What Is Renewable Energy
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural sources that are replenished at a higher rate than they are consumed. Sunlight and wind, for example, are such sources that are constantly being replenished. Renewable energy sources are plentiful and all around us.
Fossil fuels – coal, oil and gas – on the other hand, are non-renewable resources that take hundreds of millions of years to form. Fossil fuels, when burned to produce energy, cause harmful greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide.
Generating renewable energy creates far lower emissions than burning fossil fuels. Transitioning from fossil fuels, which currently account for the lions share of emissions, to renewable energy is key to addressing the climate crisis.
Renewables are now cheaper in most countries, and generate three times more jobs than fossil fuels.
Where The Subsidies Go
Many people may be familiar with Warren Buffets claim that federal policies are the only reason to build wind farms in the US, but few realize how many of the companies that benefit most are foreign. The Investigative Reporting Workshop at American University found that, as of 2010, 84% of total clean-energy grants awarded by the federal government went to foreign-owned wind companies.
More generally, the beneficiaries of federal renewable energy policies tend to be large companies, not individual taxpayers or small businesses. The top five recipients of federal grants and tax credits since 2000 are: Iberdrola, NextEra Energy, NRG Energy, Southern Company and Summit Power, all of which have received more than $1 billion in federal benefits.
Iberdrola Renewables alone, a unit of a Spanish utility, has collected $2.2 billion in federal grants and allocated tax credits over the past 15 years. Thats equivalent to about 6.7% of the parent companys 2014 revenue of $33 billion .
President Obamas proposed 2016 budget would permanently extend the biggest federal subsidy for wind power, the Production Tax Credit , ensuring that large foreign companies continue to reap most of the taxpayer-funded benefits for wind. The PTC is a federal subsidy that pays wind farm owners $23 per megawatt-hour through the first ten years of a turbines operation. The credit expired at the end of 2013, but Congress extended it so that all projects under construction by the end of 2014 are eligible.
Rural Electrification Densification Programme In Tanzania
In partnership with the Rural Energy Agencys grid densification programme, Energy 4 Impact is providing business development support to local business owners following their first-time connection to the main power grid. The aim of the programme is to stimulate economic development and increase local commercial uptake of electricity through enterprise development support and financing facilities to micro-enterprises wishing to buy electrics tools and appliances. The programme is funded by the Norwegian Government with Multiconsult acting as REAs Technical Assistance Consultant.
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Understanding The European Council Conclusions On Climate: A 10
At the October Summit, 28 EU leaders agreed a framework for climate policy in the period to 2030, most notable a commitment to reduce emissions by “at least” 40%. This enables the EU to bring a clear commitment to the Lima climate conference in December 2014. A constructive ambiguity, however, characterizes what was agreed in several key respects. Our analysis, which interprets the conclusions by answering 10 key questions, suggests that the new master plan may not be quite as ambitious as it seems.
How Does Wind Power Generate Electricity
Electricity is generated when the wind turns the blades on a turbine.
A generator inside the turbine converts this energy into mechanical power and electricity.
The process produces hardly any greenhouse gas emissions , which means it can play a major part in slowing climate change.
However, wind energy is completely dependent upon the weather – which is changeable.
Wind can be generated all day and night, unlike solar energy, but it is difficult to predict.
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Developing Productive Uses Of Energy In Senegal
With GIZ funding under its ‘Programme Energies Durables’ programme, Energy 4 Impact conducted a series of pilots to test the technical and economic feasibility of solar refrigeration within economic value chains in remote off-grid communities in Senegal. Over an 18-month period, Energy 4 Impact supported 30 local women-owned businesses to invest in solar refrigeration systems, and monitored their performance in view of a possible scale-up.
As A Wind Power Development What Is Needed To Apply For Government Funding
When you are ready to apply for funding for your small business, be it a Wind Power Development, or any type of business, its important to understand that each funding program has its own criteria which you must follow.
Since each grant, loan, and funding programme is different in what they require of you as an applicant, it is important to read the qualification, criteria, and requirements being asked. You can speak to a funding expert to get a better understanding of this and what is specifically needed in your case.
If you are ready, you can speak to a funding expert now.
Generally speaking, the must-haves before you apply to any government funding programme includes:
In addition to these 4 critical must-haves, you will have to ensure you meet the eligibility criteria which can often ask that you are in the correct industry, location, have the right funding needs, that you apply on time ..etc
Each of the general requirements is something you should have ready before you decide to apply.
These 3 documents will ensure you have the majority of what is needed to apply for funding for your Wind Power Development.
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Community And Renewable Energy Scheme
We established our Community and Renewable Energy Scheme to encourage local and community ownership of renewable energy projects across Scotland and to help maximise the benefits of renewable energy systems, whether commercial or community owned.
CARES aims to accelerate progress towards our target of two gigawatt of renewable energy to be locally or community owned by 2030, and to assist with delivering both our Energy strategy and our Heat in buildings strategy through the provision of loan finance, grant funding and specialist advice.
CARES, which is delivered on our behalf by Local Energy Scotland, has a network of development officers across Scotland to provide free, expert and impartial advice and support to community groups, charities and other eligible organisations seeking to explore their renewable energy options.
Since 2010, CARES has provided more than £58 million in funding to applicants, and has supported more than 600 projects and provided advice to more than 900 organisations.
CARES can support a wide range of projects, including installing renewable technologies in community buildings, community benefits and shared ownership.It provides a package of support and makes it as easy as possible for applicants to deliver projects.
For more information about funding, visit the Local Energy Scotland website.
Energy Business For Development
This $3.23 million programme provided advisory services and capacity building support for energy sector micro, small and medium enterprises, developing productive use activities of newly electrified villages, clean cooking and womens economic empowerment in Kenya, Tanzania, Senegal, and Uganda. EBD was the second phase of the Energy SMEs Programme, financed by the ESME Trust Fund, which was administered by the World Bank. Informed by the experience and lessons learned under the first phase, the EBD programme supported energy sector businesses and project developers to grow the energy markets in sub-Saharan Africa.
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Energy And The Tax Code
The federal government has a suite of tools at its disposal to make investments, including cash grants, regulatory incentives, tax expenditures, and financing supports. When properly designed and targeted, each of these tools plays an important role.
In the energy sector most government investment happens through the tax code. Indeed, for energy companies that receive federal support, the most important day of the year is Tax Day, when they receive a large amount of their government benefits. In fact, 44 percent of energy spending in 2010 was through the tax system, with the remainder through other tools.
There are both good and bad reasons for this. Both companies and the government have an established system for paying and processing taxes, so providing investments through the tax code provides for efficient delivery of incentives by tapping existing infrastructure and rules. More cynically, however, tax expenditures are an expedient that may be at cross-purposes with good government practice because they are held to different budget standards than direct spending. This means that working through the tax code is less transparent and therefore far easier to pass through Congress with reduced budget scrutiny.
These issues are discussed in detail in the CAP report Government Spending Undercover: Spending Programs Administered by the IRS by Lily Batchelder and Eric Toder.
Tax Expenditures Should Be Held Accountable For Achieving Results
The underlying reasons for so much energy spending being done through the tax code are unlikely to change, at least in the short term. Therefore its important that energy tax expenditures work well. In previous CAP work weve called for regular reviews of all tax expenditures to ensure this spending is effective, efficient, and necessary.
There are some energy tax expenditures that clearly do not meet this standard. Sima Gandhi and I wrote in depth about this issue in Americas Hidden Power Bill, where we described obscure tax credits for the oil-and-gas industry that have existed for more than 80 years and have no demonstrable benefits for Americans. Such tax breaks simply provide windfall benefits to these mature industries at taxpayer expense. We also discussed several tax credits for clean energy that are much better designed.
This issue brief calls for Congress to take action on some of the most important clean energy tax issues in todays policy and political debates: the production tax credit, the investment tax credit, and the Treasury Cash Grant Program. Each of these can be extended in a way that both leads to powerful incentives for investment in our energy future and represents good tax policy.
Congress should instead focus on a comprehensive investment package that creates paths for all technologies so that American businesses will invest in the technologies that make the most sense for our country.
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Enact Energy Access For The Urban Poor In Freetown And Kampala
The Enabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access programme works with local governments, the private sector, and local communities to create an enabling environment that helps to improve energy security for the urban poor living in informal settlements and slums in Freetown and Kampala. The project aims to introduce market led energy solutions to provide adequate, safe, reliable, clean and affordable forms of energy to urban poor communities. The project is funded by UK aid from the UK government, managed by The Carbon Trust, and delivered by ICLEI Africa with support from Energy 4 Impact.
Advisory Support On Clean Cooking Funding Landscape For Mecs
Energy 4 Impact is partnering with Modern Energy Cooking Services on their five-year research programme aimed at accelerating the global transition from burning biomass for cooking and heating towards clean fuels such as renewable electricity, ethanol or LPG. Commencing in 2020 and funded by UK Aid , the programme will produce evidence that promotes the innovation needed to make modern energy cooking services more affordable, reliable and sustainable. To pave the way for the introduction of more finance for clean cooking, Energy 4 Impact will analyse sector trends including market development, the uptake of clean technologies and challenges raising capital.
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Us Wind Industry Federal Incentives Funding And Partnership Opportunities Fact Sheet
Wind power is a burgeoning power source in the U.S. electricity portfolio, supplying over 8% of U.S. electricity generation.
The U.S. Department of Energys Wind Energy Technologies Office focuses on enabling industry growth and U.S. competitiveness by supporting early-stage research on technologies that enhance energy affordability, reliability, and resilience and strengthen U.S. energy security, economic growth, and environmental quality. Outlined below are the primary federal incentives for developing and investing in wind power, resources for funding wind power, and opportunities to partner with DOE and other federal agencies on efforts to move the U.S. wind industry forward.
Using Government Funding For Your Wind Power Development
While there are many government funding programmes available for small business owners across the UK. Your business has to be eligible for them before you can plan on spending the money. As a Wind Power Development, you may have a number of startup or expansion expenses you want to have covered via government funds, so it is crucial that you understand what you can use the funds for before you apply. Speak to a funding expert to better understand how to use the funds and what you can use the funds for.
As a small business in the UK, the below are some of the business activities which you may be able to obtain funding for
Some of the more common funding requirements that business owners try and take advantage of, including those starting a Wind Power Development business include: to pay for consulting services, to aid with business planning, startup/expansion costs, for research and development, and wage support.
If you are unsure of what you need for your small business just yet, speaking with a funding expert or a business consultant will help narrow down the needs. Speak to an expert now.
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Water And Energy For Food
This collaboration between German development agency GIZ and Energy 4 Impact consists of three programmes designed to promote the uptake of innovative solar irrigation technologies and business models across Benin, Senegal and Tanzania. Making farmers aware of the advantages of solar-powered irrigation is at the heart of this initiative, but a holistic approach is needed to ensure long-term efficacy, so support to farmers will also encompass advice on agronomy, productive uses of solar energy in post-harvest processing and routes to market. The overall aim of the initiative to improve livelihoods, food security and resilience amongst smallholder farmers living in poor and marginalised communities.
Un Meetings And Events
The media during the 25th Session of the Human Rights Council ©UN Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré
The UN Journal has a list of todays and forthcoming meetings at UN Headquarters. Also available are daily lists of meetings taking place at UN offices around the world, documents, media alerts, press conferences, noon briefings, and more.
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Eu Review The Week Ahead
EU Review This Week rounds up the main meetings, developments and events from around the European Union and Europe on a weekly basis. Each update gives an overview of the main developments from a European perspective to provide a solid context for political and policy developments within the EU institutions and from European capitals.
Converting Wind Into Power
A wind turbine turns kinetic energy into mechanical power. This power can then be used for specific tasks, like pumping water, milling flour or be converted into electricity via a generator. Wind farms typically combine the output of multiple wind turbines sending the energy produced to the electricity grid. Globally, there are many onshore and offshore wind energy projects in the pipeline.
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Usda Rural Energy For America Program
The U.S. Department of Agriculture helps farmers, ranchers and homeowners in rural areas — population under 20,000 — with grants to buy and install solar, wind and other renewable energy systems. While most of the USDA programs are in rural farming zones, there are areas closer to urban zone that are deemed revitalization zones. The grants can be used to pay up to 25 percent of a project’s cost, up to a maximum of $500,000.
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Green 4 Access First Loss Facility
G4A, a partnership between GreenMax Capital Group and Energy 4 Impact was designed to increase access to renewable, sustainable energy in Africa by offering the risk mitigation provided by first loss cushions for lending to the off-grid sector. Through this modern and inclusive approach to green energy finance, G4A engaged with major development finance institutions and impact investors to support activities such as dependable education, reliable hours for small business owners and customers, regular internet access and more.
Government And Private Funding We Need Both For The Energy Transition
These days, companies and governments alike are making commitments to net zero emissions. While commitments are good, making progress requires investment. That means putting money on deploying existing technology in the near term, while continuing to fund innovation to deliver cost-effective approaches in the future. The current picture looks promising, but there is always a chance the momentum will lag.
Deploying Clean Technology
Despite COVID-19 and the economic downturn, clean energy investment did surprisingly well in the United States last year. U.S. companies, households and the government spent $85.3 billion on deployment of low-carbon technology in 2020, according to Bloomberg New Energy Finance . Although there was an overall decline from 2019, investment in electric transportation and residential heat pumps saw an uptick. Green bonds, which are primarily asset-linked, grew by 13% to a record $305 billion globally, after a slowdown in the first half of the year.
The federal government plays a significant role in the deployment of clean energy, mainly through policies like tax incentives, rebates and technical assistance. The U.S. Energy Act of 2020 which was part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, extended existing taxes incentives for solar and wind, a new emphasis on 45Q carbon capture incentives and a new offshore wind credit.
Investing in Innovation
Figure 1. Innovation from Concept to Maturity
Sustaining the Momentum
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