News

Aug 21 2009
Autonomous power engineering is interesting for the rural citizens

May 27 2009
“Lenexpo” is the bridge between russian and foreign businesses

May 21 2009
“German day”: when you buy a house you know how much you will pay for its heating

May 21 2009
“German day”: biogas from agricultural waste is a perspective energy variant for Russia

May 21 2009
German powersaving experience was met with enthusiasm

May 20 2009
“Energetika & elektrotechnika” has been called the most representative event

May 7 2009
The day of germany at “Energetica and elektrotechnika” exhibition

Aug 21 2009
“Lenexpo” is the bridge between russian and foreign businesses (top)

The conference “Implementation of autonomous power supply systems: problems and perspectives”, conducted on August 21, 2009 in the framework of the international exhibition and fair “Agrorus-2009”, attracted a significant number of visitors.

The list of announced reports looked very impressive.

Vladimir Karpov, the professor of St. Petersburg State Agricultural University, presented his report “Mathematical tasks of power saving in the power supply systems, used in the agricultural complex”.

“The choice for the autonomous heat supply source” report was prepared by two conference participants from Mari Autonomous Republic, V. Solovyev and A. Orlov.
There were several reports which might look a bit exotic at first; e.g. “Perspectives of cacawella (cacao seed shells) usage for forage produce and power saving technologies for its processing.”

Some speakers demonstrated their own production and were severely criticized by the audience, who came to discuss the problems of power supply in the rural territories. For example, the price for the power systems ($ 75 000), presented by Sergey Shevchenko, BPC group sales director, is too high for the most farmers and owners of small agricultural enterprises.

But the report, given by Maria Visotskaya, the ecology specialist of “St. Petersburg Ecological Union”, aroused vivid interest with the conference visitors. It was devoted to the main aspects of ecological legislation, which should be taken into consideration while application of bio-power systems working with agricultural wastes. If the farmer decides to have some non-waste production he has to get a large number of documents such as: license, personal passport for every sort of used waste and etc. The license can be obtained only upon the installation of waste processing equipment. This document paperwork may take from 1. 5 months to 1.5 years and will cost from 100 to 500 thousand rubles.

Almost every report, presented at the conference, awoke some discussion at the end; it was obvious that the problem of power saving autonomous systems was of current importance for the audience. The time for application of these systems in the Russian rural areas has come.

Liliana Glazova

May 27 2009
“Lenexpo” is the bridge between russian and foreign businesses(top)

This exhibition fairground has recently become the place for active business contacts for Russian enterprises, foreign companies and authorities representatives.

These contacts are unique because they are organized in assistance with the government representatives of different countries. Not long ago “Lenexpo” hosted a delegation and exhibition exposition, organized under the government support of the Netherlands and Italy. The last “Lenexpo” exhibition demonstrated significant achievements of German energy business.

Arthur Bruner, vice – Consul General in St. Petersburg of the Federal Republic of Germany said, that it was the first time when the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology was participating at the Energetika & elektrotechnika exhibition. A total of 7 companies were participating at the event, displaying products of innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

As one of the leading industrial and trading countries, the Federal Republic of Germany uses the opportunity of fairs and exhibitions at home and abroad to meet its commitments as an international economic and trading partner. Most of the companies presenting their products are small and medium-sized businesses.

Energetika & elektrotechnika exhibition, recently held at “Lenexpo”, demonstrated several interesting exhibits at the German stand. Every sample explained one of the renewable energy source or energy supply technology.

The “Wind park” exhibit showed that wind energy had been used for a long time and that technical development was leading to increasing efficiency. There one could see models of “western mill”, classic mill and wind power plant.

Here even the person, completely unaware of all peculiarities of the alternative energy supply, could find out that wind power is a form of solar energy. And the biggest drawback in using wind energy is its dependency on the weather and wind conditions prevailing at any time. It is essential to achieve a balance via large composite grids. The share of wind energy in Germany in total power production grew from a negligible 0.3 % in 1990 to about 6 % in 2006 - with a rising trend.

The "Solar Tower" exhibit illustrated the principle of operation of a solar tower power station. The visitors could see how to generate solar energy in the “Solar power” stations.

The use of solar energy on a widespread basis is still in its infancy. There is a significant drawback: the intensity of solar radiation fluctuates according to geographical latitude, time of the year and particularly time of the day. The challenge for science and technology is to develop the ability to store the energy radiated by the sun.

The "Light Chain" exhibit showed the development of lamps. A basic problem which is faced by the lamp manufacturers is to design a light source that produces as much light as possible with the least possible heat. It was demonstrated that there’s an alternative way of energy economy: increasing of lamp efficiency. It gives great possibilities for energy saving. Australia and other countries are already seriously considering a ban on the use of conventional light bulbs.

The "Heat Insulation" exhibit gave the exhibition visitors the possibility to experience the effect of modern heat-insulating glazing. The use of high-quality windows reduces mechanic cooling of buildings and distinctly reduces the operating costs in general.

May 21 2009
“German day”: when you buy a house you know how much you will pay for its heating (top)

New possibilities for the Russian market were described by Daniel Scherz from «Scherz+Scherz» architectural bureau at the German day in “Lenexpo”.

The event was organized by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology at their exhibition booth on May 20, 2009.

In his speech Daniel Scherz focused on basic standards in energy consumption. He believes that the best variant is so-called “passive house” type, the building able to function without an aggressive heating system. Such house needs only 15kw hours a year per 1 square meter.

Passive house consumes 90% less energy than other building in Germany. And all this is possible due to an efficient system of heat insulation. Mr. Schersz gave a detailed explanation of construction peculiarities of such houses, their insulation systems, systems of air-conditioning and heat recuperation.

“Passive houses” can do with a minimal heating system. Therefore most of energy the house gains from the Sun, its inmates and their household activities (kitchen stove, home electric appliances).

It is also possible to apply new energy saving technologies in the old, even brick houses. Therefore it is very difficult to change an old standard house into a “passive” one.

The issue is of a significant importance for Germany because house owners, planning to sell or lease their houses, have to provide a building certificate which contains the information how much the person will pay for the central heating.

At present a «Passive house” is 10% more expensive than a regular one. But these expenses will soon be recompensed by the money saved on low heating costs.

“Passive houses” and their technologies are very popular. There is constant work being done for the materials and technologies upgrade. There have been developed special thin and efficient insulating materials; there are researches on hydrogen heating and etc.

Daniel Scherz is convinced that German experience of energy saving technologies can be useful for Russia and can be implemented not just in the new building construction but also for the efficient insulation of the old ones.

May 21 2009
“German day”: biogas from agricultural waste is a perspective energy variant for Russia (top)

This is the fact that German experts, participated in the “German Day” at “Energetika & Elektrotechnika”, are certain about.

The event was organized by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology at their exhibition booth.

Jan Postel from the German Biomass Research Centre (DBFZ) presented a detailed report on the gas production and waste utilization. Sustainable waste management allows supplying a flexible energy carrier. The issue is of a current importance especially for farmers: it helps to reduce costs on energy supply.

Jan Postel emphasized that DBFZ center provides researches in all spheres of bio-energy production. Biogas helps to solve a number of relevant problems, to abandon the scheme of centralization in the process of energy production. Unlike wind and sun, biogas can be used at any time during the year. Its production is based on liquid manure and plants. It is also important that use of biogas makes an additional source of income for the countryside.

Mr. Postel demonstrated some data which could prove that the produce of biogas in Germany had significantly increased. And the country renewable energy sector produces it for 25 billion EUR every year with over 200 thousand people employed in this sphere.

Investments and a flexible bonus system are stimulating renewable energy production in Germany.

But biogas production would never have such a success in Germany but for a special legislation Act. Now this sphere demonstrates good perspectives; there are current researches being done on the efficiency of biogas usage and equipment for its production.

May 21 2009
German powersaving experience was met with enthusiasm (top)

The day of Germany was organized on May 20, 2009 at “Lenexpo” fairgrounds within “Energetika and Elektrotechnika” exhibition. It was conducted by the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology at their exhibition booth.

Experts speeches, presented at the event, aroused a great interest among the visitors. Martin Schnauss, Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology advisor on energy issues, who was conducting the event, marked that his country had gained significant experience in the sphere of power supply and renewable energy.

Prices are annually growing everywhere. Oil prices have 18% increase, gas – 10%, electricity 4-5%, central heating - -10%. He is convinced that after the crisis is over prices will continue their growth.

Moreover, according to the experts’ estimates energy sources will exhaust this century. That is why the European Union is aiming to increase the share of renewable power up to the 20 %. And it will also give a 20% decline of fuels emission which causes the green house effect. To reach this goal they use Federal Legislation, flexible tax system for different kinds of fuel, bank credits, tax privileges and other measures. Also there are trainings provided for the specialists.

Starting last July Germany began providing every building with an energy certificate. The same policy is run relatively power-consuming equipment. People are now aware of what they are going to buy and how much they will have to pay for the power consumption.

Martin Schnauss believes that all energy sources possess a great potential. And the economic growth does not always mean the increase of power consumption; it can just be accompanied by its effective use.

There is an increased share of renewable energy use in Germany. It has helped to create new working places, decline gas emissions with green house effects and save a lot of money – around 12 billion EUR a year.

Martin Schnauss considers that this process will move faster when the use of renewable power becomes more profitable.

Christoph Urbschat speech demonstrated that this issue is very interesting for our specialists. He gave a detailed presentation of their produce in the sphere of solar power use.

Every square meter of solar battery annually provides as much energy as it could be gotten from an oil barrel. And this power is free. Germany has developed interesting technologies and materials for solar power use and storing. Russian participants of the “German day” really bombarded Christoph Urbschat with questions.

May 20 2009
“Energetika & elektrotechnika” has been called the most representative event(top)

A press conference devoted to the opening of “Energetika & Electrotechnika” exhibition was conducted at “Lenexpo” on May 19, 2009.

While giving a speech at the conference Sergey Alexeev, director-general of Ltd “Lenexpo” emphasized that this year large enterprises from different countries, such as Ukrain, Belarus, Czech Republic, Finland and Germany, would take part in the exhibition. The day of Germany is held at “Lenexpo” fairgrounds on May 20, 2009, and it will present its business program’s main topic: power saving technologies and renewable energy.

The Consul of the Republic of Poland , Marek Reshuta, pointed out to the fact that due to the crisis situation Polish businessmen’ re looking for new ways and forms of work . They definitely count on mutually profitable contacts with Russia in the sphere of power supply.

The advisor of German State Ministry of economy and technology, Martin Snaus, also marked that energy sources ‘re very limited and our world ‘s facing an ecological overload. That is why it is very important to look for new approaches and pay attention to the renewable resources for the energy supply. He believes that in the future it will be possible to use sun power to generate energy and biomass. And these spheres are already very essential.

The president of the North-West Power Producers Union, Sergey Chistovich, says that their company receives a lot of invitations to various events and conferences; and the exhibition at “Lenexpo” is also very significant for them. He also believes that source economy has exhausted its potentialities; our produce is loosing its competitive ability, and it is now essential to find a new innovational way of development. And of course it will require a lot of effort from the government, business and specialists.

Alexander Grimitlin, the president of “AVOK North-West” thinks that a new way for the economy is impossible without a new way for the power supply. Russia uses a lot more energy than other countries and can’t do less which means we should use it in a more effective way. The ways of effective energy usage will be discussed tomorrow during the exhibition’s business program.

Alexander Mashkov, expert of the TEC Development Coordination Union, emphasizes that exhibition business program ‘s made in a form of discussion. And its’ main topics will be devoted to the legislative issues. The declaration will be sent to the Presidents representation, Energy Committee and State Council – antimonopoly committee. Discussion results will be published.

Larisa Smetanina, the exhibition director, marks that the exhibition can demonstrate a lot of new equipment, the event is visited by various companies which belong to the power supply and other adjoining spheres; Mrs. Smetatnina pays a lot of attention to the stands with alternative power supply. She believes that business program will be very useful for the participating specialists.

May 7 2009
The day of germany at “Energetica and elektrotechnika” exhibition(top)

On May, 20, 2009 the event will be conducted at “Lenexpo” and it will be focused on the problems of power supply.

The day will start with a presentation of “Solartechnic – Solar Consulting” company. Martin Shnauss will present his report “Heading for a stable economy – German experience of power supply and energy resumption”.

Then Kristoff Urbshat, speaker for the export work group “Photovoltaik” will present his report“German know-how for Russia in the sphere of solar power utilization – conceptions and production.

Yan Postel from the German Biomass Research Center will present his report on “Produce of biogas and waste utilization in Russia: lessons of rational waste utilization and flexible power supply.

Daniel Sherz from “Sherz + Scherz” architectural office will continue the presentation of German technologies with his “Power saving constructions – possibilities for Russian market” report.

Harmut Greve, representative of Konrad Adenauer Foundation, will discuss the problem in his “ Power saving; Russian participation in the development of power saving” report.

And the final speech, closing the day of Germany will be given by Clemence Mostert “Industrial power effectiveness: ways and technologies for Russian- German cooperation.” The speaker will present the project of “The network of competence for distributed energy technologies, deENet e.V” company.

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