GivePower Foundation, a non-profit organization that uses clean energy technologies to deliver essential community services to the developing world, has launched a global program to support the development of minigrids—solar power and battery storage combinations capable of providing continuous power to a small village or cluster of buildings— for communities in need. The new solar-powered grids will be applied to projects that impact the following seven sectors: education, water, health, food security, economic development, telecommunications and conservation.

Minigrid solar systems expand GivePower Foundation’s previous work to bring light to a school in need for every megawatt of solar power that SolarCity installed. By expanding work beyond schools to additional and critical infrastructures in developing communities, GivePower hopes to create both safety and security through dependable energy for remote off-grid communities across the world, as well as provide opportunities for revenue for the residents with the gift of power. GivePower’s minigrid systems—typically expected to comprise up to 50 kilowatts of solar power and additional battery technologies—will provide reliable, clean power without the need for extensive, costly traditional grid infrastructures such as transmission and distribution channels.

GivePower Foundation’s first minigrid system has been installed at the Virunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. Africa’s oldest national park and most biologically diverse protected area, Virunga is home to nearly a quarter of the world’s critically endangered mountain gorillas. The project was made possible through a collaboration with Empowered by Light, an organization dedicated to improving lives and the environment through renewable energy technologies.

Solar energy will provide new power sources to three sector posts within Virunga, enabling park rangers to utilize essential tools – including security lights, radios and more – for their work protecting the park’s wildlife. These systems now bring power to remote areas of the park, contributing to existing infrastructure in order to provide reliable and sustainable sources of electricity. This newest solar project complements the ongoing work of the Virunga Alliance, which is committed to bringing peace and prosperity to communities in and around Virunga’s borders through the responsible economic development of the park’s natural resources, with a bold plan to bring clean energy to the four million people who live within a day’s walk of the park’s borders.

GivePower Foundation is providing the solar power installation, engineering, design and training for the Virunga community to fully utilize the benefits of solar power. Tesla’s battery storage technologies are also being used for the minigrid project to allow park rangers to utilize solar power around the clock.

Additional minigrid projects are also planned for Latin America and Africa, including two more sites in partnership with Empowered by Light expected to be online by the end of the year. To learn how you can partner with the GivePower Foundation to improve the lives of people in impoverished communities, visit www.givepower.org.  

About GivePower Foundation

The GivePower Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization committed to extending the environmental and social benefits of clean, renewable energy across the world. GivePower uses solar energy and storage technologies to deliver the most essential community services to the developing world. Originally created by SolarCity, the Foundation has helped power some of the economically poorest countries, including communities in Nicaragua, Haiti, Malawi, Mali, Nepal and Senegal. Visit GivePower online www.givepower.org and follow the organization on Facebook & Twitter.

Southern Company subsidiary Southern Power and SunPower Corp. today announced that Southern Power has acquired a controlling interest in the 102-megawatt (MW) Henrietta Solar Project in Kings County, California, from SunPower, which will own the remaining interest in the project.

"The acquisition of the Henrietta Solar Project underscores Southern Power's leadership in developing
renewable energy," said Southern Power President and CEO Buzz Miller. "Through strategic partnerships, including with SunPower, we continue to accelerate our solar generation growth in California."

The Henrietta Solar Project represents Southern Power's first joint venture with SunPower, which developed, designed and is constructing the facility and will operate and maintain it upon completion. Construction began in May 2015, and the project is expected to be fully operational in the third quarter of this year.

"With over 30 years' experience and more than 2.5 gigawatts of innovative solar power plants operating around the world, SunPower is a global leader driving the adoption of reliable, cost-effective solar power at utility scale," said SunPower CEO Tom Werner. "We are proud to partner with Southern Power to deliver long-term value for the utility, its customer, and the California homes and businesses that will benefit from the emission-free power generated by the Henrietta Solar Project."

Existing Southern Power customer Pacific Gas and Electric Company will purchase the electricity and associated renewable energy credits (RECs) generated by the facility under a 20-year power purchase agreement.

SunPower is constructing a SunPower® Oasis® Power Plant system at the approximately 670-acre Henrietta site. Oasis is a fully-integrated, modular solar power block that is engineered to rapidly and cost-effectively deploy utility-scale solar projects while optimizing land use. Once operational, the facility is expected to be capable of generating enough electricity to help meet the energy needs of approximately 24,000 average U.S. homes.

The Henrietta Solar Project fits Southern Power's business strategy of growing its wholesale business through the acquisition and construction of generating assets substantially covered by long-term contracts. With more than 2,100 MW of renewable generating capacity ownership, Southern Power assembled its nationally recognized renewable portfolio through the strategic acquisition or development of 28 solar, wind and biomass projects that are either in operation or under construction across the United States. The Henrietta Solar Project marks Southern Power's 11th solar project in California and is the company's first acquisition in Kings County.

Southern Power provides wholesale generation to more than 40 energy providers that serve more than 40 million customers across the country.

About Southern Power
Southern Power, a subsidiary of Southern Company, is a leading U.S. wholesale energy provider meeting the electricity needs of municipalities, electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, and other energy customers. Southern Power and its subsidiaries own or have the rights to 37 facilities operating or under construction in 10 states with more than 10,700 MW of generating capacity in Alabama, California, Florida, Georgia, Maine, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma and Texas.

About SunPower
As one of the world's most innovative and sustainable energy companies, SunPower (Nasdaq: SPWR) provides a diverse group of customers with complete solar solutions and services. Residential customers, businesses, governments, schools and utilities around the globe rely on SunPower's more than 30 years of proven experience. From the first flip of the switch, SunPower delivers maximum value and superb performance throughout the long life of every solar system. Headquartered in Silicon Valley, SunPower has dedicated, customer-focused employees in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. For more information about how SunPower is changing the way our world is powered, visit www.sunpower.com.

About Southern Company
Southern Company is America's premier energy company, with 44,000 megawatts of generating capacity and 1,500 billion cubic feet of combined natural gas consumption and throughput volume serving 9 million electric and gas utility customers through its subsidiaries. The company provides clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy through electric utilities in four states, natural gas distribution utilities in seven states, a competitive generation company serving wholesale customers across America and a nationally recognized provider of customized energy solutions, as well as fiber optics and wireless communications. Southern Company brands are known for excellent customer service, high reliability and affordable prices that are below the national average. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, Southern Company and its subsidiaries are inventing America's energy future by developing the full portfolio of energy resources, including carbon-free nuclear, 21st century coal, natural gas, renewables and energy efficiency, and creating new products and services for the benefit of customers. Southern Company has been named by the U.S. Department of Defense and G.I. Jobs magazine as a top military employer, recognized among the Top 50 Companies for Diversity by DiversityInc, listed by Black Enterprise magazine as one of the 40 Best Companies for Diversity and designated a Top Employer for Hispanics by Hispanic Network. The company has earned a National Award of Nuclear Science and History from the National Atomic Museum Foundation for its leadership and commitment to nuclear development and is continually ranked among the top utilities in Fortune's annual World's Most Admired Electric and Gas Utility rankings. Visit our website at www.southerncompany.com.

SunPower
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including, but not limited to, statements regarding expected project timelines, projected energy output, and expected cost savings. These forward-looking statements are based on our current assumptions, expectations and beliefs and involve substantial risks and uncertainties that may cause results, performance or achievement to materially differ from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to: regulatory changes and the availability of economic incentives promoting use of solar energy, challenges inherent in constructing and maintaining certain of our large projects, and fluctuations or declines in the performance of our solar panels and other products and solutions. A detailed discussion of these factors and other risks that affect our business is included in filings we make with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from time to time, including our most recent reports on Form 10-K and Form 10-Q, particularly under the heading "Risk Factors." Copies of these filings are available online from the SEC or on the SEC Filings section of our Investor Relations website at investors.sunpowercorp.com. All forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information currently available to us, and we assume no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in light of new information or future events.

Canadian Solar Inc one of the world's largest solar power companies announced that it has entered into a private placement with Prudential Capital Group, pursuant to which, the global investment management business of Prudential Financial, Inc. has agreed to purchase non-recourse notes with principal amount totaling approximately JPY6.2 billion (US$60.0 million). The proceeds from the private placement will be used to finance a portfolio of environmentally-friendly solar power plants totaling 21.2MWp in Japan.

"This is our inaugural green solar private placement with a blue chip institutional investor, and represents the second project bond financing structure executed by Canadian Solar in the Japanese market, further diversifying our funding mix," commented Dr. Shawn Qu, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Canadian Solar Inc. "This successful transaction once again underscores the confidence that leading financial institutions have in Canadian Solar's project pipeline in Japan and positions us well to continue to deliver on our mission to accelerate the deployment of clean, reliable, emission-free solar energy worldwide."

About Canadian Solar Inc.

Founded in 2001 in Canada, Canadian Solar is one of the world's largest and foremost solar power companies. As a leading manufacturer of solar photovoltaic modules and a provider of solar energy solutions, Canadian Solar has a geographically diversified pipeline of utility-scale power projects. In the past 14 years, Canadian Solar has successfully shipped over 14 GW of premium quality modules in over 90 countries around the world. Furthermore, Canadian Solar is one of the most bankable companies in the solar industry, having been publically listed on NASDAQ since 2006. For additional information about the company, follow Canadian Solar on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, or on the website.

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/canadian-solar-secures-jpy62-billion-green-solar-financing-in-japan-300296343.html

Ed Job,
CFA, Director,
Investor Relations,
Canadian Solar Inc.,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ;

David Pasquale,
Global IR Partners,
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,
+1-914-337-8801

Flexenclosure, a designer and manufacturer of prefabricated data centre buildings and intelligent power management systems for the ICT industry, has received another order for its green eSite hybrid power solution to be deployed in Myanmar, this time from local fibre infrastructure provider Golden 11.

Flexenclosure’s eSite has already been installed at more than 1,200 sites across Myanmar as part of the country’s on-going mobile network rollout.  Flexenclosure recently announced an eSite order from OCK Group for deployment in Myanmar, making Golden 11 Flexenclosure’s fifth customer in the country.

Myanmar Golden 11 Investment International Co. Ltd. constructs fibre optic networks, towers and data exchange facilities nationwide in Myanmar. They will use the eSites to power and integrate fibre transmission nodes around the country. As such the agreement is ground breaking, as it is Flexenclosure’s first ever eSite order for such applications anywhere.

“This deal with Golden 11 opens up an exciting new segment for eSite,” said David King, CEO, Flexenclosure.  “Our traditional towerco customers are not the only ones who need reliable power in areas where there is none, and we expect to see significant new market opportunities opening up for eSite in the coming months and years.”

eSite is a hybrid power system for base station sites in areas where grid power is either unreliable or unavailable.  Using any available combination of battery, grid, renewable and genset power sources, eSite is designed to support 24/7 network uptime and cuts diesel-related costs and CO2 emissions by up to 90%.  eSite is also designed to be used in a shared tower environment where it can provide power to several mobile telecommunications base stations.

A special feature of the eSites Flexenclosure is providing for Golden 11, is dedicated space within the cabinet for the customer to install its own fibre transmission equipment.  Not only does this provide the customer equipment with protection from both the elements and from possible tampering, it also enables dual equipment functionality (power and data) within a single footprint – an important benefit, especially in space-constrained deployments.

“In the remote areas of Myanmar where grid power must be complemented with innovative power solution to ensure resilience and permanence of telecommunication services, we needed a tried and tested solution to ensure consistent power for our network transmission nodes,” said Clement Larroque, Director of Service Delivery at Myanmar Golden 11. “With Flexenclosure’s strong local team in place and eSite proven in the Myanmar market, they were the clear and undisputed choice for us.”

The eSites will be constructed at Flexenclosure’s factory in Sweden and delivered and deployed in Myanmar later this year.

For additional information please contact:

David King
CEO, Flexenclosure
Phone: +46 (510) 427 000
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About Flexenclosure:
Flexenclosure is a designer and manufacturer of prefabricated data centre buildings and intelligent power management systems for the ICT industry. The company provides systems that are fully integrated, modular, factory tested for reliability, adaptable to local conditions and quick to install.eSite is a hybrid power system for off-grid and bad-grid cell sites delivering 24/7 network uptime and diesel-related cost savings of up to 90 per cent. eManager, an all-in-one toolbox for site power infrastructure management including remote monitoring, power optimisation, KPI reporting and site logistics, is an integral part of the product.

eCentre is a custom-designed, prefabricated data centre building that is fast to deploy, energy efficient and easy to expand. eCentre is a future proofed state-of-the-art technical facility that provides a flexible and expandable open floor space and is optimised for energy efficiency.Flexenclosure was founded in 1989. The company is based in Vara, Sweden, headquartered in Stockholm and has additional offices in Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nigeria and South Africa.Customers include ACS, Airtel, Apollo Towers, IHS Towers, Millicom, MTN, Vodacom and Zain. www.flexenclosure.com.

About Golden 11
Myanmar Golden 11 Investment International Co. Ltd provides a full range of wholesale services to telecommunications companies as well as constructs fiber-optic networks and towers throughout the Myanmar region.

Hydropower, with over 20,000 plants throughout Europe, plays a very important role inEurope’s economy, as well as securing the energy supply and protecting the environment. A new study “The hydropower sector’s contribution to a sustainable and prosperous Europe” presents new data and facts about the economic importance of hydropower for Europe. An increase of up to 20 % is projected by 2020, and of up to 31 % by 2050.

The 8th RENEXPO® INTERHYDRO conference from November 24 -25, 2016 at the Conference Center Salzburg (Messezentrum Salzburg) aims to further contribute to the continued growth throughout Europe. Regional councilor Dr. Josef Schwaiger is the patron of the event. This conference is and will remain the most innovative hub for all hydropower activities in Europe in 2016. It is the central meeting point for the European hydropower industry. The expansion of INTERHYDRO, which was unanimously approved by the conference advisory council, shows the importance of this conference for hydropower in all of Europe and beyond. Adding Italy as a partner country in 2016 further underlies the internationalization of this innovative conference.

As of August 2016, over 80 exhibitors from eleven European countries have confirmed their presence at the conference. The current list shows the entire range of possibilities with hydropower plants, from turbines and pumps, to pipelines and computing systems, all the way to measurement and control technology and even IT-communications. Engineering companies and construction firms will also provide their knowledge for planning and building hydropower plants.  

The trade show part of RENEXPO® INTERHYDRO will consist of eight conferences and seminars this year. For the eighth time, a two-day International Small Hydropower Conference “Innovation and Economic Viability“ will be held, hosted by the two professors Bernhard Pelikan, from Vienna, and Helmut Jaberg, from Graz.  The 1st Italian-German-Austria-Hydropower Forum will be part of the conference. Italy ranks 4th in Europe for the most installed hydropower plants and is the partner country in 2016 for RENEXPO® INTERHYDRO.   The topics “Virtual power plants, balancing the energy market, and flexbilization“ will be emphasized at the 2nd International Hydropower Conferenceon Thursday. Here it is especially important to provide information and create awareness on the topic of small hydropower plants, as modern small hydropower plants can be very worthwhile in balancing the energy market, and have great economic potential. Two intensive seminars make up the rest on the day on Thursday, offering information on measurement and control technology, as well as hydropower technology, trends and innovations.

The opening ceremony on Thursday will consist of an Open Energy Talk „Politics and Economy in Dialogue: The importance of Hydropower for a sustainable and prosperous Europe.” In essence, the talk is about the role that hydropower can play in the transition to a more economically viable energy policy. 

On Friday, the daylong 4th Ecological Hydropower Development conference will focus on implementing water management plans and the implications of the Water Framework Directive. As part of this event, visitors can again take part in an informative excursion to the Power Plant Salzburg-Lehen. Continuously operating the hydropower plant is essential for ensuring economic efficiency. In the second seminar “Inspection, servicing, maintenance, and repair”, examples from the industry will be shown. That will also be the case for the 4th seminar “Piping Systems for Hydropower Plant.”  Exhibitors are the decisive stakeholders for all seminars. 

The European Hydropower Association Meeting was initiated in 2015 and has already seen some results. It will take place again this year and be further intensified, as hydropower needs to be strongly represented in the European Union in Brussels. “With this trade show, we are well on our way to Hydropower 4.0,” emphasizes Doina Vorosan, Project Manager at Reeco.

The RENEXPO® INTERHYDRO is aimed to reach out to everyone who is active in the hydropower inEurope, including public and elected officials, politicians and economists, colleges and universities. The trade show offers a wealth of information and communication for hydropower plant operators, planers and constructors.

The accompanying program in Salzburg is an exciting cultural attraction in its own right, especially in November. The Christmas Market and the traditional “Krampuslauf” are perfect activities to enjoy after a day at the exhibition. 

For further details, visit our homepage www.renexpo-hydro.eu

About RENEXPO® HYDRO:

The European Hydropower Conference and Trade Show RENEXPO® INTERHYDRO will take place from November 24 - 25, 2016 for the 8th time in the Exhibition Center Salzburg.Over 200 industry associations, universities, engineering firms, chambers of commerce, hydropower experts and media representatives are involved in the event. Around 140 exhibitors, 2,500 attendees, and 600 conference participants are expected at the exhibition in 2016.

About the REECO-Group (Hydropower):

The REECO-Group, with headquarters in Reutlingen/Germany, has established itself as one of the largest trade show and conference organizers for hydropower sector in Austria, Germany, Poland, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Since its establishment in 1997, REECO has organized over 100 trade fairs, conference, seminars and workshops for hydropower, attracting nearly 20,000 qualified attendees. Its current event portfolio includes 4 trade shows and 20 conferences in 4 countries.

Press contact:

REECO Austria GmbH
Doina Voroșa
Josef-Schwer-Gasse 9
5020 Salzburg
Österreich
Tel: +43 (0)662 8226-35
Fax: +43 (0) 662 8226-4
E-Mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) has issued a new 30-year operating license for Duke Energy's Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project, which will allow the company to continue operating the Jocassee Pumped Storage Hydro Station, Keowee Hydro Station and associated lakes.

"The project provides clean, renewable hydroelectric power generation, supports regional public drinking water needs and provides high-quality recreational opportunities for the region," said Steve Jester, Duke Energy's vice president of water strategy, hydro licensing and lake services. "This license ensures the availability of these resources for future generations."

The Keowee-Toxaway Hydroelectric Project begins with Lake Jocassee in North Carolina and South Carolina. It flows into Lake Keowee then downstream to the Army Corps of Engineers' Lake Hartwell Project.

The Keowee-Toxaway project is made up of two reservoirs with two powerhouses, spans approximately 25 river miles and encompasses approximately 480 miles of shoreline. It provides 868 megawatts of hydropower generation and cooling water for Oconee Nuclear Station, which has the capacity to generate approximately 2,500 megawatts of energy.

The new license takes effect Sept. 1, 2016, and represents a culmination of nearly a decade of collaboration among governmental and community stakeholders.

"Receiving the license allows us to implement operational, environmental and recreational resource enhancements that will result in many benefits to the community and the environment for decades to come," Jester said.

These benefits include improvements to existing public recreational areas on Lake Jocassee and Lake Keowee. The company will also implement a Habitat Enhancement Program in the watershed and conserve approximately 2,900 acres of property adjoining the lakes to preserve and protect ecologically and culturally significant resources.

The project was originally licensed in 1966 for 50 years. Duke Energy filed the application to relicense the project in August 2014.

The license application evaluated the impacts of Duke Energy's operation during the next license term and includes a relicensing agreement signed by Duke Energy and 16 other stakeholder organizations.

It also includes a new operating agreement Duke Energy negotiated with the Army Corps of Engineers and the Southeastern Power Administration to improve operational coordination between Duke Energy's project and Army Corps of Engineers' projects downstream.

Duke Energy will carefully review the terms and conditions of the new license during the 30-day review period and file any items requiring clarification or rehearing with the FERC.

Duke Energy Carolinas 
Duke Energy Carolinas owns nuclear, coal-fired, natural gas, renewables and hydroelectric generation. That diverse fuel mix provides approximately 19,600 megawatts of owned electric capacity to about 2.5 million customers in a 24,000-square-mile service area of North Carolina and South Carolina.

Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.4 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people. Its Commercial Portfolio and International business segments own and operate diverse power generation assets in North America and Latin America, including a growing portfolio of renewable energy assets in the United States.

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Duke Energy is an S&P 100 Stock Index company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available at duke-energy.com. 

The Duke Energy News Center serves as a multimedia resource for journalists and features news releases, helpful links, photos and videos. Hosted by Duke Energy, illumination is an online destination for stories about remarkable people, innovations, and community and environmental topics. It also offers glimpses into the past and insights into the future of energy.

Hitachi, Ltd announced it has developed a 5MW offshore wind turbine generator system, the HTW5.2-136, with a downwind configuration. The new system features a 15% larger rotor swept area to increase output in light-wind regions that have annual average wind speeds below 7.5 m/s.

The system is scheduled to begin a trial run in October onshore at the Fukashiba Wind Power Station in Kashim-aport of Hitachi Wind Power Ltd. (hereafter, Hitachi Wind Power), which was established by Hitachi Capital Corporation with co-funding by Hitachi on the Kamisu City waterfront in Ibaraki Prefecture. Should the trial run prove successful, Hitachi Wind Power intends to release the new wind turbine generator system in FY2017. In addition, the rated power of the previous model, the HTW5.0-126, has been increased to 5.2MW, and will be released as the HTW5.2-127.

The use of renewable energy is spreading in Japan, due in part to the feed-in tariff scheme that was introduced in July 2012 to encourage the creation of a low-carbon society. As an archipelago of islands, there is also potential for Japan to make greater use of offshore wind turbine generators and take advantage of these vast areas of open sea with extensive wind resources, with minimal constraints on site availability and transportation. A number of these installations are currently being planned. In order to generate power more efficiently, offshore wind turbine generator systems must be both extremely reliable and have a large per-turbine output.

Hitachi's turbine generator systems command the top share in Japan in terms of orders, with a cumulative total of about 250 turbines having been ordered, of which 118 are currently in commercial operation(1). In addition to the first 5MW wind turbine generator system that began operation at Hitachi Wind Power's Fukashiba Wind Power Station in Kashima-port in September 2015, the 5MW system has also been selected for the Fukushima Floating Offshore Wind Farm Demonstration Project (Fukushima FORWARD) currently being undertaken by the Fukushima Offshore Wind Consortium. In the past, Hitachi has sought to increase the per-turbine power output by developing a 2MW wind turbine generator system for regions with light winds, and by adding a 2.5MW wind turbine generator system to its product range.

Hitachi has increased the rated power of the new HTW5.2-136 5MW-class wind turbine system to 5.2MW by optimizing its setup and its control programs. It has also made it possible to increase output in light-wind regions that have an annual average wind speed below 7.5 m/s by increasing the rotor diameter to 136 m, thereby enlarging the wind swept area by 15% more than the previous model. In the future, Hitachi intends to market the HTW5.2-136 for use in light-wind regions along the coasts of Honshu, the main island of Japan.

Hitachi also plans to market the HTW5.2-127 for use at windier sites, such as the coasts of Hokkaido, northern part of the Tohoku region on Honshu, and southern Kyushu, which require wind turbines with the ability to withstand stronger winds. The rated power of the HTW5.2-127 has also been increased from that of the previous HTW5.0-126 model by optimizing its setup and its control programs(2).

Furthermore, the technologies for offshore turbines that offer excellent cost performance and reliability that are used in the HTW5.2-136 and HTW5.2-127 draw on work undertaken through a project funded by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO).

About Hitachi's Wind Turbine Generator Systems Business
Hitachi has developed a range of wind turbine generator systems that cover the 5MW, 2.5MW, and 2MW classes. It has also established the infrastructure for handling everything from development to design, fabrication, sales, and maintenance. In addition, the wind turbines in the 5MW and 2MW classes have a downwind configuration unique to Hitachi that reduces the wind load by orienting the rotor downwind of the tower where it is not subject to crosswinds, even when generation is halted due to high winds. This configuration is expected to improve safety and reduce the cost of installing foundations or floating platforms(3) when used for either fixed or floating offshore wind turbine. Hitachi plans to take advantage of this feature to market the systems overseas in Taiwan and other Southeast Asian locations that face difficult environmental conditions and are prone to typhoons like Japan.

In addition to satisfying the diverse requirements of customers and aggressively developing its business in the market for wind turbine generator systems, which is expected to grow, Hitachi is also committed to helping create a low-carbon society through the supply of electric power systems that support the infrastructure of society.

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2014 (ended March 31, 2015) totaled 9,761 billion yen ($81.3 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes power & infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, healthcare and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at www.hitachi.com.

Contact:
Hitachi Ltd
Corporate Communications
Tel: +81-3-3258-1111

• 200-megawatt (MW) Los Vientos IV near Rio Grande City begins operations
• Together, the five Los Vientos wind projects total 900 MW

The 426th turbine of the Los Vientos wind power projects is now spinning and serving customers near the Rio Grande in Starr County, Texas.It marks the completion of Los Vientos IV, the last of the five area projects to begin operation.Duke Energy Renewables has installed more than 1,500 MW of wind energy in Texas, more than double its owned wind capacity in other states combined.

“Four years ago, we first began capturing the winds off the gulf with Los Vientos I and II in Willacy County,” said Rob Caldwell, president, Duke Energy Renewables and Distributed Energy Technology. “Since then, we’ve brought three other Los Vientos wind projects on line, delivering 900 MW of clean energy to South Texas.

“With 500 MW of that total in Starr County, we’d like to thank county leaders and our business partners for helping us deliver clean, low-cost renewable energy to south Texas customers and provide economic benefits to this region.”

“Duke Energy has been a great partner and member of our community,” said Eloy Vera, Starr County Judge. “We look forward to continuing with them to provide more wind farm opportunities for our residences.”The Los Vientos projects generate the majority of their power during the day, when customer demand is greatest.

Austin Energy is purchasing the power and associated renewable energy credits from the 200-MW Los Vientos IV wind farm under a 25-year agreement, increasing its total output purchased from Duke Energy Renewables to more than 665 MW.Los Vientos IV is located approximately 35 miles northwest of McAllen, near Rio Grande City.

Vestas supplied 100 V110-2.0 MW turbines for Los Vientos IV and will service the project under a three-year operations and maintenance agreement.

“With the turbines installed at Los Vientos IV, Vestas crossed a historic milestone -- 75 gigawatts installed in 75 countries. We’re especially proud to have accomplished this on the Los Vientos IV project, a testament to our valued partnership with Duke Energy, a demonstrated renewable energy leader,” said Chris Brown, president of Vestas’ sales and service division in the United States and Canada. 

The facility was constructed by Wanzek Construction. Amshore US Wind provided development support for the project.

• Duke Energy Renewables’ projects in Texas: 1,563 MW
• Sweetwater Windpower Project, Nolan County, 283 MW (of 585 MW total)
• Ocotillo Windpower Project, Howard County, 59 MW
• Notrees Windpower Project, Ector & Winkler Counties, 153 MW
• Blue Wing Solar Power Project, San Antonio,14 MW
• Notrees Battery Storage Project, Winkler County, 36 MW
• Los Vientos I Windpower Project, Willacy County, 200 MW
• Los Vientos II Windpower Project, Willacy County, 202 MW
• Los Vientos III Windpower Project, Starr County, 200 MW
• Mesquite Creek Windpower Project, Borden & Dawson Counties, 106 MW
• Los Vientos IV Windpower Project, Starr County, 200 MW
• Los Vientos V Windpower Project Starr County, 110 MW

About Duke Energy Renewables
Duke Energy Renewables, part of Duke Energy’s Commercial Portfolio, is a leader in developing innovative wind and solar energy generation projects for customers throughout the United States. The company’s growing portfolio of commercial renewable assets includes approximately 20 wind projects and more than 40 solar facilities in operation in roughly a dozen states, totaling about 2,700 megawatts in electric-generating capacity. Learn more at www.duke-energy.com/renewables.

About Austin Energy
Austin Energy is a municipal electric utility, owned and operated by the City of Austin, Texas, engaged in the generation, distribution, and transmission of electricity to more than 440,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Travis and Williamson Counties, Texas.

Austin Energy’s governing body is the City Council of Austin. Austin Energy has approximately 4,400 MW of generation capacity, either wholly owned or subject to long-term Power Purchase Agreements. This diverse portfolio includes nuclear, coal, natural gas, biomass, wind, and solar.

About Vestas
Since 1979, Vestas has supplied about 50,000 wind turbines and over 57 GW in 73 countries — 62 percent more than its closest competitor. Vestas entered the U.S. market in 1981, selling its first wind turbine for a project in California. Since then, the company has delivered 12,396 turbines to the United States and 1,419 to Canada. Combined, Vestas’ installed capacity is 13,387 MW in 28 U.S. states and every Canadian province — enough to power about four million households. Vestas employs about 2,500 people throughout the United States and Canada at four manufacturing facilities in Colorado, service and construction sites, and sales offices. Vestas’ U.S. and Canadian sales and service headquarters is in Portland, Ore., and its global headquarters is in Aarhus, Denmark. To learn more, visit www.vestas.com.

Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems Ltd (MHPS) has received an order for a steam turbine and generator set with a rated output of 49 megawatts (MW) for Chang Chun Petrochemical Co Ltd. of Taiwan.

The machinery on order will become the core equipment of a coal-fired cogeneration system expansion project underway at the company's Miaoli Plant in Miaoli City. The new plant equipment is scheduled to go onstream in the first half of 2018.

Chang Chun Petrochemical's Miaoli Plant is located approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Taipei. Installation of the new cogeneration facilities at the existing plant is targeted at increasing its power and steam supply capacities in tandem with expansion of the plant's production lines.

Based on the newly concluded agreement, MHPS will supply a double extraction-condensing turbine capable of generating electric power and two types of process steam, plus a condenser, generator and other major core and ancillary equipment. Mitsubishi Corporation will handle the trade particulars.

Chang Chun Petrochemical is a member of the Chang Chun Group, one of Taiwan's leading petrochemical conglomerates. With headquarters in Taipei, the company has plants in Miaoli, Kaohsiung and Yunlin County. MHPS previously supplied the core equipment of three existing generation facilities currently in operation at the Miaoli Plant, and to the Chang Chun Group as a whole the Company has a delivery track record of seven steam turbines and five boilers. The new order reflects the Chang Chun Group's high evaluation of the reliability of these earlier installations.

Going forward, MHPS will further step up its marketing activities in the global and domestic markets for industrial in-house power generation and cogeneration systems, as a way of contributing to infrastructure building in countries and regions everywhere.

About Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd
Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd. (MHPS) was formed on February 1 2014, integrating the thermal power generation systems businesses of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) and Hitachi, Ltd. in a quest to further enhance their social response capabilities in all respects. These include the technological strength to create new products of outstanding quality and reliability, the comprehensive strength in engineering to oversee projects in regions across the globe, and finely honed sales and after-sale servicing capabilities. MHPS aims to come out a winner in global competition and achieve a solid position as a world leader in thermal power generation systems and environmental technologies. For more information, please visit www.mhps.com.

Contact:

Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Hideo Ikuno
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
+81-3-6716-5277

Tocardo will deploy four 250kW-rated T2 bi-directional turbines in the Minas Passage in late 2017. The turbines will be attached to Tocardo’s patented semi-submersible Universal Floating Platform Structure to form a 1MW system held in place by catenary mooring systems.

Minas Energy has entered into a partnership with International Marine Energy Inc (IME) and Tocardo. The new collaboration, Minas Tidal Limited Partnership (MTLP or Minas Tidal), intends to test Netherland-based Tocardo technology at the Fundy Ocean Resource Centre for Energy (FORCE) in the Minas Passage. In-water testing is anticipated in late 2017.

“We are looking forward to demonstrating Tocardo’s capabilities in North America and hope to make Nova Scotia the centre of our future manufacturing operations” said Hans Van Breugel, President of Tocardo.

“Minas Tidal presents a unique opportunity for our groups to work together, combining our respective expertise to build a Nova Scotian project development team, which will allow us to contribute to the development of Nova Scotia’s considerable tidal energy potential” said Jane Lowrie, Chief Financial Officer of IME.

Minas Tidal has commenced discussions with local supply chain companies including fabricators, marine contractors, system integrators, engineers and scientists early this fall. The partnership will also undertake comprehensive stakeholder consultation with First Nations, the fisheries industry, regulators, and communities and complete all regulatory requirements prior to testing.

“The renewable energy potential in the Bay of Fundy tides is attracting world-wide attention and respected international players like Tocardo and IME,” said Michel Samson, Minister of Energy. “The involvement of companies of this calibre, and the ability to test the different technologies they bring to the table here, will help Nova Scotia become a global leader in tidal energy and continue to build our economy.”

Minas Energy’s leasehold rights to the berth site at FORCE, along with a 4 megawatt power purchase agreement (awarded in December 2014) will be transferred to Minas Tidal, the new Nova Scotia-based development entity.

Hans van Breugel, Tocardo’s CEO said:“The EMEC project is a breakthrough for Tocardo’s careful roll out of our technology moving from near inshore towards offshore. With multiple turbines operational in low, moderate and extreme high tidal flows we now feel comfortable to go offshore. The EMEC opportunity will boost the implementation of Tocardo’s commercial roll out. Tocardo is pleased to be back in Scotland and looking forward for a long and lasting partnership with EMEC.”

Benefits

“We are thrilled to be part of this team” said John Woods,VP of Energy Development for Minas Energy. “It has all the right components for success. We are eager to get out into communities and meet with people to discuss the benefits of this clean energy project.”

The selected Tocardo technology consists of four, 250 KW T2 bidirectional open rotor turbine generators, which will be attaching to Tocardo’s patented semi-submersible Universal Floating Platform

Structure (UFS). The platforms are held in place by catenary mooring systems. Each turbine can generate up to one megawatt of power, for a combined output of four megawatts, comprising the total berth allotment.

For over a decade Tocardo has been developing and deploying its tidal turbines in rivers and ocean environments.

Minas Energy was awarded a berth at the FORCE site in 2009 by the Nova Scotia Department of Energy. Under this new arrangement, Minas Energy will continue its prominent role in establishing a new marine renewable energy industry in Nova Scotia.

IME is a Canadian company which is owned by Tribute Resources, of London Ontario, and the Calgary-based Himmelspach Group. In 2013 Tribute acquired Western Tidal Holdings Ltd., a British Columbia-based renewable energy company focusing on developing tidal power energy in B.C.

Tocardo is a Dutch-based company and a global leader in tidal energy solutions. Tocardo is focused on state-of-the-art technologies that maximize the potential of the tidal energy production worldwide.

Minas Energy is a member of Scotia Investments Limited, which traces its roots to R. A. Jodrey, one of Nova Scotia’s most successful entrepreneurs, whose first company was incorporated in 1920. After working in the Nova Scotian power generation business for nearly 80 years, the Minas Energy team was a key player in the founding of FORCE and this tidal energy project in Nova Scotia.

WEC Projects (Pty) Ltd, a contractor specialising in turnkey water and wastewater treatment solutions in South Africa, has acquireda majority stake in Industrial Water Cooling(Pty) Ltd (IWC), a company specialising in cooling tower and industrial cooling solutions.

The partnership is effective immediately and replaces private equity company, MEDU Capital’sstake in IWC.“I am very pleased to announce that we have a new business partner in WEC Projects. I am of the firm belief that in WEC we have found a like-minded business partner that understands the contracting environment in which we operate,”comments Roger Rusch, Managing Director of IWC. 

Johannesburg-based WEC Projects has been operating as a contractor in the water and wastewater treatment industry since 2002. The company specialises in designing, manufacturing and installing water and wastewater treatment plants, such as packaged potable water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, industrial filtration plants, submerged membrane bioreactors, reverse osmosis plants, reverse osmosis pre-treatment systems, dissolved air floatation devices and lamella settlers. 

WEC Projects are also pioneers in biogas to energy technology, having designed, supplied and installed South Africa’s first such plant at a municipal wastewater site. The technology converts wastewater sludge into biogas that is then used to fuel a gas engine that produces electricity. As a result of this technology, municipalities are able to subsidise their electrical costs by what they are able to produce themselves, utilising a waste material that now has significant commercial value.

IWC, originally founded in 1986 as Industrial Water Cooling, specialises in evaporative water cooling, heat exchangers and GRP solutions for numerous applications across the mining, power generation, petrochemical, and water and sanitation industries. 

About IWC
IWC are African leaders in cooling tower technology, delivering world-class, fully-integrated solutions across all industries, from mining; power generation and petrochemical; water and sanitation; to light industrial. IWC’s products and services include the design, manufacture and installation of GRP piping, fittings, tanks and other process equipment. Additionally, IWC also undertakes repairs and refurbishment projects and other associated services. For more information visit: www.iwc.co.za or contact
IWC on +27 (0) 11 466 0699

About WEC Projects (Pty) Ltd 
WEC Projects is a specialist turnkey contractor supplying a range of packaged water & wastewater treatment plants as well as design and implementation of biogas to energy projects that are specifically engineered to their clients’ requirements.Products include packaged potable water treatment plants, sewage treatment plants, industrial filtration plants, submerged membrane bioreactors, reverse osmosis plants, reverse osmosis pre-treatment systems, dissolved air floatation devices and lamella settlers.The company is based in Diepsloot, Johannesburg.For more information visit www.wecprojects.co.za or Contact WEC Projects on +27 (0) 11 745 5500/1/2/3/4.

Tidal technology developer OpenHydro, a DCNS company, has been honoured in three categories at the Marine Industry Awards which took place at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Galway last night, Thursday 30th June.

The Offshore Ireland Award, Excellence in Marine Renewable Energy Award and the Overall Marine Excellence Award were secured by OpenHydro for its pioneering activities in the development of tidal turbine technology. Established in 2005, OpenHydro specialises in the design, manufacture and installation of marine turbines generating renewable energy from tidal streams, silently, invisibly and with no impact on the environment.

Commenting on achieving the top award for offshore exploration and development, Andrew Good, head of Resource Assessment at OpenHydro said: “We are delighted to have won the Offshore Ireland award. It is a great honour and is further recognition of the exciting and innovative work we do at OpenHydro.”

The Marine Industry awards, now in its second year, acknowledges the individuals and companies that play a significant role in the growth and development of the industry in Ireland while recognising the key functions within the industry that promote growth and sustainability.

James Ives, Chief Executive at OpenHydro, said: “We are delighted to receive these prestigious awards which recognise the ground-breaking work taking place at OpenHydro and our contribution to the development of the marine industry in Ireland. We are now, with DCNS’ support, transitioning from research and development, to a company focused on industrial supply to our international projects”.

OpenHydro press office
00353 (0) 877 972 660
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

About OpenHydro
OpenHydro is a DCNS company specialising in the design, manufacture and installation of marine turbines generating renewable energy from tidal streams. The company’s vision is to deploy turbine arrays under the surface of the oceans to produce energy silently, invisibly and with no impact on the environment. OpenHydro has achieved a number of industry firsts including being the first to deploy a tidal turbine at the European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), the first to connect to and generate electricity from tidal streams onto the UK National Grid and the first to successfully demonstrate a method of safely and economically deploying and recovering turbines directly on the seabed. The deployment and recovery method delivers a step change in the economics of tidal energy. OpenHydro has a project portfolio spanning Canada, France, Northern Ireland, Scotland and the Channel Islands with utility partners including Emera, EDF, Brookfield Renewable Energy Group, SSE Renewables and Alderney Renewable Energy. OpenHydro has won a number of awards for its innovations in the field of renewable energy technology. About DCNS DCNS is the European leader in naval defense and a major player in renewable marine energy. It is a hightech company with a global reach built on meeting the needs of its customers through its unique expertise, unique industrial resources and ability to mount innovative strategic partnerships. The Group designs, builds and supports the service of submarines and surface ships. It also provides services for naval shipyards and bases. The Group offers a wide range of solutions in renewable marine energy. Attentive to social responsibility issues, DCNS is a member of the UN Global Compact. The Group achieved a turnover of 3.04 billion Euros and has 12,953 employees (data 2015). www.dcnsgroup.com