Reworld20160708 DL

VOLUME
ISSUE
19
JULY/AUGUST 2016
1500 Volts
Corporate PPAs
Middle-East Market
Solar Jobs for Coal Workers
Solar + Storage Research
Energy Storage
Wind
Data Points
Geothermal
Australian
researchers make
inroads in storage
beyond lithium.
Mexico's renewable
energy market
remains a puzzle
worth unraveling.
Sustainable energy
in America hits
new highs.
Net-Zero in California
with geothermal
heating and cooling.
p. 29
p. 53
p. 40
p. 43
1607REW_Rev_C1 1
6/23/16 2:43 PM
For more information, enter 2 at REW.hotims.com

GENIUS TRACKER
BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY
HIGHEST POWER DENSITY
UNPARALLELED BANKABILITY
LEAST MAINTENANCE
Breakthrough technology enables lowest cost and highest

reliability tracker with fastest install and lowest O&M cost
Black & Veatch technical assessment;

CPP Wind Tunnel Tested; ETL / UL 2703
Highest power density of any single axis tracker, 99.3%

panel density on rows vs. 94.0% - closest competitor
Self powered rows eliminate central drive, allow for

uninterrupted grass cutting and panel washing
()*+ **

) ) )

+

+) )

! " # $ % &' )))
for more information, visit our website at gamechangesolar.com
1607REW_C2 2
6/21/16 7:52 AM
contents
Solar panels
on the rooftop
of the Delta
Americas
Fremont
headquarters.
Credit: Delta.
43
features
Equinix
HPE
Switch
1.18
23
SOLAR
What Is Driving the

Middle East Solar
Market?
In a recent auction to build
the worlds largest solar
PV power plant, Masdar
entered a bid for US $0299
per kWh, the lowest price
ever paid for solar power.
Susan Kraemer
29
SOLAR AND WIND
37
0.56
Facebook
BD
Microsoft
IKEA
Yahoo
Walmart
Microsoft
Mars
Facebook
Cisco
Amazon
Amazon
Kaiser Permanente
Dow Chemical
Google
Google
Apple
Apple
Amazon
IKEA
Walmart
Kaiser Permanente
General Motors
Procter & Gamble
Google
Apple
SOLAR AND WIND
Renewable Energy
Training Opportunities
for Vets and Displaced
Fossil Energy Workers
Corporations Are
the New Drivers for
Renewable Energy
Growth
The work of installing and

maintaining wind and
solar could put hundreds
of thousands of people to
work. Jennifer Runyon
Looking to achieve
economic competitiveness
and sustainability goals,
corporations could purchase
up to 60 GW of renewable
energy capacity by 2025.
Jennifer Runyon
13
1607REW_1 1
ON THE COVER
Our solar issue explores
the myriad ways that
solar is exploding
globally.
Image Illustration:
Chris Hipp
RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD MAGAZINE
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:48 AM
Environment
New nuclear plants are necessary to lessen the worlds dependence on fossil fuels,
to meet the needs of both developed and expanding economies, and to slow the
amount of CO2 emitted into our environment. NuScale Power has developed a
clean, reliable, carbon-free Small Modular Reactor technology. It has the smallest
environmental footprint of the technologies available today generating electricity.
It will play a significant role in meeting future demand in the U.S. and other nations
as part of a diverse energy portfolio. Environment: The Element of Nu.
NuScale Power
@NuScale_Power
@NuScale_UK
2016 NuScale Power, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
nuscalepower.com
1607REW_2 2
6/21/16 7:48 AM
features
departments & columns
43
GEOTHERMAL
Going Net-Zero in California with

the Help of Geothermal
By accessing existing installer
knowledge, Delta was able to outfit its
Americas headquarters in California
with a geothermal exchange system that
supports the companys net-zero goal.
5 Editors Letter
40 Data Points
How Important is Policy?
6 Regional News
From the Global Renewable
Energy Industry
13 Solar
Sustainable Energy in America
53 Last Word
Mexicos Green Energy Puzzle
54 Advertisers index
The Solar Issue Begins
15 The Big Question

Is Your Company Prepared for
a 1500-Volt Solar Market?
Jennifer Delony
49
STORAGE
Battery and Biofuel Research

Energized by New State-of-theArt Facility Down Under
Ongoing research at the AINST, which
is headquartered at the new AU $150
million Sydney Nanoscience Hub, could
give us energy storage embedded in the
walls and roofs of buildings and much
more. Niall Byrne
On RenewableEnergyWorld.com
RenewableEnergyWorld.com and our social
media communities help you stay connected
to news, opinion and technology updates
from the renewable energy industry.
Visit us on the web to:
Follow us on Twitter @REWorld
Read todays featured article
Subscribe to our e-Newsletters
Purchase a market research report
Nominate a project for a Project of the Year Award
1607REW_3 3
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:48 AM
1607REW_4 4
6/21/16 7:48 AM
From t he Editor
PUBLISHER Stephanie Kolodziej

CHIEF EDITOR Jennifer Runyon
ASSOCIATE EDITOR Jennifer Delony
PRODUCTION
ART DIRECTOR Kelli Mylchreest
PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Mari Rodriguez

SENIOR ILLUSTRATOR Chris Hipp
AUDIENCE DEVELOPMENT
MANAGER Emily Martin
AD SERVICES MANAGER Toni Pendergrass
www.pennwell.com
EDITORIAL OFFICES
REW Magazine
61 Spit Brook Road, Suite 401,
Nashua, NH 03060
U.S. Toll Free: 877-650-1782
+1 603-891-0123
Fax:+1 603-891-9351
www.renewableenergyworld.com
ADVERTISING
For information on advertising in future

issues of the magazine, please contact:
LEIF NEVENER +1 918 832 9333
MATT GALLINGER +1 518 560 0179
DENNE JOHNSON +1 607 259 0027

MIKE FULTON +1 252 489 1381
E-MAIL: REWSales@PennWell.com
PENNWELL MARKETING SOLUTIONS
For assistance with marketing strategy

or ad creation, please contact:
VICE PRESIDENT Paul Andrews
+1 240.595.2352
pandrews@pennwell.com
CORPORATE OFFICERS
CHAIRMAN Robert F. Biolchini

VICE CHAIRMAN Frank T. Lauinger
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE
OFFICER Mark C. Wilmoth
EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE

DEVELOPMENT AND STRATEGY
Jayne A. Gilsinger
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE

AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Brian Conway
SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE
Renewable Energy World is circulated free

to professionals in the renewable energy
industry. To start a free subscription visit
www.rew-subscribe.com. For customer
service contact rew@halldata.com.
Professionals outside the renewable energy
industry may start a paid subscription.
For pricing information email us at
rew@halldata.com, call +1 847-763-9540,
or fax +1 847-763-9607.
If renewables didnt have policy support, there wouldnt be much of

a market, so the saying goes. You only need to glance at Paula Mints
most recent report showing how the spread of the European Feed-in
Tariff (FIT) caused a spike in development activity to realize how policies manipulate markets.
I wonder however, if that is changing as more and more corporations get into the space. Major players like Amazon, Google and others are signing PPAs left and right. Our story on corporate PPAs gives
more insight into how these mechanisms work.
One reason that corporations are interested in PPAs is because of
economics. When Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) run the numbers
they realize that locking in electricity rates for the next 10, 15, 20 years
makes a lot of sense. Policy is a factor here because it is tax credits or
other incentives that help make PPA economics look so attractive.
But a second equally important reason is not driven by policy: public support. A recent Strom Report shows that in major industrialized
countries, renewables have approval ratings above 80 percent.
This uptick in corporate PPAs can be attributed to policy and public
support. The CFO wants the electricity rate-lock, the sustainability officer wants to reduce the carbon footprint of the organization, and the
marketing group wants renewables because they are viewed so favorably by the public. If technology costs keep dropping and public support of renewable energy keeps growing, that means that policy could
eventually step out of the picture with no detriment to the growth of
renewable energy.
Jennifer Runyon, Chief Editor

1607REW_5 5
JULY/AUGUST 2016 5
6/21/16 7:48 AM
REGIONAL
news
tovoltaic (PV) technology to the U.S. with a new team in Petaluma,
Mexico and
EU Launch
Geothermal
Research
Project
CA, and a manufacturing facility in Georgia to provide a system that
At the June Clean Energy Min-
is entirely made in the USA. Established in 2006 as a renewable Inde-
isterial Meeting, CarlosMoe-
pendent Power Producer, the companys system is an alternative to
das, European Commission-
ground- or roof-mounted solar PV.
er for Research, Science and
NORTH AMERICA
Floating Solar PV Company

Sets Up Shop in the US
Ciel et Terre announced that it is bringing its large-scale floating pho-
Ciel et Terres floating Hydrelio platform allows standard PV panels
Innovation, and Pedro Joaqun
to be installed on large man-made bodies of water such as industrial
Coldwell, Mexican Secretary of
reservoirs, dams or irrigation ponds. The company said this is espe-
Energy, announced that Euro-
cially valuable
pean and Mexican researchers
for energy and
will work together on tapping
water intensive
into new sources of geother-
industries such
mal energy. The project,
as water treat-
known as GEMex, was selected
ment plants
in a jointcalllaunched by the
and reclama-
European Union and Mexico.
tion facilities,
Credit: Ciel et Terre. wineries and
The EU and Mexico will

contribute equally to the 20
dairy farms that cannot afford to waste resources. The platform cre-
million project. The aim of
ates a new use for the surface area of commercial and industrial bod-
GEMex is to develop innova-
ies of water, which are typically unobscured from the sun, kept out
tive methods for accessing the
of sight and located near energy-intensive processes, according to the
earths vast resources of heat
company. Further, it says that by covering significant surface area on
now trapped in variable geo-
the body of water, the system conserves water by reducing evapora-
logical formations. The ulti-
tion, while the shading from its panels limits algae growth. In addi-
mate objective is to make this
tion, the solar panels operate more efficiently and produce more ener-
renewable energy source cost-
gy due to the natural cooling effect emitted through the water, said
effective and affordable both
the company.
for electricity and heat pro-
Ciel et Terre has designed and implemented over 40 megawatts
duction. The three-year proj-
(MW) of floating solar generation across 20 plants in Japan includ-
ect will adhere to the strictest
ing the worlds largest floating PV project under construction on the
environmental standards and
Yamakura Dam (with 50,904 floating solar panels).
address issues around social
The company has implemented projects in seven countries, including Japan, Korea, China, UK, France, Brazil, and the U.S.
acceptance of the technology,

according to the release. It is
set to begin in the fall of 2016.
1607REW_6 6
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:46 AM
AFRICA AND MIDDLE EAST
Kenyan Government Appoints Advisor

for Olkaria VI Geothermal Plant
The National Treasury in Kenya and KenGen have
interconnection of approximately 5 km (includ-
selected K&M Advisors to prepare a feasibility
ing the substation, switch gears and the associat-
study to establish the technical configuration and
ed facilities).
bankability of the 140-MW Olkaria VI geothermal
K&M will recommend the best PPP model and
power project. The firm will conduct a grid con-
advise KenGen on risk allocation and the contrac-
nection study and examine the grids ability to
tual structure, as well as prepare all necessary
accommodate additional power.
project agreements. Finally, K&M will prepare
The Olkaria VI power plant will be devel-
the request for qualifications and request for pro-
oped through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP)
posals, and advise KenGen through the procure-
arrangement. The private partner will help
ment process and proposal evaluation, as well as
design, finance, supply, construct, commis-
provide transaction advisory support through to
sion and maintain the plant, and build a grid
financial close.
Report: Emerging Markets More Attractive than

EU, US for Renewable Energy Investment
Almost without exception, Euro-
The report finds that Chile
their ambitions as they address
pean markets slipped while less
is one of the first markets to
the challenges of marrying up
mature markets across Latin
enable economically viable
increasingly mainstream renew-
America, Africa and Asia con-
renewables projects to compete
ables with a legacy of cen-
tinued their ascent in 2015,
directly with all other energy
tralized conventional power
revealed the latest edition of
sources. At the same time, Bra-
generation.
the EY Renewable Energy Coun-
zils renewables sector is show-
Ben Warren, EYs Glob-
try Attractiveness Index (RECAI)
ing resilience amid an economic
al Power & Utilities Corporate
report. Emerging markets now
downturn and its underdevel-
Finance Leader and RECAI Chief
represent half of the countries
oped solar market remains a
Editor, said in a press release:
in the 40-strong index, including
potentially lucrative lure. Mexi-
four African markets featuring
cos recent power auctions have
forming their energy industries
in the top 30. Ten years ago only
opened the door to multi-bil-
at an unprecedented pace. Last
China and India were attractive
lion dollar opportunities under a
year, renewable energy invest-
enough to compete with more
new liberalized energy market.
ments in the developing world
developed markets for renew-
Meanwhile, European coun-
able energy investment.
tries appear to be scaling back
Emerging markets are trans-
overtook those in the developed

world for the first time. Latin
1607REW_7 7
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:47 AM
REGIONAL
news
America, in particular, has become something of a litmus test for

how quickly markets can grow.
Argentina was the highest-scoring new entrant, the report shows.
The transformation of the countrys economy and rollout of an ambitious renewables program under its new pro-market government
brings it into the index in 19th position, and reinforces how quickly
new markets can redirect the focus of developers and investors.
Warren added: Markets earlier in their renewables journey are
benefiting from cheaper and more efficient technologies, lower cost
EUROPE
Modular Energy
Storage Heading
to Scotland
Wind Farm
of capital and more reliable resource forecasting. The increasing-
Two contract-manufactured, con-
ly global flow of capital proves that investors are becoming more
tainerized vanadium flow battery
comfortable with new markets. We can expect to see massive
energy storage systems produced
deployment of low carbon investment in developing markets.
by redT energy plc were recently shipped to the Power Networks
To hear from experts about renewable energy investment opportunities in
Demonstration Centre (PNDC) in
Africa, watch the replay of the June 27 RenewableEnergyWorld.com webcast:
Cumbernauld, Scotland.Working
High-Yield Investment Opportunities in the African Renewable Energy Sector.
alongside the Scottish Department

of Energy & Climate Change (DECC)
at PNDCs University of Strathclyde
Saudi Companies Front Runners

for 170-MW Noor PV 1 Renewable
Program In Morocco
site, the units will be subjected to
On 23rd May, The Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy (MASEN), conduct-
islands 1-MW wind farm.
ed a public bid opening of its 170-MW Noor PV 1 solar power plant.

According to sources close to MASEN, three leading Saudi com-
data analysis and performance

benchmarking before being transported to the Scottish Isle of Gigha,
where they will be coupled with the
The project itself will eventually comprise 1.68-MW of storage in
panies including, ACWA Power, FRV (a subsidiary of Abdul Latif
the form of seven 15kW/240kWh
Jameel) and Alfanar, submitted the top three proposals for the
units connected in series. redTs
plant, which is to be constructed in Morocco.
units were selected for this remote
The multi-currency tariffs submitted by these companies were in
location, which has limited grid
the proximity of 6 US cents/kWh, a tariff which is a record low in North
connection, due totheir ability to
African markets, said the source who preferred to remain anonymous.
balance variable generation from
There is a huge demand for electricity across the region, particularly in the Northern Africa nations consisting of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Egypt. Morocco, in particular, has already set
forth a promising set of projects.
With its financial reserves and power sector expertise, and with
renewable sources and their ability

to time-shift excess generation.
The Gigha energy storage system is funded by DECC and redT
is working alongside project part-
the support from the government, companies from Saudi Arabia
ners; Scottish and Southern Ener-
have recently bid on various renewable projects in the Middle East
gy (SSE), EA Technology Ltd., Com-
and North African markets, and in most cases, have been awarded
munity Energy Scotland (CES) and
these projects.
Gigha Green Power Ltd. (GGPL).
The project is set to achieve its financial close in the Q4 of 2016.

8
1607REW_8 8
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:47 AM
Meet us at
Hamburg
WindEnergy
Booth
IN WIND TURBINES,
YOUR PERFORMANCE STARTS
WITH CABLES
Photos credits: Getty
#B6.282
WINDLINK
INNOVATIVE CABLE SOLUTIONS
AND SERVICES WORLDWIDE.
Because you want to supply electrical generation efciency and not just turbines,
we have developed WINDLINK cable solutions. All our cables, connectors and
accessories ensure maximum reliability and performance for your turbines. Our complete
offer, global presence, engineering services and TCO approach assure your quality
and manufacturing continuity.
www.nexans.com/windlink - marcom.info@nexans.com
1607REW_9 9
6/21/16 7:47 AM
REGIONAL
news
Worlds Largest Biomass CHP Plant

To Help Power Central Stockholm
The worlds largest biomass combined heat and
Transportation of the biomass fuel from the port to
power power (CHP) plant was inaugurated in Vr-
the power plant is provided by a 1km-long under-
tan, Stockholm in May. The plant will be used pri-
ground conveyor.
marily for the production of heat and electricity
The city of Stockholm has a goal of being carbon
for the city. Fortum AB will operate the plant and
neutral by 2030 and hopes to be completely fossil-
Doosan koda Power (DSPW) supplied the 154-MW
fuel-free for heating and power by 2040. This plant
turbo generator.
is a milestone on its way to achieve these goals.
A substantial portion of the building that hous-
The Fortum plant showcases how the use of
es the project is carved into the rock and the regen-
wood waste for power production reduces CO2
erative turbine system and district heater, sup-
emissions. This plant will reduce CO2 emissions in
plied by DSPW, are located 15 meters below ground.
Stockholm by 126,000 tons/year.
ASIA PACIFIC
Indian Solar Installations in First 5 Months

of 2016 Exceed All of Previous Year
Mercom Capital Group forecasts solar installations in India
to total approximately 5 GW for
2016. Cumulative solar installations in India crossed the 7.5 GW
mark as of May 2016 with about
India Solar Installations

Annual
installations (MW)
Cumulative
installations (MW)
10,000
9015
20,000
8,000
2.2 GW installed so far this year,
6,000
more than all of solar installed
4,000
5068
with approximately 13 GW under

construction and 9 GW in the
Request for Proposal process.
Raj Prabhu, Mercom CEO
2,000
0
12
172
2009
2010
2011
986
1004
2012
2013
5,000
883
2014
15,000
10,000
2133
in 2015. Indias solar project pipeline has now surpassed 22 GW
25,000
2015
2016 2017
Forecast
Chart showing India solar installations. Credit: Mercom.
remarked that solar and infrastructure have not kept pace
At the end of FY2015-16, solar
source in the country, said Mer-
with auction announcements
represented 2.5 percent of the
com. Solar accounted for 17.4 per-
and wondered if growing from a
net installed capacity in India, up
cent of all renewable energy gen-
2-GW annual market to 9-GW is
from 1.4 percent one year prior. It
eration in FY2015-16 compared to
too much too fast.
is the fastest growing new energy
10.5 percent in FY2014-15.
10
1607REW_10 10
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:47 AM
1607REW_11 11
6/21/16 7:47 AM
REGIONAL
news
Low bidding levels through reverse auctions are a major con-
cern at a time when the Indian banking sector is going through its
own challenges, potentially making borrowing more difficult in the
short-term, said Mercom. According to Reserve Bank of India data,
bank loans worth Rs.7 lakh crore (~$103 b) were under stress as of
the end of 2015. Currently, 19 developers have bid for 2.9 GW of solar
projects below Rs.5 (~$0.0735) and about 1.2 GW of these projects
have signed power purchase agreements. On a slightly positive note,
LATIN AMERICA
Brazils Distributed
Generation
Sector Growing
Exponentially
the lowest tariff of Rs.4.34 (~$0.0638) seems to have been an outlier

with subsequent auctions coming in at Rs.4.66 (~$0.0685) or more.
There is no set rule which says tariffs below Rs.5 (~$0.0735)
Distributed generation connections grew by 308 percent in Brazil
cannot be financed. Some banks are seriously looking at projects
in 2015, according to the Nation-
in the Rs.4.5-5 (~$0.0662-0.0735) tariff range, but financing depends
al Electric Energy Agency (ANEEL),
on sound project economics, borrower credibility, a strong balance
Brazils top energy regulator.
sheet and the developers ability to service debt, said Prabhu.
Brazil doubled its solar targets

for both utility-scale and distributed generation in January. The 2024
Polyurethane Wind Turbine

Blades Made in China
The first polyurethane rotor blade for wind turbines in Asia was
target under the official 10-year

energy plan is for 7 GW of utilityscale solar and 1.32 GW of distributed PV installations.
A new distributed generation
recently unveiled by Covestro at the Shanghai FRP Research Insti-
program in Brazil, ProGD, was
tute. The 37.5-meter rotor blade, designed for a 1.5-MW turbine,
launched by Brazils Ministry of
was fabricated with a special polyurethane infusion resin from
Mines and Energy (MME) and is
Covestro and glass fiber mats from Chongqing Polycomp Inter-
aimed at encouraging consumers
national. A vacuum pressure infusion system with continuous
to generate their own power from
degassing, developed by process technology specialist HBERS,
renewable energy, with a particu-
was used to produce the rotor blade.
lar emphasis on solar energy.
Kim Klausen, global head of the Wind Energy Program at
According to the MME, by 2030
Covestro, said in a release that the new material is proof of the
roughly 2.7 million Brazilian con-
performance and cost advantages of polyurethanes over epoxy
sumers could have distributed
resins in wind power generation.
generation installations either on
The resin was developed in close collaboration between the
private residences, in industrial
Covestro Wind Competence Center in Denmark and the Polymer
setups or in the agricultural sec-
Research Development Center (PRDC) of Covestro in Shanghai.
tor. This would be the equivalent of
Covestro researcher Dr. Chenxi Zhang presented the new devel-
23.5 GW of clean energy capacity.
opment at the China Summit Forum 2016 for International Wind
The country predicts that 18
Power Composite Materials in Zhejiang in April. He explained
percent of Brazilian homes will
to the more than 500 wind power experts the advantages of the
host PV systems by 2050. These
polyurethane system and the progress Covestro has made work-
installations would meet approxi-
ing together with glass fiber suppliers, process engineering part-
mately 13 percent of the countrys
ners and rotor blade manufacturers.
electricity demand.
12
1607REW_12 12
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:47 AM
The Renewable
Energy World
Solar Issue
Solar is experiencing incredible growth globally. Our annual
solar issue looks at the particularly hot topics of the year.
15
23
29
37
Our Big Question examines the 1500V solar

market. While its been widely used in Europe,
1500V solar is just arriving in the U.S. and we ask
companies how they are preparing for a highervoltage solar market.
Middle Eastern solar energy bids are coming in

staggeringly low. Solar power at less than 3 US cents
per kWh? Well examine whats behind these recordbreaking low bids and see if they are sustainable.
Solar and wind training opportunities

are available for those trained in fossil energy
technologies. We showcase how displaced coal and oil
workers can learn some new tricks.
Corporate renewable energy procurement

hit a new high in 2015. Why are so many companies
signing power purchase agreements for renewable
energy output? How do these deals work? Our feature
answers these questions and more.
Dont forget to check RenewableEnergyWorld.com for up-to-date news and

information about the global solar industry. Want the news delivered to your
inbox? Subscribe to our twice-weekly solar e-newsletter and check out our
other weekly e-newsletters here.
Image Illustration: Chris Hipp
1607REW_13 13
JULY/AUGUST 2016
13
6/21/16 7:48 AM
PV CONFERENCE
& EXPO-CHICAGO
November 9-10, 2016

Hilton Chicago
Chicago, IL
Powered by:
ation
r
t
s
i
g
e
!R
E
T
A
D
HE
SAVE T
nth.
o
m
s
i
en th
p
o
l
l
i
w
Solar Power PV Conference & Expo - Chicago is

The event will feature 50+ exhibitors who make an
impact in the Midwest solar market, or are hoping
to increase business in the region.
Join 1,500 of your colleagues for two days of
networking and a robust education program
featuring two tracks: business and policy.

Gain insights from
industry experts:
Community Solar
Customer Acquisition
Utility Business Models
Rate Design
Grid Integration
Finance
...and more!

1607REW_14 14
6/21/16 7:48 AM
The Big Question
Key executives weigh in on worldwide renewable energy issues
Is Your Company Prepared for

a 1500-volt Solar Market?
For utility-scale solar projects, the move to 1500 volts means that overall project installations costs
will be less because fewer balance of system (BOS) parts will be required and labor will be reduced.
How are product manufacturers, installers, project developers and other stakeholders preparing
for the switch? Have they rolled out new products and services? Do they plan to in the future?
Explore how prepared the solar industry is for higher-voltage PV plants
by reading the responses to this months big question: Is your company
prepared for a 1500-volt solar market? Why or why not?
Tom Tansey
SunSpec Alliance
FROM DATA COMMUNICATION and finance standard perspectives, the move to

1500V should be seamless.
Standards in the communication area (e.g. IEC 61850, IEEE 1815, IEEE
2030.5 and SunSpec over Modbus) are the same. The advanced inverter functions being introduced to IEEE 1547 (e.g. frequency/voltage regulation, reactive
power control, etc.) to manage rooftop systems are likewise the same for utility-scale. Differences exist in system management approaches (on-site personnel for utility scale vs. off-site personnel for rooftop), but the underlying infrastructure (i.e. protocols, tools) for both segments is similar.
Finance standards are somewhat different for utility-scale, but here the
rooftop segment is catching up, which means no disadvantage for 1500 volts.
The SunSpec Alliance is engaged with the U.S. DOE SunShot program on the
Orange Button initiative to ensure financing standards remain consistent for
all market sectors.
In safety standards, the overlap between 1500-volt systems and rooftop systems is minimal. At utility scale, and assuming inherent safety concerns are
mitigated, the benefits of 1500-volt systems are obvious (higher efficiency, longer
string runs, smaller conductors) and therefore adoption should be strong.
TMEIC is prepared for the 1500V solar market as demonstrated by our recent
release of the worlds first 1500VDC PV inverter certified to UL1741. This
development is an exciting step in the shift to higher DC voltages as it allows
1607REW_15 15
JULY/AUGUST 2016
15
6/21/16 7:45 AM
The Big Question
the market to enjoy the associated cost reductions of higher voltages while maintaining the safety of installing UL
certified equipment.TMEICs experience in other medium- and high-voltage industries gave us the background
necessary to understand the risk factors that are inherent in the 1500V PV market and to design solar inverters
Andy Fioramonti that are reliable, safe, and cost effective.By achieving the
TMEIC Renewable UL1741 certification in the 1500V version of our Samurai
Energy
series of inverters, TMEIC has removed one of the largest
hurdles in the advancement of the 1500VDC PV market.
Applied Energy Technologies (AET) has a strong foundation in the industry and we have been involved in many
1500-voltsystem designs recently. The 1500-volt system
reduces costs as compared to a traditional 1000-volt system by reducing component counts across the project.
String sizes can be increased by nearly 50 percent, thus
Aaron Faust
reducing wiring, equipment and labor costs. System archiApplied Energy
tecture in all of AETs products is flexible, so the 1500-volt
Technologies
system allows AET to propose multiple array configurations geared toward cost and size optimization of the array
field.Through this, we have been able to reduce material
and save cost by a penny per watt in some cases. It may not seem like a lot,
but for projects over 100 MW, this can equate to $1 million in savings.
The move to 1500-volt system voltages is an effort to reduce

costs at a system level by deploying PV systems with fifty
percent longer strings and one-third fewer electrical balance-of-system (EBOS) components. Ampt String Optimizers are already achieving greater value in 1000-volt systems
than 1500-volt systems without Ampt by doubling the string
Mark Kanjorski
lengths and removing half of the EBOS components.
Ampt
Early adopters of 1500-volt systems are dealing with
higher component costs and limited product availability as well as the complexities of new codes and standards associated with this higher voltage. Ampt is assisting with this transition by providing bridging technology that allows 1500-volt inverters to
deliver their full rated output power in 1000-volt systems using Ampt String
Optimizers and 1000-volt components. Getting full power from a 1500volt inverter in a 1000-volt system lowers the inverter cost per watt in
16
1607REW_16 16
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:45 AM
The Big Question
addition to the EBOS savings that Ampt provides.

Ampt is also working with developers, EPCs and 1500-volt component
manufacturers so that as higher voltage components are more economical
and widely available, they can be used with Ampt String Optimizers in 1500volt systems to achieve an additional fifty percent reduction in EBOS components compared to systems without Ampt.
Armand
Ananda
Socomec
While 1,000 VDC is still prevalent in the U.S. in PV application; European customers are already demanding products that can handle 1500 VDC as permitted under IEC
rules. Today SOCOMEC offers its UL98B listed Sirco PV
switches for up to 1500 VDC. This offers an immediate
opportunity for cost-reduction in utility-scale PV systems
by enabling longer strings and fewer combiner boxes, less
wiring, less trenching, and therefore less labor.
In addition, the company offers its NEW 1500 VDCrated INOSYS LBS multi-polar load break switches that
INTERSOLAR NORTH AMERICA

July 12 14, 2016 - San Fransisco, USA
Visit the German Pavilion,

Moscone West Convention Center,
Level 1 at booth 7433
Meet 12 German companies at INTERSOLAR NORTH

AMERICA 2016 and learn more about renewable energy

Drop in and meet German experts in renewable
energy and

www.renewables-made-in-germany.com

1607REW_17 17
JULY/AUGUST 2016
17
6/21/16 7:45 AM
The Big Question
include a tripping function for PV distribution applications requiring high

reliability, compliance with multiple standards, and suitability for safety
applications such as firefighter emergency disconnects.
Tigos value proposition is clear. Our TS4 platform works

with all major inverter and module manufacturers globally. TS4 gives installers a greater degree of control over
what they want and need for any project. Tigos TS4 design
platform has been extended to support up to 1500V PV system design, which can further reduce installation time,
Zvi Alon
system components, wiring and other BOS costs.
Tigo
Technically, raising the system voltage to 1500V allows
for 50 percent longer strings, which eliminates 33 percent of the combiners and wiring in a system. The longer
string enables a higher inverter input voltage, which supports an increase
in the inverters rated output power by 40 to 70 percent. With its currently shipping Long String feature, Tigo further improves the customer benefits
beyond the 1500-volt capability.
Since Tigo architected its products well, it never was a technical barrier for Tigo system to work on 1500V requirement; it was code restrictions
and now we are in the midst of ANSI/UL 1741, EN/IEC 62109 certification
expected Q2- Q3.
C.J. Colavito
Director of
Engineering,
Standard Solar
The 1500 V DC systems have been standard in Europe for

years, so as a leading commercial developer with deep technical expertise, we at Standard Solar are happy to see it finally make its way to the U.S. We plan to seize this opportunity
for our ground-mount projects once materials and products
are readily available. At the moment, its not a solution we
can deploy because listed materials are not readily available.
No one can argue that this solution wouldnt substantially reduce material and labor costs. But the industry
will have to educate AHJs (authorities having jurisdiction)
on what it means so they accept the DC voltage increase
prior to widespread deployment.
1500 volt technology is one main direction in which Sungrow is heading. As a

PV inverter manufacturer with shipments approaching 8.9 GW in 2015, Sungrow currently has products of 1500 volts including the SG3000HV-MV.
18
1607REW_18 18
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:45 AM
Designed to be grid-friendly with full grid support,

including LVRT, OVRT, FRT and power curtailment, the
SG3000HV-MVs active power is adjustable from 0 to 110
percent and its reactive power control with power factor
can be adjusted from 0.8 leading to 0.8 lagging. Moreover,
it has nighttime reactive power compensation capability
Daniel Liu
and intelligent control which is compatible with multiple
Sungrow
regional utility standards.
In the future, Sungrow will strengthen its advantage in
the technology of 1500 volts and offer better products, solutions and services to customers.
You might say ABB has been preparing for the 1500 V solar market for more
than 40 years. At SPI 2015, ABB introduced its newest utility scale inverter,
the PVS980, specifically designed for the 1500-volt solar market. The PVS980
1500 V central inverter leverages more than 40 years of ABBs industrial frequency converter business technology where the power electronics and control
Renewable Energy World

Online Learning
Solar for every

roof.
powered by:
Online education for professionals in solar,

clean energy and sustainability.
Earn continuing education credits.
Access to FREE solar tools and courses.
START LEARNING!
1607REW_19 19
Snow or Sun.
Tile, Comp Shingle,
Metal or Flat.
EcoX is the rail-less
choice for solar
on any roof.
740-249-1877 www.ecolibriumsolar.com
6/21/16 7:46 AM
The Big Question
technologies have been designed for the most demanding environments. So it is no surprise that we believe the
PVS980 has some of the best power electronics and control
innovations on the market today. What makes the PVS980
unique is its self-contained cooling system. This innovative, truly low-maintenance cooling solution is designed
Jani Kangas
for demanding applications and harsh environments, cutABB
ting O&M costs and ensuring outstanding endurance and
reliability. These technologies have enabled us to design
a rugged, NEMA 4x product with high power density and
thermal management without compromise. ABB is well prepared to help its
customers lead the way and take full advantage of the 1500 V solar market.
John Vernacchia
Eaton
As voltages increase in solar applications, it becomes

more challenging to manage DC current. Eaton has extensive experience in managing DC circuits inother high
voltage DC environments such asrail systemsandsteel
mills.Currently, Eaton offers fuses, disconnect switches
and combiner boxes for 1500-volt solar applicationsglobally.Were also actively developing additional solutions for
circuit protection, collections systems,invertersand other
EBOS solutions.
1500 V PV systems will allow solar arrays to achieve higher levels of performance with lower capital costs and greater installation efficiencies. However, it does require redesign and recertification of array electrical components to
meet the higher voltage level. We have been introducing
products in our BOS electrical component ranges to meet
Daniel J. Sylawa this requirement.
Phoenix Contact
Beyond the certification, 1500 V PV systems will also
USA
intensify O&M challenges that are frequently encountered
due to poor array electrical installation practices. These
include poor field crimping of PV connectors, the use of
incompatible PV connectors from different manufacturers, and short string
fuse life due to self-heating. Our product designs have also evolved to address
these O&M challenges, including tool-less spring clamp connector designs
that uniquely mate only to themselves and inline fuses that allow installation
in the free air outside of combiner boxes.
20
1607REW_20 20
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:46 AM
1607REW_21 21
6/21/16 7:46 AM
BUYERS FORUM @
SEPTEMBER 13 -15, 2016 | NOVI, MICHIGAN, USA
Buyers Forum @ Critical Power Expo is a rst for the industry
a free-to-attend, three-day platform for anyone involved in
designing, implementing and maintaining mission-critical power
systems for critical facilities across multiple industries
FULL
AGENDA
AVAILABLE
ONLINE
LATEST SPEAKERS CONFIRMED INCLUDE:
Roy Franklin
Data Center Operations Manager
Southern Light
Jason Lee
Global Product Manager
Eaton
Joergen Madsen
Business Development Director
ABB
Jeff Menig
Functional Leader Electrical
Systems, Global Facilities,
Facilities Engineering
General Motors
William Pentland
Managing Partner
Brookside Strategies
Dwayne Bradley
PMP, ENV-SP, Project Manager
Burns & McDonnell
Stephen P Burgess
Data Certication Authority
Uptime Institute
Saber Mohamed
Associate / Electrical Engineer,
Mission Critical Facilities
Syska Hennessy Group
Victor Garcia-Escalante
Project Manager - Facility
Engineering & Construction
Wireline Operations
Verizon
SECURE YOUR FREE SEAT ONLINE TODAY
WWW.CRITICALPOWEREXPO.COM
1607REW_22 22
6/21/16 7:46 AM
SOLAR
What Is Driving the Middle

East Solar Market?
In a recent auction
to build the worlds
largest solar PV power
plant, Masdar entered
a bid for US $.0299 per
kWh, which would be
the lowest price ever
paid for solar power.
SUSAN KRAEMER, Contributor
With regard to solar project

development PPA prices, normally, it is local deployment over
time that gradually gets solar
prices down. But the Middle East has only just begun to
deploy solar. So what is behind Masdars bid for Phase III of
the Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
in Dubai at the worlds-lowest-ever 2.99 US cents?
Competitive Spirit
Oxford University Middle East Energy Expert Justin Dargin
said partly it is the result of competitive auctions. In Dubai,
as in other new solar markets in South Africa, Mexico and
Chile, solar is not paid a set tariff.
There has been a conceptual shift in the renewable energy sector. Governments prefer tenders over feed-in-tariffs,
Dargin explained. Auctions shift costs from governmental
budgets to developers. Using auction-based renewable bidding; the offtaker; state-owned Dubai Electricity and Water
Authority (DEWA) will be able to grow the project to its ultimate stated goal by 2030 of 5 GW.
Another factor in Masdars 2.99 per kWh
solar bid for the Phase III 200 MW was suggested by Former Masdar co-founder/director Steven Geiger, now a partner at the U.S.
investment firm Innova Partners.
Masdars startling bid followed last
years loss to Saudi-based ACWA Power
whose winning bid for Phase II was at a
then-record 5.85 cents, he said. Masdar is
closely tied to the Emirate of Abu Dhabi,
the sister Emirate to Dubai.
Masdar probably assumed Abu Dhabis
close ties with Dubai would mean a sure
win at a nice profit. Losing to ACWA by a
HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al
Maktoum inaugurates the second phase of the
Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park.
Credit: Government of Dubai.
1607REW_23 23
JULY/AUGUST 2016
23
6/21/16 2:12 PM
solar
The 27th meeting of Dubai Supreme

Council of Energy aligned Dubai
Integrated Energy Strategy 2030
with UAE Vision 2021. Credit:
Government of Dubai.
very large margin likely motivated this much lower bid.

They wanted to ensure the
win this time.
Royal Finance
As a subsidiary of Abu Dhabis sovereign wealth fund,
Mubadala, Masdar benefits from government ownership. FGB, the financing bank
is also owned by the ruling
family.
Were already in an abnormally low global interest rate
environment, but a government can borrow at extremely
low prices, Geiger explained.
Ruling-family solar support
will likely replicate oil support, Dargin said. In the Gulf
region, the oil sector is dominated by state-owned national
oil companies. Banks offered
low project finance rates to
state-owned companies.
Many governments in the
Gulf now view renewable
24
1607REW_24 24
JULY/AUGUST 2016
development as a strategic goal,

and provide low-cost funding to
their solar sector, he said.
Like any new technology, solar initially paid higher
finance costs than traditional
energy; resulting in higher prices. As more has been deployed,
banking sector confidence has increased, reducing these costs
worldwide. But in Dubai, solar finance rates are now about as
low as those for natural gas and even lower than for coalfired projects.
The financial sector is beginning to take notice of Dubais
record-setting solar price; below coal-fueled power generation,
Dargin said. If these low solar prices can be maintained, with
acceptable return on investment, then we could see even lower
solar prices in the future, with regional financial institutions
developing an appetite to fund them.
Dangerously Low?
Geiger cautioned against assuming Masdars price is a new norm
outside the Gulf states, however.
I think the limbo bar is set so low that a lot of backs are going
to be broken trying to get under it, said Geiger. That happened
in Jordan. Companies underbid just to survive, and then couldnt
execute. Some short-term damage can be done as people try to
match unrealistic results. Projects were set back and solar got a
black eye.
Geiger built Masdars PV factory in Germany, among the fallen
in the big solar shakeout of 2012. He is leery of too-rosy expectations based on these startling prices.
The risk is extrapolating that sub-3 cents is the new price of
solar and its not, he said. Its the price of solar that is largely government owned; at very low borrowing cost, in a country
with no income tax or corporate tax.
Today, First Solar is the only U.S. firm competing in the
6/21/16 2:12 PM
solar
region but there is nothing holding back other firms

from participating, according
to Moritz Borgmann, a partner in the cleantech advisory,
Apricum. SunPower made
a deliberate decision not to
participate. But they certainly have the opportunity
in this and future tenders. They chose not to, said
Borgmann.
The low bidders were
Saudi, Chinese or French
firms, with five bids lower
than ACWA Powers historic
5-cent bid last year. Frances
EDF with Qatars Nebras
Power bid 4.8 cents, Frances Engie (GDF Suez) and Japans Marubeni bid 4.4 cents, First Solar/ACWA Power bid 3.96 cents and
Jinko Solar bid 3.69 cents.
Fossil fuel Prices

All five lowest bids are lower than current fossil energy alternatives. Coal in Dubai costs 4.5 cents per kWh, and natural gas,
which must be imported from Qatar, is substantially higher. Jordan and most Gulf countries must import expensive coal or natural gas for electricity.
Surprisingly, many Middle East nations have no oil wealth.
Of the seven Emirates making up the UAE, only Abu Dhabi
is a major oil exporter. It holds a 97 billion-barrel oil reserve,
while Dubai has only four. The remaining five Emirates have
none. Like Jordan, Morocco and Egypt, these are the countries
that are going ahead with renewables, because they dont have
domestic fossil resources, said Borgmann.
Meanwhile, the oil exporting nations Saudi Arabia and Abu
1607REW_25 25
6/21/16 2:12 PM
solar
Dhabi are in crisis.

The extremely low oil
price over the past two years
has caused enormous financial distress in Middle Eastern energy-rich countries,
Dargin said. So the goal is to
ministry has been developed to mitigate infighting amongst

the various ministries that impeded development of energybased projects before.
Ministers who resisted the reformation of the energy prices
were removed from their positions or placed in other roles. This
indicates the sincerity of the government to restructure its economy and energy sector. The new energy ministry will have significant streamlined decision-making ability to see solar energy
projects moving forward.
Saudis new initial 9.5 GW
goal is a better start: The new
goals are rational, with a recognition of the current limitations,
and the political will to rectify them. With the major shakeup and economic restructuring,
Saudi Arabia can now devote
Dubai Supreme Council of Energy Vice Chairman visits the Mohammed
more attention and political will
bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park. Credit: Government of Dubai.
to meet its solar energy goals,
Dargin said.
produce renewable energy for
Geiger agreed that its likely that the Saudis could develop
domestic consumption, prelocal industry with solar manufacturing. In Germany, Masdar
serving exports for abroad; to
learned the challenges of manufacturing in a fast-changing highreduce the burden on the govtech industry and found investment and project development to
ernmental budgets.
be a better fit, he said.
But Saudi Arabia has a very different industrial profile
New Saudi Determination
and desperately needs jobs, with a 30 percent youth unemployYears ago, Dargin predictment rate.
ed that the Saudis would not
Saudi Arabias Abdul Latif Jameel (ALJ) is part of Abu Dhabis
be able to execute on their
winning consortium led by Masdar. ALJ acquired French solar
ambitious 2010 stated goal of
developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) last year. Mas43 GW of solar. But that has
dar and ALJ/FRV will build 200 MW and possibly all 800 MW
changed, partly due to the
to be announced of Phase III, owning and operating it for the
now-desperate situation for
25-year contract with DEWA, the offtaker.
oil exporters.
The Gulf states already have high irradiance, extremely low
This is not the Saudi Araland costs, extremely low-cost labor, favorable loan rates, and
bia of even a few years ago,
low tax regimes. With Saudi Arabia restructuring its solar enerhe explained. Due to resisgy policy landscape, Abu Dhabis manufacturing lessons learned
tance by certain ministries,
and refocus on investment, and Dubais trailblazing of competisolar had been held back.
tive auctions in the region, the Middle East is now uniquely posiBut a new energy mega
tioned to be the worlds new low price solar leader.
26
1607REW_26 26
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 2:12 PM
11-13
MAY
Renewables | Fossil Fuels | Nuclear
PRAGATI MAIDAN,
NEW DELHI, INDIA
www.power-genindia.com
SAVE THE DATE
FOR INDIAS LEADING CLEAN ENERGY EVENT

India is looking meet rising energy demands and to secure a lower carbon sustainable
future. Against this backdrop, there is no better time to participate at Indias leading
clean energy event
LEARN
about the latest
challenges and
solutions for the Indian
power generation
industry
SHOWCASE
your companys
products and services
to the Indian
power generation
industry
EXPERIENCE
first-hand the latest
technology for the
Indian power
generation
industry
ATTEND AS
A DELEGATE
SIGN UP AS
AN EXHIBITOR
JOIN AS A
VISITOR
5,500+
200+
75+
20+
16
Attendees
Exhibitors
Speakers
Conference Sessions
Annual Event
th
Event Organizers:
For information on how to participate visit www.power-genindia.com
1607REW_27 27
6/21/16 7:48 AM
The Photovoltaic Manufacturer Shipments: Capacity,

Price and Revenues report provides an analysis of quantitative shipment, capacity, and module price data for
the supply side of the terrestrial photovoltaic industry. This report has been published annually since 1975.
It focusses on the most recent two years of supply side
activity also forecasting the next five years of crystalline and thin film shipments. The manufacturer shipment section updates long-term regional shipment
history, crystalline and thin film shipments and market shares, cumulative manufacturing histories, and
manufacturing capacities useful in management analysis of the industry. The subject of industry price behavior is covered in a separate chapter. The report also
includes a chapter with analysis on the leading manufacturers in terms of shipments for 2014 and 2015.
Manufacturers covered in this report produce technology as
cells, cells to modules, and thin film panels. Module assemblers that buy cells from technology manufacturers and assemble into modules are considered demand side participants and though shipments for this group are not analyzed
in this report, the
chapter on price
include a discussion
Unmatched
&will
Unbiased
about the pricing and buying behavior of this population.
Analysis for Solar Professionals.
It is well known that the PV industry has been experiencing a
Good work
is hard
to find.
period of consolidation.
Table
1.1
provides examples of the
c-Si cell and thin
n film pane
p
panel
el manufacturers whose shipment
in-formation was used to prepare this report, some of which
may no longer be producing technology in 2016. This list
is not exhaustive and is meant to provide a representative
overview of cell and thin film manufacturing participation.
1607REW_28 28
6/21/16 7:48 AM
WIND, SOL AR
Renewable Energy Training

Opportunities for Vets and
Displaced Fossil Energy Workers
The gritty get-your-hands-dirty work of
installing and maintaining wind and solar energy
equipment could put hundreds of thousands
of people to work all over the world.
JENNIFER RUNYON, Chief Editor
The booming renewable energy industry is not only helping

the world transition away from fossil fuels, its also providing
job opportunities for people who are in most need of them.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in May awarded
$10 Million to 10 different

projects through its Solar
Training and Education for
Professionals (STEP) program, which was created to
help meet the solar industrys growing demand for
Transitioning veterans at Camp Pendleton in

California receive hands on experience working
with solar panels in the bases first Solar Ready
Vets cohort. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy.
1607REW_29 29
JULY/AUGUST 2016
29
6/21/16 7:44 AM
well-qualified, highly skilled

installers and other industryrelated professionals.
Solar jobs in the U.S. are
growing eight to ten times
faster than jobs in the overall economy, mostly due to
the falling costs of the technology and the extension of
tax credits available to help
fund projects. This winter
the industry announced that
there were more than 1 million solar installations in the
country today and in just two
years that number will double to 2 million.
Solar for Vets

One sector of the workforce
DOE hopes to boost is military veterans. As part of the
STEP program, the Solar
Foundation (TSF), known for
its National Solar Jobs Census, was awarded just shy
of $2 million to become the
national administrator for the
Solar Ready Vets program.
TSF will work with training institutions at ten military bases to train more than
2,500 transitioning military
service members and veterans for jobs in the solar energy industry. The program
allows exiting military personnel to pursue civilian job
training, employment skills
training, apprenticeships and
internships up to 6 months
prior to their separation date.
30
1607REW_30 30
JULY/AUGUST 2016
HTL Services, a traditional oil and gas training organization is now offering
a MJI 32 Wind Turbine Bolted Connections Course. Credit: HTL Services.
Oil and Gas Workers To Wind Installation Technicians

To meet the groundswell of demand from potential wind turbine technicians, one UK-based oil and gas training company is
now offering wind training courses that are Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) approved. HTL Training Services, based in Northumberland, announced in May that
it had begun offering the MJI 31 and MJI 32 Wind Turbine Bolted Connections Course, its first dedicated training course for the
renewable energy industry.
At the last rough count there were 79 million bolted connections
in the wind industry, said Andy Elrod, Lead Technical Trainer.
He added: And youve got this huge pool of manpower from the oil
and gas industry that have got a very, very high skill set. who are
able to work in challenging, robust conditions. Youve got a readymade workforce for the wind industry right there.
Elrod, who came from the oil and gas sector, said that HTL
decided to offer a dedicated renewable energy course because of
demand. Were seeing a lot of interest in renewables now especially coming [from people who want] to do the more technical,
more specialist bolting solutions on a wind turbine, he said.
Elrod said the MJI 31 and 32 for wind course is aimed at new
entrants or people transferring skills.
HTL Training Services entrance in the wind industry is a
clear reflection of the momentum that renewables have in the
global market. This was a natural progression, said Fogerty.
Coal and Oil Workers to Solar Installers

According to Richard Lawrence, former Executive Director of
the North American Board of Certified Energy Professionals
6/21/16 7:44 AM
ENERGY STORAGE
is the solar industrys next burst of

energy and its at the forefront of SPI.
Solar Power International is proud to host one of the largest
gatherings of energy storage companies in North America.
With more than 5,200 attendees involved or interested in

the growing market, two storage pavilions on the expo floor,
and a dedicated solar + storage education track, SPI is your
opportunity to interact with and learn from the big players in
storage as well as all cross-sections of the solar industry.
Powered by:
SEPTE MBE R 1 2 -15 , 2016 L A S V EGA S , NV

L AS V EGAS C ONVE NTION C EN TER - N OR TH H A L L & W ES T GATE H O TE L
WWW . SOL AR POW ERI NTE RNATIO NAL . CO M
1607REW_31 31
6/21/16 7:44 AM
Wind, Sol ar
(NABCEP), there are some

basic similarities between
working in oil or coal and
installing solar.
One of the things solar
installation requires is the
same sort of mindset that
someone working in the coal
or oil industry might have,
which is being out in the elements, being able to use tools
and putting in a hard days
work in the field, he said.
NABCEP provides testing and qualification services
to installers who have completed classroom and on-thejob training. The organization also received DOE money
(about US $1M) to develop
new industry-validated personnel certifications for individuals working in PV O&M
and mid-scale PV system
design and installation.
Lawrence said that field
experience is a huge benefit for someone transitioning
from the fossil industry to the
renewable industry. In talking to employers, that is one
of the hardest things to translate from the training environment into the real world,
he said. In the classroom you
can learn some of the basics
and theory but rarely do trainees understand what it means
to work on a roof all day.
The Power+ Initiative

Recognizing that coal
32
1607REW_32 32
JULY/AUGUST 2016
Transitioning veterans at Fort Carson in Colorado receive hands on

experience working with solar panels in the bases first Solar Ready Vets
cohort. Credit: U.S. Department of Energy.
workers are losing their jobs, the Obama Administration in 2015

launched the Power Plus (Power+) initiative and set aside $38M
to fund it. The three-year program has so far released about
$12M according to Byron Zuidema, a Deputy Assistant Secretary
for Employment and Training at the Department of Labor (DOL).
That leaves about $26M available for communities who are being
hit hard by coals downturn. The program allows communities
with affected coal workers to apply for money to help retrain coal
workers for other jobs.
It really is up to the communities to identify what the growing
jobs are, said Zuidema.
He said that the renewable energy companies with job openings ought to be talking to communities through their state and
local workforce boards and, at the very least, posting their job
openings there. Further, they could be working on a more strategic level with communities to help them understand that renewable energy jobs are good, local jobs in a sector that is growing.
Zuidema said that these job training opportunities exist even
beyond hard-hit coal communities.
The employment and training organization funds every state
in the union which then in turn sub-funds a variety of local
6/21/16 7:44 AM
ASIA POWER WEEK
3 DAYS
3 SHOWS 1 VENUE
20-22 SEPTEMBER 2016
KINTEX, SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA
BE PART OF ASIAS PREMIER

POWER INDUSTRY
CONFERENCE & EXHIBITION
WWW.ASIAPOWERWEEK.COM
JOIN THE LARGEST POWER INDUSTRY PLAYERS - PLAN YOUR PARTICIPATION TODAY
24
8,000

250

130

Speaker
50
Conference

7
Conference
Tr
th
24
n
SAVE
10%
ON CONFERENCE
FEES BEFORE 19
AUGUST
PRELIMINARY EVENT GUIDE

NOW AVAILABLE AT
WWW.ASIAPOWERWEEK.COM
COAL
SOLAR
GROWTH
MARKETS
GAS
TURBINES
WIND
FINANCE
POWER
PLANTS
BIOENERGIES
EMERGING
OPERATIONS &
TECHNOLOGIES MAINTENANCE
ENERGY
STORAGE
PANEL
DISCUSSION
LEARN HOW TO PARTICIPATE AT THIS PREMIER EVENT: WWW.ASIAPOWERWEEK.COM

Owned and Produced by:

1607REW_33 33
www.asiapowerweek.com
6/21/16 7:44 AM
Wind, Sol ar
organizations across the country to manage what we call

American Job Centers, he
said. These job centers exist to
help communities put people
to work.
Within theWorkforce
Investment Opportunity Act
there is the whole concept
of the development of sector strategies, explained
Zuidema.
Zuidema imagined a situation in which a local job
board might say Ok, we
see this emerging renewable
energy sector, we are aware
there are employers, were
aware there are jobs and so
we want to work with them.
At that point the board might
decide to work with community colleges and training organizations and put
together a network so they
can find people looking for
new job opportunities, do
some assessments with them,
determine if they need certain training or credentialing,
get them trained and eventually get them a job in the
renewable energy sector.
There are frankly, hundreds of millions of dollars
available across the U.S. for
retraining opportunities,
according to Zuidema.
Leadership at growing
renewable energy companies
should get in touch with the
American Job Centers (find
34
1607REW_34 34
JULY/AUGUST 2016
one at DOLETA.gov, click on Career Onestop and type in a zip

code) to make sure the boards are aware that renewable energy is a growing sector. The same is true for local boards, who
should be on the lookout for industries that already need workers
or will need them in the future.
Matching Markets to Job Opportunities

Its important to keep in mind that the transition to renewables
is slow and will take time. NABCEPs Lawrence is quick to point
out that it would be foolish to set up solar training programs for
displaced coal workers in regions where there isnt a strong solar
market.
Historically, coal-producing areas have had cheaper power
prices and therefore less of a solar market, he said, explaining you certainly dont want to go train a bunch of coal workers in an area where power prices are still very low, there are no
state incentives and there are no leasing companies doing [solar]
installation work there.
On the other hand, we know that today almost all new energy capacity that is being built is wind and solar with a smaller
fraction coming from gas. As coal plants retire or it becomes too
expensive to retrofit them with mandated environmental controls, new capacity will need to come online and that capacity
will likely be renewables. In May, traditionally coal-focused utility American Electric Power (AEP) put out a request for information (RFI) for up to 900 MW of wind and solar power capacity and specifically called out a desire to receive information on
potential projects in Appalachia.
If anybody is looking to develop solar training programs
for these displaced workers, they do need to make sure that
there is an industry there and there is a pretty good chance that
that industry is going to be growing in that region, cautioned
Lawrence.
Perhaps Appalachian communities in partnership with a
renewable energy company could work together to respond to
AEPs RFI and use DOL grant money to train hundreds of workers
in the field of renewable energy.
Zuidema summed it up nicely.
Its really a matter of [renewable energy companies] showing
up and saying here we are, we understand you are in the business of finding people and making sure they have some training,
were in the business of hiring, lets get together.
6/21/16 7:44 AM
San Diego Convention Center
energy
Innovation
DistribuTECH.com
DistribuTE
#DTECH2017
January 31February 2
2017
Savings Up To $200 Was NEVER Easier.

Register Today For Early Bird Prices BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!
DISTRIBUTECH.COM/REGISTER
OWNED &
PRODUCED BY:
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION
OF DISTRIBUTECH:
SUPPORTED BY:
HOST UTILITY:
1607REW_35 35
6/21/16 7:44 AM
POWER
GENERATION
WEEK
Awards
N O M I N AT I O N S A R E O P E N
Submit by: August 31
PRESE
NTING THE
PROJECTS OF THE YEAR AWARDS
WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD
Honoring excellence in design, construction and engineering of power

generation facilities worldwide. Awards will be given in the following categories:
Providing role models to inspire young women to pursue careers in energy.
Best Coal-fired Project

Best CHP Project
Best Nuclear Project
Best Renewable Energy Project
Best Project of the Year
Best Natural Gas Project
Nominated by industry peers and selected by a committee of women in the

power generation industry, the PennWell Power-Gen Woman of the Year
award is given each year to a woman who has, through hard work, vision,
and determination, moved the industry forward.
PAPERS OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Recognizing the top paper for POWER-GEN International, COAL-GEN, NUCLEAR POWER International and Renewable Energy World International.
For requirements and to submit nominations, please visit
WWW.POWERGENERATIONWEEK.COM
Owned & Produced by:
1607REW_36 36
Presented by:
6/21/16 7:44 AM
WIND, SOL AR
Corporations Are the New Drivers

for Renewable Energy Growth
Looking to achieve economic competitiveness
first and sustainability goals second, corporations
could be responsible for up to 60 GW of
renewable energy capacity by 2025.
JENNIFER RUNYON, Chief Editor
In mid-May, The Dow Chemical

Company said that it was raising
its 2025 corporate clean energy
target from 400 MW to 750 MW.
Launched in 2015, Dows original
2025 sustainability goals included
using 400 MW of clean power but
after meeting the target in just
one year, Dow reset the goal to 750 MW. The company said it
is the first company in the U.S. to power manufacturing sites
with renewable energy at this scale.
NRGs Erik Linden declined to disclose the price Dow will
pay per kilowatt-hour (kWh) or the financial terms of the
deal. He said that NRGs deal with Dow will be solely wind
but that NRG has similar solar power purchase agreements
(PPAs) with Whole Foods and Unilever.
Dows announcement is not unusual.
According to a May 2016 report from law
firm Orrick, from 2012 to 2015, contracted capacity under corporate PPAs doubled
year-over-year. Even more telling, in 2015,
corporate PPAs exceeded 50 percent of the
overall PPA market more than traditional utilities.
Gigi John, one of the authors of the Orrick
report, Corporate PPAs Market Trends and
Opportunities, said that PPAs of this type are
more than a trend. He called 2015 a watershed moment and said that he and his colleagues wrote the report because everybody
needs to understand how PPAs work.
NRG and Dows 10-year PPA will provide clean
energy from the 150 MW Goat Mountain I and
II wind farms, which will power Dows Freeport,
Texas facilities. Credit: NRG.
1607REW_37 37
JULY/AUGUST 2016
37
6/21/16 7:48 AM
Wind, Sol ar
Capacity (GW)
3.21
Corporate Renewable Deals

2012 2016
Publicly announced contracted capacity of corporate

Power Purchase Agreements, Green Power Purchases,
Green Tariffs, and Outright Project Ownership in the
United States and Mexico, 2012 2016.
Salesforce
Philips
Corning
General Motors
Google
Google
Google
Bloomberg
Switch
Apple
Google
Amazon
Excludes on-site generation such as rooftop solar PV.

Last updated: May 10, 2016.
Source: Rocky Mountain Institute
Owens Corning
Owens Corning
Equinix
Equinix
Procter & Gamble
Equinix
HPE
Switch
1.18
IKEA
Yahoo
Walmart
Amazon
Facebook
Cisco
Amazon
Amazon
Kaiser Permanente
Microsoft
0.56
Mars
Walmart
Kaiser Permanente
General Motors
Procter & Gamble
Google
Apple
Google
Google
0.05
Google
2012
2013
Apple
Apple
0.43
Dow Chemical
Facebook
BD
Microsoft
IKEA
2014
2015
2016
Google
Iron Mountain
3M
Steelcase
Lockheed Martin
Salesforce
Publicly announced contracted capacity of corporate PPAs, Green Power Purchases, Green Tariffs, and outright
project ownership in the U.S. and Mexico 2012-2016. Updated May 10, 2016. Credit: Rocky Mountain Institute /
Business Renewables Center.
How Do They Work?

When an entity other than
a utility purchases power
directly from a power generator, thats a corporate PPA.
There are two types: a physical PPA in which the power is
actually delivered to the buyer
or a virtual PPA in which the
corporation purchases the
output of a renewable energy
plant that may not be located
adjacent to its facilities.
38
1607REW_38 38
JULY/AUGUST 2016
Orricks John said that buying power from a generator instead

of a utility isnt part of a corporate business model so the report
helps to highlight some of the pain points that both developers
and corporations may encounter when developing a deal.
First, from the corporations perspective, it may come as a surprise that certain credit requirements are necessary. This gets
into things that big fortune 100 companies arent used to procuring, said John. A corporation would generally require its own
suppliers to prove credit-worthiness but they arent used to having to prove their own, which a developer will need in order to
sign a deal with, for example, the tax-equity partner.
From the developer perspective the same is true, said John.
Developers need to determine how much they need from a
6/21/16 7:48 AM
Wind, Sol ar
corporation to get the deal

done. Since there is no utility on the back end to provide
all of this wonderful credit support, said John, developers need to ask themselves,
what can I live with for this
off-taker, what will tax equity live with? How do I structure something that is good
enough for them?
Another issue that needs
to be worked out contractually is what happens when
the renewable energy generator is curtailed and produces
no power. Curtailments occur
when there is too much power
being produced for the grid to
accept at these times the
electricity spot price goes negative and wind turbines are
generally shut down. John
explained that corporations
might ask why would I ever
have to pay dollars or true
up financial differences when
there is no product?
When these situations
occur, explained John, it
doesnt mean that the corporation has stopped using
power, just that the power
it is using is generally very
cheap. So contractually it
is really about figuring out
how to structure the deal,
said John: So I [the corporation] got really cheap power
because there was too much
on the grid so I need to give a
little back to the developer to
keep the economics ok, he explained.

Along those same lines, one of the newer pain points for developers is settling the basis between two different spot markets. In
certain situations, a generator is feeding into the grid at one interconnection point but the off-taker is using power from a different connection point. For developers, the problem is this: If I put
energy on the grid here at this connection point but I am settling
here, how do I manage this basis between the two because there
can be natural swings, said John, adding that this is a big issue.
Why Not RECs?

Legally from the perspective of a utility, because renewable energy certificates (RECs) represent the attributes of renewable energy, corporations could simply purchase RECs and be able to
claim that their operations are powered by clean energy. While
that was happening in the earlier days of renewables, the rise of
corporate PPAs again points to an evolving industry.
First, said John, with a PPA a corporation can point to a wind
farm and say thats my wind farm, all my energy comes from
there, but he thinks corporate PPAs are actually more about
the price of renewable energy. The sustainability officer in a corporation might be satisfied with RECs but the CFO steps in and
looks at the economics, he said.
John said that the CFO views the deal differently, thinking If
I do a 10-year, 15-year, 20-year deal, then what does my 20-year
horizon look like for power prices? With that in mind, the corporate renewable PPA becomes a way to hedge against the
future to make sure I can lock in the power prices, he said. You
cant do that with just RECs.
Up to now, corporate PPAs have mostly been done with wind
projects in markets where there is a lot of liquidity and price
transparency, said John, like the ERCOT market in Texas. But
there is no reason that I can think of that you couldnt do it with
solar, he said, adding that the C&I deals that are being done
today are very different from those that were done in 2013.
I learn something on literally every PPA, said John.
In 2015 corporate buyers contracted for almost 3.5 gigawatts
of new renewable energy PPA capacity, according reports, and
that number is expected to grow again in 2016. Keep your eye
on the corporate renewable energy procurement and if you are a
developer looking for an offtaker, you might try calling up CFOs
of large corporations and see if they want in on the deal.
1607REW_39 39
JULY/AUGUST 2016
39
6/21/16 7:48 AM
dat
a
poi
nt s
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY
IN AMERICA
2016
THE SUSTAINABLE ENERGY TRANSFORMATION

U.S. power
sector carbon
emissions
FELL TO THEIR
LOWEST
ANNUAL
LEVEL since
1995.
$56 BILLION
TOTAL U.S.
INVESTMENT
in clean energy
in 2015, 2nd in
the world, up
8% from 2014.
RENEWABLE ENERGY POWERS MORE OF U.S. GRID
RENEWABLE
ENERGY IS 20%
OF THE U.S.
2015 POWER
FLEET, with
222GW installed
capacity across
the country, a
57% increase
over 2008 levels.
40
1607REW_40 40
JULY/AUGUST 2016
HYDROPOWER is the
largest source of U.S.
renewable capacity at
79GW (excluding
pumped storage).
BIOGAS, BIOMASS, GEOTHERMAL

AND WASTE-TO-ENERGY represent
17GW of U.S.
capacity and can
provide power
24/7.
WIND AND
SOLAR HAVE
QUADRUPLED
IN CAPACITY
since 2008 (from
26GW to
103GW).
6/21/16 7:48 AM
It is a new era for American energy. In 2015, increased use of

sustainable energy set the stage for a U.S. triple play of carbon
reductions, cost savings and economic growth.
CORPORATIONS BUY-IN TO RENEWABLES

Major corporations such as
Google, Amazon, Facebook
and Apple contracted
for 3.5GW OF NEW
RENEWABLE
ENERGY CAPACITY
in 2015, mostly
wind and solar.
IKEA, Hyatt, Johnson and

Johnson, Morgan Stanley
and Pepperidge Farm
COMMISSIONED FUEL
CELL CAPACITY in 2015.
2015 POLICIES BOLSTER TRANSITION TO LOW-CARBON ENERGY

r Plan
ge
n
EPAs Clean Powe
a
h
C
limate
C
n
o
t
n
e
International Paris Agreem
ions
s
n
e
t
x
E
Tax
Multi-Year Clean Energy
The Sustainable Energy in America Factbook is produced by the Business Council for Sustainable Energy
and Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Download for free here: www.bcse.org/sustainableenergyfactbook
1607REW_41 41
JULY/AUGUST 2016
41
6/21/16 7:48 AM
REGISTER BEFORE OCT. 7 TH TO SAVE BIG!
December 13-15, 2016 | Orlando, Florida, USA

Orange County Convention Center North / South Halls | REW
W
OWNED & PRODUCED BY:
PRESENTED BY:
SUPPORTED BY:
.com | #PowerGenWeek
MEDIA SPONSOR:
1607REW_42 42
6/21/16 7:48 AM
G E OT H E R M A L
Going Net-Zero in California

with the Help of Geothermal
By accessing existing installer knowledge, Delta
was able to outfit its Americas headquarters
in California with a geothermal exchange system
that supports the companys net-zero goal.
BY JENNIFER DELONY, Associate Editor
When it was time to build its Americas headquarters in California to LEED Platinum and net-zero standards, power
management solutions provider Delta looked to a geothermal exchange system for the buildings heating and cooling
functions.
As the first of the companys global facilities to use the
ground-source technology, the new headquarters in Fremont, Calif., represents a step into the future for Delta. The
new building, which opened

last fall, also features solar
PV generation and energy
efficiency solutions that are
helping reduce and will
ultimately eliminate the
energy load required from
the local utility.
Projects like Deltas Fremont headquarters are
Solar panels on the rooftop

of the Delta Americas
Fremont headquarters.
Credit: Delta.
1607REW_43 43
JULY/AUGUST 2016
43
6/21/16 7:48 AM
effectively demonstrating the value of geothermal exchange technology,

which is gaining more widespread acceptance as a clean
resource with the support
of incentives, standards and
installer knowledge.
Success in Fremont
Deltas ability to successfully
install a geothermal exchange
system at its new Americas
headquarters is due directly to general contractor Vance
Brown Builders ability to
access installer knowledge
about how this technology
can be applied across locations with varied geological
foundations.
According to Bill Russell, director of preconstruction for Vance Brown, the
initial plan for the geothermal project was to drill vertical wells in the ground under
the building for a closedloop system a traditional
approach for ground-source
installations at commercial properties. The water
district that oversees the
Freemont area, however, initially turned down Deltas
request for a permit to drill
the approximately 200 vertical wells at depths of 200 to
300 feet that were required
for the system.
The City of Fremont, as it
turned out, was concerned
44
1607REW_44 44
JULY/AUGUST 2016
Delta Americas
headquarters in
Fremont, Calif.
Credit: Delta.
about the effect the vertical wells would have on aquifers in the
area, which had been contaminated by saltwater from the San
Francisco Bay after decades of commercial well drilling. Russell
said that Fremont has been working for years to push the saltwater back into the bay, and Deltas plan to drill vertical bore
holes through at least two aquifers would undo that work.
Luckily we found geothermal consultant John Geyer, Russell said. He helps people with their ground-loop heat exchange
projects, and he was working on a couple of projects on the West
Coast that used a horizontal drilling approach using technology
called directional drilling.
Directional drilling is commonly used to install utility infrastructure under existing streets without tearing up the asphalt.
6/21/16 7:48 AM
G e ot h e r m a l
Geyer conducted testing at

Deltas 15-acre site, and determined that by using directional drilling and placing the
bores for the project horizontally with one layer at 15 feet
underground and another
at 30 feet, the project would
achieve the same results as
the vertical approach. In addition to avoiding the aquifers, the directional drilling
approach also turned out to
be less expensive than vertical drilling, Russell said.
Because geothermal
exchange systems have not
been widely installed in
central California, there are few if any drillers in the area

experienced in the technology. Russell said Delta would have
had to bring in a driller from outside the area, which would
have been costlier than hiring a local company with experience in directional drilling for local utility companies.
System Performance
The geothermal exchange system at Deltas Fremont facility is performing as expected, according to Ruth Chao, general affairs manager for Delta. Chao was involved with the development of the geothermal project from its inception, and says
Delta chose geothermal because it was founder Bruce Chengs
longtime goal to use the technology in one of the companys
new facilities.
The system is so efficient that it brings our energy bill way
down, Chao said, adding that, while the goal for the building is
to reach a net-zero standard (i.e., all heating, cooling and power
needs are met by energy conservation and on-site generation),
The mechanical room at

Delta Americas Fremont
headquarters. Credit: Delta.
1607REW_45 45
JULY/AUGUST 2016
45
6/21/16 7:48 AM
G e ot h e r m a l
Delta still is buying some

power from the local utility.
Were in the process of
tweaking the system and
reducing our load, because
the facility is new, Chao
said. We keep the building
efficient in energy use, and
generate power with a 618kW solar PV system on the
rooftop.
Delta also is evaluating
adding 30 percent more solar
capacity through parking lot
car ports, she said.
Mike Gazzano, marketing manager for Delta, said
the company used some of
its own products to support
efficient operations in the
building.
We installed our own
industrial automation variable frequency drives, or
VFD, that help drive the
motors and the pumps for the
geothermal system and circulate the water throughout the
building, he said. The VFDs
are highly efficient.
The VFDs also were used
in conjunction with Deltas
active front end controllable
rectifiers that provide bidirectional power exchange for the
buildings elevators.
They act much like a
hybrid car with regenerative braking, Gazzano said.
They harness and pull some
power out of the [elevator]
braking mechanisms.
46
1607REW_46 46
JULY/AUGUST 2016
Whats Next?
Ongoing growth in the coming years for the commercial and
residential geothermal exchange industry in the U.S. is all
about securing federal tax credits now, according to Douglas Dougherty, president and CEO of the Geothermal Exchange
Organization (GEO).
Geothermal exchange installations currently have a 10 percent investment tax credit for commercial applications and
30-percent income tax credit for residential installations
through the end of the year.
Geothermal, along with some other renewable technologies, such as small-scale wind, were left out of the tax credit extensions package passed by the U.S. Congress last December for solar and utility-scale wind resources. Congressional
leadership has since looked for ways to correct that oversight.
Dougherty said that GEO has been advocating for extension of
geothermal tax credits, nearly securing that extension as an
amendment to the Federal Aviation Authorization bill in April.
The amendment, however, ultimately was left out of the aviation bill.
Now, GEO is looking for support for a stand-alone bill to amend
the existing law that grants a five-year tax credit extension for
solar and wind, and to ensure equal benefits for renewables.
Dougherty said that Congress should not support benefits
for some renewables over others.
Either they grant the extension to all renewable technologies,
or they take away the extension from solar and wind, he said.
The pending expiration of those federal tax credits is having a negative effect on the industry, according to Dougherty. He said the GEO is already seeing a reduction in planned
installations.
The GEO also expects the U.S. geothermal exchange industry to benefit from the release earlier this year of a North
American standard for ground-source systems. Independent
standards organization CSA Group released the bi-national 2016 edition of its C448 standard governing the design and
installation of residential and commercial ground-source heat
pumps.
Dougherty said that the standard, which is the first edition
to be released for the U.S., will help local governments in their
efforts to understand and define the technology in reference to
their ordinances.
6/21/16 7:48 AM
Renewable Energy World

Online Learning
powered by:
Online education for professionals in solar,

clean energy and sustainability.
www.heatspring.com
START LEARNING!
1607REW_47 47
6/21/16 7:48 AM
No Boundaries
When it comes to deep-cycle batteries, no one goes
to the extremes of performance like Trojan Battery
Company. Our full line of deep-cycle flooded, AGM
and gel batteries are ideal for all of your energy
storage needs.
Well keep breaking the boundaries.

Where you go after that is up to you.
Renewable
Energy
Remote
Telecom
Inverter
Backup
Off-Grid Solar
Mini-Grids
C-MAX
TECHNOLOGY
Available World Wide through Trojan Batterys Master Distributor Network

www.trojanbattery.com
800.423.6569
+ 1 562.236.3000
1607REW_48 48
6/21/16 7:48 AM
E N E RG Y S TO R AG E , S O L A R , B I O E N E RG Y
Battery and Biofuel Research

Energized by New State-ofthe Art Facility Down Under
Ongoing research at the AINST, which is
headquartered at the new AU $150 million
Sydney Nanoscience Hub, could give us
energy storage embedded in the walls and
roofs of buildings and much more.
NIALL BYRNE, Contributor
Professor Thomas Maschmeyer is the Director of the Australian

Institute for Nanoscale Science and Technology (AINST) and
an experimental chemist. He is working to integrate new battery and solar cell technologies into the walls and roofs of new
houses, and to transform the at times somewhat black art of
catalysis the process that cracks crude oil into useful fuels,
oils and chemicals at every refinery, and that will be central to
efficient biofuel production. He

has already helped to create
over 200 new jobs with four
spin-out companies.
Developing better batteries and catalysts has been
challenging, he said. We
understood the reactions that
were taking place. But we
couldnt see exactly where
The green roof above

the transmission
electron microscope
(TEM) suite, which
is one of the most
electromagnetically
and mechanically
stable environments
in the world. Credit:
University of Sydney.
1607REW_49 49
JULY/AUGUST 2016
49
6/21/16 7:52 AM
they were happening on

the surface of the materials
involved. You would develop
a new catalyst, use it for an
hour, find it was ruined, and
have to go back to the drawing board. We were guessing
at what was happening to the
active surfaces over time.
Now we can use a suite of
instruments, including various high resolution microscopes and spectroscopic mapping tools to look at
dynamic changes on the
nanoscale, to see whats happened (or even what is happening in real time), and then
develop more stable chemical structures for batteries
and catalysts, which in their
design incorporate strategies
to deal with and exploit their
changing nature.
He believes that the new AINST facilities at the state-of-the-art Sydney Nanoscience Hub, which opened in April 2016
will double or triple the effectiveness of
his team. We have a fantastic team of
researchers whove published a truckload
of high-impact papers over the years. But
how do you harness all that intellect to
create real batteries, catalysts and jobs?
This is how this Institute brings together the engineering, science, instrumentaProfessor Thomas
tion, facilities, people and connections to
Maschmeyer, Director of
industry needed to put our researchers
the Australian Institute
ahead of the pack.
for Nanoscale Science
Batteries beyond Lithium
and Technology (AINST)

Lithium batteries have transformed
and experimental
power storage from smartphones to
chemist. Credit:
electric cars and submarines. But like
every battery their chemical composition changes through every charge
cycle. Lithium ions sitting in layers of graphite move between
electrodes and change the oxidation state of, e.g. magnesium oxide. The chemical rearrangements cause the graphite
and oxide layers to physically expand and contract by up
to 15 percent at every cycle,
cracking and detaching from
the electrodes.
Maschmeyer has eliminated the stack of cards. Instead,
his design has a wobbly carbon
electrode, with a gel touching
it. The design is self-healing.
He has used this idea to
create zinc-bromine batteries that transport ions embedded in a gel. These batteries
are stable and flexible and use
Sydney Nanoscience Hub. Credit:
50
1607REW_50 50
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:52 AM
E n E r g y S to r ag E , S o l a r , B i o E n E r g y
nano-engineered gel structures and surfaces on the

electrodes. The gel also acts
as fire retardant. His spinout company Gelion Technologies is currently working with
Lend Lease on solutions for
how this battery technology
could be built into the walls
and roofs of new buildings.
You wont need a battery
in the garage. Instead it will
be in the walls and roof
perhaps as roof tiles, or solar
shingles, with a solar panel
on one side and a battery on
the other, and all clipping
together. City office buildings
will become huge batteries capturing off-peak energy and stabilizing the power grid.
Zinc and bromine are abundant and inexpensive commodities. Our battery designs are a platform technology that will
enable commercially viable, grid-supporting storage solutions;
as well as inexpensive, flexible, fast and safe new batteries, sufficiently compact to be also usable in domestic solar systems and
electric vehicles.
Maschmeyers Sydney colleagues are also looking at new lithium-based technologies trying to improve the density and
mobility of the lithium ions, which would increase capacity and
make charging faster.
Nano-engineered materials are also key to the solar cell side
the Institute is working on solar cells based on perovskite minerals. Although they have reached 20 percent efficiency, the cells are
still unstable. Maschmeyer said they can solve that problem.
Not only are nano-engineering concepts changing battery
design, they are also transforming industrial catalysts.
THERES
A LOT
OF LIFE
IN ONE
BATTERY.
Series 5000 Heavy-duty
modular dual-container
construction.
Find a distributor at rollsbattery.com
or give us a call at 1.800.681.9914
WIDEST RANGE OF SPECS AVAILABLE / 15-YEAR AVERAGE LIFE / 10-YEAR WARRANTY ROLLSBATTERY.COM
1607REW_51 51
6/21/16 7:52 AM
E n E r g y S to r ag E , S o l a r , B i o E n E r g y
Catalysts for Biofuels and

Other Unconventional Fuels
Every oil refinery depends
on catalysts. Made of materials such as zeolites and platinum they reduce the activation point of reactions,
making it easier to turn crude
oil into useful fuels, oils, and
chemicals.
But the development of
more efficient catalysts that
stay the course of time has
been hit or miss because
the action is taking place at
dynamically changing nanosized surfaces. The Hubs
electron microscopes can
help visualize exactly what is happening and aid Maschmeyer

and his colleagues in turning the black art of catalyst design
into a predictive art, based on high level science.
Maschmeyer has created a group of three companies based
on his ideas for catalysts. Ignite Energy Resources has patented catalytic hydrothermal reactor technology, that uses water
at near-supercritical temperatures together with nanostructured catalysts to upgrade lignite into synthetic crude oil and
micronized refined carbon (MRC). This technology would reduce
CO2 emissions associated with brown coal power by more than
50 percent, making it comparable to natural gas. Licella using
a related but distinctive approach has been set up to upgrade
waste biomass (non-edible) into biocrude to produce renewable
fuels and chemicals.
A 10,000 ton per year pilot plant for both companies is already
in operation in Somersby, NSW and discussions regarding fullscale (200,000 350,000 ton per year) systems are well advanced
with partners in North America and Scandinavia.
52
1607REW_52 52
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:52 AM
Last
the
WORD
Mexicos Green Energy Puzzle
Amanda Valdez is
a Mexico City partner

in Dentons Energy
practice.
Rogelio LpezVelarde is a Mexico
City partner in
Dentons Energy
practice.
Over the last few years, Mexico has

made a series of policy decisions that
show its commitment to addressing
climate change. Mexico has been an
active participant in nearly all international climate change conferences and
conventions, and was the first developing country to establish emissions
reduction commitments after COP21.
There, Mexico set an ambitious target
of a 22 percent reduction of CO2 emissions by 2026.
Mexicos renewable energy sector, which has grown rapidly over
the last decade, is attracting significant investments. Last year, 18 percent of the electric power generated
in Mexico was produced from renewable energy sources and the country
isnt stopping there. Mexicos ability
to achieve the ambitious goals it has
set for its contribution to combatting
climate change depends highly on
its ability to continue expanding its
renewable energy sector.
So what does the future of green
power look like in Mexico? The constitutional reforms of December
2013 and subsequent legal developments have redesigned the structure
and legal framework for the Mexican energy sector as a whole, including the electricity industry. The electric power sector now includes a
multiplicity of generation resources,
a wholesale electricity market with
open competition for power marketing companies, and an independent

system operator (ISO) in charge of
system dispatch and administration
of the power market. This represents
a paradigm shift for the entire industry and implementing these changes will be no minor task, considering
the importance of the energy sector
for the Mexican economy, its role as
the largest contributor to the federal budget, and the prominence of the
two state-owned companies, Pemex
and Comisin Federal de Electricidad (CFE), which operated as vertically integrated monopolies over oil, gas
and electricity for decades. Now, finding the right place for renewables in
the new Mexican electricity sector has
been a challenge, as there are many
pieces to fit into a changing puzzle.
Some of the incentives for renewables that the Mexican government
had already implemented under the
previous legal framework (including
accelerated tax depreciation rates and
financing programs) are still in play,
but not all of them have been retained
in the new regime. Instead, the new
statutes provide for different incentives, mostly intended to:
Promote open access to transmission and distribution infrastructure, and allow an adequate
interaction of firm and intermittent power resources in the grid
1607REW_C3 3
JULY/AUGUST 2016
53
6/21/16 7:52 AM
Support the development of new generation capacity through clean energy auctions
resulting in long-term and mid-term agreements (clean energy includes renewable
energy, nuclear and efficient cogeneration)
Increase the involvement of off-takers in
supporting clean energy projects, through
the imposition of clean energy requirements
reflected in a number of clean energy certificates that suppliers and off-takers will be
required to obtain on an annual basis.
The Mexican government has accomplished
much in a relatively short time by issuing many
of the necessary rules to implement these incentives, but there is still much work to do and
other pieces to fit into the puzzle. Gas availability, low prices and the promotion of the oil
and gas industry (also recently opened to private investment) are prompting the development
of large gas pipelines across the country. This
could make it harder for renewable energies
to compete, particularly against gas-fired generation. Moreover, the steel industry and other
large power consumers have openly shown their
reluctance to pay higher energy costs associated
with clean energy (whether in the form of certificates or otherwise). They argue that the incentives to promote clean energy should not be at
the expense of the industrial sector, which is
already struggling to overcome financial difficulties caused from the slowdown in global economic growth. In fact, the pressure exerted by
industrials resulted in changes to the recently
enacted Energy Transition Law, which includes
saving provisions that somewhat ease the clean
energy requirements that the Mexican government had originally contemplated. In addition,
the role of CFEthe vertically integrated national utility companyas a competitor with unparalleled market power at the time, is still an unresolved question.
Clearly, the pieces in Mexicos green energy puzzle are still moving, and some of them
are even missing, so the final picture is yet to be
seen. But the pieces will eventually come together, and many players seem to be betting on that
(69 bidders submitted 227 sale offers in Mexicos
first clean energy auction this year, and developers are already preparing for a second auction scheduled for the end of this year). There is
no doubt about Mexicos huge renewable energy potential, which, supported by the countrys
macroeconomic and political stability, continues
to attract domestic and foreign investors. Many
of those investors believe this is precisely the
moment to position themselves and actively participate in pushing the pieces to define the new
face of Mexicos renewable energy industry.
Adver t iser s Index

For more information on the products and services found in this issue click here.
Asia Power Week33
Nexans9
REW International42
Distributech35
Nuscale Power2
Smarter Shows22
Ecolibrium Solar19
Power-Gen India & Central

Asia 201727
Solar Energy Trade Shows14, 31
Gamechange SolarCV2
Power Generation Week Awards36
Huawei Technologies25
Leipziger Messe International GmbH17
Malaysian Exhibition Services52
Quickscrew International4, 21
Soltec11
Surrette Battery Co51
Trojan Battery Company48
REW.com28
The Adveritsers Index is published as a service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.
54
1607REW_C4 4
JULY/AUGUST 2016
6/21/16 7:52 AM

Reworld20160708 DL

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Reworld20160708 DL

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

VOLUME

For more information, enter 2 at REW.hotims.com

   

HIGHEST POWER DENSITY

Breakthrough technology enables lowest cost and highest

Black & Veatch technical assessment;

Highest power density of any single axis tracker, 99.3%

Self powered rows eliminate central drive, allow for

()*+ **

for more information, visit our website at gamechangesolar.com

What Is Driving the

SOLAR AND WIND

SOLAR AND WIND

The work of installing and

Going Net-Zero in California with

How Important is Policy?

Sustainable Energy in America

The Solar Issue Begins

15 The Big Question

Battery and Biofuel Research

RENEWABLE ENERGY WORLD MAGAZINE

For more information, enter 4 at REW.hotims.com

PUBLISHER Stephanie Kolodziej

ART DIRECTOR Kelli Mylchreest

PRODUCTION DIRECTOR Mari Rodriguez

AD SERVICES MANAGER Toni Pendergrass

For information on advertising in future

DENNE JOHNSON +1 607 259 0027

PENNWELL MARKETING SOLUTIONS

For assistance with marketing strategy

CHAIRMAN Robert F. Biolchini

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, CORPORATE

SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE

SUBSCRIBER CUSTOMER SERVICE

Renewable Energy World is circulated free

If renewables didnt have policy support, there wouldnt be much of

Jennifer Runyon, Chief Editor

tovoltaic (PV) technology to the U.S. with a new team in Petaluma,

CA, and a manufacturing facility in Georgia to provide a system that

At the June Clean Energy Min-

is entirely made in the USA. Established in 2006 as a renewable Inde-

isterial Meeting, CarlosMoe-

pendent Power Producer, the companys system is an alternative to

das, European Commission-

ground- or roof-mounted solar PV.

er for Research, Science and

Floating Solar PV Company

Ciel et Terres floating Hydrelio platform allows standard PV panels

Innovation, and Pedro Joaqun

to be installed on large man-made bodies of water such as industrial

Coldwell, Mexican Secretary of

reservoirs, dams or irrigation ponds. The company said this is espe-

Energy, announced that Euro-

pean and Mexican researchers

for energy and

will work together on tapping

into new sources of geother-

mal energy. The project,

known as GEMex, was selected

European Union and Mexico.

Credit: Ciel et Terre. wineries and

The EU and Mexico will

million project. The aim of

()*+ **