The Energy Endgame: Renewables vs Fossil Fuels

The combination of market forces and changing public sensibilities are driving a major shift in the energy landscape. The need for renewable energy to combat climate change is incontrovertible, while a plethora of warnings tell us that we are rapidly exhausting our carbon budgets. Ending fossil fuels is a mathematical imperative if we are to have a chance of keeping temperatures from rising above the upper threshold limit of 1.5 - 2.0 C.

In 2016 we were already seeing how diminishing profits were contributing to the fall of fossil fuel and the rise of renewables  In 2020 the momentum away from fossil fuels is undeniable. They are being shunned by investors, insurance companies and banks. Fossil fuels are approaching the end of their life cycle while renewables are becoming increasingly attractive due to the declining cost of solar and storage.

Trane Helping Schools Cut their Energy Bills in Half

The combination of efficiency and renewables is driving big savings at Massachusetts' Dighton-Rehoboth Regional School District. A performance contract signed with HVAC manufacturer Trane Inc. is expected to slash the districts annual energy spending by 62 percent, or $564,000 each year.

Trane is far more than just a leading manufacturer of HVAC equipment, they also offers cost saving projects and renewable energy efficiency solutions. They helped to design and install the district's 1.2-megawatt solar photo-voltaic system including five carport canopies ranging in size from 117 kW to 639 kW. This system now generates around 75 percent of the energy used by the district.

Event - OWP Japan Offshore Wind Power

OWP Japan (Offshore Wind Power) will take place on May 16-17, 2019 in Tokyo, JAPAN. The Key highlights of the agenda include the following:

Offshore wind opportunities in Japan and a regulator’s perspectives. How to construct a successful offshore wind partnership in Japan. Pilot case studies experiences including lessons from Taiwan and Europe. Financing and funding options as well as strategies for offshore wind projects. Offshore wind project risk, mitigation and insurance. Creating the supply chain – needs and opportunities. Offshore wind technologies for the Japanese environment.

Workshop - Risk Mitigation in Renewable Energy Investments in Africa

A workshop on Risk Mitigation in Renewable Energy Investments in Africa will take place on January 29 – 30, 2018 in Nairobi, Kenya.

Although US President Donald Trump has called Africa a "shithouse", the facts dispute his characterization, particularly as it relates to another topic he dislikes, renewable energy.

Africa is an ideal location for solar, wind, and geothermal. It is the sunniest continent on Earth and has a large coastline, where wind power and wave power are abundant. Geothermal power has the potential to provide considerable amounts of energy in many eastern African nations due to a 5,900-kilometer rift.

Energy Storage Market Overview and Forecasts

The stored energy market has grown exponentially but this is nothing compared to what we can expect to see in the coming years. Massive growth is expected all around the world and this will contribute to an exponential increase in distributed power in developed nations. This will also allow developing nations to forego the need for a expensive investments in grid infrastructure.

The combination of increasing-efficiency and decreasing-cost will keep driving demand for energy storage in 2017 and beyond.

Lithium-ion

Lithium-ion technologies accounted for more than 95 percent of new energy-storage deployments in 2015. There is no reason to believe that this trend will not continue. Given all the options on the table lithium-ion batteries have proven to be the most suitable type of storage for EVs and stationary energy across the grid, from large utility-scale installations to residential systems.

Climate Focus at the April 14th Democratic Debate

Climate related issues were a major part of the Democratic Presidential debate between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders in Brooklyn, New York, on April 14, 2016. While the two candidates agree that climate change is an urgent issue, there are important distinctions between their respective policy positions.  Regardless of who wins the nomination, this debate establishes the Democratic party as the only choice for environmentally conscious voters.

The Green Climate Fund Comes of Age

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) is a United Nations climate finance mechanism designed to assist the developing world.by mobilizing funding for mitigation and adaptation. The GCF mission is to expand collective human action to respond to climate change. It will do this in large part  through the transfer cutting-edge climate technologies. This includes things like smart-grid technologies, electric vehicles and components used in solar electricity generation.

Environmental Differences Between Hillary and Bernie in the Flint Presidential Debate

Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders faced off in a presidential primary debate at the University of Michigan in Flint, on March 6, 2016. During this substantive debate some salient differences emerged between the two remaining Democratic presidential contenders.

These differences included Sander's relatively stronger emphasis on combating climate change, and opposition to both fracking and campaign finance from the fossil fuel industry.

Climate and Clean Energy in the Third Democratic Presidential Debate

Watching the third Democratic debate, the conspicuous absence of any questions on climate change could have led viewers to think they had tuned into a Republican debate. Although not a single question was asked about climate change, which is startling given the fact that the debate comes only a week after the COP21 agreement was announced, Sanders and O'Malley did manage to briefly mention climate change and clean energy. Clinton conspicuously ignored the topic altogether. She may think this is a good way to win over Republicans who are disillusioned with front running GOP candidate Donald Trump. However it is also a great way to alienate her base.

Infographic - Solar Energy Employment 2010 - 2015

Event - Wind Energy Summit

The 2nd annual Wind Energy Summit will take place on April 16th and 17th in Cape Town South Africa, one of the world’s most exciting new hubs for wind energy in the world. This is the number one commercially based wind energy summit in South Africa. Come and listen to 2015’s most qualified wind energy experts speak about how to implement the financial and legislative changes which will continue to drive industry success into the future.

UK's Renewable Energy (Wind) Records in 2014

In 2014, the UK continues to set records as it increases the power it generates from renewable sources of energy. In 2014, the electricity needs of more than a quarter of UK homes were powered by wind energy.

According to newly released data from National Grid, a record amount of clean electricity was generated by wind power in 2014. Wind power generated enough electricity to supply the needs of more than 6.7 million UK households last year. This represents a 15 percent increase over the amount generated in 2013 (up from 24.5 terawatt hours to 28.1TWh in 2014). Averaged over the course of the entire year, this amounts to just over 25 percent of all UK homes.

The combination of large scale wind farms and smaller sites connected to local networks, provided 9.3 percent of the UK’s total electricity supply in 2014, up from 7.8 percent the year before.

Event - Mexico WindPower 2015 Exhibition and Congress

Mexico WindPower 2015 will take place on February 25 - 26, 2015 at the Centro Banamex in Mexico City. This event will bring together key players of the wind power industry including representatives from three levels of government, companies, industry experts, academics and professionals. All will meet face to face to see how the supply chain can help achieve Mexico’s 35 percent renewable energy targets by 2024. The Mexican government’s new renewable energy targets mean that doors will be opening for the wind industry and its stakeholders, creating business opportunities.

Infographic - Wind Energy in America

Event - Wind Turbine Blade Manufacture 2014

This event will take place on December 1 - 3, 2014, at the Maritim Hotel, Düsseldorf, Germany. This International conference on MW wind blades will look at design factors, composites manufacturing and performance. The 5th AMI international conference on Wind Turbine Blade Manufacture is organized by Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI). It will start with an evening Welcome Cocktail Reception and exhibition on 1st December followed by a 2-day technical programme (see the bottom of the page).

African Renewable Energy Alliance (AREA)

The African Renewable Energy Alliance, or AREA, is focused on expanding research, development and use of renewable energy throughout Africa. This organization is composed of utility companies, industries, policy makers, and civil society members.

This organization facilitates the exchange of information on new technologies as well as workable funding mechanisms for renewable energy. Ultimately AREA expedites renewable energy production in Africa.

African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF)

A new fund is bringing renewable energy funding to Africa. Developing renewable energy takes resources and this is hard to come by in much of the developing world.

The African Renewable Energy Fund (AREF) was established was launched in June 2014 with $100 million and it is expected to climb to $200 million within a year. The fund dedicated to supporting small to medium independent power producers (IPPs).

Celebrating Renewables on Africa Industrialization Day

There is no better time to review the future of renewable energy on the dark continent than on Africa Industrialization Day which is celebrated every year on November 20. This day is meant to draw attention to the ways of stimulating industry on the continent. With 30 of the world's 50 least development nations located in Africa, there are few places more in need of such attention. The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) plays an important role promoting the day and African development in general. This year marks the 24th Africa Industrialization Day.

There is no industry that holds more promise for Africa than renewable energy. Renewable energy could transform the living standards of millions of Africans. This is particularly true in remote and rural areas. On site renewable energy production is ideal in remote areas because it is far cheaper than building infrastructure to gain access to an energy grid.

Event - Wind Turbine Optimization, Maintenance and Repair Summit

The first annual Wind Turbine Optimization, Maintenance and Repair Summit, will take place on 8th-9th December, 2014 at the Westin Prince in Toronto Canada.

For 5 consecutive years, the Wind Energy Operations and Maintenance Series has been the central meeting point for the North American and European wind industries, making it the only place for you to meet, network and do business with the key O&M individuals. It is now recognized as the Americas most reputable and rewarding commercial business forum. 

Event - Solar Power International: Who is Attending

This event will take place on October 20 - 23, 2014, at the Las Vegas Convention Center Las Vegas, Nevada. Some of the biggest names in the solar industry will be in attendence at Solar Power International. This includes:

G&W provides medium voltage switches to the renewable energy market. All G&W switches are maintenance-free, weatherproof, and can be used in submersible applications, as they are impervious to the environmental elements typically found in offshore wind applications. Ratings through 38 kV, 630 amps continuous, as well as fault interrupting up to 25 kA (-40° F to 122° F). Booth #2060

UL offers a suite of PV plant services that helps owner-operators, developers, financiers, EPCs, insurers and manufacturers manage risks associated with building and operating a PV plant. We help manage risk by providing technical information and data for energy yield assessments, technical due diligence, and measurements and inspection. Booth # 2912