TODO: Figure out what the title should be

Smart Cities Executive Evening

05.17.2012 - 06:01PM

AGRION presents the Smart Cities Executive Evening, sponsored by JETRO and Schneider Electric.

Join us for an evening of dinner and networking, while we discuss opportunities for creating smarter urban infrastructure in a world challenged by resource constraints.

Panelists will explore financing distributed generation in urban areas, integrating energy efficiency and renewable energy into existing buildings, and modernizing transportation and the grid. Speakers Include:

CBS EcoMedia, Paul Polizzotto, President
Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Michel Di Capua Head of US Analysis
NRG Energy, Eric Curry Director, Strategic Partnerships
Alliances IBM, Joe Phillips Director of Smarter Cities/ Smart Buildings
McKinsey, Dr. Nikhil Krishnan Associate Principal
Schneider Electric, Mike Calise, Director of Electric Vehicle Business
Zipcar, Jon Zeitler, Executive Vice President of Corporate Development
GE Energy, Michael Mahan, Product Manager, Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

This event is open to both members and non-members of the AGRION network. Please visit our site for more information. www.agrion.org #SmartCitiesEE @AGRION

Solar Electric Light Fund Receives Grand Challenges Explorations Grant for Groundbreaking Research in Global Health and Development

05.09.2012 - 02:00PM

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) announced today that it is a Grand Challenges Explorations winner, an initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Steven McCarney, SELF Project Manager, will pursue an innovative global health and development research project, titled, “Development and Field Testing of a “Battery Free” Solar Freezer for Immunization Support.”

Grand Challenges Explorations (GCE) funds individuals worldwide to explore ideas that can break the mold in how we solve persistent global health and development challenges. SELF’s project is one of over 100 Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 grants announced today by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

“Grand Challenges Explorations encourages individuals worldwide to expand the pipeline of ideas where creative, unorthodox thinking is most urgently needed,” said Chris Wilson, director of Global Health Discovery and Translational Sciences at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “We’re excited to provide additional funding for select grantees so that they can continue to advance their idea towards global impact.”

To receive funding, Mr. McCarney and other Grand Challenges Explorations Round 8 winners demonstrated in a two-page online application a bold idea in one of five critical global heath and development topic areas that included agriculture development, immunization and nutrition. Applications for the current open round, Grand Challenges Explorations Round 9, will be accepted through May 15, 2012.

Mr. McCarney’s project is designed to accelerate the development and field testing of two solar powered, battery-free vaccine icepack freezers to support immunization efforts. Currently, the World Health Organization (WHO) does not have such a prequalified freezer system; this project will conduct field tests of solar powered, battery-free freezers alongside WHO prequalified battery-free vaccine refrigerators at remote health posts in two Colombian indigenous villages in the Sierra Nevada mountains. If successful, immediate deployment of the freezers will begin.

“We are honored and very excited about this grant. Steve’s innovative thinking will help to ensure the vaccination of many more people, and we’re proud to have him on our team,” said Bob Freling, SELF’s Executive Director. “Our work in the field has shown that the vast majority – approximately two-thirds – of solar system equipment failures have been the batteries. This can be costly, and depending on where the system is located, it can also be logistically difficult to ship the amount of batteries needed to maintain its operation. Our pioneering work to power vaccine refrigerators with solar energy and without batteries – and now for the first time, freezers – provides a sustainable and reliable way to preserve vaccines and medicines in remote areas.”

About Grand Challenges Explorations

Grand Challenges Explorations is a US$100 million initiative funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Launched in 2008, over 600 people in 45 countries have received Grand Challenges Explorations grants. The grant program is open to anyone from any discipline and from any organization. The initiative uses an agile, accelerated grant-making process with short two-page online applications and no preliminary data required. Initial grants of US$100,000 are awarded two times a year. Successful projects have the opportunity to receive a follow-on grant of up to US$1 million.

About SELF

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF) is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit whose mission is to implement solar energy solutions to assist those living in energy poverty with economic, education, health and agricultural development. Its Whole Village Development Model takes an innovative approach to designing and implementing integrated solar systems to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people living in worldwide energy poverty. Since 1990, SELF has completed projects in more than 20 countries, pioneering unique applications of solar power for drip irrigation in Benin, health care in Haiti, telemedicine in the Amazon rainforest, online learning in South Africa, and microenterprise development in Nigeria. Connect with SELF on the web at www.SELF.org; on Twitter @solarfund; and at Facebook.com/solarelectriclightfund.

World Energy Forum Taps Infinite Resource: Intellectual Capital

05.02.2012 - 09:00AM

The World Energy Forum is holding a high-level international conference of leaders from all energy sectors commemorating the 2012 United Nations International Year of Sustainable Energy for All. This historical event will take place October 22-24, 2012 in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, with a three-day program of high-level round tables, plenaries, network events, World Energy Awards, country pavilions and exhibitions, and visits to Dubai’s smart buildings.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arabs Emirates and Ruler of Dubai, all interested parties and stakeholders are invited. “We in the UAE greatly value this opportunity to share with the world leaders and decision makers, our vision for peace, stability and sustainable development,” His Highness said.

Participants including Heads of State and Energy Ministers of the United Nations member states, international organizations, and business leaders, will exchange new ideas on global energy issues of paramount importance. The discussions will highlight national and international policies, technological innovations, and business and industry opportunities while exploring ways to strengthen public-private partnerships across diverse sectors of energy.

The conference will also serve as a unique opportunity for all energy sectors to work together toward social responsibility for the underserved, including an estimated one and a half billion people without electricity. Often in areas where energy services are available, millions of poor people are still unable to pay for them.

“Energy is fundamental to the hopes and aspirations of all humanity,” said Dr. Harold Hyun-Suk Oh, Chairman and Founder of the World Energy Forum. “Poverty eradication largely depends on energy availability. Access to modern energy services is essential to economic and social development across the globe.”

A comprehensive gathering of this kind is critical in a world where distribution of energy varies dramatically, and availability of solar, wind, fuel, gas, biomass, and hydropower is geographically diverse. Because energy is so broad of a discipline, it will take this wide range of participants from all walks of life to reach the full potential for understanding and solving complex issues. While tapping into many energy sources is critical to a healthy future, the top priority of the World Energy Forum is to harness an untapped infinite resource: intellectual capital.

“I welcome you, whether in the area of energy, water, health, education, innovation, planning, policy or technology, to participate and share your ideas with others at the World Energy Forum for a more affordable, cleaner, and safer energy mix,” said Dr. Harold Oh.

Today’s global energy community presides over an important juncture in human history when we are facing serious planetary challenges. Economic, social, and environmental choices we make now will greatly impact those who will inherit the Earth after us. The world is searching for new ways to guide us to the future. The World Energy Forum will help provide the road map.

The World Energy Forum 2012 international conference and exhibition is designed to be inclusive, offering an opportunity to all participants to showcase new ideas and achievements. For more information please email World Energy Forum or call 212.759.3185. Register here

Subscribe to the World Energy Monitor for updates on the event, and other ways to participate in this important conversation.

Media Inquiries

White House And Department Of Energy Officials To Address The USC Green Symposium During Earth Week

04.23.2012 - 01:06PM

Energy, transportation, developer, and construction industry innovators will descend upon Los Angeles April 24th to lead the USC Green Symposium. In addition to addressing energy and transportation issues, the 18^th Annual University of Southern California Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Symposium provides scholarships to students entering sustainability-centric careers in architecture, engineering and construction.

"We continue in the USC tradition of developing the next generation of talent that is crucial to insure future industry innovation and leadership helping Californians compete in the larger world economy. With the symposium largely student-run, we are students helping students reach their educational aspirations to the benefit of our communities," said Angela Noah, Symposium Co-Chair.

Highlights include participation by Ron Litzinger, President of Southern California Edison, who will be honored with the Symposium's 2012 Leadership Award for his decades of service with Southern California Edison and leadership providing energy solutions for California. The Ivanpah Solar Project will receive the 2012 Energy Project of the Year from the organization. The project was selected for its innovative approach to partnerships, contribution to job creation in the region and providing a shining example by being the world's largest solar installation, reinforcing California's position as the leader of renewable energy in the United States. Michael Allman, CEO of Southern California Gas will receive the organization's 2012 Green Innovators Award.

Participation from the state and federal level includes newly appointed White House Federal Environmental Executive Jonathan Powers; Dr. Ilan Gur, U.S. Department of Energy Senior Advisor; California Energy Commission Chairman Dr. Robert Weisenmiller and its Executive Director Robert Oglesby.

"The USC CMAA Green Symposium has evolved to unite major players from a wide spectrum of the building, transportation and energy ecosystem – academics, researchers, builders, investors, corporate executives and government officials – to share ideas for developing and deploying the next wave of clean energy technologies and to collaborate on how new energy solutions are built in the United States," Symposium co-chair Caroline Fletcher said.

About the 2012 USC Green Symposium

The University of Southern California (USC) chapter of the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) has provided an educational forum for the construction, design, architecture, contractor, and developer industries since 1994. Showcasing everything from sustainable construction to transportation, the USC Green Symposium attracts established environmental-sustainability professionals from across the region. Visit www.uscgreensymposium.com for more information.

CleanEdison Offers Free Webinar Series in Solar, BPI, Commercial Energy Auditing, Geothermal & Auto-Hybrid Trainning

04.20.2012 - 06:14PM

“Building America's Workforce and A Better World,” CleanEdison is our nation's premier green-collar job training company, and announced its new, job creation initiative today. In honor of Earth Day, the company will offer free online live and recorded webinars about its courses in solar, USGBC (US Green Building Council) LEED exam prep, BPI (Building Performance Institute) certification, commercial energy auditing, IGSHPA/NATE (International Ground Source Heat Pump Assocation/North American Technician Excellence) geothermal and auto-hybrid training technologies.

CleanEdison has the largest open enrollment training program in the nation. Having trained 10,000 students in 49 states, the company is eager to make an even larger impact. With more than 1,000 hours of curriculum available, CleanEdison wants to make learning about its training accessible to all to further jumpstart our clean economy.

“I was inspired by President Clinton during Earth Week at CraigMichaels' Sustainable Operations Summit,” said Avi Yashchin, CEO of CleanEdison. “He said people should not have to pay out of pocket to invest in clean energy. We are not there yet. However, our we would be thrilled to open our online gateway to help people learn for free, removing financial education barriers.”

Starting Monday, April 23^rd, the day after Earth Day, CleanEdison will offer free online live and recorded webinars where people interested in getting started in solar, USGBC LEED, BPI, commercial energy auditing, geothermal and auto-hybrid training technologies. To sign up or learn more about the offer, email robert.dodd@cleanedison.com.

ABOUT CLEANEDISON

“Building America's Workforce and A Better World,” CleanEdison trains people, teaching and certifying them with new skills to build their career future. Works with federal, state and local governments, building design and construction firms, owners, operators and real estate investors. CleanEdison's database brings the latest technology and products, government incentive programs, grants, and financing solutions to bring projects from start to finish. Courses in US Green Building Council’s LEED, BPI Certification, energy auditing, solar, IGSHPA/NATE geothermal and renewable energy.

CleanEdison CEO Avi Yashchin is an expert resource and outspoken advocate on economic policy, employment, clean technology, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, our new economy & sustainability financing. Avi is a former VP in Global Credit Products & traded in the Energy, MLP & Financials sectors and has a BS from Johns Hopkins and MBA from NYU Stern.

NEW INFORMATION RELEASED WEEKLY

From the number of participants who completed training by state, to new government incentives available, to quantifiable NEW JOBS. Email marissa.feinberg@cleanedison.com for updates. Or join the conversation on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/pages/CleanEdison/181613130561) and Twitter (twitter.com/CleanEdison).

Porter Airlines Operates Bombardier Q400 Aircraft in Canada's First Biofuel-Powered Revenue Flight

04.17.2012 - 01:37PM

Program funded by the key partners and by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) Program through GARDN

(Marketwire) -- Porter Airlines today successfully conducted the first biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada. In the successful conclusion to a test program that was launched in 2010, the airline flew one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprops from its base at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Ottawa using a 50/50 blend of biofuel and Jet A1 fuel in one of its engines.

The fuel was certified to the new American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566/D1655 standard and the biofuel used was derived from the oilseed crops, Camelina sativa(i) (49 per cent) and Brassica carinata(i) (one per cent). The aircraft's other engine was powered by Jet A1 fuel. The flight included passengers making their way to Ottawa for business and pleasure, representatives from the biofuel test program's partnering organizations and media.

This is the final step in a two-year project whose key members are Targeted Growth, Bombardier Aerospace, Pratt and Whitney Canada, the manufacturer of the PW150A engines that power the Q400 aircraft, and Porter Airlines. Funding for the biofuel test program was provided by the key partners, as well as by Business-Led Networks of Centres of Excellence (BL-NCE) through the Green Aviation Research & Development Network (GARDN).

Additional support to the program was provided by Agrisoma Biosciences Inc., which grew the carinata and produced the carinata bio-oil; Sustainable Oils, which crushed the camelina to make the camelina bio-oil; Honeywell UOP, which converted the bio-oils into the bio-derived jet fuel to meet the D7566 standard; and SkyNRG who were responsible for logistics and blending meeting the D1655 specification.

"In a fitting tribute to Earth Day 2012, which is now less than a week away, we are delighted that one of our Bombardier Q400 turboprops has become the first aircraft to successfully conduct a biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada," said Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines. "The use of biofuels promises to significantly reduce the level of emissions produced by commercial aircraft worldwide, and Porter is honoured to have contributed to this test program in Canada."

"The success of this biofuel test program, which utilized a Bombardier Q400 aircraft, speaks volumes about the ability of the aviation and other communities to work together towards producing a more sustainable aviation industry," said Helene V. Gagnon, Vice President, Public Affairs, Communications and Corporate Social Responsibility, Bombardier Aerospace. "But that's not the only milestone achieved today. This is the first time that a revenue flight in Canada was powered by biofuel, so we've achieved a first for Canada. "

"When this biofuel project was submitted in October 2010, the Private Sector Advisory Board, a strategic body comprised of respected Canadian industry leaders, approved it with complete confidence and praised it very high value added, world-class experts and very good focus," said Sylvain Cofsky, Executive Director of GARDN. "Eighteen months later, today's flight proves they were right and I am extremely proud of GARDN's contribution to this very promising success in the field of aviation."

"We are firmly committed to ensuring that our products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle, outperforming the most stringent ICAO standards," said Daniel Breitman, Vice President, Engine Development Programs, Pratt & Whitney Canada. "We have implemented new technologies to significantly reduce fuel consumption, environmental emissions and engine noise in our latest generation of engines and we are developing cutting-edge green technologies for the future, to help the aerospace industry reach its commitment of reducing its overall footprint."

"Targeted Growth was very pleased to be involved in this project," said Robert Woods, president, Targeted Growth. "Partnerships such as this one help demonstrate market confidence that spurs the critical research and development required to advance feedstock productivity."

On February 9, 2012, in preparation for Porter's revenue flight, Bombardier flew a Q400 turboprop test aircraft on the ASTM D7566/D1655 bio-derived jet fuel. This was the first such biofuel-powered test flight in Canada.

About Q400 aircraft

The Q400 turboprop airliner, which is built at Bombardier's Toronto, Ontario facility, is the advanced successor to Bombardier's Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. Optimized for short-haul operations, the "comfortably greener," 70- to 80-seat Q400 aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.

Setting new environmental standards, the Q400 aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets. Overall, the Q400 aircraft is 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards; raising the bar for the entire industry.

More than 380 Q400 aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers.

About Bombardier

A world-leading manufacturer of innovative transportation solutions, from commercial aircraft and business jets to rail transportation equipment, systems and services, Bombardier Inc. is a global corporation headquartered in Canada. Its revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, were $18.3 billion, and its shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (BBD). Bombardier is listed as an index component to the Dow Jones Sustainability World and North America indexes. News and information are available at www.bombardier.com or follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

About GARDN

GARDN - the Green Aviation Research and Development Network is a business-led Network of Centres of Excellence. Its mission is to promote aerospace technologies aimed at the protection of the environment. The seven themes of research targeted by GARDN are: noise and source emissions reduction, materials and manufacturing processes, airport and aircraft operations, alternative fuels and product lifecycle management. GARDN's activities are in support of the competitive excellence of Canadian aerospace products and services, the economic success of the member companies as well as the development and training of highly qualified personnel. www.gardn.org

About Porter Airlines

Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality and restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. An Official 4 Star Airline(R) in the World Airline Star Rating(R) by Skytrax, and rated second in the world in Conde Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards Top Small Airlines category, Porter is committed to providing a premium travel experience. Complimentary amenities include luxurious airport lounges, Starbucks coffee, premium snacks, and wine or beer onboard.

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), Washington, D.C., and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt. Visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.

About Pratt & Whitney Canada

Founded in 1928, and a global leader in aerospace, Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) is shaping the future of business aviation with dependable, high-technology engines. Every second, a P&WC-powered aircraft takes off or lands somewhere in the world. P&WC's engines, with close to 600 million hours in the air, are the industry benchmark for innovative design, dispatch reliability, operating economics and easy maintenance. P&WC is firmly committed to ensuring that its products are designed, produced and operated while minimizing environmental impacts throughout their life cycle.

There are currently more than 49,000 P&WC engines in service on more than 28,000 aircraft operated by some 10,200 operators in 200 countries. Based in Longueuil, Quebec (Canada), P&WC is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE: UTX). UTC is a diversified company providing high-technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries. News and information are available at www.pwc.ca.

About Targeted Growth

Targeted Growth was founded over a decade ago with a goal of developing technologies that would increase the productivity of existing farmland and improving novel crops for use on marginal land. Today, Targeted Growth is a global leader in bioscience, having developed technologies that both increase seed size and yield in commercial food crops and biofuel feedstocks. The company has strategic partnerships with leading researchers and agribusinesses around the world. More information is available at www.targetedgrowth.com.

Notes to editors

Images of Porter Airlines Q400 aircraft are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.

Photos and a video from today's event will be available at www.flickr.com/bombardieraerospace and http://www.youtube.com/bombardiervideos.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

(i)Camelina sativa and Brassica carinata are members of the family of flowering plants known as the Brassicaceae. The Brassicaceae also include well-known plants such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and turnips.

Bombardier, Dash 8, NextGen, Q400 and Q-Series are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

Porter Airlines to Conduct Canada's First Biofuel-Powered Revenue Flight

03.22.2012 - 03:00PM

(Marketwire) - In mid-April, Porter Airlines plans to use one of its Bombardier Q400 turboprop airliners to conduct the first biofuel-powered revenue flight in Canada. On February 9, 2012, in preparation for Porter's upcoming flight, a Bombardier Q400 turboprop test aircraft became the first aircraft in Canada to fly on the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) D7566 bio-derived jet fuel, which was recently certified.

"We are timing our biofuel-powered flight close to Earth Day to emphasize the contribution that biofuels are expected to make in helping the aviation industry meet its targeted reduction in emissions," said Robert Deluce, President and Chief Executive Officer, Porter Airlines. "Q400 and Q400 NextGen aircraft are already among the 'greenest' aircraft in the world and the use of biofuel will make the aircraft even more environmentally conscious."

Porter's biofuel-powered revenue flight will utilize a 50/50 blend of biofuel with Jet A1 fuel. The biofuel portion is derived from the oilseed crop, Camelina sativa* (49 per cent) and Brassica carinata* (one per cent).

"The two-hour preparatory flight was flawless and the bio-derived fuel performed as expected," said Mike Arcamone, President, Bombardier Commercial Aircraft. "During the flight, the Q400 aircraft successfully undertook several maneuvers including engine-out climbs, rapid engine accelerations and cruising to verify the performance of the aircraft while using the bio-derived fuel."

Other key partners in the biofuel program, which was first announced in 2010, include Saskatchewan-based Targeted Growth Canada (TGC), the producer of the crop of Camelina sativa and Pratt & Whitney Canada, the manufacturer of the PW150A engines that power the Q400 aircraft. Funding for the program is being provided by the partners as well as by the Green Aviation Research & Development Network (GARDN).

Further details regarding Porter's biofuel-powered revenue flight will be released in the coming weeks.

About Q400 aircraft

The Q400 turboprop airliner, which is built at Bombardier's Toronto, Ontario facility, is the advanced successor to Bombardier's Dash 8/Q-Series family of aircraft. Optimized for short-haul operations, the "comfortably greener," 70- to 80-seat Q400 aircraft is a large, fast, quiet and fuel-efficient turboprop. It provides an ideal balance of passenger comfort and operating economics with a reduced environmental footprint.

Setting new environmental standards, the Q400 aircraft uses 30 to 40 per cent less fuel and produces 30 to 40 per cent fewer emissions on routes where it has replaced similar-capacity, older jets. Overall, the Q400 aircraft is 15 decibels quieter than ICAO Chapter 4 noise standards; raising the bar for the entire industry.

More than 380 Q400 aircraft are in service with approximately 40 operators in 30 countries, on six continents. These aircraft have transported more than 177 million passengers.

About Porter Airlines

Founded in 2006, Porter Airlines has revolutionized short-haul flying with a warm and effortless approach to hospitality and restoring glamour and refinement to air travel. An Official 4 Star Airline® in the World Airline Star Rating® by Skytrax, and rated second in the world in Condé Nast Traveler's Readers Choice Awards Top Small Airlines category, Porter is committed to providing a premium travel experience. Complimentary amenities include luxurious airport lounges, Starbucks coffee, premium snacks, and wine or beer onboard.

The airline currently offers flights to Toronto, Ottawa, Montréal, Québec City, Moncton, Halifax, St. John's, Thunder Bay, Sault Ste. Marie, Sudbury, Timmins, Windsor, New York (Newark), Chicago (Midway), Boston (Logan), Washington, D.C., and has seasonal flights to Mt. Tremblant, Que., Myrtle Beach, S.C., and Burlington, Vt. Visit www.flyporter.com or call (888) 619-8622 for more information.

About GARDN

About Bombardier

Notes to editors

Images of Q400 aircraft in Porter Airlines and Bombardier liveries are available in the press releases section at: www.bombardier.com.

Follow @Bombardier_Aero on Twitter to receive the latest news and updates from Bombardier Aerospace.

*Camelina sativa and Brassica carinata are members of the family of flowering plants known as the Brassicaceae. The Brassicaceae also include well-known plants such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and turnips.

Bombardier, Dash 8, NextGen, Q400 and Q-Series are trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

BASF Acquires Extrusion Technology from B.C. Foam: PET Foams for the Wind Energy Sector

03.07.2012 - 04:03PM

BASF has purchased the PET foam business of the Italian company B.C. Foam S.p.A., headquartered in Volpiano. The companies have agreed not to disclose the purchase price for the transaction. The acquisition includes production facilities and intellectual property rights, as well as a special extrusion process which enables the production of high-performance PET foams with very high densities.

“By expanding our portfolio of sophisticated structural foams, this acquisition will enable BASF to further strengthen its position as a leading foam provider. These PET foams are primarily used in wind turbine rotor blades and will extend our product range for the growing global wind energy market,” explained Dr. Wolfgang Hapke, president of BASF’s Performance Polymers division.

PET foams are both temperature- and chemical-resistant. As well as being used in the wind energy sector, high quality PET foam boards are employed in lightweight composite materials that are particularly well-suited for applications in the automotive and aeronautics industries, as well as in shipbuilding.

“The development of specific system solutions and new types of materials plays a decisive role in bringing forward sustainable energy generation. We will benefit from the expertise and synergies resulting from the acquisition of extrusion technology from B.C. Foam,” said Dr. Christian Fischer, president of Advanced Materials & Systems Research at BASF.

About B.C. Foam S.p.A.
This Italian company with 12 employees and headquarters in Volpiano near Turin was established in 1999 and is a provider of PET foams, the associated plant technology, and PET films.

BASF for wind energy
BASF supports the development of wind power as a climate-friendly source of energy in the energy mix. BASF’s portfolio for wind power applications comprises epoxy and coating systems, foams, special grouting mortars and concrete additives as well as lubricants. The innovative solutions from BASF facilitate more efficient manufacturing, coating and maintenance of rotor blades, foundations, towers and gearboxes of wind turbines. In this way BASF helps to make wind turbines more profitable and more durable. BASF continually develops and improves its wind power portfolio in close cooperation with its customers. More on products for the wind energy industry at: www.windenergy.basf.com

About BASF
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company: The Chemical Company. Its portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. We combine economic success, social responsibility and environmental protection. Through science and innovation we enable our customers in almost all industries to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and system solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring healthy food and nutrition and helping to improve the quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF posted sales of about €73.5 billion in 2011 and had more than 111,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are trade on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

America's Major Consumer Brands, including Nike, Starbucks and Campbell Soup, Call on Congress to Extend Wind Energy Tax Credit

02.15.2012 - 11:06AM

Staples, Starbucks, Nike, Levi Strauss & Co., Campbell Soup, Yahoo and other large corporate purchasers of renewable energy delivered a letter today to Congressional leadership asking for an extension of the Production Tax Credit (PTC) for wind power – scheduled to expire in December 2012.

The letter calls on Congress to include an extension of the PTC in this week’s payroll tax-cut extension legislation. A ‘no’ vote on the extension will immediately threaten over 400 wind manufacturing facilities in 43 states that risk layoffs and shutdowns for lack of orders.

The letter was signed by 15 companies, many of them members of Business for Innovative Climate & Clean Energy (BICEP). Some of the companies signing the letter, including Starbucks and Staples, get over half of their US electricity from wind and other renewable energy sources.

“The PTC has enabled the wind industry to slash wind energy costs – 90 percent since 1980 – a big reason why companies like ours are buying increasing amounts of wind energy,” the letter states. “Failure to extend the PTC for wind would tax our companies and thousands of others like us that purchase significant amounts renewable energy and hurt our bottom line at a time when the economy is struggling to recover.”

The PTC provides a tax credit of 2.2 cents per megawatt hour of generated electricity for wind developers, which translates to lower delivered cost of the resource. Since the PTC was enacted seven years ago, wind power capacity has increased by 47,000 megawatts, a seven-fold increase.

The companies warned Congress that “eliminating the PTC will sharply increase prices for wind energy and particularly affect the many large and influential companies that are already committed to buying and using wind energy.“

It will also shut down much of a thriving U.S. manufacturing sector, one of the fastest-growing sources of factory jobs even in the depths of the economic slowdown.

Corporate leaders across diverse industries are rapidly increasing their use of wind energy. Wind energy serves to bring down the marginal costs for electric power, enabling large power purchasers to incorporate wind power into their energy portfolios at a competitive price, making them better prepared to handle volatility in the market.

“We’re proud to be one of the nation’s largest purchasers of American wind energy,” said Ben Packard, VP Global Responsibility at Starbucks. “We’re committed to renewable energy. Our goal is to make renewables account for 100 percent of our energy portfolio in the next two years.”

“Wind producers, business customers, investors – even conservative Republicans and liberal Democrats – all agree: the PTC for wind power is working,” said Mindy Lubber, president of Ceres, which coordinates the business network, Business for Innovative Climate & Clean Energy (BICEP). www.ceres.org/bicep “America is on the verge of establishing a world-leading wind industry that will give U.S. companies a powerful and permanent competitive advantage: a cheap, clean, and inexhaustible supply of electricity that is immune to global fuel price shocks and the international crises that cause them.”

The Production Tax Credit for wind has been in place without interruption since 2005 and has led to 47 GW of new wind capacity, equal to about 94 power plants, spurring nearly $70 billion in private investment, according to the American Wind Energy Association. Largely owing to the PTC, wind energy accounted for 35% of new electrical generation capacity installed in the past four years, and now supplies 20% of electricity needs in states like Iowa and South Dakota. Nationwide the wind energy industry supplies close to 4% of electricity nationwide and on track so far to make 20% of all of America’s electricity by the year 2030, as projected by the George W. Bush administration.

The deadline for including an extension of the wind PTC in comprehensive payroll tax cut legislation is midnight February 29^th, 2012, but action could come as soon as tomorrow as House and Senate conferees wrestle with the details.

ABOUT BUSINESS FOR INNOVATIVE CLIMATE AND ENERGY POLICY (BICEP)

BICEP is an advocacy coalition of businesses committed to working with policy makers to pass meaningful energy and climate legislation enabling a rapid transition to a low-carbon, 21st century economy – an economy that will create new jobs and stimulate economic growth while stabilizing our planet’s fragile climate. BICEP is a project of Ceres. www.ceres.org/bicep

ABOUT CERES

Ceres is an advocate for sustainability leadership. It leads a national coalition of major investors, environmental organizations and other public interest groups working with companies to address sustainability challenges such as global climate change and water scarcity. Its mission is integrating sustainability into day-to-day business practices for the health of the planet and its people. www.ceres.org

IKEA Powers-Up Solar Energy Panels at College Park, MD Store

02.15.2012 - 06:00AM

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in the solar energy system installed at its store in College Park, Maryland. The 148,200-square-foot PV array consists of a 1,196-kW system, built with 4,984 panels. IKEA College Park’s program will produce approximately 1,571,800 kWh of clean electricity annually, the equivalent of reducing 1,195 tons of carbon dioxide (CO₂), eliminating the emissions of 213 cars or powering 135 homes yearly (calculating clean energy equivalents at www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

This investment by IKEA reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. IKEA owns and operates each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – and this College Park installation represents the 15^th completed solar energy project for IKEA in the United States, with 22 more locations underway, making the eventual U.S. solar presence of IKEA nearly 85% and a total generation of 30.8 MW.

For the development, design and installation of the College Park store’s customized solar power system, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, one of the largest U.S. solar electric installers with more than 8,000 systems built nationwide.

“We at IKEA believe in the never-ending job of striving to improve the sustainability of our day-to-day business,” said Tracie Wiesman, IKEA College Park store manager. “The IKEA coworkers in College Park are excited to help contribute to this goal with our newly operational solar energy system. We appreciate the support of the City of College Park, PEPCO and REC Solar, our partners in this project.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and aims for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs. IKEA also is installing electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the Western U.S.

Located on 30 acres at the Route 1 exit off I-95/495 south, the 371,000-square-foot IKEA store opened in June 2003. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, this College Park store presents 43 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 450-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and Gravad Lax plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.

IKEA strives to be ‘The Life Improvement Store,’ and since its 1943 founding in Sweden, has offered home furnishings of good design and function, at low prices so the majority of people can afford them. There are currently more than 330 IKEA stores in 40 countries, including 38 in the U.S. IKEA incorporates sustainable efforts into day-to-day business and supports initiatives that benefit children and the environment. For more information, go to IKEA-USA.com.

IKEA Plugs-In Four EV Charging Stations In East Palo Alto, California

02.09.2012 - 11:00AM

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in four Blink Level 2 electric vehicle charging stations at its East Palo Alto, California store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. This initiative represents the eighth such project for IKEA in the United States. Installation also is planned at one other IKEA store in the Western U.S. To charge an EV at IKEA East Palo Alto, drivers pull into a designated parking spot, swipe their Blink InCard (RFID card), plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging. Drivers can get a Blink InCard at www.blinknetwork.com.

“IKEA has a never-ending job of asking what we can do today for a better tomorrow,” said Jill Matherson, IKEA East Palo Alto store manager. “Hosting electric-vehicle charging stations at IKEA East Palo Alto is one way to help accomplish this goal – and we could not have done it without the support of our partners ECOtality and PG&E."

ECOtality is the project manager of The EV Project, a public-private partnership funded in part by a federal stimulus grant from the U.S. Department of Energy made possible by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to provide the necessary infrastructure to support the deployment of EVs. ECOtality is overseeing the installation of approximately 14,000 commercial and residential charging stations in 18 cities and major metropolitan areas in six states and the District of Columbia. IKEA stores are in four of those states.

“The Blink Network is about making the EV lifestyle fit the lifestyle of drivers nationwide,” stated Jason Smith, ECOtality’s San Francisco Bay Area Manager. “We are excited to install Blink charging stations at the East Palo Alto IKEA as this is ideally suited to offer EV drivers the opportunity to charge at a highly desirable destination location.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and aims for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs. IKEA also is installing electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the Western U.S.

Located on 10.5 acres at US-101 and University Avenue, the 290,000-s.f. IKEA East Palo Alto opened August 2003 and employs approximately 300 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA East Palo Alto presents 50 different room-settings, three model home interiors, a supervised children’s play area, and a 250-seat restaurant. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store. Also, IKEA completed installation of a solar energy system atop the store this summer.

Three Hershey Plants Achieve 'Zero Waste to Landfill'

02.09.2012 - 09:59AM

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) today announced that three of its manufacturing facilities in Pennsylvania have achieved “Zero-Waste-to-Landfill“ (ZWL) status as a result of the company’s ongoing efforts to enhance sustainability through recycling and waste management. Two of the facilities are in Hershey, Pa., and the third is in Hazleton, Pa.

“We are proud of our role as stewards of the environment and of our progress in eliminating waste from our operations,” said Terence O’Day, Senior Vice President of Global Operations at The Hershey Company. “We achieved ZWL at these facilities through a rigorous process of eliminating waste, recycling and converting waste to energy. Our employees understand the importance of sustainability across our company and are working together to reach our reduction goals.”

Zero Waste to Landfill means that routine manufacturing waste has been eliminated from landfill disposal. The company’s Hazleton plant achieved ZWL status this month. The West Hershey plant became a ZWL facility in October 2011. In addition, the $200 million to $225 million expansion of the West Hershey facility, announced in June 2010, is a Zero-Waste-to-Landfill construction project and the new addition will be ZWL upon completion later this year. In 2010, the Reese plant, also located in Hershey, Pa., achieved ZWL status. These plants recycle approximately 90 percent of the waste generated from operations and the remainder is converted to energy at nearby waste-to-energy incinerators located in Bainbridge, Pa., and Harrisburg, Pa.

The Hershey Company continues to improve its recycling and energy efficiency programs at all of its U.S. plants. The company has added biogas capturing equipment at four of its U.S. facilities: Stuarts Draft, Va.; Lancaster, Pa.; Hazleton, Pa.; and Robinson, Ill. The equipment captures biogas produced through onsite wastewater treatment and converts it to energy, decreasing the company’s reliance on fossil fuels.

The Hershey Company has a long history of environmental sustainability programs as part of its commitment to social responsibility. Company founder Milton Hershey started the company’s first recycling center in Hershey in 1937, long before recycling and reducing waste were common practices. Last year, Hershey unveiled two sets of solar arrays at facilities in Hershey, Pa., that generate an estimated 318 megawatt-hours (MWh) per year and will eliminate hundreds of metric tons of greenhouse gases each year. In 2009, the company committed to reducing its green house gas emissions by 15 percent by the end of 2011 based on 2008 emission levels and is on track to achieve this goal by the end of the year.

About The Hershey Company

The Hershey Company (NYSE: HSY) is the largest producer of quality chocolate in North America and a global leader in chocolate and sugar confectionery. Headquartered in Hershey, Pa., The Hershey Company has operations throughout the world and approximately 12,000 employees. With revenues of more than $6 billion, Hershey offers confectionery products under more than 25 brand names, including such iconic brands as Hershey's, Reese's, Hershey's Kisses, Hershey's Bliss, Hershey's Special Dark, Kit Kat, Twizzlers, Jolly Rancher and Ice Breakers. Hershey also offers premium and artisan chocolate products under such brands as Scharffen Berger and Dagoba through the Artisan Confections Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. The company is focused on growing its presence in key international markets such as China and Mexico while continuing to build its competitive advantage in the United States and Canada.

For more than 100 years, The Hershey Company has been a leader in making a positive difference in the communities where its employees live, work and do business. Corporate Social Responsibility is an integral part of the company’s global business strategy, which includes goals and priorities focused on fair and ethical business dealings, environmental stewardship, fostering a desirable workplace for employees, and positively impacting society and local communities. Milton Hershey School, established in 1909 by the company's founder and administered by Hershey Trust Company, provides a quality education, housing, and medical care at no cost to children in social and financial need. Students of Milton Hershey School are direct beneficiaries of The Hershey Company's success.

InterContinental Miami goes 100% Green with Wind Power

02.03.2012 - 01:02PM

Luxury hotel InterContinental Miami today announced that it has partnered with Greenlight Energy to purchase 15,467,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of wind power in 2012. The purchase is part of a broader corporate-wide sustainability strategy and makes InterContinental Miami the largest green power purchaser in Florida to be named to the most recent 100% Purchaser’s List maintained by the EPA’s Green Power Partnership. The purchase also earns the luxury hotel membership in the Partnership’s prestigious Leadership Club.

The EPA's Green Power Partnership is an industry-government partnership that helps increase the use of green power among leading U.S. organizations. Currently, there are over 1,300 EPA Green Power Partners that are collectively buying nearly 21 billion kWh of green power annually.

Beyond the use of renewable energy, InterContinental Miami has a broader sustainability focus that covers design, operations and technologies that reduce energy, water and waste, cut carbon emissions, improve guest health and comfort, reduce operating and maintenance costs and raise guest and staff awareness of sustainability issues.

“Our decision to go green was another way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with conventional electricity”, says Robert Hill, InterContinental Miami’s General Manager. “Our Hotel has a reputation as an active member of the community and part of that social responsibility lies in making green and sustainable operating decisions that set an example for others to follow.”

InterContinental Miami has partnered with New York-based green power supplier Greenlight Energy to provide renewable energy certificates (RECs) sourced from wind farms across the U.S. Because RECs are not tied to the physical delivery of electrons, they allow organizations to purchase green power from suppliers other than their local electricity provider. RECs help overcome a major barrier to renewable energy development - the fact that the best renewable resources may not be located close to population centers.

“We commend InterContinental Miami’s environmental leadership,” says Kelly Bennett, CEO of Greenlight Energy. “InterContinental Miami not only has incredible amenities and accommodations, but now they should be known as a hotel of choice in south Florida and in the U.S. for anyone with a focus on sustainability,” adds Bennett. All of the wind supplied by Greenlight Energy is certified by Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e Energy certification program, ensuring that the purchase is sourced from new renewable generators that meet strict environmental and consumer protection standards.

The EPA estimates that InterContinental Miami’s purchase avoids an estimated 10,665 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is the equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 2,091 passenger vehicles each year or the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of 1,330 average American homes for one year.

About InterContinental Miami
Celebrating 25 years as an icon of the Downtown Miami skyline, the InterContinental Miami is located at the crossroads of Miami's Business and Arts & Entertainment districts. A beacon for business and leisure travelers alike, the hotel rises 34 stories over the city with breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Biscayne Bay and the Port of Miami. The hotel features 641 luxury guest rooms, including 34 suites; 33 meeting rooms with over 101,000 square feet of meeting and exhibition space, including a spectacular Grand Ballroom and a 196-seat theater; 3 restaurants, including Table 40, the only Chef's Table in Downtown Miami; full-service fitness center and spa at mySpa Miami; and rooftop pool deck with gardens. The InterContinental Miami is a proud corporate citizen of the Miami-Dade community, invested through its annual InterContinental Miami Make-A-Wish Ball, Chefs With A Purpose, and other charitable events. For more information or to make reservations, contact the InterContinental Miami, 100 Chopin Plaza, Miami, Florida 33131, at 305-577-1000 or by visiting www.icmiamihotel.com.

About Greenlight Energy
Greenlight Energy is the first and only woman-owned renewable energy marketing company in the U.S. Industry pioneers since 2003, our founders have transacted over 5 billion kWh of RECs over their careers with some of the world's most recognizable brands. Helping clients support renewables, reduce emissions and drive sustainability throughout their operations is core to Greenlight Energy’s mission. Rethink. Go green. For more information, call (518) 499-3555 or go to www.gltenergy.com.

Solar Electric Light Fund Launches "Energy Is A Human Right” Campaign

02.01.2012 - 01:52PM

The Solar Electric Light Fund (SELF), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit working to eliminate energy poverty through the use of solar power, today announced that it is launching “Energy is a Human Right,” a campaign to provide a voice to the nearly 1.5 billion people around the world living without access to electricity and other forms of modern energy. It is also calling upon the international development community and general public to join the campaign by visiting www.EnergyIsAHumanRight.com to show their support for those living in energy poverty, and to learn how they can help provide energy access to assist in their economic, education, health and agricultural development.

“For the last 15 years, SELF has always believed and said that energy is essential for life,” says Bob Freling, Executive Director, SELF. “Access to energy is foundational to achieving a broad range of basic human rights and all of the Millennium Development Goals. Without it, life is very, very difficult as I’m sure 1.5 billion people can attest to.”

Through its Whole Village development model, SELF works hand-in-hand with communities to create and implement innovative solar energy solutions to improve people’s health and education, ensure food and water security, and spur economic development. Recently, it made a commitment to the United Nation’s Sustainable Energy for All Initiative to continue scaling up this model in Benin, West Africa by installing solar systems to power water systems, schools, health clinics, community centers, and street and household lighting systems. Mr. Freling is also co-chairing the initiative’s Working Group on Energy and Health, which will be examining ways to provide access to renewable energy sources for hospitals and health care clinics to support medical services.

“We proudly support the U.N. initiative and look forward to closely working with them to provide universal access to energy to those in need,” says Freling. “Our hope in launching this human rights campaign is to call attention to the critical role energy can play in helping people lift themselves out of poverty and create a better life.”

About SELF

The Solar Electric Light Fund is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit whose mission is to implement solar energy solutions in developing countries to assist rural communities with economic, education, health and agricultural development. Its “Whole Village” development model takes an innovative approach in using integrated solar systems to improve the lives of the 1.5 billion people living in energy poverty throughout the world. Since 1990, SELF has completed projects in more than 20 countries, pioneering unique applications of solar power for drip irrigation in Benin, health care in Haiti, telemedicine in the Amazon rainforest, online learning in South Africa, and microenterprise development in Nigeria. Connect with SELF on the web at www.SELF.org; on Twitter @solarfund; and at www.Facebook.com/solarelectriclightfund.

Synenergy Limited LLC and Allard Energy, Inc. to Revolutionize Medium-Scale Distributed Ethanol Fuel Refineries

01.24.2012 - 05:40PM

/PRNewswire/ - Synenergy Limited, LLC, a global green solutions provider, today announced their distributorship with Allard Energy, Inc. (formerly, Allard Research and Development LLC), a leading innovator for small to medium scale ethanol production. Allard Energy will provide research, development, and manufacturing services to support Synenergy's ongoing distribution of ethanol production refineries and related products.

Synenergy, a leader in green fuel, has aligned with Allard Energy to improve environmental sustainability and broaden the biofuel marketplace. The ethanol production process will reduce the amount of waste products from plentiful sources like soft drink waste, food product waste, and cellulose (other than corn and other food-based products). Ethanol is better for the environment, safe to produce, and capable of replacing all grades of gasoline.

"We are excited to distribute Allard Energy's world-class refineries and cutting edge technologies with capacities that support a distributed fuel model. Keeping feedstock, ethanol production, and ethanol distribution local is the future of a sustainable fuel production model." "Allard Energy's advanced technologies and product line provides an opportunity for the small to medium sized entrepreneur to transform waste management related issues into a profit center," said Tom Burgess, General Manager of Synenergy.

Allard Energy, Inc. is a leading supplier of small- to medium-scale ethanol refineries designed to support a new distributed fuel production model. Rather than building large-scale ethanol plants, Allard's distributed fuel production model will have many smaller modular ethanol refineries spread across a geographic region that can leverage different types of feedstock. This distributed fuel production model closely aligns with the USDA's initiative for ethanol blender pumps and eliminates the significant infrastructure and distribution requirements needed to support traditional large-scale ethanol plants. Allard Energy has also designed the world's first self-powered modular cellulose ethanol refinery utilizing cellulose feedstock grown as part of the system in hydroponic shipping containers. These modules will be networked together to increase the size of the refinery without losing efficiencies.

Synenergy holds the exclusive license to distribute Allard technologies and provide ethanol production services in the United States for the states of Michigan, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Synenergy can also sell Allard refineries nonexclusively worldwide. The newly formed distributorship will allow Synenergy to distribute new technologies for ethanol production, automation, and hydroponics.

"We are excited to have Synenergy as a distributor of our refineries and look forward to a productive alliance with them. They bring strong sales and marketing teams as well as engineering expertise to sell and service our refineries," said Sharon Allard, CEO of Allard Energy.

Blackstone Forms European Power Generation Partnership

01.24.2012 - 12:40PM

Blackstone (NYSE: BX) announced today that funds managed by it are forming a partnership with PQ Energy to acquire or to develop power generation facilities throughout Europe. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, PQ Energy is led by a seasoned management and technical team. The team has extensive power project development and operating experience as well as a strong track record of identifying and investing in power generation assets and creating significant long-term value.

Blackstone’s funds have partnered with PQ Energy to provide necessary investment capital to the European power sector at a critical time when traditional sources of power supply have fundamentally changed due to the addition of substantial renewable generation and the planned retirement of significant nuclear and coal capacity. PQ Energy also intends to seek opportunities to partner with existing power generation owners as these owners consider reshaping their existing asset footprint via acquisitions or divestitures.

The PQ Energy team’s extensive experience in the European power generation sector coupled with the significant capital resources of Blackstone’s funds and Blackstone’s strong track record as an investor in power generation, uniquely positions PQ Energy to acquire and/or develop attractive power generation assets. This investment is the second European power generation investment in the past six months made by funds managed by Blackstone, following the successful financial closing of Meerwind, Germany’s largest offshore wind farm project. Blackstone’s private equity and energy groups have been active investors in the energy sector, having invested/committed approximately $5 billion of capital in twenty transactions on four continents since 1997.

PQ Energy will be led by Rolf Kehlhofer, formerly President of ABB Power Generation, and Dominique Candrian, formerly Vice President of ABB Energy Ventures, who have assembled a team of former ABB power development professionals to capitalize on this opportunity. The team has collectively developed more than 30,000MW of power generation capacity over the past 25 years. Peter Giller, formerly CEO of International Power and President of ABB Energy Ventures, will act as a senior adviser to PQ Energy.

Dominique Candrian, PQ Energy’s CEO, said: “Investment in flexible power generation assets will be necessary to complement increased power generation from intermittent renewable sources and to stabilize the European power grid at a time when many incumbent power operators face capital constraints and restructuring issues.”

Rolf Kehlhofer, PQ Energy’s President, said “With the financial backing of Blackstone, the Company has an attractive combination of industry experience and financial strength. Blackstone is a pre-eminent investor in the global energy sector and we are delighted that they have chosen to partner with us in this transaction.”

David Foley, Blackstone Senior Managing Director and CEO of Blackstone Energy Partners said: “The majority of the capital that Blackstone funds have invested in the energy sector has involved backing outstanding management teams to start businesses that address opportunities we see in the market and to build them to scale. We are excited to partner with Rolf, Dominique and the high quality team of experienced professionals at PQ Energy in this venture.”

About Blackstone
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment and advisory firms with total assets under management of $160 billion. We seek to create positive economic impact and long-term value for our investors, the companies we invest in, the companies we advise and the broader global economy. Blackstone does this through the commitment of our extraordinary people and flexible capital. Funds managed by Blackstone have invested more than $5 billion globally to fund the acquisition and growth of a broad range of energy and natural resources companies and Blackstone is an experienced and active investor in this sector. Investments in energy and natural resources are funded jointly by Blackstone's Private Equity Energy Group, which is dedicated to investments in this sector, and Blackstone Capital Partners VI, a diversified general purpose private equity fund. Further information is available at www.blackstone.com.

Green America Applauds President Obama's Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline

01.18.2012 - 04:54PM

Green America strongly commends President Obama for his wise decision, announced this afternoon, to reject the dangerous Keystone XL pipeline. The proposed pipeline would extend nearly 2,000 miles from Alberta, Canada to the Texas Gulf Coast. This Canadian project poses severe consequences for human health and the environment while further entrenching the dirty fossil fuel economy and failing to generate lasting jobs. Investment in clean energy generates 3-4 times as many jobs as investments in fossil fuels.

“This is the right decision, a brave decision, and one that shows the President took into account profound concerns about the pipeline’s impacts on health, climate change, the environment, and the need to build a clean energy economy that can create lasting U.S. jobs,” said Fran Teplitz, Green America’s director of strategic outreach.

Last November, the Obama Administration pushed the deadline on its pipeline decision into early 2013, determining that current impact studies on the pipeline were insufficient. A fair and measured period of scrutiny for the proposed pipeline is exactly what Big Oil and Republicans in Congress don’t want, because this project fails on every score. Congressional Republicans pushed legislation in December designed to force a presidential decision on the pipeline in February 2012.

“The President made the right call today,” stated Alisa Gravitz, Green America’s executive director. “Green America and our allies will continue to work to oppose tar sands pipelines at every turn. We will continue to lend our voice and our organizing power to this issue which has dire consequences for Native communities, the earth, and the clean energy future that the times demand we create,” she affirmed.

Proponents of the pipeline tout it as a major job creator. Data show, however, that the Keystone XL pipeline can actually be a jobs killer in the U.S., through pipeline spills and increased fuel costs in the Midwest as current tar sands oil gets diverted. Moreover, with a significant portion of the Keystone XL oil intended for the export market, there is no credibility to the claim that tar sands oil represents a “friendly” oil source for the United States.

President Obama has used his decision-making power on the Keystone pipeline in a prudent and sensible way that will benefit current and future generations. Big Oil should not determine the direction of our energy future when we need a new direction based on clean and renewable power.

Green America (www.greenamerica.org) is a national membership organization that uses the strength of consumers, investors, businesses, and the marketplace—to create a socially just and environmentally sustainable society

Contact: Fran Teplitz: fteplitz@greenamerica.org; 202-872-5326

Business Leaders Call for Rejection of Keystone XL Pipeline

01.13.2012 - 12:39PM

The American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), a coalition of 45 business organizations, urged President Obama to reject the Keystone XL Pipeline.

“Contrary to the claims of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, American Petroleum Institute and other pipeline advocates who threaten political retaliation if the pipeline is not approved, Keystone XL would not deliver on jobs, energy, safety or economic competitiveness,” said ASBC Executive Director David Levine.

Most of the oil that Keystone XL would carry from Canada to the Gulf Coast of Texas is destined for export, and the jobs the pipeline would create would be just as fleeting. The State Department estimated the pipeline construction workforce at 5,000 to 6,000 workers and as the Vice President of Keystone Pipeline for TransCanada told CNN, long-term jobs would be in the “hundreds, certainly not in the thousands.”
Keystone would deliver far less bang for the buck when it comes to job creation than alternative energy. A dollar of spending in clean energy generates three times as many jobs as a dollar spent on oil and gas, according to U.S. Commerce Department data.
Keystone is a boondoggle for oil companies, not an investment in our nation’s economic competitiveness. Keystone will leave us even further behind Germany, China and other countries that are dominating the rapidly growing global clean technology market.
Keystone would increase the kind of catastrophic environmental risk the World Economic Forum warns about in its just released Global Risks 2012. Keystone oil will be extracted from tar sands and its carbon emissions are 82% greater than the average crude refined in the United States, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Keystone will increase carbon emissions and environmental risk. The pipeline would threaten the Ogallala aquifer, a large and irreplaceable supply of drinking water and irrigation in the Great Plains.

“Keystone is a sneak attack on American’s wallets,” said Frank Knapp, Vice Chairman of ASBC and CEO of the South Carolina Small Business Chamber of Commerce.” Its real aim is to import oil from Canada, refine it, and then export it to foreign buyers. For most businesses and consumers in the mid-west, the pipeline will serve up higher energy prices and higher food prices, since food prices include the price of energy and oil-based fertilizer needed to grow crops. That’s the last thing we need for real economic recovery.”

“The Keystone pipeline endangers the Ogallala aquifer -- the only clean and reliable water source for drinking and agriculture for much of the Great Plains," said Fran Teplitz, ASBC board member. "If this supply were contaminated by an oil spill, the costs to the public and business would be incalculable, and some of America's most productive farmland would be lost.”

“Keystone makes no economic sense for America,” said ASBC co-founder and Director David Brodwin. “Once we take into account the true cost of oil including subsidies, environmental damage, and military costs, oil is far more expensive than the alternatives. The best thing we can do for the American economy and for American businesses as a whole is to wean ourselves from oil as quickly as possible.”

About The American Sustainable Business Council

The American Sustainable Business Council is a growing coalition of businesses and business networks representing over 100,000 businesses and more than 200,000 entrepreneurs, owners, executives, investors and others committed to advancing policies that support a vibrant and sustainable economy. www.asbcouncil.org.

Going Green - International Electric Vehicle Racing Championships Envisioned

01.12.2012 - 10:19AM

/PRNewswire/ - Strategic sustainability project specialists Quimera, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) and the American Le Mans Series presented by Tequila Patron (ALMS) will form a joint venture combining their respective areas of expertise in 2012 launching a new global initiative to develop the next generation of sustainable motorsport.

To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click: http://www.multivu.com/mnr/54130-american-le-mans-series-ev-racing-quimera-imsa-tequila-patron

Working strategically, both IMSA and Quimera have immediately begun to define their objective of organizing a global, non-fossil fuel based championship.

Initial steps will be taken to prepare investors, the general public, media, sponsors and other interested parties for motorsport's impending embrace of clean technology. By 2013 this joint venture will be ready to launch its new international Electric Vehicle (EV) series. This Series will represent the first clean technology professional motorsport championship that will include various categories and also remain open to any OEMs eager to showcase and develop their own green credentials in a cost-controlled environment.

Initially, a version of the Quimera AEGT All-Electric GT car is expected to debut in demonstration runs at selected American Le Mans Series race events in 2012. While the championship is expected to begin in the USA at races run in conjunction with the ALMS, a clear international scope has already been outlined with the intention to invite any national governing body, promoter or country from around the world to join this ground-breaking motorsport project.

By embracing the "cleantech concept," the championship is also looking to include motorcycles as part of its event roster. Indeed, Quimera can already count on the support of the TTXGP World Championship, currently the world's leading international electric series. At the same time, evaluations continue into the possibility of hosting joint race weekends. For the first time ever this will ensure an event that features clean technology on two wheels as well as four, helping significant commercial and technical benefits to be realized for all stakeholders concerned.

IMSA and Quimera's partnership is expected to develop further by empowering R&D activities in both new and existing technologies, thereby emphasizing motorsport's essential role as a test bed for the automotive sector, for technology transfer as well as other key potential applications. A principal goal of this joint venture is to establish a series operating at the very forefront of motorsport's clean technology development.

Some initial categories under consideration:

GT
AEGT (525 kW / 700bhp): The world's first and most powerful all-electric GT racing car has already been designed, built and tested in extreme conditions by Quimera. Powertrain up to 600kW with carbon fiber chassis. Homologation requires no minimum cars to be manufactured while the category will also allow for inventive bodywork design. Complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

Touring GT (300kW / 390bhp): Prototypes are currently being constructed by Quimera. This is an open category with all OEMs invited, although multiple single class OEM championships will be considered (discussions taking place). Powertrain up to 350kW with carbon or tubular chassis. Homologation requires no minimum cars to be manufactured. Complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

Series organisers are currently negotiating an initiation series to be based on slightly modified road legal cars with a powertrain up to 150kW. This is intended as an OEM showcase for current EV consumer technology and provides a dynamic platform for the introduction to non-fossil fuel-based race series.

F3 type open wheel (300kW / 390bhp): Formulec has spent the past two years designing, developing and testing its EF01, the world's first 100 percent electric single-seater racing car which will lay the foundation for an open category adhering to rules and regulations. Powertrain up to 350kW with carbon fiber chassis. Complies with all sanctioned safety regulations.

TTXGP motorcycle: The TTXGP World Championship will expand its format to include more classes and different race formats. With unrivalled experience in electric racing, the series already boasts technology, knowledge and an exciting team line-up to provide thrilling competition and an enthusiastic fan base.

QUOTES:

Javier de Rocafort, Quimera Chairman of the Board: "For Quimera, this project is not simply confined to developing environmentally friendly cars that will offer an insight into the future of motorsport. It also concerns encouraging the dramatic shift soon to occur in the way the industry has operated up until now. More important than the act of car racing is how we actively evolve and prepare the future for coming generations. In this regard, our partnership with IMSA and the American Le Mans Series allows us to investigate and better understand the potential applications of these new technologies in the toughest possible environment – and in one of the largest automotive consumer markets in the world, the USA."

Scott Atherton, President & CEO Panoz Motor Sports Group – IMSA/ALMS: "We have often quoted the fact that the most important race in the world is the race among automobile manufacturers to develop new sustainable transportation solutions. Our alliance with Quimera is the embodiment of that race. It enables us to continue our leadership in green racing and truly takes us to the next level. We have been actively seeking a practical and viable opportunity to develop EV motorsport and we believe Quimera's technologies and plans are absolutely on target. As the Global Leader of Green Racing, the opportunity to link these events to our American Le Mans Series weekends provides an ideal fit for all involved."

About IMSA: Established in 1969, the International Motor Sports Association (IMSA) is an American auto racing sanctioning body based in Braselton, Ga. www.imsaracing.net

About ALMS: Since 1999, the American Le Mans Series (ALMS) has been North America's premier sports car championship with 10 endurance and sprint races making up the 2012 schedule. Teams compete in one of five classes: LMP1, LMP2 and LMPC Le Mans Prototypes, and GT and GTC Grand Touring cars while race lengths vary from two hours to 12 hours. The championship is also recognised as the Global Leader of Green Racing.

www.americanlemans.com

www.facebook.com/ALMS.Official

Twitter: @almsnotes

Prologis, SCE, Kimberly-Clark Announce Installation of a Major Single Rooftop Solar Power System at California Distribution Center

12.15.2011 - 11:04AM

/PRNewswire/ - Prologis Inc. (NYSE: PLD), Southern California Edison (SCE) and Kimberly-Clark Corporation (NYSE: KMB) today announced that Kimberly-Clark's Redlands, Calif. distribution center has received one of the largest single rooftop solar power installations in the country.

Expanding on the 100 kilowatt solar array installed in 2009, the 4.9 megawatt (DC), or 3.5 megawatt (AC), solar installation now covers 350,000 square feet of roof space. The renewable energy generated from this rooftop solar array will produce up to 6.6 million kilowatt-hours of clean energy per year, will offset approximately 4,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually, and provide enough electricity to power approximately 925 average Southern California homes a year.

Prologis owns the building, Prologis Park Redlands #5, and managed the construction of the solar facility. The project was designed and financed by SCE, which will own the solar installation and use the power to serve customers in the community. Kimberly-Clark is the building's sole tenant and receives power from the original 100–kilowatt solar installation.

"Kimberly-Clark's commitment to sustainability includes finding more ways to promote the use of renewable energy, including utilizing available rooftop space," said Suhas Apte, vice president, Global Sustainability, Kimberly-Clark.

Built in 2005, Prologis Park Redlands #5 is a 700,000-square foot facility that has been occupied by Kimberly-Clark since 2007. The company uses the distribution center to supply its full line of consumer products — including Kleenex, Huggies, Scott, Depend and Kotex — to retailers around the country.

Throughout California, SCE and Prologis have worked together to bring more than 50 megawatts of solar projects online since 2008.

"Prologis is proud to continue to partner with SCE to install solar power systems throughout Southern California," said Drew Torbin, vice president of renewable energy at Prologis. "The Redlands Distribution Center solar power system is the latest example of SCE's and Prologis' ongoing leadership in this area which has already brought over 50 megawatts of solar projects online.

Rudy Perez, manager of SCE's Solar PV Program, said "We are happy to partner with Kimberly-Clark and Prologis to provide this neighborhood a solar power plant that will allow SCE to provide its customers with increased use of renewable energy while helping to reduce its cost."

About Prologis
Prologis, Inc. is the leading owner, operator and developer of industrial real estate, focused on global and regional markets across the Americas, Europe and Asia. As of September 30 2011, Prologis owned or had investments in, on a consolidated basis or through unconsolidated joint ventures, properties and development projects totaling approximately 600 million square feet (55.7 million square meters) in 22 countries. The company leases modern distribution facilities to more than 4,500 customers, including manufacturers, retailers, transportation companies, third-party logistics providers and other enterprises.

About Southern California Edison
An Edison International (NYSE:EIX) company, Southern California Edison is one of the nation's largest electric utilities, serving a population of nearly 14 million via 4.9 million customer accounts in a 50,000-square-mile service area within Central, Coastal and Southern California.

About Kimberly-Clark
Kimberly-Clark and its well-known global brands are an indispensable part of life for people in more than 150 countries. Every day, 1.3 billion people – nearly a quarter of the world's population – trust K-C brands and the solutions they provide to enhance their health, hygiene and well-being. With brands such as Kleenex, Scott, HUGGIES, Pull-Ups, Kotex and Depend, Kimberly-Clark holds No. 1 or No. 2 share positions in more than 80 countries. To keep up with the latest K-C news and to learn more about the company's 139-year history of innovation, visit www.kimberly-clark.com.

NOTE TO EDITORS: Rooftop photo available upon request. Please email Stephanie Anderson Forest at: stephanie.a.forest@kcc.com.

The Coca-Cola Company Announces Partnerships to Develop Commercial Solutions for Plastic Bottles Made Entirely from Plants

12.15.2011 - 10:45AM

The Coca-Cola Company today announced multi-million dollar partnership agreements with three leading biotechnology companies to accelerate development of the first commercial solutions for next-generation PlantBottle™ packaging made 100% from plant-based materials.

This effort to commercialize a plastic bottle made entirely from plants builds on the Company’s ground-breaking introduction and roll-out of its first generation PlantBottle™ package which was the first ever recyclable PET beverage bottle made partially from plants. Since introduced in 2009, the Company has already distributed more than 10 billion PlantBottle™ packages in 20 countries worldwide.

Agreements with Virent, Gevo and Avantium – industry leaders in developing plant-based alternatives to materials traditionally made from fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources – were signed following an in-depth two year analysis of different technologies by The Coca-Cola Company’s R&D team and technical advisory board.

“While the technology to make bio-based materials in a lab has been available for years, we believe Virent, Gevo and Avantium are companies that possess technologies that have high potential for creating them on a global commercial scale within the next few years,” said Rick Frazier, Vice President, Commercial Product Supply, The Coca-Cola Company. “This is a significant R&D investment in packaging innovation and is the next step toward our vision of creating all of our plastic packaging from responsibly sourced plant-based materials.”

Agreements with these three companies will help The Coca-Cola Company support its long-term commitments through sustainable practices in sourcing and packaging supply. While Virent, Gevo and Avantium will follow their own route to make bio-based materials, all materials will be developed in line with Company and industry recycling requirements.

“Virent’s long term agreements with The Coca-Cola Company are pioneering milestones in the commercialization of our technology to produce plant-based materials” said Virent CEO Lee Edwards. “Our patented technology features catalytic chemistry to convert plant-based sugars into a full range of products identical to those made from petroleum, including bio-based paraxylene – a key component needed to deliver 100% plant-based PET packaging.” PET made from Virent’s bio-based paraxylene features the same high quality and recyclability as materials used today, with the added benefit of being made from a wide range of renewable materials. The company is targeting early 2015 for the opening of its first full-scale commercial plant.

“We are extremely gratified to have won the confidence of The Coca-Cola Company and are excited to support Coca-Cola’s sustainable packaging goals with this agreement to develop and commercialize technology to produce paraxylene from bio-based isobutanol,” said Patrick Gruber, CEO of Gevo. “New technologies need champions. The Coca-Cola Company is in a unique position to drive and influence change in the global packaging supply chain with this development. You cannot ask for a better champion than one of the most respected and admired consumer brands.”

“Avantium is very proud to partner with The Coca-Cola Company to demonstrate that our patented “YXY” technology produces bio-based PEF bottles with exceptional functional properties at a competitive price”, says Tom van Aken, CEO of Avantium. “YXY is a very exciting solution for today’s packaging challenges, using plant-based materials as feedstock to enable the manufacture of more sustainable packaging materials, such as PEF bottles. We have produced PEF bottles with promising barrier and thermal properties and look forward to our work with Coca-Cola to further develop and commercialize PEF bottles. Our production process fits with existing supply and manufacturing chains and we are targeting commercial production in the next few years.”

The Coca-Cola Company’s first generation PlantBottle™ packaging is the only fully recyclable PET bottle made with up to 30% plant-based material available today. PlantBottle™ packaging is made up of two components: MEG (mono-ethylene glycol), which makes up 30% of the PET, and is already made from plant materials, and PTA (purified terephthalic acid), which makes up the other 70%. In this next step, PTA will be replaced with plant-based materials, too.

PlantBottle™ packaging makes a difference by reducing our dependence on nonrenewable fossil fuels and minimizing the carbon impact of PET plastic. It is estimated the use of PlantBottle™ packaging in the first two years alone has helped save the equivalent annual emissions of more than 100,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide.
Coca-Cola will continue to make investments in PlantBottle™ technology and aims to use PlantBottle™ packaging for the Company’s entire virgin PET supply by 2020.

As a leader in sustainable packaging, the Company also looks for opportunities to advance smart innovation across the industry. Earlier this year, The Coca-Cola Company announced an industry-first partnership with H.J. Heinz Company that allows Heinz to produce its ketchup bottles using PlantBottle™ technology. Heinz PlantBottle™ packaging launched this summer in the U.S.

Separately, Coca-Cola already produces a fully recyclable HDPE (high density polyethylene) plastic that is made 100% from plant material and is available through Odwalla™ juice brand products. While HDPE is an ideal package for some refrigerated juice products, it is not suitable for shelf-stable carbonated and still beverages.

Images and B-roll
http://www.newscastus.com/mediablast/Coke/100093/100093.html
Username: Coke
Password: bm44E2Q

The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is the world's largest beverage company, refreshing consumers with more than 500 sparkling and still brands. Led by Coca-Cola, the world's most valuable brand, our Company’s portfolio features 15 billion dollar brands including Diet Coke, Fanta, Sprite, Coca-Cola Zero, vitaminwater, Powerade, Minute Maid, Simply, Georgia and Del Valle. Globally, we are the No. 1 provider of sparkling beverages, ready-to-drink coffees, and juices and juice drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy our beverages at a rate of 1.7 billion servings a day. With an enduring commitment to building sustainable communities, our Company is focused on initiatives that reduce our environmental footprint, support active, healthy living, create a safe, inclusive work environment for our associates, and enhance the economic development of the communities where we operate. Together with our bottling partners, we rank among the world’s top 10 private employers with more than 700,000 system employees. For more information, please visit www.thecoca-colacompany.com or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CocaColaCo.

About Virent, Incorporated
Virent is replacing crude oil by creating the chemicals and fuels the world demands using a wide range of naturally-occurring, renewable resources. Its patented technology features catalytic chemistry to convert plant-based sugars into a full range of products identical to those made from petroleum, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, and chemicals for plastics and fibers. The products are “drop-in” replacements that enable full utilization of existing logistics infrastructure without blending limitations. The development of Virent’s BioForming® technology platform is supported through strategic investors including Cargill, Shell and Honda, as well as 120 employees based in Madison, Wisconsin. Please learn more at www.Virent.com.

About Gevo
Gevo is converting existing ethanol plants into biorefineries to make renewable building block products for the chemical and fuel industries. The Company plans to convert renewable raw materials into isobutanol and renewable hydrocarbons that can be directly integrated on a “drop in” basis into existing chemical and fuel products to deliver environmental and economic benefits. Gevo is committed to a sustainable bio-based economy that meets society’s needs for plentiful food and clean air and water. For more information, visit http://www.gevo.com.

About Avantium
Avantium is a leading technology company specialized in the area of advanced high-throughput R&D. The company develops and commercializes YXY – its brand name for the technology to produce chemical building blocks for bio-based materials with exceptional product properties at a competitive price. Combined with the significant reduction in environmental footprint, Avantium’s lead application PEF, fulfills all key criteria to become the next generation bio-based plastics for bottles, film and fibers. Avantium has demonstrated the value and commercial potential of its unique technology by collaborating with leading companies in the energy and chemical industries. It has a proven track record in offering fast and efficient chemical catalytic development services and systems. Avantium offices and headquarters are based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. For more information about Avantium, please contact Janine Kostermann at +31 20 586 8132 or visit the corporate website: www.avantium.com or the product website: www.yxy.com.

IKEA to Grow Company's U.S. Solar Presence to 75% with Plans to Install Solar Panels on All Ten Locations In Southern U.S.

12.06.2011 - 07:00AM

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today announced plans to install solar energy panels on ten additional United States locations – its entire presence in the Southern U.S. Pending governmental permits, installation can begin this winter, with completion expected in Summer 2012. Collectively, the nine stores and one distribution center will total 10.7 Megawatts (MW) of solar generating capacity, nearly 45,360 panels, and a projected annual electricity output of 15,248,334 kilowatt hours (kWh).

This investment by IKEA reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to sustainability and confidence in photovoltaic (PV) technology. IKEA will own and operate each of its solar PV energy systems atop its buildings – as opposed to a solar lease or PPA (power purchase agreement) – now including its three Texas stores (Frisco, Houston and Round Rock), three Florida stores (Orlando, Sunrise and Tampa), three other stores (Atlanta and Charlotte, and in Woodbridge, VA), and the IKEA Distribution Center in Savannah, GA as listed below with approximate system statistics and corresponding clean energy equivalents (based on calculations from www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-resources/calculator.html).

Atlanta, GA – opened in 2005; store size: 366,000 SF on 15 acres

Solar Program: 129,800 SF at 1,038 kW; 4,326 panels generating 1,421,300 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,080 tons of CO₂, 192 cars’ emissions or powering 122 homes

Charlotte, NC – opened in 2009; store size: 356,000 SF on 25 acres

Solar Program: 126,500 SF at 1,011 kW; 4,214 panels generating 1,330,000 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,011 tons of CO₂, 180 cars’ emissions or powering 114 homes

Frisco, TX – opened in 2005; store size: 310,000 SF on 28 acres

Solar Program: 114,000 SF at 912 kW; 3,879 panels generating 1,336,300 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,016 tons of CO₂, 181 cars’ emissions or powering 115 homes

Houston, TX – opened: 1992; new store built: 2004; size: 300,000 SF on 15.6 acres

Solar Program: 116,400 SF at 931 kW; 3,962 panels generating 1,317,500 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,001 tons of CO₂, 178 cars’ emissions or powering 113 homes

Orlando, FL – opened in 2007; size: 309,000 SF on 22 acres

Solar Program: 120,900 SF at 967 kW; 4,115 panels generating 1,421,500 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,080 tons of CO₂, 192 cars’ emissions or powering 122 homes

Round Rock, TX – opened in 2006; store size: expanding to 306,000 SF on 22 acres

Solar Program: 203,700 SF at 1,629 kW; 6,932 panels generating 2,398,000 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,822 tons of CO₂, 324 cars’ emissions or powering 206 homes

Sunrise, FL – opened in 2007; size: 293,000 SF on 20 acres

Solar Program: 132,100 SF at 1,056 kW; 4,494 panels generating 1,554,600 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,181 tons of CO₂, 210 cars’ emissions or powering 134 homes

Tampa, FL – opened in 2009; store size: 353,000 SF on 29 acres

Solar Program: 148,700 SF at 1,189 kW; 5,061 panels generating 1,792,300 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,362 tons of CO₂, 242 cars’ emissions or powering 154 homes

Woodbridge, VA – opened in 2001; 325,000 SF on 11.5 acres

Solar Program: 63,900 SF at 511 kW; 2,128 panels generating 644,500 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 490 tons of CO₂, 87 cars’ emissions or powering 55 homes

Savannah, GA Distribution Center – opened in 2007; size: 750,000 SF on 115 acres

Solar Program: 187,500 SF at 1,500 kW; 6,250 panels generating 2,029,500 kWh/year

Equivalent to reducing 1,542 tons of CO₂, 274 cars’ emissions or powering 175 homes

IKEA already has 12 U.S. solar energy systems operational with 11 more underway. Adding solar to ten more locations increases the company’s solar presence to 75% of its U.S. locations and a total solar generating capacity of approximately 26.8 MW. “IKEA believes we can be a good business while doing good business,” said Mike Ward, IKEA U.S. president. “This investment extends our solar presence to the Southern U.S., further reducing our carbon footprint and the intensity of the electrical grid.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, reflects a business and operating model designed to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates locations for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings, such as energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, eliminating plastic bags from the check-out process, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs. Also, IKEA is installing electric vehicle charging stations at nine stores in the Western U.S.

For the six Florida and Texas stores, IKEA contracted with REC Solar, one of the largest U.S. solar electric providers, with more than 7,000 systems built nationwide. For the four other locations, IKEA contracted with Gehrlicher Solar America Corp., part of Gehrlicher AG, one of the world's ten largest independent PV project developers and system integrators. Both contracted companies already are implementing other solar PV programs for IKEA too.

Kruger Products Wins Coveted CIPEC Leadership Award for Innovative Biomass Gasification Technology

11.30.2011 - 08:45AM

Kruger Products L.P., Canada's leading manufacturer of quality tissue products, was recognized for its environmental leadership and energy conservation achievements through the 2011 Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation (CIPEC) Leadership Awards. The Company earned this distinction for its innovative biomass gasification system in its New Westminster, BC tissue facility. This state-of-the-art technology is the first of its kind in Canada and in the entire pulp and paper industry. The award was presented by Natural Resources Canada as part of the Energy 2011 Lean and Green Future conference on November 29, 2011.

“Since coming online nearly two years ago, the biomass gasification system has already reduced emissions at the plant by 36%, which is equivalent to planting two million trees or removing 3,500 vehicles from the roads,” said Frank van Biesen, Vice President, Technology, for Kruger Products. “This technology is making real improvements and moving us toward our sustainable development goals.” The key to this technology is converting locally sourced wood waste that is otherwise destined for landfill into clean-burning “syngas” that replaces natural gas in the steam-generating boilers.

“The CIPEC Leadership Awards demonstrate the outstanding achievements of companies that have distinguished themselves in their work to improve energy efficiency,” said David Anderson, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources. “I congratulate Kruger Products on this award and for their leadership in advancing clean energy technologies.”

Kruger Products is being recognized in the category of Process and Technology Improvements for its achievements as a Canadian company making great strides to contribute to a cleaner environment for everyone. The Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) began the Leadership Awards in 2005. Submissions are evaluated in one of five award categories against a clear set of criteria, including the project’s improved energy intensity, potential for broader use, contribution to the environment, innovation, other benefits and the quality of the submission. Each category has two winners.

As part of its Sustainability 2015 initiative, Kruger Products has introduced projects to improve technologies at its various facilities to integrate renewable energy sources into its operations and reduce its overall energy consumption. “We have a variety of these projects across our operations,” said Steven Sage, Corporate Director of Sustainability and Innovation. “We are focused on making the right choices and strive to ensure that our actions translate into meaningful savings and help protect the environment.” Through Sustainability 2015, Kruger Products is committed to, among other things, reducing its energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, each by 15%. The biomass gasification technology brought the Company one giant step closer to achieving these targets.

About Kruger Products L.P.

Kruger Products is Canada’s leading tissue manufacturer and serves the Canadian consumer market with such well-known brands as Cashmere, Purex, SpongeTowels, Scotties and White Swan, as well as away-from-home products for industrial and commercial use across Canada. Sustainability 2015 is Kruger Products’ ambitious five-year plan aimed at reducing the company’s environmental footprint. The Company has set quantifiable targets for improving its environmental performance and is focusing on the use of innovative technologies. For more information, visit www.krugerproducts.ca.

IKEA Plugs In 3 Electric Vehicle Charging Stations In San Diego, CA

11.29.2011 - 11:33AM

IKEA, the world’s leading home furnishings retailer, today officially plugged-in three Blink Pedestal electric vehicle charging stations at its San Diego, California store as part of its partnership with ECOtality, Inc. (NASDAQ:ECTY), a leader in clean electric transportation and storage technologies. This initiative represents the third such project for IKEA in the United States. Installation also is planned at six other IKEA stores in the Western U.S. To charge an EV at IKEA San Diego, drivers pull into a designated parking spot, swipe their Blink InCard (RFID card), plug the charger into the EV, and then shop and eat at their leisure in the IKEA store while the vehicle is charging. Drivers can get a Blink InCard at www.blinknetwork.com.

“Installing electric-vehicle charging stations at IKEA San Diego is another way to build upon our commitment to sustainability,” said Jim Tilley, IKEA San Diego store manager. “At IKEA, we believe in being a good business while doing good business. Making it easier for the public to drive EVs – with support from ECOtality and SDG&E – accomplishes both goals.”

“In order for EV infrastructure to be a success, it is essential that private enterprises take an active role,” stated Andy Hoskinson, San Diego Area Manager for ECOtality. “IKEA has shown true leadership by installing Blink charging stations at their locations, and making Blink chargers accessible to the public.”

IKEA, drawing from its Swedish heritage and respect of nature, believes it can be a good business while doing good business and strives for its operations to minimize impacts on the environment. Globally, IKEA evaluates all locations regularly for energy conservation opportunities, integrates innovative materials into product design, works with Global Forest Watch to maintain sustainable resources, and flat-packs goods for efficient distribution. Specific U.S. sustainable efforts include: recycling waste material (paper, wood, plastic, etc.); incorporating environmental measures into the construction of buildings in terms of energy-efficient HVAC and lighting systems, recycled construction materials, skylights in warehouse areas, and water conserving restrooms; and operationally, phasing out the sale of incandescent light bulbs and facilitating recycling of customers’ compact fluorescent bulbs.

Additionally, IKEA is rolling out rooftop solar energy systems at many of its U.S. locations.

Located on 10 acres along I-8 between I-805 and I-15, the 198,000-s.f. IKEA San Diego opened in September 2000 and employs approximately 275 coworkers. In addition to 10,000 exclusively designed items, IKEA San Diego presents 32 different room-settings, a model home interior, a supervised children’s play area, and a 150-seat restaurant serving Swedish specialties such as meatballs with lingonberries and Gravad Lax plates, as well as American dishes. Other family-friendly features include a ‘Children’s IKEA’ area in the Showroom, baby care rooms, preferred parking and play areas throughout the store.

IKEA also completed installation of a solar energy system atop the store this summer.

Small Business Owners Call for Honest and Thorough Keystone Pipeline Examination

11.17.2011 - 03:34PM

Today, businesses across the nation urged the White House and State Department to conduct an honest, thorough assessment of the Keystone Pipeline. In a letter organized by the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC), business owners and their supporters raised concerns about the potential economic and environmental consequences of the pipeline’s construction. Representatives from 350.org and Green America, which, among others, helped gather the letter’s 810 signatures, joined ASBC for its delivery to the White House.

“We were very pleased to see the Administration wisely choose to reexamine the details of the pipeline,” said Fran Teplitz, Director of Social Investing & Strategic Outreach for Green America, one of ASBC’s founding organizations. “We are confident that unbiased studies incorporating realistic economic and environmental data will conclude that the Keystone XL pipeline should not be constructed.”

Because a recent study from Cornell University predicted significantly fewer jobs and economic benefits than TransCanada’s projections, the signers requested that the State Department include updated and more realistic forecasts in its assessment. The requested criteria included the number of permanent jobs created and jobs lost. The groups also stated the need for strong transparency measures to ensure the public is aware of the data informing the Administration’s decision-making.

“We were of course thankful the State Department did not rush into a bad decision based on flawed and overly optimistic projections. The Keystone Pipeline still raises serious concerns, especially from a business perspective. Keystone should not be able to impose its environmental costs onto the American people and we find it hard to believe it would move forward if assessed realistically,” said Mitch Rofsky, Chair of New Voice of Business, one of the letter’s signers. “Keystone needs to be required to cover the full remediation and economic cost of any potential leaks through insurance or a bond. The tar sand fuel involved should also be taxed to cover its environmental impact. No analysis should approve the pipeline unless these costs are included.”

The business owners also encouraged the Obama Administration to make the development of our nation’s clean energy economy a top national priority.

“We don’t need another BP oil spill,” said David Levine, ASBC’s co-founder. “We need the federal government to strategically invest in the growing renewable energy market, especially at a time when the over-subsidized, fossil fuel industry is losing jobs and job growth nationwide has flattened. It’s time we say ‘no’ to supporting outdated energy projects.”

Read the letter to the White House.

About American Sustainable Business Council:

The American Sustainable Business Council is a growing coalition of business networks and businesses committed to advancing a new vision, framework and policies that support a vibrant, equitable and sustainable economy. The Council brings together the business perspective, political will and strength to stimulate our economy, benefit our communities, and preserve our environment. The organizations that have joined in this partnership to date represent over 70,000 businesses and social enterprises and more than 150,000 entrepreneurs, owners, executives, investors and business professionals. www.asbcouncil.org

Barrick Inaugurates Punta Colorada Wind Farm in Chile

11.17.2011 - 01:21PM

At an inauguration ceremony held today in northern Chile, Barrick Gold Corporation marked the official opening of the Punta Colorada Wind Farm, the largest wind farm ever built by a mining company in the country.

The event was attended by the President of the Republic of Chile, Sebastián Piñera, the ministers of Mining and Energy, Hernán de Solminihac and Rodrigo Álvarez, and authorities from Chile’s Atacama and Coquimbo regions. This large-scale $50 million project, located in the town of La Higuera in the Coquimbo Region of Chile, consists of 10 wind turbines that generate 20 megawatts of power, enough to supply the energy needs of 10,000 families. The wind farm has the capacity to expand to 18 turbines and generate 36 megawatts, which would raise the total investment in the project to $70 million. The power generated by the wind farm feeds into Chile’s Central Interconnected Systems power grid.

“The inauguration of this wind farm is a milestone for Barrick, reflecting our belief that renewable energy and energy conservation benefit both the environment and our company,” said Igor Gonzales, President of Barrick South America. “We are also very pleased to contribute to the diversification of Chile’s national energy grid and to support policies for the development of renewable energy. We will continue to explore innovative technologies to make our company more energy efficient and to reduce our carbon footprint.”

The wind farm is one of a number of renewable energy projects and conservation initiatives that support Barrick’s broader climate change strategy. In Nevada, the company has a one megawatt solar farm. In Argentina, Barrick invested $8.5 million in a wind turbine that now provides up to 20 percent of the electricity needs for its Veladero mine. At 4,110 meters above sea level in the Andes Mountains, the wind turbine is recognized by Guinness World Records as the world’s highest-altitude wind generator.

In 2010, 15 per cent of Barrick’s purchased and self-generated electricity came from renewable sources. The company completed more than 25 projects to reduce its energy and greenhouse gas footprint last year. These programs reduced the company’s GHG emissions by 206,200 tonnes over business as usual in 2010.

In 2011, Barrick was named as a carbon disclosure leader in Canada for the second consecutive year, ranking among the top five companies in an annual survey conducted by the Carbon Disclosure Project. Barrick was selected from among 200 major Canadian companies as the most prepared and transparent in its approach to climate change information disclosure practices and strategies.

EnergyOcean International 2011

05.16.2011 - 09:00AM

The 8th Annual EnergyOcean International Conference & Exhibition is gearing up to return to the state of Maine! Hundreds of industry stakeholders representing every aspect of the Offshore Renewable Energy Industry will unite for EnergyOcean International's technical program which is established as the primary educational platform and networking forum for the industry.

Prominent speakers will lead interactive conference sessions on offshore wind, OTEC, wave and tidal energy, technological advances, finance opportunities, government regulation, patents, procedures, environmental studies and more!

Don't miss cutting edge presentations and compelling discussions on all of the most pressing challenges and opportunities affecting the Offshore Renewables Industry today and in the future. The event's exhibition will feature 50+ exhibitors unveiling the industry's newest technological breakthroughs, products and services. No other Offshore Renewable Energy event provides attendees with more strategically targeted networking opportunities.

Ocean energy promises to be a significant component of the world's future energy portfolio. As this cutting edge market continues to rapidly expand and grow, it's essential that industry professionals connect to collaborate on new technologies, regulation, financial opportunities, case studies and research. EnergyOcean International 2011 delivers a single source solution for attendees.

National Solar Conference

04.15.2011 - 06:14PM

The National Solar Conference is the longest-running educational event for solar energy professionals in the U.S. Now in its 40th year, the SOLAR 2011 program will be developed by solar energy experts in all topical areas - technology, buildings, policy, professional education, workforce development, and consumer education. Many sessions will offer continuing education credits for architects, installers, engineers, and more. There is no better way to begin or continue your professional education in solar energy than the National Solar Conference!

Check out the top-tier speakers, innovative technology on display in the exhibit hall and even consider learning how to install your own solar hot water or PV. Did we mention great networking opportunities?!

Carbon Management For Power Plants 2011

04.05.2011 - 04:06PM

As uncertainty grows around EPA and state-level regulation surrounding carbon emissions from power plants, finding strategies and technologies for complying with these regulations is becoming a top priority for power plant operators.

Because of this, the Chief Environmental Officers from America's largest power generation companies including Southern Company, Dominion Resources and Constellation Energy have joined forces to share solutions for managing power plant carbon emissions at the forthcoming Carbon Management For Power Plants 2011 Summit (June 28-29, San Francisco).

This is the only conference where senior executives from power plant operators themselves will clarify the monetary impact that carbon emission regulations will have on utilities and explain how they are applying key technologies including CCS, IGCC, Oxy-Combustion, Underground Coal Gasification and power plant energy efficiency to cost-effectively comply with these regulations.

Midwest Wind Summit & Expo

09.22.2010 - 06:43PM

The Midwest Wind Summit & Expo offers unparalleled access to the leading companies, government, research centers, with unmatched networking opportunities with wind industry experts, investors, and stakeholders from North America. Join us for the opportunity to discuss with your wind colleagues how our industry can create a cleaner energy future, strengthen regional and national economies, and lead to a sound and profitable energy market.

Select the links below to view press releases associated with this event:

A Legal Discussion On Wind Energy

Wind Energy Poised to Help Country Meet Clean Energy Goals

EnergyOcean International 2010

04.19.2010 - 08:00AM

EnergyOcean is the world's leading event focusing on renewable and sustainable energy from the oceans and is the primary education platform and networking event for key players in the industry. Attendees will learn of the latest technological advances, investment opportunities, regulatory issues, and planned and implemented projects around the world. Companies that participate include federal regulators, state regulations, utilities, banking institutions, engineering firms, manufacturers, academic institutions, etc.

No other ocean renewables event provides such strategically targeted networking opportunities.

Concentrating Solar Thermal Power 2009

06.04.2009 - 12:00AM

Following the 4th annual Photovoltaics Summit and Co-Chaired by Rainer Aringhoff, President of Solar Millennium and Fred Morse, Senior Advisor for US Operations of Abengoa Solar, this year's program will address the current issues in the utility scale solar arena. Speakers from Abengoa Solar, APS, Ausra, BrightSource Energy, California Public Utilities Commission, Chadbourne & Parke LLP, Ceert, Emerging Energy Research, Ernst & Young, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy LLP, Navigant, NV Energy, Orrick, Sandia National Laboratories, Skyfuel, Solar Millenium, SolarReserve, Starpoint Solar, Stirling Energy Systems, Terrafore Inc and US Renewables Group will present the latest in market trends and developments, financing and funding as well as updates and insights on technical and systems developments. Additional topics to be discussed include transmission and onsite planning.

"2009 will certainly be an interesting time for the renewable sector, said Conference Producer Christopher Smith. "This conference, in conjunction with Photovoltaics Summit 2009, is a great opportunity for the entire industry to collaborate, strengthen relationships and meet the substantial renewable energy demands that are expected."

Various pricing options are available. For complete program details, please visit:
http://www.cstpower-conference.com.

About IntertechPira
IntertechPira provides events, training, online information and publications across a wide range of contemporary issues and technologies affecting industry. Our 100% independent products are provided globally 24/7 and delivered by teams of independent experts at sites in Portland, ME, US and London, UK through 20 specialized industrial platforms. Our core competencies are information on: research and product development, globalization and new markets; production methods; regulatory and compliance.

Photovoltaics Summit 2009

06.01.2009 - 12:00AM

Last year's 3rd annual Photovoltaics Summit grew by more than 35% since its previous year and has become well known in the industry for the high quality of the presentations and conference experience. This year's program will provide an updated, in-depth forum for new developments to be shared and is designed for those with a background in the technology as well as relative newcomers to the field.

Speakers from AltaTerra Research, Enphase Energy, EuPD Research, Global Market Consultants, GP Solar GmbH, Green Mountain Coffee Roasters, Harvard University, IntertechPira, KV Architects, Moser Baer, Navigant Consulting, NREL, Oerlikon Solar, PG&E, Recurrent Energy, Rofin-Sinar, Safeway, Signet Solar, Solaicx, SolFocus, Solaria, Spire Solar, Suniva, Sun Works LLC, Thornton Solar Consulting, Tioga Energy, United Solar Ovonic, University of Vermont and Whole Foods will present and address the opportunities and most critical challenges for the commercialization of PV technologies. Also featured in the program include two parallel tracks for a deeper understanding of materials and manufacturing and utility-scale solar initiatives; one panel discussion with corporate solar consumers; two half-day seminars and numerous networking functions.

"This is an exciting time for alternative energy, and for solar in particular, "said Senior Conference Producer, Jessica Johnson. " A new administration focused on developing new solar projects could mean new opportunities for novel technologies and innovative companies. I'm optimistic that this year's Photovoltaics Summit is going to be the best yet, with an expanded program and almost twice the number of speakers from last year!"

Co-Chaired by Dr Jean Posbic, Director of Projects of BP Solar and Dr Tom Surek, PV Consultant and former PV Program Manager of NREL, Photovoltaics Summit 2009 is a key industry event, providing the opportunity to network with leading experts and gain the necessary knowledge in this growing field. Two pre-conference seminars, An Introduction to Photovoltaics Technology: Research, Development, Systems and Applications and PV Markets and Supply Chains: A Global Outlook will be held prior to the conference on Monday, June 1.

To expand upon the alternative energy market, the week will continue with Concentrating Solar Thermal Power 2009 set for June 4 - 5, 2009 at the Hotel Kabuki. Co-Chaired by Rainer Aringhoff, Solar Millennium and Fred Morse, Abengoa Solar, this two day conference and exhibition will address the current issues in the utility scale solar arena. Attendees will hear the latest updates and developments from leading power purchasers and project developers and receive insight into the latest public and private funding activities. Additional topics to be discussed include transmission, onsite planning and the latest technology and systems. Visit http://www.cstpower-conference.com for complete program details.

Enterprise Carbon Accounting

05.14.2009 - 12:00AM

Greentech Media and Groom Energy have partnered to create a critical new symposium series, Enterprise Carbon Accounting. Building on the success of Groom Energy's previous seminar held in Boston February 25 this year, this event will answer the major questions facing large corporations and institutions today around carbon accounting, including:

Will my organization face Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation? Will cap-and-trade legislation pass this year?
Will large firms like Walmart influence emerging standards for scope 3 and product-level carbon accounting?
How should my organization manage pressure from stakeholders and emerging green rating systems?
Should carbon accounting be tied into financial accounting?
What lessons can we learn from the early leaders in this space?
What tools and technologies are available for corporations that want to operate effective carbon management programs?
This event brings together top-level speakers from major corporations and policy organizations to share their experiences with enterprise carbon accounting and the ongoing development of greenhouse gas regulation. The inaugural event drew representatives from major corporations and the accounting, legal, software, venture capital, risk management, and utility industries. As is typical with Greentech Media events, Enterprise Carbon Accounting will offer attendees much more than vendor-driven marketing or simplistic high-level perspectives, providing them with actionable market insights, data, and education on topics critical to their business success.

Go Green Expo Philadelphia

03.13.2009 - 12:00AM

Go Green Expo will host the nation's most invigorating and diverse eco-friendly event of its kind at the Pennsylvania Convention Center from March 13th to 15th. Featuring a wide variety of green products and services, including everything from solar panels and hybrid cars to organic food and wine, Go Green Expo is sure to have something for everyone. In addition to the various green businesses exhibiting at the show, Go Green Expo will have over 10 seminars with leaders in the green industry, local politics, and community organizations discussing subjects including innovations in transportation, emerging energy sources, conservation, eco-entrepreneurialism, & much more. There will also be an eco-film festival at Go Green Expo Philadelphia; for information and updates about film dates and times visit GoGreenExpo.com. Don't miss Philadelphia's ultimate eco-extravaganza! Limited booth space is still available, contact Chris Colihan-Grillo at 212-655-4505 ext. 224 or comccolihan@gogreenexpo.com today.

MIT Energy Conference

03.05.2009 - 11:00PM

The MIT Energy Conference brings together leaders in technology, policy, industry, and finance to solve the tremendous challenges facing today's energy markets. This year's theme, Accelerating Change in Global Energy, sets up a thorough and fact-based discussion of the need for fundamental change in the way the world produces and consumes energy. The MIT Energy Conference will showcase promising technology and policy approaches that have the potential to achieve critical scale and make a significant impact on the global energy landscape.

2008 National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference

10.26.2008 - 12:00AM

For over a decade, the National Renewable Energy Marketing Conference has been the industry's paramount annual gathering attended by leading renewable energy and green power industry stakeholders. Each year the most influential key players, including power marketers, renewable energy developers, large purchasers, retail and wholesale green power suppliers, electric utilities, equipment manufacturers, government agencies, energy consultants and nonprofit experts gather to listen to their peers present on the major issues facing the industry. This year's conference promises to be our largest yet and will take place in scenic Denver, Colorado on October 26-29, 2008.

NESEA's Building Energy Conference and Trade Show

03.11.2008 - 12:00AM

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is organizing BuildingEnergy08, the Northeast's 33rd premier conference and trade show for renewable energy, green building, and climate change professionals. If you are committed to the practice of clean energy and environmental sustainability, this is where you belong. The conference presents the opportunities, technologies and practices shaping the future of energy use with over 150 U.S. and European experts in the field. In-depth workshops on March 11 and sessions on March 12-13 are presented by leading architects, engineers, designers, rehab and retrofit experts, climate change professionals, solar professionals, and planning and municipal officials. Over 175 exhibitors at the Trade Show feature cutting-edge green products and services at the largest green trade show in the Northeast. A free public forum, The Boston Green Tea Party: An Energy Revolution!, will be held on March 11 from 6pm – 8pm. For more information, visit buildingenergy.nesea.org.