October 2009 Archives

The economic impact of nearly $170 million spent to bring high tech energy service to Michigan over the next two years will provide jobs and needed spending in Michigan's economy, said Anthony F. Earley, Jr., DTE Energy chairman and CEO.

Earley was joined at a news conference today by Edward Montgomery, executive director, White House Council on Auto Communities and Workers, who touted the latest round of grants under the federal economic stimulus program. DTE Energy will receive $83 million from the U.S. Department of Energy to accelerate its SmartCurrents program over the next two years. The grant will be matched by DTE Energy and its technology partners.

During 2010 and 2011, Detroit Edison and MichCon will install 660,000 new "smart" meters in portions of Wayne, Oakland, Livingston, Lapeer, Ingham and Tuscola counties. These meters will serve as the technological backbone for the SmartCurrents program.

"We estimate the accelerated startup of the SmartCurrents program will result in the creation of 700 deployment and construction jobs for IT contractors and overhead linemen, and 350 permanent positions for suppliers to this effort," Earley said. "This estimate does not include second tier or pull-through opportunities created with an increase in local production and commercial growth of this technology. There are environmental benefits, too. By reducing our vehicle use related to meter reading, we'll also cut our carbon emissions and fuel consumption."

The SmartCurrents program is DTE Energy's contribution to the nation's Smart Grid, which uses the latest technologies across the country's electric system to allow consumers to make choices that save them money and improve the environment.

"The combined effect of our $3.4 billion investment, when the projects are fully implemented, will create thousands of jobs, including higher paying career opportunities for smart meter manufacturing workers, make the grid more reliable and empower consumers to cut their electricity bills," Montgomery said. "We estimate these improvements will reduce electricity demand by 1,400 megawatts, and put us on a path to get 20 percent or more of our energy from renewable resources by 2020."

SmartCurrents will provide customers with improved electric service reliability, the distribution of smart appliances and ways to control and reduce energy consumption and costs.

The new metering part of the program will serve as a platform to eliminate manual meter reading and provide remote monitoring of the electric distribution system, which will enable faster and more reliable power outage detection and restoration. DTE Energy also would have the ability to connect meters remotely. The program will enable customers to manage their bills by tracking their consumption and demand via the DTE Energy Web site.

As the program implementation proceeds, every electric meter in Southeast Michigan would be replaced with solid state meters and every gas meter would be modified with an advanced metering module. Customers will be notified when meter changes are scheduled in their communities during the next several years.

The SmartCurrents program, besides advanced metering technology, includes Smart Circuit and Smart Home technologies. Smart Home would provide different pricing levels to incentivize off-peak electrical usage, web-based customer energy usage presentation and customer outage notification. In addition, certain "smart" appliances could communicate with DTE Energy to provide optimum energy savings.

As a result of the DOE funding, DTE Energy will have the opportunity to offer Smart Home technology with in-home displays and high tech thermostats to 5,000 customers, and make improvements to 11 substations and 55 circuits over the next two years.

SOURCE DTE Energy

W&T Offshore, Inc. (NYSE: WTI) today announced the startup of production from its Daniel Boone discovery well, a deepwater development in the Gulf of Mexico within Green Canyon Block 646.

Daniel Boone lies in water depths of approximately 4,230 feet about 120 miles from the Louisiana coast. The discovery well has current gross daily production of approximately 6,000 barrels of oil and 5,700 thousand cubic feet of natural gas per day, or 6,950 barrels of oil equivalent per day. The well is connected via a 22-mile subsea tieback to a third-party operated platform in Green Canyon Block 338. Sales commenced September 28, 2009. W&T has been steadily increasing production to the current rate and production will continue to be adjusted to achieve maximum recovery from the reservoir. W&T holds a 60% working interest and operates the Daniel Boone field. Mariner Energy, Inc. (NYSE: ME) holds the remaining 40% working interest.

Tracy W. Krohn, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, "High flow rates and high cash flow at our Daniel Boone project are examples of why W&T has always enjoyed having a presence in the Gulf of Mexico."

W&T Offshore is an independent oil and natural gas company focused primarily in the Gulf of Mexico, including exploration in the deepwater and deep shelf regions, where it has developed significant technical expertise. W&T has grown through acquisition, exploitation and exploration and now holds working interests in over 147 fields in federal and state waters and a majority of its daily production is derived from wells it operates. For more information on W&T Offshore, please visit its Web site at www.wtoffshore.com.

SOURCE W&T Offshore, Inc.

China-based ENN Group and Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK) will jointly develop commercial solar power projects in the U.S.

Under an agreement signed today, ENN and Duke Energy will concentrate on two types of solar photovoltaic designs: large "utility-scale" solar farms and commercial distributed generation solar projects. Distributed generation systems produce electricity close to where the energy is used, rather than at large, central power plants.

This joint development agreement builds upon a memorandum of understanding announced Sept. 23 at the Clinton Global Initiative's annual meeting at which time the companies pledged to work together to accelerate the development of low-carbon and clean energy technologies.

"China is investing heavily in clean energy and we can make greater progress in the U.S. by joining forces and working together," said Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers. "Duke Energy and ENN seek to not only accelerate the development of solar power in the U.S., but help achieve economies of scale and drive down the cost of renewable energy."

"ENN and Duke Energy have very complementary strengths," said ENN Chairman Wang Yusuo. "We are both dedicated to the development and use of low-carbon, clean energy sources to combat the climate change crisis facing all humanity."

Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS), a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, will team with ENN to develop, own and operate the solar projects.

The joint development agreement will expand DEGS' existing investments in renewable energy - including wind and biopower - and commercial transmission. DEGS owns and operates more than 630 megawatts (MW) of wind power projects in the U.S. and plans to add another 350 MW by the end of 2010. In the biopower market, DEGS is developing wood-waste-to-electricity power plants in the U.S. through ADAGE, the company it formed in 2008 with French-based AREVA.

Keith Trent, president and group executive of Duke Energy's Commercial Businesses, and Wouter van Kempen, president of DEGS, joined ENN Chairman Wang Yusuo and Vice Chairman and Chief Scientist Gan Zhongxue in Langfang for the signing of the agreement.

Source: Duke Energy

Second only to the Middle East, the Caspian Region of Russia holds a wealth of natural resources and an open opportunity for market growth in the near future. Europe/Eurasia has 11.61% of the world proved oil reserves and 33.5% of the world's proved gas reserves. Frost & Sullivan reports that the energy market in this region is one of the most attractive markets today due to its strategic importance for Europe. Investments into pipeline infrastructure alone (North Stream, South Stream and Nabucco) range in the US$ 60 billions, demonstrating the importance that this region plays and will play in the near future. On oil and gas markets in Russia Frost & Sullivan will host a complimentary analyst briefing which will take place on 28 October, at 3 pm GMT. The presentation will be live and will include a dedicated question and answer session. It will also be recorded and the recording will be available to everyone interested in these markets.

"The European/Eurasian continent is in second place both in terms of quantity of oil and gas reserves and is of high strategic importance for Europe, making this energy market one of the most dynamic in the world," notes Frost & Sullivan analyst Christopher Siemienski who will be presenting his analysis.

Oil and gas are the key industries in Russia and in the Caspian Region in general. The current economic crisis demonstrates the need for heavy investment in this industry and the growing need for foreign capital. This traditional state controlled industry is experiencing changes, however challenges still lie ahead.

The briefing will look at market sizing for upstream, downstream and midstream markets, drivers and restraints, and location/quantities of reserves. Investors looking for European opportunities in this industry will find this briefing beneficial.

The opportunities for investment are great. Currently the Russian pipeline infrastructure is highly focused on the European markets and the government is trying to expand towards Asia as to reduce its dependency on Europe. Expansion into Eastern Siberia is another uncharted frontier ripe for investment.

"Russia controls around one quarter of the world's gas reserves and has the 8th largest oil reserves in the world, making it one of the more attractive countries in which to invest," states Siemienski.

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan

ComEd today announced it has been awarded a total of $4 million in federal economic stimulus funding to expand one of the nation's largest private fleets of alternative-fuel vehicles and test solar-powered vehicle charging infrastructure as part of its study of plug-in electric vehicle usage and its impact on the electric system.

ComEd has received notice of a $1.5 million grant from the City of Chicago that stems from $15 million in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) funding awarded to the city by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) under its Clean Cities Grant program. ComEd will use the funding to acquire up to 14 new hybrid and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles over the next two years, adding to the 10 plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and 151 hybrids already in use. The company's green vehicles number more than 2,100, which comprises 63 percent of its overall fleet.

The Clean Cities funding also will be used to deploy "smart charging" infrastructure at ComEd facilities that will enable the company to continue studying the impacts of vehicle charging while managing the electric load associated with these vehicles.

"We believe this is viable technology and we want to help ensure a positive experience for customers who adopt electric vehicle technology," said Anne Pramaggiore, president and chief operating officer, ComEd. "Our goal is to enable customers to make more informed choices about how they use electricity, such as charging their vehicles at night, which could potentially save them money on their electric bills."

ComEd's vehicle charging infrastructure will include one station equipped with solar canopies and stationary battery storage to capture solar-electric energy and use it to recharge the vehicles. The utility also will deploy up to 32 public vehicle smart charging stations in the Chicago area, including one solar-powered station. The public charging stations will be located with the help of the City of Chicago, the Chicago Area Clean Cities coalition, and other community partners to ensure optimal charging opportunities for users of plug-in vehicle technology.

ComEd also is participating in the DOE's Transportation Electrification grant program in partnership with the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and more than 50 other utilities to demonstrate the performance of plug-in hybrid electric bucket trucks in operational conditions. Backed by $45 million in ARRA funding, the program will help put more than 300 energy-efficient bucket trucks into use across the country, 25 of which will be deployed by ComEd over the next two years.

"We also will use smart charging technology to study the impact of large plug-in vehicles on the electric grid, while demonstrating advanced, automated methods for managing usage, such as time-of-day charging, and aggregate load management for groups of vehicles," said Terence Donnelly, executive vice president of Operations, ComEd.

ComEd also has been awarded $253,000 from the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (IPEA) to retrofit about 40 of its large diesel vehicles with anti-idling technology in a pilot project that will help lower the emission of greenhouse gases. The retrofits, which are expected to begin this fall, will involve the installation of direct-fire heaters, which reduce the need to idle large diesel engines during periods of extreme cold to prevent the freezing of vital engine fluids.

"With the help of anti-idling technology, we expect to save about 6,000 gallons of biodiesel fuel per winter for the 40 vehicles in the pilot," Donnelly said. "That equates to a savings of about 50 metric tons of CO2."

The pilot will enable ComEd to evaluate the technology in terms of the savings it generates and the reliability of the equipment. The effort is one of 21 projects totaling $6.7 million that were approved under the Illinois Clean Diesel Grant Program.

SOURCE Commonwealth Edison Company

Today Exobox Technologies Corp. (OTC Bulletin Board: EXBX) (the "Company") announced that one of its board members has identified and assisted management in entering into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire 15 income producing oil & gas wells in the Clinton and Marcellus Shale region in Ohio from a private oil & gas company. These oil & gas wells have a represented PV10 reserve value of approximately $22.5 million (based on current NYMEX pricing). It is intended that the cash flow and net worth from the oil and gas assets will assist to further develop the Company's software products and technologies, as well as those oil and gas assets being acquired. The parties intend on executing a definitive agreement on or before October 19, 2009.

"Upon the closing of the transaction, this will enable Exobox to continue its operations as originally planned. It should provide us critical mass and bring substantial asset value to the Company," said Exobox CEO, Kevin Regan.

The non-binding letter of intent contemplates a purchase price of approximately $13.25 million which includes the assumption of existing debt in an amount not to exceed $3 million, as well as the issuance to the seller of a combination of convertible notes, convertible preferred stock and common stock that on a fully-converted basis would not exceed 9.9% of the total shares outstanding of the Company.

This is a non-binding letter of intent, subject to completion of due diligence by both parties and negotiation of definitive agreements, and there can be no assurance that a definitive transaction will be entered into between the parties incorporating these or any other terms.

Cautionary Statement Relating to Forward - Looking Information for the Purpose of "Safe Harbor" Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This release contains "forward-looking statements" as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should" and similar expressions, as they relate to us, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect management's current beliefs, assumptions and expectations and are subject to a number of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially. These factors include but are not limited to: the unprecedented volatility in the global economy; the risk that the future business operations of our software products and/or the oil and gas assets that are to be acquired will not be successful; the risk of due diligence by both parties may not be to the satisfaction of either party; the risk of our ability to close on the acquisition of the oil and gas assets; the risk that we will not realize all of the anticipated benefits from our acquisition of oil and gas assets; the risk that oil and gas prices may fall and negatively affect the value of the properties we intend to acquire and/or our ability to raise additional financing based on the value of these properties; actions of competitors; changes and developments affecting the software industry and the oil and gas industry; quarterly or cyclical variations in financial results; development of new products and services; interest rates and cost of borrowing; our ability to protect our intellectual property rights; our ability to maintain and improve cost efficiency of operations, including savings from restructuring actions; changes in economic conditions, political conditions, trade protection measures, licensing requirements and tax matters in the locations in which we do business; reliance on third parties for the provision of exploration and production services; and other factors that are set forth in the "Risk Factors" section, the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" section and other sections of Exobox's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended April 30, 2009 and Exobox's 2008 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Exobox assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information or future events or developments, except as required by law.

SOURCE Exobox Technologies Corp.

Two of America's leading renewable biochemical companies, Blue Marble Energy Corp. and Bionavitas, announced a partnership today in which Blue Marble Energy will produce high-margin biochemicals from microalgae supplied by Bionavitas. Blue Marble CEO Kelly Ogilvie officially announced the partnership at the 3rd Annual Algal Biomass Summit in San Diego.

Bionavitas, based in Redmond, Washington, has developed Light Immersion Technology(TM) (LIT(TM)) that enables the rapid, cost-effective production of algae for environmental remediation, manufacturing health and nutraceutical products, and producing biofuels. Blue Marble Energy, based in Seattle, has developed a proprietary technology to produce a wide array of high-margin, carbon neutral specialty biochemicals from organic biomass. These biochemicals include esters, a group of chemicals used in food, fragrance, plastics, resins and adhesives.

"There is no question that algae are a key component of the solution and will help reduce our dependence on fossil fuels," said Ogilvie. "But fuel isn't the only useful product that can be developed using algae. While many people think of oil simply as a source of fuel, it is also an important component of almost everything we eat, drink, manufacture, and wear. With the efficient algae-production capability of Bionavitas, and our ability to convert that algae into specialty biochemicals, it was a natural step for our companies to partner."

"Our Light Immersion Technology gives us the ability to efficiently produce high quality algae that is uniquely suited for Blue Marble's processing technology," said Michael Weaver, CEO of Bionavitas. "We look forward to jointly pursuing commercialization opportunities for our combined technologies."

Light Immersion Technology(TM) can be used to grow algae to remediate selenium, zinc, lead, cadmium, boron, mercury, and other undesirable elements and compounds from industrial waste streams. Blue Marble can then safely process the generated algae biomass into specialty biochemicals. The combination of these unique technologies places Blue Marble Energy and Bionavitas at the forefront of innovative clean technology solutions for numerous commercial applications.

About Blue Marble Energy

Blue Marble Energy is a Seattle-based company utilizing unique bacterial consortia to produce specialty biochemicals and renewable natural gas. BME's mission is to produce drop-in replacements to petrochemicals which are safe, carbon-neutral, and fully sustainable. BME's proprietary AGATE(TM) (Acid, Gas, and Ammonia Targeted Extraction) system processes nearly any organic feedstock, utilizing cultured strains of bacteria to perform fermentation (like brewing beer) to produce a wide variety of biochemicals. This solution will allow manufacturers to replace petroleum with renewable feedstocks and produce some of the chemical industry's highest value products, including esters, amides and anhydrous ammonia. In addition to these biochemicals, the AGATE system generates renewable natural gas as a byproduct.

For more information, visit: www.bluemarbleenergy.net

About Bionavitas

Bionavitas is a Redmond, Washington-based bioscience company committed to revolutionizing the clean technology industry. Bionavitas harnesses the power of algae for biofuel production, health and nutraceutical products and environmental remediation. The company's innovative, patent-pending Light Immersion Technology(TM) addresses the problem of algae "self-shading" by allowing more light to penetrate the algae biomass. This permits the algae to grow deeper and thicker, resulting in the more efficient and expansive algae production necessary for cost effective commercial applications.

SOURCE Blue Marble Energy Corp.

A vast majority of Americans, across all political parties, overwhelmingly support development and funding of solar energy, and their support for solar has remained consistent over the last year. These and other findings were reported today in the 2009 SCHOTT Solar Barometer((TM)), a nationally representative survey conducted by independent polling firm Kelton Research.

The survey found that 92 percent of Americans think it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar energy. This strong support for solar remains unchanged since Americans were asked the same questions in the June 2008 SCHOTT Solar Barometer (94%). (The difference is within the margin of error for both polls.)

This support for solar power is consistent across political party affiliation with 89 percent of Republicans, 94 percent of Democrats and 93 percent of Independents agreeing that it is important for the U.S. to develop and use solar power.

Furthermore, close to eight in 10 (77%) Americans feel that the development of solar power, and other renewable energy sources, should be a major priority of the federal government, including the financial support needed. This sentiment also remains the same since June 2008 (77%).

"The SCHOTT Solar Barometer confirms our belief that Americans are ready for solar energy," said Dr. Gerald Fine, President & CEO of SCHOTT North America. "We've invested over $100 million in Albuquerque, New Mexico and created hundreds of green jobs manufacturing innovative solar products."

"With controversial debates happening all over America, this isn't one of them," said Rhone Resch, President and CEO of the Solar Energy Industries Association. "Americans overwhelmingly want clean, reliable solar energy for their homes and businesses. It's now time for Congress to listen to the American public and prioritize the use of solar in upcoming energy legislation. By expanding the U.S. market for solar, Congress will reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions while creating jobs in all 50 states."

The poll also showed that if they had to choose one energy source to financially support if they were President, 43 percent of Americans would opt for solar over other sources such as wind (17%), natural gas (12%) and nuclear (10%).

To view more key findings from the 2009 SCHOTT Solar Barometer, please visit

http://www.us.schott.com/english/news/ or http://www.seia.org/.

SOURCE Solar Energy Industries Association

Joint Venture Partners SunEdison Canada and SkyPower Corp., today announced the activation of Canada's first ground mount photovoltaic solar system. The 9.1-megawatt (MW) project named First Light, located in Stone Mills, Ontario covers 90 acres of land, about the size of 50 Canadian football fields.

SunEdison and SkyPower expect First Light to generate more than 10 million kilowatt hours (kWhs), enough electricity to power almost 1,000 homes in its first year of operation.

Additional information about First Light:

      -  The system will remove almost 8,000 metric tons of CO(2) from the
         air in its first year of operation, the equivalent of carbon
         emissions from almost 1,800 cars.
      -  Over 20 years, the system will displace nearly 152 thousand metric
         tons of CO(2), the equivalent of removing almost 33,000 cars from
         the road.
      -  To displace the same amount of CO(2) that the system will offset
         over 20 years, Ontario would have to plant more than 6.7 million
         trees.

"This is truly a very proud moment for SkyPower and its joint venture partner SunEdison, together the pioneering architects of Canada's first and, so far, only operational solar park," said Kerry Adler, Chief Executive Officer of SkyPower. "This is a significant milestone for the people of Canada and will help generate a brighter future for generations to come. It is also a testament to the great things that can be achieved when private enterprise, the Ontario government and the local community work together through innovative public policy."

According to SunEdison COO Carlos Domenech, "As the largest system deployed under Ontario's RESOP, First Light Solar Park is a first step in our plan to develop more rooftop and ground mount solar systems. Our joint venture in this project with SkyPower is a success and in full operation, delivering the benefits of solar to Ontario. The province's recently announced Feed-in-Tariff program will continue to stimulate solar development. With the support of the provincial government, municipal leaders and communities, Ontario is an exciting market for solar, and we look forward to building on the foundation we have established with First Light." Commenting on the additional steps taken to protect the Shrike habitat, Domenech added, "Our efforts provide a clear example of how companies can work with government and community organizations to protect endangered species while generating clean renewable energy and delivering greater environmental benefits."

During construction of First Light, SunEdison and SkyPower worked closely with Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources to successfully preserve habitat for the endangered Eastern Loggerhead Shrike on the property.

According to Elaine Williams, Executive Director of Wildlife Preservation Canada, "Both SunEdison and SkyPower have shown all along their willingness to help the endangered Loggerhead Shrikes. We appreciate all of their help and see this as a great example of how cooperation can lead to good outcomes," she said.

The grand opening ceremony is planned for October 14, 2009 in Stone Mills, Ontario.

About SunEdison

SunEdison is North America's largest solar energy services provider. The company finances, installs and operates distributed power plants using proven photovoltaic technologies, delivering fully managed, predictably priced solar energy services for its commercial, government and utility customers. In 2008, SunEdison delivered more kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy than any other solar services provider in North America. For more information about SunEdison, please visit www.sunedison.com

About SkyPower

SkyPower is the leading independent renewable energy developer in Canada, and possesses proven expertise in developing, building and managing both large-scale and micro-generation wind and solar power projects. SkyPower has developed a national footprint, with a substantial number of projects at various stages of development across Canada, select U.S. States, India and Panama representing thousands of megawatts (MW) of potential nameplate capacity. SkyPower continues to help many different jurisdictions meet their increasing demand for cleaner, non-emitting renewable energy solutions. For more information, visit www.skypower.com.

Source: SkyPower Corp.

The nation's interest in "green" living and "green" jobs is continuing to fuel the growth of the American Rainwater Catchment Systems Association (ARCSA), a national non-profit that educates people on how to use rainwater harvesting systems and conserve water. During the past three years, ARCSA's membership has grown rapidly from 256 members to over 700 as of September 2009.

"The recent droughts in California, Washington, Georgia, and Texas have increased awareness about the impact water shortages can have nationwide," said newly-elected ARCSA president E.W. "Bob" Boulware, P.E., of Indiana. "People want to know what they can do to save water and ARCSA appears to be in the right place at the right time to help."

One of ARCSA's many accomplishments this past year was Boulware serving as liaison between ARCSA and the International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials (IAPMO). Working with code officials, his committee developed the Green Plumbing Supplement to the next edition of the Uniform Plumbing Code(R). It now includes design standards for rainwater harvesting systems, which will allow systems to be approved as an alternative to utility-provided water.

In the past two years, ARCSA's conferences and accreditation workshops have taught rainwater catchment practices to hundreds of individuals across the United States. At its September national conference in Decatur, Georgia, ARCSA elected a new board that's preparing itself for future growth by expanding its services to members nationwide.

At the conclusion of the conference, members elected nine board members. The association's board now consists of:

• Bob Boulware, president, from Indianapolis, Indiana
• Jason Kerrigan, vice-president, from Australia and Illinois
• Ramiro Ortiz, treasurer, from Plano, Texas
• Doug Pushard, secretary, from Santa Fe, New Mexico
• John Hammerstrom from Tavernier, Florida
• Heather Kinkade from Phoenix, Arizona
• Billy Kniffen from Menard, Texas
• Tim Pope from Friday Harbor, Washington
• Joe Wheeler from Austin, Texas
  

Boulware is excited about the future of the association. "My goal, as president," he said, "is to keep the membership growing and add to the gathering of new ideas. My dream is to focus the enthusiasm of ARCSA members to promote the concept of a National Water Policy."

SOURCE American Rainwater Catchment System Association