These days residents of Finnish cities, towns and villages, nestled among thick forests and thousands of cold lakes, are kept warm by wood. Bioenergy from wood pellets, chips or biofuel fuels a central boiler and pipes the heat into the local hospital, schools, and homes. For many of these towns, cooperative district heating models have brought not only a lower carbon footprint, but the foundation for a thriving, local economy. 12 May 2010
Government legislation and pressure on local authority waste management strategies have, in recent years, led to the explosive growth of the energy-from-waste industry. Simon Ellam from Siemens Industry Automation looks at some of the market drivers and standard issues facing plant controllers and operators. 28 April 2010
The unpredictable price of oil is slowly changing industry and public sentiment in favour of bio-based energy. Especially in the USA. But before the biofuels market can fully commercialise, the public sector needs to clarify its goals. Jim Imbler, President and CEO of ZeaChem (a company active in the development of cellulosic ethanol), reports. 16 April 2010
EU Member States are currently preparing National Action Plans to detail how they will meet their renewable energy targets. 13 April 2010
If anyone was in any doubt that the UAE’s Abu Dhabi is serious about its alternative energy credentials, think again. The richest Emirate's vision to look past its vast fossil fuel heritage and be seen as purveyors and thought leaders of a brave new world of sustainable living and renewable energy development is gaining momentum rapidly. David Hopwood visited Abu Dhabi and the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) to see for himself. 18 March 2010
Widely used throughout the Mediterranean and beyond for cooking olive oil, or its residues are also an important bioenergy source. Andy Allen reports from Spain. 22 February 2010
Following a production boom from 2000-2008, biofuel is now leaving the R&D stage entering the commercial realm – something that could prune the biofuel company landscape. Lux Research looks into how to make biofuel companies successful. 16 February 2010
Linde’s involvement in renewable energy stretches back 20 years, when Linde started its development of hydrogen as a fuel. Since then, the company has entered renewable energy areas such as biogas, biomass, wind, geothermal, solar photovoltaics (PV), solar thermal, and fuel cells. Here Renewable Energy Focus’ Steve Barrett and Kari Larsen talk to Alan Watkins, Head of Merchant and Packaged Gases, and Andreas Opfermann, Head of Innovation Management at Linde Gas. 11 February 2010
France has introduced new feed-in tariffs for 2010 with higher geothermal, biomass, and building integrated solar photovoltaic (BIPV) tariffs than in 2009. 11 February 2010
Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of the Congo get help from COWI to generate electricity from the methane dissolved into the waters of Lake Kivu. 28 January 2010
There are many potential challenges for utilities that look to integrate a larger share of renewable power into their generation mix. But none is more significant than whether a utility has the strategic will. Don C. Smith spoke with Roger Duncan, General Manager of Austin Energy about why it is undertaking an aggressive increase in the percentage of renewable energy in its generating portfolio. 12 January 2010
The Waste Protocols Project - a joint WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) and Environment Agency initiative – recently launched a new Quality Protocol for biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil and rendered animal fats. Here Mervyn Jones, WRAP’s Joint Project Executive for the Waste Protocols Project, explains why the protocol has been introduced, and how it will benefit producers and users of biodiesel… 13 October 2009
A small-scale underground biogas plant in Malawi that has recently been established in an effort to mitigate climate change can also improve food security and livelihoods in rural Malawi, if well tapped. Mizeck Chagunda, geneticist and expert in livestock, agriculture and environment, explains. 01 September 2009
What could a raft of potential new CO2 iniatives in the USA mean for the country's Ethanol industry? 10 August 2009
One of the major problems for fuel cells is the fuelling infrastructure itself. Hydrogen – the fuel of choice from an environmental or energy efficiency perspective – is not yet widespread enough to drive fuel cells towards the mainstream, and other fuel choices such as natural gas are equally problematic. But one fuel cell company in the USA has found an answer by powering fuel cells with biogas derived from a number of different applications. 14 July 2009
The energy scene in Southern Africa is dominated by South Africa. While its coal-based electricity used to be cheap and reliable by world standards, the South African state utility recently ran out of reserve capacity – with blackouts resulting. In the second part of an article for Renewable Energy Focus, Dieter Holm, long-serving member of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), reports on renewed awareness of energy efficiency and renewable energy in South Africa. 16 June 2009
For the average citizen, algae is often viewed as a problematic growth within backyard swimming pools and in-home fish tanks. However in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions such as CO2 and a potential biofuel, algae is a hot topic. 02 June 2009
The UK's forthcoming transition to a low-carbon future has been much touted as a financial and environmental solution. However, it remains uncertain whether the UK has the appropriate skills to underpin a renewable energy revolution. Professor Peter Crossley, Director of the Joule Centre, examines the situation. 25 March 2009
Dieter Holm, long-serving member of the international solar energy society (ISES) looks at the role renewable energies can play in combating climate change in Africa, and argues that the EEG (feed-in-tariff) legislation pioneered in Germany would be the perfect place to start. 28 February 2009
Fuels made from living biomass rather than organisms fossilised some 200 million years ago have attracted worldwide attention – and suspicion. While development continues apace, first and second generation fuels based on terrestrial plants are controversial because they require cultivation resources that could otherwise be used for growing food. What about the third generation? 01 February 2009
Looking to reduce dependence on imported energy and diversify the sources feeding the main power grid, Chile’s interest in harnessing renewable energies has grown significantly over the last year. A major conference in Santiago tackled the barriers to energy independence, reports Colin Bennett. 01 January 2009
Energy from Waste (EfW) is increasingly being seen as something of a silver bullet solution to enable less organic waste to be sent to landfill, as well as deliver cleaner energy. George Marsh looks at a technology that is revolutionising the possibilities for organic waste – Anaerobic Digestion 31 December 2008
Will the USA be able to count on large amounts of biomass energy in the next few decades? Some reports and organizations are more bullish than others, discovers Lyn Corum. 01 December 2008
Farmers around the world are showing increased interest in Anaerobic Digesters, as a result of higher energy and fertiliser prices, the growing costs of complying with waste disposal legislation in many countries and the continuing need to diversify in order to maintain farm incomes. One dairy farm in the USA is using the technology to produce electricity, heat and bedding for animals. 01 December 2008
Making sense of UK renewable energy policy has been tricky in recent times. There remains a contradiction between the challenging target the Government has signed up to, and the sluggishness with which policies are put into place. But as David Hopwood found out on a recent trip to the north east UK, regional development in renewable energy technologies is still taking place, something which is vital to the UK's chance of catching up with countries like Spain and Germany. 01 October 2008
Denmark is proud of its heritage when it comes to pushing forward the use of alternative energy solutions, and is all set to host the make or break un climate change conference (COP 15) in 2009. renewable energy focus assistant editor Kari Larsen saw some of the Danish projects for herself. 19 July 2008
Obtaining more passenger/freight-miles for less fuel is a priority aim for aviation, given the pincer pressures of escalating fuel costs and environment, which are squeezing operators to desperation point. A more sustainable basis for fuelling aircraft is needed, and biofuel is a leading, if controversial, candidate. 01 July 2008
Old paradigms are being transformed and reshaped as alternative, sustainable solutions to meet the world's growing energy needs. This challenge is being fuelled in part by expanding economies of both China and India, coupled with issues of global warming, energy security and depleting resources of fossil fuels. One leading energy from waste (EfW) player, Covanta, looks to what extent EfW technology could really play a role. 01 June 2008
Despite having renewable resources that some countries can only dream of, Australia's antipathy towards the Kyoto Protocol- not to mention its vast sources of coal- have contrived to give it something of an image problem amongst clean energy investors. This has made it difficult for the country to be seen as financially viable when it comes to renewables investment. But with the new administration that has addressed the Kyoto question, could times be changing? Invest Victoria's Ben Foskett gives a perspective from the State of Victoria and ISES President Monica Oliphant reports back from Adelaide's Solar Cities 2008 Congress. 01 June 2008
In the first installment of a new column for renewable energy focus, Bill Eggertson introduces the issues surrounding carbon trading. 01 April 2008
The 9th annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum (REFF) was held recently at the Park Plaza Riverbank Hotel in London. The consensus of opinion pointed to some muscular challenges ahead for clean energy. 01 November 2007
The European Biomass Association's (AEBIOM) new European Biomass Statistics 2007 report offers a comprehensive analysis of the current bioenergy situation in the EU 27 member states. Herwig Ragossnig looks at where the EU currently stands with regard to biomass, and finds that a strategy to encourage renewable heating is vital of the EU is to achieve the magic renewable energy target of 20% by 2020. 01 November 2007
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