RENEWABLE ENERGY: Solar power co-operatives fast emerging with an innovative way for local communities to gain access to renewable energy generation. Over the last few years, several such initiatives have been successfully launched in the UK — with new schemes opening in a number of cities including London and Bristol. So, how do such schemes work? And what benefits can they provide to local people? Bristol Energy Cooperative The Bristol Energy Cooperative (BEC), a member of the Bristol Energy Network, was established following a meeting by several Bristol-based environmental activists. As Peter Thompson, Chair of the BEC explains, one of the key motivations was frustration at the limited options available to unincorporated informal community groups — coupled with the "desire to engage in action at a city-wide scale, beyond the remit of any of the community groups established up to that point."

Sharing Renewable Energy: Solar Power Co-operatives in the UK: "In total, the BEC has completed three installations, one at Hamilton House, a community centre in the Stoke's Croft area of the city, with two others at the Knowle West Media Centre, and at Easton Community Centre.

The Hamilton House project runs to some 20 kW, providing an estimated annual energy output of 14,145 kWh.  It was financed and installed by Ethical Solar, which gave BEC the option of buying the panels, and the resultant generation feed-in tariff income, at an early stage.  The system consists of 85 x 230-Watt Innotech panels and two 3-phase SMA inverters." CLICK LINK TO READ MORE

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Carbon Credit: Japan signed an agreement with Laos to launch a scheme that will allow Japanese companies to earn cheap carbon credits by helping the Southeast Asian nation cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions

Japan, Laos ink carbon deal - News - Point Carbon: "Japan, Laos ink carbon deal
07 Aug 2013 14:26
TOKYO, Aug 7 (Reuters Point Carbon) - Japan signed an agreement with Laos on Wednesday to launch a scheme that will allow Japanese companies to earn cheap carbon credits by helping the Southeast Asian nation cut carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, the Japanese government announced."Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/13/3559463/soccer-loving-pope-meets-world.html#storylink=cpy

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CIVIC CLUB UPDATE: Rotary Club of Strongsville Give Back to the Community. From the Chili Open Golf Classic to the newly created Duck Race, the Rotary Club of Strongsville continues to be a major fundraising force in the city. The club, which is 159 members strong, celebrated its 35th anniversary on April 28. Last summer, the club cleared $100,000 in donations to community and charitable organizations over a 12-month period.

Rotary Club of Strongsville continues to give back to the community | cleveland.com: "“Our goal and objective is to give back to the community,” said Brian Kiplinger, who became president of the club July 1. “We want to give back through all the hard effort we put into these fundraisers. We take it pretty seriously who we select (for donations).”

Kiplinger, a CPA with Kiplinger & Co. CPAs, LLC in Strongsville, has been a club member since 1997. He previously served as president of the Rotary Club of Brunswick.

“We’re a service organization. We’re not a networking organization. There are other organizations that accomplish that,” said Kiplinger. “We want to give back to the community, both young and old.”" CLICK LINK TO READ MORE

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Cutting energy bills for your business - Energy is one of the biggest overheads for businesses, so it’s important to get the cheapest rate possible for gas and electricity. The thought of being locked into contracts puts many businesses off the idea of switching supplier, but it’s thought that around a third of businesses are in a position to switch at any time. There is a large commercial energy market, but it’s easy to fall into the trap of going with one of the ‘Big Six’: EG Opus, Haven, Gazprom, Total, Corona and Dual Energy. Switching commercial suppliers is a bit more complicated than at home, but still, it can be done. The contract will need to be terminated in writing before it comes to an end as suppliers tend to auto-renew without so much as a letter to inform businesses. Check the terms and conditions to find out the noticed period – it could be as much as 90 days. - Mirror Online

Cutting energy bills for your business - Mirror Online: "Some providers specialise in the provision of green and renewable energy systems, which can reduce energy bills and protect the environment. It’s important that businesses work with a supplier that can accurately assess the business needs before choosing the most effective system. Solar PV, solar thermal, biomass, wind power, air or ground source heat pumps are just a few of the examples available to UK businesses. Investing in renewable energy does involve an initial outlay, but with government incentives, such as the Feed-In Tariff (FIT) and Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI), it’s possible to earn additional income as well as cutting bills." CLICK LINK TO READ MORE

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RENEWABLE ENERGY: 5th Annual Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition (RETECH) - RETECH has become the meeting place for the renewable energy industry. More than 1,500 government, utility, technology and finance professionals from 35 countries will gather to discuss ways they’re driving the growth of renewable energy in the US and around the world.

Industry Leaders Unveil the Future of Renewable Energy at the 5th Annual Renewable Energy Technology Conference & Exhibition (RETECH) - SFGate: "RETECH 2013 is the premier event to connect with influential leaders and decision makers as they share insights on renewable energy and what the next year holds for the industry. Request a media pass by emailing Kristen Cullen, kcullen(at)rasky(dot)com with your complete contact information. Who: Notable speakers and attendees from both private and public sectors that include senior executives and industry experts from Siemens Smart Grid, GE Digital Energy, ExxonMobil, Walmart, as well as US Departments of Commerce, Energy and State. For a full list of confirmed speakers, visit http://www.retech2013.com." CLICK LINK TO READ FULL ARTICLE

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RENEWABLE ENERGY: Wal-Mart, Google and General Electric made investments! Notably Warren Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway firm has been increasing its clean energy investments, with a recent purchase of $5.6 billion for a renewable energy company in Nevada and a $2.4 billion investment in a wind farm in California. As clean energy markets expand, these American companies and investors will be well-positioned to lead.

Shifting global investments to clean energy | The Great Debate: "The reality is that emerging economies do not need to go down a path of relying on fossil fuels. Just as many developing countries skipped land lines and went straight to cellular telephones, these countries can leapfrog right to affordable clean energy.

Investing in clean energy is not only good for the economic growth, it is good for people. The unfortunate reality is that those in the poorest countries are often the most vulnerable to climate change — whether from rising seas that threaten homes and water supplies or droughts that drive up food prices. This is the human cost of fossil fuels that often goes unmentioned in balance sheets and gross domestic product statistics." CLICK LINK TO READ MORE

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Carbon Credit: EU approves German carbon support scheme for heavy industry meant to prevent energy-intensive industries such as steel and cement makers from relocating outside Europe to avoid the costs associated with the EU's carbon trading scheme, known as "carbon leakage." | Reuters

EU approves German carbon support scheme for heavy industry | Reuters: ""The Commission's investigation found that the scheme... would effectively prevent carbon leakage while keeping competition distortions to a minimum," the European Commission said in a statement." CLICK LINK TO READ ARTICLE

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