MORE NEWS, 6-25 (WIND KEY TO OKLAHOMA ECONOMY; MORE SUN THAN EXPECTED; ELECTRIC CAR SHARING IN BALTIMORE)

WIND KEY TO OKLAHOMA ECONOMY
Experts say wind energy key to Oklahoma economy
Murray Evans, June 23, 2009 (AP via Forbes)

"Oklahoma has vast potential for the development of the renewable resource and it could be a boon to the state's economy, speakers at…Oklahoma Wind Commerce 2009…said…days after [Acciona Energy North America’s Red Hills Wind Farm] the state's ninth wind farm was dedicated near the western Oklahoma towns of Elk City and Hammon…[S]peakers included the state's commerce, energy and environmental secretaries and Lt. Gov. Jari Askins, who noted Oklahoma's longtime status as an energy leader."

[Lt. Gov. Jari Askins:] "We believe that Oklahoma is perfectly located for us to develop this industry in our state…Energy and agriculture have been mainstays of our economy for decades. Wind energy is an opportunity to continue developing the energy industry and continue it moving forward into the 21st century."

Oklahoma is among the U.S. leaders in obtaining electricity from wind power and is positioning itself for success in the coming carbon-constrained economy. (click to enlarge)

"The state also has an abundance of natural gas, which can be used in tandem with wind, state Energy Secretary Robert Wegener said…

"Oklahoma is 12th among the states in wind energy generation, but state officials said it could climb into the top two in the next couple of decades if it continued to develop its resources. By 2030, it could provide 10 percent of the nation's electricity, state Commerce Secretary Natalie Shirley said."

Oklahoma is a veteran in the energy world and knows better than to let these energy assets go undeveloped. (click to enlarge)

"But for the state to reach its potential, the electric grid must be updated so power can be moved from place to place, Wegener said…The manufacturing portion of the wind industry also has the potential to create jobs and lure employers to Oklahoma, Shirley said.

"State Environmental Secretary J.D. Strong said he is enthusiastic about wind's potential as a so-called "green" energy source, but there are environmental concerns. Wind farms are already reducing habitat for the lesser prairie chicken, a stocky ground-dwelling bird found in parts of New Mexico, Colorado, Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas…If federal officials place the lesser prairie chicken on the endangered species list, that could make it difficult for those interested in building more wind farms in the region, Strong said…"


MORE SUN THAN EXPECTED
Solar industry to see faster than expected growth
Chris Kahn, June 24, 2009 (AP)

"The solar energy industry will grow faster than expected during the next few years as American utilities invest heavily in large-scale solar farms, analysts with Barclays Capital said…

"Barclays analyst Vishal Shah noted that demand for utility-scale solar projects could eventually make up half of the U.S. market. Major utilities could install about 5 gigawatts of solar photovoltaic projects during the next three years…"

Utility-scale solar technologies. (click to enlarge)

"The utility-scale projects currently in operation in the U.S. provide 444 megawatts of energy to the grid according to the Solar Energy Industries Association. That's enough to power 2.8 million homes…That amount is expected to jump more than 12-fold in the next few years, however, with dozens of new solar plants under development in California, Arizona, Florida and Hawaii.

"Shah said SunPower Corporation, First Solar Inc., Suntech Power Holdings Co. and Yingli Green Energy will be the primary players in utility-scale projects in coming years."

Utility-scale solar technologies. (click to enlarge)

"Because of the banking meltdown, the expansion depends heavily on the promise of billions of federal stimulus dollars that Congress earmarked for solar in the past year.

"Power companies have had trouble raising money for major projects, and they still don't yet know how they can access federal grants and loan guarantees…SEIA spokeswoman Monique Hanis said the Treasury Department and the Department of Energy are expected provide more information this summer…"


ELECTRIC CAR SHARING IN BALTIMORE
All-electric car-sharing debuts in Baltimore
Aaron Morrison, June 24, 2009 (AP)

"The nation's first all-electric car-sharing program debuted…[at Baltimore’s] Inner Harbor, with manufacturer Electrovaya hoping urban residents seeking to go green and curious tourists will take the concept for a spin.

"Electrovaya Inc. is offering its Maya 300 for rent at the Maryland Science Center. The car can go up to 120 miles on one charge of its lithium-ion battery system, and it gets its juice from a regular 110-volt outlet…Ten cars will be available… through the new car-sharing Web site Altcar. A two-hour trip costs $29, with discounts for science center members."

The Electrovaya Maya 300 now available from Altcar. (click to enlarge)

"The manufacturer calls the fleet of emission-free cars a "game changer" in urban transportation alternatives… because the vehicle has the look and feel of a four-door, gas-powered sedan and should appeal to consumers who want to reduce oil dependence…The car makes little noise, provides dashboard gauges for battery life and temperature, and offers other conveniences of gas-powered cars.

"Maryland Energy Administration research found that Baltimoreans typically drive about 30 miles to work, well within the Maya's range…[T]he car could be plugged in at the driver's destination for a charge…Driving 50 miles will cost about $1 in energy…The cost could be lower through some utilities that give discounts for charging during off-peak hours…"

click thru to the Altcar website. (click to enlarge)

"Electrovaya's battery technology is made possible by ExxonMobil Corp.'s battery separator film. The film, with lithium-ion batteries, allows for the units to operate at higher temperatures with a reduced risk of meltdown…The battery system is designed to shut down the flow of electricity if the engine is overheating.

"Businesses and local governments can also buy the Maya 300 for their fleets. The company will make the cars available to the public in 2011, starting at $25,000 for a 60-mile range vehicle and $35,000 for the 120-mile range vehicle."