Month: October 2008

Queen goes green for wind power plan

No less a personage than the Queen of England has stepped into the renewables debate by promising to invest in wind power projects in the deep waters off Britain. The Crown Estate, which is the holder of the Queen’s property, says it will pay up to half of all pre-construction development costs for companies wanting… Read more »

Wine growers turn to solar wattage for hopes of vintage harvest

High efficiency PV panels are to be installed on the roof of a Californian warehouse to create one of the world’s largest solar projects at a winery. The 1.2 megawatt solar system installation at Constellation Wines US’ Gonzales Winery in Monterey County, will cover approximately 170,000 square feet of the main winery warehouse roof, and… Read more »

Ireland’s natural resources vital to in fight to slash emissions

Harnessing Ireland’s offshore wind and wave energy is vital to help the country to slash its carbon emissions by 2020, a new parliamentary committee has said. The Dail’s Committee on Climate Change, which was established a year ago, {pagebreak} said Irish people now produce the fifth highest levels of greenhouse gas in the world in… Read more »

EPIA organises its first international Thin Film Conference

EPIA organises its first international Thin Film Conference More than 300 experts from the thin film sector are expected to gather in Munich on November 13 for the first European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) International Thin Film Conference. {pagebreak} With a growing demand for PV products in the European and American markets, all technological solutions… Read more »

Avanti Wind Systems opens office in India

The Danish based sub-supplier to the wind turbine industry, Avanti Wind Systems, opens office in India. It will be operated by general manager for Avanti Wind Systems India, Mr. Lars Rasmussen and based at the Trade Commission of Denmark in Bangalore {pagebreak} At the beginning of 2009, Avanti Wind Systems expands operations to Chennai, where… Read more »

Don’t undermine support for wind power, trade body warns EU

A warning not to undermine EU support for renewables has been sounded by a wind energy trade body in a letter to a French minister. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has expressed its concern about a proposed ‘review clause’ {pagebreak} in the Renewable Energy Directive, and underlined the importance of priority grid access for… Read more »

Delays and doubts curbing Italy’s solar potential

Excessive bureaucracy and long waits to connect plants to the grid is slowing down the potential for enormous growth in Italy’s solar energy market. Although the country is a solar power hot spot, with 17,000 plants tapping its plentiful sunlight, approval for such plants can drag very slowly, taking months of painstaking decision-making. {pagebreak} “The… Read more »

Wind farm impact on birds minimal, new report says

Fears that wildlife, particularly birds, is affected by wind farms have been allayed in a new study which shows that turbines have little impact on them. “This should be welcome news for nature conservationists, wind energy companies and policy-makers”, {pagebreak} the report from the UK’s Newcastle University said, adding that carbon-free wind power is also… Read more »

Euro blow dealt to plans for coal-fired power

Euro MPs have dealt a blow to plans for a new generation of coal-fired power stations after voting for tough curbs to reduce their emissions. The MEPs want to force energy companies to fit expensive equipment to trap the emissions, the limit of which is the same as that set by California – 500 grams… Read more »

Cut fossil fuels in 20 years, UK told

An end to the use of fossil fuels needs to happen in the UK within 20 years, the government’s climate change watchdog has warned. The independent Climate Change Committee also says the government should set a 2050 target of cutting all greenhouse gas emissions by at least 80 per cent – including those from aviation… Read more »

Businesses ‘missing out’ on energy cost savings

Almost all businesses in the UK are unaware of an incentive scheme to help improve energy efficiency, according to new industry research. The survey involving 1,300 businesses across offices, retail and leisure, conducted by Daikin UK, revealed that 92 per cent companies are currently unaware of the Government’s Enhanced Capital Allowance (ECA) scheme set up… Read more »

China ‘should act now’ on climate change, says top Beijing official

A senior Chinese climate change advisor has broken ranks to criticise his country’s stance on global warming as its economy develops. Hu Angang, a public policy professor at Tsinghua University in Beijing, has urged China to act on cutting greenhouse gas emissions, even as the government says it should not assume international obligations to curb… Read more »

Top Spanish renewable energy firms move in on burgeoning US market

Spain’s leading renewable energy firms have visited California this week to help meet the State’s surging demand for renewable energy. Spanish companies have committed more than US$5 billion to the US market this year alone, and delegates have met with major utilities, economic development officials, legislators, regulators, private firms and the Governor regarding further investment… Read more »

Renewables results in UK regions

A government survey of energy trends in the UK has revealed that Scotland generates twice as much wind energy as England. The quarterly survey, published by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform throws up a number of interesting statistics in relation to renewables in the UK. {pagebreak} And while Scotland has greater renewables… Read more »

Wind farm offer bucks shares trend

Shares in a Scottish wind farm have exceeded market expectations, raising more than £1.25 million of investment. The Great Glen Wind Farm Co-op share offer closed recently, and delighted investors by surpassing its target by more than five times. The scheme is being run by Energy4All, a not-for-profit company set up to spearhead community-owned renewable… Read more »

Internet giant gets in on renewables act

Search engine leader Google has outlined a plan for the United States to cut its reliance on fossil fuels by 2030. The California-based company has called for a big push in wind, solar and geothermal power to largely replace fossil fuels. Hybrid and electric cars would also get a major boost. {pagebreak} Eric Schmidt, Google’s… Read more »

World bank gives US$2.7b for renewable energy

The World Bank Group’s funding for renewable energy and energy efficiency programmes has increased by a massive 87% in the last year, it has recently been revealed. A statement by the Bank said $2.7b was used to fund renewable energy and energy efficiency commitments for the year ending 30 June 2008. {pagebreak} The funding includes… Read more »

Energise change for power energy solutions

Only central government commitment to renewable energy adoption will prevent a UK-wide energy crisis, a top managements consultant has said. David Hughes, utilities practice director at ABeam Consulting, said the skyrocketing price of oil means it is ‘not feasible’ to rely on fossil fuels in the long term. {pagebreak} “Global warming makes matters worse, pushing… Read more »

Phoenix Solar AG Introduces Solyndra Solar Panels to the European Market

Phoenix Solar AG Introduces SolyndraTM Solar Panels to the European Market • The new shape of solar electricity• Innovative thin-film module for flat rooftops {pagebreak} Sulzemoos 07/10/2008 / One of the solar industry’s best kept secrets has been unveiled. Photovoltaic solar system manufacturer Solyndra, Inc., headquartered in Fremont, California U.S.A., today announced its unique CIGS-based… Read more »

Credit crunch shortfall warning for renewables

Senior bankers have warned the renewable energy sector of a €21 billion shortfall in debt finance by 2020 following the credit crisis and a brake on lending. European wind and solar power projects drew 18 billion euros investment in 2007 and needed about 85 billion euros annually by 2020 to meet EU targets, said Tanja… Read more »

Agreement on PV demand levels for the next decade

Photovoltaic energy could provide 12% of European electricity demand by 2020, a conference has heard. More than 4,000 scientists and 750 companies gathered in Valencia recently to present significant innovations in the field of solar photovoltaic energy to EPIA, the European Photovoltaic Industry Association. {pagebreak} The industry unanimously agreed that the evolution of solar photovoltaic… Read more »

Support pledged for expanded UK nuclear industry

Despite calls for more investment in renewables and clean energy, UK business minister John Hutton has pledged ‘maximum support’ for new nuclear power stations in the UK. At the first meeting of the Government’s new Nuclear Development Forum Mr Hutton said that energy from new nuclear generators is indispensable for keeping the UK’s lights on,… Read more »

Wind not cars will use most steel claims MEP

The European wind power industry could replace the automotive sector as the biggest user of steel by 2020, a Green MEP has claimed. Luxemburg MEP Claude Turmes, who helped a report calling for massive investment in renewables reach almost unanimous backing by the industry committee of the European Parliament, said the legislation would lead to… Read more »

Finns agree to massive wind farm expansion

Finland is the latest country to approve the development for wind farm parks in key catchment areas close to coastlines and the sea. The Finnish Government has agreed to build a number of wind power plants over the next ten years with the aim of generating about 2000 megawatts of wind power by 2020. In… Read more »

New Foundation Bolt Tensioning Tools Added to Tentec Range

New Foundation Bolt Tensioning Tools Added to Tentec Aero Range Tentec, a leading UK designer and manufacturer of bolt tightening equipment has been working closely with major manufacturers and suppliers of wind turbines looking at the problems associated with anchoring bolts into the foundation structure. {pagebreak} Due to the unusual length of foundation bolts and… Read more »