tagged w/ Renewable Energy
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It keeps getting better ! This solar cell also harvests the energy from heat ....
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A tidal turbine being tested for use in the world’s first tidal turbine array in Islay on the West coast of Scotland has proved a success in hostile waters off the North of Orkney. Scottish Power Renewables fitted their HS1000 turbine at the end of last year and it has already been hooked up to the grid and is powering the Orkney Island of Eday.
The 1MW machine is weighed down on the seabed 50 metres below the surface of a stretch of water called the Fall of Warness. It has some of the strongest tides in the world with an Atlantic swell colliding with the North Sea. Tides in the area can reach up to 8 knots in Spring tides.
http://www.itv.com/news/2012-05-17/tidal-turbine-powers-up-in-orkney/A tidal turbine being tested for use in the world’s first tidal turbine array in... more
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In an attempt to keep the political war against renewable energy in the headlines, Republicans are holding another hearing to question the value of government investments in the sector.
Looks like ten political sideshows on Solyndra weren’t enough.
If tomorrow morning’s hearing were being used as a chance to objectively assess where the industry stands, that would be one thing. But the title of the meeting gives away the real political intent: “The Obama Administration’s Green Energy Gamble: What Have All The Taxpayer Subsidies Achieved?”
Actually, those green energy investments have yielded substantial returns. And before the political grandstanding begins in the House of Representatives tomorrow, here are five important things you should know about how promotion of clean energy has supported American businesses and consumers:
1. The 1603 grant program supported up to 75,000 jobs and 23,000 renewable energy projects during the height of the recession. When the recession hit, it was very difficult for project developers to find banks that were willing to utilize tax credits. So a cash grant program was created to give companies an easier way to finance projects. While it’s very difficult to know the exact influence of the grant on each project, the program played a major role in maintaining momentum — helping support $25 billion in gross economic activity, according to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.
2. The production tax credit helps leverage up to $20 billion in private investment annually. With this key tax credit in place, the wind industry has dropped costs by 90% over the last few decades. It’s helped states like Iowa reach 20% wind penetration — bringing that state over 215 businesses that support 5,000 workers. Across the rest of the U.S., the entire industry supports 75,000 jobs, with 30,000 in manufacturing. However, up to 37,000 of those jobs could be at risk due Congressional lawmakers’ inability to extend the tax credit.
3. The loan guarantee program is expected to cost $2 billion less than budgeted. This program has gotten a black eye due to the bankruptcies of a few companies — most famously Solyndra — that received guarantees. But according to John McCain’s National Finance Chairman, Herb Allison, the cost to taxpayers will likely be far less than initially thought. In fact, over the last 20 years of experience, the U.S. government has shown a knack for managing risk — with loans and loan guarantee programs only costing tax payers 94 cents for every $100 dollars invested.
4. Home weatherization grew 1000% from April to June of 2011, creating 14,800 jobs. After a slow ramp-up, efficiency programs supported by the stimulus package have helped weatherize hundreds of thousands of homes. In addition to supporting the retrofits of individual homes, the Obama administration has supported the Better Buildings Initiative, a program that has leveraged billions of private dollars to upgrade more than 4 billion square feet of public and private buildings in the next two years. That’s enough demand to support over 100,000 jobs.
5. ARPA-E has supported dozens of potentially groundbreaking technologies in advanced materials, renewable fuels, electricity generation, waste heat, and battery storage. Helping enhance America’s lead in technological innovation, the Advanced Research Research Projects Agency for Energy — initially funded through the stimulus package — has helped inventors, companies, and university labs boost their work. This program has immense bi-partisan support for promoting the “innovative research that makes America great and has fueled our economic growth for generations.”
Despite these successes, Republicans continue milking the Solyndra bankruptcy for an election-year story that doesn’t hold up — dragging the rest of the clean energy industry into the mud.
The sector has gone through some high-profile shake-ups and bankruptcies, so it’s the duty of lawmakers to understand how tax payer dollars are being deployed. That’s a supportable endeavor. But holding yet another hearing to lambast the President for a so-called “gamble” in clean energy isn’t productive for anyone.
By Stephen Lacey on May 15, 2012 at 4:57 pmIn an attempt to keep the political war against renewable energy in the headlines,... more
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It isn’t alternative energy, because alternative energy—like wind farms, solar arrays and the like—actually need to create electricity from some other means. Instead, SEFE taps the source, capturing and converting naturally occurring static electricity in the atmosphere into a constant, abundant and decidedly green source of renewable energy.
We call it True Energy. Because it’s not an alternative to anything. It’s the source—unadulterated, carbon-free, always-on and without all the inherent issues—and often dangers—of nuclear, coal-fired, hydro-electric or other types of power.
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SEFE has developed a proprietary technology which aims to harvest the constant and powerful static electricity that is continually formed in the earth’s atmosphere. Through a series of patented and patent-pending devices, SEFE’s Harmony system is designed to draw the static electricity in direct current form from the atmosphere, converting it to alternating current for immediate power consumption. And, the system can reconvert the alternating current back into direct current form for longer-term storage in banks of batteries. The system’s design employs an airborne carrier, which can be a high-altitude weather balloon or blimp, to send a conductive cable into the atmosphere, where it is suspended and tethered in constant contact with a ground unit. Attached to the conductive cable is a “black box” which converts the naturally occurring electricity into usable form. The electricity is sent down the conductive cable to a power generator, which, in turn, can send the power to an existing electric company’s infrastructure and grid for commercial and residential consumption. This platform generator also can convert the electricity for longer-term storage.
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Other forms of energy collection, like solar, wind generation and hydro-electric, are dependent on expansive terrain or specific geography. But SEFE’s system takes advantage of the always-on around-the-world nature of atmospheric static electricity. There are no “good-better-best” locations around the globe—just “good-better-best” altitudes in every single given spot. So the SEFE system sniffs out the best altitude for unit suspension, in order to collect the optimal amount of energy. The units find the sweet spot. Everywhere. And, since the platform has an incredibly small footprint, units can be set up almost anywhere, on any terrain. The only restriction is based on FAA airspace clearances.
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Wind farms take up the entire countryside and blot out the landscape. Wouldn’t that be true of balloons in the sky?
In a word, no. To maximize electricity collection, the SEFE system hoists the airborne device hundreds of feet into the atmosphere, well out of typical line of sight. Also, since each unit can generate an abundance of electricity, there are less units needed in collaboration with each other. So, fewer units dot the landscape. By contrast, solar or wind systems need a significant amount of space; hence, these “farms” take up real estate in the production of electricity. Instead, we harvest electricity, right from the source.
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While we could deploy a SEFE system in every backyard—it’s that safe, simple and effective—we are focusing our efforts on commercial applications, targeting the utility/co-op sector for augmenting the industry’s electrical generation capabilities; heavy industry requiring on-site electrical generation, such as the mining industry, rural construction and heavy manufacturing; world relief organizations, which often distribute aid and emergency relief in very remote parts of the world lacking electricity; and the military, which needs electrical generation at forward or temporary bases.
More at http://sefelectric.com/It isn’t alternative energy, because alternative energy—like wind farms,... more
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Batteries would appear to be the inexpensive solution to our growing fuel issues, however the environmental cost of battery materials and disposal is economically and environmentally unsustainable. What if there was a battery that never needed to be thrown away, whose materials were renewable and non-toxic? Enter Dr. Donald Sadoway’s innovative “liquid battery” which provides inexpensive, reusable energy from materials as common as dirt.
How many devices do you use daily that require batteries?
Batteries would appear to be the inexpensive solution to our growing fuel... more
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The vast amount of glass in skyscrapers and office buildings represents enormous potential for an emerging technology that turns windows into solar panels. But major questions remain as to whether solar windows can be sufficiently inexpensive and efficient to be widely adopted.
More at the linkThe vast amount of glass in skyscrapers and office buildings represents enormous... more
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http://bit.ly/ITPeFQ Speak to Liebreich for an extended period, and you sense that his is a kind of quantum existence in which he straddles the down-to-Earth -- overseeing a staff of 200 while they research and report investment-grade information about the world's energy industry -- and the pursuit of dreams: of energy efficiency, of a world where everyone has access to energy, and one where that energy is largely rendered from renewable sources.http://bit.ly/ITPeFQ Speak to Liebreich for an extended period, and you sense that his... more
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http://bit.ly/HZsotu
Before Michael Liebreich established New Energy Finance in 2004, those who were deeply interested in renewable energy were essentially typecast into two distinct folds -- either they were engineers and scientists or Birkenstock-wearing granola eaters.http://bit.ly/HZsotu
Before Michael Liebreich established New Energy Finance in 2004,... more
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The energy minister is to visit Iceland in May to discuss connecting the UK to its abundant geothermal energy.
Iceland could soon be pumping low-carbon electricity into the UK under government-backed plans for thousands of miles of high-voltage cables across the ocean floor.
The volcanoes of Iceland could soon be pumping low-carbon electricity into the UK under government-backed plans for thousands of miles of high-voltage cables across the ocean floor.
The energy minister, Charles Hendry, is to visit Iceland in May to discuss connecting the UK to its abundant geothermal energy. "We are in active discussions with the Icelandic government and they are very keen," Hendry told the Guardian. To reach Iceland, which sits over a mid-ocean split in the earth's crust, the cable would have to be 1,000 to 1,500km long and by far the longest in the world.
Hendry has already met the head of Iceland's national grid about the plan. The web of sea-floor cables – called interconnectors – planned for the next decade would link the UK to a Europe-wide supergrid, which is backed by the prime minister. The supergrid would combine the wind and wave power of northern Europe with solar projects such as Desertec in southern Europe and north Africa to deliver reliable, clean energy to meet climate change targets and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.
There are two existing international interconnectors, to France and the Netherlands, but nine more are either in construction, formal planning or undergoing feasibility studies. The next to open, in autumn 2012, will be a link between the Republic of Ireland and Wales, allowing green energy from the windswept Atlantic coast of Ireland to be delivered to British homes.
The UK has been energy independent for virtually its entire history. But with the North Sea's oil and gas failing and coal banned as too polluting, Hendry is frank about the future: "We will be dependent on imported energy." The cables "are an absolutely critical part of energy security and for low carbon energy", he said.
The government's legally binding targets to reduce carbon emissions is another key driver for the new interconnectors, which if all built could supply a third of the nation's average electricity demand. Renewable energy, such as the offshore wind power at the heart of the government's renewable plans, is zero carbon once built but is also intermittent, meaning back-up gas plants or energy storage are needed. A 900km interconnector to Norway, due to open by 2019, would enable excess wind energy to pump water into storage lakes above the fjords. Then, when the electricity is needed, floodgates are opened and the water flows back down through turbines. Both the pump storage and the high-voltage direct-current interconnectors lose very little energy.
Another ambitious interconnector would link England to Alderney, where very strong tides could produce 4GW of electricity, and then on to France and the new 1.6GW nuclear power plant being built at Flamanville. Commercial agreements for this were signed in February.
More at the linkThe energy minister is to visit Iceland in May to discuss connecting the UK to its... more
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Within the next few weeks the US department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot Initiative will announce the recipients of its latest tranche of funding. At present SunShot provides about $50-$60 million in competitive funding annually to between 35 and 40 entities – companies and universities – that are engaged in various aspects of CSP-related research or development initiatives.Within the next few weeks the US department of Energy’s (DOE) SunShot Initiative... more
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"Well, just as in the case of conventional energy project, good renewable energy projects will be bankable, given certain markets," Murley said. "So if you’ve got a good sponsor, good equipment, a good equity owner, an operating history in the resource, and it's going to work, then you should have every expectation of finding your way to funding.
"The issue now is the stability of the regulatory regime," he continued. "Italy at the moment is probably of limits for new deals. Greece is... forget it. The US, I think, will have a decent year, but absent an extension of the regulatory stiff in the US, it is going to taper off.
"But the long and short of it is decent projects do get done," Murley said."Well, just as in the case of conventional energy project, good renewable energy... more
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While one might be tempted by headlines to assume that wind energy-related activity in the US will come to a screeching halt at the end of the year, with the seemingly almost certain expiration of the federal production tax credit, that temptation would lead you astray.While one might be tempted by headlines to assume that wind energy-related activity in... more
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http://bit.ly/H0fUzT
Why should energy-intensive corporations invest in green power plays like wind and solar farms?
According to Fintan Whelan, corporate finance director and co-founder of Mainstream Renewable Power, because they're uniquely situated to benefit from such an investments many potential ripple effects.http://bit.ly/H0fUzT
Why should energy-intensive corporations invest in green power... more
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Yes, we called them 'Whores," and we mean it! --
The Menendez bill would have prevented the big oil companies — Exxon, Chevron, BP, Shell and ConocoPhillips — from using tax deductions when they already rake in record profits. The bill would have also extended tax incentives for green and renewable energy projects, biofuels, electric cars, and energy-efficient homes.
http://veracitystew.com/?p=32733Yes, we called them 'Whores," and we mean it! --
The Menendez bill would... more
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"When you have an expertise in development it seems your always in on the highest risk phase of a project," he said with very evident pride in work welling up in his voice. "Whether you're building a wind farm or a solar farm -- we do both -- or even an apartment complex for that matter at some point you're standing on the side of a windy hill, analyzing whether or not it's a good proposition."When you have an expertise in development it seems your always in on the highest... more
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"After exploring a variety of possible 3D configurations using a computer algorithm and testing them under a range of latitudes, seasons and weather with specially developed analytic software, the team built three different individual 3D modules and tested them on the MIT lab building roof for several weeks. The results showed a boost in power output ranging from double to more than 20 times that of fixed flat solar panels with the same base area.
By going vertical and collecting more sunlight when the sun is closer to the horizon, the team’s 3D modules were able to generate a more uniform output over time. This uniformity extended over the course of each day, the seasons of a year, and even when accounting for blockage from clouds and shadows.""After exploring a variety of possible 3D configurations using a computer... more
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How was it that in the worst possible days for the continent’s banks and financial infrastructure, dreamers could still dream big and have a reasonable expectation that their wind farm, solar facility or tidal energy array could indeed rise up along the horizon?How was it that in the worst possible days for the continent’s banks and... more
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Here's a "tale of two cities" - or two countries, actually. Germany and the United States. One country is preparing for a future in which their children will breathe clean air and lead the worlds economy - and the other is preparing for a future in which their children will choke on polluted air - and fall behind the rest of the world in the global economy. Can you guess which is which? Germany just announced a $260 billion investment in new energy - that's 8% of their GDP - with a goal of getting 80% of their nation's energy from wind and solar. This is the largest investment in energy that Germany has made since World War 2 - and they're even making this investment right in the middle of the financial crisis sweeping Europe - because Germany "gets it."
No nation in the history of the world has ever cut its way to prosperity - just look at Greece. So Germany knows that the only way to get out of this crisis - is to GROW their way out of it - to come out in the end of it a better, stronger, and wealthier nation - through government investments in the future. Germany is going to build offshore wind farms - covering an area six-times larger than the size of New York City. They're going to put up thousands and thousands of miles in new power lines to modernize their energy grid - enough new smartgrid power lines that, if they were stretched out in a single line, would reach from London all the way to Baghdad. And, prompted by the Fukushima disaster in Japan last year - Germany is shutting down 17 nuclear reactors supplying about a fifth of all the electricity in their nation - and replacing those reactors with the wind farms and solar panels they're now building.Here's a "tale of two cities" - or two countries, actually. Germany and... more
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The future of the federal production tax credit (PTC) hangs in the balance, but analysts say major players with the right level of research and development are well-placed to compete in US’ increasingly competitive wind energy market.The future of the federal production tax credit (PTC) hangs in the balance, but... more
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Witnesses says they've seen them near nuclear facilities, oil rigs and even hovering above active volcanoes. But UFOs -- whatever they are and whomever may be controlling them -- seem to have turned a blind eye to large-scale wind farms, CSP plants or utility-scale photovoltaics.Witnesses says they've seen them near nuclear facilities, oil rigs and even... more
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