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Iowa's MidAmerican Energy 360 MW Wind Project On-line

MidAmerican Energy’s 360.5-megawatt wind project — 257 wind turbines in north central and northwest Iowa — is on-line. On December 13, the 122nd and final wind turbine was commissioned at the Intrepid site near Schaller in northwest Iowa. On Nov. 30, the 135th and final wind turbine was commissioned at the Century site near Blairsburg in north central Iowa. Together, the two sites have the capacity to produce enough electricity to power 100,000 homes. “MidAmerican is committed to the development of renewable energy,” said wind project manager Tom Budler. “The initial 310.5 megawatts of electric generating capacity and the additional 50 megawatts brings MidAmerican’s portfolio of renewable energy to approximately 9 percent of its total generating capacity, one of the highest percentages in the nation.” On Dec. 1, MidAmerican received the Renewables Project of the Year Award at the 2005 Platts Global Energy Awards for its wind project. In May, MidAmerican received the American Wind Energy Association’s Utility Leadership Award for demonstrating leadership in the increasing utilization of wind power by the electric utility industry. According to the American Wind Energy Association, MidAmerican is now No. 3 in the United States in ownership of wind energy installations. MidAmerican announced plans […]

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Plug Power Announces Purchase Order from IST in South Africa

Plug Power Inc. (PLUG) announced today that IST Holdings (PTY) Ltd. (IST) has issued a purchase order for 80 of the Company’s GenCore backup fuel cell systems. The 80 GenCore systems are the first of 400 Plug Power fuel cell systems expected to be installed during the next three years under a $3 million International Finance Corporation fuel cell financing initiative awarded to Plug Power and IST earlier today. South Africa generates two-thirds of Africa’s electricity, and 40 percent of the continent’s phones are located in that country. Working with Plug Power, IST will import, distribute, install and support the GenCore fuel cell systems at urban and rural sites throughout South Africa. IST operates throughout Africa’s southern countries and sees the supply of fuel cells in South Africa under the IFC program as a logical step to introducing fuel cells and perhaps other renewable energy projects, including wind and solar, across the African continent. About GenCore The GenCore product line includes backup power products for the telecommunication, uninterruptible power supply and electric utility markets. The hydrogen-fueled GenCore 5-kilowatt backup fuel cell system is available in seven configurations to serve the needs of these applications. About IST IST was founded in […]

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EarthShell Products to Make Retail Launch

EarthShell Corporation (OTCBB:ERTH) announced today that the initial retail launch of EarthShell Packaging plates and bowls by its U.S.-based licensee, ReNewable Products, Inc. (RPI) is scheduled for January with first customers. The 9-inch plates and 12-ounce bowls will be available in a newly designed retail package and sold under the name EarthShell Disposable Dinnerware. The first customers committed to product purchase are Smart & Final, Inc. and Schnucks Markets, Inc. Initial product shipments to both customers are scheduled to begin in January. RPI is currently in various stages of the sales process with other major and mid-sized customers and expects to finalize additional purchase commitments in early 2006 and throughout the year. Vincent J. Truant, president and CEO of EarthShell Corporation said, “With continued volatility in the petroleum industry and society’s growing awareness of environmental concerns, this is an ideal time for environmentally preferable and sustainable EarthShell products to enter the U.S. retail market.” EarthShell Packaging products are designed with the environment in mind. The products are made primarily from natural limestone and starch from potatoes, wheat or corn. The new packaging poses substantially fewer risks to wildlife than polystyrene foam packaging because it biodegrades when exposed to moisture in […]

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