STUFF

Lithuania aiming for some energy independence. (They were 1st republic to reclaim independence from Soviet Union.) Want to anchor ship - "Independence" - on coast to process LNG deliveries to get away from Gazprom dependence. Their NG prices were 15% over Europe's avg. last year. Only Bulgaria paid more under Gazprom near-monopoly. Gazprom also owns part of Lithuania's NG distribution. And part of their power grid still controlled by Moscow. Not yet possible for them to connect with Euro grid. Used to rely on nuke plant for power, but that was Chernobyl design, so they had to close that in '09 after joining EU in '04. LNG ship to arrive Nov '14. Need to import LNG at 5-10% under Gazprom prices to break even. Ship to cost $560M over 10 yrs. LNG prices could be up to 20% less.

SMA (German solar inverter maker) confirming deep layoffs. 700 workers gone by end of '14.

IL produce comp adding 10 CNG trucks, replacing biodiesel trucks. CNG priced at $2.60/gal v. $4.30-4.89 for biodies.

India says Iran "critical" for their energy security. Afghanistan too. For India to get central Asia energy supplies via pipes. (That would also add Pakistan to their energy security, presumably.)

IBM designing high concentration PV thermal system. Concentrates sun 2Kx. 75% efficiency. Parabolic reflector tracks sun, focuses rays onto triple-junction PV cells. Microchannel water cooling. Coolant's waste heat powers desalination or air-cooling units. Beats 60% efficiency with present tech. May be ready in 3 yrs. Uses concrete, pressurized metal foil instead of steel, glass. That cuts reflector costs ~2/3. Could produce el for 1 cent/Kwh, similar to coal power (and NG under $3.50).

MIT inventing new algorithm to protect grid from blackouts.

EON withdrew from testing Pelamis wave power system in Scotland.

BrightSource canceled 500Mw Rio Mesa solar project.

Statoil suspended floating offshore wind project due to Maine legislative changes.

Happy forth and trails.