Industry News

Vestas will invest in installation of wind turbines in Kazakhstan	12.10.2011
Senior Vice President of the company Andreas Thomas claimed that Vestas considered investing around €200 million in installation of wind turbines in Kazakhstan. Read More
Vestas acquires radar specialist OCAS	11.10.2011
DENMARK: Vestas is set to acquire the technology assets from Norwegian radar specialist OCAS. Read More
"Atomenergomash" plans to make a decision on acquiring a company to develop new technologies in renewable energy	19.09.2011
OAO "Atomenergomash", the energy machinery production holding within Rosatom, plans to make a decision on acquiring a company to develop new technologies in renewable energy by the end of the year. Read More
New section on the RAWI's webpage	31.08.2011
Information about "Renewable Energy Sources & Hydro Power Engineering Department of Saint-Petersburg State Polytechnical University" is now published in "Company Presentation" section. Read More

ОАО Maykop Gear Plant (ZAREM) - a new RAWI member

For over 35 years we have been developing (by the specialized R&D Department) and producing the gear equipment for many industries (gears for metallurgy, energy, weight lifting, mining, and chemical industry).

Today we can offer over 300 unit sizes of parallel-shaft, double-reduction and right-angle, planetary and motor reduction gear units with ratio of gear from 2 to 2000 and transmitted torque from 315 to 1880000 Nm, as well as speed-increasing units. The plant is equipped with machinery for the whole-cycle production of various gear units. Expertise, stable production, and innovative technologies have put our products at the world highest level. To make our production process more efficient we have implemented ISO 9000:2001. All ZAREM products are certified by Russian Gosstandard will all correspondent certificates. It comes for our partners who supply us with raw materials and compartments as well.

In nearest future we plan to start production of wind energy equipment.

We are happy to introduce a new RAWI member to you – Gamesa

With more than 15 years’ experience, Gamesa is a global technological leader in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of wind turbines, with more than 23,000 MW installed in 30 countries and 15,000 MW under maintenance.

The company has 31 production facilities in Europe, the US, China, India and Brazil and 8,000 employees worldwide.

Gamesa is also a world leader in the development, construction and sale of wind farms, having installed over 4,300 MW and having a portfolio of 24,500 MW in Europe, America and Asia.
Gamesa is listed on the Ibex 35 and forms part of Dow Jones Sustainability, FTSE4Good and Ethibel sustainability indexes.
www.gamesacorp.com

Sun moves the meter

The development of renewable energy market has been actually started in Russia

Yulia Krivoshapko
"Rossiyskaya Gazeta" – Federal issue №5650 (274)
06.12.2011, 12:44 am

Wind, hydro and solar energy producers are becoming competent participants on the energy market in Russia. It is fixed by amendments to the Energy Law signed by President Dmitry Medvedev recently.

Earlier alternative energy developers made investments at their own expense. There were no clear rules showing who and how would compensate for expenses for renewable energy projects. Now they have come into existence. It is an agreement system which is similar to that working for the "big" energy. Under these agreements the investors will be reimbursed for the expenses occurred during construction of energy facilities.

Experts believe that the new rules will attract potential participants of the market and encourage them to develop their business.

We happily introduce our new members, "Wind Generating Company", CJSC to you!

"Wind Generating Company", CJSC was found to develop the renewables branch in Russian Federation. The company’s main goal is the wind farms and other renewable energy-based projects planning and construction as well as their operation, maintenance and gaining profits out of the wind power projects.

The company’s mission is development of the highly efficient and up-to-date equipment energy system of Russia that would deliver ecologically clean electricity produced by the RESs.

We are happy to inform you of Tyulgansky Electromechanical Factory Ltd. has joined RAWI as a new member.

The company was found on a basis of South-Ural Factory of electro-thermal equipment and was put into operation January, 1 1962. Nowadays Tyulgansky Electromechanical Factory Ltd. manufactures a range of products within several market segments, such as electrical engineering, agricultural equipment, metallic constructions and excavator spares. One of the company’s profiles is the renewable energy sector, wind power in particular. Tyulgansky Electromechanical Factory Ltd. is a WTGs manufacturer as well as being a reparation and maintenance supplier of the old machines. Tyulgansky Electromechanical Factory Ltd. has settled the been in use European wind turbines major repairs technology. During the reparation process the equipment is adapted for the Russian conditions, a new up-to-date industrial based computing control systems are installed.

POST-RELEASE RAWI

The third National Conference of RAWI
«Present Status of Wind Energy in Russia»
was held on the 11th of November, 2011, in Moscow

President of RAWI Igor Bryzgunov presented impressive facts and figures about the current status of wind energy.
Today the wind energy is:

One of the largest industries with over €90 billion annual turnover.
Successful employment, thanks to production of turbines and components.
In 2008 400 thousand jobs (so-called “green collars”) were created in the wind industry. It is equal to over 1000 jobs a day! And under the GWEC scenario, by 2020 annual investments into wind energy will have reached €149.4 billion, and 2.2 million jobs will have been created.
The most advanced materials. Carbon fibre reinforced plastic used in production of multi-MW wind turbines is the same as in fighter aircrafts of the 5th generation.
The most advanced technologies. The most perfect energy production and control forecasting systems, transforming, and installation technologies are applied in the wind industry. To install a modern 3 MW turbine they use 750 t and 500 t cranes which used to be a deficit in some countries. However, now their production and rent are rapidly growing profitable businesses.
An available resource and predicted costs. Any amount of wind – which is the main energy source for the industry – is available in almost any country. Wind is capable to become the foundation for energy security in every developed country. Unlike gas, oil, coal, and nuclear fuel, the cost of the wind energy source is known for the whole operation cycle of the turbine, and it is zero. However, the fuel costs are an essential risk factor for traditional energy resources and vary from $50 to $150 for a year only.
Implementation of “the freedom dream”. Freedom of choice: today any person or company can buy and use a wind generator to meet the energy demand. Freedom of use: any person or company can buy the generator and gain profit by selling the electricity to consumers, or even to the grid if the legislation allows. Almost any region in any country can choose wind energy systems as the main energy source or at least an important one.
A chance to preserve valuable natural resources for future generations. Thanks to the renewable sources, the humanity will preserve fossils for more reasonable and effective use than just burning up wastefully.

“We are on the junk of fossil fuels. Ladies and gentlemen, we are junkers! And we must say to ourselves: “We want to see and use the most advanced and clean energy technologies of the future, we want to save our valuable fossils for the next generations, we don’t want the resource-based economy!” This calling message from Igor Bryzgunov was welcomed by all the participants of the conference.

What is happening to the Russian wind industry while the world industry is developing rapidly? In Russia the developments have some new characteristics:
- plans for production of wind generators of total capacity 2000-3000 MW;
- expanded implementation of wind generators of low capacity (200-300 kW) in small industries and farms;
- industrial use of renovated wind turbines after reconstruction;
- development of sites for future wind parks;
- development of innovative technical solutions for wind generators, including combinations with other energy sources and accumulators;
- geographical expansion: involvement of Orenburg, Sakhalin and Kamchatka regions;
- increase in capacity of wind generators in the Orenburg Region by 1 MW.
For Russia it means a 20% increase in actual wind generation capacity. Experiences of other countries, for example, the neighbouring Ukraine, show in practice that:
- wind energy encourages development of new technologies in energy and relevant industries and businesses: R&D, energy machinery production, engineering of energy projects;
- wind energy “revitalizes” the electricity market by pushing out high marginal power plants that are the oldest and the least effective usually. As a result, average market prices fall down;
- wind energy easies the environmental load by replacement of fossil fuels;
- wind energy creates new jobs in a highly technological economic sector;
- wind energy adds to federal and local fiscal duties;
- wind energy creates a lot of maintenance services and businesses, mainly in small and medium forms.
In nearest future about 2000-2500 MW in total are to be installed (there are wind projects at later stages). By 2020 total capacity of Russian wind parks may reach up to 10,000-25,000 MW.
Vice President of RAWI Anatoly Kopylov believes that further boosted development of wind energy requires adoption of the full set of bylaws for support of the renewables, first of all:
- feed-in tariff or the capacity-based scheme;
- purchase procedure for the grid companies or the wholesale electricity market;
- enhancement of procedures of technical connection of wind parks to the grid;
- reimbursement of the expenses for the technical connection of generators with capacity up to 25 MW from the national budget.

As estimated by RAWI, the feed-in tariff added to the wholesale price is 1.595-2.068 Rub/kWh.
“We don’t need any special governmental programs. Just create the necessary conditions. After the required bylaws had been adopted in Ukraine, about 90 MW (wind turbines) were installed by private enterprises in 2010-2011. This is the same as in the framework of governmental programs for the previous 14 years” – Anatoly Kopylov says.

Details

RAWI in Kremlin

President of Russia Dmitry Medvedev and Prime Minister of the Netherlands Mark Rutte met with Russian and Dutch businessmen on the 20th of October, in Kremlin, Moscow.

Heads of major Dutch and Russian companies specializing in various businesses were invited to the meeting, as well as President of RAWI I.M.Bryzgunov.

Major developments in cooperation of the Netherlands and Russia in energy, transport and telecommunications were discussed at the meeting. It is important to note that during the meeting President of Russia made a remark that “new cooperation spheres include renewable energy sources, and we have a reason to talk about them”.

List of participants
Press report about the meeting

RAWI and UWEA exchanged memberships

Russian Association of Wind Industry and Ukrainian Wind Energy Association have made a decision to become members of each other. Decided and done, we are happy to report. UWEA is an All-Ukrainian non-governmental and non-profit association aimed at promotion of wind energy technologies and protection of wind energy concerns at national and international levels. The Ukrainian and Russian associations have common goals and objectives. We are sure that it will help our fruitful cooperation.

We happily introduce Fuhrländer AG as a new RAWI member to you!

The company was found in 1960 by Theo Fuhrländer. The building of the first 30 kW system dates back to 1991.

Fuhrländer is a pioneer in the global utilization of wind energy. From America all the way to Asia, from Scandinavia to South Africa. With the current range of systems up to 2.5 MW, the most varying hub heights and rotor sizes Fuhrländer offers the compatible technology for inland and coastal locations, for mountainous regions and for the plains.

In this connection the group bundles all the important competences, from the development and planning to the reliable plant technology and quality monitoring all the way to construction site logistics and service. Fuhrländer again and again comes up with pioneer work for the introduction of wind energy – everywhere in the world.

ATTENTION!
COMPETITION "WIND POWER IN FOCUS"

Dear friends and colleagues!

RAWI has a suggestion for all of you. Let's join our efforts and collect a photo archive on wind power industry.
Alternative energy is not only an environmentally friendly and science-driven sector of economics and it's also not only a new approach to the energy generation which saves earth resources, starts-up economics and industry and creates new working places.
Alternative energy also means aesthetics. Wind turbines design is ergonomic, appealing and very often "cosmic" - typical XXI century design.
Wind turbines whether on land, off-shore, as part of landscape and while being assembled or in operation could be portrayed on your photoes. You can take pictures of steel towers and plastic blades, new electric generators and wind unit management systems. People like adjusters and fitters can also be in focus.
Press here to look the photos of our colleagues, as an example.
We hope that your pictures would become part of Russian wind power industry early chronicles.
In the beginning we plan to post you photos on RAWI website. If we receive many interesting photos then it could be possible to arrange an off-line exhibition.
For the photographers with the most impressive shots RAWI foresees encouraging prices.
You can send the pictures to press@rawi.ru

The energy faculty of SPbGAU is a new RAWI member

We are happy to report about a new member of RAWI - the energy faculty of St. Petersburg State Agricultural University (SPbGAU).
The energy faculty of SPbGAU teaches students in electrification and automation of agricultural activities, industrial energy supply, electric energy and machines, and other spheres. The energy faculty is a proactive participant of research activities in alternative energy sources and implementation of the educational basis for this sector of the Russian energy market.

Two new members of RAWI

We are happy to inform about two new companies becoming the members of RAWI. These are ENARGO (ООО "Alternative Energy Systems") and AXEPTOR AG, Germany. ENARGO deals with development and implementation of package solutions for decentralized renewable energy supply of private, commercial and industrial facilities, and is the general distributor of ROPATEC, an Italian producer of wind generators.
AXEPTOR AG produces vertical wind generators, hybrid wind and solar systems, and various equipment for renewable energy.

RAWI welcomes OptiLight Ltd as a new member

We are happy to welcome a new member of RAWI – OptiLight Ltd. The company was founded in June 2010. OptiLight Ltd is a developer and producer of various equipment sourced by the renewable energy: self-supporting energy and lighting devices, chargers, autonomous street lighting systems, that generate the energy from wind and sun. All devices are made with the innovative technologies.

SgurrEnergy Ltd, Scotland entered RAWI

SgurrEnergy is a leading independent multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy specialising in renewable energy at every phase of a project, from early stages of site selection. Their team of over 100 engineers and consultants have extensive sustainable energy experience worldwide, operating in over 30 countries across five continents.

Russian nuclear leaders have made a far-sighted decision. They intent to enter the wind energy market

An extract from the interview of General Director of Atomenergomash Vladimir Kaschenko to Milana Chelpanova from The RBC-daily.

— Recently AEM has announced its intention to enter the wind energy market. Does the company plan to go further and enter other alternative energy industries?
— We decided to begin with the wind generation, as this technology is the most commercialized and mature in the alternative energy sector. AEM plans to move in two main directions in the wind sector – to produce turbines and develop wind parks. It means that after we gain the technology and start the production of equipment, we will build wind parks in Russia, CIS, Eastern Europe, and any other countries where it will be economically feasible.
9 Russian regions have already expressed their interest in construction of wind parks together with AEM. We are negotiating with Rosenergoatom about construction of wind parks next to seven existing nuclear power plants.
Strategically, AEM is considering its presence on foreign wind development markets, especially on foreground for Rosatom markets in Eastern Europe, Middle East and Asia. In order to enter the international market fast, Atomenergomash plans to acquire an international company with references in the wind energy sector.
At the same time, I believe that solar and biomass generations are also very promising. We work in these spheres as well, but so far it is too early to talk of any business projects. AEM has been studying the small hydro energy market as well. For instance, one our facility – Ganz – is competent to produce turbines for small hydro power plants.

Read the full interview here.

To read the interview in full in Russian please proceed to the link: www.rbcdaily.ru

Promyshlennaya Electronica Company, Tomsk, Russia, has entered RAWI

The company was founded in 2005. It specializes in development and production of transforming equipment and information electronic equipment for industrial use, including power controllers for transforming alternative energy equipment, wind generator controllers, solar and accumulating batteries, invertors, and micro-processing controlling tools. Address: 74 Vershinina St., office 107, Tomsk 634045, Russia. Tel.: +7 3822 413 232, fax: +7 3822 413 232. www.comprel.ru.
We are happy to welcome our Tomsk colleagues!

RAWI welcomes a new company

LAP GmbH Laser Applikationen www.lap-laser.com, is a German company that deals with production and supply of optical equipment for manufacturing of wind turbine blades. The LAP system helps to avoid complicated and meticulous manual measurements. LAP measurements and design technologies are implied in a metal industry, medical equipment production and many other businesses. Contact person: Sergey Makashutin.
Tel.: +49 4131 9511363, fax +49 4131 951196 s.makashutin@lap-laser.com

One more powerful German company has entered RAWI

CUBE Engineering GmbH www.cube-engineering.com is a consulting company with 20 years of experience of international operations. The company is accredited by DAP and specializes in various studies for renewable energy with a focus on the wind energy.
The company provides for the following services: wind measurements, wind expertise, IRR forecasts, wind resources and wind rose, micro-siting for windparks, turbulence studies, acoustic and shadow forecasts/visualization, mosaic and image multiplication, feasibility studies, due diligence expertise, project development, coordination and management, tender organization, including for construction, design and connection to the grid, and grid optimization.
Tel: +49-561-288573-10, fax: +49-561-288573-19 a.niederheide@cube-engineering.com
We welcome our colleagues and believe in useful and fruitful cooperation!

Mervento Oy from Finland has entered RAWI

Mervento Oy is a system integrator with complete know-how of wind energy processes. The company deals with development and implementation of wind projects with direct-drive turbines of a high capacity. Address: Yrittäjänkatu 13, 65380 Vaasa, Finland. Tel.: +358-40-8331091, fax: +358-6-2828830, www.mervento.com
RAWI is happy to welcome our Finnish colleagues.

The Danish lawyer’s company "ADVODAN KOLDING A/S " is in RAWI now

"ADVODAN KOLDING A/S" provides for lawyer’s services for companies and individuals. It specializes in international public and private law and legal consulting in the wind energy industry.
Address: Buen 12, 6000 Kolding, Denmark, Tel. +45 7632 4400, fax: +45 7632 1044 www.advodan.dk
We welcome our Danish partners and hope that their services will be needed in Russia soon.

RAWI is happy to see OAO Yugovostokelectrosetstroy among its members

The company carries out its activities in the South-East of European Russia and deals with construction of grids and substations of 110-500 kV, industrial buildings, communications lines, etc.
OAO Yugovostokelectrosetstroy is the successor of the business structure of the USSR Ministry of Energy that was founded in 1951 to build the first high-voltage grid in the world. It connected the Kuibyshevskaya hydro power plant and Moscow and was 1784 km long.
The company consists of four mechanical columns (each is licensed for energy construction activities) and a motor transport company located in Saratov, Volgograd, Rostov-na-Don and Krasnodar. Besides, the company is in close relations with large design companies in Moscow, Volgograd and Rostov-na-Don.
Recently the employees of the company have taken part in several large-scale energy projects in the South of Russia: the 500 kV high-voltage grid Rostov NPP-SS Yuzhnaya, the 500 kV substation Trubnaya of RAO EES Russia, Rosugol objects, North-Caucasian railway objects, Privolzhskaya railway objects, etc.
RAWI welcomes OAO Yugovostokelectrosetstroy and hopes for mutual successful and useful cooperation.

OAO Sakhaenergo entered RAWI

RAWI has expanded its geography far to the east of the Russian Federation. OAO (joint-stock venture) Sakhaenergo is one of our members now. The company supplies heating and electric power to the most remote and faraway settlements of Yakutia. The total area of supplies is 2.1 million square kilometers. The company owns 126 diesel power plants of 210.8 MW total capacity and employs 2.5 thousand people.
One of the company’s priorities is to use unconventional sources of energy that is quite reasonable in the natural conditions of Yakutia. For example, in 2007 Sakhaenergo installed and put into operation a wind turbine for 250 KW in Tixi. Similar capacities are ready to be generated in Yurung-Khaya and Yukagir.
We welcome OAO Sakhaenergo and wish us all common achievements and steps forward in the development of the Russian wind industry!

The InWEA magazine has published an article by Anatoly Kolylov, Vice President of RAWI

The InWind Chronicle, the magazine of Indian Wind Energy Association, has published the article “Russian Wind Energy: the past and the future” by Anatoly Kopylov, Vice President of RAWI. It was initiated by both parties: India is interested in the Russian market, and RAWI wants to inform their colleagues about the powerful potential of the Russian wind energy industry as much as possible. To read the article click HERE

Release from RAWI

Following the overview of the legal basis for the renewable energy developments in Russia (made by Anatoly Kopylov, Vice President of RAWI, and published on our web site, section Wind Energy), we publish a release on the relevant latest news.

Recently the RAWI team has increased significantly

Now we have the following companies as the members: WKA Montage GmbH, Cursor Oy, OOO Krim Irey, and Windlife Energy BV.
Let us introduce the new members.
The German company WKA Montage GmbH deals with construction of roads, cabling, and installation of foundations and towers for wind turbines. The company has projects in Sweden, Romania, Russia (Elista), Canada.
Cursor Oy is the Regional Development Agency of Kotka-Hamina (Finland). The company has been implementing a project of development of the whole structure of wind energy technologies in the region. They also plan to build a wind park with 100 MW capacity.
Krim-Irey LLC (Ukraine) deals with multi-aspect design of wind energy projects using wind equipment from the international producers.
The Dutch company Windlife Energy BV deals with construction and maintenance of small and large-scale wind parks. ZAO Windlife Arctic Power, a Russian subsidiary, is the leading developer of the project of the 200 MW wind park in the Murmansk Region.
Contact details of the companies can be found in Members of RAWI.
We welcome our new partners and congratulate them on their membership in our Association!

Master Form company joined RAWI

LLC Master Form (www.master-form.ru) manufactures and sells high-quality formwork systems. The company implements projects in Moscow, regions and CIS countries, working in cooperation with major construction companies.
The next step in Master Form development strategy is to enter wind energy field.
Congratulations to Master Form for joining RAWI, we hope that together we will succeed in making wind power in Russia to become a full-fledged industry.

REenergy 2010 Diploma awarded to RAWI

Organizers of International Exhibition on Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuel Reenergy 2010 (The Ministry of Energy of Russian Federation) appreciated the active participation of RAWI. "Wind Power Energy" Section, moderated by Vice President of RAWI Anatoly Kopylov, was probably the most informative, useful and rewarding ones.
RAWI gives thanks to Organizing Committee Reenergy 2010 and looks forward to further close & fruitful cooperation.

RAWI representative in Germany

Starting from June 2010, the interests of RAWI in Germany will be represented by Victoria Matkovskaia. She has several years of experiences with EU regional policy as Head of Office of the development bank Schleswig-Holstein and has an expert knowledge of Russian-German cooperation projects in the field of energy efficiency and RES.
We are confident that Ms. Matkovskaia will actively lobby for interests of Russian wind energy, strengthen contacts with German colleagues, and support by transfer wind energy experience from Germany to Russia.

Universal power supply system "Electrosfera-Breeze", WSD set

Full-scale tests on the universal 3-10 kW power supply system "Electrosfera-Breeze", WSD set (wind, solar, diesel-generator) were successfully completed by nonprofit partnership "Elektrosfera" at its production premises on May 14, 2010.
Universality of the low-power supply system "Electrosfera-Breeze", WSD set lies in its ability to:
- Serve both as main and backup power supply;
- Operate using different primary source of energy: supplygrid, diesel generators and alternative energy sources (wind turbines and solar panels and HPP);
- Serve as autonomous, maintenance-free source of power for consumers (up to 40 days depending on climatic factors and load parameters);
- Change combination and configuration of module components (up to 10 performance variations);
- Its mobility, it can be moved to installation place by all types of transport, including helicopter (maximum weight of a single module - 3000 kg);
- Work in climate zones with temperatures from -40°C to +50°C;
- Provide stable high-quality power to consumers by double-conversion “on-line” type scheme;
- Provide remote monitoring and system management modes via standard communication channels through serial interface;
- Allow constructive changes on container modules for technical personnel placement, additional diesel tanks and consumer equipment, if necessary.
The power supply system package includes:
- Hardware container module;
- Diesel generator plant container modules (up to 2);
- Wind power turbines “Breeze” - 5000 "(up to 3);
- 3 kW Solar panels.
Custom package available upon request.

Source: www.breezex.ru

The government beeps the business in early summer

International Exhibition and Conference for Renewable Energy and Alternative Fuels - Reenergy-2010, organized by the Ministry of Energy, was opened in the All-Russian Exhibition Centre on May 25.
Igor Bryzgunov, President of RAWI said - "Wind energy is waiting for Russian regulations to give “green light” to the industry. There`ve been talks and rumors about these regulations; investors at their own risk are investing in wind farms with no guarantees of repayment, not to mention any profit. This situation cannot last forever. We hope for support from the Ministry of Energy, otherwise, the market sooner or later "collapses".
If expectations are to be met, it is going to occur within a month. The situation was clarified by Sergei Mikhailov, Director of State Energy Policy and Energy Efficiency Department of The Ministry of Energy. According to Mr. Mikhailov, two of the four by-laws required for provisions of federal law "On Power Sector” were adopted. The other two, holding a particular interest to potential investors, are still under development and in the approval stage.
Government Decree Draft for grid-connection cost compensation for less than 25 MW RES- based generating facilities is already developed and being approved. The fate of the second document dealing with setting premium to the equilibrium wholesale market price still isn`t clear. "It’s in the discussion stage” - said Sergei Mikhailov. One part of the discussion is devoted to setting the premium with differentiation by RES type. There will be a certain premium for each type of generation. The second point that is now under discussion by energy sector officials is a proposal from “Renova” company to look at additional compensation in terms of capacity market. In this case, additional payment in form of power payment is proposed instead of premiums.
Market Council and many other experts oppose such an approach, for adopting "Renova" power market model would require changes in federal law “On Power Sector”, not to mention the new by-laws, and it will take time – about 1.5-2 years at best.
Most of Russian alternative energy market players share this point of view. In power market the generator receives the money for the guarantee to keep power in a certain degree of readiness, but not for the produced energy. Nowadays the RES-based generator, mostly solar and wind energy, cannot give such assurances to system operator, - says the vice president of RAWI Anatoly Kopylov. Once a single generation technology also needs to be put in special, privileged position the whole system of power market collapses. There will be other generators that would also require for them special power market participation conditions due to their technological characteristics.
The decision is up to the Ministry of Energy, and we`ll see the result in the nearest future. Sergei Mikhailov promised that critical decision will be made in June.

The Nevskaya Engineering Company – LLC “NEC” joined RAWI

The company is specialized in planning of communication facilities, their maintenance, construction, installation, land allotment and construction projects legalization works. More than 260 high-rise buildings (towers and masts for various applications) were constructed and commissioned in Russia by the company from 2004 to 2010. Moreover, “NEC” has registered testing electrical laboratory in Rostekhnadzor (Russian Federal Service for Ecological, Technical and Atomic Supervision) and has the right to perform tests and measurements of electrical equipment and installations.
In the near future "NEC" plans to become a wind farms developer and engineering company at the wind energy market.
Company’s website - www.nevec.ru
We congratulate "NEC" with joining RAWI and are very pleased to see Russian Association of Wind Industry steadily growing and strengthening!

Global market leader, Danish company VESTAS, joined RAWI

On April 9, the global wind power market giant, VESTAS Company, joined RAWI.
RAWI is proud to welcome in its ranks such a key player in the industry as VESTAS, and is grateful to WESTAS for the acknowledgement of RAWI`s activity, working as a consolidation promotion and support mechanism for wind power companies (Russian and from other countries), as well as establishment of business contacts.
RAWI administration is confident that membership in the association will be mutually useful and beneficial for both VESTAS and RAWI.
For information:
The company was founded in 1898. In 1978, VESTAS’s specialists began developing wind turbines. Its first wind turbine was installed in 1979. A year later mass production of 55 kW turbines has started.
In 1983 the company opened its office in the U.S. - VESTAS North America, Ltd.
In the end of 1986 VESTAS Wind Systems A/S was created.
In November 1991 VESTAS installed its thousandth turbine in Denmark.
In 1995 the company is constructing an offshore wind generator. During 1996 the company produces 303 MW of wind generators.
In 2000 VESTAS holds a 32% share of the world wind turbine market. That year company sold 1434 MW of wind power generators, whereas the world market amounted to 4500 MW.
During 2002 VESTAS installed a 3 MW turbine prototype.
In 2003 VESTAS holds a 23% share of the world wind turbine market.
By 2007 VESTAS installed 33 685 wind generators with total capacity of 25 721.75 MW in 63 countries all over the world.
The company's turnover in 2008 amounted to 6 305 billion euros.

A Renewable Energy Section was established in the framework of CIS Electric Power Council (EPC) Working Group on Environmental Protection

CIS EPC discussed the cooperation issues of CIS member states in renewable energy field on the 7th of April. It was decided to establish a Renewable Energy Section in the framework of the Working Group on Environmental Protection of CIS EPC (The Head of Working Group - Michael Saparov). Executive Committee Chairman of CIS EPC Evgeny Mishyk nominated Igor Korduba, Chief of Energy Production Efficiency and Innovation of MPO «Belenergo», as the head of the Renewable Energy Section.
The participants - representatives of Belarus, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Tajikistan - noted the general trend: renewable energy development started in CIS countries, regulations and standards for this sector were being adopted, but it`s still too early yet to speak of launching any large-scale projects. Thus, Massoud Ordabaev, Director of the Department of Energy Saving of the Ministry for Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Kazakhstan, spoke of the adopted law on RES support of 2009 in the Republic and 4 by-laws: Pre-project Work Code, Guaranteed Power Purchase Code, Grid Connection Code and Monitoring Code. Mr. Ordabaev noted that there is a “huge wind potential in Kazakhstan”. At the moment, the Ministry is overseeing five wind power construction projects, including 5 MW wind farm at Djungar Gate.
The Wind Atlas of Kazakhstan has been developed in the framework of the UN Development Program in Kazakhstan and is available on the Internet.
Moreover, Kazakhstan intends actively to participate in the International Agency for Renewable Energy (IRENA) founded 26.01.2009. The main activity direction of IRENA is the provision of advisory services, creation of framework conditions for renewable energy and its applications, financing & provision of new technologies. Mr. Ordabaev regretted that there were no Russian representatives at the IRENA meeting.
The Russian Ministry of Energy representative confirmed the position of Russian energy officials on RES as "moderate" and willingness to develop “individual RES projects”, but not the whole industry. The participants did not receive a clear answer on the fate of two RES Federal Target Programs, R & D financing and some other issues. However, the answer to the question of Dr. Georgy Ermolenko, RAWI Vice-President, about the number of people working in the Environmental Protection and Development of Renewable Energy Department of Ministry of Energy was given - five.
Specifically stressed was the list of assignments of the President of Russian Federation Dmitry Medvedev following the meeting of the Presidential Commissions on Russian economy Modernization and Technological Development of 23.03.2010:
- To take the necessary steps in order to enhance energy efficiency of RES-based electricity and local fuels projects in the course of investment program preparation for generating companies for 2011-2015 (deadline - October 30, 2010.).
- To adopt regulations that provide incentives for enhancing energy efficiency of RES-based power projects, referring to technological connection compensation and setting the premium to the equilibrium wholesale market price (deadline - October 1, 2010).

Eight wind energy myths blown away

To see the true value of such a new phenomenon for Russia, as wind power, one cannot rely on the judgment of the respected and reputable experts with lack of professional knowledge on this particular subject.
We have tried in this article to dispel some of the most common myths about wind power with real facts.

1. Insignificant share of RES in the global energy balance.
Nowadays the share of renewables in the world`s energy generation is 18,2%. There are plenty of reasons to expect that by 2020 the share of wind energy in power generation will reach 10%.

2. Wind energy is unstable in its nature and less predictable in comparison to conventional energy sources. It has changeable probable character that causes the need to accumulate and reserve energy.
There are some ways already found to solve this problem. The global experience of grid wind power plants operation shows that this issue has been resolved. According to data, provided by "Gamesa" and "Winwind", the level of accuracy of wind power predictions with hourly planning on the market for the day ahead now exceeds 95%. This is a very high level of prediction for the stable operation of power system. Foreign management practice of wind power systems confirms on the basis of experience, that the proper planning of grid development, with taking into account the possible placing of wind power plant, increases their reliability and performance.

3. Wind energy unlike conventional one need to be heavily subsidized.
According to the International Energy Agency, subsidies for conventional energy sector in Russia are 40 billion dollars, of which 60% is for natural gas, and the rest – for electricity.
Within the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) subsidies for conventional energy in the global economy were calculated. The annual subsidies amounted to about $ 250 billion.
Total subsidies in the 15 EU countries in 2001 amounted to 29 billion euros, of which renewable energy accounted for only 19%, or 5,5 billion euros.
Thus, renewable subsidies are essentially making equal conditions for all power generation technologies (sources).

4. Wind power is economically unprofitable due to its high cost.
Wind power reduces the average cost of electricity on the market. Since 1980, the installed capacity of wind turbines in the EU grew 290 times, and the cost of power generation over the same period decreased by 80%. (P.S. Kanygin, "Economics of renewable energy").
Introduction of each 5% share of RES at the power market leads to decrease in wholesale prices by 1% (power market analysis in Northern Germany and Denmark).
1% increase in energy, generated by RES, results in additional GDP growth of 1,5%.
For each ruble spent the society will get direct income of 1,39 ruble, in addition to savings for medical care and environmental improvement.
Thereby:
- No investment or operating costs in the associated industries are needed: mining, processing, transportation and storage of fossil fuels, its processing and combustion waste recycling and storage;
- Renewables are developing the very energy sector, industries, services, installation and construction, design and development companies, electricity markets, stimulates R&D;
- During the last 5 years European wind power generated 33 jobs every day
The potential capacity of wind power market in Russia accounts to 135 million rubles (3100 million euros) in 2013, and 315 billion rubles (7000 million euros) by 2015.

5. Low Capacity Utilization Ratio.
The installed capacity utilization ratio for modern wind power plants, connected to grid, is from 0.15 to 0.37. The ratio for conventional plants is from 0.4 to 0.8. In 2005 the capacity utilization ratio of all the power plants in Russia amounted to 0.5.

6. Wind turbines cannot operate in grids and are useful only for small autonomous power systems.
The research of the experts in the field of power systems and grids showed that problems in power systems due to the instability of the power, generated by wind farms should be taken into account once their share reach 20-25% of the total installed capacity of the system. For Russia, this figure will be somewhere around 50 000-55 000 MW. With 13 MW of existing wind power generating capacities and an introduction of 1 000 MW a year, this value can be achieved in 50 years for Russia. Thus, in our country, this problem is irrelevant.

7. Wind farms are dangerous to human environment (because of aerodynamic noise).
Early wind turbines were designed in a way that turbine generated a strong low frequency pulses, which also had significant levels of energy in the infrasound range (3-15Hz) negatively affected the fauna . The evolution of wind farm technologies over the past 2 decades has rendered mechanical noise from turbines almost undetectable by optimizing shape and speed of blade with the main sound being the aerodynamic swoosh of the blades passing the tower. The noise from modern wind turbines at a distance of 200 m is the same as that of a refrigerator in the kitchen.

8. Wind turbines kill a lot of birds.
The threat to migratory birds is eliminated if the wind farm site is chosen based on the data of ornithological expertise, away from the migration routes of birds, taking into account the views of ornithologists. Ornithological expertise is mandatory for wind farms worldwide. Research of American scientists showed that no matter how extensively wind is developed in the future, bird deaths from wind energy are unlikely to be ever more than a small fraction (1%) of bird deaths caused by other human-related sources, such as hunting, cats, cars, high voltage lines, etc.

Photo: http://alternenergy.wordpress.com; http://ecovoice.ru; http://friends.kz;
http://www.posternazakaz.ru; http://investtalk.ru

RAWI President uncovered a real state of Russian wind power to Finnish colleagues

A Russian-Finnish workshop took place in Kotka (Finland) on 24-26 March. The workshop was arranged by a Committee on external relations and Information business Center St.Petersburg in Kotka (BIZKON), Kotka-Khamina region development center.
Finns were represented by more than 40 participants plus 20 Russians partook in the discussions including scientists (St.Petersburg State Polytechnical University, Scientific and Research Center Boiko), small and medium-scale businessmen (REPROM, Mehkomplektatsiya, Energobalance, ProfiStroy etc).
The major workshop topics were wind power and bio-energy.
In 1998-1999 Finland started developing its own wind turbines. Soon they created their own type of turbines - a link between German and Danish turbines. The idea belonged to Winwind engineer Georg Boemeke.
Now Winwind is the main wind energy supplier in Finland and its major shareholders are Sterling Group from India and Masdar from Abu-Daby. The company's turnover in 2008 reached 200 mln EUR. Its wind turbines are installed in Finland, France, Sweden, Czech, Portugal, India and Estonia.
Winwind manufactures 2 types of turbines with 1 MW and 3 MW capacity. A factory manufacturing 1 MW turbines is located in Oulu in the south-west Finland. A second Winwind factory is in Hamin (south-east Finland) and that's where Russian guests came with excursion.
I am very impressed with what I've seen, - says RAWI President Igor Bryzgunov. - A world class factory was build in 1.5 years. It manufactures hubs and gondolas for 3 MW wind turbines. All this within tight deadlines is delivered to wind parks in any part of the world. This is why the factory is located in Hamin with a convenient harbour for bulk operations. Blades and towers by Winwind's suppliers are delivered directly to the sites.
It's interesting that 5 S system for operations arrangement the company management borrowed from Toyota 5 S - means "5 steps for maintaining order". The job is arranged precisely and rationally. Every tool and detail are on their exact place. Production processes are prescribed. Neither time nor efforts are wasted. A training of a single Winwind factory worker takes 4 months but such expenses are justified. Currently this factory manufactures 2 wind turbines per months and in a year this indicator will reach 15!
Of course, Finns are interested in finding sales markets for their products. To their big surprise in Russia the basis for several wind park projects are laid down and a dozen of projects are being designed incl projects in North-West near Finland.
RAWI President Igor Bryzgunov has dispelled a myth that Russia is not ready for wind power development. As of March 2010 sites with 4 134 MW capacity were discovered in Russia and sites with 1793 capacity are being prepared for project works. By 2015 Russian wind power market turnover could equal 315 billions roubles.
When general introduction was over, RAWI President discussed specific issues with Finnish colleagues. They've talked about constructing wind parks in Russia and possibilities of using Finnish technologies in wind power. In addition during the workshop energy compound of the draft project over cooperation with South-East Finland was discussed as part of near-border cooperation ENPI "BLESK". State Polytechnical University and Russian Association of Wind power act as program partners on behalf of St.Peterburg.

A round-table on "Establishing the grounds for normative and legal regulation of alternative energy as a factor to strengthen Russian energy safety" took place in Russian State Duma on March, 23

The round-table was arranged by State Duma Committees: safety, energy and natural resources, nature management and environment. The Chairman of State Duma Committee Vladimir Vasiliev was heading the meeting.
Wind industry among other members was also represented by RAWI president Igor Bryzgunov and RAWI vice-presidents Anatoly Kopylov and Georgiy Ermolenko.
Vladimir Vasiliev stated that energy safety is part of national security. In line with the energy trend RES issue gets on top of the list. Even during world crisis this branch has been raising which means there are economical reasons for its existence and development.
How state authorities see perspectives of its development?
The Head of State energy policy and energy efficiency Department at Ministry of Energy Nikolay Sviridov referred to Ministry policy on RES as "balanced". On the one hand Sviridov is sure that when it comes to alternative energy development Russia is not "at the back seat", on the other, considering subsidies for traditional energy RES "remains non-competitive". To reach target indicators as prescribed by Russian Government Chairman in the order   1-р dated 08.01.2009 3 trillions roubles shall be invested. This includes investors money, tariffs premiums and payments for grid connections. As to the premium size, Sviridov only mentioned that it will be adequate and that the draft document with precise numbers will be published on Minenergo website by the end March. For Sviridov hydro-generation tops energy development priority list. He thinks that wind turbines have several disadvantage i.e. they don't cover peak load, cause negative impact on environment etc. Currently wind energy usage ratio in Russia is rather low within the total balance: 10% - in Kaliningrad oblast, 3% - in Murmansk oblast, 2% - in Bashkiria, 3% - in Yakutiya and 0,3% - in Kamchatka. Ministry of Energy foresees wind power development via creating pilot wind power projects and establishing its own technological base.
The State Duma Committee on energy Deputy Chairman Konstantin Zaitsev admitted that currently Russia lacks RES development strategy and specific programs, the duties and responsibilities system is not established and there's no control mechanism. Zaitsev stated that RES require separate law.
The presentation by RAWI vice-president Anatoly Kopylov received a round of applause. By economical calculations Kopylov proved that RES development forms the basis for upgrading not only the branch but economics, science and industry as well. Modern wind turbines have a higher safety barrier, endure peak load and partake in the system regulation. Anatoly Kopylov proposed that law-makers shall call off Russian Government decree   58 dated 5.02.2010 upon amending RES generators qualification which significantly hinders the branch development (which left alone is not as high). This proposal was unanimously welcomed by the participants.
The Head of Renewable energy sources Department at OAO "RusGydro" Pavel Ponkratiev stated that RES development in Russia is politically charged with no economic background. The governmental decrees are not fulfilled and it's not clear where RES increasing numbers come from (2,5% by 2015). Ponkratiev specifically stressed 2 moments. First of all there is one advantage in wind power development which means that by the end of cycle RES generators operate below market level forcing other market players to decrease the price. Second, Russia carries out only wind power construction and assembly as well as design and research which is about 30% of works. The rest 70% (equipment) Russia is purchasing. Thereat blades, generators and reduction gears we can't produce in principle! As to RES development through pilot projects (as Sviridov said) Ponkratiev said unambiguously this route will leave no possibility for large-scale industry development.
RAWI President Igor Bryzgunov supported his colleagues regarding withdrawal of Russian Government's Decree   58 and perspectives of wind power development. This market is the most dynamically developing in the world and its growth in 2009 equaled 31%. Russian share on wind power market is 0,013% which is at least weird for the country with the highest wind capacity in the world. RES is not accounted in the installed capacity numbers. It is not clear how 30% increase in energy consumption will be reached by 2030. According to the calculations potential capacity of Russian wind power market will reach 135 billions roubles by 2013, 315 billions by 2015. In comparison the global wind power market capacity in 2009 reached 2 250 billion roubles.
The head of RES laboratory at Unified Institute of high temperatures Russian Academy of Science professor Oleg Popel said to the lawmakers: "No premiums - no renewable energy!" The industry is not asking for budget funds. The state shall not subsidize the industry, it shall get profit from it.
The professor was supported by the Head of Scientific and technical progress Department at Economical strategy Institute Pavel Bezrukikh. If we consider the whole technical circle with all expenses (including environment, medicine etc) then even today RES can compete with traditional energy. "Help the kid to stand up! He will walk further along!" - concluded Bezrukikh.
Vladimir Vasiliev appreciated competence and high appeal in RES development shown by the round table participants. As a result "Round table recommendations" were issued but this is just the first step. Mr. Vasiliev invited everyone to partake in the further development of legislative base for the new industry. The industry agreed with "Yes".

MINENERGO PROMISES RUSSIAN GOVERNMENT TO SUBMIT IN APRIL PROPOSALS UPON MARKET PRICE PREMIUM AND REMUNERATION OF EXPENSES OVER TECHNICAL CONNECTION FOR RENEWABLE SOURCES GENERATION

The round table "Using alternative energy" took place at Federation Council in Russian Federal Assembly on February 25.
Even though this event formally occurred in the frame of Committee upon natural monopolies, the Council Federation Chairman Sergey Mironov participated in the discussions along with the Committee Chairman Nicolay Ryzhkov and his 1st Deputy Valentin Mezhevich.

The gala event in the Royal Danish Consulate General in St.Petersburg

The gala event took place on February, 24 in the Royal Danish Consulate General in St. Petersburg. The President of Russian Association of Windpower Industry (RAWI) Igor Bryzgunov handed over a certificate to the Consul Klaus Sørensen.

Unprecedented decision of Minenergo is not for wind power market’s good

Russian Minenergo changed qualification regulations for generating units operating upon renewable energy sources.

Russia has overslept a boom in wind power

Anatoly Kopylov, RAWI Vice President.
Interview for broadcasting station "Vesti FM"

What else should be done to support wind power in Russia
(listen to the interview in Russian)