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5 questions with Professor Joachim Luther of the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS)

First published on the Cleantech Investor website, October 2011

Professor Joachim Luther has spent over 30 years engaging in the physics and the development of renewable energies. He will be speaking at the PV Asia Pacific Conference, which is part of the Singapore International Energy Week taking place from 31 Oct to 4 Nov 2011. For more information, visit www.siew.sg

How has the turmoil in the global solar PV market since SERIS' inauguration in April 2008 impacted the institute and its work on technology innovation?

A lot has happened since 2008 and while it has been a very challenging situation for the industry, SERIS has met this challenge and helped the companies it works with to adapt and, more crucially, to continue to innovate. Module prices have declined, so all new technologies are under pressure and must either cost significantly less or perform significantly better to make any headway in this market. As an indication, three years ago, SERIS had a focus on thin film technology, but this is emphasised far less now as a result of the large falls in silicon wafer technology prices. Silicon wafer based modules are strongly in place, and while SERIS is investigating a range of technologies, the near future is likely to be more evolutionary than disruptive.

There are still good reasons to work on thin film – in fact SERIS is – but the efficiency has to be improved beyond 12 percent.

There is considerable interest globally in optically concentrating photovoltaic devices with unit cell efficiency greater than 40 percent and system efficiency of 25-30 percent. However the application of such technologies is limited to regions with a high fraction of direct (beam) solar radiation, thus it is not suitable for the tropics.

5 questions with Willem van Putten of KEMA

First published on the Cleantech Investor website, October 2011

Mr Willem van Putten leads KEMA activities in Asia Pacific, particularly in smart grid initiatives, research, design and developments. He will be speaking at Asia Smart Grid, which is part of the Singapore International Energy Week taking place from 31 Oct to 4 Nov 2011. For more information, visit www.siew.sg

How would you define the KEMA smart grid vision/what is a 'smart grid' and what does it mean for all involved? Can you also explain the role of SmartGridSherpa?

The smart grid is a dynamic system modernising transmission and distribution, which intelligently relays energy and information both ways between utilities and end users. Smart energy grids will be required for the transition to an energy system using renewable energy sources and the associated decentralised electricity generation facilities. Mature smart grids require a transparent coordination mechanism which allows these various energy sources and appliances to be interconnected on a non-segregated and plug-in basis. In essence, smart grids should seamlessly combine distributed generation with demand response.

This transition is largely perceived as the greatest disruption to the energy industry in a century and KEMA’s services allow for reliable consulting, testing, and certification of the many and varied technologies involved.

SmartGridSherpa is an online knowledge base designed to provide information and engage parties in dialogue around smart grid issues. It is a hub for content developed by KEMA (including podcasts, white papers, e-books and other articles), as well as for outside experts to share news and views. The site engages and educates existing and potential customers, media, and other stakeholders.

Bridgestone Eco-Rally Driver Interview: Leo Johnson

First published in Cleantech magazine Issue 4 2011. Copyright Cleantech Investor Ltd.

Leo Johnson is Co-Founder of Sustainable Finance, advisor to over 50 global banks and businesses - and now part of PwC. He is also author of Beyond Risk and winner of the IFC Corporate Award for his work with the financial sector. He lectures at a number of academic institutions from the LSE to the Cambridge Programme for Industry.

by Anne McIvor

I met Leo Johnson at the new head office of PwC at More London Bridge. Leo is a Partner in PwC’s Sustainability and Climate Change team – and the building is appropriately ‘sustainable’: it was the first in London – and the first major office in the UK – to be awarded the BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating. It generates 25% of its own heat and power on-site through solar thermal panels and a generator which runs on recycled cooking oil. In addition, 35% of the light fittings are LED and a complex lighting control system, which interacts with the hot desk schedules, optimises the control of lighting in the open plan office areas.

Leo joined PwC over two yearsr ago when the firm acquired Sustainable Finance Ltd., a company which he co-founded. So he hasn’t been around for long enough to take credit for the building. But I did discover over coffee (or, to be precise, English Breakfast tea for him and hot chocolate for me) that he was part of the inspiration behind another iconic London sustainability initiative, the Transport for London Barclays Cycle Hire Scheme. The scheme is known colloquially as ‘Boris Bikes’, after Leo’s brother, Mayor of London Boris Johnson, who introduced the bikes to London. I discovered that Boris got the idea from a similar scheme in Paris – which Leo pointed out to him when Boris was visiting his brother there.