2013 Renewable Energy Data Book

January 20, 2015

From the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL):

NREL's newly released 2013 Renewable Energy Data Book illustrates United States and global energy statistics, including renewable electricity generation, renewable energy development, clean energy investments, and technology-specific data and trends.http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2015/15450.html

Downstream Face

Downstream Face of Hoover Dam. May 6, 2013.

Sign in Generation Room

Sign in Electric Generation Room.  May 6, 2013.

Electric Generators at Hoover Dam

Electric generators at Hoover Dam. May 6, 2013.

Tunnel at Hoover Dam

Tunnel at Hoover Dam. May 6, 2013.

Hoover Dam

Hoover Dam. 2,080 Megawatts nameplate generation capacity. May 6, 2013.

Urban Green Energy and GE Announce First Sanya Skypump Installation

Press release:

14 August 2012

Urban Green Energy and GE Announce First Sanya Skypump Installation

 

World’s First Integrated Wind-Powered Electric Vehicle Charging Station Installed in Barcelona

BARCELONA, SPAIN — August 14, 2012 — Urban Green Energy (UGE) and GE (NYSE: GE) have unveiled the world’s first integrated wind-powered electric vehicle charging station. The innovative Sanya Skypump pairs UGE’s cutting-edge vertical wind turbines with GE’s electric vehicle (EV) charging technology to offer completely clean energy to power electric vehicles.

Installed by UGE Iberia, the Spanish branch of New York-based Urban Green Energy, the first wind-powered EV charging station is located at Cespa’s global headquarters near Barcelona. Cespa is the environmental services subsidiary of Ferrovial Servicios, the world’s largest private transportation infrastructure investor.

More Sanya Skypumps will be installed later this year in the U.S. and Australia at shopping malls, universities and other locations.

The integrated system incorporates both the energy production capacity of UGE’s 4K wind turbine and the EV charging capability of the GE Durastation in a single unit, with all required electrical systems located within the tower.

Designed for commercial and government customers, the Sanya Skypump combines environmental benefits with a strong statement to customers and the public.

“Since launching the Sanya Skypump, we have received inquiries from companies around the world that are looking to embrace sustainability,” said Nick Blitterswyk, CEO of UGE. “The Sanya Skypump is one of those rare products that enable institutions to demonstrate their commitment to the environment while providing a really useful service as well.”

The Sanya Skypump delivers power through a GE DuraStation EV charger, which enables faster charging using higher voltages.

Charles Elazar, marketing director of GE Energy Management’s Industrial Solutions business in Europe, says, “GE is launching a family of electric vehicle charging systems in Europe offering domestic and commercial users a range of easy-to-use, flexible systems to help make electric vehicles a practical, everyday reality."

GE is a keen supporter of electric vehicles and has announced plans to purchase 25,000 electric vehicles by 2015 for use as company cars and to lease to corporate customers through its Fleet Services business.

About Urban Green Energy

With installations in over 65 countries, including installations for several government agencies and Fortune 100 companies, UGE is changing the face of distributed renewable energy. UGE puts users in control of their energy source by designing and manufacturing more versatile wind turbines and hybrid wind/solar systems for use in applications ranging from residential to commercial, from suburban US homeowners to off-grid telecoms towers in rural Africa. Visit www.urbangreenenergy.com today to learn how together we can create a greener tomorrow.

About GE

GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.

Follow GE’s Industrial Solutions business on Twitter @GEindustrial and@GE_WattStation.

Providing Capital and Technology, GE Advances Partnership with Enel Green Power to Build One of Minnesota’s Largest Wind Farms

Press release:

06 August 2012

Providing Capital and Technology, GE Advances Partnership with Enel Green Power to Build One of Minnesota’s Largest Wind Farms

 

HARDWICK, Minn., Aug 6, 2012 – Expanding its partnership with global renewable energy company Enel Green Power, GE (NYSE: GE) unit GE Energy Financial Services has committed approximately $156 million in common equity for one of Minnesota’s largest wind farms, using GE turbines.

The GE unit now owns 51 percent of the 200-megawatt Prairie Rose wind project under construction in southern Minnesota. Enel Green Power North America, a subsidiary of Enel Green Power, committed approximately $149 million for a 49 percent ownership stake and serves as project manager. In addition to capital, GE signed an agreement last year with Enel Green Power North America to supply 119 of GE’s 1.68-megawatt wind turbines for the project.

The GE unit and Enel Green Power North America also raised approximately $190 million in tax equity to be provided by a syndicate led by J. P. Morgan, which includes Wells Fargo Wind Holdings LLC and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. The tax equity will be funded at project completion and will reduce both GE Energy Financial Services’ and Enel Green Power North America’s ownership stakes in the wind farm.

“This transaction showcases GE’s ability to provide both world-class technology and flexible financing structures for our customers and advances our long-term partnership with Enel Green Power, an established renewable energy leader,” said Kevin Walsh, Managing Director of Power and Renewable Energy at GE Energy Financial Services.

The project, which is expected to cost approximately $305 million, is located near Hardwick, northwest of Luverne. Construction, managed by Minneapolis-based Mortenson Construction, is expected to be completed later this year. The wind farm will supply all of its power to Northern States Power Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, under a 20-year contract. Enel Green Power North America will have the option to purchase up to an additional 26 percent ownership stake from the GE unit later in 2012 and in 2013.

The benefits of the wind project are wide-ranging. The project’s Edina-based developer and Enel Green Power’s strategic partner, Geronimo Wind Energy, estimates that the wind farm will create approximately 300 construction jobs, contribute about $850,000 annually in new county and township taxes and create about a dozen permanent jobs. Prairie Rose is expected to generate enough electricity to power 75,000 homes and displace approximately 650,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year – equivalent to taking approximately 130,000 cars off the road – according to US Environmental Protection Agency methodology. In addition, the wind farm will help Minnesota meet its mandate to generate 25 percent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2025.

This transaction expands GE Energy Financial Services’ and Enel Green Power North America’s portfolio of co-owned wind projects. In April, the companies invested in the 235-megawatt Chisholm View wind project under construction near Hunter, Oklahoma, which also will use GE wind turbines. The GE unit and Enel Green Power North America also invested in the 101-megawatt Smoky Hills wind farm in Kansas and the 63-megawatt Snyder wind farm in Texas.

GE Energy Financial Services’ global wind portfolio now comprises equity and debt financings for projects spanning 17 US states and four other countries totaling 9.9 gigawatts in operation or under construction. GE Energy Financial Services’ wind investing supports GE’s broader ecomagination strategy to create value for customers by solving energy, efficiency and water challenges.

About GE Energy Financial Services
GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally across the capital spectrum in essential, long-lived, and capital-intensive energy assets that meet the world’s energy needs. In addition to capital, GE Energy Financial Services offers the best of GE’s technical know-how, technology innovation, financial strength, and rigorous risk management. Based in Stamford, Connecticut, the GE business unit helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships, and optimization of its approximately $20 billion in assets. For more information, visitwww.geenergyfinancialservices.com.

About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter. The best people and the best technologies taking on the toughest challenges. Finding solutions in energy, health and home, transportation and finance. Building, powering, moving and curing the world. Not just imagining. Doing. GE works. For more information, visit the company's website at www.ge.com.

Press release from the Office of Senator Jim Inhofe:

INHOFE AGAIN REQUESTS SEC. MABUS TO DISCLOSE FULL COST OF GREEN FLEET DEMONSTRATION

 

Contacts: Jared Young 202-224-5762
Donelle Harder 202-224-1282

August 2, 2012

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – U.S. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), today issued a second letter to Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus requesting again a full, detailed report on the cost of the U.S. Navy’s “Green Fleet” demonstration and overall alternative energy program. Sen. Inhofe’s first request was made on July 24, which led to Sec. Mabus responding to only a few of the questions. 

 “To be clear, I fully support the development and use of all sources of alternative fuels,” said Inhofe in the letter. “For the sake of our energy security and independence, we must take an all-of-the-above approach in order to end our dependence on foreign oil. This includes making full use of Research and Development (R&D) funds to test, evaluate and certify all types of alternative fuels. At the same time, I believe these pursuits within themilitary must be sensible and affordable solutions. Using scarce Operations and Maintenance (O&M) funds impacts readiness and jeopardizes the lives of our service men and women.”  

The second letter to Sec. Mabus reiterated the unanswered questions that would qualify “at a minimum” as disclosing the total cost for the demonstration. Sen. Inhofe also requested a report on the Navy’s R&D and O&M expenditures on alternative energy over the past 10 years. A copy of the letter can be read here. 

Sec. Mabus’ initial response answered Sen. Inhofe’s questions on the cost to ship the fuel from Louisiana and Texas to Washington state by ground; cost to the Navy to paint logos on its aircrafts and ships to promote the event; and cost of the green hats and t-shirts to mark the event and who provided the funding. This came to a total of almost $13 million. A copy of the letter can be read here.  

“The budget cuts DOD and all the Services have already absorbed, in addition to those that could be realized under sequestration, are a stark reminder of how responsible the DOD must be with current acquisitions and planned purchases,” said Inhofe in the letter. “It is imperative that DOD and all the Services effectively use the shrinking funds available to continue providing an adequate defense for the men and women of this country and ourallies abroad.”  

In closing, Sen. Inhofe asked about the Navy’s involvement with the Department of Defense (DOD) in funding the design and construction of “commercial-scale” biorefineries. Despite the DOD being denied by SASC in 2011 to reprogram $170 million from O&M for these refineries, the FY’12 Omnibus provided an unspecified amount to build biofuel refineries. In President Obama’s FY’13 budget request, $70 million more is appropriated for building these refineries.

Sen. Inhofe has been the leading voice exposing the Obama Administration’s attempt to force its liberal green agenda through the Department of Defense. He has expressed concern that the “greening” of the military is stalling advancements in energy independence and undermining national security. 

 ###

STATEMENT: Best Buy Recognized Among Nation’s Green Powered Organizations By U.S. EPA

News release from Best Buy:

STATEMENT: Best Buy Recognized Among Nation’s Green Powered Organizations By U.S. EPA

Best Buy reduces carbon emissons through renewable energy alternatives MINNEAPOLIS, May 11, 2012 – Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE:BBY) has been named to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) top 50 list of the largest green power purchasers. In 2011, Best Buy purchased nearly 119 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power – electricity generated from renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro – demonstrating a proactive choice to support renewable energy alternatives. To view the entire list,visit: http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/. About Best Buy Co., Inc. Best Buy Co., Inc. (NYSE: BBY) is a leading multi-channel global retailer and developer of technology products and services. Every day our employees - 167,000 strong - are committed to helping deliver the technology solutions that enable easy access to people, knowledge, ideas and fun. We are keenly aware of our role and impact on the world, and we are committed to developing and implementing business strategies that bring sustainable technology solutions to our consumers and communities.

Cities of the Future: Songdo, South Korea – Energy

Songdo International Business District's information technology network manages energy use in every building, making the city very "green." Episode 7 in the series.

March 28 , 2012

Transcript:

As populations expand and economies grow, people are consuming more non-renewable energy sources than ever. The race is on to make cities radically more energy efficient.

Songdo, South Korea, a new city built entirely from scratch, is on the forefront.

In Songdo, a revolutionary information technology network manages energy use in every building.

Jean-Louis Massaut, Director, Cisco Services Korea: The network that we deploy here is actually connecting all of the components in the city, all of the building subsystems together, so that we can bring energy savings.

Scott Summers, Vice President, Gale International:We're improving the efficiencies of each of the buildings. Our windows have low U value that reduces the amount of sunlight coming in and keeps the energy of the heat or cooling inside the building. Another component to reduce energy consumption (is) we light up the buildings with LED lights.

Peter Lee,Sustainable Design Specialist, Cosentini Korea: On the system level, we introduced water-cooled air conditioning system; it has never been applied to any Korean project before. We also have central home network system through which you can control your electricity use to reduce the dependence on the energy.

These innovations are helping reduce energy consumption in each building by 30 percent.  The city is also tapping into renewable natural resources.

Lee Jong-Cheol, Commissioner, Incheon Free Economic Zone: Sunlight, solar energy, windforce energy are being currently used to operate the city. Even human waste isn't simply disposed of. It is processed through a recycling system and a co-generation plant producing necessary energy.

Scott Summers: We have a co-generation facility that uses natural gas to power electricity. And the waste heat is in the form of hot water, and so we use that waste heat to run up our buildings and provide heating for our residential units.

By 2040, worldwide electricity demand is projected to be 80 percent higher than it is today. Songdo is a model for cities trying to keep pace.

Learn more at thenetwork.cisco.com/songdo

Green Button Giving Millions of Americans Better Handle on Energy Costs

Green Button Giving Millions of Americans Better Handle on Energy Costs

March 22, 2012 

Image courtesy of the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

John P. Holdren and Nancy Sutley

What does this project do?

• Green Button provides millions of utility customers with easy access to a downloadable copy of their electricity usage data.

This article is cross posted from the White House.

More information about Apps for Energy, the Energy Department's software development competition, is here. On that page, you can submit app ideas and sign up for competition news and announcements.

This afternoon President Obama is visiting Ohio State University to highlight some of the nation’s most advanced energy-related research and development projects. Technological innovation is a key element in the Administration’s “all-of-the-above” strategy to reduce energy costs for consumers while protecting health and the environment—a strategy that focuses on developing cleaner and more efficient energy sources and also on novel ways to help consumers conserve energy and save money right now. That’s why we are pleased to co-host a White House event today at which utility company CEOs from across the country are committing to participate in the “Green Button” initiative.

Green Button is an industry-led effort that responds to a White House call-to-action to provide consumers with easy-to-understand data about their household energy use. At today’s event, nine major utilities and electricity suppliers will sign on to the initiative, committing to provide more than 15 million households secure access to their energy data with a simple click of an online Green Button. That builds on similar commitments made by utilities in January to provide Green Button capability to nearly 12 million households this year. With that information in hand, consumers can take advantage of a growing array of online services that can help them manage energy use and save on their bills.

In fact, companies are already developing Web and smartphone applications and services for businesses and homeowners that can use Green Button data. These tools can help consumers choose the most economical rate plan for their energy use patterns; deliver customized energy-efficiency tips; provide easy-to-use tools to size and finance rooftop solar panels; and conduct virtual energy audits that can cut costs for building owners and speed the initiation of retrofits.  A number of companies today added their names to the growing list of innovators developing Green-Button-compatible apps and services.

Federal agencies are doing their part as well. The Department of Energy today announced today an Apps for Energy contest to spur the invention of tools and services that will help consumers gain information, take action, and save on their utility bills. The contest complements $8 million in grant funding  that is helping consumers use new smart-grid technologies to better manage their energy consumption. The Department of Energy today also launched today an online map that shows the progress utilities are making towards providing their customers access to their own energy data in consumer-friendly and computer-friendly formats.

The Environmental Protection Agency has also joined the Green Button team.  The agency has committed to working with entrepreneurs and utilities to take advantage of Green Button data to help commercial building owners benchmark the energy use of their buildings and deliver ENERGY STAR performance scores using the EPA's measurement and tracking tool, ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.

We are excited about Green Button, which in its simplicity and innovative power is helping Americans track their energy use and save them money—all while helping the Nation achieve the important goals of saving energy and reducing pollution.

For more information about Green Button and a complete list of utilities, electricity providers, apps developers, and other companies supporting the Green Button initiative,view the press release.

John Holdren is Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy

Nancy Sutley is Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality

Oracle Announces Support for the White House’s Green Button Initiative to Help Utilities Advance Smart Grid Adoption

Redwood Shores, California – March 22, 2012

News Facts

Oracle announced its support for the Green Button Initiative, a voluntary effort by utilities across the country, in response to a challenge by the White House, to empower utility customers with secure access to their own energy usage data.

The Green Button Initiative enables consumers to easily access their energy usage data in a standard file format and, if they choose, share their data with trusted third parties who are developing applications and tools that help manage energy usage. Improved access to energy usage data can help consumers make more informed decisions and promote conservation.

Two of California’s largest utilities have already implemented the Green Button Initiative and also use Oracle Utilities solutions to meet their business needs.

Oracle Utilities provides solutions to hundreds of utilities across the United States. These solutions include Oracle Utilities Customer Care and Billing, Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management, Oracle Utilities Smart Grid Gateway and Oracle Utilities Customer Self Service and more.

Supporting Quotes

As U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu has said, “Providing consumers with easy access to data on their energy consumption can help give them the tools they need to make informed decisions about their energy use. Developing applications and services to help consumers understand and control their energy use is a field ripe for American innovation.”

“Today, Utilities have a major focus on enhancing their customer service experience,” said Linda Jackman, Group Vice President, Oracle Utilities. “The Green Button Initiative gives customers access to their energy usage data online, in a user-friendly, standard format, encouraging awareness of energy consumption as well as empowering consumers to be more energy efficient. Encouraging the value of smart grid initiatives is a primary focus for Oracle and we’re committed to supporting utilities that participate in the Green Button Initiative.”

Supporting Resources

Oracle Utilities

Oracle Utilities on Facebook

Oracle Utilities on Twitter

Oracle Utilities on LinkedIn

Oracle Utilities on Diigo

Oracle Utilities YouTube Channel

Office of Science and Technology Policy Blog

About Oracle Utilities

Oracle Utilities delivers proven software applications that help utilities of all types and sizes achieve competitive advantage, business performance excellence and a lower total cost of technology ownership. Oracle Utilities integrates industry-specific customer care and billing, network management, work and asset management, mobile workforce management and meter data management applications with the capabilities of Oracle's industry-leading enterprise applications, business intelligence tools, middleware, database technologies, as well as servers and storage. The software enables customers to adapt more nimbly to market deregulation, meet ever-evolving customer demands and deliver on environmental conservation commitments. Additionally, Oracle Utilities helps utilities prepare for smart metering and smart grid initiatives that enhance efficiency and provide critical intelligence metrics that can help drive more-informed energy and water usage decisions for consumers and businesses. For more information, visit www.oracle.com/goto/utilities.

About Oracle

Oracle engineers hardware and software to work together in the cloud and in your data center.  For more information about Oracle (NASDAQ:ORCL), visit www.oracle.com.

About Oracle in Industries

Oracle industry solutions leverage the company's best-in-class portfolio of products to address complex business processes relevant to utilities, helping speed time to market, reduce costs, and gain a competitive edge.

Trademark

Oracle and Java are registered trademarks of Oracle and/or its affiliates.  Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Smarter, Greener Campuses

IBM Helps Los Angeles Schools Create Smarter, Greener Campuses

Crowdsourcing lets students and staff speed repairs across 800 campuses from their mobile phones

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LAS VEGAS - 05 Mar 2012: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced a new project to help the nation’s second largest school district become one of the greenest and most sustainable by making energy conservation and cost savings as easy as sending a text message.  

The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) is empowering its students, teachers and staff to identify maintenance issues such as leaky faucets and broken air conditioning units by sending text messages and photos through their mobile phones. A mobile reporting solution developed by IBM Business Partner CitySourced sends the photos and texts for analysis by IBM software that automatically shows staff where the problem is located using geographic information software from IBM Business Partner Esri.

LAUSD is the largest public school system in California and the second largest school district in the United States with 700,000 students. With more than 14,000 buildings spread out over 710 square miles, the district receives more than 300,000 maintenance service requests a year.

Within the first eight months of implementing the program LAUSD responded to more than 750 maintenance requests and have since surpassed 1,650 reports to date. LAUSD and CitySourced are scheduled to implement an outreach program to socialize the application at school sites in the second quarter of 2012. With the combination of word of mouth and the outreach program, LAUSD anticipates the number of reports to significantly rise in 2012.

“Each year we found we were spending too much time, money, and energy locating, and reporting a problem before we even had the chance to fix it,” says Danny Lu, business analyst, Los Angeles Unified School District. “By finding a more efficient way to report and locate needed repairs, we are able to respond faster to serve our campuses. The best part is that the solution is at the fingertips of most everyone on campus.”

Prior to the crowdsourcing app, LAUSD relied on faculty, staff, students and parents to report maintenance issues with the campus plant manager, requiring the manager to decipher and pinpoint the failing unit before submitting the call to the Maintenance & Operations Service Call Desk and routing to the appropriate personnel to solve the problem. With the advent of the mobile application, reports are submitted directly to the Maintenance & Operations Service Call Desk. 

“Working with IBM, CitySourced is empowering faculty, students and citizens of the Los Angeles school districts to improve their communities by keeping them cleaner, safer and more efficient,” said Jason Kiesel, Founder and chief executive officer, CitySourced.

A recent Nielson research report showed smartphone usage is surging, especially in the United States where 38 percent of the population owns a smartphone and has the ability to send text or picture messages. By taking advantage of the growing connectivity of the population and partnering with companies like CitySourced and Esri, IBM is utilizing data collected by people to create smarter, more efficient cities and infrastructure.

“People now have the ability to act as living sensors for things they witness in their day-to-day lives,” said Dave Bartlett, vice president, Industry Solutions, IBM. “Through these partnerships, we are arming people with the ability to report problems that impact the efficiency of an ecosystem such as cities, buildings and campuses. And, through IBM analytics, we enable organizations to act on information that will make them more efficient and successful.”

The CitySourced app reports maintenance issues directly to IBM Maximo® Asset Management software.

For more photos and information on news at the IBM PULSE conference in Las Vegas, visit:http://www.ibm.com/press/us/en/presskit/37001.wss.

For more information, visit: www.ibm.com/tivoli/maximo

For more information about CitySourced, visit:http://www.citysourced.com/default.aspx

For more information about Esri, visit: http://www.esri.com/