Plug-in Hybrid Initiatives Proliferate in US
Plug-in hybrids are drawing increased interest from a variety of stakeholders, with several new developments this month. The Colorado Governor’s office as well as Chicago’s ComEd , one of the nation’s largest utilities, have joined plug-in demonstration projects; bus manufacturer Enova has announced plans to offer a plug-in retrofit option on its hybrid buses; and CalCars , formerly a non-profit dedicated to the promotion of plug-ins, has changed its status to a for-profit, with plans to sell plug-in conversion kits commercially and license its designs to larger manufacturers.
Russia Revokes Sakhalin-2 Permit from Shell for Environmental Non-Compliance
The Natural Resources Ministry has followed through on its threat to suspend Shell’s permit for its $20B Sakhalin-2 LNG project in Russia’s Far East. It is unclear whether the dispute is due to a real environmental infraction or is a negotiating move by the Russian government to secure a large stake in the project for Gazprom, as Shell now openly accuses . Reports that similar moves against Exxon and Total are being considered, if true, could further damage Russia’s reputation as a reliable partner.
121 MW of Run-of-River Hydro Projects in Canada gain Environmental Permits
Three projects totaling 121 MW of generating capacity and expected to generate 383 Gwh of electricity annually have been approved on creeks near Knights Inlet in British Columbia. The run-of-river, nonstorage designs utilize the river’s natural flow instead of controlled dams, making them less reliable but much less environmentally problematic. These are among the largest run-of-river hydro projects currently being planned, and their success in procuring environmental approval bodes well for the further expansion of this new source of hydro power.
French PV Industry Moves Towards Vertical Integration with Dedicated Poly-silicon Plant
The manufacturing plant, planned by a consortium of French and European PV companies (PDF), would produce 2-3,000 tons of solar-grade silicon a year exclusively for use in photovoltaics beginning in 2008. Currently, PV manufacturers must compete for silicon with computer chip manufacturers, who often have long-term supply contracts. Similar moves towards integration are likely in the years ahead as PV manufacturers seek to expand beyond the current constraints of the silicon market.
Chevron Agrees to Pay Back Taxes to Chad (UPDATE)
Chevron has acquiesced to Chad’s request to pay hundreds of millions in additional taxes after being threatened with the nationalization of its assets. Petronas, Malaysia’s national oil company, is also being threatened. The current high-price environment has clearly emboldened even small oil producers to demand - and receive - higher rents from their resources.
Irish Wind Farm to Be Equipped with Battery System
The 39 MW capacity Sorne Hill Windfarm has signed a deal to install a battery system capable of storing up to 12 Mwh of electricity to help mitigate the variability of the farm’s output. This is the largest system of its kind currently planned, and the more widespread development and deployment of similar systems could make intermittent wind and solar generation more reliable – and thus more commercially viable.