3 Mart 2012 Cumartesi
Crystal Station load electric cars
The next year it will be a big change with regards to mobility, that planned a massive release of electric cars that they must have the necessary infrastructure from charging stations until viable projects for its overcrowding and sustainability, and where the projects and Concepts are not wait too long.On this occasion, we have encountered a new step of the so-called Crystal project, which began with the conceptualization of an electric vehicle for six occupants (Crystal EV) that can be used as a means of public transportation operated at a distance with a remote control.On this occasion, it has been designed which are not only charging stations , but also the point where we should expect them to deal with, named simply as Crystal Station and one of the foundations of public transport in the morning, as well as a multiple use area.In addition to a small green space, it also serves as a parking site for electric cars, being fed by a few umbrellas made with photovoltaic solar panelsto keep adding details ecological and sustainable.Of course, this is just a Concept, and simply serve as a basis and inspiration for future projects.
PA Code Council Votes to Reject 2012 ICC Changes, Delay Code Updates until at least 2018
Filed under: Energy News
2 Mart 2012 Cuma
Heart-powered pacemaker could one day eliminate battery-replacement surgery
Filed under: Energy News
Incredible solar panels made with grass!
While a large majority of research on solar energy are working with expensive high-tech materials in order to improve their capacity of absorption of energy, researchers at MIT in the United States are taking a different approach.They realized that nothing in nature absorbs energy as well as plants, by what have developed a solar technology that combines a small amount of grass (or other agricultural waste), a powder of stabilization of oxide of zinc and titanium oxide, and a glass or metal as substrates, all of which can imitate the process of photosynthesis.The goal might seem an illusion, though - we fervently â€" hope can do reality: develop a technology so simple that anyone can make their own solar panels and for almost no money.MIT researchers have figured out how to stabilize a photosystem I (E F) chemically (the internal structures of plant cells that carry out photosynthesis), on a substrate that creates electric current when exposed to the light, all with readily available materials.This solar cell isolates FI molecules and, finally, allows the flow of electric current through the dust of the stabilization.Thus, rather than large factories of solar panels that require a large amount of natural materials, technology of MIT, literally, could be packed in a plastic bag small and sent to anyone who wants to make their own solar panels at home.If DIY enthusiasts can get their hands a few cuts of grass or some other plants and the substrate, then MIT only needs to send the zinc and titanium oxide, and instructions to create energy from this mixture, and with almost no complications, they will have done its own solar panel.Finally, according to Andreas Mershin, people will be able to mix everything and create a painting that can be applied to your ceiling. But there's a catch. For the moment, this technology doesn't have even a 2% efficiency rate yet. But it will improve, and even that is a lot of efficiency given the small amount of resources to create.
How to Survive Solar's Unhealthy Consolidation
The solar sector is once again entering a period of increased activity, but not the good kind, as several firms have announced losses and cutbacks, temporary shutdowns, and closing down entirely. As the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry plows through the current consolidation â€" and eventually out of it â€" here are six things to consider and remember:
New Poo Power Device Could Help Sewage Plants Transform Wastewater Into Wattage
Filed under: Energy News
Suck It Up: A book about climate change, geoengineering and air capture of CO2
Filed under: Energy News
Robust Geothermal Growth Expected Even if Tax Credits Expire, EIA Reports
The Energy Information Agency (EIA) issued its report this week, Annual Energy Outlook 2012, which projects U.S. renewable power production more than doubling by 2035, even with the expiration of federal tax credits The report projects robust growth for geothermal, which is expects to triple its production by 2035 outpacing the overall trend.
Will Cyber-sensitives Reveal the Future of Energy Efficiency?
The U.S. economy is three times larger than China’s, yet when it comes to developing a clean energy industry, China keeps besting us. The U.S. came in second — again — to China this quarter in Ernst & Young’s much-watched renewable energy ranking released February 28. But there is one clean
Free Webinars on Efficiency and Reliability
ABB is offering 2 free webinars this March focusing on Reliability and Efficiency. ABB is highly focused on helping utilities create reliable and efficient distribution grids as part of their Smart Grid initiative.The schedule for the webinars is as follows:March 8 - How to determine the right self-healing grid strategy to achieve your budget and reliability goalsMarch 29 - The Volt/VAr efficiency business caseWe look forward to a great learning experience!
On Algae Fuels, Energy Innovation and Obama's Failed Climate Messaging
When did "innovation" become a dirty word in American politics?
Economic slowdown means UK can phase out more fossil energy
The economic slowdown means the UK could retire old coal, oil and nuclear power plants without risking black-outs between 2015 and 2020, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance.
Army Issues Draft RFP for $7 Billion in Renewable Energy Contracts
On Friday February 24, 2012, the U.S. Army Engineering & Support Center in Huntsville, Alabama issued a draft request for proposals (Solicitation No. W912DY-11-R-0036, the “Draft RFP”) titled “Large Scale Renewable Energy Production for Federal Installations.” The objective of the solicitation, in its current form
China's Solar Markets Also Catch Chill
With the solar bubble apparently bursting around the industry's ears in late 2011, as 2012 opens its doors for business much attention has been focused on the sector. The markets are certainly wise to be cautious given the impact of the downturn, regulatory instability and an increasingly price-competitive and oversupplied market.
Draft EU Directive proposes binding energy efficiency targets
Under a draft EU Directive approved by the Energy Committee, EU countries will have to set binding national energy efficiency targets, and save energy by specific means such as renovating public buildings.
2011 saw record levels of renewable energy investment – uncertainty for 2012
Clean and renewable energy investment levels saw new heights in 2011, spurred by solar, but the outlook for 2012 is far less certain â€" especially within the Eurozone, says analyst Ernst & Young.
UK trade union and renewable energy industry campaign for green jobs
The UK trade union Unite the Union and the trade association for wind and marine renewable energy, RenewableUK, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to campaign for green jobs.
EDF given green light for Photowatt acquisition
EDF has been given the go-ahead to acquire the bankrupted solar company Photowatt.
1 Mart 2012 Perşembe
Generating power from salty water: Unique salt allows energy production to move inland
Filed under: Energy News
Bill Gates & Energy Secretary Steven Chu Discuss 21st Century Energy Challenges (VIDEO)
Filed under: Energy News
Obama’s Algae Biofuels Communications Problem (i.e. Leaving Out Global Warming)
Filed under: Energy News
What’s the Best Solar Technology for Your Home, Community, Business or Farm?
Filed under: Energy News
GE (NYSE:GE) Bullish on Solar
March 1, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Snowbirds aren't the only folk flocking to the Sonoran Desert this winter.
Better Renewables Risk Management Solutions Emerge
Global economic woes have taken their toll, but investment in renewable projects is still strong and since 2010 has surpassed investment in new fossil fuel plants.
Why Solar Flagships' Peril Won't Derail PV in Australia
When Australia's Solar Flagships program was first announced in May 2009, the program was met with much fanfare, heralded as the path to proving solar photovoltaics' (PV) viability in the Australian market. Initially the program had a total budget of approximately A$1.5 billion and a goal of installing 1 gigawatt (GW) of solar electricity, split equally between PV and concentrated solar thermal (CSP).
What's Good for the Lease is Good for the Lender
Trying to identify the Next Big Thing in renewable energy investment? You could do a lot worse than stake a claim at the point where two trends â€" growing ones that may have escaped your notice â€" meet.
Arcola Energy, Horizon to launch global fuel cell product integration platform
Arcola Energy in London and Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies in Singapore have formed an exclusive partnership to provide deployment, customisation and integration support to a wide range of companies launching Horizon fuel cell powered products in the UK.
GE's Rise as a Major Solar Investor
Given the low interest rates and plummeting prices for solar energy equipment, it would seem a good time for investing in solar power generation. GE Energy Financial Services, for one, has been pursuing solar deals actively and on Wednesday it announced a $100 million equity investment in a solar power plant in Arizona.
Abound Solar Halts Thin-film Production
Abound Solar, once heralded as an emerging player in American solar manufacturing because of its aggressive plans for growth and its strong Department of Energy backing, took a major step backward this week when it announced it was shutting down production of its first generation thin film modules and that it was temporarily laying off 180 employees from its Colorado facility.
Maturation of the Sustainable Industries: How it Parallels the Dotcom Boom, Bust…and Rebirth
During the internet boom in the late 1990's and early 2000's, new companies sprang up seemingly overnight and the words "new economy" became a common turn of phrase in touting the business environment born of this innovative climate. These "new economy" companies didn't have substantial revenue, much less profits, however, so new metrics like "eyeballs" and "page views" were devised to justify the outrageous size of their estimated valuations.
Wind Farm in Atlantic City
This technology is the great powers are beginning to implement as a way to alleviate the problem of energy demand, and in the case of the United States of America, this solution is ready to come true. In recent times have planned a lot of projects by the U.S. government to start investing heavily in Clean Energy, seeking to engage with reduced emissions of carbon dioxide that respect did not come too, or at least not with the emphasis that had been promised after their accession to various conventions and protocols. Among the forward-looking statements include the installation of a large number of offshore wind farms, although none has begun to be built so far were mainly distributed in the corridor of the U.S. East Coast. The first to begin construction, as of March, would be located in Atlantic City, with the construction of an Offshore Wind Farm would have a production capacity of about 25 MW Wind Energy to supply the energy equivalent of 10,000 homes , replacing that which comes from thermal plants as you know, notoriously pollute the environment. If all goes well would be completed by the end of 2012 and begin to be operational in early 2013, being one of the first in a series of farms that will range from Virginia to New York.
COM600 + FDIR = A Simple, Money Saving Solution
We recently visited a utility customer in the Southeast US who is interested on improving distribution reliability in their circuits. As we started the meeting, the customer stated in a few words why they are interested in ABB as a partner: we have a strong product offering and we have made significant investments in or acquired smart grid companies and that means commitment to the industry.Our customer couldn’t have said it better. Among the myriad of companies that play in the smart grid arena, ABB leads the way with a product portfolio that is becoming broader and more complete. We are proud to have several products to increase power distribution reliability (reclosers/sectionalizers, protective relays, automated switches among them). A fundamental part of self-healing networks is what is known as FDIR (Fault Detection, Isolation, and load Restoration). This technology ensures that two things happen when there’s a fault in a circuit with automated switches: 1) limit the size of impacted areas and 2) speed restoration of power. A fault on a circuit means several negative things for a utility â€" loss of revenue, customer dissatisfaction, dispatching personnel to solve the problem, etc.Another member of our distribution automation portfolio is the COM600 station computer. This product has been successfully installed in the US and other countries around the world for several years. With the recent inclusion of FDIR logic in our COM600 station computer, we offer a true solution for FDIR that reduces utilities’ costs and helps them become more efficient at their engineering processes. COM600’s FDIR has a simple configuration tool that reduces configuration time from days to hours by doing dynamic generation of logic for fault isolation and load restoration. In addition, this solution supports open protocols, which means a customer is not forced to a single-supplier solution. This is what translates into real savings for our customers and helps them make a business case for investment in smart grid technologies.The latest addition to our DA portfolio is RIO600, which is a module designed to provide I/O for the COM600 using IEC61850 communications. RIO600 helps in simplifying and decreasing the wiring inside the substation. The fully hardwired traditional medium voltage switchgear/substation control and protection system contains a centralized rack room approach resulting in extensive wiring. By using RIO600, signals can be transmitted between IED’s using ethernet-based IEC61850 GOOSE communication.To learn more about distribution automation solutions, click HERE or call +1 954 752 6700
EnergyTrend: Lithium-Polymer Batteries Target Smartphone Market in 2012
March 1, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) According to EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, mobile phone products will soon see a wave of new model upgrades, and lithium-polymer batteries will relive the glory of 2011
UK and Bangladesh cooperate on renewable energy research
The UK Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the Government of Bangladesh have signed a memorandum of understanding on renewable energy research.
Wind News; GE (NYSE: GE) to Supply 41 Multi-Megawatt Wind Turbines for Four Projects in Germany
SALZBERGEN, Germany - March 1, 2012 (Investorideas.com renewable energy newswire) - GE (NYSE:GE) announced a contract with the leading German project developer Energiekontor AG for four wind power generating projects comprised of 41 2.75-103 wind turbines.
U.S. Retrofits could yield $1 trillion of energy savings and create 3.3 million job years; new financing models can unlock this opportunity
March 1, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) DB Climate Change Advisors (DBCCA) and The Rockefeller Foundation today released a research study which examines the potential size and investment opportunity of upgrading and replacing energy-consuming equipment in US real estate.
Geothermal Energy Association releases 2012 Policy Priorities
Washington, DC - March 1, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) The Geothermal Energy Association today released the policy priorities adopted by the organization's Board of Directors.
Solar power to low-income families in CA and CO, USA
Yingli's US subsidiary, Yingli Green Energy Americas, and non-profit solar installer GRID Alternatives have renewed their strategic partnership for 2012, providing solar power to 800 low-income families in California and Colorado, USA.
Biofuel Stock Gevo (NASDAQ:GEVO) Closes up over 12% on Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2011 Financial Results
The stock moved on its earnings release and was also fueled by high oil prices that have driven several biofuel stocks and renewable energy stocks to higher levels in recent trading.
What’s the Best Solar Energy System for Your Home, Community, Business or Farm?
Filed under: Energy News
SMA Solar Technology opens Japanese subsidiary
SMA Solar Technology AG has opened a sales and service subsidiary in Japan, which will offer solar photovoltaic (PV) inverters and communication products for small solar PV plants in Japan.
Narec Capital helps offshore meteorology company enter UK market
UK renewable energy finance and insurance company Narec Capital has been appointed by the Spanish offshore wind meteorology platform developer Idermar to advise on finance, insurance and UK market entry.
Goldwind's profit nearly wiped-out in 2011
Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Company was hit by a slower wind power market and falling prices for wind turbines in 2011, recording a 73.5% decline in total profit and a 76.77% fall in net profit attributable to share holders.
29 Şubat 2012 Çarşamba
Wind Energy Output Hit Record High in Spain (Kept Electricity Prices Lower than Neighbors’)
Filed under: Energy News
Clean Links (More News on Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Clean Transportation, & Energy Efficiency)
Filed under: Energy News
Latin America Report: 396-MW Mexico Wind Deal Gets Financing
One of the best wind resources in the world will soon be home to a massive new wind project.
First Solar's 4Q11 Takeaways: Warranty Woes, And a Radical Idea
First Solar's (FSLR) fiscal 4Q11 and 2011 results came with a couple of unexpected surprises â€" including a big nasty one related to performance issues â€" and industry watchers are raising voices for what could be a radical shift in the company's business.
Less is more: Advancing enhanced oil recovery and geologic sequestration of CO2
Filed under: Energy News
Amendment to Ease Geothermal Exploration Rules Passes House
An amendment introduced by Idaho Congressman Raul Labrador easing rules for geothermal energy exploration passed the U.S. House by a 244-176 bipartisan vote in February. Supporters had awaited the news after the rule passed the House Committee on Natural Resources in summer 2011.
EnergyTrend: Solar Market Variables Result in Spot Market Uncertainty, High-Efficiency Products a New Trend at PV Expo Japan
February 29, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) EnergyTrend, a research division of TrendForce, indicates, the buzz on the solar market this week was not just surrounding the German government's slashing of solar subsidies and advancement of the policy cuts to March 9
Bipartisan Calls: Senators, Representatives Urge PTC Extension
The push for a Production Tax Credit (PTC) extension continued on Capitol Hill with bipartisan contingents in both the House and Senate recently calling for action.
Renewable Energy Industry Leaps into Mainstream Power Generation
It’s a leap year and I am writing this on February 29th. This year we have one extra day to make our work count. It’s exciting and invigorating to me. There’s another exciting and invigorating development taking place this year. It is one that proves renewable energy has made it to the mainstream and it is happe
Endurance and Met Office cooperate on UK wind assessments
Small wind turbine provider Endurance Wind Power (EWP) and the UK's Met Office are joining forces to provide wind speed assessments for UK customers.
Stabilizer design based on flywheel energy storage system with multiple operations for multi-machine power systems
Qingshan Xu, Haixiang Zang, and Linjun Shi Due to the issue of no guarantee of robustness for the flywheel energy storage system (FESS)-based stabilizer designed at one special operation level, an improved method concerning multiple operations was proposed to select the best installing location, damping control loop, feedback signal robustly ... [J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 4, 013122 (2012)] published Wed Feb 29, 2012.
Why Your Solar Mission Statement Is Useless and Meaningless — and How to Fix It
Pop quiz: Without checking your website or business plan, what’s your solar company’s mission statement? You have 10 seconds…..and…failure. Useless. Meaningless. But it shouldn't be, and I'll tell you why in a bit. So, why have a mission statement if you and other employees can’t clearly say what the mission
Grid-connected photovoltaic-systems design using evolutionary strategies
Daniel Gomez-Lorente, Enrique Alameda-Hernandez, F. Aznar Dols, and A. Espin Estrella This paper addresses the problem of electrical losses that occur in the electrical conductors in photovoltaic (PV) plants with trackers. Thus, we propose a method which makes an optimal sizing and distribution of the elements that compose the PV to make the electrical losses by Joule effect as low a ... [J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 4, 013123 (2012)] published Wed Feb 29, 2012.
Kick-starting Solar Process Heat in Europe
Solar thermal systems have enormous potential for industry. About 30 percent of industrial heat demand is at temperatures below 100°C, which can be provided with commercially available solar thermal collectors. However, the global and European markets are very much in their infancy; only a few hundred installations currently exist.
Compete Spanish frigorifÃco which saves energy
It is the International competition of design James Dyson and the jury has announced the winning participant that concursará this 2010 representing Spain. Sogde is the name of the winning project and design an ecological refrigerator which contributes to energy saving.Sodge is the name of the project with which a cold original prevents losing energy has no traditional hinged door, and replaces it with elastic neoprene sheet is designed. In this way, it is possible to take off the door on the side closest to the feed you want to catch without need to open the door completely.As the foil is transparent allows us to visualize the desired food of opening the door and thus prevents loss of heat. In addition, the body of the refrigerator is made "Corian", an ecological material consisting of two-thirds of natural minerals and part of acrylic high resistance. Thus, the body of the refrigerator and neoprene sheet snap perfect thanks to a magnetic strip prevents loss of cold.Finally, the ecological refrigeration original, and that helps to save energy, is intended to be done to our need to measure because it can be designed using different modules. This innovative project called "Sodge" has been designed by Francesc Roig, engineer of the CEU-Cardenal Herrera University of Valencia and will compete with other 17 projects in different countries to win the International competition of design James Dyson.The result of this contest will be announced this 5 October and the prize will be £ 10,000 and £ 10,000 to the winning student for University or winning participating school.Finally, note that Spanish national jury participate in JoaquÃn Ezcurra from the school official engineers industrial of Madrid (COIIM) David Bravo, director of the Gadget magazine.Erenovable from both the Blog green, we look forward to the winner of this contest is the engineer of the Valencian University who designed the refrigerator that saves energy.
Renewable Energy Stocks Podcast: Sector Snapshot for Energy Efficient LED Lighting Stocks; CREE, LEDS
New York, NY - February 29, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Investorideas.com, a leader in renewable energy stock research for independent investors, issues an investor podcast sector snapshot for renewable energy stocks trading in the energy efficient LED lighting sector for February 28th.
Wind Stock News: Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) Fulfills Terms of Settlement Agreement, Secures Patent Rights and Retires 120M Shares to Treasury
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - February 29, 2012 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) is pleased to announce today that the Company and its subsidiary, Clean Wind Energy, Inc. has fulfilled its payment obligation set forth in the Settlement and Release Agreement entered into on January 12, 2012
Biofuel Stock Alert: Solazyme (NASDAQ:SZYM) Closes up over 9%
New York, NY - February 29, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Investorideas.com, a leader in renewable energy stock research for independent investors, issues an investor alert for biofuel stock Solazyme, Inc. (NasdaqGS: SZYM), closing trading for February 28 th at $14.34, up $ 1.21 or (9.22%) on over 1Million shares exchanging hands.
Solar Frontier reaches 17.8% efficiency with CIS solar thin-film
Solar Frontier has achieved a 17.8% aperture area efficiency on a 30x30 cm CIS-based solar thin-film photovoltaic (PV) submodule in joint research with Japan’s New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).
EERC to develop biofuel for US Military
The Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) will develop alternative liquid fuels, including biofuel, for US military applications under a US$906,000 contract from the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology Inc (CCAT).
Calyxo CdTe solar thin-film module reaches 13.4% efficiency
Calyxo GmbH says its 88.7 W cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar thin-film module has achieved an efficiency of 13.4% measured on aperture area - confirmed by testing body SGS Germany.
Editor's blog: Risky business
An interesting report from the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) crossed our desk recently. The EIU spoke to 284 senior-level renewable energy executives about the risks in financing, constructing and operating renewable energy projects, as well as the risk management challenges that the renewable energy industry must confront.
Editor's blog: Sign of the times
As we enter 2012 with more talk of funding problems and reduced financial incentives, it is apparent how the dynamics â€" and drivers â€" for renewable energy have changed, and relatively quickly at that.
Dye-sensitised solar cell inventor awarded 2012 Albert Einstein award
The 'father' of the dye-sensitised solar cell (DSC), Professor Michael Grätzel, is being awarded the 2012 Albert Einstein World Award of Science by the World Cultural Council.
28 Şubat 2012 Salı
Why Use Alternative Energy Sources?
It does not seem very wise to use comply with the same dirty energy sources every time, and also keep to worry about them running out. If you think about this, will you come to think of it so funny. If we the energy of the water, wind and the Sun can tame, we would be living in a world that had a inexhaustible and infinite source of energy. Besides all this energy obtained would also clean. Also, there would be no potential risks for the environment, and we must be able to live in a world that is completely free of any adverse effects on the environment. It is our call to the pollution under check, since the us who ever started the pollution in the first place. The technology that we previously created was meant to be the energy sources we have now works for us. Therefore, it is now our responsibility to take good care of the ecosystem.The technology that is essential for the use of the alternative sources of energy become quite affordable in these times. This is because more and more number of people now use. And for those who do, this is the perfect time to start to do it. Here is another good thing about the use of these alternative sources. Use of these energy sources even helps you to save taxes. The tax incentives granted by the Government can give you most of the money that would have to invest in the installation of devices and technology using these newer sources of energy to get back.The alternative technology sources are very versatile in nature and so can literally be used for almost everything. It is therefore very important to use them with extreme responsibility. The sources are extremely suitable alternative for electricity. Our reliability, these become everyday devices nowadays so much that it has become quite inconceivable for us to even a day. And just to keep up with our daily demands, we consume a significantly large amount of electricity. This is where this alternative sources of energy. And it is also the only way that can help us meet the requirements of the society in terms of energy resources.The extensive use of alternative energy sources is the first step we can take for the improvement of our planet. This is not only for the well-being of the world, but also significant important benefits has in store for us. Think of hefty accounts that your electric company charges you for your monthly consumption. You might be regretting for the heavy consumption of electricity in your home each month when you a check for the payment of your invoices writes. Also, it is always wise for the homeowner of a and its members to supervise the use of electrical devices. Although it might not be possible for anyone completely shut down or replaced all devices in a home, certainly it is possible to save every bit. This can also be used as a backup for emergency situations.Alternative sources of energy are now in high demand. Sun's rays may prove to be of a reliable source of energy in the coming times.
Smart Lighting Control Technology Can Cut Lighting Electricity Use 60%, Company Claims
Filed under: Energy News
Surprise: Chinese Suppliers Dominate Solar PV Module Rankings
Try not to act surprised that the familiar Chinese suppliers still sit atop the list of solar photovoltaic (PV) module shipments in 2011, though one is making a stronger push to keep up with the others.
Attractive Options for Modular Energy Architecture: the Bloom Energy Server
Filed under: Energy News
Go Big with Homegrown: South Korea To Build Massive Wind Project
How much wind power can you get for $9 billion? According to South Korea, about 2.5 gigawatts, or 71 percent of the total offshore capacity available today.
China's latest solar financials reveal ups and downs in 4Q11-1Q12
The latest quarterly financial updates now coming in provide a clearer view of the solar PV supplier landscape, who's doing better and why (or why not). Here's what the top Chinese PV module suppliers are saying, and what the analysts are taking away.
Researchers Create the Largest See-Through Solar Module Ever Produced
Homeowners associations are notoriously resistant to solar, often banning roof-top installations that conflict with their aesthetic values. But what if you could install an invisible solar system on your home that no one knows is there?
Shell Busts a Move: Builds Drop-in Biofuels Pilot Plant in Texas
For some time, Shell watchers in the biofuels sphere have been hard pressed to determine exactly how the company will proceed in developing out its advanced biofuels strategy.
Nordex sees tumbling Chinese sales in 2011
Nordex saw an operating loss (EBIT) of €29.7 million in 2011, compared to an EBIT of €40.1m in 2010 due to decreased sales and one-off costs.
Suntech tops 2011 solar PV module rankings
Suntech Power was the largest supplier of solar photovoltaic (PV) modules by shipment volumes for the second consecutive year in 2011 as Chinese manufacturers tightened their grip on the market, according IMS Research.
Wind Stock News: Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) Proceeds with Downdraft Tower Zoning and Site Evaluations
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - February 28, 2012 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) is pleased to announce today that the Company has been notified by the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation that it may proceed with the local zoning process and site evaluations.
Big Prospects for Small Wind Turbines
While 2011 figures have yet to come in, we know that the global small wind turbine market grew from 105.9 MW in 2006 to 275.8 MW in 2010. GlobalData's recent report â€" Small Wind Turbines (less than 100kW) â€" Global Market Size, Analysis by Power Range, Regulations and Competitive Landscape to 2020 â€" predicts even higher growth in the coming years, spurred by increasing incentives announced by various governments and by growing end user awareness. End user price is the most crucial factor affecting the growth of the market in both developed and developing countries. Also important are rebate programmes, property tax exemptions, financial incentives, annualised net metering and permitting issues.
Suzlon's S95 wind turbine delivers 102%
Suzlon has completed testing and certification of its S95 Standard Temperature Version (STV) 2.1 MW wind turbine in its 50 Hz and 60 Hz variants, achieving 102% of its estimated power curve.
GE and JP Morgan invest US$225m in Texas wind farm
GE Energy Financial Services and JP Morgan will invest US$225 million in NextEra Energy Resources' 662.5 MW Capricorn Ridge wind farm in West Texas, USA.
REEEP funds clean energy in rural Cambodia, Ethiopia and Tanzania
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is funding three projects to widen clean energy access in rural Cambodia, Ethiopia and Tanzania.
27 Şubat 2012 Pazartesi
Historic Oil/Gas and Gas/Coal prices provide opportunity for fuel switching
Filed under: Energy News
Gas Prices Climb For 20th Day in a Row, GOP Still Calling to Drill, Drill, Drill
Filed under: Energy News
Renewable energy: advocates need to raise their ‘game’ to match fossil energy interests
Filed under: Energy News
Germany's New Solar Containment Policy
Germany has been for two decades a global leader in renewable energy, first creating Feed-in Tariff (FiT) laws in 1991, then in 2000 via the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG) establishing different FiTs for different renewables.
Asia Report: China Launches Renewable Energy Think Tank
China continues to take aggressive steps to secure itself as the leading manufacturing base for renewable energy. And it's increasingly doing so with an eye on how that base can help it take a lead in project development as well.
EPA's Green Power Partnership Helps Big Corporations Greenwash
While I generally have nothing but praise for the Environmental Protection Agency, their Green Power Partnership program falls short of the agency’s usual standard. In particular, the program — providing media recognition for participating companies who procure renewable energy — inflates the activities of large
February Newsletter
The Medium Voltage Distribution Components Customer Newsletter is out for February 2012! Check out the latest from ABB here.
UK industry renews calls for biofuels target
The UK biofuels industry has stepped up calls for a biofuels target to 2020, amid concerns that the UK could risk losing the benefits of home-grown biofuels industry altogether.
Solar Stocks Weaken - Our Solar Portfolio Continues to Outperform - J Peter Lynch
New York - February 27, 2012 - Solar stocks commentary; Investor Ideas www.Investorideas.com, leader in renewable energy stock research for independent investors, issues a solar stocks update from J. Peter Lynch for Monday February 27th.
LiFePO nanoparticles encapsulated in graphene-containing carbon nanofibers for use as energy storage materials
Ozan Toprakci, Hatice A. K. Toprakci, Liwen Ji, Zhan Lin, Renpeng Gu et al. LiFePO/graphene/C composite nanofibers, in which LiFePO nanoparticles were encapsulated in graphene-containing carbon nanofiber matrix, were synthesized by using a combination of electrospinning and sol-gel techniques. Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) was used as the electrospinning media and the carbon sour ... [J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 4, 013121 (2012)] published Mon Feb 27, 2012.
A unit commitment study of the application of energy storage toward the integration of renewable generation
Chioke Harris, Jeremy P. Meyers, and Michael E. Webber To examine the potential benefits of energy storage in the electric grid, a generalized unit commitment model of thermal generating units and energy storage facilities is developed. Three different storage scenarios were testedtwo without limits to total storage assignment and one with a constrained ... [J. Renewable Sustainable Energy 4, 013120 (2012)] published Mon Feb 27, 2012.
New Financing Models: Potential to Revolutionize Commercial Solar Water Heating Market
Last month, SEPA released a new study titled, “Heating Up: The Impact of Third Party Business Models on the US Market for Solar Water and Space Heating.” The report profiled the emergence of a number of new and existing third-party options for financing solar water heating. While third party financing has potential to revolu
Nigeria, Energy Poverty and Renewable Energy
Nigeria’s decision to attain 15 percent renewable energy use by 2015 has been tagged to be a very proactive commitment. An important fact to note is that more than 60 percent of the nation’s population is not connected to the national grid and the remaining population can only boast an epileptic power supply. Apart from th
Antaris' solar PV panels sees heat resistance confirmed
In a temperature benchmark, the Photovoltaics Institut Berlin (PI) has found that Antaris Solar's solar photovoltaic (PV) panels keep their performance at high temperatures.
Massive Energy Storage Technologies Could Revitalize the Power Grid (preview)
Filed under: Energy News
Wind Stock News: Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) Company Presentation Well Received at National Investment Banking Association (NIBA) Conference
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - February 27, 2012 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) announced today that the Company's presentation was well received by a large audience at the National Investment Banking Association (NIBA) Conference held on February 23-24, 2012 at the Le Pavillon Hotel in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Siemens supplies 200 MW of wind to Thailand
Siemens Energy will supply 90 wind turbines totalling 200 MW for two wind farms, Korat 1 and Korat 2, in Nakorn Rachasrima Province in north-eastern Thailand.
UPDATED: Renewable Energy Focus plans UK Offshore Wind supplement
Renewable Energy Focus is planning a UK Offshore Wind supplement to go alongside the May/June issue.
Chile launches 450 MW onshore wind farm tender
The Chilean Government has launched an international tender call for three land-use concessions for up to 150 MW each of onshore wind.
Forum looks at viable US renewable energy business models
A series of forums to outline a viable business model for renewable electricity has begun in the US, organised by the California Clean Energy Fund (CalCEF), the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) and the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI).
Offshore Wind Farm in London
This time, we refer you to discuss the project that is starting to take shape in London, which in recent weeks has started construction and is planned to supply the great British metropolis. By the time he has started to build the first phase of the project, with the installation of the first two turbines on 27 and 28 January, having already a generation of 3.6 MW of electricity available, they will begin to be operational from next March. At this stage seek to install about 175 wind turbines, which would end not to deploy before the end of 2012, and which could have a power capacity of about 630 MW, then give place to the next stage. After the first phase of London Array, will seek to quickly add more wind turbines in the second phase, looking to double the number of turbines up to 1 GW Power, which would be able to supply about 750,000 homes For the moment nothing is confirmed about a third stage of the project, but if all goes well not be ruled out following further expanding this Off-Shore Wind Farm.
26 Şubat 2012 Pazar
Solutions to the problematic of the danger of extinction
Being a problem much more important than you think, the plants and animals in danger of extinction can be saved if adequate measures are taken before it is too late.The first and most important step is the protection of the environment and natural habitats of plants and animals, the species cannot survive without shelter, water and food.This protection can be achieved in different ways, starting with identifying the causes by which species are having problems adapting to the environment and work directly on it.The State and associations responsible for the protection of wildlife should be agreed to ensure that species can remain calm in a habitat unaltered until their numbers begin to ascend to get out of the danger.It is important mjuy people to be informed and worry about protecting the environment together with its inhabitants.
25 Şubat 2012 Cumartesi
Imagine Electricity-Generating Clothes,… but Without Solar Panels on Them
Filed under: Energy News
Sterling's Weekly Free Energy Review on SmartScarecrow Show: February 23, 2012
Filed under: Energy News
Solar and Wind-Powered Triton Buoy Lights Up to Provide Ships With Safe Passage
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24 Şubat 2012 Cuma
Green Patent Acquisitions: Private Equity Firm Snaps Up Beacon Power’s Flywheels
Filed under: Energy News
Cendere Valley Project of Urban Design for a Greener Turkey
Is it possible to retain the basic texture of urban housing while embarking on an ambitious project to transform sustainable? We all know that the texture loss leads to a sense of alienation among the people who are born and grew up in a particular city or town.It is a challenge that has tried to Emre Arolat architects (EAA) to join his new project of urban design for Kagithane Cendere Valley, in the heart of Istanbul, the capital city of Turkey. It is believed that the new project will help Cendere Valley to become an important green corridor for all citizens of the country.Cendere Valley project urban design Cendere Valley project of urban design.Currently, Cendere Valley lies in a very "Decomposed State," despite being one of the most important ecological corridor in Istanbul. While the central part of the Valley is populated by a low density of population, it is surrounded by forest on one side, aligned along the Black Sea.The area shows flashes of a story contained in old engravings. It was an agricultural area during the last years of the Ottoman Empire and was slowly filled with industries in the 1950s. Another change is suffering these days with the displacement of industrial zones of urban housing and its slow transformation into a center of the service sector. The development of the latter requires the construction of large number of residences, offices, recreation centers for residents and other amenities, such as schools, hospitals, etc..The new project aims to meet these new requirements while maintaining the texture and strengthen the green credentials of the Valley. The design of architects EAA proposal focuses on a controlled population density to maintain the ecological character of the area and provide a place of sustainable housing to residents. So, architects have planned to erect buildings along the Cendere and Anadolu avenues in the area. The buildings would be in blocks of escalating casualties. There will be commercial units on the ground floor while arcades along the edge of both avenues will help to create a kind of corridor protected lengthwise.The new plan envisages passages and transitions to pedestrians, as the elevation of the terrain are supposed to have dense public use due to commercial activities. In addition, these transitions and passages create a visual relationship with the avenues and tolerate the line.According to architects, the blocks of low rise would create a "permeable facade ' between the avenues and the ecological corridor." In the area of the Office, there is a provision for a green terrace that will act as a divider between the private fields located in the upper part of the buildings and areas of business below. Architects plan have focus points in the city for various activities.These points will have different thresholds to break the continuity and provide a rate for urban design. Also you can place a rail along the stream for the transport system.
Sterling's Weekly Free Energy Review on SmartScarecrow Show: February 16, 2012
Filed under: Energy News
Different Energy Sources
Many times we talked about energy sources, and these are basically responsible for the fact that we have different ways of generating our own electricity necessary for our day-to-day, but of course, this concept is very broad and we delve much more.As many know, there is a classification based for all resource, based of course on capacity which we can continue getting raw materials necessary to reach a final product, i.e., whether this is a renewable resource, either a non-renewable energy source.Fossil fuels: includes the exploitation of oil formed makes billions of years by the accumulation of hydrocarbons (product of decomposition of organic, from material generally of plankton) that are content between impermeable rocks in liquid state, and hovering over it in the form of Natural Gas, present in volatile or gaseous state.It also includes coal as another source of non-renewable energy, organic matter of vegetable origin, covered with sediments originating changes in its molecular structure to increase the pressure conditions.Stand out by releasing a large amount of energy by combustion, which applies to a lot of uses ranging from heating to mobility using an internal combustion engine, this last allowing its transformation into electric energy.Nuclear fuel: used for obtaining Nuclear energy, being the most frequently used uranium and plutonium, which through a process called radioactive decay can be decomposed into atoms of lower molecular mass, process that releases an enormous amount of energy.This energy is used by nuclear power stations which through the formation of water vapor and with the help of a turbine connected to an alternator, generate electrical energy necessary.It is those who are considered as unlimited, or are too large and are not also largely consumed in proportion to the amount of energy that can be obtained from them.This group is practically impossible to include a limited amount of resources, as that carried out various scientific progress is checked that it is possible to have a renewable energy source without using a consumable.This is why it is considered as the source of everything to solar energy, which is responsible for the formation and distribution of other renewable resources.In this case, which stands out of them is that while they are not unlimited, renewal occurs quite quickly, given the potentiality that precisely that must be controlled is that does not consume more than necessary, otherwise it would a disappearance.A clear example of this is the use of Biomass energy, that although plants are growing relatively fast, over exploitation may generate a depletion of resources that offer.
China's Solar Master Plan Sets Production, Efficiency and Price Goals
China has made it clear that it wants to add solar energy generation at a fast pace, so it's not surprising that the government also has big plans to boost solar manufacturing. In fact, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology posted a plan Friday that calls for certain polysilicon producers to reach 50,000 tons of annual production capacity by 2015; it also wants solar cell makers to reach 5 gigawatts of annual capacity by the same time frame.
Ceres buys solar CIGS thin-film assets from Veeco
Ceres Technologies is expanding its position in the solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment manufacturing supply chain with the purchase of CIGS thin-film technology and product assets formerly operated by Veeco Instruments Inc.
"Hockey Stick" Scientist Crosschecks Critics: A Q&A with Michael E. Mann (preview)
Filed under: Energy News
Four cities act as models for smart grid cities of the future
Amsterdam, Stockholm, Colorado’s SmartGridCity and Portugal’s PlanIT Valley initiative are among the most replicable models for countries scrambling to accommodate an additional 2.7 billion people in the world’s cities by 2050, according Lux Research.
More powerful electric cars: Mechanism behind capacitor's high-speed energy storage discovered
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23 Şubat 2012 Perşembe
Now, a college degree in vocational education
For years, India's basic collegiate education had been segregated into three distinct academic islands: the masses pursued humanities, the ones with shining score cards took to the sciences and the rest who wanted to pick up the tools of trade, opted for commerce. Now students can venture into a fourth dimension: a bachelor's in vocation education. From the upcoming academic season, colleges across the country will offer a bachelor's degree in vocation education, thus underpinning a stream that has always languished for the want of a formal degree. Sensing the gap in the system, the move to offer the BVoc is largely in response to the hungry local manufacturing industry's requirement for top-grade workforce, and partly because several graduates from the existing traditional streams were jobless and deemed unemployable. "Our standing committee has cleared the proposal to offer the bachelor's in vocational educationand once the commission clears it, any college in India which is affiliated to a university, can offer this programme," said in-charge chairman of the University Grants Commission Ved Prakash. "We need to prepare a large workforce and it is time we build capacity at the graduate level." Vocational education, or life skills, as it was sometimes derided as, mostly attracted the lower rungs of the society, the ones ready to dirty their hands. They eventually went on to earn a diploma and then work on factory floors. While ripping that perception and lending this course the much-needed academic might and respect, the UGC's decision's biggest apostle is industry. The move was initiated by the All India Council for Technical Education which has identified 10 sectors like entertainment, telecom, construction, printing and publishing and suchlike that need specialized graduates. "These courses will provide vocational skills and general education, thus providing vocational graduates with multiple pathways," said AICTE chairman S S Mantha. "The USP (unique selling point) of the course is that students can leave the course any time and come back to it to pursue further studies," he added. While the UGC is yet to drawn up a detailed regulation for the new programme, there are plans to allow students to shift from BVoc to arts, science or commerce, thus not punishing students for signing up for the new course. For middle-class Indian parents, vocational education was never even an option for it didn't inspire much academic thinking; worse, it didn't even lead to a degree. To date, vocational education was offered in India's it is (Industrial Training Institutes) and the three other conventional streams-the humanities, science and commerce-were its prestigious rivals. Now opting for a vocational education won't be equivalent to taking a road less travelled. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/education/news/Now-a-college-degree-in-vocational-education/articleshow/12011429.cms
Apple Announces Plans to Build America’s Largest End User–Owned Onsite Solar Array
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New Utility-Scale Solar PV Inverter Technology Could Help Stabilize the Grid (Germany Case Study)
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Trina Solar Gets $100-Million Loan for High-Efficiency “Honey†Solar Cell Launch
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Solar Stock News: Trina Solar (NYSE:TSL) Announces Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2011 Results
CHANGZHOU, China - February 23, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Trina Solar Limited, a leading integrated manufacturer of solar photovoltaic ("PV") products today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2011.
Obama Proposes Tax Reform, Making Renewables Credits Permanent
The US Federal Government is making another pitch for business-tax reform, and within that thrust it is underscoring its support for renewable energy.
Germany Slashes FIT Subsidies in an Effort to Rein in Solar Power Installations
Solar power has grown so massively in Germany that the government now plans to rein in the boom in photovoltaic installations by cutting generous subsidiaries.
Apple Announces It Will Build America’s Largest End User–Owned Onsite Solar Array
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Sharp Electronics Europe also awarded Top Brand PV seal
Along with Q-Cells and Suntech, Sharp Electronics (Europe) GmbH has been awarded the seal Top Brand PV by EuPD Research.
Consent for Scottish offshore wind turbine test facility
SSE Renewables has received consent for an offshore wind turbine test facility at Hunterston from North Ayrshire Council in Scotland.
Deja Vu All Over Again: Congressional Republicans Intent on Nixing Wind, Renewable Energy Growth
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22 Şubat 2012 Çarşamba
US Virgin Islands Launches 15-Year Energy Initiative to Reduce Fossil Fuel Use 60%
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Vocational Education..... India... An overview of 2011
· Indians spend $600 billion, yearly on education. With $600 billion yearly overall education spend at comparable prices; India’s education sector is bigger than that of the US. India is the 9th highest in the world. India’s yearly growth in overall education spend, at 15%, is also one of the fastest in the world. “India will account for 20 per cent of the world’s global workforce in 2020s. The average age of Indian workforce will be 29 years as compared to 37 for the US and China and 45 years for Europeâ€, Kapil Sibal, minister for human resource development, communications and IT said at the India Economic Summit 2011 in Mumbai.The estimated CAGR of private revenue in Indian education, at 19% during ’11-’15, is also one of the fastest in the world. Skill and vocational training are emerging as big opportunities for private players. High growth, scarcity of investable opportunities and the recession-proof nature of the sector are likely to keep valuations high.From $30 billion in 2012, private education revenue is set to reach $45 billion by 2015. K-12 ($20 billion), technical education ($12billion), coaching ($8 billion) and pre-school ($3 billion)Urban affluent spend 10.4% of the total consumer spend towards private education. The rural poorest spends just 1.4% of wallet on education. With the median income elasticity of demand for education at near 2, a 1% rise in per capita income leads to a 2% jump in education spend, mostly on private education. This is the key driver of the sector.Never before in the history of any country has human capital development been such a key focus area as 2011 was for India, marking the beginning of better times. The huge demographic dividend India can for sure reap from its large young population, with 250 mn to 400mn people joining the employment market between now and 2025 to fuel its growth. This is a staggering number by any standards. However, to become productive these huge numbers have to be suitably trained to avoid large scale unemployment, which needs greater emphasis than rejoicing the fact that we have the largest youngest population in comparison to other countries. To be more specific, 109 million persons will attain working age during the period of 2007-2012. The net addition to workforce is, therefore, expected to grow to 89 million of which around 13 million are likely to be graduates/post graduates and about 57 million are likely to be school drop outs or illiterates. A significant share of incremental demand is likely to be for skilled labour - graduates and vocationally trained people are expected to account for 23% of incremental demand by 2012. The study further estimates that India is likely to increase deficit of 5.25 million employable graduates and vocationally trained workforce by 2012. Vocational education could be a great way to counter this challenge guised opportunity. India’s current capacity for vocational training is just about 4 to 5 mn per anum against a requirement of 10 times that. Hence focusing on vocational education is of primary importance.The National Mission on Skill Development, under the Chairmanship of Prime Minister of India, had set a target of preparing 500 million skilled persons by 2022. On the other hand, it is expected out of approximately 75 to 80 million jobs created in India over the next 5 years, 75 per cent will require vocational training to enhance the employability prospects.But, there is a huge ‘skill gap’ both in terms of quality and quantity - At present, only 2 per cent of the work force in the age group 15-29 has undergone formal vocational training and eight per cent have had non-formal vocational training.In 2006, a World Bank report on skill development and vocational training in India spelt it out for all - "The relative supply of workers with technical/vocational skills has declined. This may be due to the fact that workers with technical/vocational qualifications do not have the skills that meet the labour market needs - often because of the poor quality of training provided."Why is it so? How can we change this scenario? Vocational education is still considered as the poor cousin of university education, by the urban middle class in this country. This is largely because it is directly linked to the perceived low-status manual work. As it exists today, vocational education perpetuates the iniquitous social hierarchy in the country. We need a system that treats vocational subjects as an honourable option and offers them as a serious alternative for students, regardless of their class, caste, region or any other marker of socio-economic status.The major challenges or questions we need to answer are:1. How do we begin imparting vocational skills to a staggering millions quoted above? (Most of these youngsters are in the age group of 15 to 25 years belonging to lower middle class, could be school dropouts or even a graduates who is in search of a way to support a living .)2. Where can we find suitable instructors? There is serious shortage of skilled teachers, finding the welders, machinists, carpenters, electricians, beauticians, gardeners, English language trainers, computer skills instructors and multiple others to handle good vocational skill instruction is a task that boggles the minds of the policy makers. 3. How will we create jobs at places where these students reside?4. If they are provided jobs at place far off from their homes (From villages / towns to cities) how will they relocate with the current salaries and facilities provided?5. How these youngsters sustain with meager salaries they are offered? (The salaries range from Rs.4,500 to Rs.6,000…. How can an individual support himself and his family with this kind of an earning)6. The employers are skeptical of employing these youngsters due to reasons such asa. Lack of experience (Employers prefer experienced staff over youngsters who have just completed the course of a short duration)b. Salary constraints (Employers over salaries which are way below employment seekers expectations)c. Facilities (Employment seekers expect facilities such as stay and food which may not be provided by the employeesWhat is the most important factor which rule the decision of a CAREER ASPIRANT whether or not take up Vocational Training and specifically paid Training? Here the career aspirant is the consumer and going to the consumer point of view, a young man / woman’s desire to pay and enroll into a Vocational Training Course is solely dependent on the difference he / she sees between the compensation potential before and after being trained.The major questions which arise are:1. Do organizations see any value difference between untrained vs trained while choosing candidates for employment?2. If yes how do we quantify the value difference?3. What would be the compensation premium they would be willing to pay for this trained vs untrained employee?The major factors to be considered are:1. Demand for Trained employees.2. Quality of Training / Skilling provided.3. Industry-Academia association /partnerships4. Location of the training organization and probable employersThe major aspects to be taken care of are:1. Identifying skill requirements and course offerings exactly matching the needs2. Training the trainers to match the industry standards and constant faculty training and assessment to maintain quality of training3. Internship / On the job training4. Placement partnerships5. Striking a balance between affordability of the course and profitability of the venture6. Tie ups with bankers to fund the course fee /student loansIt would be preferable if:1. The design of the vocational system will not compel students to choose too early between the vocational and academic paths. 2. Vocational education system must offer students the possibilities of switching between the vocational and the academic paths if they wish to do so. Offering this flexibility is a definite route to reducing the social burden of any choice, i.e. making all educational choices “honourableâ€.3. In order to ensure flexibility it would be good to have a vocational education method that is integrated with the basic education system on one end, and with higher education system on the other. An integrated system will erase sharp distinctions between “vocational†and “academic†streams, thereby increasing the probabilities of youngsters to opt for Vocational education who are inclined towards higher education.4. A flexible, localized vocational education system, built integrated with effective basic education will easily be accepted and embraced by the rural and semi-urban societies. Let us declare 2012 as year of 'Proud to be Skilled Indian' says Vijay Thadani CEO of NIIT Limited and Chairman of CII's Northern Region.“We should also look at launching events such as 'Indian Skills Idol' and have popular brand ambassadors to endorse pride in skills. Then we will not be apologetic about our 1.2 billion population. We can be an enviable reservoir of 1.2 billion skilled people.†Skills development in India got an impetus when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh constituted the National Council on Skills Development in 2008 and the National Skills Development Corporation (NSDC) thereafter. For NSDC, this year has been one of the best -- a-one-of-its-kind public-private partnerships formed to contribute significantly to the charter of skilling Indians. NSDC forged many new partnerships to train people, including joint ventures with the Bharti Group for 11.5 million, with Everonn for 15 million, with Future Group for seven million and with NIIT for another seven million. As of its last month's report, they have approved 34 training projects and eight sector skills councils, covered 177 districts, set up 2,427 centres, touched 20 sectors and have already set up the foundation required to train 58.6 million people in 10 years. In addition, under a special scheme, industry showed interest in joining hands with NSDC to induct youth from Jammu and Kashmir to train them in special skills at their facilities across India. Appointment of an industry veteran, former Tata Consultancy chief executive S. Ramadorai as an advisor to the prime minister in NSDC with the rank of a cabinet minister, is yet positive move this year.Private participation extended beyond NSDC and many companies came forward. Fiat India Automobiles launched "Diksha" to provide educational avenues and technical training for youth. Axis Bank and Bandhan jointly launched a Rs.100-crore initiative on providing skills training and assets to the marginalized in West Bengal. Job creation remained a key challengeThe government could create only one million jobs against the target of 50 million jobs during the 11th Plan period that ends March 31, 2012. It has now set a enterprising target of creating 60 million jobs during the 12th Five Year Plan.As a step towards this, the government unveiled a new Manufacturing Policy that promises 100 million new jobs. India is also on the path to dusting off the Apprentices Act to create an industry-driven apprenticeship regime. 2011 was the first year when the WorldSkills Competition got significant coverage in the media in India. A 16-member India contingent participated in the competition in London. While Indians did not win any medals, they surely showed the determination to become the skills reservoir of the world by participating in the event. As we move to the next year, we appear to be in the right direction, even though we know we have a long way to go. Skills do not form the social fabric of India as yet. To have social currency in India, the acceptable tags are generally of an engineer, a doctor, a master of business administration. Skills, such as plumbing, electrician and masonry have little social currency, and this is evident even in our matrimonial advertisements. Changing the social perception about skills, therefore, is our big challenge for 2012. Creating a social norm called 'Get Skilled' should be one of our key focus areas.In India we observe a complex amalgamation of factors relating to poverty, home environment, social pressures and so on to which teenage children are susceptible. The child who drops out of the schooling system due to any of the above factors can rarely be brought back into training. In plain economics, they are already in the unorganized job sector and leaving it for vocational training constitutes a significant opportunity cost for them and their families. In other words, even free training has a cost that many are unable or unwilling to bear. What then are we to do if we are to make an impact on a set of problems of this magnitude? “CATCH THEM YOUNG AND WATCH THEM GROW†should be our motto· The first place to start is undoubtedly the school where we can formally allow a parallel stream of vocation education in the 9th and 10th standards. (To promote vocational Training in schools, the Govt. has established a vocational cell within the CBSE, this scheme also helps to create a bridge between academia and industry) Students who are weak academically but have other strong abilities ought to be given a choice and counseled on this path, which will have academic elements, especially English and Math, but in a simpler form.· Each school needs to set up labs / workshops for supporting training activities.· If this is not possible in the school premises due to space constraints, there should be a tie up with partners who are offering vocational training; essentially they could be NSDC partners who are entitled to offer vocational training.· A local network with industry, restaurants, retail establishments, and technical institutions/colleges in the area needs to be established so that an element of practical training can be brought into the curriculum and other resources leveraged. · Finally, a certificate could be issued by the state, the school or the training partner, once the student has successfully completed the vocational training requirements. This may not hold the same status of an SSLC but will be far better than letting the child drop out with nothing to show for his or her future. The above model could use skilled people drawn from the extensive pool of unorganized labour as faculty. These skilled trainers can be made to go through a train the trainers program to fill gaps in their approach or methodology.In the construction industry for example, we have many carpenters, plumbers etc., who are skilled and experienced, but not educated in the conventional sense. If these people are brought in as faculty and seconded to a vocational training faculty from the school who handles the formalization of the instruction, there could be a complete win-win for both the student and the trainer.We are at a cusp situation where we need to face the challenge of Streamlining the Vocational Training Structure in order to reap the benefits of the huge potential of Human Resource in India.
Woops — Upton Pushed for a Loan for a Now Bankrupt Solar Company (Hypocrite, Much?)
Filed under: Energy News
John Bedini - Peter Lindemann 2012 Science and Technology Conference, June 30 and July 1, 2012
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Contaminacion del Suelo
Estos agresivos no solo provienen de las actividades del hombre, sino que en menor medida pueden darse mediante la llamada Contaminación Natural, originada por ejemplo en el caso de Erupciones Volcánicas, o bien en aquellos casos donde depósitos de sustancias o metales tóxicos en la tierra comienzan a ascender progresivamente hacia la superficie.Entre los distintos causantes de este fenómeno, encontramos no solo aquellos que han sido vertidos intencional o accidentalmente por el hombre y sus actividades industriales y económicas en general, sino también a aquellas que se acumulan progresivamente hasta alcanzar niveles tóxicos que degradan al suelo, las especies que allà se desarrollan y hasta lo pueden volver infértil y no apto para cultivo.Entre los agresivos quÃmicos que podemos encontrar, destacamos los siguientes:Derivados del petróleo: Hidrocarburos en general, con o sin tratamiento previo Solventes Inorgánicos y Orgánicos Pesticidas Prohibidos Tóxicos MetálicosNo solo encontramos consecuencias nocivas para el estado del suelo en sÃ, sino también esto puede repercutir directa o indirectamente en las reservas de agua que puedan encontrarse cercanas a la zona afectada, causando que el Agua Potable indebidamente tratada tome contacto con estos tóxicos y se acumulen en ella.La consecuencia entonces para las personas está en su ingesta, causando problemas de salud con intoxicaciones agudas o crónicas, situación que solo puede ser revertida con un trabajo que conlleve en una delimitación, aislamiento y saneamiento de la zona (lo que lleva una gran inversión económica)Recibe todas las noticias, información exclusiva, trucos y novedades de Blog Ecologista directamente en tu
Sterling's Weekly Free Energy Review on SmartScarecrow Show: February 9, 2012
Filed under: Energy News
EERE Support Yields Breakthrough in Manufacturing of Triple Pane, R-5 Energy Efficient Windows
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Clean energy, environment-related nuggets from Ontario-commissioned Drummond Report
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Low-carbon technologies 'no quick-fix': May not lessen global warming until late this century
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Renewable Energy Stock Trading Alert: Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) Pays Off Convertible Note
ANNAPOLIS, Md. - February 22, 2012 (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Clean Wind Energy Tower, Inc. (OTCBB:CWET) announced today that the Asher Enterprises, LLC, note, convertible into common stock, entered into on August 23, 2011, in the amount of $32,500 was paid off in cash.
Future of Geothermal Bright for Indonesia, Philippines — Finance and Regulatory Stability Critical
Ahead of the GeoPower Indonesia & Philippines conference in Jakarta, I caught up with Edward McCartin, Senior Development Advisor at Alterra Power, a speaker at the June meeting that will host the key stakeholders in the Asian geothermal industry. Alterra Power Corp is a leading renewable energy developer, whose portfolio includes two geotherm
REpower and Maïa Eolis agree 250 MW of French wind
REpower Systems SE and Maïa Eolis have entered a framework agreement for up to 250 MW of onshore wind farms in France.
21 Şubat 2012 Salı
Only the lowest carbon dioxide emitting technologies can avoid a hot end-of-century
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How Much Solar Costs & How Much You Could Save on Electricity in Your State (Infographic)
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Plasmas torn apart: Discovery hints at origin of phenomena like solar flares
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Biolite’s Brilliant Camp Stove Converts Waste Heat Into Electricity for USB Gadgets
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Membership - The GRC Advantage
Membership of the Geothermal Resources Council (GRC) is open to any person, organization, agency or company. Membership advantages include access to GRC functions, specifically its Annual Meeting and educational programs; a subscription to the GRC Bulletin; listing in the GRC Membership Roster and Registry of Geothermal Services & Equipment; companion membership in the International Geothermal Association; and the opportunity to stand for election to the GRC Board of Directors.
President Obama Follows Through on Energy Innovation in 2013 Budget Request
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Dust from industrial-scale processing of nanomaterials carries high explosion risk
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How to Make a Solar Panel Home Wind Power Generator
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Renewable portfolio standards insufficient to meet 2030 GHG emission targets
Filed under: Energy News
Apple Tips Plans For Solar, Biogas Systems at NC Data Farm
Last year Apple commissioned its new 500,000 acre data center in Maiden, North Carolina. The facility, costing an estimated $1 billion facility to build, is the company's biggest data center several times over, aimed to support everything from iTunes to its iCloud services to the Siri voice functionality in the iPhone 4S.
UK Call to become a Leader in Wave and Tidal Power Moves Ocean Power Technologies (NASDAQ:OPTT) Stock Up
New York, New York - February 21, 2012 - (Investorideas.com renewable energy/green newswire) Investorideas.com, a leader in renewable energy stock research, releases a trading alert for wave technology stock Ocean Power Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq:OPTT).
Siemens buys tidal company Marine Current Turbines
Siemens has acquired a majority stake in the UK tidal power company Marine Current Turbines Ltd.
20 Şubat 2012 Pazartesi
1st Universal Metric for Measuring Sustainability across Resources Launched
Filed under: Energy News
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