Stimulus funding helps wind battery research
Duke Energy said it plans to match funding from the U.S. Department of Energy to design, build and install batteries for the storage of wind energy from its Nortress Windpower Project in western Texas.
Wind farm development has expanded as the global community looks for alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. The technology is limited to energy production only under certain weather conditions, however.
Duke said it plans to develop a large-scale battery to store excess wind energy for the distribution of electricity when wind turbines are not in cycle.
"Energy storage truly has the potential to serve as a game-changer when it comes to renewable power," said Wouter van Kempen, president of Duke Energy Generation Services, a Duke Energy subsidiary involved in renewable energy.
The Nortress wind farm consists of 95 wind turbines. The facility has a peak energy production of 151 megawatts of clean electricity.
Duke received its funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Duke and the U.S. Department of Energy must negotiate the terms of the financial stimulus before any of the funding is made available.
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Peterborough Distribution sold to Hydro One for $105 million.
PETERBOROUGH - The City of Peterborough said Wednesday it has agreed to sell Peterborough Distribution Inc. to Hydro One for $105 million.
The deal requires the approval of the Ontario Energy Board.
According to the city, the deal includes a one per cent distribution rate reduction and a five-year freeze in distribution rates for customers, plus:
- A second five-year period with distribution rate increases limited to inflation and an earnings sharing mechanism to offset rates in year 11 and onward
- Protections for PDI employees with employees receiving employment offers to move to Hydro One
- A sale price of $105 million
- An agreement to develop a regional…
