SBI Energy: Market Insights, Opportunities &Trends

The present day WtE market derives significant and ongoing benefit from greenhouse gas reduction/management strategies and requirements, which are increasingly being implemented and enforced around the globe.

(Source: sbienergy.com)

Utility Scale Energy Storage Critical to Renewables Markets

Energy Storage Technologies in Utility Markets Worldwide from leading energy industry market research publisher SBI Energy gives you the tools to:

Assess the state of your industry and the trends that are impacting it
Identify exciting new opportunities and evaluate growth potential
Review potential partners or acquisition targets

Utilities grapple with excess energy lost in off-peak times and energy shortages during peak times.

Solution: Smart grid energy storage

As utilities strategize the integration of renewable energies into the electric grid, energy storage technologies ante-up.

$34 million in start up funding for an energy storage research hub is proposed in Obama’s 2011 budget planning.
Companies are launching new energy storage products aimed at tapping into the growing market
The global utility sector energy storage market is expected to grow by 15.8% per year to over $10 billion in 2015.

Energy Storage Technologies in Utility Markets Worldwide from leading energy industry market research publisher SBI Energy covers:

Applications in which energy storage solutions can be leveraged within the utility sectors
The electric grid and its operations, identification of opportunities for energy storage solutions
Technologies including: pumped hydro storage, CAES, electrochemical capacitors, flywheels, and batteries
Battery technologies including lead-acid, lithium-ion, molten salt, and vanadium redox and zinc bromide flow batteries
SMES, or Superconducting magnetic energy storage, thermal storage and vehicle-to-grid
Global market sizing for energy storage technologies to 2015 are provided.

(Source: sbienergy.com)

Nuclear-power industry questioning Obama’s 50-mile evacuation radius around Fukushima Daiich

The U.S. nuclear-power industry is questioning the “scientific basis” of the Obama administration’s decision to evacuate U.S. citizens and military personnel within a 50-mile radius of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan.

SBI Energy’s Nuclear Energy Technologies Worldwide market study examined studies on the health consequences of the Chernobyl and Three Mile Island accidents conducted by several government agencies, including the U.S. NRC, and independent organizations. Source: csmonitor.com

In the case of Three Mile Island, comprehensive investigations concluded that despite the serious damage to the reactor and the facility, most of the radiation was contained and any that was released had negligible effects on the physical health of people or the surrounding environment.

The effects of the Chernobyl accident have been documented in reports conducted by the World Health Organization and International Atomic Energy Agency, both of which have been challenged in assessing the significance of their observations because of the lack of reliable public health information of area residents before 1986 when the accident occurred. A multi-agency study from 2006 concluded that people in the area have suffered more from a “paralyzing fatalism due to myths and misperceptions about the threat of radiation” rather than radiation itself.

(Source: sbireports.com)

Wind Power Becoming Competitive with Coal

Karin Rives, Staff Writer
State Department Documents and Publications
February 17, 2011

Washington — The U.S. government is pushing for large-scale wind power development and the timing may be just right.

A recent study from Bloomberg New Energy Finance says that costs for electricity generated by onshore wind are now on par with costs for coal-generated power in the United States and several other markets. That could speed up development of renewables at a time when the world seeks cleaner sources of energy. source: Venturebeat.com

President Obama has called for 80 percent of U.S. energy to come from sources that produce little or no greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, a goal that will require increases in wind, solar, hydro and other “green” power sources. The United States gets about 11 percent of its electricity from renewable sources today.

WIND BLOWS IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION

Growing sales, more efficient wind turbines and overcapacity in the production of hardware have pushed the cost of onshore wind power to $68 per megawatt-hour. That’s just above the $67 per megawatt-hour to produce coal-generated electricity, Bloomberg reported in its latest market analysis.

Electricity from plants fueled by natural gas still costs significantly less — $56 per megawatt-hour, Bloomberg reported.

One megawatt-hour can power about 800 average-sized, single-family homes in the United States for one hour.

The study shows “wind continuing to become a competitive source of large-scale power,” said Michael Liebreich, chief executive of Bloomberg New Energy Finance.

“For the past few years, wind turbine costs went up due to rising demand around the world and the increasing price of steel,” he said. “Behind the scenes, wind manufacturers were reducing their costs, and now we are seeing just how cheap wind energy can be when overcapacity in the supply chain works its way through to developers.”

Capital costs for offshore wind farms still run up to 50 percent higher than the cost to develop wind power on land, according to a recent report by SBI Energy, which tracks the market for renewable energy. Offshore wind turbines must be larger to withstand high ocean winds, but they can also generate more power, which helps offset some of the initial investment, SBI wrote.

Despite such challenges, a growing number of nations, including the United States, are pursuing offshore wind. Turbines at sea have less of an environmental impact than those on land and they can generate much more electricity.

U.S. PUTS OFFSHORE WIND ON FAST TRACK

In 2010, the United States cleared the way for the first large-scale offshore wind project off the coast of Massachusetts in the northeastern United States. That set the stage for proposals to open up other areas for such development, including the Mid-Atlantic coasts of New Jersey, Maryland, Delaware and Virginia.

The government hopes to deploy 10 gigawatts of offshore wind energy capacity by 2020, and 54 gigawatts by 2050. Millions of homes could get their power from wind that way.

The U.S. Department of the Interior has put the Mid-Atlantic projects on an expedited approval track, and leases to developers could be offered by late 2011, the agency said. To support those projects, the Department of Energy has announced $50.5 million in new funding to develop new wind turbine designs and to identify market barriers to wind energy.

The government recently gave a $1.3 billion loan guarantee to the world’s largest wind farm that will be developed in eastern Oregon in the northwestern United States.

Although the rate of growth in U.S. wind installations slowed in 2010, the industry continues to expand. This is largely thanks to a federal tax credit that makes renewable energy more competitive with coal and other fossil-fuel sources, which long have enjoyed federal subsidies.

Thirty-seven states now have commercial wind stations within their borders, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported recently. Iowa, with 20 percent of its power coming from wind, leads the pack.

In the last five years, 400 manufacturing plants have been built or expanded to produce wind energy equipment, said AWEA Executive Director Denise Bode “We’re going to be making a whole lot more affordable, homegrown electric power in the years to come,” she said.

(Source: pennenergy.com)

What your utility company doesn’t want you to know about microgrids

While increasing population, rural development and overall increasing energy consumption is good news for utility companies, there is one technological movement underway that will hurt their revenue steam in the future. And that is the microgrid’s potential to sell electricity back to ‘macrogrid’. Check out my new 3 minute audio on the global microgrid market here: http://www.sbireports.com/Microgrids-2835891/

ARRA Helps US Reach Renewable Energy Targets

01 February 2011 | Renewable Energy Focus USA

Funding made available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) from 2009 has made a significant contribution to the US goal of doubling renewable energy capacity over the next two years.

By Renewable Energy Focus staff

Market researcher SBI Energy has looked at ARRA investments and their impact on the renewable energy market to date.

Among Its Key Findings Are:

Domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is forecasted to grow from <1 GW annually in 2008 to 4 GW annually in 2012, according to the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA);
ARRA investments are speeding up the rate of innovation in solar PV helping to drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years – possibly by 50%;
US wind power capacity grew 40% in 2009 over 2008, and according to CEA, ARRA was responsible for around 6 GW of wind capacity that might not otherwise have been installed in 2009;
US manufacturing capacity for components such as gearboxes, generators and large casted steel parts, has lagged behind demand. The 48C Manufacturing Tax Credit program awarded US$346 million in tax credits to 52 wind manufacturing projects to add to US manufacturing capacity to supply a growing domestic market; and
A US Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicates a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009.

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that US renewable energy generation capacity will increase 32% more than if it had not had ARRA support – reaching 155 GW in 2015.

This article is featured in:
Policy, Investment and Markets

Government Incentives are Growing Renewable Energy

Wednesday, February 2, 2011 |The Green Market Blog

The evidence indicates that government investments have significantly helped the US renewable energy market. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 provided $94.8 billion for clean energy. The program was established under section 1603 of ARRA, and provided cash grants covering 10% or 30% of the total cost of developing new renewable energy facilities.

ARRA investments also funded research projects to develop next generation renewable energy technologies. These types of innovations create a cost competitive alternative to dirty sources of electricity while simultaneously creating long-term economic growth.

Due in large part to ARRA, the renewable energy industry survived the worst financial crisis in decades and is making significant progress toward attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity over two years.

According to Gisela Kroess, a director at UniCredit SpA (UCG.MI), “[ARRA incentives have] spurred a lot of the growth we’ve seen,” she said at a renewable-energy finance conference.

Despite Republican opposition, the US Department of the Treasury’s 1603 cash grant program for the solar and wind industries was extended through 2011 as an add-on to the 2010 Tax Relief bill. The extension provides incentives so that developers of new solar and wind farms will continue investing in new projects beyond those already slated for construction.

ARRA Report Card: Two Years Later, is the latest industry study from market research publisher SBI Energy, it examines the ARRA clean energy investments and their impact on the various clean energy markets within the power, transportation, and building sectors.

Solar Energy

The report card indicates that according to forecasts from the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), ARRA investments will help the domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules to grow from less than 1 GW per year in 2008 to nearly 4 GW per year in 2012. Solar EnergyARRA investments are also accelerating the rate of innovation in solar photovoltaics and will drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years by as much as 50 percent. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association, ARRA has supported more than 1,100 solar projects in 42 states, creating enough new solar capacity to power 200,000 homes. ARRA has resulted in nearly 40 percent growth in the solar power market in 2009 and nearly double in 2010.

Wind Energy

Despite weak economic and investment conditions, US wind power capacity grew 40 percent in 2009 compared to 2008. In July 2010, the CEA reported that ARRA was responsible for approximately 6 GW of wind capacity installation that might not otherwise have occurred in 2009.

Geothermal Energy

An April 2010 U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicated a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009 and concludes that the stimulus funding played an important role in propelling geothermal growth amidst recessionary economic conditions.

Combined Renewable Energy

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that US renewable generation capacity will increase 32 percent more than without ARRA, reaching 155 GW in 2015.

The results of this report card clearly indicate that government investment has significantly increased America’s renewable generation capacity. Richard Matthews is a consultant, eco-entrepreneur, sustainable investor and writer. He is the owner of THE GREEN MARKET, one of the Web’s most comprehensive resources on the business of the environment. He is also the author of numerous articles on sustainable positioning, green investing, enviro-politics and eco-economics.

(Source: solarfeeds.com)

SBI Energy report: Stimulus allowed U.S. renewable energy to grow during the recession

On January 1^st, 2011 SBI Energy (Rockville, Maryland, U.S.) released a new report examining clean energy investments through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA or “stimulus act”) and their impact on markets within the power, transportation and building sectors. The company states that its report: “ARRA Report Card: Two Years Later”, creates a time-capsule analysis of the impact of ARRA investments, which it says include allowing U.S. renewable energy markets to grow during the recession.

“ARRA energy-related funding not only presents potential near-term economic benefits, but also long-term economic and strategic investment and a transformative opportunity for the energy sector,” states the report’s introduction. “Without ARRA investments, it is likely that the pace of renewable energy project construction and manufacturing growth would have otherwise slowed dramatically due the sharp economic and financial downturn over this period.”

SBI Energy says smart grid investments were strategic for renewables

The report notes that at USD$94.8 billion, clean energy investments account for 30% of total ARRA appropriations for innovative infrastructure improvements. The Power Sector received USD$21 billion of that funding, let by almost USD$11 billion in investments in smart grids.

The report notes the strategic significance smart grid investments, stating that the successful implementation of increasing renewable energy generation and other ARRA energy initiatives hinges on successful grid modernization.

The report also examines funding for renewable energy research projects, including solar thin-films and new wind turbine designs. SBI Energy cites data from the U.S. Council of Economic Advisors which states that innovations in solar photovoltaic (PV) technology could drive down the cost of PV modules over the next five years as much as 50%.

Among the data presented, the report identifies and profiles 20 private sector companies that have received ARRA awards under clean energy programs.

SBI Energy is a division of MarketResearch.com Inc. (Rockville, Maryland, U.S.).

(Source: sbireports.com)

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act Grows Renewable Energy Markets and Drives Domestic Energy Independence

New York, January 31, 2011 — The U.S. is making significant progress toward attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity over the next two years, due in large part to support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) introduced in 2009.

ARRA investments are funding research projects to develop next generation renewable energy technologies, such as solar thin films and new wind turbine designs that will create a cost competitive alternative to electricity currently generated from coal or natural gas power plants while simultaneously creating long-term economic market growth.

ARRA Report Card: Two Years Later, the latest industry study from market research publisher SBI Energy provides a time-capsule analysis of the impact of ARRA investments. The report features framework to the new energy economy:

Aided by ARRA investments, The Council of Economic Advisors (CEA) reports that domestic manufacturing capacity for solar photovoltaic (PV) modules is forecasted to grow from <1 GW per year in 2008 to nearly 4 GW per year in 2012.
ARRA investments are accelerating the rate of innovation in solar photovoltaics and according to the CEA, the new technology will drive down the costs of solar panels over the next five years; possibly by 50%.
U.S. wind power capacity grew 40% in 2009 over the prior year, despite weak economic and investment conditions. In July 2010, the CEA reported that ARRA was responsible for approximately 6 GW of wind capacity installation that might not otherwise have occurred in 2009.
U.S. manufacturing capacity for components such as gearboxes, generators, and large casted steel parts, has lagged behind actual demand. The 48C Manufacturing Tax Credit program awarded $346 million in tax credits to 52 wind manufacturing projects to facilitate additional U.S. manufacturing capacity to ensure the U.S. is able to supply a growing domestic market through domestic production.
An April 2010 U.S. Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) survey indicated a 26% increase in new projects under development in 2009 and concludes that the stimulus funding played an important role in propelling geothermal growth amidst recessionary economic conditions.

Overall, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that U.S. renewable generation capacity will increase 32% more than without ARRA support–reaching 155 GW in 2015. Two years after the enactment of ARRA, indications are strong that the Recovery Act is aiding the U.S. in attaining its goal of doubling renewable generation capacity in the next two years.

ARRA Energy Report Card: Two Years Later examines the ARRA clean energy investments and their impact on the various clean energy markets within the power, transportation, and building sectors. The report presents the ARRA direct investments, segmented by sector and clean energy market, and provides details with regard to cross-sector energy-related ARRA investments and tax incentives. A summary of the clean energy markets within each sector likely to be impacted by ARRA energy investments is presented, along with obligations to date, and potential impact and estimated market size to 2015.

ARRA direct investments made in the power, transportation, and buildings sectors are discussed in detail. The report includes specific program details, appropriations amounts, awardees, and intent. Further, the markets expected to benefit from ARRA provisions are highlighted by sector. Discussion of these markets includes products and technologies and estimated market size to 2015.

Identification and profiling of twenty private-sector companies that have received American Recovery and Reinvestment Act awards under clean energy programs are provided in the report. These companies represent some of the largest total ARRA clean energy awards made to private sector companies to date. Recipient awards in the categories of renewable generation, grid modernization, carbon capture and sequestration, transportation, and energy efficiency are represented. Key profile information, brief descriptions of company activities, and discussion of company ARRA clean energy award activities are provided.

For more information, please visit: https://www.sbireports.com/ARRA-Energy-Card-2849576/.

About SBI Energy
SBI Energy, a division of MarketResearch.com, publishes research reports in the industrial, energy, building/construction, and automotive/transportation markets. SBI Energy also offers a full range of custom research services. To learn more, visit www.sbireports.com. Follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr.

Media Contact:
Jenn Tekin
(240) 747- 3015
jtekin@sbireports.com

###

O Thank Heaven it’s 2011

O Thank Heaven it’s 2011 courtesy of earthtechling
SBI Energy

The flurry of predictions made at the end of 2010 for the clean energy sector has created an exciting new buzz for 2011. Significantly advancing the U.S. toward a clean energy economy, 2011 will likely bring a spike in financial investing - now that Wall Street has claimed to have ‘figured out’ clean energy, along with an extension in tax credits that encourage more businesses to adopt ‘green’ practices and the creation of thousands of ‘green’ employment opportunities. Meanwhile, the clean energy manufacturing industry can expect to receive an additional $2.5 billion in funding in 2011 from the Recovery Act (ARRA). And, letting the good news roll, the global clean power sector is forecasted to see growth this year and continue its upward trend straight through 2020 - ultimately becoming a $2.3 trillion industry.

In just 18 months the U.S. spent more than $51 billion in public funding on clean energy project initiatives, research science, installations and infrastructure. Not enough to approach sustainability, but a significant play nonetheless, as many countries have made.

It’s also reported that U.S. is on track for its 2012 goal of doubling its renewable generation capacity. How old is that goal, anyway? What are our new goals? Where are the new clean energy policies and standards businesses need to move forward in their commitments and goals?

As the American public, we know a clean economy can’t arrive bagged and sterile in a flash while we wait. Our order requires recipes and ingredients yet to be known. It will be years in the making, always in the unfolding if we are wise, rather than slacking again to this level of paucity by negligence. So let’s celebrate what this bright New Year will bring in terms of building blocks for our future.

SBI Energy believes the power players are in the following sectors:

• Energy storage

• Rare earth minerals impact on renewable power generation

• Industrial equipment manufacturing, components

• Carbon and coal treatments, technologies

• Nuclear power applications development

• Substation automation

• Smart grid advancement

2011 is set to advance the clean energy industry. We stake our research on it. Cheers to progress and patience!

(Source: sbienergy.com)