Wind Energy Planning

The Times Green Rich List

The Times has started to publish its British Green Rich list annually with the new list out yesterday.

In the face of depleting fossil fuels and the need to find alternative sources of energy these new millionnaires have spotted enormous potential in the green energy market. The list gives a flavour as to which green sectors are commercially evolved in Britain today and flags those technologies likely to continue to grow in the short to medium term future.

Wind energy players take 1st, 11th and 16th places, whilst solar companies take 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th and 20th places. The wind energy sector, despite a near term slow down in growth is expected to grow by 20% per year between 2009 and 2015. The solar sector is growing at a huge 30% per year thanks in part to reduced production costs. Other green millionnaires have made their money from home efficiency technologies, green infrastructure provision, low carbon fuel manufacturers and green consultancy.

Taking the number 1 spot wind energy producer and retailer Ecotricity has been making money from renewable electricity since 1996. Ecotricity’s 48 year old owner Dale Vince is estimated by the Times as being worth £85 million (US $136m).

China Moves Up The Renewable Energy Attractiveness Ladder

China has stepped up 3 places in the latest Renewable Energy Attractiveness league table put together by Ernst & Young.

China now holds second place jointly with Germany further to moves by the Chinese Government to support national solar PV generation.

China now has a whopping 9GW target for solar power. According to Ernst & Young, the impact of this substatial demand in the country may start to stabilize the recent global decline in solar module prices. Wind energy has also dramatically increased in China with targets of 100GW by 2020 announced earlier this year and more attractive feed in tariffs now being offered in some regions.

US Provides Direct Funding for Renewable Energy

The US Treasury opened its doors to a scheme offering payments for renewable energy in lieu of tax credits today.

The initiative is designed to help energy generating businesses and was introduced via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act 2009. The scheme was set up partly because of the nose-diving investor demand for tax credits. The tax credit system has to date been the US government favoured incentive for renewable energy projects.

What Does the Future Hold For Small Scale Renewables?

The UK has a green target to provide 15% of its energy from renewables by 2020. This means producing enough energy from renewable sources for the requirements of 26 million homes in the UK by 2020.

Already – renewable electricity has doubled in the UK in five years, however this has mainly been thanks to large scale commercial renewable energy – in particular wind energy which has doubled in the UK in five years. We already have more offshore wind energy in the UK than any other country.

However what does the Government’s new Renewable Energy Strategy have in store for small-scale renewable energy?

Community Renewable Energy

With both the US and UK governments making serious investments in small scale renewable energy, community projects are likely to attract keen interest over the next few years.

A range of technologies are available to both existing and new communities including wind energy, solar energy, biomass or combined heat and power and hydro- electric power.

Green Energy Web Conferences are holding a series of webconferences to exchange information about green energy solutions. The first is a 2-day community wind energy webconference comprising live presentations by more than 25 community wind specialists.

Solar Energy on the Rise

Solar Energy is currently prominent in the global press even if it does not feature heavily in the UK’s renewable energy expectations.

In many parts of the world, the solar industry is making giant size steps alongside wind energy. Norwegian silicon ingot and wafer manufacturer Norsun recently secured US $180m for its expansion plans. Meanwhile Chinese solar company Astronergy hit an annual generation figure of 100MW from its thin PV film technology last year and has attracted deals from two Chinese private equity investors worth US $50m to expand its manufacturing base.

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.

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.

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’.

How is Obama Influencing US Energy Investment?

Obama’s policies to “roll back the specter of a warming planet” are beginning to shape the new US energy horizon, however whether they will result in a new green, low carbon country is up for debate. The US House of Representatives sanctioned the ‘American Recovery and Reinvestment Tax Act” this week reinforcing the message that Obama is serious about renewable energy.

Masdar – Green Home of the World Future Energy Summit

Earlier this week Abu Dhabi ruler, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed used the eve of the World Future Energy Summit as a world stage for announcing the Emirate’s new green credentials through the imposition of a challenging 7% renewable energy target. Almost none of Abu Dhabi’s energy currently comes from renewable sources.

How to Install Solar Panels

If you are interested in DIY household renewables, check out windysolar’s series of videos describing how he has successfully made his own wind turbine. He has also installed his own solar panels.

US Investors Still Keen on Renewable Energy

Venture capitalists in the US invested $7.7 billion in renewable energy projects during 2008 according to a recent report by Greentech Media.

The figure is a record high and was delivered in more than 350 funding rounds, demonstrating that investors are still very keen to invest in renewable energy.

China’s Giant Solar Energy Project

China is set to host one of the largest solar energy parks in the world. The first phase of the project in the Qaidam Basin, North West China comprises 30MW of capacity but ambitions for expansion to 1GW are outlined by solar energy provider China Technology Development Group Corporation and Qinghai New Energy Co. who signed a deal with the local government of Qinghai Haixi Mongolian-Tibetan Autonomous Region last week.

Obama’s New Renewable Energy Man

Obama has identified his right hand energy man as Steven Chu, Director of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and also founder of Helious Solar Energy Research Centre. The new Department of Energy head will have the job of delivering a $150 billion investment package for alternative energy technologies.