La GEOTERMIA, una risorsa per il FUTURO

The project, launched with a pilot plant by the National Science Council of Canada, plans large-scale industrial production within a decade

A newly announced project will test an enhanced geothermal system in the volcanic area of Newberry, aimed at producing energy from deep rocks that are heated by the magma chamber

A new chip developed by STMicroelectronics improves the energy efficiency of photovoltaic panels, compensating power fluctuations of individual panels that can damage disproportionately the performance of an entire system, as is the case at present

US-based Joby Energy is testing a turbine system transported by a particular multi-wing structure that harnesses winds up to 10,000 metres. The 30 kW prototype should be tested at an altitude of 600 metres

A simple and economical method for the fabrication of cells, created by the Belgian company IMEC, will improve this technology, which converts radiation from non-solar heat sources into electricity

A solar island demonstration plant is under construction in Ras al-Khaimah, covering an area of 5,000 square metres and with a capacity of 0.5 MW. When full-scale, these islands could measure 20 square kilometres and reach a capacity of 1,000 MW

The aim is to increase generation efficiency, with a new thermal storage system that uses molten salt and better performing heliostats, thus reducing the overall cost of generated energy

The aim is to meet 90% of a whole neighbourhood’s space heating requirements from solar energy, using a storage system that collects thermal energy in summer for space heating needs during the very cold winter months

This concentration solar power plant is equipped with parabolic trough collector cylinders that provide a capacity of 50 MW. This is the second of five identical plants that Albengoa Solar is building near Seville

Scotland-based company Green Ocean Energy will have the first fully certified marine energy plant, Wave Treader, whose 500 kW industrial prototype will be completed by next summer

This demonstration project, the largest one ever developed at the EU level, aims at a secure large-scale integration of wind power into the European electricity grid

A new turbine for small-scale plants develops a patent issued to Nikola Tesla in 1913. According to the manufacturer, it has economic and environmental benefits

This technology, developed by Danish-based FPP, involves a floating platform supporting up to three wind turbines and equipped with piston pumps that generate electricity from waves

A new system was proposed to harness energy from marine currents, with a capacity ranging between 2 and 10 MW, specifically designed to overcome the traditional difficulties of maintenance and repair at sea

The new technique, developed by the Oregon State University, will produce CIGS thin films with chemical bath deposition, by using continuous nanostructure flow microreactors

The photo-electrochemical cell technology, whose development has been hindered for over 20 years for strictly technological reasons, could be relaunched by Canadian innovations

IBM and KACTS announced a new reverse osmosis desalination plant in Saudi Arabia powered by solar power, specifically the ultra-high concentrator photovoltaic technology

Network integration was tested on 5 plants in Portugal and 6 in Spain, totalizing 311 MW, to assess how to safely overcome the problem regarding wind fluctuation

Boeing formed a partnership with SES for the commercialization of the XR700 technology to concentrates sunlight a factor of 700 onto triple-junction solar cells

Developed by Scottish company MTDS, this new turbine - designed to harness energy from slow-flowing rivers - is being installed on the Amazon, for a twelve-month testing period

For the first time, a radar system is employed to avoid harming migratory birds, in a Texan wind farm consisting of 118, 2.4 MW turbines

Installed by multinational aluminum company Alcoa, they will be tested at the DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory before their industrial experimentation

Aimed at developing tools to draw up potential mapping, for purposes that include electricity generation

The proposed system can simultaneously harness potential, kinetic and pressure wave energy, unlike competing single-use technologies

The European Commission awarded a 4.5 million euro grant for the construction of the wave energy plant in Spain, based on the American PowerBuoy OPT technology

The new facility, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2011, will mainly test next-generation large-scale - up to 15 MW – offshore wind turbines

The new process developed by the Danish-based company Novozymes should begin commercial production starting from 2011, with an estimated cost of 39 euro cents per litre of ethanol produced from agricultural waste wood

The new experimental cells, 100 microns thick, use thin silicon wires embedded in a polymer substrate. They are extremely flexible and have set a new record of absorbed collectible sunlight

The large turbine was designed by Norwegian-based company Sway. Its buoyancy is due to the internally hollow tower support, and it will be anchored to the seabed to depths of several hundred metres with a single pipe and a suction anchor

€ 25 million in public funding to deploy wave and tidal energy prototypes, aiming at meeting up to 20% of UK electricity needs

In 2009, eight new plants came into operations, bringing the total capacity to 2,056 MW. Another 1,000 MW will be achieved in 2010

Chinese scientists are studying artificial leaves that mimic the natural photosynthesis mechanism, aiming at splitting water molecules into its two components: hydrogen and oxygen

These new microcells, developed by SNL researchers with presently available electronic technologies, promise a significant cost reduction, suitable efficiency and, above all, an extremely versatile use

PG&E is also focusing on wave energy, with two research projects to be implemented  off the Bay of Santa Barbara, aiming at a capacity of 140 MW

According to a study by the California Institute of Technology, vertical-axis wind turbines are still efficient though bunched up, thus reducing the area occupied by wind farms

It was installed in the Bay of Fundy and works in a reversible way, that is, both with flood tide and ebb tide, without any environmental impact, not even visual

The experimental facility generates electricity by exploiting the energy released when freshwater and seawater are mixed. Although its capacity is less than 4 kW, plants reaching several MW are expected to be constructed in the next few years

The new proposed Anglo-Swedish technology harnesses slow ocean currents in waters up to 120 metres deep

The aim is to reduce foundation costs of offshore wind turbines, which currently account for 20% of deep water projects

The 80 million euro funding is for the Gemasolar facility, the first demonstration project based on a central tower receiver using a molten salt heat storage system

A 19 MW demonstration plant that uses the rise and fall motion of waves will be developed off the city of Portland, in the Victoria state

Solar maps now include Asia, Middle East and Oceania, adding to those already available for the Western hemisphere and providing data on solar  irradiance and atmospheric information

Market growth will concentrate mainly in the US and Spain, but a significant development is also expected in markets of North Africa, Middle East, China, India and Australia, says a concentrated solar power report

It aims at making the first step towards an international standardization of charging stations, so as to boost the diffusion of electric cars and their access to the recharging network

This sophisticated laser system that is installed on a great buoy measures wind data, with costs and logistic benefits that will make it very economic compared to current systems, which imply the construction of permanent offshore meteorological towers

With the current reduction of new orders, the new machine – whose capacity doubles that of the most powerful turbine presently manufactured by Vestas – will support the increased offshore activity of the Danish company

The 5MW facility uses the motion of submerged buoys to drive an onshore hydroelectric plant.  The manufacturing company requested public funds for further  50 MW

It’s an integrated next-generation solar plant, created by Enel’s Reseach and the University of Pisa, which can produce energy in daytime, storing the excess as hydrogen to be used during night hours

The 3 million euro funding was granted to the consortium led by Finish company AW-Energy to manufacture and develop a 300 kW prototype of the WaveRoller technology in Portugal

The portable generator, with a capacity of 600 W that can be brought up to 20 kW, was developed for military purposes, but because of its particular characteristics it can also be used by civilians with particular needs or for emergencies in remote areas

Basic research on solar cells using carbon nanotubes opens new possibilities for a future generation of cells capable of converting to electricity all the sunlight that is captured

The US Department of Energy announces a research initiative to assess the large-scale deployment capabilities of discarded fluids from oilfield operations using  geothermal technologies

The project aims at testing advanced systems that monitor the performance of turbines, so as to predict future requirements and take action before damages occur

The Clipper Windpower’s prototype, which was granted funds for £4.4 million within the national program for the development of offshore wind power, is in an advanced development phase

In the USA projects are studied for 1,000 MW pumping plants, without an artificial accumulation basin and with 600 metres deep underground storage reservoirs

PV represents 98% of the distributed generation market worldwide, with a $30 billion turnover that is expected to double by 2013

Under the project, a 1,000 MW plant will be completed in 30 years. A 10 MW demonstration solar-power satellite to be initially launched in 2015

Two ORC binary cycle plants - 1 MW each - will generate power from hot water (75 °C) that is pumped with oil and gas at the Swan Hills facility

DOE was granted about $18 billion for research in marine and hydrokinetic technologies, specifically in possible effects of by their use

If the current engagement for global warming reduction should not produce the expected results, the application of geoengeneering would be the only possible alternative. Nevertheless, we ignore its efficiency and its costs, as well as its potential environmental impact, says a study by the Royal Society

The DOE was asked to provide $50 million in funds to develop two different technologies for storing wind power produced during off-peak hours

The device, which has a capacity of 600 kW, is a nearshore wave energy converter. Its manufacturer, Aquamarine Power, signed a contract with US company Airtricity to develop 1,000 MW by 2020

The 24 MW plant, designed to work in shallow waters and with medium waves, is therefore particularly suitable for conditions prevailing in the Mediterranean

It’s a 100 kW experimental power station located downstream from a hydroelectric plant on the Mississippi river, while a two-turbine facility for a total 4.4 MW is already being installed in this site

A newly conceived system has been proposed which allows electricity generation from and tidal streams even in shallow water

The first Skyrota 5 kW turbine was installed in England, to be used specifically in urban environments, also because of its very limited acoustic emissions, lower than 5 decibels

The project regards a floating structure capable of supporting high-capacity turbines (up to 10 MW) in any marine location where water depth exceeds 50 metres

An innovative nanostructured fluid has been developed, which holds promise for strongly increasing the capacity of binary cycle power generation plants

According to a study from Stern University, geothermal energy, followed by wind energy, is poised to become economically comparable with fossil fuels within a shorter time frame than other sources

The aim is to advance competitiveness by using storage technologies that enable electricity generation at least 18 hours a day

It’s the first hybrid solar plant: it uses a concentration of the sun’s rays to produce an electrical output of 100 kW and a thermal production of 170 kW but it can also use conventional fuel whenever it’s required

A field of research adopts laser technology to produce less costly solar cells, while increasing their conversion efficiency

New energy storing systems, an improved European network integration and the introduction of smart grids could be sufficient to assure a backup support of renewable generation

Three French designers won an international contest for innovative ideas, where they proposed an ingenious system by which power pylons can be transformed into wind towers

A research from an American university assesses, for the first time, the wind energy potential of jet streams, wind belts that blow at an altitude between 7,000 and 16,000 metres, with notable results

Statoil Hydro installed a floating 2.3 MW wind turbine prototype, which will allow windmills to be installed in water depths of almost 700 metres

Ongoing research on polymeric materials that can produce electricity from a broader solar light spectrum is close to the 10% efficiency goal required for commercialization

The German town will be the first city in the world to build and manage a biogas distribution network, totally powered by local resources and capable of meeting electricity and heat demand   

The Global CSP Outlook 2009 report, published by Greenpeace, Estela and IEA SolarPACES, confirms its extremely powerful growth: from 2 billion euros in 2009 to 21 billion euros planned for 2015

“Smart grids” are essential for an adequate penetration of distributed generation from new renewable sources. Over the next 5 years, the market is expected to grow more than 20%

A DOE-funded research develops wind turbine blades that use sensors to constantly monitor forces exerted by wind, allowing the application of quick corrective measures on blades or generator

A group of researchers from the University of Illinois developed a system to produce ultrathin, flexible and transparent cells, particularly suitable for building integration

The California Energy Commission accepted a proposed 850-megawatt solar thermal power project that would include 34,000 solar dish systems

It’s the largest grid-connected solar plant connected, with a 20 MW power output generated from 1,255 heliostats which concentrate solar radiation onto a receiver located on top of a 165 meter-high tower

Danish project to reduce the operation load of wind turbines by providing blades with a flexible trailing edge

Drillings and associated feasibility studies are being financed regarding two innovative projects aimed at using deep and isolated geothermal resources

US utility PG&E signs agreement with aerospace company Solaren Corp to purchase and distribute space-generated electric power on Earth by 2016

The study on a number of projects in Asia, Latin America and Africa shows that local-scale use of natural biofuels can produce significant energy benefits without any  concerns

National Semiconductor proposes a solution to maximize the efficiency of multiple panel systems and to significantly reduce problems caused by possibile shading

The US Department of Energy assigned 84 million dollars for projects aimed at developing new hydrothermal reservoirs and supporting demonstration projects using  EGS technologies

A study by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory shows an approximately 30% cost reduction of systems installed in the last ten years

Oxygenate water, depurate it and generate electric power:  a small hydro project for the benefit of environmental sustainability

An industrial experimentation for production of solar panels based on natural pigments capable of reproducing chlorophyllian photosynthesis was launched in Rome 

A technological innovation arrives from Australia will turn current solar cell production more economical and competitive

A British company launches Wave Treader, a prototype of a wave generator that, when combined with wind plants will increase their capacity per unit

An innovative device designed to capture tidal power in seashore waves, with power generators placed onshore.

A new method has been proposed to control power generated from turbines, capable of exploiting the inertia of rotors as a sort energy storage component

In its World Energy Outlook 2007, presented on 12 November, the International Energy Agency (IEA) underscores the need to accelerate the transition to a new energy system based on alternatives to hydrocarbons and on technologies with zero carbon emissions.

The use of renewable resources in power generation has been rising rapidly for a number of years now. From 2000-2007, for example, wind power installed capacity throughout the world increased by more than 500% (from 18,400 MW to 94,005 MW), and rose by 25.5% year on year in 2007 alone. During the same period, photovoltaic capacity increased by nearly 1,230%, going from 729 MW in 2000 to more than 9,162 MW in 2007.

It is now essential not only to maintain this momentum, but to increase it.
The next decade will be crucial, as forecasts point to particularly rapid growth in power generation and distribution plant