Alaskan Senator Threatens to Halt Cape Wind Project
As renewable energy enjoyed a bright moment in the limelight this week with President George W. Bush visiting a solar facility and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, a darker item is lurking in the background as yet another Congressional attempt to block offshore wind power projects has been put forward.

Israeli Government Backs Village Solar Electrification
In a remote village in the Negev Desert of Israel, several companies have collaborated to install a multipurpose solar electricity system that will eventually provide the entire village, more than 100 separate structures, with solar power.

Silicon Shortage Drives Global Solar Mergers & Acquisitions
by Catherine Lacoursiere, Guest Contributor
Acquisitions in the global solar industry are off to a strong start in 2006 following a major realignment in the solar industry. The recent sale of Shell Solar's crystalline solar business to SolarWorld was a clear indication that the economics of the photovoltaic manufacturing business has changed. Global merger and acquisition activity in the renewable energy sector has been growing at just under 50 percent per annum for five years, reaching $14USD billion in 2005, according to London, UK-based New Energy Finance. Activity in the photovoltaics sector, which has been one of the most acquisitive, is expected to increase.

Wisconsin RPS Approved by State Senate
Wisconsin is on its way to joining the ever-growing list of states with a requirement for renewable energy use. The state's senate voted overwhelming by a vote of 32 to one to authorize the Senate Bill 459 the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act, authored by Senator Robert Cowles and Representative Phil Montgomery.

Evergreen Solar Secures Large German Solar Order
Evergreen Solar signed a four-year supply contract this week with S.A.G. Solarstrom AG (S.A.G.), based in Freiburg, Germany. The agreement calls for Evergreen Solar to ship approximately USD$100 million of photovoltaic modules to S.A.G. over the next four years.

Plant Science Advances U.S. Potential for Ethanol from Biomass
American Society of Plant Biologists (ASPB) President Michael Thomashow, Ph.D., indicated that the recently launched Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI) and American Competitiveness Initiative (ACI) will help the nation pull away from its increasing dependence on foreign oil.

Pew Center Study Addresses Global Climate Change
In a report from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, a culmination of a two-year effort that articulates a pragmatic course of action across all areas of the economy, is the first comprehensive plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.

Survey Complete at Nevada's Pumpernickel Geothermal Project
A geophysical survey at the Pumpernickel geothermal project in Nevada is now complete, reported Nevada Geothermal Power (NGP) and Inovision Solutions. The project is managed by Nevada Geothermal Power Company (a subsidiary of NGP).

Algoma Steel Embarks on Wind Energy Joint Venture
Algoma Steel entered into a partnership with SIAG (Schaaf Industries Corporation) of Germany to establish a wind tower manufacturing facility in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario. SIAG, through its Canadian subsidiary, will hold a majority interest in the limited partnership, SIAG Great Lakes LP.

President Bush Visits Solar Energy Facility
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Solar energy enjoyed its fair share of prime time exposure this week thanks to President George W. Bush who visited a solar manufacturing facility as part of his two-day tour aimed at shoring up support for his new energy initiatives he says will help wean U.S. dependence from foreign oil.

The U.S. Biodiesel Industry Matures
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
From military fleets to long-haul truckers, farm equipment to heating oil supplies, and of course, in diesel vehicles' gas tanks, biodiesel is cropping up all over the U.S. as the clean fuel made primarily from soybeans experiences breakneck growth. This rapidly maturing business was clearly visible in San Diego, California, last week at the industry's national conference and trade show.

Cooperative Approach for 2.5 MW Spanish Solar PV Project
This weekend Acciona Solar dedicated what it called the largest photovoltaic (PV) facility to be put into service in Spain. Located in Castejon, Navarre, the 2.44 MW facility consists of 400 solar trackers, with 14,400 panels. And through a continuation of cooperative strategy from Acciona's part, the project belongs to 279 owners and represents a total investment of 19 million euros [~US$22.6 million] for each of these owners.

Renewing Bush's Energy Vision
by Craig Cox, Guest Commentator
President Bush is visiting the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden today, but if I were in charge of his calendar, I'd also clear his schedule for Wednesday and have him visit two very different towns in Colorado.

California Implements 2006 Renewable Energy Investment Plan
The California Energy Commission (CEC) adopted the 2006 Renewable Energy Investment Plan on February 1, 2006. The Plan, required by the Reliable Electric Service Investments Act (RESIA), is to increase the quantity of California's electricity generated by in-state renewable energy resources, while protecting system reliability, fostering diversity and obtaining the greatest environmental benefits to California.

Washington State Biodiesel Mandate Moves Forward
The State of Washington has House Bill 2664 in its Senate that would create a biofuel standard that includes biodiesel and ethanol, announced Chemical Consortium Holdings. When the bill comes into effect by December 1, 2008, it will require all diesels sold in the state to contain a minimum of 2% biodiesel and all gasoline to contain a minimum blend of 2.5% ethanol.

EPA Recognizes Landfill-Gas Methane Projects
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognized the latest accomplishments of landfill-gas methane partners who have reduced emissions of methane and created renewable energy sources.

Hawaii Utility Touts Solar Thermal Hot Water Credits
In its February Consumer Lines newsletter and a special solar brochure insert, Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) is reminding customers to take advantage of a new federal tax credit that is making solar water heating more affordable than ever.

Denver Unveils RFP for 2 MW Solar Project
Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper announced that Colorado sunshine and a new Denver solar facility will soon provide enough electricity to power the equivalent of more than 1,000 homes, as he unveiled the City's plans to build one of the nation's first municipally owned urban solar power plants at Stapleton.

China Secures World Bank Loan for Renewable Energy
Earlier this month, the World Bank approved an $86.33 million loan to scale up China's use of renewable energy as the country's demand for power increases.

EPA Recognizes Higher Education's Commitments to Renewable Energy
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a list of the nation's top 10 college and university green power purchasers. The combined green power purchases of these Top 10 Partners equals 216,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) annually.

EPOD to Acquire 8 MW Solar Thin Film Plant
EPOD International signed a Letter of Intent to acquire the entirety of a thin-film solar panel manufacturing facility with 8 MW of existing chamber capacity. The deal is subject to financing and approval by EPOD's board of directors. The company would not disclose the second company involved.

New Report Links Renewable Energy to Climate Change Solutions
Renewable energy must play a major role in the global energy supply to meet the increasingly serious environmental and economic threats of climate change, according to a new report from the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21).

Ethanol Terminology Needs Clarification
Ethanol is receiving heavier press coverage than ever due to the President's State of the Union address and new television commercials featuring vehicles that run on 85 percent ethanol, but amidst all of this attention there is evidence that specific misconceptions about ethanol fuel and vehicles still exist.

DOE Report: China Outpacing U.S. In Global Energy Market
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released its long-awaited study of the economic and national security implications of the Chinese energy demand, which found that China's incredible 9 percent annual economic growth rate was led by an energy demand that could seriously affect U.S. foreign policy and economic progress.

$2M DOE Grant Enables Lab to Collaborate on Biodiesel R&D
To develop and strengthen B20 specifications and standards, the National Biofuel Energy Lab will open later this year as the result of a collaboration between NextEnergy, Michigan's nonprofit alternative energy accelerator, and Wayne State University (WSU). Its goal is to facilitate widespread warrant of B20 use by vehicle and engine OEMs and component suppliers.

Tiger Woods Dedicates Solar-powered Learning Center
Although Tiger Woods won 10 major championships in his first decade on the PGA Tour, he says his most important legacy carries his name and sits on a plot of land in Anaheim, California, not far from where he grew up. It is the solar-powered Learning Center that he helped create.

Canada's Wind Power Industry Shatters Growth Records in 2005
Reflecting the brisk wind power business of its neighbor to the south, Canada's wind energy industry installed 239 MW of new wind energy capacity in 2005, shattering the previous annual installation record of 122 MW established in 2004, according to its main industry association, Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA).

Grant to Fund Heat-based Photovoltaic Cells
Spire Corporation announced it was awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant to develop a new type of thermophotovoltaic (TPV) power cell that produces electricity from heat. The cells are similar to solar cells that convert visible photons to electricity, but the semiconductor material is adjusted to convert long-wavelength or thermal photons to electricity. The grant is from NASA's John Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

DOE Lab Could Advance Solar PV Production
By controlling materials at the nanoscale level, Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) researchers believe they can greatly improve manufacturing processes of products ranging from solar cells to computers to flat-panel displays.

European Parliament Vows Support for RE Heating and Cooling
EU Commissioner for Energy Andris Piebalgs announced in the plenary session of the European Parliament that a legislative initiative will be presented at some point this year on promoting the use of renewable energy for heating and cooling.

USDA Offers New Round of Renewable Energy Grants
This week, the USDA's Office of Rural Business-Cooperative Service released a solicitation of proposals for the Renewable Energy Systems and Energy Efficiency Improvements Program (Section 9006) authorized under Title IX, of the 2002 Farm Bill.

DaimlerChrysler Gives Five Fuel Cell Vehicles to LAX
To further the development and experience with zero-emission technology, DaimlerChrysler presented the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with five hydrogen fuel cell-powered Mercedes-Benz vehicles, which will be fueled at BP/Praxair's retail-designed hydrogen fueling station at LAX.

Suzlon Provides Wind Turbine Equipment Here and Overseas
One of two public announcements made last week by Suzlon Wind Energy was an agreement to deliver 75 units of the S88 - 2.1 MW in 2006 and early 2007 to provide 157 MW of wind turbine capacity for projects being developed by Edison Mission Group (EMG) of Irvine, California.

A Buoyant Climate for Renewable Energy in Eastern Europe
Preparing for greater reliance on renewable energies is not as new a concept in Central and Eastern Europe as it appears to be in the U.S. In compliance with 2010 EU targets and in anticipation of the Russian gas crisis this winter, former communist block countries like Poland, Estonia, Bulgaria or the Czech Republic are already introducing legislation, including renewables feed-in tariffs, to generate a significant proportion of their energy consumption from home-based clean energy sources.

Selectpower Completes Geothermal System for New Facility
Selectpower designed and installed a geothermal energy system to provide 100% heating and cooling for Guelph Hydro Electric Systems's (GHESI) newly expanded headquarters, which is scheduled for occupation in April 2006. The system uses a series of buried loops to capture geothermal energy to heat and cool the rooms inside the 36,426 square foot building addition. GHESI's existing 67,000 square foot facility has used a similar system since 1995.

A New Chapter Begins for Concentrated Solar Power
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
This weekend, in the Desert outside Las Vegas, a major milestone was reached for renewable energy that could represent a shift in how the fastest growing region in the U.S. get its energy. Hundreds of people from around the world were on hand in Boulder City, Nevada, to commemorate the groundbreaking for the beginning of construction on the first Concentrated Solar Power (CSP) energy project in the U.S. in more than 15 years.

German Firm Stakes Renewable Interest in Italy
As part of its plans to raise the share of sales from international business to 50% by the year 2010, Phoenix SonnenStrom AG has acquired a 49% participation in Renewable Energies Development 2002 S.r.l. (RED 2002), an Italian system integrator headquartered in Rome. The agreement includes the option of increasing the participation to 75%.

New York Announces New Funding for Renewables
The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) announced $8.5 million in funding opportunities for renewable energy projects in the state. The funding covers nearly every renewable energy technology and would help fund new manufacturing operations or business development within state borders.

500 MW Hydrogen Power Plant Will Test Carbon Sequestration
BP and Edison Mission Group (EMG), a subsidiary of Edison International, plan on building a new $1 billion, 500 MW hydrogen-fueled power plant in California, which, while not using renewable energy, will generate clean electricity and sequester its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Renewable Energy Adopted by Two Post Offices
Two large U.S. Postal Service (USPS) mail-processing centers in California are now home to major energy-efficiency improvements with the completion of a unique hybrid alternative power plant -- combining two solar technologies and hydrogen fuel cell generation -- announced by Chevron Corp.

Biomass Power Plant Upgrade in Maine
New Energy Capital announced the completion of a $6.9 million financing project to upgrade its 16 MW biomass-fired operating power generation facility, The Greenville Steam Company, in Greenville, Maine, to improve its performance, increase renewable energy output and reduce emissions.

Ford Helps Midwest Become Ethanol (E85) Corridor
Ford Motor Company is bringing its commitment to the American heartland by promoting the popularity, visibility and availability of energy-saving vehicles. Teaming up with energy partners, city and state governments, the public, and private companies to expand hybrids and vehicles capable of running on E85 ethanol, Ford will launch the beginnings of a Midwest Ethanol Corridor in Illinois and Missouri through its partnership with VeraSun Energy, a renewable energy company.

Clif Bar Enables Pro Cycling Race to be Climate Neutral
All the carbon dioxide to be created in the Amgen Tour of California is being offset by the purchase of renewable energy credits (REC).

Joint Venture for Renewable Energy in New England
Laidlaw Energy Group (LLEG) and EcoPower LLC entered into joint venture that will involve the development of two biomass energy projects to be located in the New England power market. The projects will have a combined gross capacity of approximately 40 megawatts (MW), planning start-up in 2007 and 2008.

5 MW Wind Turbines Headed Onshore and Off
One year ago this week, the world's only 5 MW wind turbine began spinning. So far, the data look good, according to REpower, and plans are underway for more deployments.

Funding Increase for Connecticut PV Rebate Program
The Connecticut Clean Energy Investment Committee approved additional funding of $3 million for the Residential/Small Solar PV Rebate Program to support residential installations under 5 kW and small commercial, industrial and institutional installations under 10 kW.

MIT Enterprise Forum to Address Alternative Energy
The MIT Enterprise Forum of New York City is hosting a live panel discussion Wednesday, February 15, 2006, sponsored by Spencer Clarke LLC on "Alternative Energy: what's working today and what are the brightest prospects for the future."

Agribusiness to Build Three Ethanol Plants in Midwest
Challenger Capital Group, Ltd., has secured $148 million in equity and subordinate debt for Dallas-based ASAlliances Biofuels LLC to help fund the company's construction of three large-scale ethanol production plants in Nebraska, Indiana and Ohio. This funding is said to represent one of the largest ethanol transactions to date. Specifically, Challenger raised $94 million of equity and $54 million of mezzanine subordinate debt.

World's Largest Solar PV Project to Power Nevada Military Base
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Getting solar photovoltaic modules in the U.S. can be a major challenge, says Jigar Shah, Managing Partner of Maryland-based SunEdison. He should know, too. His company, in partnership with a Nevada-based project integrator, announced construction will soon begin on an 18 MW solar photovoltaic (PV) project that would provide power to a U.S. military base in the Nevada Desert.

Budget Cuts Force Layoffs at DOE's NREL
Just a week after President George W. Bush proclaimed his support for renewable energy technologies, the nation's premier renewable energy laboratory has been forced to announce layoffs because the Bush Administration's proposed budget doesn't adequately fund the laboratory's current staff.

First Phase Completed for Calgary Wind Farm
Canada's Gemini Corporation announced construction completion for the first major phase of construction of its first wind energy project. The project is undergoing construction for Kettle Hills Wind Energy Inc. located in southern Alberta. Once completed it will boast 63 MW of installed capacity.

Colorado House Forms Renewable Energy Committee
Colorado State House leadership confirmed that it will form a House Select Committee on Strategic Renewable Energy for Colorado. It will hold two to three public study hearings over the course of the 2006 session. Each hearing will be announced with a public notice and invite, and held in a public hearing room in the capitol complex or a designated field site within Colorado.

BP to Fund Promising Indian Biofuel Study
The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) will demonstrate the feasibility of producing biodiesel from Jatropha Curcas, a non-edible oil-bearing crop in a project in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh expected to take 10 years with funding from BP for $9.4 million.

Aqua Dyne Tests Solar-powered Mine Water Desalination
Aqua Dyne, a thermal desalination specialist, and the Australian Commonwealth Scientific and Industry Research Organisation (CSIRO) will advance study into the use of solar energy for mine water desalination and the treatment of acid mine leachate. This initiative is part of the Aqua Dyne Solar Thermal Mine Water Desalination Research program under the project management of the CSIRO's Queensland Centre for Advanced Technology in Brisbane, Australia.

Hybrid School Bus Minimizes Emissions and Costs
IC Corporation, a school bus manufacturer, and Enova Systems are collaborating on what is said to be the nation's first hybrid school bus. The prototype, which has a hybrid diesel-electric drive train that is currently undergoing testing, would considerably increase fuel economy. The completed hybrid school bus is expected to be delivered in spring 2006.

Shell Hedges Singular Solar Bet on Thin-Filmm
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Last week Royal Dutch Shell's prominent solar division bowed out of the crystalline solar industry, agreeing to sell all of its yearly solar crystalline production capacity to SolarWorld. The move represents SolarWorld's increasing global footprint as it seeks to expand beyond its own borders in Germany to other promising markets such as the U.S. It also, however, represents one of the first major industry reshufflings that can be attributed to the crippling shortage of raw material for the photovoltaic (PV) industry.

Wave Energy Companies Selected for UK Ocean Test Site
The South West of England Regional Development Agency (RDA) has just named three development partners for the first phase of the proposed GBP 15 million [USD $26 million] Wave Hub project, which will be the world's first wave energy farm.

American Institute of Architects Calls for Use of Renewable Energy
Through its Board of Directors, The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has adopted position statements to promote sustainable design and resource conservation to achieve a minimum reduction of 50 percent of the current consumption level of fossil fuels used to construct and operate buildings by the year 2010. The prominent organization specifically recommended the use of renewable energy systems as a means to achieve greater energy savings.

Florida Governor Proposes Energy Initiatives
Just days after President George W. Bush delivered the State of the Union Address, the President's brother, Florida Governor Jeb Bush announced a statewide proposal of his own that would provide a variety of grants, rebates and tax incentives for hydrogen and renewable energy technologies for the Sunshine State.

Hybrid Car Forecast for Early 2006
Comments from the Union of Concerned Scientists and HybridCenter.org on Latest Automaker Developments

Green Energy Resources Updates Investors
Green Energy Resources is progressing toward its planned IPO on the London UK Aim market. The current timetable keeps it on course for the second quarter 2006. A stock dividend to U.S. shareholders is planned. It will be based on shareholders holding stock on March 31, 2006, the end of the first quarter. A record date has not yet been set and will not be finalized until an IPO date has been designated.

Hydrogen Enables Storage of Excess Wind Power in Spain
Hydrogenics will deliver its HySTAT-A Hydrogen Station to Gas Natural SDG, a Spanish-based energy services multinational with approximately ten million customers living in Spain, Latin America, Italy and France. The hydrogen will fuel an internal combustion engine generator at the Sotavento Galicia wind farm, which will supply electricity to the electrical grid.

Grass Pellets Make Their Vermont Debut
Sure you've heard of burning wood pellets for home heating but how about grass pellets? The Grass Energy Collaborative (GEC), a new organization committed to developing grass energy as a renewable biofuel, tested grass pellets as fuel with a day-long burn in the furnace of the Farm Barn at Shelburne Farms in Vermont.

New England Wood Pellet Announces New Board, Investors
The booming market for wood pellets has clearly had its effect on the nascent but growing industry. New England Wood Pellet LLC, the largest manufacturer of wood pellet fuel in the northeastern U.S., announced its reorganization as a limited liability corporation, with a new board of managers and new private stockholders.

President's Energy Initiative Falls Short
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
In his State of the Union Address this week, President Bush offered a declaration few expected; the U.S. is addicted to oil. He then went on to propose an outwardly broad energy initiative aimed at reducing our reliance on foreign sources of energy. His suggestions included an accelerated use of renewable energy, including solar, cellulosic and switchgrass-derived biofuels, wind power, and even increased research into plug-in hybrid-electric vehicles. The plan however, was widely received as long on rhetoric but short on substance.

SolarWorld Acquires Shell's Solar Business
One of the most significant reshufflings in the global solar photovoltaic (PV) market in years occurred this week with Germany's SolarWorld announcing they would acquire all of Royal Dutch Shell's solar crystalline operations. Approximately 80 MW of solar PV module production will be shifted over to SolarWorld, a move the company says will be make it the largest producer of PV in the U.S.

State of the Union: The Advanced Energy Initiative
Last night, in his annual State of the Union Address, President Bush outlined what he called The Advanced Energy Initiative, a mixed package of energy initiatives that provide what the administration says will amount to a 22 percent increase in clean energy research at the Department of Energy (DOE). The plan is designed to accelerate progress and breakthroughs in two major areas: how U.S. homes are powered and how automobiles are powered.

Cleantech Index to Join American Stock Exchange
The Cleantech Capital Group this week entered into an agreement with the American Stock Exchange to begin publishing the Cleantech Index: a new index comprised of publicly traded companies engaged in the cleantech industry.

Ocean Energy to be Deployed for Homeland Security
The wave energy device company Ocean Power Technologies (OPT), based in New Jersey, announced a contract this week for a project with the US Department of Homeland Security to provide remote, ocean-based power for vessel reconnaissance.

Source of Biodiesel Under Scrutiny
Biodiesel companies are angry about an apparent decision to allow tax credits on fuel made with imported biodiesel.

Proposed Solar Energy Agreement Could Save San Diego Millions
Council member Donna Frye announced a proposed solar energy agreement between the City of San Diego and Sun Edison SD LLC to provide approximately 5 MW of photovoltaic (PV) systems at city-owned facilities. The PV systems, to be installed, owned, operated and maintained by Sun Edison SD LLC, will save the city millions of dollars in capital costs.

Biodiesel Consumption Enters Mainstream U.S.
American Biofuels (ABF) expects to increase its biodiesel production to 40 million gallons per year (mgy) in 2006 on the East and West Coasts, largely in response to major commitments by legislators including Governor Schwarzenegger (CA), Senator Ashburn (CA) and Governor Pataki (NY). In 2005, the entire biodiesel production in the United States was 66 mgy.

Geothermal Energy Venture in Canada Benefits All
Waterloo North Hydro and NextEnergy announced the launch of Lifetime Energy, a joint venture designed to make geothermal energy solutions accessible to anyone in the Waterloo North Hydro service area.

GM to Provide Hybrid Transit for Super Bowl XL
GM hybrid-powered buses will be part of the NFL's transportation fleet, shuttling journalists and VIPs during the week of Super Bowl XL around the Motor City. Five GM hybrid-powered buses will save more than 100 gallons (1,135 liters) of fuel compared with conventional buses. On an annual basis, the five GM-hybrid buses conserve more than 7,500 gallons (28,390 liters) of fuel.

Massachusetts Group Buys 20M kWh of Wind Energy
More than 20 million kWh of 100 percent emission-free, wind-generated energy is now in the hands of eight Massachusetts organizations via the purchase from Community Energy of renewable energy certificates (RECs) using wind farms in New England and across the nation.

Researchers Attempt to Close Debate on Ethanol Energy Balance
Putting ethanol instead of gasoline in your tank saves oil and is probably no worse for the environment than burning gasoline, according to a new analysis by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley.

U.S. Wind Industry to Build on 2005 Momentum
By installing nearly 2,500 MW or more than $3 billion worth of new generating equipment in 22 states in 2005, according to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), the U.S. wind energy industry broke all previous annual installed capacity records. And 2006 is expected to be even bigger, with installations topping 3,000 MW.

Downtown L.A. Clothing Company Goes Solar
This week has been the chosen one for environmentally minded apparel companies to announce major commitments to solar energy. Two major projects were announced in Southern California.

Renewable Energy Bills Pass Washington State House Committee
Progressive energy legislation passed out of the House Technology, Energy and Communications Committee, moving Washington State closer toward energy independence.

Automakers Urged to Produce Plug-In Hybrid Vehicles
A new campaign has been launched to urge automakers to accelerate development of Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs), which combine the fuel efficiency of today's proven hybrid-electric vehicles with the ability to be charged up for extra mileage from the electric grid, or even one's own solar photovoltaic system.

Washington Coalition Seeks to Copy Colorado's RPS Ballot Success
On January 25, a coalition of farmers, labor, clean energy businesses, and conservationists launched a campaign to place a renewables portfolio standard (RPS) ballot initiative before Washington voters in November.

Solar PV Cost Trends in California Detailedd
Solar photovoltaic costs in California have declined significantly in recent years, according to a new report released by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. The report's authors say the study presents the most comprehensive analysis performed to date of grid-connected photovoltaic (PV) cost trends in California, which is by far the largest PV market in the U.S., and is the third largest in the world (behind Japan and Germany).

UK Organization Touts Wave and Tidal Power
Marine energy could provide up to 20 percent of the UK's current electricity needs and become cost-competitive with conventional and other renewable types of energy generation in the long term -- given the right level of investment now.

DynaMotive to Make BioOil in Ukraine and Baltic States
Rika Ltd. has received a master license from DynaMotive Energy Systems to market its technology in Latvia and Ukraine, where Rika Ltd. has extensive operations. Rika will develop and operate two plants producing 200 tons per day of BioOil, a proprietary product, which, according to DynaMotive, "can be stored, pumped and transported like petroleum based products and can be combusted directly in boilers, gas turbines and slow and medium speed diesels for heat and power applications."

Canadian Inverter Co. Aims for Both On- and Off-gridd
Solar photovoltaic inverter company, Sustainable Energy Technologies, said it has secured a funding arrangement with the National Research Council, Industrial Research Assistance Program (NRC-IRAP), in which the council will make loans of up to $245,000 toward development of an inverter platform that will serve both grid-parallel and off-grid applications for a variety of generation and storage technologies.

FuelCell Energy Sells 1 MW Power Plant in Japan
FuelCell Energy's Asian distributor, Marubeni Corporation, sold a 1 MW Direct FuelCell (DFC) power plant to provide electric power and high-quality heat for a Sharp Corp. production facility in Japan. The DFC power plant will provide Sharp's Kameyama manufacturing facility with a portion of its base load electricity needs and supply heat byproduct for air conditioning by means of absorption chilling..

New Zealand Tops Environmental Scorecard
New Zealand ranks first in the world in environmental performance, according to the Pilot 2006 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) produced by a team of environmental experts at the environment school at Yale University and the Earth Institute at Columbia University.