Ireland's First Wave-Energy Generator Arrives in Galway
An initiative to open a wave energy test site one and a half miles off the coast of Spiddal, County Galway, is under way with the arrival of the first wave energy generator, Wavebob, which has arrived at Galway Docks. Made possible by the Marine Institute and Sustainable Energy Ireland, the 37-hectare Galway Bay test site will be open for engineers to field-test other prototype ocean-energy generators as well, all in the interest of harnessing the power of the Atlantic Ocean.

BIPV Solar Rejuvenates NYC's Whitehall Ferry Terminal
More than 20 million commuters and tourists who pass through Manhattan's Whitehall Ferry Terminal each year to ride the Staten Island Ferry can witness the landmark's new solar status using a building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) system. Atlantis Energy Systems, manufacturer of custom photovoltaic (PV) glazing and roof systems, announced the commissioning of what is said to be Manhattan's largest BIPV project to date.

Germany's Solon AG Acquires Global Solar
Solon AG and a European financial investor have agreed to acquire Global Solar Energy from UniSource Energy for $16 million. UniSource Energy, the parent of Global Solar, will also receive an option to repurchase between 5 and 10 percent of Global Solar in the future.

22 Senators Call for Renewable Energy's Full Funding for FY 2007
A bipartisan coalition of Senators led by Idaho's Mike Crapo and Iowa's Tom Harkin is asking Senate appropriators to ensure that programs improving renewable energy production receive the full funding possible in the coming fiscal year.

Survey Indicates Strong Support for Renewable Energy
Findings from an executive summary published by Public Opinion Strategies (POS) of a national internet survey of 1,000 registered voters conducted in mid-February 2006 show broad support for renewable energy.

UK's Offshore Wind Energy Program In Doubt
The British wind industry expressed disappointment as the Government's Climate Change Program failed to identify the long-term additional support needed to ensure that offshore wind projects, essential to meeting the UK's climate and renewables targets, are delivered on time.

Phonix Sonnenstrom AG Selects Module Suppliers in China
Phonix SonnenStrom AG signed contracts with two suppliers for the delivery of solar modules with a peak power output totaling 6 megawatts (MWp) in 2006. A Letter of Intent on a volume of 143 MWp until the year 2010 is confirmation of the company's growth plans.

Hawaiian Utility Looks Inward for Energy
Hawaii's major electric utility, feeling the sting from a nearly 100 percent reliance on imported and increasingly expensive energy, is looking inward to the Islands' considerable biomass and biofuels potential to reinforce its energy supply. Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) this week asked the ethanol industry to supply its renewable fuel for use in HECO's new Campbell Industrial Park Generating Station.

Renewable Energy Access Launches Podcast
RenewableEnergyAccess.com launched its inaugural weekly podcast, "Inside Renewable Energy." Each week the podcast will blend highlights of its worldwide renewable energy news coverage with a broad range of features, interviews, and specialty information segments. "Inside Renewable Energy" is free to download for listening on computers or MP3 players.

SCHOTT Solar Module Facility to Exceed 30 MW
SCHOTT will invest 60 million Euros (~USD$ 72 million) to enable its subsidiary, SCHOTT Solar, Inc. to build a new manufacturing facility for thin-film solar electricity modules in Jena, Germany. Its manufacturing capacity is expected to exceed 30 megawatts (MW) per year, and it will create 160 jobs. Production is anticipated for the fall of 2007.

MIT Powers Up New Battery for Hybrid Cars
Researchers at MIT have developed a new type of lithium battery that could become a cheaper alternative to the batteries that now power hybrid electric cars.

Power Purchase Secured for West Virginia Wind Projects
FirstEnergy has entered into 20-year agreements to purchase the combined 250-megawatt (MW) output of two new wind power generation projects being developed in West Virginia by US Wind Force, LLC, a renewable energy company based in Wexford, Pennsylvania, and its joint venture partner Padoma Wind Power, LLC, based in La Jolla, California.

New Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
Secretary of Energy Samuel W. Bodman announced the swearing-in of Alexander "Andy" Karsner as Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE). Assistant Secretary Karsner was confirmed by unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate on March 16, 2006.

REEEP Funds More Renewable Energy Projects in Developing Countries
In keeping with increased funding promises made last fall from the UK, the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) will now fund more than 30 new projects, including several in new countries. REEEP is attracting co-financing from agencies as diverse as USAID, Cordaid Netherlands, the budgets of local municipalities in South Africa and from other donors such as the government of Ireland and the UK Foreign Ministry.

U.S. Geothermal Power Poised to Double, Survey Shows
With 45 geothermal projects under way, the U.S. total geothermal power capacity online in 2005 was 2,828 MW, and that number could nearly double, as a survey on U.S. geothermal power output shows, due to a major surge in developing geothermal power projects within the U.S.

Uni-Solar Announces New 50 MW Module Production Facility
It has been a string of good news lately for Energy Conversion Devices, specifically for its solar thin-film subsidiary, United Solar Ovonic. The $129 million facility is expected to create 200 jobs on site and as many as 400 others indirectly related. The production output for the company's thin-film solar modules is expected to be 50 MW annually.

California Competition Courts Clean Energy Entrepreneurs
Organizers announced the inaugural California Clean Tech Open, a competition that will gather entrepreneurs in September to vie for the nation's largest cash and service prize devoted to innovations that have a positive impact on the environment. Venture Capitol firms are backing the event partly as a way to identify new opportunities in clean and renewable energy.

Washington Governor Activates Energy Freedom Fund
With agriculture as the number one employer in Washington state, farmers there are constantly on the lookout for new ideas to expand into new markets. Couple this with the Washingtonian's deep sense of environmental stewardship and you have the makings of a partnership devoted to developing clean, homegrown fuels.

Plug Power and Honda Prep for Next Phase of Home Energy Station
The first of two agreements announced by Plug Power with Honda R&D Company, Ltd. of Japan covers the fourth consecutive phase of joint development of the Home Energy Station, a fuel cell system that provides electricity and heat to a home or business, while also providing hydrogen fuel for a fuel cell vehicle. Under this new agreement, Honda R&D will continue to fund Plug Power's work on the Home Energy Station.

$84 Million for the First Tires-to-Ethanol Facility
Startech Environmental Corp. and Future Fuels (FFI) have formed an alliance agreement to mutually obtain contracts for waste-to-ethanol facilities and specifically for FFI's own $84 million Waste-to-Ethanol Facility to be constructed in Toms River, New Jersey. It is said to be the first of its kind.

Hydrogen Made from Biodiesel Using Steam Reformer
InnovaTek and Seattle BioFuels announce the first successful production of hydrogen from 100% biodiesel in a microchannel steam reformer. This is the first time a renewable fuel source has been used to produce hydrogen in a microchannel steam reformer to power emission-free fuel cells. InnovaTek's reforming system was initially developed to produce hydrogen from fossil fuels.

Northwest Burger Chain Begins Biodiesel Production Plan
The Holland, Inc., announced that it has implemented a program in which it will recycle the cooking oil from its Burgerville restaurants into biodiesel, a cleaner burning blend of diesel fuel. All 39 Burgerville locations throughout the Pacific Northwest will have their used cooking oil picked up by Portland-based MRP Services and taken to a processing plant where the oil is transformed into methyl esters (biodiesel) and glycerin (a byproduct) through a process called transesterification.

Report Captures Investing Potential in Wind Power
The wind industry has been growing at 28% a year for the past five years, and if growth trends continue at this pace as is expected, wind capacity will double about every three or four years, claims the release for "Investing in Wind Energy," a report just released by Progressive Investor.

Siemens Receives 70-Turbine Order for Texas Project
Siemens Power Generation's (PG) wind power division (formerly Bonus Energy) has received an order for 161 MW of wind turbines for the Wildorado Wind Ranch, which will be located near Amarillo, Texas. These turbines have the potential to meet the electricity demand of more than 50,000 households.

Solar Applications Approved by PUC of Nevada
The Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved 402 applications for customer- installed solar energy projects in Nevada that could eventually produce up to 1,900 kilowatts (kW) of renewable energy. Photovoltaic panels have been installed on 42 homes in northern Nevada and 25 homes in southern Nevada, and another 121 projects for Year 2 are under construction.

Ontario Renewable Energy Policy Breakthrough Hailed
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
The Ontario government today unveiled a vast, new renewable energy incentive program experts predict will accelerate the use of renewable energy in the province and create a regional market with implications for the global renewable energy industries. The plan is based on a long-term Standard Offer Contract, or feed-in-laws, as they are commonly called in Europe. It's essentially the same landmark policy platform that has made European countries like Germany and Spain beacons for renewable energy use.

Go-Ahead for Brockton's Solar Brightfield Project
A long- awaited green light was flipped this week on a large, half-MW solar project in Massachusetts known as the Brockton "Brightfield." At its heart is a plan to make use of a formerly polluted EPA-designated "brownfields" site and convert it into a local solar energy power plant -- said to be the largest such solar project in New England.

Senators Introduce Renewable Fuels Legislation
U.S. Senators Barack Obama (D-IL) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) recently introduced comprehensive legislation in Congress that will use alternative and renewable fuel technologies to greatly decrease America's dependence on foreign oil.

Renewable Energy RPS Law Passed in Wisconsin
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle signed Senate Bill 459, the Energy Efficiency and Renewables Act, representing a sweeping overhaul of Wisconsin's energy policy, and laying the groundwork for accelerated use of the state's domestic renewable energy sources.

Arizona, New Mexico Launch Southwest Climate Change Initiative
Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano and New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed an agreement launching the Southwest Climate Change Initiative, which establishes a framework for the two states to collaborate on strategies to address the effects of climate change in the Southwest and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.

Research Center Forms for Energy in Nebraska
The Nebraska Center for Energy Sciences Research received the funding necessary to conduct research projects aimed at developing domestic energy resources and improving energy efficiency. Formed from the partnership of the Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), the $5 million approved by the NPPD Board of Directors will support the various research initiatives during the next five years.

Scientists Study Feasibility of Switchgrass for Bioenergy
Results to be issued in May conclude that the economics of growing switchgrass for bioenergy are promising. The study producing these results is a cooperative effort between the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and University of Nebraska economist Richard Perrin. The threshold level for success as established by the ARS and cooperators on 10 northern Plains farms in Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota found that two switchgrass plants per square foot the first year ensures a successful bioenergy crop harvest in subsequent years.

National Biodiesel Day Commemorated
Biodiesel and soybean leaders commemorate National Biodiesel Day, March 18, by calling for the passage of bills extending the biodiesel tax incentive, creating a more rigorous Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) and instituting a small producer tax credit.

Bill Introduced to Extend Federal Renewable Energy Tax Credits
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
Tax credits to promote renewable energy got a reassuring boost from lawmakers this week in Congress as a Senate bill was introduced to extend new federal tax credits authorized in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 through 2010.

PPM Energy Buys Rights to Northeast Wind Power Projects
PPM Energy has purchased development rights to two projects in New England from enXco -- the Hoosac wind project near Florida and Monroe, Mass., and the Deerfield wind farm, proposed to be built adjacent to the existing wind power plant in Searsburg, Vt., according the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), who spoke Aaron Barnes, senior business developer for PPM Energy.

Wind Power and Geothermal Progress in New Zealand
Mighty River Power will start installing wind-monitoring masts at the proposed Turitea wind farm site south east of Palmerston North, New Zealand. The first masts to be erected, said the company's General Manager External Affairs Neil Williams, will be three 60-meter testing towers -- with an 80-meter tower following in about two months. The data collection to follow will fully assess the potential of the Turitea site.

Green Mountain Power Offers New Renewable Energy Rate
Green Mountain Power, a Vermont-based energy services company serving 90,000 electric customers, is now offering its customers the choice of buying all or a portion of their power from renewable resources. The Vermont Public Service Board gave its final approval to the program, effective immediately.

City of Boston Joins EPA Green Power Partnership
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced that the City of Boston has joined its Green Power Partnership by purchasing more than 8 percent of the city's electric load, or 17,300-megawatt hours (MWh) of green energy per year, from Constellation New Energy. This purchase, which marks the largest local government green power purchase in New England to date, will avoid emissions of nearly 8,000 annual tons of carbon dioxide. Green energy is generated from 100% renewable energy sources.

Barnabus Energy Announces New Solar Roofing Project in Illinois
Barnabus Energy, currently doing business as Open Energy Corporation subject to a pending name change, announced that its recent acquisition, Connect Energy of California has secured a new solar project, the Evelyn Pease Tyner Interpretive Center, located in a suburb of Chicago, Illinois. Chicago is currently experiencing a lot of solar installations, as funding from Commonwealth Edison supports renewable energy projects, stated the release.

UTC Power, Van Hool to Market Fuel Cell Buses in Europe
UTC Power, part of United Technologies Corp. announced it will team up with major Belgian bus manufacturer Van Hool to deliver a fuel cell-powered bus to DeLijn, a large bus fleet operator in Belgium. The bus will operate in Belgium for six months before being leased to other transit agencies in Europe. The UTC Power fuel cell system delivers up to 120 kW of power and is easily integrated into other heavy-duty hybrid vehicles.

Despite Hype, Hydrogen Moves Ahead
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
This week the hydrogen energy industry convened in Los Angeles for its annual trade show and conference. A wide range of companies were on hand, from small manufacturers offering pressurized tanks all the way up to the world's leading automakers showing their latest hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. There's an unquestionable buzz and optimism surrounding this industry, yet a different one, arguably less hyped-up, than was in play a few years ago when President George W. Bush announced his support for hydrogen in his 2003 state of the Union Address. No, the veritable explosion of interest from companies, investors and entrepreneurs has mellowed out a bit since then. And it just might be a good thing.

Germany Installs its First Offshore Wind Turbine
Germany's first offshore wind turbine, a N90/2500, was installed last month by Nordex AG 500 meters off the quay wall of the Rostock international port. The project was planned by WIND-projekt GmbH, Boergerende, and both companies worked closely with regional partners, who have been committed for many years to developing the economic structures required for future offshore business in Rostock in conjunction with municipal and state governments.

Hydrogen Industry Holds Annual Conference
This week, the National Hydrogen Association held its 17th Annual Hydrogen Conference and Hydrogen Expo US in Long Beach, California, highlighted by personal greetings from the state's chief executive, the President of French Polynesia, and several high-ranking Californian environmental officials. Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger addressed more than 1,000 delegates by video satellite feed from the State Capitol, declaring his administration's commitment to protect California's environment and encourage the use of clean energy technologies like those using hydrogen.

California Focus for Solar Power 2006
The California-centric solar market will be in full effect at this year's major solar industry conference. Solar industry leaders announced this week that Michael Peevey, president of the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) and one of the chief architects of the California Solar Initiative (CSI), will be the opening keynote speaker at Solar Power 2006, the largest business-to-business solar conference and expo in the United States.

Africa to Develop Vision 2025 on Renewable Energy
Under the auspices of the African Union (AU), African ministers will develop a continental energy vision for 2025 to be monitored by ministers of finance, energy, water and environment affairs. As part of the vision, information would be gathered on case studies where hydropower projects have been developed, to serve as mentoring examples.

Evergreen Solar Lands its Largest Solar PV Contract
Evergreen Solar entered into a multi-year supply contract with Donauer Solartechnik, a German-based solar power distributor, in which Evergreen Solar will ship approximately $125 million of photovoltaic modules to Donauer over the next four years, based on current exchange rates.

Report Captures Investing Potential in Wind Power
The wind industry has been growing at 28% a year for the past five years, and if growth trends continue at this pace as is expected, wind capacity will double about every three or four years, claims the release for "Investing in Wind Energy," a report just released by Progressive Investor.

Planners Select Best Wind Locations in Chinese Province
To help energy planners and wind developers in China's Hebei province, the Geospatial Toolkit from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Wind Technology Partnership will help identify where wind resources lie and mark their proximity to power transmission lines, protected lands and access routes. The province is a priority in China's wind development efforts due to its high wind potential and closeness to major transmission lines and cities.

USDA Forest Service Must Review Geothermal Lease Applications
The Energy Policy Act of 2005, which includes the Steam Act, requires the USDA Forest Service to complete administrative actions necessary to process pending geothermal lease applications within five years and reduce the backlog by 90-percent.

South Carolina University Launches Fuel Cell Initiative
The University of South Carolina (USC) challenged fuel cell industry leaders around the country to join a fuel cell initiative that would make Columbia a world leader in fuel cells and other alternative energy applications.

ATS Automation to Spin Off its Solar Businesses
With demand for solar energy at all-time highs and prices for the technology drawing top dollar around the world, Canada's ATS Automation Tooling Systems Inc. revealed plans this week to spin off its solar energy assets later this year in an IPO that would include a range of solar technologies.

Biofuels Plant to Benefit Indiana Farmers and Livestock
Louis Dreyfus Agriculture Industries, LLC, will build a combined 50-million bushel per year soybean processing plant and biodiesel production facility near Claypool, Indiana in Kosciusko County. Said to be the largest biodiesel plant in Indiana, it will supply biodiesel from soybean oil while soybean meal will feed the state's livestock.

New Mexico Solar Market Expected to Boom
by Jesse Broehl, Editor, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
You might think New Mexico, with its second-in-the-nation solar energy potential, would lead the states in turning the sun's inexhaustible rays into energy. But with less than 100 kW of grid-connected power and the greater majority of its solar installations located in off-grid installations, solar in the Southwest state is by no means a trend -- it is hardly a booming industry. All that may be about to change this year and beyond as a combination of newly established incentives and programs are now offering everything from a $9000 tax credit, to performance-based rebate tariffs upwards of 20 cents per kWh.

Spanish Wind Giant Announces New U.S. Facilities
Spanish wind energy giant Gamesa took major steps this week to establish itself in the U.S. market by investing $34 million to open three new modern manufacturing centers on 20-plus acres of U.S. Steel's former Fairless Hills industrial site in Bucks County, Pennsylvania.

NREL, GE Energy Partner for Next-Gen Offshore Wind Turbines
From the country with still not one wind turbine installed offshore comes news of a partnership between GE Energy and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) on a research and development contract to build a new fleet of next generation offshore wind turbines. And with the turbines expected in the 5-7 MW range, these could be the largest turbines ever built.

Wind Projects in Manitoba Gain $1.5 Billion
Westman Wind Power Company is developing eight wind power projects in Manitoba, with an initial capacity of approximately 700 MW and a potential maximum capacity of more than 1,400 MW. The total value of the projects is approximately $1.5 billion. Westman is developing the projects with technical support and assistance from Wardrop Engineering, one of the largest engineering firms based in Manitoba, and two other wind power developers, Padoma Wind Power and Gale Force Energy (GFE).

Erie Shores Wind Farm Starts Commissioning Turbines
The energization of the Clean Power Income Fund's Erie Shores Wind Farm in southern Ontario was successfully accomplished on the afternoon of March 6, 2006, marking the initial stage of the commissioning process to begin electricity production and sales.

Hydrogen Vehicles Working in European Hospitals & Ports
The first batch of six hydrogen fuel cell vehicles has been put to work in hospitals, ports, municipalities, waste plants and similar applications in Europe. The hydrogen truck (H2 Truck) was released by Danish based companies H2 Logic and A. Flensborg in fall 2005, and is one of the first small vehicles on the commercial market.

High Marks for Solar Schools in California
Schools across the state are using solar power to cut energy consumption and save money. Thirty-one California schools were awarded more than $4.2 million from the California Energy Commission's (CEC) Solar Schools Program.

Fuel Cell Research Projects in Ohio Receive Grants
More than $6 million in grants have been awarded to seven Ohio companies and research collaborations to assist in the commercialization and adaptation of fuel cell technologies through the Third Frontier Fuel Cell Program (TFFCP), announced Ohio Governor Bob Taft.

Ford Executive Pushes for Biofuels in Senate Testimony
Policies are needed to support an aggressive, integrated approach by industry and government stakeholders to develop renewable fuels and advanced technology vehicles to overcome the nation's future energy needs. In the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, a Ford executive called on lawmakers to "act with urgency" to implement rapid production of renewable fuels, and the infrastructure to support them.

Illinois Lt. Governor Stumps for Renewable Energy Standard
Tuesday, Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn supported the effort to implement a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard in the State of Illinois. Speaking at the American Wind Energy Association's national workshop on Renewable Portfolio Standards, Quinn urged state utilities to adopt standards such as those outlined in Governor Rod Blagojevich's Sustainable Energy Plan.

Biofuels Mandated for Wisconsin State Agencies, Fleets
Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle issued an Executive Order this week that expands the state's commitment to renewable fuels, takes an important step forward in making Wisconsin the nation's ethanol leader, and increases the state's independence from foreign oil.

Nominations Sought for NJ Clean Energy Leadership Awards
The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) and its Office of Clean Energy are accepting entries for the 2006 New Jersey Clean Energy Leadership Awards, which recognize in-state organizations that benefit their businesses and communities through the selection and implementation of effective and innovative renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies.

Alternative Fuel Bill Heads to Governor's Desk in Indiana
To study a variety of renewable energy resources, alternative fuel House Bill (HB) 1285 recently passed out of the Indiana House of Representatives by 86-0. It calls for the Environmental Quality Service Council (EQSC) to study the most effective way of implementing the Renewable Fuels Standards of the federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 for the State of Indiana. Such a standard would require all gasoline sold in the state to contain ethanol, which is made from corn, and all diesel fuel sold to contain biodiesel, which is made from soybeans. The bill will now move to Governor Daniels' desk for consideration.

Despite Hurdles, Global Solar PV Growth is Sustained in 2005
Preliminary estimates for 2005 show global photovoltaic (PV) cell production increased more than 40% from nearly 1200 MW in 2004 to 1727 MW in 2005. European production growth outpaced Japan, U.S. production was relatively lackluster, but the real highlight was in the aggregate of small, global producers outside of the major markets that more than doubled cell production.

Clean Energy: Peering Down China's IPO Pipeline
by Catherine Lacoursiere
The Chinese IPO boom appears to be building on strong momentum. Reuters reports that 42 percent of Chinese companies are planning stock issues and over 50 have received approval and plan to go public in 2006. This is good news for clean energy. While investors have devoured shares of Chinese solar gear maker Suntech Power Holdings (NYSE: STP), clean technology IPOs out of China have been sparse.

Washington Legislature Adopts Biodiesel, Ethanol Mandate
Bipartisan cooperation for a major new energy policy can be hard to come by, but not when both parties agree on calling for new energy independence strategies. In legislative session, Senate Bill 6508 calling for a minimum renewable energy standard passed the Washington State Senate and is off to the Governor for an expected signature into law.

Ontario Wind Project Construction Reaches Milestone
Epcor's Kingsbridge I Wind Power Project recently reached a milestone when two completed turbines generated electricity to Ontario's electrical grid system for the first time. To date, six Kingsbridge I turbines are online and producing power.

Housing Development Comes with Solar Standard
Genself Corp., a solar photovoltaic (PV) system integrator and installer, has entered into an agreement with Sunset Springs Development, LLC, a builder of single family homes in Southern California, to provide solar electric power systems as original equipment on up to 71 soon-to-be-constructed homes in Desert Hot Springs, CA.

Geothermal Power Plant Expands in New Zealand
With the recent opening of the Tuaropaki Power Company (TPC) for the Mokai Geothermal Power Station extension, accompanied by congratulations from the New Zealand Geothermal Association, TPC's Mokai becomes the sixth largest electricity generator in New Zealand, with the ability to generate almost 2% of New Zealand's total electricity requirements. The 39 MW extension brings the total Mokai output up to 94 MW, placing it among New Zealand's top 15 stations in terms of annual output.

Sun Power & Geothermal Energy Changes Name to SPG Solar
In conjunction with an expansion of the company, solar project systems integrator Sun Power & Geothermal Energy Co., Inc., has changed its name to SPG Solar, Inc. (SPG).

Budget Cuts Threaten Distributed Energy Program
Funding cuts are threatening to obstruct the development and deployment of Distributed Energy (DE) systems, which are a key element of a sensible response to our national energy crisis. Congress recognized the necessity of these systems by including several important provisions in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 authorizing increased Federal focus on distributed energy research, development, demonstration and policy support. However, Congress needs to make a sustained funding commitment to follow through on the promise that DE offers to deliver local solutions.

Renewable Energy from Tamarack Energy and Solar Works Alliance
Tamarack Energy of Boston and Solar Works of Montpelier have entered into a long-term alliance to jointly develop renewable energy projects. The alliance combines Tamarack Energy's development and financing capabilities with the technical expertise of Solar Works as a project integrator to serve customers across the U.S.
 

Microgy Signs On to Develop Waste-to-Energy Facility
Environmental Power Corporation's wholly owned subsidiary, Microgy, has entered into a Letter of Intent with Swift & Company, the world's second-largest processor of fresh beef and pork products, to develop a waste-to-energy facility at Swift's Grand Island, Nebraska plant.

PG&E Adds More Renewable Geothermal Energy to Electric Mix
In a new agreement to provide enough renewable electricity for nearly 100,000 Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) customers, the company has entered into a contract with Military Pass-Newberry Volcano Project, LLC to purchase up to 120 megawatts (MW) of renewable geothermal energy resources.

DOE Solar America Initiative Set to Fund Solar PV Development
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has issued a Notice of Program Interest (NOPI) to advance the new Solar America Initiative. During his State of the Union address, President Bush announced a broad plan to spur technological development of renewable energy resources and a key element of this effort is the Solar America Initiative (SAI), the largest funding proposal for the DOE's solar energy programs ever.

Both Reds and Blues Go Green on Energy
by Michael Dimock, Pew Research Center for the People & the Press
With high fuel prices and instability in the Middle East, Americans are increasingly concerned about the nation's energy situation. In January, 58% rated "dealing with the nation's energy problem" a top priority, up from just 47% a year ago and 40% in January of 2003, according to new research and poll analysis from the non-partisan Pew Research Center.

Bermuda to Harvest Its Ocean Currents for Renewable Energy
In a move anticipated to meet the electricity needs of Bermuda over the next 20 years, the Bermuda Electric Light Company Limited (BELCO) plans to purchase renewable energy to be generated from its own ocean currents. The agreement, between BELCO and Current to Current Bermuda Ltd., is for up to 20 megawatts (MW) of power, with the first 10 MW scheduled to be available by the end of 2007.

Record Green Power Purchase by Ski Industry
Aspen Skiing Company (ASC), operator of four ski mountains and two hotels in Colorado, has made a landmark purchase of renewable energy certificates from wind farms to offset 100 percent of its electricity use. The purchase is the largest in the history of the U.S. ski industry, according to the company.

Colorado Utility Begins Solar Rebate Program
The same Colorado utility that originally opposed renewable energy mandates for the state has now finalized its solar energy rebate program, the result of a voter initiative to support renewable energy. Xcel Energy has made funding available for solar energy systems to be rebated at $2 per watt for residential systems up to 10 kilowatts (kW).

ErSol Opens Solar Manufacturing Operation in China
The Chief Executive Officer of ErSol Solar Energy AG, Dr. Claus Beneking, together with the representatives of other joint venture partners and Chinese authorities, officially opened the module production of Shanghai Electric Solar Energy Co., Ltd. (SESE).

Organic Waste Could Help Power Washington State
Nearly 50 percent of the energy that Washington state residents use now could come from their own backyards, according to a report released by the Department of Ecology in Spokane.

NewGen Announces Biodiesel Project Launch in Iowa
NewGen Technologies, through its U.S. subsidiary, ReFuel America, announced plans to build a biodiesel plant in Fairfield, Iowa, with an estimated capacity of 60 million gallons. It will be developed by the company's previously announced joint venture with PowerSHIFT Energy and be called PowerSHIFT BioFuels of Iowa.

Helping Promote Renewable Energy in Fiji Islands
The Asia Development Bank (ADB) will help prepare a renewable power sector development project for Fiji Islands through a US$650,000 technical assistance (TA) grant. Power in the Fiji Islands is currently supplied by the Fiji Electric Authority (FEA), a corporate utility owned by the Government.

Vermont Wind Developers Push Case for New Project
UPC Vermont Wind presented its petition for a Certificate of Public Good to the Public Service Board this week. The move is a key part of the process toward permitting a 52 MW wind project that would be based on ridgelines in the towns of Sheffield and Sutton.

Ethanol Industry Sets Record in 2005
The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced that the U.S. ethanol industry set annual production records in 2005, producing just less than 4 billion gallons (3.904 billion gallons) and averaging nearly 255,000 barrels of ethanol production daily, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Project Would Combine Power from Wind, Biomass and Ocean
Plans are underway in northern California for a project that would combine three renewable energy resources -- one wind power, one biomass and one ocean energy project -- all into one interconnected project.

EPA Eases Regulations for Ethanol Production Plants
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to apply the same air permitting requirements for facilities that produce ethanol for fuel as those for human consumption. The proposal -- which essentially allows facilities to emit more hazardous material into the air -- will help the ethanol industry but has raised concerns among clean air advocates.

Alcoa & Iceland Study Geothermal-Powered Smelter for North Iceland
Alcoa and the Government of Iceland will begin feasibility studies for the development of a 250,000 metric ton per year (mtpy) aluminum smelter to run principally on geothermal energy, at Bakki near Husavik in North Iceland.

Latin America to Benefit from EU's Renewable Energy Technologies
The European Union (EU) will promote the use of renewable biomass energy technologies in the Andes and Amazonian regions of Ecuador and Peru by establishing specialized training platforms.

Arizona Passes 15 Percent Renewable Energy Standard
Renewable energy technologies got a boost in an Arizona Corporation Commission vote this week. In a state known for its sunshine but not as well known for large, swiftly moving rivers and streams or large-scale geothermal opportunities, state regulators set high standards for renewable energy, hoping to capitalize on Arizona's sunshine and other renewable energy technologies.

Ohio Governor's Initiatives Support Wind, Biofuels
In an effort to join the strong state-based push for renewable energy, Ohio Governor Bob Taft announced a broad package of energy initiatives for the state that include a strong emphasis on both wind energy and biofuels. Wind power projects in particular would stand to gain a state-based production tax credit much like they enjoy at the Federal level.

DOE Funding Targets Cellulosic Ethanol Advancement
The U.S. Department of Energy announced $160 million in cost-shared funding over three years to construct up to three biorefineries in the United States. Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman made the announcement while visiting the Archer Daniels Midland Ethanol Plant, one of his four stops last week to promote the Administration's energy initiatives.

State-Based Approaches to Solar PV in New Homes
States are using a variety of innovative approaches to support the market for solar energy in new homes, according to a report released recently by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the Clean Energy States Alliance (CESA). The report describes the specific approaches that state clean energy funds and several other organizations have pursued to drive the adoption of solar photovoltaics (PV) in new homes.

Colorado Unveils Wind Energy Guide
Landowners interested in harnessing wind energy have a new tool, the "Small Wind Applications Guide," which is intended to assist small-wind developers in determining wind availability and other considerations for projects ranging from 35 kW to 300 kW, not large-scale wind farms.

Energy Companies Team Up to Target Manitoba Wind Development
Enbridge Inc. and Sequoia Energy Inc. announced plans to partner to develop wind energy in Manitoba. The companies will participate in the 1,000 megawatts (MW) of wind energy development that the Manitoba Government would like to see built in the next few years.

Solar PV Installed at Park Stimulates Renewable Energy in Region
One of Western Massachusetts' largest solar panel projects is complete and operational on a rooftop at the Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) Technology Park. The 30 kW photovoltaic (PV) installation has 108 solar panels, which will assist the growing energy needs for the facility through the use of renewable resources, generating more than 33,000-kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity per year.

Renewable Energy Part of Governor's Agenda in Oregon
Governor Ted Kulongoski outlined an ambitious agenda in his fourth State of the State address in Portland last week, noting the creation of nearly 100,000 new Oregon jobs since he took office, and calling for accelerating the development of renewable energy resources, among other priorities.

Ontario Home Equipped with Solar, Geoexchange Hybrid
In the Oshawa community of Copperfield, the heat was turned on in Ontario's first production home equipped with a solar-thermal-geoexchange clean energy system. Ontario Energy Minister Donna Cansfield was present as The Stream system, which was unveiled by Marshall Homes, Clean Energy Developments and the Canadian GeoExchange Coalition (CGC), was shown to use free, renewable heat energy from the sun and below ground.

Wind Power Output Purchase by Vermont for Vermont
Central Vermont Public Service (CVPS) notified state regulators this week of its intent to purchase output from the proposed Glebe Mountain wind project in Londonderry, Vermont. Glebe Mountain Wind Energy LLC, the project's developer, is expected to file for a state permit this spring.

Northern Ireland Backs Solar Thermal, Biomass Heating
Northern Ireland's Secretary of State Peter Hain has revealed new proposals he says will put the power of cleaner and greener energy into the hands of the ordinary people of Northern Ireland. A GBP 59 million (USD $103 million) Environment and Renewable Energy funding package announced this week will include grant assistance to private householders wanting to install renewable energy systems to heat their homes.

"No Fuel Solution" Becomes European Wind Power Theme
The European Wind Energy Conference (EWEC) kicks off this week in Athens, Greece. This year's conference is a rallying call around wind power as a "No Fuel Solution." Emphasis is on how wind energy eliminates the economic impacts and risks associated with volatile and uncertain fuel prices, while providing an indigenous and real solution to Europe's energy demands.

Record Year for Global Wind Energy
The global wind energy sector experienced another record year in 2005. According to the figures released by the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) for 2005, the installation of 11,769 megawatts (MW), which represents a 43.4% increase in annual additions to the global market, was up from 8,207 MW in the previous year. The total value of new generating equipment installed was more than Euro 12 billion, or US$14 billion.

Bush Administration Pushes Energy Campaign
by Jesse Broehl, RenewableEnergyAccess.com
White House officials wrapped up their efforts this week to promote the President's Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI), a funding and research package the Administration says will help reduce the nation's reliance on foreign sources of energy.

Evergreen Solar Announces $88 Million Contract with Global Resource Options
Evergreen Solar, a manufacturer of solar power products, and Global Resource Options (GRO), a Vermont-based solar power distributor and system integrator, have inked a deal for Evergreen Solar to ship $88 million of photovoltaic modules to GRO over the next four years. This marks Evergreen's third major contract in recent months, following on the heels of agreements with PowerLight Corporation and S.A.G. Solarstrom AG.

SolarWorld Group Expands Silicon Recycling Efforts
Deutsche Solar AG, a subsidiary of SolarWorld AG, announced plans this week to strengthen its silicon recycling activities in order to expand its supplies of the increasingly limited global commodity necessary for silicon photovoltaic wafer production. At the company's Freiberg, Germany location Deutsche Solar will establish a second production facility for the upgrading of used silicon.

Mass. Seeks Financial Partner for Solar Loan Program
The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative (MTC) issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) from consumer-lending institutions interested in managing a new $1.25 million solar loan fund.

Solar-Diesel Hybrid Power Plant Commissioned in India
Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL) has successfully commissioned a solar-diesel hybrid power plant at Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep, in what the company claims will become the largest in India, conserving the ecology and environment of the tourist island while meeting its increasing demand for power.

Nation's Landmarks Adopt 100% Renewable Energy
The Statue of Liberty, America's ubiquitous symbol for freedom is now symbolically free from fossil fuels. The Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and several other federal facilities in northern New Jersey owned by U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) will run on 100% renewable power.