News and Events by CCRES March 29, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources News and Events March 29, 2012

Obama Administration Offers $35 Million for Biomass Research The Biomass Research and Development Initiative will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass. Credit: Todd Johnson The White House on March 22 announced an offer of up to $35 million over three years to support research and development in advanced biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products. The projects will be funded through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI), a joint program of DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). The programs will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass. They will also increase the availability of renewable fuels and biobased products that can help replace the need for gasoline and diesel. For fiscal year 2012, applicants seeking BRDI funding must propose projects that integrate science and engineering research in three technical areas: feedstock development, biofuels and biobased products development, and biofuels development analysis. These technical areas are critical to the broader success of alternative biofuels production. Grants awards and national program leadership for the BRDI program will be administered by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Applications are due April 24, 2012, and must be submitted electronically. See the DOE press release and the Funding Opportunity Announcement on FedConnect. White House Offers $14 Million for Advanced Vehicle Materials The White House on March 22 announced a $14.2 million DOE effort to accelerate the development and deployment of stronger and lighter materials for advanced vehicles. The initiative will help reduce U.S. dependence on foreign oil and limit carbon pollution. The funding will support the development of high-strength, lightweight carbon-fiber composites and advanced steels and alloys that will help vehicle manufacturers improve the fuel economy of cars and trucks while maintaining and improving safety and performance. Replacing cast iron and traditional steel components with lightweight materials allows manufacturers to include additional safety devices, integrated electronic systems, and emissions control equipment on vehicles without increasing their weight. Using lighter materials also reduces a vehicle's fuel consumption. For example, reducing a vehicle's weight by 10% can improve the fuel economy by 6%-8%. DOE intends to fund projects across three major areas of materials research and development, including developing modeling tools to deliver higher performing carbon-fiber composites, doing the same for advanced steels, and researching new lightweight, high-strength alloys for energy-efficient vehicle and truck engines. The department will accept applications from industry, national laboratories, and university led-teams to address these challenges and enable technologies that will drive innovation in vehicle design. Applications are due May 7, 2012. See the DOE press release. Nine Utilities Join Green Button Efficiency Program The Obama Administration announced on March 22 that nine major utilities and electricity suppliers will commit to providing more than 15 million households access to data about their own energy use with a simple click of an online "Green Button." By providing consumers with information about how they are using energy in their households, Green Button can help them reduce waste and shrink bills. Green Button is an industry-led effort that allows electricity customers to download their household or building energy-use data in a consumer- and computer-friendly format. The utilities and electricity suppliers making new commitments include: American Electric Power; Austin Energy; Baltimore Gas and Electric; CenterPoint Energy; Commonwealth Edison; NSTAR; PECO; Reliant; and Virginia Dominion Power. The utilities have agreed to base their Green Buttons on a common technical standard developed with a public-private partnership supported by the U.S. Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology. Green Button-enabled web and smartphone applications promise to help consumers choose the most economical rate plan for their use patterns; provide customized energy efficiency tips; provide easy-to-use tools to size and finance rooftop solar panels; and deliver virtual energy audit software. See the White House press release. Army Plans $7 Billion in Industry Partnerships for Renewables The U.S. Army reported on March 19 that it will partner with industry to invest up to $7 billion over the next 10 years in renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy. The military department has released a draft request for proposal (RFP) that could allow multiple projects to begin nationwide. The draft RFP indicates that the Army intends to primarily purchase renewable-generated electricity through power purchase agreements with the project developers. The investment will help the Army reach its goal of having 25% of its estimated 2.5 million megawatt hours come from renewable sources by 2025. In addition to energy conservation, installations will strive to establish alternative forms of energy that will allow them to "island" or continue to operate should the power grid fail. The Army's Energy Initiatives Task Force (EITF) serves as the central managing office to plan and execute large-scale renewable energy projects of greater than 10 megawatts (roughly enough to power 30,000 homes) on Army installations, which will be accomplished by leveraging private-sector financing. A renewable-energy project guide will be issued for comment later in the spring. The task force has been working closely with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a request for proposal under the Multiple Award Order Contract (MATOC). The MATOC provides a two-step process. In the first step, companies submit initial proposals and qualifications that are not project-specific. The draft RFP for the MATOC is out for public comment until March 24. The EITF plans to have a summit in May to meet with industry and discuss the renewable-energy development guide as well as specific projects. See the Army news report on the initiative and the draft solicitation on the Army Acquisition Business website.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

San Antonio Small Businesses 'Seeing the Light' with Energy Upgrades If you were going to a new gallery showing of your favorite local artist, would you want to view the canvasses under dim lights? Or if you were reupholstering your favorite sofa, would you want to look at fabric samples under fluorescent lighting and risk mistaking indigo blue for charcoal black? Small businesses are a main economic driver in cities across the country—and San Antonio, Texas, is no different. Lighting may seem like a small detail, but as more than 800 small businesses in San Antonio have discovered, having the right lighting can improve business and conserve energy. With more than 40% of a company's energy consumption coming from interior lighting, upgrading to more efficient lighting can dramatically reduce a company's energy consumption and lower utility bills. As part of San Antonio's "Mission Verde" initiative, the city launched the City Lights Small Business Lighting Retrofit Program using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funding through DOE's The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) program. The City Lights program is helping business owners increase their lighting efficiency, reduce energy use, and lower electricity bills. In the first 10 months of City Lights, participating small businesses saved an estimated 4.9 million kilowatt-hours of electricity. Beyond these savings, the program trained and employed local energy audit experts and electrical contractors, who helped businesses identify potential energy and cost saving measures. Read the complete story in DOE's Energy Blog. DOE Launches Apps for Energy Get ready to change the way you think about your utility bill data. With the DOE's new Apps for Energy competition, we're challenging developers to use the Green Button data access program to bring residential and commercial utility data to life. DOE—in partnership with Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Itron, and Gridwise Alliance—is offering $100,000 in cash prizes to the software developers and designers that submit the best apps, as judged by a prestigious panel of judges selected from government, the energy industry, and the tech community. Apps for Energy leverages Green Button, an initiative that gives access to energy usage data in a streamlined and easy-to-understand format. In addition to leveraging Green Button, app developers are encouraged to combine data from a variety of sources to present a complete picture of the customer's energy usage. Read the complete story in DOE's Energy Blog and the DOE press release. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

A day in the life with a Better Place electric vehicle (EV)

The end result is that the Better Place driver has unlimited range and a state-of-the-art driving experience while having minimal impact on the electric grid.

 For more information visit, http://www.betterplace.com/

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy sources (CCRES)

Mobilize The Earth

About Earth Day Network

Earth Day Network mobilizes over one billion people in 192 countries through year-round advocacy, education, public policy and consumer campaigns to protect the environment.

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

Exit Nuclear

If we use our existing infrastructure in an innovative way, then we can not only speed up the exit of nuclear energy, we can even pay for it. Costs are converted to revenues. This generates cash and if money is available, then consensus can be reached to put an end to this expensive source of energy. This Simple Show explains how The Blue Economy can be applied to provide cheap and renewable energy with what we have - and a touch of creativity.

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES March 21, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events March 21, 2012

DOE Offers Up to $2 Million for Hydrogen Fueling Stations Data Collection DOE announced on March 13 that up to $2 million will be available this year to collect and analyze performance data for hydrogen fueling stations and advanced refueling components. DOE will track the performance and technical progress of innovative refueling systems to find ways to lower costs and improve operations. The funding is part of the department's commitment to help industry bring hydrogen technologies into the mainstream market and provide new choices for vehicles that do not rely on gasoline. Many automakers have announced production plans for fuel cell electric vehicles for retail sale or lease as early as 2015, and some states are investing in hydrogen fuel infrastructure to accommodate these vehicles. The new funding will support projects to monitor the performance of multiple hydrogen fueling stations and advanced components for up to five years. The data and resulting analyses from this initiative will also help hydrogen fueling equipment manufacturers improve the designs of existing systems. DOE seeks applicants to this funding opportunity to test new refueling component technologies that could substantially reduce the cost of hydrogen. These include advanced compressor designs that could reduce the number or size of compressors required at commercial refueling sites; hydrogen delivery tanks with higher capacity and optimal tank pressure, which could reduce the need for compressors and the frequency of deliveries at refueling sites; and advanced electrolyzers that can produce hydrogen at higher pressures, potentially lowering the cost of hydrogen by reducing the amount of post-production compression required. Responses are due May 11. See the DOE Progress Alert and the Funding Opportunity Announcement on the Funding Opportunity Exchange website. EPA Names 2012 Energy Star Awardees, Celebrate 20th Anniversary The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on March 15 recognized the 2012 Energy Star award winners while kicking off Energy Star's 20th anniversary. Energy Star is a joint program of the EPA and DOE that is designed to help consumers save money and protect the environment by using energy-efficient products and practices. During the past 20 years, with help from Energy Star partners, families and businesses have saved about $230 billion on utility bills and prevented more than 1.7 billion metric tons of carbon pollution. EPA chose the 109 Energy Star award winners for 2012 from nearly 20,000 partners from across the nation. Awardees earned citations in one of four Energy Star award categories: corporate commitment, sustained excellence, partner of the year, and excellence in delivering specific promotions. Sears Holdings Corporation took the highest honor, the Energy Star corporate commitment award. EPA also cited 57 sustained excellence winners for continuing to raise the bar across their respective industries for outstanding achievements in energy efficiency; 36 partner-of-the-year award winners for protecting the environment by using energy efficient products, practices, and services; and 15 excellence award designees for advancing energy-efficient products, homes, or buildings and helping expand the reach of the Energy Star program. Launched in 1992 by EPA, Energy Star is a market-based partnership to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through energy efficiency. Last year alone, the Energy Star program and its partners helped Americans save approximately $23 billion on their energy bills while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to the annual emissions of 41 million vehicles. See the EPA press release and a complete list of winners. U.S. Solar Energy Installations Soared in 2011: Report The U.S. solar energy industry installed a record 1,855 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic (PV) capacity in 2011, according to the latest U.S. Solar Market Insight report. The amount represents a 109% growth rate over the previous year and is enough to power more than 370,000 homes. The total more than doubled the previous annual record of 887 MW set in 2010. The findings came from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association, an industry trade group. This growth was spurred in part by declining installed solar photovoltaic (PV) system prices, which fell 20% last year on the back of lower component costs, improved installation efficiency, expanded financing options, and a shift toward larger systems nationwide. In addition, the anticipated expiration of the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s 1603 Program, which ended December 31, 2011, drove developers to commission projects before the end of 2011. The report also provides an update on the concentrating solar power (CSP) market. While no new concentrating solar thermal electric capacity was brought online in 2011, a total of 10 concentrating PV projects came online. The year also saw meaningful construction progress on a number of projects with some capacity expected to come online later in 2012 and a surge projected in 2013. Today, more than 1,000 MW of CSP—enough to power 200,000 homes—are under construction. As of year-end 2011, cumulative PV capacity in the United States reached nearly 4,000 MW and cumulative CSP capacity topped 500 MW. Together, these represent enough solar capacity to power nearly a million households. The market demonstrated why the United States is becoming a center of attention for global solar, according to Shayle Kann, Managing Director of GTM Research's solar practice. Kann noted that 2011 was the first year with meaningful volumes of large-scale PV installations, adding that there were 28 individual PV projects over 10 megawatts in 2011, up from only two in 2009. Kann also said that the market continued to diversify nationally; eight states installed more than 50 megawatts of solar each last year, compared to just five in 2010. The U.S. Solar Market Insight report projected that 2012 will be another strong year for the PV industry, with installations of more than 2,800 MW forecasted. See the press release for the report. Coalition Offers Plan to Accelerate Adoption of Plug-In Electric Vehicles Consumers could find the Nissan Leaf and other EVs more accessible under a plan proposed by the PEV Dialogue Group. Credit: Nissan A coalition of automakers, electric utilities, environmental groups, state officials, and DOE on March 13 outlined joint recommendations for accelerating the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) nationwide. The PEV Dialogue Group, convened last year by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), presented its recommendations at a Washington, D.C. event. The group's report, An Action Plan to Integrate Plug-in Electric Vehicles with the U.S. Electrical Grid, provides a roadmap for coordinated public and private sector action to ensure that PEV owners can conveniently plug in their cars without overtaxing the grid. It recommends steps to ensure compatible regulatory approaches nationwide, balance public and private investments in charging infrastructure, and better inform consumers about PEVs. Over the coming months, C2ES will support DOE-funded Clean Cities coalitions working in dozens of communities across the country to develop local PEV deployment plans. C2ES will work with the PEV Dialogue Group and others to promote implementation of its plan. Nearly 18,000 PEVs were sold in the United States last year; over the next year or two, all of the major automakers plan to have models on the road. Some PEVs such as the Nissan Leaf rely entirely on battery power, while the Chevy Volt and others have backup engines to extend their driving ranges. Broad deployment of PEVs, which use little or no gasoline, can significantly reduce U.S. reliance on imported oil and curb harmful tailpipe emissions. See the C2ES press release.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Secrets of a Tribal Energy Auditor On a tiny, rural reservation 10 miles east of Newport, Oregon, Fawn Metcalf gets to work. Adorned in pink overalls and polka-dotted work boots, Metcalf prepares to crawl under the home of a family in Siletz. Metcalf is focused on her goal of helping modest-income families save money and stay healthy and dry. "It's gratifying to know that you are making a big difference in people’s lives," says Metcalf. With a facemask in place, she tests for airflow leaks in every nook and cranny using a variety of machines and devices. Sometimes she finds other structural problems that can jeopardize the homeowners' physical and financial wellbeing. Oregon's wet winters create a lush landscape, but that moisture can also create unhealthy conditions inside homes. "Our biggest problem is mold," said Metcalf. Just ask resident Laura Bremner and her family of eight. "We were sick from October, when it started raining, all the way through ‘til April or June," said Bremner, who moved into the brand new four-bedroom modular home in 2000. At one point, Bremner's 8-year-old daughter was forced to move because of a bacterial lung infection that kept her on oxygen. After Metcalf audited Bremner’s house, the Siletz Tribal Energy Program installed an Energy Smart furnace, a dehumidifier, and a whole-house ventilation system. Some drywall was also replaced. Within a few months, the dangerous black mold disappeared. For the first time in more than 10 years, the Bremner family finally stopped getting sick. That was nine months ago. Metcalf was trained and certified with funding provided by the Bonneville Power Administration's Low-Income Energy Efficiency program, the Administration for Native Americans, and the DOE. This BPA energy efficiency program gives funds directly to the state or tribal service provider rather than to a local utility. The annual budget includes $500,000 that goes directly to the tribes. Read the complete story and see the accompanying video on the DOE Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

Solarna elektrana Kukuljanovo

 

Tvrtka Adria Sol iz Kukuljanova, nedaleko Rijeke, izgradila je na krovu pogona za preradu soli u Industrijskoj zoni Kukuljanovo do sada najveću solarnu elektranu u Hrvatskoj, ukupne snage 283 kWp.

Objekt na čijem krovu se nalazi ovaj fotonaponski sustav u vlasništvu je grupe Ma.Co.T. s kojom je Adria Sol vlasnički povezana.

MA.CO.T. je započeo s radom 1992 godine, te se tijekom posljednih 15-ak godina profilirao u tvrtku koju poznaju i prepoznaju kao jednoga od glavnih dobavljača soli u Republici Hrvatskoj te u susjednim zemljama.
Sjedište tvrtke je u Industrijskoj zoni Kukuljanovo u zaleđu Rijeke u neposrednoj blizini luka Rijeka i Bakar, autoceste Rijeka Zagreb te čvorišta prema Splitu. Krajem 2005. otvoren je naš nov distribucijski centar u čijem sklopu je i skladište soli zatvorenog tipa površine 3.000 m2.

Karakteristike Solarne elektrane Kukuljanovo:

 Ukupna investicija prelazi 500 tisuća eura, a povrat investicije očekuje se nakon 6 godina. Svu proizvedenu električnu energiju elektrana predaje u elektroenergetsku mrežu. Očekivana godišnja proizvodnja iznosi više od 300 tisuća kWh, što bi, primjerice, bilo dovoljno za opskrbu oko 100 kućanstava električnom energijom.

Osim ovog projekta Adria Sol instalirala je još veću solarnu elektranu (315 kWp) u Gospodarskoj zoni Čaporice, nedaleko Trilja, također na krovu u vlasništvu grupe Ma.Co.T. te se uskoro očekuje puštanje u rad, odnosno priključak na elektroenergetsku mrežu. Za gradnju Solarne elektrane Čaporice korištena je ista tehnologija i oprema kao i za Solarnu elektranu Kukuljanovo. Administrativna procedura potrebna za realizaciju ovih projekata trajala je skoro godinu dana.

Nadalje, Adria Sol planira i skori završetak nekoliko manjih solarnih elektrana na krovovima obiteljskih kuća.

Tehničke karakteristike Solarne elektrane Kukuljanovo:
 
Fotonaponski sustav ukupne snage: 282,94 kWp
Očekivana godišnja proizvodnja: oko 300.000 kWh
Prinos prema mikrolokaciji elektrane: 1080 kWh/kWp
Solarni paneli: Day4Energy 235 W, polikristalni, 1204 komada
Izmjenjivači: Fronius CL 60kW, 4 komada
Smanjena emisija CO2: oko 150 tona/god.
Krovna površina koju elektrana zauzima:  2000 m2

 Iz tvrtke napominju da je administrativna procedura potrebna za realizaciju ovih projekata trajala skoro godinu dana, te dodaju kako bi bilo korisno za hrvatsko gospodarstvo da se administrativna procedura ubrza te da traje maksimalno par mjeseci, kao što je slučaj u EU. Iz Adria Sol-a najavljuju i skori završetak nekoliko manjih solarnih elektrana na krovovima obiteljskih kuća, prenosi Hina.

Hrvatski Centar Obnovljivih Izvora Energije (HCOIE)

Actual prices per one liter of fuel March 18, 2012

March 18, 2012	Unleaded (Superbleifrei, Euro sans plomb, Euro95)					Diesel (Gazole, Gasóleo)
Country	Retail Price		Price (Excluding VAT)			Retail Price		Price (Excluding VAT)
Austria	€ 1.425		€ 1.188			€ 1.387		€ 1.156
Belgium	€ 1.733		€ 1.432			€ 1.544		€ 1.276
Bulgaria	€ 1.344	2.63 лв.	€ 1.120	2.19 лв.		€ 1.370	2.68 лв.	€ 1.142	2.23 лв.
Cyprus	€ 1.337		€ 1.143			€ 1.365		€ 1.167
Czech Republic	€ 1.486	36.50 Kč	€ 1.238	30.42 Kč		€ 1.502	36.90 Kč	€ 1.252	30.75 Kč
Denmark	€ 1.825	13.57 kr	€ 1.460	10.86 kr		€ 1.652	12.28 kr	€ 1.322	9.82 kr
Estonia	€ 1.390		€ 1.158			€ 1.365		€ 1.138
Finland	€ 1.663		€ 1.352			€ 1.573		€ 1.279
France	€ 1.686		€ 1.410			€ 1.501		€ 1.255
Germany	€ 1.668		€ 1.402			€ 1.525		€ 1.282
Greece	€ 1.751		€ 1.424			€ 1.561		€ 1.269
Hungary	€ 1.468	431 Ft	€ 1.156	339 Ft		€ 1.492	438 Ft	€ 1.175	345 Ft
Ireland	€ 1.610		€ 1.309			€ 1.550		€ 1.260
Italy	€ 1.830		€ 1.512			€ 1.739		€ 1.437
Latvia	€ 1.404	Ls 0.977	€ 1.151	Ls 0.801		€ 1.387	Ls 0.965	€ 1.137	Ls 0.791
Lithuania	€ 1.387	Lt 4.79	€ 1.146	Lt 3.96		€ 1.335	Lt 4.61	€ 1.103	Lt 3.81
Luxembourg	€ 1.415		€ 1.230			€ 1.277		€ 1.110
Malta	€ 1.450		€ 1.229			€ 1.360		€ 1.153
Netherlands	€ 1.825		€ 1.534			€ 1.502		€ 1.262
Poland	€ 1.371	5.66 zł	€ 1.115	4.60 zł		€ 1.383	5.71 zł	€ 1.124	4.64 zł
Portugal	€ 1.718		€ 1.397			€ 1.520		€ 1.236
Romania	€ 1.311	5.72 lei	€ 1.057	4.61 lei		€ 1.350	5.89 lei	€ 1.089	4.75 lei
Slovakia	€ 1.532		€ 1.277			€ 1.463		€ 1.219
Slovenia	€ 1.463		€ 1.219			€ 1.343		€ 1.119
Spain	€ 1.444		€ 1.224			€ 1.387		€ 1.175
Sweden	€ 1.746	15.48 kr	€ 1.397	12.38 kr		€ 1.702	15.09 kr	€ 1.362	12.07 kr
United Kingdom	€ 1.675	£ 1.395	€ 1.396	£ 1.163		€ 1.772	£ 1.474	€ 1.477	£ 1.228
EU AVERAGE	€ 1.554		€ 1.284			€ 1.478		€ 1.221

PS.

VEZANO ZA CIJENE NAFTNIH DERIVATA U REPUBLICI HRVATSKOJ


"Žao nam je ako RH uvede sankcije Siriji, ali vi ćete biti gubitnici"- rekao je prije nepunih mjesec dana predsjednik Gospodarske komore Sirije i savjetnik ministra gospodarstva Mohamed Al-Kshto. Inine bušotine u Siriji - milijarde dolara vrijedna nalazišta nafte i plina kako danas izgleda – preuzet će ruski naftni i plinski div Gazprom! Da je Ina u problemima i da su Hrvatski poslovni interesi u Siriji ugroženi, potvrdio je i sirijski ministar nafte Sufiyan Al-Lawi. Zanima nas tko će odgovarati za ovo. Dignuti cijenu naftnih derivata na hrvatskim benzinskim stanicama može svatko, ali voditi uspješnu vanjsku gospodarsku politiku treba prepustiti stručnjacima koji vide dalje od dnevno-političke situacije. Republika Hrvatska je mala zemlja s neznatnim utjecajem na svjetskoj gospodarskoj sceni i ovakve odluke koje ostavljaju dalekosežne posljedice prije donošenja treba prvo dobro izvagati. Ne bi htjeli uvlačiti i njih u ovo, ali i urednici Glasa Koncila uvidjeli su ozbiljnost teme i pisali svjesni posljedica ovog čina za hrvatski narod. U utorak kada cijena derivata probije još jednu "psihološku" granicu , ne čudimo se kuda to svijet ide, već se zapitajmo što je to s nama samima.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

Happy St Patrick's Day!

 Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources

News and Events by CCRES March 14, 2012

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES News and Events March 14, 2012

President Launches DOE's 'EV-Everywhere Challenge' The Obama Administration launched a new program aimed at helping increase acceptance of EVs, such as the Chevy Volt shown with a replica lithium-ion battery. Credit: GM Corp President Obama on March 7 launched DOE's EV-Everywhere Challenge, allowing scientists, engineers, and businesses to collaborate to make electric vehicles (EV) more affordable than gasoline-powered vehicles in 10 years. The challenge is part of a strategy to help reduce dependence on foreign oil. The DOE initiative, which will bring together DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program, its Office of Science, and its Advanced Research Projects Agency—Energy (ARPA-E), will aim to make electric vehicles affordable. The team will target dramatic technological and cost improvements in batteries, electric motors, power electronics, lightweight structures, and fast-charging technology. The goal is to enable U.S. companies to be the first to produce a 5-passenger affordable EV with a payback time of fewer than 5 years. The challenge will involve working with industry, universities, national laboratories, and government partners to set technical goals for cutting costs for the batteries and electric drivetrain systems, reducing the vehicle weights while maintaining safety, and increasing fast-charge rates. As part of the initiative, DOE will organize a series of EV-Everywhere Challenge workshops across the country over the next few months. And, DOE will announce over the next few months a series of additional "Grand Challenges," each focused on technical innovations and reductions in cost that will enable clean energy technologies to compete directly, without subsidies, with the energy technologies currently in wide use. See the DOE press release and the President's remarks. DOE Launches Next Phase of Competition to Create Efficient Lighting DOE on March 8 launched the next phase of the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize) competition, which challenges the lighting industry to develop high-performance, energy-saving replacements for conventional light bulbs. The latest competition will spur leading-edge companies to build innovative LED replacements for conventional parabolic aluminized reflector (PAR 38) lamps, commonly known as spot or flood lamps. Approximately 90 million PAR 38 light bulbs are installed in the United States, and DOE estimates that replacing them with bulbs efficient enough to win the L Prize would save the country 11 terawatt-hours of electricity per year, approximately as much electricity Washington, D.C., consumes each year. The rigorous performance testing needed to win the L Prize ensures that the performance, quality, lifetime, costs, and availability of winning products meet expectations for mass manufacturing and widespread adoption. For the PAR 38 category, at least 50% of the LEDs must be produced in the United States, and all of the assembly must be done here. See the DOE press release and the L Prize website. DOE Offers $5.2 Million for Building Efficiency Technologies DOE announced on March 9 the availability of up to $5.2 million in fiscal year 2012 to develop improved building efficiency technologies. This funding opportunity includes advanced heating and cooling systems and high efficiency insulation, windows, and roofs. The funding will advance the research and development, demonstration, and manufacture of innovative building technologies to speed the commercialization of affordable, high-performance products. Homes and commercial buildings consume approximately 40% of the energy used in the United States, costing American consumers more than $400 billion annually. Nearly a third of that energy is used for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC). Advancing HVAC building technologies and improving the design and materials that make up a building's "envelope" or air seal will significantly reduce the cost of heating and cooling residential and commercial buildings. DOE seeks applicants for funding to support breakthroughs in energy-saving HVAC systems and building envelope solutions. Mechanical HVAC system projects should aim to increase the efficiency of cost-effective systems and components suitable for both existing buildings and new construction, while building envelope projects will focus on advancing high-performance cost-effective ways to minimize energy loss in homes and commercial buildings, particularly existing buildings. Applications will be accepted through April 17, 2012. See the DOE Progress Alert and DOE's Funding Opportunity Exchange website. Four Major Firms Join National Clean Fleets Partnership DOE announced on March 5 that four new corporate partners—Best Buy, Johnson Controls, Pacific Gas and Electric, and Veolia—are joining DOE's National Clean Fleets Partnership, a broad public-private partnership that helps the largest fleet operators reduce how much gasoline and diesel they use. The new partners join 14 other major national companies in committing to improve the fuel economy of the commercial fleets and integrate alternative technology vehicles such as natural gas trucks and electric vehicles into their fleets. National Clean Fleets Partners operate more than a million commercial vehicles nationwide, accounting for more than 12% of all commercial vehicles on U.S. roads. Under the partnership, DOE experts provide each company with specialized resources, technical expertise, and support in developing a comprehensive strategy to reduce fuel use and achieve greater efficiency and cost-savings. DOE also helps connect partners with clean fuel providers and equipment manufacturers where their fleets operate. The new partners have already begun taking action to develop and implement fuel-efficiency projects in their fleets. For example, Best Buy reduced its 5,000-vehicle fleet's carbon emissions by 21%, by taking steps including using the smallest, most fuel-efficient vehicles for the job. And Johnson Controls has committed to designing and delivering increasingly sustainable products, as well introducing more than 500 hybrids and all-electric vehicles to its 19,000 vehicles worldwide. See the DOE press release and the National Clean Fleets Partnership Web page.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Energy 101 Video: Lumens On March 8, DOE launched the next phase of the Bright Tomorrow Lighting Prize (L Prize), a competition that pushes for accelerated innovation and drives industry to create more energy-saving lighting options. And, with more high-performance, high-efficiency lighting options set to appear on store shelves, it's time to change the way we shop for light. Think about it: For decades, we have been buying light bulbs based on watts or how much energy they consume. But with new lighting options designed to use significantly less energy, buying bulbs based on watts is no longer a reliable way to gauge the right level of brightness. That instead takes lumens, which measure how much light you get from a bulb. More lumens means it's a brighter light; fewer lumens means it's a dimmer light. Read the complete story in the DOE Energy Blog. Not a Long Time Ago in an Energy Efficient Galaxy Not Very Far Away A manufacturer of crystalline solar cells has opened a new manufacturing facility for the assembly of solar panels by plant staff and robots in Milwaukee as a result of American Recovery and Recovery Act funds from the DOE's State Energy Program (SEP). Helios USA, LLC, is Wisconsin's first manufacturer of high-performance solar modules for deployment in residential, commercial, industrial, and utility-based solar electric systems. The company will supply solar panels to a number of customers. With a $1.4 million loan from SEP, Helios assembles solar panels in the newly opened facility, located in what was previously an abandoned manufacturing plant in the Menomonee Valley area of Milwaukee, with the help of staff and assistance from robots when “superhuman” precision and sensitivity is needed. As of December 2011, the Helios manufacturing plant has supported 26 jobs, and it is projected to create a total of 50 permanent jobs in the state. Read the complete story in DOE's Energy Blog. CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

Renewable Energy Finance Summit India 2012

Who is Attending? 150+ Directors, CXOs an Top-Management Professionals from: > Banks and Financial Institutions > Renewable Energy Project  Developers > Capital Advisors > Private Equity and Venture Capitalists > Policy Makers > Energy Market Experts Events: Upcoming Global Solar EPC Summit | India| May 2012 16 – 17 May, Eros Hilton, New Delhi Events Registrations For delegate registration, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities, contact: Events Team, Renewable Markets India T: +91 22 27717150 / 43 E-mail: events@renewablemarketsindia.com Connect with Renewable Markets India at our website www.renewablemarketsindia.com	India’s Largest Annual Conference on  Renewable Energy Finance Summit India 2012 Markets, Policy, Debt and Equity 18 April 2012, Mumbai, India CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)  promotes   Renewable Markets, India. Renewable energy is the fastest growing source of renewable energy in India. Wind and Solar energy sectors in India have witnessed sharp growth, with the Government initiating a series of reforms over the last two years to increase the amount, and the efficiency, of private investment in the sector, including: introduction of generation-based incentives, renewable purchase obligations, market mechanisms, rationalised tariffs, national green funds and other positive initiatives. Meanwhile, developers continue to aggressively expand their capacity in the country. A number of private power producers are now expanding their portfolio in India and overseas. With this increased focus on developing large scale renewable energy projects in India and Asian subcontinent, we bring to you India’s largest international conference for financing renewable energy projects developers in India. This conference will specifically focus on the growth of renewable energy companies in India and also see key discussions on the next growth markets. The issues, challenges, potential and opportunities in these sectors will be the key focus of the event. The event will see a participation by India’s 150+ delegates & experts from across the globe. World’s Finest Speakers and Delegates From > Ministries: State and National > Key Policy Makers > Private Equity and Venture Capitalists > International Banks > NBFCs, Financial Institutions > Insurance and Tax Advisors > Capital Advisors and Project Investors > Renewable Energy Project Developers > FIIs, FDIs Some Key Topics: > Understanding Market Mechanisms – RECs, Future of Carbon Markets > Evaluating Renewable Energy Investment Opportunities > Tapping Renewable Energy Funds > Raising Funds: Challenges of Debt and Equity Markets > Present And Future Key Policy Developments > Evaluating Market Risks and Instruments > Understanding Project And Policy Risks > Improving Project Returns and Managing Project Financing And Lots More. Click Here To read more We invite you to be a part of this event and participate in this most crucial renewable energy finance conference of the year. Reserve Your Seats Today! REGISTER NOW! Click Here To Visit Website To establish your company as a Leading Player in India’s Renewable Energy Industry, join the conference as Sponsors! Build Partnerships, Foster Investments, Grow Your Business! Please feel free to contact us in case you have any questions.
	An event you cannot afford to miss - a FirstView Conference!

For More Information About Renewable Markets India visit: www.renewablemarketsindia.com

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

GDH Energy International Ltd.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 

promotes  GDH Energy International Ltd.

 It is a pleasure for us to announce new geothermal heat pump range.

The heat pumps are available as: 7, 10, 13, 16 and 22 kW*.
(values at *B0/W35 DIN14511)

All heat pumps comes with the GDH heat pump controller and graphic display.
Function:
1x primary heating circuit
3-way-valve connection
Water circulation pump connections
DHW function with anti legionella function
2x additional heater connections
Temperature compensation
Time scheduler
2x mix heating circuits
EVU energy management
3x room thermostat connections
Solar connection 

For more informations please visit GDH homepage: www.sole-wasser-waermepumpe.de

GDH Energy International Ltd.
Deutschland Repräsentanz
Rheinlanddamm 201a
D-44139 Dortmund

GDH is the registrated European brand name. 

CCRES special thanks to 

Matthias Breuer
- Sales Manager Europe -

Renewable Energy Events

 

CCRES promotes some

Renewable Energy Events

From 12/03/2012 To 31/03/2012

Event details

CENERG (Clean Energy Exhibition) 2012

From 12/03/2012 To 14/03/2012

EXPO XXI - Varsavia - POLONIA

Trade Show CENERG guarantees:
- unprecedented number of qualified visitors looking specifically for your products and services;
- impressive program of seminars, workshops and conferences for more than 1800 key specialists;
- the most comprehensive marketing campaign reaching over 100.000 specialists;
- favorable economic environment and a fantastic forum to generate new business.
CENERG Trade Show is visited by over 11.000 visitors each year and it is also the event with unprecedented number of workshops and seminar event. Lectures are given by professionals from across Poland and representatives of exhibitors. Each day up to 6 training courses for 100/150 people each are organized. Participants can compare the information obtained during seminars with the practical offer of manufacturers at trade show stands.

THE ACR SHOW

From 13/03/2012 To 15/03/2012

NEC Birmingham - Birmingham - REGNO UNITO

The ACR Show, the dedicated event for the air conditioning and refrigeration industry, is taking place between 13th - 15th March 2012 in hall 19 at the NEC, Birmingham.

Tuesday 13th March 10am – 16.30pm
Wednesday 14th March 10am – 16.30pm
Thursday 15th March 10am – 16.00pm
Whether you´re looking for the latest products & solutions to aide your business, learn from our extensive seminar programme, to network or to attend the prestigious ACR News Award, the ACR Show 2012 will have something for everyone.

Why Visit?
With time out of the office being a rare and valuable commodity, the ACR Show’s aim is to provide you with everything you need to ensure you make the most of your time at the show.
    •    Free entry to the show
    •    Free seminar programme
    •    Compare the leading industry suppliers and manufacturers
    •    Views the latest products, services and solutions on the market
    •    Benefit from free advice from industry experts in the seminar theatres and on exhibitors stands
    •    Meet your peers and network over a drink or lunch
    •    Be part of the ACR News Awards on Wednesday 14th March and celebrate your industry’s achievements

Moldenergy

From 14/03/2012 To 17/03/2012

International Exhibition Centre "Moldexpo" - MOLDAVIA 

MOLDENERGY - key therms are energetic, thermal and power-technical equipment, as well as powe-saving technologies - has become an accelerator, which stimulates the country´s energetic objects reequipping by the latest equipment and contributes to application of power-saving technologies in the branch.
This exhibition means:
- for foreign producers an opportunity for studying market;
- for Moldovan specialists is an opportunity for meetings with foreign business partners to establish new contracts.
Moldenergy will be held simultaneously with MOLDCONSTRUCT, the largest exhibition project in the field of construction.

BioEnergy 2012

From 15/03/2012 To 17/03/2012

Quartiere fieristico di Cremona - Cremona - Cremona - ITALIA 


BioEnergy is a fair characterized by concreteness, efficiency and business. In the last years the renewable energy sector registered a great growth and represent new business opportunities for technology producers, designers, dealers and services suppliers. This event could give you the possibility to present yourself on an international market and to get in touch with thousands of potential customers.

Benefits will be different:

• create relationships with the professionals of the supply chain;


• update on politics, laws and regulations about bioenergy;


• create culture on renewable energy production;


• be a useful guide for customers who want to enter in this business.

There will be different important appointment such as conferences and seminars, Exhibitors workshops and guided tours to the best PV and biogas plants.

EnergyMed 2012

From 22/03/2012 To 24/03/2012

Mostra d´Oltremare (ingresso Viale Kennedy) - Napoli - ITALIA 

EnergyMed, in its fifth edition, represents the main event about Energy in the Mediterranean to discuss the status of innovative sectors such as solar, wind, high efficiency/biomass boilers and many others.

The exhibition this year exceeds 8,000 meters square with a wide variety of special events and conference realized with the collaboration of industry experts and representatives of major companies participating in workshops, meetings and business to business roundtables.

EnergyMed is one of the most important appointment to discuss the issues of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable mobility, housing and recycling.

Expoedilizia - Fiera professionale per l´edilizia e l´architettura

From 22/03/2012 To 25/03/2012

Fiera di Roma - Roma - Roma - ITALIA 

Expoedilizia is a professionale exhibition for the building industry and architecture. This edition is innovative also for the period, this year the fair takes place in march and not in november.

The exhibition will have nine different exhibition areas with other different events like "officina serramento", a space dedicated to manufacturers of aluminium and PVC working machines, systems, components and software for doors and windows to present sector innovations with practical demonstrations, "demonstration Area“ for practical demonstration and "Working with Nature Project", an important workshop about the use of public space in its various forms with architects, planners, landscape architects and administrations.

MCE - Mostra Convegno Expocomfort 2012

From 27/03/2012 To 30/03/2012

Fiera Milano Rho - Milano - ITALIA 

 A focused project put together to guarantee maximum visibility to one of the sectors which has always been part of the exhibition and to offer the entire industry a unique platform for making contact with the broad audience of designers, decision-makers, and investors, who every two years turn to MCE as the international benchmark event.

Milan, 21st January 2011- Over the past editions, energy efficiency and saving, renewable energy and technological innovation have grown, to become the common thread running through the four main areas - heat, cold, water and energy – of MCE – MOSTRA CONVEGNO EXPOCOMFORT, the leading international trade exhibition for domestic and industrial installations and HVAC scheduled for 27th – 30th March 2012 at Fiera Milano. High efficiency products and systems that guarantee energy savings and reduction in emissions of pollutants are the core of the industrial sector of MCE dedicated to renewable energy sources, an ideal opportunity to create new business contacts.

Photovoltaics are the most widespread technology in Italy for generating electricity from solar energy, supported by the New Energy Bill (that aims at promoting the electricity production from PV, came into effect in 2007 and now at its third edition). In spite of the economic crisis, since 2006, PV market has demonstrated consistent growth, both in terms of installation numbers and production capacity. As to the Italian market, in December 2010 GSE (Gestore Servizi Energetici) recorded over 120,000 installations in service receiving support under the feed-in schemes, with a total capacity of about 2,100 MW, exceeding 2 GW. GSE also expects that installed photovoltaic capacity ceiling of 3,000 MW will be reached in 2016.

Within this scenario, MCE 2012 will be dedicating a project specifically to PV, which has always been part of the exhibition. The PV project foresees an exhibition area and a busy programme of initiatives aim at offering the entire industry a privileged platform for making contact with the broad audience of trade professionals, designers, decision-makers and investors, who every two years turn to MCE as the international benchmark event for everything related to comfort systems and technologies and energy saving.

At MCE, the Photovoltaic project will take place in a devoted area, Hall 6, centrally located to the east and south entrances to the exhibition centre, and adjacent to the halls reserved for Heating and Renewable Energies where the excellence in Solar, Geothermal, Cogeneration and Biomass will be on display. Plus, the PV project will encompass not only an exhibition space but also a rich programme of conferences and workshops organized with the support of high profile scientific partners and organisations, to tackle the hottest current issues and to provide training and professional development opportunities.

“Over the years, Photovoltaic - declared Massimiliano Pierini, Exhibition Director MCE - has represented a return on investment and research for national and International businesses exhibiting at MCE. Our goal is to focus on a particular industry sector, in order to involve the whole supply chain for bringing together supply and demand. I feel sure that MCE 2012 will offer exhibitors a privileged platform for increasing their customer portfolio, expanding trade relations and creating new business”.

The new project dedicated to PV will join Percorso Efficienza & Innovazione and Verso la Classe A, two synergic and complementary events aimed to provide a unique opportunity for professional upgrading focused on high efficiency in building and to showcase the most innovative systems and solutions for the integration of renewable energy in buildings and installations.

Percorso Efficienza & Innovazione and Verso la Classe A 2012 organized by NEXT ENERGY in collaboration with Polytechnic of Milan - are amongst the key features proposed for MCE 2012. The leading companies in the reference sector have already confirmed their presence showing the positive trend of their faith in the strong internationalism of the exhibition. In particular, MCE 2012 has already registered a rise in foreign exhibitors numbers from all over the world with an increase of exhibiting surface, confirming the perceived added value of the show. MCE 2012 will be held under the patronage of the Italian Ministry for Economic Development, Regione Lombardia (Lombardy Region) and Provincia di Milano (Province of Milan).

FEICON BATIMAT

From 27/03/2012 To 31/03/2012

Pabellòn de Exposiciones del Anhembi - Santana - San Paolo - BRASILE 

FEICON BATIMAT - International Construction Salon - is the main event of the construction Sector in Latin America. During the exhibition will be present products, trends, solutions and launches, gathering at a single place the biggest possible number of exhibitors from all parts of the world.

These are five days of extensive commercial relations, a great opportunity to present the market trends, an opportunity to promote products and services for an important business-generating pole, you could analyze the competition, build and conquer new customers.

ISE - Impianti Solari Expo

From 29/03/2012 To 31/03/2012

Fiere di Parma - Parma - Parma - ITALIA 

Impianti Solari Expo (ISE), in its third edition, is the most important business to business exhibition dedicated to renewable energies for the manufacturing industry. It takes place at the same time of MECSPE - a trade show addressed to industry production technologies visited by more than 25.000 companies that own roofs where you could install turnkey systems.

The advantages for exhibitors will be different:

• more than 25.000 manufacturing industries;


• appointments with specific visitors looking for new suppliers and innovative solutions;


• specific communication campaign;


• workshop.

 More info about all events: solarserdar@gmail.com

 Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)