- 21
- July
2013
Prof. Eicke Weber is very optimistic about the solar industry
Ecosummit TV: Prof. Eicke Weber, Director of Fraunhofer ISE, is very optimistic about the future of the solar industry. Firstly, the PV cost curve is going down continuously. Even in Germany with Alaska-type sunshine, we can produce electricity with silicon-based PV for 10-12 cents/kWh. At this cost level, grid parity is already outperformed since 1 kWh costs 22 cents (net) in Germany if you buy it from your local utility. Making your own electricity and storing it in a solar battery is a smart economic idea. Secondly, the global solar market will grow 10 times from 30 GW/year in 2012 to 300 GW/year by 2025. At the same time, higher efficiencies and lower production costs make PV competitive with onshore wind and hydro power. The current oversupply of 60 GW/year is a temporary phenomenon that causes trouble for PV manufacturers for another 1-2 years. Afterwards, Europe should reenter the PV industry with a “multi-GW solar Airbus project” to drive the enormous PV industry again as a technology leader.
Read more- 17
- July
2013
Moritz Missling pitches Younicos from Berlin
Ecosummit TV: Moritz Missling pitches Younicos that was founded to make the vision of 100% renewable energy become reality. The Berlin-based late stage startup provides large-scale energy storage solutions for renewable offgrid islands and ongrid battery parks. The key technology is a very flexible energy management system that is able to integrate different battery technologies to take advantage of the specific characteristics of each battery technology. One of the famous projects of Younicos is the Graciosa Island whose 4.500 inhabitants shall be powered by 100% renewable energy by 2014. As Younicos would say: “Let the fossils rest in peace.”
Read more- 31
- August
2012
Juergen Schmid of Fraunhofer IWES: the energy transformation to 100% renewable can be done
Ecosummit TV: “We are sure that we can supply 100% renewable energy,” says Prof. Dr. Juergen Schmid, Director of Fraunhofer IWES. The necessary transformation of our energy system to the 100% renewable energy system can be done and must be done as soon as possible because global energy demand and CO2 emissions grow exponentially. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are the 2 pillars of the future energy system. Prof. Schmid’s scenarios are an encouraging role model for other countries. If you want to get the big picture how to do it, this Ecosummit TV video is must-see. Let’s accelerate together the global transformation to the Smart Green Economy powered by 100% renewable energy. In fact, that’s exactly why we do Ecosummit.
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