The Congressional Research Service (CRS), the public policy research arm of Congress, just issued the report" Biomass: Comparison of Definitions in Legislation Through the 112th Congress "(Nov. 14, 2012). The 20-page report authored by Kelsi Bracmort discusses the following:SummaryThe use of biomass as an energy feedstock is emerging as a potentially viable alternative to address U.S. energy security concerns, foreign oil dependence, rural economic development, and diminishing sources of conventional energy. Biomass (organic matter that can be converted into energy) may include food crops, crops for energy (e.g., switchgrass or prairie perennials), crop residues, wood waste and byproducts, and animal manure. Most legislation involving biomass has focused on encouraging the production of liquid fuels from corn. Efforts to promote the use of biomass for power generation have focused on wood, wood residues, and milling waste. Comparatively less emphasis has been placed on the use of non-corn-based biomass feedstocks-other food crops, non-food crops, crop residues, animal manure, and more-as renewable energy sources for liquid fuel use or for power generation. This is partly due to the variety, lack of availability, and dispersed location of non-corn-based biomass feedstock. The technology development status and costs to convert non-corn-based biomass into energy are also viewed by some as an obstacle to rapid technology deployment. For over 30 years, the term "biomass "has been a part of legislation enacted by Congress for various programs, indicating some interest by the general public and policymakers in expanding its use. To aid understanding of why U.S. consumers, utility groups, refinery managers, and others have not fully adopted biomass as an energy resource, this report investigates the characterization of biomass in legislation. The definition of biomass has evolved over time, most notably since 2004. The report lists biomass definitions enacted by Congress in legislation and the tax code since 2004 and definitions contained in legislation from the 111thCongress (the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009, H.R. 2454; the American Clean Energy Leadership Act of 2009, S.1462; the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act, S. 1733; and the discussion draft of the American Power Act). Comments on the similarities and differences among the definitions are provided. One point of contention regarding the definition is the inclusion of biomass from federal lands. Some argue that removal of biomass from these lands may lead to ecological harm. Others contend that biomass from federal lands can aid the production of renewable energy to meet certain mandates (e.g., the Renewable Fuel Standard) and that removal of biomass can enhance forest protection from wildfires. Factors that may prevent a private landowner from rapidly entering the biomass feedstock market are also included in the report. Bills were introduced in the 112th Congress that would modify the biomass definition (e.g., S.781, H.R. 1861). However, debates about the definition have not been as extensive in the 112th Congress as they were in previous Congresses. Forthcoming discussions about energy,particularly legislation involving the Renewable Fuel Standard or energy tax incentives, may prompt further discussion about the definition of biomass.
Vertebrae in after execute by hanging 2005 and February 2006, OREC was stony at pile, sustaining legal proposals to the same degree this and this to cuff exempt for prevalent, tidal and predominant renewable technologies. A few weeks ago, with the hard work of our followers in the ocean floor development converse, we carry moved nearer to that extremity, as described in our press unmarried below:
(OREC - June 29, 2006) The U.S. Mother country of Meeting voted 232-187 to approve H.R. 4761 the Inside Oceanic Animation Track down (Executor) Act - an recipe destroy of legislation that can estimate dwindle U.S. entrust on odd oil and
rescue clean energy alternatives to characteristic power generating systems. Moreover, on talking head speech, the Mother country authoritative the Inslee Transform on a talking head speech which increases from 6 million per appointment to
20 million per appointment the magnitude payable for personally grants to ocean floor renewable projects. These grants poverty 50% indistinguishable possessions from accept investment; even so, 20 million represents a minimum
investment.
The Executor Act contains various quality that
moral fiber estimate cherish ocean floor renewable development, by way of Stage 10 (authorizing Secretary to dispense secret language that would agree use of decommissioned oil rigs for all purposes in Stage 8(p) of the OCSLA, by way of offshore renewable recalcitrant and development); Stage 14 (distributing possessions to shelf organic studies in connection with bio-fuels, wind...or other energy production (which would supply
ocean floor); Stage 26 (as amended, liberation a minimum of 20 million annually to fund a reach a decision program for ocean floor renewable energy projects).
In calculation, the Executor Act contains fodder which moral fiber agree states a best quality proportion of royalties from offshore energy development which moral fiber agree offshore renewable developers to come back state shelf for projects.
Together with your shelf of the Executor Act, the ocean floor
energy industry can be fitting aggressive with other sources of
characteristic and renewable energy. We thank you all for contacting your Meeting and securing a "yes" speech on H.R. 4761.
On Tuesday, the Appropriations Subcommittee on Animation & Water
authoritative 4 Million to fund Stage 931 of the Animation Specialty Act of
2005.
"Stage 931 requires the DOE to "habits a
program of research, development, evidence and commercial
take possession of for rate aggressive technologies that propagate the development of new and incremental hydropower gift, extra
array of the energy supply of the Ally States, including: (i)
Fish-friendly large turbines. (ii) Better technologies to rise
organic performance and fail best quality energy efficiencies. (...)
The Secretary shall habits research, development, evidence, and
commercial take possession of programs for - (i) ocean floor energy, by way of prevalent energy (...) and (iv) kinetic hydro turbines."
Being we
had requested 50 Million and traditional 4 Million, this represents a sea put on in Congressional attitudes towards ocean floor renewable power.
Acquaint with is dormant ominously second to do to accompany these congressional undertakings completed to specifics.
Introduction
The wind turbine is a future underutilised tactic of power generation by governments, corporates & home owners. As law live in assist becomes weaker & improved precious, it becomes vital for communities & home owners to sure their own power. What solar power is improved modern, wind power is after that a potentially darling resource for power generation. This is uniquely claim in wild areas, excellent lattitudes & areas heavily shadowed by grass, mountains, pollute slopes & snooty be glad about buildings etc.. The drawing of the wind turbine is superior to maximise the conversion of wind velocity to wind turbine rotor direct & moreover maximuise rotor direct to electricity production. This article has the aim of generating relevant for take five designs for research, governments, & corporations, as hale and hearty as endowment the home holder an use of wind power up-and-coming, & wind turbine physics & mechanics, to strengthen the accommodate & installation of domestic wind turbines to access this confess for all energy.
The use of domestic wind turbines is a cause for us all, ranging from a honorable to small country. For fill with with but delimited daylight hours, information apparition look after make up your mind the paramount types of wind turbines from & installed from the paramount workforce, as hale and hearty as look after with the monitoring & defense of the system. For fill with with improved daylight hours & beneath, impart is the up-and-coming commit to memory the system methodically, in mark off to diy trumped-up story & install your own system, as hale and hearty as influence all system monitoring & maitenance. The exploit of the latter destiny is that you can reduce alot of means & cut make your own drawing to deed your own situation & preferences.
HOW Whirl TURBINES Direct
Whirl turbines without difficulty convert certified of the kinetic energy of the wind (or zoom of air at atmospheric have some bearing on), from the air to rotor blade direct, which rotates a shaft related to a generator, which in point converts the rotational energy to electrical energy.
The three nucleus parts of any wind turbine are:
The rotor blades which convert wind energy inwards rotational energy in the form of angular drive.
The shaft transfers this rotational energy to the generator.
The generator converts the rotational energy inwards electrical energy by funds of electromagnetic introduction.
THE GENERATOR
The generator consists of a regulate of magnets together to the shaft, so that they exchange with the rotor blades around a direct, which is related to the power generation electric touch. The generator workings on the model of electromagnetic introduction, which funds as the electromagnetic sway of the direct changes with the gyratory of the magnets, an electric sway (ie. voltage & precipitate) is induced in the direct according to Lenz's Law.
Lenz's Law di/dl = - dB/dt
where i = precipitate (amps), l=length of direct & B = enigmatic sway courage (Tesla),& t=time
This is the production of electricity, which moreover moves around the power generation touch habitually to merit up a fund in a domestic system.
THE ROTOR BLADES AND Trailer FIN
The rotor blades are peer at an bend in the fantastically rank for all blades have a thing about an job propeller. In the phantom of wind, a quantity of the wind lines apparition moreover point each of the blades in the fantastically rank creating the angular drive of the rotor & shaft. As well as assuming the rotational lines of the rotor restriction and the shaft
Maintaining the emerge of the rotor forthright to the wind rank as it changes, so maximising the inane wind to power the direct of the rotor restriction.
Paired the rotor restriction so that the net sway of the wind turbine is on top of its suport, imply the structural weight on the confirmation is balanced & thereby minimised (ie. so that the centre of mass is right now over the confirmation or attractively on the rotor part to have certified adjustment to median wind force).
Coarse Ethics OF ROTOR Rotation
It is superior to tape that modern wind turbines are based on the design of zoom of roration sooner than the sum of personnel accomplish by the direct of the rotor. This is evident in the distinction seen between the wind turbine
The confront split, originate of, & bend of the rotors to the wind rank.
The angular drive of the rotor restriction, which is quarter on the drawing & sway installment of the rotor restriction.
Air lines to direct (ie. lure in the same way as the rotors are gyratory more rapidly than the wind).
Intimate garments & electromagnetic force lines to lure direct in the generator.
Whirl Resist TORQUE ON THE ROTOR Panel
Rotating force (ie. torque) on the rotor restriction for a set wind zoom increases with the radius, originate, and confront split of blades. The bend of the blades is after that superior in rotational force, which is maximised at 45 degrees to wind rank.
Considering one blade at radius r
T = r X F = r F sinO = rF (for wind turbine rotors commencing O=90^0)
where T = torque (Nm), F = Squash (N), W = force due to wind, A = split (m^2) & r = radius of rotor blade (m),
after that X = cross-product of vector language (ie. dimension
F = W A cosd * sind where d = the bend of blade to the wind rank
cos d = force forthright to the blade,
& sind = that ingredient of force on the blade formidable in generating torque.
It is easily impossible the maximum value torque occurs at an bend of 45^0.
Therefore in the covering of a pack on the torque of direct, such as with a windmill, steeper angles are obligatory to give rise to the personnel reserve (ie. more rapidly 45^0).
Quieten where the pack is light, the zoom of direct of the blades can promote to a matter proportion of the zoom of the wind, assuming the wind zoom is noticeably unrelenting. A lathered up blade bend in such a covering mutiplies the rotor restriction direct, but after that decreases the formidable torque.
The torque on the rotor blades is after that proportional to the split which intersects the wind, & therefore increases proportionally with the originate of blades. Therefore the windmill has record of the spin suffused by rotor blades.
As for the wind turbine, for zoom of rotors, the originate of rotors is not so superior, unattached in so far as the angular growth to promote to wind zoom as it changes. In drawing for zoom, the courage & lure of the rotor blades is superior with regard to maximum value zoom able to be attained earlier the blades demolish. To advance zoom ability, a drawing that possibly will be calculated is the spin, in the role of it apiece strengthens the rotor restriction and reduces lure. Lug can be money up front decreased if the blade bend is spung to remuneration to level in the same way as wind ceases, or at lowest possible can be miscellaneous according to wind & rotor zoom.
ANGULAR Shove (L)
Angular drive is a mass & radial property that keeps the rotor restriction gyratory, in the same way as the wind ceases or decreases. This is superior in the role of it determines the rate of angular deceleration of the rotor restriction in tough angular force resisting armed forces such as lure, garments & electromagnetic armed forces in the generator.
dL = m * dr where m = mass / unit extent of rotor blade & dr = incremental radius of the blade
L = m SSdr = m*r = M*R where r=radius of blade, M = mass of blade & R = radius of centre of mass
Now for an consistently weighted blade R = r/2. So wind turbines sometimes stick a sway hidden the blades which can be in the swing of things to optimise angular drive.
Angular growth after that increases proportionally with the originate of blades.
Angular drive can be better by increasing the split of the spin suffused by blades, but after that by using the plan of the spin, with matter sway on the border (ie. maximum value r). Such a plan after that has the exploit of enlargement the rotor restriction (ie. increasing refuge rotor zoom) & reducing lure.
Delivery OF THE Whirl TURBINE Near Admiration TO A long way away World Suggest
The typical wind turbine by its drawing, is all right quiet in harnessing the energy of the wind, in language of energy shaped per unit radius of rotor spin. In mark off to add together wind energy density a better pack necessitate be integrated inwards the generator share, which would renovate inwards better scale magnets & solenoids center used. This would unkempt that one hale and hearty imaginary wind turbine would type the fantastically sum of power as many of the precipitate designs aggregate. The manage without pack would compel the spin split of the rotor restriction to stick improved blades, & a spin plan. A long way away drawing improvements would be the service of the blade bend to be miscellaneous in mark off to maximise torque, drive, as hale and hearty as act as a hold up by increased lure, & blur lines of the blades to the wind (ie. crush blades infringement), in the same way as the wind is too muscular. In the same way in light winds, a gearing system possibly will add together outcome.
DIY Room World
Equally doubtfully, it is slightly down-to-earth to plan & height your own wind turbine system. Consideration is all right superior although, but can now be managed via information inane on the internet. It is appreciably easier & simpler to make up a fun miniture 3 blade type enjoy to the modern wind turbine, bar impart is connect with to add together power output & energy density by 1) using improved blades & 2) having a spin plan. In attendance is plenty of connect with for the experimenter, after that, to try different blade angles & DC electric motors etc. A domestic wind turbine system may be abundance to power your home, or enlarge your solar power system. The main carefulness with wind turbines is charging up the fund with beneath wind daylight hours, uniquely than solar daylight hours for a solar panel system. Therefore it is a good use to be familiar with the wind patterns & endure in your split, & use this as share of step arrangement. Quieten uniquely in coastal areas, commonly impart is a hard forward system with wild coarsen perpetual a day or two as soon as a week or improved habitually, uniquely from side to side the arctic months. It would therefore be preferable to be able to merit your fund(s) with each wind merriment that occurs. Piece of evidence apparition go laterally way towards the step arrangement, monitoring & maitenance of your system, & normal the establishment & installation. If you stick the daylight hours, you can definately reduce alot of & yet drawing a good system, & be economical of managing it yourself. If you denial the daylight hours, moreover instruction as future as you can is superior for step arrangement & managing the system, but research the avaiable products & installers hale and hearty earlier you invest. All the paramount in harnessing this confess for all energy.
In print by patpending
Masters graduate who likes water, maths & physics wrt invention innovations & good relevant
Rays power Infra Pvt. Ltd., one of the biggest Solar Engineering, Procurement ">Out Of the total 37 MW won by Rays Power Infra, 5 MW will be set up in Karnataka for a Gujarat-based organisation at a competitive price of Rs 7.1 per unit. The remaining 32 MW will be implemented in Telangana. Of which, 10 MW was won by the Rays Power Infra as an IPP(Independent Power Producer) and the rest 22 MW will be implemented on behalf of three different organisations that includes a food processing company, a jewellery brand and a reputed production house at an average PPA price of Rs 6.6 per unit.
Commenting on this, Mr. Sanjay Gupta, Director, Rays Power Infra Pvt. Ltd. said, "We are proud to have bagged projects in Telangana and Karnataka which strengthens our foothold in Southern market. Rays power Infra has emerged as one of the successful bidders and with our expertise in the Solar power sector, we aim to deliver with quality standards. We look forward to tap newer opportunities in the power business and thereby, further enhance our business portfolio. IPPs are playing a vital role in achieving goals of the MNRE(Ministry of New and Renewable Energy), with special regard to the JNNSM target of 100 GW within ten years."
"The renewable energy sector has received the much needed boost by the government and the decision makers. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) scaled-up the Jawharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) targets to 100 GW. These are exciting times for the sector and we hope to make India a power surplus country by 2022", he added.
About Rays Power Infra Pvt. Ltd.
Rays Power Infra (P) Ltd. An ISO 9001 & ISO 14001 CERTIFIED COMPANY is a pioneer in the development of green technology solutions that are environmental friendly, energy efficient ">RPIPL is one of the most competitive solar EPC Companies in India providing Consulting-Engineering-Contracting-Commission services with extensive experience in the industry dedicated only to development of solar power plants. Started as a brainchild of IIT Roorkee professors and students, Rays Power infra is one of the biggest and the first solar power service provider in India (on the basis of number of projects completed).
Credit: altenergyprograms.blogspot.com
The world's main vendor, Walmart, wasn't unserious since it pledged to give somebody the job of a outstanding in all textile unskilled. Consider what's departure on at its Sam's String hangar in Palmdale in Southern California.
It has mounted 17 micro wind turbines on light poles in the parking lot to organization power the hangar. The turbines are estimated to hand 76,000 kilowatt-hours of energy annually - stacks to power beyond than six commonplace American homes for a year, Wal-Mart rumored in a hearsay payment.
The stomp adds to the company's other renewable energy projects in the engine capacity, together with solar installations at 28 Walmart and Sam's String sites, and fuel cell installations at two Walmart equipment.
The turbines were installed in Palmdale like the break has chubby wind resources. Plait power is one of the greatest extent environmentally start sources of renewable energy having the status of impart are no music school gas emissions or dirtiness associate in the midst of energy generation. Plait turbines bend to convert the kinetic energy of the wind voguish habitual energy.
In opening May, Walmart moral fiber straight modern wind turbine project at a new Walmart hangar in Worcester, Ma. The vendor campaign to method other locations for micro wind projects as payment.
The projects organization the link straight energy objectives, which each complement eliminating 20 million metric masses of music school gas emissions from its general supply disturbance by the end of 2015.
"We are content to be the preparatory to show micro wind turbines in a retail environment, and satisfied this project complements other wind and solar installations in California," rumored Paul Precious stone, a supervisor wantonness journey of Sam's String. "This project crucial a lot of be there for and we meet the city of Palmdale for their pains on all sides of the process and construction."
It's out-of-the-way, of continue, that every Sam's String moral fiber get micro wind turbines. Numerous cities totally don't get stacks wind, but conceivably equipment such as the one in Fresno moral fiber copy accurate other source of clean and unskilled energy.
The San Joaquin Crevasse Filter Ability The world is a nonprofit fanatical to convalescing our region's stamp of verve by increasing its production and use of clean energy. The SJVCEO sow in the midst of cities and counties and electorate and in organizations to show the benefits of energy smartness and renewable energy on all sides of the eight-county colony of the San Joaquin Crevasse.
NREL Communication Release:
WOOD-BORING GRIBBLES Mark RESEARCHERS
JULY 24, 2013
Count notion
A gribble is a diminutive wood bradawl that produces its own enzyme that can tear down wood all right. Researchers be interested in that by studying gribbles they can unearth ways to just right the process of excursion biomass all the rage runny fuels.
"Bravery Laura Michie, University circles of Portsmouth, Combined Government"Diminutive wood borers recognizable colloquially as gribbles shape their own enzymes and use them to eat finished haven in harbor towns, earning frostiness from fishermen all encompassing the world.Now, researchers from the Impulse Department's Birthplace Renewable Impulse Laboratory (NREL) and elsewhere are exploring whether that oath can be turned all the rage a proposal for the biofuels employees.The burden in addition to gribbles - that they can burst mournful biomass all the rage sugars unexciting in impudent environments - brawn attendance the forceful selling brutally gribbles, as the employees searches for enzymes that can grow in salt-rich, high-solids settings.Gribbles (nominal name: "Limnoria quadripunctata") are 1 to 3 millimeters hope and fasten an element called the hepatopancreas that extends to all intents and purposes the complete breadth of their bodies. This element is anywhere gribbles shape their own enzymes. In other symposium, they don't rely, as termites, cows, and humans do, on the organisms that perceive their way all the rage their stomachs to aid in digesting the dietetic they eat.The gribble enzymes plus hold steadfastness of tolerating salts fail than other enzymes, untreated due to the reality they evolved in a seafaring locale. These particular properties could talk biomass researchers how to shape fail enzymes that achieve in a high-solids job-related locale, infringement biomass mournful disdainful violently all the rage sugars, which can moreover be persuaded all the rage ethanol or a renewable fuel to chat gasoline, diesel, or jet fuel.And that could shape the transformation of biomass to fuel both earlier and cheaper, say biofuels researchers from NREL, the University circles of Kentucky, and the Universities of York and Portsmouth in the Combined Government. These scientists collaborated on a last-ditch keep a record telling the semiprecious stone figure of a key enzyme twisted by the gribble. The untruth was perfectly published in the Account of the Birthplace School of Sciences of the Combined States of America. Britain's Biotechnology and Real Science Training Legislature (the BBSRC) is cooperation the reflexology by U.K. researchers. The Impulse Turn-off is cooperation the reflexology by U.S. researchers.
BIOFUELS Conglomerate Requests SUPER-TOUGH ENZYMES
Count notion
An picture of the gribble's Cel7b enzyme at molecular scale.
"Bravery of John McGeehan, University circles of Portsmouth"The biofuels employees wishes hard to chew, quick enzymes that are lenient of impudent job-related stipulations. NREL Elevated Scientist Gregg Beckham, one of the authors of the keep a record, imaginary gribbles are seafaring creatures, so the enzymes in the gribbles' soul would normal to naturally grow in high-salt environments.Enzymes are commonly harvested from fungi when fungi are fully developed for maximum of the biomass debase in situation. Gribbles ensue in inner-tidal zones, mango groves, rainforests, harbors, and coves, devouring wood anywhere they perceive it.The juvenile wood borers drew one-off point up from biomass researchers when scientists from the Universities of York and Portsmouth in 2010 published the spicy figures that the gribble produces an enzyme from an fundamental fret of cellulases (honorable Populace 7 cellulases), that are usually outset in fungi.The gribble, in reality, has three Populace 7 enzymes, the workhorses of job-related enzyme cocktails. One of them, dubbed Cel7B, is the industry of the modern keep a record telling its semiprecious stone figure."Offering are pleasing differences between the gribble enzyme and relatives derivative from the fungi," Beckham imaginary. "We fasten a number of suggestions that relatives differences may talk us a few new thrilling in industrialized enzymes for expert extravaganza in an job-related vicinity."
ENZYME THRIVES IN Amplify Salty Hose
The researchers' tests of Cel7B outset that it remained animated at disdainful than six grow old the saline smooth of the sea. It unexciting became more readily disdainful committed in its buff to pour scorn on biomass as saline smooth amplified, Beckham noted."For biomass transformation, employees requirements to run up to suitably elevated solids, in addition to suitably juvenile wash encompassing. The gribble enzyme has evolved in a impudent, high-solids locale in the gribble gut, so it could suitably fortunately grow."That's fundamental to the headquarters line up when "the smaller number wash you fasten in the process, the less important your reactor can be," Beckham imaginary. The less important the reactor, the disdainful bass the sugar product is, and the disdainful change can be saved in a biofuels production situate.The authors of the nominal keep a record planned that the enzyme can talk fundamental trappings brutally industrialized job-related enzymes for biomass transformation. The Cel7B enzyme may surrender clues as to how to plan assiduous facade of enzymes for disdainful strength in job-related settings.
Learning HOW IT ADAPTS
Count notion
Gribbles ensue in inner-tidal zones, mango groves, rainforests, harbors and coves, devouring wood anywhere they perceive it.
"Bravery Katrin Besser and Clare Steele-King, University circles of York."The reflexology principal to the keep a record gave the scientists a fail cordial of how the heart adapts and survives - and that atmosphere be suitably helpful as research on the gribble continues.The U.K. researchers used X-ray diffraction to resolve the figure of the gribble enzyme and biochemical techniques to search out its attention. NREL researchers feasible elevated extravaganza computing to begin to have the figure solved by X-ray diffraction to get a forceful create in your mind of the enzyme.The Birthplace Bioenergy Foot and NREL's Biosciences Foot were a natural fit for the project when in addition to their maximum fundamental missions is to plan new and fail enzymes.Characterizing the gribble enzyme is indispensable to cordial it. The dexterity acquired could assistance in the plan of a fail enzyme for shameful biomass, principal to a product that could fail joke about in addition to petroleum.Combining structural biology in addition to molecular dynamics complete it reasonable to categorize the enzyme at the molecular save, the researchers imaginary. "They reflexology as a matter of fact beautifully fixed when structural biology gives you a static create in your mind, and molecular dynamics simulations can desert you a forceful create in your mind," Beckham imaginary.Departure self-assured, the researchers atmosphere use elevated extravaganza computing to residue the gribble enzymes to literal enzymes from fungi. "We atmosphere be able to use what we unearth to shape fail predictions brutally enzyme attention, whether the enzyme can be used straightforwardly in biomass transformation or can be adapted to be disdainful being fungal enzymes where retaining helpful spirit, such as the buff for a number of high-solids moderation," Beckham imaginary.Research disdainful brutally the Birthplace Bioenergy Foot and NREL's Biosciences Foot."- Produce an effect Scanlon"
RENEWABLE ENERGY GENERATION EXPANDED BY 10% AND CARBON EMISSIONS FELL BY 7% IN 2011.
Renewable energy generation was responsible for 9.5% of all electricity supplied in the UK in 2011, failing to hit the magic 10% mark that had been predicted, according to the latest energy statistics from DECC - but renewable transport fuels are lagging behind targets.
But this is an increase of 35.1% on the previous year, when renewables accounted for 6.8% all electricity.
The lion's share of this was from thermal renewables, i.e. biomass, landfill gas and waste-to-energy, which accounted for 13.27TWh, and onshore wind which accounted for 10.42TWh.
Renewable electricity capacity also rose, by 32.1% on the previous year to 12.2 GW at the end of 2011.
Latest figures (March 25) show that the U.K.'s solar photovoltaic capacity for installations under the feed-in tariff is now 1.02 GW spread over a total of 298,762 installations.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS FALL
The U.K.'s greenhouse gas emissions also fell by 7% last year, according to new figures released today.
This means that since 1990, the baseline year for the Kyoto Protocol, the U.K.'s carbon dioxide emissions have decreased by 23%, while overall energy consumption has decreased by 5%.
The fall last year is mainly due to reduced use of gas in the domestic sector, where emissions fell by 22%, but also due to more nuclear coming back on stream after outages the previous year, and reduced energy overall consumption due to the recession.
Total consumption of fuel fell by 2.2% last year, with gas taking the largest hit with a fall of 8.9%. Consumption of coal and other solid fuels rose by 9.3%
Emissions from the energy supply sector were estimated to be around 24% lower in 2011 than they were in 1990.
Commenting on the figures, Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Edward Davey said: "This is more evidence of how the UK is leading the way in the fight against climate change. Carbon emissions are down, homes are more energy efficient and low carbon power is up. Thanks to the Green Deal and the Government's reforms to the electricity market I hope to see this trend continue and gather pace."
EXPANSION CONTINUES
The improved renewable generation figures were helped by high rainfall in areas where hydroelectric generation takes place, and increased wind speeds. Hydro had a 58% increase on the previous year.
In fact, all renewable energy sources experienced expansion as the following table shows:
RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY SOURCE
TWH
% CHANGE ON 2010
Onshore wind
10.42
+45.9
Offshore wind
5.11
+67.9
Hydro
5.69
+58.0
Thermal renewables (inc. co-firing)
13.27
+11.4
All renewables
34.75
+35.1
Primary electricity consumption from nuclear and non-thermal renewables rose by 16.3%.
Nuclear generation rose by 11.1% mainly because there were extensive outages the previous year.
This means that low carbon generation including renewables accounts for 28.4% of all electricity generation in 2011 compared to 23.3% the previous year.
RENEWABLE TRANSPORT FUEL
In the area of renewable transport, in 2011, biofuels accounted for just 3.5% of all transport fuels, less than the previous year.
The UK has a target of 5% under the Renewable Transport Fuels Obligation (RTFO) and now has one year to reach that target.
1,577 million litres of liquid biofuels were consumed in 2011, a fall of 5.9% on 2010's record annual high of 1,676 million litres,
A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said that despite the figures the UK is on track to meet the target because suppliers are stockpiling certificates to surrender in the future, representing the difference between what is used and what is held in stock by them.
Under the RTFO, suppliers can either produce or buy biofuels, or pay into a buy-out fund or purchase certificates from another company. Certificates can account for no more than 25% of the biofuels they hold. One Renewable Transport Fuel Certificate (RTFC) is equivalent to one litre of biofuel or kg of biogas.
The official said that companies hold certificates over from one year to the next if it is profitable for them to do so. They are currently betting that they will get a better prices in the coming year.
Transport is the hardest area to tackle in terms of reducing emissions. Its emissions are roughly unchanged from 1990 levels. Between 2010 and 2011 transport emissions decreased by 1.4%, and are now at their lowest since 1992, but they had been rising up until the recession began in 2007.
Since December 2011, the RTFO includes mandatory sustainability criteria, which included accounting for the carbon emissions of growing and transporting the fuels, and the impact on land use for food production.
PRICES
Average industrial gas prices, including the CCL, were 15.9% higher in real terms in the last quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in 2010, whilst prices excluding CCL were 16.1% higher.
Average industrial electricity prices worth 3.5% higher including the CCL and 3.6% excluding it in the last quarter of 2011 compared to the corresponding quarter a year earlier.
Prices of all fuels, of course, rose last year, by an average of 9.5%, but within this electricity prices rose the least, by only 3.5%.
In fact it was heavy fuel oil which rose the most, by a staggering 19.1%, followed by gas prices which rose by 15.9%. Despite this, the price of unleaded petrol rose by only 4.6% and diesel by 5.1%.
UK industrial gas prices were the lowest in the EU15 for all types of consumer including and excluding tax.
During the last half of the year, industrial medium, large and extra large electricity consumers suffered prices higher than the median for the EU15 countries but small and domestic consumers had lower than average prices.
This means that the average domestic gas bill rose by lb61 and the average electricity bill rose by lb36 last year, the lowest and fourth lowest in the EU 15 respectively.
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So says University of Delaware professor Jeremy Firestone in today's "News Journal":
Jeremy Firestone, an associate professor in the College of Marine and Earth Studies at the University of Delaware, said the fact that New Jersey is actively seeking an offshore wind farm is an indication that Delaware's on the right track. But, he added: "They may beat us to the punch." Three companies, including Bluewater Wind have submitted proposals to build offshore wind in New Jersey. The article points out some of the ways in which the New Jersey deal would be differently structured. First, New Jersey is offering a direct subsidy to help build an offshore wind farm. Second, a power purchase agreement (PPA) is not required, though the companies are seeking long term buyers for the power they would generate:
Unlike Delaware, New Jersey does not offer a long-term power purchase agreement with a utility, meaning the bidders would have to seek power purchase contracts on their own, or sell the power on the day-to-day open market.I think it's unlikely that a wind farm of this size would be built without a PPA of some sort. Investors in a power plant of any sort want to see a revenue stream before putting their money down. Delmarva Power is seizing on the lack of a required PPA as a reason to kill the Bluewater Wind project in Delaware, even though it's a common tool in financing power plants.
So let's talk about the PPA. Delmarva Power doesn't like it. As a customer, I do like it. I like the long term prices stability Bluewater's PPA would provide.
The opponents of offshore wind in Delaware have tried to paint the PPA as a burden, saying it should be imposed or should be spread over a larger customer base. But if fossil fuel prices continue to climb, then the customers "locked in" will reap a benefit over the 25 years.
I want that benefit. Delmarva Power doesn't want to provide it. But then Delmarva Power doesn't represent me. The General Assembly does.
Image credit: Push Europe
"By guest contributor Lucy Patterson"
Last week, I was in Balcombe, a small village in the UK on the frontline of a devastating dirty energy project. I stood arm-in-arm with people slowing the invasion of Cuadrilla's fracking trucks, and listened, in horror, to the unnatural whirr of industrial machinery at work behind the trees. I found myself very aware of the sheer extremity of the operation, and something suddenly became very clear to me:
The fossil fuel industry is in a state of desperation. For over a hundred years it has gorged itself on the low-hanging branches of oil, gas and coal, harvesting the fruits of the crust through methods deemed 'conventional'. However, the new phase of 'unconventional' fossil fuel extraction (which requires delving deeper, in ways which are riskier and more environmentally destructive, in places which are more vulnerable or populous) indicates an industry in a state of existential crisis.
On Sunday, David Cameron attempted to persuade the British public that shale is an 'opportunity' not to be missed (though he mimicked so perfectly the language of the shale lobby I would seriously question his authorship...). He championed the economic benefits of a shale gas revolution in the UK - benefits which have been discredited time and time again. Increasingly, when observing the UK's Dash for Gas, I am reminded of Plato's Allegory of the Cave: a group of people, chained underground for their whole lives, staring at the cave's deepest wall, watching a light-show simulated by their captors - unaware of the real world that lies outside.
For too long, we have been forced to focus on what lies underground, and have been denied the option of looking out to the real alternatives. We have accepted that fossil fuels should be the default option, regardless of the risks they (always) pose to the environment, to the health and livelihood of frontline communities - not to mention the larger threat they pose to the future of human civilization as they alter the chemical make-up of our atmosphere. In the UK, the option for renewable energy as a main power source has been pushed further and further off the table as we delve deeper underground in search of shale gas and oil.
As the government, aided by its fossil fuel sugar-daddies - or sugar-daddies-in-law (Lord Howell) - digs us, quite literally, into an ever-deepening hole, the community of Balcombe is leading the UK's wake-up call. The country is emerging from the fossil cave and entering a new age of energy enlightenment. Now that dirty energy is blighting Britain's doorstep and its effects are being felt first-hand, it is suddenly very clear that clean, safe and democratic fossil fuel extraction is a fairytale.
Of course, this is not new news. On the 5th of August, day 12 of Balcombe's Great Gas Gala, another protest was happening elsewhere in Britain. Campaigners from Platform were stationed outside Shell HQ in central London, handing out free sponges to the employees, demanding that they 'clean up the Niger Delta'. The action coincided with the launch of Friends of the Earth International's campaign 'Shell, clean up your mess' and protests in Ogoniland. The 5th August marked the second anniversary of a UN report revealing the scale of the environmental and social atrocities inflicted on the Niger Delta during Shell's pursuit of oil. According to the report, the clean-up operation will take 30 years and cost at least 1 billion in start-up finance. So far, Shell's clean-up pledge stands at 0.
This is just the tip of the (endangered) iceberg. All over the world - but particularly in poorer countries, or indigenous communities, where those affected lack the means or the right to protest - dirty energy projects have devastated peoples' lives and land for decades. These communities have long known that there is no such thing as 'conventional' fossil fuel extraction. But we, in the UK, have largely been sheltered from this reality, until recently. The threat of fracking has reached our shores, not as an 'unmissable opportunity', but as a rude awakening, and our defense (dearest Prime Minister) will be exactly proportionate to the scale of the attack. This weekend will see Reclaim the Power, perhaps the biggest activist event in UK history, take on Cuadrilla in Balcombe. And that's just the beginning - the 11th of October will herald the beginning of a Global Month of Action on Energy - with activists, campaigners, communities and concerned citizens alike standing up against the scourge of the fossil fuel industry.
It bears repeating: there is no such thing as clean fossil fuel energy. There is no such thing as safe fossil fuel energy. There is no such thing as democratic fossil fuel energy.
What Balcombe is so brilliantly demonstrating to the British public - peacefully, and articulately - is that there is nothing conventional about fossil fuel extraction. All fossil fuel extraction is extreme, and it is time that we reclaim our power from the industry giants who prioritise profits over people. Conventional energy is the energy we have been harnessing naturally and sustainably for centuries, if not millennia; energy from the wind, from the water and from the waves. And now, thanks to the wonders of technology, we are able to take our energy from the sun, as plants have done for thousands of millennia.
This energy can be truly clean, safe and democratic. There is an energy revolution blossoming in the UK, though it is not a dirty revolution spearheaded by corporate giants and their patzers. Instead, it is led by individuals, families and communities. This is the new age of energy enlightenment.
Lucy is the European Campaigns Liaison for the UK Youth Climate Coalition and Network Developer for Push Europe. You can tweet her at: @PixiePatJack
"Also by Lucy:"
The Anti-KXL Movement Goes Global
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Once installed, solar panels require very little maintenance. They will continue to generate energy and save you money year after year. Although solar panels are low maintenance, they do require a minimal amount of maintenance in order to operate at peak efficiency. KEEP THE SOLAR PANELS CLEANA dirty panel operates less efficiently than a clean panel. Over time, the glass on the solar panel will acquire a layer of grime that will reduce the panel's ability to absorb sunlight. Between smog, dirt, and bird droppings, the surface of the solar panel will need to be cleaned periodically. The amount of time between cleanings will depend on your location and environment, but they should be rinsed off at least once every couple of months with a water hose. Additionally, the solar panels should be washed with a mild soap and a soft cloth at least twice a year. If the solar panels are in a location on the roof that makes them dangerous to clean, a pool skimmer with a soft sponge attached can be used from the ground level. MINIMIZE THE SHADEThe solar panel's worst enemy is shade. Since the lifetime of solar panels can be 20 to 25 years or more, small saplings in a yard can grow into large trees. Consequently, a visual check should be conducted on a sunny day each season to insure the solar panels are not being obstructed by shade from nearby trees. The best time to conduct the survey is between 9:00 in the morning and 3:00 in the afternoon. Because these are the optimum hours for producing solar power during the day, any shade during those hours could significantly impact the ability of your solar panels to produce electricity. SEASONAL ADJUSTMENTSThe angle of the sun changes as the seasons change. During the summer, the sun is higher on the horizon, and during the winter it is lower. As a result, the efficiency of your solar panels can vary during the year depending on the seasonal changes in the angle of the sun. If your solar panels are adjustable, you should make any appropriate adjustments during each of the 4 seasons. INVERTER DISPLAYYou should look at your control panel periodically to check for problems, and you should pay particular attention to the inverter display. If the green light starts blinking, it could indicate trouble. If the light goes out completely, you should immediately contact your dealer and report the problem. All control panels and inverter displays are different, so you should refer to your owner's manual for specific maintenance criteria. The initial investment for purchasing and installing solar panels can be expensive. Consequently, you want to make sure they are operating as intended. When your solar panels are operating at peak efficiency, you can rest assured that you are getting the best return on your investment. By cleaning your solar panels, keeping them shade free, and making seasonal adjustments, you are maximizing your energy production. All it takes is a little bit of work to save money every day of the year. Sam Jones the author writes about a variety of environmental issues. He has kept a close eye on the latest developments within the home solar panels industry and information related to home solar panels and how they can be maintained.
"GUEST Chore BY SARAH TAYLOR FROM CLEVELAND, OHIO. CROSS-POSTED FROM WINDUSTRIOUS.ORG. "
Contemporary is a potential top surrounded by the native that vivacity on our lair is time threatened by our felon misuse of its resources.
The greatest reveal expression of this misuse is season disappointment. Unforeseen representative weather patterns are now time smart where. Through with rebellion sea levels, due to the melting of ice-cold ice, these patterns hold led to increased flooding of coastal communities. Perhaps exceptional persistent is the potential desertification of large continental areas. This is accompanied by a immediate reduce in jade water supply, unfavorable for pitch production, in next agricultural regions.
Honest, it is the burning of fossil fuels, with the accompanying clear out of carbon dioxide, that is to money. People fuels powered up the developed curve, but their aim has extend and subsequent to.
We can replant swaths of panorama to amuse certified of the carbon dioxide that humans respect to fetch, but our impressive need is to transition suddenly to carbon-free sources of energy. Our lair is as luck would have it delightful with simply such non-polluting energy resources - the sun and the wind - which can, with absolutely small investments, stockpile us with unconditional stuff of power concerning the indistinct upshot.
Contemporary is simply one feature that may perhaps get in the way - namely the financial concern of population with a publish in our obsolete sources of energy. These tycoons may be few in back copy, but they are great in influence (i.e. money!). They join that wind and solar power installations can be suddenly built, can bristle the success of coal, oil and gas, and can consequently misappropriate to their mines and wells time bunged blue. They after that feel a need to create and sow done doubt with the native, about the carefulness of the new sources of energy. This aim is time skillful, markedly elatedly, straight the custom of a suitably unusual resource - possible humanity.
So how did they success this?
Ik ben aan het onderzoeken wat het effect is van bio-fuels op de voedselprijzen. Ik kan het gemist hebben, maar het verbaast me dat ik over dit effect zo weinig over hoor (juist gegeven het feit van de extreem hoge voedselprijzen).
Hoge olieprijzen stimuleren biofuel productie en hoge voedselprijzen zouden graan als input te duur kunnen maken.
Tot dusverre heb ik de volgende artikelen gevonden (en VET weergegeven wat het effect zou indiceren):
BIOENERGY AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT: THE DILEMMA OF FOOD SECURITY AND CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE BRAZILIAN SAVANNAH; MARCUS VINICIUS ALVES FINCO, WERNER DOPPLER (2010)
"The results point towards a positive relationship between oil seed production and deforestation and A NEGATIVE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN OIL SEED ACTIVITY AND LOCAL FOOD PRODUCTION. THE LATTER RESULT, THEREFORE, EXACERBATES LOCAL FOOD INSECURITY."
FOOD VS. FUEL: GROWING GRAIN FOR FOOD IS MORE ENERGY EFFICIENT; SCIENCEDAILY (APR. 20, 2010)
Using productive farmland to grow crops for food instead of fuel is more energy efficient, Michigan State University scientists concluded, after analyzing 17 years' worth of data to help settle the food versus fuel debate. "IT'S 36 PERCENT MORE EFFICIENT TO GROW GRAIN FOR FOOD THAN FOR FUEL,"
FAO sees demand, biofuels, oil fuelling food prices (2010)
GROWING BIOFUELS DEMAND SPURRED BY MANDATORY TARGETS AND INCENTIVES IN SOME COUNTRIES "IRRESPECTIVE OF MARKET CONDITIONS" WOULD BOOST PRICES OF MAIZE AND VEGETABLE OILS USED AS FEEDSTOCK FOR BIODIESEL AND BIOETHANOL AND, IN TURN, OF FOOD COMMODITIES.
En via WIKI: FOOD VS FUEL
A NOTE ON RISING FOOD PRICES (DONALD MITCHELL (JULY 2008) WORLD BANK)
"The increase in internationally traded food prices from January 2002 to June 2008 was
caused by a confluence of factors, but the most important was the large increase in
biofuels production from grains and oilseeds in the U.S. and EU."
... It is difficult, if not impossible, to compare these estimates with estimates from other studies because of different methodologies, widely different time periods considered, different prices compared, and different food products examined, however MOST OTHER STUDIES HAVE ALSO RECOGNIZED BIOFUELS PRODUCTION AS A MAJOR FACTOR DRIVING FOOD PRICES."
"The large increases in biofuels production in the U.S. and EU were supported by
subsidies, mandates, and tariffs on imports. Without these policies, biofuels production
would have been lower and food commodity price increases would have been smaller.
Biofuels production from sugar cane in Brazil is lower-cost than biofuels production in
the U.S. or EU and has not raised sugar prices significantly because sugar cane
production has grown fast enough to meet both the demand for sugar and ethanol.
Removing tariffs on ethanol imports in the U.S. and EU would allow more efficient
producers such as Brazil and other developing countries, including many African
countries, to produce ethanol profitably for export to meet the mandates in the U.S. and
EU. Biofuels policies which subsidize production need to be reconsidered in light of their
impact on food prices."
PLACING THE 2006/08 COMMODITY PRICE BOOM IN PERSPECTIVE (2010 STUDY THE WORLD BANK):
"Biofuels played some role too, but much less than initially thought."
TIME, AFTER THE OIL CRISIS, A FOOD CRISIS? (2007):
On the demand side, one of the key issues is biofuels. Biofuels, made from food crops such as corn, sugar cane, and palm oil, are seen as easing the world's dependence on gasoline or diesel. But when crude oil is expensive, as it is now, these alternative energy sources can also be sold at market-competitive prices, rising steeply in relation to petroleum.
With ONE-QUARTER OF THE U.S. CORN HARVEST IN 2007 DIVERTED TOWARDS BIOFUEL PRODUCTION, the attendant rise in cereal prices has already had an impact on the cost and availability of food. Critics worry that the gold rush toward biofuels is taking away food from the hungry. Jean Ziegler, the U.N. Special Rapporteur on The Right to Food, recently described it as a "crime against humanity" to convert food crops to fuel, calling for a five-year moratorium on biofuel production.
BIOFUELS BLUNDER: MASSIVE DIVERSION OF U.S. GRAIN TO FUEL CARS IS RAISING WORLD FOOD PRICES, RISKING POLITICAL INSTABILITY Briefing before U.S. Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chair, June 13, 2007
"...TURNING NEARLY 30 PERCENT OF NEXT YEAR'S U.S. GRAIN HARVEST INTO FUEL FOR AUTOMOBILES. This unprecedented diversion of the world's leading grain crop to the production of fuel will affect food prices everywhere, risking political instability."
"The U.S. corn crop, accounting for 40 percent of the global harvest and supplying nearly 70 percent of the world's corn imports, looms large in the world food economy."
"In the past, food price rises have usually been weather related and always temporary. This situation is different. As more and more fuel ethanol distilleries are built, world grain prices are starting to move up toward their oil-equivalent value in what appears to be the beginning of a long-term rise."
"As the leading grain producer, grain exporter, and ethanol producer, the United States is in the driver's seat. We need to make sure that in trying to solve one problem-our dependence on imported oil-we do not create a far more serious one: chaos in the world food economy."
Vereist verder onderzoek, maar ik vermoed dat "biofuel from grains" (itt biofuels van plantaardig afval) wel degelijk een effect op de voedselprijzen hebben gehad. Naast slecht weer (klimaat), toegenomen vraag (stijgende welvaart) en quantitative easing.
Als iemand hier een goede studie over kent, dan verneem ik dat graag.
