Belgium: Flemish government supports floating PV to the tune of €4.1 million
After providing €2 million for two projects in October, the government of Flanders has now selected six more floating PV projects totaling 11.1 MW, which are planned to be built with public support.
Regional EU leaders demand clarity for energy communities
Consumer- and municipally-owned energy systems are lauded as key elements of the energy transition. However, their market design in many regions is still prohibitively complex. The European Committee of the Regions has presented a policy recommendation to address these issues, and enable a just and democratic energy transition.
Belgium preps for energy transition with blockchain, AI and other innovations
Belgian grid operator Elia has published a vision paper explaining how it intends to link consumers’ behavior at lower voltage levels with price signals in the wholesale electricity market, thus also enabling better integration of renewables.
Europe’s largest commercial and industrial PV storage testbed launched
Testing lithium-ion, redox flow, and sodium-sulfur technologies, EPC provider CMI Energy wants to establish which types of system, or which combinations, are most suitable for different applications using the 4.2 MWh facility.
Belgium’s Flemish government makes first investment in floating PV
The Floating PV NV company has secured €2m for a floating solar plant on a site owned by Belgian raw material provider Sibelco. The funding is part of a €6m plan to support floating PV in Flanders.
EDF now aims to become e-mobility leader
EDF has launched yet another ambitious plan, this time aiming to become the leader in e-mobility by 2022. It has outlined three targets, and cemented new partnerships, to achieve this goal.
Imec claims 24.6% efficiency for tandem CIGS cell based on perovskite
The Belgian research institute developed its cell in partnership with EnergyVille, Solliance and German research center, ZSW.
When the wind doesn’t blow don’t worry, the sun shines
The heatwave across Western Europe saw wind power 20% lower than usual while solar irradiance was 20% above average, according to Vaisala, a provider of measurement systems and equipment for meteorology. If this balancing effect is confirmed by further analysis, the technologies may ensure future energy supply by providing a diversified, ‘climate-resilient’ portfolio.
Group buying could make up for UK loss of export payments
With a group purchasing program securing hefty discounts for British households – and attracting thousands of potential customers as a result – solar has a viable business case no matter what further cuts the government throws at the industry.
Engie to build Belgium’s largest solar park
Construction on the 100 MW Kristal Solar Park is set to start in October. The facility will be located near the town of Lommel, in the Flemish province of Limburg. The project developer, local investment agency, Limburgse investeringsmaatschappij (LRM) said the project will be 34% cheaper than expected.
