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AMSC Teams with TECO-Westinghouse on Superconductor Wind Generators

American Superconductor Corp (NASDAQ: AMSC) and TECO-Westinghouse Motor Company, a leading manufacturer of motors and generators, have formed a research joint venture to develop high temperature superconductor (HTS) and related technologies for high-power, direct drive wind generators for offshore wind farms. Direct drive wind generator systems using HTS wire instead of copper wire for the generator’s rotor are expected to be much smaller, lighter and more efficient than conventional generators and gearboxes. The net effect is expected to be a lower cost of wind generated electricity, particularly for offshore wind farms. AMSC and TWMC received an award from the National Institute of Science and Technology’s (NIST) Advanced Technology Program (ATP), which is providing $3.4 million in funding toward the $6.8 million research project to be conducted under the joint venture. “The objective of the TWMC-AMSC research joint venture is to develop technologies that will enable the deployment of offshore 10 megawatt class, direct drive wind generators – double the power capacity of conventional systems,” said AMSC founder and CEO Greg Yurek. “The result will be more power delivered from each offshore wind turbine, which would significantly reduce the total costs of offshore wind farms.” According to BTM Consult ApS, the […]

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Renegy Holdings Begins Trading on Nasdaq

Renegy Holdings, Inc. (RNGY) is scheduled to commence trading today on the NASDAQ Capital Market. The company was formed from a merger between Catalytica Energy Systems, Inc. (formerly (NasdaqGM:CESI) and the renewable energy divisions of NZ Legacy, LLC. Bob Worsley, chairman and CEO of Renegy, stated, “The closing of this transaction paves the way for us to execute a rapid growth strategy towards our goal of becoming the leading biomass energy provider in North America and a premiere provider of cost-effective emissions compliance solutions for the coal-fired power industry.” Renegy, based in Tempe, Arizona, is focused on acquiring, developing and operating renewable energy facilities and providing emissions compliance solutions for the coal-fired power generation industry. Its first project is Snowflake White Mountain Power, a 24 megawatt biomass facility The facility is scheduled to begin supplying electrical power to Arizona’s two leading utility companies in the first half of 2008. Renegy also offers a variety of services for coal-fired power plants that use selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems to reduce nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. These services are offered through our SCR-Tech subsidiary and include SCR catalyst management, cleaning and regeneration, as well as consulting services to help power plant operators optimize […]

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Ford Introduces First Car with Soy-Based Seats

Ford Motor Company announced that soybased polyurethane foam will be used in seats in the 2008 Ford Mustang. “Consumers may not realize that petroleum is a major ingredient in auto applications such as seating,” says Todd Allen, United Soy Board New Uses chair and a soybean farmer from West Memphis, Ark. “The move by Ford to replace petroleum in auto interiors with soybean oil is revolutionary for the automotive industry.” The foam uses a 5 percent soy-based polyol and was incorporated into seat backs and cushions in the new Mustangs in August. The company plans to use soy for 40% of materials, which will also save Ford $26 million in annual costs. Soy polyols have proven to perform as well or better than their petroleum counterparts when it comes to total weight, strength and durability. The National Institute of Standards and Technology says soy polyols have only one-quarter the environmental impact of petroleumbased ingredients. Soy-based polyurethane foam holds even more potential. Most automotive manufacturers are using 100 percent petroleum-based polyol foam. The annual demand for petroleum based polyols is 3 billion pounds in the United States and 9 billion pounds worldwide. On average each automobile produced uses 30 pounds of […]

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Alternity Wind Power Launched, Goal is 2100 MW by 2012

The Conti Group, a 100 year-old diversified construction and engineering services firm, has formed Alternity Wind Power, LLC, as a late stage, integrated developer of utility-scale wind farm projects in North America. The spin-off will work with early stage wind project developers to engineer, construct and commission wind power operations across North America. The company is establishing partnerships with early stage wind project developers, landowners, turbine manufacturers, utilities and local communities to develop wind farms with capacities of 50 MW or greater. The firm plans to create a portfolio of more than 2100 MW of wind power capacity in North America by 2012. “Today, there is a void in the wind energy marketplace: too few companies are willing to build fair partnerships with early stage wind project developers,” said Jack Gelman, Alternity Wind Power President and CEO. “That’s where Alternity Wind Power comes in.” “Alternity Wind Power was founded with the idea of building ‘win/win’ relationships, by providing early stage developers with the resources they need to bring their wind projects to completion.” As an integrated project developer, Alternity Wind Power will draw upon the engineering and construction expertise of its lead investor, The Conti Group. The Conti Group’s project […]

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Konarka Secures $45 Million in Private Capital Financing

Konarka Technologies, Inc. has raised $45 million. Led by Mackenzie Financial and co-investor Good Energies, Pegasus Capital also participated, along with existing investors Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Asenqua Ventures, New Enterprise Associates, 3i and others. “Konarka has aggressive plans to accelerate the development and commercialization of our polymer-based organic photovoltaic (OPV) technologies for consumer, commercial, BIPV and electronic applications,” commented Rick Hess, president and CEO of Konarka. “This latest round of financing will help to accelerate our plan to bring Konarka’s organic photovoltaic material, Power Plastic, to market.” Howard Berke, executive chairman of the board at Konarka, stated, “This funding further strengthens our balance sheet as we scale up to introduce Power Plastic commercially. We are in an optimal financial position to launch our renewable energy technology into a variety of markets.” Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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Ceres Raises $75M in Financing

Ceres, Inc. has raised $75 million through a private offering of convertible preferred stock. The late-stage financing round was led by Warburg Pincus, the global private equity firm, which has extensive experience and a long track record of investing in energy, alternative energy and renewables. A seed and traits developer, Ceres plans to use the proceeds for research and product development activities in several dedicated energy crops, which are bred to maximize yields of plant biomass – the energy-rich source of a new generation of biofuels. The funds will also be used for capital expenditures and general corporate purposes. Ceres President and CEO Richard Hamilton welcomed Warburg Pincus’ vote of confidence. “Coming from one of the energy sector’s top private equity firms, this late-stage investment is a key validation of our growth plans. We now have the resources we need to expand the scale of our commercialization efforts, and the independence to broadly collaborate with downstream players in the transportation fuel industry.” Mr. Hamilton noted that the genomics-based tools and biotech traits that Ceres has developed for corn and other row crops can be fully leveraged in dedicated energy crops. The company also plans to continue the discovery and licensing […]

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Ethanol's Boom Stalling as Glut Depresses Price

By Clifford Krauss Nevada, Iowa – The ethanol boom of recent years – which spurred a frenzy of distillery construction, record corn prices, rising food prices and hopes of a new future for rural America – may be fading. Only last year, farmers here spoke of a biofuel gold rush, and they rejoiced as prices for ethanol and the corn used to produce it set records. But companies and farm cooperatives have built so many distilleries so quickly that the ethanol market is suddenly plagued by a glut, in part because the means to distribute it have not kept pace. The average national ethanol price on the spot market has plunged 30 percent since May, with the decline escalating sharply in the last few weeks. “The end of the ethanol boom is possibly in sight and may already be here,” said Neil E. Harl, an economics professor emeritus at Iowa State University who lectures on ethanol and is a consultant for producers. “This is a dangerous time for people who are making investments.” While generous government support is expected to keep the output of ethanol fuel growing, the poorly planned overexpansion of the industry raises questions about its ability to […]

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West Hollywood Triggers Green Building Ordinance

West Hollywood, California’s Green Building Ordinance has gone into effect – one of the first mandatory “green building” programs in the country. The Green Building Requirements and Incentives for Private Development Ordinance: 1. Establishes new development standards that apply to all development, including all new residential and commercial projects as well as remodels and tenant improvements; 2. Develops a point system for new construction with incentives for projects that achieve “exemplary” status; and 3. Implements “green building” education and outreach program. These standards were incorporated into the Zoning Ordinance so that all projects incorporate elements such as drought-tolerant landscaping, low-flow plumbing fixtures, and energy efficient appliances. The green building point system will be incorporated in all new structures, with incentives for projects that go above and beyond minimum requirements. The requirements are structured as a point system to allow for maximum flexibility and the points allowed each reflect West Hollywood’s unique opportunities and constraints. Specifically, the point system was designed to emphasize locally-available materials, encourage green elements to be incorporated early into project design and provide flexibility to alter green elements as the project evolves. Mandatory Items for all Projects Including Remodels and Additions 1. Divert 80% of construction and […]

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