Americas

Electrical Generation_171

US: Smart Electricity And Grid Join Forces With SEPA, SGIP Merger Announcement

The merger provides a single source for information and collaboration for utilities and distributed energy resources (DER) providers on the smart transition to clean energy. Julia Hamm, CEO and President of the Smart Electric Power Alliance (SEPA), and Sharon Allan, CEO and President of SGIP, announced the intent to merge the two organisations under the SEPA brand, stating that given the increasing integration of DER and grid modernization, a merger of SGIP and SEPA makes sense. Hamm said. “Moreover, the combination of resources and expertise will accelerate grid modernization efforts and have an even greater impact on the industry.”

US_Wind Power_171

The US Now Employs More In Wind Power Than In Nuclear, Gas, Coal Or Hydro

Wind power employs just over 100,000 Americans according to new data released by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), more than work at nuclear, natural gas, coal, or hydroelectric power plants. “Wind means opportunity and job security for over 100,000 Americans,” said Tom Kiernan, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association. “The Department of Energy’s new jobs data underscore the incredible impact of wind power in creating American jobs for workers, who directly contribute to our nation’s energy independence and economic success story”.

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INTERSOLAR SUMMIT USA East Returning To Brooklyn, New York On March 23, 2017

The development of the solar and energy storage industry at the U.S. East Coast has been very strong and dynamic over the past years. A total of 15,000 solar jobs are in Massachusetts, ranking 2nd in U.S. solar employment statistics, followed by New York and New Jersey in 4th and 5th place respectively. The State of New York has also pushed forward the energy transition by mandating 50% of renewable energy by 2030. In September 2016 New York City set its new target for solar capacity to 1 GW of solar PV by 2030 and its first energy storage deployment target to 100 MWh by 2020.

Wind Energy_172

EDF RE Commences Operations at 225 MW Great Western Wind Project For Google

EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) has announced that the 225 MW Great Western Wind Project has begun commercial operation. The project’s output is provided to Google under a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Tristan Grimbert, President & Chief Executive Officer, EDF-RE commented that, “the success of the wind industry in 2016 can be attributed in part to corporate purchasers, like Google, who demonstrate their commitment to affordable renewable energy. Their participation to directly procure wind power, along with the Production Tax Credit, benefits Americans through manufacturing job creation, energy independence and support to American farmers.”

Wind Generation_181

Largest Offshore Wind Farm In US Gets Go Ahead: New York Makes Bold Commitment

The vote comes two weeks after Governor Cuomo announced an unprecedented commitment to developing up to 2.4GW of offshore wind by 2030 in his regional State of the State address on Long Island. This target, which is enough power generation for 1.25 million homes, is the largest commitment to offshore wind energy in U.S. history, bringing this valuable resource to New Yorkers on a scale unmatched in the United States. The 90 Megawatt Offshore Wind Farm, 30 Miles Off the Coast of Long Island Will Create Jobs and Power 50,000 Long Island Homes with clean, resilient and affordable Energy.

Tech_Window and Glass Coatings_171

Launch Of Coatings That Turns Existing Buildings And Vehicles Into Power Sources

SolarWindow Technologies has announced plans to develop a superb problem-solving technology of electricity-generating flexible glass. It anticipates installing these sheets of electricity-generating glass veneers over existing skyscraper windows, turning entire buildings into vertical power generators and helping reduce their carbon footprint. These same veneers could be applied to flat and curved surfaces on automobiles, trucks, buses, aeroplanes, and boats to generate onboard electrical power.

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Chile Marches On: Santiago Solar Awards Elecnor $117m Solar PV Plant Contract

Elecnor is to strengthen its Solar PV position in Chile. It has won the USD 117.2 million (equivalent to approximately EUR 110.8 million) contract to build a solar PV plant in Chile. The facility, with a capacity of 115 MWp, will be in the municipality of Til Til, to the north of Santiago, in the Metropolitan Region. The contract was awarded by Santiago Solar, whose shareholders are Andes Mining & Energy and EDF Energies Nouvelles, and encompasses the engineering, supply, assembly and start-up of the plant and the high-voltage evacuation infrastructure via a GIS substation connected with a high-voltage line. The project will be financed by a syndicate of banks headed by Crédit Agricole in New York.

Clean Energy_Benelux_181

EDF Expansion In Americas. Clean Energy Projects Totalling 708 MW And 501 MWac

EDF Energies Nouvelles is announcing the commissioning of four wind farms in the United States with an installed capacity totalling over 708 MW. In North America, the Group has also accelerated its solar energy expansion drive in 2016 with notably a new 150 MWac project in the United States. It contributes to the EDF Group’s CAP 2030 strategy aimed at doubling its renewable energy capacity by 2030. There are 4 new wind energy projects with 3 of these linked to the commitments made by multinationals to reduce their carbon footprint.

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Enel Signs $115m USD Loan Agreement To Promote Renewable Investments In Brazil

The Enel Group and the Brazilian Development Bank, the main financing agency for development in Brazil, have signed a 20-year term loan agreement worth around $115m USD to promote renewable investments. The funding will also cover part of the investment required to build the recently inaugurated 102 MW Apiacas hydropower cluster, located in the state of Mato Grosso in Brazil’s Central-West Region. “We’re extremely pleased with the outcome of this transaction, which is a testament to the solidity of our Brazilian business,” said Francesco Venturini, Enel’s Head of Global Renewable Energies.

Solar Panels_DUOMAX Twin_171

1366 Technologies And Hanwha Q CELLS Achieve Record 19.6% Solar Cells Efficiency

Silicon wafer manufacturer 1366 Technologies has announced that it has jointly achieved with Hanwha Q CELLS a new performance record of 19.6% cell efficiency for 1366’s Direct Wafer® technology. The result was independently confirmed by the Fraunhofer ISE CalLab and clearly, demonstrates the combined potential of the two inventions – 1366’s kerfless, drop-in 156 mm multicrystalline wafers and Hanwha Q CELLS Q.ANTUM, passivated emitter rear contact (PERC) cell process

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DOE Announces $19.7m to Accelerate Energy-Efficient Transportation and Systems

The US Energy Department has announced a funding injection of $19.7 million, subject to appropriations, to support research and development of advanced vehicle technologies, including batteries, lightweight materials, and advanced combustion engines, as well as innovative technologies for energy-efficient mobility. It sees these investments in advanced, energy efficient transportation technologies and systems to improve national energy security and to support energy independence, reduce transportation emissions, and strengthen U.S. economic competitiveness.