Green Energy News | January 23, 2000

January 23, 2000 – Vol.4 No.43

ENERGIES... week of January 23, 2000

PREPARING FOR THE FUTURE. Declining production of traditional energy sources in China is encouraging more development of renewables in the world’s most populous nation, according to the China Energy Research Society (CERS). Statistics show that the nation has recoverable wind energy sources of 160 million kilowatts, tidal energy potential of at least 20 million kilowatts and possible geothermal sources of 3.5 million kilowatts.

To take the place conventional resources, and to provide energy for future economic development, over 200,000 mini and small wind generators have been installed to provide power to rural areas. Medium and large wind generators, too, have been imported from the U.S, Denmark and the Netherlands to power 20 wind farms. Reports also indicate that China has begun manufacturing its own large wind turbines.

In areas with hydropower potential more than 50,000 small hydropower plants have been installed. And to date, tidal power plants, most in the Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, have an installed capacity of 20,000 kilowatts. The Three Gorges Dam project, only technically a renewable energy source, is still under construction and still controversial.

WIND POWER PACKED ORDER. Spanish wind turbine manufacturer Gamesa Eolica SA has received an order for 1800 wind turbines. (Yes, that’s one-thousand eight-hundred.) The 1400 megawatt order is said to be the largest single order for turbines ever placed in the industry. The turbines are being purchased by Spanish energy company Energia Hidroelectrica De Navarra SA. Gamesa Eolica is partly owned by Vestas Wind Systems of Denmark.

Another Vestas affiliated company, Scandinavian Wind Technology, has received an order for 56 turbines for Dansk Vindkraft Entreprise. Visit Vestas at http://www.vestas.dk/ .

IRISH WIND AIN’T BLARNEY. When Ireland opens 30% of its electricity market to competition in February, start-up company Eirtricity will be there to sell wind-generated electricity to small and medium sized businesses. Power will be generated along Ireland’s blustery west coast. Wind energy is the nation’s most abundant natural resource. Eirtricity says customers should save 7-10 percent on their energy bills. Eventually the company plans to sell green wind power to consumers.

SERIOUS FUEL CELL DISCUSSION. Those researching the future of fuel cells for vehicles should plan to attend the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2000 World Congress in Detroit, Michigan, March 6-9. At least one full day of the four day conference will be devoted to fuel cell technology and issues.

On the calendar is a presentation by Exxon researchers Paul J. Berlowitz and Charles P. Darnell entitled “Fuel Choice for Fuel Cell Vehicles”. While a specific fuel hasn’t been chosen - hydrogen, methanol, or gasoline - for vehicles slated to begin limited production in 3-4 years, the two scientists suggest that many factors be considered beforehand. Fuel choice, they claim, should consider health and safety issues, infrastructure costs, fuel costs on a tax neutral basis, and public acceptance of the technology. Each possible fuel will be examined in the discussion.