President Obama calls for 80% clean power by 2035 in his State of the Union Address, the US Navy and Marines implement more renewable energy projects and New Mexico’s sun powers a new solar facility.

Obama in his State of the Union Address calls for 80% clean power by 2035

Clean energy was a topic that was on the top of President Barack Obama’s mind when he gave his State of the Union address last night. Obama presented two new clean power goals and made many mentions to the importance of innovation in the sector. First, President Obama wants to challenge the country to attain a new goal.  He would like, by 2035, for “80% of America’s electricity will come from clean energy sources. Some folks want wind and solar. Others want nuclear, clean coal, and natural gas. To meet this goal, we will need them all – and I urge Democrats and Republicans to work together to make it happen.”  Secondly, Obama mentioned that Congress needs to consider eliminating the “billions in taxpayer dollars we currently give to oil companies.” Do you think his goals are achievable?

US Navy and Marines Adopt Renewable Energy

The nation’s Navy and Marine Corps are setting an example for energy efficiency in the armed forces. Since establishing the goal of generating at least 50 percent of their energy requirements from alternative sources by 2020, both agencies have relentlessly pursued the objective. In two bases in Virginia and California, the Marines established test sites for alternative energy projects that  proved fruitful when the Third Battalion of the Fifth Marines reduced its fossil fuel use by 20 percent and reduced the amount of heavy energy supplies necessary bus using solar power systems. In addition, algae biofuels are used in combat aircraft for the Navy.  Moreover, surface ships for the Navy use a hybrid electric drive that increases fuel efficiency. The model is currently used in the USS Makin Island and will soon extend to the rest of the fleet. The Navy is also cooperating with other federal agencies to begin the biofuel production facility in Hawaii, one more step toward reaching the goal of 50% renewable energy by the next decade.


New Mexico’s Sun Powers A New Solar Facility

The 30-MW Cimarron Solar Facility, one of the largest in the country, has begun generating electricity from power harnessed from the New Mexico sun. The facility is capable of powering up to 9,000 homes in the area and is expected to supply power to the Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association based in Denver, Colo. First Solar developed the project, which was acquired by Southern Company and Turner Renewable Energy last March. Ted Turner and Southern Company aim to supplement their renewable portfolios with each party’s first project in the state of New Mexico.


Euro Solar Parks Buys Land for Park

Euro Solar Parks announced the acquisition of two plots of land for the development of small solar power plants.  A Bulgarian subsidiary of the company will be responsible for the construction of the facility. Euro Solar expects annual revenue of $345,600 from the park. The land allotted is in the Karlovo Municipality of Bulgaria, with both plots less than 60 meters from the national grid. Ideally, if all the paperwork is completed, the company aims to begin construction by the end of 2011. The plant will be relatively small, only .7 MW, but with favorable economic conditions it could be expanded.

Fulcrum Closes Funding for BioFuels

Fulcrum BioEnergy closed $75 million Series C financing, a portion of which will be used to fund the Sierra BioFuels Plant. Fulcrum has been working on the project with the goal to reach completion towards the end of 2012. The plant is a commercial-scale facility where household garbage will be converted to clean ethanol and renewable electricity. The Reno, Nev. plant costs a total of $120 million and will be among the first projects of its size to convert trash into ethanol, propanol, and renewable electricity in the United States.

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