Energy Roundup: Oil-Price Stability Calls, Chinese Hybrids, and More

(MoneyWatch)  Oil producers, consumers call for price stability -- Many of the largest oil producers and consumers in the world came together today to call for increased stability in oil prices. Huge swings in oil prices have damaged the world economy, said British Prime Minister Gordon Brown before a meeting between OPEC, energy companies and big-consuming nations. [Source: Reuters]

India to score 300 tons of uranium -- French energy company Areva will sell 300 tons of uranium to the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, by a commitment with the Indian Department of Atomic Energy. Currently, India's reactor fleet is operating below full capacity. The rate of dispersal of the uranium was not disclosed. [Source: World Nuclear News]

Chinese company selling world's first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car -- On Monday BYD Auto of Shenzhen in China began selling the first mass-produced plug-in hybrid car in the world. The F3DM model can be charged from a wall outlet, which gives it a range of roughly 60 miles on a full charge. The lithium-ion batteries can be recharged in seven hours or 50 percent recharged at special stations in 10 minutes, according to BYD. [Source: Green Inc.]

Turkmenistan opens its rich gas supply to Bulgaria -- Turkmenistan, a nation rich in energy resources, has agreed today to a tentative deal to provide gas supplies to EU-member Bulgaria. Turkmenistan will provide 2 billion cubic meters of natural gas to Bulgaria, said Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov. The deal could be a sign of increased gas deliveries to Europe from Central Asian Turkmenistan. [Source: AP]

European-government funding for seaweed biofuel research -- Led by funding from the European Union, scientists at the Scottish Association for Marine Science will research producing biofuel from marine biomass as an alternative to land-based plants. The $7.5 million grant will fund the four-year BioMara project, which includes researchers from Ireland and Northern Ireland. Significant funding has already gone to developing algae-based biofuel, including work at several U.S. startups. [Source: Earth2Tech]

Green battery startup joins crowd -- Imara, a lithium-ion battery producer, is on the hunt for the Holy Grail of green battery makers: one that can efficiently power electric cars. By the end of next year, the startup hopes to ship its batteries for use in power tools and outdoor power equipment. In the next three to seven years, Imara says it hopes to develop a green battery with enough power to run an electric car. [Source: Green Inc.]