World:
¶ So far, about 150 nations have promised the UN to curb CO2 emissions, but analysts say the pledges are not enough. One think-tank estimates current promises will lead to a global temperature rise of about 2.7° C, well over the 2° C “safety threshold.” At a meeting of 36 nations in Morocco, governments will judge for themselves. [BBC]
How fast are countries prepared to decarbonise their economies?
¶ Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd recently finalized a contract to provide turnkey implementation of eleven solar-powered micro-grids in remote communities of Myanmar. The micro-grids will provide reliable, clean energy access at the household level in eleven villages throughout Shan State and Chin State, Myanmar. [pv magazine]
¶ German utilities’ reserves for the country’s planned exit from nuclear power are adequate, the ministry for economics and energy says, citing a government-commissioned report on the matter. “The affected companies have fully covered the costs with the designated provisions,” economics minister Sigmar Gabriel said. [The Australian]
¶ Gamesa has won new orders in several countries around the world, including India and Brazil with a new 8-MW offshore wind turbine on the way via a joint venture with Areva. Also, Gamesa is to build a 40-MW turnkey wind farm in India for ReNew Power, one of India’s leading independent power producers. [Renewable Energy Magazine]
¶ US firm First Solar Inc installed the last of the 677,760 PV panels at AGL Energy Ltd’s 53-MW Broken Hill solar park in New South Wales, Australia. Roughly half of the capacity was put into operation in mid-September. The rest is expected to come online later in October, the Australian Renewable Energy Agency said. [SeeNews Renewables]
Solar park. Author: Chris Baird. License: Creative Commons, Attribution 2.0 Generic.
¶ India’s strategy of a foreign currency-denominated tariff plan for solar energy is aimed at providing solar power at a new low of ₹4.75 (7¢) per unit to the states. It will provide a purchase guarantee, making such projects bankable and helping solar power eventually cost the same as that purchased from the grid (ie, at grid parity). [Livemint]
¶ Every house in Canberra’s newest suburb will have solar panels installed. Denman Prospect will be Australia’s first suburb to have a minimum requirement for solar power installation on all residences; with each house to have a minimum 3-kW system. Each system is expected to generate approximately 4,146 kW annually. [Energy Matters]
¶ A fleet of 10 Renault electric vehicles powered by renewable energy are now available to hire by residents and visitors to the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. The cars come to the region through a partnership between E-Car Club and the wind farm operators and are powered almost entirely by the wind farm’s renewable energy. [EV Fleet World]
US:
¶ Following in the footsteps of Burlington, Vermont and Greensburg, Kansas, Aspen, Colorado has weaned its electric power from fossil fuels and is running 100% on renewables. Aspen’s “Canary Action Plan” commits to reducing the community’s remaining greenhouse emissions 30% by 2020 and 80% by 2050. [EarthTechling]
Aspen, Colorado. CC License
¶ For every dollar spent on energy efficiency last year, Michigan ratepayers realized benefits of $4.38, a report from the Michigan Public Service Commission says. Between 2010 and 2014, the overall cost of the state’s Energy Optimization program has been $1.1 billion, but the lifetime savings to all ratepayers will be $4.2 billion. [MiBiz]
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