In preparation for the Brazilian Sugarcane Industry Association (UNICA)’s bi-monthly harvest data, Platts survey has announced that sugarcane crush volumes in the Key Center-South region of Brazil in the first half of April are expected to total 13.10 million mt with a focus on ethanol production. The wider range of analysts’ advance expectations for cane crush spanned from 10.2 million …
Renewables Exceed 75% Of New Gen Capacity
Renewable energy sources including wind, solar, geothermal and hydropower provided over 75 percent of the 1,1229 MW of new electrical generating capacity that went online in first quarter of 2015. The results were published in the recent “Energy Infrastructure Update” report from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) Office of Energy Projects. The remaining 302 MW added was from natural …
DOE Selects FORGE Geothermal Projects
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has announced five projects for the first part of the multiphase Frontier Observatory for Research in Geothermal Energy (FORGE) effort, totaling $2 million. The lab is focused on unlocking the potential for enhanced geothermal systems (EGS) that could lead to more than 100 gigawatts of renewable, clean energy. EGS are engineered geothermal reservoirs, created …
DOE Announces Wave Energy Prize
During the annual National Hydropower Association and International Marine Renewable Energy Conferences, the Department Of Energy (DOE) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Assistant Secretary Dr. Dave Danielson announced the Wave Energy Prize. The prize, totaling more than $2 million, is designed to encourage the development of wave energy conversion (WEC) devices that double the energy captured from ocean …
SolarReserve Wins Edison Award
SolarReserve has been named a 2015 Silver Winner for innovation by the internationally renowned Edison Awards™ for its efforts in advancing solar energy and solar thermal energy storage worldwide. The awards recognize innovation, creativity and ingenuity in the global economy. Being recognized with an Edison Award has become one of the highest accolades a company can receive in the name …
Navajo Students Wind Schoolyard STEM Lab
Nizhoni Elementary School in Shiprock, New Mexico has been awarded the first-ever Schoolyard STEM Lab from Samsung and the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF). The STEM Lab was donated during the 10th annual National Environmental Education Week. The Schoolyard STEM Lab is an outdoor classroom space designed to work in any climate for a hands-on, immersive environmental education program that …
Fire Shuts REG Louisiana Refinery
A Geismer, Louisiana renewable hydrocarbon diesel (RHD) refinery owned by Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group (REG) is closed after a fire on April 2 which injured two people, according to the company. REG reports that the fire was contained within a few hours and the two injured employees were in fair condition. “An assessment and investigation into the cause of the …
U.S. Continues Support for Hydropower
Three federal U.S. agencies have renewed their support of hydropower in America. The Department of Interior and the Department of Energy (DOE) in conjunction with the Civil Works division of the U.S. Army of Corps of Engineers, have extended their MOU for hydropower for five additional years. The purpose of the MOU is to meet the need for affordable energy, …
DOE Releases 2014 Geothermal Tech Report
“We’ve turned the corner … the potential growth curve for geothermal is extremely exciting,” said Deputy Assistant Secretary for Renewable Power, Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy, United States Department of Energy, Douglas Hollett. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has released its annual report, “2014 Annual Report Geothermal Technologies Office,” and highlights 35 project successes in program areas …
Cali 1st State to Generate 5+% Solar Power
A recent Today in Energy article states that California has become the first state to generate more than 5 percent of its annual utility-scale electricity generation from solar power. The EIA Electric Power Monthly reported that the state’s utility-scale (1 MW or larger) solar plants generated a record 9.9 million MWh (megawatt hours) of power in 2014. a 6.1 million …