Alternative Energy News Archives
Tuesday 17th of January, 2006
Biofuel raises global dilemmas ★★
BBC NEWS, appx. 1327 wordsAn interesting look into the pluses and minuses of using bioethanol, and in particular the situation in the United Kingdom. Some fear that prices will increase for bioethanol, as rising demand for grain, sugar beet, rape seeds or any other plant used to produce biofuels is pushing raw material prices higher too
.
Also wirth noting is that Britain's first bioethanol plant has been given planning permission in Somerset. The plant will eventually convert 340,000 tonnes/yr of locally grown wheat into 131 million litres of ethanol.
Check out more discussion over at Sustainablog.
Qatar on cutting edge of an alternative to oil ★★
International Herald Tribune, appx. 981 wordsthe actions of the international energy industry may speak louder than words. Big oil is betting on once-derided unconventional energy sources, like this stranded natural gas in the Gulf and remote tar deposits in Canada and Venezuela, to help meet surging demand for transportation fuel.
They are betting on gas-to-liquids, which would transform natural gas into a diesel liquid.
Canton College of Technology to offer bachelor's degree in alternative, renewable energy ★★
Fuel Cell Today, appx. 396 wordsCanton College of Technology in New York will be offering a four-year degree program in alternative and renewable energy applications that will teach students about fuel cells, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric and solar power and biofuels.
Consumers cope with heating bills that doubled ★★
KWWL, appx. 113 wordsthe average American will pay about a-thousand dollars to heat with natural gas this season. That's 35 percent more than last year. Heating with fuel oil will cost 23 percent more -- almost 15-hundred dollars.
Power plant hopes for Helius Energy ★★
Evening Gazette, appx. 332 wordsWith hopes of receiving funding from the Alternative Investment Market (AIM), Helius Energy is looking to build three power plants and to process globally sourced crops to generate electricity in the UK.
More news can be found here.
Plextronics receives $1 million for solar cells ★
EE Times Online, appx. 281 wordsLooking to accelerate the development of Plexcore PV, a semiconductive polymer, the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA) has awarded Plextronics Inc. of Pittsburg $1 million in loans and grants.
Hawaii to Lead America into Post-Oil Era ★★★
RenewableEnergyAccess.com, appx. 635 wordsLinda Lingle, the Republican Governor of Hawaii, has outlined the "Energy for Tomorrow" bill which, incorporating many of the recommendations outlined in Rocky Mountain Institute's (RMI) 2004 study, Winning the Oil Endgame, looks to move her state from being the most oil dependant to a leader in developnig a low-cost, sustainable, locally produced energy system.
Windmill parts in big demand ★★
Cincinnati Enquirer, appx. 1057 wordsA couple of metal working shops in the Cincinnati area are feeling the increase in demand for windmill parts as windmill makers are looking to find vendors to supply components.
The article mentions that in 2005 a record 2400 megawatts of new wind-turbine capacity was installed in the United States and that 2006 may see up to 3400 megawatts.
Britons 'accepting nuclear power' ★★
BBC News, appx. 612 words54% of a 1,500 people poll completed for the University of East Anglia said they would accept new nuclear power stations if they helped fight climate change. In general it was found that most people were against nuclear power then in favor, and close to 80% thought renewable technologies and energy efficiency were better ways of tackling global warming
.
Australian Gov't Should Lift Renewable Energy Target: Labor ★
Asia Pulse, appx. 476 wordsThe labour party in Australia is pushing for an increase in the renewable energy target which is a pathetic two per cent
, small compared to countries like China (15%).
They state that without governmental assistance, innovative alternative energy companies are leaving Australia.
The givernment did announce last week that it would provide US$75.39 million for clean energy projects.
