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San Diego Could Approve Historic Solar Agreement

The City of San Diego and Sun Edison SD LLC are in the final stages of gaining approval for an Agreement to install 5 megawatts of photovoltaic (PV) systems at city-owned facilities. The Alvarado Filtration Plant would be the first project, with an estimated savings in energy costs of over $700,000 over 20 years and enough electricity to power approximately 500 homes. The systems will be installed, owned, operated and maintained by Sun Edison SD LLC, saving the city millions of dollars in capital costs. “In this fiscal crisis, we are always looking for innovative ways to save money,” stated Councilmember Donna Frye. “This project is exciting because it not only saves the city money, but it also saves energy, improves the local economy, reduces global warming and moves our city towards energy independence.” The power purchase agreement is expected to be approved by the City Council on Monday and is part of Frye’s long standing efforts to make San Diego a more energy-efficient city. In 2004, the City Council adopted a 50-megawatt renewable energy goal for the city.

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DOE Sets Aggressive Schedule for New Appliance Standards

The Department of Energy (DOE) released a five-year plan to implement the backlog of appliance efficiency standards. The American Council for an Energy-Eficient Economy, called the plan a “good start”, but called on the DOE to also include two of the products which offer the biggest potential energy savings: home refrigerators and furnace fans – one-fourth of the overall potential energy savings from new standards. A number of statutes require DOE to set appliance efficiency standards at levels that achieve the maximum improvement in energy efficiency that is technologically feasible and economically justified. Standards already in place for residential products are expected to save consumers nearly $93 billion, by 2020; and enough energy to operate all U.S. homes for approximately two years. In addition to products required under EPACT 2005, the plan provides for the issuance of one standard for each of the 18 products currently in the backlog, such as residential furnaces and boilers; mobile home furnaces; small furnaces; residential water heaters; direct heating equipment; pool heaters; electric motors; incandescent reflector lamps; fluorescent lamps; incandescent general service lamps; fluorescent lamp ballasts; residential dishwashers; ranges and ovens; microwave ovens; residential clothes dryers; room air conditioners; packaged terminal air conditioners and […]

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Hydrogen Economy May Get Legs

The hydrogen economy has yet to get its legs but if or when it does, it could put the country light-years ahead. The ultimate goal is the replacement of traditional fossil fuels, although the pathway to get there is full of potholes. The federal government wants to do its part to facilitate the hydrogen economy, a development that could affect the way electricity is generated as well as how cars are driven. It has allocated $1.7 billion over five years toward the effort. The key question, of course, is whether the costs are worth the benefits. While the answer is not yet known, advocates of greater research say that fuel cell cars and fuel cell electric generation would create zero emissions. “People understand the appeal,” says Susan Hock, director of electric and hydrogen technology systems for the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in a conversation at her Golden, Co. office. “We could wean ourselves from fossil fuels and become more energy independent to power cars and homes — and the only emission would be distilled water. But, you have to produce, distribute and store it.” Hock goes on to say that she believes the hydrogen economy will have its first commercial […]

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SolarWorld to Acquire Shell Solar Crystalline Operations

SolarWorld AG announced it will acquire 100% of Shell’s crystalline solar business, making it the largest solar producer in the U.S. Shell decided to divest the business because it investing in thin-film solar. “In view of the recently launched comprehensive funding program in California, the SolarWorld Group will benefit from excellent growth opportunities with this expansion, creating a global ‘SolarWorld’ with production and sales representation in the most vigorously growing solar markets worldwide”, said Frank H. Asbeck, CEO. SolarWorld will take over manufacturing of solar silicon crystals, wafers, cells and modules in Vancouver, Washington and Camarillo, California. It will also take over solar cell operations in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and the research and development team focusing on silicon technology based in Munich, Germany. In addition, by taking over Shell’s sales companies in Munich, Germany, Singapore and South Africa, it will establish a presence in Asia and Africa. The total production capacity that will be transferred to the SolarWorld Group amounts to 80 Megawatts. Shell will retain its Rural Solar business,which provides home energy solutions in rural markets. SolarWorld will supply the modules.

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Itron Signs Largest Distribution Contract To Date

Itron (Nasdaq:ITRI) announced it signed its largest contract to date – with Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) – to provide California’s largest utility with software to assist the utility with design and construction of overhead and underground distribution lines. The $5 million in contracts includes software licensing, implementation and support services. Itron’s LD-Pro software reduces cost for utilities by improving their line design processes with automation, and by streamlining many of the labor-intensive and CAD-based distribution design functions utilities have employed for decades. This solution is intended to facilitate a more efficient design process resulting in reduced labor, optimal designs, reduced construction costs, and faster design turnaround. Itron is a leading technology provider to the global energy and water industries. Nearly 3,000 utilities worldwide rely on Itron’s technology to optimize the delivery and use of energy and water. Website: [sorry this link is no longer available]     

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