Green Options » Wind http://greenoptions.com/tag/wind Posts tagged 'Wind' Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 en BP Could Start Selling Biofuels By 2010 http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/bp-could-start-selling-biofuels-by-2010/ http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/bp-could-start-selling-biofuels-by-2010/#comments Fri, 06 Nov 2009 16:35:23 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/bp-could-start-selling-biofuels-by-2010/ As it stands right now, there are comparatively few places to purchase alternative fuels. As of 2005, there were approximately 168,987 gas stations in the United States; of those, just 2,200 sell E85 ethanol fuel.

No major oil outlets have fully embraced biofuels, although British Petroleum has just announced that it may begin commercial production of ethanol starting in 2010.

BP has partnered with Verenium to bring a commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol facility online next year to start bringing alternative fuels to a gas pump near you.

BP has big plans for biofuels and seems to be marching towards an alternative fuel future faster than many of its competitors. Verenium already has a demonstration plant in Louisiana capable of producing over a million gallons of cellulosic ethanol annually, and BP hopes to ramp production up. The Verenium process uses proprietary enzymes to break down grass feedstock and convert it to ethanol more efficiently.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/11/06/bp-could-start-selling-biofuels-by-2010/feed/ Maldives Goes from Underwater Meetings to Huge Wind Farm http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/04/maldives-goes-from-underwater-meetings-to-huge-wind-farm/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/04/maldives-goes-from-underwater-meetings-to-huge-wind-farm/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:03:15 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/04/maldives-goes-from-underwater-meetings-to-huge-wind-farm/
Maldives, one of the most beautiful nations on earth, held the artistic, theatrical event of an underwater government meeting last month, to try to bring more attention to the threats of climate change. Now, they are getting more practical but still grabbing headlines — they are looking to build a wind farm that will generate 40% of the island nation’s electricity needs.

The wind farm plans were announced earlier this week. The project will include 30 turbines and is expected to provide the nation with 75 MW of power, powering the capital city, their international airport, and more!

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/04/maldives-goes-from-underwater-meetings-to-huge-wind-farm/feed/ China Forgets “China-Only Wind Turbines” Policy, but Why? http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 00:18:02 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/
A couple weeks ago, I wrote about China’s new policy to focus on buying (almost entirely) “China-grown” wind turbines and wind turbine technologies with Chinese patents. That policy wasn’t a big hit internationally and China is back-tracking.

However, is it changing its stance out of international moral pressure or a major financial incentive (recent deal) in the US? And who is to benefit the most from this shift?

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/11/03/china-forgets-china-only-wind-turbines-policy-but-why/feed/ Chinese Manufacturer First to Export Wind to U.S. http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/30/chinese-manufacturer-first-to-export-wind-to-us/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/30/chinese-manufacturer-first-to-export-wind-to-us/#comments Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:33:26 +0000 Yael Borofsky http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/30/chinese-manufacturer-first-to-export-wind-to-us/ A-Power Energy Generation Systems won one aspect of the clean energy race and made history, as it will become the first Chinese manufacturer to export wind turbines to the United States. A-Power Energy Generation Systems and a consortium of Chinese and American companies — U.S. Renewable Energy Group, Cielo Wind Power, and the Shenyang Power Group — are planning to build a 600-megawatt wind farm in West Texas.

The project, which could power as many as 180,000 homes, will require 240 2.5-megawatt turbines and the farm will occupy 36,000 acres of land in West Texas. Nearly shovel ready, the construction effort is projected to create about 30 permanent jobs and 300 temporary ones. Ground-breaking on the wind farm is slated for March of 2010.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/30/chinese-manufacturer-first-to-export-wind-to-us/feed/ Future May Involve Getting Paid to Charge Your Plug-in Vehicle http://gas2.org/2009/10/30/the-new-form-of-day-trading-renewable-energy/ http://gas2.org/2009/10/30/the-new-form-of-day-trading-renewable-energy/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 10:00:59 +0000 Joanna Schroeder http://gas2.org/2009/10/30/the-new-form-of-day-trading-renewable-energy/

They say that nothing is free, but I may have come across the exception. In West Texas and Illinois, electric customers are being paid to use electricity. With the growth of wind energy in areas like Texas, Iowa and Minnesota, electric companies are occasionally producing more energy—especially during off-peak hours—than they can use. Why not store it you ask? Because there are not yet any good ways to store energy; a quest since electricity was created.

According to expert Terry Boston, who is the CEO of PJM, a company that manages the electricity grid in 13 mid-Atlantic states and Washington, the oversupply of electricity has forced prices into the negative range. The result: some customers are paid to use electricity.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/10/30/the-new-form-of-day-trading-renewable-energy/feed/ $25 Billion for Imported Oil — In One Month! http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/19/25-billion-for-imported-oil-in-one-month/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/19/25-billion-for-imported-oil-in-one-month/#comments Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:48:31 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/19/25-billion-for-imported-oil-in-one-month/
That is correct — not million but billion, not in one year but in one month! That is how much the US spent on imported oil in September 2009.

For those concerned about the US economy or national security risks, T. Boone Pickens and data from the US Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA) show us that foreign oil imports should be at the top of our list. We rely very heavily on foreign oil and send a good chunk of our money to other countries to supply us with that oil — $25 billion last month alone!

Take a closer look.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/19/25-billion-for-imported-oil-in-one-month/feed/ Biggest Wind Farm in World — in Texas http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/03/biggest-wind-farm-in-world-in-texas/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/03/biggest-wind-farm-in-world-in-texas/#comments Sat, 03 Oct 2009 12:15:42 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/03/biggest-wind-farm-in-world-in-texas/

European energy giant E.ON “turned on” what is reported to be the largest wind farm in the world this week, in Texas.

The farm contains 627 wind turbines on almost 100,000 acres of land near Roscoe, Texas.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/10/03/biggest-wind-farm-in-world-in-texas/feed/ Big Opportunity in Renewable Energy Identified in South Africa - Start of a Series of Posts http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/17/big-opportunity-in-renewable-energy-identified-in-south-africa-start-of-a-series-of-posts/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/17/big-opportunity-in-renewable-energy-identified-in-south-africa-start-of-a-series-of-posts/#comments Thu, 17 Sep 2009 14:25:34 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/17/big-opportunity-in-renewable-energy-identified-in-south-africa-start-of-a-series-of-posts/ World Potential for Solar Based Energy

Massive untapped solar radiation advantage of Africa - click for numbers

This positive report on the opportunities for Renewable Energy in South Africa is a starting point for a series of posts that will report on developments in and linked to the use of Renewable Energy in South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Where is Renewable Energy Going in South Africa?

An almost ten fold growth in revenue from renewable energy is predicted by business research and consulting firm Frost and Sullivan’s. This emerges from their Southern African Renewable Energy Equipment Market analysis, which sees the current renewable industry in South Africa having revenues of only $28.4 million in 2008 but projects a growth to over $250 million by 2015.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/17/big-opportunity-in-renewable-energy-identified-in-south-africa-start-of-a-series-of-posts/feed/ Baboons, Giant Sable, Renewable Energy in South Africa, Jatropha & Flamingos - Followup on Recent Posts http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/ http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/#comments Fri, 04 Sep 2009 09:20:05 +0000 Dave Harcourt http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/ Ecowordly Post

This post consists of a few lines and a link to what’s happened since some of my recent posts where there has been significant action. Each item is identified and linked by the date and title of the original post.

July 2009 - Sable Antelope - One Sold for $ 385 000 and Giant Species Rediscovered in Angola.

Three more Giant Sable Antelopes, have been sighted in Angola. This brings to six the number of this rare species, which was feared to have become extinct, that have been sited in the last few weeks.

July 2009 - Mauling of Baboon by “Fighting Dogs”, Reopens the Cape Peninsular Baboon Debate

Two men were attacked by Pit Bulls in Ocean View ,the same Township in Ocean View this week, prompting a warning from welfare group TEARS.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://ecoworldly.com/2009/09/04/baboons-giant-sable-renewable-energy-in-south-africa-jatropha-flamingos-followup-on-recent-posts/feed/ International Wind Power Business Acquisition — Confidence in the US http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/28/international-wind-power-business-confidence-in-the-us/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/28/international-wind-power-business-confidence-in-the-us/#comments Fri, 28 Aug 2009 20:45:19 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/28/international-wind-power-business-confidence-in-the-us/
A major move in the wind power industry this week shows international confidence in wind power in the US. A multi-million dollar acquisition by a British investment firm demonstrates that large financial players are seeing the US as a good place to invest in wind power.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/28/international-wind-power-business-confidence-in-the-us/feed/ #1: Clean Energy Patents Hit Record High in the US http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/#comments Thu, 27 Aug 2009 14:14:00 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/
The economy is down, but here is another sign that green technology may be the way out of our economic dilemma. US clean energy patents hit a record high last quarter.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/27/clean-energy-patents-hit-record-high-in-the-us/feed/ Magenn Wind Power; Turbine In The Sky http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/ http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/#comments Tue, 18 Aug 2009 20:12:42 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/

Wind power is a great, effective way to make energy, but only when the wind blows. Or if you can find the open space to plant large wind farms that tear apart birds, bats, and low-flying hot air balloons. There are also many people who would hate to live in the shadow of one of these wind farms. But what if the turbines were 1,000 feet in the air?

This is the idea behind a conceptual wind turbine in the sky built by Magenn Power Inc. Called the MARS (Magenn Air Rotor System), this system utilizes an inflatible rotor that floats high above the air without requiring a tower, just a tether.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/08/18/magenn-wind-power-turbine-in-the-sky/feed/ Lasers to Help Whip Wind Energy into Shape http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/13/lasers-to-help-whip-wind-energy-into-shape/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/13/lasers-to-help-whip-wind-energy-into-shape/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:53:47 +0000 Jeff Kart http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/13/lasers-to-help-whip-wind-energy-into-shape/

How do you make a better wind turbine? With lasers, of course.

The Manassas, Virginia-based Catch the Wind(TSX-V: CTW.S) has signed an agreement to work with the National Renewable Energy Lab in Boulder, Colorado, to test the company’s Vindicator laser wind sensor.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/08/13/lasers-to-help-whip-wind-energy-into-shape/feed/ Great Lakes Offshore Wind Aesthetics http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/13/great-lakes-offshore-wind-aesthetics/ http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/13/great-lakes-offshore-wind-aesthetics/#comments Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:39:23 +0000 Dave Dempsey http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/13/great-lakes-offshore-wind-aesthetics/

While public opinion remains divided about the risks and benefits of installing wind farms in the Great Lakes, several of the eight states with Great Lakes water are racing to be first to approve projects capturing energy from frequently strong offshore winds. It remains to be seen whether a public generally supportive of developing wind energy will support turbines in the Lakes for the first time. Opposition to the proposed Cape Wind project in Nantucket Sound because of aesthetic impacts has slowed that saltwater proposal.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://planetsave.com/blog/2009/08/13/great-lakes-offshore-wind-aesthetics/feed/ Renewable Energy on the Rise, Fossil Fuels Declining http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/renewable-energy-on-the-rise-fossil-fuels-declining/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/renewable-energy-on-the-rise-fossil-fuels-declining/#comments Thu, 30 Jul 2009 20:45:43 +0000 Zachary Shahan http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/renewable-energy-on-the-rise-fossil-fuels-declining/

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported good news for renewable energy enthusiasts this week. Energy from renewable resources has increased significantly over the last year. It is now higher than energy produced from nuclear power.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/30/renewable-energy-on-the-rise-fossil-fuels-declining/feed/ Kenya Building Africa’s Largest Wind Farm http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/29/kenya-building-africas-largest-wind-farm/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/29/kenya-building-africas-largest-wind-farm/#comments Wed, 29 Jul 2009 01:43:54 +0000 Ariel Schwartz http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/29/kenya-building-africas-largest-wind-farm/

Solar power seems to be the most logical renewable choice in Africa, but that hasn’t stopped the African Development Bank from initiating the Lake Turkana Wind Power project (LTWP)–a $755 million, 66,000 hectare project on the edge of the world’s biggest permanent desert lake. The site is ideal for wind power, as volcanic soil is swept up into the air year round through the channel.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/29/kenya-building-africas-largest-wind-farm/feed/ Workers (Sort of) Win! UK Gov’t Offers £6 Million to Vestas to Keep Turbine Plant Open http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/workers-sort-of-win-uk-govt-offers-6-million-to-vestas-to-keep-turbine-plant-open/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/workers-sort-of-win-uk-govt-offers-6-million-to-vestas-to-keep-turbine-plant-open/#comments Tue, 28 Jul 2009 17:19:49 +0000 Timothy B. Hurst http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/workers-sort-of-win-uk-govt-offers-6-million-to-vestas-to-keep-turbine-plant-open/ Twenty-five workers holed-up in the Vestas facility on the UK’s Isle of Wight  for about a week now may have saved their jobs if a proposed deal is agreed upon by both parties. But even if the deal does go through, only a small portion of the workers will keep their jobs as the funding is only enough to keep the company’s offshore research and development division alive. The majority of the over six hundred employees at the two closing Vestas plants will be losing their jobs.

The blade plant on the Isle of Wight was in the process of researching and testing the world’s longest wind turbine blade—a project that will likely continue thanks to the deal announced Monday.

The sluggish turbine market and political opposition to large-scale wind development in the UK are being cited as reasons for the plant closures by Vestas officials. Company officials said they would likely be shifting production of its onshore turbines to its facilities in Colorado.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/28/workers-sort-of-win-uk-govt-offers-6-million-to-vestas-to-keep-turbine-plant-open/feed/ Are Environmentalists Killing the Environment? http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/27/are-environmentalists-killing-the-environment/ http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/27/are-environmentalists-killing-the-environment/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 12:09:05 +0000 Joe Walsh http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/27/are-environmentalists-killing-the-environment/ //www.flickr.com/photos/waders/How badly do we want to make progress on climate change? According to today’s Boston Globe, the answer for some in New England is: not badly enough.

Beth Daley writes about the “hard look” that proposed biomass facilities - and biomass technology itself - are getting from area environmentalists and regulators. Add that to the “hard look” many regulators, environmental groups and local NIMBY opponents are giving wind (especially commercial-scale) and transmission lines (needed to interconnect any new renewable capacity) and you are left with: business as usual. Now that is a goal Americans, our politicians and business interests can all get behind - just look at health care reform.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://redgreenandblue.org/2009/07/27/are-environmentalists-killing-the-environment/feed/ Texas Taking Lead in Race for US’ First Offshore Wind Farm? http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/27/texas-taking-lead-in-race-for-us-first-offshore-wind-farm/ http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/27/texas-taking-lead-in-race-for-us-first-offshore-wind-farm/#comments Mon, 27 Jul 2009 11:54:10 +0000 Timothy B. Hurst http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/27/texas-taking-lead-in-race-for-us-first-offshore-wind-farm/

Texas start-up Baryonyx awarded two offshore wind energy leases

Which state’s waters will be the home of the United States’ first offshore wind farm? Will it be Massachusetts, where an eight-year battle for a wind farm near Cape Cod seems like it may never end? How about a little further south, in Rhode Island or New Jersey? Will it be Delaware, where Bluewater Wind hopes to develop a project that would provide almost 1/3 of the energy needed by Delmarva Power? What about other Mid-Atlantic states like North Carolina or Virginia, where the Department of Interior says sites with easily-developed shallow water wind resources dot the coastline?

Well, if you answered none of the above, you may be on to something.

Texas General Land Office last week awarded leases to Baryonyx, authorizing the company to develop wind farms on three sites, two of which are offshore, with a total potential capacity of 3,000 megawatts.

Read more of this story »

]]> http://cleantechnica.com/2009/07/27/texas-taking-lead-in-race-for-us-first-offshore-wind-farm/feed/ The Honeywell Home Wind Turbine http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/the-honeywell-home-wind-turbine/ http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/the-honeywell-home-wind-turbine/#comments Wed, 22 Jul 2009 14:33:44 +0000 Christopher DeMorro http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/the-honeywell-home-wind-turbine/

I thought this was a neat idea and if the manufacturer’s claims are true, it could be the first step towards individual energy independance for a lot of people. Honeywell, the same people who made my safe, teamed up with Earthtronics to produce a home wind turbine that lacks many of the drawbacks of larger wind turbines. Namely, all it takes is a gentle breeze to turn the blades, providing up to 2,000 kWh of energy annually.

It is a compact and neat idea. My only question is, does it actually work?

Read more of this story »

]]> http://gas2.org/2009/07/22/the-honeywell-home-wind-turbine/feed/