News Flash 18 January 2010
GREENS solar power to the front lines
In response to a Marine Corps requirement from Iraq for an expeditionary renewable power system, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Advanced Power Generation Future Naval Capabilities program has introduced technology designed to harness some of the sunlight that beats down upon U.S. Marines operating in the Arabian Desert. Fuelled by the sun, the Ground Renewable Expeditionary ENergy System (GREENS) is a portable, 300W, photovoltaic/battery system that provides continuous power to marines in the field. Read More
Aerodynamic long tail improves fuel efficiency 15 percent
While wind tunnels have long been employed in aerospace and all forms of race engineering, we’re likely to see them employed more frequently in future in the quest for improved fuel efficiency from our automobiles. Ecomodder.com’s Darin Cosgrove recently added this 1.37 tailpiece to his Pontiac Firefly to improve its drag coefficient from 0.34 to 0.23 and its fuel efficiency by 15.1 percent at 90kmh (56mph). Read More
Biomass Plant planned for UK
This British biomass power station concept is one of the many projects being proposed around the globe as the search for renewable energysources continues. The visually stunning Teesside plant will be covered with greenery, provide fuel for over 50,000 homes and be powered by palm kernel shells. Read More
VW enters the home power market
Volkswagen has recently announced a rather ambitious project that, for a change, has nothing to do with cars. Teaming up with regenerative-power company Lichtblick, it aims to install 100,000 co-generation power units in Germany as part of a concept called ‘SchwarmStrom’ which, literally translated, means ‘swarm power’. Successful application would allow Germany to abandon the use of nuclear and coal power stations and provide adequate backup to renewable energy sources, reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 60%. Read More
Global Warming
Overview
Global warming has become perhaps the most complicated issue facing world leaders. On the one hand, warnings from the scientific community are becoming louder, as an increasing body of science points to rising dangers from the ongoing buildup of human-related greenhouse gases — produced mainly by the burning of fossil fuels and forests. On the other, the technological, economic and political issues that have to be resolved before a concerted worldwide effort to reduce emissions can begin have gotten no simpler, particularly in the face of a global economic slowdown. Read More...
Eskom to sell stake in new power plant
2010-01-12 13:20:01
Eskom plans to adopt a new financing model by selling off 30 percent of its Kusile power station to partly pay for expansion of power generation to meet fast growing demand. [Full Story...]
iAfrica.com
Cosatu warns that awarding a tariff hike to Eskom would kill the local economy
EXTRACTS FROM CREAMER’S “MINING WEEKLY”
COALSA’s 2009 coal exports through RBCT flat at 61Mt
Exports through South Africa’s Richards Bay Coal Terminal (RBCT) remained flat in 2009, as the terminal faced “critical business challenges”, CEO Raymond Chirwa reported on Tuesday. The RBCT exported 61,14-million tons of coal last year, compared with 61,7-million tons in a “smoother” 2008. Full Article
Riversdale gets environmental approval for Mozambique mine
COAL EXPORTS
RBCT sees growing coal demand from Asia
ELECTRICITY TARIFFS
Eskom faces avalanche of opposition as tariff hearings begin
South Africa's State-owned power producer Eskom moved on Monday to defend its highly unpopular application for price increases of 35% a year for the three-year period from April 1, 2010, to March 31, 2013, at the first of what would be nine provincial-based public hearings between January 11 and January 22. The hearings form part of the second multiyear price determination period, or MYPD2. Full Article
MINING FINANCE
Homeland gets C$4,9m loan for Kendal project
TSX-listed coal-miner Homeland Energy has concluded a loan arrangement with its largest shareholder, GMR Energy, to advance it nearly C$5-million for its Kendal project, in South Africa’s Mpumalanga province. The C$4,9-million loan, which is to be repaid by March 31, would be secured by a pledge of certain noncore assets, as well as a secondary position with respect to certain assets related to the Kendal colliery that were already subject to a first priority pledge to Nedbank, Homeland said in a statement. Full Article
