Adaptations in Blockchain technologies can help change our energy infrastructure
SINGAPORE, Aug 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- No one has ever said that changing the world is a simple matter, and no one should ever think this way. If one thinks that changing the world is so simple, then he does not know the complexity of the problem at all. Over the past few decades, more than one trillion U.S. dollars has been spent trying to shift the world's energy structure towards using more renewable energy. But when we look at where we are in term of the adaptation of the renewable energy, we shockingly realize that renewable energy represents only 1% of the primary energy that we consume today. Why is there so little renewable energy in our daily lives? Are we short of renewable energy generators like wind turbines or PV panels? The answer is a very obvious no. Why can't we utilize more renewable energy after spending so much money? What can we change so that we can make significant progress in making renewables our primary sources of energy? If we examine the wholesale electricity market in United States, the wholesale price for each megawatt-hour electricity is roughly $21~$23, but the production cost of gas peaking power plants that deal with peak electricity consumption are as high as $165 ~ $212 per megawatt hour. The peak electricity consumption period is from 4:30 in the afternoon to 8:30 in the evening - an interval of 4 hours. There are altogether six four-hour intervals, or blocks, in each day. If we spread the cost of peak hour electricity production cost to all six blocks, the unit price will have exceeded $27.5 per megawatt hour. Why then the wholesale price is only $21-23 dollars? The reason is simple: government subsidies, tax refunds, and carbon taxes all help reduce prices during the non-peak hour blocks. If these subsidies are eliminated or reduced significantly, almost all wind farms and solar power plants will lose money. In other words, without government subsidies, it is unlikely that anyone will invest in these large-scale renewable energy power plants that lose money, regardless whether they support renewable energy or not. So, what is going on in the market for so many energy blockchain projects? Can BlockChain alone make renewable energy profitable? Would using BlockChain for financing solve the mismatched supply and demand issues that prevent renewable energy from becoming our primary source of energy? Or, are these energy blockchain projects just trying to solve some minor problems in the energy industry so there is no more comprehensive consideration of their architecture? Whatever they have in mind, they should never forget what they set out to achieve, even when they run into issues they cannot resolve because of the poor architecture. At ELONCITY, we firmly believe that most people support renewable energy. This support is however very much conditional. If cleaner energy is more affordable than ordinary energy, people will certainly use more renewable energy and make our sky blue. However, since the financial crisis has significantly reduced people’s disposable income, expecting them to spend more money to support the development of renewable energy is very unrealistic. The Foundation strongly believes that the only way to get renewable energy massively adopted is to make it affordable, if not free. We therefore believe that simply using BlockChain to crowdfund photovoltaic or wind power plants is absolutely wrong. This is not a decentralization at all, nor does it address the basic contradiction of renewable energy. While blockchain technology can effectively change our electricity infrastructure, especially replacing existing electricity infrastructure with millions of self-sufficient microgrids, transparent transactions are however only a portion of the solution. We must carefully consider how energy flows and where the exchange can take place. We also have to find ways to encourage residents to actively participate in energy trade, and how to increase the advantages of decentralized power infrastructure, whether it is to reduce the cost of locally produced renewable energy or to modify electricity applications so that they can work better with locally produced renewable energy. The decentralized power infrastructure needs the support of the people and communities. It needs to solve the regulatory barriers (especially the franchise law) and obtain low-interest loans from the financial industry to accelerate the return on investment of distributed energy resources. Otherwise, the locally produced renewable energy cannot be used very effectively. We believe that if we can narrow the gap among community support, financial solutions, technology and local government support, we will be able to change our existing power facilities and make renewable energy our primary source of energy. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180812005032/en/ Contact Eloncity Mike Nguyen [email protected] Source : Eloncity
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LuLu Group’s organized retail arm to open stores of the lifestyle brand in multiple locations across India
YIWU, China, Aug 13 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) -- Tablez, the organized retail arm of LuLu Group International, today announced that it has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Chinese lifestyle brand YOYOSO to bring its stores to India. Adeeb Ahamed, MD, Tablez inked the agreement with Ms. Ma Huan, YOYOSO Brand Founder and Company President, in a ceremony held in Yiwu, China on Monday. Headquartered in Yiwu, YOYOSO offers affordable, fashionable and trendy daily life products that have great functionality, quality, design, and value. There are more than 5,000 items in the YOYOSO product line, with new ones added every month. With more than a decade of experience in retail operations the fashionable leisure department store chain has more than 1,000 stores worldwide. Tablez plans to open YOYOSO stores across multiple locations in India over the next five years, with 30 stores to be launched in key cities in the first phase. Adeeb Ahamed, MD, Tablez said: “We are excited to join hands with YOYOSO to bring the world-famous fast-fashion leisure department store brand to India. YOYOSO products are simple, natural, high-quality and have great value. We are sure that it will strike a chord with the discerning Indian consumers.” The parent company of Tablez, LuLu Group International had in June announced that it will increase its yearly exports for its retail stores from China which stands currently at US$ 220 million to US$ 300 million. LuLu Group International is also looking at setting up Hypermarkets in Yiwu and other major cities in China at an investment of US$ 200 million. Ms. Ma Huan, the president of YOYOSO, said: “Indian market is one of the most important part of global market. It’s a great opportunity for both YOYOSO and Tablez. Through the mutual cooperation, we are confident that YOYOSO will bring plenty of surprises and happiness to new generation India.” About Tablez Tablez, the organized retail arm of retailing giant LuLu Group International, has introduced leading global brands in F&B, toys, lifestyle and apparel to India. The company has signed master franchise agreements to bring brands like Springfield, Women’secret, Toys 'R' Us and Babies ‘R’ Us to the country. Tablez also holds franchise rights for Cold Stone Creamery and Galito’s in addition to successfully developing two home-grown brands: Bloomsbury’s and Peppermill. Tablez currently operates more than 55 outlets globally and plans to expand to 175 outlets by 2020. For more information, please visit: http://www.tablez.in/about-us/ About YOYOSO YOYOSO is an International Fast-Fashion & Leisure Department Store Brand. YOYOSO offers more than 5000 kinds of quality products across categories like cosmetics, home accessories, fashion accessories, fashion bags, digital accessories, stationery & gifts, seasonal products, imported food, etc. At present, there are over 1000 YOYOSO stores spread across the world. For more information, please visit: http://www.yoyoso.cn *Source: AETOSWire Contacts for Tablez Ajit Johnson, +971 50 662 3786 [email protected] Source: Tablez View this news release and multimedia online at: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20180812005049/en --BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 7 (Bernama) -- Willis Lease Finance Corp reported a pre-tax profit of US$11.6 million or RM 47.33 million in the second quarter of 2018, driven by strong sales in each of its leasing, spare parts and asset management businesses. (1US$ = RM 4.08)
The company records quarterly lease rent revenue of US$43.1 million or RM 175.85 million in the period driven by continued high utilization and 14.9 per cent growth of its portfolio to US$1.542 billion or RM 6.29 billion at quarter-end compared to US$1.343 billion or RM 5.48 billion at December 31, 2017. As of June 30, the company had a total lease portfolio consisting of 246 engines and related equipment, 15 aircraft and 10 other leased parts and equipment compared to 225 engines and related equipment, 16 aircraft and seven other leased parts and equipment in December 31, 2017. Also reported is the aggregate lease rent and maintenance reserve revenues were US$65.1 million or RM 265.61 million for the second quarter of 2018, up 37.5 per cent and 85.5 per cent respectively, a statement said. However, the company records a decrease of US$12.3 million or RM 50.18 million for the spare parts and equipment sales as well as increased in general and administrative expenses due to costs associated with relocating and transitioning employees. “Our focus is on growing and shaping our portfolio, and the business generally, to ensure that we have the right assets and services in the right places, at the right time, delivering maximum value for our customers,” said chairman and chief executive officer, Charles F. Willis. Willis Lease Finance Corp leases large and regional spare commercial aircraft engines, auxiliary power units and aircraft to airlines, aircraft engine manufacturers and maintenance, repair and overhaul providers in 120 countries. -- BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 10 (Bernama) -- Companies and executives from Asean countries are among the high-achieving organisations and executives worldwide to be given Gold, Silver and Bronze Stevie Awards at The 15th Annual International Business Awards.
Among the top winners of Gold Stevie Awards are Telkom Indonesia, Switching-Time China, United Arab Emirates, Makers Nutrition USA, PJ Lhuillier Inc Philippine, Cisco worldwide, PT Petrokimia Gresik Indonesia, Thai Life Insurance Thailand and others. Also winning the Silver Stevie Winner for Startup of the Year-Consumer Products Industries award is SuperLife World from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event – world’s only international, all-encompassing business awards programs -- will be held on October 20 in London, United Kingdom, a statement said. The five countries that have the most winning nominations are the United States, Turkey, South Korea, the United Kingdom and Indonesia. Winners were selected from more than 3,900 nominations received from organisations and individuals in 74 nations. All organisations allowed to submit entries under categories of management awards, company of the year awards, marketing awards, public relations awards, customer service awards, human resources awards, new product awards, IT awards, web site awards and more. Stevie Awards are conferred in seven programs including The International Business Award. A complete list of all 2018 Stevie Award winners by category is available at www.StevieAwards.com/IBA or more details at www.StevieAwards.com. -- BERNAMA KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 9 (Bernama) -- Willis Lease Finance Corporation (Willis) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, Willis Engine Structured Trust IV (WEST IV) proposes to offer US$373.4 million (RM1.52 billion) in aggregate principal amount of fixed rate notes.
Willis is a leading lessor of commercial jet engines. The notes are expected to be issued in two series, with the Series A Notes to be issued in an aggregate principal amount of approximately US$326.8 million (RM1.33 billion) and Series B in an aggregate principal amount of approximately US$46.7 million (RM190.07 million). The notes would be secured by, among other things, WEST IV’s direct and indirect interests in a portfolio of 55 aircraft engines and one airframe, the company said in a statement. The net proceeds of the notes will be used, in part, to pay fees and expenses related to the issuance and to pay Willis periodically over a 270-day delivery period as consideration for the aircraft engines and the airframe acquired by WEST from Willis in the financing. The company will apply the net proceeds received to repay certain amounts drawn under Willis’ revolving credit facility and the remainder, for general corporate purposes. The notes are being offered only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the Securities Act and outside the United States to non-US persons under Regulation S of the same Act. -- BERNAMA |
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