Clean Energy Digest

Oil baron T. Boone Pickens has a plan for America’s energy future. The PickensPlan sets a course that leverages America’s wind resources to wean the country of dependence on foreign oil.
Pickens’ plan is a very basic one in theory. America beefs up wind-powered generation to 20% or more of our total capacity. America in turn [...]

Most people following energy topics know that oil and natural gas prices have soared over the past year. But let’s not forget about the other very popular source of energy that is coal.
The graphic at left shows coal prices are up about 100% since the beginning of 2008. And although coal is still very [...]

When people talk about progress in the areas of clean energy they typically focus on technology issues. But even the best technology can’t overcome limitations imposed on renewable resources in the design of energy markets. Feed-in Tariffs and Net Metering are energy market features that provide great incentives for producers of renewable energy.
A Set Price [...]

There’s going to be a lot of talk about cap-and-trade next week as the Warner-Lieberman Climate Security Act (S.3036) opens for discussion on the floor of the United States Senate. If don’t already know the basics then the following information can help you to understand what it’s all about.
Purpose
The purpose of the Act is stated [...]

As we search for new sources of clean energy it is becoming increasingly evident that many areas will experience growth rates for electric demand that will eclipse our ability to roll out clean supply to match that demand. The electric industry is responding by learning to use electricity demand as a source of clean supply.
Defining [...]

Over the past few months I’ve noticed a marked spike in the number of requests for proposal (RFP) being issued by utilities in search of renewable energy. Here’s a short summary of some of the more recent requests.

DTE Energy is seeking suppliers for their GreenCurrents program in 2009 and 2010. Proposals are due by close [...]

IGCC is a promising energy production technology that converts dirty fuels like coal to gas and reduces harmful emissions. When combined with carbon capture and storage (CCS) IGCC emissions drop to significantly lower levels.
Given the fact that the U.S. has huge coal supplies the power industry continues to hold out hope that IGCC with CCS [...]

Last week Environmental Capital posted about an event (see The Day The Wind Died In Texas) that occurred in Texas related to the loss of wind resources. A situation occurred where a sudden drop in the wind removed a block of assets from the resource pool just as an early evening peak was occurring. The [...]

If you’re ever wondered why clean energy progress in the U.S. is taking so long, look no further than the dialog (more like a diatribe actually) going on between General Motors and environmental activists.
Six weeks ago General Motors launched the GMnext community site which includes information and discussions on GM’s efforts with respect to renewable [...]

A lot of emphasis is typically placed on the development and deployment of clean energy technology. The numbers of projects in the works are staggering. And while small-scale localized projects can help to make a difference, the major shifts in clean energy impact will occur when we can take clean supply sources to the masses.
In [...]