California Utility to Buy Geothermal Energy

San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) today announced that it has purchased 20 megawatts (MW) of geothermal electricity from Esmeralda Truckhaven Geothermal LLC, to begin delivery in 2010. “This contract is another step in our aggressive efforts to meet our goal of supplying 20 percent of our customers’ electricity needs by 2010 with renewable energy such as wind, solar and geothermal power,” said Terry Farrelly, vice president of electric and gas procurement for SDG&E. “We are negotiating to buy even more renewable energy and will be announcing other contracts later this year.” Geothermal energy production involves using heat from beneath the earth’s surface to generate electricity and provide heat. The Esmeralda facility, at its Juan Bautista de Anza Geothermal Project, will be located in Imperial County west of the Salton Sea. Geothermal energy is considered a green technology because of its minimal environmental impacts and renewability from the heat of the earth. Geothermal is also the most prolific power generator of all renewable sources, producing energy 24 hours a day. The 15-year contract will provide approximately 1 percent toward SDG&E’s 2010 renewables goal. Jack McNamara, the manager of Esmeralda Truckhaven, said, “We look forward to working with SDG&E to meet […]

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Is Oregon's Apollo Project Kaput?

URL: http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=37831&category=22101 Website: http://www.portlandmercury.com/portland/Content?oid=37831&category=22101     

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Spire to Provide $6.75M Solar Cell Production Line

Spire Corporation (Nasdaq: SPIR) has announced that on March 16, 2006, Spire entered into a Turn-Key Project Agreement to provide a privately owned solar firm, located in Europe, a commercially sized, multi-megawatt, turn-key Photovoltaic Cell Manufacturing Line for $6.75 million. The new cell line will be integrated with an existing production line. Solar cells are one of the key components used in manufacturing solar modules. “Spire is extremely pleased to be awarded this major contract,” said Roger G. Little, Chairman and CEO of Spire Corporation. “It once again demonstrates the quality of Spire’s full portfolio of technical expertise and services. All of Spire’s module manufacturing lines are designed for backward integration, enabling customers to integrate a cell line onto the front end of an existing module line. We continue to support our clients across the full spectrum of the industry and provide the very best technology, equipment, and services.” Website: http://www.spirecorp.com     

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