Energy Global - Spring - 2024

Spring 2024

Wind Energy 5.0 – Our Competence. Our Responsibility.

Wind Turbine Automation

More than 140,000 wind turbines automated

Condition Monitoring

Comprehensive protection for your operating assets

Retrofit

Extend turbine lifecycles

www.bachmann.info

Grid Protection and Control Safe, fast and stable power management

Wind Power SCADA Access protection and operation control

CONTENTS

03. Guest comment

04. Renewables in Europe

Théodore Reed-Martin, Editorial Assistant, Energy Global, summarises the current state of renewable energy in Europe.

10. A promising lithium discovery to power the future

Brian Quock and Michele Cox, ANA Corp., USA, look at new US lithium deposits that could power future battery production.

16. Communicating battery storage

Blesson Thomas, Head of Grid at Clearstone Energy, highlights the urgent need for the industry to take steps to educate developers, communities, planners and politicians on grid scale battery safety.

22. Unlocking the power of AI

Charlene Lee, Product Manager and Antonio Notaristefano, Director of Product Management, Fluence, discuss the use of artificial intelligence to help resolve asset management challenges.

28. Transmission technology for the energy transition

Peter Sandeberg, Hitachi Energy, Sweden, provides insight into employing voltage sourced converter-based high-voltage direct current for offshore connections.

SPRING 2024

32. Winds of change

Jon Salazar, CEO, Gazelle Wind Power, UAE, examines how collaboration across industries can enable the growth of floating offshore wind.

38. Changing gears: A look at wind turbines

The wind turbine industry faces an ever-increasing challenge to reduce the cost of energy production, decrease operational and maintenance costs, and increase lifespan. All of this must happen while scaling up technology to multi-megawatt, offshore machines operating in harsh environments. Gary Rodgers, CEO of Magnomatics, details the role magnetic gears play in helping achieve these goals.

42. Advanced turbine monitoring

Dr Joe Donnelly, CEO and Co-Founder, Windscope, makes the case for strengthening operational resilience in a volatile wind market.

46. The future of lightning risk control

Wind Power LAB explores the evolving landscape of lightning risk control for wind turbines and the proactive measures required to ensure their operational efficiency and longevity.

50. Pioneering a safe palette

Allan Bonde Jensen, Business Development Manager, Infrastructure and Energy, and Palle Gustafsson, Chemical Engineer, Teknos, consider the rise of isocyanate-free and epoxy-free industrial coatings.

56. Mobilising a zero-emissions future with hydrogen

Lucrezia Morabito, Comau Product and Solution Manager, talks about the importance of hydrogen as a key factor for sustainable mobility in a Q&A with Jessica Casey, Editor of Energy Global

60. Maximising solar power

Lorna Smith, EcoFlow, UK, analyses how energy storage can help maximise solar power.

64. Global news

ANA Energy offers an advanced hybrid energy system that sets the standard for power efficiency, sustainability, and cost savings. The battery has a 30-year lifecycle, and the system delivers maximum power with a low environmental impact. This unit offers three-phase and single-phase output voltages simultaneously and is made to withstand any environment. The ANA Energy BossTM represents a new era in energy efficiency, by reducing fuel consumption, extending generator life, reducing maintenance costs, and emitting fewer greenhouse gases.

Protect your assets for a lifetime with our everlasting and cost effective solution.

Easy-Qote is a corrosion prevention coating applied as a patch with minimum surface preparation requirements. Or as we like to say: easy as 1, 2, 3. Simply clean, patch and let the coating do the work while you relax.

The easy solution for wind turbines.

MANAGING EDITOR

James Little james.little@palladianpublications.com

EDITOR

Jessica Casey jessica.casey@palladianpublications.com

EDITORIAL ASSISTANT

Théodore Reed-Martin theodore.reedmartin@palladianpublications.com

SALES DIRECTOR

Rod Hardy rod.hardy@palladianpublications.com

SALES MANAGER

Will Powell will.powell@palladianpublications.com

PRODUCTION DESIGNER

Kate Wilkerson kate.wilkerson@palladianpublications.com

EVENTS MANAGER

Louise Cameron louise.cameron@palladianpublications.com

DIGITAL EVENTS COORDINATOR

Merili Jurivete merili.jurivete@palladianpublications.com

DIGITAL ADMINISTRATOR

Nicole Harman-Smith nicole.harman-smith@palladianpublications.com

DIGITAL CONTENT ASSISTANT

Kristian Ilasko kristian.ilasko@palladianpublications.com

ADMINISTRATION MANAGER

Laura White laura.white@palladianpublications.com

Editorial/Ad vertisement Offices:

Palladian Publications Ltd

15 South Street, Farnham, Surrey, GU9 7QU, UK +44 (0) 1252 718 999 www.energyglobal.com

COMMENT

Luke Gibson

Chief Operating Officer, Field

Last year, the UK’s electricity system under-utilised battery storage capacity. In the balancing mechanism, gas power plants provided 72% of capacity the Electricity System Operator (ESO) requested at short notice, with control rooms ‘skipping’ over battery storage at a rate of around 80% in some instances.1

‘Skipping’ storage released an additional 70 000 t of carbon dioxide emissions – equivalent to the annual emissions of 44 000 petrol cars –compared to operating available storage instead. All while the UK grew battery storage capacity to 3.5 GWh in the same year.1

When the ESO faces a shortfall in supply, generators called on to plug the gap tend to offer more expensive, carbon-intensive forms of power, such as gas peaking plants – in contrast to cheaper, cleaner battery storage sites. Batteries typically charge up when the price is low (when there’s more renewable power on the grid) to discharge when the price is higher (and there’s less renewable generation).

Skipping suitable battery storage is a significant challenge to decarbonising the UK’s energy system.

Like curtailment (paying wind farms to switch off when there isn’t enough storage or grid infrastructure to manage output), it’s a flaw in our energy system’s design – the kind which leads to higher bills and emissions.

As the number of batteries connected to the grid has increased, the challenge facing the ESO has become integrating these smaller, flexible, more distributed assets into the centralised energy system. This presents an IT architecture upgrade problem that it must manage, while maintaining security of supply.

It’s taking the right steps forward. The launch of the Open Balancing Platform and proposed Grid Code changes aim to help the ESO increasingly dispatch batteries. They should offer batteries

greater visibility across the country, including how long they can charge or discharge for (called ‘duration’) and what their existing state of charge is (important for knowing the value they provide when called).

As the ESO becomes the National Energy System Operator, greater resources (whether funding or talent) would help it deliver a more flexible electricity system, one where batteries can play a greater role in delivering a cheaper, greener and ever-reliable system.

There are still circumstances in the medium-term where the ESO continues deploying carbon-intensive energy. However, new tools, markets, and capabilities in the control room will provide the opportunity for batteries to play a bigger role in delivering a net zero power system by 2035.

Although skipping is gradually being resolved, curtailment remains one of the biggest challenges to the energy transition. Carbon Tracker warned that it could cost bill payers £3.5 billion a year by 2030 and generate 6.8 million t of avoidable carbon emissions.2

To tackle this growing issue, we have to better use the technology already available to us: energy storage.

Last year was the year of electricity grids, with vital reforms announced to accelerate new connections. While this could make it easier to bring new storage capacity online, 2024 needs to be the year the energy system adapts to fully enable batteries.

Powering the grid with renewables means we need battery storage. And we need batteries to be supported with market mechanisms that can reward them for reducing curtailment costs, enabling their financing at pace.

References

References available upon request.

TThéodore Reed-Martin, Editorial Assistant, Energy Global, summarises the current state of renewable energy in Europe.

he end of 2023 saw the world’s climate leaders agree to make a unanimous transition away from fossil fuels at COP28. Here, for the first time since the climate pledges of the 2015 Paris Agreement, a ‘Global Stocktake’ was taken providing an assessment of how well countries were faring according to their targets.1 Though it did not yield any new information (there is a renowned mitigation gap between the current trajectory of emissions and the desire to halt global warming at 1.5˚C), the Stocktake will help inform the next set of nationally determined contributions (NDCs).

In 2023 44% of the EU’s electricity mix was sourced from renewables, with wind and solar contributing 27%. Combined, these two renewable alternatives increased in generation by 90 TWh and an installed capacity of 73 GW. 2 Similar trends can be seen in countries outside of the EU, as will be outlined. However, as impressive as these statistics may seem, they are inconsistent with the trajectory required for the net-zero by 2050 scenario. This report will examine the current state of renewable energy in Europe, both inside and outside the EU.

Solar

A good starting point would be the fastest growing renewable alternative: solar energy. The decade between 2010 and 2020 saw the price of photovoltaic (PV) energy production plummet by 82%, which has made it an affordable option. 2 Moreover, with the planet unavoidably heating up, the sun will not be going anywhere any time soon; therefore, for many countries, solar is a wise investment. After all, the Earth is exposed to 173 000 TWh of untapped solar energy throughout the day, which is 10 000 times the amount that is required in the same timeframe. 3

Latest trends show a robust growth in solar usage within the EU, as 9% of the EU’s electricity was generated using solar in 2023. Sustaining the momentum of 2022, the installation increased by 40%, resulting in a deployment of 55.9 GW across all 27 member-states, bringing the total installed capacity from 204.09 GW, to 259.99 GW at the year’s end. 2 While the EU is well on track to reach REpowerEU’s goal of 320 GW of PV by 2025, in terms of generation, it struggled as the +48 TWh growth rate of 2022 went down to +36 TWh. Noteworthy solar additions by country within the EU include Germany, leading at 62 TWh, followed by Spain (45 TWh), Italy (31 TWh), and France (23 TWh). 2

The EU’s solar landscape in 2023 saw widespread success, with 20 member-states achieving their best solar years, and 25 surpassing the previous year. The Netherlands emerged as the frontrunner for the highest solar energy production per capita within the EU, boasting 1044 W/capita. Germany followed with 816 W/capita, and then Denmark at 675 W/capita. Germany also had the greatest amount of contributions to solar expansion with 14.1 GW. Spain and Italy followed suit with installations of 8.2 GW and 4.8 GW respectively, with Spain generating the most energy at +9.4 TWh. 2

Outside of the EU strides have been made in numerous nations’ solar additions. In the UK, for example, solar constitutes just over 4% of its electricity, with the total installed capacity being 15 GW at the end of 2023; this figure is expected to grow five-fold to 70 GW by 2030. 4 This trend was echoed in Switzerland, who added 1500 MW in 2023, bringing nation’s total solar energy capacity to 6200 MW. 5 This was also shown in Norway, who added 300 MW in 2023, which is almost half of its total capacity of 597 MW. 6 Moreover, Voltalia announced the production of the first megawatt-hours of the largest solar farm in the western Balkans, Karavasta (Albania) that has a capacity of 140 MW, as the nation’s solar debut.7

Of course, the effectiveness of solar radiation will always face nature’s constraints. Last year, a lack of solar radiation in various parts of Europe meant that there was only an increase of about 20%. 2 Geographical positioning has a pivotal role in a nation’s capacity in producing solar energy: Spain is a country that benefits from longer daylight hours and solar exposure. 8 In contrast, nations like Iceland grapple with the inherent limitations

of higher latitude that renders solar initiatives virtually redundant. These geographical nuances always need to be considered when examining countries performances, for southern Europe will always do better than its northernmost counterparts as far as solar is concerned.

That being said, 2024 is to be an exciting year for solar energy in Europe, with an expected spike in solar radiation and a string of big projects and plans in the pipeline. Some of the latest news regarding this includes RWE and PPC’s 450 MWp Orycheio Dei Amynteo farm in Greece that will be commissioned in 2025; 9 the MET Group’s 23 MWp PV plant in Hungary which is to start operation in 2H24; 10 Innova’s 14 MW Parkhill South solar farm in Scotland having just been granted permission,11 or SSE Renewable’s acquisition of a 400 MW portfolio of early-stage Polish PV projects.12 For many countries, the future is in solar.

Wind

In 2023, the wind’s share of electricity rose to 18% of the EU’s electricity (475 TWh), surpassing gas for the first time. Wind capacity additions fell short when compared to the 56 GW of solar, adding only 17 GW in 2023. 2

The lion’s share of wind brought online in 2023 was onshore, amounting to a total of 14 GW, with only 3 GW being offshore. 2 Germany continued to lead in terms of largest additions with 29 000 turbines in operation, and a total of 61 GW in function. Projections indicate that there will be an additional 4 GW of new turbine capacity in 2024, though it is still a long way off the 13 GW/y to reach their 2030 targets. That being said, onshore wind has solidified itself as the work horse of Germany’s electricity system and now generates one-quarter of it.13

France also saw a large generation increase, adding 10 TWh in 2023, followed by the Netherlands with 7.8 TWh. The latter, with its advantageous conditions for offshore wind in the shallow waters and windy environs of the North Sea, surpassed its 4.5 GW target of offshore wind additions by achieving 4.7 GW. This accounted for 15% of the nation’s total electricity demand, with one particularly notable addition being the 1.5 GW Hollandse Kust Zuid offshore wind farm. Other notable contributions were Denmark and Ireland who managed wind shares of 58% and 36% respectively. 2

Outside of the EU, the UK saw the start of the electricity production at Dogger Bank wind farm off the Yorkshire coast, following the installation of an industry-first Haliade-X 13 MW turbine, as well as the 1.1 GW Seagreen wind farm being brought online. The UK managed to generate 29.4% of electricity using wind, which was only slightly smaller than its use of gas (32%).14

Switzerland had a 12.5% increase on 2022, though wind still only accounted for 0.3% of the total electricity consumed.15 Ukraine, despite the war, has still done a good job on the wind front, as the country continues to build the Tyliguska windfarm, with 114 MW of the project built. Upon completion the project will be 500 MW in capacity

■ Many companies rely on Boehlerit‘s innovative technology to manufacture their products.The Aust rian carbide specialist Boehlerit is guaranteed to be behind many everyday products.

and able to produce 1.7 TWh of electricity (enough for 900 000 households).16

Over the coming years, there is to be an expected increase in wind. Indeed, the International Agency has predicted the EU to produce 23 GW/y between 2024 – 2028. While this is clearly a significant increase there remains considerable distance to cover before the EU is on track for its 30 GW/y target.17 More large scale projects like Hollandse Kust Zuid – expected to be completed in 2024 –and Dogger Bank – completion to be in 2026 – are needed to get on track.

Hydropower

Europe’s renewable energy transition will also be hinged on its hydropower sector. Though of course, droughts will inevitably cause issues for energy systems that rely too heavily on hydropower. Therefore, in the colder and wetter climates of northern Europe, hydropower is more effective than it is in the south, where there are more frequent dry spells, particularly given the heatwaves of last summer.

Hydropower made up 12% of the EU’s electricity last year and accounted for 32% of renewable energy. Sweden was the largest producer of hydropower in 2023, producing 66 TWh, followed by France (53 TWh), and Austria. Latvia recorded the highest electricity share at 61%, followed by Austria (59%), and then Croatia (46%). Heat waves caused issues for many countries, though there was a 15% increase on 2022. 2

Beyond the EU, particularly in northern Europe, there are good statistics that highlight the importance of hydropower. In 2023, Norway generated 15 541 MW of electricity using hydropower, constituting 90% of the nation’s electricity production. Iceland, not far behind, also relies on hydro for 70% of its electricity needs, showcasing the efficacy of using water in Europe’s northernmost regions.19

Switzerland, endowed with a favourable mountainous landscape, is home to over 600 hydropower plants contributing to approximately 58% of the nation’s electricity generation. While these figures may not match the scale of Norway and Iceland, it still showcases the potential within Switzerland of harnessing hydropower, especially compared to its lower statistics in solar and wind energy. 20

Meanwhile, in Albania, a lot of electricity production is from state-owned hydropower. Despite being a population of 3 million, Albania’s total hydropower market amounts to about 7.5 TWh. With hydropower being state-owned, it keeps the price of energy steady, which de-incentivises private investment: for when the country inevitably has a dry season, or even year (quite common considering its hot climate), prices of electricity would soar. 21

There will be exciting upcoming movements in the hydropower sector in the coming years. With examples of Statkraft announcing plans to invest €6 billion in upgrades to Norwegian turbines, more investments will occur and help streamline the production of hydropower. 22

Other renewables

This section will take a look at other renewable energy sources that have a much smaller share of the European energy economy.

There has been a change in the climate surrounding the use of bioenergy lately, as research now suggests that large quantities of biomass, particularly wood-based biomass, can emit extensively. Therefore, it is no longer viewed as entirely carbon neutral, and given the risk of emitting, countries are aiming to minimise this impact by keeping the share in energy economies small. In 2023, bioenergy contributed 153 TWh of electricity in the EU, constituting 5.7%. Germany again led production with 47 TWh, followed by Italy and Sweden at 16 TWh and 12 TWh, respectively. Denmark had the highest percentage of electricity from bioenergy at 21%, while Poland was the only country that experienced an increase, standing at 0.5 TWh. Since the latter half of 2023, bioenergy generation has consistently hovered at a five-year low. 2

Green hydrogen projects are starting to become more frequent. In 2024, Lhyfe will build a green hydrogen production plant in Brake, Germany, producing up to 1150 tpy of green hydrogen. 23 Similarly, in the UK and Ireland, Source Galileo and Lhyfe have also announced a joint agreement to develop commercial scale green and renewable hydrogen units. 24 Lastly, encouraging results from Sealhyfe, Lhyfe’s offshore hydrogen pilot, have spurred in the HOPE project: a 10 MW offshore initiative with the aim of producing 4 tpd of green hydrogen by 2026. 25

Finally, shifting the focus to geothermal energy, Iceland emerges as a global leader relative to its population. A remarkable 65% of Iceland’s primary energy and 90% of its household heating stems from geothermal resources, though of course the country’s situation on a volcanic ridge sets it up nicely for geothermal energy.19 On the other hand, geothermal is still small in the EU, producing 0.2% of electricity, 26 and is used to heat just 2 million of the EU’s 100 million heating systems. However, there are ambitious goals of using geothermal heat pumps to satisfy 25% of Europe’s energy needs by 2030. There is a lot of work to do, but the potential is there. 27

Conclusion

Europe stands at a critical juncture between its current trajectory, and the emission reduction required to halt global warming at 1.5˚C. While renewables now have a far more important share in European energy economies, as is shown by the figures in this article, there is still a long way to go. Over the next coming years, it will be vital to ramp up the production of renewable energy in order to achieve global warming goals.

References

A comprehensive list of references is available upon request.

Trust the experts.

Our priority is the safe on-time delivery of your global energy projects. CRC Evans utilises market-leading welding and coating services, technologies and advanced data solutions, combined with a right first time approach.

crcevans.com

Brian Quock and Michele Cox, ANA Corp., USA, look at new US lithium deposits that could power future battery production.

There are international efforts to adopt net zero emissions by 2050, and lithium is the battery chemistry of choice. The valuable metal is the key active material in rechargeable batteries for both consumer electronics, electric vehicles (EVs), and renewable energy systems, although the percentage of batteries that contain lithium will vary depending on the battery application, type, and size. In 2022,

according to sources, lithium-ion dominant technology for electric renewable energy systems of the global battery market, reaching 85% by 2030. Albeit, that all lithium-ion batteries of lithium, as different chemistries compositions and performance top five lithium batteries are:

lithium-ion batteries were the electric vehicles and some which account for 60% market, with the prediction of Albeit, this does not mean batteries use the same amount chemistries have different performance characteristics. The are:

> Lithium iron phosphate.

> Lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxide.

> Lithium manganese oxide.

> Lithium nickel cobalt aluminium.

> Lithium titanate.

It depends on the want and need of the features, such as energy density, power performance, safety, lifespan, and cost to highlight the correct battery.

Since 1996, the National Minerals Information Center has provided mineral yearbooks and mineral commodity summaries on the worldwide supply, demand, and flow of the mineral commodity lithium in the yearly U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). In the USGS’s 2023 global report, lithium reserves were estimated at 21 million t and distributed among various regions and countries. The top five countries with the largest lithium reserves were:

Chile (9.3 million t), Australia (6.2 million t), Argentina (2.2 million t), China (1.5 million t), and the US (1.1 million t).

One of the largest known lithium deposits identified in the US

Concerning energy storage and battery technology, the recent identification of one of the largest lithium deposits in the US has sparked profound interest and anticipation within the energy sector. The vast new lithium deposit has been discovered in the Nevada-Oregon border region in a volcano crater, marking a significant milestone in the realm of sustainable energy. This newfound source of lithium has sparked intrigue across multiple industries which are reliant on battery technology and energy storage solutions. The deposit is estimated between 20 – 40 million t, which could make it the world’s largest source of lithium. This discovery is set to revolutionise the landscape of battery production and energy storage projects moving forward, particularly in Nevada and California. Battery manufacturers, energy storage companies, and researchers are eagerly anticipating the potential implications of tapping into these newfound lithium resources.

Excitement in the industry

The industry’s response to this groundbreaking discovery has been nothing short of electrifying. Battery manufacturers, energy storage companies, and researchers are eagerly anticipating the potential implications of tapping into these newfound lithium resources. The abundance of lithium in the US signifies a significant stride towards self-sufficiency in battery materials, reducing dependency on imports and potentially lowering costs for consumers.

The prospects of leveraging these vast lithium deposits for battery technology are tantalising. Manufacturers are considering how this newfound resource could enhance the efficiency and performance of batteries, leading to advancements in electric vehicle capabilities and grid scale energy storage solutions. The excitement in the industry is palpable, fuelling ambitions for applications and sustainable energy practices.

Inferred resource estimates

The inferred resource estimates associated with these lithium deposits hold immense promise for driving future lithium extraction projects in the US. These estimates provide crucial insights into the potential size and quality of the deposits, guiding investment decisions and operational strategies for mining companies.

With the increased focus on sustainable energy sources and the urgent need to transition towards cleaner technologies, the significance of inferred resource estimates cannot be overstated. The data derived from these estimates will play a pivotal role in shaping the development of extraction methods, environmental mitigation strategies, and supply chain management practices within the lithium mining sector.

As the industry shifts towards a more sustainable and eco-conscious approach to energy storage, the reliable and extensive availability of lithium in the US offers a strategic advantage. By harnessing these inferred resources effectively, stakeholders aim to bolster domestic battery production, foster innovation in long-duration energy storage systems, and contribute to the global shift towards renewable energy sources.

Addressing global energy needs

This lithium deposit comes at a crucial time when the demand for energy storage solutions is skyrocketing worldwide. With the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, the need for efficient and reliable energy storage systems has never been more urgent. The abundance of lithium in the US can play a pivotal role in meeting these escalating energy requirements and reducing our dependence on fossil fuels.

Implications for energy storage systems

The discovery of this vast lithium resource has far-reaching implications for the development of long-duration energy storage systems. As the backbone of the transition to clean energy, advanced energy storage technologies are essential for stabilising the grid and ensuring a sustainable power supply. The availability of such a significant lithium deposit in the US paves the way for the accelerated deployment of cutting-edge storage solutions that can store immense amounts of energy for extended periods, enabling grid flexibility and enhancing renewable integration.

Figure 2 BOSS25-15 Hybrid Generator, equipped with ultra-high cycle lithium titanate oxide (LTO) battery modules (shown with available solar option).

Figure 1 . Brine pools used for lithium mining at Silver Peak Mine, located in Nevada, USA. The mine produces around 5000 t of usable lithium each year (1% of the world total).

padding machine

AND

INNOVATIVE AND CUSTOMIZED SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY

SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY CHALLENGE since 1958

This monumental discovery of one of the largest lithium deposits in the US heralds a new era of possibilities for battery technology and energy storage initiatives, paving the way for a greener and more resilient energy future.

ExxonMobil drilling first lithium well in Arkansas

ExxonMobil’s recent endeavour in drilling the first lithium well in Arkansas marks a significant milestone in the quest for a sustainable supply of lithium, a crucial component in the production of batteries for EV and energy storage systems. The company announced plans to become a leading producer of lithium in November 2023, and has started construction this year with plans to begin production in 2027. The company will utilise direct lithium extraction (DLE) technology to access lithium-rich saltwater reservoirs, 10 000 ft underground. The company’s proactive approach towards lithium extraction not only demonstrates technological advancement, but also underscores their commitment to meeting the growing demands of the automotive industry.

Sustainable lithium supply

ExxonMobil’s initiatives in drilling the first lithium well in Arkansas are aimed at ensuring a sustainable supply of lithium for the automotive industry. By exploring new sources of lithium within the US, ExxonMobil seeks to reduce reliance on imports and promote domestic production of this essential resource. This strategic move aligns with the global shift towards sustainable energy solutions and emphasises the importance of securing a stable lithium supply chain for future generations.

Meeting EV production demands

As the demand for EVs continues to rise, ExxonMobil’s foray into lithium extraction signifies a proactive approach to meeting the lithium demands for manufacturing EVs. By strategically positioning itself in the lithium market, ExxonMobil aims to support the growth of the EV sector by ensuring a reliable and sufficient supply of lithium-ion batteries. This initiative not only contributes to the expansion of sustainable transportation, but also underscores the company’s commitment to innovation and environmental responsibility in the automotive industry.

ExxonMobil’s pioneering efforts in drilling the first lithium well in Arkansas reflect a strategic manoeuvre towards securing a sustainable supply of lithium and meeting the demands of EV production. By investing in domestic lithium resources, ExxonMobil is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing the transition towards clean energy and driving the future of battery manufacturing for EVs and long-duration energy storage systems.

Revolutionising EV batteries

These newfound reserves are set to revolutionise the production of EV batteries and pave the way for a greener and more sustainable future.

DLE technology advancements

Advancements in DLE technology have emerged as a game-changer in the quest for enhancing lithium production for EV batteries. This cutting-edge technology, which allows for the

direct extraction of lithium from brine sources, promises increased efficiency and reduced environmental impact in the extraction process. The development of DLE technologies opens new possibilities for harnessing lithium resources effectively, ensuring a stable supply for the growing demand for EV batteries.

Scaling up lithium production

As the EV market continues to expand, the feasibility of scaling up lithium production becomes a critical priority. The discovery of abundant lithium deposits in the US presents an unprecedented opportunity to boost domestic lithium production and reduce reliance on imports. By ramping up production capacity and streamlining extraction processes, the industry can meet the escalating demands of the electric vehicle sector and drive forward the transition to clean energy solutions.

Effect of the Inflation Reduction Act

Policies like the Inflation Reduction Act hold the potential to shape the utilisation of the newly-discovered lithium deposits and impact battery production within the US. By implementing measures to streamline regulatory processes and incentivise domestic manufacturing, such legislation can catalyse the efficient extraction and processing of lithium resources. This, in turn, paves the way for accelerated battery production, driving down costs and enhancing supply chain resilience. The strategic alignment of government initiatives with the burgeoning lithium industry is crucial for fostering a conducive environment for investment and technological advancement. Through targeted policies that support sustainable practices and innovation, the Inflation Reduction Act sets the stage for a sustainable energy future powered by homegrown lithium solutions.

The evolving landscape of battery production and energy projects in the wake of these new lithium discoveries heralds a transformative era of cleaner, more efficient power storage and distribution. As the US seizes the opportunities presented by its abundant lithium reservoirs, the ripple effects across industries and economies are poised to shape a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.

Conclusion

The recent discovery of significant lithium deposits in the US marks a pivotal moment in the realm of battery production and energy projects. With one of the largest lithium reserves identified in the country, the landscape for battery manufacturers and energy storage systems is set to undergo a transformative shift. This discovery not only ensures a more sustainable and domestic source of lithium for battery production but also paves the way for enhanced energy storage solutions.

The implications of this discovery extend beyond just the realm of battery manufacturing; it holds the potential to revolutionise the future of sustainable energy solutions. As global energy demands continue to rise, these newfound lithium deposits offer a promising opportunity to meet these challenges head-on. The availability of such vast lithium resources in the US will not only bolster the domestic energy sector, but also contribute significantly to the advancement of clean and renewable energy technologies worldwide.

Communicating

Blesson Thomas, Head of Grid at Clearstone Energy, highlights the urgent need for the industry to take steps to educate developers, communities, planners and politicians on grid scale battery safety.

As the climate crisis continues and the world transitions to renewable energy sources, storage is set to play an increasingly important role. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) are particularly important in improving the quality and reliability of electricity networks for net zero.

Bloomberg is forecasting a 15-fold increase in energy storage globally by 2030, representing 387 GW/1143 GWh of new energy storage capacity (Figure 1).1 There are a wide range of storage technologies aiming to meet this demand, including compressed air, thermal energy, and gravity-based storage. However, BESS using lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) technology are predicted to deliver the majority of new storage capacity in the coming decade.

Australia, China, the UK, and the US are among the first movers in battery storage deployments. In the UK, battery storage is expected to deliver 24 GW of its 2030 target of 30 GW installed storage capacity, a ten-fold increase on today’s BESS installed base of 2.1 GW.2

In many regions of the world, governments are advocating for BESS installations and putting ambitious targets in place in order to support the transition to renewable energy sources. However, growing public concern about the safety of lithium-ion-based battery storage projects threatens to delay (or even derail) projects.

The risk of thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries is well-documented, and much has been learned from previous safety incidents. Tier one BESS manufacturers have invested significantly in incorporating new safety features into hardware and software. International standards have been updated, and testing regimes are more rigorous.

Communicating battery safety

However, despite these efforts, there is still a lack of a comprehensive and industry-wide narrative regarding the safety of large scale battery systems. As a result, it can be a significant challenge to communicate these efforts and reassure local communities, politicians and planning authorities about the safety of grid scale battery systems.

What are the safety risks with battery storage?

The primary risk is fire. The process leading to a lithium-ion battery catching fire is called thermal runaway. Thermal runaway is an uncontrolled exothermic reaction that raises cell temperature and can propagate between cells, occurring when a cell achieves elevated temperatures. Thermal runaway can be triggered by various factors, such as: mechanical and electrical breakdown, thermal failure, and internal/external short-circuiting or electrochemical abuse.

The risks to public safety from a battery unit catching fire are threefold:

> The potential for explosion due to the build-up of flammable gases within a battery unit.

> Fire and the presence of toxic gases in the smoke plume from a fire.

> The contamination of water used to tackle a fire and the possibility of this water getting into local water supplies.

How prevalent are battery safety incidents?

Despite high-profile media reporting, there have been relatively few safety incidents at battery energy storage facilities.

A recent report from Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), aimed at educating local planners, cited 14 safety incidents at grid-connected BESS facilities in the US.3 None of the incidents led to a loss of life. For context, there are 491 utility scale projects operational in the US.

In the UK, there are more than 100 grid-connected BESS in operation, with a total energy storage capacity of close

to 3 GWh. There has been one reported UK BESS fire that required Fire & Rescue Service (FRS) attendance, in Liverpool, in September 2020. The fire was contained and there was no third-party collateral damage or injury to firefighters or the public. For context, this equates to one incident in almost 550 years of combined operation across UK projects.

How can safe battery energy storage facilities be ensured?

The UK National Fire Chiefs Council (NFCC)4 guidance and the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA)5 international standards have specified requirements on the technology characteristics, design, and operation of utility scale battery energy storage facilities. There is some variation between UK and US guidance, so Clearstone’s battery safety standards merge elements of both to ensure compliance with both and comprehensiveness.

There are a number of standards aimed at ensuring that battery units are designed in a way that minimises the risk of thermal runaway and limits propagation if an incident happens.

One of the key ones is UL 9450a testing. Battery units are fire tested to confirm the effectiveness of fire suppression systems and design features at preventing thermal runaway from spreading from one BESS unit to adjacent ones. UL 9450a certification is a requirement in many jurisdictions and any technology provider under consideration for a project should be able to provide certification and testing data to support it.

Additionally, facility design guidelines include safe distances from battery units to site boundaries, public footpaths, and occupied buildings to ensure that the public is protected in a fire situation, enhancing the safety of the overall BESS.

Gases being given off by battery cells is an early indicator that a thermal runaway event is occurring, so early detection of gases is critical before a build-up can become volatile. A competent battery management system (BMS) and integrated battery assembly will identify, control, and eliminate potential risk scenarios through:

> Monitoring and sensor systems which can detect gases, such as methane and hydrogen.

> Fire detection systems which are industry standard certified, such as NFPA855 or equivalent.

> Ventilation systems which are able to remove flammable gas to prevent a build-up which could result in explosion.

> Temperature and moisture management systems which can maintain the optimum conditions for the batteries.

Thought also needs to be given to water containment in the design of drainage systems. These systems should be able to contain firefighting water on site and isolate it from public water courses and sewers in case of a fire. Once the incident has been safely brought under control, the water will need to be removed and treated. For project developers who are familiar with design guidelines and technical standards, much of this will be straight forward to incorporate

Figure 1 . Global cumulative energy storage installations, 2015 – 2030. Source: BloombergNEF. Note: ‘MENA’ refers to the Middle East and North Africa; ‘RoW’ refers to the rest of the world. ‘Buffer’ represents markets and use cases the BNEF is unable to forecast due to lack of visability.

LOW TO ZER EMISSIONS

ANA Inc. offers a line of eco-friendly equipment that is designed to increase productivity and uptime, control operating costs, improve resale value, and minimize environmental impact.

ANA is a supplier of AIRMAN® generators and air compressors, as well as Hybrid Energy Systems.

We invite you to join ANA, on our

UP TO 20X THE CYCLE LIFE OF LFP BATTERIES

SAFE BATTERY TECHNOLOGY NO THERMAL RUNAWAY

SIMULTANEOUS OUTPUT VOLTAGES

REMOTE ACCESS MONITORING & TRACKING

INDUSTRIAL GRADE INVERTERS

WIDEST TEMPERATURE OPERATING RANGE

into project proposals. However, assistance may be required with regard to developing a project in collaboration with local fire services, providing risk assessments and emergency response planning.

Engagement with local fire services

The NFPA and NFCC both provide guidance on designing BESS sites to enable fire service personnel to manage an incident on site effectively. This includes water supply requirements, access arrangements, and observation points. Each site and each fire service is different, making it important that local fire service personnel are involved at an early stage of development so that their requirements can be taken into account in site design. For instance, ensuring that access gates and perimeter roads are sized appropriately for local fire service vehicles.

Injuries that have resulted from BESS fires to date have primarily involved fire service personnel and could probably have been avoided with better knowledge sharing between developer and fire service. For example, the Regional Fire Service that responded to the 2020 battery fire in the UK was unaware of the site’s existence. As part of the engagement process, developers must learn how local fire service personnel assess and monitor fire risk sites within their response area and what information they require to do so.

The NFCC guidance advocates that dialogue between developers and local fire service starts before the submission of a planning application and continues through to operation. At Clearstone Energy, this process of engagement ends in two key shared documents: a risk management plan and emergency response plan. The risk management plan identifies risks, safety systems, and site practicalities for responding to an incident while the emergency response plan details the actions that will be taken in response to an incident, from notification through to clean up and recommissioning.

Local uncertainty is presenting a challenge to all project

There is a lack of communication and co-ordination between the national and local levels when it comes to assessing the safety of BESS.

Local planning officers are often required to make decisions about the suitability of proposed BESS projects, but may

not have the necessary knowledge and expertise to make judgements on safety. Similarly, local fire services may be asked to review developers’ fire safety plans but have not had any experience with a BESS emergency response plan or received training on national guidance.

This situation is further compounded by the fact that communities living near proposed battery storage sites are more likely to find media stories about safety incidents than about the efforts the industry is making to ensure safety. Unfortunately, these incidents are often sensationalised and not always reported accurately.

Resulting in project delays and refusals

As a result, projects across both the UK and the US have been rejected by planners over safety concerns, and uncertainty over safety is causing delays in reviewing other projects. This delay is affecting project financing and the ability to secure construction contractors, leading some developers to withdraw their projects.

Education is key to overcoming these challenges

Developers need to provide planners and fire services with a comprehensive assessment of the risks associated with BESS facilities and assurance that these risks can be managed effectively through technology choices, site design and emergency response plans. The information to do so exists but is often hidden behind NDAs at manufacturers or buried in the evidence files that support appeals against battery projects that local planners have refused.

Clearstone Energy has collaborated with battery safety experts, manufacturers, and fire service personnel to develop a comprehensive risk assessment methodology and a holistic view of how those risks are mitigated by combining technology, site design, and process. This approach is a model for other developers to engage in constructive dialogue with planning officers and fire service personnel when proposing new projects.

However, there is still work to be done. Although there is a significant amount of post-incident assessments and test data available today that focuses on fire propagation between units and explosion characteristics, the potential toxicity of smoke plumes from BESS fires and dispersion areas is not well understood. This area requires further research to draw parallels with existing data on fires involving plastics.

Additionally, not all manufacturers are conducting the levels of testing that fire services are requesting in their assessments of projects.

The industry needs to educate at scale

Developers such as Clearstone Energy are educating planners and fire services, project by project, but the urgent need to scale battery storage capacity to support the energy transition dictates that a faster model is required.

Governments have a major role to play, and there are signs that this is happening. The PNNL report was commissioned by the US Department of Energy to assist local planners in the US with decision-making.3 The UK Government has integrated NFCC Guidance into its National Planning Policy Framework.

Figure 2 . Fire safety certification and testing data should be used to support a planning application. Source: Energy Safety Response Group (ESRG).

In the UK, local fire services are taking on board the guidance from their national council and knowledge is being shared between regions.

The next step is collaboration between developers, manufacturers, EPC contractors, and industry associations to share best practice on safe project design and collaborate on the creation of educational resources for planners, fire services, and communities.

Building confidence

Safety continues to be a significant focus area for tier one battery storage manufacturers. More frequent and extensive testing is demonstrating the robustness of safety systems. There are good standards and guidance that incorporate safety into site design. Alongside increasing collaboration with fire services in the development of projects this should provide confidence to planners, fire services, and communities that battery energy storage projects are safe.

To earn that confidence the industry needs to work together to deliver battery safety best practice across all projects and invest in programmes that increase knowledge and understanding of battery safety among these key stakeholders. Until this happens, reputational issues surrounding battery safety present a significant challenge to delivering the rapid build-out of energy storage capacity required to secure the clean energy transition.

References

1. ‘Global Energy Storage Market to Grow 15-Fold by 2030’, Bloomberg NEF, (12 October 2022). https://about.bnef.com/blog/global-energy-storage-market-to-grow-15-fold-by-2030/

2. ‘Charging Up: UK utility-scale battery storage to surge by 2030, attracting investments of up to $20 billion’, Rystad Energy, (21 April 2023), www.rystadenergy.com/news/charging-up-ukutility-scale-battery-storage-to-surge-by-2030-attracting-investme

3. ‘Energy Storage in Local Zoning Ordinances’, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (October 2023), www.pnnl.gov/main/publications/external/technical_reports/PNNL-34462.pdf

4. ‘Grid Scale Battery Energy Storage System planning – Guidance for FRS’, National Fire Chiefs Council, (April 2023), https://nfcc.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/GridScale-Battery-Energy-Storage-System-planning-Guidance-for-FRS

5. ‘NFPA 855: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Energy Storage’, National Fire Protection Association, (2023), www.nfpa.org/codes-and-standards/8/5/5/ nfpa-855

Figure 3 . A fire safety plan can simplify fire service consultation by visually highlighting compliance to local regulations.

Unlocking the power of AI

Charlene Lee, Product Manager and Antonio Notaristefano, Director of Product Management, Fluence, discuss the use of artificial intelligence to help resolve asset management challenges.

The increasing pace of deployment for large scale renewable projects is incredibly encouraging for carbon emissions reduction. While deploying renewables is important, energy storage is becoming increasingly recognised as a critical element for incorporating renewable generation into power systems and achieving deep decarbonisation. In fact, one study by NREL found that a four-hour storage system could reduce renewable curtailment by 24 – 38%.1

However, as more energy storage assets come online, owners and managers are facing an emerging set of common challenges that must be addressed, such as issue identification and prioritisation, maintenance planning, data management, etc. These challenges hamper profitability, increase downtime, and stymie the deployment of new assets.

To mitigate these issues, asset owners and managers find an increased necessity to address them through asset performance management software. This article looks into the challenges and how asset performance management software helps asset owners and managers overcome them, helping spend less time managing data and more time acting on it.

Data overload causes ineffective issue identification and prioritisation

With hundreds of millions of battery cells, the average 1 GW battery-based energy storage system produces 100 times the data points of a conventional 1 GW power generation plant. With data coming in every second, knowing where to look for signs of trouble is effectively impossible. Even if an asset manager did know where to look, close monitoring of a single asset

would not be cost-effective because that would require the work of multiple full-time analysts.

Instead, the status quo has moved on to waiting for SCADA systems to surface alerts, which are lacking in a few key ways:

> The SCADA systems are only triggered when some battery component is malfunctioning, at which point the system could already be experiencing costly loss.

> The SCADA systems offer very little detail into the shape of that loss, and virtually no window into potential future capacity loss from the issue.

> The timing of SCADA alerts makes it difficult for asset managers to diagnose problems as they arise, often finding out precious minutes or hours later, when irreparable damage has already been done.

All of this puts asset managers on their backfoot, monitoring ad-hoc and reactively troubleshooting. Operations and maintenance (O&M) technicians face the same challenge, running from one issue to the next with virtually no time or ability to proactively check the health of their systems.

Making energy storage system maintenance proactive rather than reactive

Asset managers face three top maintenance planning difficulties:

1. Anticipating where and when maintenance will be necessary.

2. Communicating maintenance priorities in time to prevent downtime or costly asset damage.

3. Tracking asset performance before and after performed maintenance to quantify impact.

Relying on SCADA alerts for system maintenance planning forces a reactive stance. Trying to deduce

battery component failures before they happen, such as when they are showing above average temperatures for their operating conditions or when their temperatures are rising at an unusual rate, would be time consuming and inaccurate for an analyst looking at SCADA data alone.

Deducing battery component failures needs to happen proactively rather than reactively. Having a granular system performance view without the need for visual rotating inspections allows teams to prioritise maintenance tasks and ultimately prevent costly downtime. Granular data also offers the needed verification to ensure issues are properly resolved after maintenance tasks are complete.

Predictive maintenance capability to overcome challenges

Solution 1: How to leverage predictive maintenance for issue identification and prioritisation

Nispera leverages artificial intelligence (AI) to learn what normal and anomalous battery cell behaviour looks like across a vast range of operating conditions by studying huge amounts of linked SCADA data. It learns when cells are simply running hot because of extenuating circumstances and when their behaviour is a sign of impending failure.

Nispera deploys AI on energy storage systems without adding any hardware to predict what maximum cell temperatures should be under current operating conditions (e.g. level of charge and discharge, cooling system temperatures) and issues an alarm if measured temperatures exceed that value by a certain threshold or trend. These alarms come an average of

three days before a battery outage actually occurs, giving technicians critical insights and enabling them to investigate and resolve issues before the SCADA system triggers an alert.

The software can process far more data, faster and more accurately than analysts, and it works around the clock, every day of the year. The software is manufacturer agnostic, integrating data from any battery original equipment manufacturer (OEM) on the same platform, and scalable enough to monitor a full energy storage portfolio. This results in a round-the-clock sentinel monitoring energy storage system from different manufacturers at various locations, delivering actionable alerts behind a single pane of glass.

Solution 2: How to leverage predictive maintenance capability to switch from reactive to proactive asset management

Nispera’s predictive maintenance tool anticipates issues at a level of granularity that makes proactive communication with on-site teams easy. Instead of asking O&M teams to perform rotating visual inspections of every chiller/HVAC, the software gives asset managers and on-site teams the same view of components that need attention.

Technicians can get to work before downtime occurs, diagnosing and resolving the problem, which could be anything from rack failure to chiller malfunction to unusual environmental factors. When the work is done, Nispera’s data collection makes it easy to ensure the issue is resolved and the system is performing as expected.

Data management

The asset management challenges presented by the ever-growing volume of dispersed data in renewable and storage assets are substantial. Traditional data management strategies simply cannot keep pace with the data intensity required to get optimal performance out of renewable and storage assets (Figure 2).

Even more, fragmentation of data caused by siloed systems is leading asset management teams to spend most of their time manually collecting and harmonising data across assets. This leaves little time for analysing, sharing, and acting upon that data.

In recent years, asset performance management teams have often spent almost half of their time on data collection. It is highly time-consuming and error-prone work for dedicated resources to manually collect, clean, prepare, and harmonise data across assets just so it can be examined in one place. Fluence tends to see almost one-third of teams’ time spent analysing that data, looking for patterns and anomalies that can be acted on to improve asset performance. That leaves very little time for sharing data analysis findings to mobilise action and even less to act on the issues that have been discovered. This is nowhere near enough to make meaningful improvements to asset performance, leaving assets performing sub-optimally.

Figure 1 . Nispera software predictive maintenance interface.

Figure 2 . Traditional time allocation for data management.

Capturing green opportunities

Carbon capture and storage or utilization (CCS/CCU) is a key strategy that businesses can adopt to reduce their CO2 emissions. By selecting the right technologies, pressing climate change mitigation targets can be met while benefitting from new revenue streams.

Sulzer Chemtech offers cost-effective solutions for solvent-based CO2 absorption, which maximize the amount of CO2 captured and minimize the energy consumption. To successfully overcome technical and economic challenges of this capture application, we specifically developed the structured packing MellapakCC™. This packing is currently applied in several leading CCS/CCU facilities worldwide, delivering considerable process advantages.

By partnering with Sulzer Chemtech – a mass transfer specialist with extensive experience in separation technology for carbon capture –businesses can implement tailored solutions that maximize their return on investment (ROI). With highly effective CCS/CCU facilities, decarbonization becomes an undertaking that can enhance sustainability and competitiveness at the same time. For more information: sulzer.com/chemtech

A typical wind turbine produces thousands of data points per minute. 2 For a portfolio of 10 farms and an average of 50 turbines per farm, that can easily translate to millions of data points per minute. Complex storage assets can produce ten-fold that number of data points per minute. This volume is, in part, why the collection, integration, and management of renewables and storage performance data can be so time-consuming. The team members needed to execute that manual work, however, require specialised knowledge and, in turn, are often expensive. As teams look to scale their portfolios of renewables and storage assets, this manual work often means they end up scaling resources linearly with asset size.

Moreover, these scaling portfolios are often increasingly diverse, with a variety of technology types, OEMs, OEM SCADA systems, and O&M service providers involved. When data is spread across solar, wind, hydroelectric, and storage assets, made by different manufacturers and located in different geographies, asset managers end up with data siloed into the SCADA systems set up for each asset, or at best each location. This further adds to the complexity of data coming off of one portfolio’s assets and increases the time and complexity of manually gathering and integrating data across all sites.

Accessing data trends over time requires manual analyses querying large data, which takes time and leaves room for data translation error and increases risk of relying on institutional knowledge. Simply obtaining log-in details for different systems can be cumbersome and time-consuming, let alone finding the relevant data in each system. This fragmentation makes it virtually impossible to get a holistic understanding of portfolio performance, make informed decisions, and operate effectively.

Some asset performance management teams are taking a different route and turning to a centralised platform where data from various SCADA systems can be collated, extracted, and stored. They are leveraging automated, reliable, and actionable analysis that does not drain the time of team members and enables on-site technicians to work proactively.

Data harmonisation capabilities help clear data management hurdles

Asset performance management software, such as Nispera, allows asset managers to reduce the amount of time spent on gathering, harmonising, and analysing the data so they can spend more time acting on data insights to grow their portfolios and to drive value across them (Figure 4). The harmonised data is then represented in intuitive dashboards that show real-time and historical, high-level and detailed views of asset and portfolio performance over any specific time period.

Automated data harmonisation

Nispera automates data cleaning and integration across asset types (solar, wind, hydro, and storage), sources, and technology providers. This means asset owners and operators can scale large and diverse portfolios of renewables and storage assets without scaling resources to manage manual data collection and analysis. It also significantly reduces risk of human error in these processes.

Elevated insights

The company’s software brings together both historical data and a steady flow of near real-time data into a single pane of glass, providing historical asset data as far back as commissioning and to-the-minute insights into asset component performance. AI-based modules, such as Predictive Maintenance Alerts,

Figure 3 . Disparate assets and technologies limit scalability.

Figure 4 Improved time allocation for data management.

use both datasets to spotlight anomalous behaviour before it hampers power output.

Optimal asset performance management goes beyond just tracking performance data. By integrating data from multiple external sources, Nispera enables customers to see and automatically analyse deeper performance trends and relate them to financial, market, weather, and O&M insights.

Enhanced cybersecurity

With mounting cybersecurity threats to renewable and storage assets, Nispera incorporates best-in-class cybersecurity practices in data management with secure storage in a European data centre. The product’s API provides a secure path for clients to access their data via third-party applications.

The future of data management in the renewable energy sector is clear: asset managers need a more efficient, secure, and insightful approach to data management across asset portfolios. Nispera’s data harmonisation feature offers asset management teams a way forward.

Providing a centralised platform that collates and organises data from various sources, empowers asset managers and on-site technicians to spend more time on strategic actions and less on wrangling data. With enhanced visibility, configurable dashboards, historical and real-time data, and improved cybersecurity, Nispera not

only simplifies data management, but also significantly enhances the effectiveness of asset management teams.

Rising to the challenge of energy storage needs ahead

The International Energy Agency predicts that 2400 GW of renewable energy will be deployed globally in the next five years, which is equal to the amount deployed in the past 20 years. 3 To be optimally integrated into the grid, all this intermittent renewable energy will require the flexibility of energy storage systems. BloombergNEF estimates that there will be 15 times the amount of energy storage online by the end of 2030 compared to now. 4

This exponential growth has the potential to exacerbate the challenges asset managers are already facing. Tools such as Nispera are key to making the transition smooth, and empowering asset managers to scale up.

References

1. DENHOLM, P., and MAI, T., ‘Timescales of Energy Storage Needed to Reduce Renewable Energy Curtailment: Report Summary’, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, (October 2017), www.nrel.gov/docs/fy18osti/70238.pdf

2. TEGTMEIER, M., ‘Real-Time Wind Turbine Monitoring: Data Challenges, and Rewards’, POWER, (10 July 2020), www.powermag.com/real-time-wind-turbinemonitoring-data-challenges-and-rewards

3. ‘Renewable power’s growth is being turbocharged as countries seek to strengthen energy security’, International Energy Agency, (6 December 2022), www.iea.org/news/renewable-power-s-growth-is-being-turbocharged-ascountries-seek-to-strengthen-energy-security

4. ‘Global Energy Storage Market to Grow 15-Fold by 2030’, BloombergNEF (12 October 2022), https://about.bnef.com/blog/global-energy-storage-marketto-grow-15-fold-by-2030/

Transmission technology Transmission technology

Peter Sandeberg, Hitachi Energy, Sweden, provides insight into employing voltage sourced converter-based high-voltage direct current for offshore connections.

Figure 1 DolWin 2 offshore platform.

for the energy transition for the energy transition

Motivated by minimising the environmental impact of generating electrical energy, coupled with increasing demand, energy producers continuously search to utilise more of the earth’s natural resources to harvest additional generating power.

While many parts of the world bask in glorious sunshine, other regions experience strong and consistent winds. Wind power turbines successfully exploit these conditions to produce clean and sustainable energy. Given that the higher average offshore wind speeds can result in an energy yield of up to 70% higher than that generated on land, together with the scarcity of available onshore sites, it is no wonder that there is now an increasing number of offshore wind farms being built.

However, as the nearshore sites are being occupied, the further out to sea, the greater the challenge of ensuring the transmission of a stable energy supply to the mainland. This challenge is being met with Hitachi Energy’s voltage sourced converter (VSC)-based high-voltage direct current (HVDC) Light® technology.

Background

Propelled by political initiatives in different regions of the world, governments have set forth ambitious targets with regard to renewable energy generation. In Europe, the ‘Fit for 55’ legislative package and the Repower EU plan introduced by the EU Commission set targets for all its 27 member states. The revised Renewable Energy Directive EU/2023/2413 entered into force on 20 November 2023 raises the EU’s binding target for the share of renewable energy sources to a minimum of 42.5% for 2030 with an aspiration to reach 45%.

The UK’s Net Zero Strategy aims to decarbonise electricity in the country by 2035 by placing low carbon investment as important to achieving net zero. Driven by the increased global demand for electricity, the need to phase out fossil-based generation, and stay on the 1.5˚C pathway, an annual deployment of approximately 1000 GW of renewable power is required between 2023 and 2050.1 Translated into offshore wind, the global installed capacity would need to reach almost 500 GW by 2030 and 2500 GW by 2050.1 This target will require the wind industry to massively invest and increase its capacity.

Such radical changes in the amount and type of electricity generation injected in new nodes in the grid will result in changed power flows both in terms of ratings and routing within and between national grids. This would inevitably lead to persistent grid congestion if not properly addressed. Transmission System Operators (TSO) are making significant investments in new transmission assets to reinforce the existing infrastructure, creating strong electricity transmission grids capable of withstanding the future power system’s dynamics. The energy transition required to meet the targets at the needed speed will lead to a complete redesign of the grids. Some of the challenges

that will need to be tackled are complex permitting procedures, lack of skilled labour, local opposition against new mega projects, and access to necessary funding.

As a consequence of these demands, the number of HVDC transmission systems is growing at an unprecedented scale. Over the years, HVDC has proven to be a cost-efficient solution for integrating large scale offshore wind power. When wind farm developers are searching for areas with shallow waters together to intercept better wind profiles, the distance from the onshore connection point to the wind farm sites tends to increase. The combination of high power, long distance, and sometimes weak connection points makes HVDC transmission the perfect fit, providing superior grid support and flexibility while at the same time maintaining low operating losses and high availability.

Besides integrating offshore wind power, HVDC is the technology of choice when connecting different markets over long distances, as well as reinforcing existing AC grids. In addition, in several examples, when transmission corridors are being planned to minimise adverse environmental impacts and preserve nature and landscape, HVDC technology plays a pivotal role by allowing the use of underground transmission cables, even for long distances.

The technical development of the VSC technology, as well as the extruded HVDC cable technology, has been intense over the last 25 years. The increase in power and voltage capability has enabled new applications for VSC-based HVDC systems and future scenarios suggest that VSC technology will develop further to meet new and demanding challenges.

HVDC VSC technology development

It is now more than 25 years since the first pioneering VSC-based HVDC system was installed close to Hitachi Energy’s HVDC unit in Sweden. With its capability to transmit 3 MW at ±10 kV DC, it was the beginning of a new power transmission technology era, enabling, among others, the great expansion of offshore wind generation seen today.

Until now, the development of the VSC technology has largely been focused on reducing losses, footprint, and increasing reliability, power capacity and voltage levels to create a more sustainable and cost-optimised solution. Many features essential to meeting today’s requirements, such as independent active and reactive power control, black start, etc. were available already from the beginning.

Hitachi Energy has developed today’s multi-modular converter (MMC) topology based on experience from earlier designs. The first generation VSC technology was built around a two-level converter using pulse width modulation (PWM) with high switching frequency. The next step was to increase power and voltage ratings by high-current insulated-gate bipolar transistor (IGBTs) in a three-level converter configuration. With the changed topology, the switching frequency could be reduced while at the same time lowering the harmonic content and, consequently, fewer filters.

The third-generation VSC technology was introduced already in 2005 and went back to a two-level converter topology but with an optimised PWM switching pattern. It retained the losses at the same level but reduced the number of IGBTs while still maintaining low harmonic generation. This resulted in a compact design and reduced footprint, making it especially fit for offshore wind applications.

With a design based on cells (modules), each containing half-bridge two-level converters, the cascaded two-level (CTL) converter was introduced in 2010. To further increase DC voltage, power capacity, reliability, and decrease losses and footprint, the CTL was further developed into an MMC (Figure 2). With a rated semiconductor voltage of approximately 5.2 kV, the MMC has smaller voltage steps than the CTL converter, leading to less distortion of the voltage and current. The improved topology enables a decreased switching frequency and an improved output voltage; thus, the converter losses were decreased even further. It was also possible to reduce the footprint both through optimised mechanical design and by utilising bi-mode insulated gate transistors (BIGT), combining the IGBT and the diode functions in the same chip.

Today’s VSC and cable solutions have taken the next step both in voltage and power. It is possible to design HVDC stations able to transfer about 3 GW in bipole configurations at ± 525 kV, with DC current ratings of about 3 kA. These larger systems can be foreseen mainly together with overhead lines. In links with cables, the current is often limited to about 2 kA depending on the conditions of the soil or seabed. These ratings are approaching levels that may impose a major impact on the transmission grid, and all possible aspects regarding grid resilience must be carefully considered. In many parts of the world, these power levels may set an upper limit due to the potentially severe consequences in the unlikely event of a failure leading to an HVDC trip.

Offshore HVDC development and experiences

For more than 20 years, the offshore wind industry has provided flexible, resilient, and sustainable energy. The global offshore wind outlook estimates that 380 GW of offshore wind in 30+ countries will be installed in the next 10 years.2 Driven by political ambitions and commitments, the plans for large scale integration stretch over every continent in the world contributing to the green energy transition.

The world’s first offshore wind connection by HVDC VSC technology was commissioned in 2009 in the German Bight, connecting 400 MW offshore wind to the mainland grid in Germany.3 At that time, the wind farms were connected to the AC collector platform by a 33 kV inter-array cable network. After stepping up the AC voltage to 155kV, the energy was transmitted

Figure 2 . MMC valve structures from Hitachi Energy.

to an HVDC station on a separate platform that converted the AC voltage into ±150 kV DC for further transmission to the mainland grid.

The German ‘hub and spoke’ concept and the setup with the TSO, also responsible for the offshore transmission infrastructure, served its purpose well and created a stable framework for the stakeholders to comply with. On the flip side, it required many AC collector platforms that could be avoided, and in 2019, the world’s first HVDC project, DolWin 5, with wind turbine generators (WTGs) directly connected via the 66 kV collection grid, was awarded. The DolWin 5 project is planned to be in operation by 2024.

While 66 kV inter-array collection grids have become standard today, discussions are ongoing to increase the voltage to 132 kV. This is a natural development step, along with the increased power ratings of the wind turbine generators. From an HVDC perspective, this means that the design has to adapt accordingly, but the assessment is that it will not pose a major challenge. On the contrary, for a given power rating, the number of incoming feeders to the platform will be less.

Since the start of offshore wind connections by HVDC, a few de facto standards have evolved. The majority of the offshore wind HVDC converter stations today operate at ±320 kV, and even if the HVDC converters can be designed for a higher power rating, restrictions in HV cable capacity limit in practice the maximum power to be transferred to approximately 1400 MW.

With an ever-increasing demand, the next natural step will be to go to ±525 kV, enabling bipolar solutions of up to and beyond 2000 MW. At these power levels and in order not to jeopardise the grid integrity, it is, of course, paramount to minimise the risk of loss of infeed. A full bipolar solution, including a neutral metallic return cable, provides the necessary design for increased redundancy and minimised consequences in case of a cable and/or converter failure. The technology as such is not new and there are, in fact, offshore wind projects already awarded based on this topology and at these voltage and power levels. Among others, TenneT is, with its 2 GW programme, a frontrunner with 14 VSC HVDC transmission links in bipolar configurations at ±525 kV DC and a power rating of 2 GW each.

To reduce the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) and to contribute to sustainable energy solutions by minimising the environmental footprint, it is of utmost importance to strive toward compact and cost-efficient designs. With a holistic design perspective in mind, Hitachi Energy has for more than a decade worked closely with the Norwegian platform supplier Aibel. Besides the obvious goal to reduce the size and weight of the converter platform, the objective has also been to make a lean design with standardised manufacturing procedures that can be reused in many projects to come. The Dogger Bank projects operating at ±320 kV DC, and 1200 MW per project reduced the platform size by almost 40%. This decrease has been possible due to developments in VSC technology, optimising the spaces on the platform, and arrangement of the other high-voltage equipment on the HVDC converter platform.

Looking forward

To continue to propel and accelerate the energy transition, VSC-based HVDC technology can lend itself to a wide range of applications. The successful use in harvesting remote renewable

generation both offshore and onshore and new DC corridors overlaying traditional AC grids raises new questions and needs for optimising the utilisation of these assets. There are several initiatives in Europe looking at building multi-terminal DC (MTDC) systems, in some cases including artificial or natural energy islands. In the UK, the Holistic Network Design plan for an optimised offshore grid should minimise the amount of required cabling. While some states in the US aim for radial HVDC links with the possibility of connecting them to an offshore AC grid, there is also an ongoing discussion around MTDC solutions.

An important milestone in this development is realising the Caithness-Morray-Shetland MTDC system in Great Britain. In this case, Hitachi Energy has, in close collaboration with the customer, developed the first expandable MTDC system in Europe, starting with a radial connection between Caithness and Moray, but planning ahead the design and installation of a land-based DC switching station to accommodate a possible third, fourth, and fifth DC terminal. The third terminal is already under construction, connecting the island of Shetland and enabling integration of renewable power and increased security of supply.

One should expect in the future larger radial MTDC systems and, in some specific cases, even fully meshed DC grids, both on land between different DC corridors and offshore, representing energy hubs or energy islands between different offshore generating areas. In these cases, the selectivity and fast intervention against DC faults become a necessity to avoid disruption of large parts of the DC grid with severe consequences to the connected AC grids.

Floating wind is a new technology that will enable offshore wind installation in deeper waters where bottom-fixed solutions are not possible. The cost for floating is today significantly higher than for bottom fixed solutions, and so far, only a few pilot projects have been installed. The potential, however, is vast and will open up the oceans’ full potential should it become economically viable. From a technical point of view, one of the main obstacles to overcome is the availability of high voltage dynamic cables. For an HVDC station installed on an offshore floating platform, the challenges can mostly be referred to as dynamic motions and accelerations. It is not only about structural integrity but rather how to make a design that can withstand the expected stresses related to fatigue over the entire lifetime.

Conclusions

VSC HVDC is sometimes considered a novel technology, but with the development over the past 25 years, all the way from the 50 MW two-level converter in the Gotland HVDC Light to today’s MMC converters harvesting GW-power levels of offshore wind and connecting countries through marine cables at ±525 kV, it is a mature technology extensively used in commercial operation. With its versatility, the VSC HVDC technology will be an important piece in the puzzle to achieve a timely energy transition toward a decarbonised world.

References

1. ‘World Energy Transitions Outlook 2023: 1.5˚C Pathway’, International Renewable Energy Agency, Volume 1, (June 2023).

2. ‘Global Offshore Wind report 2023’, Global Wind Eenrgy Council, (2023), https://gwec.net/gwecs-global-offshore-wind-report-2023/

3. ‘BorWin1’, TenneT, www.tennet.eu/projects/borwin1

Figure 1 A rendering of a Gazelle Wind Power next generation floating offshore wind out at sea. The platform utilises shipbuilding industry practices to reduce costs.

Jon Salazar, CEO, Gazelle Wind Power, UAE, examines how collaboration across industries can enable the growth of floating offshore wind.

As the world sets its sights on a decarbonised future, the power potential of the ocean beckons with a solution: floating offshore wind. This industry, buoyed by ambitious targets and technological advancements, promises to be a critical player in the production of clean, abundant renewable energy. However, harnessing its potential requires more than just new wind turbines and floating platforms. It demands a strategic partnership with another established force on the seas: the maritime industry.

While projections vary, several organisations’ projections for floating wind paint a promising picture. For example, global assurance and risk management leader, DNV, forecasts that approximately 300 GW of floating wind will be installed by 2050, representing roughly 15% of all offshore wind capacity (2000 GW estimated) globally.

Countries such as the UK, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Japan, China, and South Korea are leading the charge on offshore wind developments, deploying ambitious projects and driving technological innovation.

The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) echoes this sentiment, predicting that by 2030, offshore wind will be providing 25% of Europe’s electricity.

Steering this global voyage are industry giants like Ørsted, GE Energy, Siemens Gamesa, and Vestas, wielding their expertise to craft efficient turbines and robust foundations. But the winds of change are blowing. Up-and-coming organisations are challenging the status quo with cost-reducing, game-changing platforms and modular designs. This dynamic landscape underscores the potential for collaboration between established maritime players and floating offshore wind developers.

Geographical constraints pose a significant hurdle to overall wind development, but particularly for fixed-bottom offshore wind, with shallow waters restricting development and deepwater zones often inaccessible with traditional fixed-bottom platforms. Floating wind platforms are the lifelines that are unlocking these previously underutilised areas. The Carbon Trust estimates that by 2050, floating wind could contribute a staggering 80% of global offshore wind capacity, highlighting its crucial role in navigating these choppy waters.

Environmental considerations add another layer of complexity. Interactions with marine life and potential impacts on fragile ecosystems require careful mitigation strategies. Collaborative research, lessons learned from fixed-bottom offshore, and development efforts between floating offshore wind and maritime experts can play a crucial role in developing effective solutions like spatial planning, acoustic deterrents, sustainability, and responsible construction practices.

The DNV report ‘Floating Wind: Turning Ambition Into Action’ emphasises the need for increased research and innovation in addressing environmental concerns, highlighting the potential for cross-industry collaboration to accelerate progress.

Knowledge and collaboration

One area of immense opportunity lies in knowledge sharing and collaborative ventures. Combining the maritime industry’s established logistics and operational expertise and shipbuilding’s longstanding fabrication, manufacturing, and assembly processes with the offshore

wind industry’s technologies and project management skills will enable all sectors to achieve greater efficiency and cost reductions. There is significant potential for joint ventures in areas like port infrastructure development, vessel optimisation, and training programmes, paving the way for a more collaborative and successful future, as well as job creation and skills development.

In December 2023, wind power association WindEurope led 300 wind sector companies and 26 EU Energy Ministers to sign the European Wind Charter, endorsing the committed actions laid out in the EU Wind Power Package, which, among other important issues, advocates for stronger collaboration between governments, developers, and maritime stakeholders to address regulatory and permitting challenges, paving the way for faster and more efficient project development.

Several recent reports serve as guidance for the offshore wind and maritime industries. The DNV report ‘Global Offshore Wind Outlook 2050’ highlights the need for accelerated deployment, calling for annual installations to quadruple by 2030 and reach 1 TW by 2035. Similarly, the European Wind Charter emphasises the importance of cost reduction, technological innovation, and robust supply chains to achieve ambitious offshore wind targets. These reports underscore the potential for those in various blue economy industries (floating offshore wind energy, shipbuilding, maritime, etc.) to learn from each other and leverage their combined expertise to overcome shared challenges.

Traditional oil and gas offshore wind platforms, tethered to the seabed like colossal titans, have served well, but their limitations are becoming apparent. Lighter, modular platforms that float gracefully upon the waves offer a new paradigm. These designs boast several advantages, including faster deployment, lower material costs, and easier scalability. By collaborating with maritime engineers, marine architects, and shipbuilding experts, floating offshore wind developers can further refine these floating platform designs, optimising them for diverse wind farm needs and challenging maritime environments.

Beyond platforms, collaboration can lead to innovations in vessel design and operation. Wind-powered ships for short-distance routes and hybrid propulsion systems for longer journeys present viable alternatives to traditional fossil fuel-powered vessels, contributing to the maritime industry’s decarbonisation efforts. Furthermore, through joint ventures and knowledge-sharing, initiatives can accelerate research and development efforts into onboard wind turbines, fuel cell technologies, and optimised logistics systems.

No ship sails alone, and navigating the vast ocean of offshore wind demands a strong and sustainable crew. Building a robust supply chain is integral to this journey, and it is here that the shipbuilding and maritime industries’ expertise aligns perfectly with the floating offshore wind sector’s needs.

Figure 2 . A Gazelle wind power next generation floating offshore wind platform sits atop a Tugdock Submersible Platform prepped for assembly and deployment.

Floating offshore wind projects present a golden opportunity for economic development in coastal communities. The potential for creating significant green jobs in shipbuilding, port operations, construction, and maintenance exists. Collaborative efforts between developers and maritime stakeholders can ensure local communities benefit from these opportunities, promoting inclusivity and fostering a sense of shared ownership in the clean energy transition.

Case study

One such example of the offshore wind industry is the Dogger Bank wind farm in the UK, which is set to be the largest operational wind farm in the world, and a joint venture between Equinor and SSE Renewables. Through close collaboration with local authorities and local businesses, the project will create thousands of jobs and inject millions into the Northeast of England. This model serves as a blueprint for future projects, highlighting the importance of prioritising local involvement and building sustainable supply chains that empower coastal communities.

Beyond economic benefits, sustainable practices are fundamental to navigating a responsible course in the ocean. There is a vital need for robust environmental and social safeguards throughout the supply chain. This includes using certified sustainable materials (e.g., green steel), minimising waste generation, and implementing responsible end-of-life strategies for decommissioned components.

Collaboration between offshore wind developers and maritime companies with established sustainability practices can lead to significant progress in this area. Joint research and development efforts can focus on innovations like recycling wind turbine blades, adopting bio-based lubricants for vessels, and exploring alternative construction materials with lower environmental footprints. By sharing best practices and fostering accountability across the supply chain, both industries can ensure they leave a positive legacy on the marine environment.

According to the DNV Global Offshore Wind Outlook 2050, in order for the industry to succeed, it needs to scale at pace, which requires good solutions that can be brought forward quickly. A standardised approach to turbine components, particularly turbine sizes, would allow the supply chain to be optimised but achieving standardisation is challenging when there will be few floating wind concepts tested in a commercial environment before 2030.

Beyond standardisation, a thriving offshore wind industry requires open communication and a spirit of collaboration. Knowledge transfer between maritime and offshore wind sectors is crucial for optimising operations, improving safety, and accelerating innovation. Joint training programmes, workshops, and research initiatives can bridge the gap between these traditionally

siloed industries, fostering a shared understanding of the challenges and opportunities.

Furthermore, joint ventures between established maritime companies and floating offshore wind developers can bring together financial resources, technical expertise, and market knowledge to scale up projects and expedite deployment. For example, a collaboration between a shipping company specialising in heavy-lift vessels and an offshore wind developer could lead to the creation of a dedicated fleet optimised for transporting and installing wind turbine components, thereby reducing costs and timelines.

Despite the immense potential of collaboration, both industries face shared challenges that necessitate a united front. The offshore wind industry is facing high commodity prices and supply chain issues following COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine. While demand increases for offshore wind, capacity issues in the supply chain are slowing things down. Ports remain a critical element for the floating offshore wind supply chain to assemble components and provide storage. Port infrastructure often requires upgrades to accommodate the larger equipment and increased traffic associated with offshore wind projects.

It is clear that there are many synergies and transferable skills across the industries that can be utilised to full effect. Addressing skills gaps through targeted training programmes is crucial to ensure a workforce is equipped to handle the demands of both traditional maritime operations and innovative floating offshore wind technologies. To maximise efforts across borders, regulatory frameworks need to be aligned to create a more predictable and transparent investment environment.

Conclusion

By openly communicating these challenges, advocating for supportive policies, and leveraging their combined expertise, maritime and offshore wind sectors can forge a formidable alliance. This strategic partnership holds the power to not only unlock the vast potential of clean energy at sea but also create a ripple effect of sustainability throughout the global economy.

As the wind whispers across the waves, it carries not just promises of clean energy but also a message of collaboration and confidence. There is immense momentum within the floating offshore industry that it can, and will, progress at pace, having learned lessons from some of the largest wind farms across the world becoming operational in recent months and years. The maritime industry, with its seasoned expertise and global reach, stands ready to join hands with the burgeoning floating offshore wind sector. Together, they can navigate the choppy waters of change, leaving behind a trail of progress and charting a course towards a future where the wind not only powers our homes but also unites the industries in a shared journey towards a sustainable horizon.

MAY 6–9, 2024

Changing gears: A wind turbines

The wind turbine industry faces an ever-increasing challenge to reduce the cost of energy production, decrease operational and maintenance costs, and increase lifespan. All of this must happen while scaling up technology to multi-megawatt, offshore machines operating in harsh environments. Gary Rodgers, CEO of Magnomatics, details the role magnetic gears play in helping achieve these goals.

Wind is not only one of the oldest energy sources used by humans, but it is also one of the fastest-growing and efficient renewable energy sources today. According to Renewable Energy Insights, modern wind turbines use wind to generate over 12% of the world’s electricity, which helps to avoid over 1.1 billion tpy of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ).

As countries around the world seek to reduce their carbon emissions and transition towards a sustainable future, wind power has become a pivotal component of their renewable energy strategy. The UK, in particular, has seen the

Changing look at turbines

amount of power generated by wind grow significantly in recent years. In fact, in early 2023, wind became the country’s leading source of power for the first time ever, producing more electricity than gas and imports.

Driving the growth of wind power in the UK and around the globe are a host of technologies, one of which is wind turbine gearboxes.

All about gears

Modern wind turbines are complex pieces of equipment, with many moving parts. To ensure their efficient operation, some gearing is necessary.

A gearbox is typically used in wind turbines to transform low-speed, high-torque wind turbine rotation to a higher speed required by the generator. In wind energy conversion systems, the gearbox is one of the most critical

components of the powertrain system. Generally, for wind turbine gearboxes, operational conditions are challenging, and expectations are high – these gearboxes are subject to severe loads and are often in locations where it is extremely expensive to replace or repair a failed gearbox.

Traditionally, mechanical gears are used inside of these energy-conversion systems to connect a high-speed electric machine to a low-speed physical energy source. However, over time, gearbox failures have accounted for a vast amount of downtime, maintenance, and loss of power generation. In fact, reports indicate that there is one gearbox failure in every 145 wind turbines in service annually, leading to significant downtime and high costs for owners. These issues have led to the emergence of magnetic gears as an alternative to mechanical gears.

Just like mechanical gears, magnetic gears transform rotational power between different speeds and torques, but instead of physically interlocking teeth, they use magnetic fields. By using magnets to transmit torque between the input and output shafts of the gear, they avoid mechanical contact. This provides several advantages, such as high torque density, reduced acoustic noise and vibration, lower maintenance and improved reliability, inherent overload protection, and contactless power transfer.

Moreover, if too much torque is applied to mechanical gears, they may break. If the same happens to magnetic gears, they simply slip past each other without causing any damage to themselves or other parts of the system.

Innovative and efficient technology

To ensure efficiency, reliable motors – in particular innovative magnetically geared motors – are a key enabling technology for the renewable energy sector. Magnomatics offers revolutionary magnetic gears which have been implemented in a range of innovative industry solutions, including offshore wind.

The company’s patented Pseudo Direct Drive (PDD), which is designed to overcome the torque limitations of conventional direct drive electrical machines, consists of a magnetic gear mounted inside a stator. The outer magnetics of the magnetic gear are attached to the inner bore of the stator, and copper windings in the stator are used to drive the inner rotor of the magnetic gear.

This is a relatively high-speed electric motor with a relatively low load, which results in low currents and hence, low temperatures. This in turn brings great efficiency, long life, and prevents demagnetisation of the outer magnet array. The torque in the inner rotor is then geared up in the novel polepiece rotor, typically by between 5 and 10:1.

Simulations have shown that the PDD is less than two-thirds the size of an equivalent permanent magnet motor and half the length of an induction motor. Furthermore, it can be designed to be 2 – 3% more efficient without compromising torque density.

The result is a very compact and highly-efficient motor; perfect for wind turbines, as they have excellent efficiency

Figure 2 Magnomatics Pseudo Direct Drive.

Figure 1 . Offshore wind farm.

even at part load due to wind inconsistency, which is where the bulk of operations take place. In fact, the efficiency of the PDD excels in these conditions because it continues working nearly to nominal values.

The technology is also becoming increasingly recognised across the world, not only for offshore wind but for a multitude of applications including marine propulsion, automotive and wider industrial.

Advantages of magnetic gears

Magnetic gear technologies have important advantages over their conventional mechanical counterparts. They can perform the speed change and torque transmission between input and output shafts by a contactless mechanism with a quiet operation and overload protection without the issues associated with conventional mechanical gears.

Additionally, they boast drastic reductions in motor size, no minimum cooling requirements, and reduced maintenance requirements. Efficiency is also improved as there are no gearbox losses and, of course, gear wear is eliminated altogether.

Ultimately, the lower mass and compactness of the PDD generator, when combined with partial load superior efficiency, low speed, high torque technology, and improved reliability, makes it ideal for meeting wind turbine requirements.

A case in point

The compact high-efficiency generator (CHEG) project, part of the EU H2020 DemoWind programme funded by the then Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS), aimed to advance the state of wind turbine generator technology by reducing the cost of the turbine and increasing the efficiency of the generator to reduce the cost of energy.

The generator and gearbox are major turbine components and constitute a significant part of the cost – reports indicate that the gearbox makes up around 15% of a wind turbine’s total costs – complexity, and failure modes of wind turbines. The goal of the project was to yield savings from increased efficiency while reducing the capital cost of wind turbine installations and subsequent decommissioning, thus having a positive impact on operational and maintenance costs.

The project enabled the design, build and test of a Magnomatics PDD generator. The PDD, with an input torque of 200 000 Nm, included the largest magnetic gear ever made. This gear was integrated with a stator to form a 500 kW direct drive generator.

As with all development projects, there were multiple technical uncertainties, risks, and challenges which had to be overcome to achieve a successful outcome. Through close collaboration between Magnomatics and its various partners it was demonstrated that it was possible to build a robust PDD at this scale, and to safely manufacture and assemble complex electrical machines incorporating powerful permanent magnets. The CHEG generator was

then successfully tested at the ORE Catapult in Blyth on their 1 MW dynamometer.

Against tough challenges and rigorous scrutiny, the project successfully delivered a fully working demonstrator of the largest magnetically geared machine ever made. An independent validation of the benefits of PDD technology for large wind turbines concluded that at 10 MW scale, the PDD offers reductions in the levelized cost of energy of 2.6% over direct drive, and 2.8% over mid-speed geared drivetrains.

The project not only achieved all its objectives, but by delivering a working machine, it became a game-changer for multi-megawatt wind turbines.

Sustainable solution

From high-quality construction steel, copper, and other metals to a range of rare earth elements, modern wind turbines contain a wealth of materials which, if they cannot be sourced from recycled channels, must be mined, leading to increased environmental impacts and resource scarcity.

In particular, the wind turbine sector uses very large quantities of a rare earth magnet that is an alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron (NdFeB). These NdFeB magnets are critical components used in larger onshore and offshore wind turbines.

With no consistent route to recycle these materials, due to safety, economic and technical challenges in extracting and recycling the magnets, a project has been launched to combat this impending shortage, bolster the UK’s rare earth material security, foster the creation of green jobs, and alleviate the strain on diminishing resources.

Re-Rewind, a collaboration between various parties, including Magnomatics, aims to pioneer a sustainable, circular economy to recover and secure essential resources needed for the next generation of wind turbines.

By establishing a circular supply chain for rare earth magnets, it will not only reduce the environmental impact of wind turbine production, but will also lay the foundation for a greener, more self-sustaining future.

The project aims to make sure that wind energy remains viable in the UK for the long run and helps to create a more sustainable future for future generations.

Advancing the industry

Wind energy generated by wind turbine technology is one of the fastest developing sustainable power sources due to its promising potential. Magnetic gears have a vital role to play in advancing the industry as it promises significant, not just incremental, improvements.

Compared to existing mechanical gearboxes used for wind turbines, magnetic gears offer a compact, low-maintenance, robust and flexible solution that could improve efficiencies and cut emissions. Additionally, the lower mass and compactness of the PDD, combined with partial load superior efficiency, low speed, high torque technology and improved reliability, makes it ideal for meeting the requirements of the wind turbine market.

The wind energy sector is on the cusp of unprecedented growth. However, as the demand for clean energy accelerates, so do the challenges within the industry’s supply chain. In this dynamic landscape, where competition is intensifying, only the most adept and flexible operators are likely to thrive and succeed. The consolidation of the market is inevitable, and the organisations that embrace forward-thinking approaches will be the ones that shape the industry’s future.

Amidst the challenges, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the future of wind energy. The EU has taken a proactive stance by publishing its Wind Power Package, a strategic initiative aimed at fortifying the supply chain and bolstering the industry’s resilience. Merger and acquisition (M&A) deals persist as utilities and fund managers strategically pursue expansion opportunities, indicative of the sector’s continued appeal to investors.

Furthermore, the COP28 summit has taken sustainability to centre stage on the world’s environmental agenda, which is likely to accelerate the global investment in renewables.

However, despite this optimism, there must be an acknowledgment of the challenges that continue to confront the wind energy sector. The disruptive effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have severely impacted the industry, causing manufacturing disruptions and impeding the flow of the supply chain. More recently, inflation has added another layer of complexity, further stretching renewable energy supply chains to their limits and increasing costs for asset owners and operators. Alongside an increasing shortage of skilled personnel to operate these assets, these challenges underscore the sector’s vulnerability to external shocks and emphasise the need for innovative strategies and resilient practices to navigate the evolving energy landscape.

Dr Joe Donnelly, CEO and Co-Founder, Windscope, makes the case for strengthening operational resilience in a volatile wind market.

In this combination of opportunities and challenges, the wind energy sector finds itself at a critical point in its history. Advanced monitoring has become crucial for navigating unpredictable market conditions and can no longer be seen as a luxury, but an essential component of wind asset management. It has evolved beyond optional enhancements to become a cornerstone of effective asset oversight. Despite its growing significance and technological maturity, the industry has yet to unlock the full potential of advanced turbine monitoring often due to a lack of understanding of technologies available outside of basic supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) systems. The subsequent sections detail the current landscape, and the benefits that can be derived from more advanced monitoring practices across various critical areas.

The current wind turbine monitoring landscape

Turbine monitoring, a critical component of wind energy asset management, relies on a diverse set of approaches. The industry’s reliance on SCADA alarms is a foundational practice, where predefined thresholds trigger alerts in response to deviations in turbine performance. These alarms detect significant irregularities that indicate that a system is operating outside of an acceptable range.

Building on this foundation, post-processing of threshold-based SCADA alarms can add a layer of sophistication to monitoring practices. This involves linking SCADA alarms with their impact on power generation or known failure modes, providing a more nuanced understanding of how deviations could potentially affect overall turbine health. It is a crucial step towards predictive analysis, allowing operators to anticipate and address issues before they escalate, although this methodology is sensitive to deficiencies in the underlying SCADA alarm logic, which often will give inadequate forewarning of degrading condition. Application of entirely new logic and data science to raw SCADA data is increasingly being seen to be a more effective way to timely insights that enable proactive maintenance.

The installation of non-OEM hardware-based solutions can further enhance operations and maintenance (O&M) practices. Vibration-based monitoring, as well as other hardware-based solutions, introduce additional layers of insight. These services capture data beyond the capabilities of traditional monitoring systems and have been proven to provide great insight for failure modes which are able to be identified through changes in vibration. This technology offers a glimpse into the future of wind energy, where advanced monitoring becomes the backbone for sustainable and efficient operations.

Advanced O&M to tackle future challenges

As the wind power industry evolves, the necessity for forward-thinking approaches has become increasingly apparent. This evolution is characterised by a landscape marked with escalating competition and the consolidation of the market, necessitating a paradigm shift in operational strategies. It has become critical for operators to draw insights from industries with mature condition monitoring practices if they want to remain competitive and profitable in the volatile wind energy sector.

A pivotal lesson from these mature industries is the need for scalable, fleet-wide solutions. Success hinges on the adoption of technologies that not only predict turbine degradation but also seamlessly integrate with upstream supply chain systems so as to facilitate and potentially one day, automate, inventory management/ordering. This approach is instrumental in minimising downtime suffered by operators currently due to long component lead times during turbine failures.

As wind turbines age, reliability issues are surfacing, raising concerns about the sector’s ability to maintain optimal performance and longevity. For instance, Siemens Energy, a prominent player in the wind turbine business, has acknowledged reliability challenges and outlined a plan for €400 million in cost cuts. This announcement came after the company’s wind turbine business faced significant losses, prompting a €15 billion government-backed bailout after turbine failures. This news is a stark reminder that there must be urgency for the wind industry to address reliability concerns head-on and implement proactive measures to ensure the sustainability of wind energy projects.

Looking ahead, a challenge that a maturing wind industry will face increasingly is that of determining the point at which a site should be repowered/replanted/refurbished. The presence of advanced analytics through the lifetime of the turbines will not only ensure the assets reach this stage in the best possible condition, but will also support in the decision-making process, providing accurate generation and maintenance cost predictions in the years ahead. Providing these insights in a way that easily facilitates decisions with a minimum requirement intermediary support is a challenge for predictive analytics software suppliers. The key lies in embracing not only forward-thinking O&M strategies, but also new technologies that anticipate potential issues in ageing turbines, minimising the risk of failures.

Integration across departments to decrease reliance on OEM services

The theme of integration extends beyond technological considerations to encompass broader strategies that leverage data across organisational departments and silos. Wind operators should seek solutions that transcend routine maintenance, offering foresight into turbine conditions while fostering integration with other critical aspects of their operations.

This must mark a departure from the traditional reliance on OEM services, which will become less attractive as more efficient tailored O&M and technology suites from a range of non-OEM third-parties become available. This not only empowers operators with diversified solutions but also positions them to outperform organisations deploying off-the-shelf routine-maintenance based strategies or simply subscribing to OEM packages which suffer from the commercial complexities of fixed term contracts and ambiguous downtime allocation. Advanced O&M practices simply require more engagement from operators themselves.

However, a notable challenge arises within the third-party supply chain – how to increase transparency and reduce dependence on commissioning services from O&M providers solely for deriving intelligent insights from technologies. The evolution of these technologies demands a renewed focus on integration and open data standards. Enhanced user experience and user interface (UX/UI) designs to improve accessibility for

asset managers and engineers within owner organisations is also a hugely important aspect of the equation. Application programming interface (API) integration is likewise key to extract and share data, although there is opportunity beyond this for wider collaboration between suppliers to bolster the power of insights provided to operators.

Maximising return on investment on technology – without extra hardware

Maximising the return on investment (ROI) on technology requires a multifaceted approach. Insights derived from monitoring systems should transcend their operational silos, finding application in broader areas, such as inventory management and industrial insurance risk mitigation. This strategic integration not only optimises efficiency, but also positions wind operators as industry leaders ready to navigate the evolving landscape with agility and foresight.

Crucially, reducing reliance on deploying additional hardware into the wind turbine is extremely important. As the industry matures, there will be a paradigm shift moving away from conventional hardware-centric approaches. Operators should consider the potential of existing instrumentation and data streams to improve insight and streamline operations while minimising the downtime caused by installing hardware. It is likewise vital that this software is technology agnostic and easily scalable, particularly for large and globally dispersed portfolios.

Conclusion: Advanced wind turbine monitoring as the future of the industry

In conclusion, wind turbine monitoring is not merely a technological necessity but also the cornerstone of a comprehensive strategy to address the future challenges in boosting turbine productivity, as well as helping to alleviate existing supply chain challenges in the wind industry. By embracing scalable, fleet-wide solutions that seamlessly integrate with broader operational facets, operators can position themselves to thrive in a competitive market.

The path forward requires a combination of technological advancements (such as fleet-wide performance and asset health monitoring, automatic maintenance recommendations, and robust analytics to get answers fast), strategic foresight, and a commitment to sustainability. Embracing hardware-free solutions, such as AI technology, while simultaneously integrating the gathered data and insights across other areas (such as inventory management and component sourcing) is necessary to increase the wind energy industry’s efficiency and resilience in the global energy landscape.

In this volatile market, the integration of advanced monitoring practices will undoubtedly be at the forefront, guiding the way towards a future where the potential of wind power is harnessed to its fullest extent. Operators have the chance to stay one step ahead by prioritising advanced O&M capabilities across their portfolios today.

A global industry requires a global publication

enewable energy, particularly wind power, has seen a significant rise in recent years as societies strive to reduce their carbon footprint and embrace sustainable alternatives. Wind turbines are one of the frontiers supporting the green energy transition; this relatively new technology provides its own set of engineering challenges, and new challenges emerge as the turbines increase in size.

Blade length

Wind turbines are placed in a large variety of diverse environmental conditions around the world. Local changes to topography, lightning intensity, and altitude can have a significant effect to the overall lightning risk to the turbine. Adding to that is the blade configuration where length, reinforcement materials, and lightning protection system (LPS) composition all play a part in how likely a lightning strike is to cause a structural damage.

Increasing the blade length proportionally reduces the relative distance to the lightning cloud; coupled with a high altitude, this adds a risk of the turbine operating

within the lightning cloud. An increased focus on utilising high tier composite materials like carbon as reinforcement material does reduce the blade weight and has, for many manufacturers, been the linchpin allowing longer blades above 100 m.

Changing to carbon reinforcements adds more requirements to the LPS; this is due to the conductive properties of carbon and its attractiveness to lightning. This means that during a lightning event, it will interact with the lightning cloud similar to the lightning protection system. In an event where a lightning strike attaches outside of the lightning protection system, it can result in immediate destruction or cause gradual damage that may go unnoticed until it reaches a critical stage. Therefore, addressing the lightning risk for wind turbines is crucial for ensuring their operational efficiency and longevity.

Mitigating the risks

To mitigate the risks associated with lightning strikes, the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) has established the IEC 61400:24 standard for lightning protection systems. Compliance with these standards is essential for manufacturers and operators alike to ensure the safety and reliability of wind turbines. The IEC standard provides requirements for testing and certification and guidelines on lightning protection design and lightning protection measures, including the installation of lightning protection systems and sensors to detect and monitor lightning activity. The IEC standard is an important read for any stakeholder in the wind industry with an interest in understanding lightning risk.

Attachment location

Damage propagation of blade damage caused by a lightning strike depends heavily on the location of an attachment. Any lightning damage to the tip area of the blade is in general considered noncritical, providing that the damage is limited

to blade shell to trailing edge (TE) debonding. This type of damage is ‘common’ for lightning damages as the lightning strike in its attempt to find the easiest path to ground attached to the receptor cable instead of the receptors. As the cable in many traditional blade designs are located internally in the TE chamber, the lightning strike will pass through the shell and into the cable. In this process the pressure in the chamber will increase due to an increase in temperature inside the chamber. These damages are in the vast majority repairable up tower and does not provide a risk for the continued turbine operation.

More critical is lightning attachments to the blade beam laminate, due to the beam being the main structural component in the blade. In this case, any damage will have a direct effect to the blade integrity. This risk is increased with blade reinforcements made from carbon laminate due to carbon being more brittle and conductive. Any change to the carbon structure can lead to rapid defect development and early failure if not captured in time.

This emphasises the need for effective lightning surveillance and monitoring systems in wind farms.

Lightning surveillance and monitoring

Lightning surveillance and monitoring are two distinct approaches to address the lightning risk for wind turbines. Surveillance involves periodic checks and assessments to identify damages, while monitoring employs real-time data collection to detect and analyse lightning activity continuously. While surveillance is reactive, monitoring offers a proactive solution, enabling operators to take immediate action in response to changing conditions.

The choice between installing individual sensors on each turbine or implementing a comprehensive sensor network across the wind farm is a critical decision. Individual sensors provide localised information, but a networked approach allows for a holistic view of lightning activity within the entire wind farm. A sensor network enhances the ability to predict and/or manage lightning risks on a broader scale, offering a more effective and integrated solution. Requirements for either dedicated sensor or sensor network must be made with regards to the risk for the given wind farm due to site conditions or blade configuration.

Investing in lightning sensors involves a trade-off between cost and risk. While high-quality sensors may come with a significant upfront cost, they provide accurate and reliable data that can help prevent costly damages in the long run. The decision on sensor pricing should be aligned with the risk profile of the wind farm, considering factors such as local weather conditions, historical lightning data, and the criticality of uninterrupted turbine operation.

Before delving into the specifics of lightning surveillance and monitoring, operators should conduct a thorough assessment of their wind farm’s vulnerability to lightning strikes. This includes an analysis of the local climate, historical lightning activity, and the potential impact of lightning-related damages on the turbines.

Figure 1 . Attachment location of lightning strike to the wind turbine blade plays a crucial role in damage propagation. Effective surveillance and monitoring systems are imperative for timely defect detection and ensuring continued turbine operation.

A comprehensive risk assessment lays the foundation for informed decision-making regarding the implementation of lightning protection systems.

To determine the current state of wind turbines and assess potential lightning-related damages, operators need to conduct regular inspections and diagnostics. This involves visual inspections, data analysis from installed sensors (if available), and adherence to maintenance protocols outlined in the IEC standard. Early detection of damages allows for timely intervention, minimising downtime and repair costs. It is important that with any inspection activity, internal inspections are considered as well as external. External inspection will identify any damage associated with an external lightning attachment, but the critical damage is often invisible from the outside. An external inspection will likely not detect any damage from a flashover, meaning a lightning strike detaching from the LPS and re-enters at another point, this can be through the carbon structure or flashing from one point in the LPS system to another. These damages are often more severe than the external lightning attachment. Therefore, if the blades at the wind farm have carbon reinforcement or previous known issues with internal flashover, an internal inspection should be carried out if external lightning damage is identified on the blade.

If damages are identified, depending on the severity of the damage, actions may range from simple repairs to the replacement of critical components. It is important that any effect to the blade integrity is assessed to determine

if continued safe operation of the turbine is possible. To repair the blade, it is vital the repair method proposed is capable of restoring the blade to its original condition and that any special condition regarding laminate structure, laminate overlap requirements, and laminate shape is taken into account.

Implementing an effective lightning surveillance system begins with selecting appropriate sensors and strategically installing them on each turbine. The choice of sensors should align with the wind farm’s specific requirements and the desired level of monitoring. Operators should also establish a protocol for data analysis, defining thresholds for triggering alarms and response mechanisms. Training personnel on the proper use of surveillance tools is equally important for maximising the system’s effectiveness.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the future of lightning risk control for wind turbines lies in a proactive and comprehensive approach. From understanding the inherent risks and complying with industry standards to choosing the right sensors and establishing robust surveillance and monitoring systems, operators play a pivotal role in ensuring the longevity and efficiency of their wind farms. As technology continues to advance, the integration of smart solutions and artificial intelligence in lightning risk management is likely to become a standard practice, further enhancing the resilience of wind turbines in the face of unpredictable weather events.

PIONEERING A

Allan Bonde Jensen, Business Development Manager, Infrastructure and Energy, and Palle Gustafsson, Chemical Engineer, Teknos, consider the rise of isocyanate-free and epoxy-free industrial coatings.

For decades, the paint industry has relied on isocyanate and epoxy for their robust qualities, notably in durability and corrosion prevention. Yet, it is become increasingly clear that these substances pose considerable health and environmental dangers, from allergic reactions to potential

SAFER PALETTE

potential cancer risks following exposure. In light of these issues, forward-thinking innovations are leading the way towards safer, more sustainable industrial coating solutions.

The path to safer alternatives

The journey towards a future devoid of isocyanate and epoxy marks a significant shift in chemical engineering. Utilising new curing methods and binder systems, manufacturers are now creating coatings that preserve the strong performance characteristics of traditional paints but without the associated health risks. This progress, overcoming challenges such as achieving the same level of durability as epoxies and the longevity of the compounds, is a demonstration of the industry’s dedication to innovative solutions, having the human and environmental safety highest up on the agenda.

Mitigating risks for a greener future

Long-standing concerns over the use of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous substances in traditional paints have brought about rigorous scrutiny

due to the risks they present to both applicators and the environment. The introduction of products like TEKNONISO COMBI 333-300 addresses these concerns head-on, promoting safer working environments and adherence to stricter safety standards. These new paints respond to dual demands from both the market and users by reducing VOC emissions and avoiding substances of very high concern (SVHCs), including aromatic solvents, heavy metals, zinc, and tin – marking a major step forward in environmental progress.

Matching traditional paints with safer composition

When it comes to practical application, these next-generation paints compete admirably with their traditional counterparts. Offering similar, if not enhanced, corrosion resistance and a safer application process, they represent a substantial advancement. They will not completely replace traditional chemistries but will serve as a safer alternative for many application areas. Their performance metrics, including quicker drying times and longer pot life, not only meet but frequently surpass industry benchmarks, assuring that these new products are more than a mere safer substitute – they are a better choice.

For example, TEKNONISO COMBI 333-300 has undergone extensive testing, which includes:

> Flexibility (Impact Resistance ISO 6272 and EN ISO 20482 Erichsen cupping test).

> Outdoor durability (QUV TEST ISO 4892-3, WOM TEST ISO 4892-2).

> Corrosion resistance (Salt spray ISO 9227, Humidity Cabin ISO 6270, ISO 12944-9).

> Chemical Resistance (EN 12720).

> Thermal Cycling Resistance test (TM0404 sect. 9).

> Flexibility (NACE RP0394).

> Drying time at different conditions (ISO 9117).

Balancing cost with efficiency

Although the initial cost of materials may be greater, the operational savings can be significant. Extended pot life means less material waste, and faster drying times lead to increased productivity, positioning these paints as a prudent economic decision for the long term. The elimination of the need for high curing temperatures also offers the potential for energy savings, making this a cost-effective choice for industrial settings.

Regulatory developments and the green agenda

In the EU, Teknos, as a coatings industry participant, operates within the framework of essential chemical regulations. These regulations include REACH (1907/2006), the Classification, Labelling and Packaging (CLP) Regulation (1272/2008), and the Biocidal Products Regulation (528/2012). They impose stringent restrictions on regulated substances and compel coatings companies like Teknos to fulfil specific obligations.

Figure 1 Teknos experts wear protective gear while testing new isocyanate-free and epoxy-free paints in their advanced laboratory for optimal performance and worker well-being.

250+ INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITORS

27 - 29 MAY 2024

FIL - Lisbon Exhibition & Congress Centre Lisbon I Portugal

300+ INDUSTRY LEADING SPEAKERS

GREEN HYDROGEN

5,000+ GLOBAL ATTENDEES

15+ MINISTERS

CREATING TOMORROW’S ENERGY SYSTEM TODAY

In alignment with the European Commission’s unwavering commitment to addressing the climate crisis and other environmental challenges, regulatory changes are gradually proposed, discussed, and introduced through the established regulatory processes. These directives are aimed at standardising sustainability reporting, exemplified by the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and the Directive on substantiation and communication of explicit environmental claims (Green Claims Directive). Consequently, the company finds itself compelled to review its reporting and communication approach to ensure seamless compliance with these evolving standards.

A substantial impact on the industry emanates from the European Commission Chemical Strategy for Sustainability. This forward-looking strategy dictates that chemicals utilised within the sector will be subjected to novel methods of hazard characterisation and additional use restrictions. These include the introduction of the mixture assessment factor (MAF), essential use criteria, and the one-substance-one-assessment concept.

Moreover, various proposed changes in chemicals regulations demand vigilant attention in the coming years. These encompass the introduction of new hazard classes for endocrine disruptors and environmentally-persistent substances, restrictions on PFAS, minimum font size requirements for hazard labelling, and the establishment of ECOdesign criteria for chemicals. Although the tangible effects of these changes are yet to fully manifest, Teknos anticipates that the EU’s Green Deal, the evolution of regulations, and the emergence of new directives will fundamentally redefine the sustainability criteria governing the chemical industry, thereby imposing fresh requirements.

Adapting to a changing regulatory landscape

The move towards safer industrial coatings is driven not only by consumer demands, but also by evolving regulations. The EU’s new training requirements for handling products with isocyanate monomer levels higher than 0.1 % and the reclassification of isocyanate monomers as more harmful substances indicate a tightening of industry standards.

Innovation shaping the future

The push for ongoing research and development in industrial coatings is critical. As the industry gravitates towards products that are less harmful to environment and safer to handle and apply, the role of innovation becomes increasingly important. The progress seen in the development of isocyanate-free and epoxy-free products highlights a pledge to protect workers and the environment.

The direction in which the coatings industry is moving is unmistakeable: prioritising safety and sustainability is now fundamental. The introduction of new products

signifies more than technological advancement; it represents a shift in the industry’s ethos. As the industry evolves, the marked trend towards solutions free of epoxy and isocyanate underscores the role of innovation in driving change, ensuring a future where human health and the environment are paramount. With every new development, the industry is painting a brighter, safer future for everyone.

Common development with customers

Teknos aims for collaborative development with its customers, transcending the boundaries of addressing current paint challenges to collectively solving future industry issues. This partnership-driven approach serves as a wellspring for future innovations, leveraging the company’s intelligence and adaptability as a significant advantage in a market where size is not the sole determinant of success.

The company continues to invest in research and development (R&D) to achieve significant reductions in climate impact. Its dedication to environmental responsibility encompasses the removal of hazardous materials and substances classified or likely to be classified as harmful to the environment. This commitment includes transitioning to halogen-free, heavy metal-free, PFAS and PFOA-free, and cyclic polysiloxane-free materials. Moreover, the company consciously selects biodegradable solvents that are not derived from the oil and gas industry.

In its quest to reduce its reliance on non-renewable raw materials, the company explores the use of renewable and bio-based raw materials. The company is actively engaged in the search for alternative raw materials, collaborating with bioproduct suppliers, and conducting intensive research and testing. It envisions a future where its coatings are not only environmentally friendly, but also serve a dual purpose, contributing to a more sustainable product.

Conclusion

Even if the coatings industry is currently in the midst of a transformative phase, characterised by a resolute commitment to safety, sustainability, and innovation, companies like Teknos stand as a pioneering force in this sector, exemplifying the industry’s dedication to providing safer alternatives, fostering responsible practices, and adhering to evolving regulations. The company’s active pursuit of ways to incorporate waste streams as raw materials in its production or repurpose waste in other industries not only potentially reduces raw material costs, but also minimises waste handling expenses while extending the lifespan of resources. The company’s aspiration to engage in discussions that transcend conventional pricing models, focusing on the health and environmental costs per item, reflects its core value as a family-owned company dedicated to a circular economy for future generations.

Mobilising a zero-emissions future with hydrogen Mobilising a zero-emissions future with hydrogen

Lucrezia Morabito, Comau Product and Solution Manager, talks about the importance of hydrogen as a key factor for sustainable mobility in a Q&A with Jessica Casey, Editor of Energy Global.

zero-emissions hydrogen zero-emissions hydrogen

With hydrogen considered a key alternative in today’s climate aware society, there is an increasing need for hydrogen energy adoption and the scalability of the production process. To discuss the different factors which need to be considered for this to come to fruition, Jessica Casey (JC), Editor of Energy Global, caught up with Lucrezia Morabito (LM), Product and Solutions Manager at Comau.

JC

How crucial is achieving a zero-emission target in today’s context, and why is hydrogen identified as a key factor in promoting sustainable mobility worldwide?

LM

The zero-emission target should be a fundamental requirement in today’s climate aware context. The United Nations Agenda and regulations are pushing us to reduce emissions in every sector, particularly in the transportation industry.

There are several alternatives to internal combustion engines, including hydrogen. And although they are both valid solutions, hydrogen has been identified as a key factor in promoting sustainable mobility worldwide. This is because it has proved to be one of the most promising choices when it comes to decarbonising sectors, such as heavy-duty trucks, that up until now have been hard to transform into an eco-friendly environment. Hydrogen is a reliable, zero-emission power source that can fuel passenger and industrial vehicles, in addition to other types of applications. This is what puts hydrogen in an ideal position to encourage the adoption of renewables worldwide, which will subsequently but substantially help tackle multiple critical energy challenges.

JC

Regarding hydrogen energy adoption, what are your thoughts? Where are we at in achieving this?

LM

We are in the hydrogen momentum, where many big companies have already invested in automation and are building gigafactories. At the same time, many other companies are considering investing

in automation, with the aim to increase their volumes and reduce costs. In tandem, policy makers all around the world are working to increase the adoption of renewable energy, and hydrogen is one of the main contenders. However, costs are still high so the goal is to reduce them, and one of the best ways to do this is with automation. This will also help ensure the large volumes needed to achieve wide-spread adoption of this green fuel.

Research shows that in Europe – including the EU, European Free Trade Association countries, and the UK – the total installed electrolysis capacity grew from 85 MW in 2019 to 162 MW (expressed in electrical power input) as of August 2022. By the end of 2023, estimates point to a capacity that should reach at least 191 MW and up to an optimistic 500 MW. By the end of 2025, 1371 MW of electrolysis capacity are planned to enter operation in Europe.

JC

In what ways do fuel cells play a significant role in the mass adoption of sustainable mobility, and why is the scalability of the production process considered essential for achieving this goal?

LM

Hydrogen fuel cells produce electricity through an electrochemical reaction, emitting only water and heat as byproducts. Electrolysers on the other hand break water into hydrogen and oxygen. This is how fuel cells and electrolysers can provide 100% clean energy, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. They also ensure safe and reliable performance with a higher energy efficiency than combustion engines. However, the scalability of the production process is considered essential for widespread adoption of sustainable mobility as it allows for cost reduction, increased market accessibility, infrastructure development, and technological advancements, making fuel cell vehicles more economically competitive and viable for a broader consumer base.

JC

What potential cost reductions and deployment increases can be expected by making the production process of fuel cells scalable, and why is this a critical factor in the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a fuel source?

LM

As mentioned earlier, to achieve mass deployment the production process has to become scalable. Scalability in fuel cell production can drive down costs through economies of scale, optimise supply chains, and foster technological advancements. This is crucial for

making hydrogen a competitively-priced and widely-accessible fuel source, thereby facilitating its widespread adoption in various sectors. One of the best ways to ensure scalability is through automation. In Comau’s experience, automating the production process of fuel cells and electrolysers will reduce costs by up to 20%, in addition to increasing volumes and ultimately mass deployment.

JC

How does automation contribute to achieving mass deployment of fuel cells, and what role does it play in reducing costs and increasing efficiency in the production process?

LM

Automation allows for the optimisation of the entire manufacturing value chain – from the supply chain to the final product – which consequently improves the quality and reduces the costs. Automated production lines are also capable of high throughput and, as volumes reach mass production levels, companies will likely experience economies of scale, leading to a decrease in the cost per unit produced. This will make fuel cells more cost-competitive compared to traditional manufacturing methods which, as of today, are often manual.

Moreover, automation ensures repeatable, consistent, and high-quality manufacturing by minimising variations in the production process. This is particularly important for fuel cells, as any defects or inconsistencies can significantly impact their performance and reliability.

JC

Why is it emphasised that the design of fuel cells must be geared towards production and automation to fully leverage the potential of automation? How do automation companies, particularly those with experience in the automotive industry, aim to drive the rapid expansion of fuel cell technology?

LM

Optimising fuel cell design for seamless integration with automated production is essential for unlocking the full potential of mass manufacturing. Designing fuel cells for automation involves modular and standardised components that can be easily assembled by automated systems. This streamlines the production process, making it more efficient and allowing for faster assembly of fuel cell stacks.

Companies with a background in automotive automation bring invaluable expertise, transferring technologies and methodologies to expedite fuel cell production. Leveraging established supply chain networks, these companies drive economies of scale and foster cross-industry collaboration. Their involvement accelerates the advancement of fuel cell technology, aligning with the need for rapid expansion and competitiveness in the evolving landscape of sustainable energy solutions.

Backed by a Design for Manufacturing and Assembly approach, which includes Design for Automation, Comau works side-by-side with its customers to manage the entire industrial process lifecycle, from conceptual engineering to manufacturing and support services, with the goal of making a better electrolyser or fuel cell at a lower cost.

Figure 1 . Comau’s Electrolyzer Stack Production line.

JC

Are there any target customers for automation? Can you explain in depth the benefits for them?

LM

Comau won one of its first hydrogen fuel cell projects in China for Shanghai Hydrogen Propulsion Technology (SHPT), a subsidiary of SAIC Motor, to provide an advanced production line for a P4 hydrogen fuel cell stack, in 2023. Featuring a proprietary high-speed, high-precision multi-axis stacking technology, the solution simultaneously performs a series of pole piece stacking operations to manage the pick-up, code scanning, secondary positioning, and shell loading within four seconds. Similarly, the company recently implemented a project in EMEA that assembles fuel cells for light and commercial vehicles, and is collaborating with major manufacturers in various sectors, in other regions, to support their product development and industrialisation plans via providing consulting and technology services.

So, throughout the entire value chain, there are different customers for which automation is a key factor to success. At the moment, the most promising are the electrolyser manufacturers and fuel cell manufacturers.

Automated electrolysis processes improve efficiency, reduce operational costs, enhance safety, and enable continuous monitoring for optimal performance. Precision automation contributes to consistent hydrogen production with minimised downtime.

On the other hand, automated assembly lines in fuel cell manufacturing improve production speed, reduce defects, and ensure precision in component integration. This leads to increased efficiency, lower costs, and improved reliability of fuel cell products.

In both cases, the key benefits are improving efficiency and quality, reducing operational costs, enhancing safety, and decreasing time to market.

It is important to emphasise that manufacturers also benefit from working with an experienced automation partner with competence in multiple parts of the value chain. Comau’s proprietary solutions portfolio is designed to automate key process steps including cell preparation and stacking, leak testing, and more to support customers along their entire hydrogen production and utilisation journey, regardless of the underlying fuel cell or electrolyser technology.

Bibliography

1. ‘Hydrogen’, International Energy Agency, www.iea.org/energy-system/low-emissionfuels/hydrogen

2. ‘Biden-Harris Administration Announces $7 Billion For America’s First Clean Hydrogen Hubs, Driving Clean Manufacturing and Delivering New Economic Opportunities Nationwide’, U.S. Department of Energy, (13 October 2023), www.energy.gov/articles/ biden-harris-administration-announces-7-billion-americas-first-clean-hydrogenhubs-driving

3. ‘Hydrogen Insights 2023’, Hydrogen Council, (11 May 2023), https://hydrogencouncil.com/ en/hydrogen-insights-2023/

4. ‘Water Electrolysis and Hydrogen: growing deployment prospects in Europe and beyond’, European Commission, (24 November 2023), https://joint-research-centre. ec.europa.eu/jrc-news-and-updates/water-electrolysis-and-hydrogen-growingdeployment-prospects-europe-and-beyond-2023-11-24_en

MAXIMISING SOLAR POWER MAXIMISING SOLAR POWER

Lorna Smith, EcoFlow, UK, analyses how energy storage can help maximise solar power.

In the dynamic landscape of renewable energy, solar power has emerged as a frontrunner in providing sustainable and clean electricity. However, the intermittent nature of sunlight poses a challenge for continuous power generation.

This is where energy storage solutions, such as EcoFlow’s PowerOcean DC Fit, come in. Not only do they address the issues associated with solar power, but also change the way renewable energy is harnessed and utilised.

For example, EcoFlow’s new photovoltaic (PV)-coupling technology is changing the way traditional solar power works by using an algorithm that mimics the output pattern of a PV system. This technological breakthrough achieves grid stability and maximises self-consumption, all whilst requiring zero permits, minimal modifications, and bringing simplicity for consumers and installers alike.

The benefits of energy storage in conjunction with solar power

Overcoming intermittency

Solar power is inherently intermittent, dependent on weather conditions and time of day. Energy storage systems play a pivotal role in overcoming this challenge by storing excess energy generated during sunny periods for use during periods of low sunlight or at night. This ensures a consistent and reliable power supply, making solar energy a more viable option for meeting the world’s energy needs.

Grid stability and reliability

The integration of energy storage with solar power contributes to grid stability. By storing surplus energy and releasing it when demand is high, these systems help balance the grid, reducing the likelihood of blackouts and voltage fluctuations. This capability is crucial for the widespread adoption of solar energy and the transition towards a more resilient and efficient energy infrastructure.

MAXIMISING POWER MAXIMISING POWER

Maximising self-consumption

Energy storage allows solar power system owners to maximise self-consumption. Excess energy generated during peak sunlight hours can be stored and used during periods of low solar activity, reducing reliance on the grid and minimising energy bills. This economic benefit further incentivises individuals and businesses to invest in solar energy systems.

A technological breakthrough in retrofit battery storage solutions

Why?

Currently, roughly 800 000 homes in the UK have solar panels installed without battery storage.

EcoFlow spotted a gap in the market, and created the technology needed to help those homes find their energy independence. The idea was to bring that independence by transforming the way residential energy is harnessed and utilised, making it a seamless, straightforward experience for all.

Emulating PV system output

The key innovation lies in the product’s ability to emulate the output of a PV system. Retrofitting with PowerOcean DC Fit is as simple as connecting a solar panel to the existing string inverter. This user-friendly and straightforward integration ensures a hassle-free experience for solar power system owners looking to add energy storage capabilities to their existing setup.

This product is set apart by its advanced algorithm, which allows the retrofit battery storage solution to mimic the output pattern of a PV string during periods with no sunlight or at night. By presenting a similar output pattern, PowerOcean DC Fit dupes third-party inverters into thinking that there are solar panels connected, encouraging continuous energy draw.

Simplifying installation for installers

In addition to its user-friendly integration, the energy storage system simplifies the life of installers. The product’s design prioritises ease of installation, making it a go-to solution for professionals in the renewable energy sector. With main benefits including not needing to replace existing PV inverters, no changing the AC side line, no need for an additional energy storage inverter, and no need for on-grid permits, the simplicity of the installation process not only saves time for installers, but also ensures a smoother experience for customers.

Case study: Real-world applications

The PowerOcean DC Fit finds practical application in residential settings, where solar power system owners seek to maximise

their energy independence. The ease of retrofitting and seamless integration with third-party inverters make it an attractive option for homeowners looking to enhance their existing solar setups. The ability to keep track of power usage and battery storage in real time through the EcoFlow App and Web Portal allows users to prioritise solar energy usage and automatically charge the battery with excess energy for night-time use.

EcoBat Battery, a UK-based installer for EcoFlow, has found the installation process incredibly straight-forward, describing it as the most simple retrofit solutions on the market.

Phil Smith, Technical Sales Manager for Ecobat, has now been working with the product for a few months and emphasised the simplicity of the technological setup. He explained that as it is designed to work with all existing PV inverters between 3 – 40 kW, it does not matter if it is single-phase or three-phase – the PowerOcean DC Fit has the ability to co-operate with all.

Smith explained the setup allows installers to simply disconnect the PV array and connect cables going into the PV inverter into the DC Fit converter. He also felt that the uncomplicated step of taking new DC cables and connecting them from the energy storage system converter back to the existing solar converter makes life easier for installers.

Smith also pointed out that because the product inverter is incredibly small, it goes on to save a lot of installation time and takes up a lot less space.

Extra technology

In addition to its simplicity and extraordinary technology, the PowerOcean DC Fit includes some other technology, which will keep installers’ and customers’ minds at ease. Using industrial-grade LiFePO4 batteries gives 15 years of daily use until hitting 70% of the battery’s original capacity.

EcoFlow has also built in safety and fail-safe features, which allows users to know their home is protected. Alongside an active fire protection module integrated into the system, each battery has its own BMS module, preventing any malfunctions from affecting the rest.

Furthermore, the product’s auto-heating means it is winter-proof and ready to perform no matter the weather –freezing cold or pouring with rain.

Conclusion

As the world grapples with the imperative of transitioning to sustainable energy sources, the combination of solar power and energy storage stands out as a beacon of hope. Products such as EcoFlow’s PowerOcean DC Fit not only address the challenges associated with solar power, but also represent a technological breakthrough in retrofit battery storage solutions. By seamlessly integrating with third-party inverters and emulating the output of PV systems, energy storage systems like this one can bring everyone one step closer to a future where clean and reliable energy is accessible to all. As the global community continues its pursuit of a greener tomorrow, innovations like the PowerOcean DC Fit, with its emphasis on simplicity, play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of renewable energy.

Figure 1 Installation made simple.

ENERGY GL BAL

The premier source of technical and analytical information for the renewable energy industry, covering solar, wind, and energy storage.

GLOBAL NEWS

Plenitude completes construction of Ravenna Ponticelle PV plant

Plenitude, Eni’s Benefit Corporation that integrates renewable energy production, the sale of energy and energy solutions for households and companies, has announced that the new Ravenna Ponticelle photovoltaic (PV) plant is now operational.

The plant has an installed capacity of 6 MW. It covers an industrial area of 11 ha. and comprises over 10 000 state-of-the-art monocrystalline silicon PV panels. These bifacial modules, which use both sides for energy production, are mounted on special solar tracking structures anchored by ballasts placed on top of an impermeable capping. This is in line with the permanent safety measures set out in the Industrial Area Operational Remediation Plan.

The new PV plant is part of the industrial regeneration initiative covering 26 ha. of decommissioned industrial land, now fully reclaimed and owned by Eni Rewind. After environmental remediation, the same area will house a platform for land bio-reclamation and – in collaboration with Herambiente – a multifunctional waste pre-treatment platform.

The PV plant, which will be connected to the grid in the coming weeks, is already equipped with an energy storage system which will use a new generation of batteries (flow battery), on which Eni’s research and development unit will test innovative solutions. Once fully operational, the PV plant is expected to produce enough energy to power over 3000 households.

Highfield Solar secures €65 million financing for Irish solar PV expansion

Highfield Solar Ltd, a joint venture established in 2014 between renewable energy developers ib vogt, Highfield Energy, and Aura Power, has successfully reached financial close on a €65 million project financing debt facility for the 93 MWp Gaskinstown solar PV plant in Ireland. Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. are again the lenders following the financing of the Rathnaskilloge 106 MWp project in December 2023; a project also originally developed by Highfield Solar.

The Gaskinstown project was successful in the Government of Ireland’s second competitive Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS 2) auction run by the Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications in 2022. The RESS auctions have been designed to promote investment in renewable energy and deliver on Ireland’s 80% renewable electricity target by 2030. Highfield Solar is proud to be contributing to this important goal on the path to the decarbonisation of Ireland’s electricity system.

Participation in the RESS scheme will guarantee that communities, clubs and societies local to the project will benefit from funding of approximately €150 000 each year for the duration of the term of RESS support of 15 years.

Matheson LLP supported Coöperatieve Rabobank U.A. through the transaction, and technical advice was provided by Krug & Schram.

Highfield were supported by Mason Hayes and Curran LLP and Augustus Cullen Law.

SolarDuck, Green Arrow, and New Developments to collaborate on Italian hybrid project

SolarDuck, leader in offshore floating photovoltaic (OFPV) technology, Green Arrow Capital, leading Italian Independent Asset Manager in the alternative investment world, and New Developments s.r.l., one of Italy’s most experienced developers, have agreed to collaborate on the development of a 120 MWp OFPV farm integrated with 420 MW floating offshore wind (FOW).

The project will install SolarDuck’s unique elevated platform technology that allows photovoltaic (PV) panels to be deployed in significant wave heights whilst maintaining a safe working environment for access and maintenance and minimising environmental impact. In addition, the collaboration will also allow the harnessing of the complementarity of wind and solar energy resources.

GLOBAL NEWS

Masdar finalises UK offshore wind joint venture

Masdar, has completed its acquisition of a 49% shareholding in the 3 GW Dogger Bank South (DBS) project – one of the world’s largest planned offshore wind farms.

The planned £11 billion joint investment with RWE is expected to provide a huge boost to the UK economy and demonstrates the UAE’s commitment to supporting net-zero goals in Britain and around the world. It builds on the £10 billion UAE-UK Sovereign Investment Partnership (UK-UAE SIP) to invest in technology, infrastructure, and the energy transition.

Located over 100 km off the northeastern coast of England, the DBS offshore wind farm will be split across two sites, DBS East and DBS West, each with a capacity of 1.5 GW and spanning 500 km2. The facility is expected to generate enough electricity to power 3 million typical UK homes and will lead to the creation of 2000 jobs during construction and more than 1000 direct and indirect jobs during the operational phase.

Masdar and RWE signed an agreement for these projects at COP28 in December 2023. With the closing of the transaction, Masdar is now a shareholder in both projects, while RWE retains a 51% stake. The companies will work together to develop and operate the wind farms.

Construction on the projects could start as early as the end of 2025, with the first 800 MW of electricity planned to come online in 2029. The projects are expected to be fully commissioned by the end of 2031.

Diary dates

WindEurope Annual Event 2024

20 – 22 March 2024

Bilbao, Spain

https://windeurope.org/annual2024

Solar & Storage Live London

29 – 30 April 2024

London, UK

www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/solar-storage-live-london

Solar & Storage Live Australia 2024

01 – 02 May 2024

Queensland, Australia

www.terrapinn.com/exhibition/solar-storage-live-aus

CLEANPOWER Conference & Exhibition

06 – 09 May 2024

Minnesota, USA

https://cleanpower.org/expo

ClassNK awards AiP for multi-functional floating offshore wind support vessel

ClassNK has awarded an approval in principle

(AiP) for the design of a multi-functional floating offshore wind farm support vessel (MFSV) developed by ‘K’ Line Wind Service, Ltd, a joint venture of Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd and Kawasaki Kinkai Kisen Kaisha, Ltd, together with Japan Marine United Corp. and Nihon Shipyard Co., Ltd.

The installation of floating offshore wind turbines requires mooring works by vessels, with the whole mooring system composed of an anchor, a mooring chain, and a fibre rope. The MFSV, developed this time, is designed to perform whole mooring works efficiently for floating offshore wind turbine installation, including transportation of mooring system, deploying mooring system on the seabed, and anchor tensioning. According to the companies, the vessel also features a multi-functional concept, providing various vessel solutions in each phase of offshore wind projects such as survey, transportation, construction, and operation and maintenance.

ClassNK carried out the design review of the MFSV based on its Part O of Rules for the Survey and Construction of Steel Ships for work-ships and SPS Code, as well as IP Code, which will enter into force from July 2024. Upon confirming it complies with the prescribed requirements, ClassNK issued the AiP.

All-Energy and Decarbonise 2024

15 – 16 May 2024

Glasgow, Scotland

www.all-energy.co.uk

Lisbon Energy Summit & Exhibition

27 – 29 May 2024

Lisbon, Portugal

www.lisbonenergysummit.com

Global Energy Show Canada 2024

11 – 13 June 2024

Calgary, Canada

www.globalenergyshow.com

The smarter E Europe 2024

19 – 21 June 2024

Munich, Germany

www.thesmartere.de/home

GLOBAL NEWS

Exergy receives third repeat order with EDC

Exergy International, a global provider of clean energy technology and leader in new generation geothermal ORC power plants, has been awarded a new contract by Energy Development Corp. (EDC) for the supply of a 5.6 MWe binary system in Barangay Mailum, Negros Occidental, the Philippines. The power plant will be commissioned in 3Q24. The scope of work is EPC by Exergy and construction in co-operation with a local qualified partner.

The binary system utilises Exergy’s Radial Outflow turbine and a water-cooled condensing system with cooling towers and will generate electricity by harnessing a mixed steam and brine geothermal resource of around 200˚C from the Bago field, confirming the efficiency and reliability of binary units applied to high temperature resources, historically dedicated to steam turbines only.

This third order strengthens the business partnership between Exergy and EDC and Exergy’s position in the geothermal market in the Philippines, with three important references.

Fervo Energy raises US$244 million to accelerate deployment of next-generation geothermal

Fervo Energy, a leader in next-generation geothermal development, has raised US$244 million in new funding led by Devon Energy, a pioneer in shale oil and gas. This financing will unlock Fervo’s next phase of growth, deploying proven technology adapted from the oil and gas industry at scale to deliver commercially viable 24/7 carbon-free energy.

Galvanize Climate Solutions, John Arnold, Liberty Mutual Investments, Marunouchi Innovation Partners, Mercuria, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries also joined the round alongside existing investors Capricorn’s Technology Impact Fund, Congruent Ventures, DCVC, Elemental Excelerator, Helmerich & Payne, and Impact Science Ventures.

The fundraise will support Fervo’s continued operations at Cape Station, which will begin delivering clean electricity to the grid in 2026.

Biden-Harris Administration invests US$60 million to expand geothermal energy

In support of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced the selection of three projects that will receive up to US$60 million to demonstrate the efficacy and scalability of enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). Funded by the landmark Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the pilot projects will use innovative technology and a variety of development techniques to capture the earth’s abundant heat resources. These projects will demonstrate the potential for geothermal energy to provide reliable, cost-effective electricity to tens of millions of US homes and businesses and help deliver on the President’s goal of 100% clean electricity by 2035. They also support the goals of DOE’s Enhanced Geothermal ShotTM, which seeks to cut the cost of EGS 90% in the same time period.

The three projects are: Chevron New Energies, which will use drilling and simulation techniques to access geothermal energy near an existing field in California; Fervo Energy, whose pilot within the Milford Renewable Energy Corridor in Utah and adjacent to the DOE”s FORGE field laboratory, aims to produce at least 8 MW of power from each of three wells at a site with no existing commercial geothermal power production; and Mazama Energy, which will demonstrate a first-of-its-kind super-hot EGS in Oregon.

GREEN HYDROGEN

GLOBAL NEWS

NEXTCHEM to acquire HyDEP and Dragoni Group

MAIRE has announced that NEXTCHEM (Sustainable Technology Solutions), through its subsidiary NextChem Tech, has signed a binding agreement to acquire 80% of HyDEP S.r.l. and 100% of Dragoni Group S.r.l.

Both Italian based, HyDEP and Dragoni Group are well-recognised engineering services companies in the mechanical and electrochemical sectors with strong process design expertise and a track record of over 20 years in green hydrogen, including patents. Range of services spans from process and mechanical design to validation, prototyping, and certification. Mario and Matteo Dragoni, Founders and current Shareholders of both entities, will remain involved in the management of the companies, which will continue to operate independently in their respective markets.

The purchase price for the two stakes is approximately €3.6 million. The agreement provides also an earn-out clause based on the achievement of technical objectives within 30 months from closing, as well as put and call options on the remaining 20% stake in HyDEP exercisable within 36 months from closing.

Closing is subject to certain conditions precedent provided for this kind of transactions and is expected in 2Q24.

H-TEC SYSTEMS to deliver PEM electrolyser to SailH2

A1 MW PEM electrolyser ME450 from H-TEC SYSTEMS will be utilised in the strategic green hydrogen (H2) pilot project, ‘HUB LA ISLA H2’, in the region of Sevilla, Andalusia, by SailH2. SailH2 will invest €25 million into building a pilot centre for the production and distribution of green H2 and has ordered the ME450 PEM electrolyser to produce up to 136 tpy of green H2 in combination with a 1.5 MW photovoltaic (PV) plant in the first phase of the project.

The pilot project will be the first commercial hub of green hydrogen in Andalucía and will be located at Poligono Industrial Isla in Dos Hermanas, a city district of Sevilla. H-TEC SYSTEMS will deliver the electrolyser in September 2024, while the overall site construction works will be finalised by 3Q24.

During this initial project phase, SailH2 will combine 1 MW of hydrolysis power with 1.5 MW PV power, produced at a near-site PV plant. The hydrogen plant utilising the PEM electrolyser will produce up to 136 tpy of green H2, which will help reduce carbon emissions in the region by more than 3500 t. After the successful completion of phase 1 in 2025, phase 2 will explore the production and distribution of 680 t of H2