Energy secretary hails Oahu wind project
OAHU, HAWAII - U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu says a wind farm planned for Oahu is using innovative technology and could set an example for other wind farms across the country.
Kahuku Wind Power LLC will use batteries to store energy generated by the farm's wind turbines.
The system will allow Kahuku Wind to deliver a steady supply of power to local utility Hawaiian Electric Co., even as wind levels fluctuate.
The wind farm is also will use advanced wind turbine generators. The facility is expected to be finished late this year or early next year.
Chu spoke to news media in a conference call, shortly after the Department of Energy finalized a $117 million loan guarantee for Kahuku Wind Power to build the farm.
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Alberta set to retire coal power by 2023, ahead of 2030 provincial deadline
CALGARY - Alberta is set to meet its goal to eliminate coal-fired electricity production years earlier than its 2030 target, thanks to recently announced utility conversion projects.
Capital Power Corp.’s plan to spend nearly $1 billion to switch two coal-fired power units west of Edmonton to natural gas, and stop using coal entirely by 2023, was welcomed by both the province and the Pembina Institute environmental think-tank.
In 2014, 55 per cent of Alberta’s electricity was produced from 18 coal-fired generators. The Alberta government announced in 2015 it would eliminate emissions from coal power generation by 2030.
Dale Nally, associate minister of Natural…
