Yingli Green Energy Americas (Yingli Americas) has announced the company has been contracted to supply 200 MW-dc of utility-scale solar PV modules for the Centinela Solar Energy Facility Project. This is the company’s largest order to date. The project will be completed in two phases and when complete, Yingli Americas believes the 170 megawatt-ac project will be one of the …
Reinstate the Biodiesel Tax Incentive
The lame duck session is in full swing but no movement has yet been made on the tax extenders package that includes incentives for wind energy, advanced biofuels, including biodiesel, and cellulosic ethanol. Today, the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) sent letters to all the members of the Iowa Congressional delegation urging them to level the energy playing field and …
US-Based GCEH Receives RSB Certification
In an earlier post today, I mentioned four major global biofuel sustainability initiatives mentioned in the DoShort, “Sustainable Transport Fuels Business Brief.” One such initiative is the Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) who just announced that the first U.S.-based biofuels company, Global Clean Energy Holdings (GCEH), has been awarded the RSB certification. “We’re happy to welcome GCEH under the RSB …
DoShort Review – Sustainable Transport Fuels
What do you do when you’ve got a frustrating case of insomnia? You read books about energy. Okay, maybe not something you would do but it always keeps me good and entertained. Last night I read the DoShort, “Sustainable Transport Fuels Business Brief,” by David Thorpe in less than two hours. That is part of the sell – learn about …
Book Review – Winning the Energy Wars
This week I read “Winning the Energy Wars,” by R. Paul Williamson. I often find myself surprised that after reading and reviewing more than 100 energy and environmental books, that I would find one with a new and unique angle. But I did. The premise is one you often find in an energy book – the United States energy “strategy” …
Solar Training Features PV Inverter Tech
ImagineSolar is featuring inverter technology for photovoltaic systems developed by Ideal Power Converters (IPC), in their next solar training workshop in Austin, Texas on December 15 and 16, 2012. According to ImagineSolar, IPC’s patented power converter technology improves both energy and cost efficiencies for solar inverters, grid storage, and electric vehicle charging infrastructure. IPC’s initial product, a 94lb 30kW 480VAC …
Southeast Propane Fleets Save $1.62 Per Gallon
According to Virginia Clean Cities, vehicle fleets across 12 U.S. states participating in the Southeast Propane Autogas Development Program saved an average of $1.62 per gallon last quarter fueling with propane autogas versus gasoline. Total cost savings for the quarter neared $100,000 while to date, the propane fleets have offset more than 1 million gallons of gasoline. “We’re nearing the …
Bonanza BioEnergy Embraces Enogen
Another U.S. ethanol plant has signed on to use the Enogen trait technology developed by Syngenta North America – Bonanza BioEnergy of Garden City, Kansas. According to Syngenta, Enogen allows corn to express a robust form of alpha amylase enzyme, eliminating the need to use liquid alpha amylase enzymes during dry grind ethanol production. The company also says their trait …
DOE Announces Alt Energy Vehicle Grants
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced 20 new projects to help states and local governments develop infrastructure, training, and regional planning needed to help accelerate the adoption of alternative fuel cars and trucks. These alternative vehicles can run on “fuels” such as natural gas, electricity and propane. In total, the DOE has awarded nearly $11 million. “Building a …
GE Purchasing 2,000 C-MAX Energi Plug-In Hybrids
General Electric (GE) is purchasing 2,000 C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrids as part of its commitment to convert half of its global fleet to alternative fuel vehicles. The purchase ups GE’s alternative vehicle fleet to 5,000 in its goal of 25,000 vehicles. The EPA has rated C-MAX Energi with a 108 miles per gallon city rating and 620 mile single tank …