Source: GLOBE-Net

“Geothermal energy is clean, quiet, virtually inexhaustible and able to meet the world’s annual electricity and heating needs many times over with little impact on the climate or the environment. In many jurisdictions, geothermal energy is emerging as a reliable and affordable alternative to fossil fuels. This fourth article in the GLOBE-Net series on renewable energy discusses the dark horse of renewables.”

A project to build 33 windmills has began in Beijing. Estimated at a cost of 580 million yuan, the completion of the project is predicted to be in time for the 2008 Olympics.

Natural Resources Minister Gary Lunn announces a $16.5 million fund to the Kettles Hill Wind Energy Project, near Pincher Creek in southern Alberta. This is the first company to receive funding under the ecoENERGY for Renewable Power Initiative.

“Stale sandwiches and squidgy potatoes – waste food from some of Britain’s biggest supermarkets – could be used for fuel in an experimental biomass plant being planned by Infinis, a renewable power company backed by private equity group Terra Firma.” Please click link to read full article.

Environmental groups believe Ontario needs more renewable alternatives and conservation measures to deal with the energy problem, not building more nuclear plants as suggested by the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives.

“With the provincial election looming Oct. 10, both the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives have said they would build more nuclear plants to meet demand in Ontario, the country’s manufacturing heartland.”

“Groups including Greenpeace, the Renewable Energy Association, Friends of the Earth and the New Economics Foundation reacted angrily to revelations in the Guardian that government officials had secretly acknowledged that the UK would struggle to meet the EU target of 20% renewables by 2020 and had suggested it be reinterpreted to make it easier to achieve.”

Boulder-based Renewable Choice Energy is offering a “wind-power card” available at Whole Foods. A $15 card represents 750 kWh – the “average amount of electricity sucked off the grid by an American family each month.”

Italy is behind in developing renewable energy compare to its European counterparts. However, Italy aims to increase its efforts by offering incentives for photovoltaic development.

The children of Rudd Mayer, an influential wind-power activist in Boulder, Colorado are dedicating a windmill at the Thorne Ecological Institute to provide power and environmental education for local school kids.

The WoodGreen community, located on Queen Street, now houses the largest rooftop solar thermal heating system in Ontario. The 108 solar panels installed will help save money and energy.