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Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Greenpeace: 8,359 installed coal-fired power plant units consume as much water as one billion people


Coal power generation is one of the thirstiest industries, for example, a 500 MW coal-fired power plant needs to suck dry an Olympic-sized swimming pool of fresh water every three minutes for cooling purposes. Still, there are now 2,668 proposed coal power units all over the world with total capacity of 1300 GW.

Monday, March 28, 2016

Researchers about Russia’s energy strategy to 2030


Currently about 30% of Europe’s natural gas being supplied by Russia. In its interview with researchers Tatiana Romanova and Jean Monnet,   Natural Gas Europe  asked questions regarding Russia’s energy strategy for the next 15-20 years. Among country's key priorities in energy area for the period up to 20130, following were emphasized by researchers: 

Friday, March 25, 2016

Despite controversies and protests Woodfibre LNG project got Canadian federal approval


Last October the  project was granted an environmental assessment certificate by the B.C. government along with 25 conditions meant to mitigate the negative impacts construction and operation of the plant will have on  marine life and water quality.The Squamish mayor and residents of the coastal town, near which plant is supposed to be built, have repeatedly voiced their concerns and opposition to the project.

Wednesday, March 23, 2016

How climate finance can be transformational factor towards low-carbon economy


A working paper, published by World Resource Institute, examines the most critical elements for transformation by reviewing 20 case studies from both developed and developing countries and across all regions. A transformation is defined as a long-term fundamental shift in a system, whether political, economic, social, or biological.

Monday, March 21, 2016

Iron-phosphate EV batteries power London double-decker buses



A fleet of five new double-decker electric buses please commuters and tourists with a quiet zero-emission ride. The buses are equipped with BYD-designed and built iron-phosphate batteries, delivering 345 kWh of power that can power the bus for over 24 hours and up to 190 miles with a single daily recharging requiring only four hours.

Friday, March 18, 2016

Most exposed countries to sea level rise


Analysis of worldwide exposure to sea level rise and coastal flooding,  conducted by Climate Central,  relied on global data on elevation and population. Study showed that 147 to 216 million people live on land that will be below sea level or regular flood levels by the end of the century, assuming GHG emissions continue on their current trend. Read more at www.climatecentral.org

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Huge success story of Uruguay's wind power



Uruguay went from having virtually no wind power generation in 2007 to installing 581 MW of wind capacity by mid-2015, providing an average 17 percent of total electricity generation over the year. Country also became a double world-record holder - by 2013, it was receiving the largest share of clean energy investment as a percentage of GDP, and, in 2014, it installed the most wind per capita of any country.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Canada - U.S. agreement on climate, energy, and Arctic protection



Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Barack Obama issued a statement  about agreement to take joint steps to fight climate change, including cutting methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, collaborating on expanding wind, solar and other renewable energy sources, and protecting the Arctic. Two countries will work together to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 to 45% below 2012 levels by 2025.

Friday, March 11, 2016

Berkeley Lab researchers: saving energy is still cheap


Comprehensive study conducted by researchers from Berkeley National Laboratory showed that the average full cost of saving electricity by U.S. utility efficiency programs is 4.6 cents. Efficiency programs and participants have split the cost of saving electricity almost right down the middle—on average paying roughly 2.3 cents per kilowatt-hour each (see Figure above).

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

The Environmental Protection and Energy Efficiency Fund - Croatian experience


The Fund was established in 2003 as an extra-budgetary fund, what means that financial sources for the Fund’s operation are secured from different kinds of environmental fees, all of which are following the ‘polluter-pays’ principle. The annual incomes of the Fund are at the level of approximately €200 million.

Monday, March 7, 2016

Save energy when making a cup of tea or coffee



You can use various kitchen electric appliances to boil the same cup of water, but electricity consumption for everyone of them will be different. The rough estimate of energy efficiency for a microwave is 50%, for stovetop - 70%, for electric teakettle - 80%, and for induction stove - 85%.

Friday, March 4, 2016

Successful international launch of unique home energy monitoring system by Ukrainian inventors



Startup company Ecoisme, founded by young Ukrainian inventor Ivan Pasichnyk and his friends, recently  presented  at Indiegogo and CNET (watch also the video ) a new intelligent energy-tracking smart plug, which can monitor all of the electronic devices in your home. The sensor detects all of your appliances, monitors the energy being spent and displays the costs on your Android or i OS smart phone. 

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

IEA supports Canada’s new energy and climate commitments


In February IEA issued the report, Energy Policies of IEA Countries – Canada 2015, where Agency emphasizes the country's role as a major energy producer and welcomes its renewed climate ambitions.