Dr. Charlie Dou

GLG News^SM Analyses by Charlie Dou(?)

The bottleneck of renewable energy electrification system: System sustainable operation

March 29, 2007

Analysis of:Providing Services to Rural Populations: Electricité de France | www.wbcsd.org

Electricity contributes not only to the improvement of education, health and living conditions, it also contributes to the development of economic activities and to the generation of wealth. However, two billion people still do not have access to electricity. Using renewable energy to power those population in remote rural areas are in the high priority for most developing countries. But its sustainable operation is a bottleneck to approach its basic goals.
The report provides four renewable energy rural electrification programs carried out by EDF:
One in South Africa targeting 100K people (SHS);
One in Morocco targeting 100K people(SHS);
Two in Mali ( Korayé Kurumba and Yeelen Kura) targeting 40K people (PV/Diesel and SHS)

Local RESCO are developed. By 2007, after full rollout, EDF aims to touch 670K beneficiaries through the program.

Lessons learnt:
RESCOs are very sensitive to cash flow problems; 
A lack of visibility on the institutional frameworks of the countries concerned;
Start-up costs need to be controlled; 
A general lack of local skills and training;
A lack of risk-covering mechanisms (institutional risks for example);
Fee-for-service business model is viable and sustainable

Detailed case study information are available.

Opportunity and challenge of China PV market

March 21, 2007

Analysis of:Report on the Development of the Photovoltaic Industry in China (2004－2005) | www.ndrcredp.com

1. Rapidly developing China PV industry

China is one of the largest countries in the world. Its market, includes PV market, is attracting international investors. The importance of fully understand China PV industry will never be overestimated for investors.
Driven by the global market, PV industry in China has developed quickly over the past years. For a long time, China's annual production of solar cells has composed only 1% of the whole world’s annual production. In 2005, this fraction increased to 8%, which is less than only those of Japan and Europe. China has been one of the fastest countries in the development of PV industry. and attracts international investors' interest. Someone is in China and someone is going to get in China. It is very important to fully understand exactly situation of the PV industry in China so as to develop one's own strategies.

2. Detailed information about China PV industry are provided

The World Bank/GEF China REDP prepared a 2005 Report on the Development of PV Industry in China. The report gives comprehensive review on the development of the PV industry and market in China, as well as making predictions and policy suggestions for future development.

3. Report contents

The report provides following information: Current status and trends of the world PV industry and market development, and status of Energy Resources, Development Plan, PV Industry, PV Market Development, Solar Cell R&D, Technical Standards, Authentication Systems and Quality Guarantee Systems for PV Products, Problems and Obstacles related to development of the PV Industry in China.

Attractive prospective and uncertainties of China wind power market

March 19, 2007

Analysis of:Statistics of Feasibility Studies on Wind Power Concession Projects in 2006 | www.cwea.org.cn

 China wind power market is more and more attracting international and China domestic manufacturers and investors interests. This article provides very detailed information for one national wind farm biddings.
August 16, 2006, the 4^th wind farm concession bid opening was held in Beijing, China.
Three wind farms were requesting for proposal. They are:
1)Bayin 200MW wind farm in Baotou, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region
2)Danjinghe 200MW wind farm in Zhangbei, Hebei province
3)Huitengliang 300MW wind farm, in Zhangjiahou, Hebei Province

17 bidders (Includes joint bidder) participated the bidding, which bundling with 12 wind turbine manufacturers. 20 different machines are proposed to be used, with single unit capacity ranged from 750KW to 2MW.

The proposed bidding price for kWh is ranged from RMB 0.4058 Yuan ~ 0.5651 Yuan/Kwh (US$ 0.05243~0.07330/Kwh[1])

The wind turbines manufacturers information are provided

The statistics data of feasibility studies on these wind farms, which includes detailed information for wind farms, tender-manufacturer-type of machine-project, mean value of feasibility study data, proposed machines information and specs for the machines, are available from the tables listed in the article and attachments.

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[1] The exchange rate between US$ to RMB is US$1 = RMB 7.74.