Can Renewables Grow Fast Enough to Make a Difference?

Across much of the globe, there is an insatiable hunger for energy to fuel growing economies. While the U.S. and Europe could see relatively flat-lined energy use in coming decades, it will rise considerably in non-Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (non-OECD) countries...Difference, Enough, Renewables

Greentech VC Flows for Sungevity, Bidgely, LiquidPiston, Zero Motorcycles, GELI, and Aircuity

The cleantech sector may never see venture investment intensity like it did in 2008 ($7.5 billion in 350 deals), but there’s still activity, and, anecdotally, this reporter is seeing an upswing in investments. We also see VCs looking for new ways to invest in the energy...Aircuity, Bidgely, Flows, Greentech, LiquidPiston, Motorcycles, Sungevity

Move Over, Light Bulbs: Republicans Pick a Fight With Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans and birth control have more in common than you might think, at least in Washington. These two disparate items both have the ability to invoke the ire of many Republicans in the current House of Representatives. And while the issue of women’s reproductive health is a perennial...Bulbs, Ceiling, fight, light, republicans

New Community Projects Provide Solar Energy in Minnesota

Construction of Minnesota’s first community solar project finished last week and is expected to be up and running by the end of July.Wright-Hennepin Cooperative Electric Association, through a partnership with Clean Energy Collective, has found a way to provide residents in Rockford, Minn.,...Community, Energy, Minnesota, Projects, provide, Solar

Update: China and EU Close to Agreement on Solar Trade Deal — or Not?

LONDON — In a move to avoid imposing anti-dumping duties, Europe is nearing an agreement with China on minimum prices at which Chinese solar panels may be sold in Europe, according to some reports. The two sides are reportedly considering a compromise minimum price of €0.55/W (up from...Agreement, China, Close, Solar, trade, Update

Explainer: nanoparticles in air pollution

Hearing the words “airborne nanoparticles” for the first time, one would probably ask: just how tiny are they, where do they come from, and do we need to worry about them?These tiny particles between 1 and 100nm are around 700 to 70,000 times thinner than the diameter of typical human hair....Explainer, nanoparticles, pollution

Methane and the risk of runaway global warming

Research was published this week showing the financial cost of methane being released from Earth’s permafrosts. But the risks go beyond financial – Earth’s history shows that releasing these stores could set off a series of events with calamitous consequences.The sediments and bottom water...Global, methane, runaway, warming

Badger cull: why we must keep a close eye on animal health

Britain’s badgers stand on the brink of being shot, gassed or even forcibly fed oral contraceptives, all in the name of fighting the spread of tuberculosis in cattle. But what dangers does bovine TB (as it is known) really pose? Does this disease or others like it pose a threat to human public...Animal, Badger, Close, health

Groundswell: More States Join the Regulatory Push for Utility Efficiency

Ratepayer-funded utility programs dominate the energy efficiency landscape in the U.S.
From 2006 to 2008, these programs more than doubled from $2 billion to $4.8 billion. And according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, these programs are expected to double again by 2025.
In order to...Efficiency, Groundswell, Regulatory, states, utility

Divestment: Can Investors Actually Make More Money Going Fossil-Free?

When fossil fuel divestment is discussed in the press, there often two foregone conclusions.First, it’s assumed that the campaign is being run by a bunch of activist college “kids” who know nothing about investing. (Fox News host Greg Gutfeld once charmingly hoped that...Actually, divestment, FossilFree, Going, Investors, money

Adapt, move, or die: the pressures of global warming

We all know that weather is not the same as climate, but it is surprising how our perceptions of global warming vary according to what we see outside our window. In the UK for example, last year’s washed-out summer took the focus off global climate warming in many people’s minds – maybe...adapt, Global, pressures, warming

Australian endangered species: Southern Corroboree Frog

High up in the sub-alpine bogs of the Snowy Mountains lives one of Australia’s most iconic and rarest creatures, the Southern Corroboree Frog (Pseudophryne corroboree). This small, vividly-coloured species is restricted to Kosciuszko National Park, in the south-east of New South Wales. Found...Australian, Corroboree, endangered, Southern, species

Why the US Will Become the World’s Largest PV Monitoring Market in 2013

Large-scale solar PV plants are almost always managed with monitoring software, but this does not hold true for smaller systems.
A report recently published by GTM Research and SoliChamba Consulting assesses that in most residential PV markets around the world, the attachment rate of monitoring...Become, largest, market, Monitoring, worlds

Mo’ Money, Mo’ Demand Response

Last week, a heat wave hung around the mid-Atlantic and Northeast, leading to a new peak demand record for New York state.
But as we reported, the grid seemed to fare pretty well. Demand response played a large part, even though it wasn’t a record-setting effort.
PJM, the grid operator for...demand, money, response

Insurance Bill for Renewables Seen Tripling to $2.8 Billion

LONDON — Insurance costs for the renewable energy industry may more than triple to $2.8 billion by 2020 as projects become more complex and risky, a report commissioned by Swiss Re Ltd. found. The report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance examined markets for wind and solar power including...billion, Insurance, Renewables, Tripling

Fight Against Solar Net Metering in Arizona Gets Controversial Support

Arizona Public Service (APS), the state’s largest utility is trying to gut its support of net-metering, and recently they got a boost from two swift-boat style attack ads, which may or may not be tied to the company itself. But the whole thing is being watched by the solar and utility industry...against, Arizona, Controversial, fight, metering, Solar, support

Want to capture carbon? Look to nanomaterials

Much of Australia’s large scale electricity generation comes from coal-fired power plants. Given the cost of building alternative electricity infrastructure and Australia’s large reserves of coal, this is likely to continue in the near future.Unfortunately, the CO2 produced from burning coal...capture, carbon, nanomaterials

Should we extend property rights to the atmosphere?

While Australia aims to produce a fifth of its energy from renewable sources by 2020, non-renewable energy is still flourishing. But non-renewable energy sources such as coal and gas have a significant advantage over wind and solar energy: they can be owned. So, what do property rights have to...atmosphere, extend, property, rights, Should

Report: Central American Solar Markets Spurred On by High Electricity Prices

On the surface, Central America seems ripe for solar development. All seven countries — Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Honduras, Panama, and Guatemala — enjoy significant solar resources and nearly all are heavily reliant on thermal generation (primarily fuel oil and...American, Central, Electricity, markets, prices, Report, Solar, Spurred

Greentech VC Flows for Sungevity, Bidgely, LiquidPiston, Zero Motorcycles, GELI, and Aircuity

The cleantech sector may never see venture investment intensity like it did in 2008 ($7.5 billion in 350 deals), but there’s still activity, and, anecdotally, this reporter is seeing an upswing in investments. We also see VCs looking for new ways to invest in the energy...Aircuity, Bidgely, Flows, Greentech, LiquidPiston, Motorcycles, Sungevity

Can there be a 'free market' in carbon?

Many are puzzled by the political theory of carbon markets. Why does the Institute for Public Affairs – a libertarian think tank – oppose a market in carbon?Tim Wilson, for example, thinks that private property rights are good, intellectual property rights are important, but carbon markets...carbon, market, there

Solar Leasing Gains Momentum, Costs to Federal Taxpayers Fall

Solar leasing gets so many headlines in the clean energy media, it seems like a foregone conclusion. But it’s not — not yet, anyway. 
About fourteen of 50 states currently offer a lease model for rooftop solar systems. One of the most active states is California, which offers plenty...costs, federal, Gains, Leasing, Momentum, Solar, Taxpayers

Green Jobs: Greentech VC Attrition; Solar Reserve, Kurion, Tollgrade

Attrition in greentech venture capitalWe covered the pivot by venture firm MDV last year and watched as the investment firm shifted its broad view of cleantech to a far more narrow vertical within its IT practice. We noted that MDV’s Will Coleman had left the firm. Sven Strohband, formerly...Attrition, Green, Greentech, kurion, Reserve, Solar, tollgrade

Carbon tax dumped: how do we get to 100% renewable energy?

The Federal Government has sparked significant debate with the confirmation it intends to move from a fixed carbon price to an emissions trading scheme next year. But where is the description of the long term, low carbon future for Australia? Aside from the 90% renewable energy target proposed...carbon, dumped, Energy, Renewable

GT Advanced Technologies: Selling Solar Equipment and Surviving

GT Advanced Technologies (GTAT) might be one of the more mature solar companies that most people haven’t heard of. That’s because GT is an upstream solar company with technologies for polysilicon production, as well as sapphire and silicon crystal-growth systems for photovoltaics and...Advanced, Equipment, Selling, Solar, surviving, Technologies

Bioenergy a burning question for Tasmania's forests

With Australia trying to meet renewable energy targets and reduce emissions wherever possible, we should be considering bioenergy.Bioenergy can be made by burning biomass in a variety of forms, including agricultural by-products such as rice husks, poppy seeds, sugarcane waste and manure. It can...bioenergy, burning, forests, Question, Tasmanias

Sao Paulo Sets 70 Percent Renewables Target

LONDON — The largest state in Brazil plans to generate almost 70 per cent of its electricity from renewables by 2020. The government of Sao Paulo has launched an energy plan which roadmaps the development of the state’s energy mix and highlights how it plans to utilise more...Paulo, percent, Renewables, target

Why a Security Firm Thinks It Can Beat Google and Microsoft at Home Energy Management

For a security company like Vivint trying to branch out into the connected home, the competitive landscape continues to change.Yesterday’s competitors were traditional security companies like ADT. But as various residential service providers break out of their silos and attempt to network...Energy, Google, Management, Microsoft, Security, Thinks

Understanding Massachusetts’ SREC Auction Program

This week, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will run its first Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) auction under the solar carve-out. It might not clear, and everything will be okay.The Solar Credit Clearinghouse Auction (SCCA) is happening for the first time this year because...Auction, Massachusetts, program, Understanding

Dig for secrets: the lesson of Maralinga's Vixen B

Occasionally I give guest lectures to undergraduates about Maralinga. In most cases, the students have never heard of the place. A small number may have heard the word, but don’t know what it means.This lack of knowledge about the British nuclear tests in Australia is not surprising. The tests...Lesson, Maralingas, Secrets, Vixen

Is it time for nuclear energy for Australia?

Is it time for Australia to embrace nuclear energy? Many in Australia would say the answer is a resounding “No!”. After all, Australia is richly endowed with non-nuclear energy resources. But it really depends on what our objectives are for Australia’s energy sector.Governments around the...Australia, Energy, Nuclear

Top 3 False Claims About Clean Energy Made by Americans for Prosperity

A curious thing happened in Georgia this month.As the state’s public service commission was considering a proposal for 525 megawatts of solar PV — a program fiercely opposed by Georgia Power — an unlikely alliance formed to support more solar. The Tea Party Patriots and...about, Americans, Claims, clean, Energy, False, Prosperity

IEA: Urban Transport Gains Could Save $70 Trillion Globally by 2050

Business-as-usual scenarios for global energy consumption and carbon emissions are always extremely depressing. So it’s no surprise that the International Energy Agency’s latest assessment of our current transportation policies paints a pretty bleak picture.In the year 2000, there...could, Gains, globally, transport, Trillion, urban

Osborne shoots for energy security, but shale gas is no silver bullet

Last week, Chancellor George Osborne announced a 30% tax rate on shale gas production. Representing a 32% reduction on the standard rate for oil and gas companies, the move is the latest in a series of attempts to secure Britain’s energy future.Unrest in the Arab world and a fragile political...bullet, Energy, Osborne, Security, shale, shoots, silver

BrightSource Raises Another $35M for Ivanpah and CSP

BrightSource Energy just collected $15 million of a modest $35 million tranche of venture funding. (It’s modest relative to the hundreds of millions the company has raised over the last decade.) The Oakland Tribune caught the Form D from the SEC and noted that 44 investors were involved in...another, BrightSource, Ivanpah, raises

Understanding Massachusetts’ SREC Auction Program

This week, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources will run its first Solar Renewable Energy Credit (SREC) auction under the solar carve-out. It might not clear, and everything will be okay.The Solar Credit Clearinghouse Auction (SCCA) is happening for the first time this year because...Auction, Massachusetts, program, Understanding

Solar and Wind Get Higher Capacity Values From ERCOT

Texas regulators took an important step toward carving out a bigger role for renewables — with a revision to the capacity values assigned to wind and solar.
The Generation Adequacy Task Force (GATF) at the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) looked at how these resources...capacity, ERCOT, Higher, Solar, Values

Groundswell: More States Join the Regulatory Push for Utility Efficiency

Ratepayer-funded utility programs dominate the energy efficiency landscape in the U.S.
From 2006 to 2008, these programs more than doubled from $2 billion to $4.8 billion. And according to the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, these programs are expected to double again by 2025.
In order to...Efficiency, Groundswell, Regulatory, states, utility

EEI’s David Owens on Utility Business in an Age of Distributed Generation

The summer meeting of U.S. utility regulators kicked off with a panel discussion about distributed solar, although there was no representative from the solar industry on the panel.
David Owens, Edison Electric Institute (EEI) Executive Vice President, explained that the Critical Consumer Issues...business, David, Distributed, Generation, Owens, utility

Why the US Will Become the World’s Largest PV Monitoring Market in 2013

Large-scale solar PV plants are almost always managed with monitoring software, but this does not hold true for smaller systems.
A report recently published by GTM Research and SoliChamba Consulting assesses that in most residential PV markets around the world, the attachment rate of monitoring...Become, largest, market, Monitoring, worlds

Green Jobs: Greentech VC Attrition; Solar Reserve, Kurion, Tollgrade

Attrition in greentech venture capitalWe covered the pivot by venture firm MDV last year and watched as the investment firm shifted its broad view of cleantech to a far more narrow vertical within its IT practice. We noted that MDV’s Will Coleman had left the firm. Sven Strohband, formerly...Attrition, Green, Greentech, kurion, Reserve, Solar, tollgrade

Germany’s Energy Storage Subsidy Is No Solar Miracle

In April, we asked if a German subsidy on energy storage could replicate the German solar miracle — but for batteries and energy storage systems this time.
The answer is “no,” at least with the subsidy and process in its current form.
In fact, according to Christoph Ostermann,...Energy, Germanys, Miracle, Solar, Storage, Subsidy

Move Over, Light Bulbs: Republicans Pick a Fight With Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans and birth control have more in common than you might think, at least in Washington. These two disparate items both have the ability to invoke the ire of many Republicans in the current House of Representatives. And while the issue of women’s reproductive health is a perennial...Bulbs, Ceiling, fight, light, republicans

European Investment Bank Cuts Lending to Fossil Plants, Supports Renewables

LONDON — The European Investment Bank (EIB), the world’s largest public financial institution, has announced that, effective immediately, it will no longer finance most coal-, lignite- and oil-fired power stations in an effort to help Europe meet its climate targets. The announcement...European, fossil, Investment, Lending, plants, Renewables, Supports

Mammoth cloning: the ethics

The display of a frozen mammoth in Japan has again raised questions as to the possibility of creating a live born clone of extinct animals.Theoretically, mammoths could be cloned by recovering, reconstructing or synthesizing viable mammoth DNA and injecting it into the egg cell of a modern...cloning, ethics, Mammoth

World Bank Turns Away From Coal

The World Bank announced last week that is largely turning away from providing funding for coal-fired power plants, except in rare situations where there is no feasible alternative.In the World Bank’s latest policy directive, Energy Sector Directions Paper, the organization said that in an...turns, World

IEA: Urban Transport Gains Could Save $70 Trillion Globally by 2050

Business-as-usual scenarios for global energy consumption and carbon emissions are always extremely depressing. So it’s no surprise that the International Energy Agency’s latest assessment of our current transportation policies paints a pretty bleak picture.
In the year 2000, there...could, Gains, globally, transport, Trillion, urban

BrightSource Raises Another $35M for Ivanpah and CSP

BrightSource Energy just collected $15 million of a modest $35 million tranche of venture funding. (It’s modest relative to the hundreds of millions the company has raised over the last decade.) The Oakland Tribune caught the Form D from the SEC and noted that 44 investors were involved in...another, BrightSource, Ivanpah, raises

Bird strikes could ground Boris Isle of Grain airport plan

The London mayor’s recent decision to endorse the Thames Estuary’s Isle of Grain as the site for a new major hub airport has already raised concerns about threats to local birds, but perhaps it is threats from the birds that deserve the most attention.The airport’s projected flight paths...airport, Boris, could, grain, Ground, strikes

There are no time-travelling climatologists: why we use climate models

The first climate models were built on fundamental laws of physics and chemistry and designed to study the climate system. Now, the use of climate models is heated ground in the public discussion of our changing climate.Climate models represent the physical world using a series of equations...Climate, climatologists, models, there, timetravelling

Xcel Energy to buy 400 MW of wind energy from Geronimo Energy

Geronimo Energy will sell 400 MW of wind power to Xcel Energy from a pair of wind farms. The utility holding company based in Minneapolis, Minnesota will buy the wind energy from Geronimo, which is also based in Minnesota, through two long-term power purchase agreements.The Courtney Wind Farm is...Energy, Geronimo

Enphase Dominates the PV Microinverter Channel: Where’s the Competition?

Paul Nahi, the CEO of solar microinverter maker Enphase, announced that the firm boasted a 53.5 percent market share in the U.S. residential market in 2012, according to IHS. In an anticipated $500 million market, Lazard Capital sees Enphase “as a potential take-out candidate.”Nahi...Channel, competition, Dominates, enphase, Microinverter, Wheres

Nautilus Solar completes solar project for L.A. solar energy program

Independent solar power producer Nautilus Solar Energy bought the Oxnard Plaza Apartment solar energy project in North Hollywood, California on behalf of one of its investment partners.Nautilus will provide the operations management for the project as part of its current portfolio of over 96 MW...completes, Energy, Nautilus, program, project, Solar

The Top 10 Software Vendors Connecting Smart Buildings to the Smart Grid

As the IT sector converges with the energy efficiency sector, there’s a clash underway between startups and traditional vendors pushing products to make buildings smarter.
The range of software and hardware options is immense, causing confusion for potential customers looking to track and...buildings, Connecting, smart, software, Vendors

California Is Proof That Energy Efficiency Works

California’s 40 years of remarkable success in using energy efficiency to avoid dirty power generation and save utility customers billions, as detailed in a new NRDC fact sheet released this week, offers valuable lessons to help meet President Obama’s climate action plan.Cutting energy...California, Efficiency, Energy, Proof, works

Are Geothermal Heat Pumps Ready for the Mainstream?

Geothermal heat pumps have long been on the fringes of modern day HVAC equipment. The latest estimates put market penetration at less than 1% of the overall housing market. This was easily explained twenty years ago. Oil was cheap, geothermal technology was still working out its kinks, and a...Geothermal, Mainstream, Pumps, ready

Europe Votes to Cap Conventional Biofuel Target

LONDON — In a vote of 43-21, with one MEP abstaining, Europe’s Parliamentary Environment Committee (ENVI) has voted to cap the amount of biofuel derived from food crops, or “conventional” biofuels, at 5.5 percent of its renewable transport fuel target. Additionally, the Committee...Biofuel, Conventional, Europe, target, votes

The Solar Industry Responds to Utility Attacks on Net Metering

A recently published primer on net energy metering (NEM) from the solar industry explains why it is under attack by utilities across the country — and explores how the two opposing sides might come to terms.
“As the penetration of distributed solar generation increases, the debate on NEM...Attacks, industry, metering, responds, Solar, utility

EU Investigating German Renewable Energy Waivers

BERLIN — Exxon Mobil Corp. (XOM), Bayer AG (BAYN) and Linde AG (LIN) are among companies at risk of having to repay billions of euros in German aid as Chancellor Angela Merkel clashes with Europe’s antitrust regulator over renewable energy rebates to companies that use the most energy. A...Energy, German, Investigating, Renewable, Waivers

Development banks spend 32 times more on fossil fuels than renewables

On 1 July Croatia became the 28th member of the EU. The country has started investing in wind power – indeed it is the leader of the western Balkan region, with 193.75 MW of wind turbines in operation at the end of 2012. However a new report underlines that international financial institutions...banks, Development, fossil, Fuels, Renewables, spend, times

Renewables Provide 25% of New Electrical Generating Capacity in First Half 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C. — According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Office of Energy Projects, renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, solar, water, wind) accounted for 24.93 percent of all new...capacity, Electrical, First, Generating, provide, Renewables

California Is Proof That Energy Efficiency Works

California’s 40 years of remarkable success in using energy efficiency to avoid dirty power generation and save utility customers billions, as detailed in a new NRDC fact sheet released this week, offers valuable lessons to help meet President Obama’s climate action plan.Cutting energy...California, Efficiency, Energy, Proof, works

Governments are not protecting the Great Barrier Reef

Announcements last week of the escalating damage to the Great Barrier Reef confirm Australia’s most famous and intensely managed Marine Protected Area has not been properly protected. UNESCO’s recent review shows Australia is in danger of becoming the first developed country to have World...Barrier, governments, Great, protecting

Rural Power from Pico and Hybrid PV Explored

Paris, France Two new reports on rural electrification applications for pico and hybrid PV systems have been published by the Photovoltaic Power System Programme from the International Energy Agency (IEA PVPS). The reports come from the IEA-PVPS Task 9 group, working on Deploying PV services for...Explored, hybrid, Power, Rural

Australian endangered species: Margaret River burrowing crayfish

Australia boasts the largest freshwater crayfish in the world. But less well known are the much smaller crayfish that live, not in rivers, lakes or dams, but in burrows. Australia has several types of burrowing crayfish, all of which have small tails and large claws.
The south west of Western...Australian, burrowing, crayfish, endangered, Margaret, River, species

Solar Fred’s Introduction to Solar Guerrilla Marketing, Part 2: Qualities

There’s an art to Solar Guerrilla Marketing.
In Part 1 of this intro to solar guerrilla marketing, I discussed an example of good solar marketing…from a non-solar company, Nivea skin care. This week, we’ll refer to that and also to an example of poor solar guerrilla marketing at...Freds, Guerrilla, introduction, Marketing, Qualities, Solar

ACs Crank, But the Grid (Mostly) Stays Up

NEW YORK CITY — Newsflash: It’s still hot. And maybe hotter than it has been all week.
For the fifth day in a row, demand response providers have dispatched load resources across New York state. On Thursday, EnerNOC dropped megawatts from Idaho to Vermont.
As the heat index languishes in...Crank, Mostly, Stays

Japan’s SoftBank and Bloom Energy Form Fuel Cell Joint Venture

Japan’s SoftBank and Bloom Energy have formed a fuel cell joint venture, Bloom Energy Japan Limited, which will sell electricity from Bloom’s natural gas-powered fuel cells.A release from the the firms notes that there is “a significant electrical power deficit in Japan”...Bloom, Energy, Japans, Joint, SoftBank, Venture

The birdlife of South Georgia is handed another chance

Across the world, the damage caused by invasive alien species is second only to habitat destruction by humans in reducing the planet’s biodiversity. Their effect is especially potent on islands. Cats, rats, weasels and stoats wreak havoc on native animals which evolved in the absence of...another, birdlife, chance, Georgia, handed, South

Why New EPA Chief Gina McCarthy Will Be So Important to Cleantech

When he was first elected to office, President Obama’s energy strategy was all about using clean technologies as an economic force.By spinning positive imagery of green jobs and the clean energy economy, Obama hoped a positive approach would be the way to change the country’s energy...Chief, Cleantech, Important, McCarthy

Dominion buys 28.6 MW of solar energy in Indiana

Dominion bought three solar energy projects under development near Indianapolis, Indiana. When completed, the projects will product about 28.6 MW of renewable energy.The three plants, bought from Sunrise Energy Ventures, are known as Indy Solar I, Indy Solar II and Indy Solar III. Two of the...Dominion, Energy, Indiana, Solar

Is Germany the Hot Spot for Battery-Backed Solar?

Storing solar power in batteries is an attractive concept to the homeowner who wants to achieve energy independence from the grid, or the commercial and utility-scale solar array owner that wants to hedge against high electricity prices. But right now, the high cost of batteries and the...BatteryBacked, Germany, Solar

As Phone Companies Dismantle Landlines, Utilities Have a Lesson to Learn

As the economics of distributed energy, storage and demand-side management continue to improve, the warnings about coming radical changes to traditional electric utility business models grow louder.One of the most recent ominous signs of change came not from the power sector, but from the...Companies, dismantle, Landlines, Learn, Lesson, Phone, Utilities

When Will Utilities Get a Clue About Social Media?

Consolidated Edison provides electric service to about 3.3 million people in New York. Of those more than 3 million customers, 1,207 “like” the utility’s Facebook page.While a utility isn’t as interesting as, let’s say, sleeping (80,972,949 likes), it’s easy to see why people...about, media, Social, Utilities

When Will Utilities Get a Clue About Social Media?

Consolidated Edison provides electric service to about 3.3 million people in New York. Of those more than 3 million customers, 1,207 “like” the utility’s Facebook page.While a utility isn’t as interesting as, let’s say, sleeping (80,972,949 likes), it’s easy to see why people...about, media, Social, Utilities

Labor keeps ETS compensation for big power users - why?

With the Rudd government announcing a faster conversion to a market-driven carbon price, it should be time to review the assistance provided to emissions-intensive, trade-exposed industries such as raw steel production and aluminium smelting.The original arguments used for assistance have now...compensation, keeps, Labor, Power, users

Finland Looks to the Future of Bioenergy

Finland is, above all, a land of abundant, and growing, forests. “We produce 100 cubic meters of wood per year, while 50 cubic meters per year is harvested. We have more forest than we can use,” said Jukka Leskelä, director of power generation for trade body Energiateollisuus, or...bioenergy, Finland, Future, Looks

Japan’s SoftBank and Bloom Energy Form Fuel Cell Joint Venture

Japan’s SoftBank and Bloom Energy have formed a fuel cell joint venture, Bloom Energy Japan Limited, which will sell electricity from Bloom’s natural gas-powered fuel cells.
A release from the the firms notes that there is “a significant electrical power deficit in Japan”...Bloom, Energy, Japans, Joint, SoftBank, Venture

Using national pride to protect our environment

Australia’s natural resources are reaching a crisis point as they struggle to support and sustain our lifestyles. But while degradation of these systems continues, research suggests the level of concern for the environment is falling. So could encouraging some national pride in our natural...Environment, National, Pride, protect, using

ACs Crank, But the Grid (Mostly) Stays Up

NEW YORK CITY — Newsflash: It’s still hot. And maybe hotter than it has been all week.
For the fifth day in a row, demand response providers have dispatched load resources across New York state. On Thursday, EnerNOC dropped megawatts from Idaho to Vermont.
As the heat index languishes in...Crank, Mostly, Stays

Sumitomo to invest in Belgian offshore wind farms

Sumitomo Corp. agreed with Belgian offshore wind energy company Parkwind to take shares in two offshore wind farm projects off the coast of Belgium. Parkwind’s shareholders are the Colruyt Group, Korys NV, the investment holding of the Colruyt family, and PMV.The two offshore wind projects...Belgian, farms, Invest, OFFSHORE, Sumitomo

Solar Helps New York Tackle High Electricity Costs, Utility to Solicit 100 MW

NEW YORK CITY — New York has some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. But now more and more New Yorkers are turning to reliable solar to help manage their electricity costs. Governor Cuomo announced the latest round of the NY-Sun Competitive PV program, which will support 79...costs, Electricity, helps, Solar, Solicit, Tackle, utility

The Big Book of Building Energy Data, 2008-2012

The past four years have seen the flowering of energy efficiency in the commercial and industrial sectors, with new technology, new financial models and old-fashioned bottom-line cost-cutting pressures driving the trend. But what’s the big picture that emerges from this broad shift toward...20082012, Building, Energy

Enough Is Enough: An Open Letter to SEIA, SEPA, Intersolar and All Solar Industry Leaders

On the shoulders of previous generations, women have made remarkable strides in gender equality, but we all know the fight is far from over. Around the country, gender politics are coming to head.  In state and Federal legislatures and in the U.S. military establishment, women are on the...Enough, industry, Intersolar, leaders, Letter, Solar

Welcome to The Plastisphere: ocean-going microbes on vessels of plastic

The amount of plastic debris accumulating in the open ocean has doubled in 40 years. This has been is a topic of increasing public concern and scientific interest since it was first reported in the 1970s.It conjures up images of islands of garbage, the proverbial “Great Pacific Garbage...microbes, oceangoing, Plastic, Plastisphere, vessels, Welcome

Energy storage firm Beacon Power hires chief commercial officer

Grid-scale flywheel energy storage firm Beacon Power LLC hired Jim Brown as its chief commercial officer. Brown brings more than 20 years of energy industry experience, most recently as executive vice president of business development and president of global utility systems at renewable energy...Beacon, Chief, Commercial, Energy, hires, officer, Power, Storage

Is Germany the Hot Spot for Battery-Backed Solar?

Storing solar power in batteries is an attractive concept to the homeowner who wants to achieve energy independence from the grid, or the commercial and utility-scale solar array owner that wants to hedge against high electricity prices. But right now, the high cost of batteries and the...BatteryBacked, Germany, Solar

Calmac brings energy storage to Irish university

Energy storage firm Calmac, installed its IceBank energy storage tanks at the Dundalk Institute of Technology in Ireland.Calmac’s tanks are being used to successfully store energy from the first-ever large commercial on-campus wind turbine in the form of ice, which is then used the next day to...brings, Calmac, Energy, Irish, Storage, University

How Do Storage Systems in Photovoltaic Installations Work?

Those who equip photovoltaic installations with a storage system are mostly interested in increasing the on-site consumption of generated solar power. However, people often forget to consider that these kinds of battery systems only reveal their full potential through their multiple uses. In...Installations, Photovoltaic, Storage, Systems

Paramount Solar Gets New Funding for Solar Rooftop Sales

Paramount Solar, a branch of Paramount Equity, just got a major infusion of tax equity financing from U.S. Bank.The Paramount Equity Fund, created in partnership with U.S. Bancorp, is a step toward independence for Paramount Solar. The firm previously worked with financial products offered by...funding, Paramount, Rooftop, Sales, Solar

Solar’s Future According to Intersolar: 100 GW per Year

Few people have a better view of the solar industry or have been more astute at predicting where it would go than Intersolar founder and CEO Markus Elsaesser. He talked to GTM about his perspective and solar’s future last week at Intersolar North America 2013 in San Francisco.
Elsaesser...According, Future, Intersolar, Solars

DOE invests in energy efficiency for small buildings

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced an award of $10 million for six projects to help small commercial buildings save money by saving energy.These small commercial buildings are less than 50,000 square feet in size and include schools, churches, strip malls, restaurants and grocery stores....buildings, Efficiency, Energy, invests, Small

Energy Gang: It’s Hot as Hell and the Grid’s Not Gonna Take It Anymore!

With a heat wave gripping the central and eastern U.S., concerns about the impact of water supplies on the power sector are growing. This week, the Gang will discuss a detailed new report looking at how to break the nexus between power generation and water consumption.We’ll also look at...Anymore, Energy, Gonna, grids

Energy Gang: It’s Hot as Hell and the Grid’s Not Gonna Take It Anymore!

With a heat wave gripping the central and eastern U.S., concerns about the impact of water supplies on the power sector are growing. This week, the Gang will discuss a detailed new report looking at how to break the nexus between power generation and water consumption.We’ll also look at...Anymore, Energy, Gonna, grids

As Solar Panel Quality Trumps Price, Will China Be Forced to Fold?

The cost of solar panels continues to plummet, but as concerns with panel quality begin to surface, more consumers are seeking efficiency and reliability over low panel prices. As panel prices have dropped about 80 percent over the past six years, the solar panel manufacturing industry is in the...China, Forced, Panel, Price, Quality, Solar, Trumps

The Solar Industry Responds to Utility Attacks on Net Metering

A recently published primer on net energy metering (NEM) from the solar industry explains why it is under attack by utilities across the country — and explores how the two opposing sides might come to terms.“As the penetration of distributed solar generation increases, the debate on NEM...Attacks, industry, metering, responds, Solar, utility

As Phone Companies Dismantle Landlines, Utilities Have a Lesson to Learn

As the economics of distributed energy, storage and demand-side management continue to improve, the warnings about coming radical changes to traditional electric utility business models grow louder.One of the most recent ominous signs of change came not from the power sector, but from the...Companies, dismantle, Landlines, Learn, Lesson, Phone, Utilities

Why Is a Solar Panel in New Jersey 15 Times More Valuable Than One in Arizona?

The combined health, environmental, and climate benefits of a solar panel in New Jersey are fifteen times greater than those associated with one in Arizona, and a wind turbine in West Virginia displaces twice as much carbon dioxide as the same turbine would in California.
Those are among the...Arizona, Jersey, Panel, Solar, times, valuable

Japan: The World’s Hottest Solar Market in 2013

Can solar replace retired nuclear in Japan? Will Japan’s booming solar market have legs or will it fade like a FIT?Before the Fukushima nuclear disaster, Japan had about 50 gigawatts of electrical capacity from 50 nuclear reactors. Just two of those reactors have been restarted — but...Hottest, japan, market, Solar, worlds

Toshiba, Landis+Gyr, NEDO partner to study demand response

Toshiba Corp. and Landis+Gyr team up with Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), the University of Kyoto and Los Alamos County to study demand response pricing programs.Using smart meters and customer volunteers, the partners will study how consumers...demand, landis+gyr, partner, response, Study, Toshiba

Whaling in the Antarctic: the case concludes

Australia and Japan’s case on whaling in the Antarctic, heard in the International Court of Justice, wound up on Tuesday. In presenting Japan’s final arguments Professor Payam Akhavan of Harvard University claimed “it would not be an exaggeration to say that Australia’s case now hangs by...Antarctic, concludes, Whaling

Why has nature become a niche issue?

It will be no surprise that a recent analysis of biodiversity funding round the world found that Australia was among the 40 countries spending least in comparison to our global legacy of species. Now, thanks to the axing of the Biodiversity Fund to compensate for lost income from shifting to a...Become, issue, nature, Niche

Enphase Dominates the PV Microinverter Channel: Where’s the Competition?

Paul Nahi, the CEO of solar microinverter maker Enphase, announced that the firm boasted a 53.5 percent market share in the U.S. residential market in 2012, according to IHS. In an anticipated $500 million market, Lazard Capital sees Enphase “as a potential take-out candidate.”Nahi...Channel, competition, Dominates, enphase, Microinverter, Wheres

Cleantech Investments A Mixed Bag in 2Q13, But VCs Are Warming Up To Solar

New Hampshire, USA — Investments in the renewable energy sector were a mixed bag during the second quarter of 2013, according to a trio of analyst reports and many of the same trends we’ve seen lately persist: the U.S. and Asia-Pacific regions were more active, and downstream...Cleantech, Investments, Mixed, Solar, warming

How GE’s Industrial Internet Is Reshaping Thermal Power Generation

Some people have a good view from their corner office. In Justin Eggart’s case, he has one of the most expansive views of the world’s power plant fleet.
Eggart manages GE’s remote monitoring and diagnostics center in Atlanta, Georgia, where he oversees the operation of...Generation, industrial, internet, Power, Reshaping, thermal

Is Fracking for Enhanced Geothermal Systems the Same as Fracking for Natural Gas?

New Hampshire, USA — The U.S. geothermal industry recently scored a big win when its first enhanced geothermal system (EGS) project went online in April. ORMAT was able to stimulate a previously unproductive well at its Desert Peak project with EGS technology — injecting fluid into a...Enhanced, fracking, Geothermal, Natural, Systems

First Solar Advances 162 MW of Unsubsidized Solar in Chile

First Solar’s strategy of expanding into new, sustainable solar markets looks like it’s paying off.
The thin-film solar panel manufacturer and project developer has applied for permits for the $370 million, 162-megawatt Luz del Norte project, according to a filing with Chile’s...advances, Chile, First, Solar, Unsubsidized

Europe subsidy cuts hurting biomass sector

We hear a lot about how the economic crisis and subsidy cuts are affecting Europe’s solar and wind sectors — but what about the bioenergy sector?
According to a new report from analysis firm Frost & Sullivan, a number of European countries are giving up on biomass installations as a...Biomass, Europe, hurting, sector, Subsidy

Are You Ready for the Energy Management Revolution?

As GTM Research noted in its recent report, Intelligent Efficiency: Innovations Reshaping the Energy Efficiency Market, the energy efficiency landscape is changing from a capital-intensive, services-oriented model to a software- and energy-data-analytics-driven model focused on operational...Energy, Management, ready, Revolution

Biomass power conversion finished at Dominion coal power plant

Dominion Virginia Power, a unit of Dominion, completed the conversion of its Altavista Power Station to produce electric power by burning biomass. The utility company plans to convert three of its coal-fired power plants into biomass facilities.Dominion announced in April 2011 its plans to spend...Biomass, conversion, Dominion, finished, plant, Power

From fixed price to ETS: the complications of reducing emissions

There is little doubt that Kevin Rudd’s plan to bring forward international linking and trading of emission permits is a smart political move. It removes a key option for Tony Abbott.Now Mr Abbott is forced to apply the most extreme interpretation of his promise to remove the carbon tax:...complications, emissions, fixed, Price, reducing

U.S., China agree on climate change actions, including smart grid

China and the U.S. have agreed on five areas in which the two countries can address climate change, according to the U.S. Department of State. The climate initiatives include carbon capture and storage, boosting energy efficiency in buildings, deploying renewable energy and investing in smart...actions, agree, change, China, Climate, including, smart

World Bank abandons coal, green light for clean micro-grids

The World Bank’s proposal to end coal financing reflects 21st century realities – severe public health and climate change impacts associated with coal are no longer justifiable in a century chock full of cheap and abundant clean energy alternatives. More importantly, coal and the...abandons, clean, Green, light, microgrids, World

Barlovento installs the first units of sodar AQ500 in Chile and South Africa

Barlovento has installed two sodar systems AQ500 manufactured by AQSystem in Chile and South Africa. They are the first units of this model set up in South America and Africa. Barlovento manages the whole measurement campaigns: equipments installation, maintenance, communications, data...Africa, AQ500, Barlovento, Chile, First, installs, sodar, South, Units

Bloom Energy Begins Fuel Cell Production in Delaware

Delaware politicians and regulators wanted Bloom Energy to build fuel cells in their home state — so they established a consumer-borne subsidy package to ease Bloom’s factory relocation. The fruits of that plan recently began to roll off the factory floor in Newark, Delaware as 50...begins, Bloom, Delaware, Energy, production

Lugar Center in US nets patent for biomass-to-gas technology

The Richard G. Lugar Center for Renewable Energy at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis in the US has been awarded a patent on the $500,000 machine that converts farm into electric power and useful heat.Center officials said they will now make the technology, called the...biomasstogas, center, Lugar, patent, technology

600 Homes on US Holloman Air Force Base Going Solar with SolarStrong

SolarStrong strikes again — and it’s a good thing. SolarCity’s partnership with U.S. Renewables Group Renewable Finance and Bank of America Merrill Lynch to install solar on military housing units at bases across the country is making rapid progress this year. On July 3, it announced that...force, Going, Holloman, Homes, Solar, SolarStrong

Nissan designing new urban personal electric transporter

Cleantechnica
Nissan has been working on a new concept vehicle that is designed to address growing congestion in European cities. Actually, this is a growing problem in large cities all around the world, and this type of urban personal electric transporter (UPET) could possibly be...designing, Electric, Nissan, personal, transporter, urban

The world's top ten power generation assets

The earth’s 7 billion people are increasingly hungry for electric power, and once they learn to live with it, they are reluctant to ever give it up. While distributed generation, or the idea of spreading out power generation across the grid using multiple small and decentralized power...assets, Generation, Power, worlds

New powerhouse dedicated at PPL Montana hydro facility

PPL Montana dedicated a new 60 MW powerhouse July 10 at its Rainbow Dam hydroelectric facility near Great Falls. This marks the completion of a $245 million redevelopment project, which replaced a century-old powerhouse and increased the hydroelectric facility’s power generation capacity...dedicated, facility, hydro, Montana, powerhouse

Mexico wind energy project will use Alstom wind turbines

Alstom has been awarded a contract with Enel Green Power Mexico for the supply and commissioning of 34 wind turbines at the new 3 MW Sureste I–Stage II power generation plant in the Tehuantepec Isthmus, Oaxaca, Mexico.The Sureste I, Stage II wind farm, which will be fully operational at the...Alstom, Energy, Mexico, project, turbines

Graph of the Day: The climate denier ranks in Congress

Manmade climate change is happening. One would think that with hundreds of climate-related natural disasters declared since 2011, and 97 percent of climate scientists in agreement, elected officials would follow the evidence. But a shocking number — 55 percent — of congressional Republicans...Climate, Congress, denier, Graph, ranks

EIA tracks state-level energy efficiency programs

The Energy Information Administration (EIA) compiled a nationwide inventory providing detailed summaries of energy efficiency evaluation reports — called evaluation, measurement and verification (EM&V) reports — on electricity programs. This is the first such inventory available for...Efficiency, Energy, Programs, statelevel, tracks

REC commissions solar energy projects in N.C.

German solar supplier REC announced three new utility-scale solar power projects in North Carolina.The three projects — the 6.65 MW Rock Farm, 6.65 MW Mt. Olive Farm and the 6.4 MW AM Best Farm — were developed, engineered and constructed by Strata Solar LLC. The projects use a total of...commissions, Energy, Projects, Solar

FactCheck: have power prices gone up 94% under Labor?

“If you think electricity is costing you more under Labor, then you’re right. Under the Rudd/Gillard Labor government, electricity prices have gone up 94%. And don’t forget: the cost will go up even more when Labor’s Carbon Tax goes up on the 1 July!” – Liberal Party of Australia on...FactCheck, Labor, Power, prices, under

Financing India's Small Hydro Capacity

LONDON — India’s scope for hydropower development is vast. Close to 150 GW of theoretical potential exists in the country today, with an estimated 84 GW of economically exploitable capacity, according to figures from the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Simultaneously, there is a...capacity, Financing, hydro, Indias, Small

National parks need to embrace global change

On land and in the seas our world now resembles a series of badly run zoos, set in an even more badly run botanic garden. The badly run zoos, our global set of national parks, are often seen as the jewels in the crown.In Australia it doesn’t really matter if the Federal government or State...change, embrace, Global, National, parks

Obama calls for $7 billion Power Africa initiative

At a speech in Cape Town, South Africa, President Barack Obama laid out his plan for boosting aid to Africa by promoting the electrification of countries in the continent.The plan seeks to develop up to 10 GW of electric power capacity — or 20 million households — in Africa. The plan...Africa, billion, calls, initiative, Obama, Power

Q2 2013 Global Green Investment at $53.1B

The latest global green energy investment figures are in, and while the United States and China are way up, Europe remains way down — a reminder of just how important a role government policy continues to play in the industry’s attempted post-recession recovery.Bloomberg New Energy...Global, Green, Investment

Arizona’s Biggest Utility Proposes a Cut to Net Metering

In the fight for net metering in Arizona, which many in the solar industry believe to be the most important fight for solar in the U.S., the state’s biggest utility wants a revision that could significantly change the cost of solar.Arizona Public Service (APS) filed a proposal with the Arizona...Arizonas, Biggest, metering, proposes, utility

$100 Trillion for Solar Revealed at Intersolar North America

There is $100 trillion looking for a good solar investment, according to NREL Senior Finance Analyst Michael Mendelsohn. The only obstacle is perceived risk.Fund money — pension funds, insurance funds, mutual funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, exchange traded...America, Intersolar, North, Revealed, Solar, Trillion

Nanosolar, Thin-Film Solar Hype Firm, Officially Dead

It’s official. Nanosolar, the CIGS thin-film solar panel aspirant which produced little but hype and broken promises, is done. Its assets are being auctioned off.This should come as no surprise to GTM readers. We reported on the layoffs, the skeleton crew, and the “restructuring for...nanosolar, Officially, Solar, ThinFilm

Solar’s Net Metering Fight in California Previews at Intersolar

The fight coming to California this fall over net metering reared its head in exchanges between a state politician, a utility spokesperson, and a state regulator during a panel discussion at Intersolar North America 2013 in San Francisco.“The IOUs are not fans of solar,” said California...California, fight, Intersolar, metering, Previews, Solars

California Fast-Tracks Renewables Projects

Interconnection of renewable energy projects to the grid is generally one of the toughest parts of developing a successful renewable energy project — second only perhaps to obtaining a power purchase agreement.California, generally a leader in interconnection matters, has reformed its...California, FastTracks, Projects, Renewables

Soitec Revives CPV With New Projects and Performance Records

It’s tough times for concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar firms. Amonix shut down its Las Vegas production facility in July of last year and has gone quiet. SolFocus has been looking for a buyer for some time now; GreenVolts is out of business. JDSU has quietly exited the CPV cell market...Performance, Projects, records, Revives, soitec

China, South Africa lead rebound in Q2 2013 renewable energy investments investments

Global investment in renewable energy was USD 53.1 billion in the second quarter of 2013, up 22% from the first quarter thanks to an upturn in the financing of wind energy and solar power projects and a 170% surge in equity funding for specialist companies on public markets, Bloomberg New...Africa, China, Energy, Investments, rebound, Renewable, South

How a Utility’s Sketchy Efficiency Practices Could Be Costing Ratepayers More Than $400M

FirstEnergy is one of the nation’s biggest investor-owned utilities, and it has a big problem.Efficiency investments, required by statute in the state of Ohio since 2008, mandate that utilities such as FirstEnergy make investments in saving energy. These efficiency targets are good for...Costing, could, Efficiency, practices, Ratepayers, Sketchy, Utilitys

Nanosolar, Thin-Film Solar Hype Firm, Officially Dead

It’s official. Nanosolar, the CIGS thin-film solar panel aspirant which produced little but hype and broken promises, is done. Its assets are being auctioned off.This should come as no surprise to GTM readers. We reported on the layoffs, the skeleton crew, and the “restructuring for...nanosolar, Officially, Solar, ThinFilm

Smart Grid Roundup: Chicago’s Smart Meters and a Better OpenADR

This week’s smart grid news roundup starts with a big, if belated, win for the smart meter industry in an otherwise slackening North American market. On Tuesday, after years of political wrangling, Chicago utility Commonwealth Edison finally announced the launch of its 4-million-meter AMI...Better, Chicagos, Meters, openadr, Roundup, smart

Arizona’s Biggest Utility Proposes a Cut to Net Metering

In the fight for net metering in Arizona, which many in the solar industry believe to be the most important fight for solar in the U.S., the state’s biggest utility wants a revision that could significantly change the cost of solar.Arizona Public Service (APS) filed a proposal with the Arizona...Arizonas, Biggest, metering, proposes, utility

Solar’s Net Metering Fight in California Previews at Intersolar

The fight coming to California this fall over net metering reared its head in exchanges between a state politician, a utility spokesperson, and a state regulator during a panel discussion at Intersolar North America 2013 in San Francisco.“The IOUs are not fans of solar,” said California...California, fight, Intersolar, metering, Previews, Solars

There’s a Paradigm Shift Underway in Energy Efficiency

If you dropped $100,000 on the street, you’d probably notice it and want to pick it back up. Yet for 30 years, building owners have been leaving thousands — if not millions — of dollars on the table by not doing energy efficiency projects and plugging energy that leaks.But that...Efficiency, Energy, Paradigm, Shift, Theres, Underway

The Water-Heater-to-Smart-Grid Connector Goes Commercial

Electric water heaters could be a gold mine of grid flexibility — with the right tools to control them. Think of thousands of household power loads that utilities could cycle on and off across neighborhoods or regions, to help smooth peak power demands, or to absorb the ups and downs of...Commercial, Connector, WaterHeatertoSmartGrid

$100 Trillion for Solar Revealed at Intersolar North America

There is $100 trillion looking for a good solar investment, according to NREL Senior Finance Analyst Michael Mendelsohn. The only obstacle is perceived risk.Fund money — pension funds, insurance funds, mutual funds, sovereign wealth funds, private equity funds, hedge funds, exchange traded...America, Intersolar, North, Revealed, Solar, Trillion

The Top 6 Legal Factors Holding Back Microgrids

 
Are microgrids the key to climate resiliency? It’s a question being asked with a new sense of urgency since Hurricane Sandy.
I recently attended a forum on microgrids and storage held by NY-Best and the Pace Energy and Climate Center. The message was clear: we’re witnessing...Factors, Holding, legal, microgrids

The Energy Gang: Is America Getting Its Act Together on Energy Efficiency?

America is kicking butt at energy efficiency. Well, sort of. It depends on which way you look at the issue. In this week’s show, the Energy Gang will discuss the economic, technology and policy trends helping — and hurting — America’s efficiency.Then, we’ll ask if a...America, Efficiency, Energy, Getting, together

Nest and Opower Talk Strategy for Residential Demand Response

Nest Labs and Opower — once very different companies focused on completely separate consumer engagement solutions for energy efficiency — are now starting to look like direct competitors.The emerging area of competition is in residential demand response, where both companies are...demand, opower, Residential, response, Strategy

California Fast-Tracks Renewables Projects

Interconnection of renewable energy projects to the grid is generally one of the toughest parts of developing a successful renewable energy project — second only perhaps to obtaining a power purchase agreement.California, generally a leader in interconnection matters, has reformed its...California, FastTracks, Projects, Renewables

Nest and Opower Talk Strategy for Residential Demand Response

Nest Labs and Opower — once very different companies focused on completely separate consumer engagement solutions for energy efficiency — are now starting to look like direct competitors.The emerging area of competition is in residential demand response, where both companies are...demand, opower, Residential, response, Strategy

How a Utility’s Sketchy Efficiency Practices Could Be Costing Ratepayers More Than $400M

FirstEnergy is one of the nation’s biggest investor-owned utilities, and it has a big problem.Efficiency investments, required by statute in the state of Ohio since 2008, mandate that utilities such as FirstEnergy make investments in saving energy. These efficiency targets are good for...Costing, could, Efficiency, practices, Ratepayers, Sketchy, Utilitys

EIA Launches Energy Efficiency Program Tracker

Energy efficiency is big business in nearly every state, even for those without active energy efficiency resource standard legislation.
There are more than 2,100 energy efficiency bills pending in 50 states. But with a proliferation of legislation comes the need to provide accurate evaluation,...Efficiency, Energy, launches, program, Tracker

Soitec Revives CPV With New Projects and Performance Records

It’s tough times for concentrated photovoltaic (CPV) solar firms. Amonix shut down its Las Vegas production facility in July of last year and has gone quiet. SolFocus has been looking for a buyer for some time now; GreenVolts is out of business. JDSU has quietly exited the CPV cell market...Performance, Projects, records, Revives, soitec

Schneider Electric Eyes Invensys in Another Big Smart Grid Acquisition

Schneider Electric, the French power equipment and grid giant that’s spent billions on smart grid acquisitions, is making one of its biggest bids yet — a 3.3-billion-pound ($5 billion) offer to buy industrial control and technology vendor Invensys. If recent history is any guide,...Acquisition, another, Electric, Invensys, Schneider, smart

Community Battery Storage: Almost, But Not Quite There

Two years ago, AEP Ohio kicked off one of the largest community energy storage projects in the nation, funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy.The pilot, however, did not go very far.“The initial battery implementations associated with the Community Energy Storage (CES) project did not...Almost, battery, Community, Quite, Storage, there

The Energy Gang: Is America Getting Its Act Together on Energy Efficiency?

America is kicking butt at energy efficiency. Well, sort of. It depends on which way you look at the issue. In this week’s show, the Energy Gang will discuss the economic, technology and policy trends helping — and hurting — America’s efficiency.Then, we’ll ask if a...America, Efficiency, Energy, Getting, together

There’s a Paradigm Shift Underway in Energy Efficiency

If you dropped $100,000 on the street, you’d probably notice it and want to pick it back up. Yet for 30 years, building owners have been leaving thousands — if not millions — of dollars on the table by not doing energy efficiency projects and plugging energy that leaks.But that...Efficiency, Energy, Paradigm, Shift, Theres, Underway

The Water-Heater-to-Smart-Grid Connector Goes Commercial

Electric water heaters could be a gold mine of grid flexibility — with the right tools to control them. Think of thousands of household power loads that utilities could cycle on and off across neighborhoods or regions, to help smooth peak power demands, or to absorb the ups and downs of...Commercial, Connector, WaterHeatertoSmartGrid

More gas exploration isn't the solution to our problems

Resource Minister Gary Gray has called for greater natural gas exploration and warned that Australia would become less competitive in Asia if industry fails to take heed. But is insufficient exploration really the problem?While Australia is now less competitive as a location for natural gas...Exploration, problems, solution

Scientists Go Eye to Eye with Renewable Energy Research at ESIF

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Joysticks, 3-D glasses, and room-sized stereoscopic views of some of the tiniest things in the universe — scientists at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) now have a new way to view and interact with their data. Researchers from...Energy, Renewable, research, Scientists

EU-China Solar Trade Dispute Cools Down, China Decides Against Polysilicon Tariffs

After months of heated rhetoric, the voice of reason is growing between Europe and China as they seek to end their dispute over Beijing’s state support for its solar panel sector. In the latest sign that a potential agreement to resolve the dispute could be near, Beijing has decided not to...against, China, Cools, Decides, Dispute, EUChina, Polysilicon, Solar, Tariffs, trade

Rudd and the failed promise of climate security

Kevin Rudd once called climate change “the greatest moral, economic and social challenge of our time”. Despite the fiery rhetoric, support for climate change action declined during his tenure. So, how do we make sense of this?Rudd’s return as prime minister is an opportunity to reflect on...Climate, failed, Promise, Security

EU-China Solar Trade Dispute Cools Down, China Decides Against Polysilicon Tariffs

After months of heated rhetoric, the voice of reason is growing between Europe and China as they seek to end their dispute over Beijing’s state support for its solar panel sector. In the latest sign that a potential agreement to resolve the dispute could be near, Beijing has decided not to...against, China, Cools, Decides, Dispute, EUChina, Polysilicon, Solar, Tariffs, trade

Can Climate Bonds Advance Renewable Energy Finance?

Victor Hugo once wrote that “there is nothing more powerful than an idea whose time has come.” This little piece of wisdom, penned in the aftermath of the French Revolution, applies well to the emerging topic of climate bonds. Climate bonds are increasingly being discussed at the highest...Advance, Bonds, Climate, Energy, Finance, Renewable

After Quebec, what's the future for Keystone XL?

The runaway train of 73 oil tankers that derailed and exploded in the small town of Lac-Megantic in Quebec, Canada last week left 15 dead, around 50 missing, and shows how dangerous transporting oil can be.An alternative to rail transport is the proposed, highly contested Keystone XL pipeline...after, Future, Keystone, Quebec, Whats

CIGS Solar PV Roundup: Fundings, Expansions, And Cutbacks

New Hampshire, USA — It’s been a surprisingly busy week in the field of thin-film solar PV, specifically for the variety known as CIGS (copper-indium-gallium-selenide), and it spans the spectrum from positive (new funding and expansions) to not so upbeat (restructuring, missed...Cutbacks, Expansions, Fundings, Roundup, Solar

Why is ‘solar power vs utilities’ such a hot topic?

CleanTechina
Many of our most popular articles of the year concern the “fight” between solar power beneficiaries and utilities. The distributed solar revolution is afoot, and talk of war, fighting, revolution, and the death of utilities is hot. Sometimes it seems to go a little further than...Power, Solar, topic, Utilities

Thin film solar delivers more power says MIT

Most efforts at improving the performance of solar cells have concentrated on efficiency of energy conversion or lowering costs, but now Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are looking at another possible avenue for improvement based on production of the thinnest and most lightweight...delivers, Power, Solar

Copper Matrix: A Push for Cheaper Solar Cells

Using copper instead of silver to create the electrical contact lines on solar panels is one of the in-vogue technologies these days, judging by a panel that devoted to commercializing this process at Intersolar in San Francisco this week. The discussion focused on different approaches to lay...Cells, Cheaper, Copper, Matrix, Solar

REC solar panels generate power in US solar hotspot

Three new utility scale installations in North Carolina have been announced by REC. The state is widely regarded as a solar hotspotThe projects at Rock Farm (6.65MW), Mount Olive Farm (6.65MW) and AM Best Farm (6.4MW) have been developed, engineered and constructed by Strata Solar LLC using...generate, hotspot, Panels, Power, Solar

Subsidy Cuts Eroding European Biopower, Analysis Finds

LONDON — We hear a lot about how the economic crisis and subsidy cuts are affecting Europe’s solar and wind sectors — but what about the bioenergy sector? According to a new report from analysis firm Frost & Sullivan (F&S), a number of European countries are giving up on...Analysis, biopower, Eroding, European, finds, Subsidy

UK Announces Renewable Heat Tariffs

LONDON — UK homeowners could be paid hundreds of pounds a year for heat generated by solar thermal panels, biomass boilers and heat pumps under the nation’s Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), energy and climate change minister Greg Barker announced today. The RHI was initiated in 2009 but...announces, Renewable, Tariffs

Wind Energy to Double and Solar Power to Triple in 6 Years, Says IEA

The headline summary of the new Medium-Term Renewable Energy Market Report 2013 from the International Energy Agency (IEA) has been well reported: Renewables will surpass natural gas for electricity generation globally by 2016, doubling nuclear output and coming in second only to coal in power...double, Energy, Power, Solar, Triple, years

UN Recognition for Hydro in Brazil, Wind in Uruguay

New Hampshire, USA — Two more renewable energy projects in Latin America are recognized under the United Nations’ Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and its Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), which was established as part of the Kyoto Protocol to spur implementation of...Brazil, hydro, Recognition, Uruguay

India Risks Europe-Like Solar Slump With 28% Cut in Subsidies

MUMBAI — India’s biggest solar power-producing state is seeking to cut the subsidized rate it pays to plants by 28 percent, joining governments from Spain to Greece backtracking on clean-energy support to lower costs. Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd. is asking for permission to lower the...EuropeLike, India, Risks, Slump, Solar, Subsidies

Annual Offshore Wind Investment to Hit €18 billion

A new report on offshore wind from energy advisors Douglas-Westwood concludes that sector spending is set to average almost €15 billion per year over the next ten years, hitting a peak of €18 billion in 2016. “To enable growth in this new sector, a new manufacturing supply chain is...annual, billion, Investment, OFFSHORE

ARENA reveals new focus on hyrbid renewable power plants

ARENA has revealed a new focus on using renewable energy sources to create “hybrid fuel” plants with existing fossil fuel power stations, as well as looking to remove grid integration barriers to higher levels of renewable energy penetration.
The new approach was unveiled in the Australian...Arena, focus, hyrbid, plants, Power, Renewable, Reveals

Solar Impulse Lifts Solar Industry to New Heights

Someone once said: “Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.”   Without question, the pilots of Solar Impulse, Dr. Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, are living proof of that.  These two great adventurers made solar and aviation history last...Heights, Impulse, industry, Lifts, Solar

Mixed Greens: Dyesol cracks new efficiency record – 15% for DSC

By Sophie Vorrath on 11 July 2013 More good news for ASX-listed dye solar cell company Dyesol and its investors, with the announcement it has achieved a new power-conversion record of 15 per cent for solid state DSC. In a paper published Thursday in the scientific journal Nature, the...cracks, Dyesol, Efficiency, Greens, Mixed, Record

Xcel Energy plans significant increase in wind purchases

Xcel Energy’s Southwestern Public Service Company is seeking approval in New Mexico to purchase almost 700 megawatts of additional wind energy through three purchase agreements, deals that will save Texas-New Mexico customers more than $590 million in fuel costs over 20 years.The wind...Energy, increase, Plans, purchases, Significant

South Africa got about 1,150MW of wind energy approved by government

The SA Wind Energy Association (Sawea) chief executive Johan van den Berg said yesterday the wind energy industry was ready to accelerate their programme to avoid “fallout from further construction delays and cost over-runs at the coal-fired Medupi station”.“We’ve got about 1 150MW of...1150MW, about, Africa, approved, Energy, government, South

Wind at parity with new coal in India, solar to join by 2018: HSBC

Wind energy is now cost competitive with new-build coal capacity in India, and solar is likely to follow suit sometime between 2016-18, according to a report by HSBC.
The report on India Renewables, Good bye winter, hello spring, published on April 30, says the growing cost-competitiveness...India, parity, Solar

Another Banner Year for CA Rooftop Solar as Successful Rebate Program Winds Down

Yesterday, the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) released its annual progress report for the California Solar Initiative, and it’s more good news for solar in the Golden State. Some key takeaways include: In 2012, the amount of solar installed on California’s rooftops in major...another, Banner, program, Rebate, Rooftop, Solar, Successful, winds

Solar Costs and Grid Prices On a Collision Course

With the cost of solar continuing to fall rapidly (50 percent in the past five years) and electricity prices rising steadily, if slowly, the approach of solar grid parity is near. The following chart illustrates the trajectory of solar cost and electricity price, hinting at the coming...Collision, costs, Course, prices, Solar

Hybrid Wind-Tidal Turbine To Be Installed off Japanese Coast

New Hampshire, USA — A hybrid wind-current power generation system will be installed off the Japanese coast later this year, said Tokyo-based Mitsui Ocean Development & Engineering Company (MODEC), the device’s developer. The 500-kW Savonius Keel & Wind Turbine Dar- rieus, or...coast, hybrid, installed, Japanese, turbine, WindTidal

Solar cheaper than coal foreseen by German CEO

CleanTechnica
In a new interview with Deutsche Welle, the CEO of a Germany-based global solar developer made a good case for the potential for solar power to become cheaper than coal sooner rather than later. That would be Bernhard Beck, CEO of BELECTRIC. In the interview Beck had some...Cheaper, foreseen, German, Solar

Germany-Germany will stop subsidising solar in 2018

The development of solar ran out of control in the last three years explains the German environment ministerGermany has announced that it will have stopped subsidising solar energy by 2018 following a year in which generous state support for the sector was scaled back.Peter Altmaier, a member of...GermanyGermany, Solar, subsidising

Important Georgia Power Generation Ruling This Week

On Thursday, July 11th the state of Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC) will take a vote on Georgia Power’s proposed Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) which lays the road map for providing electricity to Georgians over the next 20 years.While Georgia Power has already agreed to add 270...Generation, Georgia, Important, Power, Ruling

Doing Good by Doing Solar

For those of us who live in communities traversed by power lines, it’s hard to imagine life without electricity. But large swaths of the globe remain without this modern necessity. About one-fifth of the world, or 1.3 to 1.6 billion people, live in energy poverty, mostly in sub-Sahara...doing, Solar

The Wind Energy Market in Poland – PWEA Conference

The “Wind Energy Market in Poland” PWEA Conference is the largest event in the Polish wind power sector.During annual conferences Polish Wind Energy Association creates an opportunity to participate in many interesting sessions as a speaker, panellist or auditor and meet the most important...conference, Energy, market, Poland

Apple Announces 18-20-MW CPV Plant for Reno Data Center

New Hampshire, USA — Continuing its quest to use 100 percent renewable energy, Apple announced that it is building an 18-20 megawatt (MW) solar array at its upcoming Reno, NV data center. Apple will work with Nevada utility NV Energy and again partner with SunPower, but this time it will...1820MW, announces, Apple, center, plant

Spain kills Feed-in Tariff for renewable energy

 
Spain is preparing cuts in subsidies for renewable energy (concentrated solar power or CSP, PV, wind energy) production in an attempt to diminish their threat to public coffers expected to be announced as early as Friday.The government would unveil a more complex formula for determining...Energy, feedin, kills, Renewable, Spain, tariff

The good earth: Buderim Red Ferrosol and ginger

Australia has some of the world’s most ancient soils, many of which grow delicious produce. In this series, “The good earth”, soil scientist Robert Edis profiles some of those soils and the flavours they bring.
As well as being attractive, Red Ferrosol soils produce many of Australia’s...Buderim, earth, Ferrosol, ginger

Whaling in the Antarctic: New Zealand intervenes, Australia concludes

Australia had its second (and last) chance this week to argue against Japan’s whaling program in the International Court of Justice (ICJ).But before it did, New Zealand appeared before the Court to provide its take on Japan’s obligations under the International Convention for the Regulation...Antarctic, Australia, concludes, intervenes, Whaling, Zealand

Solar Impulse Lifts Solar Industry to New Heights

Someone once said: “Your vocation in life is where your greatest joy meets the world’s greatest need.”   Without question, the pilots of Solar Impulse, Dr. Bertrand Piccard and Andre Borschberg, are living proof of that.  These two great adventurers made solar and aviation history last...Heights, Impulse, industry, Lifts, Solar

Department of Interior Approves 520 MW of Solar and Geothermal

New Hampshire, USA — The U.S. approved two solar projects and one geothermal plant that will total 520 MW of capacity in Arizona and Nevada. The 100-MW Quartsize Solar Energy project will be located in Arizona, while the 350-MW Midland Solar Project and 70-MW New York Canyon Geothermal...approves, department, Geothermal, Interior, Solar

Japan’s “Third Arrow” Aims for Renewables, Energy Storage

New Hampshire, USA — Japanese prime minister Shinzo Abe’s latest speech detailing the “third arrow” of his three-pronged economic policy included a pledge of ¥30 trillion (US $302 billion) aimed at boosting competition in the electricity sector and encouraging renewable energy...Arrow, Energy, Japans, Renewables, Storage, third

Energy Storage Opportunities Opening Up in US and Europe

SAN FRANCISCO — According to Marcus Elsässer and other executives at Intersolar North America 2013, Energy Storage + PV is the next big thing and we should all prepare ourselves to see more of it. Three years ago, Intersolar decided to focus a bit on the technology and signed up about 10...Energy, Europe, Opening, opportunities, Storage

Latest renewables news hot off the press - 10/07/2013

• Consumers ‘may pay for energy in Spain’ to help Britain to meet green targetsThe Times• DoD, Interior inch closer to cooperation on renewable energy projectsFederal Times• Renewable Energy And The Green Rascal King Forbes• Renewable energy can help meet Asia’s energy...10072013, Latest, press, Renewables

Wind Turbine Replacement Parts Now Available Worldwide At A Fraction Of The Original Manufacturer Cost

Industrial Clutch Parts, manufacturer, distributor and supplier of brakes and clutches, now stock an extensive range of high quality wind turbine replacement parts undercutting main dealers on price. ICP supply spare parts for a range of renowned wind turbine brands including Gamesa, GE Energy,...Available, Fraction, Manufacturer, Original, Parts, Replacement, turbine, worldwide

Australian endangered species: Central Rock-rat

Australia’s small arid zone mammals have greatly suffered since European settlement. Some 11 species are extinct, and a further eight are listed as endangered or critically endangered. Their loss has been attributed to both the change in land management, and the introduction of pest...Australian, Central, endangered, Rockrat, species

Finally, Turning the Heat up on Climate Change

A lot happened while I was unplugged and on vacation during late June. The Muslim Brotherhood offices in Cairo were stormed and then-Egyptian-president Mohammed Morsi’s tenure teetered on dissolution, record heat waves gripped the entire U.S. West resulting in devastating fires and deaths, and...change, Climate, finally, Turning

Rain check: how Toronto escaped flooding disaster

For almost sixty years Hurricane Hazel has stood as the most extreme storm on recorded in City of Toronto but this week, on July 8th, a new record was set. A series of storms hit the city late in the afternoon and, in a matter of hours, dropped 126 mm, surpassing Hazel’s daily rainfall...Check, disaster, escaped, flooding, Toronto

Solar Costs and Grid Prices On a Collision Course

With the cost of solar continuing to fall rapidly (50 percent in the past five years) and electricity prices rising steadily, if slowly, the approach of solar grid parity is near. The following chart illustrates the trajectory of solar cost and electricity price, hinting at the coming...Collision, costs, Course, prices, Solar

Microsoft Takes a Step Toward Programming the City of the Future

Microsoft doesn’t just want to control the computer in your office building. It wants to control the building itself.Today, the tech giant took a step toward that goal by partnering with the city of Seattle and Seattle Power and Light to equip four downtown buildings with its monitoring...Future, Microsoft, Programming, takes, Toward

Comsa Emte wins wind farm contract in Mexico

Spain’s Comsa Emte said it would join Iberdrola in completing the electrical work for a wind farm being developed by Gamesa in Mexico.The contract is Comsa Emte’s first for a renewable energy facility in Mexico.The 234 MW wind farm is located in Juchitan de Zaragoza, a city in the southern...Comsa, Contract, Mexico

GreenTouch Plots the Super-Efficient Global Network

In today’s digital universe, information is energy, and vice versa. That’s true in a literal sense, in terms of the electrons and bursts of light that represent the ones and zeros that make up the world’s digital data and network traffic. It’s also true in a broader sense, in terms of...Global, GreenTouch, Network, Plots, SuperEfficient

Chinese Solar Companies: We Can Survive

A mini flurry of news from embattled solar panel makers seems to have the same singular message, designed to tell investors that they can survive an industry crisis now entering its third year. Of course the companies that emerge when the crisis finally subsidies could be far different from the...Chinese, Companies, Solar, Survive

A global capital of solar ideas – with an Aussie accent

Danny Kennedy has a dream to create the global capital of solar PV – not in manufacturing or installations as other aspire to do – but in ideas. Solar, he says, is one of the greatest economic opportunities ever seen in the world – but right now it is missing some the innovative ideas...accent, Aussie, Capital, Global, ideas, Solar

New breakthroughs in anti-solar propaganda

CleanTechnica
Christian Roselund kindly wrote a debunking article about a post published last week titled “How Fast are the Costs of Solar Really Coming Down?“.
It was written by staff of the Breakthrough Institute, and it is full of false statements, but I’m repeating...antisolar, breakthroughs, propaganda

SWiFT commissioned to study wind farm optimization

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Sandia National Laboratories and Texas Tech University commissioned the DOE/Sandia Scaled Wind Farm Technology (SWiFT) facility today at the Reese Technology Center in Lubbock, Texas.The SWiFT is the first public facility of its kind to use multiple wind...commissioned, optimization, Study, SWiFT

California governor wants energy system ‘compatible with rules of nature’

Well, this was a speech that you don’t get to hear from a government leader in Australia.
California governor Jerry Brown opened the Intersolar conference in San Francisco on Monday night with a rousing speech that had most Australians in the audience lamenting the fact that they would not...California, compatible, Energy, Governor, nature, rules, system, wants

Sky Harvest to buy vertical axis wind turbine business

Sky Harvest Windpower Corp. agreed to buy a vertical axis wind turbine manufacturing and sales business from a private Canadian company in consideration of the issuance of 650,000 shares of its common stock, cash payments totaling $65,000, and the grant of an option to the vendor to acquire up...business, Harvest, turbine, vertical

Vietnam to further tap wind energy resource

Vietnam has approved a 40.5 Megawatt wind power project in the country’s south-central coastal province of Ninh Thuan.The project, to be undertaken by the Vietnam Electricity Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company (EVNIC), is divided into two phases, said Vietnam News Agency on...Energy, Further, Resource, Vietnam

British Prime Minister celebrates the world’s largest offshore wind farm

The London Array, located in the Thames EstuaryThe world’s largest offshore wind farm was opened last week in the Thames Estuary.British Prime Minister David Cameron was among the dignitaries present at the inauguration of the 630 MW London Array last week.Enthusiastically endorsing the first...British, celebrates, largest, Minister, OFFSHORE, Prime, worlds

British Prime Minister celebrates the world’s largest offshore wind farm

The world’s largest offshore wind farm was opened last week in the Thames Estuary.British Prime Minister David Cameron was among the dignitaries present at the inauguration of the 630 MW London Array last week.Enthusiastically endorsing the first phase of the London Array, Cameron said the...British, celebrates, largest, Minister, OFFSHORE, Prime, worlds

Latest renewables news hot off the press - 9/07/2013

• Solar-powered plane Solar Impulse reaches milestone for renewable energyThe Los Angeles Times• Spain’s National Court rejects appeal from Acciona and SENER regarding a CSP plant by SolarReserveCSP World• Reliance Power’s 100-MW solar project gets nod for carbon credits...9072013, Latest, press, Renewables

Texas Calls for 317 MW of Compressed Air Energy Storage

Compressed-air energy storage, or CAES, is one of the cheapest ways to store really massive amounts of energy for long periods of time. In fact, beyond pumped hydro storage, compressing air when power’s cheap and plentiful and then using it to boost natural gas-fired power turbines during...calls, compressed, Energy, Storage, Texas