or produce electric energy through photovoltaic solar panels directly, as been tested and tried out by Energy Innovations, the California based company. Though I am bit skeptical of this approach, because the concentrated sun rays will increase the temperature of photovoltaic cells, thus decreasing the efficiency of the semiconductor cells. Moreover, the prices of photovoltaic panels continues to fall as production rises . It may one day not make any sense at all. But, let’s watch this out.

Likewise, there are many other efforts going on around the world, one of which is mentioned on this post. 

In La Mancha, they are trying out different types of solar concentrator technologies by incorporating different concentrators into various solar parks, with total capacity of 2.7 MW. The companies contributing technology to the project are Solfocus (US, 500 KW), Concentrix (Germany, 500 KW), Isofoton (Spain, 700 KW) and Guascor Foton (Spain/US, 300 KW). The project is being organized by the Institute of Concentration Photovoltaic Systems.

Let’s hope that the efficiencies continue to rise to make solar power more cheaper and affordable one day.

 Shenyang Power Group (SPG) - Chinese industrial group focused on renewable energy, announced building 36,000 acres wind farm in West Texas (location unknown) worth $1.5 billion. It will generate enough power for 180,000 housholds. The other partners in this venture will be Cielo Wind Power LP (Cielo Wind) - Austin based largest privately held wind power project management company,  US Renewable Energy Group (US-REG) - private equity firm and A-Power Energy Geneneration Systems - chinese turbine maker and shareholder of SPG.

About 240 2.5mW wind turbines, built by A-Power, will be used for this wind farm. This is also the first time that China is exporting wind turbines in U.S, which may have faced protest in U.S, considering the red dragon's protectionist policies in renewable energy manufacturing. But, the deal was announced on the same day the Chinese agreed to drop restrictions (70% components should be domestically manufactured) on import of wind turbines. Up until now, foreign manufacturers have struggled to gain entry in Chinese market. China already have huge manufacturing capacity for photovoltaic (PV) solar panels and export almost 95% of it to U.S. This trade negotiation can be interpreted as China's march to get a hold in high growth wind energy market, currently expanding at 30% annually. It is however worth noting that China, with its huge foreign reserve and manufacturing might, have started dictating terms on how and when they would alter their policies.

Up until now, the wind turbine maket in U.S is dominated by General Electric with some competitons from Siemens and Vestas. A-Power, which uses technology licensed from Danish and German firms (turbine designed by German wind power manufacturer Fuhrlander and gear box design by General Electric),  only ventured into wind turbine business last year. It would be interesting to see how A-Power competes in U.S wind turbine market for project that are not Chinese funded.

The basic assumption of administration that pouring money into renewable energy business will spur manufacturing jobs in US may not happen after all, as hoped so. Most of the clean energy manufacturing is already outsourced to other countries with less than one-third being manufactured in US currently. Investors skeptism on the returns in wind energy, coupled with weak credit market are few other hurdles for funding of project related to wind energy buiness.

But, nonetheless, the wind capital of US, Texas is all set to take another step forward for Wind Energy.  

Lately I have been drawn towards all the buzz surrounding alternate energy. When I was growing up in India, I would watch on TV all these biomass plants being put up in rural areas to generate electricity, places that do not get grid supply.  Little did I know that a decade and a half later they would capture so much world attention. Be it wind, solar, biomass or hydrogen - we have reached a critical mass of explosion in these emerging alternative energy.

If you are a chemical engineer, then you know that for a reaction to be speed up, you need a catalyst. The catalyst in the emergence of renewable energy generation have been the global warming, explosive growth rate of energy demand, the dwindling supply of fossil fuels,  continuous growth of world population that is hungry for more resources, and the emergence of BRIC economy. With these factors, I see a complete shift on how we will live in the coming 20-30 years. It will be an exciting next few decades to look forward to. 

Renewable energy generation is here to stay and I can see the evidence right here in Houston, Texas. Major oil and gas companies are now redefining themselves to accommodate the energy generated from alternate sources. New wind and solar farms are coming around all US and around the world. Just read that Florida Power and light is ready to inaugurate its 25 MW solar panel farm and is building another 75 MW adjacent to it. Such stories will be common place news in days ahead. I strongly believe that renewable energy will play a very strong role in the strong economic recovery with many business - small and big emerging on the scene, providing jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for the masses. It may as well turn out to be one of biggest growth story of our times. Not just that, many people will embark on generating their own power and electricity and may as well say goodbye to their monthly utility bills. Surely are exciting days ahead. I have no doubt.

Why am I talking about alternative energy on this supply chain blog? From now on, I will spend more time researching this field from supply chain perspective and talk about the development, challenges and opportunties in this field. Afterall, that is what blogging is all about. Isn't it?

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