Hydro-PV Hybrid Project in China Connects to Grid

Joanna Schroeder

What is believed to be the world’s largest hydro and PV hybrid project has been connected to the grid and is now supplying power from the Longyangxia Dam in Qinghai Province, China. Yingli Green Energy Holding Company, who supplied 15 MW YGE series photovoltaic (PV) modules for the project congratulated the project team for its successful efforts. With a total …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Hydro, International, Solar

Multi-Feedstock Biodiesel Plant in France Ready

John Davis

An Austrian company is bringing a multi-feedstock biodiesel plant in France into operation. BDI – BioEnergy International AG announced the $22.5 million project uses animal fats and used cooking oil as its feedstock. The commission covered the entire BioDiesel process, including installation of the plant. The project was completed on schedule and as budgeted within eleven months, when it was …

Biodiesel, International

Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reach $544B

Joanna Schroeder

According to the World Energy Outlook fossil fuel consumption subsidies have reached $544 billion in 2012, up from $523 billion in 2011. This news has caused the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA) to criticize leaders of the most developed nations for failing to reduce fossil fuel subsidies despite their commitment to eliminate them four years ago. This weekend marked the …

biofuels, International, Oil

Argentina Helps Biodiesel by Upping Blend

John Davis

Argentina will be using more biodiesel in its power generation and vehicles. In a move to help its biodiesel industry hit by European sanctions, Biofuels International reports the South American country will require a 10 percent biodiesel blend in fuel burned for power generation and will step up vehicle blends to 10 percent starting next month. Biodiesel producers have been …

Biodiesel, International

Global Effort to Bring Clean Energy Amps Up

Joanna Schroeder

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim have announced a concerted effort by governments, international agencies, civil society and private sector to mobilize financing to deliver universal access to modern energy services such as lighting, clean cooking solutions, and power for productive uses in developing countries, as well as scaled-up energy efficiency, especially …

Clean Energy, Electricity, energy efficiency, International, Renewable Energy

South Africa Adopts Biofuels Mandate

Joanna Schroeder

The Department of Energy of South Africa has announced that beginning October 1 2015, all gasoline and diesel sold in the country will include the addition of biofuels. The mandatory blending regulations released by the Department of Energy of South Africa in August 2012, allows mixing of B5 biodiesel and between E2 and E10 for gasoline, ie between 2 percent …

Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, International, UNICA

London Buses to Run on Waste Grease Biodiesel

John Davis

Some buses in London will soon be running on biodiesel made from waste cooking grease. This story from the East London Advertiser says more than 100 buses are testing a B20 blend of the green fuel. Matthew Pencharz, Boris Johnson’s senior advisor for Environment and Energy, said: “This is another example of the mayor’s commitment to cutting carbon emissions and …

Biodiesel, International

EPA Setting Dangerous Precedent for Biofuels Globally

Joanna Schroeder

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is setting a dangerous precedent for the global biofuels industry according to spokesman Bliss Baker with the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance (GRFA). On November 15, 2013, the EPA announced its proposed biofuel volumes for 2014 for the Renewable Fuel Standard and for the first time since the legislation was passed in 2007, the amount of …

advanced biofuels, biofuels, International, RFS

Argentine, Indonesian Biodiesel Hit with EU Duties

John Davis

Biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia are now subject to punitive duties imposed by the European Union. Reuters reports they were hit with the measures after the EU ruled that producers there were selling into the bloc at unfairly low prices. The European Commission, the EU’s executive body, said in a statement on Thursday the duties would be set at an …

Biodiesel, International

World Energy Scenarios Report: More Must Be Done

Joanna Schroeder

COP-19 is taking place in Warsaw, Poland and today the World Energy Council (WEC) released a new report, “World Energy Scenarios: Composing energy futures in 2050.” The world is set to face several significant challenges in balancing global energy needs in addressing the triple challenge of the energy trilemma. The WEC study assesses two policy scenarios: the more consumer-driven Jazz …

Electricity, International, Renewable Energy, Research, Solar