Renewable Energy

EDF Renewable Energy Signs Agreement to Supply Google with 201MW of Wind Power

Google signed a deal with EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) to purchase renewable energy for its data center. The PPA will provide Google with the full output of the 201-MW Great Western Wind Project located in Woodward and Ellis counties near the base of the Oklahoma panhandle. The project will commence construction in the first quarter of 2016 and be fully operational by end of the year. Great Western will be comprised of 30 V117 (unit capacity of 3.3 MW) and 51 V100 (unit capacity of 2.2 MW) wind turbines supplied by Vestas.

KYOCERA TCL Solar Completes Construction of Third Floating Solar Power Plant

Kyocera TCL Solar completed construction of its third floating mega-solar power plant in Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. The 2.3-MW plant will generate an estimated 2,680 MWh per year. This marks the third floating installation completed by the company, in addition to 1.7MW and 1.2MW plants which began operation last month at two different sites in Hyogo Prefecture. The company is also developing a 13.4MW installation on a dam reservoir in Chiba Prefecture, Japan.

Digest (February 2015)

Europe’s largest battery-storage project was officially opened in England; CODA Energy announced operation of the largest behind the meter lithium-ion energy storage system in the Los Angeles basin; FERC approved construction of Constitution Pipeline’s natural gas pipeline to New York and New England markets; FERC approved a facilities construction agreement for Minnesota Power’s Great Northern Transmission Line; General Electric received an order from the Tennessee Valley Authority for two high-efficiency 7HA.02 gas-fired turbine generators; A Renewable Energy Southern Company subsidiary plans to develop a 131- MW PV solar project in Georgia; GE Global Research and others partnered on a research project to improve reliability and resiliency of electricity delivery in northern New York; Duke Energy Renewables acquired the Halifax Solar Power Project from Geenex and ET Solar Energy;  Dominion Resources agreed to purchase Carolina Gas Transmission from SCANA Corp.; and others...

Minnesota Power Commissions Latest Phase of the Bison Wind Energy Center

Minnesota Power completed commissioning the latest phase of its Bison Wind Energy Center. The 205-MW expansion makes it the largest wind farm in North Dakota. All 64 turbines within the 35-square-mile boundaries of Bison 4 are now generating renewable energy, which is delivered to the company's customers via a 465-mile direct current transmission line linking Center, N.D., and Duluth, Minn. In total, the nearly 500 MW produced by Bison's 165 turbines rank it as North Dakota's largest wind farm in terms of electric generating capacity. 

RES Americas Executes PPA with Wolverine Power Cooperative

RES America Developments entered into a 20-year PPA with Wolverine Power Supply Cooperative (Wolverine) for 114 MW of wind energy and associated renewable energy credits in the Thumb of Michigan. The wind power will be sourced from the Deerfield Wind Energy project, which is located in Huron County, Michigan. RES Americas developed and will construct the project and Wolverine, which is owned by and supplies wholesale electric power to seven members, will be the recipient of the 114 MW of electricity generated by the project.

Regulatory Roundup

2004 FERC roundup: Path 15 Upgrade; Gas Bypass Pipeline; Power Line Communications; Gen Station Power Needs; ISO Retail Service; Renewable Energy Portfolios; Gas Supply Risk; Fuel Cost Hedging; Utility Supply Solicitations; Provider of Last Resort; Coal Seam Gas; Deceptive Marketing Practices; Renewable Portfolio Standards.

Dominion Acquires Solar Facility in California

Dominion acquired West Antelope Solar Park, a 20-MW solar energy facility, from Canadian Solar with a 20-year PPA in place. With the addition of West Antelope Solar Park, Dominion has 344 MW of solar generating capacity - about 220 MW of which are in California - in development, under construction or in operation across six states. The company's renewable portfolio also includes approximately 850 MW of capacity generated by biomass, water and wind.

Pattern Development Secures PPA for its First Solar Power Project

Pattern Energy Group’s (Pattern Development or the Company) Conejo Solar photovoltaic power project in Chile has secured a 22-year PPA with an affiliate of Antofagasta Minerals SA. The 104-MW Conejo Solar project was originated by Pattern Development and upon completion will be the largest solar energy project in Chile with a PPA. Conejo Solar will connect to the Sistema Interconectado Central's (SIC) 220kV transmission system and is located on public lands owned by the government of Chile with a long-term concession.

Bourne Energy Break the Energy Barrier

Bourne Energy successfully field-tested the latest version of its BackPack Power Plant (BPP) portable hydropower system in a shallow remote river in the Pacific Northwest. A zero-fuel power generator of this size (one cubic meter) producing 600 W will help renewable energy move past the low energy density, low capacity factor and high cost barriers that have slowed the growth of renewable energy.