Alternative energy

Wind Turbine Prototype Receives DOE Grant for Full-Scale Deployment

The DOE has signed a $3.8M cooperative research agreement with the University of Maine to support full-scale deployment of the first U.S. grid-connected offshore floating wind turbine prototype. On September 5, 2014, the University of Maine (UMaine) announced that the Department of Energy (DOE) signed a $3.8M cooperative research agreement with UMaine to advance design…...

[Report] NY REV Straw Proposal Recommends Utility-Owned Distributed Energy Resources

The New York Department of Public Service (DPS) staff has issued a Straw Proposal on achieving the Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) Track One goals. The straw proposal reaffirms the initial April 24 proceeding which identified utilities’ role in managing a distributed system platform (DSP) and growing the state’s existing Distributed Energy Resource (DER) assets. Despite…...

First Cellulosic Ethanol Plant to Use Corn Waste as Feedstock

Project LIBERTY, a DOE-supported biorefinery project, is the first U.S. cellulosic ethanol plant to use corn waste as feedstock. On September 3, 2014, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced the opening of POET-DSM Advanced Biofuel’s Project LIBERTY, a large-scale biorefinery in Emmetsburg, Iowa.  Project LIBERTY is the nation’s second commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol biorefinery and the…...

Rhode Island Launches Solarize to Lower Solar Installation Costs

Rhode Island has launched the Solarize program, a municipal-based initiative aimed to facilitate low-cost rooftop solar installations. On September 2, 2014, the Rhode Island Commerce Corporation (Commerce RI), Office of Energy Resources (OER), and non-profit partner SmartPower announced the launch of Solarize Rhode Island, a municipal-based program aimed to facilitate low-cost rooftop solar installations.  The…...

California and Quebec Join Carbon Markets to Minimize Compliance Burden

On August 7, 2014, California and Quebec held a successful practice joint carbon emissions allowance auction in preparation for the first ever cross-border auction on November 2014. Despite varied participation levels in Quebec’s first four auctions, activity is expected to increase with program maturity and the upcoming 2015 compliance deadline.The programs – under the Western…...

Hawaiian Electric Companies Propose Comprehensive Energy Plans

Hawaiian Electric Companies have proposed comprehensive electric energy plans with a goal to achieve more than 65 percent renewable energy by 2030.   On August 26, 2014, the Hawaiian Electric Companies – Hawaiian Electric, Maui Electric, and Hawaii Electric Light Company – proposed electric energy plans in response to the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission’s (PUC)…...