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Japan has announced plans to build its first new geothermal power stations in nearly two decades in a bid to tap the nation's domestic energy sources. A string of geothermal power plants are to be developed by a number of firms keen to capitalise on the active volcanic landscape that spans the country, while the government is also currently compiling guidelines supporting the development of such energy sources. Home to 108 active volcanoes - ten per cent of the world's active volcanoes - Japan is in a prime position to tap into underground geothermal energy sources. As a nation with few natural resources, Japan has long been dependent on importing substantial quantities of crude oil and natural gas. The country's renewed focus on geothermal energy marks a desired shift away from its dependency on imported energy sources which has made it susceptible to increasingly volatile prices.

Inhabitat is doing a "Energy 101" series to explain why smart grids are necessary - Energy 101: Where Does Our Power Come From ?. Today we're excited to announce the launch of our new Energy 101 series,. in which we'll be exploring the future-forward technologies that stand to upgrade our grids, reduce our energy footprint, and slow the speed of global warming. Unless you have been living in a cave for the past few years, you've probably heard terms like "energy conservation", "off-grid energy", and "smart grid" tossed around. But before getting into the nitty-gritty of transitioning to renewable energy, we should stop and examine where exactly our power comes from now. Unless you derive all your power from on-site renewable energy sources like solar panels or wind turbines, chances are that you're connected to the power grid, a vast network that delivers electricity from suppliers to consumers. Right now, most energy on the grid comes from generating plants. These plants still usually get power from traditional sources like coal, nuclear, and hydroelectric dams. But as concerns over carbon emissions, safety, and long term sustainability of these sources grow, electrical utilities have begun to switch over to renewable energy sources.

Electricity from geothermal sources is set to soar in Germany -- and all thanks to a law that has made drilling wells deep enough to hit the hot temperature water, which is needed to produce electricity, financially viable. Less than 0.4 percent of Germany's total primary energy supply came from geothermal sources in 2004. But after a renewable energy law that introduced a tariff scheme of EU €0.15 [US $0.23] per kilowatt-hour (kWh) for electricity produced from geothermal sources came into effect that year, a construction boom was sparked and the new power plants are now starting to come online.

The Business Spectator has an interesting column on India's growing energy needs and their renewable energy potential - India's will to power. Though blessed with an abundance of non-depleting renewable energy resources, India's record in tapping them has been dismal. Mercifully, of late, renewable sources are getting greater attention. But there is still a long way to go from the 4.9 per cent that renewable energy contributes to total energy generated. The official target is to increase this share to 10 per cent by 2012 and further in subsequent years. ... Among renewable sources, geothermal energy which is derived from natural heat stored in the deep interior of the earth promises to be a key source. Except for a few half-hearted attempts, the government has done practically nothing to exploit this vast reserve.

Growing concerns over climate change and energy security have kicked research on alternative energy sources into high gear. The list of options continues to expand, yet few papers have comprehensively reviewed them. And fewer still have weighed the pros and cons in as much depth as a new study published earlier this month in the journal, Energy & Environmental Science. The results are a mixed bag of logical conclusions and startling wake-up calls. The review pits twelve combinations of electric power generation and vehicular motivation against each other. It is a battle royal of nine electric power sources, three vehicle technologies, and two liquid fuel sources. It rates each combination based on eleven categories. And it was all compiled by one man, Mark Jacobson, professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University.

High prices are just the tip of the energy crisis iceberg. Now is the time to think about how we use our natural resources before your wallet gets hit any harder. More people are looking to renewable energy sources to help offset these costs and to remove our dependence on finite energy sources. Solar and wind are two of the easiest renewable energy sources for a homeowner to use, but professional installation is costly. Surprisingly, do it yourself solar panel and wind generator kits are easy to find and easy to use. With large companies like GE producing these kits, the build your own solar panel sets are very affordable and offer quicker return on your investment than purchasing and professionally installing a solar energy system. In general the instructions are easy to follow, even for teens and children, and in no time you are on your way to your own solar or wind power system. My blog talks more about this at http://solarandwindforhome.blogspot.com/

How to buy 5 star Google reviews to help your business succeed? Increasing the number of five-star Google reviews for your company is one of the finest strategies to improve it. One of the key ranking elements for local SEO is Google reviews, which have a direct impact on your click-through rate, conversion rate, and overall online reputation. Buy 5 Star Google Reviews Ask customers to be sincere in their reviews, and don't forget to express gratitude for any positive comments they may post. Customers might be encouraged to post reviews by receiving a discount on their subsequent purchases or by entering them in a drawing for a reward. When requesting Google reviews, there are a few mistakes to make. First off, refrain from promising a compensation in exchange for a favorable review as this is against Google's regulations and may result in the removal of your reviews. Second, prioritize quality above number by refraining from posting the same review on various websites. Finally, avoid posting phony reviews because Google will rapidly detect them and your company may suffer major repercussions. How then can you increase the number of 5-star Google reviews? Begin by requesting an honest evaluation from your pleased consumers, and be sure to express gratitude for their input. them might also be encouraged to post reviews, but avoid rewarding them for positive evaluations. Concentrate on Do not post phony reviews, and prioritize quality above number. You'll achieve achievement quickly if you heed these advice. Why You Buy It From RealServiceIT? Before completing your purchase of Google 5 Star Reviews, there are a few things you should think about. The source from which you are purchasing them should be your first consideration. You can purchase these reviews from many different sources, but not all of them are created equal. Make sure the source from which you are purchasing them is reliable and has a solid track record. Buy 5 Star Google Reviews RealServiceI

How to buy 5 star Google reviews to help your business succeed? Increasing the number of five-star Google reviews for your company is one of the finest strategies to improve it. One of the key ranking elements for local SEO is Google reviews, which have a direct impact on your click-through rate, conversion rate, and overall online reputation. Buy 5 Star Google Reviews Ask customers to be sincere in their reviews, and don't forget to express gratitude for any positive comments they may post. Customers might be encouraged to post reviews by receiving a discount on their subsequent purchases or by entering them in a drawing for a reward. When requesting Google reviews, there are a few mistakes to make. First off, refrain from promising a compensation in exchange for a favorable review as this is against Google's regulations and may result in the removal of your reviews. Second, prioritize quality above number by refraining from posting the same review on various websites. Finally, avoid posting phony reviews because Google will rapidly detect them and your company may suffer major repercussions. How then can you increase the number of 5-star Google reviews? Begin by requesting an honest evaluation from your pleased consumers, and be sure to express gratitude for their input. them might also be encouraged to post reviews, but avoid rewarding them for positive evaluations. Concentrate on Do not post phony reviews, and prioritize quality above number. You'll achieve achievement quickly if you heed these advice. Why You Buy It From RealServiceIT? Before completing your purchase of Google 5 Star Reviews, there are a few things you should think about. The source from which you are purchasing them should be your first consideration. You can purchase these reviews from many different sources, but not all of them are created equal. Make sure the source from which you are purchasing them is reliable and has a solid track record. Buy 5 Star Google Reviews RealServiceI

Food for fuel and Half of the worlds population is starving!

An environmentalist-sponsored report claims that by 2050, the United States could sever ties with coal and nuclear power, draw nearly all its electricity from renewable sources and cut its greenhouse gas emissions by more than 80% -- all with existing technology and with a net gain of 14 million jobs to the domestic economy. The report, commissioned by Greenpeace and the European Renewable Energy Council and conducted by Germany's equivalent of NASA, was released this morning at a press briefing in Washington. It is heavy on charts and supporting data and transparent on some key assumptions. And its sponsors call its findings "conservative." At its core, the report envisions a steep drop in the United States' energy use, both in absolute terms and compared with International Energy Agency predictions -- driven by strict efficiency standards. It also projects dramatic changes in the nation's electricity mix, with wind and solar power mushrooming to replace coal, oil and nuclear sources that would gradually go offline.

The government plans to announce policy measures aimed at halving the price of solar power generation in the next three to five years as part of its action plan on greenhouse gas emissions, government sources say. According to the sources, the measures will form part of an action plan designed to bring about a 60 percent to 80 percent cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2050 and thereby create a low carbon-emission society.

Energy utility Exelon Corp. spent nearly $1.2 million in the second quarter to lobby on tax credits for renewable energy sources and other issues, according to a recent disclosure report. The Senate on Tuesday passed a broad tax package providing more than $17 billion in renewable energy tax incentives that the solar and wind industries say are crucial if they are to become significant energy sources in the near future. But the legislation faces obstacles in the House, where three separate bills are on the schedule Wednesday.

# Responsible people see the very urgent need to do something to help our Global environment recover from our excesses. # Do we want our children to be able to breathe clean air and be able to enjoy Nature at its finest? # How can we immediately affect the Environment in a good way and in the shortest possible time? # Most experts agree that the destruction of fossil fuels [ coal, oil, gas etc ] creates massive amounts of harmful materials and that Alternative Energy sources must be found. They suggest alternatives to destroying the Planets Fossil Fuels would be one of the biggest steps we could take on the path back to a cleaner and healthier Planet. # Recent research has forced huge strides forward in Alternative Energy sources such as Wind and Solar Power technology, and in particular making that technology available to the average person for home use. After the initial costs of installation, annual bills could fall to less than 10% of a normal fuel bill!

Global wind power capacity reached 94,100 megawatts by the end of 2007, up 27 percent from the previous year, and then topped 100,000 megawatts by April 2008.1 (See Figure 1.) The roughly 20,000 megawatts installed in 2007 was 31 percent above the 2006 record for capacity additions.2 (See Figure 2.) New wind installa­tions were second only to natural gas in the United States as an additional source of power capacity and were the leading source of new capacity in the European Union (EU).3

Hot on the heels of the release of the NRDC's renewable energy map, we have another piece of first-rate energy geek eye candy: NPR: Power Hungry: Visualizing The U.S. Electric Grid. This map will let you check different sources (with separate maps for wind and solar, in addition to traditional sources), and toggle transmission lines and other features on and off. My only gripe is that you can't zoom the maps, which in some cases makes it a challenge to click on the circle for a particular power plant.

Twenty-nine of the 50 U.S. states have established a required minimum amount of electricity generation that must come from renewable sources like wind and solar power, called a Renewable Portfolio Standard or RPS. Another five states have "renewable goals" which are considered voluntary and do not penalize utilities for not meeting the goals. The District of Columbia also has an RPS. California's utility regulator, the Public Utilities Commission, issued a report on Friday that showed that requiring a third of the power delivered in the state be made from renewable sources of energy will increase electricity retail costs by 7 percent more than having a 20 percent RPS goal. [ID:nN1275374]

So, you have decided to begin using an alternate energy source. That is great. But, which one is the right one for you?

With the UK going coal-free for a record-breaking 90 hours over the weekend, energy sources such as solar and onshore wind now play a key role in generating electricity. However, with the urgent need for new energy sources to replace the 60% of the electricity produced worldwide by fossil fuel combustion, it has become necessary to look further afield to alternative energy sources.