Thursday, October 30, 2014

NREL Industry Growth Forum Brings Together Energy Innovators

From NREL:

NREL Industry Growth Forum Brings Together Energy Innovators

Event recognizes the top clean energy technologies and startup businesses

Thursday, October 30, 2014

The Industry Growth Forum hosted by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) this week attracted nearly 400 investors, entrepreneurs, scientists and thought leaders to Denver. Last night, three companies where honored with Best Venture and Outstanding Venture Awards.

The two-day forum highlighted clean energy technology and business developments. In addition to hearing business case presentations from 30 clean energy companies, participants were engaged by a comprehensive lineup of speakers, in-depth panel discussions and organized networking opportunities.

"A high level of technical and business innovation will be necessary to solve our future energy challenges," Richard Adams, NREL's Director of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Center said. "This forum brings together the entrepreneurs, investors and policymakers that will be critical to nurturing that innovation and bringing it to market."

Since 2003, the presenting early stage, pre-commercial, and expanding cleantech companies that have presented have collectively raised more than $5 billion in growth financing.

Three entrepreneurial companies were singled out from the 30 competitively-selected presenters to win the 2014 Clean Energy Venture Awards. Award winners will receive in-kind commercialization support to help increase their chances of becoming commercially successful.

HiQ Solar, Inc. received the top prize, the Best Venture award. This Santa Clara, California based company has developed a new generation photovoltaic string inverter which promises to reduce the cost of commercial solar installations.

An Outstanding Venture award went to ClearCove Systems. This Rochester, New York company is focused on renewable energy resource recovery in wastewater treatment processes.

An Outstanding Venture award also went to Wetzel Blade. This Pflugerville, Texas company has developed an innovative, field-assembled, component-based wind turbine blade.

NREL is the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) primary national laboratory for renewable energy and energy efficiency research and development. NREL is operated for DOE by The Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

For a list of participating companies and sponsors, please visit the Industry Growth Forum online atwww.industrygrowthforum.org

Visit NREL online at www.nrel.gov

Wednesday, October 29, 2014

GE Achieves 1,500 Wind Turbines Installed In Canada

From GE:

GE Achieves 1,500 Wind Turbines Installed In Canada

October 28, 2014

GE’s 1,500th Wind Turbine in Canada Installed at China Longyuan Canada’s Dufferin Wind Farm
Canada’s First GE 2.85-103 and 1.6-100 Wind Turbines Installed in 2014

MONTREAL, Quebec – October 28, 2014—GE (NYSE: GE) today announced it has achieved its 1,500th installed wind turbine in Canada, bringing GE’s total of installed wind capacity across Canada to 2 gigawatts (GW)—or enough equivalent energy to power over 435,000 Canadian homes. GE is celebrating this milestone with wind industry peers at this week’s CanWEA 2014 Wind Energy Conference & Exhibition in Montreal.

The landmark turbine is a GE 1.6-100 wind turbine for China Longyuan Canada’s Dufferin wind farm. Dufferin is the wind developer’s first wind farm in North America.

“Longyuan Canada is proud to be a part of this landmark for GE,” said Jeff Hammond, Senior Vice President of Longyuan Canada Renewables Ltd. “The Dufferin wind farm is the first wind farm developed by our company outside of China, and we are grateful for GE’s assistance in making it a success.”

GE also installed its first Canadian 1.6-100 and 2.85-103 wind turbines in 2014.

Since its first wind turbine installation in Canada in 2004 in Alberta, GE’s wind presence has expanded to four provinces—Alberta, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. GE’s installed base of wind turbines in Canada range from GE 1.5-77 to 2.85-103 wind turbines, with the most units installed in Ontario.

“GE is thrilled to reach this landmark in Canada,” said Anne McEntee, president and chief executive officer of GE’s renewable energy business. “We see it as a testament to the success of our customers in the country, and their success in bringing renewable energy to Canadian citizens.”

According to the Canadian Wind Energy Association, wind energy supplies nearly three percent of Canada’s electricity demand with over 8 GW of installed wind capacity. CanWEA has set a goal to reach a target of producing 20 percent or more of Canada’s energy with wind energy by 2025, and Canada ranked fifth overall in global wind installations in 2013.

GE has a global wind turbine fleet installed base of more than 37 gigawatts (GW). Click here to see GE Canada’s graphic illustration of wind farms across Canada, and the potential of wind power in the country.

Click here to watch a video on GE’s participation in Canadian wind energy, featuring McLean’s Mountain Wind Farm in Manitoulin Island, Ontario.

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.

For more information, contact:

Melissa Quesnel

GE Power & Water

+1 518 385 4747

Melissa1.Quesnel@ge.com

Adam Tucker

GE Power & Water

+1 518 227 2463

Adam.Tucker@ge.com

Rahim Ladha

GE Global Operations – Canada

+1 647 281 7073

Rahim.ladha@ge.com

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

ENERGY STAR Day: Administrator McCarthy Recognizes Billions in Savings to Consumers and Businesses Through ENERGY STAR

From EPA:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2014

ENERGY STAR Day: Administrator McCarthy Recognizes Billions in Savings to Consumers and Businesses Through ENERGY STAR

Hello, we wanted to make sure you saw this blog post with a video from EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy about the accomplishments of the ENERGY STAR program in recognition of ENERGY STAR Day. View the Administrator’s blog and video on the EPA Connect blog online: http://go.usa.gov/Guj5

ENERGY STAR Day: The Power of the Little Blue Label

Click here to view videos and photos online: http://go.usa.gov/Guj5

Let’s start with a few numbers:

300 billion dollars in savings. That’s how much consumers and businesses have saved on utility bills in the last 22 years because of the ENERGY STAR program.

Two billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions avoided, or the equivalent to the annual emissions of more than 420 million cars. Thanks to our little blue ENERGY STAR label, folks are doing their part to reduce their greenhouse emissions and combat climate change.

Since President Obama took office, ENERGY STAR has helped American consumers and businesses save over one billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions and approximately $110 billion on their utility bills.

That’s one powerful little label. Click here to view the ENERGY STAR logo online: http://go.usa.gov/Guj5

For more than 20 years, people across the country have looked to EPA’s ENERGY STAR program for guidance on how to save energy and money while protecting the environment. Today, on ENERGY STAR Day, we are celebrating the accomplishments of our program, and recognizing the important partnership between businesses, consumers, and the government to find commonsense ways to save money, fight climate change, and leave the world a better place for our kids.

Throughout October, the ENERGY STAR Community Service Tour, in partnership with private and public sector organizations, are working to improve the quality of life for families, children and our veterans through energy efficiency service projects, while inspiring folks to think about what they can do to make a difference through energy efficiency in their communities. Projects include an energy-saving makeover at the Edgewood, Maryland Boys and Girls Club, featuring energy efficient lights that will save the club money on their electric bills; upgrades to appliances and other equipment a Denver Housing Authority building to increase the comfort of residents and save energy, water and money; and to wrap it all up, today, we are partnering with a non-profit housing facility for homeless veterans in Phoenix to celebrate an extensive energy efficiency upgrade that included ENERGY STAR certified lighting, appliances, insulation, weatherization and windows, plus upgraded HVAC equipment.

Click here to view photos of the Edgewood, Maryland, Boys & Girls Club basketball court before and after ENERGY STAR efficiency upgrades: http://go.usa.gov/Guj5

Here are a few things you can do now to spread the word about how your family and friends can save money and do their part to combat climate change through ENERGY STAR:

Share the Administrator’s video and blog on your social media sites and encourage your friends to retweet: http://go.usa.gov/Guj5
Take the pledge to save energy through the My ENERGY STAR tool at www.energystar.gov
Join our ENERGY STAR Twitter chat on October 29^th at 2 p.m. by using the hashtag #ESPositiveEnergy for more information about what you can do to make a difference now and in the future.
Keep an eye out for that little blue label and switch to ENERGY STAR certified products.

NREL and Army Validate Energy Savings for Net Zero Energy Installations

From NREL:

NREL and Army Validate Energy Savings for Net Zero Energy Installations

Net Zero Energy Installations could save millions a year in energy costs

Monday, October 27, 2014

The U.S. Army (Army) has partnered with the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to increase energy security through improved energy efficiency and optimized renewable energy strategies at nine installations in the Army's portfolio. If all nine of the Army Net Zero Energy Installation (NZEI) pilot sites achieve net zero energy, they will replace approximately 8 percent of the Army's current total installation energy use with renewable energy. In fact, if all Army installations worldwide were to achieve a 25 percent reduction in energy consumption, as the NZEI pilot sites can, the Army would save approximately 20 trillion BTUs and up to $300 million in annual energy costs.

The NZEIs studied by NREL employed technologies that can be replicated across the Department of Defense and other federal agencies, setting the stage for broad market adoption. The Energy Department's Federal Energy Management Program has been supporting this project's implementation and replication efforts.

"It's been exciting to be a part of the net zero energy journeys of so many installations and to see the variety of approaches," NREL Project Leader Sam Booth said. "For example, Fort Hunter Liggett is on track to achieve net zero energy largely through many small projects, while Kwajalein is focused on achieving its net zero goal through a single large project."

Six of the Army pilot sites focused solely on net zero energy: Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area (Calif.), Fort Detrick (Md.), Fort Hunter Liggett (Calif.), Kwajalein Atoll (Republic of the Marshal Islands), Sierra Army Depot (Calif.), and West Point (N.Y.). Three other sites volunteered for unique net zero energy initiatives. Oregon Army National Guard is piloting a net zero energy initiative that includes all of its installations across the state. Fort Bliss (Texas) and Fort Carson (Colo.) are piloting integrated net zero energy, water, and waste programs.

The findings from NREL's collaboration with the Army are detailed in a recently released report, "Army Net Zero Energy Roadmap and Program Summary."

NZEIs produce as much energy on site as they use throughout a year. An NZEI reduces its overall energy use by maximizing energy efficiency, energy recovery, and cogeneration opportunities and offsets its remaining energy demand with on-site production of renewable energy.

NREL supported the Army's NZEI pilot program by performing energy assessments that incorporate a mix of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects to meet the net zero energy goal at each location. The assessments identified energy efficiency projects to reduce demand and on-site renewable energy technologies to meet the remaining energy load. System infrastructure, interconnection solutions, microgrid potential, and financing options are also part of the assessments. Key project development considerations included location and available renewable resources, the types of permits required, technical performance goals, and technology development partners.

While the initial installations were selected for the same end goal, the path to achieving net zero is unique to each installation. They all have different mission requirements, energy costs, building types and ages, renewable energy resources, and staff resources.

As a result, each NZEI has unique benchmarks and projects tailored to its location. Fort Carson, for example, transformed 1950s-era barracks into contemporary Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified office buildings. The result was a dramatic reduction of energy use in the building envelope, lighting, plug loads, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

Several NZEIs have installed or have plans to install solar arrays of varying sizes. Camp Parks Reserve Forces Training Area is on track to have a 2-megawatt (MW) photovoltaic (PV) array built soon, and Fort Bliss has proposed a design for a 20-MW PV array to reduce electricity purchases by 15 percent.

"While setting a net zero energy strategy is an important first step, the road to net zero requires a sustained effort from a strong and motivated team to continue to develop, refine, and execute the strategy," said Paul Volkman from the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy & Environment).

In addition to support from the Army, the Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has also provided funding for net zero energy projects and continues to support the Army's efforts with project implementation strategies.

For more information on NREL's work with the Department of Defense, visithttp://www.nrel.gov/defense/.

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.

###

Investing in the Future, GE Helps Major Georgia Utility Improve Grid Reliability

From GE:

Investing in the Future, GE Helps Major Georgia Utility Improve Grid Reliability

October 27, 2014

GE’s Transformer Monitoring Solution will Enhance Georgia Power’s Grid Reliability
Helps Georgia Power Proactively Identify Potential Transformer Issues which Could Cause Unplanned Failures and Outages
This Historic Deal is the Largest Ever for GE-Digital Energy’s Monitoring & Diagnostic Product Line

MARKHAM, ONTARIO—October 28, 2014—GE (NYSE: GE) today announced a historic deal which will help Georgia Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, deliver more reliable power to its 2.4 million customers across the state. With more than 2,000 transformers across its electrical grid, Georgia Power wanted to better understand the condition of its transformer fleet to help avoid unexpected failures and gain greater insight into the overall health of its fleet.

Under the agreement, GE will deliver a complete transformer monitoring solution that will improve the reliability and efficiency of Georgia Power’s electrical grid infrastructure by giving it real-time data on the condition of each transformer on the grid.

“Increasing reliability through the application of advanced technologies is a focus for us every day,” said Danny Lindsey, vice president of transmission for Georgia Power. “Georgia Power has one of the ‘smartest’ electrical grids in the country that helps us minimize interruptions in service to our customers during day-to-day operations and in severe circumstances including storms. The new project with GE is the latest way we’re working to proactively monitor our system to ensure we’re addressing any potential issues before they become a threat to our reliability.”

By implementing GE’s Monitoring and Diagnostics (M&D) solution, Georgia Power will be able to remotely monitor the performance of its transformers and proactively detect and diagnose issues early to help avoid unplanned transformer failures that could lead to costly outages on the grid.

Using GE’s Hydran M2 and Kelman Transfix dissolved gas transformer monitors, Georgia Power will be able to cost effectively understand the health of any monitored transformer and take action on developing issues before a failure occurs. In addition to this insight about individual transformer condition, GE’sPerception™ Fleet Transformer Management software will allow Georgia Power to gain real-time knowledge on the health of its entire transformer fleet, facilitating better understanding of its total budget requirements to maintain and build a strong fleet, focusing on capital expenditures and in turn reducing operating expenses.

“Global grid operators have long depended on physical transformer inspections to understand the condition of their transformer fleet,” said Graham McGuigan, senior product manager, M&D for GE’s Digital Energy business. “Today’s technology advancements allow grid operators to leverage real-time data on the operation of each transformer and make quicker decisions to mitigate potential issues caused by storms, malfunctions or aging equipment. Using GE’s transformer fleet management solutions, operators can now remotely view the overall risks to their transformer fleet, allowing them to prioritize their capital expenditures and operations and maintenance investments to potentially avoid costly, unplanned outages.”

GE and Georgia Power will start implementing this transformer fleet monitoring solution in late 2014, with a complete roll out planned for the end of 2016.

GE’s Digital Energy business is a global leader in protection and control, communications, power sensing and power quality solutions. Its products and services increase the reliability of electrical power networks and critical equipment for utility, industrial and large commercial customers. From protecting and optimizing assets such as generators, transmission lines and motors, to ensuring secure wireless data transmission and providing uninterruptible power, GE’s Digital Energy business delivers industry-leading technologies to solve the unique challenges of each customer. For more information, visit www.gedigitalenergy.com.

Follow GE’s Digital Energy business on Twitter @GEModernGrid.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), the premier energy company serving the Southeast through its subsidiaries. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.4 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy at rates below the national average, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, advanced coal and natural gas, renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind, as well as a variety of energy efficiency programs. Consistently recognized as a leader in customer service, Georgia Power was recently ranked highest in overall business customer satisfaction among large utilities in the South by J.D. Power and Associates. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower) and Twitter (Twitter.com/GeorgiaPower).

About GE

For more information, contact:

Media Relations

Georgia Power

+1 404 506 7676

GE Technology Increases Energy Efficiency for ArcelorMittal Bremen

From GE:

GE Technology Increases Energy Efficiency for ArcelorMittal Bremen

October 27, 2014

ArcelorMittal Selects GE’s Power Conversion Business to Upgrade the Bremen Hot Steel Mill
GE’s Solution Provides Reliability, Increased Spare Availability and Lower Maintenance Cost
GE’s Technology Enables Steelmakers to Achieve Improved Energy Efficiency

Berlin – 27 Oct 2014 – Energy costs, excess capacity, environment and an increasingly competitive marketplace are some of the key factors redefining the steelmaking industry. (Source: EY Global Steel Report 2014). Faced with these challenges, steel makers are modernizing and revamping existing plants to improve their sector’s appeal by improving energy efficiency and reliability, increasing spare availability and decreasing maintenance cost.

In an effort to increase competitiveness, ArcelorMittal has chosen GE’s Power Conversion business to replace their existing DC drives control system with GE’s water-cooled Powersemi PW100 in an important upgrade of their Bremen hot rolling mill.

“GE Power Conversion is one of the most experienced companies in the market for modernizing and revamping high power drives for steel plants.” said Andreas Dalchow, Managing Director, Hot Strip Mill at ArcelorMittal Bremen, “We know GE’s HPCi and PECe/PIBe solutions well and are pleased with their performance and benefits.”

ArcelorMittal (AM), headquartered in Luxembourg, is one of the leading steel companies in the world. The Bremen hot steel mill is one of the largest of its kind and is one of the core production units within the group. Its strip currently reaches a maximum speed of 1,300m/min and has a production capacity of 4.5 million metric tons per year.

The new DC drives to be provided are employed with HPCi controller technology using PECe and PIBe. This results in a freely programmable, modular system with a real-time multi-tasking operating system. It features modular hardware and software and is used in particular for its fast information processing of time-critical tasks in process control and related areas. It is also used as the controller of GE’s low and medium voltage drives.

“Given the tough environment, steel makers are looking for modern technologies that provide improved energy efficiency and reliability, and solutions that provides a lower carbon footprint to comply with environmental regulations,” said Mike Archibald, GE Power Conversion’s Global Services Leader. “There is certainly a growing need for service in this industry and GE is proud to support our customers in all these aspects.”

The project is expected to complete at the beginning of 2017.

About GE Power Conversion

GE’s Power Conversion business 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

Follow GE’s Power Conversion business on Twitter and on Linkedin.

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.

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Thursday, October 30, 2014