26 MW Free-Field Solar Photovoltaic Power Plant Going Up In Spain

The Spanish system integrator, Assyce Fotovoltaica, is constructing the largest First Solar free-field solar power plant in Extremadura, with a capacity of more than 26 MWp. The power plant with a land area of 69 hectares should be completed by the end of the year and will generate more than 42 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

"The area offers very good conditions for photovoltaics," explains Luis Garrido, managing director of Assyce Fotovoltaica. "Due to the high level of solar radiation in the south of Spain, we can expect a very good yield of electricity." The electricity yield will also benefit from the implementation of a new transformer technology. "In contrast to traditional power plants, electricity loss is considerably reduced," says Luis Garrido. Assyce is also implementing in this project the worldwide established inverter system technology from market-leader SMA Technology AG, based in Kassel, Germany. 36 transformer stations will be built up on the 69-hectare site. With more than 337,000 modules capturing solar radiation, Assyce Fotovoltaica, currently the only First Solar system integrator in Spain, is putting its trust in First Solar's thin film technology which has already proven its worth in many other solar power plants. "The modules are very effective and durable and they are perfect for use in hot climate regions," explains Luis Garrido. The First Solar modules offer a high level of operating reliability for the project. Assyce Fotovoltaica has been working together with First Solar with excellent success for years. Basically this partnership makes the realisation of this remarkable large-scale project possible.

The construction of the free-field solar power plant began at the end of January. The whole power plant should be completed by the end of the year at the latest. With the eco-friendly solar electricity over 30 tonnes of carbon dioxide could be saved every year and the electricity yield is enough to energize more than 14,000 four-person households for a whole year. "We are making an important contribution to the climate protection and to the expansion of renewable energy resources," explains Luis Garrido. "Power from the sun always has a future and will remain an important pillar of renewable energy."

Due to the limitation of 200 Megawatts per year for new free-field solar power plants (since the end of 2008), Assyce is particularly excited about being able to construct a power plant with a dimension of 10% of the total annual volume together with First Solar. Assyce Fotovoltaica is one of the pioneers in the Spanish free-field solar power plant market. The company, based in Padul (Granada), has already constructed more than 12 solar power plants all over Spain over the last few years.

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Bi-Partisan Global Conservation Act Introduced in US Congress

Today members of Congress from both parties introduced legislation—the Global Conservation Act of 2010 (H.R. 4959)—that for the first time places the strategic and diplomatic resources of the U.S. government behind efforts to address extinction and natural resource depletion worldwide.

With the accelerating destruction of forests, reefs and other natural ecosystems, scientists say half of all species could be driven to the brink of extinction by the end of the century.  And experts are tracking trends showing people around the world losing sources of fresh water, fuelwood, medicines and other products from nature.

"By working with nations and partners around the world we can confront conservation challenges that have a direct impact on U.S. security and economic interests," said Congressman Russ Carnahan (D-MO), the bill's lead Democratic sponsor.  "If we tackle this problem together, we can build economic strength here and around the globe, adding more stability to the world."

Even as six federal agencies conduct conservation programs around the globe, the U.S. government still lacks a coordinated, overarching strategy for stopping the environmental destruction.  The Global Conservation Act would mandate such a strategy.  Under the coordination of the White House, the bill requires that agencies come up with a plan to:

• Protect millions of square miles of land and sea,
• Address illegal and unregulated fishing around the world,
• Safeguard the natural sources of fresh water to several major population centers around the world,
• Stop the worst wildlife trafficking operations, and
• Stabilize environmental destruction trends in areas vulnerable to conflict and instability.

The bill identifies a coordinator in the executive branch to ensure action and encourages the administration to secure additional funding and support for a global conservation strategy from other countries—including European nations, Japan, China, and India. It is cosponsored by Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), Dave Reichert (R-WA), Norman Dicks (D-WA), James Moran (D-VA), Albio Sires (D-NJ), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Judy Biggert (R-IL), and Carolyn Maloney (D-NY).

"The Global Conservation Act of 2010 presents a wonderful opportunity for genuine and effective bipartisan cooperation on prudent, cost-effective environmental stewardship.  I am proud to join in this worthy effort to help protect some of our world's most fragile and magnificent ecosystems," said Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), the lead Republican co-sponsor of the bill.

"This bill represents a major step forward in our efforts to address worldwide resource destruction and species loss," said Jeff Wise, who directs the Alliance for Global Conservation.  "It lays out a common sense strategy that will help protect the world's most ecologically and economically important wilderness and marine areas, promote global security and even increase U.S. competitiveness."
Healthy terrestrial and marine ecosystems are also critical to food security and disaster prevention.  An analysis by David Pimental at Cornell University concludes that wild species such as birds and insects provide US$100 billion worth of pest control services to world agriculture every year.  And according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, healthy coral reefs reduce the impact of large storms on coastal populations, a protective function valued at US$9 billion a year.

The destruction of natural areas comes at a tremendous cost. Research by the World Resources Institute has found that medicines derived from natural sources, including 10 of the world's 25 top-selling drugs, have a market value of US$75-$150 billion per year. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, current extinction rates could eliminate at least one prescription drug from entering the market every two years.

"Environmental degradation and the loss of species dramatically reduces our ability to discover and develop new drugs for the treatment of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and infectious diseases," said Dr. Gordon Cragg, retired Chief of the National Cancer Institute's Natural Products Branch, an Institute of the U.S. National Institutes of Health.

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New York State Launches "Greenest New Yorker" Contest

I LOVE NEW YORK, New York State's tourism promotion agency, and EscapeMaker.com are seeking to celebrate those individuals who are doing their part to keep the Empire State green with the first-ever contest to find the "Greenest New Yorker."


I LOVE NEW YORK is looking for those New York State residents who are making earnest efforts to preserve the environment in their everyday lives and the lives of others.

Entries for the "Greenest New Yorker" contest will be judged by a panel of celebrities and influential green New Yorkers. Among them are Chef, author, and restaurateur Mario Batali, who has six New York State based, award-winning Certified Green Restaurants®; Josh Dorfman, author of "The Lazy Environmentalist on a Budget," and Sundance Channel host of his own show "The Lazy Environmentalist"; actor Peter Facinelli, star of The Twilight Saga movies and Showtime's "Nurse Jackie" show; nationally renowned, eco-friendly and healthy home interior designer Robin Wilson, whose high profile projects include Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s "Green House" and the renovation of former president Bill Clinton's Harlem office; and renowned architect Morris Adjmi, whose current work includes the LEED gold High Line Building and a LEED platinum building for New York University.

The Grand Prize winner will be announced on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22. The winner will receive his or her choice of an I LOVE NEW YORK Green Getaway, which includes a three-day, two-night getaway package for two people to one of New York's Top Ten Green Destinations.

To apply, contestants can log onto http://www.escapemaker.com/ilovenygreen, and in 250 words or less, tell I LOVE NEW YORK and EscapeMaker.com why they deserve the title of "Greenest New Yorker." To be considered, New York State residents will need to describe how they've contributed to sustainable, eco practices and what they do regularly to maintain a "green spirit." The winner should illustrate a commitment to and leadership in protecting the environment while utilizing its natural resources. How feasibly an individual's green works can be replicated by others will also be taken into consideration. Submissions can be supported with videos and photographs. Submissions must be received no later than midnight on April 8, 2010.

For contest entry rules and regulations, visit http://www.escapemaker.com/ilovenygreen.

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Greener Resume Can Give College Graduates Edge in Job Market

Green-collar jobs grew by more than 9 percent, twice the growth rate for traditional jobs, from 1998 to 2007. Even during a recession, a greener resume can be the answer to getting hired, says Wake Forest Director of Sustainability Dedee DeLongpre Johnston. "Sustainability is a competitive advantage in the marketplace," she says. "College graduates entering the job market this year will definitely have an edge if they have developed sustainability-related skill sets."

Getting a green job doesn't mean looking for jobs with "sustainability" or "environment" in the title any more. Green jobs are also not limited to installing solar panels or weatherizing houses. From marketing to publishing to accounting to finance, viewing the world through the lens of sustainability and having practical experience in that area can make a difference when applying for jobs.

As banks look at making loans for green buildings, law firms develop new kinds of contracts for carbon credits, and companies target consumers who value greener products, students who understand what sustainability looks like in various industries or organizations and have experience solving real-world problems will fare well. And, if students understand sustainability principles, any job can become a green job.

"Sustainability is a way of thinking," DeLongpre Johnston says. "And, that way of thinking has value across the job market. Experience and knowledge tied to sustainability will make this year's job hunters stronger candidates."

Internships focused on sustainability are invaluable for students who are job hunting because they help students demonstrate to employers that they can solve problems, says DeLongpre Johnston, who has business majors, anthropology majors and students from other academic departments interning in her office and helps students find off-campus internships.

Integrating sustainability into a career also helps students who are passionate about a greener world align their passions and talents with their work.

"Eventually, sustainability will be woven seamlessly into the fabric of society," she says. Just as proficiency using word processing, the Web, and other technology is now expected in the workplace, understanding sustainability principles and how to apply them will become a basic expectation of employers in the future, she says.  Sustainability also offers the biggest entrepreneurial opportunities out there, DeLongpre Johnston says. The green economy has created new outlets for innovation.

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Marriott Turns Out the Lights at 500 Hotels Worldwide to Celebrate Earth Hour

This Saturday, March 27, at 8:30 p.m., local time, Marriott-branded hotels and resorts worldwide will turn out the lights, for one hour, in support of Earth Hour – a global movement uniting businesses, organizations and individuals in taking action to raise awareness to the issues of climate change – and kick off the company's month-long dedication to environmental awareness.

Last year, Earth Hour, organized by the WWF (World Wildlife Fund) attracted more than 80 million participants in the U.S. and nearly a billion people around the world.  Watch this 30-second video for a fun overview of how this event is celebrated.

"We're encouraging our hotels and business units worldwide to dim or turn off their non-essential lighting in support of this event," said Mari Snyder, vice president, social responsibility and community engagement, Marriott International, Inc. "Our goal is to have 500 hotels, resorts and business units participate this year. It's just one part of our ongoing Spirit To Preserve environmental strategy and lead-in to our companywide initiative in April."

Every April, Marriott celebrates Environmental Awareness Month to actively engage employees and guests in doing their part to help protect the environment--a key component of the company's environmental strategy,   Throughout the month, hotels generate awareness about the effects of climate change; remind guests and employees of environmentally-friendly home, work and travel alternatives; and encourage employees to participate in activities to help beautify surrounding communities and sustain indigenous habitats.

A sampling of Environmental Awareness Month activities will include:

• Eighty Marriott employees in Korea will team up with the Green Rangers, an association for Korean school children, on Korea's Arbor Day, April 5, to plant trees in Pocheon-kun, in Gyeonggi-do and donate krw 2,375,000 ($2,050) to support green forest activities in the local community.
• The Renaissance Shanghai Pudong will partner with Roots & Shoots– to sell small plants and generate money to plant more trees in China.
• In Hong Kong, employees will take part in the "Tree Planting Challenge 2010" organized by Friends of the Earth Main Dam of Shing Mun Reservoir to promote the message of "Save Tree, Conserve Nature." Volunteers are required to dig pits, plant trees and seedlings and complete 13 km on a hiking trail within a few hours.
• The Doha Marriott will clean up the local beach and plant indigenous plants around the hotel.
• The employees of Marriott hotels in Dubai have invited students from three local schools to help plant 100 trees and educate them on the importance of reducing their carbon footprint.  
• The Sharm El Sheik Marriott Resort in Egypt is hosting an event entitled "Preservation of the Red Sea Environment" to raise employee and guest awareness about the deterioration of the Red Sea and its corals.
• In Paris, France, employees are teaming up with the Surfrider Foundation for their annual clean-up of the river Seine.
• London hotels are partnering once again with Thames 21 to clean up the shores of the river Thames in front of the London Marriott County Hall.
• The employees of Torrance Marriott South Bay adopted a section of the Madrona Marsh and each month, a group visits to prune, weed and plant indigenous plants. In April, employees are inviting volunteers, friends and family to join them.
• Employees in New Jersey are joining their local business partners to plant gardens outside of school entrances, landscape and remove trash from community parks, and paint lines for outdoor games on blank school parking lots in the cities of Newark, Plainfield, Union City, and Jersey City. 

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New Solar Leasing Fund Established

Sungevity, the leading online residential solar provider, announced today a new partnership with U.S. Bancorp to finance solar systems for Californian homes.  The program provides the first ever 10-year solar lease program, making it easier for California residents to get electricity free from the sun, with no money down, at the click of a mouse.  U.S. Bancorp is the parent of U.S. Bank, the fifth largest commercial bank in the United States.

"We're excited to partner with Sungevity on their solar lease program," said Darren Van't Hof, Vice President of Renewable Energy Investments for U.S. Bank. "We like the residential solar space and are convinced its growth will outpace commercial solar development in the coming years."

Together the two companies have created a new tax equity fund to finance solar leases for Sungevity's future customers. Sungevity has become a leader in the solar industry because of its ability to offer easy and affordable residential solutions with its unique online design and sales process.

"Sungevity is thrilled to be able to offer the best solar lease on the market with the first ever 10-year term using this fund while maintaining a service unparalleled by our competitors," said Danny Kennedy, President and co-founder of Sungevity. "Having a great partner like U.S. Bank that believes in the power of solar helps ensure that more home owners than ever can reap the savings coming from solar power in their own homes."

Sungevity started providing solar leases this month and has already sold one-quarter of a megawatt under the offer. Leveraging the easy online "iQuote" process, which enables Sungevity to use satellite images and aerial photography to assess customers' roofs remotely and accurately determine the homes' solar potential, the company has been able to furnish thousands of customers with a firm proposal to use solar power with no capital cost. Demand has been huge with over 1000 iQuotes requested through www.sungevity.com in the last week alone.

The offer gives most customers savings from the start of their Sungevity Solar Lease. The graphic compares a typical customer's monthly electric bill over a ten year period – savings from the solar lease starts immediately and increases significantly over time.

"This is the killer app for driving the mass adoption of solar," said Kennedy. "We've made it more than affordable to access electricity free from the sun, and we've made it easy by selling it over the internet."

"The Sungevity Solar Lease is a game changer: In one day this month we sold more solar power than our previous biggest month – people are voting with their mouses to get a lower electricity bill and do something for the planet."

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Worst Ice Year on Record Leads to Harp Seals' Demise

Thousands of harp seal pups are presumed dead in Canada's Gulf of St. Lawrence and starving pups are being found abandoned on the beaches of Prince Edward Island, tragic victims of the worst ice conditions recorded in eastern Canada.

IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) reports that the Gulf of St. Lawrence, which is the annual birthing ground of hundreds of thousands of harp seals, is essentially devoid of both ice and seals.

"The conditions this year are disastrous for seal pups. I've surveyed this region for nine years and have never seen anything like this," said Sheryl Fink, a senior researcher with IFAW. "There is wide open water instead of the usual ice floes, and rather than the hundreds of thousands of seal pups that we normally encounter, only a handful of baby harp and hooded seals – animals that are normally found on ice – remain on the beaches."

Extremely high pup mortality is expected this year, making this one of several such occurrences in the past decade. In 2007, 99% of harp seal pups born in the Southern Gulf of St Lawrence are thought to have died due to lack of ice. In 2002, 75% of pups are thought to have suffered the same fate. Scientists with IFAW are concerned that the cumulative effects of high pup mortality due to the poor ice conditions, and high numbers of pups killed during Canada's commercial seal hunt could be devastating.

"Finding these ice-dependent seal species on land is extremely unusual, and should be considered a warning signal. The seal pups we have found on shore are thin and unable to defend themselves or escape from land-based predators. It is highly unlikely that any of these pups will survive long enough for there to be a seal hunt in the southern gulf this year," added Fink.

Earlier this month, Fisheries Minister Gail Shea increased the total allowable catch of harp seals, allowing 330,000 animals to be killed this year. In a rare moment of agreement, the Minister's announcement was loudly condemned by animal welfare organizations, conservationists, and sealers alike.

"It is reckless and irresponsible for the government to allow the hunt to proceed this year, given the high pup mortality that is expected," said Fink. "Under a precautionary approach, we should be protecting the few pups that might escape the devastating absence of ice this year. Given the almost complete lack of demand for seal skins, allowing the commercial slaughter of these survivors to proceed is simply adding insult to injury."

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China Leads US and Other G-20 Members in Clean Energy Finance and Investment

For the first time, China led the United States and other G-20 members in 2009 clean energy investments and finance, according to data released today by The Pew Charitable Trusts. Last year, China invested $34.6 billion in the clean energy economy -- nearly double the United States' total of $18.6 billion. Over the last five years, the United States also trailed five G-20 members (Turkey, Brazil, China, the United Kingdom, and Italy) in the rate of clean energy investment growth.

In the Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race? Growth, Competition and Opportunity in the World's Largest Economies, Pew examines key financial, investment and technological trends related to G-20 members and the clean energy economy. The report tracks and measures global investment activity -- ranging from venture capital, initial public offerings from companies seeking to expand, mergers and acquisitions and lending for large-scale projects -- in this sector. Pew found that the global clean energy economy has experienced remarkable growth:

• Globally, clean energy investments have increased 230 percent since 2005.
• Investment by nearly all G-20 members grew by more than 50 percent over the past five years.
• Despite a worldwide recession, global clean energy investments reached $162 billion in 2009.
• G-20 members accounted for more than 90 percent of worldwide clean energy finance and investment.
• More than 250 gigawatts of renewable energy generating capacity have been installed around the world, producing six percent of global energy.
• Global clean energy investments are projected to reach $200 billion in 2010.

"Even in the midst of a global recession, the clean energy market has experienced impressive growth," said Phyllis Cuttino, who directs the Pew Environment Group's Global Warming Campaign. "Countries are jockeying for leadership. They know that investing in clean energy can renew manufacturing bases, and create export opportunities, jobs and businesses."

"The facts speak for themselves," said Bloomberg New Energy Finance Chief Executive Michael Liebreich. "2009 clean energy investment in China totaled $34.6 billion, while in the United States it totaled $18.6 billion. China is now clearly the world leader in attracting new capital and making new investments in this area."

Countries with strong nationwide policy frameworks, including renewable energy standards, carbon markets, priority loans for renewable energy projects and mandated clean energy targets, such as China, Brazil, Spain, United Kingdom and Germany, have the most robust clean energy sectors as a percentage of their economies. Countries without such policy frameworks including the United States, Japan, and Australia lag behind.

"The United States' competitive position is at risk in the emerging clean energy economy," said Cuttino. "Our nation has a critical choice to make: pass the federal policies necessary to position us as the world leader in the large and growing global clean energy market or continue to watch as China and other countries race ahead."

The United States' clean energy finance and investments lagged behind 10 G-20 members in percentage of gross domestic product. For instance, in relative terms, Spain invested five times more than the United States last year, and China and the United Kingdom three times more.

The United States did lead G-20 members in venture capital and private equity investments associated with technology innovation. However, it trailed in 2009 asset financing, with only $11.2 billion, while China led with $29.8 billion. Asset financing serves as a key barometer of clean energy deployment, job creation and business growth.

Pew published Who's Winning the Clean Energy Race? to highlight how G-20 members are participating and where they rank in the clean energy economy. The data have been compiled and reviewed by Pew's research partner, Bloomberg New Energy Finance, the world's leading independent provider of news, data, research and analysis to decision-makers in renewable energy, carbon markets, energy smart technologies, and carbon capture and storage. The report's primary focus is on investment as it is the fuel that propels the innovation, commercialization, manufacturing and installation of clean energy technologies.

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Porsche to Unveil Its First Production Hybrid

Porsche will introduce the next-generation Cayenne sport utility vehicle, including a hybrid gas-electric version, to the North American market on March 31 during a press conference at the New York International Automobile Show.

Led by a highly advanced hybrid model, the new Porsche Cayenne sport-utility vehicle delivers improved performance while using less fuel and producing fewer emissions throughout the entire model lineup.

The North American Cayenne model range will include four models: the 2011 Cayenne, Cayenne S, Cayenne Turbo and the Cayenne S Hybrid. The S and Turbo models go on sale in July, with the Cayenne and Cayenne S Hybrid in dealer showrooms this fall.

All the new Cayenne models embody the Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy, the evolution of vehicles sportier than their predecessors, yet more fuel and emissions efficient.

"Porsche Intelligent Performance philosophy is more than a slogan. It is nothing less than Porsche keeping pace with the modern automotive landscape by dramatically lowering emissions, becoming greener and saving fuel," explained Detlev von Platen, Porsche Cars North America President and CEO. "We will we accomplish this through technology and innovative ideas, just as we have throughout our history, and show that Porsche's high performance and efficiency are not contradictory terms."

Cayenne's dynamic new design offers less weight and more room

The Cayenne's new exterior leaves no doubt it is part of the Porsche family. Its sporting character is evident from all angles, and its Porsche shape and highlights are more distinct than before. From a dimensions standpoint, it is 1.9 inches longer than its predecessor, and its wheelbase adds 1.6 inches, ensuring extra interior space and greater versatility. Still, despite its larger exterior, this next-generation Cayenne looks even more compact and dynamic.

Thanks to a special combination of materials as well as changes in the overall vehicle concept, such as a new all-wheel drive system, weight has been reduced on all models. Despite a higher standard of safety features, the Cayenne S, for example, is almost 400 lbs lighter, which not only improves fuel consumption and lowers emissions, but also boosts performance, agility, and handling.

Inside, the luxurious interior features a high center console that, like the Panamera, rises up at an incline to meet the dashboard center stack and a touch-screen infotainment interface. Porsche's traditional set of five round instruments in the driver's gauge cluster includes a high-resolution circular TFT screen to the right of the tachometer. It can be used to change radio stations, vehicle settings, access the navigation system or view the map. Rear-seat comfort is improved, as well. The bench slides fore-and-aft by 6.3 inches, while the backrest can be adjusted.

The advanced Cayenne S Hybrid

The high-tech Cayenne S Hybrid that is debuting at the New York show next week features a highly sophisticated parallel full hybrid system. With a combined power output of 380 horsepower from the supercharged V6 combustion engine and an electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid combines the performance of a V8 with the economy of a V6.

Through continuous interaction between the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 and electric motor, the Cayenne S Hybrid focuses on maximum efficiency. Depending on driving conditions, either drive unit can operate independently or together. The 47-horsepower (34 kW) electric motor is the ideal partner for the 333-horsepower engine, which produces high torque at low engine speeds. With peak torque at 428 lb-ft at just 1,000 rpm, the Cayenne S Hybrid's performance is on par with a V8-powered Cayenne S.

The Cayenne S Hybrid's two drive units are connected by a decoupling clutch. A hybrid controller constantly coordinates their complex interaction, and intelligent management of the clutch makes the transition among various driving modes seamless. Like many hybrids, the Cayenne S Hybrid can cover short distances on electric power alone, free of emissions and noise up to 60 km/h or almost 40 mph. For aggressive acceleration, the motor provides an extra 'boost' to the gasoline engine.

Like many hybrids, the Cayenne S Hybrid can cover short distances on electric power alone, free of emissions and noise up to 60 km/h or almost 40 mph. For aggressive acceleration, the motor provides an extra 'boost' to the gasoline engine.

A new standard for Sport Utility Vehicles

All new-generation Cayenne SUVs set high standards for efficiency and performance. Compared with the former models, fuel consumption is down by up to 23 percent in the New European Driving Cycle and CO2 emissions are reduced. Actual EPA-certified fuel economy figures will be available when the cars go on sale in North America in July.

A new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission with a wide range of gear ratios and the Automatic Start Stop function (first introduced on the Panamera) contribute to these improvements. So does efficient thermal management of the engine and transmission cooling circuits, on-board electrical network recuperation, variable deceleration fuel cut-off and the Cayenne's intelligent lightweight construction.

The entry-level Cayenne with its 300-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 engine and mated to the new eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission consumes 20 percent less fuel than its predecessor.

Fuel consumption is also down significantly on the high-torque Cayenne S. Its 4.8-liter V8 produces 400 horsepower, 15 more than the previous model.

The Cayenne Turbo, with its 500-horsepower, 4.8-liter twin-turbocharged V8 also consumes less fuel than its predecessor despite its improved performance and acceleration.

Three other new Porsche models are making their New York debuts next week. Most prominent is the agile, light and dynamic 2011 Boxster Spyder roadster, a purer Porsche roadster weighing in at just 2,811 lbs. This sleek version of Porsche's popular mid-engine sports car is the lightest Porsche available is on sale now with an MSRP of $61,200. Also on display will be the 2011 911 Turbo Cabriolet featuring a 500-horsepower 3.8-liter engine, the first entirely new engine in 911 Turbo's storied 35-year- history. Finally, the new Porsche Panamera, the company's first four-door Gran Turismo, will grace the Porsche display in New York.

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Inventor Seeks Licensee for Gulf Stream Turbine Patents

Gulf Stream Turbines LLC is seeking a suitable company or group of investors that will license an invention that can produce continuous low-cost electricity from the constantly flowing Gulf Stream.

Unlike the intermittent energy that is in the winds, tides, and waves, the Gulf Stream's kinetic energy is relatively steady because it is produced by a Coriolis force that results from the earth's eastward rotation. It is because of the Gulf Stream's greater steadiness that the Gulf Stream Turbines can continuously generate power at near their theoretical capacities, making it possible for them to produce from two to six times the electricity that can be produced by the wind turbines and at one-half to one-sixth the cost.

"Because these submersible power plants will be in the ocean, they must be able to operate for long periods without requiring servicing," said John Robson, the inventor. "This is made possible by relying on the unchanging laws of physics – rather than on mechanical systems that can fail."

Robson said, "A free-floating submerged object will always float with its center of gravity directly under its center of buoyancy. This fact not only can provide great inherent stability but also permit a machine's depth to be easily changed by transferring ballast water between the front and rear compartments of the buoyancy tank to adjust the hydrofoils' lifting forces. It also can make the machines much easier to install and recover."

Companies that generate electricity from renewable energy are eligible for a government production tax credit of 2.1 cents per kilowatt-hour for the first ten years of a renewable-energy facilities' operation. The Gulf Stream's more consistent kinetic energy not only will produce from two to six times the revenues from the sale of the electricity, but also from that subsidy.

The Gulf Stream Turbines will also produce proportionally larger reductions in the emissions of greenhouse gases. A single Gulf Stream Turbine that is equipped with two 600-kW generators will theoretically generate 8,941,300 kilowatt-hours per year, operating at 85% of its theoretical capacity. If that electricity were to replace the electricity produced by a coal plant, the CO2 emissions would be reduced by about 13,000 tons. If that electricity were to replace the electricity produced by burning natural gas, the emissions would be reduced by 5,900 tons and gas consumption by 52.85 billion Btu.

Because the earnings produced by the Gulf Stream Turbines will substantially exceed those of the other renewable energy generating systems, thousands of these machines could soon be generating electricity from that current is just off the coast of South Florida.

Gulf Stream Turbines LLC was formed in 2009 for the purpose of getting the invention into production.

For additional information, visit www.gulfstreamturbine.com.

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U.S. Has Already Agreed to Store Enough Nuclear Reactor Waste to Fill Two Yucca Mountains

Between the output of existing commercial nuclear reactors and 21 proposed nuclear reactors covered by agreements quietly signed by the outgoing Bush Administration with more than a dozen electric utilities, the United States already has agreed to store enough spent (used) reactor fuel to fill the equivalent of not one, but two, Yucca Mountain high-level radioactive waste repositories, according to documents acquired under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Given that the U.S. is back to square one for the first repository, U.S. taxpayers would be on the hook for potentially tens of billions of dollars in penalties that would have to be paid to utilities if the 21 proposed reactor projects proceed.

This new information about the daunting scale of the challenge that faces the United States in disposing of spent fuel from commercial nuclear reactors comes one day before the first meeting of the Obama Administration's "Blue Ribbon Commission on America's Nuclear Future." In addition to highlighting the serious consequences of the eleventh-hour deals stuck by the Bush White House, experts also focused public attention on the fact that the recently cancelled Yucca Mountain repository -- even if it were open today, 35 years after the process to create it started -- would already be filled to its legal limit of 63,000 metric tons of commercial waste by this spring. A second repository the same size would be filled with the 42,000 additional metric tons of spent fuel yet to be produced by existing nuclear reactors and the 21,000 metric tons that would be produced by the 21 proposed reactors covered under the Bush-industry agreements.

Separately, over 170 groups in all 50 states today released the "Principles for Safeguarding Nuclear Waste at Reactors" calling for specific steps to protect the public from the immediate threats posed by the currently vulnerable storage of commercial spent fuel at nuclear reactor facilities. The principles call for safer on-site storage of spent nuclear fuel through the use of less densely packed reactor pools and "hardened on-site storage" (HOSS) designed to "withstand an attack by air, land, or water from a force at least equal in size and coordination to the 9/11 attacks."

Dr. Arjun Makhijani, president, Institute for Energy and Environmental Research (IEER) said: "Yucca Mountain was known to be a poor repository site when it was chosen. Now, after 10 billion dollars of ratepayer money has been wasted and Yucca has rightly been abandoned, even the Nuclear Regulatory Commission has not expressed confidence that a repository will open within ten years of the expiration of the first new reactor. In fact the NRC has not committed to any specific date for a repository; it has no logical or factual basis to come up with one. It was rash for the Bush Administration to sign contracts for new reactors while taxpayers are on the hook for billions due to default on existing waste contracts. These new contracts are likely to add billions more in damages at a time when the federal government is struggling with deficit containment."

Beyond Nuclear Radioactive Waste Specialist Kevin Kamps: "The bottom line here is that we have an industry and a White House proposing to race ahead with new reactors when we haven't figured out how to clean up the mess created by the first wave of reactors. Instead, 28 years after passage of the Nuclear Waste Policy Act, 35 years after the repository search began, 53 years into commercial nuclear power, and 68 years after Fermi first split the atom during the Manhattan Project, the U.S. still has no safe, sound, permanent storage plan for high-level radioactive waste."

The utilities and the 21 reactor projects covered under the Bush Administration agreements are: Duke Energy in South Carolina (Lee 1&2); Southern Nuclear in Georgia (Vogtle 3&4); South Texas Project in Texas (South Texas 3&4); Nine Mile Point in New York (Nine Mile Point 3); UniStar Nuclear in Maryland (Calvert Cliffs 3); Virginia Electric in Virginia (North Anna 3); Florida Power and Light in Florida (Turkey Point 6&7); South Carolina Electric & Gas in South Carolina (Summer 2&3); Pennsylvania Power and Light in Pennsylvania (Bell Bend); Progress Energy in North Carolina (Shearon Harris 2&3) and Florida (Levy 1&2); Ameren UE in Missouri (Callaway 2); and Luminant in Texas (Comanche Peak 3&4).

A backgrounder outlining the "below the radar" Bush Administration deals with the nuclear industry and the implications of the same for taxpayers is available online at http://www.ieer.org.

Smart Grid Will Reinvent and Revitalize Energy Efficiency for Retailers

Apogee Interactive founder and long-time industry expert Joel Gilbert advised national retailers to keep a close eye on the smart grid, saying "What was once price prohibitive is now going to be relatively easy, and this will reinvent and revitalize energy efficiency efforts for many retailers." Gilbert addressed the Edison Electric Institute annual conference for national accounts in Boston yesterday.

"The Smart Grid may enable smaller retailers to participate in deeper partnerships with their energy providers on price-responsive load and in tracking energy efficiency efforts," said Gilbert. This meeting marked Gilbert's 10th consecutive year to address EEI's National Accounts Conference comprised of more than 600 senior executives and facilities directors for national chain retailers such as Wal-Mart, J.C. Penney, Marriott, Starbucks and more.

He encouraged the retailers to pursue efficiency retrofits and renewable energy projects now saying, "Funding for energy initiatives are likely to peak this year, so it's time to get even more aggressive with what was once thought to be advanced technology. There may never be a better time to put together such energy projects."

Gilbert also noted the advent of devices from home automation and energy management system companies such as Control4 and others will make it easy and cost effective for small customers to easily manage their energy use. Apogee Interactive developed and licenses the energy analysis software that serves as the analytical engine for the control devices.

However, Gilbert did offer a word of caution, "The smart meters we all hear about may not be able to do decimal-level math and record fractional kilowatt hour use. Using whole number or integer-based meters is like trying to navigate around your neighborhood using an odometer without a tenth-of-a-mile digit."

Gilbert has observed the energy roller coaster for nearly four decades, through boom times and down turns, through cogeneration, deregulation and reregulation. "Today, energy suppliers, their customers, and trade allies will all have to work together as our country works through the details of our policies and politics on energy over this next year," Gilbert said. "We need true dialogue and not dogma to make this possible."

www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com

European Commission's 2010 Sustainable Energy Europe Competition Recognizes Alcatel's Alternative Energy Program

Alcatel-Lucent's "Alternative Energy Program for Global Green Telecommunications" was named as a winner in the 2010 European Commission's Sustainable Energy Europe (SEE) campaign. Alcatel-Lucent was recognized in the "Market Transformation-Voluntary Commitments" category.

The Sustainable Energy Europe (SEE) campaign ( http://www.sustenergy.org/tpl/page.cfm?pageName=home) is an initiative of the European Commission managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness & Innovation (EACI), under the authority of Commissioner for Energy Mr. Gunther H. Oettinger. The winners of the annual competition were announced at an awards ceremony in Brussels on March 23 as part of the European Union's Sustainable Energy Week (http://www.eusew.eu/).

Alcatel-Lucent entry outlined its program to develop and build wireless telecommunications base stations powered with alternative energies, such as solar, wind and fuel cells. This program, announced in February 2009, is designed to enable communications service providers to extend the reach of their wireless services to areas not served by an electrical grid, making it possible to provide telephone and broadband communications services to the more than 1 billion people who are still cut off from this vital tool for economic and social development. The program will also make it possible for service providers in developed regions to retrofit their wireless base stations so that they can take advantage of advances in alternative energy technology.

The program makes it possible to address a market estimated at more than 100,000 mobile base stations that could be powered with alternative energy solutions between 2010 and 2012, representing a yearly savings of about 7 million tons of CO2.

"The Alcatel-Lucent program is bringing the advantages of alternative energies to telecom networks, a key component in our strategy to bridge the energy and the telecom worlds," said Jean-Philippe Poirault, president of Alcatel-Lucent's Network and Systems Integration activities. "As growing telecom traffic sparks more demand for energy and as electricity transport and distribution grids face growing challenges that information and communication technologies can help solve, these two essential industry sectors have a lot to bring to each other."

The program includes the Alcatel-Lucent Alternative Energy Laboratory (http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/alternative-energy/) and Pilot Station, the world's first such facility for the telecom market. Bringing together industrial, institutional and academic partners from the telecommunications world and the alternative energy world, this laboratory has the facilities to analyse, test and validate solutions being offered by the dynamic alternative energy market and how they might meet the needs of the telecommunications industry.

In addition to the advanced research, Alcatel-Lucent is developing a multi-year roadmap to enable its telecom customers to benefit from the best possible alternative energy solutions as soon as the technology becomes available while creating a new market for alternative energy systems vendors.

"The renewable energy base stations developed by Alcatel-Lucent will result in a paradigm shift in the global telecommunications industry. Stakeholders of global IT companies will now see this as the gold standard in triple bottom line innovation. Alcatel-Lucent's proactive commitment to sustainability has resulted in a solution that will resonate in all markets improving access to global communication and internet services," said analyst Brad Allen, TBR Program Manager for Global Business Sustainability. "We believe that these base stations when fully deployed, will serve as community-based examples of the potential of progressive renewable energy applications that may promote further development of sustainable energy technologies."

Leveraging its "Sustainable Power" services suite, Alcatel-Lucent provides consulting to help operators build a comprehensive deployment plan tailored to their specific environment, and then manages design, dimensioning, installation, transformation and integration of the entire network, for new deployments or retrofit programs of any base stations.

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The Dyson Airblade(TM) Hand Dryer Receives Industry First Carbon Reduction Label

As an industry first, Dyson's patented Airblade™ hand dryer is the first hand dryer to earn the Carbon Reduction Label from the Carbon Trust. Furthermore, Dyson research found that the manufacture of the new polycarbonate-ABS Dyson Airblade™ produces 50% less CO2 emissions than the aluminum equivalent launched in 2007.

The Carbon Reduction Label recognizes manufacturers' commitment to the further reduction of their product's carbon footprint - the amount of carbon emissions (CO2 and other greenhouse gases) produced from its materials and manufacture, transport, in-use and end of life. The Label, established in 2007 is based on PAS2050, the first internationally-accepted product carbon footprint standard. The Carbon Trust only grants their Label to companies with a 'reduce it or lose it' clause whereby if they fail to reduce the carbon footprint of the product in two years the Carbon Trust will withdraw the certification.

The rigorous process revealed that the Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer emits 1,300 kg/ CO2e total emissions during its lifetime or 3.4 g/CO2e per dry(1) – equal to the carbon emissions created by watching just over 2 minutes of television(2).

"Good design and environmental responsibility go hand in hand," says James Dyson, Chief Engineer. "As an engineering company, we are constantly reviewing our machines and manufacturing to deliver better performance using less energy and materials."

The Dyson Airblade™ hand dryer eliminates the power hungry heating element, drying hands faster, more hygienically while using nearly 80% less energy than traditional warm air dryers(3).

According to Tom Delay, Chief Executive of the Carbon Trust, "More so than ever, everything we make and do today has a carbon impact. We commend Dyson for their commitment to measure and reduce the carbon footprint of the Airblade™ hand dryer and hope our recognition helps people find opportunities to tackle climate change."

www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com

California Air Board to Release Economic Analysis of Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32)

This week the California Air Resources Board (CARB) is expected to release the most up-to-date projections of the economic impact of California's Global Warming Solutions Act (AB 32). Multiple mainstream independent economic analyses project robust economic growth of California's economy between now and the year 2020. The projected impacts of AB 32, according to these analyses, which include the industry-funded Charles River Associates study, fall within the same range showing minimal net overall impact on the state's economy.

Industry funded studies, including the Charles River Associates study, do not include the benefits of energy savings but do include the costs of becoming more energy efficient. For instance, they charge California consumers for the cost of buying a more fuel-efficient car without giving them the fuel savings that car would generate.

Throughout the process of completing the upcoming CARB economic analysis, the Economic and Allocation Advisory Committee (EAAC), an independent group of economic, financial, and policy experts appointed by the Governor, has guided and offered independent critiques of CARB's work product. More information on the EAAC and its members can be found here: http://www.climatechange.ca.gov/eaac/

Meanwhile, the findings of a single, discredited industry-funded report (by Prof. Sanjay Varshney), which falls outside of the range of all other economic analyses of AB 32, is facing yet another round of criticism. The latest critique of the Varshney study comes from the bipartisan Legislative Analysts Office (LAO). The LAO found that Varshney's analysis contains "major problems involving ... data, methodology and analysis." The LAO further found that the study findings were "unreliable" because the study failed to account for the measurable savings associated with energy efficiency. Read more about the LAO critique here: http://www.lao.ca.gov/laoapp/PubDetails.aspx?id=2240

Additional critique of the Varshney report from top economists and academics can be found here: http://www.ca-greenbizalliance.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/CA-BAGE_Experts-Discredit-Small-Business-Studies.pdf

ECONOMIC ANALYSES OF AB 32 IMPLEMENTATION

Climate Policy and Economic Growth in California:

A Comparative Analysis of Different Economic Impact Projections

By Dr. Chris Busch, Center for Resource Solutions

December 2009

Summary: A comprehensive review of the peer-reviewed economic analyses of AB 32.

Key Findings:

• The results of CARB's macroeconomic modeling efforts to date fall within the mainstream of results of macroeconomic analyses, which yield a broad consensus that climate solutions are affordable and economic growth will be robust at the same time that pollution reductions of the magnitude called for by AB 32 are achieved.
• It is notable that all macroeconomic modeling shows continued strong economic growth even as most of the benefits of climate solutions are typically left out of the models.
• The Varshney study results are so exaggerated in part because the author ignores the value of energy saved.

Energy Efficiency, Innovation, and Job Creation in California

By David Roland-Holst, UC Berkeley, produced for Next 10

October 2008

Summary: This study examines the economic effects of the state's landmark efficiency policies since the 1970s, and forecasts the economic effects of significantly more ambitious policies proposed to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020.

Key Facts:

• Since the 1970s, California's building and appliance standards saved California consumers over $56 billion in energy costs, while creating 1.5 million jobs with a total payroll of over $45 billion.
• Accounting for the potential for innovation, the proposed package of AB 32 policies could increase the Gross State Product (GSP) by about $76 billion, increasing real household incomes by up to $48 billion and creating as many as 403,000 new efficiency and climate action driven jobs.

Program on Technology Innovation:

Economic Analysis of California Climate Initiatives: An Integrated Approach

By Charles River Associates

December 2007

Summary: California's climate policy goals would create minimal overall costs to the state's economy and a cap-and-trade program would lessen those costs.

The Economic Impact of AB 32 on California Small Businesses

By The Brattle Group, produced for the Union of Concerned Scientists

December 2009

Summary: AB 32's economic impact on small businesses will be small and manageable.

Key Facts:

• The average small business in California spends only 1.4 percent of its revenues on energy-related costs, like electricity, natural gas, and transportation fuel. Since most small businesses will not be directly regulated by California's global warming policies, these policies will only impact them indirectly to the extent that they cause energy prices to change.
• California's global warming policies will only increase the percent of revenue that small businesses spend on energy by 0.3 percentage points—increasing the share of revenues dedicated to energy costs from 1.4 percent to 1.7 percent in 2020.
• To put these costs into perspective, a typical dinner at The Border Grill (the restaurant used as a case study in this analysis) would see a less than 3-cent increase on a $20 dinner tab in the year 2020.
  

ECONOMIC ANALYSES OF DELAYING AB 32 IMPLEMENTATION

Energy Prices & California's Economic Security

By Professor David Roland-Holst, UC Berkeley, produced for Next 10

October 2009

Summary: University of California researchers examine the economic impacts of putting the state's climate program on hold. If California remains primarily dependent upon fossil fuels, electricity costs could escalate by as much as 33 percent.

Key Facts:

• The state risks losing over $80 billion in Gross State Product (GSP) and more than a half million jobs by 2020 if it fails to implement AB 32.
• Implementing a 33 percent renewable energy standard, combined with 1 percent annual improvement in energy efficiency increases GSP by $20 billion and generates 112,000 jobs.

LAO's analysis of proposed initiative to suspend AB 32

By the Legislative Analyst's Office

January 2010

Summary: Suspending AB 32 would have various economic impacts. Generally speaking, the suspension of regulatory activity under the measure means that business might avoid some costs. However, suspending AB 32 could also have some negative impacts. For example, it would delay investments in energy technologies and green jobs, thereby resulting in less economic activity than otherwise would be the case.

www.DaviesGreenEnergy.com

S&C Electric and Oracle to Develop Interoperable Smart Grid Systems

S&C Electric Company today announced that it is working with Oracle to develop and promote advanced distribution management systems for the Smart Grid. Designed to achieve interoperability between Oracle Utilities Network Management System and S&C's IntelliTEAM SG® Automatic Restoration System, the resulting integration will support utilities' Smart Grid build-outs. S&C and Oracle are demonstrating integrated solutions this week at DistribuTECH in Tampa, FL.

"Today's emerging Smart Grid deployments require that technologies work together to ensure efficient and reliable delivery of power," said Witold Bik, Vice President of S&C's Automation Systems Division. "We are excited to offer to our customers seamlessly integrated Smart Grid solutions that align S&C's distributed, time-critical feeder reconfiguration systems with Oracle's industry-leading network and asset management solutions."

S&C's teaming with Oracle is a significant step in the practical implementation of a fully interoperable, unified Smart Grid power delivery system. This effort will help expand the benefits of S&C's industry-leading IntelliTEAM II®, which has hundreds of installations worldwide, as well as the newly released S&C IntelliTEAM SG. The 3rd generation of S&C's self-healing, scalable, distributed intelligence-based fault isolation and reconfiguration system, IntelliTEAM SG offers the fastest restoration solution on the market.

"By combining our unique strengths, Oracle Utilities and S&C are taking an important step forward in meeting utilities' Smart Grid challenges," said Bradley Williams, Vice President, Product Strategy, Oracle Utilities. "Based on a common data model and easily integrated with Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management and Oracle Utilities Customer Care and Billing, this integrated solution will provide utilities with a wealth of information that helps improve network performance and customer satisfaction. Working together, we plan to provide safe, secure and reliable Smart Grid management systems, and help utilities manage the exponential growth of data."

S&C's expertise in Smart Grid distribution automation solutions complements Oracle Utilities' proven industry experience and mission-critical software applications, including Oracle Utilities Network Management System, Oracle Utilities Meter Data Management, Oracle Utilities Mobile Workforce Management and Oracle Utilities Work and Asset Management. The Oracle system helps utilities efficiently distribute power, improve network reliability and reduce outage durations. S&C Electric Company is a Gold member of the Oracle PartnerNetwork.

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World's First Biogasoline Production Plant

Virent Energy Systems, Inc., (Virent^®) and Shell today announced the successful start of production at the world's first demonstration plant converting plant sugars into gasoline and gasoline blend components, rather than ethanol.

The demonstration plant, located at Virent's facilities in Madison, Wisconsin, is the latest step in a joint biogasoline research and development effort, announced by both companies in March 2008. The demonstration plant has the capacity to produce up to 38,000 litres (10,000 U.S. gallons) per year, which will be used for engine and fleet testing.

This new biofuel can be blended with gasoline in high concentrations for use in standard gasoline engines. The new product has the potential to eliminate the need for specialized infrastructure, engine modifications, and blending equipment necessary for the use of gasoline containing more than 10% ethanol.

Virent's patented BioForming^® platform technology uses catalysts to convert plant sugars into hydrocarbon molecules like those produced at a petroleum refinery. Traditionally, sugars have been fermented into ethanol and distilled. Virent's 'biogasoline' fuel molecules have higher energy content than ethanol and deliver better fuel economy. They can be blended seamlessly to make conventional gasoline or combined with gasoline containing ethanol.

The sugars can be sourced from non-food feedstocks such as corn stover, wheat straw and sugarcane pulp, in addition to conventional biofuel feedstocks such as wheat, corn and sugarcane. The demonstration plant is currently using beet sugar.

"Moving from lab-scale to a demonstration production plant is an important milestone for biogasoline,'' said Luis Scoffone, Vice President of Alternative Energies at Shell. ''There is some way to go on the route to commercialisation, but we have been delighted with the speed of progress achieved by our collaboration with Virent.''

"The successful start-up, which was on-time and budget, demonstrates the potential for scalable, commercial manufacturing of premium, high quality renewable fuels. Renewable fuels that provide high performance, reliability, and lower emissions are now closer to reality as a viable alternative for transportation fuels from crude oil," said Lee Edwards, CEO of Virent. "Virent's industry leading collaboration with Shell is focused on delivering material solutions to global challenges in energy security, environment sustainability and job creation."

Virent's BioForming process is a leading technology for the production of fungible advanced biofuels, including renewable biogasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Virent has won numerous technology and innovation awards including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge and the World Economic Forum's Technology Pioneer awards. Virent is based in Madison, WI, with 80 employees in a world class catalytic biorefining development facility. Virent counts Cargill and Honda among its leading investors and Royal Dutch Shell as a strategic collaboration partner. The BioForming technology is based on the Aqueous Phase Reforming process. To learn more, visit: www.virent.com.

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DOE Awards $200 Million Smart Grid Investment Grant to CenterPoint

CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric, LLC, has signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) to receive a $200 million stimulus grant for its advanced metering system and intelligent grid projects. The agreement is the culmination of negotiations that began in November 2009 after the DOE selected CenterPoint Energy as one of six utilities to receive the maximum smart grid grant under the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

"We are very pleased to have finalized this agreement with the DOE to help accelerate the deployment of our advanced metering system and fund the first phase of an intelligent grid," said Tom Standish, group president of Regulated Operations for CenterPoint Energy. "These funds will help deliver the benefits of smart meters and the intelligent grid to Houston-area electric consumers sooner while reducing the amount that they will have to pay for this significant upgrade to the electric grid."

The CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric grant application requested $150 million to accelerate its current installation of smart electric meters and associated equipment that make up its Advanced Metering System (AMS). The application also requested $50 million that will be used to begin building a self-healing Intelligent Grid that utilizes the AMS and other technologies to improve operational efficiency and power reliability in greater Houston.

Since March 2009, CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric has installed more than 267,000 smart meters and, with the aid of the grant, expects to complete installation of over 2 million smart meters, along with the necessary communications infrastructure and computing systems, in 2012 rather than 2014 as originally planned. The initial Intelligent Grid deployment is expected to be completed in 2013.

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Issuance of U.S. Patent for Production of Ethanol From Unique Microorganism

Qteros, Inc., and the University of Massachusetts Amherst announced today that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 7,682,811 titled "Systems and Methods for Producing Biofuels and Related Materials" describing the novel creation of products, including biofuels, through the fermentation of biomass by a unique, naturally-occurring anaerobic microorganism.

The patent is based on the novel Q Microbe™ (Clostridium phytofermentans), discovered by UMass Amherst microbiologists Professor Susan Leschine and Research Associate Thomas Warnick. Qteros, the exclusive licensee of the patent, has demonstrated that their Q Microbe™ technology offers ethanol producers significant cost reductions by streamlining the biomass-conversion process, commonly referred to as "consolidated bio-processing" (CBP).

"Integration of our unique Q Microbe™ technology into a cellulosic ethanol plant design allows producers the opportunity to dramatically reduce the capital and operating costs associated with a biomass-to-ethanol process," states Kevin A. Gray, PhD, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Qteros. According to Gray, "While traditional cellulosic ethanol processes require numerous production steps, including the addition of costly exogenous enzymes, use of the Q Microbe™ lowers costs by simultaneously hydrolyzing polysaccharides into simple sugars and fermenting all of these sugars into desirable products in a single-tank operation."

"The Q Microbe™ technology offers numerous important advantages over other ethanol-producing microorganisms, which we believe provides the operational foundation for profitable, commercial-scale cellulosic ethanol production," states John A. McCarthy, Jr., President and CEO of Qteros. "This patent underscores the significance and the unique nature of our technology and represents an important milestone that will further our progress toward commercialization of a robust, low-cost CBP platform for cellulosic ethanol production."

Specific advantages of this patented technology include, the natural production of all enzymes required to digest biomass into its component sugars, the ability to ferment polymeric forms of sugar resulting in decreased pretreatment costs and more efficient ethanol production, the highly efficient fermentation of all major sugars present in biomass, and the production of ethanol as the primary product of the microorganism's metabolism. Qteros' CBP system not only enables the production of fuel-grade cellulosic ethanol in a uniquely streamlined production process, it also results in higher ethanol yields from a given amount of biomass material compared to other methods. To date, the Q Microbe™ has performed efficiently across a broad range of feedstocks that include, wheat straw, sugar cane bagasse, energy crops such as switchgrass, and agricultural residues such as corn stover, cob, and fiber.

All of these advantages improve the economics of ethanol production by reducing capital and operating costs, making this microorganism ideally suited for large-scale production of cellulosic ethanol from a wide variety of non-food plant materials. Additionally, Qteros scientists and engineers continue to improve the performance of the microorganism through genetic modification and process optimization.

Issuance of this patent and the evolving science that underlies it will enable the rapid acceleration and commercialization of Q Microbe™ technology. Qteros' work in its facilities, as well as ongoing work being done at UMass Amherst, will allow Qteros and its partners to deliver on the promise of low-cost cellulosic ethanol production across the worldwide market.

"We applaud Qteros' success in advancing the Q Microbe™ technology," says Nick DeCristofaro, Director of Commercial Ventures and Intellectual Property at UMass Amherst. "Dr. Susan Leschine has been a torch bearer for technology transfer on our campus. The relationship between Qteros and UMass is an excellent example of how industry and universities can work together to bring innovation to the marketplace."

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Underwriters Laboratories Opens Europe's Largest Photovoltaic Testing and Certification Facility in Germany

Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global leader in safety testing and certification, announced today the expansion of its global photovoltaic (PV) footprint near the Frankfurt/Main airport in Germany, where it opens Europe's largest photovoltaic testing and certification facility. The new Photovoltaic Technology Center of Excellence reinforces UL's commitment to drive global progress and innovation of safe and reliable solar energy technologies and equipment.

UL is expanding its presence in Europe and Asia as the PV industry continues to experience significant global progress. The global installed capacity of solar photovoltaic power in GW has grown more than 1,000 percent from 2001 to 2008 and sales of photovoltaic technologies is predicted to reach $32.3 billion by 2012, according to BBC Research. Local service capabilities in San Jose, Calif., Suzhou, China, Frankfurt, Germany and upcoming facilities in Japan and India allow UL to bring an industry-leading portfolio of services to local markets and help manufacturers succeed in a rapidly changing environment.

The new state-of-the-art 22,600 square-foot testing facility in Germany houses 22 world-class testing chambers, including: fourteen climate chambers, four damp heat chambers, two large walk-ins and two temperature and humidity ovens and other cutting edge testing equipment. This added capacity allows UL to offer its European customers faster and more cost efficient testing processes due to the local presence and a highly skilled engineering team that speaks the local language. The comprehensive portfolio of services allows for global conformity assessment according to UL, IEC and EN certification requirements and enables faster global market access for UL's customers.

"The opening of the German facility marks another milestone in our photovoltaic global expansion and underscores our commitment to the industry and our customers," said Jeff Smidt, Vice President and General Manager for UL's Global Energy business. "Whether it is through our industry expertise, innovations in our service portfolio or investing in state-of-the-art facilities, we are expanding our capabilities to help manufacturers deliver innovative and safe PV products to the market."

UL is currently the only company in Europe that is fully accredited to test to UL 1703 and IEC/EN 61730 standards and its UL Mark has complete market acceptance in the U.S. The new facility enables small and large European manufacturers to locally test PV technologies and gain efficient access to the global market.

The Photovoltaic Technology Center of Excellence in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt/Main is located at Admiral-Rosendahl-Strasse 23, Neu-Isenburg (Zeppelinheim). To learn more about the new facility, visit: www.ul.com/pv-video. For more information on UL's PV services, visit: http://www.ul.com/dge/photovoltaics/.

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