Alternative Energy News Archives
Tuesday 24th of January, 2006
U.S. Wind Industry Ends Most Productive Year, Sustained Growth Expected For At Least Next Two Years ★★★
PR Newswire, appx. 874 wordsA statistically rich summary of the 2005 United States wind industry, which according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) installed nearly 2,500 megawatts (> $3 billion) worth of new generating equipment in 22 states, raising the generating capacity by 35% to 9,149 megawatts.
The outlook looks good for 2006, according to AWEA Executive Director Randall SwisherThanks to Congress's extending the wind energy production credit before it expired for the first time in the credit's history, the wind industry is looking forward to several record-breaking years in a row,.
Running On Sunshine - Scientists Develop Tiny 4-stroke Solar "Nanomotor" ★
Gear Live, appx. 257 wordsA molecular scale, 4-stroke "nanomotor" that has proven to remain stable for 1000 cycles of it's piston engine like system.
Energy prices seen slowing US economy ★★
Reuters, appx. 417 wordsHigher oil prices are already biting
- This from Gail Fosler, executive vice president and chief economist of the Conference Board, a business membership and research organization that provides leading economic indicator data.
I'm not sure that this wasn't expected. She outlined that she expects U.S. growth to slow to 2.6 percent this year (from appx. 3.6 in 2005), and global growth to fall to 3.7 percent.
Two others quoted in the article seemd to think that while growth may slow, a recession was not on the horizon.
France urges shake-up of EU energy policy ★★
The Tocqueville Connection, appx. 519 wordsThe energy supply instability that was exposed after Russia natural gas supply cuts has served as a wake up call to the world, and on Tuesday France proposed changes in Europe's energy policies, outlining the need of nuclear power and investment in greener alternative sources such as wind power.
French Finance Minister Thierry Breton also touched on the environment, and had this to say The three goals of any responsible energy policy ... are security of supply, consideration for environmental impacts, both local and global, and competitiveness,
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Some interesting bits from the article:
France is a leading producer of nuclear energy, which currently provides some 34 percent of Europe's elecricity
Nearly all electricity in France is produced by nuclear power and France exports electricity
Energy's 'low hanging fruit' ★★
BBC News, appx. 1611 wordsThe Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research published last week a report on Public Perceptions of Nuclear Power, Climate Change and Energy Options. The report indicated that three-quarters of the UK population favours "lifestyle changes and energy efficiency" over, for example, nuclear power, as an appropriate response to climate change
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This article suggests that if the government were to genuinely frame the debate in terms of the energy system rather than energy supply, a clear and relatively unambiguous policy programme emerges
- Energy efficiency will reduce emissions, could increase the competitivity of UK industries, and coupled with a balanced energy program, be an effective solution to energy and emissions goals.
