World:
¶ The UK has spearheaded a return to growth for the utility-scale solar sector in Europe, according to Wiki-Solar.org. The website, which tracks installation of solar projects over 5 MW solar worldwide, says there was a total of 35.9 GW of utility-scale solar capacity at the end of 2014, up 14.2 GW from 2013. [Solar Power Portal]
¶ Around the world there were 51,477 MW of wind capacity installed during the year, a 44% increase over the amount installed in 2013. This brings the total global wind capacity to 369,553 MW, a huge number! Also, growth figures indicate we could double wind capacity during the next 7 years. [Treehugger]
¶ Anyone in Malaysia could be an independent power producer. It doesn’t have to be only large favoured companies making money by selling power. Anyone could do it, once the country adopts net metering. That’s the plan Serdang MP Ong Kian Ming wants the government’s energy authorities to adopt. [Free Malaysia Today]
¶ India will achieve energy independence by 2050 if most households go for rooftop solar power generation under new policy, a leading expert says. The ministry of new and renewable energy is in the process of framing an ambitious policy to generate adequate electricity from non-conventional energy sources. [The Hans India]
¶ Environmental action group World Wide Fund for Nature-Philippines on Friday dismissed fears over the possible negative impact of wind power on the national grid. The group’s Climate Change Unit Head said adding 500 MW of wind power to the national grid will have no negative impact on grid operations. [The Manila Times]
¶ Water at the Takhini, Yukon, hot springs emerges warm enough for bathers to soak outdoors, even in the winter. Now, researchers will study Yukon’s fault lines and hot springs to examine their feasibility as sources of geothermal power. Takhini Hot Pools is one of the sites to be examined as part of the project. [CBC.ca]
US:
¶ Comparing 2014 to 2013 in terms of changes in power produced in the US, windpower increased most. In fact, windpower gained more than all traditional power sources put together. Solar was number two, with 2014’s output more than doubling 2013’s. Output from natural gas fell, despite increased capacity. [CleanTechnica]
¶ According to a new survey conducted by the Morgan Stanley Institute for Sustainable Investing, 71% of individual investors who trade actively on the financial markets were interested in sustainable investing, but 54% believe choosing between sustainable investments and making financial gains is a trade-off. [CleanTechnica]
¶ A California state utilities judge has said that a major new natural gas power plant at Carlsbad should be put on hold until clean energy options are more thoroughly explored. San Diego Gas & Electric is wrestling with how to replace power from the recently retired San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. [U-T San Diego]
¶ A study by GTM Research and the Energy Storage Association says Energy storage in the US will more than triple this year as regulators allow use of the technology by utilities and homeowners. Changes in regulatory policy, especially in California, and the growth of renewable energy are driving demand. [Buffalo News]
¶ Prominent leaders from agriculture’s diverse value chain issued an open letter to policymakers and presidential hopefuls attending the first ever Iowa Ag Summit, urging them to consider Iowa’s renewable energy record in wind, solar and biofuels as an example for clean energy policies for the nation. [KMAland]
geoharvey 
Leave a comment