Tag: Renewable Energy

  • Dutch Provinces Utilize Solar  Cycle Paths for Renewable Energy

    Dutch Provinces Utilize Solar Cycle Paths for Renewable Energy

    The Dutch have a strong affinity for cycling, with over 35,000 km (21,747 miles) of cycle paths weaving through the Netherlands. Two of these bike routes have been enhanced with photovoltaic cells, generating renewable energy as they stretch towards the sky.
    The provinces of North Holland and North Brabant in the Netherlands are each looking to cycle paths as a way to generate renewable energy
    Wattway by Colas

    The Dutch have a strong affinity for cycling, with over 35,000 km (21,747 miles) of cycle paths weaving through the Netherlands. Two of these bike routes have been enhanced with photovoltaic cells, generating renewable energy as they stretch towards the sky.

    The BAM Royal Group and Wattway, a subsidiary of the Colas Group, have collaborated to deploy Wattway Pack panels on 1,000 m2 of cycle paths in North Holland and another 1,000 m2 in North Brabant.

    Wattway’s Innovative Photovoltaic Panels Applied Over Existing Bike Paths, Offering Trafficable Renewable Energy

    In contrast to the ambitious Solar Roadways initiative and previous bike path installations in the Netherlands, Wattway’s “trafficable, renewable energy-producing photovoltaic panels” are applied over existing cycle routes without requiring surface removal; they are affixed in place using adhesive.

    The photovoltaic cells in each panel are shielded by several layers of resin to safeguard them from the regular wear and tear caused by bike traffic. Additionally, the system includes an electrical cabinet with battery storage.

    The Wattway Pack panels are mounted atop existing cycle paths using adhesive, and will be monitored and maintained for the next 5 years
    Wattway by Colas

    Wattway Pack Concept, Launched in 2015, Shows Improvement and Commercial Success Since 2019 Launch

    The Wattway Pack concept was initially introduced in 2015 and has been implemented at over 50 pilot sites globally, including a section of roadway in a Normandy village in 2016. It was officially launched commercially in 2019. The company notes a significant improvement in efficiency from 119 Wp/m2 to 148 Wp/m2 since its introduction.

    The recent installation, considered “the first project of this scale in the country,” aims to generate 160 MWh of renewable energy in its inaugural year and beyond. While this may seem modest in the broader context, every contribution is valuable in the provinces’ efforts to achieve their environmental goals. The installations will be monitored and maintained for a period of 5 years.


    Read the original article on: New atlas

    Read more: A New Method Can Make Plastics More Environmentally Friendly

  • The Petroleum and Gas Drilling Engineer, Talks about  Renewable Energy

    The Petroleum and Gas Drilling Engineer, Talks about Renewable Energy

    “I believe that renewable energies are the solution to climate problems. Human irresponsibility, through less environmentally-friendly practices and the emission of harmful gases, is the root cause of the climate changes occurring worldwide”Verônica Choconeza

    Verônica Choconeza

    Startup Nzolani Renewable CEO,Veronica.
    Startup Nzolani Renewable CEO,Veronica.

    Veronica Choconesa is an engineer who works with drilling for oil and gas. She cares a lot about the environment and wants to help reduce the harmful gases that are causing climate change. She has a project called Startup Nzolani Renewable, which aims to produce clean and renewable energy without releasing any toxic gases.

    Veronica presented her project last September. It focuses on creating energy that is good for the environment and doesn’t add any pollution to the air. This is important because it helps to fight climate change and protect our planet.

    Veronica wants to explain her project in simple words. She says it’s all about making energy in a way that doesn’t harm the Earth. It can be used for cars, planes, boats, and even houses with special batteries and hydrogen cells. This helps us have a “green” way of living and takes care of the environment.

    Different Types of Renewable

    There are different types of renewable energy that Veronica talks about. There’s wind energy, which uses the power of the wind, and biomass energy, which uses waste materials. There’s also hydrogen energy, which comes from water, and solar energy, which comes from the sun.

    Veronica believes that renewable energy is the solution to the problems our world is facing due to climate change. She thinks that it’s because of human actions that we have caused so much damage to the environment. By using renewable energy, we can make things better and protect our planet.

    The Green Hydrogen

    To make green hydrogen a reality in Angola, it will be necessary to set up a factory or industrial complex to produce green hydrogen for transportation and ammonia for agriculture. This way, people can benefit from clean and healthy energy.

    “We import fertilizers when we don’t need to, considering we have fertile soil and a tropical climate in our country, which helps. With green hydrogen, we will have energy sources that can power hydrogen pumps and cars without pollution. It’s a sustainable and clean economy,” she emphasized.

    Veronica explains that the world can address climate change issues by adopting green hydrogen. She mentions that some countries like South Africa, Lesotho, Egypt, and Mauritania already have hydrogen complexes, although green hydrogen production is not yet widespread globally.

    Angola signed the Paris Agreement in 2015, where 194 countries committed to reducing 2 degrees Celsius of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. 2018 the Tokyo Agreement was established, and in 2022, COP-27 took place, where discussions about climate change were held again.

    Ministry of Environment and Other Important Ones

    Veronica Presented her project at ISPTEC to the Economic Minister, your Excellence, Mário Augusto Caetano João, in Luanda-Angola. Also, the same project got first place at the Summit de Startups Angola.
    Veronica Presented her project at ISPTEC to the Economic Minister, your Excellence, Mário Augusto Caetano João, in Luanda-Angola. Also, the same project got first place at the Summit de Startups Angola.

    Veronica Choconesa confirms that the Ministry of Environment has already received the comprehensive project proposal, and she emphasizes that hydrogen production is a key concern for the department in combating environmental pollution caused by harmful gases. However, she points out that implementing the project in the country requires involvement from other sectors, such as Energy, Water, Petroleum, and Gas. Despite this, she remains hopeful about the project’s success.

    The Ministry of Environment has been supportive and receptive during the presentation. Nevertheless, she stresses the importance of receiving input and collaboration from other Ministries. Working together is essential to transform Angola into a clean and breathable environment, she cautions.

    Giving Back to the Communities

    The lack of access to electricity in communities remains an ongoing issue. However, the implementation of renewable energy projects is expected to address this problem and enable a greater number of people to have access to electricity, consequently leading to a healthier environment.


    Read more: New Method Could Help Get To Cheap Hydrogen.