Natural Gas to Liquids Plant coming to the U.S.

South African based energy and chemicals company Sasol announced last week that they are considering the feasibility of building a natural gas to liquid (GTL) plant in southwestern Louisiana. If built, it would be the first GTL plant in the western hemisphere. What a GTL plant gets you is the ability to use natural gas Related posts: Solar / natural gas power plant hybrids Science News: Carbon capture strategy could lead to emission-free cars GreenFuel Technologies to build algae to fuel plant in Europe

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Natural Gas to Liquids Plant coming to the U.S.

Some Power Use Facts

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Some Power Use Facts

Solar Panels for Sale – All That You Should Learn About Residential Solar Energy Systems

Solar cells for sale are available in many places these days – from nearby DIY shops to the web. Many people are slowly realizing the advantages as well as importance of alternative energy and are thinking about changing to solar energy. What exactly are solar panels? How can they work? Do you know the advantages of using these cells? We check out the solutions to these concerns and plenty more in the following paragraphs. How They Work for home solar power systems comprise a number of solar panels that convert sunlight in to electrical power through a process known as photovoltaic effect. The energy produced by these systems is generally dependent on the actual intensity of sunlight. So, they generate more energy upon bright, sunny days and less in cloudy, cloudy conditions. They can be used to power all of the home appliances that people use on a regular basis. The Benefits The Solar Cells For Sale That May Be Found In Various Stores Have Many Inherent Benefits. The solar power system, once set up, continues to generate power for many years. So, once you recuperate your own initial investment, you get to enjoy free energy for a long time. It’s a fantastic way to cut your energy expenses as well as conserve a lot of money. Financialincentives are available in the federal government for people who use solar energy systems. In case your solar panel generates more energy than you’ll need, you can sell it for your power company as well. So, the solar panel can be a great long-term investment for you. One of the greatest advantages of solar energy is that is renewable as well as thoroughly clean. It does not affect the atmosphere in any way. The same cannot be said regarding coal, gasoline, or oil. Moreover, experts say that solar energy might be a great solution for our energy requirements and could reduce the dependency on non-renewable fuels. This is one of the main reasons why environmentalists encourage people to change to alternative energy. Home solar power systems could be set up anywhere you want, as long as there is sufficient room available. They do not have to be connected to a power or a gasoline power grid. So, they can be set up even just in remote locations, such as camping locations as well as vacation record cabins, exactly where conventional energy sources aren’t available. Buying Solar Energy Systems There are a number of places, each online and offline, where you can find solar cells for sale . If you’re a DIY fanatic, you can buy all the supplies and hang up the solar power system from scratch. If not, you can buy the solar panel from companies that provide set up services. Discover the best tips & guide about home solar power systems at: http://www.home-solarpowersystems.net.

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Solar Panels for Sale All That You Should Learn About Residential Solar Energy Systems

Removing the Rare Element Shackles from Solar Energy

By Daryl J. Ehrmantraut Our future energy requirements depend on reaching the holy grail of electricity generation Finding a cheaper alternative to coal and other fossil fuels. The availability of an alternative energy source would also contribute significantly to energy self-sufficiency in North America. Every hour more energy from the sun hits the earth than the worlds entire population consumes in a single year. Given this abundance, solar energy is our worlds most obvious energy choice. Why then, is less than 1% of our global electricity supply powered by solar energy? Because the industry has been unable to harness the three critical success factors for global solar deployment high efficiency, low cost and high materials availability for deployment on a global scale. Current solar photovoltaic (PV) technologies generate electrical power by converting solar radiation into an electric current using semiconductor material. The process involved is called the photovoltaic effect (PV). Today, solar PV cannot be realized on a worldwide scale because neither of the two main technologies presented today; crystalline silicon PV and thin-film PV, completely address the three critical success factors. Crystalline silicon PV possesses high efficiency using abundant materials but they are very expensive to manufacture. It wins on two of the 3 critical success factors. Thin-film PV on the other hand is cheap to manufacture but has low efficiency and relies on rare and toxic elements in its manufacture. It wins on one critical success factor. Furthermore most thin-film technologies use dangerous, toxic materials including cadmium telluride and indium among others. Despite the challenges, the global market for solar PV technology is growing very rapidly. Some analysts predicting solar PV could contribute as much as 10-15% of our global electricity by 2050. As we seek to move solar energy into the mainstream, we need to retain the industrys green integrity and bypass the pitfalls of electronic waste. Creating safe, affordable solar energy solutions requires research and development that eliminates the sectors reliance the scarce and dangerous elements that are in limited supply, toxic, difficult to mine, or found only in select, sometimes geopolitically unfriendly regions of the world. At Quantum Solar Power Corp., we are developing NGD a solar PV device which we believe will address all 3 critical success factors high efficiency, low cost and high scalability through the use of abundant non-toxic materials. We believe Quantum will win on all three critical success factors. Quantums revolutionary approach to solar PV design will revolutionize the solar power market. We invite other solar technology companies and manufacturers to join our quest to create safe, affordable solar technology solutions that will literally light up the lives of people across the world. There is no doubt that our predicted energy needs have a sunny future. According to the American Solar Energy Society, U.S. manufacturing of PV components wafers, cells, and modules has increased substantially year-over-year, with growth rates demonstrated at 97%, 81%, and 62% respectively. In 2009, the U.S. solar industry grew 36% to nearly $4 billion and supported the addition of 17,000 new jobs. It is important for our geopolitical future that we create a clean energy economy along with a strong energy policy. A sunny future for our children demands that we continue to create green sector jobs that replace our dependency on fossil fuels with renewable energy through wind turbines, hydro-electric power and solar photovoltaic technologies that make solar energy a globally deployable, environmentally smart energy source. # # # About the author: Daryl J. Ehrmantraut is Chief Executive Officer, President & Director of Quantum Solar Power Corporation , which is developing a “Next Generation Device” (NGD) photovoltaic technology. Mr. Ehrmantraut lives and works in Vancouver, Canada. He can be reached at info@quantumsp.com

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Removing the Rare Element Shackles from Solar Energy

Solar Panels for Sale – All You Need To Learn About Home Solar Energy Systems

Solar cells for sale can be found in a multitude of locations nowadays – from nearby Do-it-yourself shops to the internet. A lot of people tend to be gradually recognizing the advantages as well as need for alternative energy and therefore are thinking about switching to solar energy. What are solar cells? How do they work? Do you know the advantages of using these cells? All of us check out the solutions to these types of questions and plenty more in the following paragraphs. The Way They Work for home solar power systems comprise a number of solar cells which transform sunlight into electrical power through a procedure known as photovoltaic impact. The power produced by these systems is generally determined by the intensity of sunlight. So, they produce more power upon bright, sunny days and fewer within cloudy, cloudy conditions. They can be accustomed to power all the appliances that people use on a regular basis. The Advantages The Actual Solar Cells For Sale That May Be Present In Numerous Shops Have A Number Of Inherent Advantages. The solar energy system, once setup, continues to produce energy for several years. So, when you recover your energy production, you get to appreciate totally free power for a long period. It is a fantastic way to cut your power bills as well as save a lot of money. Financialbonuses are available from the federal government for those who make use of solar energy systems. If your cell generates more power compared to you need, you can sell this for your utility company as well. So, a solar panel can be a excellent long-term investment for you personally. One of the greatest advantages of solar energy is that is actually renewable as well as thoroughly clean. It does not affect the atmosphere by any means. Exactly the same cannot be stated regarding fossil fuel, gasoline, or oil. Furthermore, professionals state that solar energy might be a excellent answer for the power requirements and could decrease our reliance upon fossil fuels. This really is one of many explanations why environmentalists persuade folks to change to renewable energy. Home solar power systems can be installed anywhere you want, as long as there is sufficient room available. They do not have to become connected to a power or a gasoline power grid. So, they can be setup even just in distant places, like campsites as well as vacation log cabins, where standard energy sources aren’t available. Buying Solar Power Systems There are a variety of places, each offline and online, where you can find solar cells for sale . If you’re a Do-it-yourself enthusiast, you can purchase all the materials and hang up a solar energy program on your own. If not, you can purchase a cell through companies that provide installation services. Discover the best tips & guide about home solar power systems at: http://www.home-solarpowersystems.net.

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Solar Panels for Sale All You Need To Learn About Home Solar Energy Systems

Destination Clean Energy: Denver International Airport Dedicates

Share 4.4 MW of Solar Power from Constellation Energy More than 8 Megawatts of Solar Now Supplies 6 Percent of DIAs Total Electricity Needs DENVER, July 28, 2011 – Constellation Energy (NYSE: CEG) and Denver International Airport (DIA) today announced the completion of a 4.4-megawatt, ground-mounted solar power system . Constellation Energy built, owns and maintains the solar installation, and DIA will purchase the electricity produced by the system over a 20-year period. It is the third large-scale solar project for DIA, bringing the airports total amount of hosted solar power to more than 8 megawatts the most solar generation at a commercial airport in the United States. In honor of the solar projects completion, a celebration and ribbon-cutting were held today at DIA. Business and community leaders, as well as representatives from state and local government were on hand for the event, including Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper, former Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock. With the addition of this solar facility, Denver International Airports three solar array systems now produce approximately six percent of the airports total power requirements, said Kim Day, aviation manager for DIA. We support alternative energy applications at DIA because these projects are good for the environment while positively impacting our bottom line; they are financially sustainable. This airport was built with a goal of being green, and with this additional solar array, Denver International Airport now has one of the largest solar installations in North America. The system is expected to supply approximately 7,000 megawatt-hours of electricity to DIA each year, utilizing approximately 19,000 Yingli Solar photovoltaic panels. Generating the same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of more than 5,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency data. “Constellation Energy congratulates DIA for its continued commitment to clean energy, said Michael D. Smith, senior vice president of green initiatives for Constellation Energys retail business. Thanks to the shared commitment of federal, state and local government, along with private business, more businesses are able to rely on solar power to achieve environmental goals and control electricity costs. Constellation Energy thanks the public and private partners who worked with us in bringing this newest solar installation online for DIA. Denver-based solar development firm Oak Leaf Energy Partners originally developed the project; its third at DIA. Oak Leaf has developed 27 commercial and utility scale solar projects in Colorado, totaling over 35 megawatts of production. Quanta Services (NYSE:PWR) Intermountain Electric, which installed and manages DIAs 2 MW and 1.6 MW solar facilities, installed the 4.4 MW project. Yingli Green Energy (NYSE: YGE) supplied the photovoltaic panels for the project. Constellation Energy currently owns and operates approximately 95 megawatts of solar installations that have been completed or are under construction for customers throughout the United States. By structuring its solar projects as power purchase agreements, Constellation Energy requires no upfront capital from its customers and is able to provide power at a fixed cost that is less than projected market rates. Commercial customers, universities, school systems, hospitals and government agencies interested in on-site solar installations of 1 megawatt or larger may contact Constellation Energy at sustainable-solutions@constellation.com or 1-877-427-2005. To watch a brief video about Constellation Energys solar power systems, please visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GyaXDmgM55M .

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Destination Clean Energy: Denver International Airport Dedicates

Solar Panels for Sale – All You Need To Know About Home Solar Power Systems

Solar cells for sale are available in many places nowadays – from nearby Do-it-yourself shops to the web. Many people tend to be gradually realizing the benefits and need for alternative energy and are thinking about switching to solar power. What are solar panels? How do they work? What are the advantages of using these cells? All of us take a look at the answers to these concerns and lots much more in the following paragraphs. How They Work for home solar power systems consist of a series of solar panels that transform sunlight into electrical power through a procedure called photovoltaic effect. The power produced by these systems is usually determined by the intensity of sunlight. So, they generate much more energy on bright, sunny days and less within cloudy, cloudy conditions. They may be accustomed to power all of the appliances that we use on a regular basis. The Advantages The Actual Solar Cells For Sale That Can Be Found In Numerous Shops Have Many Natural Advantages. The solar energy system, once setup, continues to generate energy for several years. So, once you recuperate your own energy production, you’re able to appreciate free energy for a long time. It’s a great way to reduce your energy bills and conserve lots of money. Financialbonuses are available in the federal government for those who use solar power systems. In case your cell generates much more energy than you need, you can sell this for your power company too. So, the solar cell could be a great long-term investment for you personally. One of the greatest advantages of solar power is the fact that is green and clean. It doesn’t modify the environment in any way. The same can’t be said regarding fossil fuel, gas, or even oil. Furthermore, experts say that solar power could be a great solution for our energy needs and could decrease the reliance upon fossil fuels. This really is one of the main explanations why environmentalists persuade folks to switch to renewable energy. Home solar power systems can be installed anywhere you want, as long as there is enough room available. They don’t have to become attached to an electrical or a gas grid. So, they can be setup even in remote places, such as camping locations and vacation record cabins, where standard powers aren’t available. Purchasing Solar Power Systems There are a number of locations, each online and offline, where you can find solar cells for sale . If you’re a Do-it-yourself fanatic, you can purchase all the materials and set upward the solar energy system on your own. If not, you can purchase the cell from companies that offer set up services. Discover the best tips & guide about home solar power systems at: http://www.home-solarpowersystems.net.

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Solar Panels for Sale All You Need To Know About Home Solar Power Systems

Clean Energy Nation

Share By Congressman Jerry McNerney Ph.D. , Co-author of Clean Energy Nation: Freeing America from the Tyranny of Fossil Fuels I make it a point to meet with as many people as possible to learn from the experiences of others and stay connected. It’s important to represent my constituents effectively. In the last year, the tone of the conversations has changed. People are afraid for their future. They fear losing their jobs and homes, everything they’ve worked so hard to accomplish. There are simply not enough family wage jobs to go around. The American dream that has inspired generations to work hard and pursue innovative ideas seems to be slipping away. We must create a new generation of jobs to give parents the confidence that their children will do better than they have, and we must assure our country’s national and economic security. To make great strides on this path, look no further than the clean energy and energy efficiency industries, the next great frontier for Americans to explore. As a clean energy engineer and small businessman with over two decades of experience in wind energy , I know the rewards and challenges of the clean energy industry firsthand. During my time as an engineer, I often climbed 200 foot windmills to conduct tests and make repairs. From the top of the windmills, I looked out over the landscape and saw what our innovative spirit can achieve — capturing energy from the wind for our homes and businesses. Energy produced right here in the USA. I worked for a quarter century developing wind energy technology only to see that same technology go overseas and create jobs in other countries. Much to my disgust, technology that was born of American innovation was outsourced to Germany, which had more favorable utility and energy policies. Jobs were created in Germany that should have been created in America. Today, Germany builds and exports wind turbines back to the United States. Pursuing a more energy independent future for America will not only lay the foundation for the next generation of good paying manufacturing jobs but will also make us safer and more secure. We are heavily dependent on imported oil from the Middle East. Oil produced overseas fuels our cars, the trucks that ship goods around the country, and perhaps most critically, our military airplanes, tanks, ships and defense equipment. It’s dangerous to be so heavily dependent on oil from unstable regions. We’re also confronted with the devastating threat of global warming, which is impacting people’s lives across the globe with unprecedented heat waves, freakish storms, increasing acidity of the oceans, droughts, animal migrations, and melting arctic ice. Already, island communities in the Marshall Islands and the Maldives are facing the impending threat of rising ocean levels. These trends will only grow as the effects of global warming continue to accelerate and manifest themselves in our weather. Fortunately, we have within our grasp the means to address the challenges of a struggling economy, our risky dependence on foreign oil, and the threat of climate change. America has the know-how and innovative spirit to be the world’s manufacturer and exporter of clean energy technology. But this opportunity is rapidly vanishing as other countries, especially China, experience a surge in their clean energy development. We must act quickly or — just like when the wind energy I worked on in the 1980s went overseas to Germany — we’ll miss the boat and soon be forced to buy all of our clean energy technology from other countries. Our nation needs a directed energy policy that gives businesses the security and predictability to invest in developing and manufacturing here in America. Enacting smart policies like a renewable energy standard and providing the right financial incentives will help us unleash the American innovative spirit. I’ve seen what we can do when we work on these issues. In the 1980s, I helped develop a new type of wind turbine. After months of hard work, our team invited a group of investors out to turn on the machine for the first time and witness the windmill’s maiden voyage. We flipped the switch and, to our shock, the windmill blades flew apart while everyone ran for cover. But that moment proved to be an important turning point for the technology. We improved the design — making it better and stronger over time — and now those windmills are an important source of energy production. We’ll likely encounter similar bumps on the road as we work towards becoming more energy independent. But throughout this process, I’m confident that the American spirit of hard work and innovation will see us through. We have a history of taking on great challenges. Indeed, from our first days as a colony that rose up against British monarchy, Americans have proven that we are capable of hard work and possess ideas that will change the world. Americans have always been eager to explore the last frontier — whether it is new land in the West or the possibility of creating energy from algae . Let’s start that journey toward energy freedom now. 2011 Congressman Jerry McNerney, Ph.D., co-author of Clean Energy Nation: Freeing America from the Tyranny of Fossil Fuels Author Bios Congressman Jerry McNerney, Ph.D., co-author of Clean Energy Nation: Freeing America from the Tyranny of Fossil Fuels, was elected to California’s 11th congressional district in November 2006. Reelected in 2008 and 2010, he is a member of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology; the Subcommittee on Energy and the Environment; and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. Prior to his time in Congress, he served as an energy consultant for Pacific Gas and Electric, FlowWind, and the Electric Power Research Institute. He lives in Pleasanton, California. For more information please visit http://cleanenergynationbook.com/ and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter

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Clean Energy Nation

Wind power dispute

kxan asked: Wind power dispute

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Wind power dispute

Renewable Energy Continued Growth in 2010 Despite Recession

Share Renewable energy supplied an estimated 16% of global final energy consumption; Emerging and developing economies show rising share of renewables policies, investment, supply, and use Washington, D.C.—-The newly released REN21 Renewables 2011 Global Status Report shows that the renewable energy sector continues to perform well despite continuing economic recession, incentive cuts, and low natural gas prices. Authored by Worldwatch Institute Senior Fellow Janet Sawin in collaboration with a global network of research partners, the report shows that in 2010, renewable energy supplied an estimated 16% of global final energy consumption and delivered close to 20% of global electricity production. Renewable capacity now comprises about a quarter of total global power-generating capacity. Including large and small hydropower (an estimated 30 GW added in 2010), renewable energy accounted for approximately 50% of total added power-generating capacity in 2010. In 2010, existing solar water and space heating capacity increased by an estimated 25 gigawatts-thermal (GWth), or about 16%. The report was commissioned by the Paris-based Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, or REN21 (www.ren21.net). Sawin was the lead author of the report, which in recent years has become the industry standard for information on the global renewable energy industry. Worldwatch staff Matthias Kimmel and Will Bierbower, Senior Editor Lisa Mastny, Senior Fellow Eric Martinot, and Director of Climate & Energy Alexander Ochs also contributed to the coordination, research, writing, and editing of the report. “The Global Status Report shows that despite the recession, renewables are growing at an enormous rate,” said Ochs. “Still, there are 1.5 billion people who don’t have any access to energy, and 3 billion people relying on traditional biomass sources and coal. If we want to prevent climate change from spinning out of control, we need to scale up our efforts to accelerate renewable energy development and deployment at all levels. Worldwatch will continue to provide guidance as to how this can be done.” Renewable energy policies continue to be the main driver behind renewables growth. By early 2011, at least 119 countries had some type of policy target or renewable support policy at the national level, more than doubling from 55 countries in early 2005. More than half of these countries are in the developing world. At least 95 countries now have some type of policy to support renewable power generation. Of all the policies employed by governments, feed-in tariffs remain the most common. Last year, investment in renewables reached a record $211 billion-about one-third more than the $160 billion invested in 2009 and more than five times the amount invested in 2004. Money invested in renewable energy companies, utility-scale generation, and biofuel projects increased to $143 billion, with developing countries surpassing developed economies for the first time, as shown in the Global Status Report’s recently released companion report, UNEP’s Global Trends in Renewable Energy Investment 2011. China attracted $48.5 billion, or more than a third of the global total, but other developing countries also experienced major developments in terms of policies, investments, market trends, and manufacturing. Further Highlights from the Report: * Renewable capacity now comprises about a quarter of total global power-generating capacity and supplies close to 20% of global electricity, with most of this provided by hydropower. * Developing countries (collectively) have more than half of global renewable energy power. * Solar PV capacity was added in more than 100 countries. * The top five countries for non-hydro renewable power capacity were the United States, China, Germany, Spain, and India. * In the United States, renewables accounted for about 10.9% of U.S. domestic primary energy production (compared with nuclear’s 11.3%), an increase of 5.6% over 2009. * In the United States, 30 states (plus Washington, D.C.) have Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS). * China led the world in the installation of wind turbines and solar thermal systems and was the top hydropower producer in 2010. The country added an estimated 29 GW of grid-connected renewable capacity, for a total of 252 GW, an increase of 13% compared with 2009. * Renewables accounted for about 26% of China’s total installed electric capacity in 2010, 18% of generation, and more than 9% of final energy supply. * Brazil produces virtually all of the world’s sugar-derived ethanol and has been adding new hydropower, biomass, and wind power plants, as well as solar heating systems. * In the European Union, renewables represented an estimated 41% of newly installed electric capacity. While this share was significantly lower than the more than 60% of new capacity in 2009, more renewable power capacity was added in Europe than ever before. * The EU exceeded its 2010 targets for wind, solar PV, concentrating solar thermal power, and heating/heat pumps. Countries including Finland, Germany, Spain, and Taiwan raised their targets, and South Africa, Guatemala, and India, among others, introduced new ones. * Developing countries, which now represent more than half of all countries with policy targets and half of all countries with renewable support policies, are playing an increasingly important role in advancing renewable energy. * REN21 has also launched its Renewables Interactive Map, a streamlined tool for gathering and sharing information online about developments related to renewable energy, at www.map.ren21.net A full copy of the Global Status Report can be downloaded here.

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Renewable Energy Continued Growth in 2010 Despite Recession

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