S2E Technologies Inc. (S2E) has completed what they call the largest contiguous solar farm in Canada. The 100 MW solar farm is located in the county of Haldimand, Ontario and will produce enough electricity to power nearly 17,000 homes in the Province. S2E said they played a crucial role in facilitating an agreement between major shareholders in the project, Samsung Renewable Energy Inc., Conner, Clark & Lunn Infrastructure, and Six Nations of the Grand River and the engineering, procurement and construction provider, Canadian Solar Inc.
S2E Technologies Inc. (S2E) announced completion of the largest contiguous Solar Farm in Canada (CNW Group/s2e Technologies Inc)
“We are proud of our role and to be able to take a long term minority stake in the project,” said Milfred Hammerbacher, CEO of S2E. “Building teams and providing sustainable solutions is our passion. We believe projects like these will make a positive difference for our communities and future generations.”
Carlos Fernandez, President of S2E added, “This project has already lead to S2E partnering with Sifton Properties Ltd, a London based real estate developer, on an exciting new Smart Community in London Ontario, which could be one of the largest Net Zero Energy communities in the world.”
SolarCity and ILIOSSON, S.A. de C.V. have announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement for SolarCity to acquire ILIOSS, one of the largest commercial and industrial solar developers in Mexico. Upon close of the acquisition, ILIOSS will operate as an independent business unit of SolarCity.
According to GTM Research’s Latin America PV Playbook, Mexico is the top-ranked Latin American market for distributed generation (DG). GTM Research forecasts Mexico’s DG market to grow at a 69% CAGR through 2020. GTM Research Senior Solar Analyst Adam James notes, “SolarCity’s entry into Mexico could be a market-moving event for the country’s PV sector. The C&I segment is the most scalable near-term opportunity in the country, and the introduction of a strong financing product into the market would accelerate PV growth considerably.”
U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz will be the keynote speaker at the National Summit on Smart Grid & Climate Change, to be held in Washington, DC on October 13-14. The National Summit will take place in between two seminal events related to climate change: the issuance of the final rules for the Clean Power Plan (CPP), and the United Nations Climate Change negotiations in Paris in early December (COP-21).
TruStar Energy has announced the grand opening of Sacramento County’s (California) updated CNG fueling station. TruStar Energy was contracted to completely refurbish the existing CNG fueling station – that had been in operation since the early 80’s. The new combination time fill/fast fill station will be used primarily to provide fuel for the County’s refuse fleet, but also has a fast-fill dispenser to allow other county vehicles to fuel up.
Final rules for the Clean Power Plan have been released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as announced by President Obama. The plan calls for carbon reduction from the power sector (aka utilities) by 32 percent below 2005 levels in 2030. According to the EPA, power plants are the largest drivers of climate change in the U.S. emitting nearly one-third of all carbon emissions. This legislation is the first of its kind to set limits on carbon emissions for this sector.
During the announcement, the President said, “There is such a thing as being too late when it comes to climate change.”
The goal of the Clean Power Plan, and coupled with other pieces of legislation such as the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is to reduce not only carbon emissions, but toxic emissions, from the two largest polluting sectors – power and transportation. By 2030, emissions of sulfur dioxide from power plants will be 90 percent lower and emissions of nitrogen oxides will be 72 percent lower, compared to 2005 levels. EPA said Americans will avoid up to 90,000 asthma attacks and spend up to 300,000 more days in the office or the classroom, instead of sick at home. And up to 3,600 families will be spared the grief of losing a loved one too soon. These statistics will be even better with the reductions from the transportation sector.
“We’re proud to finalize our historic Clean Power Plan. It will give our kids and grandkids the cleaner, safer future they deserve. The United States is leading by example today, showing the world that climate action is an incredible economic opportunity to build a stronger foundation for growth,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “The valuable feedback we received means the final Clean Power Plan is more ambitious yet more achievable, so states can customize plans to achieve their goals in ways that make sense for their communities, businesses and utilities.”
EPA said they received and reviewed more than 4.3 million public comments on the proposal, and participated in hundreds of meetings with stakeholders. The plan, according to the EPA, works by building on strategies states and businesses are already using. Today, the U.S. uses three times more wind and 20 times more solar energy than it did in 2009, and the solar industry added jobs 10 times faster than the rest of the economy. It safeguards energy reliability by setting common-sense, achievable state-by-state goals that build on a rapidly growing clean energy economy and gives states and utilities the time and flexibility they need to meet their goals.
The final rule establishes guidelines for states to follow in developing and implementing their plans, including requirements that vulnerable communities have a seat at the table with other stakeholders. EPA said it is proposing a model rule states can adopt, as well as a federal plan that they will put in place if a state fails to submit an adequate plan. Both the proposed model rule and federal plan focus on emissions trading mechanisms to make sure utilities have broad flexibility to reach their carbon pollution reduction goals. EPA also finalized standards to limit carbon pollution from new, modified and reconstructed power plants.
There were mixed emotions on the plan but general praise from environmental, health and the renewable energy industries that this was a bold move in a forward direction. Click here to read more about the Clean Power Plan from the White House perspective.
In an effort to promote the American Ethanol brand, Iowa and Nebraska Governors have announced a statewide pump labeling initiative to promote the use of ethanol blends including E10, E15, E30 and E85. Both states are offering the approved labels free of charge. The American Ethanol brand was introduced in 2011 when NASCAR adopted E15. So not to confuse consumers, “American Ethanol” is a “brand” only and is the same ethanol blended fuel offered across the country.
“This new brand label will provide a consistent consumer experience at pumps across the state and capitalize on the high profile that American Ethanol has enjoyed through the NASCAR partnership,” said Iowa Governor Terry Branstad. “We want to make it even easier for consumers to find this clean-burning, high-performance fuel wherever they travel.”
Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts, added, “When it comes to air quality, American Ethanol-blended fuel burns cleaner. The new pump labels are a great way to inform consumers of the wealth of benefits American Ethanol-blended fuels provide. It is cost-effective, American-made, renewable and better for our environment.”
According to the American Lung Association of the Upper Midwest, fuel blended with ethanol burns cleaner and improves air quality compared to regular gasoline. They also cite ethanol fuel blends lower the level of toxic, cancer-causing emissions in vehicle exhaust—reducing air pollution, improving human health, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Several retail outlets have already begun displaying the American Ethanol label. All vehicles can use E10 while vehicles 2001 and newer can use E15. Flex-fuel vehicles can use any blend of ethanol up to E85.
“Kudos to the EPA for recognizing this important error and reassessing the 2014 ethanol export data,” said Dinneen. “This is a critical issue because it affects the estimate of how many RINs generated in 2014 will remain available for compliance with biofuel obligations required by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). It also has implications for estimates of RIN carryover stocks.”
The memo comes after RFA and member biofuel companies raised the issue in correspondence with the EPA in early June and again at a public hearing on June 25 on the RFS in which dozens of commenters took issue with the agency’s proposal to slash the renewable blending volume obligations (RVOs) for 2014–2016.
According to the memo, “… public commenters indicated that they believed it was an error to treat the reported amounts of undenatured ethanol as being part of the 2014 supply of RINs. Ethanol that is exported in undenatured form would not have generated RINs, and thus should not have been subtracted from the total number of RINs generated for fuel ethanol in 2014 for purposes of calculating the available supply of RINs for 2014 in the proposal. EPA intends to account for this…in the determination of the appropriate volume requirements in the final rulemaking.”
The RFA says the recalculation could increase the blending obligation for renewable fuel from a proposed level of 13.25 billion gallons to more than 13.6 billion gallons.
Arcadia Power’s new wind energy renewable energy project is now certified by Green-e Energy, a certification by the Center for Resource Solutions (CRS) that validates renewable energy sold on the retail market, is in fact renewable energy.
Based in Washington, D.C., Arcadia Power offers its wind energy customers renewable energy certificates (RECs) sourced from wind energy facilities located across the U.S. By offering RECs from wind facilities, Arcadia Power said its customers have the ability to reduce the environmental impact of their electricity use while helping provide wind facilities an additional income stream, stimulating growth in the U.S. renewable energy.
“By offering its residential and business customers access to renewable energy generated across the U.S., Arcadia Power is helping build the market for renewable energy while giving its customers the option to green their power with Green-e certified renewable energy,” said CRS Communications Director Jeff Swenerton.
Ryan Nesbitt, co-founder and President of Arcadia Power added, “We’re excited to be working with CRS and Green-e to ensure that our customers are getting 100% certified Wind Energy as part of our mission to change the way America consumes energy.”
Green-e Energy is a leading renewable energy certification and verification program in North America. In 2013 nearly 717,000 total retail customers purchased 33.5 million megawatt-hours, enough to power over a quarter of U.S. households for a month.
DeKalb County Central United School District (Indiana) is adding three new school buses powered by propane autogas for the upcoming school year. The largest school district in the state, the Blue Bird Propane Vision buses are equipped with a ROUSH CleanTech propane autogas fuel system and were purchased from MacAllister Bus Sales.
DeKalb Central United Schools, DeKalb County’s largest school district, will replace 12-year-old diesel buses with new Blue Bird Propane Vision buses
“Encouraging intentional innovation is one of our key priority areas of our district’s strategic plan. In a time of diminishing resources, we strive to be as innovative and energy efficient as possible,” shared DeKalb Central Superintendent Dr. Sherry Grate. “After researching the data regarding the incorporation of propane autogas fueled school buses in to our fleet, a very deliberate decision was made to pursue this opportunity.”
Grate said cutting greenhouse gas emissions, a cleaner riding environment for students, and reduced maintenance costs for each unit, were reasons cited for the purchase of the propane autogas buses. Also a factor was that on average, autogas costs up to 50 percent less than diesel fuel and the buses will start up in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees. Keeping children’s safety in mind, Grate noted the buses are quieter and have less of an impact on neighborhoods.
Trey Jenkins, vice president of alternative fuels for Blue Bird Corporation, added, “As the leader in propane, Blue Bird is committed to providing school districts with a reliable, innovative and proven technology that is favorable to a district’s bottom line. Like many districts, DeKalb Central United Schools did the research and realized that propane autogas is the best choice for reducing fuel and maintenance costs while providing cleaner air for the community. This is a great decision by DeKalb Central United Schools.”
Hydropower will remain the dominant power source in Canada’s energy mix over the next decade, with installed hydropower capacity forecast to increase from approximately 77.6 GW in 2014 to an estimated 84.8 GW by 2025, according to research and consulting firm GlobalData. The latest report states that hydropower will provide around 49.4% of Canada’s cumulative installed capacity by the end of the forecast period. Other renewable sources, including wind, solar, biomass and biogas, will contribute 34.9 GW, a 20.3% share.
Pattern Energy Group Inc. has announced it has completed the acquisition of the remaining 170 MW ownership interests in the 283 MW Gulf Wind power facility in Kenedy County, Texas from Pattern Energy Group LP and MetLife Capital LP. The Gulf Wind facility consists of 118 wind turbines and has the capacity to generate 283 MW of energy.
The PSEG Foundation has granted Stevens Institute of Technology $250,000 towards the completion of the University’s Solar Decathlon entry, SURE HOUSE (SUstainable and REsilient). It is Stevens’ entry into the U.S. Department of Energy’s Solar Decathlon competition and represents the schools’ vision of a sustainable and resilient home for the areas at greatest risk during extreme weather. The student-built, net-zero, solar-powered home is currently being built in Hoboken, New Jersey and will soon be shipped to Irvine, California for entry into the competition.
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) is offering some seminars on ethanol safety. This news release from the RFA says the group is partnering with the Sangamon Valley Local Emergency Planning Committee as well as the Springfield and Taylorville Fire Departments in Illinois to hold two free Ethanol Safety Seminars on Aug. 10.
The first seminar is only open to Springfield Hazmat personnel and will take place from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the Springfield Fire Department in Springfield; the second seminar is open to the public and will be held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Taylorville Fire Department in Taylorville.
The seminars, which RFA has co-sponsored since 2010, are designed to educate first responders, hazmat teams, safety managers, and local emergency planning committees on proper ethanol emergency response training techniques that they can immediately put to use in the field and pass along to other first response teams. Seminar materials are largely based on the “Training Guide to Ethanol Emergency Response,” which was created by the Ethanol Emergency Response Coalition (EERC) and has been distributed throughout the United States and to several countries worldwide.
“Ethanol is the number one fuel commodity transported by rail in our district each year,” said David Butt, chairman of Sangamon Valley LEPC. “We want to be certain that on those rare occasions that our men and women are called on to respond to ethanol emergencies, they are fully prepared to tackle the challenges that come with them. Providing this training is part of our committee’s effort to ensure they are.”
“Focusing on emergency measures in the event of an ethanol-related incident is an important part of pre-planning,” added Mike Crews, chief of the Taylorville Fire Department. “We are happy to be able to help provide this training to those responsible for the safety of our community so they can be prepared should an incident occur.”
Iowa-based Renewable Energy Group, Inc. is expanding its Ames headquarters complex. This company news release says REG marked the ocassion with a formal ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The 12,000-square foot space at 215 Alexander Avenue is just a short walk from REG’s main headquarters building at 416 S. Bell Avenue, which the Company has occupied since moving its business operations from Ralston to Ames in 2007. REG purchased the Alexander location last December and remodeled the space, while also making upgrades to the Bell Avenue facility. The total investment for the combined project was approximately $2.5 million.
“This expansion is in support of our international and North American growth, diversification and build-out of our hub-and-spoke model where the business continues to be centered in Ames administratively and in decision-making,” said Daniel J. Oh, President and CEO. “When REG first moved to Ames we were less than 30 employees strong. If you asked anyone then about a vision that included two buildings in Ames and nearly 230 local employees, they would have had trouble seeing it. Still, our shareholders, employees, leadership and the Ames community saw it, believed in it, and here we are today.”
Ames community leaders at the ribbon cutting praised REG’s growth. “This is exactly the kind of company we want in Ames,” said Steve Goodhue, Chairman of the Ames Economic Development Commission. “REG is attracting top-notch talent.”
