Mostly over in the northern half of America this week with news on events in Mexico City, New York, Sacramento and Toronto coming up, but also one in Bali and one in London.

WindWind occurs due to different temperature levels in the atmosphere (troposphere) which are heated up by the sun. A typical example are the trade winds at the equator where the sun is most powerful.. in the pipeline

717.2 MW of wind projects were expected to become operational in Mexico in 2011. Updated figures always lag some way behind, but if that did happen it will have taken the country’s total installed capacity to more than 1,200 MW. Some 3,500 MW are in the pipeline for development in Oaxaca, Baja California and Tamaulipas in the next three to four years, and over 6 GW of high capacity factor developments may be possible after that.

For more on a growing market, attend Mexico Wind Power Finance & Investment, 26-28 March, Mexico City.

We RE the champions

An insatiable hunger for energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. within the emerging markets now appears to be the driving force behind renewable energyRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. investment. During the recent National Meeting of the Indonesian Renewable Energy Society (METI), the Director General of New, Renewable Energy and Energy ConservationAll the measures taken to lower the level of energy consumption., Dr. Kardaya Warnika, stated that “starting now and into the future, renewable energy will be the champion in fulfilling domestic energy needs”. Dr Warnika will present his view at Clean Power Asia in Bali on 14-16 May.

Clean Deals

Last week Itron, Inc. announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire SmartSynch Inc., a leading provider of point-to-point smart gridSmart grids operate with a two-way communication, switching on appliances when demand is low and connects local producers at peak times. Smart grids are a way to improve efficiency through advanced technology. solutions that utilize a cellular network for communications. The transaction is valued at $100 million. More on that here, and more on investment opportunities in clean energy here: Envirotech & Clean Energy Investor Summit US 2012, 25 April, New York, USA.

A big country with a lot of water

Canada, home to about 475 hydroelectric plants with a capacity of 70,000 MW, produces about 355 terawatt-hours of hydropowerHydro power is electrical energy produced through the power of moving water.
Power obtained from the (typically gravitational) movement of water. each year. However Canada’s untapped potential is far greater. According to a study commissioned by the Canadian Hydropower Association, Canada has 163,000 MW of untapped hydropower potential, more than twice the country’s existing hydropower capacity.

Small scale hydroHydro power is electrical energy produced through the power of moving water.
Power obtained from the (typically gravitational) movement of water. might be the way to tap this potential – find out more at Small Hydro 2012, 25-26 April, Toronto, Canada.

The big picture of energy in the UK

A recent survey in the UK showed that 65% of people think that fossil fuelsConventional energy from fossil sources, such as natural gas and oil. This type of energy contributes to climate change and because of its finite nature it is not a permanent resource. will still be the world’s primary energyPrimary energy describes the primary energy content of raw wood, crude oil or coal. Units usually are Joule and toe (tonnes of oil equivalent). source in 2030 (see here for some more interesting statistics).

With £200bn worth of investment required to build the necessary infrastructure, what is the UK doing to deliver low carbon energy, at affordable prices? To find out, attend The UK Energy Summit 2012, 3 May, London, UK.

RE for RE

Renewable energy sourcesRenewable energy harnesses energy that is available to us infinitely, from sources like wind or lunar energy. available at regional level can make a major contribution to local economic development. The World Future Council and the 100% RenewablesRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. Institute are holding a round table discussion on Boosting Rural Economies with Renewable Power on 1st March in Sacramento, CA, USA.

Postponement

The Event on Sustainable Consumer Electronics mentioned in the last Events Listing has been postponed and will now take place during May. Further details to follow.

I’ll be checking in with the REEEPThe Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a non-profit, specialist change agent aiming to catalyse the market for renewable energy and energy efficiency, with a primary focus on emerging markets and developing countries. mothership in Vienna next week, then back here to bring you more Clean Energy events the week after.