Alternative energy technolgies, including biodiesel and ethanol, natural gas, smart grids, solar, and hydro power, will share in $300 million in capital from a new joint venture involving General Electric Co., ConocoPhilips and NRG Energy Inc. This article from Bloomberg says the investment company, Energy Technology Ventures, will be backing about 30 startups over the next four years: Collaborating with …
Stability Returns to Global R&D Funding
According to an analysis performed by Battelle Memorial Institute and R&D Magazine, the global research and development (R&D) outlook for 2011 will be more stable and positive and is emerging from one of the worst recession eras in recent times. With this in mind, R&D managers are prepared to see moderate, but sustainable growth and more global competition for resources …
FERC Attempts to Improve Grid Access for Solar & Wind
Earlier this month, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking aimed at removing barriers to the integration of wind and solar and other forms of alternative energies to the wholesale power grid. The 60 day comment period is in full swing and many in the wind industry are actively submitting comments. According to a FERC …
Book Review – Smart Power
Tis the season to start thinking about electricity costs. Winter is on the horizon and with the holiday season comes holiday lights and holiday parties. As energy demand rises, how are the utilities going to keep up with demand? An important question as the country looks to reducing greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time needs to find a …
Salazar Approves 5th Solar Project On Public Lands
The fifth solar project to occur on public lands has been approved by Secretary of the Interior, Ken Salazar. The Calico Solar Project, located in San Bernardino County, California was proposed by Tessera Solar of Texas, and when completed could produce over 663.5 megawatts of renewable energy or enough to annually power between 200,000 – 500,000 homes. The solar project …
Colorado Cleantech Industry Presents Awards
Today the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association (CCIA) presented eight awards during its inaugural “Colorado Cleantech Awards Celebration.” The event was created to honor leaders who are working to advance cleantech developments. Christine Shapard, CCIA executive director said during the event, “Winners were selected by our Awards Committee from twenty finalists that emerged from a statewide call for nominations. The event, …
Smart Energy Forum Launches
The NGN Forum has launched a new Smart Energy Forum to focus on IP services to power the smart grid, home grids and alternative energy sources such as wind and solar. The Smart Energy Forum will focus on two main areas, next generation communications and NGN energy applications, and will develop guideline documents to help guide the industry in its …
Book Review – Off The Grid
“Where is the debate about the smart grid? Are we just going to believe what GE and EEI tell us? Who can actually prove that the smart grid is going to be all that smart, or that it is even going to work?”And who has thought through all the implications?” These are a few of the questions that author Nick …