Posts tagged energy news
Obama Vows to Side with EPA on Energy Tax Bill
Apr 11th
Obama Will not Pass Energy Tax Prevention Act
President Obama has vowed to veto the Energy Tax Prevention Act of 2011 if it manages to pass through the Senate. The Act, already gone through the House vote, aims to curb EPA power over the Clean Air Act that allows the agency to tax carbon dioxide emissions. Proponents of the Energy Tax Prevention Act claim the EPA’s regulations cost Americans their jobs and unnecessary expenses on behalf of businesses. Those who support the EPA’s authority to tax greenhouse gas emission say it is a vital function of the Clean Air Act and such regulation is necessary to contain climate change.
GE Goes from Solar Investor to Manufacturer
GE announced the company’s intentions to build the largest solar panel factory in the United States by 2013. The factory will be capable of producing panels worth 400-MW of electricity per year. Although the factory is not yet under constructions, customers are already lined up such as NextEra Energy, who plans to buy 60-MW worth of the thin-film cadmium telluride panels. Although the panels are less efficient compared to conventional panels with an efficiency rate of 16-20 percent, they are cheaper to produce, making them attractive to developers.
Concrete Boom Pumps Headed for Japanese Nuclear Plants
Two of the world’s largest concrete boom pumps are on their way to Japan’s Fukushima Daiichi plant to help keep the nuclear reactors cool. The pumps departed from Los Angeles International Airport and Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport on Russian Antonov cargo jets, one of the world’s largest aircrafts. Each pump weighs approximately 190,000 pounds and can reach over 227 feet. The machines are typically used to pour concrete for bridges and high-rises and they will provide accurate reach to hotspot in the reactors. Furthermore, the pumps can operate from 1.2 miles away, keeping the operator safe from exposure. Eleven such pumps, also made by Putzmeister, were sent to contain the Chernobyl disaster in 1986.
World’s First Fuel Cell Olympics this Week
The first-ever A World in Motion Fuel Cell Olympics will be held this Thursday, April 14, during the SAE International 2011 World Congress in Detroit, Michigan. Sponsored by the GM Foundation, the Fuel Cell Olympics invite student teams to compete in several events using small car models powered by hydrogen fuel cells. The technology used in the cars will be available to educators and young engineers to promote clean energy. Basically, distilled water is the source of the fuel and a reversible fuel cell electrolyzes the water to separate H2 molecules that power the electric motor. Distance, weight, accuracy and speed will all be judged during the various events.
Chu Increases Funding for SunShot
Secretary Steven Chu increased the previously announced $110 million toward the SunShot Initiative to $170 million. The project aims to reduce the cost of solar energy systems by 75 percent until it is closer to $1 per watt before 2020. Advancing energy grid integration, increasing research and development and discovering new materials for PV panels will all help lowering the costs.
Study: Biofuel Production Predicted to Increase
Apr 8th
Biofuel Production Increasing Worldwide
Biofuel production in leading and emerging countries is expected to grow by 46 percent by 2016, according to a research report released by MarketsandMarkets. The countries studied include the U.S., Brazil, France, Spain, India, Colombia, Thailand, Sweden, Belgium and the Netherlands, among the top biofuel producers worldwide. The United States and Brazil lead production at 45 percent and 29 percent respectively. The use of biofuels has gained importance due to the low carbon emissions, government subsidies and the push for clean energy. However, the increase in crops aimed for biofuel harvesting has caused a significant rise to food prices and some worry the trend will lead to further hunger and poverty in developing nations.
DOE Teams up with Qatar for Clean Energy
The DOE is working together with the Qatar Science and Technology Park under an agreement to promote clean energy. Both countries will exchange innovations and take part in joint research initiatives to garner economic growth. The collaboration will focus on five areas: advanced cooling technologies, renewable power generation, energy storage, carbon capture and water treatment systems.
Amendment to Suspend Greenhouse Gas Regulations Defeated
The Senate voted against the proposed amendment to suspend the EPA’s greenhouse gas permitting regulations for “stationary sources.” The amendment, proposed by Senator Jay Rockefeller, a West Virginia Democrat, was an attempt to help save jobs in certain sectors that do not meet the regulation’s standards. Backlash was voiced by groups such as the West Virginia Manufacturer’s Association. “[The regulations] jeopardize our companies’ nearly 10,000 West Virginia jobs, along with thousands of others in downstream industries,” said Karen Price, president of WVMA.
Wind Farm Under Construction in Hawaii
A 21-MW wind energy project is underway in the Ulupalakua Ranch region of Maui, Hawaii. Dubbed the Auwahi project, it is expected to come online early 2012 creating jobs as well as clean energy. The project is currently under intense environmental review by Maui agencies. It will generate enough electricity to power 10,000 Maui homes, helping Hawaii reach its energy goal of 40 percent renewable source generated electricity by 2030.
DOE Provides Additional Funding for SunShot Initiative
The DOE has issued $112 million in funding over the next five years to support the SunShot Initiative, an effort to encourage solar manufacturing in the U.S. The solar manufacturing sector has been steadily declining in the face of economic pressures. SunShot aims to boost production and create more green jobs. Funding was awarded to both university and industry applicants with the U.S. Photovoltaic Manufacturing Consortium (Albany, NY and Palm Bay, FL) taking the biggest chunk of the pie, $62.5 million, for industry-focused development. Bay Area PV Consortium (Stanford, CA) and STC Technologies (San Jose, CA) each received $25 million.
Rome, NY Energy Efficiency Saves The City $700K
Apr 6th
Rome Saved $700,000 with Energy Efficiency Program
The city of Rome, NY has saved over $700,000 since the initiation of its energy efficiency program. The city selected Johnson Controls to help reduce its utility costs and now it expects $8.5 million in energy, operations and maintenance savings and revenue by 2024. Improvements include upgrades in public sector buildings and a diffused aeration system at the city’s Wastewater Treatment Plant. City Hall, the central fire station, the police department and the Rome Arts Center are all buildings that have been upgraded to improve their energy efficiency.
Europeans Vote Against Nuclear Investments
Europeans have supported reducing nuclear energy investments in the wake of the Japan quake, according to the results of a survey conducted by Benesnson Strategy Group and First International Resources. Another factor that played a role in the responses is the upcoming 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster. A majority of Europeans did not support nuclear power investments, even before the Japanese nuclear crisis. Of German respondents, only 12 percent supported an increase in nuclear investments, while 70 percent were against the idea. Surprisingly, a majority of Ukrainians, the site of the Chernobyl accident, supported investments in nuclear energy—35 percent in favor versus 18 percent against.
EV Charging Stations Installed in Malls
Simon Properties is installing electric vehicle charging stations at its properties nationwide. The first installation at Simon’s Florida Mall in Orlando has been completed and another is under construction at the Stanford Shopping Center in California. These EV stations will be self-service so that shoppers can plug in while they shop. Initially, charging will be free and then there will be a fee that has not yet been decided.
Canadian Wind Project Operational
Manitoba’s largest wind farm, the St.Joseph Wind project, is now online. The 138-MW initiative is capable of generating enough energy to serve 50,000 homes in the Manitoba, Canada area. The wind farm was constructed by Pattern Energy, which will pay about $38 million to landholders and an additional $44 million in taxes, generating revenue for the locals.
Philly Zoo Adopts Clean Energy
The Philadelphia Zoo has chosen GDF Suez Energy Resources to supply its electricity for the following two years. With this development, renewable energy certificates will offset 25 percent of the Zoo’s electricity consumption. The program is estimated to remove over three million pounds of CO2 per year. “It is an honor to serve America’s first Zoo,” said Robert Wilson, President and CEO of GDF SUEZ Energy Resources. “Its focus on energy efficiency and carbon reduction – a focus that our company shares – has not only raised the environmental bar for zoos across the country, but has also set a standard for eco-friendly practices.”
Maryland Researchers Work toward Energy Goals
Apr 5th
Maryland Research Institute Juggles 3 Clean Energy Goals
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in Gaithersburg, MD took President Obama’s goal of 80 percent renewable energy by 2035 to heart. The NIST campus now boasts three new facilities that are in line with clean energy goals. The Net-Zero Energy Residential Test Facility was built to resemble the average suburban home. NIST will employ researchers to simulate the daily energy use of a family of four to prove that the typical American can still conserve energy in the home. Also on the site are 2,000 solar energy panels that will feed up to 600-kW onto the grid. The third facility is the National Structural Fire Resistance Lab where researchers will try to build safer buildings, including some that can withstand even fire.
Veteran’s Affairs Solar Installment Extended
SunWize Systems has finished the first phase of its solar project for the Department of Veteran’s Affairs in Phoenix, Arizona. The undertaking is the largest solar carport yet and biggest hospital solar PV system, and SunWize is even extending Phase 2 of the initiative to 4.45-MW (previously 3.63) of solar production. The project is scheduled to be completed in early 2012. The installation will produce over seven million kWh of clean energy per year.
Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy Plan Promotes Energy Savings
Wisconsin utilities have partnered with several companies such as Pactiv and Xtel Energy to promote energy efficient technologies. New radiant heater bands were installed on machines at Xten and at Pactiv to boost warm-up times so that cool-down systems are more effective. This alone will save the companies over $10,000 in energy costs annually and eliminate 169,000 pounds of CO2 from being emitted into the atmosphere. The improvements are a part of the Focus on Energy plan, Wisconsin’s clean energy initiative that has been in place since 2001 to help businesses identify possible energy savings to lower their operating costs.
Shell Launches Fuel Efficiency Contest
Up to 70 teams from 18 high schools and 31 universities across Canada, Mexico and the U.S. are participating in Shell Eco-marathon Americas. The competition aims to test fuel efficiency to see which team can go the farthest using the least amount of energy on the streets of Houston, TX. The contest is a part of Shell’s “Smarter Mobility” program that seeks to find technological advancements to meet transport challenges for the future. There are two categories including Prototype and UrbanConcept for schools to enter their creations.
Ormat Signs Purchase Agreement in Kenya
Ormat technologies has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement with Kenya Power and Lighting Company to purchase 36-MW of clean energy from a power plant at Olkaria in Kenya. The plant is under construction next to the existing 48-MW Olkaria III geothermal power plant near Lake Naivasha. The plant is expected to be operational in 2013.
Obama Announces Federal Green Fleet
Apr 4th
President Obama leads by example with his decree that all government vehicles will be alternatively fueled through the Green Fleet Initiative. Also, the EU plans to remove all gas-fueled cars by 2050 and which Virginia coal plants are converting to biomass. More >
Americans’ Opinion of Nuclear Power Unchanged
Apr 1st
Polls show American’s opinions of nuclear energy remain largely unchanged following the Japanese disaster but agencies continue to regulate food. Also, the world’s first HVAC company to achieve LEED Gold Certification and why some coal factories have been unable to reach their hiring goals.
President Obama Outlines Energy Goals
Mar 31st
President Obama gives a speech outlining his plan for clean energy. The California assembly passes an increased renewable energy standard. And the debate rages on about the safety of nuclear energy.
G-20 Countries Increase Energy Investments
Mar 30th
Global investments in clean energy increased by roughly 30% in 2010. Also, funding is finalized for a Minnesota wind farm and how the nuclear reactor crisis in Japan is affecting the East coast.
Biofuel Production Has Adverse Effect Study Says
Mar 29th
Biofuel production could lead to death and disease, according to a study released by the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons, NASA tests an alternative fuel composed of chicken fat and details about a new US-Israeli energy collaboration.
Indiana Utility Begins New Energy Efficient Plan
Mar 28th
An Indiana utility publishes a quarterly report that compares energy consumption across consumers and offers tips to reduce consumption. Also Permalink develops its most efficient LED sign and AT&T adds green vans to its service fleet.
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