Norway’s Path to Zero Emissions: Large Scale Hydrogen Production from Off-Grid Renewable Sources

Energy Vulture

by Tim Storer

Norway currently generates over 95% of its power from hydroelectric dams, making it one of the most climate friendly energy systems on the planet. In efforts to bring Norway carbon neutral by 2050, the government aims to eliminate emissions from the transportation sector. Konrad Meier of the Stuttgart University of Applied Sciences examines the possibility of using a hypothetical 100 megawatt offshore wind farm to generate hydrogen fuel via electrolysis. Because water hydrolysis uses only electricity and water, it offers an emissions-free means to generate hydrogen as long as the electricity is generated from a renewable source, such as wind power. This could achieve Norwegian political goals of carbon neutrality by providing the hydrogen necessary to transform their transportation sector. Unlike other proposed wind-to-hydrogen technologies, Meier examines an off-grid operation, rather than producing hydrogen at the fuel refill site. The analysis was conducted under three scenarios, and…

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This wind turbine has no blades — and that’s why it’s better

American Bird Conservancy – bird-safe buildings and wind power conflicts

The Waterthrush Blog

AP: Wind Turbines Being Installed in Sensitive Bird Habitat on Massive Scale

New research supported by American Bird Conservancy (ABC) shows that more than 30,000 wind turbines have been installed in areas critical to the survival of federally-protected birds in the United States and that more than 50,000 additional turbines are planned for construction in similar areas. More than 27,000 of these turbines exist in or are planned for federally identified or designated areas, including 24,000 turbines in the migration corridor of the Whooping Crane, one of the nation’s rarest and most spectacular birds, and, almost 3,000 turbines in breeding strongholds for Greater Sage-Grouse, a rapidly declining species recently considered for Endangered Species Act protection.

“Attempts to manage the wind industry with voluntary as opposed to mandatory permitting guidelines are clearly not working,” said Dr. Michael Hutchins, Director of ABC’s Bird Smart Wind Energy Campaign. “Wind developers are siting turbines…

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Unfounded Attacks on Wind Energy

Powerwall, a step in the right direction?

Fenland Solar

Elon Musk introducing Tesla’s powerwall

Powerwall, a step in the right direction?

This month Tesla unveiled their new product, the ‘Powerwall’,

which they believe will be a game changer for the solar industry.  Elon Musk, Tesla’s founder – a figure relatable to that of Tony Stark, described it as the ‘missing piece’ in sustainable energy.

So what is the Powerwall?

The Powerwall is a battery storage system which powers your home in the evening harnessing the electricity generated from your solar panels. It also provides a backup electricity supply to save you reaching for those candles during power cuts. In short, it aims to provide independence from the grid.

According to Tesla, whilst the sun provides us more energy during the day, the average home uses more electricity in the morning and evening when energy production is lower. This excess energy generated during the day is often sold back…

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The Búrfell hydroelectric power station

Trying ... pretty damn hard

When we think about hydroelectric power stations, we generally imagine something like the Hoover Dam: a huge, imposing wall holding back tons of water. However, when you see the Búrfellsvirkjun station house, it looks less imposing:

Another snapshot of the station building:

A better look at that sculpture (Sculptor: Sigurjón Ólafsson. He also designed the decorations on the front of the station building):

Some electrical equipment:

This is from further up the river. I think it’s a pumping station:

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Geothermal Energy and Distributed Heating – the Icelandic Experience

Re3buildICU

Title: Geothermal Energy and Distributed Heating – the Icelandic Experience
Speaker: Mr. Halldor Elis Olafsson, Trade Representative, Embassy of Iceland in Japan
Time: May 29th 2015 (Friday) 12:50-13:50
Place: Room H 201 (ICU University Hall, 2nd Floor)
Invitation flier (PDF)
Sponsorship: ICU Peace Research Institute (PRI)

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No one said the transition would be easy