Newsletter for Members and Supporters of the Alliance for Rural Electrification
A KIND THANK YOU TO OUR GRACIOUS SPONSORS.
www.eauxwell.com / www.phaesun.com / www.sma.de / www.studer-innotec.com / www.trojanbattery.com
EDITORIAL
"Trade Winds"
In the earliest days of ocean exploration, innovative navigators, sea merchants and marine pioneers learned how to harness the power of the prevailing easterly surface winds found in the tropics. The identification of these “trade winds” revolutionised navigation and allowed ships to transverse the globe in a much more effectively. In many ways the trade winds contributed to large growth levels in international commerce and development. The power of the wind has long been recognised by sea farers.
Now, innovators and pioneers look to harness its power in a completely different manner. What we might now term “energy trade winds” can provide the power needed to answer many of the world’s needs.
In this edition of the ARE newsletter we focus on the strength of the wind industry. We hear from numerous stakeholders, such as GWEC, about its potential and its power. We take a look at interesting and uplifting stories from the sector such as wind empowerment training in Senegal and we document all the latest upcoming wind industry events. We also take a look at some of the recent thought provoking academic publications regarding the wind energy.
Moreover, we do neglect the other renewable energy sectors. In this edition of the newsletter we also hear about how members can avail of ARE’s brand new sponsorship options designed to position your company at the forefront of its communications with the renewable energy world. Moreover, we have news about ARE’s newly published studies which have been making waves in the rural electrification and renewable energy sectors. As usual, we take a look at Alliance activities, including ARE’s signing of a memorandum of association with ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).
We also extend a warm welcome to our two new members, Photowatt and Vergnet. We are extremely pleased to have companies of their expertise, caliber and experience join the Alliance for what I am sure will be a long and fruitful relationship.
As you can see, this edition of the newsletter is packed with interesting content which we hope you enjoy. Thanks for reading and we hope to see many of you sailing the “energy trade winds” in the future.
Simon Rolland.
SPONSOR WIND NEWSLETTER
THE SPONSOR OF THE WIND EDITION OF THE NEWSLETTER IS THE GLOBAL WIND ENERGY COUNCIL.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT GWEC BY VISITING THEIR WEBPAGE
- GLOBAL WIND ENERGY COUNCIL
Wind Power Taking Off in Emerging Economies
"Wind Power Taking Off in Emerging Economies"
In 2010, for the first time ever, more new wind power capacity was installed in developing countries and emerging economies than in the traditional wind markets of the OECD. This puts an end to the assertion that wind power is a premium technology only for rich countries, which cannot be deployed at scale in other markets. It is also testament to the inherent attractiveness of wind power for countries striving to diversify their energy mix, improve their security of supply in the face of rapidly growing demand, and relieve national budgets of the burden of expensive fossil fuel imports at volatile prices.
Environmental factors such as improving air and water quality and public health, and carbon reductions to fight against climate change also play an important role in many of these new markets.
There is also a noticeable shift in attitudes towards wind power in many countries. While the technology would have been dismissed as too expensive by most developing country energy planners just a few years ago, the continuing success of the technology in an ever widening group of countries has changed that attitude to one of dramatically increased knowledge about wind generation and the role that it can play in a country’s power mix.
GWEC works closely with associations, agencies and governments in emerging economies in order to secure favourable policy frameworks for wind power development, and to educate and inform decision makers about the economic and environmental benefits that wind energy can bring to their countries.
Our focus has been on large and promising markets in Asia, including China, where we were involved in drafting the renewable energy law which has led to the installed wind capacity shooting up to over 40 GW in just six years. We have also been actively promoting wind power development in India, which is now the third largest market for new wind power installations. In cooperation with our partner associations in these countries, GWEC now runs very successful wind power events in both China and India.
In 2010, GWEC founded its Latin American Committee, which focuses on developing the potentially very large markets in Central and South America, especially Brazil, Mexico and Chile. This Committee is working with national governments to make them aware of the huge resource at their doorstep and educate them on how wind power can help alleviate energy shortages and fuel growing economies. We also organise visits for decision makers to Europe to learn about wind power first hand and understand the need for favourable policy conditions. Together with the Brazilian association, we also organise the region’s largest annual wind power event.
In 2011, GWEC will also focus on wind power development in Africa, with a special emphasis on South Africa. In September, we will co-host the country’s largest wind energy conference and exhibition, and we are working on ensuring the visibility of the wind power industry at the COP17 climate summit in December in Durham, South Africa.
For more information about GWEC, please visit www.gwec.net.
IN FOCUS
In this edition of “In Focus” we take a look at the pioneering work of Hugh Piggott and the new initiative WindEmpowerment which aims to foster rural electrification through the application of locally built small wind turbines based on Piggott’s designs.
Thirty-five years ago, Hugh Piggott built his first wind turbine on the isolated peninsula of Scoraig, Scotland. Today, more than 1000 Piggott-designed small wind turbines are installed on six continents, the majority of these were built and installed by their owners.
The simple and robust design has allowed individuals, small companies and non-profits to develop and manufacture their own wind turbines. The "open source" nature of the Piggott design has thus enabled:
- Solarmad to build over 40 machines in Madagascar.
- Otherpower to develop a similar model in the US for local installations in Colorado and to sell wind turbine kits in North America.
- The Cheik Anta Diop University in Dakar to launch EolSenegal, which has installed several prototypes and developed innovative manufacturing techniques.
- Tripalium to develop the concept in France, relying on training courses to get people started in small wind.
- BlueEnergy to help with the electricity needs of isolated communities in Nicaragua.
At the same time, Hugh Piggott continues to teach and share his experience, responding to questions the world over. Many other groups – in Mozambique, Afghanistan, the Philippines, Palestine, Mali and Peru – have launched projects to build Piggott-inspired small wind turbines for the electricity needs of rural communities.
Although there had been some contact between the different groups, often through Hugh Piggott himself, few had ever met face to face, and communication and exchanges had been sparse. This all changed when plans for a joint Tripalium/EolSenegal training course during the February 2011 World Social Forum grew into the first ever International Locally Built Small Wind Conference. Thanks to work by EolSenegal and BlueEnergy, and a generous donation by Schneider Electric, 20 small wind experts were able to get together for a week of talks and discussions. Much of the week centered on getting to know one another, swapping experiences, and exchanging notes on suggested solutions – and the pitfalls to avoid.
EolSenegal proved to be excellent hosts, organizing a visit to an organic garden farm where it had installed a wind electric pump and irrigation system to replace an existing diesel generator. It also shared work on industrializing the manufacturing processes: one of the professors showed how to weld a nacelle in 7 minutes using a jig placement system he had developed.
A round table discussion was organized by the World Social Forum. Cheikh Fadel Kebe, from the Research Center on Solar Energy (CIFRES) and one of the founders of EolSenegal, spoke about the importance of creating real world projects. He championed the idea of small companies leading the way using a for-profit model to create sustainable businesses in small wind. Jo Kelly from Renewable World talked about how locally-built small wind corresponds with the UN Millennium Development Goals in reducing poverty, improving the environment, and creating local income. Hugh Piggott, meanwhile, reminded us that small wind turbines need wind, and there is no point in installing them in areas where there is none. He argued that the most efficient long-term solution is to reduce our energy needs.
The conference finished with the raising of a 3-metre small wind turbine built in the EolSenegal workshops and, of course, local fruit juices to celebrate the occasion.
For participants in the week-long event, the work has just begun. To pursue the momentum, an association, WindEmpowerment, has been created with working groups targeting Technology and Social Economic issues. The idea of WindEmpowerment is to share contacts, experiences, problems, and solutions. Through joint teamwork, WindEmpowerment aims to give new initiatives a helping hand and develop rural electrification projects using locally-built small wind turbines based on Piggott’s design.
Jay W. Hudnall
To find out more Piggott’s designs and WindEmpowerment please click here
NEWS FROM THE ALLIANCE
New Alliance Members
- Visit Photowatt by clicking here.
Photowatt
With over 30 years experience in the photovoltaic field, Photowatt is a developer and integrated manufacturer of photovoltaic products and solution.
Photowatt has distinguished itself in the market due to its excellent manufacturing process as well it high competence and expertise levels and are involved at every stage of the engineering project, ensuring the success of each project.
Photowatt have joined ARE for a number of key reasons. They are;
- To become a part of a global network of off grid professionals
- To gain access to detailed information and contacts
- To expand their business contact network
- To receive the latest information relating to procurements and tenders
- To receive exclusive invitations to workshops and presentations on market opportunities.
For more information on Photowatt please click here.
- Visit Vergnet by clicking here
Vergnet
VERGNET SA was founded in 1988 by its current manager, Marc Vergnet, a long-time figure in sustainable development.
VERGNET is currently the leading manufacturer in its two businesses: the design and production of wind turbines for the FARWIND® markets and water supply equipment in Africa.
On the back of singular patented technologies, the Group has already installed close to 650 FARWIND® wind turbines and supplies water to over 50 million people worldwide. The FARWIND® market covers over 130 countries in which electricity is mainly produced from oil and where the infrastructure and limited logistical resources mitigate against the installation of conventional wind turbines. The Group has 9 facilities worldwide (France, Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean, Africa) and has some 280 employees. The VERGNET Group has been listed on the Alternext market since 12 June 2007 (FR0004155240 ALVER).
Vergnet have joined ARE as the objectives and values of Vergnet and the Alliance are the same, namely the supply of electricity to the least fortunate people of the rural world. Vergnet sees ARE as a primary vehicle and means for bringing about these objectives.
To learn more about Vergnet, please visit them by clicking here.
ARE launches new Sponsorship Guide
At the end of March ARE launched its Sponsorship Guide which displays in one document the sponsorship offers open to the association’s members as well as non-members. They include advertising opportunities centered on ARE’s newsletter, website and events, created to fit the different profiles and communication needs of possible sponsors.
The Alliance had previously offered visibility option to members, but as its international profile expands, so has the need for a new and enhanced approach to sponsorship.
In the Guide all interested parties have access to statistics about ARE’s members and website.
We encourage all members and non members to examine the sponsorship options available and to consider availing of some great placement opportunities.
To know more, download the Full Sponsorship Guide.
ECREEE and ARE sign a Memorandum of Association
In April ARE established a memorandum of association with the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE).
The MOA signed between Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE and Simon Rolland, Secretary General of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE).
The cooperation aims to boost the rural energy profile of both organisations and will contribute to ECOWAS’ policy objective that at least 20% of new investments in electricity generation in rural and peri-urban areas should be generated from renewable sources.
Among other decisions, both organisations agreed to:
- In respect of each other's identity and mission, to commit to cooperating on the basis of an exchange of relevant information, expertise and viewpoints in order to develop and reinforce potential synergies, enhance public dialogue and thrive to implement common positions.
- To work together for the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency energy systems and services through the sharing of best practice, tapping into global expertise, project financing opportunities and raising the profile of local/regional expertise and projects.
- To exchange information about projects or other initiatives in order to identify compatibilities, to create synergies and to avoid overlapping actions.
- To identify through regular contacts the activities to be undertaken to realise the aforementioned co-operation.
ARE is proud to announce this significant development and believes an association with ECREEE will enable the Alliance to reinforce its primary position within West Africa as well as further enhancing ARE’s reputation on the continent.
To find out about ECREEE and their work, click here
- Simon Rolland and Mr.Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE sign the Memorandum of Association
New Alliance Publications
Hybrid Mini-Grid for Rural Electrification: Lessons Learned
ARE recently released its study on hybrid mini grids. “Hybrid Mini-Grids for Rural Electrification: Lessons Learned” is a comprehensive examination of the best alternatives to grid connected power.
The study conducted and published with support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has concluded that hybrid renewable energy systems can provide an area appropriate, needs based, energy efficient and financially viable solution.
The study provides a complete socio-economical investigation of the main business models which exist for hybrid mini-grids, supporting them with concrete case studies, as well as some key elements to foster project sustainability and private sector participation.
Members of the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) have been involved in the implementation of hundreds of mini-grid projects around the world. The lessons learned from these projects, which are summarized in this report, provide insights on the key issues that must be considered to devise sustainable, replicable models for the scale-up of hybrid mini-grids.
You can access the study by clicking here.
Best Practices of the Alliance for Rural Electrification: What renewable energy can achieve in the developing countries
The publication “Best practices of the Alliance for Rural Electrification: what renewable energy can achieve in developing countries” presents the hands-on experience of ARE members. It highlights best practice examples of renewable energy projects in Latin America, Africa and Asia. The projects demonstrate that renewable energy lends itself for tailor made solutions under various natural conditions and for all scales of rural energy demands.
Click on the image on the left to see and download this Position Paper. Paper versions are also available upon request; please do not hesitate to contact us.
ARE ACTIVITIES
International Small Wind Conference (ISWC). Gateshead, U.K.
ARE, represented by Secretary General, Simon Rolland attended the International Small Wind Conference (ISWC) in Gateshead, U.K from the 5-6th of April.
The conference addressed the latest international policy developments in small wind systems.
Simon presented a summary of rural electrification technologies as well as of their positions in the global off-grid markets. In particular, he presented key market opportunities which already exist for the small wind industry, and which could become the first commercial potential of tomorrow.
The presentation also incorporated a discussion on ARE’s role and work in the energy field, the challenges facing the sector and an outline of the advantages of joining the Alliance for small wind stakeholders.
On the exhibition side of the event, ARE was well represented through the participation of Wind and Sun Ltd and Fortis Wind Energy.
ISWC was successful in showcasing ARE’s expertise in the small wind sector and delivered in spreading the Alliance’s message onto new and wider audience and potential members.
To find out more about ISWC, please click here.
Clean Technology World Africa 2011. Johannesburg, South Africa.
ARE, represented by Secretary General Simon Rolland attended the 2011 Clean Technology World Africa 2011 in Johannesburg, South Africa recently.
Clean Technology World Africa is where investors, cleantech innovators, government, water utilities, oil companies and business unite to capitalise on the latest market opportunities.
Simon made presentations on market opportunities in renewable energies as well as bringing to attention the advantages of joining ARE.
It is the 13th consecutive year the conference is held.
For more informationn on the conference, please click here.
Second Consultative Meeting of the Africa-E.U Energy Partnership, April 13, Brussels.
On the 13th of April, ARE attended the 2nd Consultative Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership along with the Joint Research Centre (European Commission), Practical Action and representatives of the European Union Energy Initiative- Partnership Dialogue Facility (PDF). This was a very successful meeting where items such as capacity building were high on the agenda.
A highlight of the Conference was the commitment of ARE and other participants to increase the profile of the Africa-EU Partnership (AEEP) forum. The aim of the Forum is to achieve progress on the AEEP 2020 Political Targets by actively involving the European and African private sector, civil society, and research in the partnership.
The Forum will be an opportunity to bring together all relevant stakeholder groups, including financial institutions, to jointly explore the potential of implementing “actions on the ground” and to discuss and communicate key issues as well as recommendations to political decision-makers.
Another achievement of the Forum will be the final decision on the focal points of the respective stakeholder groups and the development of a mechanism that allows involving them in the workings of the AEEP on a regular basis.
ARE is at the core of this partnership and its progress signals real and substantial momentum in the energy sector.
ARE also attended the EUEI PDF Discussion Forum titled “towards a European contribution to the UN international year of sustainable energy for all”. This forum was attended by PDF, GIZ, state representatives from France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, UK and as well as representatives from several NGOs and research institutes. Some of the main themes discussed in this successful meeting centred on issues such as finance mechanisms relating to renewable energy production in the developing world.
For more information on the Africa- E.U Energy Partnership please click here.
Working Group 4- Developing Countries; European Union Photovoltaic Platform
On the 21st of April, ARE convened a meeting of the Working Group 4 - Developing Countries within the framework of the European Photovoltaic (PV) Technology Platform. The was a record number of attendents and the group had the opportunity to hear from Professor Bahaj of the University of Southampton and Umberto Tromboni from the JRC) on the topic of capacity building.
Interestingly, Professor Bahaj identified a research project which can provide crucial guidance to the group. Other important outcomes of the meeting involved the decision to create an outline of a lobbying strategy as well as a frame for the research community to underline their needs and possibilities.
The Group also discussed the future priorities of the group and ARE agreed to draft a Strategic Plan for the upcoming years.
To find out more about Working Group 4, please click here.
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION ACTORS AND STORIES
Vergnet
- One of Vergnet's finished products.
In conversation with Marc Vergnet, founder of VERGNET SA.
Can you please explain to ARE the history surrounding the establishment and subsequent growth of Vergnet?
VERGNET was created with one goal: supplying water and energy to rural populations all over the world. The development of VERGNET corresponds to these two critical needs.
Today VERGNET provides water to 50 million people and is the world leader for the Farwind wind turbine, which is adapted to difficult, rural and even extreme weather (cyclonic) zones.
In Vergnet’s opinion, how important is wind power in tackling climate change and improving worldwide access to energy?
VERGNET believes that wind power can have a very significant impact in the energy mix, especially for developing countries, where, in some areas of Africa, the potential is very high. In this way, VERGNET is creating a 120 mega watt power station in Ashegoda which will supply energy to 3 million people, as well as one in Mauritania and one in Nigeria. Many projects can be developed, the objective being to have more than 30% supplied by wind power in windy countries. As this power is carbon free it can be majorly important in tackling climate change.
What would Vergnet say is its unique selling point? That is to say, what makes Vergnet special in the provision of wind turbines and wind energy solutions?
VERGNET is unlike other wind turbine manufacturers who only want to supply energy to developed countries' grid networks. VERGNET's mission and ethic is based on the fact that wind energy should be used where it is produced, which is called the proxwind concept. This can be adapted throughout the world, such as a wind turbine supplying energy to a farmer who will use this energy where he works. VERGNET is interested in small networks and in countries with light infrastructures and small to medium sized logistical environments.
Complete small networks of alternative current are created, which are supplied either by wind turbines or solar power, which ensures that prices remain competitive compared to diesel, so as to provide the energy necessary for development.
ARE notices that Vergnet has clearly identified that off-grid and decentralized power production is an important and growing aspect of the energy mix, can off grid wind systems really provide the same levels of electricity and power as grid connected systems?
VERGNET develops autonomous, intelligent networks which supply power to the rural world which until now has always been left aside by grid connected systems.
The wind turbines developed by VERGNET can be transported without a crane, the maintenance can be handled by local teams once correctly trained as the VERGNET technology is specially adapted to these markets, as the two-bladed wind turbine with its guyed portable mast is a perfect compromise guaranteeing simplicity, performance and especially reliability. VERGNET has also created wherever it has worked subsidiaries using local competences to ensure the operation and maintenance of its machines.
Such systems provide, as well as savings, lasting and sustainable infrastructures and services, safe for all the rural populations of Africa and developing countries.
Given the recent tragic events in Japan, it appears that nuclear power may have reached its zenith. Thus, can wind lead the renewable energy revolution?
These recent tragic events in Japan have opened up an impartial and objective debatThese recent tragic events in Japan have opened up an impartial and objective debate on setting up a real energy mix. Renewable energies may be able to take a larger place than the nuclear power lobby thought.
VERGNET's experience in this field, alongside its revolutionary service of storage means that small networks of wind energy could provide up to 40% or 50% of the grids. VERGNET is trying to do this in the French overseas departments and territories with its client EDF who no longer considers wind energy to be limited and has raised the limits of 30%... by connecting to the grid.
Ahead of the E.U’s Year of Sustainable Energy for All in 2012, is Vergnet hopeful that renewable energy and wind energy in particular will gain a stronger foothold on the political agenda?
Seeing that the EU, the world's first economy is now focusing on the importance of renewable energies is an important signal to the rest of the world. VERGNET has even be called on by the Americans to develop the technology of the decentralized production wind turbine. This is clearly seen to be a new boost for renewable to gain a stronger place in the world in general. The years to come will show us that even more developing countries need savings, sustainability and future perspectives.
Finally, what motivated Vergnet to join ARE? What benefits does Vergnet believe joining the Alliance will give them?
The objectives of ARE correspond completely to the values of VERGNET since its creation: supplying electricity to the least fortunate people of the rural world. How could VERGNET not join ARE when they share the same combat?
Visit Vergnet by clicking here.
DISCUSSION CORNER
As was discussed with Marc Vergnet in our interview, the recent tragic events have opened up the debate on the real merits of different sources of energy. Do you think that renewable energy will emerge as a viable alternative to nuclear energy? Do you think R.E can provide adequate energy replacement and generation?
Let us know what you think by visiting our online discussion forum on our facebook page. Please click here to access our facebook page.
A LOOK AT THE PUBLISHED AND ACADEMIC WORLDS
This month we have a couple of very interesting articles.
The first by Kirkegaard et al gives a comprehensive account of the global wind industry. The authors identify the key barriers to the global integration of the wind industry while offering some key recommendations designed to enhance and facilitate investment and cross border trade and cooperation. Essentially, this is a critique of existing global government policies towards the wind industry with a focus shown by the authors on credible and effective solutions.
Our second highlighted paper comes from Columbia University. It takes a look at the issue of carbon revenues within the renewable energy sector. The authors devise a carbon revenue bond, a financing tool designed to supplement and encourage the development of renewable energies. Indeed, they use an example of a large wind farm over the period of 10 years to assert that carbon revenues can be successful in alleviating investment and capital costs.
- It Should Be a Breeze: Harnessing the Potential of Open Trade and Investment Flows in the Wind Energy Industry (2009)
Jacob Funk Kirkegaard, Thilo Hanemann and Lutz Weischer
Peterson institute for international economics working paper No 09-14
“This working paper maps out the structure and value chains of the wind industry, analyzes the wind industry’s increasing global integration via cross-border trade and investment flows, and offers recommendations to policymakers for the design of investment and trade policies to help realize wind energy’s potential.
We find that demand for wind energy through long term government support policies creates the basis for local supply of wind capital equipment and services and associated local job creation; policies that put a price on carbon will further help to make wind energy more competitive and increase the overall demand for turbines and equipment.
Cross-border investment rather than trade is the dominant mode of the wind industry’s global integration. Principal barriers to global integration are nontariff trade barriers and formal and informal barriers that distort firms’ investment decisions. These include local content requirements, divergent national industrial standards and licensing demands, and in particular political expectations. Intellectual property accounts for only a very small part of cost in the wind industry, and wind technology is widely available for licensing. Intellectual property rights are correspondingly not a major impediment for market participation.
Credible long-term commitments coupled with a reduction or elimination of existing barriers to cross-border trade and investments are necessary to harness the full potential of global integration in reducing wind industry prices and increase worldwide deployment of wind energy”.
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1521651##
- Financing Renewable Energy Infrastructure: Formulation, Pricing and Impact of a Carbon Revenue Bond. (2011)
Amy Tang, Nicola Chiara, John E. Taylor. Columbia University
Renewable energy systems depend on large financial incentives to compete with conventional generation methods. Several studies have evaluated the effectiveness of different regulatory and financial incentives for renewable energy with the objective of developing a stable, national policy. Market-based incentives, including state-level renewable portfolio standards with renewable energy credit trading and international cap-and-trade schemes, have been proposed as solutions to increase renewable energy investment.
In this paper we formulate and introduce a carbon revenue bond, a financing tool which could complement national incentive systems to encourage renewable energy investment. We then explore whether future revenue from the sale of environmental credits can make a significant positive impact on initial development costs. To predict future revenue we analyzed historical carbon credit prices from the European Trading Scheme and compared the goodness-of-fit of five different stochastic processes. The best fitting model was used to generate future prices and calculate the value of the bond.
Through an illustrative example of a large wind farm development project, our findings reveal that the sale of a carbon revenue bond with a ten year maturity can finance a significant portion of the project’s initial cost, making renewable energy production more cost-competitive with conventional generation methods.
http://www.civil.columbia.edu/gpndl/publications/documents/WP1103_final.pdf
UPCOMING ARE EVENTS
Solar Expo, Verona, Italy. 4-6 May 2011.
This is an International exhibition on energy generation and conservation which aims to showcase the progress made, deliberate the potential opportunities and challenges facing the industry and to create a roadmap for sustainable growth and development.
ARE will exhibit an information stand where our delegates will present the Alliance’s view on renewable energy and the services offered by members while at the same time seeking to increase ARE’s visibility and contacts in the energy sector.
For more information please click here
Second Symposium Small PV Applications, Ulmm, Germany. 6-7 June, 2011.
This Symposium, of which the Alliance is an official supporting organisation, will bring together leading figures from the professional and academic world to discuss a wide range of small PV applications.
These include components, including the batteries or other alternatives to energy, storage systems, market development, distribution channels as well as the avenues of financing.
For more information please click here
InterSolar, Munich, Germany. 8-10 June, 2011.
As the world’s largest exhibition for the solar industry, InterSolar Europe brings all areas of solar technology under one roof and addresses the entire supply chain for photovoltaics, PV production technology and solar thermal technology.
ARE will again be present with an information stand which will provide information on the Alliance and which can be considered an ideal networking and advertising means.
To find out more about InterSolar please click here
E8 Summit, New York, 2 June, 2011.
The 2011 e8 Summit will be held on the 2nd of June at the UN’s Headquarters in New York. This Summit will mark the culmination of the e8 and UN global initiative on "Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships", the e8’s 2010-2011 annual themes.
The focus of this initiative is to bring together UN agencies with international public and private organisations in order to support the global plan for deployment of low and zero emitting technologies, in the developing countries and across regional and international levels. This "Power Partnership Plan" aims to result in countries making significant progress towards global electricity access in the 2030-2040 timeframe.
To get all the relevant information please click here
Power Kick for Africa 2011, International Conference on Renewable Energy and Gender, Abuja, Nigeria. 29 June- 1 July.
The conference will assemble policy makers, representatives from business and civil society to facilitate a pan-African information exchange. The participants will consult about policies, technologies and financial mechanisms for the deployment of renewable energies in Africa, reflecting the fact that gender is a main determinant that defines access, ways of utilization, opportunities and control over all energy resources.
To learn more about the conference please click here.
Upcoming Wind Events
Brazil WindPower 2011, Rio de Janeiro. 31 August - 1st of September, 2011.
Following on the success of Brazil WindPower 2011, Brazil WindPower 2011 will be the largest and most important wind industry event in Latin America in 2011. Join more than 2000 industry players from across the region to explore the vibrant and exciting wind industry in Latin America.
For more information and details, click here.
Windaba 2011, Cape Town, South Africa. 27-29 September, 2011.
Windaba 2011 is the premier international event on wind energy in South Africa hosted by the South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA). It will tackle the full range of wind energy subjects, developing strategies, the adaptation of successful technologies and strategies to specific regional and local conditions. The conference will address not only technology issues but also policy and regulatory aspects, funding, return on investment and environmental impact.
To get more information on Windaba 2011 please click here.