Belgium Joins the Ranks of the Nuclear-Free
Belgium is taking steps to phase out nuclear power despite a non-existent…
Clean Power
Distributed Solar Power Gets More Affordable
Installed costs for solar PV have dropped and economies of scale improved significantly in 2010, opening the door for much more cost-competitive distributed solar power. The data comes from the 4th edition of the excellent report from the Lawrence Berkeley Labs’, Tracking the Sun (pdf) and shows the installed costs … [continued]
Somfy Introduces Solar Powered Shades
Somfy Systems is now selling a solar powered window shader.
Locally Produced, Consumed Solar Power & Inventor Nationalism: A New Model to Spur US Manufacturing…
Prolific inventor and Silicon Valley serial entrepreneur Kent Kernahan and partners believe they’re on to a way for US inventors, and local governments and communities to play a direct, pivotal role in revitalizing US manufacturing and job growth. Through their latest ventures, Ideal PV and Locally Grown Power, they’re looking to leverage Kernahan’s latest solar power innovations in building solar PV panel plants with local governments and community groups that will produce and consume clean, renewable power locally and sustainably over the long term.
$12.7 Billion for Transmission in Europe (Boon for Wind & Solar Energy)
The European Commission recently confirmed that €9.1 billion ($12.7 billion) for transmission networks would be included in the EU’s 2014-2020 budget plans. This is part of a €50-billion ($70-billion) infrastructure package. This is a big boon for (and probably largely driven by) offshore and onshore wind power projects across the continent. Of … [continued]
Free Energy from Air Heat Pumps – is that Magic?
Moving back to my native New Zealand this year, I had the chance to try a different kind of heating system for our house here. One of the most intriguing technologies I’m hearing about here is something I never heard of – an air heat pump. I was familiar with … [continued]
Facebook Faces Down Google for Title of Most Energy Efficient
Facebook and Google seem to be in an all-out war to see which company can come up with the best energy efficiency solutions for power-gobbling data centers. This round probably goes to Facebook, which just announced two new green data center strategies on two distinct tracks. One is the use … [continued]
Wind Power at Bargain Basement Prices by 2020
Researchers at Iowa State University’s new Wind Energy Manufacturing Laboratory are on a mission to lower the price of wind power down to six cents per kilowatt hour by 2020, and they are taking a somewhat unusual path to get there. Instead of focusing on new wind turbine technology, the … [continued]
Energy Storage.. Moving Along
Energy storage is a critical piece of the clean energy. While some think widespread adoption of EVs and smart grid technology are more important, energy storage is clearly going to play a bigger role in the future of our energy infrastructure. Here’s the intro to a great piece on energy … [continued]
Renewable Power Surge: UK Sets Out to Be the ‘Rolls Royce’ of Marine Energy
Marine power – generating clean, renewable electricity primarily from ocean waves and tidal currents – has been high up on the energy policy and political agenda across the UK, particularly in Scotland. Proposed increases in government investments and subsidies is boosting investment, start-ups and attracting growing interest on the part of multinational energy and engineering companies.
