In February of this year, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) unveiled its SunShot Initiative designed to help reduce the costs associated with solar power by at least 75 percent by the end of the decade. This week, during the InterSolar North America conference, Minh Le, a principal scientist with the DOE, introduced SUNPATH – Scaling Up Nascent PV at …
Book Review – Energy, Convenient Solutions
I read an unusual book this week. “Energy, Convenient Solutions,” by Howard Johnson. The book was part Energy 101, part manifesto, part conspiracy theory. It began with a look at various forms of energy ranging from fossil-fuels to biofuels – to nuclear energy. From there, Johnson laid out his manifesto, per se, or his ideas on energy, our current state …
New Report Details Global Hydropower Markets
Global opportunities for hydropower are reviewed and analyzed in a new report, “The Hydropower Market 2011-2012,” by Visiongain. According to the report, the global hydropower market, as defined by spending on new hydropower projects as well as spending on upgrades and expansions, to be worth $56.61 billion in 2011. Today, hydropower currently contributes nearly one-sixth of all worldwide electricity, but …
Siemens Secures Contract for Idaho Solar Project
Yesterday, I spent the day checking out what was happening in the global solar industry at the InterSolar North America conference held in San Francisco, California. With more than 20,000 attendees and nearly 800 exhibitors, there is proof that the solar industry is gaining traction. One company making news is Siemens Industry, Inc. who announced they received a multi-million dollar …
Codexis Scales Up Cellulosic Enzyme Production
Codexis has confirmed plans to scale-up the commercial manufacturing of its proprietary cellulase enzymes. These enzymes are manufactured to convert lignocellulosic biomass to fermentable sugars, and ultimately bioproducts including biofuels, biochemicals, and bio-based performance ingredients in household products such as laundry detergents and shampoos. The enzymes will be produced at the Fermic S.A. de C.V. facility located in Mexico City, …
Petaluma, CA Home to New Solar System
Labcon North America, a company that specializes in manufacturing earth friendly laboratory products, announced today the completion of a $3.3 million, 800 kilowatt (kW) rooftop solar panel system. Over 2,500 solar panels were installed on the company’s 125,000 square foot building, taking up nearly half the roof. Now complete, the solar energy generated should provide nearly 30 percent of Lebcon’s …
Spain’s First Wave Power Plant Goes Online
Spain’s first wave power plant has gone into production in the Basque seaport of Mutriku, located between Bilbao and San Sebastian. The Mutriku wave power plant, consisting of 16 units, will generate an estimated 300 kilowatts in power, enough electricity to supply 250 homes. Utility Ente Vasco de la Energia (EVE) inaugurated the wave power plant today in a special …
Duke Acquires Kansas Wind Farm Project
Two hundred miles west of Wichita will be the home of the newest wind farm in Kansas. Duke Energy Renewables has announced they have purchased the 131-megawatt Cimarron II Windpower Project in Gray County. Construction will begin this fall and the project is expected to be generating wind power by June of 2012. The wind farm will be cited on …
Maryland Home to Two New Solar Systems
Maryland is the home of two new commercial solar projects. The systems are located in Talbot and Frederick Counties. One system is comprised of a 550kW ground mount solar array for the Talbot County Community Center in Easton, MD. The other system is a 499kW rooftop system for Oakdale High School in ljamsville, MD. The two systems were developed and …
Butte College First In Nation To Go ‘Grid Positive’
Butte College in California is the first in the nation to go ‘grid positive’. The school will generate more electricity from its solar arrays than it consumers and will deliver the excess renewable energy back to the electric grid. The college sits on a 928-acre wildlife refuge located 75 miles from Sacramento. The solar array is comprised of 25,000 solar …