Ken Novak: SED

Mon, 26 Mar 2007 07:15:08 GMT

Bruce Sterling update: Now calling his concept "cybergreens": "They're all about creating irresistible consumer demand for cool objects that will yield a global atmosphere upgrade. It's the Net vs. the 20th-century fossil order in a fight that the cybergreens are winning. Why? Because they're not about spiritual potential, human decency, small is beautiful, peace, justice or anything else unattainable. The cybergreens are about stuff people want, such as health, sex, glamour, hot products, awesome bandwidth, tech innovation and tons of money.

We're gonna glam, spend and consume our way into planetary survival. My own favorite sci-fi planetary-saving scheme for naming, numbering and linking to the Internet every piece of junk we create so that it can be corralled and briskly recycled, creating a cradle-to-cradle postindustrial order and averting planetary doom, may sound pretty shocking and alien. But I wrote that book while in residency at a famous design school. I received an honorary doctorate there and the book was published by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. It gets great reviews, designers love it. It's not even science fiction -- it's a cybergreen manifesto.

In 1998, I had it figured that the dot-com boom would become a dot-green boom. It took a while for others to get it. Some still don't. They think I'm joking. They are still used to thinking of greenness as being "counter" and "alternative" -- they don't understand that 21st-century green is and must be about everything -- the works. Sustainability is comprehensive. That which is not sustainable doesn't go on. Glamorous green."

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:58:26 GMT

RPS outside the US: "- China will increase its use of renewables as part of a national plan to combat climate change, says the country’s environment minister Xie Zhenhua. .. he says the Chinese government will announce a national plan with concrete targets to improve energy efficiency by 20% by 2010 and to increase the proportion of renewables to 10%.

- Taiwan Power will spend NT$3.6 billion to install solar panels .. Taiwan imports 98% of its energy and the government wants renewables to generate 12% by 2025. .. The government owns 97% of Taipower, which generates three-quarters of the island’s electricity.

- The World Wind Energy Agency has welcomed the decision by the European Union to increase the continent’s share of renewables to 20% by 2020."

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:41:23 GMT

South Africa: Cape green power plans: "Eskom, local authorities and the private sector are set to launch renewable energy projects that will add at least 350 megawatts of electricity to the national energy grid. The Western Cape uses around 4 000MW of electricity daily, while the entire country uses around 34 000MW, which can go up to 40 000MW at peak demand [somewhat less than California]. In the recent past there have been regular power outages as Eskom battles to meet the growing demand for electricity.

The planned renewable energy projects include two 100MW wind farms on the West Coast, a 100MW solar thermal plant in the Northern Cape and a 50MW solar thermal plant on the West Coast. .. The department is keen to launch projects that will ensure that 15 percent of the region's electricity needs will be met by clean and renewable sources by 2015."

Meanwhile the giant projects being coming online today are not so green; coal dwarfs them all: "The two Western Cape liquid-fuel open-cycle gas turbine stations would collectively add another 1050 megaWatts of power to the national grid. Ingula Power Station .. will be a pump-storage hydro-electric scheme, with a generating capacity of 1330 mW. .. The 4200 mW coal-fired power station in Lephalele would be named Medupi, meaning "the name that soaks parched land"."

Wed, 03 Jan 2007 07:58:00 GMT

Wal-Mart promotes CFLs: More info about WalMart and compact fluorescent lightbulbs. An example of how irrational consumer choice is, by seeing how easily it's manipulated by merchandising; and how both environmental and economic results are far from optimal in a "free" market. "Wal-Mart sold only 40 million [CF bulbs] in 2005, compared with about 350 million incandescent bulbs..

At the same time that it pressured suppliers, Wal-Mart began testing ways to better market the bulbs. In the past, Wal-Mart had sold them on the bottom shelf of the lighting aisle, so that shoppers had to bend down. In tests that started in February, it gave the lights prime real estate at eye level. Sales soared.

To show customers how versatile the bulbs could be, Wal-Mart began displaying them inside the lamps and hanging fans for sale in its stores. Sales nudged up further.

To explain the benefits of the energy-efficient bulbs, the retailer placed an education display case at the end of the aisle, where it occupied four feet of valuable selling space — an extravagance at Wal-Mart. Sales climbed even higher.

In August 2006, the chain sold 3.94 million, nearly twice the 1.65 million it sold in August 2005.." They need to double again to hit 100m in a year.

Thu, 28 Dec 2006 08:07:01 GMT

Joel Makower commercializes greenbiz.com: The green info market matures. "I've just launched a for-profit media company, Greener World Media, which has taken over publishing of GreenBiz.com, et al, from their nonprofit home, the esteemed National Environmental Education & Training Foundation, where the sites had lived happily for the past five years.

Why a for-profit? In 1998-99, when the idea for GreenBiz.com was germinating, there was no business model for giving away information on the Internet. That clearly didn't stop a lot of people, but it stopped me. So, I created "the resource center on business, the environment, and the bottom line," as we dubbed ourselves, as a not-for-profit resource, relying on grants, sponsorships, and the kindness of strangers.

That model worked for a while, but it wasn't sustainable. (There's precious little philanthropic money available, at least in the green world, for a nonprofit organization whose prime mission is to serve the needs of business.) And things have changed: There is a business model now for online information services, based on advertising, sponsorship, and other revenue sources. And the world of green and sustainable business has exploded, with plenty of new products, services, and company initiatives to be promoted." This is good news. In my 2001-2 Stanford Digital Vision fellowship, I concluded that information sources for sustainable energy were needed, and were on their way thanks to tech advances in blogging and the natural growth of the community. In the last 2 years, I've trimmed my own blogging in the topic area as others have other voices and services have grown. Now it seems to be completely mainstream.

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 15:41:04 GMT

Small car 'Reva' gets big funds: "Venture funds are now seeing value beyong hot wireless and internet companies in India. India’s first and only electric car manufacturer, REVA Electric Car Company, has attracted a $ 20 m investment from Draper Fisher Jurveston, Global Environment Fund (GEF) and Mellon HBV Master Global Event Drive Fund LP, according to officials. The company, which is joint venture between the Bangalore-based Maini group and the California-based AEV LLC, is looking at expanding overseas and consolidating its position in global markets with this funding. .. This is GEF’s first investment in India. ..

Reva has sold around 1000 cars in the domestic market and 600 in overseas markets. Apart from the United Kingdom, the company is targetting exports to USA, Norway, Switzerland, Cyprus, Japan, Srilanka and Malta. Its manufacturing plant, located in Banglaore, has an installed capacity of about 6,000 units. .. The entry model is priced around Rs 3 lakh [$6800]. Last year, the company collaborated with designer Dilip Chhabria and Encore, maker of the smallest tablet PC, to launch Reva-NXG. The model gives an extended 200 km per charge compared to the 80 km that is available on the entry model."

Tue, 26 Dec 2006 08:25:16 GMT

WaterHealth International Closes Series C Funding: "WaterHealth International, Inc. (WHI) today announced the final close of its Series C funding for a total equity investment of more than $11 million. SAIL Venture Partners, L.P., anchored the latest investment of $4 million. Series A investor Plebys International LLC, founded and led by WHI CEO Tralance Addy, also invested in this round. The new investments are in addition to the $7.25 million equity investment anchored by Dow Venture Capital that WHI announced last month.

WHI has more than 450 installations of its water purification and disinfection systems in developing countries around the world. This additional funding further strengthens WHI and will allow for accelerated growth in the company's target markets, primarily India and South Asia, West Africa, the Philippines and Mexico." This is the product developed by Ashok Gadgil, which I've been following for a few years. Glad to see it get substantial backing.

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:29:11 GMT

Low temp geothermal: "PureCycle® geothermal power plant at Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska was selected as Project of the Year in the renewable/sustainable energy category by Power Engineering magazine. .. The Chena Hot Springs Resort in Alaska has the first geothermal power plant in the state. It also is the site of the lowest temperature geothermal resource (165°F) ever used for commercial power generation in the world. The resort’s UTC Power PureCycle® geothermal system was commissioned in August and provides power for the resort’s on-site electrical needs. All 44 buildings at the resort – including a greenhouse, hotel, cabins and ice museum – are linked by a geothermal district heating system." More info: "Although output from the installation is considered small for a base load power plant, the Chena plant represents a huge leap forward for moderate geothermal development and greatly expands the number of geothermal resources that can be economically developed. Prior to the operation of the power plant at Chena, the lowest temperature geothermal resource ever developed for commercial power generation was 208 F."

Wed, 13 Dec 2006 17:17:16 GMT

ADB lending for renewables growing: "A financing facility of US$510 million has been approved to develop renewable energy resources in Pakistan. ADB (Asian Development Bank) will establish the ‘Renewable Energy Development Sector Investment Program’ to expand power supply in rural areas through 600,000 new connections to 4.8 million people. The multitranche financing facility is one of the first to be developed under ADB's evolving clean energy initiative, through which ADB plans to expand operations in developing countries to $1 billion per year. “Small- to medium-sized hydropower plants offer the greatest renewable energy potential for Pakistan, while possibilities also exist in promoting greater use of wind, solar, and biomass power,” says Piya Abeygunawardena of ADB."

Mon, 27 Nov 2006 07:11:42 GMT

WorldChanging book and book tour: I've been a fan of the blog for years, and now it's a book, complete with big city book tour. Bravo!

Wed, 18 Oct 2006 16:22:14 GMT

European Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund: "The European Commission today proposed the creation of a Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF), which will accelerate the transfer, development and deployment of environmentally sound technologies. .. It will contribute to bringing clean, secure and affordable energy supplies to the 1.6 billion people around the world who have no access to electricity. ..

The need for risk capital in developing countries and transition economies is estimated at over €9 billion, far above current levels... GEEREF [will provide] new risk-sharing and co-financing options .. Priority will be given to deploying environmentally sound technologies with a proven technical track record. GEEREF will stimulate the creation of regional sub-funds tailored to regional needs and conditions, rather than investing in projects directly. Sub-funds are envisaged for the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) region, North Africa, non-EU Eastern Europe, Latin America and Asia. The focus will be on investments below €10 million as these are mostly ignored by commercial investors and international finance institutions. Corporate finance will be offered to support small and medium-sized enterprises as well as project finance

These projects will also combat climate change and air pollution. The Commission intends to kick-start the fund with a contribution of up to €80 million over the next four years, and expects that financing from other public and private sources will take funding to at least €100 million. This means that it will contribute to the financing of investment projects of a value up to 1 billion euro. "

Tue, 10 Oct 2006 08:26:07 GMT

Foresight for UK venture capital investment funding for sustainability: "Foresight Sustainable Development [fund] is aimed at very High Net Worth investors and their advisers looking to invest in excess of £100,000 in unquoted growth situations in sustainable markets. This will be structured as a Limited Partnership to avoid the constraints of a VCT. It will exploit opportunities in renewable energy, energy efficiency, the recycling of materials and energy security. It will invest across project finance, new technologies and service businesses.

Matt Taylor, partner at Foresight, explains: “In the clean fuels arena, many investors seem to be driving up the valuations of “blue sky” technologies. Our approach is different: we are concentrating on infrastructure projects and the exploitation of proven technologies. Sustainable development is an investment cycle for the long-term and we will invest only when the balance of risk and reward is right. This is going to be a small, tightly-focussed fund which should be fully invested over 12-18 months.” It launches in early October 06.

Sat, 16 Sep 2006 07:21:18 GMT

Wind Blade Technology: I started looking into sustainable energy in 2001, and found an active community that was open to sharing its findings and that was starting to use the internet to communicate. As I learned about RSS and weblogs, I thought that this area, like many in the IT world, would see weblogs grow, and with them a spontaneous division of labor to speed the spread of new developments would emerge. Blogs from universities, corporations, development institutions, non-profits, and from motivated independents would identify and highlight findings that mattered in specialized areas, and others who would otherwise search original sources would save time and effort by reading their blogs.

In the last 12 months, that dynamic has taken hold in sustainable energy. Starting in 2001, I kept a blog collecting important results I discovered in emerging energy technologies and developing country energy options, but now I find others are keeping close track and I can just follow their investigations. They include venture capitalists, investment companies, and independent engineers.

The Wind Blade blog (above) from six employees of Owens-Corning is an advanced example. They work in different countries, but all concentrate on the materials from which the blades of wind turbines are built. They write: "We accept the value of renewable wind energy as a given and we are committed to helping it become more cost competitive and widely used." They work in a specialized but critical technology. Why? Well, the output of a wind turbine is proportional to the area swept by its blades, which is the square of the length, so even small increases in blade length matter. Longer blades need materials that are strong, light, and rigid enough to turn in moderate winds while flexible enough to bend rather than break in strong winds. New materials for blades continue to make wind power more economically compelling every year.

It will be interesting to see if these bloggers find an audience among other engineers, and if they retain their corporate backing.

Sat, 19 Aug 2006 08:36:27 GMT

RenewableEnergyStocks.com: Massive collection of news stories, blog links, and articles on renewables and clean tech. Includes some unique content, like an analysis of the implications of today's solar silicon shortage, which "will likely end at some time from 2008 to 2010" when production levels are expected to at least double. "it is reasonable to suppose that the solar silicon shortage will continue in 2007, but will be greatly reduced in 2008 and will come to an end by 2010," which has some implications for thin-film producers. "In industrialized nations with solar incentives, such as the USA, Germany, and Japan, the trend is towards a need for smaller and higher efficiency solar panels, which means that silicon is best suited for this market. In the developing world the need is for cheaper solar panels that may take up more space, so that low cost thin films are best suited for that market."

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 19:33:41 GMT

Getting in early as China cleans up: "Stories on environmental disasters come out of China and other Asian developing countries regularly. A review of impacts and the resulting investments: "Environmental damage from pollution is costing China the equivalent of 7.7 percent of gross domestic product annually .. Other sobering statistics in the report, called "Connecting Asia," include estimates of 6.4 million work years lost annually in China to air pollution, 178,000 premature deaths in major cities every year caused by the use of high-sulfur coal and the fact that 52 urban river stretches have been so contaminated that they are no longer suitable for irrigation. ..

[Investment manager] Sorenson said that in terms of environmental standards, "China is now where the U.S. was in the late 1960s" [when disasters and new laws] changed the way U.S. companies conducted business. A similar process was seen in Japan, spurred by the Tokyo Olympic Games of 1964, and in South Korea, when Seoul was host of the Olympics in 1988. There is much hope that the 2008 Games in Beijing will prove as seminal in China's environmental development. .. In November, [China's] State Environmental Protection Administration estimated that the government would spend around $156 billion in environmental protection from 2006 to 2010. ..

Sorenson's FE Clean Energy Group is currently putting together an Asia fund, which Sorenson expects to total around $75 million. .. [Another is] the China Environment Fund, set up in 2001 by Tsinghua Venture Capital Management, a fund management company affiliated with Tsinghua University in Beijing. Catherine Cao, executive director of the firm, said that its third fund should be ready by the end of 2006 and aims to raise $50 million. Two previous funds [were] $13 million and $30 million..

The easiest means of entry for small investors still remains the mutual fund. The Impax Environmental Markets fund of £45 million, or $79 million, rose by around 32 percent in 2005. Among its biggest holdings are Casella Waste, a U.S. waste disposal company, Kurita Water of Japan and Horiba, a Japanese environmental testing company." Other options: big utilities, especially European, operating in Asia; Shenzhen Dongjiang Environmental, listed in Hong Kong; canada's Zenon Environmental; Nordex of Germany; solar companies Kyocera and Sharp. [via Salon]

Wed, 14 Dec 2005 17:23:34 GMT

Nanotechnology for Development: More groups are studying the potential impact of nanotech on developing countries. The World Bank Development Gateway has a site, with a few familar names (editor John Daly, and advisor Anil Srivastava) . The Merdian Institute Nanotechnology and Development News provides daily updates via RSS or email. From a Press Release: " Several recent reports, including the report of the UN Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology, and Innovation, conclude that science and technology, in particular nanotechnology, can contribute significantly to alleviating poverty and achieving the MDGs. "The use of nanotechnology applications for water treatment and remediation; energy storage, production, and conversion; disease diagnosis and screening; drug delivery systems; health monitoring; air pollution and remediation; food processing and storage; vector and pest detection and control; and agricultural productivity enhancement will help developing countries meet five of the Goals," states the Task Force Report. .. Over 20 countries, including innovative developing countries such as China, South Africa, Brazil, and India, have national nanotechnology programs.."

Thu, 08 Dec 2005 16:40:28 GMT

World Bank renewables support growing: It's from a very small base. There's lots to un-spin in the press release. Here we go. "The World Bank Group committed US$212 million to new renewable energy projects this year .. [WBG] funded $87 million in energy efficiency and another $449 million for large hydro (over 10 MW capacity) in the most recent fiscal year, for a combined total of $748 million compared with $339 million in the previous year. Total commitments to the three sectors since 1990 exceed $9 billion." So the annual average for 15 years was $9b/15=$600m, and the last 2 years together were average.

"Total energy sector commitments of $2.8 billion [were] made this year. .. WBG committed to increase its support for new renewables and energy efficiency by an average of 20% per year from 2005 to 2009. That commitment was made in Bonn, Germany in June 2004" At at 20% growth rate, it won't even equal the $2.5b of conventional and large hydro for 12 years! Pretty lame.

By region this year: East Asia & Pacific $129 m; Africa $46m; South Asia $16m; Latin America & Caribbean $15 m; Europe & Central Asia received $6m; Middle East & North Africa $1 m. So, only nominal support outside Asia and Africa.

"The lowest level of funding for new renewables was in 1991, when $2 million was supported, while the high was in 2000 at $444 million. The highest level for energy efficiency was $380 million in 1996, while hydro received $938 million in 1993. ..

The report includes the support provided by the six regional energy units of the WBG, International Finance Corporation, Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency, Carbon Finance operations, Energy Sector Management Assistance Programme, and the Asia Alternative & Sustainable Energy Program. It notes that each dollar of WBG financing leveraged $5 from private investors, governments and others. ..

Forty renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in 28 countries were supported, with the smallest being the Yemen Rural Electrification & Renewable Energy Development Project, and the highest being$137 million for the first phase of the Renewable Energy Scale-up Program in support of China’s commitment to increase its share of renewables from 7% of generation capacity to 15% by 2020."

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 19:00:27 GMT

South African disposable solar cells: I've been interested for some time in renewable power sources that are less expensive up front, even if more expensive over the long run. The lower up-front commitment cuts risk, allows more experimentation, and more room for incremental technological improvements. It also supports a wider range of business models based on recurring revenues.

"SCIENTISTS at the University of Cape Town are exploiting the nano-scale properties of silicon to develop a super-thin disposable solar panel poster which they hope could offer rural dwellers a cheap, alternative source of power. .. The scientists have developed technology for printing specialised inks containing tiny nanoparticles of silicon and other semiconductors onto paper. The solar panels are printed in much the same way as conventional colour images.. They print the metal contacts, then the semiconductor structure, then more contacts.

The voltage and power output of the solar cell is determined by the size of the poster. An A2-sized poster [15.9 x 22.3 ins or 40.38 x 56.64 cms] will deliver up to 100W of power, enough to charge a cellphone, power a radio or provide five hours of lighting, said Prof David Britton, a physicist specialising in nanotechnology.

“Many families cannot afford R1000 for a solar panel designed to last 30 years, but they can afford R10 (US$1.50) every three to six months for a ‘disposable’ panel,” he said. Shops could stock rolls of solar panel posters, and cut it to meet a customer’s needs. The poster could be mounted behind a window or attached to a cabinet. Britton’s team has built a successful prototype and is seeking to commercialise the project"

Fri, 25 Nov 2005 06:26:18 GMT

Global Renewable Energy Policies and Measures: New from the IEA with info from 100 countries. Coverage: "There are 34 countries listed with targets for renewables, ranging from Austria which wants 78.1% of its electricity to come from renewables by 2010, to the target of 3.6% in Hungary for the same period. Mali wants 15% of its total primary energy supply to come from renewables by 2020 and Singapore will install 50,000 m2 of solar thermal systems by 2012."

Thu, 03 Nov 2005 16:53:01 GMT

Sri Lanka government focus on renewables: "The National Council for Economic Development (NCED) has put together the top energy experts in the country to find ways of harnessing Sri Lanka' s energy resources by forming a "Renewable Energy Cluster" under the NCED Secretariat. .. Director of NCED Rohantha Athukorala said 'To insulate the country from devastating price surges in international oil markets, Sri Lanka must increase self reliance in energy and improve energy diversity. In 2004, the nation relied on imported diesel based thermal power to meet 56% of its requirements. .. The team's objective is to develop a national strategy to exploit indigenous renewable energy resources - namely hydro, dendro, wind and solar - for both grid-connected and off-grid generation. " While the emphasis is on indigenous renewables, cheap imported coal is also mentioned as an alternative. I recall a recent UNEP study mapping large wind resources in Sri Lanka.

Wed, 02 Nov 2005 07:45:08 GMT

China's Little Green Book: "Green China will be much more challenging than Red China.. The China Daily reported that China's 11th five-year plan, which starts soon, includes a program to sharply reduce China's energy usage per unit of G.D.P. by 2010. "To hit the target, a huge business potential will be open to investors," [said] Zhou Dadi, director of China's top energy research institute.. "China is growing three times as fast as we are," Mr. Watson said, "[so] a lot of innovation is going to happen here, and once it is introduced [on the low-cost China platform] it is going to spread a lot faster. ... The Japanese and Europeans are here in a big way, and they are giving their stuff away. ... We deserve to lose. We are clutching our past with these tremulous hands, and everyone else is vigorously grasping the future."

Tue, 20 Sep 2005 08:01:01 GMT

The Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy: "The Ashden Awards reward outstanding, inspirational and innovative local sustainable energy schemes that both protect the environment, tackle climate change and make real improvements to people's quality of life. The Awards are designed to encourage wider take-up of local energy solutions worldwide - proving to the public and policy makers alike that such schemes offer viable, practical ways of tackling poverty, resource shortages and climate change. In 2005, we are offering up to £250,000 in prizes to renewable energy and energy efficiency schemes in both the developing world and the UK. " First annual awards were 2001. 2005 awards announced in June, mostly for commnunity projects or commercialization efforts in developing countries. Associated with Forum for the Future.

Fri, 09 Sep 2005 19:14:29 GMT

Energy Solutions Toolkit for ICT: USAID interactive website for design of ICT's with off-grid power sources.

Sat, 03 Sep 2005 04:14:41 GMT

In the search for new energy, China rides the wind: "China has made big investments in petroleum production in countries as far-flung as Sudan and Venezuela. But at home, where petroleum is growing scarce and overdependence on coal chokes the air of major cities - and killed 6,009 miners last year - the Chinese government is moving just as aggressively to develop alternative energy supplies..

By 2020, starting from a minuscule base that it has established only recently, China expects to supply 10 percent of its needs from so-called renewable energy sources, including wind, solar energy and small hydroelectric dams. .. So far, wind power is making the most impressive strides ..

"We have huge goals for wind power development," said Wang Zhongying, director of China's Center for Renewable Energy Development. "By 2010, we plan to reach 4,000 megawatts, and by 2020 we expect to reach 20,000 megawatts, or 20 gigawatts." If anything, Wang said, these targets are too conservative, and may be easily surpassed. The biggest limitations, he said, were not in China's wind-power potential, or in its generating technology, but rather in the country's antiquated power grid ..

The outcome has been a real boom among suppliers of wind power equipment. "We're expecting the sector to grow 50 to 75 percent a year between now and 2020," said Jens Olsen, the chief representative of Vestas, a Danish turbine manufacturer that is the leading equipment supplier in China."

Wed, 17 Aug 2005 23:44:25 GMT

Jatropha Biodiesel Energy Crops - D1 Oils: Company pursing Jatropha bean production in many developing countries, for biodiesel production. Listed in late 2004 on the London Stock Exchange, raising about $20m. "D1 Oils will produce biodiesel and supply crude vegetable oil used in the production of biodiesel. .. The Group’s strategy is to control and manage its operations on a regional basis by securing plantation rights and establishing refinery operations using its own refinery technology. .. The Jatropha tree has been selected as the Group’s primary energy crop due to the main benefits of its high productivity, durability and longevity. To date, the Group has established operations and strategic and commercial relationships in four regions: Europe (Teesside and London, UK), Africa (Johannesburg, South Africa), Asia Pacific (Manila, The Philippines) and India (New Delhi). " Joint ventures or operations underway in China, Saudi Arabia, and (with Rolls Royce) in South Africa.

Wed, 10 Aug 2005 13:32:53 GMT

G.M. Thrives in China With Small, Thrifty Vans: "In this obscure corner of southern China, General Motors seems to have hit on a hot new formula: $5,000 minivans that get 43 miles to the gallon in city driving. That combination of advantages has captivated Chinese buyers, propelling G.M. into the leading spot in this nascent car market. ..

The minivans, which G.M. builds in a joint venture with a Chinese partner, have a quarter the horsepower of American minivans, weak acceleration and a top speed of 81 miles an hour. The seats are only a third the thickness of seats in Western models but look plush compared with some Chinese cars. ..

The utilitarian minivans and pickups are mainly purchased in China by small-business owners in towns and smaller cities, who drive them both to carry supplies for their businesses and to transport their families. .. The minivans have been a big hit, helping G.M. sell more than 170,000 very small vehicles - automobile types not available in the United States - and to pass Volkswagen this year in sales in a market that VW has dominated for two decades. They have helped turn China into G.M.'s biggest center of automotive profit - in contrast to losses in manufacturing operations in the United States - and its second-largest market in terms of the number of vehicles sold, after the United States...

The Chinese government has also encouraged a shift toward more efficient models through stringent fuel-economy regulations, even as Congress has opted for more subsidies for oil production and a limit on hybrid car subsidies .."

Sat, 02 Jul 2005 22:47:26 GMT

SWERA summary: Good overview of the UNEP/USAID/NREL "Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment" project to map renewable energy resources in many developing countries. www.swera.net has much information, including interactive maps, such as this demo for Sri Lanka. Project manager listed as Tom Hamlin.

Thu, 26 May 2005 09:25:30 GMT

ADB Funds Solar Thermal Power Station in Morocco: The African Development Bank is lending 136m Euros, and GEF is contributing additional funds. "It will help raise the installed production capacity of the national electricity authority (ONE) from 200 to 250 MW and to inject about 1,590 GWh into the interconnected system, including 55 GWh from solar energy. .. The Bank is a major partner of Morocco in the energy sector. It has financed 10 operations (9 projects and 1 study) in the energy sector for a total amount of UA 262.26 million. " Start-up date and duration: February 2005, 4 years.

Tue, 24 May 2005 07:35:26 GMT

Fundable: A web site for pooling money in small groups. "Get it to happen or get your money back." Could be great for non-profits, open-source coders or freelancers wanting to get paid for making a contribution, fans raising money to fund a concert, bulk buying, school projects, and more. (How about a private lottery: if we all chip in, one of us gets to go somewhere amazing..) [From Hugh Pyle]

Mon, 23 May 2005 20:08:49 GMT

SEFI: UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative: "SEFI is the UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative - a platform providing financiers with the tools, support, and global network needed to conceive and manage investments in the complex and rapidly changing marketplace for clean energy technologies. SEFI's goal is to foster investment in sustainable energy projects by providing up-to-date investor information, facilitating deal origination, developing partnerships, and creating the momentum needed to shift sustainable energy from the margins of energy supply to the mainstream. " Includes a Sustainable Energy Finance Directory of over 200 organizations.

Related: BASE: Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy: "BASE helps to build strategic partnerships between entrepreneurs and financiers to mobilize capital for sustainable energy in both developing and industrialized countries. BASE is a non-profit foundation and UNEP Collaborating Centre." Offers links to related financing efforts.

Mon, 23 May 2005 20:01:31 GMT

Global Village Energy Project: An information hub for sustainable energy in several developing countries. "GVEP is a voluntary Partnership that brings together developing and industrialized country governments, public and private organizations, multilateral institutions, consumers and others in an effort to ensure access to modern energy services by the poor. " Currently lists over 400 partners, 80 publications, and services to facilitate project finance. Started in the World Bank, then shifted to ITDG in the UK.

Wed, 13 Apr 2005 17:13:20 GMT

SWERA assessment of wind and solar in 9 developing countries: "Thousands of megawatts of new renewable energy potential in Africa, Asia, South and Central America have been discovered by a pioneering project to map the solar and wind resource of 13 developing countries. [Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Cuba, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guatemala, Honduras, Kenya, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sri Lanka] .. The Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA), is proving that the potential for deploying solar panels and wind turbines in these countries is far greater than previously supposed. Since its beginning in 2001 and with substantial support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the US$9.3 million SWERA project has been developing a range of new information tools to stimulate renewable energy development, including detailed maps of wind and solar resources. [Examples:]

In Nicaragua, for example, SWERA assessments of wind resources demonstrated a much greater potential than the 200 megawatts (MW) estimated in the 1980s. The results prompted the Nicaraguan National Assembly to pass the Decree on Promotion of Wind Energy of Nicaragua 2004 that gives wind generated electricity “first dispatch”, meaning it has the first priority over other options when fed into electricity grids. The US Trade and Development Agency and Inter-American Development Bank have subsequently launched [studies and investments]..
In Guatemala, wind estimates before SWERA were mostly unknown, but are now estimated at 7000 megawatts, based on SWERA products. The Guatemala Ministry of Energy has established, with support from SWERA, the Centre for Renewable Energy and Investment ..
In Sri Lanka, the SWERA assessment found a land wind power potential of about 26,000 MW representing more than ten times the country’s installed electrical capacity.
While an initial assessment in Ghana, reveals more than 2,000 MW of wind energy potential, mainly along the border with Togo. In Africa, this is quite a significant amount, as by some estimates, the continent needs just 40,000 MW of electricity to power its industrialization."

This is a very cheap project -- under $1m per country -- and could significantly change the way developing countries acquire energy.

Tue, 12 Apr 2005 00:20:50 GMT

Solar Electricity in the Developing World from the Solar Electric Light Fund: SELF is starting reconstruction projects. In India: "As the Tsunami emergency relief efforts begin to fade for the ravaged coastal villages along Indian Ocean, new sources of funding for the long term reconstruction and stabilization of home and community rebuilding are urgently needed. To help meet these challenges, and to specifically provide the critical renewable energy infrastructure component, SELF, RenewableEnergyAccess.com, and SELCO, have launched the Tsunami Solar Light Fund to serve the Tamil Nadu region along the southeastern coast of India. The initial project will fund 1,500 solar power systems for homes and 25 solar powered community street lights." And in Sri Lanka: "SELF and SELCO are teaming with the Rebuild Sri Lanka Solar Initiative, a program of the Rebuild Sri Lanka Trust, to bring immediate relief to the survivors of the Tsunami disaster. With your help, solar technology will be implemented to power hospitals -- enabling the use of lights, medical equipment, and refrigeration for vital medicines and vaccines, as well as for water pumping and purification systems, dramatically decreasing the risk of water-born illnesses and saving thousands of lives."

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 06:01:07 GMT

China's Oil Thirst Could Push It Toward Fuel Efficiency; Eye On Solar And Wind: "Bryant Tong, managing director of privately held Nth Power, a San Francisco-based venture capital firm that invests in energy and tech firms, says China's hunger for oil and other fuels is making its officials aware they need better ways to use and monitor energy. Tong doubles as chairman and president of the nonprofit China/U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance, a board that advises Chinese officials on how to use energy more efficiently. ..

IBD: What types of technology is China considering to make its energy consumption more efficient?

Tong: The simple answer is products such as energy-efficient commercial lighting, commercial and residential air conditioning, industrial motors and other systems.

IBD: Can China's energy problems be solved just by using such products?

Tong: No. You need to set up an infrastructure that's backed by the right policies and programs. That's where the China/U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance comes in. We work with other groups, like the National Resources Defense Council, a U.S. think tank, to help Chinese officials pinpoint the best practices and energy-efficient products that have worked in the U.S. ..

IBD: What types of digital and online technology is China eyeing to make energy use more efficient?

Tong: A lot of (it) will be energy monitoring technology. The Internet is a huge enabler to track energy use by factories and citizens. There are new types of sensors to help the Chinese monitor and control energy use.

IBD: What about using solar and wind energy?

Tong: China is looking at different projects in solar and wind. There was a report that GE is selling wind turbines to China. Right now, China's main focus is on more efficient hydro-energy projects. It's mainly dam-type stuff. ..

IBD: What concrete steps has China already taken to curb energy use?

Tong: They've implemented fuel efficiency standards that are tougher on SUVs than in the U.S. China is also on the verge of enacting a fuel oil tax to curb consumption.

IBD: Doesn't China have access to oil reserves in Central Asia and the South China Sea region that can supply more oil and lessen its need to conserve fuel?

Tong: China is a huge net importer of oil. Regardless of what reserves they have, they are importing tremendous amounts of oil, and their projections of what they'll be needing are enormous as well. .. The Chinese people know they are at the beginning of a new era. Growth prospects are enormous, with China leapfrogging Japan last year as the second-largest oil-importing country. They know they have to be fuel efficient."

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 05:56:24 GMT

China's Boom Brings Fear of an Electricity Breakdown: "According to Zhang Jun, a prominent Chinese economist who has made a comparative study of China and India, China consumes 3 times the energy and 15 times the amount of steel as its neighbor, even though the Chinese economy is only roughly twice as large, and is growing only about 10 percent faster than India's. Part of this picture comes from an intensive focus on manufacturing and exports, which many economists say has led to overindustrialization and empty growth. A lot of the responsibility for wastefulness can be laid to duplication, with each province - and indeed many city governments - simultaneously pushing for the same kind of growth..

"China will definitely be facing a huge, huge challenge in a decade or so if the growth patterns don't change," said Dr. Zhang, who is the director of the China Center for Economic Studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. "Ours is an extreme case of the East Asian model, and we are coming quickly toward the limitations in terms of the way we use energy, in terms of the environment, and even in terms of labor." ..

The toll on China's environment from this growth-at-any-cost strategy has been truly alarming. China's official development goal is to build what the government calls a well-off society by the year 2020, yet today the very growth that makes such dreams permissible has left China with 16 of the world's 20 most polluted cities, according to the World Bank. Using standards that are relatively lax when compared with those of the United Nations, the Chinese government itself reckons that fewer than half of the country's cities have acceptably breathable air. The government also says that 90 percent of urban residents face serious water pollution problems. By another estimate, 700 million Chinese must make do with contaminated drinking water. Even the country's seas are increasingly under siege from industrial pollution and are regularly choked by red tide infestations.

If the country's galloping energy needs have caught people's attention throughout China, mobilizing resources to protect the environment has been far more difficult."

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 05:52:32 GMT

China enacts first auto fuel-efficiency standards: Oct 2004: "China has introduced its first fuel-efficiency standards for passenger cars, moving to control soaring oil consumption and ensure foreign automakers share their latest technology, the government said Friday. .. Initially some foreign carmakers opposed the plans, fearing the added costs of compliance. Foreign manufacturers have also urged China to force suppliers to clean up the substandard diesel and gasoline fuel now sold throughout the country, complaining that bad fuel ruins high-tech engines. ..

Though not particularly stringent, the new requirements are stricter than U.S. standards, which haven't been updated for more than 20 years, [Energy Foundation official] Yang noted. American fuel efficiency standards are calculated using the average fuel use of the entire fleet sold by an automaker. In China, similar to Japan, the standards require that each model sold meet the criteria, Yang said. The first phase of the standards will be implemented from July 2005, with a stricter second phase from 2008 for new models introduced to China, the research center said. "

Fri, 18 Mar 2005 05:47:04 GMT

China - US Energy Efficiency Alliance: "As a coalition between governments, businesses and NGOs, the China-U.S. Energy Efficiency Alliance will be helping China to fuel its economic growth by tapping the highly cost-effective option of energy efficiency. In partnership with the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Alliance has been invited by governments in China, such as Shanghai and Jiangsu, to provide regulatory consultation and training assistance. The assistance will help these governments transfer and adopt effective programs to quickly realize the benefits of energy efficiency. " Interesting public-private effort. Supported by Environmental Entrepreneurs (e2.org) and NRDC.

A related effort, also based in San Francisco: EF China: "In March 1999, after a series of meetings and consultations with scientists, policy-makers, business leaders, and analysts in China and the United States, the staff and boards of The David and Lucile Packard Foundation and The Energy Foundation launched the China Sustainable Energy Program. The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation joined as a funding partner in 2002. The program's mission is: To assist in China's transition to a sustainable energy future by promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy. "

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 17:36:22 GMT

14 CDM projects in the Philippines: "The Philippines is ready to participate in the “clean development mechanism” under the Kyoto Protocol and 14 CDM-eligible projects have been identified for endorsement to investors, Environment Secretary Michael T. Defensor said on Wednesday. These projects are meant to limit emissions of ozone-depleting greenhouse gases while promoting sustainable development. .. “Three [projects] have already been endorsed to the World Bank Prototype Carbon Financing,” Defensor said .. Bangui’s 25-megawatt (MW) North Wind Project, Victoria’s 50-MW cogeneration project, and First Farmers’s 30-MW cogeneration project. "

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 17:01:10 GMT

Kyoto Protocol means green energy projects for India: "The Kyoto Protocol will bring into force a clean development mechanism (CDM) wherein developed nations would be able to trade part of their commitment to reducing greenhouse gasses by buying green energy credit from projects in developing countries like India. .. So far the government has endorsed 46 out of the 150 projects submitted for CDM credit to help them earn extra dollars. Every tonne of carbon dioxide reduction through use of clean technology like wind, hydropower and biodegradable waste can fetch anywhere from $5-$6.

In the case of projects that reduce emission of methane gas, generated from municipal waste, the returns are expected to be 20 times more, while in the case of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which is 6,000 times more harmful than carbon dioxide, the returns are proportionately higher.

"With the carbon trading mechanism expected to bring in anywhere between five and six paise per unit of clean power generated to as much as 50-60 paise per unit, green energy will now be a profitable venture," Mathur told IANS. [Ajay Mathur, president and CEO of Senergy Global, formerly with World Bank]

He cited the example of how Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd, by investing in a project to burn the HFCs being emitted into the air, is now getting revenue that will soon pay off its investment while helping to clean environment pollution. Gujarat Fluorochemicals was one of the first projects to be certified for CDM by Britain.

All clean energy projects that have been commissioned after January 2000 are eligible for certified carbon trading. India has emerged as the largest supplier of projects followed by Brazil. China is expected to enter the market soon, with a difference, as the Chinese government would sell the emission reduction credits through mega projects, said Mathur.

"In the 46 projects that have been endorsed so far, there is no foreign funding upfront. But there are contracts in place that will bring in extra revenue apart from the income the project would have anyway generated," said Mathur, who is a key member of the Indian Carbon Market Group. ..

Over the next few years till 2012, the first phase of commitment for developed nations under the Kyoto Protocol, an estimated two to three billion tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions is to be reduced through energy efficiency, clean technology and other project like afforestation.

"These efforts are expected to generate around $12-$15 billion additional revenues for new clean energy projects. This should leverage investments of over $100-150 billion in clean energy globally. Given the present trend, India can expect at least one-third of the estimated investments," said Mathur.

An important facet of the CDM is it would help promote waste management projects on the lines of the Lucknow, Hyderabad and Chennai experiments to generate power from municipal waste. This would not only help tackle growing mounds of biodegradable city waste but also reduce methane emission."

Wed, 02 Mar 2005 16:55:54 GMT

News: "The Asian Development Bank will introduce a new five-year loan programme for Pakistan and other member countries from 2006. Pakistan is expected to receive about $1 billion loans per year from the bank under the new programme, ADB Country Director in Pakistan Marshuk Shah said... in the coming two years, his bank would provide $500 million for transmission, distribution and renewable energy projects in Pakistan besides $200 million for wind, solar and other resources of alternative and renewable energy."

Thu, 17 Feb 2005 09:37:18 GMT

WorldChanging: Nanotechnology and the Developing World: "the Global Dialogue on Nanotechnology and the Poor [is] a project intended to trigger a conversation about the ways in which nanotechnology can be applied to the problems of development and poverty. Anyone may participate .." SciDevNet covers the conference and has an introduction to the material. The 29-page report covers risks as well as benefits, with a useful appendix showing the UN Millenium Goals for reference.

This has been a major interest of mine since 2000. The bottom line for me came down to two things: nano-engineered materials for energy and water. Nanotech's first fruits are a new universe of materials with electrical and chemical properties that will offer new options to engineers of all goods, including those meeting basic needs. It's like plastics a century ago; we're at the start of a decades-long absorbtion of new possibilities, both good and bad. This time the changes will come faster, sped up by computer-aided design and manufacturing. (Nano-assembly, whenever it arrives, will only further add to the changes.)

For developing countries, the key benefits are in the basics for manufacturing and urban life.

purified or desalinated water
distributed electric generation and new options for fuel, ideally from renewable sources with hydrogen and/or battery storage of power
more efficient use of energy and materials overall

I think this will be on balance good for the environment, in its greater material efficiency. However, nano-engineered materials will also be applied to increase the efficiency of raw material extraction, such as taking fossil fuels from the earth faster and cheaper. It will also give rise to more extravagant ways to use energy in the developed world, perhaps super-sonic transport, large-scale military applications, or ever-larger interiors for housing and commerce. I am optimistic that enough funding and volunteer attention will be given to pollution-reducing and poverty-alleviating applications to tip the balance. (I think that the top-down and exploitative applications have been refined so much already, that it's probably easier for researchers and innovators to have a big impact in the less-explored sustainable applications.)

Mon, 03 Jan 2005 01:27:12 GMT

Chilean Pigs Cut Emissions, Helps Japan, Canada: "In this case, a Chilean pork producer is eliminating methane fumes from animal waste and selling the resulting "credits" to Japanese and Canadian utilities, requiring that much less of them as they reduce carbon dioxide emissions at their coal- and oil-burning power plants. ..

Industrial pork operations usually collect excrement in pits where it decomposes naturally, emitting methane into the open air. But Chilean food producer AgroSuper, spotting the Kyoto opportunity, installed $30 million in technology to handle the waste of 100,000 pigs, covering pits with vast plastic sheets and drawing off the methane, some to flare, some to use in generators to power farm operations.

Though less prevalent than carbon dioxide, methane is a more potent greenhouse gas. Each ton of contained methane earns AgroSuper some 20 "CERs" - certified emission reductions equivalent to 20 tons of carbon dioxide. The Chilean agribusiness will divide 400,000 CERs per year for nine years between the Japanese and Canadian companies. Wharton estimated this would meet 10 percent of TransAlta's needs for reductions. A credit currently sells on the new European carbon market for about $10...

A firm called CO2e ("carbon dioxide equivalent"), a subsidiary of the New York financial house Cantor Fitzgerald, brokered the AgroSuper deal and is developing another involving Brazilian power plants using sugar cane, a renewable fuel less carbon-heavy than coal or oil. China, meanwhile, is working to qualify more than 500 projects for salable credits.

Environmentalists worry that a flood of questionable projects may win U.N. certification as Kyoto comes into force in 2005... Santiago lawyer Sergio Vives, who helped negotiate the AgroSuper deal, defends it as a real reduction. "It's quite clear they probably wouldn't have gone ahead with this technology" - and methane would still rise into the atmosphere - "without an incentive like the CDM," he said. ..

A Florida-based firm, AgCert, is installing methane-capture technology at 30 pig farms in Brazil. In one Brazilian state alone, Minas Gerais, 3.4 million pigs produce 7 million tons of waste per year - a lot to work with to keep lights burning in the credits-hungry north"

Sun, 07 Nov 2004 19:57:19 GMT

Distributed generation for development: Nature article endorses the idea. "The desire to mitigate climate change, and opportunities to empower consumers in the developed and developing worlds, all point towards a need for less-centralized energy generation. .. But for the 2 billion people without electricity, micropower could let them leapfrog the grid. Just as countries that had never seen an expensive copper telephone network jumped straight to mobile phones, so decentralized generation technologies offer the chance for them to leapfrog the grid and prosper. That was the take-home message from a meeting of energy companies, researchers and policy makers in Paris" in Feb 2004. World Energy Technologies Summit Presentations are online.

Tue, 26 Oct 2004 05:54:14 GMT

Solar plan for Indian computers: "Authorities in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh have drawn up a pilot project to use solar power to run computers in village schools. Nearly 80% of houses are estimated to have no power, and many villages suffer frequent disruption in supply because of power cuts or other faults. Many have to use kerosene lamps for light and most government-run primary schools have no power at all." There is rural experience with solar for other purposes, such as battery charging and water pumps. "Last year 109 solar pumps were installed, but the administration now aims to install 400 in 2004. "

Tue, 05 Oct 2004 00:58:08 GMT

Compact refrigeration technology: "Twinbird Corporation are in the final stage of the development work on the Free Piston Stirling Cooler "FPSC-TB40" and expects to have market ready products in Fiscal Year 2003. The TB40 has significant differences to the conventional Rankine compressor or Peltier (thermoelectric) module type refrigeration systems. It is a new type of refrigeration system that uses neither ozone depleting nor global warming gas and no lubrication oil. The cooling technique is based on the Stirling cycle for maximum efficiency. Aside from being environmentally friendly, the unit is also compact, light weight and may be operated on many different power sources such as AC or DC electricity and photovoltaics." Could prove very useful in developing country or off-grid conditions with variable DC power (e.g., solar cells).

Mon, 04 Oct 2004 07:03:32 GMT

Kenya: Duo Taps Wind Power [via Alternative Energy Blog]: Entrepreneurs have developed a low-cost locally-assembled micro wind turbine for household power. "Kenyan duo Philip Osula and Mwacharo Guyo have installed wind-powered electricity generators in various homes in Nairobi, Mandera, Olengurueni and Taita in the last three years.. Using a simple dynamo-like appliance, the technicians coil a coated wire around a revolving magnet, which induces an alternating current into the wires once it starts rotating. "We make the turbines using waste material which includes wood and fibreglass, which makes them light for easy rotation by wind," explains Osula. " It is described as having a 10 inch diameter and 3 kw capacity.

Sun, 03 Oct 2004 19:40:47 GMT

Winning the Oil Endgame: RMI's latest book on energy futures. "Winning the Oil Endgame offers a coherent strategy for ending oil dependence, starting with the United States but applicable worldwide. There are many analyses of the oil problem. This synthesis is the first roadmap of the oil solution -- one led by business for profit, not dictated by government for reasons of ideology. This roadmap is independent, peer-reviewed, written for business and military leaders, and co-funded by the Pentagon"

Tue, 21 Sep 2004 17:57:51 GMT

BBC NEWS on distributed micropower: Nice review of various small-scale technologies. Interesting figure: "ground source heat pumps extract stored solar energy from the ground to run a home's central heating, and can cost as little as an oil-fired boiler to install. Widely used in the rural US, they produce three or four units of heat for every unit of electricity they use, and can be reversed to provide cooling." I wonder if new materials for the underground piping can make the energy transfer more efficient, reducing the installation costs of these heat pumps.

Sun, 12 Sep 2004 00:15:03 GMT

DOE AND OPIC Form Partnership to Promote Environmentally Sound Economic Development in Emerging Markets: "Under this agreement, both agencies will work to create an Efficient Energy and Renewables Program focused on innovative financing and creative partnerships that will lead to environmentally-sound economic growth in developing countries throughout the world. .. , DOE and OPIC are currently engaged in an effort to gather information regarding wind and efficiency opportunities in developing countries to determine the most promising targets for investment. "

Wed, 01 Sep 2004 00:19:50 GMT

Cane waste into electricity: "Cogeneration from bagasse could supply 25% of power in cane-producing countries, according to a report from the World Alliance for Decentralized Energy. The overall potential share in the world’s major developing country producers exceeds 7%, but no more than 15% of this potential has yet been realized, says the report, ‘Bagasse Cogeneration - Global Review & Potential.’ Bagasse cogeneration describes the use of fibrous sugarcane waste to cogenerate heat and electricity at high efficiency in sugar mills.

“The critical condition for the full exploitation of this major opportunity is that mill owners should be able to secure competitive rates for the electricity they supply to the grid or to other power consumers,” it explains. “Currently, these buyback rates only rarely reflect the fair value of the electricity to the system - disincentivising producers and preventing high efficiency cogeneration plants from being optimally sized to meet heat demand.”
The issue is being addressed in parts of India, where the introduction of biomass feed-in tariffs are ensuring that the external benefits of bagasse cogeneration are recognised by markets. The cost burden to India will be reduced by almost US$1 billion a year through a buyback rate of 7¢/kWh.. " The Kyoto CDM is seen as a financing mechanism for these plants.

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 06:20:39 GMT

Global Village Energy Project: GVEP is a partnership of UNDP, World Bank, donor governements and NGOs for sustainable rural energy development. ITDG – the Intermediate Technology Development Group – is the new host for the GVEP Technical Secretariat. The site has a useful database of documents and pointers on renewable energy work around the world. They participate in several EU programs on RE. A brief 2003 survey of 9 related programs is online.

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:36:59 GMT

Solar lanterns to light up 1,000 villages: A product that is getting more popular in developing countries. "As many as 660.000 houses in 1,000 villages in the State will get at least one solar-powered lantern as part of a `self-village energy security programme' involving the State Government and the Union Ministry for Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES). This is part of a scheme to electrify `remote' hamlets using renewable energy.. The 1,000-village electrification project would cost Rs. 100 crores ($20 m). The MNES would provide 90 per cent of the funds and the State the rest. The project is to be facilitated by Karnataka Renewable Energy Development Ltd. (KREDL). The Managing Director of KREDL, B. Shivalingaiah, said the organisation was identifying the 1,000 villages. Villagers would initially have to pay Rs. 40 to Rs. 50 a month under the scheme, he said. "

Tue, 31 Aug 2004 00:28:43 GMT

Technology already exists to stabilize global warming: Article published in Science identifies portfolio of options to cut emissions now. They refer to a stabilization triangle composed of emission reduction wedges: "Keeping emissions flat for 50 years will require trimming projected carbon output by roughly 7 billion tons per year by 2054, keeping a total of ~175 billion tons of carbon from entering the atmosphere [graphed as a triangle]. We refer to this carbon savings as the "stabilization triangle."

To keep pace with global energy needs at the same time, the world must find energy technologies that emit little to no carbon, plus develop the capacity for carbon storage. Many strategies available today can be scaled up to reduce emissions by at least 1 billion tons of carbon per year by 2054. We call this reduction a "wedge" of the triangle. By embarking on several of these wedge strategies now, the world can take a big bite out of the carbon problem instead of passing the whole job on to future generations. "

Tue, 24 Aug 2004 22:36:42 GMT

Economist on Prahalad: Good short review. "To be profitable, firms cannot simply edge down market fine-tuning the products they already sell to rich customers. Instead, they must thoroughly re-engineer products to reflect the very different economics of BOP [the bottom of the pyramid]: small unit packages, low margin per unit, high volume. Big business needs to swap its usual incremental approach for an entrepreneurial mindset, because BOP markets need to be built not simply entered. Products will have to be made available in affordable units -- most sales of shampoo in India, for example, are of single sachets. Distribution networks may need to be rethought, not least to involve entrepreneurs from among the poor. Customers may need to be educated in how to consume, and even why -- about credit, say, or even about the benefits of washed hands. The corruption now widespread in poor countries must be tackled (about which Mr Prahalad has penned a particularly useful chapter). "

Sun, 15 Aug 2004 07:44:59 GMT

Tidal Flow To Power New York City: Excellent summary of tidal flow power from Roland Piquepaille. The lead story is about a NY installation: "Verdant Power, an energy company based in Arlington, Virginia, plans to plunge six electricity turbines into the East River. If the $4.5-million project is successful, the generators will form the first farm of tide-powered turbines in the world. The plan is to attach the machines, which look like small wind turbines, to concrete piles hammered into the bedrock nine metres below the river's surface. As the tide surges in and out, the heads pivot to face the current and the blades spin."

Wed, 11 Aug 2004 20:06:38 GMT

World Bank rejects reforms in extractive industries: "The World Bank group rejected moves towards phasing out investment in oil and coal mining, as recommended by its own extractive industries review, this week, despite releasing a statement saying that it "broadly agreed that it [the review] represented a balanced way forward for the Bank Group." .. The Bank is also seeking to scale up its activities in the renewable energy sector by 20% annually over the next five years, bringing investment to more than US$400 million per year. This target will also be reviewed on a regular basis. It compares to an estimated annual investment of US$3 billion in fossil fuels. " The World Wildlife Fund and others criticized the move. "WWF says the Bank is missing “a historic opportunity to show real leadership and help guide the developing world towards a truly sustainable and clean energy future.” It wants the Bank to allocate at least $800 million of its $3 billion annual energy budget to renewables and energy efficiency, and to increase that level by 20% a year over the next five years. " The WB spin (World Bank Accepts New Oil, Gas Lending Controls) emphasises the changes in banking rules they are adopting, which basically require more reporting on where the money goes. Full text of EIR and supporting documents are online.

Wed, 11 Aug 2004 19:20:50 GMT

Low-income villages get renewables in the Philippines: Interesting model for low income energy projects, incorporating lessons from earlier efforts. "Eight off-grid villages in the Negros Occidental region of the central Philippines will benefit from a grant of US$1.5 million to install renewable energy systems. The ADB (Asian Development Bank) will provide the money from its Japan Fund for Poverty Reduction, which is financed by the Japanese government. The project is the sixth JFPR project in the Philippines, which have included urban development projects for slum communities in Manila to livelihood projects for the rural poor in Mindanao.

This community-based project will set up solar, wind, biomass and micro hydro systems for 2,480 residents who depend on kerosene, batteries and candles for energy. One-third of the villagers live below the regional poverty threshold of 27¢ per day, and the project was approved because of its creation of livelihood opportunities.. To mobilize the participating communities, sitios or barangays will be organized into power associations and a funds collection mechanism will be set up to operate and maintain the renewable energy systems.

A revolving fund will be established so lighting, tools and equipment can be installed and homes can connect to the green power systems. A second revolving fund will promote activities which consume the power, such as community-owned rice mills to increase rice production, ice plants for cold storage of fish products, purchase of small power tools and sewing machines for home-based work, and skills development and on-site training. After the four-year assistance period ends, the project will be turned over to the communities to take responsibility for operating and maintaining the renewable energy systems ..

JFPR was launched in 2000 with an initial contribution of $90 million, followed by another contribution of $155 million and a commitment of $50 million. The fund supports projects that target the poor and take innovative approaches."

Wed, 11 Aug 2004 18:34:10 GMT

Identifying Environmentally Preferable uses for Biomass Resources: A study of North American biomass resources and their comparative effects on greenhouse emissions. Recommendations:

If biomass is specifically grown to produce energy, avoid using low-yielding energy crops. Wheat, canola, or corn should not be used as energy crops, as they require considerable energy inputs in the form of fertilizer etc., take up prime farmland, and deliver small yields per hectare. Switchgrass or wood from short-rotation forestry (e.g., poplar or willow) should be used to produce energy.
Use biomass waste and energy crops where they displace fuels with high carbon
content. Combined heat and power, or the production of either biofuels or hydrogen are preferred over electricity-only options, since electricity production will usually replace relatively efficient natural gas burning.
Landfilling and incineration are the best options to minimize GHG emissions from municipal solid waste. While landfilling with efficient gas collection is slightly preferred over incineration. Composting is not recommended due to the considerable methane emissions from pockets of anaerobic activity.
Do not produce biodiesel from virgin vegetable oils. Available land can be used more efficiently by growing other crops for energy purposes. However, waste oil and fat should be used to make either biodiesel, or a diesel additive.
If the ultimate goal is to displace a maximum quantity of fossil fuels, combined heat and power systems are the preferable biomass use option.

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 06:47:40 GMT

Intelligent Energy Demonstrates Fuel Cell for Rural Electrification in Latin America: "Intelligent Energy Inc. says it has completed trials of its ethanol-based fuel cell technology system, showing that sufficient electricity can be generated for a rural home from equipment little larger than a shoebox, using fuel derived from sugar cane. ..

Intelligent Energy is engaged in a partner program in Argentina, Brazil and Mexico which is focused on providing rural and urban electricity solutions. Dr. Eduardo Torres Serra of CEPEL, Brazil's premier energy research laboratory, which is currently engaged in research aimed at rural and peri-urban electrification, witnessed the operation of Intelligent Energy's fully integrated ethanol-in to electricity-out system. He commented: "The Intelligent Energy system is at the cutting edge of technology, it is very compact and extremely impressive."

Making the announcement today, Intelligent Energy's Chairman, former Chairman of Shell, Sir John Jennings, said: "This successful demonstration is an important part of our expanding strategy to accelerate market acceptance of fuel cell technology as an alternative power source. " The company has interesting people from the conventional energy business, and materials that emphasize developing countries. They appear to proceed by acquisition of companies with promising technology, from fuel source to power output.

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 05:54:27 GMT

Jatropha plant yields biodiesel: "DaimlerChrysler is launching a new public-private joint enterprise in India for the production of environment-friendly biodiesel that can be used to power Mercedes vehicles. .. The project is setting out to test the production of biodiesel from Jatropha plants on eroded ground and its preparation for subsequent use in internal combustion engines.

With the establishment of this plantation, wind erosion will be alleviated and the roots of the plants will help reduce water erosion. The biscuits created as a byproduct of the oil extraction make an excellent organic fertilizer that helps improve the quality of the soil. It is envisaged that the plantations will later be operated by the municipal authorities.

Jatropha biodiesel is characterized by particularly favorable ignition performance. It also contains no sulfur and is thus a clean, low-emission fuel. .. Jatropha grows wild in many areas of India and even thrives on infertile soil. A good crop can be obtained with little effort. "

The Austrian Biofuels Institute provided a note on a field test of the fuel in 2004, with some into on its development since 1996.

Mon, 09 Aug 2004 05:47:55 GMT

New Solar Tent Prototypes for US Army (June 16, 2004): "Iowa Thin Film Technologies, Inc., has completed the development of integrated solar technology for three Army tent prototypes. The tents integrate the company's PowerFilm® flexible solar panels directly with the tent fabric. Iowa Thin Film Technologies says that it is the only company in the world that has developed this fabric integration solar technology." Could be equally useful during disasters or in refugee camps.

Fri, 06 Aug 2004 17:52:29 GMT

WRI Conference: Eradicating Poverty through Profit: Dec 12-14, 2004, San Francisco. Program lists presenters and tracks on Connectivity, Energy and Agriculture, among other topics.

Tue, 03 Aug 2004 20:27:22 GMT

Sustainable Resources: "An International Forum Connecting People with Hands-on Solutions to World Poverty." Boulder CO, Sept 30 - Oct 2, 2004 (plus pre- and post-conference workshops). Keynotes by John Todd, A.T. Ariyaratne, William McDonough.

Unfortunately, it overlaps with Engineers for a Sustainable World - 2004 National Conference, Stanford CA, Sept 30-October 2, 2004. Keynotes by William McDonough (busy guy!), and Jeffrey Sachs.

Fri, 28 May 2004 22:52:37 GMT

What is an AGM battery: Background on absorbed glass mat battery products. In this battery design, acid is completely absorbed into microfiber glass mat separators which are sandwiched between lead plates and typically wound in coils. Advantages:

totally sealed and maintenance free design
more heat and vibration resistant
slower self discharge rate (longer shelf life). A wet battery discharges 15% a month, some AGM batteries discharge only 2-3% a month, so 6 months idle is no problem

Many vendors are online.

Wed, 05 May 2004 22:46:27 GMT

VentureBlog: Tapping The Trillion Dollar Market: "Hard-headed venture investors have suddenly become environmentalists; there's money to be made in saving the world. .. Investing in the area has been growing more than 8% a year. After several false starts in the late 80's and mid 90's, is now the time to invest in alternative energy?" The author notes that "The California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS) launched a new investment program that will invest up to $200 million in the burgeoning environmental technology sector during the next few years [that] will target investments in environmental technology solutions .. such as recycling; minimizing the use of natural resources; and reducing emissions, refuse, and contamination to air, water, and land." It is part of a larger "plan to invest $1.5 billion of the state's pension funds in environmental technologies. State Treasurer Phil Angelides said the "Green Wave" initiative is aimed at helping the state improve financial returns, generate jobs and clean up the environment. "I want to see California in the best position to reap the benefits of this growing sector of the global economy," Angelides said in an interview. The California Public Employees' Retirement System, the nation's largest pension fund, voted in March to invest $200 million in clean technology startups, and agreed this month to pump $500 million into environmentally responsible stocks and mutual funds."

Wed, 28 Apr 2004 15:30:57 GMT

China grows solar-cell production: "Mainland China will enter the top 5 countries with the largest output of solar cells next year.. The total capacity of the mainland's solar-cell industry doubled to 30MW last year.. [forecasting] 60MW this year.

Of over 30 solar-cell manufacturers in the mainland, about 6 have large-scale operations. .. The central government has allocated Rmb10 billion ($1.21 billion at Rmb8.28:$1) for the adoption of solar and wind energy for power generation in remote areas of West China. ..

At present, local solar cell manufacturers focus on improving the efficiency of their solar cells. The converting efficiency of Suntech Power's mono- and polycrystalline silicon solar cells range between 16 to 16.5 percent and 15 to 15.5 percent, respectively. Guan says the company plans to upgrade efficiency by 1 percent annually in the next several years."

Mon, 22 Mar 2004 06:09:34 GMT

Combining Renewable Energy With Information And Communication Technologies: a New Solution to Rural Poverty And Global Competitiveness: Nice to see a UN panel endorsing the concept: "Combining the use of renewable energy, such as solar power, with wireless technologies and energy efficient computers should be a key strategy for developing nations in addressing the rural development crisis and in improving global competitiveness. This was the central conclusion of the Task Force for ICT Applications of Renewable Energy for Sustainable Development (IRESD), initiated two years ago in Paris, where the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Division of Technology Industry and Economics is headquartered.

The Task Force found a number of successful renewable energy and ICT projects in rural areas around the world, but points out that a variety of issues still need to be addressed in order for these examples to become more generally adopted. In particular, the group says that governments need to create incentives for using renewable energies, reduce the regulatory barriers for private networks to obtain connectivity, such as through tax incentives, and sanction the use of license-free radio spectrum. ..

Members of the Task Force [include] energy, ICT and development experts and include representatives from the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Switzerland; Winrock International, USA; Massachussettes Institute of Technology (MIT), USA; Kumasi Institute of Technology and Environment (KITE), Ghana; United Nations Industrial Development Organization; an independent consultant Mark A. Foster (MAFA), USA; and Mike Jensen, South Africa."

Tue, 17 Feb 2004 23:41:58 GMT

Gapminder world statistics: Interesting source of software, data, and documents on international development, including income distribution and historical trends.

Tue, 17 Feb 2004 06:14:27 GMT

Lights Go Out for South Africa Off-Grid Energy Projects: "[The SA] government is reviewing its off-grid renewable energy programme after finding that it does not meet targets; the technology is too costly and it lacks acceptance among intended users. This means that the provision of electricity to remote areas, especially using solar energy technology, will be halted while government seeks other sources of power.

Long distances from existing power grids and the inaccessibility of some areas make connections to electricity supply an expensive exercise. This is why renewable energy was explored as an alternative. In 1999 about 300000 rural households were identified for a pilot solar system. The aim was to connect them over a 10-year period. The minerals and energy department says the failure of contractors to meet their targets and the failure of the technology to meet the needs of rural people "gives doubts about its sustainability".

Nelisiwe Magubane, the deputy director-general responsible for electricity and nuclear energy at the department, says the six companies contracted to install the solar systems managed to deliver only 8000 units in 18 months. The target was 60 000 units 10000 for each company. The companies were EDF/Total, Eskom/Shell, Nuon/Raps, Solar Vision, Renewable Energies Africa, and BP.

Magubane says that of the R105m allocated to the project, the contractors spent only R20m by August last year. The remaining R85m has been taken back by the treasury, which demands that all unspent funds be returned so that they can be allocated to better-performing projects. [State power utility] Eskom is also considering withdrawing from the project because it believes it is not viable.

The power utility and other companies complained about nonpayment from users and vandalism of solar systems. High maintenance costs and the replacement of batteries every other three to years, at the company's cost, compounds the problem. ..

Minerals and Energy Minister Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka told Parliament last year that 1740 nongrid systems were installed in rural households in 2002. About 77000 grid connections were also made in these areas.

Mlambo-Ngcuka said her department, with the assistance of the World Bank and the Prototype Carbon Fund, would this year begin to promote [grid-connected] renewable energy electrification generation. "The target is an additional 1000gW- hours of energy consumed by 2013, which will be achieved through renewable energy generation and other sources such as biodiesel, solar water heating, solar photovoltaic, and solar design in housing."

The increasing demand for electricity and environmental imperatives also prompted Eskom to explore an energy mix of hydro power, natural gas, and other renewable energy sources. Eskom says that by 2012 at least 5% of the power it generates will be from renewable sources. To this end, the company has budgeted about R60m on wind farming, R9m on solar power, R1m on biopower and R500000 in wave power."

Tue, 20 Jan 2004 19:55:03 GMT

BP awards $1.95 million to Stanford University's Program on Energy and Sustainable Development: "The BP Foundation awarded a three-year, $1.95 million gift to Stanford University for a research program to support the Program on Energy and Sustainable Development at the Stanford Institute for International Studies (SIIS). With the gift, the BP Foundation joins the Electric Power Research Institute in Palo Alto, Calif., as a core sponsor of the program. "This new partnership with BP will accelerate research in several areas, including the design and operation of market-based policies to address the threats of global warming," said Program Director David Victor. "

Sat, 17 Jan 2004 06:47:41 GMT

WorldWater News Sept 2003: "Ronda, Cebu, Philippines, will inaugurate the world’s first solar powered, prepaid municipal water distribution system .. For the first time, a municipal water distribution system utilizes smart card technology as a financing solution for community water production and to remove problems associated with the payment collection process. The Ronda system uses WorldWater’s proprietary AquaCard™ (Smart Card) debit card system, which operates directly with WorldWater’s AquaMeter™ solar pumping stations throughout the community. The project was made possible by a commercial loan from the Philippine National Bank (PNB), and required no special subsidies or grants. “This is one of the first times that PNB has been able to lend to a municipality the size of Ronda,” said Worldwater (Phils.) President John Herrman. “The bank’s willingness is based on the collection security of the ‘AquaCard™,’ which enables the community to recover its costs and pay off the loan.” .. Water purchased from the AquaMeter™ is not only clean, but is also significantly less expensive than water purchased from other sources. "

Thu, 15 Jan 2004 18:37:29 GMT

Australian Company Solar Powers Mobile Phone Network in Oman: Nice pictures. Similar story on the company's site with a South Pacific Island satellite station: "Tokelau is a New Zealand dependency situated about 10 degrees south of the equator in the South Pacific, approximately 400km North of Western Samoa. The 3 main islands in the group comprise of Atafu, Fakaofo and Nukunonu. The location of Tokelau, remote even by South Pacific island standards, has meant that the local Government has had to rely on diesel generator sets for the provision of power, which presents big problems due to irregular shipping and handling of diesel fuel in drums through the shallow waters. The Telecommunication Tokelau Corporation (Tele Tok) recently turned to Solar Sales Pty. Ltd. for expanding their already existing solar power installations on all 3 islands. " Solar Sales is located near Perth, Australia.

Tue, 13 Jan 2004 07:11:32 GMT

BP donation to India via BASE: "BP Solar USA is donating over $1 million worth of solar modules to BASE (Basel Agency for Sustainable Energy), who in turn are dispatching them to rural and semi-rural areas of India where over 60 per cent of the population is without electricity. The solar systems will be used for water pumping, lighting and for powering telecommunications services including cyber cafes." Contact info for BASE director provided in the article.

Sat, 06 Dec 2003 14:39:38 GMT

E7 Renewables reports: "The e7, an organization of nine leading electricity companies, has released two new reports that share the companies knowledge in understanding and helping to remove barriers to the diffusion of renewable energy technologies and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The first report, Renewable Energy Technology Diffusion, .. presents guidelines to help individual stakeholders execute the focused, committed actions necessary to address microbarriers, and recommendations to guide the broad, coordinated initiatives that are appropriate to address macrobarriers.

The second publication is The e7 Guide to Implementing Projects Under the Clean Development Mechanism. .. Since its formation in 1992, the e7 has assembled a wealth of experience related to electricity sector projects in developing countries. This experience underlies the new e7 CDM Guide. "

Sat, 06 Dec 2003 00:33:55 GMT

The Human Footprint: Neat maps of the spread of human actiivty.

Thu, 27 Nov 2003 17:57:23 GMT

Energy Efficient System for Desalination of Sea-water: "Clean water is becoming scarce and until now the cost of desalination has been a barrier to exploiting seawater. However, a Danish company, HOH Water Supply (HOH), specialising in water technology, has overcome this barrier and invented a new method, which halves the energy consumption of desalination plants. The method, based on existing membrane technology, makes it possible to recycle 95% of the pressure used for pumping sea water through the membrane system. Thus the energy consumption at the desalination plant's pumps and operations are cut from about 7 kWh/m3 of water to 3-4 kWh/m3 of desalinated water. The new Energy Recovery System (ERS) has been developed by an independent engineer in co-operation with HOH. "

Wed, 26 Nov 2003 23:52:35 GMT

DIY Solar Electricity: Kits of micro-PV for battery charging and operating electronics in developing countries. Used by micropower advocates in India.

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 05:03:16 GMT

Global Warming Gas Increasing Dramatically: "Worldwide emissions of carbon dioxide are expected to increase by 3.5 billion tonnes, or 50 percent, annually by the year 2020, an executive for ExxonMobil Corp said on Wednesday. .. Experts say the United States, which has the world's largest economy and 4 percent of its population, is responsible for about 25 percent of so-called "greenhouse" gases now produced, but Broiles said most future growth in output will come from developing countries. "Eighty percent of that number, 80 percent of 3.5 billion tonnes, is going to be driven by those developing countries, those economies that are growing at the 4 to 5 percent range, so that's where it's coming from," he said.

A huge increase in the number of cars will cause part of the pollution growth. Broiles said there are now 15 cars for every 1,000 people in the world, but ExxonMobil expects that number to rise to 50 cars per 1,000 by 2020. He said ExxonMobil foresees a 40 percent increase in energy demand even though humans are boosting their energy efficiency by about 1 percent a year. Despite advances in technology most energy will still come from fossil fuels, and in particular oil and gas, of which there remain very large reserves, he said. "

Sat, 22 Nov 2003 04:34:30 GMT

Spain to fund Mindanao solar power project: "THE SPANISH government will invest 3.37 billion pesos in a solar electrification project that will light up 40 remote communities in Mindanao, Agrarian Reform Secretary Roberto Pagdanganan said. The Spanish government's Solar Power Technology Support (Spots) project is expected to benefit directly 20,000 farmers in 15 provinces in Mindanao, he said.

Pagdanganan said BP Solar España, which he described as the world's biggest solar plant manufacturer, had been contracted to provide technical services for the Spots project. "

Wed, 19 Nov 2003 04:31:03 GMT

Solar in Tibet:"Since 1990, China has been promoting the "Sunshine Program" and the "Light of Science Program" in disadvantageous Ngari Prefecture to build solar power stations there. By now, about 60 solar power stations have been built and 80 percent of nomadic Tibetans are using solar energy for light and warmth at night. In a nomadic tent set up in Coqen county, 65-year-old Tibetan Dagyi said .. "My home can save approximately 100 ghee [yak butter for light] each year, which we can sell for about 1,200 yuan (about 145 US dollars)," said Dagyi. ..

According to sources with the Solar Energy Promotion Center in Ngari Prefecture, solar energy development has been introduced notonly for lighting but other areas like heating, agriculture, herding and use in water conservancy projects. By the end of the year, solar lights will be available for nearly 70,000 Tibetans in the prefecture."

Sat, 08 Nov 2003 10:21:57 GMT

Renewable energy to light up 160 Mindanao villages: "Amore, a joint program of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), Winrock International, Mirant Philippines in partnership with the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm), will ultimately electrify at least 160 barangays in several parts of Mindanao. .. Forms of renewable energy could include solar, wind, micro-hydro or biomass power. "

Fri, 07 Nov 2003 11:24:50 GMT

Nigeria: Jigawa Earmarks N406m for Solar Power in 30 Villages: "Jigawa government and a U.S.-based group, Solar Electricity Light Fund (SELF), have earmarked N406.69 million to provide solar energy in 30 villages in the next four years. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the solar energy project is designed to electrify community bore holes, health centres, primary schools and a mini-shopping centre in each village."

Tue, 04 Nov 2003 08:23:33 GMT

BP Launches Rural Solar Project Initiative (October 28, 2003): "BP will lead an initiative with partner countries and financial bodies to structure a framework that simplifies the process by which funds are granted. The new framework for project terms would apply not just to solar PV but to any other form of renewable energy project for the developing world. The framework would standardize key areas such as the bid process, the evaluation criteria, the payment terms, maintenance, and performance criteria and remove anything that contributes to cost-adding unnecessary bureaucracy or, as importantly, does not support delivery.

Within the terms of this framework, BP will provide solar panels and services at cost over the next two years to developing world projects created under the auspices of the REEEP framework... the very fact that the business is approached as an intermittent series of projects increases costs because the start-up costs are repeated each time, and there are no economies of scale." The outcome of the proposed new framework is that it will help stimulate funds flow and efficient project administration and execution and contractors such as BP are held to account for delivery so that many more larger scale projects can be viable."

Sat, 25 Oct 2003 17:30:46 GMT

Uganda to Make Solar Panels: "Construction is expected to start by the end of the year on the $500,000 plant to be located in Kyambogo near Kampala. It is funded by the Danish Development Agency (Danida) as a joint venture between a Ugandan company, RAcell Uganda and a Danish company RAcell Denmark. Mr George Sizoomu, Executive director RAcell Uganda told BusinessWeek that the panels will be made using raw material imported from Europe. "We have to invest quite a lot to be able to produce. In about three months time, the factory will be operational and with the production in place, prices will definitely go down," he said."

Thu, 23 Oct 2003 17:13:35 GMT

Carbon Finance at the World Bank: July 2003 presentation at a workshop on "Carbon Credits from Flare Reduction Activities" sponsored by the Global Gas Flaring Reduction Partnership (GGFR). Notable:

greenhouse gas credits already purchased or under negotiation total approximately US$250 million
shift into renewables and not just efficiency in last 2 years (breakdowns by region, type, and purchaser of carbon credits)
carbon prices currently running $3-$4/tonne CO2e
carbon finance helps solid waste management which saves on more powerful greenhouse gases

Author: Chandra Shekhar Sinha, Portfolio Manager, Carbon Finance Group The World Bank.

Wed, 22 Oct 2003 18:12:49 GMT

Tata Energy Research Institute TeriScope newsletters carry interesting stories. In this recent issue:

The GNESD (Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development), launched by UNEP at the World Summit on Sustainable Development in Johannesburg, is a network of centres of excellence in the developing world working on energy, development, and environmental issues. Related institution: South Africa’s EDRC
(Energy and Development Research Centre),
TERI has worked with the Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development (Canada) in developing potential CDM projects in Bangladesh, China, India, and Indonesia. Other related organizations included the Prototype Carbon Fund, International Emissions Trading Association, Asian Development Bank, EDRC, and Natsource.

Tue, 21 Oct 2003 18:35:47 GMT

UNEP Launches New Initiative to Shift Investment to Sustainable Energy: "Noting that large centralized fossil-fuelled power stations supported by large centralized distribution systems will continue to be vulnerable, Mr. Toepfer launched the UNEP Sustainable Energy Finance Initiative (SEFI) aimed at engaging the finance sector to invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency. Although sustainable energy technologies such as solar cells and wind generators have advanced rapidly, Mr. Toepfer said the transaction costs and market uncertainty of many renewable energy projects has lead most financiers to adopt a "wait-and-see" attitude, which is compounded by an overall lack of information, experience and the tools needed to quantify, mitigate and hedge project and financial product risks. With support from the United Nations Foundation (UNF), SEFI will help mainstream financiers overcome these barriers and consider renewable energy and energy efficiency as not just niche investments, but key components of secure energy systems based on truly sustainable forms of energy."

Fri, 10 Oct 2003 22:23:15 GMT

Solar-Powered Refrigeration: "Designed to function in arid to semi-arid regions with at least 5 sun-hours per day, the PV direct-drive, or “PV direct,” SunDanzer™ solar refrigerator is a chest-type cabinet with a 105-liter (3.7 cubic feet) internal volume, a lockable top-opening door, a corrosion-resistant coated steel exterior, and a patented low-frost system. It uses thermal storage for cooling efficiency, with a direct connection between the vapor compression cooling system and the PV module. This is accomplished by integrating a phase-change material into a well-insulated refrigerator cabinet and developing a microprocessor-based control system that permits the direct connection of a PV module to a variable-speed compressor. The integration allows for peak power-point tracking and the elimination of batteries.. The solar refrigerator's thermal storage material provides 7 days of reserve cold storage, even in tropical climates, or during extensive periods of cloudy weather .. Light indicators on the front of the refrigerator inform users of the status of the thermal reserve.

For frequently cloudy regions or areas with less than 5 sun-hours per day, SunDanze Refrigeration offers highly efficient battery-powered refrigerators, as well as freezers. These units run on 12 or 24 volts, direct current, and require a smaller PV or renewable energy system. " Current retail price $900.

Wed, 08 Oct 2003 00:09:15 GMT

Ghana rural electricity: High proportion of PVs, using export financing from Spain, China, India, and Korea: "Under the project, financed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Ghana Government, 2,300 solar systems have been installed in the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions in schools, residential property, health facilities and water pumping systems, as well as street lighting.

The Minister said the government was sourcing a 15 million-dollar and a six million-dollar funding from the Spanish government and the China Exim Bank respectively for the development and expansion of solar systems throughout the country. .. Dr Nduom announced that under the Rural Electrification Programme, the government was seeking 25 million dollars from Exim Bank of India and 50 million dollars from the Korean Exim Bank for the extension of electricity to the rural areas.

Dr Nduom said under the Rural Electrification Programme 1,000 communities would be connected to the national grid throughout the country while 650 other communities would be connected under the Self Help Electrification Programme (SHEP)... Mr John Nuworklo, Northern Regional Director of NED said VRA/NED had signed a contract for the supply of 50,000 pre-paid meters for the next three years for distribution to customers."

Mon, 06 Oct 2003 22:16:52 GMT

ISOFOTÓN: features many small and medium-sized solar energy projects in developing countries.

Tue, 30 Sep 2003 06:09:26 GMT

Buddhist Economics by E. F. Schumacher: Classic 1966 essay, later collected into the 1973 "Small is Beautiful."

Mon, 29 Sep 2003 20:24:49 GMT

Rabo India plans $30m renewable energy fund: "Rabo India Finance, a 100% subsidiary of Rabobank Nederland, is setting up a $30m private equity fund dedicated to financing renewable energy projects in the country. The ‘Renewable Energy Equity Fund’ is still in the process of mobilising funds from domestic and global investors before formally launching the fund in March ’04."

Sat, 27 Sep 2003 01:23:10 GMT

WorldWater Inaugurates Solar Municipal Water System in Cebu, Philippines: "WorldWater the Municipality of Ronda, Cebu, Philippines, will inaugurate the world's first solar powered, prepaid municipal water distribution system on September 27 in Ronda. Former Philippines President Fidel V. Ramos will be the keynote speaker. Ronda is located on the southwest coast of Cebu, an island in the middle group of the Philippine archipelago.

For the first time, a municipal water distribution system utilizes smart card technology as a financing solution for community water production and to remove problems associated with the payment collection process. The Ronda system uses WorldWater's proprietary AquaCard(TM) (Smart Card) debit card system, which operates directly with WorldWater's AquaMeter(TM) solar pumping stations throughout the community. The project was made possible by a commercial loan from the Philippine National Bank (PNB), and required no special subsidies or grants. "

Sat, 27 Sep 2003 01:18:45 GMT

No electricity? Use a wind-up phone charger: "Japan's Fuso Rikaseihin Co. Ltd, which makes the charger. Priced at $42, the hand-held generator is quite noisy and not cheap, although it comes with a built-in flashlight. It can be used with phones from Nokia, Motorola, Sony Ericsson and NTT Docomo. " 5 minutes of winding gives 20 mins of talk time. Motorola came out with its own winder earlier this year.

Thu, 25 Sep 2003 19:04:57 GMT

Today I wrote my thoughts on trends in photovoltaic cell prices. My gut estimate is for grid-competitive PV products selling into some markets in 2007, and being mass marketable in 2011.

Thu, 25 Sep 2003 00:34:30 GMT

Grants support renewable energy: "USDA is giving just over $2 million in grant money to fund rural renewable energy projects and energy efficiency improvements across the Sunbelt... Nationwide, a total of $21.2 million in grants was approved for 113 projects in 24 states .. Grant funds can be used to pay up to 25 percent of the cost for eligible projects, which include those that either derive energy from a wind, solar, biomass, or geothermal source, or hydrogen derived from biomass or water using wind, solar or geothermal energy sources."

Thu, 25 Sep 2003 00:32:03 GMT

Sunlight Energy Company: "an emerging new type of solar collector - The solar dish. The dish tracks the sun with curved glass mirrors and concentrates intense sunlight onto the flux capacitor at the focus to make hot water, steam, electricity, and hydrogen fuel... The solar dish is unique in that it is the most cost efficient solar collector in the world. It is designed to be made with off-the-shelf materials, unskilled indigenous labor, and common hand tools. The 360 pound solar dish has a producer cost of about $1,000, delivers the energy equivalent of 10 barrels of oil per year, energy that costs less than a penny per kilowatt hour. " Design info also available. Apparently relies on a $50 "Black copper coil receiver" for the conversion of heat to electricity; wonder how that works...

Wed, 24 Sep 2003 23:26:20 GMT

An overview of Solar Photovoltaic in Bangladesh: Reviews market size and channel issues, in light of WB/GEF programs. Interesting note on how NGOs can participate in GEF subsidies and have access to capital, putting them at a decisive advantage over the private sector today.

Tue, 23 Sep 2003 20:27:29 GMT

Galapagos Marine Solar Energy: "A recent oil spill dumped thousands of gallons of fuel into the fragile waters [off the Galapagos] .. One recent example of a trend toward renewable energy on the islands is a new 18-person Catamaran designed for eco-tourism and that was retrofitted with 20 Shell Solar photovoltaic (PV) modules, two Xantrex SW 4048J inverter/chargers for on-board power. The father and son team of Guillermo and Alejandro Botta led a group of craftsmen from Guayaquil, Ecuador, in the construction of the solar-powered catamaran, a first for Ecuador's naval industry. The vessel is used to ferry tourists through the Galapagos Islands and includes a dive platform for scuba diving.

Because the Archipell sails in a highly-sensitive ecosystem, the team decided to build it using a fiberglass hull and solar powered electric motors. The increased weight of a steel hull would have put additional strain on the solar-powered motors as well. Twenty solar panels placed across the roof charge a bank of batteries and are connected to the Xantrex inverters which in turn supply electricity to operate the vessel. The company said construction of the solar-powered ship has been described as a milestone for Ecuador's shipbuilding industry."

Tue, 23 Sep 2003 17:05:11 GMT

Solar Electric systems: Sells packages for solar power and many LED lights, including a $10 replacement bulb for incandescent flashlights

Fri, 19 Sep 2003 23:24:57 GMT

Small Home System: "Sharp Corporation announces the introduction of a pair of Small Home System (SHS) photovoltaic (PV) power generating systems that make it simple and easy to get AC and DC power from sunlight. Aimed at regions of Asia, the Middle East and Africa where grid-supplied electricity is unavailable, these small-scale systems consist of a 'photovoltaic module,' a 'charger/inverter unit,' a 'battery' and 'connecting cables' in a single sales package, and will be available in early November of 2003." Useful details provided.

Fri, 19 Sep 2003 22:17:36 GMT

KYOCERA and SELF in Nigeria: "Kyocera Solar recently supplied solar products and technical support for a unique rural electrification project designed to pump water and power homes, schools, clinics, mosques and local micro-enterprises in Nigeria. Three agriculture-based villages with a population of about 8,000 are now enjoying solar electricity. The project is jointly sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development, the U.S. Department of Energy and the Government of Jigawa State in Nigeria. Management and on-site assistance are supplied by the Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a non-profit organization with extensive experience in developing village electrification. SELF projects are typically in villages far from an electric grid and with little prospect of grid connection in the foreseeable future. .. Kyocera Solar Inc. will supply 13 different system configurations based on affordability and application requirements. "

Thu, 18 Sep 2003 23:16:49 GMT

ADB project on Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency for Sustainable Development in the Pacific was approved on 28 April 2003. The project is aimed at disseminating information on renewable energy sources and improving energy efficiency specially on the demand side, developing 5-6 demonstration programs (including maintenance plans), and designing financing schemes and implementation mechanisms in the low-income Pacific Island countries and East Timor to assist promotion of renewable energy resources in a reliable and sustained manner as well as increase the efficiency of energy use.

Thu, 18 Sep 2003 23:14:12 GMT

Bangladesh renewables project funded by ADB: "Recently, the Asian Development Bank launched the "Promotion of Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency and Greenhouse Gas Abatement (PREGA)" Project. A National Implementation Committee (NIC) has been formed under the Power Ministry to carry out the tasks of PREGA, the sources said." PREGA planned to be active in 15 countries in Asia, between 2001 and 2004.

Thu, 18 Sep 2003 23:14:06 GMT

Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Climate Change - REACH - ADB.org: "ADB's Technical Assistance program on climate change includes capacity building activities on generic climate change issues and Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) with emphasis on renewable energy and energy efficiency, carbon sequestration, and adaptation." A number of specific funds and projects are included.

Wed, 17 Sep 2003 20:53:25 GMT

Inverter FAQ - All you ever wanted to know about inverters for solar electric systems. Good reference. Using its recommended manufacturers and models, http://froogle.google.com can find the parts and prices, like this 150w unit for $60, or this 1000w unit for $500.

Thu, 11 Sep 2003 05:44:09 GMT

SolarOne Products and Consulting: "Solar Dynamics announced today the availability of an integrated water purification package for its Harvester mobile solar generator. Each unit is capable of purifying 300 to 1,400 gallons of water per day at a cost of under ½ a cent per gallon, generated solely by the power of the sun. The package can deliver drinking water sufficient for the basic daily needs of 150 to 700 people, whether in response to emergency situations, humanitarian relief efforts, peacekeeping endeavors or micro-enterprise development. A purification package was recently shipped to Sweet Unity Farms in Bara, Tanzania, where it will purify the river water for over 50 families." Other products include small panels for battery rechargng, a personal portable system, and the Harvester module for adaptation to remote site needs.

Wed, 10 Sep 2003 00:07:06 GMT

Renewable Energy Information by Eric Martinot: GEF program officer has collected base of materials and links on Renewable Energy in Developing Countries.

Mon, 08 Sep 2003 20:10:37 GMT

Solar Energy ICT Project in Nigeria: "The Minister of Science and Technology, Professor Turner Isoun, has said that the federal government has developed solar energy pilot project in Bayelsa State. The pilot solar energy project he said was developed to supplement the unsteady power supply to improve performance of Information Communication Technology (ICT)development in Nigeria. The move, the minister said, was the beginning of vigorous efforts channelled towards strengthening solar energy which is needed to support ICT equipment throughout the country, adding that more states will soon be provided with solar energy and ICT facilities."

Thu, 21 Aug 2003 15:18:56 GMT

Olympic wind in China: "The recently-launched wind power project in the county of Zhanbei in Hebei Province is scheduled to be finished in the year of 2008. The construction, involving 1 mln kW of generating capacity and RMB 1.6 bln (USD 193.31 mln) in investment, is aimed at guaranteeing supply for the Olympic Games. "

Fri, 08 Aug 2003 22:59:33 GMT

Solar-powered ice-cream carts hit Bangkok streets: "Bangkok ice-cream vendors who currently pedal their carts in the baking sun are hoping to benefit from a locally invented device that will allow them to store energy and drive their carts using solar power. A 50 x 60cm solar cell built into the cart roof will capture solar power in a battery. Pracha Prakoonsuksapan, the managing director of AHT (Asia), a local freezer-manufacturer who has developed what he calls a solar-cell ice-cream cart, told The Nation that once the battery is fully charged, the vendor can switch to a mode that allows the motor to drive the cart. It should be able to store energy for two hours after the sun has disappeared. An initial prototype is expected to carry 150kg of ice cream at 15km per hour."

Mon, 28 Jul 2003 06:00:29 GMT

'India can achieve wind power target': "India possesses sufficient resources to generate 5000 mw of installed wind power capacity by 2007, participants at a recent discussion said. .. It was suggested that the Centre explore the possibility of setting up a wind-farm development company — possibly as a public sector undertaking — to kick-start the project. The Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) — in association with the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorolgy, State nodal agencies and the Centre for Wind Energy Technology (C-WET), a Government body under the MNES — has installed more than 476 wind monitoring masts. Based on this exercise, the MNES has been identifying areas suitable for wind farming. To develop indigenous capability for technology development and wind engineering, it was proposed to structure a `wind energy technology enhancement fund'. "

Thu, 24 Jul 2003 06:28:57 GMT

REEEP: "The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a coalition of progressive governments, businesses and organisations committed to accelerating the development of renewable and energy efficiency systems (REES). Initiated at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in August 2002 by the UK Government, the REEEP provides an open and flexible framework within which governments work together to meet their own sustainable energy objectives according to their own timetables. " A series of regional meetings are being held preparatory to a September launch in London. Activities are planned in networking of regulators, trading credits, building energy service companies, and bundling development projects to attract innovative financing.

Fri, 18 Jul 2003 22:16:46 GMT

Syria plans renewable energy investment of almost $1.5 billion: " With its demand for energy nearly tripling in the past three decades, Syria has approved a plan calling for investment of $1.48 billion through 2011 to produce power from environmentally friendly renewable energy sources. .. About half the planned investment will go for wind power, projected to supply 800 megawatts of electricity. "

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:54:57 GMT

Supporting Poor Communities Under the Kyoto Protocol: "July 16, 2003 -- Poor communities in developing countries will benefit from the groundbreaking Community Development Carbon Fund (CDCF) which became operational yesterday. The World Bank which developed the CDCF in collaboration with the United Nations Climate Change Secretariat and the International Emissions Trading Association, announced commitments of $35 million from both public and private sector participants, as part of a $100 million package. ..

The CDCF represent a pioneer effort which focuses on small-scale projects at the local level in the least developed countries and poor communities of developing countries, through the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) of the Kyoto Protocol, the 1997 agreement to limit climate altering greenhouse gas emissions. This flexibility mechanism of the Protocol allows OECD countries to fulfill some of their greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments through projects in the developing world.

The CDCF will support initiatives with significant and measurable community development benefits in fields such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, and solid waste to energy conversion. So far, contributors include the governments of Canada, Italy, and the Netherlands, Japanese companies such as Daiwa Securities SMBC, Idemitsu Kosan, Nippon Oil, Okinawa Electric, BASF of Germany, and ENDESA of Spain. A number of other companies and governments are expected to announce their participation over the next several weeks.."

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:52:39 GMT

Decentralized Infrastructure For Rural Transformation Project: Worldbank $20m project in Bolivia: "This project will provide financing for the first phase of an ambitious plan to bring electricity and communications capabilities to rural communities, where 40 percent of the population live. New or improved technologies, including solar energy and cellular telephony, will conquer geographical obstacles that have limited past infrastructure expansion projects in the countryside. Initial goals include installation of 15,000 household solar power systems, 25,000 new cellular phone users in 100 communities, and a fully operational Internet portal that is part of the Country Gateway web network of development-oriented information systems. For more information, please call Christopher Neal at (202)-473-7229, fax at 522.3698, or e-mail Cneal1@worldbank.org " Project information documents available.

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:35:53 GMT

Reunion Island RE: "- The president of Reunion says his African island can become energy self-sufficient with the development of renewable energy sources. Paul Vergès says Reunion will become a "unique example in the world of an island without oil or power but with wind, solar and volcanic energy." "

Wed, 16 Jul 2003 22:33:25 GMT

Syria RE: "- Syria will invest US$1.5 billion until 2011 to install 800 MW of wind turbines and 16,000 solar PV systems in 1,000 villages. Renewables should provide 4% of national energy by 2011, and create 7,225 jobs and reduce annual GHG emissions by 2.6 MT. Electricity minister Mouneib Saem Al-Daher says generation of the same output by oil would cost only $410 million but, in the long term, would cost $5.6 billion while the renewables option would be $3.3 billion. "

Wed, 09 Jul 2003 23:44:39 GMT

World Bank loans US$16million for rural power (May 20, 2003): "The World Bank Group approved a $12 million zero-interest credit to finance the off-grid electrification of impoverished rural areas in Nicaragua. The Board also announced that the Bank will administer a $4 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) to support the Off-grid Rural Electrification (PERZA) Project. The project will generate and distribute electrical power in areas not reached by the existing grid, and where grid extensions are not economically viable at present. Some 16,000 households in isolated, rural communities in the Central and Atlantic regions of Nicaragua will have electric light and power for the first time. .. The US$4 million GEF grant complements financing from the Government of Nicaragua and contributions from private operators and electricity users. The total cost of the project is US$23 million. Among others, the project will support a national credit line for Solar Home System (SHS), which are the least cost alternative for electricity provision to a majority of the disperse, mostly indigenous, population along the Northern Atlantic Coast, a region that lacks other sources of energy and has been overlooked by past RE efforts. "

Wed, 09 Jul 2003 23:41:52 GMT

Solar Rural Telephony in Tibet : There will be "satellite-connected public payphones in more than 1,300 Tibetan villages by the end of 2003. Kyocera is working with Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd. to provide the systems to China Telecom Tibet. Approximately 3,500 Kyocera KC-80 photovoltaic modules will be used to power the systems, which will vary in size from 240 watts to 1,200 watts, depending on individual requirements. Kyocera Solar and Gilat have been providing solar-powered communications systems to China since 1998, when more than 1,000 systems were delivered to Xinjiang Province. "

Tue, 08 Jul 2003 23:22:08 GMT

REEEP: "The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership is a coalition of progressive governments, businesses and organisations committed to accelerating the development of renewable and energy efficiency systems (REES). It was initiated at the Johannesburg World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) in August 2002 by the UK Government."

Fri, 06 Jun 2003 07:39:01 GMT

$5.4M solar plant to rise in Mindanao: "According to a statement from the International Finance Corp., the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, the 950-kilowatt project for Mindanao will be the largest distributed, grid-connected photovoltaic installation in the developing world. Gavin Murray, IFC director for environment and social development, said the IFC and Cagayan de Oro Electric Power and Light Company, Inc. (CEPALCO) have agreed to finance a $5.4-million (about P287 million) solar photovoltaic power project in Mindanao, with partial funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). "

Wed, 04 Jun 2003 05:46:30 GMT

Ghana wind exploration: "The Ministry of Energy is collaborating with a private Swiss Consortium, NEK to collect wind speed data along the Eastern coast of Tema for the purpose of establishing a wind farm for generating electric power. To that effect, the Ministry and the NEK had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the establishment of a 50mw wind power project in Tema and funds for its financing through the private sector and grants from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are currently on-going."

Sat, 31 May 2003 05:52:00 GMT

Philippine solar plant: "Roxas said Sun Power Corp. plans to invest $300 million in the Philippines over the next five years to put up a 150-megawatt photovoltaic plant or solar cell project. This was announced by Sun Power Corp. president Richard Swanson and Cypress chief financial officer Manny Hernandez. Sun Power, a unit of Cypress Manufacturing Ltd., is a leading manufacturer of ultra high-frequency silicon solar cells. The first phase would produce 25 megawatts that would reach a maximum output of 150 megawatts in 2006."

Sun, 18 May 2003 06:33:05 GMT

Video of PBS Green Means segment on Kenya photovoltaics, with Dan Kammen.

Sun, 18 May 2003 06:03:10 GMT

Tiempo Climate Cyberlibrary: Global Warming and the Third World: "The Tiempo Climate Cyberlibrary is an electronic information service covering global warming, climate change, sea-level rise and related issues." Has a particular emphasis on developing country issues. Thrice-yearly journal and occasional "bright ideas" sections are interesting.

Sat, 10 May 2003 06:08:06 GMT

Growth in south India power: Minister for Electricity and Industries Nainar Nagendran today announced 1100 of new coal and gas generation. In addition "in the current year, Tamilnadu was expected to achieve 1000 MW power capacity in wind power generation. .. To increase power generation, private entrepreneurs would be encouraged to involve themselves in biomass-based power plants from where 300 MW of power would be supplied in next two years. The Electricity Minister said the government was allotting a sum of Rs 11.94 lakh in the current year to provide subsidy for installing solar water heaters in hostels, private institutions and government hospitals. "

Wed, 07 May 2003 22:27:50 GMT

Berkeley Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL): Dan Kammen's group, with a weekly seminar program. "At one level, the goal for RAEL is to update, integrate and nurture a collaborative synthesis of E. F. Schumacher's Small is Beautiful appropriate technology and development philosophy with the energy industry as it exists today. On another level, it is to promote sustainable development that includes deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions and resource consumption. "

Tue, 25 Mar 2003 20:36:19 GMT

BP Solar supplies 4000 solar systems for rural telecommunications (Nov 15, 2002): "The Export-Import Bank of the United States, an independent federal government agency, has confirmed the financing with a US$2.4 million medium-term loan of a telecommunications project in Peru using BP Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. ALLFIRST bank will act as intermediary in this operation. With this project, known as Fitel, 4,000 PV systems (approximately 580 kW) will be provided by BP Solar Latin America. This will enable remote community centers that currently lack access to the electricity grid to conduct voice and data transmissions, which may include telephone, fax and internet services. .. The installation of this rural telecommunication system in Peru will benefit close to 3,000,000 people (ca. 10% of the current population of the country), providing them with telecom access and connection. "

Wed, 19 Mar 2003 05:11:29 GMT

Netherlands expands CDM projects: "The Dutch Environment Ministry today announced approval of 18 projects to cut greenhouse gas emissions in developing countries under the UN Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). The Netherlands buys those reductions and uses them to meet part of its own reduction commitments. All 18 projects focus on sustainable energy and clean technologies and will take place in Bolivia, Brazil, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, India, Indonesia, Jamaica and Panama .. including hydroelectric, geothermal and wind power initatives. .. The 18 projects announced today should cut emissions by 16 metric tons. The government aims to achieve the planned balance of 46 million metric tons of greenhouse gas reductions in developing countries through memorandums of understanding with various governments and through contracts with financial institutions. "

Wed, 12 Mar 2003 06:00:13 GMT

PVs in Botswana: "On the National Photovoltaic Rural Electrification Programme, which is said to have a high default rate, Mokgothu said new installations have been indefinitely suspended. The programme is now concentrating on recovering outstanding loan repayments. A Photovoltaic (PV) Master Plan, whose objective is to provide a policy framework for the development of solar PV electrification in the country is nearing completion. The final report will be submitted by the end of March 2003"

Sat, 08 Mar 2003 21:17:38 GMT

UN, banks offer cut-rate loans for solar power development in India: "The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) today launched a major new $7.6 million initiative with two of India's largest banking groups to offer 18,000 southern Indian households low-cost financing for clean and reliable electricity from solar power. .. In the southern Indian state of Karnataka, Syndicate Bank and Canara Bank are offering the new loans in which UNEP is "buying down" financing costs of photovoltaic solar home systems. Indian households will effectively be able to purchase systems at an interest rate of approximately 5 per cent, compared to the normal consumer lending rates of 11 to 12 per cent. The programme is made possible with support from the UN Foundation (UNF) and Shell Foundation. By combining two banks and a number of UNEP-qualified solar home system vendors, UNF President Tim Wirth said the programme is a "market-driven approach designed to stimulate competition among vendors and ensure quality products, competitive pricing and reliable after-sales service.""

Thu, 06 Mar 2003 04:57:28 GMT

El Paso Launches Brazil Solar Power Project - Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state government and US-based El Paso launched a 1mn reais (US$280,000) solar power project providing electric power for the first time to five villages in the south of the state, the state government said in a statement. The project was financed by El Paso as part of its commitment to invest 13.5mn reais in alternative power sources, renewable energy and public illumination projects in exchange for exemption from the ICMS sales tax on the equipment used for building the Macae Merchant power plant. Additionally, El Paso will invest 0.1% of total revenues a year for 10 years. The solar power program, which was prepared by Brazilian technology foundation ATECH, envisages installing photovoltaic panels in each of the 136 houses in the five villages to replace existing diesel and kerosene energy supplies. Power is stored in a series of batteries, which have enough power to feed a 40-watt plug and three 11-watt bulbs for three days. The program also donated three cold storage units for the fishing communities to chill their catches and obtain better prices from local markets.

Sat, 15 Feb 2003 20:21:23 GMT

Soluz: Soluz commercializes distributed micro-power, primarily photovoltaics (PV), for rural areas in developing countries. It (and its founder) were recently recognized as a 2003 Technology Pioneer by the World Economic Forum. "Soluz has been proving out its rural energy delivery business model through its two majority-owned REDCO subsidiaries" in Honduras and the Dominican Republic.

Sat, 15 Feb 2003 19:52:01 GMT

Kyocera cells power telecom in Africa: "Kyocera Solar, Inc. has been chosen by Siemens Communications to provide solar-powered systems for telecommunication projects in Ethiopia and Uganda. The photovoltaic (PV) systems will power large microwave stations, manufactured by Siemens Mobile Communications SpA, allowing Ethiopia Telecommunications Corporation to expand its network to reach 54 new sites in Ethiopia. Three additional PV systems will power telecommunications in Uganda. " The systems range from 1 to 14 kw. Operations expected late 2003.

Fri, 31 Jan 2003 23:20:25 GMT

South Africa: Project to Bring Light to Kwazulu: "A R300m public private partnership project to supply 50000 solar home systems to houses in northern KwaZulu-Natal was launched at the weekend. The venture follows the success of a pilot project funded by the Dutch Programme for Co-operation with Developing Markets in which 400 solar home systems were installed in the remote region... [Power utility] NuRa Managing Director Marius Willemse said yesterday the solar electricity would be provided on a fee-for-service basis with the R58 basic charge being in line with the cost of candles, batteries and paraffin for rural families. .. [NuRa will establish] energy stores to service specific regions. Each energy store serviced its customers and communicated with the NuRa headquarters."

Wed, 22 Jan 2003 19:03:33 GMT

Renewables in the Caribbean: "Caricom, An association of countries in the Caribbean will hire a consultant to identify renewable energy projects in the region. CARICOM is the executing agency for the Caribbean Renewable Energy Development Project, and the consultant will provide expert technical assistance to identify projects and undertake feasibility studies to promote development of more projects. The work will include conducting resource assessments and utility planning in renewable energy projects, as well as identifying bankable projects in renewables... The coalition wants to lever US$4 million of GEF funding over four years, with additional funding from the German GTZ for $2.2 million. .. Thirty-one projects identified by CARICOM include a 1.2 MW windfarm in Curacao, a 2 MW facility in Antigua, 3.3 MW site in St. Nevis, 10 MW location in Guyana, 12.5 MW site in St. Lucia and a 6 MW location in Barbados. There is also a 10 MW geothermal facility in St. Lucia, 5 MW and 4 MW sites in Montserrat and a 12 MW potential site in Dominica, as well as a 10 MW ocean energy site in the Caymans and a number of solar PV, small hydro and solar thermal sites in the region." The full RFP is online. It's the kind of project that could use a KM system.

Tue, 21 Jan 2003 16:50:30 GMT

E. China Province to Build Wind-generated Power Plants: "With the Taiwan Straits off its 3,051 km coastline, the province boasts abundant wind power. Total potential wind power on the territory of Fujian is estimated at 10 million kilowatts, while offshore wind power is about three to four times that figure. .. The [$190m] plan calls for wind-generated power plants with a combined designed generating capacity of 200,000 kilowatts to be built during the five-year period from 2001 to 2005. "

Mon, 20 Jan 2003 06:00:48 GMT

India prepares uniform national renewable energy policy: "The Act would enable the Centre issue mandatory orders, the Union minister of state for non-conventional energy sources M Kannappan said here on Friday. "Different states are having diverse policies which undergo frequent changes confusing the investors and users of renewable energy. The new Act will be an answer to this problem and enable the country to achieve its goal of 10,000 mw renewable energy capacity by 2012'', he said.

.. "We have a target of 3100 mw of power generation capacity and the electrification of 5000 villages. Of the new capacity, 1500 mw will be based on wind, 600 mw on small hydro and 750 mw on biomass sources including co-generation in sugar mills'', [the MNES secretary] said. The minister said the Kyoto protocol has created a favourable climate for mobilising international support for renewable energy development. The Clean Development Mechanism (CDM ) was one of the avenues through which financial resources can be raised. Six projects in the areas of wind power and biomass power have been shortlisted under the carbon emission reduction certification (CERUPT) tender floated by the government of Netherlands for meeting a portion of their emission reduction targets. He said MNES would support any effort for foreign investments in manufacturing and power generation projects.

Mr Kannappan said India has been supporting renewable energy projects in other developing countries. Assistance was extended for the installation of solar photovoltaic systems in Cuba, Senegal, Namibia, Syria and Oman. Approval has been accorded for similar projects in Myanmar and Nepal, he added. "

Mon, 20 Jan 2003 05:54:51 GMT

Compressed air city cars near production: "MDI Enterprise is nearing the completion of its first factory in Carosse, in the South of France, which will manufacture cars that run entirely on compressed air. The company has signed contracts to build a further 35 factories across Europe, including three in the UK, ten in Italy and six in Spain ... Overnight the cars are plugged into the grid, and need around 22KW [kwh?] to refill their tanks. During the day, the cars can average 200km around a city before they need to be recharged and refuelled. ... MDI’s small cars, called CITYCATs, are expected to cost no more than the average car - between €8,000 and €10,000, says [CEO] Negre. Better still, the cost of running each car is estimated at €0.75 per 100km. CITYCATs can cover 240km at an average speed of 60km/h, up to a maximum speed of 110km/h. The company is currently experimenting with similar designs for buses." I think about applications on farms or rural areas, where small scale wind produces excess power intermittently, esp. at night.

Mon, 20 Jan 2003 05:45:23 GMT

Algeria's solar plans: "New Energy Algeria (NEAL) has joined that International Energy Agency’s solar power programme, SolarPACES. Algeria aims to increase its solar power to 5% of its electricity generation by 2010, and is hoping to establish a partnership with the European Union to supply electricity from Algerian solar power plants. Plans are underway for two under sea transmission cables with capacity of 1.2GW each to carry electricity from Algeria to Spain and Italy." SolarPACES is an IEA research program on concentrating solar themal power systems.

Mon, 20 Jan 2003 05:38:00 GMT

Japan to fund green projects in return for emission credits : "Japan will help to fund projects in developing countries conducted under the mechanisms of the Kyoto Protocol starting next fiscal year, government officials said ... The government will shoulder a third of the costs for projects, including wind-power plants and production of ethanol fuel from methane generated at waste-disposal plants in developing countries. By helping pay for such projects, Japan expects to obtain nearly 1.2 million tons worth of emission credits per year. The government is already planning to fund three projects next fiscal year and will allocate 300 million yen for the purpose ($2.5m)"

Sat, 11 Jan 2003 01:18:15 GMT

Mass Megawatts Chosen for 25 Megawatt Windpower Plant: "Winrock Financial Services, Ltd., a South American leader of environmental causes, has chosen Mass Megawatt's (OTC Bulletin Board: MMGW) "Multi-Axis Turbosystem" (MAT) to provide 25 megawatts of power capacity at the company's titanium processing facility near Puerto Columbia, South America commonly known as a tourist and resort area." This appears to be the first major order for this unusual design.

Sat, 11 Jan 2003 01:15:16 GMT

Germany's GTZ runs the TERNA (Technical Expertise for Renewable Energy Application) wind energy programme, since 1998. It's 2002 report covers 15 countries.

Sat, 11 Jan 2003 01:05:20 GMT

Cuba Education - PV Powered: More than 2,000 rural schools, 400 surgeries, 200 video rooms and 12 hospitals in Cuba are using solar PV systems, according to government officials. "Over 34,000 children in rural areas of this small Caribbean island are reading, writing and watching educational videos.. In June of 2001, Cubasolar received the United Nation's Environmental Program 'Global 500' Award for this remarkable program." [PDF with pictures]

Sat, 11 Jan 2003 00:52:03 GMT

Generating Cleaner Renewable Energy for Remote Regions of Indonesia: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) approved $161m: "The Renewable Energy Development Sector Project will connect about 76,000 new consumers to the power grid and benefit over 5 million people, of whom about one fifth are poor. In addition, ADB will administer a technical assistance (TA) grant of US$800,000 from its Danish Cooperation Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency to pilot a scheme allowing 10,000 low-income families in Indonesia's outer islands to defer the start-up costs of connections... The project comprises 12 subprojects that will add a total of 82 megawatts of capacity in five remote regions of the outer islands. It will also strengthen associated power distribution networks. The total cost of the project is estimated to be US$256 million, of which US$95 million will come from the Government and PLN (Perusahaan Listrik Negara), the State electricity enterprise."

Thu, 09 Jan 2003 01:35:03 GMT

World Corps: "A Global Training Institute for a New Generation of Entrepreneurs in Developing Countries: World Corps is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) with headquarters in Seattle, Washington, USA, and training sites in India, Kenya, Mexico, and the Philippines.. Trainees participate in intensive programs in the following areas:

Small business management
Community development
Internet/communications services
Renewable energy products for rural development; and
Diversity and global cooperation."

Seems very small and just starting, but interesting in training both for renewables and internet apps, in four important developing countries.

Wed, 08 Jan 2003 07:17:29 GMT

Energy Co-Opportunity for US Electric Cooperatives: "ECO is a cooperative which provides its electric co-op members with new energy solutions, including access to distributed energy technologies." Their annual conference on distributed energy is in April 2003 in Arizona.

Wed, 08 Jan 2003 05:40:27 GMT

Solar and wind power to counter Malaysia fuel problem: "Sarawak is seeking the help of Japanese experts in solar and wind power generation to overcome a crippling fuel-shortage problem faced by 10,000 natives in the Bario Highlands near the border of Kalimantan. "

Mon, 06 Jan 2003 05:50:12 GMT

Uganda renewables study begins: "Electrowatt-Ekono Oy, which is part of the Jaakko Pöyry Group's Energy business group, and Norplan A.S., Norway, have concluded a contract with the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development of Uganda for preparing an alternative energy resources assessment and utilisation study. The study is funded by the African Development Bank and its total value amounts to EUR 2 million, of which Electrowatt-Ekono's services account for approximately 60 per cent. The project's duration is 13 months, during which the consultant will investigate the possibilities of using biomass, peat, small hydropower resources, solar and wind power and geothermal energy for electrification, especially of rural areas. Electrowatt-Ekono will be responsible for project management, administration and specialist services related to biomass, peat and geothermal energy. "

Mon, 23 Dec 2002 19:26:38 GMT

World Bank - Climate Protection Projects With A Human Face: As a part of its internal carbon-abatement program, the bank highlights "small-scale community-based projects in World Bank client countries that benefit the global environment .. and local communities." Some brief project descriptions are included:

Nicaragua Gemina Rice Husk Power Plant
Guatemala Chel Micro Hydro Project
Czech Republic Thomayer Hospital Heating System Upgrade Project
Chile Chacabuquito Hydro Power Project
Brazil Pasture and Plantation Land Regeneration Project
Mexico Scolel Té / Fondo Bioclimatico, Chiapas
Mexico Carbon Sequestration In Hillside Coffee-Planted Zones

Mon, 23 Dec 2002 18:53:46 GMT

Lessons learned from PCF so far:

Cost of CDM-like procedures:

Approximate procedural cost: $200-400K (half up front, half after commissioning)
Size of ER purchase from project: $2-3 million
Total size of project: $10-15 million (power projects ~5-10MW)

Small projects involving technologies such as PV, small wind, biomass, micro-hydro often

have higher unit costs due to small size
displace lower carbon intensity end-uses
operate in riskier environments (e.g. remote areas)

BUT they represent majority of CDM opportunites for small developing countries incl small islands. To be competitive in CDM such projects need

aggregation to reduce transaction costs
streamlined/ simplified CDM procedures

Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:50:43 GMT

China starts Asian Development Bank project on CDM: Oct 2002: "China, with the help of the ADB started an environmental project to explore opportunities in the nation for the institution of the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) in the energy sector. The project, which involves US$775,000 in ADB technical assistance, is also aimed at developing a set of national guidelines for identifying and developing eligible CDM projects in China. .. At present, the world average consumption of oil for every US$10,000 of gross domestic production is 2.81 tons, official statistic showed. The figure for the United States is 2.78 tons and for Japan, 0.96 tons. The consumption figure for China is 10.67 tons and for Russia, 17 tons. Matthew Mendis, an official from the US International Resources Group, said China's western regions will be the project's priority target. In Gansu Province and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, four small-scale renewable energy and energy-efficiency projects will be implemented during the 12-month project, said Mendis. "

Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:47:45 GMT

The International Emissions Trading Association (IETA) launches online database of GHG emissions trading markets: It covers all greenhouse gas emissions trading schemes globally. "The IETA database, produced by Point Carbon covers all relevant characteristics of the thirty-six international, regional, national, state/city-level and company-internal schemes of which information is currently available. It allows for cross-reference comparisons of all schemes according to jurisdiction, type of targets, coverage (sectors, activities, gases), participation (voluntary/mandatory, changes in population), compliance period, banking and borrowing, monitoring and registries, liability regime, taxation and transaction costs, compliance mechanism, the role of project-based mechanisms, and the allocation method used." Query page and sample output.

Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:40:15 GMT

The Chicago Climate Exchange: "The CCX project has been developed by 28 large companies, including Ford, DuPont and BP America, with the cities of Chicago and Mexico city, a group that emits 700m tonnes of carbon dioxide each year, more than Britain does." This may be modelled on BP's successful internal trading program which cut emissions to 10% below 1990 levels in under 4 years with substantial economic side benefits (details available).

Mon, 23 Dec 2002 07:28:50 GMT

Carbon Finance at the World Bank: Guide to 5 projects at the Bank related to GHG emissions trading and reduction. The Prototype Carbon Fund (PCF), established in 2000 with $180m and several projects in progress. In 2002 they have added The Community Development Carbon Fund (CDCF) for smaller community-based projects, and The BioCarbon Fund for projects involving sequestration in agriculture or forestry, at $100m each. Projects involving Netherlands purchases of credits, and the Bank's internal GHG emissions, are also listed. Reference is also made to the International Emissions Trading Association (IETA). A recent article makes some points:

It is difficult to prove that the credit accurately represents the difference in greenhouse gas emissions created by the clean energy product. The PCF has created 10 different rationales for establishing baselines in just 26 projects.
With the United States standing on the sidelines, the World Bank estimates that demand for the credits is almost halved, which halves their value too.
A year ago the PCF was predicting that prices could range from zero to $7 to $8 per ton of CO2 equivalent (CO2e), but the majority of credits bought and sold since the inception of the market were priced in the range of $1 to $3.50 per ton of CO2e.

Meanwhile, the Dutch CERUPT program for CDM projects in developing countries is advertising a willingness to purchase credits at EUR 3.30 - 5.50 (US $3-5) per ton with a minimum size of 100,000 ton CO2e.

Thu, 12 Dec 2002 07:53:55 GMT

Denmark to build wind power plant in Philippines: "Construction of the 25-megawatt plant in the northern province of Ilocos Norte will begin next year and will be completed in 2004, the Department of Energy said Tuesday. It will be the first commercial wind plant to be established in this country through a 25 million-dollar funding from the Danish International Development Agency. The plant will be built and operated by Danish firm Northwind Power Development Corp., which is to sell the electricity to a local distributor at rates below that of traditional power plants, the energy department said. A state firm is also planning to set up a 40-megawatt wind power plant in the northern Philippines by 2004. If both projects are completed, the Philippines will become the region's biggest user of wind-power, the department said"

Thu, 12 Dec 2002 07:49:06 GMT

Renewable energy relegated to niche play in Asia: A new EIA report on Asia reports

more than one billion people without access to power, largely in rural communities, in 2000
The World Bank's lending to energy efficiency and renewable schemes made up about 64 percent of total energy financing in 2001 and 2002, up from 16 percent in the 1990s.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) in October approved a $33.1 million loan to develop biomass power generation in rural China and also has funded projects in India and Indonesia
Shell estimates solar power costs would fall by 20 percent every three years.

Tue, 10 Dec 2002 17:57:10 GMT

Mexico Renewable Energy Program added RE to protected areas: "Between 1994 and 1998, Conservation International, The Nature Conservancy, the World Wildlife Fund, and their local partners received technical assistance and financial support to develop renewable energy projects to enhance the remote operations of their own staff and the activities of their local non-governmental organization (NGO) partners." 25 sites were involved, Sandia national labs participated, Winrock studied and documented as "Green power for green places" (apparently not online, only available by request). Enersol mentions their participation as well: "Also in 1999, the first version of "Green Power for Green Places" was published and distributed by Winrock International. This pamphlet prepared by staff of the Mexico Renewable Energy Program, including Enersol, documents various projects which have incorporated renewable energy to promote biological research, conservation, and eco-tourism in protected areas of Mexico."

Mon, 09 Dec 2002 14:51:52 GMT

Ice-cream chilled with sound waves, milk cooled by the sun :"An eco-friendly fridge freezer that uses sound to cool itself is being tested on ice-cream in the US. The new technology could eventually replace ice-cream cabinets run on ozone-damaging chlorofluorocarbons. Meanwhile, a prototype ice and solar panel tank is chilling Spanish milk with a dual cooling system to ensure the milk remains cold from dawn to dusk."

Mon, 09 Dec 2002 14:45:30 GMT

In Praise of Petroleum: "in an editorial appearing this week in the journal Science, [Berkeley prof. Kirk] Smith argues that switching all 2 billion of the world's poor to liquefied petroleum gas for household use would add a scant 2 percent to the global greenhouse gas emissions of fossil fuels. At the same time, using gas fuel would decrease the environmental impact on local biomass resources.. Smith led the research team analyzing the health effects of indoor smoke from solid fuels for a recent World Health Organization report. The report, published in October, found that indoor smoke from solid fuels ranked as one of the top 10 risk factors for the global burden of disease, accounting for 1.6 million premature deaths each year. "

Tue, 03 Dec 2002 03:51:41 GMT

At a Minnesota dairy, Holsteins are in the energy business: Renewed interest in manure/biogas digesters: "Each Holstein on Dennis Haubenschild's dairy farm chomps down 90 pounds of feed, yields eight gallons of milk, and produces 220 pounds of manure (including the shredded newspaper bedding) - daily. It's a pretty standard operation in the dairy industry. But his 750 cows are also in another business with a different product line: Every one of the half-ton beasts generates 4 kilowatt hours of electricity a day... One drawback with cow-to-electricity systems, says Mr. Nelson, is that they operate efficiently only on farms with 400 or more cows. That's six or seven times the average size of a Minnesota dairy herd. "We'd like to see design and engineering that would make these systems feasible on smaller farms," he says."

Fri, 29 Nov 2002 15:20:20 GMT

E Co: Case Studies: E+Co, an iFC-financed investor in developing country energy enterprises, has an expanded web site with many brief case descriptions. Energy System Ltd is an example in Uganda, supplying small PV systems. (I imagine supplying wireless comms equipment or project assistance through locals like these.)

Fri, 29 Nov 2002 06:30:54 GMT

Office of Technology Access: "DOE's Office of Technology Access (OTA) promotes exports of renewable energy (RE) and energy efficiency (EE) products and services and facilitates private sector infrastructure development to support the delivery and maintenance of RE and EE technologies worldwide. The office also provides these same information and technical assistance services to Native Americans on a government to government basis."

Fri, 29 Nov 2002 06:24:03 GMT

DOE Office of Technology Access: Writeups of 1996 Vietnam (and Honduras) villiage PV projects.

Wed, 27 Nov 2002 10:48:17 GMT

German investment in China wind power: $10m, 16 mw: "The project is a test of the viability of commercially financed and operated wind farms in China. China has theoretical wind power availability of 250,000 megawatts, making it one of the largest potential markets in the world."

Mon, 25 Nov 2002 00:30:26 GMT

PV critique: Paper finding home PV systems to be developmentally unsustainable.

Sat, 23 Nov 2002 05:06:16 GMT

Iran to build first geothermal power plant in Sabalan: It "will be built in the northeastern Sabalan region of Ardebil province, the director of the 'New Energies Organization', Yousef Armodlu, has announced. He said six wells were currently being drilled on the site of the plant at depths of 3,500 meters." Wind and PV projects are also underway "Based on preliminary studies, Iran is capable of producing 6,500 MW of electricity from wind power, which can be boosted to 10,000 MW, he observed."

Sun, 17 Nov 2002 04:31:12 GMT

New cable carries more electricity: "Adding ceramic fibers and small amounts of other material to today's aluminum-based electric power transmission lines yields cables capable of carrying higher voltages without deforming.. Replacing existing transmission lines to bolster the nation's existing power grid would be far less expensive than finding more rights-of-way and building additional towers, said Michael Karnitz, deputy director of ORNL's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Program. The new cables could be certified for use in the next couple of years." (I saw a slide of new cable from an EPRI presentation recently, which showed a fiber optic cable woven into the cable package, so along with increased power capacity came communications capacity as well.)

Fri, 15 Nov 2002 16:47:29 GMT

4000 BP solar systems for rural telecom in Peru: The Export-Import Bank is financing a US$2.4 million telecommunications project in Peru using BP Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. "With this project, known as Fitel, 4,000 PV systems (approximately 580 kW) will be provided by BP Solar Latin America. This will enable remote community centers that currently lack access to the electricity grid to conduct voice and data transmissions, which may include telephone, fax and internet services. .. The installation of this rural telecommunication system in Peru will benefit close to 3,000,000 people (ca. 10% of the current population of the country), providing them with telecom access and connection."

Tue, 12 Nov 2002 07:29:30 GMT

Solar Power used to extend internet access to Native American learning centers: San Diego's High-Performance Wireless Research and Education Network (HPWREN) has installed systems in remote areas of southern California, with solar panels giving "peak power of 320 watts, which is able to continuously power a device consuming around 32 watts. [It] can support up to four 2.4 GHz radios, has five days of back-up power should the panels fail. "

Tue, 12 Nov 2002 07:20:37 GMT

Climate Change Mitigation in Developing Countries: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, and Turkey: Pew Center policy study on developing countries shows "many are undertaking efforts that have significantly reduced the growth of their own greenhouse gas emissions. In most cases, climate mitigation is not the goal, but rather an outgrowth of efforts driven by economic, security, or local environmental concerns. "

Tue, 12 Nov 2002 07:02:58 GMT

Grameen Shakti reaches 10,000 installations in Bangladesh: "Grameen Shakti (GS) has installed 10,000 solar home systems with a capacity of 5,00,000 watts (0.50 MW) with a view to promoting and popularising renewable energy technologies in the country since its inception in 1996. The GS has also established 50 units of offices at different locations of the country including six islands. .. The GS has launched village Internet and video conferencing through Internet between one offshore island (Maheshkahli) and Cox’s Bazar (Tourist City) for the first time in the country. .. The GS has also established 10 solar power computer education center in the rural and remote areas including three islands. It is also making the people of the areas acquainted with computer technology. "

Tue, 12 Nov 2002 06:58:16 GMT

Sri Lanka World Bank Renewable Project Procurement Notice (Nov 11, 2002): "The Government of Sri Lanka has received a credit in the amount of US$75 million equivalent from the International Development Association (IDA) to finance the Renewable Energy for Rural Economic Development (RERED) Project, and it intends to apply the credit proceeds to payments for goods, works, related services and consulting services to be procured under this project. " Specific procurement notices are forthcoming from the Bank or RERED.

Sun, 10 Nov 2002 04:03:07 GMT

Renewable Energy Ex-Im Bank Controversy: "Despite legislation passed in 1989 that requires the Ex-Im Bank to allocate at least five percent of their funds to Renewable Energy industries while providing annual information about their Renewable Energy funding efforts, the GAO found the bank's efforts lacking. Of the US$28 billion the Ex-Im Bank provided in loans and guarantees for energy-related projects from 1990 to 2001, 93 percent was used to finance fossil fuel projects while just three percent went to Renewable Energy projects, according to the GAO report. " Of that US$730m for renewables from 1990-2001, $395m was in two large geothermal projects in 1994 in the Philippines. Ex-Im claims its 2002 record was better, citing loans for exports to Nigeria, Turkey, India, South Africa and St. Lucia.

Fri, 08 Nov 2002 01:12:46 GMT

Haryana funds renewables: "India's Haryana State Government has earmarked Rs 36.85 crore for the promotion of non-conventional energy sources during the Tenth Five Year Plan as against Rs 22.78 crore spent during the Ninth Five Year Plan. `Solar shops' would be set up in 18 districts to provide information, sale and repair service for all types of renewable energy devices under one roof, a spokesman of the Non-Conventional Energy Sources department said... There was a plan to provide 21,000 home lighting systems during the Tenth Plan at a total cost of Rs 23.10 crore. The SPV water pumping system of 1800 watt capacity were being installed to lift water through pumps running on solar photovoltaic technology and could be used for irrigation, drinking water and horticulture purposes, he said."

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 04:12:00 GMT

Wave power pioneer to make desert rain: Wierd idea gets research funding. "The wind turbines, based on an existing design called the Darrieus turbine and described as a "40-metre-high egg beater", would be installed on barges or catamarans off the coast of desert land. Aerofoil-shaped blades attached at the top and bottom would be spun on a vertical axis by the wind and the turning motion of the rotors would be harnessed to pump seawater scooped up from the sea .. and out through slits as a fine spray. As the droplets evaporate, salt would fall back into the sea and a cloud of water vapour would drift inland in the turbulence created by the rotors, increasing the probability of rain. The initial research into the feasibility of the vision has been awarded £105,000 in funding by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. It will concentrate in the short term on climate models to predict where and in what conditions the water vapour generated by the turbines would fall.

Professor Salter, 62, believes the siting of wind turbines of this kind close to deserts could enable areas of drought-hit land to be regenerated for agricultural and other purposes. .. The cost of a cubic metre of water won by Professor Salter's invention is estimated at $0.002, while the cost from desalination is 1000 times that."

Wed, 06 Nov 2002 04:06:42 GMT

Devastated Ecuador Town Being Rebuilt in 'Harmony With Environment: 4 years after floods and an earthquake, the town of Bahia is rebuilt as an "eco-city": "We're working on an artificial wetland system to treat the sewage water. We have an alternative energy plan for the whole city, that's solar and wind power for the whole city," he said. "I believe, one day, we'll be seeing electric buses and electric taxis in the city." Also, organic shrimp farming has replaced the previously declining shrimp operations.

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 08:06:57 GMT

Korea's first commercial wind power plant : "Gangwon Wind Power Co. plans to establish a 98-megawatt power plant by installing 49 2,000-kilowatt wind power generators by November 2004." 55% of funding is foreign.

Mon, 04 Nov 2002 08:02:25 GMT

U.S. Export Council for Renewable Energy : Promotes smaller RE projects, including the International Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (IFREE) support for microcredit. Also uses VITA's LEO for collecting telemetry & monitoring.

Sun, 27 Oct 2002 08:10:43 GMT

Rabo India launches `green' division: "RABO India Finance Private Ltd has announced the setting up of a new `Sustainability and social innovation' division to provide structured financial products and services for eco-friendly and sustainable development projects. The division will cater to commercially viable `green' ventures, including climate products (trading of carbon credits), renewable energy and co-generation projects based on wind power and baggase, municipal solid waste processing, wastewater treatment and desalination plants, etc. ..

Mr Bart Jan Krouwel, who is the worldwide head of Rabobank Nederland's `Sustainability and social innovation' division, said that the Rabobank Group currently has a portfolio of green loans amounting to around $ 1 billion and has funded over 1,000 projects so far. "We have significant expertise and competence to develop financial solutions for green projects, including providing project advisory and syndication services and assisting developers in achieving timely financial closure. We also have an active carbon credit desk, specialising in banking and trading of carbon credits'', he added. Rabo India was already involved in funding around 20 sustainable development projects in the country, which have either been completed or are ongoing projects. " Mentioned were:

18 MW wind energy project in Satara, Maharashtra
40 MW baggase-based cogeneration project in Tamil Nadu
14 MW bio-mass venture involving processing of paddy husk in Andhra Pradesh
5 MW municipal waste project in Lucknow
total Rs 65 crore ($13m) cogeneration and Rs 35 crore ($7m) wind power

Sat, 19 Oct 2002 06:15:45 GMT

South Africa: World Bank Visit Boosts East Cape Clean Energy Project: "This station or "wind farm" will work in tandem with a small hyro-electric plant, using an existing dam on the farm. The aim is that together the two stations will be capable of generating 12 megawatts of electricity... A key member of the bank's Prototype Carbon Fund, Robert Chronowski travels the world to identify potential project partners. If a proposal appears to have all the ingredients to be viable, yet no other way of being launched, an offer is made. The standard terms are R110 ($11) for a ton of carbon offset by clean energy. An average one ton of carbon is emitted for every megawatt per hour generated by coal-fired electricity. The fund is paid in carbon offset certificates and these can be used by the fund's shareholders -- mega-corporations and governments around the developed world -- to offset their own emissions."

Fri, 18 Oct 2002 05:53:51 GMT

India clears six projects to cut emissions: India has cleared six project proposals under the "prompt start" clean development mechanism. This was agreed under the Marrakesh Accord to enable parties to embrace CDM without waiting for Kyoto to come into force. Only two players are now offering to trade carbon — Netherlands and the World Bank. .. Netherlands, through Senter International, a Dutch government agency, floated a tender for procurement of Certified Emission Reductions from potential Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects in November ‘01. Its commitment under Kyoto is 6% below the 1990 level — roughly 200 mega tonnes of carbon dioxide [perhaps 50% from CDM]. It received 80 proposals including 11 from India of which 26 have been shortlisted. The six Indian projects together propose an estimated reduction of 2,64,66,549 tonnes of CO2:

Ind Barath Energies (7.5 MW biomass power project)
Kalpataru Energy Venture (biomass in Rajasthan: electricity generation from mustard crop residues)
Vestas RRB India (which proposes two projects, a combined 15 MW wind biomass project and another 14.45 MW wind power project)
Suzlon Energy (15 MW grid connected wind energy project)
Enercon (India) (15 MW grid connected renewable electricity supply project)

Fri, 18 Oct 2002 05:34:28 GMT

Canadian Wind Turbines Bound for China: "Canadian turbine manufacturer AAER has signed a letter of intent with the Chinese firm Fujian YongFeng Science and Technology to purchase 27, 1.5 MW wind turbines. This US$49 million-dollar deal is supported by an option to purchase 66 additional wind turbines bringing the total value of the order to US$120 million dollars. Furthermore, an American group is also getting ready to announce a US$200 million intent to purchase 120 wind turbines made by AAER. Based in Montreal since December 2000, AAER plans to set up its large capacity wind turbine plant in Quebec in the fall of 2003. By 2011, all NAFTA countries should have installed wind turbines providing 30,000 MW. In 2003 alone, the United States plans to install equipment capable of a 2,500 MW capacity. "

Thu, 17 Oct 2002 05:42:08 GMT

Kenya to import power from South Africa by 2006: "Energy minister Chris Okemo said plans were under way to connect the national grid to the Tanzanian one, which is linked to South African supply. Moving a motion on the vote of his ministry, Mr Okemo said the link would add 100 mega watts to the national grid. The minister said the decisions to import power from South Africa was arrived at when it was realised that locally-generated powers as well that imported from Uganda was not enough to satisfy local demand ..The minister also announced that the government was planning to develop other sources of energy like wind and geothermal to supplementary the hydro-electricity."

Wed, 16 Oct 2002 00:32:00 GMT

World Business Council for Sustainable Development: Networks of businesses in many countries, with case studies on the site. "These independent membership organizations, already numbering more than 30, have a common commitment to providing business leadership for change toward sustainable development in their respective countries and regions"

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 18:34:45 GMT

Solar Photovoltaic Industry Cost and Price Trends: Page with many useful reference figures. Example: "competitiveness of solar PV in different market segments:"

	Solar markets	Solar Price/Competing Energy source
Remote Industrial	29%	0.1-0.5 times
Remote Habitational	37%	0.2-0.8 times
Grid Connected	31%	2-5 times
Consumer Indoor	4%	n/a

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 18:22:04 GMT

Sun-powered fridge : A South African high school student demonstrates a solar refrigerator: "Matthews' invention uses sunlight, captured by an array of solar panels, to drive coolant around a refrigerator the size of a large picnic cooler. Matthews' dream is to sell Solar Freeze to rural villages in Africa and Asia at below 500 rands (50 dollars) each."

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 18:15:49 GMT

Bids required for Manthania, India solar thermal plant: "Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation is implementing the Rs907-crore ($187m) project while the Rajasthan Power Distribution Agency has agreed to purchase all the power. DSD Dillinger of Germany, Larsen and Toubro and Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd have been shortlisted under the prequalification process. The project is expected to be commissioned in 36 months. Parabolic trough technology will be used for collecting solar thermal energy. The parabolic mirror will have 2,20,000 square metres area for collecting solar energy. The project will receive funding of 128 million euro from KfW of Germany, US$45 million from the World Bank's Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Rs50 crore ($10m) each from the Government of India and the Government of Rajasthan. "

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 18:09:39 GMT

Bolivia secures $60M for rural electrification (Oct 9, 2002): "Bolivia's government has secured provisional commitments for loans totaling approximately US$60mn towards a US$200mn rural electrification program, Bolivia's hydrocarbons minister Fernando Illanes said. The provisional commitments have come from the Andean Development Corporation (CAF), German development bank KfW and the World Bank. Bolivia's government will continue to seek other sources of financing and also expects to provide an undefined amount of funds itself, Illanes said. President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada has committed himself to providing electric power to 200,000 homes over the next five years, although the government envisages an emergency program to be implemented within the next 90 days. The plan includes extending distribution networks and installing solar power units in the more remote parts of the country."

Mon, 14 Oct 2002 18:06:58 GMT

Solar power under spotlight in Thai Government: "Porponth Sichanugrist is the acting deputy director of energy projects at the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA).. So far, only six megawatts of solar cells have been installed across the country, most of them as part of state-development projects in remote areas. The production relies heavily on imported technology. Initially, the National Energy Policy Office drafted a master plan to increase solar-energy production to 25.94 megawatts by 2006 and to 161.97 megawatts by 2011. .. In the next five years, NSTDA's solar energy operating unit is due to be privatised and become a distributor of solar-power products. A total of 300 million baht ($7m)would be invested in the venture. Seven or eight Thai companies were interested in contributing a total of 50 million baht with the state putting in 250 million baht, he said. .. The NSTDA and the Federation of Thai Industries have already spent 10 million baht on establishing a joint venture which, to date, has installed solar roofs on 10 factories that wanted to reduce their energy bills. "

Sun, 13 Oct 2002 20:12:51 GMT

Responding to Climate Change: Joint UN-Corporate web site with case studies on many topics, including developing country technology adoption.

Thu, 10 Oct 2002 04:55:03 GMT

Wind power majors see growth in India: "Two of the world's leading wind turbine makers Danish Vestas and NEG Micon are both expecting strong growth in India, the fifth biggest wind power market in the world. "India will be a very important market in the years to come. I think we will see market growth rates of at least 40-50 per cent annually," Rakesh Bakshi, managing director of Vestas RRB India. " Bakshi projects 6-7000 MW sales for the industry in the next 10 years.

Wed, 09 Oct 2002 22:38:45 GMT

Calculating electricity GHG impact: In a story about the Nature Conservancy's plans to procure renewable power for its HQ, some interesting statistics were offered. The HQ uses 4,000,000 kwh per year, of which 10% will soon be from renewable sources. A number of equivalents were derived:

A typical home uses 10,000 kwh/year (ie, 10 Mwh)
Each Mwh emits 1,600 lbs (or .75 metric tonnes) of CO2
A typical car emits 10,000 lbs (or 4.5 metric tonnes) CO2/year
An acre of forest absorbs 7,300 lbs (or 3.3 metric tonnes) CO2/year

A typical home emits 60% more CO2 than a typical car each year
A typical car's emissions are absorbed by 1.4 acres of forest
A typical home's emissions are absorbed by 2.3 acres of forest

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 17:26:14 GMT

Grameen Shakti PV's in Bangladesh: "Generation of electricity from solar energy has gained popularity in Pirojpur and other remote coastal areas and offshore islands of the country,.. provided by Grameen Shakti, a project of Grameen Bank. Installation and operation of the Grameen Shakti sponsored solar energy system require a solar panel, necessary battery for preserving electricity, charge controller and other inputs. ..

A 25-watt solar energy system costing Tk 12,000 [$210] can generate power for four hours every day where two six-watt bulbs can operate. On the other hand, a 120-watt system at a cost of Tk 55,000 [$950] generates power for lighting 10 six-watt bulbs and operating a 20 inches black and white television.

Any intending user of solar energy can subscribe it with a down payment at the rate of 25 % of the total cost of Tk 12,000 or 55,000. The remaining 75 % along with a service charge at the rate of 8 % is payable in 24 monthly instalments. [Or] One can obtain the connection of the solar energy system with 15 % down payment and rest payable in 36 monthly instalments with a 12 % service charge."

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 16:42:31 GMT

Philippine renewable energy project: "The Philippine government, supported by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the private sector involved in promoting the use of renewable energy in the country, will undertake a $23.36-million project aimed at reducing the growth of greenhouse gas emissions by replacing fossil fuel. " GEF will supply $5.4m, with the remainder coming from private sector sources (Philippine National Oil Co. (PNOC), PNOC-Energy Development Corp., American firm Smith Bell, Solar Laboratory and the Renewable Energy Association of the Philippines). The project will last 5 years and be called Capacity Building to Remove Barriers on Renewable Energy Development in the Philippines (CBRED). "The CBRED program will also provide financing mechanisms that will serve as a buffer fund to encourage investors to embark on the use and commercialization of renewable energy systems and technologies"

Mon, 07 Oct 2002 06:46:42 GMT

PVs for Brazil schools, project "PRODEEM": "BP recently won a contract to provide and install solar photovoltaic systems in 1852 schools throughout 11 States in Brazil. The schools will have solar panels installed to provide electricity for televisions, computers and refrigeration for food and will benefit the lives of over 60,000 children. " The project is valued at $10 million and will install over 1.3MW of solar power in 9 months. In addition, a study is underway to determine its potential emission credit value under the Clean Development Mechanism. Powerpoint on this and related 75-site indigenous community project and CDM issues is available. Contact: Giles Mackey, BP, Tel +44 207 579 77 89, mackeyg@bp.com

Sun, 06 Oct 2002 20:17:36 GMT

SIDSnet, the Small Island Developing States Network: The 43 member states of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) include Caribbean nations, Fiji, Maruitius, Malta, and others. The SIDSnet site includes profiles of islands, a link to GEF projects in member states, a calendar and other info. The new Global Sustainable Energy Islands Initiative aims to increase use of renewable energy in island states. Electricity there normally comes from diesel gensets, costing 10-20 cents per kw. The GSEII is jointly administered by Organization of American States, Climate Institute, Winrock International, Counterpart International, Energy and Security Group and Forum for Energy and Development. For further information about the Initiative contact Mr. Thomas Lynge Jensen at tlj@inforse.org.

Sun, 06 Oct 2002 16:15:36 GMT

AstroPower Company to Supply Solar Electric Power Systems for Villages Located Off the Utility Grid: Atersa (Aplicaciones Tecnicas de la Energia, S.L.), has been selected to design and supply solar electric power systems to power 227 off-grid rural villages in Senegal. "The project, which is part of the Republic of Senegal's rural development program, will total 425 installed peak kilowatts. Including all necessary components for seamless installation and operation, Atersa's solar electric power systems will power social centers, schools, health facilities, and religious centers. These systems will also power 10 to 12 streetlights per village. Each remote system will include four 85-watt solar electric power modules, one 75-watt module per streetlight, an inverter, batteries, mounting hardware, and DC fluorescent lighting." Valued at $7.4 million, the project will complete in 2003.

Sun, 06 Oct 2002 16:09:25 GMT

Ex-Im Bank boost funding for green projects: "In fiscal year 2002 to date, the Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is supporting more than $300 million of U.S. exports of environmentally beneficial goods and services related to renewable energy, and air, water and land remediation. Ex-Im Bank assists U.S. environmental exports through all of its financing products, and these exports can qualify for longer repayment terms, capitalization of interest and local cost coverage up to 15% of the U.S contract. " Among the projects are a guarantee to Solar Outdoor Lighting of Florida to sell $2.6 million of billboards and solar-powered outdoor lighting systems to Afromedia Nigeria in Lagos; environmental insurance policies to help Astropower of Delaware to export solar cells and modules to Mexico and Kenya; insurance policies for Southwest Windpower of Arizona to sell battery-charging wind generators to Turkey, India, South Africa and St. Lucia.

Sat, 05 Oct 2002 23:25:02 GMT

OECD on global warming: "Conservation and efficiency should come first on the world agenda." Built into projections of future energy use is a decline in energy intensity (primary energy used per dollar of economic output) of 1% per year. Today, 14 T (terawatt-years per year) is used globally (2 T in Western Europe). At 1% less intensity per year, it rises to 27 T by 2050. If energy intensity were to decline by 2% per year, the world economy would use 10 T less - only 17 T - by 2050. "World energy spending would also be nearly a trillion dollars per year less than present projections. This is not easy to achieve, but the best opportunity lies in the developing world where most of the increase in population and energy use is projected to occur, and where energy intensity is currently about three times higher than in the industrialised world. "

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 21:58:27 GMT

Uganda ratifies Kyoto: "Ugandan Minister of Water, Lands and Environment Ruhakana Rugunda said at the recent Earth Summit that while the industrialized countries are the biggest polluters, it is developing countries which face the greatest risk. Poor countries would benefit from the protocol because wealthy nations would have to invest in afforestation, the minister added."

Thu, 03 Oct 2002 07:41:39 GMT

Rural Electrification Corporation of India: REC "is the premier public sector development financial institution propelling energisation of rural India and is involved in providing assistance to State Electricity Boards (SEBs) and other utilities for electrification of villages , its mandate was expanded recently to undertake any project in the power sector". An official visited Stanford Oct 2002 and offered some statistics:

Of 580,000 villages in India, 500,000 have some electric service. Of the remainder, 18,000 villages have been identified as requiring only off-grid solutions
The national grid loses most of the electricity generated in India. Of 105 GW generated, only 70 GW are delivered, and 45 GW billed or accounted for. The technical losses (eg, from transmission over old low-voltage lines) and theft exceed paid delivery.

Wed, 02 Oct 2002 05:22:20 GMT

$120m Philippine geothermal expansion: "PNOC-Energy Development Corp. (EDC) president and chief executive officer Sergio Apostol told reporters that $40 million will be used to put up an additional 20-megawatt (MW) Nasuji, Palinpinon (III) steamfield in Valencia, Negros Oriental. The Development Bank of the Philippines and the Kreditanstalt Fur Wiederauafdau (KFW) of Germany will provide the $40 million. KFW will finance the remaining $80 million for EDC's expansion of the Tawanon project."

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 05:12:07 GMT

Shell Solar One Million Solar Homes Fund progresses (Sept 24, 2002): "The fund aims to massively increase the use of PV systems in rural homes and businesses by making long term low interest loans available to customers and by giving businesses an incentive to establish rural operations. .. the Global Environmental Fund has given its tentative support to providing 40% of the required grant funding of $150 million to launch the Fund, and support for this approach has been confirmed in separate meetings between Phil Watts and the head of the IFC Peter Woicke, and the head of the World Bank James Wolfensohn. In addition, the Dutch, US, Canadian, Swiss, German, UK delegations have all indicated that they are interested in contributing to the Fund. "

Mon, 30 Sep 2002 05:09:28 GMT

E7 Fund to bring electricity to poorer areas (Sept 24, 2002): 9 OECD utilities called the "e7," entered into a series of agreements with the UN during the World Summit on Sustainable Development aimed at expanding access by the poor to electricity. The members of the group "were committed to identifying new projects and pursuing feasibility studies. These studies, which she said often cost more than $1 million, are necessary to attract capital and financing, such as from regional development banks [or the] Kyoto Protocol's Clean Development Mechanism.. "Johannesburg affirmed that there is a growing recognition that for sustainable development to occur in an accelerated way, electricity needs to be installed early," according to Paul Loeffelman, Director of Environmental Policy of the American Electric Power, a member of the e-7. He said investments of between $140-$500 billion were needed to provide everyone in the world with electricity.

Sun, 29 Sep 2002 07:40:03 GMT

Is Renewable Energy A Smart Business Idea Just Yet, in India?: Mentions a few players in India:

Mr Jami Hossain, project director with Winrock India
"Wind power generation has become India’s leading source of clean energy. Just over 1,900 megawatts (mw) of energy across the country is generated by wind. The leading player in the field is Suzlon Energy Limited. The former textile company got into the wind power generating business seven years ago with the help of incentives from the Gujarat state government. Back then it had 20 employees, today it has just over 1,000"
"Tata BP Solar manufactures solar photovoltaic and thermal systems. For the year ended March, 2002, Tata BP Solar posted profits of Rs 180 crore — a little more than half that profit was derived from exports. Though the figure is small compared with Tata’s other interests, it’s growing at an enviable rate. Three years ago profits were Rs 81 crore. "

Fri, 27 Sep 2002 22:24:52 GMT

UN Foundation funds China energy ventures: On Aug 16, 2002 the United Nations Foundation announced a USD 4.35 mln grant to China "to help finance sustainable energy and climate change initiatives in the country. The grant will be used to create China's first clean energy venture capital facility, support China's implementation of the Kyoto Protocol and establish cost-effective energy conservation programs. .. The goal of the venture capital fund, the major component of the grant, is to provide seed capital and technical assistance to emerging Chinese enterprises, especially those in rural communities. Energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in China have been facing serious fund shortages in recent years. .. The fund, called the Climate-Friendly Technology Financing Facility, is also expected to make a good example for domestic and international investors to follow, and hopefully draw a minimum of USD 50 mln as the first major equity investment in China's clean energy enterprises."

Wed, 25 Sep 2002 06:06:42 GMT

Africa Development Bank approves water projects: "The bank approved a loan of about US $20.1 million to finance a rural water supply project in Guinea. It is intended to provide drinking water to the villages of Dabola and Faranah in the center of the country, Kankan and Kouroussa in the east, and Siguiri in the northeast. Some 1,100 modern water points equipped with manual pumps and six small drinking water supply solar-powered systems are to be installed, in the hope of providing at least 10 litres of water per capita per day in these areas by the year 2005, according to a press release from the bank. Five thousand family and 200 public latrines will also be constructed"

Wed, 25 Sep 2002 06:02:03 GMT

Solar Dynamics Announces Portable Personal Power System: "Solar Dynamics, Inc., a manufacturer of portable solar power systems, announced today the availability of The Cub, a lightweight (13 lbs), portable power source that provides DC and AC electricity for small electronic devices and recharges itself through a 5 watt thin film solar module.. The Cub™ DC version provides 3, 6, 9 and 12 volts of DC. The Cub™ AC/DC version provides both DC power and up to 75 watts of AC power. Both DC and AC/DC versions come with DC power socket adapters and an energy efficient task/flash light. An 8 watt waterproof fluorescent light, wall charger and 12 volt DC charger to charge from a car cigarette lighter outlet are optional accessories sold separately."

Wed, 25 Sep 2002 04:00:16 GMT

SIDA-funded training programme for wind power technology in developing countries: The ÅF Group will conduct a course called "The management of wind power development." "The course will run over a period of five weeks in 2003 and will be held in Malmö, Stockholm and Visby. Two more courses are already planned for 2004 and 2005.. For further information: Project Leader, Bertil Ahlbeck +46(0)40-375000. The ÅF Group is a large consulting company, based in Sweden, www.af.se"

Tue, 24 Sep 2002 02:21:20 GMT

Solar Power Is Reaching Where Wires Can't: NYT Sep 2001 article links rural power and telecom: "Business has long been keenly aware of the potential of providing energy to deprived areas. And interest in narrowing the world's much-discussed digital divide, between the connected and the unconnected, has only made the opportunity more inviting... Two billion people, roughly 30 percent of the world population, are off the energy grid, living in areas without utility services. And a billion of them have the means to pay for power, said Prof. Daniel M. Kammen, (Berkeley)... Strategies Unlimited predicts that the leading companies in the industry will continue to have revenue growth of about 20 percent a year from these markets. That will make the remote rural market alone worth roughly $2.5 billion by 2005." Examples:

In July 2001 Shell Solar signed an agreement with Beijing's Sun Oasis Company to supply systems for up to 78,000 households in western China
Over the last two years, the Grameen Bank financed interest-bearing loans to people in 30 villages to buy "Internet connectivity products like solar panels and phone equipment". Loan payback rate is 90%.
Solar-powered education equipment is credited with improved results in a South African school.

Sun, 22 Sep 2002 16:29:26 GMT

How does Australia scrub up at the carbon sink? "Back in 2000, John Stanford of the Allen Consulting group was a Kyoto protocol "bear". In a report that year, he predicted that if Australia signed the international treaty to combat climate change, 160,000 regional jobs would go - along with $11 billion, or 1.9 per cent, of the national economy. But 18 months farther along his road to Damascus, Stanford underwent a radical conversion. Now he says we may not face any economic costs." Key factors:

Credit for potential carbon sinks in Australia (introduced into Kyoto in 2001)
US absence from Kyoto means fewer buyers for emission credits, and thereby a lower price
Australia can help Japan, Korea and others reduce emissions

"12 Australian companies take the prospect of carbon trading that they paid $US100,000 ($A183,000) to be involved in a simulation of trading arrangements being run by Rothschild and the E3 Group." The story also reports on a BP trial of gasoline called Ultimate, with an extra charge of about 14 US cents per gallon for carbon offsets in the price of the gas.

Sun, 22 Sep 2002 15:59:44 GMT

German company 500 PPM launches websites that bring new climate protection options to consumers: "500 PPM today announced the opening of a website (travel.500ppm.com) that allows the general public to offset harmful carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions they create through air travel. Users can calculate and then neutralise these emissions online by purchasing verified emission offsets from emission reducing projects in South Africa, Brazil, India and Jamaica." Current prices are $8 per tonne Co2e, plus $5 per transaction. For reference, California-Australia roundtrip travel produces 2.8 tonnes.

Sun, 08 Sep 2002 13:49:10 GMT

A directory of technologies supported by IDRC includes IT, with a good entry on CGNET. (Nearby, thre's a Canadian background paper on water for development.)

Sun, 08 Sep 2002 13:47:03 GMT

Approtec pumps have been designed in Palo Alto and deployed in large numbers in Kenya. Wired profiled Approtec. They work in some other basic technolgies as well. They don't do IT for development, but they do many things right in appropriate technology.

Sat, 07 Sep 2002 11:09:48 GMT

New Book From Rocky Mountain Institute Foretells Revolution in Electric Power Industry: "Sep 03, 2002 -- A new book called Small Is Profitable: The Hidden Economic Benefits of Making Electrical Resources the Right Size", released today by Rocky Mountain Institute, describes 207 ways in which the size of "electrical resources"-devices that make, save, or store electricity-affects their economic value. It finds that properly considering the economic benefits of "distributed" (decentralized) electrical resources typically raises their value by a large factor, often as much as tenfold. These gains are realized through improved system planning, utility construction and operation, and service quality, and by avoiding societal costs." The executive summary is online.

Sat, 07 Sep 2002 00:35:18 GMT

Ashok Gadgil: of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory in California. "UV Waterworks is a portable, low-cost, low-maintenance, energy-efficient water purifier that utilizes ultra-violet light to render viruses and bacteria harmless." DOE Trials have been conducted in the Philippines and Mexico in 2000. Gadgil is a Pew Fellow; His background is primarily in energy efficiency, and this device is no exception. "As the water flows past at a rate of 15 liters per minute, the lamp's radiation deadens the DNA of any bacteria, viruses or molds. Water infested with as much as 1,000,000 E. Coli bacteria per liter leaves the system completely clean. " WaterHealth International, Inc. is a Napa company doing some commercialization of the technology, including wind or solar power.

Fri, 06 Sep 2002 16:59:19 GMT

China breathes life into Kyoto: In ratifying the Kyoto Protocol, China.. introduces a major player to the as yet nascent global market for carbon credit. China by virtue of its size adds massive liquidity to the system ..

Projects carried out under the mechanism will benefit from an additional revenue stream derived from their emission reductions. Hong Kong is certainly in a position to benefit .. Hong Kong companies, can bring skills and experience with clean energy technologies. Many greenhouse gas emission reduction measures also reduce local pollutant emissions. .. This creates potential win-win opportunities in the Pearl River Delta and southern China, which business and governments in Hong Kong and Guangdong should pursue vigorously. .. Companies experienced in doing business in China will fare best, as they tap into China's virtually unlimited supply of carbon credits. ..

The most obvious projects to focus on are those that require initial capital investment, and deliver savings that pay back the capital even without revenue from emission reductions. Typically these are process-redesign or energy efficiency projects. Decisions from the recently formed Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board confirm that such projects will qualify under its structure. Projects using methane from landfill gases or coal mine methane are most likely to be targeted due to the damaging greenhouse effect of the gas. Fuel conversion projects are also likely to be targeted.

The caps on Annex I countries apply to emissions for the period 2008-2012. But the accord provides for Clean Development Mechanism projects in place since January 1, 2000, to save or bank Certified Emission Reductions against Annex I emission caps for 2008.

The strongest demand for emission reductions from China is likely to come from Japanese companies. Japan needs millions of tonnes of reductions, and with its energy sector profile would face extremely high costs to achieve these reductions. Japan recently announced a programme to investigate clean development mechanism projects across Asia. It is keen to be ahead of the field in the race to find the lowest cost opportunities to offset emissions.

Fri, 06 Sep 2002 15:27:05 GMT

UNEP launches Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development (GNESD): "Network partners will help promote the research, transfer and take-up of green and cleaner energy technologies to the developing world. The Network will achieve this by strengthening collaboration between existing "centres of excellence", and work through these centres to influence sustainable energy policies, strategies and programmes... The list of energy centres includes, for example, the Tata Energy Reseach Institute (TERI) in India, the African Energy Policy Research Network (Kenya), the Bariloche Foundation (Argentina), ENDA Tiers Monde (Senegal), and the Energy Research and Development Centre (EDRC) in South Africa."

Fri, 06 Sep 2002 14:53:20 GMT

Moroccan wind farm has steady wind, few bird problems: "Morocco's first wind farm at Koudia Al Baida, 30 kilometers east of Tangiers, has an annual output of almost 200 million kWh, which represents about 2% of the country's electricity consumption and is equal to the consumption of about 400,000 inhabitants. The site, near the Straits of Gibraltar, has exceptional wind quality with powerful, regular winds. .. These conditions permit generation at full power during 4,000 hours per year (46%). .. During the period, 9,000 long flight birds and 1,300 small sparrow like parrot passerines were observed .. The long-flight birds react to the generator propellers by going round them to the west either by using the special corridors [designed between batches of turbines] or by flying at a higher altitude. The passerines use the corridors exclusively. Only two migrating birds have died after colliding with generator blades. .. In the Koudia al Baida project there are 84 generators spread out along an 8 kilometer crest at an altitude of between 370m and 560m each with a capacity of 600 kW and a combined output of 50.4 MW. Each weighs 26 tons, has a mast height of 45 meters, and has an 8.5 ton propeller of 42 or 44 meters diameter." Note: onshore wind power typically runs at 30% capacity, offshore typically at 60%.

Thu, 05 Sep 2002 07:50:25 GMT

Apollo II: Roundup of sustainable energy with links to many countries. (Nov 2001)

Wed, 04 Sep 2002 06:38:34 GMT

World Energy Consumption: The Good, The Bad, and The BTUs: Numbers and concise summary. "If the per capita energy consumption in the developing world were to reach only 50% of that consumed by the citizens of industrialized nations, and if everyone in the prosperous industrialized nations were to conserve themselves down to that same level, energy production worldwide would have to double. .. The prevailing energy issue worldwide is how will global energy output double or triple in the next twenty years in a way that is clean and sustainable. Because even with highly efficient energy usage and conservation worldwide, that's what it's going to take for the countries of the world to stay on the course of economic growth and development that they clearly desire and deserve. Can "non-hydro renewables" provide this much energy? Maybe, but it would take a transformation in the world energy infrastructure of unimaginable speed and scope. "

Tue, 03 Sep 2002 16:14:43 GMT

Direct Global Power: DGP is a consulting and project implementation compnay "active in various areas of program development. These include programs for: Utilities Rural Electrification, and Photovoltaic Infrastructure Development." Most customers are in the US, with some work in developing countries.

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 05:45:19 GMT

Germany Donates 8 Million Euros to Help NW Province Power System: "A memo has been signed recently in Lanzhou, capital of Northwest Gansu Province, on the German government providing eight million euros (eight million US dollars) to help build a solar energy power system in rural Gansu. The project is expected to benefit some 500,000 farmers in remote areas in the province, who suffer shortages of power supply, "

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 05:32:56 GMT

Denmark Proposes to Replace Water Supply Pumpsets in Karnataka: "Denmark has proposed replacing 3 million rural water supply pumpsets in Karnataka with energy efficient and cost-effective [Grundfos] solar powered pumps.. [Grundfos] has invested in a service-cum-training Centre and warehouse complex in Chennai, and plans a $12m factory for early 2003. "Already, over 800 pumps have been sold to hotels, hospitals and large industries across India", Ranganath said. A full-fledged manufacturing plant would come up in Chennai by 2004. "

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 05:17:27 GMT

Indian villages tapping solar power to cope with India's erratic power grid: "Winrock says about 800,000 solar systems now generate a total of 65 megawatts of electricity in India. In addition, there are 360,000 lanterns, 160,000 home-lighting systems and 43,000 street lights powered by the sun, and Indians use 597,000 solar stoves, saving millions of cylinders worth of gas. Jami Hossain, a solar expert at Winrock, said prices have plummeted for solar technology over the last 20 years." Figures from India's Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES) are somewhat higher (85 MW), of which 15% are for telecom applications. Annual production of 20 MW of PV cells are anticipated in 2001-2002. (Photos available.)

Mon, 02 Sep 2002 04:27:37 GMT

India hooking PVs to its grids: In a national program to replace diesel gensets and shave peaks in urban demand, several projects are underway using domestically produced PVs. "Last month, Bangalore based Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL) commissioned its four solar power plant in Lakshadweep, the islands off the south west coast of India." This 150kW plant is one in a series of replacements for diesel generators on islands in southern India. "Transportation of diesel, which essentially depended on sea conditions, a cumbersome and costly process, required the continuous running of the diesel generators, leading to noise and air pollution. Contamination of groundwater by large-scale storage of diesel was another concern.' BHEL is is also installing solar plants in the Andaman Islands. "The SPV modules are manufactured at the BHEL manufacturing facility located at Bangalore. The solar cells and modules manufactured here are also exported to various countries such as Germany, Australia and Italy." Meanwhile, India completed two solar power projects in Nepal valued at Rs. 15 million, and is planning more such projects.

Sat, 31 Aug 2002 07:27:59 GMT

E7 monitoring project for rural coops in Indonesia: Using solar, wind and micro-hydro sources, "in 2000, the e7 completed an Activity Implemented Jointly where a limited but reliable amount of electricity was provided to 4000 people in eight remote communities of Sumba, West Timor, and Sulawesi in Indonesia... it introduced an innovative, sustainable, and decentralised management concept for rural electrification. Small, independent, village-run micro-utilities were created to manage the facilities and assume responsibility for their operation, maintenance, and financial sustainability... In 2001, the e7 decided to embark on a two-year multidisciplinary monitoring program to evaluate the effects.."

Sat, 31 Aug 2002 05:30:08 GMT

E7 MICRO-SOLAR DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAMME: "The e7 is currently in discussions with the appropriate Ministries in Bhutan and Ecuador about the possibility of implementing ICT systems to complement its potential E7 renewable energy projects in those areas"

Sat, 31 Aug 2002 05:28:28 GMT

E7 W-Park Pilot Project: ".. to assist in the conservation of one of Africa's largest fauna reserves by providing photo-voltaic systems to community facilities around the W Park, which is shared by the three western African countries of Benin, Burkina Faso, and Niger.. The project is set to start in the first semester of 2002 and scheduled for completion in the three countries by the end of 2002. Since the overall project will facilitate the preservation of one of the most precious biodiversity areas of West Africa, the e7 anticipates that the pilot project venture will encourage additional sustainable energy development of the W Park area."

Fri, 30 Aug 2002 07:00:42 GMT

Atersa selected to power rural villages in Senegal: "AstroPower, Inc. announced today that Atersa (Aplicaciones Tecnicas de la Energia, S.L.), has been selected to supply solar electric power systems to power 227 rural villages in Senegal. Atersa will design and supply turnkey systems for villages that have no access to the conventional power grid. .. Atersa's solar electric power systems will power social centers, schools, health facilities, and religious centers. These systems will also power 10 to 12 streetlights per village." Total value: approximately 7,500,000 Euros ($7.4 million). Atersa will begin shipping the systems by the end of 2002, and will complete the project in 2003.

Fri, 30 Aug 2002 06:57:10 GMT

UN Grant to bring power to 20,000 households in India: "The United Nations Foundation has awarded $1.5 million to bring affordable and renewable energy technology to as many as 20,000 rural households in Karnataka, India, over 3 years. Approximately 70% of rural households in India lack access to electricity. .. Affordability is a key barrier to widespread adoption of solar PV in rural India where average yearly GDP is $430 and the cost of the units are $500. The UN Foundation has awarded .. an interest rate buy-down program. This will reduce the costs of loans for solar PV to consumers. The grant will also provide technical assistance to local banks to encourage lending to the solar sector. It will also sensitize bankers to the commercial viability and effectiveness of solar PV systems. "

Fri, 30 Aug 2002 04:56:01 GMT

SDNP - Pakistan: The Sustainable Development Networking Programme in Pakistan keeps a directory of national energy (and water) organizations.

Fri, 30 Aug 2002 00:59:24 GMT

Personal - Portable - Energy Systems: Personal heater and generator, for outdoors use. Butane powered, 25 ounces for 113 degree (hot-tub-like) heat and power for cell phone and lights.

Mon, 26 Aug 2002 19:51:09 GMT

Solar-Fabrik combined solar water pump/purifier: "The WATERpps puts small village communities is a position to produce clean drinking water themselves, from almost every type of water source and without needing a connection to a public power grid. The WATERpps purifies the water by microfiltration, thus rendering chemicals unnecessary. [It can] purify groundwater, but also surface water, cistern water and even severely contaminated brackish water to drinking water compliant with WHO standards. The WATERpps has sufficient capacity to supply up to 50 people. The energy needed for this is generated entirely from the sun’s rays: Two photovoltaic modules produce enough power to pump the water from a depth of up to 60 metres."

Mon, 26 Aug 2002 19:00:18 GMT

Energy and Poverty, a report from the International Energy Agency: "1.6 billion people today have no access to electricity. 2.4 billion rely on primitive biomass for cooking and heating. What is more shocking, in the absence of radical new policies, 1.4 billion will still have no electricity in 30 years time... Four out of five people without electricity currently live in rural areas of the developing world. They are concentrated in sub-Saharan Africa and South and South East Asia. But the emphasis is changing from rural zones to the booming urban areas. This shift will require dramatic new policies by governments, utility companies and aid agencies, alongside efforts to improve the lot of the rural poor. .. The poor rely on "biomass" - wood, agricultural residues, and dung. This use gives rise to severe health and environmental impacts. .. The number reliant on biomass in this way is expected to increase from 2.4 billion today to 2.6 billion in 2030."

Mon, 26 Aug 2002 07:23:03 GMT

AFREPREN: The key objective of the African Energy Policy Research Network (AFREPREN) is to strengthen local research capacity and to harness it in the service of energy policy making and planning . Initiated in 1987, AFREPREN is a collective regional response to the widespread concern over the weak link between energy research and the formulation and implementation of energy policy in Africa. Core support is from Sida (Sweden), with projects from other donors.

Fri, 23 Aug 2002 21:42:01 GMT

Kyoto status report and ethanol deal: "Germany and Brazil wrapped up talks this week geared toward a program worth a reported $43 million over 10 years to fund the production of 100,000 non-polluting ethanol-fueled vehicles. The two sides are drafting the agreement under the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) established by the Kyoto Protocol on global warming .. Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder intend to announce the accord during the World Summit on Sustainable Development."

Fri, 23 Aug 2002 01:27:37 GMT

RETScreen International: Canadian organization offering free software & data: "a unique decision support tool developed with the contribution of numerous experts from government, industry, and academia. The software can be used world-wide to evaluate the energy production, life-cycle costs and greenhouse gas emission reductions for various types of renewable energy technologies. The software also includes product, cost and weather databases"

Fri, 23 Aug 2002 01:24:20 GMT

List of developing countries according to OECD.

Fri, 23 Aug 2002 01:22:41 GMT

Links into renewables for development:

INFORSE is a network of 200 sustainable energy NGO's in 60 developing countries, with a member directory, links to other groups, and a quarterly newsletter.
The Stockholm Environment Institute Energy Programme publishes a quarterly newsletter called "Renewable Energy for Development" with stories from developing countries.
ENERGIA International Network on Gender and Sustainable Energy publishes a newsletter. "Energia News has 1297 subscribers (about a quarter of whom are men) in 247 countries, with 60 % of subscribers in developing countries." It is organizing networks of NGOs.

Thu, 22 Aug 2002 17:35:31 GMT

Chinese Renewable Energy Industries Association: Started by the SETC UNDP/GEF Project, CREIA "aims to raise awareness of renewable energy investment opportunities, to provide a business network for professionals in the renewable energy industry, and to provide key policy advice to the Government." As of August 2002, the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory retained the services of CREIA to provide in-country assistance to U.S. renewable energy companies in developing business, expanding markets, forming business partnerships, coordinating with international and domestic programs, understanding policies and regulatory climate, and promoting products and services in China. U.S. companies that are interested can receive basic services from CREIA including factsheets on various programs and policies, contacts and introductions to the government or program officers in charge of various projects, and linkages with Chinese companies. On an as-needed basis and as time permits, CREIA will provide more specialized support. Please contact Toni Lin at tonilin@public3.bta.net.cn , thewho@163.com for more information.

Thu, 22 Aug 2002 17:23:09 GMT

Mithradham Renewable Energy Centre, Kerala, India: NGO that promotes renewable energy, with German sponsorship, with an all-solar education center in operation since 1998.

Thu, 22 Aug 2002 02:07:18 GMT

Automated Media System: "AMS's solar systems can provide electrical power to meet the requirements of film/video crews and expeditions." Ruggedized backpackable battery packs and solar cells are for sale.

Wed, 21 Aug 2002 20:42:03 GMT

Biogas fuel cells : "Ascent Power Systems Inc. (APS) and Community Power Corporation (CPC) have announced the successful operation of a solid oxide fuel cell using gasified biomass. In a one-day demonstration, a CPC gasification system and an APS fuel cell were connected and together successfully generated electricity from gas streams derived from pecan shells, wood chips and coconut shells. .. As expected, pure hydrogen produced the highest power level (2.76 Watts) followed by coconut shells (1.97 Watts), pecan shells (1.96 Watts), and wood chips (1.88 Watts). The three test fuels were selected to demonstrate the robustness of the technology. These fuels are also plentiful, under-utilised waste products from agricultural and forest industries. "

Wed, 21 Aug 2002 18:12:59 GMT

Bangladesh renewables mapping : UNEP's project to map the solar and wind energy resources of 13 developing countries has begun in Bangladesh. "The Renewable Energy Research Centre of Dhaka University has taken up a 30-month sub-project (May 2002-October 2004) with the support of the Ministry of Environment and Forests. Experts are convinced that the project, called the Solar and Wind Energy Resource Assessment (SWERA), may prove that the potential for deploying solar panels and wind turbines in these developing countries is far greater than is currently supposed. .. Dr. Subrata Kumar Aditya of the Renewable Research Centre said the national assessment activities in Bangladesh would be completed by the end of 2004." Maps and reports will be produced and "promoted among the stakeholders and investors in an effort to accelerate deployment, he added. "

Tue, 20 Aug 2002 07:32:53 GMT

Innovative desalination processes: One solar, one membrane-based, for converting sea water to drinking water.

Tue, 23 Jul 2002 00:41:24 GMT

World Bank Energy Forum, June 4-5 2002: "CAN THE PRIVATE SECTOR DELIVER ENERGY FOR THE POOR?" Several papers available.

Wed, 17 Jul 2002 08:18:45 GMT

IEA Portal into renewable energy: List of core IEA publications, directory of current Implementing Agreements on Renewable Energy and their publications, and list of key Renewable Energy Info Resources from other agencies. Contact: mark.hammonds@iea.org