China's wind power capacity doubles

 

In just the first 6 months of this year, China's installed wind power capacity increased to 11.81 gigawatts, more than double the amount of the previous year.
  
China's wind power industry has skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to the Chinese government's supportive policies and financial incentives. The country's installed wind power capacity reached 12 gigawatts by the end of 2008, ranking the fourth globally behind the United States, France and Spain. China has set a goal of attaining 100 gigawatts of wind power capacity by 2020.
  
By the end of 2008, more than a dozen companies were commercially producing wind turbines in China and several dozen more manufacturing components. The leading wind power companies in the nation are Goldwind, Dongfang, and Sinovel
  
China could become the global leader in wind power soon, with many major projects under way. Work is about to begin on a massive 10 gigawatt wind farm in the far northwestern city of Jiuquan, Gansu Province.
  
The wind farm will have an installed capacity of 5 gigawatts by the end of 2010, 12 gigawatts by the end of 2015 and 20 gigawatts by the end of 2020, but the installed capacity will eventually reach 40 gigawatts according to officials. The total costs of the project are predicted to exceed 17.6 billion U.S. dollars.
  
Currently, six wind farms are in operation in the city with a total installed capacity of 660,000 kW. The massive project will see not only clean energy generated for the local population, but will represent and jobs boom in the form of manufacturing of wind turbines and employment in the operation and maintenance of the wind farm once constructed.
  
Source: Xinhua, Wikipedia

USA Wind Power Capacity Approaches 30 Gigawatts

 

According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the U.S. wind power industry installed 1.2 gigawatts of new capacity in the second quarter of 2009, bringing the total added this year to just over 4 gigawatts - 1.1 gigawatt more than the amount added to the end of June in 2008.
 
The amount of new capacity added in 10 states during the second quarter is enough to power the equivalent of about 350,000 homes.
 
Total U.S. wind power generating capacity is nudging 30 gigawatts according to the association and now offsets an average of 54 million tons of carbon annually, reducing carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2% or the equivalent of taking 9 million cars off the road.
 
The state posting the fastest growth in the 2nd quarter was Missouri, where wind power installations expanded by 90%. Pennsylvania and South Dakota ranked second and third in terms of growth rate in the second quarter, expanding by 28% and 21% respectively.
 
Three wind turbine and turbine component manufacturing facilities were also opened during the period, four facilities were expanding, and eight facilities were announced during the second quarter.
 
While growth in the wind power sector has been solid, the AWEA says it was under predictions and called on US Congress and the Obama administration to pass a national Renewable Electricity Standard (RES) with strong early targets. The USA is the world leader in installed wind power capacity, however China is rapidly closing the gap. China's wind power capacity doubled in the last 12 months.
 
The full Q2 market report is available on the AWEA web site (PDF) .

Energy Matters At The NAB's Mini-Environmental Expo

 

National Australia Bank believes that as a large corporation it has a significant part to play in reducing not only its own environmental footprint, but in helping its staff, customers and the wider community respond to climate change.
  
In March 2007, National Australia Bank announced its commitment to become carbon neutral by September 2010 by improving energy efficiency and use across its international operations and purchasing offset credits where emissions can't be avoided. NAB is seeking a 46,000 tonnes reduction of greenhouse emissions.
  
The company has already had great success - among the initiatives already undertaken were the replacement of approximately 12,700 old computer monitors with flat screen monitors and power saving features implemented for 32,000 desktop computer systems. 
  
In the first year of the program, the company also replaced more than 300 six cylinder vehicles with more fuel efficient four cylinder cars and introduced of nine Toyota hybrids.
  
Last year also saw the first NAB Environmental Expo at NAB Docklands and it was such a success, the company is expanding the concept. The Mini Enviro Expo will be travelling around Australia to 13 of National Australia Bank's commercial offices, including Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and ending in Melbourne. 
  
The Mini Enviro Expo is aimed at raising awareness with NAB employees on the bank's environmental agenda and how they can get involved at work and at home.
  
As attendees move around the Expo, they will be taken on a journey to help them calculate their ecological footprint and through 5 simple steps, empower them to take action to reduce their impact. These action steps are:
  
1. Switch to Green Energy
2. Turn it off
3. Reduce waste and recycle
4. Save Water
5. Travel Green
  
Energy Matters, one of Australia's leading providers of wind and solar power solutions, is involved with the Expo and will be showcasing renewable energy and energy efficiency information to over 5,000 South Australian and New South Wales National Australia Bank employees. The company will also be offering NAB staff substantial discounts on home solar power solutions.
  
Energy Matters has been very engaged in bringing knowledge about renewable energy to business associations, schools and community groups across Australia throughout its history. The company has also been active in a variety of industries, helping to educate key decision makers and tradespeople on green energy topics. 
  

News for Monday 03 August, 2009

 

• USA's Largest Rooftop Solar Array
  


• Solar Power - From Dumpsters?
  

View all news for Monday 03 August, 2009 on one page

Recent News

 

• Friday 31 July, 2009
  


• Thursday 30 July, 2009
  


• Wednesday 29 July, 2009
  


• Tuesday 28 July, 2009
  


• Monday 27 July, 2009
  

News archive