2015 Sets Global Renewable Energy Record

Joanna Schroeder

According to new data released by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable generation capacity increased by 152 GW of 8.3 percent during 2015. This marks the highest global growth ever. Renewable Capacity Statistics 2016 finds that as of the end of 2015, 1,985 GW of renewable generation capacity existed globally. “Renewable energy deployment continues to surge in markets around …

biomass, Clean Energy, Geothermal, Hydro, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Geothermal Collaboration for Use in Clean Power Plan

Joanna Schroeder

With the Clean Power Plan (CPP) moving forward, several groups have collaborated to show states how geothermal can be a part of meeting their clean energy needs. The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), Geothermal Resources Council (GRC), and Geothermal Exchange Organization (GEO) have released the first set of free state-by-state guides that outline the benefits of geothermal energy and three major …

Clean Energy, Clean Power Plan, Geothermal

New Report, Some Hits…Some Misses for Renewables

Joanna Schroeder

A new report, “Some Hits, Some Misses…All-in-All…To Be Taken with a Grain of Salt,” looks at the accuracy of the forecasts for renewable electricity made by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its monthly “Short-Term Energy Outlook” (STEO) reports. Published by the SUN DAY Campaign, the report finds 2015 forecasts have generally followed the actual pattern of ups-and-downs in …

biomass, Electricity, Geothermal, Hydro, Renewable Energy, Solar, Wind

Global Geothermal Alliance Launched at #COP21

Joanna Schroeder

As a means to increase geothermal energy globally, this week during the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, (COP21) a coalition of 38 countries along with 20 development and industry partners have launched the Global Geothermal Alliance (GGA). The nonprofit was organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and was founded with the goal of achieving a 500 percent …

Clean Energy, Climate Change, Electricity, Geothermal, International

Emerging Nations Hit Record Clean Energy Investments

Joanna Schroeder

According to the new report Climatescope, developing nations have surpassed the world’s wealthiest countries in securing more renewable energy investments. Climatescope is a clean energy country competitiveness index, interactive report and online tool supported by the U.S., U.K. and Inter-American Development Bank Group. The report unveils a portrait of clean energy activity in 55 emerging markets in Africa, Asia and …

biomass, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Geothermal, Hydro, Solar, Wind

60% New Electricity Generation Renewable Power

Joanna Schroeder

Becoming a trend, renewable energy sources accounted for more 60.2 percent of the 7,276 of new electrical generation placed in service in the U.S. during the first three quarters of 2015. According to the latest “Energy Infrastructure Update” from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Office of Energy Projects, 26 new units of wind totaling 2,966 MW of new electrical …

biomass, Electricity, Geothermal, Hydro, Solar, Wind

Renewable Industries Call on Secy of State for Support

Joanna Schroeder

COP 21 is fast approaching and the U.S. will be in the spotlight for its efforts to reduce climate change impacts. In anticipation of the worldwide climate event, leaders of the U.S. biomass, geothermal and hydropower industries are urging Secretary of State John Kerry to support a “pan-renewable technologies approach”. The National Hydropower Association, Biomass Power Association and Geothermal Energy …

biomass, Climate Change, Electricity, Geothermal, Hydro

Geothermal Industry

Joanna Schroeder

The Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) is calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to include geothermal energy in the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP). In a letter, GEA makes the following suggestions that would allow geothermal power plants to fully be included in CEIP: Include metered MWh generated from geothermal resources or allow states to include geothermal resources if their …

Geothermal, Legislation, Renewable Energy

Geothermal May be Africa’s Energy Solution

Joanna Schroeder

Representatives from 12 African countries gathered in Nairobi recently to discuss the feasibility of establishing the Africa Geothermal Centre of Excellence (AGCE). The center would work to improve the continent’s institutional and infrastructural capacities including bringing and training geothermal scientists an engineers. Around 600 million people in Africa lack access to grid electricity, with the number expected to rise to …

Clean Energy, Geothermal, International

Energy Policy Modernization Act Intro’d

Joanna Schroeder

U.S. Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-Alas) and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash) have introduced legislation entitled “The Energy Policy Modernization Act of 2015,” a bipartisan bill designed to increase the use of renewable energy in the U.S. Karl Gladwell, executive director of the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) noted that the legislation would help America achieve its geothermal potential, “by addressing some of the …

Clean Energy, Electricity, Geothermal, Legislation