GENI RSS - Global Energy Network Institute

Transmission strains. Feb 8, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:13:33 -0800

The strains to our transmission system have been evident for some time.

Pew Environment Report Says Melting Arctic Could Cost $2.4 Trillion by 2050. Feb 5, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:16:17 -0800

Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada - 02/05/2010 - The Pew Environment Group today released a report that for the first time quantifies the global cost of the Arctic’s declining ability to cool the climate, indicating that the rapid melting of the region could carry a minimum price tag of $2.4 trillion U.S. by 2050.

Mexican Cities to Benefit from FedEx-EMBARQ Transport Collaboration. Feb 5, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:34:00 -0800

The National Network for Sustainable Urban Mobility in Mexico was launched today by FedEx Corp.

Release: Sanders Introduces Major Solar Energy Initiative. Feb 4, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:12:58 -0800

WASHINGTON, February 4 - Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), chairman of the Senate's green jobs subcommittee, today introduced legislation with nine cosponsors to encourage the installation of 10 million solar systems on the rooftops of homes and businesses over the next decade.

Americans support strong climate, energy policies. Feb 4, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:08:42 -0800

Despite a sharp drop in public concern over global warming, Americans—regardless of political affiliation—support the passage of federal climate and energy policies, according to the results of a national survey released today by researchers at Yale and George Mason universities.

3TIER Releases New Wind Performance Maps. Feb 4, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:24:59 -0800

3TIER has released maps that plot how average wind speeds in the U.S. differed from their long-term averages in 2009 and that illustrate the impact of El Nino, which contributed to a decrease in wind power production in several important wind power regions.

Renewable energy jobs and the future. Feb 4, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 10:07:09 -0800

The number of clean-energy jobs in the U.S. would more than double by 2025 if the nation adopts a plan to get 25% of its electricity from renewable energy sources, says a report backed by energy firms.

Proposal to Link the Nation's Grid Sparks a Debate. Feb 3, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 13:13:52 -0800

The Tres Amigas transmission project in New Mexico, which seeks to link the nation's three power grids to share wind power across the United States, has attracted both eager allies and some determined foes.

More Wind Power Capacity Installed Last Year in the EU Than any Other Power Technology. Feb 3, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:32:48 -0800

More new wind power capacity was installed in the EU in 2009 than any other electricity- generating technology, new statistics published today by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) reveal. 39% of all new capacity installed in 2009 was wind power, followed by gas (26%) and solar photovoltaics (16%). Europe decommissioned more coal and nuclear capacity than it installed in 2009. Taken together, renewable energy technologies account for 61% of new power generating capacity in 2009.

Saskatchewan, Manitoba premiers talk electricity trade at joint cabinet meeting. Feb 3, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:31:30 -0800

Saskatchewan and Manitoba say an electricity system that joins the provinces could strengthen their economic ties, just as the railroad helped to unify Canada.

Boardman coal-burning power plant may have a future after all: biomass. Feb 2, 2010

Mon, 8 Feb 2010 09:49:52 -0800

Portland General Electric has three options for its Boardman power plant: close it, stop burning coal there, or make costly upgrades to clean up emissions.

US Navy to halve fossil fuels by 2020. Feb 2, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:30:17 -0800

The US Navy is to halve its use of fossil fuels by 2020 among a number of clean energy measures across the armed forces flagged in a major defence review paper released this week. On the way to the 2020 target, the Navy plans to deploy a “green” strike group by 2016 which will operate entirely without fossil fuels. It has already commissioned an electric-drive aircraft carrier, the USS Makin Island, and last year tested an F/A-18 fighter aircraft on a camelina-based biofuel blend.

EU to spend 800 mln USD on African power pool projects. Feb 2, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:28:09 -0800

The European Union (EU) will finance the southern and eastern African power pool projects estimated at 800 million U. S. dollars, the Times of Zambia reported on Tuesday.

Obama Budget Increases Funding for Energy Research and Nuclear Power. Feb 2, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:56:56 -0800

Nuclear energy and energy research are among the big winners in the proposed $28.4 billion Energy Department fiscal 2011 budget the White House unveiled today.

Over the Top: Data Shows "Green" Roofs Could Cool Urban Heat Islands and Boost Water Conservation. Feb 2, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:56:01 -0800

Through the rain-pocked window of his Prius heading east on the Queensboro Bridge, Stuart Gaffin sees a black, watery sea of missed opportunities.

Obama Sets GHG Target. Feb 1, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:34:32 -0800

The federal government plans to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution by 28% by 2020, President Obama has announced. Actions taken under Executive Order 13514 on Federal Sustainability are designed to spur clean energy investments that create new private-sector jobs, drive long-term savings, build local market capacity, and foster innovation and entrepreneurship in clean energy industries, according to the White House.

UK renewable industry welcomes feed-in tariff. Feb 1, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:29:51 -0800

The UK renewable energy industry welcomes today’s announcement of the feed-in tariff for renewable and low carbon electricity, and the plans for low carbon heating incentives.

VYING FOR WORLD'S GREENEST CITY: SEOUL, KOREA. Feb 1, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 12:47:33 -0800

Cities account for only 2% of the world's land mass but 80% of the global greenhouse gas emissions. Planning for climate change and new environmental initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is key to the goal of Seoul, capital city of the Republic of Korea, to become the world's greenest city.

Regional Power Plan to Cut Costs. Feb 1, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 10:37:30 -0800

The cost of electricity is expected to come down drastically in the next few years, after installation of several inter-border grid lines is complete.

UK feed-in tariff is announced: payback begins April 1. Feb 1, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:37:41 -0800

The UK feed-in tariff rates have now been finalized, offering its residents a financial incentive for producing renewable energy. The government has confirmed the proposed rate, which will begin to take effect from April 1, 2010.

Leaks imperil nuclear industry. Jan 31, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:57:46 -0800

The nuclear industry, once an environmental pariah, is recasting itself as green as it attempts to extend the life of many power plants and build new ones. But a leak of radioactive water at Vermont Yankee, along with similar incidents at more than 20 other US nuclear plants in recent years, has kindled doubts about the reliability, durability, and maintenance of the nation’s aging nuclear installations.

Getting connected: Europe's green energy 'supergrid'. Jan 31, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:57:13 -0800

It is a criticism frequently leveled at those promoting wind or solar power as an alternative to fossil fuels: what happens when the wind doesn't blow or the sun doesn't shine?

Microbes Produce Fuels Directly from Biomass. Jan 31, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:34:47 -0800

A collaboration led by researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) has developed a microbe that can produce an advanced biofuel directly from biomass. Deploying the tools of synthetic biology, the JBEI researchers engineered a strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria to produce biodiesel fuel and other important chemicals derived from fatty acids.

China Leading Global Race to Make Clean Energy. Jan 30, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 11:54:13 -0800

TIANJIN, China — China vaulted past competitors in Denmark, Germany, Spain and the United States last year to become the world’s largest maker of wind turbines, and is poised to expand even further this year.

Intel outside: Chipmaker moves to install more PV power systems, equipped with First Solar modules. Jan 29, 2010

Fri, 5 Feb 2010 14:30:45 -0800

Intel likes to talk the green talk and walk it too with ever-smaller carbon footprints, buying copious amounts of renewable energy credits, investing millions of dollars in cleantech startups through its development fund, spinning off solar cell start-up Spectrawatt, and researching organic photovoltaics in its labs.

Solar energy initiative aired . Jan 29, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 15:23:39 -0800

All kinds of public buildings under the sun, from schools to libraries to city halls, will be targeted as installation sites under a new state initiative to develop solar energy.

Obama: Government To Cut CO2 Emissions 28% By 2020. Jan 29, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 14:55:10 -0800

U.S. President Barack Obama on Friday ordered the federal government to reduce greenhouse-gas emissions by 28% by 2020, marking a new push toward energy efficiency and a greater reliance on low-carbon energy.

U.S. Commits to Greenhouse Gas Cuts under Copenhagen Climate Accord. Jan 29, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:34:03 -0800

The U.S. officially committed in writing yesterday to the greenhouse gas emission cuts proposed by President Obama in Copenhagen—4 percent below 1990 levels by 2020. The letter to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) commits the nation to combat climate change, but with a caveat: any such commitment must be backed by legislation, which has not passed the U.S. Senate.

Hawaii on track toward renewable power goal. Jan 28, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:40:47 -0800

Two years into Hawaii's ambitious project of vastly increasing the amount of power it gets from renewable sources, state leaders say the islands are on track.

Project Focus: GA-Solar to build 300MW solar PV power plant in New Mexico. Jan 28, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:38:24 -0800

Spanish renewable energy firm GA-Solar will develop and build a massive solar photovoltaic power plant in New Mexico's rural Guadalupe County, according to an announcement made by Gov. Bill Richardson. The project, to be sited on 2500 acres of land, could be scaled to more than 300MW and represents an investment of $1 billion by the solar company and its parent, Corporación Gestamp.

Juan de Fuca Cable - Project Status Review - US Loan Guarantee Application. Jan 27, 2010

Wed, 3 Feb 2010 13:55:37 -0800

The Juan de Fuca Cable is a proposed 550 MW submarine interconnection across the international Strait of Juan de Fuca, between Port Angeles, Washington, and Victoria, British Columbia, providing a new link between the northwest terminus of US federally- owned Bonneville Power Administration's grid, and the southwest terminus of the provincially-owned system in British Columbia, Canada.

Spanish company plans NM solar energy plant. Jan 27, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:39:51 -0800

A Spanish company plans to invest $1 billion to build a large solar energy production plant in New Mexico.

The Environmental Impacts Of Algae-Based Biofuel. Jan 27. 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:16:38 -0800

With many companies investing heavily in algae-based biofuels, researchers from the University of Virginia's Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering have found there are significant environmental hurdles to overcome before fuel production ramps up. They propose using wastewater as a solution to some of these challenges.

Emissions of Potent Greenhouse Gas Increase Despite Reduction Efforts. Jan 27. 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:15:39 -0800

Despite a decade of efforts worldwide to curb its release into the atmosphere, NOAA and university scientists have measured increased emissions of a greenhouse gas that is thousands of times more efficient at trapping heat than carbon dioxide and persists in the atmosphere for nearly 300 years.

Geothermal Power: 6,442MW Under Development in 14 States. Jan 27, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:14:50 -0800

The United States continues to lead the world in geothermal energy capacity and growth, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) said this week in a report that details gains and milestones over the past year.

US electricity from wind energy exceeds share from petroleum or biomass. Jan 27, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:08:23 -0800

Wind energy generated 55.4 TWh of electricity in 2008, an increase of 60.7% from the 34.5 TWh in 2007, according to federal data.

Fund commits €10m for clean energy in southern Africa. Jan 27, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:34:20 -0800

The Global Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF) will commit the funds to the ‘Evolution One Fund’ that is dedicated to clean energy investment in Southern Africa.

New Directions in Transmission. Jan 27, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:00:52 -0800

In countries around the world, there is a growing need to move what is expected to be significant amounts of wind, solar and hydro-generated electricity from sparsely populated remote regions to the cities where demand is great.

NREL Study Shows 20% Wind is Possible by 2024. Jan 27, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:36:43 -0800

As much as 20% of the power connected to the grid could come from wind by 2024, according to a new study by DOE's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

US wind energy industry installs 10 GW in 2009. Jan 26, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:28:32 -0800

The wind industry in the United States has broken all previous records by installing 10 GW of new capacity last year.

California ISO Wind Forecasting Improves by 20 Percent. Jan 26, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:42:05 -0800

The California Independent System Operator Corporation (California ISO) reports a 20 percent improvement in forecasting wind generation based on the results of a year-long forecasting competition.

Southern Company and Ted Turner Join Forces to Explore Renewable Energy Projects. Jan 26, 2010

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 09:25:10 -0800

Southern Company CEO David Ratcliffe and visionary business leader and environmentalist Ted Turner today announced a strategic alliance to pursue development of renewable energy projects in the United States.

US Continues Breaking Records, Installs 9922 MW of Wind in 2009. Jan 26. 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:36:20 -0800

In early 2009, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and industry experts predicted that the year would see a drop in the amount of wind capacity installed in the United States.

Algae Cultivation: Worse Carbon Footprint Than Corn. Jan 26, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:28:59 -0800

Algae biofuel production "consumes more energy, has higher greenhouse gas emissions and uses more water than other biofuel sources, such as switchgrass, canola and corn," according to a University of Virginia study published in Environmental Science & Technology.

EnerDel to Invest $237 Million in Indiana Battery Plant. Jan 25, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:36:40 -0800

Lithium-ion battery manufacturer EnerDel recently announced it will invest $237 million in a new manufacturing plant near its Indianapolis headquarters in order to meet anticipated demand for advanced battery systems used in both automotive and stationary smart grid applications. Backed by a mix of private funds and public incentives, the new facilities will reportedly more than double EnerDel's U.S. production capacity and is expected to create 1,400 new jobs.

S.Korea targets $24 bln smart grid spending by 2030. Jan 25, 2010

Mon, 1 Feb 2010 13:35:26 -0800

SEOUL, Jan 25 (Reuters) - South Korea is aiming for spending of 27.5 trillion won ($24 billion) over the next two decades on smart grids to make electricity distribution more efficient, cut greenhouse gas emissions and save $26 billion in energy imports.

Duke Energy to start first solar power plant; buys juwi/First Solar ‘Blue Wing Solar’ project. Jan 25, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:35:46 -0800

A 16MW solar power plant under development by juwi solar, using 214,500 ground-mounted cadmium-telluride thin-film PV panels from First Solar, has been acquired by Duke Energy.

Solar energy initiative launched. Jan 25, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:28:21 -0800

The King Abdulaziz City of Science and Technology (KACST) on Sunday launched a major national initiative to produce desalinated water and electricity at a much cheaper rate -- less than a riyal for a cubic meter of water and 30 halalas per kilowatt/hour. Prince Turki bin Saud bin Muhammad, vice president of KACST for research institutes, said the initiative would reduce the cost of water and electricity production by 40 percent. He said the first solar-powered desalination plant with a capacity of 30,000 cubic meters would be established in Al-Khafji to serve 100,000 people.

Tessera Solar and Stirling Energy Systems Unveil World's First Commercial-Scale SunCatcherTM Plant, Maricopa Solar, with Utility Partner Salt River Project. Jan 22, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:27:06 -0800

Only four months after breaking ground, Tessera Solar and Stirling Energy Systems (SES) showcased the highly anticipated Maricopa Solar power plant today at a special event for key partners, stakeholders and media. Maricopa Solar is the first commercial project for the SunCatcherTM concentrating solar power (CSP) technology designed and manufactured by SES. Joining in the celebration were Arizona Governor Jan Brewer and officials from Salt River Project (SRP), local and state government, the U.S. Department of Energy, Sandia National Laboratories, utility customers, suppliers and NTR plc, Tessera Solar and SES’s majority shareholder.

FERC Seeks Suggestions on Revising Transmission Tariffs to Break Down Barriers to Integration of Renewable Energy Resources. Jan 22, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:56:08 -0800

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (“FERC”) issued a Notice of Inquiry on January 21, 2010, initiating a proceeding in which FERC welcomes public comment on whether existing rules, regulations, tariffs, and industry practices within FERC’s jurisdiction may be creating barriers against reliably and efficiently integrating variable energy resources (“VERs”) into the transmission grid. In this proceeding, FERC aims to reform regulatory, market, and

Is Algae Worse than Corn for Biofuels? Jan 22, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:55:06 -0800

Growing algae for use in biofuels has a greater environmental impact than sources such as corn, switch grass and canola, researchers found in the first life-cycle assessment of algae growth.

Solar-driven Stirling engines get to work. Jan 22, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:54:36 -0800

Business and government officials on Friday cut the ribbon on a planned factory in Arizona that will build giant parabolic dishes to generate electricity from the sun.

Clean-Tech Job Forecast 2010. Jan 22, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:52:46 -0800

With their fingers on the pulse of clean-tech hiring trends, we asked Senior Partner Kevin Brown and Vice President Steve Kyryk of Hobbs & Towne Executive Search (HTI) to provide insight into the impact of the 'Great Recession' on the industry and areas for opportunity in 2010.

Armenia to construct new electricity transmission line to Georgia. Jan 21, 2010

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:27:52 -0800

The Armenian government has approved at its session today a project of construction of 400-kilovolt electricity transmission line from Armenia to Georgia. The project was introduced by Armenian Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Armen Movsisyan.

NREL invests US$12 million in early stage solar development. Jan 21,2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:55:37 -0800

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) will invest up to US$12 million in total funding in four companies to support the development of early stage solar energy technologies and help them advance to full commercial scale. The money will go towards expanding the U.S. clean energy economy and the development of solar energy as a more cost-competitive source of electricity.

Past Decade Warmest on Record, NASA Data Shows. Jan 21, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:54:02 -0800

The decade ending in 2009 was the warmest on record, new surface temperature figures released Thursday by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration show.

World must unite to produce renewable energy. Jan 21, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:34:02 -0800

All countries, including oil-producing nations, must unite to develop renewable energies and reduce carbon emissions, said the head of IRENA, on Tuesday.

World's biggest tidal power plant to be built in South Korea. Jan 21, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:11:19 -0800

The world's largest tidal power station will be constructed off the coast of Inchon. GS Engineering and Construction signed a memorandum of understanding with state-run Korea Hydro and Nuclear Power (KHNP) on Wednesday and will begin construction later next year with a view to completion around 2017.

China may Add 10,000MW Wind Power Installed Capacity in 2010. Jan 21, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 12:36:35 -0800

Shi Pengfei, Deputy President of the Chinese Wind Energy Association (CWEA), yesterday estimated that China's newly-added wind power installed capacity could reach 12,000MW in 2009, but that for 2010 would slightly reduce to 10,000MW or so.

Plug-in Electric Cars Can Lower Global Warming Emissions, Oil Consumption and Unhealthy Air Pollution. jan 20, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 11:53:27 -0800

Detroit, MI —Increasing America’s use of plug-in electric (PEV) and plug in hybrid vehicles (PEHV) would dramatically reduce emissions that cause global warming and air pollution and would curb our dependence on oil, according to a new white paper released today by Environment America, at the North American International Auto Show.

Initial Recruitment Underway to Set Up Eastern Interconnection States. Jan 20, 2010

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 09:47:30 -0800

The Eastern Interconnection planning initiative known as the Eastern Interconnection States' Planning Council (EISPC) is an historic endeavor, initially funded by an award from the United States Department of Energy (DOE) pursuant to a provision of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

NREL Study Shows 20 Percent Wind is Possible by 2024. Jan 20, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:41:03 -0800

Today, the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) released the Eastern Wind Integration and Transmission Study (EWITS). This unprecedented two-and-a-half year technical study of future high-penetration wind scenarios was designed to analyze the economic, operational, and technical implications of shifting 20 percent or more of the Eastern Interconnection’s electrical load to wind energy by the year 2024.

Eleven Governors Commit to a Regional Low-Carbon Fuel Standard. Jan 20, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:38:10 -0800

Governors of 11 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on December 30 that commits their states to developing a regional low-carbon fuel standard, a market-based, fuel-neutral program addressing the carbon content of fuels. If adopted by the states, the standard would apply to the transportation sector, and potentially to fuels used for heating buildings, with the aim of reducing the greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of liquid fuels. The program could also reduce regional vulnerability to petroleum price volatility, facilitate the long-term transition from petroleum-based fuels, and spur economic growth related to the development of advanced fuels. The MOU establishes a process to develop a regional framework by 2011 and to examine the economic impacts of a low-carbon fuel standard while getting input from business and environmental stakeholders. The 11 signatories include Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. See the press release from Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and the MOU (PDF 642 KB). Download Adobe Reader.

Report: Appalachian states should look beyond coal. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:38:02 -0800

Coal production in Central Appalachia is likely to continue its 12-year decline, and an environmental consulting firm said Tuesday it's time policy makers and legislators in four states work to diversify the region's economy.

Charles River Associates' SPP Wind Integration Study Identifies Challenges. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 15:20:58 -0800

Wind Integration Task Force (WITF), found that enhanced electricity reserves and major transmission reinforcements are needed to integrate higher levels of wind generation into the SPP transmission system and energy markets.

The decline of Central Appalachian Coal and the Need for Economic Diversification. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:51:41 -0800

Coal mining has played an important role in local economic development in Central Appalachia, primarily due to the jobs and taxes that the industry has provided. In 2008, for instance, the coal industry employed 37,000 workers directly and indirectly across the region, accounting for 1% to 40% of the labor force in individual counties. Additionally, the coal severance tax generates hundreds of millions of dollars in state revenues across the region every year, with tens of millions of dollars being distributed to counties and municipalities. Despite these economic benefits, coal-producing counties in Central Appalachia continue to have some of the highest poverty and unemployment rates in the region, and due to the dependence on coal for economic development, any changes in coal production will have significant impacts on local economies.

At 1 MW, Wal-Mart Completes its Largest Solar Array to Date. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:43:42 -0800

More than 5,300 solar panels at Wal-Mart’s Apple Valley distribution center in California will generate about a megawatt of electricity, reports LATimes blogs.

German feed-in tariff cut will be 16-17% - updated. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:42:15 -0800

After a fair amount of digging and the much needed help of our German correspondent we can now confirm that the reports of a 16-17% cut in feed-in tariff rate for Germany were true, and the cuts are to go ahead from April 1, 2010. Click here to see the analyst's thoughts on these cuts.

Smart Electricity Grid Reaches Texas. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:39:33 -0800

The benefits of the smart electricity grid - including detailed information about electricity use and lower rates when demand drops -- are now available to Texas electricity customers with advanced "smart" meters. Reliant Energy is offering two new smart energy services that give customers the tools and information they need to manage their energy usage better - the Reliant Energy Weekly Summary email and Time-Of-Use plan.

Solar PV module shipments up 25% in 2009. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:38:54 -0800

The recently published report The World Market for PV Cells and Modules, reveals that solar PV module shipments grew by over a quarter to more than 8 GW in 2009, but new installations grew just 5-10%.

UK Energy Regulator Confirms Potential GBP1 Billion Network Investment. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 13:57:29 -0800

U.K. energy regulator Ofgem Tuesday confirmed a potential GBP1 billion additional investment in Britain's high-voltage electricity networks to aid the connection of new renewable generation as part of the country's targets to cut emissions.

Popularity of electric cars will force governments to alternative taxes: analysts. Jan 19, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:25:43 -0800

The eventual popularity of electric cars will force governments to consider alternative revenues as they prepare to wean themselves off fuel taxes, industry observers say.

Farming Fuel in Middle Eastern Salt Marshes. Jan 19, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:22:39 -0800

A new biofuels project at Abu Dhabi's Masdar Institute of Science and Technology will unite Boeing, Honeywell and others in search of a system to produce fuel and other useful products from biomass and seawater.

Ocean Energy Could Reach 200 GW of Renewable Capacity by 2025. Jan 19, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:21:53 -0800

If ocean energy trial projects are successful in the next few years, the industry could represent a large source of renewable electricity, reaching up to 200 GW of installed generation capacity by 2025, according to a report by Pike Research.

No wires, no juice, Jan 19, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:21:10 -0800

After nearly two years of speeches, announcements and attention from all parts of the energy and other media, oilman and wind power booster T. Boone Pickens last week shelved his plans for a massive wind-power project in Texas when he cut his order for GE turbines in half, from 667 units to 333. So I asked a transmission group what it would take to get projects like Pickens and others moving again. After all, large, sometimes multi-state transmission projects are what's needed to deliver energy from massive wind farms to load centers. Naturally, we focused on a discussion of pending federal energy legislation and regulations, which will also be considered at the EnergyBiz Leadership Forum.

World leaders make new call for clean energy commitments. Jan 18, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:21:37 -0800

ABU DHABI — World leaders raised a fresh alarm on global warming Monday, urging international action to increase use of clean energy at a four-day forum that opened in the oil-rich emirate of Abu Dhabi.

Alternative energy gains momentum: Incentives likely to be extended. Jan 18, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:20:40 -0800

Investments in alternative energy this year are likely to grow rapidly for this year given growing concern about climate change and the environment, says Krairit Nilkuha, director-general of the Department of Alternative Energy Development and Efficiency (DEDE).

Fort Reliance calls for regional transmission system. jan 18, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:19:41 -0800

Fort Reliance today called for a regional transmission system in Eastern Canada to foster energy collaboration across political boundaries. A shared transmission system would lower energy costs, improve carbon emissions performance, lay the foundation for a smart grid, and facilitate economic development. To advance this cooperative approach to regional infrastructure and to jointly develop with interested partners new transmission projects in the range of $1-2 billion, the company has formed a new joint venture company: Portage Energy Limited.

21-Megawatt Solar Power Plant Opens in California. Jan 18, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:16:22 -0800

California-based solar panel producer First Solar has opened a 21-megawatt power plant in Blythe, making it the largest photovoltaic solar power plant in the country. Utilizing thin film solar cells made out of cadmium telluride, the plant will be able to generate power for about 17,000 southern California homes.

Antarctic wind farm reduces bases' reliance on diesel. Jan 18, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:15:49 -0800

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - The world's southernmost wind farm has been opened in Antarctica, the first in what could be a number of renewable energy projects aimed to lower the frozen continent's reliance on diesel for power.

Iran plans new renewable energy plants: minister. Jan 18, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 10:56:41 -0800

ABU DHABI (Reuters) - Opec member Iran plans to develop new renewable energy power plants over the next five years with capacity totaling 2,000 megawatts (MW) to meet energy demand, its deputy minister for electricity said on Sunday.

Wind project on Navajo Nation moving forward. jan 16, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:20:12 -0800

Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. and the tribe's utility authority have signed legislation to establish leases and financing agreements for the development of a wing energy project at the Big Boquillas Ranch.

Renewably-Generated Electricity Continues to Rise as Coal and Nuclear Drop. Jan 15, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:13:24 -0800

Net generation in the United States dropped by 3.8 percent from October 2008 to October 2009. This was the 15th consecutive month that net generation was down compared to the same calendar month in the prior year. The Federal Reserve reported that industrial production was 7.1 percent lower than it had been in October 2008, the 16th consecutive month that same-month industrial production was lower than it had been in the previous year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reported that October 2009 was the third coolest October on record. Accordingly, total population-weighted heating degree days for the contiguous United States were 17.4 percent above the average for the month of October. October 2008 had gone into into the record books as the 44th coolest since recordkeeping began in 1895.

The Renewable Energy Policy Network REN21 launched its Renewables Interactive Map (beta-version) Jan 15, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:12:12 -0800

The Map contains a wealth of information on renewable energy, including support policies, expansion targets, current shares, installed capacity, current production, future scenarios, and policy pledges.

Greenleaf Publishing's 'Top 50 Sustainability Books'. Jan 14, 2010

Wed, 20 Jan 2010 13:17:02 -0800

Greenleaf Publishing created a list of "The Top 50 Sustainability Books" in a new book released in December of last year.

China Snaps Up California Solar Market. Jan 14, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:10:50 -0800

China’s rise as a major solar module maker has been meteoric, but perhaps nowhere has its ascension been faster than in California, the United States’ largest solar market.

Investors Representing $13 Trillion Call for Climate Action Now. Jan 14, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:09:53 -0800

NEW YORK, New York, January 14, 2010 (ENS) - The world's largest investors today issued a statement calling on the United States and other governments to "act now to catalyze development of a low-carbon economy and to attract the vast amount of private capital necessary for such a transformation."

Major Investor Groups Urge Tougher Action On Climate Change. Jan 14, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:07:11 -0800

Investor groups representing $13 trillion in assets Thursday urged the U.S. and other governments to put in place stronger policies to curb climate change, warning political uncertainty surrounding the issue stunts development and exposes companies to considerable risk.

ABB Sets Another Record With Ultrahigh-Voltage Power Project In China. Jan 13, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 11:31:10 -0800

ABB, the leading power and automation technology group, announced the successful �open-line' test for Pole 1 of the 800 kV (kilovolt) UHVDC (ultrahigh-voltage direct current) Fengxian converter station in Shanghai, in close cooperation with State Grid Corporation of China (SGCC). This test was accomplished in a record time of just two years from receiving the order, a year ahead of schedule.

Electric cars: Race is on, and the road is jammed. Jan 13, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:47:28 -0800

The road for electric vehicles is starting to get jammed -- and no one's sure where it leads.

Electric companies need upgrades for plug-in cars. Jan 13, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 09:31:54 -0800

Preparing America's neighborhoods to handle the additional power load that electric vehicles are expected to require is among the challenges facing the utility and automotive industries as plug-in electric vehicles are introduced, DTE Energy Chairman Tony Early said today.

Project Focus: EDF EN Canada completes 23.4MW Arnprior Solar Project. jan 12, 2010

Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:42:53 -0800

EDF EN Canada has reached commercial operation and closed financing for the 23.4MW Arnprior Solar Project. This announcement marks the achievement of another of North America's largest solar PV projects. The site is located on the western side of the City of Ottawa, Ontario and consists of 312,000 First Solar thin-film panels. The plant is expected to generate enough renewable energy to meet the peak demands of approximately 7,000 Ontario homes.

NV Energy and Great Basin Transmission bring Nevada transmission in line with renewables. Jan 12, 2010

Mon, 18 Jan 2010 14:09:17 -0800

NYSE-listed holding company NV Energy and Great Basin Transmission, an affiliate of LS Power, have signed an agreement to jointly own a 500KV transmission line, which will provide access to isolated renewable energy resources in parts of northern and eastern Nevada.

Polysilicon producers top U.S. federal tax credits. Jan 12, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:09:08 -0800

In respect of the US$2.3 billion U.S. federal tax credits issued last week for job creation, two key trends have emerged. As already highlighted, the solar sector garnered approximately US$1.0 billion of the credits allocated. However, another trend emerged whereby three major polysilicon producers garnered the most from the credits in the solar sector.

India to Boost Solar Power Generation. Jan 12, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:57:17 -0800

India has launched a program to boost solar power generation over the next decade. India wants to make solar energy a central part of its efforts to combat climate change.

Paint, spray or ink it on. Jan 12, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 14:45:47 -0800

In solar and batteries, thin--and sprayable--are in. Will brand new spray-on and inkjet printing tech of the last week supplement or replace existing solutions?

Italy and France Drive Southern Europe Solar PV Markets Forward. Jan 12, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:28:57 -0800

Southern Europe’s long-term growth prospects--with 38 GW of new projects expected by 2020--are expected to help pull the global PV industry out of its current slump, according to a new market study from Emerging Energy Research.

California Company's 'Green' Cement Captures CO2. Jan 12, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:55:21 -0800

Cement is a major component of concrete, the world's most widely used man-made material, an integral part of roads, bridges and buildings.

Wind farms in Mexico to generate green power for Cemex cement company and the Wal-Mart retail chain. Jan 11, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 12:39:25 -0800

The Inter-American Development Bank (IADB) has approved US$102 million in partial financing for two wind facilities in the Mexican state of Oaxaca, which will establish a critical mass of renewable energy in the country and generate jobs in low-income rural communities.

'The Empathic Civilization': Rethinking Human Nature in the Biosphere Era. Jan 11, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:24:44 -0800

Two spectacular failures, separated by only 18 months, marked the end of the modern era. In July 2008, the price of oil on world markets peaked at $147/ barrel, inflation soared, the price of everything from food to gasoline skyrocketed, and the global economic engine shut off. Growing demand in the developed nations, as well as in China, India, and other emerging economies, for diminishing fossil fuels precipitated the crisis. Purchasing power plummeted and the global economy collapsed. That was the earthquake that tore asunder the industrial age built on and propelled by fossil fuels. The failure of the financial markets two months later was merely the aftershock. The fossil fuel energies that make up the industrial way of life are sunsetting and the industrial infrastructure is now on life support.

U.S. INCENTIVES TO PROMOTE CLEAN ENERGY. Jan 10, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 14:33:27 -0800

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) was passed in response to the worldwide economic crisis of 2008-2009 and contains various direct spending programs, tax incentives, grants, loans, loan guarantees, and bond programs to develop renewable and clean energy technologies.

Utah playground power project expanding in Africa. Jan 10, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:17:44 -0800

A Utah engineer's project to convert the energy of children's play into electricity to light up schools continues to expand in the West African nation of Ghana. Empower Playgrounds, Inc., builds special merry-go-rounds that generate power for lights in schools in villages where electricity is scarce or not found at all.

eSolar strikes deal to build power plants in China. Jan 9, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:27:45 -0800

A U.S. solar power company said Saturday it will help build a series of solar thermal power plants in China, as the world's biggest emitter of greenhouse gases tries to decrease its heavy reliance on coal, imported gas and oil.

eSolar strikes deal to build power plants in China. Jan 09, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:19:39 -0800

When Will Renewable Energy Companies Overtake Traditional Energy Companies? Jan 8, 2010

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:07:00 -0800

Renewable energy has got buzz, growth and growing government support. But it's no secret that it still makes up a small portion of the overall energy mix. As interest in renewables increases, the question has begun coming up more and more often: When will renewable energy companies catch up to conventional energy companies? That is, when will we see an Exxon Mobil Corp., Chevron Corp. or ConocoPhilips of renewables?

Energy data avaliable anywhere, any time. Jan 8, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:29:28 -0800

Having rapidly established itself as a "go to" site for transportation and other related energy information, the Virtual Information Bridge to Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy (VIBE) is expanding its reach to attract new users across the widest range of energy issues. A sister site to VIBE, called Open Energy Information, has been launched to allow organizations around the world to both post their own energy data and download data, for free.

Solar and Solyndra top venture capital funding in 2009, says Cleantech Group report. Jan 8, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:26:40 -0800

According to new figures from the Cleantech Group and Deloitte, VC investments in companies in the solar sector, reached US$1.2 billion or 21% of the share in 2009, making it the largest ‘Cleantech’ sector for investment. Clean technology venture investments in North America, Europe, China and India totalled US$5.6 billion in 557 deals. However, as these figures are preliminary, the firms expect the final figures could be up by as much as 10%.

UK Takes Energy Leap With Huge Offshore Wind Projects. Jan 08, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:03:13 -0800

The U.K. took a massive step forward towards boosting its renewable energy capacity Friday after announcing plans to develop 32 gigawatts of new offshore wind energy--cementing its position as the world leader in the sector.

Project Focus: Morocco invites bids for 500MW plant: first in country. Jan 7, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:27:17 -0800

Morocco will be inviting bids for the construction of its 500MW solar power station due to be complete at the end of February 2010. The project is estimated to cost US$9 billion and will be the first solar power station in the country according to Reuters.

PM Report: EPA gets tough on smog. Jan 7, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:22:23 -0800

WSJ's Joe White reports the EPA is cracking down on smog, which he tells Simon Constable will affect business costs throughout the nation. Plus, the future of 3-D comes into focus at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

UK's Beauly-Denny power line given the go ahead. Jan 07, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:36:10 -0800

Plans for a line of giant electricity pylons from the Scottish Highlands to central Scotland have been approved by the Scottish government.

Nine EU Governments take first steps towards a Northern European Supergrid. Jan 07, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:13:47 -0800

The siging of a political declaration in early December last year will see the countries cooperate on the development of a North Sea supergrid joining up clean energy projects scattered in and around the North Sea.

Panel wants national energy management strategy. Jan 6, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:21:42 -0800

A panel of academic, government and business leaders came together yesterday to urge further collaboration toward a comprehensive national energy management strategy that can exploit the potential savings of increased energy efficiency.

In Europe, $43B for renewable energy. Jan 06, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:41:05 -0800

Germany's minister for economy and technology said a $43 billion project linking nine countries to renewable energy was "crucial" to Europe's energy goals.

Solar pond could produce fresh water. Jan 06, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 12:23:26 -0800

Salty lakes worldwide could produce valuable freshwater using a low-cost solar process developed at the University of Nevada, researchers said.

Acciona Energia gains financing for 150MW project in Spain. Jan 05, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:47:53 -0800

Reuters has reported the financial close of a combined 150MW project deal for Acciona Energia in Spain. The solar thermal power project involves a deal with 29 banks and is said to be one of the largest single solar financings to date.

Portugal boosts use of wind energy. Jan 5, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:36:09 -0800

For every 100 watts of electricity used last year in Portuguese homes, 15.03 watts came from wind energy - a figure which moves the country from third to second in the world in terms of the use of wind energy. Portugal is now behind Denmark and Spain.

Coal trips India's electric car revolution. Jan 5, 2010

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 12:32:33 -0800

Twenty-four hours before the world's most-attended auto show began, actor Rahul Bose had decided his next car: A four-door Reva NXR made in Bangalore.

New Energy Achieves Major 'Transparency' Breakthrough in Development of See-Thru Windows Capable of Generating Electricity. Jan 04, 2010

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 10:58:12 -0800

New Energy Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB: NENE), currently developing MotionPower(TM) technologies for generating electricity from the kinetic energy of moving vehicles and SolarWindow(TM) technologies capable of generating electricity on glass windows, today announced that researchers have overcome a significant scientific hurdle in creating the first-of-its-kind see-thru solar glass by replacing a visibility-blocking solid metal component with environmentally-friendly, non-metallic, transparent compounds.

California processing 244 proposals for renewable energy facilities. Jan 04, 2010

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 14:50:36 -0800

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says the projects represent 70,000 MW of capacity that will help the state meet its 2020 goal of one-third of power from renewables.

Study says Mich. climate plan would boost economy. Jan 4, 2010

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 15:28:20 -0800

Michigan could gain a significant economic boost and thousands of new jobs by reducing emissions of gases that cause climate change, according to an analysis released Monday.

High-voltage power lines like one in NH could help power the future. Jan 4, 2010

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 14:13:56 -0800

The future of the nation's power grid -- perhaps the world's power grids -- depends on a technology that Nashua area commuters have been driving past for two decades without noticing: High-voltage DC transmission.

Minnesota Power Reaches Milestone in Renewable Energy Efforts with Purchase of Interstate Transmission Line. Jan 4, 2010

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 11:52:08 -0800

Minnesota Power, an ALLETE company (NYSE: ALE), has finalized the purchase of a 465-mile transmission line, signaling a new era of renewable energy transport and development for the Company.

Wind farms could create thousands of new Neb. jobs. Jan 3, 2010

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:25:07 -0800

Harnessing Nebraska's largely untapped wind-energy resources could create up to 40,000 jobs over the next two decades if a federal goal is met, according to a report.

GE's New Solar Inverter Tackles Challenges of Integrating to Today's Grid. Dec 09, 2009

Mon, 11 Jan 2010 13:14:54 -0800

Technology used in GE’s (NYSE:GE) wind turbines, known for proven performance and reliability, is now bringing similar benefits to large-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) systems.

Storing the sun's heat. Dec 31, 2009

Fri, 8 Jan 2010 10:14:53 -0800

The U.S. solar energy industry is poised for a major technological breakthrough, and Nevada is in a race with Arizona to be the first to take advantage of it.

Cost and benefits of 2G Superconducting wire for Transmission. Dec 31, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 15:51:29 -0800

* Enhances Efficiency: Superconductor Electricity Pipelines are able to cut power losses by two to three times when compared with conventional transmission options. This results in improved return-on-investment and reduced carbon emissions.

SunEdison to build, run five 10MW solar power plants for Xcel unit in New Mexico. Dec 30, 2009

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:09:36 -0800

SunEdison will design and construct five ground-mounted solar photovoltaic power plants that will generate a total of 50MW (AC) in New Mexico for Southwestern Public Service, a regional operating company of Xcel Energy. The five 10MW sites will be located in Lea and Eddy counties in the southeastern part of the state and will be fully operational by the end of 2011, the companies said.

Hybrid Solar Panels Combine Photovoltaics with Thermoelectricity. Dec 30, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 14:14:12 -0800

Tar and shingles are hardly environmentally friendly materials, so the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) hopes to soon help homeowners and businesses replace the roofs over their heads with something greener. To that end, the DOE awarded Weidlinger Associates, a New York City-based structural engineering firm, a $150,000 grant earlier this month (matched by a 10-percent commitment from the state) to develop durable hybrid solar roofing panels with integrated photovoltaic cells and thermoelectric materials that harvest the sun's energy to produce both electricity and hot water for buildings.

Siemens sets up largest power transmission system. Dec 30, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 12:17:16 -0800

ERLANGEN (Commodity Online): Siemens Energy and the utility China Southern Power Grid have set up world most powerful high-voltage direct-current transmission system (HVDC) with a transmission capacity of 5000 MW covering a distance of more than 1400 km from Yunnan to Guandong.

NEPCO renews agreement with Egyptian Company for Electricity Transmission. Dec 30, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 09:39:33 -0800

National Electric Power Company (NEPCO) Director General Ahmad Hiyasat on Tuesday signed an agreement with Egyptian Company for Electricity Transmission Chairman Hassan Jaber Nijem to renew the previously signed contract between the two sides on electricity exchange for 2010, according to a NEPCO's statement. Under the agreement, Jordan will purchase around 150 gigawatt hour from the Egyptian side in 2010 while NEPCO will also have the opportunity to export electric energy to the Egyptian side. To boost experience sharing, the two sides also agreed to organise periodic visits in 2010 for electricity operators from the two countries.

Renewable energy projects will get swift U.S. permitting. Dec 30, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 09:26:30 -0800

The Bureau of Land Management has chosen 31 renewable energy and transmission projects, including one in Oregon, for expedited permitting in order to make them eligible for stimulus funding.

Hybrid Solar Panels Combine Photovoltaics with Thermoelectricity. Dec 30, 2009

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:08:16 -0800

Columbia University and N.Y. engineering firm Weidlinger Associates are developing a layered approach that will draw electricity from the sun's energy in multiple ways

Are Engines the Future of Solar Power? Dec 30, 2009

Wed, 30 Dec 2009 11:04:27 -0800

Stirling engines might be the best way to harvest the power provided by the sun

India-Sri Lanka 285-Km Power Transmission Link By 2013. Dec 29, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 13:02:12 -0800

The 285-kilometre power transmission link, including submarine cables of 50 km. and to be built between India and Sri Lanka, is likely to be completed by 2013, say reports.

Sandia Labs Working on Energy From Waves, Tides, Moving Water. Dec 28, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 14:08:27 -0800

To a power-generating turbine, the tides moving up and down New York's East River look very much like the wind. In one case, air drives the turbine's blades, in the other it is water. But the science behind it is very much the same.

Renewable Energy Rises to Over 10% of U.S. Energy Production & Electricity. Dec 28, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 13:53:49 -0800

According to the most recent issue of the "Monthly Energy Review" by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), renewable energy sources (i.e., biofuels, biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, wind) provided 10.51% of domestic U.S. energy production during the first nine months of 2009 – the latest time-frame for which data has been published.

China enacts law to promote renewable energy. Dec 27, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 11:35:53 -0800

China's utilities will be required to buy all the power produced by wind farms and other renewable sources under a new law meant to promote the industry and reduce heavy reliance on coal.

Transmission efforts gain stimulus nod. Dec 28, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:51:53 -0800

Last Friday, with very little hoopla and fanfare, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced $60 million in stimulus funding to support transmission planning for the country’s three interconnection transmission networks.

China to have world's second biggest power capacity. Dec 25, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:35:12 -0800

China's electricity generation capacity will increase to 860 million kilowatts at the end of this year, the second largest after the United States, energy official said on Friday.

An Electric 'Game Changer' Gets FERC Scrutiny. Dec 23, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 11:46:34 -0800

A proposal to move large amounts of wind and solar power out of the Southwest by linking the three separate North American electricity grids with state-of-the-art switching terminals and superconducting cables is now in hands of federal regulators.

Tomorrow's power grid being planned today. Dec 23, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:23:13 -0800

Be it new livestock facilities, wind turbines or electric transmission lines, the NIMBY syndrome ("not in my backyard") continues to surface from land owners, home owners and project detractors who aren't always excited about new economic development projects.

Tangled Network: Transmission or Meter Investments. Dec 23, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 14:59:13 -0800

It's as old a debate as the chicken and the egg, and as complicated as the Gordian knot. Should utilities tackle transmission or customers first when making investments in a smarter grid?

Replacing Coal with Biomass. Dec 22, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 11:11:56 -0800

When thinking about retrofitting coal boilers or building biomass power plants from scratch, utilities should consider all of their options.

Project captures carbon dioxide at FirstEnergy site. Dec 22, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:26:59 -0800

Testing at a FirstEnergy Corp. coal-burning power plant in eastern Ohio shows that carbon dioxide can successfully be captured, a New Hampshire-based company announced today.

China's green energy goes to waste in distribution bottleneck. Dec 22, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:12:33 -0800

Green electricity from north China's growing wind power generators is being wasted because the country's power grid cannot absorb it, power experts have said.

Beacon Integrates Additional MW of Flywheel Storage on New England Grid - Dec 21, 2009

Mon, 4 Jan 2010 10:07:35 -0800

Beacon Power Corporation has successfully connected and integrated an additional megawatt (MW) of flywheel energy storage on the New England power grid. This brings the company's total installed capacity to 3 MW, all of which are operation and earning revenue from frequency regulation services.

World Leaders Defend Climate Accord. Dec 21, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:39:12 -0800

World leaders are defending the outcome of the U.N. climate change summit in Copenhagen, despite the absence of any clear deals on emissions targets.

Climate change summit results 'failure'. Dec 21, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:29:35 -0800

The climate change summit in Denmark, expected to produce a historic document, fell way short of the mark, officials and organizations said.

EPA, USDA push farmers to use coal waste on fields. Dec 21, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:18:54 -0800

The federal government is encouraging farmers to spread a chalky waste from coal-fired power plants on their fields to loosen and fertilize soil even as it considers regulating coal wastes for the first time.

Duke, State Grid May Build US Power Lines -Sources. Dec 21, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 10:01:04 -0800

Duke Energy Corp. (DUK) is in talks with State Grid Corp., China's biggest electricity distributor, over a joint venture that may involve installing power transmission lines in the U.S., according to two people familiar with the situation.

Utilities Race To Prepare For Electric Cars. Dec 21, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:00:33 -0800

Many utilities, particularly on the West Coast, are scrambling to prepare for all the electric cars set to hit U.S. showrooms in 2010 as the power companies attempt to avoid any technical snafus.

No New Coal Plants Started in 2009. Dec 21, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 10:42:52 -0800

No new coal plants broke ground in 2009, a result of a combination of widespread public opposition

World's First Fuel Cell Ship Docks in Copenhagen. Dec 21, 2009

Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:04:22 -0800

Can fuel cells and natural gas help reduce emissions from shipping? ...what may be the future of shipping is docked around the corner from Nyhavn at Kvaesthusmolen pier, a bright orange and yellow North Sea supply ship from Norway dubbed "Viking Lady"—the first ship to employ a fuel cell in history.

Off to the Races. Dec 19, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 11:28:12 -0800

I’ve long believed there are two basic strategies for dealing with climate change — the “Earth Day” strategy and the “Earth Race” strategy.

Day 13 - The minor accord and the major plea. Dec 19, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:36:29 -0800

Essentially, the final day of COP15 in Copenhagen on Saturday did not bring anything new to what had been witnessed late into Friday night. The “Copenhagen Accord” having been hammered out by the US, China, India, Brazil and South Africa on Friday was put to the Plenary on Saturday for just an hour’s consideration.

Climate reality: Voluntary efforts not enough. Dec 19, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 12:09:04 -0800

Around the world, countries and capitalism are already working to curb global warming on their own, with or without a global treaty.

CPUC Approves Southern California Edison Tehachapi Transmission Project. Dec 18, 2009

Tue, 29 Dec 2009 12:57:33 -0800

The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved Southern California Edison's (SCE) application to build segments of its Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project (TRTP) - the first major transmission project in California designed specifically to access multiple renewable generation sources.

New itemStimulus money goes to states to study power transmission. Dec 18, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:55:27 -0800

The U.S. Department of Energy awarded the Western Governors' Association $12 million to help 11 states plan for new electric transmission.

Energy-thrifty White House turns deeper shade of green . Dec 18, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 10:53:23 -0800

WASHINGTON — The White House complex and the federal government are going green — and not just with Christmas trees and holly.

Complex Models, Simple Solutions. Dec 18, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:01:29 -0800

This is the twenty-ninth of a continuing series of essays and interviews from Earth Institute scientists on the prospects for a global climate-change treaty. Check with us daily for news and perspectives, and to make comments, as events unfold throughout the Copenhagen meetings.

China advances up renewable energy league. Dec 18, 2009

Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:45:15 -0800

China is now one of the top two most attractive locations in the world in which to invest in renewable energy projects, according to Ernst & Young's latest global renewable energy country attractiveness indices.

Climate Deal Announced, but Falls Short of Expectations. Dec 18, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 14:11:53 -0800

Leaders here concluded a climate change deal on Friday that the Obama administration called “meaningful” but that falls short of even the modest expectations for the summit meeting here.

Obama science advisor John Holdren on U.S. strategy in Copenhagen. Dec 17, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 13:32:09 -0800

COPENHAGENOne of the puzzles about the U.S. strategy here in is how negotiators expected that pledging a 17 percent emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2020 could be taken seriously.

Regulators Approve Key Contract for New 48-Megawatt Sempra Generation Solar Power Plant. Dec 17, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:06:56 -0800

Sempra Generation announced today that the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) has approved Pacific Gas & Electric's (PG&E) contract to purchase 48 megawatts (MW) of photovoltaic solar power from Sempra Generation's Copper Mountain Solar facility.

EDF taps €1 billion in solar project financing: exclusive use of First Solar modules. Dec 17, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 13:33:17 -0800

In a significant move by EDF Energies Nouvelles to boost its solar energy portfolio, the renewable energy producer has secured new project finance that is underpinned by a €500 million loan from the European Investment Bank (EIB). EIB is financing 50% of planned projects in both France and Italy through 2012, while commercial banks will support each project with the other 50% of project finance required. EDF is exclusively using First Solar’s CdTe thin film modules for the €1 billion of projects over the next 2-years.

Hillary Clinton offers climate aid to poor countries—with strings attached. Dec 17, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:29:02 -0800

COPENHAGEN - U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton slightly brightened a grim mood at the U.N. climate talks on Thursday by announcing that the United States would contribute toward a long-term fund worth $100 billion a year by 2020.

India's per capita emission 70 pc below world average: Report. Dec 17, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:05:19 -0800

Despite being the fourth largest economy, India's per capita emission levels are 70 per cent below world average and 93 per cent lower than those in the US, says a latest report on climate change.

NASA, Google offer more precise emissions tracking. Dec 17, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:49:51 -0800

The question is a potential deal-killer: If nations ever agree to slash greenhouse gas emissions, how will the world know if they live up to their pledges?

Saving Rainforests: Low-Hanging Fruit. Dec 16, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:30:59 -0800

The climate summit offers an opportunity to agree on two concrete policies that should significantly reduce global warming: incentives to end deforestation, and to generate electricity without releasing greenhouse gases. The initiative to save forests looks like it may be the one major accomplishment at Copenhagen, with yesterday’s announcement of an agreement that may be ready to be finalized by the end of this week. The electricity initiative is far less advanced.

New itemAirlines Sign MOUs for Renewable Jet Fuel. Dec 16, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:13:15 -0800

AltAir Fuels this week announced it has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with more than 14 major airlines, led by the ATA, from the United States, Mexico, Canada and Germany to negotiate the purchase of up to 750 million gallons of renewable jet fuel and diesel derived from camelina and produced by AltAir Fuels.

China Heavily Reliant on Emissions Heavy Coal. Dec 16, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:43:26 -0800

China is pushing ahead with plans to develop renewable energy sources. At the same time, though, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases is still largely reliant on one major source of carbon emissions - coal.

Developing nations hold the key to Copenhagen climate agreement. Dec 16, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:05:24 -0800

Rich nations still hold some bargaining chips, but many negotiators and observers say key decisions by poor and emerging nations will make or break any deal.

Siemens is technology leader with "energy highways". Dec 16, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:41:36 -0800

Siemens Energy has advanced to technology leader in the field of high-efficiency, environmentally friendly transmission of large amounts of electrical energy.

SGCC plans to build mega power carrier in Inner Mongolia. Dec 16, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:39:48 -0800

State Grid Corp of China(SGCC), a major power grid operator, plans to build next year an ultra-high volt-age carrier that will transmit electricity generated by wind and thermal power plants in Inner Mongolia to Jiangsu Province, China Daily reported Thursday.

Australia shapes up FiT policies: national gross system on the horizon? Dec 16, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:37:33 -0800

As we progress further into what will soon be 2010 - 'the year solar PV will take off', more changes are being made in the world of photovoltaics in Australia. This country has seen many changes to its renewable situation during 2009, with new feed-in tariffs announced, improved and tweaked as the continent moves towards its goal of a nationwide gross feed-in tariff scheme.

Chu Introduces Climate REDI Program At Copenhagen Conference. Dec 15, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:33:24 -0800

On behalf of President Obama, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu has announced the launch of the Renewables and Efficiency Deployment Initiative (Climate REDI), a new initiative designed to promote clean energy technologies in developing countries.

Rebound: US Photovoltaic Market Growth through 2010. Dec 15, 2009

Tue, 22 Dec 2009 09:29:20 -0800

Recently, AltaTerra Research presented a national web conference on the American solar market with Jon Guice, an expert on U.S. solar market entry, and Larry Sherwood, author of the annual "U.S. Solar Market Trends" reports published by the Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC).

Bioenergy could meet global energy demand. Dec 15, 2009

Mon, 21 Dec 2009 12:19:31 -0800

The global potential to produce biomass for energy in a sustainable way is sufficient to meet global energy demand, according to a paper by the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) based on a report by the Department of Energy and Technology at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

World mayors compare notes on saving climate. Dec 15, 2009

Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:52:14 -0800

The Obama administration should have sent federal stimulus money not to the U.S. states, but to cities, where "most of the environmental damage is done and most of the chances for improvement are," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said Tuesday.

State Energy Plan Promotes Clean, Efficient Alternatives . Dec 15, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 14:02:50 -0800

A New York State board has recommended a plan intended to make energy more affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly while helping to create jobs over the next 10 years, officials said.

Ditch the Climate Change Debate. Dec 15, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:12:06 -0800

A recent editorial cartoon that I ran across cleverly expressed a great deal of my own thoughts around the climate change debate. The cartoonist (Joel Pett, Lexington Herald-Leader) depicts an obviously unconvinced audience member at a presentation where benefits of clean energy are being displayed on the stage screen.

Geothermal Energy on Launch Trajectory in 2009. Dec 14, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:20:06 -0800

In 2009, geothermal energy appeared to be on a launch trajectory. Six new geothermal plants came on line in the United States and another 144 were under development, raising the prospects of 10 GW of geothermal power in coming years. Geothermal power projects were being developed at an accelerating rate, despite the economic recession.

World's mayors tackle climate change on their own. Dec 14, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 12:02:22 -0800

It isn't easy getting Italy's city dwellers out of their Fiats, off their Vespa scooters and onto bicycles to ride to work, "like here in Copenhagen," says an Italian environmental official.

Solar industry groups release report in Copenhagen. Dec 14, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:28:39 -0800

As the United Nations Climate Change Conference enters its second week in Copenhagen, several international solar organizations released a report today summarizing solar power goals around the world.

Copenhagen talks a four-corner fight. Dec 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:42:15 -0800

The UN climate talks which wrap on December 18 now rest essentially on brokering a consensus between four key players.

The Outrageous Complexity of This Enterprise. Dec 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:41:51 -0800

This is the seventeenth of a continuing series of essays and interviews from Earth Institute scientists on the prospects for a global climate-change treaty. Check with us daily for news and perspectives, and to make comments, as events unfold throughout the Copenhagen meetings.

Monitor Climate Pledges on New UNEP Site. Dec 14, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:39:39 -0800

The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) unveiled a new Web site that allows users to track the promises of countries to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. The Web site is currently following the pledges made by 27 members of the European Union and more than 25 other nations--and is updated as more proposals are made at COP15. The executive director of UNEP, Achim Steiner, said that from now on anyone can follow, from the comfort of their own home, plans and policies of governments in the area of combating global warming.

Smallest State Could Big Impact on US Offshore Wind. Dec 11, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 13:22:12 -0800

Rhode Island Governor Donald Carcieri said that even though his state might be the smallest in the union, it expects to have a big impact on in the U.S. offshore wind market. The state may be home to the first commercial project off Block Island.

American and European CEOs Urge Climate Commitment in Copenhagen. Dec 11, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:43:05 -0800

Business Roundtable, an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies, and European Round Table of Industrialists (ERT), a forum of leaders of major European-headquartered, multi-national industrial and technological companies, today released a common set of principles necessary to slow, stop and reverse greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions as soon as possible. In the first trans-Atlantic business agreement of its kind, the groups call for long-term GHG commitments from all major emitters, appropriate action from all other countries and global common reporting standards.

Indonesia, ADB to cooperate to fund cross-country power projects. Dec 11, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:48:38 -0800

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Indonesia's state-run power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara will cooperate in funding three electricity interconnection projects worth 9.8 trillion rupiah (about 980 million U.S. dollars) , Kompas daily quoted an official as saying on Saturday.

Interior Secretary Outlines How to Use North American Continent to Combat Climate Change. Dec 11, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:17:22 -0800

COPENHAGEN—U.S. forests and soils store some 90 billion metric tons of carbon, or 50 years worth of present U.S. emissions from fossil fuels, according to a new study from the U.S. Geological Survey. As negotiators here at the United Nations' climate summit continue to struggle to draft a global agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions—including efforts to reduce deforestation and protect natural sinks—the U.S. Department of Interior is transforming the business of public lands and waters to help combat climate change.

Ellensburg residents invest in solar power park. Dec 11, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:42:39 -0800

Gary Nystedt was brainstorming with a group of colleagues at a solar energy conference a few years ago when the idea hit him.

China Challenging the United States for World Wind Leadership. Dec 10, 2009

Wed, 16 Dec 2009 11:13:03 -0800

Leadership of the global wind market is about to change hands. The United States—the birthplace of the modern wind industry—has held the top spot in new installations since 2005, growing at 50 percent a year and adding a record 8,540 megawatts of wind generating capacity in 2008. But if the credit-crunched U.S. industry adds only 8,000 megawatts in 2009, as anticipated, China’s new installations of some 10,000 megawatts will make it the world leader in annual additions. Having doubled its installed capacity in each of the last five years, this relative newcomer is now poised to dominate the wind energy industry for years to come.

Swiss stop pioneering geothermal project. Dec 10, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:09:03 -0800

Switzerland has ended a pioneering geothermal project, authorities said Thursday, three years after the deep drilling into the ground caused a series of earthquakes, scaring residents of the northwestern city of Basel.

Soros Finds Cash Supply for Climate Aid. Dec 10, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:30:01 -0800

COPENHAGEN — As climate treaty negotiators continued to tussle over how much rich countries should pay to help poor ones deal with climate risks, preserve forests and adopt non-polluting energy technology, the financier George Soros appeared on the sidelines Thursday to identify a new pot of $100 billion that could help pay the bills.

Boise is one of the world's leading geothermal cities. Dec 10, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:01:29 -0800

This week world leaders gathering in Copenhagen for the United Nations Climate Change Conference are feeling the geothermal heat that is part of the energy solution for Copenhagen and for cities and countries around the world. In fact, Copenhagen could meet 50 percent of its district heating needs by using its geothermal resources.

GE Wins $1.4 Billion Turbine Order for Biggest Wind Farm So Far. Dec 10, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:41:23 -0800

General Electric Co. won a $1.4 billion contract to supply turbines and services for an Oregon wind farm that would be bigger than any completed so far and supply a tenth of Southern California Edison’s renewable energy.

More than 1000 towns and cities commit to use sustainable and renewable energy. Dec 9, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:50:26 -0800

The number of municipalities which has signed onto the ‘Covenant of Mayors’ for sustainable and renewable energy has surpassed 1000 since its creation in February.

EIB to provide €300m to interconnector project . Dec 9, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:48:00 -0800

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide €300m for the construction of the BritNed Interconnector, a new electricity transmission cable between the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Tres Amigas Files with FERC for America's First Renewable Energy Transmission Hub. Dec 9, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:31:20 -0800

Tres Amigas, LLC today announced that it has submitted filings with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) requesting regulatory approvals needed to move forward with the Tres Amigas SuperStation, America's first renewable energy transmission hub.

Local government can play major role in promoting renewable energies. Dec 8, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:49:59 -0800

Every city in the world should undertake policy development to support the deployment of renewable energy, recommends a 200-page report from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

US Solar Spins a 360. Dec 8, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:45:17 -0800

The solar industry is finally feeling optimistic again, having apparently achieved a full 360 degree turn over the past 12 months, but what will 2010 hold?

Glaciers melting so fast, a generation will be too late. Dec 8, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:44:41 -0800

Professional photographer and naturalist James Balog is director of the Extreme Ice Survey and the first recipient of the International League of Conservation Photographers Award. He is the author of "Extreme Ice Now: Vanishing Glaciers and Changing Climate: A Progress Report," some of which is excerpted for this commentary.

$30 bil. set to help developing world cut CO2. Dec 8, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 15:21:08 -0800

Developed nations at the U.N. climate change conference are set to agree on providing $10 billion a year for three years from 2010 to developing nations striving to achieve greenhouse gas reductions, sources said.

40 percent emissions cut in Europe feasible: study. Dec 8, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 15:19:46 -0800

COPENHAGEN -- Despite the European Union's commitment of a 20-percent cut in emissions by 2020, Europe in fact can achieve at least a 40-percent reduction, according to a new study.

U.S. could reduce gas emissions by up to 29% by 2020, report says. Dec 8, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 15:18:43 -0800

COPENHAGEN - U.S. greenhouse gas emissions could be cut up to 29 percent by 2020 from 2005 levels if all gas-cutting measures contained in bills currently under deliberation at Congress are implemented, a private-sector think tank report says.

2009 and the ‘00s set heat records, U.S. study finds. Dec 8, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:45:56 -0800

The world saw one of the hottest years on record in 2009 and has notched up the hottest decade since records began, a report by a U.S. climate agency said Tuesday.

Copenhagen climate summit in disarray after 'Danish text' leak. Dec 8, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:44:18 -0800

Developing countries react furiously to leaked draft agreement that would hand more power to rich nations, sideline the UN's negotiating role and abandon the Kyoto protocol

Report: New power lines key to Colo. CO2 goals - 2. Dec 8, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 11:06:35 -0800

Colorado needs new, well-planned transmission lines to meet its goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent by 2020, a state report says.

Renewable energy is critical to climate change mitigation, says IEA. Dec 7, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:49:24 -0800

The International Energy Agency (IEA) will present “key findings” on renewable energy during the climate conference in Copenhagen.

Exactly What is COP15? Dec 7, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:41:01 -0800

For the next two weeks, the global media will undoubtedly spotlight the United Nations Climate Change Conference being held here in Copenhagen, Denmark. Without a doubt, the eventual outcome of COP15 is likely to have a significant impact on both you as an individual and your company. Indeed, if the kind of agreement envisaged by, for example, the European Union (EU) is reached, it is likely to have huge global economic, political and social ramifications and it will dramatically change our world and the way we live. However, while some form of agreement is virtually certain to emerge from Copenhagen, the actual shape and nature of the agreement has yet to be determined. So what exactly is at stake this next two weeks in Copenhagen and how did we arrive at this point?

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions declined in 2008, EIA says. Dec 7, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:42:14 -0800

Total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2008 were 2.2% below the 2007 total, led by a 2.9% decline in energy-related emissions, the Energy Information Administration said in a Dec. 3 report, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 2008.

Under Banner of Urgency, Delegates Tackle Policy. Dec 7, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:40:34 -0800

Two mock gateways set up by environmental campaigners — a fiery red one symbolizing the perils of climate change and a green one representing an international climate accord to address it — greeted delegates on Monday as they filed into a conference center here.

Climate scientist gets blunt on trading scheme. Dec 7, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:38:44 -0800

The Copenhagen climate summit got off to a big start on December 7th with many meetings and opening statements.

Climate summit produces greenhouse gas. Dec 7, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:38:18 -0800

British researchers said the 12-day U.N. climate change summit in Denmark will generate as much greenhouse gas as an African nation.

Report: New power lines key to Colo. CO2 goals. Dec 7, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 10:51:55 -0800

A new report says existing state policies will get Colorado to about only 40 percent of the way to its carbon-reduction goals and that new, well-planned transmission lines are key to success.

9 EU nations to build offshore wind power grid. Dec 7, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 10:27:13 -0800

Nine European nations pledged Monday to build more links between wind power stations in the North and Irish Seas which could help them boost output of renewable energy.

Top 5 Issues at the Copenhagen Climate Conference. Dec 8, 2009

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:55:18 -0800

For the next two weeks, until December 18, officials from more than 190 countries will be gathering in Copenhagen to write a new treaty on climate change. For much of the year, there have been questions about whether the conference would come together and, if so, what it could accomplish at a time when much of the world is preoccupied with the global recession. In recent weeks, however, many of the world's economic powerhouses and biggest polluters, including the United States and China, have said they're serious about hashing out an agreement. Of course, with so many countries attending, "success" can mean different things to different people: Some want a political agreement; others want a legally binding treaty.

E.P.A. Sets Carbon Crackdown. Dec 7, 2009

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:54:51 -0800

The Environmental Protection Agency on Monday will complete its determination that greenhouse gases pose a danger to human health and the environment, paving the way for regulation of carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles, power plants, factories refineries and other major sources.

Copenhagen climate conference kicks off. Dec 7, 2009

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:54:23 -0800

To be or not to be? That is the question. Will 192 world governments agree in the next two weeks on a framework to cut emissions of greenhouse gases and thereby combat climate change? Or will they dither and divide at the Copenhagen climate summit, as they did with previous efforts, including the ineffectual Kyoto Protocol?

"New World Wide Web” Key to Fighting Climate Change, Expert Says

Tue, 8 Dec 2009 11:52:14 -0800

The key to fighting climate change is for the U.S. to take a leadership role in promoting a “new world wide web of electricity,” according to Michael Powers, board member and spokesman for Global Energy Network Institute, a non-profit research and education group based in San Diego.

Newspapers Worldwide Call for Climate Change Action. Dec 7, 2009

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:17:52 -0800

On the first day of the Copenhagen climate conference, 56 newspapers publishing in 20 languages in 45 countries publish an unprecedented joint editorial calling for meaningful action to face the threat posed by climate change. Steve Mirsky reports. The editorial: http://bit.ly/71ut8f

FPL to spend $2 billion on wind energy in 2010. Dec 6, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:41:46 -0800

Lewis Hay III, the chairman and chief executive of FPL Group Inc., plans to steer the electricity giant toward a $2 billion investment in wind energy in 2010, despite uncertainty surrounding a pending rate case involving the big power company.

Lightweight "triple-zero" house produces more energy than it uses. Dec 5, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:42:41 -0800

Overlooking the city of Stuttgart in southern Germany, a four-story modern glass house stands like a beacon of environmental sustainability. Built in 2000, it was the first in a series of buildings that are "triple-zero," a concept developed by German architect and engineer Werner Sobek, which signifies that the building is energy self-sufficient (zero energy consumed), produces zero emissions, and is made entirely of recyclable materials (zero waste).

Copenhagen climate change conference: 'Fourteen days to seal history's judgment on this generation'. Dec 7, 2009

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 13:16:40 -0800

This editorial will be published tomorrow by 56 newspapers around the world in 20 languages including Chinese, Arabic and Russian. The text was drafted by a Guardian team during more than a month of consultations with editors from more than 20 of the papers involved. Like the Guardian most of the newspapers have taken the unusual step of featuring the editorial on their front page.

Integrating Wind Power in Portugal. Dec 4, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:47:17 -0800

It is variable and hard to predict, but wind energy is increasingly being employed in European countries in order to hit their renewable energy targets. The EU is currently aiming for 22% renewable energy production by 2010. Portugal has the far more ambitious target of 39%. Therefore, Portugal is planning a large increase in its wind energy capacity over the next couple of years, in order to achieve an installed capacity of 5300 MW by 2012.

Greenhouse Gas Carbon Dioxide Ramps Up Aspen Growth. Dec 4, 2009

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 12:07:46 -0800

The rising level of atmospheric carbon dioxide may be fueling more than climate change. It could also be making some trees grow like crazy.

Solar pipeline at U.S. utilities reaches 4.8GW: EER reports 21.5GW of solar power generation in 2020. Dec 4, 2009

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 11:49:12 -0800

A new detailed study of the U.S. utility market for solar applications by market research firm, Emerging Energy Research (EER) highlights the current and future pipeline of PV installations expected from the U.S. utilities. The utility-scale PV project pipeline has already reached 4.8GW with utilities expected to add a further 21.5GW to their generation portfolios between 2009 and 2020. Compared to the 77 MW of utility-driven projects currently operating, an explosion in the market is rapidly gaining momentum.

EPA Set to Regulate Wastewater from Coal-Fired Power Plants. Dec 4, 2009

Mon, 7 Dec 2009 11:12:47 -0800

Next to a national wildlife refuge, Indiana’s Gibson Lake provides a prime fishery for bass and an attractive rest spot for hundreds of species of birds, including endangered least terns.

Denmark tops table of fighting climate change with wind power. Dec 4, 2009

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:51:34 -0800

In the run-up to the crucial climate change talks in Copenhagen, the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has published a league table showing which EU countries are best at exploiting CO2-cutting wind energy.

Pentagon's 25M Acres Could Ease Renewables Siting Debate. Dec 3, 2009

Fri, 11 Dec 2009 14:43:50 -0800

While not central to its war-fighting mission abroad, the U.S. military is quietly becoming one of the nation's most aggressive energy innovators, retrofitting thousands of acres of military installations with renewables technologies that will help meet the bases' future power demand while also aiding host states in achieving renewable energy targets.

End the Politics. Let Scientists and Engineers Lead. Dec 3, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:44:48 -0800

This is the fifth of a continuing series of essays and interviews from Earth Institute scientists on the prospects for a global climate-change treaty. Check with us daily for news and perspectives, and to make comments, as events unfold throughout the Copenhagen meetings.

Why Copenhagen will, and should, fail. Dec 3, 2009

Wed, 9 Dec 2009 13:39:41 -0800

This is the sixth of a continuing series of essays and interviews from Earth Institute scientists on the prospects for a global climate-change treaty. Check with us daily for news and perspectives, and to make comments, as events unfold throughout the Copenhagen meetings.

Coal plant's demise could create wind opportunity. Dec 3, 2009

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 15:34:11 -0800

A regional power-grid agency is trying to salvage the transmission line portion of a defunct coal plant project in northeastern South Dakota by encouraging wind developers to replace the lost megawatts.

PG&E Agrees to Purchase and Operate Major California Wind Energy Project. Dec 3, 2009

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 15:27:38 -0800

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) today announced that it has contracted with Iberdrola Renewables, Inc., the U.S. arm of the world's largest provider of wind power, to purchase and operate a major wind generating plant to be built in Southern California to serve the utility's electric customers.

First Passenger Flight Powered by Biofuel. Dec 3, 2009

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 14:32:09 -0800

Test flight results have been good, but questions remain whether jet biofuel be produced in large quantities--and sustainably.

Berkeley Lab Study Finds No Widespread Impact of Wind Power Projects on Surrounding Residential Property Values in the U.S. Dec 2, 2009

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 11:30:36 -0800

Over 30,000 megawatts of wind energy capacity are installed across the United States and an increasing number of communities are considering new wind power facilities. Given these developments, there is an urgent need to empirically investigate typical community concerns about wind energy and thereby provide stakeholders involved in the wind project siting process a common base of knowledge. A major new report released today by the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory evaluates one of those concerns, and finds that proximity to wind energy facilities does not have a pervasive or widespread adverse effect on the property values of nearby homes.

HelioSphera to build $500 million, 160MW solar PV module plant in Philadelphia Navy Yard complex. Dec 1, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 14:07:27 -0800

Greek solar manufacturer HelioSphera will build a new photovoltaics module factory in Philadelphia’s historic Navy Yard mixed-use complex. Work on the 160-MW production plant is scheduled to begin next year.

Major sea level rise likely as Antarctic ice melts. Dec 1, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:28:16 -0800

Sea levels are likely to rise by about 1.4m (4ft 6in) globally by 2100 as polar ice melts, according to a major review of climate change in Antarctica.

CO2 Output Exceeds Level to Contain Warming, PwC Says (Update1). Dec 1, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 13:27:50 -0800

Dec. 1 (Bloomberg) -- The world’s factories, vehicles and utilities are spewing too much carbon dioxide to keep the planet from excessive warming by 2050, PricewaterhouseCoopers said.

Country to Set Up $2 Billion Energy Fund. Nov 30, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:32:46 -0800

Kenya will with the support of donors set up a $2 billion (Sh150 billion) revolving fund to lend those investing in climate-friendly green electricity generating projects. The Ministry of Finance said World Bank, French Development Agency, KfW of German and African Development Bank had agreed to help the government set up the fund.

Southern California Edison's Solar Transmission Line Approved. Nov 30, 2009

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 15:16:38 -0800

Southern California Edison (SCE) has received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for the construction of the 128-mile, 500 kV Devers Palo-Verde No. 2 line, which is designed to deliver solar power to demand centers in Southern California.

Philippines doe to award more renewable energy contracts next month. Nov 30, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:32:21 -0800

More renewable energy contracts will be awarded next month, Philippines Energy Assistant Secretary Mario Marasigan said.

Duke Energy to Harness Wind Power With 20 MW Energy Storage Project. Nov 30, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:29:29 -0800

Duke Energy recently said it intends to match a $22 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to design, build and install large-scale batteries to store wind energy at one of its wind farms in Texas.

Tajikistan Reacts To Uzbek Decision To Quit Power Grid. Nov 28, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:31:19 -0800

The Tajik Foreign Ministry says Uzbekistan's decision to quit the Central Asian power grid is politically motivated, RFE/RL's Tajik Service reports.

China vows to dramatically slow emissions growth. Nov 27, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:33:16 -0800

China promised to slow its carbon emissions, saying it would nearly halve the ratio of pollution to GDP over the next decade - a major move by the world's largest emitter, whose cooperation is crucial to any deal as a global climate summit approaches.

Cambodia to develop solar power to meet domestic need . Nov 27, 2009

Fri, 4 Dec 2009 15:37:48 -0800

Ten companies from eight countries have sought permission to invest in solar energy projects in Cambodia after the August removal of a 15 percent duty on imports of the materials needed to build solar plants, local media reported Thursday, citing an official from Ministry of Industry, Mines and Energy.

ACORE Phase II 2009: Video Archive. Nov 26, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:29:48 -0800

Last week, the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) hosted its annual Phase II National Policy Conference in Washington, D.C.

Tunisia adheres to “Desertec” project. Nov 26, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:41:57 -0800

An international conference on ” Desert Friendly Energy as a Challenge for Regional Cooperation and the Union For the Mediterranean” as part of the “Desertec” project to develop solar energy in southern Mediterranean countries, was held on Monday in Gammarth north of Tunis.

Obama to Go to Copenhagen With Emissions Target. Nov 25, 2009

Thu, 3 Dec 2009 10:52:16 -0800

WASHINGTON — President Obama is pledging a provisional target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, the first time in more than a decade that an American administration has offered even a tentative promise to reduce production of climate-altering gases, the White House announced Wednesday.

20,000 MW grid solar power by 2022 under Nehru solar mission. Nov 25, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:33:45 -0800

The Government of India Monday said that it has approved the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission with an aim of setting up 20,000 MW grid solar power and 2,000 MW off-grid solar power by 2022.

Secretary Chu Announces $620 Million for Smart Grid Demonstration Projects. Nov 25, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 11:30:38 -0800

Secretary Chu recently announced that the Department of Energy is awarding $620 million for projects around the country to demonstrate advanced Smart Grid technologies and integrated systems that will help build a smarter, more efficient, more resilient electrical grid. These 32 demonstration projects, which include large-scale energy storage, smart meters, distribution and transmission system monitoring devices, and a range of other smart technologies, will act as models for deploying integrated Smart Grid systems on a broader scale. This funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be leveraged with $1 billion in funds from the private sector to support more than $1.6 billion in total Smart Grid projects nationally.

Norway opens first osmotic power plant. Nov 24, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 10:12:55 -0800

A Norwegian power company announced Tuesday Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit will head the opening of the world's first osmotic power plant.

Wind industry calls for improved transmission pricing and planning processes in comments to FERC; also requests reconsideration of harmful FERC order. Nov 24, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:42:33 -0800

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), in two separate filings on related transmission issues.

Cost of solar energy will drop by half this year and other renewable energy by 10%, says analyst. Nov 24, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:40:46 -0800

The levelised costs for solar energy will drop 50% in 2009, while the pre-subsidy cost for other renewable energy technologies will decline by 10%, according to a quarterly research note from New Energy Finance.

Global Warming Solutions News. Nov 24, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:40:30 -0800

Washington, DC—The nation’s power plants emitted 2.56 billion tons of global warming pollution in 2007, which is equivalent to the pollution from nearly 450 million of today’s cars – nearly three times the number of cars registered in the United States in 2007, according to a new analysis of government data released today by Environment America. More than 70 percent of this pollution came from plants – primarily coal plants – built before 1980.

Power struggle over towers. Nov 24, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:31:43 -0800

Combating global warming with a "green superhighway" of high- voltage power lines -- that large groups of consumers then have to pay for -- could be bad news for New Jersey, say state leaders, environmental activists and utility companies.

UN pushes electricity, fuels lack in climate talks. Nov 23, 2009

Wed, 2 Dec 2009 10:11:40 -0800

Development officials say almost half the world's population lacks modern fuels to cook or heat or any electricity, and insist negotiators must address that "energy poverty" as part of any global climate pact next month in Denmark.

FERC Enters a Maze of Questions About Renewable Energy Transmission. Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 14:41:18 -0800

The spread of wind and solar power is being held back by fragmented policies on paying for new transmission lines to carry renewable energy, said a group of leading transmission providers in a petition to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Uzbekistan tells Tajikistan it will quit unified power grid. Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:47:38 -0800

Tashkent has officially warned the Tajik authorities about its withdrawal from the unified Central Asian energy system (SCAES) from 1 December 2009, the Uzbek ambassador to Tajikistan, Shoislom Shoqosimov, said at a briefing organized for local and foreign media outlets today. He also said that "decisions made by Uzbekistan are aimed at ensuring its own energy security and make it possible to secure stable functioning of its own energy system".

What are the largest sources of global warming emissions in California? The list is out? Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:45:13 -0800

The state Air Resources Board this past week finished tallying and made public the list of the largest greenhouse gas emitters in the state.

Acciona completes assembly of LatAm's largest wind farm. Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:45:49 -0800

Spain's Acciona Energia said Monday it completed the assembly of the Eurus wind farm in Mexico, an energy facility with total potential generating capacity of 250.5 MW and costing $550 million.

Utility to store air underground to generate power. Nov 23, 2009

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:30:26 -0800

An Ohio electric company has bought the rights to an abandoned limestone mine so it can pump the cavern full of compressed air and let it out to generate power during peak-use times.

Clean Tech Job Trends 2009. Nov, 2009

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:26:20 -0800

The following is an excerpt from Clean Tech Job Trends 2009. To read the full report, please download the PDF file by clicking on the image to the left.

India to Spend $900 Million on Solar. Nov 20, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:43:30 -0800

The Indian cabinet approved a plan on Thursday that sets out to increase energy production from solar technology to 20 gigawatts by 2022, up from six megawatts today. The government will spend about 43 billion rupees ($922 million) in the first of three phases of the program. The total cost for all three phases could approach $20 billion.

Can Flywheels Help Balance Electricity Supply and Demand? Nov 19, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:13:50 -0800

Beacon Power hopes to demonstrate the feasibility of the old technology to help balance fluctuating inputs from renewables.

Six renewable energy sources judged to be best prospect for future, says report. Nov 18, 2009

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 14:25:43 -0800

The best prospects for large-scale renewable energy production and net-energy performance remain wind and certain forms of solar, according to a study released by two California-based think tanks.

European Commission Projects 80% Renewable Energy by 2050. Nov 17, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 15:45:09 -0800

More than 550 high-level political decision makers at EU, national and regional level, representatives of the renewable energy industry, NGOs and scientists gathered in Brussels for the 3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference, organized by EREC as an official event of the Swedish EU Presidency.

Fossil Fuel Carbon Dioxide Emissions Up by 29 Percent Since 2000. Nov 17, 2009

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:13:28 -0800

The strongest evidence yet that the rise in atmospheric CO2 emissions continues to outstrip the ability of the world's natural 'sinks' to absorb carbon is published November 17 in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Project focus: China to subsidize 294 solar power plants. Nov 16, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:59 -0800

China has chosen 294 solar power projects, which will produce a total generation capacity of 642MW, for its first pilot program wherein it will subsidize at least half of the investment cost. Reuturs.com reports that the expected total cost will be around 20 billion Yuan and should be in production within the next two to three years as stated by the Chinese Ministry of Finance.

Suntech to bring manufacturing jobs to Phoenix, Arizona. Nov 16, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:02 -0800

Suntech announced at the US China Green Tech Summit that its first US manufacturing facility will be built in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area. The company hopes for the plant to begin production in the third quarter of 2010 with an initial capacity of 30MW. No specific location has been decided upon yet, but the company aims to make its final decision in the coming weeks.

Group urges gov't to invest in electric cars. Nov 16, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:02:58 -0800

A group of businessmen on Monday launched a new coalition to urge the federal government to make a major investment in electric transportation, pointing to electric cars as the best way to confront the nation's dependence on imported oil.

Always on call: Oncor's secret North Texas grid management center. Nov 14, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:51:56 -0800

People take electricity for granted -- until the lights fail to come on in the morning or there's no air conditioning on a scorching July afternoon.

Suntech to develop 20% of BIPV Solar Rooftop Program projects, China. Nov 13, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:04:32 -0800

Suntech Power expects to develop approximately 20% of the 91MW of solar projects that were approved under China's Solar Rooftop Program, launched in March this year by the Ministry of Finance.

Government exploring renewable energy. Nov 13, 2009

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:54:01 -0800

The Cayman Islands government will pursue renewable energy as a means of diversifying the Islands' generating sources, reducing energy bills, and minimizing impact on the environment.

Online platform offering policymaker toolkit for secure and renewable energy. Nov 11, 2009

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 16:03:23 -0800

A new online platform launched by the World Future Council provides policymakers throughout the world with tools to unleash sustainable and renewable energy development.

For higher capacity and greater grid stability: Siemens to expand HVDC link in New Zealand.Nov 11, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:06:02 -0800

Siemens Energy has received an order from Wellington-based Transpower New Zealand Limited, the national grid operator, to modernize and increase the capacity of the existing high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) link between the country’s North and South Island. For the “Inter Island Connector Pole 3“ HVDC project Siemens will supply two turnkey converter stations and replace the aging converters with advanced light-triggered thyristor valves. The investment volume for the overall project is EUR327 million. Siemens’ share accounts for approximately half. The aim is to raise the capacity of the existing HVDC system in increments over the next few years from 700 megawatts (MW) to 1400 MW. This is intended to ensure reliable power supply with minimal losses and to further stabilize New Zealand’s grid. Siemens will complete modernization and expansion of the HVDC system by late 2013.

Gore skeptical of 'clean coal' in Dominican address . Nov 10, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:29:55 -0800

Former Vice President Al Gore voiced support Monday for the Obama Administration's plan to build a "supergrid" that could carry the electricity generated by solar, wind and other renewable resources from remote parts of the nation to America's cities.

Bulgaria set for Massive Growth in Wind Power. Nov 10, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:07:17 -0800

Bulgaria is set to dramatically expand its wind power output in the next 10 years, delegates at a workshop on integrating wind power in Bulgaria heard today. From the current 330 MW installed to over 3,000 MW by 2020, wind energy will meet 13.5% of Bulgaria's electricity demand.

Study: Offshore winds a mega-resource. Nov 10, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 14:06:51 -0800

There is more than enough wind off the mid-Atlantic seaboard to power every coastal state from North Carolina to Massachusetts, according to a new study presented in Rhode Island.

Wind Energy Generation Breaks Record In Spain. Nov 10. 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:53:36 -0800

Wind generation broke a record in Spain on Nov. 8, delivering 53% of the electricity demand from 3 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., with a total production of around 10,170 MW, according to La Asociacion Empresarial Eolica (AEE), the Spanish wind industry alliance.

Solar Thermal Electricity Production to Jump 100-Fold, IEA Says . Nov 10, 2009

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:53:08 -0800

Nov. 10 (Bloomberg) -- Power generation using giant mirrors and solar panels to concentrate the sun’s rays and turn turbines will expand more than 100-fold over the next two decades, according to the International Energy Agency.

Bulgaria set for massive growth in wind power. Nov 10, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:45:58 -0800

What Would Failure at Copenhagen Mean for Climate Change? Nov 10, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:44:41 -0800

This is the consequence of failure at Copenhagen: A marked shift in scientific effort from solving global warming to adapting to its consequences, a hodge-podge of uncoordinated local efforts to trim emissions - none of which deliver the necessary cuts - and an altered climate.

Solar Flare Ups. Nov 9, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:45:26 -0800

True or false: California's plan to generate massive amounts of clean, sustainable solar power is a win for everyone—liberal or conservative, environmentalist or business executive.

Uzbekistan to withdraw from regional power grid. Nov 9, 2009

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:59:52 -0800

Uzbekistan is set to withdraw from the Central Asian unified power grid that links four Soviet nations in the region, a top energy official announced Thursday in a move that will prompt fears of deepening electricity shortages among neighboring countries.

Scientists and NGOs: Deforestation and Degradation Responsible for Approximately 15 Percent of Global Warming Emissions. Nov 6, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:42:16 -0800

BARCELONA, SPAIN (November 6, 2009) — Scientists and non-governmental organizations at the United Nations climate negotiations commented today on the percentage of global warming emissions that is due to tropical deforestation, in light of a new analysis published earlier this week in Nature Geoscience. The group, which included most of the leading experts on deforestation emissions, released the following statement:

Africa to receive 1.1 billion dollars in new financing for climate action. Nov 5, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:27:57 -0800

African efforts to invest in clean energy and prepare for the devastating consequences of climate change have received a boost with six countries set to receive 1.1 billion dollars in new financing for climate action, the World Bank said on Thursday.

Gorillas versus charcoal update: Biomass project reaches halfway point. Nov 4, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:40:55 -0800

What do comic books, a reggae band and alternative fuels have in common? They are all part of a project to help save critically endangered mountain gorillas (Gorilla beringei beringei) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

Ministry for linking S Asian power grids to meet demand-supply gap. Nov 5, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:41:33 -0800

New Delhi: The power ministry, which is striving to chase the capacity addition target of 78,700 mw in the 11th Plan to bridge the widening gap between the demand and supply, has proposed to explore opportunities to interconnect South Asian power grids on the lines of the Nordic Power Exchange (Nord Pool), Union for the Coordination of Transmission of Electricity (UCTE), Europe, Asean Grid and North American Grid.

Hydropower Upgrades to Yield Added Generation at Average Costs Less Than 4 cents per kWh - Without New Dams. Nov 4, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 14:52:22 -0800

U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu today announced up to $30.6 million in Recovery Act funding for the selection of seven hydropower projects that modernize hydropower infrastructure by increasing efficiency and reducing environmental impacts at existing facilities. The expanded hydro generation projects have estimated incremental costs of less than 4 cents per kWh on average.

"Better Place will spend $1.1b on Israeli electric car project". Nov 4, 2009

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:59:21 -0800

Better Place will have to invest $1.1 billion over the next six years to buy the batteries and build the battery replacement centers and recharging points for its electric car venture in Israel alone, according to a report by Deutsche Bank on electric cars.

Nuclear power isn't the answer, expert says. Nov 4, 2009

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:58:43 -0800

Former federal Nuclear Regulatory Commission member Peter Bradford does not believe nuclear power will be a major answer to America's energy issues.

EPRI Unveils Initiative to Improve Transmission System Efficiency. Nov 4, 2009

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:58:08 -0800

The Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) disclosed plans today for an industry-wide "transmission efficiency" demonstration collaborative that will identify technologies leading to greater efficiency in the bulk power system, an increase in system utilization and a reduction in line and equipment losses.

Mapping wind resources in South Africa. Nov 3, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:31:21 -0800

Risø DTU has produced a detailed map of the wind resources in South Africa showing the best locations for wind turbines and is a prerequisite for funding wind farms.

DoE highlights best practices from 25 Solar America Cities. Nov 2, 2009

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 13:30:50 -0800

The US Department of Energy (DoE) has announced an online resource for local governments that assists community leaders and local stakeholders in building sustainable local solar markets with best practices from 25 Solar America Cities.

Japan accelerates purchase of surplus solar electricity at homes. Nov 1, 2009

Mon, 9 Nov 2009 14:57:24 -0800

The government launched Sunday a new program that enables power companies to purchase at higher rates surplus electricity produced by solar power generation systems installed in homes, schools and hospitals.

Solar power from Sahara a step closer Huge £35bn supergrid would pool green sources. Nov 1, 2009

Mon, 2 Nov 2009 15:07:52 -0800

A $400bn (£240bn) plan to provide Europe with solar power from the Sahara moved a step closer to reality today with the formation of a consortium of 12 companies to carry out the work.

GENI Initiative's First Global Visualization Comparisons Published. July, 2008.

GENI — Sat, 9 Aug 2008 16:11:05 -0800

The GENI WMS (Web Map Service) Server is the latest and most advanced dynamic data visualization of the GENI Initiative and allows real-world data to be displayed and compared online. Read more about it in the white paper: The GENI Initiative Visualization (171 MB .pdf), presented to the IEEE Power Engineering Society in July, 2008.

The GENI Initiative's static data visualization (Flash animation) starts with the NASA Earth at Night map, then shows our planet's population, current energy production, and all the potential renewable energy resources. One of our goals is to make the energy issues of our world visible and ultimately to visualize the GENI solution from every nation's perspective.