Photovoltaics » 22.05.2013
Energy payback of solar only now positive?
A report published by researchers at Stanford University seems to find that the solar sector has consumed more energy up to now that it has produced – and the breakthrough into positive territory on an annual basis is only just now occurring. What a misleading calculation! read more »
Do the math! » 21.05.2013
The terrible payback of CCS -- part 1
In our latest installment of "Do the math!" guest author Yves Heulliard of France's DD Magazine takes a look at what carbon capture and storage entails. read more »
Wind power » 21.05.2013
Wind farms in the forest – part two
Wind energy in the forest is exciting for financers because it is easy to plan. The requirements from the viewpoint of a bank. read more »
Wind power » 20.05.2013
Wind farms in the forest – part one
Wind energy in the forest is exciting for financers because it is easy to plan. The requirements from the viewpoint of a bank. read more »
Storing electricity » 17.05.2013
Wind turbines with storage on board
Over at Greentech Media, Stephen Lacey recently reported on GE's new turbine that smooths out power production by storing some of the electricity on-site for later export. German market leader Enercon also offers such an option. But in the end, we need to store more than just excess wind and solar. read more »
Do the math! » 16.05.2013
The cost of German solar versus nuclear
Yesterday, an article compared the cost of German solar to the cost of Finland's new nuclear plant, and it led to a bit of commotion on Twitter. In our latest installment of "Do the math!", we show how the author makes a compelling case for the British to cut their current offer for a new nuclear plant by a third. read more »
Intercontinental green power » 15.05.2013
Desertec: All dried up?
A few years ago, a press conference drew quite a lot of attention. A number of international organizations planned to kill several birds with one stone: provide more affordable green power to Europe, promote development in northern Africa, and ensure grid reliability in the MENA region. Unfortunately, the whole idea was unrealistic. read more »
Photovoltaics » 15.05.2013
Italy had 16.4 GW of PV at end of 2012
Italy's grid regulator has just published its official figures for PV in 2012 and puts the country in second place worldwide for installed capacity at roughly half the level of Germany – with twice as much as the US and Japan in third and fourth place, respectively. But in relative terms, Germany and Italy have a lot more PV. read more »
Energy transition » 14.05.2013
"No additional coal plants in Germany"
In a PDF published last month, consultants from Pöyry tell the UK's Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) not to expect any more coal plant projects after the current ones are completed. read more »
Photovoltaics » 14.05.2013
More community solar
Yesterday, BayWa r.e., a developer of renewables projects, announced the completion of four photovoltaic arrays with a total capacity exceeding eight megawatts owned partly by communities. read more »
Visual impact of wind power » 13.05.2013
"Four German words"
A new video looks into the visual impact of wind turbines. It is part of a new campaign to promote energy democracy – citizen ownership of renewables. read more »
Energy democracy » 13.05.2013
Community ownership of 7.8 MW solar farm
At the beginning of the month, the largest solar project in Baden-Württemberg was connected to the grid. Its ownership structure is typical of such projects in Germany – and could serve as an example abroad. read more »
Trade war over renewables » 10.05.2013
"China not playing unfairly"
Stefan Gsänger of the World Wind Energy Association has responded to a recent article at Renewables International. He says that we depict his position on a potential trade war with China over renewables well, but he would like for us to underscore for our readers that the criticism of China on its wind market is mine, not his. read more »
Power storage » 10.05.2013
Batteries the size of buildings
At the end of April, German firm Younicos announced that Europe's first "battery farm" could go into commercial operation next year in cooperation with the local utility. read more »
Power storage » 10.05.2013
Breakthrough battery?
California researchers have simplified the redox flow battery principle. In addition, they have discontinued using expensive material to store power. The battery is therefore not only potentially cheap, but it can easily be mass-produced. Only one laboratory model currently exists up to now, however. read more »
