WindEurope
Date: 2019-02-25
In its annual report, WindEurope notes that in 2018 16.7 GW of wind projects reached a final investment decision -- 12.5 GW onshore and 4.2 GW offshore -- 45 pct more than in 2017. Funding for the new wind energy investments rose to €26.7 billion (£23.2 billion), 20 pct more than a year earlier. h report also notes the cost of generating electricity from wind power fell to €1.59 million per MW in 2018 from €1.93 million in 2017.

However, the report distinguishes between finance for future projects over the next few years and farms actually installed, saying the amount of capacity newly installed last year fell. According to WindEurope's CEO Giles Dickson, "Last year was the worst year for new wind energy installations since 2011 ... 12 EU countries didn't install a single wind turbine last year."

In 2018, the 28 EU member nations plus Switzerland, Norway and Turkey, added 11.7 GW for 32 pct less than in 2017.

In total, 189.2 GW of wind power capacity is now installed in Europe,accounting for 18.4 pct of the EU's total installed power generation capacity. (Source: WindEurope, euronews, Reuters, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: WindEurope, Giles Dickson, CEO, +32 2 213 1890, info@windeurope.org, www.windeurope.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News WindEurope,  Wind,  

U.S. Grains Council
Date: 2019-02-25
The Washington, D.C. headquartered U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is reporting receipt of almost $14 million in funding from USDA's Agricultural Trade Promotion (ATP) Program to help expand the organization's global footprint and dramatically increase its promotion for ethanol and other feed grains products. The program is part of a larger "trade aid" package in the wake of new tariffs and global market uncertainty.

The Council was awarded just under $14 million from the one-time program, which granted a total of $200 million for organizations working in overseas market development for U.S. agriculture and food products Much of the funding will be used to dramatically expand the Council's ethanol programs, which it coordinates with corn and sorghum checkoff organizations, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association, as well as USDA.

The funding will build upon existing market development and marketing programs operated with support from Council members and USDA through the Market Access Program and Foreign Market Development program. (Source: US Grains Council, PR, 23 Feb., 2019) Contact: U.S. Grains Council, (202) 789-0789, (202) 898-0522, www.grains.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News U.S. Grains Council,  Ethanol,  

Apex Clean Energy
Date: 2019-02-25
In the Old Dominion State, Charlottesville-based wind and solar energy specialist Apex Clean Energy reports it has withdrawn its certificate of environmental compatibility application for the 30-turbine, 110 MW Lake Ontario, Galloo Island Wind project.

The project was broadly opposed over environmental and bird life concerns. A previous proposal for the site was also abandoned due to environmentalist opposition. (Source: Apex Clean Energy, Oswego County News, 23 Feb., 2019) Contact: Apex Clean Energy, Dahvi Wilson, VP Public Affairs, Apex Clean Energy, Andrea Miller, VP Asset Management, Patrick Brown, Dev. Mgr., (434) 220-7595, www.apexcleanenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Apex Clean Energy,  Wind,  

NRDC
Date: 2019-02-25
The following is from the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC): "New polls show that all Americans -- Democrats, Republicans, and independents alike -- want to close the book on our dirtiest fossil fuel. From a political standpoint, defending coal consumption is harder than ever. Coal is far and away the dirtiest fossil fuel there is in terms of carbon emissions and regular old air pollution (and its messy mining practices certainly aren’t helping its reputation). And when you factor in health care costs, environmental costs, and costs to local communities in the form of reduced tourism and property values, coal is also a real loser economically speaking -- especially in relation to natural gas and renewables like wind and solar.

"Still, lawmakers from coal-producing states and members of the current presidential administration have long attempted to justify their defense of coal on the grounds that it's more than a fossil fuel -- it's a way of life. This has been a reasonably effective tactic, up to a point. If you're trying to neutralize the arguments of those who want to see coal phased out of the U.S. energy diet, the best way to do so is to play the culture card: Point to all the people who rely on the coal industry for a regular paycheck and appeal to their sense of history and heritage.

"But this last line of defense -- 'Renewables may be all the rage in San Francisco or Seattle or wherever, but where I come from, the people still love coal and always will' -- may not be effective for much longer.

Two recently released reports show how public sentiment regarding coal and renewables has shifted dramatically in recent years. One of them looks at attitudes at the national level; the other explores them in the historically coal-friendly state of Ohio. Both spell trouble for the future of an industry that's already, by nearly all accounts, on its last legs.

"The University of Michigan's National Surveys on Energy and Environment (NSEE) is a biannual survey of public opinion surrounding issues of climate and energy policy, providing perhaps the best snapshot we could ever hope for in regard to how Americans stand on subjects like coal, renewables, climate science, geoengineering, a carbon tax, and a host of other climate-related topics. Late last year, to commemorate its 10th anniversary of publication, NSEE released a trove of reports that illustrate just how much public opinion has changed on these matters over the past decade.

"One of them in particular should strike fear into the hearts of the coal industry's dead-enders and spark joy in the hearts of the rest of us. It shows that between 2016 and 2017, the number of Americans who strongly support a coal phaseout increased 11 percentage points, from 18 pct to 29 pct. In that same one-year period, the number of Americans who oppose a phaseout fell by the same amount. Remarkably, in states with active coal mines, strong support for a phaseout rose even more: by 13 points. Just as remarkably, this trend seemed to cut across political lines, rising among Democrats, independents, and Republicans. Among the last group, strong support for a phaseout actually increased by 5 percentage points, whereas the number of Republicans who strongly oppose it fell by 14 points.

"Another NSEE report provides a perfect complement. As more Americans announce their willingness to say goodbye to coal, they're also saying hello to the opportunity presented by renewables. This report reveals that 88 pct of Americans are in favor of increasing the use of solar energy in their state, and 82 pct feel the same about wind energy. Here, too, there's real bipartisan buy-in, with 79 pct of Republicans getting behind solar and 72 pct getting behind wind. What's more, the numbers show that a sizable majority of Republican, Democratic, and independent respondents support requiring and/or subsidizing renewable energy production at the state level. Nearly two-thirds of Republicans surveyed -- 64 pct -- said they like the idea of a state renewable energy requirement; even more amazingly, 65 pct of them said they have no problem with boosting the nascent renewables sector through subsidies.

"But an even more eye-opening poll is making news too. An organization with a somewhat eyebrow-raising name, the Ohio Conservative Energy Forum, released the results of a survey last week suggesting that support for renewables is no longer a politically exploitable issue. In a survey of 400 Ohioans who self-identify as conservative, two-thirds of respondents said they believe their state needs to diversify its energy portfolio by having at least half of its energy come from renewable sources. Nearly the same percentage of respondents said they were more likely to support a politician who voted for or otherwise expressed support for renewable energy or energy efficiency legislation. "Ohio, just as a reminder, ranks 11th in coal production among U.S. states, and its coal industry supports about 33,000 jobs. It also ranks fourth among states in coal consumption.

"For too long, it's been too easy for lawmakers and administration officials to claim that by kowtowing to the coal industry's wishes, they were simply doing right by voters. It's getting harder. The gap between the interests of average Americans and the interests of coal-company executives is getting wider every day. And solar and wind are wedging their way in. (Source: NRDC, 22 Feb., 2019) Contact: NRDC, Jeff Turrentine www.nrdc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Coal,  NRDC,  

Energy Trust of Oregon
Date: 2019-02-25
The 1985 vintage, 500,000 square-foot Washington State Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution in Pendleton reports it is the only prison in the nation to earn the U.S. DOE 50001 Ready designation and using global best practices to save energy and save approximately $300,000 a year on energy costs.

Since 2011 the prison upgraded insulation, upgraded and installed boilers, and invested $82,000 to upgrade all perimeter lighting with LEDs. The LED project was partially funded by the nonprofit Energy Trust of Oregon covered $32,000 of the LED upgrade costs. Energy Trust has given EOCI more than $383,000 in cash incentives for energy saving and energy management initiatives and projects since 2006. (Source: East Oregonian, 28 Feb., 2019) Contact: Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution, www.prisonpro.com/content/eastern-oregon-correctional-institution; Energy Trust of Oregon, (503) 493-8888, www.energytrust.org; US DOE 50001 Ready, www.energy.gov/eere/amo/50001-ready-program

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency,  LEDs,  Energy Trust of Oregon ,  

Climate Change
Date: 2019-02-25
In the Bay State, House Speaker Representative Robert DeLeo (D-Winthrop) on Friday announced GrrenWorks, a plan to invest $1 billion over 10 years to help Massachusetts cities and towns adopt climate-friendly technology. If the plan is approved by the Legislature, the money would be bonded, which means it would be borrowed, then paid back over a period of years.

The program is being tagged GreenWorks after a similar program called MassWorks which funds local infrastructure projects. Under the GreenWorks program, cities and towns would apply for competitive grants for specific projects related to energy efficiency, clean energy and climate change resiliency -- ie school building energy efficiency upgrades, renewable energy and energy storage projects. (Source: Mass. Representative, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, MassLive, 22 Feb., 2019) Contact: Mass. Speaker Robert DeLeo , malegislature.gov/Legislators/Profile/RAD1

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  

Baltic and International Maritime Consultative Organization
Date: 2019-02-25
The Denmark-headquartered Baltic and International Maritime Consultative Organization (BIMCO) notes that the forthcoming Fourth International Maritime Organization (IMO) Greenhouse Gas Study should not include "unrealistically high GDP growth projections to determine the future level of shipping industry emissions."

BIMCO wants the next IMO study to ignore Scenarios 1 and 5 of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Shared Socio-economic Pathways (SSP) because they are based on unrealistic short- to mid-term economic growth projections. According to BIMCO, "The previous [IMO] study's most pessimistic projection of a 250 pct increase in CO2 emissions from shipping has since proven to be totally unrealistic, given the actual and projected economic development of the world, Unfortunately, the 250 pct projection has frequently been used as a stick against the shipping industry and to shape regional policy. BIMCO wants to avoid that happening again."

BIMCO claims a new report by the CE Delft consultancy uses a more realistic GDP growth forecast to project a reduction of 20 pct against a goal of 50 pct by 2050. Acknowledging the 30 pct shortfall in emissions reduction "We will need new solutions, in addition to traditional efficiency measures, to reach the 2050 target. But to pick the right solutions, we need realistic projections." BIMCO says.

BIMCO has 2,000 members in more than 120 countries representing shipowners, operators, managers, brokers and agents. (Source: Baltic and International Maritime Consultative Organization, Project Cargo Global, Feb., 2019) Contact: BIMCO Lars Robert Pedersen, Deputy Sec. Gen., +45 44 36 68 00, +45 44 36 68 68. mailbox@bimco.org, www.bimco.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News BIMCO,  IMO,  Maritime Emissions,  

Church of England
Date: 2019-02-25
On Friday in the UK, the Church of England's governing body, the General Synod, overwhelmingly -- 279 to 3 -- passed a motion calling for individual church for dioceses to focus on reducing their environmental impact. In a statement, the Church said it "recognizes the escalating threat to God's creation from global warming" and its obligation to step up its efforts to combat climate change.

The move includes a commitment for every diocese to have an environmental programme which is led by a member of the bishop's staff. The possibility of a standard tool to monitor CO2 emissions in churches, cathedrals and church halls will also be explored in order for the church to help meet its target of reducing emissions by 80 per cent by 2050.

The motion was introduced by the Bishop of Truro, Philip Mounstephen, who said "Climate change cannot be a matter of indifference for any of us and we cannot underestimate the seriousness of this. Behind this motion is a fundamental desire to see us, as a church, recover our prophetic edge. For that to happen I believe we need prophetic people to stir us up."

With approximately 25 million adherents worldwide, the Church of England is the established church of England. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior cleric, although the Monarch is the supreme governor. (Source: Church of England, Yorkshire Post , 23 Feb., 2019) Contact: Church of England; www.churchofengland.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change ,  

Tallahassee
Date: 2019-02-25
In the Sunshine State, the city of Tallahassee reports it is joining Dunedin, Gainesville, Largo, Orlando, St. Petersburg and Sarasota in aiming for 100 pcy renewable energy by 2050. The City presently operates a 20MW solar farm with an additional 40MW underway. A 60 MW solar array is expected to come online in 2020.

The city's solar measure was developed through a coalition of organizations looking toward energy solutions. The goal is for both the public and private utility users to move toward 100 pct sustainable energy with the city producing as much if not more clean energy as is being used. Any unavoidable use of non-renewable energy would be balanced by the export of clean energy. (Source: Tallahassee.com, Tallahassee Democrat, 23 Feb., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Renewable Energy,  Solar,  

Climate Change
Date: 2019-02-25
The Washington Post is reporting President Donald Trump may put climate-denying physicist William Happer at the head of the proposed Presidential Committee on Climate Securitywhich would evaluate whether climate change poses a national security threat.

Happer is the Cyrus Fogg Brackett Professor of Physics, Emeritus, at Princeton University, a veteran of the George H.W. Bush administration, is connected to fossil fuel companies including ExxonMobil, has acknowledged accepting payment for testimony from from Peabody Coal, and presently serves as Trump's deputy assistant for emerging technologies on the National Security Council.

Happer is also known for his comment: "The demonization of carbon dioxide is just like the demonization of the poor Jews under Hitler. Carbon dioxide is actually a benefit to the world, and so were the Jews." "There's no reason for climate hysteria. I don't think it's a problem at all, I think it's a good thing." (Source: Washington Post, Wikipedia, Media Matters, EVLONDO COOPER, Blog, , 23 Feb., 2019) Contact: William Happer, (609) 258-3020, (609)258-2168 -fax, dof@princeton.edu

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Trump Climate Change,  

Microalgae
Date: 2019-02-25
The recently released Global Microalgae Market Insights 2019-2027 report gives a powerful source to assess the Microalgae market and other critical subtleties identifying with it. The investigation unveils the total assessment and real details of the Microalgae market. The report displays a rudimentary example of the Microalgae market, that involves applications, arrangements, industry chain structure, and definitions.

Yhe report also identifies and profiles markets and major industry players -- DIC Corporation, Cyanotech Corporation, Algaetech Group, TAAU Australia worldwide.

Review Global Microalgae Market Insights 2019-2027 report details HERE and HERE. (Source: Market Research Store,Times of Market, 24 Feb., 2019)Contact: Market Research, +49 322 210 92714, (855) 465-4651 -- US and Canada, www.marketresearchstore.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Algae,  Microalgae,  

EU,Energy Efficiency
Date: 2019-02-25
In Brussels, the European Union (EU) reports it is providing an additional €30 million ($34 million) under the EU Regional Energy Efficiency Programme (REEP) to support energy efficiency initiatives and programs in the Balkans -- Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia.

The additional support brings the EU's contribution to the programme to €80 million and it further leverages 6.5 times more of financing via International Financial Instruments. The fund will be extended through the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF).

The 2013 REEP programme is a joint initiative of the EC, bilateral donors and beneficiary countries cooperating under the WBIF. The program , which promotes and supports energy efficiency efforts, was implemented by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in concert with the Energy Community Secretariat. (Source: EU, SeeNews, Twitter, 23 Feb., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Efficiency Funding,  EU,  

Canada Green Building Council.
Date: 2019-02-25
The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual List for Top 10 Countries and Regions has ranked Canada second for LEED certified projects internationally.

Canada has the largest number of certified projects outside the U.S. with 3,254, according to the Canada Green Building Council. Ratings by province are Ontario, 3,015; Quebec, 1,643; British Columbia, 1,571; Alberta, 1,194; Atlantic Canada, 378; Manitoba, 282; Saskatchewan, 129; and Territories, 24. (Source: USGBC, Feb., 2019)Contact: USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org; Canada Green Building Council, Mark Hutchinson, Director of Green Building Programs, (866) 941-1184, info@cagbc.org, www.cagbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Canada Green Building Council,  Energy Efficiency,  LEED Certification,  USGBC,  Energy Efficiency,  

Snohomish County Public Utility District
Date: 2019-02-25
In Everett, Washington, the Snohomish County Council reports it has unanimously approved transitioning to 100 pct "clean, renewable" energy for government operations by 2045. To that end, the Council has committed to reducing energy consumption through retrofits, upgrades to LED lighting, improved energy efficiency and the installation of solar panels with energy storage capacity on county buildings. The PUB will also develop a clean energy plan and adopting a construction policy that will require all new county facilities be built to US Green Building Council LEED gold energy efficiency standards. The PUD resolution also calls for establishing a fund to pay for energy conservation retrofits and upgrades.

To tackle the county's largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, the transportation sector according to the resolution, the county plans to develop a policy to build a "green" vehicle fleet.

The move was proposed and supported by the Snohomish County chapter of The Climate Reality Project, Sierra Club, 350 Everett and the statewide group Environment Washington.

Snohomish County is the fifth government in Washington state to set a goal of 100 pctclean energy, after Edmonds, Whatcom County, Bellingham and Spokane, according to Environment Washington. (Source: Snohomish County Public Utility District, HeraldNet, Everett, Washington, 23 Feb., 2019) Contact: Snohomish County Public Utility District, www.snopud.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Snomish PUD,  Renewable Energy,  Energy Efficiency,  

Arizona Public Service
Date: 2019-02-25
US-based electric utility Arizona Public Service (APS) is planning to add battery storage to its fleet of solarpower plants, as well as build solar facilities with storage. As part of the initiative, the company plans to add 850MW of battery storage and at least 100MW of new solar generation by 2025.

Large-scale solar plants owned by APS across the state will be upgraded with 200MW of battery storage systems. A team from Invenergy, an Illinois-based energy company will install six new battery systems at solar plants in Maricopa County and Yuma by 2020, with the balance to be complete by 2021. The utility is also planning to construct 500MW of solar storage and standalone battery storage by 2025 as part of its long-term clean-energy transition objective. (Source: APS, PowerTech, 25 Feb., 2019) Contact: Arizona Public Service Company, www.aps.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Arizona Public Service,  Solar,  Energy Sorage ,  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison
Date: 2019-02-25
In the Land Down Under, Prime Minister Scott Morrison (Lib) will reportedly announce a new $2 billion 10-year Climate Solutions Fund aimed at cutting emissions and fighting climate change.

The new fund , which will extend the Abbott government's 2014 "direct action" Emissions Reduction Fund, will partner with farmers, local governments and businesses to deliver practical climate solutions to reduce emissions. The new climate solutions package is intended to ensure Australia meets its 2030 target of lowering emissions by 26 to 28 per cent by 2030. (Source: Armidale Express, Australian AP, 25 Feb., 2019) Contact: Prime Minister Scott Morrison, ww.pm.gov.au/contact-your-pm

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change Austalia,  

National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe
Date: 2019-02-25
In Epworth, the National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe (NOIC) reports it is seeking approximately $1.5 million to complete the construction of two ethanol storage tanks at its Mabvuku depot in Harare.

According to the company, an acute shortage of foreign currency has stalled the completion of the tanks, which have a combined storage capacity of six million litres. The project was supposed to be in full swing by December 2018. the Zimbabwean government is promoting ethanol blending to cut the cost of petroleum imports amid worsening foreign currency challenges. T that end, the mandated ethanol- unleaded gasoline bland rate was raised from 15 pct to 20 pct ethanol (E20). (Source: National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe, The Standard, 24 Feb., 2019) Contact: National Oil Infrastructure Company of Zimbabwe, Wilfred Matukeni, CEO, +263 4 748 518, www.noic.co.zw

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ethanol,  Ethanol Storage,  

owa Economic Development Authority
Date: 2019-02-25
The Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) Board reports it has awarded tax benefits from the High Quality Jobs (HQJ) program to ReadiFuels-Iowa, LLC -- a newly created entity started by Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) and C&N Biofuels LLC. The company will utilize various feedstocks to produce approximately 34 million gpy of renewable diesel and renewable naphtha.

ReadiFuels-Iowa plans to construct a new $58.7 million production facility utilizing existing infrastructure at a partially abandoned property near Hull in Sioux County. ReadiFuels-Iowa, LLC is a newly created entity started by Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) and C&N Biofuels, LLC. The company will utilize a variety of feedstocks to produce approximately 34 million gallons of renewable diesel and renewable naphtha annually -- the first facility of its kind in the Hawkeye State.

ReadiFuels-Iowa plans to construct a new production facility utilizing existing infrastructure at a partially abandoned property near Hull in Sioux County. (Source: IEDA, PR, 24 Feb., 2019) Comtact: IEDA, iowaeconomicdevelopment.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News ReadiFuels,  Renewable Diesel,  Biofuel,  

Valmet
Date: 2019-02-25
Espoo, Finland-headquartered Valmet Corp and Uni Viridas are reporting the signing of a ten-year operation and maintenance agreement for the biomass power plant in Babina Greda, Croatia. The companies began working together in 2011, and in 2015 Valmet began to operate and maintain the biomass power plant on behalf of the customer. Valmet and Uni Viridas will continue their cooperation and maximize the plant's performance until 2029.

The biomass power plant, delivered by Valmet, is a fluidized bed boiler -- BiowerPower 8 -- plant with an electrical output of up to 10 MWel and a heat output of up to 16 MWth. The fuel utilized is forest wood and wood chips.

Uni Viridas d.o.o. is a special-purpose entity of Unit Investment N.V. in Croatia. Unit Investment has the vision of increasing efficiency in primary material use, respecting the environment, creating employment, raising social awareness, and hence, contributing to economies. (Source: Valmet, PR, 25 Feb., 2019) Contact: Valmet, +46 70 610 5727, www.valmet.com, www.twitter.com/valmetglobal

More Low-Carbon Energy News Valmet,  Biomass,  Forest Biomass,  Woody Biomass ,  

Maryland Energy Administration
Date: 2019-02-22
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) reporting the launch of the Tax Year 2019 Maryland Energy Storage Income Tax Credit (ITC) Program to encourage the deployment of both commercial and residential energy storage systems in the "Old Line State."

The MEA program may award up to $750,000 in energy storage tax credits on a first come, first served basis while funding is available. MEA is currently reserving $300,000 for residential taxpayers and $450,000 for commercial taxpayers. If either of the reserved funding allocations become oversubscribed, eligible applicants will be placed onto a wait list as long as funding remains in the other funding allocation. Under no circumstances will more than $750,000 in energy storage income tax credit certificates be awarded in a single Tax Year. MEA will offer this program for Tax Years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022. (Source: Maryland Energy Administration, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: Maryland Energy Administration, (410) 537-4000, energystorage.mea@maryland.gov, https://energy.maryland.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News Energy Storage,  

Efficiency Vermont
Date: 2019-02-22
Efficiency Vermont is reporting a partnership with the Addison County Economic Development Corp. (ACEDC) and other Vermont organizations provide free energy efficiency assessments for Addison County businesses. The program is aimed at helping business in the county identify and rectify energy efficiency shortfalls and save on energy costs. The program is part of the Greater Middlebury Climate Economy Initiative,

ACEDC is offering to support this initiative with grant funding and will make $1,000 available to Addison County for-profit businesses. The agency will make between one and five grants ranging from $200 to $1,000. The business must match the grant 1:1 and the project must get underway within two months and completed within six months of the grant award. (Source: Efficiency Vermont, Addison County Economic Development Corp., Addison County Independent, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: Addison County Economic Dev. Corp., Fred Kenney, fkenney@addisoncountyedc.org, www.addisoncountyedc.org; Efficiency Vermont, 888-921-5990, www efficiencyvermont.com

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

Ameresco
Date: 2019-02-22
In the Golden State, National City -- in the San Diego metropolitan area -- reports it is set to launch a citywide energy and water conservation project expected to save $5.6 million in energy costs over the next 25 years.

The project is being funded by a $1.8 million bond designed to allow public agencies to finance renewable energy projects and took out a $3.7 million tax-exempt lease to pay for the project upfront. The city plans to pay off the lease and bond over the next 25 years with the savings generated by the lower consumption of energy and water at the 12 city facilities included in the project.

The project work to be completed includes:

Rooftop solar panels installed at City Hall, the police station, the public library, a fire station, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Community and ARTS centers;

Low-flush toilets and urinals put in place in restrooms at almost all of the 12 facilities, including Las Palmas and Kimball parks and the Kimball Senior and Manuel Portillo Casa de Salud Youth centers;

Upgraded heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment at almost all locations, excluding Las Palmas and Kimball parks;

Irrigation controllers at eight facilities, excluding the Kimball Senior Center, Fire Station 34, the Public Works Department and the Casa de Salud Center.

The project , which is expected to get under before the month end, has been in the works since 2014, when the city partnered with Framingham, Mass.-based energy efficiency specialist Ameresco , which will carryout the project work. (Source: San Diego Union Tribune, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: Ameresco (508) 661-2288, www.ameresco.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ameresco,  Energy Efficiency,  Energy Conservation,  

WELTEC BIOPOWER
Date: 2019-02-22
Vechta, Germany-headquartered biogas plant specialist WELTEC BIOPOWER reports it has begun construction of a biomethane plant for Lane Farm Energy Ltd (fka Norwood Energy Ltd.) near Pontefract, West Yorkshire, UK. The gas-to-grid project developed by Aqua Consultants. The plant will go live in late 2019 and deliver c7.3 million m2 of biomethane to the UK gas distribution network. This amount of eco-friendly natural gas equivalent is sufficient to supply about 9,600 households with sustainable energy, 24/7.

Biomethane plants such as Lane Farm Energy will play an increasingly important role in the UK national energy mix. Compared to coal or oil, the biomethane production from leftovers enables carbon savings of about 90 pct, according to the company.

"With the UK needing to boost energy security post-Brexit, and to re-balance its energy mix to reduce carbon emissions in accordance with the Paris Agreement, recovering clean, reliable biomethane from organic wastes and injecting it into the gas grid is a crucial piece of the energy jigsaw. The provision of sustainable renewable heat and transport fuel from wastes means that biomethane will surely be further promoted by forward-thinking Governments. Biomethane plants are the epitome of the sustainable circular economy," the company notes. (Source: WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH, PR, Feb., 2019) Contact: WELTEC BIOPOWER GmbH, Ann Borries +49 (0) 4441-999 78-220 presse@weltec-biopower.de, www.weltec-biopower.de

More Low-Carbon Energy News WELTEC BIOPOWER,  Biomethane,  Landfill Gas,  Anaerobic Digestion,  

Total, Elicio,Orsted
Date: 2019-02-22
Paris-headquartered French energy major TOTAL reports it is partnering with Denmark's Orsted and renewable energy producer Elicio in a joint bid for the 600MW capacity Dunkirk offshore wind project in France.

TOTAL's previous renewable energy ventures include its $1.3 billion acquisition of SunPower and purchase of a 23 pct stake in solar and wind energy producer Total Eren.

TOTAL notes it plans to invest between $1.5 and $2 billion $2bn per in low-carbon electricity with a target of about 10 GW of installed capacity by 2022. (Source: TOTAL, Reuters, Business Day, 19 Feb., 2019) Contact: TOTAL, Philippe Sauquet, www.total.com/en; Elicio, +32 59 56 97 00, +32 59 56 97 01 - fax.,info@elicio.be, https://elicio.be/en; Orsted, Henrik Poulsen, CEO, Daniel Lerup, Inv. Relations, +45 99 55 97 22, www.orsted.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Orsted,  TOTAL,  Offshore Wind,  Wind,  

Arizona Public Service
Date: 2019-02-22
Arizona Public Service (APS) reports it will add 850 MW of battery storage and 100 MW or more of solar generation by 2025. To that end, APS will equip existing utility-owned solar projects with 200 MW of batteries, deploy 500 MW of new battery resources, and contract for 150 MW of third party-owned storage. This work builds on the dispatchable 50-MW battery and 65-MW solar power project APS is building with First Solar that is scheduled for completion in 2021.

Initially, APS has selected Invenergy to install 141 MW of new battery systems at six solar sites, with the first expected to begin service by the summer of 2020. The remaining retrofits will be completed by 2021. According to its website, APS expects 15 pct of its electric power mix to be from renewables by 2025. (Source: APS, gtm, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: APS, Brad Albert, VP Resource Management, www.aps.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Arizona Public Service,  Solar,  Battery,  Energy Storage,  

Zenobe Energy,Tokyo Electric Power
Date: 2019-02-22
UK battery storage firm Zenobe Energy reports it has secured a £25 million ($32.6Mn US) investment from Japanese power giants Jera and Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco). The new funds, which are earmarked for expansion purposes, are in addition to £45.5 million of equity already invested into Zenobe over the course of the last 18 months and a further £30 million of senior debt facilities provided by Santander and Generation IM.

Zenobe, which has around 73MW of operational storage assets, is developing various new service offerings, which the company said would counter controversial charging reforms proposed by Ofgem, and is also providing flexible power solutions for electric bus depots, with an eye on expanding this offering to commercial EV operators. (Source: Zenobe Energy, current+-, Feb., 2019)Contact: Zenobe Energy, Nicholas Beatty, co-founder, +44 (0) 203 912, 7853contact@zenobe.co.uk, www.zenobe.co.uk; Tokyo Electric Power, www7.tepco.co.jp

More Low-Carbon Energy News Zenobe Energy,  Energy Storage,  

Green New Deal
Date: 2019-02-22
As previously reported, the ambitious 10-year Green New Deal proposal recently released by freshman Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Mass. Sen. Edward J. Markey (D) calls for an economy-wide effort to reduce carbon emissions and fight climate change. The non-binding proposal basically combines big climate-change-related ideas with a wish list of progressive economic proposals that, taken together, would touch nearly every American and overhaul the economy.

On 21 Feb, the Washington Post asked "Can the Green New Deal make it through Congress? -- "Passing a climate policy in the United States to combat climate change has long been politically challenging because it is opposed by powerful, well-financed groups such as fossil-fuel companies, electric utilities and automakers, research shows, and these groups have driven ideological polarization on climate policy. In a paper, my co-authors and I (Leah Stokes) show that congressional offices that meet with and receive funds from fossil-fuel organizations are more likely to believe the public does not want action on climate change.

"Congress has not passed a climate bill in a decade. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) last shepherded a cap-and-trade bill, aimed at reducing carbon emissions, through the House in 2009. That bill failed in the Senate after protracted negotiations with fossil-fuel industries.

"Despite successes in some states in the early 2000s, sub-national climate policy also has stalled. In Washington state, for example, the public voted down a ballot initiative in November that would have imposed a small tax on carbon pollution." -- The Washington Post

Download the complete Green New Deal proposal HERE. (Source: Washington Post, Leah Stokes, 21 Feb, 2019) Contact: Sen. Ed Markey, 617-565-8519, www.markey.senate.gov; Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 929-388-6141, Twitter https://twitter.com/AOC

More Low-Carbon Energy News Green New Deal,  Climate Change,  

GroundMetrics
Date: 2019-02-22
San Diego-based electromagnetic sensor system company and oil and gas technology pioneer GroundMetrics Inc reports it will use proprietary sensor systems and machine learning to monitor CO2 in the subsurface through a new project awarded by the US DOE.

In partnership with the DOE's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory LBNL) and Expero Inc., GroundMetrics will develop a continuous sequestered carbon monitoring system to measure resistivity changes in the subsurface. The system will help carbon sequestration managers monitor CO2 saturation and thus provide time and cost-effective insight into how the CO2 is being distributed underground and whether it is leaking.

GroundMetrics offers full-field survey and monitoring services as well as partnership opportunities to oil and gas, geophysical service, and mineral exploration companies. (Source: GroundMetrics, Inc., PR, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: GroundMetrics, George Eiskamp, CEO, Jessie Kaffai, (858) 381-4155, jkaffai@)groundmetrics.com, www.groundmetrics.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News CCS,  CO2,  Carbon Dioxide,  Carbon Sequestration,  

Aluar Aluminio Argentino
Date: 2019-02-22
In Buenos Aires, Argentinian aluminium producer Aluar Aluminio Argentino SAIC is reporting commissioning of the 50.4-MW Parque Eolico Aluar wind park in Chubut province.

The facility incorporates 14 Vestas wind turbines that will generate sufficient electric power for more than 70,000 homes. A second phase of the same project is currently under construction with 17 wind turbines totaling 61 MW. The third stage will add 14 wind turbines totaling 53 MW. (Source: Aluar Aluminio Argentino, PR, 18 Feb., 2019) Contact: Aluar Aluminio Argentino,+5411.47258000, www.aluar.com.ar

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  

DTE Energy
Date: 2019-02-22
In the Motor City, Ford Motor Co. reports it has committed to 100 pct renewable energy to power its Dearborn Truck Plant and several other buildings in metro Detroit. To that end, DTE Energy Co.'s MIGreenPower program will supply approoximately 500,000 mWh of wind power, enough to power about 225,000 homes, to Ford.

Ford is the first industrial company to take advantage of the DTE MIGreenPower program under which customers pay a premium to support renewable energy capacity. Michigan's 2016 energy law mandated utilities to create a green pricing program for customers.

DTE Energy, which has 13 wind parks in Michigan, plans to double its renewable energy capacity over the next five years, investing in another $2 billion by 2024. The utility also proposes to build at least 3,000 additional MW of solar and wind energy over the next 20 years. DTE currently produces about 1,000 MW of primarily wind renewable energy.(Source: DTE Energy, Crain's Detroit, Feb., 2019) Contact: DTE Energy, Trevor Lauer, Pres., COO, Irene Dimitry, VP Business Planning & Development, (313) 235-9994, dimitryi@dteenergy.com, www2.dteenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News DTE Energy,  Renewable Energy,  Ford,  Wind,  

National Grid,Orsted,Deepwater Wind
Date: 2019-02-22
National Grid, an electricity, natural gas and clean energy delivery company serving New York, Mass. and Rhode Island, reports it is awaiting regulatory approval of a 20-year PPA for energy from the new, 400-MW Revolution Wind offshore wind farm.

Originally developed by Providence-based Deepwater Wind, Revolution Wind was acquired by Orsted in a $510 million deal last autumn. The 50-turbine project, which is sited between Block Island, R.I. and Martha's Vineyard, Mass., is slated to get underway in 2020 for startup in 2023 when it will generate sufficient power for more than 270,000 Rhode Island homes annually. (Source: National Grid, Commercial Property Executive, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: National Grid, www.nationalgridus.com; Orsted, Henrik Poulsen, CEO, Daniel Lerup, Inv. Relations, Thomas Brostrom, North American Offshore Wind, +45 99 55 97 22, www.orsted.com; Deepwater Wind, Jeffrey Grybowski, CEO, (401) 274-2000, www.dwwind.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Deepwater Wind,  Orsted,  National Grid,  Wind,  Renewable Energy,  

Australia Climate Change
Date: 2019-02-22
Reporting from Canberra, the Australian liberal coalition government Environment Minister Melissa Price has announced a more than $1 billion addition to the government's Emissions Reduction Fund, which has been depleted from an initial $2.5bn to about $226 million.

The new funds will cover a tree-planting and soil carbon improvement effort while offering practical benefits for farmers and regional communities, according to the releae. (Source: Australia Environment Minister Melissa Price, The Australian, 22 Feb., 2019) Contact: Australia Environment Minister Melissa Price, www.aph.gov.au/Senators_and_Members/Parliamentarian?MPID=249308

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change,  Australia Clime Chamge,  

Climate Change
Date: 2019-02-22
"Climate change is the single biggest national security threat for the United States and the single biggest threat to worldwide industrialized civilization, and the effects of warming can be hard to predict and self-reinforcing. We need to avoid a worldwide refugee crisis by waging a war for climate justice through the mobilization of our population and our government. This starts with the United States being a leader on the actions we take both globally and locally." -- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Contact: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, 929-388-6141, Twitter https://twitter.com/AOC

More Low-Carbon Energy News Climate Change news,  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez news,  

Nauticol Energy
Date: 2019-02-22
Further to our October 12, 2018 coverage, in oil soaked Alberta, Calgary-headquartered Nauticol Energy Ltd. is reporting construction of the first phase of its previously announced $2 billion methanol plant near Grande Prairie will get underway in 2020 for commissioning in 2022.

The government will support this project through $80-million in royalty credits. The plants is expected to be the largest methanol plant in Canada. (Source: Nauticol Energy, renewsNOW, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: Nauticol Energy, Mark Tonner, CEO, (587) 393-7710, www.nauticolenergy.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Nauticol Energy,  Methanol,  

Kinder Morgan
Date: 2019-02-22
Houston, Texas-headquartered Kinder Morgan Inc reports will expand loading capacity at its ethanol terminal in Chicago to address producer concerns that trade at the terminal – a benchmark for global ethanol prices.

The company plans to double the amount of ethanol barges that can load and unload at its two existing Argo docks. The company is also considering a third petrochemical-ethanol dock and will construct a new 50,000 bpd per-ethanol storage tank at its Stony Island rail facility. The additions are expected beforew the year end.

One of the largest energy infrastructure companies in North America, Kinder Morgan, Inc. specializes in owning and controlling oil and gas pipelines and terminals. (Source: Kinder Morgam, Reuters, KTIC, 20 Feb., 2019) Contact: Kinder Morgan, (713) 369-9000, www.kindermorgan.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Kinder Morgan,  Ethanol,  

US Green Building Council
Date: 2019-02-22
In Sacramento, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) reports the new 28,100 square-foot Central Health Services building at California State Prison has earned US Green Building Council LEED Gold certification Gold certification for its energy-saving and environmental conservation features that will reduce energy costs by 46 pct. The medical clinic's sustainability features include:

clerestory windows that allow more natural light into the building to reduce electrical lighting needs and energy costs;

efficient water fixtures that cut indoor water use by 27 pct;

recycling or reusing 94 pct of construction waste, nearly eliminating use of landfills;

use of adhesives, coatings and paint with low levels of smog-forming organic compounds;

increased ventilation and high-efficiency filters to increase the flow of fresh air;

upgrading all systems beyond standards required by building codes to maximize efficiency of the systems.

The health facility is the 61st CDCR-owned facility to be LEED-certified and the 10th to be certified at the Gold level. In 2008, CDCR adopted an environmental sustainability program to reduce emissions and its carbon footprint, to conserve water and to generate energy from renewable sources. (Source: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, PR, corrections.com, 21 Feb, 2019) Contact: California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, www.cdcr.ca.gov; USGBC, Mahesh Ramanujam, Pres., CEO, (202) 552-1500, www.usgbc.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News USGBC,  LEED Gold,  Energy Efficiency,  

European Local Energy Assistance
Date: 2019-02-22
The European Investment Bank (EIB) is reporting the European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA) facility will receive €97 million in new EC funding to support residential building energy-efficiency investments in both privately and publicly owned housing. The ELENA facility is focused on accelerating the energy-efficiency refurbishment of housing.

Project development services will mostly be directed towards households and homeowner associations and other organizations, such as financial institutions (including commercial banks). Public entities may also be supported with the implementation of large-scale energy rehabilitation programs. The grants are distributed through commercial banks.

In December, 2018, EU member states agreed to cut energy consumption by 32.5 pct by 2030 compared to 1990. The target implies huge investments, especially in residential buildings, which account for around 40 pct of the EU's final energy demand.(Source: EIB, Budapest Business Journal, Feb., 2019)Contact: European Local Energy Assistance (ELENA), www.eib.org/en/products/advising/elena/index.htm

More Low-Carbon Energy News EIB,  Energy Efficiency,  

Date: 2019-02-22
February 21 (Renewables Now) - Spain increased its wind power capacity by 392 MW, or 1.69% on the year, to a total of 23,484 MW in 2018, according to data provided by the Spanish Wind Energy Association (AEE) on Wednesday. The Canary Islands led the last year’s growth by installing 190 MW of new capacity, followed by Aragon with 90 MW, Galicia with 68 MW, Andalusia with 30 MW, Castile-La Mancha with 10.37 MW and Catalonia with 2.35 MW. Castile and Leon takes the first spot among all reagions in Spain with an installed capacity of 5,595 MW and 244 wind parks in operation. Castile-La Mancha and Galicia rank second and third with 3,817 MW and 3,422 MW, respectively. The Community of Madrid, Spain’s North African enclaves Ceuta and Melilla, the Balearic Islands and Extremadura are at the bottom of the ranking. Last week, Extremadura switched on its first wind farm, the 40-MW Merengue park built by Naturgy Energy Group SA (BME:NTGY). Spain has 23,308 wind turbines spinning across 1,123 wind parks distributed over 807 municipalities. Wind power generated 48,902 GWh in 2018, a 2.9% year-on-year increase, covering 19% of demand, the AEE said, citing data by Spanish grid operator Red Electrica de Espana (REE). The association expects more than 3,000 MW on new capacity to be connected over the course of 2019, based on the ecological transition ministry’s data on approved facilities.

Black Carbon
Date: 2019-02-22
According to the US EPA, black carbon (soot), which originates from the burning of fossil fuels, directly absorbs incoming sunlight and heats the atmosphere. In snowy places, soot deposits can absorb the sun's heat, rather then deflect it back into the atmosphere, and thus increase the rate of Arctic melting.

Now, a new 5-year search study has found that fossil fuel combustion is the main contributor to black carbon 9ssot). The research, which collected raw data in Alaska, Russia, Canada, Sweden, and Norway, found that fossil fuel combustion was responsible for most of the black carbon in the Arctic, annually around 60 pct. The findings are an important call to decrease worldwide fossil fuel consumption.

The study is published in the journal Science Advances, a publication of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. (Source: American Association for the Advancement of Science, Interesting Engineering, 21 Feb., 2019) Contact: American Association for the Advancement of Science, www.aaas.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Black Carbon,  Climate Change,  

Restalk,Circular Systems
Date: 2019-02-22
In the Golden State, Los Angeles-based Restalk Inc., a company focused on diversifying technologies and applications for cannabis bio-waste, reports the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) with Circular Systems, a social purpose company focused on transforming food crop waste into high value fiber for various industrial applications.

Under the LoI, the two companies will undertake multiple joint venture projects to facilitate the development and scaling of Circular Systems' "Agraloop™" biomass processing technologies.

The "Agraloop-Restalk" joint venture's primary activity will be processing cannabis and other agricultural waste biomass starting with waste generated within the Americas, particularly Northern California. The Agraloop Bio-Refinery pilot mill will develop strategically geolocated infrastructure. Which includes mobile and regional processing equipment to provide value added bio-mass focusing on up-cycling female cannabis waste as well as other regional biomass feedstocks including: industrial hemp, soy straw, wheat straw, rice straw, almond shells/hulls, and wool.

The initial project is being coordinated with the assistance of the University of California, as well as Fibershed, a non profit organization focused on propelling sustainable and regenerative fiber production. (Source: Restalk Inc., Feb., 2019 Contact: Restalk Inc., Lucas Hildebrand, Pres., info@restalk.org, www.restalk.org

More Low-Carbon Energy News Cannabis,  Biomass,  Bio-waste,  

Elicio,TOTAL,Orsted
Date: 2019-02-20
The Paris-headquartered French oil giant TOTAL reports it has teamed up with Denmark's Orsted and the Belgian firm Elicio NV in a bid for a 600 MW farm in the English Channel, off the coast of Dunkirk. The acquisition, which would be the oil major's first major foray into wind power after past investments in solar, is in line with its "strategy to develop low-carbon electricity business in Europe," the company said. (Source: TOTAL, PR, Feb., 2019) Contact: TOTAL, www.total.com; Orsted, Henrik Poulsen, CEO, Daniel Lerup, Inv. Relations, +45 99 55 97 22, www.orsted.com; Elicio NV, +32 59 56 97 00, +32 59 56 97 01-fax., info@elicio.be, www.elicio.be/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Total,  Orsted,  Offshore Wind,  

Ambau
Date: 2019-02-20
Cuxhaven, Germany=based on- and offshore wind tower manufacturer Ambau reports it has applied to the Cuxhaven District Court to open insolvency proceedings. Ambau maintains plants at the port of Cuxhaven in Lower Saxony and Grafenhainichen in the eastern state of Saxony-Anhalt. The company shuttered its facility in Bremen in October, 2016.

The company is reportedly still seeking investors to enable the continuance of business including a May, 2018 order for 50 onshore wind turbine towers from from Nordex. (Source: Ambau, Various Media, Windpower Monthly, 18 Feb., 2019) Contact: Ambau, +49 4721 5912-400, sales@ambau.com, www.ambau.com/en

More Low-Carbon Energy News Ambau,  Wind,  Wind Tower,  

BioFuelNet Canada,McGill
Date: 2019-02-20
In Montreal, McGill University's Macdonald Campus in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue is reporting receipt of a $7 million investment in the Biomass Cluster under the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. The Cluster, which is led by the BioFuelNet Canada Network, will include an additional $3.1 million in contributions from industry, for a total investment of $10.1 million for biomass R&D.

BioFuelNet Canada is a network that brings together the Canadian biofuels research community to aggressively address the challenges impeding the growth of an advanced biofuels industry, while focusing on non-food biomass as biofuel feedstocks. BioFuelNet includes renowned, multi-disciplinary experts from academia, government, industry and investment working together in a concerted and synergistic way. This group is working to develop and apply novel and innovative science, engineering and socio-economic strategies that will enhance environmental sustainability for future generations. (Source:BioFuelNet Canada Website, , McGill University, Montreal Gazette, 19 Feb., 2019) Contact: McGill University, 514.398.4455, www.mcgill.ca; BioFuelNet Canada, Dr. Donald L. Smith, CEO, (514) 398-7861, www.biofuelnet.ca

More Low-Carbon Energy News BioFuelNet Canada,  Biomass,  

EU
Date: 2019-02-20
The EU's 28 member states have reportedly reached a provisional agreement to cut greenhouse gas emissions from trucks by 30 pct by 2030 compared to 2019 levels. If formally approved, the rules would be the first-ever standards governing truck pollution in the bloc.

With this agreement, overall truck emissions will now have to be slashed by 30 pct by the end of the next decade, with a 15 pct benchmark as a stepping stone in 2025. Manufacturers failing to meet the goals will be fined an "emissions premium" penalty.

The 2030 target will now be a binding goal but a review will be made in 2022, where Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) and clean mobility advocates will hope for more ambitious reductions. (Source: DW, EURACTIV, Others, 19 Feb., 2019)

More Low-Carbon Energy News Vehicle Emissions,  

Zenobe Energy,JERA Co.
Date: 2019-02-20
In the Land of the Rising Sun, Tokyo-based JERA Co, a fuel trading JV between Tokyo Electric Power and Chubu Electric Power, reports it is partnering with TEPCO Power Grid and will invest £25 million ($32 million) in London, UK-headquartered battery storage specialist Zenobe Energy.

Zenobe Energy supplies, finances, owns and operates battery storage assets and is one of the largest owners and operators of battery storage in Britain, with a capacity of approximately 73 MW, according to JERA. (Source: JERA Co. Website, 19 Feb., 2019) Contact: JERA Co., www.jera.co.jp/english; Zenobe Energy, contact@zenobe.co.uk, +44 (0) 2039127853, www.zenobe.co.uk

More Low-Carbon Energy News Battery,  Energy Storage,  

E.ON
Date: 2019-02-20
Utility giant E.ON is reporting plans to construct and operate Europe's largest photovoltaic system on the rooftops of two Audi Hungaria logistic centres in Gyor, Hungary. The installations will incorporate 35,000 solar cells covering about 160,000 square meters, and generate more than 9.5 GWh of electricity -- sufficient electric power for 5,000 households. (Source: E.OM, Emerging Europe News, 19 Feb., 2019) Contact: E.ON, Michael Lewis, CEO Climate and Renewables, Karsten Wildberger, +49 2 11 45 79 4170, www.eon.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News E.ON,  Solar,  PV,  

Windwaerts Energie GmbH
Date: 2019-02-20
Hanover, Germany-headquartered renewables developer Windwaerts Energie GmbH is reporting the sale of its 11.75-MW, Enercon turbine equipped Dueste II wind farm in Lower Saxony to a fund run by German asset manager AREAM GmbH. Dueste II is an extension to the Dueste wind farm previously acquired by AREAM.

AREAM will manage the Dueste II facility while Windwaerts will be in charge of the technical management under a long-term contract. The five-turbine extension came online in mid-January 2019 and has a long-term PPA secured in one the Federal Network Agency's (BNetzA) regular renewable energy tenders. Dueste and Dueste II together can generate approximately 50 million kWh per year while offsetting 26,350 tpy of CO2 emissions. (Source: Windwaerts Energie GmbH, 18 Feb., 2019) Contact: Windwaerts Energie GmbH, +49 511 1235730, www.windwaerts.de: AREAM, +49 211 3020 6040, www.aream-group.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Wind M&A,  

European Investment Bank,CaixaBank
Date: 2019-02-20
Valencia-based CaixaBank S.A., formerly Criteria CaixaCorp,reports it is partnering with the European Investment Bank (EIB) to launch its first credit line of up to €30 million to finance climate action-focused projects.

The new loans are intended for individuals, the self-employed, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), mid-caps, and public sector bodies. The credit line has been set at €12.5 million for SMEs and individuals, and a maximum of €25 million for mid-caps, with maturity periods between two to eight years. (Source: European Investment Bank, CleanTechnica, 13 Feb., 2019) Contact: European Investment Bank, www.eib.org; CaixaBank, www.caixabank.com

More Low-Carbon Energy News European Investment Bank,  Climate Change,  

Vineyard Wind
Date: 2019-02-20
US offshore wind developer Vineyard Wind is reporting a new "Liberty Wind", 1,200 MW offshore wind project proposal in response to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority's (NYSERDA) solicitation of offshore wind project proposals.

The new proposal includes project size options of 400 MW, 800 MW, and 1,200 MW -- with the 1,200 MW project described by the company as "the most cost-effective option for New York ratepayers and one of the largest offshore wind projects in the world."

The proposed project would be sited 85 miles offshore from the nearest New York shoreline and be sub-sea connected to an existing Long Island substation. Vineyard Wind is collaborating with Wakefield, Massachusetts-based transmission developer Anbaric Development Partners.

Vineyard Wind is an offshore wind development company 50 pct owned by funds of Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners and 50 pct owned by Avangrid Renewables, part of the IBERDROLA Group. (Source: CleanTechnica, 15 Feb., 2019) Contact: Vineyard Wind, Lars Thaaning Pedersen, CEO ,(508) 717-8964, www.vineyardwind.com; Anbaric, Ed Krapels, CEO, (781) 683 0711, www.anbaric.com; NYSERDA, Alicia Barton, Pres., CEO, (518) 862-1090, www.nyserda.ny.gov

More Low-Carbon Energy News NYSERDA,  Vineyard Wind,  Wind,  Offshore Wind,  

Global Wind Energy Council
Date: 2019-02-20
According to recent data from the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), the total installed onshore wind power capacity in the Asia-Pacific region is now 256 GW. Leading countries in the region for onshore wind turbines installations in 2018 were China (21.2 GW) and India (2.2 GW). The surge for wind energy in Asia-Pacific is expected to continue with GWEC forecasting over 145 GW of new onshore wind farm capacity to be installed by 2023.

According to the GWEC, the top three onshore wind farm markets in Asia-Pacific in 2018 were: China -- 21.2 GW (preliminary); India -- 2.2 GW, and Australia -- 0.549 GW.

China installed the most onshore wind farm capacity during 2018 in Asia-Pacific and globally. GWEC expects China to remain the largest onshore wind turbines market in the future. However, other markets are developing and with auctions progressing in India, new onshore wind power capacity installations could exceed 5 GW annually in India. The GWEC's full Global Wind Report report is slated for release this coming April. (Source: Global Wind Energy Council, reve, 19 Feb., 2019) Contact: Global Wind Energy Council, www.gwec.net

More Low-Carbon Energy News Wind,  Global Wind Energy Council,