North American Clean Energy - May June 2010

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3

Utility Scale Solar ProjectsContracts, construction & costs

Benefi ting from the Canadian Feed-In Tariff (FIT) programfor renewable energy generation

Offshore Wind Development

2010BIOPOWER BUYERS GUIDE

PLUS Show in Print features…• NAWTEC• SOLAR 2010• Intersolar Munich

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4 MAY/JUNE 2010 nacleanenergy.com

contents

Solar energy 10

Investing in Clean Energy 31

Wind energy 32

Show in Print: SOLAR 2010 47

Show in Print: Intersolar Munich 56

BioPower Buyers Guide 2010 62

Show in Print:NAWTEC 73

Geothermal energy 75

Hydro and Marine energy 78

departments

07 NACE News

08 Wind’s Brilliant Past and Brighter Future

10 Contracting for the Construction of Utility Scale Solar Projects

16 Reaching Solar Grid Parity Energy: Not just about PV panel costs

18 Automated Assembly Propelling Solar Panel Productivity

20 Case Study: Project Economics for Single-Axis Trackers

22 Understanding the Feed-In Tariff Program for Renewable Energy Generation

24 The Canadian PV Gold Rush

26 Solar Energy Products

31 Reducing Capital Expenditures for On-site Renewable Energy

32 Government Support for Offshore Wind: What can the US learn from Europe?

34 Regulatory Uncertainty Hindering Offshore Wind Development

38 Test Turbine Controls & Project Reliability

40 Geographic Information Systems and Wind Farm Development

42 How to Choose a Substation Transformer: Asking the right questions

44 Wind Energy Products

62 BioPowerBuyers Guide 2010

75 The Ups & Downs of Geothermal Energy and Exploration

76 A Developing Energy: Geothermal grows by 26%

78 Case Study: Canoe Pass Tidal Power Plant

Photo courtesy SPG Solar, Inc., Thompson

Technology Industries, Inc., and Xanterra Parks &

Resorts, Death Valley.

May / June 2010Volume 4, Number 3

EDITOR

Michelle [email protected]

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SALES


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Dave [email protected]

CIRCULATION MANAGER

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ACCOUNTING

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PUBLISHER


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Baja Ad-Ground Mounts.ai 1 11/9/09 8:04 AM

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 3

Utility Scale Solar ProjectsContracts, construction & costs

Benefi ting from the Canadian Feed-In Tariff (FIT) programfor renewable energy generation

Offshore Wind Development

Utilit S l S l P j

2010BIOPOWER BUYERS GUIDE

PLUS Show in Print features…• NAWTEC• SOLAR 2010• Intersolar Munich

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2010


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STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT

E & E can assist in identifyingstakeholders and engaging them earlyon to obtain consensus on the project.

Wind

Geothermal

Solar

Biomass/Waste-to-Energy

Hydroelectric

Energy Efficiency

Transmission

Mark Schmitt(716) [email protected]

David McIntyre(619) [email protected]

Nick Figone(415) [email protected]

Robert Santa Maria(716) [email protected]

Frank Groznik(503) [email protected]

Mark Casell, LEED-AP, CEM(716) [email protected]

Jim Thornton(503) [email protected]

ecology andenvironment, inc.

International Specialists in the Environment

www.ene.com

SITING

E & E’s environmental planning teams perform allrequired studies for avian/bat and other sensitivespecies, terrestrial and aquatic/wetland habitat,meteorology, cultural resources, land use,socioeconomics, noise, and radar.

PERMITTING

E & E can prepare all required federalenvironmental impact statements,state-equivalent impact assessments,and local use permits.

Get YourGreen Light

Faster

Get YourGreen Light

FasterE & E drives schedules for project success.E & E drives schedules for project success.

Demotions. Downsizing. Decreased mutual funds and 401K plans. According to President Obama, more than 600 thousand people lost their job in just the fi rst half of 2009 and, some say that number was, and still is, much higher. The number of Americans receiving food stamps has been at a record high, and that doesn’t even touch on lost health care insurance and missed doctor’s appointments due to reduced cash fl ow (before and despite the recent US health care reform). It’s been labeled the “worst fi nancial crisis since the Great Depression” in the United States, and it’s not quite over yet. Although the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) could declare the current recession will end by the close of 2010, undoubtedly, the impact on American families will continue throughout 2011.

The recession has had catastrophic effects not just on the economy, but on businesses, families, people. Words cannot account for the challenges and devastation it has produced, in the US and globally. For all the damage and heartbreak caused,

however, the recession has also been a catalyst for growth and change. I believe it was economist Joseph Schumpeter who coined the term “creative destruction?” Well, studies have shown that the recession has not only spurred many aspiring, or “accidental” entrepreneurs, but also prompted new policies and new technologies that might not have developed otherwise.

I’m not sure if the recession should take full credit as far as renewables go, but there are some interesting stats. I recall perusing several articles last spring, which stated that the downturned global economy would affect and underfund clean energy projects, leading to slowed growth in an industry that was already “over-hyped.” Although there have been delays in certain projects, a recent “Clean Energy Trends” report from Clean Edge Inc. found overall growth despite predictions to the contrary. Accordingly, the global biofuel market rose 29%, hitting $44.9 billion; and, $63.5 billion was spent worldwide last year on wind farms, bringing the number up 23.5% from 2008.

To add to that, the total installed wind energy capacity in the US alone was 35,086 MW at the end of 2009—making the country a leader in global wind energy capacity (read more on page 8). And, the US geothermal power industry also continued strong growth in 2009, up 26% (see article on page 75). Only solar companies saw revenue decline in 2009, based on the research from Clean Edge, and this is blamed on the plunging price of solar panels.

Certainly, the government stimulus and incentives are responsible for much of the success among most renewables. And, who knows, maybe “creative destruction” can even be attributed to some of the related growth in technology. I remember a saying I once saw near the door of a newly opened company that said: “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build yourself a door.” Seems many renewable energy companies have not just built the door but powered the entire building, too. Now the question remains: will they continue at the same rate?


7North American Clean Energy

news bites

Picking up the PACE The City and County of San Francisco offi cially launched GreenFinanceSF, the nation’s largest Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The program allows San Francisco private property owners to fi nance water con-servation, energy effi ciency, and renew-able energy improvements through a voluntary property assessment. Each assessment will be paid in full within 20 years. Oakland-based Renewable Funding, the leading provider of PACE services, will administer the pro-gram and provide capital to fund the projects. San Francisco-based Stone & Youngberg and Backstrom McCarley Berry & Co. are serving as municipal bond underwriters.

Minnesota adopted a PACE law earlier this month, and programs are expected to launch in Louisiana, New Mexico, Maryland, and hundreds of ad-ditional cities and counties throughout California by the end of the year. GreenFinanceSF | www.greenfi nancesf.org

Investing in renewables More Ontario homes and businesses will soon be powered by green energy with the awarding of contract offers for almost 2,500 MW of renewable energy announced. These projects, ap-proved under the Canadian province’s landmark Feed-in Tariff (FIT), are in addition to the 510 renewable energy contract offers totaling 112 MW ap-proved earlier this year, and are part of the largest green energy investment of its kind in Canadian history.

The 184 projects announced will generate enough energy to power 600,000 homes. Located in communi-ties across the province, the total 694 Feed-in Tariff (FIT) contract offers to date will create 20,000 direct and indirect green jobs and attract about $9 billion in private sector investment, as well as investment in new Ontario-based manufacturing. Seventy-six of the approved projects are ground-mounted solar photovoltaic, 47 are onshore wind, and 46 are hydropower projects. There are also seven biogas, two bio-mass, four landfi ll gas, one roof top so-lar and one off-shore wind projects.

“These projects are the latest accom-plishments of the Green Energy Act which is making Ontario a place of des-tination for green energy development, manufacturing, and expertise,” said On-tario’s Minister of Energy and Infrastruc-ture, Brad Duguid. “The investments generated by FIT will not only create green jobs, but will also build a coal-free legacy for future generations.” Ontario Power Authority www.powerauthority.on.ca

Global wind energy markets are expected to continue their rapid growth, with the world’s wind power capacity increasing by 160% over the coming fi ve years, according to the annual industry forecast presented by the Global Wind Energy Council. GWEC expects that the global installed wind capacity will reach 409 GW by 2014, up from 158.5 GW at the end of 2009. This assumes an average growth rate of 21% per year, which is con-servative compared to the 29% average growth that the wind in-dustry experienced over the past decade. During 2014, the annual market will be more than 60 GW, up from 38.3 GW in 2009.

“Even in the face of a global recession and fi nancial crisis, wind energy continues to be the technology of choice in many countries around the world. Wind power is clean, reliable, and quick to install, so it is the most attractive solution for improving supply security, reducing CO2 emissions, and creating thousands of jobs in the process,” said Steve Sawye, GWEC secretary gen-eral. “All of these qualities are of key importance, even more so in times of economic uncertainty.”Global Wind Energy Market | www.gwec.net

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Global wind energy on the rise



On April 8th of this year, the American Wind Energy Association issued its Annual Market Report for 2009. The report is an ideal source for anyone

looking for a snapshot of the US wind industry. It also evidences how the wind in-dustry has matured in the past decade.

In 2009, over 10,000 MW of new wind projects were installed in the United States, following the 8,366 MW installed in 2008. The total installed capacity at the end of 2009 was 35,086 MW, making the US the leader in global wind energy capacity. These two years of continued growth (on the order of 39% year on year), over the span of the financial crisis and economic recession, is nothing short of amazing. The growth can be ascribed to a strong pipeline of projects coming into 2008/2009, the implementation of the ARRA Section 1603 Treasury grant in lieu of tax credits, and the fairly rapid recovery of the debt market in 2009. Although the first quarter of 2009 was challenging from a financing perspective, the bank market improved dramatically as the year progressed. As noted in the AWEA report, the pace of installation in the fourth quarter of 2009 accelerated over earlier quarters.

The importance of regulatory certainty—but also responsiveness to changed conditions as evidenced by the Treasury grant—can be seen by the steady growth in annual wind installations since 2005. Prior to that time, annual wind installa-tions followed a saw tooth pattern as the production tax credit would expire, and then be renewed on an irregular basis. While the regulatory climate is much better than earlier in this decade, the industry should be cautious about the potential for regulatory uncertainty in the future. The Treasury grant program will effectively expire at the end of 2010, and the production tax credit will expire at the end of 2012. While the expectation is that the Treasury grant will either be extended or replaced by a refundable tax credit, Congressional action has been slow in light of other legislative priorities. It may well be at, or after, the end of this year before the issue is clarified. As a consequence, expect to see wind developers pushing hard to reach commencement of construction this year, but that may mean 2011 will be an off year if legislative action is still pending.

The report analyzes the location of wind energy facilities installed over the past decade. In 2000, California was the leader in wind capacity with a little over 2000 MW, most of that dating from the 1980s and early 1990s. Seventeen other states had some level of wind energy capacity at the commencement of this century. Pres-ently, thirty six states have utility scale wind facilities, led by Texas with over 9,000 MW. The clear trend shows most growth has been in the middle third of the coun-try. Wind installations have increased where there is the combination of good wind resources, renewable portfolio standards, community support, transmission capacity, and a favorable permitting regime. California, once the leader, has had very modest growth in installed capacity over the past several years (approximately 270 MW in 2009, compared to 2,300 MW in Texas)—notwithstanding, a very robust renewable portfolio standard and pricing. The reasons: transmission constraints and permit-ting challenges. Even though power prices in California are favorable compared to many other states, developers have elected to build where they can, instead of where they can’t.

The ownership of the US wind industry is fairly concentrated. Approximately 49% of the industry is owned by five companies (led by NextEra Energy Resources, formerly known as FP&L Energy). Consolidation in the industry has occurred as a result of foreign and domestic utilities buying portfolios of assets. Private equity investment has also driven the growth of certain companies, such as First Wind and Noble Environmental. Today, there are portfolios for sale such as Infigen (1090 MW under management or ownership) and John Deere Renewables (705 MW). There is some question whether the European utilities have concluded their pe-riod of acquisitions, and are now focused on developing their substantial pipelines of projects. Buying by US utilities continues, and we are starting now to see more interest from Asian buyers—Japanese trading companies and utilities and, more significantly, Chinese companies. It would not be surprising to see several thousand megawatts of capacity changing hands in the next two years.

Wind has been one of the largest sources of new generation capacity generally. In 2009, wind accounted for 39% of all new generation capacity, second only to natural gas facilities at 43%. Wind was a little less than half of the new renewable generation installed in the US last year. Looking ahead, nearly 300,000 MW of pro-posed wind projects have applied for interconnection, with the largest queues being in the upper Midwest, the interior West/Northwest, and Texas. The mortality rate of those projects will be significant given the need for permitting, power contracts, transmission, and financing. But, one can expect, even with a healthy discount rate, that a pace of 10,000 MW or better per year will be achievable. One key factor will be the availability of power purchase agreements. Given the portfolio standards now in effect in the majority of the states, many renewables projects—and wind projects specifically—are receiving bankable power contracts. It is unlikely power contracts will be granted to fossil fuel facilities at anywhere near the same rate. So, given the preference of investors and lenders for contracted assets, one can expect the ratio of wind to fossil projects will continue to increase in the next few years.

But what, if anything, stands in the way of wind’s bright future? One issue is power pricing. Currently, the economic recession has reduced electric demand (and demand for natural gas) with the result that power prices have gone down. Wind developers, especially in the Midwest, are finding it difficult to receive pricing that works for them. Another issue is transmission. The continued march of wind to 100,000 MW will require major transmission improvements. These are slow and expensive to develop, a situation not likely to change without further federal leg-islation. Finally, there is political and regulatory risk. As noted above, the current federal subsidies can end unless further action is taken. There is the risk that the underpinnings of the shift to renewables— energy security and environmental pref-erence—are overcome by concerns over the apparent additional cost of renewables including investment in transmission. That being said, these issues have been faced before, and the industry prevailed. The industry has never been in better shape, or enjoyed more respect or power.

Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP | www.milbank.com

Ed Feo is a partner in the international law fi rm of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP. He co-chairs the Firm’s project fi nance and energy practice and is a member of the Firm’s Global Executive Committee.

Wind’s Brilliant Past and

Brighter FutureBy Ed Feo | Partner, Milbank Tweed Hadley & McCloy LLP




solar energy

Technological advances, an abundant and reliable resource, and favorable regu-latory policies are causing an explosion in the development of utility scale

solar power projects in the United States, as well as in many other countries. Im-provements in photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) systems are leading to more effi cient plants, and more competitively priced solar energy. Solar energy, which generally follows daylight peak loads, has the highest potential of renewable energy resources. It’s been estimated that the potential supply capacity of the principal renewable competitor energy sources amounts to only 1% of solar power’s capacity.

The key impetus for the tremendous growth in solar in the US is the favorable regulatory environment including the proliferation of state Renewable Energy Portfolio Standards across the country with solar set-asides and expectations for a national standard, the extension of the solar investment tax credit in-service date re-quirement to 2016, the expansion of the Department of Energy (DOE) loan guar-antee program, as well as the creation of the Treasury grant under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and the Environmental Protection Agency’s recent decision to regulate greenhouse gas emissions. Although a substantial amount of wind and other renewable energy generation capacity has been placed in operation in recent years, at only about 10 GW of installed capacity today, most solar tech-nologies remain in their infancy. The successful build-out of solar power generation will rely on thousands of construction contracts addressing many issues of particu-lar relevance to solar projects.

The risks to be allocated between an owner and contractor pursuant to an en-gineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreement may seem as old as the solar resources these projects are designed to harness, and many of the issues and allocation strategies are the same for a utility scale solar project as for any other large-scale generation project. A few issues, however, should be given greater consideration. Specifi cally, considerations related to the assignment of equipment contracts to the contractor, intellectual property rights, confi dential information, schedule guarantees, performance guarantees, and warranties.

Assignment of equipment contractsIt has become commonplace in contracting for the construction of large-generation projects for owners to purchase major components of the facility separately and, then, later assign those contracts to the EPC contractor such that the contractor “wraps” these separately negotiated equipment contracts. An arrangement is also possible in the context of a utility scale solar generation project, but the owner may encounter more diffi culties. First, it may be diffi cult to fi nd a contractor that is willing to wrap the equipment contracts because the equipment will likely be less familiar to the con-tractor than equipment assignments the contractor typically accepts. As a result, the contractor might be less confi dent in the equipment supplier’s ability to stand behind and achieve its schedule and performance guarantees. The contractor may also be concerned because this unfamiliarity will make it more diffi cult and time-consuming to ensure all gaps between the equipment supplier’s scope and the contractor’s scope are covered. If a contractor is willing to accept the assignment, it’s likely that it will increase the bid to account for the perceived increased risk.

These problems are exacerbated if the equipment the contractor is asked to wrap is a high-technology or developmental component of the project. Projects where the de-velopmental component is integral to the operation of the project (for example, equip-ment for a CSP project’s molten salt storage) are of particular concern to a contractor asked to wrap the equipment supply because, if the component does not work or does not work well, the viability of the entire project (and, therefore, payment under the power purchase agreement or acceptance into the rate base) is in jeopardy. In addition, equipment failure may have a material negative impact on the supplier’s creditwor-thiness, leaving the contractor without a backstop to its obligations under the EPC agreement. But, even in situations where the developmental component is merely an-cillary to the project, it will be diffi cult to fi nd a contractor willing to take on so much uncertainty. The key for the owner (and contractor, for that matter) is to allocate as much risk as possible to the supplier of the developmental component who is, after all, the party that stands to accrue the greatest benefi t if the component is successful.

A major obstacle in assigning the equipment supply contracts to the contractor and obtaining a wrap is the relative size of the equipment supply agreement as compared

to the EPC agreement. For many solar technologies (PV, concentrating PV, and Stirling cycle-board CSP), the equip-ment supply agreement for key equip-ment may be of a much larger dollar value than the EPC agreement. Where the balance of plant is relatively small or less complex, a contractor is unlikely to be willing or to have suffi cient credit capacity to wrap the equipment supply contract. Further, unless the value of the EPC agreement incorporates the price of the equipment contract following the assignment (i.e. the contractor assumes the payment obligation under the equip-ment supply agreement), the owner may be restricted to a limit of liability and liquidated damages caps, which are often tied to the contract price, that are much lower than are available under the equip-ment supply agreement. While having a non-wrapped agreement increases the potential for the owner to be caught be-tween the contractor and the equipment supplier on disputes, the owner should consider all of the implications before choosing to assign the equipment agree-ments. Because a turnkey contract is still desirable, it may be necessary for the wrap to come from the equipment sup-plier. A number of PV suppliers are cur-rently providing this turnkey service.

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solar energy

Intellectual property rightsIntellectual property rights and the confi dentiality of information are important considerations on any generation project; however, some of the issues are intensifi ed in the negotiation of an EPC agreement for a solar project. Much is a result of the emerging nature of the technology and competitors trying to insulate themselves from one another. The result, from the perspective of the owner, is decreased fl exibility in many aspects of the project cycle. Some aspects of the negotiation that may be impacted include access and inspection rights, the owner’s remedy for a contractor’s supply of an infringing component, the owner’s assignment rights, availability of information to support the regulatory review of

the project, and restrictions on fi nancing parties to the extent they are related to contractor’s competitor.

Schedule guaranteesThe most signifi cant considerations in construction of solar projects related to con-tractor schedule guarantees are:1. Commencement of construction as required to qualify for the Treasury grant

(before January 2011), and the federal funding of the credit subsidiary fee under the DOE’s Section 1705 loan guarantee program for renewable energy projects (before October 2011); and

2. Placement of the project in service during a specifi ed period of time to receive tax credits or the Treasury grant (before January 2017). Al-though this problem of achieving the placement in service deadline has been greatly mitigated by the exten-sion of the solar in-service date, own-ers need to provide suffi cient fl oat to ensure the prospect of missing the required in-service date is highly unlikely, particularly for large, com-plicated projects with lengthy engi-neering, procurement or construction cycles.

Performance guaranteesPerformance guarantees are technology specifi c by their nature, so time and at-tention is necessary to get the correct performance guarantees in place wheth-er the project is fossil- or renewable-based technology. With solar projects, however, some additional elements of the performance guarantees must be considered. More established renew-able generation sources have industry accepted standards and instrumentation for conducting a performance test (e.g. IEC61400-12, Wind Turbine Power Performance Testing), but newer tech-nologies do not. That, coupled with the fact independent technical expertise on these newer technologies is limited, can make it diffi cult to challenge the testing protocol and criteria proffered by the contractor. In addition, inherent limita-tions in the available instrumentation can, in some cases, require additional fl exibility in the establishment of the guaranteed amounts.

Related to this lack of industry ac-cepted guidelines and instrumentation is the concern that on projects with lengthy engineering, procurement, and construction cycles, the owner may have a greater risk of change-in-law li-ability than under an EPC agreement for a more traditional facility. This is because it is likely there will be more industry and legislative activity related to these technologies during the project cycle than would be expected for con-ventional generation sources. In fact, it’s entirely possible the contractor may be actively participating in the estab-lishment of these laws, largely because there are few other parties that have the technical expertise to provide construc-tive input.

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solar energy

With high technology or developmental components of the project, fi nding inde-pendent technical advice and industry standards may be impossible. As mentioned above, owners agreeing to incorporate these components into their projects should seek to place the maximum amount of performance risk as possible on the equip-ment supplier. It is also important to dedicate suffi cient resources and time to fully understand the technology and gain familiarity with its expected performance and limitations, including discussions with other customers of the technology if possible.

WarrantiesClosely related to the issues associated with performance guarantees are those con-nected with the warranties provided under the EPC agreement. Most important

is an understanding of the precise terms of the warranties and the entities providing them. In many cases the EPC agreement may provide a short (e.g. one year) warranty covering the design, construction, and equipment supplied pursuant to the agreement. Longer term warranties covering the equipment are typically provided by the equip-ment manufacturer, either directly in the equipment purchase agreement (if it has not been assigned to the contractor) or by the contractor assigning its subcontractor war-ranties that extend beyond the warranty provided under the EPC agreement to the owner. In many cases, the entities providing long-term warranties are relatively new companies and an owner needs to consider the risk that the entity does not remain in existence or maintain its creditworthiness for the full term of the warranty—which, in some cases (e.g. PV modules), may be as long as 30 years. The owner may need to

request some form of credit support or insurance to backstop those obligations.

Generally, the types of warranties in EPC agreements for solar projects are very similar to the types found in EPC agreements for traditional generation; however it is important to consider whether a specifi c warranty type might be appropriate for the particular technol-ogy. For example, an owner developing a PV project with hundreds of thousands of modules might gain additional com-fort with enhanced warranty rights in the case of a serial defect. Such enhanced rights might require the equipment sup-plier to do a root cause analysis in the case of a similar failure of a pre-agreed percentage of the modules provided.

Another issue to consider related to warranties arises when the entity pro-viding the warranty is also contracted to operate and maintain the equipment pursuant to an operation and mainte-nance agreement or similar document (O&M). The diffi culty is caused by the fact the warranty and the O&M will likely both be applicable during some period of time. Inconsistencies in the rights of the parties between the two documents can lead to disputes. An ob-vious solution is to ensure the terms of the warranty and the O&M are aligned to the greatest extent possible such that the potential for confl icts is minimized. It might also be tempting to minimize the importance of the warranty terms because the owner is protected under the O&M but this impulse should be resisted because, if the O&M is ever terminated, the owner or developer will need the protection of the warranty.

ConclusionThe current political emphasis and attractive government incentives for abundant and reliable solar energy have lead to technological advancements in cost and effi ciency and explosive growth in contracting for the development of solar energy projects. Although the majority of risks for solar projects are allocated similarly to fossil fuel projects, careful consideration of the risks de-scribed above will help ensure the suc-cessful development of utility scale solar power generation projects.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLPwww.skadden.com

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Afew years ago, the rule of thumb was that photovoltaic (PV) panels accounted for 70% of a solar farm’s initial cost. Throw that rule out because continu-

ing advances in solar cell design and manufacturing, plus the increasing supply of solar panels, is causing that number to plummet toward 33%. End-to-end design, integration of PV panels, inversion, and power collection and distribution systems are now necessary to drive the costs of farm construction and operations and main-tenance down—if solar energy production is to reach grid parity.

Consider fi rst the age-old solar industry question: to track or not to track? Track-ing does not increase the power of a PV panel, but allows more power to be col-lected early in the morning and later in the afternoon. Over the years, peak demand has been moving from 2pm toward 6pm due to residential demand increasing after work hours. The additional power collected in the morning is not necessarily of premium value, but the additional power collected late afternoon and early evening certainly is.

As a result, utilities are favoring solar farms as peaking plants that fi ll in late af-ternoon and early evening demand at a cost far less than a conventional peaking plant. But the cost of tracking systems has made tracking prohibitive in the past, so integration of the tracking controls with combiner boxes and solar inverters will

emerge to drive out the costs of redundant controls and multiple mark-ups from disparate suppliers.

As for the true cost of PV panels, it’s no longer about effi ciency. Factors such as resistance, spectral distribution, module construction, and ambient temperature are

just a few that affect true life cycle costs. Thin-fi lm life cycle costs are rapidly de-creasing due to their lower manufactur-ing cost, fl exible means of construction, and lack of toxic materials that incur recycling costs. As the technology to deposit solar cells directly on PV panel substrate materializes, thin-fi lm will im-prove in both initial and life cycle costs per watt.

After taking the power out of the PV panel, one of the hottest debates in solar remains whether to micro-invert the DC power to AC at the panel, or to series the panels into parallel PV strings that feed central inverters—or to use a combination of both approaches? Micro-inverters still have reliability ver-sus environment issues, and designs that have improved upon reliability have done so at a prohibitive cost. There is also little history about the reliability of synchronizing hundreds of micro-in-verters to the grid for utility scale farms. So, micro-inverter life cycle reliability and cost have not yet been proven by the numbers.

The central inverter approach, due to its power inversion economies of scale, has demonstrated lower cost per watt

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for years. However, its reliability has not improved much beyond ten years as manufacturers continue to utilize air fi lters, unreliable fans, and power tran-sistors taken near their maximum rat-ings to keep initial cost per watt down. In addition, central inverters are not keeping up with increasing thin-fi lm PV string voltages, nor higher temperatures of operation required in the sunniest of environments.

Therefore, a new category of hybrid solar inverters will emerge with built-in PV string MPPT optimizers that improve effi ciency over 1/10th of 1 MW’s worth of strings instead of by panel. This retains the effi ciency boosting micro-inverter approach, yet retains the life cycle reliability of the central inverter approach. In addition, next-generation inverters will operate with PV input voltages up to 1100 VDC to capture the additional power generate by adding more PV panels to each string. Higher PV input voltage also enables the inverter to output at the more common 480 VAC output voltage and eliminate costly internal line reactors. And, to further improve reliability, liquid cooling will be used to eliminate fi lters and unreliable fans while cooling power electronics at temperatures that extend the life of the inverter, without needing to de-power due to high temperatures.

Eventually expensive shipping con-tainers to house power inversion sub-systems will be replaced by lower cost modular NEMA 3R/4 subsystems deliv-ered on one skid for forklifting directly to the site, reducing initial, as well as installation costs. Solar power inversion will move away from separate disparate subsystems assembled at the site to pre-confi gured, pre-integrated, and pre-commissioned power inversion stations.

Taking a step back, consider combiner boxes and their cabling. To further drive out end-to-end costs, the combiner box will evolve to integrate PV string protection and monitoring, sun tracker control and monitoring, and all communications back to the power inverter station. System integrators will also be able to use fl exible 2,000 rather than stiff 600 Volt DC cable, which is diffi cult to work with. Again, disparate and costly multi-supplier approaches will be driven toward less costly, more integrated solutions.

On the other side of the power in-version stations is the MV collection system and AC substation. Growing NFPA and OHSA pressure to improve site safety will drive replacement of con-ventional arc resistant switchgear, which vents arc fl ash explosions, with arc miti-gating switchgear, which detects an arc fl ash immediately and disconnects the

power before the arc can become explosive. Most developers are unaware that just one arc fl ash incident can result in mil-lions of dollars of medical, insurance, and legal expenses that destroy a solar farm’s ROI. Therefore, it’s critical to pay atten-tion not just to the DC side, but also the AC side of solar farm specifi cation, as well.

As solar enters its second age, expect to see new suppliers stepping up to the challenge to help drive solar energy to grid parity.

American Electric Technologies | www.aeti.com



At the beginning of the 20th century, Ransom Olds patented the fi rst industrial assembly line and Henry Ford accelerated it, but it was another seven dec-

ades before robots began performing most mind-numbing tasks like welding and painting. By contrast, manufacturers of photovoltaic panels have had the ability to automate virtually from the get-go. With the relentless downward pressure on PV panel manufacturing costs—the $1 per watt barrier was breached last year—full-line automation is becoming indispensable for assembling PV modules in Europe, Japan, and North America.

Competition from developing countries is becoming a major factor because of their highly competitive wage rates. Automation can shrink that labor cost gap sig-nifi cantly and allow other advantages, like incentives or proximity to customers, to level the playing fi eld. It also goes hand-in-hand with capturing ever-larger econo-mies of scale. Yesterday, plants assembling 25 megawatts (MW) of PV panels annu-ally were considered large. Today, large is 100 MW to 200 MW and rising.

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Automation generates fast paybackAs a general rule, a 50 MW plant is about the threshold where automating module assembly becomes economically compelling. In the 25MW area, the uti-lization rate for a fully automated mod-ule assembly line would be just 55% to 60%. But at 50 MW, utilization jumps up to the mid-80% range and increases from there. A pair of parallel lines with a combined capacity of 150 MW, sharing one pack-out station, can reach as high as 95%. The fastest 100 MW line in the world produces a fi nished panel every 28 seconds.

Another example of a 100 MW line in the US, employing 200 workers in manual production, if fully automated could run by 17—with an annual labor cost savings of $12 to $14 million. Every situation is different, but it takes about 24 months on average to receive a com-plete payback on an investment in full-line automation.

Automation of all PV module assembly functionsFull line systems integrators trace their modern origins to the advent of indus-trial robotics, equip standard robots

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with specialized end effectors (the sophisticated tools on the robot arm), and the necessary software to create robotic work stations to perform spe-cifi c module assembly tasks. A typical fully automated module line installed would feature automated glass-load-ing, string measurement and layup, foil layup, lateral soldering, trimming and taping, as well as a series of auto-mated cell, matrix and panel tests, and fi nal pack-out.

When automating an entire mod-ule assembly line, the integrator sup-plies and integrates the various work stations and other manufacturing and testing equipment, as well as all gantries and conveyors. It designs all control and power systems to opti-mize a line’s performance, just as in other industries. That foundation of mature technology and decades of accumulated expertise has enabled integrators to adapt full-line automa-tion to assembling all types of PV modules. It works equally well with thin-fi lm or crystalline silicon cells, solid or liquid encapsulates, and any layout processes while complying with all electrical, noise, safety, and quality standards.

Automation delivers quality benefi tsAutomated assembly is ergonomically superior and produces higher qual-ity product than a manual operation. Robots will routinely hoist and rotate glass or modules, as large as 1.4 x 1.2 meters, and have even handled modules 2.5 meters square. Automa-tion also means less breakage, fewer defects, and greater consistency for a more reliable panel. Automated inspections can detect micro-cracks in cells that visual inspections miss, cracks that might only become a problem months or years later.

Without automation and inspec-tion criteria in place, one might never catch a micro-crack that would have to be reworked or replaced in a panel in the fi eld—and who knows how much that would cost to troubleshoot and resolve.

Kuka Systems is a full line systems integrator in Sterling Heights, Michigan.

Kuka Systemswww.kuka-systems.com

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1.2 MW installation at Xanterra Parks & Resorts, Death Valley by SPG Solar, Inc. on TTI’s SunSeeker Tracker.

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As the cost of photovoltaic modules plummet by as much 20% a year, there is speculation in the market that plummeting module costs will erode track-

er economics. One of the reasons trackers made economic sense is they increased the rate of return and decreased the payback period for relatively expensive solar panels. The dramatic price decreases is enough to prompt a re-examination of the economic assumptions of adding solar trackers to solar systems.

Single-axis trackers follow the sun in its east-west path throughout the day, and boost kWh/kWp solar production by up to 20% compared to fi xed struc-tures. It has been established that trackers are preferred in an environment where PV modules are expensive, and almost all of the utility scale (1 MW+), ground mounted, crystal silicon PV installations in the US to date are on single-axis trackers.

SPG Solar, Inc. embarked on a research study in late 2009 to test this hypoth-esis. Drawing on their experience with the design, installation, and maintenance costs associated with over 20MW of Thompson Technology Industry’s (TTI) SunSeeker Tracker, they ran a series of models in different geographies and under a number of rate structures to explore this question. The results challenge con-ventional philosophy. In almost every scenario explored, they found that it would be economically benefi cial to use single-axis trackers at any module cost.

Economic analysisThe key fi nding is that the two main drivers of the economics for a single-axis tracker system compared to a fi xed-tilt system are: 1. What is the additional cost to install, operate, and maintain the system? 2. What is the value of the additional electricity that will be produced?

The economics are driven by the marginal expenses and revenues, and module prices aren’t a factor. Why? Well, one can start with an estimate that a 1 MW tracker system costs an additional $250,000 more than a comparable fi xed tilt system, including the higher long-term warranty and maintenance costs which are capitalized up front. Thirty percent of this is returned in the federal ITC, and another 28% is recovered by accelerated depreciation.

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Taking a sample site in Northern California, the tracker generates an ad-ditional 300 MWh per year. Put another way, one spends $250,000 per MW ($105,000 after federal incentives) to generate an additional 300 MWh per year. Putting these numbers through a fi nancial model, the tracker investment generates a mid-teens IRR at a modest $0.10/kWh (3.5-year simple payback), or mid-20s IRR at $0.20 / kWh (1.75-year simple payback). Keep in mind, this doesn’t account for additional incentives such as the performance based incentives or any value for SRECs. Moreover, these numbers improve in other geographies where the SunSeeker Tracker shows better performance relative to fi xed tilt installations—the IRRs in Arizona, for example, are a few percentage points higher than in Northern California.

Equivalent kWh scenarioTo verify the fi ndings above, SPG Solar also tested two systems—one tracker and one fi xed-tilt—that put out the same number of kWh. Although the selling price per watt is lower for the fi xed-tilt system, the total system cost is much greater—for the same number of kWh—due to the need for 20% more of every system component including panels, inverters, racking, labor, etc. Even with modest panel pricing, the extra fi xed-tilt system cost a lot more than the additional tracker expense. As the industry shifts toward $/kWh from $/W, SPG Solar expects even a greater emphasis placed on trackers.

Time-of-use rate schedulesMany customers are on TOU rate schedules, being charged more for electricity during summer and/or peak hours. Trackers broaden the shoulders of a typical solar installation, producing more electricity in the morning and afternoon, particularly in the summer when the sun is high in the sky. As it turns out, layering in time-of-use rate schedules only improves the economics for single-axis trackers for our clients. They produce more of both total and high-value kWh, and clients ultimately receive stronger returns for the investments.

ConclusionsAt the end of the day, module prices don’t even play into the economics for single-axis trackers: the primary driv-ers become the increased capital and maintenance expenses versus the value of the extra electricity over the life of the system. This conclusion holds across geographies and rate schedules, and has led SPG Solar to predict that single-axis trackers will be the standard moving forward for large, ground-mounted in-stallations using silicon modules.

“SPG Solar’s fi ndings align with what we are seeing in the market: single-axis trackers will continue to provide the best returns to the end customer,” comments TTI general man-ager Sean DuFosee.

Jason Kaminsky is the strategic assistant to the CEO at SPG Solar, Inc. and led a cross-functional task force to study single-axis tracker economics year.

SPG Solar is one of the country’s biggest solar project developers, with over 1,500 installations to date.

SPG Solar, Inc. | www.spgsolar.com TTI | www.ttisolar.com

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Last October, Ontario, Canada launched the most comprehensive and generous set of feed-in tariffs in North America, piquing the interest of Canadian and

foreign renewable energy companies at a time when Europe is starting to roll back its support for the sector.

Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program for renewable energy generation is a cor-nerstone 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 1st, 2009. It is North America’s fi rst 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 & Pricing

Landfi ll gas

10.3¢ - 11.1¢/kWh

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The FIT Program is a guaranteed pricing structure for renewable electricity pro-duction. It offers stable prices under long-term contracts for energy generated re-newable sources, including photovoltaic (PV). FIT pricing is the best in the world at 80.2 cents/KWh for systems, and smaller, and 71 cents for roof mounted systems up to 250KW.

By encouraging the development of renewable energy in Ontario, the FIT Pro-gram will:

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• Help the province phase out coal-fi red electricity generation by 2014—the largest climate change initiative in Canada;

• Boost economic activity and the de-velopment of renewable energy tech-nologies; and

• Create new green industries.

Solar industry effectsWith the launch of the FIT Program, the Ontario solar industry is exploding. Foreign solar producers are looking to participate, grow, and take advantage of these government programs in the Canadian market. The cost of shipping heavy, renewable units, combined with the recent government stimulus package and demand fl uctuations, make initiating strategic partnerships with a local manufacturing facility quite favorable. Advanced fabrication technologies can help develop and replicate proprietary processes that drastically reduce logistics issues, costs, and lead times while reducing the carbon emissions due to the transport of modules and increasing just-in-time delivery capabilities.

A manufacturing partner approach offers an ideal, low-cost, high-quality outsourcing solution for solar companies helping customers to fabricate everything from precision metal components and inverter boxes and enclosures to brackets, frames, and racks components for solar products. Outsourcing to the right manufacturing partner can provide the following benefi ts: make a signifi cant market presence; save in time, effort, infrastructure, and resources; help make the right decisions about product lines; complete large volumes on time; reduce capital and labor costs; overcome operational challenges; and, offer better performance and management, as well as process maturity and scalability.

By manufacturing alternative energy solutions locally, foreign companies adhere to the FIT Programs’ local content requirements, contribute to local economic growth, and provide customers access to many innovative lines of products that are the building blocks for superior solar installations. Ontario’s commitment to feed-in-tariffs enables foreign solar producers to

increase their investment in the industry while establishing a greater customer-base and presence in Canada.

For further information on Ontario’s Feed-In Tariff (FIT) program for renewable energy generation, visit http://fi t.powerauthority.on.ca.

Melitron is a full-service contract manufacturer of precision metal components, industrial enclosures, frames and racks, and integrated assemblies to OEMs in global technology markets.

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The magic word is microFIT and it is part of the new feed-in tariff structure. Solar energy producers operating a photovoltaic installation with a maximum

capacity of 10 kW AC receive 80.2 Canadian cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) pro-duced. This amount is by far not only the highest current tariff arrangement in On-tario, Canada, but it is also the most remarkable—the government is guaranteeing this price for the next 20 years. As a result, investors are certain their projects can-not only withstand all costs, but can also run profi tably for the long term.

The microFit becomes even more interesting because it applies not only to sys-tems located in outdoor premises, but also to those installed on the roof of, say, a farmhouse or an industrial building. However, the manifest goal of the Ontario government is not only to jumpstart green energy with its initiative and provide investors security, but also to change the power supply mix of the country perma-nently and make it “one of the cleanest in North America,” as stated in the feed-in tariff program.

Stimulus for the local economyIn order for the new tariff structure to benefi t the local economy, a signifi cant part of the technology used (and of the added value connected to projects) must be produced or generated in the country. The Domestic Content Compliance of the Ontario Power Authority (OPA) requires at least 40% of the costs of microFIT projects, which operate to the end of 2010, to be generated in the form of products

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and services in Canada. As of January 1st, 2011, the domestic content (DC) or local content rate must be at least 60%. For larger PV projects, the current limit is already at 50%—from 2011, it will also be 60%.

For foreign manufacturers, this means they can only operate on this market and take part in the nascent boom if they shift a signifi cant part of their added value there. What legislators want are manageable projects, which can also be fi nanced and operated by smaller municipalities, agricultural outfi ts, or cooperative societies. As farmers make up the lion’s share, the new tariff struc-ture offers them the best conditions to operate smaller solar installations on their land.

Tracking systems: optimal ROISolar tracking systems play a signifi cant role in cost effi ciency and return on investment (ROI) since sensor-controlled systems demonstrably bring up to 46% more profi t compared to tracking systems with control-based on astronomical data. Additionally, tracked systems offer signifi cantly longer profi t peaks during the course of a day than rigid systems, which deliver peak profi ts only for about two hours around noontime. To approach the limit of 10kW on a sustained basis, rigid systems must be designed for 12kW to 14kW of output. This means investors working with sensor-controlled tracking can reach their desired profi t with much fewer hardware than if they were using rigid systems.

In concrete terms: with the feed-in tariffs guaranteed by the government the return on investment is reached in less than ten years, with rigid systems it would be reached two to four years later.

The weathering resistance of systems used is what is important for installa-tions not only in Canada, but elsewhere. The installations, moveable parts, and motors for tracking must be optimized so that they work fault-free under the harshest weather conditions. Moreover, wind loads appearing in the respective region must be calculated thoroughly and the systems precisely confi gured for these conditions.

Against the backdrop of the new feed-in tariffs, experts esti-mate the market potential in Ontario to be particularly high. Investors in Canada who produce their solar power using sen-sor-controlled tracking can count on returns in the two-digit percentage range—dream values for any investor, especially since they are guaranteed by the new feed-in tariffs.

DEGERenergie, a German manufacturer of solar tracking systems, is working together with Canadian distribution partners, completing an entire substructure of its systems. The pilot study, SunSaver1 Solar Farm, has been running for more than a year in Innerkip, Ontario.

DEGERenergie | www.degerenergie.com

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Pluggable solar solutionsWieland’s ETL certifi ed PST 40i1 connectors provide pluggable connections to most solar PV modules and over-extended cable runs. Featuring a 40A DC capability, these connectors satisfy the trend toward increased input on solar string inverters. Pre-assembled either at the factory or on-site, these connectors feature mate compatibility with industry standard types. The pre-assembled, cut-to-length, over-molded cable assemblies are delivered ready to install. The precision of the termination process and the contacts’ quality help mitigate the possibility of DC arc fault failure. The connector resistance, typically below 1 mohm, minimizes power losses. NEC code requiring a tool to disconnect the PV connection is accom-plished with a clip inserted into the mated connectors. The safety clip is removed using a screwdriver, eliminating the need for a proprietary tool.Wieland Electric Inc. | www.wielandinc.com

High-strength solar bonding tapes MACtac Specialty Products now of-fers a new line of solutions for solar cell assembly with the launch of its SO-LARFAST UV Cure Adhesive System. Designed for concentrating and fl exible solar applications, the new SOLAR-FAST UV Cure Adhesive System high-strength solar bonding tapes (SF-1003 and SF-1005) are designed to withstand a range of environmental conditions where a high-temperature, high-strength bond is required. The bonding tapes feature free fi lm adhesive, which, when UV cured, provides extreme heat resistance, making them a perfect al-ternative to standard UV curable liquid adhesives traditionally used in fl exible solar applications.

MACtac’s SOLARFAST UV Cure Adhesive System includes SF-1003, a 3-mil free fi lm adhesive, and SF-1005, a 5-mil free fi lm adhesive. Both are protected by a two sided, 80# release coated, brown kraft liner. The free fi lm adhesive initially bonds similar to a typi-cal pressure-sensitive adhesive, but the fi nal bond is initiated through UV light. Once cured, the adhesive has extreme heat resistance, low creep and excellent peel. Tested and proven to resist more than 400° Fahrenheit, while maintain-ing a secure bond, the free fi lm adhesive featured on the new high-strength solar bonding tapes is an excellent substitute for liquid or complex cure adhesives and simplifi es the manufacturing process.MACtac Specialty Productswww.mactac.com/technical

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Glass for PV applicationsPPG Industries has introduced Solar-phire NaB glass for solar applications where sodium leaching can adversely affect the performance of solar panels, refl ectors, water heaters, and other devices. The glass is formulated with a transparent barrier coating that re-tards the migration of sodium (Na) and other alkalis to the surface during high-temperature processing or long-term fi eld exposure. Solarphire NaB glass is temperable, highly durable, and suits virtually any solar application because the coating can be used on the fi rst or second surface as needed. The glass is approved for concentrating photovoltaic (CPV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) applications where high in-use temperatures may be encountered.PPG Industrieswww.ppgsolarphire.com

Solar thermal water heating system CIRREX from A. O. Smith is a leap forward in solar thermal water heating and is, quite simply, one of the green-est solutions available to homeowners today. Up to 70% of its energy comes from the sun, not from the power com-pany, which can signifi cantly reduce a homeowner’s utility bill, in addition to helping protect the planet. CIRREX is an all-in-one system, which simplifi es specifi cation and installation for the contractor. Its solar thermal collectors can generate as much energy as tradi-tional photovoltaic solar panels at one-eighth the cost. Tank sizes range from 76 to 120 gallons—and with solar ther-mal technology, a larger tank actually makes the system more energy effi cient and cost-friendly. With a Solar Energy Factor of 2.5, the CIRREX system is ENERGY STAR-qualifi ed and eligible for a federal tax credit of 30% of the en-tire installation cost (no maximum).A. O. Smith Water Products Companywww.hotwater.com

Transfer valve solutionVAT provides a transfer valve solution for vacuum-based thin-fi lm roll coater systems (CIGS, a-Si, CdTe, organic cells, etc.) with its proven 3D MonoVAT sealing technology. The valve is placed between the front chamber in which the feed coil is placed, and the process chamber(s). A second valve is used in the rear chamber where the take-up roll is placed. Once the web is coated the valves are closed onto the foil, the front and rear chambers are vented to atmosphere, the web cut, the coils replaced and connected with the ends of the web while maintaining vacuum and temperature in the center process chamber(s). The result is a signifi cant improvement in system availability; thereby, increasing the throughput. The linear motion 3D sealing technology makes it possible to clamp and seal the web (metal or plastic) without any deformation or damages.VAT, Inc. | www.vatvalve.com

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solar energy

Organic solar cell manufacturing Sono-Tek Corporation has an-nounced a new ultrasonic coating system designed for depositing TCO layers (such as PDOT, P3HT/PCBM and carbon nanotubes) in the manufacture of organic solar cells. The ExactaCoat Inert is a fully inert glovebox integrated with Sono-Tek’s PLC-controlled programmable XYZ ultrasonic coating system. Organic photovoltaic devices (OPVs) offer a low-cost solution to solar cell manu-facturing; however, they have tight environmental constraints required to process TCO layers since they suffer from degradation at ambient condi-tions without protective coatings. So-no-Tek has developed the ExactaCoat Inert system to enable full control of coating deposition, grain structure, fi lm thickness and surface morphol-ogy in an optimal R&D environment. The spray platform is fully integrated with a glovebox chamber capable of <1 ppm oxygen. The system is built for continuous operation with con-stant positive pressure environment using Nitrogen, Argon, or Helium. Other glovebox system features in-clude continuous oxygen monitoring of moisture and oxygen, HEPA fi l-tration, automatic regeneration, and push-button antechamber fi ll. Sono-Tek Corporationwww.sono-tek.com

Sun tracking systemDH Solar announces a new heavy duty sun tracking system. It is a two-axis geared horizon-to-horizon tracking system available in either aluminum or steel frame. It is adjustable to match any manufacturer’s panels. It tracks the arc of the sun au-tomatically adjusting to the seasonal changing arc. Standard system is engineered for 320 square feet of solar panels. Hurricane zone designs available. DH solar is a division of DH Satellite, the largest US producer of horizon-to-horizon large, com-mercial antenna systems. DH Solar | www.dhsolar.net

Contactor combinerSolarBOS has announced its Contactor Com-biner for commercial PV systems. This new product incorporates a 600 VDC load-break contactor into the combiner box, allowing sys-tem operators to remotely disconnect combin-ers under load and de-energize the conductors from the combiners to the inverter. They can also be set to automatically disconnect whenev-er the building loses power or the master system disconnect is thrown (in the event of a fi re or other emergency). The Contactor Combiners are ETL listed to UL-1741 for up to 200 amps and include a “through-the-door” style manual over-ride switch that allows for local operation of the contactor. SolarBOS | www.solarbos.com

Semi-conductor fuse holdersMarathon Special Products has re-leased a new addition to their Fuse Holder offering. The new Semi-Conductor Fuse Holders (FSM Series) accommodate semi-conductor and high-speed specialty fuses that come in various sizes. This new series is UL approved up to 1200 Amps and 1000 Volts. The high-electrical ratings make the Semi-Conductor Fuse Holders ideal for applications such as lithium-ion battery packs, inverters, industrial panels, and other energy storage de-vices. The redesigned Semi-Con-ductor Fuse Holder series includes a new half-inch stud design to increase current ratings from 800A to 1200A. The new design incorporates a high-strength engineering thermoplastic insulator base, which makes these fuse holders ideal for applications exposed to extreme conditions such as shock and vibration. Marathon Special Products www.marathonsp.com



PV & module temperature profi ling systems Datapaq recently introduced three new products in their SolarPaq series for photovoltaic cell and module manufacturers. Datapaq designed the innovative SolarPaq systems to pro-vide temperature-profi ling solutions for the contact fi ring, anti-refl ective coating, and lamination processes. These operations are all key to the quality and performance of the fi nal PV cell and module. The SolarPaq system travels through the furnace or thermal process, measuring a time temperature profi le directly from the product.

The SolarPaq Anti-refl ective Coating System provides tempera-ture profi les from the solar cells as they pass through the silver nitride coating process. This is typically conducted using a plasma sputtering process and users can now monitor the cell temperature profi le, even with the plasma energized. The So-larPaq Contact Firing Cell Clamp is paired with custom-designed ther-mocouple probes to ensure accurate and repeatable measurements—the foundation for any process opti-mization. The SolarPaq Vacuum Lamination System is used to profi le the fi nal assembly stage of the solar modules. An all-new thermal bar-rier ensures that the data logger is protected from not only the heat of the lamination process, but also from the external pressure that is applied. A unique external barrier frame eliminates the risk of any stress points being created on the vacuum membrane.Datapaq | www.datapaq.com

Residential PV solar system installation Canadian Solar recently announced its NewEdge solar panels, compatible with the new Zep roof-mounting System, as well as several other existing mounting systems. The NewEdge panels provide one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to install PV solar systems on residential roofs. The panels are the fi rst of their kind to be equipped with special “Zep Grooves” that allow them to lock into ZepSolar’s state-of the-art, rail-free, auto-grounding Zep System. The Zep System could slash solar installation costs in half and the time installers spend on a roof by as much as 75%, yielding signifi cant fi nancial, labor and per-formance improvements with the NewEdge modules when compared to traditional roof-mounted solar systems. Canadian Solar | www.canadian-solar.com/en/products/newedge-modules



solar energy

Solar tracking function block WAGO Corporation’s free Solar Tracking Function Block integrates into the WAGO-I/O-SYSTEM to control active photovoltaic panels. The Solar Tracking Function Block enables WAGO components to align PV panels directly with the sun, increasing energy production by up to 30% over fi xed PV panels. WAGO’s Solar Tracking Function Block calculates the sun’s relative position by using a PV’s geographic location, standard/daylight status, and current time/date. The algorithm then employs celestial-based events to output the sun’s elevation and azimuth for accurate, day-long solar tracking. The Solar Tracking Function Block is compatible with WAGO’s Real-Time Clock Module, Servo Stepper Controller (control solar tracking motors), DC current Sensor (measurement up to 80A), and Wireless Blue-tooth RF-Transceiver (decentralized, wireless data exchange). WAGO Corporation | www.wago.us

PV panel performance Chroma offers a new Solar Application Software, which provides out-of-the-box I-V curve data and maximum power point tracking capabilities using the company’s 63600 DC Electronic Loads. An intuitive GUI enables recording and analysis of a module’s electrical characteristics and output behavior without confi guring any hardware. This software reports valuable information from early signs of degrada-tion that develops over the course of the PV module’s life. Chroma’s Solar Applica-tion Soft Panel takes full advantage of DMM like measurement accuracy and multi-power ranges found in their DC Loads, providing the right dose of portability and power. The Maximum Power Point Tracking (MPPT) capability keeps the PV module operating at maximum effi ciency. Analyzing a PV module’s ability to output maximum available power over time in various climate conditions presents excellent design feedback, contributing to essential product improvements. Chroma | www.chromausa.com

Modifi ed sine wave inverters SAM Series low interference, high-effi ciency, modifi ed sine wave DC-AC inverters convert 12 VDC to 115 VAC at an output frequency of 60 Hz. Cost effective and powerful, SAM Series power inverter models range from 100 to 3000 Watts. All SAM Series Power Inverters are ETL Safety Listed. As a bo-nus feature, SAM-100-12, SAM-250-12, SAM-450-12, and SAM-800-12 each come with a USB charging port.Samlex Solar | www.samlexamerica.com

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Solar module for large-scale projectsSOLON SE has developed the SOLON Black 220/16 including a service package for large-scale projects, thereby, providing a module that is a safe and highly profi table invest-ment. The offering combines a module in the proven SOLON quality, which has been confi rmed through accredited tests and certifi cations, with punctual delivery directly to the project construction site. This product has been carefully designed for the industry branch and is manufactured using high-capacity cells, 4 mm tempered high-security glass, and the SOLON-specifi c module frame with hollow-chamber profi le for extra stability. The SOLON Black 220/16 measures 1640 x 1000 mm and consists of 60 monocrystalline cells. It attains a maximum peak power of 235 watts, which is the equivalent of an effi cien-cy level of 14.33%. The module, which weighs 22 kg, comes with a fi ve-year warranty. SOLON SE | www.solon.com



Reducing Capital Expenditures

for On-site Renewable EnergyBy Andrea Thomas & Paul Shmotolokha

Renewable energy use in the United States is growing rapidly due to a combination of environmental, economic, and political drivers. However, renewable sources

still represent only a small fraction of the overall energy supply, mainly due to the high cost of related technologies in comparison to more conventional sources.

Although the potential for Federal and state incentives may ease some of the initial capital expenses, there is another method by which companies can actively decrease the high cost of on-site renewable energy projects. By reducing operational energy demands upfront through energy effi cient technologies and practices, for instance, companies can choose more affordable systems to cover their energy demands—thereby, making the proposition of using renewables all the more effective.

Energy 4 policy favors clean energy Federal and state governments are offering various incentives, rebates, and tax credits to encourage investment in energy effi ciency and renewable energy projects. Most notably, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 designated $4 billion dollars in Federal renewable energy loan guarantees and $16.8 billion dollars for energy effi ciency and renewables. Most of this funding is realized in the form of Federal tax credits, which greatly help to offset the costs of on-site renewable projects for private business.

Federal funding from the Reinvestment Act pushed the US solar industry to grow its revenue by 36%, boost its installations by 5%, and increase total electrical capacity by more than two gigawatts in 2009. Energy effi ciency incentives include the Federal En-ergy Effi cient Commercial Buildings Tax Deduction, in addition to hundreds of utility sponsored programs geared toward lighting and HVAC retrofi ts. Businesses should seri-ously consider taking advantage of these cost-saving measures to increase the payback period on their investment.

Federal funding stimulates energy in private sectorPrivate sector companies seeing the advantages of on-site renewable energy have ben-efi ted from these incentives. For example, in early April 2010, PepsiCo. decided to put a halt to its purchase of Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) and, instead, invest in upwards of $30 million in renewable energy projects at its facilities across the country. PepsiCo. cites innovation in technology and changes in incentives as the reason behind this in-vestment decision. Another example of private business interest in on-site renewable en-ergy is Cox Enterprises, a cable TV provider. As part of “Cox Conserves” program that began in 2007, the company has installed nine photovoltaic solar arrays, and intends to reduce the company’s carbon footprint by 20% throughout the next decade. It was only after Cox Enterprises initiated several years of energy effi ciency improvements to lower energy loads did it decide to install on-site renewable energy projects.

Rising energy costs support operational effi ciencyHistorically, US companies have enjoyed relatively low energy costs. During this time, concerns about facility or operational effi ciency were rare. Over the last decade, how-ever, concerns about improving energy effi ciency have increased along with the price of oil and natural gas. Regionally speaking, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) expects utility rates to increase as the price for oil and natural gas continue to rise from 2009 to 2035. If greenhouse gas (GHG) legislation should come into play, EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2009 estimates that utility rates under a GHG policy would be 22% higher in 2030 than in a “business-as-usual” case.

As utility rates increase, companies have a greater incentive to adopt energy saving technologies and behaviors to save money. Unfortunately, there is a perception that energy conservation projects in commercial and industrial facilities are expensive and present a long-awaited return on investment. On the contrary, many effi ciency gains with a short-term ROI can be achieved with little or no capital investment. By evaluat-ing the baseline energy consumption patterns of a plant or network, companies can start to identify signifi cant savings opportunities.

Energy effi ciency consulting Energy effi ciency and sustainability consultancies can help to facilitate cost-saving op-portunities by working closely with clients to identify, develop, and implement energy effi ciency, carbon abatement, and sustainability solutions to better achieve operational excellence. Teams of effi ciency experts conduct survey audits of facilities and network servers to analyze a company’s current energy profi le. Throughout the audit process, the consultancy can identify the areas within a client’s operations that are the biggest energy wasters and provide recommendations that work within their business model, corporate

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planning methodology, and capital strategy to help meet energy goals. Creating an opti-mal solution is achieved by combining technical energy effi ciency audits and behavioral change programs.

Energy effi ciency measures maximize investment Despite the Federal incentives and tax credits available, on-site renewable energy sys-tems remain inherently capital intensive—lowering overall consumption signifi cantly reduces the upfront capital expenditures in the form of a smaller renewable energy system to cover energy demands. Consulting services can help identify areas that create visible energy cost savings. While energy effi ciency and renewable energy projects can both reduce operating expenses and minimize risk against volatile utility prices, compa-nies should prioritize effi ciency measures to produce less costly returns on investment.

Andrea Thomas is the carbon & energy analyst, while Paul Shmotolokha is the president of Coppervale Enterprises Inc.

Coppervale Enterprises Inc. | www.coppervale.org



wind energy

While onshore wind farms have mushroomed in the US in recent years, with generating capacity growing from over 16,800 MW in 2007 to over 35,000

MW by the end of 2009, offshore wind has met with numerous challenges. These range from technological and regulatory concerns to marine environment and “not-in-my-back-yard” issues. These challenges make capital expenditure per MW of capacity of offshore wind considerably higher than that for onshore wind. Nev-ertheless, once in place, offshore wind farms offer several advantages over onshore installations. Not only is the wind at sea stronger and more consistent, but the tur-bines can be sited closer to key urban centers along the coasts, allowing for easier connection to main load hubs.

The introduction of the Carper-Snowe-Brown-Collins offshore wind bill in early March 2010 is an important, but delayed, recognition of the importance of offshore wind to urban America’s energy needs. The bill recognizes the long lead times re-quired to permit and construct offshore wind projects and proposes to extend the ITC and PTC for offshore wind till 2020.

Current federal incentives that use a blanket approach to stimulate the whole gamut of renewable energy solutions have not led to the construction of a single offshore wind farm in the United States. The main impediments to offshore wind have been high capital cost requirements, regulatory issues and a backlash from local communities, and current federal incentives have failed to do enough to com-pensate for such diffi culties. In the EU, where the particular challenges of offshore wind have been recognized, special incentive schemes to account for the higher initial costs of offshore wind farms have been put in place. If the US is serious about tapping into offshore wind resources, it could benefi t from examining the tailored support structures found in Europe. A tailored approach to offshore wind is impera-tive because of the long lead times required to permit and construct wind turbines offshore, compared to onshore.

While current federal incentives have been vital to securing private fi nance for US renewable energy assets, these incentives also add complexity to the fi nancing structure because they typically require the involvement of a third party for developers to benefi t from the incentive. For example, if a developer wants to monetize tax-credits, an equity investor is needed with a tax-base that is large enough to utilize the credits, and a fl ip, sale-leaseback or other structure has to be put in place to ensure appropriate allocation of the revenue streams. This typically means that more parties need to be involved at an early stage of the project’s development and structuring.

When capital markets are tight, it can be diffi cult to get the necessary parties on board for offshore wind structures when other renewable energy projects can offer a higher risk-adjusted return. Yet, offshore wind remains an integral component of an effective energy supply mix, with its key advantage of producing energy close to large population centers along the coasts. The US DOE estimates that wind resources along the US Ocean and Great Lake coasts could provide 900,000 MW of electricity, an amount almost equivalent to the nation’s current total installed capacity.

Tailored incentives offered in the EU resulted in 577 MW of added offshore wind capacity in 2009, and there are plans to add another 1,000 MW in 2010. The main incentives consist of:1. Feed-in Tariffs: Offshore wind farms can sell their power at a higher electricity

rate than onshore facilities, as depicted in the comparison presented in Table 1. In the US, it can be challenging to receive an elevated tariff, for a variety of rea-sons. In fact, the 24.4 cents per kWh tariff negotiated by Deepwater Wind, with off-taker National Grid, was ruled too high by the Public Utility Commission of Rhode Island, where the project is scheduled to be built. Such tariffs themselves are an exception, rather than the rule, in the US. While feed-in tariffs are slowly being adopted on a state and local level, a national feed-in tariff program has not been implemented to date.

Table 1: National support schemes in key offshore wind markets

2. National Institutions: National fi nancial institutions often supply funding in the form of concessional loans. German offshore projects have benefi tted from loans provided by government-owned KfW Bankengruppe, while the UK re-cently established a US$3 billion Green Investment Bank.

3. E.U. Funding: The European Investment Bank (EIB) has provided signifi cant support for recent projects, and the European Commission’s European Eco-nomic Recovery Plan allocated US$565 million to offshore wind facilities in December 2009.

4. Investment in Infrastructure: Governmental agencies on both the national—and EU-level support the addition of sub-sea transmission lines. The fact that the lines can be used for power-transmission between countries (for example, the Netherlands and the UK), and not just between a wind farm and the shore, en-hances the viability of offshore wind investments.

Besides offering higher fi nancial incentives per kWh or per installed MW of capac-ity for offshore wind, compared to other types of renewable energy, these incentive structures typically feed directly into the project making the fi nancial structure more similar to that of a conventional project fi nancing, an important point to relatively complex and capital intensive offshore wind projects. This has reportedly been a key contributor to the growth of offshore wind farms in countries such as Denmark, the United Kingdom, and Germany. The explosive growth in offshore wind in the UK and Germany is depicted in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Off- and near-shore wind farms in EuropeData Source: Wind Service Holland

Most forms of utility scale renewable power would not be cost effective without gov-ernment incentives. As the US moves toward the goal of sourcing its needs from an intelligent “energy supply mix,” harnessing the winds of coastal America must be

on the agenda. Europe has already set the stage by developing effective policy alter-natives to support offshore wind. The US is in a unique position to cherry-pick the most promising approach.

Shamshek Asad is the head of research and Bram de Roos, analyst at Taylor-Dejongh.

Taylor-Dejongh | www.taylor-dejongh.com

Government Support for Offshore WindWhat can the US learn from Europe?By Shamshek Asad

Country Onshore Offshore

Belgium Between €50/MWh (federal) and €80/MWh (Flanders)

€90/MWh for 10 years

Denmark Market price plus €13/MWh premium

Tender system used to establish tariff

France €82/MWh for 10 years, €28- €82/MWh for the next 5 years

€130/MWh for 10 years, €30-130/MWh for next 10 years

Germany €83.6/MWh for 5 years, €52.8/MWh for next 15 years

€91/MWh for 12 years, €61.9/MWh for next 8 years

Netherlands €68/MWh for 15 years Tender system used to establish tariff

UK Renewable Portfolio Standards with tradable green certifi cates, which traded around €55/MWh in March 2010 (effectively a premium on top of electricity prices)


Her grandparents got their energy from coal. Her parents get their energy from natural gas. Where will she get her energy from? The answer may very well come from Iowa. We’re leading the race to become the renewable energy capital of the nation, with our rich agricultural heritage and legacy of manufacturing excellence. Combine that with Iowa having the lowest cost of doing business in the United States* and it’s no wonder more alternative energy firms are moving here. See more of how Iowa’s economy is changing lives

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wind energy

Energy infrastructure development inherently has elements of uncertainty. The challenge is

to reduce the level of ambiguity and manage the residual risk to expedite the siting and permitting process. Offshore wind development in the United States—not quite in its infancy but certainly not as mature as onshore projects—faces a host of uncer-tainties that continue to hinder its full potential as a useful renewable resource for power generation.

The changes and evolution in the US environ-mental review process for offshore projects have helped, but more progress is needed for offshore wind projects to develop momentum. Just as a clearly defi ned regulatory path is imperative for onshore wind development (i.e. a clear statement of requirements that, if achieved, will result in project approval), offshore development needs the same certainty if it is to help meet near-term Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) requirements and long-term goals for energy independence. The promulgation of rules specifying the role and responsibility of the US Minerals Management Service (MMS) has helped clarify development in federal waters. However, development in state waters is not exempt from federal environmental permitting requirements, which could stall state ef-forts to advance offshore development.

Some states have taken signifi cant steps to re-duce regulatory ambiguity for onshore develop-ment. There are opportunities to take these and other lessons learned from onshore development and apply them in the offshore arena. Doing so would facilitate the installation of current tech-nology and encourage the development of new systems.

Among the efforts to encourage onshore wind development, three approaches stand out: 1. The use of zoning to reduce or eliminate uncer-

tainties in environmental permitting; 2. Directly sharing project benefi ts through pay-

ments to individuals that extend beyond land-owner lease agreements; and

3. Innovative collaboration, which has led to clearly specifi ed regulatory requirements. A re-cent study done for the Commonwealth of Mas-sachusetts showed that eight northeastern states produced a measureable effect in encouraging development of onshore wind by adopting some or all of these principles.

Zoning is crucialThe presence or absence of zoning, especially local wind ordinances, was repeatedly found to infl uence the location of wind projects. Developers noted they did not want to try to develop where they were not wanted. Zoning that addresses some of the issues associated with wind (height, setbacks, noise limits, etc.) provides a clear indication of a community’s interest in, and appetite for, wind projects. As the industry has developed, commu-nities seeking to adopt a wind ordinance have an increasing body of reference material available to assist them in developing local requirements.

The American Wind Energy Association website (www.awea.org) is one good source for an effective “model” ordinance.

Although zoning is a widely accepted tool for managing land-based development, it is only rarely applied in offshore areas. With the exception of Texas, the east coast of the US is the main focus of current offshore development. Waters off the west coast are generally too deep for both current and near-term future technologies. Due to their favorable geology, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and New Jersey have been identifi ed as the fi rst states likely to actually realize offshore development (Wissemann; August 2009). The southeastern states have a price structure that does not currently put them in the forefront of developer interest, although each state has its own utility, university, or state agency led offshore wind initiative.

Of the states expected to be among the fi rst to have offshore wind development, only Rhode Island has anything that approaches zoning in off-shore areas. For some time, the state has had a pro-gram that identifi es different types of waters and specifi es allowable and prohibited uses for each. These include “Conservation Areas,” where all de-velopment is prohibited, as well as Types 1 through 5 that have various uses, including: • Low intensity; • High-intensity boating; • Multipurpose; • Commercial and recreational harbors; and • Industrial waterfronts and commercial naviga-

tional channels.

Rhode Island’s current efforts to review these use designations through development of a new “Spe-cial Area Management Plan” most nearly models the onshore analogy. Its progress toward designat-ing areas for offshore wind development is a con-tinuation of the state’s tradition of zoning offshore waters effectively. By most any standard, RI is the farthest along in seeing offshore development real-ized. Its leadership role is reinforced by an MMS commitment, as stated in presentations related to its recent regulations, to work fi rst with RI in forming a state-federal task force to coordinate offshore wind development efforts.

Sharing project benefi tsDebates over onshore wind development too often dissolve into discussions about which landowner will host, and benefi t from, a proposed project ver-sus who won’t profi t fi nancially but will bear the impacts of an altered view shed, disruptions in traf-fi c, or potential noise. Some onshore developers have recognized the importance of sharing costs and benefi ts as widely as possible. In addition to agreements with landowners to construct a turbine on their property, they also enter into easement agreements. One developer has referred to his company’s benefi ts-sharing practice as its “Good Neighbor Policy.”

Regulatory Uncertainty Hindering Offshore Wind Development By Patricia Fleischauer

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wind energy

The importance of broadly sharing offshore development benefi ts with numer-ous interests, including municipalities, was recognized recently in a meeting of the Maine Ocean Energy Task Force. The MMS has already addressed this need to share benefi ts through a specifi c formula included in its new regulations issued in April 2009 (Renewable Energy and Alternate Uses of Existing Facilities on the Outer Continental Shelf). The formula calculates—based on distance from the project site—the revenues from wind farm operating fees that will be shared with communities where new transmission lines come ashore.

Collaboration neededThe need for defi nitive requirements and a clear delineation of each government agency’s jurisdiction and authority are at the heart of onshore development. Penn-sylvania has addressed this challenge with an interesting approach. Early on, when the state wanted to encourage wind development, it established a “wind collabora-tive.” While many states have various collaborative efforts underway, the PA wind collaborative stands out for its many and varied participants including developers, state agencies and, perhaps as importantly, federal agencies.

The collaborative has produced a model wind ordinance for communities to use as a template. The group has also prepared protocols addressing the requirements for avian studies to address one of the resources most sensitive to wind develop-ment. Developers who sign on to the collaborative can use these protocols knowing they have been developed jointly by the responsible state and federal agencies.

In the offshore arena, regulatory collaboration is occurring, but it is bilateral (i.e. Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and other states working individually with the MMS). The Pennsylvania model suggests a wider collaborative effort could help advance offshore development. Nationally, the US Offshore Wind Collaborative was formed in 2004 for the very purpose of promoting offshore wind development. Though membership is open to any public or private entity that supports the mission of the offshore collaborative, to date membership has been limited.

The collaborative has produced a number of useful technical papers and provided roadmaps of what should be done to foster offshore development. The October 2009 working paper entitled “US Offshore Wind Energy: A Path Forward” pro-vides a useful summary of the role of the MMS in offshore wind development and

the projects underway in several coastal states. However, it draws no distinction be-tween development in federal versus state waters and is silent on the importance of the US Army Corps of Engineers to offshore wind development in both locales.

Permitting changes neededThe MMS has published rules that, although not fully tested, present a roadmap for offshore development in federal waters. But, as recent discussions and reviews of efforts by several states for development within their own waters make clear, US Army Corps of Engineers requirements remain a hurdle for all involved. Lacking a special permit program for demonstration projects, such as that of the Federal Energy Regulation Commission (FERC) for ocean energy projects, the Corps’ tra-ditional permitting process will generally be lengthier than what is anticipated by state programs.

More importantly, states’ efforts to help spur offshore development through expedited permitting will be fruitless unless the Corps process (and that of other federal permitting entities) is similarly focused. This may include requirements such as those used by the FERC where projects must be of limited size, be remov-able, and be easy to shut down. The goal of FERC pilot project-licensing is to allow for project installation, environmental testing, and operation as soon as possible to demonstrate technologies and answer the environmental questions that will allow full-scale development to proceed. Each agency’s obligations are different, and any solutions to technology advancement would similarly be different. Clearly, a tra-ditional approach to permitting is not fostering offshore wind development. If the nation is serious about harnessing wind energy to help meet renewable portfolio standards, a solution to the permitting conundrum is imperative to facilitate the de-velopment of sorely needed demonstration projects in state waters.

Patricia Fleischauer is the vice president of TRC Solutions.

TRC is a national environmental engineering and consulting fi rm based in Lowell, Massachusetts.

TRC Solutions | www.trcsolutions.com

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wind energy

A turbine control anemometer acts as the eyes and ears of any wind turbine. Turbine con-trol and project SCADA systems rely on this relatively small component to direct the

turbine into the prevailing wind for optimal effi ciency. Winter in the northern latitudes is a windy time and can also be a stressful time for many turbine operators. Unfortunately, atmos-pheric icing conditions can frequently occur in such locations. A wind turbine anemometer cups or ultrasonic sensors can freeze over, stopping all data transmission to the turbine con-trols, bringing operation to a halt.

It is critical that a wind turbine ceace operation if communication with the anemometer is interrupted. If a turbine continues to operate when it is not pointed into the wind, the shear across the turbine blades can cause damaging mechanical strain on the machine. Any power produced during the time before a turbine shuts down for a met failure is not recorded by the SCADA control system. This means decreased wind farm reliability and signifi cant lost profi ts for owners and utilities.

“Icing events are not only bad for the owner. They are a nightmare for the utility,” according to one large Colorado utiliy representative. “With more wind than ever feeding into the grid, this is true now more than ever.” The industry’s eyes are turning to sensor reliablity as linked to project reliability.

The end of 2009 brought increased interest in offshore wind development in the United States. Over 700 people were in attendance at the American Wind Energy Association workshop on off-shore development last December to discuss the exciting challenges ahead for the North American wind industry in offshore wind development anemometers—both for assessment and turbine control, they are an essential part of the offshore equation. Anemometers positioned on turbines offshore are exposed not only to extreme icing, but also to highly corrosive salt water. For this rea-son, it is critical that anemometers chosen for offshore use are not only heated, but are also built of a non-corrosive material and extensively tested to perform in such an environment.

Annodized aluminum is an example of a common construction material to fi nd when procur-ing turbine control anemometers. Leaving a natural fi nish on an allumium alloy will also pre-vent corrosion. A common lab test for corrosion, which is said to simulate offshore conditions, is the MIL-STD-810 Method 509.3 corrosion chamber test.

Many turbine manufacturers also offer cold weather packages to accommodate for wind tur-bine projects operating in colder environments. Available in either ultrasonic or cup style, there are a handful of cold weather products on the market. Wind industry accumulative knowledge and fi eld experience have demonstrated few are without some problems. Due to increased concern and awareness of icing issues both offshore and on land, there is some movement away from the traditional cup and vane anemometers over to ultrasonic technology. Ultrasonic ane-mometers are generally preferred for turbine control because of their maintenance-free opera-tion and longer life cycles but, until recently, they have been a second choice of wind profi lers. This is primiarily due to the percieved high cost. Because ultrasonic sensors have no moving parts, they cost less to maintain and have longer life cycles than traditional cup and vane sen-sors. Future ultrasonic anemometers with intelligent interfaces will deliver added values such as electronic compasses and barometric pressure sensors.

In 2005, all Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS) in the US switched over to ultrasonic wind speed and directional sensors. ASOS systems serve as the nation‘s primary sur-face weather observing network. Wind developers will often use ASOS wind data as reference data when determining the feasibility of a project site.

In today’s uncertain economy and competitive industry climate, downtime due to met fail-ure is not an option for any project owner. To assure customers of reliable project life, turbine manufacturers are requiring rigorous lab fi eld testing prior to accepting a new brand of an-emometer into its supply chain. An example of a lab test is a freezing rain simulation test, which is meant to simulate environmental conditions during extreme icing. The MIL-STD-810F , Method 521.2 test is the accepted test for ice-free operation. This test requires a certain chain of events that simulate extreme icing conditions in the fi eld. The test begins with a one-hour cold soak followed by thirty minutes of high wind within a sealed chamber. Over the next three hours, the chamber temperature is reduced to 1.4° C while the sensor is hit with cold water through a wind tunnel at approximately 14m/s. This ‘icing test,’ or any similar testing proceed-ure, will help identify the most durable turbine anemometers.

In environments where extreme icing is present, a higher power heater is required. Sources vary on exactly what that power level must be, but somewhere over 220W appears to be suffi -cent. Most importantly, a sensor must be tested in the fi eld before it is installed for turbine op-erational control. The MIL-STD-810F test is a common and accepted standard for simulation of wind turbine fi eld conditions.

Winter fi eld testing is completed by most turbine manufacturers before they can accept and integrate a new anemometer. The lab cannot tell you everything. A winter day in the midwest can be quite unpredictable. Hoarfrost off the coast of Rhode Island or ice rime near Lake On-tario simply cannot be simulated in the lab. Manufacturers typically spend up to a year review-ing and testing new equipment. Other tests that are common for anemometers are the IEC 60945 vibration analysis test and the MIL-STD-810, Method 509.3 corrosion test.

Turbine downtime due to inclement weather need not be a concern on the long worry list of a project owner. The coming offshore market can learn from the experiences of onshore developers, as well. An anemometer with a powerful enough heater that has performed and tested well in the lab and fi eld will be an effective eyes and brain of any turbine, no matter if it is installed in Palm Springs or Idaho Falls.

Ann T Pattison is the director of business development for Lufft in the United States.

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wind energy

Over the last several years, the wind power sector has experienced a steep learn-ing curve associated with evolving regulations, political perspectives, and public

concerns. Evolving and regionally specifi c guidelines, combined with the timeframe required from initiation of a wind farm project to operation, create an assortment of

issues for wind farm developers. Geographic Information System (GIS) is one tool that has the capability and functionality to handle the dynamic nature of wind farm projects.

There are a diverse array of factors that infl uence the feasibility, layout, and approach to the construction of a wind farm. In conjunction with these factors, differences in

guidelines pose a challenging task for wind developers to assess the implications on project feasibility or layout. A number of wind developers have incorporated GIS to solve the complex and potentially evolving characteristics of the design and approvals landscape.

GIS is typically used by wind developers for its simple mapping and layering capa-bility. As data is added and manipulated, and guidelines are altered for a project, a GIS can quickly provide visual results to the client. A quick call from the fi eld or boardroom can be translated into a series of maps, analysis, and reports that can provide time-sensitive information to a wind developer. This assessment can help identify the ripple effect of small changes to the wind power project on a wide range of aspects such as land leases, wind values, environmental and social impacts, con-struction costs, return on investment and, ultimately, project feasibility.

GIS can be used throughout the life of a wind power project. During the begin-ning stages of development, it can be used to evaluate a wide range of scenarios con-sidering wind values, leased land distribu-tions, as well as environmental, visual, and noise implications. For example, depending on the landscape, constraints surrounding environmental features such as streams, wetlands, or woodlots, can account for a large percentage of exist-ing leased land becoming unusable. In other landscapes, setbacks from property boundaries or settlements can have an equally signifi cant impact. These implica-tions can vary widely, making a GIS a val-uable tool in assessing initial project feasi-bility, the need for additional land leases, and the proper placement of turbines.

GIS can also illustrate the inter-connec-tions between project components and the need for further detailed assessments such as environmental and noise assessments. Per-haps the best example of the effectiveness of a Geographic Information System dur-

Geographic Information Systems andWind Farm DevelopmentBy Shawn MacDonald

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ing the development of a wind farm is from cases where the tool was not used—there are a number of projects where limitations arose and certain decisions were made prior to analysis taking place. Through the ensu-ing year of process and study refi nements, a range of factors were found to infl uence the yield of the project to the point where half as many turbines as initially planned were installed. Conversely, when a GIS has been used throughout the entire developmental process, turbine layouts and other project components have been adjusted as new data became available and impacts became apparent to the developer. In other words, mistakes were avoided and the appropriate action was taken to ensure few, if any, tur-bines were lost to feature constraints.

Through the Environmental Assess-ment (EA) process, biologists at Natural Resource Solutions Inc. (NRSI) gather a range of data on the environment within the wind farm study area. Information on the vegetation types, habitat, and species found in the area are collected and brought into a GIS to illustrate these environmental features in relation to the proposed project. This information, along with the data col-lected for wind, noise, soils, and shadow fl icker, as well as any government guide-lines, can impact proposed turbine layouts, access roads, and cabling routes. For in-stance, potential access road layouts, which connect the main road to the base of the turbine, are often initially designed with effi ciency and cost in mind. In some cases, lack of information can have access roads cutting through woodlots or creeks. By overlaying fi eld data with these proposed roads in GIS, the developer can easily de-cide how to design these layouts with cost, effi ciency, and natural features in mind.

Recently, wind power projects in On-tario, Canada have been challenged by the Ministry of Environment’s revision to the noise setbacks for residential build-ings to 550 meters from 400 meters. With completed digital receptor surveys in a number of projects, it was possible to provide guidance to the developer as to which proposed turbines were at risk, which land leases were valuable, and what other lands may be considered for project expansion. This capability is invaluable to a wind developer when time and expand-ing costs are an enormous factor in the completion and overall success of a wind farm project.

Wind farm projects can range from less than ten turbines to hundreds of turbines. When taking into consideration all the analysis, planning, construction, post-construction monitoring, and reporting that takes place, projects can cost millions to hundreds of mil-lions of dollars. With projects this size, a company needs to make informed, quick, and cost-effective decisions. A GIS can be an ef-fective decision support tool, guiding the wind developer in which direction their project should proceed.

Shawn MacDonald is a GIS Analyst II for Natural Resource Solutions Inc.

Natural Resource Solutions Inc. | www.nrsi.on.ca



wind energy

Transformer requirements change dramatically based

on the application and the load. Several factors must be evaluated carefully during a selection proc-ess to make sure the unit selected meets the needs of both these pri-mary concerns. The load type, the primary voltage, and the second-ary voltage that might be required by load equipment are key factors. Other important factors include the frequency in Hz and phase

(whether single or three-phase), and the kVa load, factoring in possible increases. Fi-nally, the choice also depends upon whether the transformer is outdoors and, therefore, affected by weather and temperature changes.

Transformer requirements change depending upon the application. Take the example of wind energy, where output varies greatly at different times. Transformers used here must be able to withstand surges without failure. Another example might be a utility substation, where transformer reliability makes the difference between a neighborhood that has power and one in the dark.

Making the right choice involves asking the right questions. For each transformer or unit considered, particularly for wind turbines, it is important to ask the following:• Does the unit have enough capacity to handle the expected load, as well as a certain

amount of overload?

• Can the unit’s capacity be augmented to keep up with a possible future increase in load?

• What is the unit’s life expectancy?• What are the initial, installation, operational, and maintenance costs?

Transformer type & materialThe key available transformer types are liquid-fi lled and dry-type insulation, and there is room for debate on which is better. Generally accepted performance characteristics indicate that liquid-fi lled transformers are more effi cient, have greater overload capacity, and longer life expectancy. They are better at reducing hot-spot coil temperatures, but have a greater risk of fl ammability than dry-types. Unlike dry-type units, liquid-fi lled units sometimes require containment troughs to guard against fl uid leaks. Dry type units are usually used for lower ratings (the changeover point is considered to be 500kVA to 2.5MVA). Higher-capacity transformers, used outdoors, are almost always liquid-fi lled.

The choice of the fi ller in liquid-fi lled transformers is usually based on the trans-former’s temperature rating, the coils’ mechanical strength, dielectric strength of the insulation, expansion rate of the conductors under various loads, and the insulation sys-tem’s resistance to thermal shock. Using fl uid both as an insulating and a cooling medi-um, liquid-fi lled transformers have rectangular or cylindrical forms when constructing the windings. Spacers are used between the layers of windings to allow the fl uid to fl ow and cool the windings and core. Within the sealed tank that holds both core and coils, the fl uid fl ows through ducts and around coil ends, with the main heat exchange taking place in external elliptical tubes. For transformers rated over 5 MVA, radiators (headers on the top and bottom) are used for additional heat transfer. Modern paper insulation in liquid-fi lled units allows a 65°C average winding temperature rise.

How to Choose a Substation TransformerAsking the right questionsBy Tom Steeber

50_Equipment_Express.eps 1 9/2/09 8:29 AM



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Transformers use copper or aluminum for windings. Aluminum-wound units are typically less expensive and are usually the most cost-effective. Copper-wound transformers, however, are smaller, since copper is a better conductor, and copper also contributes to the coil’s greater mechanical strength. Core choice is also a cru-cial consideration, and core losses should be determined properly. Losses that occur in the core are due to hysteresis and eddy currents. High-quality magnetic steel should be used so that hysteresis losses are reduced; laminated cores are chosen to minimize eddy current losses.

Protection from harsh conditionsIt is important to ensure that transformer core, coils, leads, and accessories are properly protected, especially when used in harsh environments. Liquid-fi lled trans-formers should be of sealed-type construction, automatically providing protection for the internal components. For highly corrosive conditions, consider the use of stainless steel tanks. Liquid-fi lled transformers generally use porcelain insulators, which are available in voltage ratings exceeding 500kV.

Transformers, when connected to a utility system, are dependent upon utility volt-age; when utility operations change or new loads are connected to their lines, the incoming voltage to the facility may either decrease or increase. To compensate for such voltage changes, transformers are often built with load tap changers (LTCs), or sometimes, no-load tap changers (NLTCs). These devices consist of taps or leads connected to either the primary or secondary coils at different locations to supply a constant voltage from the secondary coils to the load under varying conditions.

Transformer life expectancyA transformer’s useful life is generally considered to be the same as that of its insula-tion system. Insulation life, in turn, is directly proportional to the temperatures the insulation experiences. Transformers typically have a ‘nameplate’ kVA rating, which represents the amount of kVA loading that will result in the rated temperature rise under ‘standard operating conditions.’ One can estimate a normal transformer life expectancy by using these standard operating conditions, including the accepted hot-spot temperature with the correct insulation class.

It is crucial to determine how much overloading a unit can withstand without developing problems or faults. A primary issue is heat dissipation. For example, if a transformer is overloaded to a factor of 20% above its rated kVA for a certain pe-riod of time, any heat developed in the coils may be easily transferred to the outside of the transformer tank, depending on the period of overload. If this heat transfer occurs, the chances of a fault occurring are small. Heat can start to build up inter-nally within the unit and cause serious problems, leading eventually to a fault and a possible power outage. Heat dissipation issues are often addressed with built-in fans, which augment the transformer’s load capability.

The transformer’s insulation level is based on its basic impulse level (BIL), de-fi ned as the maximum peak voltage that a piece of equipment can withstand before insulation breaks down and the equipment shorts out. The BIL can vary for a given system voltage, depending upon the amount of exposure to system over-voltages a transformer might encounter over its lifecycle. The selection of BIL must be done especially carefully if the electrical system includes solid-state controls, because such controls chop the current when operating, and may cause voltage transients.

A transformer’s ability to attenuate electrical noise and transients is another im-portant consideration. A shield is frequently placed between a distribution trans-former’s primary and secondary coils. Minimizing the distance between the unit and the principal load reduces energy loss and voltage drops, and brings down the cost of secondary cabling. However, any placement of high-voltage equipment re-quires close scrutiny of electrical and fi re safety issues, and a suitable balance can be achieved by using units that are pre-approved or permitted by insurance compa-nies. Be sure to work with a manufacturer that can match the transformer operat-ing characteristics, size, and other attributes with the needs determined during the evaluation process.

Tom Steeber is the vice president of marketing and sales for Pacifi c Crest Transformer.

Pacifi c Crest Transformer | www.pacifi ccresttrans.com



wind energy

Multi-point lifting beam Caldwell has recently provided several large-capacity three-point lifting beams designed for handling wind turbines. These beams have custom-designed lugs to attach to the load, and an adjustable center of gravity to allow the operator to quickly and easily adjust the lifting point along the main lifting beam to insure a level lift. Since 1954, Caldwell has been designing and manufacturing quality material handling equipment, and all below-the-hook lifting equipment com-plies with current ASME B30.20 and BTH-1 standards. Caldwell Lifting Equipmentwww.caldwellinc.com

Wind turbine brakesTribco Inc. offers brake pads that last three to fi ve times longer than conventional brake pads—but won’t scratch or wear down brake rotors—because they are lined with Braketex, the world’s fi rst and only 100% Kev-lar fi bered composite friction lining. Braketex is virtually dust-free; where-as, conventional linings generate dirty, abrasive black dust that contaminates lubricants and damages electronics and other critical components. Ad-ditionally, Braketex is environmentally friendly because it does not contain asbestos or other harmful ingredients. Braketex-lined brake pads are ideal for wind turbine mechanical and yaw brakes—and help reduce maintenance downtime and expense while increas-ing turbine, reliability, uptime, and output. Tribco stocks replacement brake pads and clutch plates for many applications and will also custom fabricate new parts to order or reline used metal plates and carriers. Tribco’s exclusive 100% KEVLAR fi bered composite friction lining has been performance proven in thousands of dry and wet brake, clutch, PTO, power transmission, torque converter, synchronizer, and other friction appli-cations worldwide for over 25 years.Tribco Inc. | www.tribco.com

Inverter for small wind turbine systemsSMA America has strengthened its North American wind inverter family with the new Windy Boy 8000US model. Com-bining the advanced technology present in the US series of Sunny Boy solar in-verters, the Windy Boy includes special fi rmware that permits direct grid-tied operation with a broad range of wind turbines. Its longevity is enhanced via SMA’s patented OptiCool active temper-ature-management system and rugged cast-aluminum outdoor-rated enclosure. The Windy Boy 8000US features a CEC weighted effi ciency of 96%, resulting in exceptional energy yields and is also certifi ed to the UL 1741/IEEE1547 standard. Designers can take advantage of the Windy Boy’s versatility. The wind in-verter can be installed with a direct grid-tied connection or as part of a micro-grid in conjunction with the company’s Sunny Boy solar inverter, and Sunny Island bat-tery inverter and management system, providing grid-quality power to remote locations. In conjunction with the debut of the new inverter, SMA has also dou-bled its standard warranty on its entire UL-listed line of Windy Boys. SMA America | www.sma-america.com

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Wind prospecting data for advanced analysis AWS Truepower, LLC has introduced windNavigator Compass, an intuitive web-based tool that grants instant access to the company’s comprehensive and ac-curate renewable resource data. Designed to signifi cantly expedite wind site quali-fi cation and project management efforts with its advanced analysis capabilities, the Compass seamlessly integrates with AWS Truepower’s wind prospecting and re-source analysis application, windNavigator. Within the windNavigator map window, Compass subscribers can instantly interact with data on nine essential site charac-teristics—location speed, display height, latitude and longitude, elevation, rough-ness, Weibull A & k factors, mean power density, wind rose, and monthly speed distribution—to determine whether or not prospecting goals can be met. windNaviga-tor also offers customers the unique ability to conduct further analyses with advanced reports or GIS data. AWS Truepowerwww.awstruepower.com

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Wind farm design softwareGarrad Hassan cuts wind farm design time and improves mapping capability with the latest release of its wind farm design software: GH WindFarmer 4.1. The new release provides a performance boost and introduces new features that build on the technology of its predecessor. The power of parallel processing has been used to cut calculation times, bringing signifi cant time savings to the designers of today’s large wind farms. The previous version of GH WindFarmer saw the introduction of sup-port for geo-referenced map data; this new release supports the reading of an increased number of fi le formats and is compatible with most of the world’s standard map for-mats. Support for international standards has been maintained with the latest IEC calculation for estimates of design equiva-lent turbulence—an important tool when selecting turbines for a site.

GH WindFarmer is relied on to design both onshore and offshore wind farms of all sizes. The powerful software tool inte-grates all aspects of wind farm energy and environmental assessments with wind farm layout design and data handling. It is ac-knowledged for its user-friendly interface and the speed and accuracy of provision of calculations; it is also unrivalled in the transparency of its data models, providing confi dence to users who need to understand the decision-making that sits behind the so-lutions it provides.Garrad Hassan | www.garradhassan.com

Concrete wind tower base systemThe Atlas CTB Concrete Tower Base by Tindall is a revolution-ary new hybrid concept that brings signifi cant performance im-provements to the wind industry. Comprising the lower 32m of a tower, the Atlas CTB is ideal for raising large turbines to heights of 100m to 130m. This fl ared-base, precast concrete lower section accommodates a conventional steel monotower upper section. The large-footprint base is composed of multiple precast staves that are erected and stabilized by a concrete transition. The components are easily transported by road and rail and are quickly erected on a simple ring foundation requiring 1/4 to 1/3 of the concrete found in conventional tower footings. The base also provides plenty of enclosed space for equipment/mechanical storage.Tindall Corporation | www.tindallcorp.com | www.atlasctb.com

Turbine motion sensors FRABA’s OPTIPACT motion sensors measure velocity by calculating the rate at which an image of a moving surface travels across an optical sensor. With no contact between the sensor and the moving object, dust or surface contaminates will not cause problems. OPTIPACT sensors provide an ideal way of determining rotor speed in wind turbines: just measure the velocity with which part of the rotor (nose cone or shaft) moves past a point on the body of the turbine. OPTIPACT motion sensors are compact, robust, and ideal for primary or backup rotor speed regulation. FRABA Inc. | www.fraba.com

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Molded vacuum interrupter (MVI)The new Thomas & Betts Elastimold Molded Vacuum In-terrrupter (MVI) is the industry’s only unit designed to fi t through wind tower doorways. The unit is maintenance-free and environmentally friendly, containing no gas or oil, and is available for subsurface, vault, tower, padmount, or riser-pole applications. The 38kV 25kA MVI incorporates Elastimold’s proven combination of EPDM molded insulation with a vac-uum interrupter. This latest addition to the Thomas & Betts solid-dielectric family of switchgear utilizes a 25kA sym-metrical vacuum bottle interrupter and a magnetic actuator mechanism, along with a current sensor and a broad line of control options, ranging from the company’s internal E-Set software to their 80 Control or the SEL 351 Relay. Thomas & Betts | www.utility.tnb.com



Wind SCADA technologyCG Automation, a wholly owned subsidiary of MSE Power Systems, Inc., announced the acquisition of ADMS Wind SCADA and wind turbine monitoring systems technology from Second Wind Systems Inc. The Second Wind ADMS Wind SCADA technology is a system that monitors the operating conditions of all wind turbines and of the entire facility at a wind generation plant. Among other things, the plant monitors the power output of each turbine and of the plant as a whole, versus the wind conditions over time, to monitor the performance of each turbine. Additionally, the system monitors all key operat-ing parameters of the turbines and the plant as a whole to provide alarms to the owner in case of a malfunction. MSE has traditionally offered clients engineering and full design/build turnkey services for the electrical system of wind plants. This system allows MSE to expand their of-ferings to customers to include the monitoring and man-agement of the plant.MSE Power Systems | www.msepower.com

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Wind turbine gear oilFollowing extensive R&D and a compre-hensive test program, Klüber Lubrication has developed a line of products to meet the severe requirements of gear oil for wind turbine drives, including: Klübersynth GEM 4 N series (polyalphaolefi n); Klübersynth GH 6 series (polyglycol); and, Klübersynth GEM 2 series (rapidly biodegradable ester). Klübersynth lubricants provide excellent wear protection and resistance to micro-pitting, foaming, and residue formation. Compared to standard gear oil, these products show good resistance to aging, high load-carrying capac-ity, and low friction values. Consequently, oil change intervals may be increased while improving the effi ciency and overall life of turbine components. Plus, Klüber’s ADDED value program makes it easy for manufactur-ers and operators to simplify their lubrication requirements. Klüber Lubrication www.klubersolutions.com/wind

Electric chain hoist for wind turbinesKonecranes offers specialized products and services for wind turbine applica-tions. The wXN Electric Chain Hoist from Konecranes meets the needs of wind turbine applications with an innovative design that delivers multiple ben-efi ts. The wXN Electric Chain Hoist is lightweight, compact, and mounted to a jib crane within the nacelle of the turbine. With a standard lifting capacity from 1/8- to 1-ton, and optional higher capacities, the wXN offers performance-enhancing features such as a suspended hook, standard two-speed hoisting, epoxy-painted protection, and effi cient heat dissipation through its ribbed de-sign. The wind power industry commands very strict operation requirements due to the unique environment in which the equipment much function. The wXN addresses these requirements with its lightweight, compact, reliable, and cost-effective design. Lifting capacity, lifting speed, and lifting height can be confi gured based on handling system.Konecranes Inc. | www.konecranesamericas.com

Data management systemThe WindLogics OnSite tower data management system now includes the new AssetManager and DataViewer user interfaces, plus enhanced tower status reports. With AssetManager, users can view and update essential site and tower information including confi gurations, locations, photographs, and commissioning and maintenance information. The interface also highlights towers that have not transmitted data according to the programmed schedule. Using DataViewer, quality checked data from any combination of instruments and towers can be exam-ined as soon as it is transmitted from the logger. Users can view graphs and tables of the data, which can also be exported in a fl exible text fi le format. Customers also receive frequent status reports that highlight any data recov-ery or data quality issues identifi ed during automated quality checks and subsequent meteorologist review.WindLogics | www.windlogics.com

On-site torque tool calibration MobileCal is a full-service torque tool specialty company, serving the largest operators in the wind industry. MobileCal’s on-site torque tool calibration is ideal for wind operators whose expensive preci-sion torque tools are constantly in use. Certifi ed calibration vehicles bring expert technicians to any location, eliminating the hassle to package and ship (or be without) critical tools. Simply schedule a visit from one of MobileCal’s fl eet of custom vans. It’s a highly cost-effective way to protect capital invest-ment and to keep people safe. They calibrate all hydraulic, pneumatic, and manual torque tools, and inspect, maintain, and repair all tools and associated equipment. After calibration, technicians can track tools in TorqueWare, a custom online tool tracking software, for instant access to torque charts and pro-vides alerts before certifi cations expire. MobileCal also sells a full line of torque tools and equipment.MobileCal | www.mobilecal.net

wind energy



ASES National Solar Conference:SOLAR 2010May 17th to 22nd • Phoenix Convention Center—Phoenix, Arizonawww.ases.orgThe National Solar Conference is America’s leading conference on the emerging trends, technology, and opportunities shaping the new energy economy. Now in its 39th year, SOLAR 2010 is the longest-running educational event for solar energy professionals in the US. This year’s program will be developed by solar energy experts in all topical areas including technology, building, policy, professional educa-tion, workforce development, and consumer education. Many sessions will also offer continuing education credits for architects, installers, engineers, and more.

Show in PrintFeatures just some of the companies and technologies attendees will see at this year’s show.

Solar power panel optimizerNorth American solar wholesaler Session Solar is now a distributor of SunMizer, a per-panel power optimizer that performs MPP tracking at the panel substring level to increase power harvest. SunMizer achieves maximum power fl ow from the panel during sub-optimal module operating conditions caused by shade and soiling to recover over 50% of system level power loss. Parent company, SolarMarkt AG, tests all Session Solar prod-ucts before they enter into distribution agreements with manufacturers. Because Session Solar believes in trou-ble-free installations and long-term output, they carry only high-quality solar equipment. Session Solar | www.sessionsolar.com

Electrical distributors for solar energy projects Border States Electric (BSE), provides products and solutions needed for all phases of solar energy projects. Count on BSE for a broad range of prod-ucts that are competitively priced. BSE provides residential, commercial, and utility scale solar panels, inverters, batteries, racking, and all other balance of systems products, and also provides the support needed to get the required permits and tax benefi ts allowed. For solar energy projects that are completed effi ciently, on budget, and on time, work with an experienced supply chain partner. Border States Electricwww.borderstateselectric.com

Fully integrated solar carportBaja Construction introduces a new concept in PV systems for the commercial market—a fully integrated solar carport that utilizes Baja’s Solar Support System to carry PV modules producing clean energy to power America’s businesses, and the emerging electric vehicle market. Baja’s solar carport is a specifi cally engineered shade struc-ture that’s built right on a customer’s parking lot. It can be used as the sole PV solution or as a sup-plement to a rooftop PV solution. It differentiates itself from rooftop solar installations in that it has the secondary benefi t of shaded parking (which may be a recognizable revenue source).Baja Construction | www.bajacarports.com

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Heat transfer appliances California-based solar hot water manu-facturer Heliodyne has introduced its newest line of Plug and Play heat trans-fer appliances, the Commercial Solar Station (HCOM). The HCOM is a packaged, closed-loop heat transfer ap-pliance for accommodating large, solar hot water projects of up to 100 fl at plate collectors with a single module, while still larger projects can combine modules in parallel for limitless sizing potential. Some notable features of the HCOM in-clude “plug and play” installation, touch screen interface, advanced controller for remote Wi-Fi based monitoring and data storage, single/double wall heat exchanger, and integrated variable speed pumps for system energy optimization. Heliodyne | www.heliodyne.com



Pre-wired solar resource assessment & performance monitoring Campbell Scientifi c Inc. is now offering turnkey performance monitoring and re-source assessment packages for the solar and wind industries. Choose from several existing standardized stations or work with an application engineer to confi gure a cus-tom solution. With over 35 years of experi-ence and 150,000-plus units sold, Campbell Scientifi c data acquisition systems have the fl exibility and reliability to fi t customer needs when measurements matter.Campbell Scientifi cwww.campbellsci.com/solar-monitoring

Solar panel installation assemblyThe newly improved S-5-PV Kit by S-5! is a rail-free, metal roof solar panel installation assembly. The embossed S-5-Mounting Disk with a module guide makes module placement easier. The S-5-Mounting Disk features four under-disk hooks to help with wire management and has strategically placed holes for zip tie connections. The S-5-PV Grab now has broader ears, making installation easier and more precise. The mounting disk is universally directional, and the S-5-PV Stud is long-er to accommodate solar panel frame thicknesses from 32 mm to 64 mm. S-5! | www.S-5-com

Deep-cycle lead acid batteriesSurrette Battery Company has been manu-facturing premium deep-cycle lead acid bat-teries for over 50 years. Exclusively branded as Rolls Batteries, they offer a full range of products for marine, railroad, motive power, and renewable energy applications, which are considered the best and toughest for the specifi c markets they serve. Surrette Battery | Rolls Batterywww.rollsbattery.com

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SOLAR 2010 show in print

Advanced central inverter For a central inverter that saves time, money, and is easy to maintain, consider the KACO XP 100U. It is reliable, effi cient (over 96%), easy to install, and completely digitally controlled. Digital signal proces-sors monitor and advanced pulse width modulation controls the components and their functionality to provide a high degree of reliability and effi ciency—even when connected to unstable grids. Each unit is JAVA web enabled to give KACO service technicians 24-hour access to real-time performance data to operate the inverter and to update software remotely to ensure maximum kWh production. KACO new energywww.kaco-newenergy.com

COMPLETE MODULE ASSEMBLY SOLUTIONS FROM ONE SOURCE

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Delivered the most advanced automated linesLines installed for most global module manufacturersDelivery of complete equipment and technologyTurnkey integration of module lines from manual to fully automatedProprietary robot technology and new process developmentFlexible, expandable solutions for growth

Reis Robotics USA, Inc. 1320 Holmes Road Elgin, IL 60123 Phone: 847 741 9500 [email protected] www.reisroboticsusa.com

Reis Robotics USA, West Coast28490 Westinghouse PlaceUnit 170Valencia, CA 91355Phone: 661 702 [email protected]



Total home energy monitoringPowerhouse Dynamics eMonitor is the fi rst application that monitors PV solar and solar hot water, as well as home en-ergy use at every circuit in the home, in a single integrated system. For the fi rst time, home owners can see where they are using energy at a level of granularity that enables them to reduce energy use. This may result in the ability to imple-ment a smaller PV array—or save money by increasing net metering. The eMoni-tor actively monitors the home and delivers alerts on PV performance, appli-ance problems, circuit overloads, appli-ances left on, energy costs, and more.Powerhouse Dynamics www.powerhousedynamics.com

Monocrystalline PV panel Fluitecnik Inc. is a manufacturer of high-quality mono and polycrystalline photo-voltaic panels that carry a 25-year war-ranty. With over 12 years experience in the renewable energy market, Fluitecnik’s attention to detail and customer service is of the highest level. For 2010, Fluitecnik is pleased to announce the introduction of the 240 Watt Monocrystalline PV Panel. The panel’s high-effi ciency rating and black frame/black back sheet option will make it a popular choice for residential installations. Fluitecnik Inc. | www.fl uitecnik.com

Microporous insulation applications Microtherm is a provider of microporous insulation applications, with 40 years experience in a wide range of demanding applications including power generation and renewable energy supplies. Renewable Energy is the key to the future, and conserving this energy by controlling energy losses is a factor in reducing cost by improving operational effi ciency. This is the Microtherm approach in the provision of thermal insulation so-lutions for consolidating solar power. Ball joint assemblies for parabolic trough collectors, and the associated long piping runs and clamp supports are insulated with thin, lightweight Microtherm. The same applies with systems for solar towers. Microtherm is lightweight, load bearing, and offers the thinnest protection making it ideal for diffi cult areas. It is available in moulded shapes and bend assemblies, fl exible panels and rolls, and as pourable granules. It is fast to fi t and backed by a full thermal design support service.Microtherm | www.microthermgroup.com

EXCELLENCEBY DESIGN®

CALL 1 (888) 878-8750 TO FIND OUT MORE, OR GO ONLINEHeliodyne, Inc. • 4910 Seaport Avenue • Richmond, CA 94804

T: 1.888.878.8750 or 510.237.9614 • F: 510.237.7018Information & Support: [email protected]

Sales Inquiries: [email protected]

Solar pool heatingThe LeverEdge is proud to introduce the Nuvis Solar Collector, the latest addition to its pool heating product line. Nuvis is the next generation in solar pool heating and is designed for today’s high-perform-ance pool systems. The LeverEdge solar pool collectors are manufactured using the most advanced technology available and produced in their new state-of-the-art facility. The LeverEdge has been providing its customers with the highest quality product and service for more than 30 years. The team at The LeverEdge can provide customers with the support needed to be successful including techni-cal, sales, and marketing support.The LeverEdge www.theleveredge.com



Batteries for renewable energy applicationsMK Battery, a wholly owned subsidiary of East Penn Manu-facturing Co., Inc., offers a broad spectrum of batteries to meet virtually any renewable energy application. Engineered and tested to the most stringent industry standards, the Deka Solar line features the highest quality Gel, AGM, and Flooded batteries in 6- & 12-volt monobloc, and high-capacity 2-volt confi gurations. With options of 5, 10, and 20-year design life products, the Deka Solar Line offers reliable battery solutions designed for frequent deep cycling and minimal maintenance. Technical training, engineering support, state-of-the-art re-cycling facilities, and dependable service from 25 distribution centers worldwide make MK Battery and Deka Solar the reli-able choice for renewable energy storage solutions.MK Battery | www.mkbattery.com

Solar module grounding boltThe SOLKLAMP grounding bolt from Tyco Electronics shortens the installation time required to ground modules in a solar array. The threaded bolt, secured with a supplied one-piece lock washer-nut, inserts through the ground hole of a solar module aluminum frame and penetrates its surface to establish a reliable ground path. The SOLKLAMP ground-ing bolt handles 6 to 12 AWG (13.3 and 3.3 mm2) solid, un-insulated copper wire. The six-second, short-term current test indicates that the product handles 1530 Amps with 6 AWG ground wire. In the UL 486A/B pull-out test, the grounding bolt provides 100 pounds (45.3 kg) retention with 6 AWG wire. The product meets the requirements of UL 1703 for safety in fl at-plate PV modules and panels, as well as the UL 467 requirements for grounding and bonding equipment.Tyco Electronics | www.tycoelectronics.com/solar


Single-axis horizontal trackersPatriot Solar Group introduces its new line of single-axis horizontal trackers (motorized HZT series). This tracking system will increase total kW output of the modules by up to 30% or more depending on the latitude of the installation. Patriot’s new horizontal units are designed for du-rability and ease-of-installation. They can be in-stalled in nearly any environment, worry free, due to the robust structure. All units come standard with modular rails (fi ts nearly any commercially available PV module), bolt and template kits for installation, single-axis tracking controllers, and pillow block bearings.Patriot Solar Group | www.patriotsolargroup.com



Certifi ed passive solar systems Premium Solar LLC is the southern distributor of Ezinc Solar Products in the United States. Their fl agship products are their SRCC certifi ed 46- and 80-gallon thermosyphon systems. Premium Solar claims these systems to be some of the most effi cient, certi-fi ed passive solar products in the US. Thermosyphon systems are also some of the most widely used solar hot water heating systems around the world, and also have some of the lowest installation costs as there are no moving parts. Premium Solar LLC www.presolarnet.com

Space & water heating combined Heat Transfer Products (HTP) has introduced The Phoenix Evolution, the fi rst device available in the US that integrates a high-effi ciency water heater with a heating element to provide both hot water and space heating with one compact, effi cient appliance. The modulating condensing gas water heater operates at 93% combustion effi ciency and 96% thermal effi ciency. An attached space heating module draws latent heat from the hot water, eliminating the need for a boiler. An optional solar heat exchanger, when connected to solar col-lectors, increases the unit’s effi ciency to over 100%, signifi cantly reducing carbon emissions and fuel consumption. The all-in-one design of the Phoenix Evolution not only contributes to the environment’s well-being but also to the consumer’s, offering considerable space and cost savings. The Phoenix Evolu-tion requires about one-third the space of a typical system, replacing a boiler, indirect tank, and buffer tank with one appliance. Cost savings include substan-tial reductions in installation, mainte-nance, and operation costs. Heat Transfer Productswww.htproducts.com

PV performance technologyDay4 Energy Inc., a technology developer and manufacturer of high-performance solar electric mod-ules, recently announced the expansion of its product offering to include the Day4 60MC-I featuring breakthrough Guardian Technology. Guardian Technology dramatically improves the performance of PV modules when exposed to partial shading, snow, debris, and other external factors that may cause a substantial reduction in power yield. As a direct result, Day4 60MC-I modules with Guardian Tech-nology are three times less sensitive to these external factors. They also offer as much as 25% greater power yield from the same installation area due to higher installation density. The 60MC-I featuring Guardian Technology is in the process of receiving UL certifi cation and, based on positive internal testing, is expected to be certifi ed for sale in both the North American market by summer 2010. Day4 Energy | www.day4energy.com

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Solar cell optimizing technologytenKsolar’s RAIS (‘R’edundant ‘A’rray of ‘I’ntegrated ‘S’olar) Wave system pro-duces more energy per square foot on commercial fl at rooftops than any other solar PV system on the market today. The increased energy output is made possible through the Cell Optimizing technology that continuously adjusts the module’s MPPT and enables the ability to harvest additional illumination from the sun via refl ection. The redundancy inherent to the RAIS architecture im-proves system availability over tradition-al string inverters by eliminating any single point of failure from cell through inverter. The RAIS Wave system is also an easy to install, all-in-one system with integrated refl ection, requiring no addi-tional racking, and the self-ballasting ca-pability eliminates the need for rooftop penetrations in typical applications. The RAIS system operates at a safe low volt-age dramatically reducing the risk of a fi re caused by the solar array. tenKsolar | www.tenksolar.com

Junction box automated assembly Reis Robotics offers a new system for fully automatic setting of the junction box, which is mounted on a platform completely ready for operation—and can, therefore, be integrated into any existing production line with mini-mum expenditure. This new concept has many advantages compared to the conventional method. Critical work steps before lamination are omitted, including: foil stamping; unthreading of terminal leads; no emerging EVA dur-ing lamination; and, no soiling of the membrane. This method also avoids the risk of damaging the membrane during lamination due to protruding contact leads. As a result, an optimum of cost saving can be seen since various manual and automatic work steps are made un-necessary and material is saved. The possible breakage rate is also reduced as no manual actions are required. Reis Robotics USAwww.reisroboticsusa.com

Manual production PV module laminatorsBent River Machine Inc. has developed a new pin bed solar panel laminator for PV research and small panel produc-tion. Their SPL series offers consistent results with programmable routines and variable cycle, temperature, and vacuum options for processing panels that fi t in a 30" square envelope. Proc-ess parameters developed on the SPL can be transferred to production. This new laminator features a welded frame, robust structure, industrial controls, manual loading, and lifting pins. PLC control and touch screen interface allow for process control. Vacuum capability is less than one Torr vacuum to ensure superior de-gas for defect free product. Smaller footprint fi ts in a laboratory or development area and uses less energy to prove newly designed products.Bent River Machine Inc.www.bent-river.com

Solar mounting systemMudge Fasteners is the fi rst in the US to distribute SmartRack, a patent pending mounting system developed originally for asphalt shingle roofs, but that can also be used on commercial structures with standing seam roofs. It cuts down, not only on installation and material costs by making the use of rails redundant, but also shipping, handling, and inventory costs, allowing for sig-nifi cant savings. Solar industry install-ers, integrators, and manufacturers can now easily obtain all the stainless steel fasteners needed for their projects at a single source with the convenience of 24/7 ordering. Mudge Fasteners, Inc.www.solarfastenerexpert.com

Surge protection devicesSince 1937 CITEL, Inc. has been spe-cializing in the manufacturing of reli-able Surge Protection Devices (SPD). CITEL, Inc. has since expanded its surge protector line to include models DS60PV and DS50PV, two wire and ground DC power surge protectors for applications up to 1000 Vdc. De-signed for the most severe applications, DS60PV is a Heavy Duty DC surge protector rated to withstand a direct lightning strike (10/350us waveform) as defi ned by ANSI/IEEE C62.41-2002 and IEC 61643-11. It is typically in-stalled at the DC input to the inverter of a solar power system. For more gen-eral duty applications, DS50PV is surge rated at 40kA 8/20us, and engineered to protect against indirect lightning, ac utility grid surges, and internally gen-erated switching transients and faults. These din rail mount devices can be integrated into a PV combiner box or standalone enclosure. CITEL is also pleased to announce model DS50PV as the fi rst UL recognized DC Surge Pro-tector with replaceable modules.CITEL, Inc. | www.citel.us




Adhesives for PV products Harness the power of better adhesion with pressure sensitive fi lm and foam tapes from Adhesive Applications, de-signed specifi cally for assembly and mounting applications for photovoltaic products. These specialty adhesives provide high-strength bond, excellent environmental properties, UV-resist-ance, high/low temperature properties, extended service life, and make for easy application. They provide a superior bond to metal, plastic, or painted surfac-es. Adhesive Applications can help with innovative solutions to meet special bonding or mounting purposes—fast samples, low minimums, and a variety of adhesive, backing, and liner options to solve almost any requirement. Adhesive Applications www.adhesiveapps.com

PV performance monitoring systemThe Draker Sentalis 200PV is a new, cost-effective solution that provides owners and operators of small- and medium-sized PV systems with highly accurate and reliable data for monitor-ing system performance. The Sentalis 200PV is optimized for systems up to 250kW with a single production meter. At the heart of every Sentalis 200PV system is a base station that includes a reliable and accurate da-talogger from Campbell Scientifi c, a trusted name in data acquisition and instrumentation. The base station also features a dedicated backup battery to prevent data loss in the event of a power outage and a simplifi ed wir-ing panel to facilitate quick and safe installation. A robust web interface is provided for data management and reporting, making this a true turnkey system. In addition to the Sentalis 200PV, Draker also provides a Sentalis 1000PV monitoring solution that is specifi cally engineered for large, com-mercial and utility scale systems.Draker Labs | www.drakerlabs.com

Solar test & measurement equipment Solmetric Corporation delivers innovative, accurate, and easy to use solar test and measurement equipment. Sol-metric will be featuring a variety of products including the SunEye 210, a newly updated PV Designer, and PV Performance Analyzer. The SunEye 210 is the newest version of the SunEye and features a new, rugged design and updated features including an integrated electronic inclinometer, compass, and optional GPS. The SunEye is a handheld electronic device that allows users to assess total potential solar energy given the shading of a particular site. PV Designer enables users to layout solar PV modules on a roof surface and calculates the energy production for the system. The PVA-600 PV Performance Analyzer is an in-strument to verify performance of a PV module or string. It measures IV characteristics and compares measured results to expected results based on an integrated system performance model. Solmetric Corporation | www.solmetric.com

Solar measurement systemStellarNet announces a new SpectroRadiometer system designed to characterize and evaluate light emissions ac-cording to industry standards used for solar simulators and a variety of applications. The complete NIST trace-able system consists of a portable UV-VIS-NIR fi ber optic spectrometer and fi ber light receptor. The SpectraWiz software now includes a new solar match panel that is part of the Light Monitor application, which is used to char-acterize and classify light emissions for solar simulators. The Solar Match Monitor application calculates spectral irradiance for each 100nm bin from 400nm to 1100nm and compares the results to the ideal percent for each bin range per IEC/JIS/ASTM. The proximity of the measured data to the ideal values results in classifi cation of the solar simulator lamp from A through D. The Light Monitor also measures UVabc regions below 400nm using both US and European standards. StellarNet | www.stellarnet.us



Direct-mount PV rackingAET recently launched an innovative PV racking product for direct-mount applications on both residential- and commercial-pitched roofs. Their revolutionary snap-in-place panel clamps allow for lightning-fast panel attachment. Stainless steel jaw-clamp assemblies hold the rails to the roof and can be mounted to most stand-offs in the industry with no drilling required on the jobsite. Rails are available in mill-fi nish aluminum or anodized coating. AET | www.aetenergy.com

Black solar modules Trina Solar Limited, announced that its sub-sidiary, Changzhou Trina Solar Energy Co., Ltd., has introduced its new “Design Series.” Due to the rising demand for residential PV systems worldwide, the company has devel-oped a high-effi ciency black module, the fi rst of several new PV modules in the Design-Se-ries, which aims to blend seamlessly with dark-colored rooftops, offering customers’ sleek design, as well as aesthetically pleasing and reliable solutions for residential and commer-cial applications. In addition to positive power tolerance of 0/+3 watts, the module uses Trina Solar’s high-effi ciency cells, laminated with black sheet and framed with black anodized aluminum, and it is expected to guarantee a leading standard of structural stability and re-silience to stress. The monocrystalline TSM-DC01 Black and multicrystalline TSM-PC05 Black modules are expected to offer a power output ranging from 165Wp to 175Wp and from 215Wp to 230Wp respectively. Trina Solar Limited | www.trinasolar.com

Solar storage & drain back tanksSolar Skies Mfg., a manufacturer of solar thermal collec-tors, is now offering a full line of stainless steel, high-per-formance storage and drain back tanks. A new addition to the Solar Skies’ product line is the new internal tempera-ture sensor well. This sensor well allows for a more accu-rate internal temperature measurement of solar collectors. Solar Skies’ full product line of collectors, hardware, and water heating systems are designed and manufactured for both residential and commercial applications.Solar Skies | www.solarskies.com

Thermal solar water heating systemsStiebel Eltron SOLKITS 2 and 3 thermal solar sys-tems are Energy Star Rated and have SRCC OG300 system certifi cation. Each solar closed loop system includes SOL 25 PLUS fl at plate collector panel(s) and mounting hardware, SB/SBB storage tank with heat exchanger(s), pump station with expansion tank, temperature/pressure gauges, pressure relief and check valves, and controller unit with corresponding sensors. There is an industry leading 10-year war-ranty on Stiebel Eltron solar panels and tanks.Stiebel Eltron | www.stiebel-eltron-usa.com

BIPV systemATAS International, Inc., a manufacturer of metal roofi ng, wall and ceiling panels, offers green systems for commercial and residential buildings including a building integrated pho-tovoltaic (BIPV) system. ATA-Solar is a thin-fi lm solar lami-nate that is applied to a standing seam metal roof to generate renewable solar power. The laminates are applied to the stand-ing seam panels in a factory controlled environment. ATA-So-lar comes in a variety of system output levels ranging 1.5kW to 120 kW, sized according to roof surface area available. ATAS International, Inc. | www.atas.com


2 45

2 4

3

1

DS60PV

DS50PVV

DS50PVDS50PV

DS

DLA

DS40S/G

DS150E

M200

1 AC Distribution Panel

2 Inverter AC Output

Inverter DC Input4

PV Array Combiner 5

3 Data/Signal Lines

Reliability In Surge Protection 800.248.3548 | www.citel.us

Intersolar North AmericaJuly 13-15 2010 | Booth 7151

Moscone Center | San Francisco, CA

A comprehensive approach to the application of lightning and surge protection will help to ensure the maximum life expectancy and efficiency for your solar PV power system. The following illustration details the application points for the surge protectors and the primaryprotection goal of each device.

Surge Protection Since 1937

Are you protected?

Toll Free 1 800.248.3548 | Fax: 954.430.7785www.citel.us | [email protected]

Residential solar systemsA new generation of residential solar hot water tanks is at the center of Schüco’s new developments for residential solar thermal systems. In the fi eld of in-novative solar system solutions, the company has introduced a range of corrosion-resistant hot water tanks with above-average technical features and per-formance. The new portfolio features two sizes, 70 & 75 gallons for smaller residential systems, with ap-proximately two to three collectors, and 110 & 115 gallons for mid- to large-size residential systems, with three to four collectors. Three integrated backup heat sources are available including: electric elements, secondary heat exchange coil for a boiler, or an inno-vative internal gas burner. The Schüco Solar Electric Backup, the Schüco Solar Gas Backup, and the Schü-co Solar Dual Coil Storage Tanks are all designed for optimum energy effi ciency and easy installation. Two-inch thick CFC-free insulation on the sides and top of the tanks reduce heat loss and energy consumption. The innovative tanks also feature double-wall enam-eled steel solar heat exchanger coils with 1.5" O.D. for maximum solar collection. Integrated system de-sign allows components such as the Schüco Solar Sta-tion PS 1.3 and the digital system controller Schüco SDC 204 to be installed quickly and easily.Schüco | www.schuco-usa.com

DESIGNED FOR OUR READERS AND OUR ADVERTISERSGo to www.nacleanenergy.com to see all our print content, subscription and advertising information, and much more.

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 2

Technology and the Reliability of Wind Turbines

Making Solar SmarterIncreasing grid stability & integration

The Potential of Osmotic Power

2010GEOTHERMALBUYERS GUIDE

integration

The Potential oPot f Osmotic PowerOsmotic PowerPLUS Show in Print features…• IEEE PES Transmission & Distribution Conference

• International BIOMASS Conference & Expo

• WINDPOWER 2010 Conference & Exhibition




Electrical insulator for solar modulesInsulPatch is a multi-layered laminate designed to act as an electrical insulator and physical spacer in critical areas inside electronic devices. It is specifi cally designed by Madico to offer engineers fl exibility and additional construction options for their solar modules. All three products available are multi-function-al and can be implemented during the assembly phase of the solar module, or as a patch system if unforeseen issues occur. The different levels of increased thickness are designed to meet the specifi c requirements of any panel design. The HD and SHD versions are the ultimate in dielectric bonding and offer greater partial discharge. Madico, Inc. | www.madico.com

Intersolar MunichJune 9th to 11th, 2010 • New Munich Trade Fair Centre—Munich, Germanywww.intersolar.deAs the international platform for solar technology, Intersolar refl ects the dynamic development along the entire value added chain in the areas of photovoltaics and solar thermal technology. The show brings people and markets together under the guiding principle, “connect-ing solar business.” As trade visitors from over 145 countries have confi rmed, no other event brings together so many decision makers from industry, trade, and commerce with solar industry manufacturers, suppliers, institutes, and associations.


intersolar2010

Flexible solar power solutionsAscent Solar brings fl exible solar power to products that people and businesses use every day. Involved in electronic integrated photovoltaic (EIPV) solutions, Ascent Solar works with visionary designers, manufacturers, and integrators to solar power applications such as consumer electronics, transportation, building integration and rooftops, defense, space, and other custom applications. Ascent Solar WaveSol mod-ules are ultra-lightweight, durable, and fl exible technology that easily integrate into solutions to deliver powerful solar energy. Imagine the possibilities of renewable pow-er fl exible enough to integrate into products of any size or shape—by making their vision a reality, Ascent Solar has opened up the doors for solar power integration. Ascent Solar | www.ascentsolar.com



Support beam for ballasted roof mounting systemSchletter, Inc. announced they will begin using a new KlickTop support beam, termed FlexConsole, as a standard component on their WindSafe ballasted roof mounting system. The WindSafe is the ballasted or minimally attached commercial fl at roof racking system available from Schletter, Inc., which includes a rear wind defl ector to minimize wind uplift and down pressure loads. This technical advance in design will increase the pre-assembly from a manufacturing standpoint by roughly 80%, with-out increasing costs and, in addition, will decrease the installation time in the fi eld by almost 50%. The KlickTop component utilized with the FlexConsole is a top-down assembly solution, which only requires an Allen wrench to tighten the module support beam to the cross-rails. Therefore, there are no additional components (nuts, bolts, clamps) required, which eases overall installation time and avoids access issues at all different module tilt angles.Schletter Inc. | www.schletter.us

Large-scale solar invertersAmong the latest innovations by Ingeteam are the new Ingecon Sun 315TL / 470TL / 625TL and 500HE inverters (specially designed for multi-megawatt installations), which complete the Power Max series. They are characterised by an optimum cost/power ratio and a modular design for increased plant availability and ease of maintenance. These inverters offer a broad input voltage range from 450 V to 1,000 V to give a fl exible system that facili-tates PV array sizing. A key feature of these inverter models is their high effi ciency, achieving values of up to 98.5% in the case of the Ingecon Sun 625TL. Another innovation is the Ingecon Sun Power Maxter option, which is directed at maximizing PV plant effi ciency in conditions of low irradiance. This option is available with power outputs from 375 kW to 1,250 kW and functions by grouping together a number of power blocks in the same DC bus. In this way, based on the power available in the PV array, a system master determines which blocks should operate and the specifi c power output at each par-ticular time, for optimum inverter operation and improved overall plant effi ciency at low power outputs.INGETEAM | www.ingeteam.com



Thin-fi lm measurement systemStellarNet has announced a low-cost thin-fi lm thickness measurement system, covering a multitude of materials from 50Å-200μm thick. The non-contact meas-urement system includes portable, rug-ged hardware and reliable, user-friendly software. The large library of materials supports multilayer, freestanding, rough, thick and thin layer structures. Thick-ness is measured quickly and easily using refl ectance spectroscopy with analysis provided in just seconds. With USB2 con-nectivity, the powerful thin-fi lm software package provides complex measurements via user confi gurable recipes and new materials can easily be added. Each sys-tem includes spectrometer(s) required for measurement of desired thickness range. External light sources and a high-quality refl ectance probe (with stand) allow for ultra-sensitive refl ectometry measure-ments. From the most simple, routine measurements to multilayer, multi-sample analysis, this system is ready to provide quick, accurate analysis.StellarNet | www.stellarnet.us

Power harvesting & management solution for PV power plantsSatcon Solstice is the industry’s fi rst complete power harvesting and management solution for utility class solar PV power plants. Solstice sets the new standard for large-scale solar power production by addressing the performance of the entire system; enabling string level energy harvest optimization, total array monitoring and control, simplifi ed grid interconnection features, and advanced utility control capabilities. Solstice improves system safety and reliability, delivering more kWh per kW peak of installed capacity and boosting total power production by 5% to 12% while reducing overall balance of system costs by 20% to 25%. Built on a 24-year old foundation of the industry’s most tested and proven utility ready solar inverters, Satcon is the solution of choice for the world’s largest and most advanced solar farms.Satcon | www.satcon.com/pv_inverters/solstice.html

intersolar 2010 show in print

OCTOBER 12-14, 2010Los Angeles Convention CenterLos Angeles, California, USA

If solar energy is your business…North America’s Largest B2B Solar Eventis a must for you!

1,000+ Exhibitors

27,000+ Attendees

200+ Speakers

Register now at www.solarpowerinternational.com

TECHNOLOGY • POLICY • MARKETS • FINANCE • JOBS

Register Today and

Save!

GET THE LATEST ON…• Photovoltaics

• Solar Heating & Cooling

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Presented by: Become a Solar Power International fan.

Square monocrystalline cells boost module powerWith its latest ‘Quad Max’ technology, Trina Solar developed high-effi ciency, square-shaped monocrystalline cells. Built into the modules, Quad Max cells will boost module power output by up to 8%. Leveraging its vertically-integrated business model, Trina Solar developed the Quad Max with new, innovative man-ufacturing processes and a proprietary, state-of-the-art metallization and passiva-tion technique that yields enhanced cell conversion effi ciencies of up to 18.8%. The Quad Max’s square shape allows the cell to harvest more sunlight and avoids the loss of surface area typical of conven-tional octagonal monocrystalline cells. The fi ve-inch cells are standard in size and a typical 72-cell module will provide power outputs of 200W and above.Trina Solar | www.trinasolar.com



Azimuth & elevation absolute rotary encoderUS Digital launches its latest absolute, blind, hollow bore shaft encoder, the HBA4. The HBA4 is designed for solar tracking systems and is commonly used as an azimuth position sensor in two axis tracking systems. This single turn absolute encoder provides 16-bits of resolution over 360° of rotation. The HBA4 is available with a 12mm or 0.500" diameter bore size with either a ball bearing or sleeve bushing bearing assembly, and is sealed to an IP65 rating. The absolute encoder slips over a shaft and is locked in place with a unique self centering ring clamp. A fl exible anti-rotation tether provides single point mounting for bolt circles ranging from 2.50" up to 5.00" in diameter, and compensates for shaft run out up to +/- 0.01". The HBA4 communicates serially to a host via the industry standard RS485 bus. US Digital | www.usdigital.com

Ceramic BIPV tiles for solar architectureSystem Photonics ceramic solar tiles for roofs and facades are designed for strict architectural integration, enabling designers to implement truly building-integrated photovoltaic applications featuring color, visual impact, high-electrical performance, durability, reliability, strength, rapid installation, and recyclability at a reasonable price. The frameless colored ceramic BIPV solar tiles were engineered from the outset by System Photonics as building components, and include all mounting hardware. Ceramic, glass, and solar cells are laminated together using tough rigid DuPont encapsulants, engineered for structural glass. A roof tiled with System Photonics solar tiles is watertight, can be walked upon, and withstands extreme weather including hailstones. PV tiles by System Photonics are as effi cient as normal monocrystalline solar panels, but they are easier and faster to install, come with a better guarantee on workmanship (10 years), have signifi cantly higher recyclable content, and come in 13 colors, from slate grey to clay red. Passive tiles of the same ceramic material are available to complete a roof or a ventilated facade. Solar architecture elements from System Photonics are based on Laminam, an extremely tough non-porous thin colored ceramic sheet invented and manufactured by the System industrial group. System Photonics www.system-photonics.com

Sou

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i AG



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© 2010. RSA is a registered trade name of Royal & Sun Alliance Insurance Company of Canada.“RSA” and the RSA logo are trademarks used under license from RSA Insurance Group plc.

Solar modules for various applicationsScheuten Solar will supply the new, high-quality Multisol P6-60 series as an addition to its Multisol product portfolio, which covers a power range with only positive tolerances from 190 Wp to 260 Wp in 5 Wp steps. With this complete range of German-made solar modules, Scheuten Solar offers an optimal solution for every applica-tion. The new Multisol P6-60 module has a power range of 215 Wp to 230 Wp, and comes with Scheuten’s lead-ing warranty conditions: a combina-tion of best-in-class 10-year product warranty and a 25-year power output warranty with a linear diminution. This extended power output guar-antee equals 1.5 year of extra energy production over a 25-year period. The new series features a rigid black anodized aluminium frame, combined with a black back foil. This combina-tion gives the new module a sleek and modern design targeted for use in the residential segment.Scheuten Solar www.scheutensolar.com

Distributed solar power harvesting & PV monitoring solutionsSolarEdge provides innovative distributed solar power harvesting and PV monitoring solutions, allowing up to 25% more energy production, at lower cost. Benefi ts include constraint-free site design, optimal site utilization, reduced maintenance cost, module-level monitoring, and others. The company will announce the introduction of the fi rst com-mercial PV modules with embedded power electronics, as well as the expansion of its product range. SolarEdge’s Pow-erBox power optimizers now support modules of up to 350Wp. The range of inverters so far included 3.3-6kW single-phase and 10kW three-phase inverters; SolarEdge now offers its new three-phase inverters, including 8kW, 12kW and, in the US, a 15kW inverter. The SolarEdge innovative system provides the industry’s fi rst fully automatic solution for electrocution prevention and fi re safety, through shut down of each PV module’s DC voltage by the PowerBoxes, to prevent fi res and protect fi refi ghters and maintenance personnel when AC power is disconnected.SolarEdge | www.solaredge.com

intersolar 2010 show in print


Solar power availability – everywhere at any time.

We invite you to visit us at Intersolar Europe in hall C4 | stand 230. This year we will present our innovations

in the fields of energy storage solutions, monitoring and services. With our new product range of Cellstrom

batteries – FB 200/400 and FB 10/100 – we offer turnkey solutions making energy available everywhere at

any time. Visit us and convince yourself of the consistent quality and efficiency of our innovative products.

We are looking forward to seeing you at our stand!

Wednesday 09 June 2010 | 09:00 am – 06:00 pm

Thursday 10 June 2010 | 09:00 am – 06:00 pm

Friday 11 June 2010 | 09:00 am – 05:00 pm

a+f GmbH | Faulenbergstraße 4 | D-97076 Wuerzburg

Fon +49-(0)931-25064-0 | Fax +49-(0)931-25064-104 | [email protected] | www.af.net

Energy storageCellstrom GmbH


BIOPOWER BUYERS GUIDE

2010NACE May June 2010.indd 62NACE May June 2010.indd 62 4/30/10 9:59 PM4/30/10 9:59 PM


BIOPOWER BUYERS GUIDE DIRECTORY

BIOFUELS PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

Fluid Components International

Fluid Components International (FCI) has released its

new Model ST51 Mass Flow Meter for owners, opera-

tors, and manufacturers of biogas production and meth-

ane capture and recovery systems. These users will find

the new Model ST51 provides the high performance

and features required of these applications in an explo-

sion-proof instrument that is easy to install, safe, and

requires virtually no maintenance to deliver a truly best

cost solution. FCI’s ST51 Flow Meter is designed specif-

ically to measure biogas and all methane composition

gases including natural gas. ST51 features a thermal

mass, insertion-style flow element with flow accuracy

to ±1% of reading over a broad flow range, from 0.3 to

400 SFPS (0.08 to 122 MPS), and repeatability of ±0.5%

of reading. The flow element is available for use in line

sizes from 2 to 24 inches (51 to 610 mm) diameters.

www.fl uidcomponents.com

Di Più – Sunomi LLC

Di Più Srl offers 30 years of experience in the design

and manufacture of heavy duty mechanical briquet-

ting presses. Their machines have a remarkable

record of quality and dependability. Mechanical bri-

quetting presses reach pressures up to 36,000 psi.

Several different materials can be briquetted, from

wood and waste wood to paper and cardboard to

agricultural and energy fi bers, and to nut and grain

shells. More exotic materials can be transformed

into briquettes or pucks: MSW, water treatment

plants solids, coffee grinds, and more. Briquetting,

or compressing into pucks, makes these materials

ready for the energy markets. Sunomi LLC, based

in Atlanta, Georgia, provides full support to design,

supply, install, service, and parts in North and Cen-

tral America. Di Più presses offer the best value.

www.sunomi-llc.com

ExxonMobil Lubricants & Specialties

For more than a century, the team behind Mobil Indus-

trial Lubricants has been delivering premium products

and comprehensive maintenance solutions that help

companies boost productivity, enhance the performance

and life of their equipment, increase profitability, reduce

downtime, and stay ahead of the competition. As they

have for more than 100 years, the team behind Mobil

Industrial Lubricants is continually pushing the bounda-

ries of innovation to set new benchmarks for lubrica-

tion excellence. With qualified research chemists and

lubricant formulators worldwide, as well as an extensive

Equipment Builder Group that works side-by-side with

customers and leading equipment manufacturers around

the globe, the team behind Mobil Industrial Lubricants

leverages its application specific expertise and close re-

lationships with OEMs to engineer products that enable

customers to take their productivity to new heights.

www.mobilindustrial.com

Materials Handling Equipment Company

Materials Handling Equipment Company is a custom

designer and builder of bulk material handling equipment

including, but not limited to, bucket elevators, screw

conveyors, drag conveyors, apron conveyors, feeders,

live bottom bins, belt conveyors for biomass, waste,

ashes, and all other materials. Serving the industry since

1927, Materials Handling Equipment Company offers the

broadest line of bulk material handling equipment and

capabilities of any other manufacturer.

www.mheus.com

Mcgyan Biodiesel

The Mcgyan Biodiesel Process eliminates the produc-

tion of glycerin, increases yield, and allows 100%-free

fatty acid feedstocks. The ability to process 100%-free

fatty acids gives flexibility to utilize very inexpensive

McCormick Construction Company 7900 69th Avenue Greenfield, MN 55373

Phone: 763-477-4774 Fax: 763-477-5174

McCormick Construction Your Value-Driven Bio-Energy Contractor.

SERVICES WE PROVIDE:• Design Build• Project Management• Custom Fabrication• Steel Tanks• Concrete Slip-Form• Concrete Foundations & Slabs

• Pre Fab Metal Buildings• Crane Services• Equipment Installation• Millwright Services• Emergency Repair

• Strategic Shut Down Planning

McCormick Construction has been involved in the construction of more than 45 bio-energy facilities. The value we bring to every project results in lower operating costs and greater plant productivity. Our objective is to always provide a safe working environment for all employees while delivering a high quality product backed with service and long term customer satisfaction.

Learn more about McC at our website: www.mccormickconstruction.com

BIOFUELS PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

BIOMASS PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

BIOMASS THERMAL ENERGY

BIOREFINERY SYSTEMS

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

CONSTRUCTION

CONSULTING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENT

CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT / POLICY

FOREST & WOOD PROCESSING

FUEL PRODUCTION

LARGE-SCALE POWER GENERATION

NEXT-GENERATION BIOFUELS

PLANT OPERATIONS

TESTING: QUALITY & CONTROL

PROCESSES

WASTE-to-ENERGY

WASTE-to-ENERGY PRODUCTS &

EQUIPMENT

OTHER

Building & structures

Bulk material handling systems

Air pollution control

Fiber optic cable solutions

Gas collection covers

Air pollution control

Economic development offi ce

feedstocks that, until now, were impossible or difficult

to process; thereby, significantly reducing the cost to

produce biodiesel.

www.mcgyan.com

Novozymes

Novozymes creates superior and sustainable biosolu-

tions that improve their customers’ business and

safeguard the world’s resources. Novozymes’ enzymes

promote everything from removing trans-fats in food to

advancing biofuels. Biofuels reduce dependency on oil,

decrease carbon emissions, and create jobs. The next big

step is cellulosic ethanol—and they are the first to deliv-

er commercially viable enzyme solutions for this purpose.

Novozymes is working with industry leaders to acceler-

ate the commercialization of cellulosic ethanol with im-

proved enzyme technology and process optimizations. A

number of pilot and demonstration plants are already in

operation, while large-scale commercial plants are under

construction and scheduled to be operational in 2011.

www.bioenergy.novozymes.com



PeopleFlo Manufacturing, Inc.

PeopleFlo Manufacturing offers EnviroGear Sealless

Pumps, which are magnetically coupled gear pumps

designed to lower maintenance costs and eliminate

environmental costs at an affordable price. They have a

magnetic coupling that replaces traditional mechanical

seals and provides zero leakage. It’s also maintenance-

free and requires no flush water. EnviroGear’s unique,

patented design provides “between-the-bearing” sup-

port of the pumping elements and allows for a simple,

compact design. PeopleFlo is working with many industry

leaders in regards to biodiesel and ethanol.

www.peopleflo.com

Schutte-Buffalo Hammermill, LLC

The Series 15 Industrial Grinder from Schutte-Buffalo

Hammermill is a high-production hammer mill suitable

for processing virtually any biomass feedstock to the

exact finished size required for boiler fuel, pelletizing bri-

quetting, and more. Specially designed mill components

reduce the material faster and more efficiently than con-

ventional mills, while the large screen discharge opening

maximizes production capacity. This combination often

allows larger screens to be employed compared to those

of competing machines, without sacrificing particle size,

which translates to higher production, lower energy

consumption, and decreased wear. All mills custom con-

figured to meet customer’s specific processing goals.

www.hammermills.com

BIOMASS PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

Hurst Boiler

The Hurst Reciprocating Grate Stoker with auto-

mated ash removal is the latest edition in Hurst

Boiler’s biomass boiler series. The unit offers the

best of solid fuel combustion, allowing mechani-

cal replacement of fuel with the least amount

of moving parts. This effi cient multi-fuel design

is offered in various confi gurations to utilize a

wide selection of solid fuels. All Hurst factory

stokers are cast from the highest quality steel

alloys and mounted on a robust undercarriage

system. Capable of burning wood, coal, bark,

construction debris, nuts, shells, husks, paper,

cardboard products, hog fuel, sawdust, shav-

ings, sludge, and agricultural biomass, the Hurst

BIOMASS-TER features a CO2 Neutral Release

and PLC based total systems monitoring. Hurst’s

biomass product line is available with options

including Flat Grate Stokers, Underfeed Stokers,

and Traveling Grate Stokers to meet all biomass

system requirements. The company also offers

many alternative fuel solutions and shovel-ready

packaged projects that can help reduce carbon,

emissions, and operating and fuel costs, as well

as enabling eligibly to sell carbon credits.

www.hurstboiler.com

Metso Power

Metso Power provides engineering, construction,

and manufacturing services, as well as technology

(CFB&BFB) products, along with automation,

instrumentation, and integrated solutions by

delivering environmentally friendly combustion

solutions to the power, industrial, and pulp & paper

sectors. Metso boilers use Fluid Bed technology,

combining high-efficiency combustion of high calorific

value fuels with low emissions, even when burning

various fuels simultaneously. Boiler Service: rebuilds

and repairs including, but not limited to, chemical

cleaning consulting, inspections, maintenance,

replacements in kind, made-to-order, pressure parts,

spare parts, lifecycle service with local manufacturing

and service facilities. Pressure Parts: membrane

wall panels, long flow economizers, generating

banks, tubular heat exchangers, super heaters, loose

tube bending. Full metal fabrication is available

including 2D/3D laser cutting (6-axis), engineered

solutions, tube shields, alignment bars, headers, air

heater seals, machining and saw cutting, assembly,

shearing, bending, welding, plating, and powder

coatings. Plus, a complete range of tube shield styles

to solve tube wear problems fast.

www.metsopowerservice.com

Pratt & Whitney Power Systems

Pratt & Whitney, a division of United Technolo-

gies Corporation (UTC), is committed to providing

clean, effi cient, and reliable power within the

renewable energy market. Its Organic Rankine

Cycle (ORC) product line, developed by Pratt &

Whitney Power Systems (PWPS), harnesses heat

to generate electricity from a variety of sources

including biomass, geothermal, reciprocating en-

gines, industrial waste heat, incinerators, oil and

gas fi elds, etc. PWPS developed the PureCycle

power system (280 kW) for low- to moderate-

temperature heat streams, particularly in the

smaller (1 MW or lower) size range. Turboden, a

PWPS company is an ORC manufacturer based in

Italy with over 30 years of experience. They man-

ufacture ORC product lines suitable for moderate

and higher temperature heat streams, particularly

in the larger (1 MW to 7 MW and up) size range.

www.pw.utc.com

Rawlings Waste Wood Hogs

For over 30 years, Rawlings Waste Wood Recovery

systems has offered a blend of process expertise, solid

detailed design capability, and proven project construc-

tion management skills. Rawlings Waste Wood Grind-

ing systems come in all shapes and sizes. Stationary,

portable, and skid mounted systems; both vertical and

horizontal models available to meet customers’ spe-

cific project requirements. For the best return on wood

waste grinding equipment, contact Rawlings.

www.wastewoodhogs.com

Rotochopper

Rotochopper two-stage fi ne grinding systems offer

turnkey solutions for processing raw wood fi ber and

agricultural residue down to short fi ber specifi ca-

tions for pellets, suspension burner fuel, and other

fi ne texture fuel products. Combining the versatility

of Rotochopper horizontal grinders with the fi ne

grinding effi ciency of hammermills, these two-stage

systems can process a wide range of raw materials,

from round corn stover bales to urban wood waste,

down to short fi ber specifi cations in a single pass.

The advanced particle size control of a Rotochop-

per horizontal grinder optimizes the effi ciency of

the in-line hammermill, minimizing wear costs and

downtime. Available with up to 1,000 combined

horsepower, Rotochopper two-stage fi ne grinding

systems can be sized to match unique raw material

and end-product needs with unmatched effi ciency.

www.rotochopper.com

HURST BOILER& WELDING CO., INC

biopower buyers guide 2010




Warren & Baerg Manufacturing, Inc.

The Warren & Baerg Grinder and D-Stringer System:

Baled biomass is conveyed horizontally through the

D-Stringer and into a sealed chamber at a constant

rate where it is ground to the desired particle size in

the W&B Grinder. A sealed conveyor or air take-away

delivers the material into the system. The benefits

are greater production, accommodates any size bale,

less labor, less equipment, less maintenance, and

virtually no dust. Warren & Baerg also manufactures

metering/surge bins (small to large) and conveyors

(drag and belt types). Their metering bin provides an

even, consistent, positive feed, eliminating bridging

and clumping—a blending action occurs as incoming

material flows through the equipment.

www.warrenbaerg.com

Atlas Systems LLC

Atlas Systems manufactured its first storage and reclaim

system for a saw mill in 1959. Since then, the Atlas has

worked well on sawdust, sander dust, wood chips, wood

shavings, bark, hogged wood waste, and refuse derived

fuel. The Atlas live bottom system consists of a storage unit,

sweep conveyor, and one or more outfeed conveyors. The

simple and unique design can be configured in a broad range

of sizes and can be adapted to “open” storage and, in some

cases, to existing storage. The systems can be used for fuel

feed, process feed or truck loading, and are designed to

meet the user’s unique storage and feed requirements. The

advantages of an Atlas include automated positive material

retrieval, low energy consumption, and easy maintenance.

www.atlassystems.net

Bliss Industries, LLC

Bliss Industries, LLC is a manufacturer of wood and biomass

pelleting equipment for residential, commercial, and indus-

trial pellet fuel. Founded in 1981, Bliss Industries maintains

a reputation of manufacturing the most efficient, reliable,

and well-built equipment in the industry. Developed from a

design concept proven worldwide, the range of Pioneer Pel-

let Mills continues to expand. Overall reliability, maximum

efficiency, ease of operation, and maintenance combine

to provide lower operating costs to each owner. Bliss also

manufactures an extensive line of hammermills and coolers

for biomass size reduction, processing, and cooling.

www.bliss-industries.com

Briquetting Systems

The cost of operation and capital for fuel puck

manufacturing is less than pelletizing. Fuel pucks

can be used in all applications that pellets are used

for and have similar heating values and bulk densi-

ties. They will max out a truck or train car. Most fi b-

ers such as wood, agriculture, and paper feedstocks

can be briquetted. Mulitiple systems are available

for processing green slash and small diameter logs

taking advantage of portability where the equipment

can be taken to the source of the fi ber; thereby,

maximizing logistics and transport costs. Fuel pucks

can be used for heating greenhouses, institutional

heating, as well as co-fi ring electric generation

plants. Fuel pucks are available in quartered fash-

ion, which is the size of cubes but denser.

www.briquettingsystems.com

Dearborn Mid-West Conveyor Co.

With over 60 years of experience in the power and pulp &

paper industries, Dearborn Mid-West Conveyor Co. (DMW)

provides project management of complex material handling

systems. The company performs design, integration, and

installation of material handling systems for industries in

North America and abroad. DMW provides an experienced

staff of project managers with a proven success rate of

managing major projects and diverse resources. By inte-

grating advanced technologies into their designs, such as

the pipe conveyor, air supported conveyor, and rotary plow

feeder, systems perform at the highest efficiency possible.

www.dmwcc.com

KEITH Mfg. Co.

KEITH WALKING FLOOR systems are integrated into

material handling systems as receiving, storage, and

metering bins. The KEITH DrivOn bin is designed to

facilitate the delivery of material directly into the plant

distribution system. Material is unloaded directly onto

the DrivOn bin where it is stored and metered as needed.

The WALKING FLOOR system is well-suited to handling

difficult materials, providing the ability to move solid

materials of almost any size. In addition, the WALKING

FLOOR system has low power requirements.

www.keithwalkingfloor.com

MFL Maschinenfabrik Liezen und Giesserei Ges.m.b.H.

MFL, an Austria-based private company, is a top Europe-

an supplier of heat-resistant castings for the waste and

biomass incineration industry. The product range includes

a variety of grate bars for biomass stokers, and they can

be found in the major biomass plants all over Europe.

The precision production process used in the foundry of

MFL is shell-moulding, which is ideal for the manufacture

of castings that have to meet the highest demands with

regard to surface finish, dimensional accuracy, and repro-

ducibility. MFL is acting worldwide, delivering castings

for the incinceration, automotive, cement, and transport

industries, and is renowned for its high-quality products.

www.mfl.at

Precision Machine & Manufacturing, Inc.

Founded in 1977, Precision Machine & Manufacturing,

Inc. is a designer and manufacturer of rotary valves, rotary

feeders, and screw conveyor material handling systems

and components. The company works closely with bio-

mass power co-generation customers throughout North

America to create unique solutions that maximize uptime

and efficiency and minimize lifecycle costs. Precision

Machine’s products are designed using the best materials

and fabricated in the USA to tight tolerances, using the

latest CNC and robotic equipment to handle virtually any

dry, granular, or powdery material. Unlike valves made

from castings, Precision’s machined valve components last

up to four times longer in harsh environments.

www.premach.com

Robert White Industries, Inc.

Robert White Industries, Inc. provides equipment integra-

tion services for recycling and processing biomass into

value-added usable material. Since 1989, RWI has offered

system design services, experience, equipment, and ex-

pertise to deal with the challenges presented by biomass

size reduction, storage, and material handling. Drawing on

a variety of manufacturers, RWI provides profit-improving

biomass processing solutions for small firms to the largest

US corporations. More recently RWI provided biomass re-

ceiving, handling, and fuel preparation systems for various

companies, including the world’s largest ethanol producer.

www.rwii.net

Vecoplan, LLC

Vecoplan engineers and manufactures complete alternative

fuel systems including: pre-shredding, separation, screen-

ing, air classification, re-shredding, storage, unloading,

sampling, and delivery of fuel to its processing destination.

Systems are used in the preparation of biomass boiler fuel

for co-firing with coal and other fuels, for size reduction

prior to gasification, for size reduction prior to pelletizing,

and in the conversion process for cellulosic ethanol and

other biofuels. Vecoplan shredders provide consistently

sized feedstock, the flexibility to change the size desired,

high throughputs, heavy duty construction, and low-cost,

easily replaced wear parts. Vecoplan is experienced in

wood, corn stover, switch grass, miscanthus, any Ag fuel

crop, and all organic matter used as alternative fuel.

www.vecoplanllc.com

West Salem Machinery Co. (WSM)

West Salem Machinery has over 60 years of experience

manufacturing fuel preparation machinery and systems

with the flexibility to customize the right solution for

customers around the world. One example is a biomass

facility that teamed with WSM to upgrade their fuel

handling system to keep up with changes in incoming

feedstock. The system, which includes WSM 60-12 Disc

Screen, WSM 4048BP Grinder, all in-feed and discharge

chutes, support structures, access platforms, and factory

assistance with installation and start up, allows them to

process higher volumes of biomass from more diverse fuel

types and produce a lower cost fuel—all from a single

supplier. WSM is a solution-oriented company with ap-

plication expertise in processing systems and machinery

with fiber prep systems in operation throughout the world.

www.westsalem.com

Focus on your research – not on finding funds to replace your chamber. Percival Scientific plant growth chambers are your reliable choice for chambers that will support your research projects for years to come!

Let us customize a chamber to meet your exacting research needs! Contact us 1-800-695-2743 or [email protected]

MANUFACTURED IN THE USA

Percival Scientific, Inc. 505 Research Drive | Perry, Iowa 50220

800.695.2743 or 515.465.9363

percival-scientific.com

re-li-able1: suitable or fit to be relied on

2: giving the same result

on successful trials




Offices in Indiana, Texas, and Ontario, Canada

www.whiteconstruction.com • 1-800-355-9401

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long lasting businessrelationships are our reward.

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BIOMASS THERMAL ENERGY

Intrinergy Operating LP

Through three subsidiaries, Intrinergy manufactures wood

pellets, sources biomass, and builds, owns, and operates

CHP facilities around the world. Intrinergy’s Enviva Materi-

als aggregates and delivers wood biomass for Intrinergy

facilities and third parties in the US and Europe. Their

foresters and operators have over a century of combined

experience in the biomass industry. Intrinergy’s Enviva Pel-

lets produces high-quality industrial and residential wood

pellets, manufacturing and distributing several hundred

thousand tons of pellets annually to customers globally. In-

trinergy’s CHP division converts cost-competitive biomass

into green electricity and steam for industrial customers

through CHP. The entire Intrinergy team is dedicated to

seeking out safe, stable, reliable energy solutions.

www.intrinergy.com

Jackson Lumber Harvester Company, Inc.

Jackson Lumber Harvester Company, Inc. manufactures

and sells biomass Webb Burners around the world. Their

Webb Burners continue to hold the rank “Best Available

Combustion Technology.” Using a variety of alternative fu-

els, years of clean combustion performance has resulted in

positive evaluations by environmental protection agencies.

For companies that use a large amount of energy, Webb

Burners offer both profitability and fuel cost savings.

www.jacksonlbrharvester.com

Trace Environmental Systems

Trace is a provider of Continuous Stack Monitoring Sys-

tems and Reporting Software. Trace offers both CEMs

and PEMs, as well as ongoing support services including

report generation and on-site preventive maintenance

and audit programs.

www.traceenv.com

BIOREFINERY SYSTEMS

Biodiesel Analytical Solutions

Equip a whole Biodiesel Quality Lab with every ASTM

D6751 specified analyzer—all from one company. BAS

will install, calibrate, write the SOPs, and service all the

equipment. Biodiesel Analytical Solutions can even fi-

nance a laboratory with lease and rental programs. BAS

is also the provider of the Mcgyan Biodiesel Process that

can convert all known feedstocks up to 100% Free Fatty

Acids into ASTM-quality biodiesel without producing

glycerin or using harsh acids or bases.

www.biodieselanalytical.com

BUSINESS & INVESTMENT

RSA

RSA has been in business for 300 years and has

offered renewable energy insurance for 30 years.

RSA has the expertise and global reach to deliver

seamless protection at every stage of develop-

ment, from planning and transportation to con-

struction and operation. Their specialist renew-

able energy underwriters are linked into a team

of experts around the world and can offer expert

advice and fl exible programs. Their risk control

specialists work with clients and their broker to

identify areas that need clarity and provide solu-

tions to keep projects on track. And, should the

need arise, their Claims Service is here to help

companies get back on track as soon as possible.

www.rsagroup.ca

Taylor-DeJongh (TDJ)

Taylor-DeJongh is an energy investment banking firm

that provides tailor-made capital solutions to conven-

tional and renewable power projects globally. The firm

brings project development, capital structuring, project

financing skills, and over 29 years of experience in clos-

ing energy projects. TDJ has successfully advised on the

structuring and financing of US$70 billion worth of debt

and equity investments in more than 100 countries. The



firm also advises clients on corporate finance, capital

raising, and M&A transactions. Furthermore, TDJ has

advised on over 240 power projects worldwide including

conventional, CHP, CCGT, waste-to-energy, and other

renewable power projects. The firm is a financial advi-

sor to the US Department of Energy’s Loan Guarantee

Program.

www.taylor-dejongh.com

CONSTRUCTION

Aevenia, Inc.

Aevenia, Inc. is a premier energy and electrical con-

structor providing design-build services for collection

systems, transmission, tower wiring, interconnection,

substations, and fiber optic systems. The company

offers design, installation, and management to cover

every critical aspect of a project, as well as a guar-

antee of safety, efficiency, and quality maintenance

when the job is done. Aevenia companies provide

electrical construction, heavy industrial wiring, power

transmission and distribution, fixed security systems,

data and fiber-optic networking, as well as service

and technical support.

www.aevenia.com

Fagen, Inc.

Fagen, Inc. is one of the largest merit shop green

energy design-builders in the United States.

Utilizing a database of over 25,000 direct-hire

employees, Fagen, Inc. has constructed 60% of

the ethanol production capacity in the US. Fagen,

Inc. has constructed a variety of projects includ-

ing biomass plants, wind farms, and power gen-

eration facilities. Fagen, Inc. owns the equipment

necessary to meet industrial demand growth,

including one of the largest heavy crane fl eets.

Their standard for quality, safety and service has

led Fagen, Inc. to be listed in the top 40 in ENR’s

largest contractors in the United States.

www.fageninc.com

McCormick Construction Company

McCormick Construction Company (McC) is a

trusted partner/contractor to build, support,

and maintain premium renewable energy facili-

ties. They specialize in bulk storage, material

handling, and processing of feedstock. The value

they bring to every project results in lower op-

erating costs and greater plant productivity. The

company’s objective is to provide a safe working

environment for all employees while delivering

a high-quality product backed with service and

long-term customer satisfaction.

www.mccormickconstruction.com

TekSupply

ClearSpan Fabric Structures are durable, affordable,

and versatile, with sizes to fit any application. Ideal

for equipment and material storage, ClearSpan Fabric

Structures are easy to build and relocate, and are avail-

able with options like steel roll-up doors, vented end

panels, and roll-up sides. Constructed from rugged Allied

Gatorshield structural steel tubing and a durable fabric

cover, a ClearSpan structure is built to last. Compare the

price of a ClearSpan building to the $30,000 to $40,000

price tag of a metal or wood building, and enjoy lower

construction costs, maintenance fees, and energy bills.

www.teksupply.com

CONSULTING & PROJECT DEVELOPMENTViability

When weighing financial strategies for expansion, ac-

quiring new technologies, or becoming more energy ef-

ficient, consider Viability, LLC. Viability acquires grants,

secures tax incentives, generates carbon credit financ-

ing, and realizes other incentives to lower costs and

improve return on investment. The company embraces

sustainable strategies and believes that doing good

business can change the world. They accomplish this by

using best practices consulting, which results in custom-

ized, creative, and innovative solutions. They also offer a

free incentive analysis

(http://viabilityllc.com/tools/is-there-a-grant-for-you).

www.viabilityllc.com

Plante & Moran PLLC

Plante & Moran is a public accounting and business

advisory firm specializing in providing clients with

assistance in renewable energy with project formation,

on-going operations, and regulatory compliance.

Their professionals have experience working with

renewable energy production credits, energy incentives,


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grant applications, financial models, and transaction

structuring. Founded in 1924, Plante & Moran is the

nation’s 12th largest certified public accounting and

management consulting firm according with locations

throughout the world.

www.plantemoran.com

CONVERSION TECHNOLOGIES

Innovatus Energy

Harness the stored sunlight in biomass for heat, power,

and liquid fuels synthesis. Innovatus Energy provides

renewable fuel solutions for mill owners, businesses,

researchers, villages, home owners, and off-grid power

projects. Their modular biomass refineries create an

ultra-clean syngas that can be used to power engines,

provide heating fuel, or act as a feedstock for gas-to-

liquids research.

www.innovatusenergy.com

ENGINEERING & DESIGN

Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH)

Each biomass project is comprised of distinct compo-

nents that must come together to form an efficient,

energy producing solution. SEH helps clients identify

and optimize the pieces of the project from funding,

planning, and permitting to customized plants, proc-

ess technologies and related support. Their expertise

extends to biomass, wind, hydropower, pulp & paper,

metals, mining, and other industries. SEH delivers

complete projects that enable clients to reduce costs,

eliminate dependence on fossil fuels, and lower

greenhouse gas emissions. With a network of con-

sultants working from offices throughout the US, SEH

is a trusted advisor for helping spark new ideas and

new approaches to energy independence.

www.sehinc.com

ADI Systems Inc.

ADI Systems offers waste-to-energy systems that produce

renewable energy in the form of biogas used to offset

electrical and natural gas expenses. ADI treatment sys-

tems produce effluents that meet even the most stringent

effluent limits and are suitable for discharge or re-use.

www.adisystemsinc.com

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates

Conestoga-Rovers & Associates (CRA) provides com-

prehensive engineering, environmental consulting,



“Perfect In One Pass” TM particle size control

for converting raw wood fiber & agricultural residue into biomass fuel products.

Electric or diesel 150 - 765 horsepower Portable, stationary, or track-mounted

Rotochopper, Inc. | 217 West Street | St. Martin, MN 56376

construction, and information technology (IT) services

to the energy industry. Since 1976, CRA has provided

practical, innovative, and effective services in such

areas as environmental site assessment and remedia-

tion, regulatory compliance and permitting, environ-

mental health and safety, solid and hazardous waste

management, air quality management, municipal infra-

structure planning and design, as well as construction

services. CRA is a technical service organization, and

their diversified staff is committed to meeting or ex-

ceeding clients’ expectations through a team approach,

hands-on experience, and technical expertise. CRA has

a reputation for delivering technically sound and sus-

tainable solutions on time and within budget.

www.craworld.com

Newpoint Thermal

Newpoint Thermal designs and manufactures custom

equipment that can convert waste gas into energy. The

waste gas is converted into useful energy, in the form of

process heat. Their equipment can reduce operational

costs compared to conventional energy sources and they

welcome the opportunity to evaluate process require-

ments. Newpoint’s process heating equipment offered

includes: Thermal Fluid Systems (gas and oil fired);

Direct Fired API Heaters; Convection Process Heaters;

Process Bath Heaters; Waste Heat Recovery Systems;

High-Pressure Steam Generator; and Engineered Skid

Packages. Service and maintenance for new equipment

and services for existing equipment includes: Pre-com-

missioning Check-out; Commissioning and Start-up Sup-

port; Operator Training; Regular Maintenance Support;

and Replacement Parts.

www.newpointhx.com

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT / POLICY

Ecology and Environment, Inc.

E & E brings 40 years of worldwide environmental

consulting experience to biopower projects. They can

identify and measure available biomass and waste-

to-energy resources, and model and monitor air emis-

sions, surface, and groundwater supplies, as well as

wastewater effluents and noise. They also assess

project land use, transportation, and socioeconomic

and cultural resource impacts. E & E’s highly multi-

disciplinary teams include specialists in outreaching

to a broad range of stakeholders and specialists in

obtaining all of the required federal, state, and local

government regulatory permits. E & E can help get the

“green light” for biopower projects throughout North

America and overseas.

www.ene.com

The Avogadro Group, LLC

The Avogadro Group, LLC (Avogadro) specializes in

air emission measurements of many different types

of stationary sources, striving to create a seamless,

personalized service that is the provider-of-choice to air

quality decision makers and environmental engineers for

accurate and timely emissions data. From their location

in Portland, Oregon, as well as other locations in Oregon

and California, The Avogadro Group can field multiple

mobile test labs and over 30 experienced source testers

to handle any size sampling project. In addition, they

maintain a full-time, in-house laboratory and provide

cutting-edge on-site analytical capabilities such as FTIR

analysis. Avogadro takes pride in building a long-term

client relationship, which gives the company a higher

understanding of facilities, personnel, and business

concerns. With this approach, Avogadro consistently

provides proof of compliance with air regulations to help

clients improve operational efficiencies, enhance their

environmental image, and avoid penalties.

www.avogadrogroup.com



FOREST & WOOD PROCESSING

Continental Biomass Industries, Inc. (CBI, Inc.)

For more than 20 years, CBI has designed solutions

for an ever-changing marketplace. As opportunities

change, CBI continues to be at the forefront in creating

new, innovative processes to efficiently utilize wastes

currently going into the landfill and help customers re-

alize the “Lost BTU’s.” With focus on reducing depend-

ence on foreign oil, CBI continues to engineer and build

equipment and systems that will: “Fuel the Future.”

Processing C&D, MSW, RR ties, telephone poles, and

countless other contaminated waste streams, as well

as traditional wood wastes, at a lower cost per ton

strongly positions CBI to enter the next era of utiliza-

tion and waste reduction. With a product line that

extends across the full spectrum—including shredding,

feeding, sorting, grinding, screening, and conveying,

CBI provides more value, by design.

www.cbi-inc.com

Bandit Industries, Inc.

Bandit Industries, Inc. offers a complete line of powerful

whole tree chippers and horizontal grinders that assist in

producing feedstock for the growing bioenergy markets. The

oversized drums and powerful feed systems on their whole

tree chippers make them some of the most productive ma-

chines on the market today. Bandit’s Beast horizontal grind-

ers are equally effective in producing wood biomass as these

innovative wood waste recycling machines can produce a

variety of end-products: from quality mulch to miniscule

chips known as ‘biosawdust,’ and everything in between.

These machines are available as both track units or towable,

and are available with engine options up to 1200-hp.

www.banditchippers.com

BEDESCHI AMERICA INC.

BEDESCHI has been designing, manufacturing, and

marketing industrial equipment for the biomass, cement,

brick, mining, mineral, power, wood, pulp, and paper in-

dustries for over 100 years. Their line of products encom-

passes equipment for raw materials handling, designed

to fit the specific needs of clients such as: Apron Feeders,

Crushers, Stackers (linear and circular), Reclaimers (lin-

ear, circular, and blending), and Ship Loaders and Unload-

ers. With their in-house engineering department, BEDE-

SCHI designs and engineers all of their equipment using

the latest software systems. They fabricate, assemble,

and test all machines in their 500,000 ft² manufacturing

facility. BEDESCHI’s field technicians follow the erection/

assembly phase of the machines on-site, along with pro-

viding start-up and commissioning assistance—allowing

the company to supply machines and plants to engineer-

ing companies and clients around the world.

www.bedeschiamerica.com

Diamond Z

As a pioneer in wood grinding technology, Diamond Z has

established a global reputation for manufacturing the high-

est quality, most durable, easy to service, and most produc-

tive industrial grinders available. Their state-of-the-art

grinders ensure a cost-effective and profitable environment

for customers. Diamond Z offers a broad range of tub, hori-

zontal, and solid waste grinder models designed to suit any

application. From composting to construction and demoli-

tion, land clearing to tire disposal, municipal solid waste to

asphalt shingle grinding, nothing grinds like the Diamond Z.

www.diamondz.com

DuraTech Industries

DuraTech Industries is a respected equipment manufacturer

in the global marketplace, offering products that have a

reputation for being durable and built to exceed market

expectations of high-value for the dollars expended. These

quality built units offer today’s busy operators new and bet-

ter cost-effective methods for performing their many and

varied functions. DuraTech Industries manufactures farm

and industrial equipment that help make tough jobs easier.

DuraTech’s products can be found on the farm or ranch, in

the fields or forests, and in the city or country. DuraTech

provides its customers with equipment specially designed to

harness the economical, environmental, and efficient pow-

ers of biomass technology. Whether it’s in the forest or on

the farm, DuraTech has the answer for biomass equipment.

www.duratechindustries.net

Peterson Pacifi c Corporation

Peterson’s popular 5900 disc chipper has been further

enhanced with key features that high-volume chipping

operations demand. The new 5900EL (extended length)

features an 11-foot (3.3 meter) feed deck, PT Tech hy-

draulic clutch, direct drive for the internal feed rolls, a

totally enclosed CAT C18 engine, and is Tier 4 ready. The

Peterson model 5900EL disc chipper is built to produce

high-quality paper chips when paired with a Peterson

model 4800 debarker or fuel chips as a standalone fuel

wood chipper. The 5900EL has a large feed throat capa-

ble of accepting up to a 23-inch (563mm) diameter tree or

multiple smaller diameter stems. The 5900EL is provided

with a standard three knife disc, and is also available

with an optional four knife disc. Peterson’s heavy duty 66-

inch (1676mm) diameter 4.75 inch (121mm) thick chipper

disc has a replaceable 0.5-inch (13mm) thick wear plate.

Chipping production rates from 60 to 100 tons (55 to 90

tonnes) can be achieved depending on chip size.

www.petersoncorp.com

FUEL PRODUCTIONGreenwave Biodiesel

Greenwave Biodiesel’s objective is to be an influencing

factor in the wave of change throughout the nation’s

energy sector. They are committed to producing the

highest quality biodiesel that meets or exceeds the

specifications set forth in ASTM D6751 specifications.

Their production facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida has

implemented a perfected process for generating a clean,

renewable energy source through the beneficial re-use

of a problematic waste stream (waste vegetable oil/

animal fats). Greenwave Biodiesel utilizes a time-tested

methodology of producing biodiesel, further enhanced

by recently developed production process improvements.

Their second-generation process is a completely closed

loop, waterless system that is capable of efficiently

processing multiple feedstocks including waste vegeta-

ble oil and animal renderings.

www.greenwavebiodiesel.com

WIKA Instrument Corporation

The WIKA XSEL process gauge series is designed for

applications with high dynamic pressure pulsations or

vibration. Utilizing a stress reducing Bourdon tube design

and movement with hardened components, the XSEL

process gauge pressure system is capable of producing

10 million or more pressure cycles. Due to its greater

resistance to vibration and pulsation, the XSEL reduces

downtime from regularly worn-out instruments and im-

proves safety risks from the release of gaseous or liquid

media. With positive pressure ranges up to 30,000 psi, a

five-year warranty on the gauge and a 10-year warranty

on the pressure system, the WIKA XSEL series exceeds

industry expectations. The XSEL family includes a variety

of options including stainless steel, Monel, and copper

alloy models.

www.wika.com

LARGE-SCALE POWER GENERATION

American Electric Technologies, Inc. (AETI)

American Electric Technologies, Inc. is the first to

offer 38kV arc mitigation switchgear—the safest

and most cost-effective alternative to arc-resistant

switchgear. AETI’s switchgear requires no venting

of arc flash explosions, and exceeds NFPA Code 70E

guidelines by including closed-cell remote rack-in and

rack-out. As a result, the switchgear addresses OS-

HA’s concern with arc flash hazards, while providing

high-end performance with 3000 Amp and 150k BIL

ratings with ANSI/UL and ANSI Non-UL certifications.

In addition, the use of vacuum rather than SF6 tech-

nology eliminates expensive gas recharging cycles

and the handling of toxic gas. For over 60 years, AETI

has been providing innovative power distribution and

conversion equipment and electrical voltages services

to the utility and renewable energies industries.

www.aeti.com

Babcock & Wilcox (B&W)

The Babcock & Wilcox Company is an international pro-

vider of advanced clean energy technology solutions. B&W

has demonstrated experience with a wide range of bio-

mass and waste fuels and technologies to generate steam

for electric utilities, process industries, and heat. Technolo-

gies include bubbling fluidized-bed, circulating fluidized-

bed, stoker-fired, and process recovery boilers. In addition,

B&W’s capabilities include co-firing technologies, biomass

gasification, municipal solid waste, and refuse-derived

fuel combustion for waste-to-energy facilities, as well as

solar thermal receivers for scalable concentrated solar

power. B&W also provides advanced emissions control

systems, engineered upgrades, condition assessment, field

engineering services, construction, and plant operations

and maintenance services. B&W offers a diverse portfolio

of clean and efficient energy technologies to meet the

power demands of today and tomorrow.

www.babcock.com


NEXT-GENERATION BIOFUELS

KBR

KBR is a global engineering, procurement, construction,

and operations and maintenance services company sup-

porting the energy, hydrocarbon, government services,

and civil infrastructure sectors. The company provides its

clients with vast knowledge and expertise in the growing

end-markets it serves, particularly renewable energy,

biofuels, gas monetization, refining, petrochemicals,

and specialty chemicals businesses. With respect to

biofuels, KBR has extensive material handling, fermenta-

tion, gasification, synthesis gas conversion, and product

separation experience. As a technology based company

operating its own Technology Development Center for

83 years, KBR has experience in process development,

scale-up, and commercialization of new technologies.

Also, the company’s record on safety, sustainability, and

training local workforces remains one of the highest in

the industry.

www.kbr.com

PLANT OPERATIONS

NAES Corporation

As a worldwide provider of third-party power plant

operations and maintenance (O&M) services, with a

portfolio of 161 projects and 45,000 MW, NAES Cor-

poration operates energy facilities with best practices

to deliver the highest levels of safety, compliance,

and performance. NAES operates the broadest range

of technologies and fuels in the industry, and is an

operator of biopower facilities in the US. NAES also

provides specialized services to improve plant tech-

nical and economic performance while enhancing

personnel effectiveness. Born from 22 years of best-

in-class operations, these technical support services

include customized operating procedures and system

descriptions, plant operational programs, NERC

Compliance, computerized maintenance management

systems (CMMS), oversight/assessment, and start-up

and commissioning services.

www.naes.com

Superior Industries

Superior Industries, a manufacturer of conveyor systems

and components, has announced its new Core Systems

Design program, which offers drive and tail pulley as-

semblies custom-engineered for a specific application.

Core Systems creates cost-efficiencies for customers by

ensuring that drive components are ideally suited for the

particular job specifications, while also making sure that

power requirements are met. Each custom-engineered

drive assembly is delivered as a pre-assembled package,

which eliminates the costly labor involved in on-site as-

sembly and greatly reduces installation time.

www.superior-ind.com



RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT

Percival Scientifi c

Percival Scientifi c research chambers offer reliable custom

solutions designed to meet specifi c research requirements.

Their solutions begin with two distinct lines of quality

chambers, the CustomDesignSeries and the SelectSeries.

Both represent a long and rich tradition of delivering prod-

uct ingenuity and dependability throughout the world’s top

research labs. No detail in their chambers is overlooked.

Percival offers multiple lighting and humidity options, and

their products are manufactured and tested in the USA.

www.percival-scientific.com

Penn State University - Industrial Research Offi ce

Penn State has significant strengths in biomass feedstock pro-

duction, sustainable bioenergy systems, and biomass conversion

to energy. The Industrial Research Office can help companies

identify researchers with the expertise to meet their needs. In-

quire about their BioEnergy Bridge consortium with industry and

the public sector to examine the critical, systems level issues

related to creating a sustainable bioindustry for fuels, heat and

power, and products from America’s rich biomass resources.

www.iro.psu.edu

TESTING: QUALITY & CONTROL PROCESSES

Wilks Enterprise, Inc.

Wilks Enterprise manufactures rugged, portable, cost-effec-

tive analyzers for biofuels. The InfraCal Biodiesel Blend Ana-

lyzer and InfraCal Ethanol Blend Analyzer are low-cost, single

component analyzers for percent biodiesel in diesel or ethanol

in gasoline. The InfraSpec VFA-IR Spectrometer is a spectral

range analyzer capable of monitoring more than one compo-

nent. Measurements include ethanol in gasoline, biodiesel in

diesel, water and FFA in biodiesel feedstocks, and production

monitoring of total glycerides. The InfraCal Analyzers and the

InfraSpec Spectrometer are easy to use, give results in under

one minute, and are ideal for on-site or laboratory use.

www.wilksir.com

WASTE-to-ENERGY

Alter NRG Corp.

Alter NRG aims to meet the growing demand for energy

in world markets by providing clean energy solutions that

are economically viable and environmentally sustainable.

Through its wholly owned subsidiary Westinghouse Plasma

Corporation, Alter NRG owns the only commercially proven,

plasma gasification technology providing a wide variety of

energy outputs—including liquid fuels like diesel, ethanol,

power, and syngas—from variable feedstocks. Alter NRG

also owns CleanEnergy, a geoexchange company leading

the rapidly growing Canadian geoexchange residential

and commercial heating and cooling market. By providing

an energy alternative that is used extensively around the

world Alter NRG, through CleanEnergy enables consumers

to reduce their carbon footprint and reduce the cost and

volatility of energy bills using the energy from the earth.

www.alternrg.ca

ElectraTherm, Inc.

ElectraTherm, Inc. delivers renewable energy solutions

for a sustainable future, now. The company’s proven,

patented Twin Screw Expander enables its line of heat-

to-power generators to make electricity from waste and

geothermal heat instead of fossil fuel. ElectraTherm’s

fuel-free, emission-free and low-cost technology offers

the industry’s shortest payback period on investment.

www.electratherm.com

The Teaford Company, Inc.

The Teaford Company designs, fabricates, and installs bio-

mass combustion and drying systems for the forest products

and agricultural industries. These systems include biomass

combustion energy systems for superheated and saturated

steam boilers, cogeneration systems, thermal oil heaters,

and direct fired systems. The Teaford Company also offers

lumber dry kilns heated from biomass fired boilers, thermal

oil heaters or direct fired with flue gases. The Teaford Com-

pany is the licensed fabricator in North America for SPE/

Dieffenbacher rotary dryers, superheated steam dryers and

flash tube dryers. The Teaford Company and SPE can offer

an energy and drying system for a pellet mill, OSB, MDF, or

particleboard plant or any other drying application.

www.teafordco.com

One enormous outlet for clean renewable electricity.It’s in our power.™

Zero emissions. Endless potential. Our PureCycle® Power System and Turboden products harness hot liquids from sources including biomass, geothermal or oil & gas co-produced fl uids, reciprocating engines, gas turbines and industrial waste heat. Generating from 280 kW to more than 2 MW of clean, reliable electricity. Learn more at www.pw.utc.com.

Power Systems



WASTE-to-ENERGY PRODUCTS & EQUIPMENT

CW Mill

Consider using biomass to provide electricity not only to

power plant equipment, but also to provide electricity to

operate Electric Powered HogZilla Grinder. CW Mill has

been building electric and diesel-powered grinders for

decades—such as 14 tub and horizontal units for wood

and waste recycling, ranging from 565HP to 2000HP,

including self-propelled track driven, self-loading, and

electric units. Optional thrown object restraint and tire

processing packages are also available, and ask about

their tips, screens, and service for all brands.

www.hogzilla.com

Firestone Specialty Products

Innovative projects require innovative products, like Fire-

stone Geomembranes. From anaerobic digesters, which

convert animal waste into an alternative energy source,

to landfill caps, which harness solar power and biogas—

Firestone is proud to be a part of the solution. Their

geomembrane products’ durability and elasticity even in

exposed applications, combined with their expertise, help

ensure the success of even the most demanding projects.

www.firestonesp.com/nace2

Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc.

Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc. is a global industrial

air filtration company. The company manufactures and

distributes air filter elements in 100 market segments,

across six continents. They maintain a large diversi-

fied inventory of high-quality, custom-made dust

collector and baghouse filter bags, cartridge filters,

pleated elements, and baghouse accessories in their

global manufacturing facilities for critical delivery.

www.midwescofi lter.com

AgSolutions LLC

AgSolutions LLC provides alternative heating solutions

for biofuels producers. Their system can operate with

most types of liquid fuels, including waste products or

byproducts such as glycerin. They can also modify many

larger burners for use with the same alternative fuels,

even synthetic fuels.

www.agsolutionsllc.com

Amandus Kahl USA Corporation

KAHL Biomass Pelleting Plants Amandus Kahl offer pellet-

ing presses with a drive power from 3 kW to 500 kW. In to-

tal, 12 different sizes are available. The production capaci-

ties of the most plants range between 1.5 and 8 t/h. Larger

plants of up to 40 t/h are provided for industrial production

of pellets. Possible applications of the KAHL pelleting

press include Wood Waste: wood shavings, wood chips,

sawdust, wood and sanding dust; and, Straw: Miscanthus,

Bagasse, and other biomasses. Services include: consulta-

tion and assistance in obtaining approval, engineering,

commissioning, installation, and after-sales service; KAHL

supply turn-key plants for the recycling sector; and, product

tests, which can be carried out in the KAHL pilot plant.

www.akahl.us

MFL Maschinenfabrik Liezen und Giesserei

Ges.m.b.H.

MFL produces air-cooled and water-cooled grate bars for

the major stoker manufacturers. The production exper-

tise with regard to water-cooled grate parts cover both,

components with integrally cast cooling tubes and pre-

cast cooling channels. MFL’s grate bars can be found in

waste and biomass incineration plants, coal fired power

plants, and sinter plants all around the world.

www.mfl.at

SSI Shredding Systems, Inc.

Since 1980, SSI Shredding Systems has designed and

manufactured size reduction systems for solid waste prep-

aration for thermal treatment or alternative fuels process-

ing. SSI has supplied solutions worldwide for waste

materials including industrial and hazardous wastes to

tires, as well as wood and organic materials. With many

low-speed, high-torque technologies to offer, SSI creates

custom size-reduction solutions made for high-perform-

ance, low-maintenance, and online reliability.

www.ssiworld.com

TurboSonic Inc.

TurboSonic Technologies designs and markets air pol-

lution control technologies to industrial customers

worldwide. TurboSonic has provided emissions control

and evaporative gas cooling solutions to more than 2000

projects. Its products help companies in the cement

and mineral processing, ethanol and biofuels, metals

and mining, petrochemicals, power generation, pulp &

paper, waste incineration, and wood products indus-

tries meet the strictest emissions regulations, improve

performance, reduce operating costs, and improve

community relations. Products include: SonicKleen Wet

Electrostatic Precipitator (WESP); Turbotak Atomizing

Nozzles; SoniCool Evaporative Gas Cooling and Condi-

tioning; TurboVenturi Scrubber; Turbotak Wet Scrubber;

TurboSOx SO2 Recovery; SonicBURN Waste Fuel Com-

bustion; TurboSorb Semi-Dry Scrubber; and, NOx Control

Systems, CGT Systems for VOC control, spare parts, and

system upgrades.

www.turbosonic.com

Vermeer Corporation

The Vermeer TG7000 tub grinder offers many unique

characteristics for organic/wood processing applications.

The TG7000 has two CAT 3412 E engine options includ-

ing: 860 hp (641 kW), and 1,000 hp (746 kW). The unit

has an inside tub diameter of 10 feet (3m), a depth of 56

inches (142cm), and an 11-foot-4-inch (3.45m) loading

height. The Duplex Drum cutting system offers optimum

cutting performance and simplified maintenance. The

reversible hammers and cutter blocks offer nearly double

the life of single-sided designs. The patented Thrown

Object Restraint System (TORS) combines a tub cover

and rotor deflector, reducing the quantity and distance of

thrown objects.

www.vermeer.com

OTHER (Building & structures)

ClearSpan Fabric Structures

Low in cost and easy to relocate, ClearSpan Fabric

Structures are an ideal solution for equipment, vehi-

cle, and other storage needs. Discover a cost-effec-

tive building with a spacious interior, which needs no

artificial lighting during the day. With minimal foun-

dation requirements, the structures can be permanent

or temporary, and are easy to relocate. ClearSpan

structures are also virtually maintenance-free as dust

and dirt wash off easily with water and no painting is

required. Made in the USA, these structures can be

built to any size.

www.clearspan.com

OTHER(Bulk material handling systems)

Martin Engineering

Martin Engineering, an international supplier of systems

and services to improve the handling of bulk materi-

als, has introduced a new standard for the design and

construction of belt conveyors. EVO, a dust accumulation

resistant system, uses a new engineering concept to

produce clean, safe, and productive belt conveyors from

the ground up. Flat surfaces, where dust can accumulate,

are eliminated. The EVO Modern Conveyor Architecture

offers a complete and re-thought system that is cost

competitive with conventional design standards, and

also provides improved performance in cleanliness,

service-friendliness, and safety. Martin Engineering also

specializes in air cannons, air-supported conveyors, belt

cleaners, engineered vibration, installation, mainte-

nance, process improvement services, and much more.

www.martin-eng.com

OTHER (Air pollution control)

TurboSonic Inc.

TurboSonic designs and markets clean air technologies

to customers worldwide. Hundreds of companies in

industries including power generation, biofuel (including

ethanol), cement, steel, mineral processing, metal-

lurgical smelting, petrochemical, pulp & paper, waste

incineration (including waste-to-energy), and wood prod-

ucts rely on TurboSonic to meet the strictest emissions

regulations, improve performance, and reduce operating

costs.

www.turbosonic.com

OTHER (Fiber optic cable solutions)FiberTech USA, Inc.

FiberTech USA Inc., a division of LEONI Fiber Optics, is a

specialist for all fiber optics needs. They offer custom-

ized fiber optic solutions for renewable energy systems.

Their product range includes POF, PCS, and glass fibers,

as well as high-flex cable solutions and assembly. They

also have long-term experience and product approvals

including UL and or CSA.

www.us-fi bertech.com

OTHER (Gas collection covers)

Geomembrane Technologies Inc. (GTI)

Geomembrane Technologies Inc. provides innovative gas

collection cover systems. GTI also designs, engineers,

fabricates, installs, and maintains complete odor control

and gas collection systems.

www.gticovers.com

OTHER (Air pollution control)

McGill AirClean

McGill AirClean is uniquely positioned in the air pollution

control industry with the ability to supply multiple solu-

tions for any given application. With this advantage, they

will customize an ideal solution based on an individual

application, and not just promote a technology because

it is all they can offer. McGill AirClean offers turnkey

projects with complete engineering, fabrication, con-

struction, and service. Their solutions for boiler MACT

compliance include: Dry Sorbent Injection Systems,

Spray Dry Scrubbers, Pulse-Jet Fabric Filters, Dry and

Wet Electrostatic Precipitators, DeNOx SCR Reactors,

and Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers.

www.mcgillairclean.com

OTHER(Economic development offi ce)

Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership

(Economic development office)

The community of Sarnia-Lambton is heavily involved in

the field of industrial bioproducts, and is also home to

Canada’s Bioindustrial Innovation Centre. The Bioindus-

trial Innovation Centre is located at The Research Park in

Sarnia-Lambton (operated by the University of Western

Ontario). There, researchers and scientists work with

business to commercialize bio and sustainable energy

products. State-of-the-art facilities include a pyrolysis

unit and wet labs. The Bioindustrial Innovation Centre

and its lab facilities (see photo) are located in south-

western Ontario, Canada.

www.sarnialambton.on.ca




18th Annual North AmericanWaste-to-Energy Conference (NAWTEC)May 11th to 13th • Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek—Orlando, Floridahttp://nawtec.swana.orgNAWTEC is widely recognized as the leading industry technical conference and trade show focusing on municipal waste-to-energy opera-tional issues and policy, technology and research initiatives.


Interlocking adhesive seal Midwesco’s Pleat+Plus Molded Design eliminates abrasion issues compared to traditional metal end caps. The traditional metal end cap can create abrasion in the recess, as well as shrinkage and chemistry fl uctuations between the potting compound and the end cap. Midwesco’s new molded bottom integrates a universal pleat spacing and inner core rest-up while improving the company’s interlocking adhesive seal. Mid-wesco’s new molded design creates a strong-er, more complete interlocking adhesive seal for the Pleat+Plus product line. Midwesco’s molded design provides customers with longer pleated bag life, which is resistant to the corrosive baghouse gas fl ow and with-stands operating temperatures up to 375oF (191oC). The new design can be manu-factured to meet the food grade and other unique industry standard requirements. Midwesco Filter Resources, Inc.www.midwescofi lter.com

CEMS integratorEcoChem Analytics is a Continuous Emis-sions Monitoring Systems (CEMS) inte-grator with decades of experience. Their systems are based around a MC3 multi-component IR based analyzer capable of measuring up to eight gases including: SO2, NOx, CO, CO2, NH3, HCl, CH4, H2O, and O2. The robust units typically run in the “Hot-Wet” mode. All components in con-tact with the fl ue gas are maintained above the dew point (185°C or higher). These third generation system are widely used in the waste-to-energy industry (over 800 MW being monitored with MC Series analyzers in the US), power plants, chemical process facilities, pharmaceutical, and cement kiln applications for certifi ed regulatory applica-tions for Part 60, Part 75, and PADEP.EcoChem Analytics | www.ecochem.biz

What’s Missing from Your Wind Project?

When Competitive Power Ventures Inc. (CPV), a power generation development and asset management company with extensive wind energy development experience, decided to sell Phase I of its Keenan wind farm project to Oklahoma Gas & Electric Company, CPV turned to Dickstein Shapiro’s experienced wind energy and corporate counsel to structure, negotiate, and document the transaction. CPV continues to rely on Dickstein Shapiro’s energy transactional and regulatory attorneys in connection with all aspects of its wind energy development program to help ensure that it remains a signifi cant player in the North American wind energy sector.

“In today’s ever-changing energy market, the success of our power generation development program requires a unique mix of regulatory and transactional experience, and Dickstein Shapiro excels in both.”

Doug Egan Chairman, Competitive Power VenturesCEO, CPV Renewable Energy Company

WASHINGTON, DC | NEW YORK | LOS ANGELES | IRVINE

Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. 1825 Eye Street NW, Washington, DC 20006© 2010 Dickstein Shapiro LLP. All Rights Reserved. (202) 420-2200 | dicksteinshapiro.com

Larry Eisenstat, Energy Practice Leader

(202) 420-2224 I [email protected]



Buildup removal systemThe JBC PowerShot Buildup Removal System is built around a PowerShot Tube, which fi ts neatly through a small pre-installed base located at the heart of the area where buildup occurs. The “PowerShot” uses a special chemical generator device and a pressure vessel tube fi lled with liquid carbon dioxide. A special electrical “trigger” sets off a fuse in the gas generator cartridge. Within 20 milliseconds, 50 liters of carbon di-oxide gas are created. This quick release provides, not a dangerous explosion, but a safe and powerful “push” that can dis-lodge surrounding material at a single blast. This system is used in over 300 industrial plants around the world.JBC Industries | www.jbcindustries.com

Waste-to-energy servicesEnergy from waste has a variety of de-mands for insulation, ranging from the boiler itself to custom removable insulation bags on turbines. Zampell has a history with waste-to-energy spanning more than four decades. Services Zampbell provides include: external wall insulation and lag-ging; custom turbine insulation design, installation, removal, and repair; steam lines and other piping; chemical treatment systems; external insulation and siding on structures; and, custom hatches for boiler penthouses. Zampbell further completes a turnkey approach to energy from waste by offering a range of plant services, along with their core of refractory and insulation. Zampell | www.zampell.com

Buy Our Filter . . . Protect The Future!

Join Midwesco® in protecting the environment and develop new “green” technology to ght climate change.

Midwesco®’s “Buy Our Filter . . . Protect the Future” initative will allow customers to join Midwesco® in protecting natural habitats and environments as well as furthering education to develop new “green” technology.

To set the precedent of creating a sustainable future, a portion of every order that is placed with Midwesco® in 2010 will be donated to non pro t organizations in an effort to ght against climate change. A press release and a certi cate will be drafted to our customers recognizing them for their partnership in Midwesco®’s sustainability initiative.

Learn More at www.midwescosustainability.com

Ash processing & metal recovery systemsOver the last twenty years, Southern Recycling has developed Ash Processing and Metal Recovery Systems specifi -cally for the waste-to-energy industry. As former owner/operators, they are uniquely qualifi ed to produce value-added metal from the WTE/RDF ash streams and market these products. Services include project development and preliminary design consultation, as well as meeting the unique operational and mechanical requirements of indi-vidual customers. Upfront business plan development ensures optimal system performance maximizing customers’ revenues. Southern Recycling provides full-service marketing of recovered non-ferrous metals for WTE Facilities in the US, which includes arranging transpor-tation of recovered metals, obtaining the highest available price for recovered metals in domestic and international markets, and detailed reporting of all material sold. Southern Recycling main-tains strategic relationships with valued consumers to ensure consistent, viable, and valuable markets. Southern Recycling, LLC www.sorec-emr.com

Full-service custom metal fabrication & manufacturingMetso Power provides tube shields, full-service custom metal fabrica-tion, CNC machining, and pressure part manufacturing. The Lancaster facility is a 102,000-square-foot facil-ity that concentrates on pressure part manufacturing. Pressure parts include: membrane wall panels, longfl ow econo-mizers, generating banks, tubular heat exchangers, superheaters, and loose tube bending. The Fairmont facility is a 58,000-square-foot facility concen-trating on tube shields, alignment bars, headers, air heater seals, plate work fabrication, and machining and head-ers. Process capabilities include: saws, shears, press brakes, punch presses, tube benders, CNC milling, manual machining, CNC laser cutter, high def plasma, and welding SH-D equipment. A complete range of tube shield styles are available to quickly solve tube wear problems. The Boiler Service rebuilds and repairs including, but not limited to, chemical cleaning consulting, inspec-tions, maintenance, made to order, pres-sure parts, and spare parts, while provid-ing engineered solutions.Metso Power www.metsopowerservice.com

Geomembrane systemsThe Tessman Road Landfill project, with the first-of-its-kind solar energy cover, required an innovative product like the geomembrane systems manufactured by Firestone Specialty Products. Fire-stone’s TPO Geomembrane was selected for this unique landfill cap for a variety of reasons including the membrane’s durability, weatherability, and proven performance record. The geomembrane serves a critical role in this application: it protects the solid waste from exposure, prevents stormwater infiltration, and provides a stable surface for mounting the flexible solar panels. Additionally, the UV stable geomembrane is easy to install, requires less maintenance, and offers leachate and erosion control solu-tions, while improving methane draw-down. Firestone Specialty Products also manufactures Firestone EPDM, EPDM-R and EcoWhite EPDM Geomem-branes, as well as Firestone fPP and fPP-R Geomembranes—each complimented by a full line of accessories.Firestone Specialty Productswww.firestonesp.com/nawtec

Pollution control valves In waste-to-energy power plants, valves are required to discharge ash and fi nes from precipitator hoppers. Though rotary valves are frequently installed initially, Plattco has increasingly been called upon to replace those with their Double Flap Airlock Pol-lution Control Valves to reduce emissions. When AES Puerto Rico investigated how to improve their emissions to acceptable EPA levels, the answer was as simple as replacing existing rotary valves with Plat-tco valves. The Plattco valves eliminated the leakage caused by the poor seal of the rotary valves, allowing air to enter the pre-cipitator. As a result of Plattco valves’ seal, AES’s emission problems dissipated, along with much of the maintenance they previ-ously had to perform on the rotary valves. Plattco | www.plattco.com

nawtec show in print



geothermal energy

Once produced, geothermal energy is nearly completely non-polluting—there are no emissions, environment hazard wastes, or exhaustion of natural resources.

The energy is reliable, renewable, and can be used as a direct power source. Unlike solar or wind power, which are intermittent (they rely on the sun shining and the wind blowing), geothermal provides continuous baseload power.

Moreover, currently geothermal power supplies more megawatt hours of electricity in the US than either wind or solar energy. According the Geothermal Energy Associa-tion (GEA): “Geothermal power makes up a total of 3.15 gigawatts (GW) of installed capacity in the United States, its largest producer, and more than 10 GW worldwide.”

But, that’s only the beginning. Advocates believe the ultimate potential to be larger still. “If all of the planned projects were to go forwards as planned, an unlikely scenario, the total US geothermal capacity would reach today’s worldwide capacity of 10 GW—enough to meet the power needs of an average 10 million people or supply 25% of California’s 2008 power consumption,” reports the GEA.

Sound too good to be true? Though geothermal energy doesn’t seem to get the same level of press or attention as solar or wind power does, it is a growing industry. Geo-thermal grew by 26% in 2009 (turn the page for more stats on its growth and poten-tial). However, it also doesn’t get the same fi nancial support. Initial costs are extensive, and plant set-up is not only expensive but not always a sure bet. Initial analysis of a site and exploratory drilling, for instance, does not always lead to fi nal permitting or plant production (likely also affecting fi nancial commitments). Thanks to the American Re-covery and Reinvestment Act, up to $400 million was granted for the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Geothermal Technologies Program, support does appear to be growing along with the industry. Congress further extended the production tax credit for new geothermal plants until 2013; also, allowing some geothermal projects to opt for a cash grant instead of an investment tax credit. But one step forward almost also ensures a step or two back.

Drilling has often been suspected for setting off minor tremors and, potentially, full-force earthquakes. Back in 2007, the Geopower Deep Heat Mining project in Basel, Switzerland is said to have triggered an earthquake of magnitude 3.4 on the Richter scale, followed by numerous aftershocks. A California geothermal project, led by AltaRock Energy, Inc., was recently shut down because of earthquake fears. As a result, “The New York Times” reported that the DOE plans to compile more stringent regulations governing similar geothermal projects with Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) so that they use ground sensors, which monitor and shut down operations in the event drilling initiates an earthquake. (ESG often involves the fracturing of deep reservoir rock to create a reservoir to better access the earth’s heat.)

It’s also worth noting that most re-searchers agree that drilling itself is not the issue, but one of enhanced geother-mal projects in which high-pressure wa-ter is injected below the earth’s surface. Consider the Geysers in California. The largest single geothermal fi eld in the world, the Geysers produced over 800 MW in 2009, increasing as EGS activities carry forward. Here, seismicity related to production and injection has been ob-served since the 1970’s.

“At The Geysers, it is clear that one of the main causes of seismicity is the injec-tion of the water to prevent pressures in the steam reservoir from falling below uneconomic levels,” according to the DOE’s Earth Sciences Division (http://esd.lbl.gov/home). The overall volume of seismicity (seismogenic zone) is control-led by the volume of rock that is capable of building up stress and the forces that are acting to deform that volume. These forces are the forces that are fundamen-tally generated by the dynamic nature of the whole earth.”

The GEA’s Karl Gawell writes (in a piece entitled, “Does Geothermal Drilling Cause Earthquakes?” | www.renewableenergyworld.com): “Although geothermal drilling does not cause earthquakes, there has recently been heightened concern about induced seis-micity because of the development of Engineered Geothermal Systems technology…The US Department of Energy is actively working to address these issues. Federal agencies, together with international groups such as the International Energy Agency, have developed monitoring protocols to address the risk of induced seismicity. For any particular site, these protocols establish standards for assessing natural seismic hazards and the potential for induced seismicity, and for establishing a micro-seismic monitor-ing network and implementing procedures for evaluating any damage.”

Gawell further points out that the Recovery Act has allotted over $4.5 million to seismicity research, with an additional $2 million for monitoring and mitigation, devel-opment of best practices, and public education and outreach.

Certainly, it is worth the research. Every industry is going to come with advantages and disadvantages. Weighing the differences between the two, while employing ways to negate the cons, is the only way to move forward and explore better ways to power in this country and others.

Indonesia, for instance, is (as of press time at the end of April) hosting the World Geothermal Congress, a conference that is bringing together representatives from at least 80 countries in an attempt to look at how to better develop geothermal energy for the future. Currently relying on coal-fi red power plants, the country does not have the means to provide electricity for everyone—not to mention the toll their current system is taking on the environment. Looking beyond just the heat stored in the earth, Indonesia is also considering “volcano power” as the country sits on one of the most active regions worldwide. Comprised of over 17,000 islands, which contain hundreds of volcanoes, the archipelago is estimated to hold about 40% of the world's geothermal energy potential.

Globally, geothermal plants have the capacity to generate about 10 gigawatts, if not more, of electricity—theoretically enough power to support the entire world’s needs. Without ongoing discussion, research, and funding, however, that potential could be lost. A step or two back should not limit further analysis.

Cadence McKenna is a freelance writer who focuses on the renewable energy industry.

Resources: Geothermal Energy Association | www.geo-energy.org

WGC 2010 World Geothermal Congress | www.wgc2010.org

The Ups & Downsof Geothermal Energy and Exploration By Cadence McKenna

For the 7th time, America’s leading conference for renewable energy financiers and developers returns to New York• Meet decision-makers – in 2009, over 70% of attendees held the title

of CEO, CFO, President, Managing Director or Partner

• Hear from thought leaders – over 50 leading investors, developers and government officials will address the delegation

• Make your projects bankable with advice from global leaders in financing and developing of renewable energy projects

• Understand the impact of new and existing federal policies on your renewable energy projects

www.reffwallstreet.comEmail: [email protected] Call: (US) +1 212 224 3789 (UK) +44 20 7779 8999



geothermal energy

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The US geothermal power industry continued strong growth in 2009, according to a new report by the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA). The “April 2010 US

Geothermal Power Production and Development Update” showed 26% growth in new projects under development in the United States in the past year, with 188 projects un-derway in 15 states, which could produce as much as 7,875 MW of new electric power. Once completed, these projects will add over 7,000 MW of baseload power capacity; enough to provide electricity for 7.6 million people, or 20% of California’s total power needs, and roughly equivalent to the total power used in California from coal-fi red power plants.

“Geothermal power can be a critical part of the answer to global warming,” according to GEA’s executive director, Karl Gawell. “For example, California could achieve its 2020 goal for global warming emissions reductions just by keeping energy demand level and replacing its coal-fi red generation with geothermal,” he asserted.

Nevada continued to be the leading state for new geothermal energy, with over 3,000 MW under development. The fastest growing geothermal power states were Utah which quadrupled its geothermal power under development, New Mexico which tripled, Idaho which doubled, and Oregon which reported a 50% increase. In addition, Louisiana, Missis-sippi and Texas all reported their fi rst geothermal projects compared with a year earlier.

“These geothermal power projects will create substantial sources of new employment across the country,” said GEA executive director Karl Gawell. “Not only are we seeing more and more development and hiring in places with a long history of geothermal like

Nevada and California, but for the fi rst time these jobs are being created in the Gulf Coast, in states such as Louisiana and Mississippi. Along with a huge number of new construction jobs, geothermal power also creates many permanent positions that can never be outsourced.” Together, the direct, indirect and induced employment created by these projects is estimated by GEA to be 29,750 permanent jobs and 112,000 person-years of construction and manufacturing employment.

According to GEA, the projects under development will represent capital investment of more than $35 billion when completed. New geothermal power projects are in progress in 15 states from the Pacifi c to the Gulf Coast. GEA identifi ed new projects in Alaska, Ari-zona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. In addition to large utility scale power projects, the survey continued to show expanding interest in small power systems (under 1MW) with projects in Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Oregon, and Wyoming.

“The federal stimulus, tax incentives, and strong state renewable standards continue to fuel the growth in geothermal power,” said Gawell. “Many geothermal developers are building several projects in the US, and the cash grant provides them an effective incentive that quickly reduces their debt—an important fact in the present economic recession." GEA noted that all of the geothermal power projects coming on line in 2009 utilized the new federal tax grant provisions authorized in the stimulus bill. In addition, four of the top fi ve states with geothermal power under development have substantial renewable standards. Those states, in order of geothermal development and their state renewable requirement, are:

1. Nevada (25%); 2. California (33%); 3. Utah (20%); 4. Idaho (none); and 5. Oregon (25%).

The report also documents federal stimulus funding in the geothermal industry, which will result in over $600 million of research into new technology at 135 projects in 25 states over the next two years.

“Stimulus funding will support geothermal development in states where geothermal technology presents vast new opportunities,” notes Dan Jennejohn the author of the re-port. DOE stimulus funding has been targeted to support development of enhanced geo-thermal systems technology, new drilling and exploration techniques, geothermal power production from oil and gas wells, and other industry needs.

A Developing Energy Geothermal grows by 26%



Vacuum pumps & compressorsGD Nash’s new NASH 2BE4 series of vacuum pumps and compressors provide the same long life and reliable operation expected from the 2BE3 series, in addition to the following benefi ts: optimized inlet and discharge porting for enhanced performance; cylindrical roller bearings for improved load ratings and increased reliability (bearing upgrade is possible in existing 2BE3s); optional lobe purge piping to remove entrained solids and prevent erosion; inlet bypass piping not required in most installations; available in cast iron and stainless steel construction; and, drop-in replacement for existing 2BE3 installations. Reliability, effi ciency, and fl exibility, cou-pled with the comprehensive Gardner Denver Nash expertise, service and technical support, provide customers with unmatched value in liquid ring pumps and compressors. Gardner Denver Nash | www.gdnash.com

Geothermal drilling solutionsTechno Drill offers a turnkey drilling solution consisting of a TD 410 geother-mal drill and a MudSlayer Mini 500. The rig is designed to drill geothermal bore-holes as fast as a 60,000-pound truck rig, yet weighs only 10,000 pounds and is 48" wide. It has a lower ownership costs (and purchase price) compared to other rigs available—plus it is fast and effi cient.

When Techno Drill talks about geother-mal they are referring to warm soil, rather than hot rock technology—using heat pumps to heat or cool buildings rather than hot rocks and steam to generate electricity. Their rigs can compete in the commercial market, drilling geothermal boreholes around public or commercial buildings, but they are also small enough to get into the smaller residential sites as this is where the main future growth will be. The residential market is going to be three times bigger than commercial; however, the problem has always been a lack of suitable small rigs. Techno Drill has solved this. Their rigs are built in a 160,000-square-foot facility in Fort Worth, Texas. They have been build-ing drilling equipment on this site for over 60 years and are currently selling rigs to drilling contractors and HVAC companies who have never drilled before. Techno Drill supplies turnkey solutions, along with a training course of rig operations, mainte-nance, and safety. Techno Drill | www.technodrillusa.com

“In our survey last fall, we were con-cerned that the progress of new projects appeared to be stalling due to fi nancing and permitting problems,” Jennejohn added. “Now, along with a number of new projects, we are seeing projects con-tinue rapid development indicating that growth is returning across the industry.”

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is a trade association composed of US companies who support the expanded use of geothermal energy and are developing geothermal resources worldwide for electrical power generation and direct-heat uses.

Geothermal Energy Associationwww.geo-energy.org



hydro and marine energy

The projectNew Energy, along with its partner Canoe Pass Tidal Energy Corporation, is in the process of implementing the fi rst grid-connected tidal energy project in Canada. The Canoe Pass Tidal Commercialization Project, or Canoe Pass as it is more com-monly referred, represents many fi rsts for tidal energy within British Columbia (BC) and Canada as a whole. The 500 kW project is currently in the permitting stage and is expected to be installed in the sec-ond half of 2010.

Location, location, locationCanoe Pass is a narrow passage between Quadra and Maude Islands off the east coast of Vancouver Island, just north of Campbell River, BC. The fl ow within the passage is currently blocked by a barrage that was constructed by the federal Department of Public Works in 1942 to deal with a navigable hazard, Ripple Rock, which was located in Seymour Narrows—directly west of Canoe Pass. The causeway was used to transport men and equipment from Quadra Island onto Maude Island in order to drill under Seymour Narrows and blow-up Ripple Rock. Ripple Rock was blown up in 1958 with the largest peacetime non-nuclear explosion in history.

For the Canoe Pass project, the exist-ence of the causeway allows for still-water construction of the tidal power plant. This is one of several characteristics that make Canoe Pass an ideal commercialization site.

Other attributes include: • The location of BC’s distribution grid,

with a 25 kV distribution line running directly over the site;

• An existing construction and staging area (another leftover from the project to blow-up Ripple Rock); and

• Broad general support for renewable energy initiatives in nearby communities. The Canoe Pass Tidal Commercializa-tion Project has fi nancial backing from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the British Columbia Inno-vative Clean Energy Fund. BC Hydro is also a supporter of this project.

Proposed project plansCanoe Pass will include the installation of two (2) 250 kW EnCurrent Power Gen-eration Systems in a single span across the passage. The systems will be installed in such a way that the still-water characteris-tics can be recreated to move forward with a full-scale commercial project at some point in the future. First-level numerical

Case Study:Canoe Pass Tidal Power Plant

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1 Online: www.hydroevent.com Or download the registration form at hydroevent.com and:

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modeling, which was carried out by ASL Environmental Sciences of Sidney identi-fi ed the potential for a 3 MW to 5 MW tidal power plant with capacity factors as high as 50%.

There are three main components to the execution of Canoe Pass: • Regulatory approvals for the site; • Scaling up New Energy’s product sizes

from the current 25 kW models to the 250 kW models required by the project; and

• On-site engineering and construction.

The regulatory approval process is in progress and the project proponents are fi -nalizing the detailed design for the site. The scale-up of the product is proceeding in par-allel with the civil and marine design of the site. The approval process being undertaken for Canoe Pass will help to map out the permitting process for tidal energy projects within Canada. The proponents are cur-rently working with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Environment Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and the British Columbia Integrated Land Manage-ment Bureau to coordinate necessary envi-ronmental assessment and review.

Current plans call for the hydrokinetic equipment to be installed in Q3 of 2010 fol-lowed by interconnection to the BC electri-cal grid. It is expected that the project will be a springboard to commercial-scale tidal power generation in the region, including the potential for a commercial power plant at Canoe Pass. Campbell River and North Vancouver Island are home to the greatest abundance of tidal energy generating capac-ity on the West Coast. Seymour Narrows, which lies directly west of Canoe Pass, was identifi ed in BC Hydro’s Triton Report as having the largest potential for tidal genera-tion on the BC Coast.

Review & permittingThe Canoe Pass tidal energy commerciali-zation project is presently going through an environmental and tenure review. The review and assessment process consists of three multi-jurisdictional reviews together with a process of First Nation consultation and community engagement.

The government reviews are an envi-ronmental assessment under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA), a land and seabed tenure review under the BC Lands Act, and a re-zoning review and approval under the authority of the Strath-cona Regional District. The First Nation consultation process is intended to engage the We Wai Kai First Nation, Homalco, and the Nanwakolas First Nation Society in discussions about potential project im-pacts and opportunities. Local community and resource use interest groups, such as scuba divers and recreational trail socie-ties, are among the organizations that have been contacted and provided with project information and whose feed-back has been integrated into the project design.

The CEAA review is coordinated by Transport Canada, who, to-gether with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Environment Cana-da are the “Responsible Authorities” under the Act. These agencies will review the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment report (EIS), prepared by the proponents, and refer it to other interested federal and provincial government agencies. They will be interest-ed in any potential impacts to navigable waters, effects on fi sh and marine resource habitat, and the effects of any material disposed of in the ocean. The CEAA review is estimated to take about four months from the fi ling of the EIS.

The BC review is coordinated by the Integrated Land Manage-ment Bureau. They will refer the EIS to a number of provincial

agencies including the Ministries of Environment, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Energy Mines and Petroleum. ILMB will also refer the package to the First Nations and local government. The two government processes will proceed in parallel fashion and approval and permitting under the CEAA process will be a “condi-tion precedent” for fi nal issuance of the land and seabed tenures.

The re-zoning process under local government authority has already been successfully completed, and it is anticipated project approvals and permits will be completed and issued by October or November 2010.

New Energy Corporation | www.newenergycorp.ca

November 1–3, 2010Montreal, QuebecCanWEA’s 2010 Annual Conference and Exhibition will bring together over 2,500 delegates and 250 exhibiting companies from around the world to discuss emerging opportunities in Canada’s rapidly growing wind energy industry. The event will provide an exclusive opportunity to network with industry leaders and generate new business.

Join us at Canada’s largest wind energy conference.

Canadian Wind Energy Association’s Annual Conference and Exhibition

REGISTERLearn more about the emerging opportunities in the Canadian wind energy industry

EXHIBITPromote your products and services and network with global industry professionals

SPONSOREnhance your corporate visibility and position your company as a leader in this rapidly growing industry

www.canwea2010.ca



®


July 13–15, 2010

North America’s Premier

Exhibition and Conference for the Solar Industry

San Francisco | Moscone Center

Co-located with

www.intersolar.us

700 Exhibitors

1,600 Conference Attendees

20,000 Visitors



eventscalendar

JUNE 2010 7-9 Corporate WaterVision 2010 The Almas Temple Club—Washington, DC; www.infocastinc.com/index.php/conference/300

9-10 Advanced Renewable Energy Project Finance Doubletree Guest Suites Time Square; New York, NY www.infocastinc.com/index.php/conference/301

24-25 4th Annual Concentrated Solar Power Summit USA San Francisco, California—Parc 55; www.csptoday.com/usa2010

JULY 2010 12-15 Energy Storage Week San Diego Marriott—San Diego, CA; www.infocastinc.com

13-15 Intersolar North America Moscone Center—San Francisco, CA; www.intersolar.us

13-15 Carbon Capture & Storage AED Conference Center—Washington, DC; www.infocastinc.com

19-21 Waste-to-Energy Summit 2010 Hilton Del Mar—San Diego, CA; www.infocastinc.com

22 GEA Geothermal Energy Workshop Las Vegas Convention Center—Las Vegas, NV; www.geo-energy.org

27-30 HydroVision International Charlotte Convention Center—Charlotte, NC; www.hydroevent.com

SEPTEMBER 201006-10 25th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition Valencia, Spain—Feria Valencia, Convention & Exhibition Centre; www.photovoltaic-conference.com

07-10 ZeroEmissions Rome Rome, Italy—Rome Fair Centre; www.zeroemissionrome.eu/en/index_zer.asp

21-23 GridWise Global Forum Washington, DC—Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center; www.gridwise.org

25-30 World Renewable Energy Congress 2010 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates; www.wrenuk.co.uk

28-30 4th Annual Algal Biomass Organization Phoenix, Arizona—JW Marriott Desert Ridge; http://algalbiomass.org/events

OCTOBER 201012-14 Solar Power International Los Angeles, California— Los Angeles Convention Center; www.solarpowerinternational.com

24-27 GEA Geothermal Energy Expo & GRC Annual Meeting Sacramento Convention Center—Sacramento, CA; www.geo-energy.org

Send us your clean energy show and event listings. Email information to the Editor at [email protected]

advertisers’websitedirectory Page Company Website

77 25th European Photovoltaic Conference and Exhibition www.photovoltaic-conference.com

61 a+f Gmbh www.af.net

20 Advanced Power Products www.advancedpowerproducts.com

44 Aevenia www.aevenia.com

45 AL-PRO Wind Energy www.al-pro.ca

9 American Electric Technologies www.aeti.com

53 Applied Energy Technologies www.aetenergy.com

12 Atlas Material Testing Solutions www.solardurability.com

80 AWEA 2010 www.windpowerexpo.org

36 AZZ Galvanizing Services www.azzgalvanizing.com

5 Baja Construction www.bajacarports.com

52 Bent River Machine Inc www.bent-river.com

19 Bibb Engineers Architechts & Constructors www.bibb-eac.com

38 Burndy LLC www.burndy.com

45 Campbell Scientific www.campbellsci.com/renewables

79 Canwea 2010 www.canwea2010.ca

34 Carbone of America www.carbonebrush.com

54 Citel www.citel.us

68 Clean Span Structures www.clearspan.com

13 Cooper Power www.cooperbline.com/solar.

56 Day4 Energy www.day4energy.com

IBC DEGERenergie Tracking Systems www.DEGERenergie.com

73 Dickstein Shapiro LLP www.dicksteinshapiro.com

6 Ecology and Environment, Inc. www.ene.com

42 Equipment Express Inc www.equipmentexpress.com

21 ET Solar www.etsolar.com

65 Fagen Inc www.fageninc.com

76 Gefco www.gefco.com

22 Haticon Solar www.haticonsolar.com

49 Heliodyne, Inc www.heliodyne.com

28 HuksefluxUSA Inc www.huksefluxusa.com

64 Hurst Boiler www.hurstboiler.com

25 Hydro Solar Solutions www.hydro.com/northamerica/solar

78 Hydrovision International www.hydroevent.com

41 Hytorc www.hytorc.com/wind3

81 Intersolar North America 2010 www.intersolar.us

33 Iowa Department of Economics www.iowalifechanging.com

15 Kaco New Energy Inc www.kaco-newenergy.com

39 Lincoln Electric www.lincolnelectric.com

30 Marathon Special Products www.marathonsp.com

46 Mattracks www.mattracks.com

63 McCormick Construction Company www.mccormickconstruction.com

18 Messe Düsseldorf North America www.mdna.com

74 Midwesco Filter Resources Inc www.midwescosustainability.com

76 Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP www.milbank.com

17 MK Battery www.mkbattery.com

IFC Mortenson www.mortenson.com/wind

7 MSE www.msepower.com

27 Next Generation Energy www.zillarac.com

35 Nordic Windpower www.nordicwindpower.com

43 NRG Systems Inc where.nrgsystems.com

10 OmegaFlex www.omegaflex.com

68 Pacific Arborist www.pacificarborist.com

26 Panel Claw www.panelclaw.com

66 Percival Scientific www.percival-scientific.com

24 Pivot Point www.pivotpins.com

OBC Polaris America LLC www.polarisamerica.com

71 Pratt & Whitney www.pw.utc.com

50 Premium Solar www.ezinc.com.tr

75 REFF www.reffwallstreet.com

48 Reis Robotics USA www.reisroboticsusa.com

52 Rennsteig Tools Inc www.rennsteig.us

23 Resol www.resol.com

51 Rolls Battery Engineering www.rollsbattery.com

69 Rotochopper www.rotochopper.com

60 RSA Group www.rsagroup.ca

48 S-5 www.S-5-solar.com/PVKit2

3 Satcon www.satcon.com/solstice

59 Schletter Inc www.schletter.us

55 Schüco USA L.P. www.schuco-usa.com

16 Schunk Graphite Technology LLC www.schunkgraphite.com

48 Sesson Solar www.sessionsolar.com

40 Siemens AG www.siemens.com/energy

58 Solar Power International 2010 www.solarpowerinternational.com

50 Solar Skies www.solarskies.com

29 Solectria Renewables LLC. www.solren.com

37 SSB Service Inc www.ssb-group.com

47 Stiebel Eltron www.stiebel-eltron-usa.com

11 Thompson Technologies Industries www.ttisolar.com

44 Trico TC Wind www.tricotcwind.com

14 Trina Solar www.trinasolar.com

31 Troutman Sanders www.troutmansanders.com/renewable_energy

57 Upsolar www.upsolar.com

30 US Digital www.usdigital.com/solar

67 White Construction www.whiteconstruction.com

24 Wieland Electric Inc www.wielandinc.com


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Documents

North American Clean Energy - May June 2010