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INDUSTRY NEWS... Enervee™ Integrates with Amazon Marketplace to Offer Real-time Pricing on Appliances and Electronics Source: Company Enervee™ is the world's first energy smart scoring platform. The Enervee Score makes it easy for consumers, businesses and governments to purchase appliances and electronics that save energy, save money and help our planet. Two friends, Matthias Kurwig and Don Epperson, founded Enervee in the summer of 2010 while both were planning to buy energy efficient appliances for their new homes. That simple task turned out to be very challenging, as it required searching through 18 different data sources to be able to truly compare the energy efficiency of TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, and other household electronics and appliances. This began a quest to create a platform that could automatically rank products based on their energy efficiency - the outcome of which was the Enervee Score. Enervee has a simple mission - to make it easier for you to find the products that save energy, save you money and help the planet. (more)
USDA to Boost Rural Electric Grid Efficiency and Reliability in 8 States Source: US DOE Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for four rural electric projects in eight states to provide reliable, affordable electricity for rural residents. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. The announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. Vilsack made the announcement during the legislative conference of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association in Washington. (more)
Ernest Moniz Sworn in as New Secretary of Energy Source: US DOE Dr. Ernest Moniz was sworn in as the nation’s 13th Secretary of Energy by Deputy Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman in a ceremony this morning for the Department’s employees, kicking off a busy first day that includes briefings on energy and national security as well as remarks to the 2013 Energy Efficiency Global Forum. Moniz was confirmed by the full Senate in a vote of 97-0 on May 16. (more)
Worldwide Capacity of Lithium Ion Batteries for Electric Cars to Multiply More than 10-Fold by 2020 Source: Electric Energy Online Improvements in lithium ion (Li-ion) battery technology are helping to accelerate the worldwide market for electric vehicles (EVs). In the last few years, automakers have shifted from nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) batteries to Li-ion batteries. This shift represents a major endorsement of Li-ion chemistry and its ability to perform consistently in an automotive environment. According to a recent report from Navigant Research, total worldwide capacity of Li-ion batteries for transportation applications will increase more than ten-fold, from 4,400 megawatt-hours (MWh) in 2013 to nearly 49,000 MWh by 2020. (more)
Ohio University Named Among Top 'Greenest' Colleges Source: WOUB News Ohio University is one of the 322 most sustainable colleges in the U.S. and Canada, according to a new publication from The Princeton Review. (more)
DOE Publishes Methods for Estimating Energy Efficiency Savings Source: ASE The U.S. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) published a series of protocols for estimating savings from energy efficiency programs titled Methods for Determining Energy Efficiency Savings for Specific Measures. The protocols, developed in collaboration with leading technical experts, provide a straightforward method for evaluating gross energy savings for a number of the most common residential and commercial measures and programs offered by utility ratepayer-funded energy efficiency programs in the United States. They will also be useful for non-ratepayer energy efficiency programs. The Alliance to Save Energy serves on the Steering Committee for this effort. (more)
Ted Turner Taking Coal Funds to Create Solar Odd Couple: Energy Source: Bloomberg They’re unlikely business partners: a billionaire environmentalist and one of the largest coal-burners in the U.S. Yet Atlanta businessman Ted Turner, a climate-change crusader, and Southern Co. (SO), the second-largest utility in the U.S. by market value, have found a common interest developing giant solar farms, mostly in southwestern U.S. deserts. As investment costs collapse, they have jointly purchased five projects to make Southern one of the largest U.S. utility owners of solar energy. (more)
Empower Energies Completes Four Solar Projects for General Motors Source: PR Newswire Empower Energies, a leading Renewable Portfolio Solutions company, announced the completion of four new photovoltaic (PV) solar projects at the General Motors Warren Technical Center campus, in Warren, MI. The installations include a ground-mounted solar array and three solar Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations. (more)
• Navy, NREL Conduct Office Energy Study to Reduce Power Use Source: US DOE Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii is monitoring 90 smart surge protectors and 100 occupancy sensors throughout the command's headquarters building, as part of a multi-month long energy demonstration project, which will continue through Environmental Awareness Month in April. (more)
• $16 Million Set for Small Businesses Focused on Energy Technologies Source: US DOE To highlight President Obama's focus on small businesses as leaders in an economy built to last, Acting Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman announced that the Energy Department will award 88 grants to small businesses in 28 states to develop clean energy technologies with a strong potential for commercialization and job creation. These awards, totaling over $16 million in investments, will help small businesses with promising ideas that could improve manufacturing processes, boost the efficiency of buildings, reduce reliance on foreign oil, and generate electricity from renewable sources. (more)
Kroger Unveils A Clean Energy Production System Powered By Food Waste Source: PR Newswire The Kroger Co. unveiled a clean energy production system that will convert food that can't be sold or donated into clean energy to help power its Ralphs/Food 4 Less Compton distribution center. (more)
EIA releases analysis of state-level energy-related carbon dioxide emissions Source: Company Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions vary significantly across states. An analysis of state-level emissions data from 2000 through 2010 released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows that the overall size of a state, as well as the available fuels, types of businesses, climate, and population density, play a role in both total and per capita emissions. (more)
Monitoring Energy: A Business Case Source: Company Volume 110 Number 4 / June-July 2013 of Energy Engineering is now available on the fairmontpress.metapress.com web site at http://fairmontpress.metapress.com/link.asp?id=U20588W4N406. (more)
Study: Nearly 22 Million Electric Vehicles Will Be Sold from 2012 to 2020 Source: US DOE While sales of electric vehicles (EVs) have not met the expectations of governments and automakers, they continue to expand steadily. Both plug-in electric vehicles (PEVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have become widely available in Asia Pacific, North America, and Western Europe, and are being introduced in Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. According to a recent report from Navigant Research, a total of 21.9 million EVs will be sold worldwide during the period from 2012 to 2020. (more)
Solar-Powered Plane Embarks on Cross-U.S. Journey Source: US DOE A solar-powered aircraft took its maiden flight on April 7 in Switzerland, achieving the latest milestone in a project that aims to launch a zero-emission flight around the world in 2012. (more)
Alaska Native Communities Receive Clean Energy Technical Assistance Source: US DOE As part of the Obama Administration’s efforts to help Tribal communities across the country enhance their energy security and build a sustainable energy future, the Energy Department and the Denali Commission today announced that five Alaska Native communities will receive technical expertise through the Strategic Technical Assistance Response Team (START) program. Building on five technical assistance awards made last year, the projects selected today will further accelerate local clean energy and energy efficiency projects that advance energy self-sufficiency and job creation in rural Alaska. (more)
Gridley, CA and Bay Area Transit System Switch to Solar Source: US DOE Blue Oak Energy, a commercial and utility photovoltaic system engineering and construction company, has completed the delivery of a 4.2 MWp utility scale solar power generation facility in Gridley, California. The electricity generated by the Gridley solar facility will be directed to two members of the Northern California Power Agency (NCPA) through separate energy meters: the City of Gridley and the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART). The project was developed by LightBeam Energy, Inc. (more)
Stanley Cup Playoffs Powered by Green Energy Source: US DOE In celebration of Earth Day, NHL Green has teamed up with Sterling Planet, the United States' leading retail provider of environmental assets for corporate, utility and government clients, to attempt to mitigate the environmental impact of the 2013 Stanley Cup Playoffs. (more)
IKEA Installs 2.7 MW of Solar in Perryville, MD Source: US DOE IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its distribution center in Perryville, Maryland. The 768,972-square-foot PV array consists of a 2,674.9-kW system, built with 18,576 panels, and is the state’s largest rooftop array. The IKEA distribution center will produce approximately 3,397,178 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 2,397 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), eliminating the emissions of 499 cars or powering 359 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energyresources/calculator.html). (more)
GSA Advised to Keep LEED Source: Energy Manager Today An official advisory committee has recommended that the federal government continue to use LEED as its main standard for energy efficiency and other green building attributes. (more)
Eglin Air Force Base Deploys Sensors to Save Energy Source: Energy Manager Today Facing several legislative mandates to reduce energy consumption, Eglin Air Force Base near Valparaiso, Fla., launched a strategic energy master plan, which includes McKenney’s bdoc Building Intelligence energy management system integrated with Splunk Enterprise software. (more)
Energy Intelligence Software Leader EnerNOC Partners with Noesis Energy to Drive New Business Source: Company EnerNOC Inc., a leading provider of energy intelligence software, has teamed with Noesis Energy, whose energy measurement and savings platform puts businesses in control of their energy costs. EnerNOC has signed on as a Noesis Energy marketing partner, which gives EnerNOC exposure to the thousands of Noesis users who are actively identifying and selecting technologies, products and services in pursuit of their energy efficiency initiatives. (more)
CT Senate Votes for Renewable Energy Reform Bill Will Provide Cheaper, Cleaner, Reliable Electricity Source: Power Engineering Renewable energy reform legislation passed the Connecticut State Senate that will help the state continue to meet its world-leading renewable energy goals while also taking innovative steps to reduce the cost of electricity across the board. (more)
Hawaii May Become Leader in Solar Energy in US Source: Hydrogen Fuel News The U.S. has been showing more interest in renewable energy over the past few years, with the federal government making moves to spark a shift away from fossil-fuels and traditional energy systems. Thus far, the country’s efforts have been slow going, but individual states are beginning to take on the renewable energy challenge in order to establish economic growth and combat the potential effects of climate change. Hawaii is one such state and is quickly emerging as a formidable force in the solar energy sector that may rival California. (more)
First Municipality-owned Solar Powered EV Charging Station in the USA Source: Company The town of Lansing celebrates the Earth Day with the installation at the riverside City Market of the 5 kW solar carport 'Energy-Parking', functioning as EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment), supplied by the Italian company Giulio Barbieri in collaboration with its Canadian partner renewz sustainable solutions inc. (more)
University Researchers Develop Wood-Based Recyclable Solar Cells Source: GreenBuildingNews By using natural substrates derived from plants, researchers from the Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University developed recyclable solar cells that are partially made from trees. Plus, by fabricating them on cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) substrates, the solar cells can be recycled at the end of their lifecycle. (more)
• EIA Opens New State Energy Portal Online for Consumers Source: US DOE The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has launched the most comprehensive, dynamic, and interactive view of the U.S. government's national and state energy data and information currently available to the public. Found at www.eia.gov/state, the state energy portal adds a unique visual dimension to each state's energy resources and infrastructure. (more)
• New Battery Design Could Help Solar and Wind Power the Grid Source: US DOE Researchers from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory and Stanford University have designed a low-cost, long-life “flow” battery that could enable solar and wind energy to become major suppliers to the electrical grid. (more)
• Energy Department Offers $13 Million to Advance Ocean Energy Technologies Source: US DOE The Energy Department announced up to $13 million in funding to develop and test advanced components and technologies to boost the performance of marine and hydrokinetic (MHK) energy systems. The Department plans to select up to 10 awards aimed at developing advanced controls, power systems, and device structures specifically for MHK applications, which harness energy from waves, tides, or currents. (more)
EE Global 2013: Energy Efficiency Global Forum in Washington, DC With less than a month until EE Global in Washington, DC, now is the time to purchase your registration and join 300+ confirmed attendees at the most high-level, robust energy efficiency gathering this year. (more)
Continental Control Systems Joins in Manufacturing of BACnet Products Source: Company BACnet manufacturers now have another peer joining the ranks of BACnet International with the addition of silver member Continental Control Systems. “We are pleased to join the BACnet community by offering our WattNode® energy and power meters with a BACnet interface,” stated Chief Executive Officer Stephen D. Whitaker. “These meters offer the benefits of our cost-effective, field-proven WattNode technology to automation and control systems designers in the BACnet world.” (more)
Texas General Land Office Selects Acclaim Energy Advisors As Demand Response Provider Source: PR Newswire Acclaim Energy Advisors a leading provider of energy management solutions announced a 6 year strategic agreement to provide DLO365sm Powered by AT&T to government agencies and facilities. This unique offering will reduce utility costs, protect sensitive equipment from power surges, help restore reliability to the Texas power grid and generate revenue for participating government agencies. (more)
UC Davis Wins Best-Practice Award for Lighting Source: California Lighting Technology Center UC Davis has been selected to receive a best-practice award for lighting at this year's California Higher Education Sustainability Conference (CHESC) at UC Santa Barbara. The award recognizes UC Davis' innovative adaptive control system for exterior lighting. The institutional-level installation enables individual or group control of LED and induction luminaires across the campus, including streetlights, post-top luminaires and wall packs. (more)
Silver Spring Networks and Florida Power & Light Company Showcase Success ‘Energy Smart FL Grid' Source: noodls Silver Spring Networks, Inc. (NYSE: SSNI) joined representatives of Florida Power & Light Company (FPL), General Electric (NYSE: GE), and the U.S. Department of Energy in a ceremony to celebrate the success of FPL's pioneering 'Energy Smart Florida' initiative and to demonstrate the benefits of advanced smart grid networks at FPL's Performance and Diagnostic Center. FPL was one of the first utilities to take a "network first" approach to grid modernization and proactively make the infrastructure investments that today enable greater energy efficiency and improved service reliability, while giving customers more control over the energy they use. In the initial phase of the multi-year 'Energy Smart Florida' initiative, FPL and Silver Spring successfully connected more than 4.5 million FPL customers to the first smart grid network of its kind, helping them reap the benefits of this infrastructure modernization investment. (more)
GE Lighting and Cooledge Lighting Collaborating on Next-Generation LED Light Sheets Source: Yahoo Finance GE Lighting has entered a joint-development agreement with Cooledge Lighting Inc. to develop a customized GE Lightech™ LED power-supply driver as a key component in Cooledge's first full range of LED light sheet solutions for fixture companies, which debut this week at the LightFair International trade show in Philadelphia (Cooledge Lighting booth 3712 and GE Lighting booth 2101). (more)
Boston Scientific Showcases One of the Largest Rooftop Solar Power Installations in Massachusetts Source: noodls Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) celebrates Earth Week by inaugurating a 3,900-panel rooftop solar installation atop the company's international distribution center in Quincy, Massachusetts. Today's event showcases the company's commitment to supporting renewable energy and sustainability initiatives. (more)
GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA Expands Presence in Ohio Retail Electricity Market Source: PR Newswire GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the country's largest competitive retail electricity providers to commercial, industrial and institutional customers, announced it has entered two new Ohio competitive retail electricity markets. The move broadens the pricing options and product offerings available for large commercial and industrial customers in the AEP Ohio and Duke Energy service territories. GDF SUEZ Energy Resources began pricing transactions on April 22 for service that starts June 2013. (more)
Energy Costs Controlled for Commercial Buildings with New Advanced, Integrated Lighting Source: noodls Building owners looking for strategies to control costs for the largest consumers of energy in commercial buildings - heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and lighting - now have a new solution. GE Lighting (NYSE: GE) and Trane, a brand of Ingersoll Rand (NYSE: IR), are announcing a new way for building owners to apply advanced control strategies for lighting, heating and cooling operations with solutions backed by the most well-known names in the industry. (more)
Manufacturers Association Releases ACEEE Report on Impacts of Ohio EERS Source: Company The Ohio Manufacturers' Association (OMA) released Ohio's Energy Efficiency Resource Standard: Impacts on the Ohio Wholesale Electricity Market and Benefits to the State, a report that the OMA commissioned ACEEE to prepare. The report finds that the Ohio EERS enacted in 2008 by SB221 has now delivered over 3,200 gigawatt-hours of savings to Ohio electricity consumers over the past 3 years, equivalent to 2.1% of statewide electricity sales in 2011. (more)
CA Affordable Housing Developer Generates Utility Savings by Implementing Solar Hot Water Source: PR Newswire AMCAL Housing, a leading affordable housing developer of more than $750 million worth of residential and mixed-use housing, announced it has entered an agreement with Skyline Innovations for the financing and development of solar hot water systems across 11 of its multifamily properties in Los Angeles and San Diego. Through these solar projects, AMCAL is able to secure a 10-year, 30 percent discount to its utility rate for solar hot water used by each building, with no capital investment. (more)
Georgia Power to acquire 250 megawatts of wind energy from leading developer EDP Renewables Source: Company Georgia Power announced that it has entered into an agreement with EDP Renewables North America that will add wind energy to the company's diverse energy portfolio. (more)
NREL Teams with Navy to Cut Energy Use Source: Company Check off a list in your head of the government organizations that play a role in the security of the United States. The Department of Defense (DoD) and Homeland Security probably come to mind, as well as the CIA or FBI. While the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) may not even make the list, in fact, the national laboratory is doing its part to help provide energy security and reduce energy costs for the military as an energy advisor to DoD and, in this case, the U.S. Navy. (more)
NV Energy Receives Industry Recognition for Solar Energy Adoption Source: PR Newswire NV Energy, Inc. (NYSE: NVE) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA)announced that NV Energy has been recognized as a national leader in the integration and delivery of solar-based renewable solutions. NV Energy has been ranked fifth on SEPA's annual Top 10 list, which ranks American electric utilities that have added the most new solar power to their systems on a Megawattbasis or a Watts-Per-Customer basis in 2012. (more)
The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013 Lights a Path for Energy Efficiency Source: ACEEE Senators Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Rob Portman (R-OH) released The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2013, a new energy efficiency-based bill. The bill will take up portions of the previously introduced bill, The Energy Savings and Industrial Competitiveness Act of 2011 (S. 1000), that did not pass as part of the The American Energy Manufacturing Technical Corrections Act of 2012 (H.R. 6582). The bill also contains a new private commercial building financing provision, the "Commercial Building Energy Efficiency Financing Initiative," that will provide modest funding to states to create and operate innovative financing programs for efficiency upgrades to private sector commercial buildings. (more)
USDA Announces $6 Million for Rural Smart Grid Source: Company Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced funding for projects to improve electric service in rural areas across 13 states. USDA remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty. This announcement is one part of the Department's efforts to strengthen the rural economy. USDA Rural Development Deputy Under Secretary Doug O'Brien made today's announcement on Vilsack's behalf. (more)
First U.S. Grid-Connected Enhanced Geothermal System Deployed Source: Energy.gov As part of the Obama Administration’s all-of-the-above energy strategy, the Energy Department recognized the nation’s first commercial enhanced geothermal system (EGS) project to supply electricity to the grid. Based in Churchill County, Nevada, Ormat Technologies’ Desert Peak 2 EGS project has increased power output of its nearby operating geothermal field by nearly 38 percent – providing an additional 1.7 megawatts of power to the grid and validating this emerging clean energy technology. (more)
President's 2014 Budget Proposes Critical Investments in Clean Energy Source: Energy.gov U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy Daniel Poneman detailed President Barack Obama’s $28.4 billion Fiscal Year 2014 budget request for the Energy Department. Poneman emphasized the President’s continued commitment to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that prioritizes investments in innovation, clean energy technologies, and national security. The Department’s budget request is part of the Administration-wide effort to strengthen the American economy with energy that is cleaner, cheaper and creates sustainable jobs. The FY 2014 budget request represents tough choices aimed at focusing taxpayer resources on areas that will yield the greatest benefit over time. (more)
News Alert: California and Quebec to link carbon markets Source: The Climate Registry California Governor Jerry Brown confirmed that the proposed linkage between California and Quebec's cap-and-trade programs meets the requirements laid out in the regulation. The next step is for the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to vote on the linkage on April 19th. If it is adopted, the linkage will take effect January 1, 2014, and would mean that the emission allowances and offset credits issued by California and Quebec could be used interchangeably for compliance in either jurisdiction. (more)
Capstone Continues to Expand Reach in China Market With Three Orders From Oil & Gas Sector Source: noodls Capstone Turbine, the world's leading clean technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, continues to expand its reach into the Chinese market with the sale of multiple C30s, C65s and C200s that will be installed at various oil and gas sites. The three orders, valued at more than $1.3 million, are a significant milestone for Capstone's growth in China as they represent the first sales into the oil and gas market. (more)
New state energy portal gives users access to customized maps and charts of state energy data Source: eia The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has launched the most comprehensive, dynamic, and interactive view of the U.S. government's national and state energy data and information currently available to the public. Found at www.eia.gov/state, the state energy portal adds a unique visual dimension to each state's energy resources and infrastructure. (more)
Manufacturing Energy Use Down Since 2002: EIA Source: EIA Total energy consumption in the manufacturing sector decreased by 17 percent from 2002 to 2010, according to data released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Manufacturing gross output decreased by only 3 percent over the same period. Taken together, these data indicate a significant decline in the amount of energy used per unit of gross manufacturing output. The significant decline in energy intensity reflects both improvements in energy efficiency and changes in the manufacturing output mix. Consumption of every fuel used for manufacturing declined over this period. (more)
• Energy Department Renews Funding for Bioenergy Research Centers Source: Energy.gov The U.S. Department of Energy announced it would fund its three Bioenergy Research Centers for an additional five-year period, subject to continued congressional appropriations. The three Centers —including the BioEnergy Research Center (BESC) led by Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the Great Lakes Bioenergy Research Center (GLBRC) led by the University of Wisconsin-Madison in partnership with Michigan State University, and the Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI) led by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory—were established by the Department’s Office of Science in 2007 as an innovative program to accelerate fundamental research breakthroughs toward the development of advanced, next-generation biofuels. (more)
• Energy Department Announces Apps for Vehicles Challenge Winners Source: U.S. DOE As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to expand access to data and reduce fuel costs for consumers, the Energy Department announced the winners of the Apps for Vehicles Challenge. The competition asked app developers and entrepreneurs to demonstrate how the open data available on most vehicles can be used to improve vehicle safety, fuel efficiency and comfort. The Department awarded the Judges’ Prize to New York City-based Dash and the Popular Choice prize to MyCarma, which is headquartered in Troy, Michigan. Green Button Gamer, based in Boston, Massachusetts, won the Safety Innovation award, and Fuel Economy Coach, based in Augusta, Georgia, received the Fuel Efficiency Innovation award. (more)
SMART-Sensor™ LCD with CO2 Sensor Released Source: Company The SMART-Sensor™ LCD, performing with excellence since its initial release in 2004, has just been significantly improved. (more)
Capstone Receives Order for $6.4 Million From BPC Engineering for Pipeline Project Source: Yahoo Finance Capstone Turbine Corporation, the world's leading clean-technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, announced that it recently received an order for 100 microturbines for $6.4 million from its Russian distributor BPC Engineering for a new pipeline project. (more)
Johnson Controls Expands Guangzhou Factory to Meet Increasing Demand for Energy Efficient Buildings Source: noodls Johnson Controls, the global leader in delivering solutions that increase energy efficiency in buildings, expanded its Guangzhou factory to house the world's first fully-automated air handling unit (AHU) assembly line and four additional variable refrigerant flow (VRF) production lines to meet Asian and global demand. This expansion will increase AHU manufacturing capacity by 30 percent. (more)
• JBEI Researchers Engineer Plant Cell Walls to Boost Sugar Yields for Biofuels Source: U.S. DOE When blessed with a resource in overwhelming abundance it’s generally a good idea to make valuable use of that resource. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant organic material on Earth. For thousands of years it has been used as animal feed, and for the past two centuries has been a staple of the paper industry. This abundant resource, however, could also supply the sugars needed to produce advanced biofuels that can supplement or replace fossil fuels, providing several key technical challenges are met. One of these challenges is finding ways to more cost-effectively extract those sugars. Major steps towards achieving this breakthrough are being taken by researchers at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)’s Joint BioEnergy Institute (JBEI). (more)
• Air Force Announces Energy Efficiency Achievements, New Energy Plan Source: U.S. DOE From aviation operations to installations and ground vehicles within the homeland and abroad, energy is essential for Air Force operations and key to the United States' national and economic security. (more)
• EPA, Energy Department Recognize 2013 Energy Star Partners of the Year Source: U.S. DOE The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) are recognizing 118 awardees for their commitment to saving energy and protecting the environment. Recipients of the 2013 Energy Star Partner of the Year Award include Sears Holdings Corporation, PepsiCo, JC Penney, Food Lion, USAA Real Estate, Loudoun County Public Schools in Virginia, and Toyota. (more)
GSEA Leads Expansion of Solar Investment in Georgia Source: PR Newswire The Georgia Solar Energy Association, the state's leading voice for solar advocates and professionals, is celebrating the successful initiation of Georgia Power's Advanced Solar Initiative, which will vastly increase Georgia's beneficial solar investment over the next three years. (more)
GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA Agreement with Viridity Energy Source: PR Newswire GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the country's largest competitive retail electricity providers to commercial, industrial and institutional customers, announced an agreement with Viridity Energy to provide comprehensive, customized demand response solutions. (more)
Energy Department Launches New Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative Source: DOE As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to revitalizing America’s manufacturing sector, the Energy Department launched the Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI), a new Department initiative focused on growing American manufacturing of clean energy products and boosting U.S. competitiveness through major improvements in manufacturing energy productivity. The initiative includes private sector partnerships, new funding from the Department, and enhanced analysis of the clean energy manufacturing supply chain that will guide the Department’s future funding decisions. (more)
GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA Donates Renewable Energy Certificates Source: PR Newswire GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the country's largest competitive retail electricity providers to commercial, industrial and institutional customers, announced that it will donate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The donation is being made in recognition of Earth Day and will offset 100% of the museum's electricity consumption during the month of April. (more)
Ace Hardware Deploying 65 GenDrive Fuel Cells From Plug Power Source: Noodls Plug Power Inc. (Nasdaq:PLUG), a leader in providing clean, reliable energy solutions, announced it will deploy a fleet of 65 GenDrive™ fuel cell units for customer, Ace Hardware Corporation. The power units will be used at Ace Hardware's newest Retail Support Center, located in Wilmer, Texas. Construction on the facility broke ground in mid-March for completion in early 2014. The lift trucks are manufactured by Crown Equipment Corporation. (more)
Year-Long Energy Study Shows New Window Retrofit Technology Cut Energy Usage by Over 50 Percent Source: Company The RENOVATE by Berkowitz(TM), LLC (RbB) window retrofitting system has enabled 400 Market Street, a 12-story building in Philadelphia, to reduce energy consumption in perimeter offices by over 50 percent, according to results from a year-long energy study. Built in 1972, the 200,000-square-foot building was retrofitted with the RbB system in late 2011, converting its original single-pane windows into triple-pane insulating glass units (IGUs). As part of a $1.6M U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)-funded study conducted by the NAHB Research Center and Quanta Technologies, Inc., the building was selected as a real-world case study to demonstrate the ability of low-e retrofit glazing systems to improve the energy efficiency of older commercial buildings. The study examined four unoccupied perimeter offices in the building, two facing east and two facing north. One office in each pair was retrofitted with RbB, while the other was left untouched. (more)
Synthesis Energy Systems and GE to Jointly Market SES Gasification and GE Aeroderivative Gas Turbine Source: Yahoo Finance Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc. ("SES") (SYMX), a global energy and gasification technology company, and GE Packaged Power, Inc., a subsidiary of General Electric Company ("GE") have agreed to jointly evaluate and market a small scale power generation unit combining SES' gasification technology with GE's aeroderivative gas turbines. This application marketing agreement will focus on regions of the world where conversion of non-conventional feedstock sources such as lignite and coal wastes into synthesis gas fuel via SES' technology may be advantaged over conventional gas turbine fuel sources such as natural gas and fuel oil. (more)
Reductions in Energy and Water Use in a Government Laboratory through An Energy Savings Performance Source: Company The USDA's Agricultural Research Service Center for Medical, Agricultural, and Veterinary Entomology is constantly looking for ways to reduce its energy and water use while still delivering world-class research in a comfortable and safe facility. (more)
The Ottawa Hospital Energy Management Program Source: Company The Ottawa Hospital (TOH) began its energy reduction program in 1991 when it became one of the first hospitals to install a heat recovery heat exchanger for the boiler plant flue gases at the Civic campus. With the exchanger, sized to recover 12 MMBH, the Civic campus has accrued gas savings since that time. In 1996 an audit of the Civic campus lighting and steam traps was completed, and implementation of the recommendations to correct the failing steam traps and redesign several systems resulted in significant gas savings. In 1998, three hospitals— Civic, General, and Riverside—were amalgamated under the new name "The Ottawa Hospital," with a total area of approximately 3M ft2. In 2001 an energy manager was hired, whose primary role was to review utilities billing, establish projects that lead to energy savings, and prepare for deregulation of the Ontario electricity market. TOH developed an energy savings goal of approximately $2.5M annually to upgrade the infrastructure. A request for proposal (RFP) was posted to secure an Energy Service Company (ESCO) partnership. The successful ESCO implemented $17M worth of upgrades to lighting, HVAC controls, building envelope improvements, and water saving measures. The savings associated with the partnership exceeded the goal of $2.5M and were fully guaranteed. The final contract included a measurement and verification (M&V) component between the parties that would confirm the savings based on the whole building approach. (more)
Lime Energy Sells ESCO Services Business Unit to PowerSecure Source: Company Lime Energy Co. announced that Lime has sold certain assets of its wholly owned subsidiary, Lime Energy Service Company, constituting its energy service companies (ESCO) subcontracting business to PowerSecure, Inc. a subsidiary of PowerSecure International, Inc. (NASDAQ:POWR) for approximately $1.9 million in cash. PowerSecure also will assume approximately $9.9 million of net liabilities related to existing projects, resulting in an effective purchase price of approximately $11.8 million. (more)
ClimateMaster Expands TMW Product Line Source: Company ClimateMaster announced an expansion to its Tranquility Modular Water-to-Water (TMW) Series. A 70-ton unit has been added to the series of 30-ton and 50-ton sizes. (more)
Linzer Products Corporation Reduces Energy Costs with Mitsubishi Electric Photovoltaic System Source: Company Linzer Products Corporation, one of the world`s largest manufacturers, importers, and exporters of paint tools and accessories, is replacing all the company`s electricity needs with clean, solar power at its paint brush factory in San Fernando, California. The recent installation of a 614kW DC photovoltaic (PV) system includes 2,730 Mitsubishi Electric solar modules, installed by Sun Integration. The solar modules stretch across the factory`s flat roof, transforming it into a productive space that contributes to the company`s bottom line. (more)
Three groSolar Projects Receive Awards Source: Company Three projects that groSolar constructed in Pennsylvania and New Jersey received awards, being recognized by industry leading associations for outstanding project results. The three projects, Longwood Gardens, Keystone Solar, and Camden Solar Center, were completed in 2012 and provide approximately 10 MW of solar capacity. (more)
LEDtronics Introduces RPLH 22mm & 30mm LED Pilot Light Indicators Eliminate False Readings Source: Company Continuing to expand its offerings of based LEDs for industrial controls and retrofit panel mount applications, LEDtronics introduces 22mm and 30mm direct incandescent-replacement RPLH Series Panel LED Pilot Lamps and Holders. The RPLH Series comprises complete assemblies that incorporate the lens, lamp and lamp holder. These RPLH 22mm and 30mm industrial control pilot lights turn off below 50 volts DC, eliminating false condition readings on status indication panels. (more)
Distech Controls Plans to Create New Jobs in the Quebec Green Technology Sector Source: Company stech Controls, an innovation leader in energy management solutions based in Quebec, Canada, announced total investments of $38-million (CAD) in the company, to be approved by regulatory authorities. The investment will expand Distech Controls’ capital base and the proceeds of this financing will be used to accelerate the company’s growth plan and development roadmap worldwide, including acquisitions. (more)
Constellation,Telkonet Target Hotels Source: Energy Manager Today Telkonet and Constellation have partnered to target hospitality customers with energy conservation products. (more)
$23.5 Million Investment in Manufacturing Projects Supports the New Clean Energy Initiative Source: US DOE As part of the President's effort "to guarantee that the next revolution in manufacturing is made right here in America," the Energy Department stated that it will make a new $23.5 million investment in five additional innovative manufacturing R&D projects. This new funding for advanced manufacturing—as well as the $54 million invested in 13 projects during the first round of selections in June of 2012—will serve as a ground floor investment in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's new Clean Energy Manufacturing Initiative (CEMI), also announced today at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Assistant Secretary David Danielson said, "Our $77 million investment for advanced clean energy manufacturing enterprise creation will help to stimulate a renaissance in U.S manufacturing and ensure that the benefits from these investments begin to accrue broadly across the U.S. economy." (more)
BPU awards $5 million in energy-efficiency rebates Source: NJBIZ The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities doled more than $5 million in energy-efficiency rebates this week to eight facilities, spanning business, education and health care. (more)
SolarCity Powers Eight Barstow Unified School District Schools & Facilities with Solar Energy Source: Company SolarCity® announces a 1.5-megawatt (MW) solar power project that will bring renewable energy to eight Barstow Unified School District (BUSD) schools and facilities. The solar installations are expected to save the district $112,000 in their first year and roughly $5.3 million over the next 20 years, which will directly benefit classroom instruction constrained by years of budget cuts. (more)
Revised Generator Protection Application Guide Now Available Source: Company A newly revised Generator Protection Application Guide is now available for download free of charge from the Basler Electric web site - http://www.basler.com. (more)
GE’s Albeo™ LED High Bay Lighting Fixture Earns Recognition Source: Yahoo Finance GE Lighting’s Albeo™ ABHX-Series LED High Bay lighting fixture has been recognized in the category of “Industrial Luminaires - high bay” in the 2013 Next Generation Luminaires™ (NGL) Solid-State Lighting Design Indoor Competition. Sponsored by the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America, and the International Association of Lighting Designers, the NGL awards were created to recognize excellence in energy-efficient LED commercial lighting unit design. (more)
Obama Proposes $2 Billion Plan for Clean Energy Technology Research Source: Washington Post President Obama proposed taking $2 billion in royalties the government receives from offshore oil and gas leasing to fund research into clean energy technologies designed to lessen the nation’s dependence on fossil fuels to power cars and trucks. (more)
Cree Introduces The Biggest Thing Since the Light Bulb.™ Source: Company Cree, Inc. introduces a game-changing series of LED bulbs at a retail price point that gives consumers a reason to switch to LED lighting. The long-lasting Cree LED bulbs showcase Cree's commitment to LED lighting innovation. The new bulbs shine as brightly as comparable incandescents while saving 84 percent of the energy compared to traditional bulbs. The Cree LED bulbs are backed by a 10-year limited warranty and available exclusively at The Home Depot®. (more)
Manufacturing sector energy use and energy intensity down since 2002 Source: eia Total energy consumption in the manufacturing sector decreased by 17 percent from 2002 to 2010, according to data released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Manufacturing gross output decreased by only 3 percent over the same period. Taken together, these data indicate a significant decline in the amount of energy used per unit of gross manufacturing output. The significant decline in energy intensity reflects both improvements in energy efficiency and changes in the manufacturing output mix. Consumption of every fuel used for manufacturing declined over this period. (more)
Constellation and Novar Energy Mgmt.Techn. Gives Retailers Nationwide Access to Auto. Load Response Source: Company -Constellation, a business unit of Exelon, announced that Constellation’s VirtuWatt™ Link web services application is now available with the Opus Building Automation System (BAS) by Novar, a Honeywell business unit and leading provider of multi-site energy management solutions. (more)
Abengoa and BrightSource Energy Partner to Build the World's Two Largest Solar Power Towers Source: Company Abengoa (MCE: ABG.B), the international company that applies innovative technology solutions for sustainable development in the energy and environment sectors, and BrightSource Energy, a leading concentrating solar thermal technology company, signed an agreement to jointly develop, build and operate the world's two largest solar power towers in California. (more)
Nissan Recognized by EPA With ENERGY STAR Sustained Excellence Award Source: Company Nissan remains a leader in energy performance with three new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ENERGY STAR® accolades on the shelf, including the 2013 Partner of the Year – Sustained Excellence Award, the highest honor given to select organizations that are dedicated to protecting the environment through energy efficiency. (more)
REC Solar Brings 3.5 MW of Solar Energy to Twelve Arizona Public Schools Source: Company REC Solar, a leader in solar system design and installation, announced the completion of solar installations totaling 3.5MW on twelve Arizona public schools. The systems, which were developed and installed by REC Solar, will provide enough power to reduce the schools’ electricity bills by up to 50 percent while also offering educational opportunities for K-12 students. (more)
GE and Energate Announce Integration Agreement to Provide Joint Solutions Source: Yahoo Finance Energate, Inc., one of the leading providers of consumer demand response and home energy management solutions, announced it is working with GE (GE) to supply its Consumer Connected Demand Response(TM) (CCDR) platform for residential demand response solutions in conjunction with GE's Grid IQTM Respond Solutions as a Service (SaaS) offering for GE's PowerOnTM Precision software platform. The collaboration will utilize Energate's CCDR platform, with its range of hardware and software technologies, integrated with GE's Asset Control and SaaS suites. (more)
Capstone Receives Orders Totaling 5MW from Distributor in Mexico for Key CHP and CCHP Projects Source: Yahoo Finance Capstone Turbine Corporation, the world's leading clean-technology manufacturer of microturbine energy systems, announced that it received orders totaling five megawatts from one of its Mexican distributors. (more)
ACEEE Outlines 16 Policies to Remove Market Barriers to Energy Efficiency and Leverage Market Forces Source: Company The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) released a new report today highlighting 16 policies that remove market barriers across the economy to investments in energy efficiency. The report,Overcoming Market Barriers and Using Market Forces to Advance Energy Efficiency , provides Congress and state policymakers with a road map to address national energy consumption through policies that could save the country approximately $1 trillion in energy bills and 19 quads in energy consumption. (more)
U.S. Solar Market Grew 76% in 2012 Source: Forbes.com Imagine 16 million solar panels blanketing large pieces of land and covering roofs of homes and businesses. That was the number installed in the United States in 2012, when 3.3 gigawatts of the solar equipment materialized to representing a 76% annual growth. (more)
Summit Technology Introduces iPad Power Monitoring App for PowerSight Meters Source: Company Summit Technology, Inc., manufacturer of the popular PowerSight™ line of power monitors and power quality analyzers, announces the introduction of PSM-i (Powersight Manager software for the iPad®) available as a free app download on Apple iTunes. (more)
New LC8 Modular Contractor Panel provides off-the-shelf versatility Source: Company WattStopper has announced a modular panel to provide electrical contractors with cost-effective code-compliant lighting control for a wide variety of small projects. The new LC8 panel allows installers to quickly configure customized control solutions from just three standard off-the-shelf products. The panel accommodates up to four relay modules, with any combination of two different types of module. Choices include a dual single-pole 120/277 VAC relay module and a single double-pole 208/240/480 VAC relay module. Each panel is equipped with a system clock and touch screen interface for simple scheduled control, including astronomic control options. Accessories include an exterior photocell and a new line of low-profile decorator style switches for manual control. (more)
New Fund Unlocks $150 Billion in Efficiency Savings Source: PR Newswire Manufacturers, schools, churches, and clinics throughout the United States could cut up to $15 billion a year on their energy bills over the next decade, thanks to a pioneering new financial tool launched today by the efficiency-services financer Metrus Energy and CalCEF, an organization focused on accelerating clean energy technologies. (more)
Office Depot Spends $8 Million on Lighting Efficiency Project Source: Energy Manager Today Under the leadership of Ed Costa, vice president of construction for Office Depot, the company has chosen to make numerous energy efficiency investments, including de-lamping one out of every three bulbs in tens of thousands of fixtures across more than 1,000 stores, while maintaining similar light output by adding reflectors above the remaining two bulbs. (more)
FEMP Issues Guide for Large Renewable Energy Projects at Federal Facilities Source: US DOE The Energy Department's Federal Energy Management Program issued a new resource that provides best practices and other helpful guidance for federal agencies developing large-scale renewable energy projects. The Large-Scale Renewable Energy Guide: Developing Renewable Energy Projects Larger than 10 MWs at Federal Facilities provides a comprehensive framework including active project management strategies, common terms, and principles that reduce project uncertainties and promote partnerships between the federal government, private developers, and financiers. Improving coordination on large-scale renewable energy projects will help ensure successful projects while diversifying our energy supply, creating jobs, and advancing national goals for energy security. (more)
Energy Department Partnerships Speed Advanced Vehicle Technologies Source: US DOE As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to speeding the transition to more sustainable energy sources that will help drive economic growth, the Energy Department announced 16 major U.S. employers and two stakeholder groups have joined the Workplace Charging Challenge to give more American workers access to new transportation options, while another three U.S. corporations have joined the National Clean Fleets Partnership. These steps support President Obama’s goal to drive new technology that offers more vehicle fueling options to American consumers, as highlighted in his State of the Union address. (more)
Energy Department Offers $50 Million to Advance PEV Technologies Source: US DOE As part of the Obama Administration's commitment to strengthening our energy security and lowering fuel costs for U.S. businesses and consumers, the Energy Department announced more than $50 million in funding for new projects that will accelerate the development of advanced plug-in electric vehicle (PEV) technologies to increase vehicle fuel economy and improve performance. This new funding supports the Energy Department's EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, which aims to make PEVs as affordable to own and operate as today's gasoline-powered vehicles within the next 10 years, and will help to advance the technology goals outlined in the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge Blueprint. (more)
Alta Devices Breaks Solar Cell Efficiency Record Source: Company Alta Devices disclosed that it has reached 30.8% solar cell efficiency. This new NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory) verified record has resulted from the company’s first implementation of a new generation “dual junction” solar cell technology which augments the company’s “single junction” technology. (more)
World Bank Calls for Global Initiative to Scale Up Geothermal Energy in Developing Countries Source: World Bank The World Bank announced a major international effort to expand renewable power generation in developing countries by tapping an underutilized resource: geothermal energy. (more)
MIT’s “Artifical Leaf” For Solar Energy Storage & Fuel Moves Forward Source: CleanTechnica Bringing the concept of an “artificial leaf” closer to reality, a team of researchers at MIT has published a detailed analysis of all the factors that could limit the efficiency of such a system. The new analysis lays out a roadmap for a research program to improve the efficiency of these systems, and could quickly lead to the production of a practical, inexpensive and commercially viable prototype. (more)
Eyedro Launches MyFreeMonitor.com to Monitor Electricity Consumption in Home and Business Source: Company Eyedro Green Solutions, a leading manufacturer of electricity usage monitors, announced the launch of a new electricity consumption monitoring cloud service called MyFreeMonitor.com, providing home and small business owners with an innovative new tool to monitor and reduce rising electricity costs. Eyedro is launching MyFreeMonitor.com as a crowd-sourcing project at Indiegogo.com (www.indiegogo.com/myfreemonitor) with contributors to the project receiving highly discounted real-time electricity monitors, also produced by the company. (more)
Agriculture Department Awards $8 Million for Smart Grid Technology Source: USDA The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that rural electric cooperatives and utilities in 12 states will receive loan guarantees to improve generation and transmission facilities, as well as to implement smart grid technologies. The announcement includes support for more than $8 million in smart grid technologies, which help utilities make efficiency improvements to the electric grid and help consumers lower their electric bills by reducing energy use in homes and businesses. States receiving this USDA smart grid funding are Alabama, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Texas. (more)
GSA Seeks Public Input for Green Building Certification Systems Source: GSA The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) announced that it is seeking additional input from the public regarding the federal government’s use of third party green building certification systems. GSA published a notice in the Federal Register seeking public comments for the next 60 days on how the federal government can best use certification systems to measure the design and performance of the federal government’s construction and major modernization projects. Every five years, GSA is required to evaluate green building certification systems for the government’s use, and this review has been and will continue to be open to an extensive public process. (more)
St. Louis Launches Plan for More Sustainable Community Source: energy.gov St. Louis -- regarded as the Gateway to the West -- is also becoming the gateway to sustainability for the state of Missouri. Central to increasing energy efficiency in St. Louis has been the Energy Department’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant (EECBG) Program. (more)
19 Traffic Signals to be Powered by Solar Energy Source: BEPA By the end of this month 19 traffic signals in and around Georgetown, Guyana, will be powered by solar energy. Energy from the Guyana Power and Light Company will be retained as back-up power. (more)
NYSERDA Announces $1.4 Million in Energy Efficiency Funding Projects for Erie County Medical Center Source: NYSERDA The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced that the Erie County Medical Center (ECMC) Corporation was awarded $1.4 million to support two energy efficiency projects that are projected to cut electricity costs by roughly $680,000 annually. (more)
Energy Policy and Strategic Pathways to Smart Buildings to be Discussed at Upcoming Energy Conferenc Source: AEE The Mid-Atlantic is faced with enormous challenges and opportunities as a result of super storm Sandy. At least 17 states were affected and estimated damages of $62 billion dollars translate to rebuilding and improving the buildings efforts must include the risk of climate change and creating smarter and greener cities. The United States is competing in a global race for the clean energy jobs of the future and clean technologies. The 2013 Obama Administration is committed to an all-of-the-above energy strategy that includes critical investments in innovation and production of clean energy technologies, in clean energy jobs, promoting efforts to reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and strengthening our national security. (more)
• ARPA-E Announces Projects Have Attracted over $450 Million in Private Sector Funding Source: US DOE At the fourth annual Energy Innovation Summit of the Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency – Energy (ARPA-E), Deputy Director Cheryl Martin announced that ARPA-E projects have demonstrated major technical successes and shown significant market engagement after just four years since the agency began catalyzing energy breakthrough technologies. (more)
GDF SUEZ ENERGY RESOURCES TO SUPPLY RENEWABLE ENERGY CERTIFICATES Source: Company GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the country’s largest retailelectricity providers to commercial, industrial and institutional customers, will supply renewable energy certificates (RECs) to the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) for the 2013 Globalcon Conference & Expo. (more)
Clean Cruising on the Rhine River Source: Company With ports around the world instituting strict emissions requirements, port authorities, regulators, and owners are fueling a high-tide demand for environmentally friendly vessels. (more)
Biomass Analysis Tool Is Faster, More Precise Source: NREL A screening tool from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) eases and greatly quickens one of the thorniest tasks in the biofuels industry: determining cell wall chemistry to find plants with ideal genes. (more)
GDF SUEZ Energy Resources to Supply Renewable Energy Certificates to 2013 GLOBALCON Conference Source: Company GDF SUEZ Energy Resources NA, one of the country’s largest retail electricity providers to commercial, industrial and institutional customers, will supply renewable energy certificates (RECs) to the Association of Energy Engineers (AEE) for the 2013 Globalcon Conference & Expo. (more)
ACEEE Releases Energy Efficiency and Pollution Control Calculator Source: Company Over the next decade, a host of federal air regulations will impose restrictions on the emissions of multiple pollutants from stationary sources such as power plants and industrial facilities. These air regulations create a demand for low-cost and rapidly deployable emissions reduction measures and energy efficiency proves to be the least-cost resource when compared with new generation. (more)
Continental Control Systems Introduces the WattNode® Revenue Line of Electric Power Meters Source: Company Continental Control Systems announced a new line of electric power meters, the WattNode® Revenue. These meters are designed for use in applications requiring revenue-grade accuracy. The WattNode Revenue meters meet the accuracy requirements of ANSI C12.1 and C12.20 Class 0.5, and support Modbus®, BACnet®, or LonTalk® communications protocol or a pulse output. (more)
Government Seeing Big Savings from Going Green Source: BEPA The U.S. Treasury, Washington, DC, has always been a place where people could find something green, but this time the term is not referring to money. The U.S. Treasury building has obtained a green environmental designation, probably the oldest federal building to earn one. It has reduced its operating costs by $3.5 million annually as a result. (more)
Old Dominion University receives large solar energy grant Source: Company Old Dominion University received a $500,000 to develop solar energy research. The grant was funded by Dominion Virginia Power's research and development partnership in hopes of finding energy alternatives. (more)
Energy Efficiency Spending to Double by 2025 Source: BEPA Spending on energy efficiency programs funded by electric and natural gas utility customers will double by 2025 to about $9.5 billion per year, according to projections published by researchers at Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA. (more)
World Renewable Energy Resources Atlas Goes Online Source: IRENA The world’s first open-access Global Atlas of renewable energy resources goes live, announced at the annual general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). (more)
FERC Regulatory Change Could Boost Distributed Solar In The US Source FERC The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) proposed reforms intended to reduce the time and cost to process small generator interconnection requests and allow for more efficient interconnection of these resources to benefit customers. These reforms also would maintain reliability, increase energy supply and remove barriers to the development of new energy sources. (more)
In City’s 3rd Largest 2012 Deal, Microsoft Boots Up 11 Times Square Lease Source: BEPA It’s a deal that’s been in the works for some time. But SJP Properties formally announced that Microsoft will be moving out of 1290 Avenue of the Americas and taking 230,000 square feet at its LEED Gold-certified 11 Times Square trophy tower at the corner of 42nd Street and 8th Avenue. That Microsoft was kicking tires around town has been the industry’s worst-kept secret over the past few months. And at 11 Times Square, delays were rumored to range from discussions over signage rights and financing to Vornado making a strong push to keep Microsoft on Sixth Avenue. But in the end, Microsoft’s deal will extend for 16 years on floors 4 through 11, in the low $60s per square foot. (more)
NREL and Stanford Team up on Peel-and-Stick Solar Cells Source: NREL It may be possible soon to charge cell phones, change the tint on windows, or power small toys with peel-and-stick versions of solar cells, thanks to a partnership between Stanford University and the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). (more)
Distech Controls Introduces New Models to its Allure EC-Smart-Vue Communicating Sensor Line Source: Company Distech Controls, a global innovation leader in building automation and energy management solutions, today announced that it has introduced six new models of its Allure EC-Smart-Vue Series communicating room sensor, now with integrated CO2 and motion sensors (more)
EnergyHub Completes Enrollment for Initial Phase of Austin Energy’s Power Partner Thermostat Program Source: Electric Energy EnergyHub announced that it became the first vendor to finish enrolling residential load control participants for the initial phase of Austin Energy’s new Power Partner Thermostat Program. (more)
DOD Electric Vehicles Will Supply Power to Local Grids Source: DoD As the military continues to move away from dependence on fossil fuels, the Defense Department plans to spend $20 million on a fleet of electric vehicles unique in their ability to export their own power and offset their cost. (more)
World’s First Electric Ferry — With 10 Minute — Recharge Source: Clean Technica The days of stinky, oil-burning, black smoke–producing ferry boats will be the days of yore if Norway has anything to say about it. The world’s first electric ferry will hit the open seas (well, not exactly) in 2015. (more)
ICF International Awarded $9.4 Million Energy Efficiency Contract With Major U.S. Utility Source: Electric Energy ICF International, a leading provider of consulting services and technology solutions to government and commercial clients, has been awarded a new contract to support an innovative energy efficiency program for a major U.S. utility. The contract has a value of $9.4 million and a term of 36 months. (more)
U.S. Army Releases Sustainability Report Source: Clean Technica The Army’s Sustainability Report 2012 does not pussyfoot around the issue of global warming. From the beginning it states that “rising demand for scarce resources, increasing regional unrest, and the effects of climate change are just some of the trends that will affect our future security environment.” (more)
Apple Patents Wind Energy Storage Source: Energy Manager Insider Apple plans to develop a wind turbine that generates electricity from stored wind energy, according to AppleInsider. (more)
NY State to Improve Energy Efficiency of Federal Buildings by 20% Through 2020 Source: BEPA News New York State agencies are directed to increase the energy efficiency of their buildings by 20 percent in the next seven years. Governor Andrew Cuomo issued an executive order to this effect on the last Friday of 2012, along with launching of the Build Smart NY initiative. (more)
Warren Buffett to Build World's Largest Solar Energy Project Source: The Telegraph MidAmerican Energy Holdings, a subsidiary of Mr Buffett’s Berkshire Hathaway investment company, has struck a deal with SunPower to acquire and build two projects in California’s Antelope Valley. The deal, which will see MidAmerican pay between $2bn to $2.5bn, marks the third time in little over a year that Mr Buffett has ploughed cash into solar energy. The last year created a unit within Mid American to support an increasing number of solar and wind investments. Work on the projects will begin within the next few months and construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. SunPower, which is 66pc-owned by France’s Total, will remain involved in the construction and operation of the projects. (more)
Mayor Emanuel Receives Highest Level Green Building Certification for Chicago Center for Green Tech. Source: BEPA News Mayor Rahm Emanuel announced that the Chicago Center for Green Technology (CCGT) has been awarded a Platinum Certification by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) under the USGBC’s green building rating system for the operation and maintenance of existing buildings. (more)
Green Fleet Briefing: IBM’s B2B Marketplace, Ford Fusion Energi, Volt Dropped Source: Environmental Leader IBM has launched B2B Marketplace, a project it hopes will allow energy providers, car manufacturers, and charging point owners to share and integrate services on one common IT platform. This will create a network of EV charging services that are compatible regionally in Europe, the company says. IBM wants electric vehicle drivers to be able to travel without the worry of being too far from an allocated charge post or one supported by their provider, similar to the scenario of territorial roaming and cell phones. (more)
Award-Winning PV Cell Pushes Efficiency Higher Source: NREL It takes outside-the-box thinking to outsmart the solar spectrum and set a world record for solar cell efficiency. The solar spectrum has boundaries and immutable rules. No matter how much solar cell manufacturers want to bend those rules, they can't. (more)
SCS Global Services Earns Accreditation Source: PR Newswire SCS Global Services (SCS) has announced that is has officially earned accreditation from the California Air Resources Board (ARB) to provide verification services for carbon offset projects under the new Cap-and-Trade Program. SCS has already contracted to conduct several "compliance grade" forest offset project verifications in 2013 and is now ready to commence the verification process on these projects. SCS and its cadre of staff and contract auditors have completed the necessary training and passed the required examinations to conduct verification audits under the California Cap-and-Trade Regulation. (more)
Energy Department Announces Draft Guide for Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects Source: DOE The Energy Department announced the publication of the draft Federal Renewable Energy Guide: Developing Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects at Federal Facilities Using Private Capital in the Federal Register for industry and agency comment. This Guide provides a project development framework to help federal agencies, private developers, and financiers coordinate on large-scale renewable energy projects that will help achieve federal renewable energy goals. The Guide underscores the comprehensive efforts by the Energy Department to increase the deployment of clean, renewable energy that diversifies our nation's energy portfolio and boosts our energy security. (more)
Google to Build its irst thermal storage for a data center Source: Gigaom Google has been more than creative when it comes to making its data centers more energy efficient and greener (seawater cooling and water recycling), and this week says it plans to implement a new energy efficient feature for a data center in Taiwan: thermal energy storage. Thermal energy storage systems commonly use chilled liquid or ice to act as a thermal battery, enabling a data center operator to run air conditioning at night (when rates are cheaper) and during the day pump the chilled liquid around the facility for cooling.
GE Enables Mississippi’s First Landfill Gas-to-Electricity Project to Support Region’s Grid Source: Company With Mississippi looking to produce more domestic energy from renewable resources, government officials, utility and GE (NYSE: GE) representatives gathered at the Golden Triangle Regional Landfill in northeastern Mississippi to mark the commercial start-up of the state’s first landfill gas-to-electricity (LFGTE) project that will support the regional grid. (more)
DOE Awards $104 Million for Efficiency-Related Facilities at National Labs Source: Company DOE announced its selection of eight new and improved energy efficiency test facilities to be built at seven of its national laboratories with the help of $104.7 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds. The projects will support the development and improvement of energy efficiency technologies of strategic national interest. Specifically, the funding will go toward reducing the production cost of carbon fiber manufacturing, to help in reducing the weight of vehicles; improving the efficiency and lowering the costs for car batteries; and exploring advanced technologies for net-zero-energy buildings. This effort will leverage the combined intellectual and technical resources of DOE's national laboratories to support technologies that will help transform the economy and create jobs, while decreasing carbon emissions. The eight national laboratories are located in California, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, New Mexico, Tennessee, and West Virginia. (more)
Water Source Heat Pumps exceed efficiency tandard, Help Reduce Operating Costs By Up to 35 Percent
Florida Hotels Credit SensorStat(R) for Saving Costs in Hot and Humid Conditions Source:Company The year-round heat and humidity of South Florida, combined with the continuing increases in oil prices, can take a heavy toll on the operating expenses of local businesses -- especially hotels that must keep their guests comfortable around the clock. (more)
Abbott Takes Fleet Carbon Neutral, Installs Solar Power
Emerson’s Copeland Scroll™ helps Canadian oil producers meet greenhouse gas emission targets Source: Company Emerson Process Management announced that its Copeland Scroll™ modular compression technology is enabling Canadian oil and gas producers to meet and exceed gas emissions standards recently recommended by the Clean Air Strategic Alliance (CASA). CASA is the non-profit association that seeks to achieve air that is odorless, tasteless, looks clear and has no adverse effects on people, animals or the environment. The organization’s Flaring and Venting Project Team annually assesses and makes recommendations regarding Alberta upstream petroleum industry solution gas flaring and venting. (more)
Advance Introduces F-Can Ballasts With Xtenza Wide-Range 
Source: CompanyIn a continuous effort to revolutionize low wattage metal halide technology and broaden its application, Advance Transformer announces the availability of F-Can ballasts now containing the company’s Xtenza wide-range ignitor, an exclusive feature which fully support applications involving up to 50 feet of remote, ballast-to-lamp mounting distance... (more)
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