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In the 21st century we have seen numerous ways to create alternative energies. Some are much more popular than others (Eco Football), but throughout the thought process there seems to be a unique pattern in the sources of renewable energy, most of which are inspired by mother nature. Piezoelectric is a science that produces energy as an object is bent, deformed, or stressed. According to Groovy Green “Scientists at the CEA/Leti-Minatec in Grenoble are looking at this technology as a way to harness the vibrations caused by falling raindrops. According to the article, the system works with raindrops ranging in diameter from 1 to 5 mm, and simulations show that it’s possible to recover up to 12 milliwatts from one of the larger ‘downpour’ drops

My Clean Break column in today's Toronto Star takes a look at some of the barriers to deploying certain renewable technologies, such as low-temperature geothermal, on a wide scale. A report came out last week saying Canadian municipalities would need to spend $123 billion to repair, upgrade, and overhaul public infrastructure. The question is: How are they going to spend that money? Seems to me there could be a huge economic upside, including potential for high-skilled, high-paid job creation, if we planned now to include clean technologies in any infrastructure renewal program.

The U.S. renewable energy and energy efficiency industries created jobs for 8.5 million people in 2006, while generating more than a trillion dollars in sales, $100 billion in profits, and $150 billion in increased federal, state, and local government tax revenues, according to a new report from the American Solar Energy Society (ASES). The report notes that it's difficult to define the energy efficiency industry, but even focusing on the renewable energy industry, it found 196,000 people directly employed by the industry, a total of 452,000 jobs created, and revenues of $39.2 billion in 2006

Anyone thinking that "going green" will be simple and quickly profitable, even after the low-hanging fruit of highly-attractive projects is exhausted, ought to read this article

the current price of a REC is too low to encourage the construction of more renewable power projects.

Are we already talking about a new generation of renewable energy sources, or at least a new generation of capturing energy sources?

The Guardian reports this morning on a private report to Gordon Brown that suggests that Britain should oppose binding target for renewable energies in Europe (20% of all energy by 2020, as agreed earlier this year at this spring's EU Summit). The Guardian flags the juicy political bits ("work with Poland and other governments sceptical about climate change to "help persuade" German chancellor Angela Merkel and others to set lower renewable targets", "a potentially significant cost in terms of reduced climate change leadership"), but also provides some of the apparent underlying reasons provided, which are worth commenting upon: it undermines the carbon-trading scheme which "allows wealthy governments to pay others to reduce emissions"; it costs too much money (£4 billion a year to get to 9% by 2020); it does not help push for new nuclear plants as it "reduces the incentives to invest in other carbon technologies like nuclear power"; Let's say it plainly: each of these arguments is stupid, short-sighted and, quite simply, false. Let me take you through them in turn (under the fold).

Yesterday, the European Parliament approved by overwhelming majority the "Thomsen Report" on the Roadmap for Renewable Energies in Europe. Crucial for the future of solar thermal: the call for the adoption in all Member States of renewable heat obligations, at least in new buildings and those undergoing major renovation.

The European Union's (EU) energy objectives, legislation and programmes are determinant for the current strategy for the promotion of renewable energy sources (RES) and energy efficiency (EE) in Spain, which is becoming a key element for its international competitiveness.Firstly, this article explores the evolution of the EU's energy strategy, focusing on the adopted legislations and programmes to promote RES and EE. It concludes with an analysis of the impact of those measures in Spain.

Renewable Energy From the Deep Ocean

EU support for renewable energy currently "suffers from fragmented, uncoordinated national policies", writes Sheldon Welton for the think tank Notre Europe.

Renewable energy in the United States is on the rise. America now generates twice as much electricity from the wind and the sun as we did just four years ago, and 2007 promises to be another year of record growth.

Renewable energies and demand-side technologies have become the third largest investment class for venture capitalists (VC) in the U.S.

The United States House of Representatives has passed an Energy Bill requiring utility companies to produce 15 per cent of their electricity from renewable sources such as wind and solar power by 2020.

What do movie actor Edward Norton and low-income, single moms have in common? They're both driving the renewable energy and green building industries.

What do movie actor Edward Norton and low-income, single moms have in common? They're both driving the renewable energy and green building industries.

Utilities to Use Renewable Power Sources function getSharePasskey() { return 'ex=1344052800&en=d63cdcfa40d96b86&ei=5124';} function getShareURL() { return encodeURIComponent('http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/05/washington/05energy.html'); } function getShareHeadline() { return encodeURIComponent('Energy Bill Adopted by House Requires Utilities to Use Renewable Power Sources'); } function getShareDescription() { return encodeURIComponent('Utilities would be required to produce 15 percent of their electricity from sources like wind and solar power. President Bush has promised a veto.'); } function getShareKeywords() { return encodeURIComponent('Electric Light and Power,Law and Legislation,Conservation of Resources,Politics and Government,Nancy Pelosi'); } function getShareSection() { return encodeURIComponent('washington'); } function getShareSectionDisplay() { return encodeURIComponent('Washington'); } function getShareSubSection() { return encodeURIComponent(''); } function getShareByline() { return encodeURIComponent('By JOHN M. BRODER'); } function getSharePubdate() { return encodeURIComponent('August 5, 2007'); }