Science and Technology:
¶ Siemens introduced Spectrum Power 7 Microgrid Management System, the company’s first advanced microgrid management software. It allows microgrid operators to manage and control distributed energy resources dynamically with integrated weather and load forecasting, based on the microgrid’s goals. [PennEnergy]
World:
¶ European day-ahead electricity prices went sharply lower in January as wind power generation posted new records in Germany and the UK. The Platts Continental Power Index fell 7.44% in January to €35.81/MWh compared to December’s €38.69/MWh. The Index was down 11.12% from January 2014. [Your Renewable News]
¶ SunEdison, Inc and Brakes India Limited announced that they have installed a solar power plant to generate 7.72 MW at Brake India’s facilities in Munanjipatti in the state of Tamil Nadu. A Solar Purchase Requirement states that high tension wire customers must source 6% of their energy use from solar. [Your Renewable News]
¶ Renewable energy accounted for 14.8% of Estonia’s total electricity consumption in 2014, 2.2% more than in the year 2013, LETA/Public Broadcasting reports. Estonia has taken a commitment to bring the share of renewable energy in the total consumption to 17.6% by the year 2020. [The Baltic Course]
¶ The installation of a solar power station which could provide enough electricity to serve 4,500 homes is getting underway near the UK town of Tring. The proposals involve the construction of a solar park capable of generating up to 15 MW of electricity. The park will be on farmland, which can remain productive. [Hemel Gazette]
¶ Africa’s first grid-connected biogas plant will begin supplying power by March 1. The $6.5 million anaerobic digester in Kenya will consume an annual 50,000 tons of organic waste. The power that the 2.8-MW will put on the grid will cost $0.10/kWh compared with $0.38/kWh for diesel-generated power. [Bloomberg]
¶ Indian wind power capacity additions are expected to go up 10% to 2300 MW during the current financial year 2014-15. As on December 31, 2014, the total installed wind power capacity was 22,465 MW, constituting 9% of the overall installed capacity in the country and 66% of the renewable energy segment.
[Times of India]
US:
¶ According to a recent US Forest Service study, current policies in the European Union and elsewhere requiring the use of renewable and low greenhouse gas emitting energy are driving demand for wood pellets used for bioenergy. Such a demand could provide new markets for US timber exports. [CleanTechnica]
¶ A major Midwest utility holding company is teaming up with a Massachusetts equipment maker to create a statewide series of microgrids, including one in the Albany, New York Region. Microgrids using locally supplied power, including from renewable sources, can operate even during overall grid disruptions. [Albany Times Union]
¶ LaCrosse, Wisconsin-based Gundersen Health System has gone off the grid. As of October 14, 2014, the nonprofit healthcare network became the first hospital to offset all of its fossil fuel use with locally produced, green energy. After an energy audit, Gundersen turned to efficiency and renewable power. [Healthcare Finance News]
¶ For those focused on our transition to renewable energy, the general takeaway from the monthly US electricity generation report is that renewables had increased to 14.8% of US electricity generation in November 2014, and 13.5% for the year through November. This is despite a decline in hydropower due to weather. [CleanTechnica]
¶ Frustrated by its lack of influence in the siting of solar projects in town, the Rutland Town Select Board is distributing a resolution asking all Vermont municipalities to call for more municipal involvement in the Certificate of Public Good process required in permitting renewable energy projects in the state. [Vermont Public Radio]
¶ Arizona is one step closer to officially declaring nuclear power a renewable-energy source. (Yes, you read that correctly.) The Senate Committee on Water and Energy narrowly passed SB 1134, a bill that classifies nuclear power from recycled fuel or naturally occurring thorium to be a renewable-energy source. [Phoenix New Times]
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