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Turbine
supplier wins PEI order
Acciona Windpower has signed a turbine supply and
maintenance contract with the Prince Edward Island Energy Corporation for agency’s
planned 30 MW wind farm. The turbine manufacturer will deliver 10 of its AW3000
3 MW units for the project, expected online by the end of 2013. “This is a real milestone for
this wind development project which, when completed, will provide a measure of
relief to Island ratepayers, who will benefit from some added stability in
their future energy costs,” says PEI Energy Minister Wes Sheridan.
CanWEA calls
for noise study modifications
CanWEA has ”significant concerns” about the proposed methodology
and scope of Health Canada’s planned study on health impacts and wind turbine
noise. “It is the opinion of CanWEA that substantial modifications to the
proposed methodology and study design are required to ensure the results of the
study make a useful contribution to the significant volume of global scientific
literature already in existence,” the association says. Also link to CanWEA's submission.
Alberta grid operator
explores storage
The Alberta Electric System Operator
(AESO) wants to explore ways to facilitate the participation of energy storage (ES)
resources in the province’s competitive electricity and operating reserves
markets. “The AESO is open to collaborating on demonstration projects as a
learning platform to improve the understanding of both the technical and market
aspects of integrating ES resources, as well as possible solutions to removing
barriers that prevent ES technologies from full participation in Alberta’s
power system.,” the agency said in a letter to stakeholders.
Ontario to
see significant supply additions
Ontario's will see more than 3 GW of new electricity capacity
added to its grid over the next 18 months, says the province’s Independent
Electricity System Operator (IESO), with half the new additions coming from new
renewable generation. The IESO has implemented a new centralized forecasting
service to help integrated the new wind and solar facilities. Total energy
consumption is forecast to remain flat in 2012 before shrinking slightly in
2013.
Ontario
sees renewable energy jobs payback
Automotive supply company,
Automodular Corporation, has branched out into the wind business, hiring 40 people to assemble turbine
components for projects like the Erieau Wind and East Lake St. Clair wind farms in Chatham, says an
Ontario government news release touting the job creation benefits of its green
energy policies. "Companies like Automodular are great examples of how Ontario’s clean energy
industry is strengthening our economy, creating jobs across the province and
ensuring cleaner air and a healthier environment," says Energy Minister
Chris Bentley. Also link to an Ontario
government news release detailing the latest step in its
efforts to eliminate the use of coal in power generation.
Studies find energy collaboration benefits
Increased co-operation among the Atlantic provinces and regional
power utilities will
yield cost efficiencies, greater diversity on clean and renewable energy
supplies, stability for ratepayers and lower greenhouse gas emissions, says the
results of studies conducted under the Atlantic Energy Gateway initiative.
"We are going to seize every available opportunity to work together to
access cleaner supplies of energy," says PEI Energy Minister Wes Sheridan.
Developer
signs financing deal
Mainstream Renewable Power has secured a EUR60 million corporate
facility from the Macquarie Group. The company will receive an initial EUR40
million, with provision for an additional EUR20 million of upon satisfaction of
certain further conditions and approvals. The money will help fund Mainstream’s
expansion activities. The company has more than 325 MW of projects entering
construction, including the 46 MW Old Man wind farm in Alberta.
Consumers
want more renewable energy, studies show
A new global study shows 85% of consumers want
more renewable energy and 49% are willing to pay more for products made with
renewable energy. A second study found corporations are continuing to show
preference for investing in renewable energy. The studies were commissioned by
Vestas. “The evidence presented by the surveys is extremely encouraging,” says
Morten Albaek, Vestas Group Senior Vice President of Marketing, Communication
and Corporate Relations.
Upcoming events:
CanWEA 2012
October 14-17, 2012
Toronto, Ontario
APPrO
2012
November 6-7, 20102
Toronto, Ontario
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