kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
|
 Posted: Tue Jan 22, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject: If LMB promotes this I'd be all for it. |
 |
|
From today's Korea Herald
Korea lights up largest solar power plan..
| Quote: |
Korea yesterday unveiled its technological progress in solar energy, reinforcing its ambitions to contribute to the globally growing industry amid increasing worries over climate change and high oil prices.
The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said yesterday it completed a plant in Daegu which has the capacity to generate 30 megawatts of electricity with solar cells, a key in the field of solar power.
Millinet Solar Co. is responsible for establishing the countrys largest and most sophisticated solar energy-related plant.
Korea first stepped into the industry in 2003, and last year began domestic production of polysilicon, the element found in traditional photovoltaic cells. A dwindling supply of polysilicon has been an issue.
The Commerce Ministry believes Millinet Solars plant will help elevate the standards of the countrys solar energy industry, and signals the growing interest of local companies in producing key components for the market.
Korea has been steadily accumulating innovative technologies for developing alternative energy sources and adopting more environment-friendly manufacturing methods, the ministry said.
It is estimated the newly constructed Daegu plant will generate 60 billion won ($63 million) in sales this year, and have the power to supply energy to 12,000 homes. The plants costs will be about 40 billion won.
The Commerce Ministry said Korea has had all the necessary technologies to produce high-quality solar power since 2006. The global challenge to its expanded adoption is the high costs of developing solar-energy technologies. Data shows that solar power can cost as much as five times more than conventional fossil fuel-based electricity.
Solar power is touted as a clean source of reusable energy, and stands as a promising alternative to fossil-fuel based energy, which emits harmful pollutants such as greenhouse gases.
The ministry said the level of Korean technologies in 2007 met up to 70 percent of the level of industry leaders such as Sharp, Q-Cells, and Kyocera.
The government noted that the country is advancing as more companies increase investment in research and development.
In 2006, 61 percent of solar panels used in homes and 85.4 percent procured for larger commercial and industrial generation were imports, but in less than a year, Korean manufacturers have replaced foreign competitors to a noticeable extent, the ministry said.
In July 2007, the market share of imported goods for solar power generation in homes dropped to 45 percent.
Industry reports forecast that 1 billion gigawatts of solar energy will be generated worldwide in 2010, with the global market valued at $50 billion. Exports of solar power-related equipment rose from $45 million in 2006 to $180 million last year, according to the ministry.
At the present pace, and with government support, the ministry said Korea will be able to generate 4 gigawatts of electricity through solar power in 2020, and boost this to 18 gigawatts by 2030. Exports will correspondingly grow to 1.4 trillion won in 2020, and to over 6 trillion won in 2030.
The government said Seoul plans to offer more incentives, provide more loans to finance research, and remove administrative obstacles that could hinder solar energy generation. |
It would be great to hear that LMB's going to keep on promoting and supporting these kind of developments.
I can suggest two other ways to improve energy efficiency in Korea.
Firstly, made it a legal obligation for all new buildings to have automatic doors in their entrances, or failing that at least have a campaign to remind people to close doors in winter.
Secondly, press food companies to dramatically reduce packaging. Less packaging would mean less need for oil for the plastics, less energy used in the factories, and reduced transportation costs both to the shops and, post consumption, to the landfill.
At least Korean buildings are fairly well insulated and tend to have double-glazing. New Zealand houses and buildings are incredible energy wasters. |
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
