We occasionally get press releases from a group known as Trans-Mediterannean Renewable Energy Cooperation (TREC) or TREC UK, visionary proponants of massive development of solar concentrators combined with large scale new HVDC (high voltage direct current) transmission corridors.

Parabolic solar thermal collectors (2 axis).
(Photo: TREK UK)

According to pro-TREC sources, an area of 254 kilometers x 254 kilometers of hot desert, if covered with [...]

What would it take to turn CO2 gas into a carbonate solid?  According to Mark Clayton, VP of Corporate Relations for Austin based Skyonic, the process could be commercially viable in a few years.

What if fossil fuel had zero emissions?
(Photo: Skyonic)

“Our rough numbers show that with the costs of the chemicals we use and the [...]

There is a recently published book by Jonah Goldberg entitled “Liberal Fascism” that attempts to define the term, as well as, somewhat provocatively, admonish the political left that the “right wing” has no monopoly on fascism.  The book, which is scrupulously researched, describes the economic and political history of fascism, making the case that (1) [...]

Although it’s been operating since June 2007, today Acciona dedicated their 64 megawatt solar thermal plant in Boulder City, Nevada. According to the Chairman of Acciona, José Manuel Entrecanales, the plant cost $260 million and will operate for several decades.  The plant is rated to produce 64 megawatts in full sun and is expected to [...]

About two months ago we challenged what we perceive to be a bias in favor of ultra high density, subsidized housing on the part of urban planners who should be engineering cities but often seem to want to engineer society while they’re at it.  These comments culminated (for now) with our Critique of New Urbanism (also known as [...]

That they are pioneers in ”BIPV” technology (building integrated photovoltaics) makes Los Angeles based Solar Integrated a very interesting company.  But what makes Solar Integrated really, really interesting is they very likely have the most inexpensive photovoltaic solution in the world today.

Solar Integrated’s flexible PV
panels being installed on the
CocaCola plant in Los Angeles.

Large scale photovoltaic installations are still [...]

In his January 2008 column for GreenBiz.com, Brad Allenby penned an essay entitled “Climate Wise - The Dangerous Rise of Carbon Fundamentalism.”  In this essay, he provides examples of how carbon metrics are becoming pervasive in areas of life - and within ideological frameworks - that never had anything to do with the environment.

It is possible to [...]