QUICK NEWS, July 24: GE TURBINES MAKE WIND CHEAPER THAN COAL IN INDIA; CHINA SUN COUNTERATTACKS AT U.S. POLYSILICON; WIND IS WORTH BILLIONS TO ILLINOIS
GE TURBINES MAKE WIND CHEAPER THAN COAL IN INDIA GE Turbines Help Greenko Drive Wind Power Cost Below Coal
Natalie Obiko Pearson, July 18, 2012 (Bloomberg BusinessWeek)
“The cost of wind power has dropped below the price of coal-fired energy in parts of India for the first time as improved turbine technology and rising fossil-fuel prices boost its competitiveness, Greenko Group Plc (GKO) said…
“The cost of wind has closed in on coal thanks to more advanced turbines, which can produce more electricity from lower wind speeds. The shift means new wind farms in India will be able to survive without state subsidies, potentially attracting investors to a country where 57 percent of installed capacity is coal-based and 31 percent renewable, including hydropower.”
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“Greenko began operating its first wind project in Ratnagiri in Maharashtra state this year using 1.6-megawatt GE turbines designed for low winds. That farm is…[getting an unprecedented in India] 30 percent plant load factor…[Greenlo] has signed agreements for more than 1,000 megawatts of wind capacity and a three-year contract to buy at least 450 megawatts of GE turbines. State power distributors in places such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh…[are buying] because we’re cheaper…”
“The economics of Indian wind developments may lure investors away from markets such as the U.S., where the end of a tax break for wind-power utilities could cause a 75 percent slump in new installations next year…The current cost to build wind farms in India is [still] about $1.25 million a megawatt…[with] turbines that are 20 percent more efficient than in the past…”
CHINA SUN COUNTERATTACKS AT U.S. POLYSILICON Trade War Continues: China Investigating Whether U.S. Dumped Solar-Grade Polysilicon
20 July 2012 (Solar Industry)
“China has reportedly launched an investigation into whether exporters from the U.S. and South Korea illegally dumped solar-grade polysilicon…The probe was launched after four companies - GCL-Poly Energy Holdings Ltd., LDK Solar Co., Daqo New Energy Corp. and China Silicon Corp. - filed complaints with the [Chinese Ministry of Commerce (MOC)]…These latest developments intensify the ongoing trade disputes between China and the U.S. following a ruling by the U.S. Department of Commerce that it would impose countervailing duties on Chinese solar cells and modules imported into the U.S…”
click to enlarge“…The Coalition for Affordable Solar Energy (CASE), which has opposed the anti-dumping and anti-subsidy complaints filed by the SolarWorld-led Coalition for American Solar Manufacturing (CASM), urged a peaceful resolution to the dispute…CASM did not comment on the MOC’s decision…Solar Energy Industries Association President and CEO Rhone Resch reiterated his call for a collaborative dialogue…”
WIND IS WORTH BILLIONS TO ILLINOIS Report: Wind farms add billions of dollars to local economies
Mary Ann Ford, July 17, 2012 (Pantagraph)
“Illinois’ 23 largest wind farms — several of which are in Central Illinois — will add $5.8 billion to local economies over the life of the projects, according to [ Wind Energy Development in Illinois from] Illinois State University…
“The construction of wind farms…[in Illinois] generated 19,047 construction jobs and 814 local, long-term jobs…During the construction phase of the various wind farms, workers made more than $1.1 billion. The wind farms generate $28.5 million in annual property taxes, and landowners make about $13 million a year by allowing turbines to be placed on their properties…”
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“…[W]ind farm production is at a standstill now because a production tax credit that helped offset project costs expires at the end of the year…[The president and director of the Sierra Club’s Illinois chapter said extending that tax credit is [critical]…
“…Larry Flowers, deputy director of the American Wind Energy Association, said coal and gas producers receive subsidies so wind energy should as well to level the playing field. Flowers said wind energy projects are important for job creation in the United States…”
posted by Herman K. Trabish @ 5:42 AM
1 Comments:
The only faults with wind energy production is 1. Noise pollution, they are noisy as all hell. And 2. It just isn't efficient enough, without having more of them on a farm then chicken eggs.
-Sharone Tal
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