Latest articles on F 
Feed-in Tariffs in Ukraine ranking among the highest in Europe(06/02/2012)
Ukraine seeks to reduce its current dependency on gas imports. To address the issue, a number of initiatives are being taken which are aimed at boosting energy efficiency, introducing energy saving technologies and renewable energy resources. The feed-in tariffs effective since April 2009, rank among the highest in Europe, which considering the saturated European market, makes Ukraine especially luring for the foreign investors in the field. As forecasted by the government, in the next 3-4 years... [more]
Largest wind farm in south east Asia to be developed(03/02/2012)
Mott MacDonald, a leading management, engineering and development consultancy, has successfully supported financial close as independent engineer for the first utility-scale wind farm in Thailand, which will also be the largest wind farm in south east Asia. The consultancy is working on behalf of lenders Kasikorn Bank PLC and Siam Commercial Bank PLC. The 207MW wind farm is being developed by Wind Energy Holding Co. Ltd, in the hillside area of Korat Province in central Thailand, 150km north ... [more]
RenEnergy to hold first-ever renewable Heat Incentive conference in Norwich(01/02/2012)
RenEnergy will be hosting their first-ever Renewable Heat Incentive Conference on February 29th at Dunston Hall, Norwich. On November 28th, 2011, the Government launched the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) which pays off-gas commercial concerns for the micro-generation of renewable heat. Keen to raise awareness of the RHI across Norfolk, RenEnergy are hosting the event to help educate those with an interest and / or concerned about the benefits of installing renewable heat technologies such as... [more]
PDM plans to invest in Anaerobic Digestion in 2012(17/01/2012)
PDM, the UK’s largest food waste recycler, has announced plans to invest a further £40 million in developing its network of ReFood anaerobic digestion (AD) plants this year. This investment will result in two new plants located in Widnes and East London. The announcement follows the completion of the company’s first AD plant at its headquarters in Doncaster. The two new plants will each double the recycling capacity of Doncaster, each handling around 90,000 tonnes of food waste each year and ... [more]
Thai Airways operated First Passenger Biofuel Flight in Asia(27/12/2011)
Last week, Thai Airways International (THAI) was the first airline in Asia to fly a commercial passenger flight using biofuels to support the Company’s Travel Green initiative which is part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. THAI operated the first passenger biofuels flight on December 22nd from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Passengers consisted of 100 students and professors who have been invited to join the special flight. Revenues from the journey went towards developing renewa... [more]
Vision for future water management : implications and outcomes of Spelman’s white paper(16/12/2011)
According to Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman’s, we must act now to make the changes needed to keep our rivers flowing and our water supplies reliable and affordable. The White Paper about Water describes a vision for future water management in which the water sector is resilient, in which water companies are more efficient and customer focused, and in which water is valued as the precious and finite resource it is. It sets out a number of changes all designed to lead to a more robust ... [more]
Four year power sector technology innovation programme opens (08/12/2011)
A four-year government-funded programme that aims to develop new technologies to help meet the needs of the UK’s future power systems will kick-off with investment of £2.4 million in feasibility studies that will stimulate innovation in automated power distribution and demand management. The funding competition is the first element of a planned portfolio of investment into power network innovations and forms the exploratory phase of the programme, which will be funded and managed by the gover... [more]
Renewable fuels for diesel engines(07/12/2011)
The fuels powering the diesel engine have undergone considerable development during its 119 year long history. So much so that today, even the fuel we traditionally, if somewhat simplistically, refer to as ‘diesel’ is beginning to make way for alternatives with a smaller environmental footprint, such as biogas and DME. Time to examine what it is all about. One might say that diesel is somewhat misunderstood and has received more than its fair share of criticism from an environmental perspect... [more]
Households and local charities were granted 800,000 Green Points(05/12/2011)
Earlier this year, it was announced that the London Borough of Bexley had received funding from the London Waste and Recycling Board’s (LWARB) Flats Recycling Programme and the Recycle for London programme, which is also funded by LWARB, to support the scheme in partnership with Gallions Housing Association. The first phase is focused on 2,000 flats in East Thamesmead with a potential expansion to 15,000 flats across Bexley planned for 2012, and following that, a potential roll-out to all ho... [more]
Follow these 10 simple steps to reduce Food Waste during festive season(02/12/2011)
The United States, during holiday season generate an extra 5 million tons of household waste each year between Thanksgiving and New Year's, including three times as much food waste as at other times of the year. When our total food waste adds up to 34 million tons each year, that equals a lot of food. Holiday season is indeed a time for gifts and lots and lots of food ! With the coming holidays, the Worldwatch Institute offers 10 simple steps we all can take to help make this season less waste... [more]
SEH Commercial implements solar installation for log cabin(27/07/2011)
Mr & Mrs Diver, have created a unique guest quarters styled as a log cabin. It measures some 5m x 5.7m and is situated around 15m from their main house. SEH Commercial’s Simon Fowler explains the challenges: “Originally sold as 12-panels to be on one roof, our survey said that this wasn’t going to be possible due to the size of the roof. However, the roof has a perfect east-west split on its pitch so we looked at the option of 6 Mitsubishi 225Wp PV panels on each side. With this arrangement... [more]
Renewable energy tax equity financing secured for Wind Farm in Nebraska(02/05/2011)
Flat Water Wind Farm is located in Richardson County, near Falls City, Nebraska, approximately 86 miles south of Omaha and 95 miles northwest of Kansas City, KS. The wind farm was completed in December 2010 and is expected to generate 213 gigawatts (GW) of electricity a year. Gestamp Wind North America, U.S. Bancorp, and Banco Santander, S.A. have announced that tax equity financing is complete for the recently completed Flat Water Wind Farm, which is comprised of 40 GE wind turbine generat... [more]
Fuel Tech's Targeted In-Furnace Injection technology reduces problems caused by the formation of sulfur trioxide(30/03/2011)
The effects of SO3 formation are becoming increasingly problematic for power plants. SO3 is formed in the boiler by oxidation of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which arises from the combustion of solid and liquid fuels containing sulfur. Additional SO3 formation can also occur as SO2 is oxidized across the SCR catalyst. Fuel Tech, Inc. has announced receipt of a commercial FUEL CHEM® order from a domestic electric utility. Fuel Tech's proprietary TIFI® Targeted In-Furnace Injection™ technology will be... [more]
Photovoltaic panels installed on the roofs of Anglo Saxon church in Buckinghamshire (17/01/2011)
The congregation at All Saints Church, Wing with Grove in Buckinghamshire has not only reduced the church’s carbon footprint significantly but also found a way of generating an income for decades to come. When the parishioners of one of the UK’s finest Anglo Saxon churches were looking at how to make their place of worship more environmentally friendly, they took inspiration from a BBC’s Songs of Praise feature on St Denys Church in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, which had fitted solar Photovoltaic... [more]
FE Peacock becomes a Microgeneration Certification Scheme accredited installer of photovoltaic panels(29/11/2010)
The Microgeneration Certification Scheme (MCS) is an independent scheme that certifies microgeneration products and installers in accordance with consistent standards. It is designed to evaluate microgeneration products and installers against robust criteria, providing greater protection for consumers. FE Peacock Construction Ltd, part of the Larkfleet Group, has enhanced its ability to produce low carbon buildings by becoming an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) accredited installer... [more]
enXco signs 10-year Operations and Maintenance Agreement with Flat Water Wind Farm(03/11/2010)
The 60 megawatt Flat Water Wind Farm, located in Richardson County, Nebraska, consists of 40 GE 1.5 MW turbines. Flat Water Wind Farm, LLC is owned by Gestamp Wind North America, a subsidiary of Gestamp Renewables (Gestamp Corporation). enXco Service Corporation (eSC), an EDF Energies Nouvelles Company, has signed an 10-year Operations and Maintenance Agreement with Flat Water Wind Farm, LLC. enXco Service Corporation will provide commissioning assistance during construction, and will provide... [more]
Planning permission granted for the UK's first purpose-built solar farm in Cornwall (22/10/2010)
Cornwall council is keen to see their county become the UK leader in the generation of solar energy. Planning permission has now been granted for the UK's first purpose-built solar farm – a landmark decision that could give the green light for a wave of commercial solar power developments across the country. Located on the south facing site of the former Wheal Jane tin mine near Truro in Cornwall, the £4 million solar farm will house around 6000 individual panels, each measuring just 1.8m x 1... [more]
Micro generation power Solar 5 station creates solar power in Somerset(20/10/2010)
Many in the renewable sector already recognise the South West as an important region for the industry, although Somerset is perhaps less high profile than some other counties. However, a ‘green’ culture is very much part of the county’s approach, with Somerset being the UK’s first Transition Local Authority, ensuring that measures to save energy and cut global warming are at the forefront of forward planning. Somerset County Council has been proactive in the development of wind power initiat... [more]
Kettering University unveils Flint's first biomethane fuel truck(14/09/2010)
Kettering University and officials from Swedish Biogas International and the City of Flint have unveiled Flint's first biomethane fuel truck. Kettering University President Stan Liberty officiated at the ceremony and introduced Flint Mayor Dayne Walling who said, “The city is proud to be a partner with this world-class research university right here in Flint.” Students, working with faculty members at Kettering University, converted a 2500HD Chevy Silverado to run on a dual-fuel system. Th... [more]
Mipower to deliver the benefits of the Feed in Tariff to homeowners and businesses via solar PV systems(06/08/2010)
From the 1st of April 2010, the Government has made the Feed in Tariff (FIT) available that pays the owners of domestic and commercial buildings up to maximum of 41.3 pence for every unit (kWh) of electricity generated from their solar PV systems. A group of Midlands-based businessmen - led by former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council chief executive, Robin Hooper - have launched a nationally-focussed company to deliver the benefits of the FIT to homeowners and businesses via solar PV syst... [more]
Mitsubishi Electric's free CPD-Accredited Guide to photovoltaic technology explores the issues around solar power(26/07/2010)
According to the latest figures from the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), Europe leads the world in the use of photovoltaic systems, with 16GW of capacity installed up to 2009 - around 70% of the world's total PV power. Within Europe, Germany is at the forefront of solar energy use, with almost 10GW of installed power. 3.8GW was installed in 2009 and Government tariffs have been an important driver for the German market. With the UK photovoltaic market set to grow following... [more]
Easy ways to save on gas and electricity and go green(28/06/2010)
Under the UK government’s new Feed-in Tariff (Clean Energy Cashback) scheme consumers can now be paid for every kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity generated from a renewable source or low carbon sources such as solar electricity (PV) panels or wind turbines. Anyone who has already installed a renewable energy system producing electricity after July 15th 2009 is now eligible to claim the tariffs as long as they produce less than 5MW of power. With this new incentive and a huge range of energy... [more]
UK solar PV market set for substantial growth(09/06/2010)
According to a report published in May 2010 by the European Photovoltaic Industry Association, Germany continues to dominate the European PV market with 68% market share, followed by Italy and the Czech Republic. Belgium and France both showed steady growth throughout 2009 whilst Spain’s market appeared to slow because of the recession. And trailing at the bottom of the league table is the UK with installations totalling just 22 MW in 2009. However, in April, the UK Government introduced the ... [more]
BlueChip Energy starts development of the Rinehart Solar Farm(07/06/2010)
The Rinehart Solar Farm project, located in Lake Mary, Fla., will have a total capacity of 10 megawatts (MW) and an annual generation of approximately 15,000,000 kilowatt-hours. This is equivalent to the annual energy use of roughly 1,100 area homes. It will cover a portion of the 380,000 square foot rooftop space and surrounding acreage of BlueChip Energy’s Lake Mary facility. BlueChip Energy has announced it has started stage one of the Rinehart Solar Farm, a 10 MW utility-scale solar PV fa... [more]
Chempolis to supply three formico biorefineries to Tianjin Jiuqian Paper(27/05/2010)
Chempolis has signed a licence and EPC agreement with Tianjin Jiuqian Paper Co Ltd. to supply three formico® biorefineries, each capable of producing 100,000 t/a of bleached wheat straw pulp. The new plants are scheduled to start up in 2012-2013. Chempolis’ scope of supply will cover formico® technology licence and supplying EPC services (engineering, procurement, commissioning and start-up services). The biorefineries will incorporate Chempolis’ latest formicofib™ technologies, including the... [more]
Get ready to reap the rewards of feed-in tariffs(14/05/2010)
In April, the UK Government introduced FITs to stimulate growth in the UK renewable energy market. The scheme promises cash rewards to homeowners, businesses and communities who install technologies for renewable energy. The FITs entitle householders, communities and organisations that install technology renewable technology to be paid: • £0.361 per kWh for new build installations up to 4kW • £0.413 per kWh for retrofit installations up to 4kW • £0.361 per kWh for installati... [more]
Hoval features biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar heating at Facilities Show(12/05/2010)
At The Facilities Show, Hoval featured the company’s range of low carbon heat sources, including biomass boilers, heat pumps and solar heating – along with its high efficiency gas and oil boilers. A highlight of the stand will be the company’s new CF ceramic filter. Capable of removing up to 96% of 10 and 2.5 micron diameter particulate emissions (PM10 and PM2.5), the CF addresses concerns in some urban areas about particulate emissions from biomass boilers, while exceeding the requirements o... [more]
Digicel Pacific installs a hybrid solar-diesel DC power system for its wireless network serving Papua New Guinea(12/02/2010)
South Pacific wireless operator Digicel Pacific has installed a hybrid solar-diesel DC power system based on Eltek Valere's Flatpack2 HE Solar Charger to build out its wireless network serving Papua New Guinea (PNG). Digicel Pacific implemented a 35-tower high capacity microwave backbone and basestation network to provide more bandwidth for its mobile phone customers on the island. But the rugged terrain of PNG, one of the least explored areas in the world, meant that many of those sites were... [more]
Renewable energy systems purchased now benefit from capital grants and incentive payments(01/02/2010)
There is currently a golden window of opportunity in which consumers purchasing renewable energy systems can benefit from both capital grants for the purchase of equipment, and additional incentive payments for every unit of heat or electricity produced. This ‘double-whammy’ will be short lived as the current grant system towards the purchase of systems will be phased out and replaced by a pay per unit system. From April 2010, the government strategy of ‘Feed-In tariffs’, and from April 2011 ... [more]
Grasses could reduce the US reliance on foreign oil(01/01/2010)
Mississippi State University (MSU) has been studying Freedom Giant Miscanthus grass for 12 years. Results of that dedicated research indicate that Freedom Giant Miscanthus is a viable alternative to other biofuel sources, like corn, switchgrass and timber. The first guaranteed, university-backed strain of giant miscanthus grass is now available and is being commercialized by SunBelt Biofuels LLC, which has entered into an exclusive licensing agreement with MSU. The implications of this ann... [more]
SunEdison to double its Canadian workforce in 2010(30/12/2009)
SunEdison has a strong foothold in Canada as an owner/operator of Canada’s first solar PV energy park, First Light, a 9.1MW project located in Stone Mills, Ontario. SunEdison has announced that it will be more than doubling its Canadian workforce in 2010. SunEdison will be hiring for the following positions in Canada during the first quarter of 2010: * Regional Operations Managers * Project Managers * Project Superintendents * Assistant Project Superintendents * Elec... [more]
Firechill eco-cooling products capture waste heat (21/10/2009)
Two new products have been created which are energy efficient and can provide significant cost savings of between 15% and 60% depending on application. When operating at its most efficient and in a Combined Cooling Heat and Power environment, each carbon-cutting system offers a reduction of up to 40 tonnes of CO2 per year. Firechill products will challenge the traditional air-con market by offering new applications to solve climate and energy-related problems. Areas that are hot, crowded, hav... [more]
CIWEM welcomes Flood and Water Management Bill(04/09/2009)
The production of the draft Flood and Water Management Bill offers a great opportunity to deliver better-integrated environmental management given adequate support, guidance and funding and CIWEM particularly welcomes the measures concerning local authority responsibility, SUDS, partnership working and streamlining organisational responsibilities. CIWEM endorses the proposed increase in responsibility for local authorities (LAs) as the importance of local expertise in the context of effective... [more]
Kingston University electric motorbike gears up to take on the most advanced green racing vehicles(10/06/2009)
The finishing touches are being made to Kingston University’s electric motorbike as it gears up to take on the world’s most advanced green racing vehicles. A team of six final-year engineering students are entering their bike, known as the Firstest, in this Friday’s (12 June) first zero-emissions Grand Prix, part of the Isle of Man TTXGP. It will be joined on the starting grid by bikes from America, India, Italy, Germany and Austria. Paul Brandon, course director for motorcycle engineering, ... [more]
Green energy market poised for a boom in demand for smaller-scale wind turbines(05/06/2009)
Wind Week 2009 from 13 to 21 June, organised by the British Wind Energy Association, is part of a world-wide campaign to raise awareness about wind energy as a free, sustainable and carbon-neutral source of electricity. An industry expert has predicted that the green energy market is poised for a boom in demand for smaller-scale wind turbines. Rod Edwards, Technical Director at Perpetual Energy, claims that there has been a surge of interest among farmers, landowners and small businesses for ... [more]
Feedstock Machine converts poultry and swine manure into high protein feeds(13/05/2009)
The Feedstock Machine™ is an integrated, scalable solution that converts poultry and swine manure into high protein feeds, natural oils, and high quality soil amendments. EcoSystem Corporation has announced today its plans to conduct operational trials of its Feedstock Machine™ at targeted poultry and swine processing companies. The Feedstock Machine™ consists of three major subsystems: (1) material preparation and handling, where manure is dewatered and evenly distributed to the bioreactors,... [more]
Daiyang Metal selects Veeco Instruments to be its supplier of equipment to manufacture CIGS solar cells(06/03/2009)
Market research firm Nanomarkets estimates CIGS (copper, indium, gallium, selenium) production capacity will reach 1.4 GW in 2012 and 4.9 GW in 2015 (a 30x increase over 2008's 152 MW). CIGS solar cells offer the broadest range of applications of any thin film solar technology – they can be used in solar farms, in BIPV (building integrated PV), flat and pitched roofs, rooftop shingles and in portable devices. Veeco Instruments Inc. has entered into a strategic partnership with Daiyang Metal C... [more]
SRIC report provides comprehensive study on phase II biofuels, bioethanol, biodiesel and biobutanol(30/01/2009)
SRI Consulting (SRIC) has published its new report: 2008 Biofuels and the Impact on Chemicals, providing its most comprehensive study on phase II biofuels, bioethanol, biodiesel, biobutanol, and many other products. Two things are apparent concerning the biofuels industry. First, they are entering a new era. Second, their future as well as the future of many chemicals is linked together. Over the last several years the growth of biofuels has been phenomenal, even though they are still a mi... [more]
Government proposals on renewable energy could push those on the breadline further into fuel poverty(17/10/2008)
Under the UK Government’s new proposals on renewable energy, households using fossil fuels, such as gas and oil, would be taxed in order to encourage them to use more renewable forms of energy like solar and biomass. The move is part of the UK’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions as part of an EU wide strategy to make 20% of our energy come from renewable sources by 2020. However, many fear that the proposed system of grants and incentives for renewable energy will push those on the breadl... [more]
Stormsaver reduces the environmental impact of Isleport Foods manufacturing facility(17/10/2008)
Stormsaver has secured its largest ever order to supply a £94,000 system, featuring a massive 224,000 litre storage tank, to Isleport Foods' new manufacturing facility. Isleport Foods is seeking to minimise the environmental impact of its new site, which is being built in Highbridge, near Burnham-on Sea, Somerset. Rainfall will be directed from the building’s 5000m2 roof to the Stormsaver tank instead of adding to the local water course, a fact that has been welcomed by the Inland Drainage Bo... [more]
Spartanics-Systec Fineprint Flatbed Screen Printing Line Available to Solar Panel Industry(16/10/2008)
The Spartanics-Systec Fineprint Flatbed Screen Printing Line is now available from the Spartanics-Systec partnership. It has been designed for unprecedented throughput in roll-to-roll screen printing technology used for thin film solar photo-voltaics among other screen printed products. Distinguished by fully electronic controls that eliminate time-consuming manual adjustments, the Spartanics-Systec Fineprint Flatbed Screen Printing Line is custom-configured to dimensions that will allow opt... [more]
Aeronautica Windpower recycles wind turbines and sells them to US farmers(09/10/2008)
The US wind industry is exploding. Last year, wind power accounted for over 25% of the world’s new electrical generation capacity. The 'Ultimate Recycling Project' recycles wind turbines and sells them to farmers. Aeronautica Windpower is betting that US farmers are the perfect owners for the wind turbines being retired from the large wind farms of California as they get replaced by larger turbines. According to the company’s industry research, over 10,000 machines that were installed dur... [more]
GE and Grupo Corporativo Landon invest in Spanish solar power project developer(29/08/2008)
GE Energy Financial Services and Grupo Corporativo Landon have announced they will invest about US $350 million (€225 million) in Fotowatio, one of Spain’s largest solar power project developers. Fotowatio owns, operates and is developing almost 960 megawatts of solar projects in the fast-growing solar power markets of Spain, Italy and the United States. Existing investors in Fotowatio comprise investment fund Qualitas Venture Capital and Fotowatio’s management. “By facilitating the growth of... [more]
Solar thermal technologies are the future of alternative utility scale energy(14/07/2008)
Vinod Khosla, Founder of Khosla Ventures, hailed solar thermal technologies as the future of alternative utility scale energy during a keynote talk at the SNS Future in Review (FiRe) 2008 technology conference. Khosla cited the availability of solar, its low startup costs, scalability, and high productivity as factors behind the industry’s imminent success, while simultaneously respecting the rapidly growing distributed generation market of PV, which he clarifies as being a different market. ... [more]
Floatovoltaic solar array installed by Napa Valley wine producer(17/06/2008)
Napa Valley wine producer Far Niente was founded in Oakville, CA in 1885 and prospered until the onset of Prohibition in 1919, when the winery was abandoned. Oklahomans Gil and Beth Nickel revived the winery in 1979, restoring the estate to its original grandeur. Far Niente has now gone live with its “Floatovoltaic™” solar array. The Floatovoltaic installation, developed by Thompson Technology Industries, Inc. (TTI), couples solar power with water, saving valuable vineyard acreage from being... [more]
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