Energy infrastructure News for January 2010

Energy infrastructure News Archive

AEG enters North American solar market

AEG Power Solutions is entering the North American solar power market with solar turnkey solutions and power controllers systems.

New York state calls for 100 MW of solar electric

The governor of New York has requested 100 MW of solar electric capacity for the state, increasing current solar levels by 500%.

CSP funding yields 900 MW by 2020

Financing of US$750m for concentrated solar power (CSP) will mobilise an additional US$5bn from other sources and support the deployment of 1 GW of CSP generating capacity.

FERC seeks renewable energy transmission advice

The US Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) seeks comments whether rules, regulations, tariffs and industry practices act as barriers to variable and renewable energy.

Wales gives £8m to renewable energy

Community groups in Wales can access £8 million to develop local renewable energy projects.

NIST issues first release of framework for smart grid interoperability

The US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has issued an initial list of standards, a preliminary cybersecurity strategy, and other elements of a framework to support transforming the aging electric power system in the US into an interoperable 'Smart Grid'.

Fund commits €10m for clean energy in southern Africa

The Global Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy Fund (GEEREF) will commit the funds to the ‘Evolution One Fund’ that is dedicated to clean energy investment in Southern Africa.

AFC Energy wins fuel cell order from Centrica

In the UK, AFC Energy has secured an order from energy company Centrica to reserve 250 kW of fuel cell systems for use in a flagship project. AFC Energy is developing low-cost alkaline fuel cells for industrial applications.

Bank supports wind energy in remote Asian communities

Technical assistance grants of US$3.87 million from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) will deploy small wind energy systems and lay the groundwork for using wind energy to enhance access to electricity in poor rural communities.

PV Powered delivers solar inverters for Portland Water Bureau PV Powered delivers solar inverters for Portland Water Bureau

PV Powered Inc’s commercial solar inverters will be used for Portland Water Bureau’s US$2.2 million solar installation near the Portland Airport, Oregon, USA.

Air Liquide hydrogen station fueling BC Transit fuel cell bus fleet for Winter Olympics

In Canada, BC Transit has inaugurated the hydrogen station that will fuel its fleet of 20 zero-emission fuel cell buses running in Whistler, British Columbia, which will soon be carrying athletes and visitors to the 2010 Winter Olympics.

AREVA sells Transmission and Distribution to Alstom and Schneider Electric

The AREVA group is selling its Transmission and Distribution business to Alstom and Schneider Electric for €4.09 billion following the decision to sell the unit last summer.

US government funds US$20.5m for community renewable energy deployment

Five projects in the USA will receive US$20.5 million from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act to support deployment of community-based renewable energy projects in wind energy, solar electric and biomass installations.

UK and UAE to jointly research renewable energy

Britain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will jointly fund £1 million for research into renewable energy policy.

US study shows that 20% from wind is possible by 2024

The integration of 20% from wind energy is technically feasible, but will require significant expansion of the transmission infrastructure and system operational changes in order for it to be realised, according to an analysis from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).

SolarWorld donates solar panels to pump water in Haiti following earthquakes

SolarWorld is donating solar modules to power 10 pump stations to provide clean water for up to 175,000 earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Four communities in UK win prize for implementing renewable energy and efficiency measures

Four community groups in Britain will share £1 million in prize money for reducing their carbon emissions by up to one-third in the past year through use of renewable energy and efficiency measures.

Toyota wins Zayed Future Energy Prize 2010 Toyota wins Zayed Future Energy Prize 2010

Toyota Motor Corporation has been awarded the 2010 Zayed Future Energy Prize for its third-generation Toyota Prius, the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle.

NHA Hydrogen Conference & Expo will feature market-ready products

Zero-emission cars, forklift vehicles, new fuel cell power units, and hydrogen production technology that will provide green energy, green jobs, and a green planet are all part of the Expo within the annual NHA Hydrogen Conference coming to Long Beach, California in May.

Fuel cell industry could create 700 000 green jobs worldwide by 2020

Up to 700 000 ‘green’ manufacturing jobs could be created in the global fuel cell industry over the next decade, according to the latest Industry Review, Fuel Cells: Sustainability from the analysts at Fuel Cell Today. The 2010 Industry Review was launched today at the World Future Energy Summit’s Expert Showcase Seminar in Abu Dhabi.

GE energy information panels to ease energy management

GE is introducing an in-home, multi-function energy information panel to give consumers insight and control to help them manage energy usage and understand costs by linking it wirelessly to a household’s smart meter.

Enecsys gets £2.5m from Good Energies for solar micro-inverter

Enecsys Ltd, a manufacturer of solar photovoltaic (PV) micro-inverters, has received investment of £2.5 million (US$4.2m) from Good Energies, a global investor in renewable energy and energy efficiency industries.

Wind energy may be used in nuclear facility

A research wind farm could be installed on the site of a major US nuclear office, where the wind-generated electricity would be used to operate the plant.

Canada funds 19 demonstration projects in clean and renewable energy

The government of Canada will invest C$146 million to support 19 clean and renewable energy projects which include solar, wind, tidal and geothermal energy.

Renewable energy enjoys a 'significant comparative advantage' in Scotland

A study commissioned by the Scottish Government highlights Scotland's location, natural resources, research and manufacturing bases as key advantages for developing renewable energy resources.

Marine and hydrokinetic energy can play a “substantial role” in clean energy options

The marine energy industry is at a relatively early stage of development and maturity when compared to other renewable energy technologies, but the US Department of Energy (DoE) will help speed deployment of the technologies, according to testimony before a federal subcommittee.

NHA Hydrogen Conference & Expo taking place May 3–6, 2010 in Long Beach

The National Hydrogen Association will hold its 21st annual NHA Hydrogen Conference & Expo this year in Long Beach, California from May 3–6, 2010 at the Long Beach Convention Center. The event is expected to attract more than 1500 attendees, and feature more than 150 speakers.

Wind farm selected in first selection of clean energy projects

A wind farm in the Caribbean island of Dominica is one of the first three projects to receive US funding under the ‘Energy & Climate Partnership of the Americas’ announced by President Obama at the 2009 Summit of the Americas.

Support for renewable energy technologies displaces the emission of 1200 Mt of CO2

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) says its investments have contributed to the installation of 3 GW of electricity capacity from renewable energy facilities, and another 2.8 GW of green capacity from thermal renewable energy facilities which, combined, avoid the emission of 290 million tonnes of CO2 and indirect GHG reductions of 1.2 billion tonnes.

USA: US$2.3bn in clean energy manufacturing tax credits

The US$2.3 billion in tax credits for clean energy manufacturing is being allocated on a competitive basis.

European fund supports UK initiative in micro-renewable energy

Funding will support a business support centre in northeastern England that will focus on advice and guidance to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SME) which want to develop micro-renewable technologies.

Nine EU Governments take first steps towards a Northern European Supergrid.

The siging of a political declaration in early December last year will see the countries cooperate on the development of a North Sea supergrid joining up clean energy projects scattered in and around the North Sea.

Ontario invests in General Electric Canada’s motor production facility

Ontario, Canada is helping General Electric Canada (GEC) improve productivity and energy efficiency at its Peterborough-based motor production facility.

UK's Beauly-Denny power line given the go ahead

Plans for a line of giant electricity pylons from the Scottish Highlands to central Scotland have been approved by the Scottish government.

Europe launches ELENA facility to support renewable energy projects

The European Commission and the European Investment Bank (EIB) have launched an initiative to help regional authorities invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.

Horizon to unveil ‘personal hydrogen station’ at CES 2010 in Las Vegas this week

Singapore-based Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies will unveil a small home hydrogen fueling and storage solution at this week’s CES 2010 consumer technology trade show in Las Vegas. Horizon believes that the launch marks a major step towards its vision of ‘a hydrogen station in every home,’ and help begin the transition to a hydrogen-based economy.

Hydrogenics, Rosetti Marino to commercialize utility-scale hydrogen fuel cell power plants

The Canadian fuel cell and electrolyzer manufacturer Hydrogenics Corporation has announced a strategic development agreement with Italian-based Rosetti Marino SpA to jointly design, develop and commercialize utility-scale hydrogen fuel cell power plants for peak shaving and energy management.

California processing 244 proposals for renewable energy facilities

Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger says the projects represent 70,000 MW of capacity that will help the state meet its 2020 goal of one-third of power from renewables.

US government to invest US$366m in Energy Innovation Hubs

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued an announcement of funding opportunity for research that will produce fuels directly from sunlight.