cleantech
A new US-based consortium plans to invest $1.4 billion of private capital in clean technology companies over the next five years. The Cleantech Syndicate is a group of 11 prominent families from across the US with a collective net worth of more than $30 billion. The organization’s planned
transmission and distribution
The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), a federal agency that markets hydropower, is looking at transmission line upgrades that would support the delivery of 1,900 megawatts of wind power. The BPA is proposing two transmission line upgrades in Washington and Montana that, along with four new high-voltage lines already under
energy markets
Rising energy prices have prompted Britain’s energy regulator to move forward with a “radical overhaul” of the retail gas and electricity market. Ofgem says the overhaul is based on wide support from both consumers and organizations like Consumer Focus, Which?, CAB, Age UK and uSwitch, along with independent generators
demand management
A company that works to reduce energy loads using smart-grid technology expects to help San Antonio reduce its peak power demand by 250 megawatts over the next four years. Consert is doing more than implementing its Virtual Peak Plant software for the Texas city, though: it’s also relocating its
microgeneration
British officials have come out with a new strategy designed to promote decentralized energy and microgeneration — small-scale renewables — for homeowners and communities across the UK. The strategy was developed in collaboration with industry representatives, consumer groups and other stakeholders. “I want to see a revolution in energy generation at a
electric cars
Luxury electric-car maker Fisker Automotive has partnered with EV Connect for its electric vehicle supply equipment services (EVSE). Under the partnership, EV Connect will install and service charging equipment for owners of Fisker’s electric Karma, as well as for 47 Fisker dealerships throughout the US and Canada. Before Fisker
metering
Power and energy monitoring provider Veris Industries will showcase its meter for the solar market in San Francisco next month. The E51 Power & Energy Meter will be on display at the Intersolar North America Show, set for July 12 through 14. The device is designed to provide proof of
Two large sodium-sulfur battery systems will help keep the lights on for residents of a mountain area of British Columbia. The utility company BC Hydro will use the systems from S&C Electric to not only provide backup power but to help reduce peak loads on the grid. By
green energy
Cincinnati Bell has become the first telecom provider to offer retail energy to its residential customers along with its other services. Cincinnati Bell Energy offers not only energy, but 100-percent green energy through a partnership with Viridian Energy. “The retail energy market is an exciting and rapidly growing space, and
lighting
Making the switch to smart, networked street lighting can save a city considerable money in energy bills and maintenance costs. Just ask officials with the Romanian city of Brasov, which saw double-digit savings in its electricity and maintenance expenses. Having completed a yearlong test of the new lighting system in
energy management
Researchers in the UK are looking for volunteers to help them with a project designed to study how people use energy in their homes, and how they can reduce their consumption. The LEEDR (for Low Effort Energy Demand Reduction) project at Loughborough University needs 20 household volunteers who live within
energy storage
North America’s largest advanced energy storage facility is now 100-percent online, providing 20 megawatts of flywheel-based storage capacity. Beacon Power Corporation says its first flywheel energy storage plant in Stephentown, New York, has just reached full capacity. The facility uses 200 high-speed flywheels to provide fast-response frequency regulation services
