ARENA Funding More Solar And Storage Projects
The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) announced yesterday it would be providing nearly $14 million in funding for solar/storage related projects worth a total of $44.8 million. Among the projects is research and development of a low-cost, modular and expandable sodium-ion battery storage solution; which will be demonstrated at Illawarra Flame House and Sydney Water’s […]
Australia’s University Of New England Going Solar
A $6.6 million solar farm is to be constructed at Australia’s University of New England (UNE) campus just outside of Armidale in northern central New South Wales. The clean power station is expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2018 and will supply up to half of the University’s electricity requirements. Vice-Chancellor Professor […]
CSIRO Takes Delivery Of Electric Vehicles
CSIRO’s Discovery Centre at Black Mountain, Canberra last week took delivery of the first two of ten electric cars, plus a couple more electric bikes – and they’ll all be powered by the sun. The latest vehicles join the 36 electric/petrol hybrid cars added to CSIRO Fleet in 2015 to replace petrol-only vehicles. “The cars […]
UQ Offers Free Solar Powered EV Charging
The University of Queensland will offer free top-ups to drivers of electric vehicles after installing four fast-charging solar-powered EV chargers at its St Lucia and Gatton campuses. The chargers are the first of their kind installed in Queensland and are available to University students, staff and members of the public. The idea is to drive […]
The Bacteria Powered Bio-Solar Panel
It may never appear on residential rooftops, but this bacteria powered solar panel marks an interesting advancement in novel ways of harnessing solar energy. Researchers at Binghamton University’s Thomas J. Watson School of Engineering and Applied Science have connected nine biological-solar (bio-solar) cells into a bio-solar panel. It’s the first time this has been done […]
Global Renewable Energy Capacity Soared In 2015
Global renewable energy capacity surged to new heights in 2015, recording the largest annual growth rate ever according to a new report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA’s “Renewable Capacity Statistics 2016” shows generation capacity from renewables grew by 152 GW worldwide – a rate of 8.3 percent – during 2015, with the […]
Solar Powered ‘Nests’ For The Homeless
On any given night in the UK, thousands of people are sleeping rough. The ‘Nest’ is an off-grid, solar powered shelter designed to provide rough sleepers a place to lay their heads in safety and relative comfort. Within the shelter is a chemical toilet, bed, charging point, heater, heat alarm and lighting. The nest is […]
World Bank Publishes Climate Action Plan
The recently launched World Bank Group’s Climate Change Action Plan states it will assist countries in meeting their Paris COP21 pledges – including renewable energy commitments. Under the Plan, the body intends doubling its current contributions to global renewable energy capacity, with a goal of seeing 30 gigawatts of renewables added by 2020. “The World […]
The Solar Powered, Eco-Friendly Funeral Home
What happens after we die is often a rather environmentally unfriendly business; but some funeral homes are helping to ‘green’ death with solar power and other eco-conscious practices. Post-death can be an energy-intensive, toxic and wasteful process – the embalming, ornate coffins, elaborate funerals and cremation. None of these things are particularly beneficial to the […]
Ontario To Add More Wind Power
Ontario’s renewable energy capacity continues to rise, with plans to purchase a further major chunk of new wind power under a second round of competitive large-scale clean energy procurements. Ontario Energy Minister Bob Chiarelli, speaking at a forum for the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA), announced the region’s Independent Electric System Operator (IESO) will make […]