Sample EuroREX Newsletter
Number X: DD/MM/1998
The EuroREX Newsletter presents the top stories in Renewable Energy. It is issued twice a month. When a Newsletter is Issued, all Subscribers are automatically e-mailed a copy of the headlines.
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logged on or subscribed to the Newsletter or Commercial Service, you will be unable to proceed.Conferences Publications EuroREX Team
Headline Articles
UK Renewable Generators Negotiate Green Premium
A consortium of renewable energy generators in the UK have successfully negotiated contracts for 312 MW of renewables capacity. The contracts, which have largely been signed with large electricity suppliers, are for prices which include a green premium.
New Comprehensive Danish Energy Law
In August 1998, the Danish Minister of Environment and Energy published a draft for a comprehensive new energy law covering electricity, natural gas and district heating. This draft is submitted for hearings during the Autumn of 1998 prior to confirmation in the Danish parliament towards the end of the year.
The SYNERGY Programme of the European Commission (DGXVII) has just issued its 1999 call for tenders for co-financed projects. Proposed projects should fit within the fields of energy policy advice and training, energy analysis and forecasting, strengthening policy and information dialogue through seminars and conferences, cross-border regional co-operation, and improving industrial energy co-operation.
Commerce
A micro hydro demonstration project funded by the PHARE programme in Bulgaria has just been completed in Bulgaria. Commissioning tests are underway and it is expected to be exporting power to the grid later this month.
After bidding in competition with other Danish and international wind turbine manufacturers, the Danish company Vestas has been chosen as the Main Contractor to supply turbines for the largest wind power plant in the southern hemisphere
UK Government Announces NFFO-5
On the 25th November, John Battle, Minister for Science, Energy and Industry, announced the fifth and possibly final round of the renewable energy support programme, NFFO.
French Calls for Proposals on Biomass Production
Two French organisations are looking for proposals on biomass generation.
Spanish Green Energy Co. Increases Production by 36%
Unión Fenosa Energías Especiales (UFEE) has increased its production from cogeneration, wind, waste and small hydro by 36% in the last year. Wind has been particularly successful for the company, which installed four new wind farms in 1997, and is planning a further two for 1998. The company's success with wind has led to the creation of three new wind development companies.
Italian Gas Company Develops Solar in Hungary
A Hungarian subsidiary of the Italian gas technology company, Fiorentini, have diversified significantly into solar collectors. They have recently opened a demonstration system which will provide hot water for use at their manufacturing plant.
National/International
Council Adopts 5th Framework Convention
The Council of the European Union has formally adopted the programme and budget for its spending on research, technological development and demonstration activities up to 2002.
MEPs Demand Binding Targets for Renewables
MEPs have called on all EU member states to set binding national targets to increase the market share of each renewable energy technology. They have also said that the European Commission should review national strategies for renewables by the end of the year, and if necessary, initiate action to ensure that countries achieve a minimum national increase of 7% in market share by 2010.
EU Energy Taxation Back on the Political Agenda
Following a high-level meeting between member states and the European Commission in June, energy taxation is again under serious consideration in Brussels.
Italy Launches Renewables Strategy for 2010
Italian Environment Minister, Edo Ronchi, has recently outlined the tasks facing the country if it is to reach the renewable energy objectives set by the European Union for the year 2010, as well as the emission targets set at the World Environmental Conference in Kyoto.
UK's First New Wood-fired School
The first purpose built wood-fired heating system to be installed in a UK school was successfully commissioned this week. The system is expected to be fully operational in April 1998.
Technology
Siemens Solar Unveil Next-Generation PV Technolgy
Siemens Solar Group, the world's largest manufacturer of solar cells and modules, has announced the production of a new family of solar modules based on CIS (Copper Indium DiSelenide) thin-film technology. This technology has clear advantages over its competitors in terms of output, efficiency and reliability.
Norwegians Develop Small Stirling Engines
Norwegian company Sigma Elektroteknisk AS, is developing a small (12KW) stirling engine with an overall efficiency of 95%. The engine, known as the Personal Combustion Powerplant (PCP) is currently being extensively tested, and will shortly be manufactured as a central component of a micro CHP unit suitable for the requirements of the European residential ans small-scale commercial market.
Affordable Wave Power in the UK
A researcher for the UK Government has said that there are three wave-energy devices that could generate electricity for less than 5p (US8c) per unit.
A consortium of Dutch organisations has announced their intention of developing a series of very large off-shore wind turbines. Initially they will produce a 3MW unit, though the ultimate goal is to produce a huge 5MW turbine, it was reported in Duurzame Energie.
Pilot Biomass District Heating Project in Slovenia
The small town of Gornji Grad in North-Eastern Slovenia is the location for the first community based biomass district heating plant in the country. Due to come into operation in 1998, this scheme has involved the unique collaboration of several partners including local and national authorities, a local wood processing factory and the European Union PHARE programme.
General
Renewables Focus in Czech Republic
A conference held in July highlighted the growing importance of renewables in the Czech Republic. At present, Czech energy supplies are heavily dependent on brown coal, supplies of which are expected to last for less than 35 years, facing the country with the prospect of having to import 100 per cent of its fuel.
Italy Holds First National Renewable Conference
Italy's first National Conference on Renewable Energy Sources, held in June, attracted intense interest from a wide range of energy and environmental organisations. The conference focused on the economic opportunities offered by renewables, as well as the current barriers to their development in Italy. The central aim of the conference was to encourage the creation of the necessary conditions for a substantial increase in the contribution that renewables make to Italy's national energy production, particularly in the light of decisions made at in Kyoto last year.
Photovoltaics Taking Off in the Netherlands
A conference entitled "The changing roofs of Europe" was held in Noorrdwijkerhout, Netherlands on March 8th - 9th 1998. The conference focused on the application of solar energy on roofs in particular photovoltaics and solar thermal. Of particular interest to delegates was a tour of solar sites in Holland.
Millenium Solar Conference to be Held in Glasgow
Britain is set to enter the new Millennium on an environmentally friendly note, by holding the world's largest solar electricity conference. The Scottish city of Glasgow has been selected to host the 16th European PV Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition on the 22-26th May.