Renewable Energy Today articles from May 2004

Renewable Energy Today archives from May 2004

OR Unveils Draft Renewable Energy Action Plan.
May 4, 2004... Local Oregon newspaper the Bend Bulletin recently reported that the state Office of Energy has unveiled a new draft renewable energy action plan that is designed to encourage the generation of electricity from such sources as wind, biomass,...

Enbridge, Suncor, EHN Partner on Magrath Wind Project.
May 4, 2004... Calgary, Alberta-based Enbridge, Inc. has joined Suncor Energy Products, Inc. and EHN Wind Power Canada, Inc. as an equal partner in the Magrath Wind Power Project in southern Alberta. The Magrath project, currently under construction, will...

Petro-Canada Shareholders Seek Renewables Investment Disclosure.
May 4, 2004... Vancouver, British Columbia-based Ethical Funds Company, a "leading manager of socially responsible mutual funds," recently announced that a shareholder proposal sponsored by the company has resulted in more than 20 percent of Petro-Canada...

Swedish Report on Future of Nuclear Power Delayed.
May 4, 2004... Reuters recently reported the postponement of a report on Sweden's plans for phasing out the use of nuclear power that was initially planned for delivery late last week to Swedish industry minister Leif Pagrotsky by a federally appointed...

Research and Markets Releases Wind Power Report.
May 4, 2004... Dublin, Ireland-based Research and Markets, a "leading source for international market research and market data," recently announced the release of a new report titled "The Wind Power Report -- Edition 1 2003." According to Research and...

EWEA, DG TREN Publish Wind Energy Sector Overview.
May 5, 2004... The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) and the European Commission's Directorate General for Transport and Energy (DG TREN) recently announced the publication of "Wind Energy -- The Facts," a 330-page, five-volume report that "provides a...

Vardar to Develop Wind Farm in Estonia.
May 5, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Norwegian energy company Vardar AS has announced plans to construct a new wind power facility near Tallinn, Estonia. According to Reuters, Vardar said the Pakri Tuulepark wind development, which the company...

GE Jenbacher to Supply Cogen Systems for Ukrainian Project.
May 5, 2004... GE Energy division GE Jenbacher recently announced it has been awarded a contract from Lease-Holding Company Coal Mine Named After A.F. Sasyadko to provide 22 JMS 620 GS-S.LC cogeneration systems for a Ukrainian coal mine gas-to-energy project....

New Wind Facility Under Development in Erenhot City.
May 5, 2004... Chinese news agency Xinhua recently reported that Erenhot City, a port city between China and the People's Republic of Mongolia, has signed an agreement with Canada's Avalon Power Corporation for the development of a new wind power facility in...

Work Begins on New Hydroelectric Project in Quebec.
May 5, 2004... Construction has begun on a new hydroelectric facility in Quebec on the Peribonka River, which Quebec premier Jean Charest said will eventually supply power to thousands of homes. The $1.3-billion project is expected to be completed in...

Bush Touts Nuclear Energy During Recent Campaign Event.
May 6, 2004... Dow Jones recently reported that President Bush spoke in favor of investing in new nuclear power initiatives during a recent campaign event in Niles, MI. According to the news service, Bush remarked that the use of nuclear power could help...

Evergreen Solar Reports First-quarter Financial Results.
May 6, 2004... Marlboro, MA-based photovoltaic products developer, marketer and manufacturer Evergreen Solar, Inc. recently announced its financial results for the first quarter of 2004, reporting a quarterly net loss of $4.6 million, or 30 cents per share,...

Stirling Considers Building Solar Power Plant in NM.
May 6, 2004... Local New Mexico newspaper the Albuquerque Journal recently reported that Phoenix, AZ-based Stirling Energy Systems is considering the construction of a new solar power plant in New Mexico. According to the paper, Stirling chairman and CEO...

U.K. Farms to Grow Elephant Grass for Biomass Plant.
May 6, 2004... Farmers in the West Midland region of England are planting elephant grass to supply fuel for the new Eccleshall Biomass Plant. As many as 100 local farmers will be contracted to grow the crop, also known as miscanthus. The facility,...

DynaMotive Appoints Director to Advance BioOil Research.
May 6, 2004... DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation recently announced it has reached an agreement for non-executive director Desmond Radlein to coordinate and advance research into BioOil and its applications in commercial processes. According to...

NY Attorney General Announces Funds for Solar Installations.
May 7, 2004... New York attorney general Eliot Spitzer and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) president Peter Smith recently announced the availability of $1.8 million for the installation of solar energy systems atop...

Catamount, Marubeni to Collaborate on Wind Project.
May 7, 2004... Catamount Energy of Vermont will work with Japan's Marubeni Corporation to develop wind energy projects throughout the northeastern U.S. One project is the "up to 50-megawatt" Glebe Mountain Project in Vermont near the Magic Mountain Ski...

Green Mountain Donates Wind Energy to City of Dallas.
May 7, 2004... Green Mountain Energy Company recently announced it donated enough wind power to make electricity usage at the city hall of Dallas, TX "effectively pollution free" for one day earlier this week in celebration of the beginning of both "Clean Air...

Uni-Solar Ovonic to Supply Solar Cells for Satellite.
May 7, 2004... United Solar Ovonic Corporation (Uni-Solar Ovonic) recently announced it has been selected by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) in Kirtland AFB, New Mexico to provide three-kilowatts of Uni-Solar lightweight solar cells deposited on thin...

USDA Announces $22.8 Million in Renewable Grants.
May 7, 2004... USDA secretary Ann Veneman earlier this week announced the availability of approximately $23 million in grants to support President Bush's energy plan to develop renewable energy systems and promote energy efficiency improvements. ...

Weekly Update.
May 7, 2004... 2ND WORLD CONFERENCE AND TECHNOLOGY EXHIBITION ON BIOMASS FOR ENERGY, INDUSTRY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION, May 10-14, 2004, Palazzo dei Congressi, Rome, Italy PENNFUTURE 4TH ANNUAL GREEN POWER: TURN IT ON! GETTING TO 10% CONFERENCE, May 12,...

NY County Considers Renewable Portfolio Standard.
May 10, 2004... Officials in Tompkins County, NY are considering a measure that would require the county to obtain five percent of its annual electricity usage from renewable sources. Although the move has support from the county planning department and...

McKenzie Bay Completes Equity Funding, Hires New Directors.
May 10, 2004... McKenzie Bay International, Ltd. recently announced it has completed $771,000 of equity funding from the issuance of common shares to new qualified investors and the exercise of common share warrants. Additionally, the company has named...

Western GeoPower Completes Equity Offering.
May 10, 2004... Vancouver, British Columbia-based renewable energy development company Western GeoPower Corporation recently announced the closing of a $15-million syndicated equity offering led by Dundee Securities Corporation. Through the offering,...

Turkey, World Bank Sign Renewable Project Funding Agreement.
May 10, 2004... Turkish news service Anadolu recently reported that government officials in Turkey have signed an agreement with the World Bank for the financing of a new "Renewable Energy Project." Under the agreement, Anadolu said the World Bank has...

ScottishPower to Offer Wind Farm Compensation.
May 10, 2004... The Scotsman recently reported that ScottishPower is considering plans to provide a 250,000-pound-per-year "compensation" for residents living near the company's proposed 94-turbine, 250-megawatt (MW) Harestanes wind farm in Dumfries and...

CO Representative Pursues Renewable Ballot Initiative.
May 11, 2004... The Denver Post recently reported that Colorado state house speaker Lola Spradley has announced plans to aggressively seek the signatures required to place a renewable energy vote on the November ballot. According to the paper, Spradley,...

MA EOEA Says PMLD Wind Farm Upgrade Does Note Require EIR.
May 11, 2004... Local Massachusetts newspaper The Landmark recently reported that state Executive Office of Environmental Affairs (EOEA) secretary Ellen Roy Herzfelder has ruled that the Princeton Municipal Light Department (PMLD) does not need to produce an...

Spire Introduces New Solar Cell String Inspection System.
May 11, 2004... Spire Solar has unveiled a new automated solar cell string inspection system for solar module manufacturers. According to Spire, the new system tests each string for cell orientation, alignment, ribbon placement, chips, micro-cracks and...

LIPA to Select Offshore Wind Project Developer.
May 11, 2004... Reuters recently reported that Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) spokesperson Michael Lowndes has revealed that the electric service provider will likely announce in "the next several weeks" the name of the company it has chosen to build, own,...

DCMNR Announces Formation of Irish Renewables Group.
May 11, 2004... Ireland's Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources (DCMNR) recently announced the formation of the Renewable Energy Development Group, which is expected to provide the department with monthly progress reports concerning the...

Chugach to Complete Feasibility Studies for AK Wind Farm.
May 13, 2004... The Alaska Journal of Commerce recently reported that Chugach Electric Association manager for energy projects development Steve Gilbert has revealed that the company expects to complete feasibility studies for a proposed wind farm on Fire...

Avista Receives Award From National Hydropower Association.
May 13, 2004... Avista Corporation recently announced it has received a National Hydropower Association (NHA) award for the company's recreation resource management plan on the Clark Fork River in Idaho and Montana. According to Avista, the plan resulted...

Renewables Part of Xcel Expansion Plan in CO.
May 13, 2004... Denver, CO-area electricity supplier Xcel Energy has plans to add 500 megawatts (MW) of renewable energy to its portfolio. The renewable energy generation is part of a least-cost resource plan filed recently with the Colorado Public...

Mass Megawatts Updates Progress on Near-term Plans.
May 13, 2004... Mass Megawatts Wind Power, Inc. recently announced it expects to complete work this spring on its 20-kilowatt project near Springfield, MA, which will incorporate information and improvements learned from the prototype built in Charlton, MA....

Bat Expert Questions Wind Turbine Mortality Study in WV.
May 13, 2004... Local West Virginia newspaper the Charleston Gazette recently reported that Bat Conservation International director Merlin Tuttle and other interested parties have questioned both the findings and methodology of a study of bird and bat deaths...

Senate-approved Measure Contains Incentives for Renewables.
May 14, 2004... Reuters recently reported that the U.S. Senate, by a vote of 92 to 5, has approved the foreign sales corporation/extraterritorial income (FSC/ETI) bill, which includes an energy tax package benefitting companies that generate electricity from...

Miasole Secures $5.4 Million in Venture Funding.
May 14, 2004... San Jose, CA-based thin-film solar cell manufacturer Miasole recently announced the closing of $5.4 million in venture funding. Miasole plans to use the money to help transition the company's research and development process to "an existing...

RCEP Launches New Report on Biomass as Renewable Source.
May 14, 2004... The U.K.'s Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution (RCEP) recently announced the launch of "Biomass as a renewable energy source," a new report that calls for a new renewable heat obligation, the formation of a new government/industry...

EWEA Says Wind Can Supply 12 Percent of World Power by 2020.
May 14, 2004... The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) recently announced the release of "Wind Force 12 -- a blueprint to achieve 12 percent of the world's electricity from wind power by 2020," a joint EWEA/Greenpeace report. According to EWEA, the...

AWEA Releases First-quarter Report on U.S. Wind Industry.
May 14, 2004... The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) recently announced the release of its first-quarter report on the U.S. wind industry, which forecasts that new 2004 installations will be less than 500 megawatts (MW), compared with a near-record...

Weekly Update.
May 14, 2004... ALASKAN CLEAN ENERGY SYMPOSIUM, May 25-27, 2004, Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, AK WORLD RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM: GLOBAL BENEFITS AND POLICIES, May 29-31, 2004, Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, Germany RENEWABLES 2004: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE...

Keith Companies Begins Work on TX Wind Power Project.
May 17, 2004... Orange County, CA-based engineering and consulting services firm The Keith Companies, Inc. recently announced it has begun work in support of development of the second phase of the Sweetwater Wind Power project near Sweetwater, TX. ...

PowerLight Reports on First Year of Toyota Solar Installation.
May 17, 2004... PowerLight Corporation recently reported that, in its first year of operation, the solar electric system atop the headquarters of Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc.'s headquarters in Torrance, CA "is greatly exceeding energy performance...

Intrepid Purchases Magic Valley Energy Group.
May 17, 2004... Idaho Falls, ID-based renewable energy company Intrepid Technology and Resources, Inc. recently acquired Magic Valley Energy Coalition, LLC through an outstanding share purchase. Intrepid said the acquisition will allow it to secure...

Local WA PUD to Offer Solar Systems.
May 17, 2004... Local Washington newspaper The Spokesman-Review recently reported that the Ferry County Public Utility District (FCPUD) has introduced a new program to offer solar power systems to customers living in remote locations. Under the program,...

Tekron to Sponsor Renewable Energy Workshop in Ontario.
May 17, 2004... Tekron, Inc. recently announced plans to sponsor a workshop for farm operators later this month in London, Ontario that will feature hands-on displays of renewable energy systems. According to Tekron, engineers from the U.S. Department of...

Senate Aide Says Cost of Green Power Tax Breaks Could Rise.
May 18, 2004... Reuters recently reported that an aide with the U.S. Senate Finance Committee, who spoke "on condition of anonymity," has revealed that the costs of the 1.8-cent-per-kilowatt-hour production tax credit (PTC) for renewable energy generators,...

New Wind Project Begins in Lamar, CO.
May 18, 2004... The Colorado Green Wind Power project was christened last week in Lamar, CO. The project features 108 turbines manufactured by General Electric and will generate a total of 162 megawatts of electricity. Shell WindEnergy, Inc. and PPM...

WGES Awarded Maryland Wind Power Contract.
May 18, 2004... Washington Gas Energy Services, Inc. (WGES) recently announced it has been awarded a two-year contract to provide wind-generated power to a consortium of Maryland government entities led by the Montgomery County government. According to...

New Study Says Renewables Use Could Save Ontario Money.
May 18, 2004... Canadian environmental policy research and education organization the Pembina Institute joined the Canadian Environmental Law Association (CELA) last week in releasing a new study, titled "Power for the Future: Towards a Sustainable Electricity...

NHA Criticizes Hydro Exclusion From Senate Legislation.
May 18, 2004... The National Hydropower Association (NHA) recently criticized the exclusion of "incremental hydropower" -- new electricity generation achieved at existing hydro facilities by increasing plant efficiency or adding capacity -- from a renewable...

ITR Reports Third-quarter Financial Results.
May 19, 2004... Idaho Falls, ID-based Intrepid Technology and Resources, Inc. (ITR), a company specializing in renewable energy production projects, recently announced its financial results for the third quarter ended March 31, 2004, reporting a quarterly net...

SMUD Invites Renewable Suppliers to Join E-mail List.
May 19, 2004... The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) recently issued a notice inviting potential suppliers of renewable electricity to place their names on the district's solicitation e-mail list. According to SMUD, the e-mail list will be used...

U.K. Agency to Develop Offshore Wind 'Center of Excellence'.
May 19, 2004... The East of England Development Agency (EEDA) recently announced plans to develop a new "center for excellence for offshore wind" in Lowestoft, Suffolk that could potentially become operational in 2006. According to EEDA, the center will...

Japan's Annual Energy Report Focuses on Nuclear Generation.
May 19, 2004... Kyodo recently reported that Japan's Natural Resources and Energy Agency has released a national energy policy annual report which indicates that the country should continue to utilize nuclear power as a "key source of energy." According...

Development Begins on Second-phase Chinese Wind Project.
May 19, 2004... Chinese news agency Xinhua recently reported that construction has begun on a $95-million wind energy project in China's Fujian province that is expected to have an eventual generation capacity of 100,000 kilowatts (kW). The effort...

CA State Senate Passes Solar Energy Bill.
May 21, 2004... The California State Senate recently voted 22 to 13 in favor of state senate bill 1652, a measure authored by state senator Kevin Murray (D-Los Angeles) that would require a certain percentage of new single-family homes to have, at a minimum, a...

Brascan Acquires Hydroelectric Assets From Reliant.
May 21, 2004... New York City-based Brascan Corporation will purchase 71 hydroelectric plants from Reliant Energy, Inc. for a total of $900 million. The plants, all located in upstate New York, have a total generating capacity of nearly 675 megawatts...

INETI Researcher Highlights Potential Benefits of Ocean Power.
May 21, 2004... While speaking earlier this month at EurOCEAN 2004 in Galway, Ireland, Teresa Pontes, a principal researcher of Portugal's Instituto Nacional de Engenharia e Technologia Industrial (INETI) Department of Renewable Energies, estimated that ocean...

Research and Markets Releases New Geothermal Report.
May 21, 2004... Dublin, Ireland-based Research and Markets, a "leading source for international market research and market data," recently announced the release of a new report titled "The Geothermal Report -- Edition 1 2003." According to Research and...

BCC Report Forecasts Growth in Bulk PV Installations.
May 21, 2004... Business Communications Company, Inc. (BCC) recently announced the release of a new report, titled "RE-124D Renewable Bulk Power Sources: World Markets for Bulk Photovoltaic Installations," which indicates that world bulk photovoltaic (PV)...

Weekly Update.
May 21, 2004... ALASKAN CLEAN ENERGY SYMPOSIUM, May 25-27, 2004, Hotel Captain Cook, Anchorage, AK WORLD RENEWABLE ENERGY FORUM: GLOBAL BENEFITS AND POLICIES, May 29-31, 2004, Bundeskunsthalle, Bonn, Germany RENEWABLES 2004: INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE...

Environmental Groups Sue U.S. Over Proposed Geothermal Plants.
May 24, 2004... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that the four environmental groups comprising the Save Medicine Lake Coalition -- Medicine Lake Citizens for Quality Environment, Klamath Forest Alliance, California Wilderness Coalition and Fall...

Global Solar Designs PV Canopy for CA Transit Agency.
May 24, 2004... A photovoltaic (PV) canopy designed and built by Global Solar Energy will generate electricity while providing shade for transit buses operating in the Antelope Valley, CA area. The canopy, which will generate about 190,000 kilowatt-hours...

IGDC Signs Deal to Distribute Mag Power Wind Turbines.
May 24, 2004... Indigenous Global Development Corporation (IGDC) recently announced it has signed a five-year joint venture contract with Mag Power, Japan Ltd. that grants IGDC exclusive rights to distribute, assemble and manufacture Mag Power's "micro-wind"...

CCEF Approves Funding for New Residential PV Program.
May 24, 2004... The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) recently announced the approval of $2 million for a new three-year residential solar photovoltaic (PV) program, which will provide installers with monetary incentives that will be passed on to customers...

SSE to Increase Wind Power Investment.
May 24, 2004... U.K. publication The Times recently reported that Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has announced plans for a 300-million-pound (about $537-million) investment increase in wind power, bringing the company's total financial allotment in that...

NRC Renews R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant License.
May 25, 2004... The R.E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant's operating license has been renewed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) for an additional 20 years. The extension was granted after completion of environmental impact and safety evaluations at the...

Local CO County to Feature New Geothermal Power System.
May 25, 2004... Local Colorado newspaper the Montrose Daily Press recently reported that Montrose, CO-based Par Mechanical, Inc. and Denver-based Enlink Energy are expected to complete the installation of a new geothermal system at Montrose County's South...

BWEA Urges U.K. Government to Support Wave, Tidal Power.
May 25, 2004... The British Wind Energy Association (BWEA) recently announced the release of a new study, titled "Into the Blue: Financing the Future of the Emerging Wave and Tidal Power Sector," which recommends "urgent government action to kick-start the...

BP Solar, Romag to Introduce Solar PowerGlaz.
May 25, 2004... BP Solar, together with England-based glass manufacturer Romag, recently announced plans to introduce PowerGlaz, a new type of laminated glass that incorporates solar cells, in the U.K. market later this year. According to BP, the companies...

Research and Markets Releases Ocean Energy Report.
May 25, 2004... Dublin, Ireland-based Research and Markets, a "leading source for international market research and market data," recently announced the release of "The Ocean Energy Report," which evaluates the status of the emerging marine renewable energy...

Uni-Solar Ovonic Ships Solar Products to SIT.
May 26, 2004... United Solar Ovonic, LLC (Uni-Solar Ovonic) recently shipped 500 kilowatts (kW) of thin-film solar products to Los Angeles-based Solar Integrated Technologies (SIT). SIT will use the solar products in the manufacture of its SR2001 solar...

WA Coffee Company Participates in Green Power Promotional Effort.
May 26, 2004... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced that Olympia, WA-based Batdorf & Bronson Coffee Roasters (B&B) has donated $59,000 worth of coffee and mugs to encourage the purchase of green power by electric utility customers....

U.K., U.S. Join Clean Energy Partnerships.
May 26, 2004... The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced that the U.K. plans to participate in the U.S. Clean Energy Initiative's Efficient Energy for Sustainable Development Partnership (EESD), with the U.S. joining the U.K.'s Renewable Energy and...

IWEA Urges ESB to Support Renewable Energy.
May 26, 2004... The Irish Wind Energy Association (IWEA) recently called on Irish electricity utility the Electricity Supply Board (ESB) to support renewable energy to help avoid both an overreliance on imported fossil fuels and the price increases proposed...

DynaMotive Announces Fiscal Year-end Financial Results.
May 26, 2004... Vancouver, British Columbia-based DynaMotive Energy Systems Corporation, a firm that has developed technology to convert biomass into environmentally friendly BioOil fuel, recently announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended...

Austin Energy Introduces New Solar Rebate Program.
May 27, 2004... Austin, TX-based Austin Energy is offering customers a rebate of up to $15,000 to install home solar energy systems. "Rather than ultimately building a new power plant, which costs hundreds of millions of dollars, we're going to build a new...

Pacific Hydro Begins Operating Hydropower Station in Fiji.
May 27, 2004... Melbourne, Australia-based renewable energy company Pacific Hydro, Ltd. recently announced the commencement of operations at a new 6.5-megawatt (MW) hydropower facility in Wainikasou, Fiji. According to the company, the Wainikasou hydro...

Greenpeace Calls for More Renewables in Hong Kong.
May 27, 2004... Greater China business newspaper The Standard recently reported that Greenpeace officials are urging the government of Hong Kong, as well as energy company CLP Power, to increase renewable energy generation on the island. "Many other power...

ASES to Host Solar 2004 Conference in Portland, OR.
May 27, 2004... The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) will host Solar 2004: A Solar Harvest -- Growing Opportunities, a national conference on solar energy, July 10 through 14 at the Doubletree Hotel Portland in Portland, OR. A number of pre-conference...

BCC Reports on Small Hydro, OEC Conversion Equipment Markets.
May 27, 2004... Business Communications Company, Inc. (BCC) recently announced the release of a new report, titled "RE-124C Renewable Bulk Power Sources: World Markets for Small Hydro and Ocean Energy Conversion Equipment," which estimates that the total...

Conservationists File Lawsuit Over Issuance of Hydro License.
May 28, 2004... Earthjustice recently announced that seven conservation groups filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government earlier this week for "issuing an environmentally damaging hydropower license for a hydroelectric project on Oregon's North Umpqua...