-
1. Algae-to-Biofuel Tech Gets a Big Aloha
-
2. Send Us Pics of Your Homemade and "Recycled" Halloween Costumes
-
3. Biofuels Cost Billions & Reduce CO2 by (Almost) Zilch, Says OECD
-
4. Hey Obama! Hey McCain! Wake Up!
-
5. California Utility Taps First Solar for Massive Solar Rooftop Project
-
6. Riverwired.com: Residential Wind Turbines
-
7. Riverwired.com: 3rd-Gen Prius Expected to Get 90+ MPG
Algae-to-Biofuel Tech Gets a Big Aloha
Craig Rubens - Startups
Under the terms of the agreement, HR BioPetroleum will own and operate the facility as well as find financing. Alexander & Baldwin will provide the land, and Maui Electric will take care of the permitting and construction of a CO2 pipeline from their Ma'alaea power plant to the proposed adjacent algae farm.
Assuming all the paperwork and funding come through, HR BioPetroleum estimates that the first phase of production could start as soon as 2011. No details with regards to cost or output were given, and HR BioPetroleum has been unavailable for comment.
Founded in 2004, HR BioPetroleum’s process uses both closed photobioreactors and open ponds to quickly grow algae in a process it calls ALDUO. While many other algae companies are pursuing either the closed or open system, HR BioPetroluem is currently seeking a patent for their dual system. The startup has licensed an unmodified strain of algae from the University of Hawaii.
This will be HR BioPetroleum’s first commercial-scale plant. The company, through a joint venture with Royal Dutch Shell called Cellena, built a demonstration facility last year on the Kona coast of Hawaii. Separately, HR BioPetroleum says it has validated its process at a pilot facility also located in Kona.
The San Diego, Calif.-based startup says it has raised $2.5 million from the National Defense Center of Excellence for Research in Ocean Sciences, the Department of Energy and the University of Hawaii. The company expects to raise additional funds via a Series A round in 2008.
Send Us Pics of Your Homemade and "Recycled" Halloween...
Help TDG Celebrate Reuse, Recycling and Fun!
Biofuels Cost Billions & Reduce CO2 by (Almost) Zilch, Says OECD
Craig Rubens - Policy
Grain-based biofuels are costing governments billions in subsidies and achieving almost no emissions reductions, the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development said today in a new report. The report estimates that the U.S., EU and Brazil will spend about $25 billion a year by 2015 on biofuel supports, up from $11 billion in 2006, to reduce emissions by no more than 0.8 percent. Talk about your long-term ROIs.
The report adds to the growing chorus calling for serious reform in global biofuels policies. The OECD's Economic Assessment of Biofuel Support Policies recommends an end to the current subsidy system and an opening up of global markets to allow the most efficient biofuels to find new markets. Specifically, the U.S. and EU should rethink their own biofuel subsidies and mandates and the U.S. should drop its 54-cent tariff on imported biofuels, a measure that blocks Brazilian ethanol.
Here’s a breakdown of the report’s big numbers:
- Per distance driven, U.S. corn ethanol reduces emissions 10 to 30 percent as compared to gasoline.
- Per distance driven, Brazilian sugar ethanol reduces emissions by at least 80 percent as compared to gasoline.
- Biofuel support costs between $950 and $1,700 for every ton of CO2 emissions reductions.
- Current biofuel support will increase wheat prices by about 5 percent, maize by around 7 percent and vegetable oil by about 19 percent over the next 10 years.
The report adds to the growing food-vs.-fuel debate, an issue that has pitted the West’s thirst for fuel against the developing world’s starving masses, but the two sides can’t agree on the scope of biofuel’s impact. The U.S. National Biofuels Board said this week that “[B]iofuels-related feedstock demand has limited impact on global food supply and pricing.”
And the world’s poor aren’t the only ones paying more. High fuel prices have caused a surge in consumer prices in the U.S. Economists from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis published a paper this week that says reducing America’s tariff on ethanol could not only reduce fuel costs but also alleviate the ethanol’s effect on global food prices.
Hey Obama! Hey McCain! Wake Up!
California Utility Taps First Solar for Massive Solar Rooftop Project
Katie Fehrenbacher - Energy
Last Friday California approved a contract between utility Southern California Edison and thin-film solar maker First Solar to build a thin-film photovoltaic project in Blythe, Calif. (on the border of Arizona). But just this morning the thin-film-plus-utility duo has more news to share: So Cal Edison says it has tapped First Solar to build out the first 2 MW installation of its massive 250 MW solar rooftop project.
First Solar kicked off construction of that 2 MW on a rooftop in Fontana, Calif., on Monday; the company says the PV project will be hooked up to the grid as early as this coming September. In this morning’s news release, Governor Schwarzenegger says that the projects are proof of the state’s “clean tech boom that will bring companies and investment dollars to California while reducing the state’s carbon footprint."
While First Solar will build this first section of the rooftop project, a variety of installers will likely get a chance to build out the remaining sections. (Given that, in all of 2007, First Solar installed just 300 megawatts, tackling the entire 250 MW might prove a bit tough.)
At the Intersolar conference this week, there’s been a heated debate over whether distributed generation using solar PV can compete with centralized solar thermal technology when it comes to providing utility-sized power. More on that later today from the show!
Riverwired.com: Residential Wind Turbines
Marcus - energy
Energy costs getting you down? Looking to cut down on bills, and get a little greener in the process? With energy bills rising by as much as fifty percent in recent years, chances are you're eager for some alternatives. Which is where wind power comes in. Wind is a clean, efficient, sustainable and cost-effective source of energy, and it's rapidly growing in popularity. A growing number of homes in the U.S. are opting to have residential wind turbines installed, and as a result are seeing dramatic reductions in their energy costs. Think wind power might be right for you? Keep reading to find out more.
Why wind?
First off, wind power will save you money—as much as 50-90 percent on your electric bill! Although wind turbines can cost from $6,000- $22,000, it's an investment that usually pays for itself in around six to fifteen years. Once the cost of the turbine has been recouped, it's not uncommon to see electric bills of $8- $15 dollars for up to nine months of the year! In addition, wind power is good for the environment—it produces zero pollution, and every kilowatt hour that is powered by wind will offset pollution that would have been generated by your utility company.
What kinds of residences are eligible for wind power?
Since a wind turbine is a relatively large structure, this type of power isn't really suitable for small-lot suburban homes or anything in an urban setting. Usually, a house on an acre or more of land is desirable. It's also important to consider wind speed in your area—in order for a turbine to be efficient, wind speed should be at an average of at least 10 miles per hour.
Where can I buy a residential wind turbine?
Take a look at this list of small wind turbine equipment providers.
Is there any way to benefit from wind power if I live in a small and/or urban location?
Why, yes, there is. In most areas, you can contact your energy company and switch to green power—that is, your energy company will purchase your power from sustainable energy sources in lieu of coal or oil. There is a minor charge, but it usually only amounts to a few extra dollars per month. This is a great alternative for city dwellers who wish they could install a massive wind tower on the top of their high rise.
Want to learn more about wind power?
Wind Turbine Power: Farmers Turning the Wind Into Gold
Inexpensive Residential Wind Turbine—Wind Power—Alternative Energy For Your Home
Can You Harness Wind Power or Not?
Home Wind-Power Turbines Going Mainstream
What YOU Should Know About Wind Power!
Can You Use Wind Turbines to Power Your Home?
Riverwired.com: 3rd-Gen Prius Expected to Get 90+ MPG
khallgeisler - future cars
Mark your calendars: the next-generation Toyota Prius is expected to debut next January at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The Internet rumor mill has it that the car could debut in U.S. showrooms as early as April 2009 -- a mere three months after its official unveiling in Detroit. Toyota could even up the Prius's fuel economy to more than 90 mpg.
The engine is slated to grow from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters, which means an extra 25 horsepower -- a noticeable increase. That might be enough to allow the size of the Prius to grow a bit and accomodate even a long-legged driver.
The increase in power doesn't sap the car's efficiency, though; rather, it should increase the mileage, too. U.S. News said recently the Prius 3G could get 94 mpg, while AutoBlogGreen reported a more reasonable -- and realistic -- 50-55 mpg. The EPA rates the 2008 Prius at 48 city, 45 highway.
If you can wait another year or two, Toyota has confirmed that plug-in Prius hybrids with cutting-edge lithium-ion batteries will be available to consumers in the U.S. in 2011. If you can't wait, hacking your Prius is the only way to go today, thanks to companies like Hymotion and Hybrids Plus.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment