VATIS UPDATE Non-conNon-convventionalentional EnerEnerggyy Vol. 2 No. 117 z Apr - Jun 2013 ISSN 0971-5630 Apprise yourself with the latest technological innovations Highlights z Peel-and-stick thin-film solar cells z A wind turbine that catches sun on its blades z Practical, affordable wave energy z A cheaper, easier way to build electrolyser z Breakthrough in hydrogen fuel production z Benefit of ethanol-to-butanol conversion VATIS UPDATE: Non-conventional Energy Apr-Jun 2013 1 ASIAN AND PACIFIC CENTRE FOR TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY (APCTT) The Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology (APCTT), a subsidiary body of ESCAP, was established on 16 July 1977 with the objectives: to assist the members and associate members of ESCAP through strengthening their capabilities to develop and manage national innovation systems; develop, transfer, adapt and apply technology; improve the terms of transfer of technology; and identify and promote the development and transfer of technologies relevant to the region. The Centre will achieve the above objectives by undertaking such functions as: Research and analysis of trends, conditions and opportunities; Advisory services; Dissemination of information and good practices; Networking and partnership with international organizations and key stakeholders; and Training of national personnel, particularly national scientists and policy analysts. The shaded areas of the map indicate ESCAP members and associate members Cover Photo Alstom’s 1 MW tidal turbine has started generating power at the tidal test site of European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC) in Orkney, Scotland. (Credit: Alstom, France) 2 VATIS UPDATE: Non-conventional Energy Apr-Jun 2013 CONTENTS Vol. 2 No. 117 Apr-Jun 2013 VATIS* Update IN THE NEWS 4 Non-conventional Energy is published 4 times a year to keep the Germany to support India’s renewable energy sector Nepal turns to readers up to date of most of the renewable energy China tops in renewable energy sector investments relevant and latest technological Philippine clean energy tariffs to kick in from 2014 Biodiesel gets a developments and events in the field of push in Malaysia United States and Indonesia set up green energy Non-conventional Energy. The Update is project ADB loan for solar power in Thailand REC installs 5.8 MW tailored to policy-makers, industries and solar plant in India Waste-to-energy plants in China bag US$200 technology transfer intermediaries. million loan Philippines chosen for pilot test renewable energy Website: http://www.techmonitor.net programme SOLAR ENERGY 7 Peel-and-stick thin-film solar cells Trees used to create recyclable, efficient solar cell Hybrid cell generates electricity from both light and Editorial Board sound Nanowire solar cells raise efficiency limit Solar cell Mr. Michael Williamson maximizes energy output with fewer materials Solar cell design based Mr. Nanjundappa Srinivasan on dots and nanowires Dr. Satyabrata Sahu Dr. Krishnan Srinivasaraghavan WIND ENERGY 9 Vertical turbine array could make more of the wind A wind turbine that catches sun on its blades Bladeless wind turbine with no moving parts Twin-rotor 11 MW turbine edges closer to physical prototype ASIAN AND PACIFIC CENTRE Bladeless turbine boasts impressive efficiency, low cost New wind FOR TRANSFER OF TECHNOLOGY turbine concept uses heat Adjoining Technology Bhawan Qutab Institutional Area WAVE/TIDAL ENERGY 11 Post Box No. 4575 Power conversion system for tidal power generation 1 MW tidal New Delhi 110 016, India turbine produces electricity in real conditions Tidal turbine built using Tel: (91) (11) 3097 3700 composites The world’s first wave energy converter array for small Fax: (91) (11) 2685 6274 waves Practical, affordable wave energy Mobile wave energy E-mail: [email protected] Website: http://www.apctt.org generator FUEL CELLS 13 Water-powered fuel cell for consumer electronics Fuel cell purifies and uses wastewater to generate power Fuel cell power density The designation employed and increased A cheaper, easier way to build electrolyser the presentation of material in the publication do not imply the HYDROGEN ENERGY 14 endorsement of any product, process “Artificial leaf” makes clean energy from dirty water Breakthrough in or manufacturer by APCTT. hydrogen fuel production A hydrogen-based energy source Ash: a source of hydrogen fuel BIOFUEL/BIOMASS ENERGY 16 Researchers catalyse more sugars from biomass E. coli bacteria This publication has been issued without formal editing can produce biofuel Sugarcane fibre could boost biofuel development Benefit of ethanol-to-butanol conversion Turning crop residues into biofuel RECENT PUBLICATIONS 18 * Value Added Technology TECH EVENTS 18 Information Service VATIS UPDATE: Non-conventional Energy Apr-Jun 2013 3 IN THE NEWS Germany to support latest of many attempts to electrify energies for communities. Solar and long-deprived areas; however, ex- micro-hydro energy subsidies will India’s renewable perts say that much more is needed. now be higher for areas less acces- energy sector More than half of Nepal’s house- sible by road, and subsidies for bio- holds – almost all of them in urban gas will be higher for communities Germany will support India in the and semi-urban areas – are connec- in mountainous areas. The average renewable energy sector by provid- ted to the national electricity grid. subsidy for renewable energy tech- ing soft loans of up to 1 billion euros But 80 per cent of the population nology will increase from 25 per for a six-year period starting 2014. live in rural areas, where less than cent to 40 per cent. The policy also As part of its development coopera- one-third have electricity. With grid promotes micro-financing through tion with India, Germany made the extension to the country’s hilly and private financial institutions (backed offer in a “joint declaration of intent” mountainous areas prohibitively ex- by a central government fund), which signed by the Indian Union Minister pensive, “renewable, off-grid energy will grant loans of up to 40 per cent for Renewable Energy Mr. Farooq solutions [are] the only realistic way of the technology cost. Abdullah and German Parliament- to provide energy in parts of the Source: www.irinnews.org ary State Secretary in the Federal country,” according to the country’s Ministry for Economic Cooperation National Rural and Renewable En- China tops in and Development Ms. Gudrun Kopp. ergy Programme (NRREP), a five- The assistance will finance joint year framework launched in 2012. renewable energy development of technical solutions The new policy funds technologies sector investments to overcome the problems facing in hydropower, solar, biogas and – the integration of power grids and for the first time – wind. The policy China emerged as a world leader also to speed up the construction of also seeks more efficient use of bio- in terms of attracting investors to power lines to efficiently transport mass, a traditional energy source. its renewable energy sector over- electricity generated by renewable taking the United States, a research energy sources. Despite Nepal’s potential wealth in report from Pew Charitable Trusts solar energy and hydropower (the has found. Pew’s report on clean For more than five decades, India has highest after Brazil), development energy found that China attracted been a main partner of Germany’s of these renewable energies has not US$65.1 billion in renewable energy development cooperation, and the kept pace with population growth. investments in 2012, pushing the two nations are currently focusing The little renewable energy that has United States to the second spot on environment protection and com- been harnessed is poorly distribu- (with US$35.6 billion) and Germany bating climate change, promotion ted owing to crumbling infrastruc- to the third (US$22.8 billion). Only of renewable energy and energy ef- ture. Renewable energy technology China posted a net increase in at- ficiency, adaptation to the climate is almost entirely absent in the most tracting investors to its renewable change and support for environment- inaccessible and deprived regions. energy sector when compared with ally relevant urban infrastructure Most of the country’s current ener- 2011 figures. development. Building up the pow- gy needs are met with inefficiently er transmission lines and efficient used biomass, including firewood The report also found that technolo- feeding of electricity generated by (75 per cent), agricultural residues gies are shifting along with national renewable energy sources into the (4 per cent) and animal waste (6 per investments. For the second year power grid presented “enormous cent). The rest is met by commer- in a row, solar technologies attract- challenges” to India and Germany cial sources, including petroleum, ed more financing than any other is keen to support its Indian part- coal and electricity. Only about 12 technology by a wide margin: US$ ners in these areas, Ms Kopp said. per cent of the country’s population 126 billion was invested in the sub- uses electricity derived from water, sector in 2012, or 58 per cent of the Source: www. wind or sun. G20 total. China, Europe and the business-standard.com United States were the top markets Nepal’s new policy emphasizes on for solar investment. Pew report Nepal turns to targeted subsidies reaching women said wind energy investments were renewable energy and the “socially excluded”. The new down 14 per cent in 2011 among the power subsidies will no longer be 19 major industrialized economies Nepal’s recently adopted policy of flat-rate and will take into account the plus the European Union, but still subsidizing renewable energy is the actual costs of tapping alternative managed a total of US$ 72.7 billion. 4 VATIS UPDATE: Non-conventional Energy Apr-Jun 2013 In the News The United States, a G20 member, out, stating that the government was Bhd. and automotive manufacturers renewed a wind tax benefit through introducing a completely new ener- to speed up the process of acquir- 2013.