U.S. Lab Claims Solar Conversion Efficiency Record – EE Times. A 40.8 percent efficiency! It is prime time for world records… See the release at NREL’s webiste, here.
More use of CHP could dramatically improve energy efficiency, says report – Energy Efficiency News. Combined heat and power (CHP) is a proven, reliable, efficient and cost-effective technology — but is not being made full use of by all countries, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA). Full report here.
Making a Solar Cell Component without Using Fossil Fuels – Scientific American. Cleaner than clean energy: BioSolar creates new plastic backing for photovoltaic cells out of cotton and castor beans rather than petroleum products
Two Large Solar Plants Planned in California – New York Times.
Two California companies said Thursday that they would each build solar power plants that were 10 times bigger than the largest now in service, creating the first true utility-scale use of a technology now mostly confined to rooftop supplements to conventional power supplies.
Southern California Edison Signs 900MW Wind Deal – Earth2Tech
Southern California Edison announced it has signed a 20-year contract for 909 megawatts of wind power from DCE, an affiliate of Caithness Energy.
New York paves way for microgeneration and green roofs – Energy Efficiency News. New York Governor David Paterson has signed in new legislation that will encourage homeowners and businesses to install microgeneration and green roof technologies.
Bloomberg Offers Windmill Power Plan – New York Times. In a plan that would drastically remake New York City’s skyline and shores, Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg is seeking to put wind turbines on the city’s bridges and skyscrapers and in its waters as part of a wide-ranging push to develop renewable energy.
[Australian] Govt announces $50m for geothermal drilling – ABC News (Australia)
The Australian Federal Government will provide $50 million to the geothermal industry to help it begin making the technology viable for baseload energy production.
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The Scientific American article about a plastic backing for photovoltaic cells made from cotton and castor beans points out that cotton production in the U.S. uses large amounts of pesticides and fertilizers derived from petroleum. (Actually I suspect the fertilizer is from natural gas.) As we envision and plan a sustainable future, we need to recognize that plant-based products are only truly green if the raw materials are grown sustainably—and that means (among other things) with the fewest possible fossil fuel inputs.
action others believed points turn extreme