EERE Network News
February 16, 2005
News and Events
Large Wind Power Plants Slated for North Dakota and Massachusetts
PPM Energy plans to build the largest wind plant in North Dakota, a 150-megawatt installation near Rugby. Two smaller wind plants are also in the works for Massachusetts, while in New York City, the latest plan for new Jets stadium no longer includes wind turbines.
Two Companies Get a Boost from Wind Turbine Manufacturing
The growth in wind power in the United States and worldwide is benefiting a wide variety of companies. Among the recent examples: a wind tower manufacturer that is establishing a new facility in Tennessee, and a Missouri-based carbon fiber company that is restarting idled facilities in Texas.
Long Island Aims to Feature a 10-Megawatt Fuel Cell Facility
The Long Island Power Authority recently issued a request for proposals to build and install a 10-megawatt fuel cell power plant at its West Babylon substation. If built, the facility will dwarf previous fuel cell installations: the current world record holder is a 1.4-megawatt facility, also on Long Island.
EPA and Four Partners to Build a Hydraulic Hybrid Delivery Van
Hybrid electric vehicles may be all the rage, but the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and four partners are placing their bets on hydraulic hybrids, which store mechanical energy by pressurizing tanks of hydraulic fluid. The group aims to build a hydraulic hybrid UPS delivery van.
State Energy Collaborative Awards $4 Million to Eight Projects
The State Technologies Advancement Collaborative has awarded grants to research projects that will support efficient motors and technologies for distributed generation, hydrogen, biomass, and ethanol. Connecticut, Pennyslvania, and Wisconsin are also supporting alt fuels and renewables.
Europeans Join Forces to Develop Organic LEDs
More than 20 European companies and research establishments are combining their efforts to develop organic light emitting diode (OLED) technologies that emit white light. OLEDs are plastic panels that can serve as displays or as a lighting source.
Site News
EERE Launches an RSS News Feed
News from DOE's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)—including the weekly "EERE Network News" as well as up-to-date news on EERE-related press releases from DOE—is now available via an RSS feed, making it easy for others to post the news on their Web sites.
Energy Connections
Kyoto Protocol Takes Effect on February 16th
Following its ratification by Russia in late 2004, the Kyoto Protocol enters into force on February 16th, causing its greenhouse gas emission targets to become binding legal commitments for those industrialized countries that have ratified it, which excludes the United States and Australia.
