hello irena

IRENA: International Renewable Energy Agency:  the first multinational agency focused solely on spreading clean energy across the globe, officially launched this week, according to the Environmental News Network

The expectation of this group is that they will assist countries and private industries in the expansion of alternative energy installations.  “IRENA will help to remove the many obstacles which up to now have delayed the rapid expansion of renewables,” said Sigmar Gabriel, the German federal environment minister, in a conference address [PDF]. “The market is still distorted by subsidies for conventional energies, technological know-how is inadequate, information is not always correct.”

The initial conference was attended by 120 delegates from various nations, and the resulting treaty was signed by 75 countries, including Germany, Spain, United Arab Emirates and Kenya.  The United States, United Kingdom, Japan, China and Australia have yet to join, but have stated that they may still join in the future.

As was reported a month back, the United Arab Emirates is taking a stand for renewable energies and stated that it joined IRENA to provide energy expertise to the renewable energy sector and broaden support for its Masdar City project - a plan to create an entirely carbon-neutral, zero-waste city.

The increase in renewable energy installations is very positive.  In 2008 alone, about 12,000 megawatts of wind power capacity were installed, bringing the global total to 106,100 megawatts, according to the World Wind Energy Association. In addition, 9,740 megawatts of cumulative solar photovoltaic (PV) systems and at least 6,000 megawatts of geothermal energy projects have been installed, according to the Worldwatch Institute and U.N. Environment Programme, respectively.

As always, we are pleased with the increase of attention on taking action and fixing this problem, instead of arguing about is it real and where the responsibility lies.

* photo by Robert Scoble via Flickr

one part oil cartel = green

 

In a surprise move, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi announced it would move towards alternative energy sources by committing to a goal that 7% of its energy would be ‘green’ by 2020.  This greatly differs from the rest of the OPEC cartel that sees renewable energy as threat to its income.

The announcement was made at the World Future Energy Summit which is being held in Abu Dhabi this year.  It is felt, by the country’s leaders, that by doing so they would “provide a comprehensive solution to the world’s energy challenges and maintain Abu Dhabi’s position as a leading supplier of energy to the world.”

Who is to thank for this:  Prince Charles.  He has been soliciting many of the Gulf Royals and encouraging the move to alternative energies, behind the scenes.  He is also a patron to the Masdar City project which aims to build the world’s first carbon-neutral city in Abu Dhabi.

The country expects to achieve its goals through solar power, but will look at all alternative energies.  The country is also involved outside of itself by having contributed, financially, to the London Array wind farm that is being built in Kent, and is expected to be the largest of its kind.  Additionally it is in partnership with Germany, where they are building plants to meet the demand of solar energy.

Much of this is being done by the company, Masdar.  Per its wesbite it is “an expression of Abu Dhabi’s environmental and sustainability vision and aspiration. A private joint stock company, established and wholly-owned by Mubadala, Masdar is a multi-billion dollar, strategic initiative which is developing sustainable renewable energy solutions, diversifying Abu Dhabi’s economy and enhancing the Emirate’s human capital.”  It goes on to say that its intent is to ensure that Abu Dhabi maintains its global leadership position in the world energy market.

This is a bold move in a region that is dominated by fossil fuel.  It is probably met with disdain from other leaders, like those in Saudi Arabia, who are in the process of building the facility capable to drill the largest untapped oil field, spending billions to keep the American oil machine going.