Wind Energy and renewable energy blog

US Green Economy Mapping

The Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) has produced an interactive map showing the locations of 1200 green companies across 12 US states.

In the 12 states, carbon caps are anticipated to result in the significant growth of green collar jobs. The map includes a range of businesses from solar and wind power generation to a company growing fuel from algae.

UK Government Stands By Renewable Energy

The UK government issued its response this week to a report on the economics of renewable energy by the House of Lords Economic Affairs committee.

The response re-affirms the key objectives of the government to “bring about the transition to a low carbon Britain and to achieve an international agreement on climate change in Copenhagen in December 2009″.

New UK Community Renewable Energy Funding Database

The Energy Savings Trust website now has a database where you can search for grant organisations who offer financial assistance for renewable energy or energy efficiency projects in your home or local community.

The Carbon Reductions Emissions Target (CERT) came into force in the Spring of April 2008, and requires energy suppliers to take active measures to reduce the CO2 emissions from UK homes. CERT effectively results in energy companies providing grants and financial assistance towards energy efficiency measures and renewable energy for your home.

People Living Close to Wind Farms

If you have a wind energy project proposed close to where you live it can sometimes be difficult to establish what the potential implications on you personally might be. There is no substitute for doing your own research and the best way to do this is to go and see a wind farm and if possible talk to the neighbours.

This video talks about the role of renewable energy and specifically wind energy in New York. It features first-hand accounts from people living near wind farms and also experts in the energy and the environment fields.

Scotland Embraces Renewable Energy but Fights Against Nuclear Energy Imposition

The Scots do not hold back when it comes to renewable energy. Scotland’s Chief Scientific adviser, Anne Glover, speaking on BBC Politics confirmed this week that Scotland has the scientific and engineering skills to develop 40% of Europe’s renewable energy potential.

MSP Rob Gibson a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Transport and Climate Change Committee – welcomed Prof. Glover’s comments and said “Every penny wasted on new nuclear technology would be a penny less for the development of clean, green energy.

The Green Collar Job Race

Green collar job is the new phrase being used by politicians all over the world in an attempt to bring hope amidst redundancies and nose diving economies.

In the UK the Treasury expects the economy to shrink by 1.2% with the global economy looking just as gloomy. Where there is gloom however it is human nature to look for opportunity – and politicians are looking at combating climate change as providing the platform for this opportunity.

New Renewable Energy for Antarctic Base

Nine ambitious npower employees are to set off for the antarctic this week to examine the further potential for renewable energy at explorer Robert Swan’s conservation base in Bellinghausen. The npower/ Robert Swan team were last year the first to power a base entirely by renewable energy.

Robert Swan, the first man ever to walk to both the North and South poles is taking the team of nine to the E-base in antarctica on his ‘Inspire Antarctic Expedition’.

Offshore Wind in Need of Finance Boost

Over the last year we have seen some companies pull out of UK offshore wind energy, notably Shell, whilst others buy in. More recently we have seen even the big players hesitate with Centrica delaying construction of its 250MW east coast Lincs wind farm by at least a year. The company is blaming the supply chain after reviewing the project’s economics.

Centrica had reached the stage of talking to wind turbine manufacturers and contractors but has now put the brakes on.

Brave Developers Submit Planning Application for Wind Turbines on the Isle of White

Cornish Light and Power (CLP) this week took the bold step of submitting a planning application for three wind turbines on the Isle of White.

The site in the Isle’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was granted consent for 3 much smaller 52m high wind turbines several years ago, however because of the high grid connection costs and restricted turbine tower heights, the project was not economically viable.

Obama Signs Economic Stimulus Bill into Law

The AWEA today congratulated President Barack Obama for signing the $787 billion economic stimulus bill into law. AWEA CEO Denise Bode said “The U.S. wind energy industry is grateful to Congress and the President for taking this important step to secure an economic recovery that includes a strong focus on renewable energy…

BT Set to Pull Out of Wind Energy

BT – a relatively new entrant to the UK wind sector announced today that it may be putting the brakes on its wind energy projects. BT claims that its potential 20-30 wind farm sites in England and Scotland are at risk because the government will not allow double accounting of green benefits.

A spokesman for the Department of Energy and Climate Change said the problem is due to BT’s plans to profit from the wind energy projects by selling electricity to a different end user but at the same time claiming this sold green electricity also reduces its own CO2 footprint, thereby “having its cake and eating it”.

Wind Energy Project Boosts Employment

Construction on the first phase of the £132 Glacier Wind Farm in Glacier and Toole Counties, Montana was completed last year involving the employment of 375 construction workers who descended on the local area of Shelby. The second phase of this 210 megawatt, 140 turbine project is creating hundreds of renewable energy jobs and providing significant economic benefits to the local area.

10 Megawatt Superconductor Turbines on Their Way

Alternative technology company AMSC announced this week that it has signed a contract with the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to investigate and assess the economics of a 10 MW “high temperature superconductor” wind turbine.

The company’s website says that it is already developing full 10MW wind turbine component and system designs. The contract for the research will allow the full cost of the turbines to be established and is expected to speed up commercial viability.

Campaign Group Says Yorkshire People Want Renewable Energy, Not Coal

A new 800 MW coal fired power station is being considered for Ferrybridge C, West Yorks to replace the existing 2000 MW plant.

Original proposals were to fit Flue Gas Desulphurisation technology to reduce emissions from the power station before the new EU regulations come into force in 2015 making it unfeasible to continue operation. However proposals for a new power station “potentially” with carbon capture technology came to light several years ago.

How to Save Energy in Your Old House

It is cheap and easy to change a few light bulbs to the energy efficient kind but what can you do to make more of an energy saving impact?

Dale Vince from Ecotricity gave the Telegraph some tips using the example of improving his own stone house in rural Gloucestershire. In the interview Dale said…

UFO Did Not Crash into UK Wind Turbine

An investigation into the cause of a mysteriously damaged wind turbine has established that mechanical failure was to blame rather than a UFO.

Wind turbine manufacturer Enercon has been investigating the damage and has now confirmed that the ring of bolts securing the blade to the wind turbine hub did fail.

How Long Does it Take to Build a Wind Farm?

Anthony Fyson – freelance writer for the UK Royal Town Planning Institute magazine “Planning” this week criticises The British Wind Energy Association for talking about the “falling approval rates” for wind energy projects.

Fyson says “wind power, properly harnessed, is vital to our future and most planners accept the fact. But they are unlikely to be persuaded to act differently on behalf of the frequently divided communities that they serve by the oft-repeated message that they and their system are not good enough.”

Multi – Tasking Wind Turbines

One company has realised that because wind turbines are usually prominent and visible there is a potentially huge market selling advertising space on the structures. When I first looked at WePOWER’s web-site I was horrified – how dare they contaminate the pureness of renewable energy with corporate slogans. Having given the idea some further thought however, it is not such a bad idea – in the right place.

UK DIY Store Forced to Pull Wind Turbines From Shelves

People in the renewable energy industry have for some time been sceptical about the effectiveness of small -domestic scale wind turbines in urban areas. DIY store B&Q starting selling the Windsave 1KW turbine in 2006 for £1900 and at one point it reached their best selling product status in terms of value. However people who bought the product on the basis of claims that turbines could save you 30% off your electricity bill started to raise questions about their effectiveness.

Three New Power Stations in UK

Planning consent was granted for three new gas power stations with a combined capacity of 4 gigawatts yesterday.

Department of Energy and Climate Change Minister Mike O’Brien consented the power stations proposed in Pembroke, Wales, Kings Lynn, Norfolk and Hatfield, Hertfordshire.