In March, we’ll be launching the eighth edition of Our Petroleum Challenge, the Centre for Energy’s flagship publication.

This latest edition includes comprehensive updates to a range of industry facts and figures, along with brand new content and a completely redesigned look that makes the book even simpler to read. Reviewed by professionals in all areas of the oil and gas industry along with related government regulators, the eighth edition of Our Petroleum Challenge is current, comprehensive and, most importantly, readable.

As a primer textbook on the oil and gas industry, Our Petroleum Challenge is ideal for anyone who wants to learn about the complex chain of companies, technologies and processes that transform Canada’s oil and gas resources into the energy products that fuel our lives.

We recognize that the oil and gas industry is a technical and often literally distant industry that can seem inaccessible even while issues like oil sands development and hydraulic fracturing make daily news. That’s why we believe accessible energy knowledge is essential for all Canadians, from business people working alongside the oil and gas industry to teachers engaged in lifelong learning to students planning a career in energy.

It’s the only book you really need.

Microorganisms that serve a dual purpose.

Full Story [Popular Mechanics]

How long has it been since I’ve done a post on electric cars?  Too long I’d say.  Luckily, CleanTechnica has me covered with an article on not only electric cars, but also solar energy.

The topic is solar charging stations.  These stations would be primarily to charge electric cars, but could also provide emergency power for small homes and business.

It’s always great to see two types of energy working together so well.  As more and more electric cars are developed, the use of solar energy as a fuel source seems a perfect fit.

So have a look and read up on this double dose of green tech.

BC continues to invest in wind power. The government has approved a new development in northeastern BC. The Tumbler Ridge Wind Energy project, a new development in northeastern BC, will generate enough power to provide electricity for up to 18,000 homes. There will be 50 wind turbines installed.

In Nova Scotia the COMFIT program continues to support locally-based renewable energy projects. The program is part of the province’s 2010 Renewable Electricity Plan. The province has approved five new projects.

• two 800-kilowatt wind projects in Barney’s River, Pictou Co., owned by Northumberland Wind Field.
• a four-megawatt wind project in Barrachois, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, and a 2.3-megawatt wind project in Gaetz Brook, Halifax Regional Municipality, owned by Wind4all Communities.
• a 50-kilowatt wind project on the campus of Université Ste-Anne in Church Point, Digby Co.
• a 4.8-megawatt project in Kemptown, Colchester Co., owned by Affinity Renewables, a not-for-profit organization owned by the Nova Scotia SPCA.
• a 1.99-megawatt project in Marion Bridge, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, owned by Celtic Current.

And Health Canada has extended its public comment period on the proposed research design and methodology for its study on wind turbine noise and health. September 7 is the new deadline for comments. The study, which will be done in collaboration with Statistics Canada, will be focused on 2,000 homes selected from 8-12 wind turbine installation facilities in Canada. Researchers will interview residents and measure noise levels inside and outside of each home.

Via CanWEA

Could the IKEA concept of “offering a wide range of well designed, functional home furnishing products at prices so low that as many people as possible will be able to afford them” be expanded to include solar and wind energy?

With IKEA plugging into solar power for almost all of its U.S. buildings, could IKEA-brand solar panels for your home be far behind? Of, course some assembly would be required. And there would be an Allen wrench.

Just thinking.

As hard as it is to think about, summer’s end is fast approaching.  I’ve been trying to ignore this fact, but I think it’s time to face reality.  This means that soon, especially for us Canadians, we’ll be spending a lot less time basking in the sun, and a lot more time indoors.

What better way to look at this grim, non-summer filled future than from an efficiency standpoint.  Although household efficiency is still a big issue in summertime (think air-conditioning), it’s the winter months where it usually holds the most importance.

Now winter is a quite a ways off, and I apologize for even mentioning it, but now is a good a time as any to prepare yourself for the coming seasons.  Luckily for us, the folks at Green Building Elements have a nice little article detailing some cheap and easy ways to monitor and improve your own household efficiency.

Give it a quick read, and don’t forget to get out there and enjoy what is left of summer.