Wind Power News - RenewableEnergyWorld.com

Google Reels In Wind-Kite Firm Makani

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Thu, 23 May 2013 16:28:00 GMT

Extending its already deep reach into renewable energy, Google reportedly has acquired a startup and its flying-kite wind turbines that promise to tap better wind energy resources at higher altitudes with far lower costs and more efficient output.

Tracking and Analyzing Energy Legislation Across the US

James Montgomery, Associate Editor, RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Thu, 23 May 2013 15:02:00 GMT

A new online database created by Colorado State University's (CSU) Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) aims to serve anyone interested in clean energy legislation in any state in the U.S., or even those who are crafting policy themselves.

UK Urged to Boost Clean Energy Over Natural Gas

Alex Morales, Bloomberg — Thu, 23 May 2013 12:25:00 GMT

Britain, under pressure to build new power stations, could save as much as 100 billion pounds ($150 billion) through 2050 by spending on wind, nuclear and carbon capture rather than gas, the government’s climate adviser said.

Warning Scotland Against Independence: Renewables Will Suffer, Says Ed Davey

Kelvin Ross, Deputy Editor, Power Engineering International — Wed, 22 May 2013 13:31:00 GMT

UK Energy Secretary Ed Davey has warned that Scotland will damage its standing as a prime mover in renewable energy if it votes to become independent.

Protecting Eagles While Working to Guide Wind Development

Katie Umekubo, Western Renewable Energy Project Attorney, NRDC — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Recent reports of eagles being killed by wind turbines have stirred up a lot of emotion and controversy and understandably so.

Despite Fears, New Renewables Are Not Bankrupting California

Susan Kraemer, Correspondent — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Until recently, the potential rate impact of all the new contracts for renewable energy being added to meet California's Renewable Portfolio Standard since 2006 has been a matter of some concern. According to the Division of Ratepayer Advocates in early 2012, an estimated $20.8 billion will have been spent in California on contracts for new renewable generation by 2020, and the rate impact was a big unknown.

Outlook for US Energy Independence Gaining Confidence

Power Engineering Editors — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:33:00 GMT

A survey conducted by the KPMG Global Energy Institute shows that a majority of energy executives believe the U.S. can reach energy independence by 2030. The survey also showed a decrease in the number of executives who believe the U.S. will never gain energy independence.

Wind Potential – All About the Data

Amy Malloy — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:40:00 GMT

When it comes to the deployment of wind power, data plays an important role in the design and operations of a wind farm. Is there enough wind? Where should the turbines be placed? How will the placement of turbines impact performance? Are the turbines in need of maintenance? Data collected from technologically advanced monitoring devices answers th

Marine Life Unhindered by Offshore Wind Farm, Study Says

Tildy Bayar, Associate Editor, Renewable Energy World — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:00:00 GMT

Renewable energy consultancy Natural Power has published the results of a post-consent ecological study, called the Marine Environment Monitoring Programme (MEMP), that monitored marine life on a UK offshore wind farm. The study has been ongoing since 2007.

Renewable Energy Research Initiative Launched in UK

Kelvin Ross, Deputy Editor, Power Engineering International — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

A new inquiry investigating the role of renewable power generation in the UK’s future energy mix has been launched.

Poll: 87 Percent of Illinois Voters Want More Renewable Energy

Carl Levesque, AWEA — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Wide majorities of likely Illinois voters believe it is important that the state maintain its commitment to increase its use of renewable energy and support legislation that would achieve that goal by fixing the state's broken renewable portfolio standard (RPS) law, according to a Zogby poll released this week.

Wind Turbine Lubrication and Maintenance: Protecting Investments in Renewable Energy

Justin Martino, Associate Editor, Power Engineering — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Like any other piece of major equipment in the power industry, wind turbines represent a large investment for the companies that rely on them to generate both electricity and revenue. Unlike gas turbines or boilers in coal-fired power plants, however, wind turbines present some unique challenges.

French and German Ministers Call for 2030 Renewable Energy Targets

Phillippa Jones — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:25:00 GMT

Writing in France’s prestigious centre-left daily newspaper Le Monde, Peter Altmaier, the German environment minister, and Delphine Batho, his French counterpart, underlined the need for a 2030 renewable energy target and highlighed the importance of renewables in transforming the European economy, improving energy security and reducing greenhouse

Does Buying Clean Energy Stocks Do Any Good?

Tom Konrad, Contributor — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:50:00 GMT

Volt owners are almost universally happy with their cars, despite the fact that very few will recoup the extra costs of the car in gas savings. Even though the financial savings are small compared to the large upfront payment for the vehicle, the emotional payback more than compensates.

Asia Report: Tweaking India's Domestic Content Policy

Renewable Energy World Editors — Mon, 20 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

India's solar energy policy contains domestic content requirements for solar cells and panels, but initially these excluded thin-film technologies — a big help to First Solar among others. But as expected, new proposals aim to close that loop.

Why Boulder, Colorado Opted for a Clean Energy Takeover

Mon, 20 May 2013 11:35:00 GMT

The process started in 2003 when Boulder resumed studying the option to create a municipal utility. With a climate-action plan already in place, and a local carbon tax already financing conservation and clean energy, the once nascent issue became a serious option in Boulder. Creating a municipal utility would allow for more control over the grid, r

Goldman Sachs to Invest $486 Million in Japan Renewable Energy

Shigeru Sato, Bloomberg — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:46:00 GMT

Goldman Sachs Group Inc. plans to invest as much as 50 billion yen ($487 million) in renewable energy projects in Japan in the next five years, tapping demand for electricity produced from solar and wind-power generators.

No Easy Fix for Broken Wind Turbine at US High School

Tim Faulkner, ecoRI News — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:00:00 GMT

It's status quo for the Portsmouth High School wind turbine. On Monday night, town planner Gary Crosby informed the Town Council that negotiations ceased with two possible developers interested in fixing or replacing the 336-foot-high turbine, which has been broken since June 2012.

EU Should Scrap Energy Subsidies to Fight Warming, Poland Says

Ewa Krukowska, Bloomberg — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:36:20 GMT

The European Union should scrap fossil fuel and renewable energy subsidies and set a target to cut oil imports to remain the leader in the fight against global warming, according to Poland's environment minister.

Brazil Auction Rules May Boost Price of Wind Power 15%

Stephan Nielsen, Bloomberg — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:00:00 GMT

Prices for wind energy in Brazil, currently the lowest in the world, may rise at least 15 percent due to government policies designed to make the nation's power grid more reliable.