NREL News Release:

NREL and General Motors Announce R&D Partnership to Reduce Cost of Automotive Fuel Cells

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and General Motors (GM) are partnering on a multiyear, multimillion dollar joint effort to accelerate the reduction of automotive fuel cell stack costs through fuel cell material and manufacturing research and development (R&D).

Most major automakers, including GM, have made significant progress in the development of fuel cell electric vehicles, but achieving commercial deployment with global impact will require further cost reductions.

"The goal of this partnership is to help advance fuel cell materials and manufacturing technologies that have the ability to result in improved performance and durability while also meeting cost targets," NREL Group Manager for Electrochemical Engineering & Materials Chemistry Bryan Pivovar said. "Collaborating with GM allows NREL the ability to leverage a knowledge and material base beyond what is publicly available, and ensure the most relevant research areas are being addressed as efficiently as possible."

"The Department of Energy has developed significant capability in fuel cell R&D, both in people and equipment, within the national lab system," Executive Director of GM's Fuel Cell Activities Charlie Freese said. "This arrangement provides the framework to efficiently apply the fundamental perspective and tools at NREL to address the real-world development challenges we are currently working to resolve."

NREL and GM will focus on critical next-generation fuel cell electric vehicle challenges, which include reducing platinum loading, achieving high power densities, understanding the implication of contaminants on fuel cell performance and durability, and accelerating manufacturing processes to achieve the benefits of increased economies of scale.

The work will be done under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between NREL and GM and takes advantage of NREL's state-of-the-art Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF). The effort includes staff collaboration and the exchange of equipment, knowledge, and materials.

"Within ESIF, more than 6,500 square feet of lab space has been custom built with the goal of supporting integrated efforts in fuel cell material and manufacturing research and development," NREL Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Systems Integration Bryan Hannegan said. Special features of the facility include hazardous material and gas handling capabilities and the infrastructure required to support a wide range of appropriate test conditions including integrated electrical, thermal, and hydrogen systems.

In July 2013, GM and Honda announced a long-term collaboration to co-develop next-generation fuel cell and hydrogen storage systems, aiming for potential commercialization in 2020. In addition, GM and Honda are working together with stakeholders to further advance refueling infrastructure, which is critical for the long-term viability and consumer acceptance of fuel cell vehicles.

Also, last year, GM opened a new state-of-the-art Fuel Cell Development Laboratory at GM Powertrain World Headquarters in Pontiac, Michigan. According to The Clean Energy Patent Growth Index, GM ranked No. 1 in total fuel cell patents granted in 2013, and continues to lead all companies in total fuel cell patents granted since 2002.

NREL's work on the project is funded by the Energy Department's Fuel Cell Technologies Office in the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

NREL's collaboration with GM dates back to 1993, when the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles was launched to accelerate development of hybrid-electric cars. Since then, the automaker has been one of the lab's key partners in advancing sustainable transportation R&D, with projects ranging from advanced power electronics and battery thermal management and modeling studies to a multiyear National Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Learning Demonstration. Data from the Learning Demonstration were sent to theNational Fuel Cell Technology Evaluation Center (NFCTEC), a data center housed within ESIF for independent analyses of advanced hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. This latest effort builds on a team project studying the effects of system contaminants on fuel cells that NREL and GM have been part of since 2009.

Learn more about NREL's hydrogen and fuel cell and vehicles and fuels research and development activities.

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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Impact Bioenergy expands product offering - Renewable Energy from Waste

Impact Bioenergy expands product offering - Renewable Energy from Waste

Cirque Energy to develop biomass gasification plan - Renewable Energy from Waste

Detroit-based Cirque Energy Inc. has announced the signing of a development agreement for a project to install a 2.5 megawatt (MW) biomass gasification power plant to be known as the Midland Biomass Energy Station (MBES) in Midland, Texas. The project will be developed in conjunction with ReCom Operating Partners, a Midland urban wood waste recovery and recycling operation. Cirque Energy will install, operate and maintain the plant, which is expected to be operational by the end of the first quarter of 2015. The MBES will sell the renewable electricity generated by the project through the deregulated Texas utility market under a multi-year power purchase agreement.



Cirque Energy to develop biomass gasification plan - Renewable Energy from Waste

USDA Blog » Small Loan Makes Big Difference for Family in Remote Area of Navajo Nation

Some mornings Nona Schuler would make the teeth-jarring drive along a washboard dirt road from her home on the Navajo Nation to her job in town only to discover when she got there that her earrings didn’t match. Without electricity and lighting, it was often difficult for her to see what she was doing in those early morning hours. 



USDA Blog » Small Loan Makes Big Difference for Family in Remote Area of Navajo Nation

Dell Contributes to Development of Smart Building Design and Automation | Dell

Dell is introducing new research on smart buildings and will join Intel to discuss its findings at the Intelligent Buildings Conference (IBcon) in Las Vegas today. Enabling building automation is a key element of Dell’s strategy of supporting customers around the world and across various industries in realizing their vision for the Internet of Things (IoT). Dell and Intel are helping architects and organizations imagine the next generation of integrated, open-architected, IP-centric, connected, high-performance, sustainable, energy-efficient, operationally efficient, and intelligent buildings. 



At IBcon today, during the Internet of Things and the Impact to Commercial & Corporate Real Estate session, Intel representatives will discuss the IoT technology trends that will materially impact how system integrators manage and deliver services in the future. During this session, Intel, with the support of Dell, will describe how devices will become Internet connected and how highly automated systems will replace analog to lead to more efficient, engaging, and profitable real estate.



Dell Contributes to Development of Smart Building Design and Automation | Dell

SolarCity to build factory in New York - Jun. 17, 2014

Elon Musk's other superstar company, SolarCity, announced a deal Tuesday that Musk believes will result in the world's largest solar panel plant.

SolarCity to build factory in New York - Jun. 17, 2014

Advanced Plasma Power receives order for Canadian - Renewable Energy from Waste

Advanced Plasma Power receives order for Canadian - Renewable Energy from Waste

GE Press Release:

GE Delivers One Complete LED Lighting and Controls Solution for Net Zero Energy Office

June 5, 2014

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EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 5, 2014)--- When LPL Financial, the nation's largest independent broker/dealer, an RIA custodian and an independent consultant to retirement plans, began envisioning a new zero net energy (ZNE) office building, it set four strategies to drive the project---energy efficiency, health and wellness of employees, connectivity and flexibility. Architects had a vision for a 13-floor, 415,000-square-foot office tower in San Diego, and designers had a desire for an efficient office lighting system that felt comfortable to occupants, allowed for added savings through dimming and daylight harvesting and could easily accommodate the changing needs of a growing business.

"GE rolled up their sleeves and got to work," said Otto Orr, V.P. of project management, corporate real estate, LPL Financial. "They flew to Charlotte and immediately got engaged with our engineering team---looking at sketches, switching from fluorescent, eliminating fixtures. I've never seen a supplier jump in like this. Generally they're looking for the architect to churn out drawings, and then they're going to give you a proposal.

"From the start we felt like GE was one of us. They showed us that an LED solution was possible."

At ease with LED

After investments in fuel cells for a consistent source of clean electricity, as well as an under-floor air-distribution system to reduce heating and cooling loads, LPL needed a similarly energy-conscious lighting strategy to help achieve its net-zero goal.

"We went in assuming we couldn't afford LED office lighting within the project scope, and were hesitant to trust the technology in an interior space," said Orr. "We'd seen a lot of advancements with LED in exterior and commercial areas, but we hadn't come across counterparts doing it in a classic office setting. We pushed hard to explore available options with other manufacturers, before we realized GE was in the indoor fixtures market segment.

"After we sat down with them, we got very comfortable with the technology very quickly."

By analyzing architectural drawings, GE's experts conceived a new lighting scheme that converted fluorescent fixtures to LED, and further eliminated a number of them entirely, reducing total fixture count by nearly 40 percent. Lumination™ BL Series LED Luminaires were chosen for common aisles and employee areas---the long, narrow bands of light are integrated within the ceiling to lend a stunningly clean, contemporary look to LPL's new office.

"The lights just go away in the ceiling," said Orr. "It's gorgeous. As you look down the plane you can't even see the fixtures, and there are no shadow marks. It really works well with our layout."

Control of costs

Orr explained that when it came to office lighting controls, GE again simplified and streamlined what could have been a complicated process.

"We were actually looking at a fairly complex lighting control system that added a lot of cost to the project. That's when GE demonstrated a much simpler solution that met our needs. More importantly, when you have a project this size, typically you have a lighting supplier, a controls manufacturer and a project manager involved.

"With GE it felt good to have all of that---a full lighting solution and a controls package to go with it---all in one bucket."

With GE's LightSweep™ lighting control system and Aware™ occupancy sensors, LPL now enjoys dimming and daylight harvesting capabilities on every floor, which are zoned to allow individuals to make their own adjustments.

"If an employee wants to dim down a workstation or a programmer wants a certain light level, we can do that without paying a fortune for features we don't need," said Orr, adding that throughout the entire project, LPL appreciated how GE was able to coordinate delivery and implementation for all lighting needs via its local San Diego partners Del Sol Resources and Crescent Electric Supply.

"Crescent's partnership with Del Sol Resources and area contractors, plus its ability to provide dedicated project management and storage, staging and timely delivery of the LED fixtures by floor were also factors in making this a very successful project," Orr said.

Designed to adapt

GE's improved office lighting layout also gives LPL Financial a great degree of future flexibility.

"We designed the building with raised flooring and demountable walls in order to easily tear down and build up new configurations over time," Orr said. "GE helped us create a regimented lighting pattern that puts all the fixtures right where they need to be to accommodate either an office or a workstation. It's a universal plan that will allow us to ebb and flow seamlessly with our business unit reorganizations."

Tracking returns
LPL will save an estimated $38,000 annually in lighting energy costs with LED opposed to fluorescent. Each floor of its new San Diego tower is metered to measure HVAC, plug, and lighting electrical loads separately. This data, displayed on an LCD monitor in the main lobby helps to make employees more informed about energy savings in the building.

The tower utilizes three fuel cells to convert biogas into carbon-neutral electricity that will allow the building to achieve net-zero energy status, and all surplus power is pushed back to the grid through San Diego Gas & Electric. Eighty-eight percent of the tower's water consumption, nearly 2.5 million gallons annually, is recycled and used for irrigation and other building needs. On-site charging stations for electric vehicles are also available for employee use at no cost.

Finishing touches
The near 100-percent LED-lit building also uses GE's Lumination™ BT Series LED recessed troffers in ceilings, as well as LED architectural lighting on walls and LED task lighting at workstations.

"You read stories about LED lights degrading---the color spectrum getting away from you, lights actually turning a different color," said Orr. "After we heard about the research and all the hours of testing that GE puts in, we felt much better about product quality. But if there would be a failure, you want to make sure that a replacement is available, and we felt GE would be there to support us years down the road, which is something you can't say for all brands."

"The cost, the warranty, and the payback were all there, which made it easy to absorb GE's LED lighting solution into the project scope."

Future plans
LPL will closely study the San Diego building for the next few years and will immediately employ best practices like LED lighting in new construction projects, including an office in Charlotte, N.C.

"We believe we are the country's largest net-zero commercial office building," Orr said. "The passion was there, and now our group, including GE, drives it forward. This building shows our dedication to our employees and the environment---we created a net-zero strategy that, when we look back, we'll be proud to say our activities and outreach started here."

To learn more about the latest LED lighting and control technologies for today's office, visitwww.gelighting.com/office. To learn more about GE's commitment to innovative solutions to today's environmental challenges, visit www.ecomagination.com.

About LPL FinancialLPL Financial, a wholly owned subsidiary of LPL Financial Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: LPLA), is the nation's largest independent broker-dealer (based on total revenues, Financial Planning magazine, June 1996-2013), an RIA custodian, and an independent consultant to retirement plans. LPL Financial offers proprietary technology, comprehensive clearing and compliance services, practice management programs and training, and independent research to more than 13,700 financial advisors and approximately 700 financial institutions. In addition, LPL Financial supports more than 4,500 financial advisors licensed with insurance companies by providing customized clearing, advisory platforms and technology solutions. LPL Financial and its affiliates have approximately 3,000 employees with primary offices in Boston, Charlotte, and San Diego. For more information, please visit www.lpl.com.

About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs about 13,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the reveal® and Energy Smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx™, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination™, Albeo™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

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• Business Unit: Appliances and Lighting

GE Press Release:

GE 100-watt Replacement, ENERGY STAR® LED is Industry's First to Achieve 100 Lumens Per Watt

June 4, 2014

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EAST CLEVELAND, Ohio (June 4, 2014)---GE Lighting engineered its 100-watt A-line replacement ENERGY STAR® LED to achieve100 lumens per watt (LPW), making it the lighting industry's most efficient ENERGY STAR 100-watt LED replacement. This bulb is one of 40 new LED bulbs and fixtures hitting the market this summer as consumer LED lighting adoption reaches its tipping point.

"We have a team of dedicated engineers across the globe constantly working to reach optimal efficiency and quality of light with GE LED lighting," says Linda Pastor, GE LED Lighting product manager. "Our 100-watt replacement LED provides the same soft white light, dimming capabilities and familiar A-line shape consumers love, but it gives them LED options with more brightness. Plus, at a rated life of more than 22 years, consumers can put this bulb in and forget about it."

At 1600 lumens and 16 watts, consumers looking for brighter LED bulbs for reading lamps or task lighting now have a realistic energy-efficient LED lighting solution, providing optimal energy savings for their monthly energy bill. Already very competitively priced, consumers will have utility rebate offers in select markets, making this bulb even more affordable; and better yet, it will pay for itself in the short term. Over the life of this bulb, or more than 22 years at three hours of use per day, consumers can expect to save more than $230.

GE Lighting debuted its first generation design of a 100-watt LED in 2012. This original design utilized a synthetic jet (an alternative to a fan), which helped manage the thermal load. As LED lighting design has dramatically evolved over the past few years, GE perfected the design to manage thermal loads using fins, closely emulating the shape and design of a traditional incandescent bulb.

To calculate a home's energy-saving potential by switching to LED lighting, GE Lighting has developed a new tool, an LED energy-saving calculator. This tool translates energy savings into relatable terms for consumers, making the switch a no-brainer.

To learn more about these and other innovative consumer LED products, visit GE Lighting's website.

About GE Lighting
GE Lighting invents with the vigor of its founder Thomas Edison to develop energy-efficient solutions that change the way people light their world in commercial, industrial, municipal and residential settings. The business employs about 13,000 people in more than 100 countries, and sells products under the reveal®and energy smart® consumer brands, and Evolve™, GTx™, Immersion™, Infusion™, Lumination™, Albeo™ and Tetra® commercial brands, all trademarks of GE. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information, visit www.gelighting.com.

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• Business Unit: Appliances and Lighting

GE Press Release:

Africa's Largest Self-Sufficient Solar Microgrid Project Created through Technologies from MAECI, GE and Princeton Power Systems

June 4, 2014

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SCHENECTADY, N.Y.--- June 4, 2014---The government of Equatorial Guinea has selected MAECI Solar, a division of Management and Economic Consulting, Inc., in collaboration with GE Power & Water (NYSE: GE) and Princeton Power Systems, Inc., to install a 5-megawatt (MW) solar microgrid system on Annobon Province, an island off Equatorial Guinea in west central Africa. The solar microgrid will feature 5-MW solar modules and system integration by MAECI, an energy management system and controls from Princeton Power Systems and energy storage from GE. The island-wide microgrid will provide reliable, predictable power, supply enough electricity to handle 100 percent of the island's current energy demand and be the largest self-sufficient solar project on the continent of Africa.

"MAECI is fortunate to have witnessed firsthand the development of Equatorial Guinea over the past few years," said Chris Massaro, senior vice president, MAECI. "We are extremely excited to bring this solar microgrid solution to Annobon Island as well as support President Obiang Nguema's vision to raise the quality of life for the people and bring economic diversification to Equatorial Guinea. This project brings both. The Annobon Electrification Project will be the platform for economic growth on the island by bringing a much needed power supply that will enable the development of multiple industries, add 700 to 1,000 direct and indirect jobs to Annobon Island and significantly raise the standard of living."

Annobon Province has a population of approximately 5,000 residents. Today, the residents have reliable electricity for up to five hours per day and spend an average of 15-20 percent of their income on supplemental power. The solar microgrid in development will eliminate this expense entirely and provide reliable electricity 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The project is a part of Equatorial Guinea's National Economic Development Plan Horizon 2020, which aims to make Equatorial Guinea an "emerging economy" and accelerate its development and democratization by 2020.

"We're excited to be a part of this historic project for Annobon Province and Equatorial Guinea," said Jeff Wyatt, general manager of GE's solar and energy storage business. "GE's energy storage technology will help enable reliable, predictable power for the residents of Annobon through balancing the real-time supply and demand of solar and withstanding extreme heat environments without the need for air conditioning. This is an ideal technology for microgrids like Annobon Island."

The Annobon microgrid is enabled by the Princeton Power Systems' BIGI-250 energy management platform, the world's first three-port industrial-scale solar energy management system, with UL listing and thousands of operating hours in commercial applications since 2012. Princeton Power Systems has extensive prior experience working with GE's energy storage team. GE's batteries, in addition to providing superior high temperature performance and improved safety, offer environmental responsibility with non-toxic and recyclable materials and worldwide support.

"Today, over 1 billion people are without power. We are taking our experience in microgrids from Alcatraz Island, the U.S. Department of Defense and private sector customers to now apply it to improving quality of life for people in rural areas where grid power does not exist or is not reliable," said Ken McCauley, president and CEO, Princeton Power Systems. "We look forward to future global projects across the world to provide power to these areas to have hospitals, lighting and other basic human needs."

About Princeton Power Systems

Princeton Power Systems, based in New Jersey and founded in 2001, designs and manufactures state-of-the-art technology solutions for energy management, microgrid operations and electric vehicle charging. The company is a global leader working with customers and partners across North America, Europe, Africa and the Caribbean. It manufactures UL and CE-certified power electronics that are used in advanced battery operations and alternative energy, with built-in smart functions for ancillary services. The company solves power issues to allow continued growth of distributed renewable energy by providing energy storage solutions that are proven to work, even in harsh environments. Princeton Power Systems builds integrated systems and designs, commissions and operates microgrids for leading organizations, including Fortune 500 automakers and industrials and non-profit organizations. The company proudly manufactures its products in the United States. More information about Princeton Power Systems is available atwww.princetonpower.com.

About MAECI

MAECI is an international consulting and project implementation firm that has formed very successful project partnerships, both as lead firm and as sub-consultant, with government ministries and departments, universities and colleges, non-governmental organizations and private sector companies more specifically in developing and emerging countries with strong emphasis in Western Central Africa and completed projects totaling in excess of $1 billion.

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.

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.

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• Business Unit: Power and Water
• Region: Middle East / Africa
• Topics: Topic, Major Customer Wins, Products & Services, Technology & Research,Citizenship, Energy, GE Power & Water
• Keywords: ge power & water, renewables, Self-Sufficient Solar Microgrid, MAECI Solar,Annobon Province, Equatorial Guinea, Africa, Princeton Power Systems, energy storage