Fuel cell vehicles will overcome obstacles and the market will start to see growth within 10 years, according to a report released Wednesday by Pike Research.
Showing posts with label alternative energy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label alternative energy. Show all posts
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Duke Energy Eyes Residential Rooftops
Duke Energy said on Monday that it has applied for regulatory approval to spend $100 million installing solar panels at homes, schools, stores, factories and other locations in North Carolina.The project would be Duke’s first large-scale distributed solar power generation deal. The company plans to spend two years installing 20 megawatts of solar panels at 850 sites. But first, Duke has to get the approval of the North Carolina Utilities Commission, which received its application last Friday. The project would help Duke meet state mandates for renewable energy.
full story
full story
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Tidal power fuels Britain's National Grid
Tidal power has been harnessed to generate electricity for Britain’s National Grid for the first time, it has been announced.
The move has been hailed as a milestone in the development of marine energy, which could provide up to a fifth of Britain’s electricity needs.
It came when a single turbine on the Atlantic seabed off Orkney was connected to the National Grid on Monday morning. The area off the north of Scotland is regarded as potentially one of the best in the world for tidal power and has been described as the "Saudi Arabia of marine energy".
Although only a small amount of electricity was initially generated as part of a trial, output will be stepped up over the next few weeks to provide enough power for around 150 homes.
Jim Mather, Scotland’s energy minister, hailed it as a "massive step forward".
"This is the first time that homes in Britain will be powered using the energy of the tides," he said. "Scotland has unrivalled potential to generate clean, green energy from our seas. Marine power lies at the heart of our ambitions to develop a vibrant renewables sector, creating jobs and boosting economic growth while tackling climate change."
The turbine was installed in 2006 by OpenHydro, an Irish company, at the European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC) test site at the Fall of Warness, off the island of Eday.
EMEC was set up using public money to help develop technology from the prototype stage through to the commercial market.
It has already been involved in generating wave power for the National Grid.
Neil Kermode, EMEC’s managing director, said: "This is a very exciting project. OpenHydro’s vision is to deploy farms of tidal turbines under the world’s oceans and we are delighted that EMEC has been able to support the delivery of this key milestone.
"The wave and tidal resource around Scotland’s coasts is so significant that many other developers across the world are striving to develop devices capable of harnessing the force of our tides and waves."
Although tide power is far more expensive to develop than other options such as wind and solar energy, it is far more reliable. Supporters claim it is taking the UK to the threshold of a new energy age.
source
Later this year another tide turbine - SeaGen - will be installed near the mouth of Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, generating enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes.
Meanwhile a wave energy power station, developed by an Edinburgh firm, is to be deployed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast.
Other wave turbines are planned for next year for waters near Cornwall and the Orkneys and a study is currently being carried out into constructing a barrage to harness the power of the Severn.
Dr Mark Williamson, director of innovations for the Carbon Trust, said: "In the UK, marine energy has the potential to deliver up to 20 per cent of our electricity need. Centres such as EMEC play a crucial role in the development of wave and tidal energy technology. The Carbon Trust continues to support such projects, reinforcing the UK’s leading position in the marine renewable energy field."
The move has been hailed as a milestone in the development of marine energy, which could provide up to a fifth of Britain’s electricity needs.
It came when a single turbine on the Atlantic seabed off Orkney was connected to the National Grid on Monday morning. The area off the north of Scotland is regarded as potentially one of the best in the world for tidal power and has been described as the "Saudi Arabia of marine energy".
Although only a small amount of electricity was initially generated as part of a trial, output will be stepped up over the next few weeks to provide enough power for around 150 homes.
Jim Mather, Scotland’s energy minister, hailed it as a "massive step forward".
"This is the first time that homes in Britain will be powered using the energy of the tides," he said. "Scotland has unrivalled potential to generate clean, green energy from our seas. Marine power lies at the heart of our ambitions to develop a vibrant renewables sector, creating jobs and boosting economic growth while tackling climate change."
The turbine was installed in 2006 by OpenHydro, an Irish company, at the European Marine Energy Centre’s (EMEC) test site at the Fall of Warness, off the island of Eday.
EMEC was set up using public money to help develop technology from the prototype stage through to the commercial market.
It has already been involved in generating wave power for the National Grid.
Neil Kermode, EMEC’s managing director, said: "This is a very exciting project. OpenHydro’s vision is to deploy farms of tidal turbines under the world’s oceans and we are delighted that EMEC has been able to support the delivery of this key milestone.
"The wave and tidal resource around Scotland’s coasts is so significant that many other developers across the world are striving to develop devices capable of harnessing the force of our tides and waves."
Although tide power is far more expensive to develop than other options such as wind and solar energy, it is far more reliable. Supporters claim it is taking the UK to the threshold of a new energy age.
source
Later this year another tide turbine - SeaGen - will be installed near the mouth of Strangford Lough, Northern Ireland, generating enough electricity to power more than 1,000 homes.
Meanwhile a wave energy power station, developed by an Edinburgh firm, is to be deployed in the Atlantic Ocean off the Portuguese coast.
Other wave turbines are planned for next year for waters near Cornwall and the Orkneys and a study is currently being carried out into constructing a barrage to harness the power of the Severn.
Dr Mark Williamson, director of innovations for the Carbon Trust, said: "In the UK, marine energy has the potential to deliver up to 20 per cent of our electricity need. Centres such as EMEC play a crucial role in the development of wave and tidal energy technology. The Carbon Trust continues to support such projects, reinforcing the UK’s leading position in the marine renewable energy field."
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Can Biofuel products replace Crude Oil products.?
As Crude Oil prices skyrocket, the world is these days increasingly talking about alternative energy methods.
Petroleum-based diesel is produced from mineral crude oil. Biodiesel, however, is an alternative fuel to petroleum-based diesel, which can be manufactured from vegetable oils such as palm, rapeseed (canola), soy, linseed, jatropha and coconut oil.
Biodiesel can also be manufactured from animal fats (including tallow) and used cooking oils.
The use of Biodiesel does not require any major changes in the fuel distribution system, avoiding the need for expensive additional infrastructure.
The main benefits of Biodiesel when compared to petroleum-based diesel are:
Biodiesel is clean burning and, depending on the degree of blend with petroleum-based diesel, is suitable for use in most diesel engines;
Biodiesel is safer to store, handle, transport and use;
Biodiesel produces approximately 80% less carbon dioxide, and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide;
Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable; and Biodiesel, when used as an additive, improves the lubricity of ultra low sulphur diesel.
read more
Biodiesel can also be manufactured from animal fats (including tallow) and used cooking oils.
The use of Biodiesel does not require any major changes in the fuel distribution system, avoiding the need for expensive additional infrastructure.
The main benefits of Biodiesel when compared to petroleum-based diesel are:
Biodiesel is clean burning and, depending on the degree of blend with petroleum-based diesel, is suitable for use in most diesel engines;
Biodiesel is safer to store, handle, transport and use;
Biodiesel produces approximately 80% less carbon dioxide, and almost 100% less sulphur dioxide;
Biodiesel is non-toxic and biodegradable; and Biodiesel, when used as an additive, improves the lubricity of ultra low sulphur diesel.
read more