State of the Union gains positive welcome; US cautiously accepts Copenhagen; Wind and Water lubes technology boost; Castrol Marine go to China; and Australia boosts India's lubricants academics.
|
US President Barack Obama's first State of the Union address included a number of references to "clean" energy and its potential positive impact on the US labour markets. In the speech he also talked about building new nuclear power plants; "making tough decisions about opening new offshore areas for oil and gas development"; and continued investment in biofuels and clean coal technology.
His words received a generally positive response from trade organisations and the media. For example, the Huston Chronicle highlighted the employment and exploration opportunities, quoting and API spokeswoman; while the American Chemical Council (ACC) welcomed the investment and energy diversity elements of the address.
Just one day after the State of the Union, the UN was informed by Climate Envoy, Todd Stern, that the US will aim for the targets agreed in the Copenhagen Accord hammered out in December 2009. The US Congress will need to pass a climate bill in order to set the target of a 17% cut in carbon dioxide emissions by 2020. The legislation will also be dependent on other countries who signed up to the accord, including China and India, submitted their pollution-cutting targets to the UN.
Wind turbine Source:H Dragon |
The news of increased support for renewables will benefit academics such as University of Virginia Assistant Professor Andres Clarens, who recently won $75,000 from the ConocoPhillips Energy Prize to fund research into gas-expanded lubricants designed for wind turbine bearings. The lubricants news liquid-phase carbon dioxide to help overcome vibration and high temperature variations and potentially reduce turbine energy costs by as much as 30%.
From wind to water, and the challenges of ensuring environmental safety in the use of hydraulic oil on hydroelectric projects. This is highlighted in a case study article on Slovenia's first hydroelectric plant, the 33-MW Bootanj facility.
And Castrol Marine have announced the development of a technology centre to be built in Shanghai's Jinqiao Science Park. The Centre will focus on developing marine lubricants and will include analytical and lubricant development labs and will open at the end of 2010.
Meanwhile Australia's Deakin University has announced a new partnership with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) to offer research fellowships to OIC employees. Research will focus on projects with particularly high opportunities for commercialisation, with two already planned relating to environmentally friendly lubricants.