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Climate Change & Energy: Renewable energy

Features

Here is a list of the latest articles

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Harvesting biofuel from solar panels

Indian researchers propose using a type of algae as a source of biofuel — which could then be 'milked' from specially-designed solar panels.

Source: Scientific American

13 October 2009 | EN

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Is the sun setting on jatropha's biofuel promise?

Jatropha will not be saving the world anytime soon, say researchers, but it could work in local biofuel projects in developing countries.

Source: Nature

1 October 2009 | EN

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Harnessing wind power in Africa

The continent may have plenty of sun, but some African countries are looking to wind power to meet their energy needs.

Source: China Dialogue

21 August 2009 | EN

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Climate salvation from low-soot stoves?

Using low-soot stoves in Africa and Asia would cut levels of black carbon, which warms the atmosphere.

Source: International Herald Tribune

17 April 2009 | EN | 中文

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Q&A: Clean technologies with Yvo de Boer

Yvo de Boer, the UN climate chief, speaks to SciDev.Net about getting clean technology into the developing world.

1 December 2008 | EN | ES

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Laos sunshine turns villagers green

Poor rural communities in Laos are feeling the benefits of green energy, thanks to the efforts of a local energy company.

Source: IRIN

16 July 2008 | EN | 中文

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Biogas: A scent of success for Vietnam small business

Vietnamese researchers are expanding the use of biogas as a sustainable energy source for the country's small businesses.

Source: Viet Nam News

25 June 2008 | EN | 中文

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Solar power takes off in Kenya

Small-scale solar power is taking off in Kenya due to its ease and cost-effectiveness — a welcome change from costly, unreliable electricity.

Source: East African Standard

17 June 2008 | EN

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Sugarcane ethanol: Brazil's biofuel success

Brazil's successful sugarcane ethanol industry owes much to massive investment in infrastructure and research, reports Carla Almeida.

6 December 2007 | EN | ES

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Biofuel: Africa's new oil?

Biofuel holds promise for Africa but research is not yet in place to fully reap the rewards, or analyse the pitfalls, reports Kimani Chege.

5 December 2007 | EN | FR | 中文

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India hops on board the 'jatropha express'

Many Indians have pinned their hopes on the jatropha plant as a source of biofuel that doesn't harm food security, writes Daemon Fairless.

Source: Nature

15 October 2007 | EN

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Carbon credits: India's bumpy ride to market

India has experienced first-hand the delays and difficulties associated with developing a carbon credits market, writes Paroma Basu.

Source: Nature

8 October 2007 | EN

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Better living through 'green' chemistry

'Green' chemistry could provide Africa with much needed — but environmentally sustainable — chemicals, write Nigist Asfaw and colleagues.

Source: Science

22 June 2007 | EN | 中文

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Powering up: Pakistan's push for renewable energy

Despite Pakistan's stance that mainstreaming renewable energy should be a priority, much remains to be done, reports Syed Fareed Hussain.

6 June 2007 | EN

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Harnessing sunshine in an oil-rich world

The oil-rich United Arab Emirates is going green by building a new city powered by solar energy, writes Ahmed A. Elewa.

Source: Gulf News

5 June 2007 | EN

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Uganda opens floodgates to hydropower

Uganda is planning a new dam on the Nile, but critics say smaller, cheaper options have not been given a chance, writes Xan Rice.

Source: The Guardian

1 June 2007 | EN | 中文

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Off-grid Namibia tests solar communications

Solar and wind energy are being used by Namibian rural network providers to power communications base stations, reports BBC Online.

Source: BBC Online

24 May 2007 | EN

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'Green dams' could cut greenhouse gas emissions

Tim Hirsch reports on a method of extracting methane from hydroelectric dams to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Source: BBC Online

11 May 2007 | EN | 中文

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The bad side of biofuel: palm oil in Indonesia

The popularity of palm oil as a biofuel is a disaster for Indonesia's forests, providing cover for illegal loggers and destroying biodiversity in the region, reports Ian MacKinnon.

Source: Guardian

5 April 2007 | EN | 中文

Rice paddy near Kafr El Sheikh-Sakha, in the Nile Delta

'Black cloud' hides lack of support for rural farmers

Hania Moheeb reports on the causes of thick smog in Egypt and how government support for rural farmers could help all concerned.

Source: Business Today

14 December 2006 | EN