Tuesday, January 31, 2006

Friday, January 27, 2006

RenewableEnergyAccess.com | New Mexico Bill Aims to Export Renewable Energy

RenewableEnergyAccess.com | New Mexico Bill Aims to Export Renewable Energy: "New Mexico Bill Aims to Export Renewable Energy
January 26, 2006


Conifer, Colorado [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] A bill under consideration in New Mexico could create the essential groundwork for the state to become a large-scale net-exporter of renewable energy produced from the state's abundant natural resources.

"A Renewable Energy Transmission Authority would give New Mexico a tremendous competitive advantage in exporting its huge and inexhaustible wind energy resource to other states throughout the West."

-- Interwest Energy Alliance According to The Interwest Energy Alliance, Senator Jose Campos (D-Santa Rosa) introduced legislation (HB 111) creating a New Mexico Renewable Energy Transmission Authority to export some of the state's vast clean energy resources in wind, solar and biomass energy. Senator Michael Sanchez (D-Belen) has introduced a companion bill, SB 317.

Governor Bill Richardson has called for the development of 4,000 to 6,000 MW of wind energy in the state, along with 700 to 1,300 MW of solar and biomass energy. Most of this clean energy would be developed for export, since New Mexico requires only 3,000-4,000 MW of capacity for its own needs. Large capacity electric transmission lines could export the energy to nearby metropolitan areas in other states.

"Senator Campos' bill would help make Governor Richardson's vision a profitable reality for New Mexico," said the Interwest Energy Alliance, which added that the bill "would open the door for unprecedented new local economic development opportunities throughout rural parts of the state."

Warren Byrne of Foresight Wind Energy, LLC, a San Francisco-based wind project developer said there are also a number of other proposals to develop long-haul high-voltage transmission lines to bring wind resources from the interior West to power markets in Arizona and the West Coast.

"New Mexico's wind resource is world-class, but without the transmission to deliver this clean energy to markets, New Mexico could be left out of the booming market for clean energy," Byrne said.

The demand for renewable energy from California alone is growing rapidly, given its aggressive 20-percent renewable energy standard and the California Energy Commission's recent decision to prohibit imports of new coal-fired electricity from other states.

"A Renewable Energy Transmission Authority would give New Mexico a tremendous competitive advantage in exporting its huge and inexhaustible wind energy resource to other states throughout the West," said the Interwest Energy Alliance.

Greenwind Power Raises 11.6 Million Dollars for Alberta Wind Energy Projects

PRESS RELEASE Greenwind Power Raises 11.6 Million Dollars for Alberta Wind Energy Projects: "Greenwind Power Raises 11.6 Million Dollars for Alberta Wind Energy Projects

VANCOUVER, BC -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/26/2006 -- Greenwind Power Corp and Greenwind Power (Canada) Corp, a wholly owned subsidiary of Greenwind Power Corp USA ("Greenwind" or the "Company") (OTC: GWDP) are pleased to announce they have raised 11.6 million dollars towards securing transmission rights with the Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) for power to be generated by three wind farms being developed in South West Alberta.

Greenwind and its partner, Energy Logics of Vancouver are involved in 7 wind energy projects in South West Alberta to provide in excess of 600 megawatts (MW) of potential wind energy production.

"The long term objective is to position the Company as a strong business leader in the renewable energy sector," stated Glenn Collick, president of Greenwind. The Company has secured long-term leases on all projects which are at various development stages from wind monitoring to full approvals from the Electric Utilities Board of Alberta (EUB).

Energy Logics is a Canadian alternative energy financing specialist providing equity and debt solutions for innovative alternative energy project developers.

"Integral to the development of a wind farm is the ability to move the generated power to the markets that require it," says Ron Knoedler, project manager for Greenwind. This past year the AESO committed to spending $80 million on upgrades to the southwest Alberta transmission system in order to satisfy the growing development of wind farms in the region. With the investment of the $11.6 million, Greenwind has reserved transmission capacity for the Yagos Wind Energy Inc. and the Riverside Wind Energy Inc.100 MW wind farms. In addition, Greenwind has attained a small interest in a third wind farm project that has also reserved transmission capacity on the grid.

Glenn Collick, President

This Press Release may contain, in addition to historical information, forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements are based on management's expectations and beliefs, and involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from the results implied herein.

Distributed by Filing Services Canada and retransmitted by Market Wire


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


For information please contact:
Earl Hope
(604) 484-3704
Toll Free: 1-866-789-WIND (9463)
Email Contact
Email Contact
www.greenwindpower.com

PO Box 12, 595 Howe Street
Suite 902 (Vancouver, BC V6C 2T5
Telephone: (604) 484-3701
Fax: (604) 484-3791
(Toll Free: 1-866-789-WIND (9463)
Email: Email Contact
(Website: www.greenwindpower.com)


SOURCE: Greenwind Power Corp. USA

Wind Energy Blows Hard

CarbonFree News: "Wind Energy Blows Hard

Wind Energy Blows Hard


The U.S. wind energy industry easily broke earlier annual installed capacity records in 2005, installing nearly 2,500 megawatts (MW) or over $3 billion worth of new generating equipment in 22 states, according to the Washington, D.C.-based American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). Instead of the slow year that has previously followed boom years for the industry, 2006 is expected to be even bigger, with installations topping 3,000 MW.
The final tally of 2,431 MW boosted the cumulative U.S. installed wind power fleet by over 35%, bringing the industry's total generating capacity to 9,149 MW(1). The previous record capacity figure was set in 2001 when 1,697 MW of new capacity was installed. There are now commercial wind turbine installations in 30 states. The figure was just shy of an expected 2,500 MW because several projects were subject to weather-related delays.

Wind energy facilities now installed in the U.S., AWEA said, will produce as much electricity annually as 2.3 million average American households use(2), and will displace emissions of more than 15 million tons of carbon dioxide (the leading greenhouse gas) annually.

"Thanks to Congress's extending the wind energy production credit before it expired for the first time in the credit's history, the wind industry is looking forward to several record-breaking years in a row," said AWEA Executive Director Randall Swisher. "Companies can now plan for growth, create jobs, and provide more clean power to customers nationwide. We are finally beginning to tap into wind energy's enormous potential."

The growth in wind power construction comes at a time when customers across the country are facing electricity and natural gas rate hikes due to the natural gas supply shortage, with 2005-2006 winter gas prices peaking as high as $15/thousand cubic foot (mcf). Monthly average prices range from $6- 13/mcf, compared to last year's monthly average prices of $5-7/mcf. Wind power, which generates energy without using fuel, provides a hedge against rising energy costs because wind energy production is immune from fuel price spikes.

AWEA estimates that an installed capacity of 9,149 MW of wind power will save over half a billion cubic feet of natural gas per day (Bcf/day) in 2006(3), alleviating a portion of the supply pressure that is now facing the natural gas industry and is driving prices upward. The U.S. currently burns about 13 Bcf/day for electricity generation, which means during 2006, wind power will be reducing natural gas use for power generation by approximately 5%.

Other highlights include:

- California is still the state with the most wind power installed, with 2,150 MW, but Texas is gaining fast with 1,995 MW installed and more proposed for 2006. Iowa remains in third place with 836 MW installed. Minnesota is in fourth with 744 MW, and Oklahoma moves into fifth place with 475 MW.

- GE Energy turbines accounted for nearly 60% of the new capacity in 2005. Vestas turbines accounted for nearly 30%. Mitsubishi was the third largest wind turbine supplier to the U.S. market, supplying about 8% of the new capacity. Suzlon and Gamesa round out the top five.

- FPL Energy was the project developer responsible for adding the most new wind power capacity, with over 500 MW of new capacity added to its fleet. PPM Energy was in second place, adding 394 MW(4). Horizon Wind Energy added 220 MW(5); Invenergy added 200 MW; and enXco added 150 MW.

- The wind farms completed in 2005, AWEA said, will generate approximately $5 million in payments to landowners annually(6) and create skilled, long-term jobs in areas where such employment is scarce, as well as short-term construction jobs and associated economic activity.


http://www.awea.org

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Wind energy can help save America's environment

FarmWeek: "Perspective -- Wind energy can help save America's environment
Friday, January 27, 2006

The winds of change are blowing through the United States, starting in Massachusetts. For too long, acid rain has showered its shores and beaches, and residents of Cape Cod and nearby islands have inhaled toxic air from dirty power plants.

The people of Massachusetts know firsthand the drastic effects of an oil spill — the 100,000-gallon spill in Buzzard’s Bay in 2003 soiled coastlines, closed shellfish beds, and killed nesting shorebirds and seals.

We are all feeling the pain of our country’s reliance on foreign oil. Offshore wind will be an important step toward putting all that to an end, and that is why Greenpeace strongly supports America’s first offshore wind farm.

For 30 years, Greenpeace has worked to protect the world’s oceans. We successfully campaigned to end dumping of radioactive and industrial wastes at sea, helped create a moratorium on commercial whaling, and have played a crucial role in the development of other laws and policies that safeguard our oceans.

It is with this background that we began our work in support of offshore wind in Europe and now in the United States.

The Cape Wind project is undergoing a comprehensive and thorough review process that looks at all aspects of the proposal. A draft environmental-impact statement was released late last year, two years in the making and more than 4,000 pages long.

Initial analysis found that the environmental, public health, and economic benefits of Cape Wind far exceed any minor short-term environmental costs that may be associated with the project.

Let me say unequivocally that if Greenpeace had any concerns that this project would have long-term consequences for the marine ecosystem of Nantucket Sound, we would be the first to oppose it.

We have opposed wind farms both on and offshore in the past, and we will continue to do so when projects are ill-sited or improper in size and scope.

Cape Wind, however, is the right project, in the right place, at the right time.

Unlike opponents of Cape Wind, Greenpeace has firsthand experience with offshore wind. In the United Kingdom (UK), where Greenpeace worked to develop the country’s first offshore wind farms, initial fears that the projects would lower property values, decrease tourism, or harm the environment were completely unfounded.

In fact, because of broad public support, the UK now plans to build additional offshore wind farms that will supply one in six UK households with energy from this clean renewable resource. Europe is proof of the benefits created by offshore wind; now that opportunity is coming to Massachusetts.

The wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound would provide 75 percent of the cape and islands’ energy without emitting asthma-causing pollution, spilling oil in the water, or producing any of the greenhouse gases that cause global warming.

In addition to protecting the environment, the wind farm will benefit the cape’s economy by creating jobs and attracting tourists.

Now Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, who opposes Cape Wind, is trying to push aside air quality safeguards to allow power plants to burn oil if there is a natural gas shortage this winter.

Nobody would be talking about lowering health standards in the state if Cape Wind were up and running, yet the governor continues to oppose the project.

The opponents of Cape Wind would have you believe that to protect the environment, we need to oppose the wind farm.

In fact, the opposite is true. Global warming poses significant risks for the area.

From more frequent and severe red tides to rising sea levels and more intense storms, a warming planet is a big problem for the same beachfront homeowners who oppose Cape Wind.

The environment that is so important to our way of life is in jeopardy, and projects like Cape Wind are the solution.



John Passacantando is executive director of Greenpeace USA { www.greenpeaceusa.org} . Readers may write him at Greenpeace USA, 702 H St., Washington, DC 20001.

Company to spend millions on wind turbines - 2006-01-27

Company to spend millions on wind turbines - 2006-01-27: "Company to spend millions on wind turbines
Irish renewable energy group Airtricity Holdings Ltd., which bought an Austin company in December, will spend more than $300 million on turbines to accommodate increasing demand for wind energy in the United States, The Irish Times reported Friday.

Airtricity says it will buy 250 turbines from Japan's Mitsubishi Power Systems Inc. over the next year and has an option to purchase another 200 turbines in 2008 from Mitsubishi, according to The Irish Times.
The turbines will be used to supply wind farms in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado as well as other wind farms owned by Renewable Generation Inc., an Austin wind energy company that Airtricity bought last month for about $10 million, according to The Irish Times.
In June, Airtricity said it would invest at least $1.5 billion in the U.S. market over five years, beginning with a $270 million investment in wind farms in Texas, New York and Idaho.
Airtricity's U.S. headquarters is in Chicago. "

Wind energy continues fast growth in Germany

New Europe Display News

Wind energy continues fast growth in Germany
Wind energy continued its fast growth in Germany last year but could slow in the coming years, the Federal Association for Wind Power said last Tuesday. Germany had 17,574 high-tech windmills operating at the end of 2005, said the association in a statement. This was 11 percent more than at the end of the previous year. The windmills, which received billions of Euro in state subsidies, generated six percent of German electricity at the end of 2004, said the association. “Growth of wind energy is expected to slow in the coming three years mainly because many of the best land sites in Germany for generating wind power are already in use,” said the statement. “Attention is now turning to the possibility of building huge, offshore wind energy parks in the North Sea and Baltic Sea.”

Iowa remains among top wind-energy producing state's in 2005

Sioux City Journal: Iowa remains among top wind-energy producing state's in 2005: "Iowa remains among top wind-energy producing state's in 2005
01/27/2006 012:01:43 PM


DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) -- The addition of new wind turbines helped keep Iowa among the leading wind-energy producing state's in the country in 2005.

Iowa installed 201.65 megawatts of new wind energy last year, statistics from the American Wind Energy Association showed. Nationwide, more than 2,400 megawatts were installed.

One megawatt of wind power can provide enough power for up to 300 homes.


Randall Swisher, executive director of the wind association, said utilities are turning to wind energy because, in part, it's less expensive than burning oil or corn.

"The thing that is different today than five years ago, not only is gas no longer the automatic default but also wind is playing a larger role in the thinking of electric utilities," Swisher said.

MidAmerican Energy accounted for most of Iowa's new wind capacity in 2005, completing a $386 million, 257-turbine project in two northern Iowa sites. The projects have no impact on customers' electricity rates.

Iowa law requires that utilities get 2 percent of their electricity from renewable sources. Gov. Tom Vilsack has set a goal for Iowa utilities to produce 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy by 2010.

Most of MidAmerican's electricity is generated by burning coal. The Des Moines-based company has 360.5 megawatts of capacity at its northern Iowa sites, increasing its total generation from renewable sources to 9 percent.

MidAmerican has 122 turbines in northwest Iowa and 135 turbines in north-central Iowa.

Only California and Texas have more wind energy capacity than Iowa, the wind association said.

The growth in wind projects follows renewal of a federal tax policy in 2004 that supports the wind industry. The tax credit provides a 1.5 cent- per-kilowatt-hour tax credit for electricity generated from wind turbines.

On the Net: American Wind Energy Association: http://www.awea.org/

MidAmerican Energy: http://www.midamericanenergy.com/

Friday, January 20, 2006

Whole Foods Market Buys 100% into Wind Power

RenewableEnergyAccess.com | Whole Foods Market Buys 100% into Wind Power: "Whole Foods Market Buys 100% into Wind Power
January 12, 2006

Whole Foods Market Buys 100% into Wind Power
January 12, 2006


Austin, Texas [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] What Whole Foods Market calls the "largest wind energy credit purchase in the history of the United States and Canada" may well be true, with 100 percent of the company's electricity used in all of its stores, facilities, bake houses, distribution centers, regional offices and national headquarters in the U.S. and Canada to be supplied by the purchase of wind energy credits.

"Whole Foods Market's commitment to wind power is providing an outstanding example of environmental leadership."

-- Kurt Johnson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership director Further, the natural and organic foods supermarket claims it is the only Fortune 500 Company to date to do so. Whole Foods Market selected Boulder, Colorado-based Renewable Choice Energy as its exclusive supplier of renewable energy credits.

"Whole Foods Market has made the largest-ever corporate purchase of renewable energy credits in the nation," said Kurt Johnson, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partnership director. "Whole Foods Market's commitment to wind power is providing an outstanding example of environmental leadership."

Tom Gray, Deputy Director of American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) said, "The record-breaking purchase of wind power by Whole Foods shows how easy it is to support the development of a clean, safe, domestic, renewable source of electricity like wind with the simple power of the pocketbook. In making this decision, Whole Foods has joined a growing list of corporations, utilities, universities, and private citizens who are actively supporting development of wind energy through their power purchasing decisions."

To help evaluate options and facilitate the purchasing process, Whole Foods Market involved the Washington, DC-based nonprofit environmental think tank, World Resources Institute (WRI). Since 2000, WRI has been working with a number of Fortune 500 companies to increase their use of renewable energy. "Whole Foods Market's historic purchase has set a new benchmark for the industry," said Jonathan Lash, WRI president.

As of December 9, 2005, Whole Foods Market purchased more than 458,000 MWh of renewable energy credits from wind farms. This purchase will avoid more than 700 million pounds of carbon dioxide pollution this year. To have the same environmental impact, more than 60,000 cars would have to be taken off the road or more than 90,000 acres of trees would have to be planted.

With the Whole Foods Market's motto being "Whole Foods, Whole People, Whole Planet", it follows that the company would choose renewable energy. "Whole Foods Market is a leader in the natural and organic foods movement, and that involves caring about our communities and respecting our environment," said Michael Besancon, Whole Foods Market Southern Pacific regional president and Green Mission task force leader. "This purchase of wind energy credits is a natural extension of that leadership and is integral to our core values."

GE Wind Power Business Brings Major Growth and Technology Opportunities

General Electric : GE Wind Power Business Brings Major Growth and Technology Opportunities: "GE Wind Power Business Brings Major Growth and Technology Opportunities

GE Wind Power Business Brings Major Growth and Technology Opportunities
GE has expanded into one of the fastest-growing segments of the global energy industry with the addition of its new wind energy business. Last year, a record 6,500 megawatts of new wind power-generating capacity, enough to provide electricity to roughly 1.5 million homes, were added worldwide. This growth trajectory is expected to continue for some time.

"The wind power industry offers great opportunities for growth and continued technology development," says Steven Zwolinski, President of GE Wind Energy, a new business unit of GE Power Systems. "With today's volatile fuel pricing, increasing environmental concerns and wind energy's cost competitiveness, more and more utilities are adding wind power to their electricity mix."

The 1,400 worldwide GE Wind Energy employees design, manufacture, install and operate commercial-size wind turbines ranging in size from 900 kilowatts to 3.6 megawatts. Since 1980, the company has developed and/or sold more than 5,700 wind turbines totaling 2,700 megawatts of capacity. With manufacturing facilities located in the world's three largest wind markets, Germany, Spain and the U.S., GE Wind Energy is strategically positioned for growth well into the future. GE Wind Energy also manufactures wind turbine blades in the Netherlands, and will soon be delivering blades for the growing U.S. market from its facility in Pensacola, Florida.

Worldwide, wind energy has grown 31% annually over the last five years, resulting in an estimated global installed capacity of 24,000 megawatts. Cumulative industry investment will top $25 billion in 2002. GE expects to see continued strong, double-digit growth in wind power over the next several years, with much of the focus on Europe and the Americas, but, according to Zwolinski, the business also is looking for opportunities to expand wind power technology into other regions including Asia.

Europe contributed nearly two-thirds of the total wind power capacity added globally in 2001, or approximately 4,500 megawatts. In Denmark, Germany and some regions of Spain, 10 to 25% of the total electric power is coming from wind generation.

The U.S. is emerging as a strong wind power market, growing 66% in 2001 with the addition of 1,700 megawatts of new wind-generated power, bringing the total installed capacity to 4,261 megawatts - enough to meet the electricity needs of one million average households. Of this total, GE Wind Energy contributed 25.7% with new installations in Wisconsin, Oregon, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas - one of the largest U.S. wind markets. Worldwide, GE Wind Energy contributed 865 megawatts during 2001.

In many parts of the world, governments are fueling this growth by providing incentives for the development of more environmentally friendly, renewable energy sources. These subsidies help put the cost of large wind-generated power (one megawatt or more) into a competitive range with other traditional generation sources. In the U.S., wind is projected to provide at least 6% of the nation's electricity by 2020 - an estimated 100,000-megawatt capacity. Europe has set a goal of 60,000 megawatts of wind-generated electricity by 2010.

Wind technology has improved significantly over the past two decades, driving up the efficiency of wind generation. Today's aerodynamically designed rotor blade airfoils, more reliable variable-speed generators and more sophisticated power electronics have enabled construction of larger wind plants that generate 120 times more electricity than early 1980s models.

The advanced wind power technology acquired by GE has a proven track record of cost-effective performance in both on-shore and offshore applications. GE 1.5 Megawatt series turbines are among the most widely utilized worldwide with more than 1,000 in operation today. At a height of 330 feet at its tallest point, and a rotor diameter of 231 feet (10% longer than the wingspan of a Boeing 747), the 1.5 Megawatt wind turbine is the largest wind turbine manufactured in the United States. The GE 3.6-Megawatt system, currently undergoing prototype testing in Spain, is the industry's highest capacity operating prototype to date.

The continuing development of larger and more efficient wind power systems is expected to make the technology an even more cost-competitive power generation option in the years ahead. The numerous synergies that exist across GE should increase the pace of technology in the wind industry. GE Plastics, Aircraft Engines and Power Systems advanced airfoil technology, GE Transportation Systems technology for gearboxes, GE Industrial and Power Systems advanced generators, power electronics and controls are just a few examples of this.

"GE is committed to wind power technology for the long-term," says Zwolinski. "We are optimistic that the synergies from several of our GE businesses, our Six Sigma Quality processes, our technology portfolios and our global network of professionals can provide the global wind industry with expanded expertise and capabilities - and ultimately, higher value solutions."

--~-- UPC Wind --~--

--~-- UPC Wind --~--:

"UPC Wind was formed by principals of UPC Group, one of Europe's largest and most successful wind farm developers, to pursue projects in the United States. To date, UPC has installed and operates over 650 MW of large-scale wind turbine generators in southern Italy and the island of Sardinia. UPC Wind is also pursuing the development of several hundred megawatts of wind energy projects in North Africa. In the North American market, UPC Wind is developing over 2,500 MW wind energy projects in several different states through various subsidiary companies. "

ScottishPower and RES UK win approval for Borders windfarm extension - Energy Business Review

ScottishPower and RES UK win approval for Borders windfarm extension - Energy Business Review: "
17th January 2006
By Staff Writer

ScottishPower and RES UK have been granted planning permission by Scottish Borders Council for a 30MW, 35 turbine extension to Dun Law wind farm south of Soutra. The combined 61 turbine wind farm will provide enough green energy for 24,000 homes and will reduce carbon emissions equivalent to taking 35,000 cars off the road.
The decision comes after a full public consultation process with the local community and over 40 organizations. A short tendering process will now begin for the GBP30 million project with construction expected to start later this year.

As with the original wind farm, the jointly developed scheme will be constructed by RES and owned and operated by ScottishPower.

"The existing wind farm has operated a community fund that has supported a range of very worthwhile local initiatives. The extension will increase significantly the community fund to allow more ambitious community projects to be supported throughout the wind farm's life," said Allan Kelly, ScottishPower's project manager.

Ray Hunter, RES's Scottish development manager, explained: "We are delighted with the committee's decision today. It reflects the efforts of RES and ScottishPower to ensure the extension at Dun Law will have a pleasing appearance and will blend well with the existing wind farm.

Visually, the landform works well to shield the existing wind farm from most directions and we've been careful to make sure that this will also be the case for the extension. We've also selected a turbine size that is in keeping with the existing scheme rather than going for the larger machines now available."

ScottishPower is the largest generator of wind energy in the UK with 14 projects generating 271 MW.

Vestas wins order from US' Horizon for further 200 MW of wind turbines - Forbes.com

Vestas wins order from US' Horizon for further 200 MW of wind turbines - Forbes.com: "Vestas wins order from US' Horizon for further 200 MW of wind turbines
01.18.2006, 08:05 AM


COPENHAGEN (AFX) - Vestas Wind Systems AS said it has received confirmation of an order from Horizon Wind Energy LLC for an additional 200 MW of wind turbines for delivery in the US in 2007.

Horizon has decided to exercise an option to purchase an additional 200 MW of V80-1.8 MW and V82-1.65 MW wind turbines, which Vestas announced on Dec 20, it said.

No financial details were released, but Vestas said the order does not affect the group's expectations for 2006.

Horizon Wind Energy (formerly Zilkha Renewable Energy) is located in Houston, Texas. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Goldman Sachs Group Inc.

A new gust of wind projects across the U.S.

USATODAY.com - A new gust of wind projects across the U.S.: "A new gust of wind projects across the U.S.

A new gust of wind projects across the U.S.
By Mark Clayton, The Christian Science Monitor
Out in the dwindling oil fields around McCamey, Texas, where rattlesnakes outnumber people and black-gold gushers once blew their tops, a new energy geyser is blowing — wind power.

Advances in turbine technology have cut the cost of wind power to about 4 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour, down from more than 80 cents.

More than 860 wind turbines today pinwheel where oil derricks once bloomed, cranking out pollution-free megawatts for wind developers like FPL Energy, a Juno Beach, Fla., utility with the nation's largest wind-power portfolio. In turn, that energy is transmitted to cities like Austin.

"We call our town the wind energy capital of Texas," says Sherry Phillips, McCamey's wind-centric mayor.

With wind farms popping up from New York to Texas to California, wind power is riding high in the saddle again. Explosive growth of more than 40% this year — 3,400 megawatts of new generation is expected — could make the United States the world's largest wind-power market, a new report shows.

In the past, the wind industry has soared or swooped depending on whether Congress renewed the wind-energy production tax credit, as it did last fall. But amid the current boom, some say it won't be long until the industry is ready to stand on its own.

Rising natural-gas prices, new state mandates requiring clean energy, and utilities' concerns over global warming are key forces. Together, they leave the wind with enough momentum and critical mass to keep growing even if Congress does not renew the tax credits, some argue.

"The big story is that the North American wind-power market is reaching an entirely new level," says Godfrey Chua, research director at Emerging Energy Research, a research firm in Cambridge, Mass. "This year will see the beginning of the end of the boom-and-bust cycle that has plagued the U.S. wind industry."

Among the biggest factors spurring growth are states taking the reins of leadership from the federal government on energy mandates. Eager to cut air pollution, global warming, and rising electric rates, at least 22 states have approved "renewable portfolio standards" — legislation requiring utilities to include renewable sources like wind, solar, hydro, and biomass in their energy mix.

At the rate wind power is being installed on the ridges and plains of North America — U.S. and Canada — wind power will grow by 4,250 megawatts this year, compared with about 2,600 megawatts last year. If Congress renews the tax credit in 2007, the industry could be installing 6,000 megawatts a year by 2010, according to a new study by Chua.

Because wind provides power intermittently, there is a limit to how much of the energy mix it can provide. Still, some say 5% of total U.S. generating capacity is a reasonable goal. In fact, the U.S. wind building boom could soon bring cumulative wind power to more than 9,200 megawatts, serving the equivalent of 2.4 million households, according to the American Wind Energy Association. (Still, that's less than 1% of U.S. power generation.)

Another key reason the wind industry is surging is due to "a whole new cast of players bringing much greater financial capital, corporate muscle, and political leverage," Chua says. Where "cowboy" developers abounded, Fortune 500 companies are jumping in. Goldman Sachs and global energy developer AES have plunged into wind-farm development. German giant Siemens has joined General Electric making wind turbines.

Horizon Wind Energy, a Houston-based developer owned by Goldman Sachs, is aggressively developing hundreds of megawatts of wind power across the country. One such endeavor is the Maple Ridge Wind Farm project about 75 miles northeast of Syracuse, N.Y. Set in maple-syrup country, the first turbines on the wind farm went online last month.

With three full years of growth behind it and stable growth ahead until at least 2007, when the tax credits expire again, wind developers and turbine manufacturers are "seeing a more stable environment and growing confidence," Chua says.

"There's not a utility company in the country that isn't thinking at least a little bit about wind energy and renewable power," says Michael Skelly, chief development officer of Horizon Wind Energy. A major factor, he says, is uncertainty over global warming.

"When you're an energy company deciding where to get your electricity, you're making decisions 20 years ahead," he says. "For most of these industry people, looking that far out, they see a carbon question mark."

Undergirding that shift is the fact that with natural-gas prices soaring, zero-fuel-cost wind looks cheap. Advances in wind-turbine technology cut the average cost of wind power to about 4 to 5 cents per kilowatt hour in 2004, from more than 80 cents per kilowatt hour in 1980. Add to that the tax credit, which chops the cost a further 1.9 cents per kilowatt hour, making it competitive with natural gas and even with coal.

"Word is getting around about wind," says Randall Swisher, executive director of the American Wind Energy Association in Washington. "Up and down the Great Plains are states like Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, where there's no special incentives or mandates. But hundreds of megawatts of wind are being developed there because it pays."

That message is getting out. Whole Foods Market Inc., the grocery chain, this month announced it would buy wind power to supply all its energy needs. In Colorado, where typically a mere trickle of consumers sign up for wind power, the falling price of wind power saw Xcel Energy's Windsource program get nearly 3,000 applications in November — more than 15 times the usual volume of consumers. That created a waiting list of more than 1,100.

The gale of wind-power projects has produced a surge of orders for wind turbines that is currently the major constraint on industry development, analysts say. General Electric, the largest U.S. producer of wind turbines with 60% of the market by some estimates, is producing all it can make and has an order backlog.

All that interest has new U.S. wind-turbine companies like Gamesa, Suzion, and Clipper Wind Power coming on strong. Last year, Clipper's factory in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, produced just five turbines. This year, it plans to make 150.

"It's great to see the institutional interest among utilities and the finance community," says Jim Dehlsen, Clipper's chairman and CEO. "It's been a long time coming."

Back in Texas, King Mountain near McCamey was one of the biggest wind farms in the country with 215 turbines just completed in 2004, creating scores of new jobs and millions in tax revenue for the town. Now, hundreds of megawatts of new wind power are in development in other dry, wind-swept Texas vistas like Taylor County. A new offshore development near Galveston has also been approved.

This year, Texas could become the nation's leading wind-power state.

"We're about to pass California," says Jim Suydam, spokesman for the Texas General Land Office, which oversees state-owned lands. "We're having a little bit of a race."

Filling Up With Wind Power

CarbonFree News: "Filling Up With Wind Power


Filling Up With Wind Power


Hydrogenics has been awarded a contract by Basin Electric Power Cooperative, Bismarck, N.D., to supply an electrolyser-based hydrogen refuelling station for installation in Minot, N.D. In addition to the core electrolyser module, Hydrogenics is supplying compression, storage and dispenser equipment as part of the contract. The station is one of the first United States-based hydrogen fuelling stations to use electricity from a wind power resource to produce hydrogen from water, in this case using electricity generated by wind resources either owned or contracted by Basin Electric.
The hydrogen produced will be used to refuel hydrogen-powered vehicles, demonstrating a linkage between wind power and vehicle refuelling. Recognizing the challenge presented by the intermittency and varying outputs of wind power, an important element of the project is the development of various control schemes by which the electrolyser can interface with the electrical output of wind turbines to optimise fuel production, particularly during low electricity demand periods. The project will demonstrate the ability and practicality of making and using hydrogen energy with zero carbon emissions, using excess wind power that might otherwise be under-utilised. This capability can potentially lead to significantly enhanced overall efficiencies of existing and future wind power installations.

The installation of this electrolyser fuelling station at North Dakota State University's North Central Research Extension Centre, scheduled for the latter part of 2006, is an integral component of a Department of Energy (DOE) sponsored Wind Hydrogen project announced by Senator Byron Dorgan's office in September 2004. The Senator, a national leader in the drive to bring hydrogen and wind energy into mainstream use, has been instrumental in the creation and advancement of this unique multi-phase project.

"This is Hydrogenics' third undertaking to show how hydrogen technologies can add significant value and benefits to investments that people are making today in wind power in many parts of the world," comments Pierre Rivard, Hydrogenics President and Chief Executive Officer. "While Hydrogenics has the depth and versatility to make hydrogen using different technologies and feedstocks, the generation of totally clean, sustainable and cost-effective hydrogen is where we believe the greatest potential exists for growth in hydrogen infrastructure. Securing opportunities, such as this one with a wind energy leader like Basin Electric, in the home state of Senator Dorgan - hydrogen's most recognized political proponent in the United States - is a significant win for our company to validate our technology and bring us closer to this end game."

"Promoting and demonstrating how hydrogen technologies can further enhance our wind energy goals is a key component of North Dakota's ongoing energy strategy," said Ron Rebenitsch, Basin Electric Manager of Member Marketing. "We believe hydrogen technology can become an important part of our future energy mix, and we are pleased to be playing a role in this ground-breaking project. Through this project we are advancing North Dakota's reputation for developing renewable energy technologies and contributing to a national objective to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels."

The hydrogen electrolyser will be constructed at the Research Extension Centre with the support of Verendrye Electric, Velva, N.D., and Central Power Electric Cooperative, Minot.


http://www.hydrogenics.com

Ventus Develop Record Breaking Wind Farm

CarbonFree News: "Ventus Develop Record Breaking Wind Farm

Ventus Develop Record Breaking Wind Farm


Nothing to do with methane emissions but a wind farm that will weigh in at 1000 megawatts and cost $2.5 billion making it the largest built in Canada to date
Toronto-based wind energy developer, Ventus Energy and Metis Energy plan to develop a $2.5 billion wind farm near Churchill Falls, Labrador.

Through a newly-created partnership, Labrador Ventus Limited Partnership, the wind farm will be the largest in Canada with an installed nameplate capacity of 1,000 megawatts. This new generation facility, to be called "Height of Land Wind Park", is expected to produce over three terawatt hours of electricity per year. Development plans include a phased construction approach over a three-year period. Pending regulatory approval, construction could begin in 2007.

"We spent much of the last year carefully evaluating our potential partners for this innovative development opportunity," says John Douglas, President and Chief Executive Officer of Ventus Energy Inc. "Over time, the choice became obvious. Who better to proceed with than the people of Labrador?"

Ventus Energy forged a relationship with Metis Development Corporation, and had preliminary discussions with the Innu, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro. "We are very keen to ensure that the concerns of the Innu and Innu business community, and other residents of Labrador, are fully considered in this development," says Mr. Douglas. "We look forward to participating with the province in the evolution of its energy plan and firmly believe there is a viable role for an independent power producer."

Labrador Ventus Limited Partnership will conduct public consultations throughout the province beginning in February 2006. "We agreed to partner with Ventus Energy because they have a strong wind energy development team and have been well capitalized by reputable institutional shareholders," says Jamie Snook, General Manager of MDC. "Development plans have been structured to ensure that every dollar possible is spent in the province and that maximum economic benefits accrue to the people of Labrador."

Labrador Metis Nation President Chris Montague says the development will advance Labrador into the 21st Century as a world leader in wind energy. "We are very impressed with Ventus as a developer, and we look forward to working with them in this exciting project," he says. "This is a sound environmentally-friendly project that will result in benefits for the people of Labrador, the province, and the entire country."

The Height of Land Wind Park will have the capacity to produce enough zero-emission electricity to power 500,000 homes and displace the equivalent of three million tonnes of carbon dioxide per year. Local, regional and provincial economic benefits will be significant, providing over 2,000 direct and indirect construction jobs and over 200 direct and indirect long-term operation and maintenance jobs in Labrador.

This private-sector solution to energy development will not require any provincial or federal grants or loans in order to proceed. Negotiations of a power purchase agreement to sell the expected annual production are currently under way with potential customers.


http://www.labradorventus.ca

Wind Power in Europe Needs Large-Scale Integration

RenewableEnergyAccess.com | Wind Power in Europe Needs Large-Scale Integration

Wind Power in Europe Needs Large-Scale Integration
January 20, 2006

Report suggests wind power in Europe needs greater collaboration on infrastructure, interconnection and integration to address international issues.

Brussels, Belgium [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Technical, economic and regulatory issues concerning the large scale integration of wind energy into European energy markets is the topic of a comprehensive report published by the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA).

"Wind energy does face barriers -- not because of its variability but because of a series of distortions and institutional deficiencies in European electricity markets that are neither free nor fair. The reason why wind is not more fully deployed across is Europe is because of structural and market flaws, not technical issues."

-- Corin Millais, EWEA CEO The insights in "Large-scale integration of wind energy in the European power supply: analysis, issues and recommendations" explain the barriers and solutions to bringing wind power into fuller service in Europe.

"The capacity of the European power systems to absorb significant amount of wind power is determined more by economics and regulatory rules than by technical or practical constraints. Already today a penetration of 20 percent of power from wind is feasible without posing any serious technical or practical problems," said Corin Millais, EWEA CEO.

The European Commission has concluded that current electricity markets are not competitive for four main reasons: lack of cross-border transmission links; existence of dominant, integrated power companies; biased grid operators; and low liquidity in wholesale electricity markets. These four barriers are also the main institutional and structural deficiencies preventing new technologies such as wind power to enter the market.

"Wind energy does face barriers -- not because of its variability but because of a series of distortions and institutional deficiencies in European electricity markets that are neither free nor fair," said Millais. "The reason why wind is not more fully deployed across is Europe is because of structural and market flaws, not technical issues."

There is an urgent need to address inefficiencies, distortions and historically determined institutional and legal issues related to the overall structure, functioning and development of the broader European electricity markets and power infrastructure.

Possible actions to solve these issues include:


Reduction of market dominance and abuse of dominant positions
Effective competition policies in the power sector
Full legal and ownership unbundling between transmission/distribution, production and trading activities
Improvement and expansion of cross-border interconnections between Members States
Undistorted third-party access to the grids at fair tariffs and removal of discriminatory practices
Adequate grid codes that reflect the nature of the technologies.

Major issues for the integration of wind power include changed approaches in operation of the power system, connection requirements for wind power plants to maintain a stable and reliable supply, extension and modification of the grid infrastructure, and influence of wind power on system adequacy and the security of supply.

The report's analysis, conclusions and recommendations are based on a review of more than 180 sources -- published data, reports, research findings from all stakeholders across the power industry, operators, utilities and experts. It follows a study on the same subjects published by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in September 2005 "Variability of Wind Power and other Renewables: Management Options and Strategies," which concluded that "ultimately, the question whether there is an upper limit for renewable penetration into the existing grid will be an economic and political issue than a technical issue."

Tower Tech Systems

www.transworldnews.com, news, TWNKeys, TWNNews, Press Releases, NewsWire: "Tower Tech Systems, Inc.

Tower Tech Systems, Inc.

Tower Tech Systems, Inc.
Stock Exchange Over the Counter Bulletin Board
Stock Symbol BLFT
PR Firm
Telephone (800) 787-5439
Fax (920) 684-5579
Email info@towertechsystems.com


Address Information:
101 South 16th Street
PO Box 1957
Manitowoc, WI 54221-1957
US
www.towertechsystems.com

Tower Tech Systems, Inc. is a state of the art manufacturing facility, dedicated to the complete production of wind towers. Dedicated from start up to exclusively produce complete wind towers and monopiles, all production equipment is brand new, state of the art, tailored and optimized for the mass production. The production plant features high definition plasma and oxy-fuel contour plate beveling by ALLTRA, automated plate rolling by FACCIN USA, and tandem wire submerged arc welding units by MILLER ELECTRIC.

Located on a 46 acre peninsula, Tower Tech leases (or has options to lease) more than 700,000 square feet of heavy manufacturing under roof. The unique site also features direct rail and highway access, as well as a deep water shipping channel with direct access to Lake Michigan. Tower Tech can uniquely offer wind tower support structure, monopile and turbine structure fabrication and assembly all in one location.

The Industry

Tower Tech is at the forefront of the burgeoning passive energy industry. It has already manufactured, per customer specs, the country's tallest tower, erected in the state of Wyoming. With only a handful of manufacturers in the US, the demand for towers far exceeds the total combined production ability of all US manufacturers. The demand is fueled by current US energy regulations that require most states to develop or convert a portion of energy production to passive energy alternatives. Tower Tech currently has a production capacity of 300 towers per year and will expand to 400-500 towers per year by 2009. Tower Tech currently has a production contract with VESTAS, Inc., which allows VESTAS to purchase all towers manufactured by Tower Tech. VESTAS, a Denmark conglomerate, is the largest energy production and management company in the world.

Wind Energy Being Tested in Utah

BYU NewsNet - Wind Energy Being Tested in Utah: "Wind Energy Being Tested in Utah
By Matt Hodge - 18 Jan 2006


The state of Utah is evaluating the possibility of using wind to generate electricity because of its environmental, economical and productivity benefits. Towns like Hurricane are testing the possibility of installing wind turbines to provide electricity, measuring area wind speed and direction to determine if wind energy is practical.

Hurricane installed a wind-measuring device known as an anemometer in December of 2005, which will gather data for a whole year before the city determines whether or not wind-generated electricity is a possibility.

"If the findings show that it's feasible, then we will pursue it as funds allow," said Dave Imlay, Hurricane Power Company Superintendent. "If not, we'll have documentation."

Hurricane Power Company received funding from the Anemometer Loan Program, sponsored by the Utah Geological Survey's State Energy Program and the U.S. Department of Energy. The city of Hurricane also contributed $5,000 to pay for the installation.

The State Energy Program has purchased four anemometers, each of which are 50 meters tall.

These will be loaned to Utah cities as part of the loan program and for gathering data. However, smaller industrial or residential landowners may apply to use one of a dozen 20-meter towers, which are intended to help businesses, developers, farmers, ranchers and homeowners determine if there is enough wind energy to invest in a wind turbine.

"We hope that people who think they have a decent wind resource on their property will apply for a tower," said Nykole Littleboy, Renewable Energy Specialist at the State Energy Program. "They may find that they can generate electricity with a wind turbine for their own needs or sell to a utility."

Wind, which is used by turbines to generate megawatts (MW), is one of the world's fastest growing energy sources and is inexhaustible. Between 800 and 1000 MW of cost-effective pockets of wind exist in Utah counties, including Utah County, but that potential is not being tapped.

"Currently, Utah has less than one megawatt of commercial wind energy installed, specifically .89 megawatts," said Littleboy.

The unused potential is equivalent to the demand of approximately 300,000 homes and has the potential to bring about $1 billion in investment into Utah, according to the State Energy Program.

Wind-power proponents cite many advantages to the method. With natural gas prices so high, wind would be more cost effective partly because it is not subject to fuel costs.

In fact, wind energy is the least expensive of all renewable energy sources. The potential benefits of buying and installing anemometers is also believed to outweigh the potential setbacks.

Wind is also an attractive alternative source of energy to many because of its environmental benefits. Wind does not generate any pollution or greenhouse gasses and helps conserve water resources.

Modern wind farms are also reliable and predictable, typically available to generate energy at least 98 percent of the time.

Proponents also said wind-generated energy would reduce reliance on imported energy.


(For comments, e-mail Matt Hodge at matthodgeto@aol.com)

110 megawatts wind energy for Puerto Plata

Dominican Today: "January, 13 - 8:02 AM

110 megawatts wind energy for Puerto Plata

Santo Domingo.- The US firm, Jasper Caribbean Energy is about to initiate construction of a project that is to supply 110 megawatts of alternative eolic energy, to be installed in Imbert, Puerto Plata.
This is a US$150 million investment that comes to fruition after six years of negotiations with the energy firm.
Jasper Caribbean Energy is represented in the country by the law firm of Enrique de Marchena, Kaluche who said that the project was an initiative during the first administration of Radhames Segura in the Dominican Energy Consortium.
State warrants were obtained during Hipolito Mejia�s presidency and since been approved by the National Congress. In the next two weeks, certain changes will be made to the contract, including readjustments to costs.
The project could be launched in six months.
De Marchena clarified that he is not an investor in the project, but that he is only a legal representative."