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	<title>electricity - Green Prophet</title>
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	<description>Sustainably Driven. Future Ready.</description>
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	<title>electricity - Green Prophet</title>
	<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/tag/electricity/</link>
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	<item>
		<title>A new foldable, moveable 15kw solar power plant for disaster zones</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2024/07/a-new-foldable-moveable-15kw-solar-power-plant-for-disaster-zones/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Karin Kloosterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 25 Jul 2024 10:59:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Nature]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[energy transition]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[renewable energy sources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar oven]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar panels]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar power]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.greenprophet.com/?p=144372</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Foldable, solar power plant of 15kw - one unit is good for 60 families</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2024/07/a-new-foldable-moveable-15kw-solar-power-plant-for-disaster-zones/">A new foldable, moveable 15kw solar power plant for disaster zones</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_144374" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-144374" style="width: 840px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-144374" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas.jpg" alt="Foldable solar power plant" width="840" height="430" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas.jpg 840w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-820x420.jpg 820w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-150x77.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-300x154.jpg 300w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-696x356.jpg 696w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-350x179.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-768x393.jpg 768w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-660x338.jpg 660w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-800x410.jpg 800w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-400x205.jpg 400w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Portable-photovoltaic-system-invented-for-disaster-stricken-areas-180x92.jpg 180w" sizes="(max-width: 840px) 100vw, 840px" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-144374" class="wp-caption-text">Foldable solar power plant &#8211; one unit is good for 60 families</figcaption></figure>
<p><a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/tag/solar-oven/">Solar ovens</a> and <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/tag/solar-thermal/">thermal solar power</a> to heat your water is great if you have a steady place to live. But when a disaster strikes, such as an earthquake, landslide or flood, what are you to do? Engineers from earthquake-prone Turkey have created a portable, foldable solar power pack that can provide basic power services to homes and villages in the event of a natural disaster.</p>
<p>Turkey has also seen an influx of unstable populations of Syrian refugees over the years, along with North African migrants heading to Europe. This new solution <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2022/09/solar-panels-lebanon/">could also help Lebanese living under the hands of terror factions</a> and without a stable government creating chaos and power outages in Beirut, and basically all over Lebanon.</p>
<p>One unit can provide the power needs for 60 families.</p>
<div class="youtube-embed" data-video_id="G1NfyrUQQ4o"><iframe title="MOBİTEM 15 kW" width="696" height="392" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G1NfyrUQQ4o?feature=oembed&#038;enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<p>The Turkish solar photovoltaic system or mini &#8220;power plant&#8221; puts out of 15 kW. And it can be installed in 15 minutes. A 15kW system can generate about 15,000 watts of power in the brightest days of the year, and this is equivalent to powering 500 laptops simultaneously. Factors like clouds, dust, temperature, and age of equipment will affect the affect actual power output.</p>
<p>The micro solar power plant, inventors say, is handy in case of disasters and for refugees. The same Turkish company is developing a portable hydropower turbine of up to 1 MW aimed for use on canals and small streams with little or no assembly required. Countries like Canada and the US are great for hydropower because of the streams and rivers. Drier countries, the sun is better.</p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2022/09/solar-panels-lebanon/">solar panels save energy-poor Lebanon</a></strong></p>
<p>The portable mini solar power plant can be switched on in a second, with no mention of how to maintain the battery system which we know requires a certain kind of skill and finesse.</p>
<p>The market sees no shortage of mini solar power systems. Our friend bought one, twice, in Costco, for about $15,000 USD each time. Both winters when the system wasn&#8217;t maintained correctly, the batteries were destroyed &#8211; meaning that when a company says the system is &#8220;easy&#8221; and hassle free, we think it&#8217;s important to read the small print.</p>
<p>But Turks know how painful it can be without power: When a devastating earthquake hit Kahramanmaraş last year, Turkey’s Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources reached out to its homegrown company firm Türkiye Electromechanic Industry (Temsan) asking the engineers to develop a local solution to natural disasters.</p>
<p><strong>Related: <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2024/05/solar-panels-save-these-sisters-in-lebanon/">Solar panels save these sisters in Lebanon</a></strong></p>
<p>Shoddy construction, old buildings made from natural materials, along with mismanagement and deceitful building practices mean that there are many casualties and chaos whenever Turkey has an earthquake. We hope this government-supported project can help Turkey develop its infrastructure.</p>
<p>The mini power unit called the Mobitem is a 2.5-meter-high container of 21 square meters in total.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2024/07/a-new-foldable-moveable-15kw-solar-power-plant-for-disaster-zones/">A new foldable, moveable 15kw solar power plant for disaster zones</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Using coronavirus as a restart button for living a sustainable lifestyle</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2020/06/using-coronavirus-as-a-restart-button-for-living-a-sustainable-lifestyle/</link>
					<comments>https://www.greenprophet.com/2020/06/using-coronavirus-as-a-restart-button-for-living-a-sustainable-lifestyle/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Bhok Thompson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 01 Jun 2020 17:19:36 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bioenergy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sustainable]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.greenprophet.com/?p=123077</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The coronavirus has also had some positive effects. By forcing people to stay in their homes, there is less pollution. It’s been an effective way to let the world heal.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2020/06/using-coronavirus-as-a-restart-button-for-living-a-sustainable-lifestyle/">Using coronavirus as a restart button for living a sustainable lifestyle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-111460 size-full" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Jordan-tower-Tehran-Hajizadeh-sustainable-design.jpg" alt="sustainable lifestyle buildings" width="560" height="310" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Jordan-tower-Tehran-Hajizadeh-sustainable-design.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Jordan-tower-Tehran-Hajizadeh-sustainable-design-350x194.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/Jordan-tower-Tehran-Hajizadeh-sustainable-design-370x205.jpg 370w" sizes="(max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The spread of <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it"><span class="s2">SARS-CoV-2</span></a> has drastically affected the lives of people globally. Some have said that it has shown the worst of people, from hoarding toilet paper, alcohol, and sanitizers to taking advantage of the pandemic for their personal gain. However, the coronavirus has also had some positive effects. By forcing people to stay in their homes, there is less pollution. It’s been an effective way to let the world heal. We, as individuals, can even use the crisis as a reset button for our lives and use it as a means to live sustainably. Aside from making sure that you have a <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2018/11/tips-to-become-greener-at-home/"><span class="s2">green home</span></a>, here are some ways you can achieve this: </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Limit the Use of Paper Goods</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Do you notice how people flocked to grocery stores and hoarded as much toilet paper as they could at the start of the pandemic? It was the first time these grocery aisles ever ran out of toilet paper. Since there is a shortage of it, people are now more conscious of how they consume toilet paper and other paper goods. And if you think about it, before the virus spread, we didn&#8217;t even think about how many paper goods we consumed on a daily basis. We can use this crisis as a reminder of how we can be more conscious of our <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2018/11/be-eco-friendly-go-paperless/"><span class="s2">paper usage</span></a>. Perhaps, we can learn from Asian nations where they hardly use toilet paper.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Limiting Commute</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Before <a href="https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/events-as-they-happen"><span class="s2">COVID-19</span></a> hit, many businesses said people couldn&#8217;t work from home. Now, it has become the norm. Enterprises are now considering making work from home an option. If you are a business owner, you should start thinking about how limiting the <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2009/10/train-lectures-scientists/"><span class="s2">commute</span></a> of your workers can help them contribute to living sustainably. It would be much more economical on your part, and you can help the environment by limiting the cars driving on streets and consuming gas. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Shopping Sustainably</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">After many countries imposed lockdowns, people are now seriously looking at buying only the essentials. As such, you can use this crisis as a time to rethink your shopping behavior and solely focus on what you need. It would also be ideal to use this time to consider buying healthier food items, such as more fruits and vegetables. Since it is harder to go out now and buy groceries, many have started their own home gardens where they can grow their food. </span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>Supporting Local Sellers</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Perhaps one of the good things that the coronavirus has brought is the growing support for local companies. There is a huge appreciation for local sellers and suppliers that continue to provide for their neighborhood. Farmers can now sell their goods directly to people. Local water and energy companies are lowering their water and <a href="https://www.justenergydeals.com/"><span class="s2">electricity rates</span></a> to help people better cope with the crisis. Building a local network can help you live a sustainable life. How? By realizing that you are not alone in this crisis. In the past it was easy to get lost in a fast-paced lifestyle where we forgot to say hi to our neighbors. Now that most people are confined in their homes, they have more time to look out and realize the great people we used to take for granted.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1"><b>This Too Shall Pass</b></span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">While disasters and crises will pass, how we come out of them will define our future. Use this time to self-analyze and see how you are going to adjust to a new lifestyle when this is all over. Living sustainably should not be short-lived. Make sure it becomes your new lifestyle, and you&#8217;ll never regret it. </span></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2020/06/using-coronavirus-as-a-restart-button-for-living-a-sustainable-lifestyle/">Using coronavirus as a restart button for living a sustainable lifestyle</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Solar project brings affordable energy to Palestinian homes</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2015/02/solar-project-brings-affordable-energy-to-palestinian-homes/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Catherine Ellis]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2015 09:11:29 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jericho]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Palestine]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sun]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=108909</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>We don’t often hear good news coming from Palestine, but solar energy advances for Palestinian households are something to celebrate. The Dead Sea Photovoltaic Generating Plant offers drastically reduced prices for Palestinians struggling to pay their energy bills and its first phase is now open and underway. Traditionally Palestinians have had to rely on Israel [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2015/02/solar-project-brings-affordable-energy-to-palestinian-homes/">Solar project brings affordable energy to Palestinian homes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-108911" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-1-660x440.jpg" alt="Solar panels at Dead Sea PV Generating Plant" width="660" height="440" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-1-660x440.jpg 660w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-1-350x233.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-1-370x247.jpg 370w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-1.jpg 784w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px" /></a>We don’t often hear good news coming from Palestine, but solar energy advances for Palestinian households are something to celebrate. The Dead Sea Photovoltaic Generating Plant offers drastically reduced prices for Palestinians struggling to pay their energy bills and its first phase is now open and underway.</p>
<p>Traditionally Palestinians have had to rely on Israel for their electricity. They do import some electricity from Jordan and Egypt, but it’s done little to reduce their dependence on Israeli energy suppliers. It’s estimated that around 80 percent of Palestinian electricity is imported.</p>
<p>The electricity tariff in the Palestinian authorities is also about 15 percent higher than in Israel, even though the GDP for Palestine is much lower. Palestine is a territory poor in wealth, but also in natural energy resources such as natural gas and fossil fuels which can be generated into electricity. Energy security is a controversial topic.</p>
<p>The opening of the 710 kW first phase of the planned 1.5 MW Dead Sea Photovoltaic Generating Plant has gone some way in improving the situation, offering drastically lowered energy prices for Palestinian homes in East Jerusalem. The plant uses solar cells, also known as photovoltaic cells, and turns sunlight into electricity and is the biggest photovoltaic (PV) installation producing electricity in Palestine.  It’s based near Jericho and is 258 meters (846 ft) below sea level.</p>
<p>The organization, Future for Palestine, is funding the $1 million solar project. It’s headed by Salam Fayyad, the former prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority. Future for Palestine has already been subsidizing electricity bills for 5,000 families suffering from poverty in East Jerusalem which amounts to $14 per family and reduces their bills by an average of 25%. To ensure this support for Palestinian families would be sustainable in the future, the organization decided to fund the new solar project.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-108912" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-660x495.jpg" alt="Solar panels at Dead Sea PV Generating Plant" width="660" height="495" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-660x495.jpg 660w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-560x420.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-80x60.jpg 80w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-150x113.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-350x263.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2-370x278.jpg 370w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/solar-PV-plant-dead-sea-2.jpg 697w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px" /></a></p>
<p>Msader for Energy systems, the Palestinian company who built the plant, wanted to build and design and a solar energy system that would give long-term, reliable energy output in desert climate conditions with very hot and dry weather. Abelnaser Dwaikat, the managing director of the firm told Green Prophet that there was a need to promote and develop a resilient and sustainable energy supply for Palestinians. He said: “ It is crucial to focus on reducing dependence on energy imports and increasing the utilization of renewable energy sources available in Palestine.”</p>
<p>Given the high number of sunny days in Palestine, increased reliance on solar energy is very feasible. Yet Abdelnasser noted that there were challenges with the introduction of this type of green energy. “Solar PV and photovoltaic systems are yet to fully take off in Palestinian areas due to high initial costs associated with such systems,” he said.</p>
<p>Yet he believes that in the future these systems will be a leading source of clean and independent energy for the Palestinian people. “It’s a very potential market for solar energy as already the Palestinians are using 80% of solar thermal heating and the photovoltaic system should be the same percentage in the coming year, Mr Dwaikat said.”</p>
<p>The second phase of the Dead Sea Photovoltaic Generating plant will start in mid-2015 and should be delivered by end of this year.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2015/02/solar-project-brings-affordable-energy-to-palestinian-homes/">Solar project brings affordable energy to Palestinian homes</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Nature solar shelters are hybrid acacia &#8220;trees&#8221; sprouting electricity and shade</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2014/03/nature-solar-shelters-are-hybrid-acacia-trees-sprouting-electricity-and-shade/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tafline Laylin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2014 14:43:45 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar Energy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=103351</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>No African tree is more recognizable than the Acacia with its prickly canopy that provides shade for wild animals across the savannah. Samuel Wilkinson has borrowed from this arboreal genius to design Nature &#8211; an attractive shelter that produces clean energy and an inspired rendevous spot for urban dwellers. Designed with a similar geometry as [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2014/03/nature-solar-shelters-are-hybrid-acacia-trees-sprouting-electricity-and-shade/">Nature solar shelters are hybrid acacia &#8220;trees&#8221; sprouting electricity and shade</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-103354" alt="Nature solar shelter, Samuel Wilkinson, clean tech, solar energy, green design, urban design, solar shelters, urban EV charge spot, Acacia tree" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1.jpg" width="660" height="434" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1.jpg 660w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1-639x420.jpg 639w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1-150x99.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1-300x197.jpg 300w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1-350x230.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/samuel-wilkinson-studio-nature-solar-shelter-1-370x243.jpg 370w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 660px) 100vw, 660px" /></a></p>
<p>No African tree is more recognizable than the Acacia with its prickly canopy that provides shade for wild animals across the savannah. Samuel Wilkinson has borrowed from this arboreal genius to design Nature &#8211; an attractive shelter that produces clean energy and an inspired rendevous spot for urban dwellers.<span id="more-103351"></span></p>
<p>Designed with a similar geometry as the Acacia tree found all throughout the African continent, including along the banks of the Nile River, Nature offers energy-neutral zones with multiple urban functions.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2014/03/nature-solar-shelters-are-hybrid-acacia-trees-sprouting-electricity-and-shade/">Nature solar shelters are hybrid acacia &#8220;trees&#8221; sprouting electricity and shade</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Iraq Puts Hope in Wind, Solar Power to Buttress Energy Sector</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/11/iraq-wind-solar-power/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Joseph Mayton]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 08 Nov 2012 07:19:32 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[clean tech]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[renewable energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar power]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[wind power]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=85537</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Middle East is continuing to show itself capable of boosting alternative energy sources without facing political backlashes from opposing sides of the aisle. In Iraq, large multinational corporations are working with the country&#8217;s ministry of electricity to see clean and renewable resources become a reality in the post-war environment, where investment is expected to [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/11/iraq-wind-solar-power/">Iraq Puts Hope in Wind, Solar Power to Buttress Energy Sector</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/11/iraq-wind-solar-power/flag-of-iraq/" rel="attachment wp-att-85546"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-85546" title="flag of iraq" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/flag-of-iraq.jpg" alt="sun, solar energy, wind energy, Iraq, clean tech, alternative energy, renewable energy" width="560" height="374" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/flag-of-iraq.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/flag-of-iraq-350x233.jpg 350w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></a><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/11/iraq-wind-solar-power/iraq-flag-and-sun/" rel="attachment wp-att-85542"><br />
</a>The Middle East is continuing to show itself capable of boosting <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/10/morocco-wind-hyrdogen/" target="_blank">alternative energy sources</a> without facing political backlashes from opposing sides of the aisle. In <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.greenprophet.com/tag/iraq/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=MQqbUOvGOPGY1AXEioGwBA&amp;ved=0CAoQFjAB&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNGxJDbiXLRxkzI1psbFM_jJk81_xA" target="_blank">Iraq</a>, large multinational corporations are working with the country&#8217;s ministry of electricity to see clean and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.greenprophet.com/tag/renewable-energy/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=kAqbUIOnA-TY0QXI1oCwCQ&amp;ved=0CAcQFjAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNHxc6O_hJ_gQDc6uQV0IcPt7cyCxQ" target="_blank">renewable resources</a> become a reality in the post-war environment, where investment is expected to skyrocket.</p>
<p>Last month, words became a future reality for the country after the ministry announced plans to spend as much as $1.6 billion on <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.greenprophet.com/tag/solar-power/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=DAubULDLEqOl0QX52oGADQ&amp;ved=0CAcQFjAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNF4vELiTtU_Iz1RFPeLe8FINZAjlw" target="_blank">solar</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.greenprophet.com/tag/wind-energy/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=JQubUJKAFaTI0QXrwIDYAg&amp;ved=0CAcQFjAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNHMynd1djWNzn-H0btgZxcp0Re_lA" target="_blank">wind power</a> stations across the country over the next few years; not only will this add some 400 megawatts of power to Iraq&#8217;s national grid, which has been hit by daily blackouts, but it also has positive results for the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/03/profile-iraq-environment/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=MQqbUOvGOPGY1AXEioGwBA&amp;ved=0CBAQFjAD&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNG4Kur7j8G7QYqVDqFkAWd9Lypi4Q" target="_blank">environment</a>.<span id="more-85537"></span></p>
<p><strong>Clean energy to reduce blackouts</strong></p>
<p>A ministry official told Green Prophet via telephone that he believes Iraq is an ideal country to push renewable resources of energy, especially solar, given the vast open desert in the country.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are confident that by entering into these agreements we will be able to provide more energy to meet the population&#8217;s needs as well as boost our interest in renewable energy as oil stocks are beginning to see shortfalls here and abroad,&#8221; he said, adding that it was a &#8220;win-win situation&#8221; for Iraq to go solar.</p>
<p>And it comes at an extremely stressful moment for Iraq. Nearly a decade after the American-led invasion of the country ousted Saddam Hussein, the country continues to struggle to meet the needs of the overall population, garnering only 8,800 MW of the reported 14,000 MW of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.greenprophet.com/tag/electricity/&amp;sa=U&amp;ei=xQqbUPSaNcrD0AWZyYHoBw&amp;ved=0CAcQFjAA&amp;client=internal-uds-cse&amp;usg=AFQjCNE1d8Ouu4blSOM-O9oZC9agO-ZKDQ" target="_blank">electricity</a> needed to power the country. This has left many residents facing rolling black-outs.</p>
<p>The ministry believes that through boosting alternative sources of power, it will help deliver additional energy at lower costs, which will help the overall investment nature of the energy sector grow over the next few years.</p>
<p>&#8220;We are certain that by going this route, it can be the beginning of a new strategy that will see solar and wind power viable alternatives that can reach our goal of powering the country,&#8221; the official added.</p>
<p><strong>International companies line up</strong></p>
<p>Although the extreme weather of the summer months has passed, there are rising concerns that without a boost to the national grid, Iraqis will continue to suffer in those months, which makes alternative energy that much more enticing, and international companies are lining up to get involved.</p>
<p>According to the planning and studies departmeent at the ministry, Laith al-Mamury, Iraq has invited roughly 25 top corporations to manufacture and install solar and power projects in the country. The effort aims at boosting both energy needs and the country&#8217;s struggling economic situation.</p>
<p>Reuters news agency reported last month that companies on the invitation list include Japan&#8217;s Toyota Tsusho Corp, Swiss engineering group ABB and Egypt&#8217;s Orascom Construction .</p>
<p>Already confirmed, the ministry is putting an additional $200 million towards developing at least 50 MW of power to the grid by next year, with the focus being on border areas and uninhabitated spaces in the country.</p>
<p>It will be a first for Iraq, which has no solar or wind power projects currently developed in the country, although a few streets use solar devices for light.</p>
<p>In an ambitious beginning, the ministry has also reported that it will be able to continue to boost the national grid and reach the goal of 22 gigawatts of power capacity by 2016. Solar power and wind power are likely to be integral to this progress on electricity.</p>
<p><em>Image of <a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-92494096/stock-photo-flag-of-iraq-against-cloudy-sky-close-up.html?src=csl_recent_image-1">flag of Iraq</a>, Shutterstock </em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/11/iraq-wind-solar-power/">Iraq Puts Hope in Wind, Solar Power to Buttress Energy Sector</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Tunisian Water Distributor Puts People Ahead of Commerce Amid Shortages</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/tunisia-chemical-company-water/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Tafline Laylin]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2012 09:54:03 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[heatwave]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[shortages]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tunisia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=78982</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>A sweltering heat wave has swept through Tunisia, disrupting both electrical and water supplies just days before Ramadan begins. Extreme heat destabilizes electrical cables, with as many as three cables a day fraying under the pressure in some cities. Disruptions in the electricity supply in turn cause water pipes to malfunction, leaving many homes, businesses [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/tunisia-chemical-company-water/">Tunisian Water Distributor Puts People Ahead of Commerce Amid Shortages</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<figure id="attachment_78987" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-78987" style="width: 560px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/tunisia-chemical-company-water/water-pots-tunisia/" rel="attachment wp-att-78987"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-78987 size-full" title="Blue Water Pots in Tunisia" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/water-pots-tunisia.jpg" alt="water, shortages, heatwave, Tunisia, blue pots, electricity, " width="560" height="378" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/water-pots-tunisia.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/water-pots-tunisia-350x236.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/water-pots-tunisia-150x101.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/water-pots-tunisia-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></a><figcaption id="caption-attachment-78987" class="wp-caption-text">Water jugs in Tunisia</figcaption></figure>
<p>A <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/safari-animals-popsicles-israel/">sweltering heat wave</a> has swept through Tunisia, disrupting both electrical and water supplies <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/ramadan-food-waste-tips/">just days before Ramadan begins</a>. Extreme heat destabilizes electrical cables, with as many as three cables a day fraying under the pressure in some cities. Disruptions in the electricity supply in turn cause water pipes to malfunction, leaving many homes, businesses and hospitals without a steady supply of either.</p>
<p>In a surprise but welcome move that prioritizes people over commerce, the National Water Supply and Distribution Company (SONEDE) in Gabes cut its water supply to a chemical company that has long threatened the southern city&#8217;s water resource.</p>
<p><strong>Unprecedented Highs in Tunisia</strong></p>
<p>The National Institute of Meteorology reports that an unprecedented rise in atmospheric pressure from the great desert is responsible for the heat wave that has caused such havoc in Tunisia, according to <em>Tunisia-Live</em>.</p>
<p>Temperatures of 42-47°C have been recorded in the past week, reports engineer Sahar Shickhawi.</p>
<p>&#8220;All the temperature data that we gather are from shaded areas, but sunny areas are normally 4-7 °C hotter, so we must account for that. In the summer, we are used to the temperature being in between 32-36 °C in the coastal areas and 38 to 42 °C the interior regions in the month of July,” Shickhawi explained.</p>
<p>Although energy shortages have rarely lasted for more than two hours, according to SONEDE employee Mohamed Sadoke, which pales in comparison to <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/turkish-energy-barge-lebanon/">12 hour energy shortages in Lebanon</a>, Gabes residents preparing for the Ramadan fast are concerned.</p>
<p><strong>Energy and Water Shortages Become &#8220;Complicated&#8221;</strong></p>
<p>One housewife told <em>Tunisia-Live</em> that the situation is becoming more &#8220;complicated.&#8221;</p>
<p>But for hospital workers and patients, the shortages are more than complicated. Men and women with broken legs haven&#8217;t received treatment at the Regional Hospital of Gabes since the X-Ray machines can&#8217;t function without electricity. And Hospital Tahr Sfar atop a mountain on the coast was without water for nearly a week.</p>
<p>In order to alleviate supply disruptions to Gabes residents, SONEDE has cut off water supply to the local chemical manufacturing plant which has historically used more than its fair share of both water and electricity.</p>
<p>“We cut the water supply on the chemical complex because we have to prioritize,” said Mbarak Haddad, the switch board operator of Gabes SONEDE.</p>
<p>In Gabes, people are more important than chemicals.</p>
<p><strong>More on the Region&#8217;s Heat Wave:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/safari-animals-popsicles-israel/">Safari Animals Get Blood, Fruit and Fish Popsicles to Cool Off</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/the-wrath-of-global-warming/">The Wrath of Global Warming and the Middle East</a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/israeli-environment-minister-proposes-cuts-to-gaza-electricity-to-bridge-shortfalls/">Israeli Environment Minister Proposes Cuts to Gaza Electricity to Bridge Energy Shortfalls</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/tunisia-chemical-company-water/">Tunisian Water Distributor Puts People Ahead of Commerce Amid Shortages</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Leap-second Bug Consumes Megawatts of Electricity</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/leap-second-bug-consumes-megawatts-of-electricity/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Nitz]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jul 2012 07:22:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[computers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy Efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[France]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Germany]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[power plants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United States]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=78239</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Was it the leap-second bug that pushed America&#8217;s power plants beyond their capacity? A 61 second minute was added to clocks around the world on June 30, 2012 at 23:59:60 UTC in order to compensate for slight variations in earth&#8217;s rotation speed.  This triggered a number of software bugs one of which caused a spike [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/leap-second-bug-consumes-megawatts-of-electricity/">Leap-second Bug Consumes Megawatts of Electricity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/leap-second-bug-consumes-megawatts-of-electricity/leapsecond-clock-frog/" rel="attachment wp-att-78287"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-full wp-image-78287" title="leap=second-clock-frog" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/leapsecond-clock-frog.jpg" alt="leap second clock frog" width="560" height="396" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/leapsecond-clock-frog.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/leapsecond-clock-frog-350x247.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/leapsecond-clock-frog-150x106.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/leapsecond-clock-frog-300x212.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></a><strong>Was it the leap-second bug that pushed America&#8217;s power plants beyond their capacity?</strong></p>
<p>A 61 second minute was added to clocks around the world on June 30, 2012 at 23:59:60 UTC in order to compensate for slight variations in earth&#8217;s rotation speed.  This triggered a number of software bugs one of which <a href="http://www.datacenterknowledge.com/archives/2012/07/03/hosts-leap-second-caused-spike-power-usage/">caused a spike in data center electrical power consumption</a>.</p>
<p>We won&#8217;t have to worry about a replay of Y2k until the year 10,000 but leap-year bugs reappear like clockwork every four and four hundred years.  Programmers periodically reinvent leap-year mistakes while re-implementing an algorithm first perfected by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582.  Leap second bugs are less predictable.  Leap seconds are necessary because the Earth&#8217;s rotation speeds up and slows down in<span id="more-78239"></span><br />
<a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/leap-second-bug-consumes-megawatts-of-electricity/hetznerpowergraph-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-78243"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignnone  wp-image-78243" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/hetznerpowergraph1.png" alt="hetzer power graph" width="560" height="342" /></a></p>
<p>response to lunar and solar <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/10/sde-ocean-waves/">tidal forces</a>.   Leap seconds realign astronomical time with standard earth (UTC) time.  This year&#8217;s leap second caused a number of software bugs including a Linux kernel bug which caused server power consumption to spike at web hosting companies such as OVH of France and Hetzner AG of Germany.</p>
<p>In a message to their customers, Hetzner AG<strong></strong> admitted that this leap-second bug caused their <a href="http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4194159">electrical power consumption to increase by about a megawatt</a>.</p>
<p>Even as I type this article on a Linux-powered laptop, I hear the fan speed up and slow down in response to varying CPU load.  Websites such as Facebook, online games and web advertisements cause the CPU to draw more power and run hotter so the fan speeds up.  Computer malware such as <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/environment-cost-hacking-computers/">stuxmark and flame</a> also have a significant energy cost as do the anti-virus programs which are designed to protect us from these threats.</p>
<p>Computers are far more efficient than they were a few decades ago.  They have grown so efficient that software developers can no longer justify spending time on optimizing algorithms or hunting down CPU performance bugs.  But because computers have become so ubiquitous, they consume an increasing fraction of our electrical power consumption and should not be ignored.</p>
<p>The June 30th leap second bug coincided with heat waves in parts of North America.  Air conditioning pushed some electric power utilities to the brink of their capacity.  Thunderstorms took out some redundancy and the remaining active power lines actually sagged as electrical load heated them enough to soften their copper core.</p>
<p>It is certainly within the realm of possibility that the power consumption spike associated with a leap-second bug could have pushed power plants beyond their capacity, leaving consumers in the dark.</p>
<p>Such <a href="http://www.greenbang.com/10-weirdest-power-outages-ever_18302.html">&#8220;butterfly effect&#8221; power outages</a> have occured in the past.  One of the most famous ones began in November 1965 when a mis-configured circuit breaker tripped and caused a cascade of overloads which left much of Northeastern US and Quebec in the dark.  So as the world moves towards a more efficient balance between electrical production and consumption, we must pay more attention to the energy consumed by inefficient computers and buggy software.</p>
<p><em><a href="http://www.shutterstock.com/cat.mhtml?lang=en&#038;search_source=search_form&#038;version=llv1&#038;anyorall=all&#038;safesearch=1&#038;searchterm=frog+clock&#038;search_group=&#038;orient=&#038;search_cat=&#038;searchtermx=&#038;photographer_name=&#038;people_gender=&#038;people_age=&#038;people_ethnicity=&#038;people_number=&#038;commercial_ok=&#038;color=&#038;show_color_wheel=1#id=77807803&#038;src=d754c1b9822908cba81fa8b077ce9888-1-2">Stopwatch and frog</a> image from Shutterstock; Leap second power spike graph <a href="http://www.h-online.com/imgs/43/8/8/4/4/4/3/hetzner-graph2-ab9f8ef0b57ef394.png">via Hetzner,</a> color fill added to improve contrast.</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/07/leap-second-bug-consumes-megawatts-of-electricity/">Leap-second Bug Consumes Megawatts of Electricity</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>$109 Billion Solar Plan to Power a Third of Saudi Arabia</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/109-billion-solar-plan-to-power-a-third-of-saudi-arabia/</link>
					<comments>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/109-billion-solar-plan-to-power-a-third-of-saudi-arabia/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Susan Kraemer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 May 2012 05:48:58 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Saudi Arabia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solar Energy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=73113</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Saudi Arabia has finally noticed it has twenty centuries of solar reserves and has made plans to tap them. For its own use.The Kingdom has just announced a $109 billion plan to create a solar industry that generates a third of the nation’s electricity by 2032, according to Bloomberg Businessweek. Maher al- Odan, a consultant at the King [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/109-billion-solar-plan-to-power-a-third-of-saudi-arabia/">$109 Billion Solar Plan to Power a Third of Saudi Arabia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/109-billion-solar-plan-to-power-a-third-of-saudi-arabia/saudi-109-billion-solar-one-third-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-73233"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-73233" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saudi-109-billion-solar-one-third1.jpg" alt="saudi-$109-billion-solar-one-third" width="560" height="373" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saudi-109-billion-solar-one-third1.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saudi-109-billion-solar-one-third1-350x233.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saudi-109-billion-solar-one-third1-150x100.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/saudi-109-billion-solar-one-third1-300x200.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /></a><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/109-billion-solar-plan-to-power-a-third-of-saudi-arabia/saudi-solar-109-billion-2/" rel="attachment wp-att-73132"><br />
</a>Saudi Arabia has finally noticed it has <a title="Permanent Link to Saudis Could Export Solar for the Next Twenty Centuries" href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/saudis-could-export-solar-for-the-next-twenty-centuries/" rel="bookmark">twenty centuries of solar reserves</a> and has made plans to tap them. For its own use.The Kingdom has just announced a $109 billion plan to create a solar industry that generates a third of the nation’s electricity by 2032, according to <a href="http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-05-10/saudi-arabia-plans-109-billion-boost-for-solar-power" target="_blank">Bloomberg Businessweek</a>. Maher al- Odan, a consultant at the King Abdullah City for Atomic and Renewable Energy (KACARE) announced a plan to have 41 GW of solar capacity within two decades.</p>
<p>To put 41 GW in perspective, China is the world&#8217;s leader in wind power now, overtaking Germany and the U.S. with  about 48 GW of wind. This is a very serious move by a country well able to afford this kind of investment, that till recently has lagged the rest of the MENA region in renewables trailing Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and the United Arab Emirates.<span id="more-73113"></span></p>
<p>Traditional photovoltaic (PV) solar is to supply 16 GW, but the bulk of the solar (25 GW) is to come from the very desert-friendly concentrated solar power (CSP) that focuses the sun with mirrors to create the intense heat that drives turbines in a thermal power plant.</p>
<p>Citing government officials, Deutsche Bank said the capacity would be added in competitive bidding starting with 1,100 megawatts of PV and 900 megawatts of solar thermal in the first quarter of 2013. A second round of bidding is due in the second half of 2014.</p>
<p>Solar Reserve, which is constructing the largest 24 hour solar CSP project worldwide in Nevada has already been in talks with the Saudis.</p>
<p>Kevin Smith the CEO of Solar Reserve told GreenProphet that the company is among those looking to bid. The CSP company uses similar technology to the <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/10/masdar-opens-first-baseload-solar-in-spain-gemasolar/" target="_self">Gemasolar project built in Spain by Abu Dhabi’s visionary state-funded clean energy company Masdar</a>. Because both use molten salt as both the transfer liquid and the storage medium, they can supply electricity long after dark.</p>
<p>“They really only &#8211; in the last couple of years &#8211; have started to really increase their solar activity&#8221; he said of Saudi solar ambitions. &#8220;We expect there will be projects going into construction in Saudi next year. Hopefully with us, but certainly, with someone. We expect that their program will kick off next year. We hope we get can projects in construction in 2013.”</p>
<p>The Saudis could potentially save 523,000 barrels of oil equivalent a day over the next 20 years by such a boost to renewable energy, according to Saudi officials.</p>
<p>&#8220;The difficulties the Saudis have is their economy is all oil based&#8221; Smith concurred. &#8220;Really they want to maximise their exports of oil, but really what they’re using a lot of their oil for power generation in the country. It’s fine if oil is $20 a barrel, but now that they can sell it for $100 plus a barrel, it’s not a very cost-effective use of their oil.&#8221;</p>
<p>Nuclear, wind and geothermal would together contribute just half that amount at a still staggering 21,000 megawatts (21 GW) as we covered here: <a title="Permanent Link to Solar-Rich Saudis Running after Nukes" href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/solar-rich-saudis-running-after-nukes/" rel="bookmark">Solar-Rich Saudis Running after Nukes</a>. But the new solar plans dwarf these. As they should.</p>
<p>“We are not only looking for building solar plants,” al- Odan said in an interview in Riyadh yesterday. “We want to run a sustainable solar energy sector that will become a driver for the domestic energy for years to come.”</p>
<p>The Saudis may require bid winners to supply from factories built in the nation, according to Vishal Shah, an analyst at Deutsche Bank AG in New York, as we have covered previously: <a title="Permanent Link to Saudis to Make Desert Sands into Solar Polysilicon" href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/saudis-to-make-desert-sands-into-solar-polysilicon/" rel="bookmark">Saudis to Make Desert Sands into Solar Polysilicon</a>.</p>
<p>About $82 billion will go to capital costs, with the remainder of the $109 billion going to train the Saudis to run the solar plants as well as for maintenance and operation, al-Odan told Bloomberg.</p>
<p>Once the strategy, which includes new regulations and financial incentives for private investors, is approved “we will start implementation directly,” al-Odan said.</p>
<p>Saudi Arabia may burn 850 million barrels of oil a year, or 30 percent of its crude output, to generate electricity by 2030 if doesn’t become efficient in energy consumption, Electricity &amp; Co-Generation Regulatory Authority Governor Abdullah Al-Shehri said in a presentation in Riyadh May 8.</p>
<p>Its plans are likely to be approved later this year, al-Suliman said, according to a copy of the presentation he gave on May 8.</p>
<p>“The Saudi Arabian government has a powerful incentive to diversify its energy mix to reduce dependence on oil,” said Logan Goldie-Scot, an analyst at New Energy Finance in London.</p>
<p>Assuming initial capital costs for the solar projects of about $2.17 per watt of capacity installed, he added “The state could generate an internal rate of return of approximately 12 percent if it built a PV plant and sold the displaced oil on the international markets.”</p>
<p><strong>Read more on Middle East solar energy: </strong></p>
<p><strong></strong><a title="Permanent Link to Interview: SolarReserve For the MENA Region?" href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/interview-solarreserve-for-the-mena-region/" rel="bookmark">Interview: SolarReserve For the MENA Region?</a><br />
<a title="Permanent Link to Saudis Could Export Solar for the Next Twenty Centuries" href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/saudis-could-export-solar-for-the-next-twenty-centuries/" rel="bookmark">Saudis Could Export Solar for the Next Twenty Centuries</a><br />
<a title="Permanent Link to Solar to Light Our Nights Gets Hotter" href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/04/solar-to-light-our-nights-gets-hotter/" rel="bookmark">Solar to Light Our Nights Gets Hotter</a></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/05/109-billion-solar-plan-to-power-a-third-of-saudi-arabia/">$109 Billion Solar Plan to Power a Third of Saudi Arabia</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>An Israel Alone, Dependant On Natural Gas</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/an-israel-alone-dependent-on-natural-gas/</link>
					<comments>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/an-israel-alone-dependent-on-natural-gas/#comments</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Shifra Mincer]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 30 Mar 2012 11:52:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Israel]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leviathan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[natural gas]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[solar]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=69497</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>With Israeli electricity prices set to rise nearly 9%, government officials are trying to plan for the long-term, at least until the next energy crisis.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/an-israel-alone-dependent-on-natural-gas/">An Israel Alone, Dependant On Natural Gas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/an-israel-alone-dependent-on-natural-gas/picture-47/" rel="attachment wp-att-69759"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-69759 aligncenter" title="Shaul_Zemach" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picture-47.png" alt="Shaul Zemach (left) shakes hands with Zvi Rome of Petco (right) at the Asia House in Tel Aviv this Tuesday morning" width="567" height="329" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picture-47.png 567w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picture-47-350x203.png 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picture-47-150x87.png 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picture-47-300x174.png 300w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Picture-47-560x324.png 560w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 567px) 100vw, 567px" /></a><strong>Shaul Zemach (left) shakes hands with Zvi Rome of Petco (right) at the Asia House in Tel Aviv this Tuesday morning</strong></p>
<p>With Israeli electricity prices set to rise nearly 9%, government officials are trying to plan for the long-term, at least until the next energy crisis.</p>
<p>At a breakfast event this Tuesday in Tel Aviv sponsored by Washington-based international energy consulting company Petco, the Director General of Israel’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources Shaul Zemach spoke about <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2010/04/grid-electricity-israel-renewable-energy/">the challenges facing Israel</a> as it struggles to keep up with rising electricity and gas demand.</p>
<p>Israel’s Public Utility Authority &#8211; Electricity is raising electricity prices because a shortage of <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/12/milken-institute-israel-offshore-gas/">natural gas supply</a> and a projected increase in electricity demand this summer will literally max out the country’s grid. Unfortunately for Israelis, this is not the first time that demand will outpace supply for the tiny Middle Eastern country that, according to Zemach, cannot rely on its neighbors for back-up power.</p>
<p>“We cannot rely on natural gas that is imported <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/11/nuclear-neighbors/">from a foreign country</a>,” Zemach told the fifty or so gathered energy industry professionals in Hebrew. “This was something we knew before the problems with Egypt. Even then, the situation was not stable, but at the time we did not put enough emphasis on diversifying the country’s energy portfolio.”</p>
<p>Although Israel has recently discovered several significant offshore natural gas wells in the Mediterranean Sea, only the Leviathan well—with over 400 BCM (billion cubic meters) of natural gas—has been tapped and connected with a pipeline to generators. But with over 40% of Israel’s electricity produced with natural gas, Leviathan is quickly emptying just as supply from post-revolution Egypt is dwindling.</p>
<p>Zemach said the government knew there would be a gap in supply as Leviathan drained and the newly discovered 200 BCM Tamar well was tapped, but the government mistakenly assumed that Egyptian natural gas would fill the gap.</p>
<p>“Everyone thought we could buy time,” said Zemach. So when <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2009/07/feed-in-tariffs-israel/">the government</a> realized that would not be happening, it scurried to begin development of the Tamar well, but a gap in supply this summer is still inevitable.</p>
<p>And because the Israeli grid is so dependant on natural gas, Zemach said it will be nearly impossible for the country to transition to alternative energy sources anytime in the near future.</p>
<p>“We are in a natural gas crisis, so we have to develop [the wells we have] as quickly as possible,” said Zemach. But like everything in Israel, obtaining the necessary permits has been challenging for natural gas developers that have to jump through the hoops of government bureaucracy and local residents that are fighting the construction of pipelines near their homes.</p>
<p>“Israel has become a crowded countries in terms of infrastruct ure, said Zemach. But he said the government has to do a better job of prioritizing national interests over the protests of local communities.</p>
<p>In 2010, Israel also faced an energy crisis and at the time the government approved construction of four emergency power plants. Currently 34% of Israel’s power is generated from coal. But only three of the plants were built which is why the PUA is still struggling to keep ahead of supply two years later. Zemach said that included in the demand numbers is a relatively generous cushion of excess energy that Israel feels is necessary because it cannot rely on a neighboring country for backup power.</p>
<p>While many small isolated countries have chosen to invest in renewables rather than import natural gas, Zemach said the lack of energy partnerships with neighboring countries makes the Israeli PUA uncomfortable <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2011/02/israel-solar-licenses/">relying on renewable energy</a> for any significant amount of power.</p>
<p>And the lack of abundant water resources makes hydropower, which in many small countries a significant part of a renewable energy portfolio, an impossibility in Israel.</p>
<p>By 2020, the country has set a goal of 10% renewable power, but it is an initial goal that is being used only as a preliminary test, Zemach said in response to a question from GreenProphet. There is currently no plan for further expansion after the 2020 target is met. For that target, the PUA will develop wind (30% of total renewables) and biomass (21% of total renewables) but will focus heavily on <a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/02/israel-solar-renewable-2020/">solar</a>. And for a country with nearly constant sunshine, that technology may prove most effective.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/an-israel-alone-dependent-on-natural-gas/">An Israel Alone, Dependant On Natural Gas</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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		<title>Setsuden Helped Japan Conserve 75 Nuclear Reactors Worth of Energy</title>
		<link>https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/setsuden-energy-japan-nuclear/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Brian Nitz]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2012 11:03:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Energy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Lifestyle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[conservation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[electricity]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Energy Efficiency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tsunami]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://www.greenprophet.com/?p=68130</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>The Middle East can learn about energy savings from the Japanese, and the Japanese concept of setsuden.  Sometime during the mid 1990s a series of heat waves coincided with a refueling shut-down at one of my home state&#8217;s nuclear power plants. Citizens were asked to voluntarily cut usage.  Somehow we managed to conserve the equivalent [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/setsuden-energy-japan-nuclear/">Setsuden Helped Japan Conserve 75 Nuclear Reactors Worth of Energy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-68262" title="tokyo-elevator-setsuden" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-560x419.jpg" alt="tokyo elevator setsuden" width="560" height="419" srcset="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-560x419.jpg 560w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-350x262.jpg 350w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-660x494.jpg 660w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-561x420.jpg 561w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-80x60.jpg 80w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-150x112.jpg 150w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden-300x225.jpg 300w, https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/tokyo-elevator-setsuden.jpg 681w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 560px) 100vw, 560px" /><strong>The Middle East can learn about energy savings from the Japanese, and the Japanese concept of setsuden. </strong></p>
<p>Sometime during the mid 1990s a series of heat waves coincided with a refueling shut-down at one of my home state&#8217;s nuclear power plants. Citizens were asked to voluntarily cut usage.  Somehow we managed to conserve the equivalent of the nuclear power plant&#8217;s generating capacity. Now, one year after Japan&#8217;s earthquake and tsunami caused partial meltdowns at Fukushima Daiichi, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/09/world/asia/japan-shutting-down-its-nuclear-power-industry.html?_r=4&amp;pagewanted=all">fifty-four Japanese nuclear power plants have been shut down.</a>   How did the people of Japan make up for a 30% shortfall in their electric generating capacity?<span id="more-68130"></span></p>
<p>Some coal and oil power plants were ramped up to help meet the demand, but even this wouldn&#8217;t have been enough. <em>Setsuden</em>, the Japanese word for &#8220;saving electricity&#8221;, was the key. In the year following the tsunami, Japanese citizens cut as much as 60 Gigawatts from their peak usage, roughly equivalent to the output of 75 nuclear reactors the size of the five which failed at Fukushima Daiichi. How did they do this?</p>
<p><em>Setsuden</em> was in the Japanese vocabulary long before the 2011 tsunami. I first encountered a tankless water heater while visiting my cousin and her husband in the mountains of Japan. Here was a simple idea, heat only the water I use as it is used.</p>
<p>Why didn&#8217;t I think of that? Japan must import nearly all of its fossil fuels, so oil has always been expensive there. This gives Japan an advantage over the Mideast and US when it comes to thinking in terms of efficiency. Even during Japan&#8217;s property bubble, cities didn&#8217;t sprawl out quite as much as they did in other parts of the world.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="left" title="off2savepower" src="https://www.greenprophet.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/off2savepower-453x600.png" alt="japanese power saving" width="225" height="300" />The tragic tsunami and nuclear disasters gave new focus to the <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/26/opinion/in-japan-the-summer-of-setsuden.html">importance of <em>setsuden</em>.</a> The government started awareness campaigns and mandated that businesses which used more than 500 kilowatts must reduce their consumption by 15%.</p>
<p>People switched to LED and<a href="http://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/esl-cfl-mercury-lights/"> CFL</a> lights, the lights of Tokyo&#8217;s trendy Ginza were dimmed. Paper fans and shade took the place of air conditioners. People unplugged transformers and made sure appliances were off and not just on standby. Even the normally strict Japanese businessman dress code was relaxed to allow people to be more comfortable in workplaces even when air conditioners were set to a higher temperature.</p>
<p>When a tragedy of the magnitude of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hits, it is impossible to fully understand the impact to people in the region and people in unaffected parts of Japan must have felt helpless to do anything for the victims. <em>Setsuden</em> was one way of uniting people towards a common goal and it was quite a success.</p>
<p><em>Setsuden</em> prevented blackouts during the summer of 2011. There are no plans to make <em>setsuden</em> mandatory for 2012. This isn&#8217;t because capacity has been fully restored, it is because the people of Japan have learned new habits. If the rest of the world looks carefully, we can learn from this success story.</p>
<p>If it&#8217;s possible for an efficient society to cut their electricity consumption by 30%, imagine what is possible in other parts of the world, if only we set our minds to it.</p>
<p><em>Above image by <a href="http://tokyotombaker.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/ss4m.jpg">Tokyo Tom Baker</a></em><br />
<em>Lower image remix by Brian Nitz via openclipart.org</em></p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com/2012/03/setsuden-energy-japan-nuclear/">Setsuden Helped Japan Conserve 75 Nuclear Reactors Worth of Energy</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.greenprophet.com">Green Prophet</a>.</p>
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