Archive for the ‘Clean Energy’ Category

The case for biofuels in our energy mix

Saturday, February 4th, 2012

Fossil fuels are an integral part of the global economy, and will be for many years. But that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to introduce alternatives into Canada’s energy mix or explore new, innovative fuel sources. One of the greatest hurdles we have to overcome isn’t technological or structural – it’s debunking myths and misperceptions about renewable fuels that prevent us as a society from seeing the benefits clearly.

via The case for biofuels in our energy mix.

Canadian Clean Technology Companies Pre-Qualify for Second Round of Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The Canadian Clean Technology Coalition views the February 3rd announcement by the Government of Canada of successful applicants for second round pre-qualification in the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) as a clear and positive indication of the growth and innovation demonstrated by the clean technology sector.

Minister of Public Works and Government Services Rona Ambrose announced 36 innovations that the federal government may buy and test as part of the second round of the CICP. The latest selections include several applicants from the clean technology sector, as was also the case in the first round announced in March of 2011. (more…)

BC Bioenergy Network Invests $1.5 M in Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre “Energy Garden” — an Innovative Organic Waste to Energy Demonstration – MarketWatch

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The funding will support two components: a $1 M loan towards the commercial demonstration of a High Solids Anaerobic Digestion (HSAD) plant that will convert municipal green waste (food scraps and yard trimmings) to produce electricity under the BC Hydro Community Based Biomass Power Call, and a $500,000 grant towards acquiring a pilot scale mobile HSAD testing unit — a “Mobile Energy Harvester” — that will be used initially in Richmond and later toured throughout North America.

via BC Bioenergy Network Invests $1.5 M in Fraser Richmond Soil and Fibre “Energy Garden”

Ocean Renewable Energy Group 2012 Annual Conference

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

OREG 2012 Annual Conference

Turning Potential Into Reality

September 13 & 14, 2012

Westin Nova Scotian Hotel ● Halifax, Nova Scotia

The 2011 Annual Conference marked the release and launch of the Canadian Marine Renewable Energy Technology Roadmap.  This year’s event will create an opportunity to put the Roadmap’s proposed actions into reality—turning Canada’s marine energy potential into a thriving global industry that will lead to new economic opportunities and a sustainable energy source for future generations. Through collaborating, incubating, and capitalizing on Canada’s strengths we can realize the collective vision for 2,000 MW globally to be installed with Canadian industry by 2030.

To learn more and for registration please click through here Ocean Renewable Energy Group.

Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third in EPA Green Power Rankings

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

The company’s purchases of wind energy in Texas provide up to 15 percent of the total energy for more than 360 outlets in that state. The electricity comes from a Duke Energy wind farm in Notrees, Texas, which produces  about 226 million kWh a year.

Read more here Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third

PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 31 JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • NASA visualizes how temperatures have increased in the last 131 years
  • Climate policy: oil’s tipping point has past
  • Clean up world seas to boost economy, UN body says

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

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Can solar power help shipping go green?

Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Electricity created by the solar panels and stored in a battery powers the engine while the vessel comes in and out of the harbour. Once out in the open ocean and a faster clip is required, the diesel kicks in. One of the fleet, the Solar Albatross, sports two sails covered in solar panels that can be raised to harness both the sun and the wind to further reduce reliance on fossil fuel.

Here is an interesting take on solar and wind applications for the marine industry.  Hopefully these concepts will work and allow ships to save 25-45% of the fossil fuel used.  Learn more about this concept here. Can solar power help shipping go green?.

GreenTech Exchange breezes into Vancouver Island

Friday, January 27th, 2012

At its formative meeting on Vancouver Island, GreenTech Exchange presented two major island energy projects to a packed audience. Sea Breeze Power introduced a $300 million shovel-ready wind farm at Cape Scott and the $750 million Juan de Fuca Cable that will connect Victoria with Port Townsend using the latest DC transmission technology.

The wind farm will feature 55 Vestas turbines that will generate 99MW. It took ten years to develop and will be the first on the BC coast. “The wind resource on Vancouver Island is one of the most economic in the world”, said Sea Breeze President and CEO, Paul Manson.

The GreenTech Exchange wants to be present on the Island due to its increasing importance as a cleantech showcase with its tidal energy plant in Campbell River, a major solar home upgrade initiative in Colwood, and solar generation in Sooke.

The next Vancouver forum will focus on clean mining technology from Teck Resources. www.greentechexchange

Surrey’s Move Toward Sustainable Future

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

“Surrey will have a refuse and recycling fleet by 2014 powered … by a renewable form of natural gas [biomethane] made from the city’s own wastes.”

It is great to see that Surrey’s vision of going green is now being realized also in the waste handling and fuel generation area.  Read more about it here.

Surrey’s Move Toward Sustainable Future

CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 24 JANUARY 2012

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • Tourism relies on jet setters, but travel is destroying attractions
  • NASA says Canada highly vulnerable to environmental change due to global warming
  • EU cap on aviation emissions could boost airline profits

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business in partnership with the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

(more…)