Inspiring WWEC2014 in Shanghai WWEC2014 Conference Resolution 13th World Wind Energy Conference Distributed Wind Power Shanghai, China, 7-9 April 2014 The World Wind Energy Association, the Chinese Wind Energy Association, Chinese Wind Energy Equipment Association and the China National Renewable Energy Centre welcome the presence of those 500 participants from 40 countries attending this Conference, from wind and all other renewable energy technologies. The Conference covered all aspects of wind utilisation, related policies, manufacturing, development, operation as well as economic and social issues, with a special focus on the role that distributed wind power can play to accelerate the deployment of wind power in the world. The Conference appreciates the support of the governments and governmental as well as non-governmental organisations, especially the Chinese Government, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs & Energy, IRENA, UNDP, the International Renewable Energy Alliance, REN21, the Global100%RE campaign, the World Future Council, and all organisations and individuals enhancing the Conference. The Conference welcomes in particular the strong commitment and important contributions of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, to the event. The Conference recognizes that China is currently heavily dependent on fossil fuel combustion, with coal accounting for a large portion of the power generation. The Conference applauds the Chinese government for having taken important steps in order to reduce this dependence on polluting fossil resources: China has not only become world leader in wind power installations, but in the year 2013, for the first time new investment in renewable energy power generation has exceeded new investment in fossil generation. The Conference encourages the Governments of China, of all Asian countries and beyond, to remove the barriers to renewable energy use in the region and develop a comprehensive long-term strategy that includes distributed wind power as well as local integration of renewable energies as key components. The conference applauds the scientifically substantiated statements made that a 100 % renewable energy supply can be reached worldwide in the foreseeable future and it encourages all renewable energy stakeholders to join the Global 100% Renewable Energy Campaign which was presented during the event and to work further on the remaining challenges and barriers on the way to a 100 % renewable energy future. The Conference appreciates that the Indian wind energy pioneer Dr. Anil Kane has been awarded with the World Wind Energy Award 2014 as one of the pioneers of wind power in India, Asia and worldwide. The Conference recognises that training and education have to be key elements of a strategy that aims at mainstreaming wind power and supports the initiative to create the World Small Wind Training and Testing Center. In addition the Conference supports the following objectives, policies and actions, some of them having been presented at previous WWECs: 1. Remove gradually all energy subsidies and introduce the internalisation of all externalities to achieve a level playing field; 2. Pursue and continue compensatory regulatory frameworks such as sufficient and effective feed-in tariffs that encourage renewable energy developments and develop and apply FIT2.0 policies which include incentives for integrated renewable power supply; 3. Focus on the integration of wind power into existing power systems also on the local and community level, create smart grids and enhance decentralised synergies between the various renewable energy solutions in order to achieve an integrated 100 % renewable energy supply in the foreseeable future; 4. Intensify the close cooperation with IRENA on the implementation of its work programme and contribute to its further refinement; 5. Raise the political and social awareness on all levels of society and in particular amongst local communities and enable them to obtain access to the necessary knowledge and technologies; 6. Create a stronger focus on community power and distributed energy supply in existing governmental, international, education, research and financial institutions; 7. Reduce overall costs for energy supply by an increasing share of renewable energy power and by a stronger focus on least-cost decentralised options for 100 % renewable energy. 8. Develop and expand national, regional and international financing mechanisms for renewable energy, especially making use of funds provided as part of the international climate change negotiations, and ensure that the Global Green Climate Fund gives priority to renewable energy and community based projects; 9. Support communities especially in developing countries in obtaining easier access to technology and finance; 10. Encourage all wind energy stakeholders to participate in the next World Wind Energy Conference to be held in Jerusalem in 2015. Shanghai, 9 April 2014 WWEC2014: Key Statistics of World Wind Energy Report published Shanghai/Bonn, 8 April 2014 (WWEA) – On the occasion of the World Wind Energy Conference WWEC2014 in Shanghai, WWEA has presented the key statistics of the World Wind Energy Report 2013: World wind energy capacity reached 318’529 MW by end of 2013, after 282’275 MW in 2012. 35’550 MW of new wind capacity was added, the smallest growth since 2008, and after 44’609 MW in 2012. The growth rate reached only 12,8%, the lowest level since modern wind power utilization has started around the world. Wind power contributes close to 4% to the global electricity demand. In total, 103 countries are today using wind power on commercial basis. China was still by far the leading wind market with a new capacity of 16’000 MW and a total capacity of 91’324 MW. The US market saw a dramatic slump and installed only 1 GW, after 13 GW in 2012. Asia has now the same installed capacity like Europe (119 GW) and is expected to overtake Europe in 2014 as largest wind continent. The most dynamic markets with highest growth rates can still be found in Latin America and in Eastern Europe as well as for the first time in Africa, where Morocco showed a growth of 70%, the second highest growth rate of all countries, just behind Chile (76%). In some countries, wind power reached very high shares in the electricity supply; in Denmark (34%) and Spain (21%), wind energy has become the largest source of electricity; also Portugal (more than 20%), Ireland (more than 16%) and Germany (9%) have reached high portions. 7,4 GW of offshore wind was installed by end of 2013, and close to one million small wind turbines. For the year 2020, WWEA sees a wind capacity of more than 700’000 MW as possible. Attached you will find the related graphs and a list with all countries using wind power today. The full World Wind Energy Report 2013 will be published in mid-April 2014. World Wind Energy Association WWEA Head Office Charles-de-Gaulle-Str. 5 53113 Bonn Germany Tel. +49-228-369 40-80 Fax +49-228-369 40-84 www.WWindEA.org
Havana, Cuba / WWEC2013.net World Wind Energy Conference 2013
WWEC2013 in Havana will put Cuba and the Caribbean on the Wind Map of the World WWEC2013 Conference Resolution 12th World Wind Energy Conference and Renewable Energy Exhibition Opening Doors for Caribbean Wind Havana, Cuba, 3-5 June 2013 The World Wind Energy Association and the Center of Study for Renewable Energy Technologies (CETER), welcome the presence of those 560 participants from 42 countries attending this Conference, from wind and all other renewable energy technologies. The Conference covered all aspects of wind utilisation, related policies, manufacturing, development, operation as well as economic and social issues, with a special focus on how to accelerate the deployment of wind power in the Caribbean region. The Conference appreciates the support of the governments and governmental as well as non-governmental organisations, especially the Government of Cuba including the Ministry for Energy & Mines, CUBASOLAR, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation & Nuclear Safety, IRENA, UNESCO, UNDP, IDB, GIZ, the International Renewable Energy Alliance, REN21, the World Future Council, OLADE and all organisations and individuals enhancing the Conference. The Conference welcomes in particular the strong commitment and important contributions of the International Renewable Energy Agency, IRENA, to the event. The conference applauds the scientifically substantiated statements made that a 100 % renewable energy supply can be reached worldwide in the foreseeable future and it encourages all renewable energy stakeholders to join the Global 100% Renewable Energy Campaign which was launched during the event. The Conference appreciates that the French wind turbine manufacturer Vergnet Eolien has been awarded with the World Wind Energy Award 2013 for the capacity that it has shown to adapt the wind technology to the necessities of millions of people, in rural areas and in the areas of developing countries. Vergnet has become the most successful manufacturer of wind turbines in France, a manufacturer which has introduced in the Caribbean market its machines adapted to the Caribbean conditions. The Conference appreciates the Special Recognition for Dr. Fidel Castro Ruz. The Conference recognises Dr. Castro’s leading role in the introduction of wind power and renewable energy. Almost two decades ago, Dr. Castro started to shift Cuba’s energy supply towards renewable energy and energy efficiency. No other country in the Caribbean region has so far presented a similar progressive renewable energy programme like Cuba. Already in the early 1990s, Cuba created the first renewable energy programmes. In 1999, the first grid-connected wind farm was installed, and in 2005, the “Energy Revolution” was launched. It has also to be appreciated that most of the so called developed countries hesitate to present similar ambitious programmes even if they have a much better economical basis than Cuba to push renewable energy on a large scale. In this context, the Conference appreciates in particular that other countries can see Cuba as a pioneer in renewable energy and Conference hopes and expects that many other countries will also launch similar programmes in the future. The Conference also appreciates the Special Recognition for Dr. Prof. Conrado Moreno Figueredo. Since 1975, Prof. Moreno has been involved in academic and research activities related to wind energy, such as wind energy assessment and the design and manufacturing of wind turbines. With this long history, he is one of the most experienced wind scientists and professor not only in Cuba, but in the region. Since 2005, he has been a member of the National Wind Energy Group. The Conference recognizes that the Caribbean region is currently heavily dependent on fossil fuel combustion, with petroleum products accounting for an estimated of more than 90% energy consumption so the environment in the region is very vulnerable to climate change. The Conference encourages all Governments in the Caribbean, Central and Latin America to remove the barriers to renewable use in the region and develop a comprehensive long-term strategy that includes community power and local integration of renewable energies as key components. The Conference recognises that training and education have to be key elements of a strategy that aims at mainstreaming wind power .and support the initiative focused to create the Latin American Center for Capacity Building, Research and Scientific Information launched by CETER. In addition the Conference supports the following objectives, policies and actions to: 1. Remove gradually all subsidies and introduce the internalisation of all externalities to achieve a level playing field; 2. Pursue compensatory regulatory frameworks such as sufficient and effective feed-in tariffs that encourage renewable energy developments until this is achieved, and that provide sufficient financial security to promote long-term investment, especially for smaller and community based investors; 3. Focus on the integration of wind power into existing power systems also on the local and community level, create smart grids and enhance decentralised synergies between the various renewable energy solutions in order to achieve an integrated 100 % renewable energy supply in the foreseeable future; 4. Intensify the close cooperation with IRENA on the implementation of its work programme and contribute to its further refinement; 5. Raise the political and social awareness on all levels of society and in particular amongst local communities and enable them to obtain access to the necessary knowledge and technologies; 6. Create a stronger focus on community power in existing governmental, international, education, research and financial institutions; 7. Reduce overall costs for energy supply by an increasing share of renewable energy power and by a stronger focus on least-cost decentralised options for 100 % renewable energy; 8. Develop and expand national, regional and international financing mechanisms for renewable energy, especially making use of funds provided as part of the international climate change negotiations, and ensure that the Global Green Climate Fund gives priority to renewable energy and community based projects; 9. Support communities especially in developing countries in obtaining easier access to technology and finance; 10. Encourage all wind energy stakeholders to participate in the next World Wind Energy Conference which will be held in Shanghai, China, 7-9 April 2014. Havana, 5 June 2013 When People think about Havana and Music they thing about “Bonavista Social Club” I do the same but I do add this inspiring music created for the WWEC2013: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cMzA5yOqUA4 WWEC2013 June 3rd to 5th, in Havana Cuba WWEC2013 in Havana will put Cuba and the Caribbean on the Wind Energy World Map Dear Friends and Colleagues, You have some time ago received the first official invitation from the hosting partners the Cuban People & Government as well as the WWEA in Bonn. My personal advance appeal to my friends is to encourage you all already now to plan to participate in this exiting world event that will help to put Cuba, the entire Caribbean Basin with all its countries and all of the Americas on the Renewable World map for a sustainable future. The Caribbean is blessed with wind and sun an yet the electricity and energy consumption is mainly based on fossil fuels. This is an outstanding opportunity for a concerted effort to change this and to utilize this great opening of a huge new market for the industry to use any present free capacities for the development of this very promising area of the world. Put this important opportunity into your 2013 calendar! The single biggest opportunity for advancement of the Cuban region and everywhere is laying in the introduction of sustainable innovative renewable energies, efficient systems, transportation systems on the same principals and advancing all of the buildings including public buildings, industries and tourist facilities. This will showcase to the world that they take the environment serious by drastically reducing the fossil fuel consumption and replacing them with clean electricity based on the resources of Sun, Wind, biomass and others. All these resource are in abundance available everywhere and just need to be developed and harvested and not wasted. Scandinavia and Germany/Europe have per capita shown the lead for quite some time and now it is time for all of us to get out of the fossil fuel addiction. Particularly for the Caribbean Basin this is an enormous opportunity that needs to be taken. In a region blessed with so much beauty, sun and wind we must and will succeed in building a future for the following generations with fresh air, clean water, buildings in harmony with its surroundings and wholesome organic grown food. It is very timely to activate and to promote RE and particularly innovative wind energy systems in the Caribbean, Middle America and all of the Americas. This conference will attract presenters from all over the world with the most advanced and smart systems and technologies. We are living in an era of big changes if we together approach this with a focus on quality and sustainability we will be part of an exiting journey where the renewable energy will be front and centre. This peaceful revolution will bring energy culture and prosperity to Cuba, the Caribbean and the whole world. As part of the Cuban tradition and culture including the art, music and heritage you will during and around the WWEC2013 in Havana and everywhere in Cuba experience the finest world class beaches, fantastic hotels, fine natural organic food and world class entertainment presented in the most perfect and joyful way. See you all in Havana! – Nos vemos en La Habana Best regards Volker Welcome Dear Friends… Velkommen Kære Venner… Willkommen liebe Freunde… Bienvenidos queridos amigos… Welcome to all
WWEC 2012 Conference in Bonn Germany
This year, the World Wind Energy Conference 2012, will be hosted by beautiful Bonn, Germany.
The focus of the conference will be Community Citizens’ Power, and it will highlight the status of community power worldwide.
We will examine community power benefits, and the policies necessary to support it. Our goal will continue to be the evolution of tools and strategies to develop and further promote community power all around the World.
Stefan Gsanger, WWEA Secretary General: “If we want to reach a 100% renewable energy supply worldwide with wind energy as a cornerstone, we have to make sure that the local communities actively support this endeavor and that they benefit from the wind farms in their vicinity. Community Power ownership models offer an excellent approach to achieving this objective.”
Community Power is the best way forward, and we look foward to seeing you in Bonn for this year’s wonderful WWEC 2012.
WWEC2011 Conference Resolution
10th World Wind Energy Conference 2011
Greening Energy: Converting Deserts into Powerhouses
Cairo, Egypt, 31 October – 2 November 2011
The World Wind Energy Association, the Egyptian Wind Energy Association and the German-Arabic Chamber of Commerce welcome the presence of those more than 500 participants attending this conference, from wind and all other renewable energy technologies. The conference took place at a time which has brought fundamental political and social change in the host country and in the whole region, also opening the doors for an urgently needed and fundamental transformation of the energy supply.
The conference covered all aspects of wind utilisation, related policies, manufacturing, development, operation as well as economic and social issues, with a special focus on how to convert with renewable energy deserts into powerhouses.
Especially against the background of the ongoing nuclear disaster in Japan, the Conference calls for an immediate switch away from high-risk nuclear and fossil energy technologies to renewable energies.
On celebrating the tenth anniversary of the World Wind Energy Association, the Conference applauds WWEA for ten successful years of leadership work for a renewable future.
The conference appreciates the support of the governments and governmental organisations, especially of the Egyptian Government, the German Ministry for the Environment, the League of Arab States, the European Union, GIZ as well as UNESCO, IRENA, the International Renewable Energy Alliance, REN21 and all organisations and individuals enhancing the Conference.
The conference applauds the scientifically substantiated statements made that a 100 % renewable energy supply can be reached worldwide by the year 2030, implemented through comprehensive strategies and policies.
The Conference underlines the huge potentials of wind and other renewables for economic growth, sustainable development, energy security and for job creation. It was pointed out that in Egypt alone, 75’000 jobs can be created by 2020 in the local wind industry. The Conference welcomes the announcement by the International Labour Organisation to publish in the near future a report on occupational skills and job requirements in the renewable energy sector worldwide, as prepared in cooperation with the REN Alliance.
The Conference appreciates that the Sewedy Wind Energy Group under the leadership of Mr Ahmed El Sewedy have been awarded with the World Wind Energy Award 2011 for the company’s leading role in introducing wind power on a large scale in Egypt, the MENA region and in Africa and for establishing the first major wind turbine manufacturer in the region.
The Conference endorses the proposal of a Global Feed-in Tariff programme as a crucial step, and expresses its hope that such a programme could be established in the frame of the Green Climate Fund during the COP17 in Durban.
The Conference urges the Egyptian Government to introduce effective feed-in legislation and to develop a comprehensive long-term strategy for local content and for support of local manufacturing.
The Conference welcomes that the concept of Community Power receives more and more common support worldwide, and encourages communities around the world to become renewable energy champions by harvesting the renewable energies in their environment, a concept which should be promoted strongly also in the MENA region. Governments are called upon to support these communities.
In addition the Conference supports the following objectives, policies and actions to:
1. remove gradually all subsidies and introduce the internalisation of all externalities to achieve a level playing field;
2. pursue compensatory regulatory frameworks such as sufficient and effective fed-in tariffs that encourage renewable energy developments until this is achieved, and that provide sufficient financial security to promote long-term investment, especially for smaller investors;
3. improve integration of wind power into existing power systems, create smart grids and enhance synergies between the various renewable energy solutions in order to achieve an integrated 100 % renewable energy supply in the foreseeable future;
4. work closely with IRENA on the implementation of its work programme and contribute to its further refinement;
5. raise the political and social awareness on all levels of society for the inevitable use of renewable energy;
6. create new and strengthen existing human, industrial, administrative and financial capacities and institutions for renewable energy;
7. reduce overall costs for energy supply by an increasing share of renewable energy power;
8. develop and expand national, regional and international financing mechanisms for renewable energy, especially making use of funds provided as part of the international climate change negotiations, and ensure that the Global Green Climate Fund gives priority to renewable energy;
9. support developing countries in obtaining easier access to technology and in creating domestic renewable industries;
10. encourage all wind energy stakeholders to participate in the next World Wind Energy Conference which will be held in Bonn, Germany, 3rd to 5th July 2012.
Cairo, 2 November 2011
The WWEC2011 Chairpersons
| Dr. Anil Kane | Prof. Dr. Galal Osman |
Dr Hermann Scheer has departed us but his green legacy lives on
> Dr. Hermann Scheer, global fighter for renewable energy and for a more democratic and decentralised energy supply, is dead
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> Bonn (WWEA) – Yesterday morning, Dr. Hermann Scheer, Member of the German Parliament, President of Eurosolar and General Chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy, died unexpectedly in Berlin. One of his greatest achievements, next to many books and inspiring speeches, was to initiate the successful feed-in tariff legislation for renewable energy which is today used in 50 countries all over the world. Another tremendous success was the creation of the International Renewable Energy Agency IRENA in the year 2009 which has 148 member states to date. For his successful work for renewable energy Dr. Hermann Scheer received many awards, like the Alternative Nobel Prize and, in the year 2004, the World Wind Energy Award.
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> Dr. Anil Kane, President of WWEA:
> “The world has lost a great personality and leader who impressed us all with his fight for the solar age, for a global renewable energy future. His personal passion and his independence convinced people around the world that renewable energy are the only viable option for a world energy system that provides equal opportunities to all human beings in a sustainable way. WWEA has lost a close friend who inspired all of us with his visions for a better world, where there is no need for utilisation of any hazardous energy sources. Again and again, Dr Scheer reminded us of the huge economic, environmental and social opportunities of renewable energies. He was a realistic visionary and a strategic thinker at the same time. We will never forget him and his ideas and visions. Our thoughts are with his wife and his daughter.”
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> Dr. Preben Maegaard, Founding President of WWEA:
> “Hermann Scheer was a close personal friend for me and for all of us a great fighter, not only for the shift towards renewable energies, away from fossil and nuclear energies. He was always fighting for decentralised principles, in order to break up monopolies and to create much more democratic energy supply systems. He also gave an important push for the creation of the World Wind Energy Association in 2001. I remember well when he encouraged the founding members of WWEA during the first meeting by saying: “You have to move now fast”. Also thanks to his encouragement, WWEA has been able to grow continuously, become one of the most representative renewable energy associations worldwide and support countries around the world in implementing ambitious wind power programmes.”
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> Stefan Gsänger, WWEA Secretary General:
> “Even in this very sad moment I am convinced that Dr. Scheer would have told us not to stop our struggle for a better future. I personally had the privilege of working closely with Hermann Scheer for many years. He was one of the first who understood the potential of renewable energies and developed practical and political strategies for their implementation. The great success of renewables around the world would have been impossible without him. For the future success of renewable energy, ultimately for the future of mankind, it will be of crucial importance that Hermann Scheer’s ideas, visions and principles will continue to guide us. The renewable energy sector worldwide owes Hermann an immense debt. In the interest of future generations, it is our obligation to maintain his spirit and to intensify our efforts for the global shift towards a renewable and democratic energy future.”
>World Wind Energy Association
To inspire, to provoke and introduce change in human behavior is one of the most difficult things a person can accomplish.
Hermann Scheer has been a courageous and successful warrior for introducing the Solar Age. Energy Autonomy and Community Development are the most important steps for a peaceful and prosperous world.
This (his) thinking needs to be employed in all areas of life but most important in rebuilding and preserving the agriculture and not give in to a massive industry and gene manipulation that will disable farmers to plant and harvest their own seed. The farmers need to be enabled to again providing food for their communities and to harvest their own wind, solar and biofarms.
Hermann has been a role model for all of us for many years and I have no doubt that the outcomes of his work and his legacy will live on. We have the honour and obligation to build upon this and move forward from here.
Hermann Scheer Interview on youtube
The californian broadcast station “democracy now” has today published a long interview in memoriam of Hermann Scheer from September. For those who never had the chance to meet him this interview is an example of the brilliance of his thoughts, his view upon the picture and his fearless way to say the truth. These 5 clips show whom we have lost.
“Hermann Scheer (1944-2010): German Lawmaker, “Hero for the Green Century” 1 – 5″
Also see Hermann speaking at the WWEC 2008 in Kingston.
http://volkerthomsen.com/2008/07/15/hermann-scheer-on-renewable-energy/
Renewable energy sector may have 20m new jobs
ABU DHABI — The Renewable energy sector around the world will have some 20 million new job opportunities by 2030, said Helene Pelosse, interim Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), here on Monday.
Addressing a five-day conference on renewable energy, which began on Sunday, -Pelosse said there is significant growth in the jobs in the renewable energy sector worldwide. In 2008, it was 2,332,000, which is expected to reach 20,000,000 additional jobs requirements in the sector by 2030.
According to her, there could be 50 per cent renewable energy in the energy mix by 2050. There were double digit growth rates for photovoltaic and wind over the last years and 60 per cent of new capacity in Europe come from renewable energy. Pelosse said, 85 countries are with policy targets and other 75 countries with feed-in tariffs.
On global green growth, she said, in 2004-2008, there was a fourfold increase in renewable energy investments, while RE investments in 2009 stood at $162 billion. Pelosse said, the renewable energy currently amounts to 18 per cent of the global final energy consumption. A shift in energy potential is required as the coal, oil are on the downturn and how many years left for fossil fuels even if shale gas and oil are increasing reserves, Pelosse said.
She said, there are three main drivers for renewable energy: economic growth, climate change and energy security.
Pembina puts out recommendations for Ontario’s Green Energy Plan 2.0
Leveling the playing field
The New Context: Green Power Exceeding Expectations
Excerpts from http://pubs.pembina.org/reports/ontario-green-energy-report-august-web.pdf
“We may not need any [new coal or new
nuclear], ever… I think baseload capacity
is going to become an anachronism.”
— Jon Wellinghoff, Chair,
Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, April 21, 2009.5
Ontario’s ground breaking Green Energy Act has positioned
the province as North America’s leader in renewable power
development. In 2009, Ontario’s 1,000 MW of wind power
produced 2.3 terawatt hours4 of electricity – equivalent to the
power used in over 400,000 houses every year, while the output
from Ontario’s coal plants was down to 8.9 terawatt hours. In
the last six months, the province has contracted for an additional
4,800 MW of new renewable energy generation to be built within
the next five years under the Green Energy Act, which would
generate roughly 11.4 terawatt hours annually. At the same
time, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) is proceeding with plans
to convert some of its coal burning units to produce 2 terawatt
hours annually from biomass.
In total, Ontario has already procured more green energy in 2010
than it expected to over the next 17 years.
Thanks in part to the success of the
government’s conservation programs,
electricity demand is now expected
to decrease over the next decade.
Instead of building additional electricity
supply, we can now focus on using
modern green energy options to
replace retiring nuclear stations.
The province has already made commendable progress in building
a green economy. Ontario is on track to phase out its coal stations
by 2014 and replace them with a mix of conservation, green energy,
and cleaner gas generation. Much of this progress, however, will
come to a halt if the government stays the nuclear course.
The Green Energy Plan 2.0, outlined below, presents an affordable
and forward-thinking option. It is less risky than buying a new
nuclear station. The 3,000 MW of capacity in the six reactors at
the Pickering plant currently provide about 15 per cent of Ontario’s
overall electricity when they are operating well. Instead of relying on
new untested nuclear plants, Ontario could replace the contribution
from these aging reactors to the province’s supply with a portfolio
of proven hydro, wind, solar, biomass, Combined Heat and Power
(CHP), conservation and efficiency options.
Ontario’s green energy legislation provides many of the right
conditions for conservation and renewable energy to thrive.
But if green energy is ever to reach its full potential, the
government must revise its 2006 commitment to maintaining
nuclear at 50 per cent of supply. Otherwise, the government
will cause clean energy to remain a marginal source of power
in Ontario, despite the innovative Green Energy Act.
A Green Energy Plan 2.0 would allow Ontario’s green workforce to continue growing and diversifying the province’s economy.
Ontario is already seeing progress being made on creating a
“green collar” workforce.
The growth in the green jobs sector can and should continue.
A recent study by Blue Green Alliance, a coalition of environmental
and labour groups, estimated that 90,000 jobs could be created
with green energy over the next decade by replacing aging
nuclear stations with green energy as they retire.
The province’s domestic content requirements, for example, require
at least 25 per cent of wind project costs and 50 per cent of large
solar project costs to come from Ontario goods and labour. Along
with guarantees in prices for energy generated from renewable
sources, companies will have the confidence to invest in Ontario,
hire workers, and produce and sell green energy.
One of the major benefits of the Green Energy Act is that it allows
renewable energy producers across the province to connect to
the grid — not just those working in a nuclear facility. Aboriginal
communities, homeowners, farmers, schools, factories, co-ops, as
well as large-scale commercial generators will be able to boost local
economies and create jobs by selling green energy to the province’s
electricity grid. In the green energy future, everybody wins.
Unlike jobs in the nuclear industry, an upgraded green energy
plan will bring more diverse jobs to all corners of Ontario. The
province can expect to see jobs in wide-ranging sectors such
as manufacturing, industrial efficiency, clean generation, home
retrofitting, and offshore developments.
Building a 21st century energy system means that Ontario must
learn from its 20th century mistakes with nuclear power. Clean
energy sources must be given room to grow in order to realize
their potential. The Ontario government’s role is to provide
direction and guidance to encourage the province’s transition
to a green energy future.
In 2008, then-Minister of Energy and Infrastructure George
Smitherman stopped the Ontario Energy Board’s review of the
Ontario Power Authority’s 2007 long-term electricity plan and
instructed it to review and “enhance” its long-term targets for
renewables, conservation, and decentralized energy within six
months. At the time, the Minister insisted nuclear would still
remain at 50 per cent of supply, inadvertently limiting significant
enhancements to green targets.
Since that time, it has become clear that green energy can play
a more significant role in in Ontario’s energy plan.
Adopting a portfolio of renewable energy sources has numerous benefits:
Doable — All the energy options in the portfolio are proven to
work and can easily meet and surpass the green targets
established in 2006.
Diverse — Instead of risking billions of dollars on an untested
reactor, this green portfolio would provide power diversity from
proven sources: onshore and offshore wind; local, residential,
and industrial power stations; and efficiency programs.
Disperse — Combined Heat and Power (CHP) stations could provide
efficient baseload power to hospitals, schools, and industrial facilities
across Ontario instead of being centralized in a distant location.
Conservative — The OPA already intends to surpass its original
targets for wind power for 2014. The additional wind capacity
proposed here is less the OPA’s own deployment estimates for 2014.25
Cost effective — Feed-In Tariff rates are scheduled to be reviewed
and likely decline over time for new projects, while projects that are
already approved will remain fixed for 20 years. Meanwhile, nuclear
power costs have continued to escalate.
Highlights of Ontario’s
Green Energy Plan 2.0
Recommendations
1. Direct the Ontario Power Authority to replace the Pickering
reactors by increasing its mid-term baseline targets (between
the years 2015 and 2020) for renewables, conservation, and
Combined Heat and Power.
2. Forgo or delay buying new reactors.
3. Follow through on commitments to establish a Feed-In-Tariff for
Combined Heat and Power generation in order to enable the
development of diversified baseload generation.
4. Instruct the Ontario Power Authority that aging nuclear facilities
can be replaced by cost effective green energy options.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ end of excerpts from the Report ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
< …and lets all get together and figure this out.. because the future of this Country and this Province really depends on what we do today>
If you have recommendations as to what we should be putting forth as the sustainable directions for future prosperity, security and well-being in all matters pertaining to energy, conservation, technology, food, shelter, transportation, environment and our overall economy please add your comments below. Recommendations only. The debate is being held elsewhere. Thank you all.
2010 Renewables Global Status Report
Global Renewable Capacity Continues to Grow in 2009 Fueled by Policy and Ongoing Investment
REN21 is pleased to release its annual publication – the Renewables 2010 Global Status Report together with its twin report, UNEP’s annual Global Trends in Sustainable Energy Investment 2010 report.
The year 2009 was unprecedented in the history of renewable energy, despite the headwinds posed by the global financial crisis, lower oil prices, and slow progress with climate policy. Indeed, as other economic sectors declined around the world, existing renewable capacity continued to grow at rates close to those in previous years, including grid-connected solar PV (53 %), wind power (32 %), solar hot water/heating (21 %), geothermal power (4 %), and hydropower (3 %). Annual production of ethanol and biodiesel increased 10 % and 9 %, respectively, despite layoffs and ethanol plant closures in the United States and Brazil.
Highlights of 2009 include:
* For the second year in a row, in both the United States and Europe, more renewable power capacity was added than conventional power capacity (coal, gas, nuclear). Renewables accounted for 60 % of newly installed power capacity in Europe in 2009, and nearly 20 % of annual power production.
* China added 37 GW of renewable power capacity, more than any other country in the world, to reach 226 GW of total renewables capacity. Globally, nearly 80 GW of renewable capacity was added, including 31 GW of hydro and 48 GW of non-hydro capacity.
* Wind power additions reached a record high of 38 GW. China was the top market, with 13.8 GW added, representing more than one-third of the world market — up from just a 2 % market share in 2004. The United States was second, with 10 GW added. The share of wind power generation in several countries reached record highs, including 6.5 % in Germany and 14 % in Spain.
* Solar PV additions reached a record high of 7 GW. Germany was the top market, with 3.8 GW added, or more than half the global market. Other large markets were Italy, Japan, the United States, Czech Republic, and Belgium. Spain, the world leader in 2008, saw installations plunge to a low level in 2009 after a policy cap was exceeded.
* Many countries saw record biomass use. Notable was Sweden, where biomass accounted for a larger share of energy supply than oil for the first time.
* Biofuels production contributed the energy equivalent of 5 % of world gasoline output.
* Almost all renewable energy industries experienced manufacturing growth in 2009, despite the continuing global economic crisis, although many capital expansion plans were scaled back or postponed. Impaired access to equity markets, difficulty in obtaining finance, and industry consolidations negatively affected almost all companies.
* Nearly 11 GW of solar PV was produced, a 50 % increase over 2008. First Solar (USA) became the first firm ever to produce over 1 GW in a single year. Major crystalline module price declines took place, by 50–60 % by some estimates, from highs of $3.50 per watt in 2008 to lows approaching $2 per watt.
* Wind power received more than 60 % of utility-scale renewables investment in 2009 (excluding small projects), due mostly to rapid expansion in China.
* Investment totals in utility-scale solar PV declined relative to 2008, partly an artifact of large drops in the costs of solar PV. However, this decline was offset by record investment in small-scale (rooftop) solar PV projects.
* Investment in new biofuels plants declined from 2008 rates, as corn ethanol production capacity was not fully utilized in the United States and several firms went bankrupt. The Brazilian sugar ethanol industry likewise faced economic troubles, with no growth despite ongoing expansion plans. Europe faced similar softening in biodiesel, with low production capacity utilization.
* “Green stimulus” efforts since late-2008 by many of the world’s major economies totaled close to $200 billion, although most stimulus was slow to start and less than 10 % of green stimulus funds was spent during 2009.
* By 2009, over 85 countries had some type of policy target, up from 45 countries in 2005. Many national targets are for shares of electricity production, typically 5–30 percent, but range as high as 90 percent. Other targets are for shares of total primary or final energy supply (typically 10–20 percent), specific installed capacities of various technologies, or total amounts of energy production from renewables. Most recent targets aim for 2020 and beyond. Many targets also exist at the state, provincial, and local levels.
* At least 83 countries have some type of policy to promote renewable power generation. The most common policy is the feed-in tariff, which has been enacted in many new countries and regions in recent years. By early 2010, at least 50 countries and 25 states/provinces had feed-in tariffs, more than half of these adopted only since 2005. Strong momentum for feed-in tariffs continues around the world as countries continue to establish or revise policies. States and provinces have been adopting feed-in tariffs in increasing numbers as well.
* Renewable energy has an important role in providing modern energy access to the billions of people in developing countries that continue to depend on more traditional sources of energy, both for households and small industries. The number of rural households served by renewable energy is difficult to estimate, but runs into the tens of millions considering all forms of renewables. Micro-hydro configured into village-scale or county-scale mini-grids serves many of these. More than 30 million households get lighting and cooking from biogas made in household-scale digesters. An estimated 3 million households get power from small solar PV systems. Biomass cookstoves are used by 40 percent of the world’s population.
World Wind Energy Conference 2010
Dear Friends and Colleagues,
The World is in a time of great challenges. From the gushing oil spill in the Gulf to the growing concern over climate change. It is also however, a time of great opportunities. Opportunities abound for the World to come together and embrace renewable energy and a wide field of new sustainable technology solutions.
These solutions include wind power, solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, geo-thermal, seasonal energy storage systems, and many other sustainable systems.
This year in Istanbul, Turkey, The World Wind Energy Association is hosting the World Wind Energy Conference to bring together community advocates, key players, and leaders in the field of wind power and renewables industry.
It is a time for our minds and hearts to meet and integrate our common goals to make this a better and safer and cleaner World, ready to solve the challenges we all face.
We are definitely moving in the right directions when we look toward the community power models that bring all stakeholders to the table, and integrate the best technologies to bring energy to a distributed equity and quality for all people of the globe.
Wind power is one of the best forms of renewable energy, and it lends itself perfectly to the local integration that is necessary around the World where energy availability can mean the difference between poverty and economic equity.
The proliferation of large scale wind operations around the World shows that resources and economic intent is inline with this sustainable technology. The only component that still needs to be detailed is the worldwide development of standardized models that make smaller scale community power available to all corners of the globe.
As was done in Denmark and Germany, the true community power model put the large scale turbine in the hands of the individual farmer. All that was necessary was a cooperative banking structure that understood and supported the technology and the economics, and access to the technology and know-how.
Today we have all the pieces of the puzzle on the table, and the patterns are emerging in great clarity.. Pieces are falling into place with ease, and the hands that can, are more and more willing to move the remaining pieces into place. The time is ripe for the integration of all these options to bring wind power into the new wind renaissance, where it becomes one of the true backbones of distributed energy around the World..
Wind power is clean, beautiful, and ideal for our new post-industrial technological era that we can clearly see on our civilizations horizon. I can not think of a better solution for the time being, and this is one that will definitely serve us well for hundreds if not thousands of years to come.
Now, for this transition period with its great challenges let us pray for the World, and for our humanity that we may find the strength and unity to bring all conflicts to their ends, and begin an era of peace, prosperity, and global co-operation with which will heal our past and celebrate our future.
Volker thomsen WWEC2010
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Ontario’s Feed-in-Tariff Progress
Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff Program Backgrounder
• Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program for renewable energy generation is a cornerstone of the province’s Green Energy Act. The provincial government launched the program in September 2009, and the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) started accepting applications October 1, 2009. It is North America’s first comprehensive feed-in tariff program for renewable energy.
• The program includes a stream called microFIT which is designed to encourage homeowners, businesses and others to generate renewable energy with projects of 10 kilowatts (kW) or less. MicroFIT is designed to make it simpler and faster to get small-scale renewable projects installed and producing power. The FIT program is designed for larger projects greater than 10 kW.
• Prices paid for renewable energy generation under FIT and microFIT vary by energy source and take into account the capital investment required to get a project up and running:
Renewable Technologies and Pricing
Landfill gas 10.3¢ – 11.1¢/kWh
Biogas 10.4¢ – 19.5¢/kWh
Waterpower 12.2¢ – 13.1¢/kW
Biomass 13.0¢- 13.8¢/kWh
Windpower 13.5¢ – 19¢/kWh
Solar PV 44.3¢ – 80. 2¢/kWh
• Under the program, participants are paid a fixed-price for the electricity they generate. FIT and microFIT contracts are for 20 years, with the exception of waterpower, which has a 40-year contract.
• Domestic content requirements for both FIT and microFIT projects are intended to help support the creation of 50,000 new green jobs in Ontario. MicroFIT projects will help create new local businesses and green jobs as demand grows for technologies such as solar panels, wind turbines, biomass and waterpower generation equipment, and for Ontarians who can design, build, install, operate and maintain these technologies.
microFit Applications
• The first 700 microFIT conditional offers were issued on Dec. 16, 2009.
• As of March 8, 2010, over 180 projects were connected to the grid and will be receiving payments for the electricity generated.
• The OPA has received microFIT applications from across the province, from Windsor to Thunder Bay. There are some areas that have had a significant number of applications submitted, including Chatham-Kent, Toronto and Ottawa.
• As of March 8, 2010, the Ontario Power Authority has received over 6000 microFIT applications. Ontario Power Authority is continuing to review and verify these applications.
• Breakdown of microFIT applications received as of March 8, 2010 :
Energy Source
Number of Applications
Capacity (Kw)
Solar Photovoltaic (PV)
6,114
454,299.4
Wind
40
305.4
Renewable biomass
11
93
Landfill Gas
6
52.4
Water
4
16.9
Biogas
1
9.6
Total
6,176
54,777
• As of March 8, 2010, the Ontario Power Authority sent almost 2000 conditional offers to microFIT applicants subject to applicants obtaining approval to connect to the electricity grid from their local distribution company (LDC).
• Once the connection offer is obtained from the local distribution company and a contract is signed, the length of time it will take for microFIT applicants to start generating electricity will vary depending on the readiness of individual projects.
• MicroFIT is an ongoing program with applications being accepted on a continual basis. Once the current applications have been processed, the Ontario Power Authority anticipates a 30-day turnaround for microFIT applications.
• The first of the 510 FIT Capacity Allocation Exempt contracts were awarded on March 10, 2010.
• Capacity Allocation Exempt means that they can be developed without significant impact on the transmission or distribution systems, and through an expedited connection process.
• As of Dec. 1, 2009, the Ontario Power Authority received 956 acceptable FIT applications. 510 of these projects were between 10 and 500 kilowatts and are Capacity Allocation Exempt.
• The OPA has estimated that there is approximately 2,500 megawatts of available transmission connection capacity for renewable energy projects over 500 kilowatts. The Ontario Power Authority is continuing to review and verify these applications and will give priority to “shovel-ready” projects.