The notion is intoxicating: Capture the wind that has buffeted boaters on the Great Lakes for centuries and convert it into clean, renewable energy. But one important piece of data has been missing: We don’t know exactly how windy it is out there. Continue reading
Tag Archives: energy infrastructure
Wind power study says opponents’ claims are unfounded
At least so say those with a vested interest in wind power. In the to-and-fro over wind there are advocacies on both sides with a dog in the fight. The actual experience with wind however has not been a happy one with find failing when needed. This is not really a surprise since we experience extremes of hot and cold weather partly because of the absence of wind and we need more power during such events. Continue reading
Power Failures: Germany Rethinks Path to Green Future
Germany’s energy revolution is the government’s only major project — but the problems keep piling up. The pace of grid expansion is sluggish, and electricity costs for consumers are rising. The environment minister wants to fundamentally alter the way green energy is subsidized, but will it mean putting the brakes on the entire project? Continue reading
Shifting to Renewables in Japan – An Uphill Task
Renewable energy is emerging as the “clinch deal” in Japan`s painful power crisis that pits the government and business against public demand for zero nuclear power. But experts say the going is easier said than done. Continue reading
Become A Renewable Energy Magnate, With The Cash In Your Wallet
Bullish on renewable energy but short the few million to invest in a new solar power plant? Perhaps you have $8. Continue reading
German offshore wind sector needs more than just new law: executives
Changing regulations will not be enough to make Germany’s planned offshore wind expansion work, executives and industry experts say, arguing the industry needs to find other ways to support one of the main pillars of the country’s energy shift. Continue reading
Posted in Baseload Energy, Nuclear power
Tagged energy infrastructure, really stupid idea, Wind power
Greens see red after French minister hints at nuclear U-turn
French Greens reacted angrily on Monday after a government minister described nuclear power as the “energy of the future,” casting doubt on a commitment to slash the country’s number of reactors. Continue reading
Posted in Baseload Energy, Nuclear power
Tagged energy infrastructure, really stupid idea, solar power, Wind power
Aus: Fear wind energy might be losing its puff
WINDFARMS have vowed to fight a rearguard action against changes to the renewable energy target as a potential plummet in the carbon price to $12 a tonne in 2015 raises new fears that the renewable projects would be uneconomic. Continue reading
Germany Hits Brakes on Race to Renewable Energy Future
The share of renewable energies in Germany’s power mix has shot up so high that the electricity grid and the subsidy framework has been unable to keep up. Now, the government wants to slow down the process. German commentators say that the current chaos endangers the entire project. Continue reading
German minister mulls slower green revolution
Germany may have to slow down its planned transformation to green energy, Environment Minister Peter Altmaier said on Tuesday in an effort to assuage worries that consumers will bear the brunt of the immense costs of the switch from nuclear. Continue reading
Germany’s new “renewable” energy policy
Wind and solar power + soaring electricity prices = outsourced jobs + more coal burning
Meanwhile, eco activists demand “sustainable lifestyles” – for other people Continue reading
Tom Tanton: “Not Cheap, Not ‘Green’” at the California Energy Commission
“In my period at Cato (1990–present), “Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not ‘Green’,” is probably our most important Policy Analysis in the energy/environment area. Bradley’s thorough review and analysis (60 pages, 325 footnotes) was a real pushback against the viability of ‘green’ energy in theory and practice.” – Jerry Taylor, Senior Fellow and Director, Natural Resource Studies, Cato Institute. Continue reading
Green energy to hit Germans’ bills: Vattenfall
Germany’s energy strategy will cost consumers dearly as costs for new renewable power generation units and networks must be passed on, the head of the German unit of Swedish state-owned energy group Vattenfall was quoted saying on Monday. Continue reading
Posted in Baseload Energy, Clean energy, Coal, Nuclear power
Tagged energy infrastructure, energy subsidies, natural gas, solar power, Wind power
Israel’s solar power struggles against government
“Israel has developed some of the world’s most advanced solar energy equipment and enjoys a nearly endless supply of sunshine, but when it comes to deploying large-scale solar technology at home, the country remains in the dark ages.“
And with huge gas finds they probably won’t be wasting time and funds on pretend power schemes either. No matter how good your technology is you are dealing with dilute energy available only half the time. Continue reading
Matt Kibbe: Obama’s Crony Capitalist Flip Flop With the Democratic National Convention
In a letter sent to donors and supporters by the Obama campaign last year, First Lady Michelle Obama promised that the 2012 Democratic National Convention would be “a different convention for a different time.” Little did we know that the time she was referring to is the Robber Baron era. Continue reading
Tunnelling for money
Christopher Booker has uncovered some important new information about Tim Yeo’s financial interests. Continue reading
Posted in Clean energy
Tagged energy infrastructure, energy subsidies, government subsidies, solar power, Wind power
UK: The car crash of energy policy
Gerard Wynn, writing at Reuters, tries to explain the effect that wind generation will have on electricity grids in Europe. Continue reading
Michelle Malkin: Obama’s Green Favor-Trading
“Clean energy” is Obama-speak for crony government. Continue reading
Jon Boone: “Renewable Energy: Not Cheap, Not ‘Green’” Turns 15
Ed. note: On August 27, 1997, the Cato Institute published Policy Analysis #280, which criticized the government push to subsidize politically correct renewable energy, particularly solar and windpower. Today and tomorrow, different authors revisit what was the free-market-movement’s first full-scale rebuttal, on economic and environmental grounds, to so-called “green” energy policy . Continue reading
Keystone pipeline clears a hurdle
A judge in Lamar County, Texas, ruled Wednesday night that TransCanada’s Keystone XL pipeline has the right of eminent domain, rejecting a plea by farm manager Julia Trigg Crawford and dealing a blow to landowners and environmentalists who have been trying to block construction of the pipeline. Continue reading
