Technology

The Spanish electricity system operator, Red Eléctrica, has announced that during 2010, renewable energy contributed six percentage points more to the Spanish electricity mix than in the previous year, reaching a share of 35%: more than gas and coal-fired output combined

Renewable energies create jobs. According to the study on employment associated with the development of renewable energies in Spain, published by Spain’s Institute of Work, Environment and Health (ISTAS) and Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), a total of 70,152 direct and 45,570 indirect jobs have been created by renewable energies. However, certain trade associations believe their sector data should be better.

The Institute for Energy Diversification and Saving (IDAE), which manages and coordinates the Spanish government’s e-mobility plan (the Movele Project), has selected the Quick Project for its strategic programme to roll out fast charge infrastructure for electric vehicles in Spain. The idea is that fifteen-minute charges will be possible, extending vehicle ranges by 60 to 100 kilometres.

The Spanish Airports and Air Navigation Authority (Aena) has submitted its environmental action plan, in which energy efficiency and renewable energy play a key role. The efficient management of water and waste and the introduction of electric vehicles at the airports are other key aspects.

Spain’s Ministry of Industry has revealed that the Secretary of State for Energy, Pedro Marín, recently met with Indian Minister of Renewable Energy, Farooq Abdullah, "to exchange experiences in renewable energy, as part of the associated Memorandum of Understanding signed by both countries”. The Ministry of Industry describes India as "a priority market" for Spain.

The Spanish multinational has announced that "two-thirds of the investment are earmarked for Scotland to develop wind farms, smart grids and distribution networks". The company's Chairman, Ignacio Sánchez Galán, also revealed that purchases associated with this plan are estimated at €5.4 billion over this period.

This was one of the findings presented by the Secretary of State for Energy, Pedro Marin, during the presentation of the Energy Technology Perspectives Report of the International Energy Agency (IEA), held on 20 September at the Spanish Ministry of Industry’s headquarters in Madrid.

The latest survey carried out by mergermarket (Financial Times Group) concludes that the Government’s policy to reduce feed-in tariffs for renewable energy in Spain will lead to ““a likely uptick in M&A activity going forward”. According to the survey, Spain also has “significant potential for solar electricity with the cost of production continuing to decline, falling to around €0.25/kWh in recent times”.

Iberdrola recently opened its National Control Centre (NCC) in Portland, which the company describes as “the most advanced renewable energy control facility in the US”. The Spanish multinational will use this space to “control all the company’s wind farms and substations across the country throughout the year and in real time”

Venice and Valencia are the first ports of call for the SML house solar home, the project built by architecture students at the CEU Cardenal Herrera University in Valencia for the Solar Decathlon Europe competition held in Madrid last June.