Decentralised solar power saving money in USA schools
70 Percent Of Energy Needs Met Via Solar Power, Earth Techling, by Kristy Hessman, February 7th, 2012 Solar panels are popping up on school campuses across the nation as financial incentives become more readily available for schools that implement renewable energy as a way to offset their energy costs. In Arizona, Constellation Energy and Buckeye Union High School District have just completed a 4.3-megawatt solar generation project. The project will provide up to 70 percent of the electricity needs for three area high schools. Buckeye Union High School and Youngker High School in Buckeye and Estrella Foothills High School in Goodyear will be the recipients of the new renewable energy. The school district has agreed to purchase and receive all of the electricity generated by the solar panels at a fixed rate from Constellation Energy under a 25-year deal.
The solar power systems include 15,468 photovoltaic panels on 29 carport rooftops and two ground-mounted installations. The project is expected to generate more than 7 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. That equals a savings of more than 3,875 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or the equivalent emissions from 760 passenger vehicles annually, according to U.S. EPA data for the Arizona region.
“We’re pleased to celebrate the addition of three solar installations in our school district,” Beverly Hurley, superintendent of Buckeye Union High School District, said in a statement. “This addition will play an important role in meeting the district’s electricity needs and will serve as an educational tool for our students to learn about solar energy production.”
The installations, were developed by GV Enterprises and REgeneration Finance and built by CORE Construction. The project was coordinated with help from the Arizona Corporation Commission-approved APS Renewable Energy Incentive Program. The program offers financial incentives, covering up to 40 percent of the installation costs, to customers who add renewable energy systems to their homes or businesses. http://www.earthtechling.com/2012/02/schools-go-solar-in-arizona-of-all-places/
Hawaii’s smart grid will show the way to efficient renewable energy
Smart Grid Program Will Help Integrate More Renewable Energy Onto Hawaii’s Grid North American Wind Power, 02 February 2012 Honeywell and Hawaiian Electric Co. (HECO) have launched a pilot program that aims to demonstrate how smart grid technology can help integrate more intermittent renewable energy – such as wind power and solar energy – onto the electric grid.
During the two-year program, the utility will connect with commercial and industrial customers to temporarily reduce the need for electricity – which the companies say is critical to maintaining gridreliability as Hawaii reduces its dependence on fossil fuels….
http://nawindpower.com/e107_plugins/content/content.php?content.9328
AREVA’s nuclear sales losses partly offset by renewable energy profits
Areva Reports Fall In 2011 Revenue On Nuclear Concerns –Areva reported full year revenue hit by the effects of Fukushima on the nuclear industry – WSJ By Nadya Masidlover 26 Jan 12, PARIS (Dow Jones)–French state-controlled nuclear engineering firm Areva SA Thursday reported 2011 consolidated revenue down 2.6%, as nuclear operations were hit by growing concern on atomic energy following the Fukushima nuclear accident in March 2011.
The company said that revenue fell to EUR8.87 billion from EUR9.1 billion a year earlier, below analysts’ expectations of EUR8.99 billion.
Areva posted a full-year revenue down 1.2% on a like-for-like basis however revenue in the fourth quarter was stable at EUR2.92 billion, falling 0.5% on a like-for-like basis…. The company said that a decrease in nuclear operations revenue was partly offset by growth in renewable energies business which rose 98.2% to EUR297 million.
“The stars are aligning for rooftop solar energy”
Solar guru receives Australia Day honour , 26 January 2012, Anna Salleh ABC Science, http://www.abc.net.au/science/articles/2012/01/26/3415244.htm Australia needs to look to Germany if it is to realise the potential of solar cell technology, says an expert who is being honoured today. Professor Martin Green of the University of New South Wales has been made a Member of the Order of Australia(AM) for his work on photovoltaics.
“Germany has been the only country that’s had a sensible long-term program in place to promote the use of renewables,” says Green.
Some argue solar cells are not a competitive option for reducing carbon emissions, and are limited by the fact that they don’t generate energy unless the Sun is shining.
But according to Green, the “stars are aligning for conventional roof mounted solar” and it is ripe for a new kick start from governments. Continue reading
Supergrid or networks of grids for renewable energy in Europe
European Supergrid to Revolutionise Renewable Energy?, Oil Price.com, By James Burgess | , 25 January 2012 Europe is the world leader in renewable energy generation, but as with all renewable energy sources they face the problem of reliability. One way of overcoming this limitation and ensuring that power supply will be constant is to have expensive, traditional, fossil-fuelled power stations to generate electricity whilst conditions are unfavourable for the renewable source; but this almost makes the whole investment in renewable power sources irrelevant. A better way of ensuring consistent power is to link several diverse sources of renewable energy on one electrical grid. So when a wind farm can’t produce much power on a windless day, a solar farm might compensate. Continue reading
Solar and wind energy investment by Warren Buffett
Buffett’s MidAmerican Starts Renewable-Energy Business, Fox Business By Cassandra Sweet January 24, 2012 The MidAmerican Energy unit of Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (BRKA, BRKB) said Tuesday it has started a new company to oversee a growing stable of solar, wind and other renewable-energy projects.
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co., of Des Moines, said it has placed solar and wind farms, geothermal power plants and its interest in a small hydroelectric project into a new company called MidAmerican Renewables LLC.
MidAmerican’s president and chief executive, Greg Abel, said the company expects U.S. demand for renewable energy to continue growing and that the company wants “to be a leader in this area.”
On Monday, MidAmerican said it plans to buy an 81-megawatt wind farm in Illinois from Invenergy Wind LLC as part of the company’s growing wholesale renewable-energy business. ……. MidAmerican Renewables said it is considering acquiring more renewable-energy projects that would generate electricity for the wholesale power market to meet growing demand for clean energy.
“We’ll be looking for opportunities to grow this business,” said Tina Potthoff, a spokeswoman for MidAmerican. “We think there’s a growing desire by utilities and other companies to green up their business.”
http://www.foxbusiness.com/news/2012/01/24/buffetts-midamerican-starts-renewable-energy-business/#ixzz1kVVVLdW0
Renewable energy development for Karnataka, India
Renewable energy potential 28GW+ in Karnataka, Construction Week online India, Jan 24, 2012 Karnataka’s renewable energy potential is more than 28 GW, says Pune based World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE). Karnataka is one of the pioneers where states in India are concerned to draft an RE Policy for the state for the period of 2009-14.
The policy envisions a generation of 6600 MW of renewable electricity by 2014 and about Rs.23,890 crore of investments during the said period. Studies by the World Institute of Sustainable Energy (WISE), Pune, suggest that Karnataka has much more RE potential
than envisaged, which is more than 24 GW, out of which currently, only 3.45 GW has been tapped so far (as on Nov 2011). This includes 1929 MW of wind, 86 MW of biomass, 782 MW of bagasse cogen, 646 MW of small hydro, and 9 MW of solar. Wind offers the maximum potential with an untapped potential of 11 GW. Obviously the huge untapped potential also creates a huge investment opportunity…..
http://www.constructionweekonline.in/article-7672-renewable_energy_potential_28gw_in_karnataka/
Economic growth for India through renewable energy
Renewable energy holds key to growth, says Sheila, Times of India, TNN | Jan 21, 2012, NEW DELHI: Chief minister Sheila Dikshit on Friday unveiled the first Renewal Energy Assisted Pump (REAP) system at a function in Mayur Vihar. Developed by discom BSES Yamuna in collaboration with IIT Delhi, the REAP system is an easy-to-install submersible pump connected to a water tank, with a specially designed motor powered by a solar panel.
Officials said REAP would meet water storage and pumping needs in both rural and urban India by harnessing renewable energy sources. “It will help in combating global warming and other environmental issues. In addition to reducing dependence on fossil fuels, it will help BYPL manage the electricity demand better,” said an official.
The first REAP system was installed at a plot owned by the All India Panchayat Parishad (AIPS) in Mayur Vihar. Dikshit said the REAP technology would reduce consumption of power during morning peak hours, when most people switch on their pumps to get water as well as store it. “The technology will also prove useful in agriculture, hospitals, schools, hotels, restaurants, malls and group housing societies,” said a government official. The solar panel will be connected to a pump, which will draw ground water and store it in an overhead tank. The REAP has a capacity to draw 30,000l of water per hour. The CM said generation of power with coal and gas is not a viable solution as these resources are getting depleted. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Renewable-energy-holds-key-to-growth-says-Sheila/articleshow/11573708.cms
Fiji, Pacific Islands adopt International Renewable Energy Agency program
Fiji, PICs go for renewable energy Fiji Times, Tevita Vuibau, January 21, 2012 FIJI has joined other Pacific Island countries (PICs) in adopting the Abu Dhabi Communique on Accelerating Renewable Energy Uptake for the Pacific.
According to a statement, Fiji adopted the communique at the conclusion of the Pacific leaders meeting, which preceded the second session of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) assembly.
Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama headed the country’s delegation to the meeting in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.
As part of the communique, the Pacific Island countries resolved to use the large and under-utilised potential for renewable energy in the Pacific region….. He said it… was imperative that Fiji develop a meaningful relationship with IRENA. http://www.fijitimes.com/story.aspx?id=191377
Huge potential for wave and tidal power – U.S. East Coast
STUDY: CA Coast Could Harness Big Energy, KMJNow, by Margaret Carrero, 20 Jan 12 A two year study indicates that California’s coastal waters embody enough power to generate nearly one third of the nation’s energy supply.
American public opinion – wanting renewable energy, not nuclear power
Americans overwhelmingly support greater investments in renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower. They favor requiring utilities to use more alternative energy (even if this proves more expensive) and providing tax incentives to encourage the development and use of such technologies.
in the wake of the Fukushima disaster, a clear majority of Americans opposes building new nuclear power plants
Americans on Renewable Energy, Council on Foreign Relations by Stewart M. Patrick January 18, 2012 With Iran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, energy security is once again at the top of the global agenda—and not just in Rick Perry’s debate talking points. But true “energy security” will require more than independence from unreliable or unstable suppliers. It will also oblige governments and companies to invest in a wider range of energy sources—many of them renewable.
That is the message of the World Future Energy Summit, which opened in Abu Dhabi this week. In his keynote address, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called for the world to double its use of renewable energy by 2030. Ban’s words should resonate strongly in the United States, according to a new digest of polls on energy security released by the International Institutions and Global Governanceprogram and worldpublicopinion.org.
Americans, it turns out, are deeply anxious about energy security. An overwhelming majority (85 percent) consider it important (67 percent “very important”) to “decrease American dependence on oil imported from the Middle East”. Nearly two in three Americans (64%) favor creating a new international institution to “monitor the worldwide energy market and predict potential shortages.” Large majorities worry that energy shortages and higher prices could lead to destabilization of the world economy, that energy competition could lead to international conflict (or even war), and that current energy production is causing unacceptable environmental damage. Continue reading
Solar energy investment looking up in India
India leads in renewable energy investment
India Clean Energy Surge Enters Next Phase, Bloomberg, 18 Jan 12, “……Renewable energy offers an exception to India’s history of overpromised goals. The nation overshot its installation target by 100 percent just two years after “Power for All” became policy. Since then, renewable energy in India has been growing quickly. In March 2007, India had 10.2 GW of renewable energy. That more than doubled by the end of 2011, to over 22 GW accounting for 11% of India’s power generation capacity.
Bloomberg New Energy Finance tracks money flowing into projects, venture capital and private equity deals, and public market fundraising. We found that India led nations in the growth of renewable energy investment in 2011, with a 52 percent jump to $10.3 billion, helped by a growing wind sector and accelerating solar market. Continue reading
Japan to pass landmark renewable energy law
Renewable Energy Boom About to Start in Japan, Oil Price.com By Energy Digital, 17 January 2012 Japan’s Parliament readies approval of an energy bill that will spark ‘explosive growth’ in renewable solar and wind
Solar and wind companies, set your sails for Japan! The country is about to pass a landmark bill into law that will see “explosive growth” in both solar and wind energy investment according to Prime Minister Naoto Kan. The bill is designed to reduce Japan’s dependence on nuclear power, which accounts for roughly 30 percent of the country’s energy generation. Japanese lawmakers are readying to sign the bill into law by the end of August.
The bill has been developed and promoted by Prime Minister Kan himself, and seeks not only to move away from nuclear dependence, but also break the energy monopoly held by the country’s 10 major utilities.
The legislation calls for installed renewable energy capacity to rise by at least 20 percent of the country’s total power by the early 2020s.
The bill will require utilities to purchase power from outside providers, such as cooperatives and private companies. The rule aims to promote the use of alternative energy sources, which currently only make up 9 percent of Japan’s total electricity supply….. http://oilprice.com/Alternative-Energy/Renewable-Energy/Renewable-Energy-Boom-About-To-Start-In-Japan.html
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to boost clean energy for Pacific region
Renewable resources are a competitive, low-cost alternative for fossil fuels for the Pacific, and some inspiring renewable energy goals are being set.
Today’s meeting – which included six Heads of State and IRENA Members in the Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu – discussed IRENA’s proposed role in accelerating its deployment, opportunities for collaboration with
other stakeholders and development partners, and provided guidance on IRENA’s new proposals, ensuring that they accord with the Pacific Leaders’ policy goals and priorities.
IRENA meeting heralds new Regional Energy Era (Wam) Khaleej Times, 13 January 2012 ABU DHABI – A Pacific Leader’s Meeting held on Friday in Abu Dhabi by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) in advance of its Second Assembly, (January 14-15), issued a public communique confirming the Agency’s proposed work activities to accelerate renewable energy deployment in this important region, which is currently heavily dependent on fossil fuels. Continue reading
1 This Month
To see nuclear-related stories in greater depth and intensity – go to https://nuclearinformation.wordpress.com/
Now until to February 10, 2026 Radioactive waste storage in France: the debate is finally open! How to participate?
-
Archives
- February 2026 (11)
- January 2026 (307)
- December 2025 (358)
- November 2025 (359)
- October 2025 (376)
- September 2025 (258)
- August 2025 (319)
- July 2025 (230)
- June 2025 (348)
- May 2025 (261)
- April 2025 (305)
- March 2025 (319)
-
Categories
- 1
- 1 NUCLEAR ISSUES
- business and costs
- climate change
- culture and arts
- ENERGY
- environment
- health
- history
- indigenous issues
- Legal
- marketing of nuclear
- media
- opposition to nuclear
- PERSONAL STORIES
- politics
- politics international
- Religion and ethics
- safety
- secrets,lies and civil liberties
- spinbuster
- technology
- Uranium
- wastes
- weapons and war
- Women
- 2 WORLD
- ACTION
- AFRICA
- Atrocities
- AUSTRALIA
- Christina's notes
- Christina's themes
- culture and arts
- Events
- Fuk 2022
- Fuk 2023
- Fukushima 2017
- Fukushima 2018
- fukushima 2019
- Fukushima 2020
- Fukushima 2021
- general
- global warming
- Humour (God we need it)
- Nuclear
- RARE EARTHS
- Reference
- resources – print
- Resources -audiovicual
- Weekly Newsletter
- World
- World Nuclear
- YouTube
-
RSS
Entries RSS
Comments RSS
nuclear-news 