STUFF

Argentina set to expand solar capacity up to 35x. Govt planning 1st incentives for individual projects. Along with Venezuela, least clean/renewable energy in Latin Am. Argentina has ~2x solar radiation as Germany. So far, 11 projects of ~20Mw each applied for. 4 approved, have funds, waiting for tariffs. Argentine target 8% of power from clean/ren by '16. 2% now.

Total solar systems in Cal up 54% in '12 to near 40K. Over $1.2B sold in '12, up 41%. 3rd-party owned ~$938M of that, up 86%, 74% of state's home solar market.

State-run Indian Oil to increase gasoline, diesel prices.

Total (France) sees shale gas prospects in UK ripe for development. Reserve potential could be as large as 5.3TCF.

Global shale oil production could reach 14Mb/d by '35.

French consultant says may be 440-675M bls oil off Lebanon coast.

China oil refiners processed 467M tons (3.4B bls) (9.3Mb/d) of crude in '12, up 3.7% yoy.

Japan econ contracted 3rd Q in row, down .1% in 4Q. Eurozone econ down .6% in 4Q.

Iran proposing Russia develop Iran's oil/gas fields.

EIA said US' '12 oil demand down 1.8% yoy to 18.6Mb/d.

Rates for oil tankers that move crude between US ports up 87% in '12 to ~$86K/day. (Another reason gas prices high.)

Tokyo El Power bought 15% more fuel oil for power plants in Jan than year ago.

U of Kansas algae biomass process yields higher proportions of biochar. Hydrothermal liquefaction integrated wastewater algae-to-biocrude process. 5-30% greater biocrude yields.

Helius Energy (UK) plans to raise $9.6M to fund pipeline of wood-to-power facilities including a 300M Pound, 100Mw power plant in England.

Showa Shell (Japan) to increase production efficiency, cost competiveness to "top levels in world". Intends to lead development of PV solar modules. Also seeks to reduce cost of thin-film CIGS solar panels by ~1/2 by '17. Japan forecasted to become world's 3rd largest solar market this year.