Cleantech Investor

First published in Cleantech magazine, Volume 6, Issue 3. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd

By Rue Swabey

Islands generally reach grid parity before mainland locations because they need to import energy - typically diesel - which is more expensive than being grid-connected. Whilst islands and peripheral regions often lack energy security, they frequently have abundant renewable resources, including wave, tidal and offshore wind, so they have the potential to become energy self-sufficient. There are persuasive incentives for islanders to seek new forms of energy, since peripheral areas tend to face high energy costs and fuel poverty is often an issue.  Remote communities are also often subject to energy shortages owing to their reliance on imports, which can easily be disrupted. However, islanders generally recognise the importance of new technologies and are quick to embrace new opportunities. Consequently it’s often easier to reach consensus on introducing a new energy source on islands than on the mainland.

First published in Cleantech magazine, Volume 6, Issue 2. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd

Turbulence amidst growth

Turbine manufacturers are suffering a fiercely competitive environment – but the wind industry around the world continues to grow.

Recent financial results from European stock market-listed wind turbine manufacturers, Gamesa and Vestas, told a mixed tale. Denmark’s Vestas, which had issued two profit warnings during 2011, failed to match even its own reduced expectations for the year. The company reported revenues of €5.8 billion, well below original expectations of €7 billion, and a small loss at the EBIT level. It was a mixed message from Vestas, however, with the firm confirming strong order intake of €7.3 billion (for equipment with generating capacity of around 7GW). However, the shortfall resulted in a management purge, with senior management – excluding CEO Ditev Engels – departing the group.

First published in Cleantech magazine, Volume 6, Issue 1. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd

By Anne McIvor

Concerned about the prospect of a rapid increase in carbon emissions from the fast growing air travel industry, the UNFCCC and other bodies involved with climate change placed air transport high on the agenda some time ago. There have been a host of initiatives aimed at containing the impact, ranging from the introduction of voluntary carbon offsetting for customers to this year’s significant EU step to include aviation in the EU Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) – a move which has met with the threat of retaliatory measures from airlines from countries such as the US, China, Russia and India. Meanwhile, the fuel industry is quietly getting on with developing cleaner jet fuels. And the air travel industry is – not so quietly – making claims about its ‘sustainable’ credentials through the use of these fuels.

A host of initiatives to promote the use of more sustainable fuels in air transport have emerged, with virtually all the key players in the aircraft manufacturing industry involved to some degree. Many major airlines have tested aircraft running on alternative fuels – and some are already operating scheduled flights. See also: Pioneering flights.