Tarifni sustav za proizvodnju električne energije iz obnovljivih izvora energije i kogeneracije

AKTUALNO IZ VLADE RH

 

Tarifni sustav za proizvodnju električne energije iz obnovljivih izvora energije i kogeneracije

 Postrojenja priključena na distribucijsku mrežu koja koriste obnovljive izvore energije za proizvodnju električne energije instalirane snage do uključivo 1 MW

 

Tip postrojenja

	C
Sunčane elektrane instalirane snage do uključivo 10 kW	1,10
Sunčane elektrane instalirane snage veće od 10 kW do uključivo 30 kW	1,10
Sunčane elektrane instalirane snage veće od 30 KW	1,10
Hidroelektrane do uključivo 500 MWh proizvedenih u kalendarskoj godini	1,20
Hidroelektrane za više od 500 MWh do uključivo 1000 MWh proizvedenih u kalendarskoj godini	0,80
Hidroelektrane za više od 1000 MWh proizvedenih u kalendarskoj godini	0,60
Vjetroelektrane	0,72
Elektrane na biomasu instalirane snage do uključivo 300 kW	1,30
Elektrane na biomasu instalirane snage veće od 300 kW	1,20
Geotermalne elektrane	1,20
Elektrane na bioplin instalirane snage do uključivo 300 kW	1,42
Elektrane na bioplin instalirane snage veće od 300 kW	1,20
Elektrane na tekuća biogoriva	PPC
Elektrane na deponijski plin i plin iz postrojenja za pročišćavanje otpadnih voda	PPC
Elektrane na ostale obnovljive izvore (morski valovi, plima i oseka...)	PPC

 Postrojenja priključena na prijenosnu ili distribucijsku mrežu koja koriste obnovljive izvore energije za proizvodnju električne energije instalirane snage veće od 1 MW

 

Tip postrojenja

	C
Hidroelektrane instalirane snage do uključivo 10 MW - energija do uključivo 5000 MWh proizvedenih u kalendarskoj godini	1,00
Hidroelektrane instalirane snage do uključivo 10 MW - energija za više od 5000 MWh do uključivo 15000 MWh proizvedenih u kalendarskoj godini	0,70
Hidroelektrane instalirane snage do uključivo 10 MW - energija za više od 15000 MWh proizvedenih u kalendarskoj godini	0,57
Vjetroelektrane	0,71
Elektrane na krutu biomasu instalirane snage do uključivo 2 MW	1,20
Elektrane na krutu biomasu instalirane snage veće od 2 MW do uključivo 5 MW	1,15
Elektrane na krutu biomasu instalirane snage veće od 5 MW do uključivo 10 MW	1,05
Elektrane na krutu biomasu instalirane snage veće od 10 MW	0,90
Geotermalne elektrane	1,20
Elektrane na bioplin iz poljoprivrednih nasada (kukuruzna silaža...) te organskih ostataka i otpada iz poljoprivrede i prehrambeno-prerađivačke industrije (kukuruzna silaža, stajski gnoj, klaonički otpad, otpad iz proizvodnje biogoriva...) do uključivo 2 MW	1,20
Elektrane na bioplin iz poljoprivrednih nasada (kukuruzna silaža...) te organskih ostataka i otpada iz poljoprivrede i prehrambeno-prerađivačke industrije (kukuruzna silaža, stajski gnoj, klaonički otpad, otpad iz proizvodnje biogoriva...) od 2 MW do uključivo 5 MW	1,12
Elektrane na tekuća biogoriva	PPC
Elektrane na deponijski plin i plin iz postrojenja za pročišćavanje otpadnih voda	PPC
Elektrane na ostale obnovljive izvore (morski valovi, plima i oseka...)	PPC
Sunčane elektrane	PPC
Elektrane na životinjsku mast instalirane snage do uključivo 5 MW	1,65

 

Autor tablica: © Portal croenergo.eu (T.M.) / ENERGO MEDIA SERVIS

Tarifni sustav za proizvodnju električne energije iz obnovljivih izvora energije i kogeneracije (.pdf )

 

Novim cijenama u tarifnom sustavu odbija se ulagače u OIE. Primjer Slovenije koja je prošle godine plaćala penale EU zato jer nije pratili dinamiku rasta proizvodnje iz OIE. 

Mišljenja smo da će se isto dogoditi i u Republici Hrvatskoj nakon ulaska u EU.

HRVATSKI CENTAR OBNOVLJIVIH IZVORA ENERGIJE 

(HCOIE)

News and Events by CCRES May 31, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources News and Events May 31, 2012

Energy Department Awards $11 Million for Clean Energy Small Businesses The Energy Department announced on May 23 a total of $11 million in innovative research and technology grants of up to $150,000 awarded to nearly 67 small businesses in 22 states. The grants were awarded under the department's Small Business Innovation Research program, part of the Obama Administration’s broader support for job-creating small businesses and startup companies nationwide. These businesses are located in Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington. The businesses will work on 75 research projects including designing better wind turbines and fuel cell technology. They will then be eligible to compete for a second phase of the program with awards up to $1 million over two years. For example, the Seachange Group in Maine will work on a process that determines the best conditions for thermochemical conversion of biomass into drop-in transportation fuels, which has potential for under-developed rural communities. And Creare Incorporated of New Hampshire will focus on improving battery pack thermal management for electric vehicles. See the DOE press release and the description of all the projects. First Winners Announced for 'Apps for Energy' Competition The Energy Department on May 22 announced the first round of winners for the "Apps for Energy" competition, selected by a panel of judges. App developers submitted more than 50 innovative mobile and Web applications that will help utility consumers save money by making the most of their "Green Button" electricity usage data. Eligible apps included those for mobile phones, computers, tablets, software programs, and more. Popular Choice awards will also be announced after the conclusion of a public voting period on May 31. Competing developers created apps that are designed to make the best use of the data provided through the Green Button initiative, which recently announced that nine major utilities and electricity suppliers will provide more than 31 million consumers access to data about their own energy use. The winners are sharing prize money provided jointly by the Energy Department and three private-sector cosponsors of the competition. The grand prize winner for the best overall app was Leafully, a Seattle-based team, which created an app that helps utility customers visualize their Green Button data as a variety of units, such as the amount of trees needed to offset an individual’s energy usage. Leafully encourages users to set energy savings goals and to share their progress on Facebook. The Best Student App Grand Prize was from "wotz," a group of University of California, Irvine, students who submitted an app that lets users explore and play with Green Button data. It provides several games based on the "shape" of data, and offers creative comparisons to illustrate usage. See the Energy Department press release. DOE Announces $3.2 Million to Help Consumers Manage Energy Consumption The Energy Department announced on May 22 phase I awards totaling nearly $3.2 million that will encourage utilities, local governments, and communities to create programs that empower consumers to better manage their electricity use through improved access to their own electricity consumption data. These projects will complement the Apps for Energy prizes by demonstrating how convenient tools and services can help consumers make more informed decisions about their energy consumption and helping to stimulate the market for the development of additional innovative energy applications. Awards were in seven states: Arizona, California, Iowa, Maine, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, and Texas. For phase II, the department will select one recipient to apply the tools and software to an entire service territory, region, or community For example, the City of Dubuque, Iowa, will match a $500,000 DOE award to implement a Smarter Energy Conservation portal that gives residents access to their electricity consumption data. It uses advanced analytics, dynamic visualization, and activity-based engagement to help consumers better understand their consumption. See the DOE press release. 'Year One' Leader in EcoCAR2 Contest Named A student from the Mississippi State University team works on their car, which was honored in the EcoCAR 2012 Competition. Credit: Mississippi State University Mississippi State University was named "Year One" overall winner on May 24 at the EcoCAR 2012 Competition in Los Angeles. EcoCAR 2: Plugging into the Future is a three-year contest sponsored by the Energy Department, General Motors (GM), and 25 other government and industry leaders. The challenge gives students from 15 collegiate teams the opportunity to gain real-world, eco-friendly automotive engineering experience while striving to improve the energy efficiency on a 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. For Year One, with $100,000 in prize money up for grabs, the contest emphasized engineering design though modeling and simulation to select and virtually test the teams' plug-in hybrid electric vehicle architecture. Teams also started developing their hybrid control strategy using hardware-in-the-loop (HIL) simulation tools and designing major vehicle subsystems, including the hybrid powertrain, energy storage, and high-voltage electrical systems. Throughout the events in Los Angeles, EcoCAR 2 teams put their designs to the test, giving presentations to industry and government professionals based on their mechanical, electrical, control and HIL strategies; project initiation approval; outreach and business plans; and trade show display. Mississippi State, which has placed first three times in its nine years of competitions, was followed by Ohio State and the University of Waterloo. The 15 teams also received the keys to the GM-donated 2013 Chevrolet Malibus they will spend the next two years rebuilding, testing, and refining. See the DOE press release and the EcoCAR2 website.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

SunShot Shoots for the Moon with First Grand Challenge Event By Ramamoorthy Ramesh, director SunShot Initiative & Solar Energy Technologies Program About two years ago, my good friend Arun Majumdar, director of ARPA-E, coined the term "SunShot" in one of our meetings. We decided then that all of the solar program efforts going forward would focus on the common goal of making solar electricity cost-competitive by the end of the decade. Such a goal was incredibly ambitious, so it was fitting that the initiative’s name would be inspired by President Kennedy’s "moon shot" speech that launched NASA's effort to put a man on the moon. We have been doing everything in our power to reduce energy costs for consumers and to ensure that American innovators and companies can lead the global transition to a clean energy economy. As the price of solar panels has decreased, the solar energy industry in the United States has exploded. Solar installations doubled from 2009 to 2010, and the domestic market grew to $6 billion in 2010. We now know that SunShot goals are within our reach. By tapping into the best and brightest minds in science, industry, and academia, we are already making progress. The SunShot Initiative is funding more than 250 projects that explore every possible way to drive down the cost of solar, from developing an efficient solar cell that’s as thin as a human hair to creating a GIS-based tool that can perform site assessments from space. But there is much work left to do. The SunShot Grand Challenge: Summit and Technology Forum next month will give us the opportunity to highlight the progress of the past two years and reassess the challenges that must be overcome in order to reach the 2020 goal. We are inviting everyone who is contributing to this effort to join us at what promises to be an exciting event June 13–14 in Denver, Colorado. For the rest of the story, read the complete Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

End Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Dear CCRES friends ,

From June 20-22, the eyes of the world will be on Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. World leaders, drawn by the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (aka “Rio+20”), will decide how to deal with a broad range of issues that affect the environment. Earth Day Network will be there to make sure your voices are heard.

You can learn more at www.earthday.org/rio.
More of renewable energy at http://ccres.yolasite.com/
Rio+20 offers a chance to jumpstart the green economy and chart a course to a sustainable future. But this will be next to impossible if fossil fuel subsidies continue hampering the progress of clean energy technology.

Please sign this petition asking leaders at Rio+20 to create a plan to phase out fossil fuel subsidies around the world. And then share the petition with friends.

Share on social media:

- The Earth Day Network Team

- CCRES Team

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES May 24, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources News and Events May 24, 2012

Consumers to Save with New Energy Efficient Washers and Dishwashers Energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers are designed to save consumers $20 billion in energy and water costs. Credit: Dennis Schroeder/NREL The Department of Energy on May 16 announced energy efficiency standards for residential clothes washers and dishwashers that are expected to save consumers $20 billion in energy and water costs. The clothes washers standard will save households approximately $350 apiece over the lifetime of the appliances. And home dishwashers will use approximately 15% less energy and more than 20% less water, directly providing consumers with savings on monthly bills. Today, clothes washers and dishwashers account for approximately 3% of residential energy use and more than 20% of indoor water use in U.S. homes. The new standards for clothes washers will reduce the energy consumption of front-loading clothes washers by 15% and reduce water consumption by 35%, while the standards will reduce energy consumption by top-loading washers by 33% and reduce water consumption by 19%. The new standards—developed in partnership with companies such as Whirlpool, General Electric, and LG Electronics, industry advocates, national environmental organizations, consumer groups, and other stakeholders—build on previous minimum energy efficiency requirements for clothes washers and dishwashers. They go into effect starting in 2015 and 2013, respectively. The announcement is the most recent in a series of efficiency standards made by the Obama Administration that have covered nearly 40 different products, and will together save consumers nearly $350 billion on their energy bills through 2030. See the DOE press release and the Building Technologies Program website. Energy Department Announces Funding to Test a Wave Energy Device The Energy Department on May 18 announced that $500,000 is available this year to test the technical readiness of technologies that can harness energy from waves to supply renewable power to highly-populated coastal regions. The funding will support one project to deploy and test a wave energy conversion device for one year at the Department of Navy's Wave Energy Test Site off of the Marine Corps Base Hawaii in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. This funding will demonstrate and accelerate wave power technologies that could further develop the country's significant ocean energy resources. These efforts complement an ongoing collaboration with the Navy, underscoring how increased cooperation between the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) and the Energy Department can further the nation's objectives toward renewable energy development. Through the funding opportunity, the Energy Department will provide technical support to test and evaluate the best wave energy options to provide power to DOD facilities. The Energy Department estimates that there are over 1,170 terawatt hours per year of electric generation available from wave energy off U.S. coasts, although not all of this resource potential can realistically be developed. The Navy has supported wave energy conversion research with the expectation that this technology can be used to assist DOD in reaching its agency goal of producing or procuring 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025. The Energy Department expects to select a proposed wave energy device that is substantially complete and ready for testing and data collection without significant modification. The testing will include a comprehensive performance assessment—as well as a review of all pre- and post-deployment activities, operations and maintenance activities, and related analysis—to advance understanding of these innovative technologies and identify areas of performance improvement that will benefit this emerging industry as a whole. See the Progress Alert and the funding opportunity announcement. Winners of Design Competition to Advance Energy Efficient Lighting Named The winners of the indoor lighting category of the fourth-annual Next Generation Luminaires Design Competition were announced recently at the LIGHTFAIR International conference in Las Vegas. The competition, sponsored by the Energy Department, the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the International Association of Lighting Designers, was launched in 2008 to promote excellence in the design of energy-efficient light-emitting diode (LED) commercial lighting fixtures, or "luminaires." Solid-state lighting, which includes both LED and organic light emitting diode technologies, has the potential to save $30 billion a year in energy costs by 2030. A panel of eight judges, including experts from the architectural lighting design community, evaluated the next generation luminaires entries based on lighting quality, appearance, serviceability, efficacy, value, dimming, and lifetime. The Best in Class winners came from three different manufacturers and covered three different lighting types. Intense Lighting was awarded Best in Class for its MBW2 LED Track accent lighting fixture; Albeo Technologies Inc. won Best in Class for its H-Series LED high-bay fixture; and Lithonia Lighting earned Best in Class for its ST Series LED utility/general purpose fixture. Design competitions are a key part of DOE's national strategy to accelerate technology advancements from laboratory to marketplace and boost the adoption of energy efficient lighting products. See the DOE Progress Alert, the Building Technologies Program Solid-State Lighting Web page, and the Next Generation Luminaires website. Interior Advances Offshore Atlantic Transmission Line The U.S. Department of the Interior and its Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) announced on May 14 a finding of "no competitive interest" for the proposed Mid-Atlantic offshore wind energy transmission line. The decision clears the way for the project to move forward with the environmental review necessary to grant the company, Atlantic Grid Holdings, LLC, a right-of-way for the proposal to build a "backbone" transmission line that would enable up to 7,000 megawatts of wind turbine capacity to be delivered to the grid. The proposed project is a high-voltage, direct-current subsea transmission system that would collect power generated by wind turbine facilities off the Atlantic coasts of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Virginia. The first such offshore infrastructure proposed in the United States, the system's parallel, redundant circuits would total about 790 miles in length. The proposed transmission line would be constructed in phases to connect offshore wind power to the grid based on the company’s estimates of when offshore wind generation facilities will be in place. A right-of-way grant occupies a corridor 200 feet wide, centered on the cable with additional widths at the hubs. The right-of-way grant corridor is anticipated to extend about 790 miles. Full construction of all phases of the multi-stage project would take about 10 years. Before proceeding with the review of this project, BOEM had to determine whether there were other developers interested in constructing transmission facilities in the same area. Last December, BOEM put out a request for competitive interest in order to gather that information. BOEM also solicited public comment on site conditions and multiple uses within the right-of-way grant area that would be relevant to the proposed project or its impacts. See the Interior press release.

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov

Apps for Energy Public Voting Starts Back in April, we launched Apps for Energy—challenging developers to build mobile and web applications that bring Green Button electricity data to life. You answered our call—sending in innovative, creative and fun apps that help consumers make informed decisions about their energy usage data in ways that save energy and money. Now that Apps for Energy submissions are in, we want your input. Starting May 17, you can vote for your favorite Apps for Energy submissions as part of our public voting contest. To participate, visit our challenge page at appsforenergy.challenge.gov. There, you can browse our submission gallery and view photos, videos and detailed descriptions for more than 50 web and mobile applications. Your vote will help determine the Grand Prize and Second Place winners for the Apps for Energy Popular Choice Awards. You can vote only once—but for as many submissions as you'd like until the close of public voting on May 31. For the complete story, see the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

Nor Cal Biodiesel

CCRES promotes Nor Cal Biodiesel

Nor Cal Biodiesel currently offer two models to choose from: the BioPro190 and the larger BioPro380.

BioPro190

BioPro190 General Information and Specifications Dimensions: 21"w x 21"d x 67"h. Overall height adjustable +/- 2” Weight: 325 Lbs. (empty). Capacity: 50 gallons oil yields 50 gallons of finished fuel.                10 gallons methanol - yields approx. 10 gallons glycerin. Construction: TIG welded 304 stainless steel body; Powder coated carbon steel covers. Fittings: 304 stainless steel or glass filled polypropylene. Electrical: 110 VAC / 15 Amp Circuit. Controls: AUTO mode controlled by program logic controller;                Start button initiates completely automated process;                MANUAL mode controlled by switch actuation. Reaction Method: Acid-catalyzed esterification of free fatty acids                Then base-catalyzed transesterification of triglycerides; Wash Method: Triple-stage turbulent water wash.                1) Mist Spray, 2) Mist & Agitation, 3) Mist & Agitation Batch Time: Reaction Time – approximately 8 hrs;                Initial settling - 16 hrs;                Water wash – approximately 14 hrs;                Drying cycle - Approx 10 hrs: Total Processing Time: Approx. 48 hours start to finish. Items You Will Need To Get Started: 50 Gallons of new or used filtered vegetable oil or oil derived from animal fats 400 micron, or finer, filter to strain the oil 10 Gallons of methanol (racing fuel) For your safety and convenience, we suggest obtaining a methanol compatible and an oil/grease compatible transfer pump 1520 grams (3.41 lbs) Sodium Hydroxide - NaOH or 2350 (5.17 lbs) grams Potassium Hydroxide - KOH 190 mL (6.43 oz) Sulfuric Acid (93% Purity or higher) - Do not use common battery acid 50 Gallons of fresh, standing water 50 Gallon container or receptacle for “water in” 50 Gallon container or receptacle to collect the wash water – or connect directly to a drain. Air tight storage containers for methanol (typically, a 55-gallon drum), catalyst potash, and sulfuric acid Protective gloves, face mask, apron, and safety goggles (included) Transfer hoses, scales, and measuring cups (included) (1) 110-120 volt / 15 amp & (1) 220 volt / 30 amp AC power source

  BioPro380

BioPro380 General Information and Specifications Dimensions: 64"w x 34"d x 91"h. Overall height adjustable +/- 2” Weight: Approximately 675 Lbs. (empty). Capacity: 100 gallons oil yields up to 100 gallons (380 liters) of finished fuel Batch Sizes: - Capable of processing 50, 75, or 100 gallons of oil feedstock (190, 284, or 380 liters). Construction: TIG welded 304 stainless steel body; Powder coated carbon steel covers. Electrical: 220 VAC / 30 AMP & 110 VAC / 15 Amp Circuit. Dedicated Circuits are preferred but not required. Controls: AUTO mode controlled by program logic controller;                Start button initiates the automated process;                MANUAL mode controlled by switch actuation. Reaction Method: Acid-catalyzed esterification of free fatty acids                Then base-catalyzed transesterification of triglycerides; Method: Triple-stage turbulent water wash.                1) Mist Spray, 2) Mist & Agitation, 3) Mist & Agitation Batch Time: Reaction Time – approximately 8 hrs;                Initial settling - 16 hrs;                Water wash –(total three (3) cycles, approximately14 hrs;                Drying cycle - Approx 10 hrs: Total Processing Time: Approx. 48 hours start to finish. Items You Will Need To Get Started: 100 Gallons of new or used filtered vegetable oil or oil derived from animal fats (triglycerides Minimum 400 micron, or finer, filter to strain the oil 20 Gallons of methanol (racing fuel; 99.99% pure) 3040 grams Lye (Sodium Hydroxide - NaOH) or 4700 grams Caustic Potash (Potassium Hydroxide - KOH)* *Recommended 380 mL Sulfuric Acid (93% Purity or higher) - Not common battery acid 100 Gallons of fresh standing water (can also be connected directly to a pressurized water line) 100 Gallon container for water in (or connect to a clean, pressurized water source) 100 Gallon container for water out (or connect directly to a drain) Air tight storage containers for methanol, lye/caustic potash, and sulfuric acid Protective gloves, face mask, apron, and safety goggles (included) Transfer hoses, scales, and measuring cups (included) For your safety and convenience, we suggest obtaining a methanol transfer and oil/grease transfer pump (1) 110-120 volt / 15 amp & (1) 220 volt / 30 amp AC power source

 Since it's introduction, the BioPro line of products have steadily found their way into the hands of many an independent souls.

 Click on the links below to read about

  World renowned Dr. Andrew Weil with his BioPro190 

CONTACT Nor Cal Biodiesel

Please feel free to contact  Nor Cal Biodiesel for additional information regarding our products or services.

 

 Nor Cal Biodiesel also welcome any comments or suggestions regarding  products, web site and overall experience regarding your initial interaction with Nor Cal Biodiesel.

General Inquiries and Sales Information info@norcalbio.com
Projects, Business Development or Specific Requests danny@norcalbio.com

Nor Cal Biodiese web site : http://norcalbio.com/index.html

For any additional information, please contact 

Danny Lesa, telephone 707-766-9782 

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
 (CCRES)

Cutting Carbon Emissions

The 2009 Renewable Energy Directive sets a target for the UK to achieve 15% of its energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. This compares to only 1.5% in 2005.

But a leaked policy document from the UK government, dated March 2012, wants nuclear power to be given parity with renewables in Europe,

in a move that would significantly boost atomic energy in Britain but downgrade investment in renewable generation.

A national renewable energy action plan for the UK highlighted offshore wind and marine energy as key areas for development in order to help the UK reach the 15% target.


Europe should focus on cutting carbon emissions instead of just repeating the existing EU green policy targets which expire at the end of the decade, Britain's energy and climate chief Edward Davey told a global energy and environment summit.

"We should be moving towards outcome targets," Davey said on Monday (14 May). "Carbon emissions should be the key target."

He was asked whether Britain would support another target for renewable energy when the EU goal to increase the share of green energy in the mix to 20% expires at the end of the decade.

"While we think the renewables target for 2020 is a very good target and we believe we are on track to meet it, in terms of another renewables target, we have to think about what we are trying to achieve here," he replied.

Business, which needs investment certainty, has been putting pressure on the European Commission to come up with policy which can replace the goals that expire in 2020.

Davey said he preferred "outcome targets", such as a new goal on carbon cutting, rather than setting another target for renewables, which are becoming more economically viable.

However, he would not specify what level of new EU carbon target Britain might support. But Britain is already "one of the most ambitious, if not the most ambitious," he added.

Nuclear renaissance

In March, the The Guardian newspaper leaked a document which showed, that the UK government wants nuclear power to be given parity with renewables in Europe, in a move that would significantly boost atomic energy in Britain but downgrade investment in renewable generation.

The UK's renewable energy sector has suffered a series of blows, with an anti-renewables backlash whipped up by right-leaning think tanks and Tory MPs, more than 100 of whom sent a letter to the prime minister attacking renewables and calling on him to cut subsidies from onshore wind farms.

Britain has a national target of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by 34% by 2020 from 1990 levels, compared with an EU-wide goal of a 20% reduction.

Britain also aims to cut CO2 emissions at least 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

Along with Britain, Poland has also opposed a new EU renewables goal in an attempt to defend its right to burn coal. Poland has also blocked attempts to raise ambition on cutting carbon.

To help reduce carbon emissions from power plants, Britain wants carbon-capture and storage (CCS) technology and last month relaunched a £1 billion CCS funding competition. Later this year or early next year, the government will reveal which projects will sign front-end engineering and design contracts.

The UK government is also ready to support the exploration of shale gas, but has a cautious approach to ensure shale gas fracking was carried out safely.

"I don't think we should close down any options, but to proceed with developing shale gas, one has to make sure one has a very, very robust regulatory regime," Davey stated.

Last month, an independent report advised the British government to continue allowing fracking under stricter reporting guidelines.

The government is due to make an official response to the report after an ongoing consultation period.
CCRES 

special thanks to 

EurActiv.com and Reuters
CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)

News and Events by CCRES May 17, 2012

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources  News and Events May 17, 2012
Energy Department Announces Milestone in Fuel Cell Use The Energy Department announced on May 14 that more than one thousand fuel cells were deployed as a result of support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Over the last three years, nearly 1,200 fuel cells have been deployed in emergency backup power units and material handling equipment, such as forklift trucks. This investment gives U.S. businesses more options to cut energy costs and reduce petroleum use. Increasingly, companies are installing fuel cells to generate onsite primary or backup power for buildings, data centers, and cell phone towers, because of their high reliability and low emissions. To date, close to 700 fuel cells have been deployed to provide backup power with $18.5 million in Recovery Act funding. Fuel cells are quiet and do not need petroleum, so they produce few pollutants and emissions. Fuel cells also typically require minimal maintenance, and they can easily be monitored remotely to further reduce maintenance time. In addition, many leading American businesses are choosing fuel cells to power their materials handling equipment because of the productivity, cost, and performance advantages of fuel cell lift trucks. Funded with $9.7 million under the Recovery Act, more than 500 fuel cell powered lift trucks are now operational at end-user sites, along with fueling systems, data collection and analysis, and operator training to support them. Hydrogen fuel cells do not emit any harmful air pollutants, and they can be rapidly refueled, boosting productivity. Fuel cells also maintain full power capability between refueling. Data collected from all of these projects are aggregated to provide relevant technology status results and fuel cell performance data without revealing proprietary information. These publicly available data products provide critical information to future investors and customers. See the Energy Department Progress Alert and the Fuel Cells Technology Program website. National Student Efficiency Contest Winners Named The Energy Department on May 2 announced the winners of America's Home Energy Education Challenge, a national student competition designed to encourage students and their families to take action to start saving money by saving energy. A team of students from five schools in rural Carter County, Montana, was declared the national winner for successfully working with local utility companies and the community to reduce their home energy use by 3.4%. The five schools will share the $15,000 they won as both a regional winner and as the national champion. The challenge, run by the National Science Teachers Association for the Energy Department, asked teams of third through eighth grade students to work with their science teachers and local utility companies to develop plans that reduce the amount of energy used to power their homes. Each student team monitored and measured its energy consumption between September and November 2011, then compared it to data collected during the same three-month period the year before. The challenge included regional competitions, so student teams would face off against teams in similar climates. Regional winners then competed in a national competition, where they were evaluated based on their energy savings plans, energy savings, and levels of student participation, community involvement, and creativity. The four regional winners each received $5,000. They came from Golden, Colorado; Olive Hill, Kentucky; Potomac, Maryland; and Warren, Michigan. See the Energy Department Progress Alert and the list of winners. EPA Releases List of Top 50 Green-Powered Organizations The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently released an updated list of the Top 50 Green Power Partnership organizations voluntarily using renewable electricity from resources such as solar, wind, and low-impact hydropower. Intel Corporation tops the list as the largest single user of green power, followed by Kohl's Department Stores, and Microsoft Corporation. Intel, which has ranked number one on the list since 2008, uses more than 2.5 billion kWh of green power annually, or 88% of the company's total nationwide electricity use. Microsoft and McDonald’s USA LLC, which ranks eleventh, are new to the list. Combined, the Top 50 partners are using more than 15 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually. By using green power, these organizations are avoiding carbon pollution equal to that created by the electricity use of more than 1.3 million American homes each year. EPA's Green Power Partnership works with more than 1,300 partner organizations, over half of which are small businesses and nonprofit organizations, to voluntarily use green power. Green power resources produce electricity with an environmental profile superior to conventional power technologies. See the EPA press release and rankings. Global Automakers Demo Fast Charging EV Technology Eight automakers, including General Motors, have agreed on a standardized fast-charging technology for future versions of cars such as the Chevrolet Volt. Credit: DOE, Charles Watkins Eight automakers demonstrated a fast-charging technology for electric vehicles (EV) that can recharge compatible systems in as few as 15-20 minutes. Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Ford, General Motors, Porsche, and Volkswagen have agreed to support a harmonized single-port fast charging approach—called DC Fast Charging with a Combined Charging System—for use on EVs in the United States and Europe. The automakers gave charging demonstrations during the EVS26 Electric Vehicle Symposium, held in Los Angeles, May 6-9. The combined charging system integrates one-phase AC-charging, fast three-phase AC-charging, DC-charging at home, and ultra-fast DC-charging at public stations into one vehicle inlet. This will allow customers to charge at most existing charging stations regardless of power source, and it may speed more affordable adoption of a standardized infrastructure. The International Society of Automotive Engineers has chosen the Combined Charging System as the fast-charging methodology for a standard that incrementally extends the existing Type 1-based AC charging. The standard is to be officially published this summer. And ACEA, the European association of vehicle manufacturers, has selected the system as its AC/DC charging interface for all new vehicle types in Europe beginning in 2017. Commercially available combined charging units are projected to be available later this year. All committed manufacturers have vehicles in development that will use the Combined Charging System. The first vehicles to use this system will reach the market in 2013. See the General Motors press release.
CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES (CCRES)   special thanks to U.S. Department of Energy | USA.gov
Students Compete to Design Energy-Efficient Appliances What is an efficient building without efficient appliances? That's the question students must face as part of the Energy Department's Max Tech and Beyond competition. This program challenges university students to design highly efficient, next-generation appliances and commercial equipment. Helping American consumers and businesses save money by saving energy is a major part of the Obama administration's all-of-the-above energy strategy. Challenging America's students to find energy saving solutions is one of the ways the Energy Department is working to bring the best and brightest to the challenge of saving energy. Initiated in 2010, the Max Tech competition first began by ranking the energy saving potential of appliances and commercial equipment to identify the appliances that had the most potential for technological advancement. Then in June 2011, organizers sent a request for proposals to university engineering and science departments across the nation, asking students to develop new, next-generation appliance and commercial equipment designs that demonstrate high energy savings. See the complete story on the Energy Blog. Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

The Pentagon, the largest U.S. consumer of fuel goes green

 
Last month U.S. Army Energy Initiatives Task Force (AEITF) issued a draft request for proposals (Draft RFP) renewable energy contracts.
 
What’s on offer? Over the next decade, an impressive $7 billion. During the AEITF’s pre-solicitation phase, the Draft RFP is designed to gather information from potential bidders to assist the AEITF to develop a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) that it intends to issue later this year.
 
The United States Armed Forces, which currently fuels 77 percent of its machinery with petroleum-based fuel, has announced an aggressive goal, to be petroleum free by 2040. The Air Force intends to use biofuels for 50 percent of its domestic aviation needs by 2016.
 
A 2011 Pew Charitable Trusts report, "From Barracks to the Battlefield: Clean Energy Innovation and America's Armed Forces" reported that Department of Defense clean energy investments increased 300 percent between 2006 and 2009 - from $400 million to $1.2 billion - and are projected at $10 billion annually by 2030, adding that that by 2015, the Pentagon will be spending $2.25 billion each year to harness clean energy technologies for air, land and sea vehicles.
 
Driving the Pentagon’s green drive is Executive Order 13423, which mandates that the Department of Defense achieve a 30 percent reduction in non-tactical fleet fossil fuel use by 2020.
 
A second key piece of legislation driving the Pentagon’s mandate is the Renewable Fuel Standard, which Congress enacted in 2005 as part of the Energy Policy Act, amending it in the 2007 Energy Independence and Security Act. The amended standard mandated that by 2022 the consumption volume of the renewable fuels should consist of: 15 billion gallons of conventional biofuels, mainly corn-grain ethanol; 1 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel fuel; 4 billion gallons of advanced renewable biofuels, other than ethanol derived from cornstarch, that achieve a life-cycle greenhouse gas threshold of at least 50 percent; and 16 billion gallons of cellulosic biofuels produced from wood, grasses, or non-edible plant parts, such as corn stalks and wheat straw.
 
The draft AEITF RFP marks the beginning of the AEITF's plan to develop a large, coordinated procurement process for renewables. The AEITF's new program was developed in response to a National Defense Authorization Act that requires Department of Defense facilities to derive at least 25 percent of the electricity they consume from renewable energy by 2025, and a Department of Defense "Net Zero Energy" initiative, which challenges DOD installations to produce more energy than they consume, with emphasis on the use of renewable energy and alternative fuels.
 
So, what is holding back the production of commercially viable amounts of biofuels? Key barriers to achieving the renewable fuel mandate are the high cost of producing biofuels compared with petroleum-based fuels uncertainties in future biofuel markets, a lack of subsidies and crop insurance, along with a shortage of significant investment.
 
These factors have combined to produce a “perfect storm” up to now for biofuel producers, resulting in “designer fuels” of high cost for Pentagon testing.
 
To give but one example.
 
In October 2010 the Navy purchased 20,055 gallons of algae biofuel at an eye-watering cost of $424/gallon.  Nevertheless, the contract was one of the biggest U.S. purchases of a non-corn ethanol biofuel up to that time. A year later, the Navy reportedly spent $12 million for 450,000 gallons of biofuel. The bad news was that the biofuel’s cost worked out to around $26.67 per gallon, roughly six times the current cost of traditional gas.
 
The good news?  In a single year, the cost per gallon of biofuel plummeted by a factor of 15.9.
 
Furthermore, $7 billion in funding is likely to prove a significant game changer in the field.
 
So, where does this leave the investor? No single biofuel source, from jatropha, algae or camelina has yet to emerge as the clear winner, though the last seems most likely to emerge as the frontrunner. Accordingly, investors must do their homework and seek out potential winners.
 
For those wishing to broaden their portfolios, two websites will prove of immense value.
 
The first is www.usa.gov, the federal government’s website for the U.S. government, where one can come to grips with federal legislation and Pentagon initiatives.
 
The second is Jim Lane’s http://www.biofuelsdigest.com/, the self-proclaimed “world’s most widely read biofuels daily.” While the site has an element of tub-thumping boosterism, it nevertheless remains an immensely valuable source of information about the biofuel market and the major players.
 
It is important to remember how different the biofuels picture is now from even a year ago. The Pentagon, the largest U.S. consumer of fuel, is now under pressure to meet the various federal mandates, and careers and promotions hang in the balance.

 CCRES special thanks to 

John C.K. Daly ,

U.S.-Central Asia Biofuels Ltd

Croatian Center of Renewable Energy Sources (CCRES)

CCRES - ALGAE BIOFUELS AND AQUAPONICS

 

CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 

(CCRES)

Algae, the Source of Biofuels, and Aquaponics

Algae can be used as important types of biomass materials from which the biofuels can be obtained. Algae absorb the energy from the sun in the presence of carbon dioxide and store it. A number of processes can be carried out on algae to convert it into biofuels like alcohol, biodiesel and even biogas. The biodiesel obtained from algae can be mixed with petroleum diesel and it can be used for running of trucks, cars and many types of engines that use diesel. Biodiesel can also be used as the fuel in the jets, airplanes, refineries and pipelines. The biomass obtained from algae can be used as the renewable sources of energy since it is available in abundant quantities and will be available for unlimited period of time.

One of the important advantages of algae is that it can grow in any type of water like salt, fresh, and even contaminated water. It can be grown in vast sea and river water, small rain water ponds and even commercial or domestic manmade made ponds. Algae has the potential to yield 30 times more energy than the crops grown on land, which are currently being used to produce the biofuels. This could encourage the use of algae for producing biofuels instead of the land that can be used for producing food crops. The harvesting cycle of algae is 1 to 10 days, which permits several harvests in short period of time and using the resources more effectively.

Algae and Aquaponics

As described earlier, algae can be grown in any type of water and in type of water storage system. Besides the naturally occurring seas, rivers, and ponds, it can also grow in manmade ponds. The manmade ponds can be at homes for domestic purpose or in large lands made for commercial production of algae. For the better growth of algae some nutrients may be added to water. Besides using these ponds for algae growth they can also be used for the growth of fishes and other aquatic animals.

Aquaponics is the system where one can grow the fishes and plants like algae in one integrated system. The waste given by the fishes act as important nutrients for the plants, while the cover of plants provides the natural filter for the fishes in the living areas. Aquaponics is the combination of words aquaculture and hydroponics. Aquaculture is the cultivation of fish or other water based animals, while hydroponics is the growth of plants in water. In aquaponics one can grow the water animals as well the plants at the same time. Thus the manmade small or big pond can be effectively used for growing fishes as well plants like algae.

The plants usually prefer warm-water so the water in aquaponics is also warm. The fishes grown in aquaponics are of warm-water type and not of cold-water type. The fishes grown in aquaponics can be consumed by the owner, they can be given to the friend, can be sold in the market to earn money or they can be kept as the pets. The harvesting period of fishes ranges from 7 to 9 months. When aquaponics is combined with a controlled environment greenhouse, high quality crops can be grown throughout the year and in any part of the world.

Aquaponics comprises of the water tank where the fishes are raised and fed. There is a chamber, where the uneaten foods and other particles and solids are collected. The bio-filter converts ammonia into nitrates, which act as the nutrients for the plants. There is also a portion for the growth of the plants. The lowest part of tank is a sump from where fresh water is supplied to the tank and old water is removed.

The concept of aquaponics can be extended for the growth of algae. Instead of the plants, one can grow algae, which has the harvest cycle of one to ten days. At the same time the fishes can also be grown. In the period of about nine months, while the fishes will harvest once, algae will be harvested several times. The large quantities of algae collected this way can be used as the biomass for producing the biofuels like biodiesel.

The advantages of using aquaponics for the growth of algae is that in a single place harvesting of both, the algae as well as fishes can be done. This would increase the profitability for the owner if they already have aquaculture or hydroponics. While earlier they would get only a single product from the infrastructure, they could now get two products. Since harvesting time of algae is short, it would keep the owner busy and this could become a continuous source of income for them.

The major limitations of aquaponics are the high initial costs required for housing, tank, plumbing, pumps and bedding. One should also do thorough research for the chances of success of such project. The system also has number of points of failure and requires intensive maintenance.

CCRES 

special thanks to   

Escapeartist, Inc

 CROATIAN CENTER of RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES 

(CCRES)