Science and Technology:
¶ Researchers at Glasgow University aim to harness photo-synthetic bacteria to create a hydrocarbon similar to petrol. As well as being renewable, the new fuel would be storable, cutting reliance on dwindling reserves of coal, oil and gas. The process would take up carbon dioxide that would otherwise be a greenhouse gas. [Scotsman]
World:
¶ European power sector emissions fell by 8% in 2014, and electricity consumption fell by 2.7%. These are fantastic numbers across the 28 member states of one of the most influential power-blocs in the world. This is according to Sandbag, which is dedicated to shining light on tracking emissions trading in the EU. [CleanTechnica]
¶ The UAE has signed partnership agreements to fund renewable energy projects in four Pacific island countries. The Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands will get 600 kW each, Nauru will get 500 kW, and Palau will have 434 kW. The solar-powered from are expected to be completed in 2016. [Gulf Business News]
¶ A report from the International Renewable Energy Agency, Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2014, concludes that biomass, hydropower, geothermal and onshore wind are all competitive with or cheaper than coal, oil and gas-fired power stations, even without financial support and despite falling oil prices. [Utilities-ME.com]
¶ China ranks the top in the world in terms of the use of renewable energy with the increasing switch to renewable energy resources. China’s investment in clean energy in 2014 hit a record $89.5 billion , accounting for 29% of the world’s total. Renewable generation provided for 22% of Chinese power consumption in 2014. [AsiaOne]
¶ The Bahamas is planning a major new green push, as the 700-island archipelago is set to launch a wide solar energy project. As part of its participation in the Carbon War Room’s Ten Island Challenge, the Bahamas will advance 20 MW of solar utility-scale farms on several islands this year. [Caribbean Journal]
¶ In British Columbia, the Surrey Biofuels Processing Facility project will be the first closed-loop fully integrated organics waste management system in North America. It will convert household organic waste collected at curbside into renewable natural gas to fuel the collection trucks and also produce compost. [Beacon News]
¶ Solar energy is now cheaper than grid prices and most competing technologies on a utility scale. Electric vehicles pose a real threat to gasoline consumption. One big oil company in France has committed to the future of solar energy and other nascent industries that could interrupt the energy industry’s status quo. [Motley Fool]
¶ The Japanese government is considering setting 20% as the amount of the total domestic electric power output to be generated using nuclear energy in 2030, almost the same level as renewable energy resources. Prior to the Fukushima disaster, nuclear power contributed 28.6% of the country’s power. [The Japan News]
US:
¶ Economic evaluation of US federal climate policies hinges on a social cost of carbon estimate of $37 per metric ton of CO2 in 2013. Unfortunately, each metric ton of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere causes $220 in economic damages, say the Stanford researchers, a staggering economic problem. [CleanTechnica]
¶ Last year, the 550-MW capacity Topaz Solar project became fully operational and claimed the title of largest solar plant on-line in the world. Now Topaz has to share the crown with First Solar’s 550-MW Desert Sunlight project in Riverside, California, which went all-on this month, according to the California ISO. [Energy Collective]
¶ Several of the Montana Legislature’s more conservative Republicans and a Democrat are sponsoring bills to broaden the market for renewable-power systems, by expanding net metering. Without it, most individual solar PV or windpower systems are un-economic for the average homeowner or business. [Ravalli Republic]
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