energy
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For electric utilities eager to hang onto their existing coal-fired power plants, carbon-capture technology must offer an exciting chance at salvation. As the name says, carbon capture retains and stores the emissions produced by coal power plants in particular, in theory mitigating some of their environmental impact. Power plants equipped with carbon-capture systems have been discussed for some time, but are only now coming online. DON'T MISS: Exxon backs carbon-capture technology to feed fuel cells (May 2016) A carbon-capture system billed as the largest of its kind in the world recently...
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When lauding renewables, look at utilization, not just capacity
The news on the renewable energy front continues to be good, with the costs of wind and solar generation falling steadily. By some measures, large-scale renewable energy is now cost-competitive (or close) with the most efficient natural-gas electric plants. Moreover, the amounts of clean generating...
John Voelcker -
UK moves ahead on lower-carbon power to end coal use by 2025
Low-carbon energy use in the U.K. is up, and the government hopes to phase out coal by 2025.
Stephen Edelstein -
Santa Monica to require net-zero homes from 2017, first in the world to do so
Santa Monica, California, will require all new single-family construction to be zero-net energy.
Stephen Edelstein -
Scotland shows path toward boosting renewable energy in a big way
Scotland recently powered itself solely with renewable energy.
Stephen Edelstein -
Smallest state poses big question: natural gas or renewable energy?
Rhode Island could become a leader in renewable energy.
Stephen Edelstein -
The Department of Energy loan program that funded Solyndra is now turning a profit.
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Carbon emissions from U.S. power generation fall to 25-year low
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from energy generation hit their lowest mark since 1991.
Stephen Edelstein -
Hydro-power reservoirs emit methane, a greenhouse gas: no free lunch?
Reservoirs could be responsible for significant methane emissions, according to a new study.
Stephen Edelstein -
Ending $4 billion U.S. oil, gas drilling subsidies would have low impact: study
U.S. subsidies to the oil and gas industries are often a flashpoint among electric-car advocates and environmentalists. They see a conflict in the government providing billions of dollars in incentives for drilling while simultaneously attempting to lower consumption of carbon-emitting energy...
John Voelcker -
Half of North American power from renewable sources by 2025: plan
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are expected to sign a pledge to generate more power from renewable sources.
Stephen Edelstein -
Bankruptcy shows scope of Peabody Coal's climate denial lobbying
These are tough times for the coal industry. Coal plants are being retired at an increasing rate in North America and Europe, replaced by a combination of natural-gas and renewable generating capacity. These days, virtually any way to produce electricity is seen as better than coal, which produces...
John Voelcker -
Homes now have the ability to generate as much power as they use, but only if utilities stop fighting decentralized solar generation.
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Solar panels at Toyota's new Texas HQ to provide 25 percent of its electricity
Toyota's new Texas headquarters will feature solar panels on parking garages.
Stephen Edelstein -
Chile is giving away solar energy, for free, because it has so much
Chile has significant excess solar capacity.
Stephen Edelstein -
Elon Musk vs Warren Buffett: how two titans see carbon-free electricity
Companies backed by Elon Musk and Warren Buffett battle over solar power in Nevada.
Stephen Edelstein -
Electric-car energy density to approach gasoline by 2045: report
Electric cars may have an advantage over gasoline cars in energy density when powertrain efficiency is considered.
Stephen Edelstein -
Peabody, world's largest private coal company, files for bankruptcy
Peabody Energy is the 50th coal company to file for bankruptcy since 2012.
Stephen Edelstein -
Large numbers of tires end up as fuel in Asian factories, creating more pollution.
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Cheap Oil Will Last A Decade, Says Huge Oil Trader
Oil prices won't increase much over the next decade, one oil trader predicts.
Stephen Edelstein -
Multiple Trends Turning Slowly Against Oil, Says Rocky Mountain Institute
The cost of a barrel of oil is now just a fraction of what it was several years ago, and fuel prices have mostly fallen across the globe as a result. Oil prices rise and fall, but most industry analysts suggest that the emergence of North American production has loosened OPEC's ability to set...
John Voelcker -
Electric-Car Battery Energy: Why Waste It On Cabin Heating? (Video)
Among the drawbacks of cars that run on battery power is the energy required to heat their cabins. As electric-car drivers in less temperate climes know, heating the cabin to room temperature has an enormous impact on battery range--conceivably as high as 40 percent. A similar impact is seen from...
Green Car Reports -
ACEEE Names 'Greenest' And 'Meanest' 2016 Cars
Measuring the energy efficiency and environmental friendliness of different vehicles is easy if they're powered by gasoline, less so when the energy comes from grid electricity. This leads to perpetual debates over the assumptions used on the source of electricity and its carbon footprint, among...
John Voelcker -
China Alone Now Burns Half The World's Coal, New Data Reveals
Chian admits to burning more coal than it previously reported.
Stephen Edelstein