Leaked Study on Peak Oil Warns of Severe Global Energy Crisis

September 2, 2010 by Robert Rapier
This week a study on peak oil by a German military think tank was leaked on the Internet. The document shows that the German government is closely studying the issue of peak oil, and is aware of the potential for serious consequences as oil... [read more]
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The BP Disaster: Why Something Like It Could Never Happen at a Nuclear Facility

September 1, 2010 by Margaret Harding
The post was co-written with James Malone, retired Vice President, Nuclear Fuels at Exelon. Jim has many years of experience in a variety of roles in the nuclear industry. I value his insight. What is different in the nuclear industry? New equipment... [read more]

Solar Energy Monitoring Systems - The Next Big Thing in Solar

September 2, 2010 by David Belden
If micro-inverters are the current craze in the solar industry, then solar energy monitoring systems will be the next big thing.    Micro-inverters (and other parallel technology) were given lots of attention because they can increase the efficiency of a system by up to as much as 10%-20%. Similarly, solar electricity... [read more]
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Nuke prospects dim as Gas glows

September 2, 2010 by David Lewis
One way to look at the prospects for US new nukes is to consider this analysis of the potential effect of shale gas. According to the EIA, in the US, natural gas power plants (excluding gas-fired peaking plants) and coal fired power plants have roughtly the same total capacity to generate power.  (31%, and 33%, respectively).... [read more]

Bio-butanol from whisky

September 1, 2010 by Doris de Guzman
I received this news from my colleague a couple of weeks ago regarding the development of whisky as another bio-butanol feedstock source. I thought that will be such a waste of a good drink. Fortunately, researchers from the Edinburgh Napier University in Scotland are instead using two main by-products of the whisky production process... [read more]
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Just Say NO to Smart Meters?

September 1, 2010 by David Lewis
 There are homeless people in California who blame their freshly installed PGE smart meter for forcing them to live out on the streets. These people are said to have little hope left, unless Californians save them by making PGE remove the meters.  Protests are mounting.  City councils are petitioning the California Public... [read more]

Three Cool Solar Power Competitions That Could Change Our World

September 1, 2010 by WattHead Guest Co...
It seems that we are finding a new use for solar power everyday. Whether its grid-tie applications, lighting, or backup power, solar is rapidly becoming our green energy alternative of choice. Solar is rapidly evolving as the technology and applications for it are changing everyday. In this light, here are 3 great contests that are... [read more]

Turkey in $10 billion reactor deal with South Korea

September 1, 2010 by Dan Yurman
It is the second major nuclear energy contract in that country in the past yearTurkey may have another major nuclear reactor deal in the works. According to English language press reports from Ankara, South Korea is positioned to sign contracts by November to build a $10 billion project.At that price, the site at Sinop on the Black Sea... [read more]

A solar-powered iPad?

September 1, 2010 by Marc Gunther
Chances are, if you haven’t been living in a cave during 2010, you know something about the iPad. A finger-friendly tablet from t Apple that runs iOS, the iPad builds upon the smaller mobile devices, like the iPod and iPhone, that have made Apple such a phenomenal success in recent years. [read more]

California Legislature passes energy storage bill

September 1, 2010 by Todd Woody
The California Legislature has passed the nation’s first energy storage bill, which could result in the state’s utilities being required to bank a portion of the electricity they generate. Assembly Bill 2514 now heads to the desk of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has made climate change and green technology his political legacy as his... [read more]

Cleantech Jobs: No Background, No Experience, No Problem

September 1, 2010 by Christopher Williams
As someone just getting into the cleantech industry and still feeling it out, like an adolescent boy getting his first girlfriend, I have found out something quite hopeful and exciting. That is that just about anyone, no matter your education, background, or goals can find the right job or position within the industry.   I... [read more]
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Listen to the "WEC Siemens Future Energy Leaders" Webcast

August 31, 2010 by Energy Collective
Originally aired August 25th, 2010 The World Energy Congress (WEC) brings together more than 3,500 top world leaders in the field of energy, coming from industry, governments, and international organizations, as well as the media, universities and energy industry associations. The importance and the diversity of those involved in... [read more]

Arizona’s New Solar Website Ready to Shine

August 31, 2010 by Osha Davidson
Starting tomorrow, Arizona residents and businesses wanting to ‘go solar,’ learn more about active solar projects in the state, or check out the latest benefits and incentives available for solar installation, will have a new tool: the Arizona Goes Solar website. The website will be hosted by the Arizona Corporation Commission, which... [read more]

Pondering the role of scientists

August 31, 2010 by Lou Grinzo
Rick Piltz, over on ClimateScienceWatch has a thought provoking piece that begins by talking about Stephen Schneider and quickly turns to the thorny question of what the proper role is for climate scientists in society. (I shouldn’t have to point out this post to you, as Piltz’s site is without question one you should be following... [read more]