Production of photovoltaics (PV) jumped to 3,800 megawatts worldwide in 2007, up an estimated 50 percent over 2006. At the end of the year, according to preliminary data, cumulative global production stood at 12,400 megawatts, enough to power 2.4 million U.S. homes. Growing by an impressive average of 48 percent each year since 2002, PV production has been doubling every two years, making it the world’s fastest-growing energy source.
Monthly Archive for December, 2007
Ministers ordered to assess climat cost of all decisions
Government says new ‘carbon price’ will favour eco-friendly policy choices” goes the title of a front page article in todays Guardian, (Sat, 22/12/07).
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2007/dec/22/climatechange.carbonemissions
The second sentence of the article, by Patrick Wintour the Guardian’s political editor, goes onto say, “Ministers have been instructed to factor into their calculations a notional “carbon price” when making all policy and investment decisions covering transport, construction, housing, planning and energy”.
The article says that the carbon price will start at 25.50 pounds for 2007 and then rise. The implications for decisions are described by the UK’s climate change minister, Phil Woolas (they have had one for years), as, “If for instance a new power station is due to cost £1bn, but it will add £200m worth of carbon emissions, we will decide that the cost of the power station is £1.2bn, even though its cash price is £1bn. We are creating a new currency”.
As to whether there is much wiggle room or its just rhetoric this was the way it was going to be implemented according to the article, “It has also been agreed that every major Whitehall policy and investment decision will be monitored over the next year to check that policymakers are actually incorporating the shadow price of carbon”. However given the slippery skills of Canberra’s madarin cousins over in Whitehall it will be interesting as to whether they will embrace it or defeat it with, “that’s a brave decision minister…….”.
Researchers are developing an algae which could be used for biodiesel and requires much less area to grow than alternatives such as canola.
The MagLev wind turbine, which was first unveiled at the Wind Power Asia exhibition in Beijing, is expected take wind power technology to the next level with magnetic levitation.
Magnetic levitation is an extremely efficient system for wind energy. Here’s how it works: the vertically oriented blades of the wind turbine are suspended in the air above the base of the machine, replacing the need for ball bearings. The turbine uses “full-permanent” magnets, not electromagnets — therefore, it does not require electricty to run. The full-permanent magnet system employs neodymium (”rare earth”) magnets and there is no energy loss through friction. This also helps reduce maintenance costs and increases the lifespan of the generator.
Maglev wind turbines have several advantages over conventional wind turbines. For instance, they’re able to use winds with starting speeds as low as 1.5 meters per second (m/s). Also, they could operate in winds exceeding 40 m/s. Currently, the largest conventional wind turbines in the world produce only five megawatts of power. However, one large maglev wind turbine could generate one gigawatt of clean power, enough to supply energy to 750,000 homes. It would also increase generation capacity by 20% over conventional wind turbines and decrease operational costs by 50%. If that isn’t enough, the maglev wind turbines will be operational for about 500 years!
Source: Inhabitat
http://www.inhabitat.com/2007/11/26/super-powered-magnetic-wind-turbine-maglev/
The 7.30 report describes efforts by the Chinese government to clean up its energy sector.
China beefs up clean energy drive - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
What are your thoughts on nuclear power as a base load power supply? Any better alternatives? Check-out: http://www.wired.com/science/planetearth/news/2007/12/nuclear_qa
Former ‘No Nukes’ Protester: Stop Worrying and Love Nuclear Power
By John Borland 12.07.07 | 12:00 AM
Gwyneth Cravens argues for the environmental benefits of nuclear energy in her new book, Power to Save the World: The Truth About Nuclear Energy.
Photo: Courtesy of Random House
Continue reading ‘What are your thoughts on nuclear power as a base load power supply? Discussion.’
Here’s a one-question pop quiz for you.
Given a hectare (2.47 acres) of ground in either North America or Europe (so palm oil and jatropha don’t count), which “crop” would yield the furthest driving distance in the same vehicle, making allowances, of course, for different fuel and engine types? Rapeseed (canola), soybean, sugar beets, wheat, corn, miscanthus?
Actually, none of the above. The “crop” that would propel the vehicle the furtherest is sunlight, and by a significant margin.
Some interesting research into wave power is being carried out at Oregon State University.
Wallace Energy Systems & Renewables Facility :: Oregon State University, College of Engineering
The car industry in Australia will have to start adopting efficiency standards if we are to meet our emissions targets and SUV’s are among the least efficient on our roads.
Courtesy : National Geographic
Tiny microbes that live inside termites may one day help cure the world’s energy woes, according to scientists.
The researchers are trying to understand how bacteria that help termites digest wood and other plants release the hydrogen that’s trapped in the material.
“We don’t understand the full details of how the process occurs,” said Jared Leadbetter, an environmental microbiologist at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.
“But once we learn more about it, many things become possible.”
For example, he says, biotech engineers could mass-produce the tiny microbes for hydrogen production on an industrial scale.
The hydrogen could then power hydrogen fuel cells, a type of battery that emits only water.
But reaching large-scale production, Leadbetter cautioned, “is a pretty tall order.” It would depend on how well the research is funded and how it progresses over the coming years, he said.
Daniel Kammen, director of the Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory at the University of California at Berkeley, agreed there are hurdles to overcome, but he said the potential applications are “very positive.”
“Neat stuff can happen in this area,” he said.
Kammen imagines a day when “little digesters”—a termite germ-derived technology—sit in people’s garages and process piles of woody waste to produce enough hydrogen to power cars and homes.
The concept would mean no more trips to the gas station or having to pay the electric company for power. (Read “The End of Cheap Oil.”)
“I think that’s the natural way to go long term,” Kammen said.
More on link - http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2006/03/0314_060314_termite.html
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