World-Gen Nov/Dec 2018

PUBLISHER’S LETTER 3 World-Gen was invited to report on the world’s first solar energy microgrid launched by four partners in Nice, France at a cost of 30 million euros. Now, four years later, Lyn Corum reports that few microgrid projects are moving forward without significant government support. She attended the two- day HOMER International Microgrid Conference in San Diego, October 8th and 9th, 2018, and you can read her coverage beginning on page 4. Jim Schretter, President of Beacon Energy and in World-Gen’s Class of 2002, sets the stage for 2019. He lists the expected challenges for developers, utilities, corporate customers and suppliers on page 6. John Chevrette, President of Black & Veatch Management Consulting, surveyed utility professionals. Acceleration in energy storage installations is being led by renewables, microgrid deployments support the growth of storage systems and regulatory factors also contribute to potential growth outlined on page 8. Marlene Motyka, Class of 2017, reports on DeLoitte’s “Global Renewable Energy Trends.” She highlights seven key trends and three key enablers helping renewables become equivalent to conventional sources on page 10. MIT is developing a new type of battery to open up new avenues for tailoring electrochemical carbon dioxide conversion reactions. The concept could replace carbon capture in underground geological disposal on page 12. E.J. Bernacki explains the 4th round of the Wells Fargo Innovation Incubator (IN2) co-administered by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. IN2 provides funding, technical assistance and beta testing to startups to improve sustainability in commercial buildings on page 14. The US Veterans Administration initiated a major program to upgrade emergency backup systems at VA hospitals in hurricane zones. The James A. Haley Veterans Hospital in Tampa, FL completed a $47 million renovation, and we learn the extent of the upgrades from Stephen McQuaid on page 15. John Moran writes on page 16 that the price of energy now has a ceiling. The fuel is free in the “Clean Energy Revolution.” Bob Palmer analyzes the engineering of Santa’s trip around the world on page 17. Teresa Ribera writes that Spain is reducing spiraling energy costs from households by suspending the country’s 7 percent solar tax. It’s shifting towards renewables to be in line with EU2020 directives on page 18. Damian Brandy from IRENA reports that Egypt could generate over 50 percent of its electricity from renewables by 2030. The Benban Solar Park will churn out 1,650 megawatts of electricity. The country also plans on building the largest wind farm in the Middle East on page 18. We are pleased to publish the 20th Annual Bueche Directory of Developers on pages 19 and 20. As we close out 2018, our 30th year of publishing World-Gen, I would like to again acknowledge and thank the advertisers who have made all this possible. They are listed on the back cover. HAPPY HOLIDAYS, WORLD-GENERATION NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2018 WORLD-GENERATION 521 FIFTH AVENUE • SUITE 1700 NEW YORK, NY 10175 212.292.5009 • flanagan@world-gen.com PUBLISHER’S LETTER pg. 3 MICROGRID MARKETS EXPANDING BY LYN CORUM,CLASS OF 2012 pg. 4 2019 INDUSTRY CHALLENGES BY JIM SCHRETTER,CLASS OF 2002 pg. 6 BATTERY STORAGE MARKET BY JOHN CHEVRETTE pg. 8 GLOBAL RENEWABLETRENDS BY MARLENE MOTYKA,CLASS OF 2017 pg. 10 NEW BATTERY DEVELOPED BY DAVID L.CHANDLER pg. 12 IN² CLEAN-TECH STARTUPS BY E.J.BERNACKI pg. 14 POWERING FLORIDA VA HOSPITAL BY STEPHEN MCQUAID pg. 15 RENEWABLES SLAY INFLATION BY JOHN MORAN pg. 16 ENGINEERS SUIT UP BY BOB PALMER pg. 17 EGYPT’S RENEWABLE OUTLOOK BY DAMIAN BRANDY pg. 18 SUNTAX SCRAPPED BYTERESA RIBERA pg. 18 20TH BUECHE DIRECTORY pg. 19-20 Dick Flanagan flanagan@world-gen.com Copyright 2018 by The Flanagan Group, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without written permission of the publisher. Membership held in the National Press Club, Washington, DC TABLE OF CONTENTS