Europe is often considered at the forefront of the environmental scene as the EU keeps working on energy efficiency, renewables, biodiversity and other related issues. However not all countries are equal and so are their capital cities. Siemens published a study – the European Green City Index – which “measures and rates the environmental performance […]
Siemens’ European Green City Index Read More »
This year will remain as an important milestone in the history of solar power. Indeed to GreenTech Media : ” In 2010, we will cross the threshold of 10 gigawatts of photovoltaic solar installed globally in a single year.” This is indeed amazing as in 2000 only 170 megawatts were installed. This is 58 times
10 GW of solar PV capacity installed in 2010 Read More »
After the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the huge environmental catastrophe it is leading to, more and more voices are now demanding offshore wind as a paliative. This sounds like a good idea as the important offshore wind potential is still completely untapped in the United States. Meanwhile, the European Union
Offshore WIND, not OIL Read More »
To the AFP : “Indonesia has launched an ambitious plan to tap the vast power of its volcanoes and become a world leader in geothermal energy, while trimming greenhouse gas emissions.” “The sprawling archipelago of 17,000 islands stretching from the Indian to the Pacific Oceans contains hundreds of volcanoes, estimated to hold around 40 percent
Indonesia to invest massively in volcano power Read More »
I wrote as early as september 2008 that offshore drilling is not a sustainable solution as the added oil reserves won’t enable us to go much further and will keep feeding our global addiction for oil. To rally Republicans to his climate bill, President Obama decided to embrace this solution last month. This was a
President Obama embraces offshore drilling Read More »
According to GreenTech Media, Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion is after wave and tidal energies the third form of ocean power. Albeit it was discovered a century ago, there have been few attempts at tapping this energy source. To Wikipedia, OTEC ” uses the temperature difference that exists between deep and shallow waters to run a heat
A third form of marine energy : OTEC Read More »
Scotland announced last week that 1.2 GW of tidal and wave energy capacity would be built there by 2020. To achieve this, 10 projects will be started and will be the first commercial applications of these energy sources. Scotts are determine to have 31 percent of their electricity coming from renewables by 2011 and are willing
Scotland to harness 1.2 GW of marine energy Read More »
Yesterday the French Minister for Ecology, Energy, Sustainable Development and Town and Country Planning, Mr. Jean-Louis Borloo visited a company in Vaudrey, less than 20 kilometers from my hometown. Ravoyard SA manufactures since its origins metallic structures. Dynamic, it recently diversified its activity to add photovoltaïc films to its existing products. As the market is currently
An official visit from Mr. Borloo at Ravoyard SA Read More »
These are good news, to the European Commission : “The EU will surpass its target to consume 20 percent of its energy from renewable energy by 2020, according to national forecasts submitted to the European Commission.” Out of the 27 members, 12 may exceed their national targets domestically. But this isn’t the only good news
Europe to meet its renewable energies goals Read More »
I found during the past few weeks news showing that Europe is investing more and more in solving the climate / energy equation by using various solutions : energy efficiency, smart grids and renewable energies. Here are some examples : Sweden pledged this week for the installation of 2,000 wind turbines by the year 2020
Europe goes forward on energy Read More »
