The Japanese Photovoltaic Program

Japan has the largest Photovoltaic installed capacity in the world as a result of the sustained investments made by the country through carefully coordinated Photovoltaic R&D and deployment, leading to a ‘‘virtuous cycle’’ among R&D, market growth, and price reduction. By the end of 2000, the total installed capacity in the country was 317 MW, of which on-grid distributed generation accounted for more than 252 MW. In 2000, Japan produced 128 MW of PV cells and 136 MW of modules, both of which were well over half of the global production. (more…)

The German Wind Power Program

Germany is considered a world leader in wind energy deployment, with electricity production from wind having gone up more than eightfold—from 670 to more than 5500 GWh—between 1993 and 1999. In 1999, Germany had more than 4000 MW installed capacity. The prices also declined substantially over this period, indicating a learning rate of approximately 8%, and it is estimated that for each deutschemark (DM) spent by the government in subsidizing learning, market actors provided 2.1 DM. Furthermore, the manufacturing base for wind energy technologies, including indigenous firms as well as joint ventures, continues to expand in Germany. (more…)

Energy R&D, Energy Funds, Energy Conservation

Government expenditures on energy R&D, energy conservation have risen steadily over the past decade, but only two countries, Japan and the United States, are responsible for the bulk of expenditures in this area. Until the mid-1990s, global conservation expenditures were more or less split equally among the transportation, industrial, and residential sectors, but during the past few years, there has been a sharp rise in industrial conservation R&D efforts. (more…)

The Process of Energy Efficiency Technology Change

Many readers may be unfamiliar with the way economists typically view the process of technological change, thus it is useful to first establish this common understanding. Furthermore, to understand the potential for public policy to affect energy efficiency, it is also necessary to understand the process through which technology evolves: invention, innovation, energy diffusion, and product use. (more…)

Commercial Energy Use – Significance and Magnitude

The amount of energy consumed in the commercial sector often must be estimated as a fraction of energy use in the combined residential and commercial sectors; national energy use in buildings is often tracked within the major sectors, categorized as industrial, transportation, and ‘‘other,’’ with residential and commercial buildings aggregated and accounting for most of the energy use in this ‘‘other’’ sector. Thus some quick checks on world total energy consumption are useful. The units used to sum world energy use are not easily comprehended by most people, so the important knowledge to retain is the relative values. (more…)

Choosing Alternative Energy Investment – Funds and Stocks Market

With popularity of clean energy, the reduction of carbon and the movement toward earth friendliness, it seems that investment in alternative energy fund would be virtually no risk. But like any new industry, there is no guarantee that all sectors of the market will be successful. Since the technology bubble, which began in the early and mid 90s the market for alternative energy will soon separate winners from losers. If you are lucky or wise enough to choose an achiever, you soon will be getting great gain in your investment. On the other hand, losses are for those who have taken up the approximation that was not well received by the substantial market. (more…)

Biomass Role in Global Climate Change and Global Environmental Policy

Climate change caused by the enhanced greenhouse effect is one of the most significant global environmental issues. Increased emissions of GHG to the atmosphere, most notably CO2 , are considered the main cause of global climate change. Increasing energy consumption, a reliance on fossil fuels to meet these needs, and deforestation related to land use change are the main sources of increasing atmospheric CO2. (more…)

Bioenergy as Carbon Neutral Energy Source

Bioenergy produced from biomass is sometimes called a carbon-neutral energy source, because the same quantity of carbon released when the biomass is burned is sequestered again when the crop or forest is re-grown. Referring to bioenergy as carbon neutral or having zero net emissions may be misleading; there are emissions associated with producing biomass, such as from fossil fuel used in cultivation, harvest, processing and transport, and in manufacture and construction of fuel conversion technology. (more…)

Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS)

The Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) is the EU voluntary scheme for organizations willing to commit themselves to evaluate, improve and report on their environmental performance. The EMAS is established to evaluate and improve the environmental performance of organizations and to provide relevant information to the public and other interested parties. (more…)

Climate Change Renewable Energy Demand & Consumption

Establishing the impact of climate change on energy demand requires a measure of heating and cooling requirements. In the United States, this measure is a degree day, which is defined in terms of an absolute difference between average daily temperature and 651F, which is an arbitrary benchmark for household comfort. Commercial heating degree days are incurred when outside temperatures are below 651F, generally during the winter heating season from October through March. (more…)

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