Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power. Show all posts
Saturday, 23 June 2012
Ceres Power Holdings plc appointment of Investec Bank plc as the Company's Nominated Advisor and Broker
RNS Number : 8157F
20 June 2012
20 June 2012
Ceres Power Holdings plc ("Ceres" or "the Company")
Change of Adviser
Ceres Power Holdings plc (AIM: CWR) is pleased to announce the appointment of Investec Bank plc as the Company's Nominated Advisor and Broker with immediate effect.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
The Wind Box (WTVAWINDBOX100) performs the conversion from AC to DC power
The Wind Box (WTVAWINDBOX100) performs the conversion from AC to DC power, required to both connect to a network inverter and to battery charge systems, through static electronic devices.
Downstream of this device, you can choose to use wind energy to recharge the battery via an appropriate charging control system (not included) or to connect to the mains via a suitable inverter that re-converts the current into AC with voltage and frequency suitable to be fed into the network. It is fully compatible with the WindyBoy 1100.
In both cases it is essential to check the compatibility of the battery charging and inverter systems with the electrical parameters provided by the wind generator.
Downstream of this device, you can choose to use wind energy to recharge the battery via an appropriate charging control system (not included) or to connect to the mains via a suitable inverter that re-converts the current into AC with voltage and frequency suitable to be fed into the network. It is fully compatible with the WindyBoy 1100.
In both cases it is essential to check the compatibility of the battery charging and inverter systems with the electrical parameters provided by the wind generator.
Thursday, 24 March 2011
E.ON wins planning approval for 47.5MW wind farm in Scotland
E.ON has secured planning permission from the Highland Council to build a new 47.5MW onshore wind farm near Garve in the Scottish Highlands.
The wind farm will consist of 19 turbines which can provide renewable electricity to power approximately 21,000 homes every year.
E.ON regional director of renewables in the UK Dave Rogers said the development will not only provide clean renewable electricity for Scotland, but will also enable the nation to meet its renewable energy targets.
Currently, the company is building two onshore wind farms in the Highlands, one near Caithness and the other at Rosehall.
The company also owns and operates a biomass power station in Lockerbie and Robin Rigg, which was completed in 2010.
Earlier E.ON also won the exclusive right to explore the potential for new wind energy projects on two lots of land owned by Forestry Commission Scotland.
The wind farm will consist of 19 turbines which can provide renewable electricity to power approximately 21,000 homes every year.
E.ON regional director of renewables in the UK Dave Rogers said the development will not only provide clean renewable electricity for Scotland, but will also enable the nation to meet its renewable energy targets.
Currently, the company is building two onshore wind farms in the Highlands, one near Caithness and the other at Rosehall.
The company also owns and operates a biomass power station in Lockerbie and Robin Rigg, which was completed in 2010.
Earlier E.ON also won the exclusive right to explore the potential for new wind energy projects on two lots of land owned by Forestry Commission Scotland.
Tuesday, 22 March 2011
More Britons support the building of new nuclear power stations than oppose it, despite the crisis at Japan's Fukushima plant
More Britons support the building of new nuclear power stations than oppose it, despite the crisis at Japan's Fukushima plant, an opinion poll says.
But almost a half say they are worried about the safety of nuclear plants.
And 75% cite energy efficiency or renewables as their priority for investment, against 9% for nuclear.
The survey, commissioned by Friends of the Earth from GfK NOP, polled 1,000 people by phone over the weekend, a week after Japan's crisis began.
Events at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi plant have shifted opinion, with 37% saying they are now more likely to oppose new nuclear build and only 16% saying they are more likely to support it.
Still, 35% either strongly or slightly support a programme to replace the UK's existing reactors, with 28% either strongly or slightly opposed.
In November last year, the figures were 47% in favour of nuclear new build, with 19% against.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
Our current nuclear fleet has an excellent safety record and is a crucial part of our low-carbon power supply”
John McNamara
Nuclear Industry Association
"This poll shows that the government's plans for a major expansion of nuclear power in the UK are out of step with public opinion," said Craig Bennett, director of policy and campaigns for Friends of the Earth UK.
"People want clean and safe energy - the government needs to urgently refocus its energy policy, starting by improving the weak energy saving measures within its new Energy Bill."
Since the problems at Fukushima emerged, ministers have declared that the UK must "learn the lessons", with Energy Secretary Chris Huhne calling for a safety review of UK installations - a process that will be supplemented by the programme of stress tests just agreed at EU level.
But the government has also been at pains to point out that the UK does not have reactors of the type used at Fukushima, nor does it sit on a seismically active zone.
And the head of French energy giant EDF told the BBC that events in Japan will not affect his company's plans to build new reactors in the UK.
Carbon focus
Some analysts believe there is likely to be a pause in nuclear new build programmes, not just in the UK, while regulators study the detailed reports that will emerge from Fukushima and investors take a fresh look at the financial equation.
The Fukushima crisis has come with disturbing imagery - but the statistics suggest little impact
Although the incident has put the issue of nuclear risk high up the news agenda, proponents can point to the fact that so far there has not been any impact on human health other than a few events involving workers at the power station.
Commenting on the poll, John McNamara of the Nuclear Industry Association said his organisation welcomed recent comments by Mr Huhne and other ministers.
"We support their views that government should take time to review and learn the lessons of the Japan crisis, while at the same time recognising that our current nuclear fleet has an excellent safety record and is a crucial part of our low-carbon power supply," he told BBC News.
"It is part of our job to engage with the general public and help them reach a conclusion on the UK's energy supplies, using evidence-based research and plain language.
"We recognise we have some way to go - but all energy sources have risks attached and we must plan for a safe, robust and low-carbon future to power our economy going forward."
The EU's eventual aim is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% from 1990 levels by 2050; and many countries, including the UK, have seen nuclear as an important component in a low-carbon energy mix.
At the weekend, Mr Huhne observed: "We can do the 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 without new nuclear, but it will require a big effort on carbon capture and storage and renewables."
Carbon capture and storage is a technology generally considered to be at least 10 years away, possibly more, from commercial use.
A separate poll last year showed that 60% of Britons would oppose the building of either a nuclear or coal-fired power station in their neighbourhood - but 73% would support the construction of a wind farm.
But almost a half say they are worried about the safety of nuclear plants.
And 75% cite energy efficiency or renewables as their priority for investment, against 9% for nuclear.
The survey, commissioned by Friends of the Earth from GfK NOP, polled 1,000 people by phone over the weekend, a week after Japan's crisis began.
Events at the troubled Fukushima Daiichi plant have shifted opinion, with 37% saying they are now more likely to oppose new nuclear build and only 16% saying they are more likely to support it.
Still, 35% either strongly or slightly support a programme to replace the UK's existing reactors, with 28% either strongly or slightly opposed.
In November last year, the figures were 47% in favour of nuclear new build, with 19% against.
Continue reading the main story
“
Start Quote
Our current nuclear fleet has an excellent safety record and is a crucial part of our low-carbon power supply”
John McNamara
Nuclear Industry Association
"This poll shows that the government's plans for a major expansion of nuclear power in the UK are out of step with public opinion," said Craig Bennett, director of policy and campaigns for Friends of the Earth UK.
"People want clean and safe energy - the government needs to urgently refocus its energy policy, starting by improving the weak energy saving measures within its new Energy Bill."
Since the problems at Fukushima emerged, ministers have declared that the UK must "learn the lessons", with Energy Secretary Chris Huhne calling for a safety review of UK installations - a process that will be supplemented by the programme of stress tests just agreed at EU level.
But the government has also been at pains to point out that the UK does not have reactors of the type used at Fukushima, nor does it sit on a seismically active zone.
And the head of French energy giant EDF told the BBC that events in Japan will not affect his company's plans to build new reactors in the UK.
Carbon focus
Some analysts believe there is likely to be a pause in nuclear new build programmes, not just in the UK, while regulators study the detailed reports that will emerge from Fukushima and investors take a fresh look at the financial equation.
The Fukushima crisis has come with disturbing imagery - but the statistics suggest little impact
Although the incident has put the issue of nuclear risk high up the news agenda, proponents can point to the fact that so far there has not been any impact on human health other than a few events involving workers at the power station.
Commenting on the poll, John McNamara of the Nuclear Industry Association said his organisation welcomed recent comments by Mr Huhne and other ministers.
"We support their views that government should take time to review and learn the lessons of the Japan crisis, while at the same time recognising that our current nuclear fleet has an excellent safety record and is a crucial part of our low-carbon power supply," he told BBC News.
"It is part of our job to engage with the general public and help them reach a conclusion on the UK's energy supplies, using evidence-based research and plain language.
"We recognise we have some way to go - but all energy sources have risks attached and we must plan for a safe, robust and low-carbon future to power our economy going forward."
The EU's eventual aim is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% from 1990 levels by 2050; and many countries, including the UK, have seen nuclear as an important component in a low-carbon energy mix.
At the weekend, Mr Huhne observed: "We can do the 80% reduction in emissions by 2050 without new nuclear, but it will require a big effort on carbon capture and storage and renewables."
Carbon capture and storage is a technology generally considered to be at least 10 years away, possibly more, from commercial use.
A separate poll last year showed that 60% of Britons would oppose the building of either a nuclear or coal-fired power station in their neighbourhood - but 73% would support the construction of a wind farm.
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.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Energy provider E.ON has won the exclusive right to explore land owned by Forestry Commission Scotland
Energy provider E.ON has won the exclusive right to explore the potential for new wind energy projects on two lots of land owned by Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS).
E.ON estimates that the two awarded lots located in the north and west of Scotland have the potential to generate around 500MW or enough renewable electricity to power more than 270,000 homes annually, based on an average annual domestic household consumption of 4,700kWh.
Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/energy-and-environment/eon-wins-right-to-develop-wind-energy-on-scottish-lots/1007546.article#ixzz1EsshhoSV
E.ON estimates that the two awarded lots located in the north and west of Scotland have the potential to generate around 500MW or enough renewable electricity to power more than 270,000 homes annually, based on an average annual domestic household consumption of 4,700kWh.
Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/energy-and-environment/eon-wins-right-to-develop-wind-energy-on-scottish-lots/1007546.article#ixzz1EsshhoSV
E.ON has been named one of the 100 best employers in Germany.
E.ON has been named one of the 100 best employers in Germany. E.ON also achieved an excellent 5th place postion in the category "Companies with over 5,000 employees" in the coveted Great Place to Work® Institute "Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber 2011" awards. This is the 8 time E.ON, one of the largest power and gas companies in Europe, has been successful. The award recognizes attractive employers with a special quality and was conferred by the Great Place to Work® Institute Germany and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs at an award gala in Berlin.
Regine Stachelhaus, member of the E.ON AG Board of Management said: "Our ranking among the top 5 employers in Germany is an award for our HR work. We will not let up in our commitment to create attractive working conditions and development possibilities in order to offer our employees a rewarding working environment and, in an increasingly tighter market, to continue to remain among the best for recruiting talent."
As part of the nationwide employer competition, seven German E.ON companies participated in an anonymous employee survey. The key assessment criteria were credibility, respect and fairness, identification of the employees with and the team spirit in the company. In addition, the activities and concepts of the company’s HR work were analysed and assessed in a ‘culture audit’.
A total of 290 companies from all branches of industry, size categories and regions applied for the quality seal " Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber 2011". They were subjected to a thorough examination and an independent assessment of their quality and attraction as employers. The Great Place to Work® Institute Germany surveyed a total of some 120,000 workers.
The annual study and the competition " Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber" are conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute Germany in cooperation with the New Quality of Work Initiative (INQA), the University of Cologne and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The "Handelsblatt" newspaper and "personalmagazin" are the media partners.
Regine Stachelhaus, member of the E.ON AG Board of Management said: "Our ranking among the top 5 employers in Germany is an award for our HR work. We will not let up in our commitment to create attractive working conditions and development possibilities in order to offer our employees a rewarding working environment and, in an increasingly tighter market, to continue to remain among the best for recruiting talent."
As part of the nationwide employer competition, seven German E.ON companies participated in an anonymous employee survey. The key assessment criteria were credibility, respect and fairness, identification of the employees with and the team spirit in the company. In addition, the activities and concepts of the company’s HR work were analysed and assessed in a ‘culture audit’.
A total of 290 companies from all branches of industry, size categories and regions applied for the quality seal " Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber 2011". They were subjected to a thorough examination and an independent assessment of their quality and attraction as employers. The Great Place to Work® Institute Germany surveyed a total of some 120,000 workers.
The annual study and the competition " Deutschlands Beste Arbeitgeber" are conducted by the Great Place to Work® Institute Germany in cooperation with the New Quality of Work Initiative (INQA), the University of Cologne and the Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. The "Handelsblatt" newspaper and "personalmagazin" are the media partners.
Wednesday, 23 February 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit at Ecobuild 2011
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit at Ecobuild
London Stock Exchange Aggregated Regulatory News Service (ARNS)
February 23, 2011
RNS Number : 6850B Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited 23 February 2011 23 February 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at E.ON's stand at Ecobuild Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX:CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, is to exhibit its BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at E.ON's stand at the forthcoming Ecobuild trade show.
This is the first time that BlueGen has been made available for public viewing in the UK. BlueGen uses ceramic fuel cells to turn natural gas into electricity and heat for hot water. BlueGen units can generate electricity far more efficiently than the current power grid, providing significant cost savings to energy bills and large carbon savings. Ecobuild, which is to be held at the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre in the London's Docklands from 1 March to 3 March 2011, is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind. On 22 December 2010 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited announced that it had sold three BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators to E.ON, one of the UK's leading energy companies and that the two companies are continuing to develop fully integrated power and heating products for the UK market. Investors or media interested in learning more about BlueGen or receiving a demonstration at Ecobuild should contact Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited. www.ecobuild.co.uk/index.html Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Mark Way +44 7786 116991 About Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited: -- Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a world leader in developing fuel cell technology to provide highly efficient and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells is developing fully integrated power and heating products with leading energy companies E.ON UK in the United Kingdom, GdF Suez in France and EWE in Germany. -- During 2010 EWE placed a conditional order for up to 200 integrated micro CHP products Ceramic Fuel Cells' patented technology. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited has also sold 55 BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators to major utilities and other foundation customers in Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia and the USA. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and the Australian Securities Exchange (code CFU). www.cfcl.com.au About E.ON: -- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs more than 15,000 people in the UK and more than 88,000 worldwide.
London Stock Exchange Aggregated Regulatory News Service (ARNS)
February 23, 2011
RNS Number : 6850B Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited 23 February 2011 23 February 2011 Ceramic Fuel Cells to exhibit BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at E.ON's stand at Ecobuild Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited [AIM/ASX:CFU], a leading developer of high efficiency and low emission electricity generation units for homes and other buildings, is to exhibit its BlueGen gas-to-electricity generator at E.ON's stand at the forthcoming Ecobuild trade show.
This is the first time that BlueGen has been made available for public viewing in the UK. BlueGen uses ceramic fuel cells to turn natural gas into electricity and heat for hot water. BlueGen units can generate electricity far more efficiently than the current power grid, providing significant cost savings to energy bills and large carbon savings. Ecobuild, which is to be held at the ExCeL exhibition and conference centre in the London's Docklands from 1 March to 3 March 2011, is the world's biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK's largest construction event of any kind. On 22 December 2010 Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited announced that it had sold three BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators to E.ON, one of the UK's leading energy companies and that the two companies are continuing to develop fully integrated power and heating products for the UK market. Investors or media interested in learning more about BlueGen or receiving a demonstration at Ecobuild should contact Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited. www.ecobuild.co.uk/index.html Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Mark Way +44 7786 116991 About Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited: -- Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a world leader in developing fuel cell technology to provide highly efficient and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells is developing fully integrated power and heating products with leading energy companies E.ON UK in the United Kingdom, GdF Suez in France and EWE in Germany. -- During 2010 EWE placed a conditional order for up to 200 integrated micro CHP products Ceramic Fuel Cells' patented technology. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited has also sold 55 BlueGen gas-to-electricity generators to major utilities and other foundation customers in Germany, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Japan, Australia and the USA. -- Ceramic Fuel Cells is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market and the Australian Securities Exchange (code CFU). www.cfcl.com.au About E.ON: -- E.ON is one of the UK's leading power and gas companies - generating and distributing electricity, and retailing power and gas - and is part of the E.ON group, one of the world's largest investor-owned power and gas companies. E.ON employs more than 15,000 people in the UK and more than 88,000 worldwide.
Monday, 21 February 2011
Ceres commences Wall Hung Fuel Cell Boiler Trial 19th February 2011
Fuel cell manufacturer, Ceres Power Holdings plc has commenced commercial field trials of its wall‐mounted Combined Heat and Power (CHP) boiler in occupied homes.
Following receipt of European type approval, an operating fuel cell CHP product generating heat and power has now been installed in the family home of a British Gas customer in South East England. The field trials programme will continue throughout 2011 and into 2012 with Ceres' CHP products being deployed in a wide range of homes across the UK. In addition, there is an extensive on‐going testing programme of CHP products and components at the Ceres' test facilities.
The first wave of CHP products is being installed in consumers' homes during the first quarter of 2011, with the second wave of products incorporating valuable in‐field experience to follow six months later. The final wave of at least 150 field trial CHP products will take place in 2012 to test the Company's ability to scale‐up for initial product sales and volume launch with British Gas.
The Ceres Power fuel cell CHP product operates on mains natural gas and can generate all of the heating and hot water and the majority of the electricity needs of a typical UK home.
The CHP boilers for the field trials are being manufactured using volume‐capable processes, with the fuel cells at the heart of the product being produced at the Ceres factory in Horsham, whilst CHP boiler assembly is taking place in Holland.
Peter Bance, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres Power, says "We have made enormous progress in the development of our product over the past few months and the start of commercial field trials is a major milestone in Ceres Power's development. I am delighted that our unique wall‐ mounted fuel cell CHP product is now being installed in consumers' homes and look forward to selling the product in conjunction with British Gas."
The field trials are being conducted in partnership with British Gas. Under the contract with Ceres Power, British Gas is paying £5 million to the Company in staged milestone payments and has also placed a forward order to purchase in aggregate a minimum of 37,500 CHP products on an escalating basis. Ceres Power will give an update on its British Gas residential CHP programme at the Company's Interim Results to be presented next month.
Following receipt of European type approval, an operating fuel cell CHP product generating heat and power has now been installed in the family home of a British Gas customer in South East England. The field trials programme will continue throughout 2011 and into 2012 with Ceres' CHP products being deployed in a wide range of homes across the UK. In addition, there is an extensive on‐going testing programme of CHP products and components at the Ceres' test facilities.
The first wave of CHP products is being installed in consumers' homes during the first quarter of 2011, with the second wave of products incorporating valuable in‐field experience to follow six months later. The final wave of at least 150 field trial CHP products will take place in 2012 to test the Company's ability to scale‐up for initial product sales and volume launch with British Gas.
The Ceres Power fuel cell CHP product operates on mains natural gas and can generate all of the heating and hot water and the majority of the electricity needs of a typical UK home.
The CHP boilers for the field trials are being manufactured using volume‐capable processes, with the fuel cells at the heart of the product being produced at the Ceres factory in Horsham, whilst CHP boiler assembly is taking place in Holland.
Peter Bance, Chief Executive Officer of Ceres Power, says "We have made enormous progress in the development of our product over the past few months and the start of commercial field trials is a major milestone in Ceres Power's development. I am delighted that our unique wall‐ mounted fuel cell CHP product is now being installed in consumers' homes and look forward to selling the product in conjunction with British Gas."
The field trials are being conducted in partnership with British Gas. Under the contract with Ceres Power, British Gas is paying £5 million to the Company in staged milestone payments and has also placed a forward order to purchase in aggregate a minimum of 37,500 CHP products on an escalating basis. Ceres Power will give an update on its British Gas residential CHP programme at the Company's Interim Results to be presented next month.
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited Highlights Of 2010
Financing Activities
In August 2010 the Company undertook a placement of 95.3m shares at a price of 10.5 pence (approximately 18.25 Australian cents) and raised the equivalent of AUD 17.4m. In September 2010 the Company made an offer to shareholders on the same terms and issued a further 70.3m shares and raised an additional AUD 12.8m. The net amount raised from both fundraising rounds after transaction costs was AUD 28.9m. During the half-year the Company’s investment in inventory has increased from AUD 1.1m in June 2010 to AUD 4.9m at December 2010. This increase will be directed to fulfilling the existing order backlog and to meet expected future sales.
Operational Overview
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a leader in developing solid oxide fuel cell technology to provide highly efficient and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas (and other hydrocarbon fuels in the future). A fuel cell is an electricity generator that converts gas into electricity and heat through an electrochemical reaction, without combustion or noise. Fuel cells can provide significant environmental benefits through high efficiency and low emissions.
Global energy markets are facing a transformation. Peak demand for energy is rising, requiring significant investment in new power generation and grid infrastructure. However there is widespread agreement that greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation must be reduced. These forces create a very large global opportunity for low-emission energy technology, like solid oxide fuel cells, which can be deployed using the existing natural gas and electricity infrastructure. These market forces also encourage a move away from large centralised power stations towards ‘distributed generation’, where small scale power stations are installed close to where the power is used, with no transmission losses.
Ceramic Fuel Cells’ products have achieved electrical efficiency of 60 percent at the point of use, which the Directors believe is higher than any other electricity generating technology. When heat is recovered from the electricity production process, total efficiency is up to 85 percent – twice as efficient as the average among current European power stations.
This very high efficiency can significantly cut carbon emissions from power generation. There is now widespread recognition that maximising electrical efficiency is the key to creating the most value from small scale power and heating products, and the Directors believe the Company’s achievements can create a strong competitive advantage in this very large global market.
Customers and Products
The first products powered by the Company’s fuel cells are small scale units for homes and other buildings that produce up to two kilowatts of electricity as well as heat for hot water or space heating. In order to cater for different markets and customers, the Company is developing two products in parallel: integrated combined heat and power (mCHP) units, as well as a modular generator product called BlueGen. Both products use the Company’s Gennex fuel cell module and share many ‘balance of plant’ components, allowing the Company and its partners to create different products and customer offerings from the same core technology platform.
Integrated mCHP – Power + Heating + Hot Water
During the half-year the Company continued to develop fully integrated mCHP products with its European utility and appliance partners, including EWE AG in Germany, E.ON in the United Kingdom and GDF SUEZ in France. In these partnerships, Ceramic Fuel Cells supplies its Gennex fuel cell modules to appliance partners, which integrate them with high efficiency boilers into single integrated units to convert natural gas into power, hot water and space heating for homes. The appliance manufacturer or the utility then sells or leases the mCHP unit to the homeowner.
The highlight of the half-year was the Company securing a conditional order in December 2010 for up to 200 integrated mCHP products from German energy service provider EWE. This is the largest order the Company has received, with total revenue of up to EUR 4.9 million over two years. EWE will install the units in homes in the Lower Saxony region in northern Germany. EWE is one of the largest utilities in Germany, with 6,400 staff and revenues of EUR 5.8 billion. Based in Northern Germany, EWE also has operations in other German states as well as Poland and Turkey.
The order is conditional on EWE receiving partial funding under the German
government’s national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program. This
Government program is providing EUR 700 million between 2008 and 2018. EWE has
submitted a formal funding application and a positive decision is expected in early 2011. Subject to EWE obtaining Government funding and to the units meeting agreed performance targets, EWE will order 70 units for delivery in 2011 and 130 units for delivery in 2012. The performance targets, unit prices and the rates for ongoing service and support have been agreed in a contract signed by EWE and the Company.
This is a significant follow-on order from EWE, the Company’s longest standing utility customer. The Directors are confident that the German government will support the project and we look forward to updating shareholders in due course. Apart from Germany, during the half-year the Company continued to operate integrated power and heating units in the United Kingdom and France. In the United Kingdom, the Company is in discussions with its utility partner E.ON UK to
finalise the details of the next stage of product deployment. In February 2009 the Company and E.ON agreed the profile of a future volume order for mCHP units. Subject to the Company meeting agreed price and performance targets, E.ON UK will place a minimum order of 100,000 units from 2012-2018 in order to retain exclusivity for Ceramic Fuel Cells’ mCHP products in the UK market.
In France the Company is working with GDF SUEZ, one of the world’s largest diversified energy utilities and the dominant gas utility in France (with 11 million customers in France). The Company has successfully built and operated integrated units with GDF SUEZ and its appliance partner De Dietrich Thermique (now part of the BDR Thermea group). In December 2010 the partners agreed to the next stage of the product rollout, in which Ceramic Fuel Cells and BDR Thermea will build the next generation of product for testing by GDF SUEZ. This version of the product will use the same core Ceramic Fuel Cells components, which BDR Thermea will tightly integrate with a high efficiency boiler into a physically smaller unit.
BlueGen sales – Power + Hot Water
Apart from the integrated product, the Company has also developed a modular power and heat generator called BlueGen, to provide low emission power plus heat for hot water. One BlueGen can provide about double the electricity the average home needs – excess power can be exported to the grid – plus hot water for an average family’s needs. Like the integrated product, BlueGen uses the Company’s Gennex fuel cell module to achieve electrical efficiency of 60 percent – far higher than any other small scale electricity generator.
During the half-year the Company continued to receive orders for BlueGen units from leading energy companies and other foundation customers. To date the Company has received orders for 63 BlueGen units, from customers in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Australia and the USA. A total of 21 BlueGen units are installed and operating in customers’ sites.
Highlights during the half-year and up to date include:
The Company has sold its first BlueGen units in Italy, to leading energy company Edison S.p.A. Edison will install one BlueGen unit at its test laboratory and then at its headquarters in Milan, and will install two further units with customers when modifications to the unit’s power management system are completed to comply with Italian grid requirements. Edison is one of Italy’s leading electricity and gas companies, with 2009 revenues of EUR 9 billion.
In December the Company sold three BlueGen units to E.ON UK. One BlueGen will be
installed in early 2011 at the E.ON training centre in Tipton, where E.ON’s Property Services department trains its staff in the installation and maintenance of gas and electrical appliances. The other two BlueGen units will be installed at demonstration sites. The Company believes that the BlueGen installation at the E.ON training centre will be particularly beneficial. Having a well trained network of installers and service technicians is critical to deploying BlueGens and integrated mCHP products in larger volumes, and to receiving accreditation in order to access the UK feed in tariff. During the half-year the Company received further orders from leading Germany energy companies, including EIFER (the European Institute for Energy Research) and EnBW, the third largest utility in Germany, and Gasag, based in Berlin. BlueGen has been accredited by the relevant German Government authority (BAFA) and BlueGen customers in Germany are now eligible to receive the feed in tariff for small power and heating products
In August 2010 the Company undertook a placement of 95.3m shares at a price of 10.5 pence (approximately 18.25 Australian cents) and raised the equivalent of AUD 17.4m. In September 2010 the Company made an offer to shareholders on the same terms and issued a further 70.3m shares and raised an additional AUD 12.8m. The net amount raised from both fundraising rounds after transaction costs was AUD 28.9m. During the half-year the Company’s investment in inventory has increased from AUD 1.1m in June 2010 to AUD 4.9m at December 2010. This increase will be directed to fulfilling the existing order backlog and to meet expected future sales.
Operational Overview
Ceramic Fuel Cells Limited is a leader in developing solid oxide fuel cell technology to provide highly efficient and low-emission electricity from widely available natural gas (and other hydrocarbon fuels in the future). A fuel cell is an electricity generator that converts gas into electricity and heat through an electrochemical reaction, without combustion or noise. Fuel cells can provide significant environmental benefits through high efficiency and low emissions.
Global energy markets are facing a transformation. Peak demand for energy is rising, requiring significant investment in new power generation and grid infrastructure. However there is widespread agreement that greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation must be reduced. These forces create a very large global opportunity for low-emission energy technology, like solid oxide fuel cells, which can be deployed using the existing natural gas and electricity infrastructure. These market forces also encourage a move away from large centralised power stations towards ‘distributed generation’, where small scale power stations are installed close to where the power is used, with no transmission losses.
Ceramic Fuel Cells’ products have achieved electrical efficiency of 60 percent at the point of use, which the Directors believe is higher than any other electricity generating technology. When heat is recovered from the electricity production process, total efficiency is up to 85 percent – twice as efficient as the average among current European power stations.
This very high efficiency can significantly cut carbon emissions from power generation. There is now widespread recognition that maximising electrical efficiency is the key to creating the most value from small scale power and heating products, and the Directors believe the Company’s achievements can create a strong competitive advantage in this very large global market.
Customers and Products
The first products powered by the Company’s fuel cells are small scale units for homes and other buildings that produce up to two kilowatts of electricity as well as heat for hot water or space heating. In order to cater for different markets and customers, the Company is developing two products in parallel: integrated combined heat and power (mCHP) units, as well as a modular generator product called BlueGen. Both products use the Company’s Gennex fuel cell module and share many ‘balance of plant’ components, allowing the Company and its partners to create different products and customer offerings from the same core technology platform.
Integrated mCHP – Power + Heating + Hot Water
During the half-year the Company continued to develop fully integrated mCHP products with its European utility and appliance partners, including EWE AG in Germany, E.ON in the United Kingdom and GDF SUEZ in France. In these partnerships, Ceramic Fuel Cells supplies its Gennex fuel cell modules to appliance partners, which integrate them with high efficiency boilers into single integrated units to convert natural gas into power, hot water and space heating for homes. The appliance manufacturer or the utility then sells or leases the mCHP unit to the homeowner.
The highlight of the half-year was the Company securing a conditional order in December 2010 for up to 200 integrated mCHP products from German energy service provider EWE. This is the largest order the Company has received, with total revenue of up to EUR 4.9 million over two years. EWE will install the units in homes in the Lower Saxony region in northern Germany. EWE is one of the largest utilities in Germany, with 6,400 staff and revenues of EUR 5.8 billion. Based in Northern Germany, EWE also has operations in other German states as well as Poland and Turkey.
The order is conditional on EWE receiving partial funding under the German
government’s national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program. This
Government program is providing EUR 700 million between 2008 and 2018. EWE has
submitted a formal funding application and a positive decision is expected in early 2011. Subject to EWE obtaining Government funding and to the units meeting agreed performance targets, EWE will order 70 units for delivery in 2011 and 130 units for delivery in 2012. The performance targets, unit prices and the rates for ongoing service and support have been agreed in a contract signed by EWE and the Company.
This is a significant follow-on order from EWE, the Company’s longest standing utility customer. The Directors are confident that the German government will support the project and we look forward to updating shareholders in due course. Apart from Germany, during the half-year the Company continued to operate integrated power and heating units in the United Kingdom and France. In the United Kingdom, the Company is in discussions with its utility partner E.ON UK to
finalise the details of the next stage of product deployment. In February 2009 the Company and E.ON agreed the profile of a future volume order for mCHP units. Subject to the Company meeting agreed price and performance targets, E.ON UK will place a minimum order of 100,000 units from 2012-2018 in order to retain exclusivity for Ceramic Fuel Cells’ mCHP products in the UK market.
In France the Company is working with GDF SUEZ, one of the world’s largest diversified energy utilities and the dominant gas utility in France (with 11 million customers in France). The Company has successfully built and operated integrated units with GDF SUEZ and its appliance partner De Dietrich Thermique (now part of the BDR Thermea group). In December 2010 the partners agreed to the next stage of the product rollout, in which Ceramic Fuel Cells and BDR Thermea will build the next generation of product for testing by GDF SUEZ. This version of the product will use the same core Ceramic Fuel Cells components, which BDR Thermea will tightly integrate with a high efficiency boiler into a physically smaller unit.
BlueGen sales – Power + Hot Water
Apart from the integrated product, the Company has also developed a modular power and heat generator called BlueGen, to provide low emission power plus heat for hot water. One BlueGen can provide about double the electricity the average home needs – excess power can be exported to the grid – plus hot water for an average family’s needs. Like the integrated product, BlueGen uses the Company’s Gennex fuel cell module to achieve electrical efficiency of 60 percent – far higher than any other small scale electricity generator.
During the half-year the Company continued to receive orders for BlueGen units from leading energy companies and other foundation customers. To date the Company has received orders for 63 BlueGen units, from customers in Germany, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Italy, Japan, Australia and the USA. A total of 21 BlueGen units are installed and operating in customers’ sites.
Highlights during the half-year and up to date include:
The Company has sold its first BlueGen units in Italy, to leading energy company Edison S.p.A. Edison will install one BlueGen unit at its test laboratory and then at its headquarters in Milan, and will install two further units with customers when modifications to the unit’s power management system are completed to comply with Italian grid requirements. Edison is one of Italy’s leading electricity and gas companies, with 2009 revenues of EUR 9 billion.
In December the Company sold three BlueGen units to E.ON UK. One BlueGen will be
installed in early 2011 at the E.ON training centre in Tipton, where E.ON’s Property Services department trains its staff in the installation and maintenance of gas and electrical appliances. The other two BlueGen units will be installed at demonstration sites. The Company believes that the BlueGen installation at the E.ON training centre will be particularly beneficial. Having a well trained network of installers and service technicians is critical to deploying BlueGens and integrated mCHP products in larger volumes, and to receiving accreditation in order to access the UK feed in tariff. During the half-year the Company received further orders from leading Germany energy companies, including EIFER (the European Institute for Energy Research) and EnBW, the third largest utility in Germany, and Gasag, based in Berlin. BlueGen has been accredited by the relevant German Government authority (BAFA) and BlueGen customers in Germany are now eligible to receive the feed in tariff for small power and heating products
Feb 17 (Reuters) - Power Assets Holdings Ltd (0006.HK) is considering a 3.5 billion pound ($5.6 billion) bid for British power network assets of Germany's E.ON AG's (EONGn.DE) (EONG.AS), although no decision has been made, local newspapers reported on Thursday.
The company, part of the business empire of tycoon Li Ka-shing, changed its name from Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd on Wednesday to reflect the growing importance of its overseas business, including a stake in Britain's second-largest power grid.
Managing director Tso Kai-sum said the company, controlled by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (CKI) (1038.HK), "was studying bidding documents", the South China Morning Post reported.
Tso declined to say whether it would team up with CKI to bid for the assets. Power Assets and CKI are both under Li's ports-to-telecoms conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Ltd (0013.HK). They teamed up last year to buy EDF Energy. Plc's (EDF.PA) British network for 5.775 billion pounds.
Li was one of more than two bidders still in the race for the asset and E.ON was keen to complete the transaction in the first quarter, a source familiar with the deal told Reuters last month. [ID:nTOE70N024] (Reporting by Alison Leung; Editing by Chris Lewis)
The company, part of the business empire of tycoon Li Ka-shing, changed its name from Hongkong Electric Holdings Ltd on Wednesday to reflect the growing importance of its overseas business, including a stake in Britain's second-largest power grid.
Managing director Tso Kai-sum said the company, controlled by Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings Ltd (CKI) (1038.HK), "was studying bidding documents", the South China Morning Post reported.
Tso declined to say whether it would team up with CKI to bid for the assets. Power Assets and CKI are both under Li's ports-to-telecoms conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa Ltd (0013.HK). They teamed up last year to buy EDF Energy. Plc's (EDF.PA) British network for 5.775 billion pounds.
Li was one of more than two bidders still in the race for the asset and E.ON was keen to complete the transaction in the first quarter, a source familiar with the deal told Reuters last month. [ID:nTOE70N024] (Reporting by Alison Leung; Editing by Chris Lewis)
Offshore Wind Farm in UK begins generating power from its first turbine
Walney Offshore Wind Farm, located 15km west of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, UK, began generating power from its first turbine in January 2011. The turbine is connected to the national grid through an offshore transformer at Heysham.
The project consists of 102 turbines being installed in two phases, Walney I and Walney II. Estimated at £1bn, the project will deliver 367.2MW of combined energy sufficient to power more than 320,000 households in UK.
It is owned by Dong Energy (50.1%), Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE-25.1%) and a consortium of PGGM and Dutch Ampère Equity Fund (24.8%).
Dong Energy is the leading partner and operator of the wind farm. It has signed a 15-year long term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the consortium of PGGM and Dutch Ampère Equity Fund for the purchase of the consortium's share of electricity from the project.
The company plans to sell power purchased from the consortium and the environmental benefits received from the British Government in the local market.
Plant details
Walney is being constructed along a north-west to south-east direction. It will cover an area of approximately 73km².
Walney I and II will each have 51 Siemens turbines with a rated capacity of 3.6MW. The turbines will be 749m-958m apart and installed in rows.
Turbines installed at Walney I will have a rotor diameter of 107m and are 137m tall to the tip of the blade.
Walney II will have turbines with a rotor diameter of 120m. They will have a maximum height of 150m to the centre of the hub.
The turbine arrays will be connected by underwater sea cables to an offshore substation where the voltage will be stepped up from 34kV to 132kV before being exported to an onshore substation.
"Dong Energy is the leading partner and operator of the wind farm."
Development
The project was initially 100% owned by Dong Energy. In December 2009 SSE acquired 25.1% share in the project, which was followed by a consortium of PGGM and Dutch Ampère Equity Fund acquiring 24.8% in December 2010.
The consortium paid £16m to acquire the share. It will also share the project construction cost on a pro-rata basis. The purchase price, however, did not include payment for transmission assets which will be owned by a separate operator in future.
Dong Energy will provide interim finance to the consortium for their share of the construction cost. PGGM / Dutch Ampère Equity Fund will provide external financing to Dong Energy upon completion of the project.
Construction
Construction of Walney I commenced in March 2010. The monopiles were laid by jack-up vessels Vagant and Goliath operated by Belgium-based GeoSea.
The first monopole was installed in April 2010. The export cable was shipped to the site at the same time.
The monopiles are placed 30m deep into the seabed. Each monopile is 56m tall and weighs 550t.
The Walney I offshore substation was placed within the wind farm area. It weighs 1,100t and was erected in June 2010.
Seajacks Kraken and Seajacks Leviathan owned by Seajacks UK have been contracted for the turbine installations in Walney I and Walney II respectively. Sea Worker, a jack-up barge operated by A2Sea, has already installed five wind turbines at the site.
The first turbine was installed in July 2010. It is now generating power for the national grid. All the turbines of Walney I had been installed by December 2010.
The construction vessel Pompei is placing stones at a radius of 15m around the foundation to mark the cable and turbine installation positions.
Walney II is scheduled to begin installations in March 2011. It is expected to come online by the end of the year.
The turbines in Walney II will be placed 25m-30m deep, which will require longer and heavier monopiles weighing up to 800t.
Onshore cabling work is underway in Cleveleys near Blackpool.
Power generated by Walney II will be brought onshore in front of Thornton gate through a 132kV underwater cable. It will be connected to a new substation which is currently under construction along the route to Hill House Industrial Estate.
The cargo ship Annette owned by SAL was contracted to deliver the monopoles to the site.
Stemat 82, a cable installation vessel, is being used to install the array cables in the seabed. The cables are placed in the J-tube and protected with a layer of rocks to prevent scouring.
Walney Wind Farm contractors
Seabed Power was awarded the contract for transporting and installing more than 92km of 33kV array cables for Walney I. The cables were supplied by the nkt cables group.
"Dong Energy plans to extend the Walney offshore wind farm by a further 750MW."
Seabed Power was also responsible for laying 44km and 43km of 132kV export cables in two different routes. The cables were supplied by Prysmian Group in a €24.5m contract. Prysmian was also awarded a €18m contract to supply similar 132kV cables for Walney II.
The offshore substation steel structures and jackets were contracted to Bladt Industries in 2009. The first set for Walney I was delivered in May 2010 while the second set is underway construction.
The aluminium hydraulic cylinders were manufactured by Holmatro.
Powerstream Electrical Services built the onshore substation at Heysham in a contract worth $1.1m in June 2010.
Other major contractors to Walney I are EEW-Special Pipes Construction (SPC) Rostock for the manufacture of 51 monopiles, Visser & Smit Marine Contracting (VSMC) for the Stemat 82 cable lay vessel, Tekmar Solutions for a cable protection system, Proserv Offshore for cleaning of the marine growth around the pile and Ledsham for the construction of an 11kV substation for Siemens.
Walney II contractors include A2Sea and Ballast Nedam for installation of the foundations, Norway-based Draka Norsk Kabel (DNK) for installing the inter-array cables and associated logistics and Offshore Marine Management (OMM) for termination and testing of inter-array cables.
Dong Energy signed an agreement with Associated British Ports (ABP) to use 18 acres of the Barrow area for handling essential components of the wind turbines during construction.
Audit of the barge and tugs used in the project is being carried by Specialist Marine Consultants.
NIRAS was contracted for a number of consultation works related to the project, including geophysical surveys, management of installations, logistics planning and so on.
Future
Dong Energy plans to extend the Walney offshore wind farm by a further 750MW. The company signed a lease agreement with the Crown Estate in May 2010. The proposal is expected to be submitted for planning consent in 2013.
The extension is expected to cover an area of 145km². It will include one offshore substation, 33kV array cables, three core underwater offshore cables and an onshore connection point at either Heysham, Stanah or Penwortham substation.
The project consists of 102 turbines being installed in two phases, Walney I and Walney II. Estimated at £1bn, the project will deliver 367.2MW of combined energy sufficient to power more than 320,000 households in UK.
It is owned by Dong Energy (50.1%), Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE-25.1%) and a consortium of PGGM and Dutch Ampère Equity Fund (24.8%).
Dong Energy is the leading partner and operator of the wind farm. It has signed a 15-year long term power purchase agreement (PPA) with the consortium of PGGM and Dutch Ampère Equity Fund for the purchase of the consortium's share of electricity from the project.
The company plans to sell power purchased from the consortium and the environmental benefits received from the British Government in the local market.
Plant details
Walney is being constructed along a north-west to south-east direction. It will cover an area of approximately 73km².
Walney I and II will each have 51 Siemens turbines with a rated capacity of 3.6MW. The turbines will be 749m-958m apart and installed in rows.
Turbines installed at Walney I will have a rotor diameter of 107m and are 137m tall to the tip of the blade.
Walney II will have turbines with a rotor diameter of 120m. They will have a maximum height of 150m to the centre of the hub.
The turbine arrays will be connected by underwater sea cables to an offshore substation where the voltage will be stepped up from 34kV to 132kV before being exported to an onshore substation.
"Dong Energy is the leading partner and operator of the wind farm."
Development
The project was initially 100% owned by Dong Energy. In December 2009 SSE acquired 25.1% share in the project, which was followed by a consortium of PGGM and Dutch Ampère Equity Fund acquiring 24.8% in December 2010.
The consortium paid £16m to acquire the share. It will also share the project construction cost on a pro-rata basis. The purchase price, however, did not include payment for transmission assets which will be owned by a separate operator in future.
Dong Energy will provide interim finance to the consortium for their share of the construction cost. PGGM / Dutch Ampère Equity Fund will provide external financing to Dong Energy upon completion of the project.
Construction
Construction of Walney I commenced in March 2010. The monopiles were laid by jack-up vessels Vagant and Goliath operated by Belgium-based GeoSea.
The first monopole was installed in April 2010. The export cable was shipped to the site at the same time.
The monopiles are placed 30m deep into the seabed. Each monopile is 56m tall and weighs 550t.
The Walney I offshore substation was placed within the wind farm area. It weighs 1,100t and was erected in June 2010.
Seajacks Kraken and Seajacks Leviathan owned by Seajacks UK have been contracted for the turbine installations in Walney I and Walney II respectively. Sea Worker, a jack-up barge operated by A2Sea, has already installed five wind turbines at the site.
The first turbine was installed in July 2010. It is now generating power for the national grid. All the turbines of Walney I had been installed by December 2010.
The construction vessel Pompei is placing stones at a radius of 15m around the foundation to mark the cable and turbine installation positions.
Walney II is scheduled to begin installations in March 2011. It is expected to come online by the end of the year.
The turbines in Walney II will be placed 25m-30m deep, which will require longer and heavier monopiles weighing up to 800t.
Onshore cabling work is underway in Cleveleys near Blackpool.
Power generated by Walney II will be brought onshore in front of Thornton gate through a 132kV underwater cable. It will be connected to a new substation which is currently under construction along the route to Hill House Industrial Estate.
The cargo ship Annette owned by SAL was contracted to deliver the monopoles to the site.
Stemat 82, a cable installation vessel, is being used to install the array cables in the seabed. The cables are placed in the J-tube and protected with a layer of rocks to prevent scouring.
Walney Wind Farm contractors
Seabed Power was awarded the contract for transporting and installing more than 92km of 33kV array cables for Walney I. The cables were supplied by the nkt cables group.
"Dong Energy plans to extend the Walney offshore wind farm by a further 750MW."
Seabed Power was also responsible for laying 44km and 43km of 132kV export cables in two different routes. The cables were supplied by Prysmian Group in a €24.5m contract. Prysmian was also awarded a €18m contract to supply similar 132kV cables for Walney II.
The offshore substation steel structures and jackets were contracted to Bladt Industries in 2009. The first set for Walney I was delivered in May 2010 while the second set is underway construction.
The aluminium hydraulic cylinders were manufactured by Holmatro.
Powerstream Electrical Services built the onshore substation at Heysham in a contract worth $1.1m in June 2010.
Other major contractors to Walney I are EEW-Special Pipes Construction (SPC) Rostock for the manufacture of 51 monopiles, Visser & Smit Marine Contracting (VSMC) for the Stemat 82 cable lay vessel, Tekmar Solutions for a cable protection system, Proserv Offshore for cleaning of the marine growth around the pile and Ledsham for the construction of an 11kV substation for Siemens.
Walney II contractors include A2Sea and Ballast Nedam for installation of the foundations, Norway-based Draka Norsk Kabel (DNK) for installing the inter-array cables and associated logistics and Offshore Marine Management (OMM) for termination and testing of inter-array cables.
Dong Energy signed an agreement with Associated British Ports (ABP) to use 18 acres of the Barrow area for handling essential components of the wind turbines during construction.
Audit of the barge and tugs used in the project is being carried by Specialist Marine Consultants.
NIRAS was contracted for a number of consultation works related to the project, including geophysical surveys, management of installations, logistics planning and so on.
Future
Dong Energy plans to extend the Walney offshore wind farm by a further 750MW. The company signed a lease agreement with the Crown Estate in May 2010. The proposal is expected to be submitted for planning consent in 2013.
The extension is expected to cover an area of 145km². It will include one offshore substation, 33kV array cables, three core underwater offshore cables and an onshore connection point at either Heysham, Stanah or Penwortham substation.
In 2010, wind energy competitiveness greatly increased
The cost of wind turbines on the main international wind farm markets fell below one million euro per MW, which is the lowest wind power generation cost that was ever registered.
Oversupply and increased manufacturing efficiency. According to the most recent edition of the Wind Turbine Price Index published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, this is why in 2010 all major wind farm markets registered a sharp fall in prices of onshore wind turbines.
The Bloomberg NE index examined more than 150 sale contracts of onshore wind turbines, for a total of nearly 7,000 MW in 28 countries around the world, focusing on Europe and the Americas. It was found that in the first half of the year the average price of wind turbines for the buyer was 980,000 €/MW (with peaks of 900,000), recording a 7% decrease over the previous year and a 19% drop compared with the peak reached in 2007-2008.
Specifically, UK, USA and Italy benefited the most from the reduced cost of wind turbines.
According to Bloomberg NE, wind energy generation cost has currently reached its all-time lowest point. In a number of wind installations located in areas with excellent wind conditions (in the US, Sweden, Mexico and Brazil), the current cost of generated energy (including capital and maintenance costs and excluding the effect of incentives ) roughly amounts to $68 per MWh (50 €). For comparison, according to Bloomberg updated average cost of coal power plants amounts to $67 per MWh and $56 MWh for gas-fired plants.
Dropping wind turbine prices may be uncomfortable for manufacturers, but it is good news for wind farm project developers and it further improves the cost-competitiveness of wind energy compared with gas and coal. The main conclusions of the analysis are:
• Global turbine contracts signed in late 2010 for delivery in H1 2011 and H2 2011 display very aggressive pricing, with average values at €0.98m/MW ($1.33m/MW). This is a 7% decrease compared to contracts signed in 2009 (€1.06m/MW) and 19% down from peak values in 2007-08 (€1.21m/MW).
• The decrease in the Wind Turbine Price Index is partly driven by a larger proportion of US based contracts compared to the previous issue of the Index (July 2010), but pricing remains aggressive in all parts of the world.
• Low-priced power-purchase-agreements in markets with exposure to electricity prices – rather than fixed feed-in tariffs – seem to have put further pressure on turbine contracts: Italy, the UK and the US all display average pricing well below €1m/MW for contracts signed in 2010 for delivery in H2 2011. The US presents the lowest pricing of all markets so far with values averaging $1.27m/MW (€0.93/MW).
• All manufacturers covered by the survey have displayed aggressive pricing, including several contracts for leading ("Tier 1") manufacturers – in some cases below €0.90m/MW ($1.22m/MW).
• The cost of electricity generated from wind power is now at record lows: several wind farm projects in high resource areas (US, Brazil, Sweden, Mexico) display a levelised cost of energy – excluding the impact of subsidies but after including the cost of capital and maintenance – below EUR 50/MWh ($68/MWh). This compares to current estimated average costs of $67 per MWh for coal-fired power and $56 per MWh for gas-fired power.
• Onshore turbine prices per MW of capacity are now for the first time lower than they were before the surge in steel and other commodity prices. The levelised cost of wind power has been driven down not only by lower turbine costs, but also by higher yields per MW of capacity.
• Procurement officers for the developers in the survey expect prices to stabilise around current levels for 2011 and 2012, with few further reductions in the near term. They expect gradual increases in pricing from 2012–13 as global demand recovers.
The Bloomberg New Energy Finance Wind Turbine Price Index includes the cost of turbines, as well as transport to site (marine and overland) but excludes VAT, construction and connection costs.
Michael Liebreich, chief executive of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, commented: “The latest edition of our Wind Turbine Price Index shows wind continuing to become a competitive source of large-scale power. For the past few years, wind turbine costs went up due to rising demand around the world and the increasing price of steel. Behind the scenes wind manufacturers were reducing their costs, and now we are seeing just how cheap wind energy can be when overcapacity in the supply chain works its way through to developers."
http://bnef.com
Oversupply and increased manufacturing efficiency. According to the most recent edition of the Wind Turbine Price Index published by Bloomberg New Energy Finance, this is why in 2010 all major wind farm markets registered a sharp fall in prices of onshore wind turbines.
The Bloomberg NE index examined more than 150 sale contracts of onshore wind turbines, for a total of nearly 7,000 MW in 28 countries around the world, focusing on Europe and the Americas. It was found that in the first half of the year the average price of wind turbines for the buyer was 980,000 €/MW (with peaks of 900,000), recording a 7% decrease over the previous year and a 19% drop compared with the peak reached in 2007-2008.
Specifically, UK, USA and Italy benefited the most from the reduced cost of wind turbines.
According to Bloomberg NE, wind energy generation cost has currently reached its all-time lowest point. In a number of wind installations located in areas with excellent wind conditions (in the US, Sweden, Mexico and Brazil), the current cost of generated energy (including capital and maintenance costs and excluding the effect of incentives ) roughly amounts to $68 per MWh (50 €). For comparison, according to Bloomberg updated average cost of coal power plants amounts to $67 per MWh and $56 MWh for gas-fired plants.
Dropping wind turbine prices may be uncomfortable for manufacturers, but it is good news for wind farm project developers and it further improves the cost-competitiveness of wind energy compared with gas and coal. The main conclusions of the analysis are:
• Global turbine contracts signed in late 2010 for delivery in H1 2011 and H2 2011 display very aggressive pricing, with average values at €0.98m/MW ($1.33m/MW). This is a 7% decrease compared to contracts signed in 2009 (€1.06m/MW) and 19% down from peak values in 2007-08 (€1.21m/MW).
• The decrease in the Wind Turbine Price Index is partly driven by a larger proportion of US based contracts compared to the previous issue of the Index (July 2010), but pricing remains aggressive in all parts of the world.
• Low-priced power-purchase-agreements in markets with exposure to electricity prices – rather than fixed feed-in tariffs – seem to have put further pressure on turbine contracts: Italy, the UK and the US all display average pricing well below €1m/MW for contracts signed in 2010 for delivery in H2 2011. The US presents the lowest pricing of all markets so far with values averaging $1.27m/MW (€0.93/MW).
• All manufacturers covered by the survey have displayed aggressive pricing, including several contracts for leading ("Tier 1") manufacturers – in some cases below €0.90m/MW ($1.22m/MW).
• The cost of electricity generated from wind power is now at record lows: several wind farm projects in high resource areas (US, Brazil, Sweden, Mexico) display a levelised cost of energy – excluding the impact of subsidies but after including the cost of capital and maintenance – below EUR 50/MWh ($68/MWh). This compares to current estimated average costs of $67 per MWh for coal-fired power and $56 per MWh for gas-fired power.
• Onshore turbine prices per MW of capacity are now for the first time lower than they were before the surge in steel and other commodity prices. The levelised cost of wind power has been driven down not only by lower turbine costs, but also by higher yields per MW of capacity.
• Procurement officers for the developers in the survey expect prices to stabilise around current levels for 2011 and 2012, with few further reductions in the near term. They expect gradual increases in pricing from 2012–13 as global demand recovers.
The Bloomberg New Energy Finance Wind Turbine Price Index includes the cost of turbines, as well as transport to site (marine and overland) but excludes VAT, construction and connection costs.
Michael Liebreich, chief executive of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, commented: “The latest edition of our Wind Turbine Price Index shows wind continuing to become a competitive source of large-scale power. For the past few years, wind turbine costs went up due to rising demand around the world and the increasing price of steel. Behind the scenes wind manufacturers were reducing their costs, and now we are seeing just how cheap wind energy can be when overcapacity in the supply chain works its way through to developers."
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