solar energy
Nuke-abandoning Germany is rapidly expanding its already large base of renewable energy, putting it on track to get 10 percent of its power from the sun by 2020. Solar-generated electricity skyrocketed by 60 percent to more than 18 billion kilowatt-hours in 2011, according to the latest figures from the Federal
shale gas
The fast-expanding shale gas industry in the US has hit a literal bump with the closure of several fluid injection wells that some believe could be connected to a flurry of earthquake activity in Ohio. Reuters reports that five deep wells used for the disposal of “fracking fluid” — a liquid
solar energy
Cash-strapped water utilities in California are turning to solar energy to keep operating in the face of ever-tighter public budgets. Four new solar-power systems with a total capacity of 3.8 megawatts have recently come online in Santa Clarita, Riverside County and the city of Galt. In every case, the
energy security
If you think the UK is in a difficult position as far as its relationship goes to the rest of Europe and the ongoing euro debt drama, consider the circumstances surrounding its energy and climate policies. It’s all enough to make Prime Minister David Cameron wish he had never
geothermal energy
Electricity utility Landsvirkjun plans to build the world’s longest submarine power cable to connect with the proposed European offshore “supergrid.” Iceland is poised to begin exporting its surplus geothermal energy to Europe, thereby boosting its economy and increasing the share of the continent’s power needs which can be
smart metering
The past year was a busy one for the smart grid, with advanced energy meters and other major grid improvements being rolled out everywhere from Mexico and China to South Korea and the US. So what does 2012 hold? Chris King, who’s chief regulatory officer for the smart-grid firm
low carbon
Simple, small-scale green technologies, such as clean cookstoves for poor households, could soon find it easier to get carbon funding, thanks to changes in the UN’s Clean Development Mechanism (CDM). Set up under the Kyoto Protocol, the CDM allows industrialized governments and businesses to meet their carbon reduction commitments
Energy
What topics did Greenbang readers find most interesting in 2011? Following is a look at the 10 most-read stories of the past year: 1. Who’s the leading smart-city brand? Which companies are leading the way in helping the world’s cities become smarter, more connected and more efficient? This
solar energy
Our thoughts today are with the family, friends and co-workers of Amonix CEO Brian Robertson, who passed away Dec. 22 in a plane crash in York County, Pennsylvania. He is survived by his wife and three children. “We are devastated by this tragic accident,” said Vahan Garboushian, Amonix founder, CTO
energy security
Coal, oil and natural gas helped power the Industrial Revolution, and make life as we know it today possible. But there are plenty of increasingly compelling reasons for us to try and quit the fossil fuel habit. The question is: Is that even possible? Why ask? Well, first, the signs
rare earth metals
With budget cuts, rampant climate-change denial and a Republican party eager to turn back the clock on efficiency efforts, the US was already facing enough roadblocks on the path to a cleaner-energy future. Now along comes the news that five rare earth elements that are vital for technologies like wind
Despite being rich in natural resources — including a vast amount of renewable solar energy — Africa remains solidly at the bottom among the world’s continents in terms of human well being and development. It’s a situation that often causes people to invoke the “resource curse.” The idea behind the
