Lester R. Brown
As fossil fuel prices rise, as oil insecurity deepens, and as concerns about climate change cast a shadow over the future of coal, a new energy economy is emerging. The old energy economy, fueled by oil, coal, and natural gas, is being replaced by one powered by wind, solar, and geothermal energy. Despite the global economic crisis, this energy transition is moving at a pace and on a scale that we could not have imagined even two years ago. And it is a worldwide phenomenon.
Consider Texas. Long the leading U.S. oil-producing state, it is now also the leading generator of electricity from wind, having overtaken California in 2006. [...]
A Global Shift to Renewable Energy
Apples to Apples: Solar and Wind less costly than Coal and Oil
The following is a guest blog by Tom Rooney of SPGsolar.
Everyone knows solar and wind power are more expensive than oil and coal.
Everyone except the National Academy of Sciences.
So they put it to the test: They found coal and oil and natural gas are artificially cheap because they impose health and financial and environmental costs that all of us pay for — above and beyond the price. Whether we know it or not.
Whether we like it or not.
Sounds kind of like a subsidy, doesn’t it? It’s exactly like a subsidy.
Apples to apples? Solar and wind are often less expensive than coal and oil.
The Academy estimates that coal and oil drain [...]
Can burning tires be a “green” industry?
An Illinois factory is seeking to become designated “green”. Thing is, they burn shredded old tires to generate electricity.
Geneva Energy LLC had been hoping the Illinois legislature would approve a proposed bill that would allow it to be added to the state’s list of renewable energy sources. Tires were, they reasoned, what they termed “reusable resources” – resources that were out there and although not really renewable, were plentiful enough.
Illinois senators, however, didn’t agree, defeating the measure last night in a 26-17 vote.
The bill’s sponsor in the Illinois House, Rep. Will Davis (D-Homewood), said passing this measure would help keep jobs in the town of Ford Heights and allow Geneva Energy LLC to apply for tax credits and grants afforded to wind [...]
Link Sunday
A download of our favorite stories and links from the past week. Enjoy!
1. From Scraps to Seedlings explores how to use eggshells, cardboard, and other household waste to grow vegetables. Hooray for reuse! And cool photos.
2. The Double-Edged Sword of Incentives for renewables, an excellent look at what is needed to really help the renewables industry grow (and what would be well-intentioned but could lead to collapse.)
3. Ok, it’s not hard news, but this video of a golden retriever in a small boat watching orcas swim mere feet away is a GreenPress editor’s favorite. Give it a shot! Some cute on a Sunday never hurt anyone.
4. Climate Change in the [...]
Data Highlights on Solar Energy
Concerns about global warming, rising fossil fuel prices, and oil insecurity have prompted calls for a new energy economy, one that replaces fossil fuels with renewables. The sun is an enormous reservoir of energy; in fact, the sunlight reaching Earth in just one hour is enough to power the global economy for a whole year. Harnessing some of this energy is an essential component of Earth Policy Institute’s carbon cutting plan, as presented in Chapter 5 of Plan B 4.0. Here are some highlights from the accompanying data on three types of solar energy: solar photovoltaics (PVs), concentrated solar thermal power (CSP), and solar water and space heating.
Annual production of [...]
Coal-Fired Power On the Way Out?
By Lester R. Brown
The past two years have witnessed the emergence of a powerful movement opposing the construction of new coal-fired power plants in the United States. Initially led by environmental groups, both national and local, it has since been joined by prominent national political leaders and many state governors. The principal reason for opposing coal plants is that they are changing the earth’s climate. There is also the effect of mercury emissions on health and the 23,600 U.S. deaths each year from power plant air pollution.
Over the last few years the coal industry has suffered one setback after another. The Sierra Club, which has kept a tally of proposed [...]
Visual of the US energy grid, and the renewables vs habitat debate
A recent well done interactive graphic by NPR shows the sources of power and areas of transmission lines within the US energy grid at present, and also the renewables proposed for the future.
With a push for California to generate one-third of its energy from renewable sources (solar, wind, geothermal) by 2020, applications for new solar facilities are pouring in.
Conservation groups in the state are also trying to make sure that habitat protection is a consideration before permits to build are issued. This waiting process is proving controversial, as delays in siting renewables by conservations can seem hypocritical and costly.
Most conservationists aren’t anti-desert renewables (wind and solar), though. Many [...]
Solar panels to be micro-sized in the near future
The products including some sort of solar charger continues to grow – from backpacks to clothing. Now the technology is progressing so that we may soon see solar cells that are thinner than human hair!
Sandia National Laboratories have been developing glitter-sized photovoltaic cells made from crystalline silicon that are fabricated using microelectronic and microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) techniques. Measuring around 14 to 20 micrometers thick and 0.25 to 1 millimeter across, these cells are expected to be cheaper and more efficient that current solar cells.
Sandia’s lead investigator Greg Nielson said these cells would be wrapped around unusual shapes for building-integrated solar, tents and possibly clothing. The latter would allow consumers to walk around and charge up simultaneously. Hunters, hikers [...]
Green Gadgets for your home
This is a guest post by Danielle Brycz from Verde Lifestyles, an online eco-friendly home décor store.
When I think of green technology for the home, my mind jumps to energy saving devices and appliances. But there’s so much more!
Most of the products we use have eco-friendly alternatives. Take your daily routine. You wake up, hit your alarm clock, turn on your bedside lamp. Then you shower with a low-flow showerhead, blow-dry your hair, eat breakfast, and are out the door with your backpack or briefcase.
Besides conserving water and turning off your lights when not using them, did you consider greener options the last time you made a purchase? It’s just [...]
Shell’s solar follow-through not so bright
The World Bank and a number of green energy companies have accused Royal Dutch Shell of renegging on honoring warranties for solar power systems in impoverished countries in the developing world.
Although Shell exited the solar business in 2009, critics argue that it has a responsibility to continue with after-sales service and warranty replacements.
The World Bank told The Guardian that about 700 solar systems appear to have failed in Sri Lanka, and that local suppliers were at risk of going out of business. Shell has responded, saying their Shell Solar Sri Lanka business was transferred to Environ Energy, a a third-party purchaser, and that the majority of its solar module manufacturing operation has been transferred to a new [...]