The Alternative Energy blog – green renewable alternative energy

A senior American energy official says the BP oil disaster in the Gulf of Mexico dramatically illustrates the need for investing in renewable sources of energy. David Sandalow, a US assistant energy secretary, said yesterday that the oil spill is a "tragic situation" that "underscores the need for a transition to a clean energy economy." Sandalow was speaking during a meeting of international officials in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. The oil-rich sheikdom is investing heavily Read more [...]

The UK Government announced plans this week to launch a Green Investment Bank. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne said in his Budget document that the government is "determined" to address barriers to a low carbon economy, and states: "Following the Spending Review, the Government will put forward detailed proposals on the creation of a Green Investment Bank to help the UK meet the low-carbon investment challenge. "The Government is considering a wide range of options for the scope and Read more [...]

Australia: Small wind-energy companies fear privatisations of power stations and retailers in New South Wales and Queensland could weaken competition in the electricity market, hindering their capacity to contribute to the federal government's 20 per cent renewable energy target. Under the renewable energy target, retailers are required to buy or create enough renewable energy certificates (RECs), each representing one megawatt-hour of emissions-free electricity, to meet an annual target. But Read more [...]

One of the largest offshore windfarms in the world, is to be built off the coast of Wales in the UK. The £2bn Gwynt y Mor windfarm will have 160 wind turbines around 10 miles off the north Wales coast near Colwyn Bay and Llandudno. Gwynt y Mor will be Wales' largest wind farm, capable of powering around 400,000 homes, and preventing the release of 1.7m tonnes of carbon dioxide every year. The RWE Innogy-led project is expected to be completed in 2014. It is claimed some 1,000 jobs could Read more [...]

Panasonic is making a big move into the domestic solar panel business. Next month The Panasonic Group will launch in Japan its HIT(R) 215 Series* household solar power generation systems. Panasonic will be able to provide overall energy-saving systems for homes that will include rechargeable batteries, heating and air conditioning, security systems and Net-linking gadgets besides solar panels, which will all be hooked up to each other, he said. Homes will be able to save on utility costs Read more [...]