EU Leaders Lack Climate & Energy Leadership

Joanna Schroeder

According to several organizations, although European Union Heads of State agreed upon a climate and energy framework, it fails to provide industrial leadership for Europe. Both Ocean Energy Europe (OEE) and the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) criticized the plan. OEE said the new greenhouse gas emission targets, renewable energy and energy efficiency will do little to capitalize on the …

Climate Change, Electricity, International, ocean energy, offshore wind, Renewable Energy, Wind

CEC Funds Geyser Study

Joanna Schroeder

The California Energy Commission (CEC) has awarded a $3 million grant to Calpine Corporation’s subsidiary Geyers Power Company for their “Advancing Utility-Scale Clean Energy” proposal. The grant will be matched by Calpine. The focus of the study is to determine how The Geysers may be modified to improve flexibility and address greater demands on the grid due to intermittent renewables. …

Electricity, Geothermal, Renewable Energy

NRG Energy & MGM Install Rooftop Solar System

Joanna Schroeder

NRG Energy, Inc. and MGM Resorts International have completed installation of what they believe is the world’s largest rooftop solar array on a convention center. Covering approximately 20 acres atop the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino, the 6.4 MW photovoltaic array will produce enough electricity to power the equivalent of 1,000 average sized U.S. homes each year and is the …

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

Ansell Installs Biomass Boiler to Reduce Energy Costs

Joanna Schroeder

The Ansell factory complex in Biyagama, Sri Lanka has installed its second biomass boiler as part of company initiatives to be greener. The new boiler has a capacity of 12.5MW and will be the largest hot water boiler in Sri Lanka. Ansell Lanka already has a 10.5MW boiler installed at its premises, which reduced CO2 emissions by 11,000 MT per …

biomass, Carbon, energy efficiency, Environment, Renewable Energy

Study: Leasing Ups Interest in Residential Solar

Joanna Schroeder

A national poll by EnviroMedia finds that a large majority of Americans are definitely or somewhat interested in new solar leasing programs offering installation for little or no money down and a low monthly fee. “It’s no surprise we found 70 percent of Americans perceived ‘cost’ was a barrier to installing solar panels,” said EnviroMedia president and behavior change expert …

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

Pacific Ag Bales Bundles of Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Last week Abengoa’s cellulosic ethanol biorefinery went online and is expected to produce 25 million gallons of advanced ethanol per year as well as 21 MW of bioenergy. But how exactly does the corn and wheat residue get from the fields to the biorefinery in a economical and efficient way? Enter Pacific Ag. The company was founded by Bill Levy …

advanced biofuels, Agribusiness, Audio, bioenergy, biomass, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

ACORE Report: Monitize U.S. Energy Security

Joanna Schroeder

The American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) has released a new report, “Monetizing Energy Security,” that outlines liabilities fostered by the natural dependence of the Department of Defense (DOD) on energy resources. The paper proposes the DOD should consider the actual, total cost of energy it takes to achieve energy security and assign a dollar value. “As the largest, most …

advanced biofuels, aviation biofuels, military, Renewable Energy

Analysis: EU Can Cut Natural Gas Imports By Half

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report, ramping up cost-effective investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency can help the European Union cut its dependency on natural gas by half. The analysis also found this measure could reduce carbon emissions by 49 percent or more, or drop emissions below the 1990 level by 2030, more than is currently proposed. The report was …

Clean Energy, Climate Change, energy efficiency, Natural Gas, Renewable Energy

DOE’s Moniz Congrats Abengoa on Cellulosic Plant

Joanna Schroeder

Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz was on hand to help Abengoa Bioenergy celebrate the grand opening of its cellulosic ethanol plant in Hugoton, Kansas. With a beautiful day and a full house, excitement was high as Moniz took the stage to congratulate Abengoa’s achievement. The $500 million biorefinery was supported, in part, by a DOE loan guarantee. Moniz began …

advanced biofuels, Audio, bioenergy, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy, Video

Abengoa Celebrates Cellulosic Ethanol Achievement

Joanna Schroeder

Spanish-based Abengoa celebrated its cellulosic ethanol achievement today with a celebration of the plant’s grand opening. Thousands of people attended the event with dozens of high profile guests on hand ranging from former and current Senators to governors to the town mayor, to Interior Secretary and Energy Secretary Ernst Moniz who gave the keynote speech. The bioenergy plant is based …

advanced biofuels, Audio, Cellulosic, Ethanol, Renewable Energy, RFS