Energy efficiency

US Led World in Clean Energy Investment for 2011 - The United States led the world in clean energy investment in 2011, overtaking China, new analysis from Pew Charitable Trusts shows. (Mat McDermott, TreeHugger)

Report: US Re-takes Lead In Clean Energy Race from China, But Not For Long - According to the
just-released report “Who’s Winning the Clean Energy Race?”  from the Pew Charitable Trusts, the United States invested the most in Clean Energy of any country in 2011, retaking the lead from China, which had held the top sport for the last two years. (Tom Konrad, Forbes)

Zimbabwe: Green Business Indaba Begins Today - The inaugural Green Business Indaba opens in Harare today with high expectations that it will answer the call for the need for indigenous solutions to the threat of climate change. (All Africa)

Iceland's volcanoes to power UK homes - Next month Charles Hendry, Energy Minister for the UK, is scheduled to visit Iceland to discuss the possibility of tapping into its wealth of geothermal energy. (Jonny Williamson, Europe Business Review)

Dr. Chu on Profits, Horse Manure and Other Forces of Technological Change - Steven Chu, the secretary of energy, is optimistic about the future of renewable energy. (VINDU GOEL, The New York Times)

Rio+20

Partnering to Achieve Solutions: The Clean Energy Ministerial and the UN Sustainable Energy for All Initiative - In January 2012, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon launched the Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4All) to achieve universal energy access, to double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency, and to double the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix—all by 2030. (Clean Energy Ministerial Newsletter)  

Nigeria: Rio+20 and Country's Quest for Sustainable Development - Nigeria, like most developing countries has begun series of activities that would facilitate its active participation in the next global Earth Summit, the United Nations Sustainable Development Conference also known as the Rio+20 Summit schedule for Rio de Janerio in June. (Alex Abutu, All Africa)

Energy access

Rural Africa Looks Beyond the Grid - Economic growth, plunging PV prices and an improving business ecosystem could spark the long-awaited takeoff of off-grid renewables in sub-Saharan Africa. (Piers Evans, RenewableEnergyWorld)

Demonstration on low-cost solar pumpsets at Nitish's village today - CM Nitish Kumar seems to be a strong votary of green systems. (The Times of India)

India one of the top performing clean energy economies: Report - With India receiving $10.2 billion investments in clean energy, the country has emerged as one of the top performing clean energy economies in the 21st century, an eminent American non-profit organization said in a report. (Hindustan Times)

Renewable energy

Beyond Southern Europe's Solar Crisis - What Next? - It seems that Southern Europe’s PV sector cannot catch a break these days. (Christopher Coats, Forbes)

'Solar hydrogen cheap alternative to fuel, energy' - How about using solar hydrogen energy to generate electricity and run vehicles? (Naveen KumarNaveen Kumar, The Times of India)

Nigeria: Katsina 10 Megawatt Wind Power Plant for Commissioning in July - Nigeria's first ever wind propelled power project is due for commissioning in July this year in Kastina State, the Minister of State for Power, Arc. Darius Ishaku has said. (Yunus Abdulhamid, All Africa)

North Tyneside offshore centre creates 80 new jobs - Up to 80 new jobs are being created with the construction of a new offshore training complex in North Tyneside. (BBC)

Sustainable energy policy

West Bengal planning new renewable energy policy - "We are planning to bring in a policy on renewable energy. It will be a policy on co-generation and generation of electricity by using renewable energy sources," said M.K. De, principal secretary, department of power and non-conventional energy resources. (New York Daily News)

Angola: Country Attends Sixth Forum On Energy - The minister of Energy and Waters, João Baptista Borges, will head a team from his governmental department that will represent the country in the Sixth Germany/Africa Energy Forum, which will happen on 22-25 April, in the German cities of Hamburg and Hanover. (All Africa)

Clegg's hymn to green economy clears stage for Cameron's solo - The deputy prime minister's radical speech undermines 80 years of economic orthodoxy. But will the PM sing the same tune, or follow his sceptical chancellor? (Damian Carrington, The Guardian)

Energy access

Sierra Leone: UN Unveils 'Sustainable Energy for All' Initiative - In recognition of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, the United Nations family in Sierra Leone last Thursday launched the Sustainable Energy For All (SE4All) initiative at the UNIPSIL compound, Signal Hill Road in Freetown. (Patrick J. Kamara, All Africa)

Achieving universal access to energy in developing countries -The year 2012 has been declared the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All by the UN, and is part of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. (Arno Behrens,EU Energy Policy Blog) 

Nigeria: Achieving Steady Electricity Supply - Task Before Nnaji, Diezani - Twenty months after, President Goodluck Jonathan unveiled strategies to end inadequate power supply in the country, Nigerians still rely on generators to power even phone chargers. (Chika Amanze-Nwachuku, All Africa)

Renewable power projects acquired - Cennergi acquires rights to renewable energy projects in the Eastern Cape and North West, a joint venture between Exxaro Resources and Tata. (Siseko Njobeni, Business Day)

Rio+20

Planet under Pressure 2012: here's the wrap - The Planet under Pressure 2012 Conference was held in London a fortnight back and released the first State of the Planet Declaration. (Roger Jones, World News Australia)

Bangladesh must ready itself for Rio Earth Summit - Bangladesh must prepare for negotiations at the upcoming Rio Earth Summit that will focus on economic, social and environmental sustainability, analysts said yesterday. (The Daily Star)

Energy efficiency

LED Streetlight's Price Cut in Half - Lighting manufacturer Cree Inc. says it has halved the cost of its light-emitting-diode streetlights and hopes the new lower prices will sway local governments to adopt the new technology. (Kate Linebaugh, Wall Street Journal)

Rwanda: Peace Corps Introduce Energy Saving Fuel - United States volunteer service organisation, Peace Corps, has introduced energy saving fuel in Rwanda, in an effort to help conserve the environment by reducing the impact of deforestation. (Bosco R. Asiimwe, All Africa)

Renewable energy

Renewable energy: UK making global waves - George Osborne used his Budget speech to set out his vision of a technology-driven industrial strategy, saying he wanted the UK to become “Europe’s technology centre”. “Today we also set Britain this industrial ambition. That we turn Britain into Europe’s technology centre,” he said. (Richard Tyler, The Telegraph)

All Energy 2012 preview: new features revealed - Seven weeks ahead of doors opening in Aberdeen, All-Energy 2012, one of the UK’s largest renewables exhibitions, has revealed three new “zones” that will be featured in the show. (Reinforced Plastics)

Time for a Reset On Our Clean Energy Future - Judging by the numbers, you’d be half-right to conclude that 2011 was a boom year for U.S. renewables. (Arno Harris, Forbes)

Wind energy to help meet green target in India - Sources said India is now estimated to have the potential to generate more than 1 lakh MW from wind power, up from the earlier estimate of 49,000 MW. (Reve)

Sustainable energy policy

Smarter Infrastructure Is What Will Drive Electric Vehicle Adoption - People are deathly afraid of their EVs running out of juice. The only way we’ll stop that is when there are chargers everywhere. (Allan Schurr, Fast Company)

Rio+20

UN official highlights role of business sector in achieving sustainable development - The business and industry sectors play a key role in leading countries towards sustainable development, a top United Nations official said today, adding that their collaboration and partnerships with governments are essential to accelerate progress around the world. (UN News Centre)
Brazil stresses need for world consensus at Rio+20 meet - The upcoming Rio conference on sustainable development must yield a commitment to manage the world economy in a way that respects the environment and fights poverty, a Brazilian official says. (The West Australian)

Energy access

Discussion round-up: how can business enable energy access for all? - Our discussion, sponsored by the WBCSD, explored the role of business in providing solutions to global energy access challenges. (Jenny Purt, The Guardian)

Don Cheadle To Speak At ENVISION: Stories For A Sustainable Future - A two-day conference to be held in New York City later this month, ENVISION 2012: Stories for a Sustainable Future will focus on developing a better global future with opportunity for all, building on three key issues: just and sustainable cities, clean water and green energy. (Look to the Stars)

Mozambique: Cahora Bassa - a Foundation for Electricity Expansion - The Cahora Bassa dam on the Zambezi River is "a foundation for the expansion of electricity infrastructures and for energy-intensive industries in our country", declared Mozambican President Armando Guebuza on Monday night. (All Africa)

Renewable energy

RWE May Invest in Photovoltaic Plants on Lower Costs – Germany’s second-biggest utility, may invest in photovoltaic power plants because prices for solar modules are so low. (Stefan Nicola, Bloomberg)

China to become top PV market in 2012 - China's domestic demand for photovoltaic power is expected to nudge 5GW by the end of 2012, jumping over Germany and Italy to become the world's number one. (Xinhua, China Daily)

Decision on plan to build wind farm on Haworth moor - A decision is expected on a plan to build a wind farm on a West Yorkshire moor near the former home of the Brontë sisters. (BBC)

Energy Efficiency

Military 'Battle Lab' Cashes in on Solar Savings - No one ever said training for battle was easy, nor energy-efficient. The "Battle Lab" is a U.S. military facility in New Jersey where more than 20,000 soldiers prepare and train for battle. (AOL Energy)

Fuel panic buying: Are electric car owners feeling smug? - As talks aimed at averting a strike by fuel tanker drivers resume this week, electric car owners talk about whether the grass really is greener on their side. (Navtej Johal, BBC)

Sustainable energy policy

Idea of the Day: We Should All Have Access to Renewable Energy Standards - Consumers in 29 states are seeing the benefits of renewable energy today thanks to renewable energy standards. They have access to cleaner air, reliable power, and growing economies—all of which are benefits of a simple, commonsense policy. (Center for American Progress)

The Big Question: Will Lower FiTs Hit UK Solar? - Leading figures in the UK's renewables sector share their views on the impact of feed-in tariff cuts for the UK's solar industry. (Tildy Bayar, RenewableEnergyWorld)

Tax relief likely for solar energy use, green roof - In its bid to promote greenery and renewable source of energy, the Indore Municipal Corporation (IMC) is likely to announce tax rebate for green roof and solar panels in its budget on Wednesday. (The Times of India)

Energy access

'Today, business can't afford a conservative ideology over science' - After two decades working as a Democrat senator in the US Congress - and five years as under-secretary of state for global affairs in the Clinton administration - Timothy Wirth quit politics to become president of the United Nations Foundation, a non-profit group established by Ted Turner in 1998.(The Times of India)

Tanzania: U.S. Charity Harnesses Solar Power For Local Schools - Several primary schools dedicated for children from the poor families in Arusha region have started to benefit from solar-powered lamps, thanks to a generous support from the United States-based charity. (All Africa)

CLP power India to invest Rs 1,800 cr in wind energy - With a decline in European markets, many renewable energy producers are looking towards India as an investment hub. (Himani Chandna Gurtoo, Hindustan Times)

Renewable energy

Cyprus Church wants to invest in solar energy, power plant to boost country’s sagging economy - The leader of Cyprus’ Orthodox Christian Church says it wants to invest in the country’s energy sector. (Associated Press, Washington Post)

Suzlon Energy Selected as Preferred Supplier by Cennergi - Wind turbine manufacturer Suzlon Energy Ltd. Monday said it has been selected as the preferred supplier by Cennergi Pty Ltd. for a 138 megawatt wind energy project in South Africa. (Rumman Ahmed, Wall Street Journal)

HHV Solar Technologies develops portable solar power generator Solarator - Leading energy firm HHV Solar Technologies Ltd  has developed a portable solar photovoltaic power generator with 600 watt capacity for emergency use in remote locations and disaster management. (Economic Times)

Rio+20

Brazil, United Nations Sign Key Legal Agreement 5 April to Host Rio+20 Conference - United Nations and Brazilian officials on 5 April signed the key legal agreement that allows Brazil to host the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development, “Rio+20”, in Rio de Janeiro, in June. (United Nations Press Release)

Education Hub - An education hub for the Rio Earth Summit Process (undefined) has been launched that brings together existing key publications by young people about Rio+20; interesting campaigns being run by young people and youth led organizations together onto one page. (UN Press Centre)

EU Sustainable Energy for All Summit - On 16 April 2012 the Commission and the Danish Presidency of the EU Council will host the EU Sustainable Energy for All Summit. (Press Release, European Commission)

Energy efficiency

Supporting sustainable urbanization - Urbanization is an essential element of economic development. Cities and towns constitute a country's economic, social and cultural backbone, provide economies of scale, and attract the skills and knowledge needed to push development to a higher level. (Stephen P. Groff, China Daily)

Mackie biofuel plant reflects ‘greenest’ aim - Luxury ice cream manufacturer Mackie’s of Scotland says it intends to become “the greenest company in Britain” by installing a plant to transform the slurry from its 400-strong herd of Jersey cows into biofuel. (Andrew Bolger, Financial Times)

Building codes: Small rules that help homeowners save big on energy - In energy policy, lawmakers often prefer carrots to sticks, because this strategy minimizes the opposition. (John Farrell, Grist)

Chevy Malibu: Can Power Steering Save Gas? - Chevrolet says the electric power steering in its new 2013 Malibu sedan helps to improve fuel economy by as much as 2.5% compared with traditional hydraulically assisted steering. (Jonathan Welsh, Wall Street Journal)