Mining lithium from geothermal ‘lemonade’ by Elsa Wenzel
If Simbol Mining’s plans work out, within a decade it will deliver one-fourth of the world’s increasing demand for lithium, used in batteries of hybrid and electric cars without creating waste or pollution.
The start-up eventually aims to mine more than 100,000 tons of lithium carbonate each year from geothermal sources. That’s more than the current annual market for the compound; the company expects demands for it to quintuple by 2013.
Current mining methods won’t provide enough for the future need for lithium-ion batteries, according to Meridian Read more
Insignia Energy Ltd. Announces Its 2009 1st Quarter Results
Insignia Energy Ltd. is pleased to report to its shareholders the financial and operating results for the three months ended March 31, 2009.
The first quarter of 2009 was, to say the least, a challenging period for the world economy and, in particular, the oil and gas industry. Commodity prices continued to trend downward from the highs reached in the middle of 2008. Specifically, natural gas prices were down 26% from the previous quarter, 38% from the same period last year and over 50% from the highs reached in the middle of 2008. Similarly, oil prices have also declined and are down 21% from the previous quarter, 49% from the same period last year and over 70% from the highs reached in the middle of 2008. Read more
Energy crisis is fuel-injecting election up and down the ballot
Mitch McConnell blames challenger Bruce Lunsford for the increase in the state’s gas tax. Michigan Rep. John Dingell pledges to stop price gouging and rein in energy speculators. Candidates are frequently using images of gas stations in campaign ads this year. Candidates are frequently using images of gas stations in campaign ads this year. And Oklahoma Corporation Commission candidate Rob Johnson expressed empathy for families feeling pain at the pump.
It is not just Sens. John McCain and Barack Obama who are trying to convince voters this year that they have the answers to ease the nation’s reliance on foreign oil. Candidates down the ballot as well as third-party interest groups are taking to the airwaves to offer their own energy plans or to try to discredit opponents in slickly produced 30- and 60-second campaign commercials. Read more
Green energy: Diageo orders scotch and biofuel cocktail
Diageo, the market leader in scotch whisky, is to spend £65m on a bio-energy plant at its largest distillery in a move that will turn 90,000 tonnes of “spent wash” from the production process into steam and electrical power.
The drinks group, which makes Johnnie Walker, Bell’s and J&B, believes the facility at its Cameronbridge distillery in Fife will be the largest single investment in renewable technology by a non-utility company in the UK. It says the plant will generate 6.5 megawatts of electrical power and 20MW of thermal power, which is enough to heat 12,000 homes. Read more
Florida to mandate greater use of renewable energy
Talking about renewable energy is nothing new in the Sunshine State, but the push for cleaner energy could soon become a legal mandate. For the first time, Florida is about to require that part of the state’s power come from renewable sources. The state has been promoting that idea with grants and tax exemptions for several years, but renewable power makes up less than 3 percent of the total in Florida.
Maine, by comparison, gets roughly 18 percent of its power from renewable sources, mostly hydroelectric, the state energy office says. But 100 percent of the power used in Maine’s state buildings is from renewable sources. Read more
Directive to achieve energy efficiency
The State government has issued orders directing government departments to achieve 10 per cent saving in energy. The order directs departments to use compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) in place of incandescent lamps and tube lights of 36 watts instead of 40 watts. All conventional chokes should be replaced with quality electronic chokes. The order also specifies that only energy-efficient lights and equipment should be used in all new buildings. All replacements of light fittings, fans and other electrical equipment should be done with energy-efficient fittings and equipment only. Read more
