There are many who recognize our Seas contain a vast yet, largely unknown world: mankind’s new frontier that is far closer, with a long history, requiring less investment and perhaps more immediate returns than space. Offshore Wind development is not only a major development into that frontier but a test to see how we may limit or enhance that development with regulations.
Offshore wind turbines are placed to take advantage of strong, steady coastal winds. Their placement is in one way ideal – dependable energy, and lots of it – but it’s also not exactly easy to build a turbine tower in several feet of moving water.
Illinois Governor Pat Quinn yesterday announced a project labor agreement between Rock Island Clean Line and Flora, Ill.-based Southwire that over a three-year period “will support wind turbine and transmission manufacturing in Illinois and create 1,450 union construction jobs. “The Rock Island Clean Line will enable some $7 billion worth of investments in new wind energy projects to move forward, which today cannot be constructed due to lack of transmission,” according to an IGNN press release.
Wind-generated electricity is one of the first images that comes to mind when someone says “renewable energy.” But how exactly does a wind turbine work? It’s actually […]
In 30 states, citizens have just one choice for their electricity service. It’s like the old communist truism: “you can have any color car you want, as long as it’s red.” What if citizens could collectively shop around for electricity in bulk to get lower prices and cleaner, local … [continued]
Scientists on the lookout for utility-scale, high efficiency batteries are developing new “flow”systems that that store energy more effectively than lead-acid or lithium-ion batteries, but there’s a catch. The flow batteries in operation now are about the size of a house and they cost more than the equivalent in lithium-ion … [continued]
http://youtu.be/ACTSHNjMWqs The deadline for getting a cool, open-source Kenyan wind turbine project funded is today. Check out the video above for an intro on the project. This is not about creating wind turbines to take over the global small wind turbine market—it is about using Kenya’s own resources and … [continued]
As part of the 2012 National Green Cup Challenge (GCC), students across the United States are reporting large energy savings on their school campuses, with some schools managing to cut their energy usage by as much as 17%. “This is extremely positive news for America, which makes up just … [continued]
It wasn’t smooth sailing by any means, but global wind energy investment, financing activity and installed capacity surged higher in 2011. Venture capital, company, project and M&A financing all rose with emerging markets a focal point, according to a Mercom Capital report.
Other than our 60+ stories from the past week, here are a few more noteworthy ones worth a look or two: Solar Energy http://youtu.be/zlCmFIMm8bM 1. MidAmerican Renewables, LLC Completes Acquisition of 550-MegawattAC Topaz Solar Farm from First Solar (solar farm in video above) MidAmerican Renewables, LLC, a subsidiary of MidAmerican Energy Holdings Company, … [continued]
