Planet Green Group Announces First Affordable Net Zero Energy Townhome Project in Nation

Press release:

30 July 2012

Planet Green Group Announces First Affordable Net Zero Energy Townhome Project in Nation

 

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DUNEDIN, FL. — July 30, 2012 — (NYSE: GE) —Planet Green Groupannounced today the launch of an important housing project that will transform affordable home building in the future. The Eco Village at Dunedin will be the first affordable LEED Certified Net Zero Energy townhome development in the nation. These 25 Greenergy Net Zero Energy townhomes are designed and engineered to bring affordability, energy efficiency and use of renewable energy technology to Florida’s homeowners.

Robert Ironsmith, Director of Economic Development & Housing for the City of Dunedin said, “We are thrilled to see Planet Green Group develop Lorraine Leland into affordable town homes that feature state of the art energy efficiency. The City values the partnership between the Dunedin Housing Authority which donated the property, Pinellas County for managing the process and Planet Green Group for incorporating high energy efficiency building techniques into its development.“

Planet Green Group, in collaboration with its strategic partners: Eco Construction, GE, Algatec Solar, MESH Architecture, Pinellas County, theHousing Finance Authority of Pinellas County and the City of Dunedin, will unveil these innovative townhomes at the press event and groundbreaking on August 1, 2012 at 10:00 AM ET. The press conference will take place at the site of the townhomes, located at MLK and Lorraine Leland Street in Dunedin, Florida.

According to Steve Chamu, CEO of Eco Construction and Maintenance: ”We are proud to be associated with this housing project and to serve as a catalyst for future projects. By providing state of the art construction and technology we will enhance the customer experience and protect the planet.”

After winning a competitive RFP, Planet Green Group worked with Pinellas County, the Housing Finance Authority of Pinellas County, and the City of Dunedin to develop the plan for these affordable Net Zero Energy townhomes in the heart of Dunedin, a stone’s throw from the Gulf of Mexico. Frank Bowman, Housing Development Manager for Pinellas County Community Development, is inspired by the affordability of the project, offering: “We have been working to make our affordable housing projects as “green” as possible for many years, but Eco Village will be the first LEED certified, net zero energy, affordable housing project in Pinellas County. This project will serve as a model for future affordable housing developments in Tampa Bay and throughout the country, and we are excited to play a role in making it a reality.”

The focus for this project is to provide affordable living for everyone, including "Hometown Heroes"—police officers, firefighters, nurses, teachers, veterans and other professionals. The site is part of the Lorraine Leland tract in Dunedin and will consist of 25 two-story townhomes from 1,100 to 1,500 square feet, with a projected price range of $135,000 to $175,000. “Energy efficient living is a necessity, not a luxury. These homes give people affordability and energy savings with a lot of sizzle. Imagine what this will mean for our families and communities,” said Vladimir Tchentsov, Chairman of Planet Green Group.

GE provided expertise and products from its Homes Inspired by ecomagination offering, which combines building science and high-performance products with the ability for homeowners to monitor energy consumption. Homes Inspired by ecomagination are designed to lower overall household energy use, CO₂ emissions on the power grid, indoor water consumption and reduce associated energy costs. The homes include a variety of products and services from GE’s ecomagination portfolio, including a suite of appliances, LED lighting and its Home Energy Management System, which allows homeowners to better understand home energy use.Ecomagination is GE’s commitment to innovative technologies that help maximize resources and efficiencies and make the world work better.

Planet Green Group has also partnered with award-winning design firm, Mesh Architecture, to provide innovative designs for Eco Village at Dunedin. The Mesh Architecture and Mesh Fabrication collaborative of over 35 architects, designers and craftspeople have created a diverse portfolio of residential, commercial and institutional projects including multi-family, art institutions and historic renovations over the past 25 years.

For its custom solar technology engineering, Planet Green Group has teamed with Algatec Solar, the European solar energy consortium expected to site its future photovoltaic and thin film solar manufacturing facility in St. Petersburg. As a strategic partner, Algatec will provide the solar power needs for this development and play a vital role in other projects to follow.

Providing the economic development strategy for the partnership, Mario Farias of Farias Marketing Group said, “This private-public partnership provides a model for moving forward in affordable, energy-efficient living for Floridians and beyond, striking the right balance of people, planet and profits. Building affordable net zero energy homes begins to cut our escalating power costs and creates a ripple effect for jobs, business and education starting right here in Tampa Bay.” For additional information, please contact Mario Farias at 727-641-9886 or Mariofarias@thefariasmarketinggroup.com.

About GE AppliancesGE Appliances is at the forefront of building innovative, energy-efficient appliances that improve people’s lives. GE Appliances’ products include refrigerators, freezers, cooking products, dishwashers, washers, dryers, air conditioners, water filtration systems and water heaters. General Electric (NYSE: GE) works on things that matter to build a world that works better. For more information on GE Appliances, visit www.ge.com/appliances.

GE’s Jenbacher Cogeneration Technology Set to Power Urban District Energy Project in Melbourne

26 March 2012

GE’s Jenbacher Cogeneration Technology Set to Power Urban District Energy Project in Melbourne

 

• 2-Megawatt (MW) Jenbacher Unit to Help Cogent Energy Supply Power, Heat and Cooling for Dandenong Commercial District
• Cogeneration Plant Could be Expanded Up to 6 MW to Meet Melbourne’s Growing Energy Needs

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA—March 26, 2012—One of GE’s (NYSE: GE) natural gas-fired Jenbacher gas engines will be powering a cogeneration plant that will provide reliable electricity and thermal energy for a major urban revitalization initiative in Dandenong, Victoria. Built by Cogent Energy, the plant will play a pivotal role in the VicUrban-lead Revitalising Central Dandenong (RCD) initiative that is rejuvenating the south-east region of Melbourne.

The collaboration marks GE’s first urban district energy project in Australia.Clarke Energy Australia, GE’s authorized distributor for Jenbacher gas engines in Australia, will supply project owner Cogent Energy with a 2-MW,J612 Jenbacher cogeneration unit for Phase 1 of the new power facility, which could be expanded to 6 MW.

GE’s ecomagination-qualified Jenbacher system was shipped to the Dandenong site in January, with commercial operation set to begin this year. The gas engine is expected to save the equivalent of about 9,900 tons of carbon emissions a year, which equals the removal of more than 5,500 cars from the road.

The cogeneration plant is set to dramatically reduce the emissions and energy use of the Dandedong Commercial District by reducing its reliance on energy from the grid. The plant also will have the capacity to produce surplus hot water, which Cogent Energy will then sell back to local commercial buildings to provide cooling via building owner-supplied absorption chillers.

“Helping central Dandenong transform itself into a vibrant, 21^st century retail and services district will require a reliable, cleaner, cost-effective supply of energy to meet the growing needs of the area’s business and residential communities,” said Blair Healy, manager of Cogent Energy. “GE’s Jenbacher technology offers the optimal energy efficiency we required to make this project successful.”

“Australia represents an important growth region for GE as more customers embrace various distributed power applications—including industrial cogeneration—to bring the sources of energy production closer to end-users,” said Rafael Santana, CEO and president—Gas Engines for GE Energy.

GE is helping customers worldwide to generate reliable on-site electricity and heat at or near the point of use through its comprehensive suite of distributed power solutions ranging in size from 119 kilowatts to 100 MW. The fuel flexibility of GE’s Jenbacher gas engines and its other distributed energy technologies also promotes greater regional energy and economic security by enabling countries to use more of their own energy resources to meet their domestic needs.

The Dandenong project builds on GE’s commitment to supporting Australia’s energy goals. The company’s involvement in Australia dates back to 1902 when GE installed one of the electric motors in Sydney to open the Pyrmont Bridge over Darling Harbour.

More recently, in September 2011, GE announced it would supply an integrated solution of on-site power and water filtration equipment to a consortium that is building a water treatment plant on behalf of Australian coal seam gas company QGC. The project, located at QGC’s Kenya site near Chinchilla in Queensland, integrates GE’s Jenbacher and Waukesha gas engines for the first time. The units will generate on-site power for GE’s advanced membrane and thermal water treatment technologies that will desalinate water produced during the extraction of coal seam gas.

GE’s Jenbacher gas engines are designed to run soley on a variety of gases, which results in high levels of generator efficiency, reliability and environmental performance.

Many of GE’s Jenbacher products are ecomagination-qualified, providing customers with products that improve their operating performance and reduce environmental impact. Ecomagination is GE’s business strategy to help meet customers’ demand for products that improve their bottom line and reduce their impact on the environment. Ecomagination reflects GE’s commitment to invest in a future that creates innovative solutions to environmental challenges.

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.

GE Energy works connecting people and ideas everywhere to create advanced technologies for powering a cleaner, more productive world. With more than 100,000 employees in over 100 countries, our diverse portfolio of product and service solutions and deep industry expertise help our customers solve their challenges locally. We serve the energy sector with technologies in such areas as natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear energy; wind, solar, biogas and water processing; energy management; and grid modernization. We also offer integrated solutions to serve energy- and water-intensive industries such as mining, metals, marine, petrochemical, food & beverage and unconventional fuels.

Follow GE Energy on Twitter @GE_Energy.

Senator Lugar Congratulates Ball State University on Dedication of Geothermal Project

Press Release of Senator Lugar

Senator Lugar Congratulates Ball State University on Dedication of Geothermal Project

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

U.S. Sen. Dick Lugar today congratulated Ball State University on the dedication of the university’s geothermal project. Lugar, who was casting votes in the United States Senate, sent a taped greeting to be played at the dedication ceremony.

“On May 9, 2009, when we drilled the first hole of this project, I predicted the system would demonstrate to the world that large-scale, district geothermal heating and cooling is feasible. That vision has come to fruition. Other universities, municipalities, and businesses have noticed this project’s success.

“I firmly believe that we must take every step toward energy independence to increase our national security. The success of Ball State’s geothermal system is an important stride in that direction.

“I congratulate Ball State on the dedication of its geothermal project.  I look forward to seeing what innovations this visionary university will develop in the future.”
The full video may be viewed on Youtube.

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B&V to Provide Detailed Design for Busch Ranch Wind Project

News release from Black & Veatch:

Black & Veatch to Provide Comprehensive Detailed Design Work for Busch Ranch Wind Project

OVERLAND PARK, KAN. (8 February 2012) – Black & Veatch has been selected by Black Hills Energy - Colorado Electric to provide detailed design engineering services for the Busch Ranch Wind Project located south of Pueblo, Colo. The project represents Black Hills Energy’s first wind development in the state of Colorado and will be a significant component of the company’s plan to comply with the Colorado Renewable Energy Standard of 30 percent by 2020. Black Hills Energy is a subsidiary of Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH).

“The Busch Ranch Wind Project is an important step in our multi-phased approach to reach the renewable energy standard in Colorado,” said Christopher Burke, vice president of Colorado Utility operations.  “The high-quality services provided by Black & Veatch will enhance the value we are able to deliver to our customers from this project before, during and after its construction.”

The Busch Ranch Wind Project will use 16 wind turbines to produce 29 megawatts (MW) of renewable wind power. Black & Veatch is also providing the detailed design for the project’s collection and interconnect substations.

“Black & Veatch is utilizing its extensive technical capabilities to provide the detailed engineering design for the Busch Ranch Wind Project,” said Ed Walsh, Executive Vice President of Black & Veatch’s global energy business. “With design elements including generation, collection and interconnection, this project demonstrates how Black & Veatch is uniquely positioned to help our clients bring new renewable energy stations online.”

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Editor’s Notes:

• Upon completion in December 2012, the Busch Ranch Wind Project will produce enough electricity to supply approximately 15,000 homes.
• The 16-turbine Busch Ranch Wind Project will generate 29 megawatts of renewable energy and will be sited 35 miles south of Pueblo, Co.
• Black & Veatch is providing the detailed design for all three project components including turbine placement and foundation support, collection and interconnection.

Comment Period Extended; West Butte Wind Project

News release from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service:

Comment Period Extended on Permit Request For West Butte Wind Project

The deadline is being extended for people to comment on a draft Environmental Assessment (EA) of a request from West Butte Wind Power, LLC, for a permit that would allow for the “take” of golden eagles at the company’s proposed wind project in central Oregon, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.

Notice of the extension to February 17, 2012, published in today’s Federal Register. The previous deadline was February 2, 2012.

“Take” means to kill, harass or disturb the birds, their nests or their eggs. The Service will consider take permits when commitments are made for conservation measures that benefit eagle populations.

This is the first application the Service has received from a proposed wind project for a take permit under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act (BGEPA). Regulations adopted in 2009 enabled the agency to authorize, for the first time, take of eagles for activities that are otherwise lawful but that result in either disturbance or mortality.  Since then, guidelines for issuing the permits to wind projects have been developed.  Permits are only issuable under circumstances that ultimately guarantee the conservation of eagle populations.

“The new deadline will give people additional time to submit comments,” said Chris McKay, Assistant Regional Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs in the Service’s Pacific Region. The agency decided to extend the deadline after receiving several requests to do so.

The West Butte permit, if issued, would allow the take of up to three golden eagles over a period of five years as long as the company fulfills its conservation commitments. In cooperation with the Service, the company developed an avian and bat conservation plan and an eagle conservation plan that describe actions that have been taken to initially avoid and minimize and then mitigate for any remaining adverse effects to eagles. If the permit is granted, there must be no net loss to breeding populations of golden eagles. The proposed wind project, consisting of up to 52 turbines about 30 miles east of Bend, is in an area of low use by golden eagles.

West Butte Wind Power’s eagle conservation plan outlines advanced conservation practices and measures to avoid and minimize impacts, assesses risk, makes commitments for mitigating eagle mortalities, and makes commitments for monitoring bird mortality after the project is built. If the permit is granted, these conservation commitments would become conditions of the permit.

The Service would review the permit every five years to ensure the project was complying with the conditions.

The full text of the draft EA can be downloaded at http://www.fws.gov/pacific/migratorybirds/nepa.html.

Comments can be submitted by:

• Email: pacific_birds@fws.gov. Include “DEA for the West Butte Wind Project” in the subject line of the message.
• U.S. Mail: Please address written comments to Michael Green, Acting Chief, Division of Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs, Pacific Region, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 911 NE 11^th Ave, Portland, OR 97232. Attn.: DEA for the West Butte Wind Project.
• Fax: Michael Green, Acting Chief, Division of Migratory Birds and Habitat Programs, 503-231-2019, Attn.: DEA for the West Butte Wind Project.

Feds Approve Transmission Line for Wind Project in East Oregon

The following excerpt is from the January 7 djcoregon.com.

Feds approve transmission line for wind project in East Oregon

A $300 million wind project proposed in the high desert of Harney County is one step closer to construction thanks to recent federal approval for a 46-mile, 230-kilovolt transmission line.

The transmission line last week won support from the U.S. Department of the Interior – a crucial green light for the proposed 104-megawatt Echanis wind project. But concerns continue to be raised by groups that have opposed development within the scenic region that surrounds Steens Mountain.

 For details, click the link below:

http://djcoregon.com/news/2012/01/04/feds-approve-transmission-line-for-wind-project-in-east-oregon/