Solar Power Fastest Growing Utility Source in 2011

Joanna Schroeder

New findings by the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) have found that solar power is the fastest growing source of energy for the utility sector in 2011. Solar power capacity grew by 120 percent from 2010 as utility companies contract for more solar power. In 2011, utilities installed more than 62,000 PV systems of various sizes that equates to nearly …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

Carbon Prices Must Go Up

Joanna Schroeder

According to EU environment ministers, the carbon price must be urgently boosted to fix the EU’s Emissions Trading System (ETS) and fight climate change. This message was delivered today during in an informal discussion in Horsens, Denmark. The focus of the meeting was whether or not to raise the carbon price in the ETS. In a statement by the European …

Carbon, Electricity, Energy, Wind

Celebrate Global Wind Day

Joanna Schroeder

Did you know that June 15 is Global Wind Day? Well now that you do, there are many fun activities you can take part in to learn more about wind power. The event is coordinated by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) along with the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC). This year, they are holding a photo competition.  To enter, …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

Wind Energy ‘Green Growth’ Report Released

Joanna Schroeder

The wind energy industry contributed $32 billion Euros to the European Union’s (EU) gross domestic product (GDP) between 2007 and 2010. In addition, the industry grew more than twice that of the EU’s GDP overall. The information is part of the ‘Green Growth‘ report that was released today during the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) International Conference. The report also …

Electricity, Energy, Research, Wind

Incentives Help Drive PV Market

Joanna Schroeder

The solar photovoltaic (PV) systems market is growing with the help of government incentives that encourage investment. This news came as a result of a new report by GBI Research, “Semiconductors in Solar PV Power Systems to 2015 – Government Incentives and Feed-in Tariffs to Create Growth Potential for Semiconductor Manufacturers.” The report concludes that investments in renewable energy will …

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar

Growing GROWMARK Energy Business

Cindy Zimmerman

From premium diesel, gasoline and lubricants to propane, biodiesel and ethanol, the GROWMARK Energy Division continues to grow and offer high quality products to member cooperatives and the general public. The annual volume for the cooperative system’s energy division exceeds 1.6 billion gallons of gasoline, distillates and propane, and about 80 percent of the gasoline marketed by GROWMARK and FS …

Audio, Biodiesel, Energy, Ethanol, FS Energy, GROWMARK, Propane

Renewable-Energy Exporter of the Year

Joanna Schroeder

The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is awarding Northern Power Systems (NPS), a Vermont-based company that designs, manufactures and sells wind turbines globally, its Renewable-Energy Exporter of the Year Award. The honor was given today during the Bank’s 37th Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. “Northern Power Systems is a great example of an innovative company that is …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

It’s NBA Green Week

Joanna Schroeder

It’s NBA Green Week this week, sponsored in part by Sprint, and many companies are finding unique ways to reach basketball fans with green messages. One such partnership is between FirstEnergy Solutions and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  On April 10, FirstEnergy donated 40 Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) to offset the electricity use during the game. The REC’s were generated at the …

Education, Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Wind

Encourage the EPA to Support Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

A new petition has been launched today to help encourage the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to support biofuels development. The petition is sponsored by Frontiers of Freedom, who says that advanced biofuels allow America to reduce its dependence on foreign sources of oil while simultaneously exploring next generation biofuels. Frontiers of Freedom also say that renewable energy can and should …

advanced biofuels, Energy

Mobilize the Earth – Earth Day 2012

Joanna Schroeder

Earth Day snuck up on me this year which is surprising considering all that people can talk about is the hot weather in the Midwest caused by “global warming”. Think what you will about that statement, Earth Day is April 22nd coined “Mobilize the Earth,” and because I can’t come up with new ideas (it must be the unusual heat) …

book reviews, Energy, Opinion