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OilPrice.com | Alternative Energy | Renewable Energy Renewable energy news and analysis. Latest advances in renewable energy technologies and the impact these are having on economies and the climate. http://oilprice.com/ Fri, 10 Feb 2012 7:15:20 GMT Oilprice.com (info@oilprice.com) Green Energy's Positive Impact on the World's Poor http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Green-Energys-Positive-Impact-on-the-Worlds-Poor.html Renewable energy is often thought of as an initiative of advanced, sane countries such as Portugal and Germany. But there is another arena where green energy is making an impact– on the lives of the world’s poorest populations, in the global South. For them, it is not a luxury or prudent planning for the future or a dutiful attempt to save the planet from the looming catastrophe of climate change fuelled by humans pumping carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Rather, it is a way of solving their present, low-tech energy crisis. Kevin…

]]> juancole@oilprice.com (Juan Cole) Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:52:55 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Green-Energys-Positive-Impact-on-the-Worlds-Poor.html Hydrokinetic Power Could Grow to be a Big Player if it Passes its First Test http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Hydrokinetic-Power-Could-Grow-to-be-a-Big-Player-if-it-Passes-its-First-Test.html Hydrokinetic power shows great promise for growth as it can be theoretically installed in both industrial waterways such as wastewater treatment and food processing plants, and natural water ways without disrupting natural flow. Hydrokinetic turbines are designed to be anchored in place in the waterway, and don’t require construction of a large dam to generate false water pressure, which reduces the huge costs in capital and carbon emissions. A company called Verdant Power has just been the first ever to win a commercial license for a hydrokinetic…

]]> burgessj@oilprice.com (James Burgess) Tue, 31 Jan 2012 23:18:30 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Hydrokinetic-Power-Could-Grow-to-be-a-Big-Player-if-it-Passes-its-First-Test.html In 2011, Global Spending on Renewable Energy Rose 40 Percent http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/In-2011-Global-Spending-on-Renewable-Energy-Rose-40-Percent.html A global revolution is slowly transforming the world’s energy market, with traditional transnational fossil fuel conglomerates facing future changes that will transform their previously cozy environment, whether they like it or not. Renewable energy, starved from the outset of funding, a foundling left at the door of the world’s rising energy needs, has reached adolescence and has begun to attract investment from beyond the traditional hydrocarbon-based market dominant companies. Sez who? PricewaterhouseCoopers., a titan of Wall Street.…

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]]> admin@namecake.com (John Daly) Mon, 30 Jan 2012 23:43:03 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/In-2011-Global-Spending-on-Renewable-Energy-Rose-40-Percent.html Waste to Energy: A Great Source of Clean Energy - But is it the Correct Waste? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Waste-to-Energy-A-Great-Source-of-Clean-Energy-But-is-it-the-Correct-Waste.html Converting Waste-to-Energy, and in particular MSW, are hot topics throughout the global landscape. The conversion process, which consists of a number of physical and complex chemical steps, serves a much needed civic function that at the end of the day produces potentially carbon-neutral energy in the form of electrons or fuels such as diesel, ethanol, etc. Additionally, it furthers benefits the environment by reducing the amount of landfill disposed wastes and subsequent methane emissions. The contribution of methane emissions from landfills compared…

]]> stevensba@oilprice.com (Barry Stevens) Thu, 26 Jan 2012 23:34:50 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Waste-to-Energy-A-Great-Source-of-Clean-Energy-But-is-it-the-Correct-Waste.html Our Energy Future: Can the Ocean Provide for all our Energy Needs? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Our-Energy-Future-Can-the-Ocean-Provide-for-all-our-Energy-Needs.html With the exception of tidal energy, our focus thus far has been on land-based energy sources. Meanwhile, the ocean absorbs a prodigious fraction of the Sun’s incident energy, creating thermal gradients, currents, and waves whipped up by winds. Let’s put some scales on the energetics of these sources and see if we may turn to them for help. We’ve got our three boxes ready: abundant, potent, and niche (puny). Time to do some sorting! Thermal Gradients Wherever there is a thermal gradient, our eyes light up because we can create…

]]> murphyt@oilprice.com (Tom Murphy) Wed, 25 Jan 2012 23:49:19 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Our-Energy-Future-Can-the-Ocean-Provide-for-all-our-Energy-Needs.html European Supergrid to Revolutionise Renewable Energy? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/European-Supergrid-to-Revolutionise-Renewable-Energy.html Europe is the world leader in renewable energy generation, but as with all renewable energy sources they face the problem of reliability. One way of overcoming this limitation and ensuring that power supply will be constant is to have expensive, traditional, fossil-fuelled power stations to generate electricity whilst conditions are unfavourable for the renewable source; but this almost makes the whole investment in renewable power sources irrelevant. A better way of ensuring consistent power is to link several diverse sources of renewable energy…

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]]> burgessj@oilprice.com (James Burgess) Wed, 25 Jan 2012 21:29:39 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/European-Supergrid-to-Revolutionise-Renewable-Energy.html Using Ocean Temperature Differences to Create Renewable Energy http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Using-Ocean-Temperature-Differences-to-Create-Renewable-Energy.html Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) is an idea for creating renewable energy by exploiting the difference in ocean temperatures between the surface and the seabed. The OTEC permit office first opened in 1981 as part of NOAA, America’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the marine counterpart to NASA. It was created after the oil price spike of the 1970’s when interest in alternative power sources rose. Oil prices eventually settled and as a result interest in the alternative power sources dwindled, so in 1994, just…

]]> burgessj@oilprice.com (James Burgess) Mon, 23 Jan 2012 1:38:34 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Using-Ocean-Temperature-Differences-to-Create-Renewable-Energy.html Another Reason to Invest in Canada? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Another-Reason-To-Invest-In-Canada.html Canada represents a fascinating conundrum in North American oil production. First off, its population of 34 million represents the largest foreign oil source for its giant southern neighbour, with a population nearly 10 times its size. According to the U.S. Energy Administration, the United States total crude oil imports now average 9,033 thousand barrels per day (tbpd), with the top five exporting countries being Canada (2,666 tbpd), Mexico (1,319 tbpd). Unlike many oil-exporting countries to the U.S., beyond its occasional irritation at losing…

]]> admin@namecake.com (John Daly) Tue, 17 Jan 2012 3:49:24 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Another-Reason-To-Invest-In-Canada.html Which Renewable Fuel Looks Set to Replace Traditional Petroleum Fuels http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Which-Renewable-Fuel-Looks-Set-To-Replace-Traditional-Petroleum-Fuels.html While it may be way too early to declare a final winner in the race to find replacement renewable liquid fuels to replace the jet fuel and diesel that power so many of the vehicles in the world, there are some indications as to the technology that just might end up coming out ahead. The results that are starting to appear also show that sometimes there is a disconnect between what the Government wants and considers possible and the real world. The concern over climate change (not peak oil) led many Governments around the world to mandate that propulsion…

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]]> summersd@oilprice.com (Dave Summers) Mon, 16 Jan 2012 23:29:57 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Which-Renewable-Fuel-Looks-Set-To-Replace-Traditional-Petroleum-Fuels.html Investment in Clean Technology Set to Reach Record Levels in 2012 http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Investment-In-Clean-Technology-Set-To-Reach-Record-Levels-In-2012.html The clean-tech sector is primed for a record-setting year of investments in 2012, following robust growth in 2011 despite difficult conditions, according to the Cleantech Group. Global clean technology venture and corporate investments totalled $9 billion in 2011, a 13% increase over 2010, according to the analysis firm’s preliminary 2011 data. This is just shy of 2008’s record of $9.5 billion. Clean-tech mergers and acquisitions reached record highs in 2011 with 391 deals and a dollar volume of $41.2 billion, up 153% over 2010. “Despite…

]]> ruyi@oilprice.com (Gloria Gonzalez) Wed, 11 Jan 2012 23:03:54 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Investment-In-Clean-Technology-Set-To-Reach-Record-Levels-In-2012.html Why Africa Needs to Embrace Bamboo Charcoal http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Why-Africa-Needs-To-Embrace-Bamboo-Charcoal.html In the developed world where a flip of a switch or twist of a knob starts food heating the idea of gathering dung, wood or making charcoal for food preparation is a nearly horrifying thought. But for billions of humans, that procedure is a daily routine. It isn’t possible for people to join in the world of trade, increasing incomes and raising living standards to the developed world’s condition without getting through the food gathering and preparation needed at far more productive time scales. Increasing human population is making the food…

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]]> james@pokemoncard.info (Brian Westenhaus) Tue, 10 Jan 2012 23:04:03 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Why-Africa-Needs-To-Embrace-Bamboo-Charcoal.html Expiration of Cash Grant to Affect Biomass & Wind More than Solar http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Expiration-Of-Cash-Grant-To-Affect-Biomass-Wind-More-Than-Solar.html The expiration of the 1603 US cash grant programme is likely to slow but not stop the solar industry’s fast march toward grid parity, as solar costs continue to decline rapidly, said industry experts. However, preserving government subsidies for other renewables remains critical as they try to reach parity with traditional energy sources, experts said. The Section 1603 Treasury grant programme expired on 31 December after an effort to include an extension in must-pass legislation failed. Solar industry advocates were the strongest supporters…

]]> ruyi@oilprice.com (Gloria Gonzalez) Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:56:09 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Expiration-Of-Cash-Grant-To-Affect-Biomass-Wind-More-Than-Solar.html Football Pitch-Sized Batteries Could Change the World of Renewable Energy http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Football-Pitch-Sized-Batteries-Could-Change-The-World-Of-Renewable-Energy.html 2011 saw huge advances in solar, wind and other renewable energy sources, and these advancements will continue into 2012. In fact 2012 could be the year that renewable energy sources start to seriously compete with traditional fossil fuels, at least that is the hope in the battle to reduce carbon emissions and our dependence on dwindling oil stocks. However a major problem with renewable energy sources is that they can rarely provide consistent power levels, due to a myriad of factors outside of human control. Eric Wesoff, an industry analyst with…

]]> burgessj@oilprice.com (James Burgess) Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:00:51 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Football-Pitch-Sized-Batteries-Could-Change-The-World-Of-Renewable-Energy.html Investment in African Renewable Energy Reaches $3.6 Billion in 2011 http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Investment-In-African-Renewable-Energy-Reaches-3.6-Billion-In-2011.html First, the bad news.Although Africa has vast fossil and renewable energy sources, only twenty percent of its population has direct access to electricity and in some rural areas, four out of five people are completely without power. According to the UN, over 600 million Africans currently do not have access to electric power. A depressing 70 percent of Sub-Saharan Africa’s population is living without access to clean and safe energy for their basic needs such as cooking, lighting and heating, making energy poverty among the most urgent issues…

]]> admin@namecake.com (John Daly) Wed, 04 Jan 2012 1:26:45 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Investment-In-African-Renewable-Energy-Reaches-3.6-Billion-In-2011.html What is Both Sustainable and Renewable that Makes Financial Sense Today? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/What-Is-Both-Sustainable-And-Renewable-That-Makes-Financial-Sense-Today.html The answer is: Municipal solid waste (“MSW”) and its conversion into energy! There are few, if any, energy technologies that can claim to be both renewable and sustainable but also reliable and financially attractive. Why is this so? To understand this, it’s necessary to understand what MSW is and is not. According to the U.S. EPA, MSW includes non-hazardous solid waste from residential, multifamily, commercial, and institutional (eg., schools, government offices) sources, see following chart. This definition excludes many…

]]> stevensba@oilprice.com (Barry Stevens) Mon, 02 Jan 2012 2:42:43 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/What-Is-Both-Sustainable-And-Renewable-That-Makes-Financial-Sense-Today.html Central Asia's Creative Alternatives to Fossil Fuels http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Central-Asias-Creative-Alternatives-To-Fossil-Fuels.html Soaring fuel prices; electricity rationing; early snow -- it's enough to send people scurrying for alternative ways to heat their homes and cook their meals. In some parts of Central Asia, however, "alternative" doesn't necessarily mean clean burning or eco-friendly. In Uzbekistan, cheap is the operative word, and that means things can get downright, well, earthy. "Coal is fuel for rich people only," says Eshmurod-Aka, a resident of Uzbekistan's Qashqadaryo province. "Animal manure is the only fuel we use now."Many Uzbek families now only turn…

]]> rlst@oilprice.com (RFE/RL staff) Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:47:41 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Central-Asias-Creative-Alternatives-To-Fossil-Fuels.html How Will Renewable Energy Fare in 2012? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/How-Will-Renewable-Energy-Fare-In-2012.html Renewable energy is considered the future. The best way for us to combat climate change, survive the decline of oil and generally provide cheap, safer, secure energy. However the industry is still in its infancy and relies heavily on government subsidies and tax incentives. Every year or two the renewable energy companies experience a few tense months as the subsidies and incentives approach their expiration date. Invariably Congress comes to the rescue at the 11th hour and extends them for another year or two, the companies can breathe a sigh…

]]> burgessj@oilprice.com (James Burgess) Tue, 20 Dec 2011 1:27:48 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/How-Will-Renewable-Energy-Fare-In-2012.html Subsidies: The Poisoned Chalice of Renewable Energy http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Subsidies-The-Poisoned-Chalice-Of-Renewable-Energy.html “Solar subsidies are a placebo which is giving the general public a sense of security about our energy future and is robbing the motivation of those entrepreneurs that could actually address our energy problems.” “In the near term, perhaps our bigger concern than climate change is anthropogenic energy policy.” In a recent Economist on-line debate, the affirmative motion “This house believes that subsidizing renewable energy is a good way to wean the world off fossil fuels” was surprisingly defeated. In his closing…

]]> MasterResource@oilprice.com (MasterResource ) Tue, 20 Dec 2011 1:20:41 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Subsidies-The-Poisoned-Chalice-Of-Renewable-Energy.html Rare Earth Shortages - A Ticking Timebomb for Renewables? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Rare-Earth-Shortages-A-Ticking-Timebomb-For-Renewables.html A global scarcity of rare earth metals over the next five years could be “a ticking timebomb” for renewables and clean-tech, according to consultancy PwC.Hybrid cars, rechargeable batteries and wind turbines are among the sectors which could be affected by a shortage of these metals, which include cobalt, lithium and platinum, says PwC’s report Minerals and metals scarcity in manufacturing: A ‘ticking timebomb’.Rare earth metals are a key element for producing gearless wind turbines using permanent magnet generators,…

]]> envfinan@oilprice.com (Environmental Finance) Mon, 12 Dec 2011 13:51:14 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Rare-Earth-Shortages-A-Ticking-Timebomb-For-Renewables.html Solar vs. Wind - Who Wins? http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Solar-Vs.-Wind-Who-Wins.html For me, the most delightful turn of events in the ultimate nerd-song “Particle Man” by They Might Be Giants, is that after introducing (in order of complexity) particle-man, triangle-man, universe-man, and person-man—and learning that triangle-man naturally beats particle-man in a match up—we pit person-man against triangle-man to discover that triangle wins—again. In this post, we’ll pit solar against wind and see who wins. I will take my usual approach and estimate what I can—as opposed to researching the results of detailed studies.…

]]> murphyt@oilprice.com (Tom Murphy) Wed, 07 Dec 2011 23:43:03 GMT http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Solar-Vs.-Wind-Who-Wins.html