New Energy Innovation - Spring 2024

Spring 2024

COVER STORY: FACING

THE CHALLENGES OF HYDROGEN ECONOMY

Leading the Energy Transition

BIO ENERGY: BIOGAS AND BIOMETHANE MARKET IN EUROPE

SOLUTIONS FOR SAFE AND RELIABLE HYDROGEN INFRASTRUCTURE

H2-Ready!

A Word From The Editor

Exploring the Current Landscape of the Biogas and Biomethane Market

In the quest for sustainable energy solutions, biogas and biomethane have emerged as promising alternatives. Derived from organic matter through anaerobic digestion, these renewable fuels offer multiple environmental and economic benefits. As the world intensifies its focus on reducing carbon emissions and transitioning towards cleaner energy sources, the biogas and biomethane market has witnessed significant growth and innovation. This article delves into the current landscape of this dynamic market, examining key trends, drivers, challenges, and future prospects.

The demand for biogas and biomethane continues to surge globally, driven by several factors. Governments and industries are increasingly prioritizing renewable energy sources to meet emission reduction targets outlined in international agreements such as the Paris Agreement. Additionally, growing concerns about energy security and volatile fossil fuel prices have spurred interest in diversifying energy portfolios with sustainable alternatives.

One notable trend is the expansion of biogas and biomethane production facilities across various sectors, including agriculture, wastewater treatment, and landfill management. These facilities harness organic waste streams, such as agricultural residues, food waste, and sewage, to generate renewable energy. Furthermore, advancements in technology and process optimization have enhanced the efficiency and scalability of biogas production, making it a more economically viable option.

Another trend driving market growth is the increasing adoption of biomethane as a clean fuel for transportation and heating applications. Biomethane, which is purified biogas consisting primarily of methane, offers a renewable alternative to natural gas with lower carbon intensity. Its compatibility with existing natural gas infrastructure makes it an attractive option for decarbonizing sectors such as transportation, where the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles is gaining momentum.

Government policies and regulatory frameworks play a crucial role in shaping the biogas and biomethane market. Many countries have implemented incentive programs, feed-in tariffs, and renewable energy mandates to promote the development of biogas projects and incentivize investment in biomethane infrastructure. For example, renewable energy targets, carbon pricing mechanisms, and tax incentives encourage the deployment of biogas digesters and upgrading facilities.

Moreover, initiatives aimed at reducing methane emissions from agricultural and waste management activities align with broader climate mitigation objectives while creating opportunities for biogas utilization. Policymakers recognize the dual benefits of mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and reducing organic waste disposal in landfills through anaerobic digestion processes.

Despite the promising growth trajectory, the biogas and biomethane market face several challenges that warrant attention. One significant challenge is the variability of feedstock availability and composition, which can affect the reliability and

consistency of biogas production. Addressing this challenge requires strategies such as diversifying feedstock sources, optimizing digestion processes, and implementing robust quality control measures.

Infrastructure constraints, including the limited availability of biogas upgrading and injection facilities, pose another hurdle to market expansion. Scaling up biomethane production requires substantial investment in upgrading technologies and expanding distribution networks to ensure seamless integration with existing gas grids. Collaboration between industry stakeholders, policymakers, and utilities is essential to overcome these infrastructure barriers and accelerate market growth.

Moreover, market volatility and regulatory uncertainty can deter investment in biogas and biomethane projects, particularly in regions where policy support is inconsistent or lacking. Clear and stable policy frameworks, coupled with long-term off-take agreements and financial incentives, are crucial for attracting private investment and fostering market confidence.

Despite these challenges, the biogas and biomethane market present significant opportunities for innovation and investment. Technological advancements, such as anaerobic digestion process optimization, biogas purification techniques, and biomethane storage solutions, continue to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of renewable gas production. Furthermore, the integration of biogas and biomethane into circular economy models offers synergies with waste management, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors, creating new revenue streams and environmental benefits.

The future of the biogas and biomethane market looks promising, driven by ongoing efforts to decarbonize energy systems and mitigate climate change. Continued policy support, technological innovation, and market incentives are expected to fuel further growth and diversification within the sector. As the world transitions towards a low-carbon economy, biogas and biomethane are poised to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, enhancing energy security, and promoting sustainable development.

The biogas and biomethane market represent a dynamic and rapidly evolving segment of the renewable energy landscape. With growing recognition of their environmental and economic benefits, biogas and biomethane are garnering increased attention from policymakers, investors, and industry stakeholders worldwide. Overcoming challenges related to feedstock availability, infrastructure development, and regulatory uncertainty will be essential to unlocking the full potential of these renewable fuels. By capitalizing on technological innovation, market incentives, and collaborative partnerships, the biogas and biomethane industry can contribute to a more sustainable and resilient energy future. •

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Matthew Patten

Managing Editor

Simon Milliere

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Edward Findlay edward@newenergyinnov.com

Technical Director and Website

Ashish Jaswal

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Contributing Journalist

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COVER STORY: Facing the Challenges of Hydrogen Economy

The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges of our time, with the aim of creating a sustainable, clean energy supply. Hydrogen assumes a key role as the energy source of the future. The successful implementation of this technology requires significant progress in all areas of the hydrogen economy, from production to storage and transport. Permanent magnetic couplings, such as those developed and manufactured by DST, hold a central position in this context.

HYDROGEN

Hiperbaric Doubles Its Hydrogen Compressor Business in Europe

8 CONTENTS

The company has generated a business portfolio of 30 new H2 units after installing ten hydrogen compressor units in different European countries. Hiperbaric is positioned as the European benchmark for hydrogen compression at high pressures, up to 1,000 bar, with solutions that drive the energy transition

Flexitallic’s Solutions for Safe and Reliable Hydrogen Infrastructure

WIND ENERGY

Ready to Transition!

Goldwind Americas Announces Zuo Feng as CEO

BIO-ENERGY

AROL ENERGY, French Expert in Gas Treatment

Since the 2000s, first anaerobic digestion plants were built. At the beginning, the biogas produced was used in CHP (Combined Heat and Power) units to produce electricity and heat. Biogas is composed of around 55% of methane (CH4), 44% of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other components as water (H2O) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S).

Blue Biofuels and Vertimass Forge Partnership

NEWS - SOLAR POWER

Technology Conference & Expo is North America’s mustattend exhibition and conference that is exclusively dedicated to discussing advanced technologies for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry. The event brings together the entire hydrogen value chain to focus on developing solutions and innovations for low-carbon hydrogen production, efficient storage and distribution as well as applications in a variety of stationary and mobile applications.

Permanent Magnetic Couplings: Central Component in Facing the Challenges of Hydrogen Economy

The energy transition is one of the greatest challenges of our time, with the aim of creating a sustainable, clean energy supply. Hydrogen assumes a key role as the energy source of the future. The successful implementation of this technology requires significant progress in all areas of the hydrogen economy, from production to storage and transport. Permanent magnetic couplings, such as those developed and manufactured by DST, hold a central position in this context.

Technological basics and areas of application

DST is an international manufacturer of highperformance permanent magnetic couplings with a standard range of 1–1,200 Nm and customised solutions from 0.1 to max. 25,000 Nm. An extensive programme of conversion kits for pumps, assemblies for agitator drives and a large selection of canister materials complete the product range. Permanent magnetic couplings from DST are indispensable for environmentally friendly drive solutions. Thanks to their contactless and leak-free torque transmission in pumps and agitators, they are a reliable alternative to conventional dynamic seals.

With permanent magnetic couplings, the torque of the driving side is transmitted to the driven side by magnetic force without contact. The coupling consists of an inner and an outer rotor equipped with permanent magnets in alternating polarity. The outer rotor transmits the drive torque directly to the inner rotor connected to the driven side. The canister is located between the inner and outer rotor and is sealed using a static seal like an O-ring or gasket, which prevents the operating medium from escaping from the coupling and posing a risk to people and the environment. This achieves a 100% hermetic seal.

Permanent magnetic couplings are used in a wide range of industries worldwide, including the chemical, pharmaceutical and food industries, as well as applications in biotechnology, industrial furnaces, water management, compressors, measuring and dosing technology, hydraulics and petrochemicals. The effectiveness of permanent magnetic couplings is most notable in their use within critical areas. Their ATEX certification further confirms their suitability for use in environments with a potential for explosions.

The canisters are a key element in the design of the permanent magnetic couplings, as they enable 100% hermetic sealing of chemicals from the environment. With the ever-increasing need to reduce the carbon footprint, the use and demand for hydrogen for different applications are growing really fast. Especially

for manufacturers of compressors, booster plants, agitators or pump systems. The risk of hydrogen diffusion makes the selection of the material very crucial. DST offers a wide range of materials for these canisters, including various metals and high-performance plastics.

The selection of the right material mainly depends on the chemical resistance, the strength under pressure and the temperature tolerance of the material. Working in close cooperation with their customers, DST has proven solutions for hydrogen.

The importance of permanent magnetic couplings in hydrogen supply chain

Storage and transport

The storage and distribution of hydrogen poses a significant challenge due to its physical properties. Hydrogen’s low energy content by volume makes it uneconomical to store and transport hydrogen in its normal state. To transport hydrogen economically, it needs to be converted either to a compressed gas, liquid form at subzero temperatures or chemical derivatives. These processes require precise and reliable technologies to safely handle the converted hydrogen or its derivatives. Application example: long-term storage for

green hydrogen

A concrete application example of the importance of permanent magnetic couplings in hydrogen technology is their use in longterm storage systems for green hydrogen. These systems are essential for storing surplus energy from renewable sources such as wind or solar energy. By converting this energy into hydrogen using electrolysis and then storing it, the energy can be conserved over long periods of time and converted back into electricity when required.

At the heart of such a long-term storage system is the compression unit, which pressurises the hydrogen produced to a level that enables it to be stored in tanks. The efficiency of the compression is of crucial importance here to minimise energy loss and maximise storage capacity. The permanent magnetic couplings ensure optimum compression performance thanks to their contactless and efficient power transmission. Their ability to eliminate the risk of leakage is particularly invaluable when handling hydrogen, as any form of gas leakage not only leads to energy loss but also poses safety risks.

Additionally, this hermetic separation protects the compressor and the entire system

Components of a DST permanent magnetic coupling (left to right): outer rotor-canister-inner rotor.

from contamination and ensures pure hydrogen quality, which is essential for the efficiency of reconversion and for applications where pure hydrogen is required.

Ammonia as a hydrogen carrier

To transport hydrogen over long distances, a lot of energy is required. The hydrogen gas would need to be cooled down in its liquid state at subzero temperatures. The process of converting hydrogen gas into liquid form is expensive and the infrastructure needed for it is not yet completely established. Additionally, the whole process is energy- and cost-intensive. A solution to this is to use a chemical derivate of hydrogen, which requires less energy for liquefaction and can be easily transported. Ammonia is one of the highly used chemicals in the industry for which an infrastructure already exists. Additionally, ammonia has a higher energy density than hydrogen. In simple words, more energy can be transported for the same volume. Once the ammonia reaches its destination, it can be broken down to generate hydrogen.

The process begins with the synthesis of hydrogen, usually by electrolysis, followed by the reaction of the hydrogen with nitrogen using a catalyst to produce ammonia. The permanent magnetic coupling comes into play by transferring the energy from an external source, such as an electric motor, to the reactor where the synthesis takes place. This transfer must be extremely precise to ensure the optimum reaction condition and maximise the efficiency of the process. The use of permanent magnetic couplings in this context offers several advantages: it provides a hermetic separation between the motor and the reaction chamber, eliminating the risk of contamination or leakage that could disrupt the process.

The produced ammonia would need to be loaded onto the sea vessels with big storage tanks, for which pumps are required. Ammonia is toxic, flammable and harmful to human life.

The safe and reliable pumping of ammonia is of utmost priority. Here again, permanent magnetic couplings provide the safety of a leak-free operation. The permanent magnetic coupling comes into play by transferring the energy from an external source, such as an electric motor, to the pump.

Thus, at every stage of the process, a safe and reliable operation is ensured by the use of a permanent magnetic coupling.

Cost benefits

DST ceramic canister portfolio for torque up to 3000 Nm.

The integration of permanent magnetic couplings as an alternative to conventional seals is not only a step towards technological innovation but also a strategic move in relation to long-term cost optimisation and improved operating efficiency.

Considering the amortisation costs over the service life of the system, it is clear that opting for permanent magnetic couplings can offer considerable cost benefits. In particular, the longer service life of these couplings compared to conventional seals is a decisive factor. Due to their robust design and reduced susceptibility to wear, companies need to invest less in replacing worn parts or seals. This not only has a direct financial impact through savings in maintenance costs, but also minimises system downtime. Less downtime means higher plant availability and increased productivity, which in turn leads to further financial savings and increases the profitability of the operation.

Another important cost factor to consider is energy loss. Conventional seals can lead to significant energy losses, especially in high-pressure or high-speed applications. Thus, to transfer the effective torque, more energy is required. The contactless torque transmission eliminates the energy loss due to friction. However, as with any other product, the permanent magnetic couplings also have losses, which are defined as eddy current losses. Depending on the operating parameters, eddy currents are induced in an electrically conductive object, such as a metallic canister in a rotating magnetic field. The consequence is eddy current losses, which reduce the torque transmission capacity of the permanent magnetic coupling and lead to additional heat generation. Thus, a larger motor must be used to compensate the energy loss and an additional cooling measure is required. In order to keep energy consumption as low as possible, the choice of material is important. DST offers high-performance canisters in ceramic material to completely eliminate eddy current losses. Thus, providing the customers with a very highly efficient system. This reduction in energy loss results in lower operating costs and offers companies the opportunity to realise long-term savings, especially in industries with high energy consumption. •

If you would like to know more about the solutions discussed in this article and how they can help for your business, please contact DST at:

DST Dauermagnet-SystemTechnik GmbH W: https://www.mag-couplings.com/en/ E: info@mag-couplings.com

T: +49 (0) 23 94 / 6 16 – 80

Green hydrogen supply chain

Hiperbaric Doubles Its Hydrogen Compressor Business in Europe

The company has generated a business portfolio of 30 new H2 units after installing ten hydrogen compressor units in different European countries. Hiperbaric is positioned as the European benchmark for hydrogen compression at high pressures, up to 1,000 bar, with solutions that drive the energy transition

Hiperbaric, a pioneer in the development of highpressure industrial equipment, has doubled its hydrogen compressor business in Europe. Specifically, the company based in the city of Burgos, northern Spain, has generated a business portfolio of about 30 new hydrogen equipment to different European customers, both sustainable mobility and industrial, after installing 15 compressor groups in different countries.

The company’s strategic plan establishes maintaining its world leadership in the high-pressure processing business line for the food industry, which it currently holds with more than 60% of the international market share, and which accounts for 90% of its current turnover, and placing the

percentage of total turnover achieved with green hydrogen compression technology at 45% by 2027.

Since the company began commercializing this technology in 2022, taking advantage of its experience and recognition in the design

Figure 1 Hiperbaric Hydrogen Compressor Factory.

and manufacture of high-pressure equipment for the food sector, several milestones have been reached.

Hiperbaric was the Spanish company to supply the first high-pressure hydrogen compressor for sustainable mobility for the National Hydrogen Center in Puertollano, Ciudad Real, and to supply other equipment to the Power to Green Hydrogen project, the consortium led by Enagás, Acciona, Cemex, IDEA and Redexis, to deploy the green hydrogen ecosystem in Mallorca.

In addition, it signed the largest high-pressure compressor contract for green hydrogen in 2022 with France’s Lhyfe, one of the world’s pioneers in the production of green and renewable hydrogen, to supply compressors for several locations in Europe.

The company has also signed agreements to supply its technology to the municipal transport companies of Madrid (Serveo and EMT) and Barcelona. In the same line, agreements have been signed with the company Coagener to provide equipment for the commercial green hydrogen plant in Algeciras.

Hiperbaric High Pressure Hydrogen Compression

At Hiperbaric, innovation has been present in every step the company has taken in its 24-year history, making the brand synonymous with innovative technology, quality and reliability.

Hiperbaric is an international reference in the development of high pressure technologies and a world leader in industrial high pressure processing equipment, known as HPP, for more than 20 years. The company has more than 1,000 water compressors up to 6,000 bar for HPP applications for the food industry, installed in more than 50 countries on five continents.

Thanks to this experience, the company has made its way into the renewable hydrogen value chain, and now presents a complete and advanced solution for compressing hydrogen at high pressure up to 1,000 bar.

It is safe, efficient, and reliable equipment, capable of compressing hydrogen with an inlet pressure range from 20 bar to an outlet pressure up to 500 or 950 bar. This wide range of inlet and outlet pressures allows it to be positioned both in the production stage, being able to be fed directly from an electrolyzer, or a medium pressure storage tank (such as tube trailers at 200 bar).

All in all, it is a versatile technology that can be used in multiple applications adapting to different suction and discharge pressures.

Piston Compression Technology

Currently on the market, the most developed compressors are piston compressors and membrane compressors. On the piston

and membrane compressors, we have them mechanically driven and hydraulically driven. Both technologies base their operation on the displacement of hydrogen, or in other words, on the reduction of the available volume, thus producing an increase in fluid pressure. From Hiperbaric, we work in piston compression technology with hydraulic drive.

Due to the properties of hydrogen, the required compressors must have special characteristics. Piston compressors are used to reach very high discharge pressures, but with a different design than can be used in the compression of air or nitrogen.

Innovative Compression Technology

The main advantages of the Hiperbaric compressor group are:

• The “Oil-Free” concept of different components of the compressor avoids the contact between gas and oil, and supplies hydrogen of high purity.

• The innovative design of the compressor sleeves allows for more efficient cooling.

• The general design of the compressor group ensures higher compression efficiency while requiring less energy.

• It can include one or two compressors depending on the desired hydrogen flow rate.

• The complete plug-and-play solution is safe and reliable, thanks to the vent system that monitors, evacuates and stops the compressor from any possible gas detection.

These compressors are manufactured in accordance with the strictest international directives, regulations, and standards, offering the most reliable equipment and exceptional customer service on the market.

For more information please contact:

Hiperbaric

T: +34 947 473 874

W: Hiperbaric.com

Sealing the Future: Flexitallic’s Solutions for Safe and Reliable Hydrogen Infrastructure

There is worldwide momentum behind clean hydrogen as an alternative to fossil fuel energy sources and feedstocks. As hydrogen use becomes more common, concerns related to safety issues and to the indirect global warming potential of hydrogen make the prevention and mitigation of hydrogen fugitive emissions extremely important. Flexitallic’s innovative sealing solutions combined with its Total Joint IntegrityTM approach offer a critical line of defense in this fight.

Although hydrogen is not new to mankind and today around 100 Mt/y of hydrogen are produced, we are assisting at the creation of a well-defined, dedicated hydrogen sector. Cleaner production methods, like water electrolysis powered by low-carbon electricity and facilities with carbon capture systems, are replacing or complementing traditional fossil-based hydrogen production. Hydrogen applications are also expanding beyond traditional industrial uses in refineries, ammonia production, and plastics. Hydrogen’s ability to deliver high-temperature heat is making it attractive for metallurgical, glass, and ceramic industries. Its potential stretches far beyond industry, with promising applications in transportation, buildings, and the power sector. This surge in hydrogen use will necessitate the development of new or re-purposed infrastructure for transport and storage.

Hydrogen’s expanding role brings new challenges to the forefront. Highly flammable and explosive (Table 1 shows a comparison of hydrogen and methane properties), hydrogen leaks pose safety and environmental threats. Figure 1 illustrates how hydrogen reaction with the hydroxyl groups normally available in the atmosphere can contribute to global warming. Furthermore, its high value makes preventing leaks crucial from an economic standpoint as well.

Because hydrogen is a very small molecule with a high effusion rate, gasket materials must have tight internal structures and good ability to conform to mating flanges to minimise leakage.

Gaskets for bolted flange connections are

traditionally leak tested using helium (CEN EN 13555), methane (ASME B16.20), or nitrogen (DIN 3535). However, no current standard specifically addresses the demands posed by hydrogen. While these established gases have their merits, particularly helium’s safety and small molecular size (indicating a worst-case scenario for leaks), their behavior does not always directly translate to hydrogen. For a more accurate understanding of gasket performance with hydrogen, testing with the actual gas is often necessary.

To address the limitations of traditional leak testing methods, Flexitallic conducted a comprehensive study using hydrogen gas. Our spiral wound gaskets (Figure 2) were subjected to a modified EN 13555 leak test procedure, substituting hydrogen for the standard helium. In the EN 13555 leakage test, the gasket is compressed to a designated initial load and the leakage rate of helium escaping past the gasket is measured. The compressive load on the gasket is gradually reduced in stages. At each stage, the leakage rate is measured again. The gasket is successively loaded again up to a load higher than the one initially applied and unloaded stepwise. Leakage rate is measured throughout these repeated cycles. The procedure is repeated up to achieving a maximum applicable load. Three distinct filler materials were evaluated:

Figure 1. Effects of hydrogen on atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations and warming [1].

Table 1. Comparison of some hydrogen and methane properties for safety considerations.

Figure 2: Flexitallic’s spiral wound gaskets with Corriculite® (left), Thermiculite® (center) and graphite (right) fillers.

• Flexitallic SEL: This highquality, oxidation-inhibited graphite offers a proven track record in refineries, particularly steam methane reformers. Testing its performance with hydrogen expands our understanding of its suitability in new applications.

• Thermiculite® 835: Flexitallic’s established vermiculite-based filler boasts a strong heritage in hydrogen service at high temperature. Moreover, a specific grade of Thermiculite® has been successfully used in Solid Oxide Fuel Cells and electrolyzers for over 20 years.

• Corriculite®: This innovative, proprietary vermiculite filler is designed for lowertemperature operation. Beyond excellent sealing properties, Corriculite® offers enhanced corrosion resistance, making it ideal for low temperature electrolyzer systems and hydrogen pipelines.

All the spiral wound gaskets (SWGs) have good sealing with hydrogen (Figure 3), especially above 80MPa which is the approximate minimum load to seal for a SWG (ASME defines 69 MPa). Interestingly, above the minimum seating stress, the leakage rates with hydrogen and helium are similar. The true stars of the tests were the Thermiculite® and Corriculite® fillers. Compared to graphite, these vermiculite-based materials exhibited significantly lower leakage rates, reaching levels nearly an order of magnitude better at the maximum tested stress (160 MPa). In an additional test performed following the EN1355 standard with helium, Corriculite’s performance even rivaled that of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) gaskets, a material traditionally considered the gold standard for tight sealing with hydrogen. Beyond leak tightness, there are other important aspects for a gasket to ensure a safe and reliable hydrogen seal. For example, ensuring fire safety might be paramount for hydrogen applications. Hydrogen’s flammability, even with safety systems in place, can compromise the gaskets in the bolted connections and exacerbate leaks hence the availability of combustible source. This is a potential drawback of PTFE gaskets, traditionally known for tight sealing but lacking inherent fire resistance. Flexitallic’s Thermiculite® and Corriculite® fillers offer a compelling solution. Both materials excel in fire safety, complying with the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) 6FB fire test standard. While graphite-based gaskets can also be fire-safe, they often introduce

another challenge: galvanic corrosion, leading to premature gasket failure, leaks, and permanent flange damage. Flexitallic’s innovative Corriculite® addresses this concern. Specifically formulated for corrosion-sensitive environments like seawater (a potential source for hydrogen production), Corriculite® is therefore the preferred gasket especially for hydrogen systems either offshore or close to shore.

Crucially, ensuring safe and reliable hydrogen installations goes beyond just gasket performance. A truly safe and reliable hydrogen installation demands a holistic perspective on the entire bolted joint and over its whole lifecycle. Recognizing this need, Flexitallic, the industry leader in high-quality sealing solutions, has taken a groundbreaking step. By acquiring Integra Technologies, a leading provider of specialty bolting services, Flexitallic has established the world’s only Total Joint Integrity™ organization.

Total Joint Integrity™ offers a comprehensive approach, with a team of experts overseeing every stage of the bolted joint lifecycle. This starts with meticulous engineering analysis to select the optimal gasket design, material, and installation parameters for each application. Flange conditions are inspected, and accurate bolt load is achieved using specialized equipment. When off-the-shelf solutions aren’t available, the Flexitallic team can even design custom bolting tools to meet specific needs. These solutions are not available for flanged connections as well as other systems requiring a compressive load, such

as low temperature electrolyser stacks. The Total Joint Integrity™ approach includes the training of personnel responsible for gasket installation, ensuring proper execution and avoiding potential integrity risks. To guarantee long-term reliability, full-service leak detection and repair (LDAR) is also offered. Finally, Flexitallic assists with comprehensive joint inventory management through Flexlogics, a digital ecosystem. This platform captures data throughout the bolted joint lifecycle, enabling advanced analytics that feed directly back into the engineering analysis phase, continuously improving performance and safety.

By combining best-in-class sealing solutions with the comprehensive Total Joint Integrity™ approach, Flexitallic empowers the renewable energy industry to achieve superior leak prevention in critical hydrogen applications. To learn more about how Flexitallic’s expertise can help you navigate the specific challenges of hydrogen sealing, visit our website, or contact us today. •

If you would like to know more about the solutions discussed in this article and how they can help for your business, please contact Flexitallic at:

Flexitallic UK Ltd

contactus@flexitallic.eu

https://www.flexitallic.com

+ 44 (0)1274 300 303

[1] I. B. Ocko and S. P. Hamburg, “Climate consequences of hydrogen emissions,” European Geosciences Union, vol. 22, no. 14, pp. 9349-9368, 2022.

Figure 3. Comparison of leakage test results according to the modified EN 13555 procedure.

Empire Wind 1 Awarded Offtake Contract in New York’s Fourth Offshore Wind Solicitation Round

New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) today announced Equinor’s Empire Wind 1 project one of the conditional winners in its fourth offshore wind solicitation round.

The award is an important milestone for the advancement of the project, which can deliver 810 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to New York. An already highly mature offshore wind project, Empire Wind 1 targets to deliver first power to New York in 2026.

Equinor and NYSERDA will now negotiate an Offshore Wind Renewable Energy Certificate (OREC) Purchase and Sale Agreement, with contract execution expected within Q2 2024.

“Today’s award is an important milestone in our continued efforts to maximize value creation from Empire Wind 1, currently one of the biggest and most mature renewables projects in the US. The award represents an important contribution to New York’s climate ambitions from a large-scale project in a growth market that has demonstrated a strong commitment to offshore wind. We are working diligently to bring the project to an investment decision during the third quarter of this year. With the use of project financing, we currently expect our US East Coast offshore wind investments to deliver full-cycle nominal equity returns within the range of 12-16%. We intend to farm down

to a new partner at the right time to further enhance value and reduce our exposure,” said Pål Eitrheim, executive vice president of Equinor Renewables.

Subject to signing of the OREC contract with NYSERDA, the project is expected to

deliver forward looking real base project returns within the guided range for renewable projects of 4-8%. Following a final investment decision expected mid-2024, Equinor plans to use project financing, with financial close anticipated by end of 2024. Full-cycle nominal equity returns for the US East Coast offshore wind investments is currently expected within the range of 12-16%. Equinor also intends to bring in a partner to enhance value and reduce ownership share and exposure.

Empire Wind 1 has already achieved several key permitting milestones, including approval of its Construction and Operations Plan (COP) from the Federal Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, and its Article VII Certificate of Environmental Capability and Public Need from the New York Public Service Commission.

On 25 January 2024, Equinor announced a swap transaction with bp, under which Equinor will take full ownership of the Empire Wind lease and projects and bp will take full ownership of the Beacon Wind lease and projects. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval and closing of the transaction is expected in Q2 or Q3 2024. •

Ready to Transition!

From equipment and component manufacturers to project developers and operators, and through to scientists and politicians, WindEnergy Hamburg, held from 24 to 27 September 2024, will the meeting place of the entire international wind energy sector. Repowering, grid intertie challenges and new energy storage solutions are at the top of the agenda.

The goal is set: By 2030, the EU wants to have 425 gigawatts of wind energy generation capacity in place, with two thirds contributed by onshore units. To date, however, Europe has installed no more than 272 gigawatts (79 per cent of which are onshore turbines). So to achieve the 2030 goal, it will be necessary to install an average of 33 gigawatts every year. “We can only reach this by maximising our expansion efforts. One key means to that end is repowering – replacing wind turbines that have reached the end of their lifespan with more powerful models,” explains Claus Ulrich Selbach, Business Unit Director Maritime and Technology Fairs & Exhibitions at Hamburg Messe und Congress. A joint EU directive facilitating wind energy projects has improved the conditions for the construction of additional high-output wind farms.

At WindEnergy Hamburg in September, decision-makers will be able to meet the right partners for implementing repowering projects. One of them is the Norwegian wind energy company Statkraft which intends to modernise 35 older wind farms it has acquired in Germany.

“A major portion of the energy transition on shore will be accomplished through repowering projects,” states Stefan-Jörg Göbel, Statkraft Country Manager in Germany. A wind turbine erected 15 years ago typically has a capacity of 2 to 3 megawatts. By comparison, the latestgeneration turbines designed for onshore use have a capacity of 6 to 7 megawatts.

These state-of-the-art units are more powerful but also significantly larger than their

predecessors. Over the past 30 years, the hub height has tripled. And while in 1980 a typical rotor had a diameter of 15 metres, this dimension is expected to increase to 250 metres by 2035. At WindEnergy Hamburg, experienced logistics companies and heavy-lift specialists such as Eager.One, Liebherr, Schmidbauer and Gruber Logistics will showcase solutions for handling these oversized items safely.

But repowered wind turbines not only come with logistical challenges. Their higher energy output also requires smart grid feedin management as well as innovative, high-

performance energy storage technologies. For exhibitors addressing this field of expertise, WindEnergy Hamburg will lay out a dedicated Storage Tour at WindEnergy Hamburg. “The Storage Tour will allow visitors and exhibitors to locate all companies dedicated to this complex topic at a glance, and speak with them directly,” says Andreas Arnheim, Director WindEnergy Hamburg. Exhibitors will include Avacon, GP Joule, OAT and many others.

Upgrading the electricity distribution network is a top priority. The energy transition cannot succeed unless new wind farms can be tied into the grid quickly, and the power they generate can be distributed as needed. “It is now up to major grid operators as well as governments to accelerate their infrastructure projects. As the world’s leading expo for wind energy, we are the right meeting place for the industry. We set the stage for the market stakeholders and facilitate networking and interaction,“ says Arnheim.

A total of 150 conferences and panel discussions featuring renowned speakers will take place during WindEnergy Hamburg. They will play a key role in moving things along. For example, there will be events focused on equipment engineering, regulatory matters, finance, grid engineering, supply chains, digitalisation/AI and project planning, among others. The stages will be accessible to trade fair attendees free of charge. •

Goldwind Americas Announces Zuo Feng as CEO

Goldwind Americas, a subsidiary of Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. based in Chicago, announced today that Mr. Zuo Feng has been promoted to the role of Chief Executive Officer. (Zuo Feng is quoted as Mr. Zuo later in the release.)

Mr. Zuo has been with Goldwind for more than 15 years and brings a wealth of leadership experience in wind turbine engineering as well as project execution and construction. Prior to joining Goldwind Americas last year as Vice President of Construction, Operations, and Services, Mr. Zuo played a pivotal role in leading project management teams on a global scale, resulting in the installation of 3-gigawatts of Goldwind wind turbines. Mr. Zuo holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree from the Institute of Electrical Engineering at Beijing Jiaotong University.

“The North American market holds immense significance in Goldwind’s internationalization strategy, and I am honored to serve the Goldwind Americas team in this capacity,” says Mr. Zuo. “Goldwind is well-positioned to capture an even greater market opportunity in the U.S., Canada, and Central America, and it is our objective to provide our customers with bestin-class wind turbines and other renewable energy applications that support a zerocarbon future.”

Mr. Wu Kai, Vice President of Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd., and Chairman of Goldwind International Holdings (HK) Limited says, “Goldwind is a leader in key growth markets, and its products are an industry hallmark, all underpinned by a strong financial foundation and exceptional leadership teams across the globe. I cannot imagine a more important and exciting time for Mr. Zuo Feng to lead Goldwind Americas’ business.”

Goldwind Americas is a subsidiary of Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (SZSE: 002202) (HK: 2208), a world leading wind turbine technology and energy solutions provider. Goldwind’s revolutionary Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) and Medium Speed Permanent Magnet (MSPM) technology are shaping a new standard in the innovation and production of wind energy. Goldwind offers a suite of innovative renewable energy solutions, including equipment sales, service, and capital. Goldwind Americas is a trade name of Goldwind USA, Inc. and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. •

UKA places next major order for 253 MW with the Nordex Group

• UKA orders a further 39 wind turbines

• 253 MW of clean, low-cost and independent energy for six federal states

• Within 3 months, UKA has already ordered 450 MW for German wind projects from Nordex

At the end of March, the wind and solar park developer UKA (Umweltgerechte Kraftanlagen GmbH & Co. KG) placed an order for a further 39 turbines with the German wind turbine manufacturer Nordex. The machines of the N149/5.X, N163/5.X and N163/6.X series are expected to provide a total generation capacity of 253 MW after commissioning. Nordex will also take over the premium service of the turbines for 20 years.

The turbines will be installed in 2025 in the federal states of Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Hesse, Saxony-Anhalt and Brandenburg. Including the orders now placed, UKA has ordered 450 MW of wind turbines from Nordex in the last three months.

“After our success in the February tender for onshore wind, this is further proof that project implementation is increasingly coming back into focus at UKA,” commented Managing Partner Gernot Gauglitz on the order. “The energy transition has noticeably gained momentum in Germany. UKA will continue to play a central role in Germany’s climate-friendly, affordable and independent electricity supply in the future. Nordex is a strong partner for us in this regard.”

It was not until mid-March 2024 that UKA reported a major success in the Federal Network Agency’s “Wind on Land” tender round in February. Almost 18% (321.1MW) of the awarded projects belong to the Group’s portfolio. The success of the “Wind on Land” tender creates the economic framework for project implementation within the framework of the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG).

On the procurement side, UKA had already laid the foundations in November 2023 to put more focus back on project implementation. An existing framework contract with the Nordex Group has been extended. Further substantial orders are planned for 2024.

Karsten Brüggemann, Vice President Region Central of the Nordex Group: “Once again, UKA has opted for our technology. We are very happy about that. On the basis of the framework agreement, a trusting and constructive partnership has developed,

which we value very much and want to expand further. With the new projects, we can once again make a good deal of progress in the energy transition in Germany together with UKA.”

Energiequelle GmbH celebrates the commissioning of the Bad Gandersheim repowering project

• The latest-generation wind turbine replaces four old turbines and achieves a 530 percent increase in efficiency

Bad

Gandersheim (renewablepress) - In mid-February, Energiequelle GmbH commissioned a new E-160 wind turbine with a hub height of 166 meters and an output of 5.56 MW in Bad Gandersheim (Lower Saxony). Thanks to its overall height of 250 meters and its location directly on the A7 motorway, the latest generation turbine can be seen from afar. Construction work began last February with the dismantling of four old turbines that had been in operation since 2000. With the construction of the new turbine, which replaces the four previous turbines, the repowering project has achieved an efficiency gain of around 530 percent and now supplies around 5,000 households with green electricity.

In the course of repowering, Energiequelle replaces older turbines with larger and more powerful ones. In this way, the internationally active company ensures the sustainable and consistently optimal use of the land used. This not only makes economic sense, but also represents an advantage for communities and residents, as fewer turbines are required despite the considerable increase in output and the larger rotor blades rotate much more slowly, thus protecting the landscape.

Jan Schrobsdorff, Project Manager at Energiequelle, is optimistic that further repowering projects can be implemented in the future: “It’s impressive to see how current technical progress has made such significant increases in efficiency possible. Germany offers great potential for further repowering projects, as many wind turbines are already over 20 years old.”

A small inauguration ceremony will be held at the wind turbine on May 25 to celebrate the good cooperation between Energiequelle and the local residents and stakeholders.

With more than 850 plants installed and a total output of around 1,700 MW, Energiequelle is a leading company in the industry. Energiequelle currently employs around 550 people in six countries.

24 27 September 2024

Recruiting Days

26 + 27 Sep

Driving the energy transition. Together!

Be sure to take part in the world’s biggest and most important business platform for the onshore and offshore wind industry!

• Meet up with 1,500 exhibiting companies from 40 countries across 10 halls

• Get in touch with the key decision makers of the international wind energy sector

• Visit the first-rate conference programme on 4 stages in the halls free of charge

• Two days dedicated to recruiting – for career starters, specialists and career changers

windenergyhamburg.com

Wind Power For 30 Years: Innergex Concludes Long-Term Power Supply Agreement With HydroQuébec

Longueuil, Canada - Long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) are becoming increasingly important worldwide as part of the energy transition.

Canadian hydropower, wind and solar farm operator Innergex Renewable Energy has now signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with Hydro-Québec for the purchase of wind power from the Lotbinière Ndakina wind energy project (100 MW).

Innergex’s (50 percent) municipal partners are the Regional County Municipality of Lotbinière (RCM of Lotbinière, 45 percent) and the Abenaki Councils of Odanak (2.5 percent) and Wôlinak (2.5 percent).

The long-term power purchase agreement is structured as a take-or-pay contract that is linked to a predefined percentage of the consumer price index and is therefore intended to ensure financial stability and protection against inflation.

After commercial commissioning planned for the end of 2028, the wind farm is expected to generate enough electricity to cover the needs of around 20,000 households. The project is still subject to the conclusion of contracts with suppliers and the successful completion of approval procedures and regulatory requirements.

The Innergex Renewable Energy share price has fallen by 2.05 percent to EUR 5.244 in trading today (15:52, 16.04.2024, Stuttgart Stock Exchange).

“BASF is keeping its word and remains on track with its transformation. With the investment in Nordlicht 1 and 2, we will now have the necessary amounts of renewable energy to implement the next steps of the transformation in Europe and especially at our largest site in Ludwigshafen,” said Martin Brudermüller, Chairman of BASF’s Board of Executive Directors, welcoming the agreement. Together with Vattenfall, BASF is thus creating the conditions for achieving the company’s 2030 target of 25 percent fewer emissions compared to 2018. “Partnerships play a crucial role in transforming European industries, while strengthening competitiveness. We are pleased to deepen our relationship with BASF for yet another important offshore wind project – and that way accelerate the journey to fossil freedom together,” adds Anna Borg, President and CEO of Vattenfall.

The Nordlicht wind farm area is located 85 kilometers north of the island of Borkum in the German North Sea and consists of two separate sites: Nordlicht 1 with a capacity of around 980 MW and Nordlicht 2 with around 630 MW. Once fully commissioned, electricity production is expected to total around 6 TWh per year, which is equivalent to the electricity consumption of 1.6 million German households. Subject to the final investment decision, which is expected in 2025, construction of Nordlicht 1 and 2 is scheduled to begin in 2026. The wind farms are expected to be fully operational in 2028.

Offshore Wind Market Poland: Pge And Ørsted Award

Contract For Transportation And Installation of Substations For

Baltica 2 Offshore

Wind Farm

Partnership to be Expanded: BASF Buys 49 Percent of The Shares in The Nordlicht 1 And 2 Offshore Wind Farms From Vattenfall

Stockholm, Sweden - The energy company Vattenfall and the chemical company BASF have contractually agreed on the sale of 49 percent of the shares in Vattenfall’s offshore wind farm projects Nordlicht 1 and 2 to BASF. The two companies are thus deepening their partnership in the field of renewable energies.

Vattenfall is responsible to develop and construct the Nordlicht sites and intends to use its share of future electricity generation to supply customers in Germany with fossil-free electricity. BASF will use almost half of the electricity to supply its chemical production sites in Europe, particularly in Ludwigshafen.

The Nordlicht wind project is being built in the German North Sea without state support and, with a total capacity of 1,600 MW (1.6 GW), is the largest offshore wind farm project realized by Vattenfall to date.

Nordlicht is already Vattenfall’s second major offshore wind project in which BASF is involved as a partner. In 2021, BASF also acquired almost half of the shares in the Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm in the Dutch North Sea.

Warsaw, Poland - The Polish PGE Group and the Danish energy group Ørsted have awarded Seaway 7 the contract for the transportation and installation of substations for the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm project in the Baltic Sea. Seaway 7 will transport and install a total of four offshore substations at the wind farm site.

Seaway7 is one of the world’s leading companies in the implementation of offshore wind projects. Both heavy-lift and heavy-lift transport vessels will be used to transport and install the substations. Work is scheduled to begin in 2026. The four offshore substations will be designed, built and commissioned by the Semco/PTSC consortium.

PGE and Ørsted have already ordered all the necessary components for the Baltica 2 offshore wind farm and signed all the contracts for their installation. The partners have also selected a general contractor for the onshore connection infrastructure. According to the companies, all necessary building permits have also been obtained. The final step before construction begins is for the investors to make the final investment decision (FID).

Baltica 2 is one of two phases of the Baltica offshore wind farm. PGE and Ørsted plan to construct Baltica 2 with a capacity of 1.5 GW (1,500 MW) by the end of 2027 and Baltica 3 with a capacity of 1 GW by 2030. Baltica 2 and Baltica 3 will form the Baltica offshore wind farm with a total capacity of 2.5 GW and will provide clean energy for almost four million households in Poland.

Deutsche Windtechnik advances the Belgian wind energy sector by introducing independent wind turbine services

Bremen (Germany) / Hasselt (Belgium) - Deutsche Windtechnik has announced the establishment of its latest entity, Deutsche Windtechnik Belgium B.V. The move marks the beginning of a shift in Belgium’s wind energy landscape, introducing choice and flexibility to wind park operators.

With the establishment of the Deutsche Windtechnik entity in Belgium, the company’s entry into the Belgian market introduces O&M independence from manufacturers for wind turbine operators. Geert Timmers, Managing Director of Deutsche Windtechnik’s Netherlands location, will oversee the operations of the new unit. He said: “We are very happy to offer our independent service in the Belgian market. Up till now, turbine manufacturers have dominated the service market in Belgium. Deutsche Windtechnik’s flexible range of services will open the Belgian market. And this will benefit Belgian operators, who finally have a real choice regarding their service provider.” Independence from manufacturers will simplify the maintenance of wind farms with different technologies and stimulate competition.

Deutsche Windtechnik expands operations across Belgium, offering full-spectrum services

With headquarters formally based in Hasselt and service hubs strategically planned across Belgium, Deutsche Windtechnik Belgium B.V. caters to multi-brand wind park operators, offering a spectrum of services ranging from basic maintenance to full maintenance. As a multi-brand specialist, the company brings two decades of hands-on experience with turbines from Vestas, Siemens, Enercon, Nordex, and Senvion, positioning itself as a reliable partner for diversified wind energy portfolios.

“Our comprehensive technological competence and flexibility set us apart,” stated Geert Timmers. “We achieve this through effective cooperation between our international competence centres. The already existing service infrastructure enables seamless coordination and rapid response to our Belgian clients’ needs. For example, our German unit manages 24/7 remote data monitoring and troubleshooting. For now, deployment planning for the Belgian service teams and office management will be organized from the Netherlands.”

Deutsche Windtechnik fortifies commitment to Belgian wind sector with maintenance deal

Deutsche Windtechnik Belgium B.V. is launching its operations with a substantial full-maintenance contract for fifteen Vestas V80 wind turbines across multiple Belgian locations. The scope of services includes remote data monitoring and troubleshooting, ensuring optimal performance and longevity of turbines. Deutsche Windtechnik Belgium B.V. will initially focus on onshore maintenance in Belgium, but already received initial inquiries for offshore service.

wpd and Bank SinoPac announce financial close in the Taiwanese wind onshore project Hsinyuan

Bremen (renewablepress) - Hsinyuan Wind Power Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of wpd, and Bank SinoPac, which is a Taiwanese bank, have closed the financing for wpd’s Hsinyuan wind farm in Taiwan. The wind farm, located in Yunlin County in Lunbei District, comprises six Vestas V136 turbines with a capacity of 4.2 MW each and has already been built and commissioned. Financial close took place on 18.03.2024.

wpd has been active in Taiwan since 2005 and has been implementing wind and solar energy projects with its own team since 2016. The company has already installed over 200 onshore wind turbines in the country. With experienced teams and currently around 90 specialists, wpd Taiwan has excellent expertise not only for the operation of existing plants, but also for the implementation of the strong project pipeline of currently 275 MW of onshore wind and 50 MWp of PV projects.

“Our Hsinyuan project takes advantage of the excellent conditions for wind energy on the west coast of Taiwan,” says Ralf Ketteler, Head of International Project Finance at wpd. “With a hub height of 112 meters, the six turbines are not only currently the largest onshore wind turbines in the country, but also make a further important contribution to the success of Taiwan’s energy transition.”

It is expected that Hsinyuan will officially transition to commercial operation in Q2 of this year. Once this is achieved, wpd’s overall installed capacity of onshore wind power in Taiwan will officially exceed 500 MW, further strengthening wpd’s leading position in the Taiwanese renewable energy sector.

Independently confirmed for the first time: TÜV NORD declares that the drone system used by the Deutsche Windtechnik Inspection Body is a valid solution for inspecting rotor blades and lightning protection systems

Bremen - The multi-stage drone system developed by the Deutsche Windtechnik Inspection Body for inspecting rotor blades and lightning protection systems has successfully passed validation. This is the conclusion reached by TÜV NORD during a conformity assessment that it carried out for the first time. The drone is able to determine the technical condition of the rotor blades and the functionality of the lightning protection system, and the risks regarding stability and public safety can then be assessed. This means that the drone system, which is called CURE, is also suitable for periodic inspections.

“The validation by TÜV NORD confirms that the drone technology used by the Deutsche Windtechnik Inspection Body is suitable for carrying out a range of important inspections such as periodic and condition-oriented inspections. In view of the current shortage of skilled workers and the rapidly growing turbine inventory, this is very good news for the entire industry because drones will significantly reduce the amount of work required as well as downtimes. In Germany this will close an important gap because legislators have not yet adopted any mandatory requirements for the use of drones in the wind energy industry,“ said Matthias Brandt, Director of Deutsche Windtechnik. In addition, using drones to carry out inspections provides long-term benefits associated with continuous data analysis: Over the years, monitoring the surface condition of the inspected components provides a detailed basis for predictive maintenance.

First independent validation for a German inspection body’s drone system

Michael Lange, Head of the ISO 17029 Conformity Assessment Body for Wind Energy at TÜV NORD, explained: “The inspection procedure was validated against our new TÜV NORD standard. This standard defines criteria and inspection points that allow drone inspection procedures to be evaluated. For the validation, the reliability of the processes was evaluated using documentation tests. In addition to specifications for the equipment used, this also includes specifications for flying and quality assurance. The successful validation only applies to the drone technology used by Deutsche Windtechnik. Other drone systems on the market can also be evaluated using the new standard. By introducing our new standard TN-P-V01-001, TÜV NORD has responded to the increasing use of drones and created a uniform assessment for the safety of wind turbines.”

Risk analysis decides whether validated drone system CU-RE is deployed

As part of an order-specific risk analysis that is carried out at an early stage, the inspection body evaluates and decides whether the drone system or rope access technology is better suited for the inspection objective. If using drone technology is found to be more suitable, the now fully validated three-stage model, which is called CU-RE (for “Close-Up and Review”), is then used in

the next step. This is based on the stringent, proven inspection requirements specified by the EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency), which are used in the aviation industry. The first stage of the CU-RE system involves carrying out a general visual inspection using an automated drone flight. It scans 100 percent of the outer surface of a rotor blade to detect visible damage, faults or irregularities. If necessary, the first stage can be supplemented in the second stage using selective, manually guided drone technology. If more intensive inspection is required, additional specialised drone or rope access technology options can be deployed during the third stage. “Our experts decide whether a further inspection stage is necessary in order to be able to clearly identify any detected irregularities,” Aeneas Noordanus, Sales Manager for inspection services at Deutsche Windtechnik, said regarding the procedure. “Increasing the level of detail of the inspection in each stage ensures that both the economic efficiency and the risks are taken into account. In the end, the now validated CU-RE drone system used by the Deutsche Windtechnik Inspection Body correctly identifies all damage to the rotor blade, allowing its influence on the stability to be assessed.“

Nordex Group starts with order intake of 2.1 GW in the first quarter of 2024

Hamburg - The Nordex Group recorded an order intake of 338 turbines with a total capacity of 2,086 MW in the first quarter of 2024 (Q1/2023: 1,021 MW). The average sales price in euros per megawatt of capacity (ASP) amounted to EUR 0.85 million/MW (Q1/2023: EUR 0.90 million/MW).

The Nordex Group received orders from eleven countries. The largest individual markets were Germany, South Africa and Lithuania.

“With an order intake of more than 2 GW and stable prices, we are building on the success of previous quarters and making a good start to the new year. I am very pleased that we have won several major orders in different regions, as this shows that our turbines are in demand both within Europe and beyond,” says José Luis Blanco, CEO of the Nordex Group.

Nordex Group receives 80 MW order from Borusan EnBW Enerji in Türkiye

Hamburg - At the end of March, the Nordex Group received an order to supply 14 N163/5.X turbines from Borusan EnBW Enerji, a leading developer and operator of wind energy projects in Türkiye. The Delta4000 series turbines are projected for the 80 MW Pelit wind farm in the Sivas Province. The contract also includes a Premium Service contract for the turbines for 10 years.

The order follows a 36 MW order Borusan EnBW Enerji placed with the Nordex Group for the Balabanli Extension II wind farm in December 2023, comprising 6 N163/5.X turbines.

The Pelit wind farm project is located on a mountain ridge, approximately 20 km northwest of the Sivas Gürün district. The Nordex Group will install a cold climate version of the turbines, which will be on tubular steel towers and have hub heights of 108 metres. Borusan EnBW Enerji also ordered the Nordex Advanced Anti-icing System to reduce ice formation on the rotor blades.

Already this year, the Nordex Group will deliver and install the 6 N163/5.X turbines from the contract awarded in 2023 for the Balabanli Extension II project near Tekirda? in the Thrace region of Türkiye. The Delta4000 turbines, also in the cold climate version, will be installed on tubular steel towers with hub heights of 118 meters.

Ender Ozatay, Managing Director Nordex Türkiye says: “As the market leader since 2017, the Nordex Group is proud to partner once again with Borusan EnBW Enerji, the second biggest investor in installed capacity in Türkiye.”

General Manager of Borusan EnBW Enerji, Enis Amasyal? comments: “Borusan EnBW Enerji is excited to embark on these transformative wind energy projects that signify our dedication to advancing renewable energy infrastructure in Türkiye. These two projects increase our installed power from renewable energy to 934 MW.”

Borusan EnBW Enerji Energy Power Plants Assistant General Manager, Evren Akta? explains: “Our Balabanl? Project will be put into operation in the fourth quarter of 2024, and our Pelit Project will be put into operation in the 3rd quarter of 2025. We are happy to be working with Nordex, with their extensive installation experience and strong maintenance team in Turkey, for these projects.

Successful Start to The Year: Nordex Doubles Order Intake in The First Quarter Of 2024 to More Than 2 GW

Hamburg, Germany - In the first quarter of 2024, the Nordex Group received orders for 338 wind turbines with a total capacity of 2,086 MW (2.1 GW). Compared to the first quarter of 2023, in which orders for 177 turbines with a capacity of 1,021 MW (1.021 GW) were received, this is roughly double the figure.

At EUR 0.85 million / MW, the average selling price per megawatt of capacity (ASP) in Q1 2024 was slightly lower than in the first quarter of 2023 (Q1 2023: EUR 0.90 million / MW).

Nordex received orders from eleven countries in Q1 2024. The largest individual markets were Germany, South Africa and Lithuania.

“With an order intake of more than 2 GW and stable prices, we are building on the success of previous quarters and making a good start to the new year. I am very pleased that we have won several major orders in different regions, as this shows that our turbines are in demand both within Europe and beyond,” says Nordex CEO José Luis Blanco.

The Nordex share is currently trading slightly up at EUR 12.36 (12:00 noon, April 16, 2024, Stuttgart Stock Exchange).

Order From Borusan EnBW Enerji: Nordex Receives Follow-Up Order in Turkey

Hamburg, Germany - Wind turbine manufacturer Nordex has received a further order from Borusan EnBW Enerji, a leading developer and operator of wind energy projects in Turkey.

The 14 N163/5.X turbines from the Delta4000 series are destined for the 80 MW Pelit wind farm in the province of Sivas. The wind farm is scheduled to go into operation in the third quarter of 2025.

The order follows a 36 MW order placed by Borusan EnBW Enerji with the Nordex Group in December 2023 for the Balabanli Extension II wind farm with six N163/5.X turbines. Balabanli Extension II is scheduled to be commissioned in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Ender Ozatay, Managing Director Nordex Türkiye, says: “As the market leader since 2017, the Nordex Group is proud to partner once again with Borusan EnBW Enerji, the second biggest investor in installed capacity in Türkiye.”

According to Enis Amasyal?, General Manager of Borusan EnBW Enerji, this project underlines the further development of renewable energy infrastructure in Turkey. Amasyal?: “These two projects increase our installed power from renewable energy to 934 MW.”

wpd reports strong growth in the Northern European market

Bremen (renewablepress) - wpd is one of the leading project planners and operators of onshore wind energy projects in Europe. With the strong teams of wpd Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden, and wpd Suomi in Espoo and Oulu, Finland, the Bremen-based company is also very successful in the Northern European market for renewable energies.

In Sweden, the Stöllsäterberget wind farm with a total capacity of 47.2 MW was recently commissioned in the provinces of Dalarna and Värmland. As an experienced partner for Power Purchase Agreements (PPA), wpd was able to conclude a contract with Microsoft for the direct purchase of the green electricity generated.

While the Ripfjället project located northwest of the Stöllsäterberget wind farm has received environmental approval, wpd Scandinavia was able to secure the grid connection for the combined Broboberget-Lannaberget project in central Sweden in October last year. With around 100 turbine sites in both parts of the project and up to 740 MW of installed capacity, an estimated 1.5 TWh of green energy can be supplied.

The grid connection agreement for the Råliden wind farm project with up to 54 turbine locations is also to be signed in the near future. This is an important milestone for this major project in the northern Swedish province of Västerbotten, a region in which the strong expansion and relocation of many energy-intensive companies from various sectors is expected in the coming years.

In the Tomasliden project with 10 wind turbines and 68 MW, which, like Råliden, is also located in the province of Västerbotten, the preparatory work on the wind farm infrastructure, i.e. the construction of roads, parking areas, rock anchor foundations and cable work, is almost complete, meaning that the installation of the turbines can begin in June according to schedule.

Successes can also be reported from wpd’s Finnish projects. Work on the wind farm infrastructure at the Maaselänkangas wind farm in the municipality of Oulainen, with 7 turbines and 41.3 MW, is also almost completed. Installation of the turbines will start in June of this year.

Two further projects in Finland, Söderskogen and Palovaara, are almost ready for construction. Both projects have already received legally binding building permits and the grid connection contracts have been signed. Technical project optimization is

currently underway. In Söderskogen, the transformer required for the substation has been ordered and is scheduled for delivery in 2026. In the Lapland project Palovaara, the grid operator is currently taking measures to reinforce the grid in order to enable a grid connection in 2027.

“Our teams at wpd Scandinavia and wpd Suomi Oy are doing really great things,” says Paul Bade, Country Manager at wpd for Northern Europe. “There are currently wind farm projects with a total capacity of almost 1.7 GW in the wpd project pipeline for Northern Europe. We are an established player in the market for renewable energies in Sweden and Finland.”

In addition, wpd is planning photovoltaic projects with a volume of several hundred megawatts in Finland and Sweden, further underpinning its strong and successful commitment to the energy transition in Northern Europe.

Nordex Group receives orders for 295 MW from EDF Renewables in South Africa

Hamburg - End of March, EDF Renewables (South Africa) a subsidiary of EDF Renouveables and Electricité de France (EDF), placed orders with the Nordex Group for two wind energy projects in South Africa.

The Korosun 2 cluster, consisting of the Umsobomvu and Hartebeesthoek projects, will comprise 50 N163/5.X turbines with a total capacity of 295 MW. The Nordex Group will also be responsible for the maintenance and servicing of the turbines for a period of 20 years.

The Korosun 2 cluster is being built on the border of the Eastern Cape and Northern Cape provinces. Construction has started and the wind farms will be commissioned in Q1 of 2026. Each wind farm will comprise 25 turbines with a capacity of 147.5 MW. The Nordex Group is installing the N163/5.X turbines on tubular steel towers with a hub height of 118 metres.

Patxi Landa, CSO of the Nordex Group: “We are proud to support EDF Renewables and the expansion of wind energy in South Africa, with our N163 turbines and in so doing, contribute to reducing the country’s dependence on coal.”

wpd presents itself strongly positioned in the European market

Bremen - As one of the market-leading project developers and operators of wind farms in Europe, wpd will once again be represented at WindEurope in Bilbao in 2024, one of the most important international trade fairs. The team represented at the trade fair stand is looking forward to an exciting exchange with familiar and new business contacts and can report numerous project successes in the European market.

In France, wpd commissioned four onshore projects in 2023 and started construction on five other wind farms. wpd France has thus realized projects with a total installed capacity of 571.4 MW and currently has a total of 1.5 GW of wind projects under development. 2024 began with a particular success for the team: the signing of one of the largest power purchase agreements (PPA) ever concluded in France with Equinix, a global service provider in the field of digital infrastructure.

The wpd Italia team was recently able to announce not only the start of construction on the 30 MW Licata project on the south coast of Sicily, but also the receipt of approval for the construction of a wind farm in the municipalities of Troia and Lucera in Apulia, the “Parco Eolico Montaratro”. The next steps for the 81.2 MW project, which is located in the province of Foggia, can now be taken after the building permit has been received at the end of 2023.

In Spain, wpd is pressing ahead with the expansion of the 177 MW Torozos wind farm cluster. The cluster, which is located in the windy region of Castilla y León, consists of the four projects El Poleo, Las Panaderas, Navillas and Corralnuevo with a current total of 51 turbines. The construction of three more turbines from the manufacturer Vestas can start next summer. In addition, the wpd España team will begin construction of the first phase of integrating ground-mounted photovoltaic systems into the Torozos cluster in the near future. This first phase will comprise around 60 MW of solar modules.

In Croatia, wpd Adria has secured approval for the 30 MW Katuni PV project, which complements the wpd wind farm of the same name, which has been in operation since 2017 and has an installed capacity of 34.2 MW. Once the final building permit has been obtained, the solar park can be built this year according to plan. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, wpd has also received environmental permits and preliminary grid connection conditions for its ?adilj, Marino Brdo and Ru?er Boškovi? wind farms with a total installed capacity of 330 MW. Once further licences have been obtained, all projects should be ready for construction in 2025.

“We have exciting projects under construction in many European countries,” says Dr. Hartmut Brösamle, Managing Director of wpd GmbH. “This applies from Northern Europe to Poland and the German domestic market to Greece and the other European wpd markets. We are broadly positioned and ideally equipped for the future.”

With growing project pipelines in the areas of onshore wind and solar PV, wpd is contributing to the decarbonisation of the European energy industry. This is also reflected in the ongoing

need for skilled labour in the 19 countries in which the company is active in Europe. Accordingly, the company is always on the lookout for new employees from the wind or solar sector and also lateral entrants to support the dynamic growth at wpd.

Nordex Group receives 98 MW order from Sweden

Hamburg - The Nordex Group has received an order from Holmen Energi AB for 98 MW in Sweden. The order also includes a Premium Plus Service for the turbines over a period of 30 years.

In summer 2025, the Nordex Group will supply and install 14 N163/6.X turbines for the Blisterliden wind farm in a forested area in the county of Västerbotten in the Northern of Sweden. The Nordex Group will install the turbines on tubular steel towers with a hub height of 169 meters and equip the turbines with the Nordex Advanced Anti-Icing System to reduce ice formation on the rotor blades. The turbines will be delivered in the cold climate version.

Patxi Landa, CSO of the Nordex Group: “We look forward to Holmen’s first project with Nordex. The turbines’ antiicing system and the cold-climate variant will ensure reliable electricity production despite the challenges posed by the harsh environmental conditions in the Swedish climate.”

The Holmen Group is a Swedish forestry industry company. The company also develops and operates wind farms and hydro power plants. Blisterliden is Holmen Group’s first project with the Nordex Group.

AROL ENERGY, French Expert in Gas Treatment

Biogas and biomethane market in Europe

Since the 2000s, first anaerobic digestion plants were built. At the beginning, the biogas produced was used in CHP (Combined Heat and Power) units to produce electricity and heat. Biogas is composed of around 55% of methane (CH4), 44% of carbon dioxide (CO2) and other components as water (H2O) or hydrogen sulfide (H2S). Then, the biogas producers decided to upgrade their biogas into biomethane (composed of more than 97% of methane). The biomethane produced has different uses:

• It can be injected in natural gas grid (if it has the same characteristics, each country has his natural gas characteristics)

• It can be used for vehicles as bioLNG (liquefied natural gas) or bioCNG (compressed natural gas)

At the end of 20221, more than 1,300 units produced biomethane in Europe and 75% of these were injected into the gas grid.

AROL ENERGY

AROL ENERGY is a French company specialized in biogas upgrading. For more than 10 years, AROL ENERGY has positioned as the second supplier in the biomethane sector in France. Different biogas upgrading technologies exist on the market and AROL ENERGY choose to offer two high effective and complementary technologies: membrane separation and amine scrubbing technology. AROL ENERGY offers to his customers turnkey solutions. With these two technologies, AROL ENERGY can adapt to each customer needs.

Axens, subsidiary of IFP Énergies Nouvelles, is a technical partner of AROL ENERGY. Other organizations such as Air Products are trusting AROL ENERGY for more than 10 years.

AROL ENERGY put in service more than 55 units in France and 50 more are in study by the technical department to be put in

service within 2 years. Most of AROL ENERGY’s customers are farmers but AROL ENERGY intervenes also for wastewater treatment and industrial projects.

Membrane separation

This technology is based on a physical separation between methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules. This technology is the most used in Europe1 (51%), particularly in France because, historically, the electricity cost was lower than in other countries. That’s why in France, more than 80% of projects are using membrane separation to produce biomethane.

Principle of the membrane technology: After dehumidification, desulfurization, and compression, the biogas passes through permeation membranes. We obtain biogas

upgraded, called biomethane (composed of more than 98% methane) and another flow, called off-gas, principally composed of carbon dioxide.

Advantages of the membrane technology:

• Biomethane purity is over 98%.

• Methane losses is under 0.5%.

• Reduced operating costs.

• Robustness of Air Products’ PRISM® membranes.

• Guaranteed energy performance. AROL ENERGY offers to his customers two products using this technology:

• AE-Compact

This product was designed to be adapted to small projects. Indeed, the compacity of the container reduced the unit’s footprint. The unit can produce up to 160 Nm³/h of biomethane.

• AE-Membrane

AE-Membrane was designed to be more modular. Indeed, this product is composed of one 40-foot container combined with a pre-treatment skid. This product can be used for biogas flow rate from 250 Nm³/h to 2 000 Nm³/h and more.

Amine scrubbing

This technology is based on a chemical

separation between methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) with an amine-based solvent. AROL ENERGY developed this technology in collaboration with IFP Énergies Nouvelles and offers significant higher performances than other amine-based technologies.

Principle of the amine scrubbing technology:

Biogas is decarbonized at atmospheric pressure in absorbing columns. A unique amine-based solvent captures the CO2. The heat supplied allows the solvent to be regenerated, releasing the CO2. This technology was first used in the 1930s and has been used for natural gas since the 1950s. AROL ENERGY strongly contributed to the development of this technology on the biogas market, as sole French supplier.

Advantages of the amine scrubbing technology

• Biomethane purity is over 99%.

• The most effective technology on the market with guaranteed methane loss of less than 0.1%.

• Very low electricity consumption: < 0.15 kWh/Nm³ (depending on grid injection pressure).

• Production of high purity CO2 (> 99.8%).

• Low energy requirements thanks to a patented heat recovery system and a unique solvent.

• Improved carbon footprint of the biomethane production site (25% up to more than 50%).

• Technology that is insensitive to biogas pollutants.

• Low operating costs.

• Guaranteed energy performance. AROL ENERGY offers its amine scrubbing technology through its product named AEAmine. It is adapted for large biogas flow rate, more than 500 Nm³/h and up to thousands of Nm³/h.

Other solutions AROL ENERGY can offer. Together with its strategic partners, AROL ENERGY has developed strong technical skills allowing it to offer solutions in response to other current market challenges, such as CO2

liquefaction, syngas upgrading, deoxygenation, digitalization, and performance improvement.

CO2 liquefaction

Biogas upgrading produce biomethane as well as carbon dioxide. In most cases carbon dioxide is not recovered while it could be a great alternative to fossil CO2 used in some industries. An actual topic is using this bioCO2 to avoid greenhouse gases emissions generated by fossil CO2.

CO2 can be used for different applications:

• CO2 is necessary in agricultural greenhouses.

• Soft drink additive: it must have a strict composition (EIGA standard or similar).

• Chemical applications: water mineralization in potabilization, industrial basic effluents acidification, refrigerant fluid.

• Dry ice production

Depending on the CO2 use, it may be liquefied or not. If bioCO2 is used on-site for injection on agricultural greenhouse, then it can be directly transferred as gas from the upgrading unit to the greenhouse. However, if bioCO2 must be transported several kilometers away, or if bioCO2 must reach higher grade quality, it is then necessary to liquefy it. That’s why AROL ENERGY developed its own product to liquefy bioCO2.

Syngas upgrading

Syngas contains carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and dihydrogen (H2). This gas is usually obtained by pyrogasification or by hydrothermal gasification.

AROL ENERGY can provide innovative solutions to upgrade syngas thanks to the complementarity of its membrane and amine technologies, the combination of which makes it possible to separate carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4) and dihydrogen (H2).

In 2021, as pioneer in this field, AROL ENERGY was awarded by the French grid operator GRTgaz, as best innovative process for upgrading syngas produced from hydrothermal gasification.

AROL ENERGY can propose multiple solutions to meet the challenges coming from the ongoing development of syngas.

Deoxygenation

Compared to natural gas, biomethane contains much more oxygen. This is mainly due to its production process which requires oxygen (O2) to desulfurize biogas prior to grid injection. A certain amount of oxygen is then injected into the gas distribution and transport grid, which can sometimes be incompatible with the operating conditions of the grid.

In that view, AROL ENERGY has developed a deoxygenation solution with its historic partner Axens, leader in industrial gas treatment. This highly technical solution is capable to remove oxygen (O2) either from biogas or from biomethane through a catalytic reaction process.

This innovative solution proposed by AROL ENERGY strongly contributes to the development of biomethane by providing control of the oxygen content into the distribution and transport grid.

Digitalization and performance improvement

AROL ENERGY implements local and remote supervision systems in its units. Information is then collected and computed via the AROL ENERGY big-data software solution to deliver real-time indicators to the operator about the performance and the condition of the units. This remote monitoring system brings faster and proactive technical assistance. This is a great solution that operators can rely on to optimize performance and take decisions for improving their unit operation. •

If you would like to know more about the solutions discussed in this article and how they can help for your business, please contact AROL ENERGY at:

Blue Biofuels and Vertimass Forge Partnership to Start Production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel

Blue Biofuels Inc. and Vertimass, LLC, have created a partnership to employ Vertimass’ proprietary Consolidated Alcohol Deoxygenation and Oligomerization (CADO) technology to produce sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and renewable propane and butane (rLPG) as co-products from ethanol. This new company, VertiBlue Fuels LLC, is equally owned by Blue Biofuels Inc. and Vertimass.

VertiBlue Fuels has the immediate objective to build a facility in Florida, which is anticipated to produce an estimated 10 million gallons of SAF and 2 million gallons of rLPG in its first year. Upon completion, the Partnership will expand SAF production to approximately 70 million gallons and rLPG to 14 million gallons, annually. The facility will initially convert sugarcane ethanol, followed by using ethanol derived from Blue Biofuels’ CTS (Cellulose-to-Sugar) technology. The creation of this partnership is a transition from technology development to production and represents the first step in building an end-to-end integrated continuous process for converting cellulosic biomass into SAF and other sustainable biofuels.

Blue Biofuels’ CEO, Ben Slager, states, “I am very enthusiastic about this partnership with Vertimass. It confirms our dedication to pioneering sustainable solutions in the aviation industry and producing biofuels. Our joint venture’s objective is not only to produce highquality SAF but also to contribute significantly to reducing carbon emissions. We are excited

about the positive impact this project will have on both the environment and the aviation sector, and it is a clear step forward from Biofuels development to production.”

Vertimass President and CEO Dr. Charles Wyman noted, “This partnership represents a major milestone for Vertimass, as it will move our breakthrough CADO technology to commercial scale and feed conversion of cellulosic biomass to SAF. The need for SAF in the marketplace continues to grow as airlines and governments around the world commit to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Vertimass is delighted to be at the forefront of this growing market and looks forward to our lowcost CADO process contributing to reducing carbon emissions that feed climate change.”

Blue Biofuels and Vertimass are committed to the highest standards of environmental responsibility and innovation, and this partnership represents a pivotal step towards a more sustainable aviation sector. •

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SANY Accelerates Transition to Clean Energy

SANY signed multiple strategic cooperation agreements in March to accelerate the transition into the new Industry 4.0 era led by clean energy technologies. Going forward, SANY will deepen cooperation with Mitsui Sumitomo Group (China) and its Innovation Laboratory, as well as Panasonic Four-dimensional in the field of battery asset management and risk control for new energy-heavy trucks, jointly promoting the development of the battery circular economy. Additionally, through collaboration with Ambarella, SANY will focus on the intelligent development of the automotive market, accelerating the advancement of higher-level intelligent solutions and leading the new trend of machine-unmanned (AI) operation.

Driving the Development of New EnergyHeavy Trucks for a Green and Efficient Future

The shift toward electric heavy-duty trucks is accelerating worldwide, including in China, as part of the broader movement toward lowemission transportation solutions. Nevertheless, as these vehicles become more prevalent in the market, potential adopters are expressing reservations. These concerns largely stem from a lack of thorough analysis regarding the total cost of ownership, uncertainty about the longterm asset value, and the absence of holistic risk management services within the sector.

To address this issue, SANY Heavy Truck, Mitsui Sumitomo Marine, China, Sumitomo Mitsui Offshore Group Innovation Laboratory in China, Panasonic four-dimensional have formed a highly coordinated and compatible strategic alliance. They will leverage their respective professional advantages, explore innovative solutions, and deepen and broaden their future cooperation.

As part of this collaboration, SANY Heavy Truck and Panasonic Four-dimensional will engage in in-depth discussions and cooperation to establish and maximize the value of a battery asset management system covering the entire lifecycle of electric heavy trucks. Building on this partnership, Mitsui Sumitomo Marine (China) will actively explore risk prevention measures and develop new insurance services tailored to the field of electric heavy trucks, providing robust protection for their widespread adoption and application. This trilateral cooperation is a strong alliance driving the healthy and stable development of a new energy-heavy truck

industry, creating a green and efficient future, and contributing to the goal of a decarbonized society.

Accelerating Industrial Intelligence Transformation: Pioneering the New Wave of AI Control

SANY and Ambarella, an edge AI semiconductor company, (NASDAQ: AMBA), have formed a strategic partnership. The collaboration aims to focus on advanced mobility solutions for the global market. SANY agreed to leverage Ambarella’s advanced CV3-AD family of automotive AI domain controller systems-on-chip (SoCs). The collaboration aims to develop cutting-edge automated driving solutions, conduct technical validation, and deploy

them on SANY’s upcoming commercial and special-purpose vehicles. Moreover, the two companies will collaborate on the joint development of high-performance and highly integrated automated driving solutions, with a shared objective of introducing the first collaborative vehicle model into production by 2025.

Fermi Wang, Chairman, CEO, Director, and President of Ambarella, highlighted the alignment between Ambarella and SANY in digitalization and decarbonization. He emphasized Ambarella’s AI SoC’s industry-leading features such as low power consumption, high performance, and excellent image processing capabilities. Wang mentioned the success of Ambarella’s CV2 series and the advanced capabilities of the 5nm CV3 series in supporting intelligent driving functions without high-definition maps.

SANY is committed to being at the forefront of technological leadership and quality superiority, propelling innovation within the industry. By forging strategic alliances, SANY positions itself in harmony with worldwide shifts toward decarbonization and digital transformation, providing solutions that are both environmentally sustainable and operationally efficient. As a result, SANY is spearheading the new era of clean energy technology within its industry. •

Against Power Cuts: PNE Sells 240 MW Solar Project in South Africa

Cuxhaven, Germany - South Africa is still suffering from power cuts, but the expansion of renewable energies in South Africa is now progressing faster than before.

PNE AG has now sold a 240 MW solar project to the South African energy company NOA Group Ltd. The Khauta solar power plant is located in the Free State province in the middle of South Africa, which is characterized by a strong agricultural and mining industry.

It is scheduled to reach the ready-to-build phase in mid-2024. PNE will continue to support the project via WKN Windcurrent, which is part of the PNE Group. An expansion is conceivable.

Markus Lesser, CEO PNE AG, says: “We are delighted that we are able to successfully follow up on the sale of projects in our international markets in 2024. South Africa is an exciting market. With NOA, we have a strong partner with whom we are one step closer to a secure power supply through clean energy.”

PNE has been active in South Africa since 2010. Projects with a volume of around 4 GW/GWp of wind and PV projects are currently under development (as of the end of 2023), the company added. PNE is also involved in two green hydrogen projects in South Africa.

Transport Transition: Ballard Power Receives Further Orders For Fuel Cell Buses From Wrightbus

Vancouver, Canada - While the trend in next-generation passenger cars is moving towards battery-powered electric vehicles, fuel cells are leading the way in commercial vehicles. This is also reflected in the latest orders for Ballard Power from Ireland.

The Canadian fuel cell manufacturer has received several orders for a total of 70 FCmove® HD fuel cell modules for fuel cell buses (FCEBs). The customer is the British bus manufacturer Wrightbus, which operates hydrogen-powered buses in the UK and Europe.

Ballard expects the fuel cell modules to be delivered in 2024 and the buses to enter service in 2025. The fuel cell systems will be used to power single and double-decker buses in the UK and Germany.

“We are pleased to strengthen our relationship with Wrightbus and support their deployment of an increasing volume of hydrogen-powered transit buses across the UK and Europe. We are seeing broader market acceptance of fuel cell buses by European transit operators seeking to decarbonize their operations with a technology approach that enables long range,

fast refueling, and scalable refueling infrastructure.” commented Oben Uluc, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, EMEA at Ballard Power on the orders.

Ballard Power shares have fallen by 4.1 per cent to a price of EUR 2.35 in the first three days of trading so far this week (closing price, 24 April 2024, Stuttgart Stock Exchange).

Ground-breaking Ceremony: Goldbeck Solar Begins Construction of Germany’s Second Largest Solar Park

Hirschberg a.d. Bergstrasse, Germany - Goldbeck Solar, one of the leading providers in the turnkey construction of industrial, commercial and large-scale photovoltaic plants, has broken ground on the Bartow solar park together with Encavis Asset Management.

With a capacity of 260 MWp and a total area of over 205 hectares, the project in the municipality of Bartow, around 150 km north of Berlin, will be the second largest solar park in Germany to date once it is completed, according to Goldbeck Solar.

The plant is expected to generate an average of around 270 million kWh (270 GWh) of solar power per year, saving around 100,000 tons of CO2 per year. For Goldbeck Solar, it will be the largest project in Germany to date.

According to Goldbeck Solar, the location of the solar park allows for optimal solar radiation and high efficiency. Ecological factors also played a role in the planning. For example, biodiversity should not be endangered by the large solar park, which is why there is a particular focus on biodiversity. The solar park will be built in two phases. A total of around 453,000 bifacial Canadian Solar modules will be installed. Commissioning is expected to take place in summer 2025.

“We are very proud to be able to implement such a large project in Germany. Bartow is a project of superlatives and underlines the important role and strength of GOLDBECK SOLAR in the expansion of renewable energies,” says Goldbeck Solar Managing Director Joachim Goldbeck.

“We are delighted to be working with GOLDBECK SOLAR on this project. Their many years of experience and expertise in the field of solar technology, combined with their reputation for reliability and quality, have convinced us,” commented Karsten Mieth, CEO of Encavis Asset Management AG, on the collaboration.

New Branch Office: Energiequelle Drives Forward Activities in The Greek Wind And Solar Market

Athens, Greece - The renewable energy project developer and operations manager Energiequelle is continuing its international expansion with the opening of an office in Athens. The company has been active in Greece for several years and has now decided to establish a Greek branch.

Polydoros Pagonis, who was appointed Country Manager on November 1, has been instrumental in driving forward the preparations for the opening of the site in recent months and, according to Energiequelle, has already built up a valuable local network. He has many years of experience in the renewable energy sector and on the Greek market.

“I am delighted to be able to support Energiequelle’s international growth by entering the Greek market. The country offers very good conditions for the development of renewable energies and will play an important role in the energy transition in Europe in the future,” says Pagonis about the prospects for the Greek RE market.

After the crisis over a decade ago, Greece is now one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. Greece has set itself the goal of phasing out coal by 2028, reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.

After Germany, France, Finland, Poland and South Africa, Greece is the sixth country in which Energiequelle is represented with branches. “We have constantly analysed and examined potential in recent years and have entered three more country markets since 2020 in order to further strengthen our international business. I am convinced that we will be able to achieve our first project successes in the new countries in the near future,” says Gregor Weber, Head of Project Management at Energiequelle.

Markus Lesser, CEO PNE AG, says: “We are delighted that we are able to successfully follow up on the sale of projects in our international markets in 2024. South Africa is an exciting market. With NOA, we have a strong partner with whom we are one step closer to a secure power supply through clean energy.”

Karel Cornelissen, CEO of NOA, says: “The Khauta project will be a pioneering project for NOA as it will be the first large scale (>100MW) solar facility entering the NOA aggregator portfolio. As NOA, together with the support of our shareholder, African Infrastructure Investment Managers (‘AIIM’), we aspire to make a meaningful contribution towards solving the immediate energy supply deficit in South Africa”.

PNE has been active in South Africa since 2010. Currently, its wind and PV projects under development add up to around 4 GW/GWp (as of the end of 2023). PNE is also active in two South African green hydrogen projects.

PNE sells 240 MW photovoltaic project to NOA Group in South Africa

• Project is being developed in a province characterised by strong mining and agriculture sectors

• PNE Pipeline comprises around 4 GW/GWp in South Africa

Cuxhaven - PNE AG is once again internationally successful. In South Africa, the company sold a photovoltaic project with a total output of 240 MW to the South African energy company NOA Group Ltd. The Khauta project will be implemented in the Free State province in central South Africa, whose economy is primarily characterised by strong mining/resources and agricultural sectors. The project is expected to reach the fully developed phase by mid-2024. Through WKN Windcurrent, which belongs to the PNE Group, PNE will now continue to support the project further. There is a possibility for the project size to be extended.

New Branch Office: Energiequelle Drives Forward Activities in The Greek Wind And Solar Market

Athens, Greece - The renewable energy project developer and operations manager Energiequelle is continuing its international expansion with the opening of an office in Athens. The company has been active in Greece for several years and has now decided to establish a Greek branch.

Polydoros Pagonis, who was appointed Country Manager on November 1, has been instrumental in driving forward the preparations for the opening of the site in recent months and, according to Energiequelle, has already built up a valuable local network. He has many years of experience in the renewable energy sector and on the Greek market.

“I am delighted to be able to support Energiequelle’s international growth by entering the Greek market. The country offers very good conditions for the development of renewable energies and will play an important role in the energy transition in Europe in the future,” says Pagonis about the prospects for the Greek RE market.

After the crisis over a decade ago, Greece is now one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. Greece has set itself the goal of phasing out coal by 2028, reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.

After Germany, France, Finland, Poland and South Africa, Greece is the sixth country in which Energiequelle is represented with branches. “We have constantly analysed and examined potential in recent years and have entered three more country markets since 2020 in order to further strengthen our international business. I am convinced that we will be able to achieve our first project successes in the new countries in the near future,” says Gregor Weber, Head of Project Management at Energiequelle.

PNE AG: Targets achieved for fiscal year 2023 and growth course continues

• EBITDA in the upper guidance range

• Strategic goals of Scale up 1.0 achieved or significantly exceeded

• Pipeline of projects in development still with record growth

Cuxhaven - 2023 was a very successful year for PNE AG. As a result of successful operational business developments, total aggregate output amounted to euro 267.8 million (prior year: euro 243.3 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) increased to euro 39.9 million (prior year: euro 35.4 million). Operating profit (EBIT) totalled euro 5.7 million (prior year: euro 6.2 million). The basic earnings per share amounted to euro -0.13 (prior year: euro 0.20). PNE AG is therefore in the upper range of the guidance for Group EBITDA of 30 to 40 million. The company published its report for the 2023 financial year today.

“We have delivered and we are moving forward”, explains Markus Lesser, CEO of PNE AG. “With the ‘Scale up’ strategy, we have initiated the further development of PNE AG into a Clean Energy Solutions Provider in 2017. The aim was to broaden the range of business segments, both in terms of technology and of geography. We have all achieved or, in some cases, significantly exceeded the ambitious targets we set ourselves for 2023. We are very proud of that. This is mainly because EBITDA also reached the upper range of the guidance. This was challenging in light of the special market environment.”

Expansion of wind farms in operation or construction above target

The objective of PNE AG’s corporate strategy is, among other things, to expand its own operating portfolio of wind farms and photovoltaic plants (PV plants). After the completion and acquisition of further wind farms, the nominal capacity of the wind farms operated by the Company in 2023 increased from 318.9 MW to 369.8 MW. Further wind farms (around 281.3 MW in total) are under construction in Germany and France and were taken over into our own operations. PNE AG thus significantly exceeded the objective of the ‘Scale up’ corporate strategy of having 500 MW in operation or under construction by the end of 2023. PNE is very optimistic that it will achieve further expansion to 1,500 MW/MWp under construction or operation by the end of 2027 in accordance with the ‘Scale up 2.0’ strategy extension.

“Hidden reserves” created with the establishment of the wind farm portfolio

With the establishment of its own wind farm portfolio, the PNE Group has created “hidden reserves”, which are not immediately recognisable. As a result of the investments in PNE’s own projects, pre-tax profits totalling euro 208.4 million were eliminated at Group level by the end of 2023, of which euro 31.4 million in fiscal 2023 (prior year: euro 42.5 million).

Project pipeline continues to reach record growth

The PNE Group has further expanded its project pipeline, i.e. the portfolio of projects in development, and continued its record growth. The pipeline increased to a total rated output of 19,101 MW/MWp (previous year: 11,883 MW/MWp). Wind onshore energy projects accounted for 9,177 MW (previous year: 7,587

MW), PV projects for 7,424 MWp (previous year: 4,296 MWp) and offshore wind energy projects for 2,500 MW. This is the basis for the further development of the PNE Group, especially in times of scarce areas for the expansion of wind and photovoltaic projects.

PV project sales in international markets

In Italy and especially in Romania, the PNE Group achieved operational success on international markets in 2023. At the end of the year, the PNE Group in Italy sold a package with a total of 12 PV projects and a total output of 114 MWp to an infrastructure fund. In the middle of the year, the PNE Group in Romania sold a package of five projects to the French energy group. The PV systems have a combined output of 208 MWp. In addition, at the end of 2023, a PV project with an output of 61.5 MWp was sold to a local company in southern Romania.

More assets under management in the service business

The PNE Group has also further expanded its business and competence related to wind turbine services in 2023. With operations management contracts for wind farms, the PNE Group is also well established internationally in this area. Overall, the nominal capacity of the wind farms managed rose to more than 2,900 MW and therefore more than 1,000 plants.

The “Services” segment also includes the brokerage of shortand long-term power purchase agreements (PPA). In 2023 alone, the PNE Group completed PPAs for 39 wind and PV project companies with a total output of over 337 megawatts.

Dividend proposed

For the 2023 fiscal year, the Board of Management and the Supervisory Board propose that a dividend of euro 0.04 as well as a special dividend of euro 0.04 for each no-par value share entitled to a dividend in the 2023 fiscal year be distributed from PNE AG’s retained earnings totalling euro 273,129,231.11. The remaining retained earnings shall be carried forward to a new account.

Positive outlook

The PNE Group is making good progress with the implementation of the further development of the ‘Scale up 2.0’ strategy. Even at the beginning of the 2024 financial year, there were numerous successes. In Germany, for example, the wind farms “Stuvenborn”, “Zinndorf” and “Odensachsen” with a total output of 26.4 MW successfully passed the February tender of the Federal Network Agency. In addition, the “Lütau” wind farm with an output of 28.5 MW has received approval under the Federal Immission Control Act.

In the coming years, the PNE Group wants to continuously expand its own generation portfolio of wind farms and PV plants and increasingly become an independent power producer (IPP). This is based on the long-standing core business, which is the project development.

At the same time, PNE will systematically drive forward the expansion of services, technologies and markets. The overall business benefits from the synergies arising from the three segments “project development”, “electricity generation” and “service products”.

European Energy A/S and Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. finalize EUR 700 million equity transaction

The agreement for Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. to purchase a 20 percent stake in European Energy A/S has received approval from relevant authorities, and the transaction has been completed

Søborg (renewablepress) - European Energy A/S (European Energy) has successfully completed the transaction with Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. (Mitsubishi HC Capital), in which Mitsubishi HC Capital acquires a 20 percent stake in European Energy.

In connection with the transaction’s closure, European Energy has carried out a capital increase of 72,383,854 new shares, each with a nominal value of DKK 1.

In addition to the capital increase, Mitsubishi HC Capital also acquired approximately 2.8 million shares from the three major shareholders of European Energy.

European Energy will raise proceeds of approximately EUR 700 million. The increase in equity will be used to the continued growth of European Energy.

To strengthen future collaboration, Keiro Tamate, Deputy Managing Director at Mitsubishi HC Capital, has been elected as a new member of the Board of Directors at European Energy.

“The strategic partnership with Mitsubishi HC Capital will triple European Energy’s equity, enabling European Energy to further enhance its role in the green energy transition. Mitsubishi HC Capital’s international presence and strategic mindset will be invaluable on the growth journey that European Energy is currently on,” says Jens Due Olsen, Chair of the Board of Directors at European Energy.

“We are looking forward to starting a new chapter in the story of European Energy. With our collaboration with Mitsubishi HC Capital, we will be able to further accelerate our growth and strengthen our impact in the fight against climate change,” says Knud Erik Andersen, CEO and co-founder of European Energy.

“There is significant growth potential in European Energy, and we are excited to contribute our expertise and knowledge to the company in its new chapter,” says Takuji Naruse, Managing Executive Officer and Head of Environment & Energy Business Division at Mitsubishi HC Capital.

ENERSIDE sells Italian Agri-solar PV and BESS combo to Chint Solar

Frankfurt am Main (renewablepress) - ENERSIDE today announced the sale of 360 MWp agrivoltaic solar project with an integrated battery energy storage system (BESS) of 82.5 MWh in Sardina, Italy. The acquirer is Chint Solar Europe (“Chint Solar”), which buys the project via its subsidiary Chint Solar Italy Projects BV. Capcora, a German consulting company, acted as the exclusive sell-side M&A advisor to ENERSIDE.

The project “Palmadula”, which encompasses a ground-mounted agrivoltaic system with an anticipated capacity of 360 MWp alongside an integrated BESS system with an expected injection capacity of 82.5 MWh, is situated in the Sardinia Region. It stands as one of the largest single projects in Italy and spans over 900 hectares which includes areas designated for crops and sheep grazing. The project is currently in an advanced stage of development and anticipates reaching its ready-to-build (RTB) status in 2025.

The sale was finalized through a share sales and purchase agreement, and the parties have mutually decided to maintain confidentiality regarding the purchase price.

“We are pleased to have successfully signed the sale of this unique and sizeable project through a forward sales agreement. This transaction represents a significant milestone for us in Italy and aligns with our strategic objectives to recycle the capital in our development pipeline.”, comments Jaume Solà, CFO of Enerside.

“We are excited to acquire this significant project in Sardinia, which fits seamlessly with our long-term growth strategy. We see great potential in agrivoltaic and BESS assets and are committed to their continued success. This acquisition reinforces our position in the market and enhances our European portfolio.”, adds Oliver Schweininger, CEO/Managing Director of Chint Solar Europe.

“We are thrilled to have assisted ENERSIDE in successfully completing the sale of this landmark combination of an agrivoltaic and BESS portfolio to Chint Solar. This transaction underscores our unwavering commitment to the Italian market and our dedication to fostering cross-border strategic partnerships within the renewable energy sector.”, Jochen Magerfleisch, Managing Partner at Capcora.

On the legal side ENERSIDE was advised by RCD Legal, while Chint Solar was supported in the transaction by Legance as legal advisor and by REA (Reliable Energy Advisors) as technical advisor, while Capcora acted as sole M&A advisor.

New Branch Office: Energiequelle Drives Forward Activities in The Greek Wind And Solar Market

Athens, Greece - The renewable energy project developer and operations manager Energiequelle is continuing its international expansion with the opening of an office in Athens. The company has been active in Greece for several years and has now decided to establish a Greek branch.

Polydoros Pagonis, who was appointed Country Manager on November 1, has been instrumental in driving forward the preparations for the opening of the site in recent months and, according to Energiequelle, has already built up a valuable local network. He has many years of experience in the renewable energy sector and on the Greek market.

“I am delighted to be able to support Energiequelle’s international growth by entering the Greek market. The country offers very good conditions for the development of renewable energies and will play an important role in the energy transition in Europe in the future,” says Pagonis about the prospects for the Greek RE market.

After the crisis over a decade ago, Greece is now one of the fastest growing economies in Europe. Greece has set itself the goal of phasing out coal by 2028, reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030 and achieving net zero by 2050.

After Germany, France, Finland, Poland and South Africa, Greece is the sixth country in which Energiequelle is represented with branches. “We have constantly analysed and examined potential in recent years and have entered three more country markets since 2020 in order to further strengthen our international business. I am convinced that we will be able to achieve our first project successes in the new countries in the near future,” says Gregor Weber, Head of Project Management at Energiequelle.

enjoyed a long and trusting relationship with Commerzbank AG for many years. Under its leadership, we have now succeeded in optimising the financial framework for the coming years,” says Hartmut Lieder, CFO of VSB Group.

VSB Group and Commerzbank AG extend syndicated loan agreement

Dresden - VSB, the international project developer for wind energy and photovoltaics, has increased its existing syndicated loan agreement to a volume of EUR 160 million under the leadership of Commerzbank AG. It has a term of approximately two and a half years and will be used for general corporate financing.

The market for renewable energy is growing steadily, and so are VSB Group’s investments. To support this growth in nine European countries, the existing agreement has not only been extended but also increased by EUR 40 million to EUR 160 million. The banking syndicate led by Commerzbank consists of long-standing financing partners at Group level and banks with existing commitments at the level of project companies for the construction of wind and photovoltaic parks.

“The syndicated loan creates flexibility and planning certainty to support VSB Group’s growth and internationalisation. We have

Change to the Board of Management of PNE AG:

As planned, Harald Wilbert will take over the position of CFO from Jörg Klowat

Cuxhaven - As planned, Harald Wilbert took over the function of CFO of PNE AG and the duties of Jörg Klowat as of 1 April 2024. The latter did not renew his management contract at his own request. Harald Wilbert has been a member of the Board of Management without special responsibility of PNE AG since October 2023. In recent months, he has become acquainted with the PNE Group and prepared the handover. In addition to finance, Harald Wilbert’s area of responsibility also includes Legal & Compliance, Investor Relations & ESG, Human Resources, IT and Facility Management.

“I am looking forward to the new task,” says Harald Wilbert. “Over the past few months, I have been able to get a good overview of the performance of the PNE Group. The Group is well on the way and ready to implement the strategy. We are currently working on finding the right set-up.”

Jörg Klowat adds: “In recent years, we have made a lot of difference and realigned the company. For me, a successful time is coming to an end. Together, we successfully implemented the first part of our corporate “Scale up” strategy. I wish the company and its employees all the best for the future.”

“It is a pity that Jörg Klowat is leaving PNE AG after 25 years. With Harald Wilbert, we have found a very good new CFO who comes from the industry and fits us perfectly. This has been demonstrated in recent months,” explains Markus Lesser, Chairman of the Board of Management of PNE AG.

Last August, Jörg Klowat declared that he would leave PNE AG at his own request after his service contract with the Board of Management would end on 31 March 2024, in order to reorient his career. Over the next few months, he will continue to advise PNE on completing projects.

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2024 IMPORTANT EVENTS CALENDAR

2024 International Partnering Forum

Event Date : 22/04/2024

Event End Date : 25/04/2024

Event Venue : New Orleans

Website : https://www.offshorewindus.org/2024ipf/

AUVSI XPONENTIAL 2024

APRIL 22, 2024 - APRIL 25, 2024

San Diego, USA

https://www.auvsi.org/events/xponential/xponential-2024

Offshore Technology Conference

1-4 May 2024

Houston, Texas, USA

CLEANPOWER 2024 Conference & Exhibition

Event Date : 06/05/2024

Event Venue : Minneapolis, MN

Website : https://cleanpower.org/events/cleanpower-2024-conference-exhibition/

Intersolar Europe – Germany

Event Date : 24/06/2024

Event End Date : 27/06/2024

Website : https://www.intersolar.de/en/home.html

2024 World Battery & Energy Storage Industry Expo (WBE)

Event Date : 08/08/2024

Event Venue : Guangzhou, China

Website : https://en.battery-expo.com/

WindEnergy Hamburg

Event Date : 24/09/2024

Event End Date : 27/09/2024

Website : https://www.windenergyhamburg.com/

Global Energy Show 2024

Calgary, Canada

June 13-15 June 2024

https://www.globalenergyshow.com

Carbon Capture Technology Conference & Expo – Europe 2024

23/10/2024 -24/10/2024

Event Venue : Hamburg

Website : https://www.carboncapture-expo.com/

HESE – Hydrogen Energy Summit & Expo 2024

Event Date : 09/10/2024 - 11/10/2024

Event Venue : Bologna, Italy

Website : http://www.hese.it/en