Mux Weekly Newsletter - 2nd Edition

Hello Watt Wizards !

Welcome to the 2nd edition of "Renewable Insights Monthly ," where we delve into the forefront of sustainable energy advancements. In this issue, we spotlight key developments in Wind, Solar, Hydrogen, Energy storage, and Market Insights providing you with valuable insights to stay ahead in the ever-evolving renewable landscape.

Whats 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. World’s Largest Wooden Wind Turbine Tower 🌲

   ◾️Modvion, a Swedish company, has unveiled the world’s largest wooden wind turbine tower. 🌍🌿

   ◾️Constructed from laminated wood, it stands as a sustainable alternative to steel towers. 🌱

   ◾️Reduced carbon footprint and innovation in renewable energy! 🌟 Learn more

2. Wind-Powered Heat Pumps ❄️🔥

   ◾️ Imagine wind turbines powering heat pumps for homes! 🏠

   ◾️ A win-win against fuel poverty and climate change. 💨💡

   ◾️ Could this be cheaper than gas boilers? 🤔 Read about it here

3. Icing on Wind Turbines ❄️❄️

   ◾️ Cold snaps challenge wind turbines, but technology prevails! 🌀

   ◾️De-icing systems, blade coatings, and smart designs keep turbines turning even in freezing temps. 🌬️❄️ Explore

4. Blade Repurposing ♻️

   ◾️ Polish company Anmet recycles wind turbine blades into bridges! 🌉

   ◾️ Innovative, sustainable, and extending blade lifespan. 🌎🔄 Discover more

B. Global Wind Market Trends

1. Europe’s Surge:

   ◾️Spain leads the charge with improved permitting and policies. Expect substantial growth in wind power across the continent. 🌬️🇪🇺

2. Middle East & Africa Momentum:

   ◾️Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are set to install 17 GW of onshore wind capacity. Clean energy takes root in these regions. 🌍🌪️

3. Siemens Energy’s Challenges:

   ◾️Quality issues hit Siemens Energy’s onshore wind division, but resilience prevails. Balancing innovation and stability matters. 💨💡

4. Offshore Wind Farm Shift:

   ◾️ The world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank D, ditches green hydrogen plans. Strategic decisions shape our energy future. ⚡🌊

5. Wind Farm Overestimation:

   ◾️ Wind farm operators overestimated energy production, resulting in extra costs for consumers. Ofgem is investigating and may take enforcement action.

1. Clean Roofs, Clear Skies: Longi’s Anti-Dust Module ☀️🌬️

   ◾️ longi, the Chinese solar wizard, introduces the Hi-MO X6 Guardian C&I module. What’s special? It’s like a self-cleaning solar superhero. The frame design lets water glide off, keeping dust at bay. Imagine rooftops staying pristine while generating clean energy. Coming soon to residential roofs near you!

2. Solar Meets Style: Midsummer and Soprasolar’s Roof Dance 🏠🌞

   ◾️ Swedish cool meets French chic. Midsummer and Soprasolar team up to blend solar panels seamlessly into roof membranes. Lightweight, sleek, and eco-friendly—these solar roofs redefine elegance. Say goodbye to clunky panels; say hello to solar haute couture.

3. Efficiency Unleashed: First Solar and Uppsala University 🚀🔍

   ◾️ First Solar and Uppsala University break records with a 23.64% efficiency CIGS solar cell. It’s like squeezing more juice from the sun. These thin-film wonders combine silicon and perovskite layers, pushing solar limits. Efficiency nerds, rejoice!

4. Perovskite Power Surge: 27.1% Efficiency ⚡🔬

   ◾️ Scientists in Singapore craft a solar symphony: a triple-junction tandem cell with an ultrawide-bandgap perovskite absorber being super-efficient at 27.1%! Imagine powering cities with sunlight, one tiny cell at a time.

1. FIA’s Liquid Hydrogen Bet: 🌬️🏎️

   ◾️FIA doubles down on hydrogen cars, focusing on liquid hydrogen (LH₂). It’s compact and lightweight, ideal for motorsport. Meanwhile, PT PLN in Indonesia kicks off green hydrogen production, and OMV Petrom commits to building 55 MW of green hydrogen capacity in Romania.

2. Mitsui’s Maritime Ammonia Engine: ⚓🌿

   ◾️Mitsui achieves a world-first: a successful combustion test of an ammonia single-fuel burner for marine engines. Imagine ships sailing with ammonia-powered engines, emitting fewer greenhouse gases. The voyage toward cleaner seas begins

   ◾️HD Hyundai Korea Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering and 3M collaborate to develop large liquid hydrogen storage tanks. The maritime industry sets sail toward sustainable fuel solutions.

3. Marine Ammonia Engines in the UK: 🌊🔥

   ◾️ Project ENTICE aims to demonstrate a marine ammonia combustion engine in the UK. From feasibility to reality, ammonia-powered ships may soon sail our oceans, leaving cleaner wakes behind.

4. Mitsubishi’s Ammonia Burner: 🌐🔥

   ◾️ Mitsubishi successfully tests an ammonia single-fuel burner. Next stop? Practical application in power plants worldwide. MHI’s commitment to ammonia decarbonization sails full steam ahead! 🌍🌱

B. Hydrogen Infrastructure Projects

1. Vanadium-Ion Battery Breakthrough: 🌐🔋

   ◾️South Korea’s Standard Energy unveils a vanadium-ion battery with remarkable performance. After 20,000 testing cycles, it experiences only 1% degradation. Unlike cobalt-containing batteries, this technology relies on organic materials for its cathode. It’s cost-effective, safe, and environmentally friendly. A sustainable path for powering electric cars emerges! 🚗🌿

2. Toyota’s Hydrogen Fuel Cell Collaboration: ⚡🔵

   ◾️Kohler Power Systems partners with Toyota Motor North America to develop a hydrogen fuel cell power generation system for Klickitat Valley Health in Washington. This innovative system combines convenience, reliability, and sustainability. Imagine hospitals powered by emissions-free hydrogen! 🏥🌟

3. BLUETTI’s SwapSolar Ecosystem: ☀️🌿

   ◾️BLUETTI introduces the world’s first LFP-powered MultiCooler portable fridge and the AC180T hot-swappable battery power station. The MultiCooler combines ice-making, refrigeration, and freezing in one sleek design. Meanwhile, the AC180T offers fast charging and scalability. Outdoor adventures just got cooler! 🏕️🔌

4. Cobalt-Free Batteries: 🌎🔬

   ◾️MIT chemists develop a lithium-ion battery cathode based on organic materials, eliminating the need for cobalt or nickel. These batteries offer comparable performance, faster charging, and lower costs. A sustainable future for electric cars is within reach! 🌿🚗

B. Grid-Scale Storage Projects

1. Sosteneo Acquires Enel’s Battery Business: 🌐🔋

   ◾️Sosteneo purchases 49% of Enel’s battery business. Imagine synergies in energy storage solutions, accelerating the transition to cleaner grids. A powerful partnership charges forward! ⚡🔵

2. UAE Utility’s 400 MW Battery Energy Storage: ☀️🔋

   ◾️A UAE utility opens bidding for a massive 400 MW battery energy storage system. Picture desert sun charging colossal batteries, ensuring grid stability and renewable integration. The sands of progress shift toward sustainability! 🏜️🔌

3. Energy Vault’s Gravity Energy Storage in China: 🌍⚖️

   ◾️Energy Vault connects a commercial-scale gravity energy storage system in China. Imagine concrete blocks rising and falling, storing and releasing clean energy. The Great Wall meets green innovation! 🌿

4. CATL and BYD Slash Battery Prices: ⚡🔍

   ◾️CATL and BYD aim to cut battery prices by 50% in 2024. Electric vehicles rejoice! Cheaper batteries mean wider adoption and cleaner streets. The EV revolution accelerates! 🚗🌱

5. Volvo Group Acquires Proterra: 🚚🔌

   ◾️Volvo Group acquires Proterra for $210 million. Imagine electric buses rolling off assembly lines, powered by sustainable batteries. A road paved with green intentions! 🚌🌟

1. EU’s €3 Billion for Solar and Onshore Wind in Romania: 🌞🇷🇴

   ◾️The EU approves €3 billion to boost solar and onshore wind projects in Romania. Imagine sun-kissed fields and wind turbines powering homes across the country. A greener horizon for Romania! 🌱🏡

2. IRENA Calls for Tripling Global Renewable Energy Capacity: ☀️🌎

   ◾️IRENA’s DG advocates tripling global renewable energy capacity. Picture wind farms, solar panels, and hydroelectric dams multiplying worldwide. A harmonious chorus of clean energy! 🌟🎶

3. Statkraft’s Renewable Divestment in Four Markets: ⚡🌿

   ◾️Norway’s Statkraft plans to divest renewables projects in four markets. Imagine sustainable assets changing hands, accelerating the transition to cleaner grids. The energy chessboard evolves! ♟️🔌

4. Solar and Battery Storage Dominate New U.S. Electric Capacity: 🌞🔋

   ◾️Solar and battery storage will make up 81% of new U.S. electric generating capacity in 2024. Imagine rooftops gleaming with solar panels and neighborhoods powered by batteries. A brighter grid emerges! ☀️🔌

5. Global Tenders

   ◾️ In 2023, tenders awarded 137 GW of renewable capacity globally. Asia-Pacific leads, with China securing 55 GW through 49 tenders. The renewables saga continues! 💃🌱

6. Pexapark’s European PPA Symphony: 🌍🎶 

   ◾️ European developers sign 21 PPAs for 916 MW in January 2024. France leads with six deals totaling 179 MW, including a historic corporate PPA. Amazon waltzes with 280 MW. Let’s keep the renewable rhythm alive! ☀️🌎.

• WindEurope Annual Event 2024:

  📅 March 20-22, 2024

   📍 Bilbao, Spain

• World Hydrogen UK 2024

  📅 April 9, 2024

   📍 London, UK

• Annual Wind Blades Materials and Recyling Forum

  📅 April 10 , 2024

   📍 Berlin, Germany 

• International Conference on Renewable Energy and Environment Engineering:

  📅 August 24, 2024

   📍 Brest, France

• Global Summit and Expo on Sustainable and Renewable Energy (GSESRE):

  📅 August 26, 2024

   📍 Barcelona, Spain

• Solar PV & Energy Storage World Expo:

  📅 August 8, 2024

   📍 Gunagzhou, China