Environmental Issues

Renewable energy is thriving thanks to tech companies

April 24, 2018April 22, 2018 Tami Hood

Large companies are embracing clean power aggressively Large technology companies like Google and Amazon are adding pressure on other corporations to embrace renewable energy. Clean power has been gaining traction throughout the United States for some time. Technology companies see clean power as a way to reduce their emissions and become more environmentally friendly. They also see significant economic potential in renewable energy. Last year, Google, Amazon, Microsoft, and Apple became the largest corporate consumers of clean power in the world. Tech companies have ensured the success of clean power…

Portugal reaches a new renewable energy milestone for March

April 18, 2018April 16, 2018 Stephen Vagus

Grid operator reports that Portugal has generated some 4,812 GW of renewable power in March Portugal has reached a major milestone with its energy strategy. The country’s renewable energy sector was able to generate enough electricity to accommodate all of its needs during the month of March. The Portuguese grid operator, REN, has reported that some 4,812 gigawatts of electrical power were generated through renewable sources in March. Throughout that entire month, the country only consumed 4,647 gigawatts. Heavy rainfall allows dams to produce more electricity The majority of this…

China continues spending vast sums to support renewable energy

April 17, 2018April 15, 2018 Bret Williams

Renewable Energy - China Spending - Chinese Money - Yuan

Clean power continues to find financial support from the Chinese government China continues to show its commitment to renewable energy by supporting the sector financially. The country has been the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases for some time, but the government has been working to cut emissions in order to become more environmentally friendly. In this pursuit, China has become one of the largest investors in clean power in the world. The country now dwarfs the investments that are made by the United States, which is the second largest…

Michigan utility submits new renewable energy plan

April 16, 2018April 13, 2018 John Max

Renewable Energy Michigan - Business Plan

DTE Energy aims to boost clean power capacity by 1,000 MW Michigan utility DTE Energy has submitted its 2018 renewable energy plan to state regulators. The plan proposes adding 1,000 megawatts of clean power capacity to the state by 2022. The majority of this new capacity will come from wind and solar projects that will be developed in the state. If the plan is approved, it is expected to drive some $1.7 billion in investments in Michigan’s clean power space. It would also double DTE Energy’s existing renewable energy capacity,…

Illinois finalizes its renewable energy plan

April 16, 2018April 13, 2018 Stephen Vagus

Renewable Energy Plan - World, city, clean power

Plan seeks to bring progress to Illinois clean power plans The Illinois Commerce Commission has finalized the state’s Long-Term Renewable Resources Procurement Plan. The plan involves the state’s utilities acquiring electricity from renewable energy systems. The state hopes to derive no less than 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The plan is expected to help the state reach this goal, with utilities likely to show more support for distributed and community-based solar power projects. State aims to focus on forward-facing clean power projects The Long-Term Renewable Resources…

Google purchases more renewable energy than it consumes

April 13, 2018April 11, 2018 Angie Bergenson

Google Renewable Energy - Clean Power - Google Search

Google has announced that it now purchases more clean power than it actually uses Google has become the largest corporate buyer of renewable energy in the world. The company claims that it now purchases more clean power than it actually consumes. Google’s renewable energy efforts began in earnest in 2017, when it unveiled plans to power all of its data centers with wind, solar, and others forms of clean power. While Google now purchases more clean power than it actually consumes, not all of the company’s electricity comes from renewable…

Clean vehicles could thrive through Shell’s ambitious proposal

April 10, 2018April 8, 2018 Alicia Moore

Clean Vehicles - Image of Shell Gas Station at dusk

Shell calls for a ban on gas and diesel vehicles by 2035 Shell has proposed banning the sale of all new gas and diesel powered vehicles in the United States, European Union, and China by 2035. The company suggests that the ambitious proposal would help countries meet the emissions reduction targets outlined by the Paris Agreement. Shell claims that the transition toward clean vehicles could occur faster than most expect. Notably, the company believes that autonomous electric vehicles will play a major role in helping accomplishing this goal. Clean vehicles…

Renewable energy beats nuclear power in the UK

April 9, 2018April 5, 2018 Tami Hood

Data shows that solar and wind have outpaced nuclear energy Renewable energy has reached a new milestone in the United Kingdom. According to information from the government, wind and solar power generated more electricity last year than the country’s nuclear energy stations. Renewable energy generation grew by 29% last year compared to the 21% increase that nuclear power saw. Now, clean power represents more than half of the electricity generated in the UK. Notably, wind power saw significant success last year, adding a great deal of capacity to the country’s…

DTE Energy announces ambitious renewable energy plan

April 9, 2018April 5, 2018 Stephen Vagus

Renewable Energy Plan - Man holding lightbulb

Company aims to double its clean power capacity by 2022 DTE Energy, a major energy supplier in Michigan, has announced plans to add some 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity to its portfolios by 2022. This capacity will come from new solar and wind power projects. The company’s plans must first be approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission. The plan would represent a $1.7 billion in Michigan’s growing renewable energy sector. If the plan is successful, DTE Energy would use its new clean power capacity to provide electricity to…

California legislation could be a boon for renewable energy

April 5, 2018April 3, 2018 Bret Williams

Renewable Energy Legislation - Courthouse in California

Legislation seeks to increase access to clean power New legislation in California could expand the access that non-residential consumers have to renewable energy. Senate Bill 1399 aims to allow these consumers to facilitate the development of clean power projects that would be located outside of properties. Such projects could be very beneficial for those living in apartment buildings, providing them access to the renewable energy that they are interested in using. These projects would have a maximum capacity of 20 megawatts. Solar sector may benefit from the new legislation The…

Renewable energy is vital to Japan’s future

April 3, 2018April 2, 2018 John Max

Japan plans to have renewable energy form the core of its future strategy Clean power will play a vital role in Japan’s long-term energy strategy. The Japanese government has unveiled a new strategy that is focused on the use of renewable energy and clean technology. Per the strategy, the country is poised to increase its use of solar and wind power while also making advances in battery and hydrogen fuel cell technology through 2050. The new strategy is based on the 2015 Paris Agreement, which calls upon countries to make…

Research team focused on renewable energy receives $1.2 million in funding

March 27, 2018March 26, 2018 Alicia Moore

Funding will help the development of new facility that will examine clean forms of power A multidisciplinary research team from the Concordia University has been awarded $1.2 million in funding from the Canada Foundation for Innovation. The funding will help the research team develop a new facility that will be focused on examining sustainable power. The new facility is meant to be powered from renewable energy sources. It will be equipped with solar panels, hydrogen fuel cells, and wind turbines. These clean power sources will also be examined by researchers…

Japanese companies aim to help build a hydrogen society

March 26, 2018March 23, 2018 Stephen Vagus

Hydrogen Society - Japanese City at Sunset

Japan’s hydrogen society is beginning to take form A consortium of 11 companies have come together to help Japan realize its vision of establishing a hydrogen society. The consortium is now drawing attention to what it believes to a new investment opportunity. The opportunity involves jump-starting the construction of a comprehensive hydrogen network throughout Japan. The idea is to have investors share startup costs in order to mitigate financial risk. The problem, however, is that investing in the endeavor will be quite costly and whether or not investors will see…

Electric vehicles are thriving in Norway

March 23, 2018March 22, 2018 Tami Hood

Norway is a leader in clean transportation adoption Automakers throughout the world are competing to establish a market lead with their electric vehicles. Some are finding more success than others in certain countries, but nearly every automaker is finding success with their electric vehicles in Norway. According to a report from the International Energy Agency, more electric vehicles are sold in Norway than any other country in the world. The country is even ahead of China in terms of sales, despite the fact that China holds the title as the…

Audi makes progress with its synthetic fuel for clean vehicles

March 21, 2018March 19, 2018 Bret Williams

Audi is making a significant amount of clean fuel Audi is making progress with its e-fuels strategy. The automaker’s initiative involves producing clean fuels that produce no harmful emissions when used to power clean vehicles. Audi has achieved part of this goal with the development of synthetic gasoline, which is calls “e-benzin.” To accomplish this, Audi teamed with Global Bioenergies. Together, the two companies were able to produce the largest amount of synthetic gasoline ever – approximately 60 liters of fuel. New fuel is compatible with existing infrastructure According to…

Countries may need to accelerate their renewable energy plans to fight climate change

March 20, 2018March 19, 2018 Tami Hood

Climate Change - Renewable Energy Needed

Countries must accelerate their environmental sustainability efforts in order to thwart climate change The transition toward renewable energy must be accelerated in order to combat the effects of climate change, according to a new report from the World Economic Forum. The report is part of the organization’s Energy Transition Index 2018, which highlights the efforts that 114 countries are making to embrace clean power. The report ranks these countries based on their efforts and how large of a role renewable energy plays in their fight against climate change. Report shows…

Category: Environmental