Renewable Energy Focus

[Martin Janiga]

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Issue 299 30 October 2008   Planetary Ball Mills Research & Development departments in the fuel cell industry rely on Retsch's planetary ball mills when it comes to the fast and representative size reduction of solid electrolytes and materials for cathodes and anodes. These innovative mills achieve grind sizes down to the submicron range extremely fast and are also highly suitable for mechanical alloying. They are frequently used for grinding materials under inert gas thanks to the optional aeration cover and safety closure device for the grinding jars. Retsch's planetary ball mills are available with one, two or four grinding stations. They feature 1-button operation with graphics display as well as a wide variety of accessories and a built-in fan which cools the grinding chamber during operation. Read more...   News roundup News in brief - 29 October 2008 Green oil by 2020? The Carbon Trust is launching the Algae Biofuels Challenge seeking to commercialise the use of algae biofuel as an alternative to fossil based oil by 2020. Windmill on the radar Early tests of Cambridge Consultants' Holographic Infill Radar technology indicate that it can distinguish between turbine blades and other moving targets. Fuel cell energy recovery generation Enbridge, its utility, Enbridge Gas Distribution, and FuelCell Energy have announced the opening of what they call the world's first Direct Fuel Cell - Energy Recovery Generation power plant. JV formed for 620 MW wind in Texas Higher Perpetual Energy (HPE) and DeWind have signed a joint venture (JV) agreement to develop US$1.2 billion of Texas wind power through DeWind SWI Wind Farms, LLC. From flu-gas to algae-biomass GreenFuel Technologies Corporation and renewables management company Aurantia are now in the second phase of their joint project to develop and scale algae farming technologies in the Iberian Peninsula. Sponsor message: World Future Energy Summit 19-21 Jan 09, Abu Dhabi Join the leaders, be part of the solution Top government officials, global organisation heads, leading environmentalists and international investors will discuss, debate and plan for the Future of Energy. www.WorldFutureEnergySummit.com Tidal-powered data centre in Scotland Morgan Stanley and Atlantis Resources Corporation are planning a tidal-powered data centre in Scotland's Pentland Firth area between the Orkney Islands and the Scottish mainland. EY's Cleantech Matters - autumn 2008 The autumn 2008 edition of Cleantech Matters, a report on how leading businesses are responding to the challenges and opportunities resulting from climate change, as well as highlighting green building opportunities, has been released by Ernst & Young. Cutting offshore wind costs by >10% Five major international energy companies have joined forces with the UK Carbon Trust in a £30 million initiative to reduce the cost of energy from offshore wind by 10% or more. Planning and grid in way of UK 2020 targets Renewable Energy Systems (RES) says a survey of energy experts questions whether the UK 2020 target will be met because of planning and grid issues. Sponsor message: Fuel Cells ebook Collection Ultimate CD Complete Adobe PDF versions of six best-selling titles on one CD. 20% DISCOUNT at www.elsevierdirect.com Use offer code FCD08 at checkout. WFES expects "record numbers" A "record number" of heads of state, business leaders, politicians, investors and exhibitors have confirmed plans to participate in the second annual World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in January. OpenHydro develops tidal demo plant in France Irish OpenHydro has been selected by Électricité de France (EDF) to develop a tidal current demonstration farm to be connected to the French electricity grid. Renewable energy-specific batteries Trojan Battery Company has developed a new RE Series line of batteries for renewable energy applications. "Radical" changes needed in the UK The UK House of Lords European Union Committee has recommended in a new report that the UK will need to explore all options in energy production, distribution and energy efficiency if the country is to meet its EU target of 15% of energy from renewables by 2020. Sponsor message: FC EXPO-5th Int'l Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Expo 2009: If you want to start/expand your business in the promising future of the Fuel Cell industry, choose FC EXPO- the world's LARGEST exhibition specialising in Fuel Cell and Hydrogen, held on Feb. 25-27, 2009, in Tokyo Japan. For more information, click here. Masdar to invest in London Array E.ON and Masdar have joined forces on the 1 GW London Array offshore wind farm project in the UK - which, when built, could be the world's largest offshore scheme. BIPV roofing project in Pacific Northwest Solar Integrated Technologies will supply and install building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) roofing systems for what it says is the largest solar project in the Pacific Northwest, USA. SEPA challenges solar industry The Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) has issued a challenge to the US utility and solar industries to cooperate to meet aggressive solar electric capacity growth forecasts despite a struggling global and domestic economy. Wind energy revs up at BWEA 30 Opening the British Wind Energy Association's 30th annual conference and exhibition (BWEA 30), Prime Minister Gordon Brown announced that the UK has now overtaken Denmark - that noted Euro champion of all things green - in operational offshore wind capacity. Latest Features Printed Photovoltaics in Japan Dr Peter Harrop, Chairman at IDTechEx looks at printed photovoltaics in Japan and Asia. More features are available from renewable energy focus magazine. For information on subscribing, click here.         For more information www.renewableenergyfocus.com