The Recovery Act has been planned to address three concerns, first, to end the recession, Secondly, to put the country on the road back to development and last to assure a sustainable economic prospect. It is a road-map to re-construct the foundation of the American economy.

There is roughly $100 billion being injected into the field of innovative and trans-formative programs. This colossal sum of federal spending is targeting the revival of a new industry in America emphasising on:

1. Promoting Clean Energy
2. Renewable Investment (research and development)
3. Solar Energy
4. Wind Energy

America was a world leader in the development of renewable energy in the 1980s and onwards. However, overseas market experienced a radical expansion through foreign government policies and incentives. In other words, the production industry of renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal power in other countries has grown beyond American’s renewable manufacturing industry.

The Recovery Act is re-positioning U.S as an innovative manufacturing and renewable industry. This will create employment, decrease CO2 emissions and assure sustainability in energy.

The short-term goal set for 2010 by Obama’s administration was to multiply renewable energy generation capacity from sources such as geothermal, wind and solar by 100 percent. It is a very strong goal. America will install as much renewable energy in three years as they did over the last 30 years. Obama’s aim is to regain world leadership in manufacturing of solar, wind and geothermal energy.

The target is to expand solar, geothermal and wind energy from 28.8 GW per end of 2008 to 57.6 GW before 2012. This quantity of energy will be adequate to provide energy to 16.7 million homes. An equal aim has been established for the manufacturing industry where annual output of renewable equipment was equivalent to 6 GW in 2008 but the aim is to reach a production potential of 12 GW before 2012.

In the United States there has been significant progress towards these two goals. Despite the poor economic outlook in 2009, the Recovery Act is supporting both construction and manufacturing expansion. If it wasn’t for the Recovery Act, renewable energy would likely experience a slump.

Investment in alternative energy projects is creating employment as well as driving the cost of renewable technologies down through economies of scale. There are funds from Recovery Act that are supporting research projects in solar thin films, innovative wind turbines. These research findings can help to bring cost even further down to match the cost competitiveness of renewable energy to that of fossil fuel like coal.

There are currently three programs supporting the deployment and manufacturing of alternative technologies:

1. Manufacturing Tax Credits (48C)

- More than $2 billion in tax credits has been awarded to 183 projects across 43 states for the manufacturing of clean energy.
- For qualified advanced energy projects a 30 percent tax credit is offered.
- A leverage of $2 per $1 of tax credits is offered on private capital.

2. Loan Guarantees

- A total of $2 billion loan for assured renewable deployment and manufacturing projects. The loan is either conditional or based on a closed guarantee.
- Large projects that create a total of 5,000 construction as well as permanent work, while equally increasing the generation of renewable energy by 3GW and reduces the greenhouse emission by 30 million CO2 tons per annum, is offered loan guarantees.

3. Payment-in-lieu-of-tax-credit (1603)

- More than $3 billion has been provided for payment-in-lieu-of-tax-credit for above 500 different renewable energy generation projects across 44 states.
- These projects must guarantee 10,000 construction jobs as well as 2,000 permanent operating jobs.
- The projects must provide above 4GW of clean energy once the power plants are functional.

Video: Details of Recovery Act

Coming Soon
Part 2: Solar Power Supported Through the Recovery & Reinvestment Act (link Will be added)
Part 3 Wind Power Supported Through the Recovery & Reinvestment Act (link Will be added)

Source: REVE

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Renewable Power, Solar Power, Wind Power.

There are several onshore wind farms in construction. In the recent years wind energy has been representing one of the most successful renewable sources of energy.

Since 1996 to 2008 the wind energy capacity has expanded enormously. In 2009, the global wind farm capacity reached 158,505 MW, which represented an increase of 31.7 percent since 2008.

In 2008, wind power represented roughly 1.3 percent of the world’s energy supply. Currently wind energy represents 20 percent of Denmark’s electricity needs, 14.5 percent of both Portugal and Spain, as well as 9 percent of the Republic of Ireland’s energy requirements.

Moreover, wind power in America increased with 39 percent in 2009, matching a total of 35,000 MW. In China an even larger growth was seen in 2009 as wind power capacities grew from 12,200 to 25,800 megawatts.

Offshore Wind Farms

In September 2009, Denmark’s Horns Rev 2 wind farm became the world’s biggest offshore wind farm. Currently, the United Kingdom is the leader in offshore wind power and subsequently Denmark. The offshore wind power sector is presently at a rapid expansion, and one of the large projects in progress is the Greater Gabbard wind farm of 500 MW that is being constructed in U.K.

There are also other offshore wind farms that have been suggested in the United Kingdom such as London Array’s 1,000 MW and Atlantic Array’s 1,500 MW wind farms.

New technology emerging in wind energy is the deep-water, floating-turbine which is slowly being used. Hywind is the first utility-scale installation using this technology. It consists of a turbine generating 2.3 MW and is located 220 meters of deep water in the North Sea. This wind farm has been functional since September 2009.

There are great potential for offshore wind energy. Consultancy Frost & Sullivan says that offshore wind power can expand to a colossal 18,769 MW within in five years (2015). Besides, figures from SBI Energy are even more promising. In April 2010 a report suggested that offshore wind energy represents an economic opportunity for producers of wind turbine. The paper suggested that wind energy potential could grow to 79,700 MW. As offshore wind farms are expanding at a global perspective the growth is likely to be significant. In Asia alone offshore energy capacity can expand from currently 100 MW (2010) to above 10,000 MW within five years (2015).

Source: SBI Energy, Offshore Wind Farm Manufacturing Worldwide. (have to be ordered)

There is a cost—and-complexity advantage in onshore over offshore wind power. However, offshore wind power has a strong advantage as well. The winds are steadier and more energy can be generated per wind turbine installed. The most compelling advantage is that the sea occupies a much larger surface than land, and is highly under exploited. There is thus a great potential to develop even bigger wind turbines at a larger scale.

Source: Wikipedia 1 and Wikipedia 2

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Renewable Power, Wind Power.

In the coming months, the Philippine’s government will be confirming 10 geothermal sites, while additional nine projects shall be discussed later with different companies. This is what Alejandro Oanes, who is the division chief for geothermal energy at Philippine Energy Department said to Reuters.

It was also mentioned that Geysir Green Energy, an Icelandic geothermal energy developer as well as Energy Development Corp, Philippine’s largest geothermal energy producers were amidst the bidders on the 19 contracts.

The expansion of geothermal energy capacity at these 19 sites is estimated to bring a total of 620 megawatts. This includes energy generation at two volcanoes Mt Labo in Camarines Norte with a potential yield capacity of up to 65 MW and Mt Isarog in Camarines Sur province with a possible capacity of up to 70 MWs.

There have been geothermal resources (sites) spotted at regions such as Cagayan, Oriental Mindoro, Benguet, Palawan, Laguna and Surigao Del Norte.

The Philippines is positioned in what many refer to as the Pacific Ring of Fire – The region has several active volcanoes and earthquakes. It is also surrounded by both the Pacific Ocean and some part of the Indian Ocean. Besides, most of these areas have a great potential for geothermal energy.

Currently, 17 percent of Philippine’s energy is generated from geothermal energy. It represents a total of 2 GW of energy according to the figures published by the government in 2009. However, the government has set a goal to increase this figure by 2020 from 2 GW to 4.5 GW from geothermal energy. This will be one of its measures to double the renewable energy usage.

The government is also providing tariff exemptions and tax holidays for renewable power projects. This is part of its strategy to attract investors. In the last month, a total of 87 contracts has been signed to 18 companies. These agreements include renewable projects associated to hydropower, wind, tidal and solar power.

Source: business Green

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Alternative Power Sources, Geothermal Power.

Photovoltaic means ‘light-electricity. It is a technology that has been spreading since the 1950s. More commonly, photovoltaic is considered as one of the most appropriate materials to make buildings more sustainable. The main objective of the Sunglass project is to increase the efficiency of the current solar panels, which is around 15 percent.

Most research engaged in improving the efficiency of solar panels has been focusing on semiconductor materials to enhance the solar spectrum. However, a new method is being envisaged in the Sunglass Project. The project focus on improving ‘conversion of frequencies’ (absorbing photons and then changing the frequencies while emitting the energy)

Research conducted on photoactive substances.

A dozen of photoactive substances has been scrutinized for the project. The aim was to find materials having the potential to absorb high-frequency radiation and thereafter emit the range better in solar cells. In the future these materials could even be used for solar panels or glass coating.

The substances were effectively used to develop a unique glass having photovoltaic purposes. The new glass had much higher energy efficiency.

Conversion of frequencies presents in new glass enabled solar cells to benefit from an improved efficiency of 2 to 3 percent. This ostensibly low improvement does have a radical impact on the building industry.

The introduction of these new improved glass solar cells will help to reduce carbon emissions even more. The photoactive substances can also be used for other widespread applications. It will therefore, help to further support the progress of solar energy.

Source: E-science News & Elhuyar Fundazioa

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Alternative Power Sources, Global Energy, Renewable Power, Solar Power.

Aguçadora Wave Park is the world’s first industrialised wave farm, and it is situated in Portugal close to Póvoa de Varzim. The farm has been operating since the 23 of September 2008. The plant does currently have 3 Pelamis P-750 machines which can produce a capacity of 2.25 MW. However, the wave farm is expected to be expanded in its second phase from 2.25 MW to 21 MW of wave power. This will be derived from using additional 25 Pelamis machines.

Wave Power in the United Kingdom

The 20th February 2007, the Scottish Executive announced its will to provide funding to marine power in Scotland. They are going to produce a wind farm which is expected to become one of the world’s largest wave farms, with a total capacity of 3 MW. This energy will be generated from 4 Pelamis machines.

There is another wave farm named as Wave Hub, which has been set to be established in the north coast of Cornwall, England. The project was accepted for funding in June 2007. There are already four operators interested in setting up wave power devices up to a capacity of 20 MW.

Wave Power In U.S

There are currently no large wave farms in the coasts of America. However, the President of Trade Association Ocean Renewable Energy Coalition says that there is a total wave power potential of “252 million megawatt hour a year” off the coast of the United States. There hasn’t been a steady step taken to develop wave farms but there are indeed lots of research and investment being provided by the federal for the field.

The largest national utility company, Pacific Gas & Electric Company did the 18th of December 2007 pronounce its will to buy power produced from waves. This was singed under some of California’s renewable energy restrictions. In the state of California, utility companies are required to produce 20 percent of their total electricity supply from renewable energy sources as per this year (2010). The law is likely to be enforced during the years to come to maybe 40 percent by 2020 and henceforth.

A total of $200 million in federal funds was provided under the Marine Renewable Energy Research & Development Act of 2007. The fund is meant to scrutinize the potential of wave energy technology for the period 2008 to 2012.

America’s Department of Energy (DOE) is also responsible for providing a $50 million of fiscal funds for research, development, creation and commercial application of so called ocean energy. For the year 2008, there were 14 institutes that received fiscal allocation. The appealing institutions were:

1. Oregon State University
2. University of Hawaii.

Some ocean energy projects initiate in America can be found at the coastline of California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Rhode Island and New York. Grays Harbor Ocean Energy Company of Seattle is the company which has applied for the development of these wave- at the Federal Energy Regulatory commission.

You might want to read: World’s Largest Wave Power Station Being Built In Sweden

Source: Wikipedia.org

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Renewable Power, Water Power.

Apparently, energy demands are correlated to the level of economic activities. During the last year, the level of economic activities declined and so did energy consumption. Concurrently, progress in technology is offering more efficient vehicles and appliances reducing the energy demand for the future even more. This is what A.J. Simon, an LLNL energy system analyst responsible for the energy flow chart at the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration said. The outcome of technologic progress and economic hurdles was a general decrease in demand for energy.

From 2008 to 2009 the U.S energy demand decreased from 99.2 quadrillion BTUs to 94.6 quadrillion BTUs (quad). Moreover, BTU stands for British thermal unit, and it is a common measure of energy equivalent to 1.055 kilojoules.

The energy demand decreased across all layers of society from commercial, industrial, residential to transport.

However, one source that contributed an increasing part of American’s energy demand was wind power. Energy provided by wind energy rose from .51 quads, in 2008 to .70 quads in 2009. Most of the wind energy is directly used to produce electricity and did thus significantly help to decrease the production of electricity from coal.

According to Simon, the rise of renewable energies is vital for the economy. During 2010, there is a dozen of wind projects spurring in the pipeline. So the wind arena is likely to show positive figures for this year as well.

Simon says that electricity production previously represented by coal has been falling due to three main reasons being increased use of wind energy, lower electricity demand as well as a shift from coal to natural gas.

In 2009, the amount of energy produced by nuclear plants remained relatively stagnant to 2008. There were no major changes, or new plants established in the nation in 2009.

Moreover, out of the 94.6 quadrillion BTUs utilised merely 39.97 was due to energy services. The energy services include lighting and machinery. Simon claims that it is difficult to estimate the real fuel consumption utilized to produce this amount of energy.

One of a country’s energy efficient measures is the ratio of the total amount of energy to energy services.

Simon predicts that reports specifying facts about carbon emissions will be in the same trend. A decrease in the use of coal, petroleum and natural gas should be associated with a lower diffusion of greenhouse gases. In other words, as people are doing less work, less fuel are burnt and the equally less pollution is released.

The Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory has been helping the Energy Information Administration’s U.S energy body to have accurate and visual data for three decades. It has been operating since it was established in the 1970s.

Source: E-Sciencenews, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Global Energy, Renewable Power, Wind Power.

Capturing Solar Energy

The most effective way to harness solar energy through solar panels, solar collectors or glass is to installed collectors being 20 degrees perpendicular to the sun on either side. On the other hand, for cooling system shade is important. The lowest heat is gained, the less perpendicular the sunlight is to the building. For instance, only 35 degrees away from a perpendicular angle to the sun does significantly reduce the amount of heat harnessed. At an elevated acute angle, the sunlight is rather reflected.

The best solar energy systems do consider the 47-degree change in the solar elevation angle that prevails in the horizon during summer and winter. It makes a great difference in the volume of heat that can be collected.

Earth’s Movements

The rotation of our planet produces approximately 23.5 degrees differences across the north and south pool. However, the sun does equally orbit the sun in our immense solar system. The 47 degree peak of the sunrays is caused as the earth orbits the sun. This is represented with seasonal changes that occur from winter to summer.

Harnessing Energy in the Northern Hemisphere during the winter

In the northern hemisphere, in the winter period the sun rises in the far southeast and comes up at a low angle just above the southern horizon. The sun does thereafter set in the southwest. In other words, the sun remains on the south part of your house (equator) throughout the day. In such conditions, a vertical south-facing panel would be convenient to harness a maximum of thermal energy.

However, in the southern hemisphere during the winter months (June, July and August) the sun will rise in the northeast, and will practically be perpendicular depending on the latitude of your position.

Moreover, there are some months where the sun provides more intense heat based on its position. So solar designers have to understand the necessary solar path angles at the location where the solar collectors are to be installed. The same applies for smart buildings, which have integrated cooling systems.

America’s solar path analysis during different seasons of the year is available at the NOAA. However, one thing that is general for the whole world is that the sun rises in the east and does always set in the west.

Facts about Sunshine

The sun will be perpendicular, a straight line with no shadows, above the equator at noon (solar time) during the 21st of March as well as the 23rd of September. Now proceeding to 23.5 degrees north of the equator we have the Tropic of Cancer, and equally a straight line can be drawn at noon during the 21st of June where no shadows will be seen. Now going to 23.5 degrees south of the equator we have the Tropic of Capricorn, which on the 21st of December show no shadows, if a stick is raised straight to the sky at noon (solar time).

Source: Wikipedia.org

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Solar Power.

In accordance to what the leading engineer of the State Forestry Administration, Wu Jian, stated at a news conference during the week, that the trees will combat climate change through the absorption of carbon and by producing material for ethanol and bio-diesel by the year 2020.

The objective of the plan that is being developed by China is to have 23 percent of the country to be covered with forests in ten years time, that is, a three percent rise from the actual level.

China remains one of the world’s quickest growing economies. The country depends principally on coal so as to meet the two-thirds of its energy requirements. China has been undergoing much pressure to adopt more aggressive measure to control the amount of releases of the greenhouse gases.

Source: Economic Times

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Alternative Power Sources.

The report scrutinizes the outlook of the global solar thermal market for 2020. The key trends and growth opportunity have been highlighted. There is also crucial information on the new emerging sectors of solar thermal energy as well as policies that govern the industry.

Facts in the Report

One of the prime factors supporting the urgent growth of renewable energy is greenhouse emissions. World’s economies are seeking for sustainability in terms of energy and development. This is slowly leading to the demise of polluting fossil fuel and birth of alternative sources of energy like biomass, wind, geothermal and solar.

The down fall of the world’s economies have given governments the opportunity to change the current energy mix. In several countries, stimulus packages to encourage the growth of green energy have been seen. Developed countries have roughly allocated a total of $512 billion to stimulate the growth of green energy. This does equally apply to Asian countries where growth in renewable has taken new heights like in nations such as South Korea and China.

The global solar thermal market has had an incredible expansion in installed capacity during 2010. Before Spain joined the global solar thermal market in 2007, US was the main country opting for that type of technology. However, after 2007 the solar thermal market has surged to widespread geographical borders, including Morocco and Australia. The concentrated capacity of the technology is increasingly tempting nearby countries to engage in similar projects.

In America, there is an interest to install CSP plants. The benefit of having a growing entrance of energy companies and projects are fundamentally important. It helps to cope for the increasing demand of energy. More importantly, Solar Thermal technology is more efficient than Solar PV systems and has the potential to store energy.

The report is sold at: Report on US Solar Thermal Power Market Analysis and Forecasts

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Solar Power.

In the Ford’s Michigan Assembly Plant, Detroit Edison will be installing a 500 KW solar photovoltaic panel systems. The energy system will have a 750-Kilowatt of energy storage capacity, which will be able to retain 2 million watt hours of energy in batteries. This is equivalent to what 100 average households in Michigan consume per annum.

The Michigan Assembly solar energy system is expected to benefit Ford with cost saving on energy amounting up to $160,000 a year. The clean energy harnessed through the solar energy system is expected to support Ford’s Focus electric cars and coming plug-in hybrid vehicles.

The alternative energy that is going to be captured through the solar energy system is going to support the introduction of fuel-efficient small cars, like the new Focus and Focus Electric which are going to be on the market by 2011. Plug-in hybrid vehicles and the next-generation hybrid vehicles are going into production in 2012.

A second phase is also envisaged, where a smaller solar energy system will be incorporated to cater for the lighting system at Ford’s Michigan Assembly plant.

In Michigan, These solar array systems will be the largest of its kind and is expected to cut energy expenses at Michigan Assembly by $160,000 per annum. The installation is predicted to commence in the coming month of 2010.

According to Ford’s vice President in the North America Manufacturing, Jim Tetreault, merging alternative sources of energy into an industrial facility will help comprehend how energy storage and smart-grid technologies function. He also mentioned that the current project is a step to transform “Michigan Assembly from a large SUV factory to a modern, flexible, and sustainable small car plant.”

Solar Energy Heading Towards A Source For Sustainable development in Michigan

This project involves the installation of a 500-kw solar photovoltaic panel system at Ford’s Assembly plant in Michigan. It will also have a 750-kilowatt energy storage resource that can withhold enough energy to power up to 100 average homes for a whole year. The Power Management system and Dynamic Power Resource on site energy storage is being provided by Xtreme Power of Austin, Texas.

Detroit Edison is planning to install more photovoltaic systems as it is the pilot phase of its SolarCurrents program. The scheme aims at establishing photovoltaic systems of 15 megawatts of energy on rooftops or on properties across Southeast Michigan.

The funds for the project have been made available through a $2 million grant obtained from Michigan Public Service Commission for the support of smart-grid initiative and $3 million direct investment by Detroit Edison’s SolarCurrent program and roughly $800,000 provided by Ford.

Setting An Example for Sustainable Energy

The newly renovated Michigan Assembly plant will use both conventional and renewable electricity. The solar energy will be directly injected into a micro-grid providing energy to the plant. However, during days when the plant is inactive like on holidays, the solar energy collected will be stored in the energy storage system. This spare capacity can then be used when there is not enough sunlight or when the electricity demand is high.

The energy storage system will also re-charge directly from the grid at off-peak hours, as the electricity is available at a cheaper cost. The result is that inexpensive electricity can be used during peak hours, so that a margin of profit can be gained directly from consuming stored off-peak hour energy.

Carlos Coe, CEO, Xtreme Power says that they do mutually pursue the same goal as Ford, which is to promote an environmentally sustainable model of energy generation in the United States of America. They are also delighted to contribute in making the production of vehicles more environmentally friendly through the integration of renewable energy sources such as solar.

Electric Vehicle Batteries Can Be Charged Through Solar Power

There will be 10 electric vehicle-charging stations set up at the Michigan Assembly plant to better progress in the field of battery technology as well how to use clean energy. For the moment, electric switcher trucks will be charged on these stations.

The power management system for these charging stations will be provided by Xtreme Power.

Ford is known to be an innovative sustainable business as Ford’s Dagenham Diesel Centre in the UK was actually the world’s first automobile plant, running on renewable electricity, generated by an onsite wind-turbine. Furthermore, Ford’s Bridgend Engine Plant located in Wales was Europe’s first car manufacturing plant to connect its solar photovoltaic installation to the electricity grid.

Ford has during the last two years expanded enormously in the use of renewable electricity. For instance, an assembly plant in Cologne, Germany is powered fully by alternative sources of energy. The corporation is already contributing to the environment by having decreased greenhouse gas emissions by estimated 190,000 tons per annum. On a world-wide perspective, 3 percent of Ford’s total energy need is generated through renewable.

Source: Wind Energy

© Jimmy Eriksson for Renewable Power News, 2010. | Permalink | No comment

Add to del.icio.us

Search blogs linking this post with Technorati

Want more on these topics ? Browse the archive of posts filed under Alternative Power Sources, Energy Conservation, Renewable Power, Solar Power.