Australia: Altona Energy (AIM: ANR) signs JV agreement with CNOOC to develop the Arckaringa coal and coal to liquid project

By Energy-Pedia.com

Altona’s primary focus is the completion of a bankable feasibility study for an integrated 10 million barrel per year Coal to Liquid (CTL) plant with a 560 MW co-generation power facility. Through the UEJV, the parties will evaluate the maximum development and commercial potential ….

The rest of the article can be read at Energy-Pedia.com

Aquamarine Power Launched the world’s largest working hydro-electric wave energy device, AKA ‘Oyster’

The wave energy industry took a major stride forward today [20 November 2009] when the world’s largest working hydro-electric wave energy device, known as ‘Oyster’, was officially launched by Scotland’s First Minister Alex Salmond MP, MSP at the European Marine Energy Centre (“EMEC”) in Orkney. The device, developed by wave energy company Aquamarine Power, is currently the world’s only hydro-electric wave energy device which is producing power.

The Oyster launch took place at EMEC’s Billia Croo site near Stromness, where the device was installed this summer. Scotland’s First Minister was on site to switch on Oyster for the first time.

Oyster is now producing power by pumping high pressure water to its onshore hydro-electric turbine. This will be fed into the National Grid to power homes in Orkney and beyond. A farm of 20 Oysters would provide enough energy to power 9,000 three bedroom family homes.

Senators back mini-nuke

By Techstar (Off-Grid.net)

The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee issued the following news release:
Sens. Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Mark Udall (D-CO) today introduced legislation to direct the Department of Energy to develop innovative, low-cost nuclear reactors. The Nuclear Power 2021 Act (S.2812) proposes ….

The rest of the article can be read at Off-Grid.net

About Those Anti-Nuclear Arguments: They’re Dishonest

By Chris Morrison (Bnet.com)

Another day, another fatuous report about why nuclear power shouldn’t be built in the United States. A group called Environment Illinois is pushing a set of arguments against new nuclear power plants that are all about manipulating facts to make nukes look worse than they are.

The rest of the article can be read at Industry.bnet.com

GE Announces Intent to Enter Joint Venture with Shenhua, a Leading Chinese Coal Company

Marking a significant step toward the deployment of “cleaner coal” technology in China, GE and Shenhua Group Corporation today announced that they have agreed to a framework for an industrial coal gasification joint venture which would combine GE’s expertise in gasification and cleaner power generation technologies with Shenhua’s expertise in building and operating coal gasification and coal-fired power generation facilities, to advance “cleaner coal” technology solutions in China. The announcement was made as part of “GE’s Clean Technology Week in China” activities.

The memorandum of understanding, which was signed today as part of the US-China clean energy cooperation signing ceremony in Beijing, would result in a joint venture company, in which GE and Shenhua would execute a strategic vision for expanding to improve cost and performance of commercial scale gasification and integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC) solutions. This includes industrial coal gasification applications in China as well as jointly pursuing the deployment of commercial scale IGCC plants with carbon capture.

”The combination of Shenhua’s extensive experience in developing and operating coal gasification and coal-fired power generation facilities in China with GE’s proven gasification and IGCC technologies would create a leading gasification technology business in China with significant local presence, focus, resources and expertise,” said Mr. Wang Xiaolin, Vice President of Shenhua Group.

The rest of the article can be read at GENewsCenter.com

Indonesia forestry laws curbing geothermal-industry

By Muklis Ali (Reuters)

Indonesia needs to relax its laws to make it easier to explore for geothermal energy in protected forests if it is going to meet a target of lifting electricity demand from renewables, an industry official said on Monday.

The rest of the article can be read at Reuters.com

Tidal power milestone: A 1mw turbine goes live

By Gippsland Friends of Future Generations

Ireland’s OpenHydro and Nova Scotia Power have officially launched a tidal power turbine in the Bay of Fundy in Canada capable of generating 1 MW of power. The 400-ton device is ….

The rest of the article can be read at ffGippsland.blogspot.com

Ormat Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: ORA) Signs a New 20-Year PPA with Nevada Power Company for 30 MW of Geothermal Power

Ormat Technologies, Inc. announced that one of its subsidiaries has signed a 20-year power purchase agreement (PPA) with Nevada Power Company (a subsidiary of NV Energy, Inc.) to purchase 30 megawatts (MW) from the McGinness Hills Geothermal project, which is currently under construction. The PPA is subject to various approvals including the approval of the Public Utilities Commission of Nevada and is projected to come on line in 2012.

When completed, the McGinness Hills project will increase the total output supplied from Ormat to NV Energy, Inc. to approximately 135 MWs, helping the utility to meet its renewable energy requirement. The renewable portfolio standard legislation requires 15 percent of all electricity generated in Nevada to be derived from new renewable energy sources by the end of 2012.

Dita Bronicki, CEO of Ormat said, “We have enjoyed a long and successful relationship with NV Energy and are grateful for its support of geothermal power. This PPA is further evidence that geothermal can supply a significant amount of power and is a preferable choice given its cost effectiveness, reliability and baseload nature.”

“Recent funding options and renewable legislation provide attractive alternatives for financing of new geothermal development,” Dita Bronicki, CEO of Ormat continued. “The McGinness project is expected to be eligible for ITC Cash grant or for PTC, and we also expect to apply for a DOE loan guaranty for its debt financing.”

The McGinness Hills project will consist of Ormat binary energy converters that re-inject the geothermal fluid produced. The project will not produce any environmentally harmful emissions while working continuously to provide power 24 hours per day, 7 days per week.

Linc Energy (ASX: LNC, OTCQX: LNCGY) continues and expands its MOU with BP AUSTRALIA

Linc Energy Ltd is pleased to announce that it has extended its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with BP Australia Pty Ltd. This MOU allows for BP Australia to be the first customer to purchase a minimum of 14,000 barrels per day of Ultra-Clean diesel to be produced at Linc Energy’s first production plant to be commissioned in South Australia.

The Memorandum of Understanding between BP Australia and Linc Energy is one of only a limited number offered in the market and provides BP with the opportunity to purchase up to 70 per cent of the initial 20,000 barrels of ultra-clean diesel and other clean fuels to be produced at the plant in a take or pay agreement.

Linc Energy’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter Bond said “we are delighted to continue our good relationship with one of the world’s largest energy companies by signing this MOU with a specific focus on South Australia. This dovetails nicely with our vision to produce ultra-clean diesel from our first commercial facility in South Australia.”

UK to build 10 new nuclear power stations

By Andrew Porter & Louise Gray (Sott.Net)

A total of 10 new nuclear power stations will be built that could supply up to 25 per cent of the country’s power needs.

The rest of the article can be read at Sott.net