France hosts massive solar farm

A solar farm being built in southern France, will become part of a much bigger array on the Puimichel plateau which combined will produce over 100MW by the end of the year. With an annual output of 26,000,000 kWH, Enfinity’s Les Mées project will provide 9,000 families with electricity each year and reduce CO2 emission […]

Westinghouse develops emergency nuclear system

Leading nuclear product supplier, Westinghouse Electric Company, has designed an emergency system, which they claim can keep spent nuclear fuel safe in emergency situations. The system caters for such circumstance as a plant losing power and overheating, by installing a primary ‘cooling loop’ located inside the reactor building and having a secondary mobile cooling loop […]

We mustn’t pick winners in low carbon industry, says Cable

The UK must not rush into picking one low carbon technology, Vince Cable has warned. Speaking at the Echo Arena in Liverpool yesterday, the Business Secretary argued that decisions made now would affect the future and Britain shouldn’t be too hasty. Referring to the developments in wind power, reconstruction and carbon capture and storage, he […]

Huhne welcomes OECD’s vision for green growth

Chris Huhne has hailed a report recommending green investment internationally which “governments and businesses can’t afford to ignore.” The report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development said that governments had to look toward the green economy to find sources for jobs and growth. The under-fire Energy Secretary said: “This is a landmark report […]

Siemens installs 360MW of wind

Siemens has landed eleven orders for on-shore wind in the first quarter of 2011. The order totals 151 turbines which will have total capacity of 360MW and supply almost a quarter of a million households with power. Among the orders is one for 19 giant turbines which each have a rotor diameter of 101m. These […]

Cable commits £200m to renewables research

Vince Cable has launched a competition to form an Offshore Renewable Energy technology and innovation centre as part of £200million investment in renewables research. Mr Cable said there was a “clear opportunity” for the Government to support the UK’s offshore industry which these would fulfill, adding that the centre would help take “the next step […]

Nexans wins €20m contract for world’s longest power link

Cable company Nexans has won a €20million (£17.5m) contract to supply the overhead conductors for the world’s longest power transmission link. The link will send energy from the Rondônia hydroelectric plant in northwest Brazil to the country’s largest city, Sao Paolo, which has a population of roughly 20 million and is Brazil’s main economic centre. […]

Shell in Arctic talks with Rosneft

Royal Dutch Shell are in talks with Rosneft over “potential exploration cooperation” in the Arctic. Shell chief Peter Voser met with Russia’s Deputy Prime Minister Igor Sechin, Deputy Energy Minister Sergei Kudryashov and Rosneft President Eduard Khudainatov in the Russian capital yesterday. The meeting has given rise to speculation that Shell could take rival BP’s […]

New power system aids ship efficiency

A new power system for ships could reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20 percent, claim its makers. ABB has developed the technology for electric-powered boats like offshore support vessels, tug boats, ferries and yachts. Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division said: “With an onboard DC (direct current) solution, we can […]

Total extends deadline for solar purchase

Oil and gas firm Total has pushed back the deadline for the deal to buy 60% of SunPower. Last month, Total announced a $1.4bn bid for stock from the Californian-based solar firm, which has been developing solar technology since the 1970s. Total’s extension of the cash tender offer means the companies now have until June […]