Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Renewables at no cost for the first time in Italian history

Renewables at no cost for the first time in Italian history
JUNE 18, 2013

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Sunday, June 16, from 14 to 15, the clean energy sources (solar, hydro, wind) dispersed throughout our national territory have generated the entire electricity needs of the country.

On June 2 we had already approached a good record (€ 0.46 / MWh). But Sunday was the first time in the history of the Italian energy system that the single national price (PUN), ie the purchase price of electricity has reached zero in all Italian regions.

Today we can say that renewables can keep electricity prices low, as shown by a research conducted in 2012 Althesys on photovoltaics.

Alessandro Marangoni, head of energy consulting firm Althesys, in an interview with QualEnergia.it, said: "The supply capacity of renewables in Italy now seems secure in terms of demand instant coverage of 100% renewable those moments when the demand is low as in the spring and summer Sundays. "

Maragoni, however, points out that the single event is not enough: first, in fact, you have to redesign the management of the electricity market, paying great attention to the changes taking place.

According to the scientific director of QualEnergia, Gianni Silvestrini, the event of 16 June manifests itself clearly as renewables are now well introduced in our country, as evidenced by the fact that in May they have provided more than 50% of energy production Italian electricity.

Fewer emissions, lower electricity costs and reduced imports of fossil fuels, all of which bode well for the country's energy balance, which is currently negative.

Free electricity: all the requirements satisfied by renewable

Free electricity: all the requirements satisfied by renewable
For the first time in history, Sunday, June 16, for two hours, renewable energies have produced 100% of the energy consumed in Italy. Between 14 and 15 the purchase price of electricity (Pun) fell to zero in on the whole national territory.
6/18/2013  

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Italian cinema between economic crisis and a desire for change

"Alternative energy will never be able to fully meet the energy needs of Italy." Often you hear phrases like this. Instead Sunday afternoon for two hours, solar, wind and hydroelectric power have produced 100% of the electricity consumed in Italy , bringing the purchase price of electricity, the Pun, to zero in on the whole national territory. A report the news, along with a graph of energy consumption of GME and the portal QualEnergia . "A phenomenon, that of the wholesale price of electricity to zero - writes QualEnergia - which so far occurred only for some zonal prices, but  never for all areas of the country , bringing the Single National Price , ie the Pun , to zero. A similar event had been touched on Sunday, June 2, 2013, when the average minimum time it amounted to 0.46 € / MWh, but with a lower demand than on 16 June.

A recent study showed Althesys as the only PV in 2012 had moved to the values ??of the hourly averages of prices, so that today  the price spike no longer coincides with the peak demand  for electricity. The analysis considered both the lower prices in the solar hours, estimated at 1,420 million euro (of 2011 were 396 million) and higher prices in the non-solar hours, amounting to 586 million:  net peak shaving  in 2012 resulted thus 838 million of euro . For  Gianni Silvestrini , scientific director of QualEnergia, "what happened Sunday, June 16 is a further demonstration of the effects of rapid penetration of renewable energy in Italy, which in May even have covered  more than 50% of the production of electricity . " "In addition to affecting the net savings in terms of electricity prices and the reduction of emissions - said Silvestrini - the diffusion of renewable energy also leads to a  decrease in imports  of fossil fuels, reducing the high negative balance in the national energy balance " .
If you find this article on a blog other than "net1news.org" it is probably an unauthorized copy. The original address of this article is: Electricity free: all the requirements satisfied by renewable written by Net1news .

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Busting Renewable Energy Myths

Busting Renewable Energy Myths
June 22, 2011
Environmental Leader 

Discovery Channel has a rather curious show called Myth Busters. The show evaluates various myths -- from MacGyver tricks to the Apollo 11 Moon landing -- by staging them in a controlled setting. You may wonder why this may be relevant to renewable energy. The truth is, this entertainment show has more things in common with renewable energy than you think. The main goal of the show is to "bust" myths by proving them wrong. The same strategy can and should be used to increase popularity and public support of renewable energy initiatives.

Discovery Channel has a rather curious show called Myth Busters. The show evaluates various myths — from MacGyver tricks to the Apollo 11 Moon landing — by staging them in a controlled setting. You may wonder why this may be relevant to renewable energy. The truth is, this entertainment show has more things in common with renewable energy than you think. The main goal of the show is to “bust” myths by proving them wrong. The same strategy can and should be used to increase popularity and public support of renewable energy initiatives.

It seems odd that under the ever-growing threat of global warming and other environmental disasters, some still oppose the industry’s attempt to shift toward clean, sustainable energy. Many people support renewable energy in theory but disapprove of it in reality. Why? It is likely that their knowledge about the industry is limited. As a result, we are often left with myths that are scary in nature but false in their essence. Granted that the renewable energy industry is rather ‘young’ and ‘controversial’, it is filled with such myths that instigate public opposition.

As Discovery Channel does in its show, renewable energy companies should work together to “bust” negative myths about the industry. Of course, the most common criticism of almost any form of renewable energy is the intermittency of its resources. Remarkably, the public usually seems to have few objections to the potential lack of continuous availability of solar or wind power. They appear to be more concerned with the technical and ecological issues that may arise when producing clean energy. Below are some of the most common misconceptions about the renewable energy industry that cause unnecessary tension and disapproval in the public eye.

Myth: Hydropower is not carbon-neutral

Some critics of hydropower claim that this source of energy is not, in fact, carbon-neutral. They claim that some hydropower dams create more greenhouse gases than a fossil fuel plant of the same size. If soil and vegetation are trapped in turbines, spillways and surfaces of a dam, they will decay and emit methane and carbon dioxide. In addition, they argue that to build a dam, nearby forests that absorb CO2 from the atmosphere are destroyed, thus further damaging the environment.

Bust: Methane emissions can be controlled

A proper public relations campaign should be implemented to clarify how and why methane is emitted as a result of hydropower production. The industry must make sure the public understands that while such emission is natural, it can be controlled and eliminated. With proper technology dams can be built to be ‘clean’, emitting very little or no methane at all. In addition, it is crucial to educate the public in hydropower facts; that it is a clean alternative to coal and has the potential to fully replace fossil fuel energy.

Myth: Technology for solar power is too expensive

Most people have a very vague understanding of what is involved in solar power production. The general assumption is that the technology necessary for harvesting such energy is extremely complicated and thus too expensive to be profitable.

Bust: Sunlight is free

Indeed, the construction and installation of solar power plants is a rather complex and costly venture. Extra costs may be inevitable granted the harsh environment of deserts where such plants are usually built. However, the public needs to understand that the technology of solar panels is rather simple and similar in principal to chemical batteries or standard electrical outlets. Most importantly, the “great” expenses of constructing a solar power plant is a one-time bill as the sunlight itself is free.

Myth: Geothermal energy releases toxic gasses from the earth

Most people who are not familiar with renewable energy fear the toxic gasses that may escape and contaminate the atmosphere as a result of geothermal drilling. They are also concerned with the dangerous elements such as arsenic and mercury contained in hot geothermal water that may be harmful if deposited in rivers.

Bust: Toxic gas release can be controlled and eliminated

Geothermal drilling does not inherently release toxic gasses. It only happens when poor techniques are used and safety precautions fail during drilling and extraction. Therefore, with proper regulations and technology, the threat of toxic gas release can be minimized or removed all together. In regards to potentially dangerous elements in the water, the public needs to decide for themselves whether living near a nuclear plant is a better option.

It is human nature to believe the negative over the positive. If you give the public two contradictory facts, chances are they will pay more attention to the scary and threatening one, even if it is false. Most do not fact check before forming an opinion which makes any public relations campaign that much more difficult. As a result, we are surrounded by myths that interfere with our lives.

If you are ever watching Discovery Channel and Myth Busters comes on, take a closer look. It may seem impractical, yet the methods that it uses to bust myths may prove to be useful in your next public relations campaign.

Al Maiorino started Public Strategy Group, Inc. in 1996. He has developed and managed multiple corporate public affairs campaigns in a variety of industries such as gaming, cable television, retail development, auto racing, power plant/wind farm projects, and housing/residential projects. Al received his BA in political science and a MA in American Studies from the University of Connecticut.

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