Oregon Begins Testing Wave Energy

Joanna Schroeder

Oregon is beginning testing wave energy as a potential renewable energy resource. Northwest Energy Innovations has installed a wave energy device off the coast of Newport, Oregon known as Wave Energy Technology-New Zealand (WET-NZ). The technology has been deployed at the Northwest National Marine Renewable Energy Center’s (NNMREC) open ocean test facility. “This is a huge milestone for the WET-NZ …

Electricity, Energy

PlugShare Surpasses 100,000 EV Users

Joanna Schroeder

Drivers of electric vehicles (EVs) have several options for finding public and private locations to charge up. PlugShare, a mobile and web application developed by Xatori, has grown its nationwide charging network to more than 100,000 users and 11,000 charging stations across the U.S. When the application was first launched, there were only 500 charging stations included. The mobile app …

Electric Vehicles, Electricity

Thanks a Million Ohio

Joanna Schroeder

Ohioans who sign up to secure a low electric generation price for four to seven years have a chance to reduce their energy bills with FirstEnergy Solutions‘ Thanks a Million giveaway. Eight residential winners will each receive $25,000 and $50,000 will also go to the winner’s corresponding local school district to use for an under-funded program, supplies or however they …

Electricity, Energy

South African Mine Goes Off-Grid with Solar

Joanna Schroeder

JinkoSolar is partnering with Solea Renewables to deliver a Limpopo province chrome mine in South Africa the first off-grid utility scale photovoltaic system in the country. When completed, the 1 megawatt plant will produce an estimated 1.8 gigawatts of electricity per year and be comprised of 4,179 polycrystalline PV panels supplied by JinkoSolar. It will also reduce the mine’s daytime …

Electricity, Energy, Solar

FuelCell Energy Calls for Support of Infrastructure

Joanna Schroeder

FuelCell Energy is calling for support of a bill that would improve the infrastructure for fuel cells and hydrogen. The Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Infrastructure for America Act was introduced by U.S. Congressman John B. Larson and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal. The goal of the legislation is to accelerate the adoption of stationary fuel cell power and generation and hydrogen …

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Hydrogen, Legislation

France Walks the Walk for Reduction of Fossil Energy

Joanna Schroeder

It appears that France is walking the walk with its call for a reduction of use of fossil fuels. The country uses more nuclear energy than any other; yet, have publicly stated they will phase out its use of thermal power. According to a new report, from GlobalData, “Thermal Power in France, Market Outlook to 2020, 2012 Update – Capacity, …

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Nuclear Energy, Research, Solar

Offshore Wind Project Hub Installation Scheduled

Joanna Schroeder

The Blyth Offshore Wind Demonstration Site has sailed some rough waters but now appears to be back on course with smooth sailing ahead. SeaRoc, who was recently awarded a contract for the project, has announced it will charter MPI Adventure to aid in the installation of Narec’s Offshore Anemometry Hub (NOAH). MPI Adventure is a dedicated vessel to transport, lift …

Electricity, Energy, Wind

DOE Announces More Solar Grants

Joanna Schroeder

Yesterday I brought you the story that the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced a $10 million grant to develop concentrating solar power (CSP). As a follow-up, the DOE has announcement five more awards as part of its solar power innovation program SunShot Initiative that also supports research projects focused on lowering the cost of photovoltaic and concentrating solar power technologies. …

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar

PV Training Yard to be Unveiled

Joanna Schroeder

Salt Lake Community College (SLCC) Green Academy is unveiling Utah’s only Solar Photovoltaic (PV) training yard on September 6, 2012. The launch will highlight the Solar PV training yard and classroom space, and will feature student and faculty-led abbreviated labs and solar panel demonstrations. “The completion of the photovoltaic training yard is an exciting addition to sustainable green energy practice and …

Education, Electricity, Energy, Solar, Video

DOE Invests $10M for 2 Solar Projects

Joanna Schroeder

The Department of Energy has awarded $10 million over five years for two university-led projects to advance the technological development of concentrating solar power (CSP). The award is part of two programs: SunShot Initiative, a federally funded program whose goal is to help solar energy become cost competitive with other energy sources by 2020; and the Multidisciplinary University Research Initiative, which …

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar, Video