better generation

Once seen as the only viable source of Renewable Energy, wind power developed a huge buzz of publicity and funding over the last 20 years, preparing it to take over the mantle of generation from the more traditional fossil fuels. Or so we thought.

Marine energy on the other hand, has been developing at a much slower rate. The development of the technology itself has come across unprecedented technical difficulties due to the nature of the environment in which the generation occurs. Now a new idea has emerged that has meant that the future may not be such a windy one.

According to the developers of this new marine device (Known as Searaser), the biggest challenges facing Renewable Energy are cost and variable output. With the Searaser's constant power from oceanic swells, and low cost installation and maintenance, this device may conquer these challenges.

How does it work?

The IEA's World Energy Outlook for 2011 was released yesterday in London, which takes a look at the latest data and policy developments to provide an analysis of today's global energy markets and the outlook for the next 25 years. The main issue that becomes clear in this report is that limiting global warming to a ‘safe' 2°C is becoming more and more unrealistic. This is not too much of a surprise if you look at data that was revealed back in May by the International Energy Agency (IEA), that despite the worst recession for 80 years, emissions had risen by a record amount in 2010.

A deadline has been given of 2017 for new international climate action to take place; if this is not seen then limiting global temperature rise to a safe level may no longer be achievable.

The Coalition Government announced this week that they plan to cut the Feed In Tariff (FIT) for solar PV, beginning next year. The decision came about due to the recent exploitation of the generous FIT rates for small scale solar. The scheme originally aimed at making PV more financially viable for domestic, farming, and small scale business ventures, but the high tariff had encouraged larger schemes, that focused solely on selling the electricity back to the grid for profit. This comes just days before Japan announced the introduction of its first FIT.

In terms of energy production, Japan recently found itself in a difficult position.

Whilst much of the focus on micro-renewables is concentrated on wind turbines and solar panels, there is a diverse range of larger renewable energy technologies that don't often get the coverage and discussion they deserve. Renewable technology is not limited to wind and solar generation in its traditional forms and there are many other forms of generation being developed. Some technologies are expanding rapidly whilst others are more conceptual ideas, including the suggestion that even energy sources such as lightning and tornadoes could be utilised in the future. Here, we have tried to summarise a few technologies that may soon be attracting a good deal more interest.

The Feed In Tariff refers to a reward system that encourages the development of small scale (less than 5MW) low carbon electricity generation, by organisations, businesses, individuals and communities. The FITS offer guaranteed payment for the electricity they generate and export to the grid. FITS apply to most small scale generation schemes, including wind, solar, hydro and Anaerobic Digestion up to 5MW. It also supports micro Combined Heat and Power systems (CHP) up to 2MW.

As the renewable energy industry continues to develop, larger installations are being commissioned and constructed across the world. As the technology grows, the installations become more profitable and more viable, and hence have grown in size. 

Now it is fairly common knowledge that the energy market is not like other markets; primarily in the sense that, the economic rate of return is significantly less than the social rate of return. This of course, reduces the incentive for private investment. However, it does give the government the chance to add value to the industry if smart policy decisions and investments are made.

But what makes a smart investment? Let's take a look at the US Obama administration, which, in 2009, called for the doubling of renewable energy in the next three years. Now they have seen some success, as by the end of 2010 the wind industry had increased its total capacity by 60% and the solar power capacity had doubled.  However, there has been some recent news of what some could call, a rather embarrassing investment in the renewable energy industry.

The DECC ( Department of Energy and Climate Change) has released figures for the second quarter of this year, that suggest the UKs energy mix is integrating more and more renewable and green resources. This has resulted in a 7.86 TWh contribution, a 50% rise on the same figures from last year.

Large and small scale schemes in Scotland have been key to this development, as Scotland has the largest renewable energy potential in Europe, 25% or the EUs capacity. This rise in production has been given a further boost from the introduction of nearly £4million worth of loans offered through the Community and Renewable Energy Scheme (CARES). These loans are designed to help communities across Scotland develop small scale, locally-owned renewable energy projects.

Statistics released yesterday by the Department of Energy and Climate Change have revealed that the renewable energy sector contributed to a record breaking 9.6% of the electricity supplied by the UK grid. This is an encouraging 50% increase on the figures from 2010. A statistic that is also rather encouraging is the percentage decrease on last year's figures in energy consumption. Domestic use in particular can be rewarded for its decrease in final consumption of energy with a percentage decrease of 3.7%. This decrease may have something to do with the current state of the economy, with households trying to be a bit more careful with their domestic electricity use. It could also partly be attributed to the mild spring we experienced this year. Maybe it is a bit too hopeful to think that this decrease is due to households trying to reduce their energy consumption as a way of decreasing carbon emissions but still, it is a positive figure all the same.

As Japan continues the quest for green energy sources, a British company may have found the answer with this breakthrough technology: Spray on Solar Cells.

Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. Has developed the technology that enables solar cells to be added to buildings, vehicles and even clothing the same way paint is applied. This means that solar panels could potentially be placed were we have been unable to harvest energy before.  The new solar cells utilize carbon compounds which when dried and solidified act as semi-conductors. This then generates electricity though a chemical reaction when exposed to light. The vast majority of solar cell technology requires crystalline silicon to be sandwiched between glass sheets and positioned of roofs and space consuming "Solar Parks". The company said the new painted solar cells would be particularly effective when applied to round or curved structures.

The scientists are attempting to increase both energy gathering efficiency and to make them easier to install. The cells current conversation is 10.1 percent of light to electricity. This is still a long away behind the 20 percent standard in traditional crystalline solar cells.