Wind Power Stocks to Watch

Fracking reduces investment in renewable energy - MIT report

2012-01-12T09:32:00.000-08:00

Toxic, biocidal, carcinogenic chemicals injected into Earth's crust

The study finds that shale use suppresses the development of renewables. Under one scenario, for example, the researchers impose a renewable-fuel mandate. They find that, with shale, renewable use never goes beyond the 25 percent minimum standard they set — but when shale is removed from the market, renewables gain more ground.

In light of the recent MIT report stating that fracking slows development of renewable energy technologies, I have decided to post a list of the most common chemicals injected into the ground during hydraulic fracturing (fracking) process, and a second list including the most carcinogenic of these chemicals.

Chemical additives used in fracturing fluids typically make up less than 2% by weight of the total fluid. Over the life of a typical well, this may amount to 100,000 gallons of chemical additives. They are biocides, surfactants, adjusting viscosity, and emulsifiers.

Table 1. Chemical Components Appearing Most Often in Hydraulic Fracturing Products Used Between 2005 and 2009

Chemical Component / No. of Products Containing Chemical :

Methanol (Methyl alcohol) 342
Isopropanol (Isopropyl alcohol, Propan-2-ol) 274
Crystalline silica - quartz (SiO2) 207
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol) 126
Ethylene glycol (1,2-ethanediol) 119
Hydrotreated light petroleum distillates 89
Sodium hydroxide (Caustic soda) 8

Table 2 - Longer List of the most dangerous chemicals (incl MANY carcinogens) used in fracking process:

Methanol (Methyl alcohol) HAP 342
Ethylene glycol (1,2-ethanediol) HAP 119
Diesel19 Carcinogen, SDWA, HAP 51
Naphthalene Carcinogen, HAP 44
Xylene SDWA, HAP 44
Hydrogen chloride (Hydrochloric acid) HAP 42
Toluene SDWA, HAP 29
Ethylbenzene SDWA, HAP 28
Diethanolamine (2,2-iminodiethanol) HAP 14
Formaldehyde Carcinogen, HAP 12
Sulfuric acid Carcinogen 9
Thiourea Carcinogen 9
Benzyl chloride Carcinogen, HAP 8
Cumene HAP 6
Nitrilotriacetic acid Carcinogen 6
Dimethyl formamide HAP 5
Phenol HAP 5
Benzene Carcinogen, SDWA, HAP 3
Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate Carcinogen, SDWA, HAP 3
Acrylamide Carcinogen, SDWA, HAP 2
Hydrogen fluoride (Hydrofluoric acid) HAP 2
Phthalic anhydride HAP 2
Acetaldehyde Carcinogen, HAP 1
Acetophenone HAP 1
Copper SDWA 1
Ethylene oxide Carcinogen, HAP 1
Lead Carcinogen, SDWA, HAP 1
Propylene oxide Carcinogen, HAP 1
p-Xylene HAP 1
Toluene
Ehylbenzene
Benzene
Methanol (Methyl alcohol) 342
Isopropanol (Isopropyl alcohol, Propan-2-ol) 274
Crystalline silica - quartz (SiO2) 207
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol) 126
Ethylene glycol (1,2-ethanediol) 119
Hydrotreated light petroleum distillates 89
Sodium hydroxide (Caustic soda) 80

NRC infighting shows politics over pragmatism in nuclear safety

2011-12-30T08:55:00.001-08:00

WASHINGTON -- A feud at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, where five presidentially appointed commissioners oversee the safety of the nation's nuclear power reactors, has broken out into full public view, with Chairman Gregory Jaczko's fellow commissioners assailing his character and management style, both in a letter made public earlier this month and in the resulting testimony before Congress.

Republicans have begun calling for Jaczko's ouster.

"The situation at the NRC sounds dire," wrote Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) in a letter to President Barack Obama, "leaving me very concerned that the Chairman is unable to lead the Commission in the fulfillment of its responsibilities."

On K Street, energy lobbyists have rallied to support the four other commissioners.

So far, the White House is standing by Jaczko, one of the least industry-friendly leaders to serve at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in a generation.

For Washington's tight nuclear policy circle, where scientifically trained political operatives move back and forth between the industry, the NRC, the Department of Energy and key congressional committees, it's déjà vu. Interviews with several senior officials who worked on nuclear energy policy in the 1990s reveal that at least two of those operatives -- both with strong ties to the nuclear industry -- were closely involved in the ouster of an earlier reformist regulator and are now involved in the current drama.

What's unfolding at the NRC is a textbook example of a little-discussed corporate tactic that is employed against public officials in extreme situations. Observers of the way Washington works tend to describe the corruption of the political system and the people within it in terms of action and reward: Do what industry wants, and benefit both professionally and personally. But when carrots aren't enough, corporations have sticks to swing, too.

Susan McCue, who served as chief of staff for Jaczko's former employer and chief Democratic supporter, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.), wasn't surprised to see the industry strategy at work.

"They have a lot of power, and they wield it," said McCue. "They can't tell Chairman Jaczko what to do, and I think that frustrates them."

THE FIRST COUP

The Clinton administration's skepticism of nuclear power -- driven in large part by then-Vice President Al Gore -- reached its fullest and earliest expression in 1994 with the installment of Terry Lash at the top of the Department of Energy's nuclear energy program.

Lash was a former staff scientist with the Natural Resources Defense Council, a prominent environmental group, and his appointment rankled nuclear industry insiders and their Republican supporters on the Hill. It wasn't long, say energy policy staffers involved at the time, before Lash's critics began seeking ways to undermine his position inside the department.

They got their chance after the White House struck a broad agreement with Russia, in which the U.S. would help Russia protect its nuclear stockpile. GOP appropriators had zeroed out funding for the program, and they instructed the administration not to use money set aside for other purposes.

Lash funded the program anyway and failed to keep congressional appropriators fully apprised of his activity. He was promptly called before a House subcommittee and publicly excoriated for his failure to communicate with Congress.

A subsequent investigation by the DOE's inspector general concluded that Lash, while violating procedure, had not broken any laws. But according to multiple sources who recalled the incident, Lash's gaffe was clearly being exploited in the service of a coup. These sources identified two men, Bill Magwood and Alex Flint, as being directly involved in Lash's ultimate downfall.

Magwood was Lash's deputy. He had come to the DOE from the nuclear industry, and he would return to it at subsequent points in his career.

Flint, meanwhile, was a clerk for Republican Sen. Pete Domenici, who steered billions of nuclear research dollars to his home state of New Mexico from his perch as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

Democrats in the Senate and DOE who were involved at the time say that the House only found out about Lash's funding of the Russia program because Magwood, a fellow Democrat, personally alerted Domenici. One source recalled that Magwood went directly to Flint.

"I know that he talked to the Hill," said one former senior Senate Democratic aide who worked directly with Flint and Domenici's office at the time. "Whether he came to the Hill [physically], that's how it was brought to Domenici's attention, was through Magwood."

Lash, realizing too late that he was the likely target of a power play by his own deputy, fought back against Magwood by stripping him of staff. Congressional appropriators then rushed to Magwood's defense.

In an eerie echo of language that would later be used against Chairman Jaczko at the NRC, Rep. Joseph McDade (R-Pa.), who chaired the House subcommittee with nuclear jurisdiction, called Lash's move against Magwood an "unprecedented action which I believe further demonstrates the willingness of the director to treat this office as his personal playground."

In the end, Lash was not fired from the DOE, but was instead moved to a top adviser position within what is now the National Nuclear Security Administration in May 1998 -- evidence that Lash had been the victim of politics rather than guilty of wrongdoing. "The Secretary just felt it was better for Terry to step aside," given the political pressure, said a former DOE official who worked with both Lash and Magwood.

Magwood, meanwhile, took over for Lash as acting director of the Office of Nuclear Energy. When George W. Bush became president in early 2001, he asked for the resignations of top DOE officials. But Magwood had a patron in Domenici, and with the senator's support, according to people involved at the time, Magwood was made permanent director of the program.

The coup was complete.

In an interview with The Huffington Post, Magwood denied that he'd orchestrated Lash's overthrow, insisting that he had never spoken to Flint, Domenici or anyone else on the Hill about his former boss. "No, he did it all by himself," Magwood said. "The problem back in the '90s had to do with the allocation of appropriated funds. The House Appropriations Committee was very agitated about that and made a big deal out of that. That's what led to his issues."

Lash's career was effectively over.

"It does change your life," he told HuffPost. "It interferes with personal relationships, the ability to work with others who were not what you would call close, personal friends, but who were acquaintances. You could see in their mind that you have become tainted, and it just makes the whole thing less comfortable, and you never know who's doing what and who believes what at some level."

THE SPOILS

Magwood built a reputation at the Department of Energy as a sharp-elbowed operator. "He was a consummate inside player, a bureaucratic power player of the first order," recalled a former Department of Energy colleague, who, like many others interviewed for this story, requested anonymity because his current work has him interacting regularly with industry clients.

But that level of ambition is hard to contain over a long period of time in a relatively small industry. Every source to whom HuffPost spoke for this story referred to other players, whether friends or foes, by their first names. Magwood never understood it's a small world. "He always struck me as a guy who thought he was playing in a bigger political pond than he was. I mean, there are about 50 people here in town who care about nuclear energy. So it seemed like a lot of politics for no good reason," said one Democratic lobbyist who worked in the Senate while Magwood served in the Department of Energy.

Flint is known as quite the operator as well. "I am telling you this, of all the appropriations clerks, House and Senate, all of them," said a former senior Democratic aide who worked closely with him, "there was nobody as shrewd or full of guile or as politically calculating as Alex Flint. Before you would look at the tables of what you got in terms of earmarks and count 'em up, I kid you not, you'd count your fingers, and you walked out of the room."

Three other former top Democratic Senate aides interviewed for this article who worked closely with Flint described him in similar terms.

USA Nuclear regulatory scandal continues on HuffingtonPost.com

Energy-Critical Elements (ECEs) an emerging mining sub-sctor

2011-10-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

Everyone by now knows about Rare Earth Elements (REEs) and the role they play in green energy technologies. Within the REE sector, there are a range of rare earth metals that are particularly crucial to clean energy production, including solar, wind, fuel cells and more.

The following is an excerpt from today's Energy & Capital newsletter by Nick Hodge, who himself is quoting from a recent report by the American Physical Society and Materials Research Society about “Energy Critical Elements”.

Here are some of the salient points:

Energy-related systems are typically materials intensive. As new technologies are widely deployed, significant quantities of the elements required to manufacture them will be needed. A shortage of these “energy-critical elements” (ECEs) could significantly inhibit the adoption of otherwise game-changing energy technologies.

This, in turn, would limit the competitiveness of U.S. industries and the domestic scientific enterprise and, eventually, diminish the quality of life in the United States.

The U.S. already relies on other countries for more than 90% of these elements. Some simply aren't abundant in the earth's crust; others aren't adequately concentrated.

A few are located in only a couple countries (like China), which makes their production and availability susceptible to manipulation.

Rhenium, for example, is rarer than gold by a factor of five. We need it for jet engines and industrial gas turbines.

Tellurium is quite rare, too. And without it, First Solar (NASDAQ: FSLR) couldn't make its famous thin film solar panels.

It's the high demand for these critical elements that has led to their high prices — and therefore the big market returns they've produced so far. Many more big winners are on the way from this situation.

That said, here's a list of energy critical elements and their uses as described by the report:

Gallium, germanium, indium, selenium, silver, and tellurium, all employed in advanced photovoltaic solar cells, especially thin-film photovoltaics

Dysprosium, neodymium, praseodymium, samarium (all REEs), and cobalt, used in high-strength permanent magnets for many energy-related applications, such as wind turbines and hybrid automobiles

Most REEs, valued for their unusual magnetic and/or optical properties: examples include gadolinium for its unusual paramagnetic qualities and europium and terbium for their role in managing the color of fluorescent lighting; yttrium, another REE, is an important ingredient in energy-efficient solid-state lighting

Lithium and lanthanum, used in high-performance batteries

Helium, required in cryogenics, energy research, advanced nuclear reactor designs, and manufacturing in the energy sector

Platinum, palladium, and other PGEs, used as catalysts in fuel cells that may find wide applications in transportation; cerium, a REE, is also used as an auto-emissions catalyst

Rhenium, used in high performance alloys for advanced turbines

Many potential ECEs are not found in concentrations high enough to warrant extraction as a primary product, given today’s prices. Instead, these ECEs are obtained primarily as by-products during the refining process of other primary ores, especially copper, zinc, and lead. Joint production complicates attempts to ramp up output by a large factor.

Because they are relatively scarce, many ECEs are available only in low-grade ores, which necessitates the processing of tons of rock for each gram of element recovered, sometimes in ways that do unacceptable environmental damage.

Companies producing ECEs include:

Quest Rare Minerals (AMEX: QRM)

Molycorp (NYSE: MCP)

Avalon Rare Metals (AMEX: AVL)

China Shen Zhou Mining & Resources (AMEX: SHZ)

Do your research, and happy hunting!

Trillium Power sues Ontario for $2.25 billion

2011-09-29T08:08:00.000-07:00

A company that planned to build a series of huge wind farms in Lake Ontario is suing the provincial government for $2.25-billion, claiming it unfairly cancelled all offshore wind projects earlier this year.

Trillium Power Wind Corp. spent millions of dollars over many years planning its projects, and had dutifully followed the government’s application processes, the suit claims, but the rug was pulled from under its feet when the province said it would not consider any offshore development until more scientific studies were done.

Source: Globe and Mail, Toronto

Greenergy and Tianjin Tianbao in Philippines windfarm JV

2011-08-31T09:44:00.000-07:00

Chinese company plans 1,000 Megawatt wind power portfolio

from Malya.com.ph:

A Chinese company has partnered with listed semiconductor firm Greenergy Holdings Inc. (formerly MUSX Corp.) for the development of a 1,000 megawatt wind energy portfolio.

Greenergy said it and Tianjin Tianbao Investment and Development Corp. of China plan to spend $1.3 billion in 10 years for the planned 1,000 MW facilities, with priority going to investing up to $200 million for wind energy projects within the first two years.

They company said the initial project would have a capacity of 49.5 MW, composed of 33 units of 1.5 MW wind mills.

Greenergy said a joint venture company would be formed as the corporate vehicle for the investments.

The first project is scheduled to come on stream within a year after the joint venture vehicle is established.

The company said that it is also looking at other renewable projects such as biomass, solar, hydro, geothermal energy, but the priority for the first two years of the joint venture vehicle would be wind energy projects.

Greenergy was established to create, design, develop and manufacture specialty semiconductor products and to market and sell these products.

The Department of Energy has awarded 236 service contracts for renewable energy sites since the Renewable Energy Law was signed in 2008. Total investment that could come from the development of these RE contracts is placed at P87.72 billion.

The resources from these sites once developed are expected to generate about 2,823 MW.

About 384 renewable energy service contracts are pending approval by the DOE. Data show that the resources at the proposed project sites, once developed, could generate 6,046 MW.

Dr. David Suzuki says wind power is path to human health

2011-07-07T06:56:00.000-07:00

Risk-reward ratio blows older alternatives away

In Canada we are blessed to have a knowledgeable, highly respected environmentalist in the public eye, a Canadian icon with his own TV show and an unmatched reputation for fairness and accuracy. So when Suzuki touts the health benefits of wind energy, Canadians listen. Here's an article David wrote (with research assistance from Dale Marshall) for the Canadian edition of Huffington Post:

Windpower backlash an unwarranted concern

Wind energy is increasingly being considered a viable and attractive power source. Many countries, including the U.S., Germany, Spain, China, and India, are putting policies into place to drive the development of their wind energy industries. In Canada, the amount of wind energy being harnessed for use in our homes, offices, and factories has grown quickly over the past few years, led by Ontario with its Green Energy Act.

However, a backlash has been growing in many places where wind power is being developed. In Ontario, one of the main criticisms of wind development has been its impact on human health, mostly because of the noise that wind turbines produce. Yet, the peer-reviewed scientific research indicates that the sound from windmills, which generally falls into three categories (audible sound, low frequency, and infrasound), has little to no impact on human health.

This is especially true if windmills are built far enough away from residences. For example, the required setback in Ontario is 550 metres. At this distance, the audible sound from windmills has been found to be below 40 decibels, which is around the level of sound you'd find in most bedrooms and living rooms. Studies from the University of Massachusetts similarly found that even if the sound were audible, annoyance would be minimal.

Critics have also pointed to low frequency sound and infrasound as the source of health impacts from wind turbines. These are sounds that are either difficult to hear or inaudible to humans. However, Ontario's Chief Medical Officer of Health did a review of the scientific literature and found no evidence that low frequency sound from wind turbines causes adverse health effects.

Research from Sweden and the Netherlands may shed some light on the opposition that windmills are facing, despite the lack of evidence for human health impacts. At or just under 40 decibels, 73 per cent of people could notice the sound and six per cent were annoyed. But those who did not like windmills or found them ugly were more likely to notice the sound and were more likely to be annoyed by it.

Though we should always remain open-minded about new and emerging research on any issue, the evidence seems clear that wind turbines built with appropriate setbacks do not constitute a health hazard. And wind becomes a more attractive energy source when you consider the health impacts of the main energy alternative, burning coal and other fossil fuels.

The Canadian Medical Association estimated that in 2008 Canada's air pollution was responsible for 21,000 premature deaths, 92,000 emergency room visits, and 620,000 visits to a doctor's office. Even if you look only at the health impacts of Ontario coal-fired power plants, the numbers are significant and startling.

When considering whether Canada needs to curtail the development of its wind resources or expand wind power in the way that Ontario's Green Energy Act proposes, we should heed the conclusion of Maine's Center for Disease Control. After dismissing the notion of a moratorium on wind development due to its health impacts, the Center's Dr. Dora Ann Mills concluded, "If there is any evidence for a moratorium, it is most likely on further use of fossil fuels, given their known and common effects on the health of our population."

As for the impacts on wildlife, that's another story. But most scientific research shows that newer technologies and proper locating can overcome most of the threats to birds and bats. One recent study also noted that "the number of birds killed in wind developments is substantially lower relative to estimated annual bird casualty rates from a variety of other anthropogenic factors including vehicles, buildings and windows, power transmission lines, communication towers, toxic chemicals including pesticides, and feral and domestic cats."

It's never easy to find energy technologies that will satisfy everyone, but with the world facing ever-growing negative consequences of burning fossil fuels, we must weigh our options. In doing so, wind power comes out ahead. If we ensure that care is taken to use technologies with minimal environmental impact and to locate turbines in areas where effects on humans and animals are also minimal, there is no good reason to oppose wind power.

Written with contributions from David Suzuki Foundation climate change policy analyst Dale Marshall.

CanWEA predicts $16 billion Ontario wind energy investment

2011-06-28T08:01:00.000-07:00

From NorthernOntarioBusiness.com :

A study commissioned by the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA) predicts Ontario will see more than 80,000 person years of employment and more than $16 billion in investment over the next eight years as a result of the burgeoning wind energy industry.

The study, called The Economic Impacts of the Wind Energy Sector in Ontario 2011-2018, was conducted by ClearSky Advisors to determine the projected employment and economic benefits associated with the Ontario wind energy industry.

“The Green Energy and Economy Act and the Long-Term Energy Plan have opened up the market in Ontario for wind energy and will allow faster growth than otherwise would be the case,” Tim Wohlgemut, co-founder and principal consultant at ClearSky, said in a news release. “Ontario has been put on the global map for renewable energy development and this has the potential to create a significant number of highly skilled jobs, and attract billions in investment to the province.”

It's not indicated how much of that investment will filter into Northern Ontario; however, municipalities and landowners across the province are expected to reap about $1.1 billion in taxes and lease payments over the 20-year lifespan of the projects.

700+ Megawatts to be installed per year

On average, 709 MW will be installed per year, while the market capacity will be between 900 MW and 1,000 MW per year. The industry will create 10.5 person years of employment per MW during the construction phase and 3.6 MW for ongoing operations and maintenance.

Ontario's wind energy capacity is expected to grow from 1,428 MW of power at the end of 2010 to more than 7,100 MW by 2018. The study says this is in line with targets set out in the province's Long-Term Energy Plan.

Ashden Awards for Sustainable Energy honours Ghana project

2011-06-20T11:30:00.000-07:00

The Ashden Awards showcase practical solutions to combat climate change and meet the energy needs of the poor, rewarding outstanding and innovative clean energy schemes across the developing world and in the United Kingdom.

Toyola Energy Limited, Ghana, was awarded the coveted Gold Award worth $340,000 in recognition of its success in making over 150,000 efficient charcoal stoves and marketing them to low-income families at very affordable prices.

Ms Sarah Butler-Sloss, Founder/Director of the Ashden Awards and Chair of the judging panel said: 93Toyola Energy Limited has taken a simple stove technology, adapted it to make it more robust and efficient and then focused it's efforts on making the stoves accessible to the poor so that they can save money and have cleaner, healthier environments to cook in.

"In the meantime Ghana's forests are protected and greenhouse emissions reduced. This is a perfect example of how much can be achieved through the use of simple, clean energy technologies and clever, pro-poor marketing strategies."

By cutting the use of charcoal by around a third, Toyola's stoves save trees, reduce carbon emissions and allow families to make considerable savings.

They are also easy to cook with and are far less smoky than the traditional charcoal stoves that can cause breathing difficulties and, often, severe eye irritation over time.

There is also 90 per cent less chance of accidental burns when using a Toyola stove as compared to traditional stoves.

By allowing the customers to buy the stoves on credit and use the money saved on charcoal to make repayments, Toyola ensures that the stoves are accessible to the poor.

"When I got the stove I was given this money box and every day I would put money in. When I eventually removed the money I had enough for the stove," Josephine Adjololo, a user said.

In a country where most urban households spend a significant proportion of their household income cooking on inefficient and polluting charcoal stoves, Toyola's success is significant.

Toyola's stoves are currently saving around 26,000 tonnes of charcoal a year, a tangible success given that charcoal comes largely from unsustainable sources.

The levels of CO2 reductions achieved - around 150,000 tonnes a year has attracted the attention of Goldman Sachs who now buys Toyola's carbon offsets and sells them on the global market.

Toyola has just opened a production centre in Togo and plans to open more centres in Benin and Sierra Leone in the next two years, stepping up sales to a further 140,000 stoves by 2013.

With facts on Ghana Energy, nearly three quarters of charcoal production in Ghana comes from unsustainable wood-charcoal, which contributes to deforestation.

Charcoal is used by approximately 1.3 million households or 31 per cent of families in Ghana.

In Accra, about 70 per cent of households use charcoal for cooking.

Winners from Pakistan, India and Africa were also announced at a VIP ceremony in London addressed by Greg Barker, UK Government Minister for Climate Change.

A statement issued and copied to Ghana News Agency in Accra on Friday said the Prince of Wales, Patron of the Ashden Awards, who personally congratulated the international winners in a meeting, said: 93The Ashden Awards show what it is possible to do now in saving resources and cutting emissions.

"They remind us how, as individuals, we can make a huge difference to the world in which we live. In a nutshell, they remind us that acting locally is, in fact, acting globally."

Source: GhanaWeb.com

Worldwide wind energy growth, 2000-2020

2011-05-04T10:44:00.001-07:00

Top publicly-listed wind energy stocks

Have a look at this chart here, then start looking for some longterm growth investments in the windpower sector.

Wind Intell investing in windpower companies info

Website links for major wind energy stocks

Wind energy, solar power and green stocks investing

Kenya building Africa's largest wind energy farm

2011-04-20T09:42:00.001-07:00

Vestas V52 windpower turbines have been chosen for largest wind energy project in Africa

Kenyan windfarm construction to commence this year

Lake Turkana Wind Power consortium (LTWP) is poised to provide 300 MW of clean power to Kenya's national electricity grid by taking advantage of a unique wind resource in Northwest Kenya near Lake Turkana. Using the latest wind turbine technology LTWP can provide reliable and continuous clean power to satisfy up to 30% of Kenya's current total installed power.

LTWP will construct a "wind farm" consisting of 353 wind turbines, each with a capacity of 850 KW. The total foreseen power generated by the initial phase of this wind farm is expected to start production in June 2011 and reach full production of 300 MW by July 2012, adding 30% or more to the total existing installed capacity available in Kenya. Wind turbine technology has seen recent rapid improvement with the development of turbines such as the Vestas V52 that is the design standard selected by LTWP

View images of Lake Turkana windpower site in Kenya, Africa

Look for oil prices to peak in July 2011, around $130

2011-04-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

I called the top on oil prices back in 2008, as it approached the unsustainable $140 mark. I could see that either oil had to fall or BOTH China and the USA would have collapsed economically. This time it has to start dropping in price by Autumn or about a dozen countries will fail...

Resistance is still at $140, and we may not even get past $130 this time, as major economies are growing slower and oil-displacement technologies (conservation, geothermal, electric vehicles, biofuels +++) are taking increasing market share.

Look for a high in July or sooner, possibly between $125 and $135.

Peace,

Joe

Clean Nuclear a "big lie", says Alec Baldwin

2011-04-04T07:40:00.000-07:00

I've always thought people who count nuclear as "green energy" are idiots who wouldn't know a red paint theory if it fell on them. Just because you can't see, hear, smell or taste (usually) radioactive poisons doesn't make them less deadly. Ralph Nader once opined (red paint theory) that if a town or city woke up one day and overnight everything had been painted red by a non-toxic colouring that fell from the sky, people would spend millions to billions to clean it up, even though it represented no threat to human health.

Conversely, as most modern pollution is invisible to human sense and there is no red paint / burning fire / smelly smoke to run from, people are unaware of the toxins in their food, water and air, and thus paralyzed when it comes time to take action. It is time for Toronto to start announcing radiation levels in Toronto and GTA tap water, as these levels rise and fall based on radioactive tritium releases from Pickering and Darlington nuclear power plants just east of the city.

I had figured that the Fukushima disaster would wake up a few more humans, and seeing a Hollywood icon like Alec Baldwin take up the baton is encouraging. Here's an excerpt from Baldwin's Huffington Post article on why nuclear energy is NOT green.

The Big Lie of "Clean" Nuclear

by Alec Bladwin, Actor

Fascinating and heartbreaking how the Japanese civilian population, once again, has been called upon to teach us a harsh lesson about nuclear energy.

In the past few decades, more details have emerged about the development and deployment of the nuclear weapons dropped on Japan during World War II. Best-selling books report about how some government officials and scientists involved with the project urged Leslie Groves and the military to drop the bomb over the ocean, just off the coast of Japan, as perhaps this measure would scare the enemy into surrendering.

Groves and other military leaders asserted that there were only three finished weapons and that if the "demonstration blast" did not produce the desired effect, the US would have squandered a rare (at that time) and expensive opportunity. Also, some believed that the dropping of the two bombs served some grim purpose as a medical experiment. What would the bomb actually do to a city, its infrastructure and its population?

Who would argue that the results of those two bombs have kept that option at bay since 1945?

In the wake of the recent Japanese nuclear disaster, Kenzaburo Oe writes in The New Yorker about Hiroshima:

What did Japan learn from the tragedy of Hiroshima? One of the great figures of contemporary Japanese thought, Shuichi Kato, who died in 2008, speaking of atomic bombs and nuclear reactors, recalled a line from "The Pillow Book," written a thousand years ago by a woman, Sei Shonagon, in which the author evokes "something that seems very far away but is, in fact, very close." Nuclear disaster seems a distant hypothesis, improbable; the prospect of it is, however, always with us. The Japanese should not be thinking of nuclear energy in terms of industrial productivity; they should not draw from the tragedy of Hiroshima a "recipe" for growth. Like earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural calamities, the experience of Hiroshima should be etched into human memory: it was even more dramatic a catastrophe than those natural disasters precisely because it was man-made. To repeat the error by exhibiting, through the construction of nuclear reactors, the same disrespect for human life is the worst possible betrayal of the memory of Hiroshima's victims.

I had written two pieces deconstructing the bizarre claims of the nuclear power industry. The incessant lie that nuclear is clean power, forever discounting the filthy and contaminating processes that mine, refine and enrich fissionable material for utility reactors. Although we must never set aside other factors such as vulnerability to terrorism and the lingering and unsolved issue of waste disposal, the Big Lie regarding "clean nuke" hype seems to trouble me most. You can't get many Americans to view a wind farm as a sign of our investment in a clean, safe energy future, but they seem to roll over and let the nuke industry do as they please, even in the wake of Fukushima.

If I told you that the chances that you would get AIDS from one act of unprotected sex with an infected partner were one in a million, would you do it? (Actually, according to a report by researchers Norman Hearst and Stephen Hulley in the Journal of the American Medical Association, the odds of a heterosexual becoming infected with AIDS after one episode of penile-vaginal intercourse with someone in a non-high-risk group without a condom are one in 5 million.) The answer is no. Because, if you took that bet and lost, you'd get AIDS.

Nukes are a similar bet. And there is no "protection" you can put on to save you. Fukushima shows us that utility companies reap all of the benefits, while we assume all of the risks.

Full online article on nuclear energy by Alec Baldwin, Huffington Post

5 Wind Energy Stocks that may benefit from clean power push

2011-03-24T09:48:00.000-07:00

In light of the troubles at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan, energy authorities worldwide are reviewing atomic power and considering green energy alternatives. For those considering investing in windpower, here we present 5 stocks for you to research and review.

Top global windpower companies

Gamesa (MCE: GAM), (PINK:GCTAF)

Gamesa is the Spain-based, global leader in the wind industry market, with close to 21000 MW installed in 4 continents. With nominal power of 4.5 MW, the Gamesa G10X-4.5 MW is the most powerful onshore wind turbine system in the market. It offers lower cost of energy (CoE) and ease of transport and installation similar to that of a 2.0 MW turbine.

Sinovel Wind Group (SHA:601558)

SINOVEL WIND GROUP CO., LTD. is principally engaged in the development, research, manufacture and distribution of large-scale wind electric power generator sets. The Company primarily provides 1.5 megawatt (MW) series land wind electric power generator sets and 3 MW marine wind electric power generator sets. The Company offers its products under brands named Huarui Fengdian, Huarui Wind, Sinowind, Sinovel Wind, Sinovel and Sinovel Windtec.

Vestas (CO: VWS), (PINK: VWDRY)

Denmark-based Vestas Wind Systems A/S engages in the development, manufacture, sale, and maintenance of wind technology that uses the energy of the wind to generate electricity. It offers wind turbines and wind power systems. The company also provides planning, installation, operation, and maintenance services.

Western Wind Energy Corporation (TSX-V:WND)

Western Wind Energy (TSXV: WND) produces clean, renewable energy from more than 500 wind turbine generators located in Tehachapi and San Gorgonio Pass, California. Currently, Western Wind Energy's annual energy output is approximately 34.5 MW.
Western Wind Energy is in the business of acquiring exceptional land sites, capital and technology for the production of electricity from renewable sources. Western Wind Energy conducts its operations in California, Arizona, Ontario, and Puerto Rico through various wholly owned subsidiaries. Management of Western Wind Energy includes individuals involved in the operations and ownership of utility scale wind energy facilities in California since 1981.

Xinjiang Goldwind Science (SHE:002202)

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd is a China-based company engaged in manufacture and distribution of wind turbine generator sets. The Company’s major products are 750 kilowatt (KW) and 1.5 megawatt (MW) wind turbine sets. The Company also involves in spare parts development and manufacture, provision of wind power services, development and distribution of wind farms, as well as development and transfer of wind power technologies, among others. During the year ended December 31, 2009, wind turbine generator sets accounted for approximately 95.33% of the Company’s total revenue

Offshore wind moratorium a chickenshit move

2011-03-19T13:09:00.000-07:00

February's election-minded announcement that the Ontario government has placed a moratorium on offshore windfarm development was a cowardly, backwards-looking decision. Fearful of voters' groups opposed to wind turbines "ruining" their lake views, the government caved against unwarranted and limited protests.

It is time for the government to choose 2 or 3 Lake Ontario projects and a few more in other lakes as a test project, and then expand the program as more data and opportunities surface. Our province needs to phase out both coal-fired and atomic fission electricity generation, and both land-based and offshore wind energy developments will be core components of our 21st Century energy infrastructure mix.

15 Green energy stocks rising against the tide today

2011-03-10T18:38:00.000-08:00

With the Dow dropping 228 and NASDAQ off 51, there were only a small number of companies showing increases in share prices today. Here are some with clean energy technology:

Renewable Power Company Clean Energy Stocks

Name Symbol Last price Change Mkt cap Volume Open High Low

Solar Power Inc SOPW 0.440* +0.030 (7.32%) 23.01M 27,475.00 0.4 0.45 0.39

Shear Wind Inc SWX 0.265* +0.015 (6.00%) 38.66M 4,282.00 0.27 0.27 0.265

Cleanfield Alternative... AIR 0.095* +0.005 (5.56%) 2.91M 48,000.00 0.09 0.095 0.09

Catch the Wind Ltd. CTW 0.650* +0.030 (4.84%) 52.32M 11,650.00 0.59 0.65 0.59

ARISE Technologies Corp. APV 0.125* +0.005 (4.17%) 24.05M 353,680.00 0.125 0.125 0.12

AeroVironment, Inc. AVAV 33.80 +1.32 (4.06%) 740.13M 644,616.00 32 34.35 31.73

FuelCell Energy, Inc. FCEL 1.86 +0.07 (3.91%) 229.14M 6.33M 1.98 1.99 1.85

Nevada Geothermal Power... NGP 0.640* +0.020 (3.23%) 74.43M 199,185.00 0.64 0.64 0.6

Ascent Solar Tech., Inc. ASTI 2.69 +0.06 (2.28%) 86.87M 234,001.00 2.61 2.71 2.5

ReneSola Ltd. (ADR) SOL 8.79 +0.18 (2.09%) 764.05M 5.08M 8.33 8.88 8.3

A-Power Energy Generatio... APWR 4.84 +0.09 (1.89%) 224.40M 460,630.00 4.76 4.87 4.65

Rare Element Resources... RES 10.94* +0.08 (0.74%) 472.28M 230,943.00 10.85 11.22 10.56

Ultralife Corp. ULBI 5.20 +0.03 (0.58%) 89.66M 99,564.00 5.12 5.45 5.08

5N Plus Inc. VNP 9.24* +0.05 (0.54%) 421.88M 97,759.00 9.32 9.32 8.96

Nordex SE NDX1 6.00* +0.02 (0.33%) 401.07M 371,045.00 5.95 6.11 5.92

Green Stock Watch: High energy prices are wind in cleantech sails

2011-02-23T16:14:00.000-08:00

The double-edged events in Libya have caused a spike in global oil prices that will slow growth at home and abroad, however renewed high energy prices also invigorate renewable clean power companies.

The more you look into it, the more you will realize that oil is the most replaceable of all commodities, via natural gas, methanol, ethanol, new biogas / biofuel technologies and even solar, wind, geothermal, conservation and energy storage, directly and via equivalent energy displacement.

This is good news for green power stocks, however any with weak coffers should move quickly to raise cash now, for peace is just as likely to break out as war, if not more so. Money may soon be more expensive, so CFOs and CEOs, start working overtime to have sufficient money raised in the next two to three months, to last two to three years if possible.

A few years back I called the 2008 top in oil prices, predicted it coming and announced its arrival after oil crossed the $140 mark. We're getting into frothy territory again, and a new prediction is likely coming very soon. Not sure how high this one's gonna go, but we're climbing the peak now:

5 year chart Brent Crude oil price

Events and human psychology will determine this coming top, yet it already looks probable that support after the next oil price downturn will be around $56, up from $42 during the most recent bottom. THIS is a third higher, so when oil is next near a bottom and everyone is barking "disinflation", just compare the current bottom to the bottom in the previous cycle, and make your calculations from there.

If the oil price goes through 140 and makes a new high above 160, then 56 would be likely support for the next recession. If the oil price falters around or below the 140 mark, we have the dreaded double top and the downside may be even more severe, possibly to 24 at the nadir.

The bulls will tell you that $140 will become the new support level, converting former resistance, but don't believe them. At that price the global economy would crash, which is good for neither sellers nor buyers. Traders will take the market down about four or five times faster than they take it up, so don't be shy about starting to take long oil profits soon.

It also seems rather early to short, with Libya onstage, Iran in the wings, Bahrain and Yemen on side stages. As the ancient Chinese proverb says, "May you live in interesting times!"

Perhaps 2011 is another Sell in May and Stay Away year, or maybe things are moving even faster. Stay tuned.

Middle East democracy uprisings related links:

Middle East Revolutions 2.0; Egypt and Tunisia Timelines Dec 2010 to Feb 2011

Heroes and Martyrs of 2011 Tunisia and Egypt Revolutions

Canada urges Libya to show restraint with democracy protesters

Will Arab Awakening "Day of Anger" spike oil and metal markets?

2011-02-16T19:58:00.000-08:00

Protests expected in Algeria, Yemen, Libya, Bahrain, Jordan, Syria and Iran this Friday have the potential to cause a short-term spike in commodity prices, even though that some troubles can be reasonably predicted, and some would say are already priced in, though we've heard that before.

Here are a couple of links to follow short term and longer term movements in major commodities markets:

Oil price Brent Crude updated Bloomberg.com

Gold price live feed

Middle East democratic uprising links

List of countries with fake elections, rigged votes, false democracies

Egypt: Wael Ghonim deserves seat on Egypt's National Constitution Council

VICTORY!!! New Day Dawning in Egypt and Middle East

Egypt: How Facebook, YouTube, Google and Twitter revolutionized Egypt

Fareed Zakaria: Obama statement on Egypt unprecedented in recent decades

Blowin' In The Wind lyrics, by Bob Dylan

2011-02-06T19:47:00.000-08:00

Blowin' In The Wind

Lyrics and Music by Bob Dylan

How many roads must a man walk down
Before you call him a man?
Yes, ’n’ how many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, ’n’ how many times must the cannonballs fly
Before they’re forever banned?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

How many years can a mountain exist
Before it’s washed to the sea?
Yes, ’n’ how many years can some people exist
Before they’re allowed to be free?
Yes, ’n’ how many times can a man turn his head
Pretending he just doesn’t see?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
Yes, ’n’ how many ears must one man have
Before he can hear people cry?
Yes, ’n’ how many deaths will it take till he knows
That too many people have died?
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind
The answer is blowin’ in the wind

Industries seeking alternatives to reliance on Rare Earth Elements (REEs)

2011-01-28T06:15:00.000-08:00

In an informative article in today's Toronto Star, Clean Break columnist Tyler Hamilton, a very knowledgeable green power expert, explains that many clean power technology industries do have options not involving rare earth elements.

My feeling is that while it is true there are many green technologies that do not require rare earth elements, the countries and companies that have the option of using them will develop superior technology in the end. In the near term, the shortage may actually spur a whole new generation of LED lighting and other innovations, but in the medium to longer term I'd like North American companies to have secure access to rare earth elements.

The article is not yet online, however check TheStar.com tomorrow for it, and I may also post some quotes from it right here.

Wind Energy company news investing info

2011-01-21T16:15:00.000-08:00

Windpower Companies Stocks Updates

A few news items that caught my eye recently:

Vestas Wind wins 2011 Zayed Future Energy Prize

Lincoln Electric System signs 20 year, 10 meg deal with Laredo

Wind energy proving to be a great solution for New Zealand

Spain's Iberdrola SA agreed to buy Brazil’s Elektro Eletricidade

Kevin Douglas, founder of Douglas Telecom, buying more American Superconductor stock

Suzlon rallies on 218 megawatt Brazilian sale

Wind Energy Stocks for 2011, Company Website Links

2011-01-11T10:49:00.000-08:00

Publicly-listed Windpower Companies and Suppliers

AAER Wind Energy (TSX-V) Canadian windpower stock

Acciona Windpower (ANA.MC)

AeroVironment (AVAV) rooftop wind energy systems

American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC) wind and solar power convertors and superconductors

America's Wind Energy Corporation (OTC: AWNE)

A-Power Energy Generation Systems (APWR), formerly China Energy Tech

Babcock & Brown Wind Partners (ASX: BBW BBWPF.PK)

Boralex Wind Power (TSE: BLX) wind farm operator

Broadwind Energy Corp Official Company website (BWEN.OB)

China High Speed Transmission Equipment Group Co., (CHSTF) Ltd.

Cleanfield Energy Corp (TSX:AIR)

Clipper Windpower (CWPR.L) wind turbine manufacturer

Dakshidin Wind (DKSC) - RESTEC water pumping windmills

Duke Energy Corporation windpower and natural gas

EDF Energies Nouvelle (EEN.PA) english website

EDP Renovaveis (EDPR.LB) - Brazil and Iberia clean renewable energy producer

First Wind Energy (WNDY) company website, 2008 windpower IPO

Gamesa Corp (GAM.MC) wind company website in english

GE Power Wind Energy website

Greentech, Denmark-based windpower development company

Hansen Transmissions International NV (HSN) wind turbine gearbox manufacturer

Iberdola Renovables official company website in english

Itron.com (NASD: ITRI) Energy and Water Resource Management

Juhl Wind Inc. (JUHL.OB) - Community windpower leader

Kaydon Corp (KDN) - Leading manufacturer of bearings for wind turbines

Maxwell Technologies (MXWL) wind turbine ultracapacitors

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd (MHVYF)

Nacel Energy (NCEN.OB) USA, Caribbean and Latin America wind power

Naikun Wind Energy (NKW) Canada-based wind power and natural gas

NextEraEnergy (NYSE: NEE) - Clean energy division of Florida Light and Power

Nordex Group (eiNDX1) - German Wind Energy Company

Novera Energy PLC (LSE:NVE) - UK wind power producer

Otter Tail Corporation (OTTR) wind tower manufacturer

Plambeck Holding (eiPNE3) - German Wind Energy Park and Biogas Plant Owner / Manager

REPower Systems AG (RPW.DE), German wind turbine manufacturer

SkyPower Wind Energy Fund

SkyPower.com - Canadian wind energy company

Suzlon Energy (SUZL) windpower company

Theolia (eQ18481) - France-based Windpower and Biogas power plant developer

TransAlta Corporation (TSX: T.TA) - This is the company that took over KHD, Canadian Hydro

Trinity Industries (TRN) wind energy tower manufacturer

Vestas Wind Systems (VWSYF)#1 windpower company

Welwind Energy Intl (WWEI.OB) developer of wind farms in China

Western Wind Energy (WND: TSX.V)

Wind Energy America (OTC:WNEA) USA wind farm developer

Windflow Technology Ltd (NZAX:WTL), New Zealand wind turbine designer / manufacturer

Xcel Energy Inc (XEL) diversified USA power producer, wind farm developer

Xinjiang Goldwind Sci & Tech Co - China wind turbine manufacturer, official company website

Zoltek Cos (ZOLT) - Carbon Fiber Manufacturer, Aerospace Composites stock

Green Energy Investing links:

Best Green Stocks website

Green Mutual Funds blog

Geothermal Power Stocks

Photovoltaic Solar Stocks

Canadian Wind Energy Atlas

Publicly-traded Rare Earth Elements stocks to watch

2011-01-10T09:28:00.000-08:00

Rare Earth Minerals stocks, investing in Rare Earth Elements

Here is a list of publicly-traded Rare Earth Elements stocks:

Alkane Resource Ltd. (ASX:ALK, PK:ALKEF)

Arafura Resources Ltd. (ASX:ARU, PK:ARAFF)

Avalon Rare Metals Inc.(TSX:AVL, AMEX:AVL)

Canadian International Minerals Inc (CVE:CIN)

Commerce Resources Corp. (TSXV:CCE)

Frontier Rare Earths Ltd. (TSX:FRO)

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. (TSX.V:GWG, OTCBB:GWMGF)

Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd. (ASX:GGG, PK:GDLNF)

Hudson Resources Ltd. (TSX.V:HUD, OTCQX:HUDRF)

IBC Advanced Alloys (IBC)

Kirrin Resources Inc. (TSX VENTURE:KYM)

Lomiko Metals Inc. (TSX-V:LMR)

Lynas Corporation Limited (ASX:LYC)

Matamec Explorations Inc. (TSX.V:MAT, PK:MTCEF)

Medallion Resources Ltd (TSX-V: MDL)

Molycorp Inc (NYSE:MCP)

Navigator Resources Ltd. (ASX:NAV)

Quantum Rare Earth Developments (TSX.V:QRE)

Quest Minerals(QRM.V)

Rare Element Resources (TXS:C.RES)

Stans Energy Corp. (TSX: V.RUU)

Tasman Metals (TSM.V)

As of January 2011, here is a list of 17 Rare Earth Elements mining projects (TMR Advanced Rare-Earths Project Index), and the rare earth minerals mining companies that are behind these ventures (list courtesy of Resource Investor – News That Trades)

Bear Lodge (Bull Hill Zone) – Wyoming, USA : Rare Element Resources Ltd. (TSX.V:RES, AMEX:REE)

Cummins Range – Western Australia, Australia : Navigator Resources Ltd. (ASX:NAV)

Dubbo – New South Wales, Australia – Alkane Resource Ltd. (ASX:ALK, PK:ALKEF)

Hoidas Lake – Saskatchewan, Canada : Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. (TSX.V:GWG, OTCBB:GWMGF)

Kangankunde – Balaka, Malawi : Lynas Corporation Ltd. (ASX:LYC, PK:LYSCF)

Kutessay II – Chui, Kyrgyzstan : Stans Energy Corp. (TSX.V:RUU)

Kvanefjeld – Kujalleq, Greenland : Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd. (ASX:GGG, PK:GDLNF)

Mount Weld – Western Australia, Australia : Lynas Corporation Ltd. (ASX:LYC. PK:LYSCF)

Mountain Pass – California, USA : Molycorp Inc. (NYSE:MCP)

Nechalacho (Thor Lake Basal Zone) – Northwest Territories, Canada : Avalon Rare Metals Inc.(TSX:AVL, AMEX:AVL)

Nolans Bore – Northern Territory, Australia : Arafura Resources Ltd. (ASX:ARU, PK:ARAFF)

Norra Karr – Småland, Sweden : Tasman Metals Ltd. (TSX.V:TSM, PK:TASXF, F:T61)

Sarfartoq (ST1 Zone) – Qaasuitsup, Greenland : Hudson Resources Ltd. (TSX.V:HUD, OTCQX:HUDRF)

Steenkampskraal – Western Cape, South Africa : Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. (TSX.V:GWG, OTCBB:GWMGF) & Rare Earth Extraction Co. Ltd.

Strange Lake (B Zone) – Quebec, Canada : Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. (TSX.V:QRM)

Zandkopsdrift – Northern Cape, South Africa : Frontier Rare Earths Ltd. (TSX:FRO)

Zeus (Kipawa) – Quebec, Canada : Matamec Explorations Inc. (TSX.V:MAT, PK:MTCEF)

Member companies of the Bloomberg Rare Earth Mineral Resources Index and their respective weightings:

Company Ticker Symbols Weighting (%)

Molycorp Inc. NYSE:MCP 16.4

Lynas Corporation Ltd. ASX:LYC, PK:LYSCF 15.0

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. TSX:AVL, AMEX:AVL 11.4

Rare Element Resources Ltd. TSX.V:RES, AMEX:REE 11.2

Arafura Resources Ltd. ASX:ARU, PK:ARAFF 10.0

Greenland Minerals and Energy Ltd. ASX:GGG, PK:GDLNF 6.7

Quest Rare Minerals Ltd. TSX.V:QRM, PK:QSURD 6.3

Frontier Rare Earths Ltd. TSX:FRO 5.9

Alkane Resources Ltd. ASX:ALK, PK:ALKEF 5.0

Tasman Metals Ltd. TSX.V:TSM, PK:TASXF, F:T61 4.6

Great Western Minerals Group Ltd. TSX.V:GWG, OTCBB:GWMGF 4.2

Navigator Resources Limited ASX:NAV 2.1

Matamec Explorations Inc. TSX.V:MAT, PK:MTCEF 1.2

Many Happy Returns in 2011!

(Note of Caution: Investing in individual equity securities is for high risk investors, and junior mining stocks have added speculative risk on top of that. Medium risk investors should seeking exposure to the industry may want to research and invest in resource funds with a significant Rare Earth Elements component, and even then as part of a widely diversified portfolio)

Rare Earth Elements 101; Sources and Uses/Applications

2011-01-05T12:39:00.000-08:00

If we are going to transform this planet into a sustainable, infinite energy powered living macine, then Rare Earth Elements will continue to be key components of new technology developed and marketed over the coming years and decades.

Rare Earth Elements are referred to in a variety of ways that are abbreviated as follows:

RE = rare earth
REM = rare earth metals
REE = rare earth elements
REO = rare earth oxides
LREE = light rare earth elements (La-Sm)
HREE = heavy rare earth elements (Eu-Lu)

Rare Earth Element deposits tend to occur in two ways:

Light rare earth elements (‘LREE’), which include lanthanum (La), cerium (Ce), praseodymium (Pr), neodymium (Nd), and samarium (Sm)

Heavy rare earth elements (‘HREE’), which are less common and more value, include europium (Eu), gadolinium (Gd), terbium (Tb), dysprosium (Dy), holmium (Ho), erbium (Er), thulium (Tm), ytterbium (Yb) and lutetium (Lu)

Yttrium (Y) is most commonly found in association with HREE deposits.

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are used in hybrid cars, renewable energy such as windpower, and in many types of modern electronics. Examples of rare Earth Elements in demand include:

Neodymium – Used for magnets in hybrid cars including Prius, Insight, LEAF, Focus, pretty much EVERY hybrid car model available. Also used in the Dyson Vacuum's magnets.

Europium - Europium is not found in nature as a free element, and has no known biological role. It is a by-product of nuclear fission, and is used in television sets, lasers, fluorescent lamps and in medical tests for Down's Syndrome and other genetic illnesses.

Samarium - Though classified as a rare earth element, samarium is the 40th most abundant element in the Earth's crust and is more common than such metals as tin. Samarium occurs with concentration up to 2.8% in several minerals including cerite, gadolinite, samarskite, monazite and bastnäsite, the last two being the most common commercial sources of the element. These minerals are mostly found in China, the USA, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka and Australia; China is by far the world leader in samarium mining and production.

One of the most important applications of samarium is in samarium-cobalt magnets, which have a nominal composition of SmCo5 or Sm2Co17. They have high permanent magnetization, which is about 10,000 times that of iron and is second only to that of neodymium magnets. However, samarium-based magnets have higher resistance to demagnetization, as they are stable to temperatures above 700 °C (cf. 300–400 °C for neodymium magnets). These magnets are found in small motors, headphones, high-end magnetic pickups for guitars and related musical instruments.[8] For example, they are used in the motors of a solar-powered electric aircraft Solar Challenger and in the Samarium Cobalt Noiseless electric guitar and bass pickups.

Another important application of samarium and its compounds is as catalyst and chemical reagent. Samarium catalysts assist decomposition of plastics, dechlorination of pollutants such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as well as the dehydration and dehydrogenation of ethanol.[9] Samarium(III) triflate (Sm(OTf)3, that is Sm(CF3SO3)3) is one of the most efficient Lewis acid catalysts for a halogen-promoted Friedel–Crafts reaction with alkenes.[66] Samarium(II) iodide is a very common reducing and coupling agent in organic synthesis, for example in the desulfonylation reactions; annulation; Danishefsky, Kuwajima, Mukaiyama and Holton Taxol total syntheses;strychnine total synthesis; Barbier reaction and other reductions with samarium(II) iodide.

Erbium - A silvery-white solid metal when artificially isolated, natural erbium is always found in chemical combination with other elements on Earth. As such, it is a rare earth element which is associated with several other rare elements in the mineral gadolinite from Ytterby in Sweden.

It is commonly used as a photographic filter, and because of its resilience it is useful as a metallurgical additive. Erbium-doped optical silica-glass fibers are the active element in erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs), which are widely used in optical communications.[12] The same fibers can be used to create fiber lasers.

Erbium is also used in a variety of medical applications including laser surgery.

Cerium - A major technological application for Cerium(III) oxide is a catalytic converter for the reduction of CO emissions in the exhaust gases from motor vehicles. In particular, cerium oxide is added into Diesel fuels. Another important use of the cerium oxide is a hydrocarbon catalyst in self cleaning ovens, incorporated into oven walls and as a petroleum cracking catalyst in petroleum refining.

Cerium(IV) oxide is considered one of the most efficient agents for precision polishing of optical components. Cerium compounds are also used in the manufacture of glass, both as a component and as a decolorizer. For example, cerium(IV) oxide in combination with titanium(IV) oxide gives a golden yellow color to glass; it also allows for selective absorption of ultraviolet light in glass. Cerium oxide has high refractive index and is added to enamel to make it more opaque.

Dyprosium – The cost of this metal has risen from under $7 a pound in 2006 to over $130 per pound in 2011! Dysprosium is used, in conjunction with vanadium and other elements, in making laser materials. Because of dysprosium's high thermal neutron absorption cross-section, dysprosium oxide-nickel cermets are used in neutron-absorbing control rods in nuclear reactors.[2][19] Dysprosium-cadmium chalcogenides are sources of infraredradiation which is useful for studying chemical reactions.[1] Because dysprosium and its compounds are highly susceptible to magnetization, they are employed in various data storage applications, such as in hard disks

Mining company Lynas Corp. (ASX: LYC) is a producer of rare earth metals that has seen its stock triple over the past year. Bookmark this page in your Faves, join the RSS blog feed and stay tuned for more 2011 Rare Earth Elements stocks and investments in upcoming posts!

China's rare earth metals crucial to efficient windpower

2010-12-23T12:06:00.000-08:00

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) recently predicted that the world’s wind power capacity will increase by 160 percent in the next five years, and adding this additional 250.5 GW of wind energy will require 167,000 tonnes of rare earth metals.

It is estimated that over 90% of the world's rare earth metals are exported from China, and these are crucial to the new generation of ultra-efficient windpower turbines. As China itself plans to construct another 130+ Gigawatts of wind capacity over the next decade, how long are these rare earth minerals and metals going to be available for export?

Neodymium, praseodymium, dysprosium, and terbium are all rare earth metals whose pricing and availability globally could be affected by internal Chinese demand.

Clean Energy Technology a conscious, rewarding investment

2010-12-12T15:22:00.000-08:00

After reading about a study comparing returns of green ethical mutual funds with comparable non socially responsible funds, this comparison of ethical investing returns to average mutual funds returns made me happy that investors putting their money where their minds are can also be rewarded in the wallet.

Clean Energy Technology and Green Stocks Investing websites:

Best Windpower stocks for 2011

Green Energy Company Links list

Green Chip Stocks investing website

PV Intell Solar Photovoltaic Energy companies guide

Clean Green Mutual Funds Sustainable responsible investing blog

SolarBuzz leading solar energy industry portal

WindIntell.com Publicly-listed Wind Power stocks

Solar Intell Solar Energy Companies, Clean Power Investing

Geothermal Power Stocks Investments Companies list

Water Technology, Wave Energy Tidal Power Water Purification website

Top Green Stocks $1 or less; Alternative Energy Penny Stocks Tips

2010-09-09T16:57:00.001-07:00

Green Energy Investing; Renewable Power Penny Stocks

Here are some alternative energy companies trading at $1 or less as of the close of market, Tuesday, September 7th, 2010:

(Investing in penny stocks is for high risk investors, as there is a reasonable possibility that any single investment can go to zero. Prudent investors should allocate less than 5% of their total portfolio to speculative issues.)

Lithium One Inc. - LI - $1

Zongshen PEM Power - ZPP - $1

EMCORE Corp - EMKR - 0.94

Valence Technology - VLNC - 0.93

US Geothermal - HTM - 0.76

Clipper Windpower - CWP - 45p

Nevada Geothermal Power - NGP - 0.53

Suzlon Energy - 532667 - 51.70r

Hy-Drive Tech - HGS.V - 0.195 (Disclaimer: I own shares in this one)

Cleanfield Energy - AIR - 0.19

Shear Wind Inc - SWX - 0.18

It's probably best to own a few different green energy stocks, and not fall in love with them. Competition for sales will be fierce, so when you have a solid profit at a strong sales multiple, keep the exits in mind. Of course, some of these may go on to be the next Vesta or First Solar, but most won't; Happy hunting!!!

11 Green Stocks $1 or less; Alternative Energy Investing Tips

2010-09-09T16:57:00.000-07:00

Green Energy Investing; Renewable Power Penny Stocks

Here are some alternative energy companies trading at $1 or less as of the close of market, Tuesday, September 7th, 2010:

Lithium One Inc. - LI - $1

Zongshen PEM Power - ZPP - $1

EMCORE Corp - EMKR - 0.94

Valence Technology - VLNC - 0.93

US Geothermal - HTM - 0.76

Clipper Windpower - CWP - 45p

Nevada Geothermal Power - NGP - 0.53

Suzlon Energy - 532667 - 51.70r

Hy-Drive Tech - HGS.V - 0.195 (Disclaimer: I own shares in this one)

Cleanfield Energy - AIR - 0.19

Shear Wind Inc - SWX - 0.18

Green Energy Penny Stocks for 2011

2010-08-22T17:25:00.000-07:00

Here are some clean power penny stocks to consider accumulating positions in during the current market weakness, with an expectation of selling into strength in 2011 or 2012. For high risk, longer term investors only.

BWEN - Broadwind Energy Inc 1.73

BIOF - Biofuel Energy Corp 1.29

FCEL - Fuel Cell Ener 1.14

WND - Western Wind Energy 1.05

VLNC - Valence Technology Inc 0.77

HTM - US Geothermal 0.76

CPST - Capstone Turbine 0.69

NGLPF - Nevada Geothermal 0.55

PLUG - Plug Power 0.41

July 2010; Are Wind Energy Stocks in BUY Territory?

2010-07-02T19:38:00.000-07:00

Small and large windpower companies have seen their share prices pull back along with the broader market decline of recent weeks. As the off-oil movement is likely to gain considerable momentum in coming months and years, perhaps it is time for investors to look at offshore wind energy rather than deepwater drilling.

Many of the top publicly-listed wind energy companies appear to be bottoming out and the coming weeks may be ideal for stink bids, for slow and steady accumulation.

Happy hunting!

Joe