Alternative Clean Energy Roundup: 26 May 2013

The rise of the microgrid

22/05/2013 - When Hurricane Sandy hit the United States last October, it caused an estimated $71 billion in damages, including bringing down power lines and affecting the supply of electricity to 3.5 million homes and businesses. One of the consequences has been the ratcheting up of the distributed generation versus centralised generation debate, and in particular the microgrid concept.

According to the Perfect Power Institute, which was born out of the Galvin Electricity Initiative, if the 24 US states affected by Hurricane Sandy had had 2,000 microgrids in place, key facilities, such as police and fire, medical centres, schools, fuel stations, hotels, etc, would have been able to operate for a month without access to grid power. read more>>>

New Report Reveals States and Utilities with Highest and Lowest Power Plant Emissions; Overall U.S. Emissions Decline

May 15, 2013 - A major new report on U.S. power plant emissions from the top 100 power producers shows that the electric industry cut emissions of NOx, SO2 and CO2 in 2011 even as overall electricity generation increased, largely due to increased use of natural gas and growing reliance on renewable energy.

Based on the latest available data, the report also reveals that Wyoming, Kentucky, West Virginia, Indiana, and North Dakota had the highest CO2 emissions per megawatt-hour of power produced, while Idaho, Vermont, Washington, Oregon, and Maine had the lowest CO2 emissions rates. read more>>>

Coghlan's Emergency Preparedness Kit

Deforestation dries up dams threatening Hydropower

May 22, 2013 - Deforestation may lead to electricity shortages in tropical rainforest regions that rely heavily on hydropower, as fewer trees mean less rainfall for hydropower generation, a study shows.

For example, if deforestation continues, one of the world's largest dam projects in Brazil will deliver around a third less energy than is currently estimated, according to the research, published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) last week (13 May). read more>>>

Investors Highlight Policies That Could Spur Multi-Billion Dollar Opportunity in Energy Efficiency Investments

May 21, 2013 - Energy efficiency is estimated to be a multi-hundred-billion dollar investment opportunity in the United States, but better policies are required to unlock broad-based financing from institutional investors, who together manage approximately $70 trillion in assets globally.

That is the key finding of Power Factor: Institutional Investors’ Policy Priorities Can Bring Energy Efficiency to Scale, a new report issued today by Ceres and its Investor Network on Climate Risk (INCR). read more>>>

Ready Freddy Survival Kit - 1 Backpack - Emergency Supplies

Free online Energy Management Training now available

May 20, 2013 - The first module of a new e-learning course on energy management, which is currently being developed by the Energy Institute (EI), is now available free of charge. The full course will be released in July.

E-learning has surged in popularity over the last few years and the EI has developed this course to offer a flexible approach to the training needs of anyone working in this sector. read more>>>

Hong Kong’s First Pure-Electric Taxis Begin Service, Revolutionizing Public Transport

May 16, 2013 - Today, BYD announced the launch of Hong Kong’s first all-electric taxi fleet, BYD e6 electric cross-over sedan at a launch ceremony held at the Hong Kong Science Park. BYD closely collaborated with Sime Darby Motors Group (Sime Darby), Hong Kong Taxi & Public Light Bus Association Limited, The Link Management Limited, CLP Power Hong Kong Limited and The Hong Kong Electric Company Limited to place into service the first batch of 45, BYD e6 Taxis. BYD also announced that the e6 “Taxi version” and e6 “Premier” sedan were now officially on sale in Hong Kong. Mr. John Tsang Chun-wah, the GBM, JP, Financial Secretary of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Regional Government welcomed BYD to Hong Kong and reaffirmed his commitment to “promoting environmental sustainability by laying the foundation for Hong Kong to become a zero emissions city.” read more>>>

The Greenbatteries Store offers great prices on rechargeable batteries, battery chargers, battery cases and holders.

The Impact of the Smart Grid on Connected Homes

May 21, 2013 - The smart grid promises to interconnect the reviving North American building market, beginning in the commercial building sector as government mandates drive energy efficiency standards. However, this trend is reaching the residential market following the introduction of smart meters and other technologies that provide better communication between the utility and end-user. Despite the onset of these interconnected solutions, consumers still have uncertainties regarding the connected home, as well as their own needs and perspectives vendors must understand to ensure market acceptance. read more>>>

Distributed Generation and Microgrids

US is now paying 43% more to build and maintain local power grids than they did back in 2002. At the same time, the grid is becoming less reliable, with blackouts now taking 20% longer to fix. Furthermore, hurricane Sandy and other events have made people realize that a large connected grid is vulnerable to local disturbances causing widespread outages.

As a result, electricity users (military bases, university campuses, hospitals, factories, data centers, and home owners) are looking into microgrids as a way of avoiding extended blackouts. read more>>>

SureFire E1L Outdoorsman LED Flashlight - Grey

Water not an issue for algae biofuels

May 23, 2013 - Land and water resources in the U.S. could likely support the growth of enough algae to produce up to 25 billion gallons of algae-based fuel a year -- one-twelfth of the country's yearly needs, according to research from the U.S. Department of Energy's Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).

The research focuses on actual water supplies and looks at a range of possible sources of water, including fresh groundwater, salty or saline groundwater, and seawater. read more>>>

Lumos Solar's New Solarscape Structures Provide Shade and Renewable Energy

Lumos Solar just unveiled their newest product: a modular and customizable photovoltaic structure called the SolarScape. Perfect for patio covers, pool awnings, carports, walkways, bus stops and commercial overhead applications, Lumos SolarScapes provide an aesthetic and architectural solution for providing shade and renewable energy.

The structures are based around the award-winning LSX Frameless Module System, and their versatile design allows renewable energy to be integrated into everyday life in entirely new ways. read more>>>