Is government intervention hampering private investment into East-African renewables?

Many experts believe the contribution of governments within East-Africa is slowing the speed of growth in the renewable energies sector. Government involvement in the design, development and operation of mini-grids is deterring potential private investments; private investments into East-African renewable energies were predicted to surge in recent years but this has not been the case.
Experts from within the sector are pointing the finger at government agencies that are crowding out the developers using legal and political tools that are in need of reforms. Private companies have indeed shown an interest in investing but they have insisted the power and subsidies given to government companies need addressing if their investment is to be warranted.
Kenya’s ministry of energy has said that overall electricity access has increased within the country from 23 percent in 2009 to 50 percent in 2015; however, the unequal distribution of this electricity is still highly prevalent with much of northern Kenya still deprived of such resource. Regions such as northern Kenya have access of about 5 percent. It says eight out of the 20 poorest parliamentary constituencies “where 74 percent to 97 percent of people live below poverty line” are found in this northern region.
A number of renewable energies companies would happily address this problem, through investment into the northern and other neglected territories of Kenya, however, the unfair position of power given to Kenya’s Rural Electrification Authority (REA), just completely deters these prospective companies.

In countries such as Kenya, which has such vast areas which do not have access to any electricity, mini-grids are definitely a better option to grid extension; it provides better quality and more reliable electricity to remote areas.

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Africa is becoming a renewable energies headquarters!

The West-African country of Senegal has recently begun the construction of a major solar farm in the sub-Saharan desert, it is a 20MW project located in Bokhol and is called ‘Senergy2’. The project is estimated to cost $28 million and is going to be developed by French renewable energy platform – Greenwish Partners, which dedicates much of its work to sub-Saharan projects. Senergy2 was also financially backed by the Senegalese state; with financial support from the UK and Norway through their joint investment vehicle Green Africa Power, according to local news
When completed and operating at full capacity, it’s predicted that 160’000 people will have access to clean power, a move that will drastically increase the countries chances of 20% renewables by 2017. “With no energy, there can be neither growth nor development. With the Bokhol facility, we are now able to take a new step and Senegal comes unreservedly into a new, clean energy period,” said President Macky Sall.

Senegal is eager to attain a position as one of the continent’s leading countries in renewable energy production, as well as positioning itself as the leader in West Africa; currently, South Africa and Morocco are the flagbearers for the continent.

 

How drones are revolutionizing the construction industry

Drones have been one of the fastest growing phenomenon’s in the last few years, both in terms of private and commercial use. To be the expansion into context, back in 2012 the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) estimated that by 2012, 30’000 drones will be operating in US airspace; at this current time (2016) around 2.5 million drones are operational in the United States, of which 500’000 are being used commercially. Unsurprisingly, the FAA has since revised their forecast and now predicts the country will have 7 million drones in the air by 2020.
Many believe drones are the next step in the process of the ‘industrial revolution’. Before the availability of the modern cranes and industrial equipment, we rely so heavily upon today, laborers would be forced to complete every single job on the construction site by hand. Jobs that today take months to complete would have in years gone by taken years, and in maybe 20 years time, the jobs we see today taking months could take weeks, thanks to the use of drones.
Assessing the earth for the foundations of construction is also something that a drone can be considerably more efficient for. Traditional land survey equipment gets the job done and provides accurate results, however, when the apt software is installed into a drone, it will also attain accurate result but it will complete the job in a time 85-percent quicker at a cost of 10 times cheaper than traditional methods.
Furthermore, the job a project manager is also made fundamentally easier through the assistance of drones. In years gone by builders manually assessed project dimensions, which would predominantly be unreliable, timely and costly.  By using drone data tools, the drone can automatically measure essential projects components, such as stockpile volumetric, whilst also sending instant feedback to the project manager who can begin analysis.
Drones are becoming increasingly common in day-to-day life but this is just for leisure, more importantly, drones are becoming more and more prevalent in a variety of industries but none more crucially than construction. Construction is an industry very much built on efficiency, in the sense of cost and time; hence the reason drones potentially have such a pivotal role to play, when the above reasons are taken into consideration.

You would be a brave person to bet against drones being a key player in the next industrial revolution.

Hotel developments to lead the way for growth in African tourism

A number of the world’s largest hotel chains are betting on Africa being their next big investment opportunity. Africa’s tourism sector is already on a momentous upwards slope and this is the obvious trend that has caught the attention of some of the world’s most renowned hotel names, such as, The Hilton, Fairmont and the Jumeirah group. Starwood, Marriot and the Four Seasons have also publically stated they intend on investing heavily across North, South and Central Africa in the five-years between now and 2021 that experts predict will be one of the largest periods of hotel growth in the continent’s history.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Africa is currently rising at an astronomical rate; last year, the global growth rate of FDI was 1%, whereas in Africa they experienced a 7% growth. Paul Frimpong, Investor Analyst at international business facilitation experts Naseba, said: “The enormous potential of the African continent cannot be emphasized enough. Africa is the fastest growing region for FDIs in the world. Aggregate household consumption will reach $1.4 trillion with collective GDP hitting $2.6 trillion in 2020 alone. These facts show that with the understanding of the growth momentum, combined with the right strategies, presents handsome rewards for current and prospective investors in the region.”

Not only does the hotel boom in Africa provide more opportunity for the tourism industry but it also presents an abundance of opportunity for the continents architects, interior designers, real estate developers, buyers and engineers working on not only hospitality, but retail, commercial and residential developments.

 

UK Approves World’s Biggest Offshore Wind Farm

The UK government has approved the construction of the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, in a $7.8 billion project. Danish utility company ‘Dong Energy’ is going to be the group responsible for carrying out the project, the location will be approximately 89 kilometers off the coast, in the North-West of England.

“Britain is a global leader in offshore wind, and we’re determined to be one of the leading destinations for investment in renewable energy, which means jobs and economic growth right across the country,” Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark.

It’s anticipated that the construction of the farm will generate roughly 2000 jobs and about 600 operation and maintenance posts, proving positive to the British economically as well as environmentally.

300 wind turbines are going to span an area of 480 sq km, when fully operational the turbines are going to provide 1,800MW of low-CO2 electricity to 1.8m UK homes. Greg Clark is keen for Britain’s rapid developments of off-shore wind farms to continue, in order for Britain to be an example to the rest of world in showing it’s possible to be economically sound and environmentally clean.

GO GREEN WITH SOLAR PANEL!

Nowadays, pollution is getting worse and worse. It can be one of the biggest killers, affecting more than 100 million worldwide. You don’t want to die fast, right? Let’s save the world and be green with solar panel!

Pollution is one of the biggest issues that every nation faces right now. Every nation only competes to be the number one in economic development and sometimes ignore about environmental condition. The fact is every nation should attain sustainable development, which is balance between economy, environment, and social community.

Energy which is very important for economic development of nations is getting fewer. Every nation exploits energy in order to achieve rapid economic growth. Total energy needs in the world currently reach 10 Terra Watt and this number will increase until 30 Terra Watt in 2030. The increasing number of total energy needs collide with the sustainable concept that human needs to pay attention to. Solar panel as alternative energy source can solve this problem.

Solar panel is a panel designed to absorb the sun’s rays as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating. Solar energy is actually the most promising energy sources because it is unlimited and sustainable. The sun is expected to address future energy needs problem because most of energy sources are limited and not environmental friendly.

Solar panel work using p-n junction principle, which is the junction between p-type and n-type semiconductor. This semiconductor consists of bonds in which atoms are electrons as the basic constituent. N-type semiconductors have an excess of electrons (negative charge) while the p-type semiconductor has excess holes (positive charge) in the structure of the atom. The role of p-n junction is to form an electric field so that electrons (and holes) can be extracted by contact material to produce electricity. When the p-type semiconductor and n-type contacted, then the excess electrons will move from the n-type semiconductor to the p-type to form a positive pole on the n-type semiconductor, and conversely the negative pole to the p-type semiconductor. As a result of the flow of electrons and holes is to formed electric field which when the sun light on the composition of the p-n junction will push electrons move from the semiconductor toward the contact negative, which in turn is used as electricity, and vice versa hole moves toward the positive contact waited electrons come.

Solar panel consist of substrate/metal backing, semiconductor materiel, contacts metal/contact grid, antireflective coating, and encapsulation/cover glass. Substrate/metal backing is material that sustains all components of solar cells and it must have a good electrical conductivity. It can be made by metal material such as aluminum.

There’s a lots of advantage using solar panel, especially solar panel doesn’t cause any pollution and it’s free energy! You can be go green, save the world, and less money! So, you still doubt to save the world with solar panel? We, Shanghai Metal Corporation can provide you good quality of aluminum that can support your solar panel! 

As a representative of the metal industry, Shanghai Metal is one of the leading businesses in the manufacturing of metalworking industry. We can produce and export the best quality of aluminum, other metal products, shipping containers, and service. We prioritize the efficient of manufacturing and environmental sustainability.

Want to know more about our company? Please visit our website and you can follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. Feel free to download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

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Source: Teknologisurya, Technologystudent, Wikipedia, Esdm.go.id

Ardelia Sassie/SMC Editor

RIDE WITH STYLE WITH RETRO BICYCLES !

DITCH THE CAR AND TAKE A BICYCLE WITH YOU INSTEAD !

Bicycles are a BIG MUST if you live in a big city. Why ? Well first of all, riding a bicycle allows you to have a physical exercise while doing your normal routine ; going to work, run some errands, visit friends, etc. WHICH is good for your health and body !

Second reason is that bicycles reduce pollution. Preserving our planet is one of our top priorities ! So again, invest on buying good bicycle then on other vehicles like bikes or cars. Plus nowadays, there are a lots of types of bicycle that would suit your own needs and your own aesthetics.

For those who are striving for sexy retro bicycles, check out our list :

• TOKYO BIKE: 

Approximate price : 400$

• BRILLIANT BICYCLE CO.

  

  Approximate price : 399$ 

• LEKKER SPORTIEF.

Approximate price: 598$

• SIDDHARTE.

Approximate price: 299$

• ERENPREISS ORIGINAL.

Approximate price: 800$

• BIANCHI PISTA.

Approximate price: 1000$

The thing about retro bikes is that they fascinate many people with their stylish and classical style. Some of these bicycles brands know how to capture your nostalgia self reminiscing the old days or the present itself. Retro bikes are timeless and that is what gives them their eternal charm. Once you have one of these bikes, you don’t need to pretend to be someone else because these bikes alone give you automatically an original and fresh look of your whole being.

Bicycles are made of special elements like metal. It’s amazing how a common material like metal can contribute to create wonders like these ! That is what Shanghai Metal Corporation can provide you !

As representatives of the metal industry, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the leading businesses in the manufacturing of metal quality products in the global field. As a major producer of stainless steel, copper, aluminium, shipping containers and other metal products and service, we essentially are committed to the universal use that metal can offer by delivering overseas and promoting environmental sustainability.

To know more about our company please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

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#AddingValueAcrossTheGlobe

Maria // SMC Editor

VERTICAL FARMS: ECO SOLUTION FOR URBAN CONSOMMATION

As the world population continues to expand everyday, one of the main question of today’s researchers is to find new ecological and sustainable solutions to feed everyone.

In big cities, most of the food come generally from the outskirts of their territory. Having little space or even none at all, urban zones cannot produce their own food and rely their food stock on productions outside of their active territory. Therefore, the system is mostly based on peripheral to central relation that consists mainly on feeding the large number of population concentrated in the central or in the city itself.

DICKSON DESPOMMIER, an american professor of microbiology and public health, has proposed a solution concerning this matter : THE VERTICAL FARM CONCEPT.

 

So what exactly is it ? 

The Vertical Farm consists of cultivating plants mainly for human consumption such as vegetables within a skyscraper or on a vertically inclined surface, hence the name. The concept is almost similar to glass houses which captures the optimal natural sunlight. The use of artificial lightning is also possible to accelerate the growth of the plants and to modify their properties according to different dietary preferences.

The idea of this concept is a possible answer to some of the urban issues we mention before :

1. Vertical surfaces are more suited for the lack of space in urban cities.

2. Producing food IN the urban zone reduces pollution related to transportation, food waste, etc.

3. Vertical Farms permit to produce various types of food in a small surface and therefore can satisfy different needs of the population.

Various models of Vertical Farms :

Singapore’s and world’s first commercial vertical farm

Spanish architect Javier Ponce reveals his plans for a vertical farm in Tai Po

Completely constructed from glass and steel, this model is just one of Despommier’s designs of a vertical farm

Tell us your opinion about this farm of the future ! Brilliant ideas like this one is important in times like ours where the main goal is keeping up with the population growth by maintaining a good environmental level. Shanghai Metal Corporation shares this vision and wants you to spread innovations like Vertical farming and sustainability.

As representatives of the metal industry, Shanghai Metal Corporation is one of the leading businesses in the manufacturing of metal quality products in the global field. As a major producer of metal related products and reliable services, our most important value is to promote environmental sustainability.

To know more about our company please visit our website. Also follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram. You can also download our new mobile application by scanning the QR code below.

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Maria // SMC Editor

#AddingValueAcrossTheGlobe

Maria // SMC Editor

Iron-air batteries: a cheap and eco-friendly solution for energy storage

After more than 40 after preparing the first prototype of a cheap , rechargeable, high energy density iron-air battery, researchers at the University of Southern California are now finishing the job of the patent-pending design of the battery.

The technical characteristics of the batteries look particularly well-suited to the kind of large-scale energy storage that could accelerate the adoption of renewable energy sources.

Back in the 70’s, researchers were already working on environmentally friendly rechargeable lithium-ion batteries and only recent advances in materials technology have made this technology into one of the most common, high-performing solutions for today’s portable electronics.

Iron compared to other materials has a few advantages: it’s durable, it has a great capacity to pack energy (per unit of mass), it’s recyclable but most importantly it’s cheap with costs around US$1/kg (2.2 lb).

Iron-air batteries were first expected to be used for electric vehicles and military applications after the 1973 oil crisis. However, research stopped abruptly only years later, when scientists realized that iron-air batteries presented a serious  limitation: whenever the battery was being charged, a wasteful process of hydrolysis drained away about half of the battery’s energy.

With today’s technology and advanced research, University of Southern California found a solution to this  problem. They learned that adding a small amount of bismuth sulfide into the battery shut down the harmful reaction and reduced the waste of energy more than tenfold, from 50 down to just 4% .

The other good characteristic cost-effective design of its iron electrode. The researchers combined iron powder with a polyethylene binder, heating the mix to obtain a “pressed-plate” electrode that is simple to make and has high specific energy.

The iron-air battery is exhibiting very promising durability, with a target life of 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. Even more importantly, the batteries seem to retain good performance when they are being drained quickly: at a two-hour rate of discharge, the batteries are showing a twenty-fold increase in capacity compared to commercially available electrodes.

Shanghai Metal Corporation encourages the development and innovation of new technologies. You can visit the company’s website , contact us and follow us on twitter and facebook for more information and news on metal.

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Houria // SMC Editor

ALUMINIUM – THE BATTERY OF THE FUTURE

Why do we like so much aluminium at Shanghai Metal Corporation? This is a very easy question. Because aluminium is a very versatile material that can be employed for a wide range of purpose. For instance, according to some specialized websites in the near future aluminum may be used in the production of various electronic devices batteries. The researchers of the University of California at Stanford have announced the development of aluminum-based batteries promising better performance and a lower impact on the environment compared to current models made of lithium.

What is more special about the aluminium batteries is that, not only their life would be significantly higher than conventional batteries (7,500 versus 1,000 cycles), but especially we should be able to fully recharge them in just a minute. Moreover, the aluminium batteries could be applied to a high number of devices such as smartphones, electric cars and laptops.

Since aluminum is very less expensive than lithium, a further advantageous feature of the aluminium battery would be its lower cost of production. Furthermore, aluminum guarantees the total absence of any risk of fire. The environmental benefits are obvious. A smartphone battery  that takes only one minute to charge results in a considerable decrease in energy waste.

 

Source: http://techleaks.in/

Do not  forget that Shanghai Metal Corporation provides you with a great selection metals such as aluminum which can be use for various applications. Check out our aluminium sheet/plate, widely used in the production of automobile, building wall and celings. Feel free to contact us for further information. We have English-speaking staff who will be more than glad to help you.

 

Stefano // SMC Editor