Richard Kwok’s Post

Storing solar power through aluminum-rock composite ◾ UK startup Caldera has developed a modular heat storage technology based on an earth-abundant aluminium-rock composite. ◾ Called Megacell, the new storage tech is described as an ideal solution to decarbonize industrial processes and store photovoltaic energy generated on-site. The system’s rock-aluminum core is claimed to have the same thermal storage capacity as similar storage technologies based on rock, sand or concrete. ◾ The system is a vacuum-insulated cell that can reportedly store heat at up to 500 C and produce hot water or steam at a temperature of up to 210 C. It consists of blocks made of a proprietary composite of recycled aluminum and volcanic rocks enclosed in a vacuum-insulated chamber. ◾ The heat cell cores are encased in a vacuum flask and are heated using standard electric elements. “The vacuum prevents conduction and convection of heat, while an additional material prevents radiative losses, ” the company explains on its website. ◾ “A closed steam loop runs through each heat cell to maintain ultra-high purity and prevent eventual degradation from the build-up of solids.” ◾ The company also claims its insulation takes up much less space, keeping the unit compact. “It is the cheapest and most efficient means of insulating the thermal core taking into account construction costs, insulation selection and weather proofing,” it states. ◾ Caldera also explains that the system produces steam through a small quantity of water passed through a coil within the core. “This steam extracts stored energy from the heat cell, and varying the volume of water controls the power output,” it adds. ◾ The company offers the cell with storage capacities of 1.3 MWh, 4 MWh, and 5.3 MWh, and with a steam generator, a compact substation, and a storage boiler. The smallest version measures 6 m x 14 m x 7.3 m and the largest has a size of 6 m x 14 m x 9 m. Its weight varies from 27 tonnes to 82 tonnes. ◾ The modular approach allows combining multiple units and increasing a project’s storage capacity to up to 100 MWh, according to the manufacturer. ◾ Caldera built the 4 MWh first demonstrator at its factory in Hampshire. The source: ESS News #energyticslimited #storingsolarpower #aluminumrockcomposite

FLOATING SOLAR ON DAMS, yes it is possible, but how? Floating solar installations have great potential on hydrodams. They can make up for the energy produced by the dam infrastructure. There are several significant challenges to consider in their implementation though. The environmental loads specific to the dam environment require to ensure structural integrity and stability: fluctuating water levels of high height and turbulent conditions pose significant engineering hurdles. In other words, installing a floating solar project on a hydrodam demands meticulous planning and adaptation of existing technologies. To unlock the full potential of floating solar on hydroelectric dams and advancing towards a greener energy future, it is necessary to overcome these challenges. Discover those challenges more in details in the article. 👉 https://lnkd.in/etzMm86B #floatingsolar #dam #hydrodam #solar #renewableenergy

🇵🇪 GEOINTEC Pull-Out Test in Peru 🇵🇪 GEOINTEC is spearheading the pull-out test campaign for a large solar photovoltaic project in the Moquegua region of Perú, underscoring the company’s commitment to the development of renewable energy around the globe. The study took the shape of a pull-out test campaign to engineer, test, and verify the solar tracker foundation’s performance against project loads. The semi-desert landscape of Moquegua presents unique logistical and technical challenges. GEOINTEC’s strategic approach and expertise has led to successful resource and team coordination in order to meet deadlines. By carefully evaluating and selecting local pile-driving equipment and leveraging technical guidance from its Headquarters in Madrid, the company ensures both operational efficiency and technical excellence. GEOINTEC offers comprehensive management of the site assessment and ground engineering studies required for the development and construction of solar projects: - Geotechnical site investigations. - Hydrological and flood risk studies. - Ramming and pull-out tests.  - Topographic land surveys. With over two decades of experience and a robust international presence, GEOINTEC has established itself as a leader in ground engineering for renewable energy. Since 2014, the company has specialized in solar, wind, and battery projects, analysing the equivalent to over 70 GW of installed capacity across 50 countries. GEOINTEC operates globally from its offices in Madrid (Spain), Santiago (Chile), Lyon (France), and Sydney (Austrlia). For more information please reach out to us: Daniel Jiménez: Business Development Manager – daniel.jimenez@geointec.com Visit www.geointec.com or contact info@geointec.com #RenewableEnergy #GeotechnicalEngineering #SolarEnergy #Pot #Topography #Hydrology #GEOINTEC

Need to support a tall structure? Worried about lateral loads? There's a helical pier solution for that ⤵ A persistent misconception about helical piers is their perceived inability to support significant lateral loads. (Which is entirely untrue) You simply need the right pier cap or grillage. This dead-end frame foundation, for example, groups four helical piers together to increase both lateral and axial load capacity. It's a great solution for structures like utility poles, transmission towers, communication towers, dead-end frames, gas flares, and more. Plus, a helical pier foundation expedites timelines, minimizes site prep, and reduces embodied carbon. Contact our team at S&B Helical to learn more about helical foundations for your energy infrastructure project! - #infrastructure #energygrid #utilities #renewables #oilandgas #engineering

𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝗩 𝗦𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀: 𝗢𝗰𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗦𝘂𝗻’𝘀 𝗔𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗙𝗹𝗼𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗦𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆 * Ocean Sun’s membrane-based floating platform uses keder-attached membranes to secure solar modules, eliminating the need for tools during installation * The system’s design allows modules to cool close to water temperature, reducing cell temperatures significantly compared to traditional floating PV systems * Ocean Sun’s membrane-based platform minimizes the risk of panel cracks due to its robust structure and even load distribution. 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞: https://lnkd.in/eNSU3NNr #FloatingPV(FPV) #IvarBlekastad #MarketSurveyFPV #OceanSun

Utility scale solar is facing a big issue. There is currently a 500,000 person and growing skilled labor shortage leaving developers struggling to find the personnel needed to complete solar projects. Projects sitting in construction limbo means lost time and money for developers and can be frustrating for communities who are relying on these projects to deliver clean power. More than ever, there is a responsibility of manufacturers to focus on the constructability of the solar trackers installed on these project sites. With labor hours coming at such a premium, being able to do more with less is crucial to the viability of projects. A recent study by the construction consultation firm Eclipse-M found the Nevados TRACE tracker to be 38% more efficient to install than other market relevant trackers. Including a self-aligning torque tube, integrated dampers and 1-piece bearing assembly the TRACE tracker is designed from the ground-up with constructability in mind giving developers a construction timeline that can’t be beaten. Check the comments below for a link to read more on our blog. #TheWorldIsNotFlat #NoGrading #TRACE #SolarTracker #RenewableEnergy

***Exploring the Single-Sided Ring Design for Offshore Wind Farm Electrical Collection Systems*** The Single-Sided Ring Design for offshore wind farms represents an advancement of the traditional radial collection system. This design involves an additional cable that connects the last energy converter in a radial row to the central collection point, creating a single-sided ring structure. This modification aims to enhance the reliability and efficiency of the electrical collection system. A. Advantages and Disadvantages: The key advantage of the Single-Sided Ring Design is its improved redundancy. By incorporating an additional return cable, the system can better manage potential faults or outages. If one segment fails, power can still flow through the remaining path, minimizing disruptions and improving overall system resilience. However, this benefit comes at a cost. The additional return cable must be capable of handling the total power of the entire string, which can increase the installation and maintenance expenses. B. Impact on Power Quality: In terms of power quality, the Single-Sided Ring Design can positively influence grid voltage, frequency, and waveform. Enhanced redundancy means fewer disruptions, leading to more stable voltage and frequency. However, the increased complexity of the system might introduce potential issues with waveform distortion if not properly managed. Ensuring high power quality requires careful monitoring and maintenance of the additional cable. C. Planning with NEC4 Contract: Effective planning for implementing this design under the NEC4 Contract involves detailed risk management and cost control strategies. The NEC4 framework emphasizes collaborative planning and clear communication among stakeholders. This helps in managing the complexities of additional components like the return cable, ensuring all potential issues are addressed proactively. *Recent innovations in the Single-Sided Ring Design focus on advanced materials and smart monitoring systems. New cable technologies enhance power capacity while reducing weight and installation complexity. Additionally, real-time monitoring systems can provide immediate feedback on the system's performance, enabling quick responses to any issues* How do you think the advancements in cable technology and smart monitoring will further enhance the efficiency of the Single-Sided Ring Design in offshore wind farms?👇 This post reflects my personal knowledge and is for educational purposes only. #ProjectManagement #PrimaveraP6Planner #PrimaveraP6CPMScheduling #PrimaveraP6CostControl #Dataanalysis #ProjectCostManagement #EarnedValueManagement #RiskManagement #S-CurveProjectPerformanceAnalysis #OffshoreWindEnergy #HVDCPowerCables #PowerQuality #BESS #GridCodeComplianceStudies #OHTDLines #OffshoreWindDevelopers #OffshoreWindGenerators

These gravity-based energy storage systems could enable some of the world’s tallest buildings to generate renewable energy. Energy Vault has teamed-up with architects Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM) to explore how gravity energy storage systems (GESS) could be integrated into skyscrapers. GESS uses surplus energy to lift heavy blocks to height, creating potential energy that can later be converted into electricity when the blocks are lowered to the ground. Unlike pumped hydro storage facilities, which can only be built on specific natural sites, the team believes that GESS installations could theoretically be built anywhere, opening up new possibilities for clean energy storage and distribution. The “EVu” solution (shown here) enables GESS integration into tall buildings through the use of a hollowed structure with heights over 300 metres and up to 1,000 metres tall and could generate power for both towers and their surrounding communities. 📷 SOM / Energy Vault Holdings / Business Wire #construction #architecture #engineering #energy

People often assume there is a trade-off in adopting the Nevados All Terrain Tracker. “It will save me money on grading, but won’t it be more complex and expensive to install?” The answer is no. Bill Poulin and his team at Eclipse-M recently analyzed our tracker to benchmark its constructability compared to our leading competitors. Leaving out grading, civil engineering, material handling and other factors, they looked at the amount of physical work necessary to put the tracker together. They found that our trackers can be installed just as easily as the leading traditional solar trackers on the market. Solar projects can receive all the benefits of terrain-following trackers, without adding cost to the actual installation. Check out our recent pv magazine USA webinar with Bill and Rahul Chandra, discussing how solar developers can choose the right equipment to install solar power plants faster. 🔗⬇️ #TheWorldIsNotFlat #NoMoreGrading #SolarTracker #SolarPower #Constructability

✅ Fascinating! Buildings may become giant-energy storages. See this example of Energy Vault & Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (SOM). Thanks for sharing The B1M it would be great to do whole episode on this topic Fred Mills