Scotland targets energy efficiency in 2009

31st December 2008

The Government of Scotland has forecast 2009 to be a greener year, with recycling and being more energy efficient are top of the list, according to a statement.

Air New Zealand’s first biofuel flight a success

31st December 2008

Air New Zealand has hailed its first biofuel powered aviation test flight a success.

GreenHunter gets the go-ahead to sell biodiesel in the US

30th December 2008

Greenhunter Biofuels, a wholly-owned subsidiary of GreenHunter Energy, has received approval from the Environmental Protection Agency to sell its biodiesel in the US.

Raser Technologies nears completion of initial geothermal commissioning tests

30th December 2008

Geothermal power company Raser Technologies is nearing completion of the commissioning process of the 50 power generation units at its Utah power plant, the company said.

Wind industry expected to gather momentum in 2009, AWEA

30th December 2008

Despite the economic downturn, the wind industry is set to make progress in 2009, buoyed by a strong strategic position and the prospect of a new President, according to the American Wind Energy Association.

Air New Zealand’s first biofuel flight takes off

30th December 2008

Air New Zealand has launched the world’s first commercial test flight powered by a second-generation biofuel.

Yellow Cab Cooperative awards Clean Energy Fuels Corp with ten-year supply contract

29th December 2008

Clean Energy Fuels Corporation has been awarded a ten-year contract by Yellow Cab Cooperative to supply compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and provide operations and maintenance for a newly expanded Clean Energy CNG station in San Francisco, US.

NRG Energy completes second Texan wind farm

29th December 2008

Power company NRG Energy has completed its second wind farm, the 122MW Elbow Creek Wind Project in Texas, US.

Northern Ireland launches ‘green’ rate rebates for homeowners

29th December 2008

Finance Minister of Northern Ireland, Nigel Dodds, will implement ‘green’ rate rebates for homeowners who introduce modern standards of insulation.

Alternate Energy, Treaty Petroleum finalise merger

29th December 2008

Renewable energy company Alternate Energy Corporation has merged with Texan oil major Treaty Petroleum.

Beacon Power Corporation finalises $4.1m transaction

29th December 2008

Energy storage company Beacon Power Corporation has finalised the sale of 8,966,000 units to three investors for $0.50 per unit.

NewNet Investor Profile: Peter Horsburgh, Environmental Technologies Fund

29th December 2008

Peter Horsburgh discusses the growing appetite for clean energy amongst institutional investors and what the future has in store for cleantech.

‘Our approach is that we try to be agnostic, and to become experts in particular fields, following what we see on a day-to-day basis. I do not think you can stand still for one moment in this sector, but I really would not have it any other way.’

2008 Renewable Energy Survey

26th December 2008

This survey from the the Low Carbon Innovation Network (LCIN), identifies the challenges being faced by companies in the renewable energy sector and outlines the potential ways in which the government might develop the regulatory environment to catalyse appropriate market development and encourage innovation and investment in the sector.

First Solar completes 10MW photovoltaic power plant

26th December 2008

Thin-film photovoltaic module supplier First Solar has completed its first 10MW ground-mounted photovoltaic power plant for Sempra Generation near Boulder City, Nevada.

Biofuels can increase US energy independence, report

26th December 2008

Increasing domestic production of advanced biofuels to meet or exceed the goals of the Renewable Fuel Standard can significantly reduce US reliance on petroleum. Brent Erickson, executive vice president of the Biotechnology Industry Organisation’s Industrial & Environmental Section.

Renewable energy company Covanta acquires two biomass energy facilities for $52m

26th December 2008

Renewable energy company Covanta Holding Corporation has acquired two biomass energy facilities from co-owners Ridgewood Maine and Indeck Energy Services.

Leighton Contractors develops Australian renewable energy

24th December 2008

Australian construction company Leighton Contractors has executed agreements with two global technology providers to explore and develop wave and solar power projects in Australia.

AES subsidiary secures financing for 22 MW North Rhins wind farm in Scotland

24th December 2008

Power company AES Corporation, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Wind Energy (North Rhins), has secured £35.1m in long-term financing to construct and operate the 22 MW North Rhins wind farm in Scotland.

Ormat’s Amatitlan geothermal project registered as Clean Development Mechanism

23rd December 2008

The executive board of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change has registered Ormat Technologies’ Amatitlan geothermal project in Guatemala as a Clean Development Mechanism.

Norwegian solar technology company Solar Cell Repower completes Series A venture round

23rd December 2008

Norwegian solar technology company Solar Cell Repower has completed its Series A funding round, led by early stage venture capital investors NorthZone Venture. Industrial development organisation Innovation Norway has also supported the R&D work of the company SCR with a grant of NOK8m (€817,000m) and a favourable loan of NOK4m (€409,000).

Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels to invest $600,000 in biofuel projects

23rd December 2008

The Colorado Center for Biorefining and Biofuels known as C2B2 has released a list of 12 proposals that have been selected to receive up to $600,000 funding through its 2008 seed grant programme.

UK energy regulator Ofgem calls for electricity transmission reform

23rd December 2008

UK energy regulator Ofgem is proposing radical reforms to the regulatory framework for Britain’s electricity transmission network to speed up the connection of renewable and other low-carbon electricity generation.

Yingli Green Energy strikes sales deal with German photovoltaic integrators

23rd December 2008

Solar product manufacturer Yingli Green Holding Company has entered into sales agreements with two German photovoltaic system integrators, City Solar Kraftwerke and Wirsol Deutschland.

Gamesa makes a foray into the Chinese wind market

23rd December 2008

Spanish company Gamesa Corporacion Tecnologica has received orders to supply 294, 95 MW of wind power to Longyuan Electric Power Group Corporation, a Chinese renewable energy company.

DOE ploughs $200m into biorefineries

23rd December 2008

The US Department of Energy (DOE) will plough $200m into pilot and demonstration-scale biorefineries over the next six years.

American Wind Energy Association highlights US wind industry’s achievements in 2008

23rd December 2008

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) has identified the wind industry’s top accomplishments of 2008, and highlighted key environmental and economic achievements.

Role of forest carbon in emerging ecomarkets will be significant, report

23rd December 2008

Forest carbon is to play a significant role in emerging environmental markets designed to address climate change, despite the reluctance of some countries to accept forest carbon offsets, predicted environmental economics expert Ricardo Bayon.

VantagePoint Venture Partners closes cleantech fund on $435m

23rd December 2008

Venture capital firm VantagePoint Venture Partners has closed its second cleantech fund on $435m, according to reports.

Taiwanese gas supplier Boc Lien Hwa to supply Auria Solar with solar cell gases

23rd December 2008

Boc Lien Hwa, a Taiwanese electronic gas supplier, will supply Auria Solar in Tainan with a range of specialty gases used in the manufacturing of solar cells.

PG&E purchases 10MW of solar power from El Dorado Energy

23rd December 2008

Pacific Gas and Electric Company has entered into a long-term agreement with El Dorado Energy to purchase 10 MW of photovoltaic solar energy from El Dorado’s new solar facility in Nevada, US.

The Navigators Group launches new environmental business unit

22nd December 2008

The Navigators Group’s underwriting agency subsidiary, Navigators Management Company, has established Navigators Environmental.

NewNet Investor Profile, Russell Diamond, Solution Capital Partners

22nd December 2008

Russell Diamond on investing in clean energy funds and the challenges the sector faces in the context of wider financial crisis.

‘I cannot tell you whether we are the bottom of the market or the whether that is yet to come, but what I can tell you is that there are exciting opportunities out there.’

FPL Energy teams up with Emerald Bowl to promote environmentally friendly game

22nd December 2008

Energy supplier FPL Energy, a subsidiary of FPL Group, has teamed up with the Emerald Bowl to ensure that the match between the University of California and the University of Miami is environmentally friendly.

Alstom wins €300m hydropower plant supply contract

22nd December 2008

Hydro power company Alstom Hydro has won a €300m contract to supply part of the equipment for the Jirau hydro power plant, including turbines and generators.

Wells Fargo & Company invests $3bn in clean energy projects

22nd December 2008

Financial services company Wells Fargo & Company has soared past its $1bn environmental financing target, investing more than $3bn in clean energy projects.

US Energy Corporation ploughs $3.4m into geothermal exploration

22nd December 2008

US Energy Corporation has invested $3.445m in private geothermal exploration and development company Steam Trust.

Lurgi to build second-generation biofuel plant in Germany

22nd December 2008

Technology company Lurgi, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Air Liquide Group, will build a second-generation biofuel plant at Forschungszentrum, Germany, in a joint project with the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology as part of Germany’s drive to generate more renewable energy.

Alstom Hydro strikes supply deal with Turkish energy company

22nd December 2008

Hydro power company Alstom Hydro has struck a deal with Turkish energy company Enerjisa Enerji Uretim to supply equipment to three new hydro power plants currently under construction in Southern Turkey.

Four Seasons Cleaners merges with Blue Sky Cleaners

22nd December 2008

US dry cleaning company Four Seasons Cleaners has merged with Blue Sky Cleaners to become Seattle’s only toxin-free alternative to traditional dry cleaners.

Bank of America, Chevron, Milpatas Unified School District complete Californian solar project

22nd December 2008

Chevron Energy Solutions, Milpitas Unified School District and Bank of America have completed a 14-site solar and energy efficiency project in California.

US DOE grants Chevron Energy Solutions a renewable energy contract

22nd December 2008

US-based energy company Chevron Energy Solutions has been granted a master contract by the US Department of Energy (DOE) to work with federal agencies to reduce energy and water consumption and increase the use of renewable energy at agency facilities.

Sopogy teams up with Inypsa, Omniwatt to build solar plant

22nd December 2008

US-based solar company Sopogy has teamed up with Spanish solar project developer Inypsa and German solar project financer Omniwatt to develop a 50 MW solar plant in Spain.

Green Star Alternative Energy forms joint venture with Notos, Sirius Regulus

22nd December 2008

Green Star Alternative Energy has formed a joint venture with Serbian wind energy company Notos and Serbian real estate holding company Sirius Regulus.

Evonik Industries, Daimler launch lithium-ion technology for batteries

22nd December 2008

Evonik Industries and Daimler are developing lithium-ion technology for battery cells and battery systems in Germany.

The last dash for gas?

20th December 2008

A number of important factors have influenced the rising interest in power generation: security of supply, environmental issues and spiralling energy costs. Despite significant progress in the development and supply of certain energy sources, for example wind, the reality is that for Europe, an increase in gas-fired power is the only way of preventing a shortfall in generation capacity within the next decade, according to private equity firm 3i.

TurboSonic Technologies signs $1m supply deal

19th December 2008

TurboSonic Technologies has signed a $1m supply contract with a US biofuel producer.

Bioamber, Basic Solutions join forces to commercialise new bio-based de-icer

19th December 2008

Bioamber has teamed up with Basic Solutions for the development and commercialisation of a new bio-based runway de-icer.

Vestas applauds EU climate and energy package

19th December 2008

Wind energy company Vestas has welcomed the European Parliament’s endorsement of the EU climate and energy package.

Owens Corning backs T Boone Picken’s energy efficiency plan

19th December 2008

Owens Corning, producer of commercial building materials, has teamed up with T Boone Pickens to endorse the Pickens Plan which calls for energy independence and energy efficiency in homes and buildings across the US.

Aluminum producer Alcoa signs new clean energy agreements

19th December 2008

Aluminum producer Alcoa has finalised new power agreements in Quebec, Canada, through 2040 to supply renewable energy to three of the company’s aluminum smelters and enable Alcoa to upgrade and increase its Baie Comeau production.