CleanTechnica » Energy http://cleantechnica.com Clean Tech News & Views: Solar Energy News. Wind Energy News. EV News. & More. Tue, 30 Dec 2014 18:48:25 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=4.0.1 Carbon War Room And Rocky Mountain Institute Alliance Offers Tremendous Philanthropic ROI http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/20/carbon-war-room-rocky-mountain-institute-alliance-offers-tremendous-philanthropic-roi/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/20/carbon-war-room-rocky-mountain-institute-alliance-offers-tremendous-philanthropic-roi/#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2014 06:30:48 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=76596 Originally published on RMI. By Reuben Munger I’ve been a Rocky Mountain Institute supporter for nearly 15 years. That’s because RMI’s impactful work on market-based energy solutions offers a great return on my philanthropic investment. We are closer than ever before to transforming the world to a low-carbon energy system. But the job at hand

Carbon War Room And Rocky Mountain Institute Alliance Offers Tremendous Philanthropic ROI was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/20/carbon-war-room-rocky-mountain-institute-alliance-offers-tremendous-philanthropic-roi/feed/ 7 US Officials: Europe Has Upper Hand Over Russia In Energy Security http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/01/us-officials-europe-upper-hand-russia-energy-security/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/01/us-officials-europe-upper-hand-russia-energy-security/#comments Mon, 01 Dec 2014 17:30:40 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75734 Originally published on EnergyPost. By Karel Beckman Concerns about energy security have shot to the top of the political agenda in Europe. But the US has no intention of letting the EU down. “The United States will be working with the EU to develop a plan for the mid- to long-term evolution of a more

US Officials: Europe Has Upper Hand Over Russia In Energy Security was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/12/01/us-officials-europe-upper-hand-russia-energy-security/feed/ 10 Why Aren’t Rural Electric Cooperatives Champions of Local Clean Power? http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/26/arent-rural-electric-cooperatives-champions-local-clean-power/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/26/arent-rural-electric-cooperatives-champions-local-clean-power/#comments Wed, 26 Nov 2014 08:28:00 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75446 Originally published on ilsr.org. When it comes to ownership, there are few better structures for keeping a community’s wealth local than a cooperative. So why is it that America’s rural electric cooperatives are tethered to dirty, old coal-fired power plants instead of local-wealth generating renewable power? There are a lot of answers to this question,

Why Aren’t Rural Electric Cooperatives Champions of Local Clean Power? was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/26/arent-rural-electric-cooperatives-champions-local-clean-power/feed/ 6 California’s Reserve Fund Won’t Lift The FHFA Boot From PACE’s Neck http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/19/californias-reserve-fund-wont-lift-fhfa-boot-paces-neck/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/19/californias-reserve-fund-wont-lift-fhfa-boot-paces-neck/#comments Wed, 19 Nov 2014 21:14:55 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=75202 Originally published on ilsr.org. Earlier this year, the state of California announced a $10 million loan-loss reserve to solve the Federal Housing Finance Agency’s severe restrictions on using property-tax based financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy on residential property. It’s a great concept, but evidence from on of California’s best property assessed clean energy (PACE)

California’s Reserve Fund Won’t Lift The FHFA Boot From PACE’s Neck was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/19/californias-reserve-fund-wont-lift-fhfa-boot-paces-neck/feed/ 6 IEA World Energy Outlook 2014: 5 Takeaways http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/14/iea-world-energy-outlook-2014-5-takeaways/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/14/iea-world-energy-outlook-2014-5-takeaways/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2014 16:36:56 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=74976 Originally published on Energy Post. By Sonja van Renssen Current events risk distracting governments “from recognising and tackling the longer-term signs of stress that are emerging in the energy system” says the International Energy Agency (IEA) in its latest World Energy Outlook (WEO) 2014 unveiled on 12 November in London. Just like a year ago,

IEA World Energy Outlook 2014: 5 Takeaways was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/14/iea-world-energy-outlook-2014-5-takeaways/feed/ 1 European Cleantech Innovation: 13 Future Energy System Gamechangers http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/european-cleantech-innovation-13-future-energy-system-gamechangers/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/european-cleantech-innovation-13-future-energy-system-gamechangers/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2014 19:30:15 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=74892 Originally published on Energy Post. By Karel Beckman At a “business booster” event in Barcelona, sixty European cleantech startups supported by KIC InnoEnergy, presented themselves to the world. They offered an impressive variety of new technologies and market innovations, ranging from new storage devices and solar chips to energy saving techniques, financing models and consumer

European Cleantech Innovation: 13 Future Energy System Gamechangers was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/european-cleantech-innovation-13-future-energy-system-gamechangers/feed/ 2 China Coal Imports Fall By Half In November http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/china-coal-imports-fall-half-november/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/china-coal-imports-fall-half-november/#comments Wed, 12 Nov 2014 18:30:39 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=74888 Originally published on RenewEconomy. A cool summer and increased levels of hydro generation has resulted in a significant reduction in coal-generation in China over recent months, but the biggest impact has been on coal imports, which have fallen by half. New analysis from Deutsche Bank notes the precarious nature of the coal industry even in

China Coal Imports Fall By Half In November was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/11/12/china-coal-imports-fall-half-november/feed/ 2 Distributed Grid And Integrative Design in China Could Be Energy Gamechangers http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/distributed-grid-integrative-design-china-energy-gamechangers/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/distributed-grid-integrative-design-china-energy-gamechangers/#comments Fri, 24 Oct 2014 15:42:18 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73911 Rocky Mountain Institute. In Part 1 we explored one of the gamechangers that would allow China to transition from fossil fuels to energy efficiency and renewable supply—oil-free mobility. In Part 2, we explore two other gamechangers that would allow China to reinvent fire—adopting integrative design for efficiency in buildings and industry, and redefining the future

Distributed Grid And Integrative Design in China Could Be Energy Gamechangers was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/24/distributed-grid-integrative-design-china-energy-gamechangers/feed/ 0 The Energy Excelerator Selects A New Cohort Of 17 Startups To Address 6 Challenges http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/21/energy-excelerator-selects-new-cohort-17-startups-address-6-challenges/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/21/energy-excelerator-selects-new-cohort-17-startups-address-6-challenges/#comments Tue, 21 Oct 2014 07:44:27 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73721 In the world of energy, Hawaii is an excellent early market for startups to test and vet their technologies. The state is facing challenges with its energy system before most other markets, and its high energy prices make new solutions cost competitive there before nearly anywhere else in the world. Startups flock to the island

The Energy Excelerator Selects A New Cohort Of 17 Startups To Address 6 Challenges was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/21/energy-excelerator-selects-new-cohort-17-startups-address-6-challenges/feed/ 4 Smart Cities Are Driving Fundamental Changes In Energy Landscape http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/17/smart-cities-driving-fundamental-changes-energy-landscape/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/17/smart-cities-driving-fundamental-changes-energy-landscape/#comments Fri, 17 Oct 2014 10:24:48 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=73578 In news that will surprise absolutely nobody, cities the world over are experiencing massive pressures to keep up with the times — policy and the public are pressuring for changes to economic, environmental, social, and technological issues. These pressures, and the changes being made as a result, are helping cities develop “smarter” technologies and policies

Smart Cities Are Driving Fundamental Changes In Energy Landscape was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/10/17/smart-cities-driving-fundamental-changes-energy-landscape/feed/ 0 Ontario Grid Hits 35% Renewable Energy http://cleantechnica.com/2014/09/11/ontario-grid-hits-35-renewable-energy/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/09/11/ontario-grid-hits-35-renewable-energy/#comments Thu, 11 Sep 2014 15:06:36 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=71806 Current State of the Ontario Grid As I write this, there are 2,312 MW of wind power being dumped into the Ontario grid. This is out of a total of about 19,000 MW of demand. That’s a whopping 12% of total grid power being met by wind. I’ll be honest,  I didn’t think Ontario renewable energy

Ontario Grid Hits 35% Renewable Energy was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/09/11/ontario-grid-hits-35-renewable-energy/feed/ 38 A Gallon Of Tar Sands Oil Can Send An EV Over 30 Miles http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/18/gallon-tar-sands-oil-can-send-ev-30-miles/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/18/gallon-tar-sands-oil-can-send-ev-30-miles/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2014 13:50:55 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=70786 The energy it takes to produce just one gallon of gasoline from the Canadian tar sands could propel an electric car or plug-in hybrid over 30 miles

A Gallon Of Tar Sands Oil Can Send An EV Over 30 Miles was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/18/gallon-tar-sands-oil-can-send-ev-30-miles/feed/ 52 Explosive US Solar Power Growth & Jobs http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/18/explosive-us-solar-power-growth-jobs/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/18/explosive-us-solar-power-growth-jobs/#comments Mon, 18 Aug 2014 10:00:41 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=70769 It’s no secret to those who work in energy that the solar industry is among the fastest-growing power sectors in this country (often the fastest-growing one), as well as worldwide. And many people don’t realize it, but US solar power growth has a hugely positive impact on employment. In 2013 alone, the global solar industry

Explosive US Solar Power Growth & Jobs was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/18/explosive-us-solar-power-growth-jobs/feed/ 31 MIT Turns Solar Steam Into Cheaper Energy, Clean Water http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/04/mit-turns-solar-steam-cheaper-energy-clean-water/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/04/mit-turns-solar-steam-cheaper-energy-clean-water/#comments Mon, 04 Aug 2014 20:17:28 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=70027 MIT scientists and engineers have a new twist on phase-changing renewable technology. It combines the most efficient generation of solar steam to date by our favorite energy machine, the sun, and a new graphite-based collection system. This method puts out the lowest optical concentration reported thus far: steam generation at an intensity about 10 times that

MIT Turns Solar Steam Into Cheaper Energy, Clean Water was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/08/04/mit-turns-solar-steam-cheaper-energy-clean-water/feed/ 8 More Steam From Less Energy, Thanks to Creepy Sponge Thing http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/23/steam-less-energy-thanks-creepy-sponge-thing/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/23/steam-less-energy-thanks-creepy-sponge-thing/#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2014 14:50:54 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=69757 A new sponge-like material from MIT can convert up to 85% of the solar energy it receives into steam-producing power - and it could be the next big thing!

More Steam From Less Energy, Thanks to Creepy Sponge Thing was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/23/steam-less-energy-thanks-creepy-sponge-thing/feed/ 9 DIY, Zero-energy Pool Warmers Could Save You Thousands http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/22/diy-zero-energy-pool-warmers-save-thousands/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/22/diy-zero-energy-pool-warmers-save-thousands/#comments Wed, 23 Jul 2014 01:00:40 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=69747 Using little more than hula hoops and some inexpensive polyethylene film, you can create these DIY solar pool warmers that make 500 BTUs of heat/hr. Each!

DIY, Zero-energy Pool Warmers Could Save You Thousands was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/07/22/diy-zero-energy-pool-warmers-save-thousands/feed/ 17 Video: Isentropic Wants To Store Energy In Gravel http://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/27/video-isentropic-wants-store-energy-gravel/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/27/video-isentropic-wants-store-energy-gravel/#comments Fri, 27 Jun 2014 12:50:18 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=68728 We’re finally figuring out ways to efficiently and affordably generate green power…now the problem we have to solve is how to store that power. A UK company called Isentropic wants to store green energy via a heat pump system that uses the thermal storage of small rocks to cheaply and efficiently capture green energy. You’ve

Video: Isentropic Wants To Store Energy In Gravel was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/27/video-isentropic-wants-store-energy-gravel/feed/ 41 Cross-Sector Talks Reveal Asia’s High Off-Grid/Minigrid Renewables Potential http://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/18/cross-sector-talks-reveal-asias-high-gridminigrid-renewables-potential/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/18/cross-sector-talks-reveal-asias-high-gridminigrid-renewables-potential/#comments Wed, 18 Jun 2014 21:47:12 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=68308 This year’s international off-grid renewable energy conference in Manila—IOREC— has been exploring use of off-grid renewable energy and minigrids from the inclusive perspective of all its stakeholders. Conferences come and go, but this one seems to have achieved balance and a politics-free sense of hope for the industry, investors, new business, and the government agencies

Cross-Sector Talks Reveal Asia’s High Off-Grid/Minigrid Renewables Potential was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/06/18/cross-sector-talks-reveal-asias-high-gridminigrid-renewables-potential/feed/ 0 David & Goliath Fight To Tap World-Class Solar http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/19/david-goliath-fight-tap-world-class-solar/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/19/david-goliath-fight-tap-world-class-solar/#comments Mon, 19 May 2014 15:12:29 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=67144 “It’s the most inspirational work that I’m doing…this is an inspirational and aspirational effort…at the heart of it is love of place and energy democracy.” Mariel Nanasi and the citizens of Santa Fe, NM, are exploring the economic and environmental benefits of more local and locally-controlled energy production.  Is their city ready to take the

David & Goliath Fight To Tap World-Class Solar was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2014/05/19/david-goliath-fight-tap-world-class-solar/feed/ 11 Running It All On Clean Energy: “A Question Of Social And Political Will” http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/25/running-clean-energy-question-social-political-will/ http://cleantechnica.com/2014/02/25/running-clean-energy-question-social-political-will/#comments Tue, 25 Feb 2014 12:10:57 +0000 http://cleantechnica.com/?p=63023 Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment Senior Fellow Mark Jacobson says the United States has the technology and logistical ability to convert to all-renewable energy sources by 2050—if we can manage to exercise the social and political will to do so. He’s the guy who told David Letterman we already have enough wind to power the

Running It All On Clean Energy: “A Question Of Social And Political Will” was originally published on CleanTechnica.

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