Geothermal power to grow 30 per cent in next 10 years - report

Wow, pretty impressive growth rate for a electrical source often overlooked or forgotten.  Like all technologies, this one continue to improve as well, and production levels versus investments are increasing.

Canada produces megawatts of geothermal energy.  They do it very well, and export excess into Eastern US.  We need diversity in power.  We need duplicity.  We need as much as possible generated locally.  Seeing geothermal has a bright future helps with these goals.

Note this is an international technology that will see rapid expansion across the world.

Global geothermal power capacity is expected to grow by 30 per cent between 2016 and 2026, new analysis has found.

According to a report released this week by consultancy BMI Research, geothermal power is forecast to top 16 GW in 2026, up from 12.5 GW in 2016.

Indonesia is expected to emerge as the largest geothermal market as soon as 2019, as the projects now in its pipeline are gradually commissioned. Over 200 MW in geothermal capacity is expected to come online by the end of this year, and the nation’s installed capacity is expected to grow to over 3 GW by 2026.

The MENA region will show the fastest growth in installed capacity, the report said, increasing by almost 60 per cent and driven primarily by developments in Kenya. The largest current geothermal markets, the US and the Philippines, are set to show “fairly subdued” growth due to unfavourable policy environments.  

Overall, the report viewed geothermal power as an “underperforming” technology, noting that in 2026 the technology is expected to make up just 1 per cent of the world’s non-hydro renewable capacity. Factors limiting growth include the technology’s restriction to tectonically active regions, high up-front costs for exploration studies, and the technical challenges involved in drilling.

While these factors tend to deter private investors, the report noted that geothermal power’s minimal operating costs and reliability as a baseload power source tend to encourage governments to exploit their resources and to make favourable policies. Examples of countries looking to geothermal as a means to diversify their energy mixes include Kenya, Indonesia, Mexico and Nicaragua. 

LOSS OF CORAL REEFS COULD COST $1T GLOBALLY, SAYS NEW REPORT

It is very important to calculate the real and deep costs of destroying our natural capital.  Once lost who knows if we can recapture.

Here we put an estimated price tag on eroding coral reef.  This is just one small component of our eco assets.  Their value is incalculable.  Let's take the right environmental and economic steps to preserve and enhance those core assets that secure our future on both fronts.

Australia’s Climate Council has projected that the loss of coral reefs due to rising sea temperatures could cost $1T globally, based on a report which found that reefs support 500m people worldwide across 50 nations.

And, while we often think of it as the environment vs. the economy…

They tend to go hand-in-hand. The Great Barrier Reef is one of Australia’s greatest economic assets — bringing in over $7B per year and 70k jobs via tourism.

According to the ACC, we’re in the midst of the “longest global coral bleaching event on record,” due to rising ocean temps, which since 2014, have given reefs little chance to recover.

So far, ⅔ of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef has been affected, costing the region 1m visitors a year, 10k jobs, and about $1B.

Surprise! It’s directly related to climate change

To battle Australia’s growing greenhouse gas emissions, the Aussie government is putting $200m annually towards preserving the reefs, including incentives for farmers to reduce waste runoff.

But then again, they’re also supporting the new development of the Carmichael coal mine in central Queensland.

Thank you to The Hustle for providing the original article below:

Source: https://thehustle.co/coral-reef-economic-loss?utm_source=daily&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=4%2F18%20-%20hotels%20vs%20airbnb&utm_content=coral-reef-economic-loss

Denmark to End All Renewable Energy Subsidies

Denmark has led the way in renewables as has most of Europe.  It is not surprising to us that they lead the way in ending subsidies for clean energy.

Does this make sense?  We will see.  It depends, of course, on how the market responds.  If investors shrug it off and keep on doing projects, it makes sense.  It the market dries up, and takes jobs with them as they fade away, it is a bad decision.

The intent is good--letting the market stand up on its own power is ideal.  But, like many others dependent on foreign help, getting off the dole is not easy.  We expect to see the US government to follow suit if Trump is good on his promises.  Right now it looks as if in the US the market will steam role right over the change and keep up its amazing growth.

Denmark to End All Renewable Energy Subsidies

By Peter Levring 

After more than four decades of relying on subsidies, Denmark’s renewable energy industry is ready to survive on its own much sooner than anyone expected.

The Danish energy minister, Lars Christian Lilleholt, says that “in just a few years,” renewable energy providers won’t need state support anymore. He says it’s a development he couldn’t have imagined as recently as last year.

“We’re now very close to arriving,” he said in an interview in Copenhagen on Monday, after receiving a set of recommendations from a government-appointed panel on Denmark’s energy future.

The development marks a milestone. But it also comes at a time when the direction of global energy policies is in doubt, with U.S. President Donald Trump questioning the science behind global warming. He’s promised to revive America’s coal industry, and made clear he’s an enemy of wind power.

Lilleholt says the experience in Denmark — home to Vestas Wind Systems A/S (the world’s biggest wind-turbine maker) and Dong Energy A/S (the world’s biggest offshore wind park operator) — demonstrates that coal is no longer cheaper to produce than renewable energy.

What’s more, the development is set to become more pronounced, Lilleholt says. “Everything suggests that technology will help make renewable energy more and more competitive,” he said. And as green energy becomes more efficient, the minister warns that “already today, it’s impossible to build a new coal power plant without support.”

 

Get the most from your assets and budget – Using improved levels of insight helps organizations take immediate action to prioritize resources and maintenance response times. Read More...

Denmark is on target to have all its energy needs covered by renewables by 2050, with half that goal set to be achieved in 2030, the panel said. Much of the new capacity will be built without subsidies, according to the panel. It recommended all energy consumption, including heating and transportation, be shifted to electricity generated by renewable energy.

Industry members are also surprised at the pace of the shift. Niels B. Christiansen, the outgoing chief executive officer of Danfoss A/S (an engineering firm that provides heaters and coolers) says he expects the cost of producing renewable energy to drop below market electricity prices at some point between 2020 and 2030.

“A year ago, it was debatable whether renewable energy costs could drop so low,” he said in an interview. “But everyone’s now thinking that it will probably happen sooner.”

Global Electric Boats and Ships a $20 Billion Market -

Great follow up to our recent interview with a start-up company who has brought solar powered charging units to the marine world and coastal home living.  Huge advancements for the marine world.  And a sea change of less pollution for our rivers, lakes and oceans.

On the economic front, this sea change offers tremendous growth in jobs and income as well.

A report by Research and Markets finds that the market for hybrid and pure electric boats and ships will rise rapidly to over $20 billion worldwide in 2027 for non-military versions. Recreational boats is the largest and fastest growing electric marine market in sales number, followed by underwater leisure and autonomous underwater vehicles.

On-water commercial marine category is currently the largest marine EV value market. Leisure craft on inland waterways, notably in the USA and Europe, will become the largest sector as more places from Germany to India ban internal combustion engines or, as with SunMoon Lake in Taiwan, the operators unanimously agree to go clean and quiet.

The decade will end with huge environmental pressures making owners of industrial and commercial seagoing craft clean up more rapidly. Long life of a ship will no longer be an excuse. One large ship can emit the global warming carbon dioxide of 70,000 cars, the acidic nitrogen oxides of two million cars and the carcinogenic particulates of 2.5 million cars. Volkswagen dieselgate is not the only scandal...!

- See more at: http://www.renewablenownetwork.com/global-electric-boats-and-ships-a-20-billion-market/#sthash.S26pvefo.dpuf

B.I. electrical system transfers to Deepwater’s Block Island Wind Farm/Providence Business News

The switch over of power on Block Island RI is historic in so many ways.  First, the customers switch off of diesel generation.  Getting rid of diesel saves them significant costs and helps fix their rates going forward.  Block Island's willingness to change over allowed the first major offshore wind farm to be built in the US.

All great changes but none as exciting as ridding the island of an old, antiquated, costly system of electricity.  The emission reductions will be monumental.

Kudos to everyone involved in this massive and amazingly successful project.


 BLOCK ISLAND Power Co. line worker Jim Stockman closes the circuit breaker, re-energizing the substation. On Monday, the Block Island Power Co. shut down its diesel-generating plant to transfer the island’s electrical system to Deepwater Wind LLC’s Block Island Wind Farm and National Grid’s Sea2Shore submarine cable. / COURTESY BLOCK ISLAND POWER CO.

 BLOCK ISLAND – In the pre-dawn hours on Monday, Block Island went dark – on purpose. The Block Island Power Co. shut down its diesel-generating plant to transfer the island’s electrical system to Deepwater Wind LLC’s 30-megawatt Block Island Wind Farm and National Grid’s Sea2Shore submarine cable. The cable delivers the output from the wind…

Paper, Online Tools Track Mitigation Efforts

 Always good to be motivated by tangible goals.  Here's one we like:  Halving carbon emissions every ten years.  That goal, as suggested here, could be codified into law.

The combination switching off of coal plants, efficiency measures and renewables brings us a boom in better air quality and a more balanced environment.  These on line tools will be invaluable as we track our progress.

Paper, Online Tools Track Mitigation Efforts and Renewable Energy Potential

The LEDS GP launched a tool to help identify renewable energy potential in developing countries and plan effective projects.

A paper in Science proposes a "carbon law," halving carbon dioxide emissions every decade, as a measure of mitigation progress.

The Boom and Bust report and Global Coal Tracker show a 48% decline in planned coal power stations.

Jennifer Allan

The LEDS GP launched a tool to help identify renewable energy potential in developing countries and plan effective projects.

A paper in Science proposes a "carbon law," halving carbon dioxide emissions every decade, as a measure of mitigation progress.

The Boom and Bust report and Global Coal Tracker show a 48% decline in planned coal power stations.

24 March 2017: The past few weeks have seen the release of a paper and online tools aimed at tracking mitigation efforts and monitoring existing and potential energy sources.


A resource by the Low Emissions Development Strategy Global Partnership (LEDS GP) can help realize cost-effective renewable energy projects in developing countries based on geospatial data, while the Global Coal Plant Tracker shows current coal plants. A paper published in ‘Science’ offers a radical heuristic to track mitigation efforts. The SDG Knowledge Hub brings you news on these developments, which contribute to tracking progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 7 (affordable and clean energy) and 13 (climate action).

The LEDS GP launched the RE Explorer portal, a hub for renewable energy data, analytical tools and technical assistance. The portal seeks to empower developers and policy makers to realize ambitious and cost-effective energy outcomes through the provision of information on renewable energy resources and other geographic information system (GIS) data sets, in line with SDG 7.2 (By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix).

The heart of the RE Explorer portal is the RE Data Explorer, a geospatial analysis tool for renewable energy development. With the Explorer, users can identify the potential of various renewable energy sources in a given area, and access data on available infrastructure, environmental barriers, population densities and weather data in order to analyze the feasibility of projects. Data is currently available for 11 countries and the Lower Mekong Region.

Increasing renewable energy capacity and decreasing fossil fuel-powered stations are two sides of the same coin. The Boom and Bust 2017 report and its accompanying tracker detail a 48% decline in planned coal power stations and a 62% decline in construction starts in 2016. The report largely attributes this steep falls for coal power to actions by the Governments of India and China to slow down coal use in favor of renewable energy.

The Global Coal Plant Tracker provides a visual interface for users to explore existing coal plants of 30 MW or larger. The tracker was designed and produced by CoalSwarm, a network of researchers developing collaborative informational resources on coal impacts and alternatives.

In ‘Science,’ the paper, titled ‘A roadmap for rapid decarbonization,’ is based on the recognition that although the Paris Agreement’s goals are aligned with science and can, in principle, be technically and economically achieved, “alarming inconsistencies remain between science-based targets and national commitments.” The authors argue that long-term goals “can be trumped by political short-termism.”

The heuristic of the carbon law could, with what the authors term “immediately instigated” carbon removal, put the world on a path to net-zero emissions around mid-century.

Like “Moore’s law” in the computer industry, which holds that the number of transistors per square inch on integrated circuits doubles every year since their invention, the carbon law seeks to capture the effects of transformative change and its associated dynamics, namely disruption, innovation and non-linear change. Such dynamics are often overlooked by models, which form the foundations of the mid-century decarbonization plans put forward under the Paris Agreement.

The heuristic of the carbon law could, with what the authors term “immediately instigated” carbon removal, put the world on a path to net-zero emissions around mid-century – a necessary achievement to meet the 2°C limit for temperature increase put forward in the Paris Agreement, and realize the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 13 (climate action).

Trump Might Not Believe In The Risks Of Climate Change - But Investors Do And They Are Taking Action

Great headline.  Exactly what we've been exhorting.  We don't believe this argument is political, and will not be fixed by talking.  The resolution will be through investments and rebuilding our economy.

Like other investors, we are bullish on the amazing returns available within the sustainable marketplace:

 


The 45th President of the United States might think climate change is a hoax invented by the Chinese, but there is a fair chance that the investors who put money into his hotels and casinos think it is rather more serious than that.

New research from the Asset Owners Disclosure Project (AODP) reveals that 60% of the world’s 500 biggest asset owners (AOs), representing assets under management of $27 trillion, now recognize the financial risks of climate change and the opportunities that are created by the transition to a low carbon economy. That figure, revealed in AODP’s fifth Global Climate Index, is not just startling in itself, but it is an 18% increase on the figure last year.

The research suggests that regardless of Trump's position, investors will continue to press for change because they do not want to see their returns harmed by climate-related issues – whether those are physical (such as extreme weather events and sea level rise), regulatory (such as the UK’s Climate Change Act and France’s new world-first law requiring investors to disclose climate risk) or global initiatives such as the Paris Agreement that commits governments to cutting emissions to keep average temperature rises below 2°C.

There has also been a proliferation of initiatives that highlight the risks to investors, including CDP’s Carbon Disclosure questionnaire, the Principles on Responsible Investment, the Task Force on Climate-Related Disclosures and Science-based Targets.

In addition, the companies in which investors might put their money are also acting on climate change, with many of the biggest corporations – such as Apple; BMW; AB Inbev, the world’s largest brewer; General Motors; and Walmart – committing to source all their electricity from renewable sources.

This trend and ongoing technological advances are making renewable energy cheaper than ever before, as illustrated by the fact that clean energy capacity rose by 9% in 2016, but the amount of dollars invested was 17% lower than the year before. The price of solar power fell 83% from 2008 to 2016 and the price of wind power dropped by 73%. A growing number of projects are being developed without subsidies, even in sectors thought to be still expensive such as offshore wind.
And despite President Trump’s pledge that he will rescue the coal industry, the industry’s glory days are behind it, in the industrialized world at least.

 In April, for the first time since the Industrial Revolution, the UK used no coal to produce electricity while in the US, the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA) revealed that 70% of coal purchased in the US in 2016 went to power plants that are due to close by the end of 2018. When even the Kentucky Coal Museum installs solar panels to save money, it is clear which way the wind is blowing.

The efficacy of clean energy sources will be further boosted by the advent of energy storage, whose costs are also plummeting – lithium-ion batteries are 73% cheaper than they were in 2010 and will be a further 75% cheaper by 2030, says Bloomberg New Energy Finance’s founder Michael Liebreich.