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Friday, February 27, 2015

Florida WTE facility conducts first fire successfu - Renewable Energy From Waste

Palm Beach County's new renewable energy plant will begin commercial operations this summer.



Florida WTE facility conducts first fire successfu - Renewable Energy From Waste

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Dell Learning Labs South Africa Expansion | Dell

In conjunction with a Think Tank discussing technology in education and classrooms of the future at Brescia House School today, Dell today announced that it will expand its solar-powered Learning Labs across South Africa. This includes new sites in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Sedibeng that will be operational by March 2015. The expansion follows a successful pilot in 2013, and Dell will now have nine labs providing direct technology access to more than 3,000 underprivileged students in communities where technology infrastructure is limited.
There are 72 million children worldwide who are not in school and lack access to facilities, teachers and the technology they need for a better education. Dell believes that access to education and technology is not a luxury, but a necessity.


Dell Learning Labs South Africa Expansion | Dell

Huerfano River Wind Farm

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




America's cooperative electric utilities provide #electricity to an estimated 42 million people in 47 states, including 18.5 million businesses, homes and other establishments. They're also a leading source of renewable #energy, since they control a total of almost 5.3 gigawatts of renewable wind, #solar and waste-heat energy. The Energy Department and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA) today recognized two #Colorado-based cooperatives -- San Isabel Electric Association and Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association -- as the 2014 WINDExchange Wind Cooperatives of the Year. Tri-State has more than 140 megawatts of wind energy capacity currently online for its members. San Isabel generates 5% of its electricity from wind power. Its Huerfano River Wind Farm project, pictured above, is located near the Colorado/New Mexico border and is the largest community-owned, distributed wind facility in the region. Learn more about how these energy providers are advancing wind energy in the Rocky Mountain region and setting an example for other utilities nationwide: http://go.usa.gov/3cHpj.
Photo courtesy San Isabel Electric Association.

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

Solar Data Collection

From National Renewable Energy Laboratory:




Reliable information about the solar resource—how much solar energy is available at a given location over time—is needed for every solar energy application, whether it’s a small rooftop system or a large solar power plant. Project developers need dependable data, including historic trends with variability, to predict the daily and annual performance of a proposed application and develop an accurate financial analysis. To help with this, NREL has released a comprehensive handbook that details how to collect and interpret the data needed for each stage of a solar energy project, from initial site selection to systems operations. Read more and download the handbook:http://www.nrel.gov/esi/news/2015/16469.html

Auction planned for idled New Hampshire waste-to-e - Renewable Energy From Waste

Wheelabrator facility plant equipment will be auctioned off March 27.



Auction planned for idled New Hampshire waste-to-e - Renewable Energy From Waste

Bennington College –LED Street Light Project - YouTube

Video (6:41)



Published on Dec 10, 2014
NOTE: If you need captions, please click the CC button on the player to turn them on.

The Environmental Protection Agency has had a partnership with Bennington College and Professor Susan Sgorbati for the past two years. Susan teaches a class called “Solving the Impossible”, where students look at intractable problems and develop skills to work towards solutions. The 22 students in last year’s class decided to tackle the issue of climate change and energy efficiency.


Bennington College –LED Street Light Project - YouTube

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Biofuels from Beer

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




Creating biofuels from beer seems like a futuristic idea, but that's exactly what one previous Energy Department National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition participant is doing. #Colorado-based Superior Ecotech used the funding and support they received after winning one of last year's regional competitions to install their innovative technology (pictured) that converts carbon dioxide from th#beer brewing process to algal #biofuel, which can eventually be used to power vehicles and planes. Learn more about this and other successful National Clean Energy Business Plan Competition startups and how we’re supporting clean #energy entrepreneurship at#universities across the nation through a new competition http://go.usa.gov/3cKY9

Philips' newest light bulb offers an LED sunset - YouTube

Video from CNET (1:21)



Published on Feb 24, 2015
The Philips Warm Glow LED drops the color temperature as you dim the light down low.


Philips' newest light bulb offers an LED sunset - YouTube

Monday, February 23, 2015

Electricity from Wind in Texas

From the U.S. Energy Information Administration:




In 2014, more than 10% of the #electricity used in the grid covering most of #Texas came from #wind generation. http://go.usa.gov/3cC9H

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

  Share0 
 
  • 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

Monday, February 16, 2015

Top 5: Best selling EVs - YouTube

Video (4:23)



Published on Feb 16, 2015
Brian Cooley ranks the top five best selling electric vehicles in the U.S. for 2014.


Top 5: Best selling EVs - YouTube

Sunday, February 15, 2015

Testing at NREL Aids Solar Power in Hawaii

From NREL:


Testing at NREL Aids Solar Power in Hawaii

Utility poised to double solar rooftop capacity based on tests of inverter reliability

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Inverter load rejection overvoltage (LRO) tests completed by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory as part of a cooperative research agreement with SolarCity have proven so successful that a testing partner, Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO), has proposed to double its hosting capacity for solar energy.
The inverter testing at NREL's Energy Systems Integration Facility (ESIF) examined ways to quantify transient LRO, which is one of the main technical barriers to allowing more distributed energy, such as solar and wind, onto the grid. Results of the testing are discussed in the report, "Inverter Load Rejection Over-Voltage Testing: SolarCity CRADA Task 1a Final Report." 
Based on the results of these tests, HECO announced in a Jan. 20 filing with the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission its intention to increase its penetration limits for rooftop solar - from the current limit of 120 percent of minimum daytime load (MDL) to 250 percent of MDL. If those increases are implemented, they will represent the highest threshold for solar penetration on distribution circuits in United States.
LRO conditions can occur when a local feeder or breaker opens and the power output from a distributed energy resource exceeds the local load. These LRO issues have been driving HECO's current limitations on high penetration of distributed generation on the utility's feeders. Results from NREL testing helped to mitigate some of HECO's LRO challenges generated from advanced photovoltaic inverters.
"ESIF enables NREL and DOE to leverage strong partnerships with manufacturers and utilities to help integrate renewable energy into a smarter, more resilient energy system," NREL's Associate Laboratory Director for Energy Systems Integration Bryan Hannegan said. "NREL and its partners use state-of-the art capabilities to develop advanced PV inverter technology and successfully integrate that with plug-in electric vehicles, hybrid power systems, hydrogen fuel cells, microgrid controls and several other advanced energy technologies".
NREL's ESIF is a 182,500-square-foot user facility that is helping transform how the nation generates, delivers and uses energy by modernizing the interplay among energy sources, infrastructure, and data. ESIF offers partners access to some of the most advanced testing, research, and development capabilities in the country and was named 2014 Lab of the Year by R&D Magazine.
The collaboration among NREL, HECO and SolarCity continues, with testing on the ability of advanced inverters to mitigate ground fault overvoltage issues. Later this year, tests at ESIF will examine the capability of advanced inverters to support distribution voltage regulation, address challenges related to bi-directional power flow, and measure the effectiveness of multiple inverter islanding during faults.
This research is supported by DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy; funding to NREL is provided by SolarCity, as well as by DOE's SunShot Initiative, which aims to lower the cost of solar energy so it can compete directly with fossil fuels without subsidies.
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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Green Employment Looking Good

February 15, 2015




Clean #energy is rapidly living up to its promised potential with U.S. #solar #employment growing more than 85% since 2010. A recent report from the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) shows reduced carbon emissions from the current installed#US wind capacity is equivalent to taking 28 million cars off the road. Earlier this week, The White Houseannounced a new Clean Energy Investment Initiative at the Energy Department’s Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) Summit. The goal of the initiative is catalyze $2 billion of expanded private-sector investment in solutions to address climate change and increase investment in clean energy technologies. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/3qztG.

Saturday, February 14, 2015

Solar Jobs

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




With a workforce of nearly 175,000 strong, solar is one of the fastest growing industries in the #US. This growth represents a tremendous opportunity for America's #military #veterans, who have the leadership and talent needed to move the clean #energy#economy forward. To help service members transition from the military to the private sector, our #SunShot Initiative has a new program that provides veterans with the necessary skills to quickly gain employment in the solar industry. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/3quNG

Photos courtesy of Solar Energy International (SEI) andThe Interstate Renewable Energy Council (IREC)

Friday, February 13, 2015

Homeowner's Guide to Solar Financing

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




Interested in purchasing or leasing a #solar #energy system, but don’t know where to start? Our #SunShot Initiative funded a new Homeowner's Guide to Solar Financing. The guide is part of our Rooftop Solar Challenge 2 project with the Clean Energy States Alliance project to empower local governments across the #US to make it faster, easier and more affordable to choose solar energy. Learn more about how to#GoSolarhttp://bit.ly/SolarLiving.

Thursday, February 12, 2015

NREL Aids Solar Power in Hawaii

From NREL:




Testing at NREL Aids Solar Power in Hawaii - Utility poised to double solar rooftop capacity based on tests of inverter reliability

Inverter load rejection overvoltage (LRO) tests completed by the Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory as part of a cooperative research agreement with SolarCity have proven so successful that a testing partner, Hawaiian Electric Companies (HECO), has proposed to double its hosting capacity for solar energy.http://www.nrel.gov/news/press/2015/16458.html

NREL Takes First In-Depth Look at Solar Project Completion Timelines

From NREL:


NREL Takes First In-Depth Look at Solar Project Completion Timelines

Report examines new data to show how long the PV interconnection process takes in the U.S.

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

The Energy Department's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) has gathered and analyzed data for more than 30,000 solar photovoltaic (PV) installations across the United States to better understand how interconnection regulations align with actual project completion timelines. The findings indicate thatinterconnection process delays are common, and can range from several days to months. Streamlining the application review and final authorization processes can ultimately benefit utilities and solar consumers by reducing the time and cost associated with going solar.
"We now have a clearer understanding of the different process elements associated with connecting a PV system to the grid, such as how long it takes to review and approve an application for interconnection, how long it takes to construct and inspect a system, and how long it takes to get final authorization from the utility," said the report's lead author, Kristen Ardani, a solar technology markets and policy analyst at NREL. "This report represents the first data-driven evaluation of how PV deployment time frames compare to state regulations in key solar markets."
The authors of the report, "Understanding Processes and Timelines for Distributed Photovoltaic Interconnection in the United States," examined PV project data across 87 utility territories and 16 states. NREL found that for the residential and small commercial (less than 50 kilowatts) systems sampled, it took an average of 63 total business days (median 53) from the date a PV installer submits an interconnection application to when the utility grants permission to operate. However, there is wide variation around these values, ranging from less than one week to more than six months. System construction represents the fastest part of the process, taking an average of four business days (median two days). Interconnection application review and approval accounted for the most time of any single process examined in this analysis, requiring an average of 27 business days (median of 18 days) to complete.
The report also provides state-level findings based on an analysis of five states with active solar markets-Arizona, California, Colorado, New Jersey, and New York. The research suggests that states with more stringent interconnection time frame regulations might reduce overall project length. However, such regulations do not necessarily limit time frames to the targets specified by interconnection standards. Additional insights on the research effort and report findings are available through a STAT Chat podcast and an educational webinar.
The impetus and data for this project were identified through stakeholder discussions facilitated through the Distributed Generation Interconnection Collaborative (DGIC), a working-group consortium of more than 100 members. NREL facilitates the DGIC with support from the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA), the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), and the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) to foster knowledge sharing on distributed PV interconnection practices, research, and innovation.
This body of work is supported by the Energy Department's SunShot Initiative, which is a national effort to make solar energy cost-competitive with traditional energy sources by the end of the decade. Through SunShot, the Energy Department supports private companies, universities, and national laboratories working to drive down the cost of solar electricity to $0.06 per kilowatt-hour. Learn more atenergy.gov/sunshot.
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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