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Transparent Solar Panels: Reforming Future Energy Supply New solar panel technologies are set to transform the global solar energy landscape. Some of these promising technologies are already in the advanced stages of development, and could hit the market fairly soon. With these innovations, solar is no longer going to require extensive land parcels or unsightly roof spaces. (Aesthetically appealing and highly efficient solar shingles, for example, are already creating attractive solar roofs.) What are transparent solar panels? Photovoltaic glass is probably the most cutting-edge new solar panel technology that promises to be a game-changer in expanding the scope of solar. Researchers at Michigan State University (MSU) originally created the first fully transparent solar concentrator in 2014. These transparent solar panels can be easily deployed in a variety of settings, ranging from skyscrapers with large windows to a mobile device such as a phone, a laptop, or an e-reader. How do solar panel windows work? Types of transparent solar panels
Australia's renewable energy wars: How to win the argument for green power The first post in this three-part series compared the energy plans of Australia's major political parties with the rest of the world. The second post considered the economics of Australia transitioning to a renewables-based energy system. When it comes to the politics of climate change and renewable energy, it is relevant to consider both strategy and tactics. Climate change is not going to be solved with a single giant global treaty and a perfect emissions trading scheme. Climate action is not, internationally or domestically, a 'one shot game'. As such, agents of climate action, including policymakers, must take seriously the idea that decarbonising global and national economic sectors will require a strategic approach. Good strategy requires taking into account the feedback effects of near-term individual policy interventions with a view to achieving a long-term goal that can't be attained through the near-term policies alone. Which brings us to tactics or 'framing'.
untitled China's long-anticipated formal pledge to international climate change negotiations, it's 'intended nationally determined contribution' or INDC, has arrived. China's target is a 60% to 65% reduction in the emissions-intensity of the economy by 2030 pegged at 2005 levels, with carbon dioxide emissions peaking around 2030, perhaps earlier. China has also pledged to increase the share of non-fossil fuels to 20% of total energy use and a large increase in forest carbon stocks. The emissions-intensity target means reducing the ratio of carbon dioxide emissions to GDP by 60% to 65%, or conversely, increasing the amount of economic output per tonne of carbon by almost two-thirds. It's the only new commitment in addition to what China pledged at a joint announcement with the US at last year's APEC meeting. And it packs some punch. Decarbonisation and how to do it Such a pace of cleaning up economic growth has rarely been achieved elsewhere over a significant period of time. Change is underway
Genesis Energy to close last coal-fired power stations in NZ Genesis Energy will retire its last two coal-burning generators by 2018. Photo: Bloomberg New Zealand is saying goodbye to coal-fired power generation, with Genesis Energy advising it will permanently shut its last two coal-burning generators by December 2018 amid ample supplies of cheaper renewable energy generation and subdued demand. Genesis chairman Dame Jenny Shipley said that with improved management of hydroelectric capacity in dry years, the two coal generators at Huntly in the mid North Island would be no longer needed "unless market conditions change significantly". The landscape of Huntly, in the coal-producing Waikato district south of Auckland, is dominated by the huge gas and coal-fired power station sitting on the western bank of the Waikato River. Chief executive Albert Brantley said Genesis had been on a path to closing its four coal and gas-fired Rankine generators since 2009.
China Vs. the West: The Renewables Arms Race Why is China leading in the race for renewable energy? In terms of a detective novel, China has both motive and means to build a new green growth system. It has abundant motives due to the appalling pollution problems it has created in over three decades of unbridled economic growth. (These problems are reviewed in telling detail in the YouTube video “Under the Dome” by Chinese journalist Chai Jing). China also has the means in the form of a strong state. The government is prepared to intervene in the economy to drive the promotion of manufacturing industries that are producing green energy and resource devices. China’s move has direct consequences for Western countries. If that does not happen, they will continue to lose the international competition over the emergence of clean tech economy. While it is a common experience for an industrial latecomer, the question is what happens next? Counterproductive trade sanctions Get The Globalist’s headlines in your email inbox three times a week.
The Green Electricity Guide Select your state (above) and a ranking of power companies (green, orange and red) appears down the left hand side. Click on each company for more information.For a national ranking select ‘All’. This guide has been developed to help inform Australians about which electricity retailers really are as ‘green’ as they say they are. The electricity sector is the largest source of greenhouse emissions in Australia. 85 per cent of our electricity still comes from coal and gas fired power stations. The rest comes from renewables: mostly hydro and wind but also from an increasing amount of rooftop solar. By choosing a retailer that invests its money in renewables rather than coal and gas you can help clean up our energy sector by reducing carbon pollution. Origin Energy, EnergyAustralia and AGL currently provide electricity to over three quarters of Australian households. The ACT market is heavily dominated by ActewAGL. NSW is the largest electricity market in Australia. Our friends at GetUp!
Nissan's Leaf-Charging Wireless Pad Could Signal An Industry Surge Wireless charging is still not common, particularly with the disappearance of the Palm Pre, which was one of the main gadgets to utilize the trick for ultra-convenient connection to a battery-boosting charger. That makes Nissan's moves with its Leaf EV all the more interesting: To charge your 2013 Leaf, all you'll have to do is park it on the requisite spot of your garage. The setup is rather simple at first glimpse: Instead of flipping open a door on your car and connecting in a large electric plug, wired to a wall charger point, you reverse your Leaf over a large plastic pad on the floor. But this otherwise innocuous pad contains the coils of a wireless induction loop and some electronics--induction is how electricity makes its way through a transformer, magnetically, with no physical connection between the coils. The simplicity and benefits are obvious for EV users, who would simply have to park their cars at night in order to drive away with a full battery in the morning.
Kinetic energy may power our home and gadgets starting in 5 years In the next five years your shoe may be what powers the battery in your cell phone. Engineers are harnessing the power of kinetic energy and one IBM employee thinks widespread usage of the technology isn’t far off. Harry Kolar, an engineer with IBM, described harvesting energy from human movements as bodies becoming “an energy-generating machine,” in a blog post about what energy changes may occur in the next five years. “This science — parasitic power collection — pulls and transmits energy created by the slightest movement.” said Kolar in the blog post. Kolar also predicts that we will figure out how to best harness wave and tidal energy. “My team is working with The Sustainable Energy Authority Ireland to use real-time streaming analytics that monitor the underwater noise and track its potential impact on the marine environment,” said Koler. Others are already taking advantage of this parasitic power collection, with the goal of powering third world countries through soccer.
Saudi Arabia may go broke before the US oil industry buckles King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud Photo: Andrew Harnik/Reuters If the oil futures market is correct, Saudi Arabia will start running into trouble within two years. It will be in existential crisis by the end of the decade. The contract price of US crude oil for delivery in December 2020 is currently $US62.05, implying a drastic change in the economic landscape for the Middle East and the petro-rentier states. The Saudis took a huge gamble last November when they stopped supporting prices and opted instead to flood the market and drive out rivals, boosting their own output to 10.6 million barrels a day (b/d) into the teeth of the downturn. Illustration: Kerrie leishman Bank of America says OPEC is now "effectively dissolved". If the aim was to choke the US shale industry, the Saudis have misjudged badly, just as they misjudged the growing shale threat at every stage for eight years. One Saudi expert was blunter. The problem for the Saudis is that US shale frackers are not high-cost.
Solar Roadways - Introduction We are excited to announce that Indiegogo has asked us to join their InDemand program: It allows teams to continue raising funds for their projects. We are very excited about this for many reasons: We've had numerous requests since our original campaign ended: "Can I still donate?", "Can I still get a Solar Roadways perk?", "I'd love to be a part of this movement", etc. We're still in Research & Development, so we're not making a profit yet. We received donations from 165 countries, which is a clear indication that the world is ready for the paradigm shift Solar Roadways will become. Since our original campaign, countless supporters have expressed what it means to them to help us spread the word. Click on the Indiegogo image above to see our InDemand program Solar FREAKIN' Roadways Innovation Nation - Solar Roadways Phase II Prototype Solar Parking Lot Pet Friendly! LEDs Snow test - Heating elements (not the LEDs!) Tractor test Artist's rendition of interstate Graphic design by Sam Cornett U.S.