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 …
Deep Water Wind Turbines Hold Energy Key
According to a new report from the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), “Deep Water, the next step for offshore energy,” deep water wind turbines are key to unlocking the massive energy potential in Europe’s Atlantic and Mediterranean seas and the deepest parts of the North Sea. The report finds that floating turbines in North Sea deep waters alone could power …
SolarStrong To Aid Oahu-Stationed Military
SolarCity has announced plans to add 12.8 megawatts of new solar generation capacity to provide solar power to an estimated 7,500 military homes at Lend Lease-managed Island Palm Communities throughout the island of Oahu, Hawaii. Military communities include Fort Shafter, Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield, Aliamanu Military Reservation, Helemano Military Reservation and Tripler Army Medical Center in Hawai’i. The projects …
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 …
AlsoEnergy Launches New Solar PV Tools
AlsoEnergy, a company focused on renewable energy monitoring and portfolio management software, unveiled two new offerings at last week’s Intersolar North America 2013. The two new products are PowerOperations, an operations management workflow module and PowerRes, a residential pacakge, are both designed and tailored for the financial community and developers of residential lease programs for the solar market. According to …
Oil Industry Blames RFS for Gas Prices
With gas prices on the rise again, the Senate Energy Committee held a timely hearing today on domestic oil production and fuel prices, and representatives of the oil industry used it as an opportunity to blame the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) for volatile prices. Valero Energy CEO Bill Klesse noted in his testimony that his company supports ethanol production and …
Solar PV Breaks 10 GW Barrier
According to a new report by NPD Solarbuzz, solar photovoltaic (PV) installations in the U.S. have broken through the 10 gigawatt (GW) barrier. During the first half of 2013, more than 1.8 GW of new solar PV capacity was installed according to the North America PV Market Quarterly report. “The U.S. has now joined an elite group of maturing solar …
DuPont Expands Technology Center
DuPont is expanding its Silicon Valley Technology Center to include new innovations and collaborations in the energy and electronics industry. The company plans to use the center to further accelerate product and process development, as well as increase application support to customers around the world. “For DuPont, this expansion is about collaborating more closely on developing technological innovations for the …
Wind Farm Costs Stabilizing
According to Wind Energy Update, wind farm projects have indicated that costs have stabilized at around £140 / €160 per MWh and regulators have put forward a challenge that offshore wind should reach a LCOE of £100 / €120 MWh by 2020. An achievement of this goals would maximize the size of the industry. Wind Energy Update further says opportunities …