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Safety and performance assurances are key to solar PV investments
Certification to IEC international standards instills confidenceA significant number of solar photovoltaic (PV) power plants underperform for various reasons, including deterioration, or to the point that the financial viability of the PV power plant is at stake.
Protecting renewable energy equipment from extreme weather
International standards help ensure wind turbines withstand external conditions2018 was a year of extreme weather. Some of the lowest and highest temperatures were recorded in both hemispheres, while gale-force winds fuelled wildfires in a number of regions and hurricane-strength typhoons caused severe flooding in others.
Council elects future IEC President
Dr Yinbiao Shu will take over presidency in 2020IEC Council elected Yinbiao Shu of China as IEC President for a three-year term of office, starting 1 January 2020.
More power to you!
Record-breaking year for renewable energy generationTechnology breakthroughs are lowering the cost of renewable energies while low-voltage direct current systems (LVDC) are being tested by experts both in the developed and developing world.
IECRE certification raises the bar in renewables industry
First IECRE solar PV certificate issued to leading global providerMany countries around the world are working towards producing more power from and increasing the amount of renewables to be integrated into national energy supplies.
The resurgence of renewables
New technologies and age-old natural resources generate clean energyThe global transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is well under way, with record new additions of installed renewable energy capacity, thanks in part to rapidly falling costs, particularly for solar PV and wind power.
UNECE holds 4th Session Group of Experts on Renewable Energy
Getting more renewables into the global energy mixAccording to the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) Renewables Market Report series for 2017, renewables accounted for almost two-thirds of net new power capacity around the world in 2016, thanks to a strong solar PV market. The Report forecasts that though coal will still be the largest source of electricity generation, renewables are expected to halve the gap down to 17% by 2022.
Quality assurance is vital for global PV market growth
IRENA report emphasizes role of international standardsBy 2030, total installed PV capacity could range between 1 760 gigawatts (GW) and 2 500 GW. However, if market growth is to remain sustainable, the technology must be enhanced, and the risk for investors, policy makers and consumers reduced, according to a recent report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
IECRE marine energy promoted at largest global hydropower event
Standards and testing enable essential marine technology design evaluationThe leading renewable source for electricity generation globally is hydropower. In 2016, it generated 16.4% of the world's electricity, reaching 1,064 GW of installed capacity, and supplied 71% of all renewable electricity, according to a report by the World Energy Council.
Tried and tested
LVDC projects pave the way for standardizationA number of low voltage direct current (LVDC) trials are preparing the ground for a wider use of the technology, both in developed and developing countries.
Flexible hydro operation for lean integration of new renewables
Hydropower helps incorporate the growing share of intermittent renewable sources into the energy mixIn 2015, global generation of electricity was 24 255 TWh. Hydropower accounted for around 16% of the total, making it the main renewable energy (RE) source for electricity generation. It will also play a key role in the future integration of power generated by new RE sources and in balancing its impact on the grid.
Electronics essential for sustainable energy model
The energy sector relies on electronics for a smooth transition to efficiency and sustainabilityThe demand for energy is growing fast, for electricity even faster. To meet the needs of over 9 billion people by 2050, energy production will have to double while at the same time greenhouse gas emissions will have to be drastically reduced. This can only be achieved through a transition from a carbon-based economy towards a sustainable and efficient energy model that is accessible to all on the planet.
Instilling confidence in a whole industry
IECRE System offers a common language for a highly technical productEstablished in 2014, IECRE, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications, is the newest of the IEC Conformity Assessment (CA) Systems.
Energy efficiency to recover power for the future
IEC work helps tap the biggest pool of available energyEnergy efficiency (EE) is the most important and easily available source of energy; it can be collected along the entire energy chain, from generation, transmission and storage to final use in industry, homes or transportation. IEC standardization and conformity assessment (CA) work are central to electrical EE at all levels.
European workshops promote IECRE marine technology certification
New CA System will increase marketplace confidence in marine energy equipment and projectsThe MET-CERTIFIED project is holding a series of workshops in Belgium, France and the UK, to explain the marine technologies sector of IECRE, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications.
Sustainable RE needs global cooperation, standardization and innovation
In recent years, several important international agreements have been concluded, to accelerate renewable energy access and advance energy efficiencyAmong these, in 2015, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a dedicated Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) on Sustainable Energy for All (SDG 7), while the year ended in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s (UNFCCC) 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) in Paris, where 195 countries agreed to limit global warming to well below two degrees Celsius
Brave new car world
Our means of transport are changing in drastic waysWhat is the future for cars, buses and trucks? Manufacturers are competing to stay relevant in the years ahead. The IEC is also paving the way with a number of forward-looking Standards.
When power fails
Microgrids limit the disruption caused by large-scale power outagesPower failure recovery is a key task for governments, hospitals and private businesses to get to grips with if they want to reduce the disruption caused by power outages resulting from natural disasters. Smart and microgrids are one of the solutions and the IEC is leading the way with the appropriate Standards.
Ten years of marine energy standardization
IEC work helps lay the foundations of an emerging Renewable Energy sectorToday, a number of different technologies are being developed to extract energy from oceans, such as tidal, river and ocean current and wave power. Though only a few large-scale systems currently operate, several are being demonstrated in Asia, Europe and North America.
Wind industry: Harmonized certification facilitates global market access
IECRE issues first wind turbine certificateDeveloped with the participation of industry players, including equipment manufacturers, power producers, insurance companies, test laboratories and certifying bodies, IECRE, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications, streamlines a complex process and benefits not only the wind, but other renewable energy industries such as solar and marine.
Tackling energy efficiency from the start
Better energy efficiency is central to our future energy supply and to sustain growthEnergy efficiency represents the biggest source of untapped energy in the world and, by helping slowing down final energy consumption, one of the main contributors in the reduction of noxious gases emissions. Improved electrical energy efficiency is made possible by standardization work performed by many IEC Technical Committees (TCs) and starts with electricity generation, distribution and storage.
What makes energy smart?
Energy-efficient technological advances will benefit everyoneEnergy in itself is not smart. What makes it smart then? The numerous technological advances that allow companies and household to use energy more efficiently.
Striking a balance with gender-informed standards
Insights from men and women improve safety for allTraditionally, women have not been encouraged to participate in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). As a result, a low number has made it into this field. Standards are meant to improve the safety and quality of products and services used by everyone. However, to achieve this, they must include the significant physiological differences between men and women and their potential impact in daily situations.
Ensuring renewable energy systems are safe
IEC promotes the development of renewable sources for electricity production through standardization and certificationRenewable Energy (RE) plays an increasingly important role in providing global populations with clean, affordable, sustainable energy. RE production and use continues to increase thanks to the falling cost of equipment and installation.
The rise of renewable energies
The falling cost of equipment and installation together with increased investment are driving the growth of renewable energiesDuring the United Nations Climate Convention – 2015 Paris COP 21, it was recognized that renewable energy (RE) is a key part of the answer to achieving sustainable development and reducing the impact of climate change. Global electricity networks must adapt and include RE technologies.
The growing importance of global-scale renewable energy
IEC provides a framework to test and certify renewable energy technologyOver the last five years, the cost of renewable power generation technologies has dropped while the technology has improved. Biomass for power, hydropower, geothermal and onshore wind can all now provide electricity competitively compared to fossil fuel-fired power generation, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
Supporting UN Sustainable Development Goals
IEC now officially at home in AfricaEnergy is the life-blood of developed and developing economies. IEC work helps enable broad access to sustainable energy and directly supports UN Sustainable Development Goals. It does so by providing universally accessible technical know-how and expertise in the form of International Standards. With them countries are able to build safer, more affordable infrastructure that is easier to maintain. To be even closer to Africa, the IEC has now opened a Regional Centre for Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.
Gearing up
Fast-paced development for IECRE – the CA System is now operationalGlobal energy needs are increasing constantly and with the diminishing supply of fossil fuels and rising environmental and safety concerns, renewables are likely to occupy a growing share of the future energy mix. Through its standardization and conformity assessment (CA) work, the IEC is promoting the development of renewable sources for electricity production.
International debut for IECRE
Testing and certification for renewable energiesThe IEC, which has been at the forefront of international standardization in the wind, solar and marine energy fields for many years, has now gone a step further and launched IECRE, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications.
International certification for solar, wind and marine energy
IEC launches IECRE, the new CA System for the renewable energy sectorThe ever increasing demand for electricity and the need to reduce the share of fossil fuels in power generation have led to rapid development and growth of the RE (renewable energy) sector. The IEC, which has been at the forefront of international standardization in the wind, solar and marine energy fields for many years, has now gone a step further and launched IECRE, the IEC System for Certification to Standards Relating to Equipment for Use in Renewable Energy Applications.
Scaling up efficiency and renewables through standardization
Call for policy makers to work more closely with International Standards Development OrganizationsWith global energy demand forecast to increase by 33% between now and 2025, the IEC co-hosted a workshop on International Standards in support of energy efficiency and renewable energy policies in Paris on 13 March 2014.