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Monday, February 23, 2015

Weatherization Assistance Program

From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




More than 7 million families have reduced their #energy bills since 1976 as a result of our Weatherization Assistance Program. The Program has also provided training and #jobs for thousands of Americans, such as Taos Pueblo native Jasmine Ramero (pictured). Learn more about Jasmine who gained employment through the program and is on the verge of breaking a major barrier by becoming the first female #weatherization quality control inspector/auditor in #NewMexico history:http://go.usa.gov/33s65.

Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain Youth Corps, part of the National Corps Network who named Jasmine a 2014 Corpsmember of the Year.

Demand broader solar-energy options | The Miami Herald The Miami Herald

Miami Herald Op-ed:





Our state’s nickname, The Sunshine State, is more than just a bumper-sticker slogan: Florida has the best solar energy resource east of the Mississippi. This potential, coupled with Florida’s size and growing population, means that we should be a national leader in affordable solar-energy generation.
But we’re not.







Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/opinion/op-ed/article10773614.html#storylink=cpy


Demand broader solar-energy options | The Miami Herald The Miami Herald

İÇDAŞ To Use GE’s First 3.2-103 Wind Turbines To Power Turkey’s Growth

From GE:


İÇDAŞ To Use GE’s First 3.2-103 Wind Turbines To Power Turkey’s Growth

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  • GE To Supply İÇDAŞ With 19 Brilliant GE 3.2-103 Wind Turbines For The BIGA RES Wind Farm, Supporting Turkey’s Renewable Energy Goals
  • First Site To Install GE’s Brilliant 3.2-103 Wind Turbines 
ISTANBUL, Turkey—February 17, 2015—GE (NYSE-GE) today announced it will supply energy developer İÇDAŞ with 19 brilliant GE 3.2-103 wind turbines for the BIGA RES wind farm, located near the town of Canakkale in northwestern Turkey.
The 60 megawatt (MW) wind farm will feature GE’s most powerful wind turbine—the 3.2-103—and will be the first units of this type installed anywhere in the world.
The BIGA RES wind farm will contribute to the Turkish government’s goals of reaching 20 gigawatts (GW) of wind energy and 30 percent of primary energy supplied from renewable sources by the year 2023. According to the Turkish Wind Association, the country had 3,424 megawatts (MW) of wind energy capacity installed as of the first half of 2014.
“We are pleased to collaborate with GE on this new wind farm that will help to provide Turkey with renewable energy and assists with meeting the country’s goals,” said General Manager Bülend Engin. “GE’s proven wind turbine technology and experience in power generation is a great fit for İÇDAŞ, and we are excited both for our customers and Turkey.”
With an 85-meter hub height designed to harness Turkey’s medium to strong wind conditions with low shear, GE’s 3.2-103 can provide strong power while being able to meet tip height requirements found frequently across Europe.
“Wind energy is a natural fit for Turkey and its citizens,” said Mete Maltepe, national commercial executive for Turkey with GE’s Power and Water business. “At GE, we are proud to contribute to the country’s efforts to meet its renewable energy targets.”
As a brilliant turbine, the 3.2-103 utilizes the power of the Industrial Internet to help manage the variability of wind for smooth, predictable power. By analyzing tens of thousands of data points every second, the 3.2-103 can wield advanced forecasting algorithms while communicating seamlessly with neighboring turbines, service technicians and operators.
About İÇDAŞ
İÇDAŞ has been producing construction steel and alloyed steel since 1970, and is the second biggest steel producer of Turkey with its production capacity. İÇDAŞ ranked as the seventh place among the 500 Biggest Industrial Enterprises of Turkey including the public sector in 2013, according to the determinations of Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), has around 10,000 employees together with the group companies. İÇDAŞ is the technology and quality leader in the steel industry and has devoted its roots to contribute to Turkish economy with being aware of the strategic significance of national steel industry for the Turkish economy.
 İÇDAŞ shares the proper pride of bringing the name of our country to a notable point by putting forth competitive strength in a race, which is started well behind in the world steel sector with energy efficiency, process efficiency, environmental awareness, technology usage, and participation of its employees in productivity.
Besides the steel business, İÇDAŞ has been building vessels at its own shipyard and accordingly operating in seaway transportation. Additionally İÇDAŞ has been carrying on business at port operations at its Istanbul Ambarlı and Canakkale Biga İÇDAŞ Port and also logistic services via trucks and rail road between Europe and Turkey.
İÇDAŞ has been engaged in the power generation sector since 2005 by commissioning its first 135 MW power station to supply with the electricity need of its own steel facilities. Recognizing the energy requirement of Turkey in electrical energy production, İÇDAŞ has strengthen its position in the energy sector with introducing  two (2) additional new 135 MW power stations in 2009 and reached a grand total of 405 MW installed capacity.
In 2007, İÇDAŞ obtained permission to build the 2 x 600 MW Power Plant.  First 600 MW Supercritical Unit successfully put into operation in 2011 and following the second unit put into operation in 2014.
Total installed capacity of İÇDAŞ will be 1665 MW and annual generation capacity will reach up to 14 million MWh by 2016 with achievement 60 MW wind energy project. İÇDAŞ currently covers almost 6 percent of the electricity consumption of Turkey.
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 and GE’s renewables business on Twitter @GE_PowerWater and@GErenewables.

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Distributed Wind Turbines

From U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




Installing small, distributed wind turbines like the ones in this photo can help homeowners and businesses save #money on their electric bills. Now that tax filing season is here, owners of small wind turbines that meet certification standards can also save money on their taxes by investing in this sustainable source of energy through the federal Investment Tax Credit. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/33VH9.
#TaxSeason

Saturday, February 21, 2015

Colorado High School Students Fight for Top Spot in Battle of the Brains

From NREL:


Colorado High School Students Fight for Top Spot in Battle of the Brains

Winners advance to National Science Bowl in Washington, D.C.

Friday, February 20, 2015

On February 21, hundreds of Colorado high school students will be racking their brains to quickly find answers to rapid-fire questions at the 25th Colorado High School Science Bowl from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Dakota Ridge High School, 13399 W. Coal Mine Ave., Littleton. Forty-eight teams from around the state will face off as scientists and volunteers from the Energy Department's Golden Service Center and National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) quiz them with college level science and math questions. 
The winning team advances to Energy Department's National Science Bowl™ in Washington, D.C.. April 30-May 4, where more than 400 students from 70 high schools will compete for the national title. Students answer rapid-fire questions with tournament rounds lasting only 16 minutes. Questions cover physics, mathematics, biology, chemistry, earth and space science, energy, and general sciences. Each team is made up of four students, one alternate and a coach.
"The Science Bowl is the nation's premier science and math competition for high school students, and all those who participate are among our nation's best and brightest," Energy Department Golden Service Center Manager Tim Meeks said. "We support this competition so they can demonstrate their skills and inspire young people across the country to become the scientists and engineers we need to keep our nation competitive in the global economy."
The Energy Department began the science bowl tradition in 1991 as a way to encourage high school students to explore math and science in a fun academic competition. The Department's Golden Service Center is one of the major sponsors of this year's Colorado High School Science Bowl.
This year's Colorado High School Science Bowl teams include: 
  • Arapahoe High School (Centennial) - two teams
  • Centennial High School (Centennial) - two teams
  • Cherokee Trail High School (Aurora) - two teams
  • Cherry Creek High School (Greenwood Village) - two teams
  • Cheyenne Mountain High School (Colorado Springs) - two teams
  • Coronado High School (Colorado Springs) - two teams
  • Dakota Ridge High School (Littleton) - two teams
  • Douglas County High School (Castle Rock) - two teams
  • Early College of Arvada (Arvada) - two teams
  • Fairview High School ( Boulder)
  • Fort Collins High School (Fort Collins) - two teams
  • Fossil Ridge High School (Fort Collins)
  • Green Mountain High School (Lakewood)
  • Highlands Ranch High School (Highlands Ranch)
  • Horizon High School (Thornton)
  • Jefferson Academy (Broomfield) - two teams
  • Lakewood High School (Lakewood) - two teams
  • Liberty Common High School (Fort Collins) - two teams
  • Loveland High School (Loveland)
  • Peak to Peak Charter School (Lafayette)
  • Poudre High School (Fort Collins) - two teams
  • Prospect Ridge Academy (Broomfield)
  • Ralston Valley Senior High School (Arvada)
  • Rangeview High School (Aurora) - two teams
  • Ridgeview Classical Charter Schools (Fort Collins) - two teams
  • Rocky Mountain High School (Fort Collins)
  • Smoky Hill High School (Aurora) - two teams
  • Standley Lake High School (Westminster)
  • Vail Christian School (Vail) - two teams
  • Valor Christian High School (Highlands Ranch)
Sponsors for the event are the Energy Department's Golden Service Center; NREL; the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC; Jefferson County Public Schools; Dakota Ridge High School; and the Energy Department's Office of Science. 
NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for the Energy Department by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
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Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Offshore Wind Energy Jobs

From the Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:




Thousands of #jobs could be supported by a #US offshore wind industry, according to a new modeling tool developed by the Energy Department’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory. For example in the Gulf Coast region, the tool, which assesses #economic impacts, indicates a 500-megawatt offshore wind #energy project could support 14,500 full-time jobs during construction and up to 650 long-term jobs. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/3quWW.
Photo courtesy Siemens AG

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Duke Energy solicits for more solar projects in North Carolina - Duke Energy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Duke Energy today issued a request for proposals (RFP) for up to 50 megawatts (MW) of new solar energy capacity in North Carolina.
Solar projects, 2 MW or larger, would be tied to the company's Green Source Rider. That program, approved in late 2013 by the North Carolina Utilities Commission, allows large customers of Duke Energy Carolinas to supply new electricity load with renewable energy.


Duke Energy solicits for more solar projects in North Carolina - Duke Energy