The shift to renewable energy in regional Australia is met with opposition, but community energy projects like the Manilla Solar Project offer a different approach by involving locals in governance and financing. These projects can bridge polarized communities and provide agency and benefits to residents, filling the "missing middle" in Australia's renewable energy transition. The importance of community energy projects is highlighted, with success stories in countries like Denmark, Germany, and the United States. The UK's Local Power Plan serves as a model for supporting community and local energy projects, emphasizing the need for community participation in energy projects to be embedded in policy and system planning for trust and resilience. Eleanor Buckley advocates for Australia to adopt a similar approach to support mid-scale community energy projects.
Tag: Denmark
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Vestas seals deal for huge offshore wind order
Vestas, a Danish company, has secured a major order for its 15MW turbines for a UK offshore wind project, highlighting the growing importance of offshore wind energy in the transition to renewable sources. The use of large turbines like these can significantly increase the efficiency and capacity of wind farms, contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Denmark's success in this sector showcases the potential for other countries to invest in clean energy solutions, emphasizing the role of offshore wind in combating climate change.
https://www.rechargenews.com/suppliers/vestas-seals-deal-for-huge-offshore-wind-order/2-1-1947282
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From Riverboats To Global Ports: CATL Is Winning The Shipping Electrification Race
CATL's batteries and energy management systems are being utilized in various ships and vessels, showcasing a shift towards electrification in maritime transport. The company's Ship-Shore-Cloud electric vessel solution, in partnership with A.P. Moller Maersk, is driving decarbonization efforts in ports and logistics, focusing on electrifying ground equipment, harbor craft, and shore power for vessels. Challenges in decarbonizing deep sea shipping are being addressed through operational changes, sustainable biofuels, and the prioritization of electrification in ports and short sea routes. Chinese battery manufacturers are leading the way in supplying batteries for maritime applications, while Europe and countries like Norway, Denmark, and Scotland are making strides in ferry electrification. This concrete reshaping of the shipping sector towards electrification is already in progress, with a focus on reducing emissions and costs while increasing regulatory familiarity and workforce capability.
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US Misses The Offshore Wind Boat And Aquaculture, Too
The US offshore wind industry faced setbacks under President Trump, but projects in Rhode Island, New York, and Virginia are still moving forward. Chile is emerging as a leader in offshore wind energy, with collaborations with Norway and Denmark. The aquaculture industry in Chile is benefiting from clean power solutions, including offshore wind turbines and floating solar technology. These sustainable energy sources are reducing diesel consumption, lowering costs, and improving working conditions for workers in the aquaculture industry. Offshore wind and solar companies are exploring opportunities in aquaculture, with projects in Chile and China combining renewable energy with fish farming. China's Fuxi 1 offshore facility, powered by wind turbines, can farm multiple species of fish, crustaceans, and algae simultaneously. In Norway, a project is assessing the co-location of aquaculture and offshore wind turbines, with benefits including reduced risk of sea lice and oxygen deficiency for fish health. Research shows that offshore wind farms can enhance ecosystem productivity and create a more complex food web, supporting marine ecosystems. The collaboration between offshore wind stakeholders and the global aquaculture industry is highlighted, with mentions of missed opportunities in the US and new developments in Sweden.
https://cleantechnica.com/2025/12/22/us-misses-the-offshore-wind-boat-and-aquaculture-too-shocker/
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The City That Turns Human Waste into Clean Fuel
Innovative projects in Germany and Denmark are transforming sewage gases into valuable resources like methanol and green hydrogen, offering sustainable solutions for industries and rural communities. The Mannheim 001 pilot project in Germany is producing methanol from biogas at a wastewater treatment plant, with plans for upscaling production, while the Kassø e-methanol facility in Denmark showcases successful large-scale investment in this area. These initiatives not only aim to decarbonize industries and reduce energy consumption in sewage treatment plants but also have the potential to benefit rural communities by cutting waste disposal costs and generating renewable power. Despite obstacles such as regulations and lack of legal frameworks, the global potential of scaling sewage-to-methanol could have significant climate and air quality benefits, particularly in meeting the fuel demand of the global shipping sector striving for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
https://reasonstobecheerful.world/city-turning-human-waste-to-clean-fuel-germany/