EU-DIGEST

The European Union is to surpass its target of 20 percent consumption of energy from renewable sources by 2020, according to national forecasts submitted to the European Commission.
The EU executive found that overall, the bloc will achieve a 20.3 percent share of renewables in its energy mix.

For more: EUobserver

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU

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Labels: Alternative Energy, Denmark, EU

Labels: Alternative Energy, US, Wind Power

Labels: Alternative Energy, Denmark, EU, Wind Power

“By the end of this decade, China will be dominating global production of the whole range of power equipment,” said Andrew Brandler, the C.E.O. of the CLP Group, Hong Kong’s largest power utility. In the process, China is going to make clean power technologies cheaper for itself and everyone else. But even Chinese experts will tell you that it will all happen faster and more effectively if China,the EU and America work together — with the EU and US specializing in energy research and innovation, at which China is still very weak, as well as in venture investing and servicing of new clean technologies, and with China specializing in mass production.

For more also see NYTimes

Labels: Alternative Energy, China, cooperation

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany

The United Nations stopped approving aid for Chinese wind-power projects until it determines whether they qualify unfairly, a Chinese official said. Certification was halted because of UN concern that low power rates set by the state help projects meet requirements to get carbon credits, said a National Development and Reform Commission official who has direct knowledge of the matter. David Abbass, a Bonn-based spokesman for the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, wasn’t available for comment. The UN program, designed to kick-start projects that otherwise wouldn’t get built, has become the world’s largest generator of carbon credits and China the biggest beneficiary. The tradable credits typically are awarded to foreign investors in return for them financing emission-reduction projects in developing countries including India.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Carbon Credits, China, United Nations

You win some. You lose some. That may be what General Electric Co. chief executive Jeffrey Immelt is telling himself on Tuesday. That's when separate news stories broke about GE's successful negotiations with one French company and its failed bid for another. First, the good news for GE. The company on Tuesday reached an agreement with Vivendi SA in which the French telecom will sell its 20% stake in NBC Universal Inc. to GE for $5.8 billion. The Deal's Paul Whitfield has the financial details (The Deal Pipeline subscription required), but essentially, the sale of Vivendi's stake appears to clear the way for a previously announced $30 billion joint venture between GE-owned NBC Universal and Comcast Corp. that will eventually allow GE to exit its position in NBC Universal.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, France, GE

EU PVSEC: Fraunhofer ISE develops new solar PV technologies with greater efficiency

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems ISE in Germany have developed new methods and cell concepts for the manufacture of n-type silicon solar photovoltaic (PV) cells. As a result, higher efficiencies and power production levels are also possible for commercial solar cells.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Solar Energy

Scandinavia's Largest Offshore Wind Park Planned

Wind development company wpd has applied for a construction permit for what will be Scandinavia's largest offshore wind park, the 1.5 GW Finngrunden project. The project's scope will include 300 wind turbines of 5 MW capacity, a combined power of 1500 MW. The wind park is to be located in a large area about 40 kilometers from the mainland, east of Gävle. Annual production is expected to be around 5.5 TWh. If permission is granted the construction phase of the wind park is expected to start in the year. 2014.

“In 11 years, Sweden's energy consumption will consist of 49% renewable energy and makes it difficult to meet this goal without offshore wind power,” added wpd CEO, Charlotte Bergqvist.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, milk production, Windpower

Wind is the fastest growing renewable energy in Europe – making up a third of new energy here, with 20 turbines added every working day in 2008, according to EU statistics. What the European wind energy industry now wants is to expand – offshore. Ocean winds are a stronger and more predictable form of energy than the ones on land, and the industry is pushing a $57 billion investment to allow broad-winged turbines to spin at sea. Offshore wind is "absolutely" a significant new resource, argues Walt Patterson, an associate at Chatham House and author of "Keeping the Lights On," adding that "the big question mark is not sticking the stuff in the ocean, but how to get the electricity ashore." For more information click on this link.

Labels: Abba, Alternative Energy, EU, Offshore Wind Energy

Alternative Energy - Windpower: Chinese XEMC takeover Netherlands Darwind Wind Power Generating Business

Darwind which was on the verge of closing the business will now continue its operations through an asset transaction with XEMC Windpower Co., Ltd, from Xiangtan, Hunan Province in China. Previously, Darwind, an innovative Dutch developer of direct drive offshore wind turbines, was part of the former Econcern group. Following the Chinese takeover of the business CEO of Darwind, Mr. Vincent van den Brekel said: “We have been looking for a strong partner for a while, and as a company we are very happy to be able to continue our operations after the acquisition of Darwind by XEMC”.

With this acquisition, XEMC enters the European market, and acquires innovative and advanced 5 MW direct drive turbine technology, in addition to their successful 2 MW product line, which is based on the same technology. The newly incorporated company XEMC Darwind B.V. will develop two 5MW direct drive wind turbine prototypes and install these in 2010, upon which they will be certified. XEMC Windpower Vice-President Mr. Long Xin noted: “XEMC aims to continue the Darwind operations in the Netherlands in addition to our Chinese operations. We are confident about the innovative turbine concept and are looking forward to a bright future for XEMC Darwind”.

The Chinese XEMC Group is one of the largest manufacturing complexes in China, which enjoys a history of more than 70 years and possesses more than 1000 patents and intellectual property rights. XEMC employs more than 10,000 people and operates in businesses in manufacturing of electric machines, heavy trucks, ship propulsion systems, electric locomotives for mining industry, light rail vehicles for urban transportation, water pump, equipment for national defense and wind turbines.

As one of the fastest growing business sectors in XEMC Group, the wind group is one of the two leading suppliers of direct drive turbines on Chinese market. XEMC has produced and installed more than 150 units of 2MW turbines, and just in June, delivered 31 units. XEMC 2MW series turbines are, in China, the largest turbines in mass production.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, The Netherlands, Windpower

Electric Car’s Connection to Goldman Sachs - by Jim Motavalli

Coda recently announced that it had raised $24 million, with an undisclosed portion coming from its new advisory board member, Henry M. Paulson, the former Treasury secretary, who, before that role, was the chairman and chief executive of Goldman Sachs. Coda’s chief executive, Kevin Czinger, is a former Goldman Sachs executive director, leaving in 1995. Mr. Czinger said in an interview that he brought Mr. Paulson into the company because he had “an interest in the environment and in China, plus he saw the business opportunity.”

Coda’s co-chairman, Steven Heller, is also a Goldman Sachs man. Until his retirement in 2002, he had served as the head of global mergers and acquisitions at Goldman Sachs and reported to Mr. Paulson. “He was my boss for many years, and I’ve known him for 20 years,” Mr. Heller said in an interview. “He’s a tough, rational investor who understands our business model and our strategy and wants to be part of it.”

The Coda electric car is based on the Saibao sedan from the Hafei Automobile Group in China. Coda has a joint venture agreement with its Chinese battery supplier, Tianjin Lishen Battery, but in June Coda said it would also seek federal funding to establish an American battery factory with Yardney Technical Products (which developed batteries for the B-2 bomber and NASA’s Mars exploration vehicles). Coda plans to have its car on the market (initially only in California) next year.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Car Industry, Electric Car, Goldman Sachs

Alternative energy - electricity: Eestor promises demo of its radical new battery in 2010 - by Matt Jansen

Eestor has shrouded itself in mystery, and if the promises it’s making about a new ultracapacitor battery in 2010 are true that certainly makes sense because other companies would kill for that sort of leap in efficiency. Zenn Motor Company has invested enough to earn a 10.7% ownership stake in Eestor with its latest payment at $700,000. Confirmable details are scant but Eestor has convinced Zenn Motor company that its technology is real and will be demonstrated in 2010. Seeing an actual battery in action is another matter though and seems to be dependent on the ability to ramp up production leading up to full scale commercialization. One of the most basic questions GM-Volt asked during its interview with Ian Clifford, CEO of Zenn Motor Company is “have you actually seen one of these devices functioning?” That is a seemingly straightforward question that wouldn’t require details as to how the technology works, but Clifford deferred saying “That gets into the point of non disclosure.”

Labels: Alternative Energy, Electric Car, Electric energy

Alternative Energy - All New Electric Car from Nissan/Renault To Go On Sale Next Year

"Leaf", the new all electric car by Nissan which goes into mass production on a global scale will cost around euro 10.000, which is approximately the same price as today's combustion powered Nissan Versa.

With its new "Leaf" Nissan/Renault hopes to regain some ground it lost from Japanese rivals Toyota Motor Corp. and Honda Motor Co. in the gas-electric hybrids car sector. These energy efficient and environmentally clean cars are becoming increasingly popular.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Electric Car, EU, Japan

Solar Power - EDFEN & First Solar To Build 100-MW Solar Manufacturing Plant in France

EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDFEN) and First Solar Inc. have announced a venture to build France's largest solar panel manufacturing plant. With an initial annual capacity of more than 100 megawatts (MW), the plant will produce solar panels made with First Solar's advanced, thin-film photovoltaic technology. At full production, projected for the second half of 2011, the plant could employ more than 300 people. Under the terms of the arrangement, First Solar will build and operate the plant in France. The plant represents an expected investment of more than €90 million [US $128 million]. EDFEN has agreed to finance half of the capital expense and plant start-up costs and will benefit from the plant’s entire output for the first 10 years.

First Solar and EDFEN plan to announce their decision on the site location within the next few months. The site will also include a facility for recycling solar panels, France’s first such facility and Europe’s only solar panel recycling plant outside of Germany.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, France, Solar Energy

Solar Powered Blimp Set to Fly Across English Channel - by Bridgette Meinhold

Perhaps propelled by the recent dawn of solar powered airplanes, this stunning solar powered blimp is poised to take flight by harnessing sunlight for fuel. Dubbed Nephelios, the solar-powered helium blimp was designed and built by high school engineering students in France. The history making blimp will begin test flights in the next 2 weeks, and by summer’s end the designers hope to fly Nephelios across the English Channel, “just to show that it’s possible.” Nephelios will be the first manned solar airship in existence, and its inaugural flight will prove that CO2-free air travel is now a reality.

Labels: Aircraft Industry, Alternative Energy, Blimp, EU, Solar Power

Toyota leases 150 plug-in vehicles in Europe and Obama plugs his Ford hybrid

Toyota plans to lease 150 plug-in electric hybrid vehicles to fleet customers in Europe this year, and a similar program in North America could follow. The cars can be driven for short distances on just electric power before a Prius-like full gasoline/electric hybrid system takes over, Toyota says.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, EU, Toyota

Maine trade mission planned to Spain, Germany

Maine Gov. John Baldacci is planning a trade mission to Spain and Germany that will focus on renewable energy technologies. The governor announced Tuesday that he and Maine business leaders will travel to a major European wind power trade show in Spain as well as to Spain's capital and to Bremen, Germany. Maine International Trade Center President Janine Bisaillon-Cary said Spain and Germany were chosen because they are home to energy companies that have made investments in Maine and the surrounding region. The trip will run from Sept. 19-26.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany, Maine

Alternative Energy:: First floating wind turbine buoyed off Norway - by Martin LaMonica

So far development of offshore wind farms has been restricted to places where turbines can be attached to the sea bed. But earlier this week, Siemens and energy company StatoilHydro installed what they call the first large-scale floating turbine. The installation is off the coast of Norway, and testing is expected to last for two years. The Hywind turbine will still have a ballast that is tied to the sea floor with cables. Wires will transfer the electricity produced to the mainland grid starting in July.

If successful, the project could open up offshore wind to countries that don't have relatively shallow waters of 100 feet to 165 feet off their coasts. The Hywind is suitable for depths of about 400 feet to more than 2,200 feet. "Hywind could open...new opportunities for exploitation of offshore wind power, as the turbines could be placed much more freely than before," Henrik Stiesdal, chief technology of the Siemens' Wind Power business unit, said in a statement. The turbine in Norway will be 7.4 miles offshore where the water is 721 feet deep. It will be utility-size turbine, with a hub height of about 100 feet, capable of generating 2.3 megawatts of electricity.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Europe, Norway, Offshore Wind Energy

"Turkey's largest and most expensive wind farm is due to start producing power in the next few weeks. During the course of this year and into 2010 a further 29 wind turbines will be installed resulting in 54 wind turbines in total, which will be capable of generating 135MW, saving around 300,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide a year."

Labels: Alternative Energy, Turkey, Wind Power

America's new green guru sparks anger over climate change U-turns - by Ed Helmore

US energy secretary Steven Chu will fly to Europe this week to begin talks that will be crucial in the global battle against climate change. The 61-year-old physicist will hold key discussions with energy ministers from the G8 nations in Rome before travelling to London to take part in a debate with Nobel prize winners on global warming. The arrival of Chu, himself a physics Nobel laureate, comes as the scientist-turned-politician finds himself attacked by environmentalists over decisions he has made about America's campaign to fight global warming. Green groups have accused him of being "contradictory and illogical" and of failing to demonstrate sufficient dynamism in establishing a new, low-carbon approach to transport and power-generation in the United States. In recent weeks, Chu - who was appointed energy secretary by Barack Obama in December - has revealed that he is no longer willing to block the construction of new coal-powered electricity plants in the US, despite widespread opposition from green groups and having initially said that he would not permit their construction.

Labels: Alternative Energy, US

The next big thing in wind: Slow wind, huge turbines by Eric Palm

With politicians pushing adoption of renewable energy in the United States and Europe, the last few years have seen a surge in plans for wind farms--both on land and sea. But wind power isn't viable everywhere--and prime coastal spots are often already developed. So some wind-turbine makers are shifting their focus toward building bigger wind turbines that can harvest the lower-speed winds that are more readily available. This next generation of wind turbines is no small matter: their rotors have a diameter the size of a football field.

"We see continued growth in Europe, notably because of EU legislation to derive 20 percent of its energy from renewable sources," Victor Abate, vice president for the renewables arm of GE Energy, told Reuters in an interview. The European Union issued a directive in December 2008 to have 20 percent of its energy come from renewable sources by 2020. Europe contains more than half of the world's installed wind power capacity.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, US, Wind Power

Alternative Energy: White House Sets Rules for Offshore Wind Farms - by Christine Buurma

The Obama administration took a step toward boosting development of renewable energy Wednesday, announcing final rules for offshore wind-power development. The Department of the Interior announced a program to grant leases, easements and rights of way for the development of offshore wind farms. The program also puts in place methods for sharing revenue from offshore renewable energy projects with coastal states.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Barack Obama, Offshore Windparks, US

Ban petrol cars from 2015, says Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen - by Alister Doyle

A PROPOSAL to ban sales of new petrol-powered cars in Norway from 2015 could help spur struggling carmakers to shift to greener models, Finance Minister Kristin Halvorsen said. "This is much more realistic than people think when they first hear about this proposal," she said, defending a plan by her Socialist Left Party to outlaw sales of cars that run solely on fossil fuels in six years' time. "The financial crisis also means that a lot of those car producers that now have big problems ... know that they have to develop their technology because we also have to solve the climate criss when this financial crisis is over," she said. "That is why we would like a ban from 2015."

Labels: Alternative Energy, Car Industry, Economy, Europe, Norway

Renault-Nissan Alliance inks Chinese electric car deal

The global march of the Renault-Nissan Alliance secured another victory this week, inking its first Chinese deal in a move that should see the electric vehicle partnership deliver charging infrastructure and vehicles to the country from early 2011. The Alliance, which has signed partnership agreements with 19 governments and cities globally in the past few years, said it has signed a deal with the Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) that will result in it providing electric cars to a government-backed pilot programme designed to roll out the technology in 13 cities. In addition to the partnership with the central government, Nissan and Renault also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the municipal government of Wuhan that should see the two auto giants co-operate on a project to make the city China's first zero-emission mobility city.

Labels: Alternative Energy, China, Electric Cars, EU, Japan, Renault-Nisan

Electric car industry agrees on one plug for Europe to rule them all

Electric car
makers and power companies are to unveil this week a standard Europe-wide power plug to recharge the batteries of electric vehicles, the German newspaper Die Welt reported today. The agreement avoids the plug-and-socket problems familiar to travelers who take small appliances such as hair-dryers abroad. The standard had been agreed by 20 big companies and will be announced at the five-day Hanover Fair, a big annual expo of industrial products which opens for business on Monday April 20 in Germany.

The future of electric cars as a replacement for petroleum-powered vehicles depends on motorists being able to recharge batteries anywhere with a minimum of fuss.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Electric Car, EU

Alternative energy - Michigan's "Right Place" CEO pitches Michigan in Germany - by Mark Sanchez

Birgit Klohs, the CEO of The Right Place Inc. in Grand Rapids, Michigan returned home from a three week business trip to Germany this month where she made 23 visits to potential business prospects for West Michigan, and participated in a four-day alternative energy conference in Berlin, where she gave an address on what Michigan has to offer the alternative industry in Germany. The Right Place, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. and Consumers Energy Co. had also staffed a booth at the Berlin alternative energy conference. As the world renowned German wind-energy companies seek to expand beyond Europe and set up shop in America, she used the first-ever German-American Energy Conference to pitch Michigan and the state's manufacturing acumen. The trip, she said, confirms what Klohs has been preaching for some time and a December 2007 economic-development analysis supported: Michigan can carve out a niche role in the U.S. alternative energy industry.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany, Marketing, Michigan

How a Green Economy Is an Antidote to Casino Capitalism - by Robert Pollin

The convergence of a profound economic crisis and the inauguration of Barack Obama as President has created both tremendous challenges and opportunities for progressives in the United States. Two of the overarching economic issues around which progressives will need to struggle are: first, how to build a clean energy economy, creating millions of good jobs in the process; and second, how to create a financial system focused on channeling money toward productive investment as opposed to destabilizing speculation.There are only two possible ways to finance a clean energy transition -- public funding, with money coming from either state treasuries; or private funding, with money coming from private businesses and households. We often think about large-scale economic policy initiatives as necessarily being funded by the federal government. In fact, both public and private sources of funds will be needed to build a clean energy economy. But the key will be to ensure that private funds are channeled into green investments and away from fossil fuels.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Green Policy, World Economy

Siemens Introduces New Wind Turbine

Siemens Energy has introduced the SWT-2.3-101, which is ideally suited to sites with low to medium wind speeds, according to the company. With a rotor diameter of 101 meters, the new wind turbine is expected to provide more power at lower wind speeds, significantly increasing the return on investment of wind farms. The new SWT-2.3-101 wind turbine is ready for delivery. Low to medium wind market segments are expected to grow substantially in the future. The low-wind market alone is expected to represent one-third of the total global wind power market in the coming years.

"We are confident that the new machine will set the industry standard for quality and reliability in low to medium wind markets," says Andreas Nauen, CEO of Siemens' wind power business unit. "The new wind turbine will open up a range of potential new sites for our customers, as they can now generate higher returns in the increasingly important low-wind market segment."

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany, Siemens, Windpower

Alternative energy: Electric cars charge ahead - by Mark Clayton

GM
Chevy Volt – Demo 2009, production November 2010
Saturn Vue PHEV – 2010. Note: GM has discontinued the Saturn line and the Vue’s fate in unclear.
Nissan
EV – 2010
Toyota
Plug-in Hybrid Prius – Demo 2010, production 2011
Chrysler
PHEV – 2010
EV Jeep – by 2013
EV Minivan – by 2013
EV Roadster – by 2013
Ford
Plug-in Hybrid Escape – 2012
EV Magna – 2011
BMW
e-Mini – 2009
Audi
A1 Sportback PHEV – 2011
Hyundai
PHEV Sonata – 2013
Volkswagen
PHEV Golf – 2011

Plus, there are entrepreneurial companies:
Tesla (now and 2011)
Fisker (2009)
BYD (2009)
Bright Automotive (2012)
Miles (2009)
Aptera (2009)
Persu Mobility (2011)
Myers Motors (now)

And finally, PHEV conversions from:
A123/Hymotion
Plug-in Conversions
3-Prong Power

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Electric Car

Wind turbines and hydroelectric plants generate 30 per of Spanish energy - by Graham Keeley

A wet and windy January and February boosted the amount of electricity produced from wind and hydro-power, according to the Spanish Grid. The impressive figure means that Spain has already completed targets set by the European Union in 2001 for renewable energy by 2010. In comparison, carbon energy produced 14.3 per cent and nuclear 20.9 per cent.

The rolling plains of Castilla-La Mancha are dominated by the windmills that provoked the fevered imagination of Don Quixote. But Spain’s relentless investment in wind power and other renewable energy sources has proved wrong those who thought it was tilting at windmills. The sleek white wind turbines and hydroelectric plants that have sprung up across the country in recent years generated 30 per cent of Spain’s energy this year for the first time.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Spain, Windpower

BMW rocket science technology applications in future cars ?

Reuters/Engineers at the BMW's high tech experimental lab in Palo Alto, California are attempting to adapt the thermoelectric system for cars that NASA scientists employ to help power their deep space probes navigating the far reaches of the solar system, BMW's director of vehicle integration Hans Rathgeber told Reuters. Rathgeber said simple physics prevents a conventional combustion engine from ever exceeding one-third efficiency. A motor with an output of 200 kilowatts (kw) generally creates 400 kw thermal energy as a waste by-product. `Recycling this abundant energy source would require replacing the plutonium in a RTG with a non-hazardous material that conducts electricity while resisting heat, not an easy task since most metals become hot when a current is applied to them. Simply put, a charge is induced when you heat and cool two separate ends of a closed circuit. The amount of electricity generated is proportionate to the difference in temperature at the two points -- a property known as the Seebeck Effect.

"I firmly believe that when you look at this technology in 20 years, this will be the key issue that will replace everything else," said Rathgeber.

Labels: Alternative Energy, BMW, Car Industry, EU, thermo electric energy

France: Wind power is fastest growing power technology

Wind power is now France’s fastest growing energy source. From a relatively slow start at the beginning of the new millennium, a record level of new wind power installations was added in 2008, adding 950 MW to the French wind energy fleet. This represented about 60% of all new power generation capacity added last year, and also contributed to making wind energy the first choice for new power production in the whole European Union. France’s total installed wind capacity now stands at just over 3,400 MW, the fourth largest in Europe. In 2008 these 2,500 wind turbines produced 5,600 GWh of electricity. The French wind sector also provides employment for 7,000 people.

Given the strong growth of the French market, it makes it a good choice hosting for this year’s European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC), Europe’s leading wind energy event, which will take place in Marseille from 16-19 March 2009.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, France, Wind Power

Alternative Energy - Wind farms' biggest victims: bats -- by Gerry Smith

The mystery was alarming to wildlife experts: large numbers of dead bats appearing at wind farms, often with no visible signs of injury. Researchers now think they know one reason: Wind turbines cause bats' lungs to explode. More specifically, a sudden drop in air pressure created by the blades can cause fatal internal hemorrhaging, researchers at the University of Calgary said in a study. The toll taken on bats highlights a delicate balance facing the wind industry—how to be "green" without causing other unintended environmental consequences.

Some wind experts dismiss fears over turbines' impact on wildlife. They point to a 2007 study by the National Academy of Sciences that concluded far more birds and bats have been killed in collisions with vehicles and buildings than in collisions with turbines.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Wildlife Bats, Windpower

Alternative energy offers alternative to stock market

Wind farming is experiencing explosive growth in the United States as state and federal mandates drive heavy demand for renewable energy sources. The Department of Energy reports that 20 percent of America’s electricity can come from wind. Developing wind power is an investment in rural America. Having said that, the next question is how can investors get involved in wind energy? Companies that manufacture and install windmills need land for windmill operation. These companies are typically not in the real estate business, so they go to companies that specialize in purchasing or leasing tracks of land. In rural areas, many different farm land owners may have to be put together to cover an area to develop a windmill farm. I am not going to get into the details of research and negotiations needed to close these deals. Needless to say, the windmill companies are not equipped to handle this process of setting up a place to put a windmill farm.

The investor on this kind of program can get upward of an 18 percent return per year. Similar to a short-term note this is typically a two-year program where you get interest payments and then your principal is returned at the end of the term.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Investment opportunity, US, windmills

Vestas: Stimulus package a ‘shot in the arm’ for alternative-energy industry, Colorado execs say - by Cathy Procter

“The stimulus package is a shot in the arm,” said Roby Roberts, the senior vice president of external affairs for Vestas, the Danish wind turbine manufacturer that is planning to make Colorado its major manufacturing center in the United States. Vestas last year opened a manufacturing plant in Windsor, north of Denver, to build the giant blades that turn in the wind, generating electricity. The company also has announced plans for two more manufacturing plants in Brighton and Pueblo for other pieces of its wind turbines. And the company’s suppliers are following Vestas to Colorado. A three-year extension in tax credits for producing wind energy, until 2012, is the longest extension the industry has ever had in the United States. The timeline will stabilize the market and open it up to buyers who hadn’t been interested in wind energy before, Roberts said. The package also has tax credits for U.S.-based manufacturing of the equipment associated with renewable energy, Robert said.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Denmark, EU, US, Vestas, Windpower

US wind energy-Energy blowing in the wind

With a new green initiative as part of the Obama administration’s plan for sustainable energy, wind power looks like a breath of fresh air. However, a new study, released last week by regional transmission organizations, says it could cost $50 billion to $80 billion to upgrade the electrical transmission grid to accommodate wind power, according to the Times Picayune. Those figures are the cost of adding up to 15,000 miles of new extra-high-voltage lines to the regional power grid east of the Rocky Mountains. That figure does not cover the $700 billion cost of building wind farms. Currently the Southwest Power Pool, which handles transmission issues for utilities in Louisiana and nearby states, has not had an application from wind harvesting businesses in Louisiana. Despite the cost, wind entrepreneur Herman J. Schellstede, CEO of Wind Energy System Technologies, in New Iberia, has been pushing to build wind farms offshore in Louisiana for years.

Labels: Alternative Energy, US, Windpower

Alternative energy - GE, Vestas ( Denmark) , FPL Benefit From Energy Funds in Stimulus

Vestas Wind Systems A/S, FPL Group Inc. and General Electric Co. would benefit from at least $61 billion to promote cleaner energy in the U.S. stimulus measure negotiated in Congress. The $789 billion spending agreement struck by House and Senate lawmakers has direct spending and tax breaks for power lines, wind mills and smart meters, according to summaries issued by congressional leaders. The measure awaits final approval in both chambers. The federal aid would come in a recession that has dried up credit markets, caused cuts in clean-energy production and raised U.S. unemployment. The economic decline, the worst since the Great Depression, has set back companies developing clean and renewable energy sources after a record year in 2008.

Labels: Alternative Energy, US, Windpower

Slowdown in wind energy capacity

Denmark - Windpower: Slowdown in wind energy capacity

Denmark risks losing its position as the leading European wind energy nation, according to new figures released by the European Wind Energy Association. Germany increased its wind power capacity 21 times as much as Denmark in 2008, while Spain increased capacity by eight percent and Portugal tripled its wind power capacity. Seventeen percent of Danish electricity is produced by wind power, which is still the highest level in Europe, but Germany is catching up with 10 percent.Denmark has been lagging behind in increasing wind power capacity due to regulations making it financially unattractive to erect new wind turbines. The law change in December now makes it easier to finance the construction of a windmill.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Denmark, EU, Windpower

Alternative energy - 2010 Solar Roof Prius will power air conditioner system

Toyota has announced that the next redesign of their highly successful hybrid Prius automobile will include solar panels on its roof. These panels will power the air conditioning system, allowing its operation without turning on the car's main engine. The system prevents the vehicle from heating up while parked, significantly decreasing the time it takes to cool the car once it's in operation again, and limiting the use of air conditioning that would otherwise be necessary to remove the heat gathered while parked.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Electric Car

Chevy Volt

For the complete report from TFOT click on this link

Electric Cars - The 2010 Chevrolet Volt Unveiled

General Motors Corp, the world's largest automaker, has recently unveiled the production version of the Chevrolet Volt, thus creating a new class of vehicles dubbed Extended-Range Electric Vehicle (E-REV). Unlike many other hybrid cars, the Chevy Volt uses electricity to move the wheels at all times and speeds. With a 40-mile battery range, a gasoline/E85-powered engine generator which provides electricity to power the vehicle's electric drive unit and a top speed of 100mph, Chevrolet Volt might represents the beginning of a new era of automobile electrification.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Electric Car

Electric Cars - Ford's First Electric Car is a Delivery Van assembled in Turkey with a British motor

Ford confirmed today that commercial customers will have the choice of ordering their 2010 Ford Transit Connect with a battery or electric power train. The announcement also said the delivery van formerly known as the Smith Ampere will be proudly re-rebadged with a blue oval when it appears at "select Ford dealerships" sometime next year. We're thrilled to see a domestic carmaker selling a fully electric vehicle, even though this one will be assembled in Turkey with a British motor.

Global Product Development VP Derrick Kuzack said that Ford is positioning the electric Transit Connect as the "strong, silent type," perfect for customers who are interested in environmental sustainability but need a rugged work truck. According to Smith, who converts the Transit Connect for electric operation, the van will get 100 miles per charge, reach 70 mph, and can silently carry almost 1,800 pounds -- perfect for early morning deliveries.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Electric Car, EU, Ford, Turkey

Technology’s Fingerprints on the Stimulus Bill - by Charlie Savage and David Kirkpatrick

While much of the sprawling $800 billion legislation consists of tax cuts and broad spending increases for existing programs, like $27 billion on highways and $8.4 billion on public transit, the biggest outlay on new initiatives is essentially a technology industry wish list: in the Senate version, about $7 billion for expanding high-speed Internet access, some $20 billion for building a so-called smart grid power network and $20 billion for digitizing health records.

To many on K Street, the stimulus bill was the clearest guide to the new administration’s closest friends in the business world. What oil was to President Bush, some say, clean energy and technology are to the Obama White House. The stimulus package cleared the key procedural hurdle on Friday in the Senate after Maine Republican Senators Olympia Snowe, Susan Collins and Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania broke ranks with their fellow Republicans and voted with the Democrats majority on Friday to pass the bill. The final vote on the amended bill will be tomorrow.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Barack Obama, Economic Stimulus bill, US

The Futility of Hybrid - Steven Milloy

What about plug-in hybrid vehicles? When he was running for president, Obama pledged to put 1 million of the vehicles on the road by 2015. Aside from the question of how popular they’ll be with a projected retail price of $40,000 (as compared to $23,000 for a conventional vehicle), will they actually reduce carbon emissions? Only if the power plants they get electricity from produce little if any carbon. But since most U.S. electricity production is not carbon-free, the CRS observes that the “widespread adoption of plug-in hybrid vehicles through 2030 may have only a small effect on, and might actually increase, net CO2 emissions.” The final carbon control options addressed by the CRS are the so-called “distributed energy resources” like rooftop solar panels, fuel cells, natural gas microturbines, small scale wind turbines, and combined heat and power systems (CHP), which makes productive use of “waste” heat from electricity generation. Of these resources, only CHP is economical, accounting for nearly 9 percent of U.S. electricity generating capacity in 2007. But according to the CRS, even CHP often faces technical and utility infrastructure barriers to implementation.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry

Europe installs 20 wind turbines a day and is EU's fastest growing energy source

More wind power was installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008, according to data released yesterday. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) produced figures showing wind power provided 43% of new capacity – or almost two gigawatts (GW) – compared with 35% for gas, 13% for oil, 4% for coal and 2% for hydro power. Europe installs 20 wind turbines a day and 10 EU states reach wind power capacity of more than 1GW. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) report shows wind power provided 43% of new capacity – or almost two gigawatts (GW) – compared with 35% for gas, 13% for oil, 4% for coal and 2% for hydro power. The European wind energy sector has created 33 new jobs every day for the past five years, journalists attending the launch of a new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) were told. According to the report, entitled, ‘Wind at Work – wind energy and job creation in the EU’, jobs in wind energy will more than double from 154,000 to 325,000 by 2020.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Wind Power

WINDPOWER 2009 Conference and Exhibition - Chicago May 4 - 7, 2009, Illinois

WINDPOWER 2009 Conference and Exhibition is the largest annual wind conference and exhibition in the world featuring over 13,000 attendees and over 776 exhibitors. Each year, wind energy professionals gather at this event to learn about the latest industry developments and technologies, review new products and services in the expansive exhibit hall, and network with leading industry decision makers.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, USA, Windpower Conference and Exhibition

171 million euro wind park in Somovit constructed by Velga - by Nick Lliev

Lovech based company Velga has started the construction of a wind energy park near Somovit. The initial investment will be two million euro. The total site will feature 48 massive wind generators, each producing 2.5 megawatts of energy at a cost of 171 million euro.The project was started two years ago and already there are three generators in operation. The fourth generator will be installed within a month and will be the largest of its kind in the country, producing a total of 2.5 megawatts per hour. The generator is imported from Germany. The height of its tower is 80 metres. The generator is capable of producing maximum capacity of energy at just 12 m/sec sustained winds, whereas productivity begins at 3.5 m/sec. According to Lazarin Dochev, the owner of Velga, the main investor in the wind park, investment in the fourth generator alone will reach 3.2 million euro, whereas the combined productivity of all four generators in Somovit will exceed 4.350 megawatts per hour of electricity.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Wind Power

EU to use unspent cash for clean energy, broadband

On January 28 the European Commission proposed to reallocate five billion euro of unspent EU money, mostly to support clean coal projects, offshore wind farms and the deployment of broadband Internet connections in rural areas.Under the plans, a total of €3.5 billion will be devoted to clean energy projects, while €1 billion will support broadband Internet. A further €500 million is earmarked for tackling new agricultural challenges such as climate change, renewable energy, water management and restructuring the dairy sector.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Wind Power

US wind energy market strongest market in the world for the fourth time in succession

In Berlin, the German Wind Energy Association (Bundesverband WindEnergie, BWE) and the Association of German Machinery and Plant Manufacturers (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau, VDMA) announced that the US market is the strongest market in the world for the fourth time in succession with approximately 8000 to 9000 MW of newly installed capacity (2007: 5244 MW). It will also continue to maintain its leadership role due to the climate package intended by the new US Administration, which provides for a doubling of renewable energy sources in the next three years. The associations also announced that the German market has maintained a steady level in 2008 amidst a continually growing world market. According to the current statistics from the German Wind Energy Institute (Deutsches Windenergie-Institut, DEWI), the domestic market saw 866 (2007: 883) new wind turbines with a capacity of 1,665 (2007: 1,667) megawatts (MW) installed in 2008. With that, the addition of new systems moved at the level of the previous year. There were a total of 20,301 wind turbines with an overall capacity of 23,902 MW installed in Germany by the end of 2008. It is also forecast that the world wind industry will show double-digit growth this year and next year.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany, Global Economy, USA, Wind Industry

USA Alternative Energy - Senate Begins Debate On Alternative Energy Bill

The Senate Finance Committee began debate on Tuesday a $31 billion bill that would provide financial incentives and tax cuts to encourage energy savings and promote alternative energy supplies. The funding will be part of the Obama administration’s broader U.S. economic stimulus plan. The tax breaks under debate would, in part, assist wind power and solar energy companies that are struggling to obtain financing under tight credit conditions. The incentives could also help offset sharply lower petroleum prices, which have made alternative energy projects less cost competitive. The Senate tax package mirrors most of the $20 billion in energy tax breaks cleared last week by the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee, but with additional incentives to assist alternative energy firms.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Legislation, US

Norway's government said it would boost spending on environmental projects in the energy sector by 80 percent this year, as part of a euro 2.24 billion (20 billion crown) fiscal stimulus package announced on Monday. Subsidies to Enova, the Norwegian government's "green energy" investment fund, will amount to euro 0.29 billion (2.6 billion crowns), some euro 0.13 billion (1.2 billion crown) more than envisaged previously. The Energy and Petroleum Ministry, which oversees Enova, said the additional money should be spent on projects seeking to improve energy efficiency in industry and construction, environmentally friendly heating and wind power.

Energy and Petroleum Minister Terje Riis-Johansen said in a statement the new spending would help shore up the economy by "securing jobs in a downturn" and help fight climate change.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Economy, Green Policy, Norway

Oil Rich Nations Investing In Future - by Elisabeth Rosenthal

Arab Emirates - With one of the highest per-capita carbon footprints in the world, these oil-rich emirates would seem an unlikely place for a clean energy revolution. Still, the region's leaders know energy and money, having built their wealth on oil. They understand that oil is a finite resource, vulnerable to competition from new energy sources. So even as President-elect Barack Obama talks about an energy revolution as America's route out of recession, Persian Gulf nations - including the seven states that make up the emirates, plus Qatar and Saudi Arabia - are already making a concerted push to become the Silicon Valley of alternative energy.

They are aggressively pouring billions of dollars made in the oil fields into new technologies. They are establishing billion-dollar clean-technology investment funds. And they are putting millions of dollars behind research projects at universities from California to Boston to London, and setting up "green" research parks at home - green referring to the movement to reduce waste and clean up the earth.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Arab Emirates

120 Gigawatt of wind turbines installed globally in 2008 contribute to secure electricity generation - Stefan Gsänger

By the end of the year 2008, 120 Gigawatt of wind power capacity were installed worldwide, after 94 Gigawatt by the end of 2007. Already today wind provides more than 1,5 % of the global electricity consumption and the wind industry employs half a million people. Currently, 80 countries are using wind energy on a commercial basis, with the main shares in Germany, USA, Spain, China and India which still account for three quarters of the global wind installations. North America and Asia showed the most dynamic growth rates in the year 2008.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Wind Power

ALTERNATIVE ENERGY: Prices for rooftop solar systems fall as supply grows - By Paul Davidson

Prices for rooftop solar systems, including installation, already have fallen 8% to 10% since October and are expected to drop another 15% to 20% this year. Fueling the trend are an oversupply of worldwide manufacturing capacity and lower demand, especially in Spain and Germany, which have been growth engines for the industry. For U.S. homeowners, effective prices are likely to plunge by more than 50% after figuring in a bigger federal tax credit that took effect Jan. 1.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Solar Power

Norway : Tapping the vast potential of alternative energy

Norway holds an enviably strong energy position in the world market thanks to deep resources in oil, gas and hydro power. But even with this abundant supply, Norway’s energy picture is no longer a simple matter of oil and water. The growing demand for clean, emission-free power is fueling large scale innovation and investment in the potential of alternative energy. Wind, geothermal, solar, tidal and osmotic power sources are being developed by a cluster of industries and research institutions across the country. According to Terje Riis-Johanse, the Minister of Energy, Norway is already well-versed in alternative energy use, “Incredibly, 60% of Norwegian energy consumption is already based on renewable energy,” he pointed out in a recent speech. Experience with renewables and new technology applications are driving the sector towards a bright future. Large firms such as StatoilHydro, Statkraft and REC are bringing major resources to bear on their projects, while growing companies like Vindteknikk, Hammerfest Strøm, Geoenergi, and Energreen are developing niche technologies that are finding increasing markets worldwide.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Norway

World Wildlife Fund says Gas crisis a wake-up call to EU to strengthen renewable energy efforts

The recent shut-off of natural gas supplies by Russia’s gas monopoly Gazprom is strongly undermining the public European trust in an otherwise reliable trade partner. It will also cause major recasts on the EU’s energy security which is highly dependent on fossil fuels imports from Russia. It’s time for the EU to invest in domestic clean energy sources and improve energy efficiency, World Wildlife Fund said in a press release.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU

Alternative energy USA: Will Obama Save Offshore Wind Power--Or Kill It? - by Wendy Williams

Cape Wind has long been the problem child of the nation's push for renewable energy—and it could end up being one of Barack Obama's biggest energy headaches in his first term, one that may decide the future of offshore wind power in the United States. The Cape Wind project was proposed just before September 11, 2001, and calls for 130 3.6-megawatt wind turbines, sitting five miles off the southern coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts (map here). All told, the wind turbines would provide 75 percent of the Cape's electricity and obviate the use of the peninsula's 40-year-old dirty oil-fired power plant, one of the state's worst polluters. But even though a majority of the state's residents and politicians, including Governor Deval Patrick, support the project, it's been held up by a handful of wealthy and well-connected elites. Chief among opponents is Ted Kennedy, whose relentless opposition to the Cape Wind project was recently called "Ahab-like" by the Boston Globe, but foes also include House Democrats like Bill Delahunt (who represents Cape Cod) and Nick Rahall of West Virginia. These opponents have raised any number of issues—from a potential decrease in coastal property values to the potentially adverse effects on commercial and sport fishing. In some cases, the objection is personal: "That's where I sail!" Kennedy famously complained.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Barack Obama, Offshore Wind Energy

Maine offers wind-power rebates

The Maine Public Utilities Commission is offering a new incentive for residents and business owners to turn to wind for their energy needs. The PUC's Efficiency Maine program is offering rebates of up to $2,000 for qualified residential wind energy systems. Non-residential systems that meet program requirements could be eligible for rebates of up to $4,000. PUC Chairwoman Sharon Reishus says the new program will give help to those who want to take the next step toward energy independence.

Labels: Alternative Energy, US, Windpower

Alternative Energy Goes Mainstream - by James Chester

The politics of power, literally speaking, is a complicated game. Forced to balance the needs of a population that cannot survive without subsidized energy, and at the same time facing the need to diversify energy sources, the government finds itself in a quandary. How to secure reliable power sources for the coming decades, while maintaining growth and conserving valuable oil and gas reserves? Renewable energy could be part of the solution. The target, set by the Supreme Council for Energy, is to have 20% of electricity generated from renewable sources (predominantly wind and hydroelectric power) by 2020. Although wind only accounts for 1.5% of electricity generated, Egypt already has more wind energy capacity (310 megawatts (MW) out of a total capacity of 23,000 MW from all sources) than anywhere else in the Middle East and Africa. Hydroelectric power provides up to 12% of electricity, and as a sun-belt country, the potential to generate solar energy is huge. Added to that, the political will finally exists to make green energy viable.

Labels: Alternative Energy

Vestas receives order for 10 V90-3.0 MW turbines in Aruba, the Netherlands Antilles

Vestas has received an order for delivery of 10 units of V90-3.0 MW wind turbines for Wind Park “Vader Piet” in Aruba (Netherlands Antilles) from Hutting Windenergy and Bright Capital Partners. The contract includes supply, installation and commissioning. Delivery of the wind turbines will start in the third quarter of 2009 and the commissioning is planned for the beginning of 2010.

”This project is very special to us, caused by its extraordinary and exotic location. The transport to Aruba will take place by dedicated sea transport. Due to limited availability of heavy transport and crane facilities on the island, the transportation includes the necessary cranes and trailers as well as the turbines, towers etc. We are very proud that Hutting Windenergy and Bright Capital Partners have chosen to work with Vestas in the Netherlands Antilles. After several successful projects in the Netherlands, this means a large step forward in our fruitful relationship,” says Hans Vestergaard, Managing Director, Vestas Benelux B.V.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Aruba, EU, Netherlands, Vestas, Wind Power

Offshore Wind Farm on Danish Coast

For the complete report from Popular Mechanics click on this link

Can Offshore Grids Solve Our Wind Power Woes? - by Andrew Moseman

The European Commission met last month to discuss linking all the European Union countries together in a continental supergrid. No, they're not planning to the spend millions (perhaps even billions) of Euros it would cost to install powerlines across land borders. Europeans are looking offshore—to connect their growing supply of offshore wind power with a grid spanning the Baltic Sea, North Sea and Mediterranean Sea. Europe is well on the way to its goal of drawing 20 percent of its total energy from renewable sources by 2020. Twenty-five offshore wind farms spread between Ireland, the U.K., Sweden, Denmark and the Netherlands already produce 1100 megawatts of power, and more than 20 new projects have been approved in Germany. While winds are stronger and more consistent at sea, they're still not foolproof. If a breeze fails, a local grid can turn to other energy sources to bridge the gap. That won't work if a country draws a large proportion of its power from renewables, says Frauke Thies of Greenpeace's European Unit. Linking wind farms along the coast could solve this problem by offering some insurance against the vagaries of Mother Nature: Odds are good that, if wind stops blowing in one region, it will be windy somewhere along Europe's ample coastlines. On a small scale, this is already happening. An undersea transmission cable that cost nearly euro 600 million spans the 370-plus miles between Norway and the Netherlands, allowing the two countries to trade power. Thies's Greenpeace unit published a plan in September for a grid to link seven countries on the North Sea.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Offshore Windparks, Renewable Energy

Two key senators are urging federal officials to complete their final environmental report in an "expeditious manner" on a proposal to put a wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod. Energy and Natural Resources Committee chairman Jeff Bingaman, D-N.M., and the panel's ranking Republican, Pete Domenici, also of New Mexico, have written a joint letter to the heads of the U.S. Department of the Interior and the U.S. Minerals Management Service to press their case. "We see no reason for the agency to delay issuance of the (final environmental review)," the senators wrote.

Note EU-Digest: With the announcement of his new energy-environmental team last week, President-elect Barack Obama has signaled a clear intention of pursuing policies that differ sharply from those of his predecessor. His choice for secretary of energy, the highly respected Nobel laureate Steven Chu, is no fan of fossil fuels. Chu's statements and policy positions suggest that he favors a shift away from one of the nation's most important and strategic industries. If that is the case, it might be wise to consider how realistic such a shift would actually be. In speeches, Chu has called fossil fuels the "culprit" in climate change. He says there is a "very pressing need" to find alternatives to gasoline and advocates converting solar energy into automobile fuel. According to the Wall Street Journal, he has called for "gradually ramping up gasoline taxes" (a position Obama has rejected because of the "additional burden" it would place on families). Once, famously, he termed coal "my worst nightmare." We tend to agree with Mr. Chu on higher taxes for gasoline. It is the only way to wean the public off gas guzzlers and to finance alternative energy research.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Cape Cod, NATO. US, Offshore Windparks

Econcern partners on €863M Chinese wind farm deal

Netherlands-based Econcern has announced a partnership with subsidiaries of China National Offshore Oil and Sinohydro to invest €863 million ($1.1 billion) to build onshore wind farms in China. The four wind farms are expected to have a capacity of 720 megawatts. Construction is slated to begin in 2009. Econcern is partnering on three wind farms with CNOOC New Energy, a subsidiary of Beijing-based China National Offshore Oil New Energy, one of the largest state-owned oil giants in China.

Labels: Alternative Energy, China, EU, Netherlands, Wind farms

The Future of Wind Power: Perspectives on Global Wind

A lack of policy leadership is still the most important single factor holding back the development of the wind industry in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, according to a recent survey of more than 1000 readers of Renewable Energy World magazine from throughout (greater) Europe, North Africa and the Middle East. The group also identified the current high prices for conventional electric power and gas as key drivers behind the growth in wind power.

Poor policy leadership was cited by respondents as the single largest barrier faced by the wind industry – despite the fact that many of those replying came from EU countries which are subject to renewables targets. Both EU member countries and those replying from nations with no similar renewable energy targets, such as Algeria and Libya, believe that national governments are doing too little to encourage the development of wind power, suggesting that even where targets have been set they are viewed as inadequate by renewable energy experts. Some 63% of the respondents are directly involved in the wind sector. Of that group, over a quarter are project developers, while others work with utilities, own or operate wind farms, or are involved in turbine manufacture or R&D. Almost 95% of respondents agree that European Union renewable energy targets are helping drive forward the wind industry overall, whilst a similar number agree that a national renewable energy policy is an important factor in the growth of the wind industry in their own country.Slightly more than half of those polled agree or strongly agree that a current threat to the development of wind is the promise of carbon-free nuclear power (whether or not respondents agree this promise is well founded). However, almost half disagree, believing wind power does not face a threat from nuclear, either because the two technologies are established and independent, or that wind power has inherent advantages.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Windpower

Automakers say electric vehicles will soon become viable alternatives to gas-guzzlers - by Jeffry Steele

Choices, choices, choices. After a century of producing cars that ran solely on gasoline, the world’s automakers are working overtime to present a variety of options, including hybrids, biofuel-powered cars, and vehicles that run on hydrogen. Some of the biggest bets are riding on Americans getting charged up over the notion of mass-produced electric cars. Most eagerly anticipated is the 2010 Chevrolet Volt, which General Motors is calling an “extended range electric vehicle.” According to Rob Peterson, manager of electric vehicle technology communications with General Motors in Detroit, the Volt features a nearly 400-pound T-shaped lithium-ion battery that’s aligned down the vehicle’s center spine beneath the passenger compartment.

Note EU-Digest:The most important obstacle to making electric cars competitive is the cost of lithium battery. Every major car manufacturer is pursuing electrically-driven vehicles with lithium ion batteries as a solution to the problem of CO2 emissions and oil consumption.The presumption is that as more batteries are made in larger volumes the price will come down to a point where the cars might become profitable. It might not be, if extracting lithium from the ground becomes increasingly expensive in the same manner that oil is from older fields and other unconventional sources. There are also possibilities like silicon nano-wires or ultra capacitors that could dramatically increase energy storage density and reduce the size and requirement for materials like lithium.All this just goes to show the need for pursuing multiple parallel paths for energy diversity, because there doesn't appear that any one solution will be sufficient. Research must be stimulated and supported in these areas and we certainly are on the right track in taking the electric car from a fad to reality.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Electric Car

The Mercedes Blue-Zero concept elctric car

For the complete report from Hybrid Cars click on this link

Mercedes Takes Swiss Army Knife Approach to Electric Cars

The recently unveiled Mercedes-Benz BlueZero concept vehicles are built with the flexibility to insert electric, plug-in hybrid, and fuel-cell technologies into the same exact vehicle design. It’s easy to dismiss the BlueZero sketches as just another cool green concept car that will never see the light of day, but it could be a glimpse into a future lineup of small Mercedes cars with varying degrees of electric power.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Britain. EU, Electric Car, Germany, Hybrid Cars, Mercedes

Wind, water and sun beat biofuels, nuclear and coal for clean energy

The first quantitative, scientific evaluation of the proposed, major, energy-related solutions, has suggested that natural sources like wind, water and the Sun are much better than biofuels, nuclear and coal for clean energy. The evaluation was done by Mark Z. Jacobson, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford University. Jacobson assessed not only the potential of major, energy-related for delivering energy for electricity and vehicles, but also their impacts on global warming, human health, energy security, water supply, space requirements, wildlife, water pollution, reliability and sustainability. His findings indicate that the options that are getting the most attention are between 25 to 1,000 times more polluting than the best available options.

Jacobson recommended against nuclear energy, coal with carbon capture and sequestration, corn ethanol and cellulosic ethanol, which is made of prairie grass. In fact, he found cellulosic ethanol was worse than corn ethanol because it results in more air pollution, requires more land to produce and causes more damage to wildlife.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Solar Energy

Europe ahead of U.S. on electric cars - by Martin LaMonica

Cash-strapped U.S. auto companies are pushing into plug-in electric cars with the first models from General Motors, Chrysler, and Ford, starting in two years. But the overall environment for introducing electric cars is better in Europe, according to Kanode. "In Europe, the determination is absolute," he said. "They have had high energy costs our whole lifetime. Second, they want to decrease their reliance on foreign oil...And third, they are absolutely committed to improving their carbon footprint, both the public and the governments." He said there are already a number of hybrid electric vehicles coming to market in the form of fleets of buses and delivery trucks.

Both BMW and Mercedes are said to be developing all-electric cars. Last month, Mini unveiled the Electric Mini, which it started testing. General Motors, with its Chevy Volt, and Fisker Automotive have chosen gas-electric designs to ensure that cars have a longer driving range. Because of battery limitations, an all-electric car priced like a typical family sedan will have a shorter range.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, Electric Car, EU

For the complete report of EasyBourse click on this link

Alternative Energy : RWE Plans To Invest EUR2.8 Billion In Offshore Wind Park

Germany's RWE AG's (RWE.XE) RWE Innogy Friday said it has acquired the project company ENOVA Energieanlagen GmbH, which is part of the ENOVA Group. This acquisition includes the rights to the offshore wind project North Sea Windpower 3 (NSWP3). The total investment for the project is around EUR2.8 billion. Following the acquisition, the wind farm will be renamed Innogy Nordsee

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany, Offshore Windparks

U.S. forecasts strong growth in alternative energy, technology - John Funk

The U.S. Department of Energy said Wednesday that it expects virtually no growth in American oil consumption through 2030 - but strong growth in alternative energy and technology development. In the preliminary draft of its annual energy outlook, the department's Energy Information Administration projects a rebound in oil prices as soon as the global recession is over, with prices approaching $200 per barrel by 2030 ($130 in 2007 dollars).

Labels: Alternative Energy, US

In breezy Britain, wind farm cooperatives take off

With annual returns of 10 percent coupled with low risk, wind farm cooperatives are drawing growing numbers of investors in Britain -- good news for Europe's hopes to lead the world in renewable energy. Along with being a safe investment during turbulent economic times, the cooperatives are drawing interest from those concerned not just with global warming and climate change, but also with energy security. "It's not only a climate issue, but it's also a problem with energy supplies," Clive Burke, a shareholder in the Westmill cooperative near Swindon, southwest England, told AFP. "We are exceeding the ability of our planet to support our energy needs."

Labels: Alternative Energy, Britain, EU, Windfarms

Windpower - Everywhere Except Here

The PowerGen Conference is a gathering of power generators from around the world sponsored by PennWell, the Oklahoma publishing empire. Its gathering in Orlando in early December was the largest ever, attended by 18,000 people. Energy is a hot topic these days. Windmill companies abounded. Vesta, the Danish supplier, had several scale models on the exhibition floor and did a wraparound cover over free copies of the Wall Street Journal. "Denmark's pretty filled up with windmills but we're moving offshore," explained a Vesta salesman, standing beneath a 25-foot replica of the 450-foot structures. "The wind over the ocean is stronger with less variation." But for all the contemporary appeal of wind, however, the underlying theme of the conference was how fast the revival of nuclear power is taking shape. "The nuclear renaissance isn't something in the far-off future," said J.M. Bernhard, Jr., CEO of the Shaw Group, in giving the keynote address. "It's already happening today. With greenhouse gases in the mix, we believe nuclear is where we need to go." Note EU-Digest: This is not the way to go when we compare the risks.

Labels: Alternative Energy

Britain - Novera Energy plans two wind farms in the UK

Novera Energy plc, a leading independent UK renewable energy company, is pleased to announce it has submitted planning applications for two wind farms in Northumberland. The Wingates Wind Farm application made to Alnwick District Council is for six turbines with an anticipated capacity of 12-15MW to be located approximately six kilometres south of Longframlington. The Todd Hill Wind Farm application made to Castle Morpeth District Council is for four turbines with an anticipated capacity of 8-10MW to be located at a site approximately six kilometres northwest of Morpeth.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Britain, Britain. EU, Windfarms

Research and Markets ( http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/e00cbd/analysis_of_china) has announced the addition of the "Analysis of China Wind Power Equipment - Blade" report to their offering.
In terms of the great growth of China's economic development, the shortage of energy supply has been revealed as a major issue and developing new energy sources to become the only way to respond the matter. The wind power is the most matured technology of these new energy power generations, and also has the fundamental conditions of largely development and great outlook for commercial development. According to China's Renewable Energy Society of Professional Committee of wind energy's statistics, by the end of 2007, the total wind power installed capacity of China was 5,906,000 kilowatts, accounting for 0.83% of the total installed capacity of national power, 2008 is expected to reach 10 million kilowatts and will reach 20 million kilowatts by 2010. Over the past three years, China's wind power installed capacity had a double growth. During 2008 to 2010, China's additional installed capacity of wind power is expected to be 5,500,000Kw and 7,200,00KW and 9,300,000 KW respectively, and megawatt-class turbine will be the mainstream product.

Labels: Alternative Energy, China

Turkey to become a leader in wind energy

Turkey is preparing to play its part in providing alternative energy supplies. As the country begins to involve itself in wind energy investments, it has also decided to produce inland wind turbines, reported the Anatolia News Agency. Turkey to become a leader in wind energy Model Enerji, which was founded during the first half of 2008 by a team of veterans from Turkey's energy sector, was the first company founded in Turkey to manufacture megawatt-class wind turbines. Istanbul-based Model Enerji plans to manufacture the 1.65-megawatt turbines, which utilize a doubly fed induction generator drive train, at a factory to be established in Ankara’s industrial zone. The investing company has purchased 38,000 square meters of land, said Nurettin Özdebir, chairman of the Ankara Chamber of Industry, or ASO. "We aim to be a leader in the sector by designing the most suitable turbines for various regions based on their local wind exposures. We one day hope to place ourselves among world-renowned wind energy brands," said Güç İçelli, company partner and deputy director.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Windpower

A high energy solution - IvorShvets

Ireland has to generate more than 95% of its energy from imported fossil fuels. This arises from our geographical and geological position as a rocky outcrop in the Atlantic Ocean, where fossils fuels could not accumulate to any great extent. But our location is a great asset in terms of power generation. Along with Scotland, Ireland is among the most favourable locations in Europe for wind-power generation. Power-generating technologies must be cost effective and economically viable for the consumer. “Clean” coal-, gas- and oil-fired power plants and large wind farms can all produce energy for €0.08-0.15 per kwh. Solar energy can realistically be generated for €0.40-€1 per kwh, depending on location. But there are no figures for wave-generated energy, perhaps because no generating stations are operational at the moment.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Ireland

Poland : Solar car completes 1st ever round-the-world trip - by Vanessa Gera

The first solar-powered car to travel around the world ended its journey at the U.N. climate talks Thursday, arriving with the message that clean technologies are available now to stop global warming. The small two-seater, hauling a trailer of solar cells and carrying chief U.N. climate official Yvo de Boer, glided up to a building in Poznan, Poland, where delegates from some 190 nations are working toward a new treaty to control climate change. "This is the first time in history that a solar-powered car has traveled all the way around the world without using a single drop of petrol," said Louis Palmer, the 36-year-old Swiss schoolteacher and adventurer who made the trip.Palmer's appearance at the conference marked the end of a 32,000-mile (52,000-kilometer) journey that began 17 months ago in Lucerne, Switzerland and took him through 38 countries.

He calls his vehicle, which was developed by scientists at Swiss universities, a "solar taxi" because he has given rides to about 1,000 people – officials and regular folk alike – to convince them of the technology's viability. Passengers have included New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Delegates in Poznan are seeking an ambitious new climate treaty that would replace the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012 and has required that 37 countries slash emissions of heat-trapping gases by an average 5 percent from 1990 levels. The goal is for the new treaty to be finalized at the next U.N. climate meeting in December 2009 in Copenhagen, Denmark.

"Here at the conference, we are talking about reducing emissions by 10 or 20 percent," Palmer said. "I want to show that we can reduce emissions by 100 percent – and that's what we need for the future."

Labels: Alternative Energy, Automotive Industry, EU, Poland, Solar Power, UN Climate Conference

Britain: Offshore wind offers tentative welcome to Marine Management Organisation - by Tom Young

The wind energy industry offered a cautious welcome to the Marine and Coastal Access Bill outlined in the Queen's Speech today, claiming the legislation should help simplify the complex planning rules governing the development of offshore wind farms. Maria McCaffery MBE, chief executive of the British Wind Energy Association, said that she hoped the creation of a new single body tasked with managing the marine environment would help ensure that conservation and renewable energy interests are balanced. "The Marine and Coastal Access Bill is a pioneering piece of legislation, but we must ensure that it allows for the expansion of marine renewable energy, including offshore wind, wave and tidal," she said. "It would be a pyrrhic victory if short-term conservation undermined long-term sustainability and our ability to tackle climate change." The renewable industry remains fearful that a number of high-profile marine energy projects, such as the proposed Severn tidal barrage, could yet be derailed by concerns over coastal conservation.

Labels: Alternative Energy, Britain, EU, Offshore Windparks

Alternative energy EU - Offshore windparks: Sea breezes whip up jobs bonanza - by Adrian Pearson

EU civil servants have produced a Strategic Energy Review which will see billions of euros spent creating the supergrid in order to reduce dependency on Russian fuel and meet renewable energy commitments. The plan will see all wind farms off the coast linked up to one supply chain, making it easier and cheaper for developers to build offshore turbines.

Business leaders meeting at the influential North East Economic Forum’s energy seminar were told yesterday the European Commission was opening up the way for massive regional investment. Derek Taylor, senior energy adviser at the commission, yesterday told The Journal the changes “may take time, but they will produce jobs in this region”. He said: “The North Sea offshore grid is one of the six priority projects identified by the new strategy.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Offshore Windparks

Germany - Alternative energy:: Plambeck 2009 Profit to Rise on Subsidy for offshore wind energy

Plambeck Neue Energie AG, the German wind-park developer founded in 1995, will post higher profit next year as clients take delivery on projects in time to collect higher subsidies, Chief Executive Officer Martin Billhardt said. Customers are delaying accepting finished parks until next year, when a government payment for wind power at onshore sites will be raised to 9.2 euro cents (11.70 cents) per kilowatt hour from 8 cents, Billhardt said. For offshore parks, the subsidy will increase to 13 cents from 8.92 cents.

Germany is seeking to increase renewable energy to 30 percent of the total by 2020 from 10.6 percent in 2006, according to the environment ministry. Plambeck predicts pretax profit will rise to as much as 32 million euros in 2009, according to a company presentation this month. Pretax profit will be 19 million euros to 24 million euros this year. Earnings per share may rise to as much as 69 cents from as much as 51 cents.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Germany

Alternative Energy - The Netherlands: Eneco applies for third offshore wind park

Energy concern Eneco has applied for a licence to build its third off-shore wind park in the North Sea, 17 kms to the south of IJmuiden. In a statement released on Thursday, Eneco said it hopes the turbines (enough electricity for 200,000 households), will be operational in 2013. No financial details were disclosed. Eneco already operates the Princess Amalia offshore wind park at IJmuiden and applied for a licence for another facility at Callantsoog, close to Den Helder, in June.

Labels: Alternative Energy, EU, Offshore Windparks