Tidewater Current | Spring 2011

Transmitting enlightening news & information about sustainable endeavors in Coastal Virginia and beyond. Updated weekly.

 

Renewable Energy:

News: Wind | Solar | Marine | Biomass | Transmission | Storage

Catch of the Day: Wind Power?turbinepic

It’s not on any restaurant menu, but harvesting offshore wind energy has created quite a buzz in the region. Given the concerns associated withtraditional power production, it’s a welcome sign to see that the government and private sector are gearing up to tap the vast and benign energy in offshore wind.   Numerous consortiums, committees, etc.  have been formed to explore and navigate the uncharted  US waters associated with wind farm development on the outer continental shelf.  Read Full Article.

5/27/11 - Clean Energy A 100 Percent Goal In Scotland - http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/05/clean-energy-a-100-percent-goal-in-scotland/

Wind

June 22, 2011 - Virginia Offshore Wind Conference - Virginia Beach Convention Center http://vawind2011.com/

6/6/11 - Texas Offshore Wind Energy Project Poised to be 'First in the Water' | The Energy Collective‏- http://theenergycollective.com/jessejenkins/58832/texas-offshore-wind-energy-project-poised-be-first-water

6/5//11 - Conference speakers tout the benefits of wind power (Richmond, VA) - http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/jun/05/tdmet01-conference-speakers-tout-the-benefits-of-w-ar-1086004/

6/3/11 - A 'Big Thumbs Up' for Renewable Energy - http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/03/business/energy-environment/03iht-RBOG-Kanter03.html

6/1/11 - Offshore wind hits financial straights in U.S. | SmartPlanet - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/offshore-wind-hits-financial-straights-in-us/6705

5/31/11 - Wind energy conference set to jolt the McDonnell administration into action- Richmond Progressive | Examiner.com - http://www.examiner.com/progressive-in-richmond/wind-energy-conference-set-to-jolt-the-mcdonnell-administration-into-action

5/30/11 - UK to set up offshore wind and wave innovation hothouse - Innovation - Renewable energy news - Recharge - http://www.rechargenews.com/business_area/innovation/article258815.ece

5/27/11 - North Carolina bill seeks 2.5GW of offshore wind by 2027 - Politics - Renewable energy news - Recharge - http://www.rechargenews.com/business_area/politics/article258412.ece

5/25/11 - U.S. Wind Power Increasingly Amerian-made (Creating U.S. Manufacturing Jobs) - http://cleantechnica.com/2011/05/25/u-s-wind-power-increasingly-american-made-creating-u-s-manufacturing-jobs/

5/25/11 - New Obama Administration Rule Paves Way for Offshore Wind Power http://ecopolitology.org/2011/05/25/new-obama-administration-rule-paves-way-for-offshore-wind-power/

5/20/11 - Offshore Wind Transmission 'Backbone' Clears One Hurdle, Faces Several More - NYTimes.com - http://www.nytimes.com/cwire/2011/05/20/20climatewire-offshore-wind-transmission-backbone-clears-on-2793.html

5/18/111 - NC Senate explores the possibility of wind farms off the coast - The Daily Tarheel

5/18/11 - Floating Offshore Turbine Tested -View EngineerLive Article

5/8/11 - New Jersey issues last permits for pilot offshore wind farm - Wind - Renewable energy news - Recharge - http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wind/article255580.ece

5/4/11 - Huge Surge in Offshore Wind Expected http://www.sustainablebusiness.com/index.cfm/go/news.display/id/22355

4/27/11 - Wind Energy Gains in N.C. - http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/27/1156244/wind-energy-gains-in-nc.html

4/26/11 - Off Shore Wind Farm Leasing Could Begin This Year - http://www.leesburg2day.com/news/article_687f3542-7003-11e0-a149-001cc4c03286.html

4/26/11 -VA offshore wind leasing planned for late 2011 http://offshorewindwire.com/2011/04/26/roundup-va-leasing-late-2011/

4/24/11 - Navy fires up wind turbines as part of energy-use goals | HamptonRoads.com | PilotOnline.com - http://hamptonroads.com/2011/04/navy-fires-wind-turbines-part-energyuse-goals-0

4/22/11 - Navy installs three wind turbines in Va. Beach | 13NEWS / WVEC.com | Hampton Roads News, Breaking News | wvec.com | News for Hampton Roads, Virginia - http://www.wvec.com/news/Navy-installs-three-wind-turbines-in-VAB-120503354.html

4/21/11 - Gearless Wind Turbine Launches Today - http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/04/honeywell-wind-turbine-windtronics-launch.html

4/19/11 -Cape Wind Power Project Wins U.S. Backing for Construction - Bloomberg http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-19/cape-wind-power-project-wins-u-s-backing-for-construction-1-.html

4/15/11 - U.S. Wind Industry Continues Growth - http://www.onlinetes.com/renewable-wind-energy-manufacturing-design-growth-041511.aspx

4/14/11 - Solar and wind energy could power your traffic lights - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/transportation/solar-and-wind-energy-could-power-your-traffic-lights/313

4/12/11 - Offshore windmills weather crisis | The Japan Times Online ‏http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110412f3.html

4/6/11 - NJ DEP Grants Permit for Wind Farm off NJ Coast - http://www.nbc40.net/news/17105/

4/5/11 - This northeast NC wind farm has a chance - Technology - NewsObserver.com http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/04/05/1105591/this-wind-farm-has-a-chance.html

4/5/11 - Bluewater wins Shore wind rights http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20110405/OPI05/104050362

4/4/11 - Atlantic Wind Connection - http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-real-can-u.s.-offshore-wind-get/

4/1/11 - Offshore Wind Projects/Transmission Interest - http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/plans-offshore-wind-energy-inch-forward

4/1/11 - High initial offshore wind costs expected to drop - http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/apr/01/tdbiz01-offshore-wind-energy-costs-are-high-now-bu-ar-942367/

4/1/11 - Atlantic Wind Connection Offshore Transmission Line Application - http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/offshore-wind-backbone-begins-to-take-shape/?partner=rss&emc=rss

3/30/2011 - The Zoetrope: A Do it Yourself Wind Turbine - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/30/make-your-own-wind-turbine_n_842560.html

3/29/2011 -Gamesa wins approval to survey for site for first offshore turbine near mouthof the Bay
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/va-approves-surveys-wind-turbine-chesapeake-bay

3/27/11- Dare County to Hear Wind Turbine Proposal http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/dare-county-hear-wind-turbine-proposal

Bluewater/Offshore project in Delaware http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20110325/NEWS02/103250353/Bluewater-wins-right-to-take-the-next-step?odyssey=tab%7Cmostpopular%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE

Wise Va Solar and Wind Projects http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/mar/22/southwest-va-energy-summit-focuses-here-and-now-ar-918973/

Offshore wind projects making headway, yet 2  VA companies face setbacks:
http://offshorewindwire.com/2011/03/09/federal-planning-setbacks-opportunities/

Blade Manufacturer  AC Wind plans facility in Salisbury MD
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2011/03/07/business-us-md-offshore-wind-factory_8343068.html

Wind power picking up steam as renewable energy option – Offshore operations show the most potential: By Laura Lutz.  From the Bay Journal March 2011
http://www.bayjournal.com/article.cfm?article=4028

DOE loan for Maine wind farm
http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/03/us-usa-wind-loan-idUSTRE7226Y320110303

Virginia legislature supports offshore wind
http://offshorewindwire.com/2011/02/25/va-passes-offshorewind-resolution/

20,000 Acre Wind Farm Planned in NC
http://outerbanksvoice.com/2011/01/27/oregon-company-eyeing-20000-acres-for-wind-farm/

 http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/01/28/2015484/first-commercial-scale-wind-farm.html#ixzz1FyAeVCn7

Momemtun for Offshore Wind Accelerating - View Virginian-Pilot Article
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/federal-offshore-wind-energy-initiative-announced-norfolk

Jan-2011 – NASA Langley investigates flying wind turbine
http://www.hreda.com/news/article/60

Wind Power Operations Open in Chesapeake
http://www.hreda.com/news/article/61

Offshore VAWT
http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/16425/eti-shows-viability-of-vertical-axis-offshore-wind-turbines/

Concerns abouut ATC in NJ – Fear of Higher rates
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/11/0221/2024/

12/2010 –Google investing $5 billion in offshore wind energy transmission http://ecogeek.org/wind-power/3325-google-investing-5-billion-in-offshore-wind-corrid



Solar

6/8/11 - GOP Ally for Senator Sanders's 10 Million Solar Roofs Bill | Reuters - http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/08/idUS41670750020110608

6/8/11 - You Can Now Easily Share Your Solar Power System's Performance on Facebook – CleanTechnica: Cleantech innovation news and views - http://cleantechnica.com/2011/06/08/you-can-now-easily-share-your-solar-power-systems-performance-on-facebook/

6/1/11 - Why Knowledge is (Solar) Power - Should you put solar panels on our roof? - http://theenergycollective.com/marcgunther/58570/why-knowledge-solar-power

5/28/11 - GE: Solar cheapest energy form in 5 years | Phoenix Business Journal - http://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/blog/business/2011/05/solar-as-the-cheapest-form-of-energy.html

5/26/11 - Vermont Streamlines Small-Scale Solar Power - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/05/26/solar-power-vermont_n_867430.html

5/23/11 - Japan May Require Solar Panels on All New Buildings by 2030 - http://cleantechnica.com/2011/05/23/japan-may-require-solar-panels-on-all-new-buildings-by-2030/

5/20/11 - 1 MW Solar Farm Completed in North Carolina - http://domesticfuel.com/2011/05/20/1-mw-solar-farm-completed-in-north-carolina/

5/17/11 -Solar Panel Leases Become A Lowe's Item | EarthTechling‏ - http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/05/solar-panel-leases-become-a-lowes-item/

5/17/11 - New Solar Sheet Captures 90% of Sunlight - http://www.dailytech.com/New+Solar+Sheet+Captures+90+Percent+of+Sunlight/article21658.htm

5/9/11 - Solar Updates Marines' Arsenal - http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748704810504576307563280615054-lMyQjAxMTAxMDAwOTEwNDkyWj.html

5/4/11 - Solar Support is Shining Light in NJ - http://www.solarnovus.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2751:new-jersey-solar-support-is-a-shining-light&catid=75:editors-blogs&Itemid=352

5/11 - CST (concentrated solar) projects: CSIRO — EcoGeneration — The magazine for Australia's clean energy industry http://ecogeneration.com.au/news/cst_projects_csiro/056577/

5/1/11 - World's largest Solar Power Tower Plant now on-line - http://www.gizmag.com/worlds-largest-solar-power-tower-plant-now-on-line/11590/

4/30/11 - Race for Space Solar - http://www.truth-out.org/race-space-solar-energy/1304186557

4/29/11 - Solar providers' panel lease offer woos Texas homeowners | Energy | Chron.com - Houston Chronicle‏ http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/business/energy/7544263.html

4/29/11 - French oil company is to buy 60% of SunPower Corporation, the second biggest solar panel manufacturer in America http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/apr/29/total-solar-power-renewables

4/27/11 - Make A Cheap & Easy Solar USB Charger With An Altoids Tin : TreeHugger http://www.treehugger.com/files/2011/04/make-a-cheap-and-easy-solar-usb-charger-with-an-altoids-tin.php

4/25/11 -Bloomberg to Turn NY Landfills into Solar Power Plants - http://ecogeek.org/component/content/article/3489

4/25/11 - See-through solar windows see promise - http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/intelligent-energy/see-through-solar-windows-see-promise/5782?tag=mantle_skin;content

4/22/11 - Hollins University installs solar panels to save energy - WDBJ7‏ - http://articles.wdbj7.com/2011-04-22/solar-panels_29465164

4/19/11 - Echo Delivers More than Solar PV Power - http://www.jetsongreen.com/2011/04/echo-delivers-thermal-heat-electric-pv.html

4/18/11 - VT Parking garage to hold solar panels - http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/17421/parking-garage-to-hold-solar-panels

4/13/11 - Google invests US$168 million in world's largest solar power tower plant - http://www.gizmag.com/google-invests-168-million-in-solar-power-tower/18383/

4/11/11 -'Artificial leaf' makes hydrogen from solar cell | Green Tech - CNET News - http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20047814-54.html?tag=mncol;mlt_related

4/7/11 Anne Arundel Community College Installs One of the Largest Solar Carport Systems on the East Coast | Business Wire http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110407005435/en/Anne-Arundel-Community-College-Installs-Largest-Solar

4/7/11 - GE To Build Largest Solar Factory In The U.S. - Kerry A. Dolan - Shades of Green - Forbes http://blogs.forbes.com/kerryadolan/2011/04/07/ge-to-build-largest-solar-factory-in-the-u-s/

4/3/11 - Solar Panels that use the whole spectrum - http://zeroenergyconstruction.blogspot.com/2011/04/scientists-develop-affordable-solar.html

4/11 - Vertical Solar Farm integrated into Willis Tower in Chicago
http://ecogeek.org/component/content/article/3462

3/31/11 - Philadelphia Navy Yard to get solar storage | Green Tech - CNET News - http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20049262-54.html

3/25/11 -Solar Plant and 2 residential wind turbines Planned at NASA Eastern Shore - http://hamptonroads.com/2011/03/nasa-plans-sunenergy-project-eastern-shore

3/24/11 -Proposal for solar panels at NASA’s Wallop Island location
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/2839024d08874395a2f7a9b7c5ea95fc/VA--NASA-Wallops-Solar-Power/

Wise Va Solar and Wind Projects http://www2.tricities.com/news/2011/mar/22/southwest-va-energy-summit-focuses-here-and-now-ar-918973/

Tax Exemption for Solar System Passed In Harrisonburg
http://augustafreepress.com/2011/03/09/harrisonburg-passes-tax-exemption-as-incentive-for-solar-power/

Unique Solar Thermal System Installed at Richmond Home
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/mar/08/tdbiz01-henrico-man-installs-unusual-solar-system-ar-889557/

Site and maybe dates changes for the National Solar Decathlon
http://www.solardecathlon.gov/index.html

solardecathlon Says:
March 14, 2011 at 8:52 am - The U.S. Department of Energy has not yet finalized the dates for Solar Decathlon 2011. Although the event will occur within the September–October 2011 timeframe, specific dates have not been set. Once a decision is reached, we will post the dates on our Web site.

Solar Decathlon Home to be built at ODU
http://www.odu.edu/ao/news/index.php?todo=details&id=26466

Camden County Solar Farm
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/02/solar-farm-looks-be-first-tenant-business-park

Virginia Tobacco Commision funds 4MW Solar Farm for Dominion in Halifax - http://www.cleanenergyauthority.com/solar-energy-news/virginia-solar-facility-110110/

Murfreesboro Solar Farm - http://www.tidewaternews.com/2011/02/02/m’boro-solar-farm-to-power-700-homes/

DominionNC to purchase solar power from 510Nano in Northampton County - http://hamptonroads.com/2011/01/dominion-plugs-new-solar-plant-deal

Solar Shingles' Breakthrough Brings Chemical Giant into Solar Game - William Pentland - Clean Beta - Forbes - http://blogs.forbes.com/williampentland/2010/12/23/solar-shingles-breakthrough-brings-chemical-giant-into-solar-game/



Marine

5/28/11 - Tidal Energy Set For Thames River In London - http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/05/tidal-energy-set-for-thames-river-in-london/

5/27/11 - Oyster Wave Energy Device Seeks New Bed | EarthTechling - http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/05/oyster-wave-energy-device-seeks-new-bed/

5/9/11 - Ocean Power Technologies Commences in-Ocean Trials of New Generation Utility-Scale Wave Power Device - http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20110508005026/en/Ocean-Power-Technologies-Commences-in-Ocean-Trials-Generation

5/5/11 - New type of rechargeable battery – just add water - using the difference in salt content, energy can be generated - researchers hope to develop power plants from technology - http://www.gizmag.com/rechargeable-battery-freshwater-seawater/18565/

5/4/11 - Saving the Seas - Fixing the Water Cycle is Key (OTEC may help) - http://www.popsci.com/science/article/2011-04/perpetual-salt-fountain-otec-plant-might-allay-ocean-water-cycle-woes

5/9/11 - Wave power buoy tested off Scottish coast - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-highlands-islands-13338827

5/4/11 - Update: Floating Power Plant moves to US commercialisation (Poseidon Wave Wind Energy Platform)- http://www.rechargenews.com/energy/wave_tidal_hydro/article254628.ece

5/3/11 - Salty solution for energy generation - http://www.eco-business.com/news/salty-solution-for-energy-generation/

5/3/11 -New Oregon Base Joint Venture to sell Danish floating wind and wave popwer plant - http://www.ecoseed.org/water-power/wave-and-tidal-energy/article/64-wave-and-tidal-energy/9677-new-oregon-based-joint-venture-to-sell-danish-floating-wind-and-wave-power-plant-

4/25/11 - Oregon Wave energy Test Site Selected - http://www.earthtechling.com/2011/04/oregon-wave-energy-test-site-selected/

4/20/11 - Wave Power On Its Way to Oregon Shores - http://spectrum.ieee.org/energywise/energy/renewables/wave-power-on-its-way-to-oregon-shores

3/30/11 -MSNBC - Turning the tide | Dylan Ratigan - East River Kinetic Power Video- http://www.dylanratigan.com/2011/03/30/turning-the-tide/

3/2011 - Air Force Developing Wave Energy Converter
http://blogs.forbes.com/williampentland/2011/02/27/air-force-perfects-ocean-power/

General overview of wave power - http://www.reinforcedplastics.com/view/7435/maximising-wave-power/

Underwater Kites to capture energy from currents in Northern Ireland
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/environment/underwater-lsquokitesrsquo-set-to-power-northern-ireland-homes-by-2020-15099782.html#ixzz1Fy2kgkBo

Application for tidal plant in NYC’s East River
http://www.hydroworld.com/index/display/article-display/4482687834/articles/hydro-review/volume-30/issue-2/departments/the-leading-edge.html

OTEC/Osmosis
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704071304576160960543945214.html


 

Biomass

5/12/11 - GIANT SILO WILL STORE WOOD PELLETS
'Part of the energy future,' pellets made from wood waste will ship from Chesapeake to Europe by the tons, company says - view e-pilot link

4/25/11 - Wood-fueled power plant gets OK from supervisors | The Tidewater News - http://www.tidewaternews.com/2011/04/25/wood-fueled-power-plant-gets-ok-from-supervisors/

4/20/11 - McAuliffe studying wood pellet industry for paper mill - Daily Press - http://articles.dailypress.com/2011-04-20/news/dp-nws-franklin-pellet-20110420_1_wood-pellet-paper-mill-renewable-energy

Dominion Virginia to Turn Three Coal-Fired Plants to Biomass - By Ehren Goossens - Apr 1, 2011 3:54 PM ET - http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-04-01/dominion-virginia-power-plans-to-convert-three-coal-fired.html

VA Algae Farmer making pellet fuel - http://www.popularmechanics.com/outdoors/extreme-jobs/4333725


 

Waste

4/20/11 - Waste to Energy - http://www.techjournalsouth.com/2011/04/maryland-waste-to-energy-firm-fiberight-opens-15m-offering/


 

Transmission

5/29/11 - How electrical 'microgrids' might revolutionize power transmission - Sacramento Opinion - Sacramento Editorial | Sacramento Bee - http://www.sacbee.com/2011/05/29/3660062/the-conversation-how-electrical.html

4/11 - High Wire Act: Improving the Grid for Renewable Energy | World Resources Institute - http://www.wri.org/stories/2011/04/high-wire-act-improving-grid-renewable-energy

4/6/11 - Smart Grid Price Tag: $476 Billion; Benefits: $2 Trillion : Greentech Media - http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/smart-grid-price-tag-476-billion.-benefits-2-trillion/

4/4/11 - Atlantic Wind Connection - http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/how-real-can-u.s.-offshore-wind-get/

4/1/11 - Atlantic Wind Connection Offshore Transmission Line Application - http://green.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/04/01/offshore-wind-backbone-begins-to-take-shape/?partner=rss&emc=rss

A first: DoE guarantess loan on transmission line
http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20110215-716532.html

12/2010 –Google investing $5 billion in offshore wind energy transmission http://ecogeek.org/wind-power/3325-google-investing-5-billion-in-offshore-wind-corrid


 

Storage

5/12/11 New carbon 'sponge' could revolutionize energy storage-http://www.zdnet.com/blog/emergingtech/new-carbon-sponge-could-revolutionize-energy-storage/2573

5/4/11 - Compressed air energy storage - Energy Harvesting Journal - http://www.energyharvestingjournal.com/articles/compressed-air-energy-storage-00003358.asp?sessionid=1

5/4/11 - Anothre Cheap Way to Store Solar and Wind Power - http://cleantechnica.com/2011/05/04/another-cheap-way-to-store-solar-and-wind-power/

5/3/11 - EPRI Paper Provides Analysis of Energy Storage Applications and Technology Options, http://news.thomasnet.com/companystory/EPRI-Paper-details-energy-storage-applications-for-U-S-595514

5/2/11 - Beacon Power wins approval for second flywheel plant : Composites World - http://www.compositesworld.com/news/beacon-power-wins-approval-for-second-flywheel-plant

4/28/11 - The Networked Grid: Energy Storage Realities : Greentech Media - http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/the-networked-grid-energy-storage-realties/

4/20/11 - Update: Ionex Has a 1 MW Battery Ready for the Grid, EPRI issues ESS RFI : Greentech Media - http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/ionex-has-a-1-mw-battery-ready-for-the-grid/

4/15/11 -Duke Energy Bets Big on Better Batteries - William Pentland - Clean Beta - Forbes - http://blogs.forbes.com/williampentland/2011/04/15/duke-energy-bets-big-on-better-batteries/

4/14/11 - Duke Energy to Deploy Energy Storage Technology at Texas Wind Farm -- CHARLOTTE, N.C., April 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/duke-energy-to-deploy-energy-storage-technology-at-texas-wind-farm-119832729.html

3/31/11 - Philadelphia Navy Yard to get solar storage | Green Tech - CNET News - http://news.cnet.com/8301-11128_3-20049262-54.html

Feb 2011 – Offshore Wind Energy Storage - Pressurized Underwater Balloons
http://www.green-energy-news.com/arch/nrgs2011/20110012.html

Unique Solar Thermal System Installed at Richmond Home-Sand used to store heat
http://www2.timesdispatch.com/business/2011/mar/08/tdbiz01-henrico-man-installs-unusual-solar-system-ar-889557/

 

 

Home | Features | Renewable Energy | Green Building | Transportation | Conservation/Restoration | Organic Food | Events | Contact