Despite a recent downturn, the Chinese government is moving full-speed ahead to invest heavily in renewable energy. The country's national regulators have already promoted renewable energy as a possible cure for the country's notoriously-bad air pollution. But China has placed more emphasis on renewable power in its latest five-year economic plan. China energy policy renewable energy Investment Donald Trump MORE

And what I myself need from our next Representative in the House is the person who will most effectively help me drive the South Bay to 100% renewable energy as we transition off of fossil fuels in the next decade. MORE

It is also widely accepted that renewable energy sources. Politics energy policy Department of Energy DOE electric utilities renewable energy fossil fuels Donald TrumpIt is widely accepted in the energy industry that U.S. coal production will fall as a percentage of the total electric grid mix. That has little to do with its high carbon footprint per kilowatt-hour generated; it is largely due to far greater supplies of much cheaper fracked natural gas. MORE

Today, waits at Tesla service centers get longer, Elon Musk teases a more powerful Tesla Supercharger DC fast-charging station, and new analysis claims some forms of renewable energy are now the cheapest unsubsidized sources of electricity in the U.S. MORE

But its persistent winds make the country a great place for renewable energy. Europe UK renewable energy Scotland energy wind energyScotland isn't known for having the most pleasant weather. Over the past few years, officials have overseen the construction of numerous wind turbines, in hopes of turning Scotland's weather into a useful resource. CHECK OUT: What Country Powered Itself Entirely On. MORE

A 2015 study on the potential for renewable energy use in the U.S. electric utilities renewable energy solar wind energy grid storageScientists generally debate their studies and projections in relatively civil language, but perhaps the currently adversarial tenor of U.S. politics has spilled over into science. has now produced not only a stringent attack, but a harsh rebuttal to that attack in language rarely. MORE

The idea of an electricity grid powered entirely by renewable energy may seem like a utopian dream, but one country has recently achieved it, albeit briefly. That would be little Costa Rica, which claims to have powered itself using only renewable energy for 75 days. CHECK OUT: World''s First Entirely Renewable-Energy Place: Wind-Swept Scottish. Green Costa Rica clean energy energy infrastructure energy policy renewable energy MORE

Over the past few years, the cost of electricity generation from renewable-energy sources has decreased dramatically. So much so, that renewable energy may have just hit an important milestone, according to one study. emissions climate change Study renewable energy solar wind energyIn the U.S., wind and solar power are now cheaper sources of electricity than natural gas—even without subsidies. DON'T MISS. MORE

renewable-energy generating capacity is not only growing, but it is beginning to erode coal's share of the electricity-generating mix, according to new data from the U.S. The agency predicts renewable energy—particularly solar power—to continue growing. At the same time, a combination of renewable. emissions renewable energy solar clean energy wind energy MORE

Green Biofuels Carbon Footprint alternative fuel vehicles biodiesel renewable diesel fuel Fuels produced using plant-based materials can offer a promising way to reduce the carbon emitted by road vehicles. That''s because their plant feedstocks absorb carbon dioxide from the air, bringing them far closer to a carbon-neutral footprint than any fuel refined from crude oil. But for diesel-powered vehicles, the term "biodiesel" is used. MORE

A team from the University of Vaasa (Finland) and UPM-Kymmene Corporation has examined how the blends of fossil and renewable diesel produced from crude tall oil (CTO) affect the performance and exhaust emissions of the modern common-rail off-road diesel engine. The study, published in the journal Fuel , used four different fuel blends of low-sulfur fossil diesel fuel oil and CTO renewable fuel, UPM BioVerno (HB): HB10, HB20, HB50, and HB100. MORE

Last year saw record growth in renewable energy, according to the IEA, which surpassed coal to become the. China energy policy plug-in cars renewable energy solar wind energyThe overall carbon emissions associated with electric cars decrease as the electricity used to recharge them gets cleaner. And the latest statistics from the International Energy Agency (IEA) will be good news indeed for electric-car drivers. MORE

Renewable-energy growth has accelerated in 2016, but this may go down as a milestone year for one renewable-energy source in particular. Together, all renewable-energy sources are expected to account for 8 percent of U.S. emissions natural gas renewable energy solar clean energy wind energyelectricity-generation capacity in 2017, according to the Department of Energy, and solar energy is responsible for most of. MORE

Europe The Netherlands renewable energy Public transport Trains wind energyWhile modern electric cars have only been available in large numbers for a few years, electric trains have been commonplace for some time. As with electric cars, the source of the electricity used to power these trains impacts their overall carbon footprint. The cleaner an energy source, the cleaner the vehicles it powers. DON'T MISS: Alstom. MORE

The news on the renewable energy front continues to be good, with the costs of wind and solar generation falling steadily. By some measures, large-scale renewable energy is now cost-competitive (or close) with the most efficient natural-gas electric plants. electric utilities renewable energy solar clean energy energy wind energyMoreover, the amounts of clean generating capacity installed continue to rise, both in. MORE

if not in much of the rest of the developed world--that doesn''t have to hold up the growth of renewable-energy infrastructure. energy policy climate change Texas renewable energy solar state laws charging infrastructure wind energy While the politics of climate change remain contentious in the U.S.--if Because if there''s one thing everyone can agree on, it''s that saving money is great. And that''s why one city in the often conservative oil state of Texas. MORE

It's difficult to invest in renewable, alternative sources of energy when state-run oil pays the bills. And it's even harder for renewable energy when gasoline is all but free, courtesy of the same state. Now The Financial Times has taken a look at Russia's growing lag in embracing renewable energy to offer a serious alternative to oil and. oil Politics Russia renewable energy fossil fuels MORE

Politics global warming Efficiency climate change carbon dioxide renewable energy fossil fuels Donald TrumpWhile the news headlines on President Donald Trump mostly address potential scandals, his administration has also lagged significantly in appointing top-level officials to run government agencies. Those that have been appointed often have an adversarial relationship to the missions of the agencies they run. Scott Pruitt, for example, is now. MORE

hydrogen energy infrastructure hydrogen fuel cell renewable energyHydrogen fuel-cell cars face an uphill battle toward mass adoption. Both cars and fueling infrastructure need to be made widely available before large numbers of consumers can seriously consider switching from gasoline to hydrogen. But under certain circumstances, hydrogen could prove very attractive to consumers for one simple reason. DON'T MISS. MORE

Avantherm , a Swedish company specializing in heat transfer media products, has started using Neste Renewable Isoalkane to produce the next generation, high-performance and more environmentally friendly heat transfer media. Avantherm thus becomes one of the first companies to market Heat Transfer Media produced from renewable raw materials. MORE

Global Bioenergies has succeeded in producing isobutene by fermentation at the scale of the Leuna Demo plant (a 5,000-liter fermenter), with run length and performances exceeding those performed on the pilot plant in Pomacle (a 500-liter fermenter). Success in this phase of the process’ scale up was obtained less than five months after start-up of the fermentation unit at the Leuna Demo plant, in December 2016. MORE

Despite a Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) mandating its use, ethanol isn't doing too well these days--either in mild blends for the majority of cars and trucks, or as E85 for "flex-fuel" vehicles. Green biodiesel congress energy policy ethanol renewable diesel fuelEnthusiasm for alternative fuels has dropped considerably over the past few years. MORE

Biofuels Carbon Footprint biodiesel renewable diesel fuel Cars are getting more efficient, but the fuels that power them may soon change too. That''s especially true when it comes to diesel, where the loose "biodiesel" category is being expanded to include a new variety of synthetic fuels. These experimental diesel alternatives are chemically identical to petroleum-based diesel--meaning they can be used. MORE

When it comes to sites where renewable energy can have the biggest impact, it's best to look offshore. That creates a powerful incentive for switching to renewable sources, and often means there's little if any local competition. energy infrastructure renewable energy energy wind energy Rhode IslandIslands are often cut off from mainland grid infrastructure, which drives up energy costs for the people who live there. MORE

Triggered by the successful completion of a first series of tests of its renewable isobutene for a high-value application, Clariant has now ordered a larger batch of renewable isobutene from Global Bioenergies for a second phase of evaluation. In June last year, Global Bioenergies provided Clariant with a first sample of its renewable isobutene on which Clariant then successfully carried out first chemical tests and analysis. MORE

Rhode Island is in the midst of deciding whether to continue getting a large portion of energy from fossil fuels, or to switch to renewable energy. emissions natural gas renewable energy energy wind energy Rhode IslandThe smallest U.S. state now faces a big question on energy policy. Those options are represented by two competing projects: a large natural-gas power plant, and an offshore wind farm. DON'T MISS: Dirty. MORE

Now a Minnesota energy cooperative is offering all-renewable. Minnesota electric utilities plug-in cars renewable energy wind energyMany electric-car owners start to think more seriously about the source of their electricity when they plug their cars in to recharge. And at least in California, data show that owners of plug-in electric cars have far higher interest in photovoltaic solar panels than drivers at large. MORE

renewable-energy capacity will undoubtedly have a positive environmental impact. But the reduction in carbon emissions renewable-energy advocates aim to achieve does not exclude potential benefits to consumers. Because as renewable-energy generating capacity has expanded significantly over the last decade, household. emissions energy infrastructure renewable energy energy fossil fuelsSubstantial growth in U.S. MORE

Mass adoption of electric cars and renewable energy could significantly decrease global consumption of fossil fuels. oil plug-in cars renewable energy energy fossil fuelsBut does the established energy industry view these new developments as a threat? In a recent report, ExxonMobil said coal could continue to provide the majority of the world's electricity-generation capacity in 2040, and that. MORE

While renewable-energy use has grown substantially over the last few years, the regulatory environment remains volatile. Some states have worked hard to stimulate renewable energy, supporting infrastructure projects and offering incentives to consumers who install home solar arrays. But others have tried to restrict renewable energy, often at the. laws Politics energy policy electric utilities renewable energy fossil fuels MORE

Three years ago, Volkswagen announced that it was testing two different types of renewable diesel fuel in a pair of its TDI diesel-engined cars sold in the U.S. The renewable fuel gave the same performance as conventional crude oil-based diesel, and cut wells-to-wheels. Green alternative fuel vehicles biodiesel renewable diesel fuel MORE

What would it take to convert an entire country to 100-percent renewable energy? Australian climate think tank Beyond Zero Emissions is publishing a series of plans addressing how different aspects of the country's economy and infrastructure can be converted to renewable energy. emissions energy policy Australia plug-in cars renewable energy transportation policyHow about a country that occupies an entire continent? MORE

SoCalGas) and waste management company CR&R Environmental announced that renewable natural gas from CR&R’s anaerobic digestion facility in Perris, California is now being used to fuel CR&R’s waste-hauling trucks. The trucks are being fueled from special storage trailers while SoCalGas completes a 1.4-mile pipeline that will bring the carbon-neutral renewable natural gas into the SoCalGas distribution system. Southern California Gas Co. MORE

Renewable energy is attractive to many not just for its environmental benefits, but because it means independence from electrical utilities. ALSO SEE: World''s First Entirely Renewable-Energy Place: Wind-Swept Scottish Island The town of Wildpoldsried--in southern Now, one small town in Germany has achieved that dream--and then some. MORE

Beware the idea of a "death spiral," heralded by some as the inevitable result for electric utilities of mass adoption of renewable energy sources--particularly solar. Under this scenario, advances in renewable energy will allow consumers to generate more of their own power. As more customers leave the network, the theory goes, companies will be MORE

Renewable energy projects can win up to 5,000 of funding as part of a competition launched this week. The first five renewable energy projects to raise £5,000 via crowdfunding platform peoplefund.it will receive another five grand in match funding to support their project from community renewable energy platform, energyshare. Latest news energyshare renewable renewable energy MORE

Just how large a share should renewable energy have of the energy market in the UK? According to the newly released Renewable Energy Review, by the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC), the target should be 30 per cent by 2030. Biofuels Electric cars Green cars Latest news renewable energy Renewable Energy Review renewable energy target renewable transportation UK Committee on Climate Change MORE

All-wheel drive is an increasingly popular option among buyers in virtually all segments of the automotive market, partly driven by surging sales of small crossover utility vehicles. But is Chevrolet developing an all-wheel-drive version of the new 2016 Chevy Volt range-extended electric car it''ll introduce next month? DON''T MISS: UPDATED: 2016 MORE

Europe oil plug-in cars Shell renewable energy fossil fuelsIf electric cars are adopted by mass-market buyers in years to come, that will lead over time to notably lower oil consumption. So what are oil companies doing to prepare for that possible outcome? Some continue to doubt whether electric cars will constitute a serious threat to their business in the coming decades—but others are branching. MORE

Government subsidies have been an important lifeline for renewable energy, helping to make different technologies viable even when costs are not in their favor. emissions energy policy Department of Energy renewable energy solar wind energyBut at what point will the industry be competitive enough with fossil fuels that subsidies will no longer be necessary? It's possible that will happen sooner, rather than later. DON'T. MORE

Renewable fuels and chemicals company Virent and petroleum refiner and marketer Tesoro have reached an agreement for Tesoro to become Virent’s new strategic owner. MORE

Canada, and Mexico plan to announce a major renewable-energy goal when they meet in the Canadian capital of Ottawa this week. At the Three Amigos summit, they will unveil a plan to generate 50 percent of North America's power from renewable sources by 2025. emissions Canada mexico renewable energy energyThe leaders of the U.S., It's an ambitious plan, at least for two of the three. MORE

Global Bioenergies, IBN-One and Lantmännen Aspen, world market leader in alkylate gasoline for two- and four-stroke small engines, have entered into a partnership on renewable isooctane ( earlier post ) for specialty fuel applications. Renewable isooctane is a highly valued gasoline hydrocarbon suitable in several of Lantmännen Aspen specialty fuel ranges. Global Bioenergies has developed a process to convert renewable resources into gaseous isobutene via fermentation. MORE