Commit to Increasing Biofuels

Joanna Schroeder

As the World Future Energy Summit takes place in Abu Dhabi, the Global Renewable Fuels Alliance called on policy development, business and technology sector leaders to commit to increasing biofuels’ share of the future global energy mix. The goal of the Summit is to advance future energy, energy efficiency and clean technologies. “The GRFA has demonstrated that increasing biofuels production …

advanced biofuels, feedstocks, International, Renewable Energy

Algae.Tec Awarded $12.15M from Australian Gov.

Joanna Schroeder

Algae.Tec has been awarded AU$12.15 million cash refund on Australian and overseas development costs for the financial years June 30, 2012 through June 30, 2015. The terms of the payment allow for an additional investment of AU$27 million on Algae.Tec technology developments, of which the Australian Government will reimburse 45 percent or $12.15 million. The approval is to support the …

advanced biofuels, algae, International, Renewable Energy

Mexico’s Future Shines Bright

Joanna Schroeder

There is gold in Mexico. Not the kind you wear around your neck and fingers in the form of jewelry, but the kind that produces renewable energy. The field of energy dreams lies in the Sonora Desert in Northern Mexico, and some experts believe that only 25 square kilometers could provide enough solar energy to supply Mexico’s 114 million residents with …

Alternative energy, conferences, Electricity, Energy, International, Solar

Wind Power Makes Gains in China

Joanna Schroeder

According to Liu Qi, deputy director general of the National Energy Administration, wind power is the third-largest source of electricity in China. He proclaimed that there is no electric power to substitute the position of wind power as No. 3, during the 18th CPC National Congress. He added that China “is determined to promote the revolution of energy generation and …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, International, offshore wind, Wind

Two Solar Projects Kick Off in South Africa

Joanna Schroeder

Two ground-mounted solar power projects totaling 33 megawatts are underway in South Africa, a joint venture between AE-AMD Renewable Energy and Tenesol, a subsidiary of SunPower. Tenesol will construct both projects, located near Douglas, South Africa in the Northern Cape Province. The ground-mounted solar systems will feature 138,000 Tenesol TE 240 photovoltaic solar panels on single-axis trackers. The solar panels are …

Alternative energy, Electricity, International, Solar

Uruguay Expands Wind Power

Joanna Schroeder

With the support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Uruguay is planning to expand its wind power generation through the construction of two wind farms: Libertador and Palmatir. Loans totaling $107.7 million will help the country diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on hydroelectric generation, which during dry seasons, increases the country’s dependence on energy produced from fossil …

Alternative energy, biomass, Electricity, Hydro, International, Renewable Energy, Wind

Algae. Tec Facility Continues to Attract Attention

Joanna Schroeder

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and Member for Eden-Monaro Dr Mike Kelly recently visited Alage.Tec facility in Shoalhaven (Australia). The plant is proving out technology that produces low cost, high grade algae-based biofuels. While on site, Dr. Kelly was briefed about the technology by company representatives. One element with great promise is the fact that algae “eat” carbon to grow. In …

advanced biofuels, algae, Alternative energy, aviation biofuels, Carbon, International, Renewable Energy

Ethanol Groups Respond to EU Investigation

Cindy Zimmerman

The European Commission today issued a “general disclosure document” setting forth its proposed ruling in the anti-dumping investigation involving U.S. ethanol exports to Europe. Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) issued a joint statement on the issue: “We continue to cooperate with the Commission’s investigation. We are troubled by news that the Commission is recommending a 9.6 percent …

Ethanol, Ethanol News, Exports, Growth Energy, International, RFA

EU Commissioner Encourages Geothermal Energy

Joanna Schroeder

During a speech at the European Workshop on geothermal energy focused on urban areas, European Union (EU) Commissioner for Energy Günther Oettinger said that, ”The development of geothermal energy should be encouraged.” The European geothermal energy industry came out in support of the Commissioner urging decision makers to pay more attention to the potential role of geothermal energy in heating and …

Alternative energy, Geothermal, International, Renewable Energy

EU Parliament Budgets €6 Billion for Clean Energy

Joanna Schroeder

The European Parliament’s Energy and Research Committee (ITRE) voted to allocate 6 billion Euros to clean energy research. This is nearly two-thirds of the entire energy research budget, of 80 billion Euros, to cover renewables, energy efficiency, smart grids, and storage. “MEPs have understood how crucial wind energy and other renewables are to the EU’s economic growth, technology leadership, fighting …

Alternative energy, Electricity, International, Renewable Energy, Wind