Info: Energy
ENERGY - BIOFUELS
Forget biofuels - burn oil and plant forests instead
http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn12496
Catherine Brahic, NewScientist.com, 16 August 2007
It sounds counterintuitive, but burning oil and planting forests to compensate is more environmentally friendly than burning biofuel.
Can biofuels rescue American prairies?
http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=mg19526173.400
Jim Giles, New Scientist, 18 August 2007
Ecologists argued that the expansion of corn ethanol is damaging soils and threatening wildlife, while doing little to cut US greenhouse gas emissions.
OECD warns against biofuels subsidies
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e780d216-5fd5-11dc-b0fe-0000779fd2ac.html
Andrew Bounds, Financial Times, September 10, 2007
Governments need to scrap subsidies for biofuels, as the current rush to support alternative energy sources will lead to surging food prices and the potential destruction of natural habitats, said the OECD.
Scrap biofuels target, say Friends of the Earth and OECD
http://www.theecologist.org/news_detail.asp?content_id=1064
Ecologist online, 11/09/2007
The backlash against large scale biofuel production continues to build as Friends of the Earth urges the European Union to scrap its target for 10 per cent of transport fuel to come from crops by 2020.
Asda palm oil ban to save rainforests
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/uk_news/story/0,,2132140,00.html
Juliette Jowit, The Observer, July 22, 2007
Two of the biggest retail names are to ban the sale of palm oil from unsustainable sources because of fears that it is leading to the destruction of rainforests.
Bioenergy Could Do More Harm Than Good
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070722220325.htm
Science Daily, 23 July 2005
Leading environmental groups are making an urgent plea to government not to downgrade other environmental concerns in promoting bioenergy.
Don't bet the farm on biofuel
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editorials/archives/2007/07/09/2003368785
Taipei Times editorial, Jul 09, 2007
Biofuels are a tempting proposition. But, as the McKinsey Quarterly asked recently, "Can biofuels deliver?"
Jane’s Warns Pursuit of Biofuels Brings New Global Security Risks
http://www.evworld.com/news.cfm?newsid=15755
Jane's Information Group, Jul 20, 2007
Greater use of land for biofuel production will reducte land for food crops just as rising global population is putting increased demand on food and water supplies.
The Great Biofuel Hoax
http://www.alternet.org/environment/54218/
By Eric Holt-Gimenez, Indypendent, June 25, 2007.
Touted by politicians and industry as "green" energy, biofuels come with a high price tag.
Biofuels demands eating into US corn stockpiles
http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn11849
Catherine Brahic, NewScientist.com news service, 14 May 2007
The surging biofuel industry will use 27% of this year's American corn crop, challenging farmers' ability to meet food demands, the US government says.
Biofuels Could Do More Harm Than Good, UN Report Warns
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2007/05/070509-un-ethanol.html
Kelly Hearn, National Geographic News, May 9, 2007
Studyuggests biofuels would serve better for heating and industrial power than for cars and buses, as is the current trend.
Castro warns poor will starve for greener fuel
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/energy/story/0,,2045574,00.html
Guardian Unlimited, March 29, 2007
The Cuban leader attacked George Bush's new-found fondness for biofuels, warning that food stocks for millions of people could be threatened.
Ethanol investments won't do much to cut greenhouse gas emissions: report
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/national/story.html?
id=1a06c670-e1ed-49a6-8929-98974682a7b5&k=35816
Dennis Bueckert, Canadian Press, March 31, 2007
The federal government's massive investments in biofuels will be of little benefit in cutting dependence on fossil fuels or reducing greenhouse emissions, suggests a study by the Library of Parliament.
If we want to save the planet, we need a five-year freeze on biofuels
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/climatechange/story/0,,2043727,00.html
George Monbiot, The Guardian, March 27, 2007
Oil produced from plants sets up competition for food between cars and people
ENERGY - FOSSIL FULES
Coach giant drops biodiesel trials amid doubts over 'green' benefits
http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=52&id=1232622007
Alastair Dalton, The Scotsman, 7 August 2007
Britain's biggest coach firm has abandoned its current biodiesel trial amid concern that using the fuel may be harming the environment.
After oil supplies dry up, what's Plan B?
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2007/08/26/INF7RM3OC.DTL
Erica Etelson, SFGate.com, August 26, 2007
When Hurricane Katrina struck two years ago, Americans learned just how ill-equipped the government is to respond effectively to natural disasters. But if you think the government's response to Katrina was inept, brace yourself for peak oil.
Coal Plants' Cleanup May Create Side-Effect
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/26/financial/f112017D64.DTL
Anna Jo Bratton, Associated Press, August 26, 2007, SFGate
As the nation's coal-fired power plants work to create cleaner skies, they'll likely fill up landfills with millions more tons of potentially harmful ash.
Asia-Pacific Coal Rush Worsens Global Warming - WWF
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44125/story.htm
Reuters, September 5, 2007
Growing dependence on cheap coal to power rapid economic growth in the Asia-Pacific could undermine efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions that is blamed for harmful changes in the world's climate, experts said on Tuesday.
The great global coal rush puts us on the fast track to irreversible disaster
http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2007/aug/30/climatechange.energy
John Harris, The Guardian, August 30 2007
The dirtiest fossil fuel of all is on the resurgent, dressed in climate-friendly garb. We'd be wise not to flirt with it
Poll: Coal and nukes - nobody's buying it
http://www.lowyinstitute.org/Publication.asp?pid=660
Carbon capture and storage
http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2007/2014388.htm
ABC Science show, 25 August 2007
The government's promises on carbon capture and storage have fallen short. Competitions have been postponed and companies have pulled out.
Oil and gas may run short by 2015, say industry experts
http://environment.independent.co.uk/climate_change/article2790960.ece
Geoffrey Lean, The Independent, 22 July 2007
Environmentalists sue over US coal subsidies
http://www.theecologist.org/news_detail.asp?content_id=1004
China Says Coal Use Surging Despite Environmental Worries
http://www.enn.com/today.html?id=13191
Associated Press, July 25, 2007
Greenpeace challenges 'clean coal' claims
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/07/20/1983999.htm
Jane Cowan, ABC News, Jul 20, 2007
The company behind a new coal-fired power station to be built in Victoria's Latrobe Valley has been taken to the ACCC over its use of the term 'clean coal'.
Crisis, what energy crisis?
http://europe.theoildrum.com/node/2661#more
Euan Mearns, 3 July 2007
World oil supplies are set to run out faster than expected, warn scientists
http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/06/14/1874/
Daniel Howden, The Independent, 14 June 2007
Anvill Hill Gets the Go Ahead
http://www.abc.net.au/stateline/nsw/content/2006/s1948727.htm
ABC TV Lateline, 8 June 2007
Planning Minster Frank Sartor's decision yesterday to approve the massive open cut Anvil Hill coal mine in the Hunter Valley has ignited the fires of protest.
Role for coal 'continues to soar'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/6746415.stm
BBC News, 12 June 2007
World energy use is becoming more carbon intensive - as the popularity of coal power in developing nations continues to soar.
Climate to push up Australian power costs - study
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/SYD213805.htm
By James Grubel, Reuters, 25 May 2007
Electricity prices could rise by up to 75 percent from 2020 if Australia refuses to take strong climate change action, Australia's Climate Institute said.
What if the Oil Runs Out?
http://www.monbiot.com/archives/2007/05/29/what-if-the-oil-runs-out
By George Monbiot. Guardian, 30 May 2007
Though the government is planning a massive expansion of transport networks, it has never considered this question.
U.S. lawmakers promote coal as an 'alternative fuel'
http://www.iht.com/articles/2007/05/29/business/coal.1-63507.php
Edmund L. Andrews, IHT, May 29, 2007
A powerful roster of Democrats and Republicans is pushing to subsidize coal as the king of alternative fuels.
Public purse props up fossil fuel industries
http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/public-purse-props-up-fossil-fuel-industries
/2007/05/07/1178390228019.html
Wendy Frew, SMH, May 8, 2007
GOVERNMENT subsidies to some of Australia's electricity generation companies are so big they exceed the profits made by those companies
'Dirty Thirty' named and shamed
http://www.theecologist.org/news_detail.asp?content_id=922
Ecologist online, 11/05/2007
Ten of the Europe's thirty most polluting power stations are in the UK, a new report from the World Wildlife Fund has revealed.
The cost of coal on the environment
http://www.panda.org/news_facts/newsroom/index.cfm?uNewsID=100660
WWF, 04 May 2007
A worldwide rush to use “cheap” and dirty coal to supply power is threatening to impose huge costs to the environment and the global economy. See also:
http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/climate_change/
problems/cause/coal/coal_dirty/index.cfm
Kerry proposes bill to ban non-carbon-capture coal plants
http://www.pointcarbon.com/Home/News/All%20news/Kyoto%20International/
article21905-472.html
Bill prohibits the construction of all new coal-fired power plants in the US unless they use carbon capture and storage technology.
Coal makes a dirty comeback
http://www.marklynas.org/2007/4/13/coal-makes-a-dirty-comeback
13 April 07
How can we keep the lights on in an era of mounting concern about global warming? Not by burning more coal, hopes Mark Lynas
Climate expert urges dropping clean coal
http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,21565234-5005961,00.html
By Tim Dornin, Herald-Sun, April 16, 2007
A CLIMATE change expert has urged Australia to step away from the development of clean coal technology for power generation in favour of natural gas and nuclear energy.
Facts about Carbon Capture and Storage
http://www.risingtide.org.au/cleancoal
Rising tide fact sheet, 10 April
If you beleive everything you hear in the media, you probably think that "clean coal" is going to save us from climate change. If only it were so. .
NSW Govt 'hypocritical' for expanding coal export facilities
http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200704/1897282.htm
ABC online, 14 April 2007
An environment group has accused the New South Wales Government of hypocrisy over its approval of an expansion for coal export facilities.
Coal exports to double
http://www.abc.net.au/news/items/200704/1897282.html
Catharine Munro, SMH, April 14, 2007
The State Government has approved a doubling in coal export capacity, a move that Greenpeace says contradicts the Government's position on climate change.
Reserves to dry up as clean coal becomes viable
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/reserves-to-dry-up-as-clean-coal-
becomes-viable/2007/04/09/1175971023057.html
Wendy Frew, SMH, April 10, 2007
NSW could run out of coal within 35 years, yet any clean coal technology would only be in its infancy, say researchers.
The burning issue
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/energy/story/0,,2055756,00.html
John Harris, The Guardian, 14 April 2007
A single chimney at Yorkshire's Drax power station pours out more pollution than entire countries; campaigners want the plant closed
Report blames coal-fired plants for carbon dioxide increases
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=334030
A report released Thursday by an Illinois environmental group blames coal-fired power plants for nearly half the country's increase in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels between 2000 and 2004.
BHP chief's doubts over clean coal technology
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/bhp-chiefs-doubts-over-clean-coal-
technology/2007/03/23/1174597882721.html
Marian Wilkinson, Sydney morning herald, March 24, 2007
The former head of BHP says the long-term storage of the carbon waste may be as difficult as dealing with nuclear waste.
Global boom in coal power – and emissions
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/0322/p01s04-wogi.html
Mark Clayton, The Christian Science Monitor, March 22, 2007
A Monitor analysis shows the potential for an extra 1.2 billion tons of carbon released into the atmosphere per year.
Future of 'Clean Coal' Power Tied to (Uncertain) Success of Carbon Capture and Storage
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=
4D9BFC3D-E7F2-99DF-3E6E1A60C23D44E6&chanID=sa003
David Biello, Science News, March 14, 2007
A new report says coal has a large role to play in meeting the world's energy demands, but to avoid runaway climate change, technologies to sequester its carbon need to advance quickly.
Cutting carbon emissions easier said than done
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21382795-7583,00.html
by Mike Steketee, The Australian, 15 March 2007
The widely used term of carbon capture and storage is shorthand for a very complex process, even without considering the sheer volumes involved.
ENERGY - RENEWABLES
German sun powers a revolution
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/german-sun-powers-a-revolution
/2007/08/10/1186530617828.html
Andrew McCathie, The Age, August 11, 2007
A vast former Soviet military training base under the often sullen grey skies of what was once communist East Germany is an unlikely new hub for the world's solar energy industry.
'Clean energy' industry shows fast job growth
http://www.boston.com/business/technology/articles/2007/08/09/
clean_energy_industry_shows_fast_job_growth
Peter J. Howe, Boston Globe Staff, August 9, 2007
Massachusetts' fast-growing "clean energy" industry is poised to add as many as 3,000 jobs this year, according to a state survey released yesterday.
Ryan: We’ll be renewable energy No1
http://archives.tcm.ie/irishexaminer/2007/08/21/story40456.asp
Harry McGee, The Irish Examiner, 21 August 2007
Ireland will become the world leader of Government-led renewable technology and energy conservation within five years, the Minister for Communications and Energy has vowed
Green power surges despite the cost
http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/green-power-surges-despite-the-
cost/2007/08/12/1186857344146.html
Wendy Frew, SMH, August 13, 2007
Australians are sending green power sales surging despite a lack of Federal Government support for renewable energy.
Excess Nightime Energy Could Fuel Over 158 Million Plug-in Hybrids
http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/excess_nightime.php
by Sean Fisher, treehugger.com, 4 September 2007
The study shows 84% of the 198 million cars, light trucks and SUVs on America's roads could be fueled by the existing energy infrastructure if switched to plug-in hybrid vehicles.
Europe photovoltaic capacity seen tripled by 2010
http://uk.reuters.com/article/scienceNews/idUKL0374763720070903
Sep 3, 2007
Installed capacity of photovoltaic systems, which turn sunlight into power, will triple by 2010 to 3 gigawatts (GW) in Europe due to efforts to fight climate change, the sector's industry association said.
Reflective Mirrors Seen Raising Solar Potential
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44025/story.htm
August 30, 2007
Reflective dishes may be the answer to make solar energy competitive with conventional sources of power, Israeli scientists say.
The solar power you don't hear about
http://gristmill.grist.org/story/2007/8/30/11351/3283t
It makes sense to become energy efficient
http://www.theage.com.au/news/opinion/it-makes-sense-to-become-energy-
efficient/2007/08/27/1188067029984.html
Tim Colebatch, The Age, August 28, 2007
Most of the big options in tackling climate change are very expensive, but some of the smaller ones are actually quite profitable. They are what economists call "low-hanging fruit": easy to harvest, costing us little or nothing, yet delivering valuable benefits.
Prominent venture capitalist is betting big on solar-thermal tech
http://www.thestar.com/columnists/article/250043
Tyler Hamilton, The Star, Aug 27, 2007 04:30 AM
The Cleantech Network released an insightful report last week that
paints a rosy picture of the clean-technology sector, highlighting 2006
as a year of significant expansion.
Energy efficiency easiest path to aid climate
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSL2836333720070828
Alister Doyle, Reuters, Aug 28, 2007
Energy efficiency for power plants, cars or homes is the easiest way to slow global warming in a long-term investment shift that will cost hundreds of billions of dollars, the United Nations said on Tuesday.
China Plans US$265 Bln Renewables Spending by 2020
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/44127/story.htm
Reuters, September 5, 2007
China plans to invest 2 trillion yuan (US$265 billion) in renewable energy by 2020, most of it corporate cash, to wean itself off polluting coal as it aims for cleaner growth, a top energy planner said on Tuesday.
Scientists charged with developing giant 'green energy' battery
http://business.guardian.co.uk/story/0,,2168700,00.html
Mark Milner, Guardian, September 13, 2007
Eon UK is developing a giant battery designed to store electricity generated by wind farms and solar panels.
Climate roadblocks
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/an-uneasy-drive-towards-energy-
efficiency/2007/09/14/1189276986810.html
Tim Colebatch,The Age, September 15, 2007
Between 1990 and 2004, with climate change increasingly obvious but energy prices comfortably low, our growth in energy efficiency slowed to 0.9 per cent a year, albeit rising towards the end.
Where the wind blows
http://www.economist.com/science/PrinterFriendly.cfm?story_id=9539765
The Economist, 26 July 2007
A grandiose plan to link Europe's electricity grids may recast wind power from its current role as a walk-on extra to being the star of the show
Clean energy could save world $180 billion a year, says study
http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=169352
Financial Express, 6 July 2007
New Flexible Plastic Solar Panels Are Inexpensive And Easy To Make
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070719011151.htm
Science Daily, 19 July 2007
Solar power costs dropping, nearing competition
http://www.reuters.com/article/environmentNews/idUSN2139198820070621
Rebekah Kebede, Reuters, Jun 21, 2007
Solar energy is fast closing the price gap with conventional U.S. power sources and is likely to drop to near even in cost in many regions in the next few years.
Renewable revolution is here, says UN report
http://environment.guardian.co.uk/energy/story/0,,2107846,00.html
Terry Macalister, The Guardian, June 21, 2007
United Nations says that clean energy could provide almost a quarter of the world's electricity by 2030.
Wind to make 20 percent of power by 2030: advocates
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?alias=wind-to-make-20-percent-o&
By Bernie Woodall, Scientific American.com, 5 June 2007
The U.S. wind power industry will see half a trillion dollars of investment by 2030.
WWF Report: Possible to Meet Energy Demand and Stop Global Warming
http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/news_press_release,105887.shtml
Media release, 15 May 2007
Sustainable energy and technology can curb climate change and meet projected growth in demand for energy but only if key decisions are made within the next five years, according to a new WWF report. .
Affordable solar power brings light to India
http://environment.newscientist.com/article.ns?id=dn11740
NewScientist, 29 April 2007
A thriving market for household solar panels has sprung up in India, with the help of a United Nations programme which assists local banks in offering cheaper loans for the panels.
High cost of capturing solar energy is diminishing
http://www.newscientisttech.com/article/mg19426024.400
Jim Giles, From New Scientist Print Edition, 05 May 2007
How solar ran out of puff
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/how-solar-ran-out-of-puff/
2007/04/16/1176696757654.html
Peter Vincent, SHM, 16 April 2007
Australian researchers lead the world, but our consumers are lagging, writes Peter Vincent.
Earth, Wind & Fire
http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2007/s1898635.htm
Jonathan Holmes, ABC TV "4 Corners", 16 April, 2007
But as urgency creeps into the hunt for climate-friendly alternatives can Australia afford to go on downplaying the potential of renewable energy?
Scientists get their hot rocks off over green nuclear power
http://www.smh.com.au/news/environment/hot-rock-power-the-way-ahead/
2007/04/11/1175971183212.html
John Garnaut, SMH, April 12, 2007
PEOPLE could be using "green nuclear" energy in their homes within three years as entrepreneurs rush to produce zero-emissions electricity.
Sustainable energy has powerful future
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/sustainable-energy-has-powerful-future
/2007/04/12/1175971264442.html
Mark Diesendorf, The Age, April 13, 2007
OPPONENTS of renewable energy from the coal and nuclear industries, and their political supporters, are disseminating the fallacy that renewable energy cannot provide base-load power to substitute for coal-fired electrici
Europe Wind Power to Rise 5 Times by 2020 - Lobby
http://www.planetark.org/dailynewsstory.cfm/newsid/41770/story.htm
May 8, 2007
The wind power sector is forecast to provide 12 to 15 percent of European power demand by 2020, a fivefold increase from current levels, the head of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) said on Monday
Renewed hope for renewables, but not business migrants
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/renewed-hope-for-renewables-but-not-
business-migrants/2007/04/01/1175366076801.html
Mathew Murphy, The Age, April 2, 2007
HALF of Australia's electricity could be supplied through renewable energy by 2040.
Buying Into the Green Movement
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/01/fashion/01green.html
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