Alternative Energy News Archives
Tuesday 7th of March, 2006
Wind turbines for Turkey’s largest wind energy project ★
Windtech International, appx. 120 wordsThe Bares II Wind Energy Power Plant in Turkey is a 30MW wind energy project that will be using 20 GE Energy 1.5MW wind turbines and is to begin production by the end of May 2006.
Pennsylvania Governor Rendell Announces Bucks County as Site of Gamesa's Three New Manufacturing Facilities ★
Yahoo! News (press release)Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced the Spanish wind-energy company Gamesa Corp. is expanding operations in Pennsylvania by investing another $34 million to open three new modern manufacturing centers...
The plants will be for building towers, blades and nacelles for Gamesa's range of wind turbine units.
US-Malaysian venture to build biodiesel plant ★
Xinhua, appx. 121 wordsA United States-Malaysian joint venture has selected Batam, about 30 km southeast of Singapore, to build a plant to process crude palm oil (CPO) into biodiesel fuel.
NTR invests €120 million in new bioenergy division ★
FinFacts Ireland, appx. 357 wordsIrish company National Toll Roads (NTR) has launched a new bioenergy division called Bioverda, which will operate throughout all of Europe. The company will be involved in methane, biogas and biofuels. NTR says it is anticipating a turnover of €300m within three years and aims to be a top five European player in the bioenergy sector
.
NTR owns the waste management company Greenstar.
New energy for Cleveland area ★
The Plain Dealer, appx. 387 wordsRichard Stuebi has been named to a 3 year fellowship at the Energy and Environmental Advancement at the Cleveland Foundation which is being funded by BP.
The objective of the position is to tap into Ohio's existing industrial base and knit those businesses together to make the state a worldwide leader in a piece of alternative energy manufacturing
.
Monday 6th of March, 2006
Cut in Excise duty needed to drive alternative fuels, says analyst ★
FarmersWeekly, appx. 398 wordsAn analysis has suggested that if the excise duty on biodiesel is not lowered, that medium-sized biodiesel processing plants would not generate worthwhile returns on capital investment
.
RI`s palm oil expected to increase 1.1 million tons in 2006 ★
Antara, appx. 231 wordsPalm oil output in Indonesia is projected to increase by 1.1 million tons from 2005 levels to 14.7 million tons due to the rapid growth of oil palm plantations
. Increased demand is expected from China, India, Pakistan, and the United States, as well as European countries
.
Farmers back plan to use fallow land for biodiesel crops ★
Taipei Times, appx. 265 wordsFarmers' associations in southern Taiwan have signed an agreement with Taiwan NJC Corp yesterday to assist owners of fallow farmland to produce crops with which the company can produce biodiesel... Farmers will be entitled to a guaranteed price plus a subsidy if the crops supplied are up to required standards
Join Brazil in planting oil ★★
Guardian Unlimited, appx. 624 wordsThe president of Brazil writes about the need for solutions to the energy and environmental issues of today: Brazil is actively preparing itself for a new development paradigm that will meet the environmental and social challenges of the coming decades. Ethanol and biodiesel are the key components of our approach, and we are determined to "plant the oil of the future". I invite you to join us in our endeavours
.
Clean energy market to clean up ★
CNET, appx. 388 wordsRead the report.A report, from consulting and analysis firm CleanEdge, predicts the [alternative energy] market will grow from the current $39.9 billion to $167.2 billion in the next nine years.
USDA Rural Development Extends Application Deadline for Energy Project Funding ★
Southwest Nebraska News, appx. 224 wordsThe application deadline for the USDA's Rural Development Program for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency projects has been extended to May 12, 2006.
The USDA is currently accepting applications for Renewable Energy Systems projects that derive energy from wind, solar, biomass, biogas, and geothermal sources... Small businesses in communities with a population of 50,000 or less and agricultural producers that demonstrate a financial need are eligible to apply for this funding.
American Stock Exchange Publishes Global Clean Energy Index ★
Yahoo! News, appx. 650 wordsThe American Stock Exchange® (Amex ®) announced today that it has commenced publishing the WilderHill New Energy Global Innovation Index (ticker symbol: NEX). The new index is comprised of companies worldwide whose technologies and services focus on the generation and use of renewable energy, conservation and efficiency, and advancement of low-carbon energy solutions.
Gas to liquid technology re-examined ★
United Press International, appx. 344 wordsFollowing a year of rising oil prices and concerns about the political stability of oil supplies, gas-to-liquid is becoming an attractive oil alternative to major oil companies... According to figures in the Times, energy analysts predict that GTL products will make up between 600,000 and 1 millions barrels per day by 2015.
Advisory Panel Says Nuclear Power Will Not Secure British Energy Supply ★★
All Headline News, appx. 134 wordsThe Sustainable Development Commission in the United Kingdom has reported that doubling the nuclear capacity [in the UK] would make only a small impact on reducing carbon emissions by 2035
. They also concluded that the risks of nuclear energy far outweigh the advantages
.
World locked in short-term thinking, says UN chief ★
TMCnet, appx. 503 wordsThe world remains locked into short-term thinking, from election cycles in politics to profit-taking in the business world. Sustainable development cries out for a long-term perspective,
Kofi Annan stated while he was in Dubai, collecting the 2005 Zayed Prize for Global Leadership for the Environment. He also called on world leaders and businesses to promote sustainable development and alternative sources of energy
.
Sunday 5th of March, 2006
Gordon pushes use of biofuels in Philippines ★
Manila Standard Today, appx. 346 wordsSenators in the Philippines are pushing for mandated use of biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel (coco-biodiesel).
Spanish test out olives as energy source ★★
AFP via Yahoo! News, appx. 589 wordsSpanish company Calordom is helping companies to heat their buildings by burning olive cores.
From the article: More than 300 buildings in Madrid now run on energy extracted from olive cores, raising hopes that olives -- of which Spain is the world's largest producer -- will become an alternative source of cheap power
.
Pollution, energy the new targets in China ★
The Age, appx. 318 wordsChina aims to cut the amount of energy used to produce each unit of gross domestic product by 20 per cent in five years, seeking to conserve resources and reverse a trend of environmental degradation caused by a decade of economic growth averaging 9.5 per cent a year.
Majority of Scots oppose nuclear power ★
The Herald, appx. 807 wordsAsked if they would support or oppose building nuclear power stations in Scotland, 51% [of Scots] were against (35% strongly), compared with 33% in favour (14% strongly)... Renewables were the preferred power source at 52%, compared with 21% for gas-fired power stations, 16% for nuclear, and 6% for coal-fired stations.
Biomass energy saves Rubbermex 50pc cost ★
Malay Mail, appx. 272 wordsRubberex Corporation Bhd, the world’s third largest glovemaker for industrial use, is using biomass energy to generate power for its machineries.
The company has reportedly been able to reduce energy costs by 50% and is looking to convert it's Chinese plant to biomass.
Alternative energy sources to be discussed ★
Richmond Times Dispatch, appx. 168 wordsThe American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy will be hosting three energy workshops tentitled "Making Renewable Energy Mainstream", where they will discuss energy efficiency policy down to the state level
.
The group is presenting the workshops to encourage project developers and businesses to take advantage of government incentives to explore alternative energy sources.
Saturday 4th of March, 2006
Actors to roll into Oscars in hybrids ★
The State, appx. 165 wordsOscar nominees George Clooney, Joaquin Phoenix and Jake Gyllenhaal are among those expected to step out of green vehicles and onto the red carpet at the Academy Awards ceremony this Sunday... in the fourth annual “Red Carpet, Green Cars� event sponsored by the environmental organization Global Green USA and Toyota. They will arrive in either Toyota or Lexus hybrids.
Ethanol's newest fans ★
Philadelphia Inquirer, appx. 695 wordsAn article looking at the shift in backing for ethanol projects: the true investor sea change came in August, with the passage of the 2005 Energy Policy Act
(requiring the country to use 7.5 billion gallons a year of renewable fuels by 2012) which saw larger investors step into the picture.
Iowa College Students Tour the Country in an E85 Vehicle ★
Autochannel, appx. 502 wordsStudents from Iowa Central Community College will be embarking on a cross country trip in an E85 FlexFuel Chevrolet Avalanche, donated by General Motors and Chevrolet, in order to educate the nation about the potential and opportunities of using only E85
.
Febrary oil usage in Thailand declined both for benzene and diesel, while gasohol usage soared ★
ThaisNews, appx. 221 words[Thailand] Energy Ministry Permanent Secretary Cherdphong Siriwit revealed that February was the second month in a row where usage of oil both benzene and diesel reduced... the government's encouragement of energy conservation and promotion of alternative energy have been deemed as factors that contributed to the decline in oil usage.
Friday 3rd of March, 2006
Alternative-Energy Stocks Shine As High Oil Costs Here To Stay ★
Investor's Business Daily, appx. 898 wordsA review of some of the alternative energy stocks that are becoming more attractive as the sector becomes increasingly more stable due to the rise in oil prices.
Waste to wattage: Landfill gases create power ★★
The Capital Times, appx. 757 wordsA discussion of power generation from a variety of gases - including landfill generated methane - using STM Power's STM PowerUnits, which are based on the Stirling cycle engine. The article focuses on an installation by Madison Gas & Electric in Wisconsin.
Eco-friendly biodiesel for sale at the pump in Korea from July ★★
Joongang Ilbo, appx. 334 wordsBiodiesel for private vehicles will go on sale in Korea from July in an effort to cut back on oil imports and reduce air pollution, the government said yesterday.
Worth noting (my bold): The introduction of biodiesel, a fuel mixture of diesel and rapeseed oil, is in line with a voluntary pact among local refiners to supply more eco-friendly fuel, the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy said
.
First phase of Galveston Offshore wind farm project begins ★
Daily News - Galveston County, appx. 484 wordsThe research phase has begun at Galveston Offshore Wind in Texas, a 50 turbine 150 megawatt proposal that could potentially be the first U.S. offshore wind-energy project.
Thursday 2nd of March, 2006
Hedge Fund Invests in Alternative Energy Small-Cap Theolia S.A. ★
SRi Media, appx. 350 wordsTheolia, the French renewable energy company listed on the Euronext Marche Libre (MLTEO), has raised €25 million in a share issue, 99% of which was taken up by existing shareholders... The share issue was three times oversubscribed, demonstrating the appeal of small-cap alternative energy stocks.
Alternative Energy: Off the Grid at Age 57 . . . And Beyond ★★
RedNova, appx. 3363 wordsA fun read about Larry Tillman and his work to live off the grid. Lets hope we don't all have to do it this way in the future.
EPA may let ethanol plants pollute more ★
Kentucky.com, appx. 341 wordsThe United States Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a rule that would raise the emissions threshold for corn milling plants that produce ethanol fuel from 100 to 250 tons per year.
Sen. John Thune, R-S.D. noted that corn milling plants that produce ethanol products for human consumption had a higher emissions threshold than those that produce ethanol fuel
.
Cleaner energy sources sought from utilities ★
Mohave Valley News, appx. 381 wordsThe Arizona Corporation Commission voted 3-2 this week to require utilities to generate 15 percent of the energy produced from renewable resources by 2025.
Huge wind farm in north rejected ★
Reuters.uk, appx. 248 wordsA 27 turbine wind farm that was to have been built in a scenic area in Cumbria (UK) and provide electricity for over 45,000 homes was rejected by the government because of the impact it would have on the landscape.
Northern Ireland Backs Solar Thermal, Biomass Heating ★
RenewableEnergyAccess.com, appx. 409 wordsNorthern Ireland's Secretary of State Peter Hain announced a GBP 59 million (USD $103 million) Environment and Renewable Energy funding package that will include grant assistance to private householders wanting to install renewable energy systems to heat their homes
. Money will also go to research into the potential for energy crops, waste and geothermal resources to generate heat and electricity
.
Portsmouth cooking oil being put to good use ★★
WCAX, appx. 197 wordsPortsmouth, New Hampshire, has started a program for recycling used cooking oil of local residents, which will be collected by a Maine company at no charge and refined to create biodiesel fuel
.
Demand for "ecocars" soars in Switzerland ★
NZZ Online, appx. 665 wordsWith about 20 stands featuring hybrid, electric, fuel cell, natural gas and ethanol vehicles, the 76th Geneva International Motor Show begins this Thursday in Switzerland where it is reported that Sales of natural gas and hybrid cars have risen substantially in Switzerland, with waiting lists for some models stretching for months
.
Wednesday 1st of March, 2006
Portugal powers ahead as wind champion ★★
Guardian Unlimited, appx. 582 wordsPortugal - a country importing 86% of its energy needs
- has announced a wind project that will vault it into the real of Denmark and Spain with respect to wind energy in the national grid.
The enormous project - equivalent to a quarter of all the wind power installed in the European Union last year
- will supply enough electricity for 750,000 homes.
Portugal has been busy this year, having also granted a licence for the world's biggest solar energy plant.
Governor calls for use of renewable fuels in state vehicle fleet ★
WBAY, appx. 133 wordsWisconsin Governor Doyle issued an executive order today
requiring all state agencies to reduce the use of petroleum-based gasoline and diesel vehicles in the states fleet by 20 and 10 percent respectively by 2010 and 50 and 25 percent respectively by 2015. Ethanol blend gasoline, E-10, E-85, or biodiesel will be used as substitutes.
Alcoa and Iceland propose site for new aluminum smelter in north Iceland ★★
IcelandReview, appx. 236 wordsAlcoa and the Icelandic government are looking at building a $1-billion geothermal powered aluminium smelter in North Iceland, approximately 2 kilometers outside the town of HúsavÃk. 2010 would be the earliest construction would begin if the project goes ahead.
Lack of turbines could put drag on wind energy ★★
Agri News, appx. 318 wordsLack of turbines could put drag on wind energyAgri News, MN - 1 hour ago... AP) -- Demand for turbines used to turn wind into electricity is blowing by supply, which is hampering efforts to cultivate the alternative energy source in ...Energy independence for Humboldt? ★★
Times-Standard, appx. 599 wordsSteven Mueller, CEO of DG Energy Solutions, presented the Board of Supervisors of Humboldt County, California, with a project that would include wind, wave and wood-burning technologies and move Humboldt toward being a net energy exporter
.
Pacifica pushes for biodiesel ★★
San Francisco Examiner, appx. 483 wordsBiodiesel may be available in San Franciso within a year under a proposal to establish its first biodiesel production plant on public property.
The plant is planned to be capable of producing 200,000 gallons of biodiesel annually — enough fuel to power city trucks, private vehicles and potentially help power the city’s wastewater treatment facility at a savings of $60,000 a year
.
Honda Line-up at The Geneva Salon 2006 Tackles Future Challenges ★
Auto Spectator, appx. 3376 wordsHonda's FCX Concept: a futuristic, stylish, but highly practical fuel cell car that points the way to a potential production model in three to four years' time
.
Honda offers a Home Energy Station which can be used to deliver a supply of hydrogen reformed from natural gas
.
