Total global investment in renewable energy technologies was 25% higher last year compared to 2005, topping $100 billion, according to a United Nations Environment Programme analysis.
The report attributes the sector’s boom to a range of global concerns – climate change, increasing energy demand and energy security foremost among them.
It credits as well the November 2006 U.S. mid-term elections, which confirmed renewable energy as “a mainstream issue,” moving it up the political agenda.
Also spurring the sector’s growth has been the persistently high price of oil – averaging more than $60 a barrel in 2006 (although one report conclusion is that the sector is becoming more independent of the price of oil).
The majority of that money – $71 billion – was invested in companies and new sector opportunities, 43% more than the year before. Another $30 billion came from mergers, acquisitions, buyouts, and asset refinancing.
Most of the investments are going towards wind power, solar energy, and biofuels, with $28 billion invested in new generating capacity.
The National Corn-to-Ethanol Research Center at Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville has teamed up with Siemens Energy & Automation, Inc., the Georgia-based electrical, engineering, and automation giant, to speed up the development of alternative fuel technology. 
“When it comes to renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel, it’s one thing for the government to give incentives to produce the fuel, but it’s another thing altogether to make sure the public knows what the fuel is, what it’s made from, and that it works in their car,” said Senator Klobuchar. “That’s why I support these crucial education programs.” 
Senator Crapo said, “In the face of rising gasoline prices and increasing calls for energy independence, people are looking for alternatives to conventional petroleum. The value of the Biodiesel Education Grant Program is that it helps people understand–from seed to gas tank–the benefits of biodiesel, including production practices, standards and fuel quality, and basic economics, so that they can make educated decisions about their fuel purchases.” 
“Biodiesel is in position to make a significant contribution to our nation’s energy security, but education remains one of our last great hurdles,” said Joe Jobe, NBB CEO. “While we’ve made substantial progress, we have much more work to do before biodiesel becomes a household word. We commend Senators Klobuchar and Crapo for recognizing the significance of this in ensuring a versatile, domestically supplied energy market.”
The Food Protein Research & Development Center at Texas A&M University is offering its 4th Practical Short Course on Biodiesel and Industrial Applications of Vegetable Oils, August 19-22, 2007.
Train personnel in :
Marketing and sales manager Jana Rieker with Successful Farming magazine presented the results of the survey at the recent Fuel Ethanol Workshop. 
Weather-related problems that have caused damage to refineries in the Midwest have highlighted the need to diversify our nation’s transportation fuel needs. This issue is not only important for consumers who are feeling the pinch at the gas pump, but also for our country’s overall energy security.
Ford will go for a land speed record for a vehicle powered by hydrogen at the Bonneville Salt Flats next month.
A new study from Oregon State University says Oregon’s biofuels future remains pretty bright. 
220.7 MPH is the new world record for a street car in the standing mile, achieved by 
The 1200 horsepower E85 Viper rocketed from a standstill to 220.7 MPH in one mile, taking 27.43 seconds at the Oscoda-Wurtsmith Airport in Oscoda, Mich. The previous standing mile record was 210.2 MPH held by a gasoline powered street car. The event was attended by members of the press and Michigan State Representative Joel Sheltrown.