News Clipping Archive - Page 1207 of 1232

Toyota brings forward Thai hybrid battery production

12 November 2018

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Thailand

Toyota plans to bring forward its investment in its Thai hybrid vehicle battery plant by a year citing potential shortages of batteries in Japan, according to local reports.

The Japanese automaker was awarded tax incentives for its THB19bn (US$575m) investment in hybrid vehicle production and related parts including doors assemblies, bumpers and axles, in Chachoengsao – east of Bangkok.

Toyota had originally planned to produce 7,000 battery packs per year for these vehicles from mid-2020, but has decided to bring these plans forward by one year to mid-2019 to help alleviate potential supply bottlenecks. It is expected to initially produce nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries which are seen as more suitable for tropical climates.

Toyota currently produces two plug-in hybrids in Thailand, the C-HR sport utility vehicle and the Camry sedan, both fitted with NiMH batteries imported from Japan.

Global demand for plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles is set to rise sharply over the next several years and battery supply is getting tight is key production locations such as China and Japan.

Toyota produces NiMH batteries at three plants in Japan, in Omori, Sakaijuku and Miyagi prefectures, through its Primearth EV Energy joint venture with Panasonic in which it has an 80.5% stake. These plants have a combined production capacity of 1.4m battery packs per year, which are fitted to Toyota’s hybrid vehicles globally.

Toyota’s wholly-owned Thai battery plant will eventually be scaled up to meet global productivity standards, with lithium-ion batteries expected to be added to the line-up later on.

Electricity/Power Grid

Rosita restoration efforts in full swing – Cusi

12 November 2018

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Philippines

CAUAYAN, Isabela, Nov. 1 — The Department of Energy (DOE) presented the initial damage assessment on the effects of Tropical Storm (TS) Rosita at the briefing conducted by the Office of Civil Defense (OCD) – Region 2 at the Hotel Andrea in Cauayan City, Isabela on November 1.

In a statement, Energy Chief Alfonso G. Cusi reassured the public that the restoration efforts will again be in full swing despite having completely restored energy services in areas affected by Typhoon Ompong just last 26 October .

“The energy family is utilizing all available resources to help those affected by Typhoon Rosita so that electricity will be restored at the soonest possible time. This will support the ongoing relief and rehabilitation efforts being conducted by the government,” Sec. Cusi said.

Typhoon Rosita affected 15 distribution utilities, mostly electric cooperatives, serving more than 200 municipalities / cities, more than 4,000 barangays, and around 1.5 million households in Regions I, II, III, and CAR.

As far as the power generation sector is concerned, the National Power Corporation (NPC) reported the following statuses of the Small Power Utilities Group (SPUG) in the affected areas:

1. Cagayan-Calayan (no communication since last report of normal operation on October 29);

2. Balatubat – Minabel (no communication since last report of normal operation on October 30);

3. Isabela Maconacon (as of October 31, restored operations in the area of Maconacon only);

4. Divilacan-Palanan Plant (ready for operation; on October 29, forced shutdown due to TS Rosita);

5. Aurora-Casiguran (on October 31 restored operations in Casiguran area only);

6. Apayao-Kabugao (on October 31, restored operations with distribution lines partially restored); and

In Batanes serving Basco, Itbayat and Sabtang reported normal operations.

Meanwhile, the operators of the power generation plants connected to the grid reported that all the plants have been secured and was not damaged by Typhoon Rosita.

For the transmission sector, the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP) counted a total of 51 Transmission Lines affected in North Luzon. The areas affected by power interruption are:

1. The Provinces of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, Abra, and La Union (North Luzon District 1);

2. Benguet and Mountain Province (North Luzon District 2);

3. Pangasinan (North Luzon District 3);

4. Nueva Vizcaya, Ifugao, Quirino, Isablea, Cagayan, and Kalinga Apayao (North Luzon District 4);

5. Bataan and Zambales (North Luzon District 5); and

6. Tarlac, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and Aurora (North Luzon District 6).

NGCP was able to restore all the affected Transmission Lines by today, November 1, 2018. NGCP accomplished this by deploying 100 technical and support personnel, 10 trucks and 1 helicopter.

For the distribution sector, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) submitted the update on the re-energization efforts of the following Electric Cooperatives (ECs):

1. Pangasinan I Electric Cooperative(PANELCO I) reported that one city and six municipalities within its distribution area are partially restored. PANELCO I is working to restore electricity in Alaminos City, the Municipalities of Agno, Anda, Bani, Bulinao, Burgos, and Mabini.

2. Restoration efforts are ongoing within the distribution area of Cagayan Electric Cooperative I (CAGELCO I) in the Municipalities of Amulung and Bagga, with 8,551 households that were affected by TS Rosita.

3. The Cagayan II Electric Cooperative (CAGELCO II) has an initial projected restoration date of November 2, 2018 within the Municipalities of Abulug, Allacapan, Gattaran, Gonzaga, Lasam, Flora, and Pudtol.

4. The Nueva Viscaya Electric Cooperative (NUVELCO) reported that its 11 municipalities were largely affected by TS Rosita. Restoration is currently undergoing within the Municipalities of: Bayombong, Solano, Bambang, Quezon, Villaverde, Bagbag, Diadi, Ambaguio, Alfonso Castaneda, Aksibu, and Kayapa which were partially restored.

5. The Quirino Electric Cooperative (QUIRELCO) submitted an initial assessment for damage of P2,039,910, affecting all 7 municipalties within its distribution area. The Municipalities of Aglipay, Cabarroguis, Diffun, Maddela, Nagtipunan, Saguday, and San Agustin are currently undergoing power restoration services.

6. The Benguet Electric Cooperative (BENECO) reported that the distribution areas of Baguio City and the Municipality of Tuba were affected. The projected date for full restoration is 6 November.

7. Mountain Province Electric Cooperative (MOPRECO) stated that all the municipalities within its distribution area were greatly affected. The power in the Municipalities of Sadanga, Sabanga, Sagada, Bontoc, Bauko, Tadian, Tinglayan, Mankayan, Barlig, and Besao were partially restored. The Municipality of Paracelis remains to be restored.

8. Abra Electric Cooperative (ABRECO) said a total of four municipalities were already partially restored. These are: Lagangilang, Lagayan, Tineg, and San Juan. Boliney is scheduled to undergo restoration.

9. The 10 municipalities and cities within the distribution area of the Kalinga-Apayao Electric Cooperative (KAELCO) were affected. The Municipalities of Tabuk and Pinukpuk have been partially restored, while the areas of Quezon, Tinglayan, Lubuagan, Pasil, Tanduan, Tuao, Conner, and Babalan are still undergoing restoration. KAELCO came up with an initial damage assessment of PhP 859,071 within its service area.

10. The Ifugao Electric Cooperative (IFELCO) initially reported that all 11 municipalities within its distribution area were affected by TS Rosita. All substations and feeders were checked and evaluated of any damage.

11. Aurora Electric Cooperative (AURELCO) projected full restoration within its service area by 2 November. The affected areas were Casiguran (partially restored), Dinalugan, Dilasag, and Dinapigue.

12. Isabela I Electric Cooperative (ISELCO I) reported that Santiago City, Cauayan City and the Municipalities of Ramon, San Mateo, Cabatuan, and Alicia are partially energized. The Municipalities of Reina Mercedes, Luna, Echague, San Isidro, Jones, San Agustin, Angadanan, San Guillermo, and Cordon are for power restoration, which is targeted today, 1 November. Around 20% of the total coverage area of ISELCO I is currently energized with 325 poles damaged in its initial assessment.

The targeted restoration within the ISELCO I distribution area is on 15 November. Restoration is being undertaken with the assistance of the Power Restoration Rapid Deployment (PPRD) Task Force through the quick response of the NEA, the Philippine Rural Electric Cooperatives Association (PHILRECA) and the Philippine Federation of Electric Cooperatives (PHILFECO).

14. Isabela II Electric Cooperative (ISELCO II) reported that the 13 municipalities within its distribution area are partially energized with five municipalities for power restoration. The Municipalities of Burgos, Quirino, Mallig, and Quezon are targeted to be re-energized on 1 November, while restoration efforts in the Municipality of Sta. Maria are ongoing, but is hampered due to flooding within the area. Presently, a total of 36.17% of the coverage area of ISELCO II is energized and the projected total re-energization target is on 6 November 2018. ISELCO II also aims to provide support in the restoration of ISELCO 1 after 6 November.

15. DECORP, a privately owned distribution utility reported that it was able to fully restore all local government units within its franchise area. These are: Dagupan, Calasiao, San Fabian, Sta. Barbara, Manaoag, and San Jacinto.

The DOE reminds the public that a prize freeze on the prices of kerosene and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) will be in effect, 15 days from the declaration of a State of Calamity by our competent authorities. Under a price freeze, all price roll backs are implemented while price increases are not implemented.

The DOE field offices closely monitor the implementation of the price freeze, with the assistance and coordination with the Department of Trade and Industry and the concerned local government units. (DOE)

Oil & Gas

UPDATE 1-Petronas supplies first LNG cargo to marine-fuel vessel ahead of IMO 2020

12 November 2018

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Malaysia

SINGAPORE, Nov 1 (Reuters) – Malaysia’s state energy firm Petroliam Nasional Bhd on Thursday supplied its first liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo to a newly built LNG marine fuel supply vessel ahead of a new mandate for ships to switch to cleaner fuels in 2020.

Petronas LNG, loaded the cargo onto the world’s largest LNG bunker vessel Kairos at the Regasification Terminal Pengerang (RGTP) located in the southern Malaysian state of Johor, Petroliam Nasional, known as Petronas, said in a statement.

“We believe that small-scale LNG opportunities will increase from the utilization of alternative cleaner fuel such as LNG,” Petronas LNG Chief Executive Officer Ezhar Yazid Jaafar said.

Shipowners are seeking cleaner fuels, including LNG, to meet new regulations imposed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in January 2020 that cap the sulphur content of ship fuel, also known as bunkers, at 0.5 percent.

The Kairos has a capacity of 7,500 cubic metres of LNG, and it stopped in Malaysia to refuel while making its way from South Korea’s Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in Ulsan to Europe, Petronas said.

The Kairos is owned by Babcock Schulte Energy (BSE) and is on time-charter by Blue LNG, a joint venture company between Nauticor and Klaipedos Nafta. Construction of the ship began in 2016.

“Kairos is now on her positioning voyage to the Baltic, where she will deliver into time charter on arrival at Klaipeda, Lithuania,” said Angus Campbell, Bernhard Schulte’s corporate director of energy projects.

“This is a significant milestone for us,” said Campbell.

“For the wider market, Kairos represents an important addition to the global LNG fuelling infrastructure, building confidence in the availability of this cleaner fuel choice,” he said.

Kairos is capable of performing both ship-to-ship LNG bunkering operations as well as break-bulk LNG transshipments, Campbell said.

Klaipeda is a port on the Baltic Sea that is part of so-called emission control area, a special coastal zone where bunker fuel emissions are limited to 0.1 percent sulphur.

Energy Efficiency

Yeo: Malaysia can save at least RM47bil over 15 years by being more energy efficient

12 November 2018

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Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR: The nation stands to save a minimum of RM47bil over the next 15 years if becomes more energy efficient, says Minister of Energy, Green Technology, Science, Climate Change and Environment Minister Yeo Bee Yin (pic).

To work towards this, 50 government buildings will be retrofitted with energy efficient lightings and appliances by next year.

“Studies show the potential savings the nation can achieve in improving energy efficiency between 2016-2030 of a minimum of 137,775GWh (Gigawatt hours) will amount to RM46.92bil in savings,” she said during her ministerial reply on issues raised during debates on the mid-term review of the Malaysia Eleventh Malaysia Plan on Thursday (Nov 1).

Yeo said that between RM160mil and RM200mil were awarded through Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to retrofit the government buildings.

Under the contract, she said energy service companies will fund works to retrofit the government buildings with energy efficient chillers and LED lighting.

She added the amount of savings on electric bills would be shared between companies and the government.

To further boost energy efficiency, Yeo said that the government is in the process of drafting the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Act, which will be presented to lawmakers for their feedback next year.

“Besides this, we are also reviewing to improve the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2016-2025,” she added.

Yeo noted that the use of electricity in buildings represent 50% of total electricity use in Malaysia, which held vast potential for energy efficiency and cost saving.

Renewables

Brunei takes centre stage at ASEAN Energy Award

2 November 2018

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Brunei Darussalam

BRUNEI Darussalam won first place in the ‘Off-Grid’ category at the 36th ASEAN Ministers of Energy Meeting (AMEM) Gala Dinner’s ASEAN Energy Award 2018 in Singapore under the Renewable Energy (RE) project competition.

The project was titled ‘2kWp Off-grid Solar PV Systems in Labi, Ulu Belait, Brunei Darussalam’.

Project owner Philip Chin Khee Khiong of Pan-El Electrical & Engineering Sdn Bhd, installed the PV system at one of the dwellings in the remote area of Labi in 2013.

The house is owned by Tin Thien Siew, a visually impaired elderly who lives alone. The Solar PV system produced about 2,620kWh of electricity per year and can avoid about 3,668kg of carbon dioxide emissions annually.

The accolade was presented by Secretary-General of ASEAN Dato Paduka Lim Jock Hoi during the gala dinner in Singapore.

Receiving the award was Haji Amrinal bin Haji Amir of Pan-El Electrical & Engineering Sdn Bhd.

Also present was Minister of Energy, Manpower and Industry Dato Seri Setia Dr Awang Haji Mat Suny bin Haji Mohd Hussein.

Renewables

Philippines utility aims to become ‘major player’ in renewable energy

2 November 2018

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Philippines

The Manila Electric Company (Meralco), the major utility of the Philippines, plans to set up 1GW of solar and wind projects in the medium term, according to the head of the firm’s power generation unit.

Rogelio Singson, president of Meralco PowerGen Corp. (MGen), told PV Tech: “There is a clear recognition that we want to be a major player in renewable energy.”

He also confirmed that the plans are for the projects to supply power to the Luzon grid and for 500MW-1GW of solar to be set up within 2-3 years.

Singson also confirmed that the key challenges remain in securing land and transmission. Over the last year, large-scale clean energy projects in the Southeast Asian country have been held up by major regulatory challenges and delays, however this has been the case for the entire domestic power sector at large.

three years ago, Meralco also said it planned to develop a portfolio of up to 100MW worth of rooftop PV installations in the Philippines.

Renewables

New target needed on Asean energy

2 November 2018

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Thailand

THAILAND’S Energy Minister Siri Jirapongphan has asked the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE) to conduct a study to revise the target for energy use under Asean Ministers on Energy Meetings (AMEM) after Asean countries reached the exisiting target sooner than planned in 2021.

Siri said that a committee will study the new target for reduction of the energy intensity as committed at 20 per cent within 2021. All 10 Asean countries have reached the committed target earlier, lowering the energy intensity by 21.9 per cent in 2016, compared to the base year in 2005.

The committee will take one year for the study from now and the results will be proposed to the 37th AMEM, to be hosted by Thailand.

Next year, Thailand will be well-prepared to host AMEM and Asean Plus Three (China, South Korea and Japan) meeting with the United States and India.

These three countries intend to have alternative energy as the main energy source and there could be much changes related to energy in the future.

“Next year’s main topics will focus on the changes of energy use in Asean and the world. It’s Energy Transition. Use of energy will be lower but quality of life will be good as is or better. And main energy such as coal and natural gas will be used less, slowly giving way to alternative energy. Thailand will focus on biomass energy and biogas.

But prices must be inexpensive,” Siri said.

Sarat Prakobchart, director of DEDE’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency Promotion, said that DEDE will conduct a study before proposing the revised target for energy use in the AMEM, which will be hosted by Thailand next year. As committed, the reduction of energy use was set at 20 per cent in 2021 and at 30 per cent in 2025.

Thailand, as the AMEM host, will have to study the new target, he said. In this year’s meeting, reduction of energy use and increase of energy efficiency in the transportation sector were discussed and could become a part of the measures which will be proposed in next year’s meeting.

Renewables

TNB connects first phase of Malaysia’s largest solar project to the grid

2 November 2018

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Malaysia

Major Malaysian utility Tenaga Nasional Bhd (TNB) has started supplying power to the national grid from a part-completed 50MW solar power project in Selangor, Peninsula Malaysia, which will be the largest project in the country once completed.

The project, won in the government-led Large Scale Solar (LSS) auction by TNB’s subsidiary, TNB Sepang Solar Sdn Bhd, is located at Mukim Tanjung 12, Kuala Langat, south of the capital Kuala Lumpur. The proejct is set to reach its full generating capacity of 50MW before the end of this year.

The plant uses 230,000 solar panels and 10km of 132kV power and fiber optic underground cable, spread across 98 hectares of land. Work started on the plant in July 2017.

The EPC partner for the project was another subsidiary TNB Engineering Corporation Sdn Bhd.

Earlier this month, TNB announced a major new venture, a new zero upfront cost solution for rooftop solar PV for commercial and Industrial (C&I) customers and a similar solution for the residential segment will be available by year-end.

Malaysia’s Energy, Science, Technology, Environment and Climate Change Ministry has set a target of 20% of the country’s electricity to be generated from renewable sources by 2030, up from the current 2%. Around 53% of Peninsular Malaysia’s power generation is from coal, 42% from natural gas and 5% from hydro, together with other forms of renewable energy.

The country’s LSS programme has seen periodic 500MW solar auctions, the second of which saw 586MW_(AC) of awards back in December 2017.

Malaysia’s intent to progress its renewable energy sector was made clear earlier this month in a number of announcements, including plans to install solar along a major highway, introducing both the first solar insurance scheme and monitoring system, as well as inking support agreements with powerful foreign organisations.

News Clipping

Toyota plans to bring forward its investment in its Thai hybrid vehicle battery plant by a year citing potential shortages of batteries in Japan, according to local reports.

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