Monthly Archives: December 2011
Just in case you’re still not sure that the climate is behaving a little strangely, in 2011: Greenhouse gases rose to record levels; Temperatures were the 11th highest ever recorded; The Arctic Sea ice melt almost equalled the 2007 record; The world had its 300th consecutive month of above average temperatures; North America experienced massive flooding of the Mississippi and Missouri; Australia experienced floods which covered an area larger than France and Germany combined; Floods in Thailand claimed 730 lives; The United States was hit by 1,600 tornadoes in six months; North China’s worst drought in 60 years continued; Somalia … Continue Reading
For decades, the United States produced more of its electricity from coal than all other fuels combined. As recentlly as 2003, 51% of US electricity came from burning coal. But the use of coal is starting to decline rapidly. In 2011, coal will account for 41% of US power generation, down 2% from the previous year. It is expected to decline by about 4% in 2012 and about 5% in 2013, But the big drop is expected in 2014, when almost 9 gigawatts of coal-fired power plants are due for retirement. Experts think that by 2016, as much as 20% … Continue Reading
Partridges and turtle-doves are endangered, gold rings cost $1,600 an ounce, milk maids and leaping lords haven’t been seen for years – it’s time for a sustainable Christmas list: On the first day of Christmas, my true love brought to me … Food that was grown locally; On the second day of Christmas, my true love brought to me … Two rain tanks And food that was grown locally; On the third day of Christmas, my true love brought to me … Three bins recycling Two rain tanks And food that was grown locally;
Scientists at the Institute of Atomic and Molecular Science in Taiwan have reported that a carbon-based catalyst loaded with vitamin B12 showed promise as a low-cost alternative to platinum in fuel cells. In order to generate electricity, hydrogen fuel cells require an oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode together with an oxidiztation reaction (producing water) at the anode. Oxygen reduction reactions are slow and need a catalyst to speed them up. The most effective catalyst is platinum, which is very expensive. The researchers in Taiwan have dispensed with the need for platinum altogether, by using cheap carbon that has vitamin … Continue Reading
Simbol Materials, a Californian company, plans to extract lithium, as well as zinc and manganese, from the brine that is pumped by geothermal power plants. Currently many geothermal plants pump hot brine from deep underground to produce steam and then inject the cooled brine back into the ground. This brine is rich in minerals including lithium, which is abundant in the Earth’s crust but does not often occur in concentrations which can be economically exploited. In 2010, worldwide demand for lithium chemicals was about 102,000 tonnes. This is expected to increase to as much as 320,000 tonnes by 2020 – … Continue Reading
Researchers at Stanford University have used nanoparticles of a copper compound to develop a high-power battery electrode that they believe could help make large-scale batteries sufficently efficient, durable and inexpensive for grid power storage. In laboratory tests, the electrode survived 40,000 cycles of charging and discharging, after which it could still be charged to more than 80 percent of its original charge capacity. In comparison, the average lithium ion battery can handle about 400 charge/discharge cycles before it deteriorates too much to be of practical use. At a rate of several cycles per day, this electrode would have a good … Continue Reading
A study published in Science journal, claims to have narrowed the range by which the world’s temperature can be expected to rise with a doubling of carbon dioxide concentrations from pre-industrial levels. Earlier studies, including the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) 2007 report, have precicted a rise of between 2.0°C and 4.5°C, with a mean of about 3°C. The new study predicts that the Earth’s surface temperatures would rise by between 1.7°C and 2.6°C with a mean value of 2.3°C. The new analysis uses palaeoclimate data going back to the latter stages of the most recent Ice Age, 21,000 … Continue Reading
Videos
Renewables News- Vic Council Approves Wind Farm with Community SharesBuloke Shire has approved a planning permit for a five-turbine wind farm spanning 5.t hectares at Coonooer Bridge, west of Bendigo..It is the first wind farm planning permit approved since 2011 when the Victorian Government introduced tough planning laws that … Continue Reading → […]
- NZ Electricity Co Offers Solar PV with BatteryVector Limited, the largest electricity and gas distribution company in New Zealand, is offerring a "home solar power solution", incorporating intelligent battery storage into a traditional solar PV system. In the introductory phase of the programme, a limited number of … Continue Reading → […]
- Sydney City Revises Trigen Power PlanThe City of Sydney has decided not to pursue its plan for a trigeneation power precinct at Green Square at this time but has re-affirmed its commitment to cutting carbon emissions using trigeneration, among other technologies, The decision to halt … Continue Reading → […]
- Vic Council Approves Wind Farm with Community Shares
