Energy entrepreneurs can plug the gap in our power supplies
Energy entrepreneurs can plug the gap in our power supplies
If we are serious about meeting climate targets we must open the energy market to support independent project developers
- guardian.co.uk, Wednesday 11 November 2009 14.23 GMT
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To accelerate the decarbonisation of our energy supply, we will have to accelerate the decentralisation of energy generation. Photograph: David Sillitoe
On Monday, new nuclear power stations and big energy projects were on everyone’s lips. So yesterday’s agreement by the European Investment Bank to provide £700m of loans to independent windfarm developers marks a refreshing alternative to Britain’s utility-centric energy policy.
Our reliance on a small handful of utilities has failed to meet carbon-cutting targets, a fact backed up by recent reports from Ofgem and the Committee on Climate Change. And there is no evidence to suggest that the same handful of suppliers will do any better in the future.
Can we handle the truth
Can we handle the truth?
The International Energy Agency (IEA) released World Energy Outlook 2009 today. Even before the sham was shipped, it was exposed as a big ‘ol bucket of lies. Seems the current administration thinks Americans can’t handle the truth, so we need to apply some pressure to keep the lid on the facts. If this country’s paragon of transparency (i.e., world’s leading liar) and master of hope (i.e., wishful thinking) actually trusted the American people, perhaps we could avert chaos.
Rees govt spending $100m backing coal power future
Rees govt spending $100m backing coal power future Media release: 11 November 2009 The Rees government is squandering $100 million on a discreditedtechnology to keep coal-fired electricity as the major source of thestate’s energy, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. Dr Kaye said: “Former Howard government Resources Minister, IanMacfarlane, has blown the whistle on carbon capture and Continue Reading →
Spain’s windfarms set new national record for electricity generation
Spain’s windfarms set new national record for electricity generation
High winds over the weekend supplied 53% of Spain’s electricity – equivalent to the power output of 11 nuclear plants
- guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 November 2009 16.27 GMT
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Spanish windfarms set a new national record over the weekend, generating 53% of the country’s powerd. Photograph: Marco Cristofori/zefa/Corbis
Wind energy provided more than half of Spain’s total electricity needs for several hours over the weekend as the country set a new national record for wind-generated power.
With high winds gusting across much of the country, Spain’s huge network of windfarms jointly poured the equivalent of 11 nuclear power stations’ worth of electricity into the national grid.
India ‘arrogant’ to deny global warming link to melting glaciers
India ‘arrogant’ to deny global warming link to melting glaciers
IPCC chairman Rajendra Pachauri accuses Indian environment ministry of ‘arrogance’ for its report claiming there is no evidence that climate change has shrunk Himalayan glaciers
- guardian.co.uk, Monday 9 November 2009 16.17 GMT
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The Himalayas. The IPCC has warned that Himalayan glaciers are receding faster than in any other part of the world and could “disappear altogether by 2035 if not sooner”. Photograph: Frederic Soltan/© Frederic Soltan/Corbis
A leading climate scientist today accused the Indian environment ministry of “arrogance” after the release of a government report claiming that there is no evidence climate change has caused “abnormal” shrinking of Himalayan glaciers.
Jairam Ramesh, India‘s environment minister, released the controversial report in Delhi, saying it would “challenge the conventional wisdom” about melting ice in the mountains.
Clean coal unviable, says Macfarlane
Clean coal unviable, says Macfarlane
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Updated
Mr McFarlane says there is mounting evidence to back his pessimism. (ABC TV News – file image)
The Federal Government has defended carbon capture and storage technology as a viable option for Australia to cut its emissions.
The Opposition’s emissions trading spokesman, Ian Macfarlane, says clean coal technology has passed Australia by and will probably never work.