30 Apr 2012
UK’s new system will connect wind power faster and cheaper … Netherlands Essent and Tendril develop “first-of-its-kind” smart energy application crowdsourcing project … EU Energy Ministers meet to discuss 2050 plan … UK’s E.ON Deploys Elster Meters … UK’s energy efficient Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Smart Grid News: UK project points way to faster, cheaper wind integration
Jesse Berst of Smart Grid News writes about the UK’s “innovative” "flexible, plug-and-play” system that could see wind power integrated onto the grid “easier, faster and cheaper.” The connection of additional wind farms will result in voltage and thermal constraints, as well as reverse power flows as the UK grid is already operating beyond its capacity.
The new...
06 Jan 2012
On November 8, 2011, the Australian government passed into law the controversial Clean Energy Bill, which will tax 500 of Australia’s biggest polluters, at a fixed price of US$23 per ton of carbon waste.
What happened
The new Clean Energy Act will compel Australia’s 500 worst polluting companies to pay a fixed tax on their emissions, from 1 July, 2012. Australia’s parliamentary opposition party vows to revoke the law, while environmentalists initially supported and welcomed the tax. At the same time, the mining community warned that the tax would handicap Australia’s all-important coal export industry, at a time of global uncertainty.
Background
The contentious Clean...
06 Jan 2012
Brazil has entered Ernst & Young’s top 10 list of most attractive countries for renewable energy investment for the first time, up 1 place from the previous quarter and up 8 places from the same quarter last year.
What happened
Ernst & Young’s Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness indices, for the 3rd quarter of 2011, lists Brazil in 10th position out of the 40 countries tracked, stating that the improvement in the country’s position is due primarily to wind energy. The 3rd quarter saw 4 power auctions, providing opportunities to reshape Brazil’s electricity market. Wind power attracted the most attention when it emerged that, for the first time, its price had fallen below that...
24 Jan 2012
EU’s energy efficiency talks not so efficient; Russia faces competition as EU secures alternate gas supplies; more ambitious 2030 EU renewable energy target called for; TAP expected to come out tops in the South East Europe pipeline race
EurActiv: Energy efficiency talks focus on finance, deal uncertain
Ana-Maria Tolbaru writes that the EU’s 27 member states are unwilling to make a financial commitment to the energy efficiency directive. Martin Lidegaard, the Danish Minister for climate, energy and building, says that the binding 20% energy efficiency target and measures have also been snubbed.
The EU Council of Ministers wants targets to be measured “differently,” or include “opt-outs,”...
30 Apr 2012
The 2.8GW HidroAysen hydropower project will give Chile the power boost it needs.
What happened
Chile's Supreme Court approved the 2.8GW HidroAysen hydropower project, after it rejected seven appeals, reports Reuters. The US$3.5bn project consists of five hydroelectric dams on two rivers in Patagonia.
President Sebastián Piñera approved the project last year, but plans were put on hold as environmentalists protested its construction, concerned about a negative impact on the region’s ecosystem. The dams will generate over 18TWh per year – 33%...
18 Apr 2012
NZ Wind Association predicts wind boom … even as wind projects halt across the region … and Australia cuts climate body staff!
RenewEconomy.com.au: Wind boom forecast for NZ
Sophie Vorrath said the New Zealand Wind Association predicts a wind industry boom, which could see a six-fold increase over the next 20 years. Further, wind energy will make up 20% of New Zealand’s electricity by 2030, a 5% increase on current levels.
According to Vorrath, the NZ Wind Association based it predictions on:
Wind turbines are increasingly reliable
Operations and maintenance cost will continue to drop
NZ aims to get...
10 Jan 2012
The EU has submitted its updated National Renewable Energy Actions Plans (NREAPs) and, if met, the region’s renewable energy sector will see major growth.
What happened
The Energy research Centre of the Netherlands (ECN) published an update of the EU’s National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). The report shows European Union renewable energy projections for the 27 Member States. 20 countries have released updated data, which seems to point towards substantial future growth in renewable energy. The report speculates that over the next 10 years, offshore wind capacity will multiply 17 times, onshore wind and biomass electricity will...
16 Jan 2012
Recent themes: World Bank solar in Ouarzazate, Morocco; “Trans-African Caravan of Hope” at the Climate Change Conference in Durban, South Africa and Iranian nuclear plans.
Smart Planet: World Bank unleashes Africa’s solar potential.
David Worthington from the Smart Planet reports that the World Bank has approved a US$297m loan, to finance the 500MW Desertec Concentrated Solar Power Plant (CSP) in Ouarzazate, Morocco. The plant is set to generate 2,000MW, by 2020. The article points out that the project costs less than its American counterparts, and will have a larger capacity. Sunny climes, low humidity, and available flatland make Morocco the ideal place...
27 Mar 2012
Australia carbon price protest heats up … and New South Wales gets electricity rebate … but dark clouds hover over Australian power grid.
The Australian: US$5 carbon price to halt innovation as clean energy plan at risk
Sid Maher and Annabel Hepworth reported for The Australian that global carbon prices will fall as low as US$5 by 2020, undermining the ability of Australia’s carbon package to enforce and influence emission cuts.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance issued the US$5 carbon price prediction during a briefing to Australia’s largest emitters at an Australian Industry Greenhouse Network meeting. The looming US$23...
21 Mar 2012
Green Investment Bank opens in Edinburgh ... Barcelona measures its efficiency and sustainability IQ ... Poland rejects EU’s carbon cut ... ADR system introduced to Europe.
Engerati: Scotland wins Green Investment Bank
Denise Philip of Engerati reports that Edinburgh will host the UK’s Green Investment Bank, which is to attract investment for new renewable energy projects. The bank forms part of the UK’s plan to make renewable energy account for 15% of the country’s electric supply by 2020, however Scotland is aiming for 100%. The bank will open with public funds of US$4.7bn(£3bn) and will be fully operational by end 2012, pending...
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