lead to high costs formanufacturers, create safety risks and also considerably impede the spread ofhydrogen technology in the EU. A European standard could also influenceAmerican and Asian regulators, who are considering their own hydrogen vehiclestandards, helping make these compatible, the statement added.

MEPs passed some amendments to the proposal, including a commitment formember states and the European Commission to subsidise the development of

hydrogen filling station networks. Also, the parliament wanted the standardexpanded to include motor-cycles and also to ensure that emergency rescueservices are warned automatically through intelligent vehicle systems about thehydrogen power source of a vehicle involved in an accident.

And it is not just road transport that could benefit from hydrogen-fuel celltechnology. EU-funded researchers are developing what will be the firsthydrogen fuel-cell operated airplane. Financed by Euro 2.9 million from the EU,the Environmentally Friendly Inter City Aircraft will be created at ItalysPolytechnic of Turin, and should take two more years to develop.The goal of the project is to build an intercity shuttle aircraft that uses fuel celltechnology for the propulsion system, and hydrogen storage.These technologies would also be developed to replace on-board electricalsystems.

Romeo Giulio, Project coordinator and Professor of Airplane Design andAerospace Structures from the Turin Polytechnic University said: Hydrogen andfuel cell power technologies have now reached the point where they can beexploited to initiate a new era of propulsion systems for light aircraft and smallcommuter aircraft.

Mr Giulio said the advantages of using fuel cell engines and power systemswould be low noise and low emissions, features vital for commuter aeroplanesthat usually take off and land in urban areas. He stressed that the ability to takeoff and land without breaking noise regulations in towns and cities would allowthe use of airfields late at night.

The fuel cell system will be installed in selected aircraft and then flight andperformance tested.



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6. Market Studies & Reports

Water Utilities: Extended Global Industry Guide : DatamonitorPublished by Datamonitor in May 2009Datamonitor's Water Utilities: Extended Global Industry Guide is an essential

resource for top-level data and analysis covering the Water Utilities industry. Itincludes detailed data on market size and segmentation, textual analysis of thekey trends and competitive la...(more)

Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012Published by RNCOS in May 2009Solar energy offers enormous potential for a tropical country like India wherearound 45% of households, mainly rural ones, do not have access to electricity,

says a new research report Indian Solar Energy Market Outlook 2012 from a

leading research company RNCOS. Ind...(more)

The impact of the economic downturn on the renewables sector : DatamonitorPublished by Datamonitor in April 2009IntroductionIn a period of economic decline and environmental regulation tosource green energy by the EU Commission utilities are exposed to increasingpressure to mitigate costs as well as make the correct environmental choiceseither through M&A or through organi...(more)

Analyzing the Asian Wind Power IndustryPublished by Aruvian Research in April 2009Global demand for energy is increasing at a breathtaking pace, and this isparticularly true in China, India and other rapidly developing economies.

However, as demand on finite petroleum reserves and the price of the fuelsderived from them continues to rise, renewable...(more)

Analyzing Renewable Portfolio Standards in the USPublished by Aruvian Research in April 2009A renewable portfolio standard (RPS) is a regulatory policy that requires theincreased production of energy from renewable resources, such as wind, solar,biomass, and geothermal.The RPS mechanism generally places an obligation onelectricity supply companies to produc...(more)

Best practice in harnessing large scale renewable technologies

Published by Datamonitor in March 2009IntroductionWith ever tightening environmental legislation and growing consumerinterest in renewable energy, increasing numbers of utilities are adopting largescale renewable power technologies as core parts of their long-term generationstrategies. Yet, not all marke...(more)

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Analyzing the Wind Power Industry in MexicoPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009By the end of the year 2008, 120 gigawatts of wind power capacity were installedworldwide, after 94 gigawatts by the end of 2007. Already today wind providesmore than 1.5% of the global electricity consumption and the wind industry

employs half a million people. Curre...(more)

Analyzing the Wind Power Industry in AustriaPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009As demand on finite petroleum reserves and the price of the fuels derived fromthem continues to rise, renewable forms of energy are becoming more cost-effective and profitable. In the forefront of this renewable revolution is harnessingthe sustainable power of wind.To...(more)

Leading Countries in Global Wind Energy IndustryPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009

In many parts of the world, wind energy has already grown to be a mainstreamenergy source. This growth has long been driven by concerns about globalclimate change, mainly in the developed world and especially in Europe.Windenergy has emerged as the most attractive so...(more)

Analyzing the Landfill Gas IndustryPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009With the increasing global focus of energy conservation and stress on cleangeneration, Landfill Gas has emerged as a source which is available backdoor, isproven to be economical in cost perspective and is a growing energy resource inthe modern world. The mounting ad...(more)Looking at the Potential of Carbon SequestrationPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009Zooming levels of CO2 from rapid industrialization have started to emerge nowas more than just statistics on the environmental radar. Atmospheric levels ofCO2 have risen from pre-industrial levels of 280 parts per million (ppm) topresent levels of 375 ppm. The heavy ...(more)

Understanding BiofuelsPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009The topic of biofuels has drawn increased interest worldwide in the wake ofsteeply-climbing fossil fuel prices in 2005-2006. In late 2006/early 2007 pricesbegan to subside, but are unlikely to return to their former levels. The painfulexperience of national economies...(more)

Biofuel Industry in the United StatesPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009Biofuels are liquid, solid, or gaseous fuels derived from renewable biological

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sources. Biomass can be burned directly for thermal energy or converted to otherhigh-value energy sources including ethanol, biodiesel, methanol, hydrogen, ormethane. Currently, ethanol fro...(more)

Analyzing Geothermal Energy

Published by Aruvian Research in March 2009The race for alternative energy sources has begun in the right earnest ascommunities and governments realize the unsustainable nature of present dayenergy production and consumption practices; an important event in this racehas been the recognition and harnessing of ...(more)

Analyzing Hydropower EnergyPublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009The role of water as a multi-faceted necessity for humans cannot be morestressed upon since as many adaptive uses that were demanded of it by

civilizations; water has met most of them or in some cases - all. Natures most

wonderful resource never ceases to amaze imagin...(more)

Looking at Small Hydropower in EuropePublished by Aruvian Research in March 2009The role of water as a multi-faceted necessity for humans cannot be morestressed upon since as many adaptive uses that were demanded of it by

civilizations; water has met most of them or in some cases - all. Natures most

wonderful resource never ceases to amaze imagin...(more)

Global Biofuels Industry

Published by Aruvian Research in March 2009Although biofuels are mainly used to replace or supplement the traditionalpetroleum-based transportation f

renewable energy factbook 2009

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