The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (BPU) has announced that New Jersey now has over 100 MW of solar capacity with more than 4,340 projects statewide. The ground-breaking achievement is the latest example of New Jersey's renewable energy leadership and commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"This monumental achievement only serves to further strengthen New Jersey's position as one of the fastest growing solar energy markets in the United States," said Governor Corzine. "Our leadership is credited to our commitment to environmentally responsible action and a competitive market-based initiative."
New Jersey's solar success is particularly remarkable for the rapid progress it has made in reaching the 100 MW milestone. Seven years ago, the state had only 6 solar installations. Since that time New Jersey has established a model program that incorporates both energy efficiency and renewable energy.
New Jersey's integrated approach to solar development includes a strong Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) with a solar electric set aside, excellent interconnection and net metering standards that have made it easier for systems to connect to the distribution system, a Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) financing model that provides energy credits and additional long term financing for those who invest in solar.
"As we strive to meet Governor Corzine's comprehensive Energy Master Plan goals, the NJBPU is continually looking to efficiently increase our renewable energy generation while reducing New Jersey's greenhouse gas emissions." said Jeanne M. Fox, President of the NJBPU.
"The innovative SREC financing model combined with federal tax credits and New Jersey's Renewable Energy Portfolio requirements provide the incentives needed to continue to spur New Jersey's solar growth."
New Jersey's Solar Renewable Energy Certificate (SREC) financing model is one of the State's newest initiatives to develop a vibrant solar market in the state. Representing all the clean energy benefits of electricity generated from a solar electric system, one SREC is issued for each 1,000 kWh (1MWh) generated.
SRECs are then sold or traded, separately from the power, providing solar system owners a source of revenue to help offset the cost of installation. In most cases, SRECs replace State rebates, which fueled solar growth in the early years of the State's solar program. New Jersey is the first government globally to adopt the use of SRECs to help finance solar projects on a broad scale.
The BPU also recently approved innovative financing programs at three of the State's electric utilities: Jersey Central Power and Light, Atlantic City Electric, and Rockland Electric Company. In addition, earlier this year the Board approved Public Service Electric and Gas's "Solar 4 All Program" to expand solar generation in its service territory. Under these programs, the State's electric utilities may enter into long-term contracts with customers for the purchase of SRECs, which facilitates long-term financing for solar projects.
Showing posts with label Greenhouse gas emissions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Greenhouse gas emissions. Show all posts
Wednesday, 4 November 2009
Tuesday, 21 April 2009
Solar Panels At Budweiser Brewery Now Providing Power
The Anheuser-Busch Fairfield brewery has announced that more than six acres of photovoltaic solar arrays, installed and operated by SunEdison, are now generating the equivalent of three percent of the brewery's electricity needs.
"Operating with care and concern for the environment has been a hallmark of Anheuser-Busch for more than century," said Kevin Finger, general manager, Anheuser-Busch Fairfield brewery. "Our increased use of alternative energy sources is the latest example of how we strive to be the best beer company in a better world."
Last year, the brewery entered into an agreement with SunEdison to host the solar power plant on brewery property.
The brewery also constructed a Bio-Energy Recovery System, or BERS, which provides more than 15 percent of the brewery's fuel needs by turning nutrients in brewing wastewater into renewable biogas used to decrease the use of natural gas.
These two projects are the latest in a series of conservation and efficiency improvements at the Fairfield brewery. Examples of recent efforts include a project to recover steam to heat water in the brewhouse, which reduced greenhouse gas emissions; installation of more efficient boiler burners and new energy-efficient air compressors; and replacing brewery lighting with energy-efficient fixtures on timers.
Through resource conservation and alternative fuel usage, the brewery has decreased fuel use by 38 percent, water use by 32 percent and electricity use by 14 percent since 2004.
"Anheuser-Busch has been a good neighbor to Fairfield and the surrounding communities for more than 30 years," said State Senator Lois Wolk (D-5), who represents the region. "They have earned their reputation as not only a top employer in the area, but as a business doing the right thing for the environment, even before it was popular."
The brewery also currently recycles more than 99 percent of the solid waste it generates, continuing a tradition dating back to the late 1800s when Anheuser-Busch first recycled brewers' grain into cattle feed.
Materials recycled at the Fairfield brewery include scrap aluminum and metal, glass, cardboard, wood, brewing grain, beechwood chips, stretch wrap and labels, electronic equipment and batteries.
This amounted to nearly 200 million pounds of recycled materials in 2008 alone. For these efforts, the Fairfield brewery has been honored 15 times by the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
"Anheuser-Busch has taken a strong leadership role in protecting natural resources and using energy wisely and efficiently. By hosting a PV solar energy system, Anheuser-Busch is part of America's new energy future. SunEdison is proud to support them today and for decades to come," said Kirk Roller, vice president of SunEdison.
The ground mount solar system, sizeable at nearly 1.2 MW, is located on Anheuser-Busch property near California Highway 80. As part of the solar power services agreement, SunEdison financed, installed, and is operating and monitoring the photovoltaic solar energy system.
The system will also generate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for businesses or individuals to purchase to offset their use of fossil fuel energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The brewery is also evaluating the installation of a wind turbine and additional photovoltaic solar arrays on-site to generate more renewable energy.
Renewable fuel at Anheuser-Busch's U.S. breweries is anticipated to reach more than 15 percent by the end of 2009.
This means more than five billion 12-oz. servings of beer - or about one in seven beers brewed by the company in the United States - are expected to be brewed using renewable fuel by the end of 2009*, thanks to efforts at Anheuser-Busch's 12 U.S. breweries.
As a member of the U.S. EPA Climate Leaders Program, Anheuser-Busch has committed to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions to 5 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2010 for all of its U.S. operations. The company has also committed to increasing the total use of renewable fuel from 8 percent to 15 percent in the same time period company-wide.
Source- Solar Daily
"Operating with care and concern for the environment has been a hallmark of Anheuser-Busch for more than century," said Kevin Finger, general manager, Anheuser-Busch Fairfield brewery. "Our increased use of alternative energy sources is the latest example of how we strive to be the best beer company in a better world."
Last year, the brewery entered into an agreement with SunEdison to host the solar power plant on brewery property.
The brewery also constructed a Bio-Energy Recovery System, or BERS, which provides more than 15 percent of the brewery's fuel needs by turning nutrients in brewing wastewater into renewable biogas used to decrease the use of natural gas.
These two projects are the latest in a series of conservation and efficiency improvements at the Fairfield brewery. Examples of recent efforts include a project to recover steam to heat water in the brewhouse, which reduced greenhouse gas emissions; installation of more efficient boiler burners and new energy-efficient air compressors; and replacing brewery lighting with energy-efficient fixtures on timers.
Through resource conservation and alternative fuel usage, the brewery has decreased fuel use by 38 percent, water use by 32 percent and electricity use by 14 percent since 2004.
"Anheuser-Busch has been a good neighbor to Fairfield and the surrounding communities for more than 30 years," said State Senator Lois Wolk (D-5), who represents the region. "They have earned their reputation as not only a top employer in the area, but as a business doing the right thing for the environment, even before it was popular."
The brewery also currently recycles more than 99 percent of the solid waste it generates, continuing a tradition dating back to the late 1800s when Anheuser-Busch first recycled brewers' grain into cattle feed.
Materials recycled at the Fairfield brewery include scrap aluminum and metal, glass, cardboard, wood, brewing grain, beechwood chips, stretch wrap and labels, electronic equipment and batteries.
This amounted to nearly 200 million pounds of recycled materials in 2008 alone. For these efforts, the Fairfield brewery has been honored 15 times by the Waste Reduction Awards Program (WRAP) from the California Integrated Waste Management Board.
"Anheuser-Busch has taken a strong leadership role in protecting natural resources and using energy wisely and efficiently. By hosting a PV solar energy system, Anheuser-Busch is part of America's new energy future. SunEdison is proud to support them today and for decades to come," said Kirk Roller, vice president of SunEdison.
The ground mount solar system, sizeable at nearly 1.2 MW, is located on Anheuser-Busch property near California Highway 80. As part of the solar power services agreement, SunEdison financed, installed, and is operating and monitoring the photovoltaic solar energy system.
The system will also generate Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for businesses or individuals to purchase to offset their use of fossil fuel energy and greenhouse gas emissions. The brewery is also evaluating the installation of a wind turbine and additional photovoltaic solar arrays on-site to generate more renewable energy.
Renewable fuel at Anheuser-Busch's U.S. breweries is anticipated to reach more than 15 percent by the end of 2009.
This means more than five billion 12-oz. servings of beer - or about one in seven beers brewed by the company in the United States - are expected to be brewed using renewable fuel by the end of 2009*, thanks to efforts at Anheuser-Busch's 12 U.S. breweries.
As a member of the U.S. EPA Climate Leaders Program, Anheuser-Busch has committed to reduce total greenhouse gas emissions to 5 percent below 2005 levels by the year 2010 for all of its U.S. operations. The company has also committed to increasing the total use of renewable fuel from 8 percent to 15 percent in the same time period company-wide.
Source- Solar Daily
Tuesday, 3 March 2009
Spanish Solar Company To Become One Of Largest In USA
Fotowatio has agreed to purchase the core US solar power assets - including the largest US solar photovoltaic installation, at Nellis Air Force base - of San Francisco-based MMA Renewable Ventures.
Upon completion of the sale, Fotowatio's US business unit, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, will be one of the largest solar development companies in the United States as measured by megawatts in operation. Fotowatio will own 35 megawatts of solar projects in operation and more than 400 megawatts in development in the United States, and will gain one of the country's most experienced solar development and operations teams.
In addition to the 14-megawatt project at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada, the US-wide portfolio will include the nation's most visible solar array - at Denver International Airport - the world's largest thin film solar installation using CIGS technology - in Arizona - solar panels on the roofs of Colorado parking garages and solar arrays that power a California rice farm.
"This acquisition will significantly expand Fotowatio's portfolio, allowing us to meet our aggressive growth targets earlier than anticipated," said Rafael Benjumea, CEO of Fotowatio. "With the addition of MMA's assets and talented development team, we will be poised to expand in fast-growing markets in the United States, Spain and Italy."
Fotowatio has invested more than US$880 million (700 million euros) in solar projects since 2006 and plans to invest up to US$3.2 billion (2.5 billion euros) by 2012 in Spain, Italy and the United States.
Following completion of the acquisition of MMA Renewable Ventures, Fotowatio's global portfolio will include more than 130 megawatts of operating solar projects in the United States and Spain and more than 1,000 megawatts under development across the United States, Spain and Italy.
With no fuel cost or emissions, Fotowatio's expanded portfolio will produce clean energy and avoid more than two million tons a year in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil fuel technology.
"Fotowatio is a company of the highest quality and together with our team we are now poised to dramatically grow our US solar portfolio," said Matthew Cheney, Chief Executive Officer of MMA Renewable Ventures.
Fotowatio's US business unit will focus exclusively on the development of commercial- and utility-scale solar projects throughout the United States. As an independent solar power producer, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures will develop, own and operate solar power plants and provide clean electricity to its customers under long-term contracts.
"This acquisition will make Fotowatio one of the largest solar companies in the rapidly growing US market, underscoring the company's strong leadership and business development skills," said Inigo Olaguibel, a member of Fotowatio's Board of Directors.
Fotowatio's purchase of MMA Renewable Ventures' solar platform is its third in the past seven months. In January 2009, Fotowatio acquired a 6.3 MW solar project in Spain from Solaria. In September 2008, Fotowatio acquired from Corporacion Gestamp four solar photovoltaic power plants producing 32 megawatts in Spain.
Fotowatio's shareholders include Qualitas Venture Capital (33.5%), GE (NYSE:GE - News) unit GE Energy Financial Services (32%), Grupo Corporativo Landon (17.5%) and the management team (17%).
Source - Solardaily
Upon completion of the sale, Fotowatio's US business unit, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures, will be one of the largest solar development companies in the United States as measured by megawatts in operation. Fotowatio will own 35 megawatts of solar projects in operation and more than 400 megawatts in development in the United States, and will gain one of the country's most experienced solar development and operations teams.
In addition to the 14-megawatt project at Nellis Air Force base in Nevada, the US-wide portfolio will include the nation's most visible solar array - at Denver International Airport - the world's largest thin film solar installation using CIGS technology - in Arizona - solar panels on the roofs of Colorado parking garages and solar arrays that power a California rice farm.
"This acquisition will significantly expand Fotowatio's portfolio, allowing us to meet our aggressive growth targets earlier than anticipated," said Rafael Benjumea, CEO of Fotowatio. "With the addition of MMA's assets and talented development team, we will be poised to expand in fast-growing markets in the United States, Spain and Italy."
Fotowatio has invested more than US$880 million (700 million euros) in solar projects since 2006 and plans to invest up to US$3.2 billion (2.5 billion euros) by 2012 in Spain, Italy and the United States.
Following completion of the acquisition of MMA Renewable Ventures, Fotowatio's global portfolio will include more than 130 megawatts of operating solar projects in the United States and Spain and more than 1,000 megawatts under development across the United States, Spain and Italy.
With no fuel cost or emissions, Fotowatio's expanded portfolio will produce clean energy and avoid more than two million tons a year in greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional fossil fuel technology.
"Fotowatio is a company of the highest quality and together with our team we are now poised to dramatically grow our US solar portfolio," said Matthew Cheney, Chief Executive Officer of MMA Renewable Ventures.
Fotowatio's US business unit will focus exclusively on the development of commercial- and utility-scale solar projects throughout the United States. As an independent solar power producer, Fotowatio Renewable Ventures will develop, own and operate solar power plants and provide clean electricity to its customers under long-term contracts.
"This acquisition will make Fotowatio one of the largest solar companies in the rapidly growing US market, underscoring the company's strong leadership and business development skills," said Inigo Olaguibel, a member of Fotowatio's Board of Directors.
Fotowatio's purchase of MMA Renewable Ventures' solar platform is its third in the past seven months. In January 2009, Fotowatio acquired a 6.3 MW solar project in Spain from Solaria. In September 2008, Fotowatio acquired from Corporacion Gestamp four solar photovoltaic power plants producing 32 megawatts in Spain.
Fotowatio's shareholders include Qualitas Venture Capital (33.5%), GE (NYSE:GE - News) unit GE Energy Financial Services (32%), Grupo Corporativo Landon (17.5%) and the management team (17%).
Source - Solardaily
Monday, 11 August 2008
NYC among 21 cities to disclose carbon output
NEW YORK (Reuters) - More than 20 U.S. cities, including New York, Las Vegas and Denver, have agreed to measure their carbon footprints, with a system some 1,300 companies have been persuaded to use, in an attempt to find ways to curb emissions blamed for warming the planet.
"If you don't measure these emissions, you cannot manage them," said Paul Dickinson, the chief executive of the UK- based Carbon Disclosure Project, which joined forces with the cities. Urban traffic, buildings and manufacturers emit 70 percent of the world's greenhouse gases.
Each of the 21 cities will gather emissions data for their municipal functions, such as their fire and police departments, government buildings and waste services, which will help cities compare how they are doing. They will also assess emissions from the city as a whole.
"Working together, and with the best data, we can manage this problem," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a release.
The CDP, which represents 385 global institutional investors that manage a total of more than $57 trillion in assets, has gathered corporate emissions data through surveys since 2000. It says it has collected the largest corporate greenhouse gas emissions database in the world.
CDP also assists multinational organizations to collect climate change data from their suppliers.
Earlier this year, more than 20 of the world's largest companies, including IBM, Nestle SA, and Tesco, with a combined purchasing power of about $1 trillion, found that only a quarter of their suppliers had greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to a survey coordinated by CDP.
Dickinson said once the cities discover their biggest sources of emissions, emerging energy-efficiency companies should swoop in and find ways for them to save emissions and money by slowing the waste of fuel. "The process should really lead to the beginnings of a fundamental restructuring of how cities consume energy," he said.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which initially resisted disclosing their emissions through CDP, has since received praise for targeting the sources of their emissions.
Cities can do the same, Dickinson said. "Cities compete in the market for business, investment, talent, all sorts of things, and finding ways to profit by tackling climate change can make them attractive," he said.
The 21 cities will submit their responses to CDP by October 31. and the results will be published in the group's first cities report in January.
Other cities in the project include West Palm Beach, St. Paul, and New Orleans. At least nine more are expected to take part. Dickinson said CDP is working to expand the project to cities in other countries.
CDP partnered on the project with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA, an international association of local governments working on environmental issues.
Source - Reuters
"If you don't measure these emissions, you cannot manage them," said Paul Dickinson, the chief executive of the UK- based Carbon Disclosure Project, which joined forces with the cities. Urban traffic, buildings and manufacturers emit 70 percent of the world's greenhouse gases.
Each of the 21 cities will gather emissions data for their municipal functions, such as their fire and police departments, government buildings and waste services, which will help cities compare how they are doing. They will also assess emissions from the city as a whole.
"Working together, and with the best data, we can manage this problem," New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg said in a release.
The CDP, which represents 385 global institutional investors that manage a total of more than $57 trillion in assets, has gathered corporate emissions data through surveys since 2000. It says it has collected the largest corporate greenhouse gas emissions database in the world.
CDP also assists multinational organizations to collect climate change data from their suppliers.
Earlier this year, more than 20 of the world's largest companies, including IBM, Nestle SA, and Tesco, with a combined purchasing power of about $1 trillion, found that only a quarter of their suppliers had greenhouse gas reduction targets, according to a survey coordinated by CDP.
Dickinson said once the cities discover their biggest sources of emissions, emerging energy-efficiency companies should swoop in and find ways for them to save emissions and money by slowing the waste of fuel. "The process should really lead to the beginnings of a fundamental restructuring of how cities consume energy," he said.
Wal-Mart Stores Inc, which initially resisted disclosing their emissions through CDP, has since received praise for targeting the sources of their emissions.
Cities can do the same, Dickinson said. "Cities compete in the market for business, investment, talent, all sorts of things, and finding ways to profit by tackling climate change can make them attractive," he said.
The 21 cities will submit their responses to CDP by October 31. and the results will be published in the group's first cities report in January.
Other cities in the project include West Palm Beach, St. Paul, and New Orleans. At least nine more are expected to take part. Dickinson said CDP is working to expand the project to cities in other countries.
CDP partnered on the project with ICLEI - Local Governments for Sustainability USA, an international association of local governments working on environmental issues.
Source - Reuters
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