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Energy efficiency standards should consider full fuel-cycle | Energy Efficiency News
Energy efficiency standards for mixed fuel type appliances such as heating or cooling systems should take into account the energy consumed in producing and distributing the fuels, as well the energy used to operate the appliance, says a report from the US National Research Council (NRC).
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Global greenhouse gas emissions accelerate rise
The Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR) found that global annual emissions of greenhouse gases totalled 41 billion tonnes in 2005, up from 24 billion tonnes in 1970 and 33 billion tonnes in 1990. Between 1990 and 2005, total greenhouse gas emissions amounted to 560 billion tonnes.
The EDGAR dataset shows that greenhouse gas emissions have been higher in developing countries than in industrialised countries since 2004, though developing countries emit significantly lower levels of emissions per capita than developed countries (4 tonnes, versus approximately 15 tonnes).
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Confronting Slow Rate of Auto Technology Change
But the new technologies—which could help consumers cope with these prices—are unlikely to arrive in large numbers in time for the next oil spike. According to the authors of “The Impact of Plug-in Hybrids on U.S. Oil Use and Greenhouse Gas Emissions,” a chapter in the new book Plug-in Electric Vehicles: What Role for Washington, published by the Brookings Institution, cars are durable goods that last well over a decade. “The transformation of the light-vehicle fleet to new internal combustion technologies or to hybrid and plug-in hybrid technologies will take decades from the time such vehicles are widely available at competitive prices,” according to the authors, Alan Madian, Lisa Walsh and Kim Simpkins, researchers at consulting firm LECG. They believe it could take another decade from now until the new technologies compete on a price basis, and begin the process of replacing current fleets.
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Top Utilities Grow Solar Power Despite Recession
The report demonstrates that the utility segment is making a major investment to increase the amount of solar energy in power portfolios, with many utilities doubling the amount of solar power in their portfolio in just one year. The installed solar capacity of the top ten ranked utilities rose 25 percent in a tough economy, from 711 megawatts to 882 megawatts.
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Smart Grid to Grow 21 Percent a Year to $17B by 2014
Networking giant Cisco has estimated that the market for smart grid communications will grow into a $20 billion-a-year opportunity as the infrastructure is built out over the next five years, and a new report from researchers at Specialists in Business Information (SBI) forecasts the market will grow to $17 billion per year by 2014 from today’s $6 billion.
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Is China recession proof?
A panel of leading Chinese economists explains how the world’s fastest-growing economy keeps expanding despite the global downturn. -
Algae cost more per pound yet can yield over 30 times more energy per acre than other, second-generation biofuel crops
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Global Market Outlook for Photovoltaics until 2013
A diversification of the market is taking place with countries adopting appropriate support policies, this is very good news for the PV industry and the environment.
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World leaders launch energy efficiency partnership
Energy ministers from around the world got together at the G8 meeting in Rome last weekend to launch the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC).
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Utility boosts payments to home energy generators
“Paying Home Gen customers 15p for every unit of electricity they generate is groundbreaking,” said Juliet Davenport, CEO and founder of Good Energy. “It sets the benchmark for a UK feed‐in tariff and signals the importance of rewarding total generation, not just exported electricity.”
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IEA’s dire warning on green stimulus and renewables
Kate Mackenzie, Financial Times
The IEA’s report for G8 energy ministers, to be presented this Sunday in Rome, has generated a few stories. Some picked up on the oil supply squeeze that awaits the world due to massive cuts in production investment. I wrote yesterday that the IEA forecasts that, for the first time since World War II, world electricity consumption will decline in 2009.IEA chief economist Fatih Birol said he personally thought the electricity forecast was the most striking finding of the report.
However he was also keen to highlight concern about green spending in the G20 stimulus packages:
The agency will also tell ministers that its calculation of the stimulus spending required from G20 nations on renewable energy was inadequate and should rise by a factor of six if greenhouse gas emissions targets set by the United Nations were to be met…
(22 May 2008) -
Why energy demand will rebound
But unless policy makers can find ways to improve the balance between energy supply and demand, the current slackness in energy markets will last no longer than it takes for the global economy to recover. That scenario will eventually impose significant costs on consumers and businesses in the form of higher energy prices.
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Cooperation in the Auto Industry: GM & Toyota, VW & BYD
Toyota and General Motors, once feared adversaries, now make a truce that sells Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive patent for use at GM, to help them out of their bankruptcy.
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Copper Mine Supply Could Lag Demand Growth - Macquarie
SINGAPORE -(Dow Jones)- Copper mine supply could struggle to match forecast demand growth in the period to 2013, Macquarie Bank said in a report dated Tuesday.
The bank said copper demand was expected to be 4 million metric tons higher in 2013 than 2009, implying that a significant number of new mine projects will need to come onstream to balance the market. -
Siemens to produce wind turbines in China
Siemens is expanding its global manufacturing network for wind turbine plants and is building a new production facility in Lingang New City in Shanghai. By establishing this new rotor blade and nacelle plant, the company is further strengthening its environmental portfolio. This new facility is scheduled to take up operation in the second half of 2010, initially with 400 employees. The wind turbine plants produced in Shanghai will be for the Chinese market and for export.
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US smart grid moves a step closer
Plans for a US smart grid moved a step closer with the announcement by Commerce Secretary Gary Locke and Energy Secretary Steven Chu of the first set of standards required for its interoperability and security.
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US must act now on inefficient buildings, says report
The US is wasting much of the 40% of energy consumed by buildings through poor insulation, leaky windows, inefficient lighting, heating or cooling systems, and poor construction techniques, says a report from Environment America.
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Planning guidance for water issues in sustainable development
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
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