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GDF Suez and Eletrobras in agreement over energy project development

September 3rd, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

GDF Suez and Eletrobras (Brazil), have entered into a joint agreement for collaboration on the development of energy projects in South America. Under the agreement, the companies are to collaborate in research, project development, and energy production and transmission ventures, focusing on renewable energy sources, but also on other sources of energy as well. The scope of this joint agreement covers all the countries in Central and South America, and Africa. Within Brazil, though, the companies will assess and explore opportunities on a case-by-case basis.

[source: GDF Suez]

European power grid to be connected to Turkey

September 3rd, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

This september Turkey will be connected to the European power grid, through a link established by GE using the company's smart grid technology. This is going to create a range of new oppoortunities, especially for renewable energy power plant operators in Turkey, while Europe stands to get a significant supply of clean power in its power grid.

The Turkish Electricity Transmission Company (TEIAS) will soon be able to buy and sell power in the European electricity market. The European electricity market is one of the largest in the world, and has one of the highest demands worldwide. In order to ensure constant and uninterrupted supply of power, Europe needs to secure more power supply links with other energy generation markets.

GE's smart grid technology will perform status monitoring at grid connection points and automate control of power generation and load in Turkey. The result should be higher power quality and optmized power sharing, with improvements in reliability. The project is in its final stages of testing.

[source: GE]

Asian Development Bank issuing first clean energy bond

September 2nd, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) announced it is issuing its first clean energy bond, in order to support its renewable energy projects in Asia and Pacific. The bond is expected to have four tranches, two denominated in Brazilian reals, one in Turkish lira and one in Australian dollars. ADB has committed to providing at least an equal amount of funding as raised by the clean energy bond. The issuance is targeted at Japanese retail investors, and will distributed in Japan by more than 20 securities companies.

Vestas relocating NA HQ to new building in Portland

August 20th, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

Vestas announced plans to relocate its North American HQ in Portland to a new building, which will achieve LEED Platinum certified, and will be adapted to accommodate 250 employees, featuring latest energy saving technology and "ecoproof" terrace and gardens.

Construction activities on the existing structure of the building will begin in October this year, while Vestas expects its employees to officially move in in 2012. To keep things even cleaner, the roof will be packed with solar panels. The total cost of this project is about USD 66 million. Vestas says this is a long term relocation investment.

France to award EUR 1.35 billion as support for renewable energy projects

August 13th, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

France is planning to award a total of USD 1.75 billion in grants and loans as support for renewable energy and biofuel-chemistry projects by 2014. This is one of several sustainable development programs to be launched by the Environmental and Energy Management Agency.

US government approves more funding to Iberdrola Renovables for wind enegy projects

August 7th, 2010 | Posted in General Wind | No Comments

Iberdrola Renovables announced the company has been awarded more funding from the US government, bringing the total amount of funding awarded to the company so far to USD 976 million. The awarded funding is part of the US government's strategy to provide incentives for companies to invest and build projects in the United States. This financial boost will significantly help Iberdrola's strategic plans to install about 1000 MW of wind capacity in the US in 2011 and 2012. The company has expressed reassurances it will invest the awarded funding into new renewable energy projects in the country.

The grants have been awarded in tranches, the latest being a USD 109 million injection for the company's 202 MW Peñascal II wind farm, part of the Peñascal wind complex, located in Kenedy County in Texas, USA. The complex has a total of 404 MW of capacity, and is the largest wind energy facility operated by Iberdrola in the world, featuring 168 Mitsubishi MHI 92 2.4 MW wind turbines. Power generated at the wind farm complex is enough to supply about 150,000 average US homes with clean electricity.

[source: Iberdrola]

Southern California Edison stimulating small RE developers in California

August 5th, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

Southern California Edison (SCE) launched a request for offers for power supply contracts from small renewable energy generators. The power generating facilities are to be no bigger than 20 MW, in order for the operator to qualify. This is SCE's first open call for additional renewable energy contracts which is being issued under the Renewable Standard Contracts program, designed to minimize the time required for getting executed power purchase agreements.

Long term contracts involving solar, wind, biomass, biogas, ocean energy, hydro and geothermal facilities in California are being looked for. SCE is putting particular emphasis on projects which are to become operational within three years from contract approval. All proposals are due on September 8 this year, while contract execution is expected in November.

[source: Southern California Edison]

Sinohydro and Energia Argentina to cooperate in energy

August 5th, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

Sinohydro announced a signing of an MoU between Sinohydro and Energia Argentina, which happened in mid-July in China, for cooperation in energy. Emphasis was put on clean energy technologies such as hydropower and wind energy. A work group is being planned, which will carry out related works and practices.

This MoU is significant as it marks the beginning of Sinohydro's involvement in energy development projects in Argentina, representing a base for future expansion of the company's presence in the South American country.

[source: Sinohydro]

PGE and PacifiCorp to discuss building 210 mile energy superhighway in Oregon

August 4th, 2010 | Posted in General | No Comments

Portland General Electric's (PGE) proposed power transmission project in Oregon, the Cascade Crossing Transmission Project, may become the topic od discussion about a joint venture between PGE and PacifiCorp. The two companies signed an MoU to offically enter discussions about jointly developing the Oregon energy superhighway, that will stretch for 210 miles in this northwestern US state.

The project represents a necessity for delivering renewable energy reliably and cost effectively in the region. Its development would result in more renewable energy development in Oregon. The transmission project would include 210 miles of 500 kV transmission lines from Boardman to the Salem area in the state. If the project receives necessary approvals, its construction could happen between 2013 and 2015.

[source: PGE, image: Cascade Crossing Project]

Xcel Energy says wind-to-battery technology works

August 4th, 2010 | Posted in General Wind | No Comments

Xcel Energy announced the preliminary results of the company's wind-to-battery test project being conducted in Minnesota, USA. According to these results the technology works. Xcel Energy started this project in 2008, using a 1 MW battery storage device to demonstrate the technology's ability to store excess wind energy, and pass that energy onto the power grid when necessary. This is the first of its kind technology used in the United States.