In a recent blog post authored by Geoff Cooper, senior vice president of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA), the American Petroleum Institute (API) recently released a study that argues that the fracking boom has led to dramatically lower prices for crude oil and refined products between 2008-2013. Cooper wrote that the study suggests that increased domestic production of crude oil, …
Veterans Asset Offering Vets Online Solar Education
The Veteran Asset (TVA) is now offering solar PV scholarships for U.S. military veterans through its new 32-hour online training program. The training program is being offered in conjunction with Ambassador Energy Solar College, an Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC) accredited training program. The organization has been providing free solar PV training for vets since May 2014 via a traditional …
ONR Website Features Hawaii’s Renewable Energy
A new website focused on Hawaii’s multifaceted approach to renewable energy is now live. The website for the Asia-Pacific Technology and Education Partnership (APTEP) is sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR). The military organization notes Hawaii is fast becoming ground zero for the Navy’s drive to develop green technologies. According to ONR, APTEP approaches the issue from three …
Chicago to Vote on E15
Today the Chicago City Finance Committee is considering an amended ordinance that according to Alderman Ameya Pawar, one of the bill’s co-sponsor, will ensure Chicago motorists will have a choice at the pump. The “Chicago Clean Air Choice” ordinance would enable retailers to offer drivers E15 fuel. “Through the ordinance the City of Chicago will once again help lead the …
SIUE Prof to Write Book on Illinois Biofuels History
The Illinois biofuels industry will be reading about its history in a book. Assistant Professor Jeffery T. Manuel, who teaches at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE), is teaming up with NCERC at SIUE to write the book. He works in the Department of Historical Studies and his biofuels history project was selected for a faculty fellowship award. The Center’s faculty …
BioEnergy Bytes
Victory Energy has hired Robert Williams as the company’s Chief Operating Officer. This is a new position for the company. Reporting to Victory Energy President and CEO John Viskup, Williams will be in charge of overseeing all facets of the Victory Energy operations. SunPower Corp. announced its definitive agreement with Tianjin Zhonghuan Semiconductor Co., Ltd.; Sichuan Development Holding Co., Ltd.; …
Canadian Youth Speak Out For Wind
The winners of the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s (CanWEA) Power of Wind contest were announced during the association’s 30th Annual Conference and Exhibition in Montreal, Quebec this week. The contest is launched each year during Global Wind Day (June 15, 2015) to bring positive attention to the benefits of wind energy and its growing contribution in Canada. Each year, CanWEA …
BioEnergy Bytes
Trina Solar Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Jeff Dorety as president of its Americas Region, effective October 8, 2014, and Mr. Longxing Huang as president of its Distributed PV Generation Business Unit, effective October 27, 2014. Both Mark Mendenhall, the former president of Trina Solar’s Americas Region, and Mr. Haiyan Sun, the former president of Trina Solar’s Distributed …
NC State Breaks Down Cell Walls
According to Quanzi Li, the greatest barrier to producing biofuels is from stubborn plant cell walls that resist being broken down into biofuel ingredients. Li is the lead author of a paper published in Plant Biotechnology Journal about North Carolina (NC) State’s Forest Biotechnology Group biofuel research progress. Cell walls contain desirable cellulose and hemicellulose, which is “covered up” with …
GDA Commissions Geothermal Plant in Indonesia
The Ulumbu 2 x 2.5 MW Geothermal Power Plant, located in Indonesia, has been commissioned and is now providing base load power for the local grid. The project was designed and developed by Geothermal Development Associates (GDA) who also provided major equipment including the steam turbine generator sets. In addition, GDS manufactured auxiliary equipment packages to minimize installation time, including the …