The WRISE Leadership Forum is a great opportunity and an exclusive experience, combining professional development with tools to advance renewable energy. This year the Forum took place at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort Albuquerque in New Mexico, on 6-7 November. The main objective was to discuss current renewable energy trends and policy issues; while facilitating networking opportunities with leaders from various sectors in renewable energy, such as transmission, utilities, and development.
Women of Renewable Industries and Sustainable Energy (WRISE) has the goal to promote the education, professional development, and growth of women. Indeed, the goal was to achieve a dynamic-vigorous diversified workforce and support a strong renewable energy economy. In fact, WRISE started as an innovative idea in Spring 2005 by Lisa Daniels, Trudy Forsyth, and Mia Devine and was initially called ‘’Women of the Wind’’.
The aim was to unite women and men in working to change the face of renewable energy. Finally, the organization has grown over the years into a network across the United States and Canada.
On behalf of our team at Phoventus, Kathryn Klement attended the WRISE Leadership Forum. She had the great opportunity to network with the sector’s leading women. Also, she participated in Practice Sessions 1 and 2. It was a unique experience to exchange ideas on our energy future to achieve a robust renewable energy economy.
The Caribbean Infrastructure Forum took place on December 11-12 at the Hilton Rose Hall Resort & Spa in Montego Bay, Jamaica. The forum had drawn heavily on the title sponsors’ -CIBC FirstCaribbean and KPMG- resources and their networks to broaden the reach and ensure its value to the region. Undoubtedly, CARIF 2017 was a central forum to address and promote the need for substantial investment in infrastructure in the Caribbean. This year, some of the most influential leaders participated in CARIF; among those, there were three Caribbean heads of state, Michael Lee-Chin of Portland Holdings, Stephen Beatty, Global Head of Infrastructure for KPMG, and Laurie Mahon, Managing Director & Co-Head of the Infrastructure Group at CIBC.
The objective was to promote interaction and exchange ideas. Therefore, the first panel considered the use of national infrastructure plans to develop public consensus and investor confidence. Participants shared views on the impact of shifting political sands in the Americas. They also discussed how investment in the region affects the market, as well as strategies for incorporating climate resilience and adaptation into planning. Another panel on Monday served as a broad guide to the public sector’s role in enabling infrastructure investment. Along with questions, it led to a dynamic and structured discussion between panelists.
Speakers also talked about the private equity perspectives on investor and sovereign risk in the region and strategies for mitigation and discussed assessing relationships with new international sources of finance (such as Chinese development capital) and how these relationships are evolving in the region.
Another panel covered the vision of governments and utilities for incorporating LNG into the energy matrix and JPS experience in Montego Bay and the long-term outlook for LNG in the region. Old Harbour Bay Power and LNG, Jamaica was presented as a case study. Also, panelists answered what to do when the political situation in the US will impact the availability of cheap gas.
The first day of the forum ended with panels on analyzing the comparative performance of various airport models, considering the broad spectrum of financing and operational models currently being engaged or assessed; opportunities in the pipeline for ports and related logistical infrastructure; balancing transparency and competitive tension in the procurement of government assets and maximizing the value of unsolicited bids; financing water, wastewater, and irrigation projects; and prioritizing climate resilience in infrastructure planning.
On the second day of the forum, panelists exchanged ideas on transitioning to utilities-driven renewable development. They also discussed what this shift implies for the pipeline and what the associated opportunities are for financing. One of the questions, panelists took the most time on was how the shift fits with NDC commitments and national energy planning and investment across the region. Hence, they highlighted the importance of assessing the potential for regional connection and other strategies to make projects more bankable.
The panel reviewed the results of KPMG’s regional Universal Health Coverage (UHC) survey. In fact, it identified common trends, best practices, and insights related to the United Nations’ goal of achieving UHC by 2030. The session referred to new models for affordable healthcare that result in improved health outcomes. CARIF 2017 was ended by cited the tourism and infrastructure connection. Also, speakers mentioned examples of successful partnerships in tourism-related infrastructure. Finally, they emphasized that without infrastructure there is no tourism industry; and without a tourism industry, there is no funding for infrastructure.
This thought leadership piece provides insights from Rob Lydan and Michael Carreau of Hatch’s renewable energy team. The two offer perspectives for mining companies on the economics of wind and solar energy. They also present the challenges of integrating hybrid power solutions, and the 10-20% potential cost savings from moving towards alternative energy solutions.
If you asked miners to describe renewable power, you’d often hear words like ‘unreliable’, ‘expensive’, and ‘risky’, says Rob Lydan. That was up until quite recently. Lydan acknowledges that for many years, solar, wind, hydro, and other forms of renewable energy were intriguing. But, they seemed too expensive and too cutting-edge for the comfort of the mining industry. However, that’s all begun to change.
Over the past few months, the capital costs for renewables have continued to drop considerably. Consequently, many renewable solutions are now less expensive than diesel. “Wind power in a remote mining installation can reduce your cost of energy by 10-20%,” says Michael Carreau, Hatch’s Director of Renewable Power.
At the same time, the ability to engineer a hybrid renewable solution that is highly reliable has increased. With proper implementation and education, Carreau and Lydan are convinced that a hybrid renewable energy system can work just as reliably as running diesel generators on their own.
Take a look at the PDF for the full interview.
Phoventus can help you update your Arc Flash Risk Assessment and ensure compliance with codes and regulations as well as safeguarding personnel and the electrical installations.
In fact, several regulations, codes, and standards define requirements for Arc Flash safety. Above all, these include OSHA, NFPA 70E, CSA Z462, IEEE 1584-2018, and NESC.
Also, article 130.5 of NFPA 70E requires employers to perform an Arc Flash Hazard Analysis for electrical equipment. And, to update the study every five years.
In particular, several regulations, codes, and standards define requirements for Arc Flash safety, including OSHA, NFPA 70E, CSA Z462, IEEE 1584-2018, and NESC. Article 130.5 of NFPA 70E requires employers to perform an Arc Flash risk assessment for electrical equipment and to update the study every five years.
Canadian Power Engineers is the newest member of the family and a wholly-owned division of Phovetus Inc. Above all, we are a driven, passionate team. Our value is our insight into the latest technology and approaches needed to deliver our client’s projects on time and within budget. Renewable Power Specialist.
EPCM and Construction Management are admittedly integral parts of our company services.
Dispute resolution requires over-lapping skills.
Premise.
Clients engage EPC contractors or other service providers in order to deliver services within a specific time frame, scope of work, location, and cost. For instance, we provide EPCM and Construction Management as well as other services during the entire project life cycle:
Phoventus provides advice to clients needing assistance in resolving disputes surrounding renewable power projects. Thus, our specific area of practice includes services such as complex engineering, problem diagnosis, forensic review, and independent engineering opinions.
Our target clients are Law Firms, Developers, Government Agencies, Procurement Departments of large asset owners (IPPs).
In fact, we are different because: we can demonstrate experience, references, and very specific industry knowledge. Namely, our experience is a differentiator, and so are the relationships we have with various law firms.
Our areas of practice are electrical engineering, management consulting, Solar power, Wind Power, Renewable Power.
Also, the management, supervision, and closeout of EPC construction contracts are fundamental to the success of our clients. In addition, we are uniquely qualified to assist our clients in closing gaps between themselves and their construction partners.
Phoventus is a global advisory and professional engineering and management consultant to the grid and storage power market. Moreover, we offer value-added strategic management, engineering, and environmental consulting. We also provide advisory services to power developers and utilities. Apart from that, we provide services through all stages of a project’s lifecycle starting with early-stage, technical and financial feasibility assessments. Up through to grid asset risk management and safeguarding the interests of power producers/operators and long-term ownership stakeholders. Indeed, Phoventus is an incorporated Canadian company with a head office near Toronto.
So far, the Phoventus management team has advised on more than 500 energy projects globally, including, our Hybrid Power division. These specifical target corporations and industrial electricity users, such as mines and Island power grids seeking to modernize their grid infrastructure and carbon footprint. Thus, we provide a range of dedicated services such as Techno-economic energy storage options. We offer Procurement support of electrical infrastructure including owners engineering and installation inspection. Integration of renewables with energy storage as well as generators for micro-grid or remote sites is also our specialized electrical engineering services.
The Phoventus team includes the staff that is recognized and experienced consultants to banks, financial institutions, and developers. They are preparing and evaluating the “bankability” of renewable energy projects. In fact, we work for diverse clients in diverse locations in North America and Asia.
Phoventus is a recognized global authority on the bankability of solar modules. It was nominated by Bloomberg New Energy as one of 16 firms voting for the bankability of Solar Modules in the 2021 Bloomberg PV Module Manufacturing survey. This survey is the gold standard in module bankability.
Canadian Power Engineers is the newest member of the family and a wholly-owned division of Phovetus Inc. Above all, we are a driven, passionate team. Our value is our insight into the latest technology and approaches needed to deliver our client’s projects on time and within budget. Renewable Power Specialist.
To view in full, please click here.
Here is everything you need to know about Optimal Decentralized Microgrid Coordination via the Schur’s Complement and S-Procedure.
The evolving landscape of the electricity sector along with increasing environmental concerns necessitate modern power grids to be more efficient, sustainable, and adaptive. Microgrids typically consist of distributed energy sources that have great potential for enabling energy independence, sustainability, and flexibility.
However, practical difficulties that deter the widespread deployment of microgrids include the unpredictability of local generation sources (e.g., renewables). They also include the lack of inertia that is naturally present in systems containing bulk synchronous plants.
In this paper, we propose a near real-time microgrid coordination algorithm. In fact, it allows actuating components to adapt to changing system conditions.
We account for the electrical dependencies and limits in microgrid systems by constructing voltage/current balance relations in the dq0 frame and applying strategic decompositions. The aim is to invoke Schur’s complement and S-procedure that allow for a zero duality gap.
We highlight the convergence, feasibility, and scalability features of the proposed decentralized algorithm. In particular, we achieve that via theoretical and comparative practical simulation studies.
MICROGRIDS typically consist of distributed energy resources (DERs) such as photovoltaics and wind turbines. Both generate electricity by tapping onto locally available natural resources which are then delivered at low losses to power consumers residing at close physical proximity. These systems operate in either grid-connected or stand-alone modes.
As the microgrid operating in stand-alone mode lacks the inertia introduced by the main grid, highly fluctuating
power demand/supply will lead to inefficiencies and instabilities. Overcoming them would be possible by applying appropriate optimal steady-state and transient control mechanisms.
In this paper, we focus specifically on steady-state coordination over near real-time horizons (e.g., seconds). Our aim is to closely account for rapidly changing conditions in the microgrid. This remains an open research challenge mainly due to the non-convexities present in power flow relations which must be accurately incorporated for feasible microgrid operations.
Thus, our main contribution in this paper is the proposal of a decentralized DER coordination method that accounts for physical power balance relations with convergence guarantees.
To view the entire Optimal Decentralized Microgrid Coordination PDF, please click here.
Phoventus celebrates 10 years and takes pride in its Bankability Credentials!
The concept of bankability is critically important in the Renewable Power business due to the rapid growth of the PV and Wind Power market. Furthermore, it is significant due to the arrival of numerous new players all through the value chain.
Above all, we provide engineering and procurement services to cover all aspects of your renewable energy, EV, or Remote Power project. In fact, our services are comprehensive, consisting of system engineering, design studies as well as project management.
In particular, our firm is not a construction company and we don’t do installations ourselves. Indeed, we do coordinate and provide engineering design as well as construction management for your chosen contractor. Unfortunately, we do not provide service to the single residence market at this time.
Above all, we are a driven, passionate team. Hence, our value is our insight into the latest technology and approaches needed to deliver our client’s projects on time and within budget. Indeed, Renewable Power Specialist.
“All of us at Entropy would like to express our appreciation for the work of the team performed as Independent Engineer for the project finance of Entropy’s 5MW Cayman Solar Project by CIBC First Caribbean
International Bank. The project was the first utility scale solar project developed in Cayman Islands, which posed a unique set of challenges. A number of unusual design and engineering principals needed to be incorporated to address hurricane force wind loading, difficult soil and rock conditions, and the lack of a substantial service and support infrastructure to accommodate the service and maintenance needs of the plant. The team worked with us to fully understand and address potential risks, delivering their work professionally, on time, and on budget.”
David March, Managing Partner, Entropy Investment Management
“The team at Phoventus bring dedication, critical insights and rare in-depth industry experience to our projects. They are knowledgeable, practical and dedicated to delivering high-quality outcomes. We enjoy working with Phoventus and welcome the opportunity to recommend them to others.”
Lee Anderson , CBRE Caledon Capital Management
”Rob and his team are among the best professional engineers that we have worked with in solar space. They provide timely advice and critical insight into design, procurement and development problems that reduce costs, reduce risk and move projects forward.”
Thomas J. Timmins, Gowling WLG
To view our Bankability Credentials PDF, please click here.
WiRE Mississauga Networking Meet-Up event took place on Wednesday, February 21st, 2018. The gathering was at the Alectra Inc. head office in Mississauga. Kathryn Klement. Also, the Director of PV Power Systems attended the WiRE event on behalf of the Phoventus team. In addition, the event was for women only and the featured speaker was Neetika Sathe, Alectra’s Director of Advanced Planning. She talked about how the opportunities for power and utility companies might change over time.
Neetika added that there is an emerging market in energy demand and in smart metering technology. The importance of mitigating the industry is to build investor, regulator, and public confidence. Of course, this would be beneficial to gain scale for major investments. Moreover, it was highlighted that the utility of the future will be a digital system and we can simply begin to adapt to the changes by improving our workplace efficiency and expand the customer base for a powerful productivity-boosting capability.
During the networking session, members identified that the integration of distributed energy resources is likely to become of the highest growth areas within the sector in the next five years and the electric vehicle market is growing exponentially as a key opportunity over the longer term.
The next Toronto Networking Meet-Up will take place at Gowling WLG, 1 First Canadian Place, 100 King Street West, Suite 1600, Toronto on March 21st and the key speaker will be Karen Clarke-Whistler, Chief Environmental Officer at the TD Bank Group.
CLIMATE-SMART MINING FACILITY LAUNCHING CONFERENCE
Minerals for Climate Action
Preston Auditorium; Wednesday, 1 May 2019; 09:00 AM – 05:30 PM
A panel discussion took place at the launching conference “Minerals for Climate Action,” hosted and organized by the World Bank’s Energy & Extractives Global Practice in Washington, DC.
The Climate-Smart Mining Facility is the first-ever Facility dedicated to making mining climate-smart and sustainable, bringing together governments, industry, financial institutions as well as private investors.
The event gathered an audience of CEOs, NGOs, government, academia as well as private and public-sector representatives. In addition, a wide range of industries and governments stakeholders were represented, such as automotive, battery manufacturers, financial institutions, government donors, energy companies, the mining industry, and World Bank clients.
In fact, the session was an interactive debate and discussion between leading experts on what climate-smart mining should look like and how a range of actors can make mining as sustainable as possible.
Objectives of the session included:
• Discussing how to leverage innovation in order to reduce the carbon and material footprints of increased extractive and processing activity to supply the clean energy transition
• Exploring the role of innovation to secure supply for strategic minerals as well as create new market opportunities for mineral-rich developing countries.
Innovation may refer to:
o Developing new technology in the mining sector in order to reduce environmental impacts;
o New partnerships between upstream and downstream companies in order to mobilize private capital for development;
• Determining how the public and private sectors can work together to drive innovation throughout the mineral supply
Rob Lydan is the CEO of Phoventus, a global consulting and engineering firm with offices in Toronto and New York. In addition, During his career, Rob spent more than 25 years building and leading diverse engineering teams. Rob is the recipient of multiple awards, patents, and nominations for recognized innovation and engineering design. Also, Rob is a graduate of mechanical engineering technology from George Brown. Rob is a published author of a variety of thought leadership articles.