Now this I find interesting. Yesterday I brought you the story about how Xcel Energy is taking aim at net metering, one of the most important tools to increase solar power adoption on homes. Yet the company is the top wind energy provider and has announced plans to expand its wind power production to “reduce customer costs, protect against rising …
Wind & Solar to Growth Significantly
According to a recent report by Worldwatch Institute, global use of solar and wind energy continued to grow significantly in 2012. Solar power consumption increased by 58 percent, to 93 terrawatt-hours (TWh), and the use of wind power increased by 18 percent, to 521 TWh. Although hydropower remains the world’s leading renewable energy, solar and wind continue to dominate investment …
UConn Establishes New Fraunhofer Center
The University of Connecticut (UConn), has established a new Fraunhofer Center for Energy Innovation (CEI). The role of the center is to develop advanced technologies related to energy storage, fuel cells, in-stream hydro, power management and distribution through contact research. “The sustainable, efficient and environmentally friendly use of energy is one of the major global challenges of the future,” said …
World Energy Use to Rise by 56 Percent
According to the International Energy Outlook 2013 (IEO2013) report released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), over the next three decades, world energy consumption is projected to increase by 56 percent. This will be driven by growth in the developing world. Clean-fuel technology is also playing an important role in the outlook, with renewable energy and nuclear power expected …
RES America to Construct Minnesota Wind Farm
RES America Developments Inc., a subsidiary of Renewable Energy Systems Americas Inc. (RES Americas), will be working with Xcel Energy to construct the 200 megawatt (MW) Pleasant Valley Wind Farm. The project is near Austin, Minnesota, adjacent to the Grand Meadow wind project owned by Xcel Energy. “RES Americas is pleased to once again work with Xcel Energy to provide …
Kawa Capital to Buy Conergy
U.S. based financial investor Kawa Capital Management has announced it intends to acquire the majority of sales units from Conergy as well as necessary associated administrative, management and infrastructure functions of Conergy AG, including the “Conergy” brand. Production subsidiaries Mounting Systems GmbH and Conergy SolarModule GmbH & Co. KG are not part of this transaction. Kawa, the Conergy Management Board …
Caterpillar Finances Waste-to-Energy Project
Blue Sphere Corp., a company in the Cleantech sector as a waste-to-energy and clean energy project integrator, has announced that its Charlotte, North Carolina project, a 5.2 MW organics-to-energy anaerobic digester, has received a signed commitment letter from Caterpillar Financial Services Corporation, the financial arm of Caterpillar Inc., to provide $17.785 million in debt financing. Blue Sphere has accepted the …
Obama Launches Power for Africa Initiative
President Obama made his first official trip to Africa last week and while there announced his Power Africa initiative, an effort to bring reliable, safe and affordable energy to the country. One Sunrise, Florida-based company has already been working to provide Africans innovative energy solutions: SKYei – formerly SKY Energy International. The company has recently completely a U.S. $5 million …
House Passes Cuts to Renewable Energy Measures
A marathon session in the U.S. House concluded after Congress wrangled over several renewable energy measures and passed a $30 billion energy and water programs bill. Environment & Energy News reports that House Republicans, already making substantial cuts to some clean energy programs in the bill, have blocked Democrats’ attempts to restore those cuts. Despite those efforts, the overall bill …
Hybrid PVT Solar System Successful In Oahu
The SunDrum Hybrid PVT solar system operating at the Inn at Schofield Barracks, a large hotel in Oahu, Hawaii, has returned 25 percent of its installation costs in the first six months of operation. Installed by AllNuEnergy, Inc., the system is expected to break even in less than two and a half years and provide an ROI of more than …