Monday, March 31, 2014

Alternative Clean Energy Roundup: 31 March 2014

Nevada's renewable energy boom
March 26, 2014 - Since 2010, Nevada has invested $5.5 billion in clean energy, creating a renewable energy boom that includes the state's first utility-scale wind farm, according to a new report by the Clean Energy Project NV.

Clean energy investment in Nevada has accelerated rapidly in the past five years, leveraging national resources and the support and leadership of local, state and federal officials. Thanks to Nevada's widespread leadership and support for the clean energy economic sector, Nevada ranks sixth in the United States in installed solar capacity, representing an investment of more than $2.3 billion. As the sunniest state in the nation, Nevada has unlimited potential to expand its use of clean energy even further, creating more new jobs and drive the state's economy. read more>>>

A Clean Energy Economy and Jobs
March 27, 2014 - Ocean energy provides an exciting opportunity for the United States to help advance the goal of developing clean, renewable energy, lessening our reliance on foreign oil, and creating new industries and thousands of rewarding jobs. In my home state of Maine, tidal energy and deepwater, offshore wind are just two examples of ocean energy demonstration projects where inspiring vision and effort are helping to lead the way.

Two and a half centuries ago, the first settlements in Downeast Maine were powered by the massive tides generated in the Bay of Fundy. With 100 billion tons of water flowing in and out each day with clockwork regularity, the 25-foot tides drove lumber and grain mills, and communities prospered. read more>>>

Jack-Up Barge announces new offshore installation method
17 March 2014 - The offshore self-elevating platform supplier Jack-Up Barge, has announced the launch of a new cost-effective installation method that could revolutionise offshore wind turbine construction

The Netherlands-based company successfully completed sea trials on a new portable DP2 system at the beginning of March. The system is integrated to one of Jack-Up Barge’s platforms and enables the vessel to operate between work sites offshore without having to rely on a tug. This helps to make the platform more independent, ensuring the delivery of an extremely time-efficient installation process for offshore wind turbines. It also helps to reduce costs relative to current, conventional installation methods. read more>>>

Wolseley UK installs huge solar array on distribution centre roof
20 March 2014 - Eight thousand solar panels have been installed on the roof of Wolseley UK’s National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Leamington Spa, capable of generating enough electricity to power around 450 homes a year

Wolseley UK is part of the global plumbing and heating products company Wolseley PLC and is also a supplier of construction materials. It has launched a commitment to green energy solutions of which the new solar array is part.

The roof of the company’s UK National Distribution Centre, which at 13,113m² is around the size of two football pitches, has now been covered in 8020 PV panels, along with 24 inverters, at Wolseley UK’s head office site. read more>>>

Wind and Weather

What is a Green Building?
Green building or an eco-friendly building uses less water, optimises natural resources, saves energy, provides healthier space and generates less waste when compared with the conventional buildings.

Mar 21, 2014 - A green building is a holistic approach to design and construction that minimizes the building’s impact on the occupants, surroundings and the society. With the concept of green buildings gaining momentum among the developers, the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) is expecting around 2 billion sq ft of green buildings by 2015. Currently, around 1745 buildings spread over 1.21 billion are registered with IGBC. read more>>>

Wisconsin co-ops embracing community solar
March 21, 2014 - Wisconsin electric cooperatives Vernon Electric Cooperative (VEC) and Dairyland Power Cooperative (DPC) are setting the stage for increased community-owned solar, in partnership with the Clean Energy Collective (CEC). This distributed generation model enables any customer in a participating utility territory -- including renters, those with shaded roofs, and people with modest incomes -- the opportunity to own panels in a shared solar PV facility, scalable to a single panel, without having to build a stand-alone facility on their home or business.

The utility sector is quickly embracing the model because it is delivering reliable, long-term, in-network clean power at reasonable rates, paid for by participating ratepayers, that contributes to a utility's renewable portfolio standard (RPS) outside the limitations of net-metering. read more>>>

Utilities called upon to address energy-water nexus
March 21, 2014 - Water and energy are inextricably linked. Energy generation and transmission consume water resources, particularly for hydroelectric, nuclear, and thermal energy sources. Similarly, about 8 percent of global energy generation is used for pumping, treating and transporting water to various consumers. Water is required to produce nearly all forms of energy, and energy is needed at all stages of water extraction, treatment and distribution.

Utilities can be part of addressing these challenges of the energy-water nexus by educating consumers on the important role that energy plays in water usage, as well as making adjustments to their own plants. That is the conclusion of Pure Energies and the Congressional Research Service on this World Water Day. read more>>>

Buyers' desire for green building can't keep pace with rebounding market
March 21, 2014 - Buyers' enthusiasm for green building has failed to keep pace with a recovering home-construction market, area builders say.

Instead, "customers' interests have gone from 'green' to energy efficiency," said Robin Hackney, who with husband Dean owns Horizon Builders in Wilmington. Coming out of a deep economic slump, buyers are seeking to save money – particularly to keep utility bills to a minimum.

That desire coincides with stricter building codes, adopted in 2012, that have builders constructing more efficient homes. read more>>>

Forests crucial to green growth
Mar 21, 2014 - The value of forests and tree-based ecosystems extends far beyond carbon sequestration; they are the foundation of sustainable societies.

A new report, launched in Jakarta, Indonesia on 21 March - the International Day of Forests – promotes REDD+ and the Green Economy as together providing a new pathway to sustainable development that can benefit all nations. It claims this approach can conserve and even boost the economic and social benefits forests provide to human society. read more>>>

NZ well positioned to be a green economy - Royal Society
21 March, 2014 - The Royal Society of New Zealand says environmental problems are beginning to threaten social and economic wellbeing and that New Zealand would benefit from a move to a green economy.

In a paper released today, Facing the future: towards a green economy for New Zealand, the Society highlights research on the resource and consumption challenges facing New Zealand and the rest of the world, and the opportunities for dealing with them. It concludes that New Zealand can have a number of economic, social and environmental gains by accelerating its move to a green economy. read more>>>


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