Think SunSmart has launched the PV Calculator Plus design tool for PV system planners and developers. Using satellite data from the national weather satellite, planners can utilize now the full power of NASA satellite technology for the design of solar systems. The unique combination of geophysical science and PV engineering offers easy-to-use information for end-users [...]
Archive for February 3rd, 2008
Think SunSmart launches PV Calculator Plus
Posted in Simulation, Solar Energy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
Airtricity founder to set up new wind energy firm
Posted in Economics, Europe, Wind Energy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
Airtricity founder and former chief Eddie O’Connor is to establish a new wind energy firm.
The company announced yesterday that he is to step down as head of the company following the agreement to sell the wind giant to Scottish & Southern Energy in a €2.2bn deal. However, it is understood that the new venture [...]
Kids break out their Lego robot know-how for chance to compete in world event
Posted in Electricity, Energy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
As they say in the FIRST LEGO League world championships: 3, 2, 1 LEGO!About three dozen teams of children between the ages of 9 and 14 carefully manoeuvred the robots they’d made out of LEGO blocks, electronics and computer software around a pool table-sized obstacle course on Saturday in hopes of winning a spot at [...]
Centrica condemns Europe energy plans
Posted in Energy, Europe, Policy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
Centrica has dismissed the alternative energy unbundling plan suggested to the EU, saying it will not solve the problems of the current energy market, according to a source.
The “Third Way”, as the plans have been called, was put forward by France and Germany and six other member states, reports Forbes.
Proposals in the Third Way suggest [...]
Hydrogen ship soon to set sail
Posted in Hydrogen, Transportation on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
In a few weeks time, the Icelandic whale watching ship Elding will become the world’s first hydrogen-powered commercial ship, transporting Iceland one step further from fossil fuels.
Hydrogen will initially only be used to power the vessel’s lighting system, but it marks an important first step in Iceland’s goal of converting their entire transportation system to [...]
Energy demand for new Powys buildings
Posted in Building, Energy, Europe, Policy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
ALL new buildings in a Mid Wales county will need to incorporate energy-efficiency measures to combat climate change, it was announced yesterday.Powys County Council is the first planning authority in Wales to require these measures, thanks to a new planning policy.
A council spokesman said, “Anyone applying for planning permission for new building work will need [...]
The Wind at Germany’s Back
Posted in Economics, Europe, Wind Energy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
To see Germany’s latest cash crop, take a train across the flat plains between Hannover and Berlin or cruise the waters off the gusty North Sea coast. In both places, you can’t miss the rows of windmills marching to the horizon, quietly generating some 7% of the nation’s electricity needs—and powering an important new industry.
Thanks [...]
California’s Largest Utility Scale PV Solar Farm Gets Final CPUC Approval
Posted in Energy, Solar Energy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
CalRENEW-1, the largest utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) solar facility being developed under California’s Renewables Portfolio Standard program, has received formal approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC). The 5 megawatts of emissions-free peaking power generated from CalRENEW-1, to be located in the City of Mendota, will be sold to Pacific Gas & Electric under a [...]
Turkey embraces wind power
Posted in Energy, Europe, Wind Energy on 2008-02-03 | No Comments »
In an era of record high oil prices, many countries increasingly are turning to alternative fuels, including biofuel, solar energy and wind power. This pattern is typically pronounced in Turkey, forced to import more than 90 percent of its energy needs, with energy suppliers that are not only expensive, but erratic.
In 2006, Turkey spent $29 [...]
Eight EU states oppose unbundling, table ‘third way
Posted in Energy, Europe, Policy on 2008-02-03 | 1 Comment »
France, Germany and six other member states have submitted proposals outlining a ‘third option’ for energy liberalisation. The full document, seen by EurActiv, argues that the Commission’s proposals to unbundle vertically-integrated energy firms will not achieve their desired effect in terms of more grid investments and lower energy prices.
Related:
LinksDossier: Liberalising the EU energy sector
News: France and Germany [...]
