14 Feb 2012
New Zealand’s newly released Energy Outlook 2011 reveals wind energy development is one of two renewable energy sources which will dominate New Zealand’s energy future.
What happened
The New Zealand Energy Outlook 2011 presents long-term forecasts of energy supply, demand, prices and green house gas emissions. The report predicts that renewable energy will make up half of the country’s overall energy supply by 2030, while investment will focus on mainly geothermal and wind power.
Wind power estimates are pegged to increase from the current 622MW to around 1410MW, and produce up to 10% of the overall energy supply by 2030.
Background
The NZ Energy...
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%...
06 Mar 2012
Australia invests US$1bn in clean tech but are still short … And slower than rest on renewable energy development…. Still, carbon emissions fell by 1%.... While researchers turn up heat on rooftop solar… But investors cool on green investment risks.
Engerati: Australian Billion Dollar Clean Tech Fund ‘Not Enough’
Leslie Pietersen of Engerati says as the Australian government rolls out its US$1bn clean technology investment programs, local analysts fear it may not be enough to meet the country’s renewable energy targets.
Aimed to promote improved energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, the fund offers improved co-investment to manufacturers of related technologies. Clean and renewable technology investment may...
06 Mar 2012
As the Australian government rolls out its US$1bn clean technology investment programs, local analysts fear it may not be enough to meet the country’s renewable energy targets.
What happened
Australia launched the US$1bn Clean Technology Investment Programs. Aimed to promote improved energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions, the fund offers improved co-investment to manufacturers of related technologies.
But even as the ink dries on these newly tabled clean tech funding strategies, industry commentators point out that Australia remains way behind the global average for clean tech investment.
Background
The Clean Technology Investments Programs are aimed at...
28 Feb 2012
As Vermont races to build the first statewide smart grid infrastructure, in time to keep its stimulus funding, IBM and Velco have joined forces to build an intelligent communications and control network across the state.
What happened
IBM and Velco (Vermont Electric Power Company,) in a press statement announced they would team up to build the first statewide smart grid in the US. The statement described it as “an intelligent fiber optic and carrier ethernet communications and control network across the State of Vermont.”
Janette Bombardier (director, IBM Vermont site operations and senior location executive,) states, “the state is embarking on a revolutionary plan to build the...
24 Feb 2012
South Africa asks neighbors for a cup of power ... While Ugandan government pays debt to avoid power cuts ... South Africa to build turbines ... But Bahrain can’t afford nuclear plant!
Engerati: South Africa Looks to Neighbors for More Power
Denise Philip of Engerati writes that South Africa’s power supply will be “tight” for at least two more years. With major electricity cuts to avoid blackouts for South Africa – the country looks to its neighbors for more power. Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned utility and generation and transmission giant, aims to increase its electricity imports from neighboring countries.
Eskom’s CEO, Brian Dames,...
29 Feb 2012
Australia all in on clean tech R&D … while Queensland’s taste for solar dominates … but Senate hears bad news from solar panel inspectors … and political group shields forests from renewables.
EnergyMatters.com.au: $1 Billion Australian Clean Energy Investment Programs Launched
EnergyMatters.com.au announced Australian Prime Minister Gillard’s launch of the Clean Technology Investment Program. The initiative makes AU$1bn (US$1.07bn) available to manufacturers to improve energy efficiency and reduce carbon emissions.
Eligible projects include:
- Technologies that reduce energy and/or use carbon emissions at manufacturing facilities
- Process re-engineering for...
29 Feb 2012
Native American clean energy projects get governmental cash injection … while Southern Co’s Vogtle nuclear expansion faces first lawsuit … few opt out of PG&E smart meter scheme after all!
Engerati: Cash Reserves for Tribal Clean Energy Projects
Engerati reported that Steven Chu, US Energy Secretary has announced funding of around US$6.5m for 19 clean energy projects for Native American tribes. These projects are expected to promote clean energy within these communities by:
Assessing local energy resources – 13 projects will share US$3.6m to this end
Development of clean energy projects – four projects will share US$1.7m for planning projects...
02 May 2012
Energy exec’s fear looming blackouts … while collaborators ease smart grid adoption … and new technologies create new dependencies.
Smart Grid News: Utility execs warn blackouts more likely
Smart Grid News writes on PwC’s 12th Global Power & Utilities report – The shape of power to come – which surveyed the views of 72 power and utilities companies in 43 countries.
The report found that, despite plans to increase generation capacity, energy executives expect more blackouts in Europe and North America. This results from...
30 Apr 2012
In March 2012, the Electric Traders Union joined in the call for the suspension of the beleaguered Victoria smart meter scheme until meters are mounted on fireproof boards.
What happened
Karen Collier reports that the Electrical Trades Union demanded the suspension of the smart meter rollout in Victoria. The state...
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