RECORD BUILD PUTS WIND AT 6% OF U.S. POWER

U.S. Wind Power Accounted for 6% of Generation Capacity in 2012Louise Downing, January 18, 2013 (Bloomberg BusinessWeek) “U.S. wind power accounted for 6 percent of the nation’s total electricity generation capacity after developers rushed to finish projects before expiration of a subsidy, Bloomberg New Energy Finance said...The threat that the U.S. Production Tax Credit would lapse on Dec. 31 prompted developers to complete as many projects as they...

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DOE SUNSHOT SHOOTS AT SOLAR COSTS

Energy Department Announces $12 Million to Bring Cost-Competitive Solar Technologies from Lab to MarketJanuary 16, 2013 (U.S. Department of Energy) “As part of the Energy Department's SunShot Incubator Program...$12 million [will be available] to accelerate solar energy innovation that reduces manufacturing, installation, and permitting costs for American homes, businesses, and utilities. This new funding opportunity expands on previous Solar Incubator...

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NEW ENERGY CAN BE $1.9 TRIL BY 2018

The domestic clean energy economy needs national policies to innovate, manufacture, and competeJanuary 17, 2013 (The Pew Charitable Trusts) “The global clean energy marketplace is expanding rapidly, but the competitive position of American industry is at risk because of increased competition abroad and uncertain policies at home… “… Innovate, Manufacture, Compete: A Clean Energy Action Plan [from the Pew Charitable Trusts], states that revenue in...

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WHAT PEOPLE THINK ABOUT THE SMART GRID

Smart Grid Consumer Survey; Attitudes and Opinions about Smart Meters, Home Energy Management, Demand Response, Time-of-Use Pricing, Smart Appliances, Prepayment, and Renewable Energy1Q 2013 (Pike Research/Navigant) “Smart grid rollouts are building momentum as utilities across the United States continue to invest in this new infrastructure in an effort to transform their power grids. Pike Research forecasts that there will be more than 53 million...

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A BET ON THE PTC’S EXTENSION PAYS OFF

First Wind Gambles On PTC Extension - And WinsMark Del Franco, 15 January 2013 (North American Windpower) “Faced with the prospect of being saddled with wind energy assets unable to be financed, many wind developers abruptly halted projects that could not be completed in time to qualify for the wind energy production tax credit (PTC), which was slated to expire at the end of last year. “However, in looking over its portfolio, Boston-based developer...

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OBAMA INAUGURAL BOOSTS NEW ENERGY

Obama Inaugural Re-Commits to the Fight for Greentech; “The path towards sustainable energy sources will be long and sometimes difficult. But America cannot resist this transition; we must lead it.”Herman K. Trabish, January 21, 2013 (Greentech Media) In a declaration of purpose that rang across the National Mall, President Barack H. Obama, in his second inaugural address, re-committed himself and his administration to the fight against climate...

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SCIENCE MEETS FAITH ON THE CLIMATE FIGHT FRONT LINES

At a Climate Protest, Science and ReligionJada F. Smith, January 15, 2013 (NY Times) “Science and religion went hand-in-hand…as leaders from both worlds gathered in front of the White House to protest what they cast as government inaction on climate change…With record-breaking global temperatures in 2012, severe droughts and several storms and hurricanes on the East Coast, some members of the American clergy are saying that human decisions that contribute...

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INVESTMENT IN SOLAR EQPMT MANUFACTURING STILL FALLING

Solar PV Equipment Spending Declines 72% to $3.6 Billion in 2012…Forecast for 2013 is Further Decline to $2.2 Billion; Survival Strategies Essential to Address Prolonged Downturn in PV InvestmentJanuary 17, 2013 (SolarBuzz) “Solar photovoltaic (PV) equipment spending (covering c-Si ingot-to-module and thin-film) was $3.6 billion for 2012, a 72% decline from the peak of $12.9 billion in 2011, according to new [NPD Solarbuzz] research…Spending for...

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THE BOOM IN VEHICLE BATTERIES

Electric Vehicle Batteries; Lithium Ion Batteries for Hybrid, Plug-In Hybrid, and Battery Electric Light Duty Vehicles: Market Analysis and Forecasts1Q 2013 (Pike Research/Navigant) “Global automotive manufacturers are accelerating their efforts to produce more vehicles utilizing electric drivetrains…[because of] newly enacted fuel economy standards, greater confidence in electric powered vehicles, and advances in battery technology… “In 2012, Toyota...

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TWO WHEELERS PLUG IN

Electric Motorcycles and Scooters; Market Drivers and Barriers, Government Policies, Technology Issues, Key Industry Players, and Global Demand Forecasts4Q 2012 (Pike Research/Navigant) “Sales of e-scooters and e-motorcycles have shown slow but consistent growth over the last few years, resulting in sales volumes in many regions that are high enough to be attractive to new competitors, but not large enough for breakaway market leaders or profitability...

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SOLAR BUSINESS CYCLES TO SMOOTH

Quarterly PV Demand Cycles Set to Become Less TurbulentMicheal Barker, January 2, 2013 (SolarBuzz) “As solar PV incentive policies continue to be reduced and installed system prices decline, strong cyclic changes in quarterly demand will start to [disappear]…In a policy-driven environment, policy adjustments often cause large surges in quarterly demand as c customers and developers rush to secure incentives before they are reduced. “…[T]his can...

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APPLE STUDIES THERMAL STORAGE FOR iTURBINE WIND

Apple's wind turbine technology uses heat, not rotational energy to generate electricityMikey Campbell, December 27, 2012 (Apple Insider) “In a rare non-computing related patent filing…Apple proposes a wind turbine that generates electricity from converting heat energy rather than rotational energy created by the rotation of the unit's blades…[A]n application published by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for the "On-demand generation of electricity...

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UTILITY BUYS WIND AT $1.36MIL PER MW

Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. Announces Acquisition of 109.5 MW Shady Oaks Wind Power FacilityJanuary 2, 2013 (Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp.) “Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp. ("APUC") (TSX: AQN)…has acquired a 109.5 MW contracted wind powered generating station ("Shady Oaks") from Goldwind International SO Limited ("Goldwind") for total consideration to all stakeholders of approximately US$148.9 million. “The Shady Oaks wind...

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BUFFETT COMPANY BUYS WORLDS BIGGEST PV

MidAmerican Solar Acquires World's Largest Solar Development from SunPower; Antelope Valley Solar Projects Will Generate 579 Megawatts for Southern California EdisonJanuary 2, 2013 (PR Newswire via MidAmerican Renewables) “…SunPower Corp. (NASDAQ: SPWR) announced [Warrern Buffett-owned Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary] MidAmerican Solar's acquisition from SunPower of the 579-megawatt Antelope Valley Solar Projects (AVSP), two co-located projects in...

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MILITARY ARMS WITH MICROGRIDS

Military Microgrids; Stationary Base, Forward Operating Base, and Mobile Smart Grid Networks for Renewables Integration, Demand Response, and Mission-Critical Security4Q 2012 (Pike Research/Navigant) “The United States Department of Defense’s (DOD) interest in improving energy security through microgrid technology stems from its heavy reliance upon all forms of fossil fuels, often imported from regions of the world hostile to U.S. interests. Microgrids...

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A HISTORY OF NAT GAS SUBSIDIES

Where the Shale Gas Revolution Came From: Government’s Role in the Development of Hydraulic Fracturing in ShaleAlex Trembath, Jesse Jenkins, Ted Nordhaus, and Michael Shellenberger, May 2012 (Breakthrough Institute) “…In summary, federal investments and involvement in the development of shale gas extraction technologies spanned three decades and were comprised of: “• The Eastern Gas Shales Project, a series of public-private shale drilling demonstration...

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THE SHIFT TO NEW ENERGY GOES ON

Renewables are Winning, Nukes are Dead and Coal is CrashingKathleen Rogers and Danny Kennedy, December 14, 2013 (EcoWatch) “…[A] n enormous shift has begun in the ways in which the U.S. and the world will power itself with clean energy…All new electricity capacity built in the U.S. in September was renewable…[T]here was no new fossil fuel capacity added to our grid in September 2012, and 443 megawatts of wind and solar were installed… “…Clean tech...

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LOOKING FOR THE BEST USE FOR FUEL CELLS

Stationary Fuel Cells; Fuel Cells for Combined Heat and Power, Prime Power, and Backup Power/UPS Applications: Global Market Analysis and Forecasts4Q 2012 (Pike Research/Navigant) “The stationary fuel cell industry is growing in terms of megawatts and systems shipped. At the same time, it is going through a deep restructuring, with a number of companies exiting the space and a handful of new entrants appearing… “The most notable shift from 2011 to...

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