|
Use this area to offer a short preview of your email's content.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Newsletter - September 2014
|
|
|
Dear Reader,
 You find enclosed this year’s third REN21 Newsletter providing a concise overview of exciting news from the REN21 Secretariat as well as our network members. The “rentrée” is full of activities such as the launch of IRENA’s first edition of its institutional publication “Rethinking Energy”, the publication of IEA’s annual Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report as well as the finalisation of the Mini-grid Policy Toolkit just to name a few.
September 21st—just ahead of the UN Secretary General’s Climate Summit—about 400,000 people marched in the streets of New York, raising their voices for urgent climate action. They were joined by people in over 160 countries, participating in similar events. The symbolism of these events coinciding with International Peace Day calls attention—once again—to the fact that many conflicts witnessed around the world are directly linked to access to conventional energy sources. A transition to renewable energy not only benefits our climate but can play a role in facilitating peace in this world.
The slogan of the People’s Climate March “To change everything, we need everybody” emphasises once again that saving the climate will require action from all of us. Members of the REN21 network make a small but considerable contribution to this call for action, some of which is featured in this newsletter edition.
Here at the REN21 Secretariat we continue to spread the word about renewable energy and its benefits. We are currently busy with preparations for REN21’s 10th anniversary celebration. Held mid-November in Bonn, Germany, the event will bring together many of our network partners. Stay tuned for the next newsletter where we will share some highlights of this memorable event!
Best wishes from Paris where the falling leaves of trees indicate the approaching change of season,
Christine Lins
Executive Secretary REN21
|
|
Successful Mini-grids!
 The International Energy Agency (IEA) anticipates that more than 50% of the rural population currently without energy access are best supplied with electricity via mini-grids. This future electrification provides a prime opportunity for renewables, whether to power new systems, replace or complement existing diesel-based systems. To support mini-grid expansion, REN21 has teamed up with EUEI PDF and ARE to develop a publication to help policy makers navigate the mini-grid policy design process. The Mini-grid Policy Toolkit: Policy and Business Frameworks for Successful Minigrid Roll-outs provides users with the basics of mini-grid rural electrification, outlines mini-grid operator models and the economics of mini-grids and provides guidance on necessary and policy and regulation. The publication specifically focuses on Africa.
The official launch of the publication is 13 October, 2014 at the Ministerial Conference: "Italy-Africa Working Together for a Sustainable Energy Future" in Rome, Italy. Join us at the Panel 1 event: "How to Reduce Political and Regulatory Risks" and get your own hardcopy. Please contact us directly if you have any questions.
|
|
Renewables and Energy Efficiency in West Africa
 The ECOWAS Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Status Report is in its final stages of design. This 80+page report details policies, markets, investments and activities on energy efficiency in Western Africa. A number of figures and tables allow the read to compare developments across the 15 country region. The report will be launched in cooperation with ECREEE in November. It will be available in three languages: English, French and Portuguese.
|
|
GSR: on-going work
Interest in the GSR 2014 continues with requests for interviews and on-going Tweets, including one by Executive Secretary UNFCCC Christine Figueres. At the time of writing, there have been almost 600 articles on the GSR2014 in 14 different languages. All the data collected and verified during the GSR 2014 process are now available on the Interactive Map.
Work has begun on the 2015 version of the GSR. The first round of data collection will start late October. The GSR 2015 Special Feature will focus on renewable energy and climate change. Anticipated side bars include: energy efficiency; accounting of waste-to-energy and incineration; indicators used by energy access players to track progress and a presentation of innovative tools for distributed renewable energy data collection.
|
|
Mapping the World
REN21’s Interactive Map is now part of the World Bank’s Climate-Smart Planning Platform. This platform integrates the existing World Bank’s Climate Change Knowledge Portal with other tools—like the REN21 Interactive Map—to provide access to comprehensive global, regional, and country-level climate-related information, data, as well as tools for resilience planning at different levels of detail. The Platform is being developed continually; it is anticipated that over time the content will be expanded to broader issues of green growth and climate resilient development. Give it a try!
|
|
Medium-Term Market Report Now Available
The International Energy Agency (IEA) launched its Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report (MTMR), 28 August 2014. The 2014 MTMR assesses market trends for renewables in the electricity, transport and heat sectors, identifying drivers and challenges to deployment, and making projections through 2020.
In 2013, renewable power capacity expanded at its fastest pace to date. Renewable power generation continued to grow strongly, reaching almost 22% of the global mix, compared with 21% in 2012 and 18% in 2007. Globally, renewable electricity generation is now on par with that of natural gas, which remained relatively stable in 2013. Investment in new renewable power capacity topped USD 250 billion globally in 2013 and is likely to remain at high levels.
Nevertheless, policy and market risks increasingly cloud the development picture, raising concerns over how fast renewables can scale up to meet long-term deployment objectives. Just when renewables are becoming a cost-competitive option in an increasing number of cases, policy uncertainty is rising in some key OECD markets. Renewables continue to spread in emerging markets, where fast-growing power demand and diversification needs provide strong deployment drivers. Still, barriers to development remain in a number of non-OECD areas, including China. As a result, despite strong anticipated generation growth, renewable power capacity additions and investment are expected to level off through 2020. Meanwhile, biofuels for transport and renewables for heat continue to grow, though at slower rates than renewable electricity and with persistent policy challenges.
This year’s edition provides projections for renewable electricity technologies, a global biofuels supply forecast and an extended analysis of final energy use of renewables for heat. For the first time an investment outlook for renewable power capacity is presented.
The Executive Summary can be found here. The book is also available at the IEA bookshop. For copies of the press release and the presentation materials from the launch, click here.
|
|
REthinking Energy
Economic forces, global population growth, the threat of climate change and rapid technological progress have combined to set in motion a major transformation of the global energy system. REthinking Energy, the new flagship publication of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), analyses this transformation and reviews the world’s progress towards a sustainable energy future.
The first edition, released in September, focuses on scaling up renewables in the power sector.By 2030, the world’s population will reach eight billion, demanding 60% more electricity than Fortunately, renewable energy sources and technologies provide a viable way to meet that demand, as well as sharply reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from the burning of fossil fuels.But to keep atmospheric CO2 concentrations below 450 parts per million, we need to speed up the energy revolution.IRENA’s report suggests new approaches to electricity-systems planning, market design, policy frameworks and funding, along with training and education in the fast-growing sector. Future edition will expand this approach to several end-use sectors, which also offer tremendous scope for renewable energy deployment. Click here to learn more.
|
|
Building Regional Capacity
Three new regional sustainable energy centres for small island developing states (SIDS) for the Pacific, Caribbean and the Indian Ocean have been launched. Linking with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), this south-south network responds to the urgent need for enhanced regional capacities to promote sustainable energy markets and industries in SIDS. The centres will scale-up national efforts in the areas of policy implementation, capacity building, knowledge and technology transfer, as well as investment and business promotion. They will help to empower local private sector and industry to benefit from sustainable energy investment and job opportunities.
The network—which will serve all SIDS regions—consists of the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), and the newly established Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) and the Indian Ocean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (IOCREEE). Launched at the Third International Conference for Small Island Developing States, 1-4 September 2014 in Apia, Samoa, this south-south multi-stakeholder partnership is coordinated by the Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Sustainable Energy Mechanism: SIDS DOCK, and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The Governments of Austria and Spain provide financial support.
|
|
Water-Energy-Food Sustainability
 A new report released by REEEP shows how businesses can take the lead in creating sustainable solutions within the water-energy-food nexus. But governments must do more to help small businesses benefit from the value added of integrated thinking about water, energy, and food. The report, "Making the Case: How Agrifood Firms are Building New Business Cases in the Water-Energy-Food Nexus", focusses specifically on the food-producing agriculture sector, the single most prominent sub-sector of the water-energy-food equation.
Making the Case was commissioned by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to support their global work on advocating for “nexus thinking” in agriculture and food production. The report can be found here.
|
|
Status of World Wind Market: Half-year report 2014
 This recently released report details the current status of the world-wide wind market. As of June 2014, worldwide wind capacity reached 336.3 GW out of which 17,613 MW were added in the first six months of 2014. This increase is substantially higher than in the first half of 2013 and 2012, when 13.9 GW and 16.4 GW were added, respectively. The global wind capacity grew by 5.5% within the first six months—compared to a 5 % increase for the same period in 2013 and 7.3 % in 2012. By mid-2014 currently installed wind capacity was meeting approximately 4 % of the world’s electricity demand.
Other notable mid-year developments include Asia overtaking Europe as the leading wind continent with China having close to 100 GW of installed capacity. Brazil is now the third largest market for new wind turbines with 360 GW of installed capacity expected by end of 2014. These positive developments are due primarily to the economic advantages of wind power, including its increasing competitiveness, as well as the pressing need for emission-free technologies to mitigate climate change impacts and air pollution. To read the full report, click here.
|
|
World Bioenergy Association Report
 September 2014 saw the first commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol plant begin production. Located in Iowa, USA, the plant is a joint venture between the Dutch Company DSM and the US company POET—a large producer of corn ethanol. At full capacity the plant will convert 770 tons of baled corn cobs, straws and husks per day to produce 25 million US gallons of cost-competitive cellulosic ethanol annually.
For advanced biofuels to enter the market on a commercial scale governments must establish and maintain reliable long lasting framework conditions to drive investment in commercial-scale facilities that produce cost-competitive alternative fuels. Establishing such incentives will ensure that the development of advanced biofuels infrastructure retains its momentum over the next decade. Visit our website for more information.
|
|
UAE and Pacific Countries Kick-start Renewables Deployment
 The United Arab Emirates have begun a new round of renewable energy investment in the Pacific with the commissioning of Samoa's first wind farm. The 550 kW plant is 'cyclone-proof', with turbines that can be lowered and secured prior to harsh weather; it is expected to avoid diesel imports totalling annually USD 475,000.
This project is part of the USD 50 million UAE-Pacific Partnership Fund which looks to normalise renewable energy in regional markets in advance of commercial financing. The UAE has also signed EPC contracts for solar PV projects in Tuvalu and Fiji where feed-in into the grid via new control technology is anticipated. Projects in Tonga (concentrated PV), the Seychelles (wind), and the Maldives (waste-to-energy) are also underway.
UAE concessional support to SIDS for renewable energy has reached nearly USD 100 million in the last 12 months and is set to expand under the SIDS Lighthouses initiative of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). This work—as lead up to the United Nations Conference on Small Island Developing States—is being carried out by Masdar and managed by Samoa's Electric Power Corporation.
|
|
District Energy in Cities
 UNEP has initiated a new Global Initiative on District Energy in Cities as an element of the Sustainable Energy for All District Energy Accelerator. Launched at the UN Climate Summit by 18 cities, 12 private sector companies and industry associations and 7 international partners, the initiative helps cities and sub-national/national governments accelerate low-carbon district energy systems and reap the multiple benefits of an inclusive green economy. UNEP and Danfoss are co-leading the work with ICLEI and UN-Habitat as lead partners.
“District Energy in Cities: Unlocking the Full Potential for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” will be the first in a series of guidance documents and tools within this new initiative. The publication is being produced by UNEP in collaboration with ICLEI, UN Habitat and the Copenhagen Center on Energy Efficiency. An advanced summary was released at the Climate Summit and can be downloaded here.
|
|
Future Energy Mix: Water as energy storage
 At World Water Week 2014, the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the Centre for Environmental Design of Renewable Energy (CEDREN) and the United Nations Institute for Integrated Management of Material Fluxes and Resources (UNU-FLORES) teamed up to host a seminar on “Water as Energy Storage for Better Integration of Renewables”. The seminar explored potential for creating new multi-purpose reservoirs, taking into account the increased need for water storage to many sectors, and the affected ecosystems.
The event involved an interactive discussion and the presentation of case studies on the role of water storage in balancing renewable energy systems. IHA chief executive Richard Taylor, when discussing the challenges in developing completely renewable systems, noted: “The storage and balancing system is changing—the time-frame in which we have to match supply and demand are getting tighter and tighter…..there is a need for more and more advanced equipment to keep the system reliable.” An in-depth review of the seminar and a link to watch a recording of the event are available here.
|
|
Renewable Energy Auctions: Business, politics and development together
GIZ is hosting this year’s Wind Energy and Development Dialogue. “Auction Systems for Wind Energy: Insights and lessons learned for emerging and developing economies” will discuss the role of auction systems for renewable energies. The success factors of auctions, the transferability of experiences in partner countries, and the employment effects of auction systems will be discussed. The event will feature speakers from a BMZ, BMWi, th
e Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Agora Energiewende, E3 Analytics, the German Wind Energy Institute, Vestas Central Europe, Siemens Wind Power and the Moroccan utility ONEE. Over 70 decision makers from partner countries will participate, including manufacturers, developers and operators from Germany.
The event is 9 October in Berlin, Germany. It is hosted by GIZ together with the German Wind Association (BWE) and the German Association of German Machinery and Equipment Constructors (VDMA Power Systems). For more information please visit VDMA PS or BWE .
|
|
WindEnergy Hamburg
 WindEnergy Hamburg—the premiere for WindEnergy at the Hamburg Fair site—was opened on 22 September, 2014 by Sigmar Gabriel, Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, and Vice-Chancellor of Germany. “Wind power has established itself worldwide, both as an economically viable industry and as a major element in energy policy,” said Sigmar Gabriel. “That is a great success and not least the result of the amazing development which has taken place over the last 20 years, especially in Germany.”
WindEnergy Hamburg is the ideal platform for dialogue and presentations by the global industry, showcasing their innovations, new technologies and services for the whole of the wind industry, both onshore and offshore. There are traditionally more than 1,200 exhibitors from over 30 countries, covering the whole of the value chain. Eighteen national pavilions bring together the companies from individual countries, including Denmark, Turkey, the USA, Japan and China.
As the official global partner of the event, GWEC organised a Global Market Forum on 25 September in the Hall B6 Forum. Participants had the chance to hear about the latest news in emerging wind markets around the world. There was an update on the potential for offshore wind in India, including information on a GWEC-led project to develop a roadmap for its development. CEOs from the industry associations from Brazil, South Africa and Turkey provided practical information for companies wishing to enter these markets, highlighting the challenges that businesses are likely to face and some solutions as to how to address these. For the full programme of the Global Market Forum, as well as other activities in which GWEC is involved throughout the week, click here.
|
|
Off-grid Gathering
The International Off-grid Renewables Energy Conference (IOREC II) gathered together more than 400 Asian and global key stakeholders in Manila, Philippines 16-17 June 2014. The event was designed to:
• gain insights into the current status of energy access in the region and gather perspectives from different stakeholders working towards improving access to modern energy services;
• identify solutions to overcome existing key barriers faced by various stakeholders to scale up off-grid renewable energy deployment in the region; and
• share best practices and lessons learnt about design and implementation of enabling policies, innovative financing solutions and fit-for-purpose renewable energy systems.
In parallel the IOREC Exhibition and the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) Business Delegation Asia Workshop provided opportunities for ongoing dialogue between public and private sector decision-makers. Building on the IOREC and the workshop, ARE is organising an ARE Energy Access Seminar (30 September 2014 in Brussels, Belgium) for experts to share lessons learnt.
|
|
Registration Now Open!
 The next World Geothermal Congress (WGC2015) will be held in Melbourne, Australia, April 2015. Organised every five years by the International Geothermal Association (IGA), the WGC is a unique event that brings together hundreds of key stakeholders from the worldwide geothermal community. There will be five days of technical sessions covering scientific, technical, business and societal topics. The Congress also provides significant networking opportunities, cultural events, field trips and short courses in Australia and New Zealand. A number of pre- and post-congress short courses are offered including:
• Geothermal well drilling, completion and testing
• Scaling and corrosion in geothermal development
• Reservoir engineering
• Electricity generation from low-temperature geothermal resources
• Reducing drilling risk
• Geothermal policy and implementation – The New Zealand example
Exquisite field trips in New Zealand and Australia will be a key part of the Congress and include a geothermal excursion (Victoria) and a Lord of the Rings and Hobbits Middle Earth adventure (New Zealand). Visit the conference website for more information.
|
|
|
October 2014
|
|
China Wind Power 2014
Beijing, China, 22-24 October 2014 | Event details
|
|
Local Renewables Conference 2014
Freiburg and Lörrach, Germany, 22-24 October 2014 | Event details
|
|
XXXVII Reunión de Trabajo de la Asociación Argentina de Energías Renovables y Ambiente
& ISES Latin American Regional Conference 2014
Misiones, Argentina, 28 - 31 October 2014 | Event details
|
|
November 2014
|
|
GeoPower Global Congress 2014
Istanbul, Turkey, 3-4 November 2014 | Event details
|
|
Windaba (GWEC)
Cape Town,South Africa 3-5 November 2014 | Event details
|
|
International Conference of Solar Energy Technology in Development Cooperation (OTTI)
Frankfurt/Main, Germany, 6-7 November 2014 | Event details
|
|
RELACCX 2014
Renewable Energy Latin America & Caribbean Conference & Exhibition
Fajardo, Puerto Rico, 20 - 21 November 2014 | Event details
|
|
RES4MED - Advanced Training Course
Integration of renewable energy solutions in the Mediterranean electricity markets
Milan, 17-28 November 2014 | Event details
|
|
December 2014
|
|
COP20
Lima, Peru,1-12 December 2014 | Event details
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
