IEA and UfM join forces to strengthen climate action in the Euro-Mediterranean region

22.02.2016

The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) signed on 17 February in Paris a memorandum of understanding (MoU) setting out the outlines of closer co-operation between the two organisations on projects of mutual interest in the energy field.

“This memorandum of understanding is in line with the IEA’s objective of expanding bilateral energy programmes both with individual partner countries and inter-governmental organizations such as the UfM. Together, we will identify the challenges and opportunities that I am certain can best be addressed through joint action and collective responsibility,” said IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol (right in photo).

UfM Secretary General Fathallah Sijilmassi (left) stated that “fostering regional co-operation in the field of energy is paramount to effectively advance regional integration, stability and human development. The MoU with IEA represents a clear opportunity to develop synergies and implement joint actions that can contribute to these common goals.” The two parties share similar goals and have together identified a number of potential areas of co-operation. These include, but are not limited to, joint projects involving research and technical assistance; collaboration on joint publications; data sharing; training and capacity building; and regional co-operation on energy efficiency and renewable energies as well as the exchange of expertise between the two parties in areas such as climate change, the water-energy-food nexus and regional energy market integration. In order to give a new political impulse to regional co-operation on energy, the 43 UfM member states decided in May 2015 to establish three high level UfM Energy Platforms on gas, regional electricity markets, and renewable energy and energy efficiency. The MoU is valid for five years and may be extended for subsequent additional periods of three years.

www.iea.org

Mayoral hopefuls urged to back tenfold increase in London solar capacity

19.02.2016

London could deliver a tenfold increase in solar power over the next 10 years, closing the gap which has seen the capital become the worst performing major city and region in the UK for solar adoption. That is the conclusion of a new report released today by campaign group Greenpeace, which is calling on all of the London Mayoral candidates to come forward with a detailed plan to boost the city’s flagging solar industry. Both frontrunners, Labour’s Sadiq Khan and the Conservative’s Zac Goldsmith, have said they want to boost the city’s solar sector, but the Greenpeace report challenges them to adopt specific policies to improve the adoption of solar technologies across the capital. The report highlights how just 0.5 per cent of London’s 3.4 million homes use solar power, lagging far behind adoption rates in the rest of the country.

It argues that a suite of policies could drive faster adoption of solar technologies, including “establishing a London Solar Task Force to bring together communities, investors, and industry groups; installing solar panels in unused spaces owned by Transport for London and City Hall; and loaning out roof space to community energy projects”. It also proposes the issuing of green bonds to fund solar projects in the capital and makes the case for a London equivalent of the feed-in tariff to restore some of the incentives cut last year by the government. The campaign group said analysis by consultancy Energy for London showed this range of measures could deliver a 10-fold increase in solar power across London by 2025, delivering solar panels on close to 200,000 London rooftops at a cost of 0.3 per cent of the investment needed through to 2050 to meet the capital’s rising energy demand. “London is a world leader in innovation, yet it’s missing out on the energy revolution of the century,” said Greenpeace UK energy campaigner Barbara Stoll. “From rooftop space to business know-how and grassroots enthusiasm, the capital has the complete toolkit to unleash a solar revolution that can generate jobs, investments, clean and ever cheaper energy for tens of thousands of Londoners. What’s long been missing is the political will to make it happen.

London badly needs solar champions, and we want the next mayor to be one.” Her comments were echoed by Leonie Greene, head of external affairs at the Solar Trade Association. “If our capital city is to move from solar laggard to solar leader the new mayor will need a very ambitious solar vision indeed,” she said. “It is good news that the Mayoral candidates recognize the failure to deliver on solar to date, and they have set out some impressive solar policies. But Greenpeace is right that the new Mayor will need not only every power at their disposal, but a great deal of creativity and innovation to help overcome the roll-back in support from central government.” In related news, the Green Party’s Mayoral candidate Sian Berry will today announce plans to set up a new London Energy Company to ensure Crossrail is powered by 100 per cent clean electricity. The proposed company would operate as a subsidiary of Transport for London and would be tasked with installing solar panels across its own 5,700-acre estate of stations, depots, offices, other commercial units and brownfield sites. It would then also support solar farms on the outskirts of London that would ultimately seek to cover 100 per cent of the power required by Crossrail.

“There is huge potential in London for a wide range of low- and zero-carbon technologies to be used to generate heat and electricity from the sun, the wind, the ground and air using heat pumps, gas created from waste, and from London’s tides and river flows,” Berry will say. “Unfortunately Boris Johnson hasn’t even bothered to push solar PV. That means London has missed out on the UK’s solar revolution, with cities in the north of England and even Scotland installing more panels per home than London, even though we get more sun in the south. Our London Energy Company will work to turn this situation around.”

www.theguardian.com

Solar power at night? Solar City and Tesla say they can do it

19.02.2016

Solar City, the solar energy company whose largest shareholder is Tesla Motors chief executive Elon Musk, has picked batteries made by his electric-car maker to provide 13 megawatts of electric storage for an array of solar panels to be built on the Hawaiian island of Kauai. The combined solar and energy storage system is designed to give KIUC, the Kaua’i Island Utility Cooperative, dispatch able electricity in the evening, and after the sun goes down. KIUC has a 20-year contract with Solar City to buy the solar generated electricity at a competitive price of 14.5 cents per kilowatt hour. Solar City has chosen Tesla as its battery provider.

The project now needs approval by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission. Last April, Musk unveiled a suite of batteries to store electricity for homes, businesses and utilities, marking Tesla’s expansion beyond electric cars with battery technology that Musk said would “fundamentally change the way the world uses energy.” The equipment allows businesses and homeowners to store power, reducing the need to rely on utility grids for electricity. The deal with Solar City and KIUC gives some momentum for Tesla Energy, and Musk has said utility-scale deals could be 80 per cent to 90 per cent of sales for the business unit. The company’s Power wall battery, which can be installed in home garages, has generated enormous interest from consumers. But the bigger market is the larger Powerpack, which allows utilities to reduce the need for expensive facilities that only run during times of peak demand. Solar City’s deal also shows how Musk’s two companies can link up to help each one find more business in two relatively nascent markets.

“Global excitement in Tesla Energy products remains very strong,” said Tesla in its recent fourth-quarter letter to shareholders. “To accommodate this demand, we transitioned production to the Gigafactory in Q4. While this transition did take slightly longer than we had expected, both Power wall and Power pack production is now operating smoothly and expanding at the Giga factory.” In the utility industry, energy storage is finally coming of age. In Tesla’s home state of California, a groundbreaking energy storage mandate requires PG&E Corp., Edison International’s Southern California Edison and Sempra Energy’s San Diego Gas & Electric to collectively buy 1.3 gigawatts of energy storage capacity by the end of 2020. New York is also turning to storage to relieve congestion on transmission lines and plans for the potential retirement of aging power plants.

www.afr.com

With renewable energy sources to cleaner future

16.02.2016

The use of renewable energy has become one of the key components of sustainable development after developed countries have recognized the importance of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Although Serbia has great energy potential when it comes to these sources of energy, it is insufficiently or not at all used.
Our country is the biggest part of the energy obtained by burning fossil fuels, coal , oil and gas, and in that way contributes to global climate change. On the impact of these changes in our country are mainly forests, water , agriculture, transportation and electric power. The biggest challenge in Serbia represents a transition to cleaner technologies , with cost-effective , which further hampers the undeveloped market and the lack of experience in Serbia. Based on the potential of renewable resources and the needs of clients, Sberbank has created a special model for financing renewable energy. Project financing refers to the construction of buildings or facilities for the production of electricity using renewable energy sources , which will be the subject of connection to the electricity grid in order to sell electricity. To implement the model of project financing it is necessary to establish a new company (Special Purpose Company ), which is the carrier of the project , and the founders of the newly established companies may be individuals , legal persons and in special cases, companies with proven experience in this field.

The project of construction of these facilities must be in accordance with the current Law on Planning and Construction and the Law on Energy with the participation of investors from a minimum of 30 % of the investment. By investing in renewable energy sources confirm responsibility and together with our clients we build a healthier environment.

EPS and KfW together to green energy, Arne Gooss, director of KfW bank in Serbia

16.02.2016

For us, EPS is an important partner within our cooperation with Serbia. ЕPS is definitively on the right track to improve its future performance on market bases. The German development bank (KfW) will continue the cooperation with the “Electric Power Industry of Serbia“, which has lasted for more than a decade. Investments of around 126 million euros had been planned for projects by which environmental protection and the use of renewable energy resources were to be increased, said Arne Gooss, director of KfW office in Serbia, in his interview for “EPS Energy“.

When do you expect the new projects with EPS to be started? How much will KfW invest in them? The project „Transport of Ash in TPPNT A“ is on the starting line, its main purpose being a significant reduction in environmental pollution during the transport and dumping of ash. Around 60.000 people living in the vicinity of the Thermal Power Plant “Nikola Tesla A“ in Obrenovac will be protected from significant environmental pollution, and particularly from air pollution. The scope of KfW funding in this project amounts to 45 million euros. The beginning of project implementation has been planned for 2016, and the relevant loan agreements are being prepared. We have started further joint activities related to the promotion of renewable energy resources. The works on the rehabilitation and modernization of the hydro power plant in Zvornik have recently began and they should be concluded in 2019. KfW has supported this financially with 70 million euros. Prior to this, the implementation of the project of the wind farm “Kostolac“ is the first in line and it should be started in 2016.

The necessary project assessment has already been carried out, and the share of KfW in the funding would amount to around 81 million euros. EPS is undergoing major organizational changes. What would be your assessment of the results of reorganization and what are the main benefits for the company and for Serbia? Where do the main challenges still remain? Can KfW help EPS in this process and in what way? The implementation of institutional reform and reorganization measures should strengthen the EPS so that it could act on the domestic and the international energy market in a sustainable and efficient way. We are very glad to be able to give our contribution to the establishment of a more efficient and environmentally more compatible electricity production in Serbia through the mentioned projects. Are you satisfied with the cooperation between EPS and KfW and what are the main projects which have marked this cooperation? The energy sector has a special place in the developmental cooperation between Serbia and Germany, which was started 15 years ago. One half of our entire scope of funding in Serbia which amounts to 1.7 billion euros is intended precisely for the energy sector. In addition to the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Mining and Energy, the EPS is a partner of KfW in the majority of projects within the electricity sector.

The beginning of cooperation included the “urgent measures“ programs, which referred to overhauls in power plants, the import of spare parts for power plants and the funding of electricity imports. The cooperation with the “Electric Power Industry of Serbia“ has developed on many levels. Now, the focus is on the coal quality management and the environmental protection measures in power plants and open pit mines, as well as on the rehabilitation of hydro power plants, which has just been carried out in HPP “Bajina Bašta“ and which has recently began in the HPP “Zvornik“. The aim is to increase the efficiency of electricity production, at the same time reducing the emission of harmful gases. For us, EPS is an important partner within our cooperation with Serbia. Not only the intensified and permanent cooperation, which has lasted for more than a decade, but also the diversity of this cooperation speak for themselves. The partnership with EPS is based on the objective to implement projects successfully, as well as to jointly overcome the numerous challenges in complex projects. The professionalism of EPS during the implementation of projects, and particularly the echnical “know-how“ of those employed on the projects represent an important basis of our joint cooperation. What will be the focus of KfW in Serbia and what new projects have been planned?

The focus of cooperation of KfW bank, which acts by order of the German Federal Government, i.e. the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, is directed towards the fields of environmental protection and promotion of sustainable economic development. Within the sphere of promotion of sustainable economic development, KfW places at the disposal of local banks the credit lines which can be used by municipalities, companies and citizens for the investments in energy efficiency increase and renewable energy resources, as well as for agricultural and municipal investments in general. Credit lines for eco-loans are among new projects, these loans being particularly intended for small and medium-sized companies in Serbia for funding the investments in energy efficiency increase. In addition to energy efficiency and renewable energy resources, the central area of environmental protection also includes the modernization of heat supply, water supply and waste waters treatment, as well as the odernization of waste management, but also the important issues related to municipal infrastructure. The aim is to support Serbia in the fulfilment of stipulated obligations with respect to the EU accession process and to contribute to the achievement of corresponding standards within the sphere of environmental protection. The proposals for future projects within the field of energy, which have been prepared together with the Serbian partners, include the cooperation with the “Power Grids of Serbia” for increasing the capacity of transmission grids to 440 kV, primarily the connection Kraljevo – Kragujevac and Obrenovac – Bajina Bašta and the cooperation with EPS in the implementation of environmental protection measures in power plants, as well as the promotion of renewable energy resources. What was your experience in the project of the HPP “Bajina Bašta“? What is your vision for the continuation of cooperation with EPS?

The cooperation on the rehabilitation of HPP “Bajina Bašta“ was the starting point for funding joint investments with EPS within the field of renewable energy resources. Within this project, which was successfully implemented in 2013., four power units of the hydro power plant were completely modernized. This did not contribute only to the 12 percent increase in the performance of the hydro power plant and the extension of operating life by 25 years, but also to the increase in energy efficiency during electricity production. Thereby, the participation of renewable energy resources in the overall energy production in Serbia has been increased on one hand and, on the other, the emission of harmful gases has been reduced. Within the sphere of renewable energy resources, further joint activities with EPS have been planned, with respect to further utilization of hydro power as well as of wind power.

Source: www.esiasee.eu

Obama says confident in legal footing after Supreme Court carbon decision

15.02.2016

climate-change-2254711_960_720 — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

U.S. President Barack Obama on Thursday called the Supreme Court’s decision to delay implementation of his administration’s Clean Power Plan “unusual” and expressed confidence that the White House would prevail. “We’re very confident that we’re on strong legal footing here,” he told a group of Democratic donors in California in his first public remarks about the move. In Washington, Gina McCarthy, Obama’s head of the Environmental Protection Agency, told state energy and environmental regulators that the ruling “is not going to slow us down.”

The Supreme Court on Tuesday delivered a blow to the plan, the centerpiece of Obama’s climate change policy and backbone of his administration’s commitment to cut greenhouse gas emissions pledged last year in Paris. Obama said the Supreme Court had in fact required the EPA to regulate carbon emissions under the Clean Air Act if they were shown, as scientists had, to be harmful to public health. He said some people had commented to him in recent days that the Supreme Court’s decision had struck down the Clean Power Plan. “That’s not true. So don’t despair, people,” he said. McCarthy told state regulators tasked with complying with the rule she is confident the plan will survive the legal challenges and tried to boost morale among the officials. “I want you to do as I am doing,” McCarthy told the crowd. “Pick myself up, rededicate myself and tell the people in this country that we are there to serve them,” she said, while shaking her fists in the air. The Supreme Court stay was a “small pause” in what has been a years-long effort of the EPA and states to get the Clean Power Plan off the ground, she said.

The plan was designed to lower carbon emissions from U.S. power plants by 2030 to 32 percent below 2005 levels. The Supreme Court ordered a delay in implementation until legal challenges to the regulation are completed. “This Supreme Court has said the Environmental Protection Agency is required to regulate carbon emissions if it’s a threat to the public health. And we clearly can show that that’s the case,” Obama said. Fighting climate change is critical to the president’s legacy as he completes his final year in office.

www.reuters.com

Ministry’s assessment for wind park annulled

15.02.2016

wind-energy — Photo-illustration: Pixabay

The Administrative Court in Split accepted Association BIOM’s law suit and declared invalid the decision of Croatia’s Ministry of Environmental and Nature Protection to accept the construction of Bila Ploča wind power plant in Pelješac peninsula in the country’s south. This is the first ruling which blocks a project in an area significant for bird protection as it has been determined that the environmental impact assessment study was unfounded, BIOM said. According to its press release, studies have been produced unprofessionally for years, including findings related to the Natura 2000 network.

The process was initiated by the association and the Croatian Society for Bird and Nature Protection three years ago and the court issued the ruling on December 28. The situation with the study was absurd as state institutions had identified the area as significant for bird protection on an international level, said Vedran Lucić, spokesman of BIOM, and added that bad positioning of wind power plants can cause high mortality of birds and bats, as they collide with turbine blades.

Unfounded studies are the consequence of direct deals between investors and producers of the document, and the ministry tolerates actions against protected species and habitats in Croatia, the press release said. BIOM has three more pending law suits related to bird protection, for wind parks in the mountains of Dinara and Velebit.

www.balkangreenenergynews.com

Senegal Is Second African Country to Join ‘Scaling Solar’ to Quickly Develop Clean Energy

12.02.2016

IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, signed an agreement on Tuesday with the government of Senegal to develop up to 200 megawatts of solar power under Scaling Solar, a World Bank Group initiative helping African countries procure renewable energy quickly and affordably. The planned utility-scale solar photovoltaic project underscores the government’s commitment to integrate renewable energy resources in the West African country’s energy mix.

The World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar program has gained momentum across sub-Saharan Africa with this new agreement with Senegal to develop large-scale solar power through private investment quickly and affordably with competitive and transparent tendering. It follows an agreement with Zambia in 2015 that has already generated significant market interest. “This innovative partnership with Senegal is important for creating a new market for solar power investment in the region,” said Vera Songwe, IFC Director for West and Central Africa. “Scaling Solar is an excellent example of how World Bank Group expertise can help governments in the region meet their most pressing needs.”

Scaling Solar offers a “one-stop shop” package of advice, project documents, risk management products, finance and insurance that gives even small countries the purchasing power of larger markets and helps attract leading private sector developers to new geographies. IFC will help the Government of Senegal conduct due diligence and tender the solar project, and IFC, the World Bank and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency are expected to support its bidding phase. “Access to electricity is fundamental for Senegal’s economic development,” said Louise Cord, World Bank Director for Senegal. “Scaling Solar will help the Government of Senegal to draw on an abundant renewable energy source to deliver energy quickly and efficiently, helping to meet the objectives of the Plan Senegal Emergent.”

An agreement with Zambia, signed in August 2015, has already led to major advances toward the first large-scale solar facility in the southern African country. Zambia’s Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) has announced that 48 companies sought to prequalify for their two initial 50 megawatt solar projects under Scaling Solar. According to World Bank data, just over half the population of Senegal currently has access to electricity. With energy accounting for an estimated 2.5 percent of Senegal’s gross national product annually, the World Bank Group has doubled its efforts in the sector.

www.ifc.org

Commission welcomes landmark deal on CO2 standard for aircraft emissions

11.02.2016

The Commission welcomes the agreement reached yesterday within the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) on the first ever-global standard to cap CO2 emissions from aircraft. EU Commissioner for Transport Violeta Bulc said, “This agreement is an important step to curb aviation emissions. An ambitious climate policy is an integral part of the Commission’s plan to create an Energy Union, and a priority of the new Aviation Strategy. The EU played a central role in brokering this deal, as it did at the COP21 in Paris. I hope this will create further momentum for the creation of a Global Market-Based Measure to offset CO2 emissions from international aviation, which we hope to achieve this autumn at the ICAO General Assembly.”

Background

Meeting in Montreal, the ICAO’s Committee on Aviation and Environmental Protection (CAEP) agreed on a CO2 standard, which will guide the certification of aircraft towards greater fuel-efficiency. The stringency and the applicability dates, which the CO2 standard imposes, will depend on the weight of the aircraft and whether it concerns a “new type” aircraft or an “in-production” aircraft. For large new aircraft types, a very ambitious standard was agreed, to incentivise ever-greater fuel efficiency performance of future aircraft fleets. For such aircraft types, the standard will apply as of 2020. By 2028, existing aircraft types will also have to apply the new standard. Over the period until 2040, the CO2 standard could help save up to 650 million tonnes of CO2.
This agreement concludes six years of international negotiations. It will be brought before the 39th ICAO Assembly in September for political endorsement, and is expected to be formally adopted by the ICAO Council in early 2017.

Please look here for more informations:
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_STATEMENT-16-267_en.htm

Zumtobel donates efficient lighting to Belgrade, Niš

11.02.2016

LED street lights and a smart operating system will be given by an Austrian company to Serbian municipal authorities, according to an announcement at an event in the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Serbia. Zumtobel Group AG’s donation will be sufficient for two streets. “With the decision to give modern equipment for the improvement of transport in the city streets of Belgrade and Niš, Zumtobel Group confirmed the intention to expand operations in Serbia and the region of Southeastern Europe and remain on this market in the long term.

“This is another proof of the developing economic cooperation of Austria and Serbia,” said Marko Čadež, the chamber’s president, in discussion with the representatives of the firm. The plan is that the company’s experts find the most suitable locations in cooperation with the city officials, so that one street in both Belgrade and Niš can get efficient lighting within a month. Zumtobel, based in Dornbirn and listed on the Vienna Stock Exchange, has 7,234 employees and production facilities in four continents.

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Malta investing in Montenegro Energy Sector

10.02.2016

Investment in the wind farm at Možura hill is a first step of possible cooperation between Montenegro and Malta in energy sector, prime minister Milo Đukanović said, adding he is sure that the project will be implemented within deadlines. At the meeting with the delegation from the island country, the prime minister of Montenegro said he had been presented many ideas that can be useful in terms of implementing positive experiences in economic and pro-European development, Mina-Business news agency reported. Đukanović said that he discussed primarily about economic cooperation with his Maltese counterpart Joseph Muscat.

The EUR 80 million investment includes use of new energy sources and complements Montenegrin generation capacities in energy sector, he said and expressed hope the project will lead to more cooperation. Namely, there are possibilities for joint use of renewable sources in Montenegro. The Maltese prime minister offered Montenegro to use his country’s experience in the field of tourism development through internationalization of educational and other capacities, Đukanović said. Muscat said the delegation came to Montenegro to visit the construction site of their first foreign investment in many years. “We have chosen Montenegro because we see the potential here. We invest money and credibility, because we have chosen Montenegro among the many options and I welcome the efforts of the Montenegrin government in creating the conditions to ensure facilitating bureaucracy and concluding contracts on time. We can assure you that the project will be implemented,” said Muscat.

The transfer of the agreement on the lease of land and construction of the Možura wind power plant was conducted in Podgorica in November between Montenegro and Enemalta Plc, a company majority-owned by the Government of Malta. After the investors began works for first wind farm in Montenegro near Nikšić, implementation of a similar investment at Možura near Bar, in the south of the country, was launched in the summer. The domestic Ministry of Economy said the construction of these two power facilities will greatly contribute to meeting the national target of 33% share of renewable energy in final consumption.

www.balkangreenenergynews.com

NREL Explains the Higher Cellulolytic Activity of a Vital Microorganism

10.02.2016

Researchers at the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the BioEnergy Science Center (BESC) say better understanding of a bacterium could lead to cheaper production of cellulosic ethanol and other advanced biofuels. Their discovery was made during an investigation into the performance of Clostridium Thermocellum. The scientists found the microorganism utilizes the common cellulose degradation mechanisms known today (free enzymes and scuffled enzyme attached to the cell), and a new category of scaffold enzymes not attached to the cell. The discovery came as a surprise to the researchers and explains the superior performance of C. thermocellum on biomass.

A paper reporting the potential for the bacterium, “Dramatic performance of Clostridium Thermocellum explained by its wide range of cellulose modalities,” appears in the current issue of the journal Science Advances. This anaerobic bacterium is a major candidate for the production of biofuels from biomass feedstock’s because it already possesses both an external cellulose system and the internal metabolic pathways to convert biomass to ethanol. C. thermocellum is ubiquitous and has been isolated from soil, compost, herbivores, and hot springs. “C. thermocellum can be revived from anywhere, no matter where you are, if biomass is present and the temperature is right, it will be there.” said NREL scientist Yannick Bomble, who is the project leader and senior author of the paper.

C. thermocellum uses both a free-enzyme system and a tethered cellulose system (cellulose) wherein carbohydrate active enzymes (CAZymes) are organized by primary and secondary scaffoldin proteins to generate large protein complexes attached to the bacterial cell wall. “These enzyme complexes are an amazing machinery,” Bomble said. “They can include up to 63 biomass-degrading enzymes. One can think of a cellulose as a nan scale octopus wrapping and digesting cellulose micro fibrils from all angles.” BESC researchers at NREL used newly published cloning strategies, enabled by a collaboration with Dartmouth College, to probe the importance of the primary and secondary scaffoldins of C. thermocellum using scaffoldin deletion strains. They found the scaffoldins were essential to the cell wall defibrillation mechanism used by C. thermocellum. Native cellulose are capable of creating or at least maintaining increased substrate surface area during deconstruction by splaying and dividing the biomass particles. This ability is completely lost with any modification of these cellulosomes, such as the removal of the primary or secondary scaffoldins. These interesting observations were not the only discovery the researchers made. Using the same mutant strains as background, they also found a new type of enzyme assembly that is not tethered to the cell and allows the microorganism more freedom to explore for additional biomass or provides a redundancy in its cellulolytic system to assure a consistent source of sugars. The findings have important implications for industry, and were fascinating for the scientists. “We are learning a lot about this microorganism, how it can thrive in almost any environments, and how it operates on biomass. However, we realize that there is still work to be done to bring it to its full potential. We are constantly working to improve its activity on biomass and increase renewable fuel yields,” Bomble said.

“Our mission is to enable and indeed accelerate the emergence of the cellulosic biofuels enterprise through our fundamental research,” said Paul Gilna, director of BESC. “C. thermocellum is recognized as one of the most effective cellulose-degrading bacteria in the biosphere, thus the discovery of this new mode of action represents significant progress in the scientific underpinnings of advanced approaches for biofuel production.” This discovery, enabled by the Bioenergy Science Center, will influence the strategies used to improve the cellulolytic activity of biomass degrading microbes going forward. Biomass conversion affects many areas of science, ranging from herbivore health and biofuels production to the dynamics of hot spring ecosystems. “The multi-institutional nature of the Bioenergy Science Center allows impactful studies such as the one reported here,” said Michael Himmel, one of the authors of the research paper and activity lead in the center. First author of the paper was NREL scientist Qi Xu. Others from NREL include Michael G. Resch, Kara Podkaminer, Shihui Yang, John O. Baker, Bryon S. Donohoe, Stephen R. Decker, Michael E. Himmel, and Yannick J. Bomble. Other authors from the BioEnergy Science Center are Charlotte Wilson, Dawn M. Klingeman, Daniel G. Olson, Richard J. Giannone, Robert L. Hettich, Steven D. Brown, Lee R. Lynd, and Edward A. Bayer. The Bioenergy Science Center is U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy Research Center supported by the Office of Biological and Environmental Research in the U.S. DOE Office of Science and provided the funding for this work.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy’s primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

www.nrel.gov

China Tops World In Total Installed Solar PV, Passes Germany

10.02.2016

China now represents the largest market for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology in the world — with a total installed capacity of 43.2 gigawatts (GW) — according to the latest statistics from the National Energy Administration (NEA). The new statistics echo those released by the state news agency Xinhua, revealing that the country had recently surpassed the 43 GW of capacity milestone. The news means that Germany has lost its position as the overall top market for solar PV in the world — and very likely will never regain that distinction (particularly due to the size of the country, the competitiveness of solar power worldwide, and the huge growth in the three most populous countries in the world — China, India, and the US).

Much of the country’s aforementioned solar PV capacity was installed just last year — 15.1 GW, to be exact — demonstrating just how rapidly things have been changing in the market. Considering that China is the most populous country in the world currently, and also one of the most robust economically, there’s still a fair bit of room for further growth — which will very likely be demonstrated over the coming years as solar PV installation growth ramps up there.

The country’s solar PV capacity has increased roughly 13-fold since just 2011. Interestingly, though, much of the country’s installed capacity has remained underutilized — with roughly 30% remaining unused in 2015 in the province of Gansu, and 26% in Xinjiang, according to the NEA. This was reportedly the result of grid constraints in the areas involved. Following behind China, Germany currently possesses around 38.4 GW of capacity according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance — or 39.6 GW according to the Federal Network Agency. The US is currently in third — with around 27.8 GW of generation capacity installed.

By Henry Lindon

Source: http://cleantechnica.com

Global initiative introduces first proposal to reduce airplane pollution

09.02.2016

Governments proposed for the first time on Monday to reduce climate pollution from airplanes, plugging one of the biggest loopholes in last December’s landmark Paris agreement. The global initiative was a first attempt to halt carbon emissions from air travel – one of the fastest growing sources of climate pollution. In a call with reporters, White House officials described the standards as “a huge deal”, noting that the aviation authority has also proposed an aspirational goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2020.

But campaign groups, specifically the International Council on Clean Transportation, said the proposed standards were a missed opportunity and would have little real effect in curbing emissions. The standards proposed at an expert meeting of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (Icao) in Montreal would apply to all new commercial and business aircraft delivered after 1 January 2028. But they exclude aircraft that are already in use, and as most airlines have lifetimes of 20-30 years, it will take decades to cover the current fleet. In addition, the standards would on average require only a 4% reduction in the cruise fuel consumption of new aircraft, compared to 2015. The proposals will be put to countries for formal adoption next year.

Icao said the standard was aimed at larger aircraft, which were responsible for the vast majority of global aviation emissions. “The goal of this process is ultimately to ensure that when the next generation of aircraft types enter service, there will be guaranteed reductions in international CO2 emissions,” Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu, president of the Icao council said.

“We also recognize that the projected doubling of global passengers and flights by 2030 must be managed responsibly and sustainably.” The exclusion of high-polluting industries such as international aviation and shipping was seen as a major weakness of the historic agreement reached last December. Currently, air travel and shipping together account for about 5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, but are projected to account for about 30% by 2050. But emerging economies had balked at the idea of including shipping and aviation in the Paris agreement, and so negotiators left them out of the deal. White House officials said they were satisfied with the proposed standard – given the range of countries’ positions. The European Union and some emerging economics had been reluctant to take stronger action. “This is a really a strong result,” the officials said.

“It’s the first ever CO2 standards for aircraft covering existing aircraft.” But campaign groups suggested the Icao recommendations would do very little to rein in emissions – and in some cases lagged behind technology that was already in use. According to an analysis by the International Council on Clean Transportation, some of the top performing commercial aircraft were already achieving the standard – with room to spare. By 2020, eight years before the proposed standards were even due to come into effect, the average aircraft would already be 10% more efficient than the Icao standard. “Given the substantial lead time for the standards, along with anticipated fuel efficiency gains for new aircraft types already in development by manufacturers, the standards will serve primarily to prevent backsliding in emissions,” ICCT said in a statement.

“Additional action would be required for the standard to reduce emissions below business as usual.” Vera Pardee, an attorney for the Centre for Biological Diversity, said the proposed standard put an additional burden on the Obama administration to make good on earlier promises to cut aviation emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency had been waiting for Icao to bring in its standards before moving to cut emissions from the domestic airline industry. However, the White House would not say whether the EPA would propose those new domestic standards before Barack Obama leaves the White House.

www.theguardian.com

Governor Cuomo Launches $5 Billion Clean Energy Fund to Grow New York’s Clean Energy Economy

08.02.2016

Empire State Building. Njujork — Photo: Pixabay

Clean Energy Fund will advance solar, wind, energy efficiency and other clean tech industries to spur economic development and reduce harmful emissions. Today’s unprecedented action will result in lower energy costs for consumers and business beginning this year. Work also begins to establish the Clean Energy Standard to meet the Governor’s aggressive 50 percent renewables by 2030 mandate.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the New York State Public Service Commission’s approval of a 10-year, $5 billion Clean Energy Fund to accelerate the growth of New York’s clean energy economy, address climate change, strengthen resiliency in the face of extreme weather and lower energy bills for New Yorkers starting this year. Additionally, the fund will attract and leverage third-party capital to support the Governor’s aggressive Clean Energy Standard, one of the nation’s most ambitious goals to meet 50 percent of our electricity needs with renewable resources by 2030.

The fund will operate four major portfolios:

-Market Development ($2.7 billion): NYSERDA will undertake a variety of activities to stimulate consumer demand for clean energy alternatives, energy efficiency while helping to build clean energy supply chains to meet that growing customer demand. At least $234.5 million must be invested in initiatives that benefit low-to-moderate income New Yorkers during the first three years of the fund;

– NY-Sun ($961 million): The fund finalizes the funding and confirms the long-term commitment for NY-Sun and for the growing solar electric market and industry in New York State, by supporting rapid and continued cost reduction. This will continue to make solar energy more affordable and accessible for residential and commercial solar customers, and will drive the growth of the solar industry in New York, which currently employs more than 7,000 people across 538 solar companies in the state;

– NY Green Bank ($782 million): To leverage private sector investment, expand the availability of capital and increase confidence in lending for clean energy projects, the fund will complete the capitalization of the innovative NY Green Bank. The fund will increase NY Green Bank’s total investment to $1 billion and will leverage an estimated $8 billion in private investment;

-Innovation and Research ($717 million): As New York State moves to a cleaner, more efficient, and more widely distributed energy system, the Clean Energy Fund will help spur innovations through research and technology development that will drive clean-tech business growth and job creation while providing more energy choices to residential and business customers.

New York State Public Service Commission Chair Audrey Zibelman said, “Under the Clean Energy Fund, every dollar of clean energy spending will achieve greater savings and enhance private investment, spurring innovation and new technologies that will bring more choices and value to New York consumers. We will build on the success of previous energy-development programs in a way that meets evolving customer and market needs and transition away from approaches that rely almost exclusively on ratepayer subsidies, which is unsustainable if we are to meet our ambitious goals in the long-run.”

www.unfccc.int

China’s new wind power capacity hits record high

08.02.2016

China’s newly installed wind power capacity reached a record high in 2015 amid increasing efforts from the government to boost clean energy. The new wind power capacity jumped to 32.97 gigawatts last year, more than 60 percent higher than 2014, the National Energy Administration (NEA) said on Tuesday.

Wind power generated 186.3 terawatt hour of electricity in 2015, or 3.3 percent of the country’s total electric energy production, data showed. Promoting non-fossil energy including wind power, China is in the middle of an energy revolution to power its economy in a cleaner and sustainable manner. The government aims to lift the proportion of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption to 20 percent by 2030 from present around 11 percent. China’s energy mix is currently dominated by coal. However, the NEA warned of the suspension of wind farms in Inner Mongolia, Xinjiang and Jilin. The phenomenon occurs in the early stage of wind power capacity construction due to the mismatching of new installation and local power grid.

www.news.xinhuanet.com

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