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Renewables

Senate to probe Philippine’s nuclear energy program

14 October 2019

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Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — The Senate committee on energy will look into the status of the country’s nuclear energy program as the Duterte administration is set to decide on a recommendation to tap nuclear fuels for stable power supply, Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said yesterday.

Gatchalian, chairman of the committee, filed a resolution for an inquiry on the status of the Department of Energy (DOE)’s Nuclear Energy Program Implementing Organization (NEPIO) in pursuit of his call for transparency in the government’s nuclear initiatives.

“A comprehensive, transparent and public discussion must be made on the merits of a national nuclear program taking into consideration the social, economic, environmental and technical effects and requirements of such a program,” he said.

He added that the development of a nuclear power program in any country requires three phases marked by a specific milestone and the completion of 19 infrastructure requirements, which necessitate specific actions during each of these three phases as indicated in the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’s milestones in the development of a national infrastructure for nuclear power.

The Philippines, according to the senator, is currently completing phase one, which commenced when the DOE issued Department Order 2016-10-0013 in 2016, creating the NEPIO, which is tasked to explore the development and inclusion of nuclear energy in the country’s electric power supply.

Phase two requires preparation for the contracting and construction of a nuclear power plant after a policy decision has been made, and its milestone is an invitation to bid or negotiate a contract for the power plant.

Meanwhile, phase three details the activities necessary to implement the first nuclear power plant, and its milestone is the commissioning and operation of such activities.

Gatchalian said the NEPIO has transmitted a communication to the Office of the President, dated April 16, 2018, containing the following recommendations: approval of a National Position to Embark on a Nuclear Power Program (NPP), issuance of an executive order in relation thereto and filing and/or certification as urgent existing bills providing for a nuclear regulatory and legal framework.

He added that IAEA officials visited the country in February last year for preliminary discussions with the DOE and the Department of Science and Technology for the development of nuclear power as part of the Philippines’ power mix.

The IAEA officials again visited the Philippines last December for the completion of an eight-day Integrated Nuclear Infrastructure Review (INIR) assessing the country’s readiness in adopting nuclear power.

This resulted in the creation of an INIR Mission Report, which contains specific recommendations and suggestions as well as identified good practices of the Philippine government in the introduction of nuclear power in the country.

Gatchalian, however, pointed out that the DOE has not made these proposals and assessments and the IAEA’s INIR Mission Report available to the public, or even to Congress.

He had earlier called on the DOE to be more transparent in its nuclear program agenda amid reports that the Philippines and Russia signed a deal on exploring the possible construction of a nuclear power plant.

The senator made the call during the hearing on the DOE’s proposed 2020 budget.

He pushed for the scrutiny of the nuclear energy program after a memorandum of intent was signed by Philippine and Russian officials during President Duterte’s visit to Moscow last week “to jointly explore the prospects of cooperation in the construction of nuclear power plants in the Philippines.”

A proposal to build a floating nuclear power plant in the country was also forwarded by Russia.

One of world’s worst nuclear disasters occurred in 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, which was blamed on a flawed Soviet reactor in Ukraine, at the time part of the Soviet Union.

Energy Cooperation

Toshiba to build CO2-free energy system for Indonesia

13 October 2019

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Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Toshiba Energy Systems & Solutions Corporation has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with state-owned electricity company, Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) to build hydrogen-based energy systems with zero CO2 emission to meet electrical power in Indonesia’s remote areas.

The MoU is particularly aimed at accelerating the adoption of hydrogen-based autonomous energy supply system, H2One, in Indonesia, Toshiba said in its official statement released on Sunday morning.

Toshiba and PLN signed the MoU during the 6th Indonesia-Japan Energy Forum held by the Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI).

Based on this MoU, Toshiba ESS and PLN will evaluate viable technologies and policies necessary for an advanced adoption of the commercial H2One™ in the archipelago of Indonesia by 2023.

H2One™ is an integrated system that uses a renewable energy source to electrolyze hydrogen from water, and stores and uses the hydrogen in fuel cells to provide a stable delivery of CO2-free, environmentally-friendly electricity and hot water. One of the applications of H2One™ is an “off-grid solution,” which can help realize a sustainable society.

According to Indonesia’s Electricity Power Supply Business Plan (RUPTL), the country aims to increase the ratio of its capacity of renewal energy facility from 12.52 percent in 2017 to 23 percent by 2025.

Moreover, many Indonesian people live on remote islands, so that they need a stable and economical electric power source on each of the remote islands.

The MoU is also a follow up to the MoU signed by Toshiba and the Indonesian Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) on the survey for the accelerated adoption of H2One™ in August 2018. Both sides have conducted a joint survey.

On the other hand, Toshiba ESS validated the adaptability of H2One™ in Indonesia in the public offering business by METI.

The development and survey of H2One™ adopted project, the autonomous hydrogen-based energy supply system, was entrusted by Toshiba ESS in September 2018.

Toshiba ESS has subsequently identified areas where H2One™ could be adopted by February 2019 and are now working for the implementation of the demonstration system.

“We will accelerate adoption of the commercial system in Indonesia, taking into account the regulations and rules of Indonesia’s power network and power system interconnection,” Yoshihisa Sanagi, General Manager of the Hydrogen Energy Business Division at Toshiba ESS said.

Toshiba ESS will expand hydrogen-based energy technology and products, including the H2One™, into the global market, and we will contribute to the realization of a hydrogen-based energy society.

Electricity/Power Grid

Thailand at the heart of plans for an Asean energy super grid

13 October 2019

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Thailand

Thailand is moving to establish itself as a regional energy trading centre through the creation of a South-east Asian super grid.

In early September Thailand, Laos and Malaysia agreed to extend the Laos-Thailand-Malaysia Power Integration Project (LTM-PIP), pushing Thailand closer to its goal of becoming a regional power hub.

The first phase of LTM-PIP was launched in January last year, following an initial agreement between the three countries that enabled Thailand to buy power from Laos – which produces a surplus from dams on the Mekong River – to be sold to Malaysia.

This trilateral pact will see the project enter its second phase early next year. Under the revised deal, Laos will increase the amount of energy sold to Malaysia via Thailand from 100MW to 300MW.

Thailand is well placed to serve as the lynchpin of the LTM-PIP. Located at the crossroads of the region, it serves as a link between countries with a power surplus and those with a deficit.

The LTM-PIP falls under the broader Asean Power Grid project, which seeks to enhance multilateral energy links in the region.

First proposed in 1997 at the second Asean Informal Summit in Kuala Lumpur, the Asean Power Grid project has repeatedly stalled due to issues related to funding and coordination, as well as the expensive infrastructure it requires.

Broad-based benefits

Super grids lead to greater regional power integration, energy security and system resilience, making them a highly appealing solution to countries all over the world. Cross-border transmission networks include the synchronous grid of Continental Europe, which supplies electricity to 26 countries.

An extensive super grid can not only help balance supply and demand and alleviate shortfalls, but also spur infrastructure upgrades across the region, extending power to remote areas not yet connected to their national network.

Additionally, in its role as an energy distributor, Thailand could earn revenue and keep down the domestic cost of electricity. In March this year the price of electricity in Thailand was US$0.12 per kWh, compared to US$0.06 in Malaysia and US$0.07 in Vietnam.

Cheaper power could boost various industries, among them automotives. “Thailand’s Board of Investment has set incentives in an effort to develop manufacturing hubs for battery-powered cars,” Matthew Cutt, audit and assurance partner at BDO Thailand, told OBG.

“This has helped to attract premium car manufacturers such as Toyota and more recently BMW to the country. As these vehicles find their way onto the roads within Asean, being the central hub for power in the region could be great for the Thai economy.”

Renewables boost

The greatest obstacle currently facing Thailand’s energy sector is its dependence on natural gas, which is depleting fast in Thai-controlled fields.

The Thailand Integrated Energy Blueprint, launched in 2015, constitutes a significant step in the direction of diversification. However, growth in the renewables sector is somewhat hindered by infrastructure issues.

“Moving forward, we need to utilise more reliable, affordable, sustainable and clean sources of energy. If a country wants to leverage more green energy, its government must upgrade its infrastructure,” Wandee Khunchornyakong Juljarern, chairperson and CEO of local solar power company SPCG, told OBG.

The Southeast Asian super grid would create opportunities for Thailand to overhaul its network and tap underexploited renewable resources.

While oil and gas can be transported relatively easily to power plants near urban centres, renewable energy is often generated far from urban areas, where the key resources are most plentiful.

This power then has to be transported long distances via alternating current cables, a costly and inefficient method.

By contrast, many super grids around the world use high-voltage, direct current technology to transmit energy. This makes it easier and more profitable to produce energy from renewable sources.

A 2017 report by the International Energy Agency posited that the development of the South-east Asian super grid would make large-scale renewables projects more viable, enabling countries to develop capacity in excess of demand, with export avenues guaranteed.

“The renewables market benefits from strong projected growth, an abundance of natural resources and decreasing technology costs, making it attractive for both domestic and foreign investment,” Chansin Treenuchagron, president and CEO of state-owned oil and gas firm PTT, told OBG.

Renewable technology constitutes a significant growth market in the region. For example, Malaysia is the world’s third-largest producer of photovoltaic cells, while levels of investment in Thailand’s solar manufacturing industry are increasing rapidly.

Eco Friendly Vehicle

Blue Bird Introduces Indonesia’s First Fleet of Electric Taxis

12 October 2019

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Indonesia

The Blue Bird Group, Indonesia’s largest taxi operator, has added two new electric vehicle models to its fleet in the greater Jakarta area. It introduced 25 Chinese-made BYD e6 all-electric compact multi-purpose vehicles, which will operate as regular Blue Bird taxis, and five Tesla Model X 75D mid-size all-electric luxury sport utility vehicles for its upmarket Silver Bird service.

The group plans to increase its electric vehicle fleet to 200 by next year as it seeks to contribute to efforts to improve air quality in the capital. It has calculated that its adoption of electric vehicles can eliminate 434,095 kilograms of carbon dioxide and save 1.89 million liters of fuel per year.

The taxi company, established in 1976, has installed 11 charging stations at its headquarters in Mampang, South Jakarta. These will not be available to the public.

The company’s drivers spend on average Rp 100,000 ($7) on fuel per day, while it currently only costs about Rp 30,000 for a full battery charge, which gives the e-taxis an equivalent range of 400 kilometers.

A driver charges a BYD e6 electric taxi at the Blue Bird Group's headquarters in Mampang, South Jakarta, on Friday. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro) — A driver charges a BYD e6 electric taxi at the Blue Bird Group’s headquarters in Mampang, South Jakarta, on Friday. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

The cars require two hours of charging, which drivers usually do in the afternoons, at the end of their shifts. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

A driver charges a Tesla Model X 75D. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

State utility company Perusahaan Listrik Negara supplies electricity for the taxi charging stations at the Blue Bird Group's headquarters. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro) — State utility company Perusahaan Listrik Negara supplies electricity for the taxi charging stations at the Blue Bird Group’s headquarters. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

A Blue Bird e-taxi leaves the charging station with a passenger. (JG Photo/Yudha Baskoro)

Others

Thailand botanical garden demonstrates hydrogen

12 October 2019

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Thailand

A 600-acre botanical garden and scientific research centre in Thailand is displaying hydrogen as an energy storage solution to demonstrate it is independent from the local grid and fossil fuels.

Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden is working in collaboration with hydrogen electrolyser manufacturer Enapter in a bid to “save the future and provide blueprints and knowledge” to “push towards zero emission energy”.

Kampon Tansacha, the owner of the garden, shared his commitment to hydrogen technology by hosting a related seminar yesterday (8^th October) as part of Enapter’s ‘The Big Thing’ hydrogen technology conference.

The hands-on workshop, organised by Enapter, demonstrated how to build an entire microgrid running on solar and using a hydrogen-based energy storage.

“Green hydrogen is a valuable resource and experts anticipate it to enable the future of energy storage,” said Tanascha.

The workshop welcomed participants from all around the world who learned how to build a hydrogen energy system.

They reached a common understanding of how to use hydrogen as a safer and cleaner alternative energy source and built the solar-hydrogen energy system that was presented in Nongnooch Garden.

“This unique garden and the conservation ideals set forth by its stewards provide an ideal setting for us to illustrate the Enapter system,” said Sebastian-Justus Schmidt, Chairman of Enapter.

“We believe hydrogen is a solution to replace fossil fuels and has great implications for both the future of energy and the preservation of our planet. We are proud to be able to provide a hands-on demonstration of this to everyone who participated in the workshop.”

The world-famous Nongnooch Tropical Botanical Garden, built by Tansacha, is known for its research centre on prehistorical seed plants and was created with a clear intent to preserve tropical flowers and plants.

Renewables

The Solar + Wind Vietnam conference – for all you need to know about the world’s hottest solar market

11 October 2019

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Vietnam

With an average 6.7% annual GDP growth rate, safe and stable electricity support is required to keep Vietnam moving forward and has driven the National Power Development Master Plan (PDP). The first phase of part seven of the PDP mainly focuses on utility scale renewable energy plants. By implementing a feed-in tariff (FIT) of 0.0935$/kWh, more than 4.4 GW of renewables projects were commissioned before the end of June, demonstrating Vietnam’s renewables momentum.

FITs play a key role in Vietnamese renewable energy market development with more than 4 GW developed in the 18 months since the payment was set in the third quarter of 2018. After the commissioning rush, regional power overloads were a frequent problem.

The electricity authorities cannot update all the nation’s 110 kv transmission lines to 220 kv and 500 kv as that sort of project would require at least 3-5 years. The Ministry of Industry and Trade tried to divert investors to the north of Vietnam and rooftop solar and floating PV. The ministry in June started offering different FIT payments in four different regions, with the incentive more attractive in the north. Rooftop enjoys the highest FIT with $0.1087/kWh, followed by floating PV and ground-mounted solar, with $0.0998 and $0.092, respectively. The latest draft issued by the ministry offered the highest payment, $0.0935/kWh, to rooftop systems, compared to the floating PV, with $0.0769, and ground-mounted solar with $0.0709.

Comparing the latest FITs with the first drafted, an easy conclusion can be drawn. The Vietnamese government wanted rooftop PV and floating solar to lead the way from next year up to 2025.

Vietnam has at least 6 GW of rooftop solar potential, according to a study by World Bank Group in April. In July, the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) received €14.5 million ($16 million) from German development lender Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW) to support its GET-FiT program, which rewards the owners of rooftop systems with generation capacities of up to 3 kW with a grant of $129/kW. EVN and the ministry want to add 1 GW of rooftop solar by 2026, under decree No.2023/QD-BCT. Vietnamese rooftop solar is an opening for investors.

Developer Scatec Solar in August proposed a 1 GW floating solar project on Tri An lake. In October, the Asian Development Bank provided a $37 million loan for a project in Da Mi. The market is rising.

Solar + Wind Vietnam

The Solar + Wind Vietnam conference will link visitors with representatives from organizations including the Ministry of Industry and Trade, EVN, the United States Agency for International Development and the Eelctricity Regulatory Authority of Vietnam.

Solar + Wind Vietnam will be visited by big names in the renewables industry including Macquarie, Societe Generale, Univergy International LLC, SunSeap, B.Grimm, TTC Group, ACWA Power, the Global Wind Energy Council, Armstrong Asset Management, Pacifico Energy and FECON.

Arctech Solar, Risen solar technology, Growatt, Aiswei will be exhibiting their latest technology and around 300 attendees from the worlds of investment, banking, consulting, finance and engineering, procurement and construction will be in attendance.

Eco Friendly Vehicle

Electric vehicles must absorb local products: minister

11 October 2019

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Indonesia

Jakarta (ANTARA) – The production of electric vehicles must include locally manufactured components such as rubber, The Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has stated. “For example, the products made of rubber that are used in the car, are made domestically and should be supplied to the factory,” Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said in Jakarta, Friday

Also, as per the rules, the presidential regulation (Perpres) on electric vehicles (EVs) should be monitored, so that investors of electric cars receive the incentives, Luhut said.

About the technological advances, there was an offer to develop electric car technology, he explained.

“If we can develop electric car technology, batteries and engines can be produced in the country. We can also supply biodiesel for operational purposes. Those efforts will have a good impact on the economy,” Luhut said.

The Ministry of Industry earlier targeted investment in the battery industry for electric vehicles. The industry is projected to grow and develop in the country.

This is in line with the implementation of Presidential Regulation No. 55 of 2019 concerning the acceleration of battery operated vehicles for road transportation.

“The regulation encourages optimization of local content to increase competitiveness and deepen the structure of our industry,” Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto remarked.

One of the important aspects in accelerating production of the electric vehicle industry is the preparation of supporting industries such as power control units (PCU), electric motors and batteries.

Based on the data, increasing investment in Indonesia for the industrial sector that will produce electric vehicle batteries only needs one more stage, such as investment in the battery cell industry.

Other investments in mine concentrations, refinery and electrochemical production are already a part of the Morowali Industrial Zone (IMIP) in Central Sulawesi. (INE)

Energy Economy

Deal signed to meet $210 billion annual green infrastructure investments needs

11 October 2019

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ASEAN

The Asian Development Bank has signed an agreement with Singapore’s Infrastructure Asia to mobilise the much-needed funding for sustainable infrastructure across Southeast Asia.

The two will help governments in the region to develop sustainable finance models as well as identify and develop bankable infrastructure projects. ADB and Infrastructure Asia will target state-owned enterprises and regional and municipal governments.

The annual sustainable infrastructure investment needs for Southeast Asia is expected to reach $210 billion until 2030.

The agreement allows the development of the Innovative Finance Lab for Sustainable Infrastructure, a virtual space supported by a biannual event in Singapore.

The event will focus on stakeholder knowledge sharing, improvements in governments’ policy-making capacities as well as serve as a capacity-building platform for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF).

The ACGF was launched in April 2019 to boost the development of green infrastructure projects across ASEAN by catalyzing public and private capital and technologies and is part of the Green and Inclusive Infrastructure Window, launched by Southeast Asian governments, ADB, and major development financiers under the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund.

ADB Director General for Southeast Asia Mr. Ramesh Subramaniam, said: “Southeast Asia faces significant financing gaps in meeting its infrastructure needs, including for climate change mitigation and adaptation costs. “We need innovative financing approaches to mitigate risks in projects and better leverage public funds to catalyse more financing from private and institutional partners, support greener and cleaner development, and help solve critical development challenges.”

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