New energy generation since 2000 – renewables 17%, nuclear 2%
Carbon dioxide-free energy sources have made up less than one fifth of the new generation. Of that, 17 per cent has been renewable energy – largely solar, wind and hydroelectricity…..Nuclear power, the largest source of installed low-carbon energy, has declined markedly since the 1980s and made up just 2 per cent.
Limit on climate, and the catch, The Age, Adam Morton, September 10, 2010 “……..According to research published today in the journal Science, global warming can be limited to 1.3 degrees above pre-industrial levels by 2060 Continue reading
China races ahead in renewable energy investment
..In the second quarter of 2010, China attracted $11.5 billion in asset-financing for clean technologies, more than Europe and the U.S. combined,
China Supplants U.S. at Top of Ernst & Young Ranking for Renewable Energy, Bloomberg, By Alex Morales – Sep 9, 2010 China overtook the U.S. to lead a quarterly index of the most attractive countries for renewable energy projects for the first time, according to a list compiled by the global accounting firm Ernst & Young. Continue reading
Australia’s grand opportunity for renewable energy
The Greens, of course, received by far the biggest swing of any party at this election and, at almost 4%, a very sizable swing on any definition. That swing was achieved on the back of having put to the electorate by far the most ambitious plans for renewable energy of any political party ever in Australian history. Our policies included an explicit commitment to 100% renewable energy, a comprehensive feed-in tariff for all forms of renewable energy at all scales, loan guarantees for industrial-scale baseload renewable energy power plants, an increased renewable energy target, pre-planning processes to create renewable energy parks, a national roll-out of the smart grid and much more. That platform now has a key bargaining position in the new parliament, with a Greens member of the House of Representatives supporting the minority Labor government and 9 Senators holding the balance of power upstairs as of July next year……..
The best opportunity for renewables we may ever get, Rooted, September 8, 2010 – by Tim Hollo Now that we finally know who is going to govern our country; now that we know who is backing whom and why; now that we’ve breathed a collective sign of relief; now – right now – :…… renewables renewables renewables. Continue reading
Labor victory in Australia – renewable energy a key issue
“Regional Australia will benefit not only from harvesting clean energy and carbon farming but also from avoiding the worst impacts of climate change if Australia can help build global ambition for action.”
Renewable energy key to Independents’ support for Labor — EcoGeneration , Tue, 7 September 2010 Independents Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor both cited climate change and renewable energy sources as key issues in their decision to support the Australian Labor Party.Prime Minister Julia Gillard will now lead the Labor Party in forming a minority government Continue reading
Carbon price essential for Australia, say 19 Energy Retailors
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News, 6 Sept 10, The Clean Energy Council has released an open letter signed by nineteen of Australia’s major energy retailers – the letter also reminds us these companies are major employers and supporters of renewable energy projects in regional Australia – which says that a carbon price is essential to meeting our emissions reduction target of 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020……
“We welcome and congratulate the role the independents are taking in ensuring climate change policy remains on the radar of the major political parties,” Mr Warren said. “Renewable energy is also great for rural and regional Australia – it will create growth, greater economic diversity and help drought-proof farms and regions.”The open letter can be viewed here (PDF)
19 Australian Energy Retailers Back A Carbon Price : Renewable Energy News
Queensland’s economic development groups want ‘clean energy corridor’
Member for Kennedy Bob Katter, one of the kingmaker Independents deciding who will form government, has put high on his priority list securing support for a ‘clean energy corridor’ of climate-friendly solar, wind and other zero-emission power plants between Townsville and Mount Isa.
North Queensland considers gas plants vs clean energy link for Mt Isa region * Kerrie Sinclair The Courier-Mail September 06, 2010 THE power play in Canberra may also determine the future of power generation in Queensland’s northwest. Continue reading
Australian capital going to overseas low carbon industries
great a risk of capital leakage – money moving offshore for low-carbon exposure, the money that will go to china, Europe or south America where governments are setting policies in place…....Not that it got a heck of a lot of media traction. That was afforded only to miners warning of the perils of a mining tax,
Australia’s capital leak, Business Spectator, Giles Parkinson, 6 Sep 2010, Climate Spectator As various industry groups marshal their forces to try and add momentum to the push for a carbon price, institutional investors are also mobilising to ensure that their members are not excluded from the opportunities of a low-carbon economy. Continue reading
As ‘nuclear renaissance’ founders, nuke company moves to wind energy
Exelon’s actions often foreshadow where the energy industry is headed…..the momentum for the much-touted nuclear renaissance has slowed to a crawl
(USA) What Exelon’s Wind Energy Buy Means For the Future of Nuclear Power, BNET, By Kirsten Korosec | September 1, 2010 Exelon (EXC) announced this week it was buying John Deere Renewables for as much as $900 million, a purchase that marks the company’s entrance into the wind generation business and suggests its lack of confidence in a nuclear energy renaissance. Continue reading
Australia urged to get with California’s R20 Climate Group
Details of the R20 will be launched at a Global Climate Summit in November along with a ”green bank,” backed by the United Nations Development Program, to help participating governments fund low carbon development.
Act on climate or be left behind, says Stern, Sydney Morning Herald, Tom Arup, September 2, 2010, “……..Terry Tamminen, the climate adviser to the Californian Governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, is in Melbourne to address a business conference. Continue reading
USA fossil fuel energy use decrease, renewables increase
(USA) Hey kids, we used less energy and more renewable tech in 2009! | ZDNet, By Heather Clancy | August 30, 2010, Well, here’s a refreshing bit of news for a Monday afternoon: A new data set released by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory reports that we used a lot less coal and petroleum last year, compared with 2008. Meanwhile, there were demonstrable increases in the use of renewable energy sources, especially generation systems based on wind technologies.
The researchers attribute the decrease in coal and petroleum use to lower electricity demand, a shift to natural gas as a fuel source, and wind power production offsets……Hey kids, we used less energy and more renewable tech in 2009! | ZDNet
Business looks to new Australian Parliament for action on Climate Change
Fiona Wain, the head of the Environment Business Australia think tank made half a dozen useful recommendations: –
Trillion-dollar climate question, Sydney Morning Herald, August 28, 2010 Hopes surged this week that a swing to the Greens will result in meaningful action on climate change in the new Parliament. Continue reading
Australia’s economy needs new renewable energy industries, not fossil fuel ones
Relying on our fossil fuels for energy and future wealth is no longer a sensible option…Despite the claims of the fossil-fuel lobby, renewable energy can provide a vital new industry and energy source to power Australia’s economy day and night
Where’s the vision that will take us to a brave new world?, The Canberra Times, BY FIONA ARMSTRONG20 Aug, 2010 Call me fussy, but I have always expected leaders to provide leadership……while we’ve seen plenty of special interests in this election campaign, we haven’t seen much that captures what might be best for all of us…. Continue reading
Victorian govt aiming for Renewable Energy inverstment
Government is committed to making Victoria an attractive location for renewable investment
Brumby to streamline planning for renewable energy projects – Government News By Rob O’Brien, 25 Aug 2010, Planning processes for renewable energy projects will be streamlined with Victorian councils receiving support to administer wind farm permits, the State Government has announced. Continue reading
Australian Greens will push for a Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff
The petition is still active and can be viewed at FeedInTariff.com.au.
Greens Senate Victory And Australia’s Solar Power Revolution : Renewable Energy News, 25 Aug 2010, While Australia starts the working week still not knowing who will take the reins of the country, the Greens having won the balance of power in the Senate is very good news for renewable energy….. Continue reading
Renewable Energy Feed-In Tariff – the key to thousands of jobs
If we look to those places where renewable energy JOBS are already employing tens of thousands of people, places such as nearly all of Europe and most of Asia; and did I mention Wisconsin? Yes, Wisconsin….
That is the Feed-In Tariff. It is the one item that is proven to make it all work.
(USA) Renewable energy can be the source of JOBS Review Messenger, By Richard Carter. 24 Aug 2010, It’s certainly no secret, the economy needs JOBS, especially in rural Minnesota.There is a source of jobs which could help. Those JOBS come from renewable energy: solar electric, solar hot water, solar hot air, and wind. Continue reading
1 This month
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