Indigenous lands can be ground zero for a wind energy boom

MARÍA PAULA RUBIANO | May 19, 2021 | 396 views

It all started about four years ago, when SUVs and pickup trucks drove uninvited onto their lands, remembers Olimpia Palmar, a member of the Indigenous Wayúu peoples, who historically have occupied the La Guajira desert in northern Colombia and Venezuela. "We started seeing these arijunas [Wayuúunaiki for non-native peoples] wearing construction helmets and boots and vests, getting out of the cars, checking the desert, and then leaving," she recalls.

Word soon began circulating across the Guajira Peninsula, from the rancherías — the community’s rural settlements — to the few urban centers: The arijunas were offering money to those who would let them plant tall, slim towers on their lands to measure the wind. On La Guajira’s dusty earth, where few things grow, towers began to sprout. By 2019, at least 30 wind-measuring towers had risen on Wayúu land, according to a report by Indepaz, a nonprofit research center.

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Constellation

Constellation, an Exelon company, is a leading competitive supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the United States.

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STRATEGY AND BEST PRACTICES, ENERGY

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Article | April 28, 2021

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Article | February 10, 2020

Solar power is an undeniably a green, renewable form of electricity generation - but many organisations with questionable motives (even here in New Zealand) are trying to persuade the public (and Government – hi lobbyists!) that solar power isn’t that environmentally friendly, and that it's even harmful. At the expense of bullish corporate profits, solar power is often thrown under the bus. This article lists the facts - putting an end to the negative spin on solar so often found in the media. When solar panels produce power, they do not; create any air pollution, use zero water, create carbon emissions, noise pollution, and they won’t disturb surrounding ecosystems. Solar power is a renewable energy source, the sun’s rays are infinite, fill your boots.

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Constellation

Constellation, an Exelon company, is a leading competitive supplier of power, natural gas and energy products and services for homes and businesses across the United States.

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Aspen Power Acquires Community Solar Portfolio in Maine

businesswire | May 31, 2023

Aspen Power, a distributed generation platform with the mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization, announced today that it has acquired a portfolio of 15 ground-mounted community solar projects in Maine. The projects, ranging in size from 1.4 megawatts of direct current (MWdc) to 7 MWdc, total 37 MWdc and are located across the state, from the southern region through Bangor. One of the projects in Berwick, ME has already reached commercial operation, with a capacity of 2.36 MWdc solar generation and is expected to produce enough electricity to prevent nearly 2,200 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year. That is the equivalent of 4,500 barrels of oil consumed or 380 homes electricity use annually. The energy produced by all the projects will be used by community solar subscribers in the state and support Maine’s goal of achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030. “We are proud to be a part of Maine's renewable energy transition and are committed to providing clean and sustainable energy solutions to our communities,” said Dan Gulick, Senior Vice President, Aspen Power. “We believe that the acquisition of these solar projects is an important step towards achieving that goal, and we look forward to bringing all of them online to benefit the communities they serve.” “We are thrilled to have found a partner in Aspen Power who shares our vision for clean energy and sustainable communities. We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition under their leadership,” said Clarke Fenner, the original developer of Aspen’s Maine portfolio and current CEO of Senergy Solar Development. Aspen Power recently acquired Safari Energy, significantly expanding the company's footprint in the commercial and industrial solar market. With the goal of reaching gigawatt scale by mid-decade, Aspen Power is committed to advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future. About Aspen Power Aspen Power is a distributed energy generation platform with the dual mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization. We partner with businesses, communities, and others in the industry to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy assets. Our experienced team is passionate about solving our customers’ energy challenges to deliver a sustainable future throughout the U.S.

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Capstone Green Energy Secures Order for 800kW Biogas Fueled Microturbine Energy Solution in Spain

businesswire | May 29, 2023

Capstone Green Energy Corporation a global leader in carbon reduction and on-site resilient green Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions, announced that Micropower Europe S.L., its distributor in Spain and Portugal, has secured an order for a C800 Signature Series with a Micropower biogas treatment unit and four heat recovery modules. The unit will be operated at a landfill to produce electricity for waste management and recycling operations. It is expected to be commissioned in October 2023. “The versatility of Capstone microturbines is evident in every new order we receive, but our customers are choosing Capstone for many of the same reasons: fuel flexibility along with high reliability on a range of fuels, low maintenance requirements, and of course, lower carbon emissions. Our customers are looking for cleaner, greener ways to approach their operations, and Capstone is here to support them in reaching their goals,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Darren Jamison. The modularity of Capstone’s C800S turbine design is one of the primary reasons the customer chose this product. In addition, Capstone units integrate well with other technologies, such as the heat recovery units, which will eliminate leachate at the site and protect the water table in a sensitive and remote area. Because the microturbine will be installed in a remote area, the minimal maintenance needs were another important factor in choosing Capstone. Finally, the Capstone microturbine operates predictably on different qualities of biogas. This is particularly important when using gas from the landfill, which is composed of many different gases in varied concentrations. “This exciting and important project combines several green technologies to produce a superior environmental outcome. The customer had stringent requirements for reliability and fuel flexibility that the Capstone microturbines meet. When combined with the heat recovery modules, this is an ideal solution for the challenges the customer was looking to overcome,” said Manel Blasco, Chief Executive Officer of Micropower Europe S.L. About Capstone Green Energy Capstone Green Energy is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their environmental, energy savings, and resiliency goals. Capstone Green Energy focuses on four key business lines. Through its Energy as a Service (EaaS) business, it offers rental solutions utilizing its microturbine energy systems and battery storage systems, comprehensive Factory Protection Plan (FPP) service contracts that guarantee life-cycle costs, as well as aftermarket parts. Energy Generation Technologies (EGT) are driven by the Company's industry-leading, highly efficient, low-emission, resilient microturbine energy systems offering scalable solutions in addition to a broad range of customer-tailored solutions, including hybrid energy systems and larger frame industrial turbines. The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) business line designs and installs microgrid storage systems creating customized solutions using a combination of battery technologies and monitoring software. Through Hydrogen & Sustainable Products (H2S), Capstone Green Energy offers customers a variety of hydrogen products, including the Company's microturbine energy systems.

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businesswire | May 19, 2023

Lightning eMotors a leading provider of zero-emission, medium-duty commercial vehicles and electric vehicle technology for fleets, announced today that it is supplying to Vanderbilt University six Lightning ZEV4™ electric shuttle buses. The shuttles are expected to be delivered and deployed in Q2 2023 for the intercampus transportation service, VandyRide. The zero emission shuttle buses are built on the GM-based Lightning ZEV4 platform and feature 120 kWh of thermally-managed Proterra battery packs that deliver up to 130 miles of range and support both Level 2 AC and DC fast charge capability. Vanderbilt’s vehicles ride on a 159-inch wheelbase and have been upfitted with shuttle bus bodies from Forest River to carry 14 passengers each. “A top 20 university nationally, Vanderbilt is renowned for its transformative approach to education and research. It is an honor for us to be a chosen fleet electrification provider as they transform their intercampus student transportation to zero-emission, all-electric platforms,” said Jeremy Hiler, sales director, Eastern US at Lightning eMotors. “We are confident drivers, passengers and fleet managers will appreciate the electric performance, quiet ride and reduced maintenance, and of course, the environmental benefits of the Lightning ZEV4.” Vanderbilt is leasing the initial pilot run of six vehicles from Forest River dealer Carpenter Bus Sales, with charging infrastructure supported by Vanderbilt partner Electrada. The vehicles will also be equipped with Lightning’s leading EV fleet telematics software, Lightning Insights. This real-time telematics and charge management suite features an API for seamless integration with Electrada’s charging infrastructure. “Vanderbilt is committed to lowering its carbon footprint, so switching to electric vehicles in our shuttle fleet is a top priority,” said Lindsey Ganson, assistant director of mobility at Vanderbilt University. “We’re so excited to have our Lightning ZEV4 shuttles in action before the fall semester begins, and we are looking forward to working with Lightning.” This EV deployment further establishes Vanderbilt University as a sustainability leader among U.S. colleges. The university recently “flipped the switch” on the 35-megawatt Vanderbilt I Solar Farm in Bedford County, Tennessee, which was first announced in 2020. The location will reduce the majority of the university’s greenhouse gas emissions produced indirectly from electricity purchased from Nashville Electric Service and TVA. A planned second solar farm in Moore County, Tennessee, will supply enough renewable energy to mitigate the remaining emissions. In 2021, Vanderbilt became the first member of the Association of American Universities to achieve carbon neutrality through its own renewable energy initiatives and a carbon pollution permit collaboration with Climate Vault. Recently, the university announced a new collaboration with Clearloop to further reduce its carbon footprint by investing in additional solar energy projects, the first of which will be located in Batesville, Mississippi. The transition to these new EV shuttles will help Vanderbilt further reduce its direct emissions. About Lightning eMotors Lightning eMotors has been providing specialized and sustainable fleet solutions since 2009, deploying complete zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) solutions for commercial fleets since 2018. In that time, we have deployed a variety of vehicle classes and applications including but not limited to cargo and passenger vans, ambulances, transit and shuttle buses, school buses, specialty work trucks, and electric powertrains for school buses, transit buses and motor coaches. The Lightning eMotors team designs, engineers, customizes, and manufactures zero-emission vehicles to support the wide array of fleet customer needs with a full suite of control software, telematics, analytics, and charging solutions to simplify the buying and ownership experience and maximize uptime and energy efficiency.

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Aspen Power Acquires Community Solar Portfolio in Maine

businesswire | May 31, 2023

Aspen Power, a distributed generation platform with the mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization, announced today that it has acquired a portfolio of 15 ground-mounted community solar projects in Maine. The projects, ranging in size from 1.4 megawatts of direct current (MWdc) to 7 MWdc, total 37 MWdc and are located across the state, from the southern region through Bangor. One of the projects in Berwick, ME has already reached commercial operation, with a capacity of 2.36 MWdc solar generation and is expected to produce enough electricity to prevent nearly 2,200 metric tons of CO2 from entering the atmosphere every year. That is the equivalent of 4,500 barrels of oil consumed or 380 homes electricity use annually. The energy produced by all the projects will be used by community solar subscribers in the state and support Maine’s goal of achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030. “We are proud to be a part of Maine's renewable energy transition and are committed to providing clean and sustainable energy solutions to our communities,” said Dan Gulick, Senior Vice President, Aspen Power. “We believe that the acquisition of these solar projects is an important step towards achieving that goal, and we look forward to bringing all of them online to benefit the communities they serve.” “We are thrilled to have found a partner in Aspen Power who shares our vision for clean energy and sustainable communities. We look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition under their leadership,” said Clarke Fenner, the original developer of Aspen’s Maine portfolio and current CEO of Senergy Solar Development. Aspen Power recently acquired Safari Energy, significantly expanding the company's footprint in the commercial and industrial solar market. With the goal of reaching gigawatt scale by mid-decade, Aspen Power is committed to advancing the transition to a more sustainable energy future. About Aspen Power Aspen Power is a distributed energy generation platform with the dual mission of accelerating and democratizing decarbonization. We partner with businesses, communities, and others in the industry to develop, construct, and operate renewable energy assets. Our experienced team is passionate about solving our customers’ energy challenges to deliver a sustainable future throughout the U.S.

Read More

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Capstone Green Energy Secures Order for 800kW Biogas Fueled Microturbine Energy Solution in Spain

businesswire | May 29, 2023

Capstone Green Energy Corporation a global leader in carbon reduction and on-site resilient green Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) solutions, announced that Micropower Europe S.L., its distributor in Spain and Portugal, has secured an order for a C800 Signature Series with a Micropower biogas treatment unit and four heat recovery modules. The unit will be operated at a landfill to produce electricity for waste management and recycling operations. It is expected to be commissioned in October 2023. “The versatility of Capstone microturbines is evident in every new order we receive, but our customers are choosing Capstone for many of the same reasons: fuel flexibility along with high reliability on a range of fuels, low maintenance requirements, and of course, lower carbon emissions. Our customers are looking for cleaner, greener ways to approach their operations, and Capstone is here to support them in reaching their goals,” said Capstone Green Energy President and Chief Executive Officer Darren Jamison. The modularity of Capstone’s C800S turbine design is one of the primary reasons the customer chose this product. In addition, Capstone units integrate well with other technologies, such as the heat recovery units, which will eliminate leachate at the site and protect the water table in a sensitive and remote area. Because the microturbine will be installed in a remote area, the minimal maintenance needs were another important factor in choosing Capstone. Finally, the Capstone microturbine operates predictably on different qualities of biogas. This is particularly important when using gas from the landfill, which is composed of many different gases in varied concentrations. “This exciting and important project combines several green technologies to produce a superior environmental outcome. The customer had stringent requirements for reliability and fuel flexibility that the Capstone microturbines meet. When combined with the heat recovery modules, this is an ideal solution for the challenges the customer was looking to overcome,” said Manel Blasco, Chief Executive Officer of Micropower Europe S.L. About Capstone Green Energy Capstone Green Energy is a leading provider of customized microgrid solutions and on-site energy technology systems focused on helping customers around the globe meet their environmental, energy savings, and resiliency goals. Capstone Green Energy focuses on four key business lines. Through its Energy as a Service (EaaS) business, it offers rental solutions utilizing its microturbine energy systems and battery storage systems, comprehensive Factory Protection Plan (FPP) service contracts that guarantee life-cycle costs, as well as aftermarket parts. Energy Generation Technologies (EGT) are driven by the Company's industry-leading, highly efficient, low-emission, resilient microturbine energy systems offering scalable solutions in addition to a broad range of customer-tailored solutions, including hybrid energy systems and larger frame industrial turbines. The Energy Storage Solutions (ESS) business line designs and installs microgrid storage systems creating customized solutions using a combination of battery technologies and monitoring software. Through Hydrogen & Sustainable Products (H2S), Capstone Green Energy offers customers a variety of hydrogen products, including the Company's microturbine energy systems.

Read More

ENERGY

Vanderbilt University to Deploy Lightning eMotors ZEV4™ Electric Shuttle Buses for Intercampus Transit

businesswire | May 19, 2023

Lightning eMotors a leading provider of zero-emission, medium-duty commercial vehicles and electric vehicle technology for fleets, announced today that it is supplying to Vanderbilt University six Lightning ZEV4™ electric shuttle buses. The shuttles are expected to be delivered and deployed in Q2 2023 for the intercampus transportation service, VandyRide. The zero emission shuttle buses are built on the GM-based Lightning ZEV4 platform and feature 120 kWh of thermally-managed Proterra battery packs that deliver up to 130 miles of range and support both Level 2 AC and DC fast charge capability. Vanderbilt’s vehicles ride on a 159-inch wheelbase and have been upfitted with shuttle bus bodies from Forest River to carry 14 passengers each. “A top 20 university nationally, Vanderbilt is renowned for its transformative approach to education and research. It is an honor for us to be a chosen fleet electrification provider as they transform their intercampus student transportation to zero-emission, all-electric platforms,” said Jeremy Hiler, sales director, Eastern US at Lightning eMotors. “We are confident drivers, passengers and fleet managers will appreciate the electric performance, quiet ride and reduced maintenance, and of course, the environmental benefits of the Lightning ZEV4.” Vanderbilt is leasing the initial pilot run of six vehicles from Forest River dealer Carpenter Bus Sales, with charging infrastructure supported by Vanderbilt partner Electrada. The vehicles will also be equipped with Lightning’s leading EV fleet telematics software, Lightning Insights. This real-time telematics and charge management suite features an API for seamless integration with Electrada’s charging infrastructure. “Vanderbilt is committed to lowering its carbon footprint, so switching to electric vehicles in our shuttle fleet is a top priority,” said Lindsey Ganson, assistant director of mobility at Vanderbilt University. “We’re so excited to have our Lightning ZEV4 shuttles in action before the fall semester begins, and we are looking forward to working with Lightning.” This EV deployment further establishes Vanderbilt University as a sustainability leader among U.S. colleges. The university recently “flipped the switch” on the 35-megawatt Vanderbilt I Solar Farm in Bedford County, Tennessee, which was first announced in 2020. The location will reduce the majority of the university’s greenhouse gas emissions produced indirectly from electricity purchased from Nashville Electric Service and TVA. A planned second solar farm in Moore County, Tennessee, will supply enough renewable energy to mitigate the remaining emissions. In 2021, Vanderbilt became the first member of the Association of American Universities to achieve carbon neutrality through its own renewable energy initiatives and a carbon pollution permit collaboration with Climate Vault. Recently, the university announced a new collaboration with Clearloop to further reduce its carbon footprint by investing in additional solar energy projects, the first of which will be located in Batesville, Mississippi. The transition to these new EV shuttles will help Vanderbilt further reduce its direct emissions. About Lightning eMotors Lightning eMotors has been providing specialized and sustainable fleet solutions since 2009, deploying complete zero-emission-vehicle (ZEV) solutions for commercial fleets since 2018. In that time, we have deployed a variety of vehicle classes and applications including but not limited to cargo and passenger vans, ambulances, transit and shuttle buses, school buses, specialty work trucks, and electric powertrains for school buses, transit buses and motor coaches. The Lightning eMotors team designs, engineers, customizes, and manufactures zero-emission vehicles to support the wide array of fleet customer needs with a full suite of control software, telematics, analytics, and charging solutions to simplify the buying and ownership experience and maximize uptime and energy efficiency.

Read More

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