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US BLM Approves Largest Federal Wind Energy Project

Kathleen Clarke, Director of the Bureau of Land Management, has announced completion of an environmental review of the largest wind energy project on Federal land in the last 25 years. Approval of the Record of Decision (ROD) and right-of-way grant for the Cotterel Wind Power Project on 4,500 acres of BLM-managed public land clears the way for the installation of up to 98 turbines on a ridge in south-central Idaho five miles east of Albion in Cassia County. The 200 megawatt (MW) project will generate enough electricity to supply approximately 50,000 homes. Promoting wind energy is a high priority for the Bureau in its efforts to enhance energy security by expanding opportunities for developing alternative, domestic sources. “This project represents the kind of diversification of America’s energy supply that is a key component of President Bush’s energy policy,” Clarke said. “We are committed to encouraging wind energy production on public lands, while at the same time minimizing environmental impacts.” The Cotterel right-of-way grant includes important measures for mitigating the effects of wind generation on wildlife resources. Best Management Practices (BMPs), offsite mitigation, and adaptive management strategies will be incorporated into the project to address impacts to sage-grouse, raptors, bats, and […]

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Sacramento Municipal Utility District Seeks Renewable Power Offers

The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) released a Request for Offer (RFO) for purchase of renewable energy. This RFO will help SMUD identify potential renewable energy contracts to help the utility meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) goals and Greenergy® program requirements. Greenergy is the utility’s green pricing program, which gives residential and commercial customers the option to pay a monthly premium to ensure that selected amounts of renewable power are purchased on their behalf. SMUD’s renewable energy target is to have 12 percent of its electricity needs met with renewables by 2006 and 23 percent by 2011. SMUD’s need for renewable energy continues to increase due to the utility’s commitment to expand the amount of power from renewable sources in its power mix and a need to replace current contracts that expire in the coming years. SMUD is soliciting offers for conventional renewables, such as wind, geothermal, small hydroelectric, landfill gas, biomass and biodiesel. Renewable electric energy providers and project developers can download the RFO documents from SMUD’s Electronic Bid Solicitation System (EBSS) Web site (see below). Registration to the EBSS site is required to access the documents. Interested parties should list their company name in the Category of […]

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Xantrex Receives US $1M German Inverter Order

Xantrex Technology Inc. (TSX:XTX) has received an order to supply approximately US $1 million of its 500 kilowatt (kW) solar grid tie (GT500E) commercial inverters through Relatio Innovative Concepts (Relatio) for three projects in Germany. These solar projects will be implemented before the end of this year. “We are delighted that Xantrex commercial solar inverters were chosen and the order placed through our sales and marketing partner Relatio for these significant projects in Germany,” said Mossadiq Umedaly, Xantrex Chairman. He added, “We are growing our share of the European solar market.” Solar power is an attractive investment in Germany largely due to positive government policy and incentives. The GT500E commercial solar inverter is a 500 kW three-phase advanced power electronics system for grid-connected solar arrays. The inverter, Xantrex’s largest, efficiently converts 500 kilowatts of direct current (DC) electricity from solar panels into high quality alternating current (AC) electricity for sale to the utility grid. According to the company, Xantrex grid tie inverters offer excellent value, performance, reliability, ease of installation, and high power density, making them a great solution for solar system installers and owners. Designed for European solar installations, the GT500E meets all applicable CE requirements. Xantrex CEO John […]

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