Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, Green Investment Group
Date: 2017-08-23
Alton, Illinois-based Bioenergy Infrastructure Group (BIG) reports that with its acquisition of biomass and waste-to-energy plants totaling 70 MW from the former UK Green Investment Bank (GIB), presently known as the Green Investment Group (GIG), it now holds one largest biomass waste-to-energy portfolios in the UK.

BIG's acquisition includes four biomass and WtE facilities, 15 anaerobic digestion plants across Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, and a materials recovery facility with a total combined capacity of 70 MW. (Source: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, Renewables Now, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Bioenergy Infrastructure Group, www.bioenergyinfrastructure.co.uk; Green Investment Group, (Ray Stillwell, Pres., (618) 301-0500, rstillwell@greeninvgroup.com, www.greeninvgroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Bioenergy Infrastructure Group ,  Green Investment Group,  Biomass,  Waste-to-Energy,  

NOAA
Date: 2017-08-23
August 18, 2017

Dear Federal Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment,

"On behalf of the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), I am writing to inform you that per the terms of the charter the Federal Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment (Committee) will expire on August 20, 2017. The Department of Commerce and NOAA appreciate the efforts of the Committee and offer sincere thanks to each of the Committee members for their service."

Yours Truly, Benjamin Friedman, NOAA.

OR, as the Donald would say, "You're Fired!"

The 15 person advisory committee membership included industry, academia, government and nonprofits The advisory committee offers expertise on such things as climate effects and risk assessment and management. Advisory committee members were appointed by the NOAA administrator in consultation with the director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. (Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , Various Media, 18 Aug., 2017) Contact: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Benjamin Friedman, (301) 713-1208, www.noaa.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News NOAA,  Climate Change,  

Vertimass
Date: 2017-08-23
Irvne, California-headquartered Vertimass LLC is reporting completion of the U.S. DOE Bioenergy Technology Office's (BETO) validation of its low-cost transformative catalytic technology. BETO's verification provided progress on performance, scale-up, and reviewed Vertimass' estimated cost for their technology.

According to Vertimass, BETO's verification paves the way for a demonstration scale of the technology for converting sustainable ethanol into fungible gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel blend stocks and the chemical building blocks benzene, toluene, and xylene (BTX). This new Vertimass pathway can enhance use of biomass-derived renewable fuels that lower greenhouse gas emissions and allow ethanol producers to expand their product portfolio. The Vertimass systems can be added to existing ethanol producers' facilities at fractions of the cost of a new facility, according to the company. (Source: Vertimass LLC, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Vertimass, Charles Wyman, CEO, John Hannon, COO, (949) 417-4307, www.vertimass.com; US DOE BETO, energy.gov/eere/bioenergy/bioenergy-technologies-office

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vertimass,  Biofuel,  DOE BETO,  

Qatar Solar Technologies,SolarWorld Industries
Date: 2017-08-23
In Doha, Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) reports it has come to an arrangement which would see Bonn, Germany-based SolarWorld Industries emerge from insolvency and ensure the continuation of the company's solar PV module manufacturing business and the development of its proprietary technology and new products.

QSTec has an 8,000 metric tpy high quality, solar grade Polysilicon manufacturing facility in the Ras Laffan Industrial City (RLIC), Qatar that produces polysilicon for use in the world's most efficient solar technologies. The company has installed ground and rooftop PV installations at its RLIC site with a total installed capacity of 1.1 MW.

QSTec is a JV between Qatar Solar, a fully owned subsidiary of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, and the Qatar Development Bank. (Source: QSTec, SolarWorld Industries, TradeArabia News Service, 20 Aug., 2017)Contact: SolarWorld AG, Frank Asbeck, CEO, www.solarworld.de/en/home; Qatar Solar Technologies, www.qstec.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News SolarWorld Industries,  Solar,  

PACE Program
Date: 2017-08-23
In the Bluegrass State, the River Haus, a new residential and commercial development in the city of Covington will be the state's first new construction project to use PACE energy-efficiency improvements financing. The PACE financing will allow the project to incorporate more than $4 million in energy-efficient windows, LED lighting, heating and cooling systems, programmable thermostats, and insulation upgrades for the wall and roofing systems and other energy efficient features.

The City of Covington is the first city in the state to create the special taxing district as a financing tool and the first to utilize it when it authorized $750,000 in energy-efficiency improvements to the Ivy Knoll Senior Retirement Community.

The River Haus project is being built by Flaherty & Collins Properties and is slated to get underway this fall. (Source: Greater Cincinnati Energy Alliance, Aug., 2017) Contact: Energize Kentucky, Ohio PACE, Chris Jones , (513) 621-4232, cjones@greatercea.org, www.greatercea.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News PACE,  Energy Efficiency,  

Xcel Energy,Tendril
Date: 2017-08-23
Xcel Energy reports it has selected Tendril's Orchestrated Energy for a new smart thermostat optimization pilot launching later this month. Under the program, Xcel Energy customers in Colorado and Minnesota will be able to optimize their smart thermostats cooling and/or heating schedules to reduce peak load by up to 50 pct and lower energy consumption by as much as 20 percent.

Detials are HERE. (Source: Xcel Energy, 22 Aug., 2017) Contact: Xcel Energy, xcelenergy.com; Tendrill, www.tendrilinc.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Xcel Energy,  Tendril,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Management,  

PACE Program
Date: 2017-08-23
In the Motor City, the landmark 1880-vintage 22,000 square foot, 52-room Whitney Mansion Restaurant reports it will receive receive $863,130 in energy efficiency upgrades with financing from Petros PACE Finance of Austin, Texas.

The Whitney's PACE financed improvements include: storm windows for the building's 200-plus windows; LED lighting throughout; energy efficient HVAC equipment; energy efficient kitchen equipment; and a smart phone operated building controls system. The energy efficiency measures are expected to cut the restaurant’s energy cost by almost $24,000 per year. Construction is set to begin this month and could be finished by the year end. (Source: The Whitney, Development News, 22 ug, 2017) Contact: The Whitney, www.thewhitney.com; Petros PACE Finance, (512) 599-9038, www.petros-pace.com; PACE, info@pacenow.org, www.pacenow.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News PACE,  Energy Efficiency,  

NeighborWorks of Western Vermont
Date: 2017-08-23
West Rutland, Vermont-based energy efficiency service provider NeighborWorks of Western Vermont reports receipt of $250,000in grant funding from the Northern Border Regional Commission in support of its HEAT Squad expansion into the state's the Northeast Kingdom region.

The NeighborWorks' HEAT Squad focuses on educating homeowners about energy efficiency; offering low-cost energy audits and same day audit reports; objective advice and guidance regarding recommendations; referrals to trusted, local contractors; access to NWWVT in-house affordable financing; submissions for any applicable rebates; and quality review of each project. (Source: NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, PR, August 21, 2017) Contact: NeighborWorks of Western Vermont, (802) 797-8606, www.nwwvt.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  

Date: 2017-08-23
In Vietnam, the Netherlands Development Organization (SNV), in collaboration of the Thai Binh provincial People's Committee, is reporting the launch of the AgResults Vietnam Emissions Reduction Pilot which aims to cut rice farming related GHG emissions by incentivizing rice farming technology innovations.

Instead of providing immediate funding for organizations and individuals, the project will select and verify innovative solutions and topics that meet the criteria of mitigating climate change and improving livelihoods for rice farmers.

The AgResults Vietnam project is managed by SNV and co-sponsored by the governments of Australia, Canada, the UK and the US, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The AgResults project total funding is approximately $122 million. (Source: Nhan Dan, Various Media, 22 Aug., 2017)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Carbon Emissions,  Climate Change,  GHGs,  Climate Change Mitigation,  

Global Soil Partnership
Date: 2017-08-23
According to the Global Soil Partnership (GSP), soil carbon could help mitigate significant greenhouse gas emissions, while also supporting food production and adaptation to climate change. As such, soil carbon could be crucial to meeting the Paris Agreement goal to limit global warming to below 2 degrees as well as Sustainable Development Goals related to food security and climate. However, we still lack the knowledge needed to sustainably manage soil for carbon, the GSP adds.

On June 19, 30 CGIAR scientists, representing seven CGIAR Centers and six CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs), exchanged recent research findings and identified priorities for a future research agenda on soil carbon and climate change. CGIAR's current soil carbon and climate change work includes:

Improving understanding of the factors and underlying mechanisms that drive changes in soil carbon and critical soil functions;

Examining agronomic practices that improve soil health, agricultural productivity or socio-economic benefits affect soil carbon sequestration, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change adaptation;

Investigating the relationships among forests, soils, water and climate;

Analyzing the effects of land use change on soil carbon stocks, including loss of soil carbon through deforestation and land degradation, and the potential for soil carbon sequestration through restoration of degraded soils;

Assessing the extent of peatland soils globally and estimating current carbon stocks in peatlands;

Supporting policy to avoid loss of carbon from peatlands, forestlands and wetlands;

Developing standardized methods and metrics for assessing soil carbon and its dynamics, especially as an indicator of ecosystem health, at plot and landscape scales;

Facilitating the Land Degradation Surveillance Framework Network, which now has 200 sites and 30,000 reference points in the global tropics, mostly openly accessible data. (Source: CGIAR, World AgroForestry Center, Aug., 2017) Contact: 4p1000, http://4p1000.org; Global Soil Partnership, www.fao.org/global-soil-partnership/en; CGIAR, www.cgiar.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Soil Carbon,  

Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp
Date: 2017-08-23
The Russian government-owned Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp. is reportedly exploring an investment in India’s second largest wind-turbine maker by market share, Inox Wind, part of the Inox Group.

The Inox Group is a diversified conglomerate, operating in industrial gases, chloromethanes, refrigerants, fluoropolymers, multiplexes, wind turbine manufacturing and cryogenic engineering. Inox Wind has a 1600 MW manufacturing capacity with three facilities in India.

As we reported on March 8th, Inox Group announced it was selling its 260 MW operating wind farm assets to Leap Green Energy Pvt. Ltd. (Source: LiveMint, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corp., www.rosatom.ru/en; Leap Green Energy, www.leapgreenenergy.com; Inox Renewables, +91-120-6149 600, +91-120-6149 610 - fax, info@inoxrenewables.com, www.inoxrenewables.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Inox Renewables,  Inox Wind,  Wind,  

Guris Holding
Date: 2017-08-23
Ankara, Turkey-headquartered Guris Holding reports it is constructing a 32-MW wind farm in Kosovo and a 30-MW plant in Odessa, Ukraine. Both facilities will incorporate General Electric turbines and are slated for completion and commissioning in August-September 2018.

According to the company's website, its renewables portfolio includes wind, hydro and geothermal plants. The company has also purchased the license of an 88-MW wind project in Afyon province, western Turkey. The Afyon-2 plant is expected to generate 255 million kWh of electricity per year, according to the website. (Source: Guris Holding, Dunya Daily, Other Media, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Guris Holding, +90 312 438 1150, www.guris.com.tr

More Low-Carbon Energy News Guris Holding,  Wind,  

Mitsubishi , Allianz, Enel North America
Date: 2017-08-23
Mitsubishi and Allianz are reporting they have invested approximately $340 million for all of the Class B tax equity interests in Enel North America's 300MW Red Dirt wind farm in Oklahoma. Enel North America is retaining all Class A tax interests and management control of the site.

When fully operational later this year, Red Dirt will consist of 100 Nordex AW125/3000 turbines. Financial close of the transaction is expected when the $420 million project comes online. The project's power will be sold under long-term PPAs with T-Mobile and the Grand River Dam Authority, according to Enel. (Source: Enel North America, Windpower Monthly, Others, 21 Aug., 2017)Contact: Enel Green Power, Connor Branch, Bus. Dev., (978) 681-1900, www.enelgreenpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mitsubishi ,  Allianz,  Enel,  Wind,  

Alliance to Save Energy
Date: 2017-08-21
IRVING, Texas, Aug. 21, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- The Alliance to Save Energy reports it has awarded the convenience store chain 7-Eleven® with the Alliance to Save Energy "Built Environment" award for its commitment to reducing energy consumption and improving efficiency in its stores.

7-Eleven has decreased electricity use in store operations by an estimated 21 pct over the past seven years through installing LED lighting, energy management systems and high-efficiency HVAC units. (Source: Alliance to Save Energy, 7-Eleven, Pr 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Alliance to Save Energy, www.ase.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance to Save Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

Home Deport,Tesla
Date: 2017-08-21
Atlanta-headquartered big box home renovation retailer Home Depot reports that 50 of its locations in five states -- New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Connecticut , California and the District of Columbia – will soon sprout rooftop solar installations of 50,000 panels on average. Home Depot is partnering with with Tesla and Current, a General Electric subsidiary for the project.

Home Depot will make use of power purchase agreements in leasing roof space and generating solar energy. It is expected that electricity grid demand at every Home Depot store will be reduced by the solar farms at a level that is estimated to be between 30 pct and 35 pct per year. Previously this year, Home Depot invested in a renewable energy farm in Northeast Texas and has committed to purchasing approximately 50 megawatts per year of wind energy. (Source: Home Depot, TechnoTribune, 19 Aug., 2017) Contact: Home Depot, https://corporate.homedepot.com/contact-us

More Low-Carbon Energy News Home Deport news,  Tesla news,  Rooftop Solar news,  Solar news,  

Innogy Renewables UK
Date: 2017-08-21
In the UK, Natural Resources Wales (NRW) and Welsh Water have asked Innogy Renewables UK to survey the site of a proposed wind farm at Alwen Forest, on the Conwy-Denbighshire border. The site survey is necessary for planning approval.

Seven companies had bid for a lease to survey the Alwen Forest site which is also being considered for solar, biomass, hydro and other renewable energy developments. (Source: BBC, 16 August, 2017) Contact: Innogy Renewables UK, +44 1793 877777, www.innogy.com/web/cms/en/3708678/innogy-renewables-uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Innogy Renewables UK ,  Wind,  

Beyond Zero Emissions
Date: 2017-08-21
In the Land Down Under, Beyond Zero Emissions is reporting the launch of its Rethinking Cement Plan report which finds that Australia's cement industry could be be "zero carbon" within a decade by using presently available geopolymer cements, high-blend cements and mineral carbonation commercialized technologies, plus two other strategies.

Currently cement contributes about 8 pct of all global carbon emissions. About 55 pct of the emissions come from the chemical process of limestone calcination, which releases CO2 as a waste product, and is unavoidable with limestone-based cement. Next, 32 pct comes from burning fuel to drive the process and the remaining 13 pct is indirect emissions from electricity used for grinding and moving materials around a plant.

Beyond Zero Emissions is an Australia-based, not-for-profit climate change solutions think-tank founded in 2006. (Source: Beyond Zero Emissions, The Fifth Estate, Australian, 18 Aug., 20917) Contact: Beyond Zero Emissions, +61 3 9415 1301, info@bze.org.au, www.bze.org.au, http://bze.org.au/rethinking-cement-plan/

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cement Carbon Emissions,  ,  Cement,  CO2,  

Cosan,Raízen Energia
Date: 2017-08-21
In Brazil, Cosan SA reports it expects a better financial return on Brazilian ethanol sales than sugar sales and could adjust sugar and ethanol production accordingly if biofuel prices continue to rise. Cosan is also reportedly seeking acquisitions following the purchase of two sugar and ethanol plants from Tonon Bioenergia SA.

Cosan is a public listed Brazilian conglomerate producer of bioethanol, sugar, energy and foods. The company operates in Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia and the UK.

In related news, Sao Paulo-based Raizen Energia, a 50-50 JV between Cosan and Royal Dutch Shell Plc, reports it has earmarked 57 pct of cane production for sugar production but decreased sugar hedging for the year. (Source: Cosan, Raizen Energia, Biofuels Digest, Others, August 12, 2017) Contact: Raizen Energia, +55 (21) 2145-9000, fale@raizen.com,www.raizen.com.br/en/home; Cosan, ir.cosanlimited.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cosan,  Ethanol,  Sugarcane Ethanol,  Biofuel,  Raízen Energia,  

Energy Developments Limited ,Granger Energy Services
Date: 2017-08-21
Hong Kong-headquartered CK Infrastructure (CKI) on Monday reports that a member company of its Australian businesses, Brisbane-based Energy Developments Limited (EDL) has completed the acquisition of Granger Energy Services , the US operator of 16 landfill gas-to-energy sites totaling 85MWe (megawatts electric).

The transaction increases EDL's North American landfill gas to energy operations from 12 to 28 sites, and increases EDL's North American assets to 204MWe, making EDL one of the top three landfill gas to energy business in North America. EDL is currently the largest producer of clean energy from landfill gas in Australia. (Source: Energy Developments Limited , CK Infrastructure, Xinhua, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Energy Developments Ltd., +61 7 3275 5555, www.energydevelopments.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Landfill Gas-yo-Energy,  Landfill Gas,  ,  

University of North Dakota Institute for Energy Studies
Date: 2017-08-21
The University of North Dakota Institute for Energy Studies in Grand Forks is reporting receipt of $2.75 million in US DOE funding to move to the second phase of research aimed at advanced recovery of rare earth elements (REE) from coal and coal byproducts.

UND was one of four projects chosen nationwide to move forward to the second phase. According to DOE, these federal funds will be used to research the use of North Dakota subbituminous lignite coal and coal-related material as feedstock to test its REE recovery system. The project will also recover other materials from the lignite feedstock to produce one or more value-added products. The project is expected to be completed in 2020. (Source: University of North Dakota Institute for Energy Studies, Bowman County Pioneer, 17 Aug., 2017) Contact: University of North Dakota Institute for Energy Studies, (701) 777-3000, UND.info@UND.edu, www.und.edu

New Zealand Super Fund
Date: 2017-08-21
Reporting from Aukland, the NZ$35 billion ($25.6 billion) New Zealand Superannuation Fund (NZ Super Fund) has announced that its NZ$14 billion global passive equity portfolio has been moved into low-carbon investments and thus cut the Fund's overall carbon footprint.

The move is part of the Fund management's strategy to address climate change investment risk. As of June 30, the Fund's total carbon emissions intensity is 19.6 pct lower, and its exposure to carbon reserves is 21.5 pct lower, than if the changes had not been made.

The low-carbon portfolio is based on a carbon measurement methodology for listed equities developed by the fund's trustees in concert with MSCI ESG Research which provided independent carbon data and company ratings. The fund is also advancing other climate change strategies including incorporating climate change risk into its investment analysis, engaging with portfolio companies to promote better risk management, and identifying new investment opportunities from the global transition to a low-carbon economy. (Source: NZ Super Fund, NZ Chief Investment Officer, 18 Aug., 2017) Contact: NZ Super Fund, Adrian Orr, CEO, enquiries@nzsuperfund.co.nz, www.nzsuperfund.co.nz

More Low-Carbon Energy News Low Carbon Energy,  

Trump
Date: 2017-08-21
It is being widely reported that growing resistance to the Trump administration's rollback of U.S. climate policy is literally taking root worldwide under the guise of the "Trump Forest" project. The project is being driven by New Zealand climate scientist Dr. Daniel Price, ex-journalist Adrien Taylor, and political scientist Jeff Willis.

The Trump Forest project project aims to plant 110 billion trees which would cover an area larger than the State of Kentucky, to offset the carbon emissions created by the Trump administration's climate regression, from repealing the Clean Power Plan to withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement.

"The project rests on a simple idea: to soak up excess carbon emissions created by the Trump administration's rollback of climate policies and devotion to fossil fuels, plant something that absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. (Source: ThinkProgress, Various Others18 Aug., 2017)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Reforestation,  Carbon Emissions,  

Ameresco,Blue Wave Solar
Date: 2017-08-21
Framingham, Mass.-headquartered energy efficiency and renewable energy specialist Ameresco, Inc., Boston-based Blue Wave and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts are reporting completion of five solar arrays in Hopedale and Mendon, Mass. next month. Blue Cross Blue Shield will purchase 2.6 megawatts of net metering credits from the five community solar projects which have a combined 6.9 MW of renewable energy.

When fully operational, the five projects will increase the states community solar power by about 13 pct and cut carbon emissions by approximately 6,300 metric tpy. (Source: Ameresco, WBJournal.com, Aug 18, 2017) Contact: Ameresco, CarolAnn Hibbard, (508) 661-2264, www.ameresco.com; Blue Wave Solar, (844) 786-4100, www.bluewavesolar.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Solar,  Community Solar,  Renewable Energy,  

Tharaldson Ethanol,USDA Office of Rural Development
Date: 2017-08-21
The USDA Office of Rural Development reports it has awarded $341,000 in grant funding to the 153 million gpy Tharaldson Ethanol Plant in Casselton, North Dakota, to support the plant's expansion of with the addition of a new fermenter and cooling tower cell.

The USDA rural development grant program is intended to support the use of renewable energy and greater energy efficiency. (Source: USDA, Inforum, 17 Aug., 2017) Contact: Tharaldson Ethanol, (701) 347-4000, www.tharaldsonethanol.com; USDA Office of Rural Development, www.rd.usda.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Tharaldson Ethanol,  Ethanol,  

Didion Ethanol
Date: 2017-08-21
Further to out August 8th report, Cambria, Wisconsin-based Didion Ethanol L.L.C., a subsidiary of Didion Milling, Inc., which earlier this month restarted operations at its ethanol plant reports it is now accepting corn from area farmers at its grain elevator operations.

The company's operations had been suspended for several months following an explosion at the company’s main corn milling facility on May 31. (Source: Didion Ethanol , Baking News, Aug. 18, 2017) Contact: Didion Ethanol, Derrick Clark, VP Operations, (920) 348-5868, www.didionmilling.com/ethanol

More Low-Carbon Energy News Didion Ethanol,  Ethanol,  

Johnstown Renewables
Date: 2017-08-21
In the complaint filed August 1, 2017, in Fulton County Supreme Court, Johnstown, New York-based yogurt maker Fage USA Dairy Industry is suing Johnstown Renewables LLC for not living up to a supply and purchase agreement Fage signed July 1, 2015, with New Age Renewable Energy (NARE) later assigned the deal to Johnstown Renewables.

The original contract called for Johnstown Renewables LLC to construct a plant that would process acidic whey -- a yogurt production byproduct -- from Fage's plant into industrial ethanol and farm feed. The plant was to cost $12.43 million and it received commitments of $3.4 million in state and federal grants. Fage is seeking not less than $20 million in damages. (Source: Daily Gazette News, 18 Aug., 2017) Contact: Fage Yogurt, (866) 962-5912,http://usa.fage; New Age Renewable Energy, Emma Inker, (307) 632-3333, Johnstown Renewables LLC, (914) 345-1400,

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  

Mortenson Construction,MidAmerican Energy
Date: 2017-08-21
Des Moines-based MidAmerican Energy Company has selected Mortenson Construction to build its 170MW Beaver Creek wind farm in Greene and Boone counties near Grand Junction, Iowa. As part of MidAmerican Energy's Wind XI expansion project, the Beaver Creek wind farm will incorporate 85 Vestas turbines generating 168 MW of power and is expected to be operational before the year end. (Source: Mortenson, powertechnology, 14 Aug., 2017) Contact: MidAmerican Energy, www.midamericanenergy.com; Mortenson Construction, Tim Maag, VP Wind Energ Group, www.mortenson.com/wind

More Low-Carbon Energy News Mortenson Construction,  MidAmerican Energy,  

Northland Power
Date: 2017-08-21
Toronto-headquartered Northland Power Inc. reports that its wholly owned 252 MW €1.3 billion Deutsche Bucht (DeBu) offshore wind project in the German North Sea has reached financial close with investors and lenders. Approximately three-quarters of the project's required costs will be provided from a €988 million non-recourse construction and term loan and related loan facilities from ten international commercial lenders.

DeBu, Northland's third offshore wind project, is expected to generate sufficient energy for more than 178,000 households and reduce C02 emissions by over 360,000 tpy. MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will supply and install 31 V164 8.0 MW wind turbines for the project which is slated to get underway soon. (Source: Northland Power, 23 Aug., 2017) Contact: Northland Power, (416) 962-6262, www.northlandpower.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vestas,  Northland Power,  Wind,  Offshore Wind,  

Cummins Inc., EDP Renewables North America
Date: 2017-08-21
Columbus, Ohio-based heavy-duty engine manufacturer Cummins Inc. reports it has entered into a virtual power purchase agreement with EDP Renewables North America to add 75 MW of capacity to the 600-megawatt Meadow Lake Wind Farm in Chalmers, north of Lafayette, Indiana.

In a virtual power purchase agreement, the wind farm owner sells the power into the broad power markets that feed the regional electric grid. (Source: Cummins, Seymour Tribune, 17 Aug., 2017) Contact: Cummins, Brian Mormino, (614) 771-1000, /www.cummins.com; EDP Renewables North America, www.edpr.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News EDP Renewables North America,  Wind,  

Roeslein Alternative Energy
Date: 2017-08-21
In the Show Me State, St. Louis-headquartered Roeslein Alternative Energy reports nine farms in Missouri have been selected selected to produce biogas for Roeslein's planned $120 million anaerobic digestion plant just north of Albany, Missouri.

Smithfield Hog Production in north Missouri is partnering with Roeslein on the biogas plant to be constructed in 1,000 acres in Harrison County . The site is being provided by the Nature Conservancy . Duke Energy in North Carolina is contracted to purchase part of the processed fuel to assist in realizing clean energy standards for power generation. (Source: Roeslein Alternative Energy, NewsPress, Aug., 2017) Contact: Roeslein Alternative Energy, Rudi Roeslein, Pres., Brian Gale, Bus. Dev., Chris Roach, Proj. Dev., (314) 729-0055, croach@roesleinae.com, www.roesleinalternativeenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Roeslein Alternative Energy,  Biogas,  Methane,  anaerobic digestion ,  Biogas,  

Masdar
Date: 2017-08-21
Abu Dhabi-headquartered renewable energy company Masdar reports it has inked an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract with a global consortium to build the Dhofar wind power project in Oman. GE will lead the EPC consortium and provide 13 units of its 3.8MW wind turbines, TSK will construct the balance of the project which is the first large-scale wind farm set to be developed in the Gulf Cooperation Council GCC member countries ( United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait, and Yemen). The 50MW project is being funded by the Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD). (Source: Masdar, Gulf Business, 20 Aug., 2017) Contact: Masdar, Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, +971 2 810 9238, Shaima Al Jarman, Marketing & Communications, +971 02 8109365, saljarman@masdar.ac.ae, www.masdar.ac.ae

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Masdar,  

NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme
Date: 2017-08-21
The NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme reports it is supporting eitht Serbian scientists' three-year research project to develop the commercial production of biofuel from algae. The project is being carried out at the Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Belgrade, in cooperation with Manchester University in the UK and Baylor University in Texas. (Source: NATO, PR, 18 Aug., 2017) Contact: NATO Science for Peace and Security (SPS) Programme, www.nato.int/science; Institute for Multidisciplinary Research in Belgrade, www.imsi.rs

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae Biofuel,  

USGBC,Whirlpool
Date: 2017-08-21
Benton Harbor, Michigan-headquartered Whirlpool Corporation reports it has been awarded US Green Building Council LEED® Certification for two of its recent building projects. The company's North American HQ Riverview Campus won LEED Gold certification for Phase 3 of its development, and the Global Headquarters building scored LEED Silver certification. These are Whirlpool's 14th and 15th LEED-certified projects totaling more than 9.4 million square-feet since 2009.

Energy efficient features include; ultra low-flow washroom fixtures and faucets to reduce water usage; a central heating and cooling plant with a building management system; high-efficiency interior and exterior lighting; extensive green space; waste recycling; facilites to encourage low carbon transportation, and other initiatives. alternative transportation (Source: Whirlpool Corporation, PR, 17 Aug., 2017) Contact: USGBC, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; Whirlpool Corp., (292) 923-5000, www.whirlpool.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Whirlpool,  Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification ,  

Date: 2017-08-21
Grundy, Marion, Rhea and Sequatchie Counties in the Chattanooga, Tennessee region have received over $530,365 in energy efficiency and clean energy grant funding from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation Clean Tennessee Energy Grant program. The program provides financial assistance to municipal and county governments, utility districts and other entities created by state statute. Funding comes from a 2011, $26.4 million Clean Air Act settlement with the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Grundy County will use its grant funds for efficiency upgrades, LED lighting and on/off energy sensors. Marion County will upgrade lighting to LEDs, install a new closed-circuit cooler and new Energy Star rated windows. Rhea County will get upgraded lighting and install new synthetic, reflective roofing, while Sequatchie County will upgrade to LED lighting in the Sequatchie County Justice Center, county courthouse and health department to save an estimated $42,645 a year. (Source: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, Times Free Press, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, www.tennessee.gov/environment

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency news,  

Arbn Consult
Date: 2017-08-21
In the UK, Arbn Consult, formerly CO2 Estates, reports it is partnering with Strathclyde University to explore how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be combined with data to create more accurate and robust simulations..

The nine-month project will be focused on the Arbn Consult platform software which provides the ability to quickly and accurately assess the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of a commercial property, producing custom, fully costed retrofit packages for delivering improvements in energy performance. Funding for the project has been awarded by The Data Lab

As well as making the platform more scalable and robust, it is hoped that the project will make energy efficiency improvements accessible for more users. For example, a facilities manager may not have as much knowledge in this subject as an energy assessor, but the machine learning will guide them through the process and potential options, offering suggestions they may not have thought of. (Source: Arbn Consult, FutureScot, Arbn Consult, 21 Aug., 2017) Contact: Arbn Consult, www.arbnco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency Software,  Building Efficiency,  Energy Efficiency,  

Date: 2017-08-21
"Federal investments in energy efficiency have reaped huge returns for taxpayers, driving private sector investment, lowering energy bills, creating jobs and improving the environment. For these reasons, federal investment in energy efficiency has enjoyed broad bipartisan support in the Congress and the executive branch for decades.

"Cutting funding to U.S. DOE Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs, as has been suggested by the (Trump) administration, moves us in the wrong direction. Continued and aggressive federal energy efficiency programs at DOE are critical to driving U.S. economic growth." -- Kateri Callahan, Pres., Alliance to Save Energy in testimony before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

More Low-Carbon Energy News Alliance to Save Energy news,  Energy Efficiency news,  

Kontrol Energy
Date: 2017-08-18
In Toronto, Kontrol Energy Corp. reports it has completed the $2.230 million acquisition of Cambridge, Ontario-headquartered Efficiency Engineering Inc. EE Inc., a provider of detailed energy efficiency analysis, energy audits, management of facility system solutions, electrical and mechanical design and energy conservation studies

Kontrol Energy Corp. offers market-based energy solutions designed to reduce overall energy costs while providing a corresponding reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. (Source: Kontrol Energy Corp. , Aug., 2017) Contact: Kontrol Energy Corp., Paul Ghezzi, CEO, (905) 766-0400, paul@kontrolenergy.com, www.kontrolenergy.com; Efficiency Engineering, (519) 624-9965, www.efficiencyengineering.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Kontrol Energy ,  Energy Efficiency,  

Royal Schiphol Group, Eneco Group
Date: 2017-08-18
In the Netherlands, the Royal Schiphol Aviation Group reports it has sealed a 200 GWh per year, 15-year clean energy deal with Rotterdam-based energy provider Eneco. Under the terms of the agreement Enerco will supply Schiphol's Dutch airport contracts with sustainable energy beginning 1 January 2018.

Under the terms of the contract the Rotterdam, Hague Eindhoven , and Lelystad Airports will be running on wind energy generated in the Netherlands by 2020. (Source: Royal Schiphol Group, Climate Action UN, 16 Aug., 2017) Contact: Royal Schiphol Group, +31 20 794 0800, www.schiphol.nl; Eneco Group, Jeroen de Haas, CEO, +31 (0)88-895 1111, www.enecogroup.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Wind ,  

Vestas, Zuma Energia
Date: 2017-08-18
Wind turbine manufacturer Vestas is reporting receipt of an order for 123 units of its V136-3.45 MW turbines from Zuma Energia for installation at Mexico's largest wind farm -- the Reynosa III project in Tamaulipas. The 424 MW wind farm contract includes supply, installation, commissioning and a 15-year Active Output Management 5000 service agreement. Delivery of the wind turbines is expected to begin in late 2017 with commissioning expected in 2018.

Established in 2014, Zuma Energia is financially backed by Actis and Mesoamerica. (Source: Vestas, Environmental Protection, 16 Aug., 2017) Contact: Vestas, Chris Brown, US/Canada Pres., +45 97 30 00 00, www.vestas.com; Zuma Energia, www.zumaenergia.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vestas,  Wind,  Zuma Energia,  

Jupiter Bach
Date: 2017-08-18
Denmark-headquartered JUPITAR BACH reports it is expanding its 6,000 sq-meter manufacturing facility in Poland. The enlarged facility is slated to be completed in early November 2017.

The company, which was recently formed by the merger of the Danish wind energy specialists Jupiter and Bach,operates eight production facilities worldwide in Denmark, Poland, Lithuania, Spain, China and the USA. (Source: Jupiter Bach, Plasteurope.com, 16 Aug., 2017) Contact: Jupiter Bach, www.jupiterbach.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Jupiter Bach,  Wind Turbine,  

Duke Energy Renewables
Date: 2017-08-18
In Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy reports it has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) to increase its wind energy capacity by the end of 2022. The RFP process is "flexible" and open to existing or new wind generation facilities to deliver up to 500 megawatts of capacity to its transmission system, according to Duke Energy.

Duke Energy Carolinas owns 35 solar facilities in the region, but does not currently purchase wind capacity. The addition would allow Duke Energy to comply with North Carolina's 2007 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard that mandates companies to add up to 12.5 pct of its energy needs through "renewable energy resources or energy efficiency measures" by 2021 and beyond. (Source: Duke Energy, Ashville Citizen Journal, Coastal Review, 15 Aug., 2017) Contact: Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology, Rob Caldwell, Pres, (704) 594-6200, rob.caldwell@duke-energy.com, www.duke-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Duke Energy Renewables,  Wind,  ,  

AGL Energy
Date: 2017-08-18
In the Land Down Under, AGL Energy is offering households with rooftop solar systems Solar Command Check, a free service to help customers with digital meters protect potential savings by monitoring their systems.

Solar Command Check alerts registered customers if it detects a potential problem with their PV systems. Solar Command Check is available to customers on a solar tariff with AGL, a smart meter with more than 30 days of data, who are registered for My Account on the AGL website, have no solar battery and are not already subscribed to our subscription-based Solar Command monitoring service.

AGL Energy is one of Australia's leading integrated energy companies providing electricity, gas, solar and renewable energy services to Australian homes and businesses. (Source: AGL, PR, 15 Aug., 2017) Contact: AGL, Garry West, +61 3 8623 831, gwest@agl.com.au, www.agl.com.au

More Low-Carbon Energy News Rooftop Solar ,  Solar,  AGL Energy,  

City of Toronto,Toronto Renewable Energy Office
Date: 2017-08-18
The Ontario City of Toronto reports the recent installation of two solar PV systems in Ward 32 -- Beaches-East York.

A 488-panel, 130 KW system, is connected to the Toronto Hydro electrical grid, and a 10 kilowatt, 28- panel system is installed at the Danforth/Coxwell Library and connected to the grid. The Toronto Renewable Energy Office’s Environment and Energy Division, which has the mandate of installing renewable energy systems on all City buildings, where feasible, by 2020, is behind the projects. The City will be receiving revenue from the sale of the electricity generated by the systems for a period of 20 years via the province’s Feed-in Tariff program. (Source: Toronto Renewable Energy Office, Inside Toronto, 15 Aug., 2017) Contact: Toronto Renewable Energy Office, trec@toronto.ca, www1.toronto.ca/wps/portal/contentonly?vgnextoid=0444d66c4b502410VgnVCM10000071d60f89RCRD

More Low-Carbon Energy News Solar,  

Duke Energy Renewables,Invenergy
Date: 2017-08-18
Duke Energy Renewables is reporting the acquisition of Invenergy's 24.9MW Shoreham Solar Commons PV project which is under construction on a former golf course near Brookhaven, Long Island, New York.

The project is slated for completion and commissioning in Q2, 2018 and has a 20-year power-purchase agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). (Source: Duke Energy Renewables, RE News, Others, 14 Aug., 2017) Contact: Shoreham Solar Commons, www.shorehamsolarcommons.com; Invenergy, Michael Mulcahey, Business Development Manager, (312) 224-1400, www.invenergyllc.com; LIFA, Tom Falcone, CEO, (631) 755-6900, www.lipower.org; Duke Energy Renewables, Rob Caldwell, Pres, (704) 594-6200, rob.caldwell@duke-energy.com, www.duke-energy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News LIPA,  Duke Energy Renewables,  Invenergy,  

city of Phoenix
Date: 2017-08-18
The city of Phoenix reports its initiative to replace all city parks lighting and 90,000 street lights with LED bulbs is underway. The program is intended to cut city lighting energy consumption and minimize future street light maintenance for an s expected savings of approximately $22 million through to 2030. (Source: City of Phoenix, 15 Aug., 2017 Contact: City of Phoenix, (602) 262-4970, stlight@phoenix.gov, www.phoenix.gov/LED

More Low-Carbon Energy News LED Light,  Energy Consumption,  Energy Efficiency,  

Cellufuel
Date: 2017-08-18
Halifax-headquartered biofuel startup Cellufuel has apparently mothballed its planned woody biomass-to-renewable diesel fuel operation at the shuttered Bowater Mersey pulp and paper mill in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia. The plan called for an initial production of 1.3 million lpy of renewable diesel.

Cellufuel initially raised $270,000 from provincial venture capital agency Innovacorp and $2 million in clean tech funding from the Canadian federal government as well as a $500,000 loan from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. Private sector investors includ Ontario-based Tatro Group, a trucking firm Montreal renewable energy firm Boralex. (Source: Cellufuel, Chronicle Herald, 15 Aug., 2017)Contact: Cellufuel Inc., Chris Hooper, Pres., (800) 893-2708, info@cellufuel.com, www.cellufuel.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cellufuel,  Biofuel,  

POET
Date: 2017-08-18
Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based POET Biorefining, the world's largest biofuels producer, reports it has broken ground on the $120 million, 80 million gpy expansion of its 70 million gpy ethanol plant in Marion, Ohio. The expansion will also up dried distillers grains (DDGs) from the current 178,000 tpy to 360,000 tpy. The project is slated for completion in Q3, 2018. (Source: POET , Various Media, 15 Aug., 2017)Contact: POET Ethanol Products, (316) 303-1380, www.ethanolproducts.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News POET,  Ethanol,  Corn Ethanol,  Biofuel,  

EU ETS,European Union
Date: 2017-08-18
Meeting in Bern, the Swiss cabinet has approved a deal with the European Union-European Commission that would link the carbon emissions trading -- cap-and-trade -- systems of Switzerland with the European Union Emissions Trading System (EU ETS). The deal could be signed by the end of the year but would not be expected to take effect before 2019.

The EU trading system includes approximately 11,000 stationary installations that emit around 2 billion tpy of CO2.

The Swiss system caps the amount of emissions that can be emitted at 5.63 million tpy of CO2 for 2013 and must reduced by 1.74 pct every year, based on the amount defined for 2010. The Swiss cap is meant to be 4.91 million tonnes in 2020, which would provide for a reduction of 13 pct compared to 2013. The 54 "heavy emitter" companies in the Swiss emissions trading system emit a combined total of about 5.5 million tpy of CO2. (Source: swissinfo.ch, Aug., 2017)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cap-and-Trade,  EU ETS,  Carbon Emissions,  

Avinor
Date: 2017-08-18
In Oslo, according to the Norwegian state-owned airport operator Avinor AS Aviation accounts for 5 pct of CO2 emissions in Norway. The agency says it is working with the various airlines that service Norwegian airports to develop more fuel efficient aircraft, introduce jet biofuel and eventually electric aircraft to help cut emissions and address climate change. (Source: Avinor, PR, Aug., 2017) Contact: Avinor, Dag Falk-Petersen, CEO, https://avinor.no/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Aviation Biofuels,  Aviation Emissions,  Carbon Emissions,  

Molson Coors
Date: 2017-08-18
North American beer brewer Molson Coors reports it plans to cut its global carbon emissions by half and achieve zero waste across its major manufacturing sites by 2025. The commitment is part of the brewery giant's just released Beer Print 2025 sustainability strategy.

The company aims to cut carbon emissions from its direct operations by 50 pct from 2016 levels, reduce its supply chain emissions by 20 pct, improve water efficiency at its breweries worldwide by 22 pct between 2016 and 2025, and source 100 pct of its barley and hops from growers and suppliers that comply with its sustainability standards by 2025. (Source: Molson Coors, Business Green, 17 Aug., 2017) Contact: Molson Coors, www.molsoncoors.com/en/contact-us