By producing solar power on site, USFloors is able to take advantage of excellent Government and Utility benefits; a 30% Federal Grant, a 35% State Tax Credit and accelerated depreciation. North Georgia EMC pays USFloors a premium for the solar power that it generates. Ownership of power provides business owners with the opportunity to hedge against dramatic cost increases, and carries strong financial benefits.

The system was installed by Alpharetta based United Renewable Energy, LLC. William Silva, President of United Renewable Energy LLC added that “USFloors continues to show leadership in sustainable manufacturing practices and job growth. This solar power system is impressive in it’s size alone, but more importantly because this is the largest commercial solar photovoltaic installation in Georgia since the 1996 Olympics.”

Installing this solar array is just one of the many sustainable practices of USFloors, a company actively working towards a solar powered future for Whitfield County. “Through our work with the Whitfield County Chamber, we have demonstrated how being sustainability stewards can benefit all local businesses,” said Dossche. This solar array created at least fifteen jobs, and preserved many more by reducing operating costs, developing a new industry and introducing Dalton’s business community to ways to stay sustainable and competitive.

About USFloors- USFloors’ commitment is to provide consumers and specifiers with beautiful and durable floors at a good value, while minimizing our impact on the environment and enhancing and improving it whenever possible. USFloors is committed to sourcing and utilizing sustainable resources for its flooring products whenever possible and specifying raw materials and processes that meet stringent U.S. and European environmental standards, USFloors NEVER sources from clear cut or unmanaged forests. USFloors continually strives to actively reduce its environmental and energy footprint, creating better indoor air quality and promoting Green Building through renewable energy and LEED initiatives.

About United Renewable Energy, LLC- Alpharetta, Georgia based United Renewable Energy, LLC (URE) delivers practical, economical, renewable energy solutions to businesses and homes throughout the East Coast. URE is the leading integrator of commercial photovoltaic solar electric power systems in the state of Georgia, and one of the fastest growing renewable energy companies in the country. URE’s president is a NABCEP Certified PV Installer_TM, and as Adjunct Coordinator of Solar Programs at Lanier Technical College, shares best practices with aspiring solar installers. URE is committed to promoting quality solar installations, to educating the public and promoting supportive legislation for renewable energy.

Via : u-renew.com

• Intel has contracted new solar electric installations targeted at eight U.S. locations in four states, generating approximately 2.5 megawatts of clean solar energy.
• Intel increased its renewable energy credit purchases by 10 percent – powering more than 51 percent of Intel’s estimated U.S. electricity use – and was again named the largest voluntary purchaser of green power by the EPA.
• These new investments are part of Intel’s already established commitment to energy efficiency and footprint reduction programs, with worldwide savings of more than 650 million kilowatt hours since conservation program inception in 2001.

Building on its existing portfolio of renewable energy site installations, Intel Corporation today reported that new contracts are in place to incorporate approximately 2.5 megawatts worth of new solar power projects at eight U.S. locations in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Oregon. In addition, Intel announced it has renewed and increased by 10 percent its purchase commitments for renewable energy credits (REC) to more than 1.43 billion kilowatt hours — more than 51 percent of its estimated 2010 U.S. electricity use.

These commitments reflect Intel’s continued focus on energy efficiency and conservation programs that will help achieve its 2012 goals related to water use, global-warming emissions, energy consumption, waste reduction and product energy efficiency. They also represent Intel’s long-standing goal of inspiring more demand for and cost-effective supply of solar and other renewable energies.

“Intel is committed to renewable energy to reduce our own carbon footprint as well as to spur the market and make renewables more economically feasible for individuals and businesses to deploy,” said Brian Krzanich, vice president and general manager of Manufacturing and Supply Chain for Intel. “These announcements represent our broader commitment which includes diversifying our energy portfolio through solar and other clean energy investments, and this will continue to be a priority for us around the globe.”

Intel’s new solar installations are planned to be completed over the next 7 months. Each project would currently rank as one of the 10 largest solar installations in its respective region if activated today. For example, the panels planned for Intel’s Chandler and Ocotillo campuses in Arizona would each currently be the fifth largest in SRP service territory or the second largest when combined, according to the utility company. All of the solar panels will be installed on the roofs of Intel’s facilities, with the major exception of the largest installation, an approximately 1-megawatt solar field in Folsom, Calif. The Folsom installation will span nearly six acres of land on campus, which would make it one of the largest non-utility ground-mounts in California at the time of this release. All of the installations will use the power generated at their respective site, making them an efficient source of electricity with savings on grid delivery losses.

RECs are the “currency” of renewable energy markets, and Intel’s latest REC purchases equate to approximately 51 percent of Intel’s estimated purchased electricity needs in the United States for 2010. This corresponds to the carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity use of nearly 134,000 average American homes or nearly 200,000 passenger cars removed from the streets for 1 year.¹ As a result of Intel’s continued commitment to purchase RECs, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) again placed Intel at the top of its latest Green Power Partner List for 2010 as the largest voluntary, single purchaser of green power. Intel was previously honored with the EPA’s Green Power Partner of the Year Award.

Intel’s new solar installations and its reaffirmed commitment to purchasing RECs reflect just the latest in Intel’s energy portfolio, which includes wind, solar, geo-thermal, small hydro-electric and biomass sources. Since 2001, Intel has invested more than $30 million and saved more than 650 million kilowatt hours from energy conservation and efficiency initiatives.² Other highlights include:

Investments: Intel reaffirms its dedication to clean technology innovation and development.

• In July 2009, Intel Capital, Intel’s global investment organization, announced five cleantech investments totaling more than $10 million.
• In total, Intel Capital has invested more than $125 million in more than a dozen cleantech companies that span four continents; four in solar photovoltaics, further demonstrating Intel’s commitment to accelerating innovation in this space.

Installations: Intel continues to look for opportunities across its dispersed locations.

• Intel’s Bangalore, India site hosted the company’s first solar thermal installation: solar water heaters, which now supply nearly 100 percent of the total hot water requirements for two campuses, saving 70,000 kilowatts per year.
• Intel Oregon energized the company’s first solar electric system on the roof of its Jones Farm site in early 2009.
• Later this year, Intel’s Haifa, Israel (IDC 9) site will open Intel’s first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)-registered building.³

Employee Engagement: Employee engagement in sustainability is paramount at Intel with a portion of each employee’s variable compensation tied to company performance against environmental metrics, which include reducing Intel’s absolute carbon footprint growth.

• As a key element of Intel’s new solar installations, awareness kiosks will be set up in each site lobby to educate and engage employees in the company’s energy efforts.

Intel’s REC purchase will be handled by Sterling Planet, a national supplier of renewable energy, energy efficiency and low-carbon solutions. All purchases will be certified by the non-profit Center for Resource Solutions’ Green-e® program, which certifies and verifies green power products.

• View or download b-roll video

www.intel.com/pressroom and blogs.intel.com.

Intel, the Intel logo and Moblin are trademarks of Intel Corporation in the United States and other countries.

* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

1 Source: EPA 2010 Green Power Partnership Press Release. Click here for more information.

2 Source: Intel Corporate Responsibility Report. For more information, visit: http://download.intel.com/intel/cr/gcr/pdf/Intel_CSR_Report_2008.pdf.

3 Source: Intel Corporate Responsibility Report.

GE (NYSE: GE) gas turbine technology will be used to convert a conventional power plant into the first large-scale cogeneration plant in Mexico, which will offer increased efficiency and will supply process steam to one of the country’s most important natural gas complexes. The project supports the Mexican government’s initiative to promote cogeneration as a key step in improving the efficiency of the country’s energy infrastructure.

The Mexican Congress passed energy reform legislation in 2008, as part of the country’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 50% below 2002 levels by the year 2050. The government is promoting combined heat and power, or cogeneration, as an energy efficient option to help meet the country’s energy goals.

Cogeneration, the simultaneous production of electricity and heat using a single fuel such as natural gas, harnesses heat that would otherwise be wasted. This can result in higher thermal efficiency or higher heat values; also, carbon dioxide emissions can be substantially reduced.

GE will supply two Frame 7FA gas turbines for Nuevo PEMEX, a 300-megawatt cogeneration plant located in the state of Tabasco, Mexico. GE’s 7FA gas turbine has the capability to burn natural gas with high nitrogen content, which fits the profile of the available fuel at the Nuevo PEMEX site. In addition, GE has signed a 20-year Contractual Service Agreement (CSA) to provide a full range of plant services, including planned and unplanned maintenance.

The new cogeneration plant will be owned by a consortium made up of Abener and Abengoa Mexico and will supply steam and power to PEMEX, Mexico’s state-owned oil and gas company, for use at PEMEX’s existing natural gas processing facility at the site. The cogeneration plant will be able to generate between 550 and 800 tons of process steam per hour.

Abener and GE Energy have worked together successfully on a wide range of global projects to date.  Abener and Abengoa Mexico are part of Abeinsa, the Industrial Engineering and Construction arm of the Abengoa business group.

“With our advanced technology and global experience, we are well positioned to help our customers meet their energy and environmental goals,” said John Reinker, General Manager of Gas Turbine Combined-Cycle Products for GE Power & Water. “Our F-technology machines are well proven in a wide range of power generation applications worldwide, and have the flexibility to meet the specific requirements of large-scale cogeneration projects.”

www.ge.com/energy – www.ge.com

SCHENECTADY, N.Y.–Tuesday, January 12, 2010– GE (NYSE: GE) announced that it has signed contracts to supply 88 wind turbines to HECIC New Energy Co., Ltd, one of China’s leading wind energy developers, for three new projects in Hebei and Shanxi Provinces. The projects will support the rapid growth of wind energy investments in China, which today is the world’s fourth largest producer of wind power.

China’s plan to add 150 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity by 2020 would require it to install approximately 11.5 gigawatts of installed wind power capacity per year from 2009-2020.

The new wind farms will add 132 megawatts of installed wind power capacity for China, which currently ranks fourth, behind only the United States, Germany and Spain in wind power production. According to the Global Wind Energy Council, China continued its rapid growth in wind energy in 2008 by doubling its installed capacity to 12.2 gigawatts.

To date GE has committed to supply 895 units of 1.5-MW wind turbines to China, in support of the country’s aggressive renewable energy program. China is aiming to increase power generation from renewable sources to 15 percent of the nation’s total by 2020. To achieve this, China will need to strengthen development on solar, wind and biomass energy.

“The development of wind power is a key economic growth area for China and plays a critical role in achieving our national target to increase to 150 gigawatts of installed wind energy capacity by 2020,” said Dr. Cao Xin, General Manager of HECIC New Energy Co., Ltd. “As a corporate citizen of China, our strategy is to apply the most advanced and reliable technology and technological expertise for every project that will help China reach its goal of achieving clean energy.”

“China is rapidly emerging as one of the world’s largest markets for wind power technology,” said Victor Abate, Vice President-Renewables for GE Power & Water. “We are committed to helping our Chinese customers develop the country’s vast potential for clean, wind-generated power, which will enable China to meet both its growing energy and environmental responsibilities.”

GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbine is the most reliable and widely deployed wind turbine in the global wind industry today. More than 12,000 of these machines have been installed for projects worldwide. In 2008, HECIC New Energy Co., Ltd purchased 66 of the machines for projects for which commissioning has been completed. The wind turbines for the HECIC New Energy projects will be equipped with Low Voltage Ride-Through and Wind Farm Management Systems, which are advanced and grid- friendly connection technologies, enhancing reliability and stability of the wind turbine.

GE’s support of China’s wind industry is just one part of the company’s total commitment to the country. GE started doing business in China as early as 1906 and currently runs 36 wholly owned or joint venture companies in China ranging from manufacturing, service, research and development, financial services and sourcing, with a total workforce of over 13,000.

About GE

GE is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that’s built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide.

GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With 60,000 global employees and 2008 revenues of $38.6 billion, GE Energy www.ge.com/energy is one of the world’s leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies. The businesses that comprise GE Energy – GE Power & Water, GE Energy Services and GE Oil & Gas – work together to provide integrated product and service solutions in all areas of the energy industry including coal, oil, natural gas and nuclear energy; renewable resources such as water, wind, solar and biogas; and other alternative fuels.

For more information, visit the company’s Web site at www.ge.com. GE is imagination at work.

About HECIC New Energy

HECIC New Energy Co., Ltd. (HECIC NEW ENERGY) was established in 2006 as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hebei Construction & Investment Group Co., Ltd (HECIC).

HECIC NEW ENERGY is a professional company engaged in new energy undertakings. By adopting advanced technology and equipments as well as scientific management methods, it develops and utilizes wind, solar and nuclear energy, supplies clean electric power, adjusts industrial structure to maintain the healthy and sustainable development of the national economy and create social and economic benefits.

WASHINGTON DC -   The Department of Energy announced that it has received certifications for over 600,000 residential appliances in 15 different product categories in response to the Department’s enhanced energy efficiency enforcement efforts.

DOE recently announced that manufacturers had until January 8, 2010 to submit correct energy use data to the Department of Energy before aggressive enforcement actions were taken.  The certification data provided by 160 different manufacturers will allow DOE to review manufacturers’ compliance with minimum energy efficiency standards and take action to ensure that products are delivering the energy and cost savings required by law. DOE will continue to accept certification reports that were sent by mail and postmarked by January 8th.

“The Department of Energy’s newly enhanced enforcement efforts are greatly improving the quality of the energy efficiency information available to DOE and the American consumer,” said DOE’s General Counsel Scott Blake Harris. “Moving forward, we will aggressively pursue all manufacturers who have failed to comply with these certification requirements or whose products violate the country’s energy efficiency standards.”

Under federal law, manufacturers of a range of household appliances are required to certify with the Department that their models meet DOE’s minimum appliance conservation standards.  DOE has made clear that failure to submit these energy use reports violates the Energy Policy Conservation Act of 1975 and will result in enforcement by the Department, including civil penalties or fines.

These certification reports provide DOE with critical information to ensure that American consumers are buying products that deliver significant energy and cost savings. DOE will immediately begin reviewing the filings and will aggressively enforce any violations.

“DOE is committed to advancing clean energy technology development and deployment globally,” said Secretary Chu.  “The Low-Carbon Communities of the Americas initiative offers an opportunity for the Department to work closely with our neighbors to reduce energy use, increase energy security, and promote a low-carbon future across the Western Hemisphere.”

Through the LCCA program, DOE invited countries to submit proposals for collaboration in areas including renewable energy development and building and industrial energy efficiency.  DOE’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), along with other National Laboratories, will provide technical assistance to countries receiving support under the initiative.

Later this year, Secretary Chu will host his counterparts from North and South America at the Energy Ministerial of the Americas to continue developing and expanding joint clean energy and climate efforts.  The Energy Ministerial will be held from April 15-16 in Washington, D.C.

DOE and NREL have selected the following three projects under the LCCA:

Energy Efficiency Center in Costa Rica

The government of Costa Rica, along with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), will create an Energy Efficiency Center in Costa Rica that will train and certify professionals in energy efficient technology and auditing procedures, and help expand the technical knowledge base and capabilities of countries across Central America.  Once established, the Center will partner with leading energy efficiency organizations to conduct its own research on efficiency programs and energy savings in tropical areas.  The results of this research would benefit the Central American and Caribbean region as a whole, as well as provide important information for other nations with similar climates. The project will bring together DOE, Costa Rica’s electricity and telecommunications group ICE, the NRDC, and the University of Costa Rica to create the program and training materials, train the Center’s future instructors, and run two initial energy efficiency auditor training courses.

At an event earlier this week in San José, Costa Rica, Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sánchez joined with DOE officials and representatives of Costa Rica’s Ministry of Energy and Environment, ICE, NRDC and the University of Costa Rica to launch the Center.

Building Low-Carbon Communities in the Caribbean

This proposal from the Organization of American States (OAS) and several Caribbean governments will enable participating countries to expand the development and use of renewable energy and energy efficiency systems, helping to increase the sustainability of their energy supplies while reducing carbon emissions.  The project will target local training and technical programs on how to conduct energy efficiency audits and retrofits.  There will also be a focus on strengthening communities’ capacity to review and evaluate resource assessments related to indigenous renewable natural resources. This project will engage St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, The Bahamas, Antigua & Barbuda, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

Dominica Wind Project

This project proposed by Dominica aims to prove the viability of smaller, distributed wind generation as an alternative to traditional, megawatt-class, utility-scale turbines. Efforts will take into consideration available technologies, economics, and constructability to identify and model appropriate turbine technologies under 250 kilowatts.  The Dominica Wind Project will also model commercialization strategies and the impact on the electrical grid of small distributed wind generation, assess the impact on energy costs for consumers, purchase and install initial pilot turbines, and implement a public information campaign to expand the use of renewable energy.

Washington, DC – The Department of Energy announced today that it has entered into a Consent Decree with Haier America resolving an investigation into whether Haier violated DOE’s energy efficiency standards.  DOE’s investigation led Haier to determine that a parts defect caused certain freezers to consume more energy than represented to consumers and possibly violated DOE’s energy efficiency standards and the ENERGY STAR® requirements for freezers.  As part of the Obama Administration’s commitment to enforcing energy efficiency, this Consent Decree obligates Haier to notify affected consumers, repair defective units, and pay a voluntary contribution to the U.S. Treasury.

During the investigation by DOE’s Office of General Counsel, Haier voluntarily identified a parts defect that had caused the freezer models to consume additional energy and took immediate steps on its own to remedy the defects.  Haier’s cooperation with the Department of Energy’s investigation was critical in reaching the Consent Decree, the first ever entered into by the Department of Energy to enforce minimum energy efficiency standards.

“Enhanced energy efficiency is a national priority, and DOE will continue to vigorously enforce energy efficiency standards and ENERGY STAR® criteria,” said DOE General Counsel Scott Blake Harris.  “Haier’s voluntary disclosures and voluntary remediation measures helped to reach this Consent Decree, which requires swift action to protect both consumers and the environment from the consequences of wasteful energy use.  We would encourage all manufacturers to follow this example in the future.”

Prior to the Consent Decree, Haier took actions on their own to stop the distribution of any of the affected freezer models.   Standalone upright freezers sold between December 2008 and August 2009 are covered by the Consent Decree, although not all of the units will necessarily be affected by the parts defect.  The following freezer models are covered: HUF138EA (ENERGY STAR®), HUF138PB, HUF168EA (ENERGY STAR®), and HUF168PB.

Under today’s legal agreement, Haier will expand its efforts to inform consumers about potential defects in previously distributed freezers, will correct any identified defects at their expense, and will make a voluntary payment to the U.S. Treasury.  The Consent Decree announced today provides an immediate mechanism for protecting consumers and the environment from inefficient appliances.

Among other obligations, Haier has agreed to:

• Attempt to obtain information from retailers or other parties who may have contact information for affected customers;
• Individually notify affected customers with their offer to repair the affected unit;
• Conduct on-site unit repairs at no cost to consumers;
• Extend the warranty on all affected units; and
• Voluntarily contribute $150,000 to the U.S. Treasury.

Read the full Consent Decree.

RWE npower stepped up power generation at the coal-fired Didcot A Power Station in Oxfordshire bringing all four units into operation to cope with the expected rise in demand during the evening peak as the country faced a continuation of winter weather.

The gas-fired Didcot B Power Station was also playing a major part in providing power to heat and light homes as demand for electricity across Britain peaked.

Didcot A station manager John Rainford said: “When we were informed of the expected snow storms we put our plans into place to ensure that all essential workers were able to get into work. There are no problems with power generation and although we have obviously seen a rise in demand the situation is well under control.

“Didcot A Power Station has good supplies of coal and we have contingency plans in place to ensure that all other vital supplies to the power station are not affected by the poor weather. Didcot B is powered by gas and is operating to help meet demand and RWE npower are in a position to make gas that we have earmarked for power generation available to domestic customers if required.

“Weather like this shows the need for a balance of fuel supplies for generating electricity across the UK. Demand is high at the moment but within the levels anticipated during the winter months and the two power stations at Didcot are playing a major part in keeping households and businesses warm throughout the region.”

The biggest problem faced by RWE npower across the country was getting staff into work on snow-clogged roads. Staff braved the snow to work at the company’s power plants and also into its customer service centres with a number making their way in on foot.

- RWE npower’s site at Didcot is host to two power stations – the 2,000 MW dual-fired A station and the 1,360 MW combined cycle gas turbine B station. Together the two power stations are capable of producing enough electricity to meet the needs of over 3 million people – equivalent to the demand of three counties the size of Oxfordshire.

RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations – generating over 10.3 GW of electricity. We serve around 6.8 million customer accounts and produce more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales.

Aberthaw, owned and operated by RWE npower, was playing a vital role in providing heat and power for 1.5 million people in Wales as demand for electricity across Britain soared in the winter weather.

Aberthaw station manager Phil Allen said: “When we were informed of the expected snow storms we put our plans into place to ensure that all essential workers were able to get into work. There are no problems with power generation and although we have obviously seen a rise in demand the situation is well under control.

“Aberthaw Power Station has good supplies of coal, and our local coal suppliers are cooperating to meet our expected future demands. We have contingency plans in place to ensure that all other vital supplies to the power station are not affected by the poor weather.

“Weather like this shows the need for a balance of fuel supplies for generating electricity across the UK. Demand is high at the moment but within the levels anticipated during the winter months. Aberthaw is playing a major part in keeping households and businesses warm throughout Wales.”

Aberthaw Power Station has a well-rehearsed system for gritting and salting roads within the site and clearing pathways for staff.

The biggest problem faced by RWE npower across the UK was getting staff into work on snow-clogged roads. Staff braved the snow to work at the company’s power plants and also into its customer service centres with a number making their way in on foot.

- Aberthaw Power Station can generate 1,500MW of electricity – enough to power the needs of some 1.5million people, equivalent to the total population of five cities the size of Cardiff. The station contributes over £50m to the Welsh economy per year.

RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations – generating over 10.3 GW of electricity. We serve around 6.8 million customer accounts and produce more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales.

RWE npower has stepped up power generation at the coal-fired Tilbury Power Station all week bringing all three units into operation to cope with the rise in demand during the evening peak as the country faces a continuation of winter weather.

Tilbury station manager Nigel Staves said: “When we were informed of the expected snow storms we put our plans into place to ensure that all essential workers were able to get into work. There are no problems with power generation and although we have obviously seen a rise in demand the situation is well under control.

“Tilbury Power Station has good supplies of coal and we have contingency plans in place to ensure that all other vital supplies to the power station are not affected by the poor weather.

“Weather like this shows the need for a balance of fuel supplies for generating electricity across the UK. Demand is high at the moment but within the levels anticipated during the winter months and Tilbury station is playing a major part in keeping households and businesses warm throughout the region.”

The biggest problem faced by RWE npower staff at Tilbury Power Station today was getting into work on snow-clogged, icy roads. Workers have continued to brave snow and icy conditions to get to the station in recent weeks including over the Christmas period when the station continued to be staffed 24/7.

Despite the cold, warm-hearted staff still managed to raise nearly £500 for charity over Christmas. This will be matched £ for £ by npower with the final £1000 sum being shared between Kent Air Ambulance Service and Macmillan Cancer Support.

- Tilbury Power Station can generate 1,063 MW of electricity – enough power to meet the needs of some 1.4 million people, which is equivalent to 80% of the total population of Essex

RWE npower is an integrated energy business, generating electricity and supplying gas, electricity and related services to customers across the UK. We operate and manage flexible, low-cost coal, oil and gas-fired power stations – generating over 10.3 GW of electricity. We serve around 6.8 million customer accounts and produce more than 10% of the electricity used in England and Wales.