| Global renewable energy electricity capacity increased by more than 8% in 2013, achieving a new record level, according to a United Nations-supported report released on June 3. Renewable energy sources met about one-fifth of world energy consumption, according to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) "Renewables 2014 Global Status Report." The 2014 report credits support policies with a central role in driving global renewable energy capacity to a new record level last year of more than 1,560 gigawatts (GW). Among the 2013 highlights: -
Renewables accounted for more than 56% of net additions to global power capacity -
For the first time, more solar photovoltaic generating capacity was added than wind power capacity worldwide -
Hydropower capacity rose by 4% to approximately 1,000 GW in 2013, accounting for about one-third of renewable power capacity added during the year. China, the United States, Brazil, Canada, and Germany remained the top countries for total installed renewable power capacity, the report found. Global new investment in renewable power and fuels worldwide was at least $249 billion in 2013, down from its record level in 2011. However, the number of emerging economy nations with policies in place to support the expansion of renewable energy has surged more than six-fold in just eight years, from 15 developing countries in 2005 to 95 early in 2014. See the UNEP news release.   Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper on May 30 signed a geothermal bond bill providing $1.98 million in state funding and matching the Energy Department's investment in geothermal energy exploration at Pagosa Springs. The project, which demonstrates Colorado's strong support for geothermal energy development, leverages a $3.8 million award from the Department for evaluating and exploring the geothermal resource potential at Pagosa Springs. Pagosa Springs has long been recognized as a potential target for geothermal energy development, based on surface evidence and assessments such as geophysical exploration conducted by the Colorado School of Mines. The Pagosa Verde project proposes a cost-effective, phased approach for locating and evaluating the viability of geothermal resources in the southern end of the Pagosa Springs area. The project will assess the potential for power production as well as direct use applications for residential, industrial, and other purposes. The collaborative framework at Pagosa Verde provides a replicable model of public-private partnership and grassroots support. The company has engaged the local community to garner support and promote future geothermal development that could create jobs and generate clean, renewable energy for the region. Landowners, city and county officials, utilities, and private investors worked with the Colorado School of Mines and the Colorado Energy Office to demonstrate the value of this project and its vital role in bringing geothermal energy development to the state. See the Energy Department news release and the new Energy 101 video. The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) on June 3 announced that it has issued a lease to Florida Atlantic University (FAU) for marine hydrokinetic energy technology testing offshore Florida to evaluate the use of turbines powered by ocean currents. FAU's Southeast National Marine Renewable Energy Center applied for a lease to deploy experimental demonstration devices in an area located approximately 10 to 12 nautical miles offshore Fort Lauderdale. The proposed project involves the installation of multiple anchored floating "test berths" to evaluate ocean current turbine designs. Each test berth will consist of a buoy anchored to the sea floor to measure ocean conditions and allow ocean current turbine prototypes to be deployed from vessels moored in the Gulf Stream. Now that the lease has been executed, FAU may submit a project plan for BOEM's review. BOEM has also awarded five commercial wind energy leases off the Atlantic coast: two non-competitive leases and three competitive leases. BOEM expects to hold additional competitive auctions for wind energy areas offshore Maryland, Massachusetts, and New Jersey later this year. Off the Pacific Coast, BOEM has given the approval for Principle Power, Inc. to submit a formal plan to build a 30-megawatt pilot project using floating wind turbine technology offshore Coos Bay, Oregon. BOEM is also reviewing an application from the National Northwest Marine Energy Center-Oregon State University for a research lease to evaluate wave energy converter performance. See the BOEM news release. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) on May 20 announced $25 million for agriculture producers and energy facilities working to turn renewable biomass materials into clean energy. The support comes through the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP), which was reauthorized by the 2014 Farm Bill and will resume this summer. BCAP employs three types of biomass assistance. For growing new biomass, BCAP provides financial assistance for 50% of the cost of establishing a perennial crop. To maintain the crop as it matures until harvest, BCAP provides an annual payment for up to five years for herbaceous crops, or up to 15 years for woody crops. To collect existing agriculture or forest residues that are not economically retrievable, BCAP provides matching payments for mitigating the cost of harvesting and transporting the materials to the facility that will use them. See the USDA news release. | 
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