RES Green News

Testing the Viability of a Hydrogen Powered Society via "Hydrogen Town Project" in Japan

2011-01-26T09:32:00.011+01:00

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in Japan recently launched its Hydrogen Town Project as part of the Hydrogen Energy Social Infrastructure Development Demonstration Project. This is the first demonstration of its kind in the world with hydrogen pipelines installed in an urban district.

Figure | Itoshima is a city located in the western area of Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. The city was formed on January 1, 2010, with the merger of the city of Maebaru with the two towns of Shima and Nijo

Hydrogen, produced by Nippon Steel Corporation, will be supplied by pipelines located throughout the district to fuel cells installed in houses and commercial buildings. Security of supply, safety and public perception are amongst the factors being tested during the project.

This project runs in tandem with the Hydrogen Highway Project which is testing ways to produce, transport, store and refuel with hydrogen for Japan's bus and light duty vehicle fleet.

Please visit the following link to see the original release:

http://www.meti.go.jp/english/press/2011/0113_02.html

Independent Studies Validate Breakthrough Non-Polluting Energy Source Based on Hydrino Theory

2011-01-24T08:32:00.007+01:00

Original Press Release Date: November 29, 2010

Abstract

On November 29, 2010, BlackLight Power, Inc. has announced that CIHT (Catalyst-Induced-Hydrino-Transition) technology has been independently confirmed by Dr. K.V. Ramanujachary, Rowan University Meritorious Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Figure: CIHT electrical power generators

“We have demonstrated the ability to produce electrical power using chemical systems for the direct production of electric power from the conversion of hydrogen to hydrinos, a more stable form of hydrogen,” said Dr. Randell Mills, Chairman, CEO and President of BlackLight Power, Inc. “CIHT has a forecasted nominal cost per unit of power compared to that of thermal-based systems and produces electricity without requiring enormous thermally-driven mechanical generators. Consequently, more rapid dissemination is expected by deploying many autonomous distributed units that circumvent the huge barriers of entry into the power markets such as developing and building massive billion-dollar power plants with their associated power distribution infrastructure. This is especially true in emerging markets.”

BlackLight Power is first focused on advancing CIHT technology to produce power to ultimately sell directly to consumers under power purchase agreements.

“The business plan is akin to that of solar leasing, but the costs are potentially vastly cheaper, and the systems may be deployable for essentially all applications of all scales untethered to the Sun or the grid, or as in the case of fuel cells and cars, a fuel supply,” said Dr. Mills. “To realize how transformational this technology will be, imagine that an electric car can travel over 5,000 miles on the hydrogen energy from a gallon of water without any pollution whatsoever. The power source can then be lifted out and plugged into your electrical panel to power your home with enough power to spare to also power your neighborhood,” continued Dr. Mills.

Akridge Energy, a licensee, intends to deploy distributed-scale CIHT electric power units at commercial real estate properties and sell electricity to its tenants and eventually into the local electric grid. John E. Akridge III, chairman and owner of Akridge Energy said, “BLP’s breakthrough CIHT technology will allow us to become a major green-power producer for the DC metro area while enabling dramatic savings and unheard of independence. It is ideal for our needs across the full spectrum of our applications: powering apartment complexes, commercial offices, retail outlets, and mixed-use projects.”

Dr. K.V. Ramanujachary said, “The chemicals used in CIHT technology are similar to those used in thermal and chemical cells that were separately, thoroughly and diligently validated over the past three years by a team at Rowan University that included myself. Since the measurements on CIHT are electrical versus calorimetric, there can be no dispute over the power and the energy balance. With further optimization, there is no doubt that this technology will present an economically viable and environmentally benign alternate to meet Global energy needs. If advanced to commercialization, it would be one of the most profound developments ever.”

Please visit the original press release source link for more information:

http://www.blacklightpower.com/Press%20Releases/BlackLightHydrinoElectricity112910.htm

VTT develops a unique fuel cell system: trials under way

2011-01-23T14:21:00.019+01:00

Grid Electricity from Biogas & Natural Gas via Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Technology

Original Source: http://www.vtt.fi/news/2011/01052011-sofc.jsp

Published on January 5, 2011

Abstract

Solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) technology is showing promise with regard to future electricity production. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has built a system that uses fuel cells to produce grid electricity from natural gas. What makes the system unique is that the electric power produced comes from a single 10 kW planar SOFC stack. The technology is being developed as part of the Tekes Fuel Cell Programme.

Figure | VTT’s SOFC fuel cell system, located in Espoo, Finland (Photo: VTT)

Construction of the large SOFC power plants of the future will require high-power fuel cell stacks. This is the first time a 10 kW power class planar SOFC fuel stack is being operated as part of a complete fuel cell system.

The system is currently undergoing endurance testing to determine component reliability, durability and development needs. Some of the system’s components are prototypes developed at VTT that have not yet reached mass production. Since the beginning of November 2010 the system has completed more than 1,500 hours of reliable and continuous operation. The electricity produced equates to the average annual consumption of five apartments in an apartment block.

SOFC fuel cell technology is an extremely low-emission energy source. The SOFC technology can be used to utilize a wide range of different fuels, including biogas, which is normally difficult to exploit efficiently using other technologies.

Lappeenranta University of Technology and Aalto University are among those participating in the project, which is coordinated by VTT and jointly funded by Tekes - the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovation and Finnish industrial companies. Development of the system’s power electronics, used in transforming direct current produced by the SOFC into alternating current suitable for the grid, was carried out at Lappeenranta University of Technology. Aalto University has participated in the unit’s mechanical design. The SOFC stack for the system was supplied by Versa Power Systems Inc. of Canada.

Apart from funding, Finnish companies are also involved in development and gathering of experience regarding the application of their own products to SOFC systems. Wärtsilä Finland Oy, among others, is exploiting experiences garnered under the research project in its own SOFC system development work.

Please contact the following persons for additional information:

Matias Halinen
Research Scientist
+358 20 722 6590

Jari Kivihao
Chief Research Scientist
+358 20 722 5298

Continuous Hydrino Thermal Power System

2011-01-22T14:59:00.058+01:00

Applied Energy 88 (2011) 789–798

Randell L. Mills *, Guibing Zhao, William Good

BlackLight Power, Inc., 493 Old Trenton Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512, United States

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 609 490 1090; fax: +1 609 490 1066
E-mail address: rmills@blacklightpower.com (R.L. Mills)

Public link for accessing this scientific article is the following:

http://db.tt/4BXDuGX

Abstract

The specifics of a continuous hydrino reaction system design are presented. Heat from the hydrino reactions within individual cells provide both reactor power and the heat for regeneration of the reactants. These processes occur continuously and the power from each cell is constant. The conversion of thermal power to electrical power requires the use of a heat engine exploiting a cycle such as a Rankine, Brayton, Stirling, or steam-engine cycle. Due to the temperatures, economy goal, and efficiency, the Rankine cycle is the most practical and can produce electricity at 30–40% efficiency with a component capital cost of about $300 per kW of electrical power. Conservatively, assuming a conversion efficiency of 25% the total cost with the addition of the boiler and chemical components is estimated at $1064 per kW of electrical power.

1. System design

The multi-cell reactor to continuously generate power shown in Figure 1 comprises a plurality of

repeating planar layers of insulation
heat exchanger
reaction cell

Each cell produces power continuously to elevate its reactant temperature higher than that required for regeneration. An exemplary reaction to form hydrinos is a hydride exchange between an alkali hydride catalyst and source of hydrogen, and an alkaline earth metal or lithium metal.

Figure 1 | A schematic drawing of a multi-cell reaction system

The initial alkali hydride is regenerated by evaporation at 400–550°C and condensation at a temperature of about 100°C lower in the presence of hydrogen that reacts to form the alkali hydride. Thus, a heat gradient exists between the reactants at an elevated temperature and a cooler zone in each cell that drives the thermal regeneration.

Figure 2 | The boiler system comprises the multi-cell reaction system shown in Figure 1 and a coolant (saturated water) flow regulating system

The multi-cell reaction system is assembled into a boiler system shown in Figure 2 to output steam. The steam generated in the heat transfer tubes of the water wall may flow to a turbine and generator to produce electricity directly, or the water wall may feed steam into a primary steam loop that transfers heat to a secondary steam loop through a heat exchanger. The secondary loop may power a turbine and generator to produce electricity. A steam turbine receives the steam from the boiling water, and electricity is generated with a generator as shown in Figure 3.

Figure 3 | Plant process schematic

2. System operating parameters

Typical operating parameters for design engineering purposes are

0.25 (W/cm^3) of constant power
0.67 (W/g) of reactants
0.38 (g/cm^3) of reactant density
50 (MJ/mol) of hydrogen
2–1 energy gain relative to hydride regeneration chemistry
equal reaction and regeneration times to maintain constant power output
temperatures of 550°C and 400–450°C for power and regeneration, respectively

3. Costs

To a good approximation, the total cost of the power system is the sum of the cost of the major components such as

(i) the chemicals

(ii) the boiler comprising the reactor cells, the hydrogen pump, heat transfer tubes, steam generator, and the boiler housing

(iii) the balance of the plant comprising the thermal to electric conversion system (including the feed water system, steam turbine generator, instrumentation and controls, electrical accessory switchgear, and other miscellaneous balance of plant systems)

For 1 MW of thermal power output, the total chemical mass is

1000 (kW)/0.67 (kW/kg) = 1500 kg

The volume of chemical reactant is

1,500 kg/(0.38 kg/l) = 3947 l

Assuming 25% of the reactor volume is occupied by solid fuel, the total reactor volume is

3947 l/0.25 = 15,800 l = 15.8 m^3

Table 1 | Cost of commodities constituting the compounds of the reaction mixture

Using the costs per commodity (Table 1) and the wt.%s, the cost of the reactant mixture (Table 3) is

$17 for reactant mixture per kW of thermal power
$68 for reactant mixture per kW of electrical power

Table 2 | Materials and fabrication costs of components constituting the boiler of the reaction system

From Table 2, the cost of the boiler for the 1000 kW of thermal power per 250 kW of electrical power system is $174,529 corresponding to

$174 for total cost per kW of thermal power
$696 for total cost per kW of electrical power

A summary of the cost breakdown is given in Table 3.

Table 3 | Summary of costs of power system

For thermal to electricity conversion, a Rankine cycle is the most practical and can produce electricity at greater than 25% efficiency with capital costs for the balance of a plant of about $300 per kW of electrical power. Adding the cost of the chemicals and boiler to the cost of the conversion system yields a total cost of about $1064 per kW of electrical power.

Fungus Genes Help Turn Grass into Ethanol

2010-09-30T12:49:00.004+02:00

Modified yeast could help make ethanol from hard-to-digest materials. Go to article...

Implanted Fuel Cell Powered by Rat's Body Fluids

2010-09-27T16:39:00.002+02:00

A new fuel cell is putting a twist on alternative energy from biofuels: The implanted device draws power from chemicals in living animals.

Dubbed a glucose biofuel cell, the implant gets its juice from glucose—aka blood sugar—and oxygen, both of which are naturally present in the fluids between a body's cells.

In a recent study, researchers created a test version of their glucose biofuel cell and implanted it in a white lab rat named Ricky. The rat sported the device successfully for 11 days and suffered no ill effects.

Boeing unveils hydrogen-powered unmmanned plane.

2010-07-18T12:34:00.003+02:00

The Boeing Company unveiled the hydrogen-powered Phantom Eye unmanned airborne system, a demonstrator that will stay aloft at 65,000 feet for up to four days. "Phantom Eye is the first of its kind and could open up a whole new market in collecting data and communications," Darryl Davis, president of Boeing Phantom Works, said. Read more here.

A New Bloom for Algae - A DOE roadmap marks a return to research on a source of fuel that was once thought too costly.

2010-07-13T10:38:00.002+02:00

This week the U.S. Department of Energy released a new roadmap for the development of algal biofuels. DOE researchers had dismissed this type of biofuel as too costly to be commercially successful in the mid-1990s following a nearly two-decade-long research project. Continue reading.

Once-hidden EU report reveals damage from biodiesel

2010-04-27T08:20:00.002+02:00

Biofuels such as biodiesel from soy beans can create up to four times more climate-warming emissions than standard diesel or petrol, according to an EU document released under freedom of information laws. More here...

Climate change: A variety of warmings

2010-03-24T09:55:00.001+01:00

Temperatures are rising over land and sea

Mar 19th 2010 | From The Economist print edition

Some critics argue that the global record of land surface temperature over the 20th century could be to some extent corrupted by heat from towns and other factors. There is a clear warming, though, if a lesser one, in two other records made independently; that of the temperature of the oceans' surface waters and of the night time air temperature over the oceans. While the larger warming over land could in part reflect some error of procedure, though that is not proven, the trends all have the same shape. more at The Economist

Designing the Next Generation Bio-Refinery: The EuroBioRef Project

2010-03-01T09:16:00.005+01:00

The EuroBioRef project (European Multilevel Integrated Biorefinery Design for Sustainable Biomass Processing) coordinated by CNRS, France, has just been launched on the 1st of March 2010 for a 4 years duration. It is supported by a 23 M€’s funding from the EU’s 7th Framework Program. EuroBioRef will deal with the entire process of transformation of biomass, from fields to final commercial products. It will involve 28 partners from 14 different countries into a highly collaborative work.

‘This program is an excellent opportunity to fill the gap between agriculture and chemical industry. It integrates the whole biomass chain into a commercial viable and adaptable approach, allowing a sustainable bio-economy in Europe. Europe will be able to compete in this area with the major international actors, by proposing novel innovative technologies reinforcing its attractivity. Further, it constitutes also an occasion for creating fruitful and fair partnerships between Europe and tropical countries in this high-tech domain. The concept will promote a sustainable development of agriculture also in these countries’ says the project coordinator, Prof. Franck Dumeignil, UCCS, France.

Overview
The development and implementation of bio-refinery processes is of crucial importance to build a bio-based economy. The EuroBioRef project will develop a new highly integrated and diversified concept including multiple feedstocks (non-edible), multiple processes (chemical, biochemical, thermochemical), and multiple products (aviation fuels and chemicals). The project has a specific aim to overcome the fragmentation in the biomass industry. As efficiency is the key to the bio-refinery processes, this implies to take decisive actions to facilitate better networking, coordination and cooperation among a wide variety of actors.
New synergies, cost efficiencies and improved methods will be achieved by involving the stakeholders at all levels: large and small (bio)chemical industries, academics and researchers from the whole biomass value chain, as well as European organisations. Large-scale research, testing, optimisation and demonstrations of processes in the production of a range of products design adapted to large- and small-scale production units, which will be easier to install in various European areas.
The overall efficiency of this approach will be a vast improvement of the existing situation, and will ensure the production of aviation fuels and multiple chemical products in a flexible and optimized way. It will also take advantage of the differences in biomass components and intermediates. The target is also to improve cost efficiency by as much as 30 per cent through improved reaction and separation effectiveness, reduced capital investments, improved plant and feedstock flexibility, and reduction of production time and logistics. Further, we expect to reduce by 30 per cent the energy used and produce zero waste. Raw material management will also mean that a reduction of feedstock consumption will be possible to the tune of at least 10 per cent.
The EuroBioRef concept achieves integration across the whole system from feedstock to product diversification and adapts to regional conditions, integrating into existing infrastructures, minimizing risks to investors. The flexible approach means widening bio-refinery implementation to the full geographical range of Europe, and offers opportunities to export bio-refinery technology packages to more local markets and feedstock hotspots.
The impact of the project in terms of environment, social and economic benefits is important and could give a serious advantage for European bio-industry. The techno-economic evaluation of the whole integrated biorefinery will be carried out. Moreover, the environmental life cycle assessment studies will be performed in line with the requirements of the International Reference Data System (ILCD) Handbook and the LCI data will be made available via the ILCD Data Network. The approach on social sustainability will be based on the recently developed UNEP guidelines for social life cycle assessment of products, allowing for the required modifications to meet the requirements of respective analysis on biorefinery chains.
The EuroBioRef project has the potential to re-energize biomass production, grow the industry, and achieve the original dream of biomass sustainability in the whole Europe.

Acknowledgements
This project is funded by the European Union Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement n° 241718 EuroBioRef.

Contacts
Franck Dumeignil, Project Coordinator
Unité de Catalyse et de Chimie du Solide - UMR CNRS 8181
Université Lille Nord de France
Université Lille 1 Sciences et Technologies
59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq Cedex, France
E-Mail: franck.dumeignil@univ-lille1.fr
Tél. +33(0)3.20.43.45.38 - Fax. +33(0)3.20.43.65.61 - Mobile. +33(0)6.11.23.06.48

Kent Washington, Project Manager
E-Mail. kent.washington@univ-lille1.fr

Partners
1. CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE (UMR 8181, UMR 5256, UMR 6509), France
2. ARKEMA FRANCE SA, France
3. Borregaard Ind. Ltd., Norway
4. NOVOZYMES A/S, Denmark
5. METabolic Explorer S.A., France
6. CENTER FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES, Greece
7. HALDOR TOPSØE A/S, Denmark
8. CERTH/ISFTA, Centre for Research & Technology Hellas / Institute for Solid Fuels Technology & Applications, Greece
9. Process Design Center GmbH, Germany
10. QUANTIS, Switzerland
11. European Biomass Industry Association, Belgium
12. Danish Technological Institute, Centre for Renewable Energy and Transport, Denmark
13. TECHNISCHE UNIVERSITÄT DORTMUND, Germany
14. MERCK KGaA, Germany
15. Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto, Portugal
16. RWTH Aachen, Germany
17. CIRCC, University of Bari, Italy
18. WSK "PZL-Rzeszow" S.A, Poland
19. Ośrodek Badawczo-Rozwojowy Przemysłu Rafineryjnego Spółka Akcyjna, Poland
20. SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Norway
21. Société Agricole de Befandriana-Sud & Partners Sarl, Madagascar
22. UMICORE, AG & Co KG, Germany
23. Nykomb Synergetics AB, Sweden
24. Alma Consulting Group, France
25. Orgachim JSC, Bulgaria
26. Imperial College of Science, UK
27. Novance, France
28. University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Poland

Getting Power From Coal Without Digging It Up. An Alberta project will transform coal deep beneath the ground into gas.

2009-12-11T11:41:00.002+01:00

Converting coal in the ground directly into clean-burning gases could have huge environmental benefits--not the least of which would be the avoidance of destructive mining operations. The problem is, technology for underground coal gasification is still in its early stages. More here.

A Cheaper Hydrogen Catalyst

2009-12-07T22:46:00.001+01:00

Read here about the new development in catalysts for fuel cells. Next step towards the hydrogen economy?

VESTAS Graduate Programme + A Global Energy Case Competition for MSc Students of Business and Engineering

2009-10-05T18:41:00.000+02:00

VESTAS GRADUATE PROGRAMME

If your graduation is within reach, we would like to encourage you to consider Vestas’ Graduate Programme as your first job. It’s a 2-year international programme with three modules rotating in three different countries and is structured to provide you with competences that will bring you even further in your future career. You get the opportunity to work in Denmark, China, USA, India, UK, Spain, Germany, Singapore or even Australia. Read more on vestas.com/graduateprogramme and watch our film about life as a graduate in Vestas.

If you have any questions regarding your application that you can’t find on our website, please send a mail to the Graduate Programme team on this e-mail: graduateprogramme@vestas.com

Positions for March 2010 will be launched 14 September 2009

NEW Application deadline: 12 October 2009

NEWS - VESTAS WINNOVATION 2009 - COMPETITION OPEN TO ALL MASTERS BUSINESS AND ENGINEERING STUDENTS:

Vestas invites you to contend with students from top programs around the world in The Winnovation Challenge 2009. Vestas challenges students around the world in a case competition and the 30 students with the best ideas are flown to Århus, Denmark, for a final event. Apply now for your chance to meet Vestas executives in Århus, Denmark, and turn your plan into reality.

Go to http://www.vestas.com/winnovation for full registration details and competition rules. Application materials must be received by October 19 (US: October 26). Final competition will take place in Århus, Denmark, on December 3-4. The winner will receive two airline tickets for a trip around the world.

If you have any questions about this competition that cannot be found on the website, please contact us at winnovation@universumusa.com .

3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference

2009-10-02T14:10:00.000+02:00

The 3^rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference will provide a major platform for interaction between the European Renewable Energy Industry and the newly elected European Parliament as well the new European Commission. The conference will debate the necessary steps to make the binding 20 % renewable energy target by 2020 become a reality and will highlight the leadership of the European renewable energy industry in the global arena.

Free Renewable Energy Database

2009-10-02T12:41:00.001+02:00

Welcome to REnKnow.Net, the free of charge database for research and education in renewable energies!

REnKnow.Net is supported by an international network of researchers in the field of renewable energies. The aim of REnKnow.Net is to promote and enhance the active exchange of research and educational material. Special features include:

its wide range of manifold objects and items, compared to conventional media, e.g.

Educational material
University lectures and slides
Measurement and simulation data
Charts and figures
Multimedia objects (animations and videos).

direct and free availability of the items and
quality of material ensured through peer review process.

Please sign up for free to gain full access to all REnKnow.Net services.

14 Hydrogen buses in Berlin!

2009-10-02T10:18:00.000+02:00

The BVG is testing altogether 14 hydrogen-powered buses in regular service to try out new forms of drive technology.
Protection of the environment and of the world in which we live is something that concerns us all. BVG with its fleets of buses and trains has a special role to play in this context.

When all is said and done, everyday there are around 1,200 large and small yellow busses out and about on the city streets. If you add all the driven bus kilometres together, they could go round the earth about eight times a day. As far as exhaust levels go, the introduction of the EURO 5 engines in our buses has already completed a major step in the right direction.

The anticipated introduction of the EURO 6 standard from 2012 will bring exhaust levels down much further. By then, a great deal of effort will have to go into research and development. Which is why BVG is currently testing 14 hydrogen-powered buses in regular service. This gives BVG the world's largest hydrogen-powered bus fleet.

The buses are operating in Spandau and Charlottenburg, on routes X49, 130 and 131, and can be recognized from the "bump" on the roof that accommodates the hydrogen tanks. By the way, no-one needs to be apprehensive about using a hydrogen bus: the system is as safe as a diesel bus.

Renowned German and international vehicle manufacturers, oil and energy corporations and technology development firms are working together with BVG on the project "Clean Energy Partnership" (CEP) to test car, bus and fuel station operations in Berlin.

BVG is also involved on a European level: in the context of the EU-funded project HyFLEET:CUTE, BVG is currently testing hydrogen operations with excellent results.

Source: http://www.bvg.de/index.php/en/17154/name/News/article/77438.html

Throw out the combustion engine and put an electric one!

2009-09-25T11:41:00.004+02:00

Article about a guy who changes combustion engines in cars for electric ones (unfortunately in Polish). Original link. Google translate - quite good translation, at least you can understand the whole point :).

A drowning man will clutch at a straw

2009-08-16T07:35:00.003+02:00

The Washington Post reports on the latest pathetic efforts of the coal lobby to alter US green energy policy introduced by Obama administration.

Read more here.

Beijing sets date for emissions cut

2009-08-15T09:34:00.001+02:00

China’s carbon emissions will start falling by 2050, its top climate change policymaker said, the first time the world’s largest emitter has given such a time-frame. here's more

China’s green leap forward

2009-08-12T09:41:00.001+02:00

Facing dire pollution and wanting to be in on what may be the next industrial revolution, China positions itself to be a leader in green technology – with major implications for the rest of the world. more on that here

Help solve the climate problem with your Facebook!

2009-08-06T11:23:00.003+02:00

Remember SETI? By using their software you can help analyse data from outer-space and make a contribution to extraterrestrial life discovery. The idea is that a special program is run as a background process at your machine and work on the data downloaded from their servers. You don't even notice that your computer is doing some heavy science, because the fact is that most of us use a small fraction of the computing power of our PC's.

You can read more in this Wired article.

Install the Facebook app from this site:
http://www.facebook.com/progressthruprocessors.

China hints at softer line in climate talks

2009-08-06T09:52:00.001+02:00

Beijing hinted on Wednesday at room for compromise in global climate change talks, as its negotiator left open the possibility China could commit itself to reducing carbon emissions beyond 2012. Here

The biggest wind farm in Poland.

2009-08-04T23:10:00.004+02:00

The biggest wind farm in Poland is being built in Margonin in wielkopolskie region.
It will contain 60 windmills with the capacity to produce 120MW of power in total.

http://futureblog.pl/index.php/2009/08/najwieksza-farma-wietrzna-w-polsce-120-mw/ - in Polish.

Grass is dumb

2009-08-04T22:27:00.002+02:00

Use only what you need!

EurObserv'er

2009-08-04T10:09:00.000+02:00

The EurObserv'ER barometer measures the progress made by renewable energies in each sector and in each member State of the European Union in an as up-to-date way as possible (with figures less than 12 months old). EurObserv'ER produces a series of figure-backed indicators covering energetic, technological and economic dimensions.

Philadelphia Rolls Out Solar-Powered Trash Compactors

2009-08-04T09:34:00.003+02:00

More...

Cheaper Geothermal - Fluid extracts more heat out of low-temperature wells.

2009-07-31T11:11:00.003+02:00

Researchers at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland, WA, say they've developed a superior type of heat-extracting fluid that could dramatically improve the economics of producing renewable power from low-temperature geothermal resources. More...

China's three biggest power firms emit more carbon than Britain

2009-07-29T10:11:00.001+02:00

The guardian has an interesting article.

Revealed: the secret evidence of global warming Bush tried to hide

2009-07-27T10:16:00.001+02:00

Photos from US spy satellites declassified by the Obama White House provide the first graphic images of how the polar ice sheets are retreating in the summer. The effects on the world's weather, environments and wildlife could be devastating. More here.

A new dawn? Europe to offer China help in burying CO2 emissions

2009-06-20T09:21:00.000+02:00

"BRUSSELS, June 19 (Reuters) - Europe will next week start moves to help China and India develop technology to trap and bury carbon dioxide underground in the fight against global warming, according to a draft European Commission document."
More on that here

Munich Re touts Sahara in solar energy push

2009-06-17T09:22:00.001+02:00

FRANKFURT,(Reuters) - German reinsurer Munich Re (MUVGn.DE), facing billions of euros in claims for damage caused by climate change in coming years, is seeking to drum up support for an ambitious plan to build solar parks in the Sahara desert.

The reinsurer wants backing from other leading European companies for a feasibility study on generating a significant proportion of Europe's power needs in northern Africa -- at a cost potentially running into hundreds of billions of euros.

The project is the brainchild the Club of Rome, an association of social leaders who aim to foster sustainable development best known for its 1972 book 'Limits to Growth'.

Munich Re has invited several companies, including Deutsche Bank (DBKGn.DE), Siemens (SIEGn.DE), E.ON (EONGn.DE) and RWE (RWEG.DE), to meet on July 13 to agree on a joint project, said a foundation organised by members of the Club of Rome.

"We have approached Munich Re to get industrial companies on board and Munich Re organised the meeting with the other companies," said a spokesman for the Desertec foundation, which is fostering the idea to generate solar power in Africa.

The 20 companies and Desertec aim to sign a memorandum of understanding to found the Desertec Industrial Initiative which would commission studies on possible projects, he said.

A first power station with a capacity of 2 gigawatts in Tunisia with power lines to Italy would take five years to build once it gets regulatory approval, the spokesman said.

A possible long-term project could be a 100 gigawatt solar thermal power station in northern Africa and the Middle East. It could be finalised by 2050 with power lines connecting it to central Europe and would cost an estimated 400 billion euros ($555.8 billion), he said.

A solar power station with 100 gigawatt in western Europe -- where the sun shines for fewer hours and far less intensely than in the Sahara -- would be able to supply some 28 million homes, according to the German association of power generators.

China shakes off image as climate criminal with green revolution

2009-06-12T11:20:00.000+02:00

"Coal-hungry China's low-carbon ambitions are to its economic advantage as it jostles for position at Copenhagen with the US" -> right here

Some china eco-news

2009-06-10T10:07:00.001+02:00

China to offer subsidy for green lighting products and

U.S. seeks tougher climate steps from China.

Both reports by Reuters

Australia wind farm gets go-ahead

2009-06-09T08:46:00.001+02:00

Approval has been given for Australia's biggest wind farm to be built near Broken Hill in New South Wales.

Read article.

Your Planet Needs You – UNite to Combat Climate Change

2009-06-03T00:19:00.002+02:00

Mexico, which accounts for around 1.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, is demonstrating its commitment to climate change on several fronts. At the crossroads of the Green Economy and one increasingly in the center of regional and global affairs, Mexico will host the international 2009 World Environment Day celebrations.
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The World Environmental Day is this Friday, so it's the first day of the RES Reunion in Kraków!

Repower House Party Video

2009-05-28T12:24:00.003+02:00

When two of the top polutters meet

2009-05-19T17:06:00.003+02:00

British Guardian has a truly interesting article on a 2008 secret meeting between worlds biggest polluters: China and the US. Right here

The Energy Evolution: An analysis of alternative vehicles and fuels to 2100

2009-05-15T15:18:00.001+02:00

Here is a very interesting report from the National Hydrogen Association: “The Energy Evolution: An analysis of alternative vehicles and fuels to 2100”.

The Energy Evolution compares more than 15 of the most promising fuel and vehicle alternatives over a 100-year period, in scenarios where a mix of vehicles is used initially with one fuel and vehicle alternative becomes dominant in the vehicle mix over time. The scenarios evaluate the performance and viability of each alternative in terms of greenhouse gases, oil imports, urban air pollution and societal costs.

Thanks to Arnbjorn for sending info about that!

FACTBOX: China's climate change policy

2009-05-13T08:16:00.000+02:00

Reuters has some solid info on how green China is.

Carbon Trust signs China deal

2009-05-09T20:50:00.001+02:00

Financial times has an interesting article on the topic of UK carbon deal with China.

Renewable energy consumption fell by one per cent between 2006-2007,

2009-05-08T00:26:00.002+02:00

Total renewable energy consumption decreased by 96 trillion British thermal units (Btu) or one per cent between 2006 and 2007, according to a report by the Energy Information Administration entitled ‘Renewable Energy Trends in Consumption and Electricity’ which provides an overview spanning as far back as 1989 through 2007 on renewable energy.

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'Anaconda' harnesses wave power

2009-05-06T15:20:00.001+02:00

A new wave energy device known as "Anaconda" is the latest idea to harness the power of the seas.

Article:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/8034884.stm

Green Box: Pizza Box Turns into Plates & Storage Unit

2009-05-06T12:32:00.009+02:00

RES Green News first on Google!

2009-04-22T16:30:00.003+02:00

After a tremendous success of RES Alumni on the most popular web search engine in the world, it's time for RES Green news to top the charts ;).

How long will it last

2009-04-20T18:55:00.002+02:00

NewScientist published this really depressing poster. We got to start living sustainably!

Google and General Electric Team Up on Energy Initiatives

2009-04-17T01:57:00.004+02:00

Read about the cooperation of the two corporate giants.

GE is committed to the mitigation of the climate change and widespread introduction of renewable energy through their Ecoimagination initiative. Check out their really cool website. I recommend playing with their augmented reality plugin!

Google started the RE<C project, where they want to develop technologies that will allow energy production from renewable sources cheaper then from coal. Read more about it here.

Shell Cuts Back on Chinese Projects

2009-04-16T08:49:00.002+02:00

Wall Street Journal has a rather grim article on how some of the most promising green projects planned in China are getting scraped. Long live the crisis.
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123970684879616689.html

Better Fuel Cells Using Bacteria

2009-04-11T22:27:00.003+02:00

What if you could power your house with sewage? Or run your pacemaker with blood sugar rather than a traditional battery? Scientists hope that microbial fuel cells -- devices that use bacteria to generate electricity -- could one day make this vision a reality.

While typical fuel cells use hydrogen as fuel, separating out electrons to create electricity, bacteria can use a wide variety of nutrients as fuel. Some species, such as Shewanella oneidensis and Rhodoferax ferrireducens, turn these nutrients directly into electrons. Indeed, scientists have already created experimental microbial fuel cells that can run off glucose and sewage. Although these microscopic organisms are remarkably efficient at producing energy, they don't make enough of it for practical applications.

Tim Gardner, a bioengineer at Boston University (and member of the 2004 TR35), has developed a new technique for understanding the networks of genes that regulate the chemical reactions taking place in bacterial cells. The resulting "map" will be an advance for the field of synthetic biology: the quest to design and build biological systems that can perform specific functions. Gardner's team aims to harness the genetic control system to engineer bacteria that can produce energy more efficiently.

More students exploring subject of renewable energy, but U.S. still lags

2009-04-11T22:01:00.001+02:00

In what could be an encouraging sign of change in America’s long-standing shortage of graduates prepared for high-tech careers, the hottest subject on college campuses across the nation right now seems to be renewable energy - a surge of interest driven largely by the specter of global warming.

Concern about climate change is apparently galvanizing more students to turn toward a subject involving science and engineering, educators suggest, in much the way that Moscow’s launching of the Sputnik space satellite jolted baby boomers to turn their eyes to the stars.

Over the past year, college and university leaders say they have seen a surge of enthusiasm among undergraduates for studying energy sources that don’t contribute to global pollution.

What remains uncertain is whether enthusiasm for the science and technology of renewable energy sources will carry over into graduate school, swelling the ranks of Americans with advanced degrees in such subjects.

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By Jim Tankersley / Tribune Washington Bureau
Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Lawrence Lessig on ideas in "green culture"

2009-04-07T14:51:00.003+02:00

http://www.lessig.org/content/av/
An IP guru Lawrence Lessig has something to say on "culture enviromentalist", check out his presentation.

We can solve the climate crisis

2009-04-07T10:43:00.004+02:00

The We Campaign is nonprofit project being conducted by the Alliance for Climate Protection and with the ultimate goal of ending global warming.

Sign up for WeCanSolveIt You Tube channel here.

eSolar: Utility-Scale Solar Power

2009-04-07T10:37:00.001+02:00

eSolar, a producer of large-scale solar thermal power plants, received $130 million in new investment funds in April 2008. The company has since signed a power purchase agreement with Southern California Edison to build a total of 245 megawatts (MW) of concentrating solar power plants in Southern California. The plants are expected to begin electricity production in 2011. Such renewable energy plants are expected to become a viable replacement for fossil fuel power plants.

Find out more on their website.

Can China be green by 2020?

2009-04-03T10:02:00.000+02:00

China's unprecedented economic growth over the past 30 years has come at a huge cost to the environment.

The damage has not only been to the air the Chinese breath or the water in their rivers, but also to its reputation across the world.

But there are signs that China may now be serious about tackling pollution to prove to the world that it can develop while causing less damage to the environment.

BBC Brasil travelled to China, which recently overtook the United States as the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, as part of its series looking at where the BRIC economies - Brazil, Russia, India and China - will be in 2020.

China is today the world's biggest consumer of coal, the cheapest yet most polluting source of energy.

The country uses a quarter of the world's coal reserves and depends on it to provide more than two thirds of its energy needs.

The rapid growth has also altered old Chinese habits that used to be environmentally friendly.

As soon as you walk out from your hotel onto the street of Beijing you realise that the typical image of Chinese city streets being packed with bicycle-riding commuters is becoming a thing of the past.

Bumper to bumper, the people of Beijing crawl to work in their cars. Each car belching out fumes into the atmosphere.

In Beijing alone, the number of cars has tripled over the past decade, with more than 1,000 new vehicles arriving on the streets of the capital every day.

In discussions for the post-Kyoto global climate treaty, China now accepts the need for mandatory targets to reduce greenhouse gasses, but with the condition that stricter rules should be applied to developed countries.

"China is no longer a closed country," says Tom Wang, spokesman for Greenpeace in Beijing.

"To keep its economic growth and its place as an important player on the international scene, it needs to acknowledge what other countries are saying about it."

According to Mr Want, environmental damage costs the country up to 5% of its economic output each year.

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By Rogerio Wassermann, BBC Brasil, Beijing

China passes 500 mark for U.N. clean energy projects

2009-04-01T14:05:00.002+02:00

China, the world's top greenhouse gas polluter, has passed a milestone in the number of U.N.-backed clean energy projects, with the world body approving more than 500 such schemes so far.

China has the highest number of such projects, which yield tradable carbon credits for investors in wind farms, solar power, small hydro, biomass or cleaning up planet-warming industrial gases.

The scheme, called the clean development mechanism (CDM), is part of the Kyoto Protocol climate pact and aims to help developing countries shift to low-carbon economies and also help rich nations offset their emissions by buying the carbon credits.

Each offset, called a certified emission reduction (CER), represents a tonne of greenhouse gas pollution saved from being emitted.

As of late Monday, China now has 501 such projects registered, followed by India at 411 and Brazil with 156. Globally, the United Nations has approved 1,539.

Many of China's registered projects are in hydro and wind power, with others designed to capture methane from coal mines, landfills and agricultural waste.

Hundreds more Chinese projects are in the pipeline awaiting formal approval by the United Nations.

To date, approved Chinese CDM projects have been issued with 119,400,810 CERs, representing more than 40 percent of the total issued to date globally by the United Nations, but still a fraction of China's overall greenhouse gas emissions.

CERs last traded in London on Monday at 10.04 euros ($13.30) a tonne.

Source: REUTERS; Reporting by David Fogarty; Editing by Michael Urquhart

Idea of this blog

2009-03-28T22:27:00.001+01:00

This blog has been created and is being edited by RES Alumni Organisation and contents various information about renewable energy, environmental technologies etc.