Alternative Powertrain Strategies and Fleet Turnover in the 21st Century

University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute / Bruce Belzowski and Walter McManus http://tinyurl.com/28aggaf [Abstract] The changes taking place in the global automotive industry related to alternative powertrains and fuels are affecting each country or region differently. Each country or region has its own policies in place to monitor and manage vehicle fuel consumption and emissions. … Continue reading »

2010 World Gasification Database

Department of Energy http://tinyurl.com/23uxphx [From database website] The 2010 Worldwide Gasification Database [currently in Excel and Access files, with a forthcoming searchable web form] describes the current world gasification industry and identifies near-term planned capacity additions. The database lists gasification projects and includes information (e.g., plant location, number and type of gasifiers, syngas capacity, feedstock, … Continue reading »

Report of the Secretary-General’s High-level Advisory Group on Climate Change Financing

United Nations http://tinyurl.com/23fqtoz [From Executive Summary] As concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere continue to grow to ever more worrying levels, and adaptation becomes more and more challenging, action on climate change is urgent. Climate finance is key to that action, but will make a fundamental difference only if linked to a wider programme … Continue reading »

The Power of Renewables: Opportunities and Challenges for China and the United States

National Academies Press / Committee on U.S.-China Cooperation on Electricity from Renewable Resources, National Research Council, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Engineering http://download.nap.edu/cart/deliver.cgi?record_id=12987 [free PDF with registration] [Description] The United States and China are the world’s top two energy consumers and, as of 2010, the two largest economies. Consequently, they have a decisive … Continue reading »

Driving Forces of Global Wildfires Over the Past Millennium and the Forthcoming Century

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences v107 n45 p19167–19170 (November 9, 2010) / O. Pechony and D. T. Shindell http://www.pnas.org/content/107/45/19167.full.pdf+html [Abstract] Recent bursts in the incidence of large wildfires worldwide have raised concerns about the influence climate change and humans might have on future fire activity. Comparatively little is known, however, about the relative … Continue reading »

Maryland Offshore Wind Development: Regulatory Environment, Potential Interconnection Points, Investment Model, and Select Conflict Areas

Center for Integrative Environmental Research / University of Maryland http://cier.umd.edu/documents/Maryland-Offshore-Wind-Report.pdf [From News Release] Offshore wind power offers a feasible way for Maryland to help meet its renewable energy goals, but presents some economic and political hurdles, concludes a new study by the University of Maryland Center for Integrative Environmental Research (CIER). Maryland Offshore Wind Development … Continue reading »