EveryJoe » renewable-energy

Offshore Wind Farms Will Power EU

Mark Ellis — Mon, 14 Sep 2009 02:25:43 +0000

According to a group of energy industry experts, the European Union will derive almost one-fifth of its total power from offshore wind farms by 2030, starting from almost none today. The transition will come as the EU attempts to transition from nonrenewable sources of energy to renewable, cleaner energy sources.

The European Wind Energy Association revealed that offshore wind energy capacity will jump from around 1.5 gigawatts today to 150 gigawatts in 2030. A new law has decided that the EU must derive double or 20 percent of its total energy from renewable energy sources by 2020, with other potential energy sources including biomass and solar energy.

The group released a statement indicating that such changes will be able to be made because of strong support from policymakers throughout many of the European Union’s member countries. As part of the new law, the EU may move to provide subsidies to offshore wind energy companies and to convince countries to create national regulation systems for the up and coming industry.

Image: Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

Offshore Wind Farms Will Power EU

Govt. Guarantees $535M for Solyndra

Mark Ellis — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 02:23:56 +0000

As the United States continues to move toward developing cleaner and more reliable sources of energy, President Obama’s administration has decided to give Solyndra Inc., a manufacturer of solar power systems, a $535 million loan. The money will go toward the construction of a photovoltaic power manufacturing plant which will eventually employ 1,000 people.

The money for the loan guarantee will come from Obama’s economic stimulus plan that was put into effect by President Obama in February. The offer was originally extended to Solyndra on the condition that the energy company would secure its own end of the financing offer and was only announced today by Vice President Joe Biden.

According to Biden’s statements, the deal signals the great emphasis that the Obama administration has placed, and will continue to place, on developing renewable, clean sources of energy. He also stated that the Obama administration’s goal is to continue establishing the foundation for long-term growth throughout the rest of the century by creating jobs and developing technology in the present.

Image: Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

Govt. Guarantees $535M for Solyndra

U.S. Gives Grants to Spanish Energy Company

Mark Ellis — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 02:58:20 +0000

The Obama administration has set aside more than $500 million for the economic stimulus of renewable energy development projects, and Spanish company Iberdrola SA will receive the largest portion of these funds. Iberdrola SA will receive $236 million to build wind farms throughout Texas, Oregon, and Minnesota, while a Pennsylvania wind project will receive $59 million.

In all, twelve different projects will receive a portion of the funds, with 59 percent of the money going to Iberdrola’s various projects throughout the three states. This money, which comes from a $3 billion fund that the Obama administration set aside for economic recovery, will be given instead of tax credits to Iberdrola and 5,000 other renewable energy facilities.

According to Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner in a written statement, the stimulus money will help the manufacturing and development of clean energy sources throughout the country. This will, in turn, allow Obama to get one step closer to achieving his goal of doubling renewable energy sources in three years’ time.

Image: Flickr

Post from: EveryJoe

U.S. Gives Grants to Spanish Energy Company

Duke Energy Looks into China Possibilities

Stephen Kersey — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:52:51 +0000

Duke Energy and China Huaneng Group recently announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore clean-energy (including renewable) technologies. This potential partnership includes giants from each country. Duke Energy is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, while China Huaneng Group is the largest electric utility in China.

After the MOU was signed in Beijing, the two companies plan to start sharing information and discussing the future of clean-energy technology. One of the main focuses will be in regards to global warming.

Said Jim Rogers, the CEO of Duke Energy: “We find ourselves at a pivotal point in world history. To deal with global warming requires rapid action from all of us, and clearly China Huaneng Group and Duke Energy are playing a leadership role on this issue.”

Huang Yongda, the VP of China Huaneng Group, says that they selected Duke Energy due to their reputation of being ahead of the curve.

Said Yongda: “China Huaneng Group has been attaching great importance to emission reduction and clean energy development, and has made great achievements on that. Duke Energy is clearly at the forefront of renewable and clean-energy development in the U.S.”

With more and more attention being paid to being eco-friendly and instituting green technology, it’ll be intersting to see if an increasing number of large corporations decide to take similar steps.

Jim Rogers, Duke Energy (Image: Flickr)

Post from: EveryJoe

Duke Energy Looks into China Possibilities

Nevada Power Company Hits Green Goal

Stephen Kersey — Fri, 01 May 2009 02:40:30 +0000

NV Energy, the biggest power company in the state of Nevada, has reached the “green” goal set out by state regulators. The goal was for the company to use at least 9% renewable power. Compared to other power supplies, renewable power is much better for the environment.

Although the goal has been around since 2001, this was the first time NV Energy reached the goal. Renewable power includes everything from wind to water, and from geothermal to solar.

While this was a step in the right direction, the goals will increase over the next few years. According to reports, the goal in 2015 will be at least 20%. It’s possible that the minimum percentages may be accelerated, especially if renewable power becomes more affordable and more available.

Although NV Energy could have been penalized for missing out on the goal in previous years, no fines were levied because state officials believed that the company was doing all it could to attempt to reach the minimum percent.

The type of renewable energy being used by NV Energy is believed to mostly be solar-powered energy. New solar-powered projects are currently being constructed within the state.

Solar Power (Image: Newscom)

Post from: EveryJoe

Nevada Power Company Hits Green Goal

Green Energy = Jobs

Allison Boyer — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 15:34:18 +0000

According to a recent UN report, green energy will create about 20 million jobs over the next few decades. In a time when the job market is slumping (especially in states like Michigan), that’s good news.

At the same time, I think this stat is a little misleading. Although, for example, a company producing solar panels may be hiring in greater numbers, “dirty” jobs will continue to decline. So, we’re not looking completely at 20 ADDITIONAL jobs. Some of these jobs will be instead of jobs at, for example, coal mines or oil drilling companies.

Still, there are green jobs being created that aren’t essentially replacing non-green jobs. For example, many companies are hiring green consultants for audits or full-time employees who have the sole purpose of making sure that the company is being as green as possible with energy usage.

Should you hire a green employee?

Major companies can easily afford to hire green consultants (or full time green employees), but if you’re a small- to mid-sized company, is it worth the cost, or should you go green on your own? Here’s my advice:

If you are a small company dealing with a “dirty” industry, a green consultant can help you. For example, a small cleaning company or small extermination company might benefit from hiring a green consultant to get on the right track, as taking the time to find all of the eco-friendly products you need on your own will take a long time.
If you are a small company not dealing with a dirty industry (for example, if you run an independent bookstore), you probably can save yourself the expense and go green on your own. A consultant won’t tell you anything you can’t find yourself on the Internet.
If you are a mid-sized company (say, 100+ employees), you’ll likely benefit from a green consultant or special green training over a few days for your employees. This depends on your industry, but unless you really have your thumb on the pulse of the green world, it is usually time and cost efficient to hire someone.

I’d like to note that some mid-sized companies might want to consider a full- or part-time green employee (ie, someone hired specifically to keep your products or services as eco-friendly as possible. This is definitely a big expense, but if you work in one of those dirty industries like I was talking about, you’ll get your money’s worth.

Post from: EveryJoe

Green Energy = Jobs

SF Businesses get Green Challenge

Allison Boyer — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 21:50:53 +0000

California, once one of the most polluted places in the country, is now the epicenter for the American go green movement. This week, San Francisco’s mayor, Gavin Newsom, challenged businesses to make this state an even greener place. After all, just because there’s a push to go green in this state doesn’t mean that it is perfect. There is still a lot of work to do.

Newsom’s challenge to the 1500 largest businesses in the city asks companies to invest in solar energy for their business processes. Those who accept the challenge will become part of the Mayor’s Solar Founder’ Circle,and members will receive free solar assessments and energy efficiency audits from the state.

There’s potential in this city for businesses to install solar panels on rooftops, generating about thirty times the power than is currently generated. That’s enough electricity to power 42,000 homes in the area.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar America Cities initiative and San Francisco Energy Watch Program are helping to fund this challenge with a $200,000 grant. You can read more about this project and the companies participating at Environmental Leader.

Post from: EveryJoe

SF Businesses get Green Challenge

Kraft: Saving the Environment, One Slice at a Time

Allison Boyer — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 06:09:03 +0000

I always like to highlight it when companies we deal with every day are changing their policies to be more earth-friendly. One such news story I recently came across was involving Kraft, who, as you probably know, produces much of the brand-name cheese products found in your local grocery store (if you live in the United States).

Earlier, Kraft set forth goals to cut energy consumption by 25%, as well as to cut down on waste by 15%. However, they’re going a step further and testing out a new program at two of their New York cream cheese and string cheese factories in which they use whey (the by-product of cheese) to create energy.

They’ll turn the whey into bio-gas, which serves two purposes – to cut down on the company’s overall natural gas purchases and to reduce the amount of waste hauled away (which cuts down on both landfill overload and transportation needs). The whey will be able to produce enough energy to cover about 1/3 of each facility – or, enough energy to heat more than 2,600 local homes.

Cheers to Kraft for a responsible decision! You can read more about this story from GreenBiz.com.

Post from: EveryJoe

Kraft: Saving the Environment, One Slice at a Time

Green Stocks Rally

Allison Boyer — Wed, 24 Sep 2008 21:54:23 +0000

Today was a good day for the stock market – if you’re investing in green energy. Solar stocks rallies today after the Senate voted to extend solar tax breaks for another 8 years.

If you’re invested in SunPower Corp (+12.7%), Evergreen Solar Inc (+14.5%), or Akeena Solar Inc (+25%), you’re probably happy right now! In China, solar companies were also affected by the Senate’s decision, with one of the biggest boost going to Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltc, a company that suplies solar panels to Rutgers University.

Energy tax credits were set to expire at the end of the year, and this renewal definite helps to pave the wave for a green administration to take the presidential reigns next term. Although experts agree that renewable energy is the future, whether or not we make a pit stop at off-shore drilling, the Senate failed to pass a renewal bill on eight occasions over the past year, causing stock to slump.

On top of extending the tax credit for companies investing in solar technology, the bill also lifted the $2000 cap on resident solar system tax credits. That means that solar power is about to get a lot more affordable for people building new homes or thinking about updating their current energy system.

This isn’t just good for the stock market either. Extension of the solar tax credit will create 440,000 permanent jobs in the United States, which the job market desperately needs right now.

Is solar energy the answer? Well, maybe. As of now, solar energy is still too expensive to make sense for most people and business. However, this credit gives companies a chance to at least continue with their research. The stock market needs that hope for the future right now.

You can read more about this story from Reuters, or check out the latest stock market news at Talk Stock Trading.

Post from: EveryJoe

Green Stocks Rally

A New Wave of Energy: Anacondas

Allison Boyer — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:04:17 +0000

The future of renewable energy could be giant rubber snakes. No, really! Atkins Global physicists Francis Farley and Rod Rainey are working on a “giant sausage” (their words, not mine) that will flow with waves, working sort of like windsocks.

Check out a video of how the Anaconda works: