The Brazilian organisation is involved in a long-term project to transform the global competitiveness and sustainability of woody biomass production.
29 February, 2012
Until now, solar energy's two challenges have been cost and acceptance. Dow Corning is working to change that.
28 February, 2012
What is the process a solar manufacturer needs to go through to gain MCS approval in the UK?
28 February, 2012
The new-generation of wind turbines that will operate offshore require very large rotors. George Marsh takes a look at the Vestas approach.
28 February, 2012
Spurred by eligibility criteria to access a growing number of financial incentives the small wind industry is making solid headway toward consistent ratings, reliable performance estimates, and demonstrated compliance with safety standards.
28 February, 2012
Is is safe to say that compared to the major renewables markets, renewable energy is still developing within Australia - and in need of increased focus and investment; could that be set to come in 2013-2014 and beyond?
27 February, 2012
Wave and tidal power generation is receiving significant attention, but many believe that the industry is where wind power was 15 years ago, on the cusp of a flurry of activity set to accelerate development in the sector.
27 February, 2012
Away from media and political hysteria, U.S. companies like Westinghouse Solar continue to focus on the fundamentals – in its case making solar panels easier and cheaper to install.
27 February, 2012
What was once a weakness has become one of the country's strengths. The transformation of Nicaragua's energy sector could well become a case study for other countries.
22 February, 2012
An influential committee of UK MPs has called on the Government to adopt a “visionary approach” to marine renewables, to secure the UK’s place as a world leader in the field.
21 February, 2012
The possibility of using hydrogen to fuel cars has often been discussed, but the access to hydrogen is the challenge. But could using methane from sewage offer a viable source of fuel for vehicle fuel cells?
21 February, 2012
Yorkshire Ambulance Service in the UK installed a fuel cell in one of its rapid response vehicles at the beginning of 2011, to save fuel costs and reduce its carbon footprint.
20 February, 2012
Solar visionary and past Right Livelihood Award winner Martin Green believes that 60% lower manufacturing costs are feasible within the PV industry...
20 February, 2012
Part one: Oil and gas companies have learned to overcome many offshore difficulties, so what, if anything, can they bring to the renewable energy table?
20 February, 2012
With a new generation of sophisticated wind turbines targeting inhospitable offshore regimes comes the need for better day to day testing of components. Jari Toikkanen, manager of the research and test group at Moventas looks at how the company’s testing is being streamlined through technology to produce quicker results.
17 February, 2012
For the solar industry to grow up, or, mature, it needs to be less reliant on incentives, mature its business models and develop a structure where all participants enjoy positive margins, believes Paula Mints.
16 February, 2012
Energy storage is well known in off-grid installations, but how can energy storage be used as a way of accessing the grid for connected renewable energy systems?
15 February, 2012
In order to give renewable energy the best chance of success, we need to create grids that integrate clean energy sources while balancing power supply and demand.
14 February, 2012
Canada's SolarShare co-operative is all about keeping the benefit local and allowing regular people to own a part of the local resource, but while it's had some recent success, the path ahead looks rocky.
14 February, 2012
Once heavily in debt, Suzlon Energy Limited, the world’s fifth largest wind turbine supplier, is setting its finances in order.
13 February, 2012
A 5 MW solar PV project has recently been commissioned in 100 days - in the Rawra village near Jodhpur, in India’s northern desert state of Rajasthan.
10 February, 2012
The world wind turbine market is set for continued growth, with the Global Wind Energy Council forecasting up to 1 TW installed by 2020 in its most optimistic scenario. As wind turbines go offshore and into more extreme environments, the demands put on their blades increase. To ensure the blades meet design requirements, they are tested – both internally and by full-scale testing facilities. We see how the testing is done and why.
09 February, 2012
Part three: Materials is another area where solar manufacturers are looking to improve performance and reduce costs.
08 February, 2012
Part two: The industry needs to continue to innovate and address costs, so what are the equipment manufacturers doing to address this need?
07 February, 2012
Not yet in full swing, the year 2012 has already hit the solar photovoltaic (PV) industry with several unpleasant reports. The discussion about a tough cap on Germany, the most important sales market, or a temporary suspension of renewable energy incentives in Spain are only two of the news items now posing challenges to the international solar PV branch.
06 February, 2012
A former water mill, sited on the River Cosa at Travesio in northern Italy, has been renovated and converted into a micro hydropower scheme using the Archimedes’ screw concept.
03 February, 2012
Part one: despite a tough market last year, innovation in PV was alive and well. We look back at some of the developments that were making (and in some cases continue to make) the headlines...
03 February, 2012
Anaerobic digestion has been cited by the UK Government as a way of reducing carbon emissions, providing energy security and generating green jobs. A new project aims to push the technology forward...
02 February, 2012
Production challenges grow as wind turbines get bigger, and some blades now exceed 80 m in length. So what are some of the new products and processes being developed to meet the needs of utility-scale blade producers?
02 February, 2012
It is not just in laptop computers, mobile telephones and LED screens that scarce metals are to be found but also in solar cells, batteries for mobile technologies and many other similar applications. And the rising demand for these metals increases the risk of a bottleneck in supplies...
01 February, 2012