STUFF

TOP STUFF

Global clean energy investment down to $6.46B in '12 from $9.61B in '11.

Natural disasters cost world $160B in '12. US 67% of it. "If not for Sandy, losses would have been very low." US corn/wheat belt drought cost $20B. '11 cost was $400B - Japan's quakenami, New Zealand quake, Thai floods, etc.

France doubling target for new solar to at least 1Gw in '13. Aimed at restarting country's solar sector. Tender this month for 400Mw from large-scale roof or ground installs. 1/2 will have to use "innovative tech". Winners to be announced early '14. '13 target for residential installs double to 400Mw. FIT's will be 10% higher if equipment made in Europe. France had ~4Gw solar capacity grid connected in late '12, up from 2.95Gw end of '11.

UK pledged $16M and 7 other Euro nations pledged funds to help spur up to $130M of bioenergy projects in the 8 nations.

Euro Investment Bank considering $131M loan for energy-efficient projects under $25M each in Czech Rep. Grant also expected.

Growing evidence corals may grow more adept at adapting to warmer temps.

Harmful algae blooms increasing as water warms in world's major lakes.

Brazil facing energy rationing amid hot, dry summer.

Australia so hot (with wildfires), country's Bureau of Meteorology had to add new color - deep purple - to index.

More evidence of water contamination near Canada oil sands operations.

US govt warning hackers zeroing in on energy sector.

Iran spent $25B in '12 to retain its position in OPEC. Wants to boost refining capacity, sell finished fuels. May need $400B investment next 5 yrs. Sanctions hurting their crude sales.

Japan signed 1st of kind agreement with Mongolia to help offset GHG emissions. Looking to Indonesia, Vietnam, Bangladesh for other agreements.

Individuals can take part in Cal carbon trading.

Feds proposing minimum sound standards for hybrids, EV's.

Fiat 500e clocks in at 108MPG.

OTHER STUFF

First Solar (FSLR), Intermolecular pushing thin-film solar PV materials R&D. FSLR manufacturing costs $.67/w in Nov. Module efficiency 12.7%. Goal 14-15% by '15. New laser scribing process comes online mid-'13. Other production improvements in '13, '14. Target $.59/w soon.

Japan's wind installs to rise 8.2% to 92Mw by yearend March 31. 85Mw previous year. 256Mw year before that.

India waste management comp - Ranky Enviro Engineers - plans $200M IPO to finance 48Mw waste-to-energy plant. JP Morgan Chase, Bank of America among underwriters. India's urban areas generate ~55M tons muni waste/yr.

New charging algorithm could extend lead-acid batt life for 1st all-el, batt-powered locomotive in US. Norfolk Southern #999. Reduces sulfation, able to stop charging before other forms of degradation occur. Successfully reviving dead cells, increasing capacity almost back to new. Cell cap up 41%, batt cap up 30%. DOE funded study.

Philippine comp announced $220M plan to build 9 small run-of-river hydropower plants over next 5 yrs. Combined capacity 50Mw.

Germany's KfW IPEX lending $30M to build energy efficient hospital in Germany. 30% less energy use. Geothermal HVAC 1 step.

Eco-Energy to market ethanol from Corn Plus Ethanol's 49M gal/yr MN plant.

EPA, DOI, DOE joint statement promising closer cooperation to reduce pollution at 4 Corners coal plant in AZ while protecting econ development.

780Mw NG, diesel or fuel oil-fired power plant nearing completion in Azerbaijan. Toyo Engineering (Japan) constructing, '11 start. Azerenergy elgen capacity over 6Gw.

Colo county calls on feds for stronger fracking regs.

Utah oil output at highest level since '88.

Shell leading way in Norway seas to move offshore production process to seabed. 1K ton gas compressor among the tech.