Become a PUF Member Organization

Toshiba to Participate in Large-scale Hydrogen Research Project in Scotland

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:27

Toshiba will participate in the Levenmouth Community Energy Project in Fife, Scotland, a 4-year project to investigate the potential of hydrogen as a future fuel. The project will run from 2015 to 2020 in a redevelopment area of the Methil Docks in Methil, Fife. Electricity generated by wind and solar power will be used to power a hydrogen producing water electrolysis system, and the hydrogen will be stored and used as a fuel source for hybrid commercial vehicles (HCV) powered by fuel cells and diesel engines.

PSEG Long Island Further Strengthens Electric Grid

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:27

PSEG Long Island embarked on a federally funded, three-year reliability and resiliency project to further strengthen the electric grid across Long Island and in the Rockaways. More than $729 million of federal recovery funds were secured for the Long Island Power Authority via an agreement last year between Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), under the FEMA 406 Mitigation Program.

PG&E Wins Right to Develop Two New Transmission Substations

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:26

Pacific Gas and Electric (PG&E) was selected by the California Independent System Operator (CAISO) to build, own and operate two new electric substations in California's Central Valley and South Bay. The new high voltage substation at Wheeler Ridge Junction will help improve electric service reliability in Bakersfield, especially in the hot summer months when demand for power is higher. The substation projects will need to undergo an approval process through the California Public Utilities Commission.

NRC Approves Safety Report for Westinghouse Small Modular Nuclear Reactor

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:23

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) approved Westinghouse Electric’s testing approach for the Westinghouse small modular reactor (SMR) design. The NRC told Westinghouse that it has granted a safety evaluation report (SER) for the licensing topical report that the company submitted in April 2012 for agency review and approval. The Westinghouse SMR is a 225-MW integral pressurized water reactor with all primary components located inside of the reactor vessel.

Dominion Virginia Power to Install Virginia's Largest Solar Installation at Philip Morris USA

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:22

Philip Morris USA (PM USA) is the latest company to partner with Dominion Virginia Power under the Solar Partnership Program by hosting what will become the largest solar installation in Virginia to date. Dominion is currently installing about 8,000 ground-mounted solar panels at the PM USA Park 500 facility in Chesterfield County. When completed, the 2,450-kW solar array will generate enough electricity under optimum conditions to power 500 homes. The energy generated by the solar panels is delivered to the power grid.

RET Capital Secures Over $200 Million in Financing for Four Solar Projects

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:21

Renewable Energy Trust Capital (RET Capital) closed on over $200 million in financing for four solar projects in the U.S. and Canada. The independent renewable finance platform closed a CAD $115 million non-recourse debt to support the acquisition of two solar facilities in Ontario, Canada.

SunEdison to Build 150 MW of Solar Power in Georgetown, Texas

Submitted by aburr on Wed, 2015-03-25 14:20

SunEdison will construct new solar plants in West Texas to supply the City of Georgetown with 150 MW of solar power for 25 years. The SunEdison solar plants will be interconnected in 2016, and will provide over 9,500 GW-hours of energy through 2041. Upon completion, SunEdison expects to offer this project for investment to TerraForm Power.

Creative Disruption

Submitted by meacott on Wed, 2015-03-25 11:45
Fifteen years into the 21st Century, the utility industry is being asked to think forward, beyond 2050. To some, that’s a bit of a stretch for a mostly regulated enterprise that has been producing power and sending the electrons reliably for the last 150 years or so. To many others, though, it’s past time for an evolution.

Fifteen years into the 21st Century, the utility industry is being asked to think forward, beyond 2050. To some, that's a bit of a stretch for a mostly regulated enterprise that has been producing power and sending the electrons reliably for the last 150 years or so. To many others, though, it's past time for an evolution.

Clean Power Plan: Has EPA Overstepped?

Submitted by meacott on Thu, 2015-03-19 08:14
While it must be noted that the constitutionality of EPA newly-claimed authority to take control of the U.S. Electrical Grid is still in doubt, it is still worth asking the EPA why they gave up on "Cooperative Federalism," especially given its historical successes.

The idea of "Cooperative Federalism" began with the New Deal in the 1930's, when it came to include a division of responsibilities among the states and the federal government agencies of electric power and distribution. By the passage of the Clean Air Act of 1970, the EPA set the minimum standards for the states to best implement their individual utility plans to meet air pollution goals with approval of the EPA.