QUICK NEWS, September 17: WIND’S TAX CREDIT AGAIN DRIVING GROWTH; U.S. SOLAR SUSTAINS BOOM; GEOTHERMAL ADVANCES EXPLORATION WITH IMAGING

WIND’S TAX CREDIT AGAIN DRIVING GROWTH Wind Power Bookings Accelerate in U.S.

Jack Keough, September 12, 2013 (TED Magazine)

“Nine months ago, Congress and President Obama agreed to extend the Production Tax Credit…The credit contained an important new provision that projects only have to be under construction by the end of the year to qualify, rather than fully operational, as it had been in the past…One of the results…is that wind power seems to be expanding…[O]nly 1.6 megawatts (MW) of power were commissioned during the first few months of the year…[But approximately] 1,300MW are now under construction while more than 3600MW in power purchase agreements have been secured. In total, utility plans for more wind announced in the first six months of this year total nearly 5000MW…” click here for more

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U.S. SOLAR SUSTAINS BOOM U.S. Installs 832 MW of Solar PV in Q2 2013…forecasts 30 percent U.S. solar market annua growth in 2013

September 12, 2013 (GTM Research)

“…[The U.S. Solar Market Insight report showed] continued growth in the solar market…[T]he U.S. installed 832 megawatts (MW) in Q2 2013, representing 15 percent growth over the first quarter of this year. It was solar's second best quarter ever…[The report] forecasts over 5 gigawatts (GW) of PV and concentrating solar power (CSP) will be installed by the end of 2013…[C]umulative solar PV capacity will surpass 10 GW…” click here for more

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GEOTHERMAL ADVANCES EXPLORATION WITH IMAGING Simulation Shows Geothermal Energy Potential

September 16, 2013 (Laboratory Equipment)

“Researchers in four countries are using an Idaho National Laboratory modeling program to simulate the subsurface physics important for geothermal energy extraction…The Fracturing And Liquid CONvection (FALCON) code enables simulation that is faster, simpler and more comprehensive than previous options. A U.S. Department of Energy Geothermal Technologies Office award…is yielding results that will advance deployment of geothermal resources by reducing risk and costs of renewable energy development. It is helping researchers evaluate geothermal energy site data, and it may soon be able to offer predictions that could help improve geothermal energy output…To maximize the performance…developers need a thorough understanding of how the heat, fluid, chemical and mechanical components interact underground. That's where FALCON comes in…” click here for more

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