Biofuel Challenges

This story applies to both ethanol and biodiesel. Plant shutdowns have also been the rule in Europe due to very poor economics.

Wind Share

Earlier this week, Bloomberg reported that GE Energy was gaining ground on the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, Vestas.  Denmark-based Vestas lost market share from 2007-2008 of 3% declining to 19.8%.  GE was the principal recipient moving from 16.6% to 18.6%.  Bloomberg’s report was based on the latest study by BTM Consult, an independent renewable [...]

7x Increase in Renewable Generation under Senate Draft RPS Bill

Both the House and Senate are moving forward with draft legislation to craft a National Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS or RES) that will dramatically increase the amount of generation produced from defined renewable technologies.  The RPS will be incorporated as a change to PURPA.

While the percentages vary by year in the House and Senate proposals, [...]

Innovators, Imitators and Idiots

Kansas Lt Governor Mark Parkinson started his talk on the RE industry by referring to Warren Buffet’s view on market development.  For certain segments (e.g. ethanol) — and there was no argument — the industry has progressed to the final stage of idiotic behavior.
With this lead in, he then proceeded to describe how Kansas (one [...]

Magnitude of the US ethanol problem (opportunity?)

It has been well reported that the US ethanol industry is facing difficult times. At a high level, it is understood that there is significant overcapacity and that margins have been squeezed due to increasing feedstock (corn and natural gas) and declining ethanol prices. But how bad is the situation and where do [...]

Key Takeaways and What Wasn’t Said: RETECH 2009

The 3 day conference covered a broad range of topics across the renewable energy spectrum.  Wind, solar, biomass, green power, funding, smart grid, geothermal and storage were covered in 60+ sessions presented by more than 200 speakers.
Main Takeaways:

The magnitude and extent of renewable energy incentive provisions are unprecedented.
While extraordinary gains have been made in funding [...]