News

Public Service Commission Approves Big Sandy Unit 1 Conversion to Natural Gas Generation

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:44

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (KPSC) approved Kentucky Power's plan to convert the Big Sandy Unit 1 from coal-fired electricity generation to gas-fired electricity generation. Kentucky Power is converting the 278-MW unit in order to meet stricter federal air quality standards. Following the conversion to natural gas, the unit will be rated at approximately 268 MW. The conversion project is expected to cost approximately $50 million and should be completed by the summer of 2016.

Siemens Wins Turbine Order for Sandbank Offshore Wind Farm

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:43

Vattenfall awarded Siemens Energy an order for 72 Model SWT-4.0-130 wind turbines for its new Sandbank offshore wind farm. The project is being erected 90 kilometers west of the island of Sylt off the German North Sea coast. A service plan for the project will generate synergy from its close vicinity to DanTysk offshore wind farm, utilizing joint operations to drive down the maintenance costs of both projects. Vattenfall has contracted Siemens to perform maintenance services on the Sandbank installations for an initial period of five years.

GE to Modernize Aberdeen, Mississippi Grid

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:42

GE’s Digital Energy business and the City of Aberdeen will implement GE’s Solutions as a Service (SaaS) technology. SaaS is a cloud-based, fee-for-service grid management system that enables small- and mid-market utilities to build modern and interconnected grids. Using SaaS, a GE Predictivity solution, GE will provide Aberdeen with access to an online customer portal, enabling residents to visualize their energy usage and billing information.

CPV Closes On Financing for $775M Investment in Charles County, Maryland

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:41

Competitive Power Ventures (CPV) and partners Marubeni and Toyota Tsusho closed financing with GE Energy Financial Services and 14 other lenders for the $775 million CPV St. Charles Energy Center under construction in Charles County, Maryland. Financial details were not disclosed. Located 25 miles southeast of Washington, DC, the CPV St. Charles Energy Center is a 725- MW combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plant using two GE 7F.05 gas turbines and a GE D400 steam turbine.

Minnesota Selects Microgrid Institute for CHP Stakeholder Engagement

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:41

The Minnesota Department of Commerce selected Microgrid Institute for a two-part project addressing combined heat and power (CHP) stakeholder engagement in the state. The project includes a pair of contracts to perform work that will assist the Department of Commerce, Division of Energy Resources, in its efforts to develop a CHP Action Plan for the state. Microgrid Institute’s work under the contracts will include facilitating CHP stakeholder engagement meetings and performing a series of stakeholder surveys.

Pattern Development Acquires Logan's Gap Wind Project in Texas

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:40

Pattern Energy Group acquired the 200-MW Logan's Gap wind project located in Comanche County, Texas, from Pioneer Green Energy. Pioneer Green Energy began work in 2013 and executed a 10-year PPA with Wal-Mart stores, for approximately 60% of the project's expected production. Pattern Development expects to arrange financing for and start full construction of the project in the fourth quarter of 2014.

Siemens Delivers Steam Turbine-Generator Sets and I&C Components to India

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:39

Siemens Energy will supply high-efficiency steam turbine-generator sets with associated instrumentation & control components to power plant projects for Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd. (BHEL), Siemens' licensed partner in India. The machines are destined for the coal-fired units of the North Karanpura Super Thermal Power Project (STPP) and for IB Thermal Power Station Banharpalli. These turbine generators deliver a combined installed electrical generating capacity of over 3,300 MW.

PSEG Long Island and NYSERDA Launch On-Bill Recovery and Smart Energy Loans

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:39

PSEG Long Island coordinated an effort with New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to launch on-bill recovery and smart energy loans. All PSEG Long Island residential customers are now able to apply for solar PV systems from local contractors through a Smart Energy Loan or On-Bill Recovery loan, which provides the convenience of repaying the loan through their PSEG Long Island bill. The program includes two, low-interest loan options through Green Jobs - Green New York (GJGNY).

Exelon Buys 21 MW of Fuel Cells from Bloom Energy

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:38

Exelon agreed to buy fuel-cell power plants with 21 MW of capacity that Bloom Energy plans to install at 75 corporate sites in four states. Commercial customers including AT&T will purchase the electricity for each plant’s ability to provide power locally with less pollution and more reliability than the grid. Fuel cell generators produce electricity where it’s consumed from natural gas through a chemical reaction that produces fewer carbon emissions than plants that burn fuel.

Vista Solar Completes 153-kW WestGate Church Array

Submitted by aburr on Tue, 2014-08-12 12:37

Vista Solar completed a 153-kW solar array for WestGate Church in San Jose, Calif. The system, which was designed and installed by Vista Solar, is expected to generate more than 250,000 kWh of energy each year. Vista Solar secured a $0 down, 15-year PPA which allowed WestGate to be cash-flow positive from the start. As part of the PPA agreement, Vista Solar will monitor the system for 15 years to ensure it is performing at or above expectations.