The Ten Essential Renewable Energy Stories This Week
It seems as though every week is marked by a large renewable energy announcement from a government; this week was no different.
Ontario passed the Green Energy Act which effectively creates the best clean energy incentives in the world; and, in the United States, the Department of Energy announced $50 million in funding for geothermal energy, while Vermont became the first state to set up fixed rates for power generated from renewable sources. Furthermore, the United Nations issued a report showing that in 2008 renewable energy development and investment skyrocketed in the developing world, especially in India, China, and Brazil.
And, we haven't even begun talking about cool innovations such as Fisker's new hybrid sports car, PVT's cogeneration solar panels, or EcoWatercraft's electric jet ski. Oh, there is such limited time...
Here are this week's 10 Hottest Renewable Energy Stories You May Have Missed:
1. The Upside of Down - Green Global Stimulus Spending - Mitchell Anderson explores how the global economic crisis has led to massive investment by governments, world-wide, in renewable sectors.
2. McKinsey Global Institute Explores Growth in Global Energy Demand - McKinsey Global Institute predicts when the global economy recovers an "oil shock" is inevitable without rapid transition to clean energy.
3. Guide to the Top Five Wind Power-Producing States in the US - An overview of the policies and legislation that have enabled Texas, Iowa, California, Minnesota, and Washington to become the top wind power producing states in the U.S.
4. The Concentrated Solar Power State of Play in Europe - Kevin Grandia continues his world exploration of concentrated solar power's development and implementation. This week's stop: Euorpe.
5. Interview with Alex van der Beek of SolarBotanic - Leslie Berliant discovers more about SolarBotanic's development of artificial trees that convert light, heat, and wind energy into electricity.
6. The Netherlands: Using Pigs to Produce Energy and Fight Off Climate Change - A biogas plant in Streskel, Netherlands converts pig waste into enough energy to power the entire town.
7. Energy Dept. Announces $50 M in Grants to Propel Geothermal Energy Technologies - The U.S. Department of Energy offers grants to promote and further develop geothermal heat pumps, and to fund creative innovations to reduce the cost of geothermal power projects.
8. Fisker Auto's Plug In-Hybrid Tres Chic - Fisker's plug-in hybrid sport's car, the Karma, can accelerate from 0-60 mph in less than six seconds while boasting zero emissions for the first 50 miles.
9. Ontario Announces Most Generous Renewable Incentives in the World - With the passing of the Green Energy Act, Ontario has set up the greatest feed-in tariffs in the world.
10. Developing Countries Boost Carbon Market, But More Still Needed - While clean energy investments stalled in Euorpe and North America in 2008, they surged in China, Brazil, and India.
Well, this concludes another fast-paced week at EnergyBoom. Enjoy the stories, and remember, If you have been unable to keep up with the information stream in your favourite sector you can always catch up by searching through our solar, wind, bio-energy, geothermal, transportation, and emerging channels.
Nathanael Baker is the Managing Editor of EnergyBoom. He has researched and reported on the issues of renewable energy, sustainability, and climate change for over two years. He has provided research to the New York Times and The Economist, as well as being published on different media outlets including, The Energy Collective.
Any opinion contained in this article is solely that of the writers, and does not necessarily shape or reflect the editorial opinions of Energy Boom. Energy Boom content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be advice regarding the investment merits of, or a recommendation regarding the purchase or sale of, any security identified on, or linked through, this site.
