Can buildings be power plants?

Adam Vaughan writes in the Guardian about new developments in Oxford to create colourful, transparent solar cells that are reputed to only add 10% to the cost of glass buildings. Colourful 'solar glass' means entire buildings can generate clean power A solar power company capable of "printing" colourful glass that can generate electricity from the … Continue reading Can buildings be power plants?

Union for Concerned Scientists push for greater energy efficiency

The Union of Concerned Scientists have reacted to the decision by Duke Energy in the US to close a nuclear power plant and its consideration to replace it with a natural gas-fired plant.  The UCS have a report that there are many more sustainable approaches that should be considered first. Report Shows Energy Efficiency and … Continue reading Union for Concerned Scientists push for greater energy efficiency

Global Futures Report points to transformation policies for renewable energy

Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21), in cooperation with the Institute for Sustainable Energy Policies (ISEP), recently released its annual "REN21 Global Futures Report (GFR)," which presents a range of expert perspectives on possible renewable energy futures. The report is based on interviews with more than 170 leading experts and 50 published energy scenarios. It … Continue reading Global Futures Report points to transformation policies for renewable energy

Renewables in Poland – hard to get consensus on way forward

Jan Cienski recently wrote a blog for the Financial Times about the difficulties in getting renewable energy policies firmly established within Poland.   Renewable energy in Poland: endlessly renewable squabble Poland’s long-running reluctance to tackle a new law on renewable energy is starting to impose growing economic and political costs, as big energy companies freeze … Continue reading Renewables in Poland – hard to get consensus on way forward

Global atlas for renewable energy goes online

The world’s first open-access Global Atlas of renewable energy resources went live recently, announced at the annual general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). “The Global Atlas provides a powerful new tool in international efforts to double the world’s share of renewable energy by 2030” The Global Atlas is the largest ever initiative … Continue reading Global atlas for renewable energy goes online

Impact of biofuel production assessed

The Reuters news agency writes in The Guardian about a new study that biofuel production could actually be doing a lot of harm to the environment. Biofuel production threatens air quality and crop yields, study finds Report warns large-scale cultivation of trees for renewable wood fuel would emit high levels of the chemical isoprene. Fighting … Continue reading Impact of biofuel production assessed

Green Investment Bank shows it’s in business

Renewable Energy Focus provides details on the first deal by the UK’s new public-funded green investment bank in wind energy. UK Green Investment Bank agrees its first offshore wind farm finance package The UK’s state-backed Green Investment Bank (GIB) has struck its first deal in the offshore wind sector, contributing to a £224 million re-financing … Continue reading Green Investment Bank shows it’s in business

New portal for learning about renewable energy

Greenbuildnews describes a new innovative approach to teach British school children about renewable energy and climate change. Lightsource opens the portal to educating future generations about renewable energy Over 90 schools in the UK now have access to a specially designed on-line portal to educate children about renewable energy and climate change. This portal has … Continue reading New portal for learning about renewable energy