Author: Arnes Biogradlija

Proserv Controls has formed a strategic partnership with Synaptec to create an integrated holistic cable monitoring system that will minimize downtime, increase protection and lower operating costs for offshore wind farms. The broad objective of the collaboration is to drive both companies together in a range of energy markets, including offshore wind and upstream oil and gas, through the co-development of a range of creative products and services. Synaptec provides distributed sensor networks to improve the visibility and control of power systems across the offshore wind, transmission and distribution industries. Its advanced systems use optical fibers and are totally passive: a…

The Western Australian Energy Minister, Bill Johnston, has officially opened a 180MW Warradarge wind farm in the Mid-West state. Via a phased commissioning process, the 51-turbine wind farm will power up to its maximum 180MW capacity by the end of October 2020. The site of the wind farm -15 kilometers north-east of Warradarge, 15 kilometers south-east of Eneabba and 40 kilometers south-west of Carnamah – was chosen to take advantage of the region’s plentiful wind resources and proximity to the transmission infrastructure. Every turbine weighs 181 tons with 67-meter-long blades, has a hub height of 84 meters and a blade tip…

Research by the national trade group reveals that Walmart increased solar usage by 35 percent in 2019 while Facebook jumped 18 positions in the corporate solar ranking and Apple stayed top for the second year in a row. Tech companies, major retailers and other corporate leaders make substantial investments in renewable energy and installed 1,286 megawatts ( MW) of new commercial solar power in the United States in 2019, the second largest year on record according to the latest Solar Means Business report. The annual report released by the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) tracks both on-site and off-site installations and…

Total has become a 20 percent shareholder in the Eolmed floating wind farm pilot project, situated in the Mediterranean, off the coast of Gruissan and near Port-La-Nouvelle. Assigned in July 2016, this 30 megawatt (MW) project will accelerate the development of a floating wind technology. Together with Qair, the developer and majority shareholder of the project, and its local partners, Total brings its expertise in the design, deployment and operation of offshore installations during its life cycle. Thus, Total continues to improve its role in the emerging floating offshore wind market, where it wants to be one of the world’s…

Leeward Renewable Energy and Deutsche Windtechnik have signed a service contract comprised of 564 WTGs. The deal includes almost half of all Mitsubishi 1000 and Mitsubishi 1000A wind turbines installed in the United States. The turbines are located in five Leeward wind farms: Caprock and Aragonne Mesa (New Mexico), Buena Vista (California), Sweetwater (Texas) and Cedar Creek (Colorado). Sweetwater and Cedar Creek are the largest of the five locations with a capacity of 336 MW. “These new agreements are an important milestone for our U.S. business unit as we continue to expand our service into new states. At the same…

Canadian Solar has reached a financial close of its 126 MWp Tastiota project in the state of Sonora, Mexico. Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC) offered the non-recourse financing package, arranged by Canadian Solar. SMBC served as Sole Structuring Bank and Mandated Lead Arranger in the deal. The Tastiota financing package consists of a $67 million senior loan, a $15 million letter of credit facility and a $12 million VAT facility for the construction and operation phase of the project. Following the sale in November 2019 of the 49 percent stake in the 370 MWp portfolio of Mexican projects to Korea Electric…

Azelio has joined CALSSA – California Solar & Storage Association, further strengthening its presence in California. The association is the largest state renewable energy company organization with more than 550 member companies. “California is one of the largest and most successful solar markets in the world, where we also see a strong interest in our energy storage solution. By joining CALSSA we show our commitment to building a strong regional platform and becoming part of the community.”Jonas Eklind, CEO Azelio. “We warmly welcome Azelio into CALSSA. California embraces all forms of solar energy and energy storage into our vibrant, competitive, and…

Eolus has signed an agreement with Cubico Sustainable Investments (Cubico) on the sale of Wind Wall 1 wind farm located near Tehachapi, California, USA, with an installed capacity of 46.5 MW. Wind Wall 1 is the first wind project developed, financed and installed in the USA by Eolus, and Eolus will pass the project company to Cubico at the time of its closure. The project is funded by a 15-year contract for the procurement of power with the funding of construction by Eolus. Construction is well advanced and Wind Wall 1 is scheduled to be commissioned in fall of 2020.…

Australia and Germany have signed an agreement to expand the capacity of Australian hydrogen exports to Europe. Australian hydrogen could allow Germany to decarbonize its energy supply after the two governments agreed to examine the feasibility of establishing a hydrogen supply chain. The plan could provide a roadmap for Germany to meet its emission reduction goal of 55 per cent by 2030 as part of the longer-term net zero emission goal by 2050. With minimal renewable energy supplies and the highest electricity consumption in Europe, Germany has cut its efforts to meet the emission reduction targets and is searching for…

Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) is funding Australian startup SunDrive with $3 million to advance the commercial production of their low-cost , high-efficiency solar manufacturing process. The $9 million project will also see their technology scaled from an industrial-sized cell to a commercial-sized module that could be used on household rooftops. A small scale automated production line prototype will also be built, with the eventual goal of manufacturing the technology in Australia. The use of silver is a key barrier to the broader adoption of next generation solar cell technologies. Globally, solar production is now expected to account for 20…