Governments are still spending billions on nuclear research, writes Paul Brown – but 2015 looks like being an unhappy year for the industry as it continues to shrink while renewables grow, amid massive delays and cost over-runs. With nuclear power falling ever further behind renewables as a global energy source, and as the price of … Continue reading 2015 will see nuclear power dream fade as wind energy and solar power soar
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6 Reasons 2014 Was a Good Year for Climate Action
Here are six reasons to be optimistic under even the most climate-denying Congress: 1. The price of solar and wind energy has fallen below the price of conventional fuels, pushing utilities to switch to alternative fuels. The New York Times reports that “The cost of providing electricity from wind and solar power plants has plummeted … Continue reading 6 Reasons 2014 Was a Good Year for Climate Action
Continue readingShare of renewable energies in German electricity production sources made a record in 2014
For the first time, renewable energies including wind energy, solar power, biomass and water power generated more electricity than other individual conventional sources in Germany with a share of 25.8 percent in 2014, said the German Association of Energy and Water Industries in a statement. Share of renewable energies in German electricity production sources … Continue reading Share of renewable energies in German electricity production sources made a record in 2014
Continue readingRenewable Energy Life Cycle
Results of a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) presents a life cycle assessment (LCA) on an array of electricity generation sources, from fossil fuels to solar power. The conclusions indicate that renewable energy is cheaper, less environmentally damaging, and has more potential for growth in the next few decades than … Continue reading Renewable Energy Life Cycle
Continue readingChina reached 90 GW of wind energy and 30 GW of solar power by 2014
In 2014, total installed hydropower capacity will hit 300 million kW, installed wind power capacity will exceed 90 million kW and solar power capacity will reach 30 million kW. Non-fossil fuel will supply 11.1 percent of China’s total primary energy consumption this year, up from 9.8 percent in 2013, an official said Thursday. … Continue reading China reached 90 GW of wind energy and 30 GW of solar power by 2014
Continue readingGlobal coal demand to reach 9 billion tonnes per year by 2019
Global demand for coal over the next five years will continue marching higher, breaking the 9-billion-tonne level by 2019, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said in its annual Medium-Term Coal Market Report released today. The report notes that despite China’s efforts to moderate its coal consumption, it will still account for three-fifths of demand growth … Continue reading Global coal demand to reach 9 billion tonnes per year by 2019
Continue readingOil price plunge and renewable energy
The 45% fall in oil prices is being portrayed as a big blow to clean energy deployment. In fact, its impact will vary by sector and region, but will be modest in major electricity markets where renewables compete with gas and coal, and benefit from stable policy support. The collapse in world oil prices in … Continue reading Oil price plunge and renewable energy
Continue readingSolar energy and electric vehicles could make suburban living awesome again
The suburbs have had it rough in the last few years. The 2008-2009 economic collapse led to waves of foreclosures in suburbia, as home prices plummeted. More recently, census data suggest that Americans are actually shifting back closer to city centers, often giving up on the dream of a big home in suburbs (much less the … Continue reading Solar energy and electric vehicles could make suburban living awesome again
Continue readingAbengoa awarded 950 GWh/year of Concentrated Solar Power and PV in Chilean supply tender for 15 years
Abengoa will generate the power from a combination of Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) and photovoltaic plants. Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B/P SM /NASDAQ: ABGB), the international company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainability in the energy and environment sectors, has been awarded 950 GWh/year in the Distribution Companies Supply tender (Tender Process SIC 2013/03-2º Llamado) held … Continue reading Abengoa awarded 950 GWh/year of Concentrated Solar Power and PV in Chilean supply tender for 15 years
Continue readingNebraska Transmission Infrastructure Ready to Accommodate At Least 2,000 MW of Additional Wind Energy
Economists at The Brattle Group authored a study that identifies the factors that impact the desirability of developing 5,000 to 10,000 MW of renewable generation in Nebraska for export purposes. Prepared for the Nebraska Power Review Board (PRB) and submitted to the Nebraska Legislature for consideration today, the study also presents options available to policy … Continue reading Nebraska Transmission Infrastructure Ready to Accommodate At Least 2,000 MW of Additional Wind Energy
Continue readingDeal reached at UN climate change talks in Peru
The U.N. weather agency said last week that 2014 could become the hottest year on record. More than 30 hours behind schedule, delegates from more than 190 countries agreed on what information should go into the pledges that countries submit for the expected Paris pact. They argued all day Saturday over the wording of … Continue reading Deal reached at UN climate change talks in Peru
Continue readingAfDB promotes renewable energy investment in Swaziland
The African Development Bank (AfDB) will issue a grant of US $990,000 to finance three studies under an energy sector support programme in Swaziland. The objective of the programme is to provide technical assistance to Swaziland aimed at promoting investment in the electricity supply industry to expand reliable energy supplies and enhance the country’s electricity … Continue reading AfDB promotes renewable energy investment in Swaziland
Continue readingThe Importance of Africa to Enel Green Power
Enel Green Power is playing a leading role in the development of renewable energy in Morocco, South Africa and eastern Africa, where rapidly-growing economies are stimulating energy demand. Rapid population growth, abundant resources and a growing energy demand are the reasons why many African nations have chosen renewable energy to respond to their needs, … Continue reading The Importance of Africa to Enel Green Power
Continue readingChina would need at least 400 GW of hydro power, 500 GW of wind energy and 300 GW of solar power by 2030
China State Grid Corp will spend about 400 billion yuan this year on its electricity networks as the country, which last month reached a deal with the United States to curtail fossil fuels, copes with an unprecedented influx of clean energy and higher demand. Spending would need to be maintained at current levels for … Continue reading China would need at least 400 GW of hydro power, 500 GW of wind energy and 300 GW of solar power by 2030
Continue readingIndia plans 5-fold increase in solar energy and wind power
India is committed to up-scaling its solar energy use by five times from 20,000 MW to 100,000 MW over the next five years. India said Friday it was optimistic the world would reach an agreement to curb climate change, but said its actions would be focused on boosting its renewable power capacity five-fold rather than … Continue reading India plans 5-fold increase in solar energy and wind power
Continue readingTowards the climate conference PARIS – mapping the way towards 100% renewable energies
The COP20 Presidency has branded the related WBA/WWEA Side Event of 5 December as “Lima Climate Action Highlight” and will showcase a summary during the COP20 High-level Session on 11 December. Regions, cities and communities leading the transformation towards 100 % renewables Regions, cities and communities demonstrate that the transformation to a 100% renewable fuelled … Continue reading Towards the climate conference PARIS – mapping the way towards 100% renewable energies
Continue readingEight out of 10 Americans Now Believe the Climate is Changing
Of the 1,000-plus Americans surveyed, 83 percent believe that climate change is occurring. 63 percent are concerned about changes in the frequency and intensity of natural disasters, such as floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. From a regional perspective, Americans living in the Northeast are more concerned (71 percent) about changes in the severity of weather events … Continue reading Eight out of 10 Americans Now Believe the Climate is Changing
Continue readingGerman economy minister supports E.ON’s focus on renewable energy
German Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel said German top utility firm E.ON’s plans to split and focus on renewable energies and smart grids was positive and helpful for the country’s new energy policy, a local newspaper reported Monday. EON SE’s plan to spin off its fossil-fuel plants marks a watershed moment in Germany’s renewables effort that … Continue reading German economy minister supports E.ON’s focus on renewable energy
Continue readingE.ON to focus on renewables
E.ON will focus on renewables, distribution networks, and customer solutions and combine its conventional generation, global energy trading, and exploration and production businesses in a new, independent company (“New Company”), a majority of which will be spun off to E.ON SE shareholders. This new organizational setup is the logical consequence of the new strategy that … Continue reading E.ON to focus on renewables
Continue readingLevelized Cost Of Electricity: Solar power and wind energy are rapidly becoming competitive
Solar power and wind energy are rapidly becoming competitive with conventional electric generating technologies like natural gas and coal. At least that is what many of Wall Street’s most esteemed investment firms seem to be telling anyone willing to listen to them. Last week, Diane Cardwell, a reporter at the New York Times, did just … Continue reading Levelized Cost Of Electricity: Solar power and wind energy are rapidly becoming competitive
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