News & Articles on Renewable Energy
My specialty is wind energy, but I have worked with all forms of renewable energy. Over the years I’ve written about a number of renewable technologies, including solar and geothermal energy. In recent years I’ve focused on comprehensive renewable energy policies that develop a mix of renewable resources. I’ve also written about our use of fossil fuels and nuclear power.
Biomass Magazine: What about Biogas in the USA?
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I touch on the fact that Germany, which in 2011 had 7,090 digesters, is the leading country for both the quantity of plants and the amount of installed capacity of 2,394 MW of electricity. Most of it is in the agriculture sector, driven by a feed-in tariff in Germany that supports electricity generation from biogas. . . The U.S. is lagging behind at a ridiculous rate. German farmers operate nearly 200 times more biogas capacity per capita as American farmers, a fact that I found astounding, as U.S. capacity is somewhere around 60 MW for on-farm digester projects (which represent the strong majority). . .
Iceland–an Example of the High Penetration of Renewables in the Modern Era
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Paul Gipe
Iceland’s famous for its breathtaking scenery, its geysers, its Blue Lagoon–and for sitting astride the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Among energy wonks, Iceland is also well known for using its abundant renewable energy, and especially for tapping the volcanic roots of the island in developing its geothermal resources. . .
Paul Gipe Answers WNET’s Need To Know Questions about Renewable Energy
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WNET: We want to ask you some questions about alternative energy. Gipe. Whoa. Stop right there. “Alternative energy?” Wind, solar, and biomass haven’t been called “alternative energy” for three decades! These technologies are as “conventional”, “mainstream”, “commercial” or whatever term you want to use as coal, gas, or nuclear. Geesh, wind generates 28% of Denmark’s electricity. That’s pretty mainstream. Renewables produce more electricity in Germany than either nuclear or hard coal. In fact, the only resource that produces more electricity in Germany today is brown coal–and that’s not by much. . .
German Coal-Fired Generation of Electricity Falls While Renewable Generation Rises
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Paul Gipe
Debunking Another Myth about Germany’s Electricity Revolution–Solar Energy Now Rivals Hydro Generation–Renewable Generation Now Exceeds Generation from Hard Coal . . .
Mainichi: Biomass could turn tables around for renewable energy
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Renewable energy sources are commonly believed to be incapable of offering a stable power supply, but biomass, made from wood and animal-based materials such as livestock waste, is a source that has the potential to put those expectations on their heads. . . While Germany’s feed-in-tariff gives preferential treatment to cogeneration, Japan’s does not. Japan should find a way to promptly put this generated heat to good use. For example, setting up wood biomass stations in mountainous areas and creating small-scale CHP distribution systems would undoubtedly be effective in achieving both community independence and disaster preparedness. . .
Guardian: Only renewables – not nuclear – could be too cheap to meter
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Germany’s long support for wind and solar energy is delivering zero-cost electricity at times. In contrast, the UK’s new energy policy seeks to underwrite the rising cost of nuclear. . .
