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News in Brief
A quick round-up of other clean energy stories happening around the United States.
Latest brief news items:
6 hours ago
Good harvest reported for camelina biofuel crops
Farmers in Montana and North Dakota have had a good harvest from camelina crops, according to seed supplier Sustainable Oils. Now wrapping up this year's harvest of the energy crop, some of the farmers have already had their camelina picked up for processing into jet fuel for the US military. Sustainable Oils, which has its research HQ in Bozeman, Montana, is producing biofuel for the US Air Force and US Navy.
More information: http://www.susoils.com9 hours ago
Conditional offer for turbines using accelerated wind technology
Los Angeles company Pavilion Energy Resources, Inc., said yesterday it has secured a first conditional order for a $100 million turbine supply contract for a new wind farm in the permit process in Idaho. The company has a 40% stake in a joint venture planning a new wind turbine manufacturing facility in Idaho to produce 3-5 megawatt "accelerating" wind turbines. It claims its accelerated wind technology could lower wind generating costs from 7-9 cents per kWh to 3-4 cents per kWh. More information: http://www.pvre.biz/idaho10 hours ago
23kW solar array completed for Sausalito fire station
Cupertino Electric, Inc., has completed a 23-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system on the roof of a new fire station in downtown Sausalito, California. The installation is expected to generate 680,127 kilowatt-hours of power over its lifetime, offering the equivalent environmental benefits to taking 100 cars off the road. The project is funded by the City of Sausalito. More information: http://www.cei.com/energy11 hours ago
AeroVironment electric vehicle charger is UL listed
Technology firm AeroVironment has received Underwriters Laboratories (UL) listing for its electric vehicle home charging station. The home charging station is UL-listed under Subject 2594, set to be the standard for AC power supplies for EV charging. The company is planning to start installing the system this fall, and its network of installers has already started home assessments. More information: http://evsolutions.avinc.com/products/September 9, 2010
40kW rooftop solar array for North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University has had a 40-kilowatt solar array installed on its newly-built Keystone Science Center.
The system has been installed on the rooftop of the 15,000 square foot building at the university's Centennial Campus, which is to house the Future Renewable Electric Energy Delivery and Management (FREEDM) systems center.
It was installed by Dallas-based turn-key commercial solar provider AEG Power Systems.
More information: http://www.aegps.com/solarSeptember 9, 2010
ZBB teams up with SunPower for solar battery demo
Milwaukee firm ZBB Energy Corporation is to work with solar company SunPower to demonstrate its energy storage technology coupled with solar photovoltaic panels. The two companies said yesterday they will work with a "major retailer" to test out the technology in a commercial solar project in California. ZBB will use its zinc bromide flow battery storage technology rated at 500kWh. The California Public Utilities Commission will provide $1.8 million funding. More information: http://www.zbbenergy.com/September 9, 2010
Coulomb raises $15m for electric vehicle network
Coulomb Technologies, the California-based company installing thousands of electric vehicle charging stations across America, has raised $15 million to boost its product development. The Series C funding round will help develop Coulomb's ChargePoint Network, boost customer support and help drive sales, it said. New investors in the funding round included Harbor Pacific Capital and LS Cable Ltd, and LS Industrial Systems Co, Ltd. More information: http://www.brighterenergy.org/15450/directory/ecotality/September 8, 2010
Website offers guide to electric vehicle running costs
The utility Southern California Edison has launched a new online calculator to help prospective owners work out running costs for an electric vehicle.
The new "Plug-in Car Rate Assistant" requires a few details like location, vehicle type and typical mileage, and in return can provide an estimate comparing average monthly electricity bills and equivalent gasoline costs.
The website also offers other resources for those considering buying an electric vehicle.
More information: http://www.sce.com/pevSeptember 8, 2010
Monterey maintenance facility switches to solar power
Public transportation agency Caltrans has gained a new 9.6-kilowatt solar photovoltaic system at its maintenance facility in Monterey, California. The system was installed in July by a partnership between installers Green Earth Engineering Corporation and Earth Electric. It completed final inspections last week. More information: http://www.greenearth-usa.com/September 8, 2010
Unirac supplies racking system for 200kW solar array in Orland, California
New Mexico firm Unirac will supply its new solar photovoltaic racking system, SolarMount-I, for a 200-kilowatt solar project in Orland, California. The Albuquerque-based company was selected by developer Arise Solar for the project at the Paigewood Village Apartments complex. Arise Solar is working on the project with distributor CED Greentech San Diego. More information: http://www.unirac.com/September 7, 2010
USDA offers $3m fund for rural clean energy studies
The US Department of Agriculture is making $3 million available for feasibility studies on renewable energy technology that might be used by farmers and rural small businesses. Grants of up to $50,000 per study will be available from the Rural Energy for America Program, for systems located in a rural area, involving wind, solar, biomass, geothermal, hydro power and hydrogen-based sources. Energy produced can include heat, electricity or fuel, and the application deadline is October 5, 2010. More information: http://www.rurdev.usda.gov/BCP_ReapGrants.htmlSeptember 7, 2010
GT Solar launches polysilicon reactor with boosted efficiency
New Hampshire solar manufacturing equipment provider GT Solar International has launched a new polysilicon production reactor, the SDR400. The company said the new SDR400 produces more than 400 metric tons of polysilicon each year, around 33% more than previous reactors. The new reactor also uses 20% less electricity than GT Solar's previous reactor, the SDR300, the company said. More information: http://www.gtsolar.comSeptember 7, 2010
Spire unveils cost-cutting solar manufacturing system
Solar manufacturing equipment producer Spire Corporation has unveiled its new SPI-Line, a 20 megawatt per year photovoltaic manufacturing line. The company based in Bedford, Massachusetts, said its SPI-Line meant a 30% reduction on capital expenditure, which would mean cutting costs per watt for module production. The line uses Spire equipment including the SPI-AssemblerTM 7000, SPI-Sun SimulatorTM 4600SLP, the SPI-LaminatorTM 1837, other essential manufacturing and testing equipment. More information: http://www.spirecorp.comSeptember 7, 2010
National Fuel Gas Company sells landfill gas business
Western New York and Pennsylvania natural gas provider National Fuel Gas Company has sold its landfill gas distribution business. The sale of the Horizon LFG business was to Dallas-based landfill gas company Toro Energy and an undisclosed buyer. National Fuel, which has its HQ in Williamsville, NY, said the sale was part of its strategy to sell off non-core assets to focus on natural gas projects. More information: http://www.natfuel.comSeptember 3, 2010
UPS begins 90-day trial of electric delivery van
Shipping company UPS has started a 90-day demonstration of a electric walk-in van from California firm Electric Vehicles International. The EVI-WI vehicle has been developed over the past year by the two companies, based on a Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) glider equipped with a Utilimaster body. The 90-day demonstration will be split into three 30-day, smaller demonstrations in vastly different regional locations. The vehicle demonstration will begin in Sacramento, followed by San Francisco and concluding in Reno. More information: http://www.evi-usa.comSeptember 3, 2010
Free energy audit training in San Bernardino, CA
Job seekers in San Bernardino, California, are being offered a free training program to gain the skills to become energy auditors. The San Bernardino County Workforce Investment Board and training specialists CleanEdison are providing the program to help boost job skills. Starting September 20th, the course will see students becoming Building Performance Institute (BPI) Certified Building Analysts, trained to perform energy audits on homes. More information: http://www.cleanedison.com/free-training-application.htmlSeptember 3, 2010
Ram Power completes acquisition of Sierra Geothermal
Geothermal power developer Ram Power has completed its acquisition of Vancouver-based Sierra Geothermal Power Corporation. The company based in Reno, Nevada, said today it has acquired all outstanding shares of Sierra, with Sierra's investors entitled to receive Ram Power securities. Completion came following final approval from the Supreme Court of British Columbia on September 1. More information: http://www.ram-power.comSeptember 3, 2010
NGP seeks $10m to support Nevada geothermal development
Geothermal power plant developer Nevada Geothermal Power is aiming to raise $10 million in a share sale. The company based in Vancouver is to use the funds to further develop its Faulkner 1 geothermal power plant at Blue Mountain, Nevada. The funds would also support development of other existing projects. KBH Capital Corp is assisting with the offering. More information: http://www.nevadageothermal.comSeptember 3, 2010
Arizona utility seeks five solar power arrays
Arizona's largest utility has issued a request for proposals for solar installation companies to provide five solar arrays for "high profile" government and non-profit organizations. Arizona Public Service (APS) Co. is seeking solar companies to provide systems between 10 and 30 kilowatts in scale, submissions are due by September 27. The government or non-profit organizations would receive the power from the systems, with APS using the renewable energy credits to help meet state targets. More information: http://aps.com/rfpSeptember 2, 2010
ChargePoint America begins installing EV charging stations in Michigan
Installation is now underway on the first electric vehicle charging station to be established in Michigan by the $37 million ChargePoint America program. The facility at the NextEnergy headquarters in downtown Detroit is one of 5,000 being installed in nine areas of the US, on the federally-funded initiative from Coulomb Technologies. Hundreds of the new networked charging points will be installed throughout southern Michigan, from Grand Rapids to Detroit. More information: http://www.chargepointamerica.comSeptember 2, 2010
Arizona firm wins $37m in solar equipment orders
Solar manufacturing equipment provider Amtech Systems has won $37 million in new business with new and existing customers in Asia. The company based in Tempe, Arizona, will provide its diffusion processing systems used in the production of silicon-based solar cells. Amtech said its expanding customer base has seen $157 million in orders since October 2009. More information: http://www.amtechsystems.com/September 2, 2010
ESA to install 1MW solar array in North Carolina
Florida solar developer ESA Renewables has won a contract to install a one megawatt solar power system in Culberson, North Carolina. The company agreed a 10-year power purchase agreement to sell power to Tennessee Valley Authority. ESA will design, engineer, construct and commission a system with 4,166 solar panels on a 16-acre site for completion in November 2010. More information: http://www.esarenewables.comSeptember 2, 2010
Vista teams up with Mustang on gasification projects
Denver-based biomass and waste gasification specialist Vista International Technologies, Inc., has teamed up with Houston consultancy Mustang Consulting to jointly develop projects. The companies have worked together in the past, and now Vista believes the partnership could accelerate deployment of its third-generation Thermal Gasifier technology. Vista CEO Tom Pfisterer said: "This agreement with Mustang will significantly reduce the time required to get our first projects on the ground." More information: http://www.vvit.usSeptember 1, 2010
Mustang Geothermal buys three development leases in Nevada
Mustang Geothermal Corporation, the company formerly known as Urex Energy Corp, has completed purchase of three more geothermal leases in Nevada. The firm, which moved into the geothermal arena earlier this year, said the new leases are for 9,800 acres of land, purchased from Reno-based Minera Inc and Minera Cerro El Diablo, and South Dakota company Dakota Resource Holdings. The acquisition brings Mustang's total portfolio of leases in Nevada to 15,262 acres. More information: http://www.mustangeothermal.com/August 31, 2010
NREL offers $7.5m for research to improve electric vehicle batteries
The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is seeking partners to help improve batteries for electric vehicles. The US Department of Energy agency has issued a request for proposals, deadline September 14, offering up to $7.5 million in cost-sharing funds for three-year projects. It is aiming to support projects that shorten the manufacturing process, improve performance, safety and battery life and lower costs for vehicle batteries. More information: http://www.nrel.gov/business_opportunities/solicitations_rfps.html
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