Alternative Clean Energy Roundup: 31 March 2013

Sulphur-dioxide emissions are falling

Mar. 25, 2013 - A new study confirms that global emissions of sulphur dioxide are declining, which is promising from the point of view of pollution, but a fact that could have implications for global warming.

Global sulphur-dioxide emissions have generally been in decline since the mid-70s, though they did increase from 2000 to 2005, and peaked at 112 Tg (trillions of grams) in 2006. Global SO2 emissions, estimated at 121 Tg in 1990 declined to 103 Tg by 2010.

However, there is a great deal of variability in emissions abatement performance. North America and Europe continue to see reduced emissions levels, but increasing levels of emissions are present in Asia and as a consequence of international shipping. read more>>>

Security Council Takes on Climate Change

March 28, 2013 - In July 2010, exceptionally heavy rains flooded hundreds of thousands of agricultural acres in Pakistan. Nearly 2,000 people died. The floods came as heat waves wreaked similar havoc in Russia and Europe, and while floods swept through China. By the end of the year, 2010 had become one of the hottest years on record globally. Real-world examples of extreme, once-anomalous weather events that climate scientists had been predicting were suddenly frequent and ubiquitous, prompting a heightened sense of urgency from the United Nations, including the UN Security Council.

The floods also came months after the United States government first officially recognized the link between global climate change and threats to peace and security. read more>>>

GoGreenSolar.com

U.S. Solar Industry Market Increases 34% to $11.5 Billion in 2012

March 28, 2013 - The U.S. Solar Industry has experienced a resurgence over the past year as newly-imposed import tariffs on Chinese solar cells have helped companies compete with their Chinese competitors. According to the Solar Energy Industries Association the U.S. solar industry market increased to $11.5 billion, a year-over-year increase of 34 percent. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for companies in the Solar Industry and provides equity research on SolarCity Corp. and MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc..

In 2012, the U.S. installed a record 3,313 megawatts (MW) of solar photovoltaics (PV). At the end of 2012 the U.S. contained 7,221 MW of PV and 546 MW of concentrating solar power, which is enough to power approximately 1.2 million homes. read more>>>

Egyptian Solar Power

March 28th, 2013 - Egypt is a land of ancient mysteries. It is a desert country with one long river flowing through it. Desert means lots of sun. Egypt is preparing to build a billion dollar solar power plant with help from a suite of international donors. Construction of Kuryamatt, a 150-megawatt hybrid power plant that will use both solar energy and natural gas to generate electricity, is underway 90 kilometers south of Cairo. Plans for a second large solar plant, in Upper Egypt’s Kom Ombo, are also underway.

These moves come after severe power cuts crippled the country last year during the hot summer months when Egyptians blast their air-conditioning units, and power up their stoves to prepare Ramadan feasts. read more>>>

EcoLunchBoxes: Green Your Lunches

The Green Economy Set to Expand

March 28, 2013 - The Green Economy is launching a crowd-sourcing campaign through Kickstarter.com in April, coinciding with the launch of their redesigned website. The campaign will enable the company to reach new audiences through a series of podcasts.

"We have formed an alliance with a firm of nationally known documentary filmmakers to help us make professional level podcasts that will bring a new dimension to reporting on the green economy," says Tana Kantor, publisher. "To accomplish this, we are going for funding from a number of sources." read more>>>

Calls for target to aid green economy

March 28, 2013 - THE GOVERNMENT must do more to make the Humber a centre for sustainable energy, a conference has heard.

Speakers at Energise England demanded stronger incentives for a low-carbon economy in a bid to kick-start the green economy.

The talk was organised by campaign group Friends Of The Earth and brought together the region's businesses.

Friends Of The Earth executive director Andy Atkins said: "The plan is to help galvanise businesses and others to seek a very different future. read more>>>

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US Agriculture Department Invites applications for renewable energy projects

29 March 2013 - US Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications from agricultural producers and rural small businesses for support for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.

Funding is available from USDA's Rural Energy for America Program (REAP)

"The Obama Administration continues its commitment to help our nation become more energy independent by partnering with agricultural producers and rural small businesses as they build renewable energy systems and reduce energy usage," Vilsack said. "These investments will not only help our farmers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs, but also provide a new potential revenue source and stabilize their operations' bottom lines." read more>>>

Renewables are now a major contributor to UK energy

29 March 2013 - Government figures reveal that 11.3 percent of UK electricity demand in 2012 was generated by renewable energy.

Renewable energy generation in 2012 was up by 20 percent on the previous year according to government figures, thereby confirming the strong performance of renewables within the wider UK energy network. 11.3 percent of the country’s electricity supply was generated by renewables last year and 12.5 percent in the fourth quarter.

Much of the growth in the sector has been achieved by new on and offshore wind farms in spite of lower than average wind speeds over the course of the year. read more>>>