PPL Doubles Capacity of Hydroelectric Facility

Joanna Schroeder

PPL Holtwood has announced completion of a new, 125-megawatt powerhouse at its Holtwood hydroelectric facility along the Susquehanna River in south-central Pennsylvania. The powerhouse is part of a $440 million expansion project to boost the plant’s generating capacity and improve fish passage over the century-old dam. The integrated improvements to the fish lifts and water flows are expected to better …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Hydro

IKEA Plugs In 3 Blink EV Charging Stations

Joanna Schroeder

IKEA has plugged-in three Blink® electric vehicle (EV) charging stations at its Dallas-area store as part of its partnership with Car Charging Group, Inc., the new owner of the Blink Network and Blink charging stations, and the largest provider of EV charging services with more than 13,430 charging points in 35 states and three countries. To charge an EV at …

Alternative energy, Alternative Vehicles, Electric Vehicles

Ecosphere Receives U.S. Patent for Ecos PowerCube

Joanna Schroeder

Ecosphere Technologies, Inc. has announced that the United States Patent & Trademark Office has approved U.S. Patent No. 8,593,102 for Ecosphere’s Ecos PowerCube® – a portable, self-contained micro-utility that uses solar power to provide electricity in the most remote, off-grid locations. Designed to meet the growing demand for off-grid energy, with a unique array of stacked solar panels, the Ecos …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Microgrid, Solar

Alliant Energy Cuts Energy Efficiency Goals

Joanna Schroeder

The Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) today approved Alliant Energy’s plan to scale back energy efficiency goals at the same time the utility is pursuing a new $920 million plant in Marshalltown, Iowa. According to the Environmental Law & Policy Center Alliant is punting on a chance to lead on energy efficiency and ensuring the utility’s Iowa customers will pay higher …

Alternative energy, Electricity, energy efficiency, Solar, Utilities

Abengoa Announces Sustainable Business Prize

Joanna Schroeder

International renewable energy company Abengoa has launched the second edition of the Focus-Abengoa Sustainable Business Prize that seeks to recognize suppliers that have demonstrated their commitment and made a contribution to sustainable development. The company presents this award to highlight outstanding actions by its suppliers. It is open to all companies that have been suppliers to Abengoa, or any of …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, Environment, Renewable Energy

Offshore Wind Needs EUR123 Billion to Meet Goals

Joanna Schroeder

According to new research, the offshore wind energy sector needs up to EUR123 billion in investment between now and 2020 if it is to meet its target of 40 GW of installed capacity. Equity and debt provides are willing to invest; however, they are holding back due to regulatory instability. What’s blocking the investment is the uncertainty caused by changing …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Research, Wind

Duke Settles Wind Farms Bird Deaths Suit

Joanna Schroeder

Duke Energy Renewables has announced it has reached a settlement agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) regarding the deaths of golden eagles and other migratory birds at two of Duke Energy’s wind generation sites in Wyoming. The DOJ brought misdemeanor charges under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) for 14 golden eagle mortalities within the past three years …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Wind

Trinity Solar Completes NJ Military Base Solar Project

Joanna Schroeder

Trinity Solar has recently completed a 12.3 megawatt residential solar installation at United Communities LLC, the private manager of the military multifamily community at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, bringing renewable power to the privatized housing community on base occupied by over 2,100 military families. The system represents one of the largest solar-powered military communities in the country. Generating an estimated 13.7 …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

S.C. Opens Largest Wind Energy Testing Facilities

Joanna Schroeder

The U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman recently joined with officials from Clemson University to dedicate the nation’s largest and one of the world’s most advanced wind energy testing facilities in North Charleston, S.C. Led by Clemson University’s Restoration Institute, the facility will help test and validate new turbines, particularly for offshore wind – helping to speed deployment of …

Alternative energy, Electricity, offshore wind, Wind

Schletter Opens North Carolina Headquarters

Joanna Schroeder

Schletter, a company focused on solar photovoltaic mounting systems, recently celebrated the company’s new North American headquarters in Shelby, North Carolina with a Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. The North Carolina facility is currently operational and production of solar mounting systems and custom sheet metal fabrication began this past summer. Located in Cleveland County, the Shelby, North Carolina facility …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar