Vattenfall Signs Renewable Energy Deal with Facebook

Swedish Vattenfall AB has signed a five-year agreement to deliver renewable electricity for U.S.-based social networking company Facebook Inc.'s computer center in Lulea, Sweden, that was opened on Wednesday.

The electricity will be provided through hydro power from the Lule River. The access to clean energy was an important factor when Facebook decided to locate the computer center in Lulea. The company aims to get at least 25% of its energy mix from clean and renewable sources before 2015. Read more.

Photo: eere.energy.gov

Minnesota and Sweden Sign Bioenergy Agreement

On Friday, Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton and Swedish State Secretary for Energy Daniel Johansson signed a document that pledges to continue working together on research, technology and public policy related to the field of bioenergy.

Sweden, which generates 32 percent of its energy from biofuels, has been working with Minnesota for several years to increase bioenergy in the state. One outcome was the International Renewable Energy Technology Institute, which was formed at Minnesota State University-Mankato through a partnership with the BioBusiness Alliance of Minnesota and Swedish partners.

A group of Minnesotans visited bioenergy facilities in Sweden last year to learn how similar projects might be implemented here using materials such as wood pellets, chips, bark and sawdust. Sweden has also gained insights and experience from Minnesota, learning about the state's well-developed ethanol and biodiesel industries. Read more.

Photo: environment.umn.edu

Guest-blogger Tyrone Wells on novel wind and solar energy storage suite

By: Tyrone Wells, Jr., a Ph.D. candidate at Georgia Institute of Technology's Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) and the the 2013 Gunnar and Lillian Nicholson Graduate Fellowship awardee.

The Pacific Northwest Smart Grid Demonstration Project recently unveiled a novel 5 megawatt lithium-ion energy storage suite that can store excess electricity generated by intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.  This state-of-the-art facility will be integrated into a power grid in South Salem, Oregon. 

The new system, which acts as a localized power zone--or “microgrid”--can supply approximately 500 homes and/or businesses with power during regional electrical blackouts.  The integrated energy plant will also supply engineers with key data that can be used to design larger and more elaborate microgrids that can take advantage of wind and solar power for preexisting power generators. 

This project was overseen by the US Department of Energy's Office (DOE) of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability, which covered half of the $23 million dollar development costs.  Patricia Hoffman, a representative of the project and assistant secretary of the DOE stated that the installation of this novel microgrid “is a highly innovative project demonstrating transactive energy management, which is a promising, cost-effective way to integrate variable renewable energy, energy storage, and demand response at scale.  The celebration of the Salem Smart Power Center makes it clear that Oregon is helping to lead the way on energy storage commercialization and grid modernization.”

This novel and cunning technology addresses one of the most challenging aspects regarding industrial reliance on discontinuous and/or seasonal clean energy resources.  The further development of energy storage suites such as this will ultimately broaden the appeal as well as the application of clean sustainable efficiency technologies.

Photo: Tyrone Wells, Jr., Tappi.org

Volvo Car Group Unveils V60 Bi-Fuel Car in Sweden

The Volvo Car Group unveiled its new Volvo V60 Bi-Fuel car in conjunction with the NGV 2013 Gothenburg event in Sweden. The V60 Bi-Fuel model is equipped with a 213 horsepower turbocharged gasoline engine fitted with a natural gas fueling system from Westport Innovations.

The V60 Bi-Fuel runs on compressed natural gas (CNG)/biomethane or gasoline, and offers a total driving range of 1,120 kilometers (696 miles). When renewable CNG (biomethane) is used as a vehicle fuel, greenhouse gas emissions are significantly reduced compared to petrol. The new V60 will expand Volvo Car Group's Bi-Fuel product line. Sales for the new product will start in October 2013 in Sweden.

"Demand for natural gas vehicles in Sweden is expected to increase in response to the pending extension of the Government of Sweden alternative fuel tax incentive program," said Ian Scott, Executive Vice President at Westport. Read more.

Photo: volvocars.com

Swedish Innovation and the California Smart Grid Revolution - Seminar in San Francisco

As part of the SAGA program (Swedish American Green Alliance), Business Sweden hosted a seminar in San Francisco to discuss smart grid technology, energy efficiency and infrastructure. The seminar was attended by Swedish and American companies as well as industry associations and experts that discussed the latest trends, technologies, business challenges and opportunities within Smart Grids in order to share knowledge and experiences within this area.

The panel discussions focused on how to engage consumers for a more energy efficient future and how to utilize and leverage cooperation between the U.S. and Sweden. Sweden is a global leader in smart grid metering and implementation, and has long been one of the most efficient users of electricity per capita in the world. At the same time, California is currently undergoing a fundamental infrastructure change by implementing one of the most ambitious trend setting program globally for smart grid and smart metering programs.

Photo: Business-Sweden

ABB Demonstrates Technology to Power Flash Charging Electric Bus in 15 Seconds

Swedish-Swiss company ABB has developed a new technology that will help power the world’s first high-capacity flash charging electric bus system.

The charging time is so quick that it does not interfere with the bus schedule and improves the urban environment and landscape as it does not need overhead lines while providing greater route flexibility. The system uses a laser-controlled moving arm, which connects to an overhead receptacle for charging at bus shelters.

The new boost charging technology will be deployed for the first time on a large capacity electric bus, carrying as many as 135 passengers. The bus will be charged directly at selected stops with a 15-second energy boost while the passengers enter and leave the bus, based on a new type of automatic flash-charging mechanism. The pilot project runs between Geneva airport and the city's international exhibition center, Palexpo. Read more.

Photo: ABB

Global Tracking Framework Puts Numbers to Sustainable Energy Goals

Sustainable Energy for All, a global coalition of governments, the private sector, civil society, and international organizations, says the world has work to do to meet the sustainable energy goals by 2030. Recently published Global Tracking Framework Report presents detailed country-level and global data that outline the scale of the challenges ahead as countries try to meet the three objectives of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative: providing universal access to modern energy, doubling the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix, and doubling the rate of improvement in energy efficiency.

The report tells that 1.2 billion people don’t have access to electricity, and that 2.8 billion rely on wood or other biomass for household fuel. Electricity expansion growth will have to double to meet the 100 percent access target by 2030. Getting there will require an additional $45 billion invested in access every year, five times the current annual level. Sustainable Energy for All aims to achieve this while also doubling the amount of renewable energy in the global energy mix from its current share of 18 percent to 36 percent by 2030. The initiative also seeks to double the rate of improvement in energy efficiency. Read more.

Photo: canr.msu.edu

Swedish Wind Farm to Power Google Data Center

Google and O2, a leading Nordic wind farm developer and operator, announced on Tuesday that Google will buy the entire electricity output of a new wind farm to be built at Maevaara, in northern Sweden, for the next ten years. This power purchase agreement will enable Google to run its Finland data center in Hamina using renewable energy.

The 24-turbine project, with a capacity of 72 MW, already has all relevant planning approvals and permits, and construction will start in the coming months. The agreement benefits from the Nordic region's shared electricity market and grid system, Nord Pool. This enables Google to buy the wind farm's electricity output in Sweden and consume the same amount of power at its data center in Finland. Read more.

Photo: deq.mt.gov

Guest-blogger for June: Tyrone Wells, Jr. (IPST)

Every month a new guest blogger shares his or her thoughts on energy and environment issues on the SAGA website. This month's contributor is Tyrone Wells, Jr., a Ph.D. candidate at Georgia Institute of Technology's Institute of Paper Science and Technology (IPST) and the the 2013 Gunnar and Lillian Nicholson Graduate Fellowship awardee. He is currently taking part in a year-long research initiative at Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg, Sweden where he will investigate novel strategies aimed at generating affordable carbon fibers from biorenewable resources.

The IPST was founded in 1929 to support the evolving science, technology, and education of the agriculture, forest, and paper industries. Today, the IPST is a world-class industrial research and development center with initiatives purposed towards the development of renewable and sustainable products from woody biomass.

Photo: Tyrone Wells, Jr., Tappi.org

First Grid-Connected Offshore Wind Turbine in the U.S.

The first grid-connected offshore floating wind turbine in the United States has been installed off the coast of Castine, Maine. Led by the University of Maine, this project represents the first concrete-composite floating platform wind turbine to be deployed in the world.

Offshore wind represents a large, untapped energy resource for the United States, offering over 4,000 gigawatts of clean, domestic energy potential – four times the nation’s current total generation capacity. According to a recent report commissioned by the U.S. Energy Department, a U.S. offshore wind industry that takes advantage of this abundant domestic resource could support up to 200,000 manufacturing, construction, operation and supply chain jobs across the country and drive over $70 billion in annual investments by 2030.

In Maine, as with many other areas off U.S. coasts, the bulk of this clean, renewable energy resource lies in deeper waters where conventional turbine technology is not practical. Innovative floating offshore wind turbines, like the one launched today, will open up new economic and energy opportunities for the country. Read more.

Trucking Companies Switch to Liquefied Natural Gas

To reduce fuel costs and harmful emissions, an increasing number of trucking companies in the United States are transitioning their vehicles to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). One such company is waste hauler Enviro Express who converted its fleet of 18 heavy-duty trucks to use LNG in 2010.

LNG provides similar power as diesel, is consistently less expensive than diesel, and because it has more energy per liter, enables vehicles to travel further on a tank than compressed natural gas. As a result, the company’s fuel costs have plummeted -- Enviro Express is saving more than $20,000 a year. Read more.

Photo: Waste hauler Enviro Express converted its fleet of heavy-duty trucks to run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and built the first LNG station east of the Mississippi River with help from the Energy Department's Clean Cities initiative. U.S. Department of Energy/New Haven Clean Cities Coalition.

American Students and Young Professionals Are Invited to Apply to the 2013 SAGA Trainee Program

Swedish American Chambers of Commerce (SACC-USA), the Embassy of Sweden in Washington, D.C. and the U.S. Embassy in Stockholm are today unveiling a trainee program for U.S. students and young professionals. The SAGA Trainee Program is launched under the auspices of the Swedish American Green Alliance (SAGA), a bilateral partnership between the United States and Sweden.

The SAGA Trainee Program offers three traineeships to U.S. students and young professionals at organizations in the Municipality of Sundsvall in partnership with CleanTech Region. The companies – SCA, SSG and Åkroken Science Park – will offer the succesful candidates an opportunity to work on issues related to corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability in particular.

The traineeships will take place between early September and the end of December. Air fare and accommodation will be covered by the Swedish American Green Alliance. The traineeships are unpaid.

Eligibility and Application Process: 
Three three-month traineeships are available to U.S. citizens only. Applicants need to be at least 21 years of age and have a genuine interest in corporate social responsibility (CSR) and environmental issues. Both young professionals and students are welcome to apply.

Submit an updated resume and a personal letter (not more than 500 words) where you state the company that you would like to work for (view options below) and the experiences you would bring. Do not forget to mention how the traineeship would benefit your future career. Please send your documents to saga[at]sacc-usa.org. Successful candidates will be announced on SwedishAmericanGreenAlliance.org. The last day to apply is Sunday, July 14. 

Time:
Three months between early September and late December. The exact time-frame is decided between the successful candidates and the companies but the stay in Sweden may not exceed three months due to immigration rules and regulations.

Companies:
Standard Solutions Group, SSG (www.ssg.se)
About: “SSG works with standardization, recommendations, information and training as well as information and transaction management within the following business areas: Technology, Logistics & Purchasing but also Health, Safety & Environment.”
Looking for: “SSG is open for entrepreneurial, active applicants, a hands-on person with a passion for sustainability, building businesses and developing new ideas and markets. SSG has built a solid organization and business, and we are now in a growth phase interested in international markets. The perfect trainee is someone who wants to make a difference in the international process industry where SSG delivers and develops solutions to common industrial problems.”

Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget, SCA (www.sca.com)
About: “SCA is a leading global hygiene and forest products company that develops and produces sustainable personal care, tissue and forest products.”
Looking for: “The successful candidate has a strong interest in environmental issues, biofuels and bioenergy and is humble, positive, creative and ambitious. Tasks will include following EU policies concerning biofuels and bioenergy; mapping and developing strategies; biorefinery projects; market assessments. The successful candidate understands policy, politics, public affairs, sustainability and is business savvy.”

Åkroken Science Park, (www.akroken.se)
About: “Our focus is on forestry, research and new developments in bioenergy and biofuel in the Mid-Sweden region. Our work is based on the triple helix model, i.e. a regional interaction between academia, industry and public stakeholders. We empower regional businesses and individuals to facilitate a more dynamic region.”
Looking for: “A highly motivated student or young professional to engage in a number of initiatives with a special focus on developing business models for new wood-based products. Tasks will include building business models and marketing plans for the U.S. market.“

Swedish Alfa Laval Acquires U.S.-based Energy Company

Alfa Laval has acquired U.S.-based Niagara Blower Company, a manufacturer of energy-efficient niche heat transfer solutions. The company’s products are engineered-to-order, and particularly suited for use in the oil and gas processing industries. They are also used in a wide range of other industries, such as power, food and beverage and pharmaceuticals.

Niagara Blower Company is located in Buffalo, New York. It generated sales of about SEK 425 million in 2012. The company has 120 employees. Read more.

New York City Unveils Bike Sharing Program

Two days ago, Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City unveiled the City's new bike sharing program. According to the New York Times, the fleet consists of 6,000 bicycles, part of a system known as Citi Bike, scattered across more than 300 stations in Manhattan below 59th Street and parts of Brooklyn.

New York City has invested heavily in cycling and added more than 560 kilometers (350 miles) of bike lanes in recent years. New York Times points out that the bike sharing program is the largest of its kind in the United States, with plans to expand into Queens, the Upper East and West Sides of Manhattan, and farther into Brooklyn. Read more.

Photo: nyc.gov

White House Leadership Summit on Women, Climate and Energy

On May 23, newly sworn-in Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz delivered welcoming remarks at the White House Leadership Summit on Women, Climate and Energy. The event gathered 100 of the nation's top women in climate and energy to discuss priorities and solutions to challenges in these fields.

They spent the day talking about the crucial roles women play in science, energy and climate to improve communities, workplaces, and schools all over the world. Secretary Moniz was joined by, for example, former astronaut and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Dr. Kathy Sullivan and Department of Energy Senior Advisor Melanie Kenderdine. Read more here, here and here.

Photo: Secretary of Energy Dr. Ernest Moniz (left), Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Dr. Kathy Sullivan (center), and Department of Energy Senior Advisor Melanie Kenderdine (right).

OECD Applauds Stockholm for Sustainable Growth

Stockholm is one of the world’s leading sustainable cities. This is the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development's (OECD) conclusion after having examined the city’s model for sustainable growth as part of a comprehensive international study.

Stockholm’s strengths are identified and 11 measures are presented with the aim of promoting green growth still further. OECD singled out four cities, including Stockholm, that were subjected to special examination with the aim of disseminating good examples and promoting sustainable urban development.

According to the report:

"Stockholm, which was declared the first European Green Capital in 2010, has earned a reputation as a leader in urban sustainability. The City of Stockholm is a leader in reducing local greenhouse gas emissions, most notably through widespread district heating and cooling systems, and through the application of a vehicle congestion charge."

"Stockholm’s population and economic growth are well above the OECD average. In the past decade, the service sector has been Stockholm’s fastest-growing economic sector, and this economic success has been matched by strong environmental performance."

"CO2 emissions per capita are among the lowest of any OECD metro area, water quality is excellent, very little waste goes to landfill, and air pollution is below critical measures for almost all pollutants." Read more.

EU Emissions Declined in 2012

Emissions of greenhouse gases from installations participating in the EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) decreased by 2 percent last year, according to information recorded in the Union Registry.

The EU ETS covers more than 12 000 power plants and manufacturing installations in the 27 EU member states, Norway and Liechtenstein. Under the EU ETS, installations are required to submit their verified emissions data for each year to Member State registries. For 2012, this data became publicly available on the European Union Transaction Log (EUTL). Read more.

Photo: europa.eu

Ernest Moniz New U.S. Secretary of Energy, Clean Energy Top-Priority

Yesterday morning, Dr. Ernest Moniz was officially sworn in as the 13th United States Secretary of Energy. After his swearing-in he listed a variety of top priorities for his term as Secretary of Energy – from promoting American leadership in science and clean energy innovation to maintaining a safe and reliable nuclear stockpile.

Prior to his appointment, Secretary Moniz was the Cecil and Ida Green Professor of Physics and Engineering Systems at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he was a faculty member since 1973. From 1997 until January 2001, Dr. Moniz served as Under Secretary of the Department of Energy. 

To learn more about Secretary Moniz and to follow his progress as the 13th Secretary of Energy visit his Facebook and Twitter pages.

New Public-Private Partnership to Deploy Hydrogen Infrastructure

The U.S. Energy Department has launched H2USA—a new public-private partnership focused on advancing hydrogen infrastructure to support more transportation energy options for U.S. consumers, including fuel cell electric vehicles. The new partnership brings together automakers, government agencies, gas suppliers, and the hydrogen and fuel cell industries to coordinate research and identify cost-effective solutions to deploy infrastructure that can deliver affordable, clean hydrogen fuel in the United States.

Current members of the H2USA partnership include the American Gas Association, Association of Global Automakers, the California Fuel Cell Partnership, the Electric Drive Transportation Association, the Fuel Cell and Hydrogen Energy Association, Hyundai Motor America, ITM Power, Massachusetts Hydrogen Coalition, Mercedes-Benz USA, Nissan North America Research and Development, Proton OnSite, and Toyota Motor North America.

Recent development of the United States' shale gas resources has not only helped directly cut electricity and transportation costs for consumers and businesses, but is also helping to reduce the costs of producing hydrogen and operating hydrogen fuel cells. While American automakers and private industry have made significant progress, H2USA will bring experts together to identify and solve key infrastructure challenges, including leveraging low cost natural gas resources. Read more.

Photo: U.S. Department of Energy

Stockholm Data Center Saves $1 Million a Year Using Seawater for Cooling

Network World is featuring an article on a data center in Stockholm that has cut its energy bills by a million dollars a year using seawater to cool its servers.

Interxion, a collocation company that rents data center space in 11 countries, uses water pumped from the Baltic Sea to cool the IT equipment at its facilities in Stockholm, Network World reports.

The energy used to cool IT equipment is one of the costliest areas of running a data center. Companies have traditionally used big, mechanical chillers, but some are turning to outside air and evaporative techniques as lower-cost alternatives. Interxion benefited greatly from the fact that there was already a network of pipes around Stockholm that provides seawater for cooling.

It worked with a local partner to connect its data center to that network, at a cost of about $1 million. Interxion recouped its initial investment after about a year. Read more.

Photo: Wiki (Micha221)