Alternative energy
An innovative solar cell-battery hybrid developed at OSU is expected to reach 100-percent efficiency and reduce costs by 25 percent. On October 3, 2014, Ohio State University (OSU) reported the invention of the world’s first solar battery – a patent-pending technology that combines a battery and solar cell into one hybrid device. The new design…...
The Massachusetts Attorney General has sought DPU action to mitigate spikes in winter rates and extend the state’s Winter Moratorium by one month. On October 2, 2014, Massachusetts Attorney General (AG) Martha Coakley wrote to the Department of Public Utilities (DPU) requesting an investigation into ways to mitigate National Grid’s winter rate spikes that will…...
The DOE has issued a draft solicitation for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects to provide up to $12.6B in loan guarantees. On September 30, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) issued a draft solicitation to provide up to $12.6B in loan guarantees for Advanced Nuclear Energy Projects, representing another step in DOE’s commitment to help overcome…...
Starting October 1, CAISO will open its subhourly wholesale electricity market to PacifiCorp’s service areas, marking the first time that CAISO will dispatch electricity to regions outside its footprint. On September 30, 2014, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released a report on the California Independent System Operator’s (CAISO) effort to open subhourly wholesale electricity markets to…...
The Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry has grown by 47 percent from 2010-2014 with significant growth in energy efficiency and solar deployment. On September 29, 2014, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center released the 2014 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report. The fourth annual report highlights that the Massachusetts clean energy sector has grown by 47 percent since…...
Governor Brown has signed SB 1414 into law to include demand response into resource adequacy and procurement planns. On September 29, 2014, California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. signed Senate Bill 1414 (SB 1414) into law, facilitating implementation of demand response (DR) programs to meet the state’s growing electricity needs. SB 1414, sponsored by Sen…....
Governor Cuomo has announced $94M for 142 large solar projects that will increase New York’s solar capacity by more than 214 MW. On September 26, 2014, New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced NY-Sun awards for 142 large solar projects at school and business sites to add more than 214 MW to the state’s solar…...
On September 17, 2014, the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance held a hearing entitled “Reforming America’s Outdated Energy Tax Code.” Retroactively extending tax provisions has significant impact on financial accounting for multiple energy industries, including wind and solar, and also small and mid-sized businesses such as commercial building owners, architects, engineers, contractors, and design-construction companies…....
Massachusetts has awarded the first round of grants under the Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative for six municipal resiliency projects. On September 25, 2014, the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources (DOER) awarded $7.4M in the first round of project implementation grants under the Community Clean Energy Resiliency Initiative. The funding will support six projects designed…...
NYC’s proposed Green Bond Program aims to expand the city’s investor base, provide a standard for the U.S. municipal bond market, and encourage a greener capital program. On September 24, 2014, New York City (NYC) Comptroller Scott M. Stringer proposed a plan titled “A Green Bond Program for New York City” to fund environmental threat…...
The DOE has announced a decision to issue a Presidential Permit for the proposed 336-mile Champlain Hudson Power Express transmission line from Canada to New York. On September 24, 2014, the Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability announced a Record of Decision to issue a Presidential Permit to Champlain Hudson…...
An innovative landscape-level renewable energy and conservation plan proposed for the California desert provides a roadmap to develop 20,000 MW on more than 22 million acres over the next 25 years. On September 23, 2014, the Department of Interior (DOI) and the California Natural Resources Agency released the draft Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan (DRECP), an…...
