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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Biomass
A trainload of biofuel in Sweden Source: Bjoertvedt, Creative Commons

A trainload of biofuel in Sweden Source: Bjoertvedt, Creative Commons

In the US, the biofuel industry is undergoing something of a revival. Mothballed plants are reopening. Across the globe biofuel industry leaders are extremely bullish about their ability to bring down operating costs, to generate fuels from sources that don’t compete with food crops, and to design fuels for special purposes such as aviation. Will the industry live up to its promises the second time round?

Click to read more on Biofuel Bounces Back

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Efficiency

Since the 1970s when environmental concerns first hit the political front, we have made great attempts to encourage sustainable development. These attempts include things such as recycling, carpooling, using energy efficient lights and purchasing products which do not emit harmful chemicals. What is still not being taken into account are things such as airlines who are not responsible for the carbon dioxide they emit into the atmosphere, or the price of food not reflecting how much it costs to clean waterways which were polluted by agrochemicals. Beef consumption is an example of an economically wasteful item, as well as tobacco consumption.

These examples demonstrate “external costs” which are not calculated into any Gross Domestic Product. Our technological innovations which sought to improve energy efficiency have not led to lower energy consumption nor reduced environmental impacts. Lower costs are associated with energy efficient products which lead people to using more energy. Because our society has reduced energy costs through our technological efficiency, consumers are prone to buying more products, buying more powerful products, or choosing larger products. Promoting energy efficient products leads to increased consumption and emissions. These rebound effects can be avoided through taxation and regulation on behalf of the government, service providers, as well as manufacturers. (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

I’ve been lucky enough to have been referred to one of the most enlightened writers on the planet, Stephan A. Schwartz, who has generously accepted my request to let me interview him for my next book. I invite readers to visit Schwartz’ website to get a sense for who he is in terms of the sheer breadth of his work.

While you’re there, note that he’s connected with some of the people from the landmark film/book “What The Bleep Do We Know?” and all the incredible thinking associated with that project, e.g., the confluence of quantum physics, metaphysics, and epistemology. My kind of guy, to be sure.

To me, all this raises an interesting and somewhat disturbing point, on which I’d like your feedback, if I may: (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

If I had another reason to be in Washington DC this week, I’d find a way to piggyback my participation at the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) conference: Renewable Energy – National Policy Forum. But though I generally find these conferences valuable, I don’t feel like herniating over this one.  After all, its main promise is answering the question:

Will Democrats and Republicans come together on a clean energy agenda for the nation, led by renewables and efficiency?

Are they serious? I’m going to fly across the country to hear that the answer is, in a word, No?  Who in blazes thinks that’s possible in today’s climate?

I have to think there is hope for the world of clean energy and environmentalism. But if you think there’s a chance for bipartisan support on these ideas in Congress right now, you’re living in a dream world.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Science

I’m sure some perceive me as something of a whiner, with my constant reminders that the fossil fuel industry and its unlovely relationships with the great world governments dominate the creation of international energy policy. 

To remind the world that I’m not alone in this position, here’s one of my heroes, Bill McKibben, founder of 350.org, and author of tons of books on the subject.  He’s been at this a heck of a lot longer than I have.  Check out this impassioned interview he gave from the COP-16 summit in Cancun. 

by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Business

As we approach the end of another year at 2GreenEnergy, I thought I’d provide a list of blog posts from 2010 – which, based on the number of reader comments, rank as the community’s favorites.

Again, I hope my guests and I have provided some level of value here in terms of getting to the root of the matter in clean energy.  Please accept my sincere thanks for your support and participation.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Renewables - Politics

What is the true battle royale facing humankind?  Liberals vs. conservatives?  Fascists vs. libertarians?  Fundamentalists vs. infidels?

Strange as it sounds, I’m starting to agree with the people who point to ignorance vs. education, noting that recently, it’s become “cool to be ignorant.”  Think that’s far-fetched?  Check out Stephan A. Schwartz’ piece called Willful Ignorance.

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Electric Vehicles

The true eco-friendliness of EVs is a frequently debated topic here — largely built around potential shortages of lithium carbonate, the mineral from which lithium-ion batteries are made.  Frequent blogger and thoughtful guy Edgar M. van Wngerden writes:

Here: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6228 is the estimated outcome of an EV rampup based on the analysis of Jack Lifton: a fivefold increase in battery cost due to use of LOWER GRADE Lithium-carbonate ores (a $50.000 battery lasting 10 years, instead of a $10.000 battery at present -no recycling possible). And this would have to include Bolivia. I personally do not think the rainbow coalition in Bolivia would go along with this mining scheme, as it comes with great environmental destruction.

Of course you can find reports by lithium miners and their paid consultants… I highly regard Jack as simply the best in his field, and of the highest integrity.  A true independent.

Thanks for this, Edgar; (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Wind Energy

I spent my K–12 years at a Quaker school in Philadelphia, William Penn Charter. And as one would imagine, an education based on Quaker values is rife with reminders of brotherly love and peaceful resolution to conflict. In fact, the Greek motto in the school’s seal translates into English as the command: “Love one another.”

I smiled as I read the school’s quarterly magazine this morning.  My chest swelled with pride as I learned that the new Center for the Performing Arts was granted a coveted LEED certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for its use of wind energy, recycled materials and natural insulation.  How effortlessly Quaker philosophy and environmentalism go hand-in-hand; the imperative to make the world a better place lies at the very core of this warm and contemplative way of life.

William Penn and his values had a profound influence on his time (late 17th / early 18th Century — the school was chartered in 1689; Penn died in 1718) though, sadly, that influence has diminished greatly over the years.  (more…)

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by Craig ShieldsPosted on Posted in Photovoltaics

Rete Rinnovabile, Italy’s largest solar power generation company, was acquired in October by private equity group Terra Firma for €670 million ($930 million, according to a report in the Financial Times.  The deal gives Terra Firma a 10% stake in the Italian solar power market.

 

Demand for power in Italy is expected to rise 1.7% this year after falling almost 7% last year, according to Terna. Italian demand is not expected to reach pre-crisis levels before 2014. Solar power plants in Italy have been guaranteed very attractive long term tariffs by the government.

Terra Firma already owns Everpower, a US wind farm development company, which it acquired for $350 million at the end of 2009, and Infinis, the largest pure renewables power generator in the UK. Infinis generates almost 350 MW of electricity from gas drawn from 124 landfill sites. It has a small interest in hydro power and operates 3 onshore wind farms, generating an additional 75 MW. (more…)

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