California hits wind energy milestone: About 5 percent of power from wind

California now gets about 5 percent of its electricity from wind power, according to data released Tuesday by the California Wind Energy Association. The majority of California's electricity - 42 percent - comes from natural gas, followed by nuclear power and hydropower. According to 2010 figures from the California Energy Commission, wind made up 4.7 percent of the state's electricity mix and solar was 0.3 percent. But in 2011, wind projects that generate 921 megawatts - enough electricity for more than 400,000 homes - were installed across the state, which the wind association says should put it above the long-sought-after 5 percent threshold.


http://www.physorg.com/news/2012-02-california-energy-milestone-percent-power.html

12-16-11 2 - Breaking News Keystone XL Pipeline, with Joe Romm - Countdown with Keith Olbermann

With today's decision by the Obama Administration to deny the proposed Keystone XL pipeline project, I came across this interview by Keith Olbermann with Joe Romm back in December talking about the project.  Back in December the Republicans tied the Keystone XL project to passing the Payroll Tax Deduction and attempted to force the Administration to make a decision within 60 days.  Well, the Administration did so and said that the Republicans push to make a decision now forced the Administration to just deny the request outright, because they couldn't make a decision so quickly.

In any case Olbermann and Romm had a great discussion of the points back then.

Permanent magnet free energy generator? Possible?

Just came across this video from an Argentinian who claims to have developed a "free energy device" based on permanent magnet motor principles.  The video looks like a real working free energy device and they even show there's no extra wires running into it, while its in operation.  However such things aren't valid by normal physics due to "laws" of thermodynamic conservation and the like.  But even though physics people call those things "laws" they're really theory which are so solid because nobody has disproved them in a few hundred years and these laws of physics are used as the basis for other aspects of physics.  However they're only concrete laws insofar as the extent to which physics scientists have managed to understand how the universe works.

Another name for this sort of device is "permanent magnet generator".

To review - a free energy device is one which produces a surplus of energy.  In other words, it generates energy above the energy cost of running the device.  In other words, that the ratio of the energy output to the energy input is greater than 1 (more energy comes out than goes in).  Another phrase widely used is "over-unity".

The principle/law of conservation of energy says that shouldn't be possible.  So...

What's demonstrated is an inner axle on which it appears some magnets are mounted.  The outer part appears to have pickups to gather electricity.

There are known widely used processes where you can spin a machine like this and generate electricity.  Every gasoline powered car has one such gizmo, "the alternator".  However by conventional physics it takes some effort to spin the alternator (a.k.a. generator), and the role of an electrical generator is to convert physical force into electricity.  The physics is that spinning a wire through a magnetic field causes electricity to flow through the wire.

This video instead shows the device continuing to spin for quite awhile and continue to generate electricity.


If this video is validly showing a valid device then I wonder why the person is wasting their time making youtube videos.  They should instead just go into business building generators and solve the world energy crisis.  But because that isn't the case it calls into question the validity of the video.  That and the principles/laws of physics I just mentioned.

Liquid Biofuels Can Make EPA Compliance a Net Plus for Coal-Burning Utilities, Says Clean Energy Pathways

Clean Energy Pathways is back with a curious product announcement.  They had earlier talked about using biofuels to displace coal in electricity plants, and are now back with thermal imaging and other technological gizmos to verify these claims.

They're offering a one-day workshop for coal-burning utilities to demonstrate their claims that biofuel use in a coal fired plant offers many improvements. 

It's a product that's specifically targeted to specific government rules.  If a coal-fired utility were to buy the biofuels offered by Clean Energy Pathways, they can (while running a coal plant) earn renewable energy credits and be recognized as using renewable fuels.  It strikes me as a form of greenwashing but maybe there's some value to it.

DOTHAN, Ala., Dec. 21, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Btu-substitution with liquid biofuels can make EPA compliance a net plus for coal-burning utilities, according to Clean Energy Pathways Inc. (Pink Sheets: CPWY). The company backs that assertion with a free one-day workshop for coal-burning utilities entitled, "The Care and Feeding of Boiler Tubes." The workshop explains how Btu-substitution with liquid biofuels can be coupled with infrared thermal monitoring to optimize boiler efficiency, while aiding compliance with the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) and Cross-State Air Pollution Rule (CSAPR). Led by Wayne Ruddock, a professional infrared thermographer and instructor with 30 years' experience, the workshops are aimed at plant management, fuel procurement, environmental compliance and maintenance officers, particularly those in the 28 states affected by CSAPR.

"One purpose of the workshop is to explain how compliance with RFS2 and CSAPR can actually work to the utilities' advantage if liquid biofuels are substituted for coal," explained Ruddock. "Tests have shown these fuels reduce Sox, CO2 and fly ash in proportion to the amount substituted for coal Btu's. Liquid biofuels also reduce soot and slag buildup on boiler tubes, which improves heat transfer efficiency, maintenance and operating costs. We will also explain how thermal imaging is used to monitor boiler tubes for slag/soot buildup and temperature, enabling a plant to make appropriate adjustments to operate the boiler in its 'sweet spot' for highest efficiency."

Clean Energy Pathways markets custom-blended biofuels for use as a Btu-substitute in coal-fired utility furnaces and diesel-powered equipment. Available as B20, B100 or other custom blends, the fuels meet the EPA's RFS2 mandate for use of renewable fuel, and create carbon tax credits. The water-soluble B100 fuel is environmentally friendly and yields 50 percent higher Btu content per cubic foot than PRB coal. These fuels also qualify for the Renewable Electric Producer Tax Credit of 2.2 cents per kilowatt, or 22 cents per gallon based on 10 kilowatts per gallon. Tested as a coal substitute in a circulating fluidized bed boiler, the new fuel reduced coal consumption by 10 percent, in turn reducing the sulfur dioxide and CO2 emissions from coal by 10 percent.

For information on the workshop series, contact Jon Chynoweth at 906.370.8164 or email jonchynoweth@me.com.

About Clean Energy Pathways

Clean Energy Pathways, Inc. is a company focused on multiple solutions to aid businesses and government facilities in attaining energy independence, reduced costs, and a cleaner environment. These pathways to energy independence include biofuels, solar systems, building energy management systems and other technologies, as well as financing of, and gain-sharing in, the improvements. For more see www.cleanenergypathways.com

CONTACT: Harrison Parrish
         866-492-5325
         investor@cepathways.com

A123 Systems and NSTAR to Launch Advanced Energy Storage Pilot Project

Project to Showcase System and Customer Benefits of Innovative Energy Storage Solutions

BOSTON and WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 19, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A123 Systems (Nasdaq:AONE), a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate® lithium ion batteries and systems, today announced that it is launching a pilot project with NSTAR to study and showcase the performance and reliability benefits of implementing A123's Grid Storage Battery (GBS) within a suburban electric grid. The system, NSTAR's first battery energy storage project, is proposed for installation at a substation in Medway, Mass. and is expected to be operational in 2012.

"We're very interested in learning more about how advanced energy storage can help continue to improve electric service reliability for our customers," said Lawrence Gelbien, vice president of engineering at NSTAR. "Launching this pilot project with A123 will allow us to gain invaluable hands-on experience with clean, efficient energy storage technology and, ultimately, it will help determine how we can utilize larger-scale energy storage projects on our system."

Under the terms of the agreement, one of A123's two-megawatt (2MW) GBS solutions is proposed to be interconnected to the power grid at NSTAR's substation in Medway. It will be owned and operated by A123, and will be designed to provide area regulation services, which are used to address momentary differences between electric power supply and demand. A123 expects to earn revenue from these area regulation services from ISO-New England (ISO-NE) as part of the Alternative Technology Regulation (ATR) Pilot Program, which allows "non-generating resources" such as advanced energy storage systems to receive compensation for area regulation and other ancillary services. In addition, the pilot project is expected to allow A123 to learn more about how its GBS performs in real-world applications in order to facilitate further product improvements designed to reduce total cost of ownership.

"Working with leading utilities like NSTAR enables us to showcase the economic and operational viability of our advanced GBS solutions and helps to further validate our position as the leading provider of storage technology for electric grid services," said Robert Johnson, vice president of the Energy Solutions Group at A123 Systems. "We expect that this pilot project will allow us to demonstrate how energy storage can generate revenue for area regulation services. Further, we believe that owning and operating our own real-world storage system will allow us to enhance our product offerings to continue delivering cost-effective, efficient solutions that seamlessly integrate with existing grid infrastructure and technologies."

About A123 Systems 

A123 Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq:AONE) is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems for transportation, electric grid and commercial applications. The company's proprietary Nanophosphate® technology is built on novel nanoscale materials initially developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is designed to deliver high power and energy density, increased safety and extended life. A123 leverages breakthrough technology, high-quality manufacturing and expert systems integration capabilities to deliver innovative solutions that enable customers to bring next-generation products to market. For additional information please visit www.a123systems.com.

About NSTAR

NSTAR is the largest Massachusetts-based, investor-owned electric and gas utility. The company transmits and delivers electricity and natural gas to 1.4 million customers in Eastern and Central Massachusetts, including more than one million electric customers in 81 communities and 300,000 gas customers in 51 communities. For more information, visit www.nstar.com.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: the performance, reliability and expected benefits of A123's products for area regulation services, delays in customer and market demand for area regulation services, delays in NSTAR's area regulation services project, delays in the implementation of A123's  solutions at such project and the project's generation of revenue, delays in the development, production and delivery of A123's  area regulation service products and solutions, the ability of the project to facilitate future product improvements, adverse economic conditions in general and adverse economic conditions specifically affecting the markets and geographies in which A123 and NSTAR operate and other risks detailed in A123 Systems' quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and other publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements reflect A123's expectations only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as reflecting A123's views, expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this release.

CONTACT: A123 Systems PR Contact:
         A123 Systems
         Dan Borgasano
         617-972-3471
         dborgasano@a123systems.com
         
         A123 Systems IR Contact:
         ICR, LLC
         Garo Toomajanian
         617-972-3450
         ir@a123systems.com
         
         NSTAR Contacts:
         Caroline Allen
         617-424-2460
         Caroline.Allen@nstar.com
         
         Michael Durand
         508-441-5831
         Michael.Durand@nstar.com

A123 Systems to Supply Advanced Energy Storage Solution to Maui Electric Company to Support Maui Smart Grid Project

WALTHAM, Mass., Dec. 20, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A123 Systems (AONE) (Nasdaq:AONE), a developer and manufacturer of advanced Nanophosphate® lithium ion batteries and systems, today announced that it will supply a Grid Battery System (GBS) to Maui Electric Company (MECO), a utility serving residents and businesses on the islands of Maui, Lanai and Molokai in Hawaii. To be installed at MECO's Wailea Substation on Maui, the advanced energy storage system will be designed to deliver one-megawatt (1MW) of power for a full hour to reduce the peak energy load on one of the substation's transformers, which is expected to increase grid stability and improve power quality to help MECO meet the objectives of the Maui Smart Grid Project .

"A123's advanced energy storage system has demonstrated the ability to shift peak energy loads when demand is high to provide the consistent delivery of quality power, which is an extremely valuable service that supports MECO's ongoing effort to increase the reliability of the grid and maximize the generation resources we have in place," said Ed Reinhardt, Maui Electric president. "The Maui Smart Grid Project will enable us to evaluate new technologies for enhancing our operations, and we look forward to the successful demonstration of A123's versatile energy storage solution in not only meeting our peak load shifting requirements, but also performing a number of additional valuable services."

Led by MECO and the Hawaii Natural Energy Institute, the Maui Smart Grid Project is designed to help MECO demonstrate and evaluate new technologies for operating the electric grid more efficiently. The project also aims to help residents better manage and reduce energy consumption during periods of high demand. Specific objectives include reducing distribution circuit peak load, minimizing emissions, enabling greater utilization of renewable energy sources and improving power quality and grid stability. A123's GBS storage systems are designed to provide a complete, turnkey solution to help MECO meet these objectives by providing a number of services in addition to peak-load shifting, including regulating voltage fluctuation, reactive power (VAR) support and relieving wind curtailment.

"The Maui Smart Grid Project is an excellent opportunity for A123 to showcase the flexibility of our dynamic GBS product, and we look forward to working with MECO to illustrate the value of our technology within the framework of the next-generation electric grid," said Robert Johnson, vice president of the Energy Solutions Group at A123. "We believe that our energy storage system will help MECO meet the ambitions objectives of the Maui Smart Grid Project and further demonstrate the commercial benefits of our solutions."

About A123 Systems 

A123 Systems, Inc. is a leading developer and manufacturer of advanced lithium-ion batteries and energy storage systems for transportation, electric grid and commercial applications. The company's proprietary Nanophosphate® technology is built on novel nanoscale materials initially developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is designed to deliver high power and energy density, increased safety and extended life. A123 leverages breakthrough technology, high-quality manufacturing and expert systems integration capabilities to deliver innovative solutions that enable customers to bring next-generation products to market. For additional information please visit www.a123systems.com .


Safe Harbor Disclosure

This press release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors. Among the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are: changes or delays in MECO's development and implementation of the Maui Smart Grid Project, delays or inability of the Maui Smart Grid Project to meet its intended goals and objectives, the ability of A123's advanced energy storage solution to address MECO's needs in connection with the Maui Smart Grid Project, delays in customer and market demand for MECO's products and services, delays in the implementation of A123's solutions for the Maui Smart Grid Project, delays in the development, production and delivery of A123's products and solutions, adverse economic conditions in general and adverse economic conditions specifically affecting the markets and geographies in which A123 and MECO operate and other risks detailed in A123 Systems' quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 and other publicly available filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. All forward-looking statements reflect A123's expectations only as of the date of this release and should not be relied upon as reflecting A123's views, expectations or beliefs at any date subsequent to the date of this release.

CONTACT: A123 Systems PR Contact:
         A123 Systems
         Dan Borgasano
         617-972-3471
         dborgasano@a123systems.com

         A123 Systems IR Contact:
         ICR, LLC
         Garo Toomajanian
         617-972-3450
         ir@a123systems.com

         Edelman
         Courtney Kessler
         212-277-3720
         courtney.kessler@edelman.com
  

ExxonMobil predicts electrified vehicles will be mainstream by 2040

http://www.torquenews.com/1075/exxonmobil-predicts-electrified-vehicles-will-be-mainstream-2040

ExxonMobil predicts mainstreamed use of electrified vehicles by 2040 leads to efficiency improvements and a leveling off of emissions.

http://www.exxonmobil.com/Corporate/energy_outlook_view.aspx

ExxonMobil Energy Outlook 2011