A new report from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), a body affiliated with the United Nations and the International Energy Agency (IEA), says renewable energy accounts for over half of all new electricity capacity added in the United States and Europe during 2009.

The REN21 report highlights the shift in manufacturing and deployment of these new energy technologies from developed nations to growing ecnomies like China, Brazil and India.

In 2009, China produced 40% of global solar PV and 30% of all wind turbines; a massive increase from 10% in 2007.

However, despite its advances in implementing green power, China’s carbon dioxide emissions also increased in 2009.  It has overtaken the United States and now claims the title of highest emitting nation in the world.

Read more here…

The European Union (EU) Presidency announced the launch of a €6 billion public-private partnership to vastly increase the amount of wind energy used in Europe.

The European Wind Initiative (EWI) is the result of a collaboration between the European wind industry, the EU comission and EU member states.  The EWI aims to supply 20% of all European energy demand with wind energy resources by 2020, 33% by 2030, and finally 50% of total demand by 2050.

The EWI will support research on advanced turbine and component technology to increase efficiencies and reduce costs.  The Initiative aims to speed deployment of both on- and off-shore wind installations, and ease integration of large-scale systems into the grid.

“The European Wind Initiative is a big step forward in our efforts to maintain and strengthen Europe’s global leadership in wind energy technology,” remarked Christian Kjaer, CEO of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

Read more here…

The United Kingdom’s offshore renewable energy capacity could one day generate as much electricity every year as would one billion barrels of oil, according to a recent report from the Offshore Valuation Group.

The Group projects that utilizing just one third of the available wind and tidal resources off the UK coast could eventually transform the nation from a net importer to a net exporter of electricity by 2050.  At the same time, deploying these resources would result in a savings of 1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide emissions and create infrastructure with a positive net present value of £35 billion.

“We have long been saying that the North Sea will become the Saudi Arabia of wind energy,” says Peter Madigan, head of offshore renewables at industry advocacy body RenewableUK.

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The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under the leadership of Energy Secretary Steven Chu is not waiting around for the Senate as it works to draft new climate legislation.

Secretary Chu announced Friday that the DOE will invest over $200 million over the next five years to increase deployment of solar and wind energy technology throughout the United States.  This funding will “help strengthen American competitiveness in renewable energy and transform the US into a lasting manufacturing presence in the 21st century clean-energy economy,” said Chu.

The DOE funding will support both manufacturing-focused research projects in wind and solar, as well specific funding for research into advanced processes for use in the photovoltaic (PV) industry.

Read the full article here…

The wind energy industry is on the up-swing around the world, providing a multitude of opportunities for companies all along the supply chain, from turbine manufacturing to installation and operation.

A recent article from Power-Technology.com tracked some of the world’s most active players in the wind sector and compiled a “Top 10 List”.  Their selections include such well known names as German giant Enercon, Spanish manufacturer and operator Gamesa, and US comglomerate GE Energy.  Yet other top picks include Renewable Energy Systems (RES), Nordex AG, Iberdrola and Vestas.

For a complete list of companies, read the full article here.

Research expects investments in renewble energy to grow to $653.35 billion within five years, as governments and investors around the world funnel money into this growing sector.

Despite the widespread economic malaise and the tight credit market, global investment in renewable energy increased 43.4% between 2008 to 2009, reaching $336.78 billion.  Since 2001, the industry has achieved a combined annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.8%.

China’s total investment of $11.48 billion made it a major player in the Asian markets, says GBI, with notable investments made in wind and solar projects.

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European Union countries aim to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide by 80% below 1990 levels by 2050; keeping within scientific recommendations to limit global temperature increases to 2°C.  Major new investment will be needed to achieve cuts on this scale, specifically in renewable power projects and electricity infrastructure upgrades.

However, despite these costs, a new report from three leading consulting firms predicts that the cost of electricity in Europe in 2050 would be no higher than it would under a “business as usual” plan with no carbon-reduction action taken.

The study, jointly published by McKinsey, European Climate Foundation and E3G, highlighted the following 3 points:

- Renewable power infrastructure is capital-intensive at the onset, yet over time costs less to run than do traditional power plants.

- Replacing outdated coal-fired power plants with new ones is actually more expensive that substituting wind or solar farms instead

- Smart grid investment continent-wide will provide major savings in energy efficiency, and help improve the reliability (and price) of renewables.

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Renewable energy is becoming a more significant player in the U.S. energy dynamic, according to latest figures from the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

In its latest Monthly Energy Review, the EIA says renewable energy production made up over 10% of total U.S. energy production in 2009, a 5.5% increase over 2008 levels and a nearly 16% increase from 2007 levels.

Biomass contributed the most, accounting for 51% of all renewable energy production, followed by hydropower at 34.2%.  Next in line were wind, geothermal and solar power, contributing 8.9%, 4.7% and 1.2% respectively.

At this stage, renewable energy contributes almost as much as nuclear power to the nation’s energy mix.

Read more here…

Bloomberg New Energy Finance says although global spending on renewable energy may double by 2030, it still may not be enough to combat the worst dangers of climate change.

Projections from the Global Energy and Emissions Model (GE2M) shows that investment in renewable energy must reach at least $230 billion by 2020, and $500 billion by 2030.  Likewise, to achieve a high level of carbon emissions reductions, the price of carbon will need to increase to $100/ton by 2030.

“These findings confirm that in spite of the ongoing economic malaise, investment in renewable energy should continue to grow, driven heavily by existing government targets.  If governments take the threat of climate change seriously, there will be an increasing role for renewable energy up to 2030,” remarked Guy Turner, director of Carbon Market Research at Bloomberg New Energy Finance, who foresees growth in wind, solar PV and biomass technologies.

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The global clean energy sector was predicted to take a bath or at best remain flat last year in light of the dismal global economy.  However, according to a new report from clean tech research and publishing firm Clean Edge, the sector not only stayed afloat, but produced increased revenues in three major areas.

Clean Edge data shows that combined global revenues for solar photovoltaics (PV), wind energy and biofuels grew 11.4% from 2008 levels to reach $139.1 billion in 2009.

Significant growth in China’s clean tech sector contributed to this growth in global revenues.  China is now the world’s largest PV cell manufacturer, and over the past year has announced major plans to build wind and solar “megaprojects.”  China may end up spending between $440 billion to $660 billion on clean energy over the next ten years.

Click here to download the Clean Edge report

Although Norway is one of the globe’s top producers of oil and gas, the nation is dedicated to advancing alternative forms of power generation.  It currently generates most of its own power from large hydroelectric power plants, and scientists at the Norwegian company Sway are now working on building the largest wind turbine in the world.

According to working plans, the turbine would stand 533 feet tall, with a proposed rotor diameter of a staggering 475 feet.  Because of its massive size, this wind turbine would be floated out in open ocean waters to capture strong winds.  Sway plans to install this turbine in 2011, and will likely spend $65.7 million on the prototype.

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As part of the Renewable Energy Directive of 2009, the European Union pledged to generate 20% from renewable sources such as solar and wind by 2020.  According to a new analysis by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the EU is on track to meet those targets.

“Europe has witnessed a sea-change since the 2009 Renewable Energy Directive was agreed as in 2008 many countries were stating that their target would be difficult to meet – now the majority are forecasting that they will meet or exceed their national target,” said Justin Wilkes, Policy Director of EWEA.

A number of countries, including Spain and Germany, are expected to exceed their national targets.  Spain, for example, is predicting a nearly 3% increase over its 20% target with 22.7% of energy coming from renewables by 2020.

Read more…

New Delhi, 4 February 2010 – The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) today launched the Vision 2050 report ( 2.6 MB), a study that lays out a pathway leading to a global population of some 9 billion people living well, within the resource limits of the planet by 2050. The report, released at the World CEO Forum in New Delhi, India, was compiled by 29 leading global companies representing 14 industries.

This work results from an 18-month combined effort with CEOs and experts, and dialogues with over 200 companies and external stakeholders in some 20 countries.

The report presents new opportunities for business in a broad range of business segments with the foresight to lead their societies on a sustainable business development agenda. Entitled Vision 2050: The new agenda for business, the report “lays out the challenges, pathway and options that business can use to create an opportunity-rich strategy, both regionally and globally, that will lead to a sustainable world,” said Dr. Mohammad A. Zaidi, Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Alcoa, who led the project as one of four co-chairs.

“The world already has the knowledge, science, technologies, skills and financial resources needed to achieve Vision 2050. However, concerted global action in the next decade will be required to bring these capabilities and resources together, putting the world on the path to sustainability,” explained WBCSD President Bjorn Stigson.

The publication outlines a future in which 9 billion people live well, enjoying health, food, shelter, energy, mobility, education and other basics of life. Syngenta CEO, Michael Mack added that “humanity has largely had an exploitative relationship with our planet; we can, and should, aim to make this a symbiotic one.” In the Vision 2050scenario, global society attains this standard of living at a sustainable rate, without further harm to biodiversity, climate and ecosystem services.

The report states that the world already has the resources to achieve Vision 2050,but there is a catch: “The radical changes highlighted in Vision 2050 demand a different perspective from business leaders, requiring them to rethink how they operate to stay on-track for a sustainable future,” added Samuel A. DiPiazza Jr., former CEO and Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers. This includes a radical transformation of global markets, governance and infrastructure, and a re-thinking of our ideas of growth and progress.

Vision 2050 spells out the “must haves” – the things that must happen over the coming decade to make a sustainable planetary society possible. These include incorporating the costs of externalities, starting with carbon, ecosystem services and water, into the structure of the marketplace; doubling agricultural output without increasing the amount of land or water used; halting deforestation and increasing yields from planted forests: halving carbon emissions worldwide (based on 2005 levels) by 2050 through a shift to low-carbon energy systems and improved demand-side energy efficiency, and providing universal access to low-carbon mobility.

As part of this transformation, Vision 2050 calls for a new agenda for business: to work with government and society worldwide to transform markets and competition. “Sustainability will become a key driver for all our investment decisions,” added Idar Kreutzer, CEO of Storebrand and another project co-chair. New rules for markets will reframe environmental challenges as economic challenges, driving innovation and competition in the direction of sustainability and away from resource- and energy-intensive production. Rationalizing prices to include such externalities as climate and biodiversity impacts will make corporate environmental efficiency a true competitive advantage across all industries and regions.

Business will lead market change by doing what business does best: forming partnerships, creating efficiencies and competitive advantage, seizing opportunities and meeting customer needs. At the same time, a shift toward sustainability will trigger trillions of dollars in new investments in infrastructure, technology and human services, creating new opportunities for business to thrive and grow. A recent study commissioned for this project with PricewaterhouseCoopers and released today indicates that this investment could reach US$ 3-10 trillion per annum in 2050.

Vision 2050, with its best-case scenario for sustainability and pathways for reaching it, is a tool for thought leadership, a platform for beginning the dialogue that must take place to navigate the challenging years to come. “It is hoped that the Vision 2050 work will be used for many years to come. It is designed to be a platform for companies when deliberating strategies and for dialogue with governments and society about how to realize the sustainable future,” concluded Per Sandberg, Project Director for Vision 2050.

Download

• Vision 2050: The new agenda for business – full report ( 2.6 MB)
• Vision 2050: The new agenda for business – summary report ( 2.4 MB)

The United States wind industry enjoyed substantial growth in 2009, in spite of the recession and tight credit markets.

Latest estimates from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) say the United States increased its wind capacity with a capacity increase of 9,900 MW last year, the largest increase on record and a full 18% higher than new capacity installations in 2008.  Since 2002, wind capacity in the U.S. has increased seven times over.

Likewise, China is reporting strong sector activity as well.  The nation plans to double its wind capacity with $14.6 billion in new industry investment by the end of 2010.  Read more…

In his first State of the Union address, President Obama spoke in no uncertain terms of the important role clean energy and energy efficiency must play in the United States economy now, and in the years to come.

The President emphasized the connection between investing in clean energy and job creation in the United States, which has been struggling with high unemployment.  Upgrading aging and inefficient infrastructure and expanding the reach of renewable energy and smart grid systems will be crucial to reviving the U.S. economy.  “We should put more Americans to work building clean energy facilities and give rebates to Americans who make their homes more energy-efficient,” he said.

Obama spoke favorably of the impact the Recovery Act has had on new energy technologies.  Under the sweeping legislation, the Department of Energy (DOE) has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into research and development initiatives for advanced biofuels, wind, solar, geothermal, advanced batteries, and smart grid systems.  These investments are paying off, Obama said, as new factories, manufacturing plants and power installations enter project pipelines all around the country, putting more Americans to work.  Obama also expressed support for construction of new, safe nuclear energy plants and for exploration of sites for offshore oil and natural gas drilling.

President Obama offered praise to the House of Representatives for passing the Waxman-Markey climate bill, and urged the Senate to break its inertia and move quickly on the legislation in its chambers.  “Washington has been telling us to wait for decades, even as the problem has grown worse,” he warned.  We need to pass a “comprehensive energy and climate with incentives that will finally make clean energy the profitable kind of energy in America.”   Acknowledging critics who say the timing is not right for such complex energy and climate legislation, Obama reiterated the urgency of the issue, forcefully saying “the nation which leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy.  And America must be that nation.”

China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, is often blamed for its role in world pollution, but the giant nation has a strong appetite for alternative energy. Click thumbnail below to view short video

According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), the offshore wind power market in Europe doubled in size last year, reaching a total power generation capacity of 577MW.  This represents a 54% growth rate over the 373MW installed in 2008.

Eight new wind farms were connected to the European grid last year, and the EWEA expects another ten will be completed during 2010.  Currently 17 offshore projects are being constructed in European waters.

Europe is the world’s offshore wind energy leader, with 828 turbines spread over 38 offshore farms across nine countries.  The UK and Denmark lead the pack, representing 44% and 30% of total installed capacity, respectively.

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Based on figures released from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, energy tycoon T. Boone Pickens said a full 63% of U.S. oil was imported from overseas in 2009. The price tag for these oil imports amounted to $502,473 dollars spent per minute.

“Another year went by, another $265 billion siphoned out of America’s struggling economy, and we still haven’t adopted a real energy plan to reduce our dependence on foreign oil,” said Pickens, who is advocating for increased domestic use of clean burning natural gas.

Pickens recently downsized his plans to build an enormous wind farm on the Texas panhandle, trimming his order with GE to 333 wind turbines to be installed in Canada and Minnesota.

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