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Renewables & Efficiency
by Kirsten Elder Companies in the news APS AstroPower ICP Global Technologies Kyocera PowerLight Shell Solar Systems Design & Technology, LLC Emerging Technologies According to a paper published in the latest issue of Semiconductor Science & Technology, the Hahn Meitner Institute in Berlin has designed an ultra thin solar cell that uses cheaper semiconductor materials than conventional solar cells, and is up to 50 times more efficient. The trick, German physicist Rolf Koenenkamp told edie, is to find a design that can combine a cheap absorber with a cheap substrate. Typical cells that use planar substrates require expensive absorbing materials, so the German team devised an alternative substrate that could be used with cheaper absorbers, while also redesigning the shape of the absorber. The result was a cell with a layer of light-sensitive cadmium telluride (CdTe) placed on top of a layer of porous titanium dioxide. The goal for Koenenkamp is to come up with a cheap, undeveloped absorber that has previously been rejected for its poor performance in a conventional cell. (Edie news, 18/04/03)New Products Kyocera Corporation has announced the introduction of two types of residential solar power generation systems to the Japanese market. Kyocera will release the Samurai, […]
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*News and Events DOE, Interior Department Report Notes Top Geothermal Sites GM and BMW to Develop Liquid Hydrogen Fueling Technologies Zilkha Plans 400-Megawatt Wind Facility in Illinois USDA to Award $44 Million for Renewables, Energy Efficiency U.S., Russia to Collaborate on Energy Efficiency, Renewables*Site NewsEERE Building Technologies Program*Energy Facts and Tips DOE, Other U.S. Agencies Celebrate Earth Day on April 22nd———————————————————————-NEWS AND EVENTS———————————————————————- DOE, Interior Department Report Notes Top Geothermal SitesA report released on Monday by DOE and the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) identifies opportunities for near-term development of geothermal energy in the West. Prepared by the DOI’s Bureau of Land Management and DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the report identifies 35 locations for geothermal sites in six western states. See the DOI press release at: [sorry this link is no longer available]The full report is available as a 43-MB ZIP file on the NREL Web site at: http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/33105CD-Lite.zipAn even larger 168-MB ZIP file is also available. In addition to the report, the larger ZIP file includes poster images and Acrobat Reader installers. Download the ZIP file at:http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy03osti/33105CD.zipGM and BMW to Develop Liquid Hydrogen Fueling TechnologiesGeneral Motors Corporation (GM) and the BMW Group announced last week that they […]
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by Kirsten Elder Companies in the news AET BP Solar PowerLight RWE Schott Solar Sharp Corp Sun Power & Geothermal Energy WorldWater Corp Xantrex Emerging Technologies Researchers at the Ben-Gurion University of the Negev in Israel have said they have made improvements in “solar surgery”, a new technique that uses highly concentrated sunlight instead of laser surgery. The research team reported that it had built compact solar fibre-optic “concentrators” that provide the same power levels and densities as laser optic fibres. The technique can produce the same changes in biological tissue as conventional laser fibre-optic surgery and could provide a cheap alternative to this method. (PhysicsWeb via SolarAccess.com, 04/04/03)Applications Council officials have granted planning permission for a 560 kW solar roof for the main central car park in Woking town centre. The first 140 kW phase of the installation, for which grant funding from the UK government has already been approved, is scheduled for completion later this year by BP Solar. (Solarbuzz.com, 11/04/03) Markets The California Public Utilities Commission will not make owners of solar panels and wind turbines pay a special fee to electric utilities in the state. The Commission voted 3-to-2 to defeat the Cost Responsibility Surcharge that […]
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*News and Events DOE Awards $130.6 Million to 32 States for Weatherization Fuel Economy For Light Trucks to Increase 7 Percent by 2007 California’s Small, Clean Power Generators Avoid Extra Fees Connecticut Clean Energy Fund Picks Seven Solar Projects Michigan Energy Center to Combine Fuel Cell, Solar, and More Nevada PUC Approves Solar Thermal Power Plant Contract*Site NewsOklahoma Wind Power Initiative———————————————————————-NEWS AND EVENTS———————————————————————-DOE Awards $130.6 Million to 32 States for WeatherizationDOE announced on April 4th its award of $130.6 million to 32 states for energy efficiency improvements to the homes of low-income families. Low-income families spend an average of 14 percent of their income on energy, compared with 3.5 percent for the average American. Weatherization reduces an average home’s energy costs by $224 a year. The program gives a priority to low-income families that include children, the elderly, or people with disabilities. The Congressional appropriation for the Weatherization Assistance Program is $223.5 million in fiscal year (FY) 2003 — enough to weatherize about 93,750 homes. The FY 2003 funding is down slightly from $230 million in FY 2002, but President Bush has requested an increase of nearly 30 percent for FY 2004. The program performs energy audits to identify the […]
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*News and Events Iowa Utility to Build a 310-Megawatt Wind Power Plant Rosebud Sioux Tribe Installs a 750-Kilowatt Wind Turbine Solar Power Installations Continue Apace in California European Wave and Tidal Energy Projects Face Setbacks University of Idaho Sweeps SAE Clean Snowmobile Challenge*Site News Energy Trust of Oregon———————————————————————-NEWS AND EVENTS———————————————————————-Iowa Utility to Build a 310-Megawatt Wind Power PlantMidAmerican Energy Company, Iowa’s largest utility, announced last week its intention to construct a 310-megawatt wind power facility in northwest or north-central Iowa. The project will consist of up to 200 wind turbines and will rival in capacity the largest existing U.S. wind power plant: the 300-megawatt Stateline Wind Energy Center, located along the border of Oregon and Washington. Although MidAmerican expects the first turbines to come online in 2004, and the entire project to be complete by 2006, the company has not yet selected a location for the project. [sorry this link is no longer available]Rosebud Sioux Tribe Installs a 750-Kilowatt Wind TurbineThe Rosebud Sioux Indian Tribe installed a 750-kilowatt wind turbine on its reservation last week, completing a project that began eight years ago with wind resource monitoring. With half of the project funded by a DOE Cooperative Grant, the Rosebud […]
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by Kirsten Elder Companies in the news Duke Solar: www.dukesolar.com Evergreen Solar: www.evergreensolar.com Mitsubishi Heavy Industries: www.mhi.co.jp Phoenix SonnenStrom: www.sonnenstromag.de Photowatt International: www.photowatt.com Solar Grade Silicon LLC: www.asimi.com WorldWater Corp: www.worldwater.com New Products Duke Solar Energy, LLC and TopEcology (K.K. and International) announced that they will jointly design, build and distribute advanced solar-thermal desalination and water purification systems. Initially, the two companies plan to integrate TopEcology’s revolutionary Aqua Kids desalination technology and water purification technology with Duke Solar’s highly efficient solar thermal technologies. (CNN Money, 27/03/03)Applications The world’s only solar-powered 50 horsepower irrigation pump has been installed at a Californian farm. The 36kW solar irrigation pump system, designed and built by WorldWater Corporation using Shell Solar panels, can convert solar DC current to AC, which powers the pump from either the solar array or from the electrical grid, or from both sources if necessary. (Solarbuzz.com, 27/03/03) The Sustainable Energy Solutions group at Northern Arizona University has been developing business plans for renewable energy resources like wind and solar power and are working on sustainable energy outlets to bring power to more than 10,000 structures on the Navajo Nation. The group is a part of the colleges of Business Administration and […]
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*News and Events Austin Energy Tops Green Power Sales HP Smart Cooling to Reduce Data Center Energy Use Hotel Demonstrates Energy-Efficient Lighting Conferences on Residential Energy Efficiency Begin San Diego’s $3.6 Million Energy-Efficiency Project*Site NewsBetterBricks ———————————————————————-NEWS AND EVENTS———————————————————————-Austin Energy Tops Green Power SalesAustin Energy sold 251,520,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power last year, more than any other utility in the nation. The utility’s GreenChoice program offers electricity from wind, solar, methane gas from landfills, and hydropower plants to more than 6,500 residents, 165 small businesses, and 31 large companies and organizations in Austin, TX. Sacramento Municipal Utility District was the second largest green power producer last year at 104,344,000 kWh, and Xcel Energy was third with 103,739000 kWh. See Austin Energy’s press release at: [sorry this link is no longer available].HP Smart Cooling to Reduce Data Center Energy UseWhile clean energy technologies are often at the forefront of energy news when it comes to reducing air pollution and conserving fossil fuels, advances in energy efficiency are also capable of tremendous cost and emissions reductions. For example, HP announced this week that it is now using a “smart” cooling modeling system to design data centers, which the company claims could dramatically […]
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by Kirsten Elder Companies in the news ATS Automation: http://www.atsautomation.com BP Solar: www.bpsolar.com Carmanah Technologies: www.carmanah.com Duke Solar: www.dukesolar.com Evergreen Solar: www.evergreensolar.com Photowatt (ATS Automation): www.photowatt.com Shell Solar: www.shell.com/solar SunWize Technologies: www.sunwize.com Xantrex Technologies: www.xantrex.com Emerging Technologies BP Solar has announced it has achieved a world record in solar cell efficiency for a 125mm size cell. The 18.3 percent efficiency was verified by the Fraunhofer Institut Solare Energiesysteme in Germany. The 18.3 percent efficiency represents an 11 percent improvement over the 16.5 percent efficiency currently available with Saturn solar cells. The new premium solar cell technology will form the basis for the new BP Solar Tres Cantos facility in Madrid, Spain, as well as underpinning efficiency improvements at the existing Alcobendas facility near Madrid. (Solarbuzz.com, 24/03/03)New Products Xantrex Technology Inc. has completed its first financing deal in collaboration with Vermont Solar Engineering, a certified Xantrex dealer. Xantrex’ Renewable Energy Financing Program will make it possible for Vermont Solar Engineering’s customers to purchase a solar electric system for their new rural home. Administered through Thalman Financial, the program enables a customised payment schedule of monthly installments for customers at very competitive rates. (SolarAccess.com, 21/03/03) Applications The Public Utilities Commission of Nevada […]
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*News and Events 250-Kilowatt Fuel Cell System Installed in Los Angeles New Waste-to-Energy Projects Planned Throughout the U.S. U.S. Helps Fund Study for Hungarian Wind Power Project Renewable Power Plants Win Contracts in California, Nevada Building Developer and Town Buy Large Amounts of Green Power Arizona Court: Homeowners Have a Right to use Solar Energy*Site NewsGridless Urban House Project *Energy Facts and Tips EIA Report Examines Troubled Electric Industry in 2001———————————————————————-NEWS AND EVENTS———————————————————————-250-Kilowatt Fuel Cell System Installed in Los AngelesThe largest fuel cell system in North America was dedicated last week in Los Angeles. FuelCell Energy Inc. built the 250-kilowatt power plant and installed it at the downtown headquarters building for the Los Angeles Department of Power and Water (LADWP). The LADWP has also broken ground on a second 250-kilowatt fuel cell power plant, to be located at Terminal Island in San Pedro. The Terminal Island facility will be fueled with digester gas from a nearby wastewater treatment plant. See the LADWP press release at: [sorry this link is no longer available]DOE has been supporting research at FuelCell Energy since 1976. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham hailed the new installation as “a preview of our energy future – clean, efficient power […]
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by Kirsten Elder Companies in the news BP Solar Carmanah Technologies Photowatt Shell Solar Solar Energy Systems Applications The utility, NorthWestern Energy of Montana and the National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) recently announced details of its two residential solar energy demonstration programs, a wind energy demonstration project and solar projects intended for schools and fire stations. All the projects are funded by NorthWestern Energy’s Universal Systems Benefits (USB) charge paid by the company’s electric customers. (Solarbuzz.com, 11/03/03) The first phase of the largest commercial solar project in the US has been completed in Suffolk County. A joint effort between a Suffolk County direct mail order company and the Long Island Power Authority has resulted in a showcase solar power system that will cover the business’ three rooftops and annually generate a possible 1.6 MWh of electricity, enough to power 125 average-sized homes. (Suffolk Life via Solarbuzz.com, 12/03/03) Shell Solar and AE Schmidt Environmental (AESE) have combined efforts to design and construction of a 73-kilowatt solar electric system at the AESE site in Los Angeles. With the incentives received from the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power and the Gas Company, the system will pay for itself in approximately […]
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