united states

The current spate of very hot weather across much of the USA (and not forgetting the balmy “winter” days in many states back in the early part of the year) raises the question of the role of climate change in relation to such extremes.[read more]

The end of the Durban conference is approaching, and in all likelihood, the end of the Kyoto Protocol along with it.Developments in the last few days indicate the outcome is more likely to confirm a global disagreement, rather than agreement, over the idea of a second Kyoto commitment period, or “Kyoto II,” for all countries, both...[read more]

Slowly but surely, an extraordinarily important new industry is slowly taking shape, with the potential to transform the global economy.After years of existing largely as an environmentalist's fantasy, commercial production of biofuels for the world civil aviation industry is slowly becoming a fact, with production starting up across...[read more]

PV Insider is pleased to announce the launch of the 3rd Concentrated Photovoltaic Summit USA 2011, taking place at the San Jose Crowne Plaza on November 14-15.The CPV industry is making headway in the renewable energy landscape, with a pipeline of around 700MW now either planned or in operation. Recent reports have estimated at least 1GW...[read more]

By many accounts 2011 has been a year of weather extremes and some commentators have used certain events to highlight the risks associated with climate change. While there is increasing evidence of unusual global weather events, should we just assume that every disaster is a sign of things to come?[read more]

A new film is currently having it’s cinema release in the USA, aptly titled Carbon Nation. As the name suggests this is a story about carbon dioxide emissions, but not in the space occupied by Al Gore and the science discussion (although it briefly dips its toe in this water for context reasons), rather it talks about the energy issues we face today and how society might begin to tackle them.[read more]

Photo Credit: US ArmyAs Tom Friedman points out in his column yesterday, "the U.S. military loses one person, killed or wounded, for every 24 fuel convoys it runs in Afghanistan." Soldiers and others are put in harm's way as part of convoys, hundreds and hundreds of them, needed to transport fuel to run air conditioners and diesel...[read more]

Climate change is a topic that has steamrolled into mass consciousness, and the discourse gains more intensity daily.  There are multiple interests, parties, and positions all claiming legitimacy within the discussion.  COP 16, the international climate change conference held in Cancun, Mexico, is the United Nations' latest...[read more]

It sometimes surprises me just how long it takes the advertiser supported media to recognize an important story. This morning, my Google News Alert indicated that MSNBC and Bloomberg had both noticed that Westinghouse had transferred 75,000 documents relating to the design and construction of AP1000 nuclear reactor plants to China. One...[read more]

Smart Grid technologies make the grid more reliable.  Distribution automation, such as remote sensing and management technologies give utilities real-time knowledge of grid conditions.  Utilities can become proactive in resolving any problems that occur within the domains of generation, transmission, and distribution of...[read more]

 The purpose of this study is create “ballpark” estimates of the capital costs of deploying three base-power alternatives to replace East Coast base-power coal plants and to compare these alternatives regarding capital cost and the quantity and cost of CO2 reduction. The three alternatives considered are Gas, Wind and Nuclear. ...[read more]

Yesterday, Forbes.com published a column by Larry Bell, “Disarmament in America’s Energy Security Battles”.  I thought it was extraordinary, even by the low standards of opinion journalism, in its blatant disregard for the facts.  So, I wrote to Forbe's editors, in order to correct the record.  I've copied the letter...[read more]

The first Doha Carbon and Energy Forum was held this week, organized by Qatar Petroleum and the Qatar Foundation with support from ExxonMobil. The event focused on steps that could be taken in Qatar and the region to begin to address the issue of carbon emissions. Sessions on carbon capture and storage, energy efficiency and alternative energy each produced a set of proposals to take forward. There is no doubt that the Gulf region is very aware of the issue of climate change and its implications, particularly the potential economic impact going forward as the world looks to alternative energy sources. In Qatar there is also a feeling of optimism because of the very substantial natural gas reserves there. But there is also a realization that a very well thought through strategic approach will be required to capitalize on the long term value of the resource in an increasingly carbon constrained world.[read more]

A recent Clean Tech Jobs Outlook Report estimated that in 2009 there were more than 3 million jobs in the renewable energy field globally. The report indicates, however, that the US is falling further behind in this field; the bulk of these jobs are now in China and Brazil.[read more]

On November 8, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard announced a $50-million collaboration which the two nations hope will identify cheaper solar power solutions.   Gillard, elected in June, and Clinton, an Obama appointee who took office in January of 2009, want to see consumer...[read more]