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
home networks
The HomePlug Powerline Alliance, an industry group for powerline network solutions, is backing the IEEE P1905 working group’s efforts to define the first standard for hybrid home networks. A P1905 network would include combinations of stationary home networking devices such as set-top boxes, home gateways, Blu-Ray players and televisions,
photovoltaics
Construction has started on what will be one of the largest solar energy parks in Bavaria, Germany. Set for completion by the end of 2011, the installation of 120,000 solar modules will produce about 28 megawatts of green energy, enough to supply power to up to 32,000 people.
hydrogen
A Canadian power system operator has found that hydrogen energy could be the answer to keeping the electricity grid stable. Ontario’s Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO) recently completed a successful trial in which it used electrolyzer technology from Hydrogenics Corporation to provide utility-scale grid stabilization. The HySTAT electrolyzer, which
sensors
A smarter power grid means making the most of energy wherever it’s located, and bringing waste to a minimum. One technology company is taking that goal to a whole new level with an IPv6 wireless sensor network that’s completely self-powered. California-based Dust Networks plans to demonstrate its SmartMesh
water efficiency
Energy and water efficiency are driving significant investments in Brazil, and those improvements are proving especially good for metering companies’ bottom line. Elster, for example, says it will install 63,000 new water meters for Companhia de Saneamento de Minas Gerais (COPASA), Brazil’s second largest water utility. The deployment
energy efficiency
The right legislation can make the difference in terms of energy efficiency. For proof, look no further than Germany, where city buildings — on average — use 20 percent less energy than buildings in other European countries. That’s according to the new German Green City Index from Siemens and the Economist
smart metering
Denmark’s BB Electronics will deliver several million euros’ worth of smart meters for the European energy market this year. The company adds it expects to see a potential for more business as European Union legislation mandates the rollout of smart electricity meters to enable people to actively monitor and
osmotic power
Statkraft and Nitto Denko/Hydranautics have entered into an agreement for the development and supply of membranes for osmotic power, which uses osmosis to generate clean energy from a combination of saltwater and fresh water. “Renewable energy sources are critical for the future and developing membrane elements for osmotic power
home energy management
Several US utility companies will be offering their customers a new home energy management tool designed to create an “active learning experience” for controlling electricity use. Energy platform company Tendril has shipped its Tendril Energize suite to several energy providers, including Cape Light Compact, KCP&L and Origin Energy.
home energy management
Palo Alto-based iControl Networks has closed $50 million in funding, bringing the total investment in the home management software and services firm to more than $100 million. Louis Toth, managing director of Comcast Ventures, said iControl has “tremendous growth potential, particularly in the emerging market for energy management solutions. These
demand response
LEED green building projects will now receive credit for demand response improvements that automatically shift energy consumption to off-peak times during times of high demand. The US Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Demand Response Pilot Credit is designed to encourage increased participation in automated demand response programs. To satisfy
