Duke Energy continues to expand its renewable energy portfolio with the acquisition of a 70-magawatt wind power project in Pennsylvania known as the North Allegheny Windpower Project. Gamesa Energy USA was the original wind turbine manufacturer and project developer. This marks the first wind energy project for Duke Energy in the Eastern US; however, they have other wind projects including selling wind power …
New Fuel Economy Rules Applauded by Industry
A new National Fuel Efficiency Policy was passed today adding to recent efforts to curb America’s dependence on foreign oil while spurring development in new clean transportation technologies that will help curb greenhouse gas emissions. This new policy, which sets the toughest fuel economy requirements in the country’s history, speeds up, by four years, the fuel economy standards that were …
Pacific Ethanol Files for Bankruptcy
Pacific Ethanol, Inc. announced today that its has filed for Chapter 11 of the U.S Bankruptcy Code. Pacific Ethanol is just one of many ethanol plants that have filed bankruptcy protection over the past 12 months. The Company and its marketing subsidiaries, Kinergy Marketing LLC (“Kinergy”) and Pacific Ag. Products, LLC (“PAP”), have not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Pacific Ethanol …
Valero Invests in Cellulosic Company Qteros
Valero continues to position itself as a growing player in the ethanol industry through its investment in Qteros (formerly SunEthanol), a Massachusetts based company who owns the Q Microbe(TM) technology which turns biomass into ethanol. The investment was established through its acquisition of certain assets of Verasun Energy. Valero purchased several Verasun Energy plants this past April. Qteros, has developed …
Ramona Tribe To Build Renewable Energy Eco-Resort
Looking to take an eco-friendly vacation? Well, your resort options just got bigger with the announcement that Catalyx Inc., has been contracted to build a 100% Eco-Tourism resort owned by the Ramona Band of the Cahuilla Indian Tribe. This energy friendly resort will be located in the Anza Valley which is near San Diego, California. It is designed to operate …
Vote Now for FEW’s High Octane Award
The ethanol industry has spoken and the Few Ethanol Workshop (FEW) now has seven candidates for its 2009 FEW High Octane Award. The award is presented at FEW and given to a person who has had a long-term tremendous effect on the growth of the ethanol industry. Here are the nominees: Doug Anderson, Green Energy Group Kathy Bryan, BBI International …
Two New Ethanol Production Systems Now Available
Two new families of ethanol production systems, or “mini-refineries” are being offered today from Allard Research and Development LLC, a company specializing in small to medium sized ethanol systems. These systems are available in either a fully automated (EFS) or manual process technology (MES) and are designed for use in business, municipalities, agriculture, and commercial markets. In a company statement, Adam Allard, …
Book Review: Everyone’s Guide to Atoms, Einstein and the Universe
When people are discussing energy, how many conversations revolve around physics and its role in developing better renewable energy? I’d venture a guess and say for most people, the answer is never. Until now. This week I read, “Everyone’s Guide to Atoms, Einstein and the Universe” by Robert Piccioni. Had I had Piccioni for my Physics 101 class, I would have …
Verenium Reports First Quarter Financials
Verenium Corporation today announced its first quarter earnings for 2009 reporting total revenues for the quarter ending March 31, 2009 at $14.4 million. Earnings are slightly down from first quarter 2008 when the Company reported $15.2 million in total revenues. According to a company news release, President and Chief Executive Officer, Carlos A. Riva, commented on the company’s financials by saying, “We …
Proven Energy Becomes Small Turbine Wind Leader
The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has recognized Proven Energy, based in the west of Scotland (U.K.), as one of the world’s largest manufacturers of small wind turbines. A small wind turbine is defined as those with capacities of 100 kW and under. Proven Energy sold more than 5,800 kilowatts of wind energy worldwide in 2008, making them one of the most …