Opinion:
¶ “The government is right to fund energy storage: a 100% renewable grid is within reach” • Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said in a speech that the key needs for his country’s electricity system are affordability, reliability, and ability to help meet emissions-reduction targets. With storage, the sun and wind are ready. [EconoTimes]
The grid could go fully renewable at the same cost and
reliability as fossil fuels. (Pixabay/Wikimedia Commons)
¶ “France’s Next President May Face $3 Billion Nuclear Hangover” • Whoever succeeds Francois Hollande as France’s president may find one of their first tasks in office will be selling off some of the nation’s prized assets to prop up the state’s nuclear industry, fixing the financial problems of Areva SA and Electricite de France SA. [Bloomberg]
World:
¶ The Scottish government has granted planning consent for an extension of the Falck Renewables’ 35-MW Millennium South wind farm in the Highlands. The wind power project, located near Fort Augustus, will consist of 10 turbines. It is an extension to the 65-MW Millennium wind farm, which was completed by Falck in 2011. [reNews]
Millennium wind farm (Image: Falck Renewables)
¶ The much-discussed report “Expect the Unexpected…The Disruptive Power of Low Carbon Technology,” paints the future of coal and oil production as a picture that is not pretty. The researchers also basically accuse fossil energy companies of using alternative facts to project relatively slow growth in the clean energy sector. [CleanTechnica]
¶ Global solar power developer Fotowatio Renewable Ventures reached financial closure for its 100-MW solar farm project at Clare in Queensland, Australia. It is the first utility-scale solar generation project in Australia to secure financing entirely on
the basis of a power purchasing agreement, without government funding. [Power Technology]
Solar power in Queensland (Image: courtesy of FRV)
¶ The Hyderabad Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board has decided to utilize solar power in order to save on power bills. The Water Board is seeking ₹50 crore ($7.5 million) in the state budget that will be presented during the assembly session later this month. Currently, the Water Board is paying nearly ₹55 crore. [ETEnergyworld.com]
¶ Endesa, a power company owned by Enel, has taken the first steps to add battery storage to one of the largest coal-fired generation plants in Spain. The innovation will help make the plant more efficient and flexible, reducing emissions and the need for maintenance in order to prolong the plant’s useful life, the company says. [Greentech Media]
Carbon Emissions (Image: Shutterstock)
¶ China will launch green certificates trading for solar and wind power on July 1, according to the National Development and Reform Commission. Under a pilot program, solar and wind producers would be issued certificates, which could be traded, proving that electricity has been generated through renewable energy sources. [The News International]
¶ Denmark’s DONG Energy, already a leader in green energy technologies, has announced that they will become 100% coal-free by 2023. DONG Energy had ditched oil and gas last year. The company has created a portfolio of renewables, based on leading technologies in offshore wind, bioenergy, and energy solutions. [Digital Journal]
A wind farm in Copenhagen (Kim Hansen)
US:
¶ A group of US Senators from western states with windpower resources has re-introduced the Public Lands Renewable Energy Development Act, S. 282. This bipartisan legislation works toward an “all of the above” energy strategy by simplifying the permitting process for wind, solar, and geothermal projects on public lands. [Windpower Engineering]
¶ The President of Audi of America commented at a conference that the brand’s auto dealers need to promote plug-in electric vehicles more actively. A lack of dealership knowledge and an unwillingness to stock and sell these cars remain a major hurdles to higher plug-in electric vehicle sales for most manufacturers in the US. [CleanTechnica]
Audi e-tron concept car
¶ NRG Energy and subsidiary Reliant are to provide renewable electricity to power the 2017 Super Bowl in Houston. The game will take place at NRG Stadium on 5 February between the New England Patriots and Atlanta Falcons. The deal with the NFL also includes the provision of clean power to the George R Brown Convention Center. [reNews]
¶ Two Democratics in the New Mexico Senate have proposed a dramatic expansion of the state’s renewable portfolio standards to 80% by 2040, from its current goal of 20% by 2020. The state would then be among the most aggressive on carbon emissions. Hawaii is targeting 100% renewables by 2045, and California wants to reach 50% by 2030. [Utility Dive]
Solar power in New Mexico (credit: Depositphotos)
¶ In California, Redwood Coast Energy Authority announced that the Community Choice Energy Program will go forward as planned and begin in May of this year. A senior energy specialist at RCEA said the prices for renewable energy are often more competitive and most consumers can expect a 2.7% cut in the monthly bill. [KRCRTV.COM]
¶ A new electric plant is providing for part of power supply for South Sioux City, Nebraska. Now, solar panels are helping meet the city’s energy needs. A solar array of 2.3 MW was set up on 21 acres of land, paid for by SolarCity, a national solar company. The array will produce enough power to covers about 6% of the city’s power needs. [KTIV]
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