San Francisco’s Rapid Transit Likely Nation’s First to Run on 100% Renewables

13.05.2017

solar-panels — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Taking public transportation already makes a big difference in reducing your carbon footprint. Now, the San Francisco Bay Area’s rapid transit system is reducing its own carbon footprint by committing to 100 percent renewable energy.

The Bay Area Rapid Transit (or BART) is likely the first electrified public transit system to make this ambitious goal. The BART is used by about 434,000 commuters each workday.

Earlier this month, BART’s board of directors approved a new wholesale electric portfolio policy enabling the transportation agency to buy more power directly from renewable sources, including solar, wind and small hydroelectric facilities.

Transit agencies usually buy power from their local provider but under a 2015 California law, BART has the freedom to choose its own power sources. The aim is to increase its use of renewable energy to 50 percent by 2025, and 100 percent by 2045.

BART said its current portfolio is already 78 percent cleaner in terms of carbon content compared with a typical large customer of electricity utility PG&E, but its new “aggressive guidelines” makes it even greener.

BART is one of the largest power users in Northern California, consuming roughly 400,000 megawatt-hours annually. That’s slightly more than the city of Alameda, which has an estimated population of 80,000.

“Every day, BART takes cars off the road and helps drive down our greenhouse gas emissions,” said BART Director Nick Josefowitz in a statement.

“But especially now, BART and the Bay Area must shoulder even more responsibility to combat climate change. Even though BART is not required to comply with the state’s renewable energy standards, we have committed to purchasing 100 percent renewable electricity and taking a leadership role in decarbonizing our transportation sector.”

BART’s clean energy goals puts it on track to exceed California’s Renewable Portfolio Standard that mandates 50 percent renewables by 2030.

“Given that renewable energy supply costs have fallen significantly in recent years and have approached cost parity with other supply sources, BART has an opportunity to set clean energy goals that are both ambitious and realistic,” BART’s Sustainability Manager Holly Gordon said.

Source: ecowatch.com

Going, Going, Gone: Only 26 Glaciers Left in Glacier National Park

12.05.2017

Warming temperatures have caused glaciers in Montana’s iconic Glacier National Park to shrink an average of 39 percent over the past 50 years, with some glaciers losing 82 percent of their mass since 1966, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

To be considered glaciers, ice masses must make up at least 25 acres, and USGS scientists say that warming has shrunk the park’s 39 major glaciers so much that only 26 can technically still be considered glaciers. Only 26 of 150 glaciers that existed in the late 19th century remain in the park.

“These glaciers are instrumental in maintaining cold water for certain aquatic organisms. The safety net will be gone for those organisms,” lead USGS scientist Daniel Fagre told InsideClimate News. “It’s an early warning signal of broader ecosystem change. Clearly, the park is not going to have these glaciers past a few more decades.”

Source: ecowatch.com

C40 Cities Work Together To Invest In Clean Buses

12.05.2017

Travelling up to ten times further than the average passenger vehicle, urban buses are a significant source of pollution, impacting local air quality and global carbon emissions. By 2030, urban bus activity is set to grow nearly 50 percent from today’s levels. In addition, buses used for public transit are not replaced as frequently as passenger vehicles, meaning those purchased today can have environmental and health impacts that persist for more than a decade.

Replacing diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG) buses with low emission buses, such as battery electric and hybrid, can generate significant environmental, health and economic benefits in our cities. To date, 27 cities have signed onto C40’s Clean Bus Declaration committing to switching more than 45,000 buses in their fleets to low emission buses, saving an estimated 1 million tons of GHG emissions per year. If each of these 27 cities switched their entire fleet to low emission buses, the savings could reach 2.8 million tons of GHG emissions each year. This is the equivalent of taking around 590,000 cars off the road.

For cities to achieve their clean bus goals, we must find new business models to support investment in this innovative but more expensive technology. Clean bus costs vary by city and publicly-available data is limited, but estimates suggest electric buses cost at least 50% more than traditional diesel models, and significantly more for some cities. The price of electric buses and the associated charging infrastructure is a common barrier to cities adopting these buses at scale. C40 and the Greater London Authority brought together 12 leading cities for the C40 Clean Bus Finance Academy to collaborate on possible solutions to overcome this barrier and others in transitioning to electric bus fleets. This event—the first of its kind in a series—forms part of the Financing Sustainable Cities Initiative, a partnership between C40 and the WRI Ross Center for Sustainable Cities, funded by the City Foundation.

Senior city finance and transport officials came together at the C40 Clean Bus Finance Academy to provide peer-to-peer advice based on their experiences with electric buses. The three-day Academy involved candid lesson sharing and collaboration between the cities of Auckland, Buenos Aires, Cape Town, Durban, London, Los Angeles, Mexico City, Oslo, Paris, Santiago de Chile, Seattle and Tshwane. The cities also worked with invited technical experts to explore new funding, finance and procurement options to create new business models for electric buses.

– Many jurisdictions around the world are thinking of moving to an electric bus fleet. But with battery storage cost falling and challenges around the large investment in dedicated infrastructure, the default position is to wait and see. The clean bus academy was the opportunity to shift from thinking to action. In sharing not just what other cities were doing, but also more detailed insights into charging, depots, variability of range and other logistics, the academy has helped provide a catalyst for action and the next level of planning to enable it to happen. – Richard Morris, Chief Financial Officer, Auckland Transport

The cities heard from manufacturers, operators, finance specialists and technology experts in a space designed for close collaboration and open information sharing. Feedback from city delegates highlighted that they also valued collaborating with their finance and transport colleagues from their own cities, as well as peers in equivalent roles in other cities from around the world. All twelve cities left having created new Finance Action Plans, outlining next steps primarily under three common themes:

Measuring the costs and benefits of different clean bus technologies
Collective actions to reduce the high upfront costs of electric buses
Exploring innovative procurement, financing and funding options

Measuring the costs and benefits of different clean bus technologies

The business case improves for clean buses when the operational costs, as well as the environmental, health and economic benefits are also taken into account in the total cost of ownership. Electric buses generally have lower operating costs than traditional buses due to savings from reduced fuel consumption and lower maintenance costs. Some of the delegates highlighted the operational cost savings as a key motivator for adopting electric buses. This was also highlighted during a site visit to the Waterloo bus depot where the Director of Engineering for Go Ahead shared his perspective as an electric bus operator. He shared their positive experience with electric buses, particularly in terms of lower operating costs. During their visit delegates saw some of Go Ahead’s fleet of 51 electric buses returning from the ir shift to plug-in and charge overnight, a clear demonstration that electric vehicles are not just a technology of the future but a technology of the here and now.

Collective actions to reduce the high upfront costs of electric buses

While total cost of ownership models can help to make the business case, for some cities the higher upfront costs of electric buses and their charging infrastructure is a persistent barrier to adoption. During the Academy, cities explored whether collective actions such as joint procurement of common elements of electric buses, such as batteries or chassis, or an update to C40’s Clean Bus Declaration could demonstrate strong demand to the market and bring down the upfront costs. Since launching the Declaration, London has seen a reduction of more than 10% in the price of single deck electric buses, which London attributes to the signal cities jointly sent to the market through the Declaration. C40 will continue to work with its member cities and partners to explore new collective actions to help address this cost barrier.

Exploring innovative procurement, financing and funding options

Another challenge for cities that do not own their own vehicles is how to incentivise a private operator to take the risk of investing in a new technology. A session with manufacturers inspired a discussion on business models and how cities can work to develop new contracting approaches that will reduce the costs and risk of adopting new technology, such as battery leasing or shared costs of infrastructure. Just as cities need to provide a signal to the market that there is demand for their product, manufacturers need to provide a signal to cities that they are working to reduce costs, mitigate technology risks, and improve charging technology standardisation.

C40 and its partners will be working together with technical experts to support these cities in implementing their Finance Action Plans over the next 12 months and bringing together these cities and others through webinars and teleconferences to continue the valuable good practice exchange. At the request of the delegates, C40 will explore an update to the Clean Bus Declaration and the creation of a clean bus information repository for cities, transit agencies and operators to share information on their procurement, trials and financing of clean buses.

(C40)

Survey: Plastic Waste Fuelled by Brits’ Fear of Asking for Free Tap Water

12.05.2017

plastic-bottles — Foto-ilustracija: Pixabay

Concerns have again been raised about the UK’s rising plastic bottle waste problem, after a YouGov survey found more than 70 per cent of the public feel too embarrassed to ask for free tap water in pubs and restaurants if they are not a customer.

According to a poll of more than 2,000 people, 37 per cent said they felt awkward asking for their reusable bottles to be filled up in places such as bars and cafes even if they are purchasing something.

Meanwhile, only a quarter said they were aware of their legal entitlement to ask for free water in such premises.

Yet the survey also found that 59 per cent of people would be more likely to carry a reusable bottle if tap water refills were more freely available in places such as shops, airports, and parks.

At present, just seven per cent said they usually drank from public water fountains or taps, while only 11 per cent said they asked for tap water from cafes and restaurants. Just under two thirds also said they rarely or never carried a refillable bottle, yet almost three quarters of respondents – 73 per cent – said they would like tap water to be more freely available.

Licensed premises including bars, theatres and restaurants are legally required to provide free drinking water on request in England, Scotland, and Wales, although they can charge for the use of any glass. However, there is no legal obligation for free drinking water to be provided at unlicensed premises such as health clubs, tourist attractions, and cinemas.

Commissioned by waste charity Keep Britain Tidy and filtered water brand Brita UK, the survey comes amid increasing alarm over levels of plastic waste in the UK, particularly with regards to single-use plastic water bottles. Around 7.7 billion plastic water bottles are estimated to be bought in the UK each year and only a limited number of them are recycled.

The issue is also currently the subject of a Parliamentary select committee inquiry.

In order to cut down on single-use plastic bottle waste, Keep Britain Tidy chief executive Allison Odgen-Newton urged for more action to ensure drinking water is freely available for people to fill up reusable bottles in public buildings and businesses while on the go.

“Topping-up in a glass or refillable bottle would encourage us to stay healthy while helping to reduce littering in our streets, parks and beaches, which is all good,” she said.

Other recommendations from the charity include updating and boosting public awareness of legislation on legal rights for access to drinking water, as well as encouraging the hospitality and transport sectors to provide free drinking water to customers and non-customers.

Sarah Taylor, MD of BRITA UK, said single-use plastic bottles were too often thrown away, resulting in litter on the streets and public spaces, as well as damaging the marine environment. “It’s great to see that many cafes, shops and other businesses already proactively offer free drinking water and encourage customers or non-customers to fill up, but we need more businesses to follow in their footsteps, greater availability of public drinking fountains, and to boost people’s understanding of their water rights.”

Source: businessgreen.com

British Renewables Score Record-Breaking Quarter

12.05.2017

New evidence of the growing role of renewables in Britain’s electricity sector emerged yesterday with the release of data highlighting record breaking performances from the wind, solar, biomass, and hydropower sectors in the first quarter of this year.

Using data from Elexon, biomass and coal energy giant Drax this week published its Electric Insights quarterly report revealing a bumper performance for clean energy during the first three months of 2017.

According to the data, British wind farms enjoyed their highest ever quarterly output, generating 11.3TWh of clean power over the quarter, an increase of 10 per cent on the same time a year earlier.

In fact, on 57 out of the 90 days in the quarter wind produced more electricity than coal, which saw its contribution plummet 30 per cent compared to last year.

Meanwhile, biomass generation hit a new high of 4.4TWh over the quarter, and solar scored its peak output in March of 7.67GW, enough electricity to power a fifth of the country at one time.

Hydropower delivered 1.6TWh of clean power over the three-month period, breaking its previous 2011 high by 20 per cent.

The news follows a slew of reports on renewables’ record-breaking recent performance, including data from the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) detailing the staggering popularity of clean energy among the UK public.

In its research Drax also outlines how the spread of decentralised clean energy technologies is reshaping demand patterns in Britain.

For the first time ever, the last weekend of March saw daytime demand on the grid dip below the nighttime minimum, thanks to solar panels and small wind turbines meeting local demand during daylight hours.

Instead, new peaks are emerging at the beginning and end of the day, with demand net of renewables 2.3GWh higher at 9am than at 1pm during March this year. Drax believes this gap will likely double by June, based on data from previous years.

The surge in renewable generation also meant carbon emissions from electricity generation were down 10 per cent during the first quarter on a year-on-year basis. The “dirtiest hour” of electricity this winter was lower carbon than the average generation mix three years ago, Drax said.

Drax Group owns the country’s largest power station, and has converted 65 per cent of its generating capacity from coal to biomass over recent years.

The firm insists biomass has a crucial role to play in delivering reliable power to support an increasingly renewables-heavy grid. However, the approach has attracted criticism from some campaign groups in recent years, who question the sustainability credentials of wood biomass and argue that it can lead to higher than expected carbon emissions. The growing UK biomass industry has been accused of fuelling deforestation in the US.

In an effort to address concerns about the impact of its biomass fuel supply chain, Drax announced earlier this week it has appointed environmental consultancy Robertsbridge to help develop and communicate its sustainability strategy.

“At Drax we only use sustainable biomass to generate renewable power,” Matthew Rivers, Drax special adviser for sustainability, said in a statement. “We insist on tough screening and vetting of all our suppliers, along with independent verification. But we know that some in the political, NGO, and public arenas have concerns, and these need to be properly addressed.”

He continued: “Robertsbridge will provide us with top level advice ensuring we engage in the most effective way with all our audiences helping them to better understand the leading role we play in helping to change the way energy is generated, supplied and used for a better future.”

Source: businessgreen.com

EBRD provides €25 million loan to Sarajevo water

12.05.2017

The EBRD is financing the reconstruction of the water supply network in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with a €25 million sovereign loan provided to the Sarajevo Canton Water and Wastewater Company.

The loan agreement was signed today on the final day of the EBRD 2017 Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Nicosia by EBRD Director for Municipal and Environmental Infrastructure, Susan Goeransson, and the Minister of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations, Mirko Sarovic.

The loan will finance investments to reduce water losses in the network and improve the quality of services provided by the water utility company. This is the second transaction under the EBRD’s new Green Cities Framework which supports governments, municipalities, municipal-owned and private companies to address environmental challenges in urban areas.

Thanks to expert technical assistance funded by the EBRD, the company, which is currently loss-making, will be made commercially sustainable. The preparation of a Green City Action Plan (GCAP), a strategic plan which will benchmark environmental challenges and propose priority areas for improvements in the Sarajevo Canton, will also be a part of the project.

Ian Brown, EBRD head of Bosnia and Herzegovina, said: ‘Today’s signing, which will reduce water losses and help the Canton solve one of its most urgent problems, is an important part of our work in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This project will directly help to improve the access to water for the people of Sarajevo.’

Minister Sarovic added: ‘I am delighted to sign this loan agreement today at the EBRD 2017 Annual Meeting and Business Forum in Nicosia. This funding from the EBRD is a welcome and much needed investment in the infrastructure in the Sarajevo Canton, and is further evidence of our cooperation with the EBRD.

The Green Cities programme is part of the EBRD’s efforts to make the countries where it operates greener. According to Bank’s new transition concept, a well-functioning market economy should be competitive, inclusive, well-governed, environmentally friendl y, resilient and integrated. These qualities are implicit in the EBRD’s founding articles.

Since the beginning of its operations in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EBRD has invested more than €1.8 billion in over 130 projects in the country. Reducing water losses in the Sarajevo Canton is a response to the global resource efficiency challenge.

Easyjet Cuts Carbon Emissions 30 Per Cent Since 2000

12.05.2017

Easyjet has cut the carbon emissions of its flights by almost a third since 2000 thanks to a combination of better technology and improvements in operating efficiency.

Over the last 17 years its emissions per passenger, per kilometre travelled have dropped from 116.2 grams to 79.98 grams, a fall of 31 per cent, the budget airline said earlier this week.

By 2020 Easyjet aims to reduce this figure to 77 grams, which would mean overall emission reductions of a third inside 20 years.

“At easyJet we want to make sure that we take our passengers where they want to go with the lowest carbon emissions,” Easyjet’s head of carbon efficiency Chris Foster said in a statement.

“We are very pleased to have delivered emissions below 80 grams for each passenger kilometre for the first time and look forward to reaching our target of 77 grams by 2020,” he added. “By using modern aircraft and flying them efficiently we will have successfully reduced the carbon impact of our flights by a third in twenty years, delivering a step change in the environmental impact of our flights.”

Over recent years Easyjet has introduced a number of new operational policies to save fuel and cut carbon, such as permitting pilots to only use two of an aeroplane’s four engines while taxiing.

Lighter seats and aerodynamic wing tips have also helped to curb emissions, the airline said. Budget airlines tend to have lower emissions than higher end carriers, with RyanAir’s latest emissions intensity clocking in at 75 grams per km, compared to British Airways’ owner IAG’s 2016 figure of 93.7 grams per km.

The airline industry last year agreed an international deal to deliver “carbon neutral growth” from 2020 onwards by establishing an offsetting scheme that will sponsor green projects around the world. The Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) comes into effect in stages from 2021, and is intended to curb emissions from the aviation sector, one of only two global sectors not covered by the Paris Agreement.

Many airlines are also experimenting with lighter planes and new fuels, including electric power and biofuels, to slash future emissions. For example, Easyjet is working on a hybrid plane concept that would use a hydrogen fuel cell battery to reduce the use of jet engines during taxiing.

However, some environmental campaigners argue more steps will need to be taken to curb demand and limit new airport capacity if the industry is to meet its emissions goals.

Source: businessgreen.com

Oman Signs Agreement For 1 Gigawatt Solar Project

12.05.2017

Falling oil prices, international obligations to cut emissions, and a global shift toward renewable energy technologies seems to have pushed even the oil producing countries to invest heavily in clean energy sources.

A Chinese company recently signed an agreement with an Oman-based investment firm for the development of a large-scale solar power project in the Middle Eastern country. The project will be developed in two phases, with the first one having a capacity of 400 megawatts. The first phase will eventually be expanded to 1,000 megawatts capacity.

Ningxia Zhongke Jiaye New Energy and Technology Management Co. signed an agreement with Oman Investment Fund to set up the project at Duqm. Ningxia will hold 51% in the project, while the balance will be owned by Oman Investment Fund. A land lease agreement has already beenFalling oil prices, international obligations to cut emissions, and a global shift toward signed for 1,172 hectares.

The project is believed to be the same that was proposed last year and had attracted attention of German investors. These companies are expected to provide technical assistance and support development of the project.

Apart from this planned 1 gigawatt solar PV project, Oman will soon host perhaps the largest solar thermal power project in the world. Oil majors Shell and Total have partnered with California-based Glasspoint Solar to set up a 1,021 megawatt solar thermal power project to boost oil production.

Glasspoint Solar manufactures and installs aluminium mirrors near oil fields that concentrate solar radiation on insulated tubes containing water. The steam generated from heating the water is injected into oil fields to recover heavy crude oil or natural gas. The use of renewable energy like solar power makes great economic sense, as the fuel cost associated with this enhanced oil recovery technology is practically zero.

Glasspoint Solar reports that the project is currently under construction.

Oman’s Rural Areas Electricity Company (Raeco) plans to increase the share of renewable energy to 25% of the total power generated within the next 5 years.

Source: cleantechnica.com

Pacifico Energy Begins Work On Japan’s Largest Solar Project

11.05.2017

Solarni paneli — Photo-ilustration: Pixabay

Tokyo-based solar power developer Pacifico Energy has initiated work on the largest solar power project in Japan.

Pacifico Energy has started construction at Sakuto solar power project, claimed to be largest in Japan. The project will have a 257.7-megawatt (DC) capacity and is expected to be commissioned by September 2019. The company has, however, not announced the project financier and EPC contractor.

The Sakuto solar power project, at Okayama, is expected to generate 290 million kWh of electricity and offset around 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions every year.

This is the second project in two months that Pacifico Energy has started construction on. In March, the company announced that it is working on a 96.2-megawatt (DC) solar power project at Miyazaki-shi, Miyazaki-ken. The project is being executed by Toyo Engineering and is being funded by 13 different banks led by Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ.

The Sakuto solar power project will be Pacifico’s third project at Okayama. The company already has two projects with a combined installed capacity of 74.3 megawatts (DC) operational in the region. Both are supplying electricity to Chugoku Electric Power Company.

Source: cleantechnica.com

Jamaica Is Looking To Attract $300 Million In Renewable Energy Investments

11.05.2017

photovoltaic-solar — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

Jamaica is looking to mobilize a substantial investment into its renewable energy sector as it recognizes the global movement towards a low-carbon economy.

Media reports quoting Jamaica’s Minister of Economic Growth and Job Creation Daryl Vaz stated that the Jamaican government is looking to attract $300 million in renewable energy investment in the near-term. The government is planning to develop frameworks to facilitate renewable energy projects across several sectors of the economy.

These frameworks and projects will be developed in such a manner that they conform with the financing provisions and guidelines of the Green Climate Fund. If the Jamaican government could receive project funding from the Green Climate Fund it would be a substantial help towards the country’s aim to meet 20% of its energy demand from clean energy sources by 2030.

Jamaica has seen renewable energy growth at a rather slow pace. It has very few large-scale solar power projects and the net-metering policy was implemented not very long ago.

A 20-megawatt solar power project was commissioned by Florida-based WRB Enterprises last year. The project was allocated through a competitive auction involving more than 20 international companies. The project received $62 million funding from Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the U.S. Government’s Development Finance Institution.

Last year, the Ministry for Science, Energy, and Technology had stated that 150 megawatts of renewable energy capacity would be auctioned. The status of this auction remains unknown.

Another solar power project of 33 megawatts was allocated to Eight Rivers Energy. The project will sell electricity at 8.5¢/kWh when it starts operations next year.

Source: cleantechnica.com

Hanover Becomes First New Hampshire Town to Commit to 100% Renewables

11.05.2017

The town of Hanover, New Hampshire voted Tuesday night to establish a goal of transitioning to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050. The article approved at Tuesday’s town meeting sets a community-wide goal of transitioning to 100 percent renewable electricity by 2030 and a 2050 goal of transitioning heating and transportation to run on clean, renewable sources of energy.

Tuesday’s vote makes Hanover the 29th city in the country to commit to 100 percent renewable energy and the first in New Hampshire to establish this goal. The vote comes after the Sustainable Hanover Town Committee in December endorsed a transition to 100 percent renewable energy in Hanover for electricity, heat and transportation by 2050. Earlier on Tuesday, the Town of Southampton, New York similarly established a goal to transition to 100 percent renewable energy.

“As town manager for the Town of Hanover, I am overjoyed that the town meeting voted unanimously to support a goal of 100 percent renewable energy,” said Hanover Town Manager Julia Griffin. “We look forward to working with Sierra Club and Sustainable Hanover to achieve this goal.”

Town meetings like Tuesday’s Hanover town vote have long been a form of direct democracy across New England. Unlike the other 28 cities and towns that have committed to 100 percent clean energy, however, Hanover represents the first municipality in the U.S. to have a goal of 100 percent renewable energy voted on and approved by the residents of that community.

Tuesday’s vote builds on Hanover’s growing investment in renewable energy. In 2014, Hanover was named the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s first Green Power Community in New Hampshire. The town is currently at 22 percent renewable electricity through partnerships with Dartmouth College and other businesses and institutions and town residents.

“This is a great day for Hanover. I am so proud to be a resident of Hanover—the first town in New Hampshire to make a commitment to 100% renewable energy and the first municipality in the country to have done it by a vote of its citizenry,” said Judith Colla, a member of the Sierra Club Upper Valley’s Executive Committee. “I look forward to supporting next steps here in Hanover and helping to spread this campaign to our neighbors throughout the Upper Valley.”

Other cities to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable energy include major metropolises like San Diego and Atlanta, along with small towns including Abita Springs, Louisiana and Moab, Utah. Burlington, Vermont is the first city in the U.S. to run entirely on clean, renewable energy.

Source: ecowatch.com

KfW Has Been Implementing the Protection of Climate Conditions and Environmental Improvement since 1984

11.05.2017

The German Development Bank (KfW) is financially helping Serbia. The investments of KfW bank have reached the level of around 1,711 billion euros, including 887 million euros for the energy sector. These include the production of electricity, coal mines and district heating. Then 251 million euros has been allocated for water supply and 573 million euros for the financial sector. Among first major projects was the rehabilitation of hydro power plants ‘Bajina Bašta’ and ‘Zvornik’ which was financed by the loans in the total amount of 100 million euros.

In the field of production of thermal energy KfW contributes in financing the introduction of the system for controlling the quality of the coal in the largest mining field in Serbia, Kolubara. This is being implemented in cooperation with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). This new system will significantly affect the reduction of CO2 emission. In addition to these projects which deal with the production of electricity, KfW has also been supporting the projects which deal with energy consumption by providing financing for measures of energy efficiency in public buildings since 2014. KfW has also approved to the Serbian banks the credit lines for refinancing the projects which deal with energy efficiency and renewable energy sources. The financing of the first EPS’s (Elektroprivreda Srbije) wind farm is among the most important future projects.

Energy portal has the honour to talk to Mr. Arne Gooss, General Manager of the KfW bank in Serbia about all these topics.

EP: KfW bank launched the line ‘Green bonds’ in April 2015 and the plan is to invest around a billion euros in the projects in the field of energy efficiency, sustainable transport, renewable energy sources and also in the projects dedicated to waste management in the following 3 to 4 years. What are the results of this initiative which in less than 2 years?

Arne Gooss: The liquidity and the highest quality of the credit line are the factors of success of KfW bonds. As one of the world’s greatest financiers of climate protection, KfW has a holistic approach to sustainability. This also includes work on the capital market. ‘Green Bonds – made by KfW’ make a significant contribution to the promotion and financing of climate and environmental protection measures which are based on the capital market. KfW issued green bonds in the amount of around 1.5 billion of US dollars in November 2016. KfW is also the first participant of the capital market who entered the segment of green bonds, and not only as an issuer but also as an investor.

EP: Climate change is forcing people to mitigation, the change of plan in the business sector, since they change decisions in the last moment and sometimes it results in considerable losses. In what way does the KfW use these facts? How do you create new products and with which institutions do you cooperate with in Europe and Serbia? Do you conduct the research for each country separately?

Arne Gooss: Our goal is to improve the living conditions of people in developing countries and emerging markets and also to improve the economy which supports the environmental protection. The business area of KfW Development Bank and its daughter company DEG which promote the climate and environmental protection, the expansion of public infrastructure and private economic initiative as the drivers of sustainable economy and social progress. KfW has been providing support to Federal German Government in achieving goals in development policies and international cooperation for 50 years. Policy and strategic guidelines of Federal Government therefore serve as the basis for the scope of activities of German Development Bank.

In German financial cooperation, KfW acts as an experienced bank and the institution of development policy. It improves and supports programs and projects on behalf of Federal Government – from the initial idea, through execution, to subsequent assessment of the results. Therefore, KfW also applies the experiences which we gained in improving domestic businesses. The projects have been established in order to motivate future activities, by providing an incentive in the participation of private sector and thus laying the foundation for wider process of transformation.

EP: One of the priorities of KfW bank is to help Serbia to implement targets agreed with the EU within the energy sector in the areas of water supply and waste management. As a proof of that KfW funds projects in the field of renewable energy sources, such as production of electricity from solar energy, wind and hydro potential. From 2005 to 2015 the KfW bank had several large projects in Serbia “European Fund for Serbia” in cooperation with ProCredit Bank, then “Emergency Aid Programme and united energy financial loan” in 2008. During 2010 you realized the project “Rehabilitation of public lighting in Novi Sad, Nis and Belgrade”, and in 2015 you implemented the project “Water Supply Phase I and II”. Do you cooperate with German banks in all these cases? What is the financial value of stated activities and what are your plans in the future in addition to all these?

Arne Gooss: KfW Development Bank supports Serbia on behalf of the BMZ (Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development). We want to achieve an agreed-upon standard in the energy sector, water supply and water purification, waste management and environmental protection. KfW also supports sustainable economic development in Serbia by offering credit lines for small and medium-sized enterprises (chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia), and supports municipalities through a local banking system. Since the establishment of development cooperation in Serbia in 2000, KfW on behalf of Federal Government has approved projects worth 1.7 billion euros. The KfW Bank currently operates in the implementation of projects in more than 25 towns and their utilities.

We cooperate with companies such as EPS and EMS – state-owned companies for the supply of electricity. Through the cooperation with Serbian partner banks we have loan for both small and medium-sized companies and for urban municipalities loans are available throughout the country (for example, to improve energy efficiency in companies and public infrastructure). Initially, due to the then acute needs, KfW financed, on behalf of the German Federal Government, a huge number of assistance programmes – import of electricity, in order to ensure the supply, spare parts for quick maintenance of power plants and district heating system in major cities.

Eventually, projects have become more sophisticated. District heating system has been expanded and now it covers also towns; the benefits of efficiency and environmental impact are becoming increasingly important. The promotion of renewable energy sources has reached the limelight. In new projects, KfW mostly relies on hydro power plants, but also on biomass and wind power plants. The new project of energy efficiency improvement in schools, which is based on the project of World Bank will contribute to reducing energy demand. The same can be said for credit lines which will allow small and medium companies to invest in energy efficiency through the banking sector of Serbia. More than 80 percent of the approved funds were disbursed by the end of 2016. Around 20 percent of funds were provided as the first aid, while the remaining parts were long-term concessional loans.

The future KfW projects, agreed by both Governments, will be focused on three key points of development cooperation in Serbia: the improvement of sustainable development, as well as sustainable infrastructure (energy/energy efficiency, water/ waste water/ solid waste). All these key points contribute to the ‘Initiative for Growth and Development’, which was launched by both Governments at the beginning of 2015. Our future projects and activities will be focused on this initiative, and currently together with our Serbian partners, we are exploring the possibilities how to increase our engagement in the field of energy supply, especially in the sector of renewable energy sources. We are also exploring the possibilities of green credit lines which would be granted through local commercial banks, in order to promote the investments in climate protection conditions, energy efficiency sector and thus in environmental protection.

EP: KfW Bank was established in 1948. It is German Development Bank and during its 70- year existence it has been supporting the energy and industry sectors, both in Germany and also around the world. When did you make the decision to establish the sector which deals with the energy issues, climate change and environmental protection issues?

Arne Gooss: Climate and environmental protection is the tradition of KfW bank. We are the first German development institution which financed environmental protection measures even in 1950s. The bank has had its own environmental improvement and it has established environmental and climate protection as the key point in all areas of improvement since 1984. The first targeted investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy sources were in 1990. Based on this experience, the initiative for energy efficient reconstruction of homes ‘Residential Development, Environment, Development’ was launched in 2006 on behalf of Federal Government. Therefore, KfW supports projects which limit negative effects of climate change. Projects for climate and environmental protection, as well as the ones for adaptation to climate change are often connected with development projects. They are fully in accordance with the agreements signed by the Governments which participated in the United Nations Conference on the Environmental protection and Development in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. For example, the business area of KfW Development Bank provided 975 million of euros, on behalf of the Federal Government, for the projects with the goal of adaptation to climate change in the developing countries and emerging markets only in 2014.

Interview by: Vesna Vukajlović

Good Energy Eyes £10m Boost from Second Corporate Bond Offer

11.05.2017

Good Energy has launched its second corporate bond offer with the aim of raising at least £10m to support the “next phase” of the renewable energy supplier’s growth.

Available to all UK residents over 18, the bond offer has an over-subscription maximum level of up to £20m.

Announced yesterday, Good Energy Bonds II will have an initial term of four years, offering a coupon of 4.75 per cent gross per year to be paid semi-annually, the firm said.

Applications close on 5 June and investments can be made in multiples of £250.

Good Energy launched its first corporate bond in 2013, since which time it claims to have more than doubled its revenue and profits. Last year the company delivered revenue growth of 41 per cent to £90.1m and EBITDA growth of 39 per cent to £10.1m.

The 2013 corporate bond launch was oversubscribed and raised £15m, with the proceeds largely used to support the development of solar farms.

Investors in the first corporate bond will also be able to roll over some or all of their investment into the second bond launched today, receiving their higher interest rate until 22 November, the firm said.

Juliet Davenport, Good Energy founder and CEO, said that in the four years since the previous bond offer the company had successfully adapted to the changing UK energy and regulatory environment, and now wanted to invest in remaining at the forefront of the evolving energy transition.

“New technologies and the way we use energy are bringing a modern, decentralised, low carbon structure to the UK energy industry,” explained Davenport. “We are excited about this evolution and the opportunities it creates, and we believe Good Energy is ideally placed to thrive in this new landscape.

“In addition to growing our core generation and supply business, we are focusing on developing sustainable energy solutions in areas such as energy storage, electric vehicle networks and green business consultancy to support consumer and business needs in this new environment.”

Founded 18 years ago, Good Energy supplies 100 per cent renewable electricity to 71,400 homes and businesses in the UK. And, since launching its ‘carbon neutral’ gas offering last year, the company now also provides green gas to more than 44,100 households.

Good Energy also raised £3.1m in an oversubscribed share offer last summer.

“Our strategy is clear – deliver sustainable, profitable growth by understanding and meeting our customers’ needs,” Davenport said. “We believe this aligns with not only the interests of our investors and customers but ultimately our purpose of supplying 100 per cent renewable and carbon neutral solutions to UK customers.”

Source: businessgreen.com

CO2 Emissions Soar as Alaska Heats Up

10.05.2017

The Alaskan tundra is releasing an increasingly large amount of CO2 due to a warmer climate, new research shows.

A study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found that CO2 emitted from the tundra between October and December of each year increased more than 70 percent from 1975 to 2015, likely influenced by season creep and increasingly warmer winters.

“There is a lot of potential CO2 from these soils, which worries people,” lead author Roisin Commane told the Guardian. “We’d prefer the carbon stays there.”

The study suggested that the tundra’s emissions of CO2 have become greater than its uptake during the spring and summer growing season.

“Tundra soils appear to be acting as an amplifier of climate change,” co-author Steve Wofsy, a Harvard atmospheric scientist, said in a statement issued by NASA. “We need to carefully monitor what it’s doing up there, even late in the year when everything looks frozen and dormant.”

Source: ecowatch.com

Australia’s Renewable Energy Target Is Within Grasping Distance

10.05.2017

Australia’s 2020 Renewable Energy Target is potentially within grasping distance, according to the country’s Clean Energy Regulator, as long as the current pace of investment continues throughout the rest of 2017.

The Australian Clean Energy Regulator tabled its new report last week, Tracking towards 2020: Encouraging renewable energy in Australia, in which it outlined the administration of the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 — specifically, the Renewable Energy Target of sourcing 33,000 gigawatt-hours of large-scale renewable energy by 2020 — for the 2016 calendar year. The report concluded that the “2020 Large-scale Renewable Energy Target remains achievable provided the current pace of investment continues in 2017.” Further, according to the Regulator, progress was better at the end of 2016 than it was at the beginning, and “good momentum” carried through into early 2017.The reason for the increased optimism over 2016 was the “risk that future supply of certificates might fall below total demand diminished in the course of the year.”

A significant number of new renewable energy projects were announced in 2016, with more new large-scale renewable power generation financed than in any previous year. However, while it was a good year, it was not the year that the Regulator predicted the country needed. In its 2015 annual statement, the Clean Energy Regulator said that for progress to be satisfactory, a total capacity of committed new build in 2016 needed to be around the 3 gigawatts (GW) mark. Only 1,350 megawatts (MW) of new capacity was committed, however, with another 719 MW sufficiently advanced to count as probable.

Moving forward will be like walking a tight-rope if the country is to reach its target, though. Supply and demand “will be tightly balanced in the 2018 compliance year” and an estimated 3 GW will need to be committed in 2017, and a further 1 GW in 2018. Given that 2016’s new build capacity only accounted for around one-third of the new capacity required to deliver the 2020 target, the country now requires significant political support and industrial will to reach the target.

“The generation capacity of these new projects announced increased fivefold in 2016 compared to 2015 to more than 2000 megawatts,” said Mark Williamson, Executive General Manager of the Clean Energy Regulator. “The momentum we saw in the second half of 2016 has continued into 2017. Already we have one-third of the total build required for 2017 achieved in the first three months of the year with a further 1074.5 megawatts firmly announced by end-March.”

“This demonstrates that Australia is now in a strong position to meet the 2020 Renewable Energy Target,” Mr Williamson added, though it could be said he was feeling a little optimistic at the time, given the current climate of Australia’s energy and environmental political landscape.

Nevertheless, there has been some measure of policy certainty provided, and the authors of the report note that “Settled policy for the 2020 target has contributed to an improved investment environment, and the pipeline of potential projects remains in excess of the level required to meet the target.” The only issue remains being able to extract those projects from the pipeline and deliver them on time so that the renewable energy certificates will be available to electricity retailers to meet their obligations in the coming years.

Source: cleantechnica.com

Massive 600MW Dutch Offshore Wind Farm Starts Generating Power

10.05.2017

One of the world’s largest offshore wind farms has been officially opened, delivering 600MW of clean power capacity to Dutch grid.

The Gemini wind park, which is located 85km off the coast of the Netherlands, was unveiled yesterday after it was completed both under budget and ahead of schedule.

The Dutch development consortium behind the project said it is now set to generate enough power to meet the needs of around 1.5 million people, or around 785,000 households.

Construction of the €2.8bn project began in 2015, and the farm now consists of 150 Siemens’ wind turbines, each with a capacity of 4MW, as well as two offshore high-voltage substations.

The substations are connected to a land station at the Dutch coastal town of Eemshaven via a 110km export cable, before electricity is sent to the town’s TenneT power station.

The offshore wind farm is expected to create 75 to 100 permanent jobs in the seaport town where management and maintenance headquarters are located.

Financed by 25 banks from Asia, Australia, Europe and North America, the Gemini wind farm was developed by a consortium featuring Northland Power, which holds a 60 per cent stake, as well as Siemens with a 20 per cent stake and marine engineering firm Van Oord with a 10 per cent stake.

HVC, a joint venture consisting of 48 Dutch municipalities and six water regulatory authorities, holds the final 10 per cent interest in the wind park, which is expected to play a major role in helping the Netherlands hit its target of generating 14 per cent of its energy from renewables by 2020.

Covering a 68km area in the North Sea, the wind farm’s location has some of the “highest and most constant wind speeds” in the region at an average of 36km per hour, according to Gemini’s MD Matthais Haag.

“Now fully operational, Gemini will produce 2.6 TWh of sustainable energy every year, reducing the Netherlands’ CO2 emissions by 1.25 million tonnes,” he said at yesterday’s opening cermony. “We are proud to make this contribution to the realisation of the Netherlands’ sustainability targets.”

Source: businessgreen.com

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