Saturday, October 31, 2015
Wednesday, October 28, 2015
Monday, October 26, 2015
Wisconsin Energy Innovations
Did you realize Wisconsin Energy Innovations are coming to life in new programs and technology?
Wisconsin Energy Innovations
Wisconsin Energy Innovations
Friday, October 23, 2015
Renewable Energy from Waste Conference features several prominent speakers - Renewable Energy From Waste
Thirty industry experts slated to speak at the Nov. 16-19 event in Orlando, Florida.
Renewable Energy from Waste Conference features several prominent speakers - Renewable Energy From Waste
Renewable Energy from Waste Conference features several prominent speakers - Renewable Energy From Waste
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Fueling our Future, from Wood to Wing
From the #USDA:
A $39.6 million grant from USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture is helping turn forest byproducts into biofuel. (Courtesy of NARA)
U.S. airline carriers collectively used more than 16 billion gallons of jet fuel in 2014. Given growing concerns over energy independence and the environment, commercial airlines are looking for secure and reliable alternative jet fuels that reduce global emissions.
To address this problem, researchers at Washington State University formed the Northwest Advanced Renewables Alliance (NARA) with biofuels company Gevo, Alaska Airlines, and several other partners across academia, industry, and government. As a result of NARA’s efforts, made possible by a $39.6 million grant from the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), Alaska Airlines is planning to use 1,000 gallons of NARA-produced biofuel in a demonstration flight scheduled for 2016.
NARA’s alternative jet fuel originates from forest residuals (tree tops, branches) that are left over and must be burned after a forest harvest. Use of forest residuals for bioenergy feedstock capitalizes on the existing forestry industry and eliminates the need to establish growers and a hauling infrastructure. Once harvested, the residuals are ground, screened, and treated to isolate their desirable simple sugars. These are then fermented into an alcohol and converted into jet fuel using Gevo’s proprietary processes.
NARA also has an education team that has successfully promoted energy literacy to approximately 32,000 students thus far through its several member organizations. “Our key objective has been to use the NARA project as a case study of problem-solving around a complex energy issue,” says Dr. Karla Eitel, associate professor at the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources and director of education at the McCall Outdoor Science School (MOSS). One of MOSS’s lessons teaches students to measure the amount of carbon in a tree, calculate the number of miles that could be flown with fuel derived from that tree, and evaluate the trade-offs of leaving the tree standing for carbon sequestration vs. harvesting the tree for wood and fuel.
Education resources are available online. Facing the Future (FtF), another NARA member, offers a series of hands-on, interdisciplinary units targeted across all ages entitled “Fueling Our Future (FoF): Exploring Sustainable Energy Use.” When FtF partnered with the Sustainability in Prisons Project to teach inmates about bioenergy issues, FoF helped students realize their broader role in the global ecosystem. “I learned that I too am energy,” one woman remarked. “I have so much to give.”
NARA combines a diversity of perspectives and works at the intersection of research, education, and extension to address a complex problem. “USDA’s investment in this area has shown tremendous insight and leadership,” says Dr. Mike Wolcott, NARA project co-director, “and we are honored by their trust in our team.”
NIFA invests in and advances agricultural research, education, and extension and seeks to make transformative discoveries that solve societal challenges.
Thursday, October 15, 2015
Wayne Simmons, recurring Fox News guest, charged with lying about CIA ties - Oct. 15, 2015
Wayne Simmons, a recurring guest on Fox News who claimed to have 27 years of experience with the CIA, was arrested Thursday after being indicted by a federal grand jury on charges that he lied about his service.
Simmons is accused of falsely claiming that he worked as an "outside paramilitary special operations officer" for the CIA from 1973 to 2000. On Fox, this was often shortened to "former CIA operative."
Wayne Simmons, recurring Fox News guest, charged with lying about CIA ties - Oct. 15, 2015
Simmons is accused of falsely claiming that he worked as an "outside paramilitary special operations officer" for the CIA from 1973 to 2000. On Fox, this was often shortened to "former CIA operative."
Wayne Simmons, recurring Fox News guest, charged with lying about CIA ties - Oct. 15, 2015
Duke Energy to add second solar project for its "Sunshine State" customers - Duke Energy
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -
Duke Energy Florida today announced plans to construct a new solar facility in Perry, Fla.
This will be the second such project in the company's plan to advance the development of solar energy in the Sunshine State.
Duke Energy to add second solar project for its "Sunshine State" customers - Duke Energy
Photovoltaic System
From National Renewable Energy Laboratory:
In a recent report, NREL concluded that nearly half of households and businesses in the United States are unable to host a photovoltaic (PV) system.
PV business models and regulatory environments have
historically not been designed to provide access to a
significant portion of potential PV system customers,
and as a result, the economic, environmental, and
social benefits of distributed PV are not available to all
consumers.
Shared solar programs can open up the market to
these consumers. 1.usa.gov/1X3U5Xd
In a recent report, NREL concluded that nearly half of households and businesses in the United States are unable to host a photovoltaic (PV) system.
PV business models and regulatory environments have
historically not been designed to provide access to a
significant portion of potential PV system customers,
and as a result, the economic, environmental, and
social benefits of distributed PV are not available to all
consumers.
Shared solar programs can open up the market to
these consumers. 1.usa.gov/1X3U5Xd
Tuesday, October 13, 2015
Duke Energy's solar rebate helps customers harness the sun in the Palmetto State - Duke Energy
GREENVILLE, S.C. -
Duke Energy today launched a solar rebate program designed to help its South Carolina customers with the upfront cost of installing solar on their property.
The rebate is another step forward in implementing Duke Energy’s Distributed Energy Resource (DER) program – a direct result of several years of productive collaboration with the state’s environmental leaders, businesses and community voices, and the creation of historic legislation passed by the General Assembly.
Duke Energy's solar rebate helps customers harness the sun in the Palmetto State - Duke Energy
Monday, October 5, 2015
Duke Energy Renewables achieves momentous safety milestone - Duke Energy
CHARLOTTE, N.C. -
Duke Energy Renewables and its third-party services group, Duke Energy Renewable Services, have completed one year and counting without an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recordable incident.
OSHA defines a recordable incident as one that requires medical treatment beyond first aid, as well as one that causes death, days away from work, restricted work or transfer to another job, or loss of consciousness. Sept. 19, 2015, was the one-year mark for this injury-free record.
Duke Energy Renewables achieves momentous safety milestone - Duke Energy
Making Older Homes More Energy Efficient
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
High upfront costs and long payback times prevents many #US homeowners from replacing drafty and inefficient windows, especially in older homes like this one pictured. Our office supports research to lower window replacement costs, improve the technology, and validate the results of research, so Americans cans save #energy and money. Learn about one technology, developed with support from the Energy Department’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL that will become more and more common in energy-efficient upgrades – low-emissivity storm windows. This technology could cut energy bills for nearly 90 million American homeowners who currently use single-pane or low-performing double-pane windows. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/3zFpV.
High upfront costs and long payback times prevents many #US homeowners from replacing drafty and inefficient windows, especially in older homes like this one pictured. Our office supports research to lower window replacement costs, improve the technology, and validate the results of research, so Americans cans save #energy and money. Learn about one technology, developed with support from the Energy Department’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory - PNNL that will become more and more common in energy-efficient upgrades – low-emissivity storm windows. This technology could cut energy bills for nearly 90 million American homeowners who currently use single-pane or low-performing double-pane windows. Learn more: http://go.usa.gov/3zFpV.
Saturday, October 3, 2015
Smart Streets Are Made of These: San Diego Deploys First GE Intelligent Cities System
From GE:
Smart Streets Are Made of These: San Diego Deploys First GE Intelligent Cities System
September 24, 2015
The world’s first pilot of GE’s intelligent LED solution for cities is now up and running in San Diego, California. Hear what residents are saying about the potential of the Intelligent Environments for Cities solution and how the connected LEDs fit into the city’s vision for intelligent infrastructure.
Learn more about the pilot and why timing is right for activating the intelligent city on GE Reports.
Review our bi-coastal Intelligent Environments for Cities pilot announcement release here.
See how the White House is supporting intelligent city initiatives to help local communities tackle key challenges such as reducing traffic congestion, fighting crime, fostering economic growth, managing the effects of a changing climate, and improving the delivery of city services.
Don’t miss out on the social conversation around Intelligent Environments: Follow GE Lighting on Twitter,Instagram and Facebook for updates, and follow #brainycity for more on GE’s Intelligent Environments for Cities pilots.
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 (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
Friday, October 2, 2015
Accenture and Siemens Expand Smart Grid Joint Venture by Launching OMNETRIC Group in Brazil
From Accenture:
SÃO PAULO; Sep. 24, 2015 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Siemens have announced that their joint venture company, OMNETRIC Group, focused on smart grid solutions, would expand operations to Brazil and, in future, throughout Latin America.
OMNETRIC Group, formed in 2014 and based in Munich, brings together Siemens’ products and solutions with Accenture’s management and technology consulting, systems integration and managed-services capabilities. This unique combination offers the energy industry advanced and innovative solutions and services to help obtain greater reliability and efficiency of grid networks.
The services and solutions offered by OMNETRIC Group allow an efficient and customized integration of IT systems supporting smart metering, energy consumption and work and asset management with operational technologies (OT), such as distribution management and real-time grid operations. This provides for more transparent and integrated management of all network applications.
"By combining the strengths of Siemens and Accenture, OMNETRIC Group brings the highest level of expertise and execution to a rapidly changing global market. In Brazil, we will have a dedicated structure, with highly-skilled and global support to meet the highest demands of the Brazilian market," said Maikel Van Verseveld, chief executive officer of OMNETRIC Group.
OMNETRIC Group will begin operations in Brazil later this year. Once operational, the company will be based in the city of Belo Horizonte, which is also a hub for Siemens smart grid research and development and an Accenture office location.
"The launch of OMNETRIC Group in the country will help meet the growing local market demand for advanced solutions that facilitate smart grid management,” said Adriano Giudice, managing director of Accenture’s utilities industry group in Brazil. “Through effective convergence of IT and OT, these solutions will help Brazilian utilities to better integrate new technologies, such as renewables and microgrids, into electricity networks. They will also help to improve grid operations with reduced costs and increase capital effectiveness by enabling more-informed business decisions based on real-time data from the grid.”
Through a system integration platform, the solutions offered by OMNETRIC Group will be demonstrated at the Latin American Utility Week in Sao Paolo from 23-25 September, at the Siemens booth. Visitors can see the potential benefits that the integration of IT and OT can bring from better management, monitoring, diagnosis and planning of power distribution networks.
"We believe that no other company will be able to help manage this integration better than OMNETRIC Group, which brings together in a single organization the best industrial know-how and deep experience in IT. The arrival of OMNETRIC Group in the country reinforces the commitment and future vision of the opportunities for Siemens related to the development of Brazil," said Guilherme Mendonca, senior vice president of Energy Management division of Siemens Brazil.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 358,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$31.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2015. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
About Siemens Group in Brazil
Siemens has been present in Brazil for over a hundred years and is currently the largest conglomerate of electrical and electronic engineering in the country with its activities grouped by divisions: Power and Gas; Wind Power and Renewables; Power Generation Services; Energy Management; Digital Factory; Mobility; Building Technologies; Healthcare; Industrial Process and Drives. The company is a leading provider of medical devices for diagnostic imaging such as CT scanners and MRI, and laboratory diagnosis. The first activities of the company in Brazil date back to 1867, with the installation of the pioneering telegraph line between Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul. In 1895, in Rio de Janeiro, it opened its first office and ten years later, occurred the founding of the company in the country. Over the past century Siemens actively contributed to the construction and modernization of infrastructure in Brazil. Today, Siemens' equipment and systems are responsible for 50% of the electricity generated in the country, 30% of digital diagnostic imaging performed in Brazil and are present in 2/3 of all Brazilian offshore platforms designed for the past 8 years. In Brazil, the Siemens Group has 12 plants and seven research and development centers throughout the country.
About OMNETRIC Group
OMNETRIC Group is dedicated to the global delivery of integrated information technology and operational technology solutions and services, helping utility companies to achieve greater grid reliability and efficiency. OMNETRIC Group is a joint venture between Siemens AG and Accenture. Combining Siemens’ leading energy technology product portfolio with Accenture’s systems integration, consulting and managed services capabilities, OMNETRIC Group can support clients with innovative solutions wherever they may be on their path to a smarter grid. For more information, visitwww.omnetricgroup.com.
Accenture and Siemens Expand Smart Grid Joint Venture by Launching OMNETRIC Group in Brazil
OMNETRIC Group brings together the best in information technology and operational technology capabilities from both companies to unlock the full benefits of smart grids
OMNETRIC Group brings together the best in information technology and operational technology capabilities from both companies to unlock the full benefits of smart grids
SÃO PAULO; Sep. 24, 2015 – Accenture (NYSE: ACN) and Siemens have announced that their joint venture company, OMNETRIC Group, focused on smart grid solutions, would expand operations to Brazil and, in future, throughout Latin America.
OMNETRIC Group, formed in 2014 and based in Munich, brings together Siemens’ products and solutions with Accenture’s management and technology consulting, systems integration and managed-services capabilities. This unique combination offers the energy industry advanced and innovative solutions and services to help obtain greater reliability and efficiency of grid networks.
The services and solutions offered by OMNETRIC Group allow an efficient and customized integration of IT systems supporting smart metering, energy consumption and work and asset management with operational technologies (OT), such as distribution management and real-time grid operations. This provides for more transparent and integrated management of all network applications.
"By combining the strengths of Siemens and Accenture, OMNETRIC Group brings the highest level of expertise and execution to a rapidly changing global market. In Brazil, we will have a dedicated structure, with highly-skilled and global support to meet the highest demands of the Brazilian market," said Maikel Van Verseveld, chief executive officer of OMNETRIC Group.
OMNETRIC Group will begin operations in Brazil later this year. Once operational, the company will be based in the city of Belo Horizonte, which is also a hub for Siemens smart grid research and development and an Accenture office location.
"The launch of OMNETRIC Group in the country will help meet the growing local market demand for advanced solutions that facilitate smart grid management,” said Adriano Giudice, managing director of Accenture’s utilities industry group in Brazil. “Through effective convergence of IT and OT, these solutions will help Brazilian utilities to better integrate new technologies, such as renewables and microgrids, into electricity networks. They will also help to improve grid operations with reduced costs and increase capital effectiveness by enabling more-informed business decisions based on real-time data from the grid.”
Through a system integration platform, the solutions offered by OMNETRIC Group will be demonstrated at the Latin American Utility Week in Sao Paolo from 23-25 September, at the Siemens booth. Visitors can see the potential benefits that the integration of IT and OT can bring from better management, monitoring, diagnosis and planning of power distribution networks.
"We believe that no other company will be able to help manage this integration better than OMNETRIC Group, which brings together in a single organization the best industrial know-how and deep experience in IT. The arrival of OMNETRIC Group in the country reinforces the commitment and future vision of the opportunities for Siemens related to the development of Brazil," said Guilherme Mendonca, senior vice president of Energy Management division of Siemens Brazil.
About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 358,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$31.0 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2015. Its home page is www.accenture.com.
About Siemens Group in Brazil
Siemens has been present in Brazil for over a hundred years and is currently the largest conglomerate of electrical and electronic engineering in the country with its activities grouped by divisions: Power and Gas; Wind Power and Renewables; Power Generation Services; Energy Management; Digital Factory; Mobility; Building Technologies; Healthcare; Industrial Process and Drives. The company is a leading provider of medical devices for diagnostic imaging such as CT scanners and MRI, and laboratory diagnosis. The first activities of the company in Brazil date back to 1867, with the installation of the pioneering telegraph line between Rio de Janeiro and Rio Grande do Sul. In 1895, in Rio de Janeiro, it opened its first office and ten years later, occurred the founding of the company in the country. Over the past century Siemens actively contributed to the construction and modernization of infrastructure in Brazil. Today, Siemens' equipment and systems are responsible for 50% of the electricity generated in the country, 30% of digital diagnostic imaging performed in Brazil and are present in 2/3 of all Brazilian offshore platforms designed for the past 8 years. In Brazil, the Siemens Group has 12 plants and seven research and development centers throughout the country.
About OMNETRIC Group
OMNETRIC Group is dedicated to the global delivery of integrated information technology and operational technology solutions and services, helping utility companies to achieve greater grid reliability and efficiency. OMNETRIC Group is a joint venture between Siemens AG and Accenture. Combining Siemens’ leading energy technology product portfolio with Accenture’s systems integration, consulting and managed services capabilities, OMNETRIC Group can support clients with innovative solutions wherever they may be on their path to a smarter grid. For more information, visitwww.omnetricgroup.com.
# # #
Wall Street goes all in on climate policy
Large U.S. financial firms are putting their deep pockets and political clout behind alternative energy, in a key stamp of approval from companies that have traditionally funneled money into fossil fuels.
In a statement Monday, six companies, including the four largest U.S. banks, pledged to cooperate to accelerate investment in renewable energy. They called for governments to help push clean power sources and combat "significant" economic risks from climate change ahead of critical private and public sector talks at the Sustainable Innovation Forum in December.
Wall Street goes all in on climate policy
Thursday, October 1, 2015
Distribute Wind Energy Systems
From the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy:
Distributed wind #energy systems are commonly installed on residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and community sites, and can range in size from a 5-kilowatt home turbine to a multi-megawatt turbine at a #manufacturing facility. The Energy Department and our National Renewable Energy Laboratory took action today to help #USmanufacturers of small and mid-size wind turbines improve their turbine designs. This lab-industry partnership could help manufacturers cut costs, improve efficiency, and ultimately meet performance and safety requirements so that distributed wind becomes an option for more Americans. Learn more on the EERE Blog: http://go.usa.gov/3zF5w.
Distributed wind #energy systems are commonly installed on residential, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and community sites, and can range in size from a 5-kilowatt home turbine to a multi-megawatt turbine at a #manufacturing facility. The Energy Department and our National Renewable Energy Laboratory took action today to help #USmanufacturers of small and mid-size wind turbines improve their turbine designs. This lab-industry partnership could help manufacturers cut costs, improve efficiency, and ultimately meet performance and safety requirements so that distributed wind becomes an option for more Americans. Learn more on the EERE Blog: http://go.usa.gov/3zF5w.
Duke Energy Osceola project to light the way for more solar in the Sunshine State - Duke Energy
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. -
Duke Energy Florida continues to advance the development of solar energy with the announcement of a new 3.8-megawatt solar facility in Osceola County.
The company has filed a storm water and environmental resources permit with the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. DEF will file a land development permit with the Osceola County Planning Department. The agencies’ review of the permits may require up to eight weeks.
Duke Energy Osceola project to light the way for more solar in the Sunshine State - Duke Energy
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