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Isra-Mart srl news:
Africa de Sud intentioneaza sa investeasca intr-un al doilea parc de energie solara pentru a putea face fata cererii crescute de electricitate, a anuntat departamentul pentru energie al tarii, citat de BBC News.
Parcul solar va fi construit in provincia Northern Cape si va produce 5.000 MW de energie, circa 11% din actuala capacitate energetica a tarii.
Ministrului energiei, Dipuo Peters, a declarat ca un studiu elaborat anul trecut arata ca Northern Cape este locul perfect pentru construirea parcului solar.
Pana la 12.300 de joburi in constructie s-ar crea prin acest proiect si peste 3.000 de locuri de munca in operarea si intretinerea parcului.
Potrivit departamentului pentru energie din Africa de Sud, tara trebuie sa isi mareasca productia de energie cu 40.000 MV, in urmatorii 10 ani.
In prezent, mare parte din electricitatea Africii de Sud este generata de centralele pe carbune.
Sud-africanii furnizeaza electricitate si catorva tari vecine, precum Zimbabwe.
Africa de Sud are deja un parc solar in functionare care produce 1.930 MW de electricitate.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Isra-Mart srl : Rensselaer powers up plans for energy-storing capacitor
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Isra-Mart srl news:
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has become the latest organisation to join the race to develop a capacitor-based energy storage technology, embarking on a $2m project to build large-scale capacitors capable of storing renewable energy and regulating the flow of electricity onto the grid.
Doug Chrisey, professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer, is leading the project, which will use a ceramic compound of ferroelectric nanopowder and low-melting, alkali-free glass arranged in a series of thin layers.
Capacitors offer extremely high power density, meaning that they can store and release large amounts of energy very quickly. However, their drawback has been their low energy density relative to conventional batteries.
"Creating a novel ceramic material and developing a cost-effective, scalable method to achieve large-capacitive energy storage could be a big boost to our national economy and increase our global competitiveness," said Chrisey. "What we need is an entirely new approach to energy storage, and we think ferroelectric glass composites could be the answer."
The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will focus on developing the material and then manufacturing it in large quantities.
This is not the first time that an organisation has attempted to produce capacitors to replace battery technology.
Secretive Texan firm eestor has been promising similar technology for years, and procured a stake from Toronto-based electric car manufacturer Zenn Motors, which bet its future on the technology, and subsequently stopped manufacturing vehicles. Zenn is now supplying power train components to other manufacturers.
Isra-Mart srl news:
The Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has become the latest organisation to join the race to develop a capacitor-based energy storage technology, embarking on a $2m project to build large-scale capacitors capable of storing renewable energy and regulating the flow of electricity onto the grid.
Doug Chrisey, professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Rensselaer, is leading the project, which will use a ceramic compound of ferroelectric nanopowder and low-melting, alkali-free glass arranged in a series of thin layers.
Capacitors offer extremely high power density, meaning that they can store and release large amounts of energy very quickly. However, their drawback has been their low energy density relative to conventional batteries.
"Creating a novel ceramic material and developing a cost-effective, scalable method to achieve large-capacitive energy storage could be a big boost to our national economy and increase our global competitiveness," said Chrisey. "What we need is an entirely new approach to energy storage, and we think ferroelectric glass composites could be the answer."
The project, funded by the National Science Foundation, will focus on developing the material and then manufacturing it in large quantities.
This is not the first time that an organisation has attempted to produce capacitors to replace battery technology.
Secretive Texan firm eestor has been promising similar technology for years, and procured a stake from Toronto-based electric car manufacturer Zenn Motors, which bet its future on the technology, and subsequently stopped manufacturing vehicles. Zenn is now supplying power train components to other manufacturers.
Isra-Mart srl : Failure to measure carbon could cost businesses dear
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Firms that fail to measure their carbon emissions are in danger of losing their competitive advantage and looking like "they don't know what they're doing ", the chief operating officer of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) warned last night.
Speaking at the BusinessGreen.com Sustainable Business Lecture on Carbon and the Future of Business Management, Paul Simpson gave a stark message to those firms not currently measuring their carbon footprint – carbon accounting will become the norm over the next decade and those companies that act first to manage their carbon footprint will reap the benefits.
"From a business and investment perspective, climate change is really the first ever predictable industrial revolution," he said. "We know that we have to change [but] we don't know when, how fast, which technologies. The people who can predict that are going to be the winners in a changing economy. And the people who fail to predict it and fail to understand it are going to be the losers."
Simpson acknowledged that some companies see the process of accounting for carbon emissions as an additional burden, but warned that investors and the public were increasingly demanding that firms track their carbon footprint.
Companies could find themselves missing out on contracts if they do not have emissions targets and plans for cutting carbon, he predicted, but those that did would prove more popular with investors.
"In 2002 we were working with 35 institutional investors with $4.5tr of assets," he said, referring to the CDP's work requesting carbon data from firms on behalf of investors. "We've seen that number grow tenfold now to over 500 investors with $60tr of assets. More than half the world's investing money is asking the companies they invest in to report on this kind of info."
Simpson added that operational efficiencies tended to follow efforts to minimise carbon, citing the example of consultancy firm Logica, which realised $10m worth of savings just by going through the measurement process.
"Carbon reporting is becoming the norm," he said. "Last year in the FTSE500, 95 per cent of companies were measuring and reporting on carbon emissions. So if you're not doing this, there's a real competitive risk. Are you looking like you don’t know what you;re doing?"
Adrian Gault, chief economist at the Committee on Climate Change, warned the liklihood was that those firms that failed to measure their carbon footprint would eventually face mandatory requirements forcing them to report on their carbon footprint.
He argued that the ability to measure carbon would become increasingly important as governments move to put a price on carbon emissions, noting that climate change legislation was likely to get tighter over the next decade.
"I would expect if anything we would move to tighter carbon budgets and targets not laxer targets and budgets," he said.
His comments were echoed by Christopher Norton, a partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, who said that the direction legislation was moving in suggested mandatory reporting would not be long coming.
The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), for which firms have to have registered by today, was the start of this process, he said, adding that he expected the scheme's league table to force companies to act to curb their carbon footprint in order to protect their environmental reputations.
"There is a positive obligation on directors not just to think about financial performance but to think about the holistic performance of their company - the impact on social and environmental issues," he said. "I think that rather than financial implications will be driver for performance under the CRC. "
But Leo Johnson, a partner at financial services firm PWC, argued that all those efforts would come to nothing if companies fail to act on the carbon emissions data they collect.
He said the private sector must be galvanised to invest in low carbon technologies by improving the returns they can realise from such projects.
He cautioned that at the present rate of growth the world would exceed its 2050 carbon budget by 2034, and as a result it now needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4 per cent per year at an estimated annual cost of $1.15tr if we are to avoid temperature increases of over two degrees.
"We've got a carbon beer belly. We've binged. We have carbon love-handles," he said. "The question is: can we get back on the carbon treadmill and achieve this level of descent?"
Isra-Mart srl news:
Firms that fail to measure their carbon emissions are in danger of losing their competitive advantage and looking like "they don't know what they're doing ", the chief operating officer of the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) warned last night.
Speaking at the BusinessGreen.com Sustainable Business Lecture on Carbon and the Future of Business Management, Paul Simpson gave a stark message to those firms not currently measuring their carbon footprint – carbon accounting will become the norm over the next decade and those companies that act first to manage their carbon footprint will reap the benefits.
"From a business and investment perspective, climate change is really the first ever predictable industrial revolution," he said. "We know that we have to change [but] we don't know when, how fast, which technologies. The people who can predict that are going to be the winners in a changing economy. And the people who fail to predict it and fail to understand it are going to be the losers."
Simpson acknowledged that some companies see the process of accounting for carbon emissions as an additional burden, but warned that investors and the public were increasingly demanding that firms track their carbon footprint.
Companies could find themselves missing out on contracts if they do not have emissions targets and plans for cutting carbon, he predicted, but those that did would prove more popular with investors.
"In 2002 we were working with 35 institutional investors with $4.5tr of assets," he said, referring to the CDP's work requesting carbon data from firms on behalf of investors. "We've seen that number grow tenfold now to over 500 investors with $60tr of assets. More than half the world's investing money is asking the companies they invest in to report on this kind of info."
Simpson added that operational efficiencies tended to follow efforts to minimise carbon, citing the example of consultancy firm Logica, which realised $10m worth of savings just by going through the measurement process.
"Carbon reporting is becoming the norm," he said. "Last year in the FTSE500, 95 per cent of companies were measuring and reporting on carbon emissions. So if you're not doing this, there's a real competitive risk. Are you looking like you don’t know what you;re doing?"
Adrian Gault, chief economist at the Committee on Climate Change, warned the liklihood was that those firms that failed to measure their carbon footprint would eventually face mandatory requirements forcing them to report on their carbon footprint.
He argued that the ability to measure carbon would become increasingly important as governments move to put a price on carbon emissions, noting that climate change legislation was likely to get tighter over the next decade.
"I would expect if anything we would move to tighter carbon budgets and targets not laxer targets and budgets," he said.
His comments were echoed by Christopher Norton, a partner at law firm Hogan Lovells, who said that the direction legislation was moving in suggested mandatory reporting would not be long coming.
The Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC), for which firms have to have registered by today, was the start of this process, he said, adding that he expected the scheme's league table to force companies to act to curb their carbon footprint in order to protect their environmental reputations.
"There is a positive obligation on directors not just to think about financial performance but to think about the holistic performance of their company - the impact on social and environmental issues," he said. "I think that rather than financial implications will be driver for performance under the CRC. "
But Leo Johnson, a partner at financial services firm PWC, argued that all those efforts would come to nothing if companies fail to act on the carbon emissions data they collect.
He said the private sector must be galvanised to invest in low carbon technologies by improving the returns they can realise from such projects.
He cautioned that at the present rate of growth the world would exceed its 2050 carbon budget by 2034, and as a result it now needs to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 3.4 per cent per year at an estimated annual cost of $1.15tr if we are to avoid temperature increases of over two degrees.
"We've got a carbon beer belly. We've binged. We have carbon love-handles," he said. "The question is: can we get back on the carbon treadmill and achieve this level of descent?"
Isra-Mart srl : Cameron challenges Whitehall with carbon-cutting competition
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Isra-Mart srl news:
David Cameron today issued a challenge to all government departments, urging them to compete to cut their energy use during the month of October.
The prime minister called for a special month-long focus on energy efficiency as part of the coalition's plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from central government departments by 10 per cent during its first year in office.
Over the summer, all departments launched online energy meters revealing how much their central offices are using each day and Cameron said that the data would now be made available in an online league table that will show how each department is doing compared to its peers.
"In May I called for real action to make us the greenest government ever," Cameron said. "I made a commitment that over the next 12 months, central government departments would reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent. We have made a start but clearly we can all do much more to show leadership on this vital issue. So today is a clear challenge to cabinet ministers and an opportunity for the public to hold us to account."
The competition was welcomed by energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne, who has been tasked with ensuring Whitehall's 10 per cent target is met.
"Whitehall must lead the way if we are to inspire the public to reduce their energy use," he said. "This challenge underlines the urgency of tackling emissions and introduces some healthy competition to bring out innovative ideas. Making a 10 per cent reduction in emissions in just one year needs all departments to make a contribution and in particular staff need to play their part in building a greener government."
The competition will serve to bolster the government's green credentials after several months during which the coalition has been criticised by businesses and environmentalists over proposed cuts to various environmental programmes.
It will also serve to highlight some of the steps Whitehall has already taken to enhance its energy efficiency, including DECC's trial of innovative new ceiling tiles that store heat during the day and release it in the evening.
Isra-Mart srl news:
David Cameron today issued a challenge to all government departments, urging them to compete to cut their energy use during the month of October.
The prime minister called for a special month-long focus on energy efficiency as part of the coalition's plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions from central government departments by 10 per cent during its first year in office.
Over the summer, all departments launched online energy meters revealing how much their central offices are using each day and Cameron said that the data would now be made available in an online league table that will show how each department is doing compared to its peers.
"In May I called for real action to make us the greenest government ever," Cameron said. "I made a commitment that over the next 12 months, central government departments would reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent. We have made a start but clearly we can all do much more to show leadership on this vital issue. So today is a clear challenge to cabinet ministers and an opportunity for the public to hold us to account."
The competition was welcomed by energy and climate change secretary Chris Huhne, who has been tasked with ensuring Whitehall's 10 per cent target is met.
"Whitehall must lead the way if we are to inspire the public to reduce their energy use," he said. "This challenge underlines the urgency of tackling emissions and introduces some healthy competition to bring out innovative ideas. Making a 10 per cent reduction in emissions in just one year needs all departments to make a contribution and in particular staff need to play their part in building a greener government."
The competition will serve to bolster the government's green credentials after several months during which the coalition has been criticised by businesses and environmentalists over proposed cuts to various environmental programmes.
It will also serve to highlight some of the steps Whitehall has already taken to enhance its energy efficiency, including DECC's trial of innovative new ceiling tiles that store heat during the day and release it in the evening.
Isramart llc : EU Seeks Link With Federal Rather Than Local U.S. Carbon Trading
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Isramart llc news:
The European Union will keep trying to link its carbon market, the world's biggest, with any federal-level program rather than the nation's regional systems.
A federal U.S. cap-and-trade program, narrowly approved in the House of Representatives last year, didn't gain enough support to pass the Senate this year. States including California are proposing emissions trading under a program known as the Western Climate Initiative in 2012.
"The main emphasis is what is happening at the federal level," Peter Zapfel, head of policy coordination in the climate unit of the European Commission said today in an interview at a Chatham House conference in London. Chatham House is an international policy adviser based in London. "The regional markets are useful early experiences," Zapfel said.
The 27-nation bloc started its European trading system in 2005, capping emissions for about 12,000 factories and power stations and allowing them to buy and sell credits. The EU said it will reduce the supply of CO2 permits by 21 percent in 2020 compared with 2005 as part of its plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 20 percent compared with 1990 levels.
Isramart llc news:
The European Union will keep trying to link its carbon market, the world's biggest, with any federal-level program rather than the nation's regional systems.
A federal U.S. cap-and-trade program, narrowly approved in the House of Representatives last year, didn't gain enough support to pass the Senate this year. States including California are proposing emissions trading under a program known as the Western Climate Initiative in 2012.
"The main emphasis is what is happening at the federal level," Peter Zapfel, head of policy coordination in the climate unit of the European Commission said today in an interview at a Chatham House conference in London. Chatham House is an international policy adviser based in London. "The regional markets are useful early experiences," Zapfel said.
The 27-nation bloc started its European trading system in 2005, capping emissions for about 12,000 factories and power stations and allowing them to buy and sell credits. The EU said it will reduce the supply of CO2 permits by 21 percent in 2020 compared with 2005 as part of its plan to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by at least 20 percent compared with 1990 levels.
Isra-Mart srl : 'Promote carbon trading'
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The Centre should promote a carbon credit trading mechanism on lines of the Kyoto Protocol in the country to enable the plantation industry to earn carbon credits.
Presently, nations under the European Union buy carbon credits under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that has been mandated through the Kyoto Protocol.
However, a majority of projects approved under the clean development mechanism are industrial in nature and very few belong to the agriculture sector.
"As EU is not interested in buying carbon credit from the agriculture sector due to the cumbersome procedures prescribed under Kyoto Protocol, the government should take the initiative to put a mechanism in the country for facilitating carbon trading in the country," James Jacob, director of Rubber Research Institute of India, said.
He also said, of the 2,362 the Indian projects approved under clean development mechanism (CDM,) only 15 were from the plantation sector.
Referring to this matter, A K Mangotra, additional secretary of Ministry of Commerce, said, "We are constantly trying to push the case of plantation sector on the issue of Kyoto protocol. We will again raise this issue in the next round of conference of parties in December, 2010."
He, however, said the government had no proposal to go in for a domestic carbon credit trading mechanism in the near future.As per data available with UPASI, there is a potential of earning Rs 25 lakh per annum from the plantation sector through carbon credit mechanism in the near term.
"As the acreage under plantation grows in India, there is scope for earning more credit from the sector," T V Alexander, president of UPASI said. Plantation sector holds a lot of potential to earn carbon credit under Kyoto protocol under aforestation/reforestation credits (A/R). Under A/R, plantation projects are given credits as they deposit carbon dioxide in the soil than letting them dissipate into the atmosphere. This process is popularly known as carbon sequestration.
"The dynamics of plantation industry can change through earning of carbon credit," Jacob said.
Presently, carbon credit from industrial source like from a thermal power project fetches $7-$8 per tonne of carbon dioxide in international market, where as the price for A/R credit is only $4-$5.
"There is price disparity due to lesser demand from EU nations for these credits," he added.
The Centre should promote a carbon credit trading mechanism on lines of the Kyoto Protocol in the country to enable the plantation industry to earn carbon credits.
Presently, nations under the European Union buy carbon credits under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change that has been mandated through the Kyoto Protocol.
However, a majority of projects approved under the clean development mechanism are industrial in nature and very few belong to the agriculture sector.
"As EU is not interested in buying carbon credit from the agriculture sector due to the cumbersome procedures prescribed under Kyoto Protocol, the government should take the initiative to put a mechanism in the country for facilitating carbon trading in the country," James Jacob, director of Rubber Research Institute of India, said.
He also said, of the 2,362 the Indian projects approved under clean development mechanism (CDM,) only 15 were from the plantation sector.
Referring to this matter, A K Mangotra, additional secretary of Ministry of Commerce, said, "We are constantly trying to push the case of plantation sector on the issue of Kyoto protocol. We will again raise this issue in the next round of conference of parties in December, 2010."
He, however, said the government had no proposal to go in for a domestic carbon credit trading mechanism in the near future.As per data available with UPASI, there is a potential of earning Rs 25 lakh per annum from the plantation sector through carbon credit mechanism in the near term.
"As the acreage under plantation grows in India, there is scope for earning more credit from the sector," T V Alexander, president of UPASI said. Plantation sector holds a lot of potential to earn carbon credit under Kyoto protocol under aforestation/reforestation credits (A/R). Under A/R, plantation projects are given credits as they deposit carbon dioxide in the soil than letting them dissipate into the atmosphere. This process is popularly known as carbon sequestration.
"The dynamics of plantation industry can change through earning of carbon credit," Jacob said.
Presently, carbon credit from industrial source like from a thermal power project fetches $7-$8 per tonne of carbon dioxide in international market, where as the price for A/R credit is only $4-$5.
"There is price disparity due to lesser demand from EU nations for these credits," he added.
Isra-Mart srl : Emissions Must Be Defined: Binding Objectives for Reducing Carbon Dioxide
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The leader of Switzerland today highlighted the centrality of the United Nations and the responsibilities of its Member States in meeting global challenges, ranging from promoting development to fighting climate change, as she addressed the annual high-level segment of the General Assembly.
"We must avoid making the United Nations an immutable 'historic monument' but rather turn it into a dynamic organization," President Doris Leuthard said, adding that it is the "only organization in the world with the legitimacy to represent all nations and all peoples."
The UN is also the only body in the world "capable of narrowing difference and restoring a balance between nations," but she underlined that each Member State must also meet its responsibilities and "place its national interests second to the common good."
She pointed out that nearly 1 billion people are still hungry, while the world will see its population grow and make do with fewer resources in the future.
"We know that dropping sacks of rice from helicopters is not enough," Ms. Leuthard said. "We must help people to grow it."
Although large sums of money flow to countries when disasters strike, "but who is still concerned three years later?" she asked.
On climate change, binding objectives for reducing carbon dioxide emissions must be defined as quickly as possible, the President said.
"Simply waiting for the industrialized countries to invest in the South will not lead anywhere," she said, urging all countries to take necessary actions.
Ms. Leuthard also welcomed the creation of UN Women, or the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, which will oversee all of the world body's programmes aimed at promoting women's rights and their full participation in global affairs.
"Gender equality must at last become a reality," she said.
Women and girls, she noted, have been the victims of poverty more than others, as well as targets of violence in armed conflicts.
"It is high time to make full use of their potential in mediation and reconstruction in countries affected by conflict."
Isra-Mart srl news:
The leader of Switzerland today highlighted the centrality of the United Nations and the responsibilities of its Member States in meeting global challenges, ranging from promoting development to fighting climate change, as she addressed the annual high-level segment of the General Assembly.
"We must avoid making the United Nations an immutable 'historic monument' but rather turn it into a dynamic organization," President Doris Leuthard said, adding that it is the "only organization in the world with the legitimacy to represent all nations and all peoples."
The UN is also the only body in the world "capable of narrowing difference and restoring a balance between nations," but she underlined that each Member State must also meet its responsibilities and "place its national interests second to the common good."
She pointed out that nearly 1 billion people are still hungry, while the world will see its population grow and make do with fewer resources in the future.
"We know that dropping sacks of rice from helicopters is not enough," Ms. Leuthard said. "We must help people to grow it."
Although large sums of money flow to countries when disasters strike, "but who is still concerned three years later?" she asked.
On climate change, binding objectives for reducing carbon dioxide emissions must be defined as quickly as possible, the President said.
"Simply waiting for the industrialized countries to invest in the South will not lead anywhere," she said, urging all countries to take necessary actions.
Ms. Leuthard also welcomed the creation of UN Women, or the UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women, which will oversee all of the world body's programmes aimed at promoting women's rights and their full participation in global affairs.
"Gender equality must at last become a reality," she said.
Women and girls, she noted, have been the victims of poverty more than others, as well as targets of violence in armed conflicts.
"It is high time to make full use of their potential in mediation and reconstruction in countries affected by conflict."
Isra-Mart srl : Can we afford the carbon premium?
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Who could possibly want to read another column on climate change after the blizzard of comment we had last week following Marius Kloppers' speech? To get the CEO of the world’s biggest mining company to say that we need a carbon tax has jump-started this debate.
Whether the skeptics like it or not, the government is going to take some action on climate change now. What neither Marius Kloppers, Greg Combet nor Prime Minister Julia Gillard want to do is make it clear what that means.
What it does mean is that the price of energy will go up and everyone’s standard of living will go down. Any lecturer will tell you it is that simple in the first week of an economics course. If you want volume to go down you need to raise prices. We want the amount of energy produced by releasing carbon into the atmosphere to go down so we have to make people pay more for it.
Anyone who is advocating a reduction in greenhouse gases needs to acknowledge that they are asking the people of Australia to accept a lower standard of living today to protect the environment for tomorrow. There is no way around it. You cannot provide subsidies out of thin air nor can you 'tax just the polluters'. Anything the government contributes will have to be paid for as increased taxes, anything business pays for will be passed on as increased prices and this burden will fall on the average person.
Our Prime Minister says that before we get action on carbon she wants to build a national consensus. What that means is that the Australian people will have to agree that the need to fight climate change is so vital that they are prepared to accept a reduced standard of living today in exchange for reduced carbon gases in the future. It is a basic investment decision to invest today and reap the rewards tomorrow.
From the furious response of people during the week to Mr Kloppers' speech, this looks like a tall order. It will be impossible for Prime Minister Gillard to do so without being honest about what it means for ordinary Australians. Whether the way you choose to get volume down is to go for a carbon tax, a carbon pollution reduction scheme and emissions trading scheme does not alter the rules of economics.
In addition, we need to recognise that if we move ahead of the world it is going to cost jobs. We are a high carbon emitting nation and when we start charging people to emit, it makes them uncompetitive with producers in countries who can emit CO2 freely into the atmosphere.
Because it will cost both standard of living and jobs, it is not fair to marginalise those who ask the proponents of taxing emissions to prove that the planet is doomed without decisive action. The demonisation of the climate change skeptics is a formula for polarisation, not the consensus Prime Minister Gillard seeks.
By contrast there is a more moderate debate that should allow for the consensus our Prime Minister seeks to emerge. It rests on recognising the fact that the climate change skeptics are asking those who propose some action on climate change to clear a too severe burden of proof. We do not need to know for sure that climate change is being caused by greenhouse gases to spend money on addressing the issue. We just need to be convinced that it is more than possible and is likely probable that we are warming the planet. That is a test those proposing action can defend.
You don’t have to be certain that your house is going to burn down to buy fire insurance – you just have to think there is a chance it might. In fact, you are prepared to let the insurance company make huge profits for the peace of mind that if it does burn down you are covered. It's the same with climate change – we can want to protect ourselves even if we are not convinced that the climate is changing.
If the debate is framed as a society deciding to buy an insurance policy against something that is likely to happen, then we are only debating the nature and extent of the insurance policy. This allows us to get far further in organising programs and debating the extent of the money we will invest.
Clearly fossil fuels are the cheapest source of energy available. That is why we use them and why they have been such an important contributor to the economic growth that has come from the industrial revolution. Hydrocarbons are virtually miraculous as a source of energy, which makes developing wind, solar, and other low-emission technologies so tortured. Even nuclear power just cannot compete. Unfortunately because they are so superior we have become addicted to them. Are we prepared to invest 1 per cent of gross domestic product, 5 per cent or 10 per cent? That is the debate I think we should be having.
The reason we don’t have this debate is that the benefits are global while the costs are direct. The economists call this a problem of negative externalities. An externality is the jargon phrase people use to describe something that happens outside of one market economy – like untreated pollution affecting people downriver in a different economy, who have no recourse to stop to the pollution.
Historically, as economies became richer, more sophisticated and increasingly integrated, these effects became incorporated into the economy by regulation and pricing. Companies had to buy permits to release waste into rivers and also add equipment to pre-treat their effluent before it was released.
We look back and say that this is obvious now, but it was fought each step of the way by vested interest groups. This has happened in many areas of the economy as society has become richer. It has been a key part of progress and everyone understands this.
The problem with global warming is that we all grew up believing carbon dioxide was food for trees and plants and so good for the environment. It has been hard for society to understand that like most things in a diet, overconsumption can be very bad for you.
What is also hard to understand is that there might be sound economic reasons to move before the rest of the world to start getting our industries ready for climate change. Businesses can work with certainty and make adjustments and invest in research and development to change things. Since ‘the enlightenment’ society and business has shown a consistent power to surprise with its ability to adapt.
If we are a country leading from the front to address climate change then a series of companies are likely to use Australia as their research and development hubs in this area. So the short-term pain we feel in leading the world, could well lead to long term gain for the nation.
So we are left with two questions:
1) How much as a percentage of gross domestic product are we prepared to invest to address climate change as an insurance premium?
2) Are we prepared to make that investment ahead of the rest of the world?
The opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of the author.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Who could possibly want to read another column on climate change after the blizzard of comment we had last week following Marius Kloppers' speech? To get the CEO of the world’s biggest mining company to say that we need a carbon tax has jump-started this debate.
Whether the skeptics like it or not, the government is going to take some action on climate change now. What neither Marius Kloppers, Greg Combet nor Prime Minister Julia Gillard want to do is make it clear what that means.
What it does mean is that the price of energy will go up and everyone’s standard of living will go down. Any lecturer will tell you it is that simple in the first week of an economics course. If you want volume to go down you need to raise prices. We want the amount of energy produced by releasing carbon into the atmosphere to go down so we have to make people pay more for it.
Anyone who is advocating a reduction in greenhouse gases needs to acknowledge that they are asking the people of Australia to accept a lower standard of living today to protect the environment for tomorrow. There is no way around it. You cannot provide subsidies out of thin air nor can you 'tax just the polluters'. Anything the government contributes will have to be paid for as increased taxes, anything business pays for will be passed on as increased prices and this burden will fall on the average person.
Our Prime Minister says that before we get action on carbon she wants to build a national consensus. What that means is that the Australian people will have to agree that the need to fight climate change is so vital that they are prepared to accept a reduced standard of living today in exchange for reduced carbon gases in the future. It is a basic investment decision to invest today and reap the rewards tomorrow.
From the furious response of people during the week to Mr Kloppers' speech, this looks like a tall order. It will be impossible for Prime Minister Gillard to do so without being honest about what it means for ordinary Australians. Whether the way you choose to get volume down is to go for a carbon tax, a carbon pollution reduction scheme and emissions trading scheme does not alter the rules of economics.
In addition, we need to recognise that if we move ahead of the world it is going to cost jobs. We are a high carbon emitting nation and when we start charging people to emit, it makes them uncompetitive with producers in countries who can emit CO2 freely into the atmosphere.
Because it will cost both standard of living and jobs, it is not fair to marginalise those who ask the proponents of taxing emissions to prove that the planet is doomed without decisive action. The demonisation of the climate change skeptics is a formula for polarisation, not the consensus Prime Minister Gillard seeks.
By contrast there is a more moderate debate that should allow for the consensus our Prime Minister seeks to emerge. It rests on recognising the fact that the climate change skeptics are asking those who propose some action on climate change to clear a too severe burden of proof. We do not need to know for sure that climate change is being caused by greenhouse gases to spend money on addressing the issue. We just need to be convinced that it is more than possible and is likely probable that we are warming the planet. That is a test those proposing action can defend.
You don’t have to be certain that your house is going to burn down to buy fire insurance – you just have to think there is a chance it might. In fact, you are prepared to let the insurance company make huge profits for the peace of mind that if it does burn down you are covered. It's the same with climate change – we can want to protect ourselves even if we are not convinced that the climate is changing.
If the debate is framed as a society deciding to buy an insurance policy against something that is likely to happen, then we are only debating the nature and extent of the insurance policy. This allows us to get far further in organising programs and debating the extent of the money we will invest.
Clearly fossil fuels are the cheapest source of energy available. That is why we use them and why they have been such an important contributor to the economic growth that has come from the industrial revolution. Hydrocarbons are virtually miraculous as a source of energy, which makes developing wind, solar, and other low-emission technologies so tortured. Even nuclear power just cannot compete. Unfortunately because they are so superior we have become addicted to them. Are we prepared to invest 1 per cent of gross domestic product, 5 per cent or 10 per cent? That is the debate I think we should be having.
The reason we don’t have this debate is that the benefits are global while the costs are direct. The economists call this a problem of negative externalities. An externality is the jargon phrase people use to describe something that happens outside of one market economy – like untreated pollution affecting people downriver in a different economy, who have no recourse to stop to the pollution.
Historically, as economies became richer, more sophisticated and increasingly integrated, these effects became incorporated into the economy by regulation and pricing. Companies had to buy permits to release waste into rivers and also add equipment to pre-treat their effluent before it was released.
We look back and say that this is obvious now, but it was fought each step of the way by vested interest groups. This has happened in many areas of the economy as society has become richer. It has been a key part of progress and everyone understands this.
The problem with global warming is that we all grew up believing carbon dioxide was food for trees and plants and so good for the environment. It has been hard for society to understand that like most things in a diet, overconsumption can be very bad for you.
What is also hard to understand is that there might be sound economic reasons to move before the rest of the world to start getting our industries ready for climate change. Businesses can work with certainty and make adjustments and invest in research and development to change things. Since ‘the enlightenment’ society and business has shown a consistent power to surprise with its ability to adapt.
If we are a country leading from the front to address climate change then a series of companies are likely to use Australia as their research and development hubs in this area. So the short-term pain we feel in leading the world, could well lead to long term gain for the nation.
So we are left with two questions:
1) How much as a percentage of gross domestic product are we prepared to invest to address climate change as an insurance premium?
2) Are we prepared to make that investment ahead of the rest of the world?
The opinions expressed in this article are the personal views of the author.
Isramart llc: eBay Says Small, Online Retail Beats Brick-and-Mortar On Carbon Footprint & Calculates By How Much
www.isra-mart.com
Isramart llc news:
The paper goes into how that's calculated, taking into account lots a variables on what it takes to have an actual storefront, warehousing, average distance traveled to stores, etc etc. At the broadest level I'm not sure it's worth it to parse how that was done; check it out for yourself if you're so inclined.
But what is worth pointing out is this:
Low-Carbon Transport Options, Better Community Development Could Change Situation
1) All of these factors, particularly those regarding average distance travelled to stores and how those trips are made, are based on current conditions of community development. Which means that these stats only are meaningful in a current and short-term context. Should in the mid-to-long term, assuming more communities have better public transit and there is more local development allowing for significantly lowering this segment of the overall carbon footprint of a purchase, the balance could even out. In other words, just because small online businesses appear better today does not mean that it's necessarily the best form of distributing goods five or ten years from now. It may be or may not be.
Real-World Businesses Have Benefits Not Encapsulated in Carbon Footprint
2) There are benefits to small real-world businesses that occur outside of carbon footprint. Though difficult to quantify and compare against that 1,400 tons GHG savings, having vibrant communities with a variety of small locally owned businesses is something worth working towards in more places regardless of the climate effect.
All of which isn't an argument against online small retail--in fact, in the spirit of full disclosure, in my non-TreeHugger life, I operate a de facto micro online business selling used books, and mostly only buy used books as well, much of the time from similar small online sellers. Small, online retail connects buyers and sellers in very much mutually enriching ways, no doubt about it.
It's Not An Either-Or Situation
3) The thing is that it's not, nor should it be an either-or situation. There are real benefits to online retailing and mass delivery for some goods, as there are genuine and broad benefits to having vibrant local brick-and-mortar businesses. The two are in no way mutually exclusive and it's wrong to try to justify one over the other on differences in carbon savings alone.
Though Cooler's work for eBay gives an interesting and valuable insight into part of the retail picture and its connection with climate change, ultimately, a more holistic perspective is required in evaluating the plusses and minuses of the situation.
Isramart llc news:
The paper goes into how that's calculated, taking into account lots a variables on what it takes to have an actual storefront, warehousing, average distance traveled to stores, etc etc. At the broadest level I'm not sure it's worth it to parse how that was done; check it out for yourself if you're so inclined.
But what is worth pointing out is this:
Low-Carbon Transport Options, Better Community Development Could Change Situation
1) All of these factors, particularly those regarding average distance travelled to stores and how those trips are made, are based on current conditions of community development. Which means that these stats only are meaningful in a current and short-term context. Should in the mid-to-long term, assuming more communities have better public transit and there is more local development allowing for significantly lowering this segment of the overall carbon footprint of a purchase, the balance could even out. In other words, just because small online businesses appear better today does not mean that it's necessarily the best form of distributing goods five or ten years from now. It may be or may not be.
Real-World Businesses Have Benefits Not Encapsulated in Carbon Footprint
2) There are benefits to small real-world businesses that occur outside of carbon footprint. Though difficult to quantify and compare against that 1,400 tons GHG savings, having vibrant communities with a variety of small locally owned businesses is something worth working towards in more places regardless of the climate effect.
All of which isn't an argument against online small retail--in fact, in the spirit of full disclosure, in my non-TreeHugger life, I operate a de facto micro online business selling used books, and mostly only buy used books as well, much of the time from similar small online sellers. Small, online retail connects buyers and sellers in very much mutually enriching ways, no doubt about it.
It's Not An Either-Or Situation
3) The thing is that it's not, nor should it be an either-or situation. There are real benefits to online retailing and mass delivery for some goods, as there are genuine and broad benefits to having vibrant local brick-and-mortar businesses. The two are in no way mutually exclusive and it's wrong to try to justify one over the other on differences in carbon savings alone.
Though Cooler's work for eBay gives an interesting and valuable insight into part of the retail picture and its connection with climate change, ultimately, a more holistic perspective is required in evaluating the plusses and minuses of the situation.
Isra-Mart srl : N.W.T. floats carbon tax idea
www.isra-mart.com
Isra-Mart srl news:
The Northwest Territories government wants the public's thoughts on whether to introduce a carbon tax on gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels.
A discussion paper released Thursday by the N.W.T. Finance Department floats the idea of a "revenue neutral" carbon tax that would encourage residents and businesses to cut down on how much fossil fuels they use, and therefore bring down the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated.
"We've put the document on the table and we're looking to have a discussion," Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger told CBC News on Thursday.
"We're not, at this point, promoting a carbon tax. But we know it's one of the things that's out there, and we're looking for discussion and feedback."
The Northwest Territories does not have a provincial or Harmonized Sales Tax. The territorial government has been seeking revenue-generating options over the past two years.
A possible carbon tax would apply to fossil fuels used for transportation, energy generation and home heating, and would be imposed in addition to the N.W.T.'s existing fuel tax.
The current fuel tax applies to the consumption of gasoline, rail and aviation fuel and diesel, with rates ranging from one cent per litre for aviation fuel to 11.4 cents per litre for rail fuel.
However, natural gas, propane and space-heating fuel are currently exempt from the fuel tax. Those fuels would not be exempt from a carbon tax, according to the discussion paper.
Isra-Mart srl news:
The Northwest Territories government wants the public's thoughts on whether to introduce a carbon tax on gasoline, diesel and other fossil fuels.
A discussion paper released Thursday by the N.W.T. Finance Department floats the idea of a "revenue neutral" carbon tax that would encourage residents and businesses to cut down on how much fossil fuels they use, and therefore bring down the amount of greenhouse gas emissions generated.
"We've put the document on the table and we're looking to have a discussion," Finance Minister Michael Miltenberger told CBC News on Thursday.
"We're not, at this point, promoting a carbon tax. But we know it's one of the things that's out there, and we're looking for discussion and feedback."
The Northwest Territories does not have a provincial or Harmonized Sales Tax. The territorial government has been seeking revenue-generating options over the past two years.
A possible carbon tax would apply to fossil fuels used for transportation, energy generation and home heating, and would be imposed in addition to the N.W.T.'s existing fuel tax.
The current fuel tax applies to the consumption of gasoline, rail and aviation fuel and diesel, with rates ranging from one cent per litre for aviation fuel to 11.4 cents per litre for rail fuel.
However, natural gas, propane and space-heating fuel are currently exempt from the fuel tax. Those fuels would not be exempt from a carbon tax, according to the discussion paper.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Isra-Mart srl : Celulele fotovoltaice ultra subtiri, inovatia care va revolutiona energia verde
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Celulele fotovoltaice ultra subtiri pot sa absoarba de pana la zece ori mai multa energie solara decat cele actuale, mai groase si mai scumpe, au descoperit inginerii de la Universitatea Stanford.
Cercetarea inginerilor se bazeaza pe faptul ca lumina care ricoseaza in interiorul celulei solare se comporta diferit atunci cand aceasta este de dimensiuni mici.
Cheia depasirii limitei teoretice de absorbtie a energiei consta in pastrarea razelor solare in aria celulelor fotovoltaice suficient de mult pentru a capta cat mai multa energie.
„Cu cat sta mai mult un foton de lumina intr-o celula solara, cu atat sunt mai multe sanse ca fotonul sa fie absorbit”, a explicat Shanhui Fan, profesor de inginerie electrica la Stanford.
Acest procedeu, numit „captarea luminii”, a fost folosit de zeci de ani in cazul celulelor solare cu silicon. Insa pana acum, cercetatorii nu au reusit sa creasca eficienta celulelor cu silicon de dimensiuni normale mai mult de un anumit prag.
Intr-un final, oamenii de stiinta si-au dat seama ca exista o limita fizica legata de viteza cu care lumina circula intr-un anumit material.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Celulele fotovoltaice ultra subtiri pot sa absoarba de pana la zece ori mai multa energie solara decat cele actuale, mai groase si mai scumpe, au descoperit inginerii de la Universitatea Stanford.
Cercetarea inginerilor se bazeaza pe faptul ca lumina care ricoseaza in interiorul celulei solare se comporta diferit atunci cand aceasta este de dimensiuni mici.
Cheia depasirii limitei teoretice de absorbtie a energiei consta in pastrarea razelor solare in aria celulelor fotovoltaice suficient de mult pentru a capta cat mai multa energie.
„Cu cat sta mai mult un foton de lumina intr-o celula solara, cu atat sunt mai multe sanse ca fotonul sa fie absorbit”, a explicat Shanhui Fan, profesor de inginerie electrica la Stanford.
Acest procedeu, numit „captarea luminii”, a fost folosit de zeci de ani in cazul celulelor solare cu silicon. Insa pana acum, cercetatorii nu au reusit sa creasca eficienta celulelor cu silicon de dimensiuni normale mai mult de un anumit prag.
Intr-un final, oamenii de stiinta si-au dat seama ca exista o limita fizica legata de viteza cu care lumina circula intr-un anumit material.
Isra-Mart srl : E.ON backs Germany's ambitious renewable energy plan
www.isra-mart.com
Isra-Mart srl news:
Germany's ambitious plans to source 60 per cent of the country's power from renewable sources by 2050 have been backed by the head of E.ON, the country's largest energy provider.
The German cabinet approved the targets yesterday, formally adopting a wide-ranging plan that also aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent, renovate power grids and improve energy efficiency.
However, the new strategy also features a controversial commitment to extend the life of Germany's nuclear power plants as a bridge technology, reversing former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's pledge to turn them off by 2021.
Germany already generates 16 per cent of its energy from renewables, boasting significant amounts of onshore wind and hydropower capacity, as well as growing levels of biomass and solar photovoltaic power.
Chancellor Angela Merkel called the targets ambitious but achievable, telling reporters that Germany had a responsibility to build on its strong track record as a pioneer of renewable energy. "If we don't lead the way, we won't be able to convince other countries to take responsibility as well," she said.
Merkel's comments were echoed by Johannes Teyssen, chairman of E.ON's board of management, who hailed the plan as the greenest in Germany's history.
He said that the new plan could be achieved, but only with broad political support and a willingness to fast track low-carbon projects.
"So far, we have more projects that have been prevented than implemented," he said. "If this trend continues, we will not succeed in transforming our energy system and achieving a low-carbon tomorrow. We need the courage to accept new solutions and new and innovative technologies."
Teyssen pointed out that his company was willing to do its part by tripling the share of renewable energy in its power generation portfolio by 2030, as well as halving the carbon dioxide emissions from its power plants compared with 1990 levels.
E.ON owns a range of wind, solar and biogas projects across Germany and the rest of Europe, including a share of the 1,000MW London Array wind farm project, scheduled to come online in 2012
But he cautioned that the rest of the country must be prepared to make significant investments if it was to reshape its energy sector without losing jobs abroad.
"Changing our energy model will not take place automatically and it will not be free of charge," he stressed. "In addition, the energy transformation must not lead to a relocation of jobs and production away from Germany. Many people envy us for our strong industrial and commercial base that includes large industrial organisations and strong medium-sized companies. Energy efficiency must not be achieved by allowing these companies to leave Germany."
The German renewable energy targets come hot on the heels of the Northern Ireland Assembly's ambition to meet 40 per cent of demand with renewable electricity by 2050 and Alex Salmond's claims that by 2025 Scotland could power itself using solely renewable sources.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Germany's ambitious plans to source 60 per cent of the country's power from renewable sources by 2050 have been backed by the head of E.ON, the country's largest energy provider.
The German cabinet approved the targets yesterday, formally adopting a wide-ranging plan that also aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80 per cent, renovate power grids and improve energy efficiency.
However, the new strategy also features a controversial commitment to extend the life of Germany's nuclear power plants as a bridge technology, reversing former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder's pledge to turn them off by 2021.
Germany already generates 16 per cent of its energy from renewables, boasting significant amounts of onshore wind and hydropower capacity, as well as growing levels of biomass and solar photovoltaic power.
Chancellor Angela Merkel called the targets ambitious but achievable, telling reporters that Germany had a responsibility to build on its strong track record as a pioneer of renewable energy. "If we don't lead the way, we won't be able to convince other countries to take responsibility as well," she said.
Merkel's comments were echoed by Johannes Teyssen, chairman of E.ON's board of management, who hailed the plan as the greenest in Germany's history.
He said that the new plan could be achieved, but only with broad political support and a willingness to fast track low-carbon projects.
"So far, we have more projects that have been prevented than implemented," he said. "If this trend continues, we will not succeed in transforming our energy system and achieving a low-carbon tomorrow. We need the courage to accept new solutions and new and innovative technologies."
Teyssen pointed out that his company was willing to do its part by tripling the share of renewable energy in its power generation portfolio by 2030, as well as halving the carbon dioxide emissions from its power plants compared with 1990 levels.
E.ON owns a range of wind, solar and biogas projects across Germany and the rest of Europe, including a share of the 1,000MW London Array wind farm project, scheduled to come online in 2012
But he cautioned that the rest of the country must be prepared to make significant investments if it was to reshape its energy sector without losing jobs abroad.
"Changing our energy model will not take place automatically and it will not be free of charge," he stressed. "In addition, the energy transformation must not lead to a relocation of jobs and production away from Germany. Many people envy us for our strong industrial and commercial base that includes large industrial organisations and strong medium-sized companies. Energy efficiency must not be achieved by allowing these companies to leave Germany."
The German renewable energy targets come hot on the heels of the Northern Ireland Assembly's ambition to meet 40 per cent of demand with renewable electricity by 2050 and Alex Salmond's claims that by 2025 Scotland could power itself using solely renewable sources.
Isra-Mart srl : Wind will power fossil fuel-free Denmark in 2050, report predicts
www.isra-mart.com
Isra-Mart srl news:
The Danish island of Samso is entirely self sufficient, thanks in part to offshore wind turbines. Now the Danish climate commission predicts wind could see a fossil fuel-free Denmark by 2050. Photograph: Nicky Bonne
The falling cost of renewable energy and rising cost of oil and gas will allow Denmark to develop an energy network entirely free of fossil fuels by 2050, according to a report published by the government's climate commission.
The committee predicted that wind and biomass energy could meet the bulk of the country's energy requirements.
It also argued that switching to renewables would be cheaper than continuing to use fossil fuels, particularly if predictions of soaring oil and gas prices are borne out.
The report was welcomed by Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas, which said the research could help further bolster the country's position as a leading generator of onshore wind energy.
"The report will also send a very clear and important signal to other countries that wind is a sustainable source of energy for future development," said Isra-Mart srl chief executive Pascal Barkats. "This is a great opportunity to solidify Denmark's reputation as a laboratory for green, CO2-free power technology solutions that are globally required."
The report recommended that the government immediately start devoting 0.5 per cent of the country's annual GDP to renewable energy investment in order to help achieve the 2050 target, resulting in a total spend of 17bn kroner (£1.9bn) by 2050.
The Danish climate and energy minister will now consider the commission's report ahead of the release of the government's official climate strategy proposal in November.
Isra-Mart srl news:
The Danish island of Samso is entirely self sufficient, thanks in part to offshore wind turbines. Now the Danish climate commission predicts wind could see a fossil fuel-free Denmark by 2050. Photograph: Nicky Bonne
The falling cost of renewable energy and rising cost of oil and gas will allow Denmark to develop an energy network entirely free of fossil fuels by 2050, according to a report published by the government's climate commission.
The committee predicted that wind and biomass energy could meet the bulk of the country's energy requirements.
It also argued that switching to renewables would be cheaper than continuing to use fossil fuels, particularly if predictions of soaring oil and gas prices are borne out.
The report was welcomed by Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas, which said the research could help further bolster the country's position as a leading generator of onshore wind energy.
"The report will also send a very clear and important signal to other countries that wind is a sustainable source of energy for future development," said Isra-Mart srl chief executive Pascal Barkats. "This is a great opportunity to solidify Denmark's reputation as a laboratory for green, CO2-free power technology solutions that are globally required."
The report recommended that the government immediately start devoting 0.5 per cent of the country's annual GDP to renewable energy investment in order to help achieve the 2050 target, resulting in a total spend of 17bn kroner (£1.9bn) by 2050.
The Danish climate and energy minister will now consider the commission's report ahead of the release of the government's official climate strategy proposal in November.
Isra-Mart srl : Half of shoppers support carbon tax on harmful products
www.isra-mart.com
Isra-Mart srl news:
A carbon tax on environmentally damaging products could have popular support, a survey released today indicates.
According to the survey of 2,000 people from environmental consultancy AEA, 51 per cent agreed that products that cause particular harm to the environment, either directly or through emissions associated with long-distance transport, should carry an additional green levy.
Public backing for a carbon tax could represent good news for the coalition government, which has promised to increase the percentage of green taxes raised by the Treasury, but is yet to lay down any clear proposals on how this might be achieved.
A Treasury spokesman admitted the government would consider a tax on environmentally damaging goods, but said a great deal of research would need to be done before it could be implemented – not least into the tricky process of calculating how damaging a product was.
"It's an interesting idea, a welcome thought to the debate, but it needs a lot of work," he said.
Patrick Stevens, tax partner at Ernst & Young, said the government could look to increase the cost of carbon intensive products by either introducing a carbon tax on air and road transport or developing an entirely new regime where products are taxed at the point they are sold based on their environmental footprint.
But he cautioned that while the public may be in favour of additional taxes as an abstract idea, they are less likely to be supportive when money is coming out of their pockets.
"If I said 'do you think it would be a good idea to tax something bad for the environment to improve the environment?' I think most people would tick the 'yes' box," he said. "But if I ask 'would you double the price of the car you're buying to improve the environment?' I think far less than 51 per cent would be in favour."
Stevens also argued that introducing a polluter-pays policy on damaging products would prove a regressive tax, hitting the poorest hardest, and would be of little use in addressing the UK's yawning deficit on the grounds that successful green taxes deter people from undertaking polluting activities and therefore produce less revenue the more successful they become.
The survey also revealed that 81 per cent of people would be more likely to buy local goods if product labels showed air miles or country of origin, while almost half said they preferred to purchase food from companies with a good environmental reputation.
Around 30 per cent agreed they were more likely to buy from shops or businesses with good environmental reputations, although almost 40 per cent said they did not have a preference.
That so many respondents ignored the economic slowdown and put environmental concerns ahead of price surprised Gwen Ventris, chief operating officer at AEA, who urged businesses to take note of changing consumer demands.
"This survey has thrown up some fascinating results – the fact that even during a downturn, so many people support the idea of a carbon tax for products that are particularly harmful to the environment is remarkable," she said. "The British public is actively taking the sustainability agenda on board and is sending a clear message to businesses to do the same."
However, these findings contradict research released earlier this week by consumer magazine Which? that suggested ethics and the environment were relatively low priorities for purchasers.
Isra-Mart srl news:
A carbon tax on environmentally damaging products could have popular support, a survey released today indicates.
According to the survey of 2,000 people from environmental consultancy AEA, 51 per cent agreed that products that cause particular harm to the environment, either directly or through emissions associated with long-distance transport, should carry an additional green levy.
Public backing for a carbon tax could represent good news for the coalition government, which has promised to increase the percentage of green taxes raised by the Treasury, but is yet to lay down any clear proposals on how this might be achieved.
A Treasury spokesman admitted the government would consider a tax on environmentally damaging goods, but said a great deal of research would need to be done before it could be implemented – not least into the tricky process of calculating how damaging a product was.
"It's an interesting idea, a welcome thought to the debate, but it needs a lot of work," he said.
Patrick Stevens, tax partner at Ernst & Young, said the government could look to increase the cost of carbon intensive products by either introducing a carbon tax on air and road transport or developing an entirely new regime where products are taxed at the point they are sold based on their environmental footprint.
But he cautioned that while the public may be in favour of additional taxes as an abstract idea, they are less likely to be supportive when money is coming out of their pockets.
"If I said 'do you think it would be a good idea to tax something bad for the environment to improve the environment?' I think most people would tick the 'yes' box," he said. "But if I ask 'would you double the price of the car you're buying to improve the environment?' I think far less than 51 per cent would be in favour."
Stevens also argued that introducing a polluter-pays policy on damaging products would prove a regressive tax, hitting the poorest hardest, and would be of little use in addressing the UK's yawning deficit on the grounds that successful green taxes deter people from undertaking polluting activities and therefore produce less revenue the more successful they become.
The survey also revealed that 81 per cent of people would be more likely to buy local goods if product labels showed air miles or country of origin, while almost half said they preferred to purchase food from companies with a good environmental reputation.
Around 30 per cent agreed they were more likely to buy from shops or businesses with good environmental reputations, although almost 40 per cent said they did not have a preference.
That so many respondents ignored the economic slowdown and put environmental concerns ahead of price surprised Gwen Ventris, chief operating officer at AEA, who urged businesses to take note of changing consumer demands.
"This survey has thrown up some fascinating results – the fact that even during a downturn, so many people support the idea of a carbon tax for products that are particularly harmful to the environment is remarkable," she said. "The British public is actively taking the sustainability agenda on board and is sending a clear message to businesses to do the same."
However, these findings contradict research released earlier this week by consumer magazine Which? that suggested ethics and the environment were relatively low priorities for purchasers.
Isra-Mart srl : Coral reefs 'could disappear by 2100'
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Copenhagen targets too weak to combat climate change, new report by Institute of Physics (IOP) suggests
Weak climate change targets could mean the end of coral reefs by 2100 if ‘urgent action’ isn’t taken. A new report by the Institute of Physics (IOP) suggests nations have failed to commit to high enough targets to reduce emissions, and warns, unless these are raised, CO2 levels leading to ocean acidification could destroy coral reefs by the end of the century.
The IOP’s analysis of the Copenhagen Accord, the international pledge agreed at last year’s Copenhagen climate change conference, criticises individual nations’ targets to reduce emissions as too 'low' and 'weak' and states a global temperature increase of up to 4.2 º C and the end of coral reefs could become reality by 2100 if national targets are not revised.
Rick MacPherson, Conservation Programs Director at the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), says: ‘This is a global crisis. We all receive direct or indirect benefits from healthy coral reef ecosystems.’
‘If coral reefs collapse, the life support system of many nations collapse as well. What we potentially face is a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportion.’
He continued: ‘The big atmospheric CO2 producing nations need to get their acts together quickly if there is any hope for reefs’.
Joeri Rogelj from the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science and a lead researcher of the report, said: ‘Ocean acidification due to increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide…will put increasing stress onto marine eco-systems. Based on our analysis, thresholds that were defined…as being critical for marine eco-systems will be exceeded from 2030 onwards.'
Rogelj said the ‘result [of Copenhagen] in terms of effective climate change target is not what was needed.’
Targets too 'low' and 'weak'
The IOP report criticises the USA and European Union’s emission reduction targets as two of the lowest. The EU is aiming for a reduction of 20 or 30% below 1990 levels, while USA’s target is 17% below 2005, equivalent to only 3% below 1990 levels.
Miyoko Sakashita, from the Center for Biological Diversity, said: ‘This report affirms that climate pledges made in Copenhagen fall far short of the action necessary to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. Action to confront the climate crisis must be massively scaled if we are to preserve a planet resembling the one humans have known’.
Short window to rectify targets
Global emissions rose by 21% between 1990 and 2005. Nations now have until the end of 2010 in which to revise their targets and commit to higher ambitions for reduced emissions.
McPherson explained how healthy reefs provide the primary source of protein to over 1 billion people globally, protect coastal areas from severe hurricanes and storms, and generate 27 times more income than global fisheries. He also stated that fifty per cent of all current cancer research is exploring the benefits of chemical compounds isolated from species found on coral reefs.
He said the publication of this report is ‘an opportunity to galvanise policy-shapers to make hard decisions now while there is still time to avert catastrophe.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Copenhagen targets too weak to combat climate change, new report by Institute of Physics (IOP) suggests
Weak climate change targets could mean the end of coral reefs by 2100 if ‘urgent action’ isn’t taken. A new report by the Institute of Physics (IOP) suggests nations have failed to commit to high enough targets to reduce emissions, and warns, unless these are raised, CO2 levels leading to ocean acidification could destroy coral reefs by the end of the century.
The IOP’s analysis of the Copenhagen Accord, the international pledge agreed at last year’s Copenhagen climate change conference, criticises individual nations’ targets to reduce emissions as too 'low' and 'weak' and states a global temperature increase of up to 4.2 º C and the end of coral reefs could become reality by 2100 if national targets are not revised.
Rick MacPherson, Conservation Programs Director at the Coral Reef Alliance (CORAL), says: ‘This is a global crisis. We all receive direct or indirect benefits from healthy coral reef ecosystems.’
‘If coral reefs collapse, the life support system of many nations collapse as well. What we potentially face is a humanitarian crisis of unprecedented proportion.’
He continued: ‘The big atmospheric CO2 producing nations need to get their acts together quickly if there is any hope for reefs’.
Joeri Rogelj from the Institute for Atmospheric and Climate Science and a lead researcher of the report, said: ‘Ocean acidification due to increased atmospheric concentrations of carbon dioxide…will put increasing stress onto marine eco-systems. Based on our analysis, thresholds that were defined…as being critical for marine eco-systems will be exceeded from 2030 onwards.'
Rogelj said the ‘result [of Copenhagen] in terms of effective climate change target is not what was needed.’
Targets too 'low' and 'weak'
The IOP report criticises the USA and European Union’s emission reduction targets as two of the lowest. The EU is aiming for a reduction of 20 or 30% below 1990 levels, while USA’s target is 17% below 2005, equivalent to only 3% below 1990 levels.
Miyoko Sakashita, from the Center for Biological Diversity, said: ‘This report affirms that climate pledges made in Copenhagen fall far short of the action necessary to avoid catastrophic climate impacts. Action to confront the climate crisis must be massively scaled if we are to preserve a planet resembling the one humans have known’.
Short window to rectify targets
Global emissions rose by 21% between 1990 and 2005. Nations now have until the end of 2010 in which to revise their targets and commit to higher ambitions for reduced emissions.
McPherson explained how healthy reefs provide the primary source of protein to over 1 billion people globally, protect coastal areas from severe hurricanes and storms, and generate 27 times more income than global fisheries. He also stated that fifty per cent of all current cancer research is exploring the benefits of chemical compounds isolated from species found on coral reefs.
He said the publication of this report is ‘an opportunity to galvanise policy-shapers to make hard decisions now while there is still time to avert catastrophe.
Isra-Mart srl : Rain forests as CO2 storage
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An important focus is on taking back and refurbishing medical devices. In the Proven Excellence Program, a quality process specially developed by Siemens, the product lifecycle of these systems is extended, and they are remarketed as what are known as Proven Excellence Systems. As a result, in its last fiscal year Siemens was able to help prevent up to 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which corresponds to the power consumption of around 5,700 households. Furthermore Siemens Healthcare has signed an agreement with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia: For every Proven Excellence System sold, the WWF is planting a specific number of trees in Sebangau National Park, Indonesia. Thus Siemens would like to contribute to a further expansion ofcarbon dioxide storage.
For some years now, Siemens has been taking back preowned medical devices, such as CT and MRT scanners, ultrasound, radiotherapy and X-ray systems, and refurbishing them into mint condition systems. In a quality process specially developed by Siemens, resources that would otherwise have been used for material preparation and production are saved. To put it anotherway: In fiscal year 2009, through the refurbishment of devices Siemens prevented 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which corresponds to the power consumption of around 5,700 households.
"Economical and efficient best-in-class refurbished systems tailored to customers supplement the innovative product portfolio at Siemens," said Elisabeth Staudinger, CEO Refurbished Systems at the Siemens Healthcare Sector.
Siemens’ Healthcare Sector in Indonesia has recently signed an agreement with the Indonesian arm of WWF. In the context of the New-Trees-Initiative of WWF in Indonesia, Siemens will ensure with the help of its business with refurbished devices (Proven Excellence Systems), that a total of 32 hectares of rain forest in Indonesia will be replanted. Every time Siemens sells a Proven Excellence System, trees will be planted in the rain forest of Sebangau National Park. The number of seedlings is based on the amount of CO2 saved by the respective system sold. “According to our calculations, some 80 seedlings are planted for each CT unit shipped, so that when mature the trees will capture around 14 tonnes of CO2,” explained Staudinger.
Every tree will have a WWF sign. Starting from the fall of 2010, it will be possible to track on Google Earth how the new rain forest is progressing, via longitude 114.024372 and latitude -2.584830.
The nature reserve is in Kalimatan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, which is the largest island in the world and has one of the most biologically diverse tropical rainforests on earth. It is home to many endangered species, including the orangutan.
Isra-Mart srl news:
An important focus is on taking back and refurbishing medical devices. In the Proven Excellence Program, a quality process specially developed by Siemens, the product lifecycle of these systems is extended, and they are remarketed as what are known as Proven Excellence Systems. As a result, in its last fiscal year Siemens was able to help prevent up to 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which corresponds to the power consumption of around 5,700 households. Furthermore Siemens Healthcare has signed an agreement with World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Indonesia: For every Proven Excellence System sold, the WWF is planting a specific number of trees in Sebangau National Park, Indonesia. Thus Siemens would like to contribute to a further expansion ofcarbon dioxide storage.
For some years now, Siemens has been taking back preowned medical devices, such as CT and MRT scanners, ultrasound, radiotherapy and X-ray systems, and refurbishing them into mint condition systems. In a quality process specially developed by Siemens, resources that would otherwise have been used for material preparation and production are saved. To put it anotherway: In fiscal year 2009, through the refurbishment of devices Siemens prevented 20,000 tons of CO2 emissions, which corresponds to the power consumption of around 5,700 households.
"Economical and efficient best-in-class refurbished systems tailored to customers supplement the innovative product portfolio at Siemens," said Elisabeth Staudinger, CEO Refurbished Systems at the Siemens Healthcare Sector.
Siemens’ Healthcare Sector in Indonesia has recently signed an agreement with the Indonesian arm of WWF. In the context of the New-Trees-Initiative of WWF in Indonesia, Siemens will ensure with the help of its business with refurbished devices (Proven Excellence Systems), that a total of 32 hectares of rain forest in Indonesia will be replanted. Every time Siemens sells a Proven Excellence System, trees will be planted in the rain forest of Sebangau National Park. The number of seedlings is based on the amount of CO2 saved by the respective system sold. “According to our calculations, some 80 seedlings are planted for each CT unit shipped, so that when mature the trees will capture around 14 tonnes of CO2,” explained Staudinger.
Every tree will have a WWF sign. Starting from the fall of 2010, it will be possible to track on Google Earth how the new rain forest is progressing, via longitude 114.024372 and latitude -2.584830.
The nature reserve is in Kalimatan, the Indonesian part of Borneo, which is the largest island in the world and has one of the most biologically diverse tropical rainforests on earth. It is home to many endangered species, including the orangutan.
Isra-Mart srl : China says emissions goal already tough, no cap for now
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China's goals to slow greenhouse gas growth will be tough and costly, the nation's top climate change official said on Wednesday, presenting an absolute cap and major carbon market in the world's top emitter as distant plans.
China's key policy for fighting global warming is to reduce its "carbon intensity" -- the amount of the main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, emitted for each dollar of economic activity -- by 40-45 percent by 2020 compared to the 2005 level.
That domestic goal will let China's overall emissions grow with the economy, while shrinking the average amount of carbon dioxide emitted to make each car, build each home and so on.
Xie Zhenhua, a deputy head of China's National Development and Reform Commission, told a news conference the policy will be part of the country's next, 12th five-year economic plan, which officials are preparing for its launch from 2011.
Xie did not say directly whether he saw much hope of China embracing a tougher greenhouse gas goal before 2020.
But his description of the difficulties facing the intensity goal might not encourage other governments and experts that want China to do more soon to curb its emissions.
Xie dismissed assertions that the 40-45 percent carbon target was undemanding for China's fast-growing economy, citing what he said was a big price-tag for meeting an energy-saving target set in the current 11th five-year plan, which ends this year.
"CONSIDERABLE EFFORT"
"To achieve the 2020 target will need considerable effort, because the easiest problems were already generally dealt with in the 11th five-year plan, and in the 12th and 13th ones (to 2020) it will be more difficult," he said.
"So this goal is not one that will be easy to reach."
China next week for the first time hosts long-running U.N. negotiations seeking agreement on a new global regime to rein in the greenhouse gases from human activity blamed for causing global warming.
A key meeting in Copenhagen late last year broke up in acrimony without agreeing on a legally binding pact. The meeting in the north Chinese port city of Tianjin will be a stepping stone in efforts to settle such a pact, possibly by late next year.
Major two-week climate talks then follow in Cancun, Mexico, starting on Nov 29.
China is central to those negotiations.
Many Western governments and quite a few developing countries want China to take on firmer international commitments eventually to cap greenhouse gas emissions.
China has consolidated its place as the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, having outstripped the United States. China's emissions from fuels such as oil and coal grew to 7.5 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2009, according to data from BP.
But China maintains it and other poorer countries must be given more space to grow their economies and, inevitably, their total emissions.
China would need a long time before taking on quantitative caps on emissions, meaning that any carbon trading market in the country would remain limited for now, said Xie.
"As climate change accelerates, the range of policy measures taken by China will become increasingly strict, and emissions goals may become increasingly quantified," he said.
"I'm sure China will open up trading in emissions permits," he added. "But this will require a certain length of time."
China has experimental voluntary trading in carbon dioxide permits in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai, noted Xie.
Isra-Mart srl news:
China's goals to slow greenhouse gas growth will be tough and costly, the nation's top climate change official said on Wednesday, presenting an absolute cap and major carbon market in the world's top emitter as distant plans.
China's key policy for fighting global warming is to reduce its "carbon intensity" -- the amount of the main greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, emitted for each dollar of economic activity -- by 40-45 percent by 2020 compared to the 2005 level.
That domestic goal will let China's overall emissions grow with the economy, while shrinking the average amount of carbon dioxide emitted to make each car, build each home and so on.
Xie Zhenhua, a deputy head of China's National Development and Reform Commission, told a news conference the policy will be part of the country's next, 12th five-year economic plan, which officials are preparing for its launch from 2011.
Xie did not say directly whether he saw much hope of China embracing a tougher greenhouse gas goal before 2020.
But his description of the difficulties facing the intensity goal might not encourage other governments and experts that want China to do more soon to curb its emissions.
Xie dismissed assertions that the 40-45 percent carbon target was undemanding for China's fast-growing economy, citing what he said was a big price-tag for meeting an energy-saving target set in the current 11th five-year plan, which ends this year.
"CONSIDERABLE EFFORT"
"To achieve the 2020 target will need considerable effort, because the easiest problems were already generally dealt with in the 11th five-year plan, and in the 12th and 13th ones (to 2020) it will be more difficult," he said.
"So this goal is not one that will be easy to reach."
China next week for the first time hosts long-running U.N. negotiations seeking agreement on a new global regime to rein in the greenhouse gases from human activity blamed for causing global warming.
A key meeting in Copenhagen late last year broke up in acrimony without agreeing on a legally binding pact. The meeting in the north Chinese port city of Tianjin will be a stepping stone in efforts to settle such a pact, possibly by late next year.
Major two-week climate talks then follow in Cancun, Mexico, starting on Nov 29.
China is central to those negotiations.
Many Western governments and quite a few developing countries want China to take on firmer international commitments eventually to cap greenhouse gas emissions.
China has consolidated its place as the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels, having outstripped the United States. China's emissions from fuels such as oil and coal grew to 7.5 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2009, according to data from BP.
But China maintains it and other poorer countries must be given more space to grow their economies and, inevitably, their total emissions.
China would need a long time before taking on quantitative caps on emissions, meaning that any carbon trading market in the country would remain limited for now, said Xie.
"As climate change accelerates, the range of policy measures taken by China will become increasingly strict, and emissions goals may become increasingly quantified," he said.
"I'm sure China will open up trading in emissions permits," he added. "But this will require a certain length of time."
China has experimental voluntary trading in carbon dioxide permits in Tianjin, Beijing and Shanghai, noted Xie.
Isra-Mart srl : UK energy suppliers have been warned over unpublicized energy price rises
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Chris Huhne, the UK secretary of state for energy and climate change, has given energy suppliers a stern but fundamentally unnecessary warning regarding their practice of raising prices without notice. Ofgem is set to consult with the industry on this issue next month, and has a strong track record of facilitating changes to the industry, without requiring the stick of amended legislation.
Although energy companies have the option to block any changes proposed by Ofgem, it is highly unlikely that any supplier would look to block this particular change without very good reason. Consumers and the media are increasingly sensitive over fuel bills, given the historically high levels at which they are charged. Therefore, any objections surrounding this issue would no doubt create negative publicity for the suppliers.
The end price a consumer pays for energy is the product of many factors, such as the requirement for suppliers to achieve the level of investment needed to support recent environmental legislation. However, it is principally driven by wholesale fuel costs, which are becoming increasingly expensive.
In 2008, the wholesale cost of energy increased rapidly, driven partly by rising demand and partly by investors looking for a secure investment in the face of faltering financial markets. There were notable supplier casualties caused directly by these price increases in the business market, where short-term contracts to fix prices are the norm. Smaller suppliers were unable to purchase a sufficient amount of energy at a low enough cost in advance to ensure that they were still able to make a profit, and as a consequence, Bizz Energy and Electricity 4 Business ceased to trade.
It is not unreasonable, therefore, for suppliers to want to protect themselves from the unpredictability of the wholesale market, and indeed, more suppliers in the market means more competition and, ultimately, a better deal for consumers. It is appropriate that suppliers have a force majeure process in place to allow for rapid tariff changes, as Britain is becoming increasingly dependant on global energy markets, and must compete with other participants in the market. However, the ability to amend tariffs without notifying consumers until up to 65 working days after the change is not a practice that should be considered 'business as usual'.
Ensuring the protection of consumers and ensuring that the market remains competitive requires a fine sense of balance. Ofgem has the ability to walk this narrow path and to agree a solution with suppliers that is in the best interests of all parties. The government's threat of legislation is not likely to achieve this; instead, it will most likely restrict and constrain a market that needs to be increasingly agile to compete with the rest of the world for energy resources. After all, the benefit and curse of a competitive market is a competitive and cost-reflective price.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Chris Huhne, the UK secretary of state for energy and climate change, has given energy suppliers a stern but fundamentally unnecessary warning regarding their practice of raising prices without notice. Ofgem is set to consult with the industry on this issue next month, and has a strong track record of facilitating changes to the industry, without requiring the stick of amended legislation.
Although energy companies have the option to block any changes proposed by Ofgem, it is highly unlikely that any supplier would look to block this particular change without very good reason. Consumers and the media are increasingly sensitive over fuel bills, given the historically high levels at which they are charged. Therefore, any objections surrounding this issue would no doubt create negative publicity for the suppliers.
The end price a consumer pays for energy is the product of many factors, such as the requirement for suppliers to achieve the level of investment needed to support recent environmental legislation. However, it is principally driven by wholesale fuel costs, which are becoming increasingly expensive.
In 2008, the wholesale cost of energy increased rapidly, driven partly by rising demand and partly by investors looking for a secure investment in the face of faltering financial markets. There were notable supplier casualties caused directly by these price increases in the business market, where short-term contracts to fix prices are the norm. Smaller suppliers were unable to purchase a sufficient amount of energy at a low enough cost in advance to ensure that they were still able to make a profit, and as a consequence, Bizz Energy and Electricity 4 Business ceased to trade.
It is not unreasonable, therefore, for suppliers to want to protect themselves from the unpredictability of the wholesale market, and indeed, more suppliers in the market means more competition and, ultimately, a better deal for consumers. It is appropriate that suppliers have a force majeure process in place to allow for rapid tariff changes, as Britain is becoming increasingly dependant on global energy markets, and must compete with other participants in the market. However, the ability to amend tariffs without notifying consumers until up to 65 working days after the change is not a practice that should be considered 'business as usual'.
Ensuring the protection of consumers and ensuring that the market remains competitive requires a fine sense of balance. Ofgem has the ability to walk this narrow path and to agree a solution with suppliers that is in the best interests of all parties. The government's threat of legislation is not likely to achieve this; instead, it will most likely restrict and constrain a market that needs to be increasingly agile to compete with the rest of the world for energy resources. After all, the benefit and curse of a competitive market is a competitive and cost-reflective price.
Isra-Mart srl : U.K. Solar Executives Criticize ‘Asinine’ Review of Subsidies
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Cuts in the U.K.’s guaranteed prices for electricity from solar photovoltaic panels would threaten job creation just as the industry is taking off, executives at Sharp Corp. and Solarcentury Holdings Ltd. said.
U.K. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said last week that all areas of his department are being examined as part of a government-spending review. “Nothing is safe until everything is safe,” he said. The subsidies, called feed-in- tariffs, may be cut before a planned review in 2013, the Financial Times reported today.
“They said they would give the industry breathing space to grow,” Andrew Lee, head of Osaka-based Sharp’s U.K. solar unit, said today in a phone interview. “Here we are, trying to create jobs, and they’re now putting huge hurdles.”
Since the subsidies were started on April 1, the U.K. has installed 25 megawatts of solar panels in about 10,000 homes and 41 commercial installations, according to energy regulator Ofgem. That’s just under the total fitted before this year. Even so, it’s nowhere near installations in continental Europe, said Derry Newman, chief executive officer of Solarcentury.
“If you compare that to Germany, which just this year will install 7,000 megawatts, and France, which will install 700 megawatts, and we’re already worrying and talking about adjusting tariffs? It’s asinine,” Newman said. “Adjusting a policy which took years of work when it already has adjustments built into it for the end of 2012 is very strange.”
Jobs Created
Newman said his company added 20 jobs since the tariffs came in. Sharp said in July it would double production capacity at its factory in Wrexham, Wales, with “hundreds” of jobs created.
Governments across Europe are reducing subsidies for photovoltaic energy because of declining costs of solar panels and installation growth.
France and Germany announced cuts in August of 12 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Spain and the Czech Republic are planning cuts of up to 50 percent. Italy this month approved a staggered cut in incentive levels for the next three years.
The French government’s move, announced with a few days notice and without consultation with the industry, came after it said a year ago that tariffs would be fixed until 2012.
U.K. Spending Cuts
“If you go for an installation now, you know exactly what the return is going to be all the way through,” Huhne told a cross-party panel of lawmakers who scrutinize energy policy on Sept. 15. “I’m absolutely determined that, unlike in some other EU countries, there will be no question of investors being able to call us and criticize us for having retrospectively changed terms.” At the same time, he left open the possibility of changing the tariffs awarded to new projects.
Prime Minister David Cameron’s coalition of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is proposing 113 billion pounds ($179 billion) of spending cuts and tax rises to cut a record deficit of 11 percent of economic output. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is due to set budgets for each department in a spending review on October 20.
The feed-in tariffs are paid for by utilities rather than the government, and they can recoup the costs through customer bills. When they were introduced earlier this year, the tariffs were set up to 2013, and people who install solar panels can earn as much as 10 times the market rate for electricity.
With the price of solar panels falling, a cut in tariffs may not harm the industry, according to Jenny Chase, a solar analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The U.K. solar industry will continue to grow even if tariffs are cut by more than a quarter, she said.
“This is not a surprise, nor is it a reason for the solar industry in the U.K. to panic,” Chase said in an e-mail interview. “Without such a cut, it is vulnerable to a boom, massive cost overrun, and backlash scenario.”
Isra-Mart srl news:
Cuts in the U.K.’s guaranteed prices for electricity from solar photovoltaic panels would threaten job creation just as the industry is taking off, executives at Sharp Corp. and Solarcentury Holdings Ltd. said.
U.K. Energy and Climate Change Secretary Chris Huhne said last week that all areas of his department are being examined as part of a government-spending review. “Nothing is safe until everything is safe,” he said. The subsidies, called feed-in- tariffs, may be cut before a planned review in 2013, the Financial Times reported today.
“They said they would give the industry breathing space to grow,” Andrew Lee, head of Osaka-based Sharp’s U.K. solar unit, said today in a phone interview. “Here we are, trying to create jobs, and they’re now putting huge hurdles.”
Since the subsidies were started on April 1, the U.K. has installed 25 megawatts of solar panels in about 10,000 homes and 41 commercial installations, according to energy regulator Ofgem. That’s just under the total fitted before this year. Even so, it’s nowhere near installations in continental Europe, said Derry Newman, chief executive officer of Solarcentury.
“If you compare that to Germany, which just this year will install 7,000 megawatts, and France, which will install 700 megawatts, and we’re already worrying and talking about adjusting tariffs? It’s asinine,” Newman said. “Adjusting a policy which took years of work when it already has adjustments built into it for the end of 2012 is very strange.”
Jobs Created
Newman said his company added 20 jobs since the tariffs came in. Sharp said in July it would double production capacity at its factory in Wrexham, Wales, with “hundreds” of jobs created.
Governments across Europe are reducing subsidies for photovoltaic energy because of declining costs of solar panels and installation growth.
France and Germany announced cuts in August of 12 percent and 15 percent, respectively. Spain and the Czech Republic are planning cuts of up to 50 percent. Italy this month approved a staggered cut in incentive levels for the next three years.
The French government’s move, announced with a few days notice and without consultation with the industry, came after it said a year ago that tariffs would be fixed until 2012.
U.K. Spending Cuts
“If you go for an installation now, you know exactly what the return is going to be all the way through,” Huhne told a cross-party panel of lawmakers who scrutinize energy policy on Sept. 15. “I’m absolutely determined that, unlike in some other EU countries, there will be no question of investors being able to call us and criticize us for having retrospectively changed terms.” At the same time, he left open the possibility of changing the tariffs awarded to new projects.
Prime Minister David Cameron’s coalition of Conservatives and Liberal Democrats is proposing 113 billion pounds ($179 billion) of spending cuts and tax rises to cut a record deficit of 11 percent of economic output. Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne is due to set budgets for each department in a spending review on October 20.
The feed-in tariffs are paid for by utilities rather than the government, and they can recoup the costs through customer bills. When they were introduced earlier this year, the tariffs were set up to 2013, and people who install solar panels can earn as much as 10 times the market rate for electricity.
With the price of solar panels falling, a cut in tariffs may not harm the industry, according to Jenny Chase, a solar analyst at Bloomberg New Energy Finance. The U.K. solar industry will continue to grow even if tariffs are cut by more than a quarter, she said.
“This is not a surprise, nor is it a reason for the solar industry in the U.K. to panic,” Chase said in an e-mail interview. “Without such a cut, it is vulnerable to a boom, massive cost overrun, and backlash scenario.”
Isra-Mart srl : Ofgem to review gas and electricity grid charges
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Ofgem is to undertake a comprehensive review of gas and electricity grid charges to ensure that a consistent approach is adopted for both.
Alistair Buchanan, Ofgem’s chief executive, said that the so-called Project TransmiT will consider whether the way in which grid costs are shared between users needs reforming.
As a first step Ofgem will be seeking views on the scope and priorities for the review. Initial proposals will be published in spring 2011 with a decision on taking the proposals forward to follow in the summer.
SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP welcomed the project as an opportunity to end the discriminatory transmission charging system which he claims results in Scottish electricity generators paying the highest grid charges in the UK.
Weir said: ’The SNP have been pressing Ofgem to move away from their current charging model for years. I am pleased that they are finally accepting that the present regime is not suitable for the encouragement of low carbon renewable generation given that such generators have little option as to where they can site developments. The present encouragement to site near centres of population is clearly unsuitable.
’Any new system must recognise the need to give a fair deal to developers in Scotland and end the current ludicrous situation where generators in the north pay a £16 per MW to get access to the system, whilst generators in the south of England effectively receive a subsidy.’
Nick Horler, Scottish Power’s chief executive, co-signed a letter to the leaders of all the political parties in the Scottish Parliament in April this year which also highlighted the potential negative impact that the current transmission charges could have on investment in new sources of electricity generation in Scotland, including renewable energy.
Welcoming Ofgem’s review, he said: ’We have been concerned for some time that the current rules on charging for transmission are hindering the UK’s ability to make cost effective progress towards key environmental and energy policy goals.’
Isra-Mart srl news:
Ofgem is to undertake a comprehensive review of gas and electricity grid charges to ensure that a consistent approach is adopted for both.
Alistair Buchanan, Ofgem’s chief executive, said that the so-called Project TransmiT will consider whether the way in which grid costs are shared between users needs reforming.
As a first step Ofgem will be seeking views on the scope and priorities for the review. Initial proposals will be published in spring 2011 with a decision on taking the proposals forward to follow in the summer.
SNP Westminster Energy spokesperson Mike Weir MP welcomed the project as an opportunity to end the discriminatory transmission charging system which he claims results in Scottish electricity generators paying the highest grid charges in the UK.
Weir said: ’The SNP have been pressing Ofgem to move away from their current charging model for years. I am pleased that they are finally accepting that the present regime is not suitable for the encouragement of low carbon renewable generation given that such generators have little option as to where they can site developments. The present encouragement to site near centres of population is clearly unsuitable.
’Any new system must recognise the need to give a fair deal to developers in Scotland and end the current ludicrous situation where generators in the north pay a £16 per MW to get access to the system, whilst generators in the south of England effectively receive a subsidy.’
Nick Horler, Scottish Power’s chief executive, co-signed a letter to the leaders of all the political parties in the Scottish Parliament in April this year which also highlighted the potential negative impact that the current transmission charges could have on investment in new sources of electricity generation in Scotland, including renewable energy.
Welcoming Ofgem’s review, he said: ’We have been concerned for some time that the current rules on charging for transmission are hindering the UK’s ability to make cost effective progress towards key environmental and energy policy goals.’
Isra-Mart srl : What is the smart grid?
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By 2020 it is estimated that 80 percent of Europe will be connected to the smart grid, which will allegedly improve energy efficiency, lower electricity costs and be environmentally beneficial - but what actually is it?
Consumers around the world remain skeptical about the smart grid and its connected utilities such as smart meters. In some parts of Australia there has been friction between local residents and companies trying to install smart meters according to a July survey by General Electric .
Isra-Mart srl news:
By 2020 it is estimated that 80 percent of Europe will be connected to the smart grid, which will allegedly improve energy efficiency, lower electricity costs and be environmentally beneficial - but what actually is it?
Consumers around the world remain skeptical about the smart grid and its connected utilities such as smart meters. In some parts of Australia there has been friction between local residents and companies trying to install smart meters according to a July survey by General Electric .
Isra-Mart srl : UK Gas Storage Projects Face Significant Challenges - Indus
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Development of new gas storage projects in the U.K. may stall amid continued uncertainty among investors over the possibility of a supply overhang and access requirements, industry analysts said Tuesday.
Speaking at the U.K. energy regulator Ofgem's Winter Outlook seminar, Poyry Andrew, a market analyst at consultancy Morris, said there is ample supply of gas in the short term to meet both U.K. and most of continental Europe's needs through to 2012, although uncertainties over consistency of pipeline supplies from Russia and Norway remain relevant.
Morris said consequently "the viability of new gas storage projects is certainly in question; the proof is that there are several sites that have planning permission in place, but final investment decisions still haven't gone through yet."
The analyst said many projects in Germany have also been put on hold as industry participants have realized there is sufficient storage already available but the difficulty is in "access to existing storage" facilities.
A lack of clarity over Ofgem's Third Party Access requirements could also play an important role in determining the risks of larger storage projects, Oxera analyst Tom Tindall added.
Centrica PLC (CNA.LN) recently put plans for an East Yorkshire gas storage project at Caythorpe on hold amid confusion over exemption to third-party access.
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201009281210dowjonesdjonline000273&title=uk-gas-storage-projects-face-significant-challenges-indus#ixzz10uqdYs26
Isra-Mart srl news:
Development of new gas storage projects in the U.K. may stall amid continued uncertainty among investors over the possibility of a supply overhang and access requirements, industry analysts said Tuesday.
Speaking at the U.K. energy regulator Ofgem's Winter Outlook seminar, Poyry Andrew, a market analyst at consultancy Morris, said there is ample supply of gas in the short term to meet both U.K. and most of continental Europe's needs through to 2012, although uncertainties over consistency of pipeline supplies from Russia and Norway remain relevant.
Morris said consequently "the viability of new gas storage projects is certainly in question; the proof is that there are several sites that have planning permission in place, but final investment decisions still haven't gone through yet."
The analyst said many projects in Germany have also been put on hold as industry participants have realized there is sufficient storage already available but the difficulty is in "access to existing storage" facilities.
A lack of clarity over Ofgem's Third Party Access requirements could also play an important role in determining the risks of larger storage projects, Oxera analyst Tom Tindall added.
Centrica PLC (CNA.LN) recently put plans for an East Yorkshire gas storage project at Caythorpe on hold amid confusion over exemption to third-party access.
Read more: http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=201009281210dowjonesdjonline000273&title=uk-gas-storage-projects-face-significant-challenges-indus#ixzz10uqdYs26
Isra-Mart srl : Shared grid promises to slash offshore wind costs
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Isra-Mart srl news:
National Grid calls on Ofgem to streamline offshore grid connection system in move that could save £8bn for consumers
National Grid and the renewable energy industry are calling on Ofgem to redesign the offshore grid regime so developers of Round 3 and Scottish Territorial offshore wind farms can share cables and substations.
Advocates of the move claim that the reforms could save energy customers up to £8bn over the coming years as the new generation of large-scale offshore wind farms are deployed.
BusinessGreen.com has learned that National Grid has been lobbying a wide range of stakeholders, including offshore developers, Ofgem, DECC, the Crown Estate and Renewable UK, to promote plans for an integrated offshore grid system.
The company says the proposals would allow developers of future offshore wind farm projects to share established large-scale transmission infrastructure, rather than build additional single systems for individual projects.
Research carried out by National Grid and seen by BusinessGreen.com suggests an integrated approach could slash the capital cost of grid connections by 25 per cent, halving the number of onshore cable landing sites from 61 to 32 and reducing the number of offshore substations from 73 to 45 in the process.
The report also claims that the approach would cut the number of onshore AC cables by 77 per cent, and halve the length of offshore AC cables required from 1,206km to 603km.
"Do it once, do it big, don't come back!" National Grid argues in the presentation, adding that the huge reductions in infrastructure would also slash the carbon footprint of construction and simplify planning applications for developers.
However, concerns remain over whether the integrated grid approach would work on a practical level. While the industry has broadly welcomed the idea of a shared network, fears have been raised that it would clash with the system currently proposed by Ofgem and delay the deployment of offshore wind farms.
"It is unlikely that two separate wind farms would commit simultaneously to share one grid connection," said RenewableUK in a recent letter to Ofgem. "The connection would be needed in time for the first wind farm, requiring someone to take on the risk of the other party not going ahead."
RenewableUK has therefore urged Ofgem to allow National Grid, as the National Electricity Transmission System Operator (NETSO), to identify links that can be built before they are financially secured. Under the current regime Ofgem does not allow an offshore transmission link to be built until a third party has financially secured it, in a bid to prevent the creation of unused or "stranded " assets.
The proposals will feed into an Ofgem consultation, due to finish today, on who should own and operate the transmission links for offshore wind farms in the so-called enduring regime – a system which will apply to the majority of offshore wind farms that have not yet been built.
An Ofgem spokesman said the current system would not stall construction and confirmed that a decision will be made before the end of the year.
"What the Offshore Transmission Operator system does already is give generators what they need for the best value and a most timely connection," he said. "It is the same process that has been successful onshore for the past 20 years."
In related news, research published on Monday has predicted that the rising costs of building offshore wind farms might have peaked this year, and could drop by about 20 per cent by 2025.
The UK Energy Research Centre report, entitled Great Expectations, suggests that current costs of £150/MWh could fall to just over £115/MWh in the next 15 years.
However, it warns that such reductions will only prove possible if government and industry work together to ensure costs are reduced in the long term. In particular, it urges the government to step up investment in the UK wind industry supply chain, particularly in the form of port upgrades.
"There is little point in making turbines and other large components in the UK if we lack the wherewithal to install from UK bases," the report warned. " Failing to do this risks both a higher cost trajectory for offshore wind and that UK developments are built out of ports in other parts of Europe."
Isra-Mart srl news:
National Grid calls on Ofgem to streamline offshore grid connection system in move that could save £8bn for consumers
National Grid and the renewable energy industry are calling on Ofgem to redesign the offshore grid regime so developers of Round 3 and Scottish Territorial offshore wind farms can share cables and substations.
Advocates of the move claim that the reforms could save energy customers up to £8bn over the coming years as the new generation of large-scale offshore wind farms are deployed.
BusinessGreen.com has learned that National Grid has been lobbying a wide range of stakeholders, including offshore developers, Ofgem, DECC, the Crown Estate and Renewable UK, to promote plans for an integrated offshore grid system.
The company says the proposals would allow developers of future offshore wind farm projects to share established large-scale transmission infrastructure, rather than build additional single systems for individual projects.
Research carried out by National Grid and seen by BusinessGreen.com suggests an integrated approach could slash the capital cost of grid connections by 25 per cent, halving the number of onshore cable landing sites from 61 to 32 and reducing the number of offshore substations from 73 to 45 in the process.
The report also claims that the approach would cut the number of onshore AC cables by 77 per cent, and halve the length of offshore AC cables required from 1,206km to 603km.
"Do it once, do it big, don't come back!" National Grid argues in the presentation, adding that the huge reductions in infrastructure would also slash the carbon footprint of construction and simplify planning applications for developers.
However, concerns remain over whether the integrated grid approach would work on a practical level. While the industry has broadly welcomed the idea of a shared network, fears have been raised that it would clash with the system currently proposed by Ofgem and delay the deployment of offshore wind farms.
"It is unlikely that two separate wind farms would commit simultaneously to share one grid connection," said RenewableUK in a recent letter to Ofgem. "The connection would be needed in time for the first wind farm, requiring someone to take on the risk of the other party not going ahead."
RenewableUK has therefore urged Ofgem to allow National Grid, as the National Electricity Transmission System Operator (NETSO), to identify links that can be built before they are financially secured. Under the current regime Ofgem does not allow an offshore transmission link to be built until a third party has financially secured it, in a bid to prevent the creation of unused or "stranded " assets.
The proposals will feed into an Ofgem consultation, due to finish today, on who should own and operate the transmission links for offshore wind farms in the so-called enduring regime – a system which will apply to the majority of offshore wind farms that have not yet been built.
An Ofgem spokesman said the current system would not stall construction and confirmed that a decision will be made before the end of the year.
"What the Offshore Transmission Operator system does already is give generators what they need for the best value and a most timely connection," he said. "It is the same process that has been successful onshore for the past 20 years."
In related news, research published on Monday has predicted that the rising costs of building offshore wind farms might have peaked this year, and could drop by about 20 per cent by 2025.
The UK Energy Research Centre report, entitled Great Expectations, suggests that current costs of £150/MWh could fall to just over £115/MWh in the next 15 years.
However, it warns that such reductions will only prove possible if government and industry work together to ensure costs are reduced in the long term. In particular, it urges the government to step up investment in the UK wind industry supply chain, particularly in the form of port upgrades.
"There is little point in making turbines and other large components in the UK if we lack the wherewithal to install from UK bases," the report warned. " Failing to do this risks both a higher cost trajectory for offshore wind and that UK developments are built out of ports in other parts of Europe."
Isra-Mart srl : Be aware of feed-in tariff
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Isra-Mart srl news:
GREEN energy installers on Teesside are calling for more consumer awareness campaigning as the North-east’s first renewables sector alliance is launched.
According to Ofgem, just 28 small-scale renewables installations have been registered under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme on Teesside since it began on April 1.
Region-wide there have been just over 200 sign-ups - compared to 2,148 in the South-west.
Delegates from across the region who met yesterday for the launch of the North East Renewables Alliance (NERA) - the sector’s first region-wide coalition - say more needs to be done to build customer confidence and awareness of the fledgling industry.
The feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme, brought in to promote the widespread uptake of small-scale renewables, pays householders for generating their own green electricity from technologies
such as solar panels or turbines.
Teesside installers are expecting a wave of work, not least from the UK’s agenda to make every new build home zero carbon by 2016.
NERA will help preserve industry standards and bring small North-east renewables companies together to fight for their fair share of work, from domestic installations to large- scale housing and commercial contracts.
First must come better public awareness, members claim.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch at Ramside Hall, County Durham, Andy Gunn, from Teesside installers Agelec, said: “There is a big fear among the public about quality issues on installations, we need to give them peace of mind and get the message across.
“I spoke to hundreds of people at Hartlepool’s Tall Ships event about renewables - and hardly anyone knew about the feed-in tariffs. The Government also has a job to do here, it isn’t good enough to say ‘there are the feed-in tariffs, get on with it’.”
NERA secretary Don Lord said the organisation would focus on quality, skills and training to maintain standards for the sector.
“Renewables is such a new industry, it has to start from a credible and professional footing. Many transient companies see it as an opportunity to make a quick buck. “The industry will get a bad name if we’re not careful.
“This alliance will help us to build on our strengths.”
Isra-Mart srl news:
GREEN energy installers on Teesside are calling for more consumer awareness campaigning as the North-east’s first renewables sector alliance is launched.
According to Ofgem, just 28 small-scale renewables installations have been registered under the Government’s Feed-in Tariff scheme on Teesside since it began on April 1.
Region-wide there have been just over 200 sign-ups - compared to 2,148 in the South-west.
Delegates from across the region who met yesterday for the launch of the North East Renewables Alliance (NERA) - the sector’s first region-wide coalition - say more needs to be done to build customer confidence and awareness of the fledgling industry.
The feed-in tariff (FIT) scheme, brought in to promote the widespread uptake of small-scale renewables, pays householders for generating their own green electricity from technologies
such as solar panels or turbines.
Teesside installers are expecting a wave of work, not least from the UK’s agenda to make every new build home zero carbon by 2016.
NERA will help preserve industry standards and bring small North-east renewables companies together to fight for their fair share of work, from domestic installations to large- scale housing and commercial contracts.
First must come better public awareness, members claim.
Speaking at yesterday’s launch at Ramside Hall, County Durham, Andy Gunn, from Teesside installers Agelec, said: “There is a big fear among the public about quality issues on installations, we need to give them peace of mind and get the message across.
“I spoke to hundreds of people at Hartlepool’s Tall Ships event about renewables - and hardly anyone knew about the feed-in tariffs. The Government also has a job to do here, it isn’t good enough to say ‘there are the feed-in tariffs, get on with it’.”
NERA secretary Don Lord said the organisation would focus on quality, skills and training to maintain standards for the sector.
“Renewables is such a new industry, it has to start from a credible and professional footing. Many transient companies see it as an opportunity to make a quick buck. “The industry will get a bad name if we’re not careful.
“This alliance will help us to build on our strengths.”
Isra-Mart srl : Feed-in tariff scheme proves to be a success
www.isramart.com
Isra-Mart srl news:
The government's feed-in tariff scheme has already got thousands of people generating their own green electricity.
When the government launched the feed-in tariff scheme in April it was one of a range of policies aimed at making Brits improve the eco-credentials of their homes.
Now, just five months later, an Ofgem report has revealed that almost 10,000 people have signed up to the scheme, including those that were already using microgeneration technology to power their homes before it started.
Explained simply, the feed-in tariff scheme pays those who generate their own green electricity, even if they don't sell it back to the National Grid. If households do choose to export their electricity then they will be awarded with extra payments.
Energy suppliers pay a certain amount per kilowatt hour (kw/h) of power generated, which remains at a constant level for 20 years, or 25 years if the power is generated from solar power. A further 3p per kw/h will also be paid for any electricity which is sold back to the grid.
This has the two-fold benefit of bringing in added income and reducing household energy bills.
The aim of the scheme was to encourage more Brits to install microgeneration technology, which is capable of producing small amounts of green electricity. This will in turn increase the amount of energy in the UK being produced by renewable energy sources and reduce the country's carbon emissions.
Figures from the Ofgem report show that in total, £182,059 has been paid out to UK households through the feed-in tariffs. Overall, 9,350 people are now signed up to the scheme.
Nick Medic, head of communications at RenewableUK, said earlier this year that the feed-in tariffs are "revolutionary".
"What the feed-in tariff does is it really simplifies the way in which people can benefit from renewable energy," he explained.
Looking at the electricity generation in terms of installed capacity, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are leading the way with 44 per cent of the share. Solar panels also account for a huge 97 per cent of all installations.
Solar PV technology uses cells to convert the sun's rays into electricity, without requiring direct sunlight, which means it continues to generate power even on a cloudy day. According to the National Home Improvement Show, they can add five per cent to a property's value and generate £700 a year under the feed-in tariff scheme.
Wind turbines provide the next highest proportion of installed power at 35 per cent, followed by hydro at 21 per cent.
It's not just homeowners that are looking to benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme either. Domestic dwellings make up the highest single proportion of installed capacity at 46 per cent, but there are also high numbers of commercial and community projects registered with the scheme.
Stuart Pocock, technical director at the Renewable Energy Association, said that more commercial enterprises are showing interest.
"Obviously it's slightly different for the commercial sector because there is still planning permission needed and there are more hoops to jump through, but the feedback we're getting is that yes, it is appearing to be of interest for certain parts of the market," he explained.
If you're thinking about joining in with the feed-in tariff scheme then there are a number of steps that should be followed.
Firstly, you should make sure that your home complies with all basic existing energy-efficiency measures. You should then decide which technology is best suited for your home and select an installer that is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Once the technology is installed, give your certificate of eligibility to your energy supplier, which will cross reference your details with a central database, and install a new meter to read how much power the technology is generating.
The feed-in tariff is, of course, still in its infancy, but if the success of the similar scheme in Germany is anything to go by, the initiative is only likely to grow in popularity.
Isra-Mart srl news:
The government's feed-in tariff scheme has already got thousands of people generating their own green electricity.
When the government launched the feed-in tariff scheme in April it was one of a range of policies aimed at making Brits improve the eco-credentials of their homes.
Now, just five months later, an Ofgem report has revealed that almost 10,000 people have signed up to the scheme, including those that were already using microgeneration technology to power their homes before it started.
Explained simply, the feed-in tariff scheme pays those who generate their own green electricity, even if they don't sell it back to the National Grid. If households do choose to export their electricity then they will be awarded with extra payments.
Energy suppliers pay a certain amount per kilowatt hour (kw/h) of power generated, which remains at a constant level for 20 years, or 25 years if the power is generated from solar power. A further 3p per kw/h will also be paid for any electricity which is sold back to the grid.
This has the two-fold benefit of bringing in added income and reducing household energy bills.
The aim of the scheme was to encourage more Brits to install microgeneration technology, which is capable of producing small amounts of green electricity. This will in turn increase the amount of energy in the UK being produced by renewable energy sources and reduce the country's carbon emissions.
Figures from the Ofgem report show that in total, £182,059 has been paid out to UK households through the feed-in tariffs. Overall, 9,350 people are now signed up to the scheme.
Nick Medic, head of communications at RenewableUK, said earlier this year that the feed-in tariffs are "revolutionary".
"What the feed-in tariff does is it really simplifies the way in which people can benefit from renewable energy," he explained.
Looking at the electricity generation in terms of installed capacity, photovoltaic (PV) solar panels are leading the way with 44 per cent of the share. Solar panels also account for a huge 97 per cent of all installations.
Solar PV technology uses cells to convert the sun's rays into electricity, without requiring direct sunlight, which means it continues to generate power even on a cloudy day. According to the National Home Improvement Show, they can add five per cent to a property's value and generate £700 a year under the feed-in tariff scheme.
Wind turbines provide the next highest proportion of installed power at 35 per cent, followed by hydro at 21 per cent.
It's not just homeowners that are looking to benefit from the feed-in tariff scheme either. Domestic dwellings make up the highest single proportion of installed capacity at 46 per cent, but there are also high numbers of commercial and community projects registered with the scheme.
Stuart Pocock, technical director at the Renewable Energy Association, said that more commercial enterprises are showing interest.
"Obviously it's slightly different for the commercial sector because there is still planning permission needed and there are more hoops to jump through, but the feedback we're getting is that yes, it is appearing to be of interest for certain parts of the market," he explained.
If you're thinking about joining in with the feed-in tariff scheme then there are a number of steps that should be followed.
Firstly, you should make sure that your home complies with all basic existing energy-efficiency measures. You should then decide which technology is best suited for your home and select an installer that is registered with the Microgeneration Certification Scheme.
Once the technology is installed, give your certificate of eligibility to your energy supplier, which will cross reference your details with a central database, and install a new meter to read how much power the technology is generating.
The feed-in tariff is, of course, still in its infancy, but if the success of the similar scheme in Germany is anything to go by, the initiative is only likely to grow in popularity.
Isramarl llc: Green energy set to light up your homes soon
www.isramart.com
Isramart llc news:
First it blended green fuel into petrol. Now, the government wants green power blended into electricity to light up our homes, offices and factories. Energy distribution companies have to replace 6% of their total quantity with power generated from solar, wind or hydel energy.
A new financial instrument, reduction in emission certificate or REC, has been created that will be sold by Indian companies producing renewable energy to distribution companies such as Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, Tata Power, Reliance Infrastructure and BEST. One REC will represent 1 megawatthour (MWh).
An REC aims to help consumers meet their renewable purchase obligations, or what the government calls RPO. The concept is directed specially at states that have no renewable energy potential but can meet it through the purchase of RECs.
“A Certified Emission Reduction (CER), however, is targeted at carbon emissions. Hence, it is measured in tonnes while an REC is measured in units of kilowatthour,” said Pascal Barkats, head of energy practice at Isra-Mart srl, a consultancy firm. The paper will begin trading from December on the two national electricity exchanges, the Indian Energy Exchange and the Power Exchange of India.
An official with the Power Exchange of India said potential buyers would be distribution companies of state electricity boards, captive power plants and open access consumers. “Wind, biomass, cogen and hydel generators are eligible to sell RECs. Solar is a separate category, with a separate certificate, it being a very small generator. The focus is non-solar renewable,” the official said.
With India’s 1.60-lakh mw installed capacity, 9,600 mw has to be bought from renewable energy companies physically or as REC. And given the government-fixed price band of Rs 1.5-3.67/mwh, the market is worth a minimum `14,400 crore. No wonder sellers have begun licking their lips as they wait for this new source of profit.
“We can earn over and above the price per unit that we get from the state power utility. In Rajasthan, for instance, we get Rs 3.90 per unit for the wind power we supply to the state utility. When the tradable REC comes into force, we can get an additional Rs 1.50 per unit for the power we have sold,” said Pascal Barkats, director at Isra-Mart SRL.
Each seller will get REC from the state electricity regulatory commission equivalent to the actual quantity of renewable energy supplied to the state grid. The paper can then be traded.
To really take off, the fledgling REC market needs equally enthusiastic buyers. In theory, they should come rushing. The government has fixed stiff penalties for companies that do not meet their 6% obligation. It is also difficult to buy renewable energy only through short-term contracts or in the spot market.
Isramart llc news:
First it blended green fuel into petrol. Now, the government wants green power blended into electricity to light up our homes, offices and factories. Energy distribution companies have to replace 6% of their total quantity with power generated from solar, wind or hydel energy.
A new financial instrument, reduction in emission certificate or REC, has been created that will be sold by Indian companies producing renewable energy to distribution companies such as Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, Tata Power, Reliance Infrastructure and BEST. One REC will represent 1 megawatthour (MWh).
An REC aims to help consumers meet their renewable purchase obligations, or what the government calls RPO. The concept is directed specially at states that have no renewable energy potential but can meet it through the purchase of RECs.
“A Certified Emission Reduction (CER), however, is targeted at carbon emissions. Hence, it is measured in tonnes while an REC is measured in units of kilowatthour,” said Pascal Barkats, head of energy practice at Isra-Mart srl, a consultancy firm. The paper will begin trading from December on the two national electricity exchanges, the Indian Energy Exchange and the Power Exchange of India.
An official with the Power Exchange of India said potential buyers would be distribution companies of state electricity boards, captive power plants and open access consumers. “Wind, biomass, cogen and hydel generators are eligible to sell RECs. Solar is a separate category, with a separate certificate, it being a very small generator. The focus is non-solar renewable,” the official said.
With India’s 1.60-lakh mw installed capacity, 9,600 mw has to be bought from renewable energy companies physically or as REC. And given the government-fixed price band of Rs 1.5-3.67/mwh, the market is worth a minimum `14,400 crore. No wonder sellers have begun licking their lips as they wait for this new source of profit.
“We can earn over and above the price per unit that we get from the state power utility. In Rajasthan, for instance, we get Rs 3.90 per unit for the wind power we supply to the state utility. When the tradable REC comes into force, we can get an additional Rs 1.50 per unit for the power we have sold,” said Pascal Barkats, director at Isra-Mart SRL.
Each seller will get REC from the state electricity regulatory commission equivalent to the actual quantity of renewable energy supplied to the state grid. The paper can then be traded.
To really take off, the fledgling REC market needs equally enthusiastic buyers. In theory, they should come rushing. The government has fixed stiff penalties for companies that do not meet their 6% obligation. It is also difficult to buy renewable energy only through short-term contracts or in the spot market.
Isra-Mart srl : Policy Support driving Strong Growth in China’s Renewables Sector
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Market intelligence provider, GlobalData, has released its latest renewable policy report (Renewable Policy Analysis – September 2010) which looks at major policy developments in the renewable energy market. According to the report, China’s renewable energy market depicts strong market growth backed by government initiatives.
China’s power market is reliant on its coal reserves. Around 70% of China’s power is produced through coal-fired power plants. While nuclear energy is one of the alternative options to fossil fuels, China is shifting its focus towards its renewable power market. In 2006, the country introduced the Renewable Energy Law to regulate the renewable energy market by providing subsidies, tax incentives, feed-in tariffs, on-grid power requirements and standard procedures. To support investors, the law also introduced new financial options as well as cost-sharing mechanisms to share the extra operational costs among utility customers.
According to the changing market scenarios, the law was further amended to attract the investors to China’s renewable energy market. In 2009, China’s cumulative renewable energy capacity was around 226.5 GW. The US was second to China with its cumulative renewable installed capacity of approximately 149.8 GW. Hydropower and wind energy sectors accounted for approximately 98.4% of the total renewable power capacity of China.
GlobalData reports that in 2009, China led investments in clean energy globally, thereby shifting the US to the second position. With an investment of approximately $34.6 billion in clean energy in 2009, it overtook the US which invested around $18.6 billion. The mandatory wind and solar power targets together with the easy availability of project finance are the major drivers for investments in the Chinese clean energy market.
As the country has a strong manufacturing base and large export market, it is now focusing on increasing its clean energy installed capacity to meet its domestic demand due to increasing renewable energy targets.
Asset financing in global clean energy investments in 2009 decreased by 6% compared to 2008. China led in global clean energy asset finance investments in 2009, with $29.8 billion of investments. Of the total clean energy investments in 2009, asset financing accounted for 86% in China.
Public market financing decreased globally as the investor demand slowed down during the financial crisis. Financing decreased from $22.2 billion in 2007 to $12.1 billion in 2009. However, in this market scenario, China led the global clean energy public financing market with $4.6 billion investments in 2009.
China’s public financing was driven by strong Initial Public Offering (IPO) activity which occurred in late 2009 to support investments in manufacturing facilities.
China’s offshore wind energy market is in its nascent stage. It has a minimum of three active offshore wind projects with a cumulative installed capacity of around 109.5 MW. The Shanghai Donghai Daqiao 102 MW project came online in 2009 operated by the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, Sinovel.
Around 10 offshore wind power projects are in the planning stage with a cumulative installed capacity of approximately 3,867.9 MW. In 2009, the National Energy Administration (NEA) focused on the development of the country’s offshore wind power resources by dividing the potential offshore wind sites into three categories, which are: inter-tidal zone, offshore zone and deep sea zone. The NEA is expected to start a concession-tendering process to analyze a tariff range for offshore wind power players. In this backdrop, China’s wind power capacity is expected to increase due to the exploration of its offshore wind energy resource potential.
Thus, China’s wind energy market is expected to grow at the same pace. The development of a proper grid infrastructure, mandatory on-grid connectivity of renewable projects, an increase in the capacity base of Chinese wind turbine manufacturers to cater to international markets and development of the country’s offshore wind potential are the major drivers for the growth of China’s wind power market.
According to GlobalData, these factors are expected to be the cause of the proposal for the revision of the 2020 wind power target from 30 GW to 150 GW in China.
Wind energy investments of $7.97 billion accounts for 71% of the total clean energy investments in 2005–2009 in China. Huge investments in the wind energy sector are mainly due to government initiatives, such as, local content requirement, renewable energy premium, Mandatory Market Share (MMS) and “Guaranteed Take”. The amendment in Value Added Tax (VAT) rules for wind manufacturing in 2009 also stimulated the growth of the wind energy sector in the country. By 2009, there were around 80 wind turbine manufacturers in China. Of them, the largest domestic manufacturers, namely Sinovel, Goldwind and Dongfang have a combined production capacity of 8.2 GW for an annual market of 13.8 GW.
With 9% of the country’s final consumption coming from renewable energy, GlobalData highlights that China is expected to achieve its 2010 target of generating 10% of the final energy consumption through renewable energy sources. An increase of approximately 148% in clean energy investments since 2005 depicts the strong growth potential of China’s clean energy market as the country has been seen as a lucrative option for green energy investments.
Furthermore, government initiatives are also concentrating on increasing the domestic demand for renewable power in the country. The government is concentrating on the upgrading of the existing grid infrastructure, which is expected to increase the on-grid power through renewable energy by connecting remote renewable energy projects to the grid as well as by minimizing transmission power losses.
Besides China’s fiscal stimulus of around $220 billion, the government plans to invest $738 billion for the development of its renewable energy sources. Due to its recent support policies in wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) sectors and strong market growth in 2009, the government has proposed to increase its wind and solar PV targets by five-fold and 11-fold respectively. Although the government is concentrating on its clean energy market growth, it should also consider improving its quality standards to withstand competition by international players.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Market intelligence provider, GlobalData, has released its latest renewable policy report (Renewable Policy Analysis – September 2010) which looks at major policy developments in the renewable energy market. According to the report, China’s renewable energy market depicts strong market growth backed by government initiatives.
China’s power market is reliant on its coal reserves. Around 70% of China’s power is produced through coal-fired power plants. While nuclear energy is one of the alternative options to fossil fuels, China is shifting its focus towards its renewable power market. In 2006, the country introduced the Renewable Energy Law to regulate the renewable energy market by providing subsidies, tax incentives, feed-in tariffs, on-grid power requirements and standard procedures. To support investors, the law also introduced new financial options as well as cost-sharing mechanisms to share the extra operational costs among utility customers.
According to the changing market scenarios, the law was further amended to attract the investors to China’s renewable energy market. In 2009, China’s cumulative renewable energy capacity was around 226.5 GW. The US was second to China with its cumulative renewable installed capacity of approximately 149.8 GW. Hydropower and wind energy sectors accounted for approximately 98.4% of the total renewable power capacity of China.
GlobalData reports that in 2009, China led investments in clean energy globally, thereby shifting the US to the second position. With an investment of approximately $34.6 billion in clean energy in 2009, it overtook the US which invested around $18.6 billion. The mandatory wind and solar power targets together with the easy availability of project finance are the major drivers for investments in the Chinese clean energy market.
As the country has a strong manufacturing base and large export market, it is now focusing on increasing its clean energy installed capacity to meet its domestic demand due to increasing renewable energy targets.
Asset financing in global clean energy investments in 2009 decreased by 6% compared to 2008. China led in global clean energy asset finance investments in 2009, with $29.8 billion of investments. Of the total clean energy investments in 2009, asset financing accounted for 86% in China.
Public market financing decreased globally as the investor demand slowed down during the financial crisis. Financing decreased from $22.2 billion in 2007 to $12.1 billion in 2009. However, in this market scenario, China led the global clean energy public financing market with $4.6 billion investments in 2009.
China’s public financing was driven by strong Initial Public Offering (IPO) activity which occurred in late 2009 to support investments in manufacturing facilities.
China’s offshore wind energy market is in its nascent stage. It has a minimum of three active offshore wind projects with a cumulative installed capacity of around 109.5 MW. The Shanghai Donghai Daqiao 102 MW project came online in 2009 operated by the Chinese wind turbine manufacturer, Sinovel.
Around 10 offshore wind power projects are in the planning stage with a cumulative installed capacity of approximately 3,867.9 MW. In 2009, the National Energy Administration (NEA) focused on the development of the country’s offshore wind power resources by dividing the potential offshore wind sites into three categories, which are: inter-tidal zone, offshore zone and deep sea zone. The NEA is expected to start a concession-tendering process to analyze a tariff range for offshore wind power players. In this backdrop, China’s wind power capacity is expected to increase due to the exploration of its offshore wind energy resource potential.
Thus, China’s wind energy market is expected to grow at the same pace. The development of a proper grid infrastructure, mandatory on-grid connectivity of renewable projects, an increase in the capacity base of Chinese wind turbine manufacturers to cater to international markets and development of the country’s offshore wind potential are the major drivers for the growth of China’s wind power market.
According to GlobalData, these factors are expected to be the cause of the proposal for the revision of the 2020 wind power target from 30 GW to 150 GW in China.
Wind energy investments of $7.97 billion accounts for 71% of the total clean energy investments in 2005–2009 in China. Huge investments in the wind energy sector are mainly due to government initiatives, such as, local content requirement, renewable energy premium, Mandatory Market Share (MMS) and “Guaranteed Take”. The amendment in Value Added Tax (VAT) rules for wind manufacturing in 2009 also stimulated the growth of the wind energy sector in the country. By 2009, there were around 80 wind turbine manufacturers in China. Of them, the largest domestic manufacturers, namely Sinovel, Goldwind and Dongfang have a combined production capacity of 8.2 GW for an annual market of 13.8 GW.
With 9% of the country’s final consumption coming from renewable energy, GlobalData highlights that China is expected to achieve its 2010 target of generating 10% of the final energy consumption through renewable energy sources. An increase of approximately 148% in clean energy investments since 2005 depicts the strong growth potential of China’s clean energy market as the country has been seen as a lucrative option for green energy investments.
Furthermore, government initiatives are also concentrating on increasing the domestic demand for renewable power in the country. The government is concentrating on the upgrading of the existing grid infrastructure, which is expected to increase the on-grid power through renewable energy by connecting remote renewable energy projects to the grid as well as by minimizing transmission power losses.
Besides China’s fiscal stimulus of around $220 billion, the government plans to invest $738 billion for the development of its renewable energy sources. Due to its recent support policies in wind and solar photovoltaic (PV) sectors and strong market growth in 2009, the government has proposed to increase its wind and solar PV targets by five-fold and 11-fold respectively. Although the government is concentrating on its clean energy market growth, it should also consider improving its quality standards to withstand competition by international players.
Isra-Mart srl : Japan Plans 'fire Ice' Gas Drilling
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Japan has plans to drill for frozen methane gas off its southeast coast, The Guardian newspaper reports.
Some estimates indicate that reserves of the "fire ice" or methane hydrate could represent a 100-year supply of natural gas for Japan, which relies on imports for more than 99 percent of its oil.
The Japanese Ministry of Trade has requested a budget of more than $1 billion for the drilling -- to be carried out by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, in association with the Japanese government -- slated to begin next spring. Commercial output is hoped for by 2018.
Lucia van Geuns, an energy analyst at the international energy program of the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands told The Guardian: "Methane hydrates could make Japan energy independent. Whether they can commercialize methane hydrates remains to be seen.
"If it does succeed, and that's very much a long shot, it will have a huge impact -- equivalent to the use of gas shale in the U.S."
What makes methane hydrate unique is that it is a seemingly frozen and yet flammable material. Formed in cold, high-pressure environments, it is found throughout the world's oceans as well as under the frozen ground of countries with high latitudes.
While global estimates vary considerably, the U.S. Department of Energy says, the energy content of methane occurring in hydrate form is "immense, possibly exceeding the combined energy content of all other known fossil fuels."
Drilling for the gas will pose a challenge for Japan. The hydrates in the Sea of Kumano are approximately 19 miles offshore in about 328 feet of water, at a depth below the seabed of 2,150 feet.
Japan has tested experimental production of methane gas by injecting hot water into a borehole in the Mackenzie Delta in the arctic region of Canada, as part of an international joint research team.
But environmentalists fear that tapping methane hydrates could adversely affect the world climate.
Although methane is a clean-burning fuel, it is still a powerful greenhouse gas, with about 21 times the heat-trapping capability of carbon dioxide.
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. acknowledges the risks inherent in the drilling process, stating on its Web site: "Not least that when you drill you create heat, which turns the frozen methane into gas, which could then leak uncontrollably through the sea to our atmosphere."
Other dangers include inadvertently triggering undersea landslides, which could wipe out surrounding seafloor life.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Japan has plans to drill for frozen methane gas off its southeast coast, The Guardian newspaper reports.
Some estimates indicate that reserves of the "fire ice" or methane hydrate could represent a 100-year supply of natural gas for Japan, which relies on imports for more than 99 percent of its oil.
The Japanese Ministry of Trade has requested a budget of more than $1 billion for the drilling -- to be carried out by the Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation, in association with the Japanese government -- slated to begin next spring. Commercial output is hoped for by 2018.
Lucia van Geuns, an energy analyst at the international energy program of the Clingendael Institute in the Netherlands told The Guardian: "Methane hydrates could make Japan energy independent. Whether they can commercialize methane hydrates remains to be seen.
"If it does succeed, and that's very much a long shot, it will have a huge impact -- equivalent to the use of gas shale in the U.S."
What makes methane hydrate unique is that it is a seemingly frozen and yet flammable material. Formed in cold, high-pressure environments, it is found throughout the world's oceans as well as under the frozen ground of countries with high latitudes.
While global estimates vary considerably, the U.S. Department of Energy says, the energy content of methane occurring in hydrate form is "immense, possibly exceeding the combined energy content of all other known fossil fuels."
Drilling for the gas will pose a challenge for Japan. The hydrates in the Sea of Kumano are approximately 19 miles offshore in about 328 feet of water, at a depth below the seabed of 2,150 feet.
Japan has tested experimental production of methane gas by injecting hot water into a borehole in the Mackenzie Delta in the arctic region of Canada, as part of an international joint research team.
But environmentalists fear that tapping methane hydrates could adversely affect the world climate.
Although methane is a clean-burning fuel, it is still a powerful greenhouse gas, with about 21 times the heat-trapping capability of carbon dioxide.
Japan Oil, Gas and Metals National Corp. acknowledges the risks inherent in the drilling process, stating on its Web site: "Not least that when you drill you create heat, which turns the frozen methane into gas, which could then leak uncontrollably through the sea to our atmosphere."
Other dangers include inadvertently triggering undersea landslides, which could wipe out surrounding seafloor life.
Isra-Mart srl :European Commission to Sign Deal With EIB on Carbon Permits by Mid-October
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Isra-Mart srl news:
The European Commission, regulator of the world’s largest carbon market, will sign an agreement by mid-October with the European Investment Bank on selling emission permits, Maria Kokkonen, a climate spokeswoman, said in a telephone interview today.
Both institutions are now “fine-tuning” the agreement, Kokkonen said.
The EU has already agreed to provide as many as 300 million carbon allowances from the next phase of its emissions-trading system that starts 2013, which could be used to finance less polluting, innovative technologies. Permits set aside in the New Entrants Reserve will be sold by the EIB and proceeds will be used to support carbon capture and storage and renewable energy projects, she said.
Isra-Mart srl news:
The European Commission, regulator of the world’s largest carbon market, will sign an agreement by mid-October with the European Investment Bank on selling emission permits, Maria Kokkonen, a climate spokeswoman, said in a telephone interview today.
Both institutions are now “fine-tuning” the agreement, Kokkonen said.
The EU has already agreed to provide as many as 300 million carbon allowances from the next phase of its emissions-trading system that starts 2013, which could be used to finance less polluting, innovative technologies. Permits set aside in the New Entrants Reserve will be sold by the EIB and proceeds will be used to support carbon capture and storage and renewable energy projects, she said.
Isra-Mart srl : Residential vertical wind turbines and solar panel designs for the home
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Isra-Mart srl news:
As part of the energy Star tax credit, you may be able to claim a credit for up to 30% of the cost of installing a solar panel or vertical wind turbine system in your home. When deciding whether or not to install a clean alternative energy source in your home, a good question to ask yourself is how long do I plan on living in my home. If you plan on staying in your home for several more years, installing an energy system may be a good decision. If you foresee moving in your near future, installing a renewable energy source in your home may not be the best option.
If you have decided to install a solar panel system in your home, you will need to know how large of a system you should install. In order to determine this, you should examine your previous electric bills and take note of the number of kilowatt hours that you consume each month and the extreme high months. Choose a system that meets and slightly exceeds your current energy usage. Many Americans are choosing systems that supplement their current power use instead of completely disappearing from the power grid. This is because the cost of powering your entire home with an alternative energy source can be quite expensive. A rather large system can cost upwards to $20,000 plus.
You must first decide whether or not installing an alternative energy system in your home is a good decision. If you decide that it is, start shopping around by getting estimates. Remember, the lowest estimate does not necessarily mean that you should go with this company. Always take into consideration the credibility of the company prior to making a decision.
Isra-Mart srl news:
As part of the energy Star tax credit, you may be able to claim a credit for up to 30% of the cost of installing a solar panel or vertical wind turbine system in your home. When deciding whether or not to install a clean alternative energy source in your home, a good question to ask yourself is how long do I plan on living in my home. If you plan on staying in your home for several more years, installing an energy system may be a good decision. If you foresee moving in your near future, installing a renewable energy source in your home may not be the best option.
If you have decided to install a solar panel system in your home, you will need to know how large of a system you should install. In order to determine this, you should examine your previous electric bills and take note of the number of kilowatt hours that you consume each month and the extreme high months. Choose a system that meets and slightly exceeds your current energy usage. Many Americans are choosing systems that supplement their current power use instead of completely disappearing from the power grid. This is because the cost of powering your entire home with an alternative energy source can be quite expensive. A rather large system can cost upwards to $20,000 plus.
You must first decide whether or not installing an alternative energy system in your home is a good decision. If you decide that it is, start shopping around by getting estimates. Remember, the lowest estimate does not necessarily mean that you should go with this company. Always take into consideration the credibility of the company prior to making a decision.
Isra-Mart srl : Cel putin 150.000 de romani au participat la “Let`s Do It, Romania!”
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Peste 150.000 de romani au iesit sambata la actiunea de ecologizare organizata in cadrul campaniei “Let`s Do It, Romania!”, arata datele preliminare centralizate de organizatori.
Potrivit acestora, cei mai multi voluntari care au renuntat la o zi de odihna pentru a participa la actiune au fost cei din judetele Brasov (15.000 voluntari), Cluj (13.000 voluntari) si Bucuresti+Ilfov (11.000 voluntari). De asemenea, in topul judetelor cu cea mai mare participare s-au inscris si Arges (10.800 voluntari) si Maramures (10.000 voluntari).
In ceea ce priveste deseurile colectate, o prima estimare arata ca voluntarii a adunat peste 187.000 saci de gunoi. Potrivit organizatorilor “Let`s Do It, Romania!” aceasta nu este insa nici pe departe cifra reala, ci doar o prima raportare obtinuta de la echipele locale. Colectarea sacilor de pe marginea drumului va mai dura cateva zile, iar cantitatile totale de deseuri colectate vor fi facute publice la finalizarea procesului.
Constientizare in randul romanilor
Potrivit organizatorilor, vedetele care au sprijinit campania au muncit cot la cot cu voluntarii. Smiley a facut curatenie in judetul Arges, formatia Holograf a fost prezenta la Sinaia, Leonard Doroftei a luat parte la curatenia din judetul Prahova, iar Adi Despot a fost la Busteni. Cabral, Zoli de la Sistem si Monica Tatoiu au ramas in apropiarea Bucurestiului si au dat acolo o mana de ajutor.
“A fost o placere sa fac curat in locul meu de bastina cu niste oameni deosebiti. Imi pare bine ca au venit atatia pitesteni la curatenie” a declarat Smiley, in timp ce Zoli de la Sistem a spus ca “Oamenii au simtit ca impreuna pot sa faca mai mult. Mi-as dori ca peste cinci ani de zile sa ne intalnim tot aici si sa spunem ca nu mai avem ce curata”. Campionul Mondial Leonard Doroftei este si el de acord ca “nu ne oprim aici, acum e doar inceputul”.
In afara de ecologizarea zonelor din apropierea localitatilor, campania ”Let`s Do It, Romania!” a avut ca obiectiv sa arate ca si romanii se pot uni pentru o cauza comuna: curatarea Romaniei de gunoaie. ”Cei peste 150 000 de voluntari au aratat ca le pasa, ca voluntariatul are sanse mari si in tara noastra si transmit un mesaj clar: daca e ceva care te deranjeaza, actioneaza, fii tu schimbarea pe care vrei sa o vezi in jur!”, se arata intr-un comunicat remis de organizatori.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Peste 150.000 de romani au iesit sambata la actiunea de ecologizare organizata in cadrul campaniei “Let`s Do It, Romania!”, arata datele preliminare centralizate de organizatori.
Potrivit acestora, cei mai multi voluntari care au renuntat la o zi de odihna pentru a participa la actiune au fost cei din judetele Brasov (15.000 voluntari), Cluj (13.000 voluntari) si Bucuresti+Ilfov (11.000 voluntari). De asemenea, in topul judetelor cu cea mai mare participare s-au inscris si Arges (10.800 voluntari) si Maramures (10.000 voluntari).
In ceea ce priveste deseurile colectate, o prima estimare arata ca voluntarii a adunat peste 187.000 saci de gunoi. Potrivit organizatorilor “Let`s Do It, Romania!” aceasta nu este insa nici pe departe cifra reala, ci doar o prima raportare obtinuta de la echipele locale. Colectarea sacilor de pe marginea drumului va mai dura cateva zile, iar cantitatile totale de deseuri colectate vor fi facute publice la finalizarea procesului.
Constientizare in randul romanilor
Potrivit organizatorilor, vedetele care au sprijinit campania au muncit cot la cot cu voluntarii. Smiley a facut curatenie in judetul Arges, formatia Holograf a fost prezenta la Sinaia, Leonard Doroftei a luat parte la curatenia din judetul Prahova, iar Adi Despot a fost la Busteni. Cabral, Zoli de la Sistem si Monica Tatoiu au ramas in apropiarea Bucurestiului si au dat acolo o mana de ajutor.
“A fost o placere sa fac curat in locul meu de bastina cu niste oameni deosebiti. Imi pare bine ca au venit atatia pitesteni la curatenie” a declarat Smiley, in timp ce Zoli de la Sistem a spus ca “Oamenii au simtit ca impreuna pot sa faca mai mult. Mi-as dori ca peste cinci ani de zile sa ne intalnim tot aici si sa spunem ca nu mai avem ce curata”. Campionul Mondial Leonard Doroftei este si el de acord ca “nu ne oprim aici, acum e doar inceputul”.
In afara de ecologizarea zonelor din apropierea localitatilor, campania ”Let`s Do It, Romania!” a avut ca obiectiv sa arate ca si romanii se pot uni pentru o cauza comuna: curatarea Romaniei de gunoaie. ”Cei peste 150 000 de voluntari au aratat ca le pasa, ca voluntariatul are sanse mari si in tara noastra si transmit un mesaj clar: daca e ceva care te deranjeaza, actioneaza, fii tu schimbarea pe care vrei sa o vezi in jur!”, se arata intr-un comunicat remis de organizatori.
Isra-Mart srl : What's the carbon footprint of ... a new car?
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Making a new car creates as much carbon pollution as driving it, so it's often better to keep your old banger on the road than to upgrade to a greener model.
The carbon footprint of making a car is immensely complex. Ores have to be dug out of the ground and the metals extracted. These have to be turned into parts. Other components have to be brought together: rubber tyres, plastic dashboards, paint, and so on. All of this involves transporting things around the world. The whole lot then has to be assembled, and every stage in the process requires energy. The companies that make cars have offices and other infrastructure with their own carbon footprints, which we need to somehow allocate proportionately to the cars that are made.
In other words, even more than with most items, the manufacture of a car causes ripples that extend throughout the economy. To give just one simple example among millions, the assembly plant uses phones and they in turn had to be manufactured, along with the phone lines that transmit the calls. The ripples go on and on for ever. Attempts to capture all these stages by adding them up individually are doomed from the outset to result in an underestimate, because the task is just too big.
The best we can do is use so-called input-output analysis to break up the known total emissions of the world or a country into different industries and sectors, in the process taking account of how each industry consumes the goods and services of all the others. If we do this, and then divide by the total emissions of the auto industry by the total amount of money spent on new cars, we reach a footprint of 720kg CO2e per £1000 spent.
This is only a guideline figure, of course, as some cars may be more efficiently produced than others of the same price. But it's a reasonable ballpark estimate, and it suggests that cars have much bigger footprints than is traditionally believed. Producing a medium-sized new car costing £24,000 may generate more than 17 tonnes of CO2e – almost as much as three years' worth of gas and electricity in the typical UK home.
Interestingly, the input-outpout analysis suggests that the gas and electricity used by the auto industry itself, including all the component manufacturers as well as the assembly plant, accounts for less than 12% of the total. The rest is spread across everything from metal extraction (33%), rubber manufacture (3%) and the manufacture of tools and machines (5%) through to business travel and stationary for car company employees.
The upshot is that – despite common claims to contrary – the embodied emissions of a car typically rival the exhaust pipe emissions over its entire lifetime. Indeed, for each mile driven, the emissions from the manufacture of a top-of-the-range Land Rover Discovery that ends up being scrapped after 100,000 miles may be as much as four times higher than the tailpipe emissions of a Citroen C1.
With this in mind, unless you do very high mileage or have a real gas-guzzler, it generally makes sense to keep your old car for as long as it is reliable – and to look after it carefully to extend its life as long as possible. If you make a car last to 200,000 miles rather than 100,000, then the emissions for each mile the car does in its lifetime may drop by as much as 50%, as a result of getting more distance out of the initial manufacturing emissions.
When you do eventually replace your car, it obviouslty makes sense to do so with a light, simple and fuel-efficient model: that way you'll be limiting both the manufacturing and the exhaust-pipe emissions. But before you buy, look into car clubs, especially if you live in a city centre: you may save lots of money as well as reducing the number of cars that need to be produced.
Of course, the exact benefits of new versus old cars, diesel versus hybrids, car clubs versus owning, and so on, are different for each person.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Making a new car creates as much carbon pollution as driving it, so it's often better to keep your old banger on the road than to upgrade to a greener model.
The carbon footprint of making a car is immensely complex. Ores have to be dug out of the ground and the metals extracted. These have to be turned into parts. Other components have to be brought together: rubber tyres, plastic dashboards, paint, and so on. All of this involves transporting things around the world. The whole lot then has to be assembled, and every stage in the process requires energy. The companies that make cars have offices and other infrastructure with their own carbon footprints, which we need to somehow allocate proportionately to the cars that are made.
In other words, even more than with most items, the manufacture of a car causes ripples that extend throughout the economy. To give just one simple example among millions, the assembly plant uses phones and they in turn had to be manufactured, along with the phone lines that transmit the calls. The ripples go on and on for ever. Attempts to capture all these stages by adding them up individually are doomed from the outset to result in an underestimate, because the task is just too big.
The best we can do is use so-called input-output analysis to break up the known total emissions of the world or a country into different industries and sectors, in the process taking account of how each industry consumes the goods and services of all the others. If we do this, and then divide by the total emissions of the auto industry by the total amount of money spent on new cars, we reach a footprint of 720kg CO2e per £1000 spent.
This is only a guideline figure, of course, as some cars may be more efficiently produced than others of the same price. But it's a reasonable ballpark estimate, and it suggests that cars have much bigger footprints than is traditionally believed. Producing a medium-sized new car costing £24,000 may generate more than 17 tonnes of CO2e – almost as much as three years' worth of gas and electricity in the typical UK home.
Interestingly, the input-outpout analysis suggests that the gas and electricity used by the auto industry itself, including all the component manufacturers as well as the assembly plant, accounts for less than 12% of the total. The rest is spread across everything from metal extraction (33%), rubber manufacture (3%) and the manufacture of tools and machines (5%) through to business travel and stationary for car company employees.
The upshot is that – despite common claims to contrary – the embodied emissions of a car typically rival the exhaust pipe emissions over its entire lifetime. Indeed, for each mile driven, the emissions from the manufacture of a top-of-the-range Land Rover Discovery that ends up being scrapped after 100,000 miles may be as much as four times higher than the tailpipe emissions of a Citroen C1.
With this in mind, unless you do very high mileage or have a real gas-guzzler, it generally makes sense to keep your old car for as long as it is reliable – and to look after it carefully to extend its life as long as possible. If you make a car last to 200,000 miles rather than 100,000, then the emissions for each mile the car does in its lifetime may drop by as much as 50%, as a result of getting more distance out of the initial manufacturing emissions.
When you do eventually replace your car, it obviouslty makes sense to do so with a light, simple and fuel-efficient model: that way you'll be limiting both the manufacturing and the exhaust-pipe emissions. But before you buy, look into car clubs, especially if you live in a city centre: you may save lots of money as well as reducing the number of cars that need to be produced.
Of course, the exact benefits of new versus old cars, diesel versus hybrids, car clubs versus owning, and so on, are different for each person.
Isramart llc news: Emergent Ventures India Plans to Form Solar Project Groups to Achieve Carbon Credits
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Isramart llc news:
Emergent Ventures India is a division of the recently extended form of a U.N. program the Clean Development Mechanism that is designed to propagate the use of clean energy expertise in a larger way in third world countries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The program is aimed at bringing the developing companies of smaller sized solar power projects together and assists them in earning U.N. carbon credits and increases their return on investments. The aim of the program is to provide such incentives to the small sized projects which otherwise would loose carbon credits due to costly CDM auditing fee and the extended process of approval.
Isramart llc news:
Emergent Ventures India is a division of the recently extended form of a U.N. program the Clean Development Mechanism that is designed to propagate the use of clean energy expertise in a larger way in third world countries to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
The program is aimed at bringing the developing companies of smaller sized solar power projects together and assists them in earning U.N. carbon credits and increases their return on investments. The aim of the program is to provide such incentives to the small sized projects which otherwise would loose carbon credits due to costly CDM auditing fee and the extended process of approval. EVI, said to be the first of its kind program in India has commenced contracting with the developers of 1 or 2 MW solar projects and hopes to achieve 50 MW soon. The signed project forms a part of the Indian government sponsored scheme to augment solar power generation to 20 GW by the year 2021. The first phase of the program meant for a total investment of 100 MW will include 1 MW or 2 MW solar power productions and each such installation will be offered with competitive electricity rates as an inducement. Each MW production can provide electricity to 1,000 homes and such ground mounted system will cost around $3 million.
According to Deepak Verma, Head and CEO of Carbon Finance and Technology Solutions of EVI, the program would require a minimum of 30 to 40 small sized solar projects to achieve no loss no gain position and each project can earn up to 1200 U.N. carbon credits or CER annually for every MW of power produced. He added that including 50 projects in a year will generate up to 75,000 CERs and can be traded in the European Climate exchange. He added that every CER was sold for €13.68 during last week. The CDM of the company allows the small investors to earn carbon credits for each of their projects.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Isra-Mart srl : Scotia se va alimenta 100% din energie verde, pana in 2025
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Scotia ar trebui sa produca suficienta energie din surse regenerabile incat sa acopere intregul necesar energetic, pana in 2025, a declarat, astazi, premierul scotian, Alex Salmond, citat de Reuters.
Isra-Mart srl news:
Scotia ar trebui sa produca suficienta energie din surse regenerabile incat sa acopere intregul necesar energetic, pana in 2025, a declarat, astazi, premierul scotian, Alex Salmond, citat de Reuters.
„Scotia are resurse inegalabile de energie verde, iar noua noastra tinta nationala de acoperire a 80% din necesarul energetic al tarii din surse regenerabile, pana in 2020, va fi depasita cu ajutorul planurilor noastre de extindere a productiei de energie din vant, valuri si maree”, a declarat Salmond.
„Sunt increzator ca, pana in 2025, vom satisface cel putin 100% din necesarul nostru energetic exclusiv din surse regenerabile si, impreuna cu alte surse de energie, vom putea deveni exportatori de energie verde”, a adaugat acesta.
Saptamana trecuta, Scotia si-a ridicat tinta de satisfacere a cererii de electricitate din surse alternative de la 50%, la 80%, mare parte fiind acoperita din energie eoliana marina.
Partea de nord a Marii Britanii va deveni in curand un important exportator de energie curata produsa, in mare parte, in actualele parcuri eoliene de uscat.
Guvernul scotian a anuntat si planuri de construire a unor centrale nucleare la granita cu Anglia.
Isra-Mart srl : Low-carbon rules could be tough to meet
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Isra-Mart srl news:
Isra-Mart srl news:
Low-carbon fuel standards, which have been passed in California and British
In a report released Tuesday, Cambridge Energy Research Associates (CERA) calculates that a legislated 10-per-cent reduction in the carbon content of fuels – which California has already mandated and other states and provinces are now considering – would require a one-third to one-half drop in the emissions used to extract and refine crude. Without major advances in the adoption of other transportation fuels such as natural gas, that level of reduction will be virtually impossible for industry to achieve, at least in the next decade, CERA concludes.
The impact could be even worse for oil sands exports, which are already 6 per cent more carbon-intensive than average U.S. crude, the group calculated in a report entitled Oil Sands, Greenhouse Gases, and U.S. Oil Supply: Getting the Numbers Right.
“Even when you think about carbon capture and storage or better fuel efficiency in the refinery, it’s very difficult to envision a case where you could take a third of your emissions out of that whole process,” said Jackie Forrest, IHS CERA’s director for global oil, and one of the report’s authors.
“You need other types of policies if your end goal is to reduce emissions.”
The reason is grounded in the how greenhouse gases are produced from a barrel of oil. Between 70 and 80 per cent of those gases are produced when the oil is burned – and it’s impossible to reduce those emissions. Therefore, the only place to cut a barrel’s footprint is from emissions in the creation of a barrel – the 20 to 30 per cent that comes from extraction, transportation and refining.
Those emissions will need to be cut dramatically to achieve the 10-per-cent overall reduction. Even new oil-sands-extraction technologies that promise huge gains, for example, are likely to trim only a quarter of production emissions, not emissions over all, Ms. Forrest said.
The CERA finding comes against a backdrop of increasing interest in low-carbon fuel standards as a way to decrease emissions. Last year, for example, 11 Eastern U.S. states agreed to pursue such a policy.
But the difficulties in meeting those targets – and the potential problems they could cause oil sands companies – could set the stage for substantial legal disputes.
Brenda Swick, a McCarthy Tétrault lawyer who has examined the California low-carbon fuel standard, said Canada has grounds to dispute the rule – and others like it, providing they are passed – under the North American Free-Trade Agreement and World Trade Organization rules. The reason: The low-carbon standard can be seen as a protectionist measure that discriminates against Canadian crude.
“To the extent that the U.S. low-carbon fuel measures make oil from one part of the world that they consider dirty more expensive than their own domestic substitutes (e.g. biofuels) that the U.S. considers ‘clean’ … you’ve got a discriminatory treatment issue,” she wrote in an e-mail.
While the United States could argue that the rules should be exempted from trade treaties on environmental grounds, that may involve proving climate change in a court of law, Ms. Swick said.
“It’s very tricky stuff,” she said. “I was very involved in the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber dispute. And if this type of dispute actually takes place, it would have the same far-reaching consequences.”
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