Solar News

RINA has awarded an Approval in Principle (AiP) for a green retrofit package designed by naval architect Aurelia in partnership with Econowind, Wattlab and Vertom.The solution incorporates rigid sails, solar panels, batteries, optimised weather-routing, and a smart decision support system developed by Hydrographic and Marine Consultants (HMC) to dramatically reduce emissions on an existing 203,000dwt Newcastlemax bulk carrier.For the Newcastlemax bulk carrier, the challenge was to meet EEXI and the CII index for the reduction of CO2 emissions.

Finland-based marine tech group Wärtsilä said Tuesday it had installed and commissioned a unique hybrid power system combined with a PV solar energy system in collaboration with Marfin Management and Solbian, onboard the Paolo Topic bulk carrier.Wartsila said that the new features make the Paolo Topic "one of the most technologically advanced vessel of its type in the global fleet."The Paolo Topic is a bulk carrier built in 2016 at the Onomichi Dockyard in Japan and managed by Marfin Management S.A.M.The innovative…

Bonheur, a Norwegian holding company for the Olsen family, has established Fred. Olsen 1848, described as a company dedicated to developing technologies and solutions for the renewable energy industry."In Fred. Olsen 1848 we are determined to act now, and we aim to be the frontrunner in developing tomorrow’s technologies within renewables and thereby becoming the preferred partner for businesses and organizations looking for the right solution.” Sofie Olsen Jebsen, CEO, Fred. Olsen 1848.According to a press statement issued Tuesday, Fred.

Singapore's Sunseap Group says it plans to spend $2 billion to build the world's largest floating solar farm and energy storage system in neighboring Indonesian city Batam, which will double its renewable power generation capacity.The floating photovoltaic system is expected to have a capacity of 2.2 gigawatt-peak (GWp), and will be located on the Duriangkang Reservoir in Batam Island spanning around 1,600 hectares, Sunseap said in a statement.The company and Batam Indonesia free zone authority…

Japanese technology company Eco Marine Power (EMP) has announced that the EnergySail, a sail-assisted propulsion and solar power device for ships, is ready for demonstration and evaluation testing in Japan.EnergySail, which is unveiled at the Onomichi Marine Tech Test Centre (MTTC) in Japan, is an upgrade of the pre-production unit and represents one of the smaller types of EnergySail that will be put into commercial service.It was manufactured by EMP’s strategic partner Teramoto Iron Works Co., Ltd. and will be used for demonstrations for potential customers and during preparations for sea trials.The patented EnergySail can be fitted…

The Port of Antwerp has inaugurated the first Concentrated Solar Thermal farm (CST) in Europe as part of its efforts to make its operations more eco- friendly.The pioneering energy technology generates eco-friendly heat from concentrated sunlight that can be used by industrial companies, claimed a press release from Europe’s second-largest seaport. The plant was installed for Adpo by the Genk-based energy company Azteq as part of a pilot project co-financed by the Flemish government.Industrial companies normally obtain heat for their processes from combustion of fossil fuels such as natural gas. Concentrated Solar Thermal energy (CST) is an innovative technology in which sunlight is concentrated by parabolic mirrors and so converted directly to heat.

GE Renewable Energy, the renewable energy arm of US industrial technology giant General Electric, announced its plan to make 100 percent of its operations carbon neutral by the end of 2020.GE Renewable Energy will reach carbon neutrality by reducing emissions through operational efficiencies, securing renewable electricity supply to all GE Renewable Energy sites throughout its operations for wind, offshore wind, hydropower, energy storage and grid businesses – and balancing remaining emissions with the purchase of carbon offsets to achieve a net-zero footprint.Jérôme Pécresse, CEO, GE Renewable Energy said, “This is a decision that makes business sense. Energy efficiency, waste reduction, and renewable power sources will ultimately combine to lower the operating costs of our business.

DNV GL’s Energy Transition Outlook indicates global temperatures rise by 2.4⁰C by end of century. Energy experts identify a combination of technology measures to curb global warming which includes: Boost solar power more than 10 times to 5 TW, wind power by 5 times to 3 TW and increase battery production for EVs 50-fold by 2030.DNV GL calls for extraordinary policy action to advance renewables, new decarbonization technologies and systems, electrical vehicles and energy efficiency.The energy transition requires more than 10 times solar and 5 times wind power in combination with other technology measures to limit global warming to well below 2°C and meet the targets of the Paris Agreement…

Share of electricity in the final demand energy mix will more than double from today’s level to 40% in 2050, with two thirds of that electricity provided by solar PV and wind, said DNV GL.Electrification will transform how energy is produced and consumed. By midcentury, 40% of final energy demand will be met by electricity (up from 19% in 2017), 63% of which will be generated by solar PV and wind, said the third edition of the Energy Transition Outlook (ETO) by DNV GL.Electrification is also having a dramatic effect on road transport and by 2032 half of new car sales globally will be electric. The intrinsic efficiency of electric engines means that despite a 75% expansion of the global vehicle fleet by 2050…

Floating solar photovoltaic (PV)  panels are making a splash in Southeast Asia. Development of floating solar PV power plants is expected to increase 100-fold in the region over the next five to 15 years, according to energy research firm Rystad Energy. Projects plans are in the works in Thailand and Vietnam as large-scale floating PV installations, with smaller utility-scale floating PV developments being proposed in Indonesia, Singapore and Myanmar.Rystad Energy expects large-scale floating PV developments, typically installed on dams and reservoirs, to increase one hundred-fold in South East Asia over the next five to 15 years as countries in the region look to substantially increase their share of renewable energy in the power mix.

A Belgian consortium has launched a project in high-wave offshore solar technology with the aim of building floating solar parks in the North Sea.Large maritime market players Tractebel, Jan De Nul Group, DEME, Soltech and Ghent University formed a consortium and announced the launch of an innovative project in the field of marine floating solar technology.The consortium strongly believe that solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in offshore waters are one of the essential future green energy sources. Combined in the same location with aquaculture and offshore wind power, this innovative technology allows for a more efficient use of available space.While solar PV technology costs are still constantly decreasing…

Irish wind and solar projects developer Mainstream Renewable Power has appointed Raghuram Natarajan chief executive of its Asia-Pacific business."This key appointment to the Group’s Leadership Team, based out of its newly opened regional headquarters in Singapore, comes ahead of significant expansion plans for the region," said a press release.Natarajan brings a decade and a half of senior leadership experience in the wind and solar industry across India, Thailand, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, South Korea, Japan and Australia.His most recent position was APAC CEO with Juwi where he had responsibility for delivering 1.2 GW of solar…

Wärtsilä reports it has achieved a new tech benchmark with the introduction of a hybrid installation for a bulk carrier, reportedly a maritime first.The system will be installed on the M/V Paolo Topic, a bulk carrier built at Onomichi Dockyard in Japan and managed by Marfin Management S.A.M. Wärtsilä’s hybrid power module, the Wärtsilä HY, is designed to deliver seamless integration and control of the technologies to be installed, with the ship’s various existing power production systems.  The integrated solution is expected to deliver a  reduction in fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

World's largest solar project proposed in Australia, connected to South East Asia via subsea cable.Singapore-based Sun Cable has proposed a 10 GW solar farm near Tenant Creek in Australia, with facilities to export electricity via a subsea High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) cable straight to Singapore.Rystad Energy said that the proposed renewable energy project will provide one fifth of Singapore’s electricity needs.In terms of size, the only solar project of a similar scale in Australia is the Asian Renewable Energy Hub which plans to supply a regional load to the Pilbara region, as well as green hydrogen for both international and…

DNV GL, the international accredited registrar and classification society, said that it has been appointed by PUB, Singapore’s national water agency,  as technical adviser for a 50MW floating photovoltaic (PV) project tender in Singapore.The first-of-its-kind 50 MW project, south-east Asia’s largest floating PV, could reduce Singapore’s carbon footprint by the equivalent removing 6,000 cars off local roads."Once completed, the floating solar project will be one of the largest single floating solar systems in the world and will feature a pioneering business model consisting of both conventional and renewable energy components," said a press note from Norway-based organization.DNV GL will support PUB throughout the tender preparation…

French power group Engie’s total renewable capacity in India now exceeds 1.5 GW. The company recently bagged a 200 MW onshore wind project in the state of Gujarat from Solar Energy Corporation of India.ENGIE is all set to sign a 25-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Federal Government entity, SECI.Earlier, Engie won a 280 MWp solar project from Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Limited. The project—part of the Raghanesda solar park—is currently under development. Under the scope of the project, the state power distribution company will enter into a 25-year PPA with the company.ENGIE also finalized commissioning one week ahead of schedule of 80% of the 338 MWp Kadapa solar PV project located in the state of Andhra Pradesh…

The Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) has issued a request for proposal (RFP) to appoint consultants to study, develop and construct floating solar photovoltaic plants in the Arabian Gulf."This is a new and innovative initiative by DEWA to use solar power that supports the objectives of the Dubai Clean Energy Strategy 2050 (DCES 2050) to diversify the energy mix in Dubai, to make the Emirate a global hub for clean energy and green economy, and provide 75% of Dubai's total power output from clean energy by 2050," said a press release from the authority.The consultancy services include a feasibility study, the technical requirements for a floating solar photovoltaic plant…

The marine renewable energy technology company Eco Marine Power (EMP) announced that its Aquarius MAS + Solar solution has been installed on the large general cargo ship MV Panamana.The  Japan-based EMP said in a press release that this installation was carried out by the ship’s crew with remote support provided by Zeaborn Ship Management (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. and EMP from Japan.Over the next few weeks the solar power equipment will be integrated with EMP’s Aquarius Management & Automation System (MAS) and then put into service.MV Panamana is a 54, 694 metric tonne (MT) open hatch general cargo/container carrier with 2 x 70 MT gantry cranes. The ship is owned by Masterbulk Pte. Ltd. (Singapore) and was built by Oshima Shipbuilding Co.

2019 is set to be the biggest year for constructed and commissioned utility Photovoltaics (PV) (2200 MW), wind (2400 MW) and storage (100 MW) in Australia, said Rystad Energy in its forecast for the utility scale PV, wind and storage to be constructed and commissioned for Australia to 2020.This follows a record year in 2018, which was the first year in which over 1 GW of utility PV, wind & storage was constructed and commissioned, it said.The news was not all good in 2018, several utility PV and wind projects were delayed as commissioning took longer than expected, the fallout from Australia’s largest solar EPC to date (RCR) going into administration…