As 2015 kicks off the Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) has released an Advanced Energy Legislation 2014 Year in Review. During 2014, the report found that 430 advanced energy bills became law. While the total number of enacted bills decreased from 713 in 2013, CNEE found that percentages of energy legislation by policy category remained stable. This leads …
BioEnergy Bytes
TerraForm Power has completed its acquisition of 77.6 MW of distributed generation solar power plants from the Capital Dynamics U.S. Solar Energy Fund, L.P. The transaction is expected to provide approximately $21 million in unlevered Cash Available for Distribution (CAFD) in the next year and will be immediately accretive to CAFD per share. The power purchase agreements in the acquired …
Geothermal Energy Outlook 2015
According to the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA), the U.S. and global geothermal markets are expected to grow in 2015. The U.S. market may grow slowly while state and federal policies are adjusted, but with continued pressure to address climate change and a growing recognition of the important values of geothermal power to grid reliability, that is expected to improve. However, …
BioEnergy Bytes
The history, changes and recent state of solar power systems will be covered by James Earl Jones in an upcoming “In America” segment. The segment will examine how solar power systems are saving people money, creating ‘green’ energy, and how it’s changing the landscape of the energy industry. Sunpin Solar Development and Suntuity, a Global Project Developer have begun commercial …
Vertimass Secures $2M BioJet Fuel Grant
Vertimass is in negotiations with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive a $2 million grant to aid them in commercilizing the conversion of their “green” catalyst technology that converts ethanol into gasoline, diesel and jet fuel blend stocks. The resultant fuel is compatible with current transportation fuel infrastructure. The company has a world-wide exclusive license for the technology …
BioEnergy Bytes
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) has announced that Iowa’s 43 ethanol plants produced 3.9 billion gallons during 2014, up from 3.7 billion gallons the previous three years. Iowa continues to be the number one ethanol producing state, and is estimated to account for roughly 27 percent of national ethanol production in 2014. For the first time, a small amount …
Solar Tariff Ups Solar Costs, Hurts Consumers
A final decision has been made by the U.S. Department of Commerce regarding solar tariffs on solar parts assembled in China using components from a third country. The decision created a Separate Rates Group that will be subject to an AD tariff of 52.13 percent and a CVD tariff of 38.72 percent. For example, Yingli will be subject to a …
MPM Technologies Signs Waste to Energy Deal
MPM Technologies, a subsidiary Carbon Cycle Power (CCP) has signed a lease agreement with an affiliate of Spokane Valley manufacturer Wheeler Industries, Inc., to house the demonstration unit of CCP’s waste-to-value solution. The patent-pending photon-induced, electric-arc gasification technology can process biomass or municipal solid waste to produce heat and power. “After reviewing several viable options, the one that made the …
BioEnergy Bytes
Enogen corn enzyme technology from Syngenta has been selected as the winner of Agri Marketing magazine’s prestigious Product of the Year award for 2014. Enogen is the industry’s first and only biotech output trait designed specifically to enhance ethanol production. H&S Bakery has unveiled its fleet of propane autogas-fueled vehicles. The conversion funds came in part form Maryland Clean Cities …
Nebraska Seeks to Export Wind Energy
The Nebraska Power Review Board (PRB) has commissioned a study that identifies the factors that impact the desirability of developing between 5,000 -10,000 MW of renewable energy for the state. Performed by the Brattle Group, the study also presents options available to policy makers to meet the state’s economic development objectives. The report has been submitted to the Nebraska Legislature …