Following the launch of the Clean Power Plan, concerns were raised about how adding renewable energy to the grid would affect reliability. According to a new report conducted by The Brattle Group, compliance is unlikely to materially affect reliability. The report finds, “The combination of the ongoing transformation of the power sector, the steps already taken by system operators, the …
BioEnergy Bytes
Commissioned by the EU, Wageningen UR Food & Biobased Research is performing pre-normative research into standards for biobased products. Using laboratory research and its knowledge and experience with biobased products, Food & Biobased Research and project coordinator NEN are looking into the demand for specific labelling for and consumer information on biobased products. The project includes a total of 14 …
DOE Commits $13M in Community Solar Funds
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has allocated $13 million in funding as part of the Solar Powering America by Recognizing Communities (SPARC) program. The funds are designed to aid communities in reducing market and policy barriers to solar deployment and also recognize communities for taking solar initiatives. The DOE believes the program will make it faster, cheaper and easier …
Amazon Web Services Using Wind in Indiana
Amazon Web Services has announced it will power its Benton County, Indiana facility with 150 MW wind farm coined the Amazon Web Services Wind Farm (Fowler Ridge). Pattern Energy has been selected to support the construction and operation of the wind farm that is expected to be in operation as early as January of 2016. The wind farm will generate …
Tanzania Action Roadmap for Energy Access
A recent two-day workshop held in Tanzania and hosted by the United Nations Foundation’s Energy Access Practitioner Network and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) gathered support of the UN’s Sustainable Energy for All initiative’s (SE4ALL) 2030 objectives delivering access to modern energy services for all. If the goal is met, it will double the rate of energy efficiency …
Alstom to Build a Geothermal Plant in Indonesia
PT Pertamina Geothermal Energy has awarded Alstom a €61 million contract to supply and install a 30 MW geothermal plant for the Karaha Power Plant in West Java, Indonesia. Alstom will design, supply, install and commission the entire power plant expected to be complete by the end of 2016. According to Alstom, Indonesia houses the world’s largest potential geothermal source …
BioEnergy Bytes
UBM India, host of the annual Renewable Energy India (REI) exposition, announced its maiden Solar Energy Investment and Technology Forum, to showcase the potential and provide opportunities of solar energy business in the states of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. The one-day event will take place on March 4, 2015 at The Taj Banjara Hotel. National Algae Association’s (NAA) Algae Production …
USDA Announces REAP Funding
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced new funding under the Rural Energy for America (REAP) program under the 2014 Farm Bill. The more than $280 million in funds are open to rural agricultural producers and small business owners to install renewable energy systems or make energy efficiency improvements. “Developing renewable energy presents an enormous economic opportunity …
Desert Sunlight Solar Farm Commissioned
The 550 MW Desert Sunlight Solar Farm, located in Desert Center, Riverside County, California has been commissioned. On hand for the “flipping of the switch” was U.S. Secretary of Interior Sally Jewell along with nearly 150 federal, state and local officials, and energy industry leaders. Project owners include NextEra Energy Resources, GE Energy Financial Services and Sumitomo Corporation of Americas. …
Global Wind Energy Installations Surpass Gas, Coal
According to new research, the European (EU) wind energy industry installed more new capacity than gas and coal combined in 2014. Across the 28 Member States, the wind industry connected a total of 11,791 MW to the grid with coal and gas adding 3,305 MW and 2,338 MW respectively. In addition, the coal and gas industries in Europe both retired …