Renewable Energy News

Democrats Push Renewable Energy Package in Congress

Democratic leaders on Capitol Hill pushed a new energy package Wednesday, calling for action in alleviating gas prices by suspending new purchases for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, promoting research into alternative fuels and placing incentives on energy saving models for cars, buildings and appliances. The Bush Administration has so far come out against calls to suspend oil purchases for the SPR, and has made increasing domestic petroleum exploration and production, including drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), the cornerstone for a new energy policy. Bush has agreed with the need to develop alternative fuels, but has also come out strongly in favor of new nuclear power plants and against mandates like fuel economy for the auto industry. “Drill, veto, drill, veto, drill veto,” said House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) of the Bush Administration’s response to Democratic overtures. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said the Administration was “strangling” any attempts to make serious investments at alternative energy over the last seven years and that drilling in the Arctic Wildlife Refuge would “take ten years and reduce the price of oil by a penny.” Schumer also called for an end to the speculation in energy markets that drives up prices. Democrats have stated they will bring their new proposals to the floor before Memorial Day.

Scientists Develop Microbe that Helps Create Biofuel

A newly created microbe produces cellulose that can be turned into ethanol and other biofuels, report scientists from The University of Texas at Austin who say the microbe could provide a significant portion of the nation's transportation fuel if production can be scaled up. Along with cellulose, the cyanobacteria developed by Professor R. Malcolm Brown Jr. and Dr. David Nobles Jr. secrete glucose and sucrose. These simple sugars are the major sources used to produce ethanol. "The cyanobacterium is potentially a very inexpensive source for sugars to use for ethanol and designer fuels," says Nobles, a research associate in the Section of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics. Brown and Nobles say their cyanobacteria can be grown in production facilities on non-agricultural lands using salty water unsuitable for human consumption or crops.

The new cyanobacteria use sunlight as an energy source to produce and excrete sugars and cellulose. Glucose, cellulose and sucrose can be continually harvested without harming or destroying the cyanobacteria (harvesting cellulose and sugars from true algae or crops, like corn and sugarcane, requires killing the organisms and using enzymes and mechanical methods to extract the sugars). The new cyanobacteria produce a relatively pure, gel-like form of cellulose that can be broken down easily into glucose. "The problem with cellulose harvested from plants is that it's difficult to break down because it's highly crystalline and mixed with lignins [for structure] and other compounds," Nobles says. He was surprised to discover that the cyanobacteria also secrete large amounts of glucose or sucrose, sugars that can be directly harvested from the organisms. "The huge expense in making cellulosic ethanol and biofuels is in using enzymes and mechanical methods to break cellulose down," says Nobles. "Using the cyanobacteria escapes these expensive processes. Brown and Nobles are now researching the best methods to scale up efficient and cost-effective production of cyanobacteria.

Solel to Supply 50 Megawatt Solar Plants in Spain

Solar manufacturer Solel announced that it has been selected to supply UVAC 2008 solar thermal receivers to an unnamed Spanish consortium which is developing three 50 MW solar power plants to be built in Spain. Delivery of the receivers will commence in 2009. This is the largest order to date for the UVAC 2008, launched by Solel in October 2007. "This large and unprecedented order is a testament to Solel's ability to offer a compelling and economical solution for the production of clean and renewable energy," said Avi Brenmiller, President and CEO of Solel Solar Systems. "The solar power market is growing rapidly, and we intend to continue to lead the way with unrivalled products and increased production." As a main component of a solar thermal power plant, the UVAC 2008 receiver captures sunlight and converts it to heat for clean power generation with 20 percent less heat loss than other receivers on the market, according to testing performed in January 2008 by the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) of the U.S. Department of Energy. Heat loss measurement is a critical indicator of receiver efficiency. In addition, Solel's patented hydrogen absorption system ensures that the UVAC will maintain its high thermal yields for many years. Solel, of Beit Shemesh, Israel, provides parabolic trough solar thermal energy technology that has proven itself commercially over two decades.

Renewable Energy Videos

Here is a recent collection of some of the better You Tube videos on renewable energy. If you have some favorite You Tube videos relating to renewable energy please send us the links and we will try to include them. Thanks! --Editor

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