New Solar Power Production Record Set in Germany

Solar panels installed on the rooftop of Paul VI’s conference hall, means that Vatican City can now generate enough energy to power all of its 40,000 households.

(Reuters) – German solar power plants produced a world record 22 gigawatts of electricity per hour – equal to 20 nuclear power stations at full capacity – through the midday hours on Friday and Saturday, the head of a renewable energy think tank said.

The German government decided to abandon nuclear power after the Fukushima nuclear disaster last year, closing eight plants immediately and shutting down the remaining nine by 2022.

They will be replaced by renewable energy sources such as wind, solar and bio-mass. … Continue Reading

Renewables future left blowing in the wind

Ireland has the potential to produce three times the country’s energy needs using renewable resources.

Ambitious plans to capitalise on renewable opportunities in Ireland appear to have stalled and it remains to be seen if the Government can get things back on track, writes JOHN REYNOLDS

THE GOVERNMENT’S jobs action plan talks of building upon our Emerald Isle image and capitalising on opportunities, particularly in renewable energy, to “green” the economy. But has the dream faded? … Continue Reading

Obama Administration Offers $35 Million for Biomass Research

The Biomass Research and Development Initiative will help develop economically and environmentally sustainable sources of renewable biomass. Credit: Todd Johnson

The White House on March 22 announced an offer of up to $35 million over three years to support research and development in advanced biofuels, bioenergy, and high-value biobased products. The projects will be funded through the Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI), a joint program of DOE and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). … Continue Reading

Congressional Republicans and Media Debate Contraception Issue

GOP leaders from left to right, Mitch McConnell, John Boehner, and Eric Cantor

With so many major items before the U.S. and the rest of the world, the main topic during the past few weeks in the U.S. has been about contraception and birth control. One would think Women’s Rights and related issues have long been settled.

Aren’t there more pressing and immediate concerns Congress and therefore, the Media should be discussing. For example; What about Energy? How about an Energy Policy which includes renewable energy standards; and as an extension, what about Gas Prices – how high is it going and why? What about our Importing Oil  – how do we eventually become independent of foreign oil? Are we simply suppose to “drill baby drill” or as others decry, immediately and totally cease all oil and coal exploration and its’ use, or as President Obama requested, have an “all-of-the-above” strategy?

The issues of expanding drilling capacities, the expansive inclusion of solar power, wind power, biomass/biofuels, hydropower, geothermal power, natural gas, and nuclear power are far more pressing to the nation and the world at large, both immediately and also to our future. Instead we’re left to hear talk and argument about old and long settled matters, and of impossible ways to “fix” the past.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?  Agree or Not, Leave Your Comment…

Renewable Energy Rises 27% Since Obama Took Office, But Clean Car Policy Isn’t Working

Since President Obama entered office three years ago, renewable energy production in the US has climbed 26.9%, according to the Energy Information Agency’s (EIA) latest “Monthly Energy Review.”

For the three years ending November 30, 2011, domestic oil production has also risen, by 13.7%, natural gas production grew 13.4%, nuclear power decreased by 2.8% and coal production plummeted by 7.3%.

For the first 11 months of 2011, renewables accounted for 11.76% of domestic energy production, up from 10.83% for the same period in 2010.

In terms of actual production, renewables rose 13.4% in 2011, with hydropower supplying 34.9%, followed by biomass (26.6%), biofuels (22.0%), wind (12.7%), geothermal (2.4%), and solar (1.3%). … Continue Reading

Why America Is Failing in its Energy Independence and Security Needs

At our current rate do Americans really expect to be “in-charge” of the world for much longer? At its heart, the U.S. is a place for all those who seek freedom. A place where through capitalism, one can achieve a great financial wealth through enormous opportunities. Yet because of politics, and maybe even because of the system we so dearly strive to maintain, we are coming apart at the seams. … Continue Reading

China sets up first renewable-energy think tank

China seeks major advancements in renewable clean energy

BEIJING – China has established its first national think tank on renewable energy to conduct research and develop programs and policies, as part of the country’s effort to deal with climate change and carbon emissions.

The China National Renewable Energy Center, launched on Thursday, will also draft industry standards and carry out international cooperation programs. … Continue Reading

Millions To Benefit From Low Cost Solar In Asia And Africa

Solar Investment Opportunities For Senegal Are Slow But Improving

Millions of impoverished people in some of the world’s poorest countries will soon have access to low-cost solar power after a deal was struck last week between solar provider ToughStuff and the Business Call to Action (BCtA) network.

The deal will see up to 33 million people living in poverty in Africa and Asia supplied with low-cost solar panels and solar battery packs. … Continue Reading