Monday, February 28, 2011

Electric Car Racing at Penn

A group of about 40 graduate and undergraduate students from the
School of Arts and Sciences, Penn Engineering and Wharton, is
preparing to show the world what they have been working on for the
last five years: an all-electric race car.

The carbon-fiber-clad Renegade is a product of Penn Electric Racing, a
student-run, interdisciplinary club of engineers and designers who aim
to push the envelope of what electric vehicles can do.

"We want to help the general public, and the University community,
understand EV (electric vehicle) technology, and the benefits both
environmentally and economically of driving EVs," says team captain
and Penn Engineering student William Price.

Watch video: http://www.upenn.edu/pennnews/spotlights/penn-electric-racing-revs-its-engines

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Top Ten Cleantech Trends in 2011 - GBI Research

GBI Research's report, "Top Ten Clean Technology Trends in 2011"
provides key information and detailed insight into the clean
technology industry trends. It contains a detailed analysis on the
major trends in various domains of the clean technology sector. The
report analyses the impact of government regulations in the water and
wastewater management industry, e-waste management industry, biofuel
market, and renewable energy sector. The report also provides
information on the emergence of green buildings to counter the threat
of climate change and resource scarcity and the emergence of carbon
trading and the smart grid market.

GBI Research identifies the top 10 trends to affect the petrochemical
industry in 2011 to be:

- Strict Implementation of E-waste Management Laws in Europe is
driving the E-waste Recovery Market in Europe
- Technological Innovations in Wind Turbine Design and Government
Incentives are triggering the Investments in the Wind Power Market
- Global Renewable Energy Share in World Marketed Energy Mix is set to
increase in 2011
- Increasing Water Shortage and Stringent Wastewater Discharge
Regulations is Expected to Drive the Desalination and Wastewater
Management Market in 2011
- Strategy of Incentivizing Green Initiatives and Enforcing a Minimum
Level of Standards Bodes Well for the Development of Green Buildings
- Government Intervention has Helped in Widespread Development
Application Of Biofuel
- Global Carbon Trading Market to Reach $180 Billion Mark by 2011
- Asia-Pacific is expected to Move up in the Global Smart Grid Market in 2011
- Rising Climate Change Concern is Shifting Attention Towards
Adaptation of Hybrid Vehicles
- Lithium-ion Battery Share is Poised to increase at the expense of
Ni-MH Battery share in the HEV Battery Market in 2011
http://www.gbiresearch.com

Direct Grid Microinverters in Volume Production

After a rigorous and demanding beta and pilot production period,
Direct Grid is now shipping its DGM-460 micro inverter in volume for
lead customers in North America.

Direct Grid's ambitious production ramp is launched through its
contract manufacturing partner, SRI. Formerly a division of Siemens,
SRI is a well established, highly experienced power electronics
contract manufacturer, carrying all the quality certifications and
advanced production capability Direct Grid requires to fulfill their
aggressive volume ramp plan. State of the art, automated production
lines have been dedicated to Direct Grid micro-inverter production in
order to meet capacity of 30,000 units per month. In addition to
European manufacture in SRI's Durach, Germany location, SRI is
commissioning an additional line in Direct Grid's corporate
headquarters in Edgewood New York. This added capacity will enable the
company to fulfill demand throughout 2011.

With the design goal of creating a new paradigm for micro-inverters
accessing the high power segments, Direct Grid has developed the
industry leading DGM-460, a 500watt class micro-inverter utilizing the
high reliability and high efficiency Closed Loop MOSFET Planar
technology developed and patent pending by the company. While
competitive micro-inverters can address modules up to the 200-210watt
regime, the DGM-460 can handle a "duo" configuration, with one
micro-inverter for every two modules, up to 500W.

Per Direct Grid President Frank Cooper, "North America is the hotbed
for micro inverters and Direct Grid is poised to capitalize on this
market segment. With a consistent trend being exhibited towards higher
power modules, Direct Grid is at the forefront with a first-in-class
utility grade micro-inverter that has the architecture flexibility to
accommodate them. The DGM-460 is a testament of our dedication to
manufacture a revolutionary, game-changing, high quality
micro-inverter which will be able to create a "c-change" in both the
module power adaptability, as well as the economic disruption
affording our customers unprecedented economic, logistical, and
reliability advantages."

AOL Kids Cartoon: Gisele Protects the Earth from harm

Surf's up in the latest episode of "Gisele and the Green Team!" In
"The Case of the Storm Drain Sludge," Nick Slick has been dumping
barrels of oil sludge into the city's sewer system, and with heavy
rains on the horizon, oil is sure to wash into the ocean and pollute
the beach and sea life.

Click on the link below to find out if Gisele, Sophie, Keisha, Woo Li
and Alex can foil Slick's oil dumping operation in time to save the
ocean.

http://www.giseleandthegreenteam.com/#/mission-room/19839541/

Featuring an animated Gisele Bündchen, "Gisele & The Green Team" was
created by A2 Entertainment to empower young girls to believe in
themselves while learning about protecting and preserving the
environment. Kids can also visit GiseleandtheGreenTeam.com to play
games, learn about ways they can go green and get inner and outer
beauty tips from Gisele herself.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

Top 30 Cleantech Small Caps - Ubika Research

Ubika Research is pleased to release the weekly performance report
(week ending Feb 11th 2011) for The Ubika Cleantech 30, an exclusive
index of high potential small cap cleantech stocks. To view all of the
companies in The Ubika Cleantech 30 Index, their relative performance
vis-à-vis The Cleantech Index (AMEX: CTIUS) & S&P TSX Cleantech Index,
read the weekly performance report, and follow breaking news about the
Index constituents please visit:
http://www.smallcappower.com/ubika-cleantech-30.aspx

Until now, smallcap investors interested in the Cleantech sector have
found it challenging to find good information sources to identify high
quality prospects. The Ubika Cleantech 30 Index is the first and only
freely available index that exclusively covers small cap cleantech
companies in North America.

Micro Inverter: Siemens Partners with Enphase Energy

Siemens Industry, Inc. and Enphase Energy Inc. announced a supply and
distribution agreement for the sale of Enphase's next generation of
solar microinverter technology through the Siemens nationwide network
of electrical equipment distributors. According to the agreement,
Enphase will provide Siemens with solar microinverters and Enlighten,
a web-based monitoring service to create reliable, turnkey solar
photovoltaic (PV) energy solutions.

"We believe that the combination of Enphase Energy's Microinverter
System, integrated with our electrical distribution and safety
products will set the stage for Siemens to become the premier provider
of solar photovoltaic power solutions for businesses, homeowners and
builders," said Barry Contrael, director, Siemens Low Voltage Business
Unit. "Predicated on Enphase Energy's market-leading solution and
proven reliability, the agreement enables us to expand into new
markets and provide businesses and homeowners safe, affordable access
to solar power."

The Enphase Microinverter System provides a modular, scalable platform
to connect roof-mounted solar PV modules with a typical building's
alternating current (AC) load center or panel board. Enphase
microinverters offer a simple and compelling solution to complex
system implementation problems and safety issues associated with the
direct current (DC) output of today's solar PV modules. Electrical
contractors will now have expanded access to the technologies and
tools they need to deliver these systems to their commercial and
residential customers.

"The combined capabilities of Enphase and Siemens will provide
electrical contractors a unique "all-AC" solar solution ideally
aligned with their current skill set and the needs of home and
business owners," said Paul Nahi, CEO of Enphase Energy. "This
agreement is a testament to our breakthrough technology and the rigor
of Enphase's products, design techniques, testing and manufacturing
processes. With over 500,000 microinverters deployed, this agreement
further establishes Enphase as the proven, bankable leader in advanced
microinverter systems technology."

By providing innovative per-module microinverter technology that
dramatically simplifies system design and installation time, Enphase
removes the technical barriers that have traditionally limited the
growth of solar PV in commercial and residential applications. This
combined with Siemens' proven power distribution and circuit
protection technologies will ensure the growing demand for renewable
energy is met with a solar system that remains safe, cost-effective
and reliable throughout its lifetime.
www.enphaseenergy.com
www.usa.siemens.com/Industry

Moser Baer Starts Manufacturing of Solar Components in India, Noida Plant

In its bid to create a robust solar PV eco-system in India, Moser Baer
India Limited (MBIL), a cutting edge tech-manufacturer, present in the
entire PV value chain (cell / module manufacturing to commissioning of
solar farms / applications), has commenced production of junction
boxes, a critical component in solar PV installations, at its facility
in Greater Noida. This has been made possible by utilizing MBIL's
existing assets and core competencies along with the new know-how of
Yukita Electric Wire Co. The capacity of this state-of-the art
facility is 2.5 million premium quality junction boxes which has been
achieved at a low incremental capex cost. These junction boxes would
cater to the requirements of both domestic and global solar PV market
through Yukita's global marketing and sales network.
http://www.moserbaer.com

Q-Cells Modules Perform in the Desert

Q-Cells SE, one of the leading providers of PV solutions worldwide,
has once again proven the performance of its solar modules. On the
test field in Alice Springs, run by the renowned Australian 'Desert
Knowledge Australia Solar Centre" (DKASC) the Q-Cells solar module
Q.SMART (CIGS thin-film technology) and a prototype of the Q-Cells
solar modules Q.PRO and Q.BASE (polysilicon technology) achieved peak
performances under extreme climate conditions.

During the period from August 2010 to January 2011, the power output
of the Q.SMART (CIGS thin film technology) solar module was measured
at a test field in Alice Springs, along with several similarly sized
thin-film systems. With an average energy yield of 5.8 kilowatt-hours
per installed kilowatt-peak per day (KWh/KWp/day), the module emerged
as one of the leading performers from the mentioned test period.The
average output of systems from leading international manufacturers
with a similar system configuration ranged between 5.1 and 5.3
KWh/KWp/day. 'We are pleased that our Q.SMART modules further on
belong to the most high-performance solar modules in an international
comparison", says Lars Stolt, Chief Technology Officer at Solibro, a
subsidiary of Q-Cells SE for the CIGS technology.

In a test of crystalline solar modules, a prototype of the
multi-crystalline Q-Cells solar modules Q.PRO and Q.BASE also
performed extremely well. During the period from March 2010 to January
2011, the QC-05 prototype module achieved an average energy yield of
5.3 kilowatt-hours per installed kilowatt-peak per day. In the
specified test period, the average output of systems with a similar
system configuration ranged from 4.6 to 5.1 KWh/KWp/day. On the basis
of the QC-05 module, Q-Cells will launch a new generation of Q.PRO and
Q.BASE modules with a higher performance in all key markets of Q-Cells
SE in 2011.

With the convincing test results, Q-Cells is once again setting the
benchmark with respect to technological leadership. 'We are pleased
that the high level of quality at Q-Cells is also reflected in
independent tests,' says Peter Wawer, Senior Vice President Technology
at Q-Cells. 'The test results show that our products hold a
technologically leading position. We assume that the Q-Cells solar
modules will also achieve positive test results in the long term.'

From a strategic point of view, these excellent test results also
prove that Q-Cells is focusing on the right technologies. In addition
to the silicon-based modules, the CIGS thin-film technology plays an
important role. With its cost-effective production and high levels of
efficiency, the CIGS process is very convincing. The modules are
characterised by excellent performance under various geographic
conditions and, thanks to their appealing aesthetics, are ideally
suited for architecturally demanding applications. As early as in June
2010, Q-Cells had produced its first Q.SMART module (CIGS thin-film
technology), which achieved a world-record-breaking efficiency factor
of 13%.

The multi-crystalline Q-Cells solar modules are assembled from
Q-Cells' own high-performance cells. As key components of solar
modules Q-Cells cells exhibit high and stable yield characteristics,
which are ensured by strict quality control. The high performance of
Q-Cells modules and their market-conform classification into various
product categories allow them for broad application, ranging from
solar parks to large roof-top systems to small systems for private
use.

DKASC is an independent test centre for solar energy systems financed
by the Australian government. Due to the dry desert climate, the test
conditions in the test centre located in Central Australia are among
the most demanding worldwide. On the test field in Alice Springs test,
the performances of more than a dozen leading European, Asian and
American manufacturers are tested under identical conditions. Q-Cells
is the only German company represented with its modules in the
Australian desert. DKASC puts the data for public access at the
following website: www.dkasolarcentre.com.au

Desert Knowledge Australia, the Australian Government, the Northern
Territory Government and the project managers, CAT Projects do not
endorse, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or
connected to, the outcomes and conclusions associated with the use of
data from the Desert Knowledge Australia Solar Centre.

10 Electric Cars that Were Actually Produced

You have heard about all the alternative power methods for vehicles,
but a lot of the electric cars discussed are never really produced at
all. Many times the cost of production is too high or they just don't
get the attention they need to make it on the market. No matter what
the reason, these vehicles are sometimes never seen at all past the
prototype that usually shows as unsuccessful as people aren't looking
for just fuel efficiency but many other features that are sometimes
not found with these great vehicles. In some cases however, there
proved to be a reason to produce the vehicles and present to the
commercial market for sale, with some surprising vehicles that
actually made it such as these 10 electric cars that were actually
produced.

1. Nissan Leaf. The first of this electric car were turned over
12/11/2010 to customers on the commercial market after a long awaited
arrival. The Nissan Leaf offers a higher mph and a much more efficient
operation with no gas required to operate.

2. 1902 Wood's Electric Phaeton. Believe it or not, there were
electric cars in the early 1900s as they became a vast concept picked
up by frontrunners in the industry. The 1902 Wood's Electric Phaeton
was the first of the electric vehicles actually produced, which was
really no more than a carriage without the horses and with an electric
powered battery offering an 18 mile range, 14mph, and a cost of
$2,000.

3. Battronic Electric Truck. This was another early edition that was
actually released in 1964 and offered a 2500 pound payload, up to
25mph, and a 62 mile range, for an optimal use of an efficient vehicle
that was at the prime of electric vehicle production.

4. Sebring Vanguard CitiCar. The CitiCar was produced as the logical
option for driving the city roads without burning the gas and emitting
the toxins and pollution that was noticed greatly by society. There
were 2,000 produced during its run with an offering of up to 44mph
with a normal cruise at 38mph, and a 50-60 mile range.

5. Elcar. This was another city vehicle that was actually produced and
released on the commercial market. Created by the Elcar Corporation,
the vehicle cost between $4,000 and $4,500, offered up to 45mph and a
range of 60 miles.

6. US Electricar S-10 Electric Pickup. With a 7 hour charge, this
pickup is fully charged, able to offer speeds much higher than
previous models and a range of 60 miles, with some lasting much longer
with a single charge. The vehicle was actually produced, but had lower
performance than efficiency.

7. Geo Metro. This was a four passenger sedan with an alternating
current motor with lead-acid batteries that increased the efficiency
and drive, as well as life of the electric vehicle. The Metro was able
to accomplish a 50 mile range with a single charge lasting about 8
hours.

8. Ford Ecostar Utility Van. This was a utility van that was produced
with 100 made, but it was deemed an R&D vehicle that wasn't offered
commercially. The van, however, included an alternating current motor
with a sodium sulfur battery that would get up to 70mph and had a
range of over 80 miles, typically up to 100, for a very functional,
high performance vehicle.

9. Electric Ford Ranger. This was a 700 pound payload vehicle that was
just recently in production and produced 75mph with a range of 70
miles. Unlike other electric vehicles, the Ford Ranger model could go
from 0-50 in 12 seconds, making it one of the more successful and
desired electric cars that were actually produced.

10. GM EV1. This is a two passenger sports car that has a liquid
cooled alternating current motor that can reach up to 80 mph. The
vehicle can go from 0 to 50 in 7 seconds, for an optimal performance
from the vehicle not found in many other electric cars produced.

While you may think that electric cars are new, you are quite wrong,
as there were early models as the concept was very hot during the
early 1900s. Once gasoline and the desire for efficiency was less than
before, the demand for these vehicles and production went to a very
low number, increasing again during the 60's and continuing through
the years to production even today with great models now being
released. Although the perfect electric vehicle isn't set to be
created until at least 2020, these are great reasons to pass the gas
station by and keep on trucking.
Source (with car pictures!):
http://www.myispfinder.com/blog/2010/10-electric-cars-that-were-actually-produced/

Spirit of Innovation Awards: Promote Cleantech Innovations

Through the Spirit of Innovation Awards
(http://www.conradawards.org/), high school students with a passion
for science and bettering the world have a chance to patent their
inventions, be interviewed in Popular Science Magazine or BBC World
News, or even attend the Annual White House Science Fair and be
recognized by President Obama.

The Conrad Foundation Spirit of Innovation Awards (SoIA) is an
international, multi-disciplinary program that combines the
Foundation's commitment to five core principles: innovation,
education, entrepreneurship, project-based learning, and community
engagement to advance achievement in science, technology, education
and math in U.S. schools.

SoIA presents student participants with a very broad challenge: create
an innovative product that can be used to address a real-world problem
with a real-world solution that can ultimately be viable in the
commercial marketplace. Students are given a blank slate within
several major categories, including clean energy, aerospace
exploration, clean water, agro science, and cyber security. They're
also required to conduct research to determine their creation's
potential market impact, and develop a full business plan while
working with mentors including world-class scientists, engineers,
academics, and business leaders.

Through entering the Wild Card Summit Invitation sweepstakes, everyone
can have a chance to attend the Innovation Summit at NASA from April
28 - May 1, 2011 in San Francisco, where they can make their
innovative dream a reality.
The opportunity closes on February 28, 2011.
http://www.conradawards.org

Tuesday, February 08, 2011

45 MW Order for Nordex - Idaho project / CG Power Solutions

Nordex USA, Inc. continues its run of good news into 2011 by announcing a new order from CG Power Solutions USA, Inc. (formerly MSE Power Systems), the US subsidiary of Crompton Greaves Ltd., which is a global leader in power transmission and distribution headquartered in India.

The 45 MW project in Power County – Nordex’ first project in Idaho – will use 18 of Nordex’ N100 2.5 MW turbines, and the contract includes delivery, installation, commissioning and testing of the turbines along with a maintenance and service agreement. This is CG’s first project as a developer and investor into a wind project in the United States, extending its activities beyond its widely recognized role as a substation, transmission engineering and EPC contractor. CG has completed grid interconnection for nearly 25% of all wind power installed in the USA.

“We are especially pleased that CG Power selected our turbines for this wind project,” said Ralf Sigrist, President & CEO of Nordex USA. “They bring their unique expertise and reputation as one of the top companies worldwide in transmission infrastructure to this project. We also look forward to possible future collaboration for mutual benefit and for the benefit of our customers and operators.”

This is the third order Nordex has received since the dedication of its new nacelle production plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas at the end of October. The fact that the turbines will be supplied from this facility is a key attraction for CG Power Solutions, which is committed to maximizing domestic content. Mark Scher, President of CG Power Solutions USA Inc, commented, “We have been very impressed by the Nordex manufacturing facilities and their commitment to quality at every step. We are eager to get started utilizing this utility scale turbine, which offers a unique fit for this Idaho project.”

The Power County project is construction-ready, and delivery of turbines will begin in mid-May with construction scheduled to be completed by September 2011. The site is in southeast Idaho, approximately 10 miles south of American Falls and approximately 20 miles southwest of Pocatello.