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Monday, March 30, 2015

Indiana to take leadership role in energy storage technology - Duke Energy

INDIANAPOLIS -
Can renewable energy be available when customers need it as opposed to only when the sun shines or wind blows?
Storing energy from the sun and wind and using it efficiently on the electric grid will be the focus of new research at Southern Indiana’s Battery Innovation Center (BIC) near the Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center.


Indiana to take leadership role in energy storage technology - Duke Energy

GE’s Distributed Power Supporting Romania’s Largest Municipal Gas Engine District Heating Investment

From GE:


GE’s Distributed Power Supporting Romania’s Largest Municipal Gas Engine District Heating Investment

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  • Bepco Marks Successful Launch of Four CHP Plants for District Heating System
  • CHP Plants Feature Total of 11 Jenbacher Type 6 Gas Engines to Produce 42 MW of Power and 38 MW of Heat
  • Project Illustrates Romania’s Modernization of District Heating Systems across the Country
BRASOV, ROMANIA—March 27, 2015With the Energy Efficiency Law of Romania and financial incentives for cogeneration driving the country to adopt more energy efficiency practices, energy services company Bepco srl today showcased the success of four high-efficiency combined heat and power (CHP) plants at the heart of a district heating system in the city of Brasov. The stations are powered by 11ecomagination* approved Jenbacher gas engines from GE’s Distributed Power business (NYSE: GE).
The four stations are generating 42 megawatts (MW) of power and 38 MW of heat for the city. The project represents Romania’s largest gas engine-based CHP initiative designed to meet a city’s local district heating demands.
“Our CHP projects have overcome one of the major concerns about the efficiency of the city of Brasov’s existing district heating system,” said Simina Costan, managing partner, Bepco. “With the previous heat production and distribution company in Brasov facing financial trouble, we were able to step in with our gas engine solution from GE that allowed us to implement enhanced heating system efficiency for our customers and support Romania’s energy efficiency goals.”
Bepco’s CHP plants, which feature 11 of GE’s Jenbacher Type 6 engines, are part of Romania’s campaign to modernize older, less-efficient municipal and industrial district heating systems to reduce emissions related to energy production. GE’s gas engines are offering Bepco high-efficiency cogeneration featuring more than 84 percent total efficiency and a very high power-to-heat ratio.
“With the majority of heat production facilities in Romania’s cities currently obsolete and running with low efficiency, our higher-efficiency cogeneration gas engines offer great potential for operators seeking to modernize their district heating systems throughout the country,” said Karl Wetzlmayer, general manager—reciprocating engines for GE Power & Water’s Distributed Power business. “We are pleased to help Bepco achieve its efficiency goals through this district heating project.”
An additional advantage of a multiple gas engine power plant is the high plant part-load efficiency and availability. Starting from high simple-cycle gas engine efficiency, the efficiency stays high in part-load operation due to incremental engine shutdown. Meanwhile, the growth of renewable power installations and the intermittency of solar and wind power require more operating flexibility from the conventional power generation portfolio when compared to natural gas systems.
By installing GE’s cogeneration technology instead of separate electrical and thermal power generation equipment, operators receive primary energy savings of roughly 40 percent through reduced fossil fuel consumption. GE’s integrated combustion emissions control system helps meet stringent global regulations, resulting in a lower carbon footprint. For example, a 1 -W CHP solution using one of GE’s reciprocating engines could displace the equivalent CO2 emissions of 800 European cars annually. Also, since CHP systems are located much closer to the end user, energy transportation losses are reduced or eliminated.
For the project, Bepco’s CET Nord 1 station was installed with five of GE’s 4-MW J624 units, and the CET Nord 2 station features three of GE’s two-staged turbocharged, 4.4-MW J624 units (the J624 is the world's first two-stage turbocharged gas engine model). CET Metrom has two J620 units, and the CET Noua station features one J616 unit.
The Bepco projects join a growing list of district heating modernization projects that GE is supporting with its advanced-efficiency gas engine and aeroderivative gas turbines. Additional projects include:
  • GE announced in February 2015 it is supplying European energy developer STC SpA with an ecomagination approved LM6000-PF SPRINT* gas turbine generator as part of the modernization of the city of Oradea‘s district heating plant in northwestern Romania. This marked GE’s first aeroderivative gas turbine order in Romania.
  • GE is supplying six of its Type 6 Jenbacher gas engines to developer S.C. VEST-ENERGO S.A. for a 20-MW cogeneration plant to help upgrade district heating facilities in Bucharest.
  • In 2012, GE, the Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company and energy developer ContourGlobal opened a new gas engine cogeneration plant at Coca-Cola Hellenic's Ploiesti bottling facility near Bucharest. The Ploiesti plant was the first of a group of 15 CHP plants to be installed at Coca-Cola Hellenic's facilities in 12 European countries.
About GE’s Distributed Power Business
GE Power & Water’s Distributed Power business is a leading provider of power equipment, engines and services focused on power generation at or near the point of use. Distributed Power’s product portfolio includes highly efficient industrial reciprocating engines and aeroderivative gas turbines that generate 100 kW to 100 MW of power for numerous industries globally. In addition, Distributed Power offers life cycle services and support for more than 37,000 distributed power products worldwide to help customers meet their business challenges—anywhere and anytime.
Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Distributed Power employs about 5,000 people around the world.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better. GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com
About GE Power & Water
GE Power & Water provides customers with a broad array of power generation, energy delivery and water process technologies to solve their challenges locally. Power & Water works in all areas of the energy industry including renewable resources such as wind and solar, biogas and alternative fuels; and coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy. The business also develops advanced technologies to help solve the world’s most complex challenges related to water availability and quality. Power & Water’s six business units include Distributed Power, Nuclear Energy, Power Generation Products, Power Generation Services, Renewable Energy and Water & Process Technologies. Headquartered in Schenectady, N.Y., Power & Water is GE’s largest industrial business.
Follow GE Power & Water on Twitter @GE_PowerWater and on LinkedIn. To hear the latest news and conversations for Distributed Power, use the Twitter hashtag #DistributedPower.
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* Trademark of General Electric Company.

GE ENERGY FINANCIAL SERVICES ACQUIRES LANGHOPE RIG WIND FARM IN SCOTLAND FROM SSE

From GE:


GE ENERGY FINANCIAL SERVICES ACQUIRES LANGHOPE RIG WIND FARM IN SCOTLAND FROM SSE

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EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND, 26 MARCH 2015 – GE Energy Financial Services, a unit of GE (NYSE: GE), announced today that it has signed an agreement with SSE plc, one of the largest generators and suppliers of energy in the UK, to acquire the 16-megawatt Langhope Rig wind farm, which is nearing construction completion near Hawick, in the Scottish Borders. Situated approximately 55 miles south of Edinburgh, the project supports GE’s commitment to international expansion and investing USD $1 billion annually in renewable energy projects worldwide.

The Langhope Rig wind farm comprises 10 GE 1.6-megawatt wind turbines which GE Energy UK will service under a long-term operations and maintenance agreement. Under the terms of the acquisition agreement, GE Energy Financial Services will own and operate the wind farm once it becomes operational later this year.

Andrew Marsden, a managing director and European leader at GE Energy Financial Services, noted that the acquisition expands GE’s global presence, grows its international wind portfolio and demonstrates its commitment to supporting customers.

“The Langhope Rig acquisition supports our strategy of investing in high-quality energy assets with experienced partners,” said Marsden. “This transaction combines GE’s strengths as a leading supplier of both structured finance and energy technology in an investment underpinned by the UK’s stable wind regime.”

Renewable energy is a core focus area for GE Energy Financial Services, one of the world's biggest investors in wind power, with a portfolio of projects spanning nine countries and a capacity totaling more than 14 gigawatts in operation or under construction.

GE Energy Financial Services will honor SSE’s commitments to the existing community investment fund associated with the project for the benefit of the communities surrounding the wind farm.

About GE Energy Financial Services

GE Energy Financial Services - GE's energy investing business - works as a builder, not just a banker, to help meet the world's power and fuel needs.  We offer more than money – expertise - for essential, long-lived and capital-intensive power, oil and gas infrastructure-GE's core business.  Drawing on GE's energy technical know-how, financial strength and risk management, we see value where others don't and take on our customers' toughest challenges with flexible equity and debt transaction structures.  Based in Stamford, Connecticut, GE Energy Financial Services holds approximately $16 billion in assets.  More information:  www.geenergyfinancialservices.com.  Follow GE Energy Financial Services on Twitter:@GEEnergyFinServ
 

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) imagines things others don’t, builds things others can’t and delivers outcomes that make the world work better.  GE brings together the physical and digital worlds in ways no other company can. In its labs and factories and on the ground with customers, GE is inventing the next industrial era to move, power, build and cure the world. www.ge.com


Industrial Internet Consortium Announces Smart Grid Testbed

From Cisco:


PRESS RELEASE

Industrial Internet Consortium Announces Smart Grid Testbed

Real-Time Innovations, National Instruments, and Cisco working with CPS Energy, Southern California Edison, Duke Energy, and SGIP to optimize power generation and integration of renewable energy sources to electrical grids

Reston, VA – March 26, 2015, The Industrial Internet Consortium® announces its first energy-focused testbed: the Communication and Control Testbed for Microgrid Applications. Industrial Internet Consortium member organizations Real-Time Innovations (RTI), National Instruments, and Cisco, are collaborating on the project, working with power utilities CPS Energy and Southern California Edison. Additional industry collaborators include Duke Energy and the power industry organization – Smart Grid Interoperability Panel (SGIP).
Today's power grid relies on a central-station architecture not designed to interconnect distributed and renewable power sources such as roof-top solar and wind turbines. The system must over-generate power to compensate for rapid variation in power generation or demands. As a result, much of the benefit of renewable energy sources in neighborhoods or businesses is lost. Efficiently integrating variable and distributed generation requires architectural innovation.
The goal of the Communication and Control Testbed is to introduce the flexibility of real-time analytics and control to increase efficiencies in this legacy process – ensuring that power is generated more accurately and reliably to match demand. This testbed proposes re-architecting electric power grids to include a series of distributed microgrids which will control smaller areas of demand with distributed generation and storage capacity. These microgrids will operate independently from the main electric power grid but will still interact and be coordinated with the existing infrastructure.
The testbed participants will work closely with Duke Energy, which recently published a distributed intelligence reference architecture, as well as SGIP to help ensure a coordinated, accepted architecture based on modern, cross-industry industrial internet technologies. The Communications and Control framework will be developed in three phases that will culminate in a field deployment that will take place at CPS Energy's "Grid-of-the-Future" microgrid test area in San Antonio, Texas. The initial phases will be tested in Southern California Edison's Controls Lab in Westminster, CA. Click here for a list of quotes from the partners of the Industrial Internet Consortium and its members on the Communication and Control Testbed.   
"The smart grid is a critical infrastructure component of the Industrial Internet of Things," said Stan Schneider, RTI's CEO and IIC Steering Committee member. "The IIoT will span industries, sensor to cloud, power to factory, and road to hospital. This key first step will address a significant barrier to the efficient use of green energy."
"Grid operators manage a vast infrastructure of generation, transmission and distribution systems. We believe microgrids offer a path forward to address the communication, load, and generation challenges facing today's grid system," said Jamie Smith, Director of Embedded Systems, National Instruments. "With this testbed, we are bringing together our expertise to help push the industrial internet forward by working on the architecture for the grid of tomorrow."
"Analytics and controls are essential for a successful energy transition, addressing limited scalability and renewables, siloed networks, rigid controls and slow human intervention," said Kip Compton, VP/GM, Internet of Things Systems and Software Group, Cisco. "Cisco is proud to take part in the deployment of this energy-centric testbed, combining real time analytics on a highly secure microgrid architecture, for a reliable and efficient grid of the future."
The members of the Industrial Internet Consortium announced the Communications and Control testbed at the Consortium's one year anniversary celebration in Reston, VA. To learn more about the Communication and Control Testbed for Microgrid Applications, visit www.iiconsortium.org/microgrid.  
About the Industrial Internet Consortium
The Industrial Internet Consortium is an open membership organization with 147 members from 21 countries, formed to accelerate the development, adoption, and wide-spread use of interconnected machines and devices, intelligent analytics, and people at work. Founded by AT&T, Cisco, General Electric, IBM, and Intel in March 2014, the Industrial Internet Consortium catalyzes and coordinates the priorities and enabling technologies of the Industrial Internet. Visit www.iiconsortium.org.
About RTI
RTI provides the connectivity platform for the Industrial Internet of Things.
RTI Connext messaging software forms the core nervous system for smart, distributed applications. RTI Connext allows devices to intelligently share information and work together as one integrated system. RTI was named "The Most Influential Industrial Internet of Things Company" in 2014 by Appinions and published in Forbes.
Our customers span the breadth of the Internet of Things, including medical, energy, mining, air traffic control, trading, automotive, unmanned systems, industrial SCADA , naval systems, air and missle defense, ground stations, and science. The total value of system designs that trust RTI for their fundamental architecture exceeds $1 trillion.
RTI is committed to open standards, open community source and open architecture. RTI provides the leading implementation of the Object Management Group (OMG) Data Distribution Service (DDS) standard.
RTI is the world's largest embedded middleware provider, privately held and headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
About National Instruments
Since 1976, National Instruments has made it possible for engineers and scientists to solve the world's greatest engineering challenges with powerful, flexible technology solutions that accelerate productivity and drive rapid innovation. Customers from a wide variety of industries – from healthcare to automotive and from consumer electronics to particle physics – use NI's integrated hardware and software platform to improve the world we live in. National Instruments has been a member of the Industrial Internet Consortium since June 2014.
About Cisco
Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in IT that helps companies seize the opportunities of tomorrow by proving that amazing things can happen when you connect the previously unconnected. For ongoing news, please go to http://thenetwork.cisco.com.
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Cisco and the Cisco logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cisco and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Cisco's trademarks can be found at www.cisco.com/go/trademarks. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners. The use of the word partner does not imply a partnership relationship between Cisco and any other company.
Quotes From the Partners of the Industrial Internet Consortium and Its Members on the Communication and Control Testbed
“CPS Energy’s Grid of the Future and microgrid sites provide us with hands-on experience using the latest technologies to provide security, analytics, and interoperability to our distribution system – bridging the gap between today’s smart grid technologies and the promise of the industrial internet of things,” said Raiford Smith, VP, Corporate Development and Planning, CPS Energy. “At CPS Energy, we are focused on providing our customers with innovative solutions to meet their needs while providing affordable, reliable electric and gas service.”
"SGIP securely accelerates and advances Grid Modernization through interoperability," said Sharon Allan, CEO of SGIP. "Testbeds are means, by working together with leading industry players, to prove out interoperability as we accelerate viable, sustainable options for energy delivery."
"SCE's Controls Lab houses one of the only fully simulated grid environments in North America," said Andy Paylan, lead engineer in Southern California Edison's Advanced Technology group. "Our labs test many grid technologies in various phases of the development cycle and it will serve the consortium well for the Communication and Control Testbed to go through simulations in the Control Lab before technology is deployed on the grid."

PNNL: News - Smart grid demo accomplishments, next steps at April 1 symposium

Media invited to cover last public event of Northwest demonstration project



PNNL: News - Smart grid demo accomplishments, next steps at April 1 symposium

Sunday, March 29, 2015

EPA’s Energy Star Names Odessa, TX, as Nation’s Top Small City for Energy Efficient Buildings

From EPA:


EPA’s Energy Star Names Odessa, TX, as Nation’s Top Small City for Energy Efficient Buildings

Contact: Jennah Durant or Joe Hubbard, R6Press@epa.gov or 214 665-2200

DALLAS – (March 26, 2015) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced Odessa, Texas, as the nation’s leader among smaller cities for Energy Star certified buildings. Odessa boasts 31 buildings with the certification—all schools and school administration offices—totaling 3.1 million square feet. The energy savings from these buildings total $2.4 million. This represents the equivalent of the annual electricity use of 1,800 homes.     

“Energy Star certified buildings are leading the way by advancing energy efficiency and making cost-saving improvements,” said EPA Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “Odessa’s schools are taking advantage of these benefits, and giving students a real-life lesson in sustainability.”

More than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.

Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.

Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change.

Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.

More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities

Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist

More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification

Connect with EPA Region 6:
Activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region6.htm 

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Miami on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List of Most Energy Star buildings of any city in the U.S.

From EPA:


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2015 Miami on EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities List of Most Energy Star buildings of any city in the U.S. Contact Information: Dawn Harris Young, EPA, (404) 562-8421 (Direct), (404) 562-8400 (Main), harris-young.dawn@epa.gov
ATLANTA – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its seventh-annual list of the top 25 U.S. metropolitan areas with the most Energy Star certified buildings in 2014 and the city of Miami ranks eighteenth. EPA’s Energy Star Top Cities list shows how cities across America, with help from Energy Star, are embracing energy efficiency as an effective way to save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change.
Energy Star labeled buildings in Miami achieved significant reductions in their energy bills and greenhouse gas emissions. These buildings represent more than 19 million square feet and will save more than $19 million annually in energy costs while preventing greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions of 15,600 homes a year. Energy Star buildings and plants are America’s energy all-stars – they save more, use less and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
"Cities across the country are saving billions every year through partnering with our Energy Star program and increasing energy efficiency, while doing their part to reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions that fuel climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “This is the type of leadership we need from city leaders and building owners who are demonstrating that increasing energy efficiency strengthens local economies, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, and helps preserve a healthy planet for future generations.”
More than 25,000 buildings across America have earned EPA’s Energy Star certification since 1999. The buildings have saved nearly $3.4 billion on utility bills and prevented greenhouse gas emissions equal to the emissions from the annual electricity use of nearly 2.4 million homes.
Energy use in commercial buildings accounts for 17 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions at a cost of more than $100 billion per year. Energy Star certified buildings are verified to perform better than 75 percent of similar buildings nationwide, and they use an average of 35 percent less energy and are responsible for 35 percent fewer emissions than typical buildings. Many common building types can earn the Energy Star, including office buildings, K-12 schools, hotels, and retail stores.
The program starts with tools to help building owners or managers understand how their buildings are currently performing and what to aim for in terms of improvements. A typical upgrade includes the following: tuning up the building systems; reducing lighting loads; reducing supplemental loads (e.g., equipment, wasteful behaviors, leaky windows, poor insulation, etc.); improving air distribution systems; and making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment. The stages, when followed in order, account for the interactions between different building systems. For example, replacing heat-producing incandescent bulbs with cool CFLs or LEDs will mean that a building’s air conditioner won’t have to work as hard in the summer months, so a building may be able to downsize its cooling system based on the new lighting’s heat output. Another benefit of the five-stage approach is that it ensures the lowest-cost measures are tackled first. As organizations progress through the five stages, they can roll their cost savings into larger and larger investments, culminating in the last, most expensive stage. By the time organizations start making upgrades to heating and cooling equipment, they typically have already amassed substantial cost savings from previous lower-cost improvements.
To create the annual top cities list, EPA tallies the number of Energy Star certified buildings for the end of the previous year within each metropolitan area, as defined by the U.S. Census. These areas include the city itself as well as surrounding towns and suburbs.
Energy Star is the simple choice for energy efficiency. For more than 20 years, people across America have looked to EPA’s Energy Star program for guidance on how to save energy, save money, and protect the environment. Behind each blue label is a product, building, or home that is independently certified to use less energy and cause fewer of the emissions that contribute to climate change. Today, Energy Star is the most widely recognized symbol for energy efficiency in the world, helping families and businesses save $300 billion on utility bills, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by two billion metric tons since 1992. Join the millions who are already making a difference at energystar.gov.
More on the 2015 top cities: www.energystar.gov/topcities
Search for Energy Star certified buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildinglist
More about earning the Energy Star label for commercial buildings: www.energystar.gov/buildingcertification
Connect with EPA Region 4 on Facebook: www.facebook.com/eparegion4
And on Twitter: @EPASoutheast
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