IBM To Study Largest Global Electric Car Field Test

March 19, 2010

IBM wants to understand the impact electric cars will have on the electricity power grid.

So it agreed to be a part of the world’s largest field test of electric cars, involving 3,000 cars and 11,000 recharging stations across the United Kingdom.

British trial to involve 3,000 electric cars and 11,000 charging stations.

Big Blue said Friday it had hired Energy Technologies Institute to determine the infrastructure changes necessary to support a mass market for electric cars and plug-in hybrids. The test is to begin next year and continue in 2011.

The project is the result of a number of stars aligning. The British government has agreed to kick in 300 million pounds for infrastructure development and is providing grants of 5,000 pounds to consumers who buy the ultra low-emission vehicles. It is possible a billion pounds of investment will ultimately be needed.

The effort hopes to lead to the development of a smart electric grid capable of handling the recharging a large fleet of cars. Some estimates predict electric cars will consume as much power as an average home running air conditioning on a summer day.

Along with examining infrastructure needs, the study will gauge the potential reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. The charging stations will be installed in London, the South East, the Midlands and the North East.

Also involved in the research will be EDF Energy and Imperial Consultants.

3 Comments | news | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

SunPower Offers A Downbeat View Of Solar Financing

March 18, 2010

SunPower shed the uncertainty of its accounting probe on Thursday, but said financing for solar projects continues to be difficult despite the improving global economy.

SunPower sees solar cell prices falling 20 percent in 2010.

The company maintained that its relationships with banks held up well even after the news spread in November of the financial mishaps it discovered at its Philippines division. But it revealed that the difficulty getting funds for solar projects would push sales to the second half of 2010 instead of the first and second quarters.

The comments cast a continued pall over the solar business, both in the U.S. and Europe, where revenue has been strong in countries such as Germany, Italy and France.

SunPower said in response it would consider using its balance sheet to secure money for big projects, something it hasn’t done in the past. The company has $925 million in cash to use.

What’s more, it suggested prices for solar cells would continue to slide – by more than what other solar companies have projected. Prices should fall about 20 percent this year.

The company’s downcast assessment of the market came as it released fourth quarter earnings. Profit margins suffered, but sales were solid, suggesting an improving market, with growth continuing in Germany, France and Italy before cuts in feed-in tariffs take hold.

SunPower said the probe of its Philippines unit turned up fraudulent accounting entries from personnel there and forced it to reduce 2008 and 2009 profits by $17 million.

As to the banks, “they stuck with us,” said CFO Dennis Arriola. But they held off signing financing deal on solar farms in the fourth quarter and would continue to do so in the second quarter. In an already difficult market, that is not good news. SunPower stock slipped another 10 percent.

1 Comment | news | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

California Renewable Energy Credits To Spark The Building Of Solar And Wind Farms

March 18, 2010

The California Public Utilities Commission approved the use of tradable credits for renewable energy in a ruling that should promote new solar and wind farms in the state.

The decision allows utilities to buy and sell credits for renewable power – a step that will necessary if they are to meet state’s 20-percent renewable energy goal by this year and the 33 percent goal by 2020.

Out-of-state credits can only make up 25% of a utility's renewable power, so more in-state plants will be needed

The credits allow utilities to pay for out-of-state renewable power – such as from a wind farm in Montana – that will be delivered to California at some point in the future, though not immediately. The commission says the scheme, which has been adopted by 30 others states, will provide utilities with the flexibility they need to meet ambitious targets that otherwise might not be reached.

But in contrast to other states, it drew a line in the sand. It ruled that only 25 percent of a utility’s renewable power can come from credits, putting pressure on the state’s energy sector to build more in-state plants. In recent years, California has lagged other states in adding renewable generation.

Some observers said the decision, released largely unnoticed late last week, could create an environment for more rapid development.

“It lends some certainty to the markets in California,” says  Seth Hilton, a partner at the law firm Stoel Rives. “It’s helpful in that sense.”

But it ultimately may prove to be unrealistic. Utilities may need to buy renewable power from where ever they can find it and in whatever quantities available to meet the 33-percent target. So if the 25 percent limit remains in place and citing new plants in state continues to plod along, credits may only contribute to failure.

Leave a Comment » | news | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

GE Targets The Solar Market And Sales Leader First Solar

March 18, 2010

GE shook up the solar market Thursday by announcing plans to develop a line of thin-film solar panels using the cadmium-telluride material that has given First Solar its market lead.

GE said it would rely on cadmuim teluride technology from PrimeStar Solar, in which it hold a majority share

The manufacturing giant said its products would benefit from the cost advantage thin-film has maintained over the traditional polysilicon used by many Chinese makers. Panels are expected in the market by 2011.

The company said it is working with PrimeStar Solar, a cadmium telluride start-up in which it holds a majority ownership.

GE’s return to solar – it at one time produced crystalline silicon cells – appears to have been delayed a year by the global downturn. But its commitment to thin film appeared strong, despite recent industry skepticism that thin film will be able to keep up with polysilicon cells, which continue to make efficiency improvements.

Some polysilicon manufacturers now boast of laboratory cells operating at 19 percent efficiencies and greater compared with the 11 percent or so from thin film.

“After having competed an exhaustive survey of the PV landscape, we determined that thin films were the optimum path for GE,” said the company’s solar R&D leader Danielle Merfeld. The company’s product development will take place in Colorado, New York, China and India.

GE intends to market to utilities rather than consumers.

4 Comments | news | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

Cisco Takes Lesson From IPhone And Opens Its Smart Grid Software To Outside Apps Developers

March 17, 2010

Cisco Systems opened its EnergyWise software for corporate Smart Grids to third party programmers, hoping to spawn an iPhone-like frenzy of energy-management apps development.

The networking giant said EnergyWise software APIs, or application programming interfaces, are available to connect the software to assorted electronic devices and internal building systems, such as air conditioning.

Cisco released APIs for its EnergyWise software used to mamage power use by IP phones, computers and eventual building systems

The news came as Cisco introduced its EnergyWise Orchestrator technology for letting administrators remotely manage the power use of PCs and laptops. The technology lets administrators turn off machines not in use and provides information on operating power use.

The EnergyWise software is a key component of Cisco’s energy management strategy. It was unveiled in January 2009 as a tool for companies to manage power use by IP phones, video surveillance cameras, wireless access points, PCs and eventually building systems, such as heaters, air conditioning, elevators, lights and security systems.

Its first task was to connect to IP phones and networking gear, such as access points. Now it is reaching PCs. Cisco hopes to extent its usefulness by encouraging third-party developers to expand its capabilities.

The company also on Wednesday rolled out the latest version of its 2960 Catalyst switch with a dramatic 60 percent reduction in power consumption. The edge, or branch-office, switch achieves higher performance while cutting power by using of new custom ASIC chips.

1 Comment | news | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

Los Angeles Mayor Proposes Solar Feed In Tariff

March 17, 2010

As Germany winds down its solar feed-in tariff, Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa is suggesting one of his own.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa sees LA becoming a "booming cpaital of solar power."

Villaraigosa said he sees the proposal turning Tinseltown into a “booming capital of solar power.” In a piece on the Huffington Post blog, he estimates 16,500 jobs could be created over 10 years.

Feed-in tariffs appear to be gaining some traction around the world. Late last year, Ontario adopted a generous feed-in tariff to attract solar development – with some success – and a month later Japan followed suite. This year, the United Kingdom enacted a modest proposal of its own. California has its own feed-in tariff with consumer rates yet to be set.

Nevertheless, the push comes against a backdrop of fiscal restraint due to the global recession. Germany’s pioneering feed-in tariff, which helped create the world’s largest solar market, is being cut back after a conservative government returned to power. Italy and the Czech Republic are considering cuts of their own.

With these international cross currents, Villaraigosa’s move could suggest that progressive cities and town are ready to take maters into their own hands.

According to his proposal, an extra 7 cents will be charged for each kilowatt hour of electricity used – about $3 a month. The majority of this money will pay residents for electricity they generate from newly installed solar systems.

Villaraigosa claims this will help the city build a green economy. He may be right. Already Ontario’s efforts have attracted international interest, with Samsung and others committing to establish manufacturing plants.

3 Comments | news | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

UK Awards World’s First Commercial Leases For Wave And Tidal Energy Farms

March 16, 2010

United Kingdom bet big on tidal and wave energy Tuesday, awarding leases for a string of projects along its lengthy, rugged coastline.

Forty bids were received from 20 energy companies and utilities, suggesting optimism about generating electricity from the sea.

The leases were the first in the world granted for the commercial development of offshore wave and tidal farms.

The active competition for the rights suggested companies are optimistic about obtaining significant amounts of energy from the sea. Forty bids were filed from 20 energy firms and utilities.

Doubts have dogged the industry about the ability of its equipment to withstand powerful offshore storms and the corrosive salt-water environment, though firms say they will overcome this.

The leases provide the right to develop 1.2 GW of electricity by 2020, 600 MW wave and 600 MW tidal energy. Britain manages its coastline up to 12 nautical miles offshore, as do all nations.

The United Kingdom is among the leaders in marine energy, however so far only small pilot projects are underway. Developers expect the level of activity to increase sharply in the next three years.

Among the winners Tuesday were Marine Current Turbines, which recently received an investment from Siemens, and the Irish firm OpenHydro, which secured permission for a 200 MW facility in the Pentland Firth and near the Orkney Islands off Scotland, top spots for tidal development.

Another winner was Aquamarine Power, which already has a trial wave energy machine in the Orkney waters. Aquamarine plans to deploy its next generation Oyster wave machine in small clusters along the coast.

Also successful were the ScottishPower utility, Iberdrola of Spain, Southern Energy PLC and Germany’s E.ON AG.

A day before awarding the leases, the United Kingdom unveiled an ambitious plan meant to guide the domestic development of marine energy. The nation hopes to have 1 to 2 GW of energy generation in place by 2020 and enough capacity to power 15 million homes by 2050. Officials project the industry could create up to 16,000 jobs.

Britain’s long coastline makes it ideal for tidal and wave power.

2 Comments | news | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

Ice Energy Inks Energy Storage Deal In California

March 16, 2010

Ice Energy took its first step toward installing 53 MW of energy storage in Southern California on Tuesday, signing a deal with the city of Glendale.

The Colorado company said it would install 1.5 MW of its Ice Bear air conditioning devices on Glendale municipal buildings and on several nearby commercial buildings.

Ice Energy's Ice Bear will be installed on 28 municipal Glendale buildings

The units freeze water during the nighttime and employ the ice in the daytime to cool buildings during peak energy periods. The ice lasts as long as six hours and can reduce air conditioning peak energy use by as much as 95 percent, the company says.

The deal announced Tuesday is Ice Energy’s first project under an arrangement it reach in January with the Southern California Public Power Authority. The agreement calls on Ice to deploy 53 MW of energy storage devices in Southern California and is billed as the industry largest distributed storage effort.

The effort’s goal is to reduce peak energy demand in a state where power use surges during summer months.

Glendale will replace air conditioning units on 28 city buildings with higher efficiency models to run alongside the Ice Bears. The program is being supported with $20 million of federal stimulus funding.

The stimulus funds are expected to fund similar installations on 250 businesses in Glendale.

6 Comments | news | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

Digital Lumens Unveils Lighting System With 90% Power Savings

March 16, 2010

Digital Lumens, the secretive Boston start-up, lifted the veil on its business strategy Tuesday, showing off its Intelligent Lighting System and its desire to network lighting to make it more efficient.

The company its LED based lighting system uses sensors and a wireless network

The company, like Bridgelux, which in January raised $80 million in venture funding and signed on former Seagate CEO Bill Watkins, makes low-power LED solid-state lighting chips. LED chips continue to increase in intensity and should reach price and performance parity with traditional lighting in a couple years.

Digital Lumens makes the thunderous claim its lighting systems will reduce power demands 90 percent. More typically, LED lighting draws about 25 percent of the power of an incandescent bulb, not 10 percent.

If true, the company’s products represent a significant step up over competitors.

Digital Lumens is not the first company to conceive of networked lights. Start-up Redwood Systems announced its sensor based networking technology earlier this month, and Adura Technologies, Juice Technology and Lumenergi also play in the space.

However, it hopes to differentiate itself with a mesh of wireless sensors that permit central control and management.

Commercial lighting alone is a $15 billion market, so the opportunity for the all the companies is huge. Experts expect the commercial market to be the first to adopt more expensive LED bulbs because of labor and energy savings. The bulbs last longer, so replacement is less frequentl. The larger residential market is more price-sensitive, and adoption will be delayed until bulb prices fall further.

Digital Lumens raised $11.3 million in 2009 from investors Flybridge Capital Partners, Stata Venture Partners and Black Coral Capital.

Leave a Comment » | news | Tagged: , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

Dutch Micro Community Goes Off The Grid To Test Imaginative Smart Grid

March 15, 2010

Someday we all may live like this.

A small Dutch community a short ride from Amsterdam began an imaginative test of the green economy last week. The 25-family Hoogkerk neighborhood interconnected its homes to take advantage of central heating and cooling, and to jointly draw power from a wind farm, rooftop solar panels and a gas turbine.

Twenty-five homes in Hoogkerk are replying on energy from solar panels, wind turbines and a gas turbine.

By making use of smart meters, recycling wasted heat and relying on smart household appliances (dryers don’t go on unless there is a surplus of solar energy, for instance), the homes form a virtual, interconnected power plant. The goal is to use energy more wisely and efficiently, and to generate useful data on whether such extreme forms of distributed energy connected on a local smart grid may work on a large scale.

The test is nearly two years in the making. It is being supported by Dutch energy research center ECN and several companies: consultancy KEMA, software maker Humiq and utility Essent. It also is introducing electric cars to the community.

The project is the first such micro experiment in Europe and could pave the way for other trials. Organizers hope to gain insight into how and when energy is used and whether residents can adapt to such as radical design in exchange for financial incentives.

The system is especially unusual because of the two-way energy traffic among homes. Because of this, its may change the way residential smart grids are conceived and implemented.

And it will put Netherlands on the cutting edge.

1 Comment | news | Tagged: , , , , , , | Permalink
Posted by Mark Boslet

« Previous Entries
Next Entries »
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 29 other followers