Renewable Energy News

NRG Energy Signs Deal with Virgin Limited Edition to Power Necker Island with a Microgrid Solution

NRG Energy and Virgin Limited Edition entered into a diesel reduction agreement for the provision of renewable power to Necker Island. Pursuant to this agreement, NRG will develop a renewables-driven microgrid for the entire island, supplying reliable electricity powered at least 75% by an integrated array of solar, wind and energy storage technologies.

SunEdison Installs Solar Parking Canopy at Whole Foods in Brooklyn

SunEdison completed a 306 kW DC solar system for Whole Foods Market in Brooklyn, New York. SunEdison designed the system using a parking canopy structure that collects rainwater while protecting customers from the elements. The two companies have worked together since 2004 and have jointly deployed 1.5 MW of solar projects. The building is designed to be 60 percent more energy efficient than the average grocery store with more than 25 percent of site power needs being met by solar energy. SunEdison will manage the plant via their 24/7 renewable operations center (ROC).

ALLETE Clean Energy Finalizes Acquisition of Wind Farms for $27M

ALLETE Clean Energy (ALLETE) finalized the purchase of wind farms in Minnesota, Iowa and Oregon from AES. ALLETE acquired the operating wind energy projects for $27 million and all three wind farms - with a total output of 231 MW - have PPAs in place for their entire electric output. ALLETE also signed in November an option agreement to acquire a fourth wind farm from AES in mid-2015. Pursuant to that option agreement, ALLETE will have an option to acquire the 101MW Armenia Mountain, Penn., wind farm.

Constellation to Develop 27-MW Biogas Co-Generation Power Plant for City of Los Angeles

Constellation signed an agreement with the City of Los Angeles to design, build and operate a 27-MW renewable energy power plant at L.A. Sanitation's Hyperion Treatment Plant. The new power plant, which will cost approximately $130 million to construct, will use digester gas produced at Hyperion as its primary fuel source. The power plant will produce steam and electricity that will be used to operate Hyperion's treatment operations.

EDF Renewable Energy Signs PPA with Southern California Edison

EDF Renewable Energy announced a 20-year PPA with Southern California Edison (SCE), contracted through the California Renewable Auction Mechanism (RAM) competitive procurement program, for 19.8 MW wind project. The Patterson Pass Wind Project is a repowering effort whereby older technology is upgraded allowing for increased generation of clean energy with fewer wind turbines. Approximately 300 Nordtank and Bonus 65kW turbines, originally installed in 1985, will be removed as part of the development process.

First Solar Begins Construction on Barilla Solar Project

First Solar began construction on Phase I of the Barilla Solar Project in Pecos County, Texas. The 22 MW is expected to begin commercial operation in mid-2014. First Solar will build, commission and operate the power plant, and offer the output to customers, including municipal utilities, electric cooperatives, and larger commercial and industrial users.

Element Power Signs 200 MW PPA with KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations

Element Power US, owner and developer of the Mill Creek Wind Farm, and KCP&L Greater Missouri Operations have entered into a PPA for a 200 MW wind energy facility to be built in Holt County, Missouri. The 200 MW project, once operational, will be the largest in the state of Missouri. The project currently has approximately 25,000 acres under lease with over 100 landowner partners. Element Power anticipates commencement of construction in Q3 2014, with expected commercial operation achieved by the end of December 2015.

ConEdison Solutions Wins $56 Million Contract to Boost Energy Efficiency at More Than 90 U.S. Army Sites in 11 States

ConEdison Solutions (CES) signed a $56 million contract with the U.S. Army Reserve's 99th Regional Support Command (RSC) to provide energy efficiency services and operations and maintenance support at 90 sites in 11 states. The contract is a component of the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Savings Performance Contract (ESPC) program. Under this initiative, a limited number of qualified, private-sector energy service providers can provide energy efficiency, renewable energy and water conservation services to federally owned buildings and facilities.

EDF Renewable Energy Buys 194 MW Spinning Spur 3 Project in Texas

EDF Renewable Energy acquired the 194-MW Spinning Spur 3 Wind Project from Cielo Wind Power (Cielo). Spinning Spur 3 is located on approximately 18,000 acres in Oldham County, Texas, roughly 50 miles west of Amarillo. The project expects commercial operation by the end of 2015 utilizing ERCOT's new CREZ transmission lines.

Abengoa to Develop South America's Largest Solar-Thermal Plant in Chile

Abengoa was selected by the Ministry of Energy of the Chilean Government and Corfo (Corporacion de Fomento de la Produccion) to develop a $1 billion, 110-MW solar plant using tower technology with 17.5 hours of thermal energy storage using molten salts. The project will be located in the Atacama Desert and will be the first solar-thermal plant for direct electricity production in South America. Construction is due to start in the second half of 2014.