Energy & Power

WORLD WATCH

WADE Urges APEC Leaders Not to Overlook Decentralized Energy

David Sweet, the Executive Director of The World Alliance for Decentralized Energy (WADE), issued a statement upon the recent conclusion of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit held in Sydney Australia:

It said: WADE appreciates the commitment of APEC countries to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions and we whole-heartedly support their efforts. With that being said, we believe these leaders missed a key opportunity in their report to recognize the role that existing decentralized energy (DE) technology can play in reducing carbon dioxide emissions AND delivered power costs.

"Other global bodies, such as the G8; the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC); and the United Kingdom's Department of Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform have all recognized the role that DE can play in increasing energy efficiency and protecting the environment."

"With the cost of oil at a record $80 a barrel, nations are looking for ways to reduce energy costs and dependence on imported fuels. WADE research has conclusively demonstrated that by introducing decentralized energy - including combined heat and power (CHP) and onsite power production - nations can increase their competitiveness in the global economy and mitigate the effects of climate change."

Iran Gets Over 85% Oil Income in Non-US Currencies

Iran, the world's fourth-biggest oil exporter, has boosted oil export earnings in non-U.S. dollar currencies to 85 percent, an Iranian oil official said.

"Iran is selling about 85 percent of its oil in the non-dollar currencies," state television quoted Mohammad Ali Khatibi, Deputy Director of International Affairs at the state oil company National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), as saying.

Last week, Hojjatollah Ghanimifard, International Affairs Director of NIOC said: With the arrangements we've made with our Asian customers, hopefully by the end of October we will have around 80 percent of our export revenue in currencies other than the dollar."

Iran, embroiled in a standoff with the West over its nuclear program, has for nearly two years been reducing its exposure to the dollar, saying the weak U.S. currency is eroding its purchasing power.

"Currently, about 65 percent of Iran's crude exports are based on euro and 20 percent based on yen," said Khatibi.

In July, NIOC made an official request to customers in Japan, which imports more than 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Iranian crude, to pay in yen.

A switch in payment by Japan's Nippon Oil and other Japanese refiners to yen had already pushed Iran's non-U.S. dollar income to more than 70 percent in September.

Iran's total crude oil exports are around 2.3 million bpd.

Poland Invited to Join IEA

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has invited Poland to become a new member country. At a regular meeting in Paris, the Agency’s Governing Board approved the accession request of the Polish government.

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Poland to the IEA," said IEA Executive Director Nobuo Tanaka.

“Poland -- an EU member country since 2004 -- plays an important role in the transit of hydrocarbons to Europe and in energy co-operation in the region. Its geographic position means that its membership will greatly enhance the Agency’s presence and energy security in Central and Eastern Europe.”

Poland is the largest economy, energy consumer and energy producer in Central Europe. While a net importer and heavily dependent on crude oil and gas supplies from Russia, Poland is the third largest OECD coal producer.

Poland applied for accession to the IEA in 1994 while still pursuing its membership in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a prerequisite for IEA accession. Poland became a member country of the OECD in December 1996.

Since 1990, the country has undertaken thorough market reforms which transformed the whole energy sector and consumption patterns. These measures, together with the development of trade and diversification of fuels and supply sources, have enhanced the performance and security of the energy sector and markets. Today, Poland’s energy policy is in line with EU and IEA goals.

GALILEO Celebrated Its 20 Years

The Argentine firm Galileo GNC celebrated its 20 years in the market with the inauguration of its new industrial plant, with latest technology and innovative machinery, which clearly shows the commitment of a company leader in the sector.

The ceremony, chaired by the Gaileo’s President Fausto Maranca, was attended by the Nation’s Minister of Economy, Miguel Peirano, among other national and provincial authorities, representatives of the industry, clients, suppliers and friends of Grupo Galileo.

The new facility has state-of-the-art machines to be employed in production, which will allow the group to keep and expand its presence in the CNG market.

According to Osvaldo Del Campo, CEO and Product Designer, the brand new assembling and manufacturing plant is the most advanced one in all compressed natural gas segment, with cyber manufacturing, through which components are designed in a computer and directly manufactured in the machines, guaranteeing the unique quality of the pieces.

“We are world leaders, and this investment grants sustainability to such leadership, which we attained by means of the company’s design and product diversification”, considered Maranca.

With ample experience in the Argentine market, today the firm has broadened its horizons and possesses an international network of associated companies, dealers and sales representatives in 65 countries of Latina America, Europe and Asia.

The group exports 90% of its production and is currently the only company that offers the whole range of CNG equipment: kits for conversion, compression, regulation and transport of natural gas, with excellent quality and performance. Among the developed products, the systems of Gasoductos Virtuales (mobile gas pipelines), Microbox and the groundbreaking Nanobox are to be highlighted.