Wind Blades By Rail

Joanna Schroeder

As you travel along major U.S. highways, it is not unusual to see semis traveling in packs of three transporting wind turbine blades. But have you ever seen them blow by on rail? Not yet but this may be a new transportation option going forward. For the first time in Europe, 55-metre long wind blades have been delivered from Germany …

Energy, Environment, Video, Wind

Solar Freedom Now Campaign Launched

Joanna Schroeder

The American Solar Energy Society (ASES) has launched a new campaign, Solar Freedom Now (SFN). The initiative aims to attack a major barrier to solar energy deployment – cost and the paperwork and red tape that doubles installation costs. The goal of ASES is to make it fast and easy to install rooftop solar panels. The first step of the Solar Freedom …

Energy, Solar

Wind Farms – A Win for America

Joanna Schroeder

According to a new report, “American Wind Farms: Breaking Down the Benefits from Planning to Production,” released by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), on average a 250 megawatt wind farm will create 1,079 jobs throughout the sector including manufacturing, construction engineering and management. Yet, NRDC says the benefits don’t end there. A second study, “At Wind Speed: How the U.S. …

Energy, Research, Wind

STAR Energy Powers Farm Progress Show

Cindy Zimmerman

The star of the recent Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa was the fuel that kept all the engines running – and that was supplied by STAR Energy, a retail division of GROWMARK that covers northwest Iowa. “What’s unique with us is we’re an all energy company,” STAR Energy representative Jason Stauffer said. “We solely stay focused on the energy …

Audio, Energy, Farm Progress Show, GROWMARK

Solar Market Spikes

Joanna Schroeder

According to the “U.S. Solar Market Insight: 2nd Quarter 2012” report from GTM Research and the Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), the solar industry achieved its second best quarter ever. In the second quarter of this year, 742 megawatts of solar power was installed. The utility market hit 477 megawatts during the same timeframe with eight states now having installed 10 …

Electricity, Energy, Research, Solar

Schools in Japan Complete Solar Projects

Joanna Schroeder

Sometimes good things really do come out of something bad.  The Great East Japan Earthquake devastated schools, businesses, homes and lives. But this week, the Japan Reconstruction Fund held a ceremony at Shinchi Elementary School to commemorate the completion of several solar facilities in four public elementary and junior high schools in the town of Shinchi in Soma-gun, Fukushima Prefecture. The solar …

Education, Energy, Environment, Nuclear Energy, Solar, Wind

Jurupa Unified Schools Go Solar

Joanna Schroeder

Another school district has taken advantage of the California Sun. Jurupa Unified School District has completed a 2.7 megawatt solar and energy efficiency program expected to reduce energy costs by nearly 26 percent among 27 school sites. Estimates show that the solar system should save nearly $34 million in energy costs. Solar Photovoltaic panels were mounted on parking and shade …

Electricity, Energy, energy efficiency, Solar

TCU Energy Institute Offers Certificate Programs

Joanna Schroeder

TCU Energy Institute is now offering two certificate programs for energy industry professionals and royalty owners. By receiving a certificate of completion through this one-of-a-kind program, graduates can gain the skills needed to project their career path up – to senior management. Both certificate programs will begin on September 24 and be offered in Houston, Texas and San Antonio, Texas. …

Education, Energy

Wind Power & Biodiversity

Joanna Schroeder

In June, over 40 individuals from various European public and private entities came together in Lisbon to discuss how impacts on biodiversity by wind energy projects could be decreased. The result is a series of presentations regarding, “Wind Power and Biodiversity: Tools to Measure, Avoid and Compensate Impacts.” The workshop, organized by EDP, Bio3 and the Fundacion Global Nature, demonstrated …

Education, Energy, Environment, Wind

Kohl’s Expands EV Charging Station Initiative

Joanna Schroeder

Kohl’s is expanding its electric vehicle (EV) charging station initiative with 36 new stations across 18 different locations in the U.S. Once the additional EV stations are complete this fall, the company will have 101 charging stations at 52 Kohl’s locations across 14 states. Customers are able to charge up at no cost while they shop. “Since Kohl’s EV charging …

Electric Vehicles, Electricity, Energy