News Archives
2010
November 8, 2010
Renewable Energy World
PG&E No Longer Pursuing Humboldt WaveConnect Ocean Energy Project
Although funding for the Humboldt project included $1.2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and $4.8 million in approved spending from the California Public Utilities Commission, a lack of experience with wave energy technology, uncertainty regarding environmental effects; the need for costly monitoring programs; and inability to expand the proposed site from the pilot phase led to PG&E's decision. They will evaluate characteristics of potential alternative sites.
September 17, 2010
California ISO
Grid Can Accommodate 20% by 2012 RPS
The California Independent System Operator Corp. (California ISO) and GE Energy Consulting have completed a renewable portfolio standard (RPS) integration study that suggests the state's electricity grid can handle a 20% penetration of renewable energy by 2012.
September 7, 2010
Department of Energy
DOE Announces $8.5 Million to Advance Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems
The Department of Energy's Sandia National Laboratories is investing $8.5 million for four projects that have reached Stage III of the Solar Energy Grid Integration Systems (SEGIS) program. Initiated in 2008, the SEGIS program is a partnership that includes DOE, Sandia National Laboratories, industry, utilities and universities. These projects address inverters and next generation controls and communications.
August 25, 2010
California Energy Commission
California Energy Commission awarded $1,626,587 from the Commission's Public Interest Energy Research (PIER) program for variety of research projects. The University of California at Davis received $580,907 for new location data and enhanced habitat suitability models for predicting the potential habitat and distribution of rare plants in the Mojave and Colorado deserts. The research will help provide information that can be used to help assess the impacts of renewable energy projects in the desert and in crafting effective mitigation measures within a regional context for such projects. Dr. Kara Moore and Patrick McIntyre from the UC Davis Evolution and Ecology department are collaborating on the project, along with research partners from the Jepson Herbarium at the University of California at Berkeley, the California Native Plant Society, and the California Department of Fish and Game.
August 6, 2010
Bob Lawrence & Associates, Inc. (BL&A) and the California Geothermal Energy Collaborative (CGEC)
New Website "GHPsRUS.com" Launched To Support Geothermal Heating And Cooling DOE Grant
BL&A and CGEC have been awarded a grant from the Department of Energy, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, to undertake a cost-benefit analysis regarding the use of ground source (i.e., geothermal) heat pumps for heating and cooling buildings nationwide. During the three year study, BL&A and the CGEC will undertake a massive data collection effort focused on the 30 largest metropolitan areas in the country.
Details: http://ghpsrus.com/about.html.
July 29, 2010
California Energy Commission
This development is significant in a RESCO context, as PACE financing has been recognized throughout the nation as a potential breakthrough financing option that allows building owners to fund permanent energy efficiency and on-site renewable energy improvements through voluntary assessments paid with their property taxes. California has been an early leader and innovator in developing and implementing the PACE financing concept. The City of Berkeley, City of Palm Desert and County of Sonoma piloted the first PACE programs beginning in 2008.
July 20, 2010
U.S. Department of Energy
DOE Announces $30 Million for Energy-Efficient Housing Partnerships including BIRA team lead, ConSol
Rob Hammon of ConSol led the BIRA team, and Cal-IRES submitted a letter of commitment for the proposal.
May 26, 2010
California Office of the Governor
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced that his Employment Development Department (EDD) will make available up to $20 million to fund the Green Innovation Challenge Grant program. The intent of the grant funding is to encourage industry leaders to find innovative methods designed to meet the needs of businesses to not only fill immediate employment needs, but also for the development of a partnership and infrastructure flexible enough to support employment growth for up to 10 years. Targeted technologies are: Renewable energy generation; Energy efficiency in buildings; Alternative and Renewable Fuels and Vehicles, including the associated components; Energy storage; and Water Efficiency.
April 13, 2010
EDSA Micro Corporation
EDSA and Viridity Energy will technically support a groundbreaking microgrid project, called RESCO, being deployed at the University of California, San Diego. RESCO stands for "Renewable Energy Secure Communities," a project funded by the California Energy Commission (CEC). The project consists of UC San Diego demonstrating integration of on-site renewable energy production. UC San Diego's campus-wide microgrid is recognized as one of the most technologically advanced in the world.
March 11, 2010
The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC)
CPUC Approves First Round of Grants for the California Solar Initiative (CSI) RD&D Program
The CSI RD&D Program is administered by Itron, Inc., as Program Manager, under the oversight of the CPUC. The CSI RD&D Program has a budget of $50 million, running through 2016. The eight grants totaling up to $9.3 million funded today are expected to be completed within two years.
2009
December 16, 2009
California Energy Commission
The final 2009 Integrated Energy Policy Report is available
The report contains assessments and forecasts of all aspects of energy industry supply, production, transportation, delivery and distribution, demand, and prices. It proposes policy and program direction to address th emany challenges facing California's energy future
http://www.energy.ca.gov/2009_energypolicy/index.html
Dec 12, 2009 - US DOE:
FACT SHEET: Clean Energy Technology Announcements
December 9, 2009
Department of Energy
DOE Launches New Website to Bring Energy Technology Information to the Public
Secretary Chu announced Open Energy Information (www.openEI.org) - a new open-source web platform that will make DOE resources and open energy data widely available to the public.
October 21, 2009
Gas Technology Institute (GTI)
GTI Adds Four New Members to Public Interest Advisory Committee
The PIAC is made up of public utility commissioners, consumer advocates, and environmental, economic, and university-based experts, and municipal gas company and R&D agency staff.
New Committee members include Gerald Braun, Associate Director, University of California Davis Energy Institute.
September 11, 2009
California ISO
Lower fees for builders of new, green power plants
Change will ease financial burden for California ISO cluster interconnection studies
April 16, 2009
California Energy Commission
CEC selects 13 projects for $13M of RESCO awards
Thirteen Proposals totaling over $12M in PIER funds and $19.5M in cost share with grantees were selected out of 51 proposals received.
April 2009
Biomass Magazine
UC Davis receives $3 million for renewable energy programs
To speed the transfer of renewable energy advances from research laboratories to homes and industries
April 15, 2009
UC San Diego Jacobs School of Engineering
UC San Diego and UC Davis Team to Boost Solar Power in California
Through the Collaborative, UC San Diego and UC Davis will reach out to utilities, research institutions, solar equipment manufacturers, regulatory agencies, as well as to investors interested in funding these new technologies.