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Hurricane Sandy damage in New York (Creative Commons)

Can New York’s Electricity Market Rules Change the World?

By on June 16, 2015

Can electricity market rules deliver technical innovation, environmental pollution reductions, and social benefits – while reducing the cost of electricity? Those are some of the rather ambitious aims of New York State’s “Reforming the Energy Vision” policy package. The Brooklyn-Queens Demand Management Program will be the first attempt to put their ambitions to the test. […]

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Exploiting niches in hydro power

By on June 1, 2015

The UN Industrial Development Organisation calculates that 87% of Western Europe’s economically viable small hydropower capacity has been exploited. In Northern Europe that figure rises to 95%. Yet, innovative companies in niche segments are seeing opportunities in hydropower – and good growth. MJ2, a small French hydro turbine manufacturer increased its turnover in 2014 by […]

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Zero-emissions refrigeration transport

By on May 15, 2015

An innovative zero-emissions motor for the refrigeration transport sector powered with liquid nitrogen is undergoing commercial road trials in Central England. Initial results from the trucks fitted with ‘Dearman’ transport refrigeration units are promising, according to the company. The Dearman systems cooled their trailers more quickly than conventional diesel-fuelled refrigeration units. Larger scale European and […]

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Storing Power as Liquid Air

By on May 1, 2015

A novel 5MW/15MWh liquid air energy storage system is nearing completion at a landfill waste site near the city of Manchester, England. The demonstration system will be connected to the UK grid to provide balancing services. The system takes waste heat from the jacket around GE Jenbacher landfill gas engines and uses that waste heat […]

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Reaching the Power of High Altitude Winds

By on April 15, 2015

A 16-meter long helium-filled cylinder will rotate creating considerable lift force. A ground-based winch-generator will convert the lift force into electricity.  Once the cylinder has reached its maximum height, its rotation is stopped and the module descends to its starting position. During  trials in April 2015, the airborne module will fly below 500m of height […]

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Safe Electrification of Argentina’s Poorest Homes

By on March 15, 2015

A compact, safe and quick-installation system for the electrification of slum dwellings has been developed in Argentina. Professionals from a number of Argentinian electrical associations and standards organisations came together to develop MICEM (‘Módulos de Instalación Concentrada de Electrificación Mínima’) which translates as ‘Compact Installation Modules for Minimal Electrification’. The project included the design of […]

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Picture: ARES automated Pilot Project Shuttle Unit operating in Tehachapi, CA on 9% grade electrified rail

Storing Energy on Rail Tracks

By on March 1, 2015

Moving rail cars up and down the side of a mountain seems like a very simple form of energy storage. It is cost-competitive and can provide a wide range of energy services to utilities, according to William Peitzke, the founder and Director of Technology Development for ARES – Advanced Rail Energy Storage In three years, […]

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Installation of Pennine Community Power wind turbine

Unexpected Twists and Turns Before English Wind Energy Project Succeeds

By on June 10, 2013

There can be many unexpected twists and turns before an English wind energy project succeeds, as the Blackshaw Environmental Action Team discovered. Wind turbines are a proven and fast-maturing technology. Small wind turbines are relatively cheap. With feed-in tariff payments, they should provide an excellent return to investors. But… Building a sustainable community Local food schemes, […]

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Loss of Feed-in Tariffs pushed Community Wind Power into Decline in Denmark

By on May 24, 2013

When the Government of Denmark replaced feed-in tariffs for wind turbines with top-ups for electricity sales, community wind power went into decline. While the Danish wind power story remains one of success, there are actually fewer wind turbines than there used to be and wind turbine ownership is becoming concentrated in fewer hands. Danish Wind […]

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How Hydro Project Management Team Navigated the Obstacles

By on May 3, 2013

The Harlaw Hydro Project at Balerno, East of Edinburgh, may be small, but it has faced some major challenges. It has been able to steer a path with the help of some high quality volunteers from the community, including architects, land surveyors as well as senior bankers and lawyers. The team avoided some opportunities where […]

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