The renewable energy industry suffers from intermittent wind but the conditions can be cured. That, at least is the tenor of a number of recent studies and reports. Even transmission operators who previously had serious reservations about wind energy are now thinking hard about dealing with the variable nature of wind power. As George Marsh discovers, most believe that the problem can be managed.
30 November, 2009
The UK does not have the necessary skills to make the transition to a low carbon economy at the pace required to meet mandatory targets - or the training arrangements in place to fill the gap, according to a report from Aldersgate Group.
26 November, 2009
In the final article in a series of three on the use and development of small urban wind turbines, Bill Holdworth draws on his project work with one large UK retailer to explain what is needed if such micro wind generation technology is to have any chance of success - outside of the pr department that is.
20 November, 2009
The Premier of Australia’s largest state, New South Wales, recently announced a gross feed-in tariff of AU$0.60/kWh for 7 years for solar power.
19 November, 2009
In 2008, the United States Department of Energy (DOE) reported that the US could generate 20% of its electricity from wind energy by 2030, though noting that transmission issues represented a key challenge in meeting this target. One year on, some political steps have been taken – but what happens next? Don C. Smith examines the current status of the transmission issue and forecasts the possible road ahead.
19 November, 2009
In the first of a series of articles on advances in solar photovoltaic (PV), Joyce Laird looks at how innovation can create a profitable playing field in the solar PV marketplace.
13 November, 2009
With the EU’s goal of 20% renewable energy by 2020, and the UK government’s plan to roll out smart meters to all domestic customers by the same time, the way has been paved for smart grids. Global energy consumption is set to triple by 2050, and power networks need to transform into intelligent systems that will save energy, accommodate increasing amounts of renewable energy, and ensure supply security.
05 November, 2009