Dragons den style renewable energy event 2012

On January 18, a dragon den renewable event will look at new energy generating ideas, such as Algae photo-bioreactors, a new generation of sea and wind turbines, bio char and bio coal, along with several waste to energy ideas and two new sea powered energy generation concepts. None of these new concepts have been publicly aired.

The panel will consist of six experts with broad experience and skills. They will also be able to advise on different topic like funding, legal, incentives and sector specific advice. The audience will also be allowed to ask questions of the panel. The event will be held in London on Wednesday January 18, 6 pm at BDO LLP, 55 Baker Street, London W1U 7EU. Read more ...

Renewables are a boost to UK economy

The latest research from DECC has shown that so far in this financial year, companies have announced plans for almost UK£2.5billion (US$3.886 billion) worth of investment in renewable energy projects in the UK, with the potential to create almost 12,000 jobs across the country. Scotland is to get two new wind farms that will power over 90,000 homes that have been approved by the Energy Minister Fergus Ewing. The UK Energy Secretary Chris Huhne said that this kind of investment shows the economic benefits of renewable energy, and he reaffirmed the coalitions commitment to meeting the EU renewable energy targets. Read more ...

Ethanol deal worth €2 billion signed by Nigerian Government

The Nigerian government has signed a deal with Global Biofuels to build 15 biofuel plants in Nigeria, costing about N414 billion (€2.02 billion). The planned project will create about 120,000 jobs and will supply 15 states with 30MW from each biofuel plant. Construction is due to begin within the next few months and should be complete in about a year, Global Biofuels is a local biofuel producer. The Nigerian minister of trade and investment, Olusegun Aganga, "says the project has been researched over a number of years and feasibility and market studies had already been carried out on the proposed developments". Read more ...

Anaerobic Digestion study looks at reliability

A recent study report from the Soil Association on Anaerobic Digestion (AD) has said that the value of the energy generated from Anaerobic Digestion (AD) is the most important revenue stream for the viability of the technology. The comparative data regarding energy output makes it clear that the energy value of manure-only systems, and therefore the commercial value, is very limited. Manure tends to have a biogas potential which is only 1/10th of an energy crop. Read more ...

Solar issue to be challenged by UK government

The recent decision by the High courts that the government cuts to solar power feed in tariffs are illegal, are to be challenged by the government in an appeal confirmed by the Energy Minister Greg Barker. The Friends of the Earth believe that an appeal would be a waste of the tax-payers money and is urging the ministers to focus on helping the solar industry to get back on a stable footing.

The High Court also said that the government had no realistic prospect of winning an appeal. Friends of the Earth's Head of Campaigns Andrew Pendleton said: "Trying to appeal the High Court's ruling is an expensive waste of taxpayers' money. The government must expand the scheme with all the tax revenue the scheme generates, this can be done at no extra cost to bill payers". Read more ...

ATI awarded advanced technological education grant

The Agricultural Technical Institute was awarded a grant from the National Science Foundation for a program entitled "Bioenergy: A Model Workforce Education Program." The grant of US$762,416 (€584,495), will be used to develop a new associate of science degree and certificate program in bioenergy as well as offering professional development programs for 120 high school and college educators.

The new bioenergy program will be offered beginning in autumn 2012 to coincide with the conversion to semesters. The program will prepare students for employment in operations management or maintenance of bioenergy facilities and related businesses. Read more ...

2012 renewable fuel standards finalised by US EPA

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised the 2012 percentage standards for four fuel categories that are part of the EPA's renewable standard program (RFS2). They continue to support greater use of renewable fuels within the transportation sector. That encourages innovation, but at the same time strengthens America's energy security well attempting to decrease greenhouse gas pollution. Read more ...

Government needs to act in solar case

The UK solar industry could face months of "paralysis" because the of the inadequate actions of the government in dealing with the industry. The government needs to act quickly according to a leading renewable energy company.

The double whammy of the High Court ruling that the reduction in Feed-in-Tariffs was “legally flawed” together with a Parliamentary report which labelled the process “clumsy” has further rocked one of the brightest sectors in the UK economy. The Government now faces having to go back to the drawing board in order to put in place a new consultation process to find a feed-in-tariff rate for domestic solar PV schemes more acceptable to the industry. Read more ...