DENVER – Xcel Energy is now operating a first of its kind demonstration of a hybrid solar-coal approach,using parabolic-trough solar technology integrated with a coal-fired power plant. The project, located at Xcel Energy’s Cameo Generating Station near Grand Junction, Colo., is designed to increase the plant’s efficiency, decrease the use of coal, test the commercial viability of concentrating solar power thermal integration, and lower carbon dioxide emissions. Abengoa Solar developed the parabolic-trough technology, which concentrates solar energy to provide heat for producing supplemental steam for electric power production.

“We are very excited about getting this unique renewable energy project on line,” said Kent Larson, vice president and chief energy supply officer for Xcel Energy. “If this project produces the successful results we expect, this type of solar thermal integration will help move the use of solar energy one step closer to being a potential technology for improving the environmental performance of coal-fired power plants for Xcel Energy and for utilities around the country.”

“We are pleased to work with Xcel Energy on this important innovative clean technology project. We believe that the solar approach being implemented at Cameo will provide a cost effective way of delivering solar energy,” said Santiago Seage, Abengoa Solar CEO.

The project is the first under Xcel Energy’s new Innovative Clean Technology (ICT) Program, an initiative to test promising new technologies with potential to lower greenhouse gas emissions and result in other environmental improvements. Through the ICT Program, the company can pursue the development, commercialization and deployment of new power generation, energy storage and other technologies that support its clean energy strategy. It provides the opportunity to test these technologies and evaluate their cost, reliability and environmental performance at a demonstration scale before determining whether they should be deployed more widely for Colorado customers.

Customers can log on to where they will find more information and video of the project. They will also learn more about Xcel Energy’s commitment to the environment by choosing the environment page under the company tab.

Xcel Energy is a major U.S. electricity and natural gas company that provides a comprehensive portfolio of energy-related products and services to 3.3 million electricity customers and 1.8 million natural gas customers through its regulated operating companies in eight Western and Midwestern states. Company headquarters are located in Minneapolis. More information is available at www.xcelenergy.com

Abengoa Solar focuses its activities on the development and application of technology for generating electrical power with the sun (www.abengoasolar.com). Abengoa is a technology company that applies innovative solutions for sustainability in the infrastructure, environmental and energy sectors. The company is listed on the Spanish stock exchange and is present in more than 70 countries, in which it operates through its five Business Units. They are Solar, Bioenergy, Environmental Services, Information Technologies and Industrial Engineering and Construction. More information is available at (www.abengoa.com).

(source www.xcelenergy.com)

BlueChip Energy starts development of 10 MW solar farm in Florida

BlueChip Energy, a provider of solar energy solutions for residential, commercial, government and utility applications, has started its stage one of the Rinehart solar farm, a 10MW utility-scale solar facility in Central Florida.

The Rinehart solar farm project, located in Lake Mary, Fla, will have a total capacity of 10MW and an annual generation of approximately 1.5millionkw hours. This is equivalent to the annual energy use of roughly 1,100 area homes. It will cover a portion of the 380,000sqft rooftop space and surrounding acreage of BlueChip Energy’s Lake Mary facility.

The solar farm is being built in stages. The first stage is expected to be completed by July, 2010. Stage two is a roof top plant consisting of 500 kW. Subsequent stages will consist of a third, 1.4 MW rooftop system and 8 MW of ground-based systems. (Source: Datamonitor)

Rinehart Solar Farm Lake Mary, FL – Stage one roof top plant 120kW

Project features roof top and ground mount solar arrays for a utility scale solar plant covering a portion of 380,000 square foot roof top space and surrounding acreage. (source bluechipenergy.org)

* Completion: June 2010
* System Size: 120kW
* Number of solar panels: 520
* Solar Technology: 230 Watt monocrystalline panels, Fronius 60kW Inverters
* Green Fact: Prevents 138 metric tons of CO2 emission per year

Matinee Energy Enters Alliance With Hyundai, LG Electronics

Matinee Energy Inc., a renewable energy project developer and financier, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) and formed a strategic alliance with Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd. and LG Electronics Inc., which are based in Korea. Matinee said it is focusing on utility-scale projects in the US Southwest.

Matinee has invited Hyundai and LG to join as lead partners for a total of 240 MW – or $1 billion – in contracts for solar energy plants in the initial phase. Both companies have accepted the invitation. Matinee says it also plans to add additional alliance partners that are complementary to all parties.

According to Matinee, The Industrial Company (T.I.C.), which is based in Colorado, as well as other construction and technology companies located in the U.S., will join in supporting this announcement and provide their specific services and resources.  ( source Matinee Energy Inc.)

LG Group last week announced plans to invest $18 billion over the next 10 years to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and expand it business in energy efficient and renewable energy products. Earlier this month Hyundai Heavy announced its entry into the Chinese wind power industry through a MOU to jointly develop a turbine manufacturing plant with Datang Shandong Power Generation Co., LTD.

About LG Electronics, Inc.:
LG Electronics, Inc. is a global leader and technology innovator in consumer electronics, home appliances and mobile communications, employing more than 82,000 people working in 114 operations including 82 subsidiaries around the world. With 2007 global sales of USD 44 billion, LG is comprised of five business units – Home Entertainment, Home Appliance, Air Conditioning, Business Solutions and Mobile Communications. LG is the world’s leading producer of mobile handsets, flat panel TVs, air conditioners, front-loading washing machines, optical storage products, DVD players and home theater systems. For more information, visit www.lg.com.

About Hyundai Heavy Industries:
Korean multinational Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) has a global business network in each of its six business divisions: Shipbuilding, Offshore & Engineering, Industrial Plant & Engineering, Engine & Machinery, Electro Electric Systems, and Construction Equipment. Founded by the late Chung Ju-yung on March 23, 1972, Hyundai Heavy Industries wrote the first chapter of its shipbuilding history in June, 1974, by completing construction of the world’s largest shipyard and two VLCCs (Very Large Crude Carrier) simultaneously. A decade after its first delivery, the Hyundai Shipyard topped 10 million dead-weight tons in aggregate ship production, and has maintained the leading position in the world shipbuilding market ever since. Hyundai Shipyard’s drive has mirrored the growth of modern Korean heavy industry, and its success has allowed it to expand into other heavy industry areas, ultimately leading to the formation of Hyundai Heavy Industries, an integrated heavy industry company. The latest chapter of HHI’s history began when it separated from the Hyundai Group in February, 2002.

KSC Supplying Electricity to Floridians

Solar Panels at NASA's Kennedy Space Center

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A newly constructed solar power facility at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Fla., officially is providing electricity to Florida homes. NASA, Florida Power & Light, or FPL, and political leaders commissioned FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center on Thursday.

The 10-megawatt solar plant was built by FPL, Florida’s largest utility. It will feed FPL’s electric grid, generating energy for more than 1,000 homes and reducing annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 227,000 tons.

FPL built a separate 1-megawatt solar power facility at Kennedy as part of this unique public-private partnership between NASA and FPL. That facility has been supplying the space center with electricity since late 2009.

“NASA is a pioneer in the use of solar power for space exploration, so it’s fitting that we’re working with FPL to expand the use and R&D of that renewable energy source at Kennedy where many of those missions were launched,” said Bob Cabana, director of the Kennedy Space Center. “This type of commercial partnership with NASA helps provide Florida residents, and America’s space program, with new sources of green power that reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and improve the environment.”

“Florida is poised to be a leader in America’s growing clean-energy economy, which naturally includes solar power,” said Rep. Suzanne Kosmas of Florida. “Bringing new clean-energy jobs to our communities is one of my top priorities. This joint effort between NASA and FPL is an example of how we can create jobs while investing in common-sense solutions to the economic, environmental and national security challenges we face today.”

The 10-megawatt facility features approximately 35,000 highly efficient solar photovoltaic panels from SunPower Corporation on 60 acres at Kennedy. The panels are 50 percent more efficient than conventional solar panels.

“Like NASA, FPL is looking beyond the horizon. FPL’s Space Coast Next Generation Solar Energy Center is an important part of our state’s clean-energy future, but large-scale solar projects like this one also have a very positive impact on the economy today,” said FPL President and CEO Armando J. Olivera. “Projects like this and our Next Generation Solar Energy Centers in Martin and DeSoto give Florida the opportunity to create and attract clean-energy jobs and produce millions of dollars in new revenue for local governments while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and fighting the effects of climate change at the same time.”

Plans also are being discussed to expand the 10-megawatt facility’s generating capacity to 100-megawatts at another Kennedy location. This expansion of the solar facilities is contingent on regulatory support and the passage of renewable energy legislation at the state level. If proven environmentally and economically feasible, an expansive field of photovoltaic solar panels will be constructed in phases on 500 or more acres of fallow Kennedy agricultural land and integrated into the utility’s grid. A dedicated research and development facility to support continual improvement of solar renewable energy also would be established by SunPower and FPL’s other partners at Kennedy’s upcoming business complex, Exploration Park.

The proposed projects are being pursued under a five-year Memorandum of Understanding entered into by Kennedy and FPL in 2007 to promote jointly developed projects in renewable technologies.

(source www.nasa.gov)

For more information about NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, visit:

http://www.nasa.gov/kennedy