Pike Research: High prices could constrain electric vehicle sales in 2012
Pike Research expects a drop in electric vehicle sales during 2012 due to higher prices. According to their report, titled, Electric Vehicles: 10 Predictions for 2012, the optimal price for a plug-in electric vehicle to engage consumers is $23,750. The report also analyzes 10 key trends that will influence the development of the electric vehicle market in 2012 and beyond. Conclusions and predictions in this paper are drawn from the firm’s ongoing Smart Transportation research coverage, with forecasts included for key market sectors.
MidAmerican Energy acquires 49% stake in 290-MW Arizona solar facility
MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. has agreed to acquire a 49% interest in the 290-MW Agua Caliente solar project from NRG Energy. The solar facility, which is located inYuma County, Ariz., will $1.8 billion project and is being constructed by First Solar. The solar project, which is expected to be completed by 2014, is supported by a $967 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy and will supply power to Pacific Gas and Electric.
NRG Energy to build solar system at MetLife Stadium
NRG Energy, aU.S.energy giant company, has entered into a new sponsorship agreement with New Meadowlands Stadium Co. to bring sustainable solar power to MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Jets and New York Football Giants, two iconic National Football League franchises.
Under the agreement, NRG will design, install and operate a custom solar power generating system—the Solar Ring—that will add a striking visual element encircling the top of the stadium. Construction will begin in the spring of 2012, with an expected completion date of August 2012. In addition, NRG will provide all of the additional electricity for the 82,500-seat stadium starting in June 2012.
Summit Power, Cook Inlet Region secure financing for Alaska’s largest wind farm
Summit Power Group LLC and Cook Inlet Region Inc. have completed financing for the Fire Island wind project located on Fire Island in Cook Inlet, just three miles west of Anchorage,Alaska.
The wind project will consist of a total 33 wind turbines. The first phase of 11 wind turbines will have a 17.6 MW nameplate capacity and is expected to supply 51,000 MW-hours of power to Chugach Electric Association, which is buying the project power, per year. Construction on the wind project will begin immediately, with project completion scheduled for late 2012. The project will be owned and operated by Cook Inlet Region subsidiary Fire Island Wind LLC.
Itron, Panasonic partner on smart metering projects
Itron Inc. and Panasonic have signed a partnership agreement to design and deliver highly innovative gas smart metering solutions to utilities in Europe. Itron is working on its next generation smart gas meter and will leverage Panasonic’s ultrasonic sensor technology to enhance its new residential static meters. It will provide utilities planning for large-scale smart meter deployments in Europe with a solution that offers a highly accurate and reliable communicating metering solution.
