In the past, it's fallen foul of naysayers and not-in-my-back-yarders, but the renewable energy sector in Northern Ireland, after a faltering start, continues it's onward march.
With oil - and therefore petrol, gas and electricity - prices soaring and jittery markets over unrest in the Arab states, consumers and businesses alike are starting to realise that our reliance on fossil fuels needs to stop.
More incentives are now being offered to householders and companies prepared to 'go green'.
With new announcements in the sector almost daily, commentators are predicting that Northern Ireland, surrounded by waves, buffeted by the wind and with a struggling farming community in dire need of diversification opportunities, could become a UK if not European leader in the market.
Many innovative ideas have hit the skids in recent years because of tight planning legislation here. It was argued that the very things that made the perfect sites attractive for wind farms were also what made them attractive to visiting tourists -their wild, rugged and beautiful setting.
However, supporters point to Spain and other parts of Europe where fields and mountains are covered with acres of turbines and tourism and farming is unaffected.
And many more investors are finally seeing the potential of green energy and see the market as a way to save the economy, save money and save the planet.
Business groups and politicians are even getting in on the act.
One of the most promising developments for the sector has been the adoption of the 'Green New Deal for Northern Ireland' into the Draft Budget, which aims to slash billions of public spending over four years.
The Green New Deal group - a coalition of 40 organisations and individuals from across the public, private and third sectors - last year published a business plan initially targeting 100,000 homes over the first three years and 500,000 in the next 10.
The plans, which could go live as early as October 2011, will include cavity wall and loft insulation, newer boilers and solar panels, costing the householder £800 but meaning eventual savings of £300 a year, even in the first year.
The group has asked for a £72m investment from the Government, which will result in a £181m injection from the private sector and predict the plans could help cut a total of £52,000 of energy costs and prompt up to a 25% reduction in carbon emissions as well as leading between 2,400 to 3,500 direct jobs, excluding the supply chain and knock-on roles and positions.
On a smaller scale, many investors are getting wise to the benefits of renewable energy and recently Belfast-based firm Simple Power pledged to invest over £50m in wind energy here over the next five years, producing more than 50 MW of wind energy annually by 2015.
Paul Carson founded the company in early 2010 and first saw the benefits of green power through his work with the award-winning consultancy firm Strategic Planning.
"We first realised the potential for single wind turbines a while back, but we realised that dealing with planning was going to be an issue," he said.
"I was well placed to offer advice about planning but initially these two areas of work were separate.
"The big change came with the Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster helping introduce the Renewables Obligation Certificate to Northern Ireland, which places an obligation on UK suppliers of electricity to source an increasing proportion of their electricity from renewable sources."
A Renewables Obligation Certificate (ROC) is a green certificate issued to an accredited supplier for renewable electricity distributed to customers by a licensed electricity supplier. One ROC is issued for each megawatt hour of renewable output generated.
The Renewables Obligation (Northern Ireland) Order came into effect in April 2005 and capability was rolled out in April 2010.
Mr Carson says he hopes his first turbines go live in spring 2012.
"Arlene Foster kick-started a big industry with huge potential," he said. "Basically what we do is lease land, mainly from farmers, for 25 years, at no cost to the farmer, we pay for everything, sort out the planning permission, materials and infrastructure. installation and maintenance, provide the farmer with an annual income which will rise year-on-year with inflation - all we need is a tiny parcel of land, only about a quarter of an acre.
"Electricity is generated and goes into the supply chain. So there are plenty of winners. This business cannot work without farmers and landowners and then if you think about the boost to the construction industry, crane hire, transport and shipping companies to get the turbines to their location and set up, there are huge benefits to everybody.
"We are looking at 200 sites in construction terms in the next few years, right now we are looking at between 50-70 sites."
While he is excited about the future, Mr Carson is keeping a level head about Northern Ireland's role in the renewable revolution.
"We will build a very strong renewable sector but I think it is too much to say that we will be a world leader. However it will be good for this wee country.
"Where our strengths will lie will be in taking the existing technology and making it better through research and development, building on Northern Ireland's history of being innovative.
"We can't just stop at wind, our firm is called Simple Power because we are interested in anything at all that creates energy and will look at any opportunity.
"Planning is still key. The bottom line is that for a wind turbine to produce efficiently, it must be near the top of a hill. We need good, clean power. We need to balance the environmental impact of wind turbines in a picturesque area with having power stations in a not so nice area, but spewing out C02 - the impact of turbines is so much less - go to Europe and see the animals grazing around them, people taking pictures, you won't get that at a power station."
Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/business-news/boost-to-the-economy-is-blowing-in-the-wind-15099874.html#ixzz1FLIqClMv
Showing posts with label electricity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label electricity. Show all posts
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Arab Islamic Bank in Irbid has Multi V Systems, the latest commercial air conditioning innovation from LG air conditioning
Multi V Systems, the latest commercial air conditioning innovation from LG Electronics, to be installed at the Arab Islamic Bank in Irbid, according to an agreement recently signed by Shami & Hyari Engineering & Contracting Co., the complex construction company, and Al-Asalah Electromechanics Co, LG commercial air conditioning agent in Jordan. This fruitful cooperation is part of LG's strategy to expand in the central air conditioning market, especially in systems that better serve the commercial sector, in addition to its keenness to provide products of latest techniques and the highest international quality standards.
GM of Al-Asalah Co., Mr. Issam Samara, and Eng. Ammar Shami, representing Shami & Hyari Co., signed the agreement in presence of the Marketing and Sales Manager, Mr. Hammam Al-Mubaiad, and the Engineering Department Manager, Eng. Iyad Al-Haj from Al-Asalah.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Samara extended his gratitude to the project's contractors, Al Shami & Hyari Construction Co., the project's consultants, Dumiati and Sha'sha'a engineering office, and to the Arab Islamic Bank. He further pledged to offer better after sale services, through Al-Asalah technical and engineering team who regularly follow up on LG HVAC systems.
LG MULTI V air conditioning systems are perfect for high-rise buildings- up to 100m- with a flair for style. LG MULTI V ART COOLTM inverter is one of the world's largest-capacity units, amounting 64 horse power per unit; it boosts an ultra-efficient VRF system, and the highest level of customer satisfaction with four external units and high quality compressors running by "Inverter" technique which reduces electricity consumption.
This system is also marked for its flexible design, it can operate 64 interior units of different sizes and shapes; not to forget to mention the smooth performance, various operation speeds, the quality air purifying filters and air conditioning switches to maintain the optimum room temperature during the most challenging season changes that can reach to 54c degree in summer and 20c in winter.
GM of Al-Asalah Co., Mr. Issam Samara, and Eng. Ammar Shami, representing Shami & Hyari Co., signed the agreement in presence of the Marketing and Sales Manager, Mr. Hammam Al-Mubaiad, and the Engineering Department Manager, Eng. Iyad Al-Haj from Al-Asalah.
During the signing ceremony, Mr. Samara extended his gratitude to the project's contractors, Al Shami & Hyari Construction Co., the project's consultants, Dumiati and Sha'sha'a engineering office, and to the Arab Islamic Bank. He further pledged to offer better after sale services, through Al-Asalah technical and engineering team who regularly follow up on LG HVAC systems.
LG MULTI V air conditioning systems are perfect for high-rise buildings- up to 100m- with a flair for style. LG MULTI V ART COOLTM inverter is one of the world's largest-capacity units, amounting 64 horse power per unit; it boosts an ultra-efficient VRF system, and the highest level of customer satisfaction with four external units and high quality compressors running by "Inverter" technique which reduces electricity consumption.
This system is also marked for its flexible design, it can operate 64 interior units of different sizes and shapes; not to forget to mention the smooth performance, various operation speeds, the quality air purifying filters and air conditioning switches to maintain the optimum room temperature during the most challenging season changes that can reach to 54c degree in summer and 20c in winter.
Thursday, 17 February 2011
Fujitsu air conditioning Supply and installation of multi air conditioning system for buildings “AIRSTAGE®” to “Jinan High-Tech Industrial Development
Fujitsu General Central Air-conditioner (Wuxi) Co., Ltd. (100% owned by FG, hereinafter “FGCA”) contracted the supply and installation of multi air conditioning system for buildings “AIRSTAGE®” (273 systems consisting of 273 outdoor units and 1,399 indoor units) to “Shandong Steel Group Headquarter Building” which was constructed in the third stage construction area of “Jinan High-Tech Industrial Development Zone”, Jinan City, Shandong, China. The installation work will start in October. In the same development zone, we have concluded the contract of order and supply of total about 1,200 systems for 3 years along with the first and second stages.
China is the world biggest market of air conditioners accounting for 37% of the world market with 26.74 million sets in the combined total of home use and commercial use in 2009. Among them, the market of multi air conditioners for buildings is rapidly expanding as the construction of buildings is progressing at high speed because of the development of urban area and the public capital investment measures in the scale of 4 trillion yuen (about 54 trillion yen) for 2 years were put forward by the Chinese government last year as economic stimulus measures.
Along with the improving quality of life supported by high economic growth, the demand for the comfort and energy-saving performance of air conditioners due to environmental issues and electricity shortage is increasingly heightening.
In the office building development work in Jinan City, Shandong which started in 2008, FGCA acquired order, in strong cooperation with the distributor, for the installation of air conditioning facility for buildings in the first stage construction in September, 2008 and delivered 348 systems in March this year and also received order for 594 systems in the second stage construction which started in September 2,009, delivery of which will be completed in December this year. Together with the order this time, total about 1,200 systems will be delivered for 3 years. This is as a result of the evaluation of the energy-saving performance, past sales record and high quality installation and after-sale service setup with quick follow-up of the multi air conditioning system for buildings “AIRSTAGE®” as well as the reliability acquired by the installation for the first stage construction.
The “AIRSTAGE®” we supplied this time can make adjustment of room temperature for the floors and rooms in the building individually and provide comfortable room environment. Also, by adopting the centralized control system, collective centralized control of all outdoor units and indoor units became available and the optimization of the air conditioning of the whole building and the reduction of the consumption of electricity have been realized.
FG group will aim to further expand business in the future by offering energy-saving and comfortable room environment in the market of multi air conditioning system for buildings in China.
1st stage construction area
No.8 Tower, Shuntai Square (Left)
2nd stage construction area
IT Industry R & D and Production Complex (Front)
Software R & D and Production Complex (Back)
3rd stage construction area (for which we acquired order this time)
Shandong Steel Group Headquarter Building
China is the world biggest market of air conditioners accounting for 37% of the world market with 26.74 million sets in the combined total of home use and commercial use in 2009. Among them, the market of multi air conditioners for buildings is rapidly expanding as the construction of buildings is progressing at high speed because of the development of urban area and the public capital investment measures in the scale of 4 trillion yuen (about 54 trillion yen) for 2 years were put forward by the Chinese government last year as economic stimulus measures.
Along with the improving quality of life supported by high economic growth, the demand for the comfort and energy-saving performance of air conditioners due to environmental issues and electricity shortage is increasingly heightening.
In the office building development work in Jinan City, Shandong which started in 2008, FGCA acquired order, in strong cooperation with the distributor, for the installation of air conditioning facility for buildings in the first stage construction in September, 2008 and delivered 348 systems in March this year and also received order for 594 systems in the second stage construction which started in September 2,009, delivery of which will be completed in December this year. Together with the order this time, total about 1,200 systems will be delivered for 3 years. This is as a result of the evaluation of the energy-saving performance, past sales record and high quality installation and after-sale service setup with quick follow-up of the multi air conditioning system for buildings “AIRSTAGE®” as well as the reliability acquired by the installation for the first stage construction.
The “AIRSTAGE®” we supplied this time can make adjustment of room temperature for the floors and rooms in the building individually and provide comfortable room environment. Also, by adopting the centralized control system, collective centralized control of all outdoor units and indoor units became available and the optimization of the air conditioning of the whole building and the reduction of the consumption of electricity have been realized.
FG group will aim to further expand business in the future by offering energy-saving and comfortable room environment in the market of multi air conditioning system for buildings in China.
1st stage construction area
No.8 Tower, Shuntai Square (Left)
2nd stage construction area
IT Industry R & D and Production Complex (Front)
Software R & D and Production Complex (Back)
3rd stage construction area (for which we acquired order this time)
Shandong Steel Group Headquarter Building
Wednesday, 9 February 2011
Is it in the Governments or Energy companies interest to reduce CO2 or let you 'do it yourself" with MCHP units?
Is it in the Governments or Energy companies interest to reduce CO2 or let you 'do it yourself" with MCHP units?
Someone raised a good point on a forum which was whether it was in the governments or energy companies interest to reduce CO2? They are obligated to reduce CO2 are they not? Is it in the energy companies interest for you to reduce fuel usage? Is it their intension to let energy prices spiral so much people are forced to except fuel efficient equipment with the massive initial financial outlay and sell half the energy at 2x the price. Interesting thought with bulging populations.
But why do they seem keen on solar?
The payback is at least 10 years and the returns to be honest are so small it may give goverments time to sort out there energy policy and the taxation from energy being sold at record prices and amounts. Small wind turbines arnt even worth the bother. Air heat pumps or Fuel Cell Boilers (not released in many parts of the world) are the only option for some people now. Air heat pumps are now capable of DHW/CH and have a high COP (1kW electricity usage for 6kW heat output). With micro fuel cell CHP units you get domestic hot water, heating and 2 kw of electricty output to grid tie or sell back to the grid with efficiency's of 60% (current record). Unfortunatly the government have decided to offer a reduce the sell back price on MCHP units (Ceramic Fuel Cells Bluegen) to 0.08/kw verses 0.20p/kw for solar. Is this due to lost tax revenues? Interesting thought with bulging populations and increased energy usage. Time to act on CO2? Or lose taxation?
Someone raised a good point on a forum which was whether it was in the governments or energy companies interest to reduce CO2? They are obligated to reduce CO2 are they not? Is it in the energy companies interest for you to reduce fuel usage? Is it their intension to let energy prices spiral so much people are forced to except fuel efficient equipment with the massive initial financial outlay and sell half the energy at 2x the price. Interesting thought with bulging populations.
But why do they seem keen on solar?
The payback is at least 10 years and the returns to be honest are so small it may give goverments time to sort out there energy policy and the taxation from energy being sold at record prices and amounts. Small wind turbines arnt even worth the bother. Air heat pumps or Fuel Cell Boilers (not released in many parts of the world) are the only option for some people now. Air heat pumps are now capable of DHW/CH and have a high COP (1kW electricity usage for 6kW heat output). With micro fuel cell CHP units you get domestic hot water, heating and 2 kw of electricty output to grid tie or sell back to the grid with efficiency's of 60% (current record). Unfortunatly the government have decided to offer a reduce the sell back price on MCHP units (Ceramic Fuel Cells Bluegen) to 0.08/kw verses 0.20p/kw for solar. Is this due to lost tax revenues? Interesting thought with bulging populations and increased energy usage. Time to act on CO2? Or lose taxation?
Saturday, 18 December 2010
Fuel Cell Micro CHP units have the edge over Air Source heat pump options
Fuel Cell Micro CHP units have the edge over Air Source heat pump options
With the introduction over the next few years of the micro CHP unit based on fuel cells where the unit combines heating the building with electricity production the heating market is on the cusp of a whole new technology and combining of building trades.
BlueGen is the latest breakthrough in small scale electricity generation - a modular style fuel cell generator that can be configured to suit a range of different markets and installations. For markets that require an alternative product approach to fully-integrated 'European style' systems, such as Japan, Northern America and Australia - BlueGen™ bridges that gap.
The Bluegen comes with the added bonus of sell back to the grid incentives such as the MCS in the UK. Germany offers incentive to buy the new fuel cell units as well as sell back to the grid incentives. The fuel cell units need a natural gas supply where the Air source heat pumps require electricity and produce heat from the outside air with operating ranges down to -20 DegC. In very cold weather they do have their limitations.
Bluegen Data can be found here
Air Source Heat Pump Data can be found here
Currently Not Available In The UK or Ireland
With the introduction over the next few years of the micro CHP unit based on fuel cells where the unit combines heating the building with electricity production the heating market is on the cusp of a whole new technology and combining of building trades.
BlueGen is the latest breakthrough in small scale electricity generation - a modular style fuel cell generator that can be configured to suit a range of different markets and installations. For markets that require an alternative product approach to fully-integrated 'European style' systems, such as Japan, Northern America and Australia - BlueGen™ bridges that gap.
The Bluegen comes with the added bonus of sell back to the grid incentives such as the MCS in the UK. Germany offers incentive to buy the new fuel cell units as well as sell back to the grid incentives. The fuel cell units need a natural gas supply where the Air source heat pumps require electricity and produce heat from the outside air with operating ranges down to -20 DegC. In very cold weather they do have their limitations.
Bluegen Data can be found here
Air Source Heat Pump Data can be found here
Currently Not Available In The UK or Ireland
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Ceramic Fuel Cells secures first USA of Bluegen
Ceramic Fuel Cells secures first USA sale 05/08/10 Major California utility to demonstrate BlueGen Gas-to-Electricity Generator Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM/ASX: CFU) - a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings - today announced its first BlueGen product sale in the United States to one of the United States' largest energy companies. Ceramic Fuel Cells will install a BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at the energy utility's engineering center in California. The BlueGen unit is scheduled to be installed in September 2010. Ceramic Fuel Cells' local partner, California-based Smart Hybrid Systems, Inc., will provide local installation and support services, including integrating the BlueGen unit with thermal and electrical management systems as well as metering equipment. Smart Hybrid Systems, a US energy appliance manufacturer, also plans to develop innovative hybrid fuel cell and energy storage products utilizing the Ceramic Fuel Cells solid oxide fuel cell as the core generator of electricity and heat. 
About the size of a dishwasher, BlueGen is the latest breakthrough in small scale electricity generation. BlueGen uses patented fuel cell technology to convert natural gas into electricity and heat with very high efficiency. BlueGen units can generate electricity at a peak electrical efficiency of 60 percent, far higher than any other technology in the large global market for small scale electricity generation. When heat is recovered for hot water, total efficiency is up to 85 percent - twice as efficient as the current power grid. By generating power close to where it is used, Ceramic Fuel Cells' products can meet the future demand for low emission electricity without the need for huge investments in electricity transmission and distribution infrastructure. Brendan Dow, Ceramic Fuel Cells' Managing
Director said: "It is a great achievement for us to have made our first BlueGen sale in the United States, to one of the largest utilities in the country. Together with our existing sales in Europe, Japan and Australia, this sends a strong message about the size of the global markets that Ceramic Fuel Cells is targeting. It is exciting for us that large utilities not only in the USA but throughout the western world are investing seriously in low-emission power generation." Since late 2009 Ceramic Fuel Cells has secured orders for 50 BlueGen units from other major utilities and foundation customers in Germany, Switzerland, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Japan and Australia, including E.ON Ruhrgas (the largest gas utility in Germany), the German Gas Association, and Osaka Gas (the second largest gas utility in Japan). Ceramic Fuel Cells is also operating fully integrated power and heating products with leading energy companies E.ON UK (the second largest electricity retailer in the United Kingdom), GdF Suez (the largest gas utility in France) and EWE in Germany.
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