United Technologies Optimistic About Future of Wind Power

An executive of United Technologies Corp. says the conglomerate is more optimistic about the wind power business it recently entered than fuel cell technology that has been in its portfolio for years.

Greg Hayes, Chief Financial Officer of United Technologies Corp. told investors last Thursday that last year’s $382 million purchase of Clipper Windpower, helps United Technologies to capitalize on what he said is a $60 billion global market.

When comparing the potential of the wind market to that of other renewable energy markets Hayes feels optimistic in wind development on the basis that it is one of the most developed markets in the renewable energy field.

Wisconsin Power & Light Co. Construction Finished on Wind Farm

Wisconsin Power & Light Co. announced that it has finished construction on its Minnesota wind farm and that it is up and running generating power.

The total cost of the project was $460 million and began delivering power Monday morning about a week ahead of the company’s projections.

The Bent Tree Wind Farm is located in Albert Lea, Minn, and consists of 122 turbines that can produce up to 201 megawatts of electricity. It is expected that over a year’s time the wind farm will generate enough power to supply 50,000 homes.

“The addition of Bent Tree allows us to meet and exceed Wisconsin’s existing renewable portfolio standard,” said John Larsen, WP&L president.

Obama Calls for Clean Energy

Last Tuesday night during the State of the Union address president Barack Obama made a big push for renewable energy. The president stated that the nation should develop 80 percent of its electricity from clean sources by 2035 and pursue and research development projects to be financed by killing $4 billion in annual tax subsidies for oil, gas and other fossil fuels.

The White House believes that domestic production of wind, solar and other types of clean energy helps to underscore its prime time focus on clean energy as well as innovative technologies that make them cheaper and more reliable.

President Obama’s 2012 budget will increase clean energy technology funding by one-third when compared to last year or to about $8 billion. “Instead of subsidizing yesterday’s energy, lets invest in tomorrows,” said Obama.

Going forward wind and solar companies would also like to see a long-term extension of the popular government 1603 grant program, which allows companies to obtain grants instead of investment tax credits.

Clean energy advocates have also supported the creation of a national renewable energy standard. This would force companies to generate a certain percentage of their electricity from renewable energy sources.

For more on Obama's clean energy push click here >

India’s Inox Wind Orders More From American Superconductor

Inox Wind Limited of India has placed a $9 million follow-on order for a wind turbine electrical control system from American Superconductor (AMSC). AMSC is gaining a business presence in India with multiple orders for its products being used on renewable energy projects. In August AMSC received an initial order for 17 of the companies electrical control systems and another $20 million order from Ghodawat Energy in April of last year.

Inox will use the systems in its 2MW wind turbines and has the ability to manufacture 400 annually. India is currently the 5^th largest wind energy market in the world and is expected to double its capacity within 4-5 years.

“India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world,” said Devansh Jain, Director of Inox Wind Limited. “When considering our rapid urbanization and industrialization combined with our need to reduce pollution and increase electricity generation, it is imperative that we continue to promote and produce zero-emission electricity from sources such as wind. Our partnership with AMSC has enabled us to enter full-scale manufacturing quite rapidly, taking us one step closer to our goal of becoming a leader in the global wind power marketplace.”

U.S. Market Report shows high Wind Energy Investment in 2010

A recent U.S. Market report from Peachtree Capital Advisors showed the wind industry with 4.8 billion in transactional value in 2010. A bulk of the investment was seen in energy generation projects for wind.

The report showed a large portion, 85 percent, of the federal money allotted to subsidize renewable energy generation construction went to wind companies.

The report supported continued investment in 2011 in renewable energies, specifically wind, because of less initial investment and quicker returns than other renewables like solar and biofuels.

Read the full article on reuters.com and view the complete report.

The report argues the losers in 2010 were bioenergy firms, who say a 27-percent decline from 2009 investment. The article supports that higher investment needs due to high demands of R&D and time for this market is holding back investment. Do you agree?

Magnetek Receives Orders Valued at Over $8 Million for E-Force® Renewable Energy Inverters

Wisconsin Wind Works Member Magnetek sees over $8 Million of orders for its E-Force^® inverters for variable speed turbine generators.  The orders represent a new market for Magnetek and have come in over the past five weeks, to be delivered April 2011 and July 2011.

Wisconsin Wind Works supports Magnetek’s recent successes in the wind industry and forwards their progress update on to all Wisconsin Wind Works members. 

Read the full press release, as well as information on Magnetek, Inc., below.

Menomonee Falls, Wis. –January 10, 2011–Magnetek, Inc. (NYSE: MAG) today announced that it has received production orders over the past five weeks for its E-Force^® power inverters valued at over $8 million. Magnetek's modular utility-scale power inverters regulate and transform DC power generated by renewable sources into utility-grade AC power, which is distributed to the power transmission grid. The orders received include inverters for wind turbines as well as an initial production order valued at nearly $1 million for inverters to be used in the operation of variable speed turbine generators for combined heat and power (CHP), a new market for the Company.  The orders are currently scheduled for delivery between April 2011 and July 2011.

“We are pleased to receive these additional inverter orders. The use of our E-Force inverters in CHP turbine power generation is an exciting new application for our products and furthers our goal to become a major provider of utility-scale power inverters for renewable energy applications,” said Ed Butte, Magnetek’s Director of Renewable Energy.  “We continue to actively quote applications beyond wind and see this order as a solid sign that the benefits of variable speed technology are being recognized in other markets.”

About Magnetek, Inc.

Magnetek, Inc. is a leading provider of digital power and motion control systems used in energy delivery, overhead material handling, and elevator applications.  In addition to power conditioning products for renewable energy applications, the Company is North America’s largest supplier of digital drive systems for industrial cranes, hoists, and monorails. Magnetek provides Energy Engineered^® drives, radio remote controls, motors, and braking and collision avoidance subsystems to North America’s foremost overhead material handling crane builders. Magnetek is also the world’s largest independent builder of highly integrated digital motion control systems for high-rise, high-speed elevators and is a leading independent supplier of digital motion control systems for underground coal mining applications. Magnetek is headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., in the greater Milwaukee area and operates manufacturing facilities in Pittsburgh, Pa., and Canonsburg, Pa., as well as Menomonee Falls.

http://www.magnetek.com/

Milwaukee Considering Lakefront Wind Turbines

The city of Milwaukee has seen a lot of development along its lakefront in the past couple of years with such projects as the Milwaukee Art Museum renovation and the building of Discovery World on Pier Wisconsin. Currently the city is seeing another high-profile project that could add more landmarks to the lakefront.

Milwaukee officials are considering installing one to three wind turbines near the Lake Express car ferry terminal or by the Port offices in Milwaukee's, Bay View neighborhood. City officials are considering if Milwaukee should follow in other Great Lake cities footsteps such as Toronto and Cleveland and erect wind turbines in an urban setting.

"If the project is approved," said Erick Shambarger, a city environmental sustainability manager, "the project would be funded by the federal economic stimulus package."

"No property tax dollars would be involved," Shambarger stated, "The purpose is to power the Port administration building with renewable energy."

Milwaukee is allocating most of its block grant money towards programs that aim to boost energy efficiency and conservation efforts. Shambarger hopes that if the erection of wind turbines on the lakefront is approved that the project will "show the city's commitment to renewable power."

City officials are considering two different types of turbines for the project. One turbine would be 115 feet tall while the other would be 156 feet tall.

No final decision has been made yet to go through with the project. On Thursday the city will be holding a meeting to offer residents a chance to express their opinions on the project. "We really want to get public input," said Shambarger.

The cost of the project is still unknown and would depend on the types of turbines that would be selected. The larger of the turbines is estimated to cost around $550,000 but the actual price could be reduced by incentives offered from the Focus on Energy Program and the Milwaukee utility We Energies.

We Energies spokesman, Brian Manthey said, "the utility provides incentives of $10,000 to $100,000 for renewable energy projects installed by nonprofit organizations and governments. Funding is awarded after Focus on Energy agrees to provide an incentive for the project."

If interested in attending the informational meeting regarding the turbines it will be held Thursday, January 13th, at 6 p.m. at the South Shore Park Pavilion in Bay View.