Renewable Energy Today articles from October 2005

Renewable Energy Today archives from October 2005

IAUS Secures Site for One-megawatt Solar Power Plant.
October 3, 2005... International Automated Systems, Inc. (IAUS) recently announced it has secured the site for its first one-megawatt solar power plant. According to IAUS, the plant will be located in Southern California. IAUS said it expects to complete...

Prospect Energy Provides Senior Secured Debt Financing to WECO.
October 3, 2005... Prospect Energy Corporation recently announced it has provided $10.8 million of senior secured debt financing to Deblois, ME-based wood processing and biomass power generation business Worcester Energy Partners, Inc. (WECO). According to...

European Parliament Votes for Mandatory Renewables Target.
October 3, 2005... The European Forum for Renewable Energy Sources (EUFORES) recently announced that the European Parliament has adopted EUFORES vice president and parliament member Claude Turmes' report "The share of renewable energy sources in the European...

Former Norwegian PM Launches 2nd Phase of Statkraft Wind Farm.
October 3, 2005... Norwegian power company Statkraft recently announced that former prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland opened the second phase of the company's Smola wind farm late last week. According to Statkraft, Smola is Europe's largest land-based...

VRB Sells Energy Storage System to Germany's SOLON.
October 3, 2005... VRB Power Systems, Inc. recently announced it has sold a 10-kilowatt-hour Energy Storage System to German solar company SOLON AG. According to VRB, SOLON will evaluate the Energy Storage System for use in both grid-connected systems and...

BEF Announces New 'Brighter Future' Green Tag Product.
October 4, 2005... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced the availability of its new "Brighter Future" Green Tag product, a renewable energy certificate featuring a blend of 90 percent wind energy and 10 percent solar energy. "The...

PA Turnpike Commission Increases Wind Power Purchases.
October 4, 2005... The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission recently announced it will increase its purchase of Pennsylvania-based wind energy to 10 percent of its statewide electricity needs through the purchase of 4.2 million kilowatt-hours of wind energy annually...

SunPower Announces New Asia-Pacific Regional Manager.
October 4, 2005... Cypress Semiconductor Corporation subsidiary SunPower Corporation recently announced the appointment of Peter McKenzie as regional manager for the Asia-Pacific region. "Peter McKenzie adds tremendous regional solar industry expertise to...

MTC, DOE, GE Release Framework for Offshore Wind Projects.
October 4, 2005... The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) joined late last week with the Department of Energy (DOE) and GE in unveiling "A Framework for Offshore Wind Energy Development in the United States," an agenda aimed at "tapping abundant...

NREL, Xcel Energy Sign Photovoltaic Development Agreement.
October 5, 2005... The Department of Energy's (DOE) National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Xcel Energy recently announced an agreement to develop software to evaluate siting options for off-grid and grid-connected commercial rooftop solar electricity...

Consumers Energy Launches New 'Green Generation' Program.
October 5, 2005... Michigan utility Consumers Energy recently announced the launch of its new "Green Generation" program, which encourages its 1.8 million electric customers to support the development of state-based renewable energy projects by enrolling in the...

CA School Districts Install New Solar Power Systems.
October 5, 2005... RWE Schott Solar, Inc. recently announced that the Ross Valley and Lemon Grove School Districts in California are working with 3rd Rock Systems & Technologies on the installation of more than 800 kilowatts of solar power at a total of seven...

USTDA Grant to Fund Malian Hydropower Study.
October 5, 2005... The U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) recently announced the award of a grant to the Malian Ministry of Mines, Energy and Water to study the feasibility of a proposed hydropower project on the Niger River. According to USTDA, the...

AREVA Purchases Stake in German Wind Turbine Manufacturer.
October 5, 2005... The AREVA group recently announced it has purchased a 21.1-percent stake in Hamburg, Germany-based wind turbine manufacturer REpower, which specializes in "high-output" turbine technology. According to AREVA, REpower offers sales and...

ND Officials Okay New Wind Farm Plan.
October 6, 2005... The Associated Press (AP) recently reported that North Dakota's Public Service Commission has approved a site plan for a new 150-megawatt wind farm in Pierce County, ND. According to AP, the site will feature 100 turbines -- more than...

Ormat Announces Departure of Board Member.
October 6, 2005... Ormat Technologies, Inc. recently announced the resignation of board member Edward Muller, effective as of the beginning of October. According to Ormat, Muller announced that he has been appointed board chair, president and CEO of energy...

Amtech Receives Orders From Two German Solar Cell Customers.
October 6, 2005... Amtech Systems, Inc. recently announced two new orders for its Tempress brand diffusion furnaces totaling $1.2 million. According to the company, the orders are from a customer that produces solar cells in China and a German research institute....

GHI Awarded $350,000 Green Municipal Fund Grant.
October 6, 2005... Guelph Hydro, Inc. (GHI) recently announced it has been awarded a $350,000 Green Municipal Fund (GMF) grant for the design phase of its landfill gas (LFG) utilization system project at the Eastview Road Landfill. According to GHI, the new...

Next Week's Publishing Schedule.
October 7, 2005... EIN will not publish its newsletters on Monday, October 10, in observance of Columbus Day. We will resume our regular production schedule on Tuesday, October 11. (EIN EDITOR: 10/6)

Schwarzenegger Signs Bills Designed to Protect Environment.
October 7, 2005... California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation late last week designed to reduce the state's reliance on foreign oil and increase energy efficiency in an effort to protect the environment. State assembly bill AB 515, authored...

Spire to Establish Solar Module Manufacturing in MA.
October 7, 2005... Spire Corporation recently announced plans to establish photovoltaic (PV) module manufacturing in Bedford, MA in order to meet growing customized module demand from the Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) market. According to Spire,...

PSE Completes Acquisition of Wild Horse Wind Project.
October 7, 2005... Puget Sound Energy (PSE) recently announced it has completed the acquisition of the development rights to the 229-megawatt Wild Horse Wind Power Project, located in Kittitas County, WA, from Horizon Wind Energy. According to PSE, Horizon...

Solectria Adds 90-kW PV Inverter to Existing Product Line.
October 7, 2005... Lawrence, MA-based Solectria Renewables, LLC recently announced the addition of a 90-kilowatt (kW) inverter -- the PVI90kW -- to its existing product line of 1.8-kW to 77-kW residential and commercial grid-tied photovoltaic (PV) inverters. ...

GE Energy Recognized for Malaysian Landfill Power Project.
October 7, 2005... A GE Energy landfill gas-to-energy plant at the Jana landfill in Malaysia recently received first-prize honors in the renewable energy project competition at the 2005 ASEAN Energy Ministers meeting in Seam Reab, Cambodia. According to GE...

Weekly Update.
October 7, 2005... SOLAR POWER 2005 CONFERENCE & EXPO, October 5-9, 2005, Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Washington, DC REMOTE MONITORING, CONTROL & AUTOMATION/ONSITE POWER, October 6-7, 2005, Peabody Orlando Hotel, Orlando, FL IRISH WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION...

New Jersey American Water to Debut New Solar System.
October 11, 2005... New Jersey American Water will debut today a new 500-kilowatt, ground-mounted solar electric system at its Canal Road Water Treatment Plant in Somerset, NJ. According to New Jersey American Water, the system, which was designed and built...

USRG Closes Initial $80 Million to Fund Renewable Projects.
October 11, 2005... Los Angles, CA-based US Renewables Group, LLC (USRG), a company organized to acquire, develop and operate renewable energy and clean fuel assets, recently announced an initial close of $80 million as part of its plan to raise a total of $250...

Vestas to Ship V80-1.8 MW Turbines to WA Wind Project.
October 11, 2005... The Vestas Group recently announced it has received an order for 127 of its V80 1.8-megawatt (MW) wind turbines for the Wild Horse wind facility in Kittitas County, WA. According to Vestas, the 228-MW Wild Horse facility will be owned by...

USDA Awards $12.6 Million for Biomass Research & Development.
October 11, 2005... U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) secretary Mike Johanns announced late last week that 11 biomass research, development and demonstration projects have been selected to receive $12.6 million for the Biomass Research and Development...

IP&L to Sell Iowa Hydroelectric Facilities to NAH.
October 12, 2005... Alliant Energy Corporation recently announced that its Interstate Power and Light Company (IP&L) subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to sell its ownership interest in three Iowa hydroelectric generating facilities to North American...

Direct Energy Business Services Launches Renewable Power Plans.
October 12, 2005... Direct Energy Business Services, a retailer of North American energy solutions provider Direct Energy Marketing, Ltd., recently announced its new renewable electricity initiative, dubbed "Be Green." Under the plan, commercial and...

ARISE Signs LOI to Supply PV Cells to Day4 Energy.
October 12, 2005... ARISE Technologies Corporation recently announced that Vancouver, British Columbia-based solar energy company Day4 Energy, Inc. has signed a letter of intent (LOI) to purchase five megawatts of ARISE photovoltaic (PV) cells targeted for...

Foster Wheeler Awarded Contract for Biomass Boilers in MN.
October 12, 2005... Foster Wheeler, Ltd. recently announced that a U.S. subsidiary in its Global Power Group has been awarded a contract by the Laurentian Energy Authority for the design and supply of two biomass-fired grate boilers, each capable of producing...

MMS Launches OCS Renewable Energy & Alternative Use Site.
October 12, 2005... The Department of the Interior's (DOI) Minerals Management Service (MMS) recently announced it now has lead authority for renewable energy projects, such as wave, wind or solar energy on offshore lands, and other projects that make alternative...

Green Mountain Introduces New Renewables Product in PA.
October 13, 2005... Green Mountain Energy Company recently announced the introduction of a new renewable energy product for Pennsylvania customers to coincide with the company's decision to discontinue electric generation service to approximately 30,000 customers....

SunPower Appoints Three New Independent Board Members.
October 13, 2005... Cypress Semiconductor Corporation subsidiary SunPower Corporation recently announced the appointment of W. Steve Albrecht, Betsy Atkins and Pat Wood, III to the company's board of directors. SunPower noted that Albrecht, the associate dean...

IID Energy Issues RFP for Renewable Energy Resources.
October 13, 2005... Imperial, CA-based IID Energy, a company that provides electric power to customers in the Coachella Valley, Imperial Valley and parts of San Diego County, recently issued a request for proposals (RFP) seeking renewable energy resources for...

Shell Announces Acquisition Plans for WV Wind Project.
October 13, 2005... Shell WindEnergy recently announced the proposed acquisition of NedPower Mount Storm, LLC, the owner of the Mount Storm wind project in Grant County, WV. According to Shell, the proposed acquisition is subject to the receipt of all...

INSEQ Announces Plans to Sell RECs Through GREX.
October 14, 2005... INSEQ Corporation recently announced plans to sell renewable energy certificates (RECs) and other green energy products through GREX -- a new INSEQ commodities trading platform devoted to the increased distribution of green power to residential...

EnergyINet Elects Founding Board of Directors.
October 14, 2005... EnergyINet, Inc., a Canadian nonprofit network designed to bring industry, researchers and governments together to help develop new environmentally friendly hydrocarbon and renewable energy technologies capable of producing "an abundant supply...

GE Solar System Installed in New York Apartment Building.
October 14, 2005... GE Energy recently announced that a turnkey solar system, designed and installed by altPOWER, Inc. and featuring GE Energy solar power technology, recently came online at the Helena -- a newly constructed 38-story residential apartment building...

EPG Files Registration Statement for Equity Offering.
October 14, 2005... Environmental Power Corporation (EPG), a developer, owner and operator of renewable energy production facilities, recently announced it has filed a registration statement with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in advance of a planned...

Gale Force, Padoma Form Joint Venture for Wind Development.
October 14, 2005... Gale Force Energy (GFE) recently announced it has entered into a joint venture with Padoma Wind Power to develop more than 500 megawatts (MW) of wind energy projects across Canada. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, Padoma will...

Weekly Update.
October 14, 2005... SOLAR POWER 2005 CONFERENCE & EXPO, October 5-9, 2005, Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill, Washington, DC REMOTE MONITORING, CONTROL & AUTOMATION/ONSITE POWER, October 6-7, 2005, Peabody Orlando Hotel, Orlando, FL IRISH WIND ENERGY ASSOCIATION...

Cape Wind Receives Conditional Approval From ISO New England.
October 18, 2005... Cape Wind Associates, LLC recently announced that the Independent System Operator (ISO) of New England has conditionally approved the company's plan to interconnect its proposed offshore wind farm with the New England electric transmission...

U.S. Navy, PowerLight Dedicate New PV Array at Pearl Harbor.
October 18, 2005... Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Hawaii (NAVFAC Hawaii) and PowerLight Corporation held a dedication ceremony late last week for the installation of a new 309-kilowatt PowerLight PowerGuard solar electric rooftop system, mounted atop Ford...

GA Carpet Company Generates Power From Area Landfill.
October 18, 2005... LaGrange, GA-based carpet and rug manufacturer Milliken Carpet recently announced it has replaced 30 percent of its natural gas consumption through a partnership launched by the City of LaGrange to harvest alternative energy from the west...

CVPS Sells Interest in Catamount Energy to Diamond Castle.
October 18, 2005... Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) recently announced that its wholly owned subsidiary Catamount Resources Corporation (CRC) has agreed to sell a controlling interest in its wind energy business to New York-based private equity investment...

PA Governor Creates Renewable Agricultural Energy Council.
October 18, 2005... Pennsylvania governor Edward Rendell recently announced the creation of the Renewable Agricultural Energy Council, a body focused on the development and expansion of "agricultural energy industries" in the state. "As energy costs rise, it...

DayStar Appoints New VP of Sales and Marketing.
October 19, 2005... Photovoltaics products manufacturer DayStar Technologies, Inc. recently announced the appointment of Terence Schuyler as the company's new vice president of sales and marketing. The company also appointed Thomas Polich as general counsel...

GreenFuel Participates as Partner in Caribelate Project.
October 19, 2005... GreenFuel Technologies Corporation recently announced it has commenced work as an industrial partner on Puerto Rico's clean technology program, Caribelate. Under the first phase of its involvement in the program, GreenFuel said it will...

Vestas Receives Turbine Orders for French Wind Farms.
October 19, 2005... The Vestas Group recently announced it has received orders for 18 V80 wind turbines for three wind farms to be located in the Beauce region of France. Vestas noted that the orders were placed by Mistral Windfarms 1 LP and Mistral Energy 1...

EMA to Host 9th Annual Fall Conference in San Francisco.
October 19, 2005... The Environmental Markets Association (EMA) will host its 9th Annual Fall Conference from November 6 through 9 at the Argonaut Hotel in San Francisco, CA. EMA will offer a pre-conference "Introduction to Emissions Trading Workshop" on...

Great Lakes Hydro Reports Third-quarter Financial Results.
October 20, 2005... Gatineau, Quebec-based Great Lakes Hydro Income Fund recently announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, reporting a quarterly net income of $3.6 million Canadian (about $3.1 million U.S.), or seven cents per...

Encore Ceramics Installs Solar System, Purchases Green Tags.
October 20, 2005... The Bonneville Environmental Foundation (BEF) recently announced that Grants Pass, OR-based tile manufacturer Encore Ceramics, Inc. dedicated late last week the installation of a 29-kilowatt solar power system atop the roof of its manufacturing...

IOP Finds Lack of Physics Skills Detrimental to U.K. Renewables.
October 20, 2005... The U.K. Institute of Physics (IOP) recently announced the release of a new study which indicates that a lack of technical skill in the country could hamper the British government's goal of obtaining 10 percent of its electricity from renewable...

BNDES, Ventos do Sul Energia Partner for Wind Power Project.
October 20, 2005... The Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA) recently reported that the Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES) and local wind interest Ventos do Sul Energia have signed an agreement for the development of three new wind farms in Osorio, Rio Grande do Sul....

PJM EIS Creates First Certificates for Renewable Power.
October 20, 2005... PJM Environmental Information Services, Inc. (EIS) recently announced that its multi-state Generation Attributes Tracking System (GATS) has produced its first certificates for electricity generated from renewable resources, which enable states...

PA Governor Announces Multiple-Customer Landfill Gas Plant.
October 21, 2005... Pennsylvania governor Edward Rendell recently announced the state's first multiple-customer landfill-gas-to-energy plant at the Lanchester Landfill in Lancaster County, PA. According to Rendell, the plant, which was financed in part through...

Canadian Environment Minister Launches Wind Mapping Software.
October 21, 2005... Environment Canada minister Stephane Dion announced earlier this week during the Canadian Wind Energy Association's (CanWEA) annual wind energy conference in Toronto, Ontario, the release of a new wind energy mapping software, dubbed...

Brascan Power Hosts Wind Energy Project Groundbreaking.
October 21, 2005... Brascan Power recently announced it has broken ground for the initial phase of its Prince Wind Energy Project. Brascan Power noted that the 99-megawatt facility will be powered with 66 GE Energy 1.5-megawatt wind turbine generators located...

CEI Offers NJ Electric Customers State-generated Wind, Solar.
October 21, 2005... Community Energy, Inc. (CEI) recently announced that, as part of its New Jersey Clean Power Choice program, the company is offering New Jersey electric customers a clean energy choice that includes solar energy generated in the state as well as...

Weekly Update.
October 21, 2005... 14TH EUROPEAN BIOMASS CONFERENCE AND EXHIBITION: BIOMASS FOR ENERGY, INDUSTRY AND CLIMATE PROTECTION, October, 17-21, 2005, Palais des Congres, Paris, France 10TH NATIONAL GREEN POWER MARKETING CONFERENCE, October 24-26, 2005, Austin...

PPM Energy Orders 200 MW of Turbines From GE Energy.
October 24, 2005... PPM Energy, a U.S.-based ScottishPower energy business, recently announced a purchase agreement for 200 megawatts (MW) of wind turbines from GE Energy. According to PPM Energy, the turbines will be used in projects expected to be built in...

NanoLogix, Welch Foods Sign Agreement for Hydrogen Bioreactor.
October 24, 2005... Sharon, PA-based biotechnology and genomics company NanoLogix, Inc. recently announced it has signed an agreement for the installation of a NanoLogix hydrogen generation system using Welch Foods' waste organic matter. According to...

Green Mountain Energy Offers New CleanPower Choice Product.
October 24, 2005... Green Mountain Energy Company recently announced it is offering a new 100-percent renewable product, generated by 50 percent regional wind and 50 percent regional small hydropower, as part of the New Jersey CleanPower Choice program. By...

Endesa Begins Construction on Two Sicilian Wind Farms.
October 24, 2005... Endesa recently announced that Endesa Italia has begun construction on two new wind farms in Sicily -- the Trapani wind farm and the Vizzini wind farm -- with a combined installed capacity of 56 megawatts (MW). According to Endesa, the wind...

Greenlight, Catamount to Codevelop OK, WY Wind Projects.
October 25, 2005... Greenlight Energy, Inc. recently announced an agreement with Catamount Energy Corporation to codevelop Beaver Creek Wind Energy, a proposed 150-megawatt wind farm in Western Oklahoma, and Antelope Creek Wind Energy, a proposed 100-megawatt...

Idaho Power Receives Commission Approval for MT Wind Contract.
October 25, 2005... The Idaho Public Utilities Commission (IPUC) recently approved a 20-year sales agreement between Idaho Power and the Arrow Rock Wind Generating Project, which authorizes the utility to purchase up to 10 average megawatts (aMW) of wind power for...

EcoSecurities Hydro Project Issued Tranche of CERs by CDM EB.
October 25, 2005... EcoSecurities, Ltd. recently announced that its La Esperanza hydroelectric plant in Honduras has been issued one of the world's first tranches of certified emissions reductions (CERs) by the Clean Development Mechanism Executive Board (CDM EB)....

EU Energy, Voith to Codevelop Turbine Transmission Component.
October 25, 2005... EU Energy plc and Voith Turbo GmbH & Company recently announced a joint cooperation agreement for the development of the Voith WinDrive power transmission component for use in the new 60-hertz (Hz) DeWind D8.2 wind turbine. Under the terms...

Alstom's North American Unit to Refurbish CA Hydro Generators.
October 25, 2005... The Canadian Press (CP) recently reported that the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded a $13-million contract to the North American division of Alstom for the refurbishment of two generators at northern California's Shasta hydropower plant....

AMD to Use 100 Percent Green Power in Austin, TX.
October 26, 2005... AMD recently announced a new agreement with the Austin Energy GreenChoice Program for the purchase of green energy derived from renewable resources to power all AMD Austin operations for the next 10 years, including the company's new Austin...

Canadian Hydro Announces New Facility on Mamquam River.
October 26, 2005... Canadian Hydro Developers, Inc. recently announced the grand opening of a new 25-megawatt hydroelectric facility on the Mamquam River near Squamish, British Columbia. According to Canadian Hydro, the 98,000 megawatt-hours per year of power...

SDG&E, enXco Sign Renewable Energy Contract.
October 26, 2005... San Diego Gas and Electric (SDG&E) and wind energy company enXco recently announced the signing of a contract to supply 205.5 megawatts (MW) of electricity to SDG&E customers. According to SDG&E and enXco, the contract includes the...

Report Urges Nova Scotia to Increase Investment in Renewables.
October 26, 2005... GPI Atlantic, an independent nonprofit research organization, recently announced the release of a new report which indicates that Nova Scotia's heavy reliance on imported fossil fuels is unsustainable and recommends "immediate action in the...

3 Phases Forms Green Pricing Partnership With Roseville Electric.
October 27, 2005... 3 Phases Energy recently announced it has been selected by Roseville Electric, the municipally owned utility of the City of Roseville, CA, to reformulate and manage its utility green pricing program to enable customers to support renewable...

GE Technology to Power New Ontario Wind Project.
October 27, 2005... GE Energy recently announced that Brascan Power has selected the company as the turbine supplier for the proposed 99-megawatt Prince Wind Farm in the province of Ontario, Canada. According to GE, the project will utilize 66 of the company's...

Distributed Power Considers Investing in Chinese Hydropower Sites.
October 27, 2005... Distributed Power, Inc. recently announced plans to sign a letter of intent to acquire up to 240 megawatts (MW) of operating hydroelectric power plants in China. According to Distributed Power, the company is currently discussing the sale...

DOE Finds Voluntary Green Power Purchasing Up 1,000 Percent.
October 27, 2005... The Department of Energy (DOE) recently announced the release of a new report from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), titled "Green Power Marketing in the United States: A Status Report," which reveals that renewable energy...

DayStar Receives Frost & Sullivan Technology Innovation Award.
October 27, 2005... DayStar Technologies, Inc. recently announced that Frost & Sullivan has selected the company as the recipient of its 2005 Technology Innovation of the Year Award for its contributions to the commercialization of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide...

EPOD Announces Wind Power Storage Pilot Project.
October 28, 2005... EPOD International, Inc. recently announced that the company has entered into a pilot project with a Canadian wind power developer to test its EMT power storage system. According to EPOD, the EMT system has been developed to store...

Vestas Receives New Turbine Order for Portuguese Wind Farm.
October 28, 2005... The Vestas Group recently announced it has been awarded a turnkey contract for the Alvelos Pinhal wind farm by Generventos do Pinhal Interior, Energias Renovaveis, Lda, a company owned by Generg, S.G.P.S., S.A., which comprises an order for 18...

Foster Wheeler to Add New Line at Italian Waste-to-Energy Plant.
October 28, 2005... Foster Wheeler, Ltd. recently announced that its subsidiary Foster Wheeler Italiana S.p.A has been awarded an engineering, procurement and construction contract to add a second processing line at a waste-to-energy plant in Parona, Italy. ...