Energy
Transitioning to a world powered by renewable energy is key to tackling climate change. Here you can find the latest good news related to our clean energy transition, covering wind, solar, green hydrogen, hydropower, and more.
Solar power in the UK produced more electricity than coal in May for the first time
Last month, for the first time solar panels generated more electricity in the UK than coal. Coal was once the mainstay of Britain’s power system but the rapid rise of solar panels has seen its use plummet, leading to a series of milestones in recent weeks. Solar surpassed coal over a whole day Read More...
Green Conservatives call for earlier UK coal power phase-out
The UK should close all its coal-fired power stations two years earlier than the government’s pledge of 2025, according to green Conservatives including former energy minister Lord Greg Barker. The move would not cause the lights to go out, would cut both carbon emissions and air pollution Read More...
New documentary showcases the promise of solar energy
What do an unemployed American worker, a Tea Party activist and a Chinese entrepreneur have in common? They’re all part of a new documentary film highlighting the growth of solar energy around the world. Directed by award-winning filmmaker Shalini Kantayya and featuring stories from the U.S. Read More...
The renewable energy records of 2015 in 7 charts
The Optimist Daily has reported several times on the renewable energy records set in 2015. It was the first year that more renewable power capacity was added than other sources. It was also the first year that renewable energy investment was mostly in developing countries. Here are seven charts Read More...
Wave power project set to supply 15% of Gibraltar’s electricity needs
Wave power has been slow to take off, but it looks like things are accelerating. Last week, EU’s Gibraltar made a big buzz over the official grid connection of its new wave power project, an array of ocean energy converters from the company Eco Wave Power. Though modestly sized, it is the Read More...
India plans 10 GW renewable energy capacity through micro, mini grids
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has announced plans to set up 10 GW renewable energy capacity through implementation of micro and mini grids. The plan, still in a state of proposal, calls for setting up small-scale solar, wind, hydro and biomass projects. According to the proposal, mini Read More...
Philips Lighting plans to sell two billion LED lightbulbs by 2020
Philips Lighting, the world's biggest manufacturer of LED lights, has offered a boost to the energy efficiency industry with a new pledge to sell two billion LED lightbulbs by 2020. The promise, delivered today to energy ministers gathered in San Francisco for the Clean Energy Ministerial summit, Read More...
Chile has so much solar energy, it's giving it away for free
Chile’s solar industry has expanded so quickly that it’s giving electricity away for free. Spot prices reached zero in parts of the country on 113 days through April, a number that’s on track to beat last year’s total of 192 days, according to Chile’s central grid Read More...
New report shows renewable energy records in 2015
Worldwide investment and implementation of clean energy hit records last year, according to new statistics. Some 147 Gigawatts of renewable electricity came online in 2015—the largest annual increase ever and as much as Africa’s entire power generating capacity. Clean energy investment Read More...
Algae can fuel planes, feed people and fight climate change
Algae will be a big part of any sustainable future. It absorbs carbon dioxide, like plants. It can survive in saltwater and wastewater, saving freshwater resources for human needs. It can be cultivated in shallow pools built and maintained in regions spare of farmable land. It grows quickly, needs Read More...