NewEnergyNews

How A Solar Energy System Works

2012-01-28T05:56:00.000-08:00

NewEnergyNews hasn’t run a “how a solar system works” video in a long time. This one is well done. Ready for a refresher? From YETZERstudios via YouTube

Teaching Wind And Learning Wind

2012-01-28T05:54:00.000-08:00

All over this nation, people willing to take a chance on wind are discovering it’s a risk that pays off. From AmericanWindEnergy via YouTube

Climate Denial Crock Of The Week – An Evangelical’s Facts

2012-01-28T05:52:00.000-08:00

Climate Denial Crock of the Week’s Peter Sinclair interviews a climate scientist who is also an evangelical Christian and she explains that faith must not be confused with facts. From greenman3610 via YouTube

NEWT, MITT & CO CAN'T DEBATE SOLAR

2012-01-27T06:19:00.000-08:00

Republican Candidates Could Save $300K on Electric Bills by Going SolarEugene Rinehart, January 26, 2012 (SunRun)"...SunRun talks to Americans every day who want to save money on their electric bills, and we’ve noticed that regardless of political party they all want to save money at home. So in the spirit of saving and in light of heated debates over how we should invest in our nation’s energy

BETTER BUILDINGS BUDDING

2012-01-27T06:17:00.000-08:00

Mission Accomplished? Not Just Yet, But We Have the MomentumJanuary 23, 2012 (Architecture 2030) "Each year, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes its forecast for U.S. building energy consumption. Since the 2030 Challenge was issued, this outlook has vastly improved…[In] the EIA's 2005, 2007, 2009 and 2011 Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) projections to the year 2030…estimates of

ABOUT THAT HUNDRED YEARS OF NAT GAS

2012-01-27T06:15:00.000-08:00

U.S. Cuts Estimate for Marcellus Shale Gas Reserves by 66%Christine Buurma, January 23, 2012 (Bloomberg News)"The U.S. Energy Department cut its estimate for natural gas reserves in the Marcellus shale formation by 66 percent, citing improved data on drilling and production…About 141 trillion cubic feet of gas can be recovered from the Marcellus shale using current technology, down from the

THERE IS NO WIND TURBINE SYNDROME

2012-01-27T05:49:00.000-08:00

Mass. panel: No major health impacts from turbinesJanuary 17, 2012 (AP via Boston Herald)Wind turbines do not pose serious health risks to people living nearby, though noise from some turbines could be annoying and cause sleep disruption…[according to a new report] commissioned by Massachusetts public health and environmental agencies after residents who live near existing or proposed wind energy

TODAY’S STUDY: THE CELTIC TIGER BUILDS A SMART GRID

2012-01-26T05:54:00.001-08:00

Smart Grid Roadmap to 2050January 2012 (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)IntroductionIreland faces the same long term energy challenges as the rest of the world: a need to move towards competitively priced, environmentally sustainable, low carbon energy sources; and an insecure supply of conventional fossil fuels on which we are now dependent.click to enlargeA smart grid can help us

QUICK NEWS, January 26: OBAMA SOTU BACKS NEW ENERGY; PRIVATE P.A.C.E.; COMMERCE INVESTIGATES ASIAN WIND

2012-01-26T05:53:00.001-08:00

OBAMA SOTU BACKS NEW ENERGYState Of The Union Address Calls For Comprehensive Energy ApproachJessica Lillian, 25 January 2012 (Solar Industry)"Although President Barack Obama's Jan. 24 State of the Union address contained only a singular mention of solar energy, he reiterated his commitment to expanding clean energy project development in the U.S. and ending subsidies to fossil-fuel companies…"In

“I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy.” President Barack Obama, January 24, 2012

2012-01-25T06:03:00.000-08:00

“I will not walk away from the promise of clean energy.” President Barack Obama, January 24, 2012 (State of the Union speech)[President Barack Obama, January 24, 2012 State of the Union speech:] “I’m requiring all companies that drill for gas on public lands to disclose the chemicals they use. America will develop this resource without putting the health and safety of our citizens at risk.”[

TODAY’S STUDY: HOW TO DESIGN A WIND FARM

2012-01-25T06:01:00.002-08:00

Applications of Systems Engineering to the Research, Design, and Development of Wind Energy Systems K. Dykes and R. Meadows w/F. Felker, P. Graf, M. Hand, M. Lunacek, J. Michalakes, P. Moriarty, W. Musial, and P. Veers, December 2011 (National Renewable Energy Laboratory)Executive Summary Over the past 30 years, wind energy has evolved from a small industry active in a few countries to a large

QUICK NEWS, January 25: 2011 WAS BIG FOR SUN; WHAT OFFSHORE WIND FACES; CALIFORNIA LOADS NEW ENERGY

2012-01-25T06:01:00.001-08:00

2011 WAS BIG FOR SUNSolar Capacity Rose 54% to 28 Gigawatts Last Year, BNEF SaysMarc Roca, January 13, 2012 (Bloomberg News)"New solar capacity around the world increased 54 percent to about 28 gigawatts last year driven by record installations in Germany and Italy, Bloomberg New Energy Finance data shows…Photovoltaic installations rose to between 26.5 and 29.4 gigawatts last year [estimated at

TODAY’S STUDY: A YEAR IN SUN

2012-01-24T05:54:00.002-08:00

2010 Solar Technologies Market ReportKristen Ardani, Robert Margolis, et.al., November 2011 (U.S. Department of Energy/Energy, Efficiency & Renewable Energy)Executive SummaryThis report focuses on solar market trends through December 31, 2010; it provides an overview of the U.S. solar electricity market, including photovoltaic (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) technologies, identifies

QUICK NEWS, January 24: DOW OPENS SOLAR SHINGLES BIZ; U.S. HYDROKINETIC POWER CALCULATED; CONVERTING WIND AND WAVE POWER TO HYDROGEN

2012-01-24T05:54:00.001-08:00

DOW OPENS SOLAR SHINGLES BIZDow Solar Names Three Colo. Solar Shingle Dealers17 January 2012 (Solar Industry)"Dow Solar has named the first members of an authorized dealer network for its Powerhouse solar shingles…Three Colorado-based roofing contractors - Academy Roofing, B&M Roofing of Colorado Inc. and D&D Roofing - will now offer the product to the Colorado residential market… Expanded

TODAY’S STUDY: THE WHAT, WHERE AND WHEN OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS

2012-01-23T06:06:00.001-08:00

Rare Earth Elements: The Global Supply ChainMarc Humphries, September 6, 2011 (Congressional Research Service)SummaryThe concentration of production of rare earth elements (REEs) outside the United States raises the important issue of supply vulnerability. REEs are used for new energy technologies and national security applications. Is the United States vulnerable to supply disruptions of REEs?

QUICK NEWS, January 23: THAT WACKY NAT GAS PRICE; A SOLUTION FOR BATS IN THE WIND; FIRST SOLAR’S BETTER CDTE EFFICIENCY

2012-01-23T06:04:00.000-08:00

THAT WACKY NAT GAS PRICEEnd to low natural gas prices 'inevitable'David Parkinson, January 17, 2012 (Globe and Mail)"After three years of deeply depressed natural gas prices (NG-FT) and facing another to come, Canada’s biggest natural gas producer is losing its stomach for the commodity...Encana Corp., (ECA-T)...[will] steer its multibillion-dollar capital spending program for 2012 toward oil and

NEW ENERGY MONEY GOES LATIN

2012-01-22T08:04:00.001-08:00

IDB approves $30 million investment in green fund for Latin America and the Caribbean; Renewable energy and clean technology companies to benefit from new fund January 13, 2012 (Inter-American Development Bank)"The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) has approved a $30 million loan for the Emerging Energy Latin America Fund II, designed to boost the private sector as a driving force in clean

GLOBAL HYDRO GROWING

2012-01-22T08:03:00.002-08:00

Use and Capacity of Global Hydropower IncreasesJanuary 2012 (Worldwatch Institute)"Global use of hydropower increased more than 5 percent between 2009 and 2010, according to new research published by the Worldwatch Institute…Hydropower use reached a record 3,427 terawatt-hours, or about 16.1 percent of global electricity consumption, by the end of 2010, continuing the rapid rate of increase

INDIA RETHINKS WIND INCENTIVES

2012-01-22T08:03:00.001-08:00

India to End Wind Farm Tax Break Next Fiscal, Official SaysNatalie Obiko Pearson (w/ Abhay Singh and Sam Nagarajan), January 17, 2012 (Bloomberg BusinessWeek)"India will discontinue a tax break for [accelerated depreciation] wind farms starting in April, the beginning of the financial year, potentially stalling growth in a $3 billion market dominated by turbine-supplier Suzlon Energy Ltd…[India’s

CHINA SOLAR OVERPRODUCING

2012-01-22T07:59:00.000-08:00

Chinese Tier 2 PV Module Utilization Fell To Record Low in Q4’119 January 2012 (IMS Research)"The average production capacity utilization rate of Chinese Tier 2 crystalline PV module manufacturers fell to just 35% in Q4’11 according to the latest quarterly report from IMS Research and is forecast to fall even lower in Q1’12. As a result of high inventory levels and a weak outlook for demand in

Videos Not Playing?

2012-01-21T11:27:00.000-08:00

There appears to be some kind of issue between Blogger and YouTube preventing NewEnergyNews' Saturday Videos from playing. This will be rectified ASAP. Apologies for the inconvenience. In the interim, there is plenty of reading material below.

‘The President Stood Up’ – Robt Redford

2012-01-21T05:59:00.000-08:00

Longtime defender of the environment Robert Redford applauds President Obama’s courageous stand against the Keystone XL pipeline and warns that Big Oil is not done with the issue. From NRDCflix via YouTube

Hard Hats From High Winds In The Heartlands

2012-01-21T05:58:00.000-08:00

There is a nonstop barrage of misinformation about the supposed harms from wind but that barrage can’t touch the truth as told by those who work and live with it. From AmericanWindEnergy via YouTube

Global Temperature Rise For Anyone To See

2012-01-21T05:54:00.000-08:00

If a picture is worth 10,000 words, this NASA visualization is worth a textbook. Watch the earth’s average temperature rise. This isn’t somebody’s opinion, this is science. From djxAtlanta via YouTube

‘THE PRES STOOD UP’ – ROBT REDFORD

2012-01-20T06:38:00.000-08:00

President Obama Stands Up to Big Oil Robert Redford, January 18, 2012 (Huffington Post)"…Big Oil is used to getting its way. But not today... and we have President Obama to thank for standing up to them in spite of the political risk…President Obama has just rejected a permit for the Keystone XL tar sands pipeline -- a project that promised riches for the oil giants and an environmental disaster

ABOUT THAT NATURAL GAS BRIDGE

2012-01-20T06:36:00.000-08:00

Report: Natural Gas from Shale Not Suitable as "Bridge Fuel," May Worsen Climate Change; Researchers Note Gas Emissions From Marcellus Shale and Other Sites Linked to Significant Increased Risk of Near-Term Climate ChangeJanuary 19, 2012 (Hastings Group)"Far from being a “solution” to climate change, natural gas extracted from shale is a huge contributor of greenhouse gases when both methane and

WIND FIGHTS TO GET IT RIGHT

2012-01-20T06:34:00.000-08:00

Will wildlife or wind power win out?Josephine Marcotty, January 2012 (Minneapolis Star Tribune via News & Observer)"A large number of eagles really are active around the footprint of a controversial wind farm under development in Goodhue County, according to a wildlife survey the developer conducted…But the count has been inflated by local opponents who are purposely attracting birds by dumping

DO ASK & DO TELL ABOUT THE ARMY’S SUN

2012-01-20T06:21:00.000-08:00

Mission-Sensitive Solar: Can We Site Large Arrays On Critical Military Bases?Jessica Lillian, 17 January 2012 (Solar Industry)"…The Department of Defense's (DOD) vast landholdings in the Mojave and Colorado deserts in the U.S. Southwest could be prime territory for an enormous amount of solar development, but project developers, investors and other parties eager to explore military properties

TODAY’S STUDY: WIND IN IRELAND TO 2050

2012-01-19T06:50:00.002-08:00

The Wind Energy Roadmap to 2050January 2012 (Sustainable Energy Association of Ireland)IntroductionThe development of renewable energy, including both offshore and onshore wind, is central to our energy policy.Energy derived from our indigenous renewable sources improves the security of our supply and provides a hedge against volatile imported energy prices. This benefits all society through a

QUICK NEWS, January 19: $1.9 BILL VC MONEY IN SUN; CALIF CPUC APPROVES 1,000 MW OF NEW ENERGY; NEW YORK INVESTS $30 MIL IN BIG SUN

2012-01-19T06:50:00.001-08:00

$1.9 BILL VC MONEY IN SUN2011 Sees $1.9 Billion in Solar Venture Capital, $4 Billion in M&A; No Sign of ‘Solyndra Effect’ YetJanuary 9, 2012 (Mercom Capital Group)"…Venture capital (VC) funding and M&A activity were strong in 2011, setting records for number of deals and M&A activity…"…VC investment in solar totaled $1.9 billion in 111 deals in 2011—the highest number of deals ever in a single

TODAY’S STUDY: HOW TO PROMOTE NEW ENERGY GROWTH

2012-01-18T07:28:00.001-08:00

Green Growth Studies: EnergyDecember 2011 (Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development and International Energy Agency)Executive summaryIntroductionEnergy is a fundamental input to economic activity. Modern energy services light up our homes and schools, fuel economic activity to produce and consume, provide comfort and mobility, pump water and contribute to health and well-being.

QUICK NEWS, January 18: 630 MW OCEAN WIND LONDON ARRAY ADVANCES; MARINE ONE HOSTED BY SUN; 200 MW WAVE ENERGY PROJECT GETS BACKING

2012-01-18T07:27:00.000-08:00

630 MW OCEAN WIND LONDON ARRAY ADVANCESLondon Array gets foundation approvalPaul Garrett, 17 January 2012 (Windpower Monthly)"An innovative type of wind turbine foundation designed for the UK's London Array offshore wind farm by contractor ABJV has received approval by industry certifiers…"…[A] conical joint is to be used at the top of the London Array [monopole foundations] to prevent transition

TODAY’S STUDY: WHERE WORLD SOLAR IS GOING

2012-01-17T06:09:00.001-08:00

Solar Energy PerspectivesDecember 2011 (International Energy Agency)Executive SummaryThis publication builds upon past analyses of solar energy deployment contained in the Word Energy Outlook, Energy Technology Perspectives and several IEA Technology Roadmaps. It aims at offering an updated picture of current technology trends and markets, as well as new analyses on how solar energy technologies

QUICK NEWS, January 17: IRISH WIND BUILDER GETS BIG BACKING; RECYCLING PV TO BE BIG BIZ; VC BACKING BACKS OFF SMART GRID

2012-01-17T06:08:00.000-08:00

IRISH WIND BUILDER GETS BIG BACKINGMainstream raises €40 million fundingJames Quilter, 16 January 2012 (Windpower Monthly)"Developer Mainstream Renewable Power has secured EUR 40 million funding to help it expand internationally..."...[T]he money came from ‘Irish high-net-worth individuals and institutions’ and described it as one of Ireland's largest fundraisings of the last year...[It] will be

TODAY’S STUDY: ABOUT THE TAXPAYERS’ INVESTMENT IN ENERGY EFFICIENCY

2012-01-16T06:00:00.001-08:00

Summary of Ratepayer-Funded Electric Efficiency Impacts, Budgets and Expenditures(2010-2011)Adam Cooper and Lisa Wood, January 2012 (Edison Foundation/Institute for Energy Efficiency)INTRODUCTIONIn mid-2011 the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE), in coordination with the Institute for Electric Efficiency (IEE) and the American Gas Association (AGA), collected industry-wide data on

QUICK NEWS, January 15: 2011 GLOBAL NEW ENERGY INVESTMENT; TEN NEW ENERGY STOCKS WORTH WATCHING; THE TIME HAS COME FOR THE PLUG

2012-01-16T05:59:00.001-08:00

2011 GLOBAL NEW ENERGY INVESTMENTSolar surge drives record clean energy investment in 2011; Total new investment in clean energy increased 5% to $260bn in 2011, despite the sluggish global economy and a painful squeeze on manufacturers12 January 2012 (Bloomberg New Energy Finance)"Global investment in clean energy reached a new record of $260bn in 2011, up 5% on 2010 and almost five times the

2011 GLOBAL NEW ENERGY INVESTMENT

2012-01-15T07:56:00.000-08:00

Solar surge drives record clean energy investment in 2011; Total new investment in clean energy increased 5% to $260bn in 2011, despite the sluggish global economy and a painful squeeze on manufacturers12 January 2012 (Bloomberg New Energy Finance)"Global investment in clean energy reached a new record of $260bn in 2011, up 5% on 2010 and almost five times the total of $53.6bn in 2004…according

WORLD’S BIGGEST WIND MAKER CUTS 2335 JOBS

2012-01-15T07:55:00.000-08:00

Vestas to cut 2,335 jobs; Vestas is to cut 2,335 jobs as part of a restructure and cost reduction programme.James Quilter, 12 January 2012 (Windpower Monthly)"…Vestas said it aimed to reduce fixed costs by €150 million, primarily through streamlining support and closing factories where there is less market demand…[O]f the 2,335, 1,300 jobs will be lost in Denmark. After the cuts, Vestas will

WORLD SUN MAKERS CLOSE DOWN, PLAN BOUNCE BACK

2012-01-15T07:53:00.000-08:00

December 2011 Ends the Year with Negative Growth, Small-scale Revenue Increase Hopeful for January 20122012 January 13 (Energy Trend)"…[D]ue to both weak demand and limited demand boost from the rush order transfers from China...sales figures of December 2011…[show the year ended] with a negative growth. Most manufacturers have kept the inventory level under control, and thus are unwilling to

BRAZILIAN WINDS RISING

2012-01-15T07:52:00.001-08:00

Wind Power in Brazil in a Sweet Spot11 January 2012 (Barclays Bank)"…Brazil wind power has caught up with hydro and thermal, with exponential growth opportunities at above-average returns. In less than 10 years, wind generation went from government sponsored to competitive on a standalone basis, and is now seeing consolidation. While competition has increased, there are clear leaders such as

The First Ones To Choose Wind Over Nuclear

2012-01-14T05:31:00.000-08:00

This is a great tune, a great tale from a true story and a wonderful performance in the ageless folk tradition. The wind turbine he sings about here was 54 meters high. Today’s towers reach beyond 120 meters and some, the world-leading Danish windmaker Vestas among them, have designs for 250 meter towers. As in all the great human endeavors, they're sill trying to, in David Rovics' words, "build

Solar-Powered Tattooing

2012-01-14T05:30:00.000-08:00

In explaining how he created a coffin-shaped solar-powered tattoo kit with battery backup, this fellow reminds viewers that it is possible to find almost anything on the internet. “Im not trying to go green or anything like that,” he says. “I just thought it would be fun to use other sources of power.” If only the Congressional leadership would show such wisdom. From JacobAaronWells via YouTube

Climate Denial Crock Of The Week – Sea Level Rise

2012-01-14T05:26:00.000-08:00

Climate Denial Crock of the Week’s Peter Sinclair interviews scientists about sea level rise. Only watch this for clear scientific fact, not for internet misinformation designed to fuel confusion about global climate change. From greenman3610 via YouTube

2011 GLOBAL NEW ENERGY INVESTMENT

2012-01-13T06:40:00.000-08:00

THE MORE EFFICIENCY THE BETTER

2012-01-13T06:36:00.000-08:00

ACEEE Report: U.S. Better Off "Thinking Big" About Energy Efficiency instead of Focusing First on Development of New Energy Sources; How Lack of Emphasis on Major Energy Efficiency Investments Leaves "3 Jokers in the U.S. Economic Deck"; Slashing Energy Use 60% Could Generate 2 Million Jobs & Save the Equivalent of $2600 Per Household Annually. January 12, 2012 (American Council for an Energy

A BILLION INTO WIND BEFORE THE PTC GOES

2012-01-13T06:35:00.000-08:00

BP and Sempra in $1bn wind expansion; BP Wind Energy and Sempra Energy have announced a $1 billion plan to build a pair of American wind farms totalling 560MW Mark Anderson, 11 January 2012 (Wind Power Monthly)"…[T]he 141MW Mehoopany wind farm in Wyoming County, Pennsylvania, and the 419 MW Flat Ridge 2 wind farm near Wichita, Kansas…will be the largest to date in their respective states and are

HUGE SUN MOVE IN TEXAS

2012-01-13T06:34:00.000-08:00

Massive Solar Power Deal Being Made in San AntonioZachary Shahan, January 13, 2012 (Clean Technica)"…CPS Energy is entering into negotiations for a power purchase agreement from one of the nation’s largest solar projects…The project will mean new corporate headquarters and U.S. manufacturing operations for global companies in San Antonio, [Texas]…"The solar project, offered by OCI Solar Power…[

TODAY’S STUDY: AUSTRALIA’S BOUNTEOUS NEW ENERGY POSSIBILITIES

2012-01-12T05:57:00.001-08:00

Clean Energy Australia Report 2011November 2011 (Clean Energy Council)IntroductionAcross the world we are changing the way our electricity is generated and delivered. The question is no longer whether we continue relying on emission-intensive 20th-century technology to keep the lights on. It is how fast we move to embrace clean energy such as solar, wind, hydro, bioenergy, marine and geothermal.

QUICK NEWS, January 12: WIND FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS IN CHINA; ARMY AND AIR FORCE BUILDING SUN; ON THE WAY TO WAVE POWER

2012-01-12T05:56:00.001-08:00

WIND FIGHTS FOR RIGHTS IN CHINAWind energy dispute may test U.S.-China IP resolveNicola Groom (w/Li Ran, Wang Feng, Gerald E. McCormick), January 9, 2012 (Reuters)"…American Superconductor Corp, which makes wind turbine components and transmission grid systems, is seeking to recover $1.2 billion from Chinese wind turbine maker Sinovel Wind Group Co Ltd in four separate legal actions in China. The

TODAY’S STUDY: SMART GRID PROGRESS IN CALIFORNIA

2012-01-11T05:56:00.001-08:00

2011 Smart Grid Report; Report to the Governor & the LegislatureDecember 2011 (California Public Utilities Commission)California Smart Grid – 2011 UpdateThis is the California Public Utilities Commission’s (CPUC) second annual report to the Governor and the Legislature, pursuant to Public Utilities Code Section 8367 (SB 17, Authored by Senator Padilla). Beginning in 2008, the CPUC embarked on a

QUICK NEWS, January 11: CHINA – EU AIRLINES EMISSIONS WAR; BUFFETT BUYS MORE WIND; LA RENEWS ROOFTOP SUN PUSH

2012-01-11T05:55:00.001-08:00

CHINA – EU AIRLINES EMISSIONS WARChina airlines won't pay EU carbon taxAlison Leung and Harry Suhartono (w/Narayanan Somasundaram, Edmund Klamann, Matt Driskill and Ian Geoghegan), January 6, 2012 (Reuters)"China's airlines will refuse to pay any charges under the European Union's new carbon trading scheme, while other Asia Pacific carriers, already battling a weak travel market, are likely to

TODAY’S STUDY: THE EU’S NEW ENERGY PLANS

2012-01-10T05:47:00.000-08:00

Energy Roadmap 2050December 2011 (European Commission)INTRODUCTIONPeople's well-being, industrial competitiveness and the overall functioning of society are dependent on safe, secure, sustainable and affordable energy. The energy infrastructure which will power citizens' homes, industry and services in 2050, as well as the buildings which people will use, are being designed and built now. The

QUICK NEWS, January 10: UK SOLAR ON THE VERGE; 700 MW OCEAN WIND FOR BALTIC; NEW ENERGY UNHOOKED

2012-01-10T05:46:00.000-08:00

UK SOLAR ON THE VERGESolar energy industry may be on threshold of an exciting era; This year we must use our subsidy more wisely, and if industry, NGOs and government pull together, solar will shine in 2012Greg Barker, 9 January 2011 (UK Guardian)"This has been the most challenging few weeks to date in the life of the nascent UK solar sector. After a short burst of unprecedented sales growth,

TODAY’S STUDY: THE CAUSES OF FUKUSHIMA

2012-01-09T06:45:00.001-08:00

Interim Report on the Accidents at Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations of Tokyo Electric Power CompanyDecember 26, 2011 (Investigation Committee)Executive SummaryChapter--Introduction…The Investigation Committee on the Accidents at the Fukushima Nuclear Power Stations (“the Investigation Committee”) of Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) was established by the Cabinet decision on May 24, 2011. Its

QUICK NEWS, January 9: CAPE WIND OCEAN POWER GETS BOOST; INDIA SOLAR GROWING SLOWLY; YEAR LOOKS GOOD FOR EFFICIENCY

2012-01-09T06:44:00.001-08:00

CAPE WIND OCEAN POWER GETS BOOSTCape Wind edges ahead after PPA victoryPaul Garrett, 3 January 2012 (Windpower Monthly)"National Grid US is free to buy power from the proposed Cape Wind offshore wind farm, after the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court…upheld a disputed power purchase agreement (PPA)."The deal was challenged by the Alliance to Protect Nantucket Sound on the grounds that it would

CHINA WILL CHARGE FOR SPEW

2012-01-08T08:31:00.002-08:00

China to levy carbon tax before 2015 – reportDavid Stanway w/ Chris Lewis, January 5, 2012 (Reuters)"China's biggest energy-consuming companies are likely to face a direct tax on carbon dioxide emissions by 2015, the Xinhua-backed Economic Information Daily reported…citing government sources…[P]roposals for a new environmental taxation system…were expected to be implemented before the end of the

ITALY TAKES WORLD SUN LEAD

2012-01-08T08:31:00.001-08:00

Italy Set to Surpass Germany as World’s Leading Solar Market This Year14 December 2011 (World of Photovoltaics)"Italy this year added more solar capacity than any other country thanks to attractive tariffs and changing subsidy schemes…After two years at the top, Germany this year is likely to lose its place as the world’s top photovoltaic (PV) solar market, slipping to No. 2… [T]he United States

PAKISTAN GETS WIND

2012-01-08T08:28:00.000-08:00

Wind Energy in Pakistan: Vestas enters with 50 MW wind power order30 December 2011 (Regulacion Eolica con Vehiculos Electricos)"Vestas has received an order for a total capacity of 50.4 MW, consisting of 28 units of the V90-1.8 MW wind turbines for a wind farm project in Nooriabad in the Jimphir region of Pakistan. "The contract comprises supply…installation…commissioning…and a two-year service

CELTIC TIGER’S COMPLETE ENERGY PLAN

2012-01-08T08:26:00.000-08:00

SEAI energy roadmaps point the way to a sustainable energy future for Ireland; Future energy system could generate fuel import savings of up to €7.5 billion by 205015 December 2011 (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland)"The Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI)… unveiled three energy roadmaps to 2050 focusing on the potential benefits of Ireland moving to a future energy system where

Facebook Turns To New Energy

2012-01-07T05:33:00.000-08:00

Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook organization has responded to a challenge put to them by the heroes at Greenpeace, done the right thing and moved to New Energy. From GreenpeaceVideo via YouTube

Huell Meets Wind

2012-01-07T05:32:00.000-08:00

When Huell says “wow!” he means it and what he learns about wind in this interview provokes more than a few wows. “That’s the future.” From KenHuskey via YouTube

Climate Denial Crock Of The Week – The Mini Ice Age

2012-01-07T05:29:00.000-08:00

This new installment of Peter Sinclair’s Climate Denial Crock of the Week series, takes on the myth of the mini Ice Age.From greenman3610 via YouTube

TURNING BACK CLIMATE CHANGE

2012-01-06T06:31:00.000-08:00

Taking the Initiative: Climate DawnCarl Pope, January 1, 2011 (Sierra Club)"…You might be surprised to learn that I think climate protection may have posted its best quarterly results ever in the last three months of 2011…[despite] an unprecedented concentration of extreme weather events…[and 2010’s] record amounts of greenhouse pollutants…[But in Q4 of 2011] the Obama administration completed

WORLD WIND FORECAST IS GROWTH

2012-01-06T06:29:00.000-08:00

Turbine market worth $96bn by 2016John McKenna, 5 January 2012 (Windpower Monthly)"The value of the global wind turbine market is expected to reach $96 billion by 2016, according to research published by [Lucintel]…[Their report predicted] turbine market value will experience a compound annual growth rate of 12% between 2011 and 2016.""...Growth Opportunities in Wind Energy Markets 2011–2016

GERMAN SUN SETS RECORDS

2012-01-06T06:06:00.000-08:00

As much solar energy as never before25 December 2012 (Federal Solar Industry Association)"…[In a record year] solar systems in Germany in 2011 produced more than 18 billion kilowatt hours of electricity…60 percent more than last year and roughly equivalent to…[the electricity for] 5.1 million households for a year… "A major reason for the high demand are the significantly higher prices for oil

THE EVER BETTER LIGHT BULB

2012-01-06T06:04:00.000-08:00

Innovation on Demand: GE Inventor Louis Nerone Builds a Better Light Bulb, Again and AgainJanuary 5, 2012 (GE Reports)"Louis Nerone spent quarter of a century at GE’s historic NELA Park quietly inventing better light bulbs. Last month, Nerone, who is a principal engineer at GE Lighting Solutions, was awarded his 106th patent. All but five of those have been assigned to GE, which adds up to about

TODAY’S STUDY: HOW NEW ENERGY WILL ADVANCE IN SOUTH AFRICA

2012-01-05T05:48:00.001-08:00

The South African Renewables Initiative; Partnering for Green GrowthDecember 2011 (The South African Government)Developing Innovative Funding for Renewable Energy: Setting South Africa onto a green growth pathSouth Africa is taking steps to develop as a site for renewable energy generation. The current national plan for electricity includes an ambitious 19 gigawatts (GW) of renewables to be added

QUICK NEWS, January 5: ABOUT BETTING ON SOLAR; EVER BIGGER WIND; $$$ TO TRANSCONTINENTAL WIRE HOOKUP

2012-01-05T05:47:00.001-08:00

ABOUT BETTING ON SOLARFundamentals For Solar Energy Look Great, But Companies With The Right Strategy Are LackingSimit Patel, December 25, 2011 (Seeking Alpha)"…Here is a short summary…of the current situation in the solar energy market:"...Solar ETFs have been some of the worst performing ETFs in 2011 -- which of course piques my buying interest quite a bit…[T]hese stocks could continue to go

TODAY’S STUDY: WILDLIFE AND BIG SUN

2012-01-04T05:47:00.002-08:00

Wildlife Conservation and Solar Energy Development in the Desert Southwest, United StatesJeffrey E. Lovich and Joshua R. Ennen, December 2011 (BioScience/University of California)AbstractLarge areas of public land are currently being permitted or evaluated for utility-scale solar energy development (USSED) in the southwestern United States, including areas with high biodiversity and protected

QUICK NEWS, January 4: CHINA TURNS ON WORLD’S BIGGEST SOLAR-WIND HYBRID; MPG AND ELECTRIC MPG; MORE E-RECYCLING THAN EVER

2012-01-04T05:47:00.001-08:00

CHINA TURNS ON WORLD’S BIGGEST SOLAR-WIND HYBRIDChina's first wind-solar power storage demonstration project comes on streamNiu Huizhe and Li Xiaohui, December 26, 2011 (Xinhua News Agency via Electro IQ)"China's first integrated wind-solar power demonstration project has been completed and put into operation…[in] north China's Hebei province, according to a source at North China Grid Co., Ltd,

TODAY’S STUDY: THE NEW, HIGHER COST OF NUCLEAR

2012-01-03T05:29:00.005-08:00

Nuclear Safety and Nuclear Economics: Historically, Accidents Dim the Prospcects for Nuclear Reactor Construction; Fukushima Will Have a major Impact Mark Cooper, December 2011 (Institute for Energy and the Environment, Vermont Law School)SUMMARY History has shown that each major nuclear accident has caused a re-examination of the risks of nuclear power leading to more stringent safety

QUICK NEWS, January 3: A CHANCE TO BUY A SOLAR COMPANY CHEAP; EFFICIENCY IN 2011; WHAT EV BUYERS THINK

2012-01-03T05:29:00.003-08:00

A CHANCE TO BUY A SOLAR COMPANY CHEAPFirst Solar Never So Cheap in Takeover Boon for Energy: Real M&A; For acquirers willing to wager on the future of solar power, First Solar Inc. has gotten $22 billion cheaper.Tara Lachapelle, Christopher Martin and Richard Weiss (w/Rachel Layne, Sarah Rabil, and Daniel Hauck), December 25, 2011 (Bloomberg News) "First Solar has tumbled 76 percent this year,

HOLIDAY READING: Renewables South of the Border

2012-01-02T08:40:00.001-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Renewables South of the Border; The landscape is ripe for renewables down Latin America way. Herman K. Trabish, December 1, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeRenewables advocates warn that if Congress doesn't provide incentives, the U.S. will lose an enormous greentech

HOLIDAY READING: Can AMSC Recover From Alleged IP Theft by China’s Biggest Wind Company?

2012-01-02T08:31:00.000-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Can AMSC Recover From Alleged IP Theft by China’s Biggest Wind Company? “An important litmus test for future energy cooperation between China and the West” Herman K. Trabish, November 14, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeThough Chinese courts will make the final

HAPPY NEW YEAR: Auld Lange Syne For Families

2012-01-01T08:28:00.001-08:00

From repad via YouTube

HAPPY NEW YEAR: Auld lange Syne For Lovers

2012-01-01T08:27:00.000-08:00

From nninchen91 via YouTube

HAPPY NEW YEAR: Winter Wonderland With Wind Turbines

2012-01-01T08:23:00.000-08:00

Denmark’s Vestas is the world’s biggest wind turbine maker. This holiday greeting from them is cute – or does it just seem that way to a wind geek? Cute may not be quite the right word since each of the playful machines in this animation is actually 500 feet tall (the height of a 20-story building) and supplies enough power for 750 U.S. homes. From Vestas via YouTube

A Bear Went Looking For A Job

2011-12-31T05:21:00.000-08:00

Here’s a little climate change humor and an invitation to folks in Maine for a New Year’s Eve swim. From ReVisionEnergy via YouTube

Climate Denial Crock Of The Week – Sun, Cosmic Rays

2011-12-31T05:19:00.000-08:00

Like the preceding video, this is climate change humor, too. But the joke is on anybody who thinks the sun and/or its cosmic rays – and not greenhouse gas emissions generated from humans’ burning of fossil fuels – are the root cause of global weirding. From greenman3610 via YouTube

Happy Kissing

2011-12-31T05:17:00.000-08:00

For those who aren’t planning an icy plunge tonight like the one in the lead video above, here’s an alternative. Be safe. From AMKGD via YouTube

HOLIDAY READING: Wind Turbines and Birds

2011-12-30T05:39:00.004-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Wind Turbines and Bird Fatalities; A bird mortality event at a wind farm had nothing to do with wind turbines. If you want to protect birds, outlaw cats. And windows.Herman K. Trabish, November 22, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeLast month, biologists found 484 bird

HOLIDAY READING: Wind, National Defense, and Radar Make Peace

2011-12-30T05:39:00.003-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Wind, National Defense, and Radar Make Peace; Aveillant’s holographic radar and the DoD’s clearinghouse are freeing up thousands of new megawatts. Herman K. Trabish, November 17, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeIn 2009, more than 9,000 megawatts of wind capacity was held

HOLIDAY READING: The Reality of a Successful US Wind Industry in 2011

2011-12-29T06:04:00.004-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. The Reality of a Successful US Wind Industry in 2011; “This is what a successful business looks like with stable tax policy.” Herman K. Trabish, October 27, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeThe U.S. wind industry’s third quarter report shows the sector continuing to build

HOLIDAY READING: Wind Industry in a Fight for Its Life

2011-12-29T06:04:00.003-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Wind Industry in a Fight for Its Life; Leaders ask Congress for tax credits to ‘finish the job’ of building a US renewable energy industry. Herman K. Trabish, December 13, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeThe wind industry’s production tax credit (PTC) expires at the end

HOLIDAY READING: Offshore Wind Is Power Near the People

2011-12-28T05:45:00.000-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. NRG Bluewater: Offshore Wind Is Power Near the People; That’s why the DOE just funded an ABB-led consortium to determine the cost of bringing it ashore Herman K. Trabish, November 15, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeNRG Bluewater Wind President Peter Mandelstam used the

HOLIDAY READING: For Wind, Sudden Dramatic Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude

2011-12-28T05:42:00.001-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. For Wind, Sudden Dramatic Changes in Latitude, Changes in Attitude; Moves by NRG Energy and Goldwind USA suggest that if the US abandons wind, wind may return the favor.Herman K. Trabish, December 16, 2011 (Greentech Media) click to enlargeMajor players in the wind industry

HOLIDAY READING: Can First Solar Play Nice With the Locals?

2011-12-27T08:39:00.000-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Can First Solar Play Nice With the Locals? If this is First Solar being a good neighbor, renewables are in trouble. Herman K. Trabish, October 28, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeA renewable energy boom in California’s Antelope Valley has developers scrambling to build

HOLIDAY READING: Can First Solar March On?

2011-12-27T08:38:00.000-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Can First Solar March On? Will the company be able to bring home a controversial 230-megawatt PV power plant despite management turmoil, share price woes, and local opponents? Herman K. Trabish, December 6, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeOn California Governor Brown’s

HOLIDAY READING: Jobs and the Keystone XL Pipeline Controversy

2011-12-26T13:35:00.000-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. HOLIDAY READING: Jobs and the Keystone XL Pipeline ControversyJobs and the Keystone XL Pipeline Controversy; Some factions want the pipeline, some hate the idea. Would the project help a floundering economy and increase employment? Herman K. Trabish, November 10, 2011 (

HOLIDAY READING: Is Google Really Abandoning Renewables?

2011-12-26T13:19:00.001-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy. Is Google Really Abandoning Renewables? RE < Coal is gone but there’s a lot more to the story. Herman K. Trabish, December 22, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlarge"I just read that Google is ending its involvement in green energy projects," a GTM commenter recently wrote.

A Christmas Song

2011-12-25T00:26:00.000-08:00

For too many, today is yet another Christmas in the trenches. We no longer share the same holidays and holiday carols as our opponents. And perhaps the weapons reach from one human epoch to another. But it is still the case that the ones who call the shots are not among the dead and lame. And at each end of the weapons we still remain the same. From FolkFaves via YouTube

A Hard Christmas

2011-12-25T00:23:00.000-08:00

Suppose the Prince of Peace set foot on this good earth this very afternoon. How pleased would he be with those to whom are entrusted stewardship? Would he be bedazzled by a bunch of bright Christmas lights and candy canes? Or would he react as Santa does here to the budding tragedy this planet’s keepers have wrought? From ZeldaandtheUnibrows

The Character Of A Country At Christmas

2011-12-25T00:22:00.000-08:00

It’s worth remembering: “Such a tidal wave of good will…” From BrttyTxn via YouTube

2011-12-24T05:59:00.001-08:00

Youth Takes Action – To The Tune Of Jingle Bell RockA flash mob of young people wearing Santa caps has something to say about the climate change that is going to make a huge difference in their lives. From butchnews via YouTube

Youth Takes Action – We Mean Green

2011-12-24T05:58:00.000-08:00

This is a story. It has a beginning, a middle and a great, cliffhanger ending. Can’t wait for the sequel. Meeting the characters in this story makes it easy to understand why the anti-coal movement has been so successful for so long. From ZombieSlayerZ via YouTube

Youth Takes Action – The Most Important Action Of All

2011-12-24T05:53:00.000-08:00

Piezoelectric materials capture energy from movement and turn it into electricity. These kids are learning about their future while burning off excess exuberance, giving their parents a double merry Christmas. From midsummerplacecentre via YouTube

HOLIDAY READING: DEAR SANTA – WIND’S WISH LIST

2011-12-23T05:45:00.001-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. Enjoy.Dear Santa: The Wind Industry Christmas Wish List; The wind industry has behaved nicely this year. Some gifts would be appreciated.Herman K. Trabish, December 19, 2011 (Greentech Media)(from WikiCommons-click to enlarge)These Christmas wishes would make the wind industry’s

HOLIDAY READING: MOST READ 2011 – SUN IS A BETTER BUY THAN OLD ENERGIES

2011-12-23T05:43:00.001-08:00

During this holiday season, NewEnergyNews will feature selections from its original reporting for Greentech Media. This was the most trafficked and talked about story done by NewEnergyNews this year. Enjoy.New Study: Solar Grid Parity Is Here Today; A definitive new LCOE study says solar has achieved parity.Herman K. Trabish, December 7, 2011 (Greentech Media)click to enlargeSolar materials

TODAY’S STUDY: THE EFFECTS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ON HEALTH

2011-12-22T05:48:00.000-08:00

Health and Climate Change: Accounting for CostsNovember 2011 (Natural Resources Defense Council)Climate change endangers human health, and costs us money in both lost and interrupted lives and increased health care. In a study published in the journal Health Affairs, a team of scientists from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) partnered with university economists to investigate the

QUICK NEWS, December 22: WHY A NEW ENERGY ECONOMY; ROOFTOP SOLAR AND REAL ESTATE VALUES; WIND, BIRDS AND SOLUTIONS

2011-12-22T05:47:00.000-08:00

WHY A NEW ENERGY ECONOMYThe 4 E’s of a New Energy EconomyGovernor Bill Ritter, Jr., December 19, 2011 (Clean Edge)"…[Colorado is] the American manufacturing home to the world’s largest wind turbine company, Vestas Wind Systems…[and] to some of the world’s leading renewable energy companies…[and] smart grid companies…[O]ur primary utility, Xcel Energy, is the country’s leader in wind energy…[E]ach