Green Energy: A sky greener

Fly and pollute less. The European airline sector is undergoing a time of change to achieve these goals. Europeans more and fly further, and want to do it in a more sustainable and to meet these needs has become one of the most important challenges in the sector, as has been demonstrated during the international conference 'Aerodays 2011' which was held this week in Madrid and the ecology.

The Minister for Science and Innovation, Cristina Garmendia, and European Commission Vice President Siim Kalas, gave the kick-off on Wednesday the largest aviation event of R & D in Europe. For three days in Madrid was the showcase that presented the latest research and proposals for reducing the environmental impact of civil aviation and reduce oil dependency looking for new biofuels.

Ecology and the air polution

Around 1,400 experts and representatives from over 45 countries participated in this conference organized by the European Commission and the Center for Industrial Technological Development (CDTI) of the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the ecology.

Reduce emissions, save energy and find alternatives to oil biofuels, and to reduce noise from aircraft and airports more efficient building concern of everyone: governments and citizens, companies that develop the technology needed to achieve and airlines, which they see as the price of oil soars and its reserves are depleted.

Green Energy in the Air

The report 'Flightpath Vision 2050', presented during the conference, stressed the need to move towards sustainable aviation with green energy, capable of reducing the environmental impact that will lead to increased air traffic expected by mid-century. Experts estimate that will rise on average by 5% each year over the next two decades.

Wind energy, the main source of energy in Spain

Wind power has become the first major source of energy to overcome during the month of March to other technologies, including combined cycle gas and nuclear, said Spain's Red Electrica (REE) and Business Association (AEE) in separate statements. Wind farms occurred in March 4738 gigawatt hours (GWh), which accounted for 21% of all electricity generated, and a 5% increase over the same period of 2010 and a record within a month.

Following this contribution of 21%, wind becomes the first source matrix generation, ahead of 19% nuclear, 17.3% of hydraulics, 17.2% of the combined cycle, the 15% of the CHP and others, coal 12.9% and 2.6% of solar. Wind power has also closed the first quarter as the main energy source, with 21%, which contributed to 57.9% of the electricity they occur without CO2 emissions.

Wind energy, good energy

With a contribution from wind, renewables energy covered in March 42.2% of demand, down from 48.5% in 2010 due to hydro production was exceptionally high last year. In the first quarter, renewables accounted for 40.5%, compared to 44% in the first quarter of 2010.
Saving 250 million.

ESA notes that wind power in March has produced enough electricity to cover the consumption of a country the size of Portugal and has been avoided in only one month a transfer of income to other countries of 250 million, due to oil imports. In total, the wind prevented the emission of 1.7 million tonnes of CO2 in March, the equivalent of planting 850,000 trees, and the market has shifted to more expensive technologies.
Est circumstances, the association says wind was the main reason that 2010 was the first year that Spain had an export balance of electricity from France. The average annual cost of the Spanish electricity market was the year of 38 euros per megawatt hour (MWh), compared to EUR 47.5 MWh of France.

Wind Energy and the green energies

"This milestone reached for shows such as wind energy, in addition to being indigenous, clean and increasingly competitive, it is a reality capable of supplying and thirteen million Spanish households," said ESA President, José Donoso.

The wind closed the year with an installed capacity of 20,676 megawatts (MW), in line with the objectives of the Renewable Energy Plan 2005-2010. ESA calls on the Government to establish as soon as possible the new regulatory framework to replace the Royal Decree 661/2007, which expires at the end of 2012, and offers the 'roadmap' to reach the EU in 2020.

Germany goes out against nuclear power

We are on the eve of two important regional elections, but government programs are discussed and crowded rallies are held.
e ability to mobilize German society turns spring Saturday in large anti-nuclear demonstrations across the country. Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, tens of thousands of people dance and sing the old songs of the 70 anti-nuclear struggle, carrying large banners with pictures of Fukushima and openly hostile slogans against E. On and RWE, two large energy companies that threaten to a multimillion-dollar lawsuit asking the State compensation for breach of the covenant which closed in the fall with Merkel, prolonging the active life of the reactors until 2040 and the atomic energy.

The German Government, in a radical shift in energy policy, caused by the disaster in Japan, has been disconnected seven of the 17 anti-nuclear reactors and today took to the streets to demand the permanent abandonment.

"Only a matter of time!" repeated again and again, protesters against the police lines protecting, if anything, the Bundesrat. The protest also passes by the headquarters of the CDU, the Christian Democratic Party, a supporter of nuclear energy until a couple of weeks and now heads the movement of "relinquishing control" of atomic energy.

Nuclear Energy


Only a few months ago, Greenpeace climbers hung down the front of the Konrad Adenauer House displaying giant posters against nuclear, but now walk past the main entrance with no hint of reproach, despite polls showing that nearly 80 % of Germans believe the conversion is finished Merkel to the anti-nuclear cause and consider it rather an electoral gimmick that will fade with time.
But there seems to be going back. At least not in this crowd is sure sign of victory. "Did not you hear the deafening noise? The collapse of the nuclear age sounds like your day sounded in the fall of the Roman Empire ... and we have to celebrate!" Says a man in his 50 years leading to his grandson perched on their shoulders, convinced that together we are living a historic day.

Many of the placards referred to Chernobyl. After Greenpeace has equated the two tragedies.

Atomic Energy

The large amount of radioactivity released Fukushima plant since the accident which started on March 11, radionuclides of iodine-131 and cesium-137, are evidence supporting that this incident be reclassified and placed in the same category the one at Chernobyl, which occurred in April 1986, reports Ingo Freschen, coordinator of the ecopacifista in Berlin and serving media in an impromptu press center, next to a hot dog stand on the porch of Sony Center.

"This has nothing to do with the election campaign. Do not be so myopic. This is a movement much bigger and more powerful regional elections, is the determination of several generations have been finally convinced that so far We lied. We were told we could not do without nuclear power if we wanted to maintain our lifestyle, our Western economies, with all our freedoms, would go to waste, and it was not true. I have in front of their noses. Germany offline seven reactors and not only we did not sink, but has barely noticed the quake and all that happens is that we are celebrating this great feast, instead of staying at home spending unnecessary energy, "insists Freschen.

As was the case this winter, in protests against nuclear waste transport Gorleben, the group that nurtures these manifestations is a cross section in terms of age, intention to vote and social stratum, which gives much greater potential to claims, they can no longer be ignored by any political force in Germany.