power through photovoltaic panels. Concentrated
solar power (CSP) technology produces electricity by focusing solar radiation onto heat
absorbers with light concentrating technology.
The heat is then used to convert water into
high-pressure steam to power steam turbines.
Biomass energy: As a renewable energy
source that contains carbon, biomass can be used
to generate power, or heat (gas) or produce liquid
or gaseous fuels or used directly or indirectly for
materials. Biomass use spans hybrid systems,
where it is used to partially substitute fossil fuels
in existing assets, for example in power station
cofiring; blended biofuels; and dedicated uses
such as biomass-fuelled combined heat and
power.
Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is
used to generate heat and power. Shallow
geothermal and hydrothermal energy heating and
cooling technologies are basically mature. Shallow geothermal energy is used mainly with heat
pumps. In geothermal power generation,
high-temperature dry steam power is the most
mature and cheapest technology, followed by
high temperature wet steam. The cost efficiency
of low- and medium-temperature geothermal
power generation technologies needs to be
improved.
Marine energy: Marine energy is used mainly
to generate power in tidal, wave, current, temperature difference and salinity gradient applications. The development cost is generally high.
Tidal power generation is the most mature and
competitive.
(2) Global deployment of new energy
technologies
New energy technologies (NET) can be classified
in four stages according to their technological
maturity. NET at the commercialisation stage refers
to those technologies with great potential that have
been widely accepted, such as wind and solar
photovoltaic. NET at the demonstration stage refers
to those that are proven in industrial-scale demonstration projects and are about to be commercialised, but which are faced by uncertainties in
terms of go-to-market, such as concentrated solar
power. NET at the quasi-demonstration stage refers
to those that have reached, or are about to reach,
industrial demonstration, like second-generation
biofuels. NET that have yet to be verified refers to
those whose potential is recognised but that still
have a long way to go to be commercialised, such
as, nuclear fusion and combustible ice.
Wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) are
deployed at scale and therefore promising. Wind
and PV power are characterised by: (i) predictable cost—with technical progress and
scale-up, their cost will be comparable with
conventional power in the future; (ii) clear and
great resource potential; and (iii) the ability to be
scaled up because of the vast size of China. Wind
and PV power generation require little water and
have very limited impact on the environment.
Considering the maturity, resource potential
and development cost of different new energy
technologies, this study focuses on wind, solar
PV and concentrated solar power (CSP). In wind
power generation, large-capacity, low-speed
wind turbines will be the future trend. Breakthroughs continue to be made in solar power
technologies and efficiency.
Wind turbine capacity, height and output
continue to increase across the globe. Developed
countries made great breakthroughs in wind turbines in the 1980s, with capacity reaching 75 kW
and the hub height 20 m. In the 1990s, turbine
capacity rose to 300–750 kW and hub height to
about 30–60 m. These wind turbines dominated
medium and large wind farms. In the 21st century, to generate more power and use land more
effectively, turbine capacity increased to several
megawatts and hub height to 70–100 m.
Lightweight high-tower low-velocity wind
turbines predominate. High tower is the key to
low wind speeds and high-shear wind farms.
Vestas is now the leader in the field of
340
S. Zifeng and N. Dickens
solar power (CSP) technology produces electricity by focusing solar radiation onto heat
absorbers with light concentrating technology.
The heat is then used to convert water into
high-pressure steam to power steam turbines.
Biomass energy: As a renewable energy
source that contains carbon, biomass can be used
to generate power, or heat (gas) or produce liquid
or gaseous fuels or used directly or indirectly for
materials. Biomass use spans hybrid systems,
where it is used to partially substitute fossil fuels
in existing assets, for example in power station
cofiring; blended biofuels; and dedicated uses
such as biomass-fuelled combined heat and
power.
Geothermal energy: Geothermal energy is
used to generate heat and power. Shallow
geothermal and hydrothermal energy heating and
cooling technologies are basically mature. Shallow geothermal energy is used mainly with heat
pumps. In geothermal power generation,
high-temperature dry steam power is the most
mature and cheapest technology, followed by
high temperature wet steam. The cost efficiency
of low- and medium-temperature geothermal
power generation technologies needs to be
improved.
Marine energy: Marine energy is used mainly
to generate power in tidal, wave, current, temperature difference and salinity gradient applications. The development cost is generally high.
Tidal power generation is the most mature and
competitive.
(2) Global deployment of new energy
technologies
New energy technologies (NET) can be classified
in four stages according to their technological
maturity. NET at the commercialisation stage refers
to those technologies with great potential that have
been widely accepted, such as wind and solar
photovoltaic. NET at the demonstration stage refers
to those that are proven in industrial-scale demonstration projects and are about to be commercialised, but which are faced by uncertainties in
terms of go-to-market, such as concentrated solar
power. NET at the quasi-demonstration stage refers
to those that have reached, or are about to reach,
industrial demonstration, like second-generation
biofuels. NET that have yet to be verified refers to
those whose potential is recognised but that still
have a long way to go to be commercialised, such
as, nuclear fusion and combustible ice.
Wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) are
deployed at scale and therefore promising. Wind
and PV power are characterised by: (i) predictable cost—with technical progress and
scale-up, their cost will be comparable with
conventional power in the future; (ii) clear and
great resource potential; and (iii) the ability to be
scaled up because of the vast size of China. Wind
and PV power generation require little water and
have very limited impact on the environment.
Considering the maturity, resource potential
and development cost of different new energy
technologies, this study focuses on wind, solar
PV and concentrated solar power (CSP). In wind
power generation, large-capacity, low-speed
wind turbines will be the future trend. Breakthroughs continue to be made in solar power
technologies and efficiency.
Wind turbine capacity, height and output
continue to increase across the globe. Developed
countries made great breakthroughs in wind turbines in the 1980s, with capacity reaching 75 kW
and the hub height 20 m. In the 1990s, turbine
capacity rose to 300–750 kW and hub height to
about 30–60 m. These wind turbines dominated
medium and large wind farms. In the 21st century, to generate more power and use land more
effectively, turbine capacity increased to several
megawatts and hub height to 70–100 m.
Lightweight high-tower low-velocity wind
turbines predominate. High tower is the key to
low wind speeds and high-shear wind farms.
Vestas is now the leader in the field of
340
S. Zifeng and N. Dickens