From GE:

Establishing the Next Generation of Solar Inverters for Utility Scale Solar PV Power Plants

September 10, 2015

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• The new higher voltage 1500V PV inverter marks a shift in the solar industry, enabling utility-scale solar plants to become more cost-effective
• GE Energy Management will deliver 1500V PV inverter solution totaling over 1GW for NextEra Energy Resource’s solar portfolio planned to start operation in 2015-2016
• GE is the first in the market with LV5 1500V PV inverter, one of the most efficient solutions for utility scale solar PV power plants

Las Vegas, NV – 10 September – GE's commitment to bring advanced technology to the solar industry is enabling higher energy efficiency and making what was once a high cost option for utilities a low cost alternative for generating electrical power. GE is at the forefront of bringing the latest inverter technology to market and is in the process of helping NextEra Energy Resources, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy, Inc., operate some of the most cost-effective solar parks in North America.

GE Energy Management’s Power Conversion business will provide its latest LV5 1500V solar inverters, both at 2MW and 4MW, to equip solar farms in various locations across the U.S.A. The total installed capacity will be over 1GW and the project marks a turning point in the industry; it is expected to be the fastest and the largest deployment of 1500V technology by a single developer in North America, marking an anticipated industry shift towards the 1500V solar plant design.

“In making our choice, we insisted on having a technology that would not only be dependable and reliable, but that would also help make our offering increasingly cost competitive while yielding optimized productivity. We are pleased to be partnering with GE Power Conversion to help us achieve this,” said Armando Pimentel, President and CEO, NextEra Energy Resources.

“The global solar industry is growing rapidly. Delivering a cost-effective solar power solution at utility scale is about finding ways to increase operational efficiency,” said Mark Begor, CEO, GE Energy Management. “GE is providing its latest technology that will efficiently convert solar energy into electricity. We are committed to delivering on NextEra Energy Resource’s expectations through the supply of our LV5 inverter and will provide support to help them drive down operating and maintenance costs over the life of their solar plants. ”

Building on the legacy of 1000V inverters, GE’s 1500V LV5 inverters are specifically designed for the solar industry. By increasing the voltage level, the LV5 inverter enables the inverter power station’s power rating to be doubled and thus decreases system losses and balance of plant costs.  In addition, GE’s LV5 inverters have the latest software controls ensuring optimized power harvesting and a smooth integration of power produced into the grid.

This project also marks GE as an industry leader in providing a 4MW inverter solution. Compared to the conventional market offering of around 2MW, this 4MW block size means less inverter power stations leading to reduced construction costs and time, along with a significant reduction in operating expense.

Mahesh Gandhi, Director of North American Solar Sales and Business Development, GE Power Conversion said, “GE’s LV5 1500V inverter technology helps optimize the plant design by enabling a higher DC/AC ratio. This provides high technology maximum power-point tracking algorithms to help ensure maximum power throughput. GE is focused on providing the latest technology while ensuring all safety and quality standards are met while promoting high reliability when in operation. These factors are essential to keeping the plant cost down and providing increased plant efficiency to meet the extremely competitive North American solar market.”

GE’s LV5 inverter technology occupies a smaller footprint while enabling cost savings and ensures efficient and smooth operation with full flexibility. This is at the heart of the LV5 technology’s offering, helping to improve cost performance in the solar industry.

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

GE Energy Management provides customers with electrical solutions that enable local utilities and energy-intensive industries to more efficiently manage electricity from the point of generation to consumption. GE’s Power Conversion business, a business unit of GE Energy Management, applies the science and systems of power conversion to help drive the electrification of the world’s energy infrastructure by designing and delivering advanced motor, drive and control technologies that evolve today’s industrial processes for a cleaner, more productive future. Serving specialized sectors such as energy, marine, oil and gas, renewables and industry, through customized solutions and advanced technologies, GE Power Conversion partners with customers to maximize efficiency. To learn more, please visit: www.gepowerconversion.com

From GE:

GE’s Integrated Biomass Gasification Solution to Power Phoenix Energy’s North Fork Project

September 9, 2015

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• GE to Supply Gasification System and Jenbacher Engines for Project
• Phoenix Energy Planning Multiple Bioenergy Generation Projects in California
• GE’s Fuel-Flexible Distributed Power Solutions for Biomass Promote Regional Energy Security and California’s New Bioenergy Tariff

SAN FRANCISCO—September 9, 2015—GE’s Distributed Power business (NYSE: GE), Western Energy Systems and San Francisco-based Phoenix Energy today announced they have signed an agreement for GE to provide equipment for an integrated biomass gasification solution to power a bioenergy plant in North Fork, the next in a series of bioenergy plants that Phoenix Energy is building in the state. GE’s integrated biomass gasification solution includes an Ecomagination qualified, 1-megawatt engine and biomass gasification system. Phoenix Energy and GE have collaborated to design and implement this solution statewide.

For the North Fork project, Phoenix Energy will use the GE gasification solution to convert excess forest biomass to electricity, heat and biochar, supporting the state and federal efforts to reduce wildfire risk, eliminate wasteful pile and burn management practices and improve carbon sequestration. The renewable biomass is procured locally from U.S. Forest Service and CalFire managed lands. With GE’s process, the carbon in the biomass is left mostly in solid form as biochar. This biochar is then put back into California agriculture to improve soil health and water retention and can also be used as carbon filter media. GE will provide an integrated biomass solution including the gasifier, gas conditioning system and engine.

“GE is the first company to offer us a single end-to-end solution on the complete biomass system, rather than piecing it all together from multiple vendors. This is game changing for the forested communities,” said Phoenix Energy CEO Greg Stangl. “By working together, GE has given us the confidence that this is the right solution to use throughout California to produce sustainable local energy from local biomass, creating local jobs.”

The North Fork project is the recipient of a $4.9 million grant awarded by the California Energy Commission. Other Phoenix Energy projects nearing agreement will interconnect with various local utilities under California’s new SB-1122 legislation, which seeks to support further deployment of bioenergy in the state.

"The Energy Commission invests in innovative cleaner energy concepts like Phoenix Energy's North Fork project because they create a pathway towards achieving California energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction goals," said Rizaldo Aldas, the Energy Commission's renewable energy R&D program lead. "Bioenergy is environmentally and economically sustainable, and the successful development of projects like this one move biomass forward as a key renewable energy resource for the state."

Phoenix Energy plans to commence operation of the North Fork plant in the fourth quarter of 2016. GE and Western Energy Systems also will provide technical support and service for Phoenix Energy’s installed systems.

"This important agreement underscores our commitment to providing alternative energy solutions to help meet global energy goals for renewable power generation,” said Scott Nolen, global technical solutions leader for GE’s Distributed Power business. “Our gasification system and engines are designed to meet our customers’ needs for both high efficiency and reliability while increasing fuel flexibility. The Jenbacher system is well suited for Phoenix Energy’s process requirements.”

In October 2014, GE, Western Energy Systems and Phoenix Energy announced that GE would provide its Jenbacher J612 gas engines for Phoenix Energy’s Lake Tahoe site. The GE gas engines use syngas produced at Phoenix Energy’s biomass gasification facilities to generate renewable electricity.

About Phoenix Energy

Phoenix Energy is transforming the way the world makes and uses power. Phoenix Energy is a “private label” power company that builds, owns and operates small, on-site bioenergy plants in partnership with communities and businesses in the Ag, waste and forestry sectors. We enable our partners to become their own energy provider, producing electricity, heat and biochar at prices less than the traditional grid. We use local fuel to make local energy with and for local communities.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.phoenixenergy.net.

About Western Energy Systems

Western Energy Systems (WES) is GE’s authorized distributor for Jenbacher gas engine systems throughout the western United States in California, Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii. Focused exclusively on gaseous fueled engine and power generation systems, WES provides comprehensive application, sales engineering, systems integration, parts and service capabilities. As part of the Penn DDA/Penn Power Systems organization, WES brings over 50 years of experience in engine power applications with renewable and fossil fuels. For more information, visit the company's website athttp://www.pennpowergroup.com/western-energy-systems.

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.

Small Hydropower

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

Small #hydropower projects similar to this one in#Washington state are shaping the next generation of#American hydropower. While hydropower already supplies roughly 7% of America’s #electricity and is considered the leading source of #renewable #energy, the nation still has significant untapped resources where new hydropower generating capabilities could boost our supply of carbon-free energy. Today, we announced seven new research and development projects to help shape the future of hydropower in the United States. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/3ej8z.

Electric Vehicles

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

#DidYouKnow there are now more than 350,000 plug-in electric vehicles (EVs) on the road in #America? EVs are the smartphones of cars – connected, fun and practical. To celebrate National Drive Electric Week, we’ll be featuring content about #EVs throughout the week. If you’re an EV owner or want to be one, share your EV story with photos, videos, and text on your Facebook page using #ILoveEVs and #NDEW2015. Also, be sure to enter our EV Everywhere logo competition before it closes on Sept. 25:http://go.usa.gov/3MStw.

Wind Turbine on the West Side of Pittsfield, IL

Wind turbine on the west side of Pittsfield, IL. September 4, 2015.

FBI Philadelphia Division #News Release:

Indictment Charges Three People with Running $54 Million Green Energy Ponzi Scheme

U.S. Attorney’s OfficeSeptember 03, 2015

Eastern District of Pennsylvania(215) 861-8200

PHILADELPHIA—An indictment was unsealed today charging three people in an investment scheme, involving a Bala Cynwyd, Pennsylvania-based company, that defrauded more than 300 investors from around the country. Troy Wragg, 34, a former resident of Philadelphia, PA, Amanda Knorr, 32, of Hellertown, PA, and Wayde McKelvy, 52, of Colorado, are charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud, securities fraud, and seven counts of wire fraud, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger and FBI Special Agent-in-Charge William F. Sweeney, Jr.

As the founders of the Mantria Corporation, Wragg and Knorr allegedly promised investors huge returns for investments in supposedly profitable business ventures in real estate and “green energy.” According to the indictment, Mantria was a Ponzi scheme in which new investor money was used to pay “earnings” to prior investors since the businesses actually generated meager revenues and no profits. To induce investors to invest funds, it is alleged that Wragg and Knorr repeatedly made false representations and material omissions about the economic state of their businesses.

Between 2005 and 2009, Wragg, Knorr, and McKelvy, through Mantria, intended to raise over $100 million from investors through Private Placement Memorandums (PPMs). In actuality, they raised $54.5 million. Wragg and Knorr were allegedly able to raise such a large sum of money through the efforts of McKelvy. McKelvy operated what he called “Speed of Wealth” clubs which advertised on television, radio, and the Internet, held seminars for prospective investors, and promised to make them rich. According to the indictment, McKelvy taught investors to liquidate all their assets such as mutual funds and 401k plans, to take out as many loans out as possible, such as home mortgages and credit card debt, and invest all those funds in Mantria. During those seminars and other programs, Wragg, Knorr, and McKelvy allegedly lied to prospective investors to dupe them into investing in Mantria and promised investment returns as high as 484%.

It is further alleged that Wragg, Knorr, and McKelvy spent a considerable amount of the investor money on projects to give investors the impression that they were operating wildly profitable businesses. Wragg, Knorr, and McKelvy allegedly used the remainder of the funds raised for their own personal enrichment. Wragg, Knorr, and McKelvy allegedly continued to defraud investors until November 2009 when the SEC initiated civil securities fraud proceedings against Mantria in Colorado, shut down the company, and obtained an injunction to prevent them from raising any new funds. A receiver was appointed by the court to liquidate what few assets Mantria owned.

In order to lure prospective investors, it is alleged that Wragg, Knorr, and McKelvy lied and omitted material facts to mislead investors as to the true financial status of Mantria, including grossly overstating the financial success of Mantria and promising excessive returns.

“The scheme alleged in this indictment offered investors the best of both worlds—investing in sustainable and clean energy products while also making a profit,” said Memeger. “Unfortunately for the investors, it was all a hoax and they lost precious savings. These defendants preyed on the emotions of their victims and sold them a scam. This office will continue to make every effort to deter criminals from engaging in these incredibly damaging financial crimes.”

“As alleged, these defendants lied about their intentions regarding investors’ money, pocketing a substantial portion for personal use,” said Sweeney. “So long as there are people with money to invest, there will likely be investment swindlers eager to take their money under false pretenses. The FBI will continue to work with its law enforcement and private sector partners to investigate those whose greed-based schemes rob individuals of their hard-earned money.”

If convicted of all charges, the defendants each face possible prison terms, fines, up to five years of supervised release, and a $1,000 special assessment.

The criminal case was investigated by the FBI and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert J. Livermore. The SEC in Colorado investigated and litigated the civil securities fraud charges which formed the basis of the criminal prosecution.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.

Second Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR)

From the U.S. Department of Energy:

No challenge poses a greater threat to our future than climate change.

Today, the Energy Department released the second Quadrennial Technology Review (QTR), which identifies hundreds of clean energy research opportunities and makes clear that America has the technological know-how and innovative spirit to move to a low-carbon economy.

As the American energy landscape transforms, the QTR provides the Energy Department, the private sector, and research institutions a foundation to inform decisions about the portfolio of R&D investments to explore in the years to come.

Read and download the QTR here:http://bit.ly/QTR2015 #ActOnClimate