Policy, investment and markets News for March 2015

Policy, investment and markets News Archive

SAPC releases new best practices guidelines for solar PV systems.

Industry-backed 'Best Practices Guides' aim to lower financing costs for solar energy systems.

Conergy launches operations in Turkey

New joint venture with CO Group designed to expand Conergy’s solar business in the region.

Renewable future gets Scots’ vote

Poll ahead of General Election shows 79% of Scottish adults want next UK Government to continue to develop renewable energy – outstripping support for fracking, nuclear or fossil fuels.

GE and Casa dos Ventos team up to support wind energy production in Brazil

Two wind turbine operation and maintenance centers to be built at wind farms in the northeast portion of the country.

Foresight Group announces investment in anaerobic digestion plant at Old Quarrington, Durham

New anaerobic digestion plant to boost the renewable energy industry in the North East.

Ecotricity announces funding programme with Aviva Investors

Deal expected to provide enough financing to increase Ecotricity’s total generation to 100MW within 18 months.

SEFA comes to San Francisco in March SEFA comes to San Francisco in March

Solar leadership forum to host industry briefing and networking event in the ‘City by the Bay’

Siemens signs long-term service extension for Rhyl Flats offshore wind farm in North Wales Siemens signs long-term service extension for Rhyl Flats offshore wind farm in North Wales

First 15-year post-warranty service agreement extension for Siemens offshore wind service.

Four UK projects in £80 million boost for greener buses, cars, vans and engines

Four new projects have been awarded £80 million in new investment to develop and manufacture new clean vehicle technology in the UK, through the Advanced Propulsion Centre.

Latest DOE renewable energy funding efforts target tribal communities

Under the plan, 11 tribal communities will receive nearly $6 million to accelerate the implementation of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies on tribal lands.

UK government waives planning permission for commercial rooftop solar UK government waives planning permission for commercial rooftop solar

Barrier for solar rooftops up to 1MW first raised by the Solar Trade Association over a year ago falls away.

Clean Power Finance, Panasonic and Coronal Group launch joint financing deal

Collaboration designed to bring $100MM in solar financing to underserved non-profit entities and businesses in Hawaii.

REC wins sustainability award for solar energy solutions

Achievement marks REC’s second IAIR Group award in two straight years

Greenleaf Power, Leidos sign energy purchase agreement

Deal calls for Greenleaf Power to acquire Plainfield Renewable Energy in Connecticut.

IKEA to expand renewable energy portfolio IKEA to expand renewable energy portfolio

Retailer to utilize fuel cells to generate more onsite clean power at its Emeryville, California, store.

Department of Energy, Department of the Interior and Army Corps of Engineers renew five-year partnership to advance hydropower. Department of Energy, Department of the Interior and Army Corps of Engineers renew five-year partnership to advance hydropower.

Efforts focused on aligning ongoing and future renewable energy development efforts across the agencies.

Researchers collaborate to prevent faults in offshore wind farm cables Researchers collaborate to prevent faults in offshore wind farm cables

Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) is a partner in a new research project to design a system which detects and prevents high voltage insulation faults in subsea power cables for offshore wind farms.

2015 Inaugural ‘Hybrid Energy Innovations’ conference announces four corporate sponsors

Inaugural event seeks to provide a broad perspective on hybrid energy and serve as an ideal networking forum for practitioners in the field.

Stobart Group inks fourth major biomass supply contract in as many months.

Latest agreement will complete Stobart roup’s target of supplying 2 million tonnes per annum by 2017/18.

Saxlund & Axis Industries announce new joint biomass ventures

Partners announce biomass combustion projects totalling 78 million euros.

New solar trade body launched in Scotland New solar trade body launched in Scotland

'STA Scotland' seeks to become the leading voice for solar in Scotland, advising and developing policy with the Scottish Government and raising awareness of the benefits of solar.

Suntech opens warehouse in Cape Town

New facility created to reduce delivery time of modules sold to Suntech customers.

NREL director announces retirement

Dan Arvizu to end tenure at renewable energy lab in September

ABB wins $900 million order to connect Norwegian and German power grids ABB wins $900 million order to connect Norwegian and German power grids

Enabling the transmission of 1,400 MW of renewable energy, NordLink project claims to be Europe’s longest HVDC power grid interconnection.

Raggnar Power to establish renewable energy hub for North East Scotland

Facility designed to provide expert installation and service capabilities for Raggnar's customer base.

Wave Energy Scotland is ‘open for business’ with its first £7 million technology innovation competition

Hunt for innovative power take-off systems for wave energy devices is on.

California Energy Commission approves $21 million in grants for renewable energy innovation and efficiency initiatives.

Funding allocated toward energy storage, biofuel,efficiency and transportation programs.

Alstom signs on for two new biomass plants in the UK

When complete, the new biomass plants are expected to generate enough clean energy to power more than 100,000 homes.

DNV reports results of 'electricity grid' survey

82 per cent of global industry respondents say electricity system can be 70 per cent renewable by 2050, DNV study shows.

Scottish Government allocates £21 million for community ownership of energy projects

Five renewable energy projects across Scotland will benefit from funding that will help reshape how energy is delivered and used in communities throughout the country.

Solar Frontier, Welspun Renewables sign 100 MW solar module supply agreement

Terms of the deal call for Solar Frontier to supply its proprietary CIS thin-film solar modules, manufactured in Japan, to Welspun Renewables – a leading generator of solar energy in India.

Keynote speakers announced for Renewable Energy Finance Forum (REFF) Keynote speakers announced for Renewable Energy Finance Forum (REFF)

12th Annual Renewable Energy Finance Forum expected to draw more than 600 senior decision makers, financiers and professionals in the renewable energy finance field.

US Energy Department releases new 'Wind Report'

Study quantifies the economic and social benefits of robust wind energy growth

Finalists announced for 2015 Ashden UK and Travel Awards

Annual awards programme is a globally recognised measure of excellence in the field of sustainable energy.

sPower signs solar deal with FLS Energy

Purchase calls for sPower to acquire equity interest in 63.1 MWdc solar assets from FLS Energy

Blazing a trail for biomass apprentices

Leading players in the UK's biomass industry have joined forces to develop a skills standard under the government's Apprenticeship Trailblazers programme.

Offshore energy reaches new peak in Germany Offshore energy reaches new peak in Germany

Newly released statistics bode well for Germany’s offshore wind market.

US Energy Department allocates $6 million to accelerate alternative fuel vehicle market growth US Energy Department allocates $6 million to accelerate alternative fuel vehicle market growth

Funding earmarked for 11 projects aimed at improving potential buyers’ experiences with alternative fuel and plug-in electric vehicles.

2015 Ecobuild deemed "the most vibrant to date" 2015 Ecobuild deemed "the most vibrant to date"

Leading green building conference and exhibition draws more than 40,000 visitors.

DECC announcs £3 million funding to boost low carbon heating

Monies will support 74 low-carbon heat UK projects designed to provide more efficient heat to buildings and potentially lower heating bills in local areas.

First Solar secures interconnection rights for three solar PV plants in Turkey

Winning bids pave way for development of three projects in southern Turkey.

DNV GL announced three joint industry wind power projects

Primary aim is to develop recommended practices for the global wind industry.

BlueWave Capital earns '2015 PV Project of Distinction Award' at PV America

Honour recognizes major achievements within the solar industry in the Northeastern United States.

Oldbaum expands wind power data certification services

Wind energy consultancy adds floating LiDAR (light detection and ranging) to its menu.

Gamesa, Areva finalized new joint venture

New partnership, called "Adwen," will be responsible for the design, manufacturing, installation, commissioning and services of offshore wind turbines.

Alstom receives formal notice to proceed from developers of the Deepwater Wind project Alstom receives formal notice to proceed from developers of the Deepwater Wind project

New project, which will feature five Alstom Haliade 150 6-MW offshore wind turbines, is poised to become America’s first commercial offshore wind farm.

Anesco names new commercial director

Delvin Lane to oversee all aspects of the day-to-day running of Anesco, with particular focus on the ECO, ESCO and the biomass businesses.

Gamesa signs turnkey wind turbine agreement with DEW 21 Gamesa signs turnkey wind turbine agreement with DEW 21

Deal calls for Gamesa to build a 12-MW wind farm in Germany.

Barbour ABI releases 2014 renewable energy contract report

UK renewable energy sector continues to grow, market statistics show.

LG Solar appoints UK solar sales manager

Bob Mills to expand LG Solar’s sales channel and strengthen partnerships with distributors and installers.

Offshore Wind Programme publishes 2014 industry report Offshore Wind Programme publishes 2014 industry report

Newly released research demonstrates how the UK offshore wind sector is “leading the charge in industry collaboration to bring down costs.

SgurrEnergy selected to design and install a 100kW hydroelectric scheme in Mulanje. SgurrEnergy selected to design and install a 100kW hydroelectric scheme in Mulanje.

When complete, the new hydroelectric plant will provide a much-needed boost (and energy security) to flood-ravaged Malawi community

US Department of Energy kicks off third round of 'Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team' funding

'START' renewable energy assistance efforts designed to help tribes advance clean energy projects.

Sustainable waste-to-energy facilityapproved for construction in Tennessee Sustainable waste-to-energy facilityapproved for construction in Tennessee

Lebanon, Tennessee, project will deploy what PHG Energy is calling the ‘world’s largest’ downdraft gasifier.

KIC InnoEnergy announces results of 80M euro clean energy investment programme

Sustainable energy innovation project support initiative, which recorded 28 newly enrolled high potential project consortia in the space of just one year, has netted 65 new projects since 2013.

ET Solar builds a 9.1 MWp solar farm for Hilperton PV in the UK

New “Marsh” solar farm created to meet the electricity requirements of approximately 3,000 households in Wiltshire.

AVEVA, EMC Corporation collaborate on new project software solution

Goal is to deliver integrated solution for renewable energy capital projects and asset operations.

AES Corporation acquires Main Street Power

Proven experience in turnkey distributed generation solar projects combined with AES’ operating platforms aims to bring sustainable energy solutions to customers in key markets.

ABB Automation & Power World welcomes AWEA, SEIA CEOs

Tom Kiernan (AWEA) and Rhone Resch (SEIA) to speak at ABB’s premiere customer event on March 3 in Houston.

Alstom to supply hydropower turbine generators to Uganda’s largest electricity plant

Karuma electricity plant is the largest hydropower project in Uganda with a capacity of 600MW.

Ecosse Subsea land largest seabed clearance contract on Caithness-Moray transmission link

When completed, the Caithness-Moray cable will be capable of carrying 1.2GW of renewable energy generated in the North of Scotland to the main UK electricity transmission network.

IBC Solar honours its 2015 “Premium Partners" IBC Solar honours its 2015 “Premium Partners"

Annual awards programme recognizes IBC Solar partner companies for outstanding achievements in the cooperation with the German system -- or for becoming a new Premium Partner in 2014.

Siemens to supply turbines for power plantproject in Michigan Siemens to supply turbines for power plantproject in Michigan

Combined cycle power plant will generate approximately 125 MW in summer and 145 MW in winter.

10th Annual World Bio Markets 2015 kicks off this week in Amsterdam

Core focus of this year's event includes: biofuels, bio-based chemicals and feedstock supply, security and selection.