Major European power companies are investing in Romania to create the region’s largest wind farms, bringing welcome investment and jobs. Source: Bloomberg

A novel design of solar-powered refrigerator is giving rural communities without electricity access to vaccines and medicines. The fridge stores power within ice packs, which maintain temperatures overnight. Source: Reuters

The UK Government has overturned the ban on local councils selling renewable electricity. Energy Secretary Chris Huhne has announced that councils across Britain will from 18th August be allowed to sell renewable electricity to the grid and should assume their rightful place leading a local power revolution. At present only 0.01% of electricity in England is generated by local authority-owned renewables, despite the scope that exists to install projects on their land and buildings. In Germany the equivalent figure is 100 times higher. Source: DECC

UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne announces the launch of the first Annual Energy Statement. He commented: “Our actions must be informed by the best information about the future. That is why I am publishing our work on 2050 energy pathways, which has been worked up in consultation with industry, scientists, engineers and economists. We are making the data and analysis available and we are inviting comments over the summer. We want to start a grown-up debate about what a low-carbon future will look like and the best way of achieving it”. Source: DECC

Swedish company Minesto has developed a ground-breaking technique, called Deep Green, to draw energy from tidal currents. This new technology is applicable in areas where no other known tidal energy technology can operate cost effectively, due to its unique ability to operate in low velocities. Source: Reuters

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The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) has released its forecast for wind power installations in 2010, and expects 10 gigawatt (GW) of new wind power capacity to be installed in the EU during 2010, taking total installed capacity by the end of 2010 to almost 85 GW – an increase of 13%. “We predict another strong year for wind turbine installations in Europe, repeating the high level achieved in 2009,” said Christian Kjaer, CEO of EWEA. “What is encouraging is that the 2010 results consist of orders placed after the start of the financial crisis. This shows continued and strong investor confidence in the technology.” Source: EWEA

London gets its first solar-tiled church, as work is completed at St Silas in Pentonville. Most of the church’s south-facing roof has been covered with specially-manufactured photo-voltaic tiles, designed to blend in with the surrounding Welsh slate. Source: Edie

High fashion is going high-tech this season, with top designers creating that absolutely must-have accessory: a handbag that recharges your mobile phone or Blackberry. Source: Reuters

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Findings from an EU-funded project “Wind Barriers” were released at the European Wind Energy Conference and Exhibition in Warsaw. The study reveals that it takes an average of 42 months to obtain consent to build wind farms across the EU and that there is significant variation between different member states. Source: EWEA

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Topping the agenda at the opening day of the European Wind Energy Conference in Warsaw was Europe’s long term energy supply. Wind energy will meet 50% of the EU’s electricity demand by 2050, top wind energy personalities told Europe’s largest wind energy conference and exhibition. “2050 might seem like a long way off, but the decisions we take today will have a big impact on our energy supplies in 40 years’ time,” said Professor Arthouros Zervos, President of the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA). However, we should be talking about a “renewable energy economy” not a low carbon one, Prof. Zervos said. “Renewable energies can provide 100% of Europe’s power supplies by 2050 without any further contribution from any so-called low-carbon technologies”. Source: EWEA/Green tv