MORE NEWS, 4-26 (EU ASKS CHINA TO CUT SPEW; SOLAR PV POWER PLANT FOR GERMANY; SHANGHAI CAR SHOW SAYS DRIVERS MUST CHANGE)

EU ASKS CHINA TO CUT SPEW
EU asks China to set 15-30% emission cut goal
Rujun Shen and Tom Miles (w/Ben Tan), 23 April 2009 (Reuters)

"The European Union suggested that developing countries including China emit 15 to 30 percent less greenhouse gases than usual by 2020, but this would be a goal rather than an obligation, an EU official said…

"Magnus Gislev, first secretary on environment with the Delegation of the European Commission to China, said that aim should be achieved by adopting policies and strategies that enable countries to achieve economic development and at the same time reduce carbon emissions."

China and India are a big part of the problem, no doubt about it. (click to enlarge)

"Under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, which is to expire in 2012, developed countries can invest in clean energy projects in developing nations.

"India and China are the top two sources of U.N.-certified emissions reductions, representing billions in investment and trade in carbon credits."

A BIG portion of the world's Certified Emissions Reductions (CERs) are now in China and India. (click to enlarge)

"Delegates from nearly 200 countries plan to meet in Copenhagen in December to hold discussions on a successor to the Kyoto Protocol…

"[Gislev] suggested the establishment of a sectoral crediting mechanism, which would initially focus on power generation, among other sectors…"


SOLAR PV POWER PLANT FOR GERMANY
First Solar Secures Financing for 53 Megawatt Solar Power Plant in Germany; Former Military Land Being Remediated, Converted to Renewable Energy Resource
April 21, 2009 (Business Wire)

"First Solar, Inc. and Juwi Holding AG… have secured financing for a 53 megawatt (MW) DC photovoltaic (PV) power plant near the German city of Cottbus.

"More than 80 percent of the required project capital is financed through non-recourse debt from a consortium of banks. First Solar and Juwi intend to sell the majority of the project after its completion. Construction of the project began in January 2009, and the first 15MW have been completed. The remaining 38MW are scheduled to be completed by the end of 2009."

Bird's eye view of the Waldpolenz Solar Park from First Solar and Juwi. (click to enlarge)

"The project is being constructed on 162 hectares of land that is part of the Soviet Army’s former 26,000 hectare Lieberose training area north of Cottbus in eastern Germany. The project’s low cost enables the required return to fund an attractive land lease for the State of Brandenburg. The lease, in turn, finances the environmental cleanup of this former military zone, which is littered with tons of land mines, grenades and other munitions. Matthias Platzeck, minister president of the German state government of Brandenburg, where Lieberose is located, said the project is a model for the conversion of former military land to productive use…"

Ground level view of the Waldpolenz Solar Park from First Solar and Juwi. (click to enlarge)

"Upon completion, the PV power plant will consist of approximately 700,000 modules and is projected to be the largest in Germany—producing enough power to provide for the annual electricity needs of more than 14,000 homes—and the second largest worldwide…

"First Solar, Inc. manufactures solar modules with an advanced semiconductor technology and provides comprehensive PV solutions… at competitive prices…First Solar PV power plants operate with no water, air emissions or waste stream….The Juwi Group…[focuses on] solar power and bioenergy… wind and water power, and geothermal energy. To date, Juwi has installed more than 300 wind turbines…[with an] output of over 450 MW…[and] set up around 800 PV systems with a total capacity of more than 220,000 KW…"


SHANGHAI CAR SHOW SAYS DRIVERS MUST CHANGE
Biggest challenge facing electric car is changing driver behaviour
April 22, 2009 (UK Independent)

"…While most experts agree electric motoring will be a key element of future transport, some suggest a far tougher task will be for governments to change the travel patterns and habits of people which are badly needed to reduce carbon emissions and cut the cost of travel…[A] report from the UK Energy Research Centre (UKERC) that is based on 500 international studies, says the biggest longterm impact on the environment would be achieved through altering our personal travel patterns so that fewer trips relied on the car.

"The electrification of cars and altered behaviour would be most effective when combined with less popular measures such as parking restrictions and higher road and fuel prices."

BYD previewed a new EV concept at the Shanghai show. Will it make it in the marketplace? It all depends on the car-buying public. (click to enlarge)

"Experts warn that without managing travel patterns, it will be difficult to meet the technological challenges involved in the electrification process, including how the power is generated at the scale and pace required…

"…Shanghai Auto Show executives have pointed out that electric car technology is still in its infancy and that improvements will be significant over the coming years."

GM previewed the 2011 Volt at Shanghai. 2011? It all depends on the car-buying public. (click to enlarge)


"Chinese companies, such as BYD, have been praised for developing advanced batteries that could power a revolution in motoring. BYD, a former battery maker, was the first company in the world to start selling a heavily-electrified hybrid car last December…

"The Chinese government has also committed to funding new technologies, such as BYD's ironphosphate- based lithium ion batteries, with €1bn of research subsidies…"