Arm has announced the release of the Cortex M4 microcontroller, which will be embedded into appliances and devices including washing machines, smart meters and audio devices to reduce energy consumption.  The M4 architecture can add more functionality and automate operation of appliances to lower home electricity bills.

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Atlanta, Georgia-based Navigation Capital Partners (NCP) has acquired Specialized Technical Services, Inc. (STS), a smart grid company focused on upgrades to infrastructure and metering services for utility companies.  NCP is a private equity firm that invests in niche manufacturing, distribution and consulting service companies throughout the United States.

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Ontario’s Thunder Bay Hydro is preparing to implement a new rate plan in 2011 after completing deployment of their new smart meters. So far 48,000 meters have been installed with only 1500 remaining. Tim Wilson, TBH vicepresident of Customer Service and Conservation, says most of the meters waiting to be installed are at indoor locations that require appointments. He also said he expects all the meters to be in by the end of this year.

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Intel is researching ways to dramatically increase battery storage capacity using special nanomaterials.  Nanoscale materials are usually defined as those with dimensions smaller than a tenth of a micrometer.  If the researchers are successful, the discoveries could lead the way to new smart grid storage units – an area that is still largely out of reach with current technology.

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Bob Gilligan, Vice President of Transmission and Distribution at GE Energy is interviewed by Tyler Suiters at Clean Skies News in the clip below.

With a worldwide initiative to increase energy efficiency, control demand, and add renewable generation, we can deliver the solutions to meet the needs of our growing cities.
– Bob Gilligan, GE Energy

GE Energy wants consumers to become more engaged in the discussion about their energy use and how they can save energy. Conservation is the most cost-effective way to address the energy future. If consumers have more information, delivered by Smart Meters it will help them to make better decisions.

The price is an important element when it comes to saving energy. It costs more money to produce and deliver energy at peak hours. If consumers are aware of the actual price for the present hour it will help them to choose whether it’s worth using energy at peak hours or when the prices are lower.

Watch the full interview!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cH9ME9tTkxc

Also take a look at this site from GE Ecomagination

Innovalight Inc announced that the company has been awarded a key patent for the manufacturing of crystalline wafer solar cells with silicon ink. Entitled “Methods of forming multi-doped junctions on a substrate,” U.S. Patent No. 7,615,393 was issued in one year, far less than the three year average for patents. The patent covers a process for the commercial manufacture of high efficiency selective emitter solar cells with silicon ink.

Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV) plans to develop a 10-megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic power plant in Fiumicino, Rome. Developed in partnership with Solesa Green Power, the facility will be the largest solar power plant in the Rome province – and one of the largest in Italy.

REpower Systems AG and Akuo Energy SAS have signed three agreements for the supply of 25 wind turbines. The REpower MM92 turbines, each with a hub height of 100 meters and 2.05 megawatts (MW) of rated power will be installed at three wind farms: Fontaine Macon, Sevigny Waleppe and Saint-Germainmont in the Champagne-Ardennes region, in the Northeast of France. Together, the turbines will have a total installed capacity of 51.25 MW.

For years the marketing and advertising from government and car companies alike have boldly stated that it was only a matter of time before electric vehicles took over the cr industry. Now, electric vehicles, in the form of hybrids that combine both gas and electric motors, are finally beginning to do just that. (Source: SBI Energy press release / pdf)

DOE has awarded a conditional loan guarantee for nearly
$1.4 billion to BrightSource Energy for three utility-scale
concentrated solar power plants in southeastern California.
Pending regulatory approval, the Ivanpah Solar Complex will
generate about 400 megawatts of energy.