ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FINANCING, RENEWABLE POWER PROJECT TYPES:

 

 

Algae to Biofuel Plants (with proven technology)

 

As contrasted to first-generation biomass, this is unlikely to replace more than 10 and 30 percent of the global fuel supply, and could cause the possible price disruption in commodities like corn or sugar cane. Algae is one of the most efficient organisms on earth in terms of converting sunlight to biomass, at an energy efficiency approaching 5%, compared to less than 1% for fast-growing crops like sugar cane.

 

Anaerobic Digestion Plants

 

Anaerobic digestion is a process that occurs naturally in the absence of air. During this process, micro-organisms stabilize waste organic matter and release biogas. There are existing sites that exist that demonstrate the cost effectiveness of capturing methane gas from an anaerobic digester to produce electricity. Anaerobic digestion plants not only decrease GHGs emission but also reduce dependence on fossil fuels for energy requirements. The anaerobic process has several advantages over other methods of waste treatment. Most significantly, it is able to accommodate relatively high rates of organic loading. With increasing use of anaerobic technology for treating various process streams, it is expected that industries would become more economically competitive because of their more judicious use of natural resources. Therefore, anaerobic digestion technology is almost certainly assured increased usage in the future.

 

Biodiesel Plants

 

According to scientists, carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gases contributing to global warming. 100% biodiesel can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 75% over petroleum diesel. And the utilization of a blend of 20% biodiesel reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 15%.

 

Biomass Plants

 

Biomass is an inexpensive and abundant domestic feedstock for power generation, alternative fuels production, and biofuels. Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants, based on anaerobic digestion of biomass, are highly efficient in harnessing the untapped renewable energy potential of organic waste by converting the biodegradable fraction of the waste into high calorific gases. The global market for thermal and biological waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies was worth $19.9 billion in 2008. According to projections, the sector will be worth $26.2 billion in the next five years.

 

Coal to Liquid Plants

 

The process involves two major stages, gasification to produce synthetic gas ("Syngas") rich in hydrogen and carbon, and a liquefication stage where the Syngas is reacted over a catalyst to produce high quality, ultraclean synthetic fuels and chemical feedstocks. This technology is well demonstrated in South Africa, where currently 30% of the country's gasoline and diesel fuel needs are met through CTL plants.

 

Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Projects

 

LNG is a natural gas composed of mineral or fossil fuels that is transformed to liquid form from its original gaseous state. The liquefied natural gas market has greatly expanded and, as gas supplies in consuming countries such as the US, UK and China dwindle, the market is set to see substantial development in the coming years. A number of converging trends have resulted in the greatly expanded role of LNG in worldwide markets. Worldwide natural gas use is projected to double in the next 15 years. Technical innovations have made LNG processing and shipping more affordable and producing nations are looking to monetize stranded natural gas reserves that cannot economically be moved to markets by pipeline.

 

Solar/Photovoltaic Plants

 

This technology is the application of solar cells for energy through the direct conversion of sun energy into electricity. Due to the growing demand for clean sources of energy, solar cells and photovoltaic arrays manufacturing has expanded dramatically in the recent years. Photovoltaic production has been doubling every 2 years and has increased by an average of 48% each year since 2002. This makes it one of the world's fastest-growing energy technologies. At the end of 2008, the cumulative global photovoltaic installations reached 15,200 megawatts and approximately 90% of this generating capacity consists of electrical systems that are tied to the grid.

 

Waste to Energy Plants

 

An environmentally sound and techno-economically viable methodology to treat biodegradable waste is highly crucial for the sustainability of our world. Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants, based on anaerobic digestion of biomass, are highly efficient in harnessing the untapped renewable energy potential of organic waste by converting the biodegradable fraction of the waste into high calorific gases. Waste-to-energy plants offer two important benefits of environmentally safe waste management and disposal, as well as the generation of clean, renewable energy.

 

Wind Farms

 

Wind power is one of the fastest growing niches in the alternative energy sector. Wind turbines generate clean and green power but they have the precondition that the power unit has to be set up in a strong wind area. Wind power is widely used in the USA and Europe and is growing at the rate of 30 percent annually.