Rare earth minerals are essential components of a number of emerging energy technologies, from the latest in wind turbines to electric vehicles to batteries and compact fluorescent lightbulbs. But a paucity of known and developed rare earth mineral deposits has led to concerns of potential global shortages. Vouchercloud has put together an infographic illustrating the… Keep reading →
The US power sector is staring down the barrel of a labor shortage of crisis proportions. With workers in all aspects of the industry retiring faster than new recruits are replacing them, the industry has a lot of work to do to position itself as a magnet for new talent. “There are a number of… Keep reading →
In sunny, high retail cost states, it appears imminent Adding solar panels to a roof is at least 20% cheaper when the roof is being built than adding it later. Why not include solar panels as a standard feature in new homes, just as smoke detectors or kitchen granite countertops are? That seems to be… Keep reading →
The March 2011 Fukushima accident destroyed four and shuttered most (currently all) of Japan’s 54 nuclear plants. Japan replaced nuclear energy with discomfort, sacrifice, and costly fossil fuels, because utility oligopolies suppressed renewable competitors and national energy efficiency languished. Two and a half years later, power reserves, though easing, remain tight, fuel bills exorbitant, and… Keep reading →
In our recent interview with Solar Reserve CEO Kevin Smith, he filled us in on the company’s global ambitions, but was particularly proud of the Crescent Dunes concentrated solar power (CSP) project currently being constructed in the Nevada desert. The project is unique because it’s being billed as the first CSP plant with integrated energy… Keep reading →
More efficient technology combined with low costs and good wind resources are making wind cost-competitive with some of the cheapest forms of fossil energy in the Midwest. “In the Midwest, we’re now seeing power agreements being signed with wind farms at as low as $25 per megawatt hour,” said Stephen Byrd, Morgan Stanley’s Head of… Keep reading →
For 23 years, a Wilmington, Delaware, computer-aided design firm leased its office space. That all changed in 2010 when Brandywine CAD Design, Inc. (B-CAD) — a company that provides computer-aided drawing (CAD) services to architectural, engineering and construction clients — purchased the vacant Talleyville Post Office. Today located in the city’s prime transportation corridor, the… Keep reading →
It’s just one energy sector watcher weighing in, but Lux Research does have pretty good credentials, so we’ll run with it, leading with their headline: “Solar to Become Competitive with Natural Gas by 2025.” So says the Boston-based consultancy in an eyebrow-raising analysis that adopts the view that, for now, cheap natural gas can be a… Keep reading →
This updated list is actually good news. OK, if Black Friday can start on Thanksgiving, then we can start making year-end lists on December 1. We listed the more than 200 VC-funded solar startups back in 2008. We knew that we’d be writing about most of them on their way up — as well as on their way down.… Keep reading →
A Brave New World Powered by Distributed Energy
By David CraneIn just a few years, Americans will soon produce the majority of the power they consume at their home or office, primarily through distributed solar arrays on their roof or over their driveways or parking lots. If they come up short, they can tap the battery in their electric car or an energy converting appliance… Keep reading →