Policy, investment and markets News for October 2014

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

First commercial ‘green’ hydrogen refueling facility opens in UK First commercial ‘green’ hydrogen refueling facility opens in UK

The UK’s first commercial-scale, solar-powered hydrogen production and refueling facility has been opened at the Honda car manufacturing site in Swindon.

DoE initiative supports further development of solar power infrastructure

US Energy Department announces $15 million to integrate affordable solar power into nation’s electrical grid.

2014 Clean Energy Venture Awards presented at NREL ‘Industry Growth Forum’

Renewable energy firms recognized for innovative ideas and concepts.

Canada’s Enerkem announces new biofuel project partnership in China

Modular waste-to-biofuel system selected to address local waste challenges.

Global bioenergy capacity on the rise

Installed bioenergy market to exceed 165 GW by 2025, new GlobalData report says.

Johnson Matthey to acquire battery materials business from Clariant

Swiss specialty chemicals giant Clariant has agreed to divest its Business Line Energy Storage to UK-based Johnson Matthey, which will further strengthen JM’s Battery Technologies business. Clariant’s Energy Storage unit is a leading supplier of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathode material to the lithium-ion battery sector for both automotive and non-automotive applications.

MGM Resorts, NRG announce completion of massive rooftop array in Las Vegas MGM Resorts, NRG announce completion of massive rooftop array in Las Vegas

6.2MW solar system atop the Mandalay Bay Resort Convention Center ranks among the largest rooftop PV installations in the world.

Samsung, Pattern Development start construction on Canadian wind power project

180 MW Armow Wind power project expected to create thousands of highly skilled jobs.

Gamesa signs first wind turbine supply contract in Jordan Gamesa signs first wind turbine supply contract in Jordan

Deal calls for Gamesa to supply 33 G97-2.0 MW turbines at a facility being developed by Elecnor.

UK expands hydrogen transport with car deliveries, first supermarket dispenser

Three new Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell vehicles have been delivered to the UK as part of the government-backed London Hydrogen Network Expansion (LHNE) project. in addition, Sainsbury’s has announced that the nation’s first supermarket forecourt hydrogen dispenser, supplied by Air Products, will be located at its Hendon store by the end of the year.

Alevo to transform energy storage by combining battery tech with smart data analysis Alevo to transform energy storage by combining battery tech with smart data analysis

Alevo Group plans to transform the world of grid-scale energy storage, with the opening of a large, new manufacturing plant in Concord, North Carolina. Alevo is using a combination of innovative battery technology and smart data analytics to significantly reduce losses caused by inefficiencies in grid transmission.

DNV GL releases 'Global Trends in Solar Finance'

New paper identifies what is needed to ensure technical risks in solar projects are properly assessed.

US Department of Energy allocates $53 mllion to drive solar power Innovation

Funding supports 40 innovative research and development projects that aim to drive down the cost of solar energy.

Grupo Clavijo completes Chilean solar installation

40MW solar array installed in 'record time'

DIF selects Radian Generation to manage portfolio of solar projects

Radian Generation to provide solar asset management services for Canadian solar projects totalling 65MW.

GreenMax Capital Advisors secures financing for large geothermal project in Kenya

US Overseas Private Investment Corporation grants $950,000 for 40MW geothermal energy project.

ET Solar constructs a new solar farm in Somerset, UK

8.7 MWp ground-mounted solar farm project developed by Lightsource Renewable Energy.

Gamesa turbine awarded first type certificate under DNV GL’s wind guideline GL2010

Certified G97-2.0 MW turbine is the first to be equipped with Gamesa’s infused blade.

US Department of Energy awards $13.4 million to develop advanced biofuels and bio-products

Investment in biofuel projects aim to help drive down the cost of producing gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel from biomass.

UK low-carbon competition now open for entries

Shell Springboard offers £350,000 to country's most innovative low-carbon entrepreneurs.

ENER-G partners with Cornes Biogas for Japanese project

190kW ENER-G CHP unit to be installed, commissioned and maintained by Cornes at an agricultural biogas plant in Shikaoi, Japan.

Ecotricity, Skanska form joint onshore wind power venture

Goal of ‘Skylark’ initiative is to rollout new wind farm projects in Britain.

HEINEKEN UK installs 4,000 solar panels on the roof of its Tadcaster brewery HEINEKEN UK installs 4,000 solar panels on the roof of its Tadcaster brewery

Solar plant expected to generate approximately 876 MWh each year -- enough to power 185 homes.

Renewable Energy Association to formally end affiliation with Solar Trade Association on 1 January 2015

Despite the scheduled split, both associations will remain open to collaboration on areas of mutual interest in the future.

Government–industry funding to accelerate hydrogen fueling, fuel cell cars in the UK

The UK government has announced up to £11 million (€14 million, US$17.7 million) of funding to prepare for the national rollout of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Scottish Government approves new round of offshore wind projects

Planning consent granted for four wind farms totalling a potential 2.284 GW capacity.

North Wales Tidal Energy & Coastal Protection Co Ltd set for launch

New Welsh company formed to develop a world-leading integrated tidal energy and coastal protection scheme along the North Wales coast.

US Energy Department to fund CSP research US Energy Department to fund CSP research

DoE allocates $25 Million to support research and development of concentrating solar power.

Tidal Lagoon Power expands environmental team

Tim Carter named head of environment; Jo Pickard, principal ecologist.

Grand Coalition to expand network of hydrogen fueling stations in Germany Grand Coalition to expand network of hydrogen fueling stations in Germany

Automaker Daimler and industrial gases giant The Linde Group are teaming with oil & gas companies Total, OMV, Avia and Hoyer to significantly increase the number of hydrogen fueling stations in Germany. The initiative will implement 13 new refueling locations by the end of 2015, and secure sustainable sourcing of ‘green’ hydrogen.

Arizona waste treatment plant gets biomethane upgrade

Pima County signs contract with Anaergia to use the biogas from wastewater as a renewable fuel source.

Samsung, Pattern Development team up for Canadian wind power project

Partners sign 20-year PPA for 100 MW wind project in Ontario

SunEdison announces $50 million, 23.8MW solar power plant in the Middle East

Solar technology manufacturer partners with EBRD and OPIC for one of the largest solar power plants in Jordan.

£300 million budget to launch UK auctions for renewables

Initiative to support low-carbon electricity projects that aim to deliver new capacity much more cheaply than through the previous arrangements.

Bloomberg New Energy Finance releases Q3 renewable energy investment report

Figures for the third quarter show another year-on-year rise, with a solar boom in China the biggest single contributor.

Last week's top three stories: UC Davis, SunPower project; Schmack Biogas wins 5 MW contract; Scottish Government approves new wind farm

The top three articles on renewableenergyfocus.com last week were as follows:

US Department of Energy earmarks $25 million for biofuel research

Funding to go toward reducing the costs of algal biofuels over the next five years.

Five energy companies establish Universal Smart Energy Framework

‘USEF’ aims to develop products, services and solutions for large-scale deployment of smart energy grids.

California reclamation authority marks start-up of biogas production

Advanced biogas system supplied by Anaergia, Inc.

Latin America and Caribbean region primed for solar development

Hot markets on track to install 9 GW solar PV within five years, according to NPD Solarbuzz report.

VG Energy partners with Norvento

Deal entails seven nED100 100kW turbines for a portfolio of wind farm sites in Scotland.

Voith awarded Canadian hydropower contract Voith awarded Canadian hydropower contract

Deal calls for Voith to equip the Keeyask generating station in Manitoba.