Tag Archives: europe
Siemens: Still in the Solar Game
If you were to google “siemens solar” right now, you’d probably see a number of damning headlines regarding Siemens’ role in the solar industry. This last Monday, the 22nd of October, Siemens AG made the announcement that Siemens Solar & Hydro division of Siemens Energy will be discontinuing its solar business. The news comes only [...]
A123 Systems: Going to Zero?
There was so much enthusiasm when high-performance battery manufacturer A123 Systems (NASDAQ:AONE) came on the scene. The promise of an advanced battery manufacturing facility pumping out batteries for next-generation electric cars while providing jobs for US workers was a bold one, and one that a lot of folks cheered. But certain realities rapidly turned that [...]
Lighter and More Efficient: Ford’s New Carbon Fibre Technology
Detroit automaker Ford has been experimenting with a new carbon fibre technology that could help lower fuel consumption for its customers. The carbon fibre bonnet for the Ford Focus was displayed at the Composites Europe event in Dusseldorf, Germany. It is constructed from the super-strong material usually associated with bespoke racing vehicles or high-performance sports [...]
In Focus: The Battle Between Solar Energy and Trees
Solar energy and planting trees are both important for the betterment of the environment and another fact regarding the two is that they are often in conflict with one another as one has to be stopped for the other to flourish. If you plant more and more trees then the light of sun gets [...]
Mecca: Leading Saudia Arabia Solar Effort
The holy city of Mecca could be the first in Saudia Arabia to host a utility-scale solar power plant, as the sun-rich desert kingdom seeks to diversify its energy mix, reports Bloomberg. In early January 2013, the city will select from at least 20 bidders that want to build local power plants in Mecca to [...]
China/EU Battle Carbon Emissions
One of the world’s largest economic powerhouses has reportedly struck a deal with the European Union to cut greenhouses gases. According to Reuters, the European Commission has announced that China will partner with the EU to develop initiatives like Chinese emissions trading schemes. China is the world’s biggest emitter of greenhouse gases. The EU and [...]
Germany’s Renewable Energy Goal
At the end of last month the Economist published an article on Germany’s energy transition to renewables labeling it a “lunatic gamble”. This could not be further from the truth and in this blog we’ll explain why… The article claimed that German plans to switch to renewable energy are risky, and yet the transition roadmap [...]
Germany: Solar Passes Wind
Germany is fast becoming the world`s first developed country that generates more electricity with solar cells than with wind turbines. In 2012, the country`s solar capacity increased more than 7,100 MW, putting their total capacity at 32,000 MW –1,000 MW more than wind. Germany has set the ambitious goal to source 35% of all electricity [...]
Bill Gates Funds Solar Toilet
The practice of open defecation and dirth of sanitation in developing nations kills 1.5 million children under the age of 5 every year, according to philanthropist Bill Gates. So Gates and his wife, Melinda, are devoting $6.5 million to research and development project meant to reinvent the toilet for countries that lack the infrastructure to [...]