QUICK NEWS, May 6: BUFFETT BUCKS BACK NEW ENERGY; THE FUTURE OF SOLAR; MICROGRIDS TRIPLING

BUFFETT BUCKS BACK NEW ENERGY Warren Buffett Is Betting Big on Wind Energy in Nebraska, and Other Planet-Saving News

Juan Cole, May 6, 2015 (TruthDig)

“Wind power is on a roll in the US despite a fickle Congress and the machinations of Big Coal and Big Gas to keep all the subsidies for themselves. And one of the world’s most successful investors, Warren Buffett, has noticed [and is investing in Nebraska wind]…BHE Renewables, a subsidiary of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., …founded in 2011, has invested $10 billion to generate 3.4 gigawatts from hydroelectric, geothermal, solar and wind plants. Utilities make long-term agreements to buy the energy. Since the fuel for these plants is free, there’s money to be made in generating electricity this way…Another Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, MidAmerican Energy Company…is putting nearly another $1 billion into wind in Iowa…” click here for more

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THE FUTURE OF SOLAR Mit Energy Initiative Releases Major Report On The Future Of Solar Energy Focused On Solar’s Key Role In A Low Carbon Future

May 5, 2015 (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

“…Solar energy holds the best potential for meeting humanity’s future long term energy needs while cutting greenhouse gas emissions – but to realize this potential will require increased emphasis on developing lower-cost technologies and more effective deployment policy, [according to MIT’s The Future of Solar Energy]…” click here for more

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MICROGRIDS TRIPLING Microgrid Deployment Tracker 2Q15; Commercial/Industrial, Community, Utility Distribution, Institutional/Campus, Military, Remote, and DC Microgrids: Operating, Planned, and Proposed Projects by World Region

2Q 2015 (Navigant Research)

“…As of 2Q 2015, Navigant Research has identified a total of 12,031 MW of total microgrid capacity throughout the world, up from 4,393 MW in 2Q 2014—a near tripling of the known scope of the microgrid market…Asia Pacific may emerge as the market leader over the long term….[D]ata collected from projects and project portfolios [shows 47% of [planned] global capacity [is there], compared to North America’s 44%. If one looks at the microgrids that are currently online, however, North America still leads; the region holds a nearly identical market share (66%) compared with data presented in 2Q 2014 (65%). In terms of segments, the remote segment is the clear leader in terms of both numbers of projects and overall capacity, representing 46% of the total microgrid market. This represents a doubling of its market share compared to data collected in 2Q 2014…” click here for more

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