Alternative Clean Energy Roundup: 24 July 2013

Green economies are the way forward, says EU commissioner

18 July 2013 - Businesses and policymakers in Europe and China must work together to ensure that economic growth and environmental concerns “go hand-in-hand”.

Speaking in China on a ‘Green Growth’ mission, European Commissioner for the Environment Janez Potočnik said rapid economic development would bring with it great environmental pressures.

However Chinese and European businesses would provide solutions to respond to such issues. read more>>>

Green growth is necessary and affordable for India: World Bank

Jul 17, 2013 - Stating that environmental degradation is costing 5.7 per cent of GDP annually, World Bank today said India can make green growth a reality by putting in place plans to lower environmental degradation at minimal cost of 0.02-0.04 per cent of gross domestic product.

"Like in many other countries, the debate over growth versus environment is also active in India. This report suggests there are low-cost options that could significantly bring down environmental damage without compromising long-term growth objectives," said Onno Ruhl, World Bank country director. read more>>>

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IT and govt green obligations to fuel innovation

July 18, 2013 - The federal government is extremely keen on driving innovation to make Australia more environmentally sustainable, and it believes that IT is a crucial part of achieving its green goals, according to Minister Assisting for the Digital Economy Senator Kate Lundy.

Speaking at the Sustainable Business Australia's Innovation@theReaDy Forum, Senator Lundy said the federal government's decision to push ahead with an emissions trading scheme shows its commitment to creating a more environmentally friendly country. Innovation is a vital contributor to this vision, as well. read more>>>

Solar market expected to hit $118 billion by 2017

July 17, 2013 - The crystalline solar photovoltaic market was a $28.3 billion industry in 2010 and is on track to hit $118.4 billion by 2017, according to a report from New York-based market analytics firm ResearchMoz.

The dramatic surge in the solar market over the seven-year period is the result of increasing global demand for solar PV panels and strong manufacturing.

Solar panel prices dropped after manufacturers ramped up solar panel production in 2010. The lower prices have made solar energy cost-competitive with traditional fossil fuel and nuclear energy sources in certain countries, driving demand. read more>>>

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HOMER Energy Convenes Microgrid Deployment Forum to Focus on Critical Steps for Successful Microgrid Energy Projects

July 17, 2013 - The Microgrid Deployment Forum conference goal is to bring together local project champions, technology suppliers, professional service providers, system owners, utilities, and other professionals from across the industry for one day of focused information sharing and networking and a second day of practical training and examination of use cases. The forum will directly follow the International Solar Energy Societys Solar World Congress at the same location.

All microgrid segments will grow dramatically in the next decade, with the remote and island microgrid sector growing most quickly over the next 7 years, according to a recent report by Navigant Research. read more>>>

Scientists Break Record for Thinnest Light-Absorber: May Lead to More Efficient, Cheaper Solar Cells

uly 18, 2013 — Stanford University scientists have created the thinnest, most efficient absorber of visible light on record. The nanosize structure, thousands of times thinner than an ordinary sheet of paper, could lower the cost and improve the efficiency of solar cells, according to the scientists.

Their results are published in the current online edition of the journal Nano Letters. read more>>>

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Charging rates make EVs attractive in Hawaii

July 19, 2013 - To reduce Hawaii's dependence on fossil fuel, the State of Hawaii has set a goal of achieving 70 percent of its energy from clean sources by 2030. The widespread deployment of EVs in Hawaii is a key approach toward the reduction of fossil fuel dependency. Increased use of EVs can reduce Hawaii's dependency on imported oil and encourage use of electricity from indigenous renewable resources, such as wind and solar. Fueling a vehicle with electricity, even from conventional generation, is cleaner and costs the customer less per mile than using gasoline in an internal combustion engine. read more>>>

Pacific green exhibition

July 19, 2013 - A Green Economy Exhibition will be open to representatives from around the Pacific during the inaugural Pacific Islands Development Forum (PIDF) at Sheraton Fiji Resort and Spa on August 5 to 7 in Nadi.

The exhibitors at the event are given a chance to gain access to the Pacific's sustainability community and to expose their company's brand and products to large audience of like-minded potential clients who will be part of the forum. read more>>>

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Reading Council look to renewables in new climate change strategy

18 July 2013 - Councillors in Reading, UK, have been asked to approve a draft Reading Climate Change Strategy that aims to increase the use of renewable energy in the Borough by eight percent by 2020

Part of the strategy involves harnessing the power of Reading’s two rivers through the installation of hydropower technologies. The strategy would also promote the use of “local smart grids and power plants” in order to offer cost-effective, low-carbon sources of energy to customers. Smart meters were installed across the Borough in order to monitor and control local energy supplies and communities and businesses would be encouraged to work together to reduce their energy consumption while also developing low energy alternatives. read more>>>

Wind farm surge predicted following radar test success

19 July 2013 - The number of wind farms could increase in the UK following a successful test of new safety equipment

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks has said that the number of wind farms in the UK could increase following the successful testing of new safety equipment designed to eliminate concerns over installing turbines near airports. The equipment could allow double the present number of wind farms built across the country after a successful trial conducted near Prestwick airport in Scotland. The test of the revolutionary new 3D holographic radar system successfully demonstrated its ability to distinguish between aircraft and moving wind turbine blades. read more>>>