Renewable Energy Today articles from August 2005

Renewable Energy Today archives from August 2005

House, Senate Approve Energy Policy Act of 2005.
August 1, 2005... The U.S. Senate approved Friday afternoon, by a vote of 74 to 26, the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The House of Representatives passed the legislation on Thursday by a vote of 275 to 156. The House Committee on Energy and Commerce noted that...

John Deere Invests in Rural U.S. Wind Energy Projects.
August 1, 2005... Deere & Company recently announced it has made equity investments in several wind energy projects in Minnesota and Texas, and has created a business unit to provide project development, debt financing and other services to those interested in...

California Apartment Complex to Employ Xantrex Solar Inverters.
August 1, 2005... Xantrex Technology, Inc. recently reported that a 120-unit apartment complex in San Marcos, CA will use 90 of the company's GT 3.0 solar inverters as part of a photovoltaic (PV) system being installed at the complex by Carlson Solar Electric,...

GE Energy Named Turbine Supplier for Alberta Wind Project.
August 1, 2005... GE Energy recently announced it will supply the Soderglen Wind Project in Alberta, Canada with 47 1.5-megawatt wind turbines. According to GE Energy, the 70.5-megawatt project is scheduled to begin construction this fall, with completion...

Konarka Appoints New Materials and Engineering VP.
August 1, 2005... Konarka Technologies, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Stuart Spitzer as the company's new vice president of materials and engineering. According to Konarka, Spitzer, who has more than 37 years of semiconductor research and...

New Chinese Wave Power Generator Proves Resistant to Typhoons.
August 1, 2005... Xinhua recently reported that a team of researchers from the Chinese Academy of Sciences' Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion has developed an experimental six-kilowatt wave power electricity generator in Guangdong Province. According...

Green Power EMC Tests Potential of Wind Energy in Georgia.
August 2, 2005... Green Power EMC, a collaborative of 17 of Georgia's customer-owned electric cooperatives, recently announced the installation of a test facility that will measure wind generation potential in the state. According to Green Power EMC, the...

SSE to Develop New Hydropower Station in Scotland.
August 2, 2005... Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) recently announced it will proceed with the development of a large-scale hydroelectric power station, to be constructed underground at Glendoe near the south east corner of Loch Ness. According to SSE,...

NZ Green Party Unveils Renewable Transport Plan for Wellington.
August 2, 2005... New Zealand's Green Party recently unveiled its new transportation plan for the city of Wellington, which promotes such initiatives as "Ride the Wind," a public transport system powered by wind and renewable energy. "Just two wind turbines...

OEB Approves Application to Connect Wind Farm to GLPL.
August 2, 2005... The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) recently granted Superior Wind Prince Power, Inc. leave to construct transmission facilities which will connect a 99-megawatt wind farm to the transmission system of Great Lakes Power, Ltd. (GLPL). According...

Groups Voice Opposition to Ohio Hydro Initiative.
August 3, 2005... Local Ohio newspaper The Akron Beacon Journal recently reported that a number of groups spoke out against Fairlawn, OH-based Metro Hydroelectric Company's planned development of a new hydropower plant along the Cuyahoga River during two public...

U.K. Launches Consultation on Regulating Offshore Wind.
August 3, 2005... The U.K.'s Office of the Gas and Electricity Markets (Ofgem) and Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently announced that energy minister Malcom Wicks has launched a consultation on regulations co-established by Ofgem and DTI for the...

Korean Researchers Develop New Flexible Solar Cell.
August 3, 2005... The Korea Times recently reported that the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) has developed a new "flexible dye-sensitized solar cell." According to the newspaper, the cost of manufacturing the new cell, which...

Boralex Signs Financing Agreement, Acquires Plouguin Site.
August 3, 2005... Boralex, Inc. recently announced it has entered into a 190-million euro (about $231-million) master credit agreement to develop wind power projects in France over the next three years. According to Boralex, the agreement coincides with the...

Portugal Unveils Major Plans for Wind Power.
August 3, 2005... Reuters recently reported that Portugal's government plans to award licenses within the next six months for the construction of enough wind farms to generate 1,700 megawatts (MW) of electricity. According to Reuters, the wind project is...

Korean Investors to Commit 1 Trillion Won to Renewables.
August 4, 2005... The Korea Herald recently reported that the Korean government and nine state-run utility companies have agreed to invest over 1 trillion won (about $983 million) in a renewable energy research and development effort. According to the...

REH to Purchase Two German Wind Companies.
August 4, 2005... Dow Jones recently reported that Renewable Energy Holdings (REH) has agreed to purchase two companies that have been established to build wind farms in Germany. According to Dow Jones, REH will purchase Windpark Kesfeld-Heckuscheid GMBH &...

Webcom to Host Remote Monitoring, Onsite Power Conferences.
August 4, 2005... Webcom Communications will host two conferences -- "Remote Monitoring 2005" and "Onsite Power 2005" -- October 6 and 7 at the Peabody Orlando Hotel in Orlando, FL. The former will focus on the leading advancements for the monitoring and...

RNP Reports Participation Increase in NW Renewables Programs.
August 4, 2005... The Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) recently released a new report, titled "Power Choices V," which indicates that utility customers purchasing "green power" in the Northwest has increased by 40 percent from 2003 to 2004. According to...

MN Urges Xcel to Increase Renewables Investments.
August 5, 2005... The Minnesota Department of Commerce recommended earlier this week that Xcel Energy increase its renewable energy and energy efficiency investments, following a departmental review of a recent Xcel resource plan proposal. According to the...

WC Landfill Energy Plans New Methane-to-Electric Project.
August 5, 2005... South Jersey Industries (SJI) recently reported that WC Landfill Energy, LLC has announced plans for a 3.8-megawatt methane-to-electric power generation system at the Pollution Control Financing Authority of Warren County (PCFAWC) landfill in...

Canadian Hydro Commences Operations at Upper Mamquam.
August 5, 2005... Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc. recently announced that commercial operations have begun at the 25-megawatt Upper Mamquam hydroelectric plant near Squamish, British Columbia. According to Canadian Hydro, all electricity and renewable energy...

Fat Spaniel Technologies Announces Acquisition of VAEIS.
August 5, 2005... San Jose, CA-based Fat Spaniel Technologies, Inc., a leading provider of real-time energy data and performance monitoring solutions, recently announced it has acquired Arlington, MA-based Value Added Energy Information Systems, Inc. (VAEIS)....

US Geothermal, Ormat Sign LOI for Idaho Power Project.
August 5, 2005... U.S. Geothermal, Inc. recently announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Ormat Technologies, Inc. subsidiary Ormat Nevada, Inc. to supply equipment for the construction of its phase one 13-megawatt geothermal power project at Raft...

Weekly Update.
August 5, 2005... ISES 2005 SOLAR WORLD CONGRESS: BRINGING WATER TO THE WORLD, August 6-12, 2005, Rosen Centre Hotel, Orlando, FL ENERGY 2005, August 12-17, 2005, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA AUSWIND 2005, August 16-18, 2005, Manly...

Interface Investments Fund Wind, Solar Projects.
August 8, 2005... Interface, Inc. recently announced its contributions to a green power initiative that will fund new solar projects in Maine. The company also announced that its purchase of 30,000 megawatt-hours of Green-e certified renewable energy credits...

WorldWater & Power Names New Executive VP, COO.
August 8, 2005... Solar electric engineering and water management company WorldWater & Power Corporation recently announced the promotion of vice president and chief financial officer (CFO) James Brown to the position of executive vice president and chief...

Vestas Receives Turbine Order for Portuguese Wind Project.
August 8, 2005... Vestas Portugal recently announced it has been awarded a contract by Empreendimentos Eolicos da Espiga, S.A., A company owned by Empreendimentos Eolicos do Vale do Minho, S.A. (EEVM), SIIF Energies (Portugal), Lda and Finerge (Gestao de...

Telvent Develops Control System for Seville Solar Plants.
August 8, 2005... Telvent GIT S.A. recently announced that it will supply control technology for three new solar power plants currently under construction in Seville by Abengoa subsidiary Solucar Energia. Telvent said it will manage the control and...

Pacific Gas and Electric Issues RFO for Renewable Energy.
August 9, 2005... Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently issued a request for offers (RFO) to solicit renewable energy on behalf of its electric customers. PG&E said the renewable energy projects may be proposed in the form of power purchase...

Solargenix to Build New Solar Thermal Power Plant in Southern NV.
August 9, 2005... The Nevada Development Authority (NDA) recently announced that Solargenix Energy, LLC will locate its new 65-megawatt solar thermal power plant, scheduled for completion by 2007, in southern Nevada. According to NDA, the plant is expected...

LIPA, FPL Obtain Local Support for Offshore Wind Project.
August 9, 2005... Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) and FPL Energy recently announced that local governments and businesses have pledged their support for the development of a 140-megawatt (MW) offshore wind project. According to LIPA and FPL, the aim of...

DynaMotive Appoints New Chief Operating Officer.
August 9, 2005... Vancouver, British Columbia-based DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation, a company focused on the development of energy solutions based on its fast pyrolysis system, recently announced the appointment of Paul Hughes as its new chief operating...

Japanese Ministry to Fund Wind Energy Expansion.
August 9, 2005... United Press International (UPI) recently reported that a recent article in the Japanese daily Asahi Shimbun reveals that Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will start providing funds in 2006 to support expansion of the country's...

President Bush Signs Energy Bill Into Law.
August 10, 2005... U.S. President George Bush signed into law on Monday the Energy Policy Act of 2005, comprehensive legislation designed to encourage energy efficiency and conservation, promote alternative and renewable energy sources, reduce U.S. dependence on...

GreenShift Completes Investment in Sterling Planet.
August 10, 2005... GreenShift Corporation recently announced the completion of its investment in renewable energy credit (REC) sourcing and sale company Sterling Planet, Inc. Under the agreement, GreenShift is purchasing $500,000 in eight-percent convertible...

Sierra Pacific, Nevada Power Accepting Solar Program Apps.
August 10, 2005... Sierra Pacific Power and Nevada Power Company recently announced they are accepting applications for the third year of the statewide SolarGenerations program, which offers a rebate of $3 per watt to customers who install and use photovoltaic...

Orion Energy Seeks Approval for New Wind Project in OR.
August 10, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that California's Orion Energy has filed a notice of intent with the Oregon Department of Energy for the construction of a new 450-megawatt wind project in Sherman County, OR. AP noted that Orion...

Sustainable Energy, Chinese Group to Collaborate on Wind Power.
August 10, 2005... Sustainable Energy Technologies, Ltd. recently announced it has agreed to collaborate with a Chinese group to advance the development and commercialization of Darrieus type wind turbines for use in China and other international markets. ...

Washington Governor Approves Wild Horse Wind Project.
August 11, 2005... The Renewable Northwest Project (RNP) recently announced that Washington governor Christine Gregoire has granted final approval to the 230-megawatt Wild Horse wind power project in Kittitas County, WA. According to RNP, Zilkha Renewable...

Canada's ECP Certifies West Lorne BioOil Plant Output.
August 11, 2005... DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation recently announced that the Canadian government's Environmental Choice Program (ECP) has certified that the electricity produced at the West Lorne BioOil Cogeneration plant conforms to the Renewable...

MA Maritime Academy to Build Wind Turbine on Campus.
August 11, 2005... The Cape Cod Times recently reported that the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) has signed a contract with Jay Cashman, Inc. of Quincy, MA to build a 660-kilowatt wind turbine on MMA's Buzzard's Bay, MA campus. According to the Cape Cod...

Glens of Foundland Wind Project Begins Generating Power.
August 11, 2005... The Scotsman recently reported that the 20-turbine Glens of Foundland wind farm in Aberdeenshire, Scotland has commenced operations. Centrica Energy power generation and renewables director Alan Bennett said the onshore wind project, the...

Infocast to Host Renewables Finance Conference in MA.
August 11, 2005... Infocast will host Renewables Finance 2005, an opportunity to "meet the industry leaders in renewable finance, learn the current state-of-the-art in renewables finance structures, develop creative financing solutions and get renewables done,"...

US Geothermal Completes Purchase of Primary Raft River Property.
August 12, 2005... US Geothermal recently announced that it has made the final payment of $125,000 for the remaining 25 percent of a 560-acre property, which contains five geothermal production wells and two injection wells that form the core of the Raft River...

SCE, Stirling Announce New Solar Energy Project.
August 12, 2005... Edison International's subsidiary Southern California Edison (SCE) and Stirling Energy Systems recently announced a 20-year purchase power agreement that could potentially result in construction of a 4,500-acre solar generating station in...

SEIA to Host Solar Power Conference & Expo in DC.
August 12, 2005... The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) will host the Solar Power 2005 Conference & Expo, the theme of which is "Strategies for U.S. Market Growth," October 5 through 9 at the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. On...

Rural Nebraskans Voice Support for Alternative Energy Sources.
August 12, 2005... The University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) recently released the results of its 2005 Nebraska Rural Poll, which reveal that 90 percent of respondents agree that the government should encourage use of renewable energy sources. According to...

Weekly Update.
August 12, 2005... ENERGY 2005, August 12-17, 2005, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA AUSWIND 2005, August 16-18, 2005, Manly Pacific Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales INTERNATIONAL ENERGY PROGRAM EVALUATION CONFERENCE, August 17-19, 2005, New...

MMGW Supplies Equipment to Support Wind Feasibility Study.
August 15, 2005... Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc. (MMGW) recently announced it has begun sending test equipment to an island near San Salvador Island in the West Indies for determining the feasibility of wind-diesel power plant applications. According to...

NGP Acquires New Geothermal Project at Oregon Geyser.
August 15, 2005... Nevada Geothermal Power, Inc. recently announced it has acquired geothermal leases on 6,500 acres of private land covering the Crump Geyser and a hot spring system in southern Oregon. According to NGP, the company has free access on the...

FedEx Unveils Solar Installation at Oakland International.
August 15, 2005... FedEx recently activated a 904-kilowatt solar power installation, which covers nearly 81,000 square feet of roof, at its hub at Oakland International Airport. According to FedEx, the installation, which was designed and built by Berkeley,...

Orlando Elementary School Receives New Solar Power System.
August 15, 2005... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced the donation to the Orlo Vista Elementary School in Orlando, FL of a new 1.1-kilowatt solar power system -- the first of eight renewable energy projects to be installed around the...

Ulteig Engineers, Inc.
August 15, 2005... Fargo, ND-based Ulteig Engineers, Inc., a leader in electric utilities engineering, provides innovative services for a wide range of public and private clients. The company, founded in 1944 by Melvin Ulteig during the expansion of rural...

Utility Regulators Vote to Increase AZ Renewables Mandate.
August 16, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the Arizona Corporation Commission approved last week, by a vote of 4-1, a motion to raise the required amount of renewable energy resources used by state utilities from one percent to 15 percent...

CHA to Host Hydropower Forum in Quebec.
August 16, 2005... The Canadian Hydropower Association (CHA) will host "Forum on Hydropower 2005: Sustainability in Practice -- Planning, Building and Operating Hydropower Projects," October 27 and 28 at the Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec. The forum...

Air Force Awards Follow-on Contract to Uni-Solar.
August 16, 2005... United Solar Ovonic Corporation (Uni-Solar) recently announced that the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Kirtland Air Force Base, NM has awarded the company a $6.7-million, 18-month contract to continue the development of its...

NV Board of Examiners Approves Biomass Plant at State Prison.
August 16, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Nevada's Board of Examiners has granted approval to APS Energy Services for the construction of a wood chip-fired power system at the Northern Nevada Correctional Center. According to AP,...

Encore, ThermaSource Sign LOI for Geothermal Development.
August 17, 2005... Encore Clean Energy, Inc. recently announced it has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with ThermaSource, Inc. for the formation of a new joint geothermal energy development company that will design, build, own and operate "micro-geothermal" in...

The Holland to Meet Restaurant Power Needs With Wind.
August 17, 2005... The Holland, Inc. recently announced its commitment to use wind power produced in the Pacific Northwest to provide 100 percent of the electricity needs of all of its Burgerville and Noodlin' restaurants throughout northwest Oregon and southwest...

Clean Power Income Fund Reports 2nd-quarter Financial Results.
August 17, 2005... Toronto, Ontario-based Clean Power Income Fund recently announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, reporting a quarterly net income of $1.3 million Canadian (about $1.1 million U.S.), or four cents per share, compared...

Iberdrola Selects Efacec for Wind Farm Transformer.
August 17, 2005... Spanish electric utility Iberdrola recently announced it has selected Portuguese power generation equipment supplier Efacec to install a 55-megavolt ampere (MVA) transformer at its Tarayuela wind farm in Spain's Soria province. Iberdrola...

DOE Describes Research Needed to Improve Solar Technologies.
August 17, 2005... The Department of Energy's (DOE) Office of Science released a report late last week that describes the basic research needed to produce "revolutionary progress in bringing solar energy to its full potential in the energy marketplace." ...

Plutonic Power Submits WPDP for Rainy River Hydro Project.
August 18, 2005... Plutonic Power Corporation recently announced that Land and Water British Columbia (LWBC) has accepted a water power development plan Application (WPDP) for the Rainy River Project, located near Gibson's in How Sound, British Columbia. ...

GT Equipment Signs $33-million Contract With China's LDK Solar.
August 18, 2005... GT Equipment Technologies, Inc. recently announced it has entered into a $33-million agreement with Jiangxi, China-based LDK Solar Hi-Tech Company, Ltd. to create a nearly 75-megawatt wafer fabrication turnkey line for solar energy...

PG&E Selects CA Schools for Solar Installations, Grants.
August 18, 2005... Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) recently announced the first 10 schools selected to receive installation of a one-kilowatt solar generation system, as well as the first 10 schools chosen to receive $5,000 "Bright Ideas" grants for their...

Winona County, MN Commits to Study of Wind Turbine Project.
August 18, 2005... Local Minnesota newspaper The Winona Daily News recently reported that Winona County commissioners have voted to commit nearly $50,000 to a wind energy project background study, as well as seek state grant funds for a $2.1-million wind turbine....

ESG to Convert Waste Gas to Fuel for Tennessee Town.
August 19, 2005... Energy Systems Group, LLC recently announced it has signed an agreement with Johnson City, TN, to develop a landfill gas recovery project that will convert waste methane gas produced at the city's Iris Glen landfill into usable, alternative...

Intertribal COUP Acquires Majority Interest in NativeEnergy.
August 19, 2005... Nonprofit, Native American organization the Intertribal Council on Utility Policy (COUP) recently acquired a majority interest in renewable energy credits (RECs) marketer NativeEnergy. According to the council, the equity investment will...

Researchers Develop Technique to Use 'Dirty' Silicon.
August 19, 2005... The University of California, Berkeley recently announced that a research team led by UC Berkeley engineers has developed a new technique to handle metal defects in low-grade silicon, an advance the university said could "dramatically" reduce...

Belgium Revokes Wind Power Project Permit.
August 19, 2005... Expatica, a news and information site for expatriates in Belgium, recently reported that Belgian newspaper De Tijd has revealed that Belgium's government has revoked a permit for a wind park planned off the Belgian coast at Knokke. ...

Purdue Unveils Plans for New Energy Center.
August 19, 2005... Purdue University president Martin Jischke and Indiana lieutenant governor Becky Skillman helped unveil a new Energy Center earlier this week during the Indiana State Fair. According to Purdue, the new center will focus on research to...

Weekly Update.
August 19, 2005... 6TH EUROPEAN WAVE AND TIDAL ENERGY CONFERENCE, August 29 - September 2, 2005, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland 6TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON DISTRIBUTED ENERGY RESOURCES, September 7-9, 2005, Westin Santa Clara, Santa...

CO Governor's OEMC, SIEA Evaluate Local Wind Resources.
August 22, 2005... Colorado governor Bill Owens' Office of Energy Management and Conservation (OEMC) and the San Isabel Electric Association, Inc. (SIEA) recently announced the raising of a 50-meter wind anemometer tower in Huerfano County, CO as part of OEMC's...

PA Township Inaugurates New Five-kW Solar Project.
August 22, 2005... The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) recently inaugurated a new five-kilowatt (kW) solar panel installed atop the salt shed building located at the rear of the Indiana Township Municipal Plaza in Allegheny County, PA....

Enbridge, Suncor, EHN Partner on Chin Chute Wind Project.
August 22, 2005... Enbridge, Inc. recently announced it has joined with Suncor Energy Products, Inc. and EHN Wind Power Canada, Inc. to build a 30-megawatt wind power plant west of Taber in southern Alberta. According to Enbridge, the company will pay...

DayStar Awarded NYSERDA Funds to Reduce Solar Cell Costs.
August 22, 2005... DayStar Technologies, Inc. recently announced it has been awarded $250,000 by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to develop energy-efficient processes for the manufacture of solar cells, with the goal of...

Hyatt Hotels in Dallas Purchase Green Mountain Renewables.
August 23, 2005... Green Mountain Energy Company recently announced it is providing a new 100-percent renewable electricity product for both the Hyatt Regency Dallas at Reunion and the Hyatt Regency DFW International Airport. According to Green Mountain, the...

NSPI to Purchase Power From New Canadian Wind Farm.
August 23, 2005... Nova Scotia Power (NSPI) recently announced it has signed an agreement to purchase renewable energy from the 31-megawatt Amherst Wind Energy Project, a joint venture between Wind Dynamics, Inc. and wind developer EHN, to be located at the...

Energy Northwest Proposes New Wind Project in WA.
August 23, 2005... Local Washington newspaper the Spokesman-Review recently reported that Energy Northwest has proposed the development of 30 wind turbines on a ridge south of Reardan, WA. According to the Spokesman-Review, the turbines would generate...

GE Observes Photovoltaic Effect of New Nanotube Device.
August 23, 2005... GE Global Research recently announced that a GE research team led by Nanotechnology Advanced Technology Program micro- and nano-structures technologies scientist Ji Ung Lee has observed a photovoltaic effect in a newly developed carbon nanotube...

NREL Design Codes Approved for Worldwide Turbine Certification.
August 23, 2005... The Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) recently announced that its FAST and ADAMS wind turbine design codes can now be used worldwide for calculating onshore wind turbine loads and certification. ...

LADWP Board Approves Long-term Renewables Purchases.
August 24, 2005... The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) Board of Comissioners recently approved two long-term purchase agreements for 81,843 megawatt-hours of renewable energy, generated by facilities using landfill gas-to-energy technology,...

MA Wind Power Faces Opposition Over Potential Harm to Wetlands.
August 24, 2005... Local Massachusetts newspaper the North Adams Transcript recently reported that a 20-turbine wind project proposed for the town of Florida, MA faces opposition over the potential harm the project poses to nearby wetlands. According to the...