Archive for the 'Electricity' Category
September 1st, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Columbia University researcher Shahzeen Attari conducted a survey of 505 Americans in 427 different zip codes, and 34 states, about energy conservation. Her study indicated that the sample group was not aware of the most effective measures they could take to save energy. Turning lights off was selected as the best choice by the survey participants. Options such as purchasing fuel efficient cars, energy conserving appliances and weatherizing homes, which actually do make an impact, were not popular with the participants. Attari said that many people in the study seemed to believe in taking steps like turning off lights or unplugging cell phone chargers. 2.8 percent of the participants said that sleeping more and relaxing more would reduce their energy consumption.
Continue reading ‘Americans in the Dark about Energy Conservation’
August 27th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Backers of Scottish independence from the United Kingdom may be calling for the country’s fair share of profits from North Sea gas and oil revenues, but others are banking on its alternative energy future. Already home to Europe’s biggest onshore wind farm—the 322-megawatt Whitelee facility—the wind-swept, surf-pounded nation is hoping to use its water-drenched geography to ramp up renewable energy production.
Continue reading ‘Scotland Moves toward Tidal Power’
August 27th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Portugal is doing more than its part to move away from traditional energy sources and cut greenhouse gases. Lead by the likes of EDP-Energias de Portugal SA (PINK:EDPFY), the world’s fourth-largest wind power company—with clean-energy operations stretching from Europe to North America—Portugal has become an example for many countries to follow.
Continue reading ‘Portugal – Green Energy Powerhouse’
August 23rd, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Beacon Power Corporation has finalized a $43 million loan guarantee from the Department of Energy for an innovative flywheel energy storage project in Stephentown, NY. The 20 megawatt Flywheel Plant is the latest step by New York State toward improve its electric grid management, and is the first of its kind in the world.
Continue reading ‘Improving New York’s Electric Grid’
August 20th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
A Danish architectural firm is taking a well-known method of energy storage and applying it to renewable energy, turning unused land surrounded by water into Green Power Islands. The firm, Gottlieb Paludan, is setting up solar and wind farms on these islands then using the surrounding water as energy storage via pumped hydro.
Continue reading ‘Green Power Islands: A Solution for Renewable Energy Storage Problems?’
August 20th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
The country’s first utility-scale wave power project is moving forward in construction. The 1.5 megawatt wave energy park will generate enough energy to power 375 or more homes. The park will likely be located 2.5 miles off the Oregon coast near Reedsport, and use ten electricity-generating buoys. PB150 PowerBuoys will be used to generate power, and the first one has been constructed at Oregon IronWorks. Oregon’s governor approves of the project, and has said, “The manufacture of the first buoy has already created dozens of green-energy jobs in Oregon and when the 10-buoy wave power project is built, a whole new industry will be created to benefit our coastal communities.”
Continue reading ‘Wave Energy Project Coming to Oregon’
August 19th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
A 120-megawatt geothermal energy plant is slated to be built on the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia. The plant will be built by U.S.-based Qualibou Energy Inc. The proposed geothermal site, Sulphur Springs, has been studied for over 30 years, and has an estimated capacity of 170 megawatts (MW). 30 megawatts of power has already been generated through several test sites.
Continue reading ‘Tiny Saint Lucia to Get Geothermal Power Plant’
August 19th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Belgium is considering whether to allow a new method of disposing of human remains that is being billed as a greener, less carbon-intensive alternative to cremation. Funeral directors in northern Belgium want the country to give the green light to resomation, a water and alkali-based process that turns bodies into a mix of liquid and minerals. Resomation uses less energy than cremation and emits significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Continue reading ‘Belgium Considers a Greener Alternative to Cremation’
August 18th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
Five million dollars has been approved by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District to support the development of an electric vehicle charging infrastructure. The money will fund 5,000 new charging stations – 2,000 of which will be public chargers. In addition 50 fast-charging stations will be installed. The public chargers will be located at or near employer parking lots and the 50 fast chargers will be near highways, presumably so travelers can recharge quickly, and resume their trips.
Continue reading ‘5,000 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations for Bay Area’
August 17th, 2010 by EBR_EBdaily
When the final whistle blows, demand for electricity usually soars, causing a headache for energy companies. Researchers at the University of Leeds and the Chinese Academy of Sciences have now found a way to manage these short-lived draws on the electricity grid that could half the fuel needed.
Continue reading ‘Energy Storage System Deals with Sudden Draws on the Grid’