Following a record-breaking year of capacity additions in 2009—with 9.8 GW of wind projects installed—the U.S. wind market finds itself confronting a growth-constrained 2010 and a near-term market landscape wrought with increased competition, according to a new market study, U.S. Wind Power Markets and Strategies: 2010-2025 from IHS Emerging Energy Research.

Global wind energy markets are expected to continue their rapid growth, with the world's wind power capacity increasing by 160% over the coming five years, according to the annual industry forecast presented by the Global Wind Energy Council.

A new study, released this week, demonstrates how the opportunity exists to power Europe and North Africa exclusively by renewable electricity by 2050, if this is supported by a single European power market united with a similar market in North Africa.

The World Wind Energy Association has published the World Wind Energy Report 2009, comprising a comprehensive overview of the latest development of wind power worldwide. Again the year 2009 brought new records for wind energy utilisation around the world: In spite of the global economic crisis, investment in new wind turbines exceeded by far all previous years and the total capacity reached more than 159 Gigawatt.

The Indian energy sector has undergone major changes by way of a reform process in the last few years. The monolithic structures of many state electricity boards, which so far controlled the supply of electricity, have been unbundled into transmission, distribution and generation entities, leading to the creation of a free energy market scenario. The numerous policy and regulatory changes have had a far reaching impact on pricing, planning and logistical decisions of power producers, fuel suppliers, state utilities, distribution companies and end consumers.

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) announced today it has set two world records for photoelectric conversion efficiency in polycrystalline silicon photovoltaic (PV) cells, achieved by reducing resistive loss in the cells. Photoelectric conversion efficiency is the rate at which sunlight energy is converted into electricity, with higher rates meaning more output.

The overall intensity of society's response to environmental challenges today seems to have rapidly accelerated, and policies aimed at pursuing the dual goals of achieving a healthy ecology and economy are being vigorously promoted around the world. In concert with this trend, the consumer electronics industry is also undergoing significant changes. Panasonic Unveils Concept for a Virtually Zero-CO2-Emissions House that Conserves, Generates, and Stores Energy. Written by Taeko Ohno

The market was liberalised in 2003, dividing the market into power generation and power grid. In principle, all electricity generators have “free and equal access to the grid”. The former “State Power Corporation” was split into two power grid corporations, five power generation corporations, two power consulting corporations, and two hydropower construction corporations, all of them are solely owned by the central government.

The temperature of the Earth's inner core is about 6,000 degrees Celsius. almost the same as the surface of the Sun -- and it is estimated that 99 percent of Earth's volume is at a temperature of more than 1,000 degrees. Thus, there is an enormous amount of geothermal energy in the planet's interior that could potentially be tapped; an obvious manifestation of this is the ongoing volcanic eruptions and hot springs found around the world. In light of the issues of global warming and energy problems, more effective use of geothermal power should be closely examined as a significant source of energy. Written by Kiyoshi Koshiba

First System of Advanced Renewable Tariffs in North America. Follows from the Continent's Most Aggressive Climate Change Policy.