Articles Archive for February 2010
Energy Efficiency, SURE Energy »
A new analysis by the European Wind Energy Association finds that the European Union (EU) is going to exceed its target of producing 20% of its energy from renewable energy sources by 2020.
The reports looked at all forms of renewable energy. It found that 13 of the 27 EU countries are set to meet their target, 8 are set to exceed it and the remaining 6 are expected to fall short.
Energy Efficiency, SURE Energy, Smart Grid, Solar Power, Water/Hydro, Wind Energy »
By 2050, 69% of utilities expect that a combination of central power stations in tandem with distributed renewable energy (typically rooftop solar PV and small wind) will supply most of the nation’s electricity, according to a survey by Black and Veatch.
But a surprising 13% of utilities believe that an “Al Gore Electra-net” model of distributed rooftop power will be the dominant way we get our electricity in the US by 2050.
“Most of our respondents (69%) see a hybrid electric utility industry model embracing a combination of both central generation and distributed resources evolving by 2050. Such a system would include both centralized base-load generation and distributed renewable generation made feasible by advanced smart grid technology.”
Imagine if you believed your whole industry would be obsolete by 2050. That’s only forty years from now!
If you believed your industry would be gone in forty years, would you make long term capital investments in electric power generation? I sure wouldn’t. Expect more blackouts on the central grid as we get closer to the half-century!
SURE Energy, Solar Power, Wind Energy »
“Mixed use” development is an exciting term in city planning. Mention it to a planner and chances are their eyes will widen, they will stand up straighter, and they will start talking with you in an excited tone about all the benefits of mixing land uses. When it gets down to it, these places are just more efficient, more vibrant and create a real sense of place.
Now, mixing wind and solar projects with landfills and brownfields may not create a great “sense of place” or make the place “vibrant” with life, but it can surely achieve that first benefit — more efficiency.
Thus, some are looking into the potential of such “mixed use” projects. A UK engineering firm is looking into invest £100 million ($152.5 million) to install up to 80MW of wind energy capacity at UK landfill sites. And the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is targeting former brownfields for solar, wind and other renewable energy projects.
SURE Energy, Solar Power »
It ain’t over yet, but it seems that solar energy advocates in Arizona have managed to stall legislation that would have stalled clean energy investment in the state. Representative Debbie Lesko (R-9), the primary sponsor of the HB (House Bill) 2701, withdrew her support after hearing from individuals, groups and businesses including green jobs advocate Az4Solar, solar manufacturer SunTech, and solar installer SolarCity.
As reported by Eric Wesoff of greentechmedia.com, HB 2701 will count nuclear energy as a renewable source. That would fulfill Arizona’s renewable energy pledge because the state already gets about 25% of its power from nukes. In turn, that would put the kibosh on incentives for new solar installation and other forms of genuinely renewable energy in Arizona – which in turn would throw cold water on the growth of green jobs in Arizona. And that would be quite a letdown for a state that’s poised to lead the U.S. out of the fossil fuel dark ages and into a sustainable clean energy future.
Energy Efficiency, SURE Energy, Solar Power »
Researchers at Caltech, U.S. create a photovoltaic material that could be used to make solar cells. The new material could convert 15 to 20 per cent of the energy in sunlight into electricity–on par with existing high-performance silicon cells. But the material would require just 1 per cent of the materials used today, potentially leading to [...]
Bio Fuels, SURE Energy, Transportation »
Researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, U.S develop a new method of converting cellulose from agricultural waste into gasoline and jet fuel. The method could prove more reliable than previous processes because it is a chemical process that’s easier to maintain. What’s more, carbon-dioxide created during its production can be easily captured–an advantage over conventional biofuels. (Technology Review article, [...]
Energy Efficiency, Just Plain Cool, SURE Energy, Solar Power, Transportation »
PlanetSolar, the world’s biggest boat powered by the sun was unveiled yesterday in Germany. The boat will be launched in late March for its round-the-world voyage. (The Independent article, 25.02.10)
Energy Efficiency, SURE Energy »
The Government of Canada invests $40 million in the Celgar Pulp Mill in BC. The investment will allow the mill to take advantage of waste heat, increase the production of steam from wood waste and increase capacity to generate bioenergy. Significant environmental benefits are expected to result from the project, including a reduction in greenhouse gas [...]
Just Plain Cool, Solar Power, Transportation »
Photo: The Age
On Thursday, the covers were taken off PlanetSolar, a multi-hulled vessel, powered entirely by up to 500 square metres of photovoltaic solar panels. It is considered to be the world’s largest solar boat.
The 31m long and 15m wide craft is expected to be able capture 103.4 kW of
solar energy to drive its engine which apparently only needs 20kW, to achieve an average speed of eight knots (15kph or 9mph). Although it is hoped it can also attain a top speed of roughly twice that. While it is imp… Read the full story on TreeHugger
SURE Energy, Wind Energy »
In keeping with Philippe Starck‘s philosophy of creating practical objects with a sense of aesthetics and functionality, the designer has created a couple chic wind turbines, named Revolutionair. The hip French designer first unveiled his sketches in 2008, working with Italian generator company Pramac to make them a reality. This sleek look offers another image of the classic three-blade turbine we’ve come to love – and some hate. If Starck’s designer windmills were whirling around mountaintops, wou… Read the full story on TreeHugger
