No abstract available

[en] At the end of the seventies, the NEDO (New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organisation) and the Central Research Institute of Electric Power Industry have started two independent projects of deep geothermics research in Honshu island (Japan). The two sites are 50 km apart of each other and the boreholes have been drilled up to 2300 and 1100 m of depth, respectively, in hot-dry moderately fractured volcanic rocks. These sites are characterized by high geothermal gradients with a rock temperature reaching 250 C at the bottom of the wells. Hydraulic circulation tests are still in progress to evaluate the profitability of these sites. (J.S.). 1 fig., 1 photo

[en] Day after day, photovoltaic energy is progressing a bit more both technologically and in terms of its different applications. In 1999, world photovoltaic cells production practically reached the 200 MWp mark and the five first cells producers generated a turnover of 430 million euro. (authors)

[en] Very low energy geothermics correspond to temperatures below 30 C and has been developed to cover heating and cooling needs of recent individual houses or tertiary industries using heat pumps and low depth aquifers (<100 m). Geothermal heat pumps industry has made great strides in European Northern countries, China, Japan and the United States of America. Geothermal heat pumps are less energy consuming than air heat pumps and require less cooling fluid and maintenance. The Aquapac procedure has been developed in France in 1983 by the AFME (French Energy Control Agency), EdF and the BRGM (Geologic and Mining Research Office) to encourage the use of geothermal heat pump for domestic and sanitary water heating and to make a survey of low-depth aquifers in the whole french territory. The decay of energy costs that started in 1986 has led to a loss of interest for the Aquapac procedure, even in the tertiary industries for which the air-conditioning demand is growing up. (J.S.). 1 tab

[en] This article offers a Europe-wide survey of the dynamics of 6 different sectors of the energy spectrum, against the background of the objectives set out in the European Commission's white paper. The 6 sectors are i) wind-power, ii) photovoltaic systems, iii) geothermal power, iv) micro-hydroelectricity, v) solar thermal, and vi) biomass. It appears that renewable energy sources are not all developed to the same extent but there is a move towards industrial development in each case. The European Union's goal is to supply 12% of its primary energy demand with renewable energies by 2010 (including large hydraulics plants), at present the share is about 5%

[en] This presentation gives a statement of the wind power industry implementing in the United States where the last financial incentives allowed the development of the wind power plants park. (A.L.B.)

[en] Today, the regulation evolutions are changing the little hydroelectricity in France. It concerns the market deregulation as the contracts of purchase and new environmental requirements. This document takes stock on the impacts of these new regulations. (A.L.B.)

[en] Europe produced more than 2500 ktoe of biogas in 2001. This represents 8% more than in 2000. For lack of infrastructures and due to the sector's insufficient level of maturity, only half of this amount is valorized into energy. This situation should improve, thanks to new environmental preoccupations linked to waste treatment as well as to the ambitions of the principal actors. (authors)

[en] The helio-thermodynamics which produces electric power with high temperatures obtained by the concentration of sun rays, is increasing. This document presents maps of the different installations, installed or in project, and their capacities in the world. (A.L.B.)

[en] Mixed of methane and carbon dioxide the biogas can be produced by many sources for the heat or the electricity production and the fuel production. This document aims to better understand the biogas, its characteristics, its valorization, the plants concerned, the installations and the regulation. It provides also an example of a biogas power plant and the biogas use in the farms. (A.L.B.)