Archive for the ‘wind’ Category

Canadian Clean Technology Companies Pre-Qualify for Second Round of Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program

Friday, February 3rd, 2012

The Canadian Clean Technology Coalition views the February 3rd announcement by the Government of Canada of successful applicants for second round pre-qualification in the Canadian Innovation Commercialization Program (CICP) as a clear and positive indication of the growth and innovation demonstrated by the clean technology sector.

Minister of Public Works and Government Services Rona Ambrose announced 36 innovations that the federal government may buy and test as part of the second round of the CICP. The latest selections include several applicants from the clean technology sector, as was also the case in the first round announced in March of 2011. (more…)

Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third in EPA Green Power Rankings

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

The company’s purchases of wind energy in Texas provide up to 15 percent of the total energy for more than 360 outlets in that state. The electricity comes from a Duke Energy wind farm in Notrees, Texas, which produces  about 226 million kWh a year.

Read more here Walmart Rockets from 15th to Third

PICS CLIMATE NEWS SCAN – 31 JANUARY 2012

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

Some highlights from this weeks News Scan:

  • NASA visualizes how temperatures have increased in the last 131 years
  • Climate policy: oil’s tipping point has past
  • Clean up world seas to boost economy, UN body says

The PICS News Scan is produced by ISIS at the Sauder School of Business and the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS). To be added to the News Scan distribution list or to provide content feedback and/or suggestions about interesting news items, please email: isis@sauder.ubc.ca.

Authors: Neil ThomsonCalyn ShawNeil SalmondKristina Welch

Editors: James Tansey (ISIS), Tom Pedersen (PICS), Jessica Worsley (PICS)

(more…)

GreenTech Exchange breezes into Vancouver Island

Friday, January 27th, 2012

At its formative meeting on Vancouver Island, GreenTech Exchange presented two major island energy projects to a packed audience. Sea Breeze Power introduced a $300 million shovel-ready wind farm at Cape Scott and the $750 million Juan de Fuca Cable that will connect Victoria with Port Townsend using the latest DC transmission technology.

The wind farm will feature 55 Vestas turbines that will generate 99MW. It took ten years to develop and will be the first on the BC coast. “The wind resource on Vancouver Island is one of the most economic in the world”, said Sea Breeze President and CEO, Paul Manson.

The GreenTech Exchange wants to be present on the Island due to its increasing importance as a cleantech showcase with its tidal energy plant in Campbell River, a major solar home upgrade initiative in Colwood, and solar generation in Sooke.

The next Vancouver forum will focus on clean mining technology from Teck Resources. www.greentechexchange

Excellent Year for Canadian Wind in 2011, Looking to Move Forward in 2012

Monday, January 16th, 2012

Excellent Year for Canadian Wind in 2011, Looking to Move Forward in 2012

Source: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/15fBR)

Wind energy in Canada had a very solid year in 2011, with gains seen in total production and investment, advancing the potential of Canadian wind energy. With 2012 under way, how will Canada’s wind energy players do in a challenging business and economic environment, given that fossil fuels continued to be favoured over renewable energy? Let’s take a look at last year in a little more detail and gander through the crystal ball at what 2012 will possibly hold for Canadian wind.

Read the Full Article: Clean Technica (http://s.tt/15fBR)

Posted by: Big Picture Communication

Dialogue: Renewable Energy

Wednesday, November 2nd, 2011

The New York Times would like to know your thoughts about renewable energy before November 6th, within a certain context.  Find out more here:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/02/opinion/invitation-to-a-dialogue-renewable-energy.html?_r=1

Here are the response letters as they appeared in the November 6, 2011 edition of the New York Times:

http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/06/opinion/sunday/sunday-dialogue-incentives-on-energy.html?ref=opinion&pagewanted=all

The Beauty of Clean Energy in Pakistan

Saturday, October 22nd, 2011

From pageant queen to clean energy advocate,  Natasha Paracha is using her celebrity and her passion for the environment to promote sustainable renewable energy in Pakistan. For a country that is annually devastated by floods, clean water and food supply are enormous challenges. Adding to this, imagine having to worry about rolling blackouts every other hour! Can you fathom the decline in productivity from this alone? The article discusses the need for “dam technology, water purification systems, and load management technology to stabilize some of Pakistan’s most basic resources.” Further, Ms. Paracha is seeking to promote wind and solar developments that would feed the rural communities sorely lacking power and could provide them with an alternate source of revenue: selling power!

Read the article and give us feedback on whether you are interested in seeing us interview her for our Clean Leader series.

Accelerating the Growth of Your Cleantech Company

Friday, October 21st, 2011

GreenTech Exchange (GTE) presents Mr. Eamonn Percy…

Accelerating the Growth of Your Cleantech Company


Ready to take your organization to the next level? 
In this GreenTech Exchange (GTE) event, the focus is to address some of the strategic and business issues for emerging BC Cleantech companies by providing practical advice and observations on how they can accelerate their development and achieve sustainable growth. With a proven track record of success with such companies as Ford, Pirelli, Ballard and Powertech, our Keynote Speaker is a seasoned technology executive and a veteran of the Clean Energy/Cleantech sector.
How is the world changing for BC Cleantech companies?
Competition is heating up; global economic uncertainty is spreading; energy prices are fluctuating, and new regions are vying to be leaders in the Cleantech hubs. With numerous Cleantech companies emerging from British Columbia, it has never been more critical for local Cleantech companies to accelerate growth in order to create a sustainable local Cleantech sector.
What will you learn in this session? 
Learn how to grow your Cleantech company by:
  • Penetrating new global markets
  • Building a strategic plan and achieving organizational alignment
  • Developing top talent
  • Creating a culture of relentless action
About Our Speaker
Eamonn Percy is an accomplished business leader with a track record of success in delivering performance and profitability, in C-level leadership roles, with global companies in the energy, technology and engineering sectors.
From 2008 to 2010 he was President and COO of Powertech Labs. Working in close co-operation with the Executive Chair, he set the company on a high growth plan by developing and implementing a new strategic plan and creating a strong financial position, resulting in a 30% revenue growth, doubling of operating income and the return to cash flow positive. From 2002 to 2008, he built a thriving business advisory firm focused on implementing strategic growth initiatives. From 1997 to 2002, he was Vice-President, Operations, for Ballard Power Systems where he played a key role in building organizational capability and effective working partnerships with key global partners such as Daimler and Ford Motor Company. From 1992 to 1997, he was responsible for the restructuring and dramatic turnaround of Pirelli Cables and Optical Systems, where it was returned to strong profitability and transformed into Canada’s largest supplier of fibre optic cable with sales of over $75 million per annum.
Eamonn has completed Executive Education in Leading and Managing Change at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, and earned an MBA (Finance) from University of Toronto, a B. Eng. (Electrical with an Economics Minor) from Lakehead University and a Dip. Tech. (Electrical Power) from British Columbia Institute of Technology.
Currently, he chairs the UBC Clean Energy Research Centre (CERC) Advisory Board, and is a member of Mayor Diane Watts’ Clean Energy Advisory Network, and a member of the UBC School of Electrical and Computer Engineering Industry Advisory Committee. He is a past board member of Lakehead University Board of Governors and the Architectural Institute of BC Board.
In 2007, Eamonn received the BCIT Distinguished Alumni Award for Professional Leadership and Service to the Community and is also a recipient of Canada’s Top 40 Under 40 award.
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Top 10 clean technology breakthroughs

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

The Guardian has compiled a list of technologies that are promising and could change the way we do things. Ranging from algae biofuels to zinc batteries, the list really does cover everything from A to Z. For the list and how these technologies are on the verge of breakthroughs, see the full article.

The Chinese dragon is coming: Changes in the Wind Turbine Industry

Sunday, October 16th, 2011

Concerns about changes to the wind industry are real, and the target has been drawn on GE’s back, along with other current leading manufacturers of wind turbines. Just as China overtook the majority of solar panel sales, it is poised to strike again as the country has rallied behind its own manufacturers like Sinovel and Goldwind with a $15.5 billion state-backed credit.

Sinovel and Goldwind have both recently celebrated their first sales abroad, a sure sign of the things to come. Despite efforts by companies like GE and Siemens to source from low cost countries, China’s manufacturers are still able to undercut their competitors by roughly 10%., translating to more business for them. Case-in-point: Brazil’s Devenix SA, a wind developer has ordered 22 Sinovel turbines last month. It’s CEO had this to say, “[t]he Chinese dragon is coming.” See the article.