First Wind Supports Local Teachers

Joanna Schroeder

First Wind is supporting local teachers for the third year through its partnership with DonorsChoose.org. The program was developed to enhance the value of the company’s financial contributions in communities where they have wind projects. During 2013, the company will award $15,000 to teachers for educational efforts. Through DonorsChoose, First Wind supports teachers and their innovative classroom projects in its …

Alternative energy, Education, Electricity, Wind

New York Shines with Solar Support

Joanna Schroeder

The state of New York is a shining example of what solar support can do for the industry. NY Governor Andrew M Cuomo recently announced the additional commitment of $108 million in funding over the next two years for the his NY-Sun initiative. The funds cover for residential and commercial solar energy projects and bring the two-year budget to $216 …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Solar

World Energy Center Heeds Call for Renewable Energy

Joanna Schroeder

The Southern California-based World Energy Center is reporting that it has heeded and exceeded President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden’s call for the use of renewable electricity. The administration has called, as part of its “new energy plan” for America, to develop and use 25 percent renewable electricity by 2025. This will spur clean energy jobs, says the Obama …

Alternative energy, Clean Energy, Geothermal, Natural Gas, Solar, Wind

Gevo Applauds UL Biobutanol Decision

Joanna Schroeder

Gevo, Inc. has applauded Underwriter Laboratories (UL) decision to approve the generic use of up to 16 percent isobutanol (biobutanol) in UL 871A pumps manufactured by any company that meets ASTM specifications. If a retail gasoline station currently has these pumps, then no changes need to be made to offer consumers isobutanol. Gevo has been working with UL for several …

Alternative energy, biobutanol, biofuels

2013 Brought Global Growth to Geothermal

Joanna Schroeder

This year marks strong global growth for the geothermal industry and is positioned to see greater growth by 2020. In 2013, the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) identified 70 countries moving forward with nearly 700 geothermal power projects. In 2007, the number was only 46 countries developing or considering geothermal projects. In addition, more U.S. companies are pursuing projects in other …

Alternative energy, Geothermal

IL State Rep Moffit: Ethanol is Still Exciting

Joanna Schroeder

Illinois State Representative Donald Moffitt knows agriculture. He grew up on a family farm, on which his son still farms (and Don occasionally helps). This has been a huge asset for him in his role because agriculture is the number one industry in both the 74th District as well as the state of Illinois. Rep Moffitt was serving in this …

Alternative energy, Audio, Biodiesel, biofuels, Ethanol, Patriot Renewable Fuels

ACCIONA Turbines Selected for Wind Farm

Joanna Schroeder

ACCIONA has signed a contract to supply 34 turbines for a 102 MW wind farm in the Canadian province of Nova Scotia. The company will carry out the construction, internal electrical infrastructures and assembly, and will also undertake the operation and maintenance of the facility. The South Canoe wind farm, which will be the largest in Nova Scotia, has been …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Wind

UL Approves Biobutanol Use for Storage & Dispensing

Joanna Schroeder

Butamax Advanced Biofuels, LLC, has announced that a joint research program with UL (Underwriters Laboratories) has determined that gasoline fuel storage and dispensing equipment meeting latest UL standards can safely and successfully use blends of up to 16 percent biobutanol. This is the first time that UL has made such a determination. Butamax’s Fuel Product Manager, James Baustian, said, “UL …

Alternative energy, biobutanol, biofuels

Methane Digesters Providing Reliable Electricity

Joanna Schroeder

Murphy-Brown, a subsidiary of Smithfield Foods, has announced that its two methane digesters are producing renewable energy. The methane-to-electricity project kicked off in 2012 between Circle 4 Farms located in Milford, Utah (Murphy-Brown’s livestock production subsidiary) and Alpental Energy Partners when the two companies entered into a partnership to convert hog manure to electricity. Today, the energy produced is connected …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Waste-to-Energy