http://www.cfcl.com.au/Fuel_Cell_Facts/
Its basically saying that SOFC will heat from 450 to 1000 degrees celcius.
I guess its not likely that all of the heat will be available for space / hot water heating, but surely that would do for a bit of hot water.
"Different types of fuel cells are categorised by the type of electrolyte. Within each fuel cell type different companies are using different designs to tailor a fuel cell’s performance for a given application. The main groups of fuel cells are listed below:
Polymer Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) or Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)
Here, the electrolyte is a polymer ion exchange membrane that is very good at conducting protons often combined with an expensive platinum catalyst. These fuel cells are a good option for automotive and portable applications as they are best suited for fast start up and shut down situations.
Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells (PAFC)
In this fuel cell, concentrated phosphoric acid is used as the electrolyte. The design and power outputs make them suitable for buses and large stationary applications.
Alkaline Fuel Cells (AFC)
The electrolyte is essentially a potassium hydroxide solution. These fuel cells are often used for expensive mission critical applications such as the USA space programme.
Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (MCFC)
These highly specialised fuel cells use a combination of high temperature alkali carbonates (sodium or potassium) as an electrolyte and can use a wide range of fuel types. MCFC are best suited to large stationary power applications.
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC)
With SOFCs, the electrolyte is a solid non-porous ceramic based metal oxide often Yttria doped Zirconia material. Because SOFCs operate at high temperature, a wide range of fuels can be used with out having to specially pre-treat the fuel.
Fuel Cell Type
Operating Temperature
Electrical Efficiency
Fuel Type
Applications
MCFC
~ 550 – 700°C
~ 50 to <70 %
Most hydrocarbon based fuels
Large (100’s of kW to MW) stationary power generation
SOFC
~ 450 – 1,000°C
~ 45 to <70 %
Most hydrocarbon based fuels
Small (<1kW) to large (MW) stationary power generation
AFC
~ 150 – 200°C
~ 40 %
Pure Hydrogen
Space exploration
PAFC
~ 100 – 220°C
~ 35 to 40 %
Pure Hydrogen
Buses, trucks & large stationary applications
PEFC/PEMFC
~ 80°C
~ 30 to 35 %
Pure Hydrogen
Passenger cars & mobile applications
SOFC’s are ideally suited to producing constant power for small stationary applications. Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is developing SOFC systems for domestic applications generating highly efficient electricity from today’s existing fuel sources and infrastructure.
Friday, 18 March 2011
Friday, 11 March 2011
Radiation 1,000 times normal detected around crippled Japanese plant
By Michael Winter, USA TODAY
Radiation 1,000 times normal has been detected at a crippled nuclear plant in northeastern Japan where utility managers have released radioactive steam to reduce mounting reactor pressure, the Kyodo news service is reporting, citing the government's safety agency.
That suggests radioactivity could spread around Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 plant, where thousands of residents within a 6-miles were ordered to leave before dawn Saturday.
There's potential danger to the public from three of at least 11 nuclear power reactors that are shut down because of Friday's 8.9 earthquake, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
Managers at Fukushima No. 1 said before the planned release of steam that any radiation would be "very low and the safety of nearby residents has been ensured," Kyodo news service reported earlier. Within the hour ago plant officials said some radiation may have already been released, according to Kyodo.
About 3,000 people within a 2-mile radius had been ordered to leave late Friday, while thousands more within a 6-mile radius were told to stay indoors. Before dawn, however, mandatory evacuations were extended to 6 miles.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan plans to visit the plant later Saturday.
A U.S. nuclear specialist calls it "a dicey situation."
"They're operating on battery power now, and if they lose the batteries, they lose core cooling," Edwin Lyman, with the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Monitor. He said the military is supposed to be bringing batteries to keep the backup cooling system operating to prevent the reactor's uranium core from overheating and melting.
Radiation 1,000 times normal has been detected at a crippled nuclear plant in northeastern Japan where utility managers have released radioactive steam to reduce mounting reactor pressure, the Kyodo news service is reporting, citing the government's safety agency.
That suggests radioactivity could spread around Tokyo Electric Power Co.'s Fukushima No. 1 plant, where thousands of residents within a 6-miles were ordered to leave before dawn Saturday.
There's potential danger to the public from three of at least 11 nuclear power reactors that are shut down because of Friday's 8.9 earthquake, the Christian Science Monitor reports.
Managers at Fukushima No. 1 said before the planned release of steam that any radiation would be "very low and the safety of nearby residents has been ensured," Kyodo news service reported earlier. Within the hour ago plant officials said some radiation may have already been released, according to Kyodo.
About 3,000 people within a 2-mile radius had been ordered to leave late Friday, while thousands more within a 6-mile radius were told to stay indoors. Before dawn, however, mandatory evacuations were extended to 6 miles.
Prime Minister Naoto Kan plans to visit the plant later Saturday.
A U.S. nuclear specialist calls it "a dicey situation."
"They're operating on battery power now, and if they lose the batteries, they lose core cooling," Edwin Lyman, with the Union of Concerned Scientists, told the Monitor. He said the military is supposed to be bringing batteries to keep the backup cooling system operating to prevent the reactor's uranium core from overheating and melting.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
RNS 8 March 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited 8 March 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Director Shareholding
8 March 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited
Director Shareholding
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) announces that on 8 March 2011, Dr Peter Binks, a non-executive director of Ceramic Fuel Cells, purchased 10,000 ordinary shares in Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of AUD 0.135, representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.
Following this announcement Dr Binks is interested, directly or indirectly, in a total of 10,000 Ordinary Shares representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.
For further information please contact:
Ceramic Fuel Cells
Andrew Neilson Tel: +613 9554 2300
Email: investor@cfcl.com.au
Nomura Code Securities (AIM Nomad) Tel: +44 (0) 207 776
1200
Juliet Thompson, Chris Golden www.nomuracode.com
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited
Director Shareholding
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited (AIM / ASX: CFU) announces that on 8 March 2011, Dr Peter Binks, a non-executive director of Ceramic Fuel Cells, purchased 10,000 ordinary shares in Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of AUD 0.135, representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.
Following this announcement Dr Binks is interested, directly or indirectly, in a total of 10,000 Ordinary Shares representing 0.00% of the issued share capital.
For further information please contact:
Ceramic Fuel Cells
Andrew Neilson Tel: +613 9554 2300
Email: investor@cfcl.com.au
Nomura Code Securities (AIM Nomad) Tel: +44 (0) 207 776
1200
Juliet Thompson, Chris Golden www.nomuracode.com
Friday, 4 March 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited zeigen die BlueGen MCHP am Ecobuild zeigen London 1-3 März 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited zeigen die BlueGen MCHP am Ecobuild zeigen London 1-3 März 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited BlueGen Einheit sei in der Ecobuild zeigen aufgezeigt 3. März 2011 auf der E. ON stehen. Das Gerät wurde auf der Seite des Ständers platziert und bekam Interesse. Die BlueGen hatte die seitlichen und hinteren Abdeckungen entfernt, so dass die Einbauten zu sehen war. E. ON 's Stand war im Bereich der erneuerbaren Abschnitt der Ecobuild zeigen, welche hauptsächlich Solar-und Luft-Wärmepumpe steht hatten. Paddy war einer der Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Vertriebsmitarbeiter auf dem Stand und beantwortet die meisten meiner Fragen bezüglich der BlueGen und E. ON 's Anpassung MCHP Einheit, die den Kraftstoff Gennex als Kern-Stack verwendet. E. ON hat noch ihre Gennex MCHP Anpassung und ein Veröffentlichungstermin noch nicht abgeschlossen Namen. Aus diesem Grund gibt es keine Werbung / Marketing-Programm in Kraft. Es war interessant, warum E. ON wurde die Anzeige der BlueGen, da sie nicht direkt vermarkten sie, vielleicht auf Interesse messen.
Ceramic Fuel Cells verlassen sich auf ihre Partner wie E. ON, EWE, GDF etc, um ein Produkt so Markt im Moment ist es eine Zeit des Wartens für sie bis BlueGen und Gennex MCHP Anpassungen auf den Markt kommen. Soweit es sie betrifft die BlueGen ist eine vollständig getestete Gerät bereit für den Verkauf an den Massenmarkt, die ihre Hauptziel ist, wollen sie auf, die BlueGen / Gennex Produkt global. Dies ist der gleiche Fall, wenn es um den Preis geht. Es gibt kein Preisschild auf dem Gerät. Es wird ihre Partner, die ihren Preis fix und ob sie an ihre Kunden vermietet werden. Es besteht auch die Service Wartungskosten zu schließen. Das Gerät benötigt eine Service alle 12 Monate, die von wechselnden Wasserständen Ansaugfilter und Gas Ansaugfilter besteht. Die Gennex Brennstoffzellen-Modul hat eine Lebensdauer von 5 Jahren und erfordert ersetzen um diese Zeit. Deshalb ist es vielleicht besser, die Geräte leasen, da dies im Mietvertrag Plan aufgenommen werden kann, wenn Leasing zur Verfügung stehen. Ceramic Fuel Cells sagen, dass diese Geräte sind nicht für die DIY'er und muss installiert und gewartet werden durch qualifiziertes Fachpersonal.
Es gibt vielleicht einige Subventionen für die BlueGen und deren Anpassung. Deutschland ist mit der Idee, indem sie ihre Subventionen erneuerbare liebäugelt aber das ist nicht in Stein gemeißelt. Es ist ein $ 1 Mrd. Fonds in Deutschland und mit der EWE testet derzeit das Gerät ist es der Glaube der Ceramic Fuel Cells Vertriebsmitarbeiter dass BlueGen schließlich dafür wird akkreditiert zu bekommen. Wie für die Aktionäre des Unternehmens bekommen einen Rabatt, sie hätten keine Stellung zu nehmen.
Die Gennex Kraftstoff Stapel ist das Herz des Gerätes und andere Anpassungen. Das System kann nicht verkleinert werden (nur nach oben), so gibt es keine Möglichkeit für eine Micro-Mikro-KWK-portables Gerät. Es gibt noch andere Wettbewerber gibt, einschließlich der Whispergen, das nicht Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Produkt. Dies ist vor allem für Heizung und verwendet ein Sterling-Motor an die Macht aus der Abwärme zu erzeugen. Diese nach Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited wird bedeuten, dass für 6 Monate des Jahres wird das Gerät nicht produzieren viel Macht zu verkaufen zurück an das Netz, wo BlueGen hauptsächlich zur Stromerzeugung ausgerichtet ist. Die BlueGen hat den Vorteil, da es leicht konfiguriert werden kann, andere Kohlenwasserstoffgase wie Shell Gas, Wasserstoff, Methan, Biogas etc. verwenden
Die BlueGen Produkt ist fertig, alle Ceramic Fuel Cells tun müssen, ist es, die Massen zu verkaufen. Es ist Spitzentechnologie, nur bekommen kann mit der Zeit besser. Es gibt keine Pläne für Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited zum Gennex Technologie für andere Anwendungen andere als Mini-Blockheizkraftwerke zu verwenden. Es besteht auch die Installation und Wartung Ausbildung, die von ihren Partnern, die was einige von ihnen jetzt machen, ist erforderlich werden. Mit E. ON braucht bis 100000 Einheiten um, zwischen 2012 bis 2018 an Exklusivität behalten ist es an ihnen, einen Einstieg in den britischen Markt nicht Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited erhalten.
Foto: E. ON stehen © Sean Orion
Komponiert @ EcoBuild London © Sean Orion 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited BlueGen Einheit sei in der Ecobuild zeigen aufgezeigt 3. März 2011 auf der E. ON stehen. Das Gerät wurde auf der Seite des Ständers platziert und bekam Interesse. Die BlueGen hatte die seitlichen und hinteren Abdeckungen entfernt, so dass die Einbauten zu sehen war. E. ON 's Stand war im Bereich der erneuerbaren Abschnitt der Ecobuild zeigen, welche hauptsächlich Solar-und Luft-Wärmepumpe steht hatten. Paddy war einer der Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Vertriebsmitarbeiter auf dem Stand und beantwortet die meisten meiner Fragen bezüglich der BlueGen und E. ON 's Anpassung MCHP Einheit, die den Kraftstoff Gennex als Kern-Stack verwendet. E. ON hat noch ihre Gennex MCHP Anpassung und ein Veröffentlichungstermin noch nicht abgeschlossen Namen. Aus diesem Grund gibt es keine Werbung / Marketing-Programm in Kraft. Es war interessant, warum E. ON wurde die Anzeige der BlueGen, da sie nicht direkt vermarkten sie, vielleicht auf Interesse messen.
Ceramic Fuel Cells verlassen sich auf ihre Partner wie E. ON, EWE, GDF etc, um ein Produkt so Markt im Moment ist es eine Zeit des Wartens für sie bis BlueGen und Gennex MCHP Anpassungen auf den Markt kommen. Soweit es sie betrifft die BlueGen ist eine vollständig getestete Gerät bereit für den Verkauf an den Massenmarkt, die ihre Hauptziel ist, wollen sie auf, die BlueGen / Gennex Produkt global. Dies ist der gleiche Fall, wenn es um den Preis geht. Es gibt kein Preisschild auf dem Gerät. Es wird ihre Partner, die ihren Preis fix und ob sie an ihre Kunden vermietet werden. Es besteht auch die Service Wartungskosten zu schließen. Das Gerät benötigt eine Service alle 12 Monate, die von wechselnden Wasserständen Ansaugfilter und Gas Ansaugfilter besteht. Die Gennex Brennstoffzellen-Modul hat eine Lebensdauer von 5 Jahren und erfordert ersetzen um diese Zeit. Deshalb ist es vielleicht besser, die Geräte leasen, da dies im Mietvertrag Plan aufgenommen werden kann, wenn Leasing zur Verfügung stehen. Ceramic Fuel Cells sagen, dass diese Geräte sind nicht für die DIY'er und muss installiert und gewartet werden durch qualifiziertes Fachpersonal.
Es gibt vielleicht einige Subventionen für die BlueGen und deren Anpassung. Deutschland ist mit der Idee, indem sie ihre Subventionen erneuerbare liebäugelt aber das ist nicht in Stein gemeißelt. Es ist ein $ 1 Mrd. Fonds in Deutschland und mit der EWE testet derzeit das Gerät ist es der Glaube der Ceramic Fuel Cells Vertriebsmitarbeiter dass BlueGen schließlich dafür wird akkreditiert zu bekommen. Wie für die Aktionäre des Unternehmens bekommen einen Rabatt, sie hätten keine Stellung zu nehmen.
Die Gennex Kraftstoff Stapel ist das Herz des Gerätes und andere Anpassungen. Das System kann nicht verkleinert werden (nur nach oben), so gibt es keine Möglichkeit für eine Micro-Mikro-KWK-portables Gerät. Es gibt noch andere Wettbewerber gibt, einschließlich der Whispergen, das nicht Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Produkt. Dies ist vor allem für Heizung und verwendet ein Sterling-Motor an die Macht aus der Abwärme zu erzeugen. Diese nach Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited wird bedeuten, dass für 6 Monate des Jahres wird das Gerät nicht produzieren viel Macht zu verkaufen zurück an das Netz, wo BlueGen hauptsächlich zur Stromerzeugung ausgerichtet ist. Die BlueGen hat den Vorteil, da es leicht konfiguriert werden kann, andere Kohlenwasserstoffgase wie Shell Gas, Wasserstoff, Methan, Biogas etc. verwenden
Die BlueGen Produkt ist fertig, alle Ceramic Fuel Cells tun müssen, ist es, die Massen zu verkaufen. Es ist Spitzentechnologie, nur bekommen kann mit der Zeit besser. Es gibt keine Pläne für Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited zum Gennex Technologie für andere Anwendungen andere als Mini-Blockheizkraftwerke zu verwenden. Es besteht auch die Installation und Wartung Ausbildung, die von ihren Partnern, die was einige von ihnen jetzt machen, ist erforderlich werden. Mit E. ON braucht bis 100000 Einheiten um, zwischen 2012 bis 2018 an Exklusivität behalten ist es an ihnen, einen Einstieg in den britischen Markt nicht Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited erhalten.
Foto: E. ON stehen © Sean Orion
Komponiert @ EcoBuild London © Sean Orion 2011
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited show the Bluegen MCHP at the Ecobuild show London 1-3 March 2011
Ceramic fuel cells limited Bluegen unit was being displayed at the Ecobuild show March 3, 2011 on the E.ON stand. The unit was placed on the side of the stand and was getting interest. The Bluegen had the side and back covers removed so the internals could be seen. E.ON’s stand was in the renewable section of the Ecobuild show which had mainly solar and air source heat pump stands. Paddy was one of the Ceramic fuel cells limited sales staff on the stand and answered most of my questions regarding the Bluegen and E.ON’s adaptation MCHP unit which uses the Gennex fuel stack as its core. E.ON has yet to name their Gennex MCHP adaptation and a release date has not been finalized. Due to this, there is no marketing/advertising program in place. It was interesting why E.ON was displaying the Bluegen as they are not directly marketing it, maybe to gauge interest.
Ceramic fuel cells rely on their partners such as E.ON, EWE, GDF etc to market the product so at the moment it is a waiting game for them until Bluegen and Gennex MCHP adaptations come to market. As far as they are concerned the Bluegen is a fully tested unit ready for sale to the mass market which is their main target, they want to take the Bluegen / Gennex product global. This is the same case when it comes to the price. There is no price tag on the unit. It will be their partners who will fix their price and whether it is leased to their clients. There is also the service maintenance cost to include. The unit requires a service every 12 months which consists of changing water intake filters and gas intake filters. The Gennex fuel cell module has a life span of 5 years and will require replacing around that time. This is why it may be better to lease the units as this can be included in the lease plan if leasing will be available. Ceramic fuel cells say these units are not for the DIY’er and must be installed and serviced by qualified trained staff.
There maybe some subsidies for the Bluegen and its adaptation. Germany is toying with the idea of adding it to their renewable subsidies but this is not in stone. There is a $1 Bln fund in Germany and with EWE currently testing the unit it is the belief of the Ceramic fuel cells sales staff that Bluegen will eventually get accredited for this. As for shareholders of the company getting a discount they had no comment.
The Gennex fuel stack is the heart of the unit and other adaptations. The system cannot be scaled down (only up) so there is no possibility of a Micro-Micro CHP portable unit. There are other competitors out there including the Whispergen which is not a Ceramic fuel cells limited product. This is mainly for heating and uses a sterling engine to produce power from the exhaust heat. This according to Ceramic fuel cells limited will mean that for 6 months of the year the unit will not produce much power to sell back to the grid where Bluegen is mainly geared to power generation. The Bluegen has the advantage as it can easily be configured to use other hydrocarbon gases such as shell gas, hydrogen, methane, bio gas etc.
The Bluegen product is ready, all Ceramic Fuel Cells need to do is sell it to the masses. It is cutting edge technology that can only get better with time. There are no plans for Ceramic fuel cells limited to use the Gennex technology for other applications other than MCHP units. There is also the installation and maintenance training that will be required by their partners, which is what some of them are doing now. With E.ON needing to order 100000 units, between 2012 to 2018 to keep exclusivity it is up to them to get a foothold in the UK market not Ceramic fuel cells limited.
Photo: E.ON stand © Sean Orion
Composed @ EcoBuild London © Sean Orion 2011
Ceramic fuel cells rely on their partners such as E.ON, EWE, GDF etc to market the product so at the moment it is a waiting game for them until Bluegen and Gennex MCHP adaptations come to market. As far as they are concerned the Bluegen is a fully tested unit ready for sale to the mass market which is their main target, they want to take the Bluegen / Gennex product global. This is the same case when it comes to the price. There is no price tag on the unit. It will be their partners who will fix their price and whether it is leased to their clients. There is also the service maintenance cost to include. The unit requires a service every 12 months which consists of changing water intake filters and gas intake filters. The Gennex fuel cell module has a life span of 5 years and will require replacing around that time. This is why it may be better to lease the units as this can be included in the lease plan if leasing will be available. Ceramic fuel cells say these units are not for the DIY’er and must be installed and serviced by qualified trained staff.
There maybe some subsidies for the Bluegen and its adaptation. Germany is toying with the idea of adding it to their renewable subsidies but this is not in stone. There is a $1 Bln fund in Germany and with EWE currently testing the unit it is the belief of the Ceramic fuel cells sales staff that Bluegen will eventually get accredited for this. As for shareholders of the company getting a discount they had no comment.
The Gennex fuel stack is the heart of the unit and other adaptations. The system cannot be scaled down (only up) so there is no possibility of a Micro-Micro CHP portable unit. There are other competitors out there including the Whispergen which is not a Ceramic fuel cells limited product. This is mainly for heating and uses a sterling engine to produce power from the exhaust heat. This according to Ceramic fuel cells limited will mean that for 6 months of the year the unit will not produce much power to sell back to the grid where Bluegen is mainly geared to power generation. The Bluegen has the advantage as it can easily be configured to use other hydrocarbon gases such as shell gas, hydrogen, methane, bio gas etc.
The Bluegen product is ready, all Ceramic Fuel Cells need to do is sell it to the masses. It is cutting edge technology that can only get better with time. There are no plans for Ceramic fuel cells limited to use the Gennex technology for other applications other than MCHP units. There is also the installation and maintenance training that will be required by their partners, which is what some of them are doing now. With E.ON needing to order 100000 units, between 2012 to 2018 to keep exclusivity it is up to them to get a foothold in the UK market not Ceramic fuel cells limited.
Photo: E.ON stand © Sean Orion
Composed @ EcoBuild London © Sean Orion 2011
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Protesters celebrate after beauty-spot wind farm scrapped
Published Date: 02 March 2011
By JOHN ROSS
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for an offshore wind farm at Kintyre have welcomed the news that the project has been abandoned.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has decided to halt work on the development and instead concentrate on a site off Islay.
SSE was granted exclusive rights to develop both sites by the Crown Estate in 2009.
The Kintyre site, 2km off Kintyre,ADVERTISEMENT
west of Machrihanish, was earmarked for a 378MW, 105-turbine development which would cover about 70sq km. An application was expected to be submitted in early 2012.
But the company said site survey work and consultations identified factors that led it to decide not to proceed further. These include the proximity to Campbeltown Airport and communities and the impact on recreational sailing.
SSE says survey work shows the Islay site, 13km off the west coast of the island, is suitable for the development of a viable wind farm, although it presents challenges from difficult weather and seabed conditions.
However, SSE says these can be overcome and it expects to submit an application to develop the site to the Scottish Government around the end of 2013.
Colin Hood, chief operating officer of SSE, said: "Having assessed the wind resource, listened to the concerns of local residents, businesses and other stakeholders, and having regard to the impact of Campbeltown Airport and the recreational sailing community, we believe our decision to halt the development of the Kintyre site is the responsible course of action to take. We are grateful to everyone who took part in our consultations on the project.
"Islay has massive potential to contribute to the Scottish and UK governments' renewable energy targets. Our proposed timetable for developing this site will allow time for the innovative development of the offshore technology and construction techniques necessary to build a wind farm in such a challenging environment."
Mr Hood said SSE remained committed to developing offshore wind power in the UK - with wind farms at Greater Gabbard, off the Suffolk coast, and Walney, off Cumbria, producing their first electricity in January.
The firm also has plans to develop offshore sites at Galloper, off Suffolk, and Beatrice, off the east coast of Scotland, with applications expected within the next 12 months.
The Kintyre Offshore Windfarm Action Group (KOWAG) was set up to oppose the proposed development. It argued that the scale of the planned development would destroy views and harm tourism, with knock-on effects on golf and sailing in the area.
The group also said the project would impact on house prices, harm the marine environment and bird life, and affect the livelihoods of local residents.
Bob Miller, vice-chairman of KOWAG, said he believed the campaign had a huge influence on the U-turn: "We are delighted to hear of the decision by SSE.
By JOHN ROSS
CAMPAIGNERS fighting plans for an offshore wind farm at Kintyre have welcomed the news that the project has been abandoned.
Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has decided to halt work on the development and instead concentrate on a site off Islay.
SSE was granted exclusive rights to develop both sites by the Crown Estate in 2009.
The Kintyre site, 2km off Kintyre,ADVERTISEMENT
west of Machrihanish, was earmarked for a 378MW, 105-turbine development which would cover about 70sq km. An application was expected to be submitted in early 2012.
But the company said site survey work and consultations identified factors that led it to decide not to proceed further. These include the proximity to Campbeltown Airport and communities and the impact on recreational sailing.
SSE says survey work shows the Islay site, 13km off the west coast of the island, is suitable for the development of a viable wind farm, although it presents challenges from difficult weather and seabed conditions.
However, SSE says these can be overcome and it expects to submit an application to develop the site to the Scottish Government around the end of 2013.
Colin Hood, chief operating officer of SSE, said: "Having assessed the wind resource, listened to the concerns of local residents, businesses and other stakeholders, and having regard to the impact of Campbeltown Airport and the recreational sailing community, we believe our decision to halt the development of the Kintyre site is the responsible course of action to take. We are grateful to everyone who took part in our consultations on the project.
"Islay has massive potential to contribute to the Scottish and UK governments' renewable energy targets. Our proposed timetable for developing this site will allow time for the innovative development of the offshore technology and construction techniques necessary to build a wind farm in such a challenging environment."
Mr Hood said SSE remained committed to developing offshore wind power in the UK - with wind farms at Greater Gabbard, off the Suffolk coast, and Walney, off Cumbria, producing their first electricity in January.
The firm also has plans to develop offshore sites at Galloper, off Suffolk, and Beatrice, off the east coast of Scotland, with applications expected within the next 12 months.
The Kintyre Offshore Windfarm Action Group (KOWAG) was set up to oppose the proposed development. It argued that the scale of the planned development would destroy views and harm tourism, with knock-on effects on golf and sailing in the area.
The group also said the project would impact on house prices, harm the marine environment and bird life, and affect the livelihoods of local residents.
Bob Miller, vice-chairman of KOWAG, said he believed the campaign had a huge influence on the U-turn: "We are delighted to hear of the decision by SSE.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Vertical axis wind turbines could replace conventional offshore ones
Vertical axis turbines could replace conventional offshore ones, study finds
Emily Smoucha
28th February 2011
Vertical axis wind turbines could provide an alternative method of green energy production from conventional horizontal offshore wind turbines, a study has found.
The Energy Technology Institute (ETI) commissioned the NOVA project to study whether using vertical axis turbines could help reduce the cost of energy production offshore.
Estimates show that if offshore wind reaches a 30 gigawatts (GW) capacity, then about 50 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved each year. But turbulence can greatly affect the productivity of conventional, horizontal offshore wind turbines, making them run less efficiently.
The £2.8 million NOVA study examined whether vertical axis wind turbines could offer cheaper electricity due to the size and scale of the machines as well as simpler maintenance when compared to conventional turbines.
"Traditional horizontal offshore wind turbines have adapted the existing technology found in onshore turbines," said Dr David Clarke, ETI chief executive. "The NOVA feasibility project is a radical concept which demonstrates that vertical axis machines are technically feasible and could be used in certain circumstances."
Aerogenerator X
The NOVA project began in 2009 and tested Wind Power Limited's 10MW Aerogenerator X vertical axis turbine. It was conducted alongside two other ETI offshore wind studies, Deepwater, which has concluded, and Helm Wind, which will be completed shortly and is assessing the complete design system for an offshore wind turbine array, including installation, design, aerodynamics, electrical systems, control and maintenance.
"[NOVA] provided us with lots of information that, along with the results from our other two novel turbine projects, will help inform our decisions on the type of technologies we will be looking for in the next stage of our offshore wind programme," Clarke said. "The next stage should see a demonstrator built and tested at sea, which will build on the insights from all three projects."
Floating turbines
Additionally, the study investigated how both fixed and floating structures performed. It concluded that the floating turbines functioned well at areas over 60 metres, as high wind speeds help reduce the cost of energy production.
"It has been really exciting to see how the design and cost of energy for such an innovative concept has potential to bring about a step change in the offshore wind industry," said Annie Hairsine, of OTM Consulting. "Significant experience and knowledge has been developed in Phase One placing the UK in a unique position to lead the market for vertical axis turbines."
The NOVA project was conducted by a consortia that included Wind Power Limited, OTM Consulting, Cranfield University, , the University of Strathclyde, Sheffield University, James Ingram & Associates, CEFAS and QinetiQ.
Emily Smoucha
28th February 2011
Vertical axis wind turbines could provide an alternative method of green energy production from conventional horizontal offshore wind turbines, a study has found.
The Energy Technology Institute (ETI) commissioned the NOVA project to study whether using vertical axis turbines could help reduce the cost of energy production offshore.
Estimates show that if offshore wind reaches a 30 gigawatts (GW) capacity, then about 50 million tonnes of CO2 could be saved each year. But turbulence can greatly affect the productivity of conventional, horizontal offshore wind turbines, making them run less efficiently.
The £2.8 million NOVA study examined whether vertical axis wind turbines could offer cheaper electricity due to the size and scale of the machines as well as simpler maintenance when compared to conventional turbines.
"Traditional horizontal offshore wind turbines have adapted the existing technology found in onshore turbines," said Dr David Clarke, ETI chief executive. "The NOVA feasibility project is a radical concept which demonstrates that vertical axis machines are technically feasible and could be used in certain circumstances."
Aerogenerator X
The NOVA project began in 2009 and tested Wind Power Limited's 10MW Aerogenerator X vertical axis turbine. It was conducted alongside two other ETI offshore wind studies, Deepwater, which has concluded, and Helm Wind, which will be completed shortly and is assessing the complete design system for an offshore wind turbine array, including installation, design, aerodynamics, electrical systems, control and maintenance.
"[NOVA] provided us with lots of information that, along with the results from our other two novel turbine projects, will help inform our decisions on the type of technologies we will be looking for in the next stage of our offshore wind programme," Clarke said. "The next stage should see a demonstrator built and tested at sea, which will build on the insights from all three projects."
Floating turbines
Additionally, the study investigated how both fixed and floating structures performed. It concluded that the floating turbines functioned well at areas over 60 metres, as high wind speeds help reduce the cost of energy production.
"It has been really exciting to see how the design and cost of energy for such an innovative concept has potential to bring about a step change in the offshore wind industry," said Annie Hairsine, of OTM Consulting. "Significant experience and knowledge has been developed in Phase One placing the UK in a unique position to lead the market for vertical axis turbines."
The NOVA project was conducted by a consortia that included Wind Power Limited, OTM Consulting, Cranfield University, , the University of Strathclyde, Sheffield University, James Ingram & Associates, CEFAS and QinetiQ.
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