Economics:
¶ The US reclaimed the top spot in Ernst&Young’s latest Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Indices after surprisingly losing out to China a couple of years ago. China dropped into second place because of high barriers to entry for external investors. [Energy Live News]
Science and Technology:
¶ Solar Wind Energy Tower, Inc. intends to build two towers in the US and Mexico, which use the sun to heat air, then cool the air at the top of cooing towers by injecting water mists, to create wind, that is captured for electrical power. [San Francisco Chronicle]
World:
¶ European carbon emissions declined 2.1% in 2012. The UK saw a 3.9 % increase in emissions, and Germany saw an increase of 0.9%. Four other countries had increases, but 23 had declines. Emissions from Belgium and Finland both declined 11.8%. [SteelGuru]
¶ A new study from the World Bank says governments and business need to spend an additional $174 billion per year on renewables to meet key UN global objectives. [Recharge]
¶ The United Arab Emirates could economically deploy solar power generation capacity of more than 20 GW by 2030, according to the executive director of Institute Initiatives, Masdar Institute of Science and Technology. [RenewablesBiz]
¶ Expanding access to electricity in the developing world with renewables is creating economic opportunities for women through assisting businesses, microfinance and longer workdays. [SmartPlanet.com]
¶ As the Philippines grapples with frequent power outages and a growing demand for energy, government agencies and private groups say the answer to the country’s power needs may lie in alternative sources. [eco-business.com]
¶ The Swedish energy minister says the government will not subsidize new nuclear power stations, sticking by a policy that casts doubt on the sector’s long-term survival after Vattenfall, the major operator, sought to delay new investment. [Business Spectator]
¶ Three nuclear reactors in South Korea are now offline because they had fake safety certificates issued after cables failed tests. If the reactors have to stay offline until August for repairs, the cost will be $2 billion, according to estimates. [Arirang News]
US:
¶ Environmentalists see a small win in the house version of Connecticut’s energy bill. Under the altered bill, hydropower could be purchased to help the state meet its renewable energy standard, but only after all other renewable options are considered. [RenewablesBiz]
¶ A new bill introduced before the Minnesota legislature called the “Solar Energy Jobs Act” is set to increase Minnesota’s solar capacity from 13 MW to more than 450 MW. [CleanTechnica]
¶ In Brattleboro, Vermont, Home Energy Advocates has developed a new type of mission, managing major energy projects for homes, rental properties and businesses. [Brattleboro Rerformer]
¶ The Nuclear Regulatory Commission is considering whether to penalize the owners of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station for violating federally dictated medical requirements between 2008 and 2011. [Capecodonline]
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