Maurizio Pensato Renewable Energy Blog

STEVE JOBS 1955-2011

2011-10-07T20:45:00.003+02:00

Thank you for all your passion, conviction and unyielding commitment to create ...
You have inspired many young entrepreneurs (including myself). There is no failure in life to fear. Trial and error help to constantly improve and to remain focused. I have learned that with true believe, faith, love and by consequently following my dreams ... also the "dots" of my life connect.

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life.
Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. (...) Stay hungry, stay foolish!"
Steve Jobs (1955 - 2011), 2005 Stanford University Commencement Speech

Wisdom from the soul of a great entrepreneur, man and creator:

Nothing to worry about ... believe!

2011-10-07T20:32:00.002+02:00

Don't worry about a thing, cause every little thing s'gonna be alright ...

Copyrights: In courtesy of http://www.playingforchange.com - This video is the first track on our new album, PFC 2 -- Songs Around The World.

Follow the link below to pre-order the album and support Playing For Change by telling all your friends and family to join the movement.

Pre-Order "PFC2: Songs Around The World" now on Amazon.com: http://amzn.to/PFCsatw2

Linea Trovata Group - Smart sustainable energy solutions

2011-01-15T23:14:00.019+01:00

Our Group's marketing team is always good for a surprise. New year 2011 starts with a new corporate movie showing from helicopter-view several renewable energy installations realized by Linea Trovata Group in Belgium, the Netherlands, in France and Italy. We wish you a pleasant flight. Enjoy!

Season's Greetings

2010-12-22T17:31:00.004+01:00

Season Greetings from Linea Trovata Italia.

We would like to thank you for your confidence in us. Hoping you are happy and smiling always. We wish you Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays and look forward to an exiting and successful year to come. Our outlook for 2011 is sunny!

Belgium - not so boring after all

2010-11-14T11:13:00.000+01:00

If you think about Belgium, you think about – well, good question – French Fries? Eddy Merckx? Belgium waffles? Jean-Claude van Damme? Admitted: the latter Wikipedia just supplied …

The small Monarchy stands geographically seen very much in the shadow of their rather PR abounding neighbours, it however has to offer a lot more than the delicious potato sticks and short musclemen. Not for nothing has Brussels become Europe’s capital. Thanks to GSDH Advertising agency and as a tribute to our Belgium colleagues of Linea Trovata in Lokeren, we are sharing a piece of Belgium country today: so grab a Heineken - ähh Cristal Alken - ähhh Duvel and take the tour. Enjoy!

Source: GSDH Blog

PV Legal Framework Italy

2010-08-15T14:00:00.071+02:00

Who is active in renewable energy business knows, that legal-administrative barriers are among the main obstacles in several European countries impeding a quicker PV technology deployment. Although many countries have already implemented favourable PV support policies, when it comes to constructing PV projects, bureaucracy and highly complex procedures and requirements (i.e. notification, registration, licensing, environmental impact assessment, etc.) hamper installation processes significantly. As a result, the development and the sustainable establishment of solar markets in many European countries is unnecessarily delayed.

This Blog always tries to inform about the latest legal frameworks, national and regional laws in Italy. We would like to introduce the PV LEGAL project, an initiative co-funded by the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme of the European Commission. The overall goal of the PV LEGAL Project is to overcome such legal-administrative barriers during planning and installation processes (including grid connection) of photovoltaic (PV) systems. The project consortium aims at improving the framework conditions for PV in Europe and to allow for faster and more efficient market development in the various countries. In this context the project website offers a free and comprehensive online database, gathering detailed quantitative and qualitative data on project development processes and bureaucratic barriers hampering the set-up of photovoltaic (PV) systems, in 12 EU countries, also in Italy.

Screenshot PV LEGAL

This is the Status as of July 2010,
as you can find published on PV LEGAL consortium Website:

In Italy, the need for a simplification and harmonization of the legal-administrative framework in the PV sector is widely recognized as a priority. Actions are being taken at different levels.

The National Guidelines for the Autorizzazione Unica the centralized procedure for the authorization of PV Systems), foreseen by DLgs. 387/2003 and left aside for many years, have been readmitted to the political agenda. The document has been adopted the 8th of July 2010 by the State – Regions Unified Conference and will enter into force after publication in the OJ. Regions will have to adapt their frameworks to comply with the National guidelines within 90 days. The Autorizzazione Unica is one of the main bottlenecks for the PV sector in Italy and the lack of clear procedures defined at National level allowed for the proliferation of regional norms. The Guidelines are a significant step forward towards the simplification and harmonization of the authorization process in Italy.

A Regulation (now being examined by the Parliament) will simplify the bureaucracy currently necessary to get the landscape authorization. This will imply important simplifications for the installation of PV systems when landscape restrictions are present and Superintendencies are involved. The regulation might sensibly reduce waiting times from more than 100 to 60 days to get the necessary permissions for a number of interventions judged to be of “minor entity”.

Modifications to the Legislative Decree 152/2006 (environment) have been adopted on June 24, 2010. The decree modifies, among others, the part II of the DLgs 152/2006 concerning the Environmental Impact Assessment (VIA) with the aim of simplifying the procedures and combining the public interest for the preservation of the environment with that of economic development.

Plans for the development of the transmission grid extension and capacity are ongoing. The development plan (see TERNA –Piano di Sviluppo 2010) addresses the implementation of the development of the necessary grid infrastructures, gives an overview of the status and time for completion of works. Particular attention is given to the infrastructural development of the southern Regions. TERNA is the Italian company operating the Italian high-voltage transmission grid.

With regard to the low and medium voltage a convention between Enel and the Ministry of Economic Development was signed in February 2010 in order to adapt the distribution grid to the use of electricity produced by PV systems (up to 1 MWp) and develop smart grid solutions in Campania, Puglia, Calabria and Sicily (structural funds).

Speculation on the grid connection permits and the “reservation” of the grid capacity has proved to be a problem particularly in some Regions, especially in Puglia. The Italian Authority for Electricity and Gas (AEEG) has acknowledged the issue in its “Relazione dell’Autorità per l’Energia Elettrica e il Gas sullo stato di utilizzo ed integrazione degli impianti alimentati da fonti rinnovabili”, (PAS 3/10 of January 29, 2010). AEEG has subsequently issued a consultation document (Documento di consultazione DCO 15/10) to address the problem of speculation by introducing some specific provisions in the regulation governing the procedures, costs and timing for the connection of RES systems to the grid (Unified Text for Active Connections - TICA).

Some improvements are being introduced in the direction of a better and easier access to the FiT. The Deliberation of the Authority (AEEG) ARG/elt 173/09 gives the GSE (in charge of managing the electricity services) responsibility to introduce on-line procedures in order to simplify the information and document exchange between producers and GSE for the access to the incentives. A new procedure for the formalization and subscription of the contract of the FiT Conto Energia has been introduced as of January 2010.

AEEG started support activities to grant funding to pilot projects aimed at developing smart grid solutions (Deliberation Arg/elt 39/10 of 25 march 2010).

Following the indications of another deliberation of the AEEG (ARG-elt 93/09), the GSE has defined aprocedure to improve the predictability of the production from variable and intermittent renewable sources.

Status as of April 2010

The National Guidelines for the Autorizzazione Unica (the one stop shop procedure for the authorization of PV Systems), foreseen by law and left aside for many years, have been readmitted to the political agenda after the issue was raised by Assosolare in the framework of the PV LEGAL project. A draft is now waiting to be discussed by the State – Regions Unified Conference and should be approved in 2010. The Autorizzazione Unica is one of the main bottlenecks for the PV sector in Italy.

A new regulation (now being examined by the Parliament) will simplify the bureaucratic procedure currently necessary to obtain the landscape authorization for PV systems having a “minor impact” on the buildings. The regulation might reduce waiting times from more than 100 days to 60 days in those cases where landscape restrictions are present and Sopraintendenze (Ministerial offices at local level in charge of controlling that the heritage, landscape and architectural qualities of the territory are preserved correctly and responsible for the issuing of permissions) are involved. Also the administrative burden for the offices involved will be significantly reduced.

Some improvements are also being introduced in the direction of a better and easier access to the feed in tariffs. The energy regulatory authority AEEG has given the Gestore dei Servizi Energetici (GSE, institution in charge of managing the energetic services and the feed-in tariffs) responsibility to introduce on-line procedures in order to simplify the information and document exchange between producers and GSE for the access to the incentives. A new procedure has been introduced as of January 2010.

Source: Copyright © PV Legal Consortium - All rights reserved
http://www.pvlegal.eu/results/progresses/italy.html

Ministry of Economic Development finally approves new Italian feed-in tariff "Conto Energia" and regional authorization guidelines

2010-07-13T17:26:00.004+02:00

Sometimes it is worth waiting and finally a long wait comes to an end: On the 9th of July 2010, the Italian ministry of economic development officially announced the approval of the new PV feed-in tariffs and of regional guidelines for renewable power plants. Starting 2011, the third "Conto Energia" will gradually reduce the tariffs (18% to 20% in three reduction steps for the year 2011 as illustrated below and for 2012 and 2013 another 6% per annum), reducing the impact on the consumer's electric bills. The national guidelines give general rules about the approval procedure for building and operating power plants driven by renewable energies in order to coordinate the sector and grant a similar development in all Italian regions.

Other Sources and where to read more about this topic:

edilportale.com | Articles 1, 2, 3 | Authors: Rossella Calabrese et al. (all rights reserved);
APER | http://www.aper.it/newsite/images/stories/cstampa/2010/com_stampa_16-2010_l.g%20e%20c.pdf (all rights reserved).

The complete press release of Italian ministry of Economic Development can be viewed using the following links:

http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/pdf_upload/comunicati/phpcL4ra7.pdf

http://www.sviluppoeconomico.gov.it/pdf_upload/documenti/lineeguidaenergia/lineeguidaenergia.pdf

PV incentives in Italy — Italian government to discuss new incentives for solar energy on July 8th

2010-07-08T09:21:00.007+02:00

According to a recent press release by Italian Government and photon-international.com on the 8th of July 2010, the central and regional governments in Italy will discuss, among other things, future incentives for solar energy. After the first two incentive programs, named respectively “Conto Energia” and “Nuovo Conto Energia”, the future “Conto Energia” is expected to be designed. As reported before on this Blog there circulated already several drafts for such new PV incentives regime to be expected for the next three years in Italy.

The complete press release can be viewed in PHOTON's archive using the following link:

http://www.photon-international.com/newsletter/document/27453.pdf

Simplified DIA Authorization Procedure sufficient for Renewable Energy Projects in Italy up to 1 MW

2010-05-15T15:00:00.070+02:00

This Blog recently reported about Italian Constitutional Court’s decisions no. 119/10 and no. 124/10, declaring illegitimate the regional laws of Apulia and Calabria respectively (see previous Blog-Post on 10 April 2010). Main reason for such lawsuit and Constitutional Court’s decisions was, that both regional laws had unilaterally allowed for the authorisation of 1 MW or 500 KW projects by means of a simple “start of works” declaration (dichiarazione di inizio attività or in short “DIA”), contradicting federal law (Decreto Legislativo or Dlgs) no. 387/2003, which foresees and requires a lengthy autorizzazione unica procedure (in short “AU”) for much smaller projects (e.g. photovoltaic projects above 20 KW or wind energy projects above 60 KW).

Now, only a few weeks after and maybe as a reaction to the aforementioned Constitutional Court’s verdicts, which not only have caused significant uncertainty in the market as to the validity and risks of previously authorized DIA renewable energy projects (mainly solar pv plants) in Apulia and Calabria, but also were widely perceived by investors and renewable energy industry as a political obstacle to the expedited development and financing of renewable energy plants in Italy, it comes to a sudden and unexpected turn of events. Italian Government decided to enact a new national law in compliance to European Community Law and EU guidelines.

The Italian Chamber of Deputies has taken the above mentioned market concerns seriously and reacted accordingly by proposing on a federal level what the Apulia and Calabria regions had in the past attempted to achieve independently without the necessary federal backing. Indeed, on 23 April 2010 the Chamber of Deputies proposed an amendment to the latest draft of Italy’s so-called “Community Law 2009” (ddl Comunitaria 2009), the yearly framework law delegating the Government to enact by decree the rules necessary to comply with the mandatory provisions of European Community Law. In particular, the Chamber of Deputies proposed that, when implementing Directive 2009/28/EC on the promotion of renewable energy sources, the Government should provide that renewable energy projects with a peak capacity of up to 1 MW be authorised through a simplified “DIA”.

On 12 May 2010 the proposed amendment was approved by the Italian Senate (Art. 17 ddl n. 1781-B), which now means that it now will soon become law and therefore the Italian Government must enact the necessary provisions by legislative decree within the same deadline as for transposing the entire Directive 2009/28/EC into national law, i.e. 5 December 2010. In such new law (Dlgs) renewable energy projects of up to 1 MW will be subject to the simplified DIA procedure.

Latest developments and recent Italian Government reactions can be interpreted as a clear sign, that Italy is willed to finally end legal uncertainty and discussions due to regional normative chaos and to create a stable legal foundation on a national level in order to further promote renewable energy investments. Simplifying authorization procedures is definitely one first good step to reestablish market stability and investor's trust and to prepare the stage for future growth in Italy. Next decisive step should be the overdue regulation of the new incentive regime (Conto Energia) for the next three year period 2011-2013, expected to be officially announced within 30 June 2010 by GSE under the auspices of Italian Government (Ministry of Economic Development, Ministry of Economy and Finance, Ministry of Environment).

Sources and where to read more about this topic:

edilportale.com | Articles 1, 2 | Author: Paola Mammarella (all rights reserved);
McDermott Will & Emery | Author: Carsten Steinhauer (all rights reserved);
projectfinancemagazine.com (all rights reserved).

Photo via picApp | Photo by Andreas Rentz/Getty Images
Content © 2010 Getty Images | All rights reserved.

100% renewable energy by 2050 is a feasible objective

2010-05-01T12:00:00.084+02:00

According to an article published on PV-tech.org, a recent McKinsey feasibility study with the intention to determine if electricity from 100% renewable resources was possible, has observed that by the year 2050, such goal not only is feasible, but that countries like Germany are already leading the way to making it possible. The study report, published by the European Climate Foundation was commissioned to examine the possibility of the EU achieving 80% greenhouse gas reduction by 2050 compared to 1990 levels. Furthermore the study concluded that along with renewable energy being 100% feasible, it was also a reliable and economically sound energy decision. Renewable energy industries record strong growth, generate many jobs, hence represent emerging markets in times of global economic crisis.

As reported October last year, Germany currently has one of the biggest renewable energy markets in the world and represents European Lead-Market in Solar PV. Only in the year 2009 Germany had an incredible 16.1% increase in the total share of electricity from renewable resources. Beginning of the new year 2010, Germany also saw its solar PV installations surpass the 3.8GW benchmark, making it responsible for more than half of the world’s solar market. Considering that at present only 2% of Germany’s suitable rooftops are covered with PV systems, the country has plenty of opportunity to expand its international lead in the solar renewable energy market and to further proof, that a clean energy future is a convertible dream.

Earth Day 2010

2010-04-22T09:15:00.054+02:00

Today the Earth Day Movement celebrates its 40th Anniversary. In fact the first Earth Day took place on 22nd of April back in the year 1970. That day US senator Gaylord Nelson managed to mobilize 20 million of Americans for a giant demonstration in favor of our environment.

Since then, the Earth Day became an year by year institution which takes place each year on April 22 in virtually every country on Earth, and also gave birth to the Earth Day Network, which was founded on the premise that all people, regardless of race, gender, income, or geography, have a moral right to a healthy, sustainable environment. The movement has the mission to broaden and diversify the environmental movement worldwide for promoting a healthy, sustainable environment. Today Earth Day Network has a global reach with more than 20,000 partners and organizations in 190 countries. More than 1 billion people participate in Earth Day activities, making it the largest secular civic event in the world.

For further informations visit www.earthday.org. GET INVOLVED!

Italian Institutional court claims Apulia Regional Law n. 31/2008 — DIA Authorization of PV Projects up to 1MW declared as unconstitutional

2010-04-10T14:00:00.197+02:00

Maybe it was the ease of developing renewable energy projects due to administrative and bureaucratic simplifications in Apulia under the provisions of Apulia Regional Law 31/2008 introduced by green energy friendly Nichi Vendola, president of Apulia region, that has been a big thorn in the sides of many other regions.
However on 29 December 2008, the Italian Government filed a lawsuit at the Constitutional Court for the declaration of unconstitutionality of Apulia Regional Law 31/2008. A first public hearing on this matter took place on 26 January 2010 and resulted now in a final verdict published on 31 March 2010. The Constitutional Court specified the illegitimacy of two paragraphs of Art. 3 (Paragraphs §1 and §2) of Apulia Regional Law 31/2008, pursuant to which renewable energy plants with an output of up to 1MW could so far be authorised through a simplified “start-of works” declaration (DIA – Dichiarazione inizio attività).

Hence the court decision now implies with immediate effect, that ground-mounted PV projects above 20kW located in the Puglia region can no longer be authorized by a simple DIA procedure, but require an Autorizzazione Unica (AU – conferenza unificata), like originally foreseen in national decreto legislativo n. 387 (Attuazione della direttiva 2001/77/CE relativa alla promozione dell’energia elettrica prodotta da fonti energetiche rinnovabili nel mercato interno dell’elettricità) issued on 29 December 2003. More importantly on the other hand the court decision can not retroactively affect PV projects which had been fully permitted through the DIA procedure before the verdict. Already permitted projects should therefore remain valid and unaffected. Only in case these authorizations would be legally challenged within the legal period for objection, then the Constitutional Court’s decision could have sort of a retroactive effect.
In any case, Apulia government will now have to react properly and will have to introduce a new regional law in order to strike a fair balance between the interests of all parties involved. The legitimate reliance of the developer on the validity of the regional laws as they were in force during the authorisation process will have an important impact, as well as the investments already made in the project. However the current ruling only applies to the authorizations approved under the regional law n. 31/2008 and hence has no direct impact on the previous Regional Law n. 1/2008 whose article 27 already allowed for the authorization of 1MW PV projects by means of a simple DIA.

Earth Hour 2010

2010-03-29T21:20:00.004+02:00

Check out the highlights video of Earth Hour 2010 global initiative, organized by WWF, which took place on Saturday 27 March at 8.30pm (local time):

The Earth Hour project is "a global call to action to every individual, every business and every community throughout the world. It is a call to stand up, to take responsibility, to get involved and lead the way towards a sustainable future. Iconic buildings and landmarks from Europe to Asia to the Americas will stand in darkness. People across the world from all walks of life will turn off their lights and join together in celebration and contemplation of the one thing we all have in common – our planet."

Sole Vento Alberi - Presa Diretta 07-03-10 on RAI Tre

2010-03-13T17:57:00.004+01:00

Renewable Energy on italian TV, seen Sunday 07th of March 2010, 21.30 on
RAI TRE "Presa Diretta"(rai.tv click here), Title "Sole Vento Alberi" by Riccardo Iacona:

part1; part2; part3; part4; part5; part6; part7; part8; part9.

[Copyrights and all rights reserved RAI Tre and Riccardo Iacona "Presa Diretta"]

Perfection

2010-02-12T19:17:00.000+01:00

"PERFECTION IS THE ENEMY OF BEING GOOD ENOUGH"

(mis)quote, (re)quote, or paraphrase of famous Voltaire's original

"The perfect is the enemy of the good."

"Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien."

François-Marie Arouet (21 November 1694 – 30 May 1778), better known by the pen name Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment writer, essayist, and philosopher famous for his wit and for his advocacy of civil liberties, including freedom of religion and free trade.

Special Thanks to Peter Vancoillie of lean-interactions for sharing this wise Quote with me during our meeting in Belgium.

State of the World 2010 — Time for a change

2010-01-29T09:20:00.001+01:00

The Earth's atmosphere is increasingly polluted and climate change poses a real threat. Per year:

An US citizen produces an average of 22.9 tonnes of CO2;
Average emissions of a European citizen are 10.6 tonnes of CO2;
The average sub-Saharan African causes 4.5 tonnes of CO2 emissions; and
Per-capita emissions of an Indian average 1.8 tonnes of CO2.

Emissions of greenhouse gases are invisible to the human eye, so it is difficult to understand the significance of impacts on the average person in an industrialized country, emitting a tonne of CO2 each month. Every day 80 million tons are emitted around the world.

In matter of size a tonne of carbon dioxide is really enormous. But how much is a tonne of CO2?
To deliver an answer to this question, the architect Christophe Cornubert and the artist Alfio Bonanno have created an cube-like installation. Their cube of CO2 represents a tonne of carbon dioxide and in size is equivalent to 8 m3 — imagine a square of 4 x 10 human steps of side length. This equals the impact of a monthly average person in the world and what an American citizen consumes in two weeks.

According to 2010 edition of Worldwatch Institute's annual report "State of the World", the 500 million world's richest individuals (about 7 percent of global population) are responsible for 50 percent of global emissions of carbon dioxide, while the 3 billion poorest people are responsible for only 6 percent of global CO2 pollution. There is a clear causal relationship between consumption, economic wealth and CO2 emissions.

Here some other interesting and at the same time shocking facts about the state of our world, outlined in the 2010 edition of Worldwatch Institute's annual report "State of the World":

Between 1950 and 2005 the production of metals has increased by six times;
The consumption of oil has increased by eight times and consumption of natural gas of fourteen;
The average European uses 43 kg resources and an American 88;
On a global scale, every day as many global resources are consumed with which it would be possible to build 112 Empire State Buildings;
In the last five years consumption increased by 28 percent;
In 2008, around the globe people have purchased: 68 million vehicles, 85 million refrigerators, 297 million computers and 1.2 billion mobile phones;
Increases are not only due to population growth: between 1960 and 2006 the global population has increased by a factor of 2.2, while the per capita expenditure on consumer goods has almost tripled;
English children recognize more easily the various Pokémon that any species of wildlife;
American children of two years are not able to read the letter M, but many recognize the arches in the shape of McDonald's restaurants;
Two German shepherd dogs consume more resources in one year than an average inhabitant of Bangladesh;
Gobbling food or goods is neither good for individuals nor for the environment. The majority of individuals of the world's population consumes an average of 1800-1900 calories a day, while the average American consumes 3830 calories a day.

Only by understanding the consequences of our individual lifestyle and consumptions and our individual impact on global emissions of carbon dioxide, people better understand the dimension of the threat and that each one of us can and should contribute to help to stop global warming. Simple things can help, but we need start rethinking our consumption habits and try to adjust our lifestyle to save resources.

Sources: Solarenews.it, nestorepaladinoambiente.it, worldwatch.org, republica.it.

Future of Italy's PV industry in Government hands

2010-01-23T14:24:00.004+01:00

According to a recent study of I-com research institute, the possible impact and contribution of Solar PV Industry on Italian Market would be quantifiable in Italy by an esteemed 22 billion in value added for the Italian economy, 45 thousand jobs for the next twenty years and 6 million tonnes less CO2.

Nevertheless, Italy's photovoltaic sector, in comparison to other markets, is still far behind in development. In 2009 Italy almost doubled installed capacity compared to previous years and Italy since year end 2009 approached the level of 1000 MW installed (760,4 MW within nuovo conto energia), but compared to other countries like Germany or Japan, such levels were already surpassed six years ago, back in 2004.

Italian Solar PV Industry in terms of employment and economic value added is already bearing its first fruits. Now, in coming weeks, it us up to the Italian government to finally decide on the new incentive regime of PV to follow 2010 in order to consolidate the development of an area that could contribute significantly to the competitiveness of Italy.

Sources: Energia-blog | Authors: 9Colonne, I-com research institute.

Season's Greetings

2009-12-16T11:07:00.010+01:00

Seasonal Greetings from Pensato+Partners team.

We would like to thank you for your confidence in us. Hoping you are happy and smiling always. We wish you Marry Christmas and Happy Holidays and look forward to an exiting and successful 2010 to come. Our outlook for 2010 is sunny!

*** TIPP ***
Light your christmas tree with solar powered LED light strings / fairy lights (click here or here for pictures).
You can find some inspirations at amazon, dooyoo, solarcosa, greenpeace.

Conto energia 2011+

2009-11-23T14:47:00.003+01:00

As is known, Italian PV market currently suffers market uncertainty, because it is still not clear what exactly the new tariffs incentive after 2010 will be. Even though the Ministerial Decree of 19 February 2007 which established the Nuovo Conto Energia Bill has announced several times to provide a tariff revision 2011, down to the present day there was no new ministerial decree or binding decision by Italian government.

The three Italian PV associations GIFI ANIE, APER and ASSOSOLARE, decided to take action and have developed a common understanding and shared inherent in the revision of the Energy Bill 2011. Their proposal was sent to the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Environment.

The proposal includes:

New feed-in tariff shall be valid for five years (2011-2015) and the total power to reached through new incentives in this five-year period shall be raised from 1.200 to 8.000 MWp;
New feed-in tariff shall only have a decrease of 4% per year, starting from July 2012, after the incentive came into force in 2011, with the aim of underpinning the market towards the "grid parity";
Reformulation of the subdivision for power classes into new groupings: 1-6 kW, 6-20 kW, 20-200 kW 200-1.000 kW and over 1.000 kW;
Adoption of only two types of installation and simpler: "on earth" and "on building"; and
Special provision of special bonuses:

for total architectural integration of photovoltaics (+15%);
for installation in areas affected by environmental as quarries and landfill at the end of life cycle (+10%); as well as
for the replacement of asbestos roofing and Eternit (+10%).

Here is the table of new incentive rates as proposed common of GIFI ANIE, APER and ASSOSOLARE:

Classi di Potenza kWp	Impianti a Terra €/kWh (vs. 2010)	Impianti su Edificio €/kWh
1-6	0,365 (-5%)	0,401 (-5%)
6-20	0,339 (-7%)	0,375 (-7%)
20-200	0,313 (-9%)	0,330 (-14%)
200-1.000	0,304 (-12%)	0,323 (-16%)
> 1.000	0,297 (-14%)	0,315 (-18%)

Sources: pienosole.it, GIFI ANIE, APER, ASSOSOLARE.

The mother of all questions

2009-11-19T21:00:00.005+01:00

<<When exactly in 2010 will Italy

reach the 1.200.000 kWp?>>

Technological trends (BIPV) from SAIEnergia 09

2009-11-01T12:27:00.010+01:00

Italy slowly discovers Building-Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV), building integration of PV solar power systems, and thus Photovoltaic modules that are integrated directly into a roof's surface to provide more aesthetic appeal.

Here are the best italian solutions and products for perfect integration of solar power systems into the roof of a building seen at SAIEnergia 09 in Bologna:

Tegolasolare: Traditional hand-crafted clay roof ceramic tile with a small, modular, discreet photovoltaic panel (4 cells) integrated and fitted on the front (see picture above).

Tech-tile: Techtile System can generate both electricity (Techtile Energy) or heat (Techtile Therm). It permits maximum integration with the building because the Techtile roof tile looks exactly the same as a conventional tile.

System Photonics: The ROOF collection replaces or becomes a part of traditional roof coverings (shingle roofing or cascade tiling), while maintaining and improving their insulation and protective properties.

Read more about this topic at:
pienosole.it;
design.tv.it;
solarserver.de.

Germany — unchallenged european market leader in the field of solar energy

2009-10-20T09:40:00.000+02:00

In 2008 only in Germany photovoltaic plants with a total capacity of 1650 MWp were newly installed. The addition of a nationwide solar year roughly corresponds to the performance of two conventional coal-fired power plants and overall, through the use of photovoltaic installations, by 2008 Germany was able to save 8,530,671 tons of CO2.

Given these figures, and a business turnover of 9.5 billion euros, the year 2008 marked the most successful year of German Photovoltaic industry. Besides its strong domestic market, Germany also benefits from a strong export economy and growing global markets for alternative Energy.

Is the German Renewable Energy Industry in Jeopardy after the election?

2009-10-10T10:09:00.012+02:00

"Germany's newly elected government could hinder the expansion of renewable energy in the country with its plans to extend the lifetime of nuclear reactors, warns the German Renewable Energy Federation (Source: Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energie - BEE)."

Like BEE spokesman Daniel Kluge, many other experts of renewable energy industry worry that renewable energy upstarts could be the ones bumped aside by the new government. The main issues to be disputed will be the tariffs for wind, solar and other renewable energy sources. Is the feed-in tariff for solar, which many argue is too high, in jeopardy or is Germany now heading in the right policy direction by seeking market-oriented feed-in tariffs?

click here to read the full article by by John Blau on renewableenergyworld.com

Read more Articles about this Topic (click LINKS indicated below):

Solar Evolution — The beginning of a new era for solar power

2009-09-19T10:40:00.011+02:00

"A new era for solar power is approaching. Long derided as uneconomic, it is gaining ground as technologies improve and the cost of traditional energy sources rises.Within three to seven years, unsubsidized solar power could cost no more to end customers in many markets, such as California and Italy, than electricity generated by fossil fuels or by renewable alternatives to solar. By 2020, global installed solar capacity could be 20 to 40 times its level today."

McKinsey & Company | Authors: Peter Lorenz, Dickon Pinner, and Thomas Seitz

Source: Climate Change Special Initiative and McKinsey Quarterly

Forecast — The growing competitiveness of solar power: McKinsey forecasts grid parity within the next three to seven years. This means that solar energy's unsubsidized cost to end users will approach the cost of conventional electricity in a number of markets, including parts of the United States (California and the Southwest), as well as Italy, Japan and Spain.

Outlook — The global solar market in 2020: According to McKinsey, the worldwide installed global solar capacity will grow by roughly 30 to 35 percent a year, from 10 gigawatts today to about 200 gigawatts in 2020.

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLES:

McKinsey Quarterly — The economics of solar power (LINK);
McKinsey Quarterly — Evaluating the potential of solar technologies (LINK1, 2).

Endless potential of the sun

2009-09-18T10:17:00.007+02:00

"The total power needs of the humans on Earth is approximately 16 terawatts. In the year 2020 it is expected to grow to 20 terawatts. (Ed. A terawatt is a trillion watts.)

The sunshine on the solid part of the Earth is 120,000 terawatts. From this perspective, energy from the sun is virtually unlimited."

Eicke Weber, director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems,

in Freiburg (Germany)

Source: National Geographic Magazine | Author: George Johnson

TO READ THE FULL ARTICLES:

National Geographic — Plugging Into the Sun (LINK)

National Geographic — Ranking Renewables (LINK)

National Geographic — Renewable Futures (LINK)

ON VACATION

2009-09-08T18:34:00.001+02:00

BLOG on vacation - 8th of september until 17th of september.

PENSATO+PARTNERS CONSULTING will be back for you soon!

Americans invade Apulia

2009-08-31T09:49:00.002+02:00

Texas-based JMJ Holdings is close to purchase the AS Bari football club from the Matarrese family. JMJ president and CEO Tim Barton has already signed an exclusive agreement to buy the team pending due diligence over the next 30 days.

The takeover of AS Bari marks only the beginning of JMJ's italian venture. Barton said he first heard the team was for sale when he was in southern Italy on a business trip to develop environmentally friendly energy investments a few months ago.

JMJ Holdings, founded in 1990 by CEO Tim Barton, is a real estate firm engaged in the acquisition, development, management and advisement of luxury real estate assets on a global basis. Since renewable energy offers high returns, like many other international real estate firms and investment funds, JMJ is on the search for green energy projects and investment opportunities.

Barton mainly focuses on photovoltaics in Apulia. He sees "photovoltaic installations on every rooftop in the city of Bari."

Conclusion: International financial crisis has not only slown down project developments in Italy but also brought harsh market conditions to solar industry. Thus we definitely need more courageous entrepreneurs like Barton, equipped with visions and the necessary capital.

Ferragosto – Italy in shut-down mode

2009-08-14T10:15:00.002+02:00

Ferragosto, celebrated on the fifteenth of August, is an italian phenomenon. It celebrates the rise of Mary up to heaven to join her son Jesus, taking her place by his side to look after those of us remaining here on Earth. It is a day of great festivities with celebrations in the streets and prayers to the Virgin Mary for thanks and support.

As during the month of August, in almost every metropolitan area, temperatures peak and air quality plummets, cities become very hot and hazy places. It might be a pragmatic custom, sole succor to a cruel summer in town, that most Italians even take the entire month of August off, seeking cool, clean mountain retreats or the idle pleasures of a seaside respite. Nevertheless it is an excellent excuse to substitute an office- with a beach chair and suddenly tourists find themselves wandering in italian cities nearly void of Italians.

All of Italy shuts down to celebrate Ferragosto and this means that most of the country is literally in shut-down mode. Towns, cities, authorities and offices seem to be deserted. Thus August might not be the best month to make important business in Italy. So, if you are in Italy no matter if job-related, for business reasons or on vacation, better adapt and join in the festivities celebrating the Virgin Mary - it is the only thing that is going to be happening in most Italian cities anyway.

'Stay hungry, stay foolish'

2009-08-03T10:24:00.003+02:00

This is an excerpt of the Commencement address at Stanford University by Steve Jobs, delivered on June 12, 2005:

"When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: "If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right." It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: "If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?" And whenever the answer has been "No" for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Remembering that I'll be dead soon is the most important tool I've ever encountered to help me make the big choices in life. Because almost everything — all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure - these things just fall away in the face of death, leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with cancer. I had a scan at 7:30 in the morning, and it clearly showed a tumor on my pancreas. I didn't even know what a pancreas was. The doctors told me this was almost certainly a type of cancer that is incurable, and that I should expect to live no longer than three to six months. My doctor advised me to go home and get my affairs in order, which is doctor's code for prepare to die. It means to try to tell your kids everything you thought you'd have the next 10 years to tell them in just a few months. It means to make sure everything is buttoned up so that it will be as easy as possible for your family. It means to say your goodbyes.

I lived with that diagnosis all day. Later that evening I had a biopsy, where they stuck an endoscope down my throat, through my stomach and into my intestines, put a needle into my pancreas and got a few cells from the tumor. I was sedated, but my wife, who was there, told me that when they viewed the cells under a microscope the doctors started crying because it turned out to be a very rare form of pancreatic cancer that is curable with surgery. I had the surgery and I'm fine now.

This was the closest I've been to facing death, and I hope its the closest I get for a few more decades. Having lived through it, I can now say this to you with a bit more certainty than when death was a useful but purely intellectual concept:

No one wants to die. Even people who want to go to heaven don't want to die to get there. And yet death is the destination we all share. No one has ever escaped it. And that is as it should be, because Death is very likely the single best invention of Life. It is Life's change agent. It clears out the old to make way for the new. Right now the new is you, but someday not too long from now, you will gradually become the old and be cleared away. Sorry to be so dramatic, but it is quite true.

Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma — which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.

When I was young, there was an amazing publication called The Whole Earth Catalog, which was one of the bibles of my generation. It was created by a fellow named Stewart Brand not far from here in Menlo Park, and he brought it to life with his poetic touch. This was in the late 1960's, before personal computers and desktop publishing, so it was all made with typewriters, scissors, and polaroid cameras. It was sort of like Google in paperback form, 35 years before Google came along: it was idealistic, and overflowing with neat tools and great notions.

Stewart and his team put out several issues of The Whole Earth Catalog, and then when it had run its course, they put out a final issue. It was the mid-1970s, and I was your age. On the back cover of their final issue was a photograph of an early morning country road, the kind you might find yourself hitchhiking on if you were so adventurous. Beneath it were the words: "Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish." It was their farewell message as they signed off. Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish. And I have always wished that for myself. And now, as you graduate to begin anew, I wish that for you.

Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish."

TERNA to invest in photvoltaics

2009-08-02T16:21:00.005+02:00

Italian high-voltage grid operator TERNA S.p.A. plans to develop and construct small sized photovoltaic plants, in the areas of the substations owned by Terna, that are currently free and available. For this purpose the company has founded a subsidiary named Sungrid S.p.A. (“Sungrid”), to undertake building and management activity. According to "pienosole.it" the sum of all these small sized solar PV installations could equal a cumulative capacity of 100 MW. The company has announced in a press release, that a European tender will shortly be published for the selection of suppliers. The company structure, that could eventually be sold to third parties, meets both the operating and economic unbundling requirements from the parent company, and is compliant with TERNA S.p.A’s concession and By-laws, as well as with the terms envisaged by Legislative Decree 79/99 (known as the “Bersani Decree”). Also, in order to improve the management of dispatching activity from non programmable renewable sources, and in agreement with the Authority, Terna has initiated a study to identify the opportunity for developing pumping basins and for technologies for energy accumulation in central and southern Italy.

Autostrada del Sole – Multifunctional Carports and house top solar PV installations on petrol and service stations

2009-07-29T12:36:00.014+02:00

Good ideas are only those that are implemented and finally turn into reality. I am sure many visionaries had similar ideas along those lines, but sometimes even sleeping giants seem to wake and pick up those ideas, concepts and start sustainable initiatives.

Autostrade per l'Italia Spa plans to invest, install and operate a network of many small size PV integrated carports and house top solar PV installations on petrol and service stations. Along the 2854 Km of motorway managed by Autostrade per l'Italia Spa, there are round about 3000 parking sites, gas stations, roadhouses and service areas with parking possibilities. According to "pienosole.it" the sum of all small solar PV installations could equal a cumulative global PV installations capacity of approximately 5,5 GWh/year and could supply all motorway facilities with clean solar energy.

Conclusion:

"Every little helps" since many small size solar PV installations in the end form one large-scale power plant and sometimes great ideas can only be implemented by great corporations right at the source.

Market-sector leader plans to conquer PV consumer-market

2009-07-23T14:59:00.005+02:00

German cell-producer and market-sector leader has kicked off a massive b2c marketing campaign and pushes into photovoltaic consumer market. I found out by pure chance as in the evening I was watching German's second programme ZDF and suddenly during a commercial break of "Markus Lanz" this ad (click title or here to watch) caught my attention. Later I read a press notice on the company website. Part of this Marketing offensive is the Website www.werden-sie-stromerzeuger.de. I dare say that this is not a bad business idea at all and definitely a trend. In Italy ENEL follows a similar idea with ENEL.si. Both concepts and programmes prove high market potentials of photovoltaic in the private consumer sector.

What costs the sun? | Was kostet die Sonne?

2009-07-17T09:15:00.000+02:00

Deutschland zählt im Bereich der Solartechnik zur Weltspitze, es sind Tausende neue Jobs entstanden und deutsche Wissenschaftler machen mit ständig neuen Weltrekorden bei den Wirkungsgraden von sich reden. Stehen wir vor dem Durchbruch in eine solare Zukunft?

Watch a stream of yesterdays german telecast by clicking here!

Copyrights: Jörg Moll Fernsehproduktion

All rights ZDF/3sat.

How It's Made — photovoltaic cells and solar modules

2009-07-14T10:11:00.002+02:00

Discovery channel "How it's made"

24Hours Q-Cells corporate video

WE FEED THE WORLD

2009-07-13T10:11:00.002+02:00

"If you go to the market in Senegal you can buy European produce for a third of the local prices. So the Senegalese peasant farmer no longer has any chance of earning a living."

Jean Ziegler, UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food

Every day in Vienna the amount of unsold bread sent back to be disposed of is enough to supply Austria's second-largest city, Graz. Around 350,000 hectares of agricultural land, above all in Latin America, are dedicated to the cultivation of soybeans to feed Austria's livestock while one quarter of the local population starves. Every European eats ten kilograms a year of artificially irrigated greenhouse vegetables from southern Spain, with water shortages the result. In WE FEED THE WORLD, Austrian filmmaker Erwin Wagenhofer traces the origins of the food we eat. His journey takes him to France, Spain, Romania, Switzerland, Brazil and back to Austria. Leading us through the film is an interview with Jean Ziegler, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. WE FEED THE WORLD is a film about food and globalisation, fishermen and farmers, long-distance lorry drivers and high-powered corporate executives, the flow of goods and cash flow–a film about scarcity amid plenty. With its unforgettable images, the film provides insight into the production of our food and answers the question what world hunger has to do with us. Interviewed are not only fishermen, farmers, agronomists, biologists and the UN's Jean Ziegler, but also the director of production at Pioneer, the world's largest seed company, as well as Peter Brabeck, Chairman and CEO of Nestlé International, the largest food company in the world.

Nuclear energy

2009-07-10T11:02:00.004+02:00

"Die jüngsten Vorfälle in Krümmel beweisen,

dass eine Laufzeitverlängerung für ältere Kraftwerke

nicht zu verantworten ist."

Sigmar Gabriel

Monthly review

2009-07-08T09:52:00.018+02:00

22.05.

RAI TG1 Economia "energia rinnovabile";

16.06.

German corporations plan to invest in mega desert solar power plants (click 1 and 2);

22.06.

Accident: 5 MW BP-Solar roof pv plant catches fire;

23.06.

TERNA 500m network expansion plans;

30.06.

Longest, but at the same time very enjoyable, business meeting in Torremaggiore (FG);

01.07.

Nice to be back in Munich;

02.07.

Nano Technologies — Certainly the next big thing (check it out: 1, 2, 3, 4);

03.07.

Crisis prevention in Eggenfelden;

04.07.

RAI 2 Voyager — energia (part 1, part 2);

04.07.

Climate scientist Mojib Latif "only the sun can save our world";

05.07.

Sunday rainy blues, so I watched Wimbledon finals and Zeitgeist Addendum;

07.07.

European Renewable Grid Initiative Launched;

07.07.

E.ON continues expansion in photovoltaics and acquires French PV developer;

07.07.

Bye MJ, R.I.P. We are the world!

Bureaucracy slows down Project development of Photovoltaics in Italy, but according to GSE by end of 2009 Italy could reach 900 MW

2009-06-29T22:14:00.009+02:00

In the first four month of 2009, an overall of 8.000 new plants (82,6 MW) were connected to the grid; which equals a media of 3,4 MW per week, contra 6,5 MW per week reached in 2008. Thus compared to the year 2008 PV project development has slown down a little. This trend maybe caused by several circumstances: a worldwide recession, financial crisis and last but not least by italian bureaucracy with its non-uniform and protracted authorization procedures.

Nevertheless by end of april 2009 a total of 39.753 PV plants were installed and operational. This equates to more than 500 MW, of which Lombardia reaching 49 MW by the end of 2008 and Puglia with 51,6 MW represent Italy's leading solar regions.

More importantly GSE expects market improvements and italian renewable markets to gain momentum. According to GSE Italy could break the 900 MW barrier by end of 2009. We will definitely contribute our part!

[Sources: http://www.energia24club.it; http://www.pienosole.it]

The programme with the mouse — How does photovoltaics work?

2009-06-27T17:16:00.007+02:00

part1

part2

part3

[Copyright WDR and Armin Maiwald "Die Sendung mit der Maus"]

Silicon Valley Fun

2009-05-27T15:45:00.000+02:00

Tesla Motors, makers of high-performance electric sports cars, like the Tesla Roadster, another Silicon Valley Innovation and success story:

[Copyright ZDF production "Amerikas andere Seite - Was Kalifornien besser macht";
watch part1; part2; part3; part4; part5]

Watch Jay Leno testing the Tesla Roadster:

20 % renewable energy by 2020

2009-04-27T13:35:00.000+02:00

The European Union has set itself the ambitious goal of raising the share of renewable energy sources in the final overall energy consumption of the Union from 8.5 % in 2005 to 20 % in 2020.

Home Project

2009-04-25T18:14:00.004+02:00

In 200,000 years on Earth, humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. The price to pay is high, but it's too late to be a pessimist: humanity has barely ten years to reverse the trend, become aware of the full extent of its spoliation of the Earth's riches and change its patterns of consumption.

More than a movie, HOME will be a major event all over the globe: for the first time ever, a film will be released on the same day in over 50 countries and on every format: movie theatres, TV, DVD and Internet.

On June 5th we all have a date with the planet!

http://www.home-2009.com

http://www.youtube.com/homeproject
http://www.ppr.com

Movie Trailer:

Watch full movie by clicking here or the title of this post!

10 Important ways to save energy & fight global warming

2009-03-10T17:43:00.002+01:00

Use energy-efficient appliances, such as energy-saving lightbulbs;
Switch to an electricity provider that offers electricity derived from renewable sources;
Ride a bicycle for distances under e.g. 10km. Consider a bus or train for longer distances;
Lower your thermostat by 4 to 5 degrees Celsius during the night and when nobody's home;
Make sure your home is well insulated;
Completely switch-off appliances that you do not use;
Consider going to your holiday destination by bus or train, instead of car or airplane;
If possible, work at home instead of an office location;
Support forestation programs that focus on planting indigenous trees in tropical regions; and
Educate others. Tell people of the importance of an energy-efficient lifestyle.

Who Moved My Cheese?

2008-08-04T17:52:00.001+02:00

I ask myself:

"What Would You Do If You Weren't Afraid?"

...

Ola sou brasileiro

2008-03-20T00:55:00.003+01:00

If I had a little boy, I would subscribe courses at that soccer school for sure.
Here you can see why. Simply incredible!

Best of - The greatest political lies of all time

2008-03-12T07:58:00.007+01:00

"Es hat lange Zeit kein so ehrliches Wahlprogramm gegeben." (Angela Merkel)

"Die Renten sind sicher." (Norbert Blüm)

"Saddam Hussein besitzt Massenvernichtungswaffen." (George W. Bush)

"Niemand hat die Absicht, eine Mauer zu bauen." (Walter Ulbricht)

"I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinski." (Bill Clinton)

"Den Sozialismus in seinem Lauf, halten weder Ochs noch Esel auf." (Erich Honecker)

"Ich gebe Ihnen mein Ehrenwort, dass die gegen mich erhobenen Vorwürfe haltlos sind" (Uwe Barschel 1987)

"Es wird keine Steuererhöhung geben." (Angela Merkel)

"aber, aber ich liebe EUCH doch alle" (Erich Mielke 1989)

In der ehemaligen DDR werden bald "blühende Landschaften" sein. (Helmut Kohl 1990)

"Polen hat heute Nacht zum ersten Mal auf unserem eigenen Territorium auch mit bereits regulären Soldaten geschossen." (Adolf Hitler)

"Wir haben die Massenvernichtungswaffen gefunden." (George W. Bush)

With a sheet of paper to the moon

2008-02-21T14:04:00.006+01:00

Yesterday evening I watched JBK (click here).

Theoretically* it is possible to fold an ordinary sheet of DinA4-paper to reach the distance from earth to the moon. How often would you need to fold the paper?

You need to fold the paper only 41 times to reach the moon!

*In reality a sheet of paper can be folded only to max. 8 times!

Calculation:
0,2mm (Thickness of paper) x 2^x = 384.400.000.000mm (Distance Moon Earth in mm)
--> 2^x = 1.922.000.000.000mm
--> x = ln 1.922.000.000.000mm / ln 2mm
x= ~ 40,8

q.e.d.

I now walk into the wild

2008-02-12T18:05:00.000+01:00

Really combines all ingrediences to make a great film: Exceptional pictures, ultimate soundtrack, superb cast. Truly one of the best movies I have seen recently.

Moneymaking, money-moneymaking

2008-02-03T14:35:00.000+01:00

"FIRST RULE OF BUSINESS.
PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT."
ETIQUETTE OF THE BANKER, 1775

Rule #1 in Warfare: Get to know your Enemy

2008-02-01T14:09:00.000+01:00

"THE GREATEST ENEMY
WILL HIDE IN THE LAST PLACE
YOU WOULD EVER LOOK"
Julius Caesar, 75BC

THUS THE REAL ENEMY LIES IN OURSELVES.

In a frog's world

2008-01-31T13:46:00.001+01:00

Advanced Fridge Stylez

2008-01-27T13:56:00.000+01:00

Revolver

2008-01-25T09:34:00.000+01:00

"THE ONLY WAY TO GET SMARTER
IS BY PLAYING A SMARTER OPPONENT."
Fundamentals of Chess, 1883

Give love, now, today

2008-01-06T13:27:00.000+01:00

"When the power of love
overcomes the love of power,
the world will know peace."

Jimi Hendrix

By the way, this is what made me reflect a long time yesterday evening:
Zeitgeist - The Movie

Motto for Week One 2k8

2008-01-05T12:21:00.000+01:00

„MAN WHO WAITS
FOR ROAST DUCK
TO FLY INTO MOUTH
MUST WAIT VERY,
VERY LONG TIME.“
CHINESISCHES SPRICHWORT

Happy Holidays

2007-12-25T21:16:00.000+01:00

Congratulations to ...

2007-12-19T13:56:00.000+01:00

... FIFA World Player 2007 "Ricardo Kaká" — The unstoppable:

And this video shows his unconventional training methods for the World Cup
in Germany last year:

Il Conto, per favore!

2007-12-03T18:42:00.000+01:00

Maybe Yes, Maybe No — A Classic Chinese Tale

2007-11-30T14:20:00.000+01:00

There is a story of a farmer whose only horse ran away. That evening the neighbors gathered to commiserate with him since this was such bad luck. "Your farm will suffer, and you cannot plow," they said. "Surely this is a terrible thing to have happened to you."

He said, "Maybe yes, maybe no."

The next day the horse returned but brought with it six wild horses, and the neighbors came to congratulate him and exclaim at his good fortune. "You are richer than you were before!" they said. "Surely this has turned out to be a good thing for you, after all."

He said, "Maybe yes, maybe no."

And then, the following day, his son tried to saddle and ride one of the wild horses. He was thrown and broke his leg, and he couldn't work on the farm. Again the neighbors came to offer their sympathy for the incident. "There is more work than only you can handle, and you may be driven poor," they said. "Surely this is a terrible misfortune."

The old farmer said, "Maybe yes, maybe no."

The day after that, conscription officers came to the village to seize young men for the army, but because of his broken leg the farmer's son was rejected. When the neighbors came again, they said, "How fortunate! Things have worked out after all. Most young men never return alive from the war. Surely this is the best of fortunes for you!"

And the old man said, "Maybe yes, maybe no."

Think Big

2007-11-30T14:12:00.000+01:00

„SHOOT FOR THE MOON.
EVEN IF YOU MISS IT
YOU WILL LAND
AMONG THE STARS.“

LES BROWN (*1945)
Amerikanischer Redner und Autor

Das "erste Mal"

2007-11-30T14:07:00.000+01:00

And now it's time ...

2007-11-27T11:43:00.000+01:00

... for a short commercial announcement:

===SCHNIPP===

Seeking all sorts of creative people, dreamers & beach bums

Hi there,

we are currently looking for creative, fun to work with people for our studio in Cape Town.

We need a:

- Flash developer
- graphic designer
- interactive designer
- intern interactive designer
- intern project manager
- key account manager
- web programmer

More about us here: www.gsdh.org - the page is in German, as most of our clients are, but no worries we speak English over there in South Africa ;)

We are a small, creative, international team. If you have what it takes please email your CV to Philipp Hartmann: philipp@gsdh.org

(If you don’t have what it takes but do know just the right person, send us your friend’s work we won’t tell on you ;))

===SCHNAPP===

Latest scientific findings in ten episodes

2007-11-02T12:55:00.000+01:00

Episode 1: How to measure caffeine the easy way

Episode 2: The Happy Feet proof - Penguins really can dance

Episode 3: Reducing dangerous household hazards with the innovative Banana Solution

Episode 4: How to detect dangerous gorillas

Episode 5: The luggage solution - How to never pay overweight again

Episode 6: A copy machine that copies everything

Episode 7: The Star Trek fiction becomes reality - The teleportation breakthrough

Episode 8: No more cold noses in winter

Episode 9: Love me tender

Episode 10: Heated Milking Machine

This show was brought to you by Muppet Labs. All rights reserved!
Hosted by Dr. Bunsen and his assistant Beaker.

Apple launches Leopard and ...

2007-10-27T14:29:00.000+02:00

... suddenly on the same day my Laptop strikes like the german Deutsche Bahn.
After three years of daily heavy use my Laptops Harddisk meets one's maker. Damn it!

Cosi si vive in Toscana

2007-10-09T12:16:00.000+02:00

Planet Zombie (Rated PG)

2007-10-05T13:31:00.001+02:00

After strokes of genius like "Zombie Massacre", "Kill Brittney Vol. 1 & 2" and Blockbusters like "NY Pizza Connection", "My father Osama" or "Cat bites Dog", now, showing at a Theatre near you, the next cinemascope masterpiece of Tito Tarantone: "Planet Zombie".

Watch the german superstar Moritz von Gedacht as Ltd. Slaughter, killing some of the world's most ugly Zombies and dangerous Terrorists with unnecessary use of force.

Path of the Peaceful Warrior

2007-10-02T17:44:00.000+02:00

"There is no path to Happiness. Happiness is the path.
There is no path to Love. Love is the path.
There is no path to Peace. Peace is the path."

Source: Dan Millman Way Of The Peaceful Warrior

The Future is ...

2007-09-25T15:41:00.000+02:00

... NOW!

(First seen on E-Learning)

L - O - V - E

2007-09-25T15:35:00.000+02:00

"Wonderful girl. Either I'm going to kill her or I'm beginning to like her."
Han Solo in Star Wars 1977

Sierra madre su

2007-09-23T13:24:00.001+02:00

Just came back from a short business trip. Had no time to unpack or to breathe because some friends urged me to perform a touch and go landing on Munich's Theresienwiese.

Only thanks to god I survived Wiesn Day "1".

Today, finally time to chill in the warm autumn sun ... listening to this ...

(Story by Ludwig Thoma to buy here)

"Luja sog I"
watch it here:

Sierra madre su

2007-09-23T13:24:00.000+02:00

Thanks god I survived Wiesn Day 1.

Today time to chill in the warm autumn sun ... listening to this ...

(to buy here)

Fahrn, Fahrn, Fahrn auf der ...

2007-09-19T08:54:00.000+02:00

(AllSongRightsKraftwerk)

Today is "Love Day" on Blog Rock

2007-09-17T14:14:00.000+02:00

(AllRightsReserved THEfunkyman)

"What the world needs now ...
... is love, sweet love ...

... That's the only thing that ...
... there's just too little of"

(Thank you Burt)

So everybody give a hug to anybody you meet today!

Tipp: Best to try out in the precinct of your local city centre.

Warning: Only for the experienced hugger, so kids please do not try this at home.

Attenti ai rossi

2007-09-17T10:51:00.000+02:00

Dopo una dopietta a SPA, il mondiale ancora non è deciso. Forse Niki Lauda si sbaglia con la sua prognosi. Forza Kimi!

The story of a 100 Million Dollar fine

2007-09-14T09:36:00.000+02:00

Accused of espionage, FIA imposed McLaren-Mercedes to pay a 100 Million Dollar fine. Furthermore the team lost all points in the constructors championship.

To be continued ...
because McLaren-Mercedes will surely appeal against the harsh judgement.

Today's theme

2007-09-12T12:48:00.000+02:00

“Dream as if you'll live forever.

Live as if you'll die today.”

James Dean 1931-1955 (American actor and symbol of rebellion)

9/11 Reloaded

2007-09-11T13:55:00.000+02:00

Six years after 9/11. "Der Spiegel" recaps this terrible event. Since then America and its Allies fight a hopeless war against Terror.

More about 9/11 related myth and conspiracy theories @ SZ Sueddeutsche.de

Thanks to Nole Djokovic ...

2007-09-11T10:56:00.000+02:00

... Tennis finally is fun to watch again. What a crazy dude he is, look and see!

In Memoriam Luciano Pavarotti

2007-09-06T15:30:00.000+02:00

Luciano Pavarotti
(* 12. Ottobre 1935 a Modena; † 6. Settembre 2007)
Grazie Maestro, per tanti Anni di gioia. Dio ti baciò le corde vocali e con il tuo canto hai affascinato l'intero pianeta. Ora, tornato da dio, potrai illuminare il cielo cantando con un choro di angeli. Che Dio ti benedica!

Cosi ti ricorderemo per sempre:

Nachrufe in:
La Stampa
La Republica
Corriere della Sera
NewYorkTimes

All Copyrights

Introducing new Candidates for Let's Dance on German TV

2007-09-05T22:59:00.001+02:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

And the Let's Dance Winning Performance is ...

2007-09-05T22:57:00.001+02:00

Star in Your Own JibJab! It's Free!

Just like Heaven Video Galore

2007-08-28T21:51:00.000+02:00

I know, I know, in recent times this Blog mutated into a Video Jukebox. Mea Culpa, but this Vid represents my feelings today and I would like to share them with all people out there. Please Enjoy!

Marketing Business im Schwabenländle

2007-08-22T17:39:00.000+02:00

Lessons learned? This is how it looks like ...

2007-07-27T17:14:00.000+02:00

Learn Brazilian vol.3

2007-07-27T17:10:00.000+02:00

Learn Brazilian vol.2

2007-07-27T17:09:00.000+02:00

Learn the Brazilian Language

2007-07-27T17:07:00.000+02:00

Thesis concerning cycling

2007-07-26T18:02:00.000+02:00

"If really everyone abuses illegal substances (also called doping),

the overall best athlete still prevails

and comes in first."

Die ultimative "Bad Taste Tracklist"

2007-02-08T19:13:00.000+01:00

Auch ich möchte das derzeit kursierende Stöckchen aufgreifen und habe eine Auswahl an "musikalischen Verbrechen an der Menschheit" zusammengestellt.

Es gibt wirklich viel Musik die mich nervt (dieses Phänomen zieht sich durch alle Musik-Genres und tritt bei mir aber auch häufig bei großartigen Künstlern oder Bands auf, die ich ansonsten gerne höre). Es gibt ferner viel zu viel komerzielle Musik die, meiner Ansicht nach, für einen gelungenen und interessanten Clubabend - eine wirkliche "Musik-Experience" - mehr als unpassend ist.
Die DJ's dieser Welt (ich nehme mich da nicht aus) kommen aber leider einfach nicht drum herum, den ein oder anderen grässlichen Komerz- oder Charthit in Ihr Set einzustreuen, da das Gros der Gäste nunmal auf Komerz voll abfährt. Klingt traurig, ist aber so. Ein nennenswärtes Beispiel unter vielen sind u. a. die Pussycat Dolls feat. Busta Rhymes mit "Don't Cha". Meiner Meinung nach eine wirklich scheusliche Nummer (ich unterlasse es an dieser Stelle auch, mich über solche Sex-Sells-Produktionen auszulassen), aber die Crowd fährt nunmal voll darauf ab.
Eine Liste solcher Songs (wenigstens sind ein Paar wenige noch tanzbar) wäre unendlich lang, ich habe mich daher wirklich nur auf die allergrößten Komerz-Gemeinheiten fokussiert, die bei mir entweder ein bemitleidendes Schmunzeln, ein schmerzverzerrtes Gesicht, Magenkrämpfe, einen Tinitus oder gar Brechreitz auslösen.

Also los geht's - Hier meine "Trackliste des Schreckens" (in willkürlicher Reihenfolge),
zuletzt gehört im "Fun" in Ihrer unmittelbaren regionalen Umgebung:

Scooter u. a. "How much is the fish"
DJ Ötzi "Anton aus Tirol", "Burger Dance" etc.
DJ Bobo "Pray "
Rednex "Cottoneye joe"
Captain Jack "1,2,3"
Las Ketchup "Aserejé (The Ketchup Song)"
Modern talking "You're my heart"
Scatman "I'm a Scatman"
Mr. President "Coco Jambo"
Vengaboys "We're going to Ibiza"
Crazy Frog "Axel F."
Eifel 65 "Blue"
Tokio Hotel "Schrei"
Rammstein "Du hast"
Böhse Onkelz "Terpentin"
Die Prinzen "Du musst ein Schwein sein"
Opus "Live is Live"
De Randfichten "Der alte Holzmichl" oder
Wencky Myhre "Er hat ein knallrotes Gummiboot"

(Anmerkung: Songs von Schlager- und Apres Ski-Best-Of-Alben gehen ohnehin gar nicht)

Weather Girls "Its raining man"
Village People "YMCA"
Dr. Alban "Sing Hallelujah"
Eamon "F**k it"
Sarah Connor "From Sarah with love"
Haddaway "What Is Love"
U96 "Das Boot" (auch wenn es ein Techno-Ära Klassiker ist)
Alles von den Dsds-Stars von Alexander, Daniel K., No Angels über Brosis
Allgemein alles von Casting-Bands, Boy- und Girl-Groups
Eigentlich könnte man rund 80 % aller Chart-Hits seit Beginn der 90'er in diese Liste nominieren
Als Gründungsmitglied der "Say-No-to-Komerz Bewegung" entsage ich in der Regel jeglichen Chart-Hits (sowas kommt einfach nicht auf meinen Plattenteller)

Die Trackliste des schlechten Geschmacks liese sich wohl auch noch weiterführen, denn die Komerzproduktionsmafia ist fleißig am weiterproduzieren. Schon unglaublich, wieviel Geld manch einer mit Trash verdient. Komisch, dass eigentlich JEDER diese Songs scheisse findet ... gekauft wurden Sie trotzdem von irgendwem - ich frage michan dieser Stelle, von "wer oder was"?

Weitere Listen des Grauens finden sich hier, hier, hier, hier, hier oder hier.

Was Deutschland letzten Sommer mit dem Ball am Fuss nicht geschafft hat, ...

2007-02-05T13:37:00.000+01:00

... das wird mit dem Ball in der Hand,
einem eisernen Willen,
aufopfernder Teamarbeit, Fleiß und Schweiß
sowie einer gesamten Nation im Rücken
einfach nachgeholt.

Deutschland, ein Wintermärchen?

"Bringing back the old New York Rap!"

2006-12-14T13:44:00.000+01:00

Wer hätte es schon anders erwartet!?

Ich beschenke die Besucher meines Blogs mal wieder mit ...

... einem Videobeitrag.

Und da nun bald Weihnachten, das Fest der Liebe, ist und die Welt einfach guten HipHop braucht, so hat sich das Christkind gedacht, mal wieder den guten alten SteVe O. - "Skilled MC, but no Contract yet" - Munich Homeboy und Privee-Club-Heroe zu supporten.

Also an alle Leude, Agenten, Label, Möchtegernrapper und Poser da draussen, checkt mal, was man mit 0 Euro Budget so alles bewegen kann.

Rezeptur: Talent, ein Ticket nach NYC und einen Camcorder.

Und los geht's, es ist schon "5 vor 12":

Steve O. "5 vor 12"

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Lass uns ...

2006-11-24T09:25:00.000+01:00

... Grashupfer fangen!

[via youtube posted by methos2k]

Lehrstunde beim Meister

2006-11-13T15:18:00.000+01:00

via youtube by Asem24

Sie wollen Musikgeschichte mal anders erleben? E voila!

2006-10-17T16:57:00.000+02:00

ToDos

2006-09-13T10:50:00.000+02:00

Was ich im Leben noch alles erreichen möchte:
(und welche Ziele ich schon erreicht habe)

~~Studium abschließen~~
~~Baum pflanzen~~
Haus bauen
~~Die Liebe meines Lebens kennenlernen~~
Mit der Liebe meines Lebens eine Familie gründen (2 Kinder: einen Luca und eine Emilia)
Porsche fahren (911 Oldtimer Baujahr 1976)
Alle Kontinente der Welt bereisen - Es fehlen noch Latein-Amerika, Afrika, Australien und leider auch Asien
Ein Buch schreiben (entweder ein Fachbuch oder einen Roman)
~~Im Ausland gelebt zu haben~~
Im Ausland am Meer gelebt zu haben
Fallrückzieher oder Volleydirektabnahme ins Kreuzeck (wird mir wohl nie gelingen)
~~Ein Jahrhundert-Tor schießen~~ ( Jeder schießt mal ein schönes Tor, aber so ein Ding gelingt einem alle 10 Jahre einmal - So geschehen während meiner Studienzeit in Bamberg in der Halle: Ich führe den Ball; doppelter Übersteiger am ersten Gegenspieler im Mittelfeld vorbei; von zwei Gegenspieler bedrängt mittels Zidane-Drehung beide verarscht; nur noch der Torwart vor mir; 4m bis zum Tor; Torwart kommt mir entgegen und macht die Winkel kurz; ich lupfe den Ball steil über den Torwart; der Ball senkt sich unter die Latte in das Tor)
Fünf erfolgreiche Projekte oder Geschäftsideen umsetzen
Den fünften WM-Titel Italiens feiern oder alternativ den vierten Titel der Deutschen
Mit dem Rauchen aufhören
Einen Live-Musik- oder Jazz-Club eröffnen (sollte das Geld mir irgendwann egal sein)
Im Golf wieder zu alter Stärke zurückfinden
Einmal im Leben etwas gewinnen oder richtig Glück haben
~~Einmal richtig Pech haben~~ (das hatte ich schon öfters)
Zehn mal am Stück pünktlich sein
Bis zum 40 Lebensjahr die 86 Kilo halten

Carpe diem

2006-05-31T21:32:00.000+02:00

Hunger?

2006-05-01T21:34:00.000+02:00

Ma no! Sammelfieber!!

Auch ich wurde als gr0ßer Fussball-Narr vom Sammelfieber meiner Mitmenschen angesteckt.

Wir ziehen ab

2006-03-31T20:35:00.000+02:00

Keine Angst, mein Blog mutiert nicht in einen Video-Blog, denn ich gedenke weiterhin nette Gschichterl zu schreiben, aber zieht Euch bitte mal kurz das absolut fette Video von meinem Munich-Homeboy SteVe O. rein!!!

>>> Wurde übrigens nur mit einem Photo-Handy im Urlaub aufgenommen...

MixMaster cut faster ...

2006-03-29T02:26:00.000+02:00

Ich liebe dieses Video >>> ENJOY

Kaum zu glauben, aber wahr!

2006-03-27T11:53:00.000+02:00

Zu was für unglaublichen Denk- & Hirnleistungen der Mensch wirklich in der Lage ist, kann man momentan im Fernsehen bewundern.

Kaum zu glauben, aber es gibt Jemanden der über 10.000 Bücher auswendig kann. Er kann alles auswendig, was er jemals gelesen hat – vom Roman bis zum Telefonbuch. Dieser Jemand ist noch dazu kein Unbekannter mehr, denn seine Lebensgeschichte inspirierte auch schon Hollywood. Dustin Hoffman wurde 1989 für seine überzeugende Darstellung des Inselbegabten auch mit einem Oscar honoriert.

Einem Andereren gelingt es mittels seines photographischen Gedächtnisses, nach einem 30 Minütigen Hubschrauberflug über die ewige Stadt, diese unglaublich detailgetreu in einem fünf Meter Panorama-Bild zu zeichnen.

Zählt man Fenster und Säulen an Gebäuden seiner Zeichnung, so stimmt die Anzahl selbstverständlich mit der Realität überein ...
Einfach unglaublich!

>> Unbedingt anschauen:
Expedition ins Gehirn
3-teilige Wissenschaft-Doku (3 x 45 Minuten)
Buch, Regie, Produktion: Petra Höfer und Freddie Röckenhaus
_____________________________________________________

Sendetermine via [eigentlich.egal]™:

arte am 20., 21. und 22. Febr. 2006, jeweils um 19.00 Uhr
ARD am 15., 22. März 2006 um 23.15 Uhr und am 23. März um 23.45 Uhr
3sat am 26., 27. und 28. April 2006, jeweils um 20.15 Uhr
Phoenix am 22., 23. und 24. Mai 2006, jeweils um 20.15 Uhr