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Google's 22-year Energy Plan - WSJ.com

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:43:39 -0000

Here is what we had in the initial KMC Futures trend. See also the alliance with GE.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

Google's 22-year Energy Plan 10/2/2008

CEO Eric Schmidt cites a failure of leadership for America's energy predicament, and has a proposal to wean the United States off fossil fuels by 2030.

Tags: energy grid infrastructure smart trends

Posted by: hansjuergen

Google and GE team up on clean-energy policy, tech | Green Tech - CNET News

Tue, 07 Oct 2008 18:36:25 -0000

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

General Electric and Google on Wednesday announced a collaboration to lobby for renewable energy policies and to jointly develop clean technologies.

On the technology side, the two companies intend to develop smart-grid technologies, plug-in hybrid vehicles, and enhanced geothermal systems, where underground heat is converted into electricity.

Smart-grid technology lets utilities more efficiently manage electricity on the grid. And through smart meters and in-home displays, it lets consumers better understand and control home energy use.

GE and Google will work on utility software to make the grid more efficient, and on software for home smart-grid equipment, Immelt said.

Tags: clean energy energy trends

Posted by: hansjuergen

Clean Energy 2030 - a knol by Jeffery Greenblatt

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 07:01:22 -0000

Tags: energy

Posted by: wade

PERKONOMICS

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 09:41:48 -0000

As we move towards a consumer society that’s based more on experiences, on status stories, on the ephemeral—and in which, for many, time is now the only true scarcity—expect perks and privileges to become an integral part of every B2C industry and sector.

Tags: energy trends

Posted by: bennett

As Financial Markets Circle the Drain, What Happens to Clean Energy?

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 08:19:57 -0000

it is my professional responsibility - both to myself and to those I serve - to begin speculating how the current crisis may affect the realm of clean energy.

Tags: energy trends

Posted by: bennett

EERE News: DOE Awards $6.6 Million for State-Led Clean Energy Projects

Tue, 09 Sep 2008 17:40:46 -0000

DOE announced on September 8 that it will award $6.6 million in competitive grants for 15 state-level projects, nine of which focus on developing policy and regulations to support gigawatt-scale clean energy capacity, and six of which focus on developing advanced building codes. Of these awards, $4 million will go to the gigawatt-scale clean energy capacity projects, which will develop policy and regulatory frameworks that will enable gigawatt-scale clean energy, either through renewable energy or demand-side reductions. Although no cost share was mandated, state partners will contribute up to $1.8 million for these projects. The six advanced building codes projects will receive $2.6 million, which will assist states in developing and implementing residential, commercial, or overarching building codes. Along with its financial assistance, DOE will support these projects with ongoing technical assistance.

Tags: energy

Posted by: gulfcoast

GE Energy Acquires Kelman Limited

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 13:59:31 -0000

GE Energy has acquired Kelman Limited of Lisburn, Northern Ireland, a provider of advanced monitoring and diagnostics technologies for transformers, enhancing GE's smart grid product portfolio.
GE’s smart grid offerings are designed to help utilities increase productivity and reliability of both traditional and renewable energy generating assets, while also providing consumers with information to better manage their electricity use and expenses.

Tags: energy

Posted by: gulfcoast

Barclays Capital Invests in Mainstream Renewable Power

Wed, 13 Aug 2008 18:30:37 -0000

Mainstream Renewable Power, a renewable energy company led by Airtricity founder Eddie O'Connor, has announced the successful closing of a €40 million [US $59.6 million] equity fundraising in which Barclays Capital have invested €20 million [US $29.8 million] for a 14.6% stake in the company.

The board, management and staff of Mainstream, as well as close associates of the company, have invested an additional €20 million [US $29.8 million]. Together with the initial seed capital of €32 million [US $47.75 million], this brings the total equity raised to date to €72 million [US $107.43 million].

The company is also planning a major fundraiser later this year, with Barclays Capital committing to invest a further substantial amount at that stage. As part of the deal, Mark Brown, head of Barclays Capital Commodities Principal Investment team has been appointed to the board of Mainstream.

The money will be used to fund the company’s international expansion plans across Europe, North and South America and Australia and will be used to secure the supply of turbines to be delivered in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
In June, Mainstream announced its plans to build an initial pipeline of 240 megawatts of projects in Chile with its partner Andes Energy.

Tags: energy

Posted by: gulfcoast

Giant Retailers Look to Sun for Energy Savings

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 14:09:43 -0000

In recent months, chains including Wal-Mart Stores, Kohl’s, Safeway and Whole Foods Market have installed solar panels on roofs of their stores to generate electricity on a large scale. One reason they are racing is to beat a Dec. 31 deadline to gain tax advantages for these projects.

So far, most chains have outfitted fewer than 10 percent of their stores. Over the long run, assuming Congress renews a favorable tax provision and more states offer incentives, the chains promise a solar construction program that would ultimately put panels atop almost every big store in the country.

The trend, while not entirely new, is accelerating as the chains seize a chance to bolster their environmental credentials by cutting back on their use of electricity from coal.

Tags: energy policy

Posted by: gulfcoast

¿Cuál prefiere? - Por qué América Latina podría convertirse en líder mundial en eficiencia energética « Adsenergia’s Weblog

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:59:59 -0000

Imagine qué ocurriría si la ciencia descubriera una nueva fuente de energía
capaz de satisfacer el 20 por ciento de la demanda global de electricidad a un
costo prácticamente nulo y sin impacto medioambiental alguno.

Tags: energy

Posted by: ggarcia

MIT Researchers Solar Power Discovery

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 08:08:59 -0000

MIT researchers have discovered a way to store solar energy that could make solar power in homes a mainstream energy option and might even make power companies obsolete, at least for residential needs.

Tags: energy solar

Posted by: bennett

EERE News: Housing Act Aims to Encourage Energy Efficient Mortgages

Wed, 06 Aug 2008 09:46:43 -0000

measures to encourage the greater use of energy efficient mortgages (EEMs). Such mortgages allow people to purchase or refinance their principal residence and incorporate the cost of energy efficiency improvements into the mortgage.

Comments:

Of course, consumers can currently invest in energy efficient technology (or anything) using mortgage funds. However, the EEM is an important concept. This is because it may offer funds above a usual individual mortgage limit. Therefore, this additional money can provide guaranteed funds to grow demand/the efficiency market. posted by bennett

Tags: energy trends

Posted by: bennett

Solar Cooling

Mon, 04 Aug 2008 12:59:04 -0000

Compared to other solar energy applications, solar cooling is a relatively new, but growing, technology. Many projects using the technology are still for the purposes of demonstration only, but a growing number of systems are being implemented all over the world for conventional use. In order to give an insight into this innovative technology, detailed information about the possible technical applications of solar cooling systems is provided in this section.\n\nPassive solar cooling, based on bioclimatic strategies such as sun protection using natural screening devices or increased cooling by using ponds or water basins o the roof or close to the external walls, is widely applied and should be the first step to take in cooling a building. Such measures are easier and less costly to implement, they decrease the need for additional cooling and, therefore, for additional energy demand (and also for investment). Sufficient insulation of the building also decreases the need for cooling, as well as for heating.\n\nIf the outcome of these measures is not sufficient in itself, a solar assisted cooling system may be an intelligent solution. In solar assisted cooling systems solar heat is used to drive the cooling process for air conditioning in buildings. Instead of using electricity, free solar thermal energy is used for cooling through a thermal-chemical sorption process.\n\n

Tags: energy solar

Posted by: gulfcoast

Nuclear energy solution? - New Scientist Environment

Thu, 31 Jul 2008 08:06:46 -0000

For the past two years, the US has been promoting GNEP as a way of meeting the developing world's burgeoning appetite for energy.

Tags: energy trends

Posted by: bennett

Fuel cell power for new World Trade Center

Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:42:18 -0000

The redeveloped World Trade Center will be “one of the largest fuel cell installations in the world” according to the New York Power Authority (NYPA).

Under the US$10.6 million agreement between NYPA and fuel cell developer and provider UTC Power, fuel cells with a total capacity of 4.8MW will provide an on-site supplement to the renewable and other clean energy that will power the rebuilt centre.

The first fuel cells will be delivered to the Freedom Tower in January 2009, and will be owned and operated by the Port Authority, which also owns the building. The fuel cells for the other three towers will be owned and operated by World Trade Center Properties, LLC.

“Fuel cells are one of the environmentally beneficial technologies that the Power Authority is investing in under Governor Paterson’s leadership to combat greenhouse gas emissions and diversify the state’s energy mix. To date, we’ve installed 15 fuel cells in New York City and other locations, and expect to add to this total in support of the Governor’s ambitious goals for significant increases in the state’s renewable power,” says Roger B Kelley, NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer.

Highlights and Sticky Notes:

The redeveloped World Trade Center will be “one of the largest fuel cell installations in the world” according to the New York Power Authority (NYPA).

Under the US$10.6 million agreement between NYPA and fuel cell developer and provider UTC Power, fuel cells with a total capacity of 4.8MW will provide an on-site supplement to the renewable and other clean energy that will power the rebuilt centre.

The first fuel cells will be delivered to the Freedom Tower in January 2009, and will be owned and operated by the Port Authority, which also owns the building. The fuel cells for the other three towers will be owned and operated by World Trade Center Properties, LLC.

“Fuel cells are one of the environmentally beneficial technologies that the Power Authority is investing in under Governor Paterson’s leadership to combat greenhouse gas emissions and diversify the state’s energy mix. To date, we’ve installed 15 fuel cells in New York City and other locations, and expect to add to this total in support of the Governor’s ambitious goals for significant increases in the state’s renewable power,” says Roger B Kelley, NYPA President and Chief Executive Officer.

Tags: energy fuel power york

Posted by: gulfcoast

Spain to Cut Subsidies for Solar PV, not Solar Thermal

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 14:41:25 -0000

Last week the Spanish government announced plans to cut subsidies for solar photovoltaic (PV) power by about 75%.

Although the nation expects to surpass its 2010 goal for installed solar by four fold, the down side is that generous subsidies for the industry have resulted in a ballooning tariff deficit for the country, which has risen to 4.85 billion euros, upfrom 745 million last year.

Reuters reported that lending to the Spanish photovoltaic plants has risen to $3.59 billion in the year to day, up from $230.9 million euros last year and $192.44 million in 2006.

As a result, the Spanish government will as the energy regulator to cap subsidies for new PV solar capacity at 300 megawatts (MW) per year--200 MW for rooftop systems and 100 MW for ground-mounted systems, which have been the highest growth area.

CSP has been slower than PV technology in its emergence on the renewable energy scene, but expectations for the technology, which focuses the heat of the sun to produce steam to drive electricity producing turbines. Projects underway in the U.S. and Spain are expected to produce electricity that is cost-equivalent to electricity produced from burning coal or natural gas.

Tags: energy policy solar

Posted by: gulfcoast

Eskom likely to release new connections policy next week

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:10:08 -0000

Industrial, mining and property investors were still in a state of confusion over power utility Eskom's approach to new electricity connections, but the corporation promised on Tuesday that the issue would be clarified with the imminent release of a comprehensive policy, possibly by as early as next week.

CEO Jacob Maroga - currently in Europe on a road show to expose potential investors to its R150-billion capital-raising plan - said last week that the utility had not yet determined just how much power could be allocated to new projects. However, he indicated that a needs analysis was under way in a bid to align its stretched supply profile to the new demand.

Maroga also stressed that supply security could be markedly improved and space created for new connections if greater savings were achieved. In fact, he displayed a graph showing that Eskom's reserve margin, which was currently running at a paltry 6%, could rise to well above 10% by 2009 should its savings targets be met.

"If we follow the 10% savings path, there will be space for new connections. But we need information from potential customers, which will tell us what is, in fact, possible," he said.

Tags: energy mining policy

Posted by: gulfcoast

GE, Abu Dhabi firm in $8 billion joint venture

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:44:53 -0000

BOSTON (Reuters) - U.S. conglomerate General Electric Co (GE.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) and Abu Dhabi investment agency Mubadala Development Co said on Tuesday they have entered into an $8 billion joint venture with an initial focus on providing commercial finance in the Middle East and Africa.The two companies also plan to work together in the clean energy and water, aviation, and oil and gas sectors, they said."This partnership is consistent with our global growth initiatives and builds on our long-term relationships in a high-growth region like the Middle East," said Jeff Immelt, chief executive of GE, the second-largest U.S. company by market value.The companies said Mubadala "plans over time" to become one of the Fairfield, Connecticut-based company's ten largest shareholders, by acquiring shares in the open market.They also aim to establish a clean energy technology center in Masdar City, a new city in Abu Dhabi that aims to be carbon neutral. GE plans to commit up to $50 million for Masdar's second clean-tech fund.Growth in the Middle East has been a major thrust for GE in recent years. Last year the company generated $5 billion in revenue in the region, up 50 percent from the prior year.

Tags: energy

Posted by: gulfcoast

Demand for Copper from India's Infrastructure Sector Remains Strong

Mon, 21 Jul 2008 15:55:11 -0000

Comments:

It was reported that high metal prices and inflation at 12% in India will slow copper demand in domestic construction and electrical appliance sectors. However, Indian Copper Development Centre said as the country has ordered all equipment for its power projects, copper demand from the power sector will remain strong. Copper consumption is forecast to grow 8% this year and will reach 1.5Mt of copper in 2012. A similar trend is expected for the country’s aluminium demand growth. posted by skeung

Tags: copper energy infrastructure

Posted by: skeung

The case for investing in energy productivity - February 2008

Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:03:15 -0000

Unless there is a shift in world energy policies, global energy demand is set to accelerate, putting increasing strain on the world economy and the environment.

Tags: energy

Posted by: efranco