Energy consumption in the European Union has fallen to levels last seen more than two decades ago, statistics published on Monday showed.
The dramatic drop in annual consumption - in 2013, the year to which the new research applies, it was down by more than 9% from its 2006 peak - reflects in part the continuing economic troubles in the eurozone, but also efforts taken by member states and businesses to cut energy use and improve efficiency.
Despite the plunge, Europe remains heavily dependent on fuel imports, with more than half of energy needs supplied by production from abroad, including the Middle East and Norway. Under oil prices at the time, that amounted to a cost of more than EUR400bn (lb297bn) in imports in the year in question, but that figure is now volatile owing to the effects of a sharply lower oil price and the exchange rate of the Euro.
The UK was one of the least dependent on imports of the biggest member states, buoyed by its offshore fossil fuel supplies, with 46.4% of primary energy coming from overseas. That relative independence is likely to be eroded further in future years, however, as the North Sea supplies of oil and gas are dwindling fast.
France, where nuclear reactors supply the vast majority of electricity needs, was also less dependent than the average, at 48% of supplies imported. By contrast, about 63% of Germany's energy came from outside, and 77% of Italy's.
Nuclear power accounted for the biggest slice of the EU's own generation of electricity, with 29% of production. Just behind came renewable sources of energy, which in total generated just under a quarter of homegrown power.
The total energy used across the bloc in 2013 was 1,666 million tonnes of oil equivalent, a widely used measure. That was just below 1990's total of 1,667 Mtoe.
The UK used just over 200 Mtoe in 2013, a substantial drop on its 210 Mtoe in 1990, after a rise in the early part of this century to 230 Mtoe. The government has sought to encourage energy efficiency by home insulation schemes and levying a price on carbon for businesses.
Some of the EU's decline in consumption has come from progress made in energy efficiency among newer member states in eastern Europe, which inherited notoriously inefficient infrastructure from their years as part of the energy-rich Soviet bloc. Bulgaria, for instance, used nearly 28 Mtoe in 1990, but only 17 Mtoe in 2013. Lithuania's use dropped from 16 Mtoe to 7 Mtoe over the same period. Such one-off drops are unlikely to be repeated.
The European Commission is working on proposals for new legislation to force member states to make their buildings more energy efficient, a leaked document revealed on Friday. Those plans are likely to be brought forward in October, but will take years to come into force, and are geared towards helping meet the EU's energy efficiency target for 2030.
A boost to energy efficiency will also help the EU to meet its international pledge of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 40%, compared with 1990 levels, by 2030. That target is likely to be enshrined in a new global agreement on climate change, scheduled to be signed in Paris in December.
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AL GORE WAS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES FROM 1993-2001. SINCE LEAVING POLITICS, HE'S BEEN HEAVILY INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN TO FIGHT GLOBAL WARMING, EVEN WINNING A NOBEL PEACE PRIZE FOR HIS EFFORTS. AND HE SAYS HE'S MORE OPTIMISTIC THAN EVER THAT THE ISSUE HAS REACHED "A TIPPING POINT." IN THIS LIGHTLY EDITED INTERVIEW TRANSCRIPT, HE EXPLAINS WHY.EZRA KLEIN: IN 2005, WHEN "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH" CAME OUT, I REMEMBER THAT THE HOPE WAS WE COULD KEEP THE CARBON LOAD IN THE ATMOSPHERE TO 350 PARTS PER MILLION, AND THE FEAR WAS WE WOULD HIT 400PPM. NOW WE'VE HIT 400PPM AND PEOPLE ARE HOPING TO AVOID 450PPM. THIS SEEMS TO BE GETTING OUT OF HAND, AND FAST.AL GORE: WE HAVE ALREADY CROSSED THE 400 PARTS PER MILLION MARK. WE CROSSED IT EARLIER THIS YEAR. THE QUESTION NOW IS HOW HIGH IT WILL GO BEFORE WE BEGIN BENDING THE CURVE. BUT IN SPITE OF THE CONTINUED RELEASED OF 90 MILLION TONS OF GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION EVERY DAY INTO THE ATMOSPHERE, AS IF IT'S AN OPEN SEWER, WE ARE NOW SEEING THE APPROACH OF A GLOBAL POLITICAL TIPPING POINT.THE APPEARANCE OF MORE EXTREME AND MORE FREQUENT WEATHER EVENTS HAS HAD A VERY PROFOUND IMPACT ON PUBLIC OPINION IN COUNTRIES THROUGHOUT THE WORLD. YOU MENTIONED MY MOVIE BACK IN THE DAY. THE SINGLE MOST COMMON CRITICISM FROM SKEPTICS WHEN THE FILM CAME OUT FOCUSED ON THE ANIMATION SHOWING OCEAN WATER FLOWING INTO THE WORLD TRADE CENTER MEMORIAL SITE. SKEPTICS CALLED THAT DEMAGOGIC AND ABSURD AND IRRESPONSIBLE. IT HAPPENED LAST OCTOBER 29TH, YEARS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE, AND THE IMPACT OF THAT AND MANY, MANY OTHER SIMILAR EVENTS HERE AND AROUND THE WORLD HAS REALLY BEGUN TO CREATE A PROFOUND SHIFT.A SECOND FACTOR IS THE SHARP AND UNEXPECTEDLY STEEP DECREASE IN PRICES FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCED FROM WIND AND SOLAR AND THE DEMAND DESTRUCTION FOR FOSSIL FUEL ENERGY FROM NEW EFFICIENCY IMPROVEMENTS. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN 32 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND 33 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT SEEMS LARGER THAN JUST ONE DEGREE. IT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WATER AND ICE. AND BY ANALOGY THERE'S A SIMILAR DIFFERENCE BETWEEN RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY THAT'S MORE EXPENSIVE THAN ELECTRICITY FROM COAL AND RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY THAT'S LESS EXPENSIVE. AND IN QUITE A FEW COUNTRIES IN THE WORLD AND SOME PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES WE'VE CROSSED THAT THRESHOLD AND IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS WE'RE GOING TO SEE THAT CROSSED IN NATIONS AND REGIONS CONTAINING MOST OF THE WORLD'S POPULATION.ANOTHER WAY TO THINK ABOUT THIS IS THAT BACK WHEN MOBILE TELEPHONES FIRST APPEARED, THE MARKET PROJECTIONS FOR HOW QUICKLY THEY WOULD INCREASE MARKET SHARE TURNED OUT TO BE NOT JUST WRONG BUT WAY WRONG. THIS IS A POINT MADE BY DAVE ROBERTS AT GRIST, BUT THE PROJECTIONS MADE 5-10 YEARS AGO FOR THE INSTALLATION OF SOLAR AND WIND TECHNOLOGIES WERE, SIMILARLY, NOT JUST WRONG BUT WAY WRONG. WE'VE SEEN A DRAMATIC INCREASE THAT'S FAR MORE RAPID THAN ANYBODY PROJECTED AND IT'S ACCELERATING - NOT JUST IN THE UNITED STATES BUT EVEN MORE RAPIDLY IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES.EK: DO THE POLICY FAILURES OF THE LAST DECADE PUT MORE PRESSURE ON TECHNOLOGICAL ADVANCES TO BE THE SOURCE OF THE SOLUTION?AG: NO, I SEEM THEM AS INTERTWINED. TO SOME EXTENT, THE FAILURE OF POLICY AT COPENHAGEN AND BEFORE THAT IN WASHINGTON HAS PUT MORE EMPHASIS ON THE HOPEFUL DEVELOPMENTS IN TECHNOLOGY, BUT AS THE CONVERSATION IS WON ON GLOBAL WARMING - AND IT'S NOT WON YET BUT IT'S VERY NEARLY WON - THE POSSIBILITIES FOR POLICY CHANGES ONCE AGAIN OPEN UP.WE ARE SEEING DRAMATIC PROGRESS TOWARDS NEW POLICIES IN CHINA, KOREA, IRELAND. WE'VE SEEN A COAL TAX IN INDIA. WE'VE SEEN CHANGES IN AUSTRALIA, THE LARGEST COAL PRODUCING NATION. WE'VE SEEN MEXICO TAKE A LEADERSHIP POSITION. WE'VE SEEN ACTION IN CALIFORNIA AND OTHER STATES. AND SOME 17 OTHER COUNTRIES ARE IN VARIOUS STAGES OF ADOPTING EITHER A CAP AND TRADE OR CARBON TAX OR BOTH. IF CHINA FOLLOWS THROUGH IN ITS STATED INTENTION TO MOVE ITS CAP-AND-TRADE PILOT PROGRAM INTO A NATIONWIDE PROGRAM IN TWO YEARS, THEN WE'LL SEE A NEW CENTER OF GRAVITY IN THE GLOBAL ENERGY MARKETPLACE THAT WILL ACCELERATE THE SHIFT TOWARDS A MARKET-BASED SET OF POLICIES THAT WILL SPEED UP THE PHASE-OUT OF COAL-BASED ELECTRICITY.EK: LET ME PUSH BACK ON YOUR OPTIMISM HERE. TO AGAIN USE "AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH" AS A TIME MARKER, WHEN THAT CAME OUT, REPUBLICANS IN THE SENATE WERE STILL INTRODUCING BILLS TO FIGHT CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH POLICIES LIKE CAP-AND-TRADE OR CAP-AND-DIVIDEND. IN 2008, THERE WAS A CAP-AND-TRADE PLAN IN THE MCCAIN/PALIN PLATFORM. IN 2009, WAXMAN-MARKEY PASSED THE HOUSE. BUT SINCE THEN, REPUBLICAN OPPOSITION HAS SOLIDIFIED, AND CAP-AND-TRADE AND CARBON TAX IDEAS SEEM COMPLETELY OFF-THE-TABLE IN AMERICAN POLITICS.AG: WELL, IT'S NOT UNUSUAL TO FIND BIG POLITICAL SHIFTS THAT TAKE PLACE BENEATH THE SURFACE BEFORE THEY'RE VISIBLE ABOVE THE SURFACE. A LOT OF REPUBLICANS HAVE SHARED WITH ME PRIVATELY THEIR GROWING DISCOMFORT WITH THE STATEMENTS OF SOME OF THE DENIERS IN THEIR RANKS. EVEN THOUGH THEY'RE NOT YET WILLING TO COME BACK TO ADVOCATE CONSTRUCTIVE POLICIES, THERE IS DEFINITELY MOVEMENT. YOU HAVE NOW THE FORMATION OF THE FIRST ORGANIZED CAUCUS IN THE SENATE, WITH SEN. SHELDON WHITEHOUSE JOINING WITH OTHERS IN A HARD-HITTING EFFORT.BUT YOU SEE IT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL A BIT MORE THAN AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL. YOU SEE THESE STATE INITIATIVES AND LAWS. AND YOU SEE MAYBE THE BIGGEST SHIFT OF ALL IN THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY. I THINK THAT IN ORDER TO BE COMPETITIVE INTERNATIONALLY WE'LL HAVE TO MAKE THE SHIFT TOWARDS A PRICE ON CARBON. PEOPLE ARE INCREASINGLY AWARE THAT WE'RE ALREADY PAYING THE COSTS OF CARBON AND SO IT MAKES SENSE TO PUT A PRICE ON IT.EK: BUT TO PLAY THE PESSIMIST AGAIN, WOULDN'T CARBON PRICES IN OTHER COUNTRIES GIVE US A COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE THE LONGER WE RESIST THEM AT HOME? IT SEEMS THAT IF INDIA IS TAXING FOSSIL FUELS AND WE'RE NOT, THAT'S A SLIGHT EDGE FOR US. IT'S EASY TO IMAGINE IT BECOMING A KIND OF PROTECTIONIST, SAVE-OUR-MANUFACTURING-SECTOR ISSUE.AG: IT'S CERTAINLY SOMETHING THAT CAN'T BE DISMISSED OUT OF HAND. BUT REMEMBER THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION RULES EXPLICITLY ALLOW THE RECAPTURE OF CARBON TAXES AT THE BORDER, MUCH IN THE MANNER OF A VALUE-ADDED TAX. THE U.S. IS IN DANGER IF IT DID NOT CHANGE OF BEING SUBJECTED TO THOSE RECAPTURE PROVISIONS. AND AS THE COST CURVE FOR RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY CONTINUES PLUNGING, THE LOW-COST ELECTRICITY IN THE FUTURE WILL BE RENEWABLES. AT APPLE, FOR EXAMPLE, 100 PERCENT OF ITS SERVER FARMS AND HEADQUARTERS ARE ON RENEWABLES, AND THEY'RE ON THE WAY TO 100 PERCENT FOR THE COMPANY. GOOGLE IS GOING DOWN THE SAME ROAD. THE PRESSURE IS ONLY GOING TO BUILD AS THE PRICE OF RENEWABLE ELECTRICITY CONTINUES TO FALL.THAT'S EVEN MORE TRUE AS THE CONSEQUENCES TO SOCIETY AND TO THE FUTURE OF HUMAN CIVILIZATION BECOME EVER MORE APPARENT TO PEOPLE. ONCE QUESTIONS ARE RESOLVED INTO A CHOICE BETWEEN RIGHT AND WRONG, THEN THE LAWS CHANGE. IT HAPPENED WITH CIVIL RIGHTS. IT'S HAPPENING NOW WITH GAY RIGHTS. IT HAPPENED WITH APARTHEID AND, IN AN EARLIER ERA, WITH ABOLITION. AND THIS IS NOW BEING RESOLVED INTO A QUESTION OF RIGHT AND WRONG.EK: WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE OBAMA ADMINISTRATION'S INTENTIONS TO PUSH REGULATORY APPROACHES TO LIMITING CARBON EMISSIONS?AG: I'M VERY ENCOURAGED. I THOUGHT THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH ON CLIMATE WAS TERRIFIC AND IT FOLLOWED THE INSPIRING COMMENTS IN HIS INAUGURAL ADDRESS AND HIS POST-ELECTION STATE OF THE UNION. AND REMEMBER THE IMPACT OF POLICY DIRECTION ON BUSINESS CALCULATIONS IS FORWARD-LOOKING. WHEN BUSINESS BEGINS TO UNDERSTAND THE DIRECTION OF POLICY, THEY HAVE TO START ADJUSTING TO WHERE THE POLICY IS GOING. WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE EPA PROCESS, IT'S UNDENIABLY CLEAR THAT THERE WILL BE A PRICE ON CARBON ONE WAY OR THE OTHER. THEN WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE MOVEMENT IN OTHER COUNTRIES AND THE STATES AND LOCAL MEASURES BEING ENACTED, THE DIRECTION IS NOW QUITE CLEAR AND BUSINESSES ARE MAKING PLANS TO ADJUST TO IT.EK: YOU'VE MOVED FROM THE WORLD OF POLITICS TO THE WORLD OF TECHNOLOGY. HOW HAS THAT CHANGED YOUR VIEW OF HOW MUCH TECHNOLOGY CAN DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM, AND IN PARTICULAR, HAS IT CHANGED YOUR VIEW ON VARIOUS GEOENGINEERING SCHEMES?AG: LET ME DEAL WITH THE GEOENGINEERING PART OF YOUR QUESTION FIRST. THAT'S COMPLEX BECAUSE THERE ARE SOME BENIGN GEOENGINEERING PROPOSALS LIKE WHITE ROOFS OR EFFORTS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO EXTRACT CO2 FROM THE ATMOSPHERE, THOUGH NO ONE HAS FIGURED OUT HOW TO DO THAT YET. BUT THE GEOENGINEERING OPTIONS MOST OFTEN DISCUSSED, LIKE PUTTING SULFUR DIOXIDE INTO THE ATMOSPHERE OR ORBITING TINFOIL STRIPS - THESE ARE SIMPLY NUTS. WE SHOULDN'T WASTE A LOT OF TIME TALKING ABOUT THEM. SOME PEOPLE WILL ANYWAY, BUT THEY'RE JUST CRAZY.TO THE BROADER PART OF YOUR QUESTION, INNOVATION IS ALREADY PLAYING A MAJOR ROLE IN BRINGING ABOUT NEW POTENTIAL SOLUTIONS TO THE CLIMATE CRISIS. THE TECH WORLD HAD A BITTER EXPERIENCE AFTER THE BURST OF ENTHUSIASM IN 2005 AND 2006 BECAUSE OF A PERFECT STORM MADE UP OF FOUR ELEMENTS: FIRST, THE GREAT RECESSION, WHICH HAD A HUGE, DESTRUCTIVE IMPACT ON BUSINESS GENERALLY. NUMBER TWO, THE CHINESE JUGGERNAUT, WHICH SUBSIDIZED THE PRODUCTION OF SEVERAL PROMINENT RENEWABLE ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES TO THE POINT WHERE THEIR SALES PRICE FELL BELOW THE PRICE OF PRODUCTION IN THE WEST. THIRD, THE SHALE GAS BOOM DROPPED THE RETAIL PRICE OF ELECTRICITY TO LEVELS BELOW WHAT MANY RENEWABLE ENERGY PLANS NEEDED TO BE VIABLE. AND FOURTH THERE WAS THE POLICY FAILURE I MENTIONED EARLIER IN THE U.S. SENATE AND COPENHAGEN. AND ALL THE WHILE THERE WAS THIS MASSIVELY FUNDED CLIMATE DENIER CAMPAIGN BY THE KOCH BROTHERS AND EXXON-MOBILE AND OTHERS THAT HIRED TOBACCO INDUSTRY VETERANS TO WORK WITH THEM ON CONSUMER ADVERTISING AND LOBBYING ACTIVITIES.BUT THAT SETBACK WAS ONLY TEMPORARY BECAUSE REALITY HAS A WAY OF REASSERTING ITSELF. THERE HAS BEEN A 100-FOLD INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF EXTREME, HIGH-TEMPERATURE EVENTS AROUND THE WORLD IN THE DISTRIBUTION CURVE. AND PEOPLE HAVE NOTICED FOR THEMSELVES - THE RAIN STORMS ARE BIGGER, THE DROUGHTS ARE DEEPER AND THE FIRES ARE MORE DESTRUCTIVE. ALL OF THESE THINGS HAVE NOT ESCAPED NOTICE AND PEOPLE ARE CONNECTING THE DOTS. THE CUMULATIVE AMOUNT OF ENERGY TRAPPED BY MANMADE GLOBAL WARMING POLLUTION EACH DAY IN THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE IS NOW EQUAL TO THE ENERGY THAT WOULD BE RELEASED BY 400,000 HIROSHIMA BOMBS GOING OFF EVERY 24 HOURS. IT'S A BIG PLANET, BUT THAT'S A LOT OF ENERGY.THE CONSEQUENCES ARE NOW HARD TO ESCAPE. EVERY NIGHT ON THE NEWS, IT'S LIKE A NATURE HIKE THROUGH THE BOOK OF REVELATIONS. ELEVEN STATES TODAY ARE FIGHTING 35 MAJOR FIRES! PEOPLE ARE NOTICING THIS. AND SIMULTANEOUSLY THEY'RE NOTICING THE SHARP DROP IN THE COST OF CARBON-FREE, GREENHOUSE GAS-FREE ENERGY, AND THE COMBINATION IS PUSHING US OVER THIS POLITICAL TIPPING POINT AND THE TREND IS UNSTOPPABLE.EK: WHAT'S YOUR RESPONSE TO PEOPLE WHO SAY THOSE EVENTS SIMPLY CAN'T BE CONFIDENTLY CONNECTED TO GLOBAL WARMING?AG: THE LEADING SCIENTISTS HAVE IN THE LAST TWO YEARS CHANGED THE WAY THEY DISCUSS THAT PARTICULAR CONNECTION. IT'S TRUE THAT IT USED TO BE COMMON FOR THEM TO SAY YOU CAN'T BLAME ANY SINGLE EXTREME WEATHER EVENT ON GLOBAL WARMING. WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY IS THE ODDS HAVE SHIFTED AND THOSE EVENTS ARE BECOMING MORE COMMON AND EXTREME. THEY'VE NOW CHANGED THEIR DESCRIPTION OF THAT CONNECTION. THE TEMPERATURE HAS INCREASED GLOBALLY AND THERE'S NOW 4 PERCENT MORE WATER VAPOR IN THE EARTH'S ATMOSPHERE THAN 30 YEARS AGO. AS A RESULT, EVERY EXTREME WEATHER EVENT NOW HAS A COMPONENT OF GLOBAL WARMING IN IT.IF YOU LOOK AT SUPERSTORM SANDY ON OCTOBER 29TH, THE OCEAN WATER EAST OF NEW JERSEY WAS NINE DEGREES FAHRENHEIT ABOVE AVERAGE. THAT'S WHAT PUT SO MUCH MORE ENERGY INTO THAT STORM. THAT'S WHAT PUT SO MUCH MORE WATER VAPOR INTO THAT STORM. WOULD THERE BE A STORM ANYWAY? MAYBE SO. WOULD THERE BE HURRICANES AND FLOODS AND DROUGHTS WITHOUT MAN-MADE GLOBAL WARMING? OF COURSE. BUT THEY'RE STRONGER NOW. THE EXTREME EVENTS ARE MORE EXTREME. THE HURRICANE SCALE USED TO BE 1-5 AND NOW THEY'RE ADDING A 6. THE FINGERPRINT OF MAN-MADE GLOBAL WARMING IS ALL OVER THESE STORMS AND EXTREME WEATHER EVENTS.EK: GIVE ME THE OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO ON WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. IF ALL GOES WELL, WHAT DO THE NEXT FEW YEARS LOOK LIKE ON THIS ISSUE? AG: WELL, I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF IT IS WINNING THE CONVERSATION. I REMEMBER AS A BOY WHEN THE CONVERSATION ON CIVIL RIGHTS WAS WON IN THE SOUTH. I REMEMBER A TIME WHEN ONE OF MY FRIENDS MADE A RACIST JOKE AND ANOTHER SAID, HEY MAN, WE DON'T GO FOR THAT ANYMORE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON APARTHEID. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ON THE NUCLEAR ARMS RACE WITH THE FREEZE MOVEMENT. THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN AN EARLIER ERA WITH ABOLITION. A FEW MONTHS AGO, I SAW AN ARTICLE ABOUT TWO GAY MEN STANDING IN LINE FOR PIZZA AND SOME HOMOPHOBE MADE AN UGLY COMMENT ABOUT THEM HOLDING HANDS AND EVERYONE ELSE IN LINE TOLD THEM TO SHUT UP. WE'RE WINNING THAT CONVERSATION.THE CONVERSATION ON GLOBAL WARMING HAS BEEN STALLED BECAUSE A SHRINKING GROUP OF DENIALISTS FLY INTO A RAGE WHEN IT'S MENTIONED. IT'S LIKE A FAMILY WITH AN ALCOHOLIC FATHER WHO FLIES INTO A RAGE EVERY TIME A SUBJECT IS MENTIONED AND SO EVERYBODY AVOIDS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM TO KEEP THE PEACE. BUT THE POLITICAL CLIMATE IS CHANGING. SOMETHING LIKE CHRIS HAYES'S EXCELLENT DOCUMENTARY ON CLIMATE CHANGE WOULDN'T HAVE MADE IT ON TV A FEW YEARS AGO. AND AS I SAID, MANY REPUBLICANS WHO'RE STILL TIMID ON THE ISSUE ARE NOW OPENLY EMBARRASSED ABOUT THE EXTREME DENIERS. THE DENIERS ARE BEING HIT POLITICALLY. THEY'RE BEING SUBJECTED TO RIDICULE, WHICH STINGS. THE POLLING IS GOING BACK UP IN FAVOR OF DOING SOMETHING ON THIS ISSUE. THE ABILITY OF THE RAGING DENIERS TO STOP PROGRESS IS WANING EVERY SINGLE DAY.WHEN THAT CONVERSATION IS WON, YOU'LL SEE MORE MEASURES AT THE LOCAL AND STATE LEVEL AND LESS RESISTANCE TO WHAT THE EPA IS DOING. AND SLOWLY IT WILL BECOME POPULAR TO PROPOSE STEPS THAT GO FURTHER AND POLITICIANS THAT TAKE THE BIT IN THEIR TEETH GET REWARDED. I REMEMBER WHEN THE TIDE TURNED ON SMOKING IN PUBLIC PLACES. PEOPLE THOUGHT THE LATE FRANK LAUTENBURG WAS CRAZY FOR PROPOSING A BAN ON SMOKING IN AIRPLANES, BUT HE WAS REWARDED POLITICALLY AND THEN POLITICIANS BEGAN FALLING ALL OVER THEMSELVES TO DO THE SAME. THAT'S THE OPTIMISTIC SCENARIO. AND IT'S NOT JUST A SCENARIO! IT'S HAPPENING NOW! MORE
was a tumultuous year for everyone mainly due to the volatile value of one commodity oil. The world is so heavily dependent on this a single commodity that any prolonged volatility of its price includes a staggering spin-off effect on just about every little thing else. Who could neglect when the cost of oil hit an all-time high of 147 per barrel sending shock waves to every other market? And speculation that it would probably hit 200 per barrel only served to exacerbate the predicament.
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The skyrocketing cost of oil final year triggered a domino impact around the rates of just about every thing else, from the price of transportation for the rates of essentials like utilities. Therefore numerous men and women have had to tighten their belts, reduce expenses and try and earn some additional income. That led numerous to reduce down expenses on their electrical energy bills by means of finding option power sources.
The excellent news is that it really is now feasible to make use of alternative power sources fairly cheaply. The two most sensible sources of renewable energy will be the sun and also the wind. You can turn your home into an option energy house that makes use of solar and wind energy to power your appliances and hence decrease your electrical energy charges.
With solar energy, the approach essentially involves utilizing solar cells to modify the power of sunlight into electricity whereas with wind power, you are going to use a wind rotor to create electrical energy by way of a motor. The electrical energy from both these sources is then channeled into a battery that stores it for later use. By means of a battery, you'd have a constant supply of electrical energy that is not dependent upon whether the sun is shining or the wind blowing. The batterys electricity is inside the kind of DC existing, so just before connecting to your house appliance, you will need an inverter to convert the DC existing into AC.
Solar cells might be purchased reasonably cheaply from places like eBay that sells factory seconds or blemished cells which are just as very good in producing electrical energy. The solar cells ought to be wired with each other in series in a solar panel like how batteries are arranged inside a flashlight. When exposed to sunlight, the semiconductor in the solar cells (like silicon) produces electricity. Then they may be connected to a battery as described above.
A lot of people supplement the electrical energy they produce from solar power with electrical energy that comes from wind energy. You are able to either buy or make your very own wind turbine blades and connect them to a motor to have electrical energy. After again, eBay can be a excellent source for each wind turbine blades and motors. Such a motor acts as a generator that produces electricity when the blades turn. This electricity can also be stored within a battery.
Many individuals (like myself) have reportedly slashed their monthly electrical energy bill by as much as 80% by way of the strategies talked about above. If we are able to do it, so can you.
VIVINT SOLAR, A LEADING PROVIDER OF RESIDENTIAL SOLAR SYSTEMS IN THE UNITED STATES ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT ITS SOLMETRIC TEAM WILL BE FULLY INTEGRATED INTO THE VIVINT SOLAR OPERATING STRUCTURE AND BE KNOWN AS VIVINT SOLAR LABS. THE NEW RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT TEAM WILL FOCUS ON PROPRIETARY PHOTOVOLTAIC INSTALLATION INSTRUMENTS AND SOFTWARE.
Having reached the end of the product lifecycle, the Solmetric SunEye 210 and its line of products - including PV Designer, Solmetric Shade Training and the SunEye Extension Platform - will no longer be available. PV Analyzer will continue to be available.
"We are pleased with the integration of the Solmetric team of engineers and staff into Vivint Solar Labs," said Greg Butterfield, CEO of Vivint Solar. "We look forward to further development of advanced photovoltaic installation technology that will significantly reduce our cost per watt and expedite solar installations for our customers."
Vivint Solar acquired Solmetric Corporation in January 2014. Vivint Solar is the second largest installer of solar energy systems to the U.S. residential market with approximately 16 percent market share in the third quarter of 2014, according to GTM Research. In 2014, the company established 23 new sales and installation offices to its 16 previously existing offices. The company plans to expand further in 2015.
Cellphone chargers have gone green because they use a minimal amount of energy. There are so many new solar technologies available in the electronic device industry. Smartphones use a fraction of the energy that older cellphones use. They are also more affordable today than they were when they first came out. Netbooks and tablets offer longer battery life than traditional laptops. Solar energy has found its way into the home improvement industry. You can buy solar lights to illuminate your home without costing you more for energy. These lights can also be decorative as well as improve your level of home security. Solar energy is being installed in homes throughout the country. Although the initial costs are high, you will not have a monthly energy bill once your system is paid off. There are also a variety of incentives from energy providers and government agencies that will offset these costs. Figure out how long it will take for you to see a return on your initial investment. Most homeowners pay off their solar systems within a few years and reap the benefits early. You can finance your solar panels and have them paid off within five years. A green home is a home that doesn't rely on electricity for power.You thought this was good? Brace yourself: Nivea: Solar Ad Charger
In insistence you missed it.....HOW THE Totally USES Verdant LAW TO Kill AMERICAN JOBSNo, that was not the perception of the existing New York Grow old article about the Indicate Loop offshore wind project. But it have to hold been. Yarn Op Ed January 25, 2014 - 1:00pm U.S. lacks a corpulent, tranquil offshore wind industry."Tidy GROUPS USE Verdant Legal action TO Kill AMERICAN JOBS. "By Lew Milford, Person in command of Out-and-out Supremacy Have fun.No, that was not the perception of the existing "New York Grow old" article about the Indicate Loop offshore wind project. But it have to hold been.The article lifelike the meager story of how a saloon contractor, Flock Basin, unhappy out on a big welding job for the Indicate Loop project to European offshore contractors.Why? Like the European bids were cheaper.And why is that? Like the U.S. lacks a corpulent and tranquil offshore wind industry. It has not had the path to build up to scale to pursuit in opposition to the Europeans who hold been building projects for two decades.But why is that? That is where the glasses case in opposition to the Indicate Loop project have to hold a played a haughty part in the story.Matter DON'T GO In good health By KOCHFor the last decade, Take effect Koch, the prominent billionaire, has funded glasses case to ruin the Indicate Loop project, what he doesn't requirement to see it from his Indicate Cod terrace. Whether he very desires to appear off renewable power what his plethora comes from fossil fuels is next to opposed to the trip.And what cook of glasses case strategies is the narrow-minded Mr. Koch pursuing? In particular the cook of lawful strategies that the narrow-minded actual complains about the same as environmentalists use them to shield the environment.In Koch's topical unsuccessful obstacle to use new law to ambush the project, the central appeals mall in Washington rejected his attempts to sue the FAA, which via the project would not be inquisitive with depot radar. The insistence relied in part on using NEPA, the nation's elemental new swift law, to try to upset the central approval.Offer is a connection here between the pour blood of American jobs and the conservatives' use of new glasses case to meaning eagerly private, not native, interests.While IF...If the Indicate Loop offshore wind project had not been said up for a decade by squandered glasses case, pompous companies nearing Flock Basin would hold had a travel to dawn service, easiness costs, and pursuit in opposition to their European counterparts for Indicate Loop and other offshore wind projects. Offer constrain be an budding offshore wind industry with ruthless U.S. suppliers exultant bids reasonably than gulp down them.The everlasting glasses case is not the barely justification for that failure, but it has to pinch a few of the rebuke.So the future stop get down on the actual falsely decries environmentalists for slaughter American jobs upfront lawsuits, ask them to tolerate why their links in Massachusetts are feign the incredibly bee in your bonnet.This article is reprinted with the author's entrance. It very appeared in the Huffington Ship's mast.""Out-and-out Supremacy Have fun is a improve on nonprofit advocacy organization vigorous in the U.S. and internationally on sophisticated clean energy technology, finance, and policy programs.""Founded in 1998, CEG is headquartered in Montpelier, Vermont, with position based in Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia. In 2002, CEG formed and now manages a part, countrywide nonprofit fusion of state-based, U.S. native clean energy funds- Out-and-out Supremacy States Union. CEG has sooner than serverd as the Secretariat for the UNEP Sustainable Supremacy Savings account Union, the barely convening stem in the sophisticated system for native finance agencies in the clean energy sector.""Out-and-out Supremacy Have fun is supported by elemental foundations, as kindly as state, central and sophisticated energy agencies." Connected Content: Aggression Indicate Loop 1 MILLION AT A TIMECOOL Prepare OR HOT AIR: THE Store FOR Indicate WINDEVERYTHING YOU Inevitability TO Experience Present Take effect KOCH...KOCH, MURDOCH, ON 10 Best BILLIONAIRES Agenda HTTP://WWW.CAPECODTODAY.COM/ARTICLE/2014/01/25/23750-HOW-RIGHT-USES-ENVIRONMENTAL-LAW-KILL-AMERICAN-JOBS
"- by Terry Maxon, December 31, 2014, Dallas Morning News" Southwest Airlines announced Wednesday that it plans to buy some biofuels made from waste wood, for use in its San Francisco Bay airports beginning in two years. To use Southwest's phrasing, it is purchasing "low carbon renewable jet fuel, made using forest residues that will help reduce the risk of destructive wildfires in the Western United States." It has agreed to buy about 3 million gallons a year from Red Rocks Biofuels, a Fort Collins, Colorado, that focused on recycling that foresty stuff. That won't provide much of Southwest's needs. he Dallas carrier in 2013 bought 1,818 million gallons, so 3 million gallons would represent 0.2 percent of its needs or about 60 percent of an average day's usage. But it might make a noticeable portion of the fuel needs at Southwest's Bay airports - San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose - where the fuel will be delivered beginning in 2016. "Our commitment to sustainability and efficient operations led us on a search for a viable biofuel that uses a sustainable feedstock with a high rate of success," said Bill Tiffany, Southwest's vice president of supply chain. "Red Rock Biofuel's technology, economics and approved use made entering into an agreement for purchase a win-win situation," he said. "From the outset, we have sought to build the best possible team of project partners," Red Rock CEO Terry Kulesa said. "A conversation we started with Southwest on the premise of providing renewable jet fuel at cost parity with conventional jet fuel has evolved into a great partnership. "We're happy to help Southwest diversify its fuel supply,"Kulesa said. According to the announcement, "RRB's first plant will convert approximately 140,000 dry tons of woody biomass feedstock into at least 12 million gallons per year of renewable jet, diesel, and naphtha fuels." How can you turn humus, plant duff and twigs into fuel to fly a commercial airplane? Here's Red Rock's explanation from its website: "RRB's technology platform converts woody biomass to jet, diesel, and naphtha fuels. Our process begins with the gasification of woody biomass to produce synthesis gas. "This synthesis gas is cleaned and sent to a Fischer-Tropsch unit where it is converted to liquid hydrocarbons. "Hydroprocessing refines the liquid hydrocarbons to produce jet, diesel and naptha fuels." Red Rock has received a 70 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to build a "biorefinery" at Lakeview, Oregon, near the intersection of California, Nevada and Oregon and close to Fremont National Forest. Tags: southwest airlinesBiomassbioenergybiofuelsbiofuelrenewable energybiodieselusda
Indiana Schools Install Wind Turbines With Help From NativeEnergyPROJECT POWERS SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND AND CUTS GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTIONPRESS RELEASEWednesday, September 5, 2012 - 10:00am(3BL Media) Burlington, VT - September 5, 2012 - "Native"Energy, a leading provider of carbon credits, is offering carbon offsets from a trio of wind turbines serving Indiana school districts. By harnessing a natural resource, this project powers school buildings, saves money and teachers' jobs, and provides hands-on renewable energy training for young people."Our customers enthusiastically support community wind projects," said Jeff Bernicke, "Native"Energy's president. "We now have 29 successful wind developments in our portfolio of carbon projects."The Northwestern (Kokomo), West Central (Francesville), and North Newton (Morocco) School Corporations have each installed 900kW PowerWind turbines on their school campuses. Each district owns its turbine and will take advantage of the net metering incentive offered through the local electric utility company. The project is being developed by Performance Services of Indianapolis."Every dollar we save on energy costs and earn from carbon offsets is a dollar we can spend in the classroom," said Harold Seamon, Northwestern assistant superintendent.Each turbine is projected to produce 2,400 megawatt hours annually. They are expected to save school corporations millions of dollars over the 20+ year life of the turbines, helping the districts retain critical programs at a time when school budgets are dwindling. While the savings are significant over time, the initial cost for each turbine was prohibitive. "Native"Energy's Help BuildTM approach, which provides early funding for carbon credits, was essential in making the economics of the project workable.Previously, "Native"Energy's Help BuildTM model was used to enable the development of the Wray, Colorado, school district turbine in 2006 and the City of Union City and Randolph Eastern School Corporation turbines in Indiana in 2011. The Union City project was also developed by Performance Services.Speaking of the partnership, Tony Kuykendall of Performance Services said, "School wind projects offer a constellation of benefits- lower cost to schools, clean energy, real-world educational opportunities. At Performance Systems, we're proud of our record in advancing community projects, and we're glad we've found a partner in "Native"Energy who can help us succeed more quickly in more towns."The rewards to the schools and communities are not just financial. K-12 renewable energy curriculum-which integrates live and historical data from the turbines-will be offered at every school. In addition, Northwestern is discussing the offering of dual credit classes in conjunction with Indiana University at Kokomo and Ivy Tech Community College. At North Newton, credit from the high school's renewable energy coursework will be earned through Purdue University and transferable to any state university in Indiana. Credit will also be available at West Central. "This is the first wind turbine in our county. The community is very excited about it," said Chuck Mellon, West Central superintendent, with a chuckle. "If the turbines aren't turning on a certain day, I hear about it!"SOURCE: 3BL MEDIA (HTTP://3BLMEDIA.COM/THECSRFEED/INDIANA-SCHOOLS-INSTALL-WIND-TURBINES-HELP-NATIVEENERGY)
Some people like to suggest that it's impossible for individuals to make a difference, when it comes to protecting the environment. They like to argue that it's up to governments and corporations to make the real decisions.Frankly, I've always found this argument to be a little too convenient. It's a great way of passing the buck and ignoring our own responsibilities. It's certainly true that governments, businesses and other organisations do have the potential to make a significant impact in many areas. They can certainly help us all to deal with climate change.But every individual and every household possesses the ability to reduce the reliance on fossil fuels that is causing so much harm. Before this starts to sound like something of a lecture, I should also point out that I believe that there are significant financial benefits associated with tackling this problem.In other words, I believe that it's possible to do something that's good for the environment and also good for family finances.REDUCING THE RELIANCE ON FOSSIL FUELSYou may not be able to control the fuels that are being burned at your nearest power station, but you certainly are in a position to use less of them. In fact, you may be able to put yourself in a position where you become a net contributor to the country's energy needs.There are a variety of ways for achieving this, including making use of renewable energy systems. Solar panels, biomass boilers and air source heat pumps might all be part of the solution for your home.Some governments even offer financial incentives for installing such systems, as detailed by websites like MrRenewables.co.uk. By making use of such incentives, you may find that you can use less energy and also generate an additional income.LOSING LESS HEATAs things stand, it's likely that you are paying for heat and light that is actually being wasted. In effect, that means that you are wasting money, as well as energy.It's likely that a considerable amount of heat is being lost via windows, doors, walls and ceilings within your home. Fortunately, there are a number of cost-effective home improvements that you could consider.From cavity wall insulation to the use of modern double glazing, you'll discover that such improvements can reduce heat loss. Indeed, double glazing may also reduce levels of noise disturbance.I'm fond of this idea of making improvements that are good for the wider environment, but that also make sense in other areas. If that means ending up with a home that looks better, or that simply costs you less money to heat and maintain, then it seems to me that this can only be a good thing.Before leaping to the conclusion that there is nothing that you can do to protect the planet from climate change, think about whether you have really investigated your options in full. It's likely that there are more possibilities than you imagine.AUTHOR BIOKeith Barrett believes that we can all do a little more to protect the environment. He writes about green issues, as well as a range of other subjects.
Whenever the estimate of gas rises, North Americans gain to connect about thug less. Behind oil estimate trends manipulate seen a distinctive reduction in SUV sales and manipulate hit the large van manufacturers firm. Chief characterize America has been hit hardest by the rising proposed law of living; condescending levy and mortgages, car costs and the rising estimate of home and vehicle energy. Fantastic uptown homes need large amounts of heat, electricity (for elucidation) and air conditioning. Greatest extent households manipulate two or director full-sized cars which are used to supervisor far distances for education and employment. All of these factors contribute to the plunge in middle-class incomes and free part. Greatest extent North Americans confidence two vehicles to society and draw on a tough vending of their part in faction. People upgrade home after a fancy day's society absolutely exhausted from the time when of the overspill supervisor part. On weekends and evenings uniform director part is left commuting as family tree confidence about implementation household tasks and shopping for purchaser products (commonly bent from petroleum). The purchaser the people is creating mass fatigue and heaviness due to our pipe dream to hint the exhaust levels of our Neighbours. Greatest extent households need two large incomes in establish to sustain a typical middle-class routine. All of this is prepared achievable by rubbishy energy. Fringes, large homes, electronics, far-off foods and grocery market cuffs, supervisor and hobbies are all prepared achievable by stingy resource necessities. For example not an iota is strong-willed how fancy these resources ghoul okay us to sustain our way of features, it is fact that North Americans (Canada and the USA) management violently 35% of the world's energy resources, though we lonesome cart about 5% percent of the world's community. The grave disperse of this energy interruption is that many ecological nations are energetic miserably to hint our exhaust levels and be a lodger within walking distance purchaser lifestyles. It is lonesome advantage that other nations would craving access to the awfully types of homes, education, cars, vigor and fertility consumables that we take pleasure in. The snag is that this type of corporation exhaust is not achievable. It would take director than six planets with the awfully resource necessities as earth in establish to sustain a corporation uptown routine. Entreat for fertility purchaser items is at once flourishing in countries such as Brazil, Breakables, India and Russia. If the corporation fascinate for energy to fuel industry, homes and transportation continues to intensification at cloud levels, world oil capital and energy resources ghoul no longer be able to hint fascinate. A long time ago this exceed (which many should think we are sooner than experiencing) occurs there ghoul be an unchangeable economic slowdown derived in a downward spiral and credibly uniform a globally economic dwindling. As nations run for election to hint rising energy needs, we ghoul geographical see a intensification in resource related disputes and uniform an very good in soldierly conflicts. SOLUTIONSNorth Americans need a new energy strategy, one that focuses on energy efficiency and preservation. It has been well-known far away cheaper to invest in energy efficiency plans than to build director energy generating services such as power plants. Homeowners are far away leg up off re-fitting their homes than purchasing a cut above heating, cooling or energy production technologies. Perpetuation and efficiency practices can be as sour as amplified casing ethics, replacing light bulbs and appliances, or lowering exhaust levels. Undeniable Luscious Verve Neatness FACTS: * Fuel-efficient cars ghoul cut fuel, finance and operating costs though plummeting wicked lush emissions. * Quarters heating and cooling costs can be cut in two by ensuring straightforward home sealing and casing. * Switching to treaty fluorescent light bulbs reduces energy exhaust levels by 80%. * Replacing old appliances such as refrigerators and washing machines can promote efficiency levels up to five become old. * Hose exhaust can be saving by not whole with the installation of low-flow film and faucet owing technologies. * On-demand water heaters can slacken off the proposed law of hot water by 50%. * Hot water costs can be second saving in the middle by installing a solar thermal water heater.
Below are excerpts from Renewable Energy News, a great resource for Clean Energy, available by email subscription:
UK LOW-CARBON CONTRACT WINNERS REVEALED: WIND SCORES, SOLAR DISAPPOINTS
"BY DAVID APPLEYARD, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR" February 27, 2015
The first round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) programme - the UK scheme that is designed to support low-carbon generation and a capacity margin in the energy sector - has concluded. Contracts were offered to 27 renewable e... Full Article
TO SHIFT MIDDLE EAST AWAY FROM NUCLEAR TRACK, U.S. SHOULD INVEST IN SOLAR PARTNERSHIPS
"BY THOMAS BUONOMO" March 3, 2015
The Middle East is on track toward a nuclear proliferation nightmare as Iranian officials have expressed their intent to vastly expand Iran's domestic nuclear enrichment capacity by the beginning of the next decade, Saudi Arabia i... Full Article
DEEPWATER GETS FINANCING FOR FIRST US OFFSHORE WIND FARM
"BY JUSTIN DOOM, BLOOMBERG" March 3, 2015
Deepwater Wind LLC received 290 million in financing that will allow it to begin building its Block Island offshore wind project in Rhode Island, the first one in the U.S. Full Article
NEW MEXICO UTILITY ADDING WIND, SOLAR AND GEOTHERMAL TO ITS POWER MIX
"BY BARRY CASSELL, CHIEF ANALYST, GENERATIONHUB" March 2, 2015
Renewable Energy offers its customers solutions for energy production from renewable resources such as wind, solar and biogas. With more than 18,000 installed wind turbines globally, GE Energy provides more than 25,000 megawatt installed capacity of clean and efficient energy. A comprehensive service program supports clients from project development to operation and maintenance, to solutions for network integration and the commercial exploitation of wind energy. In Germany, GE Wind Energy is represented by almost 2,000 wind turbines. The wind turbines are manufactured in Salzbergen, Lower Saxony - GE's European headquarters for renewable energy, where also the European Customer Service and Training Center is located.
POSTED POSITION TITLE:
Wind Commissioning Engineer - limited (f/m)
CAREER LEVEL: Experienced
FUNCTION:
EPC Project Management
FUNCTION SEGMENT: Project Operations
LOCATION:
Germany
U.S. STATE, CHINA OR CANADA PROVINCES:
CITY:
Salzbergen
POSTAL CODE:
48499
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE:
No
ROLE SUMMARY/PURPOSE:
In this role you will be part of GE Wind's Global Projects & Services organization. You will be responsible to perform commissioning and service activities on wind turbine generators (WTG) and its ancillary equipment (SCADA etc.) across the globe, with focus on the EMEA region. The role will be limited to 24 months.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
* Commission and service wind turbine equipment and ensure it works to its specification * Carry-out and perform trial-run operations and equipment test procedures * Troubleshoot and repair mechanical, electrical or system malfunctions * Perform, instruct and ensure safety within commissioning activities * Collaborate with installation/project/engineering and other functions * Make improvements to and offer advice about operational procedures * Support and facilitate on the job trainings (OJT) * Maintain and follow safety and quality procedures as required by company policy * Mentor and share knowledge within area of responsibility * Keep records, maintain documentation and report as required by company policy * Identify and maintain stock of critical assets, tools and spare parts * Communicate openly with client, vendors, and stakeholders * Maintain company vehicle with necessary tools and equipment to perform commissioning/service jobs * Ensure periodic maintenance and repairs are made to equipment/tooling and company vehicles
QUALIFICATIONS/REQUIREMENTS:
* Degree as qualified/certified electrical engineer/technician * Ability to work to tight deadlines whilst continuing to follow safety/quality guidelines * Competent in Health and Safety standards (EHS) * Ability to work as part of a team and/or on own initiative * Ability and confidence to work at height (includes physical fitness to climb) * Capable of working at remote sites in adverse weather conditions (heat, humidity, cold, wind, altitude) * Equipment: Operate both light and heavy equipment * Physical activities: Stand, walk, use hands to touch and feel, crawl, climb, floor sitting, manual lifting, kneel and/or exert force * Ability to communicate at all levels with various cultures * Ability and willingness to travel domestically and internationally as required (~90%) * Valid/clean driving license (EU class B) * English fluency, particularly with technical explanations * Unrestricted EU work permit
ADDITIONAL ELIGIBILITY QUALIFICATIONS:
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:
* Bachelor's degree/state certified engineering degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred * 2+ years' experience in similar role (wind commissioning, field service etc.) * Good knowledge of measurement-, control- and feedback control systems/ technology * Good knowledge of GE processes and tools (GE employees only) * Six Sigma Green Belt certification (GE employees only) * Good MS Power Point, Excel, Word skills and general PC skills * Self-starter, requires little direction
If you have any further requests, please contact Stefanie Wierich, Senior Recruiter, at Tel. + 49 5971
9801796.
We look forward to receiving your online application.
December 2012 - Ningbo Hauyou Real Estate Company Ltd, a member of the HuaXiang group of China, has committed 2.5 million to 3GSolar Photovoltaics Ltd. 3GSolar is developing unique technology to produce electricity using dye based photovoltaic cells. The HuaXiang Group is ranked among the largest 500 private companies in China. The group, with some 10,000 employees, operates in the automobile, auto parts and real estate industries. This is the first investment by the HuaXiang Group in Israel and their first investment in the area of Cleantech. Existing investors in 3GSolar are Solar Partnership which is a technology investment fund advised by Smedvig Capital, and the Israel Electric Company through its KARAT program. The president of HuaXiang, Mr. Zhou Mingfeng visited Israel accompanied by a number of dignitaries from the XiangShan province. The trip was organized with the assistance of GIE (Galilee Investment Ltd.), agents for this transaction. The guests visited the 3GSolar development lab and were briefed regarding its technology developments. They also visited the rooftop solar test station of the building where electrical appliances are operated by 3GSolar PV panels. Barry Breen, CEO of 3GSolar, stated that this investment is earmarked to promote continuation of the company's R&D activity in the area of printed solar cells, including both glass and plastic cells. These cells have clear advantages over other solar technologies for applications such as BIPV (building integrated photovoltaics) and for electronics used indoors where the need for batteries can be eliminated. 3GSolar is currently in discussions with industrial partners to develop, manufacture and market its innovative solar products. Dr. Jonathan Goldstein - Founder and President of 3GSolar: "The people at HuaXiang recognized that 3GSolar's technology constitutes a competitive and inexpensive alternative to the better-known silicon technology and possesses unique advantages such as: lower cost of energy, ability to maintain efficient energy production even in extreme weather, and the ability to produce energy in poor lighting situations such as shade and even indoors." ABOUT 3GSOLAR 3GSolar is the global leader in development of commercial-scale printed solar cells using dye solar cell technology ("DSC"). DSC replicates the natural process of photosynthesis to produce electricity. DSC cells produce up to 40% more electricity than photovoltaic cells based on silicon technology in a range of lighting conditions. The solar cells are simple to manufacture using a process with very low capital costs and minimal toxic materials. 3GSolar already developed the world's most efficient large printed DSC and demonstrated outdoor durability in a rooftop test station that is in operation for over two years. In addition to its commercial-size glass cells for power modules and for building integrated modules (BIPV), 3GSolar also has shown transfer of its technology to plastic foil. Company headquarters and R&D facilities are located in Jerusalem, Israel. 3GSolar's energy producing technology will be available in 2015.
BIOMASS Appraise - NOVEMBER 2014 The Keep up Logistics Clout has awarded a 20-year dig up to ReEnergy Black Channel, a 60 MW bioenergy facility in New York. The facility decision distribute close, renewable electricity to Fort Drum. According to ReEnergy Holding LLC, the dig up is the chief renewable energy project in the chronicle of the U.S. Navy. The facility, before enthusiastic at the outset by coal, was idled in infantile 2010 by its erstwhile manager. ReEnergy acquired the facility in December 2011 and invested spare than 34 million to convert it to biomass. The persuaded facility began operations in May 2013. ReEnergy Black Channel submitted a machinate to the Keep up Logistics Clout as constituent of a aggressive procurement process in be bounded by 2013. The U.S. Navy issued ReEnergy a take note of of imply to give to the buy acceptance in February. The facility was established to be born supplying 100 percent of Fort Drum's electrical mass as of Nov. 1. Fort Drum's electricity needs at this time blossoming at about 28 MW. A film put on record decision be built to without delay connect the plant to Fort Drum's substations. Until that project is cessation in mid-2015, ReEnergy decision keen for bilateral deliveries target an energy service company.
According to the U.S. Sincere Precautions Cut (EPA) geothermal systems are,"the utmost energy- efficient, environmentally clean, and lucrative liberty conditioning systems imminent at the present time." Insufferably large levels of efficiency are prone like a geothermal heat pump only uses electricity to move heat, not carry out it. A geothermal unit generally supplies four to five kilowatts of heat for the whole kilowatt of electricity used. Three to four of these kilowatts of heat go level from the earth itself, and are clean, free and renewable. Geothermal heat pumps furthermore final deserve of the inoffensive ground excitement for effectively large efficiency cooling. Top figure systems furthermore involve a hot water generator, which diverts a chunk of the impending heat to the domestic water heater. This provides a majestic chunk of a family's hot water wishes at a kindly low pay out. Largely, geothermal technology offers the main cooling and heating efficiencies of any system imminent at the present time. Geothermal systems move heat from your home to the earth in the cooling mode, or from the earth to your home in the heating mode. Pipe is used as the heat move intermediate before a impenetrable spiral piping system covert in the ground. By using this reliable thermal source, geothermal heat pumps standard energy efficient slacken off court approximately with a factory- tested and hermetically sealed packaged unit, short the need for a wild outdoor fan, or a flue. The immature advantages of geothermal systems put up with without an answer the eye of governmental agencies such as the Sincere Precautions Cut (EPA) and the Rift of Guide (DOE). To the same degree geothermal technology is lowest amount in CO2 emissions, it provides a solution to transnational warming by primarily using the natural energy of the earth. In January 2006 the U.S. National congregation discrete the token efficiency for air conditioners to 13 Mystic from the previous token reserve of 10 Mystic. Geothermal systems are up to twin the token sought-after efficiency! As efficiency ratings smear, functional payments hinder. Nonetheless, efficiency ratings lonely do not negotiate the "equal loll" since it comes to functional payments for homeowners. Foment type, home edifice, geographic armed and thermostat settings are just a variety of of the factors. Upper the days, geothermal systems put up with perfectly been the proceed in low functional payments. Presently, yet, fossil fuels (natural gas, fuel oil and propane) put up with begun budding at a noticeably progressive rate than electricity. The U.S. Rift of Guide predicts that electricity prices request story reliable exceptional the upcoming twenty days, allowing a variety of smear for inflation. Now is the bring about to point of view electric technologies equal geothermal heat pumps for heating, cooling and hot water wishes. Equal a large efficiency natural gas furnace with a large efficiency air conditioner is level almost twin the functional payments as a geothermal system. Back these comparisons are for new equipment (i.e. documented efficiencies = 13 Mystic efficiency for air conditioners and 80% AFUE efficiency for furnaces), comparisons to existing equipment spirit replaced by a geothermal system would be next to exceptional artificial. If the existing air conditioner is hoary, it may put up with an efficiency of between 8 and 10 Mystic. Great big furnaces may perhaps be as low as 65-70% efficient.
It is gravely major to genre in wind energy pros and cons so you can radiate up with a strategy for it's task.For instance of the customarily budding stress for perishable energy resources we as people could do with vent for alternatives. Garland power or energy is a never strict supply that can be created to generate electricity to rely on your wits with our budding needs and stress due to residents increases and other factors. Let's break wind energy pros and cons. Pros of Garland Dash It doesn't flue any harmful toxins or gases as work-related waste does' which is the most major benefit one can return in wind energy. This accordingly drive make it a elder and greener source of electric power. As it is the cheapest mode of energy right away not in, it is consistently used by associates such as dreadful farmers from nation state spaces, as wind energy is determinedly on the list of realistic types of alternative energy that is not in. Garland energy drive not intensify the purpose of any characteristic fuels or perishable sources of energy quadrangle the same as lush gas, coal or oil. This proves that it is an efficient green energy. Garland is an beyond measure resource, for that ponder power cuts and power deficiencies are close to non-existent in spaces that use wind power to develop electrical power. Via the use of overweight electric grids, director amounts of power are consistently generated, which therefore makes electricity unfilled to a overweight put out of households in the home. Cons of Garland Dash What struck by lightning or dog-eared by a rush, wind turbines can get partly disabled or completely wiped out. Garland energy can give out fix the electricity problems to a mechanical knock down, but it won't crack it immediately. Quieten even if wind energy is a good option for energy alternatives we stable need to investigate other means to assure our energy needs. The blades of the turbines sometimes can produce hazards for animals that accidently, and obviously not worldly wise what they are fly hip it. Garland energy drive incessantly be an ideal resource in creating alternative energy at least for people that up and about in areas that suppress exclusive intermediate wind. Regardless of the pros and cons of wind energy,it drive be a margin solution for our energy needs far hip the appearance and drive benefit our family tree and grandchildren importantly.
Not all alternative energy mutual funds are created equal. In a recent interview with the Wall
Street Journal, a reporter asked me which alternative energy mutual funds were the most focused on renewables, noting that many mutual funds hold non-energy related companies such as Apple, PepsiCo and Google. The answer to this question is not as straight forward as one might think. This article sorts out which mutual funds are truly invested in the dynamic and growing green energy sector, and which ones are more peripheral.
Greener Than Thou-Revealing How Much a Mutual Fund is Focused on Alternative Energy
Despite the desire of many investors to keep their portfolios clean of polluting investments, there is no perfectly pure alternative energy mutual fund. There is, however, a wide range of how focused the different green mutual funds are on alternative energy. Finding out which mutual funds have the highest concentration of alternative energy investments takes a multipronged approach.
First, the "Roen Financial Report" scrutinizes the prospectus of each fund to see if its principles align with alternative energy investment goals. Second, for each company that the mutual fund holds, the annual report and financial filings are thoroughly examined to determine exactly how much of a company's operations are related to the various green sectors that the Roen
Financial Report covers - energy
efficiency, environmental*, fuel
alternatives, smart
grid, solar and wind.
Sometimes it is easy to tell whether a mutual fund holds stocks that are in one or more of the alternative energy sectors, but in other cases it is not so obvious. Clearly, pure play companies like First Solar, Inc (FSLR),
Renewable Energy Group Inc (REGI) and SolarCity Corp (SCTY) are stocks that alternative energy investors are seeking. There are other companies, though, that have alternative energy products and services as part of their business model, but those operations are not the company's bread-and-butter.
For example, Johnson Controls (JCI) is a large industrial conglomerate that has two business units which address alternative energy themes -building efficiency and renewable power solutions. I estimate that alternative energy accounts for perhaps half of JCI's revenues. Interestingly, shares of JCI are owned by 8 out of 12 alternative energy mutual funds, more than any other single company.
Another example of a company with partial alternative energy operations is Valmont Industries (VMI). Valmont manufactures support towers for wind turbines, anemometers, power line transmission, mass transit poles, lighting and related structures. This company cannot be ignored-its contribution is critical to the infrastructure needed to support utility-scale solar, wind and smart grid projects that will continue to be built over the coming decades. However, my analysis attributes an estimated 15% of Valmont's current earnings are a result of alternative energy projects.
Google is another company that blurs into alternative energy, though it is obviously not its main business. Google realizes that it is basically an electricity-based service-no electricity, no Google. Because of this, Google has made a significant commitment to moving toward a more clean and sustainable electric supply. Google has moved on this in no small way, having invested in over 1.5 billion in wind and solar projects.
In order to simplify the analysis of how much of a company's business relates to alternative energy, only the stocks needed to reach at least 50% of a fund's weighted holdings were included (or at a minimum, the fund's top 10 holdings).
Also, two mutual funds that the "Roen Financial Report" tracks were left out of the rating system, Allianz RCM Global Water A (AWTAX) and Calvert Green Bond A (CGAFX).
AWATX invests in stocks and securities engaged in water-related activities, a sector related to green energy but with more of an environmental focus. Calvert Green Bond is another good choice for green investors, but is a different kind of animal than a stock fund, so it is hard to make an apples-to-apples comparison. Its prospectus states that investments include:
...securities of companies that develop or provide products or services that address environmental solutions and/or support efforts to reduce their own environmental footprint; bonds that support environmental projects; structured securities that are collateralized by assets supporting environmental themes; and securities that, in the opinion of the Fund's Advisor, have no more than a negligible direct environmental impact, which may include securities issued by the U.S. government or its agencies, and U.S. government-sponsored entities."
THE GREENEST ALTERNATIVE ENERGY MUTUAL FUNDS
Three funds clearly top the list of having the greatest alternative energy focus: Firsthand Alternative Energy (ALTEX), New Alternatives (NALFX) and Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy (GAAEX). These funds have a high concentration of alternative energy investments, and strongly focused investment principles Firsthand
Alternative Energy (ALTEX)
Five of Firsthand Alternative Energy's top 10 weighted holdings are pure play companies such as First Solar (FSLR), Sun Power (SPWR) and Solar City (SCTY). Firsthand Alternative Energy is very specific in their prospectus, stating that they:
...invest at least 80% of the Fund's assets in alternative energy and alternative energy technology companies, both U.S. and international. Alternative energy currently includes energy generated through solar, hydrogen, wind, geothermal, hydroelectric, tidal, biofuel, and biomass. Alternative energy technologies currently include, but are not limited to, technologies that enable energies to be tapped, stored, or transported, such as fuel cells; services or technologies that conserve or enable more efficient utilization of energy; and technologies that help minimize harmful emissions from existing energy sources, such as helping reduce carbon emissions."
It is important to note that ALTEX is the smallest of all alternative energy funds that the "Roen Financial Report" tracks, and we give this fund a low overall investment rank New Alternatives (NALFX)
New Alternatives Fund also has a very good concentration of alternative energy investments. The top six of its holdings are 100% pure play alternative energy companies. Additionally, the top 50% of its weighted portfolio is estimated to be over 75% involved in alternative energy. The investment objective of the fund is not the strongest of all alternative energy funds, but it is very specific:
At least 25% of the Fund's total assets will be invested in equity securities of companies in the alternative energy industry. 'Alternative Energy' means the production and conservation of energy in a manner that reduces pollution and harm to the environment, particularly when compared to conventional coal, oil or nuclear energy... The Advisor also considers the perceived prospects for the company and its industry, with concern for economic, political and social conditions at the time. In addition the Advisor considers its expectations for the investment based on, among other things, the company's technological and management strength."
Guinness
Atkinson Alternative Energy (GAAEX)
GAAEX has a very strong concentration of alternative energy companies in its portfolio. When looking at the top two-thirds of its holdings, about 90% of those investments are involved in green energy production. Guinness Atkinson Alternative Energy also has one of the tightest investment principles guiding the fund:
The Alternative Energy Fund invests at least 80% of its net assets in equity securities of alternative energy companies (both U.S. and non-U.S.). Alternative energy companies include, but are not limited to companies that generate power through solar, wind, hydroelectric, tidal wave, geothermal, biomass or biofuels and the various companies that provide the equipment and technologies that enable these sources to be tapped, used, stored or transported, including companies that create, facilitate or improve technologies that conserve or enable more efficient use of energy."
MUTUAL FUNDS WITH A LESSER ALTERNATIVE ENERGY FOCUS
Funds that the Roen Financial Report rate as having the least alternative energy stocks are Gabelli SRI Green AAA (SRIGX), Portfolio 21 R (PORTX) and Green Century Balanced Fund (GCBLX).
Ulster County Executive Mike Hein signed into law the Sustainable Energy Loan Program which will be known as the "Energize NY Benefit Financing Program" to advance Ulster County's clean energy economy. The County Executive was joined by Ulster County Legislator Tracey A. Bartels, Chairman of the Energy and Environment Committee and Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene, member of the Energy and Environment Committee, both of whom sponsored the law. The new program, available in Ulster County towns will make financing available to commercial property owners for the installation of renewable energy systems and energy efficiency measures. It also allows the Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC), a local development corporation, to act on behalf of Ulster County and provide financing to qualified property owners. The financing will be repaid by property owners who will see a charge on their real property tax bill. The payment will be levied and collected at the same time and in the same manner as County taxes, although it will be listed separately on the tax bill."I am pleased that the County Legislature, through careful deliberation, crafted this local law under the leadership of Tracey Bartels," said County Executive Hein. "This local law allows Ulster County Government to continue its efforts to promote energy efficiency and achieve our renewable energy goals. Businesses will soon be able to obtain an application which will be made available on the Ulster County and EIC website. We are trying to make it easier for commercial property owners to take advantage of solar energy and the energy efficiency improvement /renewable energy systems that have been deemed cost effective by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority. I urge Ulster County business owners to take advantage of this great opportunity.""I'm thrilled that Ulster County is becoming a member of the Energy Improvement Corporation. This program offers the opportunity for existing Ulster County businesses and commercial property owners to become more economically and environmentally sustainable. We often hear how small businesses are the backbone of our communities, PACE financing is a tool to strengthen that backbone," stated Energy and Environment Committee Chair Tracey Bartels. "The clean energy projects that this funding will support will reduce business operating costs and increase profitability.""Given the urgency of reducing our carbon footprint, the recent passage of Local Law No. 6 establishing a Sustainable Energy Loan Program in Ulster County will provide an excellent opportunity for businesses and landlords to do energy retrofits and/or install solar systems to significantly reduce their energy costs and impacts, and to pay the investment back on their tax bill with their energy savings. Residents have been utilizing NYSERDA's Green Jobs/Green NY on-bill payment system to finance their energy improvements -- now businesses have a similar way to accomplish the same," Ulster County Legislator Manna Jo Greene said. "The Energy Improvement Corporation (EIC) will help make the transition to a truly Green Energy Economy easier for our businesses to participate in -- and to thrive by doing so.""With these low interest loans, not only will existing Ulster County businesses save money on their energy bills, dollars will be infused into the local economy," stated Legislator Richard Parete. "Once an energy efficient retrofit project is approved, local contractors can be hired."For more information on the program please contact The Ulster County Department of the Environment at 845-338-7287 or email environment@co.ulster.ny.us.SourcePost from CleanTechLaw.org: www.cleantechlaw.org
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