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 …
RE-VOLT Helps Haitians with Energy Needs
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 …
Australian Company to Burn Own Biodiesel in Trucks
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, …
IEA Releases Mid-Term Renewable Report
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 …
Tequila Source Could be Next Ethanol Source
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 …
Dong Opens Offshore Wind Farm
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 …
Nidera Biodiesel Earns Sustainability Certification
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 …
Cup of Joe Provides Biomass for London Homes
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 …
ReNew Commissions Unique Wind Project in India
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 …
Aemetis 100% Biodiesel Replaces Diesel in India
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 …