Alternative Energy News v1i6

INDUSTRY CALENDAR

NOVEMBER 2010VOLUME 1, NO. 6

www.A l t e r n a t i v e En e r g yNewsOn l i n e . c om

Next Issue:VA Hospital Welcomes Solar Installation in Tucson, Ariz.

MONEY MATTERS SEE PAGE 28

■ Ormat Technologies, Inc. Received $108Million Cash Grant Under the 1603 Program

■ Grace Receives DOE Biofuels Grant

SOLAR SEE PAGE 6

■ Southern Arizona Red Cross First in the Nation to Go Solar

■ U.S. Wine Industry Welcomes Solar Energy

WIND POWER SEE PAGE 20

■ New York’s Newest Wind Farm Now Under Construction

■ Largest ‘Pre-Pay’ Contract for Wind Power

BY LORRIE BAUMANNSolar Power International 2010 was

marred by a heated and very public series

of altercations involving show security,

this magazine’s editorial and circulation

staff, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s

Department and, eventually, even the

attendees arriving at the Los Angeles

Convention Center for workshop sessions

and time in the exhibit hall.

Except for this First Amendment dispute

over Solar Power Daily News’ rights to

distribute copies of its publication on

public sidewalk in front of the Los

Angeles Convention Center, Solar Power

International appeared to be a success for

its exhibitors and attendees as well as Los

Angeles itself. Exhibitors who were

interviewed for this story were unanimous

in reporting that the trade show and its

associated conference met their goals for

the event. “It’s been real busy,” said

Michael Noonan, the Manager of the

Siting and Land Rights Group for

Westwood, which exhibited at the show to

New Wind Farm in Michigan to be the Largest in State BY DANIELLE D’ADAMODetroit Edison, an investor-

owned electric utility and a

subsidiary of DTE Energy, has

partnered with Invenergy Wind, a

company that develops, owns and

operates large-scale renewable

generation facilities in North

America, to build a 200-MW

wind farm in Gratiot County,

Mich. Detroit Edison recently re-

ceived approval on a 20-year

agreement from the Michigan

Public Service Commission

(MPSC) to purchase renewable

energy, increasing the utility’s

renewable energy portfolio to

4 percent. Invenergy Wind will

install and operate the 30,000-acre

wind farm comprised of 125 1.6-

MW GE wind turbines, making it

the largest wind farm in the state.

Continued on 0

Continued on Page 10


OTHER ALTERNATIVES

POWER PROFILES: Transitioning to Wind Energy

NEW PRODUCTS

SEE PAGE 26 SEE PAGE 29SEE PAGE 25

Solar Power International Marred by Dispute

EMERGING TECH SEE PAGE 23

■ Meritage Homes Introduces Energy-Efficient Communites in Tucson, Ariz.

■ E-Tracer Wins Automotive X Prize

SEE PAGE 30

© Solar Power International 2010

BY DANIELLE D’ADAMOIn 1992, the Canadian Solar

Industries Association and

Canadian Photovoltaic Indus-

tries Association joined forces

to promote the professional and

practical use of solar technolo-

gies in Canada. Focusing on

solar thermal and emerging PV

technologies, the merger created

the Canadian Solar Industries

Association (CanSIA) as it is

known today. In 2006, CanSIA

debuted its first solar confer-

ence and exhibition in Ottawa,

Canada, to a few hundred

people. Now, four year later,

Solar Canada 2010 has ex-

panded to the Metro Toronto

Conference Centre in Ontario to

accommodate the expected

3,000 delegates on Dec. 6 and 7.

Solar Canada 2010 Expands intoMetro Toronto Conference Centre


4 Alternative Energy News ■ November 2010

Lee M. Oser

Publisher and Editor-in-Chief

Steve Cox

[email protected]

Senior Associate Publisher

Director of Media

Lorrie Baumann

[email protected]

Editorial Director

Danielle D’Adamo

[email protected]

Editor

Carrie Bui

Justyn Dillingham

Associate Editors

Valerie Wilson

[email protected]

Art Director

Yasmine Brown

[email protected]

Graphic Designer

Selene Pinuelas

[email protected]

Traffic Manager

Laura Colony

[email protected]

Circulation Manager

Alternative Energy News is published by Oser Communications Group

©Copyright 2010. All rights reserved.

BPA Worldwide membership applied for February 11, 2010.

Executive and editorial offices located at: 1877 N. Kolb Rd., Tucson, AZ 85715

T 520.721.1300, F 520.721.6300www.oser.com

European offices located at: Lungarno Benvenuto Cellini,

11 50125 Florence, Italy T 055.657.5629, F 055.657.5631

The Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA) and the Solar Electric Power Association (SEPA) are just about the last groups we’d

expect to trample over the First Amendment rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution. Yet, that’s exactly what they’ve been

doing in a dispute between this publishing company and those two organizations that’s been going on for over a year now. In short, we

insist on exercising our First Amendment rights and our rights to do business in a free marketplace, and the two trade associations, along

with Solar Energy Trade Shows (SETS), the entity created last year to manage Solar Power International and PV America for the two

associations, insist on trying to prevent that.

The arrogance shown by these organizations has been beyond belief.

Here’s how it all started: We bought a license from the City of Anaheim last year that gave us the rights to distribute a trade show

daily on the grounds of Anaheim Convention Center. When SEPA employees running the Solar Power International show heard about

it, they insisted that we violate our promises to our advertisers and refrain from distributing our magazine outside the building. We

insisted on keeping our promises, and the show managers retaliated by denying us the right to exhibit in their show in 2010. When we

appealed that decision, the new SETS Show Manager Brian Tully, who wasn’t involved in last year’s show, insisted that he’d only talk

to us through legal counsel.

So we all brought our lawyers into the discussion. When our lawyer insisted that denying us the right to exhibit amounted to a breach

of public policy, Tully offered to sell us a booth after all, but only if we’d sign a promise not to distribute our magazines anywhere

except from our booth and acknowledge that we’d broken show rules by doing that in the past. We were also required to waive our

seniority points. We refused.

We have expressed our objections to show managers and

all the way up the line at SEIA, which insists

that even though the association co-owns the

show, SEIA has no power to intervene. Show

Manager Tully says he’ll never talk to us

about anything, even off the record,

unless his lawyer is present, which isn’t

just arrogant; it’s silly.

When we wouldn’t buckle under, the show managers retaliated

again by sending an untruthful e-mail urging the show’s exhibitors not

to do business with us. Being adults who are smart enough to decide for

themselves how they want to invest their money, they refused to be intimidated

by the lies.

The show managers’ insistence that they have the right to limit speech

everywhere at all times during the show is both offensive and deeply

un-American. It comes to this: SEIA is wrong, Solar Power International

is wrong, and until they recant, we’re not renewing our membership

in the SEIA, my personal donation to the SEIA political action

committee will not be repeated, and we’re not going to stop telling the

truth about the matter.

And we will be in Dallas during Solar Power International 2011.

We encourage you to do the same.

Lee M. Oser

Publisher

www.A l t e r n a t i v e En e r g yNewsOn l i n e . c om

First Amendment Showdown

FROM THE PUBLISHER


SOLAR POWER

Photo courtesy of Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross. Photo courtesy of Net Zero Solar.

7Alternative Energy News ■ November 2010

SOLAR POWER

In times of crisis and disaster, our nation has long relied on the American Red Cross to

provide relief to victims and help people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergen-

cies. The Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross has been assisting children

and families for the last 94 years in Tucson, Ariz. Now, it is the first Red Cross in the United

States to be solar-powered with a rooftop PV system measuring just under 40 kW-DC. The

PV panels are expected to generate at least 80 to 100 percent of the Chapter’s electrical needs,

allowing the organization to redirect funds to help those in need.

“We are very proud to be the first Red Cross in the nation to utilize solar energy,” said

Richard White, Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red

Cross. “We knew this would be a difficult road to go down as our financial resources were very

limited, but thanks to our wonderful partners, this dream became a reality.”

The dream of a solar-powered facility began back in February after the Chapter moved its head-

quarters to its current location in Tucson. The organization made a commitment to make its new

facility as green as possible, which included renovations like double-pane windows, the highest-

quality ceiling insulation and a flagpole integrated with solar lighting. But the biggest long-term

goal was to install a solar system, and that meant overcoming some difficult financial hurdles.

“As a not-for-profit organization, we knew that the cost to do a solar installation would be

prohibited,” said White. “The available tax credits and funding opportunities for solar proj-

ects are currently set up for residential or for-profit companies. So we had to get creative.”

After 10 months of planning, the funding for the PV roof panels was made possible through

a unique public-private partnership that didn’t cost the social service agency a single penny. The

partnership included a gift from the Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation Inc., the

world’s largest publicly-traded copper company; a grant from the State of Arizona Department

of Commerce, in partnership with the Federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act; and

Tucson Electric Power’s (TEP) Non-Residential Solar Electric Up-Front Incentive Program.

In September, the Red Cross hosted a solar dedication ceremony that welcomed Arizona Gov.

Jan Brewer, Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, and representatives from Freeport-McMoRan,

TEP and Net Zero Solar, the installer of the project. Freeport-McMoRan was the first partner to

commit as the company recognized the important role copper plays in solar energy systems.

“We are fortunate to have a longstanding relationship with the Southern Arizona Chapter

of the American Red Cross, so it was an extremely easy decision on our part to be involved,”

said Tracy Bame of Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Foundation at the dedication

ceremony. “And since solar energy systems can be made with copper, brass and bronze, we

felt that our green tech materials would be an excellent fit for the Red Cross. It’s wonderful

to see an organization like this make the effort to become sustainable.”

“It just goes to show you that solar leadership means more than just megawatts,” said

Paul Bonavia of TEP at the event. “It’s the value of bringing any amount of solar to our

community, and the Red Cross achieved that with a combination of generous product support,

stimulus money and your neighborhood utility.”

During Net Zero Solar’s presentation, President Chad Waits explained the benefits of using

micro inverters on the rooftop project as they generally allow 15 percent more energy

because of their ability to maximum power point track (MPPT) each individual solar panel.

“We felt that our Enphase Energy micro inverters worked very well for this installation

because of the system’s ability to mitigate shading on the modules,” said Waits. “This partic-

ular rooftop had a tremendous amount of shade that will now only affect one module versus

the entire system. We’re able to capture as many kWh as possible, make our footprint a little

lighter and allow the Red Cross more money in their pockets for a faster return on investment.”

Another feature of Net Zero’s solar package is a data monitoring portion. The Red Cross

will be able to view how the system is performing in real-time, and be alerted to any issues

before they are able to set in and cost the organization extra money. With a savings of close

to $20,000 annually, the Red Cross will be able to redirect funds to fulfill its mission of

saving lives and helping those in need. AEN

BY DANIELLE D’ADAMO

“We are very proud to be the first Red Cross

in the nation to utilize solar energy.” Richard White, Executive Director of the Southern Arizona Chapter of the American Red Cross

First in the Nation to Go Solar

Southern Arizona Red Cross

Photo courtesy of Net Zero Solar.

8 Alternative Energy News ■ October 2010


SOLAR POWER

talk with attendees about the company’s full

spectrum of services to develop alternative

energy projects. He noted that his booth had

a continuous flow of visitors and he ex-

pected to realize future business as a result.

That opinion was endorsed by Westwood

President Paul Greenhagen, who was pres-

ent in the booth. “Business has been steady

and good,” he said.

Teresa Maher of ETA International,

which offers certification services for in-

stallers noted that her booth didn’t attract

a great deal of interest from attendees, but

overall, traffic on the show floor was

satisfactory and the keynote sessions for

the conference were excellent. “I always

get a lot of good information from the

keynotes,” she said.

Ron Orozco, Manager of Engineering for

the Sulphur Springs Valley Electric Coop-

erative, came to Solar Power International

to look for contacts in the software side

of the solar power industry and for infor-

mation on industry trends for power pur-

chasing arrangements. The conference met

his information needs admirably, he said.

Orozco noted that the event has changed

markedly through the years. The Solar

Electric Power Association, a co-owner of

the trade show along with the Solar Energy

Industries Association, has grown enor-

mously from its starting base of utility op-

erators and now involves members from

across the solar energy industry, according

to Orozco. “Today the vendors have be-

come larger than the utilities,” he said. “The

utilities are getting outnumbered, both in

numbers and monetarily.”

A conference and trade show hosted

by a pair of solar energy industry trade as-

sociations probably isn’t the setting you’d

imagine for a dispute over First Amend-

ment rights serious enough to require law

enforcement assistance. The confrontation

at the Los Angeles Convention Center

began when SPI Security Director Demond

Gooch ordered a team handing out copies

of Solar Power Daily News to vacate the

public sidewalk at the intersection of Pico

Boulevard and Figueroa Street, which is

directly in front of the main entrance to the

South and Kentia Halls of the convention

center. Solar Power Daily News is a sister

publication of Alternative Energy News.

Both magazines are published by Oser

Communications Group.

While Gooch persisted, the team refused

to leave citing their right to peaceably oc-

cupy the public sidewalk, and requested

assistance from a Los Angeles County

Sheriff’s Department sergeant who was on

hand to direct traffic away from a No

Standing zone on Figueroa Street. The

sheriff’s deputy affirmed that the distribu-

tion team was on city property rather than

convention center property and ordered

Gooch to refrain from further contact with

the Solar Power Daily News team. Gooch

retired to observe from a distance and then

left the scene.

Later in the day, Gooch accosted

Alternative Energy News Editor Danielle

D’Adamo in the trade show exhibit hall

after a meeting with one of the magazine’s

advertisers at his booth. During the meet-

ing, D’Adamo handed the advertiser a copy

of Solar Power Daily News, and immedi-

ately after she left the booth, was stopped

in the aisle by Gooch, who accused her of

distributing the magazine.

D’Adamo protested that she wasn’t distrib-

uting the magazine to attendees; she had

merely handed the advertiser a single copy

of the magazine that was labeled with his

name. Gooch replied that, “You’re not allowed

to be here. You’re not allowed to distribute

anything. If you want to send your client

anything, it has to be in the mail.” He then

demanded that D’Adamo surrender her expo

badge and escorted her off the show floor.

The following day, Liz Renn of Experi-

ent, who was wearing a “Staff” ribbon on

her badge and an Experient tag on her shirt,

accosted the distribution team on the pub-

lic sidewalk. Experient provides meeting

planning services to its clients. An Experi-

ent email address is listed on the show’s

website as a registration contact. Renn

shouted at distribution team members that

they were not allowed to be where they

were. Carsheenah Jefferson, a member of

the distribution team, responded that the

team was on public property and that Secu-

rity Director Gooch was aware of that.

“Talk to him. He knows,” she said.

“That’s who I am talking to,” Renn

replied, indicating her cell phone.

Renn then began shouting at the arriving

attendees that they should not accept

copies of Solar Power Daily News. She

was joined by an unidentified woman in a

black suit who shouted at attendees:

“Don’t read that. That’s not a legitimate

publication.” The black-suited woman

then attempted to snatch a copy of SolarPower Daily News from the hand of an at-

tendee and force a copy of Solar Industrymagazine, a Solar Power Daily News com-

petitor, on him. “Read this instead,” she

howled. “We’re the legitimate magazine.

We’re an industry partner.”

The attendee replied, “I’m illiterate any-

way,” pushed past the black-suited woman

and continued toward the convention cen-

ter. The black-suited woman then departed

toward the convention center. Renn re-

mained on the scene until approached by

Oser Communication Group’s Editorial

Director Lorrie Baumann. As she ap-

proached, Renn turned her name badge to

face her body and then covered it with her

hands. “You don’t have any right to use my

name,” she said.

Baumann informed her that the First

Amendment protects a publisher’s right to

print the name of an individual involved in

a news event. “This is a public place;

you’re wearing a nametag; and we’re

news-gathering,” she said. “The First

Amendment also allows us to publish your

picture,” she continued. At that point,

Renn retreated about ten yards, continued

to observe a few minutes longer, and even-

tually left. The distribution team continued

to hand out copies of Solar Power DailyNews as attendees arrived. AEN

DISPUTE (Continued from Page 1)

“The conference and trade show has

really exploded over the years to the point

where we had to move to a larger venue

because of space issues,” said Elizabeth

McDonald, President of CanSIA. “We

started this event in Toronto because that’s

where all the solar business is, and the

green energy activity has continued to gain

momentum and interest in establishing

Canada as a true solar marketplace. Fortu-

nately, the Canadian economy has been

steadier than the U.S., and our dollar is now

fairly competitive. We are starting to be

seen as a big player in the solar industry.”

After the impressive turnout of more

than 2,000 attendees at last year’s event,

CanSIA already sold out the exhibitor

space for the upcoming show with

175 registered companies. And while the

majority of attendees are solar industry

veterans, leading government representa-

tives, lawyers and investment bankers,

CanSIA is also drawing a younger crowd

of recent college graduates and new

professionals. The show has established a

job fair and job board in order to reach out

to those new recruits looking for the best

way to enter the industry as upcoming

contractors, engineers or architects.

According to McDonald, Solar Canada

2010 is the ideal place for them to mingle

with influential leaders, and hear the latest

industry news and technical updates from

the best in the business.

“Since its inception, we have tried to

maintain a balance between the conference

and trade show, and not put too much

focus on the conference aspect,” she ex-

plained. “The exhibitors can speak for

themselves and promote their products, but

it’s our job to present the most current and

useful information on technologies and

policy at the session tracks. People come

from all over the world to get a good pulse

on the industry and see who has actually

invested in the market. At the heart of this

solar show, it’s a real networking place.”

New this year is SolarVision 2025, an

in-depth presentation on the opportunities

and challenges facing the Canadian solar

industry over the next 15 years. The pres-

entation will cover all technologies—solar

PV, solar thermal and solar air—and

afterward, a panel of Canadian CEOs will

comment on the strategic plan, and their

thoughts on where the industry is headed.

There will be a track on the challenges

of solar thermal in the Canadian market,

and the future help of federal and provin-

cial government incentives. Also, CanSIA

will present a session on North America’s

renewable energy strategy and how the two

neighboring countries can help the other in

an ongoing clean tech dialogue.

“There is a real opportunity to learn

from other countries who are doing re-

markably well in the solar market, and for

Ontario to refashion its economy and dive

into new areas of energy resources,” said

McDonald. “We have a lot of catching up

to do with the Europeans, but the solar in-

dustry is coming into a new era, and there

is potential to draw new business to

emerging solar markets like ours.” AEN

SOLAR CANADA (Continued from Page 1)

Photo courtesy of CanSIA


SOLAR POWER

Project will Demonstrate Cost-Effectiveness ofCombined Solar-Storage Integration on Com-mercial Buildings for Peak Demand Reduction.

Ice Energy, a leading provider of smart-grid

enabled, advanced energy storage solutions

to the electric utility industry, will work with

SunPower Corp. on a unique pilot project

funded by the California Public Utilities

Commission that will combine its Ice Bear

energy storage technology with SunPower’s

photovoltaic (PV) solar systems.

The project, part of the California Solar

Initiative’s Research, Development, De-

ployment and Demonstration Program,

seeks to demonstrate the economic and op-

erational benefits of integrating advanced

energy storage systems with existing

PV systems for peak demand reduction

directly on commercial buildings. Ice

Energy is one of three energy storage

companies selected to participate in the

program, which will be implemented by

SunPower in conjunction with PG&E,

KEMA, Sandia National Laboratories and

a major national retailer.

“Think of it as sun plus ice plus wind,”

said Greg Tropsa, Executive Vice President

and Co-Founder of Ice Energy. “All three of

these technologies have the potential to be

more valuable together than any single one

of them alone, and that’s what this project

sets out to demonstrate.”

“As the sun begins to set in the afternoon,

the Ice Bear units will deliver stored energy

to bridge the gap between increasing build-

ing electrical demand and decreasing solar

energy production,” Tropsa explained. “The

project will demonstrate that the combina-

tion of solar and ice storage will significantly

reduce a building’s peak demand charge,

saving money for the consumer and helping

the environment by reducing the need for

utilities to dispatch fossil fuel-fired peaking

generators. The bonus is the Ice Bear storage

units are recharged during the off-peak

hours, absorbing wind and surplus low-cost

base load generation.”

The goal of the CPUC California Solar

Initiative (CSI) is to create 1,940 MW of

new, solar-produced electricity by 2016,

moving the state toward a cleaner energy fu-

ture and helping to lower the cost of solar

systems for consumers. The CSI RD&D

program provides grants to fund solar re-

search and demonstration projects that will

measurably reduce the cost and accelerate

the adoption of solar, or other distributed

technologies, such as storage that could

employ solar for alternative generation, and

reduce the use of natural gas and other

fossil-fuel generation. AEN

Ice Energy to Provide Energy Storage Technology for SunPower Project

Solar Monkey and Kyocera Solar, Inc. an-

nounced the completion of a solar energy

system at the San Clemente, Calif. headquarters

of Rainbow Sandals, Inc. Comprised of 1,170

Kyocera KD210GX-LPU high-output 210-watt

modules, and designed and installed by Solar

Monkey of Irvine, Calif., the 245.70-kW system

is expected to produce 340,000 kWh annually.

Mounted on the roof of Rainbow Sandals’

corporate office, the system is projected to

offset 87 percent of the building’s energy usage.

With a 35-year commitment to environmen-

tal preservation and sustainable energy, solar

energy has become Kyocera’s fastest-growing

business globally with new production opera-

tions recently added in San Diego, Calif.

“Rainbow Sandals joins a growing num-

ber of business and residential consumers

who are turning to solar power to meet

their energy needs, “ said Steve Hill,

President of Kyocera Solar, Inc. “With

solar energy offering a safeguard against

the rising costs of electricity and being an

environmentally- sustainable alternative to

fossil fuels, the demand for solar energy

systems is rapidly increasing.”

An experienced system integrator, Solar

Monkey has helped Kyocera meet a grow-

ing demand for its products. According to

Matthew McCullough, CEO of Solar Mon-

key, “We are focused on providing the

highest quality and most efficient solar

energy systems available. Kyocera was a

natural partner for this project as they have

a proven track record of outstanding

module performance and have a 35-year

history in the industry that backs up their

offerings in the market.”

The environmentally-conscious Rainbow

Sandals will derive a majority of its energy

needs from the newly installed solar sys-

tem. “The trio, Rainbow Sandals, Solar

Monkey and Kyocera share a core philoso-

phy—to make a better product while

reducing the impact on the environment,”

said Jay “Sparky” Longley, President and

Founder of Rainbow Sandals. “That,

coupled with Solar Monkey’s engineering

expertise and outstanding service, created

a formidable task force to achieve our

sustainable energy goals. We are thrilled

with how this project turned out.” AEN

Solar Monkey and KYOCERA Solar Bring the Power of the Sun to Rainbow Sandals

Ice Energy storage technology displayed at at a Cinemark movie Cineplex in Lancaster, Calif.

New Solar Installations to Produce the Largest Amount of Solar Energy in the U.S. Wine Industry

Constellation Wines U.S., the country’s

leading premium wine company, an-

nounced a major expansion of its solar energy

initiative as part of its ongoing commitment

to Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

The company plans to invest in three new

solar energy installations across California at

its Clos du Bois winery in Geyserville;

Ravenswood winery in Sonoma; and Estancia

winery in Monterey County. The projects

build on the company’s solar initiative which

began in 2009, with the inaugural installation

at the Gonzales winery in Gonzales, Calif.

Approximately 17,000 solar panels will be

installed at the four wineries by the end of

2010, making the initiative the largest solar

footprint in the U.S. wine industry.

The solar power generated is projected to

cover most, if not all, of the wineries’ energy

needs. Specifically, the systems will provide

the Estancia and Ravenswood wineries with

100 percent of their annual power and 75

percent of the needs of Clos du Bois and 60

percent of Gonzales.

“The four systems will have a combined

solar power of 3.95 MW-DC, which is equiv-

alent to 4.5 million pounds of emitted carbon

being removed from the atmosphere. This

amount equates to 9 million miles not driven

annually or 226 million miles not driven over

the next 25 years, a sizeable reduction,” said

Greg Fowler, Senior Vice President of Oper-

ations, Constellation Wines U.S.

Sonoma County Board of Supervisor Paul

Kelley added, “This solar project for a pre-

mium wine operation in Sonoma County is

an exciting project showing Constellation’s

commitment to quality wine, energy effi-

ciency and greenhouse gas reduction.”

Constellation has retained California-based

Genesis Renewable Energy to design, install,

operate, monitor and maintain the three new in-

stallations. Genesis will work with locally-

based contractors to complete the project,

further utilizing community resources and cre-

ating local jobs. An integral part of the invest-

ment in this multi-million dollar initiative is

incentives provided by the federal government

and the California Solar Initiative. Constella-

tion will be utilizing an incentive program af-

forded by the American Recovery Act that

allows a 30 percent tax incentive for starting

the solar project this year. In addition to the

federal program, Constellation will also partic-

ipate in a rate incentive program made avail-

able by the California Solar Initiative, which

provides significant rate incentives for solar

power through Pacific Gas and Electric.

“These tax incentives, which help spur

investments in alternative energy produc-

tion, are an important way to help green

our economy,” said Congressman Mike

Thompson (D-Napa), who helped draft the

federal incentives and supported the Re-

covery Act. “Constellation’s solar initiative

is a great example of how these tax incen-

tives are helping the environment while

also creating jobs in California.”

Constellation is participating in a number

of efforts under its sustainability pillar,

which have resulted in

significant accom-

plishments, such as the

recent certification of

all of Constellation’s

wineries and vineyards

as part of the California

Sustainable Wine-

growing Alliance’s

third-party certification

program. Additionally,

Constellation wineries

also participate in local

programs, such as

the Sonoma Green

Business program, the

Napa Green program and the Fish Friendly

Farming program, which certified more than

1,300 acres of Constellation’s vineyards.

“We are extremely proud of this solar

initiative, especially in California where

many of our brands, employees and

customers are located.” said Jay Wright,

President, Constellation Wines North

America. “We are committed to investing in

technologies that will allow us to protect our

environment while we produce our wines in

the most sustainable way possible. Not only

will this initiative have a positive impact on

the environment, but it is also cost effective,

saving approximately $1 million in energy

costs per year.” AEN

A total of 17,000 solar panels will be installed at four Constellation Wines U.S. wineries making it the largest solar footprint in the U.S. wine industry.

Iberdrola Renewables recently began construction at its newest wind farm project, in

Herkimer County, N.Y. Large wind turbine components arrive almost daily by truck, lay-

ing the groundwork for the 74-MW Hardscrabble Wind Power Project in the towns of

Fairfield, Norway and Little Falls.

The nearly $200 million wind project, which is expected to complete construction and begin

delivering emission-free electricity at the end of the year, is one of seven new wind farms

Iberdrola Renewables currently has under construction around the United States.

The project has already created nearly 200 construction jobs so far, which includes pour-

ing turbine foundations, transporting components, installing electrical systems and building

roads with the on-site crew increasing now that turbine installation has begun. Once com-

plete, the project will permanently employ a staff of six technicians to operate the site.

In addition to job creation, the Hardscrabble Wind Power Project will make a number of

one-time and recurring payments to landowners and local jurisdictions over the life of the

project. Annual payments to the jurisdictions, which include the towns of Fairfield, Norway

and Little Falls, the West Canada School District, the City of Little Falls School District and

Herkimer County, will total approximately $592,000 and escalate with inflation. Annual lease

payments to participating landowners are projected to average $650,000 a year for the life of

the project.

Hardscrabble will feature 37 American-made Gamesa wind turbines, which will stand on

100-meter towers. The tower sections are manufactured in Wisconsin, while the rest of the tur-

bine—the blades, nacelle, and hub—is manufactured in Pennsylvania. When complete, the

project will produce enough electricity to power more than 25,000 typical New York homes

each year. The clean, renewable energy produced at Hardscrabble will have a pollution-

offset equal to removing an estimated 26,000 cars from the road.

Iberdrola Renewables Inc. is an American company, incorporated in the U.S. and

headquartered in Portland, Ore., with more than 800 employees. It is part of the Iberdrola

Renovables global group, the world’s leading provider of wind power with more than 11,000

MW of renewable energy in operation around the world, and more than 3,800 MW of that

wind power located in the United States. AEN

New York’s Newest Wind Farm NowUNDER CONSTRUCTION


WIND POWER


WIND POWER

“The area near Breckenridge in Gratiot

County has an excellent wind resource with

flat, consistent winds and good access to

transmission lines,” said Kevin Parzyck,

Senior Development Manager for Invenergy

Wind. “More importantly, there has been a

tremendous amount of participation from

municipal leaders, landowners and everyone

involved to develop more wind farms in the

area and boost Michigan’s presence in the

wind industry. We’ve seen little to no resist-

ance to the project.”

The idea for a new wind farm began sev-

eral years ago with a long-term development

plan for Gratiot County. The community

wanted to be ahead of the curve with zoning

and wind power requirements in order to de-

velop a platform for wind development in the

state, according to Parzyck. Initially, Inven-

ergy Wind worked with Michigan developer

Wind Resource LLC, who started early work

on the wind project. In 2009, Invenergy Wind

purchased the wind assessments and prelimi-

nary work for the farm, and has continued to

work closely with Wind Resource. Around the

same time, Detroit Edison issued an RFP for

wind development in Michigan and Inven-

ergy Wind happened to place the winning bid.

“Since Michigan has an RES requiring

electric providers to achieve a retail supply

portfolio that includes at least 10 percent

by 2015, it made sense for Detroit Edison

to issue multiple RFPs not only to help the

state meet its goal, but to expand our re-

newable energy portfolio as well,” said

Scott Simons, Spokesman for DTE Energy.

“We are excited to work with Invenergy

Wind on this new project to help make

Michigan a greener state and develop a

brand new wind industry here.”

The new wind farm is actually the first of

three wind farms being planned in Gratiot

County. The other two are expected to be de-

veloped in the middle of the county and in the

southwest part. During construction of the

Invenergy project, more than 150 workers

will be employed. In addition, 15 full-time,

local high-tech jobs servicing the turbines

will be created and housed in an on-site op-

erations and maintenance facility comple-

mented by local vendors to

maintain the turbines and

the project’s infrastructure.

“Promoting green jobs

and reviving the local econ-

omy is one of the great

things about projects like

this,” said Parzyck. “The

fact that there was such

good leadership early on

from participating members

of the community, it gave

everyone the understanding

that this wind farm was

going to provide good bene-

fits to the area. This is a true

community effort that we

can play a part in.”

With the engineering analysis and per-

mitting process already in progress,

Parzyck expects groundbreaking to begin in

early November and the wind farm to be

completed by the end of 2011. AEN

Siemens Energy has been awarded its first

order for the supply of two SCC6-5000F

Flex-Plant 10 combined cycle power is-

lands. The order for the two power islands in

El Segundo, Calif., comes from the U.S.

power company NRG Energy. The advanced

design of the Flex-Plant 10 offers an

environmentally-compatible solution for the

peaking to intermediate market through fast-

start technology, and low start-up emissions

and water usage. The two Flex-Plant 10

power islands can generate an output of

300 MW within 10 minutes. When the plant

goes online in the spring of 2013, these units

will be able to supply environmentally-

friendly power to 240,000 households.

At the heart of the Flex-Plant 10 is the

SGT6-5000F gas turbine, integrated with a

single-pressure, non-reheat bottoming cycle.

Together with an air-cooled heat exchanger

for steam condensing, the Flex-Plant 10

provides a net efficiency of nearly 49

percent, making it the most efficient peaking

plant technology available today. Compared

to a traditional simple cycle plant, and

because of its higher efficiency and low

water consumption, the Flex-Plant 10 is

the most competitive solution for peak- to

intermediate-duty cycles, including the

10-minute non-spinning reserve market.

The natural gas-fueled power plant in

El Segundo will have a nominal rating of 560

MW. The Siemens scope of supply includes

the main power island components—each

featuring a SGT6-5000F gas turbine-generator,

an SST-800 steam turbine-generator, a heat

recovery steam generator and an air-cooled

condenser—along with the complete electri-

cal and power plant instrumentation and

control systems. Siemens also will provide

the engineering services and commissioning

of the plant.

“Our Flex-Plant peakers are specifically

designed to meet the U.S. market needs for

extremely short start-up times and deliv-

ery of high efficiency and low emissions.

We are proud to be working with NRG to

launch the Flex-Plant 10, making their

company the first to have the benchmark

for peak- to intermediate-duty range power

plants in its portfolio,” said Michael Suess,

CEO of the Fossil Power Generation Divi-

sion at Siemens Energy.

“The Siemens Flex 10 technology pro-

vides the California grid what is needed to

meet aggressive environmental goals,”

said Steve Hoffmann, President of NRG’s

West Region. “The fast-start features help

firm intermittent renewable resources

while the high efficiency meets new clean

air standards.”

Flex-Plant 10 plants are part of Siemens’

Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2009,

revenue from the portfolio totaled about

EUR23 billion, making Siemens the

world’s largest supplier of eco-friendly

technologies. In the same period, the com-

pany’s products and solutions enabled cus-

tomers to reduce their CO² emissions by

210 million tons. This amount equals the

combined annual CO² emissions of New

York, Tokyo, London and Berlin. AEN

MICHIGAN WIND FARM (Continued from Page 1)

Siemens Wins Order for Two Flex-Plant™ 10 Combined Cycle Power Islands

Del Mar-based Cannon Power Group

announced the closing of the sale of

a 20-year block of renewable power to

Southern California Public Power Authority

(SCPPA) for $547 million. This is believed

to be the largest transaction of its kind in the

power industry.

The power will be provided from Cannon

Power Group’s 262-MW Windy Flats wind

project in Goldendale, Wash., under a long-

term power purchase agreement entered into

last year by the parties.

The transaction involves SCPPA “pre-

paying” for a 20-year block of power,

representing more than 70 percent of the pro-

ject’s expected annual production. In return

for such “pre-payment,” SCPPA obtained a

discounted power price. The balance of the

power from the project also will be sold by

Cannon Power Group to SCPPA at a formula-

based price. As part of the transaction,

SCPPA also received an option to purchase

the project after five years.

“This uniquely structured transaction is a

true win-win for both parties,” said Gary

Hardke, President of Cannon Power Group.

“It combined SCPPA’s low-cost, tax exempt

bond financing with the federal stimulus

grant program to produce a very attractive

long-term cost of renewable power.”

SCPPA reportedly closed its 20-year bond

financing at the end of August at

pricing of less than 4 percent, according to

Bloomberg News. Cannon Power Group

received total federal stimulus grants of $220

million in connection with the project.

“This was really a remarkable and

innovative transaction,” said attorney

Tom Trimble, Partner and Co-Head of the

Renewable Energy Practice at Washington,

D.C.-based Hunton & Williams, who

represented Cannon Power Group in the

transaction. “It allowed the parties to navi-

gate the credit crisis and take advantage of

the low interest rate environment.”

Cannon Power Group’s Windy Flats proj-

ect went on line earlier in 2010. It is part of

the company’s 500-MW Windy Point/Windy

Flats project. The project, one of the largest

wind projects in the U.S., and representing

an investment of more than $1.2 billion,

spans more than 26 miles along the Columbia

River. It is expected to be completed in 2011

and has provided more than 350 new jobs to

the local area. Cannon Power developed and

constructed the project. AEN

Cannon Power Group Closes Largest ‘Pre-Pay’ Contract for Wind Power

Siemens’ SGT6-5000F gas turbine at a manufacturing plant.

Heritage Sustainable Energy’s Stoney Corners Wind Farm.


WIND POWER

New Plant Will Serve as a DevelopmentHub for TPI’s Operations Worldwide.

TPI Composites Inc., a leading global sup-

plier of wind turbine blades, announced

plans to open a wind blade innovation cen-

ter in Fall River, Mass., that will support

TPI’s manufacturing facilities around the

world. The Fall River plant will serve as a

center for development of advanced blade

manufacturing technology and a launching

pad for new wind blade products. The

facility will also offer limited production

capacity for land-based as well as offshore

wind turbine blades. Gov. Deval Patrick,

U.S. Representative Barney Frank and Fall

River Mayor William Flanagan took part

in the announcement.

The 69,000-square-foot Fall River de-

velopment center will initially allow TPI

to manufacture blades as long as 62 meters

with even larger blades possible with fur-

ther expansion. Prototype blades produced

at this location will be delivered by barge

to the new Wind Technology Testing

Center in Charlestown, Mass., for testing

and optimization.

“We are very pleased to have the

opportunity to expand our wind blade

development and prototype capabilities

through this new innovation center,” said

Steve Lockard, President and CEO of TPI.

“The efficient access to the water, proxim-

ity to an outstanding work force and

support received from the Commonwealth

of Massachusetts and the city made Fall

River the ideal place for TPI’s expansion.

The addition of this facility will position

TPI well for the future as the demand for

larger, higher-performance wind turbine

blades continues to grow.”

“I welcome TPI Composites to Massa-

chusetts, where they become part of our

growing wind energy industry,” said Gov.

Patrick. “With facilities like the Wind

Technology Testing Center and companies

like TPI, Massachusetts will lead the

nation in the next generation of wind

energy technology.”

To support this facility, the Massachusetts

Clean Energy Center (MassCEC) has

awarded TPI a $250,000 grant, contingent

upon creating and maintaining 30 jobs.

The facility, located at the Tillotson Com-

plex at 63 Water St., is expected to open in

early 2011 and will initially employ 30 to

50 associates. Neil Tillotson, who the com-

plex is named for, was one of TPI’s initial

investors in 1968. TPI built recreational

boats in the building during the 1970s and

1980s.

“Bringing a major wind blade manufac-

turer to the state to carry out development,

testing and training for the advanced

manufacturing of wind blades will help build

the wind blade cluster in Massachusetts,

and provide a local customer for our Wind

Technology Testing Center,” said Mass-

CEC’s Executive Director Patrick Cloney.

The innovation center will operate as a

sister facility to TPI’s Warren, R.I. plant

located approximately 10 miles away

and will serve as a base for offshore wind

blade deployment. TPI also operates

wind blade manufacturing facilities in

Newton, Iowa; Taicang, China and Juarez,

Mexico. The company employs approxi-

mately 2,500 worldwide. AEN

TPI Composites to Announce Plans for Wind Blade Innovation Center in Massachusetts

Bechtel Development Company, CavalloGreat Lakes Ohio Wind and Great LakesWind Energy Form Company to AddressAll Stages of Development.

Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation

(LEEDCo) announced that it has selected

a team of three companies to develop an

offshore wind farm on Lake Erie, the first

project of its kind in North America.

The three partner companies are Bech-

tel Development Company, Inc. (Bechtel),

Cavallo Great Lakes Ohio Wind, LLC

(Cavallo) and Great Lakes Wind Energy,

LLC (GLWEnergy). The announcement

was made by LEEDCo President Dr. Lorry

Wagner, who called the developer selec-

tion a major step forward in the process of

establishing an offshore wind industry,

which began with a feasibility analysis and

study, initiated nearly four years ago.

“Our ambitious goals demand a world-

class execution team,” said Dr. Wagner.

“With these three major contributors in

place as the developer, we now have the

talent and broad range of expertise neces-

sary to start this exciting endeavor.”

Bechtel, Cavallo and GLWEnergy have

formed Great Lakes Ohio Wind, LLC

(GLOW), the company that will own and

develop the project. Speaking on behalf of

the developer team, GLWEnergy Manag-

ing Director Chris Wissemann said, “We

are looking forward to collaborating with

all partners, and providing our combined

expertise to help bring Northeast Ohio an

exciting project and significant alternative

source of energy.”

“This is historic. This is the first fresh

water offshore wind project in North

America,” said Bill Mason, Cuyahoga

County Prosecutor and Chair of Great

Lakes Energy Development Task Force, a

unit, created by Cuyahoga County, for the

purpose of exploring the legal, technical,

environmental, economic and financial

aspects of developing and implementing

advanced energy technologies in the

county. “I believe it will be the catalyst

to drive economic development in our re-

gion and create the next generation of jobs

for our children.”

The initial project will be a five-turbine,

20-MW pilot wind farm five to 10 miles

offshore of Cleveland. Construction on the

initial phase is tentatively scheduled to

commence in late 2012. By 2020,

LEEDCo aims to see 1,000 MW of renew-

able electricity being generated from lake

winds, and believes the economies of scale

that can be obtained when building such

large projects will reduce the cost of that

energy to attractive levels.

The selection of the developer follows

LEEDCo’s May 2010 announcement that

General Electric (GE) is the intended sup-

plier of the project’s direct-drive offshore

wind turbines and maintenance.

“We want Northern Ohio to be the

epicenter of a new freshwater offshore wind

power industry with associated manufac-

turing, shipping and construction jobs,”

said Dr. Wagner. “This milestone will posi-

tion our region as a model for innovation in

clean energy and help spur economic

development in Northern Ohio.” AEN

Lake Erie Energy Development Corporation AnnouncesSelection of a Developer for Lake Erie Wind Farm

A row of TPI Composites wind blades.

Pattern Energy Group LP (Pattern)

announced that MetLife has made an

equity partnership investment in Pattern’s

Gulf Wind project. Gulf Wind is a fully

operational 283-MW wind farm located in

Kenedy County, Texas, that produces clean

energy equivalent to the power needs of

80,000 Texas homes. The terms of the

investment were not disclosed.

“We welcome MetLife’s involvement in

the Gulf Wind project. MetLife’s partici-

pation allows the partnership to efficiently

use the tax benefits associated with the

project and, together with Pattern’s recent

operational improvements, continues our

commitment to ensuring Gulf Wind is a

premier wind energy project. This financ-

ing also demonstrates Pattern’s ability to

consummate creative but practical financ-

ing structures in these uncertain financial

markets,” said Mike Garland, CEO of Pat-

tern Energy. “Pattern is well positioned,

with our $800 million corporate equity an-

nounced in May, to continue developing

world-class premium growth renewable

energy projects.” The current financing

with MetLife represents an evolution

of the AB structure developed previously

by Pattern management. The current

transaction incorporates project debt and

consistent cash flows.

“MetLife recognizes the importance of

investing in renewable energy ventures that

will have a positive impact on the environ-

ment,” said Steve Kandarian, Executive

Vice President and Chief Investment Offi-

cer for MetLife. “This investment in Gulf

Wind builds upon the more than $1 billion

that MetLife has already invested in renew-

able energy projects. It also demonstrates

our commitment to support growth in the

wind energy market.” MetLife was advised

by CP Energy Group in the transaction.

Pattern’s Gulf Wind project is strategically

located on the Gulf Coast in Kenedy County,

Texas, where favorable wind conditions

allow the project to maximize energy

production during times of peak demand

and peak pricing. Gulf Wind is pioneering

the world’s first use of groundbreaking

MERLIN SCADA radar technology to

protect avian populations. AEN

Pattern Energy Announces Financing Investment in Gulf Wind Project by MetLife


now talking true building science rather than

just adding a product to a home. Builders like

Meritage Homes are looking at buildings as a

system, not individual pieces. This really ad-

dresses the way people live.”

Another high-performance feature is the

ECHO Solar Electric/Thermal System from

PVT Solar. For Meritage Homes, aesthetics

was paramount and the builder was initially

uncertain of installing a rooftop PV system.

However, PVT Solar’s unique ECHO Solar

System is flush-mounted and resembles

something of a seamless skylight. In

addition, the ECHO Solar System produces

up to 10,000 kWh energy offset annu-

ally. “The ECHO System delivers twice as

much energy compared to other systems on

the market,” said Gordon Handelsman of

PVT Solar. “This really was the best solution

for Meritage Homes because in a production

home, you don’t have an unlimited amount

of roof space—it’s actually quite con-

strained. A basic system won’t make enough

energy to be meaningful for the consumer,

but our system makes the financial aspects

of solar much more valuable. By utilizing

solar energy, Meritage Homes has proved in

execution that these homes can be built and

transform a market.”

The Meritage Green Homes are located in

communities throughout Tucson with prices

varying by community, but some homes are

available for as low as the mid $120s. AEN

California-based Power-One, the world’s

second-largest manufacturer of power

inverters for the renewable energy industry,

will open its first North American manufac-

turing facility in Phoenix. This marks the

sixth such company to move to Phoenix since

January, drawn by the state’s landmark Re-

newable Energy Tax Incentive Program.

Power-One is the leading provider of re-

newable energy and energy-efficient power

management solutions and currently holds 11

percent of the global photovoltaic inverter

market share, according to IMS Research. The

company manufactures a wide range of in-

verters, which make electricity from solar and

wind sources usable, for residential, commer-

cial and utility-grade solar and wind markets.

Power-One’s Phoenix facility will produce its

industry-leading photovoltaic and wind in-

verters, including single-phase string inverters

(2-6 kW), three phase string inverters, and

NEMA 3R 250 kW, 300 kW and 400 kW cen-

tral inverters. In the future for wind applica-

tions, the product range will include 2.5 MW

inverters. Production at the Phoenix facility

will commence in October 2010 and will

reach a capacity of 1 gigawatt by mid-2011.

“With a strong workforce, access to intel-

lectual resources through our relationship

with Arizona State University, and support

from Gov. Jan Brewer, the Arizona Com-

merce Authority and the Greater Phoenix

Economic Council (GPEC), we are confident

that Phoenix is the best place for Power-One

to establish its first manufacturing base in the

U.S.,” said Richard Thompson, President and

CEO of Power-One. “We are excited to bring

our field-proven products to the United States

and Canadian markets as we see tremendous

growth opportunities in North America.”

Power-One is the 12th California-based

company to establish an operation in Greater

Phoenix in the last two years. The 120,000-

square-foot facility will employ more than

350 workers to support the company’s strong

growth in the inverter market. The company

recently achieved record net sales of $215

million for 2010’s second quarter, a 135 per-

cent increase from the same time last year.

“Power-One brings the quality jobs I am

committed to attracting for Arizonans,” said

Gov. Brewer. “Arizona has a dynamic mix

of resources, human capital and knowledge

assets to optimize any company’s perform-

ance. Power-One is one more significant

milestone along Arizona’s path toward

strengthening our market position in the

global solar industry.”

“Power-One’s decision to open this facil-

ity in the Valley of the Sun is not only great

for the economy, it also brings us a step

closer to turning Phoenix into a solar city,”

said Mayor Phil Gordon. “This move creates

350 new high-wage jobs, fills vacant indus-

trial space and places a top solar company in

our city, where we're working hard to har-

ness this renewable energy and technology

for a greener Phoenix.” AEN

Power-One Opens First U.S. Manufacturing and Technology Center in Phoenix

Meritage Homes Introduces Energy-EfficientCommunities in Tucson, Ariz.

The new Power-One manufacturing and technology facility in Phoenix, Ariz.

EMERGING teCHNOLOGIES

BY DANIELLE D’ADAMOMeritage Homes recently unveiled its new

high-performance, energy-efficient homes

in five communities in the Tucson market.

With approximately $50,000 of energy-

efficient features included in every home at

no additional cost to the buyer, these

ENERGY STAR® Meritage Green Homes

will save homeowners up to 75 percent in

energy costs and allow them to be eligible

for $5,500 in tax credits. As the only builder

in the nation offering the most advanced

energy-efficient features available today,

Meritage Homes is ushering in a new era in

production homebuilding.

“As a builder in today’s market, you either

have to strip out the amenities of a house in

order to stay competitive or you have to start

from scratch and create something new for

the buyer that hasn’t been done anywhere

else,” explained CR Herro, Meritage Homes

Vice President of Environmental Affairs.

“Meritage created this position I currently

have in order to challenge the way they build

homes. We spent a year analyzing what we

can do to give true value to customers. As it

turns out, roughly $150,000 of utilities go

into a home, so we decided to create a good

thermal envelope and not compromise the

floor plan or beauty of the home.”

The result was a trend-setting program that

offered an all-inclusive package of energy-

efficient features, materials and appliances,

making Meritage Homes the only top-10

homebuilder that is 100 percent ENERGY

STAR qualified at no additional cost. And

while other production builders incorporate

green features into their building design, the

majority only offer energy-efficiency technol-

ogy as options or costly upgrades. Meritage

even took a reduced profitability on these

new homes because it was the corporate-

responsible thing to do, according to Herro.

“A home is the most expensive thing a

consumer will ever buy, and to look at the

housing market and see that builders have not

adapted that for the last 30 years is rather

surprising,” said Herro. “Builders need to

look for fundamental principles to drive back

to the consumer. Once consumers understand

that there is something better that they can get

priced competitively, they will make better,

greener choices.”

In order not to incur expenses that weren’t

going to translate into direct value for the

consumer, Meritage Homes looked at all the

indicators needed for energy efficiency, water

conservation and green building practices,

without sacrificing style and comfort. Part-

ners such as Tucson Electric Power (TEP),

PVT Solar, Demilec and several others

played significant roles in the development

of the environmentally-friendly communities.

Meritage Homes worked closely with TEP to

qualify for its enhanced Guarantee Home

Program, which ensures the homes were built

to standard.

“When Meritage Homes was looking to

build these highly efficient homes, it was

natural for us to work together and put our

official stamp on the project,” said Joseph

Barrios, Spokesman for TEP. “Since the

housing market has slowed, builders need

to look for creative ways to distinguish

themselves. And at TEP, we want to help our

customers use less energy, so working on an

environmentally- and economically-friendly

project like this just made sense.”

Meritage Green Homes incorporates many

advanced building science practices like

spray foam technology into its insulated wall

system and attic. Since air movement in a

building is the greatest source of energy loss,

home builders are constantly looking for bet-

ter options to increase the insulated value.

Demilec’s SEALECTION® 500 is spray-

applied as a liquid and it expands within

seconds to 120 times its volume to fill every

nook and cranny, providing excellent energy

efficiency and improved indoor air quality

by eliminating air movement through walls.

“Unlike other materials in the past, if I

wanted to put on a cool screen door, it was

done as a built-on application,” said Ken

Allison, Spokesman for Demilec. “But when

you use spray foam in creating a new envelope

for the building, you have to bring in other

trades and treat it as another assembly—you

can’t just add it to the existing house. We’re

The ECHO Solar System from PVT Solar at Meritage Green Homes Communities

The new Power-One manufacturing and technology facility in Phoenix, Ariz.


EMERGING teCHNOLOGIES

SkyBuilt Power to Provide Rapidly Deployable, Renewable Energy Mobile Power Stations

SkyBuilt Power announced that it has

been awarded a contract by the U.S.

Army to provide rapidly deployable re-

newable energy power stations for

Afghanistan. The contract provides for

both products and services. System details

are not being released at this time.

David Muchow, SkyBuilt’s President

and CEO, noted that, “This is another ex-

ample of how SkyBuilt’s unique, rapidly

deployable, renewable energy power

systems can support our troops in the field.

These patented systems can reduce the

threat from IEDs by reducing the need for

fuel convoys, while saving operating

expenses, maintenance and spare parts re-

quired with diesel generators. SkyBuilt’s

quiet systems also are ideal for night

watch in remote Forward Operating Bases

(FOBs) and other locations, and for sensor

systems. And they can have minimal heat

and radar signatures.”

SkyBuilt is a product and system integra-

tion company for advanced power systems.

It is the leader in rapidly deployable, hybrid

renewable energy power stations. Bill Buck,

SkyBuilt’s Chairman, noted that, “SkyBuilt’s

systems have been saving up to 97 percent

on fuel for years in the field with the military

and other customers.”

These systems can be fixed or mobile, on-

or off-grid. They use any kind of renewable

energy (solar, wind, biomass), fuel or other

sources. They are rugged, and reduce fuel and

maintenance in any climate worldwide. They

can pay for themselves in months to a few

years in operating cost savings, depending on

the solar and wind resource at the site.

They are designed for military uses (Army,

Navy, USCG, USAF and USMC), as well as

telecommunications, intelligence, disaster

relief and reconstruction, Homeland Security,

mobile health clinics, water pumping and

sustainable economic development in Iraq,

Afghanistan and worldwide.

These unique, patented systems come in

various platforms, from low-power to high-

power and micro grid systems:

SkyStation is a containerized system of-

fering solar, wind, batteries and/or genera-

tors and other options, and used for tactical

operations centers, telecom, mobile clinics,

base load and backup power, disaster relief,

telecom power and rapidly deployable

micro grid power.

SkyTrailer provides mobile renewable

power on trailers—sets up in as little as

45 minutes.

SkySkid provides lightweight power on

fork liftable skids for remote communica-

tions and other uses.

SkyCase is a man-portable power station

in an airline-checkable case with high effi-

ciency SkyPAK solar blankets three times

more efficient than others.

SkyWater combines far more efficient

water treatment technology (500 W provides

10 gal./min. continuous from gray water)

with a mobile or fixed power system.

SkyStructures are panelized, insulated,

fire resistant, rapidly deployable structures

with renewable energy power systems. They

provide longer life and lower HVAC needs

than tents to cut power use in the field.

SkyBuilt and its products above are

trademarks of SkyBuilt Power. AEN

Solar Powered Water Purifier for Disaster ReliefAmerican Manufacturing Company Re-sponds to World’s Demand for Potable Water.

Finding uncontaminated drinking water is

one of the biggest problems in disaster re-

lief according to USAID, CARE, the United

Nations and other disaster relief organiza-

tions. The Solar Container is a solution; it

would eliminate the spread of water trans-

mitted diseases, negate “the second wave of

deaths,” give farmers desalinated water that

wouldn’t kill their crops, reduce logistical

planning, and produce enough excess energy

to charge communication equipment.

Trunz/Spectra Watermakers’ Solar Container

is cutting-edge field technology designed to

meet the requirements FEMA outlined in

their Operational Requirements Document

released in April of 2009.

The Solar Container is powered by

renewable solar or wind energy and can

produce more than 8,000 gallons of virus-

free drinking water per day. Currently in

Pakistan, clean water is trucked in over

rough roads and contaminated flood water

is treated with single-use water purification

tablets. Haiti relies on above ground pipes

that often rupture. These are temporary so-

lutions; the Solar Container can operate

without generator or fuel which eliminates

follow-up logistical attention during

emergencies. The Solar Container has been

designed for the harshest desert conditions;

the equipment is installed in a sealed, lock-

able, air-conditioned container.

The product is a joint venture of Spectra

Watermakers Inc., a California company

known within the marine industry for its re-

verse osmosis water-making equipment and

Trunz Water Systems, a Swiss manufactur-

ing company. The Solar Container is made

possible by the integration of the Spectra

Pearson pump, a revolutionary water treat-

ment technology that dramatically reduces

the power required for desalination. The

Spectra Pearson pump, found in several of

Spectra’s watermakers, is a new proprietary

pump developed by Spectra to meet the needs

of a thirsty world. It is

an environmentally-

clean solution for any-

one in need of water

where energy is expen-

sive or inaccessible;

all you need is water,

sunlight and a cup.

The Solar Container

works by placing a

pump into a brackish

or saltwater source.

The water is pumped

through a series of fil-

ters to remove large

matter then filtered

through eight reverse

osmosis membranes,

which purify the water at an ionic level, elim-

inating bacteria, viruses, salts and dangerous

chemicals. The Solar Container runs on self-

sustaining green technology. The integrated

photovoltaic solar panels charge the water

purifier’s 24-volt batteries.

The Solar Container is presently on-site at

Spectra Watermakers in San Rafael, Calif. AEN

AC Propulsion CEO. “Both the vehicle

and our drive system excel in performance

and efficiency, and that is what it takes to

compete successfully for the X PRIZE.”

The goal of the Progressive Insurance

Automotive X PRIZE is to inspire a new

generation of viable, super fuel-efficient

vehicles that offer more consumer choices.

Ten million dollars in prize money was

awarded to the teams that won their class

competition for clean, production-capable

vehicles that exceed 100 miles per gallon

energy equivalent (MPGe).

The Progressive Insurance Automotive X

PRIZE puts added global focus on efficiency,

safety, affordability and the environment. It

is about developing real, production-capable

cars that consumers will want to buy, not sci-

ence projects or concept cars. This progress

is needed because today’s oil consumption is

unsustainable, and automotive emissions sig-

nificantly contribute to global warming and

climate change. AEN

E-Tracer Wins Progressive Automotive X Prize Powered by AC Propulsion’s Electric Drive System Spotlight Shines on AC Propulsion for itsHigh-Performance Electric Drive System.

AC Propulsion, a global leader in electric

drive development, design and manufac-

turing, announced the winner of the 2010

Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE,

Alternative Class (Tandem), the Peraves

E-Tracer, powered by AC Propulsion’s

state-of-the-art electric drive system. The

E-Tracer outlasted and outperformed more

than 30 entries over the grueling four-

month X PRIZE competition.

Widely known for the drive system tech-

nology powering the Tesla Roadster, MINI E

and eBox electric vehicles, AC Propulsion

added another winner to the list of vehicles

using its tzerotm technology as the innova-

tive E-Tracer ascended the podium to receive

the coveted 2010 Progressive Insurance

Automotive X PRIZE.

“The Peraves E-Tracer is a perfect match

for our electric drive system,” said Tom Gage, The AC Propulsion E-Tracer car was the winner of the 2010 Automotive X PRIZE.

The Solar Container can produce more than 8,000gallons of virus-free drinking water per day.

OTHER alternatives


U.S. Geothermal Announces Partnership with Enbridge on 35-MW Geothermal PlantU

.S. Geothermal Inc., a leading

renewable energy company focused

on the development, production

and sale of electricity from geothermal en-

ergy, announced that it has entered into a

strategic and financial partnership with En-

bridge (U.S.) Inc., a subsidiary of Enbridge

Inc. The partnership involves Enbridge

investing up to $23.8 million in the 35-MW

Neal Hot Springs geothermal project in

eastern Oregon.

Enbridge transports and distributes energy

across North America, and operates the

world’s longest crude oil and liquids

transportation system. The company, which

is headquartered in Calgary, Alberta, has

expanding interests in green energy technolo-

gies, including wind and solar energy, hybrid

fuel cells and waste heat recovery projects.

The Enbridge equity investment in the Neal

Hot Springs project will fully fund the re-

maining equity share of the construction costs,

with the balance of the construction costs

being funded by the previously announced

U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) conditional

commitment for a project loan. Subject to

adjustment, Enbridge will acquire 20 percent

direct ownership interest in the project and will

receive 24 percent of the Investment Tax

Credit cash grant. U.S. Geothermal has now

already invested approximately $13 million in

USG Oregon LLC, its subsidiary that owns

the project. A total of up to $36.8 million in

equity, together with up to $102.2 million of

project debt provided under the loan guarantee

program from the DOE, is now invested in

or available for completion of the $124.3

million project.

“Our strategic partnership with Enbridge

assures full financing for the successful con-

struction and operation of the Neal Hot

Springs geothermal project,” said Daniel

Kunz, President and Chief Executive Officer

of U.S. Geothermal Inc. “We look forward

to a long and successful partnership with

Enbridge on this and potentially other

geothermal projects in our portfolio. Upon

achieving commercial operation, Neal Hot

Springs will be our third operating geother-

mal asset and will build upon our track record

of successfully developing our existing

pipeline of quality resources.”

“Enbridge is already heavily involved in

renewable and alternative energy projects

through our interests in 810 MW of wind,

solar, waste heat recovery and fuel cell proj-

ects,” said Patrick D. Daniel, Enbridge’s

President and CEO. “This investment is our

initial entry into geothermal energy, which

we think has an important role to play in

North America’s shift toward a greener en-

ergy production mix. We look forward to our

relationship with U.S Geothermal and the po-

tential that we may find further opportunities

to partner together.”

At Neal Hot Springs, USG Oregon is

constructing a new modular, air-cooled

binary cycle power plant manufactured by

TAS Energy Inc. of Houston, Texas, with

gross capacity of 35 MW and an average

annual output subject to seasonal and other

variations of 23 net MW of electricity.

Fixed-price equipment supply and firm-

price construction prices for the plant and

the other associated costs have been

secured from the equipment supplier and

the construction contractor. The anticipated

commercial operations date is the fourth

quarter of 2012.

The Neal Hot Springs development project

is the first geothermal project to be offered a

conditional commitment for a loan guarantee

under DOE’s Title XVII loan guarantee

program, which was created by the Energy

Policy Act of 2005 to support the deployment

of innovative clean energy technologies.

Issuance of the loan guarantee is subject to

the satisfaction of certain conditions prece-

dent. Once issued, the DOE loan guarantee

will guarantee the project loan from the U.S.

Treasury’s Federal Financing Bank. Up to 25

MW of the electrical output from the Neal

Hot Springs project is sold through 2032

under the terms of a previously announced

power purchase agreement with Idaho Power

Company, a subsidiary of IdaCorp. AEN

which obviously created some severe envi-

ronmental problems over the years,” said

Gerry Greathouse of the PVBC. “The nitrate

levels in the water were unacceptable, so we

decided to form this Cooperative and explore

options on how to put all the waste and

potential methane gas to good use in an

environmentally-friendly way. A biogas plant

seemed like the best road to go down.”

With the ample supply of nearby dairy

waste biomass, the system can provide cost-

effective bio-methane. The renewable gas

can be utilized through the national natural-

gas pipeline system or for transportation bio-

fuels. While representatives at the PVBC are

still researching the best technology to install

at the facility, the bio-refinery center will

Pecos Valley Biomass Cooperative Receives Grant to Develop New Biogas PlantBY DANIELLE D’ADAMOA new biogas initiative has been given the

green light with a $2.4 million dollar grant by

the U.S. Department of Energy that will in-

volve 50,000 cows from 25 dairy farms near

Roswell, N.M. The Pecos Valley Biomass

Cooperative (PVBC) plans to establish a dairy

cooperative management system for the col-

lection, storage and the bio-conversion of cow

manure and other agricultural waste products

into methane gas. The Cooperative was formed

five years ago after members decided it was

time to clean up the excess manure waste that

was piling up at existing dairy farms in the area

and contaminating the ground water.

“In just a 12-mile radius, there is a hefty

amount of manure being produced daily,

likely include a combination of anaerobic di-

gestion and gasification techniques for the

production of bio-methane and fertilizer

granules. Anaerobic digestion is a fairly com-

mon technique for biogas projects as it uses

a biochemical process where specific kinds

of bacteria digest biomass in an oxygen-free

environment and break down the waste.

Greathouse also discussed the possibility of

utilizing fluidized bed reactors or compost.

“The challenge we’re faced with is zero-

ing in on the best technology for the proj-

ect,” Greathouse said. “Since we started

down this road, technology has changed so

much. But we now have access to personnel

and engineers who have identified holes in

our original technology plans. We are in the

process of determining the best system for

the best energy value.”

The PVBC has 10 months to identify a spe-

cific technology and complete performance

assessments before the group can dip into the

grant funds, and move forward with prelimi-

nary designs of the bio-refinery center. After

construction, the project is expected to

produce dozens of local green jobs, and help

diversify New Mexico’s dairy industry and

consolidate management of manure waste.

“It’s very critical that we get this project

off the ground because I see a great future

in biogas facilities,” said Greathouse. “In

order to have a sustainable agriculture,

projects like this will be a crucial part of

the energy industry.” AEN

Photo courtesy of U.S. Geothermal Inc.

POWER PROFILES


AEN: Please

tell our readers

a little bit

about yourself

and how you

became in-

volved in the

alternative en-

ergy industry.

DM: I am the

General Man-

ager of GE’s

Wind Services

business. In my job, I start working with

the wind turbines as they are being

installed, up through the end of their life

cycle. My team is continually evolving

GE’s global wind service strategy across

field services, parts, operations and main-

tenance, and sales. With close to 14,500

GE turbines installed to date, there is a lot

of opportunity out there for meeting the

diverse needs of our customers.

My background is in power generation

services. I joined GE in 1993, as a mem-

ber of the Field Engineering Program.

Since then, my career has taken me to a

variety of global service roles in the U.S.,

Asia and Europe. Prior to working in

renewable energy, I most recently was the

Energy Services Region General Manager

for Western Europe.

AEN: What can you tell us about

your company and its commitment to

wind energy?

DM: GE is one of the leading providers of

renewable energy equipment in the world

and the number one wind turbine manu-

facturer in the U.S. We are working hard

on our portfolio of wind turbines so that

we can offer more options for wind sites

that might be, for instance, located in cold

weather temperatures, near shore, etc.

We are also working to grow our portfolio

of after-market solutions. We want to be

with our customers throughout the life

cycle of their equipment. One of the major

things that my team has been working on

is flexibility. We are developing the main-

tenance programs, operational support,

turbine upgrades and parts programs with

the goal of having something for everyone.

We are also working to speak the language

of the customer in providing solutions that

will not only help them run their turbines

better, but also get more production out of

existing equipment, which translates into

greater profitability.

AEN: Are there any new products your

company is currently working on?

DM: GE will spend the same amount of

money in researching and developing new

wind service solutions in the upcoming

year as we have in the previous two

combined. We have more than 40

programs underway through our Global

Research Centers. Two big areas of focus

are going to be on preventative mainte-

nance on both the gearbox and on blades.

These can be costly things to repair and/or

replace. By focusing on early detection,

maintenance can be done up front to avoid

major repairs later on.

In addition to this, a big focus is ensuring

that our customers have high levels of pro-

duction at their wind farms. At GE we

pride ourselves on having the most avail-

able and reliable fleet in the industry, but

now we want to take that one step further.

A wind farm is a big investment, and in-

creased productivity brings success to our

customers, and to us in turn. We have

some of the most sophisticated software in

our turbines and through our remote oper-

ations centers, and we also have the most

highly-trained technicians in the industry,

so we are working on programs that will

deploy these resources in strategic ways.

AEN: What are the biggest challenges

facing the wind industry today?

DM: The current economic environment

has had major implications for the wind

industry. Though the past year has been

tough across the industry, at GE, we took

this opportunity to focus on developing a

broader portfolio of offerings so that we

are more competitive than ever as the in-

dustry picks up.

AEN: Where do you see the wind indus-

try headed in the next five to 10 years?

DM: I may be a bit biased, but I see an

increased focus on maintaining units in

addition to developing new products.

Unlike the thermal business where I came

from, the wind industry is a relatively new

one. We are growing with our equip-

ment—getting a sense of the true lifespan

and what can be done to prolong this. As

we make improvements to new equipment,

we have to make sure that we drive this

technology back into our existing fleet.

I also think that we are going to see more

and more of a focus on the grid as we add

more variable energy to it. Grid codes

have already been made in Germany,

Spain and the U.S. GE has been the

first to offer solutions to meet these grid

codes and our customers tell us that we

have the most comprehensive solutions as

well. We are going to have to continue to

design with the grid in mind and similarly

drive these improvements back to the

installed base. AEN

Diarmaid MulhollandGeneral Manager, GE Wind Services

AEN: How

did you be-

come involved

in the renew-

able energy

industry?

JB: I’ve been

President and

CEO of NRG

Systems since

2004, prior to

which I served

as the com-

pany’s Vice President and Chief Financial

Officer. For many years I had an internal

focus, developing our financial and organi-

zational systems, and ensuring they could

support our growth. Since taking over as

CEO, I’ve had to delegate more of that inter-

nal role, but I still find great satisfaction in

building an effective team. From an early

age, I knew I wanted to make positive change

through my life’s work. My formal training

was in human development and nursing—an

unusual start for a wind energy CEO—but it

provided me with the mindset and tools to

build a vibrant organization from the bottom

up, one that’s focused on people and sup-

porting their growth.

AEN: Please tell our readers about

NRG Systems.

JB: NRG Systems is an independently-

owned company that has served the global

wind energy industry for more than 28

years. Our wind measurement systems help

customers measure the wind and are used

during the exploratory stage of a wind

farm’s development. We serve electric

utilities, wind farm developers, research

institutes, government agencies and

universities in more than 140 countries

around the world. Wind power isn’t just our

business, it’s also our passion. Our com-

mitment to environmental stewardship is

expressed every day. Whether it’s through

our state-of-the-art green manufacturing

facilities, our lean practices, or our green

benefits, we strive to walk our talk. We

don’t see environmental stewardship and

profitability as trade-offs, but rather as two

mutually supportive goals. It’s one way we

support the sustainability of our company

and the sustainability of our planet.

AEN: What new projects are you currently

working on?

JB: Data gathered from wind resource as-

sessment campaigns is under tighter

scrutiny from developers, utilities, banks—

anyone who cares about the reliability and

profitability of wind farms. With more wind

farms in production, taller turbines going in

the ground, and more regions of the world

expanding offshore, the demands placed

upon the wind resource assessment phase

have intensified. Over the past few years,

NRG Systems has responded to industry

demand by forming a partnership with

Leosphere and offering a lidar remote sen-

sor to measure accurately and reliably at

heights up to 200 meters. At the same time,

we’ve taken steps to improve our legacy

products, particularly the SymponiePLUS

data logger that now includes 15 channels,

and our WindLinx wireless service which

simplifies the management of met tower

data transfer.

AEN: What are the biggest challenges fac-

ing the wind industry right now?

JB: Right now the entire industry is under-

going contraction. In 2008 and 2009, there

were many strong competitors brought in

from all over the globe, and with energy de-

mand down and energy prices low, competi-

tion in 2010 is more fierce. At NRG Systems,

we’ve adjusted to this new environment by

staying focused on lean manufacturing

processes, continuous improvement and in-

vesting heavily in research and development.

We’ve also stayed focused on our core com-

petency—wind resource assessment—and

fostered customer loyalty by continuing to

offer unsurpassed technical support.

AEN: Where do you see the industry headed

in the next five to 10 years?

JB: In the next five years, I believe trends in

energy demand and energy prices will drive

what happens in the wind industry. However,

we can’t underestimate the challenges of sit-

ing and permitting. There’s an urgent need

for environmental advocates and wind en-

ergy professionals to work together. Organi-

zations like the American Wind Wildlife

Institute show great promise in bringing dif-

ferent stakeholders together and facilitating

the responsible development of wind energy.

In addition to permitting, another obstacle is

U.S. federal policy. Without long-term, con-

sistent federal policy to support renewable

energy, wind power will not be able to com-

pete on a level playing field with coal, natu-

ral gas and nuclear power—energy sectors

that enjoy lucrative federal subsidies. Wind

can become more cost competitive, but until

Congress levels the energy subsidy playing

field, wind will continue to rise and fall with

the whims of the energy markets and elected

officials. That’s the mid-term scenario.

In the long-term, I see a great future for wind

power. We know fossil fuels are in limited

supply and that gaining access to dwindling

stores of oil, natural gas and coal is only get-

ting more costly and hazardous to our envi-

ronment. As this transition continues to

unfold, abundant, renewable wind power will

become more and more attractive. AEN

Transitioning to Wind EnergyJan BlittersdorfPresident and CEO, NRG Systems

Alternative Energy News ■ October 2010

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

27

NEI Welcomes Approval of Nuclear R&D Bill by House Scienceand Technology Committee

can help make more efficient use of this

energy-rich resource.

“Today, our nation relies on nuclear en-

ergy for one-fifth of its total electricity

supply, and more than 70 percent of the

supply that comes from carbon-free

sources of electricity. This legislation rec-

ognizes that it would be foolhardy not to

ensure that nuclear energy remains a key

component of a diversified clean-energy

portfolio for generations to come.” AEN

The House Committee on Science and

Technology approved H.R. 5866, the

Nuclear Energy Research and De-

velopment Act of 2010. The bill authorizes

the Department of Energy to fund ad-

vanced research and development pro-

grams on various aspects of nuclear energy.

Following is a statement from Alex Flint,

the Nuclear Energy Institute’s Senior

Vice President of Governmental Affairs.

“The nuclear energy industry thanks

Chairman Bart Gordon and ranking

member Ralph Hall for their leadership in

gaining the Science and Technology

Committee’s approval of the Nuclear

Energy Research and Development Act. It

is gratifying that the committee, on a

bipartisan basis, recognizes that federal

investment in clean-energy technologies

will pay immense dividends for the

American people, the U.S economy and

the global environment.

“It is hard to overstate the importance of

this significant federal investment in pur-

suit of advances in innovation, safety and

efficiency that will help nuclear energy

technologies play an even greater role

in our modern society. This legislation

authorizes nearly $1.3 billion in nuclear

energy research and development through

fiscal year 2013 to help take state-of-

the-art technologies from the laboratory

and make them available for commercial

application. This includes support on a

cost-shared, government-industry basis

for smaller reactor designs that hold

great promise.

“Notably, this legislation also increases

investment in fuel cycle research and

development pro-

gram activities to

improve our ability

to recycle used

nuclear fuel with

technologies that

have enhanced

non-proliferation

characteristics. As

the Massachusetts

Institute of Tech-

nology noted in a

new study released

last week, there are

‘many viable tech-

nological choices’

worth studying that

Department of Energy Commits $1 Billion in Recovery Act Funding to FutureGen 2.0 U

.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu

announced that the Department of

Energy has signed final cooperative agree-

ments with the FutureGen Industrial

Alliance and Ameren Energy Resources

that formally commit $1 billion in

Recovery Act funding to build FutureGen

2.0. The FutureGen 2.0 project will help to

position the United States as a leader in

innovative technologies for reducing car-

bon emissions from existing coal-fired

power plants. As part of this new initiative,

the Department of Energy will partner with

the FutureGen Industrial Alliance to select

an Illinois host community for the carbon

storage site, as well as a geologic seques-

tration research complex and a craft labor

training center. This site could eventually

become a regional CO² storage site in

downstate Illinois. The project partners

estimate that FutureGen 2.0 will bring

900 jobs to Illinois and another 1,000 to

suppliers across the state.

“This milestone will help ensure the

U.S. remains competitive in a carbon con-

strained economy, creating jobs while re-

ducing greenhouse gas pollution,” said

Secretary Chu. “Developing innovative,

cost-effective carbon capture and storage

technologies is critical to the country’s

transition to a clean energy future.”

“This $1 billion federal commitment is

a critical step to bringing FutureGen to

Illinois. We look forward to demonstrating

to the world that we can use one of our great-

est natural assets in a way that protects our

environment and puts more people to work,”

Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn said.

“If there was any remaining question as

to whether FutureGen is really coming to

Illinois, now we have the answer,” said

U.S. Senator Dick Durbin. “Soon, we will

announce a process to evaluate the more

than two dozen Illinois communities that

have expressed interest in hosting the

sequestration, research and training facili-

ties for FutureGen 2.0. I thank President

Obama and Secretary Chu for their leader-

ship on this project and for putting Illinois

at the forefront of cutting-edge technology

that will improve the environment and

create good-paying jobs.”

In August, DOE announced its intention to

fund FutureGen 2.0 as part of an integrated

strategy to repower America’s coal industry.

Ameren Energy Resources, Babcock &

Wilcox, and Air Liquide Process & Construc-

tion Inc. are leading the project to repower

Ameren’s 200-MW Unit 4 in Meredosia, Ill.,

with advanced oxy-combustion technology.

The plant’s new boiler, air separation unit,

CO² purification and compression unit will

deliver 90 percent CO² capture, and eliminate

most nitrogen oxide, mercury and particulate

emissions. The Ameren Energy Resources

team estimates that the retrofitting of the plant

is expected to create approximately 500

construction jobs and allow Ameren to add

approximately 50 workers to the plant

staff, once the repowered unit is opera-

tional. The FutureGen Industrial Alliance

and the Ameren, B&W, and Air Liquide

team are developing a technical coopera-

tion agreement to ensure coordination

among each element in FutureGen 2.0, and

to provide the foundation for rapid com-

mercial deployment for this exciting new

technology once this first-of-a-kind facil-

ity is operational.

The FutureGen Industrial Alliance,

working with the state of Illinois, will

develop a permanent CO² sequestration

facility, research and visitors facilities and

a labor training center at the site. The

Alliance will also build a CO² pipeline

network from Meredosia to the sequestra-

tion site. The pipeline and storage site will

transport and store more than 1 million

tons of captured CO² per year. The project

partners estimate the new pipeline network

is expected to create additional construc-

tion and permanent jobs. The pipeline net-

work, along with the storage site to be

selected in early 2011, will help to lay the

foundation for a regional CO² network.

The Illinois storage site will be used to

conduct research on site characterization,

injection and storage, and CO² monitoring

and measurement. AEN

BY JACK JACOBS AND SASCHA YIMThe Property Assessed Clean Energy

(PACE) program is an innovative way to

‘incentivize’ commercial and residential

properties to embrace solar technology,

and energy efficiency measures by

overcoming the upfront financial costs

associated with such actions.

The PACE program allows local govern-

ments to fund energy efficiency retrofits by

extending loans to property owners for qual-

ified green projects. Property owners agree

to repay the amount of their financing

through their annual property taxes, usually

over a period of 15 to 20 years. This arrange-

ment is permissible through state laws that

allow city and county taxing authorities to

levy assessments for public purposes.

There is a long-standing tradition for

local governments have used their assess-

ment powers to finance improvements that

serve a public purpose, such as paving

roads, fixing sidewalks and burying util-

ity lines. In some states, improvements to

privately-owned property can be financed

through the levying of assessments if they

serve a valid public purpose, like seismic

and fire-related improvements.

The PACE program was set up as a

modern iteration of this well-established

governmental power, and to encourage the

widespread adoption of renewable energy.

So far, 22 states have passed laws

facilitating PACE programs. Even in its

nascent state, the PACE programs repre-

sented a successful initiative encouraging

over 3,600 projects, 900 of which were

PV installations across the country. But

despite the benefits to the PV industry,

environment and economy, Fannie Mae

and Freddie Mac are concerned that in the

event of a default, the local government

would be repaid prior to the mortgagor. As

a result, the Federal Housing Finance

Agency issued a letter that echoed Fannie

and Freddie’s concerns, urging state and

local governments “to reconsider these

programs.” Almost overnight, the PACE

program was effectively halted.

But all is not yet lost. The California At-

torney General’s Office in Sonoma County

(one of the last remaining PACE programs

left in the country) and the Sierra Club each

recently filed lawsuits, and the town of

Babylon, N.Y., is also planning to file suit

later this year. The cases basically allege

unfair business practices, and violations of

the National Environmental Policy Act and

Administrative Procedures Act.

There is also a bill currently before

Congress aimed at protecting such clean

energy initiatives. The PACE Assessment

Protection Act of 2010 would require

lenders to adopt standards that support

PACE programs.

Perhaps now is a good opportunity for

lawmakers to seriously consider

enacting comprehensive climate change

legislative that could ‘incentivize’ the

widespread installation of solar arrays

and ensure the sustainable growth of the

renewable energy industry.

Jack Jacobs is the Founder and ManagingPartner of Cleantech Law Partners, a boutique law firm that represents renewableenergy project developers and cleantechcompanies. Sascha Yim is an attorney withCleantech Law Partners. AEN

Keeping up withthe PACE Program

POLICY PERSPECTIVES

MONEY MATTERS


Michigan Community Action Agency

Association (MCAAA) was recently

awarded two grants related to energy effi-

ciency and low-income families, including

a $15 million grant to administer a federal

Department of Energy-ARRA program to

weatherize low-income, multi-unit housing

across the state. The duration of the grant is

21 months, which began in August 2010.

MCAAA will work with CLEAResult

Consulting of Okemos, Mich., to provide

outreach to residents and building owners.

Eligible buildings will include Housing

and Urban Development (HUD) Qualified

Assisted Housing. The majority of build-

ing residents must be income-eligible for

the federal Weatherization Assistance Pro-

gram, currently at 200 percent of the fed-

eral poverty guidelines. Eligible buildings

and units will undergo an energy audit per-

formed by certified Michigan inspectors to

determine what measures should be taken

to increase energy efficiency. MCAAA

and CLEAResult Consulting will issue a

Request for Quotations to identify and

select qualified contractors to perform the

work. Weatherization measures typically

include furnace repair or replacement, in-

stallation of insulation and reduction of air

leaks around windows and doors, among

other improvements.

“This work will extend the great success

our member agencies have had in the home

weatherization program over the last four

decades,” said MCAAA Executive Direc-

tor James E. Crisp. “Now low income res-

idents and owners of apartment buildings

will start receiving the savings and other

benefits of energy efficiency, and Michigan

contractors will be doing the work.”

MCAAA was also named the adminis-

trator of a $1.9 million grant that will fund

a pilot program for the Michigan Public

Service Commission on energy affordabil-

ity in southeast and western Michigan. This

program will engage households that are in

arrears in their utility bills and provide case

management to the residents in an effort to

improve the energy efficiency of their

homes and management of their finances.

It will also help determine if the MPSC

should establish separate utility rates for

low-income households. MCAAA is part-

nering with DTE Energy, The Heat and

Warmth Fund and CLEAResult Consulting

on the pilot program.

Michigan Community Action Agency

Association is the state association of the 30

Community Action Agencies that provide

programs and services to low-income fam-

ilies and individuals in all 83 Michigan

counties. Its website includes links to CAAs

around Michigan at www.mcaaa.org. AEN

Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies

Worldwide, Inc. (Quantum) announced

that the California Energy Commission

(CEC) has approved a low-interest loan for

the amount of $4.4 million under the state’s

Clean Energy Business Financing Program

(CEBFP) for California-based manufacturers

of solar products. The low-interest funds will

go toward manufacturing equipment for the

solar module facility in Irvine, Calif., to im-

plement a plant capacity of 45 MW annually.

Further to this award, the office of

Gov. Schwarzenegger stated, “California’s

leadership in clean energy technology is

supported by these manufacturers who are

investing millions to develop and produce

advanced energy products.” The Gov. added

that, “I commend these innovative compa-

nies for the work they are doing in advanc-

ing clean energy technology and creating

jobs for Californians.”

The manufacturing facility, located in

Irvine, will replicate the proven equipment,

processes and quality control measures

employed at Quantum’s affiliate Asola’s state-

of- the-art 45-MW solar facility in Germany.

The facility will build solar modules incorpo-

rating proprietary technologies and the best

practices from Germany, the largest solar

market in the world. Key materials including

silicon solar cells are expected to be centrally

purchased by Asola in Germany, from global

sources to benefit from economies of scale, in

line with the global strategic plan of Quantum

and Asola. Quantum currently holds a 25

percent equity stake in Asola.

“I am thankful to Gov. Schwarzenegger

and the CEC for this award,” said Alan P.

Niedzwiecki, President and CEO of Quan-

tum. “Manufacturing in California allows us

to quickly introduce innovative products to

support our business development efforts in

a number of segments including automotive,

residential, commercial and utility-scale

solar energy projects.” AEN

Michigan Community Action AgencyAssociationAwarded Low-IncomeEnergy Grants

Ormat Technologies Inc. is pleased to

announce that it has received $108.2

million for Specified Energy Prop-

erty in Lieu of Tax/Credits relating to its

North Brawley geothermal power plant

under Section 1603, Division B of the

American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

of 2009 (ARRA).

“The funding we received will go toward

our continued expansion, including the con-

struction of new projects that will be eligible

for future funding under the ITC cash grant

program,” commented Dita Bronicki, Chief

Executive Officer of Ormat. “Our goal has al-

ways been to seek out innovative and low-

cost funding sources; and in this regard, we

have successfully demonstrated our capabil-

ities many times. Last month, we raised ap-

proximately $142 million in seven years,

7 percent private bond offering, and we

initiated with John Hancock the application

for up to $350 million senior secured

construction and term loan facilities. These

loans will be supported by the DOE Loan

Guarantee under the financial and construc-

tion plans of additional geothermal projects

in the U.S., and will enable our new projects

to qualify for Institution Partnership Program

(FIPP) in the framework of Section 1705 of

the ARRA. We also continuously seek out

funding from programs like the ARRA that

help support development of geothermal

projects in the U.S. We expect that by the end

of the year we will start construction of more

than 100 MW of new projects in the U.S.,

which will make them eligible to receive ITC

cash grants. The DOE programs are impor-

tant and great support to the renewable en-

ergy market for as long as they are available.”

The Section 1603 program of the ARRA

enables qualifying renewable power projects

eligible for either the federal production tax

credit or investment tax credit to instead elect

a 30 percent cash grant administered by the

U.S. Department of the Treasury.

Update on the North Brawley Project

Since it was placed in service in January

2010, Ormat Technologies have improved

both the power generation and the operat-

ing costs of the plant, with the net output

exceeding 25 MW in September 2010. The

gradual increase in generation was accom-

plished through the deployment of efficient

solids removal equipment that began in late

March and allowed for the stable operation

of the production wells. The shift from dis-

posable filtration to the high efficiency

hydro clones has substantially reduced the

operating expenses, and as additional units

are installed on the production wells they

expect further reduction.

Generation is expected to increase late in

the fourth quarter when the tie-in of wells

that were drilled east of the existing field

is completed. AEN

Ormat Technologies, Inc. Received $108 Million Cash Grant Under the 1603 Program

Quantum Selected by California Energy Commission for $4.4 Million Financing for Solar Manufacturing in California

W. R. Grace & Co. has been selected

to receive up to $3.3 million from

the U.S. Department of Energy for the

evaluation and enhancement of advanced

biofuel technologies.

Grace will work with Pacific North-

west National Laboratory (PNNL) to de-

velop technologies for thermochemical

conversion of biomass to advanced bio-

fuels that are compatible with existing

fueling infrastructure. The technologies

will upgrade bio-oils into gasoline, diesel

and jet fuels using a specialized catalytic

reactor designed to resist corrosion and

extend catalyst lifetime. Also on the team

are VTT Technical Research Centre of

Finland, who will be providing pyrolysis

oils, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory,

who will study corrosion.

The funding is a component of the

Department of Energy’s strategy to ac-

celerate the development of sustainable

biofuels, and is coordinated by the Office

of Energy Efficiency and Renewable

Energy’s Biomass Program.

Grace and PNNL researchers will use a

thermochemical process known as pyroly-

sis, which breaks down biomass using heat

to produce bio-oils that can be further

processed in existing petroleum refineries

into transportation fuels.

Susan Ehrlich, Business Director of

Grace Renewable Technologies, com-

mented, “We are excited to be selected for

this funding and look forward to collabo-

rating with Pacific Northwest National Lab-

oratory. Our understanding of catalysts,

combined with their pyrolysis and process

development expertise, will position us to

accelerate the commercialization of this

new technology and production process.”

Ms. Ehrlich continued, “Pursuing and

receiving this grant is validation of Grace’s

strategy to grow the renewables business,

explore open innovation with high-caliber

researchers and become a global supplier to

the biofuels industry.”

Grace has more than seven decades of

experience with catalysts used in the

production of transportation fuels, such as

gasoline and diesel fuels, and other

petroleum-based products. In 2006, the

company expanded its work in the biofuels

industry with the introduction of a renew-

ables product line that provides technologies

for purification, drying and biofeed-

stock conversion. Some current products

include the company’s EnSieve® desiccants

for ethanol dehydration and EnPure®

absorbents for biodiesel purification. AEN

Grace Receives Department of Energy Biofuels Grant

New Flexible CIGS Modules

SoloPower has launched a line of CIGS-based thin-film, lightweight, flexible SFX1-i photovoltaicmodules. Manufactured in San Jose, Calif., themodules use a low-cost, roll-to-roll electroplatingprocess that offers unique cost advantages, in-cluding low capital expenditures, high line through-put and excellent material utilization. This low-coststructure combined with the optimized product de-sign creates an unbeatable value proposition. The80-watt strip weighs 5 lb (2.3 kg), the 170-wattversion weighs 8 lb (3.6 kg) and the 260-watt mod-ule weights 13 lb (6 kg).

SoloPower(tel) 408-281-1582 www.solopower.com

Wireless Technology in Renewable Energy

FreeWave Technologies now provides the FGR2-PEradio for renewable energy applications. This recentaddition to FreeWave’s FGRplus family of radios alreadyhas been successfully used in applications within thewind energy, solar energy and smart grid markets. Itoffers two ports each of serial and Ethernet connectiv-ity and the radio uses license-free spread spectrummodulation in the 900 MHz band for long distance datacommunication (up to 60 miles). The FGR2-PE also isvery well-suited for SCADA applications in other mar-kets, such as water/wastewater and oil and gas.

FreeWave Technologies (tel) 866-923-9948www.freewave.com

Ultracapacitor-Based Energy Storage Solutions for Wind Turbines

Maxwell Technologies Inc., is supplying BOOSTCAP®

cells and multi-cell modules to several wind energysystem integrators and turbine OEMs in Europe, Asiaand North America. Available in a range of sizes andmodular configurations, the BOOSTCAP ultracapaci-tors bring new levels of efficiency and power to a widerange of applications, including consumer electronics,hybrid cars and renewable energy sources. BOOST-CAP technologies can maximize system lifetime byprotecting the individual cell against over voltageduring rated system use. The ultracapacitors are com-patible with BCAP3000, 2000, 1500, 1200 and 650.

Maxwell Technologies Inc.(tel) 877-511-4324 www.maxwell.com


NEW PRODUCTS

New Surge Protector with High DC Breaking Capability

DEHN has developed and introduced a new tech-nology and SPD product, specifically designed tofunction at these higher DC voltages used on PVsystems. The new DEHNguard M YPV-SCI modeladdresses those issues by incorporating aswitched fused circuit in parallel to the MOV dis-charge circuit, permitting the internal disconnectto operate arc-free. DEHN’s unique SPD is UL 1449third edition compliant, as supplemented by theCRD for these new and higher DC voltage applica-tions, and therefore necessary for obtaining compliance to UL 1741 containing SPDs.

DEHN Inc.(tel) 772-460-9313 www.dehn-usa.com

Arista Mounting System for Solar PVCommercial Flat Rooftop Applications

Cooper B-Line introduced its revolutionary and highlyflexible new ARISTA™ Mounting System for solarphotovoltaic (PV) commercial rooftop applications.The ARISTA system is Cooper B-Line’s first availablestocked solar PV mounting system, designed to meetbudgetary and installation requirements. Constructedof standard, pre-assembled electrical components,the ARISTA system’s lightweight frames providedurable support for solar PV panels, effectively angling panels from 5 to 35 degrees at 5 degree increments for maximum performance. With a combination of standard pre-assembled componentsand no loose hardware, the ARISTA system is unparalleled when it comes to time and labor savingsduring installation.

Cooper B-Line(tel) 800-851-7415 www.cooperblinesolar.com

Commercial Solar Thermal Systems

Lochinvar Corporation, a leading manufacturer of high-efficiency water heaters, boilers and pool heaters,and TiSUN, a global leader and specialist in solar heating technology, have joined forces to bring newsolar thermal systems to North America. Combiningcutting-edge technology and superior quality with anoutstanding distribution and service network, this successful collaboration provides mechanical andplumbing design engineers and contractors the opportunity to offer their clients innovative, advancedrenewable energy solutions. The Lochinvar/TiSUNproduct includes solar thermal panels specifically engineered and designed for commercial use, solarthermal storage tanks, pumping stations used to control and move the solar energy throughout the system, as well as a wide array of system accessories.

The Lochinvar Corporation(tel) 615-889-8900 www.lochinvar.com

Rubber Umbilical for Water Heaters

Butler Sun Solutions released a new flexible umbilical composed of two three-eighths-inchinterior diameter rubber hoses that meet the SAE J20R3 D2 Heater Hose Rating (-40°C to125°C; -40°F to 257°F), combined with a three-conductor power cable, all enclosed in an Armaflexinsulating jacket. This SAE tubing is rated for sys-tems with a 16-psi pressure limit and is not ratedfor bladder expansion tank systems running 75 psithat can reach maximum antifreeze temperaturesof 182°C (360°F).

Butler Sun Solutions(tel) 858-259-8895 www.butlersunsolutions.com

Digital Monitoring System for PV Solar

The Suntrol digital system from SolarWorld collects, logs and displays power-generation statistics, including total electricity yields and displaced carbon dioxide. The display receives thereal-time output information from the solar powersystem and provides an ideal way to show whatyour system is doing. Whether for public buildingsor private households, indoors or outdoors, Suntrolcan be used in a variety of applications. The dis-play can be connected to a data logger using anRS-485 RS-232 interface or to a transmitter (suchas a supply meter) using a pulse input.

SolarWorld(tel) 503-844-3400 www.solarworld-usa.com

Let us know about it! E-mail [email protected] with “AEN: New Product” in the subject line for a list of what to include and deadlines.Are you launching a new product?

WHEN WHAT WHERE WEBSITE

NOVEMBER

November 2-4 Clean Energy Expo Asia Singapore www.cleanenergyexpoasia.com

November 2-4 RenewableUK 2010 Glasgow, Scotland, UK www.renewable-uk.com/events/annual-conference/index.html

November 15-16 Community Wind Across America Conference (Midwest Region) St. Paul, Minnesota, USA www.windustry.org/cwaa

November 17-19 AWEA Wind Energy Fall Symposium Phoenix, Arizona, USA www.awea.org

Novemer 17-19 Build Boston Boston, Massachusetts, USA www.buildboston.com/ResPlus/BuildBoston

November 18-19 Third Concentrated Photovoltaics Summit Europe Seville, Spain www.cpvtoday.com/eu

November 18-20 11th China Solar PV Conference and Exhibition 2010 Nanjing, China www.ch-solar.com

November 22-23 International Green Energy Conference & Exhibition Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia www.greenenergyconference.org

November 24-26 RENEXPO South-East Europe Bucharest, Romania www.renexpo-bucharest.com

November 30-December 1 3rd Thin Film Solar Summit USA San Francisco, California, USA www.thinfilmtoday.com

November 30-December 2 Community Wind Across America Conference (Mid Atlantic Region) State College, Pennsylvania, USA www.windindustry.org/cwaa

DECEMBER

December 1-2 PV Power Plants 2010 USA Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.solarpraxis.de/en.conferences

December 4-8 2nd International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources

Napa Valley, California, USA www.2ndintegrationconference.com

December 6-7 Solar Canada 2010 Toronto, Ontario, Canada www.cansia.ca

December 6-10 4th International Conference on Integration of Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA www.4thintegrationconference.com

December 7-9 AWEA Small and Community Wind Conference Portland, Oregon, USA www.smallandcommunitywindexpo.org

December 8-9 ACORE Phase II of Renewable Energy in America National Policy Forum Washington, D.C., USA www.acorephaseii.com

December 8-10 World Energy Engineering Congress Washington, D.C., USA www.energycongress.com

December 9-12 RENEX 2010 Istanbul, Turkey www.renex-expo.com

December 14-16 Intersolar India Mumbai, India www.intersolar.in

December 15-16 SEIA Sitting Workshop San Diego, California, USA www.seia.org/cs/seia_siting_workshop_general_information

JANUARY

January 17-20 World Future Energy Summit 2011 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates www.worldfutureenergysummit.com

January 18-19 Wind Power Romania Bucharest, Romania www.greenpowerconferences.com

January 24-25 Inverter and PV System Technology Berlin, Germany www.solarpraxis.de/en/conferences

January 25-26 Solar Power Generation USA Las Vegas, Nevada, USA www.greenpowerconferences.com

INDUSTRY calendar • 2010-11


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