Posts Tagged ‘policy’

2 April 2009

New fund established to support UK tidal energy projects

A new £500,000 fund has been launched in the UK to help environmental entrepreneurs and small businesses develop their ideas to generate electricity from the River Severn's tidal power. The £500,000 scheme is being managed by the Department of Energy and Climate Change, the Welsh Assembly Government, Defra, and the South West of England Regional Development Agency.

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1 April 2009

US venture capital investment in cleantech and renewable energy exceeds $836.1m in Q1 2009p

Venture capital investment in clean energy totaled $836.1m in 59 deals in the first quarter of 2009, according to a recent report, with numbers approximately back to 2007 levels.

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31 March 2009

European Parliament votes on energy efficient building measuresp

The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) has welcomed today's vote on the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) in the Industry, Transport, Research and Energy (ITRE) Committee of the European Parliament.

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26 March 2009

Obama Administration announces $3.2bn in funding for local energy efficiency improvements

US Vice President Joe Biden and Energy Secretary Steven Chu have announced plans to invest $3.2bn in energy efficiency and conservation projects in US cities, counties, states, territories, and Native American tribes. The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant programme, funded by President Obama's American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, will provide formula grants for projects that reduce total energy use and fossil fuel emissions, and improve energy efficiency nationwide, the DOE said.

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26 March 2009

Renewable Energy Association presents tariff blueprint to UK energy minister

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) has presented energy minister Mike O'Brien with a tariff design blueprint developed by over 60 energy companies.

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26 March 2009

US solar market hit record growth in 2008 despite economic crisis, according to reportp

Approximately 1,265MW of solar power of all types were installed in 2008, bringing total US solar power capacity up 17 per cent to 8,775MW, according to '2008 US Solar Industry Year in Review' from the Solar Energy Industries Association.

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24 March 2009

Versa Power proves reliability of fuel cell technology at US Department of Energy

A pair of electricity-producing stacks built for the US Department of Energy by Versa Power Systems, a developer of solid oxide fuel cells, have surpassed 5,000 hours of continuous operation, the company said.

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23 March 2009

President Obama names renewable energy as a top priority for 2009 budget

In his weekly address, US President Barack Obama said his focus would be upon securing a greener economy as a means to tackle the vast financial difficulties facing the country.

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20 March 2009

Obama Administration offers $535m loan guarantee to solar photovoltaic manufacturer Solyndra

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu has offered a $535m loan guarantee for Solyndra, Inc. to support the company's construction of a commercial-scale manufacturing plant for solar photovoltaic panels.

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20 March 2009

EcoSystem applies for US DOE grant for biofuels feedstock development

EcoSystem Corporation has submitted a grant application to the US Department of Energy's Biomass Research and Development Initiative, for the company's proprietary bioconversion technology.

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19 March 2009

Ontario unveils $250m green technology fund

The Canadian province of Ontario is creating a new fund to drive start-up investment in green technology companies. Starting in July, the Emerging Technologies Fund will invest CAN$250m dollars over five years together with qualified venture capital funds and private sector investors.

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16 March 2009

Ontario offers $12.8m energy efficiency transportation grant

The Government of Ontario has offered a grant of $12.8m to support an investment by Thales Rail Signalling Solutions of $85m over the next five years to improve its transit rail technology and energy efficiency.

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16 March 2009

EU member states support latest motor energy efficiency legislation

EU member states have expressed their full support for legislation which would drastically reduce the electricity consumption of industrial motors.

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13 March 2009

EU Cohesion Policy backs green economy for growth and long-term jobs in Europe

Danuta Hübner, European Commissioner for Regional Policy, has set aside €105bn to be invested in the green economy through the EU Cohesion Policy.

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12 March 2009

UK Secretary of State for Business highlights low carbon industries as growth area for private equity

Private equity and venture capital investment in low carbon industries will play a vital role in helping the UK economy get back on its feet, according to Lord Mandelson, the UK Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform.

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10 March 2009

President Obama says renewable energy will help tackle US recession

In his weekly address, US President Barack Obama stressed the importance of renewable energy as a way to battle the economic crisis.

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9 March 2009

Stimulus plan is a ray of sunshine for solar industryp

The solar industry was moving at a frantic pace through the end of 2008 in an effort to capture the solar tax credits that were set to expire at year's end, according to solar energy technology company Evolution Solar. Global demand for solar hit a whopping 5.3GW and saw the price of silicon skyrocket and solar panels became very scarce.

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9 March 2009

US energy utility Con Edison eyes plans for 12MW of solar energy by 2011

Con Edison, a subsidiary of US energy company Consolidated Edison, has filed a proposal with the Public Service Commission for an 18 month solar energy pilot programme, with the goal of generating 12MW of solar electricity by 2011.

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9 March 2009

UK Prime Minister’s announcement backs BWEA wind energy findingsp

UK renewable energy trade association the British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) has welcomed UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown's endorsement of the potential of renewable energy to create employment in the UK.

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9 March 2009

Canadian Government announces funding for biofuel company Performance Plants

Biofuel biotechnology company Performance Plants Inc. is to receive up to CAN$5.565m in funding from the Government-funded Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). The funds will be used to advance its trait technologies that improve conversion of cellulose into biofuels and biochemicals, the company said.

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