Japan:
¶ Japan has signed a memorandum of understanding to import rare-earth minerals from India. The rare-earth elements are used in the manufacture of such devices as LEDs and solar cells, in addition to computer chips. [Tengrinews]
World:
¶ Many power stations in the UK are coming to the end of their life and the Government estimates it will cost £110 billion to replace and improve electricity infrastructure over the next decade. A plan for the future of UK power generation is in the works. [Yahoo! News UK]
¶ Shams 1, a 100 MW concentrated solar power plant in the United Arab Emirates, won the Project of the Year Award from the Emirates Solar Industry Association. [AME Info]
US:
¶ In Hawaii, 15% of all new construction relates to installation of solar systems. State finances are being somewhat overwhelmed, as projections of rebates and other support proved inaccurate. [The Desert Sun]
… Hawaiian Electric Co. on Oahu has warned that the explosion of do-it-yourself solar could threaten parts of the power grid with power fluctuations exceeding output from power plants, leading to grid failures. [Los Angeles Times]
¶ A grass called Arundo donax is considered a noxious weed and banned as an invasive species in several states, but its rapid growth makes it a prime candidate for utilities wanting to convert from coal to biomass. [Tribune-Review]
¶ Government leaders in a number of rural states are unhappy with Environmental Protection Agency’s rejection of a request to relax ethanol standards that had argued they are hurting the economy. Wyoming is an example. [Casper Star-Tribune Online]
¶ Aspen Skiing Company opened a new $5.4 million project to capture methane waste from a nearby coal mine and use it to generate electricity. The methane waste from the mine has an estimated value of $1 million each month. [ESPN]
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