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Wednesday, December 28, 2005

Sustainable Energy building construction industry conference slated for Boston, March 2006

Press Release from The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA)

31st Building Energy 2006 Conference & Trade Show--The Practice of Sustainability: Proven Profitable Partnership


(CSRwire) Greenfield, MA—December 21, 2005— The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) presents unparalleled education and networking opportunities for green building and renewable energy professionals when it hosts its 31st annual Building Energy Conference and Trade Show at Boston’s Seaport World Trade Center on March 7-9, 2006.

"Building Energy 2006 is a solutions-oriented conference," says Nancy Hazard, NESEA Executive Director and organizer of the conference. "It is intentionally interdisciplinary, so as to foster systems thinking, unique networking opportunities, and solutions to the energy and climate change challenges facing us today."

The 31st annual conference features more than 150 speakers and is expected to draw 2,000 participants for three days of activities including: workshops, sessions, lectures, networking, a free public forum, and a trade show for renewable energy and green building professionals. The Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Title Sponsor, recommends the event for architects, engineers, builders, city and town planners, building systems designers, developers, facility managers, investors, policy makers, real estate professionals, and other professionals interested in renewable energy and green building practices.

Building Energy 2006 kicks off on Tuesday, March 7 with full and half-day workshops designed to offer in-depth training for professionals and students entering this field, as well as experienced professionals seeking a deeper understanding of new issues and technologies. Workshops will be held on a variety of topics, including:


Building Integrated photovoltaics

Solar design and implementation

High performance green schools

Interpreting and utilizing green building standards

Solar and radiant floor heating

Wind energy project development strategies

Powering homes with renewable energy

European “Passive Houses”

Greening existing buildings

Successful Green Project Teams

Insulating materials


A free Public Forum titled, Energy: Crisis or Opportunity, sponsored by SmartPower and UK Trade & Investments, will be held on Tuesday evening, March 7 at 6:00 p.m. A panel of experts will be engaged to discuss some of the most pressing issues of our time including current energy challenges, the role of government and business, as well as how clean energy technologies and environmentally-responsible building practices can deliver profits in the private sector, enhance quality of life, and reduce energy costs. The public will be invited to participate in this timely discussion.

Wednesday and Thursday at Building Energy 2006 features more than 60 sessions on topics such as:

Utility scale clean renewable energy

HVAC systems

Photovoltaics

Green Roofs and Water Quality

Community planning

Transportation and the built environment

Biofuels

Policy

Aesthetics

Economic and environmental issues

Urban design

Fundamentals of financing

Building science

Marketing

Industrial design

Community Relations

Outstanding green buildings and green products

Another highlight of the event during these two days is the Building Energy Trade Show. This year’s Trade Show, sponsored by Alternate Energy, will be the event’s largest and most comprehensive renewable energy and green building technology trade show ever. It features over 120 exhibitors, displaying products and services that support environmentally sustainable practices. Trade show attendees will see cutting-edge technologies from exhibitors sharing the practical knowledge their businesses have gained through real-world applications. Attendees will also find a Trade Show Reception, Poster Displays, Networking Villages, and NESEA Night with Live and Silent Auctions--an annual NESEA celebration of community.

"With so much public attention focused on energy concerns and ways to cut costs, Building Energy 2006 will be a perfect setting for concerned citizens, as well as energy and building professionals, to learn and network. Building Energy 2006 will feature great workshops and discussions addressing critical energy issues facing our region and the world," noted Warren Leon, Deputy Director of the MTC-administered Renewable Energy Trust.

Goody Clancy is a Gold Sponsor of Building Energy 2006. Additional sponsors include: American Planning Association, Arrowstreet, BuildingGreen, Cape Light Compact, Cape Wind Associates, Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, Conservation Services Group, CSRwire, E Magazine, Efficiency Maine, EIN Publishing, Environmental Design and Construction Magazine, Green Roofs for Healthy Cities, GreenBiz.com, Honeywell Utility Solutions, Home Energy Magazine, KeySpan Energy Delivery, Maine’s State Energy Program, New England Real Estate Journal, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, NSTAR, Residential Design & Build Magazine, Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund, Sasaki, SmartPower, Solar Design Associates, Sterling Planet, and Zackin Publishing.

The Northeast Sustainable Energy Association (NESEA) is the Northeast’s leading organization of professionals working in sustainable energy, whole systems thinking and green technologies. NESEA facilitates the widespread adoption and use of sustainable energy by providing support to industry professionals and by educating and motivating consumers to learn about, ask for, and adopt sustainable energy and green building practices. NESEA accomplishes this through a number of ongoing programs and annual events including the Building Energy conference and trade show, its Sustainable Yellow Pages, K-12 educational materials, and award-winning public education events such as the Tour de Sol and the Green Building Open House.

For more information or to register for Building Energy 2006 — "The Practice of Sustainability: Proven Profitable Partnership," please visit www.BuildingEnergy.nesea.org.

Saturday, December 24, 2005

India's Yes Bank, USAID team up on $20 mil renewable energy fund

New Delhi: New generation private bank Yes Bank will launch a $20-million fund for providing seed capital to smaller and medium companies for renewable energy and water treatment projects.

"We will activate a $20-million fund in 2006 for extending loan facility to small and medium companies in renewable energy and water treatment," Yes Bank CEO Rana Kapoor said.

This is a 50-50 partnership between United States Agency for International Assistance (USAID) and Yes Bank, he said. | Read more Finance news. |

"The documents are being finalised, we hope to come out with the fund soon," Kapoor said, hinting that it may come early next year.

Yes Bank had earlier signed an agreement with USAID, under which the US government gives loan guarantee with a cumulative value of $20 million to the bank for lending to SMEs that aim to commercialise renewable, efficient energy and water technologies, products and services.

In case of default, the US guarantee covers upto 50 per cent of net principal loss and lowers the risk of Yes Bank to invest in SMEs.

Winslow Green Growth Fund (WGGFX) a diversified clean growth play

from http://finance.yahoo.com/q/pr?s=WGGFX

Winslow Green Growth Fund seeks capital appreciation through environmentally responsible investing. The fund normally invests at least 80% of net assets in equity securities of domestic companies that create products or provide services that offer solutions to environmental problems and promote a healthier environmental future or integrate the principles of waste management, pollution prevention, or efficient use of natural resources into its business practices. The fund expects to invest primarily in small and medium size companies that management believes are reasonably priced and exhibit the potential for superior growth.

Read more at Finance.Yahoo.com



TOP 10 HOLDINGS ( 49.20% OF TOTAL ASSETS, 30sep05)

Company Symbol
SURMODICS INC SRDX
DURECT CORP DRRX
INTELLISYNC CORP SYNC
ARENA PHARMACEUTIC ARNA
AQUANTIVE INC AQNT
AVID TECH INC AVID
NAM TAI ELECTRONICS NTE
HERBALIFE LTD. HLF
FUEL-TECH N.V. FTEK
HEADWATERS INC HW

Solar Enery Stocks power socially responsible investing

Solar Energy Helps Fuel Socially Responsible Investing
by William Baue

Managers from Winslow Green Growth Fund, New Alternatives Fund, and Portfolio 21 discuss the opportunities and challenges of investing in solar power.

SocialFunds.com -- All energy on earth originates from our sun (with the exception of nuclear, which is galactic in origin)--including oil, which is solar energy stored in fossilized carbon deposits. With the days of oil prices below $50 a barrel behind us and climate change marching forward, investment in less polluting, renewable energy sources is on the rise.

Solar energy, which transforms energy from the sun more directly into usable forms, is playing an increasingly important role in our evolving energy mix. While some investors are just jumping onto the solar bandwagon, many socially responsible investing (SRI) firms have a longer history of exposure to this growing sector.

"Interest in solar power and solar stocks has never been higher," says Matt Patsky, a portfolio manager of the Winslow Green Growth Fund (ticker: WGGFX) at Winslow Management Company, which has practiced "green" (or environmentally effective) investing since 1984. "The number of small, public solar companies has been increasing, with several recent solar IPOs."

These initial public offerings have been quite successful, according to David Schoenwald, portfolio manager of the New Alternatives Fund (NALFX) that launched in 1982 as the first environmental fund. For example, IPOs for China-based SunTech Power (STP--whose offering launched just this week) and US-based SunPower (SPWR--which spun off Cypress Semiconductor (CY) in the past few weeks) were both oversubscribed. Other recent IPOs include Germany-based Conergy (CGY.DE) and Q-Cells (QCE.DE). Other "pure plays," or small companies focused exclusively on solar, include US-based Evergreen Solar (ESLR) and DayStar Tech (DSTI), and Germany-based ErSol Solar (ES6.DE).

"Only a few of these pure plays are profitable yet, which is a challenge for Wall Street," says Carsten Henningsen, chair of Portfolio 21 (PORTX), a global sustainability fund launched in 1999. "For example, SunTech Power has been profitable since 2003, but as a Chinese company it has direct access to cheap labor and production and may engage in questionable accounting."

"Q-Cells and ErSol are also recently profitable," Mr. Henningsen told SocialFunds.com. "Although companies present themselves as profitable, it would be wise to examine cash flows and future prospects before investing."

These mutual funds have been profitable, too. Three-year annualized returns as of November 30, 2005 are 28.52 percent for Winslow, 13.46 for Portfolio 21, and 13.26 for New Alternatives, according to data provided by Thomson Financial Network.

While Winslow is limited to pure plays as a small-cap fund, New Alternatives and Portfolio 21 gain more exposure to solar through large, diversified companies with commitments to solar.

"The larger companies like Sharp have the advantage when it comes to economies of scale, relationships with suppliers, research and development budgets, and cash to grow market share," says Mr. Henningsen. "We like Sharp because the company is the largest Japanese solar battery producer and passes Portfolio 21's strict sustainability criteria."

The solar market may also be fueled by recent commitments to support renewable energy from large conglomerates such as GE (GE), BP (BP), and even Wal-Mart (WMT).

"We believe that these announcements amount to validation of what alternative energy proponents have been saying--that alternative energy sources will be needed to meet the world's energy demands, and renewables such as solar will have major roles to play," said Liz Levy, Winslow's environmental analyst. "Solar companies can currently sell all of the product they make--crunch time will come in the future as silicon supplies ease and investments from large organizations such as these begin to materialize."

Silicon is the primary raw material behind solar technology (with few exceptions, such of DayStar's non-silicon technology), so fluctuations in quality and supply of silicon pose a significant challenge to this relatively young industry.

"New developments in raw materials and technology are yielding different types of solar cell construction with different efficiencies and different quality materials--for example, we are seeing more product options like thinner film solar cells that use lower quality silicon," points out Mr. Henningsen. "The lower quality cells are less expensive, however the efficiencies are very low."

"However, in some applications such as in developing countries with far less power demands than the US, these lower cost and lower quality cells may work well," he adds.

Subsidy schemes in various parts of the world are also fueling opportunity in the solar sector.

"The markets with the greatest support are in Germany and Spain--there is also strong support in a number of states in the US," Mr. Schoenwald of New Alternatives told SocialFunds.com.

Just this week, the California Public Utilities (CPUC) unveiled the California Solar Incentive Program that offers $3.2 billion in incentives over the next decade to build solar panels on homes and businesses.

Other significant opportunities of the future have yet to hit publicly-traded markets.

"While the greatest investor interest is presently solar photovoltaic cells that produce electricity, I personally think solar hot water heating systems may be more cost effective," adds Mr. Schoenwald. "There are a number of private solar hot water heating system companies, especially in China, but no public ones that I'm aware of."

Article from SocialFunds.com

Sunday, December 18, 2005

Ontario THE wind hotspot; Cdn Hydro (KHD) gets 350 of 955 megs awarded

350 MW from Wind and Hydroelectric to Supply Ontario

November 23, 2005

Calgary, Alberta [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Three of Canadian Hydro Developers' major project are slated to supply 349.8 MW of electricity from wind and hydroelectric projects in 20-year Renewable Energy Supply II contracts from the Ontario Power Authority. The power will come from the 132.0 MW Melancthon II Wind Project, the 197.8 MW Wolfe Island Wind Project, and the 20.0 MW Island Falls Hydroelectric Project.

Located near Shelburne, Ontario, Melancthon II is the second phase of the Melancthon Wind Project, where phase I (67.5 MW) is currently nearing completion. Melancthon II will consist of 88 1.5 MW wind turbines that will generate an estimated 350,000 MWh per year of green power -- enough to power 50,000 households. The anticipated capital cost of this project is $265 million. Pending regulatory approvals and financing, construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 2006, with completion expected in the spring of 2007.

Wolfe Island will consist of 86 2.3 MW wind turbines located on Wolfe Island, near Kingston, Ontario. It will generate an estimated 537,000 MWh per year of green power -- enough to power 75,000 households (more than the Kingston metropolitan area). This project is expected to cost $410 million. Construction is scheduled to begin in the spring of 2007, after obtaining regulatory approvals and financing, with completion expected by October 2008.

Island Falls, located near Timmins, Ontario, is a 20.0 MW run-of-river hydroelectric project, owned 50 percent by Canadian Hydro and 50 percent by two private developers. Estimated generation of 93,000 MWh per year will be enough to power 13,000 households - more than half of Timmins. Capital cost projections for this project are $64 million. The next steps involve securing regulatory approvals and financing, following which construction is scheduled to start in the spring of 2007, with completion expected by October 2008.

"This is an incredible win for all stakeholders, including Canadian Hydro, the people of Ontario and our project communities," said John Keating, CEO of Canadian Hydro. "These projects will more than double Canadian Hydro's green power generation in the next three years and increase our market presence in Ontario."

Horizon Wind Energy, Gamesa Eolica sub in 600 MW USA windpower deal

Partners to build 600 MegaWatts of Wind Turbine Manufacturing in the USA


Gasteiz, Spain [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Gamesa Wind US LLC, a subsidiary of Gamesa Eolica, the world's second leading wind turbine manufacturer and a market leader in Spain in the manufacturing, sales and installation of wind turbines, has been selected by Horizon Wind Energy, a wind energy developer owned by Goldman Sachs, for the supply of up to 600 MW of wind turbines for projects located in the U.S.

The agreement between Gamesa and Horizon involves the supply of the full line of Gamesa G8X 2.0 MW products, including the Gamesa G80, G83, G87 and G90 wind turbines.

Most of the manufacturing of these wind turbines will be carried out in the plants that the Spanish company owns in the U.S. The company PR did not disclose where exactly in the U.S., but it could be centered in Pennsylvania where the company has already inked deals for manufacturing facilities.

"We are very pleased that Horizon has turned to Gamesa for their wind turbines needs. This transaction strengthens the position of Gamesa Wind in the U.S., which together with China is one of our target markets as we expand internationally," said Inaki Lopez Gandasegui, Gamesa's CEO.

The frame agreement initially calls for the supply of 400 MW with an option for an additional 200 MW. The turbines will be installed during 2006 and 2007. The estimated value of this frame agreement, depending on its final scope and the combination of the wind turbine models, could reach up to 700 million USD.

Horizon Wind Energy, formerly Zilkha Renewable Energy, is a Houston-based developer of wind energy projects. Alec Dreyer, CEO of Horizon Wind Energy, said Gamesa wind turbines would be an important part of the company's growth over the next several years

Currently Horizon is operating and developing projects in more than a dozen states. In the past two years, the company has built or announced construction of more than 800 MW of wind power. Horizon Wind Energy was recently acquired by Goldman Sachs, an investment banking firm.

In Spain, Gamesa Eolica is the leading manufacturer and supplier of wind turbines, with a market share of 56.8 percent of installed wind power in 2004. In 2004, it was ranked second worldwide in the Top 10 manufacturers ranking, with a market share of 18.1 percent (BTM Consult ApS). Countries like the USA, Germany, Italy, France, Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Greece, Mexico, Argentina, Morocco, Egypt, India, China or Japan already have wind turbines supplied by Gamesa Eolica.


Note this comment from the Windbiz Blog:

by Keith Hays, November 23, 2005

Not to start up the rumor mill (well just a little bit) but perhaps the 600 MW Gamesa-Horizon Energy contract in the US could be something much bigger. See, Horizon Energy is owned by Goldman Sachs. Goldman owns around 20% of Nordex. And - this is the new part - a Goldman Sachs fund just bought 5% of Gamesa. So the links between Nordex and Gamesa are tightening via Goldman.

After a major restructuring program, Nordex is set to break even this year operationally, making it a more stable acquisition target. Order book-wise, Nordex and Gamesa complement each other especially in the French and Portuguese markets, as well as Germany. And in terms of product portfolio, Nordex has already made solid headway in the 2 MW + segment, and it has an offshore turbine (albeit small, at 2.5 MW), which Gamesa does not.

from www.windbiz.blogs.com

Mexican hotel offers renewal in enviro-friendly setting

Eco-hotel hums in harmony with natural surroundings

Founder `changed rules' of luxury, Runs facility on solar power, windmills

by ANITA DRAYCOTT, SPECIAL TO THE TORONTO STAR


Near Cruz de Loreto, Mexico—At the end of a narrow road between Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo, there's a tiny hideaway called Hotelito Desconocido where travellers weary of traditional luxury resorts can keep it simple — and natural.

The Hotelito Desconocido, or "little unknown hotel" in Spanish, encourages visitors to Mexico's "Happy Coast" to shed the trappings of modern Western culture such as phones, computers, hairdryers and elevators. There's no need for them in a hotel that runs on solar power.

Hotelito's environmentally friendly mandate goes far beyond offering nature walks and asking that you think twice before requesting fresh towels.

It's the brainchild of Marcello Murzilli, an Italian fashion designer who created Charro jeans in the 1970s. On a sailing trip around the world he discovered these 40 hectares of hidden paradise and decided to "change the rules about hotels, reinterpret standards of luxury."

For four years he slept in a tent on the beach and worked with the townspeople of Cruz de Loreto, a remote fishing village four kilometres away, to create a hotel incorporating traditional Mexican arts and handicrafts.

Hotelito is located in the middle of a nature reserve. The estuary is an important bird sanctuary and the beach is a hatching ground for sea turtles. Both Murzilli and the Mexican government are committed to protecting this fragile environment.

"Windmills pump our water to us and the sun heats it. Mama cooks with gas. We have everything we need," Murzilli says.

There's a congenial relationship between the locals and Murzilli and nature. Checking in at Hotelito sets the tone. In the open-air "lobby" under a huge thatched hut, or palapa, stands an imposing wooden antique desk under a magnificent Mexican chandelier. To register, we simply sign our names in a massive parchment ledger.

Our bellboy pedals our luggage to our palafito — a hut built on stilts over the waters of the estuary that ring the resort. There is no key; you can stow your valuables in the reception's safety deposit box. Inside, our palafito is rustic simplicity with designer touches. The floors are pegged wood; the walls whitewashed adobe with splashes of vivid Mexican motifs. Balcony doors and window screens are woven mats. The four-poster bed is made up with exquisitely hand-embroidered linens and draped with a white mosquito net. For breakfast, tug a rope on the balcony and a red flag is hoisted to top of the roof. Minutes later, room service arrives bearing Mexican coffee with sugar and cinnamon and cookies.

The bathroom features a huge shower with a cobblestone and concrete floor, its wall of bamboo poles close enough together for privacy, but far enough apart to give it an open-air feeling.

Hotelito supplies Tepezcohuite soap made from an indigenous tree bark that protects from sun damage, chamomile shampoo and body cream.

A sophisticated sewage treatment system means you have the convenience of a flush toilet but paper goes in a basket.

We've arrived mid-afternoon and reception tells us lunch is being served on the beach. We follow the artfully raked path to a small dock where a muscular young man is waiting to row guests in a tiny skiff across the estuary to Hotelito's private beach. No powerboats are allowed; just row boats, canoes, windsurfers and sailboats.

At the tiny beach restaurant, we're served a refreshing drink of mineral water with freshly squeezed limes. We help ourselves to a fresh salad bar set in an ancient dugout canoe, then move on to ceviche and grilled T-bone steak.

Most of the fruit and vegetables served are grown organically in the Hotelito's own gardens. The fish are caught daily by the local fishermen.

By late afternoon, after a swim and siesta, my mellow spouse and I row ourselves back to El Cantarito, the mainland restaurant, for a couple of Pacifico beers and a game of pool. As the sun sets, the staff will light about 1,000 candles in the rooms and along the paths leading the way to El Cantarito, a larger version of our palafito.

We gather around the bar for cocktails and quesadillas. There are only 24 palafitos at Hotelito and the atmosphere is friendly and casual. After a few margaritas we have met most of our fellow guests, including a couple from Mexico City celebrating their first anniversary, a creative director and his wife from Toronto, and two handsome couples from New York who keep postponing their departure.

I get the impression that most of these people are seasoned travellers who have seen their fair share of traditional luxury hotels with miles of marble and silk, push-button gadgets and sophisticated heating and air conditioning systems.

But the Hotelito experience redefines one's standard of luxury. There's a harmony with nature that it makes you feel healthy, happy and a bit smug that you have discovered how good the simple things in life truly can be.



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Anita Draycott is a Toronto-based freelance writer/photographer.

China's Suntech Power (STP) Holdings rises on IPO

Solar power firm shines in its IPO


WASHINGTON—Suntech Power Holdings Co. capitalized yesterday on investors' enthusiasm for solar power-cell makers with an initial public offering that lit up the market.

Suntech shares closed at $21.20 (U.S.), up 41 per cent from the initial public offering price of $15 on the New York Stock Exchange.

The Chinese company sold 26.38 million shares at the high end of the expected price range of $13 to $15.

It was clear earlier this week that investor demand was strong for the offering, and underwriters Credit Suisse First Boston Corp. and Morgan Stanley raised the price range from the $11 to $13 a share planned at the outset.

Suntech's debut follows last month's gains by SunPower Corp., a California-based solar-cell maker.

SunPower's stock rose 41 per cent on the first day of trading and is currently up 55 per cent from the IPO price.

Both stocks are benefiting from investor interest in alternative-energy companies as the prices of oil and natural gas have climbed this year.

Solar power becomes more economically viable when traditional forms of energy are expensive.

At the same time, government subsidies and tax breaks for solar power usage is growing worldwide as oil and gas reserves diminish.

Suntech's offering is considered even more attractive than those from some of publicly traded peers, such as SunPower, because the company has managed to turn an annual profit since 2003, only a year after the start of operations.

Most of Suntech's rivals, however, are still unprofitable.

For the first nine months of 2005, Suntech's net revenue rose 188 per cent to $137.0 million and net income grew 129 per cent to $20.1 million, compared with the same period in 2004.

Suntech has the advantage of lower labour costs than those of rivals outside of China, but it is also producing more.

The company's 120 megawatts of production capacity is expected to double to 240 over the next year, a level none of Suntech's competitors is expected to match, according to Renaissance Capital, an IPO research firm based in Greenwich, Conn.

As is the case for all solar cell makers, Suntech's business is constrained by the scarcity and rising cost of the primary raw material: silicon wafers.

Suntech is using about $100 million raised in the IPO to purchase or prepay for raw materials, $40 million to expand the company's manufacturing line, and $20 million to fund research and development.

Suntech has already secured all the raw materials it will need to accommodate demand for the company's products into 2006, chief financial officer Amy Yi Zhang said.

The company expects its low labour cost to remain a significant financial advantage for the next decade, added Stuart Wenham, Suntech's chief technical officer.

FROM TORONTO STAR, DOW JONES NEWSWIRES and ASSOCIATED PRESS

Sunday, December 11, 2005

Polaris Geothermal (GEO) opens first 10megs of Nicaragua power facility

Polaris Geothermal Completes First 10 MW
December 7, 2005



[RenewableEnergyAccess.com] Polaris Geothermal, currently developing a 66 MW project on its San Jacinto-Tizate (SJT) concession in Nicaragua, announces that Stage 1's construction of the first 10 MW of production was completed in July 2005. Based on results of a recent geophysical exploration completed at San Jacinto-Tizate by geoscientific consultants, Sinclair Knight Merz Ltd., of Auckland, New Zealand (SKM), SJT increased its resource size.

The San Jacinto-Tizate resource is now estimated at 90 percent probability to have the capacity for providing 203 MW and at 50 percent probability of providing 274 MW, which opens up possibilities for expanding the size of the planned 66 MW San Jacinto-Tizate power plant.

Spot prices for power in Nicaragua are currently in excess of USD $0.10 per kWh, which is attractive when compared to the USD $ 0.0595 per kWh currently agreed to for the first 66 MW. While there can be no assurance that the company will be able to sell additional power at these rates, management is evaluating all possibilities including entering into additional power purchase agreements with qualified buyers.

above from RenewableEnergyAccess.com




below from PolarisGeothermal.com

POLARIS GEOTHERMAL OVERVIEW

Polaris Geothermal Inc. is a renewable energy company currently focused on the development of geothermal energy projects in Latin America.

Polaris is currently developing the initial project on its San Jacinto-Tizate geothermal concession near Leon, Nicaragua, located 90 km due northwest of the capital, Managua. The Company has a controlling interest in the project, which will produce 66 Megawatts (MW) upon completion in 2007 with the first 10 MW of production on stream in early 2005. Polaris has assembled a world-class team including Sinclair Knight Merz Ltd. (SKM), one of the world's leading geothermal science and engineering companies, to develop the US$157 million project.

Polaris has entered into a 20 year 66 MW Power Purchase Agreement with the Spanish utility, Union Fenosa, for the sale of power at a price of US$0.0595 per kilowatt hour (kWh). The 20-year PPA provides a solid economic foundation for project and the Company projects an IRR of approximately 23 percent. Any power produced in excess of the 66 MW can be sold at market price. A recent report by SKM on the potential of the SJT resource currently defined has indicated a 90 percent probability that it will exceed 173 MW and a 50 percent probability that it will exceed 240 MW.

In addition, Polaris also holds the right to develop two additional concessions in Nicaragua. The Casita geothermal concession, located near San Jacinto - Tizate, which has been assigned a 90 percent probability of containing 115 MW of capacity, and the 10 MW Larreynaga hydro concession.

Polaris is focused on geothermal energy because it provides a clean, renewable, indigenous source for electrical power generation. The use of geothermal energy for electricity generation is a mature technology based on more than 50 years operating experience. Skills and human resources for geothermal development are readily available internationally and in Central America. In addition, with the ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, Polaris, through the generation of clean, geothermal power, will derive incremental income from the sale of its Certified Emission Reductions, or carbon credits.

Nicaragua provides the ideal geological conditions required for the development of geothermal power. Commercially viable geothermal resources are most frequently found in areas of strong tectonic activity, where the interaction of the earth's plates creates the friction required to produce geothermal heat. Economically, there is a pressing need for additional indigenous energy development in Nicaragua; a country which is experiencing a growing economy, infrastructure requirements and presently enjoys, political and economic stability with policies in place to provide comfort to foreign investors.

Polaris is a Yukon incorporated company whose shares are listed for trading in Canada on the TSX-Venture Exchange under the symbol "GEO".



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Suzlon Wind Energy brings power to Minnesota, Asia

Suzlon Wind Energy

It is our collective responsibility to ensure that our children inherit a world where they can cherish the abundant beauty of nature, freely breathe and live, play and grow. Since its inception, Suzlon has been committed to a clean and green environment. Suzlon specializes in providing total solutions in Wind Power Generation with cohesive integration of consultancy, design, manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance services.

The start of this millennium saw Suzlon capture the largest market share in Asia and feature amongst the top ten in the world. Suzlon has developed some of the largest wind parks in Asia including the world's largest wind park of its kind of over 200 MW capacity.

Amongst the various citations received for the contribution made by Suzlon in the wind energy sector, is the prestigious award by the World Wind Energy Association.



Danmar Wind Parks, Minnesota Project



The total project comprises of twelve wind farms located on twelve sites in southwestern Minnesota.

The projects were conceived as a means of allowing local farmers and businesses to benefit from southwestern Minnesota's considerable wind resources through actual ownership of facilities.

The project was developed by DanMar & Associates, Inc., a Minnesota-based development company.

The Wind Turbines were supplied by Suzlon Wind Energy Corp.

The power produced is sold to Northern States Power Company, a subsidiary of Xcel Energy, Inc. and to Great River Energy.

The Minnesota Small Producer Incentive (MSPI) provides cash payments per kWh produced by its facility for ten years to the projects. Each project is owned by a local farmer or small businessman and qualifies for MSPI.



Vankusawade Wind Park, Asia's largest windpower project


Suzlon has commissioned Asia's largest wind park of 201 MW in India.


The Vankusawade Wind Park is located on a high mountain plateau at 1150 m amsl, running north to south above the Koyna Reservoir in the Satara District of Maharashtra State. It is approximately 40 km from the town of Satara (200 km south - southeast of Mumbai), and approximately 80 km from India's west coast.



SUZLON wins $49.56 million orders in China and South Korea

Press Release from Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation

December 6, 2005


MUMBAI, India Pune-based Suzlon Energy Ltd, a leading global wind energy company, has successfully commenced operations in China and South Korea with orders worth $49.56 million.

"We are very pleased with these orders, which reinforce our market leadership in Asia," said Tulsi Tanti, chairman of Suzlon Energy.

"The China order will be supplied from our factory there and the project will be commissioned next year. These two orders are over and above the order book of Rs.21.5 billion announced at the time of our second quarter results on Oct 31."
In China, Suzlon has closed a contract worth $37.41 million for the Guohua Inner Mongolia Huitengliang Wind Farm project, while in South Korea it has clinched a contract for the Jeju Wind Farm project worth $12.15 million at Nansan-ri off Jeju Island.

This is the first phase of a potential 55MW wind power project for Jeju Island, the wind turbine major said in a statement issued Tuesday.

"We are very pleased with these orders, which reinforce our market leadership in Asia," said Tulsi Tanti, chairman of Suzlon Energy.

"The China order will be supplied from our factory there and the project will be commissioned next year. These two orders are over and above the order book of Rs.21.5 billion announced at the time of our second quarter results on Oct 31."

The first contract in China was entered into with Guohua Xilinguole New Energy and Source Co Ltd, a subsidiary of China Shenhua Energy Co Ltd.

Suzlon is hopeful that a renewable energy policy expected to come into force in China from Jan 1 will open up new opportunities.

For the project in South Korea, Suzlon tied up with Unison Co Ltd, the largest local developer with two major wind farm installations. The total installed wind power capacity in South Korea currently is 71.7 MW.

In India, Suzlon has projects at 27 locations in seven states and plans to further enhance its presence.



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Spire Solar (SPIR) an industry leader

Solar firm sees hike in photovoltaic panel demand

By Davis Bushnell, Globe Correspondent
from Boston.com

BEDFORD -- High prices for oil and natural gas are helping the worldwide solar-energy market perk up after years of spotty performance. And no one is more pleased with this development than Roger G. Little, founder and chief executive of Spire Corp. of Bedford, a small but significant player in that market.

''Our industry grew by 62 percent last year, but there have been a lot of bumps in the road to where we are today," Little said in a recent interview at company headquarters.

''The strength of our company, though, has come from diversity," he added, noting that diversity is also something he knows about as a world-class triathlete.

Spire, whose revenues have increased for each of the last five years, albeit with some losses, is currently engaged in three business areas: photovoltaics, or the solar-energy platform on which the company was started in 1969; optoelectronics, or semiconductor development related to light, with applications for the telecommunications and defense industries; and biomedical products, as a maker of orthopedic-device coatings and catheters.

Because of high energy prices, Little said, Spire is now experiencing a significant pickup in equipment orders from corporate customers worldwide that are increasing their manufacturing capacity for making solar panels.

Making solar equipment for petroleum companies like BP PLC and the Shell Group, which, in turn produce solar panels for consumer and commercial uses, accounts for 50 percent of Spire's annual revenues, Little said.

Revenues in 2004 totaled $17.3 million, up from $15.8 million in 2003.

The biomedical products, made for companies like Stryker Corp. and Boston Scientific Corp., generate 30 percent of the revenues. In addition to catheters, which are top-selling products, Little said, the company makes coatings for orthopedic devices used, for example, for hip and knee replacements.

Optoelectronics devices, produced for defense contractors such as Raytheon Co., BAE Systems PLC, and ITT Corp., represent the balance of the revenues. These custom products typically use advanced laser and infrared technologies, he said.

''Spire's been around for a long time, and it's good to see them showing a strong upswing now," said Russell Landon, who follows the Bedford company's solar business for the Boston investment firm Adams, Harkness &Hill. Landon is a managing director of the firm.

When he founded Spire 36 years ago, Little steered the company, as an Air Force contractor, into making solar cells for satellites.

''Then in the late 1970s, we became involved in bringing these cells down to earth, literally, for consumer and commercial applications," said Little, a 1964 graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who also lives in Bedford. ''We became an early leader in making solar modules for these markets."

Until, that is, large corporations, like the giant energy companies, moved into that arena. ''We then said, 'We'll make the equipment for them so that they can turn out the [solar] panels and so forth.' "

After the oil crisis of the 1970s faded, so did the solar market's prospects, Little said, adding, ''We then had to look at ways of diversifying."

All went well, he pointed out, until about five years ago, when ''all three of our business units began suffering from declining markets." In 2002, the optoelectronics business was sold to a Chicago telecommunications firm, Methode.

Two years later, however, the Chicago firm's executives asked Little whether he would take back the business. ''I said I'd be glad to, and this business, now based in Hudson, N.H., is also growing."

For its 2005 third-quarter results, announced Nov. 14, Spire reported revenues of $4.5 million, a 20 percent increase over the same quarter a year earlier. However, there was a net loss of $1.4 million for the 2005 quarter, or 20 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $1.8 million, or 26 cents a share, for the 2004 quarter.

Little attributed the third-quarter loss this year to a ''decrease in solar system revenues."

Net income for the nine months of this year, though, were $1.7 million, or 24 cents a share, compared with a net loss of $1.9 million, or 28 cents a share, for the comparable 2004 period.

Spire shares are traded on the Nasdaq market. The company, which has 120 employees, most of them in Bedford, went public in 1983. Last year, Little received a salary of $203,732 and a bonus of $14,660.

Through all the ups and downs of his company and the industries it serves, Little said he has never doubted his reasons for becoming an entrepreneur. ''I wanted my career to be very involved in a scientific way."

above from Boston.com


below from SpireSolar.com

About Spire Solar:

Solar Photovoltaics, the direct conversion of sunlight into electricity, is a rapidly growing technology and increasingly important source of power. Spire Corporation is the world's leading supplier of the manufacturing equipment and technology needed to manufacture solar photovoltaic power. Spire's manufacturing equipment and SPI-LINE™ turn-key production lines are designed to meet the needs of everyone from small manufactures relying on mostly manual processes to the largest photovoltaic manufacturing companies in the world. Approximately 80% of the 2004 world photovoltaic module production came from factories furnished with units of Spire equipment.

Spire's mission is to help our customers capitalize on growing markets for solar energy by offering the highest quality products and unparalleled support.

Spire also offers a full range of services including solar cell and module materials supply, management and marketing support and systems design and engineering. Of course, all of Spire's products and services come standard with our unparalleled customer support.

Whether Spire is helping establish a new photovoltaic business in the developing world, or researching new technologies and processes for high volume production, our staff of internationally recognized experts never forgets that we are only as successful as our customers.




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With 7,000 megs, India now 4th in global wind power capacity

India Ranks Fourth in Wind Power Capacity

New Delhi, India [RenewableEnergyAccess.com] With 7000 MW of renewable energy grid power capacity currently installed in India -- representing 7 percent of the total installed grid power in the country -- and wind power alone contributing 4 percent with an installed capacity of 4225 MW, the country's Minister for Non-Conventional Energy Sources announced that India ranks fourth after Germany, the U.S. and Spain.

The Minister and his ministry, Non-Conventional Energy Sources, won the World Wind Energy Award 2005 for making India one of the leading wind energy countries worldwide. The World Wind Energy Association, with 200 members from all branches of the wind sector in more than 70 countries, is headquartered in Bonn, Germany. Plus, wind capacity is expected to reach 25 percent by 2011-2012. Minister Shri Vilas Muttemwar added that the Government policy measures have played an important role in development, deployment and commercialization of renewable energy technologies and systems.

Efforts are currently directed toward developing indigenous design and manufacturing wind materials components, sub-systems and MW sale wind electric generators. The country's government has been determining the regions most suitable for deployment of wind power systems through wind mapping of the country on a 7 class classification based on different power densities.

Shri Muttemwar congratulated the Indian Renewable Energy Community, particularly industry, for demonstrating Indian capabilities internationally in the development, deployment and commercialization of renewable energy technologies. The Minister and his ministry won the World Wind Energy Award 2005 for achievements in making India one of the leading wind energy countries worldwide. The World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), an international organization headquartered in Bonn, Germany, has 200 members from all branches of the wind sector in more than 70 countries.

The Non-Conventional Energy Minister also released the Indian Renewable Energy Compendium for potential buyers, project developers and importers, which is a compilation of the capabilities of the Indian renewable energy industry. It gives an overview of the renewable energy plan 2012 with potential and cumulative achievements, profiling about 150 renewable energy industries in solar, wind, small hydro, biomass gasification, cogeneration and waste to energy.

The Compendium also contains a list of solar shops at 93 places across the country set up for sales and repairs of renewable energy devices and systems, including information on storage batteries and renewable energy consultants and associations. Listings of international organizations engaged in the development of renewable energy are supplemented with contacts for the institutional framework within India.

Distributed Energy Systems (DESC) growing with hydrogen generators and fuel cells

Distributed Energy Systems Corp. was formed in December 2003, following Proton Energy’s acquisition of Northern Power Systems. Serving as a holding company for the Proton Energy and Northern operating companies and subsequent entities, Distributed Energy Systems is the market vehicle (NASDAQ: DESC) for investors, superseding Proton Energy Systems (formerly traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol PRTN).

DESC Stock Quote:

http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=122665&p=irol-stockquote

For more information on Distributed Energy Systems Corp., Corporate Governance and Investor information, we invite you to visit:

http://www.distributed-energy.com

Corporate Profile
Business
Formed in December 2003, Distributed Energy Systems is creating and delivering quality products and solutions to the new energy marketplace, giving users greater control over their energy cost, quality, and reliability. Distributed Energy System Corp. brings together two established businesses: Proton Energy Systems and Northern Power Systems. As Distributed Energy Systems operating units, Proton and Northern deliver a combination of practical, ready-today energy solutions and the solid business platforms for capitalizing on the changing energy landscape. In the longer term, Distributed Energy Systems will identify and fund other initiatives, implementing new strategic acquisitions, joint ventures, and alliances that meet emerging customer and investor needs

Operating Companies

Proton Energy Systems:

Founded in 1996 and based in Wallingford, Connecticut, Proton Energy Systems manufactures proton exchange membrane (PEM) industrial and laboratory hydrogen generators (electrolyzers) and fuel cell-related products. Proton’s PEM-based electrochemical products are employed in hydrogen-generating devices in industrial applications and in regenerative fuel cell systems that function as power generating and energy storage devices. Proton’s Advance Technology Group is involved in developing and proving cutting edge applications of PEM technology in fueling and back up power solutions. Proton holds 18 U.S. patents, 2 European patents and has 105 patent filings as of December 9, 2003. Proton’s HOGEN® hydrogen generators produce hydrogen from electricity and water, efficiently and without harmful by-products. The company’s UNIGEN regenerative FC systems combine its hydrogen generation technology with an FC power generator for uniquely pollution-free energy storage. Prior to the formation of Distributed Energy Systems Corp., Proton Energy Systems was listed on the NASDAQ and traded under the symbol PRTN

Northern Power Systems:

Established in 1974, Northern Power Systems is the leading open-technology provider of innovative, flexible power solutions. Headquartered in Waitsfield, Vermont, Northern designs, builds, and installs ultra-reliable electric power systems for industrial, commercial, and government customers. Earning a worldwide reputation for quality, reliability and technical superiority, Northern's time- tested systems are on the job — from the harshest and most remote locations on earth to densely populated urban sites.


Proton Energy Systems

Proton Energy Systems builds HOGEN(R) PEM hydrogen generators and UNIGEN(R) regenerative PEM fuel cell systems. The hydrogen generator produces hydrogen from electricity and water efficiently and without harmful by-products.


Proton Energy Systems builds HOGEN(R) PEM hydrogen generators and UNIGEN(R) regenerative PEM fuel cell systems. The hydrogen generator produces hydrogen from electricity and water efficiently and without harmful by-products. Our UNIGEN regenerative FC systems combine our hydrogen generation technology with a FC power generator for uniquely cost-effective, pollution-free energy storage.
We serve four markets -Hydrogen Gas Industry: Lower cost, safer and more convenient vs. conventional delivery.
-Hydrogen Fuel for Fuel Cells: Hydrogen fuel for vehicle and portable FC applications.
-Power Quality and Reliability: UNIGEN regenerative FC systems will serve as highly reliable backup power systems to serve demanding applications.
-Renewable Power Applications: UNIGEN systems may facilitate renewable energy solutions by storing energy produced by solar, wind and hydroelectric power.

Here are some of our products/services:

HOGEN(R) hydrogen generator Proton makes HOGEN(R)hydrogen generators and UNIGEN(R) regenerative fuel cell systems. Proton's HOGEN hydrogen generators make high purity, process pressure hydrogen from water and electricity for diverse uses in semiconductors, metallurgy, electrical generator cooling, meteorology and fuel cell applications...

UNIGEN(R) regenerative fuel cell system Proton is developing the unique UNIGEN(R)regenerative fuel cell system, which reversibly converts electricity to hydrogen, and hydrogen back to electricity as needed. Proton's UNIGEN fuel cell system provides the ability to store energy in a highly available form ideally suited for backup power systems and premium power. UNIGEN fuel cell systems are expected to scale up much less expensively than conventional batteries...

for more info on DESC, visit:

http://www.distributed-energy.com



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Saturday, December 03, 2005

BP consolidates Solar, Wind, Hydrogen and Combined-Cycle Units

BP Plows Oil, Gas Profit into Alternative Energy

Archived Story

by Alex MacDonald and Spencer Swartz


LONDON - U.K.-based BP PLC (BP) said Monday it will plow profits from its oil and gas business into investments in alternative energy projects through a new business unit, BP Alternative Energy.

BP said it expects to invest up to $8 billion in alternative energy projects, including solar, wind, hydrogen and carbon-abatement technology, over a 10-year period.

The investment represents only a fraction of BP's annual $14 billion to $16 billion capital-expenditure program but is an eightfold increase from the $1 billion already spent over the past decade, Chief Executive John Browne told a news briefing.

Equity analyst Jason Kennedy of ING Group welcomed the consolidation of BP's alternative energy projects into one business unit but said he didn't expect the unit to "have a huge impact on earnings in the short term."

Kennedy, who has a buy rating on BP and a target price of 709 pence, said, "BP is consolidating their holdings...allowing them to leverage the parts of the business that have growth." Kennedy said the timing of the investment was sensible. "Making a small investment (in alternative energy) now could help the company in the future," when the dynamics of the market change, he said.

Browne said he expects the unit to achieve a 15% return on capital employed annually by investing in equal proportions in solar, wind, hydrogen and combined-cycle gas-fired power generation.

The investment will depend on the nature of opportunities and their profitability, Browne said.

Friends of the Earth, an environmental organization, welcomed BP's "modest" shift of emphasis to focus more on alternative energy sources.

"It's encouraging to see that they're joining up all the different parts of their renewable business and making it a core focus," said Tony Juniper, the organization's chief executive.

But he added that more needs to be done to increase the pace of alternative energy investment: "They're just making investment in the part that's market-ready."

BP's solar business is a key plank to its alternative energy business and was profitable for the first time last year, Browne said.

The company plans to double its solar capacity from the roughly 100 megawatts of capacity it currently has in the U.S., Spain, India and Australia.

Browne said BP was also planning a carbon-sequestration project for 2006-07 in which carbon emissions from power plants would be re-injected in fallow offshore gas and oil fields for storage purposes.

Browne said BP looked to hire "several hundred" staff, including engineers, to support its new alternative and renewable energy investment plan, which is among the biggest by an oil major.

He added that peak oil production could come in 2020 but said it was difficult to gauge, in part due to the shifting economics of the oil industry that can make the production of oil reserves economically viable or unjustifiable.

Browne later told CNBC that exploration and production "isn't on the slide. We continue to expand our business on the exploration and production side."

When asked whether BP would consider an equity investment in an oil or gas project, Browne told the CNBC: "That position is a matter of value. When prices are so high, it's hard to get value."

Browne said that although BP would make some investments in gas-fired power-generation technology, it had no plans to get into the nuclear power business. He also said BP plans to enter the U.S. wind power market in 2007.

BP shares closed down 16.5 pence, or 2.5%, to 644.5 pence. The FTSE 100 closed down 0.8% to 5,477.

Company Web site: http://www.bp.com


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Renewable Energy Sector a fast growing stock play

Stock Watch: Alternative Energy Investment Opportunities

By Jonathan Keehner
NYU: http://journalism.nyu.edu/pubzone/theoryb/node/573

The International Herald Tribune published a disappointing article today on alternative energy investing that reported the following:

Top-performing subsectors during the third quarter were solar (39 percent), wind (25 percent) and efficiency (17 percent). The least strong sectors were hydrogen and fuel cells, which gained 5.8 percent, and electricity storage, which dropped 3.5 percent.

The article cautions against concentrating heavily in alternative energy or investing in “small and unprofitable” companies that may suffer “irrespective of commodity prices.” This advice seems fair, if obvious, but it is a shame that the article focuses on these platitudes instead of prospective opportunities, such as balancing an energy portfolio with an alternative component (through one of the many new available funds) or investigating a promising new technology (such as those in high demand from emerging markets). An example of this is the following:

At the other extreme, many fuel cell companies, which produce electricity from an external fuel supply of hydrogen and oxygen, have done little more than tread water.

If fuel cells, with a 5.8 percent quarterly gain, represent the “extreme” poor performance in the sector, it would follow that this may be a space to consider investing. To illustrate the poor performance of fuel cells, the article gives the example of Ballard Power Systems.

However by my calculation the stock is up over 20% during the past 6 months. While Ballard may not have been a homerun, it is hardly the paragon of poor investing - particularly after Chinese President Hu Jintao made a high profile visit to the company last month (which the article failed to mention).

Although it is encouraging to see articles on alternative energy in mainstream publications, articles like this seem to demonstrate that we are just at the beginning of the alternative energy learning curve.

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