Renewable Energy Today articles from July 2003

Renewable Energy Today archives from July 2003

McKnight to Invest in Midwest Wind Energy.
July 1, 2003... The Minneapolis, MN-based McKnight Foundation recently announced plans to spend more than $8 million over three years to develop renewable energy, primarily wind energy, in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, North Dakota and South...

Spire to Develop Process for Fabricating Solar Modules.
July 1, 2003... Spire Corporation recently announced it has been awarded a $5.2-million cost-shared contract from the Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratories (NREL) to "develop automated manufacturing processes for fabricating large-scale...

IQPC to Host Conference on CSR for Energy Industry.
July 1, 2003... The International Quality and Productivity Center (IQPC) will host a two-day conference on corporate social responsibility (CSR) issues relating to the energy industry July 22 and 23 at The Intercontinental Hotel in Houston, TX. The company...

SPR's NV Subsidiaries Issue Renewables RFP.
July 2, 2003... Sierra Pacific Resources (SPR) recently announced that its Nevada-based utility subsidiaries Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company have issued a request for proposals (RFP) "to solicit proposals for energy generated by renewable...

BEF, NorthWestern Energy to Offer Wind Power in MT.
July 2, 2003... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced it has formalized an agreement to supply tradable renewable energy credits, known as "green tags," to NorthWestern Energy for resale to residential and business customers in...

ORMAT Begins Work on New Geothermal Plant in New Zealand.
July 2, 2003... International energy developer ORMAT recently announced it has begun construction of a new geothermal power plant in the Mokai Geothermal Field in New Zealand, the company's second such facility in the area and seventh in New Zealand. ...

CEI, Princeton Municipal Initiate New Wind Project.
July 3, 2003... Princeton, MA-based Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) and the Princeton Municipal Light Department recently agreed to collaborate on a three-megawatt (MW) wind energy effort in Worcester County, MA. CEI said the project will feature two 1.5-MW...

Idaho Power Reports 20-Percent Increase in Green Power Program.
July 3, 2003... Idaho Power recently reported that enrollment in its Green Power Program, which allows the utility's customers in Idaho and Oregon to purchase "Green-e" electricity certified by the Center for Resource Solutions, has increased 20 percent since...

CRS Publishes Handbook for Regulators on Renewables Certificates.
July 3, 2003... San Francisco, CA-based Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) recently released a new "policy tool" designed for "regulators, state energy offices, attorneys general and consumer advocates" that provides information on tradable renewable...

Zilkha Plans New 165-MW Wind Farm in Central WA.
July 8, 2003... Houston, TX-based Zilkha Renewable Energy, an independent developer and operator of utility-scale wind energy projects, recently announced plans to develop a new 165-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Kittitas, WA. According to Zilkha, the "Wild...

Ontario Introduces New 'Green Power Standard'.
July 8, 2003... Ontario commissioner of alternative energy Steve Gilchrist recently announced that the province has introduced a new "Green Power Standard" that will require the province's electricity system to "secure one percent of its electricity needs from...

TEPCO, Tomen to Increase Output of Wind Power Projects.
July 8, 2003... Officials with Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and Tomen Corporation recently announced plans to increase the generation capacity of their joint wind power projects to 1.6 million kilowatts by 2005, an 130-percent increase over...

SembCorp Looks to Use Animal Fat to Generate Power.
July 9, 2003... Singaporean power company SembCorp Utilities recently announced plans to begin generating electricity at its 133-megawatt Wilton power station in the Teesside region of England through the use of animal fat, or tallow, collected from cattle...

Vision Quest, ENMAX Complete Wind Farm in Alberta.
July 9, 2003... Vision Quest Windelectric, Inc. recently joined with ENMAX Corporation to announce the completion of the $100-million McBride Lake Wind Farm, a 75-megawatt, 114-turbine facility located near Fort Macleod, Alberta, Canada that is expected to...

Nanosys Awarded Grant to Develop Nanocomposite Solar Cells.
July 9, 2003... Palo Alto, CA-based nanotechnology company Nanosys, Inc. recently announced it has been awarded the first phase of a $850,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to further the company's...

Energetech Unveils Plans for Wave Power Station in RI.
July 10, 2003... Officials with Energetech Australia recently announced that the company has submitted plans to the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council to install a $3-million device behind the breakwater of Point Judith Harbor that will generate...

Unocal to Sell Sarulla Geothermal Project to PLN.
July 10, 2003... U.S. energy company Unocal Corporation recently announced it has arranged to sell the Sarulla geothermal power project located in North Sumatra, Indonesia to state-owned Indonesian power company PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) following...

New French Wind Park Features Nordex Turbines.
July 10, 2003... Hamburg, Germany-based wind turbine manufacturer Nordex AG recently announced it has supplied eight Nordex N80 turbines for the new Bouin wind park located outside of Nantes, France. According to Nordex, the facility, which has been...

EPA Lauds Green Power Partnership Participants.
July 11, 2003... Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) acting administrator Linda Fisher recently recognized U.S. companies demonstrating a commitment to renewable energy through the Green Power Partnership, "a new EPA voluntary program working to standardize...

EPC Announces Appointment of New President, CEO.
July 11, 2003... Portsmouth, NH-based Environmental Power Corporation (EPC) recently announced it has named former Target Capital Corporation president Kam Tejwani as its new president and CEO, replacing Joseph Cresci as CEO and Donald Livingston as president....

D.C. Restaurant Chain Purchases Wind Power for Locations.
July 11, 2003... Washington, DC-based restaurant chain Austin Grill recently announced it will convert all six of its location to "100-percent wind-generated energy," a measure that is expected to increase the company's energy costs by approximately $40,000 per...

FPL Energy, Exelon Dedicate New Wind Farm in WV.
July 14, 2003... FPL Energy recently joined with Exelon Corporation and West Virginia governor Bob Wise to dedicate a new 44-turbine wind energy facility located along the ridge of Backbone Mountain in Thomas, WV, that the company claims will be the "largest...

Dermond Introduces New Wind Energy Products.
July 14, 2003... Brighton, MI-based McKenzie Bay International, Ltd. recently announced that its Dermond, Inc. subsidiary has introduced two new commercial wind energy products, the "WindStor" renewable electricity generation and storage system and the "Dermond...

Boralex Acquires NY Hydro Stations From Black Hills.
July 14, 2003... Montreal, Quebec-based power company Boralex, Inc. recently announced it has agreed to purchase five hydroelectric power stations located in New York from Rapid City, SD-based energy and communications company Black Hills Corporation for $8.7...

CEC Says State to Meet Renewable Energy Mandate by 2017.
July 15, 2003... The California Energy Commission (CEC) recently released a new report examining future electricity supplies which found that there will be enough renewable energy generation to allow investor-owned utility companies to meet the state's...

FERC Investigates Enron's Ownership of 'Qualifying' Wind Farms.
July 15, 2003... U.S. officials recently reported that Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) staff attorneys have encouraged the commission to ascertain whether Enron Corporation may have misrepresented its ownership of 17 wind farms and cogeneration...

EPDC to Build Wind Farm in Fukushima Prefecture.
July 15, 2003... Japan's Electric Power Development Company (EPDC) recently announced plans to construct a $84-million, 30-turbine wind energy facility in Koriyama, Fukushima Prefecture, in 2004. EPDC said electricity generated at the 60,000-kilowatt...

SEIA Encourages Congress to Pass Renewables Stimulus Act.
July 16, 2003... The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), a national trade organization representing solar electric and solar thermal manufacturers, component suppliers and distributors, recently released an analysis indicating that "clean, renewable...

Education Office in Sonoma County Installs Rooftop PV System.
July 16, 2003... Local officials in Sonoma County, CA recently reported the installation of a freestanding solar electric system on the roof of the Sonoma County Office of Education in Santa Rosa, CA. According to officials, the SunRoof FS photovoltaic system,...

U.K. to Commence Offshore Wind Farm Development.
July 16, 2003... The United Kingdom's (U.K.) Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) recently announced plans to open three offshore areas to power companies for the development of wind farms along Britain's coast. "This announcement is good for the...

Beacon Power Announces Appointment of New Personnel.
July 17, 2003... Wilmington, MA-based energy storage and power conversion equipment designer and developer Beacon Power Corporation recently announced its has appointed Daniel TwoEagles as it new sales and marketing director, and Marko Rosenfeldt as its new...

FPL Energy to Build 30-MW Wind Farm in PA.
July 17, 2003... Juno Beach, FL-based FPL Energy recently announced plans to build, own and operate a 30-megawatt (MW) wind farm in Pennsylvania and sell the electricity generated to FirstEnergy Solutions, a subsidiary of Akron, OH-based FirstEnergy...

Solargenix Negotiates Lease for New NV Solar Plant.
July 17, 2003... Local officials in Boulder City, NV recently reported that the Boulder City Council is currently in negotiations with Raleigh, NC-based Solargenix regarding leasing terms for the development of a new 50-megawatt solar power facility in the...

SSPC Signs Agreement to Acquire SUN Utility Network.
July 18, 2003... Riverside, CA-based Southern States Power Company, Inc. (SSPC) recently announced it has entered into an agreement under which it will acquire 100-percent of Los Angeles, CA-based solar energy equipment marketing company SUN Utility Network,...

Georgia Power Approved to Offer Green Energy Rate.
July 18, 2003... The Georgia Public Service Commission recently approved a new "green energy" rate for Georgia Power to begin marketing that will allow the utility's customers to pay a premium to use electricity generated from such renewable energy technologies...

SunWize Joins Uni-Solar SmartRoof Program.
July 18, 2003... United Solar Systems Corporation (Uni-Solar) recently announced that SunWize Technologies, Inc. has become a value-added reseller (VAR) of Uni-Solar's "SmartRoof" integrated residential solar energy system. According to Uni-Solar,...

NY Broker Joins EPA Green Power Partnership.
July 21, 2003... Natsource LLC, a brokerage firm headquartered in New York City, recently announced it has joined the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Green Power Partnership. Officials said the move was intended to support renewable energy and...

Scottish Firms to Launch Renewables Cooperative Scheme.
July 21, 2003... Local officials in Scotland recently reported that Energy4All, Ltd., the management division of United Kingdom (U.K.)-based Baywind Energy Co-operative, has joined with RDC Scotland, Ltd. and Falck Renewables, Ltd. to launch a new cooperative...

CSIRO Establishes New Wind Energy Consulting Firm.
July 21, 2003... Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) and business incubator Epicorp recently announced the formation of a new wind energy consulting company based in Canberra, Australia. CSIRO said the new firm,...

NC Town Rejects Wind Turbine at Restaurant.
July 22, 2003... In a four-to-one vote, commissioners in the town of Kill Devil Hills, NC recently denied a request by owners of a local restaurant to install a new $40,000 wind turbine. Outer Banks Brewing Station owners Aubrey Davis and Eric Reece, as...

UC Adopts 'Green' Building Policy, Clean Energy Standard.
July 22, 2003... The University of California (UC) recently announced that its board of regents has approved a university-wide policy for "the design of 'green' buildings and a standard for the use of 'clean' energy." According to UC, the "Green Building...

Windcorp Selects Meridian Energy to Build Wind Turbines.
July 22, 2003... Ohariu, New Zealand-based Windcorp recently announced it has selected Meridian Energy to erect wind turbines on Windcorp's land north of Makara Beach. According to a Windcorp spokesman, contracts will not be signed until the companies...

Sharp Offers Certification for Solar System Installers.
July 23, 2003... The Solar Systems Division of Mahwah, NJ-based Sharp Electronics Corporation recently announced plans to offer a comprehensive training program for licensed contractors seeking certification in the specification and installation of...

Financing Closes on 25-Turbine Wind Farm in Texas.
July 23, 2003... Catamount Energy Corp., a subsidiary of Central Vermont Public Service, recently announced the financial closing of its first U.S. wind project. Catamount is an equity investor in Sweetwater 1, a 25-turbine, 37.5-megawatt wind farm in Nolan...

MEDC Says Proposed TX Solar Plant Attracts Interest.
July 23, 2003... Officials with Texas-based Monahans Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) recently said the company has received inquiries from alternative energy businesses interested in undertaking development in the region. Although he declined to...

MI Utility Losing Money on 'GreenWise' Project.
July 24, 2003... Michigan's Lansing Board of Water and Light recently said less than 1 percent of its 97,000 utility customers have signed up for its "GreenWise" electricity program, which it began offering in 2001 to help reduce air pollution and save natural...

Green Power Magazine to Host Renewables Seminars.
July 24, 2003... Green Power magazine will host a traveling one-day seminar, titled "Green Power Options," September 25 at the Sheraton San Diego Hotel and Marina in San Diego, CA; October 21 at the Westin Waltham in Boston, MA; and November 11 at the Sheraton...

Small-Scale Renewable Energy Owners Unaware of Green Tags.
July 24, 2003... A recent survey by Chicago, IL-based Mainstay Energy indicates that less than one in 10 small-scale producers of renewable energy are aware that they are entitled to "green tags" or that these tags can be sold for extra revenue. Mainstay noted...

Winergy Withdraws Wind Farm Proposal for Ipswich, MA.
July 25, 2003... Shirley, NY-based Winergy recently announced it has withdrawn a proposal to build a 10-turbine wind farm in Ipswich Bay, MA due to strong community opposition. "Believe me, we do hear what people say," said Winergy president Dennis...

ARISE Accepted for Trading on TSX Venture Exchange.
July 25, 2003... ARISE Technologies Corporation recently announced that its common shares have been accepted for trading by the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Venture Exchange beginning July 22. "I would like to thank all of the people who participated in...

Cielo Wind, Orion Energy Co-develop TX Wind Project.
July 25, 2003... Austin, TX-based Green Mountain Energy Corporation recently announced that Austin-based Cielo Wind Power and Oakland, CA-based Orion Energy are co-developing a new wind facility in Texas, known as the Green Mountain Energy Wind Farm at Brazos,...

Shell Acquires Shares of Spanish, Texan Wind Parks.
July 28, 2003... Shell WindEnergy, part of Shell Renewables and a subsidiary of the Royal Dutch/Shell Group of Companies, recently announced it has acquired a 40-percent share in the La Muela Wind Park in northeastern Spain from TXU Europe Energy Trading B.V.,...

Aussie Hydro Project Wins Philippine Environmental Award.
July 28, 2003... Melbourne, Victoria, Australia-based Pacific Hydro, Ltd. recently announced that its Bakun, Philippines hydroelectric power station has been recognized for its clean electricity generation and major reforestation program by the Philippines'...

IBC Energy to Host U.S. Wind Energy Conference in MA.
July 28, 2003... IBC Energy will host the U.S. Wind Energy Conference 2003 August 26 and 27 at the Back Bay Hilton Hotel in Boston, MA. According to conference organizers, the event will feature sessions on offshore wind projects; investments and markets for...

NHA Praises FERC Action on Hydropower Rule.
July 29, 2003... The National Hydropower Association (NHA) recently commended the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) for adopting a final rule "designed to bring improvements to the licensing process for America's non-federal hydroelectric projects."...

Florida Utility to Build Wyoming Wind Farm, Expand Other.
July 29, 2003... Juno Beach, FL-based FPL Energy, a subsidiary of GPL Group, recently announced plans to build, own and operate a new wind project in Wyoming. The project was developed by Orion Energy of Oakland, CA. FPL Energy said it will construct 80...

Italy to Provide Incentives for Renewable Energy Use.
July 29, 2003... Italian industry minister Antonio Marzano recently announced that the federal government has approved a bill that would establish incentives for electric companies to use renewable energy alternatives. "These measures will allow our country...

U.S. Senators Consider Stricter Approval for Wind Projects.
July 30, 2003... In collaboration with U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN), U.S. Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) recently announced plans to draft legislation that will establish a stricter approval process for wind farm projects, maintaining that local or state...

SSPC Completes Initial Investment in Insul-Kor.
July 30, 2003... Southern States Power Company (SSPC) recently announced it has made an initial investment in Insul-Kor of California, Inc., "a company that specializes in the production and supply of energy-efficient, environmentally friendly homes and...

Catamount Energy Withdraws from Equinox Wind Farm in VT.
July 30, 2003... Rutland, VT-based Catamount Energy Corporation recently announced it has ended its involvement in Equinox Wind Partners a joint venture formed in December 2001 with Yarmouth, ME-based Endless Energy Corporation to develop a nine-megawatt wind...

We Energies Signs Contracts for 214 MW of Wind Power.
July 31, 2003... Milwaukee, WI-based We Energies recently announced it has signed 20-year power purchase agreements with two developers "for the entire electricity output of three wind farms planned to be built in Wisconsin over the next two years." According...

PEF Wins Sustainable Florida Award.
July 31, 2003... The Council for Sustainable Florida (CSF) recently named Progress Energy Florida (PEF) the winner of the 2003 Sustainable Florida Award for demonstrating a "commitment to Florida's long-term prosperity and overall environmental health." ...

Honduran Hydroelectric Project Secures Long-Term Financing.
July 31, 2003... Bloomfield, NJ-based E+Co, a service and financial provider for clean energy entrepreneurs in developing countries, recently announced that the La Esperanza Hydroelectric Project, a 12.8-megawatt power plant in Honduras for which E+Co supplied...