sustainability
As usual, the annual energy forecast from the US government is a “good news, bad news” outlook. From a sustainability perspective, though, the bad news outweighs the good. Global energy use, for example, is projected to increase by 53 percent between 2008 and 2035, with about half of that growth
photovoltaics
Rumors of solar energy’s demise are, like Mark Twain’s premature obituaries, an exaggeration. According to the latest figures from the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), for example, the US installed 314 megawatts of new solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity in the second quarter of 2011 — an increase of 69
renewables
Austin Energy expects to get 30 percent of the Texas city’s energy supplies from renewable sources by the end of 2012 — nearly 1000 megawatts (MW) in all. That puts the city well on track to meet its 35 percent renewable energy portfolio goal by 2020, officials say. The latest
Massachusetts’ Boston-Power — a maker of lithium-ion battery cells, modules and systems — has won $125 million in new funding led by GSR Ventures, a Beijing- and Silicon Valley-based VC firm that invests in tech companies operating in China. The company plans to use the funds to scale up manufacturing, R&
energy regulations
In the wake of rising energy prices and another winter — with its costly household heating demands — on the way, the UK’s energy secretary is proposing toothier regulations for energy companies and more protections for consumers. Among the changes Energy Secretary Chris Huhne is looking for: a speedier ability for
energy
If there’s any doubt that energy — clean or otherwise — is big business and big money, GE Energy’s announcement that it’s recently inked $3 billion in new deals should lay that to rest. The global organization’s new customer agreements indicate that, contrary to the currently popular mainstream
fuel efficiency
Which fuel-efficient car is most fuel efficient? In the latest “Fuel-Sipper Smackdown” from automotive information site Edmunds.com, the top fuel sipper of the year is the 2011 Chevrolet Volt. The Fuel-Sipper Smackdown 4, which pitted efficient vehicles of all sizes and technologies against each other in three real-world driving
photovoltaics
Chicago-based SoCore Energy is helping to bring solar power to Walgreens stores across the state of Ohio. The company began building solar installations at the first 20 retail locations in Cincinnati earlier this month, and expects to have 53 projects completed by Nov. 11. That would bring the total number
sustainability
A global coalition of governments, businesses and other leaders today announced the launch of a three-year “Clean Revolution” to speed up the adoption of clean energy, clean technologies and new business and design practices around the world. “This year the human population will exceed 7 billion,” said Ban Ki-moon, Secretary
photovoltaics
South African power company Eskom is fast-tracking the development of two small solar-energy plants in advance of an international climate change conference set to take place in the country later this year. ABB is building the photovoltaic (PV) plants next to Eskom’s coal-fired power stations in Lethabo in the
utilities
Metering firm Itron and smart-grid networking provider Tantalus are partnering to expand the range of smart-grid technologies and services they can offer to electric companies and multi-service public utilities. Together, the two companies aim to target public utilities across North and Central America looking to provide smart metering, energy management
smart homes
Energy company E.ON is continuing its research grant program, launched in 2007, with a focus on smart homes in the coming year. E.ON is offering a total of €1 million for research with the theme “Smart home: A new customer relationship with energy.” It’s seeking research project
