Renewable Energy Today articles from August 2003

Renewable Energy Today archives from August 2003

Redevelopment of Newfoundland Hydroelectric Plant Inaugurated.
August 1, 2003... St. John's, Newfoundland-based Fortis, Inc., recently announced that its nonregulated subsidiary Central Newfoundland Energy (CNE) and Montreal, Quebec-based paper manufacturer Abitibi-Consolidated, Inc., inaugurated the redevelopment of...

LIHI Awards Certification to Two Hydropower Projects.
August 1, 2003... Portland, ME's Low Impact Hydropower Institute (LIHI) recently announced that hydroelectric projects in Beaver River, NY and Black Creek, WA earned LIHI's low impact hydropower facility certification, which is designed to help consumers...

SEC Surveys Presidential Candidates on Renewable Energy.
August 1, 2003... The Sustainable Energy Coalition (SEC) recently announced it has sent a 30-question survey "on a cross-section of energy policy issues" to the campaigns of President Bush and the nine major candidates for the democratic party's presidential...

LADWP to Install PV Systems at Five Libraries.
August 4, 2003... The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) recently announced it will install photovoltaic (PV) solar electric systems at five branch libraries over the next two years. Officials said the PV facilities at the Ascot, Canoga Park,...

Spire Sells Two SPI-Laminators to Global Solar.
August 4, 2003... Bedford, MA-based Spire Corporation recently announced it has sold two SPI-Laminator 460 machines to Unisource Energy subsidiary Global Solar Energy for use in manufacturing "the company's expanding line of new thin-film, flexible [photovoltaic...

MMWP Announces New Wind Turbine.
August 4, 2003... Worcester, MA-based Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc. (MMWP) recently announced it has developed a new high-speed wind turbine design that "reduces cost by over 20 percent" and uses less material than its previous, more costly turbine design for...

Evergreen Solar Reports 2nd-Quarter Financial Results.
August 5, 2003... Marlboro, MA-based Evergreen Solar, Inc., a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of solar power products, recently announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, reporting quarterly product revenues of $2.7...

Largest British Utility Moving into Renewable Energy.
August 5, 2003... Centrica, the U.K.'s largest energy supplier, recently announced plans to invest 500 million pounds (about $805 million) in renewable energy resources during the next five years, with the goal of producing 1,000 megawatts of electricity from...

Irish Government Approves 300-MW Wind Farm.
August 5, 2003... Ireland's Mayo County Council recently approved a proposal made by state-owned peat supplier Bord na Mona and Hibernian Wind Power (HWP), a unit of the country's Electricity Supply Board, to build a 300-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Mayo County....

AWEA Lauds Senate's Passage of RPS.
August 6, 2003... The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) praised last week's passage by the U.S. Senate of the 2002 Senate energy bill, which includes a national renewable energy portfolio standard (RPS) "along with other key policy measures sought by the...

Konarka to Develop Lightweight, Flexible PV for Military.
August 6, 2003... Lowell, MA-based Konarka Technologies, Inc. recently announced the U.S. Army has contracted Konarka to develop photovoltaic (PV) technologies that will provide a source of lightweight, flexible, scalable and renewable power for military...

PADEP Announces Hydro Plant Settlement.
August 6, 2003... The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) and Houston, TX-based Reliant Energy recently announced they have reached a "tentative" settlement regarding Reliant's appeal of a water quality certification at the company's...

Bill Yerkes Joins Solaicx as New CTO.
August 7, 2003... Los Gatos, CA-based Solaicx, a developer and manufacturer of high-efficiency silicon photovoltaic (PV) wafers, recently appointed Bill Yerkes to the position of chief technology officer. Solaicx said Yerkes, who previously founded PV...

Taiwan to Build Wind Farms.
August 7, 2003... In an effort to promote renewable energy, Taiwan's Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA) recently announced plans to partner with private investors for the construction of wind farms in the country. To entice investors, MOEA officials said...

IRN Criticizes ADB's Support of Asian Hydropower Development.
August 7, 2003... Berkeley, CA-based river and watershed conservation group International Rivers Network (IRN) recently criticized the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) newly released report recommending the construction of "a regional power grid in mainland...

Altair Joins Alpha Group.
August 8, 2003... Golden, CO-based renewable energy services firm Altair Energy, Inc. recently announced it has gained membership to the Alpha Group, a global alliance of companies aiming to create "world-class power solutions" for communication, commercial,...

Uni-Solar, GenFlex Introduce New PV Panels.
August 8, 2003... Auburn Hills, MI-based United Solar Ovonic (Uni-Solar) and Maumee, OH-based GenFlex Roofing Systems recently introduced a new photovoltaic (PV) system for low-slope membrane roofs. Officials said the new system combines Uni-Solar's...

CCEnergy to Provide Solar Energy in Sebastopol, CA.
August 8, 2003... Sebastopol, CA-based Cooperative Community Energy (CCEnergy), a solar equipment buyers' cooperative, recently announced it will soon launch a municipal campaign to install one megawatt of solar energy capacity -- enough to power 1,000 homes --...

MN Co-op to Develop 100 MW of Wind Energy.
August 11, 2003... Elk River, MN-based Great River Energy, a nonprofit generation and transmission cooperative, recently announced it will begin contract negotiations with Trimont Area Wind Farm to develop its next 100 megawatts (MW) of wind energy in...

CEC Assesses Salton Sea Geothermal Power Project.
August 11, 2003... The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently announced the release of part one of its final staff assessment for the Salton Sea Unit 6 geothermal power project, which CE Obsidian Energy is proposing to build on an 80-acre site located north...

Capstone Appoints New Advisory Board Chair.
August 11, 2003... Sardis, British Columbia-based Capstone International Corporation (CITC) recently announced it has appointed inventor Alvin Snaper, a "leader in the international market for green energy power conservation and reduced electricity costs," to...

Enrollment Rates High for Renewable Energy Program.
August 12, 2003... The City of Palo Alto Utilities (CPAU) in California recently announced that its PaloAltoGreen voluntary renewable energy program achieved "one of the fastest community enrollment rates in the country compared to similar programs." CPAU...

EPV Wins $500,000 Grant for Research and Development.
August 12, 2003... Lawrenceville, NJ-based Energy Photovoltaics, Inc. (EPV) recently announced it was awarded a $500,000 grant through the state of New Jersey's Clean Energy Program for a one-year project to improve the product performance of EPV's thin-film...

Model House Allows for Experimentation With Renewables.
August 12, 2003... Newport, RI-based Thames and Kosmos, a leading publisher and producer of educational programs and science kits, recently announced the availability of "Power House," a model house kit designed to provide an introduction to renewable energy...

ND College to Harness Wind Energy.
August 13, 2003... Turtle Mountain Community College (TMCC) in Belcourt, ND recently announced plans to install a Vestas V-47 660-kilowatt wind turbine to power the college's sole building. As the building is currently heated and cooled by geothermal energy,...

Private TN Home Sells Back Electricity to Utility.
August 13, 2003... The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), an energy utility providing service in seven states, recently announced that a private home near Knoxville, TN will be the first to sell electricity back to TVA under the "Generation Partners" program,...

Local Irish Church to Generate Power From Wind Turbine.
August 13, 2003... Local officials in West Belfast, Ireland recently reported that construction has begun on what is believed to be the country's first wind-powered church in the city of Poleglass. According to officials, the project entails the installation...

NY Assemblyman Seeks Audit of Niagara Hydro Plant Data.
August 14, 2003... New York State assemblyman Brian Higgins, whose district is home to the Niagara Power Project hydroelectric plant, recently demanded an audit by the state comptroller of how much energy the plant generates and where that power goes. ...

Noted Historian Raises Objections to Cape Wind Project.
August 14, 2003... Local officials in Cape Cod, MA recently reported that Pulitzer Prize-winning historian David McCullough has become the latest celebrity to voice objection to the oft-debated offshore wind farm project proposed for development in Nantucket...

Malaysian Minister Touts Renewable Energy Program.
August 14, 2003... Malaysia's energy, communications and multimedia minister Datuk Amar Leo Moggie recently praised participants in the government's Small Renewable Energy Program (SREP) while attending a signing ceremony for an SREP plant project between utility...

NM Regulators Approve 'PNM Sky Blue' Program.
August 15, 2003... Albuquerque, NM-based PNM Resources utility subsidiary PNM recently announced that the New Mexico State Public Regulation Commission has approved the "PNM Sky Blue" program, which will offer electric customers the opportunity to purchase...

RSS, Prevalent Power Contracted for CA PV Project.
August 15, 2003... RWE SCHOTT Solar, Inc. (RSS) recently announced it has contracted with Novato, CA-based clean energy developer and systems integrator Prevalent Power, Inc. to provide a flat-roof photovoltaic (PV) system for Marin County, CA's General Services...

Uni-Solar Appoints New VP of International Sales.
August 15, 2003... United Solar Ovonic (Uni-Solar) recently announced the appointment of former AstroPower vice president of international business Salama Nagulb as the company's new vice president of international sales. In his new position, Uni-Solar said...

Fluor Unit to Help Construct Mexican Hydro Project.
August 18, 2003... Fluor Corporation recently announced that AMECO, its construction support and fleet outsourcing unit, has been awarded a contract to support the construction of the 750-megawatt El Cajon hydroelectric project near Tepic, Nayarit in Mexico. ...

DOE to Award $17.3 Million for Energy-saving Projects.
August 18, 2003... Department of Energy (DOE) secretary Spencer Abraham announced last week that the DOE will provide $17.3 million, through the department's State Energy Program Special Projects competitive grants, "for 187 energy efficiency and renewable energy...

RCE Educator Advocates Renewable Energy.
August 18, 2003... Longmont, CO-based Renewable Choice Energy (RCE) recently conducted a demonstration involving the dumping of one ton of coal in the middle of a Newport, RI shopping center in an effort to focus attention on alternative energy sources. "You...

Organizations End Lawsuit over 'ACRE' Acronym.
August 19, 2003... The National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), its Action Committee for Rural Electrification (ACRE) and the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) recently announced they have resolved ongoing litigation over the "ACRE"...

We Energies Issues RFP for 25 MWs of Biomass Generation.
August 19, 2003... Milwaukee, WI-based We Energies, the trade name of Wisconsin Electric Power Company and Wisconsin Gas Company, recently announced it has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 25 megawatts of electricity from biomass beginning as early...

$90-Million Expansion Planned for NZ Geothermal Plant.
August 19, 2003... Tuaropaki Power Company recently announced it has reached a financing agreement with ANZ Banking Group, Ltd. for the $90-million expansion of Tuaropaki's 60-megawatt (MW) Mokai I geothermal power plant located on New Zealand's North Island. ...

Dermond Expands Market Area for WindStor System.
August 20, 2003... McKenzie Bay International, Ltd. recently announced that its subsidiary Dermond, Inc. has expanded the market area for its WindStor product, "a renewable, wind-powered electricity generation and storage system," to include Europe and the Far...

GenSelf Installs 44.5-KW Residential Solar Power System.
August 20, 2003... Irvine, CA-based GenSelf Corporation, a retailer of solar electric power systems, recently announced it has installed "the largest rooftop residential solar electric power system in the United States," a 44.5-kilowatt (KW), grid-tied system...

London Green Party Advocates Solar Power Use.
August 20, 2003... London, England's Green Party recently advocated the use of solar energy to combat global warming and suggested the installation of photovoltaic panels on all newly constructed buildings in the capital city. Green Party leader Darren...

Evergreen Solar Featured on Cable TV Alternative Energy Report.
August 21, 2003... Marlboro, MA-based Evergreen Solar, Inc., a manufacturer of photovoltaic products, recently appeared on a report on alternative energy on CNBC-TV's "Squawk Box" and "Power Lunch" programs. Officials said CNBC staff visited the company's...

Webcom to Host Onsite Power Conference in CA.
August 21, 2003... Webcom Communications Corporation will host "Onsite Power 2003: Onsite Power for Mission-Critical Equipment and Facilities," a two-day symposium focused on "the latest advancements and capabilities in onsite power for distributed, remote and...

Environmentalists Fear Blackout Will Result in More Power Plants.
August 21, 2003... In response to last week's massive blackout in the eastern U.S. and Canada, environmentalists expressed concern about politicians and business groups gaining support to build new power plants and transmission lines. "Building more plants...

Wind Farm Manager Offers Discount to VT Utility.
August 22, 2003... During a recent trustee meeting for the Lyndonville Electric Department (LED) in Lyndonville, VT, East Haven Windfarm manager Mathew Rubin offered the utility a five-percent discount on the current five-cent per kilowatt-hour wholesale cost of...

AWEA Advocates Extension of Wind Production Tax Credit.
August 22, 2003... The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently maintained that wind energy market growth will "be strongly influenced" by whether Congress extends the wind production tax credit (PTC) scheduled to expire December 31. According to...

NHA Touts Ability of Hydro to Meet Power Needs During Blackout.
August 22, 2003... The National Hydropower Association (NHA) recently reiterated what it views as "the importance of hydropower to our nation's electricity system" in light of hydropower facilities being "the first to be put into service to initiate grid...

Cape Wind Wins Federal District Court Case.
August 25, 2003... Cape Wind Associates, the organization behind the hotly contested offshore wind farm project in Nantucket Sound, recently announced that U.S. district court judge Joseph Tauro has rejected an appeal by opponents to the project "that had...

Anemometer Loan Program Accepting Applications.
August 25, 2003... The University of North Dakota (UND) Energy & Environmental Research Center (EERC) recently announced that the North Dakota Anemometer Loan Program, "established to promote regional economic development by increasing wind energy development in...

SolarMission to Commercialize Technology in U.S.
August 25, 2003... Westlake Village, CA-based SolarMission Technologies, Inc. (formerly Energen Global, Inc.) recently announced plans to "expand development of Solar Tower technology into the U.S." Previously, the company said it granted an exclusive license...

Magnetek Signs JDA With Clipper Windpower.
August 26, 2003... Los Angeles, CA-based Magnetek, Inc., a leading manufacturer of power conditioners for commercial fuel cells, recently announced it has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with Clipper Windpower, Inc., under which Magnetek will provide...

SunWize Installs Grid-tied PV System at Joshua Tree.
August 26, 2003... Kingston, NY-based SunWize Technologies recently announced it has installed a 64.6-kilowatt, grid-tied solar electric system at the maintenance facilities for Joshua Tree National Park in Twentynine Palms, CA. According to SunWize, the...

GE Wind Energy, Airtricity Begin Wind Farm Construction.
August 26, 2003... GE Wind Energy and Airtricity recently announced that construction has begun on their co-developed 25-megawatt (MW) offshore wind power project in Arklow, Ireland. "We're confident that the Arklow Bank wind project will provide a showcase...

Universal Communication Systems Purchases Millennium Electric TOU.
August 27, 2003... Miami, FL-based Universal Communication Systems, Inc. (UCS) recently announced it has signed and executed the definitive agreement for the purchase of Tel Aviv, Israel-based Millennium Electric TOU, Ltd., a manufacturer of solar electric...

Taiwan Earmarks 3 Billion New Taiwan Dollars for Renewable Energy.
August 27, 2003... Officials with Taiwan's Committee for the Establishment of a Nuclear Free Home recently announced that the government has earmarked 3 billion new Taiwan dollars (about $88.3 million U.S.) for the research and development of renewable energy...

Scottish Survey Reveals Local Support for Renewables.
August 27, 2003... Government officials in Scotland recently reported that a survey conducted by market research company MORI Scotland has revealed that 82 percent of those living within 13 miles of the country's 10 largest wind farms support an increase in...

PADEP Announces Availability of Small Wind Energy Guide.
August 27, 2003... The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) recently announced the availability of a new guide, titled "Small Wind Electric Systems -- A Pennsylvania Consumer's Guide," which contains "basic information about using small...

U.S. Navy to Test Wave Power System.
August 28, 2003... The U.S. Navy recently announced plans to begin a pilot program this fall that uses underwater buoys and ocean movement to generate electricity. The program, to be conducted at Kane'ohe Marine Base in Hawaii, will feature five PowerBuoys,...

NWP Installs First Turbine at North Hoyle Wind Farm.
August 28, 2003... United Kingdom-based National Wind Power (NWP) recently announced it has installed the first turbine at its 60-megawatt North Hoyle offshore wind farm located off the coast of Prestatyn, North Wales. According to NWP, the wind farm, which...

London Mayor Approves Ecotricity Wind Park Scheme.
August 28, 2003... U.K. "green" energy supplier Ecotricity recently announced that London, England mayor Ken Livingstone has granted final approval for the company to proceed with the development of a new wind farm at Ford Motor Company's local Dagenham plant....

Caprock to Build 80-MW Wind Farm in New Mexico.
August 29, 2003... Caprock Wind recently announced plans to install an 80-megawatt (MW) wind farm on private land near Tucumcari, NM within the next year. Minneapolis-based Xcel Energy has agreed to purchase all the electricity generated from the 60- to...

APS Nears Completion of Stone Forest Biomass Project.
August 29, 2003... The Arizona Public Service Company, Inc. (APS) recently announced that the $4-million Stone Forest Biomass Project, a plant located in Eagar, AZ that "will consume approximately 96 tons of forested wood each day and...produce three megawatts of...

Winergy Proposes Wind Farm Near VA's Eastern Shore.
August 29, 2003... Shirley, NY-based Winergy recently announced it has completed the first public hearing about its proposal to build a 150-turbine, 580-megawatt offshore wind farm in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Virginia's Eastern Shore. According to...