QUICK NEWS, 5-2: WIND KEEPS BUILDING; FRENCH OIL CO BUYS U.S. SUNMAKER; JAPANESE BIGGIE WANTS U.S. WIND; WAVE ENERGY CO MAKES JOBS

WIND KEEPS BUILDING
U.S. wind industry reports enduring growth in first quarter of 2011; States continue to lead nation with clear, strong policies
April 28, 2011 (American Wind Energy Association)

"America's wind power industry installed 1,100 MW of new capacity in the first quarter of 2011 alone and entered the second quarter with another 5,600 MW under construction, the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) reported...

"…The under-construction figure is nearly twice the megawatts that the industry reported at this time in both 2009 and 2010; moreover, two-thirds of those megawatts are already locked in under long-term power purchase agreements with electric utilities, indicating an enduring industry that has proven both nimble and strong through a range of economic and policy conditions. The total wind fleet now stands at 41,400 MW—producing enough clean energy to supply 10 million American homes."

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[Denise Bode, CEO, AWEA:] "…[T]hese first-quarter figures indicate an industry poised for a renaissance. Refined technologies, affordable prices, and continued demand for clean, homegrown energy…[are the] reasons why wind has consistently posted strong growth numbers, adding 35% of all new generating capacity since 2007…In an economy in which gas prices have hit $4 a gallon and are still on the rise, America must implement long-term energy policies centered on homegrown sources. And wind delivers. By powering our electric cars using wind, Americans can pay the equivalent of 70 cents a gallon at the pump."

"The first quarter's 1,100 MW of new capacity came online in 12 different states, with some seeing double-digit growth. U.S. states with the most capacity additions so far include: Minnesota (293 MW), Illinois (240 MW), Washington (151 MW), Idaho (119 MW), and Nebraska (81 MW)."

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"Of the 5,600 MW currently under construction, one third is located in Oregon, Washington and California, making the West Coast a leader in wind project activity."

[Elizabeth Salerno, chief economist, AWEA:] "States continue to lead the nation with clear, strong policies…For example, 10 years ago, California led the nation with 60 percent of U.S. wind capacity. With the recent passage of the strongest renewable target in the nation—calling for 33 percent renewables by 2020—California is poised to retake its leadership, as it already had over 600 MW under construction in the first quarter."


FRENCH OIL CO BUYS U.S. SUNMAKER
Total invests £800m in US solar power firm; French oil company is to buy 60% of SunPower Corporation, the second biggest solar panel manufacturer in America
Terry Macalister, 29 April 2011 (UK Guardian)

"Total, one of the world's largest oil companies, is to make a $1.38bn (£800m) investment in solar power reversing a trend that has seen Shell and BP cut back their involvement in green energy.

"France's biggest company is to purchase 60% of SunPower Corporation, the second biggest solar panel manufacturer in America, and use it as a new springboard into a renewable sector struggling for competitive edge."

Sunpower is among the world's leading sunmakers (click to enlarge)

"Shares in SunPower surged 40%…[The] oil company that had been expected to put major new investment into nuclear rather than solar or wind…until the Japanese earthquake raised new questions about the safety of atomic power…

"Total has been raking in enormous profits from oil at $120 a barrel – but is said to see renewables energy as a useful hedge. High crude prices make alternative power sources more attractive but the solar industry has also been hit in places such as Britain, Germany and Spain which have started to cut their public subsidies as part of wider plans to reduce debt levels."

Does Total need a tax write-off? (click to enlarge)

"Total…has held a half share in two solar firms since the early 1980's – Photovoltech and Tenesol. In November Total unveiled plans to build a solar panel manufacturing plant in the Moselle region of France with annual capacity of 220,000 solar panels a year. The oil company will now inject $1bn into SunPower over the next five years…SunPower has been hit by mounting competition from lower cost Chinese panel makers but still claims to design, manufacture and deliver the highest efficiency solar products in the industry.

"BP and Shell made major forays into renewables but have backed off in recent years. BP shut down its stand alone Alternative Energy head office while Shell sold off a major part of its photovoltaic module production…[and] disposed of its solar rural business in the developing world…Total had been investing in nuclear…[but the] Fukushima plant accident – coupled with the 25th anniversary of the Chernobyl accident – has spread a pall of negativity over nuclear energy business…"


JAPANESE BIGGIE WANTS U.S. WIND
With Shepherds Flat Signed, Sumitomo Eyes Additional Investment
Mark Del Franco, 27 April 2011 (North American Windpower)

"…Masao Miyamoto, vice president and head of the…power and telecom business of [New York-based Sumitomo Corp. of America (SCOA), the U.S. subsidiary of the Tokyo conglomerate, recently] suggested that [the company’s investment in] Shepherds Flat [which is slated to be the world's largest wind farm after it is completed] was merely a beginning point for the company's North American wind investment…[and said they want to own ‘about 500 MW’ of North American wind by 2014]….

"SCOA agreed to become a joint owner in the 845 MW Shepherds Flat Wind Farm, currently being constructed in Oregon. SCOA, along with Google and ITOCHU, joined GE Energy Financial Services and Caithness Energy by investing about $500 million in the project…Shepherds Flat marks Sumitomo’s second investment in the U.S. wind space. In 2009, it acquired a 42.5% interest in the Stanton Wind project, a 120 MW wind farm in Texas. Sumitomo also owns and operates two wind farms in Japan and a 50 MW project in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia, China."

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"Miyamoto says Sumitomo considers the renewable energy business one of its main business areas and has extensive experience developing, operating and owning power-generating facilities, such as wind, biomass and solar, around the world. Sumitomo… owns 30 MW of solar power in Spain, France and Italy…[and] has acted as a primary engineering, procurement and construction contractor for more than 50 GW of power plants worldwide, of which most are owned by government-owned utility companies.

"Although Sumitomo has not yet managed a construction project for wind in the U.S…it has developed and constructed two Japan-based wind farms and could offer assistance to Caithness Energy on Shepherds Flat if needed."

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"While the company would not provide specifics on where or when it would make its next investment, Cannon says Sumitomo will continue to focus on the U.S., investing in wind projects with long-term off-take agreements in place… Canada is also of interest….[because of] Ontario's [feed-in tariff (FIT)]…

"Ironically, the nuclear disaster in Japan might provide additional opportunity for the company to invest in renewable energy…[because the] Japanese government is reconsidering its policy on renewables…[and] a FIT in Japan could help increase renewable energy in its energy mix…"


WAVE ENERGY CO MAKES JOBS
Marine hydro firm OPT awards wave energy project contracts
April 20, 2011 (PennWell via HydroWorld)

"Ocean Power Technologies Inc. is awarding four new contracts to Oregon companies in connection with the manufacture of its PB150 PowerBuoy wave energy generating device and its deployment off the coast of Reedsport, Ore…

"The new contracts, with the previously awarded contract to Oregon Iron Works for the fabrication of the buoy's steel structure takes the total invested by OPT in the local economy to over $6 million, creating or saving up to 100 manufacturing and marine services jobs…"

There is a lot of machinery to be made here. (click to enlarge)

"After the initial PowerBuoy is deployed and tested off the coast of Reedsport, expected later this year, OPT plans to construct a commercial-scale wave power station, consisting of up to nine additional PowerBuoys and grid connection infrastructure, subject to receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and additional funding…"

There will be maintenance work, too. (click to enlarge)

"The four Oregon companies receiving contract awards are…[1] American Bridge Manufacturing…will manufacture the subsurface floats and tow-out fixtures that are part of the mooring system for the PowerBuoy…[2] Cascade General, a subsidiary of Vigor Industrial, LLC…will perform the final assembly of the PowerBuoy and position it in the Columbia River for towing to the coast…

"…[3] Oregon Iron Works…will perform the insertion and assembly of OPT's innovative and proprietary power take-off and internal electronics into the PowerBuoy spar…Sause Bros. Inc…will assist OPT in the deployment of the PowerBuoy, including towing it from the final assembly site in Portland to the Port of Coos Bay, and the positioning and installation of the buoy, mooring lines and anchors…"