DESERTEC, a $496 billion project to generate solar electricity in the Sahara Desert could be exporting electricity to Europe in five years, according to European Energy Commissioner Guenther Oettinger, following a meeting with energy ministers from Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia, …
[The Vector] Sahara Could Export Electricity to Europe in 5 Years Read More »
On Feb. 14, U.S. Pres. Barack Obama made a proposal to Congress to raise 2012 budget funds for renewable energy research. He proposed paying for this budget increase by cutting subsidies for fossil fuels including gas and oil. This budget …
Pres. Obama Seeking 2012 Budget Increase For Green Energy Read More »
I just had a very interesting conversation on one of my favorite topics: solar thermal, or concentrating solar power (CSP). I came across Ahura Energy of Campbell, CA on the fantastic online resource OnGreen.com, and spoke with Dr. Fareed Sfard, …
Ahura Energy: A Breakthrough in Solar Thermal — But What is the Secret Sauce? Read More »
Plans for cuts to Germany’s solar incentive scheme provoked a stand-off earlier this month when Germany’s upper house, the Bundesrat, voted against the reductions. The government proposed cutting domestic installation incentives by 11 percent, while reducing feed-in tariffs for roof …
[The Vector] German Commitment to Renewables Subsidies under Strain Read More »
I could hear a collective moan from progressives when they saw that President Obama is proposing a 13 percent cut in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) budget to $8.97 billion. The immediate conclusion they might have drawn is that …
Obama’s 2012 Budget Contains Scary Energy Components Read More »
Recently many states have chosen to deregulate their energy markets. This means that homeowners and consumers can choose who generates the power that they use. This is done in part to lower utility prices and to let competition drive the …
Deregulated Energy and the Right to Choose Green Energy Providers Read More »
I often refer to Moore’s Law, which posits that the effectiveness of technology increases exponentially over time. I talk cavalierly about how this “law” (named for Intel co-founder Gordon Moore, which originally applied to the number of transistors that could …
Moore’s Law — Does It Apply To Renewable Energy? Read More »
China invested US$34.6 billion in clean energy projects during 2009 – almost double US investments in the same period. US commentators view China as the next solar powerhouse or not serious about renewables at all. In reality it is a lot more complicated.
In the 500,000+ miles I’ve logged driving through California since I moved here, I got my first speeding ticket in more than 20 years the other day. I was driving through our central coast, making my way up a long, …
Addressing California’s Budget Crisis with Integrity Read More »
Financing arrangements for the first phase of the world’s largest offshore wind farm were agreed on 8 June. It will eventually have a capacity of 1,000 MW.
