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100 MW wind farm tp power 30,000 homes, Kansas.
In Barber County Kansas, Westar Energy and BP Alternate Energy have started construction on the Flat Rige Wind Farm, celebrated on june 24th with a groundbreaking ceremony for the site. Fourty Clipper 2.5 MW C-29 wind turbine generators will produce 100 MW of renewable energy, with RMT Windconnect working to lay the transmission lines and transfer this energy to the power grid.
"We are proud to be a part of Westar Energy's and BP Alternative Energy's efforts to invest in wind energy as a way of making the state of Kansas more energy independent."
The project is aimed to be producing commercial energy by the end of the year, off setting 240,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions to the atmospher anually. In Barber County Kansas, Westar Energy and BP Alternate Energy have started construction on the Flat Rige Wind Farm, celebrated on jun... more -
'Swift Boat' backer launches new effort to influence Washington
I certainly don't agree with his tactics in the past, but I whole heartedly embrace his push for more wind energy in the United States. I think it is a positive step in the right direction. I certainly don't agree with his tactics in the past, but I whole heartedly embrace his push for more wind energy in the United States... more
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Wind power: A reality check
An interesting article going into the feasibility of upgrading the United States to more wind energy. I say it's time to harness the wind to it's full potential. Despite the up front cost, our country should take the necessary steps. An interesting article going into the feasibility of upgrading the United States to more wind energy. I say it's time to harness the w... more
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Wind-energy dreams gain altitude
Wind turbines fill the horizon along Interstate 70 west of Salina, Kan. The state is said to have the third-best wind of any state for such projects, and that is raising the hopes of renewable-energy advocates.
That breeze you’re feeling may be the sudden gust of news about wind energy, until now almost a boutique producer of power in America.
Oilman T. Boone Pickens began flooding the media this month with a $58 million campaign to sell a plan to build thousands of wind turbines. He wants wind to grow from supplying 1 percent of the nation’s electricity to 20 percent in a decade.
This week, global-warming guru Al Gore announced a plan to spend at least a trillion dollars in the next 10 years on renewable energy, including wind, to break the nation’s fossil-fuel addiction cold turkey.
And we’re smack in the middle of those plans.
Kansas has the third-best wind of any state, and Missouri’s tiny Rock Port is winning national attention as the first town in America to operate solely on wind power.
Pickens’ plan could be wind-spun gold for the wind-tunnel corridor, stretching from central Texas to the Canadian border, as many thousands of jobs are created to build turbines, erect wind farms and string transmission lines to the East and the West Coasts.
“I’m over the moon about it,” said Nancy Jackson, executive director of the Lawrence-based Climate and Energy Project, a nonprofit climate-research group.
“This gives Kansans a chance to stay home and have jobs where they have grown up, which is great,” Jackson said.
Of course, everyone agrees Pickens’ and Gore’s plans are darned ambitious, and some are questioning whether they can be accomplished so quickly.
“This is not business as usual,” said Christine Real de Azua, a spokeswoman for the American Wind Energy Association, the national trade association for the industry. “To make this work, clearly we would need a different set of policies in place.”
Real de Azua said it is exciting that the energy crisis is suddenly up front and center in America, but Washington does not usually move fast on energy issues.
Both Pickens and Gore believe the energy crisis should be the No. 1 issue of the election — one reason for the timing of their own energy campaigns.
Pickens has said that to implement his plan within 10 years, both Congress and the White House must treat the current energy situation as “a national emergency and take immediate action.”
That goes beyond what either presidential candidate has said, but both expressed support this week.
“Pickens’ proposal to break our addiction to foreign oil and significantly ramp up our investments in renewable energy is precisely in line with what Obama has proposed in his comprehensive energy plan,” said Debbie Mesloh, communications director for Sen. Barack Obama’s campaign in Missouri.
In a statement Thursday, Obama said he strongly agreed with Gore that “we cannot drill our way to energy independence, but must fast-track investments in renewable sources of energy. … It’s a strategy that will create millions of new jobs that pay well and cannot be outsourced.”
Sen. John McCain said in an interview with The Star on Thursday that moving to renewable energy is a “good idea” that should be studied. To move away from coal-fired power plants, he said, he favors building at least 45 nuclear power plants by 2030. Wind turbines fill the horizon along Interstate 70 west of Salina, Kan. The state is said to have the third-best wind of any state for... more -
Pickens Interview on needing to invest in alternate energy
Ok. I know I may be a bit cynical, but it is still really refreshing to see an oil tycoon changing gears and switching toward renewable energy. I think even big oil can see that times are changing... Ok. I know I may be a bit cynical, but it is still really refreshing to see an oil tycoon changing gears and switching toward renewabl... more
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Saharan sun to power European supergrid
Vast farms of solar panels in the Sahara desert could provide clean electricity for the whole of Europe, according to EU scientists working on a plan to pool the region's renewable energy.
Harnessing the power of the desert sun is at the centre of ambitious scheme to build a €45bn (£35.7bn) European supergrid that would allow countries across the continent to share electricity from abundant green sources such as wind energy in the UK and Denmark and geothermal energy from Iceland and Italy.
The idea is gaining growing political support in Europe with both Gordon Brown and Nicholas Sarkozy recently giving backing to the north African solar plan.
Speaking today at the Euroscience Open Forum in Barcelona, Arnulf Jaeger-Walden of the European commission's Institute for Energy, said it would require the capture of just 0.3% of the light falling on the Sahara and Middle Eastern deserts to provide all of Europe's energy needs.
In addition, because the sunlight in this area is more intense, solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in northern Africa could generate up to three times the electricity compared with similar panels in northern Europe.
aeger-Walden explained how electricity produced in solar farms in Africa, each containing power plants generating around 50-200MW of power, could be fed thousands of miles across European countries by using high-voltage direct current transmission lines instead of the traditional alternating current lines. Energy losses on DC lines are far lower than AC ones where transmission of energy over long distances is uneconomic.
Scientists working on the project admit that it would take many years and huge investment to generate enough solar energy from north Africa to power Europe but envisage that by 2050 it could produce 100 GW, more than the the combined electricity output from all sources in the UK, with an investment of around €450bn. Vast farms of solar panels in the Sahara desert could provide clean electricity for the whole of Europe, according to EU scientists wo... more -
Scotland to build largest windfarm
A proposal to build Europe's largest onshore wind farm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, have been approved.
152 turbines will be constructed in Clyde, and should be capable of powering up to 320,000 homes.
A proposal to build Europe's largest onshore wind farm in South Lanarkshire, Scotland, have been approved. ... more -
Ministers Embrace Electric Car Revolution
Gordon Brown is to launch the biggest revolution in the way Britons drive since the development of the internal combustion engine. He will meet manufacturers this week to try to persuade them to mass-produce electric cars, and is considering a remarkable plan to sell the cars cheap, together with their fuel, that is modelled on mobile-phone contracts.
The scheme, which has already been taken up by Israel and Denmark, would sell heavily subsidised vehicles – or even give them away – in return for contracts to buy the electricity to charge them. Its inventor, a Silicon Valley software entrepreneur, believes it will at least halve the cost of motoring while dramatically reducing one of the main sources of the pollution that causes global warming.
The Prime Minister – who will reveal some of his thinking at the Motor Show this week – wants all new cars sold in Britain to be electric or hybrid vehicles by 2020, and is trying to enlist leaders of the motor industry because he wants "to see those cars manufactured in Britain".
Gordon Brown is to launch the biggest revolution in the way Britons drive since the development of the internal combustion engine. He ... more -
Al Gore's Ten Year Energy Challenge
A momentous challenge calling upon us to have the same spirit that birthed this nation and make no mistake about it, this is just as much an issue of Democracy as it is an economic, environmental, or national security issue. However, as usual, all we see on blogs and in the media by the usuals is bickering about whether climate change is "natural" or not when we already know that most of the effects on our planet we are seeing are a result of human behavior.That has been debated ad nauseum, and is why this country will wind up at the back of the pack when other countries pass us up regarding coming into the 21st Century. We are stuck in first gear still while the rest of the world is in drive.
We have been getting our oil from the Middle East and now will we get our solar panels from there too because we in this country are so myopic and politically polarized to the point that we cannot even concede one damn point? The alternate energy market is just waiting for a boom in this country. Employment in this country would soar and with investment, we would get the economic shot in the arm we need to avoid economic collapse while saving ourselves. Many say (even people in his own party) that Mr. Gore made this proposal at the wrong time with gas prices being so high... to that I say, WHAT?
This was the absolute right time to come out and tell people the truth that they are being lied to and duped by big oil and coal. This was exactly the right time to come out and tell people that they have a CHOICE and that they have the power in this next decade to put those choices into motion. That they have other options for energy that can be cheaper than what they are using now. Of course the oil and coal companies and special interests and their minions are not too happy about that, but I say, screw them. They have done more harm to this planet and economy with their pollution and wars than any alternate energy being instituted could do. It is time for them to see that their way is not the best way for the continued sustainability of this planet and work to make amends for what they have done.
The Earth as it stands now is going through changes in climate that are too exacerbated to just be natural and the cost of ignoring it far exceeds the cost of implementing changes to avoid it. What price do you put on a human life? That has been confirmed by the IPCC, NASA, the National Academy of Sciences, The Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, and thousands of other studies and scientists' reports from around the globe. It is a known fact also that for YEARS scientists in possession of these facts have been gagged by our government to keep quiet about it, because the very thing Mr. Gore stated must be done is something they don't want to do because they believe it will ground their gravy train.
More at the link. A momentous challenge calling upon us to have the same spirit that birthed this nation and make no mistake about it, this is just as m... more -
United Kingdom Talk Saturday 19th July 2008
Saturday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
A rather different start to show show !
Photographs.
Singing.
Matthew's gardening tip.
How much is there to do in Florida ?
Programmes from many countries.
Thank you to the Wiz.
Clubs that you can be anyone in.
A clean programme.
Someone else considers a wind turbine.
C.R.
A new loaf.
Though the doors.
Jerry has a Flip Cam.
A mini television screen.
Technical difficulties sorted.
Where does the "X" (kiss) come from ?
Country music.
The youngest, and the oldest.
Fragments on metal.
My new hat.
"Zee" or "Z" ?
The red sparkly Bingay jacket.
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Saturday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Gore urges drive for carbon-free energy
Former Vice President Al Gore called for a "man on the moon" effort to switch all of the United States' electricity production to wind, solar and other carbon-free sources within 10 years.
He said this goal would solve global warming as well as economic and natural security crises caused by dependence on fossil fuels.
"The answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels," Mr Gore told a packed auditorium in Washington's historic Constitution Hall.
"When you connect the dots, it turns out that the real solutions to the climate crisis are the very same measures needed to renew our economy and escape the trap of ever-rising energy prices."
[Credit: AP; Photo: Business Week] Former Vice President Al Gore called for a "man on the moon" effort to switch all of the United States' electricity production to wind... more -
Power America with Cheap, Clean Energy in 10 Years? Yes We Can!
Al Gore calls out to America,
"Today I challenge our nation to commit to producing 100 percent of our electricity from renewable energy and truly clean carbon-free sources within 10 years." Al Gore calls out to America, ... more -
Al Gore: Energy crisis threatens U.S. survival
The United States should be making all of its electricity with renewable and carbon-free energy in 10 years, former Vice President Al Gore said Thursday.
"The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk," Gore said.
In a speech at Washington's Constitution Hall, Gore touched on an array of the nation's current woes, saying the economic, environmental and national security crises are all related.
"I don't remember a time in our country when so many things seemed to be going so wrong simultaneously," Gore said.
To begin to fix all the problems, Gore said, "the answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels."
Gore called on the country to produce all of its electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources in 10 years, a goal he compared to President Kennedy's challenge for the country to put a man on the moon in the 1960s. He chastised those who have proposed opening new areas for oil drilling as a solution to U.S. energy problems.
"It is only a truly dysfunctional system that would buy into the perverse logic that the short-term answer to high gasoline prices is drilling for more oil 10 years from now," Gore said.
The United States should be making all of its electricity with renewable and carbon-free energy in 10 years, former Vice President Al ... more -
Gore issues challenge on energy
The United States should be making all of its electricity with renewable and carbon-free energy in 10 years, former Vice President Al Gore said Thursday.
"The survival of the United States of America as we know it is at risk," Gore said.
In a speech at Washington's Constitution Hall, Gore touched on an array of the nation's current woes, saying the economic, environmental and national security crises are all related.
"I don't remember a time in our country when so many things seemed to be going so wrong simultaneously," Gore said.
To begin to fix all the problems, Gore said, "the answer is to end our reliance on carbon-based fuels."
Gore called on the country to produce all of its electricity from renewable and carbon-free sources in 10 years, a goal he compared to President Kennedy's challenge for the country to put a man on the moon in the 1960s.
Gore chastised those who have proposed opening new areas for oil drilling as a solution to U.S. energy problems.
"It is only a truly dysfunctional system that would buy into the perverse logic that the short-term answer to high gasoline prices is drilling for more oil 10 years from now," Gore said.
New demand from places like China means oil supplies won't be able to meet increasing demand, Gore said.
"The way to bring gas prices down is to end our dependence on oil and use the renewable sources that can give us the equivalent of $1 a gallon gasoline," the former vice president and Nobel laureate said.
The United States should be making all of its electricity with renewable and carbon-free energy in 10 years, former Vice President Al ... more -
United Kingdom Talk Thursday 17th July 2008
Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch or listen to the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats.
In today's show :
Elevators or lift fun !
Knives.
http://www.renewableenergyworld.com/rea/home
Go green.
Some Americans reply to Toby from Japan's email.
Nearer to next Christmas !
It was shining !
We didn't know we were doing damage.
Jean Hyland.
Oh those serious faces.
A big parcel has arrived !
You cannot judge a whole country by a few people.
Fidgeting.
Not a very happy person.
Hair dye.
What dangerous games did you play as a child ?
For the benefit of many, not just one.
Now we know.
I am J.R.
Someone has to take the lead.
Anyone can be camp !
Good things done by ordinary people.
It's all gone so quickly.
Village People.
Email :
chris@unitedkingdomtalk.co.uk
WWW.UNITEDKINGDOMTALK.CO.UK Thursday's edition of my three times a week talk show.Watch or listen to the show here on CURRENT TV on Tues, Thurs & Sats. ... more -
Ricoh Places First Eco Powered Billboard In Times Square
Ricoh Americas will erect a sign in New York City's Times Square that will be 100 percent powered by solar and wind power. The electronic billboard, the first ever to be totally powered by natural resources in Times Square, will be located at 3 Times Square at the corner of 7th Avenue and 42nd Street.
The sign, which is 47 feet high by 126 feet long, will be illuminated by floodlights and powered by 45 solar panels and 4 turbines for wind generation. By using all natural energy sources, Ricoh will reduce the amount of CO2 usage by 18 tons per year.
If there is not enough solar or wind power, the Times Square sign will not be illuminated. Ricoh also currently has a similar eco-powered sign in Osaka, Japan, that uses 100 percent solar and wind power.
"Ricoh is pleased to have such a large presence in Times Square, but we are even more excited that we will be able to do so without the need for an electrical power source other than those provided by natural resources," said Kirk Yoshida, Deputy President of Ricoh Company Ltd., and Chairman and CEO of Ricoh Americas Corporation.
"By having the eco-friendly sign in Times Square, Ricoh will not only be able to promote our brand, but also show to the world that we are a leader in environmental conservation and at the forefront of sustainable environmental management for years."
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If Ricoh can do it, all companies can.
Ricoh Americas will erect a sign in New York City's Times Square that will be 100 percent powered by solar and wind power. The electro... more -
Coal industry hands out pink slips while green collar jobs take off
A transition to renewable energy sources promises significant global job gains at a time when the coal industry has been hemorrhaging jobs for years, according to the latest Vital Signs Update released by the Worldwatch Institute.
The coal, oil, and natural gas industries require steadily fewer jobs as high-cost production equipment takes the place of human capital. Many hundreds of thousands of coal mining jobs have been shed in China, the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, and South Africa during the last two decades, sometimes in the face of expanding production. In the United States alone, coal industry employment has fallen by half in the last 20 years, despite a one-third increase in production.
Strong government support has allowed Germany, Spain, and Denmark to emerge as leaders in renewable energy development-and green jobs. The German government reports that the country was home to an estimated 259,000 direct and indirect jobs in the renewables sector in 2006. This figure is expected to reach 400,000-500,000 by 2020, and 710,000 by 2030. In the United States, the renewables sector employed close to 200,000 people directly and 246,000 indirectly in 2006, due mostly to leadership at the state level. China is rapidly catching up in manufacturing of solar photovoltaics (PV) and wind turbines and is already the dominant global force in solar hot water development.
These figures are expected to swell substantially as private investment and government support for alternative energy sources grow. The most optimistic analyses project that global wind power employment will increase to as much as 2.1 million in 2030 and 2.8 million in 2050. Similar projections estimate that worldwide solar PV production alone could create as many as 6.3 million jobs by 2030.
A transition to renewable energy sources promises significant global job gains at a time when the coal industry has been hemorrhaging ... more -
Giant rubber "snake" could be the future of wave power
"A giant rubber snake could be the future of renewable energy. The rippling "Anaconda" produces electricity as it is squeezed by passing waves. Its developers say it would produce more energy than existing wave-energy devices and be cheaper to maintain."
I think there is still a lot of innovation to be done in marine/wave power sector of renewable energy. This is one great idea that could be promising! "A giant rubber snake could be the future of renewable energy. The rippling "Anaconda" produces electricity as it is squeezed by passi... more -
McCain's latest ad obscures his record on voting against clean energy
This ad is as phony as his photo-op earlier this year. McCain has repeatedly opposed a renewable electricity standard that would have set a minimum requirement for utilities to generate part of their power from sources like wind.
Check out the link for more ammo on McCain's energy record -- he consistently votes AGAINST renewable energy like solar and wind.
"The real 'purpose' of John McCain's ad is to rewrite the history of how he has repeatedly stood in the way of responsible efforts to make America less dependent on foreign oil and create green jobs," said DNC Communications Director Karen Finney. "In his 25 years in Washington, Senator McCain has been a part of the problem, not the solution on energy independence." This ad is as phony as his photo-op earlier this year. McCain has repeatedly opposed a renewable electricity standard that would have ... more -
We must end our oil dependency, says chancellor
Chancellor Alistair Darling today warned that the UK must become less dependent on oil by replacing nuclear power stations and investing in renewable energy, as he described the soaring cost of crude as a "huge threat" to the economy. Chancellor Alistair Darling today warned that the UK must become less dependent on oil by replacing nuclear power stations and investi... more
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