Nebraska Seeks to Export Wind Energy

Joanna Schroeder

The Nebraska Power Review Board (PRB) has commissioned a study that identifies the factors that impact the desirability of developing between 5,000 -10,000 MW of renewable energy for the state. Performed by the Brattle Group, the study also presents options available to policy makers to meet the state’s economic development objectives. The report has been submitted to the Nebraska Legislature …

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Wind

NY Gov Andrew Cuomo Bans Fracking

Joanna Schroeder

There is big news coming out of New York today with the announcement that New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has banned hydraulic fracking in the state. The news came on the heels of a study that was released concluding that fracking could pose, “significant public health risks.” “The Sierra Club applauds Governor Cuomo for recognizing what the science has made …

Oil, Renewable Energy, Solar

South Carolina Adds Solar Net Metering

Joanna Schroeder

As 2014 comes to a close, South Carolina became the 44th state to institute net metering. The news comes on the heels of the announcement that New York has set a significant net metering cap expansion. The New York Public Service Commission agreed to double the allowable rooftop solar capacity for solar net metering. The solar market has already created …

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

ET Solar Collaborates on Israel Project

Joanna Schroeder

ET Solutions AG (subsidiary of ET Solar) has been selected to provide services for a 40 MWp PV power plant in Israel. The solar project is located in Kibbutz Ketura, approximately 45 km north of Eilat, and will be built in a desert land of 600,000 square meters. This new solar power facility is expected to generate over 70,000 megawatt …

Electricity, International, Renewable Energy, Solar

Evolution of Minnesota Biofuels Industry – Part 2

Joanna Schroeder

The Minnesota biofuels industry has been evolving since its inception, which was discussed in Part 1 of this feature article. In this part, we look at how the industry is taking shape in Minnesota and what some of the most promising new technologies are on the horizon. An interesting element of the biofuel industry is that while it is evolving …

biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Invenergy Wind’s Le Plateau 2 Wind Farm in Operation

Joanna Schroeder

Invenergy Wind and the Régie intermunicipale de l’énergie Gaspésie–Îles-de-la-Madeleine have begun commercial operations at their 21.15 MW Le Plateau 2 wind farm in Québec. Le Plateau 2 is located in the Ruisseau-Ferguson unorganized territory in the MRC d’Avignon, Québec, Canada, approximately 300 miles east of Québec City. The project features nine Enercon E-92 wind turbines, with output purchased by Hydro-Québec …

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Wind

Platts Awards “Oscars” of Energy

Joanna Schroeder

The “Oscars” of energy were distributed this week during the 16th annual Platts Global Energy Awards. The honors were given to companies in the renewable and sustainable energy sector and included 17 performance categories along with “Energy Company of the Year,” going to Peabody Energy. The Awards were aligned to strategic vision, industry leadership, stewardship, premier projects and leading technology …

Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy

The Evolution of Minnesota’s Ethanol Industry

Joanna Schroeder

The Minnesota ethanol industry is evolving even in the face of growth challenges including continued uncertainty around the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Since 2007 the industry has improved by leaps and bounds in terms of technological advancements, energy efficiency and sustainability. “Minnesota ethanol producers are continually evolving with respect to the use of technology and processes to decrease the inputs …

biofuels, Ethanol, Renewable Energy

Students Learn About the Power of the Sun

Joanna Schroeder

Green Power EMC has released an updated curriculum and enhanced in-class learning laboratory featuring solar power. The program was developed by schools participating in their SunPower for Schools partnership program. The curriculum provides solar arrays on school grounds and software for use in the classroom that when used together allow students to monitor real-time data on solar energy production. Currently, …

Education, Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar

North Carolina Adds 3 Solar Projects

Joanna Schroeder

Three new utility-scale solar farms have been added to North Carolina’s energy mix. The solar projects are located on rural farmland in Erwin, Efland and Hickory, North Carolina and total 18 MW of solar energy. The projects were completed by a partnership of Sol Systems, National Cooperative Bank and Strata Solar. These projects follow the successful deployment of 18.2 MW …

Electricity, Renewable Energy, Solar