Synfuel

Coal-to-liquids and biofuel technologies, projects, and potential

Global Monitor (August 2007)
Global Monitor (August 2007)

PG&E mounts tidal power project Pacific Gas and Electric Co. (PG&E), the city and county of San Francisco, and Golden Gate Energy Co. have agreed to undertake a comprehensive study…



Global Monitor (February 2007)
Global Monitor (February 2007)

China to buy four AP1000 reactors In a deal brokered by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), China is ordering four Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors for plants to be constructed…


Renewable contracts merit longer terms
Renewable contracts merit longer terms

The length of term allowed for power sales contracts is a critical determinant of the ability of states to meet their increasingly ambitious renewable power targets. Many utilities advocate limiting…


Gas turbine "refueling" via IGCC
Gas turbine "refueling" via IGCC

From the mid-1990s until about four years ago, natural gas–fired combined-cycle plants dominated new capacity additions in North America. They became the technology of choice for all the right reasons:…


Roadmap for the all-electric warship

The United States Navy's interest in electric propulsion dates back to the launching of the 19,360-ton USS Jupiter (Figure 1) in August 1912. The Jupiter had a prototype electric propulsion…


A new player in backup power
A new player in backup power

There are many different types of fuel cells, and each has characteristics that make it more suitable than others for certain applications. For example, because molten carbonate fuel cells operate…


Renewable energy’s growing share
Renewable energy’s growing share

  Renewable power development will continue to grow in the U.S., with the nonhydro total reaching 53,121 MW by the end of 2016. So predicts a soon-to-be-released report from Boulder,…


Promoting renewable exports

  Promoting renewable exports The DOE is not the only U.S. government department promoting renewable energy. Any U.S. energy firm or supplier looking to export its goods and services can…


Fuel cells reach MW class
Fuel cells reach MW class

A few years ago, skyrocketing energy costs and tighter emissions limits prompted officials at the Wastewater Treatment Division of King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks in Washington State…