Mirror, mirror
What was once hailed as an endless source of desert electricity has now fallen by the wayside in the profitability race. Is concentrated solar power condemned to remain a niche player in the energy market.
New Energy
-
New clothes for the sun
<p> The solar industry is slipping into crisis. But alongside the failures, there are some spectacular successes. And thanks to falling prices, many a project may find it easier to meet the yield expectations
-
A second life in Africa
<p> The project may be small, but it is symbolically very important. The first wind power plant in West Africa has been connected to the grid in Gambia, and everyone hopes that more will soon follow.</p>
-
From maize to algae
US ethanol producers have had no joy from the stock market. The financial figures of many are awful. Venture capitalists are holding back investment
-
"At least 20 per cent"
Four Members of European Parliament discuss the renewable energy directive and Europe
-
Green map
Europe
-
Fata climata?
<p>Blessed with gigantic oil deposits, Abu Dhabi has the world's highest per capita consumption of energy. Now, a green metropolis is being built there, eventually to become a center for regenerative forms of energy. Is this going to work? A report from the construction site.</p>
-
The global power station
The international momentum of renewables is leading to new proprietary structures. Will future wind and solar parks be predominantly owned by utilities or can independent power producers hold their ground? Financially strong players and experienced project developers are well positioned.
-
Expansion capital boom
In the fourth quarter of 2007 the clean energy sector saw a sharp increase in the use of private equity expansion capital, but investment in buyouts evaporated in the face of the credit crisis. Venture capital investment, meanwhile, maintained the high levels seen in the previous two quarters.
-
Climate buyers
As Austria revises its Green Electricity Act the clean power industries reject the draft on the table as inadequate. To reach its climate protection targets the country will have to massively buy in CO2 certificates.
-
And the winner is...
The gold medal for new wind power production in 2007 goes to the United States. More than 5,200 megawatts of capacity were installed there, a new world record. New factories are to ensure further growth, provided the promotion criteria are extended in time.