Akita Journey

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/12/renewable-energy-recap-china?cmpid=rss

Renewable Energy Recap: China

Developers, manufacturers, investors and other renewable energy industry stakeholders need to know where the next big market is going to be so that they can adjust their business decisions accordingly.

Wind Energy Hybrid Vehicles Climate Change

German Village Embraces Alternative Energy and Becomes Global Model

One village in Germany is producing more energy than it needs. Best of all, it?s alternative energy sourced from clean sources. Wildpoldsried, located in the southern German region known as Bavaria and where 2,600 people live, produces 321 per cent more energy than it needs. As a result, it can make money out of this [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EnergyrefugecomBlog/~3/uPF83jezfPk/

Wave Energy Windmills Solar Panels

Friday, December 30, 2011

German Solar Company Enters U.S. Market

Gehrlicher Solar, a German solar energy company that entered the U.S. market in late 2010, has already completed two systems and has six more under construction. The company is headquartered in Springfield, NJ. ?The expansion into the U.S. market has been an important strategic goal for the Gehrlicher group?, explains Dr. Stefan Parhofer, CEO of [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EnergyrefugecomBlog/~3/U8A_Kg7iL6I/

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/22/feed-in-tariffs-solar-subsidy

'Clumsy' handling of solar subsidy cuts may have 'fatally damaged' industry

Halving of feed-in tariff payments for solar energy were 'rushed' and don't make economic sense, say MPs

The government's rush to cut a subsidy for people who generate solar electicity on their roofs was clumsily handled and may have fatally damaged a growing industry which had the potential to provide tens of thousands of jobs, says a new report by MPs on two influential select committees.

By giving both consumers and companies just a few weeks' notice that they intended to halve solar "feed-in tariffs" (FiTs) from 43.3p to 21p paid per kWh of energy generated, they have created uncertainty among investors and undermined public confidence in energy policy, said the MPs.

"There is no question that solar subsidies needed to be urgently reduced, but the government has handled this clumsily. Ministers should have spotted the solar gold rush much earlier. That way subsidy levels could have been reduced in a more orderly way without delivering such a shock to the industry," said Tim Yeo, chair of the energy and climate change committee.

In addition, plans to require homes to meet a C-rated energy efficiency standard before they can receive subsidies will limit access to wealthier households and could have a "fatal impact" on the industry, the MPs warn. Eighty six per cent of homes would need to be better insulated before they could qualify for the scheme under the government's proposals ? increasing up-front costs for homeowners by between �5,600 and �14,000, even before the panels are purchased, they said.

Joan Walley, chair of the environmental audit committee said: "It doesn't make economic sense to let the sun go down on the solar industry in the UK. As well as helping to cut carbon emissions, every panel that is installed brings in VAT for the government and every company that benefits from the support is keeping people in work. The government is right to encourage people to focus on saving energy before fitting solar panels, but these proposals will stop nine out of 10 installations from going ahead, which will have a devastating effect on hundreds of solar companies and small building firms installing these panels across the country."

Rising energy bills and the falling cost of solar panels made the original subsidy rates so attractive that tens of thousands of households, companies and community groups have rushed to install photo-voltaic (PV) systems since the scheme was introduced last year. The government had evidence that solar panel prices were falling significantly as early as March 2011, but ministers did not act to stem rocketing levels of small scale solar installations until the end of October.

According to the MPs, the consultation then announced by the government was based on an inadequate impact assessment and unfairly set a 12 December deadline for changes to come into effect before the close of the consultation on 23 December. The scale and pace of the changes proposed was a shock for the solar industry and the suddenness of their introduction has damaged investor confidence across the whole energy sector, the MPs said.

The government has proposed an even lower tariff (80% of the new rate) for generators who have more than one solar system registered for FiTs, in recognition of the economics of scale such aggregated schemes can achieve. This, said the MPs, will have an adverse impact on community solar projects.

"This could have a disproportionate impact on disadvantaged and poorer communities for whom such schemes are a good way of accessing the benefits of renewable energy and reducing electricity costs. The social housing sector and community owned schemes are going to be particularly hard hit by the reduced tariffs being brought in by the government retrospectively," said the MPs.

Separately, on Wednesday, government plans to cut incentive payments for householders who install solar panels were ruled "legally flawed" by a high court judge. The ruling opens the door for a judicial review that could force the government to delay its plans, potentially allowing thousands more people to claim the higher subsidy.

The judgment on Wednesday comes after a challenge by Friends of the Earth and two solar companies who argued that the government's decision to cut the feed-in tariff ? from 43.3p to 21p per kWh of energy generated ? with only a few weeks' notice was premature and unlawful, and had led to unfinished or planned projects being abandoned.

Many thousands of individuals, farmers, councils and community groups had applied to install solar PV to take advantage of the generous subsidy which had been set deliberately high to encourage people to invest, when the scheme was launched in April 2010.

But the government announced in October that it would cut the subsidy with effect from 12 December. This was 11 days before the consultation ended.

The judgment, made by Mr Justice Mitting after a two-day court hearing, was hailed as a major victory by green campaigners and the solar industry, after firms warned that the scale and pace of the proposed cuts would have a crippling effect on the sector resulting in thousands of job losses.

Mitting said the minister was proposing to make an unlawful decision.

Friends of the Earth's executive director, Andy Atkins, said: "These botched and illegal plans have cast a huge shadow over the solar industry, jeopardising thousands of jobs. We hope this ruling will prevent ministers rushing through damaging changes to clean energy subsidies ? giving solar firms a much-needed confidence boost.

Lawyers for the Department of Energy and Climate Change immediately moved to apply for permission to appeal the judge's ruling.

The MPs' report and court ruling follows the decision by BP to close its solar division, blaming the "commoditisation" of the sector. It emerged this week that Mike Petrucci, chief executive of BP Solar, wrote to his remaining 100 staff last week to say that "the continuing global economic challenges have significantly impacted the solar industry, making it difficult to sustain long-term returns for the company."

?�This article's headline and structure were amended on 22 December

John Vidal

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/occucopter-surveillance-drone-occupy-wall-street.html

Surveillance Drone for The 99%: Occupy Wall Street Protesters To Monitor Police

Handheld technology and live-streaming has allowed the public to witness the growth of the movement. Next up: a surveillance drone -- for the "99 percent"?

Climate Change Renewable Energy Ocean Energy

Green measures will not lead to 'astronomical' energy bills: analysis

Household energy bills will rise by �190 by 2020, but charges for renewables and energy efficiency measures will contribute just �110 of the increase, UK government climate advisers calculate

Household energy bills will rise by �190 by the end of the decade, according to an analysis published on Thursday by the government's official climate change advisers. But fears of "astronomical" rises as a result of building a clean energy system for the UK have been rejected by the report, which says charges on future bills for renewable energy and energy efficiency will contribute just �110 of the increase.

The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) calculates that the total rise could be just �25 if the full energy savings can be delivered by insulating lofts and cavity walls and replacing inefficient refrigerators and washing machines.

Some reports have suggested bills will rises up to �3,000 by 2020, up from �1,060 in 2010, the typical bill for homes that use electricity, and gas for heating.

"There have been claims that there will be astronomical bill rises in the next decade due to low-carbon policies. Our analysis disproves this," said David Kennedy, chief executive of the CCC. "We want to demystify this issue and have an honest debate based on facts not assertions."

Previous bills for gas and electricity rose by �455 between 2004 and 2010, the CCC found, and 84% of this rise was due to the soaring cost of gas on international markets. Green measures have added �75.

Investing in low-carbon energy was the "sensible economic path" said Kennedy. "It will be very expensive to solve the problem [of cutting carbon emissions] later. We could ignore the issue and build gas plants, but then we will end up with lots of power stations we will have to scrap."

"There has been a concerted effort by some campaign groups to completely mislead the public into believing that green taxes have been the main cause of rises in fuel bills," said Bob Ward, at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment at London School of Economics. "These groups, including the Global Warming Policy Foundation and the Taxpayers' Alliance, appear driven by an extreme ideological opposition to environmental regulation, and have sought to confuse and misinform the public with blatantly inflated figures."

The CCC's analysis was conducted independently of the government, but reached a similar conclusion. A spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said: "The CCC is correct in their analysis that past bill increases are primarily due to increased wholesale gas costs. This underlines why it is so important that we reduce our reliance on imported fossil fuels and protect our homes and businesses from international fossil fuel price shocks."

The CCC said the uncertainties in �110 expected to be added to bills for low-carbon measures were small, but that uncertainties on whether energy efficiency could be delivered were much greater. "The challenge for the government is to put measures in place to encourage people to improve their energy efficiency," said Kennedy.

The CCC says energy use could be cut by 6% by 2020 by properly lagging the millions of lofts in the UK which have no or inadequate insulation, and filling the millions of empty cavity walls. But its report argues there is a much greater opportunity from the replacement of old and inefficient refrigerators and washing machines. If these white goods are replaced at the end of their useful lives with efficient devices, energy use could be cut by 19%. "They are not much more expensive and you will save a lot of energy and money," said Kennedy.

Kennedy said one of the errors made by other analyses was to suggest that 30GW of wind turbines would be built by 2020 ? the equivalent of around 30 nuclear power stations. The official objective of the government and the recommendation of the CCC is 12GW.

"This report shows that wild speculation on bill increases has been nothing but scaremongering," said Doug Parr from Greenpeace.

Nick Molho, at WWF-UK said: "It's great the CCC has injected a note of sanity into the fevered debate around household energy bills and confirmed what everyone knew ? the cost of fossil fuels are forcing up energy bills."

He added: "It is the UK power sector's heavy reliance on gas and other fossil fuels ? not renewable energy ? which has overwhelmingly driven recent price hikes. The reality is that renewables offer us the best chance to diversify our energy sources away from our excessive over-reliance on gas and to create a substantial renewable energy industry here in the UK."

Separately, a new YouGov poll published on Wednesday revealed that 60% of the public think the "government is right to subsidise windfarms to encourage more use of wind power". Three-quarters of the public said the government should be looking to use more solar power, although ministers have recently slashed solar subsidies.

Damian Carrington

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/dec/15/clean-energy-bills

Source: http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2011/12/tesla_confirms_pricing_and_launch_date_of_model_s_1.html

Thursday, December 29, 2011

Tesla Confirms Pricing and Launch Date of Model S

Ocean Energy BioFuel Hydropower Technology

Thursday, November 3, 2011

Robot Spider Will Find You After A Disaster

After a disaster, this robotic spider can shuffle into tight spaces for assessing damage or for search & rescue.

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/gadgets/robot-spider-will-find-you-after-a-disaster.html

Fuel Cells BioGen

Risks Versus Returns: Measuring Offshore Planning Factors

Many utility companies literally find themselves in deep water when attempting to estimate the risks and returns of setting up an offshore wind park. Measuring the multitude of different factors that impact the planning, construction, and maintenance appears to be a daunting task. Johannes Ritter explores what's involved and discusses the benefits.

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/11/risks-vs-returns-measuring-offshore-planning-factors?cmpid=rss

Ocean Energy BioFuel Hydropower Technology

Sep 8, Technologies for a Solar Power Future: Solar Articles: Eco20/20

It's not hard, these days, to believe that satellites will someday collect solar energy and then beam it to earthly receiving stations, or that stratospheric solar panels will be tethered to earthly power stations. It's not hard to imagine that solar-cloth airships will someday serve as power generators above disaster sites. For today and tomorrow, these are only concepts.

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Technologies-for-a-Solar-Power-Future.html

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Sep 12, Build your Own Green Energy Electricity Source: Renewable Energy Articles: Eco20/20

Now is the time to become involved in saving the planet and building your own green energy electricity source. There are various Green energy DIY kits available. Doing a small project can inspire you to more involved green energy projects.

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Build-your-Own-Green-Energy-Electricity-Source.html

Climate Change Renewable Energy Ocean Energy

Trick and Treat: Energy loans under review, as Hallowe?en looms

Source: http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2011/10/trick_and_treat_energy_loans_under_review_as_halloween_looms.html

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/first-car-rental-launches-worlds-first-green-mobile-checkout-facility.html

Sep 22, First Car Rental Launches Worlds First Green Mobile Checkout Facility

First Car Rentals latest in a string of green solutions, and launched at Cape Town International Airport branch recently and set to roll out nationally,

Windmills Solar Panels Solar Technology

Nov 1, The Benefits of Green Energy on the Environment: Renewable Energy Articles: Eco20/20

With all of this talk, debate, and controversy over green energy, questions are arising within the general public. One of which is: what are the benefits of green energy, specifically, on the environment? Is it relay that great that environmentalists are pushing for action by our nation's skeptical government and citizens? Well, let's answer these questions and solve the conundrum you have been presented with.

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/The-Benefits-of-Green-Energy-on-the-Environment.html

Windmills Solar Panels Solar Technology

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

UK firm's failed biofuel dream wrecks lives of Tanzania villagers

The collapse of Sun Biofuels has left hundreds of Tanzanians landless, jobless, and in despair for the future

"People feel this is like the return of colonialism," says Athumani Mkambala, chairman of Mhaga village in rural Tanzania. "Colonialism in the form of investment."

A quarter of the village's land in Kisarawe district was acquired by a British biofuels company in 2008, with the promise of financial compensation, 700 jobs, water wells, improved schools, health clinics and roads. But the company has gone bust, leaving villagers not just jobless but landless as well. The same story is playing out across Africa, as foreign investors buy up land but leave some of the poorest people on Earth worse off when their plans fail.

The tale of London-based Sun Biofuels's misadventure in Kisarawe links the broken hopes of the villagers to offshore tax havens and mysterious new owners, tracked down by the Observer, and ultimately to petrol pumps in the UK and across Europe. The final link results from the mandatory blending of biofuels into European petrol and diesel. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions, but many say biofuels actually increase pollution. The G20 meeting next week will discuss the issue, following a stark report it received in June from the World Bank, World Trade Organisation, UN and others calling for biofuels subsidies to be abandoned.

"The situation in Kisarawe is heartbreaking, but the real tragedy is that it is far from unique. Communities across Africa and beyond are losing their land as a result of the massive biofuel targets set by our government," said Josie Cohen at development group ActionAid, which works in Kisarawe. "Like it or not, everyone who drives a car or catches a bus is involved in this problem, as all UK petrol and diesel is mixed with biofuels."

It was the promise of this lucrative export market that led Sun Biofuels to Africa to plant jatropha, the seeds of which can be processed into biodiesel. Mkambala's first contact with the company was in 2006 through the former Kisarawe MP, Athumani Janguo. "People trusted him. We thought all our problems would be solved," Mkambala told the Observer. He says no compensation has been paid for the land, on which villagers used to hunt animals, gather firewood, wild mushrooms and honey.

Mhaga has no electricity, and water has to be carried each day from a well several kilometres away, back to the small mud or concrete-block houses in which 1,000 people live. "Water is everything," says local activist Halima Ali, sitting with three of her children on the earth floor of their home. "Because they promised there would be water available, everyone was happy." There would be more time for farming and more time for her children to go to school, she says. But the company drilled only a 6in-wide hole in the village, despite having sunk a 100m well on the plantation. "We thought something very good had come to the village, to lift our standard of life, but now we are only crying," she says.

Sun Biofuels was the first company to come to the area and about 50 people in Mhaga rushed to take jobs at its plantation, some queueing for days for the �42-a-month salary. Saidi Abasi was one, but he was soon unhappy. He asked his employer why a promised pay rise failed to materialise. "The reply was 'if you want to work, work. If you don't, get out'," he says.

Abasi's job was spraying pesticides, but he claims he was initially given no protective equipment. "During spraying, we became like drunk people," he says. When his contract was terminated after Sun Biofuels went into administration, he says he was not paid the full severance pay due for his 18 months of service.

Mhaga's crowded school teaches 257 children and was promised new classrooms, books and materials, says teacher Rhamadani Lwinde, but all that appeared were a few portable blackboards. In addition to the village land, the company also took 670 hectares of Lwinde's family land, he says. He was offered 13m Tanzanian shillings (�4,835), which he says was not a good price, "but we were advised to accept it by the district authorities. If we had problems we would sort it out later, they said." In the end he says he was paid for just 85 hectares.

In the nearby village of Mtamba, villagers tell the same stories of broken promises and unpaid compensation. Tabu Koba says he was one of 11 people to lose land and one of nine who received no money at all. "We are very angry," he says. "My children have now left school but have nowhere to farm."

Sun Biofuels and two related companies went into administration in August, but their shares in a Tanzanian subsidiary ? Sun Biofuels Tanzania, which did not go bust ? were sold. The insolvency company directed the Observer to Christopher Egerton-Warburton and a company called Thirty Degrees East, based in the tax haven of Mauritius. Egerton-Warburton is a former Goldman Sachs banker and now a partner at the London-based merchant bank Lion's Head Global Partners. "We are part of a consortium that purchased the shares of Sun Biofuels Tanzania," he said. "Given that we are currently in the process of raising additional funds, I am not at liberty to discuss publicly or off the record about our long-term plans."

Egerton-Warburton said a site visit was not possible, but when the Observer went to the plantation it was able to interview farm manager Ambilikile Mwenisongole, who has worked there for four years and lives on site. He confirmed that fewer than 50 of the 700 workers remained and that the plantation was not operating due to the change of ownership. Mwenisongole said the progress on the water wells and other social services were "not on target because of the transition", but he denied that workers lacked tools or protective equipment and rejected claims that access to an ancestral graveyard had been blocked. He blamed the complaints on rumours spread by "lazy" villagers.

It was not possible for the villagers to get their land back, Mwenisongole said. "It is now owned by the government. The government was meant to compensate the land owners." In Tanzania, large land deals are done through the district government, which acquires the land and then leases it to companies. District officials have told villagers that Sun Biofuels did not pay all the money due, but refused to see the Observer.

Mwenisongole named Kenyan Alan Mayers as the new chief executive of Sun Biofuels Tanzania. Mayers said he could not comment on the previous owners' failure to provide wells and classrooms, but added: "We are looking into the matter and our community relations officer is in constant contact with the villages." Villagers say that there has been just one recent meeting.

Mayers said all compensation for land and all due severance pay had been paid, and that he was unaware of claims by ex-workers that national insurance payments were missing. He added: "We are focused on a positive, collaborative relationship with local people."

Yet Kisarawe MP Selemani Saidi Jafo said: "I am the MP and I am not yet informed there is a new owner. What is the secret behind it? I need investors to come to my district, especially to help bring employment for many people. I prefer a win-win project, but this is not a win-win." Why Sun Biofuels went bust is unknown, as attempts to contact the previous owners were unsuccessful. Whatever the reason, the company is far from alone. A large jatropha plantation created by a Dutch firm called Bioshape in the southern Tanzanian district of Kilwa has also gone bankrupt, leaving locals complaining of missing land payments. Also in Tanzania, a large ethanol biofuel project set up by Swedish company Sekab went bust. In both cases, the land has not been returned to its owners.

Further afield, in Ghana, a Norwegian-backed jatropha project has collapsed, while in Mozambique a UK-linked company called Procana, behind a huge ethanol project, has folded in acrimony. The Observer's investigations and those of journalist Stefano Valentino have identified at least 30 abandoned biofuels projects in 15 African countries.

The thirst for biofuels to meet the UK and EU's rising targets has led British companies to lead the charge into Africa. Half the 3.2m hectares of biofuel land identified is linked to 11 British companies, the biggest proportion of any country. ActionAid's estimate suggests that up to 6m hectares has been acquired. But with landowners frequently illiterate and unaware of their rights, the potential for exploitation is high.

In Kisarawe, the villagers do not know if the promises will ever be kept. They feel deeply betrayed and are increasingly angry as time passes without answers. "If we have not got our rights by December, we will slash the jatropha plants," says Mkambala. "That will be the clearest sign that we do not need this company here."

Damian Carrington

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/30/africa-poor-west-biofuel-betrayal

Source: http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2011/10/obama_cleantech_stimulus_bad_policy_bad_politics_and_bad_for_cleantech_1.html

Obama Cleantech Stimulus: Bad Policy, Bad Politics and Bad for Cleantech

Fuel Cells BioGen Electric Cars

Sep 16, Spa Villa Announces Grand Opening For Newest Luxury Villa in Manuel Antonio

The owners of Manuel Antonios premier luxury spa, Spa Uno, are pleased to announce the launch of Spa Villa, a deluxe vacation rental on the same premises

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/spa-villa-announces-grand-opening-for-newest-luxury-villa-in-manuel-antonio.html

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/is-ev-solar-partnership-merging-into-the-fast-lane?cmpid=rss

Is EV-Solar Partnership Merging Into the Fast Lane?

Early adopters test-drive markets, and if the curbside view in San Francisco is any indication, electric vehicles could soon be ready to shift to the next gear.

Hybrid Vehicles Climate Change Renewable Energy

Monday, October 31, 2011

Solar Power Spurs Job Creation in the US

Alternative energy is not only good for the environment; it?s good for job creation, too. According to the Solar Foundation, 100,237 Americans are now working in the US solar industry. The statement is based on preliminary data from National Solar Jobs Census 2011: A Review of the U.S. Solar Workforce. Solar businesses added 6,735 new [...]

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/EnergyrefugecomBlog/~3/OE4QQdWU54g/

Sorting Out Settled Climate Science From Remaining Uncertainties

© Skeptical Science Much ado is made about the phrase "the science is settled," but to what does the phrase refer?? There are certainly a number of climate issues for which the scientific evidence is so conclusive and robust, they can reasonably be called "settled."? For example, the fact that the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels is due to human emissions, the fact that the planet is warming (as confi... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/sorting-out-settled-climate-science-remaining-uncertainties.php?campaign=th_rss_science

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/video-siemens-enters-geothermal-market?cmpid=rss

Video: Siemens Enters Geothermal Market

For the second time this month, an international energy giant has jumped full throttle into renewable energy.

Greenhouse Gases Natural Gas Wind Energy

Oct 28, Supporting Green Energy on a Widespread Level: Eco Living Articles: Eco20/20

Green energy is undoubtedly great; however, without support from various place, it cannot prosper and continue to expand like it has recently. As an intelligent citizen who is currently concerned about the direction in which fossil fuels and other harsh energies that are not kind to the planet, you have sought out information on your own.

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Supporting-Green-Energy-on-a-Widespread-Level.html

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/digital-camera-to-use-the-article-summarized-experience.html

Sunday, October 30, 2011

Oct 3, Digital camera to use the article summarized experience

Now, more and more people begin to use a digital camera, understanding, familiar with the current digital camera to use some of the canon eos 50d battery

Advantages of IP Based Multi Resident Automation Plans for Hotels and Other Paid Accommodation

If you want to introduce environment and other automation into your building, hotel or serviced apartment, traditionally you had to dig deep into the infrastructure of your building. With IP based solutions, meaning you are using the internet to manage your smart accommodation, the introduction of this technology is not as complicated as it once was. Energy management software and hardware can be installed into...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/green-energy-news/~3/YwsACYwuxh4/

Source: http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2011/10/trade_like_its_2008.html

Trade Like It's 2008

Greenhouse Gases Natural Gas Wind Energy

China Taking Uncertain Path Toward Electric Vehicles

China's Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Development Plan is still awaiting approval, stymieing the efforts of domestic new energy vehicle producers to map out their development plans and raising concerns that foreign rivals may come in to the local market and grab the new growth opportunities.

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/china-taking-uncertain-path-toward-electric-vehicles?cmpid=rss

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/asu-buys-green-energy-homecoming-game-continues-commitment-clean-tech.php?campaign=th_rss_science

Saturday, October 29, 2011

ASU Buys Green Energy for Homecoming Game, Continues Commitment to Clean Tech

While clean tech naysayers and pessimists have been raising their voices of late, forward thinking individuals, companies and institutions continue to beat a path toward a new industrial revolution. ASU appears to be taking a leadership position in that regard. Having already announced that it will cover its parking lot with a 2MW solar parasol, Market Watch reports that Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/26/chris-huhne-renewable-energy-critics

Chris Huhne attacks renewable energy critics

Climate secretary to tell conference that 'climate sceptics and armchair engineers' are selling the UK economy short

The climate and energy secretary, Chris Huhne, will attack "climate sceptics and armchair engineers" for criticising renewables, in a speech on Wednesday on the economic benefits of green energy.

Huhne will insist the government is backing renewable energy and has resolved to make the UK the largest market in Europe for offshore wind.

His speech to the annual renewable industry conference comes in the wake of the publication of government proposals to reduce subsidies for green technologies including onshore wind, although the plans contained better news on support for offshore wind, wave and tidal power.

And the solar industry is bracing itself for an announcement on the review of feed-in tariffs that pay people for the electricity they generate from small-scale renewables, which is expected to slash payments for solar electricity.

The industry claims the expected move will hit jobs and growth in the sector.

But Huhne will say today that renewable energy technologies will deliver a new industrial revolution, creating jobs and bringing investment into the UK.

And he will accuse an "unholy alliance" of short-termists, armchair engineers, climate sceptics and vested interests of selling the UK economy short by their refusals to acknowledge the benefits that renewables will bring.

Critics claim renewable energy is expensive and unreliable and that support for it adds to consumer bills, but proponents say shifting to green power reduces the reliance on fossil fuels which have driven recent large rises in household bills.

Huhne will tell the RenewableUK conference: "Across the length and breadth of Britain, new companies are creating new jobs and delivering the technologies that will power our future.

"At a time when closures and cuts dominate the news cycle, next-generation industries are providing jobs and sinking capital into Britain.

"I want to take aim at the curmudgeons and faultfinders who hold forth on the impossibility of renewables, the climate sceptics and armchair engineers who are selling Britain's ingenuity short.

"Yes, climate change is a man-made disaster. Yes, the UK is only 2% of global carbon emissions. But if we grasp the opportunity now our businesses and economy can be much more than 2% of the solution."

He will tell the conference that "we are not going to save our economy by turning our back on renewable energy".

"It is this three-party consensus that makes the UK such a a good place to invest. So I can today assure you that this government has resolved that we will be the largest market in Europe for offshore wind."

Louise Hutchins of Greenpeace said: "It is increasingly clear that there's a green war at the heart of government.

"On the one hand Chris Huhne is making a strong case for the strategic role renewable energy can play in creating jobs and reducing CO₂ emissions, while at the same time George Osborne seems to be in perpetual denial about the benefits of investing in green growth.

"The renewables industry urgently needs a clear and coherent policy from the government so that lost confidence is restored.

"We'll know the coalition's priorities are sound if in the coming weeks ministers support smallscale solar and wind power at a level that will protect the growth in jobs and manufacturing in that sector, rather than slashing support as is currently rumoured."

But Simon Less, head of environment and energy at thinktank Policy Exchange, said: "Huhne's words are unhelpful and deeply worrying.

"Conflating those who want to see cost-effective carbon emissions reduction - in other words policies that can be sustained and so will deliver our long-term carbon targets - with climate science deniers, is insulting.

"To be greener, we must be cheaper.

"Existing renewable technologies have a key role to play in emissions reduction, alongside a range of other actions including increased energy efficiency, switching coal to gas generation, nuclear and emerging new technologies.

"What cannot be defended is wasting tens of billions of pounds on excessive short-term deployment of hugely expensive technologies, such as offshore wind. This damages decarbonisation," he said.

A report published by WWF on Tuesday said between 60 and 90% of the UK's energy could come from wind, solar, tidal and other sustainable sources by 2030.

Solar Technology Greenhouse Gases Natural Gas

Cape Wind Held Up Yet Again: Court Claims it Could Prove Hazardous to Airplanes

phault via Flickr/CC BY 2.0 Cape Wind was supposed to be the nation's first offshore wind farm. It was announced over ten years ago, and after fighting through miles and miles of bureaucratic red tape, it was finally approved by the Department of the Interior earlier this year. But after fielding -- and overcoming -- complaints from rich neighbors who worried it would spoil their coastal views, utilities who claimed they didn't want to buy the electricity, and an animated conservative ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/cape-wind-held-yet-again-court-claims-it-could-prove-hazardous-airplanes.php?campaign=th_rss_science

Ocean Energy BioFuel Hydropower Technology

Exxon's Profits Hit $31 Billion So Far This Year, Yet Big Oil Subsidies Flourish

Steve Snodgrass via Flickr/CC BY 2.0 I'm not sure this can even be considered news anymore, given the regularity with which it happens: ExxonMobil has posted massive earnings. Again. The oil giant claims quarterly earnings of $10.3 billion dollars, bringing the yearly total thus far to $31 billion. And yet, this obscenely profitable company still gets annual federal handouts to the tune of billions of dollars a year. To make matters worse, Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/exxons-profits-hit-31-billion-so-far-year-yet-big-oil-subsidies-flourish.php?campaign=th_rss_science

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/The-Sun-is-One-of-the-Largest-Energy-Resources.html

Friday, October 28, 2011

Sep 28, The Sun is One of the Largest Energy Resources: Solar Energy: Eco20/20

The sun is one of the largest energy resources. The rays are generated into a powered format; therefore, creating solar energy. It is available to all walks of life and is becoming more and more cost effective. Depending on the method used to capture the suns rays will determine if the power is active or passive.

Greenhouse Gases Natural Gas Wind Energy

Sep 9, Water-Saving Requires Technology and Techniques: Eco Living Articles: Eco20/20

There are a number of things every homeowner can do that will effectively conserve water - with the side benefit of reduced water bills

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Water-Saving-Requires-Technology-and-Techniques.html

Oct 24, cost effective grid energy storage

I believe that large scale energy storage can be stored profitably if one recognizes the challange. While one kilowatt-hour can raise 2000 lbs 1300 feet,costs

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/cost-effective-grid-energy-storage.html

Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/oct/20/renewable-energy-subsidies-slashed

UK renewable energy subsidies slashed

? Cuts to biomass, energy from waste and microgeneration
? Marine and offshore wind funding remains high

Public subsidies for a range of renewable energy technologies are to be cut under plans unveiled by the government on Thursday, as ministers respond to complaints of "green taxes" driving up energy bills.

Power stations using biomass from plants or waste byproducts to generate energy are among the worst losers, with developers disappointed that their subsidy levels have been left at a level they say will not encourage new projects.

Companies generating energy from landfill gas will cease to receive any subsidies at all. Projects to produce energy from waste will have their subsidies slashed, and hydroelectric power will receive only half the subsidy it used to.

Gaynor Hartnell, chief executive of the Renewable Energy Association, said: "If the government wants to encourage a greater contribution from the very cheapest technologies, this is the wrong way to go about it. No new projects have been built since 2009, at the existing levels. Reducing them further cannot help."

The savings from the subsidy cuts are likely to be small ? they could be as little as �400m at the lower end, and no more than �1.3bn.

Chris Huhne, energy and climate change secretary, presented the reforms as a way of "getting more for less", through cutting consumer energy bills ? by an average of �2 per year. He said the government's job was to ensure the subsidies were high enough to stimulate new green energy generation, but not so high as to encourage profiteering at the expense of bill-payers. "We have carefully studied what the level of subsidy should be, and we have pared them back [where they were] unnecessary, to get a lower level of consumer bills but a higher level of deployment," he said.

The long-awaited review of renewable energy subsidies came as the solar panel industry braced itself for severe cuts to the feed-in tariffs (Fit) that have stimulated a mini-boom in panel installations in the last 18 months. Treasury officials are understood to be concerned by the success of the Fit scheme, where householders receive a guaranteed income for the power they generate, and want to rein it in.

The tariffs for domestic solar installations are likely to be slashed, greatly reducing their appeal to householders and, the solar industry fears, potentially scaring off investors and costing thousands of jobs.

The Fit scheme, like the renewable obligation, is not paid for from general taxation but by energy companies adding a small amount to all customers' bills. Ministers are sensitive to a growing clamour in sections of the media attacking high energy bills and blaming "green taxes" for the problem, even though research shows low-carbon subsidies make up only a small fraction of bill rises.

Huhne had little comfort for the fledgling solar industry - although he refused to give details of cuts to the feed-in tariffs, he hinted strongly that they were to come, noting that the costs of photovoltaic technology had been falling by about 6% a year. "If suddenly there is a dramatic reduction in costs, it is appropriate that we should be looking at the energy bill payer and the taxpayer, and getting value for money," he said.

Huhne has tried to make the case that investing in green energy will cut bills in the medium term, because soaring and volatile fossil fuel prices are the main cause for increasing energy bills. However, he is up against stiff opposition within the government.

Green campaigners and the renewables industry were relieved, however, that the cuts announced on Thursday were not much worse, as many had feared.

Doug Parr from Greenpeace said: "Despite some prominent Tory scepticism over the role renewables can play in delivering clean and secure energy, it's a relief to see the doubters have lost this internal battle and incentives are being left in place to spark an expansion of green energy generation. David Cameron can build on this decision and show real leadership by now making the UK the world leader in marine renewables technologies, in the process providing new jobs and building economic growth."

Under the new plans set out on Thursday, windfarms escaped relatively lightly. Onshore windfarms will have their subsidies cut, but only gradually by 10%, while offshore windfarms will be granted a breathing space until 2015, after which their support will be reduced by 5% in successive years.

Hartnell said: "Onshore wind developers should be able to live with this. It's a modest reduction, but it will have an impact on smaller and community schemes. Offshore wind remains at the higher level introduced by the emergency review, which is welcome news."

There were also a few clear winners ? chiefly tidal and wave energy, which will receive five renewable obligation certificates for each megawatt (MW) on smaller schemes. However, bigger installations ? above 30MW ? will receive only two. Renewable obligation certificates are the means by which low-carbon energy is subsidised ? energy companies buy them from developers to fulfil their legal obligations to generate green power.

Tim Cornelius, chief executive of Atlantis Resources Corporation, said: "This decision should provide the necessary economic stimulus to catalyse the next phase of growth in the UK marine energy sector. Technology developers and their project partners are preparing for commercial-scale deployment and this support will prime investment and create jobs. The industry can now proceed with confidence. Tidal energy has a major role to play in the UK's future energy mix."

Now that the government has laid out its plans, investors are expected to review their business plans and some that were put on hold may now be brought forward.

"There is great relief that this document has finally been published. The delay had put billions of pounds worth of investment on hold. Developers will need to see these new numbers in legislation before they can resume development activity, however. We welcome the broad thrust of the proposals, although we have views on some of the details, which we'll feed in to the consultation," said Hartnell.

Arnaud Bouill�, director at Ernst & Young's environmental finance team, said: "With GDP growth forecast close to zero and much debate about affordability and increasing energy bills, today's announcement of a cut in the support of both onshore wind and solar energy generation is not totally unexpected. The biggest loser will be the solar sector which is receiving its second setback in its short-lived UK history. This may be a missed opportunity for a maturing industry which had achieved significant cost reductions in recent years and demonstrated job creation benefits at a local level."

Commenting on the collapse on Wednesday of talks between government and a consortium of companies to build a pioneering carbon capture and storage (CCS) plant in Scotland, Huhne blamed the withdrawal of the Longannet CCS demonstration plant on the specific conditions of that project, which could not be made economically viable. He said he was "confident we can deliver CCS elsewhere within the budget [of �1bn in public subsidy] and we have undimmed determination - CCS is a massive industry opportunity". DECC officials pointed to half a dozen other potential CCS demonstration plants, including one at Peterhead in Scotland proposed by Scottish and Southern Energy.

Fiona Harvey

BioFuel Hydropower Technology Fuel Cells

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Aug 31, Making Fuel from Plastic Debris: Green Technology Articles: Eco20/20

Once upon a time, kids snatched glass bottles to return for the nickel deposits. Then aluminum cans gained value; so they were gathered, squashed and sold. Soon, plastic bags will be counted among the booty of those who plunder discards - because now plastic can be converted into fuel.

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Making-Fuel-from-Plastic-Debris.html

Climate Change Renewable Energy Ocean Energy

15 Ways to Go Green without Spending a Penny

1. Put those car keys down and give walking a go. Whether it is to work, the school run or simply to the shops, walking has a host of health benefits as well as being good for the environment. 2. Make sure you recycle tin cans, bottles and paper by using the containers the government provides. This means materials can be used again and again rather than taking up space in a landfill. 3. Save the...

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/green-energy-news/~3/xu5IY2IIKB4/

Three Israeli Innovations that Could Power U.S. Renewables

Renewable energy?s growth and competition for market share with fossil fuels has increased the need to develop new innovations ? but that doesn?t always happen in our backyard. Some of the most cutting-edge energy inventions are happening in Israel, and they could have major implications for renewables in America.As part of energyNOW!?s ?Israel Connection? series, chief correspondent Tyler Suiters explored how discoveries half a world away could revolutionize the way we generate clean energy.Related posts:

Source: http://feeds.importantmedia.org/~r/IM-cleantechnica/~3/tzop7OXo2WI/

Fuel Cells BioGen Electric Cars

Giant Amoebae Discovered in Mariana Trench (Video)

National Geographic Society Remote Imaging Dropcam/via Deep sea researchers have caught footage of the most unlikely and extreme of creatures: giant amoebas. Using specially-rigged untethered landers or "dropcams," the team spotted these mysterious single-celled organisms earlier this summer in the planet's deepest known region, the Mariana Trench of the Pacific Ocean. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/giant-amoebas-discovered-mariana-trench.php?campaign=th_rss_science

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/blog/post/2011/10/warming-up-to-geothermals-potential-via-google-earth?cmpid=rss

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Warming Up to Geothermal's Potential Via Google Earth

Work a bit slow today? And did you ever wonder just how hot it is miles beneath your cubicle? Luckily, the good folks at Google have you covered on both fronts. Welcome to geothermal data heaven. Researchers at SMU’s Geothermal Laboratory have built a vast database detailing the geothermal potential way, way below the earth’s surface, and Google has taken that information and laid it atop its interactive Google Earth platform. Spend a little time with it — or a lot — and you’ll end up with all sorts of nuggets that will help you better understand Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS) and its immense potential in the United States. The experience will certainly give you a better sense of where the hot spots are. You probably didn’t need Google Earth to tell you that Firehole Lake in Wyoming was a rather good source of geothermal energy. But did you know that places like Louisiana and Mississippi also pack their fair share of heat? Or that West Virginia’s geothermal resource is equivalent to the state’s existing king of power — coal? The goal of the 35,000 data sites is to help users deepen their knowledge of geothermal potential in areas not often associated with the energy resource. As technologies improve, methods such as EGS may one day tap into this often undiscovered source of clean energy. In the meantime, you have some exploring to do. First, download the latest version of Google Earth and then download and open the file.

Hybrid Vehicles Climate Change Renewable Energy

SolarWorld Files Complaint Against Chinese Panelmakers and Cell Manufacturers

A coalition of seven U.S.-based solar panel manufacturers filed a complaint Wednesday alleging unfair trade practices, setting off an investigation that could thrust the solar industry in the middle of a U.S.-China trade dispute.

Source: http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/news/article/2011/10/us-solar-companies-file-lawsuit-against-chinese-panelmakers?cmpid=rss

Windmills Solar Panels Solar Technology

Aug 29, Iceless Ice Skating: Eco Living Articles: Eco20/20

It should be self-evident that synthetic ice doesn't involve flooding a floor with water. It should be indisputable that any product that would save hundreds of gallons of such a precious and treasured resource is a triumphant achievement. But water-savings is not the sole eco-friendly benefit of an iceless ice rink

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Iceless-Ice-Skating.html

Wave Energy Windmills Solar Panels

Oct 19, Key Advantages of Alternative Fuels: Renewable Energy Articles: Eco20/20

In this day and age people are becoming more aware of the truth that we need to start using alternative fuels for several reasons. For one thing, there may not be enough oil in the world left to power the things it is used for today if we keep using it at the rate we are doing today. Studies have estimated that nearly 90 percent of the energy that is used in America is through traditional fossil fuels. At this rate they won't last and the earth also can't take the stress and strain of this use either.

Source: http://www.eco20-20.com/Key-Advantages-of-Alternative-Fuels.html

Source: http://www.altenergystocks.com/archives/2011/10/another_reality_check_for_ev_investors.html

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Another Reality Check for EV Investors

Wind Energy Hybrid Vehicles Climate Change

Alarming Scale of Global Shark Fin Trade Revealed in New Photos

© Shawn Heinrichs for the Pew Environment Group Pew Environment Group this week released a series of photos that are simply jaw-dropping as they reveal the scale of shark fishing for fins. The group released a report earlier this year noting the world's 20 largest shark catchers, including Taiwan, which is where these photos were taken. ... Read the full story on TreeHugger

Source: http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/10/taiwan-shark-finning-ban-set-go-effect-next-year.php?campaign=th_rss_science