Energy Management Systems

With 161 GW installed, last year was a record 12 months for global renewable additions, finds the annual overview of the state of renewable energy drafted by REN21. Solar PV accounted for around 47% of the capacity added.

SB Energy — the renewables development arm of Japanese telecoms giant SoftBank — has switched on a 32.3 MW solar array in Yusui, Kagoshima prefecture.

Amid growing energy demand and urgent calls for combating climate change, identifying energy technologies that are good bets for the economy and climate is increasingly important, finds study.

Analysts expect global renewable power investment to reach $243bn this year, with solar PV the fastest-growing segment and non-hydro renewables to account for 65% of all global power investment by 2020.

Ten energy companies from nine nations have joined forces to provide $2.5 million support for the Energy Web Foundation (EWF), a global non-profit organization focused on accelerating blockchain technology across the energy sector.

More than 70% of 114 global energy experts interviewed in REN21 Renewables Global Futures Report believe global transition to 100% renewable energy is feasible. However, challenges remain fiercest in areas of transport and larger economies.

In the wake of 2011’s Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan’s electricity sector underwent a complete overhaul, and has now reached a milestone. It is determined to usher in more renewables and a policy push is set to assume a vital role.

The European solar market decreased by 21% last year. This disappointing if not unexpected news opened SolarPower Europe’s annual summit in Brussels today. Grid integration of Europe’s solar capacity, EU market rules for protecting the ‘prosumer’ and reforms to the continent’s faltering Emissions Trading Scheme were major themes during the plenary session.

Investments in distributed solar made by North American and European utilities have reached an aggregate value of $297 million to date. North American power providers seem to be more confident on distributed solar, but European companies are investing more heavily in all distributed energy segments.

The company appears to be making progress with its restructuring, as it continues to launch increasingly sophisticated home energy solutions.