So, it finally happened. By the slimmest of margins (219-212) the US House finally approved the Waxman-Markey American Clean Energy and Security Act (H.R. 2454) legislation, which some – most notably Al Gore - are hailing as the most important legislation Congress will ever pass... 01 July 2009
Steve Sawyer reports back from some notable events, including the second (of 6) negotiating sessions leading up to the UNFCCC cop 15 in copenhagen, where the world is supposed to agree a new comprehensive global agreement to combat climate change… 01 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
Large conventional and nuclear power stations have traditionally been the ‘big hitters’ of electrical power generation, with a few up to 4 GW. Wind, too, is beginning to muscle into the ‘Gigawatt-Plus’ club. George Marsh asks: How soon solar power could join the big hitters. 09 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
With increasing use of renewables in the electricity sector, overcoming the intermittency of for example wind and solar is key. James Tipping and Duncan Sinclair at UK energy consultancy Redpoint Energy investigate the use of marine energy to combat intermittency. 22 May 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. 18 May 2009
Has the world's largest energy consumer finally realised that energy shortages and price spikes are truly the norm, not the exception? If so, the Smart Grid could push the energy revolution forward, reports Eric Miller, Chief Solutions Officer at Trilliant. 11 May 2009
The European building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) market is a niche market with great potential. Although the market takes up less than 5% of the total European solar photovoltaic (PV) market, there is considerable interest due to its high year-on-year growth and the increasing number of countries with supportive legislation for BIPV. Akhil Sivanandan, Research Analyst - Building Technologies - at Frost & Sullivan, reports. 06 May 2009
Voltage control technology developed by Senergy Econnect is enabling the connection of additional power generation on a remote part of the EDF Energy’s Southern Power Network area. Dr Vincent Thornley, Products Manager with Senergy Econnect and David Reid, a Project Manager at EDF Energy Networks explain. 24 April 2009
With the recent and continued increase in wind power, the challenge is clear: how can the energy industry integrate this intermittent power source into the electricity grid? Jeff Lerner, Michael Grundmeyer and Matt Garvert of 3TIER make the case for better forecasting. 18 April 2009
The challenge for Australia has always been to take clean energy inventions - such as those coming from the solar PV and Concentrating Solar Power (CSP)/Concentrating Solar Thermal (CST) sectors - to market, in a very large country, where most of the population lives in the southeast corner, and which has substantial reserves of coal. 14 April 2009
Understanding the fundamentals of the wind energy industry, and its past successes and failures, is key to investing in wind power and making profits in the sector. Nick Hodge, co-author of a new book that helps investors invest in the renewable energy sector, takes a look at the risks and opportunities associated with investing in wind power. 03 April 2009
How much wind power was installed, and where, in 2008? In total, global wind energy capacity surged by 28.8% - another record year for new installations. The United States passed Germany to become the number one market in wind power, and China’s total capacity doubled for the fourth year in a row. 03 April 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
The intermittency of renewables is forcing energy providers to look at ways to store energy – as a way to guarantee stable supply. Bent Sørensen from Roskilde University in Denmark looks at a classic case of energy storage – vehicles that use batteries and fuel cells. 01 March 2009
If a wind turbine can last three years at a wind farm in the US, Southern California's San Gorgonio pass without major servicing, then it should last longer in areas of the world with less turbulent winds. Why then is that sometimes not the case? And what can be done about it? 01 March 2009
The western third of the USA offers abundant sources of wind and solar energy, given the appropriate transmission infrastructure. As the development of this infrastructure has not been vigorously pursued, the ‘bi-partisan’ Western Governors' Association (WGA) has stepped up to the plate. 01 March 2009
At the first World Future Energy Summit (WFES) in Abu Dhabi, early 2008, the agenda was dominated by fossil fuel companies seeking to paint themselves green – while maintaining the status quo with a few tweaks and some carbon capture and storage (CCS). Steve Sawyer returned for the second WFES in January 2009, and found the oil companies still there, but now competing with renewables for the spotlight. 01 March 2009
After successfully weavings its path through the two chambers of Congress in the USA, President Obama has signed into law the hugely-ambitious (and some would say risky) American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, worth US$787 billion, and including around US$43 billion for energy. 01 March 2009
Contrary to negative opinion, micro-wind generation in urban areas could meet local energy demand in certain circumstances. In the first of a 3-part article looking at the findings of one UK supermarket's analysis into using urban wind, Bill Holdsworth cautions that city wind does not behave like rural wind. 01 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
Renewable energy in China has a promising future, but more incentives are needed, write Geoffrey D. Mullen and Weidong Wang at Grandall Legal Group. 23 February 2009
Until recently, most investors have largely ignored geothermal technology. But in the past two to three years, investor interest in geothermal technology is finally catching on – with increased recognition of the huge potential to be tapped. Kai Sametinger of forseo GmbH asks what has triggered this new interest surrounding the art of investing in geothermal. 01 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
Things appear to be moving fast in Washington, as President Obama already seems to be living up to his promise of supporting renewable energy development. But do those in the industry think his policies will work? 15 January 2009
Could extended periods of wind turbine downtime be not just a problem of faulty turbines, rather on occasion also be down to the lack of expertise – and poor attitude – of wind turbine Operation and Maintenance (O&M) teams themselves? 01 January 2009
One of the most vexing challenges facing US utilities in integrating more renewable energy sources into their energy portfolios can be summed up in two words: improving transmission... 01 January 2009
The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC)'s Steve Sawyer takes stock of the achievements and failures of COP 14 in Poznan, and looks at what needs to be done before COP 15 in Copenhagen at the end of 2009. 01 January 2009
Better known internationally for its mountain parks and vast tracts of oil sands, Alberta may also soon emerge as the most progressive province for solar development in Canada – a country lagging in development of this technology. 04 December 2008
For centuries civilisations have taken advantage of the power of water. Once used by the Greeks for grinding wheat into flour, the water wheels of the past have been transformed into highly-efficient turbines that generate electricity. Renewable Energy Focus takes an in-depth look at the current renaissance in Small Hydropower in the EU. 03 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
Once management at business firms, government agencies and non-profit organisations acknowledge that there is a substantial body of evidence to support the "peak oil theory," as some people refer to it, they will soon thereafter be asking: "When should our organisation transition away from petroleum?" 16 September 2008
US, Washington State utility Puget Sound Energy (PSE) is combining solar PV and wind power at its grid-connected Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility in Kittitas County. Steven St. Clair, Manager, Renewable Assets at PSE, talks to renewable energy focus’ Kari Larsen about the project. 15 September 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
The convoluted (and complex) debate surrounding the trade of guarantees of origin for renewably-generated electricity in a target-driven EU policy landscape rumbles on. To trade or not to trade (and what’s legal and what isn’t?) that seems to be the thrust of the debate at present, as member states weigh up what the flexibility mechanism means for them. 20 May 2008
Suzlon needs little introduction. The wind turbine manufacturer embodies the rise of renewable energy, perhaps more than any other company in the world. Founded in India in 1995, the wind group now ranks fifth worldwide and had a 7.7% share of the global turbine manufacturing market in 2006. It is the market leader in India, where it has installed more than 2GW of wind capacity and owns over 30 wind farms. David Hopwood speaks to Group CEO Andre Horbach. 21 March 2008
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