1. Alternative Fuels & Advanced Vehicles Data Center x
This Office of Transportation Technologies site has information on the latest advances in alternative fuels, vehicles, refueling sites, and more.
2. The American Solar Energy Society x
ASES is a national organization dedicated to advancing the use of solar energy for the benefit of U.S. citizens and the global environment.
3. American Wind Energy Association x
AWEA advocates the development of wind energy as a reliable, environmentally superior energy alternative in the United States and around the world.
4. Florida Solar Energy Center x
FSEC is the largest and most active state-supported renewable energy and energy efficiency research, training and certification institute in the United States.
5. Re-Energy x
Informative and educational site that teaches about various forms of Renewable Energy and then teaches you how to build and use them.
6. National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium x
NAFTC fosters a clean environment for the benefit of all people through education, training and research dealing with advanced fuels and engine systems.
7. Renewable Energy Policy Project x
REPP supports the advancement of renewable energy technology through policy research.
8. Alternative Technology Association x
A non-profit community group that aims to use and promote environmentally friendly technology, including renewable energy sources such as the sun, wind and water; building with natural materials and conserving energy.
9. CANTEST x
Find information on alternative fuels (propane or LPG, natural gas, hydrogen, methanol, ethanol, biodiesel), hybrid electric vehicles, batteries and fuel cells.
10. California Energy Commission x
The California Energy Commission is the state's primary energy policy and planning agency, charged with ensuring a reliable and affordable energy supply.
11. Pollution.com x
The latest nuclear energy and pollution news.
12. Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Network x
EREN contains comprehensive information on several alternative energy technologies, including: bioenergy, hydropower, wind, solar and geothermal.
13. Solar Energy International x
SEI's workshops give individuals the knowledge and skills to design, install and maintain renewable energy systems and to build state-of-the-art solar homes that are efficient, practical, and earth friendly.
14. American Coalition For Ethanol x
A non-profit membership association devoted to promoting the increased production and use of ethanol.
15. European Wind Energy Association x
"The main objective of EWEA is to ensure that the general public, the media, decision makers and politicians are made aware of the reality of wind power, and understand the rapid progress being made in the industry which will allow wind energy to play an increasing role as a clean power for generations."
16. GreenMountain.com x
The leading brand for cleaner electricity in the U.S.
17. Home Power x
A leading source for renewable energy news and developments.
18. International Solar Energy Society x
ISES is the oldest and largest international non-profit organization for the promotion of solar and renewable energy.
19. CALSTART's Advanced Transportation Website x
Among the advanced transportation and alternative energy initiatives CALSTART is concerned with: fuel cell technology, electric vehicles, hybrid electric vehicles and natural gas use.
20. The National Wind Technology Center x
Learn about the latest wind turbine research or browse the wind resource database.
21. AGORES x
A global overview of renewable energy sources from the Official European Commission Web Site for Renewable Energy Sources.
22. EERE Biomass Program x
The U.S. Department of Energy Biomass Program develops technology for conversion of biomass (plant-derived material) to valuable fuels, chemicals, materials and power, so as to reduce dependence on foreign oil and foster growth of biorefineries.
23. Union of Concerned Scientists x
The UCS Energy Program examines the benefits and costs of our society's energy use, and promotes energy solutions that are renewable, safe, and cost-effective.
24. "The Veggie Van" x
They call it "The Veggie Van" and they fuel it with used vegetable oil from fast food restaurants.
25. Energy.gov x
The Department of Energy's new info-centric portal, providing information on the energy that surrounds you at school, home, work and in the community and world.
26. Energy Information Administration x
The EIA is responsible for energy data collection and dissemination of national and international data, including energy analyses and energy forecasts. Part of the U.S. Dept. of Energy.
27. Office of Energy Efficiency x
Promotes energy efficiency and the use of alternative transportation fuels through 19 programs aimed at the residential, commercial, industrial, institutional and transportation sectors.
28. Solar Energy Society of Canada Inc. x
SESCI issues: energy conservation, building a strong Canadian renewable energy industry, and preserving a healthy, sustainable environment by increasing the use of solar and other renewable energies.
29. Arizona Solar Center x
Arizona's top resource for solar energy issues, news, breakthroughs and more.
30. The British Wind Energy Association x
Acting to promote the use of wind power - an abundant, clean and sustainable source of energy.
31. Solar Utlities Network x
Proven ideas for saner energy use. Solarnet gathers project plans and strategies that help reform our energy habits.
32. National Hydropower Association x
Nonprofit national association dedicated exclusively to advancing the interests of the hydropower industry.
33. Solar Living Institute x
Mission: to promote sustainable living through inspirational environmental education.
34. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) Fact Sheet x
Learn about the advantages and disadvantages of Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion.
35. Centre for Alternative Technology x
An educational charity striving to achieve the best cooperation between the natural, technological and human worlds.
36. The Hydrogen & Fuel Cell Letter x
Launched in May 1986 originally as "The Hydrogen Letter," our publication is the voice of the international hydrogen and fuel cell communities, covering events and developments in this emerging field as they occur.
37. Sustainable Minnesota x
A coalition working to improve the quality of life, the environment and the economy of Minnesota by promoting energy efficiency and the sound use of renewable energy.
38. American Methanol Institute x
Touts the use of methanol as the "clear alternative" to gasoline. Offers information on methanol, fuel cell vehicles and reformulated gasolines.
39. The Source for Renewable Energy x
The Source for Renewable Energy is a comprehensive guide to over 4000 renewable energy businesses and organizations around the world.
40. Northeast Sustainable Energy Association x
Fosters the use of renewable and sustainable energy, the responsible use of non-renewable forms of energy, and conveys the value of these practices for the preservation of the environment.
41. Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition x
The NGVC represents more than 180 natural gas companies; engine, vehicle and equipment manufacturers; and service providers, as well as environmental groups and government organizations interested in the promotion and use of natural gas as a transportation fuel.
42. National Renewable Energy Laboratory x
The U.S. Department of Energy's premier laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research, development and deployment.
43. National Renewable Energy Laboratory: Publications Database x
Contains references to documents related to sustainable energy technologies.
44. Renewable Energy Concepts x
Mission: to prevent the depletion of natural resources and protect the beauty of our environment through the use of renewable energy and energy efficient products.
45. House-Energy x
Offers tips for how to make your home energy-efficient.
46. Critical Mass Energy Project x
A powerful voice for protecting AmericaĆs natural resources by promoting renewable and energy efficiency technologies, watch-dogging nuclear safety issues, stopping the reckless disposal of radioactive waste, ensuring that environmental and consumer interests are protected as the electric utility industry deregulates, and improving transportation policy.
47. Solar Century x
Promotes use of solar power through solar roofs and solar panels.
48. Solar Harvest x
Solar Harvest is a mutual support and education organization promoting the use of alternative energy and living a sustainable lifestyle.
49. Tata Energy Research Institute x
Conducts both scientific and policy research in the fields of energy, environment, biotechnology, forestry and a whole range of sustainable development issues.
50. Transportation Action Network x
Non-profit organization transportation initiatives that support smart growth and lower pollution levels.
51. Southwest Windpower, Inc. x
The world's leading manufacturer of small battery charging wind turbines.
52. World Energy Council x
The WEC analyses global, regional and local energy and energy-related issues, both current and for the longer term (now out to 2100).
53. Windpower Monthly x
Often provocative, sometimes arrogant, occasionally irreverent, always informed, Windpower Monthly blows fresh air into the international energy debate.
54. Our Energy x
Compact description of various renewable and non-renewable energy sources. Information on energy and its influence on ecology and environment.
55. Energy Alternatives x
Progressive organization providing clean, renewable sources of power generation.
56. Southwest Technology Development Institute x
A non-profit university-based organization that provides applied research and development services in technology development to private and public sector clients. SWTDI was established in 1977 as the New Mexico Solar Energy Institute, and has active research programs in energy and environmental systems.
57. Geothermal Technologies Program x
Mission: establish geothermal energy as an economically competitive contributor to the U.S. energy supply.
58. AeroVironment x
AeroVironment is known for product and technology innovation in clean energy and efficient vehicles.
59. IEA International Energy Agency x
The IEA has established a legal framework for international collaboration and carries out an energy technology program among its 23 member countries including R&D, demonstration and information exchange.
60. SolarElectric.com x
Contains 100+ pages of design information and equipment for making electricity with solar panels, wind generators and hydroelectric power.
61. International Geothermal Association x
Encourages research, development and utilization of geothermal resources worldwide through the compilation, publication and dissemination of scientific and technical data and information.
62. Platts x
Besides covering the U.S. and international energy markets, Platts also reports on oil, petrochemicals, non-ferrous metals, shipping, power and natural gas.
63. New Zealand Geothermal Association x
Encourage research, development and use of geothermal energy in New Zealand.
64. The Energy Service Company x
Experts in solar energy, with working experience in both active and passive solar systems.
65. The Energy Conservation Bookstore x
Subjects include: alternative energy, biomass, energy efficiency, fuel cell, photovoltaics, renewable energy, solar, and more.
66. Bioenergy Information Network x
Focuses on the domestic production, recovery, and conversion of energy crops and residues to economically priced, environmentally beneficial fuels and power generation.
67. Oak Ridge National Laboratory x
Working to find ways to make buildings, industries, power generation, and transportation more energy-efficient and easier on the environment.
68. The Online Fuel Cell Information Center x
"Everything you ever wanted to know about fuel cells . . ."
69. Greenpeace: Renewable Energy x
Read a report which gives examples of energy efficiency and renewable energy technology currently in use and being developed in Central and Eastern Europe.
70. Home Energy x
Information about alternative energy and energy conservation both for people who work on homes and for those who live in them.
71. Sandia National Laboratories: Wind Energy Technology x
Laboratory conducts applied wind energy research in several areas to increase the viability of wind technology by improving wind turbine performance and reducing their cost.
72. Energy Literacy Advocates x
"Energy Literacy Advocates (ELA) is a non-partisan, non-profit, public education organization working to improve the energy literacy of all sectors of our democracy."
73. INFORM, Inc. x
INFORM has been a leader in promoting the use of cleaner, safer alternatives to gasoline and diesel fueled vehicles.
74. The Alternative Fuel Technology Center x
Supports the reduction of harmful emissions, conservation of energy resources, reduction of dependence on foreign oil, as well as the development of the alternative fuel vehicle industry.
75. Atlantic Orient Corporation x
A marketer of small wind turbines. Based in Canada.
76. National Hydrogen Association x
Promotes the use of hydrogen, which it calls the "perfect fuel" that is "compatible with nature, rather than intrusive."
77. Build It Solar x
Plans, tools, & information to help you build solar projects that save money & reduce pollution.
78. Consumer Energy Council of America x
Founded in 1973, the CECA is the nation's senior public interest organization focusing on network industries.
79. Alternative Energy Institute x
AEI's primary emphasis has been placed on wind energy, though certain research and education are also on solar energy.
80. National Energy Foundation x
A nonprofit provider of educational materials and programs related to energy, natural resources, and the environment.
81. Wind Powering America x
Mission to dramatically increase the use of wind energy in the United States.
82. Energy Information on Internet x
Contains 880 detailed descriptions and characterizations of energy-related information sources that can be accessed through the Internet.
83. U.S. Fusion Energy Sciences Program x
The mission of the U.S. Fusion Energy Science Program is to acquire the knowledge base needed for an economically and environmentally attractive fusion energy source.
84. The Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii x
This unique ocean science and technology park houses several businesses that produce energy, desalinate water, grow lobsters and fish, produce algae and shellfish, grow cold climate fruit and vegetables in the tropics and much, much more.
85. Stanford Geothermal Program x
Aids in the development of reservoir engineering techniques to allow for the production of the nation's geothermal resources in the most efficient manner possible.
86. Handbook of EnergyCrops x
List containing descriptions of about 200 plant species that can be used to produce energy.
87. Dais-Analytic Corporation x
Dais-Analytic Corporation is a leading developer and producer of a new class of patented membrane materials and PEM fuel cell designs with applications in energy generation, management and storage.
88. Northern Power Systems x
Installer of commercial and industrial high reliability power systems.
89. The Electric Auto Association x
Promotes the use of electric vehicles as a more "clean, quiet, efficient transportation choice."
90. About.com: Alternative Energy The Renewable Fuels Association x
The RFA has been working for more than 15 years to expand the production and consumer use of ethanol fuels by removing regulatory and marketplace barriers.
91. Biofuels--BABFO x
Organization dedicated to the promotion of transport fuels and oils from renewable sources.
92. Energy Crossroads x
Wide array of pointers to energy-efficiency resources on the web.
93. MrSolar.com x
"Your contact point for information, products and services about every aspect of solar, wind & water power."
94. Rezachek & Associates x
Searchable compilation of information relating to renewable energy; efficient energy use; electric and hybrid vehicles (including solar cars).
95. Energy Central x
Leading professional portal for those in the electric power industry.
96. Creative Energy Technologies x
Renewable energy, efficient homes and appliances.
97. Planet Power x
"Biomass Renewable Energy SuperSite: Energy Crop Agriculture, Biomass Co-firing Engineering, Environmental Benefits, Economics, Green Energy Marketing, and Renewable Energy Policy."
98. SHEC Labs x
Working to provide a clean and viable alternative source of energy.
99. Texas Solar Energy Society x
An educational organization formed to promote solar and other renewable energy applications.
100. ScienceDaily: Renewable Energy News x
Archive of daily science news stories pertaining to renewable energy.
full article with links:
http://www.world.org/weo/energy
Check also:
Bees Trees Frogs Elephants Ecology Blog
Guide to Best Alternative Energy Investing Websites
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
Showing posts with label green energy website. Show all posts
Showing posts with label green energy website. Show all posts
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Best Environmental Websites, from Green Business
article from:
http://www.futureofbusiness.info/ten-best-environment-websites-world/
The Ten Best Environment Websites in the World
robertludvig | blog, Resources, headlines, trends | Monday, August 27th, 2007
The criteria was strict and the decision was difficult to make but here they are, the ten best environment websites in the world.
1. Alternative Energy News - This web site has always been a favorite of mine when looking for news about alternative and renewable energies. I have had the pleasure of meeting its founder and webmaster Alex Ramon. He’s dedicated and passionate about all things environmental, and lucky for us he started this website a couple of years ago. Incorporating up-to-date videos and well written articles, Alternative Energy recently integrated its sister site, Energy Planet, a renewable energy directory, into the mix. Alex has also created a search engine focusing on the environment. Alternative Energy is, and will continue be, the leader in environment news. This makes Alternative Energy News the best environment website in the world. Congratulations, Alex!
2. PESWiki - This great website focuses on renewable energy solutions, and it is community-built. The “Wiki” phenomenon has not left out the environment as illustrated by PESWiki. Being entirely driven by people who have a zeal for the environment, only the best and most relevant articles and information is presented. At this site, all of us have the opportunity to help increase the awareness of, and to learn about, the environment. Everyone has an opportunity to add their two cents and present information that they feel is vital to saving our planet. This is a site that is growing at a very fast pace and in my opinion they have only scratched the surface as to what it can offer, and what it could mean to the environmental community.
3. Live Science - Easy to read, entertaining, and fact driven are just a few of the reasons that I have Live Science rated as the third best environment website in the world. It reminds me of National Geographic, but with more text to go along with beautiful photography. Definitely a website for both the serious and the arm chair environmentalist. One beef I do have is that I saw an advertisement for British Petroleum. That aside, this is an excellent site.
4. About My Planet - A web community devoted to the environment, About My Planet has very well written articles by a number of knowledgeable people. Consistently updated and beautifully designed with a wonderful balance of inviting images and text, this is a website that stands head and shoulders above many others. A recent addition to About My Planet is a service called Grow. Entirely based on stories from it readers, Grow creates wonderful and intelligent dialogue from its users. About My Planet has done it right and I am a regular visitor.
5.BusinessGreen blog - Based in the UK, this is a blog filled with well written articles by author James Murray. Geared towards readers interested in green and sustainable businesses, BusinessGreen blog offers its readers a well thought-out perspective in this fast-growing area of the world’s economy.
6. Meet the Greens - This site keeps the kids in mind. Smartly focusing on educating our children in a fun way about the environment, this site is highly interactive. Using animation and other highly visual techniques to keep its readers attention, Meet the Greens is a website for all ages.
7. National Geographic - Yes, the one and only National Geographic. Their main site is wonderful, but don’t forget to go to the link titled environment. Beautifully laid out, like the magazine, their online version is full of stunning pictures. Their writing team is pumping out some top quality articles at the site, adding to its overall appeal. It is obvious that the transition that the magazine made to the current online version was a successful one.
8.Digg - Many people aren’t even aware that Digg has an area at its site devoted entirely to the environment. With thousands of articles in its archives, it is a great tool to browse for your own enjoyment, or to do some serious research.
9.Inside Greentech - A website full of articles and up to date news about green technology. Growing in leaps and bounds over the past few months this is a website that could easily crack the top five in a year or two.
10. Green Business - I couldn’t make a list of the ten best environment websites and not put Green Business on it. We offer articles and news about businesses that focus on keeping the planet livable - hopefully for generations! Some articles will be serious, while others will be more light-hearted. The one thing in common is that they will be written with my love of our planet in mind.
There you have it, the ten best environment websites in the world. As the internet grows, as well as our consciousness about our fragile planet, new and exciting environmental resources will emerge. These resources will provide two fundamental things, they will both educate and offer us hope for a fantastic future.
View also:
Guide to Best Alternative Energy Websites
http://www.futureofbusiness.info/ten-best-environment-websites-world/
The Ten Best Environment Websites in the World
robertludvig | blog, Resources, headlines, trends | Monday, August 27th, 2007
The criteria was strict and the decision was difficult to make but here they are, the ten best environment websites in the world.
1. Alternative Energy News - This web site has always been a favorite of mine when looking for news about alternative and renewable energies. I have had the pleasure of meeting its founder and webmaster Alex Ramon. He’s dedicated and passionate about all things environmental, and lucky for us he started this website a couple of years ago. Incorporating up-to-date videos and well written articles, Alternative Energy recently integrated its sister site, Energy Planet, a renewable energy directory, into the mix. Alex has also created a search engine focusing on the environment. Alternative Energy is, and will continue be, the leader in environment news. This makes Alternative Energy News the best environment website in the world. Congratulations, Alex!
2. PESWiki - This great website focuses on renewable energy solutions, and it is community-built. The “Wiki” phenomenon has not left out the environment as illustrated by PESWiki. Being entirely driven by people who have a zeal for the environment, only the best and most relevant articles and information is presented. At this site, all of us have the opportunity to help increase the awareness of, and to learn about, the environment. Everyone has an opportunity to add their two cents and present information that they feel is vital to saving our planet. This is a site that is growing at a very fast pace and in my opinion they have only scratched the surface as to what it can offer, and what it could mean to the environmental community.
3. Live Science - Easy to read, entertaining, and fact driven are just a few of the reasons that I have Live Science rated as the third best environment website in the world. It reminds me of National Geographic, but with more text to go along with beautiful photography. Definitely a website for both the serious and the arm chair environmentalist. One beef I do have is that I saw an advertisement for British Petroleum. That aside, this is an excellent site.
4. About My Planet - A web community devoted to the environment, About My Planet has very well written articles by a number of knowledgeable people. Consistently updated and beautifully designed with a wonderful balance of inviting images and text, this is a website that stands head and shoulders above many others. A recent addition to About My Planet is a service called Grow. Entirely based on stories from it readers, Grow creates wonderful and intelligent dialogue from its users. About My Planet has done it right and I am a regular visitor.
5.BusinessGreen blog - Based in the UK, this is a blog filled with well written articles by author James Murray. Geared towards readers interested in green and sustainable businesses, BusinessGreen blog offers its readers a well thought-out perspective in this fast-growing area of the world’s economy.
6. Meet the Greens - This site keeps the kids in mind. Smartly focusing on educating our children in a fun way about the environment, this site is highly interactive. Using animation and other highly visual techniques to keep its readers attention, Meet the Greens is a website for all ages.
7. National Geographic - Yes, the one and only National Geographic. Their main site is wonderful, but don’t forget to go to the link titled environment. Beautifully laid out, like the magazine, their online version is full of stunning pictures. Their writing team is pumping out some top quality articles at the site, adding to its overall appeal. It is obvious that the transition that the magazine made to the current online version was a successful one.
8.Digg - Many people aren’t even aware that Digg has an area at its site devoted entirely to the environment. With thousands of articles in its archives, it is a great tool to browse for your own enjoyment, or to do some serious research.
9.Inside Greentech - A website full of articles and up to date news about green technology. Growing in leaps and bounds over the past few months this is a website that could easily crack the top five in a year or two.
10. Green Business - I couldn’t make a list of the ten best environment websites and not put Green Business on it. We offer articles and news about businesses that focus on keeping the planet livable - hopefully for generations! Some articles will be serious, while others will be more light-hearted. The one thing in common is that they will be written with my love of our planet in mind.
There you have it, the ten best environment websites in the world. As the internet grows, as well as our consciousness about our fragile planet, new and exciting environmental resources will emerge. These resources will provide two fundamental things, they will both educate and offer us hope for a fantastic future.
View also:
Guide to Best Alternative Energy Websites
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Links to Alternative Energy and Solar Power
Directory of Renewable Energy Websites and Blogs
alternative energy investing, home solar energy kits, renewable power investments, wind system for farm and cottage, home power generators, alternative energy investing, renewable power products, clean fuel technology, photovoltaic solar panels, wind energy projects, solar energy for the home, solar power as a peace technology, solar energy stocks and clean power mutual funds.
Global Directory of Renewable Power Websites
Directory of Solar Energy Information On the Web
Investing in Wind Energy - Directory of Windpower Companies Online
Clean Vehicle Technology – Green Cars and Mass Transit Directory
Alternative Energy / Green Power Investing Directory
Directory of Solar Electric / Photovoltaic Power Manufactures
Guide to Investing in Recycling Technology Companies
Guide to Investing in Geothermal Energy Companies
Directory of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Companies
Energy Storage, Backup Power and Flywheel Stocks
Conservation and Energy Efficiency Investments
Guide to Wind Energy, Solar, Hydro and other Green Power Firms
Directory of Biofuel, Ethanol and Biomass Stocks
Master List of Alternative Energy Investing Links
alternative energy investing, home solar energy kits, renewable power investments, wind system for farm and cottage, home power generators, alternative energy investing, renewable power products, clean fuel technology, photovoltaic solar panels, wind energy projects, solar energy for the home, solar power as a peace technology, solar energy stocks and clean power mutual funds.
Global Directory of Renewable Power Websites
Directory of Solar Energy Information On the Web
Investing in Wind Energy - Directory of Windpower Companies Online
Clean Vehicle Technology – Green Cars and Mass Transit Directory
Alternative Energy / Green Power Investing Directory
Directory of Solar Electric / Photovoltaic Power Manufactures
Guide to Investing in Recycling Technology Companies
Guide to Investing in Geothermal Energy Companies
Directory of Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Companies
Energy Storage, Backup Power and Flywheel Stocks
Conservation and Energy Efficiency Investments
Guide to Wind Energy, Solar, Hydro and other Green Power Firms
Directory of Biofuel, Ethanol and Biomass Stocks
Master List of Alternative Energy Investing Links
Sunday, July 29, 2007
India's Solar Energy blessings mean a bright tomorrow
GREENING INDIA'S FUTURE POWER DEMAND
by Avilash Roul, www.EcoWorld.com
Editor's Note: Using sunlight to create electrical and thermal energy remains the most promising source of clean renewable energy, and projections as to how quickly solar power takes off could be grossly understated. As the author points out, the costs for photovoltaic electricity, for example, have dropped by an order of magnitude in the last 30 years.
The challenge however lies in just how much energy solar power would have to displace if it were to become the dominant source of energy in the world. In 2006, according to the International Energy Agency, 80.3% of the world's energy came from fossil fuel: Oil (34.3%), coal (25.1%) and gas (20.9%). Fully 90.9% of the world's energy came from combustion, because alongside these fossil fuels in 4th place are "combustible renewables," mostly wood (10.6%). Include nuclear power (6.5%) and hydro-electric power (2.2%), and you have accounted for 99.5% of the world's energy!
So where does solar fit into this equation? Most of this last half-percent of one percent of the world's energy, .41%, is provided from geothermal sources. The energy we love so much, wind and solar, currently only provide .064% and .039% of the world's power requirements. Put another way, for solar energy achieve its potential and replace all other sources of energy in the world, this .039% would have to increase 2,500 times.
Moreover, since nations such as India and China have only begun to industrialize, and since the industrialized nations only comprise approximately 20% of the world's population yet consume over 50% of the world's energy production, it is unlikely that global energy production will not have to increase. It is these sobering realities that should inform any reading of the potential of solar power. - Ed "Redwood" Ring (Editor)
India's Solar Power - Greening India's Future Energy Demand
by Avilash Roul, May 15, 2007
Human civilization has been witnessing a gradual shift towards cleaner fuels-from wood to coal, from coal to oil, from oil to natural gas; renewables are the present demand...
With the fluctuating high cost of petroleum, minimizing dependence on importing conventional energy resources, stewardship to protect the Planet and providing affordable energy to all, countries including India have stepped up their energy path for harnessing indigenous renewable resources. To tap the infinite energy and transform as well as transmit it to each household, the Indian government has accelerated promotion of the use of universally available Solar Energy.
India due to its geo-physical location receives solar energy equivalent to nearly 5,000 trillion kWh/year, which is far more than the total energy consumption of the country today. But India produces a very negligible amount of solar energy - a mere 0.2 percent compared to other energy resources. Power generation from solar thermal energy is still in the experimental stages in India. Up till now, India's energy base has been more on conventional energy like coal and oil. However, India has now attained 7th place worldwide in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Cell production and 9th place in Solar Thermal Systems. Grid-interactive renewable power installed capacity as on 31.10.2006 aggregated 9,013 MW corresponding to around 7 percent of the total power installed capacity which equates to over 2 percent of total electricity.
Worldwide photovoltaic installations increased by 1,460 MW in 2005, up from 1,086 MW installed during the previous year. That was a 67 percent increase over the 750 MW produced in 2003. In 2002 the world solar market increased 40 percent. Solar Energy demand has grown at about 25 percent per annum over the past 15 years. In 1985, worldwide annual solar installation demand was only 21 MW. According to the IEA's factsheet, "Renewables in Global Energy Supply," the solar energy sector has grown by 32 per annum since 1971. Worldwide, grid-connected solar PV continued to be the fastest growing power generation technology, with a 55 percent increase in cumulative installed capacity to 3.1 GW, up from 2.0 GW in 2004, as per "Renewable Global Status Update Report 2006" (www.ren21.net). Similarly, India witnessed an acceleration of solar hot water installations in 2005. Global production of solar PV increased from 1,150 MW in 2004 to over 1,700 MW in 2005. Japan was the leader in cell production (830 MW), followed by Europe (470 MW), China (200 MW), and the US (150 MW).
India: Status of Solar Energy:
The solar PV program was begun in the mid 70's in India. While the world has progressed substantially in production of basic silicon mono-crystalline photovoltaic cells, India has fallen short to achieve the worldwide momentum. In early 2000, nine Indian companies were manufacturing solar cells. During 1997-98 it was estimated that about 8.2 MW capacity solar cells were produced in the country. The total installed manufacturing capacity was estimated to be 19 MW per year. The major players in Solar PV are Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) (http://www.bhel.com/bhel/home.php); Central Electrtonics Ltd., and Rajasthan Electricals & Instruments Ltd., as well as by several companies in the private sector. The latest, 100 million dollars investment from Tata BP Solar in India is the pointer towards the booming solar market in India. Of late, the market is growing for SPV applications based products with the active encouragement of the government.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (www.mnes.nic.in), earlier known as the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources - have initiated innovative schemes to accelerate utilisation and exploitation of the solar energy. Number of incentives like subsidy, soft loan, 80 percent accelerated depreciation, confessional duty on import of raw materials and certain products, excise duty exemption on certain devices/systems etc. are being provided for the production and use of solar energy systems. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) - http://mnes.nic.in/annualreport/2004_2005_English/ch12_pg1.htm - a Public Limited Company established in 1987- provides revolving fund to financing and leasing companies offering affordable credit for the purchase of PV systems. As a result, the Renewable Energy Sector is increasingly assuming a greater role in providing grid power to the Nation as its total capacities reached about 9,013 MW. This apart, the Electricity Act 2003, National Electricity Policy 2005 and National Tariff Policy 2006 provide a common framework for the regulation of renewable power in all States/UTs through quotas, preferential tariffs, and guidelines for pricing 'non-firm' power.
However, in the Draft New and Renewable Energy Policy Statement 2005, which is yet be approved, the federal government is very cautious about the status of renewable energy in the future. It says, "despite the fact that the biomass-solar- hydrogen economy is some decades away, it should not make industry and the scientific & technical community of the country unduly complacent into believing that necessary steps for expected changes can wait."
Present Scenario of Solar Power:
The MNES has been implementing installation of solar PV water pumping systems for irrigation and drinking water applications through subsidy since 1993-94. Typically, a 1,800 Wp PV array capacity solar PV water pumping system, which cost about Rs. 3.65 lakh, is being used for irrigation purposes. The Ministry is providing a subsidy of Rs.30 per watt of PV array capacity used, subject to a maximum of Rs. 50,000 per system. The majority of the pumps fitted with a 200 watt to 3,000 watt motor are powered with 1,800 Wp PV array which can deliver about 140,000 liters of water/day from a total head of 10 meters. By 30th September, 2006, a total of 7,068 solar PV water pumping systems have been installed.
article continued at:
http://www.ecoworld.com/home/articles2.cfm?tid=418
Green Energy website
by Avilash Roul, www.EcoWorld.com
Editor's Note: Using sunlight to create electrical and thermal energy remains the most promising source of clean renewable energy, and projections as to how quickly solar power takes off could be grossly understated. As the author points out, the costs for photovoltaic electricity, for example, have dropped by an order of magnitude in the last 30 years.
The challenge however lies in just how much energy solar power would have to displace if it were to become the dominant source of energy in the world. In 2006, according to the International Energy Agency, 80.3% of the world's energy came from fossil fuel: Oil (34.3%), coal (25.1%) and gas (20.9%). Fully 90.9% of the world's energy came from combustion, because alongside these fossil fuels in 4th place are "combustible renewables," mostly wood (10.6%). Include nuclear power (6.5%) and hydro-electric power (2.2%), and you have accounted for 99.5% of the world's energy!
So where does solar fit into this equation? Most of this last half-percent of one percent of the world's energy, .41%, is provided from geothermal sources. The energy we love so much, wind and solar, currently only provide .064% and .039% of the world's power requirements. Put another way, for solar energy achieve its potential and replace all other sources of energy in the world, this .039% would have to increase 2,500 times.
Moreover, since nations such as India and China have only begun to industrialize, and since the industrialized nations only comprise approximately 20% of the world's population yet consume over 50% of the world's energy production, it is unlikely that global energy production will not have to increase. It is these sobering realities that should inform any reading of the potential of solar power. - Ed "Redwood" Ring (Editor)
India's Solar Power - Greening India's Future Energy Demand
by Avilash Roul, May 15, 2007
Human civilization has been witnessing a gradual shift towards cleaner fuels-from wood to coal, from coal to oil, from oil to natural gas; renewables are the present demand...
With the fluctuating high cost of petroleum, minimizing dependence on importing conventional energy resources, stewardship to protect the Planet and providing affordable energy to all, countries including India have stepped up their energy path for harnessing indigenous renewable resources. To tap the infinite energy and transform as well as transmit it to each household, the Indian government has accelerated promotion of the use of universally available Solar Energy.
India due to its geo-physical location receives solar energy equivalent to nearly 5,000 trillion kWh/year, which is far more than the total energy consumption of the country today. But India produces a very negligible amount of solar energy - a mere 0.2 percent compared to other energy resources. Power generation from solar thermal energy is still in the experimental stages in India. Up till now, India's energy base has been more on conventional energy like coal and oil. However, India has now attained 7th place worldwide in Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Cell production and 9th place in Solar Thermal Systems. Grid-interactive renewable power installed capacity as on 31.10.2006 aggregated 9,013 MW corresponding to around 7 percent of the total power installed capacity which equates to over 2 percent of total electricity.
Worldwide photovoltaic installations increased by 1,460 MW in 2005, up from 1,086 MW installed during the previous year. That was a 67 percent increase over the 750 MW produced in 2003. In 2002 the world solar market increased 40 percent. Solar Energy demand has grown at about 25 percent per annum over the past 15 years. In 1985, worldwide annual solar installation demand was only 21 MW. According to the IEA's factsheet, "Renewables in Global Energy Supply," the solar energy sector has grown by 32 per annum since 1971. Worldwide, grid-connected solar PV continued to be the fastest growing power generation technology, with a 55 percent increase in cumulative installed capacity to 3.1 GW, up from 2.0 GW in 2004, as per "Renewable Global Status Update Report 2006" (www.ren21.net). Similarly, India witnessed an acceleration of solar hot water installations in 2005. Global production of solar PV increased from 1,150 MW in 2004 to over 1,700 MW in 2005. Japan was the leader in cell production (830 MW), followed by Europe (470 MW), China (200 MW), and the US (150 MW).
India: Status of Solar Energy:
The solar PV program was begun in the mid 70's in India. While the world has progressed substantially in production of basic silicon mono-crystalline photovoltaic cells, India has fallen short to achieve the worldwide momentum. In early 2000, nine Indian companies were manufacturing solar cells. During 1997-98 it was estimated that about 8.2 MW capacity solar cells were produced in the country. The total installed manufacturing capacity was estimated to be 19 MW per year. The major players in Solar PV are Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) (http://www.bhel.com/bhel/home.php); Central Electrtonics Ltd., and Rajasthan Electricals & Instruments Ltd., as well as by several companies in the private sector. The latest, 100 million dollars investment from Tata BP Solar in India is the pointer towards the booming solar market in India. Of late, the market is growing for SPV applications based products with the active encouragement of the government.
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (www.mnes.nic.in), earlier known as the Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources - have initiated innovative schemes to accelerate utilisation and exploitation of the solar energy. Number of incentives like subsidy, soft loan, 80 percent accelerated depreciation, confessional duty on import of raw materials and certain products, excise duty exemption on certain devices/systems etc. are being provided for the production and use of solar energy systems. The Indian Renewable Energy Development Agency (IREDA) - http://mnes.nic.in/annualreport/2004_2005_English/ch12_pg1.htm - a Public Limited Company established in 1987- provides revolving fund to financing and leasing companies offering affordable credit for the purchase of PV systems. As a result, the Renewable Energy Sector is increasingly assuming a greater role in providing grid power to the Nation as its total capacities reached about 9,013 MW. This apart, the Electricity Act 2003, National Electricity Policy 2005 and National Tariff Policy 2006 provide a common framework for the regulation of renewable power in all States/UTs through quotas, preferential tariffs, and guidelines for pricing 'non-firm' power.
However, in the Draft New and Renewable Energy Policy Statement 2005, which is yet be approved, the federal government is very cautious about the status of renewable energy in the future. It says, "despite the fact that the biomass-solar- hydrogen economy is some decades away, it should not make industry and the scientific & technical community of the country unduly complacent into believing that necessary steps for expected changes can wait."
Present Scenario of Solar Power:
The MNES has been implementing installation of solar PV water pumping systems for irrigation and drinking water applications through subsidy since 1993-94. Typically, a 1,800 Wp PV array capacity solar PV water pumping system, which cost about Rs. 3.65 lakh, is being used for irrigation purposes. The Ministry is providing a subsidy of Rs.30 per watt of PV array capacity used, subject to a maximum of Rs. 50,000 per system. The majority of the pumps fitted with a 200 watt to 3,000 watt motor are powered with 1,800 Wp PV array which can deliver about 140,000 liters of water/day from a total head of 10 meters. By 30th September, 2006, a total of 7,068 solar PV water pumping systems have been installed.
article continued at:
http://www.ecoworld.com/home/articles2.cfm?tid=418
Green Energy website
Friday, October 20, 2006
Canadian Wind Energy consolidating amid takeovers
Caught in the winds of change
story from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061020.RWIND20/TPStory/Business?pageRequested=all&print=true
Canada's highly fragmented windpower business is being swept up in a global consolidation, RICHARD BLACKWELL of Toronto's Globe and Mail writes
The consolidation of Canada's wind power business is under way.
With two takeover deals in the past 10 days, the industry is following the model taken by its more mature counterparts elsewhere in the world, where big, well-financed players predominate.
Just last week, Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. agreed to pay $6.3-million for Vector Wind Energy Inc., a small firm listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. And yesterday, Toronto wind farm developer Gale Force Energy Ltd. announced a takeover by an Irish-based multinational wind power firm, Airtricity Inc.
With big wind projects eating up considerable amounts of capital, and some provinces specifying that only well-financed companies will get electricity contracts, much of the industry is expected to end up in the hands of big energy firms and power utilities. Some wind assets may be held by income trusts that spin off to investors the steady cash flow that comes from generating power.
Print Edition - Section Front
Enlarge Image
More Business Stories
Google blows past its rivals
Ottawa's emissions stance gets thumbs-up
TV Guide zaps paper edition
Economic headwinds greater than feared: Dodge
A record day (again)
DIVIDENDS
Go to the Business section
Canada's wind energy business -- now fractured among players ranging from small entrepreneurs to energy giants -- is almost certain to evolve in a similar fashion to Europe and the U.S., where the wind sector has already consolidated dramatically, said Josh McGee, an analyst at Emerging Energy Research, a worldwide consulting firm based in Cambridge, Mass.
"Wind power globally has gone from being a kind of boutique, idealistic, source [of power] to a real competitor that requires scaling, a large in-house balance sheet, and in-house expertise on project management," he said.
In the U.S., large energy companies and financial players have snapped up most small wind power producers, and in Europe "there are only large transnational wind development companies left that are competing in the [large] markets," Mr. McGee said.
Currently, the Canadian industry is highly fragmented, with players that include private companies (such as SkyPower Corp.), publicly traded ventures (Canadian Hydro Developers), energy giants (Suncor Energy Inc.) and utilities (SaskPower).
Over the past few years, several dozen wind power projects have been built Canada, in all provinces except British Columbia. They range from huge wind farms with dozens of turbines to tiny single-turbine operations. Currently, Alberta has the biggest installed base with about 285 megawatts of wind on-stream, followed closely by Ontario and Quebec.
According to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canada passed the 1,000-MW mark in wind energy production in June, putting us among the top dozen producers worldwide. But we're nowhere near the world leaders -- Germany and Spain have more than 18,000 MW and 10,000 MW in production, respectively.
In Canada, wind fulfills only about half a per cent of our electricity demand, compared with Denmark, which generates almost 20 per cent of its electricity from wind.
Still, the Canadian industry is expanding rapidly, with several new projects soon to link to the power grids and dozens more in the planning stages. The burst of activity has been ignited by provincial governments, many of which have set wind energy targets, then used competitive tendering processes to choose suppliers.
Ottawa has also helped boost the industry through the Wind Power Production Incentive -- essentially a subsidy that pays wind power producers about 1 cent for each kilowatt-hour they produce. The WPPI is currently in limbo under the Conservative government, however, and the wind industry is holding its breath to see how it fares in the ongoing environmental policy revisions.
There has been a smattering of mergers in the Canadian wind businesses in past years. In 2002, Alberta power firm TransAlta Corp. bought Vision Quest Windelectric Inc., at the time the country's second-biggest wind energy producer. Then, in 2004, TransCanada Corp. bought 50 per cent of Cartier Wind Energy Inc., one of Quebec's major wind power firms, and in 2005 boosted its stake to 62 per cent.
But the demands for capital inherent in the wind energy business are likely to push many more firms together in the coming months and years.
"I think what you're going to see ultimately is fewer companies," said Stephen Probyn, chief executive officer of the Clean Power Income Fund, an investment trust that owns the recently opened 99-MW Erie Shores wind farm in Ontario. "The privately financed entrepreneurial companies will either evolve . . . so they have access to capital, or they'll get consolidated."
Foreign wind energy giants -- seeing the Canadian market in a fast-growing phase that mirrors where Europe was 10 years ago -- will likely be among those buying up smaller Canadian wind industry players or joining Canadian joint ventures. There have already been a few international forays into the Canadian market, before Airtricity's purchase of Gale Force:
Spanish wind giant Acciona is a partner with Suncor and Enbridge in several projects, including the soon-to-open 30-MW Chin Chute wind farm in Southern Alberta.
This summer German financier HSH Nordbank AG, a big investor in energy projects, bought a minority stake in private Toronto wind farm developer SkyPower Corp.
British-based Renewable Energy Generation Ltd. paid $29.1-million for AIM PowerGen Corp., an Ontario developer that has projects planned in six provinces.
North Dakota-based heavy steel fabricator DMI Industries has opened a wind-tower manufacturing plant in Fort Erie, Ont.
"Outside entities have begun to realize that Canada is going to be a very good market for wind power," Mr. Probyn said, particularly with government incentives making the economics of the business more favourable. " I think you'll see more foreign entrants into Canada."
While there will likely be fewer players fighting for the big wind farm contracts over the next few years, there will still be room for some very small players, said Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
"[The provinces have] a growing interest in developing small-scale wind energy projects of one or two turbines," he said. Nova Scotia, for example, has awarded about a dozen contracts for projects of 2 MW or less, and Ontario is going to launch a similar program for projects under 10 MW.
The idea, Mr. Hornung said, is to broaden participation by "encouraging municipalities, co-operatives, or groups of farmers to proceed with their own projects."
CANADA'S TOP WIND POWER PLAYERS
TransAlta Corp. The Alberta-based power generation firm has three wind farms in southern Alberta, operated through its VisionQuest subsidiary, that now generate almost 200 megawatts of power. It has proposed several new wind farms in Ontario.
SaskPower The provincial government-owned utility this year opened its 150-MW Centennial wind farm near Swift Current, the biggest operating wind facility in Canada. SaskPower also has another 11-MW wind plant in southeastern Saskatchewan.
Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. This TSX-listed firm, which also runs hydro and biomass plants, has three wind power operations in southwestern Alberta that generate almost 50 MW of electricity, and it recently opened the 68 MW Melancthon wind farm in Ontario. Several others are in development.
Axor Group Inc. The Montreal engineering firm built Canada's first large-scale wind farm, the 100-MW Le Nordais project in Quebec's GaspƩsie region.
Clean Power Income Fund An investment trust that holds biomass and hydro power assets in Canada and the U.S., and owns the recently opened 99-MW Erie Shores wind farm in Ontario.
Nexen Inc. This Calgary-based energy firm is completing a 70.5-MW wind farm near Fort McLeod, Alta., with partner GW Power Corp.
Algonquin Power Income Fund This investment trust owns several power-generating facilities, and recently bought all the units of AirSource Power Income Fund, a Manitoba-based limited partnership with a 100-MW wind farm near St. Leon, Man.
Northland Power Income Fund An independent power producer that owns the 54-MW Mont Miller wind farm in the GaspƩsie region of Quebec.
Brookfield Power The power generating and distribution arm of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is completing a 189-MW wind farm near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. About 99 MW have recently been connected to the Ontario power grid.
Creststreet Power and Income Fund This investment trust owns and operates a 54-MW Mount Copper wind project in Quebec and a 30-MW Pubnico Point wind farm in Nova Scotia.
Ventus Energy Inc. This Toronto company is developing projects in six provinces. It recently began construction of a wind farm in Prince Edward Island.
SkyPower Corp. A Toronto-based private company that has several wind and solar projects planned across the country. Its first will open soon near RiviĆØre-du-Loup, Que.
Epcor Utilities Inc. The Edmonton-based natural gas, power and water company opened the 40-MW Kingsbridge Wind Power Project on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario this spring. A second phase will add another 160 MW.
Enbridge Inc. The income trust arm of the Calgary energy company jointly owns, along with Suncor, wind farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan that generate about 40 MW of power. It also has plans for a 200-MW Ontario wind farm on the shore of Lake Huron, although the project has been delayed because of snags in the approval process.
TransCanada Corp. The Calgary-based energy infrastructure firm owns 62 per cent of Cartier Wind Energy Inc., which has been awarded six major projects by Hydro-QuƩbec. The first, the 110-MW Baie des Sables project, is expected to be added to the power grid by the end of this year.
Suncor Energy Inc. The big oil sands player owns wind farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan that generate about 40 MW of power, with another 30-MW Alberta project starting up this month. A 76-MW project on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario is in the works.
-- Richard Blackwell
Wind power generation, by province (megawatts)
PROVINCE INSTALLED PROPOSED
British Columbia 0 325
Alberta 285 235
Saskatchewan 171 25
Manitoba 104 0
Ontario 221 1,059
Quebec 212 1,244
New Brunswick 0 20
Nova Scotia 41 61
Prince Edward Island 14 39
Newfoundland 1 0
Yukon 1 0
SOURCE: CDN. WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
Canada's installed wind power capacity (megawatts)
2000 137
2001 198
2002 236
2003 322
2004 444
2005 683
2006* 1,049
*to June 30
SOURCE: CDN. WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
See also:
Solar Power Investing Blog
story from: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/LAC.20061020.RWIND20/TPStory/Business?pageRequested=all&print=true
Canada's highly fragmented windpower business is being swept up in a global consolidation, RICHARD BLACKWELL of Toronto's Globe and Mail writes
The consolidation of Canada's wind power business is under way.
With two takeover deals in the past 10 days, the industry is following the model taken by its more mature counterparts elsewhere in the world, where big, well-financed players predominate.
Just last week, Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. agreed to pay $6.3-million for Vector Wind Energy Inc., a small firm listed on the TSX Venture Exchange. And yesterday, Toronto wind farm developer Gale Force Energy Ltd. announced a takeover by an Irish-based multinational wind power firm, Airtricity Inc.
With big wind projects eating up considerable amounts of capital, and some provinces specifying that only well-financed companies will get electricity contracts, much of the industry is expected to end up in the hands of big energy firms and power utilities. Some wind assets may be held by income trusts that spin off to investors the steady cash flow that comes from generating power.
Print Edition - Section Front
Enlarge Image
More Business Stories
Google blows past its rivals
Ottawa's emissions stance gets thumbs-up
TV Guide zaps paper edition
Economic headwinds greater than feared: Dodge
A record day (again)
DIVIDENDS
Go to the Business section
Canada's wind energy business -- now fractured among players ranging from small entrepreneurs to energy giants -- is almost certain to evolve in a similar fashion to Europe and the U.S., where the wind sector has already consolidated dramatically, said Josh McGee, an analyst at Emerging Energy Research, a worldwide consulting firm based in Cambridge, Mass.
"Wind power globally has gone from being a kind of boutique, idealistic, source [of power] to a real competitor that requires scaling, a large in-house balance sheet, and in-house expertise on project management," he said.
In the U.S., large energy companies and financial players have snapped up most small wind power producers, and in Europe "there are only large transnational wind development companies left that are competing in the [large] markets," Mr. McGee said.
Currently, the Canadian industry is highly fragmented, with players that include private companies (such as SkyPower Corp.), publicly traded ventures (Canadian Hydro Developers), energy giants (Suncor Energy Inc.) and utilities (SaskPower).
Over the past few years, several dozen wind power projects have been built Canada, in all provinces except British Columbia. They range from huge wind farms with dozens of turbines to tiny single-turbine operations. Currently, Alberta has the biggest installed base with about 285 megawatts of wind on-stream, followed closely by Ontario and Quebec.
According to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, Canada passed the 1,000-MW mark in wind energy production in June, putting us among the top dozen producers worldwide. But we're nowhere near the world leaders -- Germany and Spain have more than 18,000 MW and 10,000 MW in production, respectively.
In Canada, wind fulfills only about half a per cent of our electricity demand, compared with Denmark, which generates almost 20 per cent of its electricity from wind.
Still, the Canadian industry is expanding rapidly, with several new projects soon to link to the power grids and dozens more in the planning stages. The burst of activity has been ignited by provincial governments, many of which have set wind energy targets, then used competitive tendering processes to choose suppliers.
Ottawa has also helped boost the industry through the Wind Power Production Incentive -- essentially a subsidy that pays wind power producers about 1 cent for each kilowatt-hour they produce. The WPPI is currently in limbo under the Conservative government, however, and the wind industry is holding its breath to see how it fares in the ongoing environmental policy revisions.
There has been a smattering of mergers in the Canadian wind businesses in past years. In 2002, Alberta power firm TransAlta Corp. bought Vision Quest Windelectric Inc., at the time the country's second-biggest wind energy producer. Then, in 2004, TransCanada Corp. bought 50 per cent of Cartier Wind Energy Inc., one of Quebec's major wind power firms, and in 2005 boosted its stake to 62 per cent.
But the demands for capital inherent in the wind energy business are likely to push many more firms together in the coming months and years.
"I think what you're going to see ultimately is fewer companies," said Stephen Probyn, chief executive officer of the Clean Power Income Fund, an investment trust that owns the recently opened 99-MW Erie Shores wind farm in Ontario. "The privately financed entrepreneurial companies will either evolve . . . so they have access to capital, or they'll get consolidated."
Foreign wind energy giants -- seeing the Canadian market in a fast-growing phase that mirrors where Europe was 10 years ago -- will likely be among those buying up smaller Canadian wind industry players or joining Canadian joint ventures. There have already been a few international forays into the Canadian market, before Airtricity's purchase of Gale Force:
Spanish wind giant Acciona is a partner with Suncor and Enbridge in several projects, including the soon-to-open 30-MW Chin Chute wind farm in Southern Alberta.
This summer German financier HSH Nordbank AG, a big investor in energy projects, bought a minority stake in private Toronto wind farm developer SkyPower Corp.
British-based Renewable Energy Generation Ltd. paid $29.1-million for AIM PowerGen Corp., an Ontario developer that has projects planned in six provinces.
North Dakota-based heavy steel fabricator DMI Industries has opened a wind-tower manufacturing plant in Fort Erie, Ont.
"Outside entities have begun to realize that Canada is going to be a very good market for wind power," Mr. Probyn said, particularly with government incentives making the economics of the business more favourable. " I think you'll see more foreign entrants into Canada."
While there will likely be fewer players fighting for the big wind farm contracts over the next few years, there will still be room for some very small players, said Robert Hornung, president of the Canadian Wind Energy Association.
"[The provinces have] a growing interest in developing small-scale wind energy projects of one or two turbines," he said. Nova Scotia, for example, has awarded about a dozen contracts for projects of 2 MW or less, and Ontario is going to launch a similar program for projects under 10 MW.
The idea, Mr. Hornung said, is to broaden participation by "encouraging municipalities, co-operatives, or groups of farmers to proceed with their own projects."
CANADA'S TOP WIND POWER PLAYERS
TransAlta Corp. The Alberta-based power generation firm has three wind farms in southern Alberta, operated through its VisionQuest subsidiary, that now generate almost 200 megawatts of power. It has proposed several new wind farms in Ontario.
SaskPower The provincial government-owned utility this year opened its 150-MW Centennial wind farm near Swift Current, the biggest operating wind facility in Canada. SaskPower also has another 11-MW wind plant in southeastern Saskatchewan.
Canadian Hydro Developers Inc. This TSX-listed firm, which also runs hydro and biomass plants, has three wind power operations in southwestern Alberta that generate almost 50 MW of electricity, and it recently opened the 68 MW Melancthon wind farm in Ontario. Several others are in development.
Axor Group Inc. The Montreal engineering firm built Canada's first large-scale wind farm, the 100-MW Le Nordais project in Quebec's GaspƩsie region.
Clean Power Income Fund An investment trust that holds biomass and hydro power assets in Canada and the U.S., and owns the recently opened 99-MW Erie Shores wind farm in Ontario.
Nexen Inc. This Calgary-based energy firm is completing a 70.5-MW wind farm near Fort McLeod, Alta., with partner GW Power Corp.
Algonquin Power Income Fund This investment trust owns several power-generating facilities, and recently bought all the units of AirSource Power Income Fund, a Manitoba-based limited partnership with a 100-MW wind farm near St. Leon, Man.
Northland Power Income Fund An independent power producer that owns the 54-MW Mont Miller wind farm in the GaspƩsie region of Quebec.
Brookfield Power The power generating and distribution arm of Brookfield Asset Management Inc. is completing a 189-MW wind farm near Sault Ste. Marie, Ont. About 99 MW have recently been connected to the Ontario power grid.
Creststreet Power and Income Fund This investment trust owns and operates a 54-MW Mount Copper wind project in Quebec and a 30-MW Pubnico Point wind farm in Nova Scotia.
Ventus Energy Inc. This Toronto company is developing projects in six provinces. It recently began construction of a wind farm in Prince Edward Island.
SkyPower Corp. A Toronto-based private company that has several wind and solar projects planned across the country. Its first will open soon near RiviĆØre-du-Loup, Que.
Epcor Utilities Inc. The Edmonton-based natural gas, power and water company opened the 40-MW Kingsbridge Wind Power Project on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario this spring. A second phase will add another 160 MW.
Enbridge Inc. The income trust arm of the Calgary energy company jointly owns, along with Suncor, wind farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan that generate about 40 MW of power. It also has plans for a 200-MW Ontario wind farm on the shore of Lake Huron, although the project has been delayed because of snags in the approval process.
TransCanada Corp. The Calgary-based energy infrastructure firm owns 62 per cent of Cartier Wind Energy Inc., which has been awarded six major projects by Hydro-QuƩbec. The first, the 110-MW Baie des Sables project, is expected to be added to the power grid by the end of this year.
Suncor Energy Inc. The big oil sands player owns wind farms in Alberta and Saskatchewan that generate about 40 MW of power, with another 30-MW Alberta project starting up this month. A 76-MW project on the shores of Lake Huron in Ontario is in the works.
-- Richard Blackwell
Wind power generation, by province (megawatts)
PROVINCE INSTALLED PROPOSED
British Columbia 0 325
Alberta 285 235
Saskatchewan 171 25
Manitoba 104 0
Ontario 221 1,059
Quebec 212 1,244
New Brunswick 0 20
Nova Scotia 41 61
Prince Edward Island 14 39
Newfoundland 1 0
Yukon 1 0
SOURCE: CDN. WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
Canada's installed wind power capacity (megawatts)
2000 137
2001 198
2002 236
2003 322
2004 444
2005 683
2006* 1,049
*to June 30
SOURCE: CDN. WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION
See also:
Solar Power Investing Blog
Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Canadian Venture Capitalists invest in alternative energy technology
article from:
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155678611206&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
Investment in clean power technology soars
$87 million in renewable energy, conservation and environment; Share of spending triples to 18 per cent
Aug. 16, 2006. 07:06 AM
TYLER HAMILTON, Toronto Star Energy Reporter
Canadian venture capitalists dramatically increased their investment in alternative-energy and environmental technologies during the second quarter of 2006, amid the backdrop of rising oil prices and heightened concerns over global warming and local smog.
While overall venture capital activity during the quarter plunged 25 per cent year-over-year to $496 million, companies focused on alternative-energy, environmental and other "emerging" technologies captured 18 per cent of the total. That was up from just 6 per cent in all of 2005, according to data released yesterday by the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
In dollar terms, $87 million was invested in the second quarter alone, compared with $109 million for all of last year.
Rick Nathan, president of the association and managing director of Kensington Capital Partners in Toronto, said it's too early to say whether the growing interest in such companies — often wrapped under the banner "clean technology" — is a quarterly blip or the sign of a long-term trend.
"It could be a one-off thing, but it's enough of a jump that it made us take notice," said Nathan.
"If we see this level of activity for another couple of quarters, then I think it would show the sector has really emerged as a core part of our industry."
It may be a case of Canada, comparatively conservative in venture capital circles, just catching up to the rest of the world.
"It's definitely not a blip," said Nicholas Parker, chairman and co-founder of the Cleantech Venture Network, which tracks venture capital investing in North American clean-technology companies. "It's entirely consistent with what we're seeing in Europe and the United States."
North American venture capital investment in "cleantech" companies rose to $843 million (U.S.) in the second quarter, up 129 per cent from the same quarter a year earlier, according to figures released last Thursday by the Cleantech Venture Network.
Parker said it was the eighth consecutive quarter of growth for the sector, which is largely focused on new energy technologies such as solar and ethanol. The sector also includes waste reduction, water purification, pollution control and energy efficiency.
Cleantech captured 13.4 per cent of total North American venture capital investments in the quarter.
The sector surpassed telecommunications and medical investments but remained behind biotech and software.
"This is happening almost in spite of public policy, and that's what's so fascinating and exciting," Parker said.
Canadian cleantech companies that raised funds in the second quarter included Ottawa-based cellulosic ethanol developer Iogen Corp.; solar-cell maker Arise Technologies Corp. of Kitchener; and Advanced Glazings Ltd., based in Sydney, N.S., a maker of a high-efficiency insulating glaze for windows.
Globally, clean-energy investments exceeded $2 billion (U.S.) in the second quarter, more than double the amount a year earlier, according to New Energy Finance, a London-based alternative-energy research company.
And momentum is building.
Earlier this month, Chrysalix Energy LP, a Vancouver-based venture capital firm that focuses on clean-energy technologies, announced the closing of a new fund totalling $70 million (Canadian).
The company said the fund will target investments in a number of clean-technology areas.
They will include solar, biofuels, fuel cells, clean coal, energy efficiency, energy storage and energy from waste.
SolarIntell.com - Alternative Energy Investing
http://www.thestar.com/NASApp/cs/ContentServer?pagename=thestar/Layout/Article_Type1&c=Article&cid=1155678611206&call_pageid=968350072197&col=969048863851
Investment in clean power technology soars
$87 million in renewable energy, conservation and environment; Share of spending triples to 18 per cent
Aug. 16, 2006. 07:06 AM
TYLER HAMILTON, Toronto Star Energy Reporter
Canadian venture capitalists dramatically increased their investment in alternative-energy and environmental technologies during the second quarter of 2006, amid the backdrop of rising oil prices and heightened concerns over global warming and local smog.
While overall venture capital activity during the quarter plunged 25 per cent year-over-year to $496 million, companies focused on alternative-energy, environmental and other "emerging" technologies captured 18 per cent of the total. That was up from just 6 per cent in all of 2005, according to data released yesterday by the Venture Capital and Private Equity Association.
In dollar terms, $87 million was invested in the second quarter alone, compared with $109 million for all of last year.
Rick Nathan, president of the association and managing director of Kensington Capital Partners in Toronto, said it's too early to say whether the growing interest in such companies — often wrapped under the banner "clean technology" — is a quarterly blip or the sign of a long-term trend.
"It could be a one-off thing, but it's enough of a jump that it made us take notice," said Nathan.
"If we see this level of activity for another couple of quarters, then I think it would show the sector has really emerged as a core part of our industry."
It may be a case of Canada, comparatively conservative in venture capital circles, just catching up to the rest of the world.
"It's definitely not a blip," said Nicholas Parker, chairman and co-founder of the Cleantech Venture Network, which tracks venture capital investing in North American clean-technology companies. "It's entirely consistent with what we're seeing in Europe and the United States."
North American venture capital investment in "cleantech" companies rose to $843 million (U.S.) in the second quarter, up 129 per cent from the same quarter a year earlier, according to figures released last Thursday by the Cleantech Venture Network.
Parker said it was the eighth consecutive quarter of growth for the sector, which is largely focused on new energy technologies such as solar and ethanol. The sector also includes waste reduction, water purification, pollution control and energy efficiency.
Cleantech captured 13.4 per cent of total North American venture capital investments in the quarter.
The sector surpassed telecommunications and medical investments but remained behind biotech and software.
"This is happening almost in spite of public policy, and that's what's so fascinating and exciting," Parker said.
Canadian cleantech companies that raised funds in the second quarter included Ottawa-based cellulosic ethanol developer Iogen Corp.; solar-cell maker Arise Technologies Corp. of Kitchener; and Advanced Glazings Ltd., based in Sydney, N.S., a maker of a high-efficiency insulating glaze for windows.
Globally, clean-energy investments exceeded $2 billion (U.S.) in the second quarter, more than double the amount a year earlier, according to New Energy Finance, a London-based alternative-energy research company.
And momentum is building.
Earlier this month, Chrysalix Energy LP, a Vancouver-based venture capital firm that focuses on clean-energy technologies, announced the closing of a new fund totalling $70 million (Canadian).
The company said the fund will target investments in a number of clean-technology areas.
They will include solar, biofuels, fuel cells, clean coal, energy efficiency, energy storage and energy from waste.
SolarIntell.com - Alternative Energy Investing
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
JOIN Betfair through link below, you "Choose Your Bonus!"
SEARCH Leading Alternative Energy and Ethical Investing websites
Custom Search
Research Green Energy stocks, Clean Energy investing information
Find wind power investing info online, clean energy mutual funds, geothermal stocks, solar energy investments.
Green Energy Investing Network:
Green Stocks Investing Clean Power Blog
SolarIntell.com Renewable Power Investing Website
Wind Intell.com Wind Energy Stocks Company Links
Geothermal Power Investing Public Companies
PV Intell.com Leading Photovoltaic Solar Energy Stocks
Custom Search
Green Energy Investing Network:
Green Stocks Investing Clean Power Blog
SolarIntell.com Renewable Power Investing Website
Wind Intell.com Wind Energy Stocks Company Links
Geothermal Power Investing Public Companies
PV Intell.com Leading Photovoltaic Solar Energy Stocks
