Achieved connection Future Energies http://futureenergies.com/ Future Energies en-gb Future Energies http://futureenergies.com/images/logo.gif http://futureenergies.com/ info@futureenergies.com. THE MOVE AWAY FROM OIL http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=993 As oil prices rise and governments take action to reduce C02 emissions, we are at the beginning of a revolution, a shift towards electric vehicles. The E.U. has stipulated that 15% of the UK’s energy must come from renewable sources by 2020. A Dutch Minister, Maria van der Hoeven, supports the promotion and sales of electric vehicles for small companies and families living in big cities. In the next ten years she wants at least 75 % of cars to be electric powered or electric hybrid. The Dutch government has therefore requested industry to make progress in the development of electric cars, and it is expected that other countries will follow. For more info see Green Motorsport UK: Our Message for World Environment Day! http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=992 The United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon’s World Environment Day message is “Mitigating climate change, eradicating poverty and promoting economic and political stability all demand the same solution: we must kick the carbon habit. This is the theme for World Environment Day 2008. “Kick the Habit: Towards a Low Carbon Economy” Coalition call on US Senate to tackle climate change http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=991 A group of leading investors, including F&C, has called on the US Senate to enact strong federal legislation to curb the pollution causing global warming. In advance of the upcoming Senate debate on the Lieberman-Warner climate bill early next month, the group issued a letter to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, calling for a national climate policy to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60 to 90 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. The request is similar to reductions that would be achieved under the Lieberman-Warner bill. UK: Brands Hatch races go green! http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=990 Green MotorSport will be powering the largest electric slot racing track in the UK at the A1 GP Brands Hatch. (2-4th May 08) The system supplied for this coming weekend’s entertainment consists of a photovoltaic array coupled to a monstrous energy store of over 1000 ampere hours! Energy provided from the system will be 240 volts to enable the smooth running of the race computers, scoring system and of course the electric slot cars. Over the weekend adults and children taking part will be briefed about how the energy for the races is supplied and made from the Green MotorSport future energies mobile power station. Earthrace eco-boat begins world record attempt http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=989 Earthrace, the world’s fastest, coolest and greenest powerboat kicked off its round-the-world race in an attempt to break the world record and promote the use of sustainable fuels. Earthrace is an incredible 78ft wave-piercing trimaran that runs exclusively on biodiesel, and has a net zero carbon footprint, making it one of the world’s most environmentally-friendly powerboats. Skipper Pete Bethune and his crew blasted off from the port of Sagunto, Spain on the 27th April 2008. Be sure to track the teams progress with the live marinetrack event viewer console. China: Top carbon polluter ? http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=988 Recent research suggests that current computer models substantially underestimate future emissions growth in China! The country's greenhouse gas emissions have been underestimated. Dr Max Auffhammer, the lead researcher, said his projections had been presented widely and no-one had raised a serious complaint. The Chinese and the UN insist that countries with high per capita levels of pollution must reduce emissions first, and help poorer countries to invest in low carbon technologies. Plug In America Needs Your Help. You Are Invited! http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=987 We want zero emission electric cars on the road, and we want them NOW! Help PIA inspire Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and CARB Chair Mary Nichols to do the right thing by clicking here. And get ready for a rousing Rally and Press Conference near the California Air Resources Board (CARB) Headquarters at the corner of I and 10th Streets in Sacramento on March 26th. Now is your chance to join the action before CARB votes on a proposal that could keep zero emission electric cars out of consumers' hands for decades. Raise your voice at the March 26 rally alongside Plug in America, Tesla Motors, former CIA Director James Woolsey, Rainforest Action Network and others. Please join us at 10:30 a.m. and bring your friends. No RSVP required. UK: CLIMATE CHANGE DEBATE NEEDS REFOCUSING http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=986 There is a fundamental conflict between those who think that climate change can be resolved through technology alone and those who believe that more profound changes to our lifestyles and values are urgently needed, argues Dr Kate Rawles, a lecturer in Outdoor Studies at the University of Cumbria. Kate takes the latter view, arguing that first, while increases in energy efficiency and other technological innovations have an important role to play they cannot provide a comprehensive response, and second that some of the wilder technological proposals such as mirrors in space, or seeding clouds with sulphur particles, are downright alarming and bound to have unforeseen problematic consequences. Carbon Countdown campaign http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=985 The Carbon Countdown international campaign focuses corporate support for C&C on the UNFCCC decision-making process throughout the current critical negotiations. The campaign displays the C&C logo and seeks the commitment of organisations carrying the logo to propagate the case for C&C by endorsing the C&C Declaration. The campaign’s essential message is that treating climate change as a global emergency is now long overdue and responding proportionately is vital; that it is imperative to go beyond the merely aspirational character of the current UNFCCC debate and focus on the rationale for solving the problem faster than we are creating it. Declaring for C&C demonstrates this. For more info on C&C UK: Low Carbon Mobility, A Transport for the Future http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=984 A report out by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) is urging the Government to make people feel an excessive carbon foot-print is as shameful as drink-driving. The report encourages rail to be the lead ‘green’ transport of the future and is unique in that it is based on cross-modal and cost effective policies designed to deliver the government’s transportemissions targets. UK: ITM Power wins top international award http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=983 A British company leading the alternative fuel revolution has won a major international award. ITM Power, which is developing ways of using hydrogen to fuel vehicles and provide power for homes and offices, has won The CleanEquity Monaco 2008 Award for Excellence in the Field of Environmental Technology Research. The award was presented to ITM’s Chief Executive Officer, Jim Heathcote, by H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco at a ceremony in Monaco at the end of the two-day international conference on emerging environmental technologies. UK: Tesco makes energy labelling easy http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=982 Tesco is to bring clear and simple energy labelling to small electrical products like TVs and kitchen equipment, helping our customers save hundreds of pounds as they make cleaner choices for the environment. Most customers are already familiar with energy efficiency labelling on white goods like fridges and washing machines, but Tesco will be the first retailer to introduce a similar scheme to smaller products from light bulbs to microwaves. UK: First commercial aircraft to be powered by biofuel http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=981 A commercial airline to be powered partly by bio fuel has taken off from London Heathrow today. The plane will have no passengers on board. The Virgin Atlantic Boeing 747 flies to Amsterdam's Schipol airport. The 747-400 / registration GV-WOW, operating as Flt. VS811P, is reported to fly using a 20% biofuel blend of coconut and babassu oil in one of its fuel tanks. Branson said his fuel was completely environmentally and socially sustainable. This test flight will be piloted by Captain Geoff Andreasen, Virgin Atlantic's Chief Boeing pilot. The 747 took off from London Heathrow (11.30am 24/02/08) and will arrive in Amsterdam at 13.30 local time if things go to plan! The fuel is said to be provided by Seattle-based Imperium Renewables. The airline and its partners are testing a number of bio fuels to determine which is most effective at altitude. The jet engines and aircraft needed no special modifications to take the fuel. Could this be the start of a Green Airways ? World's shift to low-carbon energy investment plan http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=980 A coalition of more than forty leading US and European institutional investors, controlling over $20 trillion of capital and over $1.75 trillion in assets has announced a climate change action plan to examine the huge investment opportunities concerning low carbon technology. Investors today discussed the world's shift to investment in future energies and a low carbon economy. The event was hosted by Ceres and the United Nations Foundation in New York. The plan will seek to boost investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and require tougher scrutiny of carbon-intensive investments that may pose long-term financial risks. The "carbon countdown" has begun. Introduction to Renewable Energy http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=979 Future Energies & Green Dragon energy announce the following renewable energy courses. These have now been scheduled for April and May 2008. Introduction to Renewable Energy (3 days), University of Wales Gives an overview of renewable energy technology and outlines the basic principles of solar electricity, solar water heating, small-scale wind power, micro hydro-power, bio-energy, heat pumps and applications for homes, businesses and farms. Abu Dhabi: Work starts on greener city http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=978 It has been reported that Abu Dhabi has started to build the world's first zero carbon city powered by renewable energies. Named the Masdar City costing $22bn (£11.3bn) & estimated to take eight years to build, will be home for 50,000 people. Using traditional Gulf architecture the buildings will use a quarter of the power required for a similar sized community. The finance is being directed through a company called the Masdar Initiative, a company established to commercialise clean energy technologies. The city will be master planned by a company called Foster + Partners. The design will be a centre for the development of new ideas for future energy production & sustainable urban development. For more info see, BBC NEWS How To Solve Climate Change! http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=977 The global community continues to generate dangerous rates of global climate change faster than it acts to avoid them. The international challenge is to reverse this. Contraction and Convergence (C&C) makes this possible. The “United Nations Framework Convention of Climate Change” (UNFCCC) has the objective of safe and stable greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere based on the principles of precaution and equity. “Contraction and Convergence” (C&C) is the rights-based, global climate-policy framework, proposed to the United Nations since 1990 by the Global Commons Institute (GCI) to achieve that objective. “C&C” enables greenhouse gas scenarios for safe climate to be calculated and universally shared by negotiation, enabling policies and measures to be organised internationally at rates that avoid dangerous global climate change. Download the New C&C Animation ( BALI ) UK: New product breakthroughs! http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=976 Green MotorSport and our partners are building up a range of innovative technologies to enable you to use renewable energy to power your own transport. Green MotorSport is completing testing and evaluation of new batteries and control systems for electric vehicles. We are making progress with the most advanced technologies for our high performance electric racing kart and efficiency upgrades for our new Wisper demonstration vehicle. We are also evaluating the best renewable energy systems from around the world so that you will be able to choose what fuel you want to use. Google's commitment to a clean energy future http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=975 Google recently announced a new strategic initiative to develop electricity from renewable energy sources. The newly created initiative, known as RE UK: Climate Change Bill Published in UK http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=974 Landmark legislation that sets out plans to tackle climate change for the next 50 years was published in Parliament recently.(Thurs 15th 2007) The Climate Change Bill, the first of its kind in the world, sets out a framework that will put Britain on the path to become a low carbon economy. The framework provides clear, legally binding targets to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by at least 60% by 2050, and 26-32% by 2020, against 1990 levels. The Bill provides a pathway to achieve those reductions through a system of 5 year carbon budgets set fifteen years ahead, which would give investors and policymakers direction and certainty. UK: Flying our new flag for Green Innovation! http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=973 Green MotorSport is pushing forward with several new developments in order to complete our new electric kart to be used in our planned series of races with the BRDC Stars of Tomorrow scheduled for 2008. The new kart will consist of several modules, the motor, a state of the art battery and monitoring system and advanced software integrated electronic control systems. The high speed electric kart will be used to test technologies and transfer efficient power train systems and components to the automotive industry. No 29 SUMMER 2007 : FUEL CELL POWER http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=972 This is critical time for the future of the UK’s energy supply. Several environmental groups have withdrawn support from the Government’s public consultation on nuclear energy because they feel it is not properly balanced. The Energy White Paper in 2003 stipulated that there should be more backing for renewable energy rather than nuclear power, but this has not materialised! Earlier this year a High Court Judge agreed with Greenpeace that the Government’s procedure had been unfair and that a full public consultation was needed before any new nuclear power stations could be commissioned. Future Energies asks why the UK has not carried out a proper programme to develop energy saving and small scale renewable energy technologies, which could contribute to the UK’s energy security and help us to meet C02 reduction targets. Why is there so little progress in improving building insulation? Why have we not, like several European countries, introduced renewable energy feed-in tariffs (REFIT), which would make it economic to invest in micro energy technologies? Why doesn’t the UK have an integrated public passenger transport system? Global stand-off on emissions control can be resolved. http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=971 Providing the biggest polluters cooperate, a new global agreement on much deeper cuts is not just possible but likely. Time, however, is desperately short. The best evidence suggests that, if dangerous climate change is to be avoided, worldwide emissions must start to fall within a decade, which would involve making a deal in the next year or two. Over the longer term, the best and fairest solution -dubbed "contraction and convergence" - would entitle everyone on the planet to the same share of a safe level of emissions and would apportion them to each country appropriately. HSBC on C&C in today's UK Independent Newspaper ask if the global stand-off on emissions control can be resolved. UK: GREEN ENERGY REVOLUTION SET TO TAKE OFF http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=970 Britain's smaller businesses taking power into their own hands. Tens of thousands of small businesses across the UK are embracing the sustainability message by either generating their own heat and power, or planning to do so. That's one of the surprising findings of a new report on sustainable businesses practices, published today by Cornwall Pure Business, the county's inward investment service. If these businesses put their plans into action, this could mean a saving of up to half a million tonnes of carbon annually. UK: Working Towards a Low Carbon Future http://futureenergies.com/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=969 Future Energies dedication to help in the race to lower carbon emissions through its educational on line approach has expanded its interactive horizon. Founder Gordon Foat now Eco Director of Alan Montague Ltd is forging ahead to incorporate the latest technology in the construction of new homes in the picturesque village of Denstone in Staffordshire. With energy saving in mind and lower running costs, each new build incorporates technologies as they come on stream. The latest feature is the installation of new energy efficient light fittings. These are low energy halogen replacement units which reduce consumption from 450 Watts in the average kitchen to just 40 Watts. Other energy saving lighting systems are under observation. High intensity light emitting diode technology could provide a low energy alternative to conventional down lighting. See more info at www.future-energies.co.uk