Greenwood Sustainable Infrastructure’s Post

[INVITATION] Our corporate member Avalon Landscape Engineering is organizing a site visit of their project on the 20th August and offers you the possibility to join for a better insight and networking moment. Outline 👇 Together with the partners ELIA, Luminus, owner of the windturbines, and the Services Public de Wallonie, the governmental services responsible for road infrastructure, AVALON L+E has been given a leading role in implementing the project. Also, BESIX as the general construction company leading all construction of the interconnection project. Elia Transmission Belgium is the operator of the Belgian electricity transmission system. We manage the Belgian high-voltage grid from 30,000 to 400,000 volts. This network covers a total of more than 8,802.50 km of lines, underground and submarine cables throughout Belgium. With a confidence rate of 99.99%, we provide society with a robust electricity grid, which is important for socio-economic prosperity. We ensure that production and consumption are always in balance. With the subsidiary EGI, ELIA is currently supporting EVN as a knowledge and technology partner. Active since 1909, BESIX Group has grown over the years into a multidisciplinary company with a leading position in the markets in which it operates: construction, real estate development and concessions. BESIX Contracting specializes in the realization of construction, infrastructure, and maritime works, which are often distinguished by their complexity. With the entities Infra, BESIX Environment and BESIX Unitec, the Group markets specialized niche solutions, such as deep foundations, geo-engineering, road works, water treatment and cable and pipeline construction. Strengthened by their experience in their home markets, BESIX has the desire to develop its activities in Vietnam. In the last 25 years AVALON L+E develops their experience as designer of the Energy landscape- and infrastructure projects. Characteristic for our projects is an intensive technical engineering in addition of conceptional strategies. We offer integrated solutions to the development of energy infrastructure. Based on a rapidly changing legislation and a challenging development environment AVALON L+E support the development of new grid and renewable projects: site analyses, remediation, development, and planning steps up to construction. From yield estimations, research and development of energy balancing and storage solution and the operational grid management and site operational management. Connecting Belgian and Vietnamese companies to understand the new opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam in implementing Decree 80/2024. Whereas the former, sellers and consumers can now negotiate PPA prices on their own or construct their private line infrastructure, connecting Renewable Energy production to their needs. 👉 Contact Ms Thanh (+32471290514) for practical arrangements and registration (participation fee 75,00 €/pp with networking dinner).

Shall we move to Heat Pumps? As Australia shifts towards sustainable energy solutions, it's critical to balance enthusiasm for new technologies with the practicalities of current infrastructure. While high-temperature and steam-generating heat pumps offer notable efficiency, our immediate focus should lean more towards decarbonising gas and enhancing our grid's capacity. Concerns About Heat Pumps: Grid Capacity: The existing electrical grid in Australia may struggle with the additional demand from heat pumps, potentially causing reliability issues and necessitating costly upgrades. High Initial Costs: The significant upfront costs and the requirement for retrofitting existing systems render high-temperature heat pumps less economically viable at present. Advocating for Gas and Renewable Natural Gas (RNG): Immediate Decarbonisation: Using renewable natural gas can immediately reduce emissions utilising existing infrastructure, offering a pragmatic bridge towards cleaner energy. Industrial Heating: Gas boilers are currently more effective for industrial applications, providing the necessary high temperatures efficiently. Integrating RNG could substantially lower their environmental impact. Pros of RNG: Environmental Advantages: RNG significantly reduces carbon emissions and utilises existing gas networks, avoiding the hefty costs of new infrastructure. Cons of Heat Pumps: Performance in Cold Weather: The efficiency of high-temperature heat pumps can decrease significantly in colder climates, necessitating additional heating and increasing operational costs. Long-term ROI: Despite potential savings over time, the considerable initial expenses and limitations of the current grid make them a less appealing option in the short term. While heat pumps represent a forward-thinking approach to heating, they require more substantial infrastructure support to be viable. Prioritising the decarbonisation of gas, particularly through the use of RNG, and strengthening the electrical grid should precede their widespread adoption. This strategy ensures immediate environmental benefits while preparing Australia for future energy demands.

Elements Green’s Staythorpe 360MW/720MWh BESS Project Secures Planning Consent. We are very pleased to announce that our Staythorpe Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) project in the UK has reached a significant milestone and has now received planning permission.  Following a positive ruling from the Planning Inspectorate, we have secured planning consent. The target energisation date is set for August 2026, with the project having an operational life of 40 years. With a 360 MW peak and the capacity to store 720 MWh, Staythorpe BESS will supply approximately 150,000 households. The project is expected to prevent around 1.8 million tonnes of CO2 emissions over its 40-year lifetime, which is comparable to taking 37,500 cars off the road. Our Executive Chairman, Mark Turner, commented, “Securing planning permission is a remarkable achievement for our team. We are preparing to begin construction and bring our vision to life, creating not only a state-of-the-art energy storage solution but also making a positive contribution to the local environment with additional planting and the creation of a permissive path. Through its connection into the existing national grid substation at Staythorpe, the project builds on the Trent Valley’s long history of powering the UK." Staythorpe BESS is not just about energy storage; it also includes several features aimed at enhancing the local environment and community, including: ✅ More than 12 acres dedicated to landscape planting, woodland creation, and wildflower meadows. ✅ Planting of 129 trees. ✅ At least a 25.7% Biodiversity Net Gain. ✅ Creation of a new permissive footpath (over 500 meters). ✅ Creation of 30-50 high-skilled jobs during construction. ✅ A community benefit trust that will contribute to energy bills for households within the parish. “This achievement is a testament to the dedication and exceptional expertise of our UK development team”, explains Mark. “We are excited about the future and the positive impact this project will have on our organisation and the broader community. The UK Government has set ambitious and legally binding targets to eliminate carbon emissions by 2050. More renewable energy is needed to fast-track away from fossil fuels, and energy storage and large-scale solar development are recognised as having an important role in achieving this.” The approval of the Staythorpe BESS project underscores our commitment to delivering innovative energy solutions that contribute to a sustainable future for communities across the UK and beyond.

☀️ The U.S. Department of Energy pledges $71 million for research and development in the solar sector. ☀️ Renowned solar company, Silfab Solar, is awarded $5 million to steer an innovative project developing back-contact N-type solar cells. ☀️ Silfab bags another accolade as they earn DOE's innovation award for the development of high-efficiency, building-integrated PV (BIPV) modules. From Silicon Valley to Washington DC, the buzz on everyone’s lips is solar and the U.S. government is taking giant strides to propel the solar sector to unprecedented heights. This blog post focuses on the Department of Energy's $71 million initiative, a significant boost to solar companies looking to increase their innovation and reach within the industry. 🚀 Nestled in the heart of this is a whopping $5 million award to Silfab Solar for a ground-breaking project. 🔧 They plan to increase the efficiency of back-contact N-type solar cells, with ambitious targets of 26% or higher. The project promises a rapid increase in the cost-effective manufacturing of their solar modules, steered by a 300 MW pilot line operating alongside their main N-type cell manufacturing. 🏭 In addition, Silfab just announced a $150 million investment in a solar array for residential and commercial use at a sprawling South Carolina site. This will generate an estimated 850 jobs for the local community – a welcome boost to the economy. Moreover, they've bagged another accolade with DOE’s innovation award for high-efficiency, building-integrated PV (BIPV) modules, set to revolutionize the industry. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.

We are excited to introduce to you ExoGrid™, our patented new solution for grid upgrade challenges! https://lnkd.in/enPn3wyY ExoGrid offers a revolutionary approach to increasing grid capacity without the need for extensive new right-of-way acquisitions. By utilizing existing infrastructure, ExoGrid minimizes environmental disruption, preserves natural habitats, and reduces carbon emissions, all while delivering significant cost savings and faster project completion times. Benefits of ExoGrid: 💵 Lower Cost for You and the Environment: ExoGrid eliminates the necessity of constructing new towers and acquiring new land rights, leveraging existing infrastructure to minimize environmental impact and preserve natural habitats. ⌛ Reduced Timelines: ExoGrid streamlines overall project timelines by simplifying permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and environmental studies. Significantly Reduced Permitting: By using existing tower locations, ExoGrid simplifies the permitting process, reducing regulatory hurdles and enabling projects to proceed more smoothly. ✅ Maximized Efficiency: Utilizing the existing right of way for transmission lines, ExoGrid builds new towers over existing ones, minimizing land use and environmental impacts. ⚡ Less Outage Time, More Power: ExoGrid's construction approach allows some upgrades to be completed while the lines remain in use, minimizing downtime and ensuring continuous service reliability. 🦺 The Safest Way to Upgrade a Grid: ExoGrid's innovative design and advanced safety features ensure secure and reliable interconnections with renewable energy sources, enhancing grid stability and minimizing potential hazards. 💨 Shore Up Your Grid: ExoGrid strengthens towers to withstand extreme weather events such as hurricanes and high winds. "Our mission with ExoGrid is to provide a sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient solution for the power industry," said Luke Chaput, President of Ampjack Industries Ltd. "ExoGrid enables us to expand transmission capacity in a fraction of the time compared to traditional methods, with minimal environmental impact and reduced regulatory hurdles." Nathan Stahl, Vice President of Engineering at Ampjack, added, "ExoGrid is not just a technological advancement; it's a comprehensive process that includes line analysis, phase configuration studies, foundation analysis, and conductor selection. This ensures that every upgrade is optimized for maximum efficiency and minimal disruption. Our innovative approach allows us to build new towers over existing ones, often reducing construction timelines and improving service reliability." Visit https://lnkd.in/gUNrfkwv to learn more! #GridUpgrades #GridCapacity #GridHardening #SustainableEnergy #EcoFriendly #CleanEnergyFuture #InnovativeSolutions #Ampjack #ExoGrid #RenewableEnergy

Solar energy projects offer numerous benefits, but they also face several challenges: 1. High Initial Costs Installation Expenses: The upfront cost of purchasing and installing solar panels can be high, which can be a barrier for many households and businesses. Infrastructure Investment: Developing the necessary infrastructure, such as solar farms and grid connections, requires significant investment. 2. Intermittency and Reliability Weather Dependence: Solar energy production is dependent on sunlight, which can be inconsistent due to weather conditions and seasonal variations. Energy Storage: Effective storage solutions, like batteries, are needed to ensure a reliable power supply when sunlight is not available, but these can be expensive and have limited capacity. 3. Space Requirements Land Use: Large-scale solar farms require significant amounts of land, which can lead to land use conflicts, especially in densely populated or agriculturally important areas. Rooftop Limitations: Not all buildings have suitable rooftops for solar panel installation due to shading, orientation, or structural issues. 4. Environmental Impact Manufacturing and Disposal: The production and disposal of solar panels involve the use of hazardous materials and can generate waste, posing environmental risks. Habitat Disruption: Large solar farms can disrupt local ecosystems and wildlife habitats. 5. Regulatory and Policy Barriers Inconsistent Policies: Varying regulations and policies across regions can create uncertainty and hinder the development of solar projects. Permitting and Approval: The process of obtaining permits and approvals for solar installations can be lengthy and complex. 6. Grid Integration Technical Challenges: Integrating solar power into existing electrical grids requires upgrades and modifications to handle the variable nature of solar energy. Grid Stability: High penetration of solar energy can affect grid stability and require advanced management techniques. 7. Public Awareness and Acceptance Knowledge Gaps: Lack of awareness and understanding of the benefits and feasibility of solar energy can slow adoption. Aesthetic Concerns: Some people may oppose solar installations due to concerns about their appearance or impact on property values. Despite these challenges, ongoing advancements in technology, policy support, and increased public awareness are helping to overcome many of these obstacles, making solar energy a more viable and widespread solution. Is there a specific challenge you’d like to explore further?

☀️ The U.S. Department of Energy pledges $71 million for research and development in the solar sector. ☀️ Renowned solar company, Silfab Solar, is awarded $5 million to steer an innovative project developing back-contact N-type solar cells. ☀️ Silfab bags another accolade as they earn DOE's innovation award for the development of high-efficiency, building-integrated PV (BIPV) modules. From Silicon Valley to Washington DC, the buzz on everyone’s lips is solar and the U.S. government is taking giant strides to propel the solar sector to unprecedented heights. This blog post focuses on the Department of Energy's $71 million initiative, a significant boost to solar companies looking to increase their innovation and reach within the industry. 🚀 Nestled in the heart of this is a whopping $5 million award to Silfab Solar for a ground-breaking project. 🔧 They plan to increase the efficiency of back-contact N-type solar cells, with ambitious targets of 26% or higher. The project promises a rapid increase in the cost-effective manufacturing of their solar modules, steered by a 300 MW pilot line operating alongside their main N-type cell manufacturing. 🏭 In addition, Silfab just announced a $150 million investment in a solar array for residential and commercial use at a sprawling South Carolina site. This will generate an estimated 850 jobs for the local community – a welcome boost to the economy. Moreover, they've bagged another accolade with DOE’s innovation award for high-efficiency, building-integrated PV (BIPV) modules, set to revolutionize the industry. For more information on selling solar virtually across the USA visit www.tstpros.com.

Title: Innovative Cement Foundation Ground-Mounted Solar Racking Unveiled In a significant stride towards sustainable energy solutions, we are thrilled to introduce our latest innovation in the solar industry – a revolutionary ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) racking. Key Features: 1. Stability and Durability:    The cement foundation ensures unparalleled stability, offering a reliable structure capable of withstanding challenging environmental conditions. This durability not only safeguards the longevity of the solar installation but also minimizes maintenance requirements. 2. Adaptability to Varied Terrains:    Designed with versatility in mind, our ground-mounted solar racking system accommodates different terrains, from uneven landscapes to challenging soil conditions. This adaptability streamlines the installation process and enhances overall project efficiency. 3. Environmentally Conscious Design:    Committed to sustainability, our system incorporates eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. This emphasis on environmental responsibility aligns with the broader goal of reducing the ecological impact of solar energy infrastructure. 4. Ease of Installation:    With a focus on user-friendly design, our ground-mounted solar racking system boasts straightforward installation processes. This not only expedites project timelines but also ensures a hassle-free experience for installers and project stakeholders. 5. Comprehensive Support and Expertise:    Backed by a team of dedicated experts, we offer unparalleled customer support throughout the project lifecycle. From initial consultations to post-installation assistance, our commitment to client satisfaction ensures a smooth and successful solar energy project. By introducing this innovative cement foundation ground-mounted solar racking system, we aim to redefine the standards of solar energy infrastructure. Embrace a future where sustainability meets efficiency, and join us in the journey towards a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.

CEP Renewables Commences Construction on 19 MW Foul Rift Solar Project in Warren County, New Jersey Construction has officially commenced on the Foul Rift solar project, a 19 MW dc grid supply initiative spearheaded by CEP Renewables in White Township, Warren County, New Jersey. Located on a former brownfield site once marred by the operations of a composting facility, the project marks a significant step towards environmental remediation and sustainable energy provision in the region. CEP Renewables, led by Executive Vice President Chris Ichter, has championed the project as a dual-purpose endeavor: mitigating environmental damages while advancing clean energy infrastructure. The site’s history of environmental violations, documented by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), […] Read the full story here: https://lnkd.in/gDyYJ8w3 #solarenergy #alternativeenergy #solarpv #pvsolar #photovoltaic #cleanenergy #cleantech #climatechange #middleeast #africa #india #asiapacific #asia #america #ceprenewables #northamerica #renewableenergy #solarprojects #sustainable

Beyond Net Zero: Future-Proofing Infrastructure Investment for Large Energy Consumers Summary: Industrial companies aiming for a decarbonized future must adopt a holistic view that extends beyond achieving net zero. Substantial investments in infrastructure are necessary to ensure long-term profitability and competitive advantage. Key Considerations: Energy Independence and Price Stability: Geopolitical Tensions and Cost of Living Crisis: These issues highlight the need for energy security and price stability. On-Site Renewables: Implementing solar PV and other renewables reduces reliance on the national grid and cuts emissions. Green Technology Integration: Tailoring technologies like heat pumps and renewable heat networks to specific needs ensures sustainable energy solutions. Long-Term Cost Reduction and Innovation: Upgrading Energy Systems: Investments in renewable technologies provide long-term cost benefits and strategic advantages. Innovation: Utilizing solar PV for affordable electricity and supporting research enhances energy efficiency. Funding Opportunities: Grants like the Industrial Energy Transformation Fund (IETF) support decarbonization projects financially. Future Climate Risks: Climate Change Adaptation: Planning for extreme weather patterns and ensuring resilience to future climate impacts is crucial. Maximizing Project Value: ESG Integration: Projects should incorporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) considerations to create greater value, including using low carbon technologies and promoting biodiversity. Sustainable Procurement: Using ethically sourced materials and supporting local economies through SMEs enhances sustainability. Strategic Partnerships: Partnering with experienced EPC companies ensures high-quality project delivery without disrupting operations. Conclusion: A multifaceted approach that integrates energy security, efficiency, climate resilience, and ESG considerations is essential for large energy consumers. Strategic partnerships and informed investments ensure infrastructure is robust, future-ready, and value-driven. #EnergyTransition #Decarbonization #InfrastructureInvestment #RenewableEnergy #ClimateResilience #EnergyEfficiency #ESG #Sustainability #FutureProofing #IndustrialEnergy