Features for December 2011

Features Archive

Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures

Special report. Part three: Wind market achieves steady year in 2010...

Windpower 2011 revisited: innovation in wind Windpower 2011 revisited: innovation in wind

One of the trends at this year's Windpower 2011 event in Anaheim, California was a heavy emphasis on new technology – as well as the continuing debate about how to make wind a more reliable and grid-friendly source of power.

Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures

Special report. Part two: Hydropower remained top of the renewable league table in 2010...

Wind power poised for a busy year: Five trends to watch in 2012 Wind power poised for a busy year: Five trends to watch in 2012

A big year is in store for the U.S. wind power industry in 2012, both in the policy arena and out in the field...

Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures Renewable Power Generation - 2010 figures

Special report. Part one: how much renewable electricity capacity was installed worldwide at the end of 2010, and which technologies were the most popular?

US wind: year in review US wind: year in review

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has established a tradition of taking a look back in December at the events that shaped the year in wind power. Here is their 2011 offering.

Obituary: Brian Robertson Obituary: Brian Robertson

The CEO of Amonix passed away on 22 December 2011.

Building wind farms Building wind farms

Part two: when it comes to offshore wind farms, while the basic steps are the same on the surface, the actual construction is quite different...

Building wind farms Building wind farms

Part one: the precarious construction phase of a wind farm development needs careful preparation.

UK industry wins latest solar salvo UK industry wins latest solar salvo

A solar industry campaign to slow down government-planned cuts to solar subsidies in the UK has won a significant legal victory, but what does this mean for the industry?

Solar PV in perspective 2011 Solar PV in perspective 2011

Part five: While part four of this mini series showed that film technology has found times tough of late, crystalline silicon is expected to be the mainstay PV technology for some time to come.

Comment: Could Asia have its own supergrid? Comment: Could Asia have its own supergrid?

By 2050, Asia could be connected by a massive energy and information architecture, believes Stewart Taggart.

Comment: putting the case for wind Comment: putting the case for wind

In light of the recent criticisms of wind power, Rick Eggleston, managing director of REpower's UK operation has his say.

Solar PV in perspective 2011 Solar PV in perspective 2011

Part four: for thin film technology it has been a thin line between its popularity - and subsequent talk of its demise. Just three years back, it was projected to be heading towards dominion over silicon. Instead, it finds itself stalled at around 10% of the market...

Wind power in German forests: technical case study Wind power in German forests: technical case study

As hub heights of wind turbines increase, new sites such as forests are becoming more attractive. Important technological and geophysical features must however be taken into account – together with ensuring the accuracy of data – as this case study from Germany shows.

Wave and tidal establishes presence in the U.S. Wave and tidal establishes presence in the U.S.

There are few contexts in which the U.S. can be described as a minnow, but in terms of exploiting wave and tidal energy it is – for the moment. George Marsh looks at the sector as it tries to establish a foothold in the states.

Solar PV in perspective 2011 Solar PV in perspective 2011

Part three: Describing the relationship between supply and demand in the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry is no mean feat – especially when the industry does not follow the rules.

Latest Webinar: Sustainability in bioenergy Latest Webinar: Sustainability in bioenergy

The latest Refocus webinar is now online, and makes for fascinating listening. Register here (free of charge) to listen.

Latest White Paper Download: Saving resources through active energy efficiency Latest White Paper Download: Saving resources through active energy efficiency

This white paper from Schneider Electric argues strongly that meeting greenhouse gas emissions targets set within the Kyoto Protocol will fail - unless Active Energy Efficiency becomes compulsory...

Solar PV in perspective 2011 Solar PV in perspective 2011

Part two: No time to panic - a solar history lesson

Solar PV in perspective 2011 Solar PV in perspective 2011

Part one: Paula Mints looks at the background of the great solar squeeze, pre Solyndra.

Renewable energy in the developing world: case studies Renewable energy in the developing world: case studies

Accolades like the Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy raise the profile of community energy schemes in the developing world. We look at a few of those that impressed the judges this year.

Smart grid will “raise ceiling for use of renewables” Smart grid will “raise ceiling for use of renewables”

The EU wants electricity distribution systems that can utilise more solar and wind energy – and 16 European partners from 10 countries are now playing a key role in preparing for them.

UK latest: FiT cut timing provoked outrage across the board UK latest: FiT cut timing provoked outrage across the board

Since the UK Government went public with its decision to slash subsidies for Solar PV – setting a cut off date of 12 December for the old tariff level – the repercussions continue to reverberate around the industry with a legal challenge now underway.

Analysis: U.S. ITC backs SolarWorld's dumping action Analysis: U.S. ITC backs SolarWorld's dumping action

Fierce competition in the solar industry between China and the U.S. has taken a further step closer to becoming an all-out trade war, after the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) concurred with the CASM that China has a dumping case to answer.

Could the solar industry help Greece's woes? Could the solar industry help Greece's woes?

Thinking about Greece used to create a picture of a summer holiday spent on the beach in the sun, sailing the steady winds of the Meltemi in the Cyclades. But today the country is intent on becoming the energy hub of Southeast Europe. So should the financial troubles facing it put off potential investors?

Renewable energy project monitor Renewable energy project monitor

September/October: Our monthly column, written by the Energy Industries Council, reports on project development in the renewable energy marketplace.