Renewable Energy Blog

No green electricity to Poland?

admin — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 11:27:35 +0000

PSE Operator, the Polish network operator plans, according to a report by Spiegel Online, to build power locks on the border with Germany, which imports could be regulated green electricity from Germany. The background is the time of day and weather-related fluctuations in the amounts of electricity from solar and wind energy.These are freely fed into the Polish power grid, the local power plants to compensate for these fluctuations in order to prevent overloads.

Valves to protect Polish power grid

From the Polish side of this is seen as problematic, since the local coal-fired power plants – as fears – a steady down-and-up could not be grown. In the worst case could lead to network congestion temporary collapse of the power grid. The power locks will prevent this now, could be interrupted by the threat of congestion at certain points of the power supply from Germany.

Impact on German power grid

The use of valves also have an impact on Germany: Excess energy would remain within the German electricity grid, and there would have to be distributed – which could lead to network instability to power outages. In the Spiegel Online interview demanded the head of the German Energy Agency, Stephan Kohler, therefore an expansion of power lines between East and South as well as coordination of energy policy at European level

Green power is also economically meaningful

admin — Wed, 14 Mar 2012 21:20:43 +0000

The Federal Environment Agency has today an analysis of the environmental and economic benefits of electricity from renewable energies released. Thus, the Federal Environment Agency responds to the criticisms, the Renewable Energy Act is a major part of the price increases on the electricity market is responsible or ineffective in terms of climate protection goals.

Green electricity is climate friendly

A critique of the EEG looks at the cap on emissions in EU emissions trading as the only effective measure to limit greenhouse gases. An expansion of renewable energies and priority would therefore only lead to falling prices for the certificates and eventually elsewhere in additional greenhouse gases would be released. The report takes this position, pointing out that the EEG is the “development and market introduction of innovative technologies in renewable energy” is driving, so it would be possible only to set challenging limits on emissions trading.

Green electricity is not responsible for high electricity prices

The increase in electricity prices over the period 2000 to 2009, the report says was caused mainly by the increase in costs for power generation, transportation and distribution, and a higher sales tax. Although 2010 and 2011, the EEG surcharge has increased significantly, but this was only about half of the higher costs due to the promotion of renewable energy, the other half is based in the lower purchase price for electricity in this period. If that is behind the back of the electricity price forecasts are less than the EEG surcharge revenue achieved as required so that the resulting loss will be offset by an increase in the levy in the following year must again.

Lack of competition among electricity suppliers

Federal government looks at climate change targets on track

admin — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 15:24:26 +0000

The Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety has today announced in a press release that the climate protection objectives “are achieved without great difficulty” in the wake of the energy transition 2020th Germany had committed itself to reducing CO2 emissions by 2020 by 40% compared to 1990 levels.Already by existing measures, the BMU, a reduction would be achieved by 35%. This is evident from an interim report, commissioned by the BMU, a research consortium at the Climate Conference in Durban was to evaluate the measures adopted so far for energy systems in Germany.

Climate goals can be achieved, but require additional steps

The research consortium consisting of renowned institutions, but also leads to what needs to be done to achieve the goal of 40% for 2020. In essence, this includes reducing emissions in the transport sector especially by emission standard for cars and heavy commercial vehicles.

Interim report is not clear

The publication of the interim report at this time is certainly not accidental. Even before the UN Climate Summit, currently taking place in Durban, several studies have raised the alarm and reinforces the need for shared climate change goals. Thus, the climate-policy spokesman of the Greens in the Bundestag, evaluates, Dr. Hermann E. Ott, the result of the interim report, in contrast to Röttgen not even as good news, especially as had been known for some time that the existing measures for a reduction of around 35 percent would extend to 2020. “But in any case, we will help him much in the lack of policy instruments to lay still on the table,” Ott says the press release from the BMU. Simply will not, however, he adds, referring to a recent letter in which the chairmen of the coalition government would demand the reduction of climate change policies.

Hamburg-based company is working with Twin Ridges

admin — Sun, 11 Mar 2012 18:56:55 +0000

In the U.S. state of Pennsylvania is to be built a new wind turbine. All 68 turbines have been ordered so by the Hamburg company REpower. North of the border between Pennsylvania and Maryland to develop the wind project, Twin Ridges, therefore provided the REpower turbines of the type REpower MM92.This is not only the second agreement between REpower and EverPower, but also the first wind project, the turbines from REpower built in Pennsylvania. The entire wind farm is behind a power of 140 MW can muster proud. To get to this power, the turbines are ideal. You have a hub height of 80-100 meters and a rated output of 2.05 MW. In the third and fourth quarter of 2012, the wind farm will be commissioned.

Previously successful cooperation

The contract, signed between the two companies is, as I said, not the first. REpower and EverPower currently set forth a total of 25 wind turbines in the state of New York. The Managing Director of REpower USA, Steve Dayney, said: “. We are delighted with the new order of EverPower and to continue in 2012 our cooperation” With the new order will REpower especially the solid state in the wind energy industry and continue to expand. For REpower is now active worldwide and represented, not least in the group around the wind energy trade fair in Hamburg.

Worldwide cooperation for renewable energy

Green energy away?

admin — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 11:19:13 +0000

Goes Each year in December we go again. The streets are crowded, the shops bursting at the seams during the shopping bags full of money and stock markets are thin, Christmas Eve is approaching. Also present is always the big question: What should you pay? For parents there is always the hardest way funnier, what to give them, even though they are the longest known.But also in other family members you have difficulties to choose an appropriate gift. Why did you give this year is not just something for the future, long-lasting, extremely popular, each is well and still protects the environment and the pocketbook. Give green energy.

Without loop

Not a gift?

Of course you can not pack the green energy itself. But you could, for example, for your parents to locate a green electricity provider and pay a current tester. With a check by a professional, you quickly realize where you can save more and how to rebuild the house or apartment or restructure useful. This too can give you. Or how about a voucher for a certain number of kilowatt green power? Our own little solar system? A Regenwasseraufbereiter? A guide for their own gardening?

The transformation begins in the mind

Compare worthwhile: the best green energy provider

admin — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 15:03:03 +0000

Increasing number of German households switch to green power. Was alone in the first half of this year, the share of total electricity demand – according to an estimate by the Federation of Energy and Water – about 20 percent. However, not every vendor uses a 100 percent return on renewable energy sources like solar, wind and water, but he mixes his natural power under certain circumstances with nuclear or coal power.

Has a current supplier of the RECS certificate, the user merely guarantees that somewhere in Europe will produce a corresponding amount of green electricity. Those who play it safe and pure natural power would relate to a green electricity provider to perform comparison and in the process to select that only green electricity tariffs are compared. In addition, you can inquire about the individual suppliers and their sources on the Internet.

To protect the environment

The comparison of different green energy supplier is easy to handle. When using a computer power that is needed is their postcode and the annual electricity consumption – the data are stored, a charge will be the best suppliers of natural stream shows. If you have decided on a certain rate and sufficiently informed about the provider, in the same breath, the change can be accomplished. If you are still unsure and would like to make a decision, the current computer to be closed again without obligation. The environmentally friendly electricity generated is due to higher production costs, of course, not always favorable, but also not particularly high. Meanwhile, there are also plenty of green electricity provider that offers more favorable than the basic rates of other power providers in the portfolio. Of course also be compared to the current rates of gas and oil to extract the best price.

The benefits of green energy

Less investment in renewable energies

admin — Mon, 05 Mar 2012 16:54:13 +0000

Supplier EnBW, Karlsruhe gave an interim report announced that the investment in renewable energies went back drastically. While in the entire previous year € 1628.7 million, this year there are only 926 million euros. These are all 43.1 percent the previous year. Nevertheless, the Group maintains that get around 17 percent of total investments in renewable energies.Including, for example, dropping the commissioning of EnBW's Baltic 1 and the associated construction of the second offshore wind parks EnBW Baltic second EnBW also explained that some 42 percent would be invested in growth projects.

New infrastructure and power plants

The energy revolution has broken not only consumers with a small hole in your pocket, or is expected to continue to require one or the other victims. Because electricity prices rise on the one hand, on the other side renewed because power plants, must be dismantled or demolished and new infrastructure must be created. So also with the group EnBW. This whole 58 percent was invested in renewal and replacement policies. Here it becomes clear how much the investment is actually, even if they are not directly in the renewable energy.

Incidentals instead of concrete issues

Renewable energies also for emerging and developing countries

admin — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 11:00:08 +0000

A study by the Sustainable Business Institute found that one can also use wind energy in emerging and developing countries, provided the appropriate framework is in terms of economy and technology. This result was in early November at the World Wind Energy Association in Cairo presented. To get this result, we have interviewed international project developers and tested in its role as a trailblazer for future investments.Respondents had the top 20 conditions set out and evaluated accordingly. This is to be secured, do not lose that countries that are in development, the connection to the global energy system.

Technique is more important than promotion

It turned out that it is important to project developers, that the power supply network is equipped with fixed-kilowatt prices and the technical prerequisites are given, as the subsidies are removed, such as quota systems. And international grants and tenders were not so important. Developers who think long term and sustained investment plan so desire, thus generating a stable economy and technology. At the same time they also want security. In third place is therefore reducing financial barriers and establishing licensing procedures. Thus, developers and corporations may insure and invest accordingly.

Increase the attractiveness on the one side …

New micro-CHP system from Vaillant and RWE

admin — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 18:44:29 +0000

The energy giants have to consider something known how to make nuclear energy attractive in spite of the energy transition. More and more customers to move away from fossil fuels and rely more on renewable energy. RWE and Vaillant have therefore been closed together and presented new micro-CHP systems for residential customers.This should be the core elements of the heaters that are located in the cogeneration unit by Vaillant and the so-called ControlBox of RWE. The system is controlled according to statements by a subsidiary of RWE on the consumption of the customers. In addition, green electricity that is produced in excess, stored in the form of heat.

Assistance for the integration of new energy

RWE and Vaillant argue logically, yet one must ask whether this very stream of green energy suppliers need a helping hand when it comes to the integration of renewable sources. Because that would be one of the reasons for this new system. At the same time this new facility will relieve the power grid shut down because the model of Vaillant and RWE, as soon as there is no more demand for electricity. Then the energy is stored by means of a heating element. This also means that costs can be saved. The power is saved in this way.

Environmental friendly use of the stream

Slight price increase for pellets

admin — Fri, 02 Mar 2012 16:30:11 +0000

Many households are restructured and rebuilt so that it can be heated with pellets. Now the prices by about 1.4 percent, according DEPV increased and now amounts to € 235.99 per tonne. That means the equivalent of that one kilowatt-hour costs about 4.81 cents. This means that heating with pellets as much as 30 percent cheaper than gas and as much as 44 percent cheaper than heating oil! The conversion of a heating system seems to be initially costly, will pay off, but with time.Because of the seasonal rise in prices is hired. In addition, you can buy cheaper in the south of Germany pellets.

East is the more expensive heating

If you heat

So in the south of Germany with pellets, pays approximately € 235.57 per tonne of pellets. In the middle of Germany, you pay good € 248.15 per ton and in the east there are whole € 243 per tonne of pellets. This then results in the corresponding average price for Germany. This is also the quality of pellets. As with any commodity that is sold, you can choose different qualities, which of course affect the heating characteristics. This means also that you get more if you paid less, but you must also buy more.