World:
¶ The UK could halve the amount of water used in energy generation by 2030, if it realises an ambitious renewable energy plan, says the International Renewable Energy Agency. IRENA’s report, Renewable Energy in the Water, Energy & Food Nexus, says the water benefits of renewable energy are under-reported. [edie.net]
¶ According to Northern Ireland Renewables Industry Group, this January has seen the highest levels of wind energy ever recorded there. A record was set just over three weeks ago, 2:45 pm on January 7, as windpower provided 42% of electricity needs at that moment, enough to power 361,400 homes. [Belfast Telegraph]
¶ Wind power solutions provider Inox Wind Limited, a subsidiary of Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited, says it was awarded two wind-farm project contracts of 54 MW and 118 MW in Gujarat and Rajasthan, respectively, by Tata Power Renewable Energy Limited, a subsidiary of The Tata Power Company Limited. [NetIndian]
¶ Conversion to hydrogen can provide a store for all of the excess electricity produced by the renewable industry, according to a report. It also points to a huge potential power to gas storage industry, with the European energy storage potential for electrolysis estimated at several hundred gigawatts. [Proactive Investors UK]
¶ Gamesa has secured 84 MW of wind turbine supply contract from Brazil’s Força Eólica do Brasil for three projects in Rio Grande do Norte. Delivery of 42 of the Gamesa G114 2-MW turbines is scheduled for the third quarter of 2016 and the wind projects are expected to be commissioned in the fourth quarter. [Greentech Lead]
¶ IKEA this week revealed demand for its greenest products jumped 58% last year to over €1 billion as consumers purchased such products as LED lighting, solar panels, and water-saving taps. Products that help customers achieve “a more sustainable life at home” are a major growth area for the company. [Business Green]
¶ The Scottish government has announced that it will place a temporary ban on the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing, better known as fracking. The Scottish energy minister told the country’s parliament that the ban would allow for time for the government to conduct a public health assessment. [ThinkProgress]
¶ A UK village made famous after strong anti-fracking protests has installed the first community-owned solar panel project. Residents from Balcome, West Sussex set up an energy co-operative after the protests. The co-op has installed a total of 69 panels on the roof of a cow-shed at a nearby family-run farm. [E&T magazine]
US:
¶ Idaho Power has signed on 13 new solar projects representing 461 MW of solar capacity, which are scheduled to be built and come online in 2016, according to Idaho Power communications specialist Brad Bowlin. He says there are additional pending projects that will produce more than 800 MW. [Ontario Argus Observer]
¶ California State Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia has introduced a bill, AB 197, which would set a bold but achievable goal of utilizing a minimum of 50% renewable energy resources by 2030. This goal was highlighted by Governor Jerry Brown during his State of the State address earlier this month. [Imperial Valley News]
¶ NRG Energy and Denver-based SunShare announced a deal for SunShare to grow its community solar portfolio about eightfold. NRG Renew will finance the $25 million development of five new “solar garden” projects in Colorado. Four of these are in the metro Denver area and one in Colorado Springs. [Colorado Springs Gazette]
¶ Pennsylvania has developed a fast-growing clean energy economy, attracting investments for solar, wind, hydropower and other renewable energy, according to Pew Charitable Trusts. Between 2009 and 2013, Pennsylvania added nearly 1.4 GW of clean energy capacity and attracted $3.5 billion in investment. [keystoneedge]
¶ Illinois had been the fourth largest wind energy state behind Texas, California and Iowa for several years, but installed no new wind capacity in 2014 and is now in fifth place after Oklahoma. Illinois’ lack of growth had much to do with an ongoing stalemate over changes to the state’s 2011 clean power law. [Crain’s Chicago Business]
¶ Large-scale wind projects are the most cost-effective way for Vermont utilities to meet proposed new renewable energy requirements being considered by the Legislature, according to testimony. A bill backed by the Shumlin Administration would have 55% of the power come from renewable sources by 2017. [Vermont Public Radio]
¶ The Washington state legislature is considering nuclear power as a component of Governor Jay Inslee’s push to trim the state’s carbon emissions as a way to combat global warming’s detrimental ripple effects on Washington’s shellfish industry, residents’ health, snowpack, irrigation and increasing wildfires. [Crosscut]
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