Experiments in growing algae without sunlight Algae could compete with petroleum as the fuel of the future if only the process of growing it was more efficient. Thanks to a fellowship from the Link Foundation, it soon could be.   Experimental laboratory-grown algae beakers. (Elizabeth Hann/UCR) Elizabeth Hann, a doctoral student in plant biology at UC Riverside, is using the two-year, …

                 SolaCulture array canopies supported by wire hoops   SolaCulture arrays collect and fluidynamically concentrate the direct and diffuse solar thermal energy absorbed by covered earth regions. Air intakes from engine driven co-fueled generators, heaters, or chimneys are used to create slightly sub-atmospheric pressures within regions covered by transparent microporous fabric canopies (crop covers). The sub-atmospheric pressure causes atmospheric air …

The rise of green energy inventions like solar thermal, wind turbine, and biobattery are shaping the way we think and live in a carbon-dependent industry. Furthermore, the cheap and clean energy generators enabled a paradigm shift towards adopting modern structural designs in energy independence.  These green alternative energy inventions have gained global fascination. For instance, Toyota plans on continuing the …

By Michael Tobias There’s been a lot of hype about green building and green houses recently and with good reason. I’m not talking about greenhouses constructed for growing plants, but green buildings that are designed and constructed to be sustainable and healthy. They are also environmentally friendly and a lot cheaper to run and maintain.  About Green Building Also known …

When you replace a 175-foot-long wind turbine blade, what do you do with the old one?   Until recently, the only thing you could do was bury it, using close to 45 cubic yards of landfill space for each retired turbine blade.  Typically made out of a composite fiberglass material to withstand hurricane-force winds, the blades don’t break down in the …

Rensselaer team develops effective solar power plant using affordable, accessible resources  TROY, N.Y. — Partha Dutta, a professor of electrical, computer, and systems engineering at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, envisions a not-so-distant future where even the most remote parts of the world would have access to clean and renewable energy. His vision wouldn’t require a large power grid or expensive technology. …

When most of us think about geothermal energy, we probably conjure images of Old Faithful and bubbling geysers, creating the heat necessary to create energy. But geothermal energy is now a reliable and growing source of renewable energy as the U.S. weans itself off fossil fuels.  According to the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), “In 2016, there were 3,567 Megawatts (MW) …

Planning a wedding can be both an exciting and expensive ordeal, and it’s also something that many people look forward to all of their lives. Seeing as weddings are a big event, if they could be done in a green way, it could benefit the environment in unimaginable ways. This could explain why green weddings are becoming increasingly popular, but …

According to data from the Energy Information Administration, wind power is set to surpass hydroelectric as the largest renewable energy source in the United States in 2019. As the nation transitions to greener energy, how can plant managers maintain facilities and substations on this ever-evolving grid? Mark Howard, United States country manager for EU Automation explains.    Few facilities can afford to …

Today, a lot of homeowners and management companies are prioritizing eco-consciousness. In addition to helping the environment, it can also mean big savings on energy bills. Most importantly, eco-conscious building materials and upgrades are healthier for anyone who is going to spend a lot of time indoors. Green building practices also benefit the community by reducing pollution and preserving precious …

The need for cost-efficient renewable energy resources means the number of solar photovoltaic (PV) plants continues to increase as does investment in PV technology for improved performance. One new technology in this area is bifacial PV, which is set to gain credence and be more widely used in projects for the future. Most large-scale PV installations use monofacial panels. This means …

Agricultural systems are requiring an increasing amount of energy to cope with the current and projected growth in demand. Unfortunately, increased use of nonrenewable energy has a detrimental impact on our environment. In today’s world, where the effects of climate change are very real and fast approaching, it is crucial to use sustainable processes for agriculture. Renewable energy can contribute …

Calgren Dairy Fuels dairy digester pipeline cluster–California’s first–captures methane from cow manure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide a carbon-negative fuel  Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) and biogas producer Calgren Dairy Fuels (Calgren) today announced that renewable natural gas produced at Calgren’s dairy digester facility in Pixley, California is being injected into SoCalGas pipelines. The project marks the first time that carbon-negative renewable …

CLEAN ENERGY INVESTMENT EXCEEDED $300 BILLION ONCE AGAIN IN 2018 Solar commitments declined 24% in dollar terms even though there was record new photovoltaic capacity added, breaking 100GW barrier for the first time   London and New York, January 16, 2019 – Global clean energy investment[1] totaled $332.1 billion in 2018, down 8% on 2017. Last year was the fifth in a …

Green energy grows more sophisticated each year, as the renewable s industry finds new and exciting ways to reduce carbon emissions. From wave power to air source heating, there are really no limits to what technology and science can achieve. With that in mind, we’ve gathered some of the most exciting feats of renewable energy for you to marvel at. …

Gov. Brown Signs Historic Diablo Canyon Nuclear Plant Bill SACRAMENTO, CA – Gov. Jerry Brown signed into law a bill to protect the environment, workers, and local communities during the closure of California’s last nuclear plant, Diablo Canyon near San Luis Obispo. Senate Bill 1090, which had wide bipartisan support, will help to ensure that the electricity generated by the …

Study analyzes how much water is used by oil, coal, natural gas, wind and other energy sources To generate the energy delivered to each home, business and industrial entity in the United States each year, trillions of gallons of water are required for energy production, processing, conversion and transport. However, the exact amount of water withdrawn from the environment and …

Trump’s Clean Power Plan Replacement Is WORSE Than Nothing August 20, 2018 Lissa Lynch, Staff Attorney, Federal Policy, Climate & Clean Energy Program The Clean Power Plan replacement proposed today by Acting EPA Administrator Wheeler demonstrates the Trump EPA’s unflagging commitment to propping up polluters. The proposal is designed to require power plants to do nothing to reduce their carbon pollution, and …

21 March 2018, Oslo – “The renewable electricity market in Europe continues to grow steeply,” says Tom Lindberg, Managing Director in ECOHZ, commenting on statistics from the Association of Issuing Bodies (AIB). “The market is also more robust and more balanced than ever before.” The total market demand for renewable electricity documented with Guarantees of Origin increased from 367 TWh in 2016 to 471 …

September 29, 2017 Miles Farmer  Originally posted on NRDC Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Rick Perry just proposed a massive bailout for coal and nuclear power plants. The radical and unprecedented move is couched under a false premise that power plants with fuel located on site are needed to guarantee the reliability of the electricity system. The proposal relies on a mischaracterization of …