Category: Archive

Archived material from historical editions of The Generator

Renewable Energy Investment Up 25%

admin /24 June, 2007

OSLO – Investment in renewable energies such as wind power and biofuels leapt to a record US$100 billion in 2006 and worries about global warming are likely to sustain the boom, a UN report said on Wednesday.

The flood of cash meant that clean energies had shaken off a fringe image compared with fossil fuels and seemed robust enough to survive any fall in high oil prices, according to a 46-page study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

"Renewable energies are no longer subject to the vagaries of rising and falling oil prices — they are becoming generating systems of choice for increasing numbers of power companies, communities and countries," said Achim Steiner, head of UNEP.

UNEP said investment capital flowing into renewable energy and efficiency technologies rose 25 percent in 2006 to US$100 billion from US$80 billion in 2005. That total was likely to leap to around US$120 billion in 2007.

Growth "although still volatile…is showing no sign of abating", the report said.

Steiner said the report showed industries in rich countries were no longer dominant in renewable energies such as wind, solar, biofuels, hydro, tidal or geothermal power.

Almost 10 percent of the 2006 investments were in China, he said. India was the biggest net buyer of companies abroad in 2006, led by takeovers by Indian wind turbine maker Suzlon which is planning a European listing.

The report said worries about climate change, high oil prices averaging more than US$60 a barrel last year, efforts to break dependence on energy imports and government incentives to shift away from fossil fuels had spurred investment.

Seven truths about China and climate change

admin /24 June, 2007

China has officially passed the U.S. as the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases. This is likely to prompt a lot of misinformation and obfuscation from the usual quarters. So here are some simple truths about China and global warming that everyone should remember as the debate proceeds. 1. The U.S. still vastly outpaces China Continue Reading →

Fruit could make ‘powerful fuel’

admin /24 June, 2007

The sugar found in fruit such as apples and oranges can be converted into a new type of low carbon fuel for cars, US scientists have said.

The fuel, made from fructose, contains far more energy than ethanol, the scientists write in the journal Nature.

Rotting plumSeparately, a British report on biofuels says all types of waste products, including plastic bags, can be used to make biodiesel fuel.

Critics of biofuels made from plant crops say they drive up food prices.

In both the European Union and the United States politicians have heartily embraced biofuels as a way of reducing emissions of carbon dioxide and dependency on imported oil.

‘Waste’ fuel

Critics say that the current biofuels, both diesel made from palm oil and ethanol made from corn, encourage farmers to switch land to fuel production, driving up the price of food in the process.

Now scientists at the University of Wisconsin-Madison say that a simple sugar called fructose can be converted into a fuel that has many advantages over ethanol.

Renewable Energy Investment Up 25%

admin /24 June, 2007

OSLO – Investment in renewable energies such as wind power and biofuels leapt to a record US$100 billion in 2006 and worries about global warming are likely to sustain the boom, a UN report said on Wednesday.

The flood of cash meant that clean energies had shaken off a fringe image compared with fossil fuels and seemed robust enough to survive any fall in high oil prices, according to a 46-page study by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).

"Renewable energies are no longer subject to the vagaries of rising and falling oil prices — they are becoming generating systems of choice for increasing numbers of power companies, communities and countries," said Achim Steiner, head of UNEP.

UNEP said investment capital flowing into renewable energy and efficiency technologies rose 25 percent in 2006 to US$100 billion from US$80 billion in 2005. That total was likely to leap to around US$120 billion in 2007.

Growth "although still volatile…is showing no sign of abating", the report said.

Steiner said the report showed industries in rich countries were no longer dominant in renewable energies such as wind, solar, biofuels, hydro, tidal or geothermal power.

Peace activists arrested at Shoalwater

admin /21 June, 2007

Shoalwater Bay, Queensland: Six activists have allegedly been detained for trespass in the Shoalwater Bay area. Seven activists entered the bombing area of the Talisman Sabre 07 military exercise yesterday afternoon, 20/6/07. A military spokesperson, who did not wish to be named, said that despite the presence of civilians in the area it would continue Continue Reading →

WA bans nuclear power

admin /21 June, 2007

ANYONE who tries to build or operate a nuclear power plant in Western Australia will face a fine of $500,000 under a new Bill introduced to state parliament today, June 20, 2007

Western Australia has introduced a bill that will trigger a state referendum should the commonwealth try and force a nuclear power plant on WA.

Prime Minister John Howard says a nuclear industry in Australia is the only viable, non-fossil fuel alternative to cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

But WA Energy Minister Francis Logan said the state’s energy requirements do not lie with nuclear power when WA has wind and emerging low emission technologies such as clean coal and geothermal power.

He said WA Labor’s long-held opposition to a nuclear industry was under threat from Mr Howard, prompting the need for the anti-nuclear power plant legislation introduced to state parliament on Wednesday.

"We have already passed legislation to ban the storage and transport of nuclear waste," Mr Logan said.

"To date it has not been necessary to ban nuclear power. But a new threat has emerged. The (John) Howard government in its attempt to play catch up in the climate change debate is using nuclear power as its solution to global warming.

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