News for January 2015

News Archive

Acciona Windpower selects DNV GL to upgrade certification of its 3 MW wind turbine model AW116/3000

The award of a DNV GL type certificate under the GL2010 guideline demonstrates Acciona’s constant commitment to high-quality products.

6th European Smart Metering and Smart Grid Award winners announced

Smart energy innovators recognized during special ceremony in London.

BATTERY JAPAN 2015 kicks off next month in Tokyo

The event, part of World Smart Energy Week 2015, is billed as the ‘world’s largest exhibition specializing in rechargeable batteries.’

Gamesa lands its first wind turbine order in Belgium Gamesa lands its first wind turbine order in Belgium

Deal calls for Gamesa to deliver seven new G114-2.5 MW turbines at the Berloz wind farm.

DECC announces increase in CfD budget

£25 million in extra funding seen as a boost to electricity market reform in the UK

Clean Energy Group releases report on renewables financing

New report outlines a new clean energy finance model for many Resilient Power systems to protect vulnerable communities and critical infrastructure from severe weather events.

Hyundai joins Hydrogen Technology in European Cities (HyTEC) consortium as project expands to Oslo Hyundai joins Hydrogen Technology in European Cities (HyTEC) consortium as project expands to Oslo

The Hydrogen Transport in European Cities (HyTEC) consortium is creating a third hydrogen passenger vehicle deployment centre, in Oslo. Hyundai Motor Europe is a new project partner, and will deliver eight Hyundai ix35 Fuel Cell cars to the Norwegian capital during 2015.

US Department of Energy allocates $55 million to advance fuel-efficient vehicle technologies

Funding will go towards a wide range of research, development, and demonstration projects that aim to reduce the price and improve the efficiency of plug-in electric, alternative fuel, and conventional vehicles.

Gamesa awarded contract for Brazilian wind farms Gamesa awarded contract for Brazilian wind farms

Wind turbine manufacturer to install 42 G114 units to the three wind farms being developed by Força Eólica do Brasil in the state of Rio Grande do Norte.

UK clean energy agencies urging MPs to back 'zero-carbon homes

Reducing carbon emissions from newly built homes is much easier, and cheaper, than retrofitting at a later date, proponents claim.

Glennmont completes purchase of 40MW biomass project in Wales

Deal marks the inclusion of the first biomass generation in Glennmont Clean Energy Fund Europe II and a significant step towards the completion of the diversified European portfolio of clean energy investment.

Frost & Sullivan releases global renewable energy forecast

Global installed capacity of renewable energy will more than double in 2025, report shows.

Fenix International raises $12.6 M to finance renewable energy efforts in Africa

Investment enables increased production and distribution of 'ReadyPay' solar systems in Africa.

DECC statistics reflect healthy demand for residential solar installations in the UK

But much more activity is needed if Feed-in-Tariff goals are to be achieved, Solar Trade Association says.

SunEdison, TerraForm Power secure financing for UK solar projects

Partners work with Santander and Bayerische Landesbank to build 85.2 MW of solar.

Fuel cell inventor Sir William Grove honoured in home city of Swansea Fuel cell inventor Sir William Grove honoured in home city of Swansea

Sir William Grove, who invented the fuel cell more than 170 years ago, has been honoured in his home city of Swansea in south Wales, with the unveiling of a blue plaque.

Vestas and First Reserve announce 298 MW wind turbine supply agreement

When complete, the Kingfisher Wind Power plant is expected to be one of the two largest single-phase wind projects in Oklahoma.

DECC funds UK-first renewable heat network research DECC funds UK-first renewable heat network research

Demonstration project seeks to demonstrate how solar thermal panels and heat pumps can replace or work alongside the existing gas-fired district heating scheme.

UK Sawmills Solar Park plan gets the 'green light' UK Sawmills Solar Park plan gets the 'green light'

When complete, the 7.5 MW solar plant will generate enough electricity to power the equivalent of approximately 2,100 average homes annually.

Mercom Capital Group releases 2014 ‘smart grid’ funding report

Venture capital funding in smart grid sector reached $383 Million in 2014, down slightly from 2013.

US Energy Department announces hydroelectric production incentive program .

$3.6 funding opportunity supports developers who have already added electrical generating capacity to these existing facilities.

SKF implements new wind industry quality standard

Move designed to help wind turbine manufacturers as well as wind farm operators improve turbine efficiency and availability,

Sustainable Bioenergy Research Consortium awards contract to build innovative agriculture and energy pilot project at Masdar City

Mechanical & Electrical Co to construct the world’s first bioenergy pilot project to use desert land – irrigated by seawater – to produce both bioenergy and food.

DNV GL selected for Saudi Arabia electricity efficiency study

DNV GL will develop a study to assess electricity end-use efficiency which will enable the forecast of future electricity consumption trends and the development of appropriate planning methodologies.

Gamesa enters Jamaican market

Wind turbine manufacturer signs turnkey contract for the construction of a 24 MW wind farm.

First Solar launches PV project assessment application tool

New interactive assessment application allows developers and investors to evaluate the feasibility and energy output of ground-mounted utility-scale PV projects.

Renewable Energy Association expands focus

REA announces the official launch of UK Solar and its first storage representation body, UK Energy Storage.

Clydesdale bank supports Garbhaig hydro scheme redevelopment in Scotland

Lochgilphead-based renewable energy company receives £3.85m in funding to revitalise its portfolio of hydropower installations.

Record-setting year for Canadian wind industry

1,871 MW of wind energy capacity was installed in five provinces in Canada in 2014.

Samsung, Pattern Energy and Six Nations complete wind energy project in Ontario

149 MW 'Grand Renewable' wind project reaches commercial operation.

Solar Foundation releases 2014 National Solar Jobs Census Solar Foundation releases 2014 National Solar Jobs Census

US solar industry added workers at a rate nearly 20 times faster than the overall economy, report shows.

Eneco looks to broaden wind power portfolio in the UK

Sustainable energy firm submits application for 59MW Macritch Hill Wind Farm.

Yingli Green Energy begins construction of a 20 MW solar power Plant in China's Xinjiang Province

Upon completion, the 20MW solar project will generate approximately 28 million kWh of electricity annually.

Oregon wind-integrating power plant supplied by Wärtsilä is now operational Oregon wind-integrating power plant supplied by Wärtsilä is now operational

220 MW Smart Power Generation plant is designed to balance wind and solar energy, as well as provide load-following and peaking services.

New milestone for German offshore wind energy industry

Offshore wind energy market in Germany surpassed the 1 GW mark in 2014, says Deutsche WindGuard.

Schneider Electric launches Conext™ Insight

Remote monitoring and asset management platform designed for distributed PV plant operators.

DNV GL, Hitachi & EDF selected to develop energy system planning software

Specialists to work independently on a functional specification to develop the first phase of EnergyPath Operations – a software tool that will allow users to better understand the information and communications technology solutions for new home heating solutions.

Aquila Capital acquires Norway’s second-largest operator of small-scale hydropower plants

Norsk Grønnkraft owns and operates a portfolio of 33 small-scale hydropower plants, generating c. 210 GWh per year.

US Energy Department announces $8 Million for marine energy research

Funding to be used to develop advanced components for wave, tidal and current energy systems.

US Government takes additional steps to address climate change

Obama Administration announces a new goal to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by 40 – 45 per cent from 2012 levels by 2025.

UK-based Centre for Process Innovation kicks off bioenergy project UK-based Centre for Process Innovation kicks off bioenergy project

Three-year collaborative project aims to transform food waste into a sustainable source of renewable hydrogen.

GlobalData releases South African renewable energy report

New research details renewable power market outlook for South Africa and provides forecasts through 2025.

Siemens signs chartering agreement for two additional wind service operations vessels Siemens signs chartering agreement for two additional wind service operations vessels

Vessels to be purpose-built for the long-term service and maintenance operations of the Gemini and Sandbank/Dan Tysk offshore wind power plants in the North Sea.

Keynote speaker at inaugural green energy event in Wales

Baroness Randerson, the Under-Secretary of State for Wales, tapped to deliver opening address at Wales Green Building Marketplace in February.

Tamar Energy, EDF Energy sign agreement for anaerobic digestion plants

Long-term power purchase agreement expands Tamar Energy's 11MW generation portfolio.

Department of Energy selects Vaisala to spearhead wind forecasting project

Vaisala to coordinate a $2.5 million project to improve wind energy forecasting in complex landscapes and terrain.

Mercom releases 2014 clean energy M&A report

Total corporate funding increases 175 per cent to $26.5 billion in the solar sector, while VC funding doubles,report shows.

UK watch: Community projects to fuel solar energy in 2015

Clean energy experts say trend is linked to market-share loss of ‘Big Six’ power companies in the United Kingdom.

DNV GL plans to validate ARPA-E funded grid-storage technologies

Over the next four years, DNV GL will provide a combination of third-party testing facilities and analysis methodologies to enable objective and transparent evaluation of existing ARPA-E grid-storage innovations.

Clean Energy Solutions Center forms collaboration with R20 Regions of Climate Action

Partnership created to support clean energy policy development by state and local governments around the world.

UK's Libra Energy announces new distribution partnerships

Three new brands aim to complement Libra Energy's product range.

Gamesa announces new wind turbine supply agreements for Chinese market Gamesa announces new wind turbine supply agreements for Chinese market

New contracts call for the supply of 92 MW of wind turbines.

SNL Energy releases 2014 US capacity report

More than half of new capacity in the US generated came from gas-fired resources, followed by wind and solar, statistics show.

First Subsea tapped for high-profile wind project

Cable connectors from First Subsea selected for Phase 2 of Fukushima offshore floating wind farm.

Accenture set to acquire Structure

Acquisition expected to expand Accenture's smart grid operations and energy trading and risk management services.

ENER-G, CHPA partner up for smart grid trial project in the UK

£5.5m three-year demonstration initiative aims to deliver an ‘intelligent approach’ to managing fault current.

GE partners with Saudi Electricity Company on hybrid energy project

Hybrid energy installation will integrate solar with combined-cycle plant for landmark power project in Duba.

2015 World Future Energy Summit to tackle the relationship between shale gas and renewables

Industry leaders to discuss impact of increased gas production on the development of renewable energy.

Ocean Power Technologies names new president and CEO

George H. Kirby brings a wealth of experience in the energy sector and a proven track record in the growth of operating businesses.

Exosun to supply solar trackers for four new PV projects in France

20 MW of solar trackers are central to rehabilitation of brownfields.

Toyota invites industry into collaborative hydrogen future by opening up its patents Toyota invites industry into collaborative hydrogen future by opening up its patents

Japanese automotive giant Toyota is making more than 5600 hydrogen fuel cell patents available royalty-free, to accelerate the global development and introduction of innovative fuel cell technologies. The patents include critical technologies developed for the newly launched Toyota Mirai fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV).

New digs for Lightsource Renewable Energy New digs for Lightsource Renewable Energy

UK’s leading solar energy generator relocates to new central London headquarters.

Juwi Renewable Energies (Pty) Ltd to build 89MW solar plant in South Africa

Project marks Juwi's biggest single solar installation.

Top 20 renewable energy stories in 2014

The most popular news stories and feature articles on renewableenergyfocus.com last year were as follows:

Vestas ends year on high note

Wind turbine manufacture closes out 2014 with trio of large orders