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EPA: Endangerment Finding Shows Greenhouse Gases Threaten Health and Welfare of the American People.

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:22:00 -0500

The findings do not in and of themselves impose any emission reduction requirements but rather allow EPA to finalize the GHG standards proposed earlier this year for new light-duty vehicles as part of the joint rulemaking with the Department of Transportation.

enXco Orders 70 Wind Turbines from REpower.

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 17:13:05 -0500

The 70 REpower MM92 turbines, each with a rated capacity of 2.05 MW, are slated for delivery in 2011

Think Electric Trucks First

Sun, 06 Dec 2009 11:29:54 -0500

Economics and public relations may lead fleet truck operators to electric drive before individual drivers.

Wireless Power Consortium Adds Leading Technology Brands.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:24:01 -0500

"The Consortium expects that wireless power receivers will be integrated into a significant percentage of all battery-powered mobile devices and into the batteries themselves. What USB is for wired connectivity, Qi will become for wireless power," said Camille Tang, President, ConvenientPower Limited and Co-Chair, Wireless Power Consortium, Promotion Work Group.

Energy Recovery PX Devices Implemented in World’s First Osmotic Power Plant.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:22:56 -0500

The high efficiency of Energy Recovery’s PX devices increase the energy output and reduce the energy consumed during the osmotic power generation process to ensure the net-positive production of electricity.

GE: National Christmas Tree Now 100% LED.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 18:22:02 -0500

The tree is the most energy efficient tree in our history--consuming only 6000 watts of energy, compared to 18,000 watts on last year's tree and an average of 40,000 watts on National Trees in the traditional, all-incandescent light era.

EPRI: Demonstration Projects to Augment Natural Gas and Coal Generation with Solar Thermal Power.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:17:39 -0500

Solar thermal hybrid applications have the potential to be an important, low-cost option for adding solar power to the generation fleet, allowing utilities to meet renewable energy regulatory targets, reduce plant emissions, and lower fuel costs.

Lockheed Martin and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Partner on Ciimate and Energy Research.

Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:16:30 -0500

With an investment of $5 million over five years, Lockheed Martin has become a Sustaining Member of the MIT Energy Initiative (MITEI), supporting a portfolio of diverse, high-impact energy research projects and education at the Institute.

Request for Proposals and Funding Opportunity Posted

Fri, 04 Dec 2009 20:26:57 -0500

--- Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics (WWL), through its Orcelle Fund, seeks green transport inventors with new ideas to financially support.
--- Kansas City Power & Light Company (KCP&L) has issued requests for proposals (RFP’s) to add up to 300 MW of additional emissions-free, renewable wind generation in the 2010 – 2011 timeframe.

Living in the Onion Skin.

Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:57:07 -0500

Not all Americans are believers in global warming. There’s a reason that not all Americans are convinced. They’ve been poorly educated on the subject for years.

Ferrostaal Inaugurates First Palestinian Solar Thermal Plant.

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:55:01 -0500

The installation of the solar plant came with the help of the Deutsche Energie-Agentur GmbH (dena) – the German Energy Agency – within the framework of the dena Solar Roofs Programme for Foreign Market Development with support of the German Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi).

Judith Highlands Energy Plans Montana’s First, Utility-Scale, Community-Owned Wind Project.

Wed, 02 Dec 2009 17:53:36 -0500

The 500 MW project is expected to be developed in multiple 100+ megawatt phases over the next 5 to 8 years.

OSRAM Introduces its First OLED Light Source.

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 10:08:22 -0500

The new energy-efficient surface-emitting panel is especially suited to premium applications in architecture, hotels and catering, offices, private homes and shops.

CPV Renewable Energy Company Plans 10MW Solar Farm for Maryland.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:34:35 -0500

Named the CPV Piney Reach Solar Farm, the planned facility will begin permitting immediately and is expected to be in service by 2012. The solar photovoltaic project is the largest of its kind announced in the state.

Plastinum Opens New Mixed-Plastic Recycling Production Line in The Netherlands.

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:33:30 -0500

Plastinum Polymer Technologies holds the patent rights to this mechanical process for mixing immiscible plastics. The new technology, developed in Emmen, is a world first.

Something New: Osmotic Power

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:36:30 -0500

Unlike wind and solar, osmotic power can operate 24/7. Osmotic power plants could be built wherever a fresh water river empties into the ocean. In the U.S., think the Mississippi River, the Hudson River, the Columbia River and many, many others. Statkraft says the global potential of osmotic power is estimated to be 1,600-1,700 terra-watt hours (TWh) per year or about half of the European Union’s total power production.

Ricardo Reveals Kinergy Advanced Flywheel Technology for Low Cost Hybridization.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:39:23 -0500

Potential applications range from small, price-sensitive mass-market passenger cars to large luxury SUVs, buses and trucks. As well as low-cost, compact energy management and storage systems for use in industrial and construction equipment, elevators, railway rolling stock, and local electrical substations and power distribution systems.

WindTamer Announces First Turbine Sales.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 16:04:57 -0500

Applications of WindTamer turbines include stand-alone and roof-mounted residential; stand-alone and roof-mounted commercial and industrial; wind farms; boat-dock, RV and other recreational applications; portable and transportation; and back-up power sourcing

Clipper Wind Turbines, Built in the U.S., to be Installed at Mexico Wind Project.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 13:28:59 -0500

Clipper’s 2.5 MW Liberty is the largest wind turbine built in the United States, and has over 50 percent U.S. content – more than any other utility-scale wind turbine currently deployed in the U.S.

Delta Electronics Develops,Tests Hybrid Electric Vehicle Propulsion System

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:53:45 -0500

The design includes batteries, power inverter, power control unit, traction motor and vehicle control unit. The engine in the system is not used for propulsion and is only run to charge the 18kWh lithium-ion batteries.

EnerDel Enters Utility Energy Storage Market, to Supply Smart Grid Program for Renewables.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:52:03 -0500

EnerDel will build the batteries for five one-megawatt power systems that will be used by Portland General Electric (PGE) - a pioneer in smart grid technology deployment -- to help manage peak demand and smooth the variations in power from renewable sources like wind and solar.

Duke Energy Receives $22 Million Federal Matching Grant to Build Wind Power Storage.

Sat, 28 Nov 2009 10:50:32 -0500

The batteries at Duke Energy's Notrees Windpower Project in Ector and Winkler counties, Texas, will store excess wind energy and discharge it whenever demand for electricity is highest - not just when wind turbine blades are turning.

Haddington Sells Rights to Its Compressed Air Energy Storage Project to FirstEnergy.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:55:10 -0500

Haddington has obtained all permits necessary to develop more than 2,000 megawatts (MW) of storage in a 2,200-foot-deep inactive mine on a 92-acre site near Norton.

International Battery to Provide EV Battery Packs for Automotive X PRIZE Contestant.

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 13:54:05 -0500

The battery design incorporates Lithium-Iron-Phosphate chemistry and consists of eight individual modules, with nine 160Ah large format prismatic cells in each module.

Ricardo “TaxiBot" Concept Tows Aircraft to Runway, Cuts Fuel, Emissions.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:40:59 -0500

After further testing and development, Taxibot has the potential to play a highly significant role in the reduction of fuel costs and emissions.

Harvesting, Scavenging Ambient Energy

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 20:39:24 -0500

We’ve only scratched the surface of what might be possible in energy innovation. There’s energy in our immediate surroundings that could possibly be captured, stored and put to work. There’s untapped energy everywhere.

E. ON Completes Wind Farm at Former Coal Mine.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:27:42 -0500

Stony Creek is EC&R’s first wind farm in Western Pennsylvania and was constructed on a reclaimed surface mine, which due to the irregular and sometimes unpredictable soil quality, required sophisticated engineering for the wind turbine foundations.

Enbridge and RES Canada to Develop 99 MW Ontario Wind Project.

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 12:26:39 -0500

The Talbot Wind Energy Project is expected to be completed in December 2010 and utilize 43 Siemens 2.3 MW wind turbines.

Low-Tech is High-Tech in Energy Saving Building Materials.

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:28:52 -0500

When we’re looking for energy solutions we shouldn’t ignore the low-tech basic solutions like incorporating passive sources of energy into our new homes and insulating the dickens out of all of them, new and old.

Aptera: First Production All-Electric Aptera 2e Pushed Back to 2010.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:36:33 -0500

Vehicle development progress has been outpacing the rate of fundraising. “Aptera’s production and delivery will be tied directly to funding,” said Paul Wilbur president and CEO. “

ZBB Energy Receives Zinc Energy Storage Order from Powertech Labs.

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:35:30 -0500

The ZESS energy storage systems will be used as part of a demonstration project that uses multiple components (power generation, utilization, storage, and dispatch optimization) to provide electrical power to an isolated remote area grid with the goal of reducing reliance on diesel generation and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in remote communities in British Columbia.

Centers for Disease Control (CDC) Buys Renewable Energy from Georgia Power.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:40:50 -0500

The purchase of more than 364,600 blocks of green energy, or 5 percent of the organization’s annual kilowatt-hour consumption, will make the CDC Georgia Power’s largest Green Energy customer.

AMSC Receives $10 Million Order for Turbine Electrical Components from China’s CSR-ZELRI.

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:40:03 -0500

The components will be used 1.65 megawatt (MW) wind turbines designed by AMSC’s wholly owned AMSC Windtec(tm) subsidiary and manufactured by CSR-ZELRI. CSR-ZELRI licensed its 1.65 MW wind turbine design from AMSC Windtec in January 2007.

Suzlon to Supply Turbines to Minnesota Windfarm.

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:06:59 -0500

Developed by Juhl Wind (Juhl) of Woodstock, Minnesota, the project known as the Grant County Wind Farm consists of 10 Suzlon S88 wind turbines that at full capacity will produce 20 megawatts.

Northern Lights Energy (NLE) and REVA to Develop Iceland's EV Market.

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:05:38 -0500

Iceland is also one of several countries being considered by REVA as a possible site for a European assembly plant.

U.S. EPA Milestone: 1 Million Energy Star Homes Built in the United States.

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 20:04:37 -0500

There are more than 6,500 builders across the nation building homes that earn the Energy Star label and qualified new homes can be found in every state in the country.

Next Generation Plastics Recycling.

Sun, 15 Nov 2009 11:26:22 -0500

Lots of infrastructure projects using high volume of maintenance-free recycled plastic would certainly create more demand for ready-for-manufacture recycled material. Another possibility is for the process of plastic recycling to become more technically sophisticated to the point where raw recycled plastic material can compete with virgin plastics: that is become a new material in itself.

Saft to Build Lithium-Ion Battery Factory in Jacksonville, Florida.

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:33:53 -0500

Saft's new facility will be a high-volume manufacturing plant building advanced Li-ion cells and batteries for military hybrid vehicles, aviation, smart grid support, broadband back-up power and energy storage for renewable energy.

Nissan and Reliant Energy Partner to Advance Zero-Emission Mobility in the United States.

Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:32:31 -0500

As part of the agreement, Nissan and Reliant Energy will develop plans to promote a charging infrastructure for electric cars that encourages home and workplace charging, as well as a public charging infrastructure.

NS Power and OpenHydro Deploy In-stream Tidal Turbine in the Bay of Fundy.

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:36:22 -0500

The 1 MW turbine is now operational, rotating with the tides, collecting data, and producing energy.

Enfinity and Titan Energy Systems to Build 1 GW of Solar PV Power in India.

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:35:18 -0500

Enfinity will develop and finance this project while Titan Energy Systems will act as a contractor and supplier of the PV Modules

The Heavy Toll of Imported Oil

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:53:48 -0500

As oil sands damage the Canadian landscape, oil imports take cash away from U.S. consumers when they need it most. In October 2009, still in the midst of job losses unprecedented since the Great Depression, the United States exported more than $850 million a day, in cash, to buy oil.

ElectraTherm Completes $5.4 Million in Additional Funding.

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:51:38 -0500

The company notes in its website that there is more waste heat available from U.S. industry than all renewable energy sources combined, accordting to the U.S. Department of Energy.

FedEx Orders 51 Hybrid Electric Delivery Vans from Azure Dynamics.

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 18:50:31 -0500

The FedEx fleet of hybrid electric and electric vehicles will total 325 when all 51 hybrid step-vans are delivered during November and December of 2009.

Konarka’s Power Plastic to be Tested in Arch Aluminum & Glass Solar Curtain Wall Pilot Project.

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:41:33 -0500

The solar panels, generating 1.5 kilowatts of power to the facility, are expected to be fully operational by year’s end. The technology leading installation will advance the development of a colored solar glass panel for integration into a wide range of buildings.

Solar Energy Initiatives Secures Land to Build 100 MW Solar Project in California.

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 10:24:30 -0500

Solar Park Initiatives will begin preliminary work, including zoning, permitting, EPA approvals and other activities immediately with construction estimated to begin in late 2010.

Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) Releases “Green Footstep” Online Carbon Calculator for Green Buildings.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:48:37 -0500

Green Footstep also shows designers how to comply with specific design goals such as LEED’s energy credits and the 2030 Challenge, the organization that has challenged designers to make all new buildings carbon neutral by 2030.

ChargePoint Brings Coulomb Tech. Networked Charging Stations for EVs to Australia.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:47:21 -0500

The first mass produced electric vehicles will arrive in Australia in 2010. Most manufacturers expected to release models in 2012, which will create demand for ChargePoint Networked Charging Stations in the local market.

Energy Conversion Devices (ECD) and MP2 Capital Collaborate to Develop 10MW of Solar Projects in Ontario, Canada.

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 09:36:07 -0500

The companies will partner with Rumble Energy, an Ontario-based renewable energy developer, to install a series of rooftop solar projects throughout Ontario, Canada under the province's new feed-in-tariff program.

Free Energy in Compressed Air.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 19:55:13 -0500

With advanced heat recovery systems a line of industrial compressors from Atlas Copco have been certified as recovering 100 per cent of the electrical energy input in the form of hot water at up to 90 degrees C (194 degrees F).The innovation shouldn’t be trivialized. The compression of air and putting it to work is big business. Very big.

N.J. Changes Evaluation Process for Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:51:10 -0500

Applications for the Edison Innovation Clean Energy Manufacturing Fund are now evaluated under a first-come, first-served review process, moving away from the previously utilized solicitation in January and June. The Fund is available to support companies looking to site a Class I renewable energy or energy efficiency product manufacturing facility in New Jersey.

Maryland Launches New Solar Incentive.

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:48:14 -0500

The incentive for mid-sized solar energy systems, made possible through funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), will provide a total of up to $1.45 million to lower the cost of rooftop solar energy systems for commercial buildings.

HolidayLEDs.com Begins 2009 Christmas Light Recycling Program.

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:10:53 -0500

Participants in the program can send in their old incandescent Christmas lights for recycling and receive a coupon for 15% off energy efficient LED Christmas lights from HolidayLEDs.com.

San Diego Gas & Electric Launches Annual LED Holiday Light Exchange.

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:09:26 -0500

Along with new holiday lights, customers will receive a no-cost Home Energy & Water Savings Kit in an eco-friendly reusable shopping bag.

Energy Composites Corp. to Develop Wind Turbine Blade Production Facility in Wisconsin.

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:08:15 -0500

Under the developers agreement between the City of Wisconsin Rapids and ECC, the City has agreed to sell a 39 acre parcel and a 54 acre parcel in the Rapids East Commerce Center to ECC for $500/acre for the development of a major utility-scale wind blade production facility and associated logistics center.

The U.S. EPA is Accepting Environmental Justice Grant Applications.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:03:56 -0500

A total of $1 million in funding in grants up to $25,000 each is available for projects aimed at addressing environmental and public health issues in communities.

Mesa Uranium Acquires Lithium Project.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:59:40 -0500

The project consists of mining claims covering an area of approximately 10 square miles (6,000 acres) and is 100% wholly-owned.

Suzlon Completes Wyoming Wind Project Ahead of Schedule.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:58:21 -0500

At full capacity, the 20 Suzlon wind turbines at the Silver Sage Wind Farm in Cheyenne, Wyoming are capable of producing 42 MW of wind-generated electricity, which is enough energy to power nearly 20,000 average US homes.

Tough Sell on Energy? Focus Beyond the General Public.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:45:59 -0500

The majority of Americans don’t care about energy unless the price of gasoline is high. That said, enough people as well as business, industry, utilities, organizations, governments large and small care enough to create markets, to build an industry and an economy along a new energy pathway.

enXco to Purchase Up to 115 Megawatts of Solar Panels from Suntech in 2010.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 11:42:28 -0500

The supply agreement will enable enXco to execute on its growing portfolio of 2010 projects in both the United States and Canada, for both rooftop and ground mounted utility-scale projects.

The City of Minneapolis has Issued a RFP for a 600kW Solar Power System for the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:25:18 -0500

All of the electricity produced by the grid-tied system will be used by the Convention Center under a 20 year Solar Services Agreement with the developer. The project is proposed to receive a $2 million dollar Renewable Development Fund Grant from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) that would be available to assist in financing upon PUC approval of the project.

CO Architects: First Net-Zero High School in Nation to be Built in L.A.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:00:21 -0500

Solar panels and 36 wind turbines will harness sun and wind, while a green roof, shaded and operable windows, daylighting, and efficient HVAC systems will reduce electricity.

A-Power Turbines Chosen for 600 MW $1.5 Billion Texas Wind Project.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 20:59:10 -0500

A-Power is expected to start shipping the wind turbines from Shenyang, China in March 2010.

Applied Materials Opens Solar Research and Customer Demonstration Facility in China.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:09:51 -0500

Applied Materials' Solar Technology Center, the largest non-government solar energy research facility in the world, is comprised of laboratory and office buildings covering more than 400,000 square feet and contains an entire Applied SunFabT thin film manufacturing line and a complete crystalline silicon pilot process.

Cyclone Power Technologies Successfully Completes Engine Tests for Raytheon.

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:09:03 -0500

"We're very pleased to complete these tests for our customer," stated Harry Schoell, CEO of Cyclone. "The Raytheon (Integrated Defense Systems) IDS team has meticulously reviewed our findings and validated our final results. We now look forward to moving our business relationship forward."

Metal Fuels on My Mind.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 21:22:44 -0400

QuantumSphere has developed a new high performance gas diffusion electrode for metal-air fuel cells and batteries. MEET of Korea has metal-air fuel cells and batteries commercially available.

Ford and Azure Dynamics Team to Deliver Battery Electric Commercial Van.

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:16:58 -0400

Azure will integrate its Force Drive(TM) battery electric drive train in the Transit Connect van for commercial fleet and retail use. The BEV will have a targeted range of 80 miles minimum on a full charge.

New Requests for Proposals and Funding Opportunities

Sat, 31 Oct 2009 11:54:30 -0400

Nineteen (19) new notices of Requests for Proposals and Funding Opportunities have been posted on the Green Energy News website including:
---The California Energy Commission requests proposals for Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant;
--- The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority requests proposals for Environmentally Preferred Power Systems Technologies;
--- PSE&G seeks up to 5.1 MW of grid-connected solar resources of at least 500 kilowatts and up to 2 megawatts in capacity;
--- The U.S. Department of the Interior requests bids to design and construct a two part net metered photovoltaic system at the main water treatment plant at Mesa Verde National Park, CO and more.

What Makes a Green Car a Green Car?

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:22:13 -0400

With a signature by President Obama, Aptera will reapply for a federal loan under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing Incentive Program. A new ruling stipulates that any manufacturer of enclosed two- or three-wheeled vehicles that carry at least two people and get 75 miles per gallon are now eligible for DOE funding. Aptera's 2e meets those requirements.

WindTronics Receives Funding from Ontario Gov’t for Small Wind Turbine Manufacturing.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:40:42 -0400

The investment will create 174 new jobs by 2012 and brings new capabilities to the province's manufacturing and alternative energy sectors.

DOE and NREL Announce Open PV Mapping Project, Seek Data.

Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:39:36 -0400

The Open PV Mapping Project is a collaborative effort between government, industry, and the public that will develop a comprehensive database of photovoltaic (PV) installation data for the United States.

BioPower Systems to Develop Wave Energy Projects with Spain's Elecnor.

Thu, 29 Oct 2009 12:17:21 -0400

The MOU establishes a process for the two companies to work towards agreements for development of wave energy projects using BioPower's proprietary bioWAVE (tm) technology in Elecnor's core business regions; Spain, Portugal and South America.

Sopogy Brings CSP to Rooftop Market.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:30:13 -0400

SopoFlare is the first commercially available Concentrating Solar Power technology designed specifically for rooftop installations. The technology is used to create steam, solar thermal air conditioning, drying, dehumidification, desalination, hot water.

PG&E to Buy 500 MW of Solar Thermal Power from NextEra and Abengoa Solar.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:59:59 -0400

NextEra's (formerly FPL Energy) proposed Genesis Solar Energy Project consists of two 125 MW units. Abengoa Solar's has proposed a 250 MW installation.

Green Energy Resources to Supply China with 200,000 Tons of Woodchip Fuel.

Wed, 28 Oct 2009 09:56:41 -0400

The company has also received a Letter of Intent from India earlier this month to supply upwards of 7 million tons of woodchips annually valued at approximately $576 million.

Zeco Expands “Greenlots” Charging Network in Singapore with Solar EV Charging Station.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:42:16 -0400

Zeco's solar charging stations can be deployed worldwide to expand carbon free transportation networks.

Suntech Unveils North American Partner Sales Program.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:41:10 -0400

The Program will offer selected dealers a co-marketing fund, training and services, financing programs, and priority access to its innovative product line.

Wind Capital Group Closes $240 Million in Financing on Missouri Wind Project.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:40:16 -0400

The 150 megawatt (MW) Lost Creek Wind Project is believed to be the largest investment by the private sector in the state of Missouri this year.

Efficiency Atop Efficiency for LCD Computer Displays

Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:28:38 -0400

The energy consumption of an LCD can be half to two-thirds that of an old CRT of the same size. New LED backlit LCD displays use even less electricity than the older LCD technology, something on the order of 50 percent less.

Moving Forward with Floating Wind Energy

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 08:59:20 -0400

With an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, a 38-member consortium led by the University of Maine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center will develop and deploy three small-scale deep water offshore wind turbines that will float on platforms off the coasts of Maine and New Hampshire.

U.S. House of Representatives Approves Solar Technology Roadmap Act.

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 07:16:13 -0400

The bill creates an updatable strategic roadmap to advance solar energy technologies through prioritized research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) activities.

MEMC to Acquire SunEdison.MEMC to Acquire SunEdison.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:36:09 -0400

The agreement calls for $200 million to be paid at closing to SunEdison security holders, which will be paid 70% in cash and 30% in MEMC stock.

BioPower Systems / City of San Francisco to Investigate Wave Energy Project.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 18:11:57 -0400

The project would be located eight kilometres (five miles) off San Francisco's western beaches with a generating capacity of between 10MW and 100MW.

P4P Energy : First, Cable-Suspended Free Span Solar Energy System Completed.

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:16:16 -0400

The revolutionary, uniquely aesthetic solar panel system is designed to utilize otherwise untapped air-space, in future applications that include coverage over aqueducts, irregular terrain, agricultural and brown fields, parking lots, and pedestrian malls and walk ways.

Chipotle Mexican Grill Plans Major Solar Power Initiative.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 21:34:52 -0400

Chipotle has committed to solar installations that will produce 500 kilowatt hours of electricity, making Chipotle the largest direct producer of solar energy in the restaurant industry.

AWEA: U.S. Wind Energy Industry Installs over 1,600 MW in Third Quarter.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:44:51 -0400

Wind power installations are up ... but manufacturing, which has the potential to employ many more Americans in good, clean energy jobs, remains uncertain

Renewable PowerTech: Natura Levo Wind Turbine Moves to Prototype Testing and Market Launch.

Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:43:29 -0400

The wind turbines will also serve a secondary purpose as EV (electric vehicle) Charging Stations will be mounted to the base of the pole in the common areas, shopping centers and commercial buildings.

UES to Buy Power from Arizona Wind/Solar Project.

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 20:49:40 -0400

Western Wind Energy plans to develop between 7 and 11 megawatts (MW) of wind generating capacity as well as a solar array that can produce at least 300-kilowatt (kW) on about 800 acres of vacant land just east of the Nucor Steel plant southwest of Kingman.

UL to Develop First Safety Standard for Electric Vehicle Cord Sets.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:53:08 -0400

This is just one of a growing number of safety standards UL is developing for electric vehicle product categories, including electric cords, charging stations, connectors and motors.

SEV US Corp: First Electric Truck Rolls Off US Production Line.

Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:52:05 -0400

SEV US Corp recently moved into an 80,000sq ft (7,400sq m) facility close to Kansas City International Airport. It currently employs 14 people, but anticipates trebling that number by the end of 2009.

Solar Powered Manufacturing.

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 19:22:54 -0400

Maybe solar powered manufacturing will be the next wave of new solar installations. If that happens Plastic Package, of Sacramento, California, will be one of the pioneers. The company is now using solar power to form virgin and recycled plastic into products.

Parker Commercializes Unique Hydraulic Hybrid System for Delivery Vehicles.

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:34:19 -0400

Twenty systems will be purchased by DTNA subsidiary, Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation and incorporated into delivery vehicle models intended for use by United Parcel Service (UPS).

Duke Energy Announces Distributed Generation Solar Sites.

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 18:33:26 -0400

These sites were selected based on their ready access to the electrical grid and solar productivity potential, in addition to other essential lease agreement criteria. Installations will begin immediately, with all phase one systems being installed by the end of the first quarter of 2010.

Delivering Green Power to the People - Nationwide

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 11:06:30 -0400

The Tres Amigas plan is to connect the three U.S. grids by building a triangular hub where electricity can flow and be managed between them. The Three Friends would incorporate high-powered AC/DC converters and high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires.

U.S. DOE: Team Germany Wins 2009 Solar Decathlon.

Sat, 17 Oct 2009 09:20:16 -0400

Team Germany’s winning “Cube House” design produced a surplus of power even during three days of rain. This is the team’s second-straight Solar Decathlon victory, after winning the previous competition in 2007.

PG&E Signs 290 MW Solar Deal with NextLight.

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:05:22 -0400

The Agua Caliente project, to be located in Yuma County, Ariz., is PG&E's second major contract with a subsidiary of NextLight.

E.ON Climate & Renewables Completes 180 MW Papalote Creek Wind Farm.

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:04:14 -0400

The Papalote Creek complex is located 30 miles north of Corpus Christi in San Patricio County and is EC&R’s first wind farm in South Texas.

Putney School: Field House Becomes First Net-Zero Energy Secondary School Building in Nation.

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:48:58 -0400

The 16,800 square foot net-zero energy field house that will produce as much energy as it uses over the course of a year.

Ocean Power Technologies (OPT) and Lockheed Martin to Develop Wave Energy Systems.

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:47:45 -0400

Under the agreement, Lockheed Martin will provide its expertise in systems integration, lean manufacturing, and test and optimization analysis to enhance OPT's innovative PowerBuoy(tm) wave power generation technology to utility-scale.

Pickens Plan: U.S. Spent Nearly $25 Billion on Imported Oil in September.

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:24:13 -0400

The latest figures from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA),show that the U.S. imported 63 percent of its oil, or 357 million barrels in September 2009, sending approximately $25 billion, or $573,770 per minute, overseas to foreign governments.

G24 Innovations Ships World’s First Commercial Application of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells.

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 22:22:37 -0400

The G24i photovoltaic panel will be integrated into a range of bags targeting the consumer market. The panel will harvest energy while used outdoors as well as in low light conditions indoors – a unique advantage of the G24i DSSC module – and repower mobile electronic devices such as mobile phones, e-books, cameras, and portable LED lighting systems.

Turning Waste into a Resource

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:56:40 -0400

Trash, known professionally as Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), might in a decade or two be regularly turned to fuel or directly into electricity at local, community facilities eliminating the need for landfill dumps.

Southern Company to Build Biomass Plant in East Texas.

Sat, 10 Oct 2009 08:54:44 -0400

When completed, the project will be one of the largest biomass-fueled electric generating facilities in the U.S., capable of generating approximately 100 megawatts.

eSolar Expands to South Africa.

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:16:56 -0400

eSolar, of Pasadena, California, has partnered with Johannesburg-based Clean Energy Solutions (CES) to open eSolarSA to expand sales operations across Sub-Saharan Africa.

U.S. Department of Energy: $87 Million in New Funding for Solar Technologies.

Fri, 09 Oct 2009 13:15:31 -0400

The 47 projects with universities, electric power utilities, DOE's National Laboratories, and local governments have been selected to support use of solar technologies in U.S. cities, help address technical challenges, ensure reliable connectivity with the electrical grid, and train a new generation of solar workers to install and maintain solar energy systems.

Biomass Energy for Home and Abroad.

Thu, 08 Oct 2009 18:43:02 -0400

VIASPACE, an Irvine, California based alternative energy company, has announced plans to produce pellets made from Giant King Grass as an alternative to coal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from coal-fired power plants across the U.S. and Europe.

All American Homes Lowers Prices on its “Solar Village” Modular Homes.

Wed, 07 Oct 2009 08:00:40 -0400

The retail base price of the homes have been reduced 16 percent to 20 percent, which equates to $25,000 to $41,000 depending on the model selected.

Boeing, Honeywell's UOP, Masdar Institute and Industry Team to Study Jet Fuel Made from Saltwater Plants.

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:17:59 -0400

The study will examine the overall potential for sustainable, large-scale production of biofuels made from salicornia bigelovii and saltwater mangroves - plants known as halophytes.

Energy Conversion Devices to Supply PV Systems for 4.8-Megawatt Spanish Solar Project.

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 21:16:35 -0400

The solar generating systems will be for eight separate building rooftops at ProLogis Park Sant Boi in Barcelona and ProLogis Park Alcala in Madrid, Spain.

LED Lighting: An Investment in Energy Savings

Sun, 04 Oct 2009 20:15:56 -0400

High cost and brightness are still challenges after 10 years of LED for lighting development. But, those challenges are slowly being met.

Puget Sound Energy (PSE) Joins The Electric Vehicle Project.

Sat, 03 Oct 2009 10:20:26 -0400

PSE will assist with the roll-out of charging stations for the Nissan LEAF and other EVs, and is studying how the increased use of EVs may impact the demand for energy and the energy infrastructure.

AW-Energy Signs $4.4M Contract for EU Wave Energy Project.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 12:04:03 -0400

The goal of the project is to manufacture and deploy the first grid-connected WaveRoller unit in the Portuguese waters. The exact installation site is located near the town of Peniche, which is famous of its wave resources and also known as “Capital of the waves.”

China Turns 60.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:03:49 -0400

Because of its large population China will struggle to become a “green” country, but its industries will benefit as other nations work to cut emissions. How can the US and world compete with this young, but ancient,powerhouse?

Balqon Introduces Zero Emission, Short Haul, Heavy-Duty Electric Truck.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:38:55 -0400

The Mule M150 is able to travel at a speed of up to 55 miles per hour and has a range of 150 miles on a single charge under unloaded conditions.

Cool Energy Demonstrates Working Stirling Engine for Solar and Waste Heat Applications.

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 07:37:45 -0400

The SolarHeart Engine will be integrated into a solar thermal system for homes and buildings to provide both heat and electrical power from free solar fuel.

Suntech Builds China's First 10MW Ground Mount Solar System.

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:14:58 -0400

Located in Shizuishan, Ningxia Autonomous Region, the 10MW ground mount solar system is the first phase of a 50MW solar plant that is targeted to be completed by 2011 in conjunction with Suntech's strategic partner, China Energy Conservation Investment Corporation (CECIC).

E.ON Climate & Renewables (EC&R) Completes World’s Largest Wind Farm.

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:13:55 -0400

The Roscoe wind complex has an installed capacity of 781.5 megawatts (MW), generating enough electricity to power more than 230,000 homes.

Linamar to Supply Power Conversion Units to Stirling Energy Systems.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:13:07 -0400

The SES SunCatcher is a 25-kilowatt-electric (kWe) solar dish Stirling system that automatically tracks, collects and focuses the sun’s energy into the PCU to generate grid-quality electricity.

Ausra to Provide CSP Technology for Jordan Solar Project.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 14:12:05 -0400

JOAN1 will rely on Ausra's Compact Linear Fresnel Reflector technology to power the plant's solar steam cycle and generate up to 100 MW of electricity.

AMSC and Sinovel Sign $100 Million Follow-On Contract for 3 MW Wind Turbine Components.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:14:16 -0400

American Superconductor Corporation (AMSC), of Devens, Massachusetts, will provide core electrical components to be utilized in Sinovel’s 3 megawatt (MW) wind turbines, known as the SL3000.

Recharged by Renewables

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 15:15:05 -0400

Utilities FPL Group and Duke Energy plan to buy 10,000 electric vehicles. Solar City and Rabobank are building a solar-enhanced fast-charge corridor. Will FPL and Duke open up their recharging stations to the general public?

T3 Motion Personal Mobility Vehicles Selected by Target Stores for Assets Protection Patrols.

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:27:17 -0400

Target Assets Protection team members will leverage these vehicles to help provide safe and secure parking lots at their stores throughout the U.S.

Germany Trade & Invest: German Hydrogen Infrastructure in Place by 2015.

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:26:17 -0400

Partners in the "H2 Mobility" initiative include Daimler, EnBW, Linde, OMV, Shell, Total, Vattenfall, and the NOW GmbH National Organization Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology.

ZBB Energy Ships Zinc Energy Storage System to Oregon State University.

Sat, 26 Sep 2009 14:24:34 -0400

This fully integrated ZESS power system will be used in an on grid configuration with simulated wind and hydro electric sources.

PSEG Solar Source and juwi solar Announce Three Large-Scale Solar Projects.

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:57:01 -0400

All three projects utilize thin film panels provided by First Solar and will be ground-mounted. The projects together will include 380,000 solar panels and represent approximately a $100 million investment by PSEG Solar Source.

Solel Awarded $2.6 Million from Spanish Gov’t for Solar Manufacturing.

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 07:55:49 -0400

The facility, in La Carolina, Spain, will be Solel's first manufacturing plant in Spain, and will include lines for the production of parabolic reflectors, metal supports for solar collectors, and other essential components.

Nova Scotia Power and OpenHydro Unveil Tidal Turbine for Bay of Fundy.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:19:17 -0400

The Open-Centre Turbine was manufactured in Ireland by OpenHydro. The turbine will rest directly on the ocean floor using a subsea gravity base fabricated in Dartmouth by Cherubini Metal Works.

Eneco to Purchase 50 Vans from Smith Electric Vehicles.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 21:18:19 -0400

The purchase is part of Eneco’s sustainable strategy to replace 500 of its diesel fuelled commercial vans with electric versions within the next four years.

Carbon Gold: Maldives Commits to Biochar to Meet Zero Carbon Goal.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:22:52 -0400

“Biochar is the only technology that enables us to take CO2 out of the atmosphere and, by ploughing it into the ground, improve soil fertility. However it will only help to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide if it is sustainably produced. Projects must adhere to strict sustainability, biodiversity and environmental standards and improve the prosperity of the communities involved," said Dan Morrell, Carbon Gold co-founder.

SunRay and SunPower Partner on Italy’s Largest Solar Power Plant.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:20:42 -0400

The 80-hectare Montalto di Castro solar project is being financed by a consortium of primary international and Italian banks and, upon its completion at year-end, will be the largest operating solar power plant in Italy.

TMO Renewables: The UK’s First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant Completes First Year of Operation.

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 09:19:35 -0400

TMO’s ‘second generation’ process uses common bacteria, developed from a strain found in compost heaps, to produce ethanol from cellulosic (or ‘woody’) biomass materials.

Building Electric Cars: A Holistic Approach

Mon, 21 Sep 2009 18:42:46 -0400

Despite the simplicity of design and engineering, an electric vehicle is quite different from a conventional vehicle: car builders can’t just stuff batteries and electric motors into a conventional vehicle body/chassis and expect complete success with their design. The best electric vehicle has to be designed from scratch to be electric. Mostly the design has to revolve around the constraints of the battery pack. Those constraints hover around the pack’s weight and the limited energy it holds.

REVA Electric Car Announces European Pricing for NXR (NeXt Reva).

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:20:09 -0400

REVA NXR is an M1 category three-door, four-seater hatchback family car that is suitable for urban driving. Top speed is 104 kph (65 mph) with a range of 160 kms (100 miles) per charge.

Envion Introduces Plastic Waste to Oil Converter.

Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:18:55 -0400

Each individual unit can process up to 10,000 tons of plastic waste annually, generating as much as 50,000 barrels of oil. With full national deployment, the Envion Oil Generator(TM) could generate over 150,000,000 barrels of oil each year in the United States alone.

TEP Plans 25 MW Solar PV Array; 5MW CSP Plant.

Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:51:44 -0400

The systems, including a new 25-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) array and a 5-MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant, are expected to be completed by January 2012. TEP has agreed to purchase power from both systems, which will be privately owned and operated.

Maryland to Study Offshore Wind: Issues Request for Expression of Information and Interest.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:59:12 -0400

As part of this effort, MEA has released a Request for Expression of Information and Interest to engage business and industry leaders with expertise in the installation and development of offshore wind energy. This request reaches out to U.S. and European developers to begin a constructive dialogue on strategies for facilitating a long-term offshore wind energy strategy for Maryland.

NREL: Mobile Truck Stop Electrification Locator Now Available.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:57:36 -0400

This comprehensive mobile application helps truck drivers find public truck stops with idle reduction facilities using a cell phone, BlackBerry, or other mobile device.

Cyclone Completes Prototype Biomass Electric Generator.

Tue, 15 Sep 2009 20:56:39 -0400

Cyclone’s prototype biomass generator is a self-contained, compact system that utilizes the company’s award-winning Waste Heat Engine (WHE) to produce power from heat derived from biomass combustion.

1366 Technologies Offers Breakthrough Solar Cell Architecture and Manufacturing Processes.

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:35:49 -0400

The company has developed two technologies that can be easily integrated into existing manufacturing lines.

Honeywell Material Improves Performance of LED Lighting.

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:34:26 -0400

The new product, called Honeywell LTM6300-SP, is a thermal interface material that highly effectively transfers heat generated by LED lamps.

GE Expands in Offshore Wind Sector with ScanWind Purchase.

Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:33:31 -0400

ScanWind was founded in 1999 to develop and commercialise advanced direct drive wind turbine technology that eliminates the need for gearboxes.

Plextronics and Novaled Partner to Develop Organic Lighting Technology.

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:57:51 -0400

OLED technology is expected to become a major ingredient of flat displays and drive a new era lighting innovation with its flexible design and energy efficiency advantages.

Innovalight Achieves 18% Efficiency with Silicon-ink Processed Solar Cells.

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 14:56:40 -0400

Innovalight's proprietary silicon ink and processing technologies allow crystalline silicon solar cell manufacturers to dramatically boost output capacity, solar cell performance as well as reduce costs with a simplified additional step to already installed manufacturing lines.

Searching for Energy Ideas.

Sat, 12 Sep 2009 11:32:31 -0400

There's an abundance of companies and individuals with ideas that could be breakthroughs. Many, with the the deft use of a search engine, can be found on the Web. This is a listing of energy ideas accumulated in this editor's inbox only in the last couple of weeks.

Hywind Generating Electricity.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:10:23 -0400

For the first time ever, a floating megawatt-class wind turbine is delivering electricity. The wind turbine is anchored in 220 meters (722 ft) of water roughly 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) southeast of the Norwegian island of Karmoy.

Sustainable Oils to Supply Navy with Camelina-Based Jet Fuel.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:09:14 -0400

The fuel will be delivered to the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) fuels team in 2009 and will support the Navy’s certification testing program of alternative fuels. The contract includes an option to supply up to an additional 150,000 gallons of camelina-based jet fuel.

National Trust for Historic Preservation Launches Weatherization Guide.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 21:08:23 -0400

The "Weatherization Guide for Older and Historic Buildings" offers homeowners a one-stop resource with the latest information about how to make their home more energy efficient and comfortable - without spending a lot of money or compromising the historic character of their home.

Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Demonstrator Debuts at Frankfurt Motor Show.

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 09:23:10 -0400

When fully charged, the vehicle is targeted to achieve an electric-only range of approximately 12 miles and will be capable of achieving highway speeds in electric-only mode. For longer distances, the PHV concept reverts to "hybrid mode" and operates like a regular Prius. This ability to utilize all-electric power for short trips or hybrid power for longer drives alleviates the issue of limited cruising range encountered with pure electric vehicles.

American Superconductor Corporation Forms AMSC India.

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:35:22 -0400

AMSC’s first two wind turbine manufacturing customers in India are Ghodawat Energy Limited and Inox Wind Limited. Both licensed AMSC Windtec(tm) turbine designs within the past 18 months.

Mantra Acquires Exclusive License for Mixed Reactant Fuel Cell Technology.

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 21:34:21 -0400

Unlike typical fuel cells that require a Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) to separate the fuel from the oxidant within the cell, MRFC is based on an innovative technology that mixes the fuel with the oxidant and eliminates the need for the expensive yet fragile membrane.

SMUD’s PV1: Solar Power for 25 Years.

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:57:43 -0400

The plant, known as PV1, first started producing power in 1984 and at the time was one of the largest PV plants in the world - supplying enough electricity to serve approximately 800 homes. Today the plant is the oldest MW-scale PV plant continuously operating in North America and continues turning sunlight into reliable, clean energy.

Outer Banks Ocean Energy Corporation (OBOEC) Formed.

Wed, 09 Sep 2009 07:56:45 -0400

OBOEC is in the early stages of developing the North Carolina Hybrid Energy Preserve, which aims to deploy wind turbines positioned within four federal lease blocks covering 23,724 acres. The turbines will be supplemented in the out years by the Gulf Stream current and wave power.

Where's the Vision? Where's the Dream?

Mon, 07 Sep 2009 18:57:25 -0400

So far the green jobs revolution hasn’t materialized. To be fair, the revolution may be in its organizational stage and, hopefully, gathering steam. The President needs to promote the vision. He has the ability to be the best advertising spokesman out there.

Waiting in the Wings: Rechargeable Zinc Batteries.

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:50:42 -0400

Until recently it has always been thought that zinc battery chemistries could not be electrochemically recharged. No longer so. The company claims its zinc-air chemistry has twice as much stored energy as conventional Lithium-ion batteries. More stored energy can translate into longer distances traveled in electric cars.

Solyndra Breaks Ground on New 500 Megawatt Solar Plant.

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:47:39 -0400

Solyndra estimates that the construction of Fab 2 will employ over 3,000 people, the ongoing operation of the facility will create over 1,000 jobs, and that installation of Solyndra PV systems will generate hundreds of additional jobs.

European Environment Agency (EEA): Greenhouse Gas Emissions Decline.

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:46:31 -0400

The 2008 emission reductions reflect the effects of the global economic recession which began in 2008, which resulted in reduced industrial output and reduced energy consumption by industry, and correspondingly reduced freight transport.

EPA Raises the Bar for Energy Star Televisions.

Sat, 05 Sep 2009 10:45:24 -0400

Televisions meeting EPA’s new, more stringent Energy Star specifications will be available in stores nationwide starting May 1, 2010.

Holiday Inn to Save Over $4 Million Annually with LED Signage.

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:42:36 -0400

Holiday Inn expects to cut energy usage by more than half and achieve an estimated 52 percent reduction in kilowatt hours with signs lit an average of 12 hours per day, 365 days per year. That represents an estimated reduction of 8,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually or the equivalent of planting more than 2,300 acres of trees per year.

UQM and BorgWarner Team on Electric Drive.

Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:41:27 -0400

The companies are working together to integrate UQM Technologies’ PowerPhase(R) electric propulsion system with BorgWarner’s 31-03 eGearDrive(tm) transmission for the all-electric CODA front-wheel drive five-passenger sedan, scheduled for introduction in the California market in mid-2010.

Helix Wind to Purchase VENCO Power.

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:35:54 -0400

With the addition of VENCO Power’s products, Helix will offer vertical axis turbines that perform well at lower wind speeds, enable different price points and appeal to different aesthetic tastes.

Phase IV and WindPipe Partner on Propeller-Free Wind Energy.

Thu, 03 Sep 2009 11:33:50 -0400

The companies will be working together to provide low cost electrical power with no rotating machinery such as propellers or turbines."Through this alliance with WindPipe, we're opening the doors for our government and private industry customers to take advantage of the latest and most innovative energy harvesting concepts," said Rich Pollack, CEO of Phase IV.

Electric Transmission Texas (ETT) to Install Largest Utility-Scale Battery in the U.S.

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 22:00:26 -0400

The state-of-the-art, sodium-sulfur 4-megawatt NAS battery system is currently scheduled to be completed by first quarter 2010 in time for summer peak usage.

Fulcrum BioEnergy Announces Ethanol Breakthrough: Ethanol Derived from Garbage.

Wed, 02 Sep 2009 21:57:53 -0400

This milestone confirms the second of the two new technologies that Fulcrum will use for the large-scale production of transportation fuel from garbage that would otherwise be landfilled. Fulcrum expects its cost of production to be less than $1 a gallon, significantly below that of today's conventional ethanol production.

Nexterra Receives $7.7M Funding for Commercialization of High Efficiency Biomass Power System.

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:53:13 -0400

This funding will be used to support Nexterra’s recently announced program to commercialize a new high efficiency biomass power system in collaboration with GE Jenbacher and GE Energy.

Avista: Significant Renewables, Energy Efficiency, in Resource Plan.

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:52:17 -0400

Avista anticipates adding some 150 thousand retail customers with a 1.7 percent annual growth in electric demand until 2029. The utility plans to rely on a mix of renewables, hydroelectric upgrades, energy efficiency and natural gas generation to meet that demand.

Duke Energy to Build Ninth U.S. Wind Farm.

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 21:51:16 -0400

The power company has announced it will build and operate a 200-megawatt wind energy project near Casper, Wyoming. The Top of the World Windpower Project will be the company's ninth U.S. wind farm and its fourth in Wyoming.

Take the ACT Instead.

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 16:42:00 -0400

Why not a carbon tax as a voluntary alternative to the income tax as a way to cut greenhouse gas emissions? Is cap-and-trade the only way to cut greenhouse gases? Can’t we do better? Cap-and-trade adds a cost to carbon emissions. That cost is a fine, a penalty for polluting that all of us will have to pay. Granted, adding too much carbon to the atmosphere is a bad thing. But does everyone have to be penalized for it?

Why not, instead, reward all of us for not polluting? Why not give us a good monetary pat on the back for cutting our greenhouse gas emissions? Why not a “Good going!” in the form of cash not spent for helping to save the planet?

Mariah Power Launches Windspire Vertical Wind Turbine in Europe.

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 21:25:48 -0400

The launch coincides with the introduction of a 230 volt inverter which enables the Windspire to connect to European grid specifications. European customers are now able to order Windspire wind turbines through a growing network of international dealers which currently includes representatives in wind-rich countries like Denmark and France.

ALPA Calls for Temporary Ban on Lithium Battery Shipments on Airliners.

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:13:10 -0400

ALPA has long advocated for improved transport requirements for lithium-ion and lithium-metal batteries. Since 2004, ALPA has urged the Department of Transportation to fully regulate these batteries as dangerous goods, including requiring appropriate packaging, labeling, marking, testing, and pilot notification.

Sunovia and EPIR Complete Fabrication System for Cadmium Telluride (CdTe) Solar Cells.

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:11:51 -0400

The companies have completed the design and construction of a closed space sublimation (CSS) system for fabrication of polycrystalline cadmium telluride (CdTe) solar cell devices. two-junction CdTe on silicon (CdTe/Si) devices can reach efficiencies comparable to those of three-junction III-V solar cells on the market today, so the fabrication of three-junction and inverted three-junction CdTe-based devices have the potential to achieve efficiencies greater than 50 percent.

Juhl Wind Announces $1 Million NextGen Small Turbine License and Distributorship.

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:03:00 -0400

Under the terms of the Agreement, Juhl Wind subsidiary NextGen is provided its first-ever exclusive territory distributorship along with the rights to manufacture SureEnergy's 33 kW onsite, small wind turbine system.

New Cooling Technology for a Hot Planet.

Sat, 29 Aug 2009 12:00:16 -0400

The hotter the planet gets the more air conditioning we’ll need, creating an endless feedback loop. Cooling systems based on the magnetocaloric effect have the potential of significantly reducing energy consumption. The magnetic technology does away with gaseous refrigerants and is therefore quieter and causes less vibration than conventional compressor type refrigerators. It is also compact enough to suit all conventional household refrigerators and commercial applications such as computer cooling systems or air conditioners.

15 New Funding Opportunities Posted

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 10:07:09 -0400

New Requests for Proposals and Funding Opportunities from the U.S. Dept. of Energy, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, U.S. Dept. of the Army and others.

TH!NK Back in Business.

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:41:48 -0400

The Norwegian electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer has announced that the Norwegian courts have approved its debt settlement plan, enabling the company to exit court protection. Effectively, this puts Think back in business and in a position to resume normal operations in terms of the manufacture and sale of new electric vehicles (EVs), namely, its latest TH!NK City model.

Suniva Solar Cells Surpass 18 Percent Efficiency in Production.

Thu, 27 Aug 2009 19:40:51 -0400

Suniva has also announced today the start of production on its second manufacturing line at the Norcross plant. The new 64MWp line will triple the production capacity of the facility to approximately 100MW.

Better Place Targets Tokyo Taxis for Battery Switch Application.

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:27:07 -0400

Better Place will partner with Tokyo’s largest taxi operator, Nihon Kotsu, in the project commissioned by the Ministry of Economy, Trade, and Industry’s Natural Resources and Energy Agency.

MaManna Renewable Energy Opens U.S. Office for AOC 15/50 Wind Turbine Business.

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 18:25:50 -0400

The Nova Scotia, Canada-based renewable energy systems integrator and manufacturer of small wind turbines, has opened a office in Greenville, South Carolina.

ODS-Petrodata: Offshore Wind Could Power 37 Million Homes by 2020.

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:49:06 -0400

Global offshore wind farm capacity will grow at a compound annual rate of 32 per cent in the coming decade, according to a new report by energy consulting firm ODS-Petrodata. The International Offshore Wind Market to 2020 report predicts that by the end of 2020 global offshore wind farm capacity will have soared to 55 gigawatts, or enough to power almost 37 million European homes. Current installed capacity is under two gigawatts.

Universal Display Awarded $1.65M U.S. DOE Contract for OLED Lighting.

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 13:47:45 -0400

Under terms of the contract, Universal Display will deliver a set of under-cabinet lighting units to the DOE. Each unit will consist of five 6” x 6” white PHOLED lighting panels that are based on the company’s high-efficiency, phosphorescent OLED technology and materials.

Coolerado Hybrid A/C Beats 2010 U.S. DOE Efficiency Standard by 60 Percent.

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:31:07 -0400

DOE laboratory testing indicates that Coolerado’s new system, the Coolerado H80, beat the 2010 standards by 60 percent at peak demand and will use 80 percent less energy overall.

A Little Engine That Could.

Sat, 22 Aug 2009 11:23:28 -0400

As much talk as there is about battery electric cars and plug-in hybrids, it will be a long, long time before all of the world’s internal combustion reciprocating piston engines are replaced with electric motors. If the internal combustion engine could indeed be replaced with an external combustion engine, one of those possibilities is the external combustion engine design from Cyclone Power Technologies.

Franklin Wind Energy Signs Michigan Distributor

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:19:57 -0400

Power Distribution Center, Inc. will handle distribution of Franklin's wind turbine products. Power Distribution Center (PDC) is a Brighton, Michigan - based leading provider of renewable energy products throughout the state and is quickly expanding throughout the Great Lakes Region.

Tesla to Open Power Train Development and Production Facility in Palo Alto, California.

Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:18:11 -0400

The facility will supply all-electric powertrain solutions to Tesla Motors vehicles and other automakers, greatly accelerating the availability of mass-market EVs. Tesla will also move its corporate headquarters from San Carlos to this site. Roughly 350 employees will work in Palo Alto initially, with space for up to 650 people.

First Solar, Southern California Edison to Build 550 MW of Solar Power.

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:36:44 -0400

The installations, which will be among the largest of their kind, will have a generation capacity of 550 megawatts of photovoltaic solar electricity, enough to provide power to approximately 170,000 homes. First Solar will engineer, procure and construct the two solar facilities, using its CdTe (Cadmium Telluride) thin-film photovoltaic solar modules.

Pace Global, Standard Solar Form Solar Power Partnership.

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:35:00 -0400

The companies have formed strategic alliance to quickly penetrate the growing solar energy markets in the commercial, academic, government, and residential sectors. Pace Global and Standard Solar are currently developing a number of distributed power project opportunities in both the academic and the commercial marketplace.

AMSC Receives Initial Order from Hyundai Heavy Industries for Wind Turbine Electrical Systems.

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 16:33:28 -0400

The order includes a set of 17 full electrical systems will be shipped to HHI from American Superconductor Corp. by the end of January 2010. HHI will use the electrical systems in 1.65 megawatt (MW) doubly fed induction wind turbines it will be producing under a license from AMSC’s wholly owned AMSC Windtec(tm) subsidiary.

Turbine-Free Wind Energy?

Mon, 17 Aug 2009 21:16:24 -0400

Inventor thinks a new kind of wind energy device can convert the power of the wind directly to electricity without propeller blades ... and eventually replace wind turbine generators as we know them.

Sound too good to be true? As any student of energy will tell you, there are more ways to generate electric energy than moving magnets through a coil of wire, as with conventional electric generators.

Coulomb Technologies: Nashville is the Latest City to Install EV Charging Stations.

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:12:51 -0400

The charging stations are now installed in downtown Nashville in the new 700 space parking garage located on the Fulton Campus. The charging stations, available for employee and fleet use have been installed to reduce greenhouse emissions and to raise awareness of readiness for electric vehicles.

University of Sheffield in the U.K. Seeks International Industry Partners in Energy Research Education.

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:11:07 -0400

The University would like to engage with industrial partners in its E-Futures program who can offer industrially relevant research in energy related topics for doctoral students to pursue.The $15 million (9 M GBP) E-Futures DTC offers industry-focussed training across a broad range of energy-related topics, with the aim of training skilled researchers with a thorough grounding in technical and social issues of 'sustainable power generation' and 'demand reduction'.

CSIRO-invented UltraBattery Set for Accelerated Development with $32.5 Million Grant.

Fri, 14 Aug 2009 19:09:47 -0400

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Australia's national science agency, has announced that East Penn Manufacturing Company, of Lyon, Station, Pennsylvania,U.S.A., will receive $32.5 million in a cost shared grant to ramp up production of the UltraBattery developed by CSIRO.The UltraBattery combines a supercapacitor and a lead acid battery in a single unit, creating a hybrid car battery that provides comparable performance but costs considerably less than current technologies used in hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs).

The Ugly Battle Looms on Climate Legislation.

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:50:24 -0400

If the raucous and unruly town hall meetings now taking place across the U.S. on health care reform are any indication of how the public reacts to major changes that might come from Washington, a meeting to discuss global warming, climate change, energy, etc could be equally nasty or much worse. So forget about asking what the public thinks. After all, the battle behind the scenes on Capitol Hill is nasty enough.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Joins EcoCar.

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:46:54 -0400

EcoCar, The Next Challenge, is a three-year competition among 17 universities in the U.S. and Canada to redesign and reengineer a 2009 Saturn VUE to further minimize fuel consumption and emissions.

Aluminum Association: 54% of Aluminum Cans Recycled in the U.S.

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 21:44:53 -0400

The Aluminum Association, Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) have officially announced the 2008 Used Beverage Container (UBC) recycling rate which showed the highest recycling rate of any beverage container at 54.2 percent, up from 53.8 percent for 2007.

RMSE to Supply 4.5 Million Gals./Year Biodiesel to Gray Oil.

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:55:37 -0400

The supply agreement has an estimated revenue value of $45 million over the three year term. The biodiesel will be supplied from RMSE’s Colorado bioXchange (tm) refinery.

State of New Jersey: More Than 4000 Solar Systems Installed.

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:52:50 -0400

More than 90 MW in cumulative solar power capacity is installed state-wide. Seven years ago, the state had only 6 solar installations.

Sunstroom to Build 50 MW Solar Thermal Power Plant in Spain.

Wed, 12 Aug 2009 21:49:36 -0400

Sunstroom Energy Investments plans to raise EUR 300 ($426 million) to build the solar park, to be called Thermostroom 1, in the Extremadura province of Spain. The solar park will cover a surface area of 271 hectares, nearly a square mile.

General Motors: 230 MPG in City Driving Expected for Chevy Volt.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:33:04 -0400

Based on development testing using a draft EPA federal fuel economy methodology for labeling for plug-in electric vehicles, the Chevrolet Volt extended-range electric vehicle is expected to achieve city fuel economy of at least 230 miles per gallon. According to GM, the Volt, which is scheduled to start production in late 2010 as a 2011 model, is expected to travel up to 40 miles on electricity from a single battery charge and be able to extend its overall range to more than 300 miles with its flex fuel-powered engine-generator.

Coulomb and GridPoint Unveil First Smart Grid EV Charging Stations.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:30:23 -0400

The integrated solution of charging station and software extends municipalities and utilities ability to manage vehicle-charging load.Utilities and municipalities will now have a networked infrastructure solution that easily and rapidly adapts to critical grid events while prioritizing the need to provide fuel for electric vehicles.

AeroVironment Awarded U.S. Patent for EV Battery Optimization Technology.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:29:05 -0400

AV’s technology is directly applicable to battery packs, chargers and battery-powered EVs that can be linked to the electric utility network and managed by a “smart grid” controller. The technology is designed to gather data from the EV or the charger, and uses the data to determine whether the rate of charge is optimized for the vehicle’s performance, the battery’s long-term health, and the utility’s power availability.

BP and Martek Biosciences Partner to Develop Advanced Biodiesel Fuels.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 21:25:13 -0400

Martek and BP will work together to establish proof of concept for large-scale, cost effective microbial biodiesel production through fermentation.Biodiesel produced from sustainable feedstocks via the fermentation of sugars will offer the potential to deliver greenhouse gas emission reductions of up to 80-90% when compared to traditional fossil fuel.

SRS Energy Awarded $2,805,000 from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to Support Production of its SolÈ Power Tile (tm) System.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 07:35:34 -0400

The grant and loan money will be used for the purchase of manufacturing equipment to produce the first solar roofing tile designed to seamlessly integrate with curved clay tile roofs. The plant’s first line is scheduled to be fully operational by the second quarter of 2010, and will employ 30 to 40 people, with additional lines to open at later dates.