U.S. Marines Stake their Lives on Solar Power
January 30, 2011
By: Tina Casey
A lot of people are passionate about solar power, but not too many of us are in the position of risking our lives to prove that solar power can work in combat conditions. That’s exactly what is going on at an experimental forward operating base in Afghanistan, where the members of the 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines have been using portable solar panels and other green tech to carry out their mission.
The U.S. Military and Green Tech
It’s no secret that the U.S. military has been dying – literally – to ditch high risk fossil fuels in favor of safer, cheaper, and more reliable forms of energy. Military bases across the U.S. have been installing solar power, geothermal and other renewables hand over fist, testing biofuels, and ramping up energy efficiency projects. The big question has been whether or not sustainable energy can get the job done in a danger zone. The 3/5 Marines have one word for you: Yes!
A Sustainable Forward Operating Bases
Last year, the 3/5 started quietly testing sustainable energy tech at a forward operating base in Afghanistan, with the goal of cutting down on fuel resupply convoys. It includes the aforementioned portable solar panels that pack into a suitcase, small flexible solar panels that can be used to recharge batteries in the field (which cuts down on the growing logistical nightmare of battery resupply for patrols), solar trailers, and solar shades. Energy efficient lighting in the form of LEDs is also part of the package.
The Few, the Proud, the Green
The project is overseen by the Marines’ “Green Baron,” Col. Bob Charette, who heads the Expeditionary Energy Office. When the experiment began, he expressed cautious optimism. That prediction proved true and the project has been deemed a success. Charette credits preparation and training (the equipment was first tested at U.S. facilities), and something just as important: new generations of Marines are coming into the corps with a built-in comfort zone regarding new sustainable tech. “I believe our young Marines are more accepting of renewable energy technology,” Charette related in an Office of Naval Research press release, “Because of all the discussion in the media and society regarding ‘green’ energy.”
Support Our Troops
That brings us right back around to the political situation in the U.S. regarding domestic renewable energy policy. The Obama administration has been pushing hard to ensure that the U.S. provides its military with a vigorous research, technology, and domestic manufacturing platform that supports the goal of reducing costs – and reducing casualties – by transitioning out of fossil fuels and into renewables. Meanwhile, some members of Congress are pushing back against renewables just as vigorously in the opposite direction. So the real question is this: while the 3/5 is out there in the line of fire, do your representatives in Congress continue to promote more oil drilling, or do they support our troops? There’s an easy way to find out: send an email to your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative.
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Thursday, January 6, 2011
Southwest Windpower Unveils Newest Small Wind Turbine
Power to the People:
Southwest Windpower Unveils Most Efficient, Easy-to-Use Small Wind Turbine
LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2011 – Southwest Windpower, the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators, today unveiled its newest and most efficient small wind turbine—Skystream 600—which could put wind energy in thousands of homes and businesses worldwide.
Unveiled at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with the backing of GE (NYSE: GE), in Las Vegas, Skystream 600 produces 74% percent more energy for commercial and residential use than its predecessor—making it the most efficient power grid-connected turbine in its class, providing an average of 7,400 kWh of clean, low-cost energy per year per household in 12 mph average annual wind speeds. Depending on the wind resource, siting and energy efficiency, a Skystream 600 could provide up to 60 percent of an average home’s energy requirements. Skystream 600 will be the first fully smart grid-enabled wind turbine when available to the public in April 2011, making it easy for consumers to connect their homes or businesses to wind-generated electricity. With its state-of-the-art interactive Skyview™ system, users can monitor exactly how much energy the wind turbine is producing from anywhere internet access is available.
“Through multiple upgrades—including larger blade design, enhanced software and an improved integrated inverter—Skystream 600 provides users with a more efficient and affordable small wind system,” said Dixon Thayer, chief executive officer of Southwest Windpower. “By reducing electric bills, Skystream 600 helps provide affordable independence and stability to users while producing clean energy that won’t hurt the environment.”
Skystream 600 is part of GE’s “home of the future” exhibit at the Consumer Electronics Show, which showcases innovative products designed to help consumers manage home energy generation, cost and consumption. As the country’s leading supplier of large wind turbines, GE invested in Southwest Windpower, the world’s largest supplier of small wind systems, in early 2009 through its energy investing arm, GE Energy Financial Services. As part of GE's ecomagination clean energy business strategy to drive growth and solve the world’s energy challenges, GE has committed to invest $10 billion in clean technology R&D by 2015, doubling the amount it spent in the past five years.
"In many applications, Southwest Windpower offers the most economical distributed renewable generation technology,” said Kevin Skillern, managing director of venture capital at GE Energy Financial Services. “Through our investments in the company, GE Energy Financial Services is helping bring this new product to market.”
Southwest Windpower, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, was founded more than 20 years ago, has 170,000 units installed worldwide and sells 15,000 turbines annually. Over the past four years, Southwest Windpower has grown 3.5 times in annual sales volume. More than 13 million homes in the United States could install a wind turbine. With the development of lower-cost, more efficient systems, Southwest Windpower plans for exponential growth over the next five years.
About Southwest Windpower
Southwest Windpower is the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators. With history lasting more than two decades, the company is a global leader and pioneer in the design, manufacturing and distribution of small wind systems (400-3000 watts). Southwest Windpower has built and shipped more than 170,000 wind turbines to more than 120 countries worldwide and has sales representation in over 88 countries. Headquartered in Flagstaff Ariz., the company also has operations in Cologne, Germany and a joint venture in Ningbo, China. Applications for Southwest Windpower systems include residential homes, commercial properties, micro grids, remote cabins, telecom transmitters, offshore platforms, water pumping and sailboats. Southwest Windpower is the manufacturer of such well-known products including Skystream, Whisper and Air lines of distributed wind systems.
For more information on Southwest Windpower and its products, visit: http://www.windenergy.com/.
About GE Energy Financial Services
GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally with a long-term view, backed by the best of GE’s technical know-how, financial strength and rigorous risk management, across the capital spectrum, in one of the world’s most capital-intensive industries, energy. GE Energy Financial Services helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships and optimization of its $21 billion in assets. GE Energy Financial Services is based in Stamford, Connecticut. For more information, visit: http://www.geenergyfinancialservices.com/.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
Southwest Windpower Unveils Most Efficient, Easy-to-Use Small Wind Turbine
LAS VEGAS, January 6, 2011 – Southwest Windpower, the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators, today unveiled its newest and most efficient small wind turbine—Skystream 600—which could put wind energy in thousands of homes and businesses worldwide.
Unveiled at the 2011 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) with the backing of GE (NYSE: GE), in Las Vegas, Skystream 600 produces 74% percent more energy for commercial and residential use than its predecessor—making it the most efficient power grid-connected turbine in its class, providing an average of 7,400 kWh of clean, low-cost energy per year per household in 12 mph average annual wind speeds. Depending on the wind resource, siting and energy efficiency, a Skystream 600 could provide up to 60 percent of an average home’s energy requirements. Skystream 600 will be the first fully smart grid-enabled wind turbine when available to the public in April 2011, making it easy for consumers to connect their homes or businesses to wind-generated electricity. With its state-of-the-art interactive Skyview™ system, users can monitor exactly how much energy the wind turbine is producing from anywhere internet access is available.
“Through multiple upgrades—including larger blade design, enhanced software and an improved integrated inverter—Skystream 600 provides users with a more efficient and affordable small wind system,” said Dixon Thayer, chief executive officer of Southwest Windpower. “By reducing electric bills, Skystream 600 helps provide affordable independence and stability to users while producing clean energy that won’t hurt the environment.”
Skystream 600 is part of GE’s “home of the future” exhibit at the Consumer Electronics Show, which showcases innovative products designed to help consumers manage home energy generation, cost and consumption. As the country’s leading supplier of large wind turbines, GE invested in Southwest Windpower, the world’s largest supplier of small wind systems, in early 2009 through its energy investing arm, GE Energy Financial Services. As part of GE's ecomagination clean energy business strategy to drive growth and solve the world’s energy challenges, GE has committed to invest $10 billion in clean technology R&D by 2015, doubling the amount it spent in the past five years.
"In many applications, Southwest Windpower offers the most economical distributed renewable generation technology,” said Kevin Skillern, managing director of venture capital at GE Energy Financial Services. “Through our investments in the company, GE Energy Financial Services is helping bring this new product to market.”
Southwest Windpower, based in Flagstaff, Arizona, was founded more than 20 years ago, has 170,000 units installed worldwide and sells 15,000 turbines annually. Over the past four years, Southwest Windpower has grown 3.5 times in annual sales volume. More than 13 million homes in the United States could install a wind turbine. With the development of lower-cost, more efficient systems, Southwest Windpower plans for exponential growth over the next five years.
About Southwest Windpower
Southwest Windpower is the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators. With history lasting more than two decades, the company is a global leader and pioneer in the design, manufacturing and distribution of small wind systems (400-3000 watts). Southwest Windpower has built and shipped more than 170,000 wind turbines to more than 120 countries worldwide and has sales representation in over 88 countries. Headquartered in Flagstaff Ariz., the company also has operations in Cologne, Germany and a joint venture in Ningbo, China. Applications for Southwest Windpower systems include residential homes, commercial properties, micro grids, remote cabins, telecom transmitters, offshore platforms, water pumping and sailboats. Southwest Windpower is the manufacturer of such well-known products including Skystream, Whisper and Air lines of distributed wind systems.
For more information on Southwest Windpower and its products, visit: http://www.windenergy.com/.
About GE Energy Financial Services
GE Energy Financial Services’ experts invest globally with a long-term view, backed by the best of GE’s technical know-how, financial strength and rigorous risk management, across the capital spectrum, in one of the world’s most capital-intensive industries, energy. GE Energy Financial Services helps its customers and GE grow through new investments, strong partnerships and optimization of its $21 billion in assets. GE Energy Financial Services is based in Stamford, Connecticut. For more information, visit: http://www.geenergyfinancialservices.com/.
About GE
GE (NYSE: GE) is a diversified infrastructure, finance and media company taking on the world’s toughest challenges. From aircraft engines and power generation to financial services, health care solutions, and television programming, GE operates in more than 100 countries and employs about 300,000 people worldwide. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.ge.com.
Southwest Windpower Acquires SunWind Solutions
Southwest Windpower Acquires SunWind Solutions
December 14, 2010
Southwest Windpower, the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators, today announced the acquisition of SunWind Solutions, an advanced software developer for renewable energy systems. The acquisition supports Southwest Windpower’s underlying ambition to make clean, affordable energy available to everyone.
SunWind Solutions’ core competency lies in the development of web-based software that makes renewable energy system configuration simple. This software allows for the easy customization of commercial or residential systems that combine grid, generator, solar and wind power sources. Not only does SunWind’s software cut design time from days to minutes, but it also increases accuracy, lowers costs, and eliminates the need for specialized training.
“With the SunWind acquisition, we now have a ‘best-in-class’ dealer support tool, and the capability to model and optimize the complex integration of different power-generating systems.” said Dixon Thayer, CEO of Southwest Windpower. “Southwest Windpower’s renowned wind generator technology coupled with SunWind’s user-friendly software interface, allow us to offer integrated solutions to those wanting affordable energy.
The acquisition will also increase Southwest Windpower’s ability to support dealers and distributors in identifying prospects, as well as to support the complex integration of wind and solar “hybrid” systems into advantaged value propositions.
“This only the beginning for Southwest Windpower,” continues Thayer. “We will continue to expand our resources and offerings in order to develop breakthrough products and services in the future.”
About SunWind Solutions
SunWind Solutions is a software company for the renewable energy industry. The company, located in Flagstaff, Arizona at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, was founded in 2006 to address the problem of complexity in renewable energy system design. It takes the complexity of these systems and hides it behind an easy and usable software interface. SunWind Solution's software increases accuracy, lowers costs and eliminates the need for specialized training, creating perfectly optimized systems for virtually any user.
About Southwest Windpower
Southwest Windpower is the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators. With history lasting more than two decades, the company is a global leader and pioneer in the design, manufacturing and distribution of small wind systems (400-3000 watts). Southwest Windpower has built and shipped more than 160,000 wind turbines to more than 120 countries worldwide and has sales representation in over 88 countries. Headquartered in Flagstaff Ariz., the company also has operations in Cologne, Germany and a joint venture in Ningbo, China. Applications for Southwest Windpower systems include residential homes, commercial properties, micro grids, remote cabins, telecom transmitters, offshore platforms, water pumping and sailboats. Southwest Windpower is the manufacturer of such well-known products including Skystream, Whisper and Air lines of distributed wind systems.
For more information on Southwest Windpower and its products, visit http://www.windenergy.com/.
December 14, 2010
Southwest Windpower, the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators, today announced the acquisition of SunWind Solutions, an advanced software developer for renewable energy systems. The acquisition supports Southwest Windpower’s underlying ambition to make clean, affordable energy available to everyone.
SunWind Solutions’ core competency lies in the development of web-based software that makes renewable energy system configuration simple. This software allows for the easy customization of commercial or residential systems that combine grid, generator, solar and wind power sources. Not only does SunWind’s software cut design time from days to minutes, but it also increases accuracy, lowers costs, and eliminates the need for specialized training.
“With the SunWind acquisition, we now have a ‘best-in-class’ dealer support tool, and the capability to model and optimize the complex integration of different power-generating systems.” said Dixon Thayer, CEO of Southwest Windpower. “Southwest Windpower’s renowned wind generator technology coupled with SunWind’s user-friendly software interface, allow us to offer integrated solutions to those wanting affordable energy.
The acquisition will also increase Southwest Windpower’s ability to support dealers and distributors in identifying prospects, as well as to support the complex integration of wind and solar “hybrid” systems into advantaged value propositions.
“This only the beginning for Southwest Windpower,” continues Thayer. “We will continue to expand our resources and offerings in order to develop breakthrough products and services in the future.”
About SunWind Solutions
SunWind Solutions is a software company for the renewable energy industry. The company, located in Flagstaff, Arizona at the base of the San Francisco Peaks, was founded in 2006 to address the problem of complexity in renewable energy system design. It takes the complexity of these systems and hides it behind an easy and usable software interface. SunWind Solution's software increases accuracy, lowers costs and eliminates the need for specialized training, creating perfectly optimized systems for virtually any user.
About Southwest Windpower
Southwest Windpower is the world’s leading supplier of distributed wind generators. With history lasting more than two decades, the company is a global leader and pioneer in the design, manufacturing and distribution of small wind systems (400-3000 watts). Southwest Windpower has built and shipped more than 160,000 wind turbines to more than 120 countries worldwide and has sales representation in over 88 countries. Headquartered in Flagstaff Ariz., the company also has operations in Cologne, Germany and a joint venture in Ningbo, China. Applications for Southwest Windpower systems include residential homes, commercial properties, micro grids, remote cabins, telecom transmitters, offshore platforms, water pumping and sailboats. Southwest Windpower is the manufacturer of such well-known products including Skystream, Whisper and Air lines of distributed wind systems.
For more information on Southwest Windpower and its products, visit http://www.windenergy.com/.
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Best Wishes For 2011!
Thank you all for taking time to read our company's blog! Hope that you are enjoying the content and we love hearing all your comments and ideas. Keep them coming!
Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2011! Remember, be kind to one another and PLEASE take care of our precious earth!
Peace,
Keni :)
Wishing everyone a very happy, healthy and prosperous 2011! Remember, be kind to one another and PLEASE take care of our precious earth!
Peace,
Keni :)
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