Cuba Aims For 24 Percent Renewable Energy By 2030

Cuba is aspiring to obtain 24 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and to that end has unveiled an initial set of projects requiring a combined investment outlay of more than 600 million.The island currently generates just 4.3 percent of its electricity from renewable sources but it plans to allocate more than 3.5 billion to develop that sector over the next 15 years, Communist Party daily Granma reported Friday.Meeting that target by 2030 would mean 780 million in savings annually for the Caribbean country on imports of fossil fuels, the source of 96 percent of the nation's electricity.Achieving greater balance in the island's energy matrix is a top economic priority of President Raul Castro's administration, which in June approved a policy aimed at developing renewables and opening that sector up to foreign investment.During this week's 32nd Havana International Fair, the government unveiled proposals for foreign investment projects to create, expand and modernize the island's renewable energy capacity.That portfolio includes wind farm and bioelectric power station projects to be built by mixed-capital or entirely private companies.Those initial projects will require combined investment outlays exceeding 600 million.Cuba's strategy is to maximize its water, solar, wind, bagasse and forest biomass resources.The government also has plans in place to install some 133,000 solar heaters in homes and other buildings by 2030, Granma reported, citing the Energy and Mines Ministry.The Caribbean island produces 4 million tons of crude and natural gas annually, mostly for electricity generation, although power from locally extracted hydrocarbons only covers 50 percent of domestic consumption.Cuba also is exploring for oil in its portion of the Gulf of Mexico, although the drilling campaign has been unsuccessful thus far.SourcePost from CleanTechLaw.org: www.cleantechlaw.org

Cape Wind Project May Receive Push It Needs

Started in 2001, the Cape Wind project has been in the works for over a decade now. As the nation's first off-shore wind project, it has faced many delays. However, the project may now be one step closer to kicking off thanks to recent support from the federal government.

150 million loan in the works

The Department of Energy has recently announced that it is working toward a 150 million loan that would help get the Cape Wind project going. The Cape Cod Times reports that the potential 150 million would provide the project's developers with over half of the project's estimated 2.6 billion cost.

In general, the DOE has been pushing for an increase in renewable energy projects, loaning billions to various clean energy operations across the country. For example, in an effort to reduce pollutants responsible for global warming while taking advantage of the decreasing cost of solar, Massachusetts' solar installers have constructed several solar farms across the state with the help of loans granted by the DOE. As a result, the number of residents choosing solar for the home and business is steadily increasing, placing Massachusetts high in the country's ranking of environmentally conscious states.

With the potential of producing 360 megawatts of clean energy off the coast of Cape Cod, the DOE sees the Cape Wind project as one that, if completed, could have a major impact on the nation's effort to go green. Cape Wind spokesman Mark Rodgers explains that the announcement of the federal government's support is good not only for the obvious financial support, but the message that it sends to the commercial financing sector.

According to Energy.gov, Secretary Ernest Moniz talks about the vital importance of the recent loans for renewable energy projects. He says, "These innovative projects are delivering clean, renewable energy for American consumers today and are helping to diversify our energy portfolio. The Department's loan guarantees have assisted the launch of new industries in the U.S., and today's announcement of a conditional commitment to the Cape Wind project demonstrates our intent to help build a strong U.S.offshore wind industry."

If the loan is closed, the DOE will be one in the project's group of public and private lenders. However, the DOE will continue monitoring the project and its development and will also continue to work toward reaching a final agreement before it closes the loan guarantee.

Cape Wind benefits

Massachusetts' Governor Deval Patrick is extremely supportive of the project and is pleased with the announcement of the DOE's commitment. Energy.gov reports that he is not only focused on the wind energy project's production of clean energy and the decreasing reliance on fossil fuels, but the fact that it will create approximately 400 construction jobs and 50 operation jobs for residents.

According to the Cape Cod Times, the 130 off-shore wind turbines will produce energy for approximately 200,000 homes, which is three-quarters of the electricity needed to power homes and businesses across the Cape, Nantucket, and Martha's Vineyard. The project is also said to reduce carbon emissions by 73,400 tons - the equivalent of taking 175,000 cars off the road.

Cape Wind conducted a study commissioned by the Charles River Associates that found that the project has the capability of lowering wholesale electric prices across New England by over 7 billion over its lifespan; as electric costs across the country soar, this is a very important incentive.

With the announcement of the possible new loan, Cape Wind is once again on the track to changing the way residents across the region consume energy. As Massachusetts remains one of the nation's leaders in successful renewable energy projects, Cape Wind now has the ability to expand this leadership and pave the road for similar projects to come.

Origin: renewable-energy-events.blogspot.com

Power Wins Industry Honors At The National Geothermal Summit

HAILEY, IDAHO - The Kizildere II Geothermal power plant in Turkey-developed by Zorlu Holding and intended by Capability Engineers-recently won industry honors for official happening at the annual Geothermal Heat Association's (GEA) National Geothermal Meeting in Reno, Nevada. The GEA recognizes world-leading geothermal plant and technology developments. Capability Engineers is the world's prime divide geothermal plant engineer with detailed construction credits for more than 1,800 MW of new geothermal power generation capacity in Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and North America. The Kizildere II Creeping plant uses an recent triple-flash ring-shaped to demolish the margins that make sure typical sec or twin cycles. This new hybrid triple-flash/binary plant construction, incorporating groceries for area heating and with confront patented by Capability, uses a refreshing outlook to deal with the high-CO2 gluids produce in this cistern, and necessary be legal to a book of other scenario with reference to the world that find time for equal challenges. "Our team of constant engineers was challenged to unspoiled the process and come up with a few in addition inventive ideas. And they did. The without equal outlook we took on Kizildere sets a new identify for geothermal power plant construction," supposed Todd Krankkala, Expert Plan Bigger at Capability Engineers. "Distant of the pride for this talent necessary go to Zorlu Heat for physical equipped to take care of inventive technologies that maximize the meaning of their investment. This helpfulness of the proprietor to repeat systems for perform, economics and about makes for agreeable challenges for our construction team, which is pleased for the halt," supposed William Harvey, Ph.D./P.E., Expert Plan Intelligence for Geothermal at Capability Engineers.In the order of Capability ENGINEERS Capability Engineers is a taken as a whole consulting engineering severe specializing in the transfer of integrated solutions for energy, food and distil, services, communications, eco-friendly, and national markets. Capability Engineers offers broad multidiscipline engineering and services. Founded in 1976, it is an employee-owned company with more than 2,300 strive and 43 offices something like the Aligned States and abroad. For more information, please ensure www.powereng.com.

Draft Program 2015

Draft Program of the SEE Conference 11 March 2015 10.00 Official opening 11.00 The Future of District Energy in the EU In partnership with EUROHEAT & POWER Introduction, Overview of the EU Priorities, Challenges and Opportunities for District Heating - Eloi Piel, Euroheat & Power How the EU agenda (implementation of Directives at national levels, future initiatives) will impact the heating market/challenges Potential for District Energy in the EU From Economy of Scale to Resource-efficiency: Return of Experience on Development of Biomass-based DH - Dalkia Groupe EDF District energy projects opens ways to optimize the efficiency of local energy systems. The presentation will focus on trends in the sector and showcase feedback from recent investment projects - how systems move from economy of scale to resource efficiency with use of alternative fuels. Financing Refurbishment and New Developments - George Chavdarov, European Investment Bank The presentation will look into the challenges of renovation/development of new systems in this part of Europe- the barriers on the market, but also the potential and financing possibilities. Trends in the District Energy Sector: Industry Perspective - Andreas Ochsenbauer, Samson The presentation will bring the views of a major international manufacturer in the field of energy efficiency Fast Pyrolisis - Yavor Jekov, IRES, Bulgaria / Gerhard Muggen, BTG BioLiquids BV 14.00 EE Conference In partnership with ENEP Energy Efficiency Networks Helps to Reduce Energy Costs - Heiko Schmidt, German Association of Sustainability- and Eco-Management Professionals (VNU) Optimizing Production - and thus Revenues - from Renewable Energy Power Plants - Jrgen Ludwig, REA, Germany ECOPLAN - Decision Support for Municipalities including Energy Management and the Optimization of their Measure Portfolio - Sebastian Mller, Austrian Institute of Technology, Sustainable Buildings and Cities Ministry of Regional Development and Public Works The Road Map for a Transformation of Energy Use in Buildings - Goran Milanov, Bulgarian Facility Management Association and Vice Chairman of EuroFM Association Insulation Choices for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings - Oliver Loebel, PU Europe, Belgium The Significance of Developing a New Generation of Inorganic Insulation Materials and Building Insulation Masonry Components, Suitable for Applications Both in New and Retrofitted Buildings - Ian Pritchard*, Architects Council of Europe Trends and Developments in the Insulation Sector - Dimitar Nazarski, Bulgarian Association for Construction Insulation and Waterproofing

Low Carbon Partners With Ben Ainslie Racing To Power Team Hq

"BAR HQ will provide a showcase for clean energy"

"Low Carbon partnership will power team's HQ during bid to bring America's Cup to Britain"

Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) is leading the sporting world in sustainability, in its bid to bring the 35th America's Cup to the UK.

The sailing team, formed by Olympic multi-gold medallist Sir Ben Ainslie, is announcing a long-term partnership with renewables investor Low Carbon. The partnership will provide the team with clean energy as it develops its 2017 bid for the world's oldest international sporting trophy.

Low Carbon will ensure the team's headquarters - currently under construction on the Camber in Portsmouth - is powered by the very latest, high efficiency solar photovoltaic (PV) technology. The initial target is to supply 90% of the team's electricity power needs, with this improving to 100% once energy monitoring is implemented.

Low Carbon is committed to mitigating climate change by encouraging, wherever possible, the reduction of carbon emissions. Investing capital into renewable energy, the firm's investment model embraces solar PV, concentrated solar power, wind and bio-waste technologies. Within less than four years, Low Carbon has developed more than 270MW of UK solar power. A broader international portfolio exceeding 2GW is in the pipeline.

The partnership will greatly support BAR's efforts to run a sustainable business with clean energy. It will also see the team's HQ accorded BREEAM 'Excellent' status - the hallmark of excellence in sustainable building. The BAR HQ is expected to be completed in the summer of 2015.

Commenting on the partnership, Low Carbon's Chief Executive Roy Bedlow said: "I'm very excited by this long-term partnership, and with the prospect of making a key contribution to a true British success story. With Low Carbon and BAR sharing an ethos of sustainability, responsibility and mitigating the effects of climate change, I believe that together we can continue to make a difference for the better, long into the future."

BAR's Team Principal, the four-time Olympic medallist and America's Cup winner, Sir Ben Ainslie commented, "We're delighted to be on board with Low Carbon, and this new partnership takes us a long way towards our goal of sustainable, clean energy for our new base."

Bedlow adds: "This project has exciting implications for renewable energy. Because the BAR philosophy is about educating and engaging locally, the project will be a fantastic showcase for how large buildings can be almost entirely sustainable."

Matt Hancock, Minister of State for Business, Enterprise and Energy, said "This is a fantastic opportunity to demonstrate that Britain is not only a sporting world leader but also a leader in innovative technology. Britain is at the cutting edge of solar power, which not only benefits the environment but has the potential to create jobs and secure energy supplies. Sir Ben Ainslie's project truly builds on Portsmouth and Britain's global reputation as a centre of technology, sports, marine and maritime excellence."

In a separate initiative, Roy Bedlow is joining the board of the team's charity as a Trustee. Launched in October 2014, the 1851 Trust seeks to inspire and engage a new generation through sailing and the marine industry, providing young people with the education, skills and training required to become innovators of the future, and stewards of the marine environment.

NOTES TO EDITORS

ABOUT BEN AINSLIE RACING

Ben Ainslie Racing (BAR) was launched on June 10th 2014 in the presence of the Duchess of Cambridge. The team was conceived by four times Olympic gold medalist and 34th America's Cup winner, Sir Ben Ainslie, with the long-term aim of challenging for Britain and bringing the America's Cup back home to where it all began in 1851. Ben will develop and lead a British entry capable of winning the prestigious trophy, something Britain has so far never managed to achieve.

BAR is a commercial sporting team, with a number of individual private investors alongside corporate partners. The team is made up of some of the best British and international sailors, designers, builders and racing support.

www.benainslieracing.com

ABOUT LOW CARBON

Low Carbon is a privately owned investment company, committed to the development and operation of renewable energy power production. Low Carbon invests into both renewable energy developers and projects across a range of renewable energy technologies including solar, wind, anaerobic digestion and concentrated solar power.

Low Carbon has a strong management team with a proven track record in the development, construction, financing and management of UK solar assets, with over 270MW funded and in construction and operation today. Low Carbon remains involved in the projects for the long term. Low Carbon has a dedicated asset management team that currently manages assets on balance sheet and for third parties (unlisted and listed).

www.lowcarbon.com

ABOUT ROY BEDLOW

Roy Bedlow is Low Carbon's Co-Founder and Chief Executive. He is a founder member of the Carbon War Room: an international NGO and thought leader tasked with creating market-based solutions to climate change. Roy also sits on the Board of Andromeda Capital, a private equity firm investing in climate change and education, and the Board of Sparx, which is developing new technology to revolutionize learning.

The post Low Carbon partners with Ben Ainslie Racing to power team HQ appeared first on Low Carbon.

Wind Power Generators For New Power Century

Wind Power Strategies For a huge number of years, man has been harnessing the energy in the wind for use in transportation, motive energy for mills and water bore pumps. Additional lately with environmental harm in the use of fossil fuels in electricity generation, wind power generation has come to be a priority for not only significant power companies but for folks passionate about conserving the environment and property owners coping with the increasing price of electrical energy supplies created by traditional signifies.

With horizontal axis wind turbine becoming more scalable you may use wind power to cut down your utility bills considerably and bring energy to your house hold. Which is right right take manage of the homes energy needs by harnessing a free resource?athe wind. Wind power no longer calls for acres of highly-priced wind turbines to create power proficiently, it could also be customized for individual use ideal inside your back yard.

Large-scale wind farms are connected to the electric power transmission network; House units might be applied to provide electricity to isolated areas about your house or to charge energy sells. The total amount of economically extractable power out there in the wind is considerably more than present human power use from all sources.

Having wind to power your house can be a pretty handy point is can save you 1000 per year. You no longer need to be held hostage by Energy Corporations. Overlook about spending 3,000 or additional for factory made vertical axis wind turbines and solar panels since if you can stick to simple step-by-step instructions and invest just 200 then you can transform your energy-using dwelling into an energy making "green home"!

Scandal Of The Unclaimed Renewable Heat Grants

Only one solar thermal installation has so far been completed under the Renewable Heat Incentive.

Only half of the grants offered by Government to businesses and councils to install renewable heating schemes are being claimed.

One of the main reasons appears to be lack of publicity, but the grant conditions also are claimed to be too tight.

Under the Renewable Heat Incentive, businesses and public sector bodies can claim a subsidy for every unit of power generated from technologies such as solar water heating panels, biomass boilers and heat pumps, in the same way as can be claimed for renewable electricity under the feed-in tariff scheme.

The first tranche of the scheme, launched last year by the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC), was underspent by 50%: lb5.5 million of the lb10.8 million budget was unclaimed. According to Ofgem, just 176 schemes are receiving payment, a pitifully small number.

The second stage, worth lb7 million was launched in March, and the latest figures show a total of only lb817,250 claimed. The vast majority of these are for solid biomass boilers.

If this rate of uptake continues until the scheme closes in March 2013, just lb3.9 million will be spent.

New figures, released yesterday, show that DECC's current estimated expenditure for 2012/13, based on the total number of RHI applications received to date, is lb18 million. The cap on spending is lb70 million. At this rate DECC estimates only lb42 million will be spent.

As the figure is based on applications rather than fully accredited installations, the eventual figure is likely to be lower.

The Renewable Energy Association's head of policy, Paul Thompson, said the difficulty in giving away the grants is due to three factors, all decided by DECC: the time-limit, the lack of publicity, and the small amount of support on offer, which, he said was "not enough money to influence people's decisions".

He said: "You've got to have a bright idea that's pretty much developed to be in a position to be able to meet the deadlines".

He called upon DECC to use unspent funds to run a publicity campaign. The Department is currently deciding what to do with unspent funds from the social landlord's scheme.

DECC also launched an lb8 million competition for community groups on 24 July, to install renewable heating. Grants up to lb160,000 are available but applications must be in by 7 September, which is too early for some groups to manage. In addition, the completion schedule is tight: projects have to be completed by the end of the financial year.

EU targets dictate that 12% of the nation's heating needs to come from renewable sources by 2020, an increase of 2.2% on 2011 levels.

What is mystifying is the lack of installation of solar thermal. In the previous support system run by DECC, solar water heating was by far the most popular technology. It has proved to be very successful in this country, much more so than solar PV in terms of value for money.

In fact, renewable heat in general it is more cost-effective than renewable electricity, at a small scale.

Yet the Ofgem figures show that there has been just one solar thermal scheme supported under the RHI. The full figures are:

Technology Type
No of accredited installations / Registered biomethane producers
Installed Capacity (MW)

Biogas

1

0.113

Solid Biomass Boiler

162

6.02

Deep Geothermal

0

0.000

Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP)

11

0.378

Municipal Solid Waste

0

0.000
Solar Thermal

1

0.008

Water Source Heat Pump (WSHP)

1

0.024

Bio-Methane

0

0.000

At the end of July DECC also published new regulations that introduce the stand-by mechanism for budget management to the RHI Scheme, part of the impact of which is to introduce an immediate change for biomethane producers who wish to register for the Scheme.

DECC's current consultation on the Renewable Heat Incentive long-term budget management has, as its preferred option, gradually reducing the tariff levels for new installations if deployment levels exceed forecasts.

On current trends, that is not likely to happen, and there could well be a third renewable heat underspend by the Department.

One would be forgiven for wondering if this is part of a deliberate pattern.