SolarX Energy Unveils Hybrid Solar Energy System

Joanna Schroeder

SolarX Energy has launched the SolarX Hybrid – a solar system that combines thermal (hot water) production output of over 100,000 btus per day with electrical power production of up to 1.0 kilowatt per day.  The system combines the company’s SolarX-164 parabolic solar thermal collector with peripherally mounted photovoltaic (PV) panels. The stand-along system can be scaled to fit project needs …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

66 Projects Receive ARPA-E Funding

Joanna Schroeder

Sixty-six research projects were selected to receive funding from the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA-E), part of the Department of Energy’s “OPEN 2012” program. The projects, which show fundamental technical promise but are too early for private-sector investment, will receive a combined total of $130 million. The selected projects encompass 11 technology areas in 24 states and focus on a …

advanced biofuels, Alternative energy, energy efficiency, Renewable Energy, Research, technology

ecoSolargy Secures $150M for Project Financing

Joanna Schroeder

ecoSolargy Inc. has raised $150 million through private equity investors for its 2013 financing program. Led by the company’s utility project development division, the program’s goal is to finance utility-scale solar projects in various stages of development. “ecoSolargy’s commitment to clean energy expands beyond the provision of high-quality solar products and the development of strategic and installation solutions,” said Alan H. …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

First Long Span R5 Canopy Completed

Joanna Schroeder

Solaire Generation has completed of its first Long Span R5 canopy, a solution specifically designed for new and existing parking garages. The 684 kWp installation, is at the New England headquarters of an undisclosed Fortune 100 company. According to the company, features of the canopy include Solaire’s Max Rack Water Management System and Max Rack Snow Guard, that provide protection …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar

Uruguay Expands Wind Power

Joanna Schroeder

With the support from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Uruguay is planning to expand its wind power generation through the construction of two wind farms: Libertador and Palmatir. Loans totaling $107.7 million will help the country diversify its energy mix and reduce its dependence on hydroelectric generation, which during dry seasons, increases the country’s dependence on energy produced from fossil …

Alternative energy, biomass, Electricity, Hydro, International, Renewable Energy, Wind

IRFA Elects 2013 Offers & Executive Committee

Joanna Schroeder

The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association (IRFA) announced its new Board of Directors Officers and Executive Committee for 2013, elected during its annual meeting held on December 11, 2012. Each producer member has a seat on the Board and votes on officers. New officers will serve a one year term during the 2013 calendar year. 2013 IRFA Board of Directors Officers: …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Ethanol, Iowa RFA, Renewable Energy

Franklin County Wind Farm Powering Local Community

Joanna Schroeder

Here is a story about a new wind farm that is just a stone’s throw away. The Franklin County Wind farm, a subsidiary of Alliant Energy Corporation, has begun operations in Franklin County, Iowa. Consisting of 60 wind turbines, the farm is capable of producing nearly 100 megawatts of wind energy – enough to power close to 25,000 homes. “We …

Alternative energy, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy, Wind

Companies Shifting to Clean Energy

Joanna Schroeder

As climate talks begin to wind down in Qatar, a new report, “Power Forward: Why the World’s Largest Companies are Investing in Renewable Energy,” has been released by Calvert Investments, Ceres and World Wildlife Fund. The report concludes that many of the world’s largest companies are not waiting for binding treaties and subsequent polices, rather they are integrating clean energy …

Alternative energy, Carbon, Clean Energy, Climate Change, Environment, Renewable Energy, Wind

Genuine Bio-fuel Expands to the Caribbean

Joanna Schroeder

Genuine Bio-Fuel is expanding to the Caribbean region with the formation of a new subsidiary Caribbean Bio-Fuel (CBF). The company will be based in Puerto Rico and serve Caribbean and South American markets. The company will build a biodiesel plant in the region that will have the capacity to produce nearly 12 million gallons of biodiesel per year. The new 35,000 …

advanced biofuels, Biodiesel, Renewable Energy

Book Review – Who Turned Out the Lights?

Joanna Schroeder

Should we be entertained when reading about America’s energy crisis? Dare we be regaled by clever cliches, fun word pairings and sarcasm when learning our basic Energy 101 facts? Yes to infinity. And I experienced just these things when reading “Who Turned Out the Lights?” by Scott Bittle and Jean Johnson. Reading this book  was a guilty pleasure because I enjoyed the …

Alternative energy, book reviews, Electricity, Energy, Renewable Energy