US solar energy provider SunEdison names groSolar as channel partner

28th August 2009

US solar energy provider SunEdison has named solar distributor groSolar as a channel partner.

Sakura Solar Energy Center in Japan celebrates quarter of a century

28th August 2009

Kyocera Corporation is celebrating the 25th anniversary of its Sakura Solar Energy Center just outside Tokyo, which houses research and development of solar power generating systems.

A-Power Energy Generation Systems reports a drop in financial results for second quarter of 2009

28th August 2009

A-Power Energy Generation Systems, a provider of distributed power generation systems in China and a growing manufacturer of wind turbines, has reported its unaudited financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2009, showing a drop from the previous year.

Yingli Green Energy and CTP Invest sign solar PV supply deal for Czech Republic

28th August 2009

Yingli Green Energy Holding Company, a manufacturer of solar photovoltaic products, and CTP Invest, a Czech property developer, have signed an agreement regarding the supply of photovoltaic modules by Yingli Green Energy to CTP.

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to enter Lithium-ion secondary battery business

28th August 2009

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) has decided to build a commercial production verification plant in Nagasaki Prefecture and launch its operation by autumn 2010 in a move toward the company’s full-scale entry into the lithium-ion secondary battery market.

Department of Transportation allows Solar Roadways to prototype revolutionary solar road panel

28th August 2009

Solar Roadways has been awarded a Department of Transportation contract that will enable them to prototype the first ever solar road panel.

Tianwei and Oerlikon Solar complete Chinese solar panel factory

28th August 2009

Baoding Tianwei and Oerlikon Solar have completed a thin film solar panel factory in China, ahead of schedule.

JSW Energy to commission 300MW for Indian power plant

28th August 2009

JSW Energy, a group company headed by Jindal South West, will commission the first phase of 300MW Jaigarh power plant in Maharashtra by January 2010, according to reports.

Government approval given for biomass-fuelled power station in Tilbury Docks, UK

28th August 2009

The UK government has given the green light for a new 60MW power plant, fuelled by biomass and waste, to be built on a disused site at Tilbury Docks in Essex.

Sound & Sea Technology awarded contract to study wave energy devices

28th August 2009

Oregon Wave Energy Trust said US-based Sound & Sea Technology has been awarded a contract to study wave energy device anchoring and monitoring techniques applicable to the range of wave energy devices which may be installed in Oregon Water in the future.

Helius Energy and Veolia Water join forces to turn distillery by-products into biomass fuel

28th August 2009

Biomass-to-power company Helius Energy and Veolia Water Outsourcing have come together to use Helius’ GreenFields technology to turn distillery by-products into biomass fuel.

SIAG Schaaf Industrie acquires wind tower company Aerisyn

28th August 2009

SIAG Schaaf Industrie has acquired wind tower manufacturer Aerisyn. Under the agreement, SIAG Schaaf will take a controlling interest in substantially all of the assets of Aerisyn. SIAG Schaaf will acquire complete interest by 2012, the company said.

Fuel cell manufacturer ClearEdge Power raises $15m funding round

28th August 2009

Oregon-based ClearEdge Power has raised $15m in a funding round, according to reports.

Scientists believe the true cost of climate change is far higher than anticipated

28th August 2009

Scientists, led by Professor Martin Parry, the former co-chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, are set to warn that the UN negotiations aimed at combating climate change are based on unachievable low costs.

US Department of Energy provides $11m funding for marine, hydrokinetics and hydropower projects

28th August 2009

The US Department of Energy (DOE) is to invest $11m in four national laboratory-led projects in marine and hydrokinetics and conventional hydropower.

Conergy begins construction on its 4.2MW Hörup solar park

28th August 2009

Solar energy company Conergy has begun construction work on its 4.2MW Hörup solar park after successfully selling it to a group of investors.

Electric vehicle developer Think resumes car production after approval of its debt settlement plan

28th August 2009

Electric vehicle developer Think has had its debt settlement plan approved by the Norwegian courts, enabling the company to exit court protection.

Hydroelectric company Plutonic Power Corporation appoints Paul Sweeney president

27th August 2009

Plutonic Power Corporation, a British Columbia-based hydroelectric company has appointed Paul Sweeney to the position of president with immediate effect.

Aramark Uniform Services adds 50 hybrid vehicles to its fleet in the US

27th August 2009

Aramark Uniform Services will expand its fleet with 50 hybrid vehicles.

Juhl Wind’s subsidiary NextGen signs distribution agreement for wind turbine system

27th August 2009

Juhl Wind Inc. said its Next Generation Power Systems subsidiary has recently completed a $1m license and distributorship agreement with SureEnergy of Ohio.

ITC Holdings and NorthWestern Energy team up to develop renewable energy transmission project

27th August 2009

ITC Holdings Corp. and NorthWestern Energy have signed an expression of interest to collaborate on development of ITC’s seven-state Green Power Express transmission project.

Helix Wind announces joint venture with Atoll Financing to offer financing for small wind energy

27th August 2009

Renewable energy company Helix Wind has announced a joint venture with Atoll Financial Group to develop products and financing mechanisms to offer for individuals, small businesses, commercial users and its distributors’ financing of its small wind turbines.

Fluor wins engineering contract for eSolar’s 46MW concentrating solar power

27th August 2009

Texas, US-based Fluor Corporation has been awarded an engineering services contract by Californian solar utility, eSolar, for the design of a 46MW concentrating solar power (CSP) plant. Fluor will provide design optimisation to rapidly scale eSolar’s 46MW power plants.

Entech Solar announces appointment of David A Field to board of directors

27th August 2009

US-based solar and thermal energy provider, Entech Solar, said that David A Field has been appointed to its Board of Directors.

Södra and renewable energy company Statkraft to develop €1bn portfolio of renewable energy projects

27th August 2009

Forestry and timber product company Södra has signed an agreement of intent with renewable energy company Statkraft to initiate a range of renewable energy investment projects. The €1bn deal will see the two companies develop projects in the wind power, district heating and biofuels sectors as well as electricity supplies.

UK business bosses tip cleantech, technology and media to be three highest growth sectors by 2020

27th August 2009

Cleantech and renewables are expected to become two of the most important sectors of the economy, according to a survey of UK business leaders, commissioned by the department for Business Innovation and Skills.

UK asset manager Foresight Group unveils second solar energy-focused investment fund

27th August 2009

Alternative asset manager Foresight Group has launched its Foresight Solar Fund 2, targeting investments in up to 250MW of solar energy projects.

China approves resolution to accelerate attempts to tackle global warming

27th August 2009

The Chinese government has approved a resolution on climate change that aims to accelerate the country’s attempts to tackle the pressing challenge of global warming.

Institution of Mechanical Engineers believes geo-engineering could slow down climate change

27th August 2009

The Institution of Mechanical Engineers argues in its new report that geo-engineering could be a potential weapon to fight climate change and provide the world with valuable time to decarbonise the global economy.

Renewable energy company EnviroMission has listed its American Depository Receipts on OTCQX

27th August 2009

Australian renewable energy company EnviroMission Limited has chosen to list its American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) on OTCQX.

US company SouthWest Nanotechnologies launches new energy efficient product

27th August 2009

Southwest Nanotechnologies, a developer and manufacturer of single-wall carbon nanotubes and specialty multiwall nanotubes, has unveiled its latest grade of technology.

US Department of Energy announces nearly $300m in Clean Cities grants for clean fuels, transport and infrastructure projects

27th August 2009

US Energy Secretary Steven Chu has selected 25 cost-share projects under the Clean Cities programme that will be funded with nearly $300m from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

Scotland has potential to be global leader in tidal energy, according to Scottish Renewables’ Alan Mortimer

27th August 2009

Alan Mortimer, head of policy at ScottishPower Renewables, has welcomed the publication of the Marine Energy Road Map and insists steps are being taken to unlock Scotland’s marine energy potential.

Renewable energy company Accensi Party completes $1.6m acquisition of Solverdi’s Narangba renewable fuel refinery

27th August 2009

Renewable energy company Solverdi Worldwide has completed the sale of renewable fuel refinery Narangba Refinery to chemical formulation company Accensi Party in a deal worth $1.6m.

Connecticut Clean Energy Fund supports construction 1.2MW of solar installations through grants

27th August 2009

The Connecticut Clean Energy Fund (CCEF) has provided grants for the completion of seven solar photovoltaic installations that have brought 1.2MW of clean electricity to state homes.

Austrian anaerobic digestion plant turns brewery waste into biogas

27th August 2009

Austrian biogas specialist, Enbasys has demonstrated its biogas plant at the Weihenstephan Bavarian State-Brewery in Germany. This marks one of the first demonstration plants for production of high quality biogas from brewery residues, the company said.

Thompson Hine lawyer named to two national renewable energy positions

27th August 2009

Michael J Zimmer of US law firm, Thompson Hine has been named to the American Council on Renewable Energy (ACORE) National Leadership Council and as co-chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Renewable and Distributed Energy Resources Committee, for a second time.

Mazzetti Nash Lipsey Burch and Elysium partner to offer climate change consulting services

27th August 2009

Consulting and engineering firm Mazzetti Nash Lipsey Burch and Israel-based Elysium-Carbon Trade & Investment have entered a joint-venture agreement to offer climate change consulting services.

Pennsylvania invests $5.3m in clean energy projects

27th August 2009

Governor Edward G Rendell of Pennsylvania said the state is investing more than $5.3m in 12 clean energy projects to boost the local economy and improve the environment.

Raser Technologies’ new electric Hummer passes road test

26th August 2009

Raser Technologies, Inc, an energy technology company, has revealed the results of its recent electric Hummer H3E test drive.

Water treatment company Microvi Biotech raises Series A equity financing

26th August 2009

Microvi Biotech, a California-based water treatment technology company, has completed its first round of equity financing. The company plans to use the proceeds from the Series A financing to expand product development, grow the company’s team, enhance the company R&D pipeline, and pave the way for the launch and commercialisation of new, one-of-a-kind water technologies. The specific terms of the financing were not disclosed.

Ascent Solar announces successful testing of its CIGS modules

26th August 2009

Solar energy company Ascent Solar technologies has successfully tested its internal qualification of a packaging solution for its flexible monolithically integrated CIGS modules.

Marine renewables to contribute £2.5bn to Scottish economy by 2020

26th August 2009

Marine renewables could contribute £2.5bn to Scotland’s economy by 2020, according to a report published by the industry-led Marine Energy Group.

CPS Energy and juwi solar agree joint development of Blue Wing Solar project

26th August 2009

Natural gas and electric service provider CPS Energy has signed a 30-year power purchase agreement with juwi solar to develop the Blue Wing solar project.

Suniva’s solar cells exceed 18 per cent efficiency in production

26th August 2009

Suniva, a US manufacturer of monocrystalline silicon solar cells, said its ARTisun series solar cells are achieving conversion efficiencies of more than 18 percent in production, a number it considers record for full-scale production.

Edison launches 100MW High Lonesome Mesa wind project

26th August 2009

New Mexico, US, Senator, Jeff Bingaman joined state and local officials and community leaders for a luncheon dedication of the High Lonesome Mesa wind energy project. All of the clean renewable energy produced at the wind project, which is owned and operated by California-based Edison Mission Group (EMG), a subsidiary of Edison International, will be sold under long-term contract to electric utility, Arizona Public Service (APS).

US-based Aurora Biofuels develops algae technology

26th August 2009

Algae manufacturer Aurora Biofuels has succeeded in optimising its base algae strains to double CO2 consumption and increase fuel production.

Terra Firma acquires US wind energy business Everpower Wind Holdings

26th August 2009

Private equity firm Terra Firma has acquired Everpower Wind Holdings, a developing US wind energy business. The deal is believed to be worth around $350m.

CleanTech Biofuels appoints David Bransby and Jackson Nickerson to its board of directors

26th August 2009

Renewable energy company CleanTech Biofuels has appointed David Bransby and Jackson Nickerson to its board of directors.

NewNet Innovator Profile: Duncan Grierson, Sterecycle

26th August 2009

Duncan Grierson discusses the challenges in gaining venture funding for a cleantech start-up, the growth of opportunities in the waste and recycling space across Europe and the need for governments to provide drivers to encourage investment in emerging environmental technologies.

‘It is extremely important for governments to put in place these broad economic drivers. But it would be a mistake for governments to make technology choices. Once the financial drivers and mechanisms are in place, then governments should leave the market to decide which are technically and commercially the best technologies to build out.’