QUICK NEWS, May 16: US IS 17TH IN NEW ENERGY; SUN TO JAPAN’S RESCUE; CALIF BUYS BIG TURBINES; EV PLANT POWERED BY SUN

US IS 17TH IN NEW ENERGY
US ranks 17 as clean tech producer, China is No. 2
Artthur Max, May 7, 2011 (AP via Sacramento Bee)

"Denmark earns the biggest share of its national revenue from producing windmills and other clean technologies, the United States is rapidly expanding its clean-tech sector, but no country can match China's pace of growth, according to a new report…

"China's production of green technologies has grown by a remarkable 77 per cent a year, according to [a report commissioned by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and prepared by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants]…"

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"Denmark, a longtime leader in wind energy, derives 3.1 percent of its gross domestic product from renewable energy technology and energy efficiency, or about euro 6.5 billion ($9.4 billion), the report said…China is the largest producer in money terms, earning more than euro44 billion ($64 billion), or 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product.

"The U.S. ranks 17 in the production of clean technologies with 0.3 percent of GDP, or euro 31.5 billion ($45 billion), but those industries have been expanding at a rate of 28 percent per year since 2008…But the U.S. cannot compare with China…"

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"The report…measured the earnings from producing renewables like biofuels, wind turbines and thermal equipment, and energy efficiency technology such as low-energy lighting and insulation…

"Following Denmark and China, other countries in the top five clean-tech producers, in terms of percentage of GDP, are Germany, Brazil and Lithuania, the report said."


SUN TO JAPAN’S RESCUE
Mobile Solar and OutBack Power Team Up to Provide Quick Solar Power Solutions for Japan’s Tsunami Disaster Area
May 9, 2011 (Outback Power)

"OutBack Power Technologies, Inc. and their integration partner, Mobile Solar, have responded to a request to support power requirements needed since the recent tsunami in the hard hit Sendai area of Japan…

"…Using OutBack’s GFX3024J model inverters with 120VAC 50Hz output, Mobile Solar built and shipped a total of six MS-150 model solar generators in the first phase of a large deployment. Upon arrival, the units were immediately outfitted with water purification systems and construction tools to allow workers to rebuild residential neighborhoods."

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[Travis Semmes, President, Mobile Solar:] “…OutBack has proven a perfect match for our product line and our customers’ needs – supplying a consistently reliable and durable product that gets the job done. With this in mind, we knew we could provide an effective, high quality mobile solar generator solution for the victims of the recent tsunami.”

[Glenn Baker, Vice President of Sales, OutBack:] “We are glad to have been given the opportunity to work with Mobile Solar to help provide these units…[T]his quick response is due in no small part to our close partnership with Mobile Solar…”


CALIF BUYS BIG TURBINES
Wind energy Vestas receives 102 MW order in California; Vestas has received a wind power order for 34 V90-3.0 MW wind turbines...
May 7, 2011 (Regulacion Eolica con Vehiculos Electricos)

"Vestas has received a 102 MW order for 34 V90-3.0 MW wind turbines for a wind farm Tehachapi, California, USA, owned by Brookfield Renewable Power...and Coram California Development Management, LLC...

"The contract includes delivery and commissioning along with a two-year service and maintenance agreement. Delivery is scheduled for the second half of 2011 and commissioning is expected in late 2011."

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[Martha Wyrsch, President, Vestas Americas:] “The V90-3.0 MW is designed to operate in areas of medium-to-high winds, so it is the ideal turbine for this site.”

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"This wind power project will provide direct and indirect economic benefits to Kern County with long-term jobs and property-tax revenues generated from the wind turbines...

"Brookfield recently began construction of the Granite Reliable Wind Project in New Hampshire, which is using 33 V90-3.0 MW wind turbines from Vestas...Once this California project is finished, Vestas will have 1,255 MW of its industry-leading wind turbines throughout the state…"


EV PLANT POWERED BY SUN
Solar Field to Power Chevrolet Volt Assembly Plant; GM and DTE Energy will install array at Detroit-Hamtramck Assembly
May 11, 2011 (General Motors)

"The largest photovoltaic solar array in Southeast Michigan will be built at the General Motors Detroit-Hamtramck assembly plant, turning sunlight into electricity to help power the home of the Chevrolet Volt electric car…The 516-kilowatt project…will generate electricity capable of charging 150 of the electric cars with extended-range capability every day for a year – a total of 54,750 Volts.

"The 264,000-square-foot project is expected to be completed at the end of the summer and will save the facility approximately $15,000 per year over the 20-year easement agreement. The Detroit-Hamtramck facility was chosen because it has available space for the array and because it is home to the Volt…"

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"The Detroit-Hamtramck installation is part of DTE Energy’s SolarCurrents pilot that calls for enough photovoltaic systems to be installed on customer property or rooftops during the next five years to generate 15 megawatts of electricity throughout Southeast Michigan. DTE is investing $3 million in the array at Detroit-Hamtramck…

"DTE Energy and GM will build the array on a six-acre tract of land located on the south side of the plant. This placement allows it to face true South to maximize solar output…The array will complement other green activities at the plant, which was recently named a Michigan Clean Corporate Citizen for its commitment to the environment."

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"Environmentalism is evident by a 16.5 acre certified wildlife habitat on the site and the voluntary installation of an oxidizer that greatly reduces the amount of carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide released into the atmosphere. In addition, efficient lighting upgrades and other energy efficiency projects will save the plant nearly $3 million per year in energy costs.

"GM is one of the leading users of renewable energy in the manufacturing sector, deriving energy for manufacturing operations from solar, hydro, and landfill gas resources. In the United States alone, 1.4 percent of GM energy consumption comes from renewable resources…"