Shell and Total join fossil fuel companies bidding for a piece of Europe’s PV renaissance
With Europe set to return to solar power levels last seen during the PV boom seven years ago, a wave of mergers and acquisitions is taking place as the oil and gas majors splash the cash to buy the expertise needed to participate in PV’s new dawn.
Dubai’s DEWA seeks proposals for phase V of 5 GW Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park
The utility has issued a request for qualification for a further 900 MW of PV at the huge solar park, which is set to reach a total capacity of 5 GW.
Medium and small power-to-gas conversion already viable
An international team of economists says power-to-gas may already generate hydrogen at costs competitive with fossil fuel power plants in Germany and Texas, provided certain production output levels are not exceeded. If medium and small power-to-gas is competitive, large-scale should be viable by 2030.
Leroy Merlin begins sale of PV modules in Spain via website
The French home improvement and gardening retailer has stolen a march on Ikea by offering PV panels and other renewable energy products in Spain.
Brazil’s WEG acquires storage business of US-based NPS
The two companies entered a technological partnership in 2013 and three years ago the Brazilian company acquired the wind power business of its US peer.
Storage Highlights Countdown #5; Thermoelectric energy storage – MAN Energy Solutions
In the run-up to the Energy Storage Europe conference pv magazine is featuring the top ten developments in the field as our Energy Storage Highlights, selected by an independent jury of experts. Last week we revealed #6, a ’70s revival of a ceramic high temperature battery.
Europe’s 100% renewables dream needs a flexible grid concept and more storage
A European energy system powered solely by renewables is economically feasible, according to a study which suggests decentralized energy systems operating within the framework of a stronger pan-European energy trade could reduce the cost of electricity from the €69/MWh price seen four years ago to around €51 in 2050.
Kyocera uses blockchain to test virtual power plant based on solar and storage
The module maker and electronics giant is testing the feasibility of a complex virtual power plant with a blockchain platform provided by US-based LO3 Energy.
The promise of a 100% renewable energy world
The oldest solar organization in the world, the International Solar Energy Society, dates back to 1954. President David Renné tells pv magazine about India’s solar dreams, the next best thing in solar technology and what renewables hold for the world’s future.
BNEF: Cheap finance is key to PV deployment in the developing world
While solar is lauded as a cheap energy resource in OECD countries, the cost of financing PV projects in developing nations has impeded progress. Development banks and the Clean Technology Fund they finance have played a key role in providing access to cheap financing for clean energy projects in many markets.
