Power generators must evaluate a range of energy futures

A new study highlighting the near-, mid- and long-term impacts of proposed U.S. federal environment regulations on gas, coal and other power markets, concludes that regulatory complexities and natural gas economics are driving these energy markets into the future.

Credit: Wikimedia Commons/Vbofficial

ICF International's study includes a retirement projection for U.S. coal plants leading up to the compliance date for the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Mercury and Air Toxics Standards rule, which remains steady at around ~60 GW, based on a regulatory portfolio that includes CO2 limits.
As the EPA moves forward with the rulemaking process for its proposed Clean Power Plan and U.S. states consider alternative paths to compliance, expected unit retirements, fuel prices and power prices will shift, according to ICF. Recent CO2 proposals for new power plants (New Source Performance Standard and Existing Source Performance Standard) will further strengthen current market trends favoring natural gas and renewable technologies.

http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/power-generators-must-evaluate-range-energy-futures/2014-10-08

Smart software a threat to power generators

Much has been made about the massive disruption that rooftop solar systems and distributed energy will bring to traditional energy business models. But there may be an even greater threat, the emergence of smart technology and software.
The growth of ‘negawatts’, where energy is not consumed, rather than megawatts is emerging as a major focus of industry analysts.
What is becoming increasingly apparent is that while the rollout of solar modules may be massively disruptive, the major battles may be fought over software and other gadgets that will further reduce demand on centralised fossil fuel generation.
What makes this battle interesting is that the challenge is not only coming from a group of technology start-ups and up-starts, it is coming from some of the biggest companies in the world, including Google and Apple.
In a recent report titled Energy 2020: The Revolution Will Not Be Televised as Disruptors Multiply, investment bank Citigroup has a quick look at some of the technologies that are going to make life increasingly difficult for incumbent business models.
It notes that Google’s purchase of Nest and Apple’s introduction of its ‘Home Kit’ signal a new era for energy demand management.
‘The potential for tech giants to monetise ‘negawatts’ through technology-facilitated energy efficiency represents a potentially significant transfer away from the hydrocarbon producers to the technologists, with utilities standing in the middle,’ Citi notes.
In June, Apple introduced its Home Kit, a suite of tools for controlling devices in your home such as thermostats and air conditioners, smart appliances, lights, cameras, garage-door openers, and security systems.
The idea of Home Kit is to create a ‘smart home’ that can be controlled from a smart phone or similar. Just by saying, ‘Get ready for bed’, to your iPhone or iPad could result in automatically dimming the lights and locking the doors.
As CNET reported recently: The home is viewed by many as the next big battlefront for tech companies. That not only includes TV but also a home’s security system, lights, washing machines, and other appliances. All of the devices would connect in a so-called Internet of Things that can be controlled by a person’s smartphone or tablet.
Apple isn’t the only company making a push to control the smart home. Google in January revealed plans to buy Nest Labs, the maker of the Learning Thermostat and the Protect smoke and carbon monoxide detector.
And Samsung that same month unveiled a new foundation for the smart home that would allow users to manage all of their appliance and devices through a single application.
Citi says of these developments: ‘Together (they) represent the early rumblings of a potentially epic battle between the tech giants and the conventional energy producers.’
It says energy demand management is one key aspect of the connected home, and the monetisation of ‘negawatts’ (an amount of energy unused due to greater efficiency or demand management).
Negawatts are now as big an industry as the production of megawatts of electricity.
As we reported in April, HSBC estimated the global market for energy efficiency was around $US375 billion in 2012, that’s as much as was invested in fossil fuel electricity generation in that year, and 1.5 times the amount invested in renewable energy.
The International Energy Agency estimates that energy efficiency measures have, since 1974, saved around two-thirds of the energy that might otherwise have been consumed.
This ‘decoupling’ of energy use and GDP growth, says HSBC, means that each billion of global GDP required almost 40 per cent less energy in 2012 than it did in 2002.
In all the scenarios painted by the IEA and others on tackling climate change, cutting pollution, decarbonising electricity and saving money, creating ‘negawatts’ rather than adding ‘megawatts’, is absolutely key in extending the so-called ‘carbon budget’.
And HSBC says there are four reasons why governments would want to encourage energy efficiency: energy security, industrial competitiveness and decarbonisation and pollution goals.
It says energy efficiency is widely recognised as the most powerful tool to meet the challenges of energy demand and security. It can also help meet decarbonisation targets along with enhancing economic competitiveness.
But it is the entry of these new players, with expertise in consumer engagement, that also represents an existential threat to utilities, which have a notoriously poor level of engagement with customers, and little to no brand loyalty.
And it is not just the tech giants that are entering the market. Home security and telcos are also assessing their options.
Late last week, Protection 1, a closely held security company backed by private equity firm GTCR, announced it will start selling solar panels to customers.
The home and commercial security and automation company has almost two million customers in the US. CEO Timothy Whall told Bloomberg that profits from the fast-growing solar market could ‘easily equal’ those from its security business.
‘We certainly like the financial model and it’s a nice extension from our home automation business,’ Whall said. ‘The timing is good for the solar business.’
Protection 1 will offer systems for no money upfront to lease customers in a bid to tap increasing demand from households seeking to cut power bills. Home security and automation company Vivint is already the second-largest home solar installer.

http://www.echo.net.au/2014/08/smart-software-threat-power-generators/

Human saliva to run tiny power generators!

New York: Soon, you can check your sugar levels or ovulation changes with bacteria-generated fuel technology powered by your spit!

According to an international team of engineers, saliva-powered, micro-sized microbial fuel cells can produce minute amounts of energy sufficient to run on-chip applications.

Microbial fuel cells create energy when bacteria break down organic material producing a charge that is transferred to the anode.

“There is a lot of organic stuff in saliva,” said Bruce E. Logan, a professor of environmental engineering at Pennsylvania State University.

“By producing nearly 1 microwatt in power, this saliva-powered microbial fuel already generates enough power to be directly used as an energy harvester in microelectronic applications," fellow researcher Justine E. Mink added.

The researchers believe that the emergence of ultra-low-power chip-level biomedical electronics, devices able to operate at sub-microwatt power outputs, is becoming a reality.

One possible application would be a tiny ovulation predictor based on the conductivity of a woman's saliva, which changes five days before ovulation.

“The device would measure the conductivity of the saliva and then use the saliva for power to send the reading to a nearby cell phone,” Mink explained.

Biomedical devices using microbial fuel cells would be portable and have their energy source available anywhere.

However, saliva does not have the type of bacteria necessary for the fuel cells and manufacturers would need to inoculate the devices with bacteria from the natural environment, the researchers added.

The anode is composed of carbon nanomaterial graphene.

Other microbial fuel cells used graphene oxide, but the researchers showed that pure multi-layered graphene can serve as a suitable anode material.

While the researchers tested this mini microbial fuel cell using acetate and human saliva, it can use any liquid with sufficient organic material, said the study reported in the journal Nature Publishing Group's Asia Materials.

http://zeenews.india.com/news/science/human-saliva-to-run-tiny-power-generators_922328.html

A-Plant's Milton Keynes depot invests in Power Generation

A-Plant’s Milton Keynes depot has recently introduced Power Generation equipment to its fleet; the new generators will complement the depot’s existing fleet of portable accommodation units offering customers a one-stop shop for their site welfare needs. Over £250,000 has been invested in a brand new fleet of 35 Generators ranging between 15kVA – 100kVA, together with over 35 associated products such as Fuel Tanks, Distribution Boards and Cables.

The fleet is based around SDMO-manufactured generators which are fully-compliant with the Tier 3 regulations of the European Engine Emissions Directives 97/68/EC, 2002/88/EC, 2004/26/EC and 2006/105/EC, which came into force during 2011. The generators will provide customers with efficient and cost-effective power generation options whilst addressing important environmental issues through low noise levels and reduced ground pollution.

A-Plant’s Regional Sales Director Steven King said, “The depot is in an ideal location to serve the Homes Counties. Introducing generators into the depot has further enhanced its product offering, and the recent severe weather has meant we have now been able to support our customers with their emergency planning in terms of generator hire”.

A-Plant is one of the UK’s largest hirers of Plant, Tools and Specialist Equipment with more than 2,200 employees nationwide and over 30,000 customers in the construction, industrial, commercial, utility, public sector, homeowner and events markets. The firm, which forms part of FTSE-100 company Ashtead Group plc, has in excess of 110,000 items of Plant, Tools and Specialist Equipment available to hire from over 125 Service Centres across Great Britain.

http://www.mkweb.co.uk/Business/Technology/A-Plants-Milton-Keynes-depot-invests-in-Power-Generation-20140306170848.htm

Boilers not caught looking ahead, blow out Princeton

Nobody could blame the Kewanee Boilermakers for having an eye on Friday night’s showdown with top-ranked Rockridge.

But that didn’t prevent the Boilers from taking care of business in Princeton Tuesday night as they rolled the Tigers 89-57 in the Three Rivers Conference South battle at Prouty Gym.

"They've got Rockridge Friday and I told (the Tigers) we might catch them looking ahead. We had a nice start, but then didn't score for the last three or four minutes and they went on a run," said Princeton coach Jesse Brandt.

The Tigers hit Kewanee with an early 9-4 run, but the Boilers responded with an 18-2 surge to lead 22-11 at the quarter.

“Princeton came out they were ready to go,” said Kewanee coach Steve Salisbury. “We’ve talked a lot about taking it one game at a time so that Friday’s game is important. The kids have done a really good job of staying focused on the game at hand.”

Dalton Nuding scored 12 points for Kewanee in the first quarter, and Donovan Oliver fueled the Boilers in the second frame. Oliver’s trey and slam dunk, along with a Nuding layup, extended the lead to 30-15.

The Boilers led 41-27 at the half and weathered a Princeton push early in the third quarter before blowing the game open. Kewanee outscored Princeton 26-19 in the third frame to move the margin to 67-43.

Oliver led the Boilers with 24 points, followed by Nuding with 22.

“It’s amazing what he gets done down low,” said Salisbury of his 5-10 senior forward Nuding. “The last three or four weeks he’s been playing really well.”

Princeton’s coach offered praise for Oliver’s play.

“He is long and athletic and knows basketball. He doesn't try to do too much,” said Brandt of the KHS soph.

The win lifts Kewanee to 17-4 and 8-1 in the TRAC South, and shines the spotlight on Friday’s home White Out date with Rockridge.

“I expect it to be a little wild in there,” said Salisbury of Brockman Gym Friday night.

Riveters top Princeton — The Princeton sophomores have two losses in Three Rivers Conference South play, both courtesy of the Riveters.

Kewanee’s sophomores defeated the Tigers in Tuesday night’s opener 55-45. Zach Brown and Ryan Hansen led Kewanee with 15 points each, followed by Tanner Arzola with 12. Colton Johnson grabbed a team-high 14 rebounds.

The Riveters are 10-7 overall and 6-3 in conference.

(Kevin Hieronymus of the Bureau County Republican and Mike Landis of the Star Courier contributed to this story.)

http://www.starcourier.com/article/20140205/NEWS/140209541 

Uganda to increase power generation

KAMPALA, UGANDA–The commissioning of the 250MW Bujagali Hydro Power dam in 2012 gave Uganda a sigh of relief given that the months preceding it, were characterized by widespread load-shedding. 

This had grossly affected Uganda’s competitiveness as manufacturers and traders incurred high costs of operation because they resorted to using generators.

Statistics from Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) show that Uganda’s current total installed capacity is 682MW. Registered peak system demand in December 2013 stood at 503MW compared to 506MW in November.

However, the country needs to find additional sources of power given that the demand for electricity is growing at an annual rate of between 10-12%.

As a result, the country is looking at alternative sources of energy. Last year, ERA and the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development issued several permits for different projects that will ease the increasing power demand in the country.

The much anticipated commencement of construction of Karuma Dam by Sinohydro, a Chinese Firm contracted by the government of Uganda to construct the 600MW Karuma dam begun.

A team of financiers from Exim Bank of China were in December 2013 taken on an assessment tour of the project site as negations for funding were drawing to a conclusion. They afterwards met the Finance Minister Maria Kiwanuka to close the deal.

Speaking to journalists later on, Mr. Song Yi Jun, Sinohydro Project Manager said, “As you can see, we have started assembling equipment and soon full scale construction will be under way.”

The firm has lined up 500 Chinese Experts to provide for the task which will see some 3000 locals directly employed at the peak period. 

The Chinese government will provide 85% of the total project cost through a loan while Uganda will provide the remaining 15% and is to be completed with 60 months.

Isimba hydropower project with an installed capacity of 183MW is also being developed by China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE). The power plant and associated evacuation line will also be developed under bilateral cooperation between Uganda and China with the Chinese government providing a loan amounting to 85% of the total project cost with Uganda covering the other. The project will take 40 months.

Uganda also launched a country framework for nuclear that will help Uganda generate enough nuclear power which will only be used “for peaceful purposes.”

Launching the program, Prime Minister AmamaMbabazi said that the nuclear plan matches nuclear technology to national priorities for sustainable development.

The nuclear energy project was signed last year between Uganda and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Mbabazi said the drive for investment that Uganda craves for cannot be realized if there is no supporting infrastructure like electricity, roads and railways that lower the cost of doing business.

According to Dr. Benon Mutambi, the Chief Executive Officer, ERA, The existing supply from renewable sources is sufficient to meet the current demand. We have reserve capacity of 100MW from two heavy fuel oil-based plants, one in Tororo and the other in Namanve. 

“However, we recognize that this is expensive which must be dispatched only as a last resort as demand continues to grow. During 2013, the heavy fuel oil plants were not dispatched,” he told journalists at a briefing to share the developments in the electricity sub-sector recently.

He also told the press that the Authority has in place plans to increase the uptake of renewable energy projects so as to accelerate them into production.

“Among plans is the Global Energy Transfer for Feed-in-Tariffs (GETFiT) scheme which aims at incentivizing developers to accelerate renewable energy projects into production and includes a premium range 1-2 cents per kilowatt hour on Renewable Energy Feed-in-Tariffs (REFiT).

“It avails a guarantee scheme to enhance the bankability of the projects and a syndicate of concessional funding from international financial institutions.”

According to ERA, the first round of bidding for the GETFiT resulted in qualification of eight renewable energy projects with a combined installed capacity of 83.7MW. Construction of these projects starts this year and will be commissioned within two to three years. 

The second round of bidding for the remaining capacity of 67MW was initiated towards the end of 2013 and more renewable energy projects are expected to qualify for the GETFiT premium. 

In addition to GETFiT, ERA increased the Feed-in-Tariffs for renewable energy projects in order to accelerate project uptake hence commissioning. All these measures are aimed at ensuring availability of sufficient electricity supply to meet the growing demand.

Government has commissioned construction of the 600MW Karuma Hydropower plant which will be developed under bilateral cooperation between Uganda and the Chinese government. 

In an effort to promote power generation from renewable energy sources, ERA issued five feasibility permits during the first half of the FY2013/14 to companies in order to facilitate undertaking of detailed studies for prospected development of a combined capacity 99MW of grid connected solar photovoltaic power in various parts of the country.

According to Mutambi, the Authority is in advanced stages of procuring a consultant to package a tender development of 50MW from solar photovoltaic projects which will be commissioned by mid-2015.

Five additional permits were issued for prospected development of 33.7MW of small hydropower plants. The Authority also extended the duration of three permits for the prospected development of a combined 36.2MW from renewable energy. 

http://www.busiweek.com/index1.php?Ctp=2&pI=470&pLv=3&srI=53&spI=20&cI=11