Green Energy News | August 27, 2000

August 27, 2000 – Vol.5 No.22

ENERGIES... week of August 27, 2000

CONNECTED WITH SOLAR. While an independent-from-the-grid solar powered home may be the dream of many, independence comes with additional cost and system complexity. Solar power connected to a grid can still supply renewable energy in daylight hours and, when possible, excess power can be sold back to the utility, reducing electric bills. The grid becomes the back-up power supply.

Applied Power has announced that its 270 watt SunSine (tm) AC solar module has been approved by the State of New York for electric grid interconnections meeting the state’s tough Standardized Interconnection Requirements (SIR).

SunSine modules have a built-in DC/AC inverter and can be connected directly to a building’s electrical circuits. The SunSine AC module was developed specifically for grid-tied installations.

BURGEONING WIND POWER. With an investment of $5 million from international energy company TransAlta, Vision Quest Windelectric will move ahead with the installation of 14 new wind turbines in Alberta, Canada. The investment gives TransAlta a minority interest in Vision Quest and thus a foothold in the wind energy business.

Vision Quest has been selling wind generated electricity to customers in deregulated markets in Alberta through its Green Energy (tm) program. The company now operates six turbines in the province and will have an installed capacity of 13 megawatts when the new turbines are on-line.

According to wire reports, FPL Energy has exercised its earlier purchase option with Vestas Wind Systems and has ordered an additional 150 turbines for an as yet undisclosed wind power project. The purchase option signed in July gave FPL the opportunity to buy up to 600 more turbines in addition to the original order for 200.

SeaWest WindPower will soon flick the switch on its 16.8 megawatt Foote Creek IV wind farm in Wyoming. All 28 of the 600 kilowatt turbines have been installed and are expected to be on-line in October. The entire Foote Creek Rim Site will have an installed capacity of 84.8 megawatts.

Visit FPL at http://www.fplenergy.com/ , SeaWest at http://www.seawestwindpower.com/ ,Vestas at http://www.vestas.com/ , Vision Quest Windelectric at http://www.greenenergy.com/ and TransAlta at http://www.transalta.com/ .

INTELLIGENT BATTERIES. Improving the performance of lead-acid batteries, in conjunction with their low cost and time-tested reliability, could make battery powered electric vehicles more appealing in the marketplace. Much of the high cost of state-of-the-art EV’s can be attributed to their expensive, high technology battery packs.

IQ Power Technology has announced that Israeli battery producer Schnapp and Co. will begin manufacturing its microchip controlled smart battery. According to IQ, internal electronics give the battery faster recharge times, and allow the battery to be smaller, lighter, more powerful and longer lasting than conventional lead-acid batteries. Cold weather performance is also significantly improved.

Engineered to be used in conventional automotive applications, the IQ battery design can be used in electric and hybrid vehicles. IQ’s microchip controls can also be integrated with other battery chemistries.

While claims of drastically improved battery performance don’t always meet expectations in the real world, each new battery design, including this one, needs to be carefully scrutinized for its possibilities. Visit IQ at http://www.iqpower.com/ .