Renewables
New battery could solve storage problems of renewables
A research team has high hopes it has found a cheap and effective way of storing huge amounts of energy
Wind power generated largest part of Spain’s electricity in 2013
Wind generated 21.1% of Spain’s energy in 2013, while coal-fired power plants declined by 4.7%
John Lewis switches to 100% renewable energy
Retail giant joins the ranks of Marks & Spencer, Sainsbury’s and Ikea by investing in clean technology to cut emissions
Coal blow as major European bank cuts funding
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development to limit funding of coal projects and boost investment in renewables and energy efficiency
Water ‘batteries’ can ensure constant clean energy supply
Energy from surplus wind power can be used to pump water uphill and will provide “battery” power to even out energy supply and demand, researchers say
National Trust launches plan to turn bracken into biomass
The UK’s National Trust is pioneering a project to turn useless fields into a source of biomass
Renewables make up 50% of China’s new electricity
Thursday’s top 5 – China’s renewables surge, Green Climate Fund launches, and IPCC’s sea level rise projections branded too conservative
Chuck Hagel: clean energy capability makes US Army ‘stronger fighting force’
US defense chief says investments in wind, solar and energy efficiency will boost military’s ability to operate around the world
Green Climate Fund ‘can power poor’
A new funding idea for developing countries could provide the renewable electricity output equivalent of 100 new coal plants by 2020.
Divestment stigma threatens fossil fuel’s future – report
Fossil fuel companies need to diversify if they are to continue trading profitably, a report from the University of Oxford warns
UK renewables generation increases by 56% since 2012
Figures from DECC show renewables production increased by 56% and coal, natural gas and oil decreased this year compared to 2012
UK hits 1GW of installed offshore wind capacity
Soaring capacity complemented by trial of two 219m high 6MW Siemens turbines at Gunfleet Sands wind farm
EU set for landmark vote on future of biofuels
MEPs to decide on transport limits for crop based biofuels with hunger, indirect land use change and carbon emissions topping agenda
Nordic countries join Obama in shunning dirty energy
President Barak Obama met with the Swedish king and queen to agree a move to low carbon technology
China’s emissions could peak by 2023 with introduction of ETS
If an emissions trading scheme is introduced, Chinese pollution could peak by 2023 as country moves towards cleaner energy
MIT produces low-cost renewable energy battery
Membraneless device stores and releases energy in a device that relies on a phenomenon called ‘laminar flow’
Japan on track to become world’s largest solar market
Japan set to install US$20 billion worth of PV systems in 2013, up 82% from US$11 billion in 2012
India plans ‘green energy corridor’ to boost renewables capacity
India’s electricity grid needs US$7.9 billion investment to incorporate increasing use of wind and solar energy sources
Will climate change hit maize and wheat production?
Different models offer conflicting predictions on future crop yields, confusing scientists and the public alike
Google user’s carbon footprint equal to ‘one mile drive in car’
Users account for the vast majority of its CO2 footprint, but R&D efforts for self-driving cars are also taking their toll.