Sugarcane to Supply Rio Buses with Renewable Energy

Posted on July 29, 2011 by quest

Amyris Brasil Ltda., a subsidiary of Amyris, Inc. has announced that it will supply renewable diesel during a 12-month fleet test involving 20 city buses in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The renewable fuel derived from sugarcane, known locally as Diesel de Cana, will be blended at a 30 percent rate with petroleum-derived diesel and used in Mercedes-Benz buses operated by Viação Saens Peña, a Rio-based bus operator. The Rio transportation federation, FETRANSPOR, will use the data collected during this fleet test to evaluate the engine and environmental benefits of Amyris’s renewable diesel. The results of the fleet test will be presented at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20) taking place in Rio in June 2012.

“We are ready to meet the growing demand for cane-derived renewable fuels in Rio as the city prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.”“We are thrilled to expand the use of our renewable diesel to Brazil’s second-largest city. This will be the first large-scale use of our Diesel de Cana at a blend of 30 percent in Brazil,” said John Melo, CEO of Amyris. “We continue to see strong demand for our renewable fuels, particularly as more engine suppliers and transport operators validate their performance.”

Lady on the Bus Sonia Braga

The city of Rio de Janeiro has more than 8,000 buses consuming about 280 million liters of diesel per year. The Rio fleet test is expected to validate the significant reduction of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions evidenced in recent Mercedes-Benz engine tests with a 30 percent blend of Amyris’s renewable diesel. “Rio’s government and public transportation authorities are committed to leading by example in addressing climate change, and Amyris—along with our partners Mercedes-Benz, Petrobras, Michelin and BNDES—is honored to play a role in addressing Rio’s transportation needs,” said Paulo Diniz, president of Amyris Brasil. “We are ready to meet the growing demand for cane-derived renewable fuels in Rio as the city prepares to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games.”

Elektra One A New Solar Powered Plane

Cities Confront Climate Change in Cancun

Posted on December 12, 2010 by quest

The United Nations Climate Change Conference, “COP 16 marked a defining moment for local governments’ critical role in addressing the devastating impact of climate change,” said Executive Director Martin Chavez.”The ICLEI USA Delegation combined forces with over 150 mayors worldwide to ensure that the next global climate deal empowers local governments and to show that local government voluntary actions can be measured and verified. Local governments are change agents for climate action, from planning to implementation, leading by example and stimulating demand for renewable energy and energy efficiency, as well as driving private sector investment that spurs clean technology and innovation. While modest agreements were achieved this year in Mexico, there is no doubt that local governments continue to lead the way on climate action.” ICLEI was founded in 1990 as the ‘International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives‘. The Council was established when more than 200 local governments from 43 countries convened at the World Congress of Local Governments for a Sustainable Future, at the United Nations in New York.

After two weeks of sometimes tense and difficult negotiations, nations set aside their differences and joined forces to develop a shared global approach to addressing the threat of climate change. This is a remarkable achievement and an encouraging turn of events that resulted in considerable progress to advance climate action. All of the delegation members, international NGOs, business NGOs and Local Government representatives that worked tirelessly and contributed to achieving a final positive outcome are worthy of tremendous admiration and praise.

“Although everyone would have hoped for a much stronger climate agreement that would be legally binding and sets clear targets and reductions; the world’s most powerful economies came together in a last-minute effort to honor the pledges set forth in Copenhagen, while agreeing to create an important funding mechanism to help developing nations address the climate change crisis,” said Mayor Patrick Hays of North Little Rock, AR. “ICLEI USA applauds the world community for recognizing, for the first time, the crucial roles of local governments in fighting climate change – as local governments are now recognized by delegate nations as “government stakeholders.” ICLEI welcomes this recognition, and simultaneously calls on the international community to follow the lead of local governments who have been on the front lines of climate change for the past 20 years,” added Mayor Hays.

GO ORGANIC

Solar could create 750 Thousand Jobs in US by 2020

Posted on December 7, 2010 by quest

This week at the United Nations convention on Climate Change (COP16) in Cancun, Mexico, SEIA (Solar Energy Industries Association Industries – along with EPIA – European Photovoltaic Industry Association and 40 other solar groups around the world) released a report on solar’s potential to fight climate change and create jobs. The report states that solar is already a global success story, but is not yet living up to its full potential.

The report estimates that by 2020, world solar deployment could reach a combined level that reduces carbon pollution equal to removing 110 million cars from the road. Additionally, if the solar deployment goals (that are highlighted in the report) are agreed upon and reached, over one million jobs could be created in the European Union and nearly seven hundred thousand jobs created in the United States.

Solar is fighting climate change and creating jobs now, but we have not even come close to maximizing this free, clean, and abundant resource. If, on a global scale, we continue to ignore solar as a jobs creator and a clean energy alternative, a tremendous opportunity to do the right thing will be lost.

OBSERVE ECO FASHION

PlanetSolar heading to Climate Summit in Cancun

Posted on December 3, 2010 by quest

PlanetSolar the world’s largest solar powered boat continues its a round-the-globe expedition and is now heading for Cancun and the UN World Climate Summit. PlanetSolar is a pioneer for sustainable energy technology on water. The goal of the PlanetSolar team is to be the first to circumnavigate the globe in a “solar” boat, one powered by a silent, pollution-free electrical engine, driven exclusively by solar energy.

With this project the PlanetSolar team intends firstly to show that current technologies aimed at improving energy efficiency are reliable and effective, and secondly to advance scientific research in the field of renewable energy. Reporting on events from the Climate Summit in Cancun Ashley P. Lau, of MarketWatch writes

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

Moon Palace charged by Solar for UN climate meeting

Posted on November 30, 2010 by quest

Moon Palace Hotel in Cancun, Mexico today announced the completion and operation of a solar power project. The 130 kWp pilot project is capable of generating 220 MWh of electricity per year and reducing 110 tons of CO2 emissions annually. Moon Palace Hotel is hosting the United Nations Climate Change Conference. This global event has attracted about 20,000 participants from nations around the world. It runs through December 10, 2010, with the objective of discussing future commitments to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions.

The photovoltaic project team for the Moon Palace Hotel was led by Enel Green Power, one of the leading renewable energy operators worldwide, with support also from the Italian Ministry of the Environment and SEMARNAT, the Mexican Environment Ministry. “Being selected as the solar power provider of choice for this high-level and important global conference location is a testament to the quality and unique characteristics of UNI-SOLAR(TM) modules,” said Mark Morelli, President and CEO of United Solar’s parent company, Energy Conversion Devices. “We believe that solar power will continue to play an important role in addressing global climate change.”

VISIT THE SOLAR WALL

The Green Governor will be back

Posted on November 18, 2010 by quest

“We can’t afford to wait for national and international movement. Action is needed now, and action is what we’re taking with R20,” said Governor Schwarzenegger at the closing of the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3. “The role of subnational governments is more important than ever, and California has shown that state and regional governments can institute policies that will grow the green economy, create jobs and clean our environment. With this unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration, R20 will continue this leadership around the world and will help influence national and international action.”

R20 is a global coalition committed to fast tracking the development of clean technologies, climate resilient projects and green investment, and influencing national and international policies. As a first-of-its-kind, the innovative subnational public-private alliance will work toward climate change solutions and building the global green economy. It is composed of subnational governments and private and nongovernment partners. Schwarzenegger has also just announced a new Clean Energy Job Training Program targeted at providing training for professional sales people. The training will teach the specifics of sustainability and energy efficiency. It will consist of 40 hours of immersion in those topics and graduates will be interviewed by electrical contractors and hired to sell sustainable energy projects.

As Arnold Schwarzenegger winds down his term as governor it’s his action on implementing California’s job creating climate change legislation; AB32 and his involvement in helping to defeat Prop 23 which will most define his accomplishments. Arnold seems passionate in his role as a green mover and shaker and it’s a pretty safe bet…he’ll be back!