Mux Weekly Newsletter - 6th Edition

Greetings, Watt Wizards !

Welcome to the sixth edition of “Renewable Insights Weekly”—your compass in the ever-evolving world of sustainable energy. As we embark on this exciting world of sustainable energy, we’ll unveil the latest t in wind turbines, solar panels, hydrogen cells, market Insights and Upcoming events and conference .

Stay curious, stay green, and let’s ride the renewable wave together!

Read previous editions here: https://muxenergy.beehiiv.com/

Table of Contents

• Wind Power Wonders

• Solar Spotlight

• Hydrogen Horizons

• Market Insights

• Upcoming Events & Conference

• Pitch Control: Individual blade pitch adjustments can significantly improve VAWT performance.

• Experiments: Scaled-down models and genetic algorithms were used to find optimal pitch profiles.

• Results: Optimal pitches led to a three-fold increase in power coefficient and 77% reduction in load fluctuations.

• Implications: These advancements could boost wind farm outputs and aid in achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Further read to the research article Link by Authors: Sébastien Le Fouest and Karen Mulleners Published: March 13, 2024

  

  Types of VAWT

Scotland has designated Chinese wind turbine manufacturer Mingyang Smart Energy’s factory as a ‘priority’ project. While this recognition highlights strategic importance, European wind farms must critically assess its implications. Key considerations include quality standards, local impact, collaboration, and environmental responsibility. Balancing economic gains with sustainability is crucial for successful energy transitions.

1. Strategic Boost: Scotland seeks to bolster its wind manufacturing sector, which has faced a dearth of local capacity. By supporting Mingyang, a Chinese turbine giant, Scotland aims to enhance its offshore wind capabilities.

2. Opergy Partnership: Mingyang partnered with Opergy Group, a UK-based energy advisory body. Together, they charted a course for entering the UK offshore wind market. Opergy assists in identifying suitable port locations and facilities for turbine and foundation manufacturing.

3. Local Benefit: Scotland anticipates that Mingyang’s presence will lead to job creation and economic growth. The goal is to manufacture wind components within the UK, ensuring that port facilities align with turbine supply contracts.

4. Urgency and Collaboration: Mingyang aims to swiftly establish a UK entity to supply turbines for projects like Scotwind and INTOG. Collaboration with local partners and building a robust supply chain are essential steps.

3. Landinfra Energy AB and Eiffel Investment Group collaborate for Renewable projects in Sweden about 1800 MW

1. Portfolio Composition:

   • 1350 MW of solar power projects with associated energy storage.

   • 300 MW of wind power projects with associated energy storage.

   • 140 MW of standalone energy storage projects.

   • The majority of these 10 projects are located in SE3 in Sweden, with the remaining in SE4.

   • All projects are currently in the development phase, and the first ones are expected to be ready for construction within the next year, subject to necessary approvals.

2. Investment Impact:

   • If successfully expanded, this portfolio will represent an investment volume of over 1.5 billion euros.

   • Annually, it is projected to generate approximately 2 TWh of green energy for the Swedish energy system.

3. Approval Requirement:

   • The completion of the transaction is contingent upon approval from the Swedish Inspectorate for Strategic Products.

4. Largest Offshore Wind Farm gets environment Approval !

Aurora stands out as a colossal project, aiming to power millions of homes and drive sustainable energy adoption. Its scale dwarfs other offshore wind farms, making it a beacon of progress in the renewable energy landscape. Some notable offshore wind farms to have look ! listed below in table .

1. Steady Growth in Solar Energy , IRENA reports !

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports that in 2023, developers globally installed an impressive 345.5 GW of solar capacity. This surge was primarily driven by China, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of all new renewable energy installations. However, IRENA emphasizes the need for more equitable growth to achieve the ambitious 2030 deployment targets.

Let’s break down this remarkable milestone !

1. Total Solar Capacity Added: 345.5 GW

2. China’s Dominance: China played a pivotal role, contributing significantly to the global solar capacity increase.

3. Equitable Growth: While China’s contribution is substantial, achieving long-term sustainability requires balanced growth across regions and countries. Below table shows the yearly growth !

2. Solar Capacity of 1.1GW signed in Europe for 24 Power Purchase Agreement

Here are some key highlights from these dynamic PPA !

1. Buyers and Sellers: The largest buyer during February was Google, securing 728 MW of solar capacity. Utilities were involved in only four of the publicly disclosed agreements, accounting for a total of 557 MW.

2. Geographical Spread: The projects spanned 14 European countries. Spain led in terms of volume, with 562 MW across six deals. Meanwhile, Germany took the lead in the total number of agreements, with 13 PPAs totaling 502 MW. Notably, Poland and Italy also stood out, with eight and five agreements, respectively.

3. Technology Breakdown: Solar dominated the landscape, with 24 agreements totaling 1,107 MW. Onshore wind followed with 14 deals for 582 MW, and offshore wind secured eight contracts for 622 MW. Details for the remaining contracts were not provided.

4. Market Pricing: The EURO Composite index for electricity prices reflected those of gas and coal, ending February at €43.20 ($46.72)/MWh. Notably, the United Kingdom experienced the most significant decline in PPA prices, while Poland saw a substantial rise, and Germany recorded a modest increase.

5. Notable Deals:

   • Norwegian state energy company Statkraft closed two consecutive 10-year PPAs in Italy and Poland with French telecom company Iliad.

   • Steel company Salzgitter Flachstahl in Germany signed a PPA with Octopus Renewables for a 122 MW solar park.

   • Šariš brewery in Slovakia inked a deal with Enery for a newly built 6.3 MW solar park in Iliašovce.

For a deeper dive into the European PPA landscape and predictions for the future, you can explore Pexapark’s European PPA Market Outlook 20242. This report provides insights on emerging trends, pricing dynamics, and the evolving role of utilities in managing energy risks.

3. Problem with Persovite cells ?

• Problem: Imagine you have a colorful puzzle made of tiny pieces. Some of these pieces are different colors (like red and green).

• Halide Phase Segregation: In perovskite solar cells (fancy materials for making solar panels), the different colors (halides) sometimes separate from each other. It’s like the red pieces moving away from the green ones.

• Why It Matters: When this happens, the solar cell doesn’t work as well. It’s like having a broken puzzle piece in your beautiful picture.

• Scientists’ Solution: They’re trying to stop this separation by adding special ions (like SCN) to the solar cell material. These ions help keep the colors together, making the solar cells more efficient and stable. 🌞🔬

1. Decarbonization of City Buses !

Ballard Power Systems has secured a significant deal with Solaris Bus & Coach, a leading European bus manufacturer. The agreement involves the supply of 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell engines for European transit buses, marking Ballard’s largest order to date

Here are the details of this impressive order:

1. 800 engines: These engines, rated at 70 kW, will power 12-meter buses.

2. 200 engines: These more powerful engines, rated at 100 kW, will be installed in 18-meter giants.

Solaris, already a major player in the hydrogen bus market, currently operates 200 hydrogen buses across Europe. With this new order, they are further advancing their commitment to sustainable transportation. Additionally, Ballard’s recently established gigafactory in Texas will play a crucial role in meeting the demand for fuel cells.

2. World Banks Perspective on Scaling Clean Ammonia

Key Details :

1. Funding: The World Bank is investing over $3 billion in hydrogen and ammonia projects globally.

2. Targets: By 2030, their goal is to achieve 40 million tonnes of clean hydrogen production.

3. Risk Reduction: They emphasize the importance of addressing financing costs and uncertainties.

4. Current Landscape: Currently, only 7% of hydrogen projects have reached the “FID-plus” stage, while clean ammonia projects account for just 1% of the forecasted demand for 2030.

This strategic approach aims to accelerate the adoption of clean energy solutions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

3. Ammonia Bunkering in Egypt ! (Suez Canal )

In a strategic move, ITOCHU Corporation has partnered with Orascom Construction to develop an ammonia bunkering hub at the Suez Canal in Egypt. The Suez Canal, a critical location for international maritime logistics, is poised to become a key player in the adoption of ammonia as a marine fuel. This collaboration aims to create an infrastructure for ammonia bunkering, facilitating the supply of ammonia to ships navigating through this vital waterway.

1. Does Europe still needs LNG ?

Europe is shifting to cleaner energy sources and rethinking its reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States. LNG, which is super-cold natural gas turned into liquid, has historically been a major import for Europe. However, as the region embraces renewables like wind and solar, the demand for LNG may decrease. President Biden’s decision on LNG exports also raises climate concerns. Balancing economic interests, energy security, and environmental goals remains a complex challenge . More info !

2. Is the Climate Investments making money via Wind & Solar or grid Infrastructure companies ?

Key Inisghts from the Bloomberg Report :

1. Profitable Surprise: Electrical grid investments were unexpectedly profitable in 2023, outperforming other climate themes. The Nasdaq Clean Edge Smart Grid Infrastructure Index surged over 20%, while the S&P Global Clean Energy Index declined.

2. Why Electrical Grids Matter: These grids are crucial for distributing clean energy. But there’s a challenge: grid investments. To achieve net-zero goals, we need at least $21.4 trillion in grid investments by 2050.

3. Attractive Grid Stocks: Investing in grids lets you contribute to the green transition. By 2040, grid expansion must double to meet energy demands. These assets are becoming “particularly attractive” and hedge against traditional renewables’ challenges.

4. Macro-Economic Shifts: As interest rates decrease, green investments become more profitable. Sustainable strategies can now outperform the wider market. Further read from this article from Bloomberg !

3. Will EU meet the Onshore Wind Targets ?

Overview from the Wood Mackenzie Report !

According to a recent report by Wood Mackenzie, many EU member states might fall short of their ambitious onshore wind power targets. These targets were set as part of the European Commission’s ‘wind power action plan’ to achieve the broader goal of obtaining at least 42.5% of energy from renewables by 2030. Let’s delve into the details:

1. Pledges and Reality:

   • 21 out of the 27 EU member states have submitted voluntary non-binding wind energy pledges for the near term (2024 to 2026). These pledges amount to a total of 65.7 GW, surpassing the required 58.2 GW needed to meet national energy and climate plans.

   • However, Wood Mackenzie’s analysis reveals that these promises may be “a little overblown.” The forecasted overall capacity growth in the EU wind sector from 2024 to 2026 is 36%, significantly lower than the 60% growth represented by the submitted pledges.

   • Consequently, the total of overall pledges would be missed by approximately 17%.

2. National Perspectives:

   • Spain: Spain aims to double its annual onshore wind additions in the next two years. However, based on project pipeline analysis, permitting constraints, and transmission limitations, Wood Mackenzie expects only 43% of this pledge to be met.

   • Germany: Germany’s pledge of 23.6 GW represents a 5 GW downgrade from its original plan. Bureaucratic bottlenecks are likely to hinder Germany from achieving its goal, which is 67% higher than Wood Mackenzie’s forecast for capacity additions in the country.

3. Outlook for Other States:

   • While Spain and Germany face challenges, the Netherlands and Finland are expected to easily achieve more modest onshore wind goals.

In summary, urgent action is needed to align these pledges with realistic growth projections and ensure that the EU’s wind energy targets are not merely “hot air”

• Hydrogen 2024 Conference

  📅 9th April 2024

   📍 Amsterdam, Netherlands

• 2nd Annual Wind Blade Materials And Recycling Forum

  📅 10th April 2024

   📍  Berlin, Germany

• Energy Tech Summit

  📅 10th April 2024

   📍  Bilbao, Spain

• Wind Mission North Sea 2024

  📅 25th April 2024

   📍 Stravanger, Norway

• Solar PV & Energy Storage World Expo:

  📅 August 8, 2024

   📍 Gunagzhou, China

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

  📅 August 26, 2024

   📍 Barcelona, Spain