Lufthansa Schedules Sustainable Biofuel Flights

Posted on July 21, 2011 by quest

Last week, Lufthansa launched a six-month biofuel trial on regular scheduled flights. Christoph Franz, Chairman and CEO of the Lufthansa Group, said: “Lufthansa is the first airline worldwide to use biofuel in scheduled daily flight operations. We are thus continuing to steadily implement our proven and successful strategy for sustainability.” A Lufthansa Airbus A321 with the registration D-AIDG will fly the Hamburg-Frankfurt-Hamburg route four times daily. One of its engines will run on a 50/50 mix of regular fuel and biosynthetic kerosene. The biofuel for jet engines has been approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). During the six months test run period, the use of biofuel will reduce CO2 emissions by up to 1,500 tonnes.

As air transport is the only mode of transport that will remain dependent upon liquid fuels for the foreseeable future, the aviation industry and the research community must develop and test alternatives. “Fossil raw materials are finite,” Franz cautioned. He added that next to reducing CO2 emissions the main aim of this long-term operational trial, was to examine the effects of biofuel on the maintenance and lifespan of aircraft engines. The biosynthetic kerosene used by Lufthansa is derived from pure biomass and consists of jatropha, camelina and animal fats. The fuel used by Lufthansa is produced by Neste Oil, a Finnish oil company. Neste has extensive experience in the production of biofuels and has been a successful partner of Lufthansa for many years. Suppliers must provide proof of the sustainability of their processes and meet the criteria stipulated by the European Parliament and the Council in the Renewable Energy Directive. Lufthansa guarantees that the production of its biofuel is not in direct competition with food production and that no rainforests are destroyed.

The use of biosynthetic kerosene is one element of the four-pillar climate protection strategy pursued by Lufthansa with a view to reducing overall CO2 emissions in the air transport sector. By combining a range of different measures – for example, ongoing fleet modernization, technology improvements to aircraft and engines, operational measures such as engine washing or the use of lighter materials and an improved infrastructure – Lufthansa aims to achieve the ambitious environmental goals set out in its strategy. The implementation of new technologies has seen Lufthansa improve its fuel efficiency by over 30 per cent since 1991. Source: Valere Tjolle , Sustainable Tourism Report

PRESIDIO GRADUATE SCHOOL ANNOUNCES NEW PRESIDENT

Solar Leasing Backed By SunTech

Posted on January 28, 2011 by quest

Solar Universe announces the availability of BriteLease, a residential solar lease program backed by Suntech, the world’s largest solar panel manufacturer. This lease offering makes solar accessible to homeowners with a small up-front deposit and low monthly lease payments. The solar lease payment in combination with a new lower electricity bill will result in lower monthly electric costs for most homeowners. And, the savings are immediate, giving homeowners the opportunity to use their money on other things or just save it.

In addition to the financial rewards, BriteLease makes going solar hassle-free with system maintenance, repair service and insurance coverage all included for the term of the lease. “This solar lease allows everyone with $500 to take advantage of the sun’s energy and save money at the same time. All you pay is a $500 deposit, that’s it! Every other solar company’s lease is 20 years, the BriteLease is only 15 years. If you sell your house within the 15 years, and the lease is transferrable. Electrical rates are guaranteed to rise every year, why not freeze your power bill now,” said Mitch Katz, Solar Universe Franchise Owner for Ventura & Los Angeles Counties.

Founded in 2001, Suntech produces the largest quantity of silicon solar modules in the world.

EXPLORE BIOMASS

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon to Speak at UN Energy Summit

Posted on January 12, 2011 by quest

Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon will address Heads of State and international delegates at World Future Energy Summit (WFES), a forum that promotes collaboration, innovation and investment opportunities in renewable energy, environment and clean technology. The summit will be held in Abu Dhabi from 17-20 January 2011, and hosted by Masdar.

The visit by the UN Secretary-General underscores the growing role the UAE and Abu Dhabi are playing in driving the global adoption of renewable energy and clean technology innovation. Through Masdar, a multi-faceted initiative advancing the development and deployment of renewable and alternative energy technologies, Abu Dhabi has demonstrated its long-term commitment to discovering a viable roadmap for sustainability. “Climate change is one of the defining challenges of our times,” added Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon. “The world needs to find the renewable energy and clean technologies which can mitigate its effects and set the world on a path to more sustainable economic growth and prosperity. The search for these solutions requires collaboration between governments, academia, enterprise and civil society. The longer we delay, the more we will pay – in resources, economic competitiveness, and lives.”

“The Secretary General’s leadership in ensuring climate change is addressed within a global framework and at the highest level of international cooperation has lead to significant progress,” said Dr. Al Jaber. “His enthusiasm and personal dedication, is one shared by the UAE’s leadership who have placed significant emphasis in ensuring the advancement of renewable energy and climate change mitigation are core elements of our economic development.”

The fourth World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi will be the world’s largest conference and exhibition on renewable and future energy solutions, innovations, investments, policy and vision. WFES, held at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, ADNEC, expects more than 25,000 attendees from around the world. The Summit that will cover a wide range of themes including energy policy, investment and funding, green buildings, clean transport, solar, wind and biofuels.

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Solar and Energy Efficiency Key to Ecomagination

Posted on January 9, 2011 by quest

From the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas GE announced today a new phase of its $200 million open innovation challenge. Building on the record-breaking global success of the “ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid,” GE and its venture capital partners today announced the “Powering Your Home” Challenge, which begins January 18 and seeks the best ideas for harnessing and managing energy at home. GE and venture capital partners seek innovations to improve household energy efficiency and harness wind, solar, hydro and biomass power.

The global challenge invites technologists, entrepreneurs and start-ups to share their best ideas and come together to build and improve the eco home of the future with new technologies. The Challenge is one of the largest ever with more than 4,000 ideas submitted and more than 1,100 in the category of home energy use. In the next phase of the Challenge, these ideas will be reexamined and participants are encouraged to submit new ideas or resubmit an idea if it has evolved. The Challenge will be open between January 18 and March 1, 2011.

“We launched the Challenge to spur innovation that will help transform how we create, connect and use power, and the number of passionate and innovative people who got involved to collaborate on global energy solutions has been a real eye-opener for GE,” said Beth Comstock, chief marketing officer and senior vice president, GE. The Challenge launched in July 2010. The Challenge is part of GE’s ecomagination business strategy and was formed as a global commitment to build innovative, clean-energy technologies and help fund the most promising ideas. Proposals are sought in two broad categories of the eco-home: energy efficiency, including management software, appliances and air conditioning; and renewable power, including solar, wind, hydro and biomass. In addition to investment, commercial relationships and other partnership opportunities, the judging panel of GE executives and leading academics and technologists will select five $100,000 Innovation Award winners whose ideas represent pioneering entrepreneurship and innovation.

A GREEN CAREER

Greenleaf Gets More Biomass Power in California

Posted on December 14, 2010 by quest

Biomass renewable energy company, Greenleaf Power has reached an agreement to purchase Colmac Energy. Colmac is a 47-megawatt facility and is one of the largest biomass facilities in California. It has operated the Southern California plant since its construction and initial start-up in 1992 and sells its electrical output to Southern California Edison under a long-term agreement. The plant is fueled primarily using clean diverted wood waste, green waste and agricultural residues.

Greenleaf Power is focused on the acquisition and development of power plants fueled by residual biomass feedstock. Colmac is the third biomass acquisition by Greenleaf Power. Earlier this year, Greenleaf purchased the 30-megawatt Honey Lake biomass plant in Wendel, CA as well as a 28-megawatt biomass plant in Scotia, CA.

Hugh Smith, president of Greenleaf Power said, “The Colmac facility is a significant acquisition for Greenleaf Power. It will be a flagship plant for our growing fleet which now totals over 100 MW of capacity – and will provide the critical mass necessary to leverage the synergies that naturally result from the ownership of multiple facilities.” Greenleaf Power acquires, develops, owns and operates power projects that utilize residual biomass as fuel. Greenleaf Power currently owns and operates approximately 60 megawatts of biomass generating assets in California. Greenleaf Power has established independent management and recently relocated its corporate headquarters from Illinois to Sacramento, CA.

Greenleaf Power is backed by Denham Capital, a leading global energy-focused private equity firm. Biomass power plants use controlled, low-emission conditions to generate electricity. In addition, biomass facilities divert waste from landfills and displace the greenhouse gas emissions of the methane that would result from the decomposition and decaying of organic materials from landfills, forest accumulation or composting.