Renewable Energy Today articles from January 2004

Renewable Energy Today archives from January 2004

London Array to Open New Offshore Wind Farm.
January 5, 2004... London Array, Ltd., a consortium established by Powergen Renewables, Shell Windenergy and CORE, Ltd., recently announced it has been awarded a lease from the Crown Estate wind farm site in the outer Thames Estuary. According to London...

Climate Trust Accelerates Northwest Renewables Funding.
January 5, 2004... The Climate Trust and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced that the Climate Trust of Oregon has accelerated available funding for Pacific Northwest wind energy projects "in a move that significantly reduces...

U.K. Announces Plans for 15 New Wind Farms.
January 5, 2004... The U.K. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently announced plans for the construction of 15 new offshore wind farms in three "strategic" areas of shallow sea -- the Thames Estuary, Greater Wash and the North West. According to DTI,...

New Zealand to Award Carbon Credits for Renewable Projects.
January 5, 2004... The government of New Zealand recently announced plans to award Kyoto Protocol emission units, or carbon credits, for renewable energy projects being developed by Esk Hydro Power and New Zealand Windfarms. According to government officials,...

Aecon Wins Contract to Build Hydroelectric Plant.
January 5, 2004... Aecon Group, Inc. recently announced that its Quebec division, Groupe Aecon Ltee, has received a $108-million contract from the James Bay Energy Corporation to construct a new 480-megawatt (MW) hydroelectric power plant on the Eastmain River in...

Cielo Wind Power Expands Texico Wind Ranch.
January 6, 2004... Cielo Wind Power, LLC, recently announced the addition of two 660-kilowatt (kW) Vestas V47 wind turbines to the Texico Wind Ranch in Curry County, NM. Together, Cielo said the two turbines are expected to generate 1.32 megawatts of...

Marine Sciences Laboratory Purchases Green Power.
January 6, 2004... The Department of Energy (DOE)'s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) recently announced that its Marine Sciences Laboratory in Sequim, WA has begun utilizing "green" electricity generated from a landfill gas-to-energy facility. ...

SaskPower Notes Progress of Green Power Initiative.
January 6, 2004... Regina, Saskatchewan-based utility SaskPower recently announced that its initial call for 15 megawatts (MW) of "environmentally preferred" electrical power generation "has exceeded expectations," with a total of 52 projects from 32 proponents...

AECL Proposes Eight New Nuclear Reactors in Ontario.
January 6, 2004... Industry officials in Canada recently reported that Atomic Energy of Canada, Ltd. (AECL) has introduced a proposal to construct four new pairs of nuclear reactors in Ontario during the next two decades in order to accommodate rising energy...

CODELCO Names PHY as Preferred Bidder of Hydro Projects.
January 6, 2004... Melbourne, Australia-based renewable energy company Pacific Hydro, Ltd. (PHY) recently announced that Chilean state-owned copper company Corporacion Nacional del Cobre de Chile (CODELCO) has named PHY as the preferred bidder for two hydropower...

CT Localities Inaugurate Renewable Energy Commitments.
January 7, 2004... EAD Environmental, LLC recently announced that the city of New Haven, CT and the town of Westport, CT have committed to purchasing renewable energy certificates from small hydropower facilities in New England in an effort to "[support] local...

Solar For Schools Expands to Idaho.
January 7, 2004... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced the installation of a 1.1-kilowatt (kW) solar energy system in a public school in Castleford, ID. According to BEF, the system is the fifth in a series of "Solar for Schools"...

Airtricity, Fluor to Build Thames Wind Farm.
January 7, 2004... Airtricity and joint venture partner Fluor recently announced that they have been awarded a lease from the Crown Estate for the construction and operation of a 500-megawatt (MW) offshore wind farm in Greater Gabbard, U.K. According to the...

Construction Begins on Vietnamese Hydro Project.
January 7, 2004... Industry officials in Vietnam recently reported that Transport Projects Construction Corporation No. 5 has initiated construction of the Da Dang-Dachomo hydropower project in the province of Lam Dong. According to officials, the...

CCEF Issues RFP for Solar PV Projects.
January 7, 2004... The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) for new solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the state. According to CCEF, the fund is interested in projects that create awareness, education and...

OR Ski Resort to Purchase PGE Green Tags.
January 8, 2004... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced that the Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort in Mt. Hood, OR, in partnership with BEF and Portland General Electric (PGE), will purchase enough wind energy to power a "major" chairlift at...

Marubeni to Help Develop Geothermal Plant in Indonesia.
January 8, 2004... Japanese newspaper Nihon Keizai Shimbun recently reported that Tokyo, Japan-based Marubeni Corporation has signed a memorandum with Indonesia's Pertamina and the Philippine National Oil Company to jointly develop geothermal power plants in...

FOE U.K. Releases New Green Energy Tariff Guide.
January 8, 2004... Friends of the Earth (FOE) U.K. recently announced the publication of the "Guide to Green Electricity Tariffs," which "provides information about the different green tariffs on the market, and rates them according to how clearly they benefit...

NFU Praises U.K. Plans to Boost Biomass Industry.
January 8, 2004... The U.K. National Farmers' Union (NFU) recently praised the Department of Trade and Industry's (DTI) introduction of new measures that are expected to help support the development of the biomass industry. According to NFU, the new measures...

CRS Report Reveals Annual Growth in Green Power.
January 8, 2004... The Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) recently announced the release of the 2002 Green-e Verification Report, which reveals "positive growth" in certified renewable energy retail sales, supply and pollution benefits in 2002. According to...

ORMAT Acquires Covanta Energy Geothermal Assets.
January 9, 2004... ORMAT Nevada, Inc. recently announced that its subsidiaries have completed the acquisition of all the geothermal assets of Covanta Energy Corporation. According to ORMAT, the assets include 100-percent ownership of the 52-megawatt (MW)...

EHN to Pursue Renewables Development in South Wales.
January 9, 2004... Navarre, Spain-based EHN, "a group consisting of over 35 companies dedicated to the development, construction and operation of renewable energy sources and to the provision of services to other companies in the field," recently announced plans...

Toshiba, Nissho Iwai Win Vietnamese Hydropower Contract.
January 9, 2004... Toshiba Corporation and Nissho Iwai Corporation recently announced the signing of a contract with Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) for the design, manufacture, installation and commission of hydroelectric power generating equipment in the Dai Ninh...

Framatome ANP, Siemens to Build Nuclear Plant in Finland.
January 9, 2004... Siemens AG recently announced that a consortium led by Framatome ANP, the joint venture of AREVA and Siemens, plans to construct a European pressurized water reactor (EPR) nuclear power plant in Olkiluoto, Finland. According to Siemens,...

TrustPower Connects First New Turbine at NZ Wind Farm.
January 9, 2004... New Zealand's Energy Efficiency Conservation Authority (EECA) recently announced the connection of the first of 55 new wind turbines at TrustPower, Ltd.'s Tararua Wind Farm on the North Island of New Zealand, northeast of the city of Palmerston...

Energy Officials Tout Renewables at WA Forum.
January 13, 2004... The Washington Public Interest Research Group Foundation (WashPIRG) recently reported that "leading energy experts" speaking last week at a forum entitled "Energy for Washington's Economy" delivered a message to state lawmakers that...

Volt to Acquire New York Hydropower Facility.
January 13, 2004... Catheys Valley, CA-based power provider and marketer of alternative energy and financial services Volt, Inc. recently announced it has reached an agreement to purchase all the outstanding shares of the Whittlesey hydroelectric project on the...

Cape Wind Seeks Turbine Manufacturing Site.
January 13, 2004... Industry officials in Rhode Island recently reported that Cape Wind Associates is considering space at the Quonset Davisville Port and Commerce Park as a possible site for the manufacture of wind turbine blades. According to officials,...

WorldWater Wins College PV Contract.
January 13, 2004... WorldWater Corporation recently announced it has been selected as the exclusive supplier of a one-megawatt photovoltaic (PV) system for Cerro Coso College's PV construction project in Ridgecrest, CA. According to WorldWater, it was selected...

PPL Nuclear Facility Sets Generation Record.
January 13, 2004... PPL Corporation recently announced that its Susquehanna nuclear power plant in Luzerne County, PA set an energy generation record last year, producing "more electricity in 2003 than it has in its 20-year history." According to PPL, the...

Local CA School District to Receive Rebate for PV System.
January 14, 2004... RWE SCHOTT Solar, Inc. (RSS) recently announced that the Empire Union School District in Modesto, CA will receive a rebate this month from utility Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) for a 45-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) power generation...

ARCADIS Helps Finalize Development of Landfill Gas Plant.
January 14, 2004... ARCADIS recently announced that its Brazilian subsidiary ARCADIS Logos has helped finalize development of a new 23-megawatt landfill gas energy plant in Sao Paolo, Brazil. According to ARCADIS, the project, co-developed by a joint venture...

Berlin to Host European Conference for Renewable Energy.
January 14, 2004... The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) recently announced that the "European Conference for Renewable Energy -- Intelligent Policy Options" will be held January 19 through 21 at the Berliner Congress Center in Berlin, Germany. ...

Meridian Energy Says Project Aqua Simulation Well Received.
January 14, 2004... New Zealand-based Meridian Energy recently announced that the new "fly-by" simulation of its proposed Project Aqua hydroelectric scheme in the lower Waitaki Valley has received "very positive feedback" from visitors of the Project Aqua...

NEF Asks Presidential Candidates About 'Unconventional' Energy.
January 14, 2004... New Energy Foundation, Inc. (NEF), publisher of the scientific journal Infinite Energy, recently reported that NEF president Eugene Mallove submitted a question to Democratic presidential candidates Senator John Edwards (D-NC), Senator Joseph...

FL Officials Consider 'Green' Requirement for Power Companies.
January 15, 2004... Government officials in Florida recently reported that the state senate committee on communication and public utilities is considering legislation that would require public utilities to provide "green" electricity generated from such renewable...

CBD Sues FPL Group, NEG Micon Over Wind Farm Bird Kills.
January 15, 2004... The Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) recently filed a lawsuit against Florida energy producer FPL Group, Inc. and Danish wind power company NEG Micon A/S, which own or operate nearly half of the approximately 5,400 wind turbines at the...

Pilmaiquen Seeks Partners for Chilean Hydro Project.
January 15, 2004... Business News Americas (BNamericas), "a multilingual news service that covers the most important original stories in 11 different business sectors throughout Latin America and the Caribbean," recently reported that Chilean investment company...

China to Build New Nuclear Plants Along Yangtze.
January 15, 2004... In an effort to ease severe electrical shortages, officials in China recently revealed plans to build four new nuclear power plants in the Yangtze River Delta, which includes Shanghai, by 2010. According to officials, the new plants, slated...

Kuala Lumpur to Launch PV 'Bidding' Program.
January 15, 2004... Local officials in Malaysia recently reported that the government of Kuala Lumpur plans to launch the Malaysian Building Integrated Photovoltaic (PV) project next year, which includes a program that will allow homeowners to bid for reduced-cost...

CEC Approves SatCon PV Power Conversion System.
January 16, 2004... SatCon Technology Corporation recently announced that its PowerGate AE-PV 100-kilowatt (kW) photovoltaic (PV) Power Conversion System (PCS) has been UL-1741 certified, and has received approval from the California Energy Commission (CEC) for...

Bonneville Names New VP of Sales and Marketing.
January 16, 2004... Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced it has appointed former RWE SCHOTT Solar, Inc. executive vice president of sales and marketing Thomas Starrs to the position of vice president of marketing and sales. According...

Sanyo Commissions Solar Installation at CA Office.
January 16, 2004... Sanyo North America Corporation recently announced it has commissioned two new solar installations -- a 150 kilowatt (kW) PowerLight PowerGuard system to be placed atop the company's headquarters in San Diego, CA, and a 50-kW PowerLight...

Western GeoPower Announces Closing of Private Placement.
January 16, 2004... Western GeoPower Corporation recently announced it has closed the balance of a $6.6-million non-brokered private placement previously announced last month. According to Western GeoPower, the proceeds of the placement will be used to...

West Bengal Approves Private Investment in Renewables.
January 16, 2004... Government officials in India recently reported that West Bengal power minister Mrinal Banerjee has announced a decision to allow the private sector to invest in renewable energy generation. According to Banerjee, private companies, which...

Weekly Update.
January 16, 2004... EUROPEAN CONFERENCE FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY: INTELLIGENT POLICY OPTIONS, January 19-21, 2004, Berliner Congress Center, Berlin, Germany HEALTHY LANDSCAPES, THRIVING COMMUNITIES: BIOENERGY & WOOD PRODUCTS CONFERENCE, January 20-22, 2004, Hyatt...

Evergreen Solar Ships 50,000th String Ribbon Solar Panel.
January 20, 2004... Evergreen Solar, Inc. recently announced the company has manufactured and shipped its 50,000th solar panel incorporating its proprietary String Ribbon technology. "This shipment marks another milestone in Evergreen Solar's continued growth...

Plans for Hydroelectric Plant in NV May Be Revived.
January 20, 2004... The Las Vegas Sun recently reported that plans for a hydropower plant near the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area may be revived this year. According to the publication, the proposal was originally stalled in 2001 after U.S....

Ontario Releases Electricity Conservation, Supply Report.
January 20, 2004... The Ontario Clean Air Alliance recently announced the release of a new report from the Electricity Conservation and Supply Task Force, which "provides a blueprint for phasing out Ontario's dirty coal-fired power plants by 2007" through a...

WWF Ranks European Progress on Renewables Implementation.
January 20, 2004... The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) recently announced the release of a new report which indicates that the new European Union (EU) member states "risk losing at least 18 billion euros [(about $22.3 billion)] in investments on renewable electricity...

German Energy Plant Eyes New Waste-to-Energy Plan.
January 20, 2004... Reuters recently reported a new waste-to-energy plan posed by a German power plant chief that would rely on the use of used incontinence pads. According to the news service, the Muellheizwerk Bremen energy plant recently reached an...

Konarka Appoints New Members to Board of Advisors.
January 22, 2004... Konarka Technologies, Inc. recently announced the appointment of two new members to its board of advisors -- University College Dublin professor of nanochemistry Donald Fitzmaurice and CEO of Swiss battery company High Power Lithium (HPL)...

EREC Projects 20-percent Renewable Generation in Europe by 2020.
January 22, 2004... The European Renewable Energy Council (EREC) recently announced the release of a new briefing paper, titled "Renewable Energy Target for Europe -- 20 Percent by 2020," which indicates that the use of renewable energy technologies "could expand...

EC Renewables Campaign Honors STMicroelectronics.
January 22, 2004... STMicroelectronics, "a global leader in developing and delivering semiconductor solutions across the spectrum of microelectronics applications," recently announced it has been awarded the "Best Industrial Renewable Energy Partnership" as part...

SSE Identifies 'Preferred Route' for New Transmission Line.
January 22, 2004... Scottish and Southern Energy plc (SSE) recently announced it has identified its "preferred route" for the new 220-kilometer, 400,000-volt electricity transmission line between the Highlands and the Central Belt of Scotland "which has to be...

Indonesia Considers Plan for New Nuclear Plant.
January 22, 2004... Government officials in Indonesia recently reported that ministry of energy director general of electricity and power consumption Pratomo Yogo has revealed the government's consideration of a proposal to construct a new $9-billion nuclear power...

Durst Organization Makes Record NY Wind Power Purchase.
January 23, 2004... ConEdison Solutions and Community Energy, Inc. recently announced that New York City-based real estate company The Durst Organization has made a record purchase of renewable energy in New York state by buying an annual 10.5 million...

NEI Official Reacts to State of the Union Address.
January 23, 2004... Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) senior vice president of governmental affairs John Kane recently issued a statement in response to the State of the Union address delivered by President Bush earlier this week that urged Congress to pass...

Report Says U.K. Renewables Industry Could Generate Jobs.
January 23, 2004... The U.K. Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently announced the release of a new report, titled "The Renewables Supply Chain Gap Analysis," which estimates that the U.K. renewables industry could potentially sustain between 17,000 to...

Shell Solar, GEOSOL to Build New Solar Station in Germany.
January 23, 2004... Shell Solar and Gesellschaft fur Solarenergie (GEOSOL) recently announced plans to construct a new solar power station near Espenhain, Germany. According to the companies, the new facility will comprise approximately 33,500 photovoltaic...

Western GeoPower Appoints New Director.
January 23, 2004... Western GeoPower Corporation recently announced that Quest Capital Corporation senior vice president Robert Pollock has been appointed as a new director of the company. According to Western GeoPower, Pollock "brings with him over 10 years...

Weekly Update.
January 23, 2004... NYSERDA 5TH ANNUAL INNOVATIONS IN AGRICULTURE CONFERENCE, January 28-29, 2004, New York State Fairgrounds, Syracuse, NY AUTOMOTIVE ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGIES, February 18-19, 2004, The Grand, Amsterdam POWER-GEN RENEWABLE ENERGY:...

Green Mountain Named Provider for New FPL Program.
January 26, 2004... Green Mountain Energy Company recently announced it has been chosen as the renewable power supplier and marketer for Florida Power & Light Company's (FPL) new green pricing program. According to Green Mountain, the two companies plan to...

Investors Negotiate Israeli 'Energy Tower' Project.
January 26, 2004... Israeli officials recently reported that Ministry of National Infrastructures chief scientist Michael Beit has announced "advanced" negotiations are currently underway with French industrial group Alstom to support the development of a new...

RWE SCHOTT Announces Launch of Solar Plant in Germany.
January 26, 2004... RWE SCHOTT Solar recently announced the launch of a new two-MW solar power plant in Neustadt, Germany that is expected to provide enough electricity to "continuously power 700 households." According to RWE SCHOTT, the facility, which...

Green Group Expresses Concern Over Chinese Hydropower Plan.
January 26, 2004... BBC News recently reported that environmental group South East Asia Rivers Network (SEARIN) has expressed concern over a proposed 13-dam Chinese hydroelectric project to be built along the Nu-Salween River, which flows through Tibet, China and...

AWEA Says 2003 'Close to Best Year' for New Wind Installations.
January 26, 2004... The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently reported that "nearly 1,700 megawatts (MW) of new wind electric generating capacity" were installed in the U.S. last year. According to AWEA, 2003 "was very close to the best year ever...

McKenzie Bay Signs Sales Agency, Installation Agreements.
January 27, 2004... McKenzie Bay International, Ltd. recently announced it has signed a sales agency agreement with Volcano, HI-based system integrator Millennium Power Group, LLC (MPG) under which MPG will introduce McKenzie Bay's WindStor, "a green energy...

INGETUR Invests in Simulation Tool for Turbine Development.
January 27, 2004... Santa Ana, CA-based MSC.Software Corporation, a "leading global provider of virtual product development [(VDP)] products including simulation software and services," recently announced that INGETUR, a fully owned subsidiary of green energy...

Evergreen Solar Completes String Ribbon Research Project.
January 27, 2004... Evergreen Solar, Inc. recently announced the successful completion of a prototype research project for its proprietary String Ribbon technology for manufacturing solar cells -- "enabling the growth of four silicon ribbons from a single...

GE Receives Contract for Hydro Generator Rewind Project.
January 27, 2004... GE Energy recently announced it has received a contract from the Imperial Irrigation District (IID) for a hydro generator rewind project for an IID hydroelectric plant located on the All American Canal close to El Centro, California. ...

EER Evaluates Global Wind Energy Markets.
January 27, 2004... Cambridge, MA-based Emerging Energy Research, LLC (EER) recently announced the release of a new study, titled "Global Wind Energy Markets and Strategies, 2002-2010," which indicates that although the wind energy market grew 10 percent globally...

UT Senate Committee Passes Renewables Tax Exemption Bill.
January 28, 2004... State officials in Utah recently reported that the Utah Senate Revenue and Taxation Committee voted earlier this week in favor of state senate bill 19, which would offer tax relief in the form of equipment and materials sales and use tax...

BPA to Utilize Hydroelectricity as Backup Power Source.
January 28, 2004... The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) recently announced the launch of a new service designed to help the region's publicly owned utilities provide wind-generated power to their customers through the utilization of hydroelectricity as a...

Wind and Prairie Task Force Members Appointed in KS.
January 28, 2004... The Kansas Geological Survey (KGS) recently announced the appointment of members to the state's Wind and Prairie Task Force, which is to help in deciding on placement of new wind power facilities in the Flint Hills area. According to KGS,...

Work Proceeds on Two Local CO Wind Farm Projects.
January 28, 2004... Local officials in Lamar, CO recently reported that work has begun on the installation of wind turbines at new wind farm sites in the cities of Lamar and Springfield. According to officials, the Arkansas River Power Authority (ARPA) will...

Prince Edward Island Considers Increase of Wind Energy Capacity.
January 28, 2004... Industry officials in Canada recently reported that Prince Edward Island environment and energy minister Jamie Ballem is exploring the possibility of increasing wind energy generating capacity in the province. "It's such a renewable and...

CA Winery Commissions 457-kW Solar Electric System.
January 29, 2004... PowerLight Corporation recently announced that the St. Francis Winery in Santa Rosa, CA has commissioned the installation of a 457-kilowatt solar electric system furnished by PowerLight that is expected to generate more than 30 percent of the...

Nathaniel Energy Appoints New Vice Presidents.
January 29, 2004... Nathaniel Energy Corporation recently announced the appointment of Dennis Pungitore as its new vice president of operations as well as Cliff Barker as vice president of gas operations. According to Nathaniel Energy, the new positions were...

enXco Considers Construction of Wind Farm in IN.
January 29, 2004... Industry officials in Indiana recently reported that North Palm Springs, CA-based wind project developer enXco is considering building a new 45-turbine wind farm in the county of Benton. According to officials, the company has been in the...

EWEA Launches Wind Research and Development Strategy.
January 29, 2004... The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) recently announced the release of a new industry-wide coordinated research and development (R&D) strategy on wind energy titled "The European Wind Industry Strategic Plan for Research & Development --...

VDMA, BWE Say German Wind Production Moving Offshore.
January 29, 2004... Reuters recently reported that German engineering federation VDMA and German wind energy association BWE have revealed in a joint statement that the increasing lack of available domestic locations for wind power facilities and the current...

Evergreen Wind, Local Town Apply for Wind Farm Permit in ME.
January 30, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that Evergreen Wind Power and the town of Mars Hill, ME have filed a state application for the development of a new wind farm in Aroostook County, ME. According to AP, the project would comprise...

Chubu Electric to Participate in Biomass Project in Thailand.
January 30, 2004... Industry officials in Japan recently reported that Chubu Electric Power Company has announced plans to invest in and lend approximately 600 million yen (about $5.7 million) to purchase a 34-percent stake in A.T. Biopower Company, a joint...