Procter & Gamble has reached an agreement in principle to connect P&G’s paper products manufacturing plant in Mehoopany, Pennsylvania to a proposed BP wind power facility.

The plant currently gets half of it’s 100 megawatts of energy from an onsite gas turbine. BP’s proposed facility would cover the other half.

Last summer, BP erected at least five test towers about five miles from the P&G substation with an interest in possibly building a 30-90 wind turbine facility.

Thin-film PV uses thin-film coating technologies, similar to those used for putting metallic and transparent coatings on plastics and glass for food processing, architectural glass, mirrors, eyewear, etc.

The three most common thin-film technologies are amorphous silicon (a-Si), cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CIGS).

Of these, CIGS currently has demonstrated the highest laboratory efficiency at 19.5% (NREL, measured in earth conditions) with CdTe close behind. CIGS thin-film technologies can be placed on a wide variety of substrate materials making it possible to manufacture very lightweight, flexible solar cells on metals and plastics. To put it into perspective, the thickness of a flexible CIGS device is approximately the same as the thickness of a human hair, making it very flexible and lightweight

Read more about Thin-film PV technology at Ascent Solar

Ascent Solar Technologies, Inc. (AST) is the most recent company created by ITN Energy Systems who established AST in 2005 to manufacturer state of the art, thin-film monolithically-integrated CIGS flexible photovoltaic modules.

Through close interaction with ‘early adopters‘ and established prime contractors in the space, near space and commercial and residential building markets, Ascent Solar plans to develop a solution that provides a system-level advantage over traditional technologies and other thin-film vendors. By combining its new manufacturing facility with over a decade’s worth of R&D in this area, the company moves closer to its long term vision: to lead the emergence and acceptance of thin-film photovoltaics in the space and near-space industries and provide affordable solutions for clean energy that makes Building Integrated PV products as pervasive on rooftops and siding as materials like plywood are today.

www.ascentsolar.com

Madison, Wis.-based Virent Energy Systems states that its BioForming technology, based on research started at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, uses a solid-state catalyst to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules like those produced at a petroleum refinery.

And the company said the technology can take in a broad menu of feedstocks.

Virent Energy Systems, Inc. will enable the hydrogen economy by eliminating H2 storage and power density barriers from portable power systems ; while utilizing truly renewable

Virent was founded in 2002 by Dr. Randy Cortright and Dr. Jim Dumesic to commercialize the Aqueous Phase Reforming (APR) process, an innovative technology the two invented and patented while at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Although early research focused on generating hydrogen from sugar, as originally published in the journal Nature in 2002, the technology has since further evolved into the BioForming™ process, which enables the production of renewable liquid fuels, fuel gases, and other chemicals.

In 2005, Virent contracted with MG&E, a local Wisconsin utility, to build an integrated BioForming reactor and hydrogen/natural gas fueled generator for electricity production.  The success of this system, which began operating in December 2005 and can deliver up to 10 kW of power, demonstrated the viability of the BioForming process.  This sparked the interest of companies such as Cargill and Honda and ultimately led each to invest in the company in 2006. The production of gasoline via APR confirmed the technology was a new pathway to the production of liquid fuels and chemicals currently made from fossil fuels.

Virent’s BioForming™ process pioneers the commercial production of biofuels and bioproducts which are both sustainable and economical.  This technology can convert a wide roster of feedstocks, including non-food and home grown energy sources, into the variety of fuels and chemicals now made from fossil fuels.

Catalysts have been proven to be the most effective way to produce fuels and petrochemicals and have greater success utilizing cellulosic biomass than fermentation methods. Low energy input and biomass based feedstocks offer near zero CO2 emissions.

www.virent.com

Mar 25, 2008 -- The AES Corporation (NYSE:AES) and Riverstone Holdings LLC  announced that they have committed up to $1 billion as part of a new joint venture to develop a global platform of utility-scale solar photovoltaic (PV) projects.

Under terms of the agreement, AES, one of the world's largest global power companies, and Riverstone, a New York-based energy and power-focused private equity firm, will each provide up to $500 million of capital over five years to invest in PV solar projects around the world.

The jointly owned entity, to be called AES Solar, will seek to become a leading global developer, owner and operator of utility-scale solar installations that will be connected to the power grids that supply homes and businesses.

These installations, ranging from fewer than two to more than 50 megawatts in size, will consist of land-based solar PV panels that capture sunlight and convert it into electricity, feeding the power grid directly.

The business will follow the traditional independent power producer and wind business growth models by initially focusing on developments and projects in those countries offering the most attractive tariffs. As the costs of both PV panels and installation come down, AES Solar will look to expand into other countries with appropriate market incentives, with the goal of "grid parity" - being competitive with conventional fuels.

AES Renewable Energy Portfolio

"Renewable energy is an increasingly significant part of AES's overall portfolio and currently accounts for 20 percent of our global generation capacity," said Paul Hanrahan, AES President and Chief Executive Officer. "Solar is a natural extension of our business, much as wind generation has been, and we see tremendous opportunity for growth in this market. We look forward to partnering with Riverstone in this joint venture, to make solar power a viable energy source worldwide."

Ralph Alexander, a Managing Director of Riverstone Holdings, said, "Because of its scale, this joint venture has the potential to change the fundamental economics of solar power. We are excited about partnering with AES, which we recognize as a world-class partner. The timing is right for this project given the spread of renewable power standards around the world, high energy prices and the continued progress of the solar photovoltaics industry to improve performance and reduce costs. Together, these trends present a substantial opportunity to create value and meet the world's growing demand for clean energy."

The joint venture will be managed by a seven-member board of directors. Three directors each will be appointed by AES and Riverstone. Robert Hemphill will serve as President and CEO and the seventh member of the board. Mr. Hemphill joined AES in 1981 and has held a series of senior leadership positions, including serving as AES's Executive Vice President of Global Development. He also served as a member of the AES Board of Directors for seven years.

About AES

AES is one of the world's largest global power companies, with 2007 revenues of $13.6 billion. With operations in 28 countries on five continents, AES's generation and distribution facilities have the capacity to serve 100 million people worldwide. The company's 13 regulated utilities amass annual sales of over 78,000 GWh and our 121 generation facilities have the capacity to generate approximately 43,000 megawatts. AES has a global workforce of 28,000 people.

To learn more about AES, please visit www.aes.com  
 

About Riverstone Holdings LLC

Riverstone Holdings LLC is a New York-based energy and power focused private equity firm founded in 2000. Riverstone conducts buyout and growth capital investments in the midstream, upstream, power, oilfield services, and renewable sectors of the energy industry. To date, the firm has committed more than $8 billion to 47 investments across these five sectors, representing companies with nearly $70 billion of assets. For more information, visit www.riverstonellc.com.

Solar water heating involves a relatively low capital expenditure for both domestic and commercial installations.

AES is the UK's original solar thermal collector manufacturer and have been manufacturing collectors since 1979. AES are Scotland's only solar collector manufacturer and solar water heating system designer and are represented throughout the UK.

AES has an excellent longstanding reputation in the solar thermal energy market and is the UK’s oldest existing solar thermal collector manufacturer. Systems are suitable for all situations requiring hot water, such as private homes, B&B's, hotels, hospitals, offices, apartment blocks, swimming pools etc.

AES provides a sophisticated system design service that includes:

• Detailed layout design of collector array
• Detailed design of primary system pipework layout and sizing
• Detailed design of primary system safety devices
• Detailed design of primary system valves, operational devices and flow controls
• Design of system controls
• Design of anti-Legionellosis systems
• Design of DHW draw off temperature regulation systems
• Production of system layouts on to building designers ACAD drawings
• Production of system schematics in ACAD format
• Production of specification for the system
• Provision of support for the M&E contractors

www.aessolar.co.uk/

The beauty of photovoltaics (PV) is that it has the capacity to displace our dependence on coal for the generation of electricity, yet PV modules are attractive simple devices with no moving parts and proven field reliability.

The challenge is to bring the cost down. And that's 1336 Technologies' mission.

1336 Technologies is a Massachusetts Institute of Technology spinout company that has a new cell architecture that uses low-cost fabrication methods to increase the efficiency of multi-crystalline solar cells.

Plans include building industrial-scale, 100 megawatt plants around the world. Their architecture, developed at MIT, improves surface texture and metallization to enhance silicon solar cell efficiency by 25% (from 15 - 19%) while lowering costs. 1366 Technologies will partner with solar companies and government agencies, licensing its technology to accelerate the ongoing global transition to solar.

Aiming to make silicon solar cells competitive with coal, 1336 Technologies has raised $12.4 million in Series A funding.

MIT Professor, 1366 founder and CTO, Ely Sachs, noted that 1366 Technologies will be combining innovations in silicon cell architecture with manufacturing process improvements to bring multi-crystalline silicon solar cells to cost parity with coal-based electricity.

Sachs added, "The science is understood, the raw materials are abundant and the products work.  All that is left to do is innovate in manufacturing and scale up volume production, and that's just what we intend to do." The company has just taken space to build its pilot solar cell manufacturing facility. Private Equity Hub

Professor Sachs previously invented the String ribbon wafer technology being commercialized at Evergreen Solar, a leading developer of solar energy products.  Both a founder and investor in 1366 Technologies, Sachs is taking a leave of absence from MIT to help build the company based on research developed at and licensed from MIT.

ARB passes new ZEV amendment to produce 65,000 cleaner vehicles by 2012

The California Air Resources Board voted (in March, 2008) to triple the amount of zero emissions vehicles that staff had proposed for automakers to produce from 2012 through 2014, while directing staff to look at overhauling the program to account for climate change benefits.

Staff had proposed to require 2,500 pure zero emission vehicles, which the Board increased to 7,500. Automakers can produce fewer ZEVs, 5,357, if they are long-range fuel cell vehicles or they can opt to satisfy the requirement by manufacturing 12,500 battery electric vehicles with a range of 100 miles.

The Board maintained a second component of the vehicle emissions reduction program that allows the automakers flexibility in their alternative fuel programs by requiring an additional 66,000 plug-in hybrids during that same period. If the automakers produce 25,000 ZEVs, there are no remaining plug-in hybrid requirements.

Additionally, ARB Chairman Mary Nichols directed staff to overhaul the ZEV program for 2015 vehicles to synch up with other Board tailpipe emission programs such as the Pavley regulations addressing greenhouse gas emissions and the low emissions vehicle program.

“Today's decision will lead to more green auto choices for consumers now while keeping the pressure on the automotive engineers to continue fine tuning the technologies that will yield an all electric-drive vehicle fleet for California in the near future,” Nichols said. “We must continue to push for all types of technologies -- fuel cells, electric vehicles and hydrogen powered cars -- as we fight our duel battles against smog and global warming.”

The ZEV Program

Created in 1990, the ZEV program seeks to spur technological advancements in the automobile industry that lead to more clean cars on California’s roadways. The ZEV program is the world’s only enforceable requirement for development and production of zero emissions vehicles. As a direct result of the ZEV program, over 750,000 Californians are currently driving vehicles with near-zero emissions and an extended emissions warranty of 15 years or 150,000 miles. They are 80 percent cleaner than the average 2002 model year car. Today's action will assure many more near-zero and zero emission vehicles on California's roads in the near future.

The Air Resources Board is a department of the California Environmental Protection Agency. ARB's mission is to promote and protect public health, welfare, and ecological resources through effective reduction of air pollutants while recognizing and considering effects on the economy. The ARB oversees all air pollution control efforts in California to attain and maintain health based air quality standards.

Financial Opportunities for Renewable Energy - from DOE

The US Department of Energy's Green Power Network maintains a website with listings of solicitations for renewable energy generation, renewable energy certificates, and green power.

This green power financial opportunities list is maintained as a courtesy to web site visitors.

Unless otherwise noted, these requests for proposals (RFPs) and solicitations are neither supported nor endorsed by the U.S. Department of Energy, Green Power Network.

Some examples of CALIFORNIA opportunities include:

• U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) (Sol# USDA-RD-RUS-HECG08) is offering up to $6.8 million through its High Energy Cost Grant Program for developing renewable energy generation in rural communities.
• Antelope Valley Water Storage, LLC RFP seeking eligible renewable energy resources to meet California RPS requirements.
• PacifiCorp RFP seeking up to 200 MW of eligible renewable energy resources (power purchase agreements or 'build-own-transfer' only) to meet California RPS requirements.
• Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) RFP seeking eligible renewable energy resources to meet California RPS requirements.
• San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) RFP seeking eligible renewable energy resources to meet California RPS requirements.
• Southern California Edison Company RFP seeking eligible renewable energy resource within the CAISO Control Area (preferred) to meet California RPS requirements.
• Pacific Power is offering funds through the Blue Sky Award Fund for renewable energy resources within its service area.
• Pacific Gas and Electric Company RFP seeking up to 1,600,000 MWh of eligible renewable energy resources to meet California RPS requirement. Notice of Intent to Bid due by March 14, 2008.

Would you like to receive these listings by email?

Sign-up to receive RFP Updates

To receive notification of new green power RFPs via email, please fill in the information requested on the DOE webpage. 

RFP Submissions

If you would like to recommend or submit a Green Power RFP, forward relevant information to green_power@nrel.gov.

Why are livery fleets, the largest class of public vehicles on city streets, comprised mostly of large, inefficient, gas-guzzling beasts? That is changing.
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Eco-friendly taxi and limo services are springing up. More than 300 hybrid taxis have gone into service in New York and San Francisco since late 2005.
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All-hybrid airport car service PlanetTran has West Coast operations   in San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose Airports.
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<h2>New Hybrid Choices:  The Mariner for Livery</h2>
New choices are entering the hybrid vehicle market. At the fall 2007 livery industry convention, an environmentally friendly hybrid engine  makes the livery-packaged Mercury Mariner capable of getting 34 miles a gallon in the city, easily triple the mileage of a maxed-out Hummer.
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The Mariner is the first manufacturer-sponsored hybrid made specifically for livery service.
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RESOURCE: <a href="http://www.planettran.com">www.planettran.com</a>
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University of Maryland research that started with bacteria from the Chesapeake Bay has led to a process that may be able to convert large volumes of all kinds of plant products, from leftover brewer’s mash to paper trash, into ethanol and other biofuel alternatives to gasoline.

The Zymetis process can make ethanol and other biofuels from many different types of plants and plant waste called cellulosic sources. Cellulosic biofuels can be made from non-grain plant sources such as waste paper, brewing byproducts, leftover agriculture products, including straw, corncobs and husks, and energy crops such as switchgrass.

When fully operational, the Zymetis process could potentially lead to the production of 75 billion gallons a year of carbon-neutral ethanol.

The secret to the Zymetis process is a Chesapeake Bay marsh grass bacterium, S. degradans. Hutcheson found that the bacterium has an enzyme that could quickly break down plant materials into sugar, which can then be converted to biofuel.

The Zymetis researchers were unable to isolate the Bay bacterium again in nature, but they discovered how to produce the enzyme in their own laboratories. The result was Ethazyme, which degrades the tough cell walls of cellulosic materials and breaks down the entire plant material into bio-fuel ready sugars in one step, at a significantly lower cost and with fewer caustic chemicals than current methods.

Hutcheson projects a $5 billion enzyme market for biofuels. The energy bill passed by the U.S. Senate in 2007 mandates oil companies to blend in 21 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol with their gasoline by 2022.

Zymetis, Inc. is a biotechnology company dedicated to developing novel enzyme products derived from unique organisms to achieve lower costs, and improved yields. www.zymetis.com