February 25, 2009

Xcel Energy is rolling out sophisticated new technologies to enhance grid reliability and improve energy conservation. It says that the efforts will transform not just the utility but also the entire industry, which has seen little change during its long history. As such, the power company is installing "intelligent utility" technologies in Boulder, Colo. that can remotely monitor the system and will communicate with consumers to control energy usage.

An intelligent grid can screen power outages and manage supply and demand so as to maintain dependability. Operators are able to see the system in its entirety and to act in such a way so as to avert trouble spots and re-route power before there might ever be a blackout. And if the network were to become overburdened, the means would exist to send signals to grid operators and subsequently to end users to curtail consumption.

Lansing, MI – Kanepi Innovations, a West Michigan-based wireless infrastructure company focusing on the development of energy conservation and building controls technology, has joined with Clean Green Energy, a collection of renewable energy generation and efficiency technologies, to partner together to enhance the Project EverGREEN Schools program. This renewable energy program is a first in the nation.

At this time of unprecedented volatility in the world energy market, a looming recession, and continued financial instability nationwide, most states and school systems face dire challenges to their budgets. Unfortunately, at this time when maximum flexibility is needed, most states and school systems find themselves saddled with laws and regulations that prevent the adoption of attractive options for reducing their energy and operating costs through renewable systems. Project EverGREEN Schools addresses this need by providing funding and new cutting-edge technologies to school systems without impacting their budgets.

Michigan continues with its efforts to maintain its claim as the “Automotive Capital of the World.” Governor Granholm signed legislation this month (580 PA 2008, HB 6611) to provide significant economic incentives to encourage the commercialization and affordability of high-power energy batteries, the key component in plug-in hybrid battery-electric and fuel cell vehicles. The goal of the State is to assist in the on-going development of battery technology and future commercial production. The incentives will assist those engaged in research, development, production and supply to the advanced vehicle technology development, as well as renewable power generation initiatives within and outside the transportation sector.

October 01, 2008

From hilly, rural terrain in Oregon to high-rise apartments in New York City to suburban neighborhoods and office parks that could be almost anywhere, pilot projects to field test smart meters are under way.

These smart meters are busily collecting data that will influence the decisions made for the operations of millions of similar units to be installed everywhere over the next few years, not to mention the multi-billion-dollar investments required to make it all work.

March 6, 2008

Imagine if homeowners could print out plastic sheets of solar cells on inexpensive printers. Imagine further that the solar sheets could be plastered over the roofs of houses and generate electricity – acting in a sense like mini-power stations for the houses. Such a technology would be an enormous boon to American’s growing environmental movement.

And that is the aim of Somenath Mitra, a professor of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences, who is experimenting with a solar cell derived from polymers that could one day power not only houses but cars, laptops and other consumer computers. Mitra’s solar research was featured in the June 2007 issue of the Journal of Materials Chemistry, published by the Royal Society of Chemistry,