Energy Links
Greenhouse gases result from a number of different human activities,
agriculture, forestry, and fossil fuel consumption to name a few.
Burning fossil fuels, for electricity, for heat, and for transportation,
is the major source of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions
(for more detail on particular gases see the Science section of
this website). Coal, oil, and even natural gas are all carbon
intensive sources of energy. In light of the ever strengthening
data on climate change, there is much interest in finding low
or no carbon energy.
EPA's
site on Clean Energy
This section of the EPA's website is particularly focused on the
climate change, its causes and its solutions.
Department
of Energy
Country specific energy data collected by the Energy Information
Administration.
National
Renewable Energy Laboratory
A government funded lab which studies all forms of renewable energy.
SolarEco
This site has information on all varieties of clean energy
ranging from descriptions of potential uses to planning help and
products for one interested in buying/building a small energy
system.
The Rocky Mountain
Institute
Rocky Mountain Institute is an entrepreneurial, nonprofit
organization that fosters the efficient and restorative use of
resources to create a more secure, prosperous, and life-sustaining
world.
The American
Council for an Energy Efficient Economy
This website has a tremendous amount of information on energy
issues. Most of it is in PDF format.
Green Energy
News
Covering clean, renewable and efficient energy for transportation,
industry and home. With links to progressive clean energy companies.
Clean
Energy
A German group which compiles information on organizations, companies,
and renewable energy products.
Sustainable
Energy Institute
SEI is an educational organization committed to improving public
awareness and understanding of future energy supply and demand
options and their implications. It facilitates a high-level policy
dialogue and promotes debate on sustainable energy solutions.
321energy
321energy provides worldwide daily news on energy topics including
oil, natural gas, coal, nuclear energy, gasoline, solar and wind
energy.
Known as cogeneration in the United States and Combined Heat
and Power in Europe, this process can take several forms. Some
facilitates run on biomass, others on fossil fuel, the common
thread being increased efficiency. Cogeneration plants typically
burn a fuel to create electricity but rather than just venting
the "waste" heat into the environment they hold onto it and use
it to heat buildings and water. Some industrial plants like paper
mills can use the residual steam, after it has turned a turbine,
instead of boiling water with an entirely different system. Cogeneration
plants can be tailored to a variety of sizes, from micro-single
farm operations to standard electric utilities that supply heat
to a whole town.
To learn more about cogeneration visit these links.
The International
Cogeneration Alliance
With a focus on sustainable development, this site is a good launching point
for in-depth coverage of cogeneration.
Case
Study: Dow Corning Corporation Biomass Cogeneration Plant
A case study of a cogeneration plant
designed by Dow. It paid for itself in energy savings in
four years.
When the term "solar energy" is used most people think of black
panels soaking up the sun to create electricity. Also known
as photovoltaics, this silicon-based type of power generation
has its origins in the computer industry. The photovoltaic
effect was first discovered in 1839, but little was done with
it until 1954 when Bell Labs found a way to turn light into
electricity at about 4% efficiency. Today photovoltaic (or
PV) panels for sale commercially often have 15% efficiency
ratings.
Photovoltaics are not the only form of solar energy, however. Passive
solar, the purposeful design of structures to take advantage
of the sun's ability to warm, can provide substantial carbon
emission reductions by reducing heating and cooling needs. With
careful design and high quality windows and insulation, buildings'
energy needs can be greatly reduced.
US
Department of Energy: Solar Energy Topics
List of websites and reports dealing with solar power.
American Solar
Energy Society
This national organization is dedicated to advancing the use
of solar energy for the benefit of
U.S.
citizens and the global environment by promoting the widespread
near-term and long-term use of solar energy. It also publishes
the magazine Solar Today.
Database
of State Incentives for Renewable Energy
This site has information and contacts on existing incentives
for implementing renewable energy with a particular focus on
solar technologies.
Solar Energy
Industries Association
An industry group which follows solar legislation on the Federal
level. It has numerous links to solar companies and state
chapters.
BP Solar
BP Solar is a world leader in solar power applications manufacturing,
designing, marketing, and installing a wide range of crystalline
silicon and new generation thin film solar electric products
and systems. BP Solar is a BP Group company, an oil company redefining
itself in the 21st century.
Solar Server
A German site with information on
photovoltaics, engineering and solar heating.
Solar
Energy International
Solar Energy International’s mission is to provide education
and assistance to encourage the use of renewable energy technologies.
It develops programs, workshops, and camps and is based in Colorado.
Solar
Century
Solar Century is the UK’s leading solar photovoltaic company
dedicated to installing solar panels for home and business use.
Wind is currently the fastest growing source of energy on the
planet. Recent advances in turbine efficiency and extremely low
operating costs have made wind competitive with fossil fuels on
a price per kilowatt/hour scale. It does have a high initial
cost since erecting the towers and installing the turbines is
labor intensive and often requires new infrastructure. Germany
currently leads the world in total kilowatts generated by wind,
while Denmark leads on a percentage of total energy from the wind.
Both these nations have moved aggressively to take advantage of
this emerging field.
US
Department of Energy: Wind Energy Topics
List of websites and reports dealing with wind power.
Windpower
This site, run by the Danish Wind Energy Association, contains
information ranging from the history of wind power to publications
and frequently asked questions. A good place
to begin research on wind power.
Middelgrunden
The largest off-shore wind farm
in the world. In Danish and English.
Wind
Power Magazine
A periodical devoted to disseminating
information on wind electricity generation.
European
Wind Energy Association
The European Wind Energy Association is a group of member companies
seeking to educate the public about wind energy and coordinate
projects to develop wind energy in the European Union.
Solar
and Wind Energy Resource Assessment
SWERA is a UNEP project that provides information about solar
and wind energy resources in thirteen partner countries.
YES2WIND
YES2WIND is a site created by Friends of the Earth, Greenpeace,
and WWF to disseminate information and resources for the public
to support local wind farms.
Brazilian Wind Energy Center
English
Portugese
A Brazilian government organization that tests wind turbine performance
in order to improve future designs. Managed by the staff of the
Wind Energy Group of the Federal University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
Hydrogen Fuel Cells, touted as the next big thing in the energy
world by both environmental groups and industry, still have some
major technological hurdles to clear. For example, there is currently
no infrastructure for the delivery of hydrogen. Storage of such
a volatile gas also presents problems.
Most hydrogen is extracted from fossil fuels. Although, it can
be obtained from water via a process called "electrolysis,"
great amounts of electricity are required to separate hydrogen
from oxygen. Some fuel cells are designed to run on alcohol or
natural gas, which they "reform," or extract hydrogen from. Reforming
fossil fuels still causes an emission of carbon, but since fuel
cells are often twice as efficient as conventional internal combustion
engines it is a step in the right direction.
Fuel cells have great
potential for a number of applications, from transportation, to
remote locations in need of power, to seamless power supply for
computer systems. In terms of global warming the source of hydrogen
used by the fuel cells makes all the difference.
US
Department of Energy: Hydrogen Topics
List of websites and reports dealing with hydrogen power.
The
Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell
A good basic description of the fundamentals of a pure hydrogen
fuel cell. Includes an animation of the chemical
reaction.
What
are fuel cells?
An explanation of six different fuel cell types, Solid Oxide, Molten
Carbonate, Phosphoric Acid, Solid Polymer, Direct Methanol,
and Alkaline.
American
Hydrogen Association
A trade group for advancing fuel cells, extensive links to
hydrogen and fuel cell related sites.
National
Hydrogen Association of
Australia
A site promoting hydrogen as a renewable energy source
in
Australia
. Based in
Australia
.
Bellona Foundation
A non-profit foundation that takes an international focus
on environmental problems, specifically clean energy solutions. Based
in
Norway
.
European Fuel
Cell Forum
An organization chartered to promote fuel cell technology
through scientific conferences and relevant literature. A
very good site with many recent articles and reports. Based
in
Switzerland
.
International
Partnership for the Hydrogen Economy
An organization aiming to promote effective international
support for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. An
international partnership based in
Washington,
DC.
Fuel
CellToday
A comprehensive source of information on hydrogen and advancing
fuel cell technologies, aiming to accelerate the commercialization
of fuel cells. Based in the
United Kingdom
.
Fuel
Cell Markets
An interactive communication platform for a Hydrogen
Economy highlighting the latest technology. Based in the
United Kingdom
.
Hyweb
A German group devoted to tracking the development of hydrogen
fuel cells. In English and German.
Ballard Power
Systems
Ballard is the world leader in proton exchange membrane (PEM)
fuel cell technology.
The
Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Investor
This site tracks the media daily for fuel cell stories and
is designed for the potential investor in hydrogen companies.
US
Department of Energy: Hydropower Topics
List of websites and reports dealing with hydropower.
World Commission
on Dams
This site has been redeveloped as
an archive of the World Commission on Dams (WCD). The Commission
was an independent, international, multi-stakeholder process
which addressed the controversial issues associated with large
dams. The Commission completed its work with the launch of its
final report and disbanded.
The Dams
and Development Project
The two-year follow-on to the process initiated by WCD is
a project of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
This project promotes dialogue on improving decision-making,
planning and management of dams and their alternatives based
on the WCD core values and strategic priorities. Also includes
information about reactions to the WCD Report and submissions
on good practice.
The
Alternative Energy Institute
A good overview of hydropower's extent and the current debate
surrounding dams for power vs. river integrity.
National
Hydroelectric Power Corporation
The website of
India
's hydroelectric utility containing specifics on the Indian subcontinent's
hydro potential and current projects.
Sustainable
Minnesota
The hydro section of Sustainable Minnesota focuses
on raising local public awareness of the social and environmental
consequences of hydroelectric power, specifically the hydroelectric
dams of Manitoba Hydro and its devastating impacts on people
and the environment. It also has an extensive list of links to
Canadian, US, and Minnesotan groups.
Hydroelectric
Power
This site tracks the hydroelectric industry in the news.
US
Department of Energy: Biomass Topics
List of websites and reports dealing with biomass.
National
Renewable Energy Laboratory
A branch of the Department of Energy. Details projects
to develop and integrate biochemical and thermochemical conversion
processes to create energy with biomass.
National
Biomass Initiative
A multi-agency effort to coordinate and accelerate Federal bioenergy
research and development.
IEA Bioenergy
An organization set up by the International Energy Agency to
encourage the spread of information between countries with
bioenergy programs.
Biomass Energy
Research Association
An association of biofuel researchers promoting the education
and research of renewable biomass energy.
Renewable
Energy Policy Project
A simple, easy-to-follow analysis of biomass as a potential energy
source.
The Ecological Farming
Association
The Ecological Farming Association is a non-profit educational
organization seeking to advance ecologically sound and economically
viable agriculture.
Renewable
Fuels Association
RFA is a national trade association for the U.S. ethanol industry
promoting policies, regulations and research and development initiatives
that encourage the growth of ethanol as a fuel source.
Xethanol
Xethanol is a U.S. ethanol producer seeking to convert otherwise
useless biomass into ethanol and other valuable co-products.
TreePower
TreePower is a public and industry research partnership committed
to the advancement of renewable biomass energy.
CENBIO
English
Portuguese
CENBIO is the Brazilian Reference Center on Biomass. Its mission
is to implement biomass as an efficient means of energy generation.
It disseminates information, organizes seminars and workshops,
and proposes legislation to increase biomass electricity generation.
Based at the University of Sao Paulo in Brazil.
BIOWARE
Portuguese
English
Spanish
A biomass company that deals with the energetic use of biomass
residues. It is engaged in research and development in the biomass
thermoconversion field, focusing on the combustion, gasification
and pyrolysis processes. Plant located in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
For areas of the world with thermal springs or other developable
sources of heat from the earth, geothermal electricity can be
an economical and low emission supplier of power. Iceland, Hawaii,
and California all have geothermal contributions to their power
grid.
Heat pumps are another efficient method of extracting energy
from the earth for heating buildings. Most locations are suitable
for heat pump applications since the high heats needed for electricity
generation are unnecessary for warming single buildings.
US
Department of Energy: Geothermal Topics
List of websites and reports dealing with geothermal power.
Hawaii
Geothermal Page
Hawaii has great geothermal potential, some of which is already
utilized. The state maintains this site to disseminate information
about the process. Includes a sizable list of links.
International
Geothermal Association
A group which seeks to encourage research, development and
utilization of geothermal resources worldwide through the compilation,
publication and dissemination of scientific and technical data
and information, both within the community of geothermal specialists
and between geothermal specialists and the general public.
Stanford
Geothermal Program
Stanford
University's program for research and development of Geothermal technologies.
International
Ground Source Heat Pump Association
Non-profit based at
Oklahoma
State
University. This site was designed to educate the public and
connect it with professional heat pump installers. Ground Source
Heat Pumps differ from conventional geothermal electricity generation
in that they are used for heating and cooling, not pow er production.
Alliant Geo
A company that installs geothermal
heat pumps. Very good on the educational part and includes some
case studies, which demonstrate costs and payback time etc.
While it is one of the cleanest ways of generating power as far
as air pollution goes, generating electricity from nuclear energy
is quite controversial. Since 20% of US electricity and over 15%
worldwide is derived from nuclear generators there is little doubt
it will be used for many years to come. The fear of meltdown
and the dilemma posed by long term disposal of waste combine to
make many people wary. Views both for and against nuclear energy
are presented in the following links.
International
Atomic Energy Agency
The IAEA is an independent intergovernmental, science and technology-based organization,
in the United Nations family, that serves as the global focal point for nuclear
cooperation. It inspects nuclear programs to ensure nations comply with their
non-proliferation agreements.
Safe Energy
Communications Council
The Safe Energy Communication Council (SECC) is a national,
non-profit council of ten environmental and public interest media
groups. Since 1980, SECC has educated the public and the media
about energy efficiency and renewable energy's potential to produce
a larger share of our nation's energy, as well as the economic
and environmental liabilities of nuclear power.
Institute for
Energy and Environmental Research
The Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER)
is dedicated to increasing public involvement in and control
over environmental problems through the democratization of science.
Provides a fair analysis of the risks involved with uranium.
Nuclear Energy
Institute
An industry funded group devoted to the promotion of nuclear
power in the
US
and around the world.
World
Nuclear Association
The World Nuclear Association is a global non-governmental
trade organization concerned with nuclear power generation and
all aspects of the nuclear fuel cycle, including mining, conversion,
enrichment, fuel fabrication, plant manufacture, transport, and
the safe disposition of spent fuel.
Natural Gas and
Petroleum
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The American Gas
Association
A trade group that advocates on behalf of US natural gas companies.
The Natural
Gas Information and Educational Resources website
This site is the result of an industry-wide
collaborative effort sponsored by the Natural Gas Supply Association
(NGSA), the Independent Petroleum Association of American (IPAA),
and the National Ocean Industries Association (NOIA).
The
American Petroleum Institute
The American Petroleum Institute is the primary trade association
representing the oil and natural gas industry in the
United States
. Its membership includes more than 400 corporations involved
in all aspects of the oil and gas industry.
National
Petroleum Council
The National Petroleum Council (NPC), a federally chartered
and privately funded advisory committee, was established in 1946
at the request of President Harry S. Truman.
World
Petroleum Congress
The World Petroleum Congress was founded in
London in 1933. It provides a forum for discussing the issues
facing the oil industry on a worldwide basis and is strictly
non-political.
World Coal Institute
The World Coal Institute is a non-governmental, non-profit, independent organization
with membership open to coal producers and coal consumers from around the world.
The site contains facts on world and regional coal consumption as well as an
extensive links to other fossil fuel groups.
International
Energy Agency - Clean Coal
This IEA site provides information on efficient coal supply and
use and enhances innovation and continued development of coal
as a clean source of energy.
