_{Hi, Watt Wizards !}

Welcome to the first edition of "Renewable Insights Weekly" where we delve into the forefront of sustainable energy advancements. In this issue, we spotlight key developments in Wind, Solar, Hydrogen, and Energy storage, providing you with valuable insights to stay ahead in the ever-evolving renewable landscape.

What's Inside ?

• 1. Wind Power Wonders

• 2. Solar Spotlight

• 3. Hydrogen Horizons

• 4. Energy Storage Excellence

• 5. Renewable Market Insights

• 6. Upcoming Events and Conferences

1. Wind Power Wonders

A. Wind Technology Breakthroughs

1. The US Department of Energy’s Wind Energy Technologies Office (WETO) has launched the Floating Offshore Wind Shot initiative, which aims to reduce the cost of floating offshore wind energy by at least 70% to $45 per megawatt-hour by 2035 for sites in deep water, far from shore.

2. Carbon Rivers Makes Wind Turbine Blade Recycling and Up cycling a Reality. Energy technology company Carbon Rivers has commercialised a new process to recover 99.9% pure glass fiber from decommissioned fibreglass wind turbine blades, enabling its use in new composite products.

3. Spiral Welding Is Revolutionising Wind Turbine Tower Manufacturing: Keystone Tower Systems is changing how wind turbines can be manufactured, transported, and installed using a spiral-welding technique to build some of the tallest turbine towers on the market.

B. Global Wind Market Trends

1. The US, China, and Germany are the top three countries in terms of installed wind power capacity.

2. According to the Global Wind Report 2023 by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the global wind industry is expected to continue its growth trajectory.

3. GWEC Market Intelligence forecasts 680 GW of new capacity in the next five years (2023-27). This represents 136 GW per year to 2027. GWEC Market Intelligence has a positive outlook up to 2030, with an additional 143 GW expected by the end of the decade, 13% higher than previous forecasts.

4. European Wind Turbines OEMS are bound to spend more on R&D and quality related issues.

2. Solar Spotlight

A. Solar Photovoltaic Innovations

1. Solar power cells have surpassed the key milestone of 30% energy efficiency, after innovations by multiple research groups around the world.

2. The breakthrough is adding a layer of perovskite, another semiconductor, on top of the silicon layer. This captures blue light from the visible spectrum, while the silicon captures red light, boosting the total light captured overall.

3. With more energy absorbed per cell, the cost of solar electricity is even cheaper, and deployment can proceed faster to help keep global heating under control.

B. Solar Policy Watch

1. This report by the World Resources Institute provides recommendations for mobilizing $1 trillion of investment in solar energy solutions by 2030, tackling policy and market barriers in all solar market segments, reducing investment risk in developing and emerging economies, and spurring a new level of international collaboration to overcome global investment challenges at scale.

2. Solar Futures Study: This study by the US Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office (SETO) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) finds that with aggressive cost reductions, supportive policies, and large-scale electrification, solar could account for as much as 40% of the nation’s electricity supply by 2035 and 45% by 2050.

3. Hydrogen Horizons

A. Advancements in Green Hydrogen Production

1. Clean Power Hydrogen (CPH2) has developed a novel membrane-free electrolysis and cryogenic separation process that offers a truly green alternative to traditional electrolysers. The manufacture of these self-contained oxygen and hydrogen production systems – or ISO units – offers a truly green alternative to traditional electrolysers.

2. Researchers have developed an efficient water-splitting process and material that maximise the efficiency of producing green hydrogen, making it an affordable and accessible option for industrial partners that want to convert to green hydrogen for renewable energy storage instead of conventional, carbon-emitting hydrogen production from natural gas.

B. Hydrogen Infrastructure Project

1. Hydrogen Backbone Belgium: A network to transport hydrogen (H2), in and between the industrial clusters, to reach a certain market size and improve security of supply.

2. European Hydrogen Backbone: Together with over 30 fellow energy infrastructure companies Fluxys helps build hydrogen supply corridors in Europe to accelerate decarbonization of its industry.

3. AquaDuctus in Germany: A large-scale offshore pipeline project with partner Gascade to boost the hydrogen economy in Germany and Europe.

4. Hyoffwind Project: A project with Virya Energy to build an industrial-scale green hydrogen production unit in the Port of Antwerp-Bruges.

5. Hydrogen test facility: A collaboration with National Gas and Northern Gas Networks in the UK to test how to safely introduce hydrogen into our existing natural gas infrastructure.

6. More read into the NorthH2, AquaVentus, and Asian Renewable Energy Hub will be interesting !!

4. Energy Storage Excellence

A. Breakthroughs in Battery Technologies

1. Quantum Leap in Energy Storage: Imagine batteries doing a moonwalk—lighter, denser, and more powerful. Recent breakthroughs have boosted their specific energy (that’s how much juice they pack per unit volume/weight) and energy density. It’s like fitting a cosmic nebula of energy into a tiny starship warp core.

2. Battery Alchemy: Picture this—old batteries, once destined for the scrap heap, now undergo a magical transformation. Recycling wizards wave their wands (okay, maybe it’s more like lab coats) and extract precious metals like cobalt, nickel, and lithium. These reclaimed treasures are then woven into new batteries, creating a sustainable cycle. Companies like Redwood Materials and Li-Cycle are the Gandalfs of recycling, ensuring a steady supply of materials for electric vehicles (EVs).

3. Eternal Youth: Batteries are no longer mere mortals. They’ve sipped from the Fountain of Longevity. Designed for extended lifetimes, they’re like the Methuselahs of the energy world, powering our gadgets and EVs for eons.

4. Safety Spells: Once upon a time, batteries were fiery dragons waiting to scorch our pockets. But fear not! Modern alchemists have concocted safer battery brews. They’re less likely to burst into flames, leaving us with peace of mind instead of singed eyebrows.

5. Blink-and-Charge: Lightning bolts strike, and your EV charges faster than a caffeinated cheetah. New battery tech whispers secrets of rapid refueling, slashing downtime. Say goodbye to impatient drumming of fingers at charging stations.

6. Gold Coins for All: The cost of EVs used to be like buying a unicorn -magical but pricey. But behold! Advances in production and materials have turned the tables. The levelized cost of energy (LCOE) has dropped, making EVs more accessible to everyday dreamers.

7. Solid-State Sorcery: Wizards in labs are brewing up solid-state batteries. These mystical marvels use solid electrolytes instead of liquid ones. Imagine a crystal-clear energy reservoir, denser than a black hole, lasting eons without fading. Solid-state batteries could be the Excalibur of energy storage.

B. Grid-Scale Storage Projects

1. Victorian Big Battery: A 300MW/450MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Australia.

2. Moss Landing Energy Storage Facility: A 750MW/3000 MWh storage system located in California.

3. Hornsdale Power Reserve: A 150MW/194MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) located in South Australia.

4. Hazelwood Battery: A 150MW/150MWh battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Victoria, Australia.

5. Hokkaido Wind Energy Storage System: A 240MW/720 MWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system (BESS) located in Japan.

5. Renewable Market Insights

1. According to a report by Fortune Business Insights 2023, the global renewable energy market is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 7.8% from 2024 to 2032, driven by the rise in greenhouse emissions and depleting crude oil resource.

2. This report also states that the hydro energy segment accounted for the major share in the market, with developing nations focusing on developing large-scale hydro-power plants due to high technological advancements in the field.

3. The industrial segment accounted for the major share of the market and is anticipated to maintain its attractiveness during the forecast period, as non-renewable fuels constitute a major portion of the operating costs of industries, which is driving the shift to renewable energy.

4. The key market restraint for the market is the high cost of installing renewable energy equipment. Also, inadequate knowledge and technology are affecting the growth of the market.

6. Upcoming Events and Conferences

1. World Electrolysis Congress: A conference to discuss the Powering Electrcolyser Technology & Collaboration for the future of Clean Hydrogen.

   📍Düsseldorf, Germany

   📆 March 4 - 7, 2024

2. WindEurope Annual Event: A conference that brings together the entire wind industry to discuss the latest developments in the sector. 

   📍Bilbao, Spain

   📆 March 20 - 22, 2024

3. Pulse: A two-day event that brings together global renewable energy professionals to tackle coming challenges, unveil business opportunities, and celebrate progress towards the low-carbon sustainable transition.

   📍Madrid, Spain

   📆 April 17 - 18, 2024

4. Solar & Storage Live Australia: A large and established trade show and multi-streamed conference that combines residential, commercial/industrial, and utility-scale solar. 

   📍Brisbane, Australia

   📆 May 1 - 2, 2024

5. All-Energy and Dcarbonise: A meeting place for the renewable and low carbon energy community. 

   📍Glasgow, Scotland

   📆 May 15 - 16, 2024

6. Global Energy Show Canada: An inclusive event that unites industry leaders, CEOs, and young professionals to drive innovation across diverse energy sectors. 

   📍Canada

   📆 June 11 - 13, 2024