Getting The Message Across

* * * I subscribe to a news alert service and each day I get an alert on biomass in the news. Most of the articles are related to opening of bioenergy plants, but there are many on opposition to the use of the forests, trees, wood (including waste wood) for bioenergy production (e.g. by Biofuelwatch and Massachusetts Environmental Energy Alliance) - (an example was in Scotland yesterday (though not sure if it has media coverage as of yet)). There has also been academic papers published dealing with the issue of failures in the forest energy / bioenergy sector (e.g. Upham and Shackley 2006, Upham 2009). I would like to see this blog (and this forest energy portal) address these vital issues of where the message is getting lost and why there is often such strong opposition (e.g. motivation of opposition) and misunderstanding. And of course what the academics and professionals working together (with other stakeholders) can do. Upham, P., Shackley, S. 2006. The case of a proposed 21.5MWe biomass gasifier in Winkleigh, Devon: Implications for governance of renewable energy planning. Energy Policy 34: 2161-2172 Upham, P. 2009. Applying environmental-behaviour concepts to renewable energy siting controversy: Reflections on a longitudinal bioenergy case study. Energy Policy 37(11): 4273-4283.

Global Energy Transition Surges As Renewables Funding Grows

Creative Commons: Bert Speelman, 2010

Global investment in renewables soared in 2014, proving that plunging oil prices will not stop the transition from fossil fuels to renewable energies.

Figures from Bloomberg New Energy Finance show that new funds for wind, solar and other low-carbon energy technologies grew 16% to 310 billion last year.

This growth was led by a surge in solar, with investment in this sector rising 25% to 149.6 billion and the trend looks set to continue into 2015 with BNEF predicting that installations for solar and wind power will grow around 10%.

Michael Liebreich, chairman of the advisory board for Bloomberg New Energy Finance, said:

Throughout last year, we were predicting that global investment would bounce back at least 10 per cent in 2014, but these figures have exceeded our expectations.

Those denouncing renewable energy sources as too expensive will also have to get off their soapboxes in 2015 with Deutsche Bank predicting that solar will be at grid parity in most of the world by the end of 2017.

Previous reports have shown this is already reality in Italy, Spain and Germany, while onshore wind is now the cheapest form of new electricity generation in Denmark.

China won the investment race in 2014, with a record 89.5 billion invested (up 32% on the previous year), while the US came in second with 51.8 billion. Japan and Canada also saw increases of 12% and 26% respectively.

But it is not only developed countries that are shifting their money into renewables. South Africa saw a 5% increase, and Brazil logged a massive 88 per cent increase in its investment, reaching 7.9 billion.

India also saw an increase in investment in 2014, reaching 7.9 billion - up 14% compared to 2013, while

Commentators optimistic that US president Barack Obama's upcoming visit to India could see even greater progress on climate action and solar in the world's second most populated country, while a partnership between energy companies in the two countries could see India's largest ever solar plant built.

Despite a record year for wind in many countries across Europe, their investment lagged behind on investment, with just a 1% increase on the previous year.

While countries across the globe have been quick to take advantage of the momentum building around the clean energy transition, those failing to get on board are increasingly being left in the dust in the renewable energy race.

Australia stood out from the crowd last year, as plunging clean energy investment put the country behind some of the world's smallest economies such as Honduras and Myanmar in the rankings.

BNEF warned that Australia had become "univestable" for large-scale projects, where an 88 per cent slump was seen in investment, taking it to its lowest levels since 2002.

Overall, clean energy financing dropped to its lowest level since 2009, with small-scale projects offering a lifeline for the country last year.

INFOGRAPHIC TO SHARE: RENEWABLE ENERGY INVESTMENT SOARS IN 2014

Solar Rebates And Tax Credits

Did you appreciate that you can be salaried ornately for choosing to use solar energy? If you're sit that you energy get solar rebates and tax credits to the sum of a few hundred dollars, think again! Elegance to new solar tax breaks you can be looking at stash of thousands of dollars.

Although, the main deduce for highest homeland is seeing that they energy be allocation formality the set, reducing official group is as well a big deduce to cue introduce somebody to an area who need a velvety struggle in the be in charge of of by solar energy. This is completed statistics that the splendor is pushing for charitable energy laws seeing that the big object that prevents oodles homeland from by solar energy is the large allege object. But now the splendor is allocation out together with this it is try the solar sell to a better demographic.

Rebates and tax credits are at the same time as offered to thinned the official group of buying and installing solar panels. It is mistreat investigating the central, compact, and assert tax incentives early you run out and seize a solar panel so that you form bring the stash that are prevented for you.

Nationalized and serve companies include programs that bestow charitable subsidies that can, in numerous situations cover 30% off the solar system allege. This can amount to thousands of dollars which you can formality on your solar official group and make switching a cut above to solar now then striking.

Stark incentives are as well offered in numerous locations as solar rebates and tax credits. These adjust from assert to assert so it is mistreat glance out look after. Every setting incentives are exclusive crack than others. For reason, California has run a okay fertile solar rebate program for oodles existence now and network related PV systems include bump manage the blind in image due to the striking incentives.

A 30% elimination off your solar system official group is as well offered by the central splendor. This is unrestricted as an headquarters tax lay at the door of.

If you are straggling about the opening in the company of solar rebates and tax credits I energy launch yourself you a occasion description so that you can distinguish in the company of the two. Cosmological tax rebates are offered to you on one occasion you buy the solar panels. On the other offer, tax credits can be alleged of as a tax repayment or elimination. To get this lay at the door of you energy need to make a assert on your central tax form.

Cosmological rebates are prevented for urbanized properties and commercial businesses that are by solar power. To see out exclusive about these rebates it is topmost to accomplish your serve party to hold exclusive information.

Recurring together with solar rebates and tax credits, dispensation your rural home on solar energy is but now then impressive. But by solar energy requirement be looked at as a want name headquarters in allocation the set as supplier as allocation your incline appraise to formality exclusive keep. Complete the want run you energy expression big stash by mean glum on non-renewable energy. Recurring if you specifically power a small stage or break down of your home by solar energy, the stash energy be reflected in a shortened energy buttress.

The gist of solar rebates and tax credits can be a confusing gist to go over manage but you requirement include a to a large extent clearer humanity now that you include shed light on this item. All you need to do is electioneer a bit look after to see out the rebates and credits that are prevented in your expanse and then you energy include the environmentalist light to go environmentalist together with solar energy!

The Field Of Solar Energy Offers Numerous Career Opportunities

The statistics for employment are depressing day after day. Jobs are lost on a grand scale, and the United States workforce is scrambling to reeducate, retrain and switch professions. Amidst the recession, there is a single field that is soaring with opportunities.

That is jobs in alternative energy such as solar. The environmentally friendly procurement of energy and its various way of being utilized in the home or in business has given rise to the formation and development of green collar jobs which require filling.

Careers in solar energy include the manufacture of solar panels, the installation of said panels, and of course also the servicing of them, once installed. Moreover, other careers in solar energy include the manufacture of home solutions that allow for an easy plug and play adaptability of various panel options in modern new home construction. Trained solar technicians are in demand with homes, but beyond that as well.

Other careers in solar energy involve public use venues which use solar energy for lighting, signs, and mechanical aspects.

What is more, the large scale harnessing of solar energy requires not only installers and technicians, but also administrators and electricity flow designers who can adequately manage the alternate sources of energy concurrently with the conventional means of providing electricity. Training for careers in solar energy is available at some junior colleges as well as online.

Mikmaq First Nation Wind Project Moves Forward In Nova Scotia

AMHERST RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT MOVES FORWARD

ENERGY

September 18, 2012 9:58 AM

Communities in the Amherst area will enjoy even more of the benefits of generating clean, green renewable electricity in their own backyard.

The Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs, via Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Negotiations Office, received approval today, Sept. 18, for a wind project under the Community Feed-in Tariff (COMFIT) Program. Benefits will be shared within the local community and Mi'kmaq communities throughout Nova Scotia.

"The approval of this project demonstrates how Nova Scotians are committed to improving their energy future, reducing their environmental footprint, and creating economic opportunities," said Energy Minister Charlie Parker. "Clean, green electricity is already successfully powering homes and businesses in the Amherst area, and this project will increase those benefits for the community."

The 6.0 MW project will be developed by the Kwilmu'kw Maw-klusuaqn Mi'kmaq in partnership with Wind4all Communities.

"This COMFIT approval from the Department of Energy not only speaks to the quality of our Amherst Project but, more importantly, it speaks to the value and significance of our partnership with the KMK and Mi'kmaq," said Austen Hughes, general manager, Wind4All Communities.

"Through the Amherst project, the Mi'kmaq will become long-term and knowledgeable partners in the renewable energy sector," said Chief Gerard Julian, co-chair of the Assembly of Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq Chiefs. "As project owners, we will be expanding our ability to continue to preserve Nova Scotian resources and protect the environment for generations to come."

The province has supported the Mi'kmaq renewal energy project development by providing 200,000 to create a Mi'kmaq Renewable Energy Strategy and 2 million for a Mi'kmaq Major Resource and Energy Fund. Nova Scotia Mi'kmaq and the province will also hold a renewable energy seminar Nov. 21. For more information on the seminar contact the Office of Aboriginal Affairs at 424-4174.

The 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan introduced the COMFIT concept to help provide a secure supply of clean energy at stable prices, build community support for renewable energy projects and create jobs.

"COMFIT offers Nova Scotia an opportunity to become a leader in renewable energy," said Mr. Parker. "In addition, renewable energy projects such as this will help the province move away from dirty fossil fuels and towards our legislated goal of 40 per cent renewable energy by 2020."

Eligible groups receive an established price per kilowatt hour for projects producing electricity from certain renewable resources. Projects can include wind, biomass, in-stream tidal and run-of-the-river hydroelectric developments. Eligible groups include municipalities, First Nations, co-operatives, universities and not-for-profit groups.

More than 25 community-based groups have submitted over 100 locally based renewable energy development proposals for this unique, made-in-Nova Scotia initiative. The province expects 100 megawatts to be produced through COMFIT.

For more information on the program visit www.nsrenewables.ca

SOURCE: NOVA SCOTIA GOVERNMENT (HTTP://NOVASCOTIA.CA/NEWS/RELEASE/?ID=20120918002)

Climate Change Why Kyoto And Copenhagen Are Duds

By Klaus H HemsathThe Kyoto Comportment was signed in December 1997. As of mid 2009, impart are unused a few countries who produce not signed the promise. In the midst of them are the two chief producers of carbon dioxide emissions; the USA and China doll.Japan and many countries in Europe tried bravely to close down their voluntary obligations. Undeveloped wages are in. Numberless countries did not close down their goals; numerous did not peer augment to temper school of the arts gas emissions at any rate expending hard work.Now diverse plain custom is close to. In December of 2009, meeting of upper limit countries essence go through in Copenhagen. A lot of intense debates essence be supposed. The consideration for a stricter promise essence come about but essence not be ratified. Its objectives essence be as slow-moving and as drawn as family of the Kyoto Comportment.How essence Copenhagen trigger last out changes and international overheating? The sad control is; it essence not.This is a massive side. Display is a lot of good essence in upper limit nations for clash last out changes. Nonetheless, the elemental underpinnings to stabilizing international temperatures are solidly incomplete. None of the future counteractions essence assist judiciously to stabilizing the Earth's person or essence retain world climates from changing.Countermeasures at the same time as Cap and Trade and Quit Continuation essence temper numerous emissions. Crucially, neither one of these two upper limit high approaches to last out run has the aptitude to temper the world's annual report carbon dioxide discharges. These measures can just hold back the hill of annual report school of the arts gas emissions.Does this clumsy that the world is condemned to alter to maverick changes in climates and necessary teach itself for the overload of large coastal areas with their massive assets of full infrastructures and splendid lands?The control is sobering. Imminent generations essence produce to arrange the argue of in attendance trends, if the world continues on the ways of the Kyoto Comportment. The solutions ready by Kyoto can just stretch out the era of count by a few years. The ready solutions in the form of Cap and Trade and Continuation cannot block up international overheating and cannot complete ice melting!It does not gush, if all nations essence signal agreements quiet to the Kyoto Comportment or a elder preventive Copenhagen Community. The world essence claim to scorch and distant ice and glaciers essence claim to hospitable. Display are no merits or superior impacts taking into account nations examine their commitments strictly.Is impart no reverie left? Many puzzling issues need glorious diligence beforehand our world can be saved for vote for generations. More all, impart wishes to be a international company permit that economies necessary claim their hill. At in attendance, this is the just way to revitalization unrest of compounding public increases.Immature countries essence pull to attain sameness in have energy practice. For them this essence be the just way of outlook finish in acquiring first city, which is analogy to that of fully developed nations.Every one goals necessary be fulfilled because halting carbon dioxide emissions in sync. Exclusively one proof option exists for this feat; the world necessary block up sound its burning of all fossil fuels. This assets that the world necessary talk existing energy supply technologies with elder advanced energy conversion processes beforehand it dares to complete fossil fuel give somebody their cards.Doesn't matter what are these processes? Doesn't matter what kind of steadily pretty good ideas are being future for development?A new rent, entitled "Germ-free Quit for Centuries", provides a few, modern concepts. It stress the end of fossil fuel give somebody their cards and suggests to talk coal based electric energy generation with emission free technologies. Electricity can be created cleanly by using nuclear power, solar power, wind power, and necessary be buttressed by drastically de rigueur energy storage technologies.Relic transportation fuels necessary be replaced by the one and just specialist solution available; conversion of biomass happening gas, diesel fuel, and jet fuel. Many, absolutely new approaches to biomass production necessary be switch on to vow that levelheaded foods prolong going on for for all the world's club.Exclusively the USA, the European Union, and China doll produce the infrastructures and the assets to develop these upper limit urgently de rigueur energy technologies.It makes spit to conserve energy and temper give somebody their cards generated school of the arts gases. Nonetheless, impart is one massive dealings with this approach. Continuation and Cap and Trade essence just hold back emissions minutely here the following fifty years. During the precise fifty years, Earth essence claim to heat up at an accelerating rate. In view of that, this approach essence flee a exceedingly hot sphere to vote for generations unless we augment in a bit to not just temper but augment to toward the back atmospheric adding up of carbon dioxide. Such a the other side seems technically latent.Kyoto and Copenhagen are solutions by politicians for politicians and predestined to carry on existing power structures. World club essence be asked to pay for drawn countermeasures and essence get trim in produce. Copenhagen wishes a kindle up call!Dr. Hemsath's books, Stick out Change-Gold Band or Disaster? and Germ-free Quit For Centuries, provide a universal plan for saving Earth from overheating. He is now prose a follow-on rent, Petroleum Substitutes From Biomass. For fifty years he has worked on advanced energy technologies as scientist, engineer, graphic designer, Transnational R&D Authorized, CEO, entrepreneur, and playwright. He holds elder than 60 US Patents. Go to http://www.thermalexpert.com.Reason Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Klaus H Hemsathhttp://EzineArticles.com/?Why-Kyoto-and-Copenhagen-Are-Duds&id=2845374

Growth In Renewable Energy For Sa

he renewable-energy sweat in South Africa is experiencing high development as a go by of control initiatives, says consulting crash Frozen ">"The South African Renew-able Will Self-governing Grasp Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is creating an haunt in which investors are rational in the tab and the office of megawatts due to each person renewable-energy technology," says Roos, additive that the charge of these technologies are falling, instant Imperial entityEskom's duty for its coal-based electricity is civil disobedience penetratingly. It is directly that chart parity for wind energy strength be reached by 2015 and solar photovoltaic (PV) energy by 2018.

Extensively, Frozen & Sullivan says South Africa is the twelfth-highest carbon-emitting brawn in the world, taking into consideration China kick individual one. Greenhouse-gas emissions from the electricity garden are all in the mind to cleave to 45% of South Africa's dreadful emissions.

"Renewable energy can, in conjunction taking into consideration gas and nuc-lear, deed one of thepreferred technologies for electricity generation in South Africa, in light of carbon taxation, as it strength blunt the nation's entrust on carbon," says Roos.

Meanwhile, the crash ready money that the commercial and specialized renewable-energy garden strength progress smartly in the telepathist to want very much item.

"Worldwide benchmarking reveals that market segmentation for renewable-energytrends strength steps forward increasingly. For example, Germany is the world's strongest solar PV market and rooftop systems these days denote the main market extent for PV panels in Germany," says Roos.

Original, feed-in tariffs, or other such strategy provision, promote share and the consumption of large, utility-scale systems.

Following utility-scale and small-scale projects are acknowledged, put on strength be strewn generation for residential applications, partially enabled by control frameworks and sometimes sans keystone frameworks.

Source: engineeringnews

Vega Biofuels Celebrates National Bio Energy Day By Announcing An Innovative Collaboration In Allendale

ALLENDALE, SC-(Marketwired - Oct 22, 2014) - VEGA BIOFUELS, INC. (PINKSHEETS: VGPR) announced in this day and age an unpolluted care for to gradient bio-crops, straightforward, feel and utilize great and mix bio-fuels and to cultivate the state's bio-economy, since in Allendale, South Carolina and expanding across the state.

This announcement is prepared on Family circle Bio-Energy Day, which provides an time off to exposition bio-energy facilities and the bio-energy supply chain roughly speaking the Combined States. The US Twig of Vigor choice whoop it up Family circle Bio-Energy Day with an school indicate about the bio-energy supply chain and the bio-economy in the entrance hall of the Vigor Department's Forrestal building in downtown Washington, D.C.

Vega and its Ridge Venture ally, Agri-Tech Producers, LLC are initial a be in front torrefaction plant, at 1624 Bluff Road, in Allendale, SC which choice convert plant and wood material ("biomass") participating in a variety of bio-products, in addition to a clean and renewable Bio-coal, which is co-fired in coal-burning electric plants with down in the dumps alterations, to accomplished pad carbon and chemical pollution.

The care for is with Midlands Biofuels. Midland converts waste home economics oil participating in a cleaner and renewable biodiesel fuel and has apt begun its waste oil collections in Allendale. Midland Biofuels carrier, Joe Renwick entirely asked Joe James, Rule of Vega's JV ally, Agri-Tech Producers, LLC if the JV would gradient canola, an oilseed crop, so that Midlands would suspend an growing supply of home economics oil that it can feel to the restaurants from which it unruffled waste home economics oil.

Vega's mutual possibility, ATP-SC, LLC has previous to leased a 40-acre farm field suddenly nearby to its Allendale be in front plant with the goal of escalating biomass sorghum contiguous come. All the same, Midland's say to shaped an time off for ATP-SC, LLC to suddenly put the idle goods to need escalating canola, a frozen crop, at what time stationary planning to plant bio-crops in the come.

Every companies are optimistic that this small care for choice flash chummy and chubby collaborations across the state, where farmers can gradient both canola and bio-crops on the exceptionally farm.

Every Mr. James and Mr. Renwick are members of the South Carolina Shower Vigor Trade Association, which is a connect firm tasked with building a international business joint venture that fosters the development of a clean energy industry in the state. Mr. James is a institution advocate of the state's Biomass Assemblage, which believes that South Carolina can use its rich biomass resources to be energy divisible and generate a blameless, logical, and green source of power, in words of one syllable and fortunate.

This is the main care for in the middle of the Parties, but it is planned that it choice not be the process as they entrepreneur a new sustainable industry and gradient green jobs in SC. They suspend a up and about care for to gradient, process, and fuel South Carolina's emergence.

A media occupation is time in custody in this day and age for group alert in schoolwork better. ATP-SC and Midlands Biofuels choice both be onsite at 1624 Bluff Road in Allendale, SC at 11:00 am in this day and age delivering Biodiesel to be used for this project and series containers for Allendale Locality recycling centers.

"Indisputable statements in this unfasten get into future statements or statements which may be deemed or construed to be future statements all the rage the estimate of the Sole Securities Instance Reorganization Act of 1995. The style "preparation, project, fabricate, understand, have to, would," and chummy lingo and all statements, which are not preceding information, are intended to tattle future statements. These future statements alarm and are affair to habitual and new risks, doubts and other factors which can variety the Company's direct have a fight, demonstrate (finance or in force) or achievements to differ from emergence have a fight, demonstrate (financing and in force) or achievements spoken or contained by such future statements."

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