Nirec: Nevada Institute for Renewable Energy Commercialization News Feed

Wind Turbine Manufacturing Plant in Southern Nevada

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

A consortium of companies plan to open a wind turbine manufacturing plant in Southern Nevada that would employ up to 1,000 workers. U.S. Renewable Energy Group, A-Power Generation Systems, and American Nevada Company plan to manufacture and assemble highly advanced wind turbines that would be supplied to renewable energy projects throughout North and South America. U.S. Renewable Energy Group stated that a minimum of 70% of each wind turbine will be manufactured in the United States from American Steel.

ARPA-E Summit - Reinventing Energy

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

The gathering in National Harbor, MD hosted green tech investors, policy makers and scientists, all of whom are focused on hitting the next clean energy "home run". The government run Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) is focused on specific technology goals that could be accomplished within the next few years. The DOE has assembled a top notch team to vet applications, but has turned away around three quarters of applications due to extremely tight competition.

DOE Secretary Chu Gives Innovation a Kick Start

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Using historical technology breakthroughs as the model for making new discoveries in clean tech, Secretary Chu delivered the opening key note speech at the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy conference. He announced that ARPA-E is taking solicitations for grid storage technologies, energy efficient air conditioners, and chips to power electronics efficiently. Chu also touched on focusing researchers in a specific area, but allowing them freedoms to work on cutting edge technology which advances innovation.

Brookings Institution Fellow Talks Climate Change

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

Adele Morris focuses on energy and natural resource policies related to economics of climate change, and is a fellow and policy director at the Brookings Institution which runs the Brookings Mountain West think tank in partnership with UNLV. In this interview, she examines the delayed effects of climate change and how choices we make today won't impact us for many years.

Kauffman Foundation Launches Clean Energy Innovation Online Network

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Energy Innovation Network will provide links to technologies, entrepreneurs, financing, buyers and policymakers, allowing energy entrepreneurs access to much needed resources. The Network was announced at the Energy Innovation Summit which was co-hosted by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation and the Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy.

BrightSource Energy Gets $2.4 Billion U.S. Guarantee

Mon, 22 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

President Obama gave his biggest backing of a renewable energy project yet to BrightSource Energy to build three solar thermal plants that are expected to generate around 400 megawatts of electricity, enough to power 140,000 homes. The company, which has investors such as Google and Silicon Valley fund VantagePoint Venture Partners among its investors, has contracts to deliver more than 2600 megawatts to California utilities PG&E and Southern California Edison.

Co-Processing of Carbohydrates and Lipids in Oil Crops to Produce a Hybrid Biodiesel

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

NIREC RFP 1 awardee Dr. Mark Mascal explains the need to produce a Biofuel from a feedstock that is unrelated to the human food chain. He also explains a potential methodology he found that will increase the overall yield of fuel produced by oil crops.

Boulder City Solar Plant gets $2.9 Million Grant

Thu, 18 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

The Spanish Company that is expanding their Solar Plant in Boulder City, NV received a $2.9 million grant from the United States Government in lieu of a tax credit as part of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009. The grant will allow developers to recoup 30 percent of the cost of building a renewable energy generator. The program allows the company to receive funds much earlier than if they were to wait for tax credits.

San Francisco Prepares for Electric Cars

Sun, 14 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

New building code requires that all structures be wired for electric car chargers in preparation for the introduction of the first mass-market electric cars from U.S. Automakers. Utility companies are intently focusing on working with automakers to sort out coming issues like reinforcing electric grids and finding locations for charging stations.

A State Cannot Rely Solely on Low Taxes to Stimulate its Economy

Wed, 10 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

A high education attainment-based economy and the concentration of a state's knowledge-based work force are more accurate predictors of a state's prosperity than tax rates. NIREC President and CEO Jim Croce explores recent studies supporting education and knowledge-based jobs as the answer for a sustainable economy.

President Obama Announces Biofuel and Clean Coal Strategy

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

At a meeting with a bipartisan group of Governors from around the country, President Obama announced a series of steps the Administration is taking to enhance American energy independence. The three measures the President laid out as part of his strategy are a Renewable Fuels Standard, Biomass Crop Assistance Program, and a Biofuels Working Group. The President also announced a Presidential Memorandum for a Comprehensive Strategy on Carbon Capture and Storage.

President Obama Announces Energy Budget Request

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 00:00:00 EST

The $24.8 billion budget was detailed by U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu, highlighting the Administration's commitment to provide clean energy jobs, invest in research and innovation, maintain nuclear security, and curb greenhouse gasses. The budget also requests the Department of Energy places more emphasis on fiscal reform.