Aspiring geothermal group Greenearth Energy is branching out into solar and has signed a conditional agreement with Israel's ZenithSolar to market a new solar technology in Australia. The ZenithSolar Z20 cells, a high concentration photovoltaic/combined heat and power technology, will go on a trial sale in Victoria in early 2011, with the companies aiming to establish an exclusive distribution agreement for the technology in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and a number of Pacific Islands, Greenearth said in a statement.
"Australia is an important strategic market for ZenithSolar and we are delighted to be entering into this partnership," ZenithSolar co-founder and chief executive Roy Segev said. "Our Z20 CHP solar technology has been successfully operating in Israel since early 2009, and we continue to refine and improve our product to where we have today the industry's highest combined efficiency backed by proven field performance." The Z20 cells will be marketed to sectors including hospitals and aged care; hotels, resorts and leisure; education and local government; and textile, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Ceramic Fuel heats up
Ceramic Fuel Cells's outlook has brightened, with the fuel cell manufacturer set to net up to €4.9 million through a heat generator order from German energy service provider EWE. The conditional order, for 200 units over 2011-2012, is its largest yet and includes ongoing service and support. It comes as EWE seeks partial funding from the German government to install the units in northern Germany, providing local homes with low-emission electricity, hot water and heating.
The deal remains dependant on funding approval for EWE's proposal under the German government’s national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program, with a final decision expected early next year, Ceramic Fuel Cells said in a statement. “We are confident that the German government will support the project," Ceramic Fuel Cells’ managing director Brendan Dow said. "We are also encouraged by the very strong interest in our low emission products in Germany."
LED looking bright
The global market for LED lights is on track to reach an annual value of $1 billion by 2014, according to a report by Greentech Media. Growth in the sector, currently worth $330 million in the US, will be driven by new, cost-effective designs and consumers' desire to save money, according to the report. "We're seeing a whole range of well-engineered new products that produce high quality light and provide strong financial returns based on their energy savings," report author and Groom Energy vice president of marketing Fritz Troller said. Meanwhile, the study named Cree, Philips, Lighting Science Group and BetaLED as market leaders among the top 50 LED lighting manufacturers.
Motorola's new calling
Motorola subsidiary Motorola Mobility has signed a deal to buy smart home start-up 4Home for an undisclosed sum, according to a statement released by the company. 4Home, which creates software enabling customers to access information about their homes remotely, has placed energy efficiency at the core of its business, with a project to develop utilities and smart meter installers, GigaOM reports. 4Home's products also enable remote access to digital media, home security and health data.
A Smart clip
Meanwhile, a study by consultancy firm Logica has compared the breadth of change in the smart grid sector to the 'phenomenal' changes in the telecommunications industry late last century, but warned that a major lack of clarity around government policy and regulation would continue to slow progress in the industry. The study, which followed one-to-one interviews with senior executives from 13 major Australian energy organisations, emphasised uncertainty around the national broadband network, saying it is difficult for energy companies to do too much before the network is implemented. “Nationally, the synergy between the NBN and smart meter roll out needs to happen," it said. "The NBN end point is installed on the end of fibre optics and needs to be powered. Installing the power device and changing the meter at the same time would be a nice synergy.” Highlighting the sector's rapid progress, all organisations interviewed by Logica had a smart grid strategy, up from three organisations in last year's report.
Aspiring geothermal group Greenearth Energy is branching out into solar and has signed a conditional agreement with Israel's ZenithSolar to market a new solar technology in Australia. The ZenithSolar Z20 cells, a high concentration photovoltaic/combined heat and power technology, will go on a trial sale in Victoria in early 2011, with the companies aiming to establish an exclusive distribution agreement for the technology in Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia and a number of Pacific Islands, Greenearth said in a statement.
"Australia is an important strategic market for ZenithSolar and we are delighted to be entering into this partnership," ZenithSolar co-founder and chief executive Roy Segev said. "Our Z20 CHP solar technology has been successfully operating in Israel since early 2009, and we continue to refine and improve our product to where we have today the industry's highest combined efficiency backed by proven field performance." The Z20 cells will be marketed to sectors including hospitals and aged care; hotels, resorts and leisure; education and local government; and textile, food and pharmaceutical manufacturing.
Ceramic Fuel heats up
Ceramic Fuel Cells's outlook has brightened, with the fuel cell manufacturer set to net up to €4.9 million through a heat generator order from German energy service provider EWE. The conditional order, for 200 units over 2011-2012, is its largest yet and includes ongoing service and support. It comes as EWE seeks partial funding from the German government to install the units in northern Germany, providing local homes with low-emission electricity, hot water and heating.
The deal remains dependant on funding approval for EWE's proposal under the German government’s national hydrogen and fuel cell technology innovation program, with a final decision expected early next year, Ceramic Fuel Cells said in a statement. “We are confident that the German government will support the project," Ceramic Fuel Cells’ managing director Brendan Dow said. "We are also encouraged by the very strong interest in our low emission products in Germany."
LED looking bright
The global market for LED lights is on track to reach an annual value of $1 billion by 2014, according to a report by Greentech Media. Growth in the sector, currently worth $330 million in the US, will be driven by new, cost-effective designs and consumers' desire to save money, according to the report. "We're seeing a whole range of well-engineered new products that produce high quality light and provide strong financial returns based on their energy savings," report author and Groom Energy vice president of marketing Fritz Troller said. Meanwhile, the study named Cree, Philips, Lighting Science Group and BetaLED as market leaders among the top 50 LED lighting manufacturers.
Motorola's new calling
Motorola subsidiary Motorola Mobility has signed a deal to buy smart home start-up 4Home for an undisclosed sum, according to a statement released by the company. 4Home, which creates software enabling customers to access information about their homes remotely, has placed energy efficiency at the core of its business, with a project to develop utilities and smart meter installers, GigaOM reports. 4Home's products also enable remote access to digital media, home security and health data.
A Smart clip
Meanwhile, a study by consultancy firm Logica has compared the breadth of change in the smart grid sector to the 'phenomenal' changes in the telecommunications industry late last century, but warned that a major lack of clarity around government policy and regulation would continue to slow progress in the industry. The study, which followed one-to-one interviews with senior executives from 13 major Australian energy organisations, emphasised uncertainty around the national broadband network, saying it is difficult for energy companies to do too much before the network is implemented. “Nationally, the synergy between the NBN and smart meter roll out needs to happen," it said. "The NBN end point is installed on the end of fibre optics and needs to be powered. Installing the power device and changing the meter at the same time would be a nice synergy.” Highlighting the sector's rapid progress, all organisations interviewed by Logica had a smart grid strategy, up from three organisations in last year's report.
-- Amber Plum