Funding Secured for Redstone CSP Plant in Africa

Joanna Schroeder

Funding has been secured for the Redstone Concentrating Solar Power (CSP) project in Northern Cape, South Africa by the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC). The group has made a $400 million commitment of debt financing for the project, that is part of Secretary John Kerry’s Climate and Clean Energy Investment Forum. The project also supports President Obama’s Power Africa initiative …

Clean Energy, Electricity, International, Solar

RE-VOLT Helps Haitians with Energy Needs

Joanna Schroeder

A new start-up company, RE-VOLT, is helping to bring reliable and affordable electricity to families in rural Haiti and has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help fund a service expansion. The system is a combination of a solar panel, control/power storage unit, lights and a phone charger. Founded by Digicel Haiti chairman, Maarten Boute, the RE-VOLT campaign hopes to raise …

Clean Energy, Electricity, International, Solar

Australian Company to Burn Own Biodiesel in Trucks

John Davis

An Australian garden supply company will use its own biodiesel for its fleet of trucks. This article from Prime Mover Magazine says Peats Soil is running the green fuel in its Scania trucks, which recently approved renewable diesel in its trucks. “We have ordered 13 new trucks from Scania that will run on 100 per cent biodiesel,” said Peter Wadewitz, …

Biodiesel, International

IEA Releases Mid-Term Renewable Report

Joanna Schroeder

According to the International Energy Agency (EIA), renewable energy will represent the largest single source of electricity growth over the next five years. Pointing to the need to economically mitigate climate change and enhance energy security, the report calls on governments to reduce policy uncertainties that are creating barriers to development. “Renewables are poised to seize the crucial top spot …

Clean Energy, Climate Change, Electricity, International, Solar, Wind

Tequila Source Could be Next Ethanol Source

John Davis

What makes a mighty fine drink could also make a pretty good fuel. Researchers at the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence in Plant Cell Walls have figured out how to get about 4,000 gallons per hectare a year of ethanol from the agave plant, well adapted to grow on marginal land under low rainfall conditions. The paper, titled “Prospecting …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, International

Dong Opens Offshore Wind Farm

Joanna Schroeder

DONG Energy and LEGO Group along with William Demant, have opened BorkumRiffgrund 1, an offshore wind project expected to power more than 320,000 homes. The wind farm was officially commissioned by His Royal Highness, Prince Joachim of Denmark. Thomas Thune Andersen, Chairman of the Board of Directors of DONG Energy said during the opening event, “BorkumRiffgrund 1 is our first …

Clean Energy, Electricity, International, offshore wind

Nidera Biodiesel Earns Sustainability Certification

John Davis

A Dutch company specializing in commodity services and solutions for the global agricultural markets has earned an important sustainability certification for its biodiesel made from waste cooking oil. Nidera received the Roundtable on Sustainable Biomaterials (RSB) certification for the production of the green fuel. “We were very pleased to work with RSB to certify UCO biodiesel produced at the Biodiesel …

Biodiesel, International

Cup of Joe Provides Biomass for London Homes

John Davis

While England might be better known for its tea, Londoners certainly have a taste for coffee. And the waste grounds will soon be heating home’s in the United Kingdom’s capital. This article from the London Evening Standard says Bio-bean is collecting waste coffee grounds to be turned into biomass pellets. Although only a couple of hundred tonnes will be collected …

biomass, International

ReNew Commissions Unique Wind Project in India

Joanna Schroeder

ReNew Power Ventures has completed installation of India’s tallest wind tower. The S97 stands at 120 m and according to company, offers a 33 percent increase in hub height when compared to the conventional tower design. In addition, ReNew said it is a revolutionary on-shore installation of lattice/tubular combination towers (hybrid towers) of 120 m height. The hybrid towers are …

Clean Energy, Electricity, International, Wind

Aemetis 100% Biodiesel Replaces Diesel in India

John Davis

California-based Aemetis is replacing 100 percent diesel with 100 percent biodiesel in India. This news release from the company says the pure biodiesel reduces emissions by 80 percent in the warm climate areas of India. Traditionally, in Europe and in the United States, biodiesel is blended in the range of 5% to 20% with petroleum diesel due to colder temperature …

Biodiesel, International