According to a group of energy industry experts, the European Union will derive almost one-fifth of its total power from offshore wind farms by 2030, starting from almost none today. The transition will come as the EU attempts to transition from nonrenewable sources of energy to renewable, cleaner energy sources.
 
The European Wind Energy Association revealed that offshore wind energy capacity will jump from around 1.5 gigawatts today to 150 gigawatts in 2030. A new law has decided that the EU must derive double or 20 percent of its total energy from renewable energy sources by 2020, with other potential energy …read more

As the United States continues to move toward developing cleaner and more reliable sources of energy, President Obama’s administration has decided to give Solyndra Inc., a manufacturer of solar power systems, a $535 million loan. The money will go toward the construction of a photovoltaic power manufacturing plant which will eventually employ 1,000 people.
 
The money for the loan guarantee will come from Obama’s economic stimulus plan that was put into effect by President Obama in February. The offer was originally extended to Solyndra on the condition that the energy company would secure its own end of the financing offer and …read more

The Obama administration has set aside more than $500 million for the economic stimulus of renewable energy development projects, and Spanish company Iberdrola SA will receive the largest portion of these funds. Iberdrola SA will receive $236 million to build wind farms throughout Texas, Oregon, and Minnesota, while a Pennsylvania wind project will receive $59 million.
 
In all, twelve different projects will receive a portion of the funds, with 59 percent of the money going to Iberdrola’s various projects throughout the three states. This money, which comes from a $3 billion fund that the Obama administration set aside for economic recovery, …read more

Duke Energy and China Huaneng Group recently announced that they have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore clean-energy (including renewable) technologies. This potential partnership includes giants from each country. Duke Energy is one of the largest electric utilities in the United States, while China Huaneng Group is the largest electric utility in China.
After the MOU was signed in Beijing, the two companies plan to start sharing information and discussing the future of clean-energy technology. One of the main focuses will be in regards to global warming.
Said Jim Rogers, the CEO of Duke Energy: “We find ourselves at a pivotal …read more

NV Energy, the biggest power company in the state of Nevada, has reached the “green” goal set out by state regulators. The goal was for the company to use at least 9% renewable power. Compared to other power supplies, renewable power is much better for the environment.
Although the goal has been around since 2001, this was the first time NV Energy reached the goal. Renewable power includes everything from wind to water, and from geothermal to solar.
While this was a step in the right direction, the goals will increase over the next few years. According to reports, the goal in …read more

Just in time for Earth Day, Welwind Energy is busy drumming up funding on Wall Street. From March 12 – 16, the Company met with various financing groups and investor relations firms in New York City. They also held a meet and greet with numerous members from the investment community.
The Company has ongoing discussions regarding possible financing for its projects, which center on providing the best resource option available for renewable energy, protecting our environment, empowering communities, bolstering local economies and respecting the rights of future generations. The company was founded to build, own and operate wind farms on an …read more

According to a recent UN report, green energy will create about 20 million jobs over the next few decades. In a time when the job market is slumping (especially in states like Michigan), that’s good news.
At the same time, I think this stat is a little misleading. Although, for example, a company producing solar panels may be hiring in greater numbers, “dirty” jobs will continue to decline. So, we’re not looking completely at 20 ADDITIONAL jobs. Some of these jobs will be instead of jobs at, for example, coal mines or oil drilling companies.
Still, there are green jobs …read more

California, once one of the most polluted places in the country, is now the epicenter for the American go green movement. This week, San Francisco’s mayor, Gavin Newsom, challenged businesses to make this state an even greener place. After all, just because there’s a push to go green in this state doesn’t mean that it is perfect. There is still a lot of work to do.
Newsom’s challenge to the 1500 largest businesses in the city asks companies to invest in solar energy for their business processes. Those who accept the challenge will become part of the Mayor’s Solar Founder’ …read more

I always like to highlight it when companies we deal with every day are changing their policies to be more earth-friendly. One such news story I recently came across was involving Kraft, who, as you probably know, produces much of the brand-name cheese products found in your local grocery store (if you live in the United States).
Earlier, Kraft set forth goals to cut energy consumption by 25%, as well as to cut down on waste by 15%. However, they’re going a step further and testing out a new program at two of their New York cream cheese and string …read more

Today was a good day for the stock market – if you’re investing in green energy. Solar stocks rallies today after the Senate voted to extend solar tax breaks for another 8 years.
If you’re invested in SunPower Corp (+12.7%), Evergreen Solar Inc (+14.5%), or Akeena Solar Inc (+25%), you’re probably happy right now! In China, solar companies were also affected by the Senate’s decision, with one of the biggest boost going to Yingli Green Energy Holding Co Ltc, a company that suplies solar panels to Rutgers University.
Energy tax credits were set to expire at the end of the …read more