RELEASE
Apparently, the development of solar thermal energy always comes in time of need. The role of governments and policy makers is often underestimated but has resulted in much needed progress in the solar field.
Energy price peaks have marked our industrial history through a variety of ways- recently, strengthening of OPEC, the liberalization of China and political insecurities all come to mind. Using the direct radiation of the sun to produce electricity is proving increasingly popular, as is cutting the cost of silicon and guaranteeing the cost of energy produced thermally.
Spain provides an interesting example. In 2005, it produced zero megawatt from thermal energy, and now has 500 mw by 2010 in the pipeline. Abengoa head, Michael Geyer, believes solar energy is “essential for electricity grid stabilization” as it is a renewable source that can be stored effectively to supply full load when needed.
Geyer went on to point out “For Concentrated Solar Power (solar thermal), on a northern region Direct Normal Irradiation (DNI) varies between 1200 and 1500 kWh/m2/year while on a desert area the radiation could achieve up to 3000 kWh/m2/year. Thereby, solar energy could be almost three times more expensive on a northern region.”
Last week, the Spanish government made a strong statement in favor of solar thermal by cutting subsidies for producers of the other major solar technology, photovoltaics (PVs). With major feed-in tariffs (subsidies), Germany has seen the rise of PV, due to its low irradiation requirements and domestic sunlight available.
Silicon and thermal storage dominate technology developments in the current solar thermal market. Both are widely considered to hold the keys to making solar thermal scalable and industrially prominent.
It’s not just wind that looks exciting in America as the US hots up to become one of the next big markets on the solar scene. By next year, the investment tax credit is expected to be in place which will allow renewables to expand in a thirsty market.
But is solar only for the big boys? Well apparently not. In Germany, the solar thermal hot water market employs 18,000, with 140,000 solar heaters installed in homes in 2006 alone.
What should you look out for?
The World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi,
January 19-21, 2009.
Confirmed speakers for the solar thermal stream include:
• Juergen Biegel, Solar Millennium,
• Ignacio Cuenca, Iberdrola,
• Michael Geyer, Abengoa Solar
• Dr. Olaf Goebel, Masdar.
ABOUT THE WORLD FUTURE ENERGY SUMMIT
The World Future Energy Summit held its inaugural event on 21-23 January 2008 in Abu Dhabi under the patronage of H.H. General Sheikh Mohammad bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces. The first summit in January brought together 11,272 attendees from 77 countries, 213 exhibitors from 23 countries, over 80 speakers and 423 international and regional media.
Hosted by Masdar, WFES 08 took place at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre with Credit Suisse as the Principal Sponsor. The Platinum Sponsors are BP, Shell, Standard Chartered and Merrill Lynch and the Gold Sponsors are International Power, Total, Dolphin Energy and Occidental. Please visit the official website for additional information, www.WorldFutureEnergySummit.com.
ABOUT TURRET MIDDLE EAST
Turret Middle East is a leading organizer of conferences and exhibitions in the MENA region and a foundation partner of the Abu Dhabi National Exhibitions Company. The company organizes some of the region’s biggest events ranging from trade exhibitions such as ADIPEC, Gastech, and the World Future Energy Summit to consumer shows such as the International Fine Art and Antiques Fairs and Taste, a gourmet food event.
About Masdar
The Masdar Initiative is Abu Dhabi’s multi-faceted, multi-billion dollar investment in the development and commercialization of innovative technologies in renewable, alternative and sustainable energies as well as sustainable design.
Masdar is driven by the Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (ADFEC), a wholly owned company of the government of Abu Dhabi through the Mubadala Development Company. In January 2008, Abu Dhabi announced it will invest $15 billion in Masdar, the largest single government investment of its kind. For more information about the Masdar Initiative, please visit www.masdaruae.com.