Renewables Gradually Shifting to Centre Stage in Europe

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by Ian French

Green Energy conference organisers

Many delegates from across Europe and the US attended the recent Eyeforenergy 'Commercialising Green Energy' conference in Brussels. Covering many interesting issues and technical innovations impacting the renewables markets as it develops from virtually an embryonic (some would say rhetorical stage) to a credible and viable energy generating sector.

Featuring high on the priority of many speakers were the issues surrounding policy developments, the regulation of emissions through 'green certificates' and their trading on the open market. Whilst the requirement for such tools are generally agreed upon, a single model and European model will remain a challenge for some time to come. Agreements regarding MWh values, generating sizes, certificate longevity, which technologies and what exclusions are just some of the issues that will need to be addressed before a resolution can be reached.

16% generation by renewables

Other, more definite, beneficial environmental progress and potential for the future was highlighted through the implementation of individual company policies such as that adopted by Fortum's energy utility Birka Energy of Sweden. Through its environmental strategy, Birka has increased its production through hydropower, biomass, solar and wind generation from 9 percent to 16 percent of its electrical output between 1998 and 2000. It also advises its customers on reducing energy consumption and energy efficiency, and delivers efficient closed cycle district heating and cooling systems.

Other innovative approaches to energy production are being tackled by G.A.S Energietechnik of Germany. Its lean

G.A.S. doing well in landfill methane recovery

caloric gas utilisation concept is circumventing the problem of depleting methane contents within landfills. Until recently, concentrations of at least 40 percent methane were necessary to allow cost-effective operations of reciprocating engines to commence. Now concentrations down to 25 percent can be utilised using a gas permeation module to increase concentrations through a filtration-type process. Furthermore, the waste gas from the process can be pumped back into the landfill to attain higher internal pressures to facilitate easier gas extraction. This is a significant development in the landfill sector where low concentrations of methane are commonly flared to the atmosphere.

The renewables sector represents one of the most exciting and challenging areas of energy production. Currently, the market remains fairly uncompetitive compared to the more traditional and cut-throat sectors such as gen-sets, gas turbines and boilers.

Many key companies are taking advantage of these early conditions to develop their position in the market. As others continue to make progress however, so the market will become increasingly competitive. Whilst this will inevitably push some in to the abyss, it will also lead to greater pressure on prices and advance technological development. Customers and end-users will increasingly see greater benefits of the technology enabling a larger and more sustainable global market to develop to the advantage of all.

Click on the link to see Frost & Sullivan's extensive Renewables Portfolio analysing European, Latin and North American markets. Follow this link to our brief analysis of the Australian Renewables market.

e-mail: power@frost.com

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